ing for Sicily, buried it honourably in Ustica, a little island
over against Trapani; after which he returned home, the woefullest man
alive.

The King of Tunis, hearing the heavy news, sent his ambassadors, clad
all in black, to King Guglielmo, complaining of the ill observance of
the faith which he had plighted him. They recounted to him how the
thing had passed, whereat King Guglielmo was sore incensed and seeing
no way to deny them the justice they sought, caused take Gerbino; then
himself,--albeit there was none of his barons but strove with prayers
to move him from his purpose,--condemned him to death and let strike
off his head in his presence, choosing rather to abide without
posterity than to be held a faithless king. Thus, then, as I have told
you, did these two lovers within a few days[239] die miserably a
violent death, without having tasted any fruit of their loves."

[Footnote 239: _i.e._ of each other.]

THE FIFTH STORY

[Day the Fourth]

LISABETTA'S[240] BROTHERS SLAY HER LOVER, WHO APPEARETH TO
HER IN A DREAM AND SHOWETH HER WHERE HE IS BURIED, WHEREUPON
SHE PRIVILY DISINTERRETH HIS HEAD AND SETTETH IT IN A POT OF
BASIL. THEREOVER MAKING MOAN A GREAT WHILE EVERY DAY, HER
BROTHERS TAKE IT FROM HER AND SHE FOR GRIEF DIETH A LITTLE
THEREAFTERWARD

[Footnote 240: This is the proper name of the heroine of the story
immortalized by Keats as "Isabella or the Pot of Basil," and is one of
the many forms of the and name _Elisabetta_ (Elizabeth), _Isabetta_
and _Isabella_ being others. Some texts of the Decameron call the
heroine _Isabetta_, but in the heading only, all with which I am
acquainted agreeing in the use of the form _Lisabetta_ in the body of
the story.]

Elisa's tale being ended and somedele commended of the king, Filomena
was bidden to discourse, who, full of compassion for the wretched
Gerbino and his mistress, after a piteous sigh, began thus: "My story,
gracious ladies, will not treat of folk of so high condition as were
those of whom Elisa hath told, yet peradventure it will be no less
pitiful; and what brought me in mind of it was the mention, a little
before, of Messina, where the case befell.

There were then in Messina three young brothers, merchants and left
very rich by their father, who was a man of San Gimignano, and they
had an only sister, Lisabetta by name, a right fair and well-mannered
maiden, whom, whatever might have been the reason