[Day the Tenth]
GHINO DI TACCO TAKETH THE ABBOT OF CLUNY AND HAVING CURED
HIM OF THE STOMACH-COMPLAINT, LETTETH HIM GO; WHEREUPON THE
ABBOT, RETURNING TO THE COURT OF ROME, RECONCILETH HIM WITH
POPE BONIFACE AND MAKETH HIM A PRIOR OF THE HOSPITALLERS
The magnificence shown by King Alfonso to the Florentine cavalier
having been duly commended, the king, who had been mightily pleased
therewith, enjoined Elisa to follow on, and she straightway began
thus: "Dainty dames, it cannot be denied that for a king to be
munificent and to have shown his munificence to him who had served him
is a great and a praiseworthy thing; but what shall we say if a
churchman be related to have practised marvellous magnanimity towards
one, whom if he had used as an enemy, he had of none been blamed
therefor? Certes, we can say none otherwise than that the king's
magnificence was a virtue, whilst that of the churchman was a miracle,
inasmuch as the clergy are all exceeding niggardly, nay, far more so
than women, and sworn enemies of all manner of liberality; and albeit
all men naturally hunger after vengeance for affronts received, we see
churchmen, for all they preach patience and especially commend the
remission of offences, pursue it more eagerly than other folk. This,
then, to wit, how a churchman was magnanimous, you may manifestly
learn from the following story of mine.
Ghino di Tacco, a man very famous for his cruelty and his robberies,
being expelled [Transcriber's Note: missing 'from'] Siena and at feud
with the Counts of Santa Fiore, raised Radicofani against the Church
of Rome and taking up his sojourn there, caused his swashbucklers
despoil whosoever passed through the surrounding country. Now,
Boniface the Eighth being pope in Rome, there came to court the Abbot
of Cluny, who is believed to be one of the richest prelates in the
world, and having there marred his stomach, he was advised by the
physicians to repair to the baths of Siena and he would without fail
be cured. Accordingly, having gotten the pope's leave, he set out on
his way thither in great pomp of gear and baggage and horses and
servitors, unrecking of Ghino's [ill] report. The latter, hearing of
his coming, spread his nets and hemmed him and all his household and
gear about in a strait place, without letting a single footboy escape.
This done, he despatched to the abbot one, the most sufficient, of his
men, well accompanied, who in his name very lovingly prayed him be
pleased to light down and sojourn with the aforesaid Ghino in his
castle. The abbot, hearing this, answered furiously that he would
nowise do it, having nought to do with Ghino, but that he would fare
on and would fain see who should forbid his passage. Whereto quoth the
messenger on humble wise, 'Sir, you are come into parts where, barring
God His might, there is nothing to fear for us and where
excommunications and interdicts are all excommunicated; wherefore, may
it please you, you were best comply with Ghino in this.'
During this parley, the whole place had been encompassed about with
men-at-arms; wherefore the abbot, seeing himself taken with his men,
betook himself, sore against his will, to the castle, in company with
the ambassador, and with him all his household and gear, and alighting
there, was, by Ghino's orders, lodged all alone in a very dark and
mean little chamber in one of the pavilions, whilst every one else was
well enough accommodated, according to his quality, about the castle
and the horses and all the gear put in safety, without aught thereof
being touched. This done, Ghino betook himself to the abbot and said
to him, 'Sir, Ghino, whose guest you are, sendeth to you, praying you
acquaint him whither you are bound and on what occasion.' The abbot,
like a wise man, had by this laid by his pride and told him whither he
went and why. Ghino, hearing this, took his leave and bethought
himself to go about to cure him without baths. Accordingly, he let
keep a great fire still burning in the little room and causing guard
the place well, returned not to the abbot till the following morning,
when he brought him, in a very white napkin, two slices of toasted
bread and a great beaker of his own Corniglia vernage[441] and
bespoke him thus, 'Sir, when Ghino was young, he studied medicine and
saith that he learned there was no better remedy for the
stomach-complaint than that which he purposeth to apply to you and of
which these things that I bring you are the beginning; wherefore do
you take them and refresh yourself.'
[Footnote 441: See p. 372, note.]
The abbot, whose hunger was greater than his desire to bandy words,
ate the bread and drank the wine, though he did it with an ill will,
and after made many haughty speeches, asking and counselling of many
things and demanding in particular to see Ghino. The latter, hearing
this talk, let part of it pass as idle and answered the rest very
courteously, avouching that Ghino would visit him as quickliest he
might. This said, he took his leave of him and returned not until the
ensuing day, when he brought him as much toasted bread and as much
malmsey; and so he kept him several days, till such time as he
perceived that he had eaten some dried beans, which he had of intent
aforethought brought secretly thither and left there; whereupon he
asked him, on Ghino's part, how he found himself about the stomach.
