The Storie at Large: Part 9
Even with the bloud that issues from his hart,
Rinaldo (wretch) this sorrie boune doth crave;
There may be graven (by some continuing arte)
These woful words upon his timelesse grave:
Loe! here he lies that reaped hate for love,
Which hard exchaunge to slea him selfe did move.
These verses Rinaldo determined to write with bloud that issued from his deadly wound, and comming unto the place of his desired rest, he drew his dagger in mind to finish his sorowes. But finding his enterprise (by reason of the dead time of night) unlikely to be troubled, before he executed this tragedie he weakely wrested foorth this heavie farewell.
Oh God! (quoth he) that the grones proceeding from my gored hart might now awake Giletta, that she might see the use of my murthering knife; then wold my yawning breath, my bloudy sighs, and deadly gaspes, no dout bedew her cheekes, whiche hitherto my intollerable miseries with ruthful teares could never wet: so should she knowe my escaped dangers were but lightening joyes for to inlarge my sorrowes: so might she see the unfained confirmation of my loyaltie accuse her of inconstancie: so seeing so unnaturall a tragedie executed (by the dome of her scorne) upon her faultlesse servaunt, remorse might happily move her to repentaunce, and pittie winne her from her wavering fancies. But (oh!) I tyre time with too needelesse a tale: she quietly sleepes to whom I thus sorrowfully talke. Fare wel, Giletta, farewel. These naked wals (besprent with bloud) shal shortly bewray my mone: my breathlesse corps shal witnese my constancie, and purchase (I trust) so muche pitie as (notwithstanding my carelese provision) to be bestowed in some forgetlesse tumbe. I can not stay thy answere, and therefore I leave it to thy curtesie. Come, wished death! now use thy force: my will is made; the time and place fitteth my desire, my teares and sighes are already bestowed, these walles (my executors) only wanteth their hire: my waste bloud I bequeath them, only to continue remembrance of my loyaltie, &c.
Good Giletta, continually lamenting the losse of her servant both night and day, was smally disposed to rest; in so much that leaning in her chamber window, she heard (though not perfectly) this sorowful discourse, and being moved with pitie (as Rinaldos complaint grew to an end) she used these words. Yonder mans tong, mone, and miseries, workes such fresh remembrance of my good Rinaldos destruction, as for his sake I wil apply unto his sorowes what honest comfort I can. Therewithall she prepared her selfe to learne his cause of griefe. Rinaldo, amased with this souden comfort, helde his hande from his throte till Giletta was at his elbowe; who verie modestly demaunded, both what he was, and what forst him so pitiously to complaine? Rinaldo, on this small incouragement, began now to mistrust yll measure in others; and yet to trie in whome the fault might be, he at the first both hid his name and the true cause of his griefe from Giletta. Giletta, earnestly noting the order of his talk, began now to be so distempered with the thought of Rinaldo, as she fell straight thus to beemone his hard fortunes. Ah! good Rinaldo (quoth she) whersoever thy body lies, in thought I so perfectly beholde thy image, as in every mournefull tale me thinkes I heare thy tong. Woe worth thee, Frizaldo! to coole whose jelous distrust I used shewe of hate where in heart I loved; and yet, Rinaldo, thou art not blamelesse in that, when as I made thee privie to the cause of my straungnesse, thou wilfully afterwards didst drowne thy selfe. Herewith Rinaldo, to make Giletta partaker of his newe conceived joyes, could not choose but discover him self, whome when she perfecctly knewe, And lives Rinaldo yet? (quoth she) and therwithal, imbracing her best beloved, with very joy fell into a swoone. Rinaldo, seeing his lady and love to faint, spared for no kisses to fetch her againe. She being revived, and the heate of their joyes somwhat qualified, I want skill to will to shewe what desire the one had to delight the other; but this I am assured, they in such sort overwent the night, that morning willed them away ere eyther of them had thought of former sorrowes, or sought to worke for future joyes. But as it is sayde, the womans wit is more readier then the mans in practises that answereth their liking, experience here makes proofe of no lesse: for when Giletta espied Rinaldo in a browne studie with debating which way they might best, easiest, and soonest perfect their unsure delightes, she comforting him with a pretie smyle, willed him to commit that charge unto her, but in any case she warned him to live a while unknowne.
