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But yet in the end； by the meanes of Noble Friends and Kindred on
either side； labouring to have such discontentment appeased；
endangering warre betweene the Kingdomes： after a limited time of
banishment； Chynon returned joyfully with his Iphigenia home to
Cyprus； and Lysimachus with his beloved Cassandra unto Rhodes； each
living in their severall Countries； with much felicity。
THE FIFT DAY； THE SECOND NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED； THE FIRME LOYALTIE OF A TRUE LOVER： AND HOW
FORTUNE DOTH SOMETIME HUMBLE MEN； TO RAISE THEM
AFTERWARD TO A FARRE HIGHER DEGREE
Faire Constance of Liparis； fell in love with Martuccio Gomito：
and hearing that he was dead； desperately she entred into a Barke；
which being transported by the windes to Susa in Barbary； from
thence she went to Thunis； where she found him to be living。 There she
made her selfe knowne to him； and he being in great authority； as a
privy Counsellor to the King： he married the saide Constance； and
returned richly home with Air； to the Island of Liparis。
When the Queene perceived； that the Novell recited by Pamphilus
was concluded； which she graced with especiall commendations： shee
commanded Madam Aemilia； to take her turne as next in order； whereupon
she thus began。 Me thinkes it is a matter of equity； that every one
should take delight in those things； whereby the recompence may be
noted； answerable to their one affection。 And because I rather
desire to walke along by the paths of pleasure； then dwell on any
ceremonious or scrupulous affectation； I shall the more gladly obey
our Queene to day； then yesterday I did our melancholly King。
Understand then （Noble Ladies） that neere to Sicily； there is a
small Island； commonly called Liparis； wherein （not long since）
lived a yong Damosell； named Constance； born of very sufficient
parentage in the same Island。 There dwelt also a yong man called
Martuccio Gomito； of comely feature； well conditioned； and not
unexpert in many vertuous qualities； affecting Constance in harty
manner： and she so answerable to him in the same kinde； that to be
in his company； was her onely felicity。 Martuccio coveting to enjoy
her in marriage； made his intent knowne to her Father： who
upbraiding him with poverty； tolde him plainly that he should not have
her。 Martuccio greeving to see himselfe thus despised； because he
was poore： made such good meanes； that he was provided of a small
Barke； and calling such friends （as he thought fit） to his
association； made a solemne vow； that he would never returne backe
to Liparis； untill he was rich； and in better condition。
In the nature and course of a Rover or Pirate； so put thence to sea；
coasting all about Barbarie； robbing and spoyling such as he met with；
who were of no greater strength then himselfe： wherein Fortune was
so favourable to him； that he became wealthy in a very short while。
But as felicities are not alwayes permanent； so he and his
followers； not contenting themselves with sufficient riches： by greedy
seeking to get more； happened to be taken by certaine ships of the
Sarazins； and so were robbed themselves of all that they had gotten；
yet they resisted them stoutly a long while together； though it proved
to the losse of many lives among them。 When the Sarazens had sunke his
ship in the Sea； they tooke him with them to Thunis； where he was
imprisoned； and lived in extreamest misery。
Newes came to Liparis； not onely by one； but many more beside；
that all those which departed thence in the small Barke with
Martuccio； were drowned in the Sea； and not a man escaped。 When
Constance； heard these unwelcome tydings （who was exceeding full of
greefe； for his so desperate departure） she wept and lamented
extraordinarily； desiring now rather to dye； then live any longer。 Yet
she had not the heart； to lay any violent hand on her selfe； but
rather to end her dayes by some new kinde of necessity。 And
departing privately from her Fathers house； she went to the Port or
Haven； where （by chance） she found a small Fisher…boate； lying distant
from the other vessels； the owners whereof being all gone on shore；
and it well furnished with Masts； Sailes； and Oares； she entred into
it； and putting forth the Oares； being somewhat skilfull in sayling；
（as generally all the Women of that Island are） she so well guided the
Sailes； Rudder； and Oares； that she was quickly farre off from the
Land； and soly remained at the mercy of the windes。 For thus she had
resolved with her selfe； that the Boat being uncharged； and without
a guide； would either be overwhelmed by the windes； or split in peeces
against some Rocke； by which meanes she could ＇not＇ escape although
she would； but （as it was her desire） must needs be drowned。
In this determination； wrapping a mantle about her head； and lying
downe weeping in the boats bottome； she hourely expected her finall
expiration： but it fell out otherwise； and contrary to her desperate
intention； because the wind turning to the North； and blowing very
gently； without disturbing the Seas a jot； they conducted the small
Boat in such sort； that after the night of her entering into it； and
the morrowes sailing untill the evening； it came within an hundre
leagues of Thunis and to a strond neere a Towne called Susa。 The young
Damosell knew not whether she were on the sea or land； as one； who not
by any accident hapning； lifted up her head to looke about her；
neither intended ever to doe。 Now it came to passe； that as the
boate was driven to the shore； a poore woman stood at the Sea side；
washing certaine Fishermens Nets； and seeing the boate comming towards
her under saile； without any person appearing in it； she wondred
thereat not a little。 It being close at the shore； and she thinking
the Fishermen to be asleepe therein： stept boldly； and looked into the
boate； where she saw not any body； but onely the poore distressed
Damosell； whose sorrowes having brought her now into a sound sleepe；
the woman gave many cals before she could awake her； which at the
length she did； and looked very strangely about her。
The poore woman perceyving by her habite that she was a Christian；
demanded of her （in speaking Latine） how it was possible for her；
being all alone in the boate； to arrive there in this manner？ When
Constance； heard her speake the Latine tongue； she began to doubt；
least some contrary winde had turned her backe to Liparis againe；
and starting up sodainly； to looke with better advice about her；
shee saw her selfe at Land： and not knowing the Countrey； demanded
of the poore woman where she was？ Daughter （quoth she） you are heere
hard by Susa in Barbarie。 Which Constance hearing； and plainly
perceyving； that death had denied to end her miseries； fearing least
she should receive some dishonour； in such a barbarous unkinde
Country； and not knowing what should now become of her； shee sate
downe by the boates side； wringing her hands； and weeping bitterly。
The good Woman did greatly compassionate her case； and prevailed
so well by gentle speeches； that she conducted her into her owne poore
habitation； where at length s