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！
armes with earnest affection。 Motherly joy and pity now contended so
violently togither； that she was not able to utter one word； the
sensitive vertues being so closely combined； that （even as dead） she
fell downe in the armes of her Son。 And he wondering greatly
thereat； making a better recollection of his thoughts； did well
remember； that hee had often before seene her in the Castle； without
any other knowledge of her。 Neverthelesse； by meere instinct of
Nature； whose power in such actions declares it selfe to be highly
predominant； his very soule assured him； that she was his Mother；
and blaming his understanding； that he had not before bene better
advised； he threw his armes about her； and wept exceedingly。
Afterward； by the loving paines of Conradoes wife； as also her
daughter Spina； Madam Beritola （being recovered from her passionate
traunce； and her vitall spirits executing their Offices againe） fell
once more to the embracing of her Sonne； kissing him infinite times；
with teares and speeches of motherly kindnesse； he likewise expressing
the same dutifull humanity to her。 Which ceremonious courtesies
being passed over and over； to no little joy in all the beholders；
beside repetition of their severall misfortunes； Messer Conrado made
all knowne to his friends； who were very glad of this new alliance
made by him； which was honoured with many solemne feastings。 Which
being all concluded； Geoffrey having found out fit place and
opportunity； for conference with his new created Father； without any
sinister opposition； began as followeth。
Honourable Father； you have raised my contentment to the highest
degree； and have heaped also many gracious favours on my Noble Mother；
but now in the finall conclusion； that nothing may remaine uneffected；
which consisteth in your power to performe： I would humbly entreate
you； to honour my Mother with your company； at a Feast of my making；
where I would gladly also have my Brother present。 Messer Gasparino
d'Oria （as I have heretofore told you） questing as a common Pyrat on
the Seas； tooke us and sent us home to his house as slaves； where
（as yet） he detaineth him。 I would likewise have you send into Sicily；
who informing himselfe more amply in the state of the Countrey； may
understand what is become of Henriet my Father； and whether he be
living or no。 If he be alive； then to know in what condition he is；
and being secretly instructed in all things； then to returne backe
againe to you。
This motion made by Geoffrey； was so pleasing to Conrado； that
without any reference to further leysure； hee dispatched thence two
discreete persons； the one to Geneway； and the other to Sicily： he
which went for Geneway； having met with Gasparino； earnestly entreated
him （on the behalfe of Conrado） to send him the Poore expelled； and
his Nurse recounting every thing in order； which Conrado had tolde
him； concerning Geoffrey and his mother。 When Gasparino had heard
the whole discourse； he marvelled greatly thereat； and saide； True
it is； that I will doe any thing for Messer Conrado； which may bee
to his love and liking； provided； that it lye in my power to performe；
and （about some foureteene yeeres since） I brought such a Lad as you
seeke for； with his mother； home to my house； whom I will gladly
send unto him。 But you may tell him from me； that I advise him from
over…rash crediting the Fables of Jehannot； that now termes himselfe
by the name of Geoffrey； because he is a more wicked boy then he
taketh him to be； and so did I finde him。
Having thus spoken； and giving kinde welcome to the Messenger；
secretly he called the Nurse unto him； whom hee heedfully examined
concerning this case。 She having heard the rebellion in the Kingdome
of Sicily； and understanding withall that Henriet was yet living；
joyfully threw off all her former feare； relating every thing to him
orderly； and the reasons moving her to conceale the whole businesse in
such manner as shee had done。 Gasparino well perceiving； that the
report of the Nurse； and the message received from Conrado； varied not
in any one circumstance； began the better to credit her words。 And
being a man most ingenious； making further inquisition into the
businesse； by all the possible meanes hee could devise； and finding
every thing to yeeld undoubted assurance； ashamed of the vile and base
usage wherein he had so long time kept the Lad； and desiring （by his
best meanes） to make him amends； he had a beautifull daughter； aged
about thirteene yeares； and knowing what manner of man he was； his
Father Henriet also yet living； he gave her to him in marriage； with a
very bountifull and honourable dowry。
The joviall dayes of feasting being past； he went aboord a Galley
with the Poore expelled； his Daughter； the Ambassador； and the
Nurse； departing thence to Lericy； where they were nobly welcommed
by Messer Conrado； and his Castle being not farre from thence； with an
honourable traine they were conducted thither； and entertained with
all possible kindnesse。 Now concerning the comfort of the Mother；
meeting so happily with both her sonnes； the joy of the brethren and
mother together； having also found the faithful Nurse； Gasparino and
his daughter； in company now with Conrado and his wife； friends；
familiars； and all generally in a jubilee of rejoycing： it exceedeth
capacity in mee to expresse it； and therefore I referre it to your
more able imagination。
In the time of this mutuall contentment； to the end that nothing
might be wanting to compleat and perfect this universall joy； our
Lord； a most abundant bestower where he beginneth； added long wished
tydings concerning the life and good estate of Henry Capece。 For； even
as they were feasting； and the concourse great of worthy guests；
both Lords and Ladies； the first service was scarsely set on the
Tables； but the Ambassador which was sent to Sicily； arrived there
before them。 Among many other important matters； he spake of
Henriet； who being so long a time detained in prison by King
Charles； when the commotion arose in the Citty against the King； the
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
e