Accordingly I shall always believe that if love once enters a
woman’s heart, her lover will have fair fortune, provided he be not a
simpleton.”
“Well,” said Parlamente, “if I were to name to you a very loving woman
who was greatly sought after, beset and importuned, and who, like a
virtuous lady, proved victorious over her heart, flesh, love and lover,
would you believe this true thing possible?”
“Yes,” said he, “I would.”
“Then,” said Parlamente, “you must all be hard of belief if you do not
believe this story.”
“Madam,” said Dagoucin, “since I have given an example to show how the
love of a virtuous gentleman lasted even until death, I pray you, if you
know any such story to the honour of a lady, to tell it to us, and so
end this day. And be not afraid to speak at length, for there is yet
time to relate many a pleasant matter.”
“Then, since I am to wind up the day,” said Parlamente, “I will make no
long preamble, for my story is so beautiful and true that I long to have
you know it as well as I do myself. Although I was not an actual witness
of the events, they were told to me by one of my best and dearest
friends in praise of the man whom of all the world he had loved the
most. But he charged me, should I ever chance to relate them, to change
the names of the persons. Apart, therefore, from the names of persons
and places the story is wholly true.”
[Illustration: 024.jpg Tailpiece]
[Illustration: 025a.jpg The Countess asking an Explanation from Amadour]
[The Countess asking an Explanation from Amadour]
[Illustration: 025.jpg Page Image]
_TALE X_.
_Florida, after virtuously resisting Amadour, who had assailed her
honour almost to the last extremity, repaired, upon her husbands death,
to the convent of Jesus, and there took the veil_. (1)
1 This tale appears to be a combination of fact and fiction.
Although Queen Margaret states that she has changed the
names of the persons, and also of the places where the
incidents happened, several historical events are certainly
brought into the narrative, the scene of which is laid in
Spain during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. M. Le Roux
de Lincy is of opinion, however, that Margaret really refers
to some affair at the Court of Charles VIII. or Louis XII.,
and he remarks that there is great similarity between the
position of the Countess of Aranda, left a widow at an early
age with a son and a daughter, and that of Louise of Savoy
with her two children. M. Lacroix and M. Dillaye believe the
hero and heroine to be Admiral de Bonnivet and Margaret. It
has often been suspected that the latter regarded her
brother’s favourite with affection until after the attempt
related in Tale IV.--Ed.
In the county of Aranda, (2) in Aragon, there lived a lady who, while
still very young, was left a widow, with a son and a daughter, by the
Count of Aranda, the name of the daughter being Florida. This lady
strove to bring up her children in all the virtues and qualities which
beseem lords and gentlemen, so that her house was reputed to be one of
the most honourable in all the Spains. She often went to Toledo, where
the King of Spain dwelt, and when she came to Saragossa, which was not
far from her house, she would remain a long while with the Queen and the
Court, by whom she was held in as high esteem as any lady could be.
2 Aranda, in the valley of the Duero, between Burgos
and Madrid, is one of the most ancient towns in Spain, but of
miserable aspect, although a large trade is carried on there
in cheap red wines. (Ferdinand and Isabella resided for some
time at Aranda.--Ed.)
Going one day, according to her custom, to visit the King, then at his
castle of La Jasserye, (3) at Saragossa, this lady passed through a
village belonging to the Viceroy of Catalonia, (4) who, by reason of the
great wars between the kings of France and Spain, had not been wont to
stir from the frontier at Perpignan. But for the time being there was
peace, so that the Viceroy and all his captains had come to do homage to
the King. The Viceroy, learning that the Countess of Aranda was passing
through his domain, went to meet her, not only for the sake of the
ancient friendship he bore her, but in order to do her honour as a
kinswoman of the King’s.
3 This castle is called La Jafferie in Boaistuau’s edition
of 1558, and several learned commentators have speculated as
to which is the correct spelling. Not one of them seems to
have been aware that in the immediate vicinity of Saragossa
there still stands an old castle called El Jaferia or
Aljaferia, which, after being the residence of the Moorish
sovereigns, became that of the Spanish kings of Aragon. It
has of modern times been transformed into barracks.--Ed.
4 Henry of Aragon, Duke of Segorbe and Count of Ribagorce,
was Viceroy of Catalonia at this period. He was called the
Infante of Fortune, on account of his father having died
before his birth in 1445.--B. J.
