knows that even then, when first I did affect you,
I wist that you were the King, and I but the daughter
of Bernardo the apothecary, and that to suffer my
passion to soar so high did ill become me; but, as
you know far better than I, none loves of set and
discreet purpose, but only according to the dictates
of impulse and fancy; which law my forces, albeit
not seldom opposed, being powerless to withstand, I
loved and still love and shall ever love you.
But as no sooner knew I myself subjugated to your
love, than I vowed to have ever no will but yours;
therefore not only am I compliant to take right gladly
him whom you shall be pleased to give me for husband,
thereby conferring upon me great honour and dignity;
but if you should bid me tarry in the fire, delighted
were I to obey, so thereby I might pleasure you.
How far it beseems me to have you, my King, for my
knight, you best know; and therefore I say nought
thereof; nor will the kiss which you crave as your
sole tribute of my love be granted you save by leave
of my Lady the Queen. Natheless, may you have
of this great graciousness that you and my Lady the
Queen have shewn me, and which I may not requite,
abundant recompense in the blessing and favour of
God;” and so she was silent.
The Queen was mightily delighted with the girl’s
answer, and deemed her as discreet as the King had
said. The King then sent for the girl’s
father and mother, and being assured that his intention
had their approval, summoned to his presence a young
man, Perdicone by name, that was of gentle birth,
but in poor circumstances, and put certain rings into
his hand, and (he nowise gainsaying) wedded him to
Lisa. Which done, besides jewels many and precious
that he and the Queen gave the girl, he forthwith
bestowed upon Perdicone two domains, right goodly and
of ample revenues, to wit, Ceffalu and Calatabellotta,
saying:—“We give them to thee for
thy wife’s dowry; what we have in store for thee
thou wilt learn hereafter.” Which said,
he turned to the girl, and:—“Now,”
quoth he, “we are minded to cull that fruit
which is due to us of thy love;” and so, taking
her head between both his hands, he kissed her brow.
Wherefore, great was the joy of Perdicone, and the
father and mother of Lisa, and Lisa herself, and mighty
the cheer they made, and gaily did they celebrate
the nuptials. And, as many affirm, right well
did the King keep his promise to the girl; for that
ever, while he lived, he called himself her knight,
nor went to any passage of arms bearing other device
than that which he had from her.
Now ’tis by doing after this sort that sovereigns
win the hearts of their subjects, give others occasion
of well-doing, and gain for themselves an imperishable
renown. At which mark few or none in our times
have bent the bow of their understanding, the more
part of the princes having become but cruel tyrants.
