The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio
her beauty, which is but a short-lived flower,) appear to me most
worthy to be commended and held dear. It had been very grateful to me,
since fortune hath sent you hither, that we should have passed
together, as equal masters in the governance of this my realm, such
time as you and I have to live, and if this was not to be vouchsafed
me of God, it being fated that you should take it to heart to seek
either to die or to find yourself in Pavia at the appointed term, I
should above all have desired to know it in time, that I might have
you transported to your house with such honour, such magnificence and
in such company as your worth meriteth. However, since this hath not
been vouchsafed and you desire to be presently there, I will e'en, as
I may, despatch you thither after the fashion whereof I have bespoken
you.' 'My lord,' replied Messer Torello, 'your acts, without your
words, have given me sufficient proof of your favour, which I have
never merited in such supreme degree, and of that which you say,
though you had not said it, I shall live and die most assured; but,
since I have taken this resolve, I pray you that that which you tell
me you will do may be done speedily, for that to-morrow is the last
day I am to be looked for.'
Saladin answered that this should without fail be accomplished and
accordingly, on the morrow, meaning to send him away that same night,
he let make, in a great hall of his palace, a very goodly and rich bed
of mattresses, all, according to their usance, of velvet and cloth of
gold and caused lay thereon a counterpoint curiously wrought in
various figures with great pearls and jewels of great price (the which
here in Italy was after esteemed an inestimable treasure) and two
pillows such as sorted with a bed of that fashion. This done, he bade
invest Messer Torello, who was presently well and strong again, in a
gown of the Saracen fashion, the richest and goodliest thing that had
ever been seen of any, and wind about his head, after their guise, one
of his longest turban-cloths.[477] Then, it growing late, he betook
himself with many of his barons to the chamber where Messer Torello
was and seating himself, well nigh weeping, by his side, bespoke him
thus; 'Messer Torello, the hour draweth near that is to sunder me from
you, and since I may not bear you company nor cause you to be
accompanied, by reason of the nature of the journey you have to make,
which suffereth it not, needs must I take leave of you here in this
chamber, to which end I am come hither. Wherefore, ere I commend you
to God, I conjure you, by that love and that friendship that is
between us, that you remember you of me and if it be possible, ere our
times come to an end, that, whenas you have ordered your affairs in
Lombardy, you come at the least once to see me, to the end that, what
while I am cheered by your sight, I may then supply the default which
needs must I presently commit by reason of your haste; and against
that betide, let it not irk you to visit me with letters and require
me of such things as shall please you; for that of a surety I will
more gladly do them for you than for any man alive.'
[Footnote 477: It may be well to remind the European reader that the
turban consists of two parts, _i.e._ a skull-cap and a linen cloth,
which is wound round it in various folds and shapes, to form the
well-known Eastern head-dress.]
As for Messer Torello, he could not contain his tears; wherefore,
being hindered thereby, he answered, in a few words, that it was
impossible his benefits and his nobility should ever escape his mind
and that he would without fail do that which he enjoined him, whenas
occasion should be afforded him; whereupon Saladin, having tenderly
embraced him and kissed him, bade him with many tears God speed and
departed the chamber. The other barons then all took leave of him and
followed the Soldan into the hall where he had caused make ready the
bed. Meanwhile, it waxing late and the nigromant awaiting and pressing
for despatch, there came a physician to Messer Torello with a draught
and making him believe that he gave it him to fortify him, caused him
drink it; nor was it long ere he fell asleep and so, by Saladin's
commandment, was carried into the hall and laid upon the bed
aforesaid, whereon the Soldan placed a great and goodly crown of great
price and inscribed it on such wise that it was after manifestly
understood to be sent by him to Messer Torello's lady; after which he
put on Torello's finger a ring, wherein was a carbuncle enchased, so
resplendent that it seemed a lighted flambeau, the value whereof could
scarce be reckoned, and girt him with a sword, whose garniture might
not lightly be appraised. Moreover, he let hang a fermail on his
breast, wherein were pearls whose like were never seen, together with
other precious stones galore, and on his either side he caused set two
great basins of gold, full of doubloons, and many strings of pearls
and rings and girdles and other things, which it were tedious to
recount, round about him. This done, he kissed him once more and bade
the nigromant despatch, whereupon, in his presence, the bed was
incontinent taken away, Messer Torello and all, and Saladin abode
devising of him with his barons.
Meanwhile, Messer Torello had been set down, even as he had requested,
in the church of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro at Pavia, with all the
jewels and ornaments aforesaid, and yet slept when, matins having
sounded, the sacristan of the church entered, with a light in his
hand, and chancing suddenly to espy the rich bed, not only marvelled,
but, seized with a terrible fright, turned and fled. The abbot and the
monks, seeing him flee, marvelled and questioned him of the cause,
which he told them; whereupon quoth the abbot, 'Marry, thou art no
child nor art thou new to the church that thou shouldst thus lightly
take fright; let us go see who hath played the bugbear with thee.'
