2-6 Madam Beritola

NOVEL VI. 

Madam Beritola was found on an island with two goats, having lost her two sons. She went thence to Lunigiana, where one of her sons became servant to the lord thereof, and being found with his daughter, was sent to prison. Afterwards, when Sicily rebelled against King Charles, that same son was discovered again by his mother, and was married to his master's daughter; and his brother being found likewise, they both rose again to great estate and credit. 

The ladies and gentlemen were much diverted with the adventures that befell Andreuccio, as related by Fiammetta; when Emilia, perceiving the story to be at an end, began, by the queen's order, in this manner: - Very sad and grievous are the changes of fortune; yet, whenever we talk of them, they serve to arouse and awaken our understandings, which are but too easily enchanted by her flatteries; and I am persuaded, that to hear them recounted, must be acceptable both to the happy and the wretched, as tending to make the former cautious, and affording matter of consolation to the latter. Wherefore, though great things have been already treated of, yet do I purpose to relate a story no less true than lamentable, which, though it ended well, was yet full of such bitter thwartings, that one would scarcely imagine they could ever be sweetened by any subsequent joy. 

You are aware, dear ladies, that after the death of the Emperor Frederick II., Manfredi was crowned king of Sicily. At the court of that sovereign, and standing very high in his favour, was a Neapolitan gentleman, Arrighetto Capece by name, who had for his wife, Beritola Caracciola, a most beautiful and worthy lady of Naples. This gentleman had the government of the island in his hands at the time when King Charles I. gained the battle of Benevento, in which Manfredi was slain, and he had the grief to find that the whole kingdom had revolted to the conqueror. Reposing then but little trust in the scanty faith of the Sicilians, and not being willing to become a subject to the enemy of his former master, Arrighetto prepared secretly to leave the place; which being discovered by the inhabitants, he and many other of Manfredi's friends and servants were delivered up to King Charles, along with the possession of the island. 

In this sudden change of affairs, the lady Beritola, not knowing what was become of her husband, and fearful of the worst, left everything behind her, to escape dishonour; and taking only a child of eight years old, called Goffredi, and being with child of another, she embarked, in the utmost distress, in a little vessel, for Lipari. There she brought forth another son, whom she called Scacciato, or the Expelled, and having provided a nurse, they went on board again with a design to return to her relations at Naples. But it happened contrary to her expectation; for the vessel, which was bound for Naples, was carried by a contrary wind to the island of Ponzo; where, getting into a little harbour, they waited for a more favourable season to pursue their voyage. There they went on shore, and finding a solitary place, she sat down all alone, to lament the fate of her dear Arrighetto, and this she did every day. 

Now it happened, that whilst she was thus employed one day, without any of the ship's crew knowing where she was, their vessel was surprised by a pirate ship, and carried off with all on board. The lady Beritola, when her daily lamentation was ended, returned, as usual, to see her sons, and was surprised to find nobody; but suspecting what must have happened, and casting her eye towards the sea, she saw the ship at no great distance, dragging her little vessel after it; on which she plainly perceived that she had lost her children, as well as her husband; and seeing herself there poor and desolate, and never expecting to meet with any of them again, she fell down in a swoon upon the shore, calling upon her husband and her children. There was no one near, either with cold water, or any other means, to bring her to herself; so that her spirits might the more freely wander at their pleasure; but when she was a little recovered, then did her tears and lamentations break out afresh, whilst she called out for her children, and ran to every cavern to find them: till, perceiving at last it was all to no purpose, and that dark night was drawing on, yet hoping still, without knowing why, she began to take some care of herself, and, leaving the sea-shore, returned to the cave where she was used to make her lamentation. 

She passed that night not without infinite pain and grief; and day-light appearing, she, who had eaten nothing the evening before, being now pinched with hunger, fed upon the green herbs as well as she could, sadly considering what would become of her for the rest of her life. Whilst she was full of these melancholy reflections, she beheld a goat enter a cave near her, and, after some little stay, come out again and go into the woods: upon that she arose, went in where she saw the beast issue forth, and found two young kids, yeaned perhaps that very day, which she thought at that time the prettiest things in the world. Having milk yet in her breasts from her late delivery, she took them carefully, and applied them to her bosom, and they sucked as naturally as if she had been their mother, and from that time made no distinction between the one and the other. So the lady, thinking that she had now met with company in this solitary place, feeding also on herbs, and drinking water, and lamenting her husband and children so often as she reflected on her past life, became at length disposed to live and die there, growing as familiar with the goat as with its offspring, and herself becoming almost a wild creature by this way of life. 

