THE SECOND NOVELL

 

     WHEREBY WEE MAY LEARNE, THAT SUCH THINGS AS SOMETIME SEEME

        HURTFULL TO US, MAY TURNE TO OUR BENEFIT AND COMMODITY

 

  Rinaldo de Este, after hee was robbed by Theeves, arrived at

Chasteau Guillaume, where he was friendly lodged by a faire Widdow,

and recompenced likewise for all his losses; returning afterward

safe and well home unto his owne house.

 

  Much merriment was among the Ladies, hearing this Tale of

Martellinos misfortunes, so familiarly reported by Madam Neiphila, and

of the men, it was best respected by Philostratus, who sitting neerest

unto Neiphila, the Queene commanded his Tale to be the next, when

presently he began to speake thus.

  Gracious Ladies, I am to speake of universall occasions, mingled

with some misfortunes in part, and partly with matters leaning to

love, as many times may happen to such people, that trace the

dangerous pathes of amorous desires, or have not learned perfectly, to

say S. Julians pater noster, having good beddes of their owne, yet

casually meete with worser Lodging.

  In the time of Azzo, Marquesse of Ferrara, there was a Marchant

named Rinaldo de Este, who being one day at Bologna, about some

especiall businesse of his owne; his occasions there ended, and riding

from thence towards Verona, he fell in company with other Horsemen,

seeming to be Merchants like himselfe, but indeede were Theeves, men

of most badde life and conversation; yet he having no such mistrust of

them, rode on, conferring with them very familiarly. They perceiving

him to be a Merchant, and likely to have some store of money about

him, concluded betweene themselves to rob him, so soone as they

found apt place and opportunity. But because he should conceive no

such suspition, they rode on like modest men, talking honestly and

friendly with him, of good parts and disposition appearing in him,

offering him all humble and gracious service, accounting themselves

happy by his companie, as hee returned the same courtesie to them,

because hee was alone, and but one servant with him.

  Falling from one discourse to another, they beganne to talke of such

prayers, as men (in journey) use to salute God withall; and one of the

Theeves (they being three in number) spake thus to Rinaldo. Sir, let

it be no offence to you, that I desire to know, what prayer you most

use when thus you travell on the way? Whereto Rinaldo replyed in

this manner. To tell you true Sir, I am a man grosse enough in such

Divine matters, as medling more with Merchandize, then I do with

Bookes. Neverthelesse, at all times when I am thus in journey, in

the morning before I depart my Chamber, I say a Pater noster, and an

Ave Maria for the soules of the father and mother of Saint Julian; and

after that, I pray God and S. Julian to send me a good lodging at

night. And let me tell you Sir, that very oftentimes heeretofore, I

have met with many great dangers upon the way, from all which I

still escaped, and evermore (when night drew on) I came to an

exceeding good Lodging. Which makes mee firmely beleeve, that Saint

Julian (in honour of whom I speake it) hath beggd of God such great

grace for me; and mee thinkes, that if any day I should faile of

this prayer in the morning: I cannot travaile securely, nor come to

a good lodging. No doubt then Sir (quoth the other) but you have saide

that prayer this morning? I would be sory else, said Rinaldo, such

an especiall matter is not to be neglected.

  He and the rest, who had already determined how to handle him before

they parted, saide within themselves: Look thou hast said thy

praier, for when we have thy money, Saint Julian and thou shift for

thy lodging. Afterward, the same man thus againe conferd with him.

As you Sir, so I have ridden many journies, and yet I never used any

such prayer, although I have heard it very much commended, and my

lodging hath proved never the worser. Perhaps this verie night will

therein resolve us both, whether of us two shall be the best lodged,

you that have saide the Prayer, or I that never used it at all. But

I must not deny, that in sted thereof, I have made use of some verses;

as Dirupisti, or the Intemerata, or De profundis, which are (as my

Grandmother hath often told mee) of very great vertue and efficacy.

  Continuing thus in talke of divers things, winning way, and

beguiling the time, still waiting when their purpose should sort to

effect: it fortuned, that the Theeves seeing they were come neere to a

Towne, called Chasteau Guillaume, by the foord of a River, the houre

somewhat late, the place solitarie, and thickely shaded with Trees,

they made their assault; and having robd him, left him there on foote,

stript into his shirt, saying to him. Goe now and see, whether thy

Saint Julian will allow thee this night a good lodging, or no, for our

owne we are sufficiently provided; so passing the River, away they

rode. Rinaldoes servant, seeing his Master so sharply assayled, like a

wicked villaine, would not assist him in any sort: but giving his

horse the spurres, never left gallopping, untill hee came to

Chasteau Guillaume, where hee entred upon the point of night,

providing himselfe of a lodging, but not caring what became of his

Master.

