THE SIXT NOVELL

 

   HEEREIN ALL MEN ARE ADMONISHED, NEVER TO DISTRUST THE POWERFULL

              HAND OF HEAVEN, WHEN FORTUNE SEEMETH TO BE MOST

                       ADVERSE AGAINST THEM

 

  Madame Beritola Caracalla, was found in an Island with two Goates,

having lost her two Sonnes, and thence travailed into Lunigiana: where

one of her Sonnes became servant to the Lord thereof, and was found

somewhat overfamiliar with his Masters daughter, who therefore

caused him to be imprisoned. Afterward, when the country of Sicely

rebelled against King Charles, the aforesaid Sonne chanced to bee

knowne by his Mother, and was married to his Masters daughter. And his

Brother being found likewise, they both returned to great estate and

credit.

 

  The Ladies and Gentlemen also, having smiled sufficiently at the

severall accidents which did befall the poore Traveller Andrea,

reported at large by Madam Fiammetta, the Lady Aimillia seeing her

tale to be fully concluded, began (by commandement of the Queene) to

speak in this manner.

  The diversitie of changes and alterations in Fortune as they are

great, so must they needs be greevous; and as often as we take

occasion to talke of them, so often do they awake and quicken our

understandings, avouching, that it is no easie matter to depend upon

her flatteries. And I am of opinion, that to heare them recounted,

ought not any way to offend us, be it of men wretched, or fortunate;

because, as they instruct the one with good advice, so they animate

the other with comfort. And therefore, although great occasions have

beene already related, yet I purpose to tell a Tale, no lesse true

then lamentable; which albeit it sorted to a successefull ending,

yet notwithstanding, such and so many were the bitter thwartings, as

hardly can I beleeve, that ever any sorrow was more joyfully sweetned.

  You must understand then (most gracious Ladies) that after the death

of Fredericke the second Emperour, one named Manfred, was crowned King

of Sicily, about whom, lived in great account and authority, a

Neapolitane Gentleman, called Henriet Capece, who had to Wife a

beautifull Gentlewoman, and a Neapolitane also, named Madam Beritola

Caracalla. This Henriet held the government of the Kingdome of Sicily,

and understanding that King Charles the first, had wonne the battle at

Beneventum, and slaine King Manfred, the whole Kingdome revolting also

to his devotion, and little trust to be reposed in the Sicillians,

or he willing to subject himselfe to his Lordes enemie; provided for

his secret flight from thence. But this being discovered to the

Sicillians, he and many more, who had beene loyall servants to King

Manfred, were suddenly taken and imprisoned by King Charles, and the

sole possession of the Iland confirmed to him.

  Madam Beritola not knowing (in so sudden and strange an alteration

of State affaires) what was become of her Husband, fearing also

greatly before, those inconveniences which afterward followed; being

overcome with many passionate considerations, having left and forsaken

all her goods, going aboord a small Barke with a Sonne of hers, aged

about some eight yeeres, named Geoffrey, and growne great with child

with another, she fled thence to Lapary, where she was brought to

bed of another Sonne, whom she named (answerable both to his and her

hard fortune,) The poore expelled.

  Having provided her selfe of a Nurse, they altogether went aboard

againe, setting sayle for Naples to visit her Parents; but it

chanced quite contrary to her expectation, because by stormie windes

and weather, the vessell being bound for Naples, was hurried to the

Ile of Ponzo, where entring into a small Port of the Sea, they

concluded to make their aboade, till a time more furtherous should

favour their voyage.

  As the rest, so did Madam Beritola goe on shore in the Iland,

where having found a separate and solitary place, fit for her silent

and sad meditations, secretly by her selfe, shee sorrowed for the

absence of her husband. Resorting daily to this her sad exercise,

and continuing there her complaints, unseene by any of the

Marriners, or whosoever else: there arrived suddenly a Galley of

Pyrates, who seazing on the small Barke, carried it and all the rest

in it away with them. When Beritola had finished het wofull

complaints, as daily shee was accustomed to doe, shee returned backe

to her children againe; but find no person there remayning, whereat

she wondered not a little: immediately (suspecting what had happened

indeede) she lent her lookes on the Sea, and saw the Galley, which

as yet had not gone farre, drawing the smaller vessell after her.

