Partly perforce of his banishment from his city, partly
for that the sweet friendship of Titus was justly
dear to him, Gisippus consented to become a Roman.
And so, long and happily they lived together at Rome,
Gisippus with his Fulvia, and Titus with his Sophronia,
in the same house, growing, if possible, greater friends
day by day.
Exceeding sacred then, is friendship, and worthy not
only to be had in veneration, but to be extolled with
never-ending praise, as the most dutiful mother of
magnificence and seemliness, sister of gratitude and
charity, and foe to enmity and avarice; ever, without
waiting to be asked, ready to do as generously by
another as she would be done by herself. Rarely
indeed is it to-day that twain are found, in whom her
most holy fruits are manifest; for which is most shamefully
answerable the covetousness of mankind, which, regarding
only private interest, has banished friendship beyond
earth’s farthest bourne, there to abide in perpetual
exile. How should love, or wealth, or kinship,
how should aught but friendship have so quickened
the soul of Gisippus that the tears and sighs of Titus
should incline his heart to cede to him the fair and
gracious lady that was his betrothed and his beloved?
Laws, menaces, terror! How should these, how
should aught but friendship, have withheld Gisippus,
in lonely places, in hidden retreats, in his own bed,
from enfolding (not perchance unsolicited by her)
the fair damsel within his youthful embrace?
Honours, rewards, gains! Would Gisippus for these,
would he for aught but friendship, have made nothing
of the loss of kindred—his own and Sophronia’s—have
made nothing of the injurious murmurs of the populace,
have made nothing of mocks and scorns, so only he
might content his friend? And on the other hand,
for what other cause than friendship had Titus, when
he might decently have feigned not to see, have striven
with the utmost zeal to compass his own death, and
set himself upon the cross in Gisippus’ stead?
And what but friendship had left no place for suspicion
in the soul of Titus, and filled it with a most fervent
desire to give his sister to Gisippus, albeit he saw
him to be reduced to extreme penury and destitution?
But so it is that men covet hosts of acquaintance,
troops of kinsfolk, offspring in plenty; and the number
of their dependants increases with their wealth; and
they reflect not that there is none of these, be he
who he may, but will be more apprehensive of the least
peril threatening himself than cumbered to avert a
great peril from his lord or kinsman, whereas between
friends we know ’tis quite contrariwise.
NOVEL IX.
— Saladin, in guise of a merchant, is
honourably entreated by Messer Torello. The Crusade
ensuing, Messer Torello appoints a date, after which
his wife may marry again: he is taken prisoner,
and by training hawks comes under the Soldan’s
notice. The Soldan recognizes him, makes himself
known to him, and entreats him with all honour.
Messer Torello falls sick, and by magic arts is transported
in a single night to Pavia, where his wife’s
second marriage is then to be solemnized, and being
present thereat, is recognized by her, and returns
with her to his house. —
