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us。
By this time Thorello had opened his eyes; and looking round about
him; perceived that hee was in the place of Saladines promise; whereof
hee was not a little joyfull。 Wherefore; sitting up in the bedde;
and particularly observing all the things about him: albeit he knew
sufficiently the magnificence of Saladine; yet now it appeared far
greater to him; and imagined more largely thereof; then hee could
doe before。 But yet; without any other ceremony; seeing the flight
of the Monkes; hearing their cry; and perceiving the reason; he called
the Abbot by his name; desiring him not to be afraid; for he was his
Nephew Thorello; and no other。
When the Abbot heard this; hee was ten times worse affrighted then
before; because (by publique fame) hee had beene so many moneths
dead and buried; but receiving (by true arguments) better assurance of
him; and hearing him still call him by his name: blessing himselfe
with the signe of the Crosse; hee went somewhat neerer to the bed;
when Thorello said。 My loving Uncle; and religious holy Father; wherof
are you afraid? I am your loving Nephew; newly returned from beyond
the Seas。 The Abbot; seeing his beard to be grown long; and his
habit after the Arabian fashion; did yet collect some resemblance of
his former countenance; and being better perswaded of him; tooke him
by the hand; saying:
Sonne thou art happily returned; yet there is not any man in our
Citie; but doth verily beleeve thee to bee dead; and therefore doe not
much wonder at our feare。 Moreover; I dare assure thee; that thy
Wife Adalietta; being conquered by the controuling command; and
threatnings of her kinred (but much against her owne minde) is this
very morning to be married to a new husband; and the marriage feast is
solemnly prepared; in honour of this second nuptialls。
Thorello arising out of the bedde; gave gracious salutations to
the Abbot and his Monkes; intreating earnestly of them all; that no
word might be spoken of his returne; untill he had compleated an
important businesse。 Afterward; having safely secured the bedde; and
all the rich Jewells; he fully acquainted the Abbot with all his
passed fortunes; whereof he was immeasurably joyfull; and having
satisfied him; concerning the new elected husband; Thorello said
unto the Abbot。 Unckle; before any rumour of my returne; I would
gladly see my wives behavior at this new briding feast; and although
men of religion are seldome seene at such joviall meetings: yet (for
my sake) doe you so order the matter; that I (as an Arabian
stranger) may be a guest under your protection; wherto the Abbot
very gladly condescended。
In the morning; he sent to the Bridegroom; and advertised him;
that he (with a stranger newly arrived) intended to dine with him;
which the Gentleman accepted in thankefull manner。 And when dinner
time came; Thorello in his strange disguise went with the Abbot to the
Bridegroomes house; where he was lookt on with admiration of all the
guests; but not knowne or suspected by any one; because the Abbot
reported him to be a Sarracine; and sent by the Soldane (in Ambassage)
to the King of France。 Thorello was seated at a by…table; but directly
opposite to the new Bride; whom hee much delighted to looke on; and
easily collected by her sad countenance; that shee was scarcely well
pleased with this new nuptialls。 She likewise beheld him very often;
not in regard of any knowlege she took of him: for the bushiness of
his beard; strangeness of habit; (but most of all) firm beleefe of his
death; was the maine prevention。
At such time as Thorello thought it convenient; to approve how farre
he was falne out of her remembrance; he took the ring which she gave
him at his departure; and calling a young Page that waited on none but
the Bride; said to him in Italian: Faire youth; goe to the Bride;
and saluting her from me; tell her; it is a custome observed in my
Country; that when any Stranger (as I am heere) sitteth before a new
married Bride; as now shee is; in signe that hee is welcome to her
feast; she sendeth the same Cup (wherein she drinketh her selfe)
full of the best wine; and when the stranger hath drunke so much as
him pleaseth; the Bride then pledgeth him with all the rest。 The
Page delivered the message to the Bride; who; being a woman of
honourable disposition; and reputing him to be a Noble Gentleman; to
testifie that his presence there was very acceptable to her; shee
commanded a faire Cuppe of gold (which stood directlie before her)
