The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5)

by Giovanni Boccaccio

  Guion di Procida, _being found familiarly conversing with a youngDamosell, which he loved; and had been given (formerly) to_ Frederigo,_King of Sicilie: was bound to a stake; to be consumed with fire. Fromwhich danger (neverthelesse) he escaped, being knowne by_ Don Rogierode Oria, _Lord Admirall of Sicilie, and afterward married the Damosell._

  The sixth Novell.

  _Wherein is manifested, that love can leade a man into numberlesseperils: out of which he escapeth with no meane difficulty._

  The Novell of Madam _Neiphila_ being ended, which proved very pleasingto the Ladies: the Queene commanded Madam _Pampinea_, that sheeshould prepare to take her turne next, whereto willingly obeying,thus shee began. Many and mighty (Gracious Ladies) are the prevailingpowers of love, conducting amorous soules into infinite travelse, withinconveniences no way avoidable, and not easily to be foreseene, orprevented. As partly already hath beene observed, by divers of ourformer Novelse related, and some (no doubt) to ensue hereafter; for oneof them (comming now to my memory) I shall acquaint you withall, in sogood tearmes as I can.

  _Ischia_ is an Iland very neere to _Naples_, wherein (not long since)lived a faire and lovely Gentlewoman, named _Restituta_, Daughter to aGentleman of the same Isle, whose name was _Marino Bolgaro_. A properyouth called _Guion_, dwelling also in a neere neighbouring Isle,called _Procida_, did love her as dearely as his owne life, and she wasas intimately affected towards him. Now because the sight of her washis onely comfort, as occasion gave him leave; he resorted to _Ischia_very often in the day time, and as often also in the night season, whenany Barque passed from _Procida_ to _Ischia_; if to see nothing elsee,yet to behold the walles that enclosed his Mistresse thus.

  While this love continued in equall fervency, it chanced upon a faireSummers day, that _Restituta_ walked alone upon the Sea-shoare, goingfrom Rocke to Rocke, having a naked knife in her hand, wherewith sheeopened such Oysters as shee found among the stones, seeking for smallpearles enclosed in their shelles. Her walke was very solitary andshady, with a faire Spring or well adjoining to it, and thither (atthat very instant time) certaine Sicilian young Gentlemen, which camefrom _Naples_, had made their retreate. They perceiving the Gentlewomanto be very beautifull (shee as yet not having any sight of them) andin such a silent place alone by her selfe: concluded together, to makea purchase of her, and carry her thence away with them; as indeed theydid, notwithstanding all her out-cryes and exclaimes, bearing herperforce aboard their Barque.

  Setting sayle thence, they arrived in _Calabria_, and then there grew agreat contention betweene them, to which of them this booty of beautyshould belong, because each of them pleaded a title to her. But whenthey could not grow to any agreement, but doubted greater disasterwould ensue thereon, by breaking their former league of friendship:by an equall conformity in consent, they resolved, to bestow her as arich present, on _Frederigo_ King of _Sicilie_, who was then young &joviall, and could not be pleased with a better gift; wherefore theywere no sooner landed at _Palermo_, but they did according as they haddetermined. The King did commend her beauty extraordinarily, and likedher farre beyond all his other Loves: but, being at that time empairedin his health, and his body much distempered by ill dyet; he gavecommand, that untill he should be in more able disposition, shee mustbe kept in a goodly house of his owne, erected in a beautifull Garden,called the _Cube_, where shee was attended in most pompeous manner.

  Now grew the noyse and rumor great in _Ischia_, about this rape orstealing away of _Restituta_; but the chiefest greevance of all, was,that it could not be knowne how, by whom, or by what meanes. But _Guiondi Procida_, whom this injury concerned much more then any other;stood not in expectation of better tydings from _Ischia_, but hearingwhat course the Barke had taken, made ready another, to follow afterwith all possible speede. Flying thus on the winged minds through theSeas, even from _Minerva_, unto the _Scalea_ in _Calabria_, searchingfor his lost Love in every angle: at length it was tolde him at the_Scalea_, that shee was carried away by certaine _Sicillian_ Marriners,to _Palermo_, whither _Guion_ set sayle immediately.