After some months it chanced that a vessel from Pisa arrived at the island, and continued many days, having on board a gentleman named Conrado de' Malespini, with his most virtuous lady. They had been upon a pilgrimage to visit all the holy places in Puglia, and were now returning home. To divert themselves, they went on shore with their servants and some dogs, and not far from the place where Beritola was, the dogs fell in with the two kids, which being now large, were feeding abroad, and, as they were closely pursued, fled for refuge to her in the cave. On seeing this, she started up, and getting a stick, beat the dogs off": in the meanwhile Conrado and his lady, who were following the dogs, came upon her, and beholding her all swarthy, meagre, and hairy, they were greatly surprised, and she much more so. When Conrado had called off his hounds, at her entreaties, they desired she would acquaint them who she was, and what she did there: whereupon she related to them all that had happened to her, and her resolution to stay. Conrado, who knew her husband very well, was moved with pity at her sad story, and endeavoured, by many arguments, to draw her from her cruel design, offering either to send her home, or to keep her at his own house, where she might wait for better times, and promising to treat her, in the meanwhile, as if she were his sister. When she would not comply with these kind proposals, he left his wife with her, desiring that she would order victuals to be brought, let the wild lady put on some of her clothes, because her own were all ragged, and endeavour, by every possible means, to bring her away. The lady continued with her, and lamented her misfortunes, until the victuals and clothes were brought, when she prevailed upon her to clothe herself, and to eat; and after much entreaty, she declaring that she would never go any more where she was known, she was at last persuaded to depart with them for Lunigiana, together with the two kids and the goat, which had meanwhile come back, and fondled her most lovingly, to the great wonder of the other lady. 

As soon as the weather was favourable, Madam Beritola went on board with Conrado and his lady, being followed by the goat and kids; and, because she wished to be known by nobody else, she would be called by no other name than that of the Goatherdess. The wind was favourable, and soon brought them into the river Magra, where they got on shore: and went to Conrado's castle, where Madam Beritola lived with Conrado's wife, in a widow's dress, as a lady in waiting, behaving herself with all obedience and humility, still loving and nursing her goats. 

Let us now return to the pirates, who had seized upon the little bark at Ponzo, which brought Beritola thither. After leaving her there, unseen by them, they carried the rest of the people away to Genoa, where, when the booty came to be divided among the owners of the ship, it happened that, amongst other things, the nurse and two children fell to the share of one Guasparrino d'Oria, who sent them to his own house, to be kept as servants. The nurse was exceedingly sorrowful at the loss of her mistress, and the low state of life to which she saw herself and the children now reduced. She wept long and bitterly; but seeing that tears were of no avail, and that they were slaves together, she comforted herself in the best manner she was able, for though a poor woman, yet was she wise and prudent. In the first place, it occurred to her that if the two boys were known it might turn to their disadvantage; and then she hoped besides that their affairs might take a new turn, and they regain their former condition. For these reasons she determined not to disclose their names to anybody, unless she saw a proper time for it; and she told every one who inquired about them, that they were her sons. The eldest she called not Goffredi, but Giannotto di Procida; as for the younger, she did not think it necessary to change his name. She told Goffredi, frequently, the reason why she had done so in his case, and to what dangers he would be exposed should he be known: lessons which the child, who was sensible enough, carefully observed. 

They continued in the house of Guasparrino many years, poorly clad, and worse shod, employed in the most servile offices, all which they bore with great patience; but Giannotto, being now in his sixteenth year, and having a spirit much beyond the condition of a servant, was disgusted with the meanness of his station, left Guasparrino, went on board the ships which were bound for Alexandria, and voyaged to divers parts, but without being able in any way to advance himself. At last, about three or four years after his departure from Guasparrino, being grown tall and comely in person, he ascertained that his father, whom he had supposed to be dead, was yet alive, but kept in prison by King Charles. Despairing now altogether of his fortunes, he wandered up and down as a vagabond, till he came to Lunigiana, where by chance he became servant to Conrado de Malespini, and was much liked. He seldom saw his mother, she being commonly with Conrado's wife, nor did he know her any more than she recognised him; so much had time altered both since they last saw one another. 

