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！
mourning； as they could possibly expresse） they buried him very
honourably； and so all suspition ceased。
But as Fortune is infinite in her fagaries； never acting disaster so
closely； but as cunningly discovereth it againe： so it came to
passe； that within a few dayes following； the Grecian Woman that had
delivered the poyson to Ninetta； for such another deede of
damnation； was apprehended even in the action。 And being put upon he
tortures； among many other horrid villanies her committed； she
confessed the empoysoning of Restagnone； and every particle thereto
appertaining。 Whereupon； the Duke of Candie； without any noyse or
publication； setting a strong guard （in the night time） about the
house of Folco； where Ninetta then was lodged； there sodainly they
seized on her； and upon examination； in maintenance of desperate
revenge； voluntarily confessed the fact； and what else concerned the
occasion of his death； by the wrongs which he had offered her。
Folco and Hugnetto understanding secretly； both from the Duke； and
other intimate friends； what was the reason of Ninettaes apprehension；
which was not a little displeasing to them； labored by all their
best paines and endeavour； to worke such meanes with the Duke； that
her life might not perish by fire； although she had most justly
deserved it； but all theyr attempts proved to no effect； because the
Duke had concluded to execute justice。
Heere you are to observe； that Magdalena （beeing a very beautifull
Woman； yong； and in the choisest flower of her time：） had often before
bene solicited by the Duke； to entertaine his love and kindnesse：
whereto by no meanes she would listen or give consent。 And being now
most earnestly importuned by her for the safetie of her Sisters
life； hee tooke hold on this her dayly suite to him； and in private
told her； that if she was so desirous of Ninettaes life： it lay in her
power to obtain it； by granting him the fruition of her love。 She
apparantly perceiving that Ninetta was not likely to live； but by
the prostitution of her chaste honour； which she preferred before
the losse of her owne life； or her sisters； concluded to let her dye；
rather then run into any such disgrace。 But having an excellent
ingenious wit； quicke； and apprehensive in perillous occasions； she
intended now to make a triall of overreaching the lascivious Duke in
his wanton purpose； and yet to be assured of her sisters life； without
any blemish to her reputation。
Soliciting him still as shee was wont to doe； this promise passed
from her to him； that when Ninetta was delivered out of prison； and in
safetie at home in her house： hee should resort thither in some queint
disguise； and enjoy his long expected desire； but untill then she
would not yeeld。 So violent was the Duke in the prosecution of his
purpose； that under colour of altering the manner of Ninettaes
death； not suffering her to bee consumed by fire； but to be drowned；
according to a custome observed there long time； and at the
importunity of her Sister Magdalena； in the still silence of the
night； Ninetta was conveyed into a sacke； and sent in that manner to
the House of Folco； the Duke following soone after； to challenge her
promise。
Magdalena； having acquainted her Husband with her vertuous
intention； for preserving her Sisters life； and disappointing the Duke
in his wicked desire； was as contrary to her true meaning in this
case； as Ninetta had formerly beene adverse to Restagnone； onely being
over…ruled likewise by jealousie； and perswaded in his rash opinion；
that the Duke had already dishonoured Magdalena； otherwise； he would
not have delivered Ninetta out of prison。 Mad fury gave further fire
to this unmanly perswasion； and nothing will now quench this but the
life of poore Magdalena； suddenly sacrificed in the rescue of her
Sister； such a divell is anger； when the understandings bright eye
is thereby abused。 No credit might bee given to her womanly
protestations； or any thing seeme to alter his bloody purpose； but；
having slaine Magdalena with his Poniard （notwithstanding her teares
and humble entreaties） he ranne in haste to Ninettaes Chamber； she not
dreaming on any such desperate accident； and to her he used these
dissembling speeches。
Sister （quoth he） my wife hath advised； that I should speedily
convey you hence； as fearing the renewing of the Dukes fury； and
your falling againe into the hands of justice： I have a Barke
readily prepared for you； and your life being secured； it is all
that she and I doe most desire。 Ninetta being fearefull； and no way
distrusting what he had saide； in thankfull allowance of her Sisters
care； and curteous tender of his so ready service； departed thence
presently with him； not taking any farewell of her other Sister and
her Husband。 To the Seashore they came； very weakely provided of
monies to defray their charges； and getting aboard the Barke； directed
their course themselves knew not whether。
The amorous Duke in his disguise； having long daunced attendance
at Folcoes doore； and no admittance of his entrance； angerly
returned backe to his Court； protesting severe revenge on Magdalena；
if she gave him not the better satisfaction； to cleare her from thus
basely abusing him。 On the morrow morning； when Magdalena was found
murthered in her Chamber； and tidings thereof carried to the Duke；
present search was made for the bloody offendor； but Folco being
fled and gone with Ninetta； some there were； who bearing deadly hatred
to Hugnetto； incensed the Duke against him and his wife； as
supposing them to be guilty of Magdalenaes death。 He being thereto
very easily perswaded； in regard of his immoderate love to the
slaine Gentlewoman； went himselfe in person （attended on by his Guard）
to Hugnettoes House； where both he and his wife were seized as
prisoners。
These newes were very strange to them； and their imprisonment as
unwelcome； and although they were truly inocent； either in knowledge
of the horrid fact； or the departure of Folco with Ninetta： yet
being unable to endure the tortures extremity； they made themselves
culpable by confession； and that they had a hand with Folco in the
murder of Magdalena。 Upon this their forced confession； and sentence
of death pronounced on them by the Duke himselfe； before the day
appointed for their publike execution； by great summes of money； which
they had closely hid in their House； to serve when any urgent
extremitie should happen to them； they corrupted their keepers； and
before any intelligence could be had of their flight； they escaped
by Sea to Rhodes； where they lived afterward in great distresse and
misery。 The just vengeance of Heaven followed after Folco and Ninetta；
he for murthering his honest wife； and she for poysoning her offending
Husband： for being beaten a long while on the Seas； by tempestuous
stormes and weather； and not admitted landing in any Port or creeke；
they were driven backe on the Coast of Candie againe； where being
apprehended； and brought to the City before the Duke； they confessed
their several notorious offences； and ended their loathed lives in one
fire together。
Thus the idle and loose love of Restagnone； with the franticke
rage and jealousie of Ninetta and Folco； overturned all their long
continued happinesse； and threw a disastrous ending on them all。
THE FOURTH DAY； THE FOURTH NOVELL
IN COMMENDATION OF JUSTICE BETWEENE PRINCES； AND DECLARING
WITHALL； THAT NEITHER FEARE； DANGERS； NOR DEATH IT SELFE；
CAN ANY WAY DAUNT A TRUE AND LOYALL LOVER
Gerbino； contrary to the former plighted faith of his
Grand…father； King Gulielmo； fought with a Ship at Sea； belonging to
the King of Thunis； to take away his Daughter； who was then in the
same Ship。 Shee being slaine by them that had the possession of her；
he likewise slew them； and afterward had his owne head smitten off。
Madam Lauretta having concluded her Novel； and the company
complaining on Lovers misfortunes； some blaming the angry and
jealous fury of Ninetta； and every one delivering their severall
opinions； the King； as awaking out of a passionate perplexity； exalted
his l