Tragicall Tales translated by Tvrbervile In time of his troubles out of sundrie Italians, with the Argument and Lenuoye to eche Tale |
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| 6. | [The king of Thunise had a daughter faire] |
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 | Tragicall Tales translated by Tvrbervile |  |
[The king of Thunise had a daughter faire]
The Argument to the sixt Historie.
The king of Thunise had a daughter faire,
Whose beauties brute through many countries ran.
This Lady was her fathers only heire,
Which made her loude and likt of eury man,
But most of all the king of Granate than,
Began to loue, who for he was a king,
By little sute, this match to cloth did bring.
Whose beauties brute through many countries ran.
This Lady was her fathers only heire,
Which made her loude and likt of eury man,
But most of all the king of Granate than,
Began to loue, who for he was a king,
By little sute, this match to cloth did bring.
The promise past betweene these noble states
The rested nought, but onlie her conuey
In safetie home, for feare of rouing mates,
Who would perhaps assault them by the way:
Wherefore the king Cicils pledge they pray,
Who gaue his word and Gantlet from his hand,
Not to be vext by any of his land.
The rested nought, but onlie her conuey
In safetie home, for feare of rouing mates,
Who would perhaps assault them by the way:
Wherefore the king Cicils pledge they pray,
Who gaue his word and Gantlet from his hand,
Not to be vext by any of his land.
Away they went, the ships forsooke the shore,
And helde their couse to Granate warde amain,
When sodeinly Gerbino (who before
Had lovde the Queen, & did his match disdain)
VVith Galies came this royall prize to gaine:
The fight was fierce, a cruell battaile grewe,
But he at length most likelie to subdue.
And helde their couse to Granate warde amain,
When sodeinly Gerbino (who before
Had lovde the Queen, & did his match disdain)
[80]
The fight was fierce, a cruell battaile grewe,
But he at length most likelie to subdue.
VVhen Sarizens saw the force of blooddie foe,
And that they must surrender vp the dame,
Maugre their might, & needs their charge forgo:
VVhat for despite, and vvhat for verie shame,
And partly to discharge themselues of blame,
They kild the Queene, Gerbino looking on,
And threvve her out, for fish to feed vpon.
And that they must surrender vp the dame,
Maugre their might, & needs their charge forgo:
VVhat for despite, and vvhat for verie shame,
And partly to discharge themselues of blame,
They kild the Queene, Gerbino looking on,
And threvve her out, for fish to feed vpon.
To venge vvhich deede, and cursed cruell acte,
He slue them all, not leauing one aliue,
VVith fire and svvord the Sarizens he sackt,
For that they durst so stoutlie vvith him striue
And did his loue of life and light depriue.
Yet backe againe to Cicill Ile retyrde,
Missing the marke vvhich he had long desyrde.
He slue them all, not leauing one aliue,
VVith fire and svvord the Sarizens he sackt,
For that they durst so stoutlie vvith him striue
And did his loue of life and light depriue.
Yet backe againe to Cicill Ile retyrde,
Missing the marke vvhich he had long desyrde.
VVhē nevves vvas brought vnto the aged king
The Grandsire, hovv his nephevv vvilfullie
Had broke the league, and done a heinous thing,
Committing spoile, and shamefull Piracie:
Although he loude Gerbino tenderlie,
Yet did adiudge him to the death, because
He did prefer his lust before the lavves.
The Grandsire, hovv his nephevv vvilfullie
Had broke the league, and done a heinous thing,
Committing spoile, and shamefull Piracie:
Although he loude Gerbino tenderlie,
Yet did adiudge him to the death, because
He did prefer his lust before the lavves.
81
King William, by report of such
As dwelt within his lande,
Who second Prince of Cecil, held
The Scepter in his hand
As dwelt within his lande,
Who second Prince of Cecil, held
The Scepter in his hand
Two babes begot vpon his Queene,
A male, that Ruggier hight:
And eke a daughter, Custance cald,
A Dame of beautie bright.
A male, that Ruggier hight:
And eke a daughter, Custance cald,
A Dame of beautie bright.
This Ruggier, whilst his father liude,
By fortune had a Sonne,
Gerbino namde, of whom this tale
Especially doth runne.
By fortune had a Sonne,
Gerbino namde, of whom this tale
Especially doth runne.
Who by his Grandsyre nourisht vp
And nurtred from a boye,
At length became a proper man,
And was the Princes ioye.
And nurtred from a boye,
At length became a proper man,
And was the Princes ioye.
His courteous nature wonne renowne,
His valiant courage knowne
Not only in Cicilia was:
But brute abroad had blowne
His valiant courage knowne
Not only in Cicilia was:
But brute abroad had blowne
The fame thereof to foraine realmes.