  After some diligent search made there, he understood, that she wasdelivered to the King, and he had given strict command, for keepingher in his place of pleasure; called the _Cube_: which newes were nota little greevous to him, for now he was almost quite out of hope, notonely of ever enjoying her, but also of seeing her. Neverthelesse, Lovewould not let him utterly despaire, whereupon he sent away his Barque,and perceiving himselfe to be unknowne of any; he continued for sometime in _Palermo_, walking many times by that goodly place of pleasure.It chanced on a day, that keeping his walke as he used to doe, Fortunewas so favourable to him, as to let him have a sight of her at herwindow; from whence also she had a full view of him, to their exceedingcomfort and contentment. And _Guion_ observing, that the _Cube_ wasseated in a place of small resort; approached so neere as possibly hedurst, to have some conference with _Restituta_.

  As Love sets a keene edge on the dullest spirit, and (by a smalladvantage) makes a man the more adventurous: so this little time ofunseene talke, inspired him with courage, and her with witty advice,by what meanes his accesse might be much neerer to her, and theircommunication concealed from any discovery, the scituation of theplace, and benefit of time duly considered. Night must be the cloud totheir amorous conclusion, and therefore, so much thereof being spent,as was thought convenient, he returned thither againe, provided of suchgrappling-yrons, as is required when men will clamber, made fast untohis hands and knees; by their helpe he attained to the top of the wall,whence discending downe into the Garden, there he found the maine yardof a ship, whereof before shee had given him instruction, and rearingit up against her chamber window, made that his meanes for ascendingthereto, shee having left it open for his easier entrance.

  You cannot denie (faire Ladies) but here was a very hopefull beginning,and likely to have as happy an ending, were it not true Loves fatallmisery, even in the very height of promised assurance, to be thwartedby unkind prevention, and in such manner as I will tell you. Thisnight, intended for our Lovers meeting, proved disastrous and dreadfullto them both: for the King, who at the first sight of _Restituta_, washighly pleased with her excelling beauty; gave order to his Eunuchesand other women, that a costly bathe should be prepared for her, andtherein to let her weare away that night, because the next day heintended to visit her. _Restituta_ being royally conducted from herChamber to the Bathe, attended on with Torch-light, as if shee had beena Queene: none remained there behind, but such women as waited on her,and the Guards without, which watched the Chamber.

  No sooner was poore _Guion_ aloft at the window, calling softly tohis Mistresse, as if she had beene there; but he was over-heard bythe women in the darke, and immediately apprehended by the Guard, whoforthwith brought him before the Lord Marshall, where being examined,and he avouching, that _Restituta_ was his elected wife, and for herhe had presumed in that manner; closely was he kept in prison till thenext morning. When he came into the Kings presence, and there boldlyjustified the goodnesse of his cause: _Restituta_ likewise was sentfor, who no sooner saw her deare Love _Guion_, but shee ran and caughthim fast about the necke, kissing him in teares, and greeving not alittle at his hard fortune. Hereat the King grew exceedingly enraged,loathing and hating her now, much more then formerly he did affect her,and having himselfe seene, by what strange meanes he did climbe overthe wall, and then mounted to her Chamber window; he was extreamelyimpatient, and could not otherwise be perswaded, but that theirmeetings thus had beene very many.

  Forthwith he sentenced them both with death, commanding, that theyshould be conveyed thence to _Palermo_, and there (being stript starkenaked) be bound to a stake backe to backe, and so to stand the fullspace of nine houres, to see if any could take knowledge, of whence, orwhat they were; then afterward, to be consumed with fire. The sentenceof death, did not so much daunt or dismay the poore Lovers, as theuncivill and unsightly manner, which (in feare of the Kings wrathfulldispleasure) no man durst presume
to contradict. Wherefore, as he hadcommanded, so were they carried thence to _Palermo_, and bound nakedto a stake in the open Market place, and (before their eyes) the fireand wood brought, which was to consume them, according to the houre asthe King had appointed. You need not make any question, what an hugeconcourse of people were soone assembled together, to behold such a sadand wofull spectacle, even the whole City of _Palermo_, both men andwomen. The men were stricken with admiration, beholding the unequalledbeauty of faire _Restituta_, & the selfe same passion possessed thewomen, seeing _Guion_ to be such a goodly and compleat young man: butthe poore infortunate Lovers themselves, they stood with their lookesdejected to the ground, being much pittied of all, but no way to beholpen or rescued by any, awaiting when the happy houre would come, tofinish both their shame and lives together.

