THE SEVENTH NOVELL

 

   WHEREIN IS COVERTLY GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND, THAT HOWSOEVER A PRINCE

   MAY MAKE USE OF HIS ABSOLUTE POWER AND AUTHORITY, TOWARDS MAIDES

    OR WIVES THAT ARE HIS SUBJECTS: YET HE OUGHT TO DENY AND REJECT

                ALL THINGS, AS SHALL MAKE HIM FORGETFULL

                    OF HIMSELFE, AND HIS TRUE HONOUR

 

  Lisana, the Daughter of a Florentine Apothecary, named Bernardo

Puccino, being at Palermo, and seeing Piero, King of Aragon run at the

Tilt; fell so affectionately enamored of him, that she languished in

an extreame and long sickenesse. By her owne devise, and means of a

Song, sung in the hearing of the King: he vouchsafed to visite her,

and giving her a kisse, terming himselfe also to bee her Knight for

ever after, hee honourably bestowed her in marriage on a young

Gentleman, who was called Perdicano, and gave him liberall

endowments with her.

 

  Madame Fiametta being come to the end of her Novell, and the great

magnificence of King Charles much commended (howbeit, some of the

Company, affecting the Ghibelline faction, were otherwise minded)

Madame Pampinea, by order given from the King, began in this manner.

  There is no man of good understanding (honourable Ladies) but will

maintaine what you have said of victorious Charles; except such as

cannot wish well to any. But because my memory hath instantly informed

me, of an action (perhaps) no lesse commendable then this, done by

an enemy of the said King Charles, and to a yong Maiden of our City, I

am the more willing to relate it, upon your gentle attention

vouchsafed, as hitherto it hath been courteously granted.

  At such time as the French were driven out of Sicilie, there dwelt

at Palermo a Florentine Apothecary, named Bernardo Puccino, a man of

good wealth and reputation, who had by his Wife one onely Daughter, of

marriageable yeares, and very beautifull. Piero, King of Arragon,

being then become Lord of that Kingdom, he made an admirable Feast

Royall at Palermo, accompanyed with his Lords and Barons. In honour of

which publique Feast, the King kept a triumphall day (of Justs and

Turnament) at Catalana, and whereat it chanced, that the Daughter of

Bernardo, named Lisana, was present. Being in a window, accompanied

with other Gentlewomen, she saw the King runne at the Tilt, who seemed

so goodly a person in her eye; that being never satisfied with

beholding him, she grew enamoured, and fell into extremity of

affection towards him.

  When the Feastivall was ended, she dwelling in the house of her

Father, it was impossible for her to thinke on any thing else, but

onely the love, which she had fixed on a person of such height. And

that which most tormented her in this case, was the knowledge of her

owne condition, being but meane and humble in degree; whereby she

confessed, that she could not hope for any successefull issue of her

proud love. Neverthelesse, she would not refraine from affecting the

King, who taking no note of this kindnesse in her, by any

perceivable meanes; must needs be the more regardles, which procured

(by wary observation) her afflictions to be the greater and

intollerable.

  Whereon it came to passe, that this earnest love encreasing in her

more and more, and one melancholly conceit taking hold on another: the

faire Maide, when she could beare the burden of her griefe no

longer; fell into a languishing sickenesse, consuming away daily (by

evident appearance) even as the Snow melteth by the warme beames of

the Sunne.

  The Father and Mother, much dismayed and displeased at this haplesse

accident, applying her with continuall comforts, Phisicke, and the

best skill remayning in all the Phisitions, sought all possible meanes

wayes to give her succour: but all proved to no effect, because in

regard of her choyce (which could sort to none other then a

desperate end) she was desirous to live no longer. Now it fortuned,

that her parents offering her whatsoever remained in their power to

performe, a sudden apprehension entred her minde, to wit, that (if

it might possible be done) before she dyed, she would first have the

King to know, in what manner she stood affected to him. Wherefore, one

day she entreated her Father that a Gentleman, named Manutio de

Arezza, might be permitted to come see her. This Manutio was (in those

times) held to be a most excellent Musitian, both for his voyce in

singing, and exquisite skill in playing on Instruments, for which he

was highly in favour with King Piero, who made (almost) daily use of

him, to heare him both sing and play.

  Her tender and loving father conceived immediately, that shee was

desirous to heare his playing and singing, both being comfortable to a

body in a languishing. sickenesse, whereupon, he sent presently for

the Gentleman, who came accordingly, and after he had comforted Lisana

with kind and courteous speeches; he played dexteriously on his

Lute, which purposely hee had brought with him, and likewise he sung

divers excellent Ditties, which insted of his intended consolation

to the Maid, did nothing else but encrease her fire and flame.

