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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 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 acquain