The third Nouell.

THere was not any one in the whole company, but much commen∣ded the Nouell reported by Madam Emillia, and when the Queene perceiued it was ended, she turned towards Madam Eliza, commanding her to continue on their delightfull exercise: whereto shee declaring her willing obedience, began to speak thus. Courteous Ladies, I remember one vnfortunate night, which happened to two Louers, that were not in∣dued with the greatest discretion. But because they had very many faire and happy 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 and Mistresse of the world, though now scarsely so good as the waiting maid: there dwelt sometime a yong Gentleman, named Pedro Boccamazzo, des∣cended from one of the most honorable families in Rome, who was much Page  187 enamoured of a beautifull Gentlewoman, called Angelina, daughter to one named Gigliuozzo Saullo, whose fortunes were none of the fairest, yet he greatly esteemed among the Romaines. The entercourse of loue be∣tween these twaine, had so equally enstructed their hearts and souls, that it could hardly be iudged which of them was the more feruent in affecti∣on. But he, not being imputed to such oppressing passions, and therefore the lesse able to support them, except he were sure to compasse his desire plainly made the motion, that he might enioy her in honorable mariage. Which his parents and friends hearing, they went to conferre with him, blaming him with ouer-much basenesse, so farre to disgrace himselfe and his stocke. Beside, they aduised the Father to the Maid, neither to cre∣dit what Pedro saide in this case, or to liue in hope of any such match, be∣cause they all did wholly despise it.

Pedro perceiuing, that the way was shut vp, wherby (and none other) he was to mount the Ladder of his hopes; began to waxe weary of longer liuing: and if he could haue won her fathers consent, he would haue ma∣ried her in the despight of all his friends. Neuerthelesse, he had a conceit hammering in his head, which if the maid would bee as forward as him∣selfe, should bring the matter to full effect. Letters and secret intelligen∣ces passing still betweene, at length he vnderstood her ready resolution, to aduenture with him thorough all fortunes whatsoeuer, concluding on their sodaine and secret flight from Rome. For which Pedro did so well prouide, that very early in a morning, and well mounted on horsebacke, they tooke the way leading vnto Alagna, where Pedro had some honest friends, in whom he reposed especiall trust. Riding on thus thorow the countrey, hauing no leysure to accomplish their marriage, because they stoode in feare of pursuite: they were ridden aboue foure leagues from Rome, still shortning the way with their amorous discoursing.

It fortuned, that Pedro hauing no certaine knowledge of the way, but following a trackt guiding too farre on the left hand; rode quite out of course, and came at last within sight of a small Castle, out of which (be∣fore they were aware) yssued twelue Villaines, whom Angelina sooner e∣spyed, then Pedro could do, which made her cry 〈◊〉 to him, saying: Help deere Loue to saue vs, or else we shall be assayled. Pedro then turning his horse so expeditiously as he could, and giuing him the spurres as neede re∣quired; mainly be gallopped into a neere adioyning Forrest, more min∣ding the following of Angelina, then any direction of his way, or thē that endeauoured to be his hinderance. So that by often winding & turning about, as the passage appeared troublesom to him, when he thought him selfe free and furthest from them, he was round engirt, and seized on by them. When they had made him to dismount from his horse, questio∣ning him of whence and what he was, and he resoluing them therin, they fell into a secret consultation, saying thus among themselues. This man is a friend to our deadly enemies, how can wee then otherwise dispose of him, but bereaue him of all he hath, and in despight of the Orsini (men in nature hatefull to vs) hang him vp heere on one of these Trees?

Page  [unnumbered] All of them agreeing in this dismall resolution, they commanded Pe∣dro to put off his garments, which he yeelding to do (albeit vnwillingly) it so fell out, that fiue and twenty other theeues, came sodainly rushing in vpon them, crying, Kill, kill, and spare not a man.

