The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5)

by Giovanni Boccaccio

  Pedro Bocamazzo, _escaping away with a yong Damosell which he loved,named_ Angelina, _met with Theeves in his journey. The Damosell flyingfearfully into a Forrest, by chance arriveth at a Castle._ Pedro _beingtaken by the Theeves, and happening afterward to escape from them;commeth (accidentally) to the same Castle where_ Angelina _was. Andmarrying her, they then returned home to Rome._

  The third Novell.

  _Wherein, the severall powers both of Love and Fortune, is more atlarge approved._

  There was not any one in the whole company, but much commended theNovell reported by Madam _Emillia_, and when the Queene perceived itwas ended, she turned towards Madam _Eliza_, commanding her to continueon their delightfull exercise: whereto shee declaring her willingobedience, began to speak thus. Courteous Ladies, I remember oneunfortunate night, which happened to two Lovers, that were not induedwith the greatest discretion. But because they had very many faire andhappy dayes afterwardes, I am the more willing for to let you heare it.

  In the Citie of _Rome_, which (in times past) was called the Ladie andMistresse of the world, though now scarsely so good as the waitingmaid: there dwelt sometime a yong Gentleman, named _Pedro Bocamazzo_,descended from one of the most honourable families in _Rome_, whowas much enamoured of a beautifull Gentlewoman, called _Angelina_,daughter to one named _Giglivozzo Saullo_, whose fortunes were noneof the fairest, yet he greatly esteemed among the Romaines. Theentercourse of love between these twaine, had so equally enstructedtheir hearts and souls, that it could hardly be judged which of themwas the more fervent in affection. But he, not being inured to suchoppressing passions, and therefore the lesse able to support them,except he were sure to compasse his desire, plainly made the motion,that he might enjoy her in honourable mariage. Which his parents andfriends hearing, they went to conferre with him, blaming him withover-much basenesse, so farre to disgrace himselfe and his stocke.Beside, they advised the Father to the Maid, neither to credit what_Pedro_ saide in this case, or to live in hope of any such match,because they all did wholly despise it.

  _Pedro_ perceiving, that the way was shut up, whereby (and none other)he was to mount the Ladder of his hopes; began to waxe weary of longerliving: and if he could have won her fathers consent, he would havemaried her in the despight of all his friends. Neverthelesse, he had aconceit hammering in his head, which if the maid would bee as forwardas himselfe, should bring the matter to full effect. Letters and secretintelligences passing still betweene, at length he understood her readyresolution, to adventure with him thorough all fortunes whatsoever,concluding on their sodaine and secret flight from Rome. For which_Pedro_ did so well provide, that very early in a morning, and wellmounted on horsebacke, they tooke the way leading unto _Alagna_, where_Pedro_ had some honest friends, in whom he reposed especiall trust.Riding on thus thorow the countrey, having no leysure to accomplishtheir marriage, because they stoode in feare of pursuite: they wereridden above foure leagues from Rome, still shortning the way withtheir amorous discoursing.

  It fortuned, that _Pedro_ having no certaine knowledge of the way,but following a trackt guiding too farre on the left hand; rode quiteout of course, and came at last within sight of a small Castle, outof which (before they were aware) yssued twelve Villaines, whom_Angelina_ sooner espyed, then _Pedro_ could do, which made her cryout to him, saying: Help deere Love to save us, or elsee we shall beassayled. _Pedro_ then turning his horse so expeditiously as he could,and giving him the spurres as neede required; mainly he gallopped intoa neere adjoining Forrest, more minding the following of _Angelina_,then any direction of his way, or then that endeavoured to be hishinderance. So that by often winding & turning about, as the passageappeared troublesome to him, when he thought him selfe free and furthestfrom them, he was round engirt, and seized on by them. When they hadmade him to dismount from his horse, questioning him of whence andwhat he was, and he resolving them therein, they fell into a secretconsultation, saying thus among themselves. This man is a friend to ourdeadly enemies, how can wee then otherwise dispose of him, but bereavehim of all he hath, and in despight of the _Orsini_ (men in naturehatefull to us) hang him up heere on one of these Trees?

  All of them agreeing in this dismall resolution, they commanded _Pedro_to put off his garments, which he yeelding to do (albeit unwillingly)it so fell out, that five and twenty other theeves, came sodainlyrushing in upon them, crying, Kill, kill, and spare not a man.