His praise doth passe the boundes
Of all the Ile, where he was bred,
And in Barbaria soundes:
His praise doth passe the boundes
Of all the Ile, where he was bred,
And in Barbaria soundes:
Who to the King of Cycill payde
Their tribute money then:
Which great renowne of Gerbins name
Unto the eares of men
Their tribute money then:
Which great renowne of Gerbins name
Unto the eares of men
[81]
Was brought that euery one extolde
His vertues to the skye:
Who but Gerbino all abrode,
Whose fame like his did flie?
His vertues to the skye:
Who but Gerbino all abrode,
Whose fame like his did flie?
Among the rest that heard reporte
Of Gerbin, was a dame,
The daughter of the king of Tunise
(I wotte not well her name)
Of Gerbin, was a dame,
The daughter of the king of Tunise
(I wotte not well her name)
But as (the men that sawe her vaunte)
Shee was the fairest hewde,
And trimmest shapte, that euer kinde
Had cast or creature vewde
Shee was the fairest hewde,
And trimmest shapte, that euer kinde
Had cast or creature vewde
Whose body was no brauer deckte
With louely limmes without
Thā was her mynd with maners fraught
And vertues round about.
With louely limmes without
Thā was her mynd with maners fraught
And vertues round about.
This Lady hearing noble men
Oft reasoning of renowne
That Gerbin wanne, by worthy deedes,
And how his fame did drowne
Oft reasoning of renowne
That Gerbin wanne, by worthy deedes,
And how his fame did drowne
That chiualry of all the rest:
And that his courage was
So great as he in manly feates
All other knightes did passe,
And that his courage was
So great as he in manly feates
All other knightes did passe,
Delighted very much therein,
Shee likte the talke so well,
And stood so long deuising of
His prowesse, that shee fell
Shee likte the talke so well,
And stood so long deuising of
His prowesse, that shee fell
82
To like Gerbino, though vnseene:
She felt her brest to frie
With fancies flame, and was of him
Enamord by and by.
She felt her brest to frie
With fancies flame, and was of him
Enamord by and by.
So that it did her good at harte
To heare of Gerbines fame,
And eke her selfe among the rest
To publish out the same.
To heare of Gerbines fame,
And eke her selfe among the rest
To publish out the same.
As willing as shee was before
To heare of others talke,
So glad this Lady woxe at last.
To haue her toung to walke.
To heare of others talke,
So glad this Lady woxe at last.
To haue her toung to walke.
The playnest proofe of great good will
That lurking lyes in brest:
For when the minde doth like, the mouth
Can neuer be at rest.
That lurking lyes in brest:
For when the minde doth like, the mouth
Can neuer be at rest.
And on the other side, as fast
This peerlesse Princesse fame
Was noysde abroad, and so in fine
To Cicill Ile it came:
This peerlesse Princesse fame
Was noysde abroad, and so in fine
To Cicill Ile it came:
There was hir beautie bruted much,
As other where beside:
So long till Gerbin through reporte
Of his fayre Lady fride.
As other where beside:
So long till Gerbin through reporte
Of his fayre Lady fride.
And felt himselfe enlaste in loue,
And tangled in the net:
That willie Cupid earst to take
His louing Lady set.
And tangled in the net:
That willie Cupid earst to take
His louing Lady set.
[82]
This heate did daily grow to more
Within the gallantes brest,
And did torment him so within,
That he to purchase rest,
Within the gallantes brest,
And did torment him so within,
That he to purchase rest,
Deuisde an honest lawfull skuse
To parte from Cicill Ile,
And gat him leaue to trauaile vnto
Tunise for a while,
To parte from Cicill Ile,
And gat him leaue to trauaile vnto
Tunise for a while,
Upon desire to see the dame,
Whose fansie bound him thrall:
And gaue in charge vnto his frende,
And folkes he went withall,
Whose fansie bound him thrall:
And gaue in charge vnto his frende,
And folkes he went withall,
As much as euer lay in them
To further his intent,
As euery one should thinke it best:
And tell her what was ment
To further his intent,
As euery one should thinke it best:
And tell her what was ment
Of Gerbines parte, and how he loude,
Enduring bitter payne
For her, and from the noble Queene
To bring him newes againe.
Enduring bitter payne
For her, and from the noble Queene
To bring him newes againe.
Of whom, these men that had the wit
To handle matters well,
Went Merchant like vnto the court,
Fine iewels there to sell:
To handle matters well,
Went Merchant like vnto the court,
Fine iewels there to sell:
Which they of purpose brought from home
And Ladies vse to bye,
As rings, and stones, and carkenettes,
To make them please the eye.
And Ladies vse to bye,
As rings, and stones, and carkenettes,
To make them please the eye.