Now he had in his train many honourable gentlemen, who, in the long
waging of war, had gained such great honour and renown that all who saw
them and consorted with them deemed themselves fortunate. Among others
there was one named Amadour, who, although but eighteen or nineteen
years old, was possessed of such well-assured grace and of such
excellent understanding that he would have been chosen from a
thousand to hold a public office. It is true that this excellence of
understanding was accompanied by such rare and winsome beauty that none
could look at him without pleasure. And if his comeliness was of the
choicest, it was so hard pressed by his speech that one knew not whether
to give the greatest honour to his grace, his beauty, or the excellence
of his conversation.
What caused him, however, to be still more highly esteemed was his great
daring, which was no whit diminished by his youth. He had already shown
in many places what he could do, so that not only the Spains, but France
and Italy also made great account of his merits. For in all the wars
in which he had taken part he had never spared himself, and when his
country was at peace he would go in quest of wars in foreign lands,
where he was loved and honoured by both friend and foe.
This gentleman, for the love he bore his commander, had come to the
domain where the Countess of Aranda had arrived, and remarking the
beauty and grace of her daughter Florida, who was then only twelve years
old, he thought to himself that she was the fairest maiden he had ever
seen, and that if he could win her favour it would give him greater
satisfaction than all the wealth and pleasure he might obtain from
another. After looking at her for a long time he resolved to love her,
although his reason told him that what he desired was impossible by
reason of her lineage as well as of her age, which was such that she
could not yet understand any amorous discourse. In spite of this, he
fortified himself with hope, and reflected that time and patience might
bring his efforts to a happy issue. And from that moment the kindly
love, which of itself alone had entered Amadour’s heart, assured him of
all favour and the means of attaining his end.
To overcome the greatest difficulty before him, which consisted in the
remoteness of his own home and the few opportunities he would have of
seeing Florida again, he resolved to get married. This was contrary
to what he had determined whilst with the ladies of Barcelona and
Perpignan, in which places he was in such favour that little or nothing
was refused him; and, indeed, by reason of the wars, he had dwelt so
long on the frontiers that, although he was born near Toledo, he seemed
rather a Catalan than a Castillan. He came of a rich and honourable
house, but being a younger son, he was without patrimony; and thus it
was that Love and Fortune, seeing him neglected by his kin, determined
to make him their masterpiece, endowing him with such qualities as
might obtain what the laws of the land had refused him. He was of
much experience in the art of war, and was so beloved by all lords
and princes that he refused their favours more frequently than he had
occasion to seek them.
The Countess, of whom I have spoken, arrived then at Saragossa and was
well received by the King and all his Court. The Governor of Catalonia
often came to visit her, and Amadour failed not to accompany him that
he might have the pleasure of merely seeing Florida, for he had no
opportunity of speaking with her. In order to establish himself in this
goodly company he paid his addresses to the daughter of an old knight,
his neighbour. This maiden was named Avanturada, and was so intimate
with Florida that she knew all the secrets of her heart. Amadour,
as much for the worth which he found in Avanturada as for the three
thousand ducats a year which formed her dowry, determined to address her
as a suitor, and she willingly gave ear to him. But as he was poor and
her father was rich, she feared that the latter would never consent
to the marriage except at the instance of the Countess of Aranda. She
therefore had recourse to the lady Florida and said to her--
“You have seen, madam, that Castilian gentleman who often talks to me.
I believe that all his aim is to have me in marriage. You know, however,
what kind of father I have; he will never consent to the match unless he
be earnestly entreated by the Countess and you.”
Florida, who loved the damsel as herself, assured her that she would
lay the matter to heart as though it were for her own benefit; and
Avanturada then ventured so far as to present Amadour to her. He was
like to swoon for joy on kissing Florida’s hand, and although he was
accounted the readiest speaker in Spain, yet in her presence he became
dumb. At this she was greatly surprised, for, although she was only
twelve years old, she had already often heard it said that there was no
man in Spain who could speak better or with more grace. So, finding that
he said nothing to her, she herself spoke.
“Senor Amadour,” she began, “the renown you enjoy throughout all the
Spains has made you known to everybody here, and all are desirous of
affording you pleasure. If therefore I can in any way do this, you may
dispose of me.”
Amadour was in such rapture at sight of the lady’s beauty that he could
scarcely utter his thanks. However, although Florida was astonished to
find that he made no further reply, she imputed it rather to some whim
than to the power of love; and so she withdrew, without saying anything
more.
Amadour, who perceived the qualities which even in earliest youth were
beginning to show themselves in Florida, now said to her whom he desired
to marry--
“Do not be surprised if I lost the power of utterance in presence of
the lady Florida. I was so astonished at finding such qualities and such
sensible speech in one so very young that I knew not what to say to her.
But I pray you, Avanturada, you who know her secrets, tell me if she
does not of necessity possess the hearts of all the gentlemen of the
Court. Any who know her and do not love her must be stones or brutes.”