They which before had surprized Pedro, desiring nowe to shifte for their owne safetie; left him standing quaking in his shirt, and so ranne away mainely to defend themselues. Which the new crewe perceyuing, and that their number farre exceeded the other: they fol∣lowed to robbe them of what they had gotten, accounting it as a pre∣sent purchase for them. Which when Pedro perceyued, and saw none tarrying to prey vppon him; hee put on his cloathes againe, and moun∣ting on his owne Horsse, gallopped that way, which Angelina before had taken: yet could hee not descry any tracke or path, or so much as the footing of a horse; but thought himselfe in sufficient securitie, beeing rid of them that first seized on him, and also of the rest, which followed in the pursuite of them.

For the losse of his beloued Angelina, he was the most wofull man in the world, wandering one while this way, and then againe another, calling for her all about the Forrest, without any answere returning to him. And not daring to ride backe againe, on he trauailed stil, not kno∣wing where to make his arriuall. And hauing formerly heard of sauage rauenous beasts, which commonly liue in such vnfrequented Forrests: he not onely was in feare of loosing his owne life, but also despayred much for his Angelina, least some Lyon or Woolfe, had torne her body in pee∣ces.

Thus rode on poore vnfortunate Pedro, vntill the breake of day ap∣peared, not finding any meanes to get forth of the Forrest, still crying and calling for his fayre friend, riding many times backeward, when as hee thought hee rode forward, vntill hee became so weake and faint, what with extreame feare, lowd calling, and continuing so long a while with∣out any sustenance, that the whole day beeing thus spent in vaine, and darke night sodainly come vppon him, hee was not able to hold out any longer.

Now was hee in farre worse case then before, not knowing where, or how to dispose of himselfe, or what might best bee done in so great a ne∣cessity. From his Horse hee alighted, and tying him by the bridle vnto a great tree, vppe he climbed into the same Tree, fearing to bee deuoured (in the night time) by some wilde beast, choosing rather to let his Horsse perish, then himselfe. Within a while after, the Moone beganne to rise, and the skies appeared bright and clcare: yet durst hee not nod, or take a nap, lest he should fall out of the tree; but sate still greeuing, sighing, and mourning, despairing of euer seeing his Angelina any more, for he could not be comforted by the smallest hopefull perswasion, that any good for∣tune might befall her in such a desolate Forrest, where nothing but dis∣mall feares was to be expected, and no likelihood that she should escape with life.

Page  188 Now, concerning poore affrighted Angelina, who (as you heard be∣fore) knew not any place of refuge to flye vnto: but euen as it pleased hir horse to carry her: she entred so farre into the Forest, that she could not deuise where to seeke her owne safety. And therefore, euen as it fared with her friend Pedro, in the same manner did it fall out with her, wan∣dering the whole night, and all the day following, one while taking one hopefull tracke, and then another, calling, weeping, wringing hir hands, and greeuously complaining of her hard fortune. At the length, percey∣uing that Pedro came not to her at all, she found a little path (which shee lighted on by great good fortune) euen when dark night was apace draw∣ing, and followed it so long, til it brought her within the sight of a small poore Cottage, whereto she rode on so fast as she could; and found ther∣in a very old man, hauing a wife rather more aged then he, who seeing hir to be without company, the old man spake thus vnto her.

Faire daughter (quoth he) whether wander you at such an vnseasona∣ble houre, and all alone in a place so desolate? The Damosell weeping, replied; that shee had lost her company in the forest, and enquired how neere shee was to Alagna. Daughter (answered the old man) this is not the way to Alagna, for it is a boue sixe leagues hence. Then shee desired to knowe, how farre off shee was from such houses, where she might haue any reasonable lodging? There are none so neere, said the old man, that day light will giue you leaue to reach. May it please you then good Fa∣ther (replied Angelina) seeing I cannot trauaile any whether else; For Gods sake, to let me remaine heere with you this night. Daughter answe∣red the good old man, wee can gladly giue you entertainement here, for this night, in such poore manner as you see: but let mee tell you withall, that vp and downe these wooddes (as well by night as day) walke com∣panies of all conditions, and rather enimies then friends, who doe vs ma∣ny greeuious displeasures and harmes. Now if by msifortune, you beeing heere, any such people should come, and seeing you so loouely faire, as indeed you are, offer you any shame or iniurie: Alas you see it lies not in our power to lend you any helpe or succour. I thought it good (there∣fore) to acquaint you heerewith; because if any such mischance do hap∣pen, you should not afterward complaine of vs.

