come to doe it。 But before I bid you farewell； let me entreat you；
by the love and friendship confirmed betweene us； to be mindfull of
me； and to take such order （your affaires being fully finished in
Lombardie） that I may once more enjoy the sight of you here； for a
mutuall solace and satisfaction of our mindes； which are now divided
by this urgent hast。 Till which may be granted； let me want no
visitation of your kind letters； commanding thereby of me；
whatsoever here can possibly be done for you： assuring your selfe；
no man living can command me as you doe。
Signior Thorello could not forbeare weeping； but being much
hindred therby； answered in few words。 That he could not possibly
forget； his Gracious favours and extraordinary benefits used towards
him； but would accomplish whatsoever hee commaunded； according as
heaven did enable him。
Hereupon； Saladine embracing him； and kissing his forehead； said。
All my Gods goe with you； and guard you from any perill； departing
so out of the Chamber weeping； and his Baschaes （having likewise taken
their leave of Thorello） followed Saladine into the Hall； whereas
the Bedde stood readily prepared？ Because it waxed very late； and
the Magitian also there attending for his dispatch： the Phisitian went
with the potion to Thorello； and perswading him； in the way of
friendship； that it was onely to strengthen him after his great
weaknes： he drank it off； being thereby immediately entraunced； and so
presently sleeping； was （by Saladines command；） laid on the
sumptuous and costly Bed； whereon stood an Imperiall Crowne of
infinite value； appearing （by a description engraven on it） that
Saladine sent it to Madame Adalietta； the wife of Thorello。 On his
finger also hee put a Ring； wherein was enchased an admirable
Carbuncle； which seemed like a flaming Torche； the value thereof not
to bee estimated。 By him likewise hee laid a rich sword； with the
girdle； hangers； and other furniture； such as seldome can be seene the
like。 Then hee laid a jewell on the Pillow by him； so sumptuouslie
embelished with Pearles and precious Stones； as might have beseemed
the greatest Monarch in the World to weare。 Last of all； on either
side of them； hee set two great Basons of pure Gold； full of double
ducates； many cords of Orient Pearles； Rings； Girdles； and other
costly jewells （over…tedious to bee recounted） and kissing him once
more as hee lay in the bedde； commanded the Magitian to dispatch and
be gone。
Instantly； the bedde and Thorello in it； in the presence of
Saladine； was invisibly carried thence； and while he sate conferring
with his Baschaes； the bed； Signior Thorello； and all the rich Jewells
about him； was transported and set in the Church of San Pietro in Ciel
d'Ore in Pavia； according to his own request； and soundly sleeping；
being placed directly before the high Altar。 Afterward； when the bells
rung to Mattines； the Sexton entring the Church with a light in his
hand （where hee beheld a light of greater splendor） and suddenly
espied the sumptuous bedde there standing： not only was he smitten
into admiration； but hee ranne away also very fearefully。 When the
Abbot and the Monkes mette him thus running into the Cloyster； they
became amazed； and demanded the reason why he ranne in such haste；
which the Sexton told them。 How？ quoth the Abbot； thou art no
childe； or a new…come hither； to be so easilie affrighted in our
holy Church； where Spirits can have no power to walke； God and Saint
Peter （wee hope） are stronger for us then so： wherefore turne backe
with us； and let us see the cause of thy feare。
Having lighted many Torches； the Abbot and his Monkes entred with
the Sexton into the Church； where they beheld the wonderful riche
bedde； and the Knight lying fast asleepe in it。 While they stood all
in amazement； not daring to approach neere the bedde； whereon lay such
costly jewells： it chanced that Signior Thorello awaked； and
breathed forth a vehement sigh。 The Monkes and the Abbot seeing him to
stirre； ranne all away in feare； crying aloud； God and S。 Peter defend
us。
By this time Thorello had opened his eyes； and looking round about
him； perceived that hee was in the place of Saladines promise； whereof
hee was not a little joyfull。 Wherefore； sitting up in the bedde；
and particularly observing all the things about him： albeit he knew
sufficiently the magnificence of Saladine； yet now it appeared far
greater to him； and imagined more largely thereof； then hee could
doe before。 But yet； without any other ceremony； seeing the flight
of the Monkes； hearing their cry； and perceiving the reason； he called
the Abbot by his name； desiring him not to be afraid； for he was his
Nephew Thorello； and no other。
When the Abbot heard this； hee was ten times worse affrighted then
before； because （by publique fame） hee had beene so many moneths
dead and buried； but receiving （by true arguments） better assurance of
him； and hearing him still call him by his name： blessing himselfe
with the signe of the Crosse； hee went somewhat neerer to the bed；
when Thorello said。 My loving Uncle； and religious holy Father； wherof
