THE EIGHTH NOVELL

 

  DECLARING, THAT LOVE NOT ONELY MAKES A MAN PRODIGALL, BUT ALSO AN

   ENEMY TO HIMSELFE. MOREOVER, ADVENTURE OFTENTIMES BRINGETH SUCH

            MATTERS TO PASSE, AS WIT AND CUNNING IN MAN

                         CAN EVER COMPREHEND

 

  Anastasio, a Gentleman of the Family of the Honesti, by loving the

Daughter to Signior Paulo Traversario, lavishly wasted a great part of

his substance, without receiving any love from her againe. By

perswasion of some of his kindred and friends, he went to a Countrey

dwelling of his, called Chiasso, where he saw a Knight desperately

pursue a young Damosell; whom he slew, and afterward gave her to be

devoured by his Hounds. Anastasio invited his friends, and hers also

whom he so dearely loved, to take part of a dinner with him, who

likewise saw the same Damosell so torne in peeces: which his unkind

Love perceiving, and fearing least the like ill fortune should

happen to her; she accepted Anastasio to be her Husband.

 

  So soone as Madam Lauretta held her peace, Madam Pampinea (by the

Queenes command) began, and said. Lovely Ladies, as pitty is most

highly commended in our sexe, even so is cruelty in us as severely

revenged (oftentimes) by divine ordination. Which that you may the

better know, and learne likewise to shun, as a deadly evill; I purpose

to make apparant by a Novell, no lesse full of compassion, then

delectable.

  Ravenna being a very ancient City in Romania, there dwelt sometime a

great number of worthy Gentlemen, among whom I am to speake of one

more especially, named Anastasio, descended from the Family of the

Honesti, who by the death of his Father, and an Unckle of his, was

left extraordinarily abounding in riches, and growing to yeares

fitting for marriage, (as young Gallants are easily apt enough to

do) he became enamored of a very bountifull Gentlewoman, who was

Daughter to Signior Paulo Traversario, one of the most ancient and

noble Families in all the Countrey. Nor made he any doubt, but by

his meanes and industrious endeavour, to derive affection from her

againe; for he carried himselfe like a brave-minded Gentleman,

liberall in his expences, honest and affable in all his actions, which

commonly are the true notes of a good nature, and highly to be

commended in any man. But, howsoever Fortune became his enemy, these

laudable parts of manhood did not any way friend him, but rather

appeared hurtfull to himselfe: so cruell, unkind, and almost meerely

savage did she shew her selfe to him; perhaps in pride of her singular

beauty, or presuming on her nobility by birth, both which are rather

blemishes, then ornaments in a woman, especially when they be abused.

  The harsh and uncivill usage in her, grew very distastefull to

Anastasio, and so unsufferable, that after a long time of fruitlesse

service, requited still with nothing but coy disdaine; desperate

resolutions entred into his brain, and often he was minded to kill

himselfe. But better thoughts supplanting those furious passions, he

abstained from any such violent act; and governed by more manly

consideration, determined, that as shee hated him, he would requite

her with the like, if he could: wherein he became altogether deceived,

because as his hopes grew to a dayly decaying, yet his love enlarged

it selfe more and more.

  Thus Anastasio persevering still in his bootlesse affection, and his

expences not limited within any compasse; it appeared in the judgement

of his Kindred and Friends, that he was falne into a mighty

consumption, both of his body and meanes. In which respect, many times

they advised him to leave the City of Ravenna, and live in some

other place for such a while; as might set a more moderate stint

upon his spendings, and bridle the indiscreete course of his love, the

onely fuell which fed this furious fire.

  Anastasio held out thus a long time, without lending an eare to such

friendly counsell: but in the end, he was so neerely followed by them,

as being no longer able to deny them, he promised to accomplish

their request. Whereupon, making such extraordinary preparation, as if

he were to set thence for France or Spaine, or else into some

further distant countrey: he mounted on horsebacke, and accompanied

with some few of his familiar friends, departed from Ravenna, and rode

to a countrey dwelling house of his owne, about three or foure miles

distant from the Cittie which was called Chiasso, and there (upon a

very goodly greene) erecting divers Tents and Pavillions, such as

great persons make use of in the time of a Progresse: he said to his

friends, which came with him thither, that there he determined to make

his abiding, they all returning backe unto Ravenna, and might come

to visite him againe so often as they pleased.

  Now, it came to passe, that about the beginning of May, it being

then a very milde and serrene season, and he leading there a much more

magnificent life, then ever hee had done before, inviting divers to

dine with him this day, and as many to morrow, and not to leave him

till after supper: upon the sodaine, falling into remembrance of his

cruell Mistris, hee commanded all his servants to forbeare his

company, and suffer him to walke alone by himselfe awhile, because

he had occasion of private meditations, wherein he would not (by any

meanes) be troubled. It was then about the ninth houre of the day, and

he walking on solitary all alone, having gone some halfe miles

distance from his Tents, entred into a Grove of Pine-trees, never

minding dinner time, or any thing else, but onely the unkind requitall

of his love.

