_They all determine to quit the Island, and pursue their Voyage._
"Now," said the master of the inn, "I know not that I ought to say that
I feel sorry for the fair weather which all the signs in the sky seem
to promise at sea. The sun shines clear and bright, far and wide one
cannot perceive the smallest cloud. The waves murmur on the shore with
a gentle sound, and the birds are scattered abroad over the ocean, all
which are signs of fair and durable weather; a fact which will cause me
to be soon left alone by the noble guests whom fortune has brought to
my inn."
"Even so will it be," said Maurice, "for however agreeable and pleasant
your company has been, the desire of returning home will prevent our
enjoying it much longer. For my part, I must say, that I think of
sailing to-night at the first watch, if the opinion of my pilot, and
that of the officers who are in the ship, should agree with mine."
To which Arnoldo rejoined: "The loss of time is irrecoverable; but,
most of all, loss of time at sea can never be remedied." In short,
there was but one opinion amongst the whole party--that they should
sail that night for England, to which all were bound.
Arnoldo rose from table, and taking Periander by the hand, drew him out
of the inn; and when they were alone, and out of hearing of any one,
he said, "It is impossible, friend Periander, but that your sister,
Auristella, must have told you of the inclination I had for her during
the two years that she was in the power of the king, my father; but
so much did I respect her, that no word ever fell from my lips, that
could disturb her modesty. I never wished for more of her history than
she chose to tell me; picturing her in my imagination, not as a person
of ordinary or low estate, but as if she was queen of the whole world;
because her modesty, gravity, and exceeding great discretion, prevented
all possibility of thinking otherwise. A thousand times I offered to
marry her, and with the full consent of my father, and yet I thought
the offer short of her merits; but ever she made answer, that until she
was in the city of Rome, where she had a vow to accomplish, she could
not dispose of herself. She never would tell me her quality, nor that
of her parents, nor did I, as I said before, ever importune her on that
point, for she herself, independent of all nobility of birth, deserved
not only the crown of Denmark, but that of every kingdom upon earth.
"I have told you all this, Periander, because I consider you as a
person of understanding and discretion, and because the happiness is
not small which I ask at your's and your sister's hands, asking her of
you for a wife; and promising to fulfil this offer, when and where
she pleases; here, beneath this humble roof, or in the gilded halls of
Rome; and I also swear that I will conduct myself towards her in all
respect and decorum, until this desired hour shall arrive."
Here Arnoldo ended his discourse, and listened attentively to what
Periander would say in reply, which was--"I know well, valorous Prince
Arnoldo, the obligations which both my sister and myself are under to
you for the many favours you have shown us; and for that you now anew
offer to us, of receiving me as your brother, and her as your wife;
but, although it seems like madness for two poor miserable pilgrims
cast out of their own country, not at once to accept the good that is
offered to them, yet I must say that it is not in our power to receive
it as we ought to do. Impelled by destiny, my sister and myself seek
the city of Rome, and till we see ourselves there, we feel that we are
not at liberty to use our own free-will; if Heaven permits us ever
to touch the blessed ground, and adore the holy relics there, we may
then be able to dispose of our own hitherto shackled inclinations, and
then mine will be entirely devoted to your service. Also, I will own
to you, that if you ever reach the accomplishment of your wishes, you
will obtain a bride born of illustrious lineage, and a brother-in-law
who will be a brother indeed. And now to the many favours that we have
both received, I pray you to add yet another, which is that you will
not ask me more concerning our home and our life, that I may not be
obliged to tell you untruths, and invent false and lying chimeras, to
avoid telling you our true history." "Dispose of me as thou wilt, O
my brother," answered Arnoldo, "consider me as the wax, and thyself
the seal, to impress on me whatever thou shalt desire; and let us, if
it seems good to thee, depart this night for England, as we can more
easily pass from thence to France, and to Rome; and in this voyage I
will accompany you, if it is agreeable to you that I should do so."
Although Periander was much disturbed at this last offer, he yet
accepted it, trusting to time and delays, which sometimes cause events
to turn out better than is expected; and the two intended brothers
embracing one another, returned to the inn to prepare for their
departure.
Auristella had seen Arnoldo and Periander go forth together, and
greatly feared what might be the result of their conversation; and
although she well knew the modesty of Prince Arnoldo, and the great
discretion of Periander, still a thousand vague alarms oppressed her
heart. To her it appeared that as Arnoldo's power was equal to his
love, he might try to obtain what he desired by force; since sometimes,
in the bosoms of rejected lovers, tenderness is converted into wrath,
and courtesy into rudeness; but seeing them return so amicably
together, and in such peaceful guise, she recovered her spirits again.
Clodio, the backbiter, who knew now who Arnoldo was, fell at his feet,
and entreated that he would interfere in his behalf to get him freed
from the company of Rosamond. Maurice related to him the story of their
crimes and punishment. Moved by compassion, Arnoldo ordered that Clodio
should be released from his chains; and he promised to speak in his
behalf, seeing that he was a great friend of his sovereign. Upon which
Clodio said, "If all great people occupied themselves like you, sir, in
doing good, nobody would wish to speak ill of them; but how can he who
does evil, expect that men should speak well of him? And if good and
virtuous deeds are often calumniated by human malice, why should the
wicked escape? Take me with you, O prince, and you shall see how I will
sing your praises up to the very skies."
"No, no," replied Arnoldo, "I do not desire to be praised for the good
which it is natural to me to do; and besides, praise is only valuable
from the good; it is worth nothing to be praised by the vicious and the
bad. Praise is the reward of virtue, if he who bestows it is virtuous;
from the vicious, praise is blame."
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