THE THIRD NOVELL

 

            WHEREBY THE AUTHOR, APPROVING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH,

         SHEWETH, HOW BENEFICIALL A SODAINE AND INGENIOUS ANSWERE

         MAY FALL OUT TO BEE, ESPECIALLY WHEN A MAN FINDS HIMSELFE

                         IN SOME EVIDENT DANGER

 

  Melchisedech a Jew, by recounting a Tale of three Rings, to the

great Soldan, named Saladine, prevented a great danger which was

prepared for him.

 

  Madame Neiphila having ended her Discourse, which was well allowed

of by all the company; it pleased the Queene, that Madame Philomena

should next succeede in order, who thus began.

  The Tale delivered by Neiphila, maketh mee remember a doubtfull

case, which sometime hapned to another Jew. And because that God,

and the truth of his holy Faith, hath bene already very well

discoursed on: it shall not seeme unfitting (in my poore opinion) to

descend now into the accidents of men. Wherefore, I will relate a

matter unto you, which being attentively heard and considered; may

make you much more circumspect, in answering to divers questions and

demands, then (perhaps) otherwise you would be. Consider then (most

woorthy assembly) that like as folly or dulnesse, many times hath

overthrowne some men from place of eminencie, into most great and

greevous miseries: even so, discreet sense and good understanding,

hath delivered many out of irksome perils, and seated them in safest

security. And to prove it true, that folly hath made many fall from

high authority, into poore and despised calamity; may be avouched by

infinite examples, which now were needelesse to remember: But, that

good sense and able understanding, may proove to be the occasion of

great desolation, without happy prevention, I will declare unto you in

very few words, and make it good according to my promise.

  Saladine, was a man so powerfull and valiant, as not onely his

very valour made him Soldan of Babylon, and also gave him many signall

victories, over Kings of the Sarrazens, and of Christians likewise.

Having in divers Warres, and other magnificent employments, of his

owne, wasted all his treasure, and (by reason of some sodaine accident

happening to him) standing in neede to use some great summe of

money, yet not readily knowing where, or how to procure it; he

remembred a rich Jew named Melchisedech, that lent out money to use or

interest in the City of Alexandria. This man he imagined best able

to furnish him, if he could be won to do it willingly: but he was

knowne to be so gripple and miserable, that hardly any meanes would

drawe him to it. In the end, constrained by necessity, and labouring

his wits for some apt device whereby he might have it: he concluded,

though hee might not compell him to do it, yet by a practise

shadowed with good reason to ensnare him. And having sent for him,

entertained him very familiarly in his Court, and sitting downe by

him, thus began.

  Honest man, I have often heard it reported by many, that thou art

very skilfull, and in cases concerning God, thou goest beyond all

other of these times: wherefore, I would gladly bee informed by

thee, which of those three Lawes or Religions, thou takest to be

truest; that of the Jew, the other of the Sarazen, or that of the

Christian? The Jew, being a very wise man, plainely perceived, that

Saladine sought to entrap him in his answere, and so to raise some

quarrell against him. For, if he commended any one of those Lawes

above the other, he knew that Saladine had what he aymed at.

Wherefore, bethinking himselfe to shape such an answere, as might no

way trouble or entangle him: summoning all his sences together, and

considering, that dallying with the Soldane might redound to his no

meane danger, thus he replied.

  My Lord, the question propounded by you, is faire and worthy, and to

answere my opinion truely thereof, doth necessarily require some

time of consideration, if it might stand with your liking to allow it:

but if not, let me first make entrance to my reply, with a pretty

tale, and well worth the hearing. I have oftentimes heard it reported,

that (long since) there was a very wealthy man, who (among other

precious Jewels of his owne) had a goodly Ring of great valew; the

beauty and estimation whereof, made him earnestly desirous to leave it

as a perpetuall memory and honour to his successors. Whereupon, he

willed and ordained, that he among his male children, with whom this

Ring (being left by the Father) should be found in custody after his

death; hee and none other, was to bee reputed his heire, and to be

honoured and reverenced by all the rest, as being the prime and

worthiest person. That Sonne, to whom this Ring was left by him,

kept the same course to his posterity, dealing (in all respects) as

his predecessor had done; so that (in short time) the Ring (from

hand to hand) had many owners by Legacie.

  At length, came to the hand of one, who had three sonnes, all of

them goodly and vertuous persons, and verie obedient to their

Father: in which regard, he affected them all equally, without any

difference or partiall respect. The custome of this Ring being

knowne to them, each one of them (coveting to beare esteeme above

the other) desired (as hee could best make his meanes) his Father,

that in regard he was now growne very old, he would leave that Ring to

him, whereby he should bee acknowledged for his heire. The good man,

who loved no one of them more then the other, knew not how to make his

choise, nor to which of them he should leave the Ring: yet having past

his promise to them severally, he studied by what meanes to satisfie

them all three. Wherefore, secretly having conferred with a curious

and excellent Goldsmith, hee caused two other Rings to bee made, so

really resembling the first made Ring, that himselfe (when he had them

in his hand) could not distinguish which was the right one.

  Lying upon his death-bed, and his Sonnes then plying him by their

best opportunities, he gave to each of them a Ring. And they (after

his death) presuming severally upon their right to the inheritance and

honor, grew to great contradiction and square: each man producing then

his Ring, which were so truely all alike in resemblance, as no one

could know the right Ring from the other. And therefore, suite in Law,

to distinguish the true heire to his Father, continued long time,

and so it dooth yet to this very day. In like manner my good Lord,

concerning those three Lawes given by God the Father, to three such

people as you have propounded: each of them do imagine that they

have the heritage of God, and his true Law, and also duely to performe

his Commandements; but which of them do so indeede, the question (as

of the three Rings) is yet remaining.

  Saladine well perceyving, that the Jew was too cunning to bee caught

in his snare, and had answered so well, that to doe him further

violence, would redound unto his perpetuall dishonour; resolved to

reveale his neede and extremity, and try if hee would therein friendly

sted him. Having disclosed the matter, and how he purposed to have

dealt with him, if he had not returned so wise an answere; the Jew

lent him so great a sum of money as hee demanded, and Saladine repayed

it againe to him justly, giving him other great gifts beside:

respecting him as his especiall friend, and maintaining him in very

honourable condition, neere unto his owne person.