  They which before had surprized _Pedro_, desiring nowe to shiftefor their owne safetie; left him standing quaking in his shirt, andso ranne away mainely to defend themselves. Which the new creweperceyving, and that their number farre exceeded the other: theyfollowed to robbe them of what they had gotten, accounting it as apresent purchase for them. Which when _Pedro_ perceyved, and sawnone tarrying to prey uppon him; hee put on his cloathes againe, andmounting on his owne Horsse, gallopped that way, which _Angelina_before had taken: yet could hee not descry any tracke or path, or somuch as the footing of a horse; but thought himselfe in sufficientsecuritie, beeing rid of them that first seized on him, and also of therest, which followed in the pursuite of them.

  For the losse of his beloved _Angelina_, he was the most wofull manin the world, wandering one while this way, and then againe another,calling for her all about the Forrest, without any answere returningto him. And not daring to ride backe againe, on he travailed still, notknowing where to make his arrivall. And having formerly heard of savageravenous beasts, which commonly live in such unfrequented Forrests: henot onely was in feare of loosing his owne life, but also despayredmuch for his _Angelina_, least some Lyon or Woolfe, had torne her bodyin peeces.

  Thus rode on poore unfortunate _Pedro_, untill the breake of dayappeared, not finding any meanes to get forth of the Forrest, stillcrying and calling for his fayre friend, riding many times backeward,when as hee thought hee rode forward, untill hee became so weake andfaint, what with extreame feare, lowd calling, and continuing so longa while without any sustenance, that the whole day beeing thus spentin vaine, and darke night sodainly come uppon him, hee was not able tohold out any longer.

  Now was hee in farre worse case then before, not knowing where, orhow to dispose of himselfe, or what might best bee done in so great anecessity. From his Horse hee alighted, and tying him by the bridleunto a great tree, uppe he climbed into the same Tree, fearing to beedevoured (in the night time) by some wilde beast, choosing rather tolet his Horsse perish, then himselfe. Within a while after, the Moonebeganne to rise, and the skies appeared bright and cleare: yet dursthee not nod, or take a nap, lest he should fall out of the tree; butsate still greeving, sighing, and mourning, despairing of ever seeinghis _Angelina_ any more, for he could not be comforted by the smallesthopefull perswasion, that any good fortune might befall her in such adesolate Forrest, where nothing but dismall feares was to be expected,and no likelihood that she should escape with life.

  Now, concerning poore affrighted _Angelina_, who (as you heard before)knew not any place of refuge to flye unto: but even as it pleased hirhorse to carry her: she entred so farre into the Forest, that she couldnot devise where to seeke her owne safety. And therefore, even as itfared with her friend _Pedro_, in the same manner did it fall outwith her, wandering the whole night, and all the day following, onewhile taking one hopefull tracke, and then another, calling, weeping,wringing hir hands, and greevously complaining of her hard fortune. Atthe length, perceyving that _Pedro_ came not to her at all, she founda little path (which shee lighted on by great good fortune) even whendark night was apace drawing, and followed it so long, til it broughther within the sight of a small poore Cottage, whereto she rode onso fast as she could; and found therein a very old man, having a wiferather more aged then he, who seeing hir to be without company, the oldman spake thus unto her.

  Faire daughter (quoth he) whether wander you at such an unseasonablehoure, and all alone in a place so desolate? The Damosell weeping,replied; that shee had lost her company in the forest, and enquiredhow neere shee was to _Alagna_.
Daughter (answered the old man) thisis not the way to _Alagna_, for it is above sixe leagues hence. Thenshee desired to knowe, how farre off shee was from such houses, whereshe might have any reasonable lodging? There are none so neere, saidthe old man, that day light will give you leave to reach. May it pleaseyou then good Father (replied _Angelina_) seeing I cannot travaile anywhether elsee; For Gods sake, to let me remaine heere with you thisnight. Daughter answered the good old man, wee can gladly give youentertainement here, for this night, in such poore manner as you see:but let mee tell you withall, that up and downe these wooddes (as wellby night as day) walke companies of all conditions, and rather enimiesthen friends, who doe us many greevious displeasures and harmes. Nowif by misfortune, you beeing heere, any such people should come, andseeing you so loovely faire, as indeed you are, offer you any shame orinjurie: Alas you see it lies not in our power to lend you any helpeor succour. I thought it good (therefore) to acquaint you heerewith;because if any such mischance do happen, you should not afterwardcomplaine of us.

