The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5)
Page 53
Guidotto _of Cremona, departing out of this mortall life, left aDaughter of his, with_ Jacomino _of Pavia._ Giovanni di Severino,_and_ Menghino da Minghole, _fell both in love with the young Maiden,and fought for her; who being afterward knowne, to be the Sister to_Giovanni, _shee was given in mariage to_ Menghino.
The fifth Novell.
_Wherein may be observed, what quarrelse and contentions are occasionedby Love; with some particular discription, concerning the sincerity ofa loyall friend._
All the Ladies laughing heartily, at the Novell of the Nightingale, sopleasingly delivered by _Philostratus_, when they saw the same to befully ended, the Queene thus spake. Now trust me _Philostratus_, thoughyester-day you did much oppresse mee with melancholy, yet you havemade me such an amends to day, as wee have little reason to complaineany more of you. So converting her speech to Madam _Neiphila_, sheecommanded her to succeede with her discourse, which willingly sheyeelded to, beginning in this manner. Seeing it pleased _Philostratus_,to produce his Novell out of _Romania_: I meane to walke with him inthe same jurisdiction, concerning what I am to say.
There dwelt sometime in the City of _Fano_, two Lombards, the one beingnamed _Guidotto_ of _Cremona_, and the other _Jacomino_ of _Pavia_,men of sufficient entrance into yeeres, having followed the warres(as Souldiers) all their youthful time. _Guidotto_ feeling sicknesseto over-master him, and having no sonne, kinsman, or friend, in whomhe might repose more trust, then hee did in _Jacomino_: having longconference with him about his worldly affaires, and setled his wholeestate in good order; he left a Daughter to his charge, about tenyeeres of age, with all such goods as he enjoyed, and then departedout of this life. It came to passe, that the City of _Faenza_, longtime being molested with tedious warres, and subjected to very servilecondition; beganne now to recover her former strength, with freepermission (for all such as pleased) to returne and possesse theirformer dwellings. Whereupon, _Jacomino_ (having sometime beene aninhabitant there) was desirous to live in _Faenza_ againe, convayingthither all his goods, and taking with him also the young girle, which_Guidotto_ had left him, whom hee loved, and respected as his ownechilde.
As shee grew in stature, so shee did in beauty and vertuous qualities,as none was more commended throughout the whole City, for faire,civill, and honest demeanour, which incited many amorously to affecther. But (above all the rest) two very honest young men, of goodfame and repute, who were so equally in love addicted to her, thatbeing jealous of each others fortune, in preventing of their severallhopefull expectation; a deadly hatred grew suddenly betweene them,the one being named, _Giovanni de Severino_, and the other _Menghinoda Minghole_. Either of these two young men, before the Maide wasfifteene yeeres old, laboured to be possessed of her in marriage, buther Guardian would give no consent thereto: wherefore, perceiving theirhonest intended meaning to be frustrated, they now began to busie theirbraines, how to forestall one another by craft and circumvention.
_Jacomino_ had a Maide-servant belonging to his House, somewhat aged,and a Man-servant beside, named _Grivello_, of mirthfull disposition,and very friendly, with whom _Giovanni_ grew in great familiarity; andwhen he found time fit for the purpose, he discovered his love to him,requesting his furtherance and assistance, in compassing the heightof his desire, with bountifull promises of rich rewarding; whereto_Grivello_ returned this answere. I know not how to sted you in thiscase, but when my Master shall sup foorth at some Neighbours House,to admit your entrance where she is: because, if I offer to speake toher, shee never will stay to heare me. Wherefore, if my service thisway may doe you any good, I promise to performe it; doe you beside, asyou shall find it most convenient for you. So the bargaine was agreedon betweene them, and nothing elsee now remained, but to what issue itshould sort in the end.
_Menghino_, on the other side, having entred into the Chamber-maidesacquaintance, sped so well with her, that shee delivered so manymessages from him, as had (already) halfe won the liking of theVirgin; passing further promises to him beside, of bringing him tohave conference with her, whensoever her Master should be absent fromhome. Thus _Menghino_ being favoured (on the one side) by the oldeChamber-maide, and _Giovanni_ (on the other) by trusty _Grivello_;their amorous warre was now on foote, and diligently followed by boththeir sollicitors. Within a short while after, by the procurement of_Grivello, Jacomino_ was invited by a neighbour to supper, in companyof divers his very familiar friends, whereof intelligence being given to_Giovanni_; a conclusion passed betweene them, that (upon a certainesignale given) he should come, and finde the doore standing ready open,to give him all accesse unto the affected Mayden.
