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her： being much more enflamed now； then formerly he had bin； replyed
thus when they shewed the Glove。 We have （quoth he） no Faulcon here
now； to be humbled at the sight of your Glove： and therefore； if you
will not deliver the Lady； prepare your selves for fight； for we
must have her whether you will or no。 Hereupon； they began to let flie
（on both sides） their Darts and arrowes； with stones sent in violent
sort from their slings； thus continuing the fight a long while； to
very great harme on either side。 At the length； Gerbino perceiving；
that small benefit would redound to him； if he did not undertake
some other kinde of course： he tooke a small Pinnace； which
purposely he brought with him from Sardignia； and setting it on a
flaming fire； conveyed it （by the Gallies help） close to the ship。 The
Sarazines much amazed thereat； and evidently perceiving； that either
they must yeeld or dye； brought their Kings daughter to the prow of
the ship； most greevously weeping and wringing her hands。 Then calling
Gerbino； to let him behold their resolution； there they slew hir
before his face； and afterward； throwing her body into the Sea； saide：
Take her； there we give her to thee； according to our bounden duty；
and as thy perjury hath justly deserved。
This sight was not a little greevous to the Prince Gerbino； who
madded now with this their monstrous cruelty； and not caring what
became of his owne life； having lost her for whom he onely desired
to live： not dreading their Darts； Arrowes； slinged stones； or what
violence els they could use against him； he leapt aboord their ship；
in despight of all that durst resist him； behaving himselfe there like
a hunger…starved Lyon； when he enters among a heard of beasts； tearing
their carkasses in pieces both with his teeth and pawes。 Such was
the extreme fury of this poore Prince； not sparing the life of any
one； that durst appeare in his presence； so that what with the
bloody slaughter； and violence of the fires encreasing in the Ship；
the Mariners got such wealth as possibly they could save； and
suffering the Sea to swallow the rest； Gerbino returned unto his
Gallies againe； nothing proud of this so ill…gotten victory。
Afterward； having recovered the Princesse dead body out of the
Sea； and enbalmed it with sighes and teares： he returned backe into
Sicilie； where he caused it to be most honourably buried； in a
little Island； named Ustica； face to face confronting Trapanum。 The
King of Thunis hearing these disastrous Newes； sent his Ambassadors
（habited in sad mourning） to the aged King of Sicilie； complaining
of his faith broken with him； and how the accident had falne out。
Age being sodainly incited to anger； and the King extreamly offended
at this injury； seeing no way whereby to deny him justice； it being
urged so instantly by the Ambassadors： caused Gerbino to be
apprehended； and he himselfe （in regard that none of his Lords and
Barons would therein assist him； but laboured to divert him by their
earnest importunity） pronounced the sentence of death on the Prince；
and commanded to have him beheaded in his presence； affecting
rather； to dye without an heire； then to be thought a King voyde of
justice。 So these two unfortunate Lovers； never enjoyed the very least
benefite of their long wished desires： ended both their lives in
violent manner。
THE FOURTH DAY； THE FIFT NOVELL
WHEREIN IS PLAINLY PROVED； THAT LOVE CANNOT BE ROOTED UPPE；
BY ANY HUMANE POWER OR PROVIDENCE； ASPECIALLY IN SUCH
SOULE； WHERE IT HATH BENE REALLY APPREHENDED
The three Brethren to Isabella； slew a Gentleman that secretly loved
her。 His ghost appeared to her in her sleepe； and shewed her in what
place they had buried his body。 She （in silent manner） brought away
his head； aid putting it into a pot of earth； such as Flowers； Basile；
or other sweete hearbes are usually set in； she watered it （a long
while） with her teares。 Wherefore her Brethren having intelligence；
soone after she dyed； with meere conceite of sorrow。
The Novell of Madame Eliza being finished； and some…what commended
by the King； in regard of the Tragicall conclusion； Philomena was
enjoyned to proceede next with her discourse。 She being overcome
with much compassion； for the hard Fortunes of Noble Gerbino； and
his beautifull Princesse； after an extreame and vehement sighe； thus
she spake。 My Tale （worthy Ladies） extendeth not to persons of so high
birth or quality； as they were of whom Madame Eliza gave you relation：
yet （peradventure） it may prove to be no lesse pittifull。 And now I
remember my selfe； Messina so lately spoken of； is the place where
this accident also happened。
In Messina there dwelt three young men； Brethren； and Merchants by
their common profession； who becomming very rich by the death of their
Father； lived in very good fame and repute。 Their Father was of San
Gemignano； and they had a Sister named Isabella； young； beautifull；
and well conditioned； who upon some occasion； as yet remained
unmarried。 A proper youth； being a Gentleman borne in Pisa； and
named Lorenzo； as a trusty factor or servant； had the managing of
the brethrens businesse and affaires。 This Lorenzo being of comely
personage； affable； and excellent in his behaviour； grew so gracious
in the eyes of Isabella； that she affoorded him many very respective
lookes； yea； kindnesses of no common quality。 Which Lorenzo taking
notice of； and observing by degrees from time to time； gave over all
other beauties in the City； which might allure any affection from him；
and onely fixed his heart on her； so that their love grew to a mutuall
embracing； both equally respecting one another； and entertaining
kindnesses； as occasion gave leave。
Long time continued this amorous league： of love； yet not so
cunningly concealed； but at the length； the secret meeting of Lorenzo；
and Isabella； to ease their poore soul of Loves oppressions； was
discovered by the eldest of the Brethren； unknowne to them who were
thus betrayed。 He being a man of great discretion； although this sight
was highly displeasing to him： yet notwithstanding； he kept it to
himselfe till the next morning； labouring his braine what might best
be done in so urgent a case。 When day was come； he resorted to his
other Brethren； and told them what he had seene in the time past；
betweene their sister and Lorenzo。
Many deliberations passed on in this case； but after all； thus
they concluded together； to let it proceede on with patient that no
scandall might ensue to them； or their Sister； no evill acte being （as
yet） committed。 And seeming； as if they knew not of their love； had
a wary eye still upon her secret walkes； awaiting for some
convenient time； when without their owne prejudice； or Isabellaes
knowledge； they might safely breake off this their stolne love；
which was altogether against their liking。 So； shewing no worse
countenance to Lorenzo； then formerly they had done； but imploying and
conversing with him in kinde manner； it fortuned； that riding （all
three） to recreate themselves out of the City； they tooke Lorenzo in
their company； and when they were