Rinaldo faithfully promised to obey her direction, who, after he had given and taken a hundred loth to depart kisses, foorthwith posted unto the next uncouth place, and Giletta secretly conveyed her selfe unto her chamber: who the next day forsooke her mourning weedes, and with a chearefull countenance she bid her friendes Buon giorno; who rejoycing to see her so pretily comforted, applyed them selves unto such exercises and persuasions as they thought would best worke her contentation. Especially Frizaldo, who (after it was given out Rinaldo was drownd) was so muche of Giletta misliked, as that she could neyther abide his sight, nor would patiently heare his name: now, seeing her stormie anger somwhat appeased, by litle and litle renued his loving suite. Giletta nowe to worke sure (bicause he should no more suspect fraude in her overmuch familiaritie) made the matter somewhat strange; and yet not so strange but that Frizaldo might picke out incouragement to continue his bootlesse suite. Who, refusing no advauntage, charged her, and double charged her, with importunate persuasions: she, at every assault, seemed somewhat to relent; yea, in the end, she was content patiently to heare his request, and if she chaunced to crosse him with froward language, she wold comfort him with some fained good looke. Gilettaes father, seeing some likely-hoode of the match he long desiered, I meane betweene Frizaldo and Giletta his daughter, furthered Frizaldos desire in what he could, in so much as coveting a speedy dispatche, he one day injoyned his daughter to give him a direct answere, off or on. Giletta modestly answered, the promise she made Rinaldo was such a corsie to her conscience, through the feare of infamie, as althogh she had sufficiently tried (and by trying liked) Frizaldos honest and faithfull love, yet she feared to give hir willing consent to that she hartily wished. Why, quoth her father, your promise died with Rinaldo; and though he desperately dispatcht his life, neither law of God, nor nature, can forbid you marriage: and to make you the more willing to that I wish, there shalbe proclamation made, that if Rinaldo within one moneth come in, and make clame to Giletta, he should be indifferent heard; if not, Frizaldo to have her as his lawful wife: by this means (quoth he) the clattering tongs that thou fearest (would note thee of inconstancie), well persuaded of his death by reason of his absence, will sure be staid.
Giletta, thus proffered what she had thought to have requested, set nicenesse aside, and, sayning her fathers persuasions to have conquered her, upon this condition yealded to marrie Frizaldo. The Lord de Bologna made no delay, but presently, upon this consent, assured Frizaldo to his daughter Giletta, and caused proclamation to be made. This newes wrought joy on all sides. Rinaldo laught to heare this proclamation, for that he knew how to provide sowre sauce for Frizaldos sweet delights: Giletta smilde to see how wilelily she had won her father's consent to have Rinaldo, who she knew was ready to make clame. Gilettas frends rejoyced to see her sorowes appeased; but Frizaldo above the rest triumphed in shew: he made no account of the proviso in his assurance; for why, he thought a dround man wold hardly clame his right. The kind intertainment of his maistresse so laded him with joy, as that he bad jealouzie go trudge, distrust adieu, and al other hinderances avaunt: one while he invites his friends, another while he makes choice of martiall c[h]alengers and champions, for justing, turne, barriers, &c. Now he consults with carpet knights about curious masks, and other delightful shewes: anon he runs unto the tailers, to see his apparell made of the straungest and costliest fashion. Thus was he occupied in provision of braverie against his marriage day: he had no thought how Rinaldo would be avenged of his trecherie, overthrow him in combat, weare his weedes, marrie his wife, and use his provision of plesure for the honor of his own wedding: he wold not see secret hate, that lay hid in Gilettas loving lookes as the snake lurkes in the sweet grasse: his blinde affection made him forget the villanie he had offered Rinaldo, so that pricke of conscience could move him to no repentance. For, having reacht the height of his desires, he made her the instrument of his destruction, by whose dishonest service he attained this shew of preferment: I mean Rosina, Gilettas waiting woman: who, seeing the preparation for her maistres marriage, began to loure on Frizaldo. That reason was, at such time as he was out of Gilettas favor to currie friendship with her, he tolde this damsel, in respect of her curtesies, and in despight of her maistres injuries, he would marrie her: which faire promise, thus fouly falsed, might very wel force the poore wench to frowne. Which Frizaldo seeing, likewise saw without wise foresight a hindrance to his desires; and devising how to repaire this breach of amitie, he called to mind what smal trust was in a womans secrecie, and waying what mischiefe he had executed to compasse his loving affaires, now to perfect the successe he long looked for, he concluded (in acquitall of the poore wenches courtesies) to shorten her life.
O, wretch! spoyled of pitie, rest of humanitie, catyse more cruell then any tygre! howe couldest thou professe to love, with so bloudy a mynde, especially to acquite her with such crueltie, that spoyled her credit to do their courtesie? But why weare I time to wonder at thy unnaturall villanies, which spendst thy life without thought of vertue, and diedst without shewe of repentance? And nowe againe, unto this tyrant Frizaldos actions: with a friendly countenaunce, he came unto Rosina, and after his courteous salutations, he bayted his poysoned enterprise with this sweete persuasion. Sweete wench, quoth he, thou seest a great preparation (supposed) for a marriage betweene thy maistresse and me; if which were true, in fayth I should do thee too too much wrong, to whome I am in conscience betrothed. But for that thou maist now find performance of that in deeds, that hitherto I promised in words, I give thee to wit my intent. Thou very well knowest my faithful love once towardes Giletta, her smal regard of me, my suite, her scorne, yea her crosse answering of all my amorous actions; so that by necessitie enforst. I shund her sight that nothing esteemed my service, dayly pleaded with teares, and solicited with sighes, which uncurteous (nay cruel) usage (as thou knowest ful wel) soundenly changed my love to hate, so that, continuing (or rather increasing) my malice. I have hitherto sought how to be avenged. And, lo! a happie opportunitie: her coynesse is come downe, and nowe she is content to love the man that she so highly hated: yea, to allure him with friendly lookes, whose teares sometimes could purchase no ruth. I meane my selfe, she is thus affected to: who (in truth) rather seekes to be revenged of her former crueltie then to reward her present courtesie. And to use avenge more currantly, upon this newe reconcilement, I shadowed my displeasure with the show of wonted kindnesse, of purpose, when she thought her selfe most assured, then to give her the slip, and now the (supposed) wedding day drawes neare, but her delight farre enough off. Nowe, nowe, sweete wench, the accomplishment of my promise and thy comfort approcheth; it is thou shalt injoy the benefite of this preparation. Frizaldo meanes to marrie none but Rosina, whome he will shortly espouse. Wherfore (quoth he) to worke both secretely and safely in this matter, I meane, the night before my (supposed) marriage with Giletta, to convey thee to my house, and the next morning to make thee my wife.