The yong Maiden, seeing the time to be so farre spent, albeit the olde mans words did much dismay her, yet she thus replyed. If it be the wil of heauen, both you and I shall be defended from any misfortune: but if a∣ny such mischance do happen, I account the matter lesse deseruing grief, if I fall into the mercy of men, then to be deuoured by wild beasts in this Forrest. So, being dismounted from her horse, and entred into the home∣ly house; she supt poorely with the olde man and his wife, with such mean cates as their prouision affoorded: and after supper, lay downe in hir gar∣ments on the same poore pallet, where the aged couple tooke their rest, and was very well contented therewith, albeit she could not refraine from sighing and weeping, to bee thus diuided from her deare Pedro, of whose life and welfare she greatly despaired.

Page  [unnumbered] When it was almost day, she heard a great noise of people trauailing by, whereupon sodainly she arose, and ranne into a Garden plot, which was on the backside of the poore Cottage, espying in one of the corners a great stacke of Hay, wherein she hid her selfe, to the end, that trauelling strangers might not readily finde her there in the house. Scarsely was she fully hidden, but a great company of Theeues and Villaines, finding the doore open, rushed into the Cottage, where looking round about them for some booty, they saw the Damosels horse stand ready sadled, which made them demand to whom it belonged. The good olde man, not see∣ing the Maiden present there, but immagining that shee had made some shift for her selfe, answered thus. Gentlemen, there is no body here but my wife and my selfe: as for this Horse, which seemeth to bee escaped from the Owner; hee came hither yesternight, and we gaue him house∣roome heere, rather then to be deuoured by Wolues abroad. Then said the principall of the Theeuish crew: This horse shall be ours, in regard he hath no other master, and let the owner come claime him of vs.

When they had searched euery corner of the poore Cottage, & found no such prey as they looked for, some of them went into the backe side, where they had left their Iauelins and Targets, wherewith they vsed com∣monly to trauaile. It fortuned, that one of them, being more subtily sus∣pitious then the rest, thrust his Iaueline into the stacke of Hay, in the ve∣ry same place where the Damosell lay hidden, missing very little of killing her; for it entred so farre, that the iron head pierced 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 not a word. This disordred com∣pany, after they had fed on some young Kids, and other flesh which they brought with them thither, they went thence about their theeuing exer∣cise, taking the Damosels horse along with them.

After they were gone a good distance off, the good old man beganne thus to question his Wife. What is become (quoth hee) of our young Gentlewoman, which came so late to vs yesternight? I haue not seen hir to day since our arising. The old woman made answer, that she knew not where she was, and sought all about to finde her. Angelinaes feares being well ouer-blowne, and hearing none of the former noise, which made her the better hope of their departure, came forth of the Hay-stack; wher∣of the good old man was not a little ioyfull, and because she had so well escaped from them: so seeing it was now broad day-light, he sayde vnto her. Now that the morning is so fairely begun, if you can be so well con∣tented, we will bring you to a Castle, which stands about two miles and an halfe hence, where you will be sure to remaine in safety. But you must needs trauaile thither on foote, because the night-walkers that happened hither, haue taken away your horse with them.

Angelina making little or no account of such a losse, entreated them for charities sake, to conduct her to that Castle, which accordingly they did, •nd arriued there betweene seuen and eight of the clocke. The Castle be∣longed Page  189 to one of the Orsini, being called, Liello di Campo di Fiore, and by great good fortune, his wife was then there, she being a very vertuous and religious Lady. No sooner did shee looke vpon Angelina, but shee knew her immediately, and entertaining her very willingly, requested, to know the reason of her thus arriuing there: which shee at large related, and mo∣ued the Lady (who likewise knew Pedro perfectly well) to much compas∣sion, because he was a kinsman and deare friend to her Husband; and vn∣derstanding how the Theeues had surprized him, shee feared, that he was slaine among them, whereupon shee spake thus to Angelina. Seeing you know not what is become of my kinsman Pedro, you shall remaine here with me, vntill such time, as (if we heare no other tidings of him) you may with safety be sent backe to Rome.

