THE SIXT NOVELL

 

       SUFFICIENTLY DECLARING, THAT HOW MIGHTY SOEVER THE POWER OF

       LOVE IS: YET A MAGNANIMOUS AND TRULY GENEROUS HEART, IT CAN

                        BY NO MEANES FULLY CONQUER

 

  Victioious King Chrles, sirnamed the Aged, and first of that Name,

fell in love with a yong Maiden, named Genevera, daughter to an

ancient Knight, called Signior Neri degli Uberti. And waxing ashamed

of his amorous folly, caused both Genevera, and her fayre Sister

Isotta, to be joyned in marriage with two Noble Gentlemen; the one

named Signior Maffeo da Palizzi, and the other, Signior Gulielmo della

Magna.

 

  Who is able to expresse ingeniously, the diversity of opinions,

which hapned among the Ladies, in censuring on the act of Madame

Dianora, and which of them was most liberall, eithet Signior

Gilberto the Husband, Lord Ansaldo the importunate suiter, or the

Magitian, expecting to bee bountifully rewarded. Surely, it is a

matter beyond my capacity: but after the King had permitted their

disputation a long while, looking on Madam Fiammetta, he commanded

that she should report her Novel to make an end of their controversie;

and she (without any further delaying) thus began. I did alwaies

(Noble Ladies) hold it fit and decent, that in such an assembly as

this of ours is, every one ought to speake so succinctly and

plainly: that the obscure understanding, concerning the matters spoken

of, should have no cause of disputation. For disputes do much better

become the Colledges of Schollers, then to be among us, who hardly can

manage our Distaves or Samplers. And therefore I, who intend to relate

something, which (peradventure) might appeare doubtfull: will forbeare

(seeing you in such a difference; for that which hath bin spoken

alreadie) to use any difficult discourse; but will speake of one, a

man of no meane ranke or quality, being both a valiant and vertuous

King, and what he did, without any impeach or blemish to his honor.

  I make no doubt, but you have often heard report, of king Charls the

Aged, and first of that name, by reason of his magnificent

enterprises, as also his most glorious victory, which he obtaind

against King Manfred, when the Ghibellines were expulsed foorth of

Florence, and the Guelphes returned thither againe. By which occasion,

an ancient knight, named Signior Neri degli Uberti; forsaking then the

City, with all his family and great store of wealth, woulde live under

any other obedience, then the awful power or command of King

Charles. And coveting to be in some solitary place, where he might

finish the remainder of his dayes in peace, he went to Castello da

Mare; where, about a Bow shoote distance from all other dwelling

houses, hee bought a parcel of ground, plentifully stored with variety

of Trees, bearing Olives, Chesnuts, Orenges, Lemons, Pomcitrons, and

other excellent frutages, wherewith the Countrey flourisheth

abundantly. There he built a very faire and commodious house, and

planted (close by it) a pleasant Garden, in the middst whereof,

because he had great plenty of water: according as other men use to

do, being in the like case so wel provided; he made a very goodly

Pond, which forthwith had all kinde of Fish swimming in it, it being

his daily care and endevour, to tend his Garden, and encrease his

Fish-pond.

  It fortuned, that King Charles in the Summer time) for his

pleasure and recreation, went to repose himselfe (for some certayne

dayes) at Castello de Mare, where having heard report of the beautie

and singularitie of Signiour Neries Garden; hee grew very desirous

to see it. But when he understoode to whome it belonged, then he

entred into consideration with himselfe, that hee was an ancient

Knight, maintaining a contrarie faction to his: wherefore, he

thought it fit to goe in some familiar manner, and with no trayne

attending on him. Wherupon he sent him word, that he wold come to

visit him, with foure Gentlemen onely in his companie, meaning to

sup with him in his Garden the next night ensuing. The newes was

very welcome to Signior Neri, who took order in costly maner for all

things to bee done, entertaining the King most joyfully into his

beautifull Garden.

  When the King had survayed all, and the house likewise, he commended

it beyond all other comparison, and the Tables being placed by the

Ponds side, he washed his hands therin, and then sat down at the the

Count, Sir Guy de Montforte (who was one of them which came in his

company) to sitte downe by him, and Signior Neri on his other side. As

for the other three of the traine, hee commaunded them to attend on

his service, as Signior Neri had given order. There wanted no

exquisite Viandes and excellent Wines, all performed in most decent

manner, and without the least noise or disturbance, wherein the King

tooke no little delight.