  The yong Maiden, seeing the time to be so farre spent, albeit the oldemans words did much dismay her, yet she thus replyed. If it be the willof heaven, both you and I shall be defended from any misfortune: butif any such mischance do happen, I account the matter lesse deservinggrief, if I fall into the mercy of men, then to be devoured by wildbeasts in this Forrest. So, being dismounted from her horse, andentred into the homely house; she supt poorely with the olde man andhis wife, with such mean cates as their provision affoorded: and aftersupper, lay downe in hir garments on the same poore pallet, where theaged couple tooke their rest, and was very well contented therewith,albeit she could not refraine from sighing and weeping, to bee thusdivided from her deare _Pedro_, of whose life and welfare she greatlydespaired.

  When it was almost day, she heard a great noise of people travailingby, whereupon sodainly she arose, and ranne into a Garden plot, whichwas on the backside of the poore Cottage, espying in one of the cornersa great stacke of Hay, wherein she hid her selfe, to the end, thattravelling strangers might not readily finde her there in the house.Scarsely was she fully hidden, but a great company of Theeves andVillaines, finding the doore open, rushed into the Cottage, wherelooking round about them for some booty, they saw the Damoselse horsestand ready sadled, which made them demand to whom it belonged. Thegood olde man, not seeing the Maiden present there, but immagining thatshee had made some shift for her selfe, answered thus. Gentlemen, thereis no body here but my wife and my selfe: as for this Horse, whichseemeth to bee escaped from the Owner; hee came hither yesternight, andwe gave him house-roome heere, rather then to be devoured by Wolvesabroad. Then said the principall of the Theevish crew; This horse shallbe ours, in regard he hath no other master, and let the owner comeclaime him of us.

  When they had searched every corner of the poore Cottage, & found nosuch prey as they looked for, some of them went into the backe side;where they had left their Javelins and Targets, wherewith they usedcommonly to travaile. It fortuned, that one of them, being more subtilysuspitious then the rest, thrust his Javeline into the stacke of Hay,in the very same place where the Damosell lay hidden, missing verylittle of killing her; for it entred so farre, that the iron headpierced quite thorough her Garments, and touched her left bare brest:whereupon, shee was ready to cry out, as fearing that she was wounded:but considering the place where she was, she lay still, and spake nota word. This disordred company, after they had fed on some young Kids,and other flesh which they brought with them thither, they went thenceabout their theeving exercise, taking the Damoselse horse along withthem.

  After they were gone a good distance off, the good old man begannethus to question his Wife. What is become (quoth hee) of our youngGentlewoman, which came so late to us yesternight? I have not seen hirto day since our arising. The old woman made answer, that she knewnot where she was, and sought all about to finde her. _Angelinaes_feares being well over-blowne, and hearing none of the former noise,which made her the better hope of their departure, came forth of theHay-stack; whereof the good old man was not a little joyfull, andbecause she had so well escaped from them: so seeing it was now broadday-light, he sayde unto her. Now that the morning is so fairely begun,if you can be so well contented, we will bring you to a Castle, whichstands about two miles and an halfe hence, where you will be sureto remaine in safety. But you must needs travaile thither on foote,because the night-walkers that happened hither, have taken away yourhorse with them.

  _Angelina_ making little or no account of such a losse, entreated themfor charities sake, to conduct her to that Castle, which accordinglythey did, and arrived there betweene seven and eight of the clocke. TheCastle belonged to one of the _Orsini_, being called, _Liello di Campodi Fiore_, and by great good fortune, his wife was then there, shebeing a very vertuous and religious Lady. No sooner did shee looke upon_Angelina_, but shee knew her immediately, and entertaining her verywillingly, requested, to know the reason of her thus arriving there:which shee at large related, and moved the Lady (who likewise knew_Pedro_ perfectly well) to much compassion, because he was a kinsmanand deare friend to her Husband; and understanding how the Theeves hadsurprized him, shee feared, that he was slaine among them, whereuponshee spake thus to _Angelina_. Seeing you know not what is become of mykinsman _Pedro_, you shall remaine here with me, untill such time, as(if we heare no other tidings of him) you may with safety be sent backeto _Rome_.

