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opinions； the King； as awaking out of a passionate perplexity； exalted
his lookes； giving a signe to Madame Elisa； that shee should follow
next in order； whereto she obeying； began in this manner。 I have heard
（Gracious Ladies； quoth she） of many people； who are verily perswaded；
that loves arrowes； never wound any body； but onely by the eyes lookes
and gazes； mocking and scorning such as maintaine that men may fall in
love by hearing onely。 Wherein （beleeve me） they are greatly deceived；
as will appeare by a Novell which I must now relate unto you； and
wherein you shall plainely perceive； that not onely fame or report
is as prevailing as sight； but also hath conducted divers； to a
wretched and miserable ending of their lives。
Gulielmo the second； King of Sicilie； according as the Sicilian
Chronicles record； had two children； the one a sonne； named Don
Rogero； and the other a daughter； called Madame Constance。 The saide
Rogero died before his Father； leaving a sonne behind him； named
Gerbino； who； with much care and cost； was brought up by his
Grand…father； proving to be a very goodly Prince； and wonderously
esteemed for his great valour and humanity。 His fame could not
containe it selfe； within the bounds or limits of Sicilie onely； but
being published very prodigally； in many parts of the world beside；
flourished with no meane commendations throughout all Barbarie；
which in those dayes was tributary to the King of Sicilie。 Among other
persons； deserving most to be respected； the renowned vertues； and
affability of this gallant Prince Gerbino； was understood by the
beautious Daughter to the King of Tunis； who by such as bad seene her；
was reputed to be one of the rarest creatures； the best conditioned；
and of the truest noble spirit； that ever Nature framed in her very
choicest pride of Art。
Of famous； vertuous； and worthy men； it was continually her cheefest
delight to heare； and the admired actions of valiant Gerbino； reported
to her by many singular discoursers： such as could best describe
him； with language answerable to his due deservings； won such
honourable entertainment in her understanding soule； that they were
most affectionately pleasing to her； and in recapitulating （over and
over againe） his manifold and heroycall perfections； meere speech made
her extreamely amorous of him； nor willingly would she lend an eare to
any other discourse； but that which tended to his honour and
advancement。
On the other side； the fame of her incomparable beauty； with
addition of her other infinite singularities beside； as the World
had given eare to innumberlesse places； so Sicilie came at length
acquainted therewith； in such flowing manner； as was truly
answerable to her merit。 Nor seemed this as a bare babling rumour；
in the Princely hearing of royall Gerbino； but was embraced with
such a reall apprehension； and the entire probation of a true
understanding： that he was no lesse enflamed with noble affection
towards her； then she expressed the like in vertuous opinion of him。
Wherefore； awaiting such convenient opportunity； when he might entreat
license of his Grand…father； for his owne going to Thunis； under
colour of some honourable occasion； for the earnest desire he had to
see her： he gave charge to some of his especiall friends （whose
affaires required their presence in those parts） to let the
Princesse understand； in such secret manner as best they could devise；
what noble affection he bare unto her； devoting himselfe onely to
her service。
One of his chosen friends thus put in trust； being a jeweller； a man
of singular discretion； and often resorting to Ladies for sight of his
jewels； winning like admittance to the Princesse： related at large
unto her； the honourable affection of Gerbino； with full tender of his
person to her service； and that she onely was to dispose of him。
Both the message and the messenger； were most graciously welcome to
her； and flaming in the selfe…same affection towards him： as a
testimony thereof； one of the very choisest Jewels which she bought of
him； she sent by him to the Prince Gerbino； it being received by him
with such joy and contentment； as nothing in the world could be more
pleasing to him。 So that afterward； by the trusty carriage of this
Jeweller； many Letters and Love…tokens passed betweene them； each
being as highly pleased with this poore； yet happy kind of
entercourse； as if they had seene and conversed with one another。
Matters proceeding on in this manner； and continuing longer then
their love…sick passions easily could permit； yet neither being able
to finde out any other meanes of helpe； it fortuned that the King of
Thunis promised his daughter in marriage to the King of Granada；
whereat she grew exceedingly sorrowfull； perceiving； that not onely
she should be sent further off； by a large distance of way from her
friend； but also be deprived utterly； of all hope ever to enjoy him。
And if she could have devised any meanes； either by secret flight from
her Father； or any way else to further her intention； she would have
adventured it for the Princes sake。 Gerbino in like maner bearing of
this purposed marriage； lived in a hell of torments； consulting
oftentimes with his soule； how he might be possessed of her by
power； when she should be sent by Sea to her husband； or private
stealing her away from her Fathers Court before： with these and
infinite other thoughts； was he incessantly afflicted； both day and
night。
By some unhappy accident or other； the King of Thunis heard of
this their secret love； as also of Gerbinoes purposed policy to
surprize her； and how likely he was to effect it； in regard of his
manly valour； and store of stout friends to assist him。 Hereupon； when
the time was come； that he would convey his daughter thence to her
marriage； and fearing to be prevented by Gerbino： he sent to the
King of Sicilie； to let him understand his determination； craving safe
conduct from him； without impeachment of Gerbino； or any one else；
untill such time as his intent was accomplished。 King Gulielmo being
aged； and never acquainted with the affectiotiate proceedings of
Gerbino； nor any doubtfull reason to urge this security from him； in a
case convenient to be granted： yeelded the sooner thereto right
willingly； and as a signall of his honourable meaning； he sent him his
royall Glove； with a full confirmation for his safe conduct。
No sooner were these Princely assurances received； but a goodly ship
was prepared in the Port of Carthagena； well furnished with all
thinges thereto belonging； for the sending his daughter to the King of
Granada； waiting for nothing else but best favouring windes。 The young
Princesse； who understood and saw all this great preparation； secretly
sent a servant of hers to Palermo； giving him especiall charge； on her
behalfe； to salute the Prince Gerbino； and to tell him that （within
few dayes） she must be transported to Granada。 And now opportunity
gave faire and free meanes； to let the world know； whether he were a
man of that magnanimous spirit； or no； as generall opinion had
formerly conceived of him； and whether he affected her so firmely；
as by many close messages he had assured her。 He who had the charge of
this embassie； effectually performed it； and then returned backe to
Thunis。
The Prince Gerbino； having heard this message from his divine
Mistresse； and knowing also； that the Kin his Grandfather； had past
his safe conduct to the King of Thunis； for peaceable passage
through his Seas： was at his wits end； in this urgent necessity；
what might best bee done。 Notwithstanding； moved by the setled
constancy of his plighted Love； and the speeches delivered to him by
the messenger from the Princesse： to shew himselfe a man endued with
courage； he departed thence unto Messina； where he made ready two
speedy gallies； and fitting them with men of valiant disposition；
set away to Sardignia； as making full account； that the Ship which
carried the Princesse； must come along that Coast。 Nor was his
expectation therein deceived： for； within few dayes after； the Ship
（not over…swiftly winded） come sailing neere to the place where they
a