THE SIXTH NOVELL

 

  WHEREIN IS MANIFESTED, THAT LOVE CAN LEADE A MAN INTO NUMBERLESSE

             PERILS: OUT OF WHICH HE ESCAPETH WITH NO MEANE

                               DIFFICULTY.

 

  Guion di Procida, being found familiarly conversing with a young

Damosell, which he loved; and had beene given (formerly) to Frederigo,

King of Sicilie: was bound to a stake, to be consumed with fire.

From which h dan ger (neverthelesse) he escaped, being knowne by Don

Rogiero de Oria, Lord Admirall of Sicilie, and afterward married the

Damosell.

 

  The Novell of Madame Neiphila being ended, which proved very

pleasing to the Ladies: the Queene commanded Madam Pampinea, that

she should prepare to take her turne next, whereto willingly

obeying, thus she began. Many and mighty (Gracious Ladies) are the

prevailing powers of love, conducting amorous soules into infinite

travels, with inconveniences no way avoidable, and not easily to be

foreseene, or prevented. As partly already hath bene observed, by

divers of our former Novels related, and some (no doubt) to ensue

hereafter; for one of them (comming now to my memory) I shall acquaint

you withall, in so good tearmes as I can.

  Ischia is an Iland very neere to Naples, wherein (not long since)

lived a faire and lovely Gentlewoman, named Restituta, Daughter to a

Gentleman of the same Isle, whose name was Marino Bolgaro. A proper

youth called Guion, dwelling also in a neere neighbouring Isle, called

Procida, did love her as dearly as his owne life, and she was as

intimately affected towards him. Now because the sight of her was

his onely comfort, as occasion gave him leave, he resorted to Ischia

very often in the day time, and as often also in the night season,

when any Barke passed from Procida to Ischia; if to see nothing

else, yet to behold the walles that enclosed his Mistresse thus.

  While this love continued in equall fervency, it chanced upon a

faire Summers day, that Restituta walked alone upon the Sea-shore,

going from Rocke to Rocke, having a naked knife in her hand, wherewith

she opened such Oysters as shee found among the stones, seeking for

small pearles enclosed in their shelles. Her walke was very solitary

and shady, with a faire Spring or Well adjoyning to it, and thither

(at that very instant time) certaine Sicilian young Gentlemen, which

came from Naples, had made their retreate. They perceiving the

Gentlewoman to be very beautifull (she as yet not having any sight

of them) and in such a silent place alone by her selfe: concluded

together, to make a purchase of her, and carry her thence away with

them; as indeed they did, notwithstanding all her out cryes and

exclaimes, bearing her perforce aboard their Barke.

  Setting sayle thence, they arrived in Calabria, and then there

grew a great contention betweene them, to which of them this booty

of beauty should belong, because each of them pleaded a title to

her. But when they could not grow to any agreement, but doubted

greater disasters would ensue thereon, by breaking their former league

of friendship: by an equall conformity in consent, they resolved, to

bestow her as a rich present, on Frederigo King of Sicille, who was

then young and joviall, and could not be pleased with a better gift;

wherefore, they were no sooner landed at Palermo, but they did

according as they had determined. The King did commend her beauty

extraordinarily, and liked her farre beyond all his other Loves:

but, being at that time empaired in his health, and his body much

distempered by ill dyet; he gave command, that untill he should be

in more able disposition, she must be kept in a goodly house of his

owne, erected in a beautifull Garden, called the Cube, where she was

attended in most pompous manner.

 Now grew the noyse and rumor great in Ischia, about this rape or

stealing away of Restituta; but the chiefest greevance of all, was,

that it could not be knowne how, by whom, or by what meanes. But Guion

di Procida, whom this injury concerned much more then any other: stood

not in expectation of better tydings from Ischia, but h earing what

course the Barke had taken, made ready another, to follow after with

all possible speede. Flying thus on the winged winds through the Seas,

even from Minerva, unto the Scalea in Calabria, searching for his lost

Love in every angle: at length it was told him at the Scalea, that

shee was carryed away by certaine Sicillian Marriners, to Palermo,

whither Guion set sayle immediately.

