第320章

True it is, that I shall travaile in this my latest journey, with endlesse torment and affliction of soule, except he have some understanding thereof before, and not knowing by whom to give him intelligence, in so oft and convenient order, as by thee: I doe therefore commit this last office of a friend to thy trust, desiring thee, not to refuse me in the performance thereof.And when thou hast done it, to let me understand what he saith, that I may dye the more contentedly, and disburdened of so heavy an oppression, the onely comfort to a parting spirit: and so she ceased, her teares flowing forth abundantly.

Manutio did not a little wonder at the Maides great spirit, and her desperate resolution, which moved him to exceeding commiseration, and suddenly he conceived, that honestly he might discharge this duty for her, whereupon, he returned her this answer.

Lisana, here I engage my faith to thee, that thou shalt find me firme and constant, and die I will, rather then deceive thee.

Greatly I doe commend thy high attempt, in fixing thy affection on so Potent a King, wherein I offer thee my utmost assistance: and Imake no doubt (if thou wouldest be of good comfort) to deale in such sort, as, before three dayes are fully past, to bring such newes as will content thee, and because I am loath to loose the least time, Iwill goe about it presently.Lisana the yong Maiden, once againe entreated his care and diligence, promising to comfort her selfe so well as she could, commending him to his good fortune.When Manutio was gone from her, hee went to a Gentleman, named Mico de Sienna, one of the best Poets in the composing of verses, as all those parts yeelded not the like.At his request, Mico made for him this ensuing Dittie.

THE SONG

SUNG IN THE HEARING OF KING PIERO, ON THEBEHALFE OF LOVE-SICKE LISANA

Goe Love, and tell the torments I endure, Say to my Soveraigne Lord, that I must die Except he come, some comfort to procure, For tell I may not, what I feele, and why.

With heaved hands Great Love, I call to thee, Goe see my Soveraigne, where he doth abide, And say to him, in what extremity, Thou hast (for him) my firm affection tryed.

To die for him, it is my sole desire, For live with him I may not, nor aspire, To have my fortunes thereby dignified, Onely his sight would lend me life a while:

Grant it (great love) mine anguish to beguile.

Goe love, and tell the torments, etc.

Since the first houre that love enthralled me, I never had the heart, to tell my griefe, My thoughts did speake, for thoughts be alwayes free, Yet hopefull thoughts doe find but poore reliefe.

When Gnats will mount to Eagles in the ayre, Alas! they scorne them, for full well they know, They were not bred to prey so base and low, Aloft they look, to make their flight more faire.

And yet his sight would lend me life a while:

Grant it (great love) mine anguish to beguile.

Goe love, and tell the torments, etc.

If sight shall be denyed, then tell them plaine, His high triumphall day procurd my death, The Launce that won him Honour, hath me slaine, For instantly it did bereave my breath.

That speake I could not, nor durst be so bold, To make the Ayre acquainted with my woe:

Alas! I lookt so high, and doing so, Justly deserve by death to be controld.

Yet mercies sight would lend me life a while, Grant it (great love) mine anguish to beguffe.

Goe love, and tell the torments I endure, Say to my Soveraigne Lord, that I must die:

Except he come, some comfort to procure, For tell I may not, what I feele, and why.

The lines contained in this Ditty, Manutio fitted with noates so mooving and singularly musicall, that every word had the seisible motion of life in it, where the King being (as yet) not risen from the Table, he commanded him to use both his Lute and voyce.

This seemed a happy opportunity to Manutio, to sing the dittie so purposely done and devised: which hee delivered in such excellent manner, the voice and Instrument concording so extraordinary pleasing;that all the persons then in the Presence, seemed rather Statues, then living men, so strangely they were wrapt with admiration, and the King himselfe farre beyond all the rest, transported with a rare kinde of alteration.

When Manutio had ended the Song, the King demanded of him, whence this Song came, because he had never heard it before? My gracious Lord, answered Manutio, it must needes seeme straunge to your Majesty, because it is not fully three dayes, since it was invented, made, and set to the note.Then the King asked, whom it concerned? Sir (quoth Manutio) I dare not disclose that to any but onely your selfe.Which answer made the King much more desirous, and being risen from the Table, he tooke him into his Bedchamber, where Manutio related all at large to him, according to the trust reposed in him.Wherwith the King was wonderfully well pleased, greatly commending the courage of the Maide, and said, that a Virgin of such a valiant spirit, did well deserve to have her case commiserated: and commanded him also, to goe (as sent from him) and comfort her, with promise, that the very same day, in the evening, he would not faile to come and see her.

Manutio, more then contented, to carry such glad tydings to Lisana; without staying in any place, and taking his Lute also with him, went to the Apothecaries house, where speaking alone with the Maide: he told her what he had done, and afterward sung the song to her, in as excellent manner as he had done before, wherein Lisana conceived such joy and contentment, as even in the very same moment, it was observed by apparant signes, that the violence of her fits forsooke her, and health began to get the upper hand of them.SO, without suffering any one in the house to know it, or by the least meanes to suspect it; she comforted her selfe till the evening, in expectation of her Soveraignes arrivall.