to bee neately washed; and when it was filled with excellent Wine;
caused it to bee carried to the stranger; and so it was done。
Thorello having drunke a heartie draught to the Bride; conveyed
the Ring into the Cuppe; before any person could perceive it; and
having left but small store of Wine in it; covered the Cuppe; and sent
it againe to the Bride; who received it very gracioasly; and to honour
the Stranger in his Countries custome; dranke up the rest of the Wine;
and espying the Ring; shee tooke it forth undescried by any: Knowing
it to be the same Ring which shee gave Signior Thorello at his parting
from her; she fixed her eyes often on it; and as often on him; whom
she thought to be a stranger; the cheerfull bloud mounting up into her
cheeks; and returning againe with remembrance to her heart; that
(howsoever thus disguised) he only was her husband。
Like one of Bacchus Froes; up furiously she started; and throwing
downe the Table before her; cried out aloud: This is my Lord and
Husband; this truely is my Lord Thorello。 So running to the Table
where he sate; without regard of all the riches thereon; down she
threw it likewise; and clasping her armes about his necke; hung so
mainly on him (weeping; sobbing; and kissing him) as she could not
be taken off by any of the company; nor shewed any moderation in
this excesse of passion; till Thorello spake; and entreated her to
be more patient; because this extremity was over…dangerous for her。
Thus was the solemnitic much troubled; but every one there very glad
and joyfull for the recovery of such a famous and worthy Knight; who
intreated them all to vouchsafe him silence; and so related all his
fortunes to them; from the time of his departure; to the instant
houre。 Concluding withall; that hee was no way offended with the new
Bridegroome; who upon the so constant report of his death; deserved no
blame in making election of his wife。
The Bridegroome; albeit his countenance was somewhat cloudie; to see
his hope thus disappointed: yet granted freely; that Adalietto was
Thorello's wife in equitie; and bee could not justly lay any claime to
her。 She also resigned the Crown and Rings which she had so lately
received of her new Spouse; and put that on her finger which she found
in the Cup; and that Crowne was set upon her head; in honor sent her
from great Saladine。 In which triumphant manner; she left the new
Bridegrooms abiding; and repayred home to Thorello's house; with
such pompe and magnificence as never had the like been seene in
Pavia before; all the Citizens esteeming it as a miracle; that they
had so happily recovered Signior Thorello againe。
Some part of the Jewells he gave to him; who had beene at cost
with marriage feasting; and some to his the Abbot; beside a bountie
bestowed on Monkes。 Then he sent a messenger to Saladine; with Letters
of his whole successe; and confessing himselfe (for ever) his
obliged servant: living many yeeres (after) with his wife Adalietta;
and using greater curtesies to strangers; then ever before he had
done。
In this manner ended the troubles of Signior Thorello; and the
afflictions of his dearely affected Lady; with due recompence to their
honest and ready courtesies。 Many strive (in outward shew) to doe
the like; who although they are sufficiently able; doe performe it
so basely; as i: rather redoundeth to their shame; then honour。 And
therefore if no merit ensue thereon; but onely such disgrace as justly
should follow; let them lay the blame upon themselves。
THE TENTH DAY; THE TENTH NOVELL
SET DOWNE AS AN EXAMPLE OR WARNING TO ALL WEALTHIE MEN;
HOW TO HAVE CARE OF MARRYING THEMSELVES。 AND LIKEWISE TO POORE
AND MEANE WOMEN; TO BE PATIENT IN THEIR FORTUNES; AND
OBEDIENT TO THEIR HUSBANDS
The Marquesse of Saluzzo; named Gualtiero; being constrained by
the importunate solliciting of his Lords; and other inferiour
people; to joyne himselfe in marriage; tooke a woman according to
his owne liking; called Grizelda; she being the daughter of a poore
Countriman; named Janiculo; by whom he had two children; which he
pretended to be secretly murdered。 Afterward; they being grown to
yeres of more stature; and making shew of taking in marriage another
wife; more worthy of his high degree and Calling: made a seeming
publique liking of his owne daughter; expulsing his wife Grizelda
poorely from him。 But finding her incomparable patience; more
dearely (then before) hee received her into favour againe; brought her
home to his owne Pallace; where (with her children) hee caused her and
them to be respectively honoured; in despight of al