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testimony thereof； one of the very choisest Jewels which she bought of
him； she sent by him to the Prince Gerbino； it being received by him
with such joy and contentment； as nothing in the world could be more
pleasing to him。 So that afterward； by the trusty carriage of this
Jeweller； many Letters and Love…tokens passed betweene them； each
being as highly pleased with this poore； yet happy kind of
entercourse； as if they had seene and conversed with one another。
Matters proceeding on in this manner； and continuing longer then
their love…sick passions easily could permit； yet neither being able
to finde out any other meanes of helpe； it fortuned that the King of
Thunis promised his daughter in marriage to the King of Granada；
whereat she grew exceedingly sorrowfull； perceiving； that not onely
she should be sent further off； by a large distance of way from her
friend； but also be deprived utterly； of all hope ever to enjoy him。
And if she could have devised any meanes； either by secret flight from
her Father； or any way else to further her intention； she would have
adventured it for the Princes sake。 Gerbino in like maner bearing of
this purposed marriage； lived in a hell of torments； consulting
oftentimes with his soule； how he might be possessed of her by
power； when she should be sent by Sea to her husband； or private
stealing her away from her Fathers Court before： with these and
infinite other thoughts； was he incessantly afflicted； both day and
night。
By some unhappy accident or other； the King of Thunis heard of
this their secret love； as also of Gerbinoes purposed policy to
surprize her； and how likely he was to effect it； in regard of his
manly valour； and store of stout friends to assist him。 Hereupon； when
the time was come； that he would convey his daughter thence to her
marriage； and fearing to be prevented by Gerbino： he sent to the
King of Sicilie； to let him understand his determination； craving safe
conduct from him； without impeachment of Gerbino； or any one else；
untill such time as his intent was accomplished。 King Gulielmo being
aged； and never acquainted with the affectiotiate proceedings of
Gerbino； nor any doubtfull reason to urge this security from him； in a
case convenient to be granted： yeelded the sooner thereto right
willingly； and as a signall of his honourable meaning； he sent him his
royall Glove； with a full confirmation for his safe conduct。
No sooner were these Princely assurances received； but a goodly ship
was prepared in the Port of Carthagena； well furnished with all
thinges thereto belonging； for the sending his daughter to the King of
Granada； waiting for nothing else but best favouring windes。 The young
Princesse； who understood and saw all this great preparation； secretly
sent a servant of hers to Palermo； giving him especiall charge； on her
behalfe； to salute the Prince Gerbino； and to tell him that （within
few dayes） she must be transported to Granada。 And now opportunity
gave faire and free meanes； to let the world know； whether he were a
man of that magnanimous spirit； or no； as generall opinion had
formerly conceived of him； and whether he affected her so firmely；
as by many close messages he had assured her。 He who had the charge of
this embassie； effectually performed it； and then returned backe to
Thunis。
The Prince Gerbino； having heard this message from his divine
Mistresse； and knowing also； that the Kin his Grandfather； had past
his safe conduct to the King of Thunis； for peaceable passage
through his Seas： was at his wits end； in this urgent necessity；
what might best bee done。 Notwithstanding； moved by the setled
constancy of his plighted Love； and the speeches delivered to him by
the messenger from the Princesse： to shew himselfe a man endued with
courage； he departed thence unto Messina； where he made ready two
speedy gallies； and fitting them with men of valiant disposition；
set away to Sardignia； as making full account； that the Ship which
carried the Princesse； must come along that Coast。 Nor was his
expectation therein deceived： for； within few dayes after； the Ship
（not over…swiftly winded） come sailing neere to the place where they
attended for her arrivall； whereof Gerbino had no sooner gotten a
sight； but to animate the resolutes which were in his company； thus he
spake。
Gentlemen； if you be those men of valour； as heretofore you have
bene reputed； I am perswaded； that there are some among you； who
either formerly have； or now instantly do feele； the all…commanding
power of Love； without which （as I thinke） there is not any mortall
man； that can have any goodnesse… or vertue dwelling in him。
Wherefore； if ever you have bene amorously affected； or presently have
any apprehension thereof； you shall the more easily Judge of what I
now aime at。 True it is； that I do love； and love hath guided me to be
comforted； and manfully assisted by you； because in yonder Ship； which
you see commeth on so gently under saile （even as if she offered her
selfe to be our prize） not onely is the Jewell which I most esteeme；
but also mighty and unvalewable treasure； to be wonne without any
difficult labour； or hazard of a dangerous fight； you being men of
such undauntable courage。 In the honour of which victory； I covet
not any part or parcell； but onely a Ladie； for whose sake I have
undertaken these Armes； and freely give you all the rest contained
in the Ship。 Let us set on them； Gentlemen； and my deerest friends；
couragiously let us assaile the ship； you see how the wind favours us；
and （questionlesse） in so good an action； Fortune will not faile us。
Gerbino needed not to have spoken so much； in perswading them to
seize so rich a booty； because the men of Messina were naturally
addicted to spoile and rapine： and before the Prince began his
Oration； they had concluded to make the ship their purchase。
Wherefore； giving a lowde shout； according to their Country manner；
and commanding their Trumpets to sound chearfully； they rowed on a
maine with their Oares； and （in meere despight） set upon the ship。 But
before the Gallies could come neere her； they that had the charge
and managing of her； perceyving with what speede they made towards
them； and no likely meanes of escaping from them； resolvedly they
stood upon their best defence； for now it was no time to be slothfull。
The Prince being come neere to the Ship； commanded that the Patrones
should come to him； except they would adventure the fight。 When the
Sarazines were thereof advertised； and understood also what he
demanded； they returned answer： That their motion and proceeding in
this manner； was both against Law and plighted faith； which was
promised by the King of Sicilie； for their safe passage through the
Sea by no meanes to be mollested or assailed。 In testimony whereof；
they shewed his Glove； avouching moreover； that neither by force （or
otherwise） they would yeelde； or deliver him any thing which they
had aboorde their Ship。
Gerbino espying his gracious Mistresse on the Ships decke； and she
appearing to be farre more beautifull then Fame had made relation of
her： being much more enflamed now； then formerly he