Hereby plainly she perceyved, that now she had lost her children, as

formerly shee had done her husband; being left there poore,

forsaken, and miserable, not knowing when, where, or how to finde

any of them againe; and calling for her Husband and Children, shee

fell downe in a swound uppon the shore.

  Now was not any body neere, with coole water or any other remedy

to helpe the recovery of her lost powers; wherefore her spirits

might the more freely wander at their owne pleasure: but after they

were returned backe againe, and had won their wonted offices in her

body, drowned in teares, and wringing her hands, she did nothing but

call for her children and husband, straying all about in hope to finde

them, seeking in caves, dens, and every where else, that presented the

verie least glimpse of comfort. But when she saw all her paines sort

to no purpose, and darke night drawing swiftly on, hope and dismay

raising infinite perturbations, made her yet to be somewhat respective

of her selfe, and therefore departing from the sea-shore, she returned

to the solitary place, where she used to sigh and mourne alone by

her selfe.

  The night being over-past with infinite feares and afrights, and

bright day saluting the world againe, with the expence of nine

houres and more, she fell to her former fruitlesse travailes. Being

somewhat sharply bitten with hunger, because the former day and

night shee had not tasted any foode: shee made therefore a benefit

of necessity, and fed on the greene hearbes so well as she could,

not without any piercing afflictions, what should become of her in

this extraordinary misery. As shee walked in these pensive

meditations, she saw a Goate enter into a Cave, and (within a while

after) come forth againe, wandring along thorow the woods. Whereupon

she stayed, and entred where she saw the beast issue foorth, where she

found two young Kids, yeaned (as it seemed) the selfesame day, which

sight was very pleasing to her, and nothing in that distresse could

more content her.

  As yet, she had milke freshly running in both her brests, by

reason of her so late delivery in child bed; wherefore shee lay

downe unto the two yong Kids, and taking them tenderly in her armes,

suffered each of them to sucke a teate, whereof they made not any

refusall, but tooke them as lovingly as their dammes, and from that

time forward, they made no distinguishing betweene their damme and

her. Thus this unfortunate Lady, having found some company in this

solitary desart, fed on herbes and roots, drinking faire running

water, and weeping silently to her selfe, so often as she remembred

her husband, children, and former dayes past in much better manner.

Heere she resolved now to live and dye, being at last deprived both of

the damme and yonger Kids also, by theyr wandering further into the

neere adjoyning Woods, according to their naturall inclinations;

whereby the poore distressed Ladie became more savage and wilde in her

daily conditions, then otherwise shee would have bene.

  After many monthes were over-passed, at the very same place where

she tooke landing; by chance, there arrived another small vessell of

certaine Pisans, which remained there divers daies. In this Barke

was a Gentleman, named Conrado de Marchesi Malespini, with his holy

and vertuous wife, who were returned backe from a Pilgrimage, having

visited all the sanctified places that then were in the kingdome of

Apulia, and now were bound homeward to their owne abiding. This

Gentleman, for the expelling of melancholly perturbations, one

especiall day amongst other, with his wife, servants, and wainting

hounds, wandred up into the Iland not far from the place of Madam

Beritolaes desert dwelling. The hounds questing after game, at last

happened on the two Kids where they were feeding, and (by this time)

had attained to indifferent growth; and finding themselves thus

pursued by the hounds, fled to no other part of the wood, then to

the cave where Beritola remained, and seeming as if they sought to

be rescued only by her, she sodainly caught up a staffe, and forced

the hounds thence to flight.

  By this time, Conrado and his wife, who had followed closely after

the hounds, was come thither, and seeing what had hapned, looking on

the Lady, who was become blacke, swarthy, meager, and hairy, they

wondered not a little at her, and she a great deale more at them. When

(uppon her request) Conrado had checkt backe his hounds, they

prevailed so much by earnest intreaties, to know what she was, and the

reason of her living there; that she intirely related her quality,

unfortunate accidents, and strange determination for living there.

Which when the Gentleman had heard, who very well knew her husband,

compassion forced teares from his eyes, and earnestly he laboured by

kinde perswasions, to alter so cruell a deliberation; making an

honourable offer, for conducting her home to his owne dwelling,

where shee should remaine with him in noble respect, as if she were

his owne sister, without parting from him, till Fortune should smile

as fairely on her, as ever she had done before.

