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them； as indeed they did； notwithstanding all her out cryes and
exclaimes； bearing her perforce aboard their Barke。
Setting sayle thence； they arrived in Calabria； and then there
grew a great contention betweene them； to which of them this booty
of beauty should belong； because each of them pleaded a title to
her。 But when they could not grow to any agreement； but doubted
greater disasters would ensue thereon； by breaking their former league
of friendship： by an equall conformity in consent； they resolved； to
bestow her as a rich present； on Frederigo King of Sicille； who was
then young and joviall； and could not be pleased with a better gift；
wherefore； they were no sooner landed at Palermo； but they did
according as they had determined。 The King did commend her beauty
extraordinarily； and liked her farre beyond all his other Loves：
but； being at that time empaired in his health； and his body much
distempered by ill dyet； he gave command； that untill he should be
in more able disposition； she must be kept in a goodly house of his
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。