THE SECOND NOVELL

 

    WHEREIN IS DECLARED THAT GOOD MEN DOE SOMETIMES FALL INTO BAD

      CONDITIONS, ONELY OCCASIONED THERETO BY NECESSITY: AND WHAT

       MEANES ARE TO BE USED, FOR THEIR REDUCING TO GOODNESSE

                                      AGAINE

 

  Ghinotto di Tacco; tooke the Lord Abbot of Clugni as his prisoner,

and cured him of a grievous disease, which he had in his stomacke, and

afterwards set him at libert. The same Lord Abbot when hee returned

from the Court Rome, reconciled Ghinotto to Pope Boniface; who made

him a Knight, and Lord Prior of a goodly Hospitall.

 

  The magnificence and Royall bounty, which King Alphonso bestowed

on the Florentine knight, passed through the whole assembly with

mean applause, and the King (who gave the greatest praise of al)

commanded Madame Eliza, to take the second turne in order;

whereupon, thus she began. Faire Ladies, if a king shewed himselfe

magnificently minded, and expressed his liberall bounty to such a man,

as had done him good and honourable services: it can be termed no more

then a vertuous deed well done, and becomming a King. But what will we

say, when we heare that a Prelate of the Church, shewed himselfe

wondrously magnificent, and to such a one as was his enemy: can any

malicious tongue speake ill of him? Undoubtedly, no other answere is

to be made, but the action of the King was meerely vertue, and that of

the Prelate, no lesse then a miracle: for how can it be otherwise,

when they are more greedily covetous then women, and deadly enemies to

all liberality? And although every man (naturally) desireth revenge

for injuries and abuses done unto him: yet men of the Church, in

regard that dayly they preached patience, and commaund (above all

things else) remission of sinnes: it would appeare a mighty blemish in

them, to be more froward and furious then other men. But I am to

speake of a reverend Prelate of the Church, as also concerning his

munificent bounty, to one that was his enemy, and yet became his

reconciled friend, as you shall perceive by my Novell.

  Ghinotto di Tacco, for his insolent and stout robberies, became a

man very farre famed, who being banished from Sienna, and an enemy

to the Countes Disanta Flore: prevailed so by his bold and

headstrong perswasions, that the Towne of Raticonfani rebelled against

the Church of Rome, wherein he remaining; all passengers whatsoever,

travelling any way thereabout, were robde and rifled by his theeving

Companions. At the time whereof now I speake, Boniface the eight,

governed as Pope at Rome, and the Lord Abbot of Clugni (accounted to

be one of the richest Prelates in the world) came to Rome, and there

either by some surfeit, excesse of feeding, or otherwise, his stomacke

being grievously offended and pained; the Phisitians advised him, to

travell to the Bathes at Sienna, where he should receive immediate

cure. In which respect, his departure being licenced by the Pope, to

set onward thither, with great and pompous Cariages, of Horses, Mules,

and a goodly traine, without hearing any rumour of the theevish

Consorts.

  Ghinotto di Tacco, being advertised of his comming, spred about

his scouts and nettes, and without missing so much as one Page, shut

up the Abbot, with all his traine and baggage, in a place of narrow

restraint, out of which he could by no meanes escape. When this was

done, he sent one of his most sufficient attendants (well accompanyed)

to the Lord Abbot, who said to him in his Masters name, that if his

Lordship were so pleased, hee might come and visite Ghinotto at his

Castle. Which the Abbot hearing, answered chollerickly, that he

would not come thither, because hee had nothing to say to Ghinotto:

but meant to proceed on in his journy, and would faine see, who

durst presume to hinder his passe. To which rough words, the messenger

thus mildely answered. My Lord (quoth he) you are arrived in such a

place, where we feare no other force, but the all-controlling power of

heaven, clearely exempted from the Popes thunder-cracks, of

maledictions, interdictions, excommunications, or whatsoever else: and

therefore it would bee much better for you, if you pleased to do as

Ghinotto adviseth you.