83
And by this practise in they gotte
Within the Pallace gate,
And made their shew, and marchātlike
In euery pointe they sate,
Within the Pallace gate,
And made their shew, and marchātlike
In euery pointe they sate,
To spye a time to moue their sute
Unto the noble Dame:
Who, in a whyle that they had bene
In place, by fortune came,
Unto the noble Dame:
Who, in a whyle that they had bene
In place, by fortune came,
And twharted where Cicylians sate,
Upon desire to see
Such iewels as might like her best,
Now here began the glee:
Upon desire to see
Such iewels as might like her best,
Now here began the glee:
For one that had a fyled tong,
And durst his tale to tell
And looke a Ladie in the face,
Unto his purpose fell.
And durst his tale to tell
And looke a Ladie in the face,
Unto his purpose fell.
And after reuerence done, began
To say in sobre sorte,
That Gerbin willd him to repaire
Unto her fathers courte,
To say in sobre sorte,
That Gerbin willd him to repaire
Unto her fathers courte,
To see, and to salute her grace,
Whom he did tender more
Than all the Ladies on the earth,
That he had seene before.
Whom he did tender more
Than all the Ladies on the earth,
That he had seene before.
Her loue had pierst his noble brest,
And cleft his manly harte:
And he was well contented with
The stroke of Cupides darte.
And cleft his manly harte:
And he was well contented with
The stroke of Cupides darte.
[83]
Both he, and all the wealth he had
Was hers to vse at will,
Requesting her to take in worth
Gerbinos great good will:
Was hers to vse at will,
Requesting her to take in worth
Gerbinos great good will:
I can not pen the tale he tolde,
So well in euery place,
As he, perhaps, pronounst it then:
The gesture giues the grace.
So well in euery place,
As he, perhaps, pronounst it then:
The gesture giues the grace.
But this you may assure your selfe,
He dealte so orderly,
As needed: for the Princesse did
Receiue him thankfully:
He dealte so orderly,
As needed: for the Princesse did
Receiue him thankfully:
And did accept his message well,
With answere to the same,
That as Gerbino burnt in loue,
So shee did frie in flame,
With answere to the same,
That as Gerbino burnt in loue,
So shee did frie in flame,
And felte as hot a coale as hee
Within her tender brest:
If inward loue, by secret ache,
And griping might be gest.
Within her tender brest:
If inward loue, by secret ache,
And griping might be gest.
And to thend her former talke
Unfayned might appeare,
Shee sent Gerbino such a ring,
As shee did holde most deare.
Unfayned might appeare,
Shee sent Gerbino such a ring,
As shee did holde most deare.
A iewell of no slender price,
The value did excell:
This message being borne him backe
Did like the Louer well,
The value did excell:
This message being borne him backe
Did like the Louer well,
84
The token highly was esteemd,
No richesse mought haue pleasde
His fansie halfe so well, as that,
For why? his smarte was easde.
No richesse mought haue pleasde
His fansie halfe so well, as that,
For why? his smarte was easde.
And after that, he sundrie tymes
Sent freindly lynes of loue,
And tokens to the Princesse, by
The man that first did moue
Sent freindly lynes of loue,
And tokens to the Princesse, by
The man that first did moue
The sute, and brake the matter vp:
Deuising how he might,
And ment him selfe to talke with her,
If fortune fell aright.
Deuising how he might,
And ment him selfe to talke with her,
If fortune fell aright.
But matters being at this hande,
And luckely begonne:
Deferring off from day to daye
The thing that should bene done:
And luckely begonne:
Deferring off from day to daye
The thing that should bene done:
Whilst Gerbin melted with desire
His Lady to imbrace:
And she againe did long asmuch
To see her louers face.
His Lady to imbrace:
And she againe did long asmuch
To see her louers face.
It so befell, the king of Tunise
His daughter spowsed had
Unto the Prince of Granate, which
Did make the Lady sad.
His daughter spowsed had
Unto the Prince of Granate, which
Did make the Lady sad.
She woxe the wofulst dame aliue,
For being matched so:
It did not only grieue her, that
Shee was compeld to go
For being matched so:
It did not only grieue her, that
Shee was compeld to go
[82]
So farre away from Gerbin: but
The thing that nipte her nere,
Was, that she feard she neuer should
Haue seene her louer deare,
The thing that nipte her nere,
Was, that she feard she neuer should
Haue seene her louer deare,
Once being parted from the place
In all her life againe:
And hereupon she willing was,
And would bene very fayne
In all her life againe:
And hereupon she willing was,
And would bene very fayne
To scape the Ring her fathers handes,
And liude with Gerbin aye:
She beate her braynes, deuising meanes
By stealth to runne away
And liude with Gerbin aye:
She beate her braynes, deuising meanes
By stealth to runne away
Likewise ye knight was cloyd with care,
And liude a wofull man.