Accordingly, kindling several lights, the abbot and all his monks
entered the church and saw that wonder-rich and goodly bed and thereon
the gentleman asleep; and what while, misdoubting and fearful, they
gazed upon the noble jewels, without drawing anywise near to the bed,
it befell that, the virtue of the draught being spent, Messer Torello
awoke and heaved a great sigh, which when the monks saw and heard,
they took to flight, abbot and all, affrighted and crying, 'Lord aid
us!' Messer Torello opened his eyes and looking about him, plainly
perceived himself to be whereas he had asked Saladin to have him
carried, at which he was mightily content. Then, sitting up, he
particularly examined that which he had about him, and for all he had
before known of the magnificence of Saladin, it seemed to him now
greater and he knew it more. Nevertheless, without moving farther,
seeing the monks flee and divining why, he proceeded to call the abbot
by name, praying him be not afraid, for that he was Torello his
nephew. The abbot, hearing this, waxed yet more fearful, as holding
him as dead many months before; but, after awhile, taking assurance by
true arguments and hearing himself called, he made the sign of the
cross and went up to him; whereupon quoth Messer Torello, 'How now,
father mine, of what are you adread? Godamercy, I am alive and
returned hither from beyond seas.'
The abbot, for all he had a great beard and was clad after the Saracen
fashion, presently recognized him and altogether reassured, took him
by the hand, saying, 'My son, thou art welcome back.' Then he
continued, 'Thou must not marvel at our affright, for that there is
not a man in these parts but firmly believeth thee to be dead,
insomuch that I must tell thee that Madam Adalieta thy wife,
overmastered by the prayers and threats of her kinsfolk and against
her own will, is married again and is this morning to go to her new
husband; ay, and the bride-feast and all that pertaineth unto the
nuptial festivities is prepared.' Therewithal Messer Torello arose
from off the rich bed and greeting the abbot and the monks with
marvellous joyance, prayed them all to speak with none of that his
return, against he should have despatched an occasion of his; after
which, having caused lay up the costly jewels in safety, he recounted
to his uncle all that had befallen him up to that moment. The abbot
rejoiced in his happy fortunes and together with him, rendered thanks
to God, after which Messer Torello asked him who was his lady's new
husband. The abbot told him and Torello said, 'I have a mind, ere folk
know of my return, to see what manner countenance is that of my wife
in these nuptials; wherefore, albeit it is not the usance of men of
your habit to go to entertainments of this kind, I would have you
contrive, for the love of me, that we may go thither, you and I.' The
abbot replied that he would well and accordingly, as soon as it was
day, he sent to the new bridegroom, saying that he would fain be at
his nuptials with a friend of his, whereto the gentleman answered that
it liked him passing well.
Accordingly, eating-time come, Messer Torello, clad as he was,
repaired with his uncle to the bridegroom's house, beheld with
wonderment of all who saw him, but recognized of none; and the abbot
told every one that he was a Saracen sent ambassador from the Soldan
to the King of France. He was, therefore, seated at a table right
overagainst his lady, whom he beheld with the utmost pleasure, and
himseemed she was troubled in countenance at these new nuptials. She,
in her turn, looked whiles upon him, but not of any cognizance that
she had of him, for that his great beard and outlandish habit and the
firm assurance she had that he was dead hindered her thereof.
Presently, whenas it seemed to him time to essay if she remembered her
of him, he took the ring she had given him at his parting and calling
a lad who served before her, said to him, 'Say to the bride, on my
part, that it is the usance in my country, whenas any stranger, such
as I am here, eateth at the bride-feast of any new-married lady, like
herself, that she, in token that she holdeth him welcome at her table,
send him the cup, wherein she drinketh, full of wine, whereof after
the stranger hath drunken what he will, the cup being covered again,
the bride drinketh the rest.'
The page did his errand to the lady, who, like a well-bred and
discreet woman as she was, believing him to be some great gentleman,
commanded, to show him that she had his coming in gree, that a great
gilded cup, which stood before her, should be washed and filled with
wine and carried to the gentleman; and so it was done. Messer Torello,
taking her ring in his mouth, contrived in drinking to drop it, unseen
of any, into the cup, wherein having left but a little wine, he
covered it again and despatched it to the lady. Madam Adalieta, taking
the cup and uncovering it, that she might accomplish his usance, set
it to her mouth and seeing the ring, considered it awhile, without
saying aught; then, knowing it for that which she had given to Messer
Torello at parting, she took it up and looking fixedly upon him whom
she deemed a stranger, presently recognized him; whereupon, as she
were waxen mad, she overthrew the table she had before her and cried
out, saying, 'It is my lord, it is indeed Messer Torello!' Then,
running to the place where he sat, she cast herself as far forward as
she might, without taking thought to her clothes or to aught that was
on the table, and clipped him close in her arms nor could, for word or
deed of any there, be loosed from his neck till she was bidden of
Messer Torello contain herself somewhat, for that time enough would
yet be afforded her to embrace him. She accordingly having arisen and
the nuptials being by this all troubled, albeit in part more joyous