  Afterward, she requested to have some conference with Manutio alone,

and every one being gone forth of the Chamber, she spake unto him in

this manner.

  Manutio, I have made choyce of thee, to be the faithfull Guardian of

an especial secret, hoping first of al, that thou wilt never reveale

it to any living body, but onely to him whom I shall bid thee: And

next, to helpe me so much as possibly thou canst, because my onely

hope relyeth in thee. Know then my dearest friend Manutio, that on the

solemne festivall day, when our Soveraigne Lord the King honoured

his exaltation, with the noble exercises of Tilt and Turney; his brave

behaviour kindled such a sparke in my soule, as since brake forth into

a violent flame, and brought me to this weake condition as now thou

seest. But knowing and confessing, how farre unbeseeming my love is,

to aime so ambitiously at a King, and being unable to controule it, or

in the least manner to diminish it: I have made choyce of the onely

and best remedy of all, namely, to dye, and so I am most willing to

doe.

  True it is, that I shall travaile in this my latest journey, with

endlesse torment and affliction of soule, except he have some

understanding thereof before, and not knowing by whom to give him

intelligence, in so oft and convenient order, as by thee: I doe

therefore commit this last office of a friend to thy trust, desiring

thee, not to refuse me in the performance thereof. And when thou

hast done it, to let me understand what he saith, that I may dye the

more contentedly, and disburdened of so heavy an oppression, the onely

comfort to a parting spirit: and so she ceased, her teares flowing

forth abundantly.

  Manutio did not a little wonder at the Maides great spirit, and

her desperate resolution, which moved him to exceeding

commiseration, and suddenly he conceived, that honestly he might

discharge this duty for her, whereupon, he returned her this answer.

Lisana, here I engage my faith to thee, that thou shalt find me

firme and constant, and die I will, rather then deceive thee.

Greatly I doe commend thy high attempt, in fixing thy affection on

so Potent a King, wherein I offer thee my utmost assistance: and I

make no doubt (if thou wouldest be of good comfort) to deale in such

sort, as, before three dayes are fully past, to bring such newes as

will content thee, and because I am loath to loose the least time, I

will goe about it presently. Lisana the yong Maiden, once againe

entreated his care and diligence, promising to comfort her selfe so

well as she could, commending him to his good fortune. When Manutio

was gone from her, hee went to a Gentleman, named Mico de Sienna,

one of the best Poets in the composing of verses, as all those parts

yeelded not the like. At his request, Mico made for him this ensuing

Dittie.

 

                 THE SONG

       SUNG IN THE HEARING OF KING PIERO, ON THE

            BEHALFE OF LOVE-SICKE LISANA

 

    Goe Love, and tell the torments I endure,

    Say to my Soveraigne Lord, that I must die

    Except he come, some comfort to procure,

    For tell I may not, what I feele, and why.

 

  With heaved hands Great Love, I call to thee,

  Goe see my Soveraigne, where he doth abide,

  And say to him, in what extremity,

  Thou hast (for him) my firm affection tryed.

  To die for him, it is my sole desire,

  For live with him I may not, nor aspire,

  To have my fortunes thereby dignified,

  Onely his sight would lend me life a while:

  Grant it (great love) mine anguish to beguile.

      Goe love, and tell the torments, etc.

 

  Since the first houre that love enthralled me,

  I never had the heart, to tell my griefe,

  My thoughts did speake, for thoughts be alwayes free,

  Yet hopefull thoughts doe find but poore reliefe.

  When Gnats will mount to Eagles in the ayre,

  Alas! they scorne them, for full well they know,

  They were not bred to prey so base and low,

  Aloft they look, to make their flight more faire.

  And yet his sight would lend me life a while:

  Grant it (great love) mine anguish to beguile.

      Goe love, and tell the torments, etc.

 

  If sight shall be denyed, then tell them plaine,

  His high triumphall day procurd my death,

  The Launce that won him Honour, hath me slaine,

  For instantly it did bereave my breath.

  That speake I could not, nor durst be so bold,

  To make the Ayre acquainted with my woe:

  Alas! I lookt so high, and doing so,

  Justly deserve by death to be controld.

  Yet mercies sight would lend me life a while,

  Grant it (great love) mine anguish to beguffe.

 

    Goe love, and tell the torments I endure,

    Say to my Soveraigne Lord, that I must die:

    Except he come, some comfort to procure,

    For tell I may not, what I feele, and why.

 

  The lines contained in this Ditty, Manutio fitted with noates so

mooving and singularly musicall, that every word had the seisible

motion of life in it, where the King being (as yet) not risen from the

Table, he commanded him to use both his Lute and voyce.