Her mariage knowen, his valiant brest
To throbbe and ake began:
And liude a wofull man.
Her mariage knowen, his valiant brest
To throbbe and ake began:
Was neuer wight in greater woe,
Nor angry moode than he:
At length when care was somewhat past,
He thought his helpe to be,
Nor angry moode than he:
At length when care was somewhat past,
He thought his helpe to be,
And only ayde to rest in force,
Wherefore he did entend
By strength of hand to win his loue,
When so the king should send
Wherefore he did entend
By strength of hand to win his loue,
When so the king should send
Her home vnto her husbandes realme:
Loue had possest him so.
As, he the Princesse to enioye.
Through fire and floudes would goe.
Loue had possest him so.
As, he the Princesse to enioye.
Through fire and floudes would goe.
83
The king of Tunise hauing heard
Some inckling of good will,
That was betwixt the knight and her,
And doubting of some ill
Some inckling of good will,
That was betwixt the knight and her,
And doubting of some ill
That Gerbin would pretend: besides,
Well knowing that he was
A valiant wight and one that did
Full manly prowesse passe:
Well knowing that he was
A valiant wight and one that did
Full manly prowesse passe:
When time was come to send the queene
Unto her husbands land,
By letters which he sent, hee let
King William vnderstand
Unto her husbands land,
By letters which he sent, hee let
King William vnderstand
His meaning and his full inteent,
And did request beside,
To haue assurance at his hands,
That he would so prouide,
And did request beside,
To haue assurance at his hands,
That he would so prouide,
That not a man within his Realme
Should hinder his pretence,
Nor Gerbin make resistance, when
He sent his Ladie thence.
Should hinder his pretence,
Nor Gerbin make resistance, when
He sent his Ladie thence.
The hoarie graue Cicilian king,
That loden was with age,
And wist not of his daughters loue,
Nor yet Gerbinos rage,
That loden was with age,
And wist not of his daughters loue,
Nor yet Gerbinos rage,
Nor deeming that the kings demaunde
Did tend to such effect,
Did frankly yeld his sute, as one
That did no ill suspect.
Did tend to such effect,
Did frankly yeld his sute, as one
That did no ill suspect.
[83]
And for assurance of the same,
To rid the prince of feare,
He sent his Gantlet, for a pledge
That things confirmed were.
To rid the prince of feare,
He sent his Gantlet, for a pledge
That things confirmed were.
Who hauing such asssurance made,
Let builde a mightie barke
In Carthage Hauen and did rig
The same with earnst carke.
Let builde a mightie barke
In Carthage Hauen and did rig
The same with earnst carke.
And finely finisht vp the ship.
In minde, without delay.
Unto Granata, by the Seas,
To send the Queene away.
In minde, without delay.
Unto Granata, by the Seas,
To send the Queene away.
He wanted nothing saue the time
To complish his intent:
Meane while the wanton Princes, that
Knew her father ment,
To complish his intent:
Meane while the wanton Princes, that
Knew her father ment,
And smelling out his purpose, causde
Her man in poast to goe,
Unto Palermo couertly,
To let Gerbino knowe,
Her man in poast to goe,
Unto Palermo couertly,
To let Gerbino knowe,
Both of the Ladies late contract.
And that by ship shee must
Within a while to Granat goe,
To serue her husbands lust.
And that by ship shee must
Within a while to Granat goe,
To serue her husbands lust.
Wherefore tell Gerbine if he bee
The man in deed (quoth shee)
And such a valiant Knight at armes
As he hath bragd to mee,
The man in deed (quoth shee)
And such a valiant Knight at armes
As he hath bragd to mee,
86
And often boastes of himselfe
Or beare me halfe the loue,
He made in wise: he knowes my minde,
I shall his courage proue.
Or beare me halfe the loue,
He made in wise: he knowes my minde,
I shall his courage proue.
The messenger that had the charge
Did as the Queene had wild:
And made returne to Tunise, when
He had her hest fulfild.
Did as the Queene had wild:
And made returne to Tunise, when
He had her hest fulfild.
When Gerbin had receiude the newes,
Both of her going thence,
And also that his Gransire gaue
His gloue for their defence
Both of her going thence,
And also that his Gransire gaue
His gloue for their defence
That should conuey the Princesse home
Unto her husbands land:
He doubtfull woxe, and wist not what
Was best to take in hand.
Unto her husbands land:
He doubtfull woxe, and wist not what
Was best to take in hand.