The appointed night being come, and neither of these hot Lovers knowingthe others intent, but their suspition being alike, and encreasingstill more and more; they made choyce of certaine friends andassociates, well armed and provided, for eithers safer entrance whenneede should require. _Menghino_ stayed with his troope, in a neereneighbouring house to the Mayden, attending when the signall would begiven: but _Giovanni_ and his consorts, were ambushed somewhat furtheroff from the House, and both saw when _Jacomino_ went foorth to supper.Now _Grivello_ and the Chamber-maide began to vary, which shouldsend the other out of the way, till they had effected their severallintention; whereupon _Grivello_ said to her. What maketh thee to walkethus about the House, and why doest thou not get thee to bed? And thou(quoth the Maide) why doest thou not goe to attend on our Master, andtarry for his returning home? I am sure thou hast supt long agoe, andI know no businesse here in the House for thee to doe. Thus (by nomeanes) the one could send away the other, but either remained as theothers hinderance.
But _Grivello_ remembring himselfe, that the houre of his appointmentwith _Giovanni_ was come, he saide to himselfe. What care I whetherour olde Maide be present, or no? If shee disclose any thing thatI doe, I can be revenged on her when I list. So, having made thesignall, he went to open the doore, even when _Giovanni_ (and two ofhis confederates) rushed into the House, and finding the faire youngMaiden sitting in the Hall, laide hands on her, to beare her away.The Damosell began to resist them, crying out for helpe so loude asshee could, as the olde Chamber-maide did the like: which _Menghino_hearing, he ranne thither presently with his friends, and seeingthe young Damosell brought well-neere out of the House; they drewtheir Swords, crying out: Traytors, you are but dead men, here is noviolence to be offered, neither is this a booty for such base groomes.So they layed about them lustily, and would not permit them to passeany further. On the other side, upon this mutinous noyse and out-cry,the Neighbours came foorth of their Houses, with lights, staves, andclubbes, greatly reproving them for this out-rage, yet assisting_Menghino_: by meanes whereof, after a long time of contention,_Menghino_ recovered the Mayden from _Giovanni_, and placed herpeaceably in _Jacominoes_ House.
No sooner was this hurly-burly somewhat calmed, but the Serjeants tothe Captaine of the City, came thither, and apprehended divers ofthe mutiners: among whom were _Menghino, Giovanni,_ and _Grivello_,committing them immediately to prison. But after every thing waspacified, and _Jacomino_ returned home to his House from supper; hewas not a little offended at so grosse an injury. When he was fullyinformed, how the matter happened, and apparantly perceived, thatno blame at all could be imposed on the Mayden: he grew the bettercontented, resolving with himselfe (because no more such inconveniencesshould happen) to have her married so soone as possibly he could.
When morning was come, the kindred and friends on either side,understanding the truth of the error committed, and knowing beside,what punishment would be inflicted on the prisoners, if _Jacomino_pressed the matter no further, then as with reason and equity well hemight; they repaired to him, and (in gentle speeches) entreated him,not to regard a wrong offered by unruly and youthfull people, meerelydrawne into the action by perswasion of friends; submitting boththemselves, and the offendors, to such satisfaction as he pleased toappoint them. _Jacomino_, who had seene and observed many things in histime, and was a man of sound understanding, returned them this
answere.
Gentlemen, if I were in mine owne Countrey, as now I am in yours; Iwould as forwardly confesse my selfe your friend, as here I must needesfall short of any such service, but even as you shall please to commandme. But plainely, and without all further ceremonious complement, Imust agree to whatsoever you can request; as thinking you to be moreinjured by me, then any great wrong that I have sustained. Concerningthe young Damosell remaining in my House, shee is not (as many haveimagined) either of _Cremona_, or _Pavia_, but borne a _Faentine_,here in this Citie: albeit neither my selfe, shee, or he of whom I hadher, did ever know it, or yet could learne whose Daughter shee was.Wherefore, the suite you make to me, should rather (in duty) be mine toyou: for shee is a native of your owne, doe right to her, and then youcan doe no wrong unto mee.
When the Gentlemen understood, that the Mayden was borne in _Faenza_,they marvelled thereat, and after they had thanked _Jacomino_ for hiscurteous answer; they desired him to let them know, by what meanes theDamosell came into his custody, and how he knew her to be borne in_Faenza_: when he, perceiving them attentive to heare him, began inthis manner.
