Barnaby Rich
(? 1540—? 1620)
During the tyme that the famous Citie of Constantinople remained in the handes of the Christians, emongst many other noble menne, that kepte their abidyng in that florishing citie, there was one whose name was Apolonius, a worthie duke, who beyng but a verie yong man, and euen then newe come to his possessions whiche were verie greate, leuied a mightie bande of menne, at his owne proper charges, with whom he serued against the Turke, duryng the space of one whole yere, in whiche tyme although it were very shorte, this yong duke so behaued hym selfe, as well by prowesse and valiaunce shewed with his owne handes, as otherwise, by his wisedome and liberalitie, vsed towardes his souldiors, that all the worlde was filled with the fame of this noble duke. When he had thus spent one yeares seruice, he caused his trompet to sounde a retraite, and gatheryng his companie together, and imbarkyng theim selues he sette saile, holdying his course towardes Constantinople: but beeyng vppon the sea, by the extremitie of a tempest whiche sodainly fell, his fleete was deseuered some one way, and some an other, but he hym selfe recouered the Ile of Cypres, where he was worthily receiued by Pontus duke and gouernour of the same ile, with whom he lodged, while his shippes were newe repairyng.
This Pontus that was lorde and gouernour of this famous ile, was an auncient duke, and had twoo children, a soonne and a daughter, his sonne was named Siluio, of whom hereafter we shall haue further occasion to speake, but at this instant he was in the partes of Africa, seruyng in the warres.
The daughter her name was Silla, whose beautie was so perelesse, that she had the soueraintie emongest all other dames, aswell for her beautie as for the noblenesse of her birthe. This Silla hauing heard of the worthinesse of Apolonius, this yong duke, who besides his beautie and good graces, had a certaine naturall allurement, that beeyng now in his companie in her fathers courte, she was so strangely attached with the loue of Apolonius, that there was nothyng might content her but his presence and sweete sight, and although she sawe no maner of hope, to attaine to that she moste desired: knowing Apolonius to be but a geaste, and readie to take the benefite of the next winde, and to departe into a straunge countrey, whereby she was bereued of all possibilitie euer to see hym againe, and therefore striued with her self to leaue her fondenesse, but all in vaine, it would not bee, but like the foule whiche is once limed, the more she striueth, the faster she tieth her self. So Silla was now constrained perforce her will to yeeld to loue, wherefore from tyme to tyme, she vsed so greate familiaritie with hym, as her honour might well permitte, and fedde him with suche amourous baites as the modestie of a maide could reasonably afforde, whiche when she perceiued, did take but small effecte, feelyng her self so muche out raged with the extreamitie of her passion, by the onely countenaunce that she bestowed vpon Apolonius, it might haue been well perceiued, that the verie eyes pleaded vnto hym for pitie and remorse. But Apolonius commyng but lately from out of the feelde, from the chasyng of his enemies, and his furie not yet thoroughly desolved, nor purged from his stomacke, gaue no regarde to these amourous entisementes, whiche by reason of his youth, he had not been acquainted with all. But his minde ranne more to heare his pilotes bryng newes of a merrie winde, to serue his turne to Constantinople whiche in the ende came very prosperously: and giuing Duke Pontus heartie thankes for his greate entertainment, takyng his leaue of hym self, and the Ladie Silla his daughter, departed with his companie, and with a happie gaale ariued at his desired porte: gentlewomen accordyng to my promise, I will heare for breuities sake, omit to make repetition of the long and dolorous discourse recorded by Silla, for this sodaine departure of her Apolonius, knowyng you to bee as tenderly harted as Silla her self, whereby you maie the better coniecture the furie of her feuer.
But Silla the further that she sawe her self bereued of all hope, euer any more to see her beloued Apolonius, so much the more contagious were her passions, and made the greater speede to execute that she had premeditated in her mynde, whiche was this: emongest many seruauntes that did attend vppon her, there was one whose name was Pedro, who had a long time waited vpon her in her chamber, whereby she was well assured of his fidelitie and trust: to that Pedro therefore she bewraied first the feruencie of her loue borne to Apolonius, coniuring him in the name of the Goddes of Loue her self, and bindyng hym by the duetie that a seruante ought to have, that tendereth his mistresse safetie and good likyng, and desiryng hym with teares tricklyng doune her cheekes, that he would giue his consent to aide and assiste her, in that she had determined, whiche was for that she was fully resolued to goe to Constantinople, where she might againe take the vewe of her beloued Apolonius, that hee accordyng to the trust she had reposed in hym, would not refuse to giue his consent, secretly to conuaye her from out her fathers courte accordyng as she should giue hym direction, and also to make hym self partaker of her journey, and to waite vpon her till she had seen the ende of her determination.