But waying well the Ladies wordes
Whom he did most imbrace:
To make a proofe of faithfull loue
In such a doubtfull case,
Whom he did most imbrace:
To make a proofe of faithfull loue
In such a doubtfull case,
Unto Messina streight he went,
And there two Gallies made:
And armde them well with valiant men,
And skilde in Rouers trade.
And there two Gallies made:
And armde them well with valiant men,
And skilde in Rouers trade.
And to Sardinia did conuey
Him selfe, and all his route:
Entending there to make his stay,
And linger thereabout,
Him selfe, and all his route:
Entending there to make his stay,
And linger thereabout,
[86]
Till time the Queen by shipping came
Which was within a space:
For why Gerbino had not long
Continude in the place.
Which was within a space:
For why Gerbino had not long
Continude in the place.
But that he might perceiue aloofe
One vnder saile that came,
And had but slender gale: he knew
It streight to be the same
One vnder saile that came,
And had but slender gale: he knew
It streight to be the same
Wherin the Queene his mistresse went:
The Gods would haue it so,
For at that instant slender was
The winde that there did blow.
The Gods would haue it so,
For at that instant slender was
The winde that there did blow.
Then (quoth Gerbino to his mates)
If you be valiant men,
(As I haue thought you all to bee,
And doe account you:) then
If you be valiant men,
(As I haue thought you all to bee,
And doe account you:) then
There is not one among you all
I dare auowe, but earst
Hath been in loue, or presently
With Cupids shaft is pierst:
I dare auowe, but earst
Hath been in loue, or presently
With Cupids shaft is pierst:
And certainely withouten loue
Within the breast of man,
No goodnesse growes, as I doe deeme
Nor any vertue can.
Within the breast of man,
No goodnesse growes, as I doe deeme
Nor any vertue can.
And if you loue, or euer did,
Then lightly may you gesse
The great desire, and burning loue
That doth my heart oppresse.
Then lightly may you gesse
The great desire, and burning loue
That doth my heart oppresse.
87
I doe confesse I am in loue,
And Cupid causer was
That I procurde you hither now,
To bring my will to passe,
And Cupid causer was
That I procurde you hither now,
To bring my will to passe,
And vndertake this present toyle.
The yonder ship you see,
And in the ship doth rest a dame,
The only ioy of mee.
The yonder ship you see,
And in the ship doth rest a dame,
The only ioy of mee.
And eke besides my Ladie deare
Whom I would haue so faine,
Great wealth there is, to quit your toiles,
An easie thing to gaine.
Whom I would haue so faine,
Great wealth there is, to quit your toiles,
An easie thing to gaine.
Small fight (no doubt) will serue the turne,
If you will play the men:
Which bootie, if wee may atchieue,
(My mates) assure you then
If you will play the men:
Which bootie, if wee may atchieue,
(My mates) assure you then
I only will the Ladie gaine,
That is my only care:
As for the goods, I am content
Among your selues to share.
Wherefore (my friends) attempt the fight,
Let courage neuer faile:
That is my only care:
As for the goods, I am content
Among your selues to share.
Wherefore (my friends) attempt the fight,
Let courage neuer faile:
The Gods you see are willing, that
We should the ship assaile.
You see she hath no gale to goe,
She can not passe away?
We should the ship assaile.
You see she hath no gale to goe,
She can not passe away?
Fight freely, all the spoyle is yours,
You shall be made to day,
You shall be made to day,
[87]
There needed not so many wordes
Their willing hearts to win:
For why encountring rather than
Their liues they would haue bin
Their willing hearts to win:
For why encountring rather than
Their liues they would haue bin
The bootie bred the great desire,
They thought his tale too long:
The greedie lust of pray did pricke
Those lustie Lads along.
They thought his tale too long:
The greedie lust of pray did pricke
Those lustie Lads along.
Wherefore as soone as he had told
His tale, the trumpets blewe:
And euery man his weapon caught,
And to the oares they flewe,
His tale, the trumpets blewe:
And euery man his weapon caught,
And to the oares they flewe,
And to the shipwarde on they went,
With all the speede they might:
The men aboord that see them come
Preparde them selues to fight.
With all the speede they might:
The men aboord that see them come
Preparde them selues to fight.
For why they could not scape away,
The Gallies were so neare,
And eke the winde so slender was
To cause the ship to steare.
The Gallies were so neare,
And eke the winde so slender was
To cause the ship to steare.
