— Guidotto da Cremona dies leaving a girl
to Giacomino da Pavia. She has two lovers in
Faenza, to wit, Giannole di Severino and Minghino di
Mingole, who fight about her. She is discovered
to be Giannole’s sister, and is given to Minghino
to wife. —
All the ladies laughed so heartily over the story
of the nightingale, that, even when Filostrato had
finished, they could not control their merriment.
However, when the laughter was somewhat abated, the
queen said:—“Verily if thou didst
yesterday afflict us, to-day thou hast tickled us
to such purpose that none of us may justly complain
of thee.” Then, as the turn had now come
round to Neifile, she bade her give them a story.
And thus, blithely, Neifile began:—As Filostrato
went to Romagna for the matter of his discourse, I
too am fain to make a short journey through the same
country in what I am about to relate to you.
I say, then, that there dwelt of yore in the city
of Fano two Lombards, the one ycleped Guidotto da
Cremona and the other Giacomino da Pavia, men advanced
in life, who, being soldiers, had spent the best part
of their youth in feats of arms. Now Guidotto,
being at the point of death, and having no son or
any friend or kinsman in whom he placed more trust
than in Giacomino, left him a girl of about ten years,
and all that he had in the world, and so, having given
him to know not a little of his affairs, he died.
About the same time the city of Faenza, which had long
been at war and in a most sorry plight, began to recover
some measure of prosperity; and thereupon liberty
to return thither on honourable terms was accorded
to all that were so minded. Whither, accordingly,
Giacomino, who had dwelt there aforetime, and liked
the place, returned with all his goods and chattels,
taking with him the girl left him by Guidotto, whom
he loved and entreated as his daughter. The girl
grew up as beautiful a maiden as was to be found in
the city; and no less debonair and modest was she
than fair. Wherefore she lacked not admirers;
but above all two young men, both very gallant and
of equal merit, the one Giannole di Severino, the
other Minghino di Mingole, affected her with so ardent
a passion, that, growing jealous, they came to hate
one another with an inordinate hatred. Right
gladly would each have espoused her, she being now
fifteen years old, but that his kinsmen forbade it;
wherefore seeing that neither might have her in an
honourable way, each determined to compass his end
as best he might.
Now Giacomino had in his house an ancient maid, and
a man, by name Crivello, a very pleasant and friendly
sort of fellow, with whom Giannole grew familiar,
and in due time confided to him all his love, praying
him to further the attainment of his desire, and promising
to reward him handsomely, if he did so. Crivello
made answer:—“Thou must know that
there is but one way in which I might be of service