  Feeding thus in this contented manner, and fancying the solitude

of the place: sodainly entred into the garden, two yong Damosels, each

aged about some fifteene yeares, their haire resembling wyars of Gold,

and curiously curled, having Chaplets (made like provinciall

Crownes) on their heades, and their delicate faces, expressing them to

be rather Angels, then mortall creatures, such was the appearance of

their admired beauty. Their under-garments were of costly Silke, yet

white as the finest snow, framed (from the girdle upward) close to

their bodies, but spreading largely downward, like the extendure of

a Pavillion, and so descending to the feet. She that first came in

sight, caried on her shoulder a couple of fishing Netts, which she

held fast with her left hand, and in the right she carryed a long

staffe. The other following her, had on her left shoulder a

Frying-pan, and under the same arme a small Faggot of woodde, with a

Trevit in her hand; and in the other hand a pot of Oyle, as also a

brand of fire flaming.

  No sooner did the King behold them, but he greatly wondered what

they should be; and, without uttering one word, attended to listen

what they wold say. Both the yong damosels, when they were come before

the King, with modest and bashfull gesture, they performed very humble

reverence to him, and going to the place of entrance into the Pond,

she who held the Trevit, set it downe on the ground, with the other

things also; and taking the staffe which the other Damosell carried:

they both went into the Pond, the water whereof reached so high as

to their bosomes. One of the Servants to Signior Neri, presently

kindled the fire, setting the Trevit over it, and putting Oyle into

the Frying-panne, held it uppon the Trevit, awaiting untill the

Damosels should cast him uppe Fish. One of them did beate a place with

the staffe, where she was assured of the Fishes resort, and the

other hadde lodged the Nets so conveniently, as they quickly caught

great store of Fish, to the Kings high contentment, who observed their

behaviour very respectively.

  As the Fishes were throwne up to the servant, alive as they were, he

tooke the best and fairest of them, and brought them to the Table,

where they skipt and mounted before the King, Count Guy de Montfort

and the Father: some leaping from the Table into the Pond againe,

and others, the King (in a pleasing humour) voluntarily threw backe to

the Damosels. jesting and sporting in this manner, till the servant

had drest divers of them in exquisite order, and served them to the

Table according as Signior Neri had ordained. When the Damosels saw

the Fishes service performed, and perceived that they had fished

sufficiently: they came forth of the water, their garments then (being

wet) hanging close about them, even as if they hid no part of their

bodies. Each having taken those things againe, which at first they

brought with them, and saluting the king in like humility as they

did before, returned home to the mansion house.

  The King and Count likewise, as also the other attending

Gentlemen, having duely considered the behavior of the Damosels:

commended extraordinarily their beauty and faire feature, with those

other perfections of Nature so gloriously shining in them. But (beyond

all the rest) the King was boundlesse in his praises given of them,

having observed their going into the water, the equall carriage

there of them both, their comming forth, and gracious demeanor at

their departing (yet neither knowing of whence, or what they were)

he felt his affection very violently flamed, and grew into such an

amourous desire to them both, not knowing which of them pleased him

most, they so choisely resembled one another in all things.

  But after he had dwelt long enough upon these thoughts, he turned

him selfe to Signior Neri, and demanded of him, what Damosels they

were. Sir (answered Neri) they are my Daughters, both brought into the

world at one birth, and Twinnes, the one being named Genevera the

faire, and the other Isotta the amiable. The King began againe to

commend them both, and gave him advise to get them both married:

wherein he excused himselfe, alleadging, that he wanted power to doe

it. At the same time instant, no other service remaining to be brought

to the table, except Fruit and Cheese, the two Damosels returned

againe, attyred in goodly Roabes of Carnation Sattin, formed after the

Turkish fashion, carrying two fayre Silver dishes in their hands,

filled with divers delicate Fruites, such as the season then afforded,

setting them on the Table before the King. Which being done, they

retyred a little backeward, and with sweet melodious voyces, sung a

ditty, beginning in this manner.

  Where Love presumeth into place:

  Let no one sing in Loves disgrace.

  So sweet and pleasing seemed the Song to the King (who tooke no

small delight, both to heare and behold the Damosels) even as if all

the Hirarchies of Angels were descended from the Heavens to sing

before him. No sooner was the Song ended, but (humbly on their

knees) they craved favour of the King for their departing. Now,

although their departure was greatly grieving to him, yet (in

outward appearance) he seemed willing to grant it.

  When Supper was concluded, and the King and his Company remounted on

horsebacke: thankefully departing from Signior Neri, the King returned

to his lodging, concealing there closely his affection to himselfe,

and whatsoever important affaires happened: yet he could not forget

the beauty, and gracious behaviour of Genevera the faire (for whose

sake he loved her Sister likewise) but became so linked to her in

vehement maner, as he had no power to think on any thing else.

Pretending other urgent occasions, he fell into great familiarity with

Signior Neri, visiting very often his goodly Garden; onely to see

his faire Daughter Genevera, the Adamant which drew him thither.