When Gerbin did approch the barke,
He wild the chiefest men,
That were the guides, and rulde the ship,
To come aboord him then,
He wild the chiefest men,
That were the guides, and rulde the ship,
To come aboord him then,
Unlesse they ment to fight it out,
The Sarizens that saw
Both who they were, & what they would,
Said that they brake the law
The Sarizens that saw
Both who they were, & what they would,
Said that they brake the law
88
Which earst the Prince of Cicill made
Unto their Soueraigne, and
To make the matter plaine, they shewde
The Gantlet of his hand:
Unto their Soueraigne, and
To make the matter plaine, they shewde
The Gantlet of his hand:
Loe here King Williams Gloue (quoth they)
Behold it here in sight:
This is your Pasport, nought yee get,
Unlesse it be by fight.
Behold it here in sight:
This is your Pasport, nought yee get,
Unlesse it be by fight.
Gerbino halting earst descride
The beautie of the dame
Aloft the Poope, began to frie
And melt with greater flame
The beautie of the dame
Aloft the Poope, began to frie
And melt with greater flame
Than euer he had done before:
For then her feature seemde,
Farre fresher than in all his life
The lustie louer deemde.
For then her feature seemde,
Farre fresher than in all his life
The lustie louer deemde.
And thereupon inraged thus
By beautie of the Queene:
He gaue his scoffing answere, when
He had the Gantlet seene:
By beautie of the Queene:
He gaue his scoffing answere, when
He had the Gantlet seene:
Good faith (quoth hee) I neede no gloue,
My Faulcon is away:
I haue no vse to put it to:
But if without delay
My Faulcon is away:
I haue no vse to put it to:
But if without delay
You doe not yeeld the Ladie vp,
Prepare your selues to sword:
For sure, vnlesse I haue my will,
You shall bee layde aboord.
Prepare your selues to sword:
For sure, vnlesse I haue my will,
You shall bee layde aboord.
[88]
And presentle vpon the same
Without a farther talke,
The arrowes flewe, from side to side,
The bullot stones did walke:
Without a farther talke,
The arrowes flewe, from side to side,
The bullot stones did walke:
A cruell fight began to grow
On eyther part a space:
But when Gerbino saw at length
His force could take no place,
On eyther part a space:
But when Gerbino saw at length
His force could take no place,
He lades a Lyter all with fire,
And with his gallies went
Full closely to the mightie ship.
They seeyng his intent,
And with his gallies went
Full closely to the mightie ship.
They seeyng his intent,
And knowing this, of verie force
That they must yeeld, or die:
Did make no more adoe, but causde
The Princes by and by,
That they must yeeld, or die:
Did make no more adoe, but causde
The Princes by and by,
(That vnder hatches sobbing sate
Gerbinos only loue)
To leaue her teares, and shew her selfe
Upon the decke aboue.
Gerbinos only loue)
To leaue her teares, and shew her selfe
Upon the decke aboue.
Who, as vpon the foreship stoode
In presence of them all,
The hellish houndes, the Sarizens,
Unto the Knight did call,
In presence of them all,
The hellish houndes, the Sarizens,
Unto the Knight did call,
And ful before his face, they fliee,
With many a blooddie blow
The Ladie, crying out for grace:
And hauing done, did throw
With many a blooddie blow
The Ladie, crying out for grace:
And hauing done, did throw
89
Her carued carkasse from the ship
Into the brackishe flood:
And to Gerbino therewithall
Exclaymde, and cryed a good:
Into the brackishe flood:
And to Gerbino therewithall
Exclaymde, and cryed a good:
Loe, take sir Knight, we yeeld her vp
Unto thy crauing and handes,
In sort as lyes in vs to doe,
And as the broken bandes
Unto thy crauing and handes,
In sort as lyes in vs to doe,
And as the broken bandes
Which thou hast (wretchlesse man) despisde,
Deserue: now doe thy best.
Gerbino, hauing viewde the deed,
And wayed within his breast
Deserue: now doe thy best.
Gerbino, hauing viewde the deed,
And wayed within his breast
The tygres harts, and bloudy mindes
Of those that slue the dame,
Did make no more adoe, but close
With dreadlesse courage came
Of those that slue the dame,
Did make no more adoe, but close
With dreadlesse courage came
A boord the ship, and there begon
Without respect of grace,
Full Lion like, that lackes his pray,
When bullockes are in place:
Without respect of grace,
Full Lion like, that lackes his pray,
When bullockes are in place:
To doe those wicked slaues to death,
He did not fauour one.
Some rent he with his eger teeth,
He set his nayles vpon
He did not fauour one.
Some rent he with his eger teeth,
He set his nayles vpon
Some other, breaking all their bones,
To glut his hungry hart,
That longd for vengeance of the fact.
Then gan he play his part,
To glut his hungry hart,
That longd for vengeance of the fact.
Then gan he play his part,
[81]
With sharpe and cruell sword in hand,
As one without remorse:
He seard me one, and scotcht an other,
And mangled euery corse.
As one without remorse:
He seard me one, and scotcht an other,
And mangled euery corse.
