r in our country was aught known
of thee.' So saying, he embraced her, weeping, and kissed her
tenderly. Costanza then related to him all that had befallen her and
the honourable treatment which she had received from the gentlewoman
with whom she dwelt; and Martuccio, after much discourse, taking leave
of her, repaired to the king his master and told him all, to wit, his
own adventures and those of the damsel, adding that, with his leave,
he meant to take her to wife, according to our law. The king marvelled
at these things and sending for the damsel and hearing from her that
it was even as Martuccio had avouched, said to her, 'Then hast thou
right well earned him to husband.' Then, letting bring very great and
magnificent gifts, he gave part thereof to her and part to Martuccio,
granting them leave to do one with the other that which was most
pleasing unto each of them; whereupon Martuccio, having entreated the
gentlewoman who had harboured Costanza with the utmost honour and
thanked her for that which she had done to serve her and bestowed on
her such gifts as sorted with her quality, commended her to God and
took leave of her, he and his mistress, not without many tears from
the latter. Then, with the king's leave, they embarked with Carapresa
on board a little ship and returned with a fair wind to Lipari, where
so great was the rejoicing that it might never be told. There
Martuccio took Costanza to wife and held great and goodly nuptials;
after which they long in peace and repose had enjoyment of their
loves."

THE THIRD STORY

[Day the Fifth]

PIETRO BOCCAMAZZA, FLEEING WITH AGNOLELLA, FALLETH AMONG
THIEVES; THE GIRL ESCAPETH THROUGH A WOOD AND IS LED [BY
FORTUNE] TO A CASTLE, WHILST PIETRO IS TAKEN BY THE THIEVES,
BUT PRESENTLY, ESCAPING FROM THEIR HANDS, WINNETH, AFTER
DIVERS ADVENTURES, TO THE CASTLE WHERE HIS MISTRESS IS AND
ESPOUSING HER, RETURNETH WITH HER TO ROME

There was none among all the company but commended Emilia's story,
which the queen seeing to be finished, turned to Elisa and bade her
follow on. Accordingly, studious to obey, she began: "There occurreth
to my mind, charming ladies, an ill night passed by a pair of
indiscreet young lovers; but, for that many happy days ensued thereon,
it pleaseth me to tell the story, as one that conformeth to our
proposition.

There was, a little while agone, at Rome,--once the head, as it is
nowadays the tail of the