This currant tale not a little pleased Rosina: she thought all was gold that glittered; she never remembred howe the poysoned hooke lay wrapt in pleasant bayte, howe the crocodile obtaines her pray with pitifull teares, nor how subtile devises are (for the most) compassed with sugred wordes: she never dreaded insuing danger, but presently consented to what Frizaldo should demaund; yea she thought every day a yere, untill she had overtaken this appointed houre. At which time, according unto promise, Frizaldo, with two other ruffens to whom he had delivered his mynd, repayred to this mistrustlesse mayde, whome Frizaldo wild quickly to prepare her selfe to ryde with those his men unto his house, and he him selfe would make what speede he might after. She (that was ready an houre before Frizaldo came) made answere she was in a readinesse to perfourme his pleasure, and so with more haste then good successe, away she packs. But so soone as these two ruffens had her in the forrest (to sowre her sweete conceites) they made her acquainted with Frizaldos commaundment.
It was his pleasure she shuld be slaine, whose dome they promist, and would obey, and execute; and therefore they willed her to use her prayers, for no persuasions might purchase grace. The poore wench, thus beset with naked swordes, and seeing (by their stearne countenances) how those traytors were spoyled of pitie, began very lamentably to cry and scrike out; which these gracelesse varlets hearing, commaunded her foorthwith to forsake her overloude clamors, and fall (if she woulde) quietly to her prayers: if not, they would abridge her short time of repentance. Good soule, she seeing them so furiously bent, became foorthwith silent, and only to proroge her life (I thinke) with small devotion she fel a praying; for when she setled her self to most patiencie, she would soudenly exclame of Frizaldos tirannie. Rinaldo, who (since his owne wilful exile) lived in this forrest, by fortune hearde Rosinaes pitious complaint, and being well armed, hasted to learne the cause of so great an outcrie; who, espying a gentlewoman upon her knees between two ruffens, that with naked swordeswere readie to shorten her life, set spurres unto his horse for her more speedie rescue. The varlets, seeing an armed knight make towardes them (without damaging the gentlewoman) foorthwith fled to save them selves. Rosina, thus happily preserved, through very joy fell into an extasie: but being both revived and comforted by Rinaldo, Rinaldo presently perceived how that he had wrought this saftie unto Gilettas waiting woman; and greatly wondering at the rarenesse of the chaunce, was earnest to knowe what led her to this misfortune: she not knowing (by reason he was armed) that whom she had so often wronged to pleasure Frizaldo was the man that saved " her life which Frizaldo traiterously sought, from the first to the last layde open all Frizaldos trecherie, and further she sayde that to morrowe he should espouse good Giletta. Nay, quoth Rinaldo, I myself hope to hinder that match, and to morrowe (quoth he) we wil both go to Bologna castle: in the meane while he prayed her to rest contented with his intertainment.