  When these gentle offers could not prevaile with her, the

Gentleman left his wife in her company, saying, that he would go fetch

some foode for her; and because her garments were all rent and

torne, hee would bring her other of his wives, not doubting but to

winne her thence with them. His wife abode there with Beritola,

verie much bemoaning her great disasters: and when both viands and

garments were brought, by extremitie of intercession, they caused

her to put them on, and also to feede with them, albeit shee

protested, that shee would not part thence into any place, where any

knowledge should be taken of her. In the end, they perswaded her to go

w-th them into Lunigiana, carrying also with her the two yong Goats

and their damme, which were then in the cave altogether, prettily

playing before Beritola, to the great admiration of Conrado and his

wife, as also the servants attending on them.

  When the windes and weather grew favourable for them, Madame

Beritola went aboord with Conrado and his Wife, being followed by

the two young Goates and their Damme; and because her name should

bee knowne to none but Conrado, and his wife onely, shee would be

stiled no otherwise but the Goatherdesse. Merrily, yet gently blew the

gale, which brought them to enter the River of Maira, where going on

shore, and into their owne Castle, Beritola kept company with the wife

of Conrado, but in a mourning habite; and a waiting Gentlewoman of

theirs, honest, humble, and very dutifull, the Goates alwayes

familiarly keeping them company.

  Returne wee now to the Pyrates, which at Ponzo seized on the small

Barke wherein Madame Beritola was brought thither, and carried

thence away, without any sight or knowledge of her. With such other

spoyles as they had taken, they shaped their course for Geneway, and

there (by consent of the Patrones of the Galley) made a division of

their booties. It came to passe, that (among other things) the Nurse

that attended on Beritola, and the two Children with her, fell to

the share of one Messer Gastarino d'Oria, who sent them together to

his owne House, there to be employed in service as Servants. The Nurse

weeping beyond measure for the losse of her Ladie, and bemoaning her

owne miserable Fortune, whereinto shee was now fallen with the two

young Laddes; after long lamenting, which shee found utterly

fruitlesse and to none effect, though she was used as a servant with

them, and being but a very poore woman, yet was shee wise and

discreetly advised. Wherefore, comforting both her selfe and them so

well as she could, and considering the depth of their disaster, shee

conceited thus, that if the Children should be knowne, it might

redound to their greater danger, and shee be no way advantaged

thereby.

  Hereupon, hoping that Fortune (earely or late) would alter her

stearne malice, and that they might (if they lived) regaine once

more their former condition, shee would not disclose them to any one

whatsoever, till shee should see the time aptly disposed for THE

SECOND DAY, THE SIXT 75

  it. Being thus determined, to all such as questioned her

concerning them, she answered that they were her owne Children, naming

the eldest not Geoffrey, but Jehannot de Procida. As for the

yongest, shee cared not greatly for changing his name, and therefore

wisely informed Geoffrey, upon what reason shee had altered his

name, and what danger he might fall into, if he should otherwise be

discovered; being not satisfied with thus telling him once, but

remembring him thereof verie often, which the gentle youth (being so

well instructed by the wise and carefull Nurse) did very warily

observe.

  The two young Laddes, verie poorely garmented, but much worse

hosed and shodde, continued thus in the house of Gasparino, where both

they and the Nurse were long time employed about verie base and

drudging Offices, which yet they endured with admirable patience.

But Jehannot, aged already about sixteene yeeres, having a loftier

spirit, then belonged to a slavish servant, despising the basenesse of

his servile condition; departed from the drudgery of Messer Gasparino,

and going aboord the Gallies which were bound for Alexandria, fortuned

into many places, yet none of them affoording him any advancement.

In the end, about three or foure yeeres after his departure from

Gasparino, being now a brave yong man, and of very goodly forme: he

understood, that his father (whom he supposed to be dead) was as yet

living, but in captivity, and prisoner to King Charles. Wherefore,

despairing of any successefull fortune, he wandred here and there,

till he came to Lunigiana, and there (by strange accident) he became

servant to Messer Conrado Malespino, where the service proved well

liking to them both.