  After some diligent search made there, he understood, that she was

delivered to the King, and he had given strict command, for keeping

her in his place of pleasure, called the Cube: which newes were not

a little greevous to him, for now he was almost quite out of hope, not

onely of ever enjoying her, but also of seeing her. Neverthelesse,

Love would not let him utterly despaire, whereupon he sent away his

Barque, and perceiving himselfe to be unknowne of any; he continued

for some time in Palermo, walking many times by that goodly place of

pleasure. It chanced on a day, that keeping his walke as he used to

do, Fortune was so favourable to him, as to let him have a sight of

her at her window; from whence also she had a full view of him, to

their exceeding comfort and contentment. And Guion observing, that the

Cube was seated in a place of small resort; approached so neere as

possibly he durst, to have some conference with Restituta.

  As Love sets a keene edge on the dullest spirit, and (by a small

advantage) makes a man the more adventurous: so this little time of

unseene talke, inspired him with courage, and her with witty advice,

by what meanes his accesse might be much neerer to her, and their

communication concealed from any discovery, the scituation of the

place, and benefit of time duly considered. Night must be the cloud to

their amorous conclusion, and therefore, so much thereof being

spent, as was thought convenient, he returned thither againe, provided

of such grappling-yrons, as is required when men will clamber, made

fast unto his hands and knees; by their helpe hee attained to the

top of the wall, whence discending downe into the Garden, there he

found the maine yard of a ship, whereof before she had given him

instruction, and rearing it up against her Chamber window, made that

his meanes for ascending thereto, she having left it open for his

easier entrance.

  You cannot denie (faire Ladies) but here was a very hopefull

beginning, and likely to have as happy an ending, were it not true

Loves fatal misery, even in the very height of promised assurance,

to be thwarted by unkind prevention, and in such manner as I will tell

you. This night, intended for our Lovers meeting, proved disastrous

and dreadfull to them both: for the King, who at the first sight of

Restituta, was highly pleased with her excelling beauty; gave order to

his Eunuches and other women, that a costly bathe should be prepared

for her, and therein to let her weare away that night, because the

next day he intended to visit her. Restituta being royally conducted

from her Chamber to the Bathe, attended on with Torchlight, as if

she had bene a Queene: none remained there behind, but such women as

waited on her, and the Guards without, which watched the Chamber.

  No sooner was poore Guion aloft at the window, calling softly to his

Mistresse, as if she had bene there; but he was over-heard by the

women in the darke: and immediately apprehended by the Guard, who

forthwith brought him before the Lord Marshall, where being

examined, and he avouching, that Restituta was his elected wife, and

for her he had presumed in that manner; closely was he kept in

prison till the next morning. When he came into the Kings presence,

and there boldly justified the goodnesse of his cause: Restituta

likewise was sent for, who no sooner saw her deare Love Guion, but she

ran and caught him fast about the necke, kissing him in teares, and

greeving not a little at his hard fortune. Heereat the King grew

exceedingly enraged, loathing and hating her now, much more then

formerly hee did affect her, and having himselfe seene by what strange

meanes he did climbe over the wall, and then mounted to her Chamber

window; he was extreamely impatient, and could not otherwise bee

perswaded, but that their meetings thus had bene very many.

  Forthwith hee sentenced them both with death, commanding, that

they should be conveyed thence to Palermo, and there (being stript

starke naked) be bound to a stake backe to backe, and so to stand

the full space of nine houres, to see if any could take knowledge,

of whence, or what they were; then afterward, to be consumed with

fire. The sentence of death, did not so much daunt or dismay the poore

Lovers, as the uncivill and unsightly manner, which (in feare of the

Kings wrathfull displeasure) no man durst presume to contradict.

Wherefore, as he had commanded, so were they carryed thence to

Palermo, and bound naked to a stake in the open Market place, and

(before their eyes) the fire of wood brought, which was to consume

them, according to the houre as the King had appointed. You neede

not make any question, what an huge concourse of people were soone

assembled together, to behold such a sad and wofull spectacle, even

the whole City of Palermo, both men and women. The men were stricken

with admiration, beholding the unequalled beauty of faire Restituta,

and the selfe-same passion possessed the women, seeing Guion to be

such a goodly and compleat young man: but the poore infortunate Lovers

themselves, they stood with their lookes dejected to the ground, being

much pittied of all, but no way to be holpen or rescued by any,

awaiting when the happy houre would come, to finish both their shame

and lives together.

