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owne； erected in a beautifull Garden； called the Cube； where she was
attended in most pompous manner。
Now grew the noyse and rumor great in Ischia； about this rape or
stealing away of Restituta； but the chiefest greevance of all； was；
that it could not be knowne how； by whom； or by what meanes。 But Guion
di Procida； whom this injury concerned much more then any other： stood
not in expectation of better tydings from Ischia； but h earing what
course the Barke had taken； made ready another； to follow after with
all possible speede。 Flying thus on the winged winds through the Seas；
even from Minerva； unto the Scalea in Calabria； searching for his lost
Love in every angle： at length it was told him at the Scalea； that
shee was carryed away by certaine Sicillian Marriners； to Palermo；
whither Guion set sayle immediately。
After some diligent search made there； he understood； that she was
delivered to the King； and he had given strict command； for keeping
her in his place of pleasure； called the Cube： which newes were not
a little greevous to him； for now he was almost quite out of hope； not
onely of ever enjoying her； but also of seeing her。 Neverthelesse；
Love would not let him utterly despaire； whereupon he sent away his
Barque； and perceiving himselfe to be unknowne of any； he continued
for some time in Palermo； walking many times by that goodly place of
pleasure。 It chanced on a day； that keeping his walke as he used to
do； Fortune was so favourable to him； as to let him have a sight of
her at her window； from whence also she had a full view of him； to
their exceeding comfort and contentment。 And Guion observing； that the
Cube was seated in a place of small resort； approached so neere as
possibly he durst； to have some conference with Restituta。
As Love sets a keene edge on the dullest spirit； and （by a small
advantage） makes a man the more adventurous： so this little time of
unseene talke； inspired him with courage； and her with witty advice；
by what meanes his accesse might be much neerer to her； and their
communication concealed from any discovery； the scituation of the
place； and benefit of time duly considered。 Night must be the cloud to
their amorous conclusion； and therefore； so much thereof being
spent； as was thought convenient； he returned thither againe； provided
of such grappling…yrons； as is required when men will clamber； made
fast unto his hands and knees； by their helpe hee attained to the
top of the wall； whence discending downe into the Garden； there he
found the maine yard of a ship； whereof before she had given him
instruction； and rearing it up against her Chamber window； made that
his meanes for ascending thereto； she 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 fatal misery； even in the very height of promised assurance；
to be thwarted by unkind prevention； and in such manner as I will tell
you。 This night； intended for our Lovers meeting； proved disastrous
and dreadfull to them both： for the King； who at the first sight of
Restituta； was highly pleased with her excelling beauty； gave order to
his Eunuches and other women； that a costly bathe should be prepared
for her； and therein to let her weare away that night； because the
next day he intended to visit her。 Restituta being royally conducted
from her Chamber to the Bathe； attended on with Torchlight； as if
she had bene a 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 to his
Mistresse； as if she had bene there； but he was over…heard by the
women in the darke： and immediately apprehended by the Guard； who
forthwith brought him before the Lord Marshall； where being
examined； and he avouching； that Restituta was his elected wife； and
for her he had presumed in that manner； closely was he kept in
prison till the next morning。 When he came into the Kings presence；
and there boldly justified the goodnesse of his cause： Restituta
likewise was sent for； who no sooner saw her deare Love Guion； but she
ran and caught him fast about the necke； kissing him in teares； and
greeving not a little at his hard fortune。 Heereat the King grew
exceedingly enraged； loathing and hating her now； much more then
formerly hee did affect her； and having himselfe seene by what strange
meanes he did climbe over the wall； and then mounted to her Chamber
window； he was extreamely impatient； and could not otherwise bee
perswaded； but that their meetings thus had bene very many。
Forthwith hee sentenced them both with death； commanding； that
they should be conveyed thence to Palermo； and there （being stript
starke naked） be bound to a stake backe to backe； and so to stand
the full space of nine houres； to see if any could take knowledge；
of whence； or what they were； then afterward； to be consumed with
fire。 The sentence of death； did not so much daunt or dismay the poore
Lovers； as the uncivill and unsightly manner； which （in feare of the
Kings wrathfull displeasure） no man durst presume to contradict。
Wherefore； as he had commanded； so were they carryed thence to
Palermo； and bound naked to a stake in the open Market place； and
（before their eyes） the fire of wood brought； which was to consume
them； according to the houre as the King had appointed。 You neede
not make any question； what an huge concourse of people were soone
assembled together； to behold such a sad and wofull spectacle； even
the whole City of Palermo； both men and women。 The men were stricken
with admiration； beholding the unequalled beauty of faire Restituta；
and the selfe…same passion possessed the women； seeing Guion to be
such a goodly and compleat young man： but the poore infortunate Lovers
themselves； they stood with their lookes dejected to the ground； being
much pittied of all； but no way to be holpen or rescued by any；
awaiting when the happy houre would come； to finish both their shame
and lives together。
During the time of this tragicall expectation； the fame of this
publike execution being noysed abroade； calling all people farre and
neere to behold it； it came to the eare of Don Rogiero de Oria； a
man of much admired valour； and then 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 a
beauty beyond all compare。 Then looking on the young man； thus he
saide within himselfe： If the inward endowments of the mind； doe
paralell the outward perfections of body； the World cannot yeeld a
more compleate man。 Now； as good natures are quickly incited to
compassion （especially in cases almost commanding it） and compassion
knocking at the doore of 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 upon this perswasion （even as if divine
vertue had tutored his tongue） he saide： Is not thy name Guion di
Procida？
Marke now； how quickly misery can receive comfort； upon so poore and
silly a question； for Guion began to elevate his dejected countenance；
and looking on the Admirall； returned him this answer。 Sir； heretofore
I have bene the man which you speake of； but now； both that name and
man must die with me。 What misfortune （said the Admirall） hath thus
unkindly crost thee？ Love （answered Guion） and the Kings
displeasure。 Then the Admirall would needs know the whole history at
large； which briefly was related to him； and having heard how all
had happened； as he was turning his Horse to ride away thence； Guion
called to him； saying； Good my Lord； entreat one favour for me； if
possibly it may be。 What is that？ replyed the Admirall。 You see Sir
（quoth Guior） that I am very shortly to breathe my last； all the grace
which I do most humbly entreat； is； that as I am here with this chaste
Virgin； （whom I honour and love beyond my life） and miserably 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 smiling； said； I
will do for thee what I can； and （perhaps） thou mayest so long 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 this
execution； to proceede no further； untill they heard more from the
King； to whom he gallopped immediately； and although he beheld him
to bee very angerly moved； yet he spared not to speake in this
maner。 Sir； wherin have those poore young couple offended you； that
are so shamefully to be burnt at Palermo？ The King told him： whereto
the Admirall （pursuing still his purpose） thus replyed。 Beleeve me
Sir； if true love be an offence； then theirs may be termed to be
one； and albeit it deserved death； yet farre be it from thee to
inflict it on them： for as faults doe justly require punishment； so
doe good turnes as equally merit gra