This long lookt for morrowe morning is now at length come, and yet not so fortunate as to some wished for, but to him to whome it was most daungerous it was best welcome; I meane to Frizaldo, who (having a lightening delight against his souden destruction) very early gets him up, bravely arrayes him selfe, and accompanied with divers gay gallants, with delicat musicke awakens Giletta. Giletta, that lived assured of Rinaldos challenge, seemed greatly contented with Frizaldos readinesse, and with what speede she might, she decked her self as bravely as she could. The bridegrome and the bride being readie, the lord of the castle, with the lady his wife, accompanied with other their friends (with what honor they could) accompanied them both to wards the church. But loe! (by the way) an unlookt for let: in viewe of the whole companie, there posted towards them a knight, accompanied with one only gentlewoman. The knight (well mounted upon a blacke horse) was armed all in blacke armour, save upon the left side, about his hearts defence, there was graven a white turtle dove, with this poesie, Once chose, and never chaunge: the strangnesse of which sight enforst them to stay to know the knights errant; who, being arrived among them, his gentlewoman was straight waies knowne, which straunge adventure greatly increast their wonder, and more greatly Frizaldos feare. Well, this gentlewoman upon her knees requested both pardon and respyt to speake; whiche graunted, she made first report of the love betweene Rinaldo and Giletta; then of Frizaldos liking and jealous distrust; further how Giletta fained to fancie him and to forsake Rinaldo, which devise she wrote in a letter, and inclosed it in an aple, thinking by the delivery therof to acquaint Rinaldo with her mind. But (quoth she) this aple came to my unhappie fingring, the which I delivered to Frizaldo, who toke out the comfortable, and counterfetted in Gilettas name a cruel, letter, the which he wrapt in the aple, and wild me to bestow the same where I found it: the day folowing, Frizaido allured Giletta wher of force she shuld see Rinaldo, who delivered Rinaldo this aple. Rinaldo, reading the counterfetted letter, desperatly drowned him selfe; which ill newes so discomforted Giletta, as she repined at all the instruments of his ill fortune, especially at Frizaldo, whose name she could not abide. Frizaldo, seeing his suits so smally regarded, with shew of malice, in despight of her (as he saide) promist me marriage. Since Giletta, won from this displeasure Frizaldo to faire words, promist now to perform that in deed that hitherto he promist in worde, I meane under the colour of marriage, won me to go with two ruffens to his house, who by Frizaldos appointment, in a forrest not far off were readie to murther me, had not this knight in happie time recovered me. I nowe have said, use your pleasure, and if you please pardon me.
This straunge discourse made them all secretly to grudge at Frizaldo; but Giletta, being perplexed both with malice and feare, with malice against Frizaldo for his too apparent trecherie, with feare for Rinaldos absence, who she little thought to be the instrument of this discoverie, Frizaldo perceived (by the alteration of countenances) what harts were won from him by Rosinaes too true a tale; and although he found him selfe guiltie, yet he began to cleare him self with this shamelesse answere.
This strumpet (quoth he), won by some ruffenly companion that repineth at my good fortune, or thinketh by this meanes to be avenged for Rinaldos desperate and foolish end, without shame in her selfe, thus shamefully slaundereth me. But for that wordes will hardly quench the suspicion that her infamous tale hath fired, I will presently in combat prove my innocencie, and (I trust) discover her trecherie, if any dare mainteine her untrue sayings true. Frizaldo had scarcely concluded his chalenge, ere Rinaldo thus replyed. Notorious varlet (spoyled of all humanitie) I am he that wil mainteine her sayings true, and in revenge of thy trecherie will (I trust) soone seperate thy condemned soule (without speedie repentance) from thy carren body. Goe, arme thy selfe, I attend thy comming. Infamous ruffen! wilt thou? (quoth Frizaldo), and counterfetting (through necessitie) furie in steade of seare, foorthwith he went to arme him selfe. The rest of the companie, rather desirous to see an end of this accusation then the solemnising of the marriage, attended Frizaldos return, who sone came very richly armed into the field. The knights now sweare that eyther quarrell is just, and at the trumpets sound so fiercely incountreth other, that both horse and men fal thundering to the earth. Frizaldo trusting in his force, Rinaldo both in his force and honest quarell, eyther quickly recovereth him self, and (forsaking their shivered speares) with arming blade freshly falles a hewing at others sconce. The knights thus furiously fighting, the standers by pray as they are affected; the indifferent, victory unto the innocent; Rinaldos friends, unto the unknowne knight; but Giletta, above the rest, wisheth Frizaldos overthrowe, whome she knowes to be faultie in the quarell. Still they fight, and yet the victorie doubtfull: one while Rinaldo hath the best, and straight a crosse blowe makes him lose his advauntage. Remorse of conscience nothing weakeneth Frizaldo, but Rinaldos honest cause doubleth his strength, so that the longer he fought the fearcer he was; and yet Frizaldo valiantly mainteines his dishonest quarrell. But what doth might availe when God assistes the right? Frizaldo, for all his force, in the end beganne to faint; which Rinaldo espying, and eying his ladies beautie, assaild him with such furie that ere long he sent him dead to the earth.
The battell thus fortunately won, Rinaldo unarmes him self, and clames Giletta as his wife: the people at the sight of Rinaldo shoke the earth with clamors of joy. Giletta (that lately wondered at Rinaldos absence) now charged her father with his promise: the Lorde de Bologna, with the rest of his friends, agreed Rinaldo and Giletta should forthwith be married. The courtly companie that came to honor Frizaldos marriage, had his dishonest actions in such disdaine, as now they would not vouchsafe to see him honestly buried. But, with all their provision of braverie, on Rinaldo they willingly attended; glad was he that could with any curtesie present him. The marriage rites solemnly pronounced, these faithfull lovers repaired to Bologna castle, where they were welcomed with what pleasure might be had; yea, to conclude, for to worke satisfaction for their long miseries, there wanted nothing that coyne, cunning, or credit might compasse. And thus after fortune had long threatned the shipwracke of their delightes, their constancie conducted them to the port of their wished desires.