  Rinaldo remaining there in his shirt, bare-foot and bare-legged,

the weather extremely colde, and snowing incessantly, not knowing what

to doe, darke night drawing on, and looking round about him, for

some place where to abide that night, to the end he might not dye with

colde: he found no helpe at all there for him, in regard that (no long

while before) the late warre had burnt and wasted all, and not so much

as the least Cottage left. Compelled by the coldes violence, his teeth

quaking, and all his body trembling, hee trotted on towards

Chausteau Guillaume, not knowing, whether his man was gone thither

or no, or to what place else: but perswaded himselfe, that if he could

get entrance, there was no feare of finding succour. But before he

came within halfe a mile of the Towne, the night grew extreamely

darke, and arriving there so late, hee found the gates fast lockt, and

the Bridges drawne up, so that no entrance might be admitted.

  Grieving greatly heereat, and being much discomforted, rufully hee

went spying about the walls, for some place wherein to shrowd

himselfe, at least, to keepe the snow from falling upon him. By good

hap, hee espied an house upon the wall of the Towne, which had a

terrace jutting out as a penthouse, under which he purposed to stand

all the night, and then to get him gone in the morning. At length, hee

found a doore in the wall, but very fast shut, and some small store of

strawe lying by it, which he gathered together, and sitting downe

thereon very pensively; made many sad complaints to Saint Julian,

saying: This was not according to the trust he reposed in her. But

Saint Julian, taking compassion upon him, without any over-long

tarying; provided him of a good lodging, as you shall heare how.

  In this towne of Chasteau Guillaume, lived a young Lady, who was a

widdow, so beautifull and comely of her person, as sildome was seene a

more lovely creature. The Marquesse Azzo most dearely affected her,

and (as his choysest Jewell of delight) gave her that house to live

in, under the terrace whereof poore Rinaldo made his shelter. It

chaunced the day before, that the Marquesse was come thither,

according to his frequent custome, to weare away that night in her

company, she having secretly prepared a Bath for him, and a costly

supper beside. All things being ready, and nothing wanting but the

Marquesse his presence: suddenly a Post brought him such Letters,

which commanded him instantly to horsebacke, and word hee sent to

the Lady, to spare him for that night, because urgent occasions called

him thence, and hee rode away immediately.

  Much discontented was the Lady at this unexpected accident, and

not knowing now how to spend the time, resolved to use the Bath

which shee had made for the Marquesse, and (after supper) betake her

selfe to rest, and so she entred into the Bath. Close to the doore

where poore Rinaldo sate, stoode the Bath, by which meanes, shee being

therein, heard all his quivering moanes, and complaints, seeming to be

such, as the Swanne singing before her death: whereupon, shee called

her Chamber-maide, saying to her. Goe up above, and looke over the

terrace on the wall downe to this doore, and see who is there, and

what he doth. The Chamber-maide went up aloft, and by a little

glimmering in the ayre, she saw a man sitting in his shirt, bare on

feete and legges, trembling in manner before rehearsed. She

demanding of whence, and what he was; Rinaldoes teeth so trembled in

his head, as very hardly could he forme any words, but (so well as

he could) told her what he was, and how he came thither: most

pittifully entreating her, that if she could affoord him any helpe,

not to suffer him to starve there to death with cold.

  The Chamber-maide, being much moved to compassion, returned to her

Lady, and tolde her all; she likewise pittying his distresse, and

remembring shee had the key of that doore, whereby the Marquesse

both entred and returned, when he intended not to be seene of any,

said to her Maide. Goe, and open the doore softly for him; we have a

good supper, and none to helpe to eate it, and if he be a man

likely, we can allow him one nights lodging too. The Chamber-maide,

commending her Lady for this charitable kindnesse, opened the doore,

and seeing hee appeared as halfe frozen, shee said unto him. Make hast

good man, get thee into this Bath, which yet is good and warme, for my

Lady her selfe came but newly out of it. Whereto very gladly he

condiscended, as not tarrying to be bidden twise; finding himselfe

so singularly comforted with the heate thereof, even as if hee had

beene restored from death to life. Then the Lady sent him garments,

which lately were her deceased husbands, and fitted him so aptly in

all respects, as if purposely they had beene made for him.