Pedro perceiuying with what vehemencie his ladie and mistresse had made request vnto hym, albeeit he sawe many perilles and doubtes, dependyng in her pretence, notwithstandyng, gaue his consent to be at her disposition, promisyng her to further her with his beste aduice, and to be readie to obeye whatsoeuer she would please to commaunde him. The match beyng thus agreed vpon, and all thynges prepared in a readinesse for their departure: it happened there was a gallie of Constantinople, readie to departe, whiche Pedro vnderstandyng came to the captaine, desiryng him to haue passage for hym self, and for a poore maide that was his sister, whiche were bounde to Constantinople vpon certain vrgent affaires, to whiche request, the captaine graunted, willyng hym to repare aborde with all speede, because the winde serued hym presently to departe.
Pedro now commyng to his mistres and tellyng her how he had handeled the matter with the captaine: she likyng verie well of the deuise, disguisyng her self into verie simple atyre, stole awaie from out her fathers court, and came with Pedro, whom now she calleth brother aboarde the galleye, where all thynges beyng in readinesse and the winde seruyng verie well, they launched forthe with their oores, and set saile, when thei were at the sea, the captaine of the galleye takyng the vewe of Silla, perceiuyng her singular beautie, he was better pleased in beholdyng of her face, then in takyng the height either of the sunne or starre, and thinkyng her by the homelinesse of her apparell, to be but some simple maiden, callyng her into his cabin, he beganne to breake with her after the sea fashion, desiryng her to vse his owne cabin for her better ease: and duryng the tyme that she remained at the sea, she should not want a bedde, and then wisperyng softly in her eare, he saied, that for want of a bedfellow, he hym self would supplie that rome. Silla not beyng acquainted with any suche talke, blusshed for shame, but made hym no aunswere at all, my captaine feelyng suche a bickeryng within him self, the like whereof he had never indured vpon the sea: was like to bee taken prisoner aboard his o wne shippe, and forced to yeeld hym self captiue without any cannon shot, wherefore to salue all sores, and thinkyng it the readiest waie to speed, he began to breake with Silla in the waie of mariage, tellyng her how happie a voiage she had made, to fall into the likyng of suche a one as himself was, who was able to keepe and maintaine her like a gentilwoman, and for her sake would likewise take her brother into his fellowship, whom he would by some meanes preferre in suche sorte, that bothe of theim should haue good cause to thinke them selues thrise happie, she to light of suche a housbande, and he to light of suche a brother. But Silla, nothyng pleased with these prefermentes, desired hym to cease his talke, for that she did thinke her self indeede to bee to vnworthie suche a one as he was, neither was she minded yet to marrie, and therefore desired hym to fixe his fancie vppon some that were better worthie than her self was, and that could better like of his curtesie then she could dooe, the captaine seeyng hymself thus refused, beyng in a greate chafe, he saied as followeth:
Then seeyng you make so little accompte of my curtesie, proffered to one that is so far vnworthie of it, from henceforthe I will vse the office of my aucthoritie, you shall knowe that I am the captaine of this shippe, and haue power to commaunde and dispose of thynges at my pleasure, and seyng you haue so scornfully reiected me to be your loiall housbande, I will now take you by force, and vse you at my will, and so long as it shall please me, will kepe you for myne owne store, there shall be no man able to defende you, not yet to perswade me from that I have determined. Silla with these wordes beyng stroke into a great feare, did thinke it now too late, to rewe her rashe attempte, determined rather to dye with her owne handes, then to suffer herself to be abused in suche sorte, therefore she moste humbly desired the captaine so muche as he could to saue her credite, and seyng that she must needes be at his will and disposition, that for that present he would depart, and suffer her till night, when in the darke he might take his pleasure, without any maner of suspition to the residue of his companie. The captaine thinking now the goole to be more then half wonne, was contented so farre to satisfie her request, and departed out leavyng her alone in his cabin.
Silla, beyng alone by her self, drue out her knife readie to strike her self to the harrt, and fallyng vpon her knees, desired God to receiue her soule, as an acceptable sacrifice for her follies, which she had so wilfully committed, crauyng pardon for her sinnes, and so forthe continuyng a long and pitifull reconciliation to God, in the middest whereof there sodainly fell a wonder full storme, the terrour whereof was suche, that there was no man but did thinke the seas would presently haue swallowed them, the billowes so sodainly arose with the rage of the winde, that thei were all glad to fall to heauing out of water, for otherwise their feeble gallie had neuer bin able to haue brooked the seas; this storme continued all that daie and the next night, and thei beyng driuen to put romer before the winde to keepe the gallie a hed the billowe, were driuen vppon the maine shore, where the gallie brake all to peeces, there was euery man prouidyng to saue his own life, some gat vpon hatches, boordes, and caskes, and were driuen with the waues to and fro, but the greatest nomber were drouned, amongst the whiche Pedro was one, but Silla her self beyng in the caben as you have heard, tooke holde of a chest that was the captaines, the whiche by the onely prouidence of God brought her safe to the shore, the which when she hed recouered, not knowyng what was become of Pedro her manne, she deemed that bothe he and all the rest had been drouned, for that she sawe no bodie vppon the shore but her self, wherefore, when she had a while made greate lamentations, complainyng her mishappes, she beganne in the ende to comforte herselfe with the hope, that she had to see her Apolonius, and found such meanes that she brake open the chest that brought her to lande, wherin she found good store of coine, and sondrie sutes of apparell that were the captaines, and now to preuent a nomber of iniuries, that might bee proffered to a woman that was lefte in her case, she determined to leaue her own apparell, and to sort her self into some of those sutes, that beyng taken for a man, she might passe through the countrie in the better safetie, & as she changed her apparell, she thought it likewise conuenient to change her name, wherefore not readily happenyng of any other, she called her self Siluio, by the name of her owne brother, whom you haue heard spoken of before.