Avanturada, who already loved Amadour more than any other man in the
world, could conceal nothing from him, but told him that Florida was
loved by every one. However, by reason of the custom of the country, few
spoke to her, and only two had as yet made any show of love towards
her. These were two princes of Spain, and they desired to marry her, one
being the son of the Infante of Fortune (5) and the other the young Duke
of Cardona. (6)
5 M. Lacroix asserts that the Infante of Fortune left no son
by his wife, Guyomare de Castro y Norogna; whereas M. Le
Roux de Lincy contends that he had a son--Alfonso of Aragon--
who in 1506 was proposed as a husband for Crazy Jane.
Alfonso would therefore probably be the prince referred to
by Margaret.--Ed.
6 Cardona, a fortified town on the river Cardoner, at a few
miles from Barcelona, was a county in the time of Ferdinand
and Isabella, and was raised by them to the rank of a duchy
in favour of Ramon Folch I. To-day it has between two and
three thousand inhabitants, and is chiefly noted for its
strongly built castillo. The young Duke spoken of by Queen
Margaret would be Ramon Folch’s son, who was also named
Ramon.--B. J. and Ed.
“I pray you,” said Amadour, “tell me which of them you think she loves
the most.”
“She is so discreet,” said Avanturada, “that on no account would she
confess to having any wish but her mother’s. Nevertheless, as far as can
be judged, she likes the son of the Infante of Fortune far more than she
likes the young Duke of Cardona. But her mother would rather have her at
Cardona, for then she would not be so far away. I hold you for a man
of good understanding, and, if you are so minded, you may judge of her
choice this very day, for the son of the Infante of Fortune, who is one
of the handsomest and most accomplished princes in Christendom, is being
brought up at this Court. If we damsels could decide the marriage by our
opinions, he would be sure of having the Lady Florida, for they would
make the comeliest couple in all Spain. You must know that, although
they are both young, she being but twelve and he but fifteen, it is
now three years since their love for each other first began; and if
you would secure her favour, I advise you to become his friend and
follower.”
Amadour was well pleased to find that Florida loved something, hoping
that in time he might gain the place not of husband but of lover. He had
no fear in regard to her virtue, but was rather afraid lest she should
be insensible to love. After this conversation he began to consort with
the son of the Infante of Fortune, and readily gained his favour, being
well skilled in all the pastimes that the young Prince was fond of,
especially in the handling of horses, in the practice of all kinds of
weapons, and indeed in every diversion and pastime befitting a young
man.
However, war broke out again in Languedoc, and it was necessary that
Amadour should return thither with the Governor. This he did, but not
without great regret, since he could in no wise contrive to return to
where he might see Florida. Accordingly, when he was setting forth, he
spoke to a brother of his, who was majordomo to the Queen of Spain,
and told him of the good match he had found in the Countess of Aranda’s
house, in the person of Avanturada; entreating him, in his absence,
to do all that he could to bring about the marriage, by employing his
credit with the King, the Queen, and all his friends. The majordomo, who
was attached to his brother, not only by reason of their kinship, but on
account of Amadour’s excellent qualities, promised to do his best. This
he did in such wise that the avaricious old father forgot his own nature
to ponder over the qualities of Amadour, as pictured to him by the
Countess of Aranda, and especially by the fair Florida, as well as by
the young Count of Aranda, who was now beginning to grow up, and to
esteem people of merit. When the marriage had been agreed upon by the
kinsfolk, the Queen’s majordomo sent for his brother, there being at
that time a truce between the two kings. (7)
Meanwhile, the King of Spain withdrew to Madrid to avoid the bad air
which prevailed in divers places, and, by the advice of his Council, as
well as at the request of the Countess of Aranda, he consented to the
marriage of the young Count with the heiress Duchess of Medina Celi.
(8) He did this no less for their contentment and the union of the two
houses than for the affection he bore the Countess of Aranda; and he
caused the marriage to be celebrated at the castle of Madrid. (9)
7 There had been a truce in 1497, but Queen Margaret
probably alludes to that of four months’ duration towards
the close of 1503.--B.J.
8 Felix-Maria, widow of the Duke of Feria, and elder sister
of Luis Francisco de la Cerda, ninth of the name. She became
heiress to the titles and estates of the house of Medina-
Celi upon her brother’s death. If, however, Queen Margaret
is really describing some incident in her own life, she must
refer to Louis XII.’s daughter, Claude, married in 1514 to
Francis I.--D.
9 The castle here referred to was the Moorish Alcazar,
destroyed by fire in 1734. The previous statement that King
Ferdinand withdrew to Madrid on account of the bad air
prevailing in other places is borne out by the fact that the
town enjoyed a most delightful climate prior to the
destruction of the forests which surrounded it.--Ed.