  _Pedro_ all this while sitting in the Tree, so full of griefe, as no mancould be more; about the houre of midnight (by the bright splendour ofthe Moone) espied about some twenty Wolves, who, so soone as they gota sight of the Horse, ran and engirt him round about. The Horse whenhe perceived them so neere him, drew his head so strongly back-ward,that breaking the reines of his bridle, he laboured to escape awayfrom them. But being beset on every side, and utterly unable to helpehimselfe, he contended with his teeth & feete in his owne defence, tillthey haled him violently to the ground, and tearing his body in peeces,left not a jot of him but the bare bones, and afterward ran rangingthorow the Forrest. At this sight, poore _Pedro_ was mightily dismayed,fearing to speed no better then his Horse had done, and therefore couldnot devise what was best to be done; for he saw no likelihood now, ofgetting out of the Forrest with life. But day-light drawing on apace,and he almost dead with cold, having stood quaking so long in the Tree;at length by continuall looking every where about him, to discerne theleast glimpse of any comfort; he espied a great fire, which seemed tobe about halfe a mile off from him.

  By this time it was broade day, when he descended downe out of theTree, (yet not without much feare) and tooke his way towards the fire,where being arrived, he found a company of Shepheards banquetting aboutit, whom he curteously saluting, they tooke pity on his distresse, andwelcommed him kindly. After he had tasted of such cheare as they had,and was indifferently refreshed by the good fire; hee discoursed hishard disasters to them, as also how he happened thither, desiring toknow, if any Village or Castle were neere thereabout, where he mightin better manner releeve himselfe. The Shepheards told him, that abouta mile and an halfe from thence, was the Castle of _Signior Liello diCampo di Fiore_, and that his Lady was now residing there; which wasno meane comfort to poore _Pedro_, requesting that one of them wouldaccompany him thither, as two of them did in loving manner, to riddehim of all further feares.

  When he was arrived at the Castle, and found there divers of hisfamiliar acquaintance; he laboured to procure some meanes, that theDamosell might be sought for in the Forrest. Then the Lady callingfor her, and bringing her to him; he ran and caught her in his armes,being ready to swoune with conceit of joy, for never could any manbe more comforted, then he was at the sight of his _Angelina_, andquestionlesse, her joy was not a jot inferior to his, such a simpathyof firme love was sealed between them. The Lady of the Castle, aftershee had given them very gracious entertainement, and understoodthe scope of their bold adventure; shee reproved them both somewhatsharpely, for presuming so farre without the consent o
f their Parents.But perceiving (notwithstanding all her remonstrances) that theycontinued still constant in their resolution, without any inequality oneither side; shee saide to her selfe. Why should this matter be any wayoffensive to me? They love each other loyally; they are not inferiourto one another in birth, but in fortune; they are equally loved andallied to my Husband, and their desire is both honest and honourable.Moreover, what know I, if it be the will of Heaven to have it so?Theeves intended to hang him, in malice to his name and kinred, fromwhich hard fate he hath happily escaped. Her life was endangered by asharpe pointed Javeline, and yet her fairer starres would not sufferher so to perish: beside, they both have escaped the fury of ravenouswild beasts, and all these are apparant signes, that future comfortsshould recompence former passed misfortunes; farre be it therefore fromme, to hinder the appointment of the Heavens.

  Then turning her selfe to them, thus shee proceeded. If your desirebe to joyne in honourable marriage, I am well contented therewith,and your nuptials shall here be sollemnized at my Husbands charges.Afterward both he and I will endeavour, to make peace between you andyour discontented Parents. _Pedro_ was not a little joyfull at herkind offer, and _Angelina_ much more then he; so they were mariedtogether in the Castle, and worthily feasted by the Lady, as Forrestentertainment could permit, and there they enjoyed the first fruits oftheir love. Within a short while after, the Lady and they (well mountedon Horse-backe, and attended with an honourable traine) returnedto _Rome_; where her Lord _Liello_ and shee prevailed so wel with_Pedroes_ angry Parents: that all variance ended in love and peace,and afterward they lived lovingly together, till old age made them ashonourable, as their true and mutuall affection formerly had done.