The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5)

by Giovanni Boccaccio

  Gerbino, _contrary to the former plighted faith of his Grand-father,King_ Gulielmo, _fought with a Ship at Sea, belonging to the King of_Thunis, _to take away his Daughter, who was then in the same Ship. Sheebeing slaine by them that had the possession of her, he likewise slewthem; and afterward had his owne head smitten off._

  The fourth Novell.

  _In commendation of Justice betweene Princes; and declaring withal,that neither feare, dangers, nor death it selfe; can any way daunt atrue and loyall Lover._

  Madam _Lauretta_ having concluded her Novel, and the companycomplaining on Lovers misfortunes, some blaming the angry and jealousfury of _Ninetta_, and every one delivering their severall opinions;the King, as awaking out of a passionate perplexity, exalted hislookes, giving a signe to Madam _Elisa_, that shee should follow nextin order, whereto she obeying, began in this manner. I have heard(Gracious Ladies, quoth she) of many people, who are verily perswaded,that Loves arrowes, never wound any body, but onely by the eyes lookesand gazes, mocking and scorning such as maintaine that men may fall inlove by hearing onely. Wherein (beleeve me) they are greatly deceived,as will appeare by a Novell which I must now relate unto you, andwherein you shall plainely perceive, that not onely fame or report isas prevailing as sight; but also hath conducted divers, to a wretchedand miserable ending of their lives.

  _Gulielmo_ the second, King of _Sicilie_, according as the _Sicilian_Chronicles record, had two children, the one a sonne, named _DonRogero_, and the other a daughter, called Madam _Constance_. Thesaide _Rogero_ died before his Father, leaving a sonne behind him,named _Gerbino_, who, with much care and cost, was brought up by hisGrand-father, proving to be a very goodly Prince, and wondrouslyesteemed for his great valour and humanity. His fame could notcontaine it selfe, within the bounds or limits of _Sicilie_ onely, butbeing published very prodigally, in many parts of the world beside,flourished with no meane commendations throughout all _Barbarie_,which in those dayes was tributary to the King of _Sicilie_. Amongother persons, deserving most to be respected, the renowned vertues,and affability of this gallant Prince _Gerbino_, was understood bythe beautious Daughter to the King of _Thunis_, who by such as hadseene her, was reputed to be one of the rarest creatures, the bestconditioned, and of the truest noble spirit, that ever Nature framed inher very choycest pride of art.

  Of famous, vertuous, and worthy men, it was continually her cheefestdelight to heare, and the admired actions of valiant _Gerbino_,reported to her by many singular discoursers, such as could bestdescribe him, with language answerable to his due deservings, won suchhonourable entertainment in her understanding soule, that they weremost affectionately pleasing to her, and in capitulating (over and overagaine) his manifold and heroycall perfections; meere speech made herextreamely amorous of him, nor willingly would she lend an eare to anyother discourse, but that which tended to his honour and advancement.

  On the other side, the fame of her incomparable beauty, with additionof her other infinite singularities beside; as the World had giveneare to in numberlesse places, so _Sicilie_ came at length acquaintedtherewith, in such flowing manner, as was truly answerable to hermerit. Nor seemed this as a bare babling rumour, in the Princelyhearing of royall _Gerbino_; but was embraced with such a reallapprehension, and the entire probation of a true understanding: thathe was no lesse enflamed with noble affection towards her, then sheexpressed the like in vertuous opinion of him. Wherefore, awaitingsuch convenient opportunity, when he might entreate license of hisGrandfather, for his owne going to _Thunis_, under colour of somehonourable occasion, for the earnest desire hee had to see her: hegave charge to some of his especiall friends (whose affaires requiredtheir presence in those parts) to let the Princesse understand, in suchsecret manner as best they could devise, what noble affection he bareunto her, devoting himselfe onely to her service.

  One of his chosen friends thus put in trust, being a Jeweller, a manof singular discretion, and often resorting to Ladies for sight of hisJewelles, winning like admittance to the Princesse: related at largeunto her, the honourable affection of _Gerbino_, with full tender ofhis person to her service, and that she onely was to dispose of him.Both the message and the messenger, were most graciously welcome toher, and flaming in the selfsame affection towards him; as a testimonythereof, one of the very choisest Jewelse which she bought of him, sheesent by him to the Prince _Gerbino_, it being received by him with suchjoy and contentment, as nothing in the world could be more pleasing tohim. So that afterward, by the trusty carriage of this Jeweller, manyLetters and Love-tokens passed betweene them, each being as highlypleased with this poore, yet happy kinde of entercourse, as if they hadseene & conversed with one another.