Understand worthy Gentlemen, that _Guidotto_ of _Cremona_, was mycompanion and deare friend, who growing neere to his death, toldeme, that when this City was surprized by the Emperour _Frederigo_,and all things committed to sacke and spoile; he and certaine of hisconfederates entred into a House, which they found to be well furnishedwith goods, but utterly forsaken of the dwellers, onely this pooreMayden excepted, being then aged but two yeeres, or thereabout. As heemounted up the steps, with intent to depart from the House; she calledhim Father, which word moved him so compassionately: that he went backeagaine, brought her away with him, and all things of worth which werein the House, going thence afterward to _Fano_, and there deceasing, heleft her and all his goods to my charge; conditionally, that I shouldsee her maried when due time required, and bestow on her the wealthwhich he had left her. Now, very true it is, although her yeeres areconvenient for mariage, yet I could never find any one to bestow heron, at least that I thought fitting for her: howbeit, I will listenthereto much more respectively, before any other such accident shallhappen.
It came to passe, that in the reporting of this discourse, there wasthen a Gentleman in the company, named _Guillemino da Medicina_, whoat the surprizal of the City, was present with _Guidotto_ of _Cremona_,and knew well the House which he had ransacked, the owner whereof wasalso present with him, wherefore taking him aside, he saide to him._Bernardino_, hearest thou what _Jacomino_ hath related? yes very wel,replyed _Bernardino_, and remember withall, that in that dismall bloodycombustion, I lost a little Daughter, about the age as _Jacomino_speaketh. Questionlesse then, replied _Guillemino_, shee must needesbe the same young Mayden, for I was there at the same time, and in theHouse, whence _Guidotto_ did bring both the girle and goods, and I doeperfectly remember, that it was thy House. I pray thee call to minde,if ever thou sawest any scarre or marke about her, which may revive thyformer knowledge of her, for my minde perswades me, that the Maide isthy Daughter.
_Bernardino_ musing a while with himselfe, remembred, that under herleft eare, shee had a scarre, in the forme of a little crosse, whichhappened by the byting of a Wolfe, and but a small while before thespoyle was made. Wherefore, without deferring it to any further time,he stept to _Jacomino_ (who as yet staied there) and entreated him tofetch the Mayden from his house, because shee might be knowne to somein the company: whereto right willingly he condiscended, and therepresented the Maide before them. So soone as _Bernardino_ beheld her,he began to be much inwardly moved; for the perfect character of herMothers countenance, was really figured in her sweete face, onely thather beauty was somewhat more excelling. Yet not herewith satisfied, hedesired _Jacomino_ to be so pleased, as to lift up a little the lockesof haire, depending over her left eare. _Jacomino_ did it presently,albeit with a modest blushing in the maide, and _Bernardino_ lookingadvisedly on it, knew it to be the selfe same crosse; which confirmedher constantly to be his Daughter.
Overcome with excesse of joy, which made the teares to trickle downehis cheekes, he proffered to embrace and kisse the Maide: but sheresisting his kindnesse, because (as yet) shee knew no reason for it,he turned himselfe to _Jacomino_, saying. My deare brother and friend,this Maide is my Daughter, and my House was the same which _Guidotto_spoyled, in the generall havocke of our City, and thence he carriedthis child of mine, forgotten (in the fury) by my Wife her Mother. Buthappy was the houre of his becomming her Father, and carrying her awaywith him; for elsee she had perished in the fire, because the House wasinstantly burnt downe to the ground. The Mayden hearing his words,observing him also to be a man of yeeres and gravity: shee beleevedwhat he saide, and humbly submitted her selfe to his kisses & embraces,even as instructed thereto by instinct of nature. _Bernardino_instantly sent for his wife, her owne mother, his daughters, sonnes,and kindred, who being acquainted with this admirable accident, gaveher most gracious and kind welcome, he receiving her from _Jacomino_ ashis childe, and the legacies which _Guidotto_ had left her.
When the Captaine of the City (being a very wise and worthy Gentleman)heard these tydings, and knowing that _Giovanni_, then his prisoner,was the Son to _Bernardino_, and naturall Brother to the newlyrecovered Maide; he bethought himselfe, how best he might qualifie thefault committed by him. And entring into the Hall among them, handledthe matter so discreetly, that a loving league of peace was confirmedbetweene _Giovanni_ and _Menghino_, to whom (with free and full consenton all sides) the faire Maide, named _Agatha_, was given in marriage,with a more honourable enlargement of her dowry, and _Grivello_, withthe rest, delivered out of prison, which for their tumultuous riot theyhad justly deserved. _Menghino_ and _Agatha_ had their wedding worthilysollemnized, with all due honours belonging thereto; and long timeafter they lived in _Faenza_, highly beloved, and graciously esteemed.