  Attending in further expectation, to know what else the Lady would

commaund him; hee began to remember God and Saint Julian, hartily

thanking her, for delivering him from so bad a night as was

threatned towards him, and bringing him to so good entertainment.

After all this, the Lady causing a faire fire to be made in the

neerest Chamber beneath, went and sate by it her selfe, demaunding how

the honest man fared. Madame, answered the Chamber-maide, now that he

is in your deceased Lords garments, he appeareth to be a very goodly

Gentleman, and (questionlesse) is of respective birth and breeding,

well deserving this gracious favour which you have affoorded him.

Goe then (quoth the Lady) and conduct him hither, to sit by this fire,

and sup heere with mee, for I feare he hath had but a sorrie supper.

When Rinaldo was entred into the Chamber, and beheld her to be such

a beautifull Lady, accounting his fortune to exceede all comparison,

he did her most humble reverence, expressing so much thankefulnesse as

possibly he could, for this her extraordinary grace and favour.

  The Lady fixing a stedfast eye upon him, well liking his gentle

language and behaviour, perceiving also, how fitly her deceased

husbands apparell was formed to his person, and resembling him in

all familiar respects, he appeared (in her judgement) farre beyond the

Chambermaides commendations of him; so praying him to sit downe by her

before the fire, she questioned with him, concerning this unhappy

nights accident befalne him, wherein he fully resolved her, and shee

was the more perswaded, by reason of his servants comming into the

Towne before night, assuring him, that he should be found for him

early in the morning.

  Supper being served in to the Table, and hee seated according as the

Lady commanded; shee began to observe him very considerately; for he

was a goodly man, compleate in all perfection of person, a delicate

pleasing countenance, a quicke alluring eye, fixed and constant, not

wantonly gadding, in the joviall youthfulnesse of his time, and truest

temper for amorous apprehension; all these were as battering engines

against a Bulwarke of no strong resistance, and wrought strangely upon

her flexible affections. And though shee fed heartily, as occasion

constrained, yet her thoughts had entertained a new kinde of diet,

digested onely by the eye; yet so cunningly concealed, that no

motive to immodesty could be discerned. Her mercy thus extended to him

in misery, drew on (by Table discourse) his birth, education, parents,

friends, and alies; his wealthy possessions by Merchandize, and a

sound stability in his estate, but above all (and best of all) the

single and sole condition of a batcheler; an apt and easie steele to

strike fire, especially upon such quicke taking tinder, and in a

time favoured by Fortune.

  No imbarment remained, but remembrance of the Marquesse, and that

being summoned to her more advised consideration, her youth and beauty

stood up as conscious accusers, for blemishing her honour and faire

repute, with lewd and luxurious life, far unfit for a Lady of her

degree, and well worthy of generall condemnation. What should I

further say? upon a short conference with her Chamber-maide,

repentance for sinne past, and solemne promise of a constant

conversion, thus shee delivered her minde to Rinaldo.

  Sir, as you have related your Fortunes to mee, by this your

casuall happening hither, if you can like the motion so well as shee

that makes it, my deceased Lord and Husband living so perfectly in

your person; this house, and all mine is yours; and of a widdow I will

become your wife, except (unmanly) you deny me. Rinaldo hearing

these words, and proceeding from a Lady of such absolute

perfections, presuming upon so proud an offer, and condemning himselfe

of folly if he should refuse it, thus replied. Madam, considering that

I stand bound for ever heereafter, to confesse that you are the

gracious preserver of my life, and I no way able to returne requitall;

if you please so to shadow mine insufficiencie, and to accept me and

my fairest fortunes to doe you service: let me die before a thought of

deniall, or any way to yeeld you the least discontentment.

  Heere wanted but a Priest to joyne their hands, as mutuall affection

already had done their hearts, which being sealed with infinit kisses,

the Chamber-maide called up Friar Roger her Confessor, and wedding and

bedding were both effected before the bright morning. In breefe, the

Marquesse having heard of the marriage, did not mislike it, but

confirmed it by great and honourable giftes; and having sent for his

dishonest Servant, he dispatched him (after sound reprehension) to

Ferrara, with Letters to Rinaldoes Father and Friends, of all the

accidents that had befalne him. Moreover, the very same morning, the

three Theeves that had robbed, and so ill intreated Rinaldo, for

another facte by them the same night committed, were taken, and

brought to the Towne of Chasteau Guillaume, where they were hanged for

their offences, and Rinaldo with his wife rode to Ferrara.