While he was living thus in the service of Conrado, it happened that a daughter of his, whose name was Spina, being the widow of one Nicholas de Grignano, returned home to her father's, and being a very pretty agreeable young lady, and not much more than sixteen years of age, she soon cast her eyes on Giannotto, and he on her, in such wise that they became intensely enamored of each other. Their mutual desires were not long without being carried into effect, and their intercourse continued for many months before it was discovered. The consequence was that, growing too confident, they were now not so cautious as they ought to have been in such an affair. One day, as they were walking through a pleasant grove, they left the rest of their company behind, and turned aside amongst the trees, where, supposing that the others were far enough off, they made choice of a fine bed of flowers for their amorous amusement. Dallying there too long, though the time seemed short to them, they were surprised first by the mother, and afterwards by Conrado himself, who, being incensed beyond measure, ordered three of his servants to seize and carry them bound to a certain castle of his, resolving, in his extreme rage and passion, to put them both to a shameful death. The mother, though she was much troubled, and thought her daughter worthy of the severest chastisement for the crime she had committed, yet, perceiving what her husband's intention was, she could not bear that he should proceed to such extremities, and begged that he would not, in his old age, be so far hurried away with passion, as to murder his own daughter, and stain his hands with the blood of a servant; but rather show his resentment in a different manner, by committing them to close imprisonment, there to pine and lament the folly they had committed. By these and other persuasions the good lady prevented his putting them to death; and he now gave orders to have them sent to separate prisons, where they should be well watched, and kept with little food and great severity, till he should farther resolve what to do with them. What their life now was in captivity and continual tears, with more fasting than was needed for them, any one may easily imagine. 

Giannotto and La Spina remaining in this comfortless condition, and a whole year having passed without Conrado taking any farther notice of them, it happened that Peter, king of Arragon, by means of Gian di Procida, caused the island of Sicily to revolt, and gained it from King Charles. On this account Conrado, who was of the Ghibelline faction, made great rejoicings, which Giannotto being informed of by some of his keepers, heaved a deep sigh, and said, "Alas! for these fourteen years have I been wandering through the world, waiting only for this event; and now the thing is come to pass, that I may be destitute of all hope, I am in prison, from which I never expect to depart with life! " - "And what," said the keeper, "hast thou to do with the affairs of princes? Or what business hast thou with Sicily?" "My heart is fit to burst," he replied, "when I call to mind the rank my father held there; for though I was but an infant when I fled thence, I can very well remember his being governor under King Manfredi." - "And who was thy father, then?" continued the keeper. "My father," replied he, "I may now safely make known, since I am already fallen into the danger I apprehended from such a discovery. His name was, and is still, if he be living, Arrighetto Capece; and I am not Giannotto, but Goffredi; and I make no doubt, if I was at liberty, but by returning to Sicily I might obtain great promotion." 

The honest man, without asking any more questions, reported all this, as soon as he had an opportunity, to Conrado, who, seeming to the keeper not to take the least notice of it, went directly to Madame Beritola, and inquired of her whether she ever had a son by Arrighetto, who was called Goffredi. The lady replied, in tears, that if her eldest son was living, he was so called, and was now twenty-two years of age. Conrado hearing this, immediately concluded it must be the same person; and if this should prove so, a method occurred to him by which he might at the same time show mercy, and take away his daughter's disgrace and that of his family, by making her Goffredi's wife. 

He consequently called Giannotto secretly before him, and examined him particularly with respect to his past life; and finding, by many manifest tokens, that he was truly Goffredi the son of Arrighetto Capece, he thus addressed him: 

"Giannotto, you know how great an injury you have done me in the person of my daughter; for, as I always treated you well, you ought to have considered my honour and interest in all things as became a servant: many people there are, who, had they been used by you in this manner, would have put you to an ignominious death, which my pity for you would not permit. Wherefore, seeing, as you inform me, that you are honourably descended both by father and mother, I will put an end to your trouble, if you yourself are willing, and, releasing you from your captivity, restore at once both your honour and my own. You know that my daughter La Spina, whom unluckily for you both, I found in dalliance with you, is a widow, and of a good fortune: you are no stranger either to her temper or family; concerning your own circumstances at present, I shall say not a word. Therefore I am disposed, if you are so inclined, that as you have dishonourably made her your mistress, you now make her honourably your wife; and, accepting you for my son. I give you leave to remain with me as long as you both please. 