El fine fa el tutto.
Rinaldo (wretch) this sorrie boune doth crave;
There may be graven (by some continuing arte)
These woful words upon his timelesse grave:
Loe! here he lies that reaped hate for love,
Which hard exchaunge to slea him selfe did move.
These verses Rinaldo determined to write with bloud that issued from his deadly wound, and comming unto the place of his desired rest, he drew his dagger in mind to finish his sorowes. But finding his enterprise (by reason of the dead time of night) unlikely to be troubled, before he executed this tragedie he weakely wrested foorth this heavie farewell.
Oh God! (quoth he) that the grones proceeding from my gored hart might now awake Giletta, that she might see the use of my murthering knife; then wold my yawning breath, my bloudy sighs, and deadly gaspes, no dout bedew her cheekes, whiche hitherto my intollerable miseries with ruthful teares could never wet: so should she knowe my escaped dangers were but lightening joyes for to inlarge my sorrowes: so might she see the unfained confirmation of my loyaltie accuse her of inconstancie: so seeing so unnaturall a tragedie executed (by the dome of her scorne) upon her faultlesse servaunt, remorse might happily move her to repentaunce, and pittie winne her from her wavering fancies. But (oh!) I tyre time with too needelesse a tale: she quietly sleepes to whom I thus sorrowfully talke. Fare wel, Giletta, farewel. These naked wals (besprent with bloud) shal shortly bewray my mone: my breathlesse corps shal witnese my constancie, and purchase (I trust) so muche pitie as (notwithstanding my carelese provision) to be bestowed in some forgetlesse tumbe. I can not stay thy answere, and therefore I leave it to thy curtesie. Come, wished death! now use thy force: my will is made; the time and place fitteth my desire, my teares and sighes are already bestowed, these walles (my executors) only wanteth their hire: my waste bloud I bequeath them, only to continue remembrance of my loyaltie, &c.
Good Giletta, continually lamenting the losse of her servant both night and day, was smally disposed to rest; in so much that leaning in her chamber window, she heard (though not perfectly) this sorowful discourse, and being moved with pitie (as Rinaldos complaint grew to an end) she used these words. Yonder mans tong, mone, and miseries, workes such fresh remembrance of my good Rinaldos destruction, as for his sake I wil apply unto his sorowes what honest comfort I can. Therewithall she prepared her selfe to learne his cause of griefe. Rinaldo, amased with this souden comfort, helde his hande from his throte till Giletta was at his elbowe; who verie modestly demaunded, both what he was, and what forst him so pitiously to complaine? Rinaldo, on this small incouragement, began now to mistrust yll measure in others; and yet to trie in whome the fault might be, he at the first both hid his name and the true cause of his griefe from Giletta. Giletta, earnestly noting the order of his talk, began now to be so distempered with the thought of Rinaldo, as she fell straight thus to beemone his hard fortunes. Ah! good Rinaldo (quoth she) whersoever thy body lies, in thought I so perfectly beholde thy image, as in every mournefull tale me thinkes I heare thy tong. Woe worth thee, Frizaldo! to coole whose jelous distrust I used shewe of hate where in heart I loved; and yet, Rinaldo, thou art not blamelesse in that, when as I made thee privie to the cause of my straungnesse, thou wilfully afterwards didst drowne thy selfe. Herewith Rinaldo, to make Giletta partaker of his newe conceived joyes, could not choose but discover him self, whome when she perfecctly knewe, And lives Rinaldo yet? (quoth she) and therwithal, imbracing her best beloved, with very joy fell into a swoone. Rinaldo, seeing his lady and love to faint, spared for no kisses to fetch her againe. She being revived, and the heate of their joyes somwhat qualified, I want skill to will to shewe what desire the one had to delight the other; but this I am assured, they in such sort overwent the night, that morning willed them away ere eyther of them had thought of former sorrowes, or sought to worke for future joyes. But as it is sayde, the womans wit is more readier then the mans in practises that answereth their liking, experience here makes proofe of no lesse: for when Giletta espied Rinaldo in a browne studie with debating which way they might best, easiest, and soonest perfect their unsure delightes, she comforting him with a pretie smyle, willed him to commit that charge unto her, but in any case she warned him to live a while unknowne.