  This seemed a happy opportunity to Manutio, to sing the dittie so

purposely done and devised: which hee delivered in such excellent

manner, the voice and Instrument concording so extraordinary pleasing;

that all the persons then in the Presence, seemed rather Statues, then

living men, so strangely they were wrapt with admiration, and the King

himselfe farre beyond all the rest, transported with a rare kinde of

alteration.

  When Manutio had ended the Song, the King demanded of him, whence

this Song came, because he had never heard it before? My gracious

Lord, answered Manutio, it must needes seeme straunge to your Majesty,

because it is not fully three dayes, since it was invented, made,

and set to the note. Then the King asked, whom it concerned? Sir

(quoth Manutio) I dare not disclose that to any but onely your

selfe. Which answer made the King much more desirous, and being

risen from the Table, he tooke him into his Bedchamber, where

Manutio related all at large to him, according to the trust reposed in

him. Wherwith the King was wonderfully well pleased, greatly

commending the courage of the Maide, and said, that a Virgin of such a

valiant spirit, did well deserve to have her case commiserated: and

commanded him also, to goe (as sent from him) and comfort her, with

promise, that the very same day, in the evening, he would not faile to

come and see her.

  Manutio, more then contented, to carry such glad tydings to

Lisana; without staying in any place, and taking his Lute also with

him, went to the Apothecaries house, where speaking alone with the

Maide: he told her what he had done, and afterward sung the song to

her, in as excellent manner as he had done before, wherein Lisana

conceived such joy and contentment, as even in the very same moment,

it was observed by apparant signes, that the violence of her fits

forsooke her, and health began to get the upper hand of them. SO,

without suffering any one in the house to know it, or by the least

meanes to suspect it; she comforted her selfe till the evening, in

expectation of her Soveraignes arrivall.

  Piero being a Prince, of most liberall and benigne nature, having

afterward divers times considered on the matters which Manutio had

revealed to him, knowing also the yong Maiden, to bee both

beautifull and vertuous: was so much moved with pitty of her

extremitie, as mounting on horsebacke in the evening, and seeming as

if he rode abroad for his private recreation; he went directly to

the Apothecaries house, where desiring to see a goodly garden,

appertaining then to the Apothecarie, he dismounted from his horse.

Walking into the garden, he began to question with Bernardo,

demaunding him for his Daughter, and whether he had (as yet) marryed

her, or no? My Gracious Lord, answered Bernardo, as yet shee is not

marryed, neither likely to bee, in regard shee hath had a long and

tedious sickenesse: but since Dinner time, she is indifferently

eased of her former violent paine, which we could not discerne the

like alteration in her, a long while before.

  The King understood immediately, the reason of this so sudden

alteration, and said. In good faith Bernardo, the world would sustaine

a great maine and imperfection, by the losse of thy faire daughter;

wherefore, we will goe our selfe in person to visite her. So, with two

of his Lords onely, and the Father, he ascended to the Maides

Chamber and being entred, he went to the Beds side, where she sate,

somewhat raised, in expectation of his comming, and taking her by

the hand, he said. Faire Lisana, how commeth this to passe? You

being so faire a Virgin, yong, and in the delicacy of your daies,

which should be the chiefest comfort to you, will you suffer your

selfe to be over-awed with sickenesse? Let us intreat you, that (for

our sake) you will be of good comfort, and thereby recover your health

the sooner, especially, when it is requested by a King, who is sorry

to see so bright a beauty sicke, and would helpe it, it consisted in

his power.

  Lisana, feeling the touch of his hand, whom she loved above all

things else in the world, although a bashfull blush mounted up into

her cheekes: yet her heart was seazed with such a rapture of pleasure,

that she thought her selfe translated into Paradise, and, so well as

she could, thus she replyed. Great King, by opposing my feeble

strength, against a burden of over-ponderous weight, it became the

occasion of this grievous sickenesse: but I hope that the violence

thereof is (almost) already kild, onely by this soveraigne mercy in

you, and doubtlesse it will cause my speedy deliverance. The King

did best understand this so well palliated answere of Lisana, which as

he did much commend, in regard of her high adventuring; so he did

againe as greatly condemne Fortune, for not making her more happy in

her birth.

  So, after he had stayed there a good while, and given her many

comfortable speeches, he returned backe to the Court. This humanity in

the King, was reputed a great honour to the Apothecary and his

daughter, who (in her owne mind) received as much joy and

contentment thereby, as ever any wife could have of her owne Husband.

  And being assisted by better hopes, within a short while after,

she became recovered, and farre more beautifull (in common judgment)

then ever she was before.