In this maner she trauailed to Constantinople, where she enquired out the palace of the Duke Apolonius, and thinkyng her self now to be both fitte and able to plaie the seruing-man, she presented her self to the duke crauyng his seruice, the duke verie willyng to giue succour vnto strangers, perceiuyng him to bee a proper smogue young man, gaue hym entertainment: Silla thought her self now more then satisfied for all the casualties that had happened vnto her in her journey, that she might at her pleasure take but the vew of the Duke Apolonius, and aboue the reste of his seruauntes was verie diligent and attendaunt vppon hym, the whiche the duke perceiuyng, beganne likewise to growe into good likyng with the diligence of his man, and therefore made hym one of his chamber, who but Siluio then was moste neate about hym, in helpyng of hym to make hym readie in a mornyng in the settyng of his ruffes, in the keepyng of his chamber, Siluio pleased his maister so well that aboue all the reste of his seruauntes aboute him, he had the greatest credite, and the duke put him moste in trust.
At this verie instaunt, there was remainyng in the cittie a noble dame a widowe, whose houseband was but lately deceased, one of the noblest men that were in the partes of Grecia, who left his lady and wife large possessions and greate liuinges. This ladies name was called Iulina, who besides the aboundance of her wealth, and the greatnesse of her reuenues, had likewise the soueraigntie of all the dames of Constantinople for her beautie. To this Ladie Iulina, Apolonius became an earnest suter, and accordyng to the maner of woers, besides faire woordes, sorrowfull sighes, and piteous countenaunces, there must bee sendyng of louyng letters, chaines, bracelets, brouches, rynges, tablets, gemmes, juels, and presentes I knowe not what: so my duke, who in the tyme that he remained in the Ile of Cypres, had no skill at all in the arte of loue, although it were more then half proffered vnto hym, was now become a scholler in loues schoole, and had alreadie learned his first lesson, that is, to speak pitifully, to looke ruthfully, to promise largely, to serue diligently, and to please carefully: now he was learnyng his seconde lesson, that is to reward liberally, to giue bountifully, to present willyngly, and to write lovyngly. Thus Apolonius was so busied in his newe studie, that I warrant you there was no man that could chalenge hym for plaiyng the truant, he followed his profession with so good a will: and who must bee the messenger to carrie the tokens and loue letters, to the Ladie Iulina, but Siluio his manne, in hym the duke reposed his onely confidence to goe betweene hym and his ladie.
Now gentilwomen, doe you thinke there coulde haue been a greater torment devised wherewith to afflicte the harte of Silla, then her self to bee made the instrumente to woorke her owne mishapp, and to plaie the atturney in a cause, that made so muche againste her self. But Silla altogether desirous to please her maister, cared nothyng at all to offende her selfe, followed his businesse with so good a will, as if it had been in her owne preferment.
Iulina now hauyng many tymes, taken the gaze of this yong youth Siluio, perceiuing hym to bee of such excellente perfecte grace, was so intangeled with the often sight of this sweete temptation, that she fell into as greate a likyng with the man, as the maister was with her self: and on a tyme Siluio beyng sent from his maister, with a message to the Ladie Iulina, as he beganne very earnestly to solicet in his maisters behalfe, Iulina interruptyng hym in his tale, saied: Siluio it is enough that you haue saied for your maister, from henceforthe either speake for your self, or saie nothyng at all. Silla abashed to heare these wordes, began in her minde to accuse the blindnesse of loue, that Iulina neglectyng the good will of so noble a duke woulde preferre her love vnto suche a one, as nature it self had denaied to recompence her likyng.
And now for a tyme, leauyng matters dependyng as you haue heard, it fell out that the right Siluio indeede (whom you haue heard spoken of before, the brother of Silla,) was come to his fathers courte into the Ile of Cyprus, where vnderstanding, that his sister was departed, in maner as you haue heard coniectured, that the very occasion did proceade of some liking had betwene Pedro her man (that was missyng with her) and her self, but Siluio who loved his sister, as dearly as his owne life, and the rather for that she was his naturall sister, bothe by father and mother, so the one of theim was so like the other, in countenaunce and fauour, that there was no man able to descerne the one from the other by their face, sauyng by their apparell, the one beyng a man, the other a woman.