Rinaldo faithfully promised to obey her direction, who, after he had given and taken a hundred loth to depart kisses, foorthwith posted unto the next uncouth place, and Giletta secretly conveyed her selfe unto her chamber: who the next day forsooke her mourning weedes, and with a chearefull countenance she bid her friendes Buon giorno; who rejoycing to see her so pretily comforted, applyed them selves unto such exercises and persuasions as they thought would best worke her contentation. Especially Frizaldo, who (after it was given out Rinaldo was drownd) was so muche of Giletta misliked, as that she could neyther abide his sight, nor would patiently heare his name: now, seeing her stormie anger somwhat appeased, by litle and litle renued his loving suite. Giletta nowe to worke sure (bicause he should no more suspect fraude in her overmuch familiaritie) made the matter somewhat strange; and yet not so strange but that Frizaldo might picke out incouragement to continue his bootlesse suite. Who, refusing no advauntage, charged her, and double charged her, with importunate persuasions: she, at every assault, seemed somewhat to relent; yea, in the end, she was content patiently to heare his request, and if she chaunced to crosse him with froward language, she wold comfort him with some fained good looke. Gilettaes father, seeing some likely-hoode of the match he long desiered, I meane betweene Frizaldo and Giletta his daughter, furthered Frizaldos desire in what he could, in so much as coveting a speedy dispatche, he one day injoyned his daughter to give him a direct answere, off or on. Giletta modestly answered, the promise she made Rinaldo was such a corsie to her conscience, through the feare of infamie, as althogh she had sufficiently tried (and by trying liked) Frizaldos honest and faithfull love, yet she feared to give hir willing consent to that she hartily wished. Why, quoth her father, your promise died with Rinaldo; and though he desperately dispatcht his life, neither law of God, nor nature, can forbid you marriage: and to make you the more willing to that I wish, there shalbe proclamation made, that if Rinaldo within one moneth come in, and make clame to Giletta, he should be indifferent heard; if not, Frizaldo to have her as his lawful wife: by this means (quoth he) the clattering tongs that thou fearest (would note thee of inconstancie), well persuaded of his death by reason of his absence, will sure be staid.
Giletta, thus proffered what she had thought to have requested, set nicenesse aside, and, sayning her fathers persuasions to have conquered her, upon this condition yealded to marrie Frizaldo. The Lord de Bologna made no delay, but presently, upon this consent, assured Frizaldo to his daughter Giletta, and caused proclamation to be made. This newes wrought joy on all sides. Rinaldo laught to heare this proclamation, for that he knew how to provide sowre sauce for Frizaldos sweet delights: Giletta smilde to see how wilelily she had won her father's consent to have Rinaldo, who she knew was ready to make clame. Gilettas frends rejoyced to see her sorowes appeased; but Frizaldo above the rest triumphed in shew: he made no account of the proviso in his assurance; for why, he thought a dround man wold hardly clame his right. The kind intertainment of his maistresse so laded him with joy, as that he bad jealouzie go trudge, distrust adieu, and al other hinderances avaunt: one while he invites his friends, another while he makes choice of martiall c[h]alengers and champions, for justing, turne, barriers, &c. Now he consults with carpet knights about curious masks, and other delightful shewes: anon he runs unto the tailers, to see his apparell made of the straungest and costliest fashion. Thus was he occupied in provision of braverie against his marriage day: he had no thought how Rinaldo would be avenged of his trecherie, overthrow him in combat, weare his weedes, marrie his wife, and use his provision of plesure for the honor of his own wedding: he wold not see secret hate, that lay hid in Gilettas loving lookes as the snake lurkes in the sweet grasse: his blinde affection made him forget the villanie he had offered Rinaldo, so that pricke of conscience could move him to no repentance. For, having reacht the height of his desires, he made her the instrument of his destruction, by whose dishonest service he attained this shew of preferment: I mean Rosina, Gilettas waiting woman: who, seeing the preparation for her maistres marriage, began to loure on Frizaldo. That reason was, at such time as he was out of Gilettas favor to currie friendship with her, he tolde this damsel, in respect of her curtesies, and in despight of her maistres injuries, he would marrie her: which faire promise, thus fouly falsed, might very wel force the poore wench to frowne. Which Frizaldo seeing, likewise saw without wise foresight a hindrance to his desires; and devising how to repaire this breach of amitie, he called to mind what smal trust was in a womans secrecie, and waying what mischiefe he had executed to compasse his loving affaires, now to perfect the successe he long looked for, he concluded (in acquitall of the poore wenches courtesies) to shorten her life.
O, wretch! spoyled of pitie, rest of humanitie, catyse more cruell then any tygre! howe couldest thou professe to love, with so bloudy a mynde, especially to acquite her with such crueltie, that spoyled her credit to do their courtesie? But why weare I time to wonder at thy unnaturall villanies, which spendst thy life without thought of vertue, and diedst without shewe of repentance? And nowe againe, unto this tyrant Frizaldos actions: with a friendly countenaunce, he came unto Rosina, and after his courteous salutations, he bayted his poysoned enterprise with this sweete persuasion. Sweete wench, quoth he, thou seest a great preparation (supposed) for a marriage betweene thy maistresse and me; if which were true, in fayth I should do thee too too much wrong, to whome I am in conscience betrothed. But for that thou maist now find performance of that in deeds, that hitherto I promised in words, I give thee to wit my intent. Thou very well knowest my faithful love once towardes Giletta, her smal regard of me, my suite, her scorne, yea her crosse answering of all my amorous actions; so that by necessitie enforst. I shund her sight that nothing esteemed my service, dayly pleaded with teares, and solicited with sighes, which uncurteous (nay cruel) usage (as thou knowest ful wel) soundenly changed my love to hate, so that, continuing (or rather increasing) my malice. I have hitherto sought how to be avenged. And, lo! a happie opportunitie: her coynesse is come downe, and nowe she is content to love the man that she so highly hated: yea, to allure him with friendly lookes, whose teares sometimes could purchase no ruth. I meane my selfe, she is thus affected to: who (in truth) rather seekes to be revenged of her former crueltie then to reward her present courtesie. And to use avenge more currantly, upon this newe reconcilement, I shadowed my displeasure with the show of wonted kindnesse, of purpose, when she thought her selfe most assured, then to give her the slip, and now the (supposed) wedding day drawes neare, but her delight farre enough off. Nowe, nowe, sweete wench, the accomplishment of my promise and thy comfort approcheth; it is thou shalt injoy the benefite of this preparation. Frizaldo meanes to marrie none but Rosina, whome he will shortly espouse. Wherfore (quoth he) to worke both secretely and safely in this matter, I meane, the night before my (supposed) marriage with Giletta, to convey thee to my house, and the next morning to make thee my wife.