The abbot answered, 'Meseemeth I should fare well, were I but out of
his hands; and after that, I have no greater desire than to eat, so
well have his remedies cured me.' Thereupon Ghino caused the abbot's
own people array him a goodly chamber with his own gear and let make
ready a magnificent banquet, to which he bade the prelate's whole
household, together with many folk of the burgh. Next morning, he
betook himself to the abbot and said to him, 'Sir, since you feel
yourself well, it is time to leave the infirmary.' Then, taking him by
the hand, he brought him to the chamber prepared for him and leaving
him there in company of his own people, occupied himself with caring
that the banquet should be a magnificent one.
The abbot solaced himself awhile with his men and told them what his
life had been since his capture, whilst they, on the other hand,
avouched themselves all to have been wonder-well entreated of Ghino.
The eating-hour come, the abbot and the rest were well and orderly
served with goodly viands and fine wines, without Ghino yet letting
himself be known of the prelate; but, after the latter had abidden
some days on this wise, the outlaw, having let bring all his gear into
one saloon and all his horses, down to the sorriest rouncey, into a
courtyard that was under the windows thereof, betook himself to him
and asked him how he did and if he deemed himself strong enough to
take horse. The abbot answered that he was strong enough and quite
recovered of his stomach-complaint and that he should fare perfectly
well, once he should be out of Ghino's hands. Ghino then brought him
into the saloon, wherein was his gear and all his train, and carrying
him to a window, whence he might see all his horses, said, 'My lord
abbot, you must know that it was the being a gentleman and expelled
from his house and poor and having many and puissant enemies, and not
evilness of mind, that brought Ghino di Tacco (who is none other than
myself) to be, for the defence of his life and his nobility, a
highway-robber and an enemy of the court of Rome. Nevertheless, for
that you seem to me a worthy gentleman, I purpose not, now that I have
cured you of your stomach-complaint, to use you as I would another,
from whom, he being in my hands as you are, I would take for myself
such part of his goods as seemed well to me; nay, it is my intent that
you, having regard to my need, shall appoint to me such part of your
good as you yourself will. It is all here before you in its entirety
and your horses you may from this window see in the courtyard; take,
therefore, both part and all, as it pleaseth you, and from this time
forth be it at your pleasure to go or to stay.'
The abbot marvelled to hear such generous words from a highway-robber
and was exceeding well pleased therewith, insomuch that, his anger and
despite being of a sudden fallen, nay, changed into goodwill, he
became Ghino's hearty friend and ran to embrace him, saying, 'I vow to
God that, to gain the friendship of a man such as I presently judge
thee to be, I would gladly consent to suffer a far greater affront
than that which meseemed but now thou hadst done me. Accursed be
fortune that constrained thee to so damnable a trade!' Then, letting
take of his many goods but a very few necessary things, and the like
of his horses, he left all the rest to Ghino and returned to Rome. The
pope had had news of the taking of the abbot and albeit it had given
him sore concern, he asked him, when he saw him, how the baths had
profited him; whereto he replied, smiling, 'Holy Father, I found a
worthy physician nearer than at the baths, who hath excellently well
cured me'; and told him how, whereat the pope laughed, and the abbot,
following on his speech and moved by a magnanimous spirit, craved a
boon of him. The pope, thinking he would demand otherwhat, freely
offered to do that which he should ask; and the abbot said, 'Holy
Father, that which I mean to ask of you is that you restore your
favour to Ghino di Tacco, my physician, for that, of all the men of
worth and high account whom I ever knew, he is certes one of the most
deserving; and for this ill that he doth, I hold it much more
fortune's fault than his; the which[442] if you change by bestowing on
him somewhat whereby he may live according to his condition, I doubt
not anywise but you will, in brief space of time, deem of him even as
I do.' The pope, who was great of soul and a lover of men of worth,
hearing this, replied that he would gladly do it, an Ghino were indeed
of such account as the abbot avouched, and bade the latter cause him
come thither in all security. Accordingly, Ghino, at the abbot's
instance, came to court, upon that assurance, nor had he been long
about the pope's person ere the latter reputed him a man of worth and
taking him into favour, bestowed on him a grand priory of those of the
Hospitallers, having first let make him a knight of that order; which
office he held whilst he lived, still approving himself a loyal friend
and servant of Holy Church and of the Abbot of Cluny."
[Footnote 442: _i.e._ fortune.]