Siluio therefore vowed to his father, not onely to seeke out his sister Silla, but also to reuenge the villanie, whiche he conceiued in Pedro, for the carriyng awaie of his sister; and thus departyng, hauyng trauailed through many cities and tounes, without hearyng any maner of newes of those he wente to seeke for, at the laste he arriued at Constantinople, where as he was walkyng in an euenyng for his owne recreation, on a pleasaunte greene yarde, without the walles of the citie, he fortuned to meete with the Ladie Iulina, who likewise had been abroad to take the aire, and as she sodainly caste her eyes vppon Siluio, thinkyng hym to bee her olde acquaintaunce, by reason thei were so like one an other, as you haue heard before, saied vnto hym, Sir Siluio, if your haste be not the greater, I praie you let me haue a little talke with you, seyng I haue so luckely mette you in this place.
Siluio wonderyng to heare hym self so rightlie named, beeyng but a straunger, not of aboue twoo daies continuaunce in the citie, verie courteouslie came towardes her, desirous to heare what she would saie.
Iulina commaunding her traine somthyng to stande backe, saied as followeth. Seyng my good will and frendly loue, hath been the onely cause to make me so prodigall to offer, that I see is so lightly reiected, it maketh me to thinke, that men bee of this condition, rather to desire those thynges, whiche thei can not come by, then to esteeme or value of that, whiche bothe largely and liberallie is offered vnto theim, but if the liberalitie of my proffer, hath made to seme lesse the value of the thing that I ment to present, it is but in your owne c[on]ceipt, consideryng how many noble men there hath been here before, and be yet at this present, whiche hath bothe serued, sued, and moste humbly intreated, to attaine to that, whiche to you of my self, I haue freely offred, and I perceiue is dispised, or at the least verie lightly regarded.
Siluio wonderyng at these woordes, but more amazed that she could so rightlie call him by his name, could not tell what to make of her speeches, assuryng hym self that she was deceiued, and did mystake hym, did thinke notwithstandyng, it had been a poincte of greate simplicitie, if he should forsake that, whiche fortune had so fauourably proffered vnto hym, perceiuyng by her traine, that she was some ladie of greate honour, and vewyng the perfection of her beautie, and the excellencie of her grace and countenaunce, did thinke it vnpossible that she should be despised, and therefore aunswered thus:
Madame, if before this tyme, I haue seemed to forgett my self, in neglectyng your courtesie, whiche so liberally you haue ment vnto me: please it you to pardon what is paste, and from this daie forewardes, Siluio remaineth readie preste to make suche reasonable amendes as his abilitie maie any waies permit, or as it shall please you to commaunde.
Iulina the gladdest woman that might bee, to heare these ioyfull newes, saied: then my Siluio see you faile not to morowe at night to suppe with me at my owne house, where I will discourse farther with you, what amendes you shall make me, to whiche request Siluio gaue his glad consente, and thus thei departed verie well pleased. And as Iulina did thinke the tyme verie long, till she had reapte the fruite of her desire: so Siluio he wishte for haruest before corne could growe, thinkyng the tyme as long, till he sawe how matters would fall out, but not knowyng what ladie she might bee, he presently (before Iulina was out of sight) demaunded of one that was walkyng by, what she was, and how she was called, who satisfied Siluio in euery poincte, and also in what parte of the toune her house did stande, the whereby he might enquire it out.
Siluio thus departing to his lodging, passed the night with verie vnquiet sleapes, and the nexte mornyng his mynde ran so muche of his supper, that he neuer cared, neither for his breakfast, nor dinner, and the daie to his seemyng passed away so slowelie, that he had thought the statelie steedes had been tired, that drawe the chariot of the sunne, or els some other Iosua had commaunded them againe to stande, and wished that Phaeton had been there with a whippe.
Iulina on the other side, she had thought the clocke setter had plaied the knaue, the daie came no faster forewardes, but sixe a clocke beeyng once stroken, recouered comforte to bothe parties; and Siluio hastenyng hymself to the pallace of Iulina, where by her he was frendly welcomed, and a sumpteous supper beeyng made readie, furnished with sondrie sortes of delicate dishes, thei satte theim doune, passyng the supper tyme with amorous lokes, louyng countenaunces, and secret glaunces conueighed from the one to the other, whiche did better satisfie them, then the feedyng of their daintie dishes.
Supper tyme beeyng thus spent, Iulina did thinke it verie vnfitly, if she should tourne Siluio to go seeke his lodgyng in an euenyng, desired hym therefore, that he would take a bedde in her house for that night, and bringyng hym vp into a faire chamber, that was verie richely furnished, she founde suche meanes, that when all the reste of her housholde seruauntes were a bedde and quiet, she came her self to beare Siluio companie, where concludyng vppon conditions, that were in question betweene them, they passed the night with suche ioye and contentation, as might in that conuenient tyme be wished for;…but the mornyng approchyng, Iulina took her leaue, and conueighed her self into her owne chamber, and when it was faire daie light, Siluano makyng hym self readie, departed likewise about his affaires in the towne, debatyng with hymself how thynges had happened, beyng well assured that Iulina had mistaken hym, and therefore for feare of further euilles, determined to come no more there, but tooke his iourney towardes other places in the partes of Grecia, to see if he could learne any tidynges of his sister Silla.