  Very sildome times hee had a sight of his Mother, because shee

alwayes kept company with Conradoes wife; and yet when they came

within view of each other, shee knew not him, nor he her, so much

yeres had altred them both from what they were wont to be, and when

they saw each other last. Jehannot being thus in the service of Messer

Conrado, it fortuned that a daughter of his, named Sophia, being the

widdow of one Messer Nicolas Grignam, returned home to her Fathers

house. Very beautifull and amiable she was, young likewise, aged but

little above sixteene; growing wonderously amorous of Jehannot, and he

of her, in extraordinary and most fervent manner: which love was not

long without full effect, continuing many moneths before any person

could perceyve it: which making them to build on the more assurance,

they began to carry their meanes with lesse discretion then is

required in such nice cases, and which cannot be too providently

managed.

  Upon a day, he and she walking to a goodly Wood, plentifully

furnished with spreading Trees: having out gone the rest of their

company, they made choise of a pleasant place, very daintily shaded

and beautified with all sorts of flowers. There they spent some time

in amorous talking, beside some other sweete embraces, which though it

seemed over-short to them, yet was it so unadvisedly prolonged, that

they were on a sodain surprized, first by the mother, and next by

Messer Conrado himselfe; who greeving beyond measure, to be thus

treacherously dealt withall, caused them to be apprehended by three of

his servants; and (without telling them any reason why) led bound to

another Castle of his, and fretting with extremity rage, concluded

in his minde, that they should both shamefully be put to death.

  The Mother unto this regardlesse daughter, having heard the angrie

wordes of her Husband, and how hee would be revenged on the faulty;

could not endure that he should be so severe: wherefore, although shee

was likewise much afflicted in minde, and reputed her Daughter

worthy (for so great an offence) of all cruell punnishment, yet she

hasted to her displeased husband, and began to entreate, that hee

would not runne on in such a furious spleene, now in his aged yeeres

to be the murtherer of his owne childe, and soile his hands in the

blood of his servant. Rather he might finde out some milde course

for the satisfaction of his anger, by committing them to close

imprisonment, there to remaine and mourne for their folly committed.

The vertuous and religious Lady alledged so many commendable examples,

and used such plenty of moving perswasions, that she quite altred

his minde from putting them to death, and hee commanded onely, that

they should separately be imprisoned, with little store of food, and

lodging of the uneasiest, untill he should otherwise determine of

them; and so it was done. What their life now was in captivity and

continuall teares, with stricter abstinence then was needefull for

them, all this I must commit to your consideration. Jehannot and Spina

remaining in this comfortlesse condition, and an whole yeere being now

out-worne, yet Conrado keeping them thus still imprisoned: it came

to passe, that Don Pedro King of Arragon, by the meanes of Messer John

de Procida, caused the Isle of Sicily to revolt, and tooke it away

from King Charles; whereat Conrado (he being of the Ghibbiline

faction) not a little rejoyced. Jehannot having intelligence

thereof, by some of them that had him in custody, breathing foorth a

vehement sighe, spake in this manner. Alas poore miserable wretch as I

am! that have already gone begging thorough the world above foureteene

yeeres, in expectation of nothing else but this opportunity; and now

it is come, must I be in prison, to the end, that I should never

more hope for any future happinesse? And how can I get forth of this

prison, except it bee by death onely? How now, replyed the Officer

of the Guard? What doth this businesse of great Kings concerne thee?

What affayres hast thou in Sicily?

  Once more Jehannot sighed extreamly, and returned him this answer.

Me thinkes my heart (quoth hee) doeth cleave in sunder, when I call to

minde the charge which my Father had there; for although I was but a

little boy when I fled thence, yet I can well remember, that I saw him

Governor there, at such time as King Manfred lived. The Guard,

pursuing on still his purpose, demanded of him, what and who his

Father was? My Father (replied Jehannot?) I may now securely speake of

him, being out of the perill which neerely concerned me if I had beene

discovered: he was the named (and so still if he be living) henriet

Capece, and my name is Geoffrey, and not Jehannot; and I make no

doubt, but if I were freed from hence, and might returned home to

Sicily, I should (for his sake) be placed in some authority.

  The honest man of the Guard, without seeking after any further

information; so soone as he could compasse any leysure, reported all

to Messer Conrado, who having heard these newes (albeit he made no

shew thereof to the revealer) went to Madam Beritola, graciously

demaunding of her, if she had any sonne by her husband, who was called

Geoffrey. The Lady replyed in teares, that if her eldest sonne were as

yet living, he was so named, and now aged about two and twenty yeeres.