are you afraid？ I am your loving Nephew； newly returned from beyond
the Seas。 The Abbot； seeing his beard to be grown long； and his
habit after the Arabian fashion； did yet collect some resemblance of
his former countenance； and being better perswaded of him； tooke him
by the hand； saying：
Sonne thou art happily returned； yet there is not any man in our
Citie； but doth verily beleeve thee to bee dead； and therefore doe not
much wonder at our feare。 Moreover； I dare assure thee； that thy
Wife Adalietta； being conquered by the controuling command； and
threatnings of her kinred （but much against her owne minde） is this
very morning to be married to a new husband； and the marriage feast is
solemnly prepared； in honour of this second nuptialls。
Thorello arising out of the bedde； gave gracious salutations to
the Abbot and his Monkes； intreating earnestly of them all； that no
word might be spoken of his returne； untill he had compleated an
important businesse。 Afterward； having safely secured the bedde； and
all the rich Jewells； he fully acquainted the Abbot with all his
passed fortunes； whereof he was immeasurably joyfull； and having
satisfied him； concerning the new elected husband； Thorello said
unto the Abbot。 Unckle； before any rumour of my returne； I would
gladly see my wives behavior at this new briding feast； and although
men of religion are seldome seene at such joviall meetings： yet （for
my sake） doe you so order the matter； that I （as an Arabian
stranger） may be a guest under your protection； wherto the Abbot
very gladly condescended。
In the morning； he sent to the Bridegroom； and advertised him；
that he （with a stranger newly arrived） intended to dine with him；
which the Gentleman accepted in thankefull manner。 And when dinner
time came； Thorello in his strange disguise went with the Abbot to the
Bridegroomes house； where he was lookt on with admiration of all the
guests； but not knowne or suspected by any one； because the Abbot
reported him to be a Sarracine； and sent by the Soldane （in Ambassage）
to the King of France。 Thorello was seated at a by…table； but directly
opposite to the new Bride； whom hee much delighted to looke on； and
easily collected by her sad countenance； that shee was scarcely well
pleased with this new nuptialls。 She likewise beheld him very often；
not in regard of any knowlege she took of him： for the bushiness of
his beard； strangeness of habit； （but most of all） firm beleefe of his
death； was the maine prevention。
At such time as Thorello thought it convenient； to approve how farre
he was falne out of her remembrance； he took the ring which she gave
him at his departure； and calling a young Page that waited on none but
the Bride； said to him in Italian： Faire youth； goe to the Bride；
and saluting her from me； tell her； it is a custome observed in my
Country； that when any Stranger （as I am heere） sitteth before a new
married Bride； as now shee is； in signe that hee is welcome to her
feast； she sendeth the same Cup （wherein she drinketh her selfe）
full of the best wine； and when the stranger hath drunke so much as
him pleaseth； the Bride then pledgeth him with all the rest。 The
Page delivered the message to the Bride； who； being a woman of
honourable disposition； and reputing him to be a Noble Gentleman； to
testifie that his presence there was very acceptable to her； shee
commanded a faire Cuppe of gold （which stood directlie before her）
to bee neately washed； and when it was filled with excellent Wine；
caused it to bee carried to the stranger； and so it was done。
Thorello having drunke a heartie draught to the Bride； conveyed
the Ring into the Cuppe； before any person could perceive it； and
having left but small store of Wine in it； covered the Cuppe； and sent
it againe to the Bride； who received it very gracioasly； and to honour
the Stranger in his Countries custome； dranke up the rest of the Wine；
and espying the Ring； shee tooke it forth undescried by any： Knowing
it to be the same Ring which shee gave Signior Thorello at his parting
from her； she fixed her eyes often on it； and as often on him； whom
she thought to be a stranger； the cheerfull bloud mounting up into her
cheeks； and returning againe with remembrance to her heart； that
（howsoever thus disguised） he only was her husband。
Like one of Bacchus Froes； up furiously she started； and throwing
downe the Table before her； cried out aloud： This is my Lord and
Husband； this truely is my Lord Thorello。 So running to the Table
where he sate； without regard of all the riches thereon； down she
threw it likewise； and clasping her armes about his necke； hung so
mainly on him （weeping； sobbing； and kissing him） as she could not
be taken off by any of the company； nor shewed any moderation in
this excesse of passion； till Thorello spake； and entreated her to
be more patient； because this extremity was over…dangerous for her。
Thus was the solemnitic much troubled； but every one there very glad
and joyfull for the recovery of such a famous and worthy Knight； who
intreated the