The duke Apolonius hauyng made a long sute and neuer a whit the nerer of his purpose, came to Iulina to craue her direct aunswere, either to accept of hym, and of suche conditions as he proffered vnto her, or els to giue hym his laste farewell.
Iulina, as you haue heard, had taken an earnest penie of an other, whom he [she] had thought to be the dukes man, was at a controuersie in her self, what she might doe: one while she thought, seying her occasion serued so fitt to craue the duke’s good will, for the mariyng of his manne, then againe, she could not tell what displeasure the duke would conceiue, in that she should seeme to preferre his man before hym self, did thinke it therefore beste to conceale the matter, till she might speake with Siluio, to vse his opinion how these matters should be handled, and herevpon resoluyng her self, desiryng the duke to pardon her speeches, saied as followeth:
Sir Duke, for that from this tyme forwardes I am no longer of my self, hauing giuen full power and authoritie ouer to an other, whose wife I now remaine by faithfull vowe and promise: and albeeit, I knowe the world will wonder, when thei shall vnderstande the fondnesse of my choice, yet I trust you your self will nothyng dislike with me, sithe I haue ment no other thing, then the satisfiyng of myne owne contentation and likyng.
The duke hearyng these woordes, aunswered: madam, I must then content my self, although against my wil, hauing the lawe in your owne handes, to like of whom you liste, and to make choise where it pleaseth you.
Iulina giuing the duke greate thankes, that would content himself with suche pacience, desired hym likewise, to giue his free consent and good will, to the partie whom she had chosen to be her housebande.
Naie surely madam (q[uoth] the duke) I will neuer giue my consent, that any other man shall enioye you but my self, I haue made too greate accompt of you, then so lightly to passe you awaie with my good will: but seeyng it lieth not in me to let you, hauyng (as you saie) made your owne choise, so from hence forwardes I leaue you to your owne likyng, alwaies willyng you well, and thus will take my leaue.
The duke departed towardes his owne house verie sorrowfull, that Iulina had thus serued hym, but in the meane space that the duke had remained in the house of Iulina, some of his seruantes fell into talke and conference, with the seruantes of Iulina, where debatyng betwene them, of the likelihood of the mariage, betweene the duke and the ladie, one of the seruantes of Iulina saide: that he had neuer sawe his ladie and mistres, vse so good countenaunce to the duke hym self, as she had doen to Siluio his manne, and began to report with what familiaritie and courtesie she had receiued hym, feasted hym, and lodged hym, and that in his opinion, Siluio was like to speede before the duke or any other that were suters.
This tale was quickly brought to the duke hymself, who makyng better enquirie into the matter, founde it to be true that was reported, and better consideryng of the woordes, whiche Iulina had vsed towardes hymself, was verie well assured that it could be no other then his owne manne, that had thrust his nose so farre out of ioynte, wherefore without any further respect, caused hym to be thrust into a dongeon, where he was kept prisoner, in a verie pitifull plight.
Poore Siluio, hauyng gotte intelligence by some of his fellowes, what was the cause that the duke his maister did beare suche displeasure unto hym, deuised all the meanes he could, as well by meditation [mediation] by his fellowes, as otherwise by petitions, and supplications to the duke, that he would suspende his iudgemente, till perfecte proofe were had in the matter, and then if any maner of thyng did fall out againste him, wherby the duke had cause to take any greef, he would confesse hymself worthie not onely of imprisonmente, but also of most vile and shamefull death: with these petitions he daiely plied the duke, but all in vaine, for the duke thought he had made so good proofe, that he was throughlie confirmed in his opinion against his man.
But the Ladie Iulina wonderyng what made Siluio, that he was so slacke in his visitation, and why he absented hym self so long from her presence, beganne to thinke that all was not well, but in the ende, perceiuyng no decoction of her former surfette, receiued, as you haue heard, and assuryng her self to bee with child, fearyng to become quite bancroute of her honour, did thinke it more then tyme to seeke out a father, and made suche secret searche, and diligent enquirie, that she learned the truthe how Siluio, was kepte in prison, by the duke his maister, and mindyng to finde a present remedie, as well for the loue she bare to Siluio, as the maintainaunce of her credit and estimation, she speedily hasted to the pallace of the duke, to whom she saied as followeth:
Sir duke, it maie bee that you will thinke my commyng to your house in this sorte, doeth somethyng passe the limites of modestie, the whiche I protest before GOD, proceadeth of this desire, that the worlde should knowe how iustly I seke meanes to maintaine my honour, but to the ende I seeme not tedious with prolixitie of woordes, not to vse other then direct circumstaunces, knowe sir, that the loue I beare my onely beloued Siluio, whom I doe esteeme more then all the iewells in the worlde, whose personage I regard more then my owne life, is the onely cause of my attempted iourney, besechyng you, that all the whole displeasure, whiche I vnderstand you haue conceiued against hym, maie be imputed vnto my charge, and that it would please you louingly to deale with him, whom of my self I haue chosen rather for the satisfaction of mine honest likyng, then for the vaine preheminences or honourable dignities looked after by ambicious myndes.
