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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 grace and requitall。 Knowest thou
what and who they are； whom thou hast so dishonourably condemned to
the fire？ Not I； quoth the King。 Why then I will tell thee； answered
the Admirall； that thou mayest take the better knowledge of them；
and forbeare hereafter； to be so over violently transported with
anger。
The young Gentleman； is the Sonne to Landolfo di Procida； the
onely Brother to Lord John di Procida； by whose meanes thou becamest
Lord and King of this Countrey。 The faire young Damosell； is the
Daughter to Marino Bulgaro； whose power extendeth so farre； as to
preserve thy prerogative in Ischia； which （but for him） had long since
bene out…rooted there。 Beside； these two maine motives； to challenge
justly grace and favour from thee； they are in the floure and pride of
their youth； having long continued in loyall love together； and
compelled by fervency of endeared affection； not any will to displease
thy Majesty： they have offended （if it may be termed an offence to
love； and in such lovely young people as they are。） Canst thou then
finde in thine heart to let them die； whom thou rather ought to
honour； and recompence with no meane rewards？
When the King had heard this； and beleeved for a certainty； that
the Admirall told him nothing but truth： he appointed not onely；
that they should proceede no further； but also was exceeding
sorrowfull for what he had done； sending presently to have them
released from the Stake； and honourably to be brought before him。
Being thus enstructed in their severall qualities； and standing in
duty obliged； to recompence the wrong which he had done； with
respective honours： he caused them to be cloathed in royall
garments； and knowing them to bee knit in unity of soule； the like
he did by marrying them solemnly together； and bestowing many rich
gifts and presents on them； sent them honourably attended home to
Ischia； where they were with much joy and comfort received； and
lived long after in great felicity。
THE FIFT DAY； THE SEVENTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED； THE SUNDRY TRAVELS AND PERILLOUS ACCIDENTS；
OCCASIONED BY THOSE TWO POWERFULL COMMANDERS； LOVE AND FORTUNE；
THE INSULTING TYRANTS OVER HUMANE LIFE。
Theodoro falling in love with Violenta； the Daughter to his
Master； named Amarigo； and she conceiving with child by him； was
condemned to be hanged。 As they were leading him to the Gallowes；
beating and misusing him all the way： he happened to be knowne of
his owne Father； whereupon he was released； and afterward enjoyed
Violenta in marriage。
Greatly were the Ladies minds perplexed； when they heard； that the
two poore Lovers were in danger to be burned： but hearing afterward of
their happy deliverance； for which they were as joyfull againe； upon
the concluding of the Novell； the Queene looked on Madame Lauretta；
enjoyning her to tell the next Tale； which willingly she undertooke to
do； and thus began。
Faire Ladies； at such time as the good King William reigned in
Sicily； there lived within the same Dominion； a young Gentleman； named
Signior Amarigo； Abbot of Trapani； who among his other worldly
blessings； （commonly termed the goods of Fortune） was not
unfurnished of children； and therefore having neede of servants； he
made his provision of them the best he might。 At that time； certaine
Gallies of Geneway Pyrates comming from the Easterne parts； which
coasting along Armenia； had taken divers children； he bought some of
them； thinking that they were Turkes。 They all resembling clownish
Peazants； yet there was one among them； who seemed to be of more
tractable and gentle nature； yea； and of a more affable countenance
than any of the rest； being named Theodoro： who growing on in
yeeres； （albeit he lived in the condition of a servant） was educated
among Amarigoes Children； and as enstructed rather by nature； then
accident； his conditions were very much commended； as also the feature
of his body； which proved so highly pleasing to his Master