This currant tale not a little pleased Rosina: she thought all was gold that glittered; she never remembred howe the poysoned hooke lay wrapt in pleasant bayte, howe the crocodile obtaines her pray with pitifull teares, nor how subtile devises are (for the most) compassed with sugred wordes: she never dreaded insuing danger, but presently consented to what Frizaldo should demaund; yea she thought every day a yere, untill she had overtaken this appointed houre. At which time, according unto promise, Frizaldo, with two other ruffens to whom he had delivered his mynd, repayred to this mistrustlesse mayde, whome Frizaldo wild quickly to prepare her selfe to ryde with those his men unto his house, and he him selfe would make what speede he might after. She (that was ready an houre before Frizaldo came) made answere she was in a readinesse to perfourme his pleasure, and so with more haste then good successe, away she packs. But so soone as these two ruffens had her in the forrest (to sowre her sweete conceites) they made her acquainted with Frizaldos commaundment.
It was his pleasure she shuld be slaine, whose dome they promist, and would obey, and execute; and therefore they willed her to use her prayers, for no persuasions might purchase grace. The poore wench, thus beset with naked swordes, and seeing (by their stearne countenances) how those traytors were spoyled of pitie, began very lamentably to cry and scrike out; which these gracelesse varlets hearing, commaunded her foorthwith to forsake her overloude clamors, and fall (if she woulde) quietly to her prayers: if not, they would abridge her short time of repentance. Good soule, she seeing them so furiously bent, became foorthwith silent, and only to proroge her life (I thinke) with small devotion she fel a praying; for when she setled her self to most patiencie, she would soudenly exclame of Frizaldos tirannie. Rinaldo, who (since his owne wilful exile) lived in this forrest, by fortune hearde Rosinaes pitious complaint, and being well armed, hasted to learne the cause of so great an outcrie; who, espying a gentlewoman upon her knees between two ruffens, that with naked swordeswere readie to shorten her life, set spurres unto his horse for her more speedie rescue. The varlets, seeing an armed knight make towardes them (without damaging the gentlewoman) foorthwith fled to save them selves. Rosina, thus happily preserved, through very joy fell into an extasie: but being both revived and comforted by Rinaldo, Rinaldo presently perceived how that he had wrought this saftie unto Gilettas waiting woman; and greatly wondering at the rarenesse of the chaunce, was earnest to knowe what led her to this misfortune: she not knowing (by reason he was armed) that whom she had so often wronged to pleasure Frizaldo was the man that saved " her life which Frizaldo traiterously sought, from the first to the last layde open all Frizaldos trecherie, and further she sayde that to morrowe he should espouse good Giletta. Nay, quoth Rinaldo, I myself hope to hinder that match, and to morrowe (quoth he) we wil both go to Bologna castle: in the meane while he prayed her to rest contented with his intertainment.