  During the time of this their interparlance, the place was

suddenly round ingirt with strongly armed theeves, and the Lord

Abbot perceiving, that both he and all his followers were surprized:

tooke his way (though very impatiently) towards the Castle, and

likewise all his company and carriages with him. Being dismounted, hee

was conducted (as Ghinotto had appointed) all alone, into a small

Chamber of the Castle, it being very darke and uneasie: but the rest

of his traine, every one according to his ranck and quality, were

all well lodged in the Castle, their horses, goods and all things

else, delivered into secure keeping, without the least touch of injury

or prejudice. All which being orderly done, Ghinotto himselfe went

to the Lord Abbot, and said. My Lord, Ghinotto, to whom you are a

welcome guest, requesteth, that it might be your pleasure to tell him,

whither you are travelling, and upon what occasion?

  The Lord Abbot being a very wise man, and his angry distemper more

moderately qualified; revealed whither he went, and the cause of his

going thither. Which when Ghinotto had heard, hee departed courteously

from him, and began to consider with himselfe, how he might cure the

Abbot; yet without any Bathe. So, commanding a good fire to be kept

continually in his small Chamber, and very good attendance on him: the

next morning, he came to visite him againe, bringing a faire white

Napkin on his arme, and in it two slices or toasts of fine Manchet,

a goodly cleare Glasse, full of the purest white-Bastard of

Corniglia (but indeed, of the Abbots owne provision brought thither

with him) and then hee spoke to him in this manner.

  My Lord, when Ghinotto was yonger then now he is, he studyed

Physicke, and he commanded me to tell you, that the very best

medicine, he could ever learne, against any disease in the stomacke,

was this which he had provided for your Lordship, as an especial

preparative, and which he should finde to be very comfortable. The

Abbot, who had a better stomacke to eate, then any will or desire to

talke: although hee did it somewhat disdainfully, yet hee eate up both

the toastes, and roundly dranke the Glasse of Bastard. Afterward,

divers other speeches passed betweene them, the one still advising

in Phisicall manner, and the other seeming to care little for it:

but moved many questions concerning Ghinotto, and earnestly requesting

to see him. Such speeches as savoured of the Abbots discontentment,

and came from him in passion; were clouded with courteous

acceptance, and not the least signe of any mislike: but assuring his

Lordship, that Ghinotto intended very shortly to see him, and so

they parted for that time.

 Nor returned he any more, till the next morning with the like two

toastes of bread, and such another Glasse of white Bastard, as he

had brought him at the first, continuing the same course for divers

dayes after: till the Abbot had eaten (and very hungerly too) a pretty

store of dryed Beanes, which Ghinotto purposely, (yet secretly) had

hidden in the Chamber. Whereupon he demaunded of him (as seeming to be

so enjoyned by his pretended master) in what temper he found his

stomacke now? I should finde my stomacke well enough (answered the

Lord Abbot) if I could get forth of thy masters fingers, and then have

some good food to feed on: for his medicines have made me so soundly

stomackt, that I am ready to starve with hunger.

  When Ghinotto was gone from him, hee then prepared a very faire

Chamber for him, adorning it with the Abbots owne rich hangings, as

also his Plate and other moveables, such as were alwayes used for

his service. A costly dinner he provided likewise, whereto he

invited divers of the Towne, and many of the Abbots chiefest

followers: then going to him againe the next morning, he said. My

Lord, seeing you doe feele your stomacke so well, it is time you

should come forth of the Infirmary. And taking him by the hand, he

brought him into the prepared Chamber, where he left him with his owne

people, and went to give order for the dinners serving in, that it

might be performed in magnificent manner.

  The Lord Abbot recreated himselfe a while with his owne people, to

whom he recounted, the course of his life since hee saw them; and they

likewise told him, how kindly they had bin initeated by Ghinotto.

But when dinner time was come, the Lord Abbot and all his company,

were served with costly viands and excellent Wines, without Ghinottoes

making himselfe knowne to the Abbot: till after he had beene

entertained some few dayes in this order: into the great Hall of the

Castle, Ghinotto caused all the Abbots goods and furniture to bee

brought, and likewise into a spacious Court, wheron the windowes of

the said Court gazed, all his mules and horses, with their sumpters,

even to the very silliest of them, which being done, Ghinotto went

to the Abbot, and demaunded of him, how he felt his stomacke now,

and whether it would serve him to venter on horsebacke as yet, or

no? The Lord Abbot answered, that he found his stomacke perfectly

recovered, his body strong enough to endure travell, and all things

well, so hee were delivered from Ghinotto.