  Matters proceeding on in this manner, and continuing longer then theirlove-sicke passions easily could permit, yet neither being able to findout any other meanes of helpe; it fortuned, that the King of _Thunis_promised his daughter in marriage to the King of _Granada_, whereatshe grew exceeding sorrowfull, perceyving, that not onely she shouldbe sent further off, by a large distance of way from her friend, butalso bee deprived utterly, of all hope ever to enjoy him. And if shecould have devised any meanes, either by secret flight from her Father,or any way else to further her intention, she would have adventured itfor the Princes sake. _Gerbino_ in like manner hearing of this purposedmariage, lived in a hell of torments, consulting oftentimes with hissoule, how he might bee possessed of her by power, when she shouldbe sent by Sea to her husband, or private stealing her away from herFathers Court before: with these and infinite other thoughts, was heincessantly afflicted, both day and night.

  By some unhappy accident or other, the King of _Thunis_ heard of thistheir secret love, as also of _Gerbinoes_ purposed policy to surprizeher, and how likely he was to effect it, in regard of his manly valour,and store of stout friends to assist him. Hereupon, when the time wascome, that hee would convey his daughter thence to her marriage, andfearing to be prevented by _Gerbino_: he sent to the King of _Sicily_,to let him understand his determination, craving safe conduct fromhim, without impeachment of _Gerbino_, or any one elsee, untill suchtime as his intent was accomplished. King _Gulielmo_ being aged, andnever acquainted with the affectionat proceedings of _Gerbino_, nor anydoubtfull reason to urge this securitie from him, in a case convenientto be granted: yeelded the sooner thereto right willingly, and as asignale of his honourable meaning, he sent him his royall Glove, with afull confirmation for his safe conduct.

  No sooner were these Princely assurances received, but a goodly shipwas prepared in the Port of _Carthagena_, well furnished with allthinges thereto belonging, for the sending his daughter to the King of_Granada_, waiting for nothing elsee but best favouring windes. The yongPrincesse, who understood and saw all this great preparation; secretlysent a servant of hers to _Palermo_, giving him especiall charge, onher behalfe, to salute the Prince _Gerbino_, and to tell him withall,that (within few dayes) shee must be transported to _Granada_. And nowopportunity gave fayre and free meane, to let the world know, whetherhee were a man of that magnanimous spirit, or no, as generall opinionhad formerly conceyved of him, and whether he affected her so firmely,as by many close messages he had assured her. He who had the charge ofthis embassie, effectually performed it, and then returned backe to_Thunis_.

  The Prince _Gerbino_, having heard this message from his divineMistresse, and knowing also, that the King his Grandfather, had pasthis safe conduct to the King of _Thunis_, for peaceable passagethorough his Seas: was at his wits end, in this urgent necessitie, whatmight best bee done. Notwithstanding, moved by the setled constancie ofhis plighted Love, and the speeches delivered to him by the messengerfrom the Princesse: to shew himselfe a man endued with courage, hedeparted thence unto _Messina_, where he made readie two speediegallies, and fitting them with men of valiant disposition, set away to_Sardignia_, as making full account, that the Ship which carried thePrincesse, must come along that Coast. Nor was his expectation thereindeceived: for, within few dayes after, the Ship (not over-swiftl
ywinded) came sailing neere to the place where they attended for herarrivall; whereof _Gerbino_ had no sooner gotten a sight, but toanimate the resolutes which were in his company, thus he spake.

  Gentlemen, if you be those men of valour, as heeretofore you have beenereputed, I am perswaded, that there are some among you, who eitherformerly have, or now instantly do feele, the all-commanding power ofLove, without which (as I thinke) there is not any mortall man, thatcan have any goodnesse or vertue dwelling in him. Wherefore, if everyou have bene amorously affected, or presently have any apprehensionthereof, you shall the more easily judge of what I now aime at. Trueit is, that I do love, and love hath guided me to be comforted, andmanfully assisted by you, because in yonder Ship, which you see commethon so gently under saile (even as if she offered her selfe to be ourprize) not onely is the Jewell which I most esteeme, but also mightyand unvalewable treasure, to be wonne without any difficult labour, orhazard of a dangerous fight, you being men of such undauntable courage.In the honour of which victory, I covet not any part or parcell, butonely a Ladie, for whose sake I have undertaken these Armes, and freelygive you all the rest contained in the shippe. Let us set on them,Gentlemen, and my dearest friends; couragiously let us assaile theship, you see how the wind favours us, and (questionlesse) in so good anaction, Fortune will not faile us.