This long lookt for morrowe morning is now at length come, and yet not so fortunate as to some wished for, but to him to whome it was most daungerous it was best welcome; I meane to Frizaldo, who (having a lightening delight against his souden destruction) very early gets him up, bravely arrayes him selfe, and accompanied with divers gay gallants, with delicat musicke awakens Giletta. Giletta, that lived assured of Rinaldos challenge, seemed greatly contented with Frizaldos readinesse, and with what speede she might, she decked her self as bravely as she could. The bridegrome and the bride being readie, the lord of the castle, with the lady his wife, accompanied with other their friends (with what honor they could) accompanied them both to wards the church. But loe! (by the way) an unlookt for let: in viewe of the whole companie, there posted towards them a knight, accompanied with one only gentlewoman. The knight (well mounted upon a blacke horse) was armed all in blacke armour, save upon the left side, about his hearts defence, there was graven a white turtle dove, with this poesie, Once chose, and never chaunge: the strangnesse of which sight enforst them to stay to know the knights errant; who, being arrived among them, his gentlewoman was straight waies knowne, which straunge adventure greatly increast their wonder, and more greatly Frizaldos feare. Well, this gentlewoman upon her knees requested both pardon and respyt to speake; whiche graunted, she made first report of the love betweene Rinaldo and Giletta; then of Frizaldos liking and jealous distrust; further how Giletta fained to fancie him and to forsake Rinaldo, which devise she wrote in a letter, and inclosed it in an aple, thinking by the delivery therof to acquaint Rinaldo with her mind. But (quoth she) this aple came to my unhappie fingring, the which I delivered to Frizaldo, who toke out the comfortable, and counterfetted in Gilettas name a cruel, letter, the which he wrapt in the aple, and wild me to bestow the same where I found it: the day folowing, Frizaido allured Giletta wher of force she shuld see Rinaldo, who delivered Rinaldo this aple. Rinaldo, reading the counterfetted letter, desperatly drowned him selfe; which ill newes so discomforted Giletta, as she repined at all the instruments of his ill fortune, especially at Frizaldo, whose name she could not abide. Frizaldo, seeing his suits so smally regarded, with shew of malice, in despight of her (as he saide) promist me marriage. Since Giletta, won from this displeasure Frizaldo to faire words, promist now to perform that in deed that hitherto he promist in worde, I meane under the colour of marriage, won me to go with two ruffens to his house, who by Frizaldos appointment, in a forrest not far off were readie to murther me, had not this knight in happie time recovered me. I nowe have said, use your pleasure, and if you please pardon me.
This straunge discourse made them all secretly to grudge at Frizaldo; but Giletta, being perplexed both with malice and feare, with malice against Frizaldo for his too apparent trecherie, with feare for Rinaldos absence, who she little thought to be the instrument of this discoverie, Frizaldo perceived (by the alteration of countenances) what harts were won from him by Rosinaes too true a tale; and although he found him selfe guiltie, yet he began to cleare him self with this shamelesse answere.
This strumpet (quoth he), won by some ruffenly companion that repineth at my good fortune, or thinketh by this meanes to be avenged for Rinaldos desperate and foolish end, without shame in her selfe, thus shamefully slaundereth me. But for that wordes will hardly quench the suspicion that her infamous tale hath fired, I will presently in combat prove my innocencie, and (I trust) discover her trecherie, if any dare mainteine her untrue sayings true. Frizaldo had scarcely concluded his chalenge, ere Rinaldo thus replyed. Notorious varlet (spoyled of all humanitie) I am he that wil mainteine her sayings true, and in revenge of thy trecherie will (I trust) soone seperate thy condemned soule (without speedie repentance) from thy carren body. Goe, arme thy selfe, I attend thy comming. Infamous ruffen! wilt thou? (quoth Frizaldo), and counterfetting (through necessitie) furie in steade of seare, foorthwith he went to arme him selfe. The rest of the companie, rather desirous to see an end of this accusation then the solemnising of the marriage, attended Frizaldos return, who sone came very richly armed into the field. The knights now sweare that eyther quarrell is just, and at the trumpets sound so fiercely incountreth other, that both horse and men fal thundering to the earth. Frizaldo trusting in his force, Rinaldo both in his force and honest quarell, eyther quickly recovereth him self, and (forsaking their shivered speares) with arming blade freshly falles a hewing at others sconce. The knights thus furiously fighting, the standers by pray as they are affected; the indifferent, victory unto the innocent; Rinaldos friends, unto the unknowne knight; but Giletta, above the rest, wisheth Frizaldos overthrowe, whome she knowes to be faultie in the quarell. Still they fight, and yet the victorie doubtfull: one while Rinaldo hath the best, and straight a crosse blowe makes him lose his advauntage. Remorse of conscience nothing weakeneth Frizaldo, but Rinaldos honest cause doubleth his strength, so that the longer he fought the fearcer he was; and yet Frizaldo valiantly mainteines his dishonest quarrell. But what doth might availe when God assistes the right? Frizaldo, for all his force, in the end beganne to faint; which Rinaldo espying, and eying his ladies beautie, assaild him with such furie that ere long he sent him dead to the earth.
The battell thus fortunately won, Rinaldo unarmes him self, and clames Giletta as his wife: the people at the sight of Rinaldo shoke the earth with clamors of joy. Giletta (that lately wondered at Rinaldos absence) now charged her father with his promise: the Lorde de Bologna, with the rest of his friends, agreed Rinaldo and Giletta should forthwith be married. The courtly companie that came to honor Frizaldos marriage, had his dishonest actions in such disdaine, as now they would not vouchsafe to see him honestly buried. But, with all their provision of braverie, on Rinaldo they willingly attended; glad was he that could with any curtesie present him. The marriage rites solemnly pronounced, these faithfull lovers repaired to Bologna castle, where they were welcomed with what pleasure might be had; yea, to conclude, for to worke satisfaction for their long miseries, there wanted nothing that coyne, cunning, or credit might compasse. And thus after fortune had long threatned the shipwracke of their delightes, their constancie conducted them to the port of their wished desires.
El fine fa el tutto.
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