The decameron containing an hundred pleasant nouels. Wittily discoursed, betweene seauen honourable ladies, and three noble gentlemen.

A beautifull yong Virgin, named Andreana, became enamored of a yong Gen∣tleman, called Gabriello. In conference together, she declared a dreame of hers to him, and he another of his to her; whereupon Gabriello fell downe sodainly dead in her armes. Shee, and her Chamber-maide were apprehen∣ded, by the Officers belonging to the Seigneury, as they were carrying Ga∣briello, to lay him before his owne doore. The Potestate offering violence to the Virgin, and she reststing him vertuously: it came to the vnderstanding of her Father, who approued the innocence of his daughter, and compassed her deliuerance. But she afterward, being weary of all worldly felicities, en∣tred into Religion, and became a Nun.

The sixth Nouell.

Describing the admirable accidents of Fortune; and the mighty preuailing po∣wer of Loue.

THE Nouell which Madam Philomena had so graciously related, was highly pleasing vnto the other Ladies; because they had oftentimes

heard the Song, without knowing who made it, or vppon what occasion it was composed. But when the King saw that the Tale was ended: hee commanded Pamphilus, that hee should follow in his due course: where∣upon he spake thus.

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The dreame already recounted in the last Nouell, doth minister mat∣ter to me, to make report of another Tale, wherein mention is made of two seuerall dreames; which diuined as well what was to ensue, as the o∣ther did what had hapned before. And no sooner were they finished in the relation, by both the parties which had formerly dreampt them, but the effects of both as sodainly followed.

Worthy Ladies, I am sure it is not vnknowne to you, that it is, & hath bene a generall passion, to all men and women liuing, to see diuers and sundry things while they are sleeping. And although (to the sleeper) they seeme most certaine, so that when he awaketh, hee iudgeth the trueth of some, the likelyhood of others, and some beyond all possibility of truth: yet notwithstanding, many dreames haue bene obserued to happen, and very strangely haue come to passe. And this hath bene a grounded rea∣son for some men, to giue as great credit to such things as they see slee∣ping, as they do to others vsually waking. So that, according vnto their dreames, and as they make construction of them, that are sadly distasted, or merrily pleased, euen as (by them) they either feare or hope. On the contrary, there are some, who wil not credit any dreame whatsoeuer, vn∣till they be falne into the very same danger which formerly they saw, and most euidently in their sleepe.

I meane not to commend either the one or other, because they do not alwayes fall out to be true; neither are they at all times lyars. Now, that

they proue not all to be true, we can best testifie to our selues. And that they are not alwayes lyars, hath already sufficiently bene manifested, by the discourse of Madame Philomena, and as you shall perceiue by mine owne, which next commeth in order to salute you. Wherefore, I am of this opinion, that in matters of good life, and performing honest actions; no dreame is to be feared presaging the contrary, neither are good works any way to be hindred by them. Likewise, in matters of bad and wicked quality, although our dreames may appeare fauourable to vs, and our vi∣sions flatter vs with prosperous successe: yet let vs giue no credence vnto the best, nor addict our minds to them of contrary Nature. And now we will proceed to our Nouell.

In the Citie of Brescia, there liued somtime a Gentleman, named Mes∣ser Negro da Ponte Cararo, who (among many other children) had a daugh∣ter called Andreana, yong and beautifull, but as yet vnmarried. It fortu∣ned, that shee fell in loue with a neighbour, named Gabriello, a comely yong Gentleman, of affable complexion, and graciously conditioned. Which loue was (with like kindnesse) welcommed and entertained by him, and by the furtherance of her Chamber-maide, it was so cunningly carried, that in the Garden belonging to Andreanaes Father, she had ma∣ny meetings with her Gabriello. And solemne vowes being mutually pas∣sed betweene them, that nothing but death could alter their affection: by such ceremonious words as are vsed in marriage, they maried themselues secretly together, and continued their stolne chaste pleasures, with equall contentment to them both.

