按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the rest； it is farre easier for you to guesse at his greefe； then I
am any way； able to expresse it。 His head； shoulders； yea all his
utmost strength he employeth； to remove that over…heavy hinderer of
his libertie： but all his labour beeing spent in vaine； sorrow threw
him in a swoond upon the Byshoppes dead body； where if both of them
might at that instant have bin observed； the Arch…byshops dead
bodie； and Andrea in greefe dying； very hardly had bene distinguished。
But his senses regaining their former offices； among his silent
complaints； consideration presented him with choyse of these two
unavoydable extremities： Dye starving must he in the Tombe with
putrifaction of the dead bodie； or if any man came to open the
Grave； then must he be apprehended as a sacrilegious Theefe； and so be
hanged； according to the Lawes in that case provided。
As hee continued in these strange afflictions of minde； sodainely
hee heard a noise in the Church of divers men； who （as he imagined）
came about the like businesse； as hee and his fellowes had
undertaken before； wherein he was not a jot deceived； albeit his feare
the more augmented。 Having opened the Tombe； and supported the
stone； they varied also among themselves for entrance； and an
indiffrent while contended about it。 At length； a Priest being one
in the company； boldly said。 Why how now you white…liver'd Rascals？
What are you affraid of？ Do you thinke he will eate you？ Dead men
cannot bite； and therefore I my selfe will go in。 Having thus
spoken； he prepared his entrance to the tomb in such order； that he
thrust in his feete before； for his easier descending downe into it。
Andrea sitting upright in the Tombe； and desiring to make use of
this happy opportunity； caught the Priest fast by one of his legges；
making shew as if he meant to dragge him downe。 Which when the
Priest felt； he cryed out aloud； getting out with all the haste he
could make； and all his companions； being well…neere frighted out of
their wits； ranne away amaine； as if they had bene followed by a
thousand divels。 Andrea little dreaming on such fortunate successe；
made meanes to get out of the grave； and afterward forth of the
Church； at the very same place where he entred。
Now began day…light to appeare； when he （having the rich Ring on his
finger） wandred on hee knew not whether： till comming to the Sea side；
he found the way directing to his Inne； where al his company were with
his Host； who had bene verie carefull for him。
Having related his manifold mischances； his Hoste friendly advised
him with speede to get him out of Naples。 As instantly he did；
returning home to Perouse； having adventured his five hundred
Crownes on a Ring； wherewith hee purposed to have bought Horses；
according to the intent of his journey thither。
THE SECOND DAY； THE SIXT NOVELL
HEEREIN ALL MEN ARE ADMONISHED； NEVER TO DISTRUST THE POWERFULL
HAND OF HEAVEN； WHEN FORTUNE SEEMETH TO BE MOST
ADVERSE AGAINST THEM
Madame Beritola Caracalla； was found in an Island with two Goates；
having lost her two Sonnes； and thence travailed into Lunigiana： where
one of her Sonnes became servant to the Lord thereof； and was found
somewhat overfamiliar with his Masters daughter； who therefore
caused him to be imprisoned。 Afterward； when the country of Sicely
rebelled against King Charles； the aforesaid Sonne chanced to bee
knowne by his Mother； and was married to his Masters daughter。 And his
Brother being found likewise； they both returned to great estate and
credit。
The Ladies and Gentlemen also； having smiled sufficiently at the
severall accidents which did befall the poore Traveller Andrea；
reported at large by Madam Fiammetta； the Lady Aimillia seeing her
tale to be fully concluded； began （by commandement of the Queene） to
speak in this manner。
The diversitie of changes and alterations in Fortune as they are
great； so must they needs be greevous； and as often as we take
occasion to talke of them； so often do they awake and quicken our
understandings； avouching； that it is no easie matter to depend upon
her flatteries。 And I am of opinion； that to heare them recounted；
ought not any way to offend us； be it of men wretched； or fortunate；
because； as they instruct the one with good advice； so they animate
the other with comfort。 And therefore； although great occasions have
beene already related； yet I purpose to tell a Tale； no lesse true
then lamentable； which albeit it sorted to a successefull ending；
yet notwithstanding； such and so many were the bitter thwartings； as
hardly can I beleeve； that ever any sorrow was more joyfully sweetned。
You must understand then （most gracious Ladies） that after the death
of Fredericke the second Emperour； one named Manfred； was crowned King
of Sicily； about whom； lived in great account and authority； a
Neapolitane Gentleman； called Henriet Capece； who had to Wife a
beautifull Gentlewoman； and a Neapolitane also； named Madam Beritola
Caracalla。 This Henriet held the government of the Kingdome of Sicily；
and understanding that King Charles the first； had wonne the battle at
Beneventum； and slaine King Manfred； the whole Kingdome revolting also
to his devotion； and little trust to be reposed in the Sicillians；
or he willing to subject himselfe to his Lordes enemie； provided for
his secret flight from thence。 But this being discovered to the
Sicillians； he and many more； who had beene loyall servants to King
Manfred； were suddenly taken and imprisoned by King Charles； and the
sole possession of the Iland confirmed to him。
Madam Beritola not knowing （in so sudden and strange an alteration
of State affaires） what was become of her Husband； fearing also
greatly before； those inconveniences which afterward followed； being
overcome with many passionate considerations； having left and forsaken
all her goods； going aboord a small Barke with a Sonne of hers； aged
about some eight yeeres； named Geoffrey； and growne great with child
with another； she fled thence to Lapary； where she was brought to
bed of another Sonne； whom she named （answerable both to his and her
hard fortune；） The poore expelled。
Having provided her selfe of a Nurse； they altogether went aboard
againe； setting sayle for Naples to visit her Parents； but it
chanced quite contrary to her expectation； because by stormie windes
and weather； the vessell being bound for Naples； was hurried to the
Ile of Ponzo； where entring into a small Port of the Sea； they
concluded to make their aboade； till a time more furtherous should
favour their voyage。
As the rest； so did Madam Beritola goe on shore in the Iland；
where having found a separate and solitary place； fit for her silent
and sad meditations； secretly by her selfe； shee sorrowed for the
absence of her husband。 Resorting daily to this her sad exercise；
and continuing there her complaints； unseene by any of the
Marriners； or whosoever else： there arrived suddenly a Galley of
Pyrates； who seazing on the small Barke； carried it and all the rest
in it away with them。 When Beritola had finished het wofull
complaints； as daily sh