The duke hauing heard this discourse, caused Siluio presently to be sent for, and to be brought before hym, to whom he saied: had it not been sufficient for thee, when I had reposed myself in thy fidelitie, and the trustinesse of thy seruice, that thou shouldest so traiterously deale with me, but since yt tyme haste not spared, still to abuse me with so many forgeries, and periured protestations, not onely hatefull vnto me, whose simplicitie thou thinkest to bee suche that by the plotte of thy pleasaunt tongue, thou wouldest make mee beleeue a manifest vntrothe, but most habominable bee thy doynges in the presence and sight of God, that hast not spared to blaspheme his holy name, by callyng hym to bee a witnesse to maintaine thy leasynges, and so detestably wouldest forsweare thyself, in a matter that is so openly knowne.
Poore Siluio whose innocencie was suche yt he might lawfully sweare, seing Iulina to be there in place, aunswered thus:
Moste noble duke, well vnderstandyng your conceiued greefe, moste humbly I beseche you patiently to heare my excuse, not mindyng thereby to aggrauate or heape vp youre wrathe and displeasure, protestyng before God, that there is nothyng in the worlde, whiche I regarde so much, or dooe esteeme so deare, as your good grace and fauour, but desirous that your grace should know my innocencie, and to cleare my self of suche impositions, wherewith I knowe I am wrongfully accused, whiche as I vnderstande should be in the practisyng of the Ladie Iulina, who standeth here in place, whose acquitaunce for my better discharge, now I moste humbly craue, protestyng before the almightie God, that neither in thought, worde, nor deede, I haue not otherwise vsed my self, then accordyng to the bonde and duetie of a seruaunte, that is bothe willing & desirous, to further his maisters sutes, which if I haue otherwise saied then that is true, you Madame Iulina, who can verie well deside in the depthes of all this doubte, I moste humbly beseche you to certifie a trothe, if I haue in any thyng missaied, or haue otherwise spoke, then is right and iust.
Iulina hauyng heard this discoorse whiche Siluio had made, perceiuing that he stoode in greate awe of the dukes displeasure, aunswered thus: think not my Siluio that my commyng hither is to accuse you of any misdemeanour towardes your maister, so I dooe not denaie, but in all suche imbassages wherein towardes me you haue been imployed, you haue vsed the office of a faithfull and trustie messenger, neither am I ashamed to confesse, that the first daie that mine eyes did beholde, the singuler behauiour, the notable curtesie, and other innumerable giftes wherwith my Siluio is endued, but that beyonde all measure my harte was so inflamed, that impossible it was for me, to quenche the feruente loue, or extinguishe the least parte of my conceiued torment, before I had bewraied the same vnto hym, and of my owne motion, craued his promised faithe and loialtie of marriage, and now is the tyme to manifest the same vnto the worlde, whiche hath been done before God, and betwene our selues: knowyng that it is not needefull, to keepe secret that, whiche is neither euill doen, nor hurtfull to any persone, therefore (as I saied before) Siluio is my housbande by plited faithe, whom I hope to obtaine without offence, or displeasure of any one, trustyng that there is no manne, that will so farre forget hym self, as to restraine that, whiche God hath left at libertie for euery wight, or that will seeke by crueltie, to force ladies to marrie otherwise, then accordyng to their owne likyng. Feare not then my Siluio to keepe your faith and promise, whiche you haue made vnto me, and as for the reste: I doubte not thynges will so fall out, as you shall haue no maner of cause to complaine.
Siluio amased to heare these woordes, for that Iulina by her speeche, semed to confirme that, whiche he moste of all desired to bee quite of, saied: who would haue thought that a ladie of so greate honour and reputation, would her self bee the embassadour, of a thyng so preiuditiall, and vncomely for her estate, what plighted promises be these which bee spoken of: altogether ignoraunt vnto me, whiche if it bee otherwise then I haue saied, you sacred goddes consume me straight with flashyng flames of fire. But what woordes might I vse to giue credite to the truthe, and innocencie of my cause? Ah Madame Iulina! I desire no other testimonie then your owne honestie and vertue, thynking that you will not so muche blemishe the brightnesse of your honour, knowyng that a woman is or should be the image of curtesie, continencie, and shamfastnesse, from the whiche so sone as she stoopeth, and leaueth the office of her duetie and modestie, besides the degraduation of her honour, she thrusteth her self into the pitte of perpetuall infamie, and as I can not thinke you would so far forgette your self, by the refusall of a noble duke, to dimme the light of your renowne and glorie, whiche hitherto you haue maintained, emongest the beste and noblest ladies, by suche a one as I knowe my self to bee, too farre vnworthie your degree and callying, so must humbly I beseeche you to confesse a trothe, whereto tendeth those vowes and promises you speake of, which speeches bee so obscure vnto me, as I knowe not for my life how I might vnderstande them.