It came to passe, that Andreana sleeping in her bed, dreamed, that she met with Gabriello in the Garden, where they both embracing louingly together, she seemed to see a thing blacke and terrible, which sodainely issued forth of his body, but the shape therof she could not comprehend. It rudely seized vpon Gabriello, & in despight of her vtmost strength (with incredible force) snatched him out of her armes, and sinking with him into the earth, they neuer after did see one another; whereuppon, ouer∣come with extremity of greefe and sorrow, presently shee awaked, being then not a little ioyfull, that she found no such matter as shee feared, yet continued very doubtfull of her dreame. In regard whereof, Gabriello be∣ing desirous to visite her the night following: she laboured very diligent∣ly to hinder his comming to her; yet knowing his loyall affection toward her, and fearing least he should grow suspitious of some other matter: she welcommed him into the Garden, where gathering both white and Da∣maske Roses (according to the nature of the season) at length, they sate downe by a goodly Fountaine, which stoode in the midst of the Gar∣den

After some small familiar discourse passing betweene them, Gabriello demanded of her vpon what occasion shee denied his comming thither the night before, and by such a sodaine vnexpected admonition? Andrea∣na told him, that it was in regard of a troublesome dreame, wherwith hir soule was perplexed the precedent night, and doubt what might ensue

thereon. Gabriello hearing this, began to smile, affirming to her, that it was an especiall note of folly, to giue any credit to idle dreames: because (oftentimes) they are caused by excesse of feeding, and continually are obserued to be meere lies. For (quoth hee) if I had any superstitious be∣leefe of dreames, I should not then haue come hither nowe: yet not so much as being dismayed by your dreame, but for another of mine owne, which I am the more willing to acquaint you withall.

Me thought, I was in a goodly delightfull Forrest, in the Noble ex∣ercise of sportfull hunting, and became there possessed of a yong Hinde, the verie loueliest and most pleasing beast that was euer seene. It seemed to be as white as snow, and grew (in a short while) so familiar with mee, that by no meanes it would forsake me. I could not but accept this rare kindnesse in the beast, and fearing least (by some ill hap) I might loose it, I put a coller of Gold about the necke thereof, and fastned it into a chain of Gold also, which then I held strictly in my hand. The Hind afterward couched downe by mee, laying his head mildely in my lap; and on a sud∣den, a blacke Grey-hound bitch came rushing on vs (but whence, or how I could not imagine) seeming halfe hunger-starued, and very vgly to look vpon. At me she made her full carriere, without any power in me of re∣sistance: and putting her mouth into the lefte side of my bosome, griped it so mainly with her teeth, that (me thought) I felt my heart quite bit∣ten through, and she tugged on still, to take it wholly away from me; by which imagined paine and anguish I felt, instantly I awaked: Laying then my hand vpon my side, to know whether any such harme had befaln me, or no, and finding none at all, I smiled at mine owne folly, in making such a friuolous and idle search. What can be said then in these or the like ca∣ses? Diuers times I haue had as ill seeming dreames, yea, and much more to be feared: yet neuer any thing hurtfull to me) followed thereon; and therefore I haue alwaies made the lesse account of them.

The yong Maiden, who was still dismayed by her owne dreame, be∣came much more afflicted in her minde, when shee had heard this other reported by Gabriello: but yet to giue him no occasion of distast, she bare it out in the best manner she could deuise to doe. And albeit they spent the time in much pleasing discourse, maintained with infinite sweete kis∣ses on either side: yet was she still suspitious, but knew not whereof; fix∣ing her eies oftentimes vpon his face, and throwing strange lookes to all parts of the Garden, to catch hold on any such blacke vgly sight, whereof he had formerly made description to her. As thus she continued in these afflicting feares, it fortuned, that Gabriello sodainly breathing forth a very vehement sighe, and throwing his armes fast about her, said: O helpe me deare Loue, or else I dye; and, in speaking the words, fell downe vppon the ground. Which the yong Damosell perceiuing, and drawing him in∣to her lappe, weeping saide: Alas sweete Friend, What paine dost thou feele?

Gabriello answered not one word, but being in an exceeding sweate, without any ability of drawing breath, very soone after gaue vp the ghost.

How greeuous this strange accident was to poore Andreana, who loued him as deerely as her owne life: you that haue felt loues tormenting affli∣ctions, can more easily conceiue, then I relate. Wringing her hands, & weeping incessantly, calling him, rubbing his temples, and vsing all like∣ly meanes to reduce life: she found all her labour to be spent in vain, be∣cause he was starke dead indeed, and euery part of his body as cold as ice: whereupon, she was in such wofull extremity, that she knew not what to do or say. All about the Garden she went weeping, in infinite feares and distraction of soule, calling for her Chamber-maid, the only secret friend to their stolne meetings, and told her the occasion of this sudden sorow. After they had sighed and mourned awhile, ouer the dead body of Gabri∣ello, Andreana in this manner spake to her maid.