Amadour was present at this wedding, and succeeded so well in furthering
his own union, that he married Avanturada, whose affection for him was
far greater than his was for her. But this marriage furnished him with a
very convenient cloak, and gave him an excuse for resorting to the place
where his spirit ever dwelt. After he was married he became very bold
and familiar in the Countess of Aranda’s household, so that he was no
more distrusted than if he had been a woman. And although he was
now only twenty-two years of age, he showed such good sense that the
Countess of Aranda informed him of all her affairs, and bade her son
consult with him and follow his counsel.
Having gained their esteem thus far, Amadour comported himself so
prudently and calmly that even the lady he loved was not aware of his
affection for her. By reason, however, of the love she bore his wife, to
whom she was more attached than to any other woman, she concealed none
of her thoughts from him, and was pleased to tell him of all her love
for the son of the Infante of Fortune. Although Amadour’s sole aim was
to win her entirely for himself, he continually spoke to her of
the Prince; indeed, he cared not what might be the subject of their
converse, provided only that he could talk to her for a long time.
However, he had not remained a month in this society after his marriage
when he was constrained to return to the war, and he was absent for more
than two years without returning to see his wife, who continued to live
in the place where she had been brought up.
Meanwhile Amadour often wrote to her, but his letters were for the most
part messages to Florida, who on her side never failed to return them,
and would with her own hand add some pleasant words to the letters which
Avanturada wrote. It was on this account that the husband of the latter
wrote to her very frequently; yet of all this Florida knew nothing
except that she loved Amadour as if he had been her brother. Several
times during the course of five years did Amadour return and go away
again; yet so short was his stay that he did not see Florida for two
months altogether. Nevertheless, in spite of distance and length of
absence, his love continued to increase.
At last it happened that he made a journey to see his wife, and found
the Countess far removed from the Court, for the King of Spain was gone
into Andalusia, (10) taking with him the young Count of Aranda, who was
already beginning to bear arms.
10 There had been a revolt at Granada in 1499, and in the
following year the Moors rose in the Alpujarras, whereupon
King Ferdinand marched against them in person.--L.
Thus the Countess had withdrawn to a country-house belonging to her
on the frontiers of Aragon and Navarre. She was well pleased on seeing
Amadour, who had now been away for nearly three years. He was made
welcome by all, and the Countess commanded that he should be treated
like her own son. Whilst he was with her she informed him of all the
affairs of her household, leaving most of them to his judgment. And so
much credit did he win in her house that wherever he visited all doors
were opened to him, and, indeed, people held his prudence in such high
esteem that he was trusted in all things as though he had been an angel
or a saint.
Florida, by reason of the love she bore his wife and himself, sought
him out wherever he went. She had no suspicion of his purpose, and was
unrestrained in her manners, for her heart was free from love, save that
she felt great contentment whenever she was near Amadour. To more than
this she gave not a thought.
Amadour, however, had a hard task to escape the observation of those
who knew by experience how to distinguish a lover’s looks from another
man’s; for when Florida, thinking no evil, came and spoke familiarly to
him, the fire that was hidden in his heart so consumed him that he could
not keep the colour from rising to his face or sparks of flame from
darting from his eyes. Thus, in order that none might be any the wiser,
he began to pay court to a very beautiful lady named Paulina, a woman
so famed for beauty in her day that few men who saw her escaped from her
toils.
This Paulina had heard how Amadour had made love at Barcelona and
Perpignan, insomuch that he had gained the affection of the highest and
most beautiful ladies in the land, especially that of a certain Countess
of Palamos, who was esteemed the first for beauty among all the ladies
of Spain; and she told him that she greatly pitied him, since, after so
much good fortune, he had married such an ugly wife. Amadour, who well
understood by these words that she had a mind to supply his need, made
her the fairest speeches he could devise, seeking to conceal the truth
by persuading her of a falsehood. But she, being subtle and experienced
in love, was not to be put off with mere words; and feeling sure that
his heart was not to be satisfied with such love as she could give him,
she suspected he wished to make her serve as a cloak, and so kept close
watch upon his eyes. These, however, knew so well how to dissemble, that
she had nothing to guide her but the barest suspicion.
Nevertheless, her observation sorely troubled Amadour; for Florida, who
was ignorant of all these wiles, often spoke to him before Paulina in
such a familiar fashion that he had to make wondrous efforts to compel
his eyes to belie his heart. To avoid unpleasant consequences, he one
day, while leaning against a window, spoke thus to Florida--
“I pray you, sweetheart, counsel me whether it is better for a man to
speak or die?”