  _Gerbino_ needed not to have spoken so much, in perswading them toseize so rich a booty; because the men of _Messina_ were naturallyaddicted to spoile and rapine: and before the Prince began his Oration,they had concluded to make the ship their purchase. Wherefore, givinga lowde shout, according to their Countrey manner, and commaundingtheir Trumpets to sound chearefully, they rowed on amain with theirOares, and (in meere despight) set upon the ship. But before theGallies could come neere her, they that had the charge and managing ofher, perceyving with what speede they made towards them, and no likelymeanes of escaping from them, resolvedly they stood uppon their bestdefence, for now it was no time to be slothfull.

  The Prince being come neere to the Ship, commanded that the Patronesshould come to him, except they would adventure the fight. Whenthe Sarazines were thereof advertised, and understood also what hedemanded, they returned answer: That their motion and proceedingin this manner, was both against Law and plighted faith, which waspromised by the King of _Sicily_, for their safe passage thorow hisSea, by no meanes to be molested or assailed. In testimony whereof,they shewed his Glove, avouching moreover, that neyther by force (orotherwise) they would yeelde, or deliver him any thing which they hadaboorde their Ship.

  _Gerbino_ espying his gracious Mistresse on the Ships decke, and sheappearing to be farre more beautifull, then Fame had made relation ofher: being much more enflamed now, then formerly he had bin, replyedthus when they shewed the Glove. Wee have (quoth he) no Faulcon heerenow, to be humbled at the sight of your Glove: and therefore, if youwill not deliver the Lady, prepare your selves for fight, for we musthave her whether you will or no. Hereupon, they began to let flie (onboth sides) their Darts and arrowes, with stones sent in violent sortfrom their slings, thus continuing the fight a long while, to verygreat harme on either side. At the length, _Gerbino_ perceyving, thatsmall benefite would redound to him, if he did not undertake someother kinde of course: he tooke a small Pinnace, which purposely hebrought with him from _Sardignia_, and setting it on a flaming fire,conveyd it (by the Gallies help) close to the ship. The Sarazines muchamazed thereat, and evidently perceiving, that eyther they must yeeldor dy; brought their Kings daughter upon the prow of the ship, mostgreevously weeping and wringing her hands. Then calling _Gerbino_, tolet him behold their resolution, there they slew hir before his face;and afterward, throwing her body into the Sea, said: Take her, therewe give her to thee, according to our bounden duty, and as thy perjuryhath justly deserved.

  This sight was not a little greevous to the Prince _Gerbino_, whomadded now with this their monstrous cruelty, and not caring whatbecame of his owne life, having lost her for whom hee onely desiredto live: not dreading their Darts, Arrowes, slinged stones, or whatviolence else they could use against him; he leapt aboord their ship, indespight of all that durst resist him, behaving himself there like ahunger-starved Lyon, when he enters among a heard of beastes, tearingtheir carkasses in pieces both with his teeth and pawes. Such was theextreme fury of the poor Prince, not sparing the life of any one, thatdurst appeare in his presence; so that what with the bloody slaughter,and violence of the fires encreasing in the Ship; the Mariners got suchwealth as possibly they could save, and suffering the Sea to swallowthe rest, _Gerbino_ returned unto his Gallies againe, nothing proud ofthis so ill-gotten victory.

  Afterward, having recovered the Princesses dead body out of the Sea,and enbalmed it with sighes and teares: hee returned backe into_Sicilie_, where he caused it to be most honourably buried, in a littleIsland, named _Ustica_, face to face confronting _Trapanum_. The Kingof _Thunis_ hearing these disastrous Newes, sent his Ambassadors(habited in sad mourning) to the aged King of _Sicily_, complainingof his faith broken with him, and how the accident had falne out. Agebeing sodainly incited to anger, and the King extreamly offended atthis injury, seeing no way whereby to deny him justice, it being urgedso instantly by the Ambassadours: caused _Gerbino_ to be apprehended,and hee himselfe (in regard that none of his Lords and Barons wouldtherein assist him, but laboured to divert him by their earnestimportunity) pronounced the sentence of death on the Prince, andcommanded to have him beheaded in his presence; affecting rather, todye without an heire, then to be thought a King void of justice. Sothese two unfortunate Lovers, never enjoying the very least benefite oftheir long wished desires: ended both their lives in violent manner.