  Sodainly he heard the voice of a woman, seeming to make most

mournfull complaints, which breaking off his silent considerations,

made him to lift up his head, to know the reason of this noise. When

he saw himselfe so farre entred into the Grove, before he could

imagine where he was; hee looked amazedly round about him, and out

of a little thicket of bushes and briars round engirt with spreading

trees, hee espyed a young Damosell come running towards him, naked

from the middle upward, her haire dishevelled on her shoulders, and

her faire skinne rent and torne with the briars and brambles, so

that the blood ran trickling downe mainely; she weeping, wringing

her hands, and crying out for mercy so lowde as she could. Two

fierce Bloodhounds also followed swiftly after, and where their

teeth tooke hold, did most cruelly bite her. Last of all (mounted on a

lusty blacke Courser) came gallopping a Knight, with a very sterne and

angry countenance, holding a drawne short Sword in his hand, giving

her very vile and dreadfull speeches, and threatning every minute to

kill her.

  This strange and uncouth sight, bred in him no meane admiration,

as also kinde compassion to the unfortunate woman; out of which

compassion, sprung an earnest desire, to deliver her (if he could)

from a death so full of anguish and horror: but seeing himselfe to

be without Armes, he ran and pluckt up the plant of a Tree, which

handling as if it had bene a staffe, he opposed himselfe against the

Dogges and the Knight, who seeing him comming, cryed out in this

manner to him. Anastasio, put not thy selfe in any opposition, but

referre to my Hounds and me, to punish this wicked woman as she hath

justly deserved. And in speaking these words, the Hounds tooke fast

hold on her body, so staying her, untill the Knight was come neerer to

her, and alighted from his horse: when Anastasio (after some other

angry speeches) spake thus unto him: I cannot tell what or who thou

art, albeit thou takest such knowledge of me, yet I must say, that

it is meere cowardize in a Knight, being armed as thou art, to offer

to kill a naked woman, and make thy dogges thus to seize on her, as if

she were a savage beast; therefore beleeve me, I will defend her so

farre as I am able.

  Anastasio, answered the Knight, I am of the same City as thou art,

and do well remember, that thou wast a little Ladde, when I (who was

then named Guido Anastasio, and thine Unckle) became as intirely in

love with this woman, as now thou art of Paulo Traversarioes daughter.

But through her coy disdaine and cruelty, such was my heavy fate, that

desperately I slew my selfe with this short sword which thou beholdest

in mine hand: for which rash sinfull deede, I was, and am condemned to

eternall punishment. This wicked woman, rejoycing immeasurably in mine

unhappy death, remained no long time alive after me, and for her

mercilesse sinne of cruelty, and taking pleasure in my oppressing

torments; dying unrepentant, and in pride of her scorne, she had the

like sentence of condemnation pronounced on her, and sent to the

same place where I was tormented.

  There the three impartiall judges, imposed this further infliction

on us both; namely, that she should flye in this manner before me, and

I (who loved her so deerely while I lived) must pursue her as my

deadly enemy, not like a woman that had a taste of love in her. And so

often as I can overtake her, I am to kill her with this sword, the

same Weapon wherewith I slew my selfe. Then am I enjoyned, therewith

to open her accursed body, and teare out her hard and frozen heart,

with her other inwards, as now thou seest me doe, which I give unto my

Hounds to feede on. Afterward, such is the appointment of the supreame

powers, that she re-assumeth life againe, even as if she had not

bene dead at all, and falling to the same kinde of flight, I with my

Hounds am still to follow her; without any respite or intermission.

Every Friday, and just at this houre, our course is this way, where

she suffereth the just punishment inflicted on her. Nor do we rest any

of the other dayes, but are appointed unto other places, where she

cruelly executed her malice against me, being now (of her deare

affectionate friend) ordained to be her endlesse enemy, and to

pursue her in this manner for so many yeares, as she exercised moneths

of cruelty, towards me. Hinder me not then, in being the executioner

of divine justice; for all thy interposition is but in vaine, in

seeking to crosse the appointment of supreame powers.

  Anastasio having attentively heard all this discourse, his haire

stood upright like Porcupines quils, and his soule was so shaken

with the terror, that he stept backe to suffer the Knight to do what

he was enjoyned, looking yet with milde commisseration on the poore

woman. Who kneeling Most humbly before the Knight, and stearnely

seized on by the two blood-hounds, he opened her brest with his

weapon, drawing foorth her heart and bowels, which instantly he

threw to the dogges, and they devoured them very greedily. Soone

after, the Damosell (as if none of this punishment had bene

inflicted on her) started up sodainly, running amaine towards the

Sea shore, and the Hounds swiftly following her, as the Knight did the

like, after he had taken his sword, and was mounted on horsebacke;

so that Anastasio had soone lost all sight of them, and could not

gesse what was become of them.

  After he had heard and observed all these things, he stoode a

while as confounded with feare and pitty, like a simple silly man,

hoodwinkt with his owne passions, not knowing the subtle enemies

cunning illusions in offering false suggestions to the sight, to worke

his owne ends thereby, and encrease the number of his deceived

servants. Forthwith he perswaded himselfe, that he might make good use

of this womans tormenting, so justly imposed on the Knight to

prosecute, if thus it should continue still every Friday. Wherefore,

setting a good note or marke upon the place, he returned backe to

his owne people, and at such time as he thought convenient, sent for

divers of his kindred and friends from Ravenna, who being present with

him, thus he spake to them.