Meanwhile the flame began to grow,
And kindle all about
The bloudy barke, and bodies slayne,
The sparkes began to spout.
And kindle all about
The bloudy barke, and bodies slayne,
The sparkes began to spout.
The knight to saue the taken spoyle,
Did cause his water men,
To beare away such bootie as
Serue their purpose then.
Did cause his water men,
To beare away such bootie as
Serue their purpose then.
Which done, he left the burning ship,
And to his gallies goes,
With wofull conquest of the Mores
That were his mortall foes.
And to his gallies goes,
With wofull conquest of the Mores
That were his mortall foes.
Then willd he all the Ladies limmes
That in the water were,
To be vptaken, peece by peece,
Not one to tarry there.
That in the water were,
To be vptaken, peece by peece,
Not one to tarry there.
Which bones he long bewept with teares,
That in abundant wise,
For very griefe distilled were
By lymbeckes of his eyes.
That in abundant wise,
For very griefe distilled were
By lymbeckes of his eyes.
And after many dolefull plaintes,
And profes of louers paine,
Returning home vnto the Isle
Of Cicille againe,
And profes of louers paine,
Returning home vnto the Isle
Of Cicille againe,
82
He causde her body to be tumbd
In Ustica, an yle
Full sore against Traponus soyle.
And then within a whyle,
In Ustica, an yle
Full sore against Traponus soyle.
And then within a whyle,
He hyed him to his natiue home,
A man of heauie hart,
Meanewhile the king of Tunise, that
Had tiding of the part
A man of heauie hart,
Meanewhile the king of Tunise, that
Had tiding of the part
That late was playde, attyred all
In blacke, his legates sent
To Cicill, to the king to shew
His grace, how matters went,
In blacke, his legates sent
To Cicill, to the king to shew
His grace, how matters went,
And all the order of the fact,
And let him vnderstand
How that his nephew broken had
By rash attempt, the band.
And let him vnderstand
How that his nephew broken had
By rash attempt, the band.
Whereof king William wrothfull wox,
And seeing that he must
Of force, or shew himselfe a Prince,
Or not be counted iust:
And seeing that he must
Of force, or shew himselfe a Prince,
Or not be counted iust:
He made Gerbino to be tant,
And kept in yron gyues.
His nobles could not change his minde,
And purpose, for their liues.
And kept in yron gyues.
His nobles could not change his minde,
And purpose, for their liues.
He iudged his nephew to the death,
And loosing of his lyfe:
There past not many dayes, but that
Gerbino felt the knife,
And loosing of his lyfe:
There past not many dayes, but that
Gerbino felt the knife,
[90]
And did eudure his grandsires wrath,
Who rather wisht to see,
His nephew murthred, than him selfe
A faithlesse King to be.
Who rather wisht to see,
His nephew murthred, than him selfe
A faithlesse King to be.
And thus these two vnhappy wights
Without the fruites of loue
Had shamefull deathes, as you haue heard
By this discourse aboue.
Without the fruites of loue
Had shamefull deathes, as you haue heard
By this discourse aboue.
Lenuoy.
VVho
works against his soueraigne Princes word,
And standes not of the penaltie in awe,
Well worthy is to feele the wrathfull sword,
And dye the death appointed by the law:
No fauour is to such offendours due,
That, eare they did amisse, the mischiefe knew.
And standes not of the penaltie in awe,
Well worthy is to feele the wrathfull sword,
And dye the death appointed by the law:
No fauour is to such offendours due,
That, eare they did amisse, the mischiefe knew.
For Princes willes are euer to be wayde,
The statutes are the strength and stay of all,
When lawes are made, they ought to be obayde,
What royall Peeres, by pledge, or promise shall
At any time confirme to friend or foe,
Must stable stand, the law of armes is so.
The statutes are the strength and stay of all,
When lawes are made, they ought to be obayde,
What royall Peeres, by pledge, or promise shall
At any time confirme to friend or foe,
Must stable stand, the law of armes is so.
For they are second Gods in earth belowe,
Assignde to rule and strike the onely stroke,
Their crownes and scepters, be of perfect shew,
That all estates are vnderneath the yoke:
What they shall say, or doe in any case,
By dutie ought to take effect and place,
Assignde to rule and strike the onely stroke,
Their crownes and scepters, be of perfect shew,
That all estates are vnderneath the yoke:
What they shall say, or doe in any case,
By dutie ought to take effect and place,
91
Wherefore who dares aduenture vp so hie
And proudly presse to alter kings decres,
Not fearing what may light on them thereby,
Nor forcing what they shall by folly leese:
Of law deserue the hardest point to byde,
For scorning those whom God appoyntes to gyde.