Conrado hearing this, imagined this same to be the man; considering

further withall, that if it fell out to prove so, hee might have the

better meanes of mercie, and closely concealing his daughters shame,

joyfully joyne them in marriage together.

  Hereupon, he secretly called Jehannot before him, examining him

particularly of all his passed life, and finding (by most manifest

arguments) that his name was truly Geoffrey, and the eldest son of

Henriet Capece, he spake thus to him. Jehannot, thou knowest how great

the injuries are that thou hast done me, and my deere daughter; gently

intreating thee (as became an honest servant) that thou shouldest

alwayes have bene respective of mine honor, and all that appertaine

unto me. There are many noble Gentlemen, who sustaining the wrong

which thou hast offred me, they would have procured thy shamefull

death, which pitty and compassion will not suffer in me. Wherefore

seeing (as thou informest me) that thou art honourably derived both by

father and mother, I will give end to all thy anguishes, even when thy

selfe art so pleased, releasing thee from that captivity wherein I

have so long kept thee, and in one instant, reduce thine honor and

mine into compleat perfection. As thou knowest my daughter Spina, whom

thou hast embraced as a friend (although far unfitting for thee, or

her) is a widdow, and her marriage is both great and good; what her

manners and conditions are, thou indifferently knowest, and art not

ignorant of her father and mother: concerning thine owne estate, as

now I purpose not to speake any thing. Therefore, when thou wilt, I am

determined, that whereas thou hast immodestly affected her, she

shall become thy honest wife, and accepting thee as my sonne, to

remaine with me so long as you both please.

  Imprisonment had somwhat mishapen Jehannot in his outward forme, but

not impaired a jot of his noble spirit; much lesse the true love which

he bare his friend. And although most earnestly he desired that

which now Conrado had so frankly offered him, and was in his power

onely to bestow on him; yet could he not cloud any part of his

greatnes, but with a resolved judgement, thus replied. My Lord,

affectation of rule, desire of welthy possessions, or any other matter

whatsoever could never make me a traitor to you or yours; but that I

have loved, do love, and for ever shal love your beauteous daughter:

if that be treason, I do free confesse it, and will die a thousand

deaths before you or any else shall enforce me to deny it, for I

hold her highly worthy of my love. If I have bin more unmannerly

with her then became me, I have committed but that error, which

evermore is so attendant uppon youth; that to deny, is to denie

youth also. And if reverend age would but remember, that once he was

young and measure others offences by his owne, they would not be

thoght so great, as you (and many more) account them to be, mine being

committed as a friend, and not as an enemy. What you make offer of

so willingly, I have alwayes desired; and if I had thought it would

have beene granted, long since I had most humbly requested it: and

so much the more acceptable would it have bin to me, by how much the

further off it stood from my hopes. But if you bee so forward as

your words doe witnesse, then feed me not with any further

fruitlesse expectation; but rather send me backe to prison, and lay as

many afflictions on me as you please. For my endeered love to your

daughter Spina, maketh mee to love you the more for her sake, how

hardly soever you intreat me; and bindeth me in the greater

reverence to you, as being the Father of my fairest friend.

  Messer Conrado hearing these words, stood as one confounded with

admiration, reputing him to be a man of loftie spirit, and his

affection most fervent to his Daughter, which was not a little to

his liking. Wherefore, embracing him, and kissing his cheeke,

without any longer dallying, hee sent in like manner for his Daughter.

Her restraint in prison, had made her lookes meager, pale, and

wanne, and very weake was she also of her person, faire differing from

the Woman she was wont to be, before be, before her affection to

Jehannot. There in presence of her Father, and with free consent of

either, they were contracted as man and wife, and the espousals agreed

on according to custome. Some few dayes after, (without any ones

knowledge of that which was done) having furnished them with all

things fit for the purpose, and time aptly serving, that the Mothers

should be partakers in this joy; he called his wife, and Madam

Beritola, to whom first he spake in this manner.