Seeing Fortune hath thus bereft me of my Loue, mine owne life must needs be hatefull to me: but before I offer any violence to my selfe, let vs deuise some conuenient meanes, as may both preserue mine honor from any touch or scandall, and conceale the secret loue passing betweene vs: but yet in such honest sort, that this body (whose blessed soule hath too soone forsaken it) may be honourably enterred. Whereto her Mayde thus answered: Mistresse, neuer talke of doing any violence to your self, because by such a blacke and dismall deed, as you haue lost his kind com∣pany here in this life, so shall you neuer more see him in the other world: for immediately you sinke downe to hell, which foule place cannot bee a receptacle for his faire soule, that was endued with so many singular ver∣tues. Wherefore, I holde it farre better for you, to comfort your selfe by all good meanes, and with the power of feruent prayer, to fight against all desperate intruding passions, as a truly vertuous minde ought to doe. Now, as concerning his enterrement, the meanes is readily prepared for you heere in this Garden, where neuer he hath bene seene by any, or his resorting hither knowne, but onely to our selues. If you will not consent to haue it so, let you and I conuey his bodye hence, and leaue it in such apt place, where it may be found to morrow morning: and being then carried to his owne house, his friends and kindred will giue it honest bu∣riall.

Andreana, although her soule was extraordinarily sorrowfull, & teares flowed abundantly from her eyes; yet she listned attentiuely to hir maids counsell; allowing her first aduice against desperation, to be truly good; but to the rest thus she replied. God forbid (quoth she) that I shold suf∣fer so deare a louing friend, as he hath alwayes shewed himselfe to mee; nay, which is much more, my husband; by sacred and solemn vowes pas∣sed betweene vs, to be put into the ground basely, and like a dog, or else to be left in the open streete. He hath had the sacrifice of my virgin teares, and if I can preuaile, he shall haue some of his kindred, as I haue instant∣ly deuised, what (in this hard case) is best to be done. Forthwith she sent the maid to her Chamber, for diuers elles of white Damaske lying in her Chest, which when she had brought, they spread it abroad on the grasse, euen in the manner of a winding sheete, and therein wrapped the bodie

of Gabriello, with a faire wrought pillow lying vnder his head, hauing first (with their teares) closed his mouth and eyes, and placed a Chaplet of Flowers on his head, couering the whole shrowd ouer in the same man∣ner; which being done, thus she spake to her maide.

The doore of his owne house is not farre hence, and thither (between vs two) he may be easily carried, euen in this maner as we haue adorned him; where leauing him in his owne Porch, we may returne back before it be day; and although it will be a sad sight to his friends; yet, because he dyed in mine armes, and we being so well discharged of the bodie, it will be a little comfort to me. When she had ended these words, which were not vttered without infinite teares, the Maid entreated her to make hast, because the night passed swiftly on. At last, she remembred the Ring on her finger, wherewith Gabriello had solemnly espoused her, and opening the shroud againe, she put it on his finger, saying, My deare and louing husband, if thy soule can see my teares, or any vnderstanding to remaine in thy body, being thus vntimely taken from me: receiue the latest guifte thou gauest me, as a pledge of our solemne and spotlesse marriage. So, making vp the shroud againe as it should be, and conueighing it closely out of the Garden, they went on along with it, towardes his dwelling house.

As thus they passed along, it fortuned, that they were met and taken by the Guard or Watch belonging to the Potestate, who had bin so late abroad, about very earnest and important businesse. Andreana, desiring more the dead mans company, then theirs whom she had thus met with∣all, boldly spake thus to them. I know who and what you are, and can tel my selfe, that to offer flight will nothing auaile me: wherefore, I am rea∣dy to go along with you before the Seigneurie, and there wil tel the truth concerning this accident. But let not any man among you, be so bold as to lay hand on me, or to touch me, because I yeeld so obediently to you: neither to take any thing from this body, except he intend that I shal ac∣cuse him. In which respect, not any one daring to displease her, shee went with the dead bodye to the Seigneurie, there to answere all Obie∣ctions.