  Lisana being now in perfect health, the King consulted with his

Queene, what meete recompence he should gratifie her withall, for

loving and affecting him in such fervent manner. Upon a day

determined, the King mounting on horsebacke, accompanied with many

of his cheefest Lords and Barons, he rode to the Apothecaries house,

where walking in his beautifull Garden, hee called for Bernardo and

his daughter Lisana. In the meane space, the Queene also came thither,

Royally attended on by her Ladies, and Lisana being admitted into

their company, they expressed themselves very gracious to her. Soone

after, the King and the Queene cald Lisana, and the King spake in this

manner to her.

  Faire Virgin, the extraordinary love which you bare to us, calleth

for as great honour from us to you; in which respect, it is our Royall

desire, by one meanes or other to requite your kinde Love. In our

opinion, the chief honour we can extend to you. is, that being of

sufficient yeares for marriage, you would grace us so much, as to

accept him for your Husband, whom we intend to bestow on you. Beside

this further grant from us, that (notwithstanding whatsoever else) you

shall call us your Knight; without coveting any thing else from you,

for so great favour, but only one kisse, and thinke not to bestow it

nicely on a King, but grant it the rather, because he begges it.

  Lisana, whose lookes were dyed with a vermillian tincture, or rather

converted into a pure maiden blush, reputing the Kings desire to be

her owne; in a low and humbled voyce, thus answered. My Lord, most

certaine am I, that if it had beene publikely knowne, how none but

your highnes, might serve for me to fixe my love on, I should have

been termed the foole of all fooles: they perhaps beleeving, that I

was forgetfull of my selfe, in being ignorant of mine owne

condition, and much lesse of yours. But the Gods are my witnesses

(because they know the secrets of all hearts) that even in the very

instant, when Loves fire tooke hold on my yeelding affection: I knew

you to be a King, and my selfe the daughter of poore Bernardo the

Apothecary: likewise, how farre unfitting it was for me, to be so

ambitious in my loves presuming. But I am sure your Majestie doth know

(much better then I am able to expresse) that no one becommeth

amourous, according to the duty of election, but as the appetite

shapeth his course, against whose lawes my strength made many

resistances, which not prevailing, I presumed to love, did, and so for

ever shall doe, your Majestie.

  Now Royall Soveraigne, I must needes confesse, that so soone as I

felt my selfe thus wholly conquered by loving you, I resolved for ever

after, to make your will mine owne, and therefore, am not onely

willing to accept him for my Husband, whom you shall please to

appoint, befitting my honor and degree: but if you will have me to

live in a flaming fire, my obedience shall sacrifice it selfe to

your will, with the absolute conformity of mine owne. To stile you

by the name of my Knight, whom I know to be my lawfull King and

Soveraigne; you are not ignorant, how farre unfitting a word that were

for me to use: As also the kisse which you request, in requitall of my

love to you; to these two I will never give consent, without the

Queenes most gracious favour and license first granted. Neverthelesse,

for such admirable benignity used to me, both by your Royall selfe,

and your vertuous Queene: heaven shower downe all boundlesse graces on

you both, for it exceedeth all merit in me, and so she ceased

speaking, in most dutifull manner.

  The answer of Lisana pleased the Queene exceedingly, in finding

her to be so wise and faire, as the King himself had before informed

her: who instantly called for her Father and Mother, and knowing

they would be well pleased with whatsoever he did; he called for a

proper yong Gentleman, but somewhat poore, being named Perdicano,

and putting certaine Rings into his hand, which he refused not to

receive, caused him there to espouse Lisana. To whome the King gave

immediately (besides Chaines and jewels of inestimable valew,

delivered by the Queene to the Bride) Ceffala and Calatabelotta, two

great territories abounding in divers wealthy possessions, saying to

Perdicano. These wee give thee, as a dowry in marriage with this

beautifull Maid, and greater gifts we will bestow on thee hereafter,

as we shal perceive thy love and kindnesse to her.

  When he had ended these words, hee turned to Lisana, saying: Heere

doe I freely give over all further fruits of your affection towards

me, thanking you for your former love: so taking her head betweene his

hands he kissed her faire forhead, which was the usuall custome in

those times. Perdicano, the Father and Mother of Lisana, and she her

selfe likewise, extraordinarily joyfull for this so fortunate a

marriage, returned humble and hearty thankes both to the King and

Queene, and (as many credible Authors doe affirme) the King kept his

promise made to Lisana, because (so long as he lived) he alwales

termed himselfe by the name of her Knight, and in al actions of

Chivalry by him undertaken, he never carried any other devise, but

such as he received still from her.

  By this, and divers other like worthy deeds, not onely did he win

the hearts of his subjects; but gave occasion to the who world beside,

to renowne his fame to all succeeding posterity. Whereto (in these

more wretched times of ours) few or none bend the sway of their

understanding: but rather how to bee cruell and tyrranous Lords, and

thereby win the hatred of their people.