  What will you say Madame, if I cause you to see your eldest Son, not

long since married to one of my daughters? Whereunto Beritola thus

replied. My Lord, I can say nothing else unto you, but that I shal

be much more obliged to you, then already I am; and the rather,

because you will let me see the thing which is deerer then mine owne

life; and rendering it unto me in such manner as you speake of, you

will recall backe some part of my former lost hopes: and with these

words, the teares streamed aboundantly from her eyes. Then turning

to his wife, he said: And you deere Love, if I shew you such a Son

in law, what will you thinke of it? Sir (quoth she) what pleaseth you,

must and shall satisfie me, be he gentleman or beggar. Well said

Madam, answered Messer Conrado, I hope shortly, to make you both

joyfull. So when the amorous couple had recovered their former

feature, and honorable garments prepared for them, privately thus he

said to Geoffrey; Beyond the joy which already thou art inriched

withall, how would it please thee to meete thine owne Mother here? I

cannot beleeve Sir (replied Geoffrey) that her greevous misfortunes

have suffered her to live so long; and yet, if heaven hath bin so

mercifull to her, my joyes were incomparable, for by her gracious

counsel, I might well hope to recover no meane happines in Sicily.

Soone after, both the mothers were sent for, who were transported with

unspeakable joy, when they beheld the so lately married couple:

being much amazed what inspiration had guided Messer Conrado to this

extraordinary benignity, in joyning Jehannot in marriage with Spina.

 Hereupon, Madam Beritola remembring the speeches betweene her and

Messer Conrado, began to observe him very advisedly; and by a hidden

vertue which long had silently slept in her, and now with joy of

spirit awaked, calling to mind the lineatures of her sonnes infancy,

without awaiting for any other demonstration, she folded him in her

armes with earnest affection. Motherly joy and pity now contended so

violently togither, that she was not able to utter one word, the

sensitive vertues being so closely combined, that (even as dead) she

fell downe in the armes of her Son. And he wondering greatly

thereat, making a better recollection of his thoughts, did well

remember, that hee had often before seene her in the Castle, without

any other knowledge of her. Neverthelesse, by meere instinct of

Nature, whose power in such actions declares it selfe to be highly

predominant; his very soule assured him, that she was his Mother,

and blaming his understanding, that he had not before bene better

advised, he threw his armes about her, and wept exceedingly.

  Afterward, by the loving paines of Conradoes wife, as also her

daughter Spina, Madam Beritola (being recovered from her passionate

traunce, and her vitall spirits executing their Offices againe) fell

once more to the embracing of her Sonne, kissing him infinite times,

with teares and speeches of motherly kindnesse, he likewise expressing

the same dutifull humanity to her. Which ceremonious courtesies

being passed over and over, to no little joy in all the beholders,

beside repetition of their severall misfortunes, Messer Conrado made

all knowne to his friends, who were very glad of this new alliance

made by him, which was honoured with many solemne feastings. Which

being all concluded, Geoffrey having found out fit place and

opportunity, for conference with his new created Father, without any

sinister opposition, began as followeth.

  Honourable Father, you have raised my contentment to the highest

degree, and have heaped also many gracious favours on my Noble Mother;

but now in the finall conclusion, that nothing may remaine uneffected,

which consisteth in your power to performe: I would humbly entreate

you, to honour my Mother with your company, at a Feast of my making,

where I would gladly also have my Brother present. Messer Gasparino

d'Oria (as I have heretofore told you) questing as a common Pyrat on

the Seas, tooke us and sent us home to his house as slaves, where

(as yet) he detaineth him. I would likewise have you send into Sicily,

who informing himselfe more amply in the state of the Countrey, may

understand what is become of Henriet my Father, and whether he be

living or no. If he be alive, then to know in what condition he is;

and being secretly instructed in all things, then to returne backe

againe to you.

  This motion made by Geoffrey, was so pleasing to Conrado, that

without any reference to further leysure, hee dispatched thence two

discreete persons, the one to Geneway, and the other to Sicily: he

which went for Geneway, having met with Gasparino, earnestly entreated

him (on the behalfe of Conrado) to send him the Poore expelled; and

his Nurse recounting every thing in order, which Conrado had tolde

him, concerning Geoffrey and his mother. When Gasparino had heard

the whole discourse, he marvelled greatly thereat, and saide; True

it is, that I will doe any thing for Messer Conrado, which may bee

to his love and liking, provided, that it lye in my power to performe;

and (about some foureteene yeeres since) I brought such a Lad as you

seeke for, with his mother, home to my house, whom I will gladly

send unto him. But you may tell him from me, that I advise him from

over-rash crediting the Fables of Jehannot, that now termes himselfe

by the name of Geoffrey, because he is a more wicked boy then he

taketh him to be, and so did I finde him.