  Deare Kinsmen and Friends, ye have a long while importuned me, to

discontinue my over-doating love to her, whom you all thinke, and I

find to be my mortall enemy: as also, to give over my lavish expences,

wherein I confesse my selfe too prodigall; both which requests of

yours, I will condiscend to, provided, that you will performe one

gracious favour for me; Namely, that on Friday next, Signior Paulo

Traversario, his wife, daughter, with all other women linked in linage

to them, and such beside onely as you shall please to appoint, will

vouchsafe to accept a dinner heere with wi me; as for the reason

thereto mooving me, you shall then more at large be acquainted

withall. This appeared no difficult matter for them to accomplish:

wherefore, being returned to Ravenna, and as they found the time

answerable to their purpose, they invited such as Anastasio had

appointed them. And although they found it some-what an hard matter,

to gaine her company whom he so deerely affected; yet notwithstanding,

the other women won her along with them.

  A most magnificent dinner had Anastasio provided, and the tables

were covered under the Pine-trees, where he saw the cruell Lady so

pursued and slaine: directing the guests so in their seating, that the

yong Gentlewoman his unkinde Mistresse, sate with her face opposite

unto the place, where the dismall spectacle was to be seene. About the

closing up of dinner, they beganne to heare the noise of the poore

prosecuted Woman, which drove them all to much admiration; desiring to

know what it was, and no one resolving them, they arose from the

Tables, and looking directly as the noise came to them, they espyed

the wofull Woman, the Dogges eagerly pursuing her; and the armed

Knight on horsebacke, gallopping fiercely after them with his drawne

weapon, and came very nere unto the company, who cryed out with lowd

exclaimes against the dogs and the Knight, stepping forth in

assistance of the injured woman.

  The Knight spake unto them, as formerly he had done to Anastasio,

(which made them draw backe, possessed with feare and admiration)

acting the same cruelty as he did the Friday before, not differing

in the least degree. Most of the Gentlewomen there present, being

neere allyed to the unfortunate Woman, and likewise to the Knight,

remembring well both his love and death, did shed teares as

plentifully, as if it had bin to the very persons themselves, in

usuall performance of the action indeede. Which tragicall Sceene being

passed over, and the Woman and Knight gone out of their sight: all

that had seene this straunge accident, fell into diversity of confused

opinions, yet not daring to disclose them, as doubting some further

danger to ensue thereon.

  But beyond all the rest, none could compare in feare and

astonishment with the cruell yong Maide affected by Anastasio, who

both saw and observed all with a more inward apprehension, knowing

very well, that the morall of this dismall spectacle, carried a much

neerer application to her then any other in all the company. For now

she could call to mind, how unkinde and cruell she had shewne her

selfe to Anastasio, even as the other Gentlewoman formerly did to

her Lover, still flying from him in great contempt and scorne: for

which, she thought the Blood-hounds also pursued her at the heeles

already, and a sword of vengeance to mangle her body. This feare

grew so powerfull in her, that to prevent the like heavy doome from

falling on her, she studied (by all her best and commendable meanes,

and therein bestowed all the night season) how to change her hatred

into kinde love, which at the length she fully obtained, and then

purposed to prosecute in this manner.

  Secretly she sent a faithfull Chambermaide of her owne, to greete

Anastasio on her behalfe; humbly entreating him te come see her:

because now she was absolutely determined, to give him satisfaction in

all which (with honour) he could request of her. Whereto Anastasio

answered, that he accepted her message thankfully, and desired no

other favour at her hand, but that which stood with her owne offer,

namely, to be his Wife in honourable marriage, The Maide knowing

sufficiently, that he could not be more desirous of the match, then

her Mistresse shewed her selfe to be, made answer in her name, that

this motion would be most welcome to her.

  Heereupon, the Gentlewoman her selfe, became the solicitour to her

Father and Mother, telling them plainly, that slie was willing to be

the Wife of Anastasio: which newes did so highly content them, that

upon the Sunday next following, the marriage was very worthily

solemnized, and they lived and loved together very kindly. Thus the

divine bounty out of the malignant enemies secret machinations, can

cause good effects to arise and succeede. For, from this conceite of

fearfull imagination in her, not onely happened this long desired

conversion, of a Maide so obstinately scornfull and proud; but

likewise all the women of Ravenna (being admonished by her example)

grew afterward more kind and tractable to mens honest motions, then

ever they shewed themselves before. And let me make some use hereof

(faire Ladies) to you, not to stand over-nicely conceited of your

beauty and good parts, when men (growing enamored of you by them)

solicite you with their best and humblest services. Remember then this

disdainfull Gentlewoman, but more especially her, who being the

death of so kinde a Lover, was therefore condemned to perpetuall

punishment, and he made the minister thereof, whom she had cast off

with coy disdaine, from which I wish your minds to be as free, as mine

is ready to do you any acceptable service.