And proudly presse to alter kings decres,
Not fearing what may light on them thereby,
Nor forcing what they shall by folly leese:
Of law deserue the hardest point to byde,
For scorning those whom God appoyntes to gyde.
When royal Rome dyd flourish in estate,
In auncient age, the Senate bearing sway,
The lawes were so seuere, as who forgate
To liue vpright, and doe as they did say:
Was presently committed to the blocke.
Without respect to blood, or noble stocke,
In auncient age, the Senate bearing sway,
The lawes were so seuere, as who forgate
To liue vpright, and doe as they did say:
Was presently committed to the blocke.
Without respect to blood, or noble stocke,
Some in exile were sent to foreine landes,
Leauing their wyues, and little babes behinde,
Some sonnes were slayne euen by the fathers handes,
Who fauouring right, forgot the lawe of kinde:
Iustice in Rome bore then so great a sway,
As no man durst good orders disobay.
Leauing their wyues, and little babes behinde,
Some sonnes were slayne euen by the fathers handes,
Who fauouring right, forgot the lawe of kinde:
Iustice in Rome bore then so great a sway,
As no man durst good orders disobay.
We reade of one, a ruler graue and wyse,
Who made a law, and that to this effect,
That he should be bereft of both his eyes,
Whom any of adultery might detect:
And bring good profe that it was so in deede,
Upon which acte, the sages all agreed,
Who made a law, and that to this effect,
That he should be bereft of both his eyes,
Whom any of adultery might detect:
And bring good profe that it was so in deede,
Upon which acte, the sages all agreed,
It so befell, his sonne against the law
Did first offend, that first deuisde the same,
Which fortune when the wofull father sawe,
And that his sonne could not auoyde the blame:
For iustice sake did thus deuise to deale,
To giue example in the common weale.
Did first offend, that first deuisde the same,
Which fortune when the wofull father sawe,
And that his sonne could not auoyde the blame:
For iustice sake did thus deuise to deale,
To giue example in the common weale.
Where as the law expressely willde, that he
Who did offend, should be bereft his sight,
The father with his sonne did so agree
As each did loose an eye the faulte to quite.
Wherein the father shewde himselfe seuere.
And yet as ruthfull as the law could beare.
Who did offend, should be bereft his sight,
The father with his sonne did so agree
[91]
Wherein the father shewde himselfe seuere.
And yet as ruthfull as the law could beare.
O worthy wight, O ruler fit to raigne,
That rather chose his childe to punish so,
And eake himselfe to byde some part of payne.
Than parcially to let offences goe:
A double tumbe was due vnto his bones,
For being iust and ruthfull both at once.
That rather chose his childe to punish so,
And eake himselfe to byde some part of payne.
Than parcially to let offences goe:
A double tumbe was due vnto his bones,
For being iust and ruthfull both at once.
King Romulus who let the citie builde,
And founder was of all that royall race,
That none should ouerleape his rampire wild,
Which Remus did the fortresse to disgrace:
Which when his brother saw in mockage ment,
With wrathfull sworde he flue him ere he went.
And founder was of all that royall race,
That none should ouerleape his rampire wild,
Which Remus did the fortresse to disgrace:
Which when his brother saw in mockage ment,
With wrathfull sworde he flue him ere he went.
So here this aged Prince of Cicilie,
When he had plegd and pawnd his honor downe,
Though lesse offence to slay by crueltie,
His nephew, than to stane his kingly crowne:
For iustice is the chiefe and only thing
That is requirde and lookte for in a king.
When he had plegd and pawnd his honor downe,
Though lesse offence to slay by crueltie,
His nephew, than to stane his kingly crowne:
For iustice is the chiefe and only thing
That is requirde and lookte for in a king.
Wherefore what Peeres and Princes and once haue wild,
No subiect should endeuour to vndoe:
For kings will looke to haue their hestes fulfild,
And reason good that it should aye be so.
As beastes obey the loftie Lyons looke,
So meane estates must puysant Princes brooke.
No subiect should endeuour to vndoe:
For kings will looke to haue their hestes fulfild,
And reason good that it should aye be so.
As beastes obey the loftie Lyons looke,
So meane estates must puysant Princes brooke.
Ill fares the barke amid the broyling seas,
Where euery swayne controlles the maisters skill,
And each one stires at helme him selfe to please,
And folowes not the cunning Pylots will:
So realmes are rulde but badly, where the base
Will checke the chiefe, that sit in highest place.
Where euery swayne controlles the maisters skill,
And each one stires at helme him selfe to please,
And folowes not the cunning Pylots will:
So realmes are rulde but badly, where the base
Will checke the chiefe, that sit in highest place.
| Tragicall Tales translated by Tvrbervile | |