Imprisonment had made great alteration in the person of Giannotto; but the greatness of mind which he possessed from his birth, was not at all impaired, any more than the affection he bore towards his mistress: and though he most earnestly desired what Conrado had now so frankly offered, and saw himself entirely in his power; yet could he by no means dissemble what his brave soul prompted him to speak on this occasion, and therefore he replied in this manner: "Sir, neither a desire of power, a thirst of wealth, nor any other motive, could ever induce me to plot like a traitor against your life or estate. I have loved your daughter, do still, and always shall love her, because I hold her worthy of it, and if I have committed a crime, it is a crime inseparable from youth. Would people but once call to mind that they have been young themselves, and compare our offences with their own, those offences would appear less grievous. I have always wished for what you now offer, and should have requested it long since, could I have thought it would have been granted me; it is now the more pleasing, as it was less expected; but if you intend nothing of what you say, feed me no longer with expectation, but rather send me back to my prison, where, use me as you please, I shall always love and honour you for her sake." 

Conrado was astonished at hearing this, and esteeming him to be of a generous disposition, and fervent in his affection towards the lady, he valued him the more; wherefore he raised him up and embraced him, and without more delay sent for his daughter, whose confinement had made her pale and meagre, and quite a different person from what she used to be, and, by mutual consent, the espousals were solemnized on the spot. After a few days, without anybody knowing what had been done, he at once furnished them with everything that was proper, and now thinking it a fit time to please the two mothers, he called his own wife and the Goatherdess together, and to the latter he said, "What would you say now, if I should show you your eldest son married to one of my daughters?" She replied, "I can only say this, that I shall think myself more obliged to you, if possible, than I am at present, as you will restore to me what is dearer than my own life: and by doing it in that manner, you will in some measure recall all my lost hopes; "and with these words she began to weep. To his wife he then said, "And what will you think if I show you such a son-in-law?" - "Whether he be a gentleman or a peasant," answered she, "if you like it I shall be pleased." - "Well," replied Conrado, "I hope in a few days to make you two happy women." 

When the young couple had in a measure recovered their former looks, and had furnished themselves with suitable apparel, he one day asked Goffredi, if it would not add greatly to his joy could he have a sight of his mother?" I cannot believe," replied he, "that her misfortunes have suffered her to live so long; but if it should be so, nothing could be more desirable; for, by her assistance, I might reasonably expect to recover my estate in Sicily." Conrado then sent for both the ladies, who expressed the utmost satisfaction at beholding the bride, wondering nevertheless what inspiration had guided Conrado to this extraordinary courtesy in marrying her to Giannotto; whilst Beritola, considering what she had heard from Conrado, began to observe him very attentively, and moved by a hidden virtue, which had aroused in her some remembrance of her son's features in his infancy, without waiting for any other proofs, she threw her arms about his neck, whilst excess of maternal joy and pity denied her the power of utterance; but, as if they had locked up all her senses, she swooned away in his arms. He, remembering to have seen her often in the castle without knowing her, was all amazement; yet now, by mere instinct of nature, immediately called her to mind, and, blaming himself for his long insensibility, embraced her in a most tender and affectionate manner. Beritola had no sooner recovered her senses, by the help of Conrado's wife and daughter, who administered cold water and other necessary helps for such purpose, but she again began to embrace her son, using many kind and tender expressions full of maternal affection; he likewise expressing the same dutiful reverence to her. These affectionate greetings were repeated over and over, to the great joy of the beholders, whilst they recounted for each other their several misfortunes; and Conrado, having signified to his friends, who heard it with great joy, the new alliance made by him, and appointed a magnificent entertainment, suitable to the occasion, Goffredi addressed him in the following manner: 

"sir, you have made me a happy man on many accounts, and treated my mother always with the utmost respect; wherefore, that nothing may be left undone which is in your power to do, I humbly beg you would oblige my mother and myself, and grace our entertainment with the presence of my brother, who now lives as a servant in the house of Signor Guasparrino d'Oria, who as I told you before, took us as a privateer; and at the same time, that you would also send a proper person to Sicily, to learn the state of the country, and to inform himself concerning my father, whether he be alive or dead. If he be alive, then to know fully in what state or condition he is, and to come afterwards to us, and give us an account." 

