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people （grudging at Henriets long imprisonment） slew the Guards； and
set him at liberty。 Then as capitall enemie to King Charles； hee was
created Captaine Generall； following the chase； and killing the
French。
Now by this meanes； he grew great in the grace of King Pedro； who
replanted him in all the goods and honours which he had before； with
verie high and eminent authority。 Hereunto the Ambassador added；
that hee was entertayned with extraordinary grace； and delivery of
publike joy and exaltation； when his Wife and Sonne were knowne to
be living； of whom no tydings had at any time bene heard； since the
houre of his surprizall。 Moreover； that a swift winged Bark was now
sent thither （upon the happy hearing of this newes） well furnished
with noble Gentlemen； to attend till their returning backe。 We neede
to make no doubt concerning the tydings brought by this Ambassadour；
nor of the Gentlemens welcome； thus sent to Madame Beritola and
Geoffrey； who before they would sit downe at the Table； saluted Messer
Conrado and his kinde Lady （on the behalfe of Henriet） for all the
great graces extended to her and her Sonne； with promise of any thing；
lying in the power of Henriet； to rest continually at their command。
The like they did to Signior Gasparino （whose liberall favours came
unlooked for） with certaine assurance； that when Henriet should
understand what he had done for his other Sonne； the Poore expelled；
there would be no defaylance of reciprocall courtesies。
As the longest joyes have no perpetuity of lasting； so all these
graceful ceremonies had their conclusion； with as many sighes and
teares at parting； as joyes abounded at their first encountring。
Imagine then； that you see such aboord； as were to have here no longer
abiding； Madam Beritola and Geoffrey； with the rest； as the Poore
expelled； the so late married Wives； and the faithfull Nurse bearing
them company。 With prosperous windes they arrived in Sicily； where the
Wife； Sonnes； and Daughters； were joyfully met by Henriet at
Palermo； and with such honourable pompe； as a case so important
equally deserved。 The Histories make further mention； that there
they lived （a long while after） in much felicitie； with thankfull
hearts （no doubt） in Heaven； in acknowledgement of so many great
mercies received。
THE SECOND DAY； THE SEVENTH NOVELL
A LIVELY DEMONSTRATION； THAT THE BEAUTY OF A WOMAN （OFTENTIMES）
IS VERY HURTFULL TO HER SELFE； AND THE OCCASION
OF MANY EVILS； YEA； AND OF DEATH； TO DIVERS MEN
The Soldan of Babylon sent one of his Daughters； to be joyned in
marriage with the King of Cholcos； who by divers accidents （in the
space of foure yeeres） happened into the custodie of nine men； and
in sundry places。 At length； being restored backe to her Father； she
went to the saide King of Cholcos； as a Maid； and as at first she
was intended to be his wife。
Peradventure the Novell related by Madam Aemillia； did not extend it
selfe so farre in length； as it mooved compassion in the Ladies
mindes； the hard fortunes of Beritol and her Children； which had
incited them to weeping： but that it pleased the Queen （upon the Tales
conclusion） to command Pamphilus； to follow next in order with his
Discourse； and he being thereto very obedient； began in this manner。
It is a matter of no meane difficulty （vertuous Ladies） for us to
take intire knowledge of every thing we doe； because （as oftentimes
hath bene observed） many men； imagining if they were rich； they should
live securely； and without any cares。 And therefore； not onely have
theyr prayers and intercessions aimed at that end； but also their
studies and daily endevours； without refusall of any paines or
perils have not meanely expressed their hourely solicitude。 And
although it hath happened accordingly to them； and their covetous
desires fully accomplished； yet at length they have mette with such
kinde people； who likewise thirsting after their wealthy
possessions； have bereft them of life； being their kinde and
intimate friends； before they attained to such riches。 Some other；
being of lowe and base condition； by adventuring in many skirmishes
and foughten battels； trampling in the bloud of their brethren and
friends； have bene mounted to the soveraigne dignity of Kingdomes
（beleeving that therein consisted the truest happinesse） but bought
with the deerest price of their lives。 For； beside their infinit cares
and feares wherewith such greatnesse is continually attended； at the
royall Tables； they have drunke poyson in a Golden pot。 Many other
in like manner （with most earnest appetite） have coveted beauty and
bodily strength； not foreseeing with any judgement； that these
wishes were not without perill； when being endued with them； they
either have bene the occasion of their death； or such a lingering
lamentable estate of life； as death were a thousand times more welcome
to them。
But； because I would not speake particularly of all our fraile and
humane affections； I dare assure ye； that there is not any one of
these desires to be elected among us mortals； with entire forsight
or providence； warrantable against their ominous yssue。 Wherefore；
if we would walke directly； wee should dispose our willes and
affections； to be guided onely by him； who best knoweth what is
needfull for us； and will bestow them at his good pleasure。 Nor let me
lay this blamefull imputation uppon men onely； for offending in many
through over lavish desires： because you your selves （gracious Ladies）
sinne highly in one； as namely； in coveting to be beautifull。 So
that it is not sufficient for you； to enjoy those beauties bestowne on
you by Nature； but you practice to increase them by the rarities of
Art。 Wherefore； let it not offend you； that I tell you the hard
fortune of a faire Sarazine； to whom it hapned by straunge adventures；
that within the compasse of foure yeares； nine severall times to be
married。 and onely for her beauty。
It is now a long time since； that there lived Soldane in Babylon；
named Beminidab； to whom （while he lived） many things happened；
answerable to his owne desires。 Among divers other Children both
male and female； hee had a daughter called Alathiella； and shee
（according to the common voyce of every one that saw her） was the
fayrest Lady then living in all the world。 And because the King of
Cholcos had wonderfully assisted him； in a most valiant foughten
battell against a mighty Armie of Arabians； who on a sodaine had
assailed him； he demanded his faire daughter in marriage； which
likewise was kindly granted to him。 Whereupon a goodly and
well…armed Ship was prepared for her； with full furnishment of all
necessary provision； and accompanied with an honourable traine both of
Lords and Ladies； as also most costly and sumptuous accoustrements；
commending her to the mercy of heaven； in this maner was she sent
away。
The time being propitious for their parting thence； the Mariners
hoised their sayles； leaving the port of Alexandria； and sayling
prosperously many dayes together。 When they had past the Countrey of
Sardinia； and （as they imagined） were well neere t