When notice heereof was giuen to the Potestate, he arose; and shee being brought foorth into the Hall before him, he questioned with her, how and by what meanes this accident happened. Beside, he sent for di∣uers Physitians, to be informed by them, whether the Gentleman were poysoned, or otherwise murthered: but al of them affirmed the contrary, auouching rather, that some impostumation had engendred neere his heart, which sodainly breaking, occasioned his as sodaine death. The Po∣testate hearing this, and perceiuing that Andreana was little or nothing at all faulty in the matter: her beauty and good carriage, kindled a villa∣nous and lustfull desire in him towards her, prouoking him to the immo∣dest motion, that vpon granting his request, he would release her. But when he saw, that all his perswasions were to no purpose, hee sought to compasse his will by violence; which, like a vertuous and valiant Virago,

shee worthily withstood, defending her honour Nobly, and reproouing him with many iniurious speeches, such as a lustfull Letcher iustlie de∣serued.

On the morrow morning, these newes being brought to her Father, Messer Negro da Ponte Cararo; greeuing thereat exceedingly, and accom∣panied with many of his friends, he went to the Palace. Being there ar∣riued, and informed of the matter by the Potestate: hee demaunded (in teares) of his daughter, how, and by what meanes shee was brought thi∣ther? The Potestate would needs accuse her first, of outrage and wrong offered to him by her, rather then to tarry her accusing of him: yet, com∣mending the yong Maiden, and her constancie, proceeded to say, that onely to proue her, he had made such a motion to her, but finding her so firmly vertuous, his loue and liking was now so addicted to her, that if hir Father were so pleased, to forget the remembrance of her former secret husband, he willingly would accept her in marriage.

While thus they continued talking, Andreana comming before her Father, the teares trickling mainly downe her cheekes, and falling at his feete, she began in this manner. Deare Father, I shall not neede to make an historicall relation, either of my youthfull boldnesse or misfortunes, because you haue both seene and knowne them: rather most humblie, I craue your pardon, for another errour by me committed, in that, both without your leaue and liking, I accepted the man as my troth-plighted husband, whom (aboue all other in the world) I most intirely affected. If my offence heerein do challenge the forfeite of my life, then (good Fa∣ther) I free you from any such pardon: because my onely desire is to die your daughter, and in your gracious fauour; with which words, in signe of her humility, she kissed his feete. Messer Negro da Ponte, being a man well stept into yeares, and of a milde and gentle nature, obseruing what his daughter had saide: could not refraine from teares, and in his weep∣ing, louingly tooke her from the ground, speaking thus to her.

Daughter, I could haue wished, that thou hadst taken such an husbād, as (in my iudgement) had bene best fitting for thee, and yet if thou didst make election of one, answerable to thine owne good opinion & liking: I haue no iust reason to be therewith offended. My greatest cause of com∣plaint, is, thy too seuere concealing it from me, and the slender trust thou didst repose in me, because thou hast lost him, before I knew him. Ne∣uerthelesse, seeing these occasions are thus come to passe, and accidents alreadie ended, cannot by any meanes be re-called: it is my will, that as I would gladly haue contented thee, by making him my Sonne in Law, if he had liued; so I will expresse the like loue to him now he is dead. And so turning himself to his kindred and friends, louingly requested of them, that they would grace Gabriello with most honorable obsequies.

By this time, the kindred and friends to the dead man (vppon noise of his death bruited abroad) were likewise come to the Pallace, yea, most of the men and women dwelling in the Citty, the bodie of Gabriello beeing laide in the midst of the Court, vpon the white Damaske shrowde giuen

by Andreana, with infinite Roses and other sweet Flowers lying thereon: and such was the peoples loue to him, that neuer was any mans death, more to be bemoaned and lamented. Being deliuered out of the Court, it was carried to buriall, not like a Burgesse or ordinary Citizen, but with such pompe as beseemed a Lord Baron, and on the shoulders of very no∣ble Gentlemen, with very especiall honor and reuerence.

Within some few dayes after, the Potestate pursuing his former moti∣on of marriage, and the Father mouing it to his daughter; she wold not by any meanes listen thereto. And he being desirous to giue her content∣ment, deliuered her and her Chamber-maid into a Religious Abbey, ve∣ry famous for deuotion and sanctity, where afterwardes they ended their liues.