THE THIRD BOOK OF THE COURTIER thou sure witness for me how hardly I refrained from putting myself to death after my dear consort died, and with what weari- ness I bore the sorrow of remaining in this bitter life, wherein I felt no other good or pleasure beyond the hope of that ven- geance which now I find I have attained. Joyful and content, then, I go to seek the sweet company of that soul which in life and in death I have loved more than myself. And thou, wretch, who thoughtest to be my husband, instead of the marriage bed give order that thy tomb be made ready for thee, for I offer thee as a sacrifice to the shade of Synattus.' " Aghast at these words, and already feeling the effect of the poison stir pain within him, Sinoris tried many remedies; but they were of no avail, and Camma had such great good fortune (or whatever else it was), that before dying herself she knew that Sinoris was dead. Learning which thing, she very contentedly laid herself upon her bed with eyes to heaven, continually calling the name of Synattus, and saying : " ' O sweetest consort, now that I have given both tears and vengeance as last offerings for thy death, nor see that aught else is left me to do for thee, I hasten from the world and this life, — cruel without thee and once dear to me only for thy sake. Come then to meet me, my Lord, and receive this soul as gladly as it gladly comes to thee.' " And speaking thus, and with arms opened as if she would already embrace him, she died. Now say, Frisio, what do you think of her ?"^ Frisio replied: " I think you fain would make these ladies weep. But even supposing this were true, I tell you that such women are no longer to be found in the world." 27 — "Indeed they are to be found," said the Magnifico; "and that this is true, listen : " In my time there was a gentleman at Pisa, whose name was messer Tommaso ; I do not remember of what family, although I often heard it mentioned by my father, who was a great friend of his. Now this messer Tommaso, crossing one day in a small vessel from Pisa to Sicily on business, was surprised by some Moorish galleys which had come up so stealthily that those who 195