  Hereupon, he brought him into the hall where his furniture was, as

also all his people, and commanding a window to be opned, wherat he

might behold his horses, he said. My Lord, let me plainely give you to

understand, that neither cowardise, or basenesse of minde, induced

Ghinotto di Tacco (which is my selfe) to become a lurking robber on

the high-wayes, an enemy to the Pope, and so (consequently) to the

Romane Court: but onely to save his owne life and honour knowing

himselfe to be a Gentleman cast out of his owne house, and having

(beside) infinite enemies. But because you seeme to be a worthy

Lord, I will not (although I have cured your stomacks disease) deale

with you as I doe to others, whose goods (when they fall into my

power) I take such part of as I please: but rather am well

contented, that my necessities being considered by your selfe, you

spare me out a proportion of the things you have heere, answerable

to your owne liking. For all are present here before you, both in this

Hall, and in the Court beneath, free from any spoyle, or the least

impairing. Wherefore, give a part, or take all, if you please, and

then depart hence when you will, or abide heere still, for now you are

at your owne free liberty.

  The Lord Abbot wondred not a little, that a robber on the high

wayes, should have such a bold and liberall spirit, which appeared

very pleasing to him; and instantly, his former hatred and spleene

against Ghinotto, became converted into cordiall love and kindnes,

so that (imbracing him in his armes) he said. I protest upon my vow

made to Religion, that to win the love of such a man, as I plainely

perceive thee to be: I would undergo far greater injuries, then

those which I have received at thy hands. Accursed be cruell

destiny, that forced thee to so base a kind of life, and did not

blesse thee with a fairer fortune. After he had thus spoken, he left

there the greater part of all his goods, and returned backe againe

to Rome, with few horses, and a meaner traine.

  During these passed accidents, the Pope had received intelligence of

the Lord Abbots surprizall, which was not a little displeasing to him:

but when he saw him returned, he demaunded, what benefit he received

at the Bathes? Whereto the Abbot, merrily smyling, thus replyed.

Holy Father, I met with a most skilfull Physitian neerer hand, whose

experience is beyond the power of the Bathes, for by him I am very

perfectly cured: and so discoursed all at large. The Pope laughing

heartely, and the Abbot continuing on still his report; moved with

an high and magnificent courage, he demaunded one gracious favour of

the Pope: who imagining that he would request a matter of greater

moment, then he did, freely offered to grant, whatsoever he desired.

  Holy Father, answered the Lord Abbot, all the humble suit which I

make to you, is, that you would be pleased to receive into your

grace and favor, Ghinotto di Tacco my Physitian, because among all the

vertuous men, deserving to have especial account made of them I

never met with any equall to him both in honour and honesty.

Whatsoever injury he did to me, I impute it as a greater in-fortune,

then any way he deserveth to be charged withall. Which wretched

condition of his, if you were pleased to alter, and bestow on him some

better meanes of maintenance, to live like a worthy man, as he is no

lesse: I make no doubt, but (in very short time) hee will appeare as

pleasing to your holinesse, as (in my best judgement) I thinke him

to be.

  The Pope, who was of a magnanimious spirit, and one that highly

affected men of vertue, hearing the commendable motion made by the

Abbot; returned answere, that he was as willing to grant it, as the

other desired it, sending Letters of safe conduct for his comming

thither. Ghinotto receiving such assurance from the Court of Rome,

came thither immediatly, to the great joy of the Lord Abbot: and the

Pope finding him to be a man of valor and worth, upon

reconciliation, remitted all former errors, creating him knight, and

Lord Prior of the very chiefest Hospitall in Rome. In which Office

he lived long time after, as a loyall servant to the Church, and an

honest thankefull friend to the Lord Abbot of Clugny.