  During the time of this tragicall expectation, the fame of this publikeexecution being noysed abroade, calling all people farre and neereto behold it; it came to the eare of _Don Rogiero de Oria_, a man ofmuch admired valour, and then the Lord high Admirall of _Sicily_,who came himselfe in person, to the place appointed for their death.First he observed the Mayden, confessing her (in his soule) to be abeauty beyond all compare. Then looking on the young man, thus he saidewithin himselfe: If the inward endowments of the mind, doe paralell theoutward perfections of body; the World cannot yeeld a more compleateman. Now, as good natures are quickly incited to compassion (especiallyin cases almost commanding it) and compassion knocking at the dooreof the soule, doth quicken the memory with many passed recordations:so this noble Admirall, advisedly beholding poore condemned _Guion_,conceived, that he had somewhat seene him before this instant, and uponthis perswasion (even as if divine vertue had tutured his tongue) hesaide: Is not thy name _Guion di Procida_?

  Marke now, how quickly misery can receive comfort, upon so pooreand silly a question; for _Guion_ began to elevate his dejectedcountenance, and looking on the Admirall, returned him this answere.Sir, heretofore I have been the man which you spake of; but now,both that name and man must die with me. What misfortune (quoth theAdmirall) hath thus unkindly crost thee? Love (answered _Guion_) andthe Kings displeasure. Then the Admirall would needs know the wholehistory at large, which briefly was related to him, and having heardhow all had happened; as he was turning his Horse to ride away thence,_Guion_ called to him, saying. Good my Lord, entreate one favour forme, if possible it may be. What is that? replyed the Admirall. Yousee Sir (quoth _Guion_) that I am very shortly to breathe my last;all the grace which I doe most humbly entreate, is, that as I am herewith this chaste Virgin, (whom I honour and love beyond my life) andmiserably bound backe to backe: our faces may be turned each to other,to the end, that when the fire shall finish my life, by looking on her,my soule may take her flight in full felicity. The Admirall smyling,saide; I will doe for thee what I can, and (perhaps) thou mayest solong looke on her, as thou wilt be weary, and desire to looke off her.

  At his departure, he commanded them that had the charge of thisexecution, to proceede no further, untill they heard more from theKing, to whom hee gallopped immediately, and although hee beheld himto be very angerly moved; yet he spared not to speake in this manner.Sir, wherein have those poore young couple offended you, that are soshamefully to be burnt at _Palermo_? The King told him: whereto theAdmirall (pursuing still his purpose) thus replyed. Beleeve me Sir,if true love be an offence, then theirs may be termed to be one; andalbeit it did deserve death, yet farre be it from thee to inflict it onthem: for as faults doe justly require punishment, so doe good turnesas equally merit grace and requitall. Knowest thou what and who theyare, whom thou hast so dishonourably condemned to the fire? Not I,quoth the King. Why then I will tell thee, answered the Admirall, thatthou mayest take the better knowledge of them, and forbeare hereafter,to be so over-violently transported with anger.

  The young Gentleman, is the Sonne to _Landolfo di Procida_, the onelyBrother to Lord _John di Procida_, by whose meanes thou becamest Lordand King of this Countrey. The faire young Damosell, is the Daughterto _Marino Bolgaro_, whose power extendeth so farre, as to preservethy prerogative in _Ischia_, which (but for him) had long since beeneout-rooted there. Beside, these two maine motives, to challenge justlygrace and favour from thee; they are in the floure and pride of theiryouth, having long continued in loyall love together, and compelled byfervency of endeared affection, not any will to displease thy Majesty:they have offended (if it may be termed an offence to love, and in suchlovely young people as they are.) Canst thou then find in thine heartto let them die, whom thou rather oughtest to honour, and recompencewith no meane rewards?

  When the King had heard this, and beleeved for a certainty, that theAdmirall told him nothing but truth: he appointed not onely, that theyshould proceede no further, but also was exceeding sorrowfull for whathe had done, sending presently to have them released from the Stake,and honourably to be brought before him. Being thus enstructed in theirseverall qualities, and standing in duty obliged, to recompence thewrong which he had done, with respective honours: he caused them tobe cloathed in royall garments, and knowing them to be knit in unityof soule; the like he did by marrying them sollemnly together, andbestowing many rich gifts and presents on them, sent them honourablyattented home to _Ischia_; where they were with much joy and comfortreceived, and lived long after in great felicity.