  During the time of this tragicall expectation, the fame of this

publike execution being noysed abroade, calling all people farre and

neere to behold it; it came to the eare of Don Rogiero de Oria, a

man of much admired valour, and then Lord high Admirall of Sicily, who

came himselfe in person, to the place appointed for their death.

First, he observed the Mayden, confessing her (in his soule) to be a

beauty beyond all compare. Then looking on the young man, thus he

saide within himselfe: If the inward endowments of the mind, doe

paralell the outward perfections of body; the World cannot yeeld a

more compleate man. Now, as good natures are quickly incited to

compassion (especially in cases almost commanding it) and compassion

knocking at the doore of the soule, doth quicken the memory with

many passed recordations: so this noble Admirall, advisedly, beholding

poore condemned Guion, conceived, that he had somewhat seene him

before this instant, and upon this perswasion (even as if divine

vertue had tutored his tongue) he saide: Is not thy name Guion di

Procida?

  Marke now, how quickly misery can receive comfort, upon so poore and

silly a question; for Guion began to elevate his dejected countenance,

and looking on the Admirall, returned him this answer. Sir, heretofore

I have bene the man which you speake of; but now, both that name and

man must die with me. What misfortune (said the Admirall) hath thus

unkindly crost thee? Love (answered Guion) and the Kings

displeasure. Then the Admirall would needs know the whole history at

large, which briefly was related to him, and having heard how all

had happened; as he was turning his Horse to ride away thence, Guion

called to him, saying, Good my Lord, entreat one favour for me, if

possibly it may be. What is that? replyed the Admirall. You see Sir

(quoth Guior) that I am very shortly to breathe my last; all the grace

which I do most humbly entreat, is, that as I am here with this chaste

Virgin, (whom I honour and love beyond my life) and miserably bound

backe to backe: our faces may be turned each to other, to the end,

that when the fire shall finish my life, by looking on her, my soule

may take her flight in full felicity. The Admirall smiling, said; I

will do for thee what I can, and (perhaps) thou mayest so long looke

on her, as thou wilt be weary, and desire to looke off her.

  At his departure, he commanded them that had the charge of this

execution, to proceede no further, untill they heard more from the

King, to whom he gallopped immediately, and although he beheld him

to bee very angerly moved; yet he spared not to speake in this

maner. Sir, wherin have those poore young couple offended you, that

are so shamefully to be burnt at Palermo? The King told him: whereto

the Admirall (pursuing still his purpose) thus replyed. Beleeve me

Sir, if true love be an offence, then theirs may be termed to be

one; and albeit it deserved death, yet farre be it from thee to

inflict it on them: for as faults doe justly require punishment, so

doe good turnes as equally merit grace and requitall. Knowest thou

what and who they are, whom thou hast so dishonourably condemned to

the fire? Not I, quoth the King. Why then I will tell thee, answered

the Admirall, that thou mayest take the better knowledge of them,

and forbeare hereafter, to be so over violently transported with

anger.

  The young Gentleman, is the Sonne to Landolfo di Procida, the

onely Brother to Lord John di Procida, by whose meanes thou becamest

Lord and King of this Countrey. The faire young Damosell, is the

Daughter to Marino Bulgaro, whose power extendeth so farre, as to

preserve thy prerogative in Ischia, which (but for him) had long since

bene out-rooted there. Beside, these two maine motives, to challenge

justly grace and favour from thee; they are in the floure and pride of

their youth, having long continued in loyall love together, and

compelled by fervency of endeared affection, not any will to displease

thy Majesty: they have offended (if it may be termed an offence to

love, and in such lovely young people as they are.) Canst thou then

finde in thine heart to let them die, whom thou rather ought to

honour, and recompence with no meane rewards?

 When the King had heard this, and beleeved for a certainty, that

the Admirall told him nothing but truth: he appointed not onely,

that they should proceede no further, but also was exceeding

sorrowfull for what he had done, sending presently to have them

released from the Stake, and honourably to be brought before him.

Being thus enstructed in their severall qualities, and standing in

duty obliged, to recompence the wrong which he had done, with

respective honours: he caused them to be cloathed in royall

garments, and knowing them to bee knit in unity of soule; the like

he did by marrying them solemnly together, and bestowing many rich

gifts and presents on them, sent them honourably attended home to

Ischia; where they were with much joy and comfort received, and

lived long after in great felicity.