  Having thus spoken, and giving kinde welcome to the Messenger,

secretly he called the Nurse unto him, whom hee heedfully examined

concerning this case. She having heard the rebellion in the Kingdome

of Sicily; and understanding withall that Henriet was yet living,

joyfully threw off all her former feare, relating every thing to him

orderly, and the reasons moving her to conceale the whole businesse in

such manner as shee had done. Gasparino well perceiving, that the

report of the Nurse, and the message received from Conrado, varied not

in any one circumstance, began the better to credit her words. And

being a man most ingenious, making further inquisition into the

businesse, by all the possible meanes hee could devise; and finding

every thing to yeeld undoubted assurance, ashamed of the vile and base

usage wherein he had so long time kept the Lad, and desiring (by his

best meanes) to make him amends, he had a beautifull daughter, aged

about thirteene yeares, and knowing what manner of man he was, his

Father Henriet also yet living, he gave her to him in marriage, with a

very bountifull and honourable dowry.

  The joviall dayes of feasting being past, he went aboord a Galley

with the Poore expelled, his Daughter, the Ambassador, and the

Nurse, departing thence to Lericy, where they were nobly welcommed

by Messer Conrado, and his Castle being not farre from thence, with an

honourable traine they were conducted thither, and entertained with

all possible kindnesse. Now concerning the comfort of the Mother,

meeting so happily with both her sonnes, the joy of the brethren and

mother together, having also found the faithful Nurse, Gasparino and

his daughter, in company now with Conrado and his wife, friends,

familiars, and all generally in a jubilee of rejoycing: it exceedeth

capacity in mee to expresse it, and therefore I referre it to your

more able imagination.

  In the time of this mutuall contentment, to the end that nothing

might be wanting to compleat and perfect this universall joy; our

Lord, a most abundant bestower where he beginneth, added long wished

tydings concerning the life and good estate of Henry Capece. For, even

as they were feasting, and the concourse great of worthy guests,

both Lords and Ladies; the first service was scarsely set on the

Tables, but the Ambassador which was sent to Sicily, arrived there

before them. Among many other important matters, he spake of

Henriet, who being so long a time detained in prison by King

Charles, when the commotion arose in the Citty against the King; the

people (grudging at Henriets long imprisonment) slew the Guards, and

set him at liberty. Then as capitall enemie to King Charles, hee was

created Captaine Generall, following the chase, and killing the

French.

  Now by this meanes, he grew great in the grace of King Pedro, who

replanted him in all the goods and honours which he had before, with

verie high and eminent authority. Hereunto the Ambassador added,

that hee was entertayned with extraordinary grace, and delivery of

publike joy and exaltation, when his Wife and Sonne were knowne to

be living, of whom no tydings had at any time bene heard, since the

houre of his surprizall. Moreover, that a swift winged Bark was now

sent thither (upon the happy hearing of this newes) well furnished

with noble Gentlemen, to attend till their returning backe. We neede

to make no doubt concerning the tydings brought by this Ambassadour,

nor of the Gentlemens welcome, thus sent to Madame Beritola and

Geoffrey; who before they would sit downe at the Table, saluted Messer

Conrado and his kinde Lady (on the behalfe of Henriet) for all the

great graces extended to her and her Sonne, with promise of any thing,

lying in the power of Henriet, to rest continually at their command.

The like they did to Signior Gasparino (whose liberall favours came

unlooked for) with certaine assurance, that when Henriet should

understand what he had done for his other Sonne, the Poore expelled,

there would be no defaylance of reciprocall courtesies.

  As the longest joyes have no perpetuity of lasting, so all these

graceful ceremonies had their conclusion, with as many sighes and

teares at parting, as joyes abounded at their first encountring.

Imagine then, that you see such aboord, as were to have here no longer

abiding, Madam Beritola and Geoffrey, with the rest; as the Poore

expelled, the so late married Wives, and the faithfull Nurse bearing

them company. With prosperous windes they arrived in Sicily, where the

Wife, Sonnes, and Daughters, were joyfully met by Henriet at

Palermo, and with such honourable pompe, as a case so important

equally deserved. The Histories make further mention, that there

they lived (a long while after) in much felicitie, with thankfull

hearts (no doubt) in Heaven, in acknowledgement of so many great

mercies received.