  When he felt his amourous assaults, to exceed all power of longer

sufferance: he resolved determinately with himselfe, (being unprovided

of any better meanes) to take her away from her Father, and not

onely she, but her Sister also; discovering both his love and intent

to Count Guy de Montforte, who being a very worthy and vertuous

Lord, and meet to be a Counseller for a King, delivered his mind in

this manner.

  Gracious Lord, I wonder not a little at your speeches, and so much

the greater is my admiration, because no man els can be subject to the

like, in regard I have knowne you from the time of your infancy;

even to this instant houre, and alwayes your carriage to bee one and

the same. I could never perceive in your youthfull dayes (when love

should have the greatest meanes to assaile you) any such oppressing

passions: which is now the more novell and strange to me, to heare

it but said, that you being old, and called the Aged; should be growne

amorous, surely to me it seemeth a miracle. And if it appertained to

me to reprehend you in this case, I know well enough what I could say.

Considering, you have yet your Armour on your backe, in a Kingdome

newly conquered, among a Nation not knowne to you, full of falsehoods,

breaches, and treasons; all which are no meane motives to care and

needfull respect. But having now wone a little leisure, to rest your

selfe a while from such serious affaires; can you give way to the idle

suggestions of Love? Beleeve me Sir, it is no act becomming a

magnanimious King; but rather the giddy folly of a young braine.

  Moreover you say (which most of all I mislike) that you intend to

take the two Virgines from the Knight, who hath given you

entertainment in his house beyond his ability, and to testifie how

much he honoured you, he suffered you to have a sight of them, meerely

(almost) in a naked manner: witnessing thereby, what constant faith he

reposed in you, beleeving verily, that you were a just King, and not a

ravenous Woolfe. Have you so soone forgot, that the rapes and

violent actions, done by King Manfred to harmelesse Ladies, made

your onely way of entrance into this Kingdome? What treason was ever

committed, more worthy of eternall punishment, then this will be in

you: to take away from him (who hath so highly honoured you) his

chiefest hope and consolation? What will be said by all men, if you

doe it?

  Peradventure you thinke, it will be a sufficient excuse for you,

to say: I did it, in regard hee was a Ghibelline. Can you imagine this

to be justice in a King, that such as get into their possession in

this manner (whatsoever it be) ought to use it in this sort? Let me

tell you Sir, it was a most worthy victory for you, to conquer King

Manfred: but it is farre more famous victory, for a man to conquer

himselfe. You therfore, who are ordained to correct vices in other

men, learne first to subdue them in your selfe, and (by brideling this

inordinate appetite) set not a foule blemish on so faire a fame, as

will be honour to you to preserve spotlesse.

  These words pierced the heart of the King deepely, and so much the

more afflicted him, because he knew them to be most true: wherefore,

after he had ventred a very vehement sigh, thus he replyed. Beleeve me

noble Count, there is not any enemy, how strong soever he be, but I

hold him weake and easie to be vanquished, by him who is skilfull in

the warre, where a man may learne to conquere his owne appetite. But

because he shall find it a laborious taske, requiring inestimable

strength and courage; your words have so toucht me to the quicke, that

it becommeth me to let you effectually perceive (and within the

compasse of few dayes) that as I have learned to conquer others, so

I am not ignorant, in expressing the like power upon my selfe.

Having thus spoken, within some few dayes after, the King being

returned to Naples, he determined, as we to free himself from any

the like ensuing follie, as also to recompence Signior Neri, for the

great kindnesse he had shewne to him (although it was a difficult

thing, to let another enjoy, what he rather desired for himselfe) to

have the two Damosels married, not as the Daughters of Signior Neri,

but even as if they were his owne. And by consent of the Father, he

gave Genevera the faire, to Signior Maffeo da Palizzi, and Isotta

the amiable, to Signior Gulielmo della Magna, two Noble Knights and

honourable Barons. After he had thus given them in marriage, in sad

mourning he departed thence into Apuglia, where by following worthy

and honourable actions, he so well overcame all inordinate

appetites: that shaking off the enthraling fetters of love, he lived

free from all passions, the rest of his life time, and dyed as an

honourable King.

  Some perhaps will say, it was a small matter for a King, to give

away two Damosels in marriage, and I confesse it: but I maintaine it

to be great, and more then great, if we say, that a King, being so

earnestly enamoured as this King was; should give her away to another,

whom he so dearely affected himselfe, without receiving (in recompence

of his affection) so much as a leaffe, flowre, or the least fruit of

love. Yet such was the vertue of this magnificent King, expressed in

so highly recompencing the noble Knights courtesie, honouring the

two daughters so royally, and conquering his owne affections so

vertuously.