Pedro all this while sitting in the Tree, so ful of griefe, as no man could be more; about the houre of midnight (by the bright splendour of the Moone) espied about some twenty Wolues, who, so soone as they got a sight of the Horse, ran and engirt him round about. The Horse when he perceiued them so neere him, drew his head so strongly back-ward, that breaking the reines of his bridle, he laboured to escape away from them. But being beset on euery side, and vtterly vnable to helpe himselfe, he con∣tended with his teeth & feete in his owne defence, till they haled him vio∣lently to the ground, and tearing his body in peeces, left not a •ot of him but the bare bones, and afterward ran ranging thorow the Forrest. At this sight poore Pedro was mightily dismayed, fearing to speed no better then his Horse had done, and therefore could not deuise what was best to be done; for he saw no likelihood now, of getting out of the Forrest with life. But day-light drawing on apace, and he almost dead with cold, hauing stood quaking so long in the Tree; at length by continuall looking euery where about him, to discerne the least glimpse of any comfort; he espied a great fire, which seemed to be about halfe a mile off from him.

By this time it was broade day, when he descended downe out of the Tree, (yet not without much feare) and tooke his way towards the fire, where being arriued, he found a company of Shepheards banquetting a∣bout it, whom he curteously saluting, they tooke pity on his distresse, and welcommed him kindly. After he had tasted of such cheare as they had, and was indifferently refreshed by the good fire; hee discoursed his hard disasters to them, as also how he happened thither, desiring to know, if any Village or Castle were neere thereabout, where he might in better manner releeue himselfe. The Shepheards told him, that about a mile and an halfe from thence, was the Castle of Signior Liello di Campo di Fiore, and that his Lady was now residing there; which was no meane comfort to poore Pedro, requesting that one of them would accompany him thither, as two of them did in louing manner, to ridde him of all further feares.

When he was arriued at the Castle, and found there diuers of his fa∣miliar acquaintance; he laboured to procure some meanes, that the Da∣mosell might be sought for in the Forrest. Then the Lady calling for her, and bringing her to him; he ran and caught her in his armes, being ready Page  [unnumbered] to swoune with conceit of ioy, for neuer could any man be more comfor∣ted, then he was at the sight of his Angelina, and questionlesse, her ioy was not a iot inferior to his, such a simpathy of firme loue was sealed between them. The Lady of the Castle, after shee had giuen them very gracious entertainement, and vnderstood the scope of their bold aduenture; shee reproued them both somewhat sharpely, for presuming so farre without the consent of their Parents. But perceiuing (notwithstanding all her re∣monstrances) that they continued still constant in their resolution, with∣out any inequality on either side; shee saide to her selfe. Why should this matter be any way offensiue to me? They loue each other loyally; they are not inferiour to one another in birth, but in fortune; they are equally loued and allied to my Husband, and their desire is both honest and honourable. Moreouer, what know I, if it be the will of Heauen to haue it so? Theeues intended to hang him, in malice to his name and kin∣red, from which hard fate he hath happily escaped. Her life was endan∣gered by a sharpe pointed Iaueline, and yet her fairer starres would not suffer her so to perish: beside, they both haue escaped the fury of rauenous wild beasts, and all these are apparant signes, that future comforts should recompence former passed misfortunes; farre be it therefore from me, to hinder the appointment of the Heauens.

Then turning her selfe to them, thus shee proceeded. If your desire be to ioyne in honourable marriage, I am well contented therewith, and your nuptials shall here be sollemnized at my Husbands charges. After∣ward both he and I will endeauour, to make peace between you and your discontented Parents. Pedro was not a little ioyfull at her kind offer, and Angelina much m•re then he; so they were maried together in the Castle, and worthily feasted by the Lady, as Forrest entertainment could permit, and there they enioyed the first fruits of their loue. Within a short while after, the Lady and they (well mounted on Horse-backe▪ and attended with an honourable traine) returned to Rome; where her Lord Liello and shee preuailed so wel with Pedroes angry Parents: that all variance ended in loue and peace, and afterward they liued louingly together, till old age made them as honourable, as their true and mutuall affection formerly had done.