Iulina somethyng nipped with these speeches, saied, and what is the matter that now you make so little accoumpte of your Iulina, that beeyng my housbande in deede, haue the face to denaie me, to whom thou art contracted by so many solemne othes: what arte thou ashamed to haue me to thy wife? how muche oughtest thou rather to be ashamed to breake thy promised faithe, and to haue despised the holie and dreadfull name of GOD, but that tyme constraineth me to laye open that, whiche shame rather willeth I should dissemble and keepe secret, behold me then here Siluio whom thou haste gotten with childe, who if thou bee of suche honestie, as I trust for all this I shall finde, then the thyng is doen without preiudice, or any hurte to my conscience, consideryng that by the professed faithe, thou diddest accoumpt me for thy wife, and I receiued thee for my spouse and loyall housbande, swearying by the almightie God, that no other then you haue made the conquest and triumphe of my chastitie, whereof I craue no other witnesse then your self, and mine owne conscience.…
But now to returne to our Siluio, who hearyng an othe sworne so deuinely that he had gotten a woman with childe, was like to beleeue that it had bin true in very deede, but remembryng his owne impediment, thought it impossible that he should committe suche an acte, and therefore half in a chafe, he saied, what lawe is able to restraine the foolishe indescretion of a woman, that yeeldeth her self to her owne desires, what shame is able to bridle or withdrawe her from her mynd and madnesse, or with what snaffell is it possible to holde her backe, from the execution of her filthinesse, but what abhomination is this, that a ladie of suche a house should so forget the greatnesse of her estate, the aliaunce whereof she is descended, the nobilitie of her deceased housbande, and maketh no conscience to shame and slaunder her self, with suche a one as I am, beyng so farre vnfit and vnsemely for her degree, but how horrible it is to heare the name of God so defased, that wee make no more acompt, but for the maintenaunce of our mischifes, we fear no whit at all to forsweare his holy name, as though he were not in all his dealinges moste righteous true and juste, and will not onely laie open our leasinges to the worlde, but will likewise punishe the same with moste sharpe and bitter scourges.
Iulina not able to indure hym to proceede any farther in his sermon, was alreadie surprised with a vehement greefe, began bitterly to crie out, vtteryng these speeches followyng:
Alas, is it possible that the soueraigne iustice of God, can abide a mischiefe so greate and cursed, why maie I not now suffer death, rather then the infamie whiche I see to wander before myne eyes. Oh happie and more then right happie had I bin, if inconstant fortune had not deuised this treason, wherein I am surprised and caught, am I thus become to be intangled with snares, and in the handes of hym, who inioiyng the spoyles of my honour, will openly depriue me of my fame, by makyng me a common fable to all posteritie in tyme to come. Ah traitour and discourtious wretche, is this the recompence of the honest and firme amitie which I have borne thee, wherin I haue deserued this discourtesie, by louing thee more then thou art able to deserue? Is it I, arrant theefe is it I, vppon whom thou thinkest to worke thy mischiues, doest thou think me no better worthe, but that thou maiest prodigally waste my honour at thy pleasure, didest thou dare to adventure vppon me, hauing thy conscience wounded with so deadly a treason: ah vnhappie and aboue all other most vnhappie, that haue so charely preserued myne honour, and now am made a praie to satisfie a young mans lust, that hath coueted nothyng but the spoyle of my chastitie and good name.
Here withall the teares so gushed doune her cheekes, that she was not able to open her mouth to vse any farther speeche.
The duke who stoode by all this while, and heard this whole discourse, was wonderfully moued with compassion towardes Iulina, knowyng that from her infancie she had euer so honourably vsed her self, that there was no man able to detect her of any misdemeanour, otherwise then beseemed a ladie of her estate, wherefore beyng fully resolued that Siluio his man had committed this villanie against her, in a greate furie drawyng his rapier, he saied vnto Siluio:
How canst thou (arrant theefe) shewe thy self so cruell and carelesse to suche as doe thee honour, hast thou so little regard of suche a noble ladie, as humbleth her self to such a villaine as thou art, who without any respecte either of her renowne or noble estate, canst be content to seeke the wracke and vtter ruine of her honour, but frame thy self to make such satisfaction as she requireth, although I knowe vnworthie wretche, that thou art not able to make her the least parte of amendes, or I sweare by god, that thou shalt not escape the death which I will minister to thee with myne owne handes, and therefore aduise thee well what thou doest.
Siluio hauyng heard this sharpe sentence, fell doune on his kness before the duke crauyng for mercie, desiryng that he might be suffered to speake with the Ladie Iulina aparte, promising to satisfie her accordyng to her owne contentation.
Well (q[uoth] the duke) I take thy worde, and there with all I aduise thee that thou performe thy promis, or otherwise I protest before God, I will make thee suche an example to the worlde, that all traitours shall tremble for feare, how they dooe seeke the dishonouryng of ladies.
