The abbot was not asleep; his mind being far too overwrought
by certain newly-awakened desires. He had heard what had passed
between Alessandro and the host, he had marked the place where
Alessandro had lain down, and in the great gladness of his heart had
begun thus to commune with himself: "God has sent me the
opportunity of gratifying my desire; if I let it pass, perchance it
will be long before another such opportunity occurs."[029]So, being
minded by no means to let it slip, when all was quiet in the inn, he
softly called Alessandro, and bade him lie down by his side. Alessandro
made many excuses, but ended by undressing and obeying;
[030]
whereupon the abbot laid a hand on Alessandro's breast, and began to
caress him just as amorous girls do their lovers; whereat Alessandro
marvelled greatly, doubting the abbot was prompted to such caresses
by a shameful love.
[031]
Which the abbot speedily divined, or else surmised
from some movement on Alessandro's part, and, laughing,
threw off a chemise which she had upon her, and taking Alessandro's
hand, laid it on her bosom, saying: "Alessandro, dismiss thy foolish
thought, feel here, and learn what I conceal."
[032]
Alessandro obeyed,
laying a hand upon the abbot's bosom, where he encountered two
little teats, round, firm and delicate, as they had been of ivory;
whereby he at once knew that 'twas a woman, and without awaiting
further encouragement forthwith embraced her, and would have
kissed her, when she said:
[033]
"Before thou art more familiar with me
hearken to what I have to say to thee. As thou mayst perceive, I
am no man, but a woman. Virgin I left my home, and was going
to the Pope to obtain his sanction for my marriage, when, as Fortune
willed, whether for thy gain or my loss, no sooner had I seen thee
the other day, than I burned for thee with such a flame of love as
never yet had lady for any man. Wherefore I am minded to have
thee for my husband rather than any other; so, if thou wilt not
have me to wife, depart at once, and return to thine own place."
[034]
Albeit he knew not who she was, Alessandro by the retinue which
attended her conjectured that she must be noble and wealthy, and he
saw that she was very fair; so it was not long before he answered
that, if such were her pleasure, it was very much to his liking.
[035]
Whereupon she sate up, set a ring on his finger, and espoused him
before a tiny picture of our Lord; after which they embraced, and
to their no small mutual satisfaction solaced themselves for the rest
of the night.
[036]
At daybreak Alessandro rose, and by preconcert with
the lady, left the chamber as he had entered it, so that none knew
where he had passed the night: then, blithe at heart beyond measure,
he rejoined the abbot and his train, and so, resuming their journey,
they after many days arrived at Rome.
[037]
They had not been there
more than a few days, when the abbot, attended by the two knights
and Alessandro, waited on the Pope, whom, after making the due
obeisance, he thus addressed: "Holy Father, as you must know
better than any other, whoso intends to lead a true and honourable
life ought, as far as may be, to shun all occasion of error; for which
cause I, having a mind to live honourably, did, the better to accomplish
my purpose, assume the habit in which you see me, and depart
by stealth from the court of my father, the King of England, who
was minded to marry me, young as you see me to be, to the aged
King of Scotland; and, carrying with me not a little of his treasure,
set my face hitherward that your Holiness might bestow me in
marriage.
[038]
Nor was it the age of the King of Scotland that moved
me to flee so much as fear lest the frailty of my youth should, were I
married to him, betray me to commit some breach of divine law, and
sully the honour of my father's royal blood.
[039]
And as in this frame of
mind I journeyed, God, who knows best what is meet for every
one, did, as I believe, of His mercy shew me him whom He is pleased
to appoint me for my husband, even this young man" (pointing to
Alessandro) "whom you see by my side, who for nobility of nature
and bearing is a match for any great lady, though the strain of his
blood, perhaps, be not of royal purity.
[040]
Him, therefore, have I
chosen, him will I have, and no other, no matter what my father or
any one else may think. And albeit the main purpose with which I
started is fulfilled, yet I have thought good to continue my journey,
that I may visit the holy and venerable places which abound in this
city, and your Holiness, and that so in your presence, and by consequence
in the presence of others, I may renew my marriage-vow with
Alessandro, whereof God alone was witness.
[041]
Wherefore I humbly
pray you that God's will and mine may be also yours, and that you
pronounce your benison thereon, that therewith, having the more
firm assurance of the favour of Him, whose vicar you are, we may
both live together, and, when the time comes, die to God's glory
and yours."