The proposal made by Goffredi was so pleasing to Conrado, that without more delay he sent two discreet persons, one to Genoa, and the other to Sicily: he who went to Genoa, having met with Guasparrino, entreated him, on the part of Conrado, to send home Scacciato, or the Expelled, and his nurse; relating everything that Conrado had done with regard to Goffredi and his mother; which, when Guasparrino had heard, he was greatly surprised, and replied: "True it is, that I am ready to oblige Signor Conrado to the utmost of my power; I have had such a boy as you speak of, and his mother, about fourteen years, whom I shall willingly send him; but tell him from me not to be too hasty in giving credit to what Giannotto shall say (who calls himself Goffredi), because he is a more wicked boy than he may imagine." Having said this, and made the messenger welcome, he sent privately for the nurse, and questioned her about the thing; who, having heard of the rebellion in Sicily, and understanding that Arrighetto was yet living, now laid all fear aside, and told him everything as it had happened, and the reason for her acting in the manner she had done. Guasparrino, finding the accounts which the nurse and messenger gave to be entirely the same, began now to give credit to it; and inquiring more narrowly into all the circumstances, for he was a very cautious person, and finding them to fall exactly right, he grew ashamed of himself for his vile treatment of his captive, and to make him amends, since he knew of what consequence his father had been, and now was, he gave him his daughter in marriage, a beautiful young lady of about eleven years of age, and with her a very large fortune. The time of feasting being over, he went on board a galley, well armed, taking with him his son and daughter, with the messenger and nurse, and arrived at Lerici, where he was received by Conrado, and conducted thence, with all his attendants, to a castle of his, which was at no great distance, where a most noble banquet was prepared for them. 

Now, as to the joy of the mother in meeting again with her son; of the two brethren in seeing one another; and of all three, in beholding their faithful nurse; as well as the satisfaction which was manifested by all towards Guasparrino and his daughter, and by them again to the whole company, and by the whole company to Conrado, his wife, children, and friends: this was beyond expression, and therefore I refer it to your more able imagination. And, that it might be rendered still more complete, it pleased God, a most liberal giver when he makes a beginning, to add the good news of the life and prosperity of Arrighetto Capece: for even as they were feasting, and the concourse great, both of lords and ladies, it chanced that the first course was scarcely set upon the table, before the messenger arrived who had been despatched to Sicily, and brought an account, amongst other things, concerning Arrighetto, that, being closely confined by King Charles, when the insurrection first began in the country, the people ran to the prison, and having slain the guards, they set him at liberty, and appointed him their leader, he being Charles's principal enemy; and under his conduct they afterwards routed and slew many of the French, on which account he became a great favourite with King Peter, who had reinstated him in all his former possessions. The messenger further announced that he was received with the utmost joy by him, for the most welcome news, concerning his wife and son, of whom he had not received the least intelligence since he had been a prisoner, and that he had sent a yacht to bring them back, which was now at hand, with a great number of gentry on board to bear them company. 

This was most welcome news; and Conrado immediately rose, with some of his friends, and went to meet the gentlemen and ladies, who were sent to Beritola and Goffredi, and after giving them a most hearty welcome, he introduced them to the banquet, which was not half over; there they were beheld by the lady and by Goffredi with such joy, that the like was scarcely ever known: and before they would sit down, they paid their compliments on the part of Arrighetto in the best manner they were able, both to Conrado and his lady, for the honour conferred on his wife and son, as well as upon himself, with the offer of anything that lay in his power which they might please to command. Turning also to Guasparrino, whose kindness came unlooked for, they assured him, that as soon as Arrighetto knew what he had done for the Expelled, similar acknowledgments would be made to him. After which they sat cheerfully down with the new-married people. Nor was it that day only that Conrado feasted his son-in-law with all his relations and friends, but he continued to do so for some time, till at length they desired to depart; and taking leave in a most affectionate manner of Conrado and his lady, and of Guasparrino, they went on shipboard together, namely, Beritola and the two new-married couples, with their attendants; and the wind proving fair, they soon got to Sicily, where they were received by Arrighetto with incredible joy; and it is reported that they lived for a long period together in the utmost felicity, with thankful hearts to Heaven for the mercies received by them.