But now Iulina had conceived so greate greefe against Siluio, that there was muche a dooe to perswade her to talke with hym, but remembryng her owne case, desirous to heare what excuse he could make, in the ende she agreed, and beyng brought into a place seuerally by them selues, Siluio beganne with a piteous voice to saie as followeth:
I knowe not madame, of whom I might make complaint, whether of you or of my self, or rather of fortune, whiche hath conducted and brought vs both into so greate aduersitie, I see that you receiue greate wrong, and I am condemned againste all right, you in perill to abide the brute of spightful tongues, and I in daunger to loose the thing that I moste desire; and although I could alledge many reasons to proue my saiynges true, yet I referre my self to the experience and bountie of your minde. And here with all loosing his garmentes doune to his stomacke, and shewed Iulina his bosom, surmountyng farre the whitenesse of snowe it self, saiyng: loe madame, behold here the partie whom you haue chalenged to bee the father of your childe, see I am a woman the daughter of a noble duke, who onely for the loue of him, whom you so lightly haue shaken of, haue forsaken my father, abandoned my countrie, and in maner as you see am become a seruing man, satisfiyng my self, but with the onely sight of my Apolonius, and now madame, if my passion were not vehement, & my tormentes without comparison, I would wish that fained greefes might be laughed to scorne, & my desembled paines to be rewarded with floutes. But my loue beyng pure, my trauaile continuall, & my greefes endlesse, I trust madame you will not onely excuse me of crime, but also pitie my destresse, the which I protest I would still haue kept secrete, if my fortune would so haue permitted.
Iulina did now thinke her self to be in a worse case then euer she was before, for now she knewe not whom to chalenge to be the father of her child, wherfore, when she had told the duke the very certantie of the discou[r]se, which Siluio had made vnto her, she departed unto her owne house, with suche greefe and sorrowe, that she purposed neuer to come out of her owne doores againe aliue, to be a wonder and mocking stocke to ye worlde.
But ye duke more amased, to heare this straunge discourse of Siluio came vnto him, whom when he had vewed with better consideration, perceiued in deede that it was Silla, the daughter of Duke Pontus, and imbrasing her in his armes, he saied:
Oh the braunche of all vertue and the flowre of curtesie it self, pardon me I bes[e]che you of all suche discourtesies, as I haue ignorantlie committed towardes you: desiring you that without farther memorie of auncient greefes, you will accept of me, who is more ioyfull and better contented with your presence, then if the whole worlde were at my commaundement. Where hath there euer bin founde suche liberalitie in a louer, which hauyng been trained vp and nourished emongest the delicacies and banquettes of the courte, accompanied with traines of many faire and noble ladies liuing in pleasure, and in the middest of delightes, would so prodigallie aduenture your self, neither fearing mishapps, nor misliking to take suche paines, as I knowe you haue not been accustomed vnto. O liberalitie neuer heard of before! O facte that can neuer bee sufficiently rewarded! O true loue moste pure and vnfained: here with all sendyng for the moste artificiall woorkmen, he prouided for her sundrie sutes of sumpteous apparell, and the marriage daie appoincten, which was celebrated with greate triumphe through the whole citie of Constantinople, euery one prasing the noblenesse of the duke, but so many as did behold the excellent beautie of Silla, gaue her the praise aboue all the rest of the ladies in the troupe.
The matter seemed so wonderfull and straunge that the brute was spreade throughout all the partes of Gretia, in so muche that it came to the hearyng of Siluio, who as you haue heard, remained in those partes to enquire of his sister, he beyng the gladdest manne in the worlde, hasted to Constantinople, where comming to his sister he was ioyfullie receiued, and moste louynglie welcomed, and entertained of the duke, his brother in lawe. After he had remained there twoo or three daies, the duke reuealed unto Siluio, the whole discourse how it happened, betweene his sister and the Ladie Iulina, and how his sister was chalenged, for gettying a woman with childe: Siluio blushyng with these woordes, was striken with greate remorse to make Iulina amendes; vnderstanding her to bee a noble ladie, and was lefte defamed to the worlde through his default, he therefore bewraied the whole circumstaunce to the duke, whereof the duke beyng verie ioyfull, immediatlie repaired with Siluio to the house of Iulina, whom they found in her chamber, in great lamentation & mourning. To whom the duke saide, take courage madam for beholde here a gentilman, that will not sticke, bothe to father your childe and to take you for his wife, no inferiour persone, but the sonne and heire of a noble duke, worthie of your estate and dignitie.
Iulina seyng Siluio in place, did know very well that he was the father of her childe, and was so ravished with ioye, that she knewe not whether she were awake, or in some dreame. Siluio imbracyng her in his armes, crauyng forgiuenesse of all that was past: concluded with her the mariage daie, which was presently accomplished with great ioye and contentation to all parties: and thus Siluio hauyng attained a noble wife, and Silla his sister her desired houseband, they passed the residue of their daies with suche delight, as those that haue accomplished the perfection of their felicities.