The diversitie of changes and alterations in Fortune as they are great, so must they needs be greevous; and as often as we take occasion to talk of them, as often do they awake and quicken our understandings, avouching, that it is no easie matter to depend upon her flatteries. And I am of opinion, that to heare them recounted, ought not any way to offend us, be it of men wretched or fortunate; because, as they enstruct the one with good advise, so they animate the other with comfort. And therefore, although great occasions have beene already related, yet I purpose to tell a Tale, no lesse true then lamentable; which albeit it sorted to a successefull ending, yet notwithstanding, such and so many were the bitter thwartings, as hardly can I beleeve, that ever any sorrow was more joyfully sweetened. You must understand then (most gracious Ladies) that after the death of _Fredericke_ the second Emperour, one named _Manfred_, was crowned King of _Sicilie_, about whom lived in great account and authority, a _Neapolitane_ Gentleman, called _Henriet Capece_, who had to Wife a beautifull Gentlewoman, and a _Neapolitane_ also, named Madam _Beritola Caracalla_. This _Henriet_ held the government of the Kingdome of _Sicilie_, and understanding, that King _Charles_ the first, had wonne the battle of _Beneventum_, and slaine King _Manfred_; the whole Kingdome revolting also to his devotion, and little trust to be reposed in the _Sicillians_, or he willing to subject himselfe to his Lords enemy; provided for his secret flight from thence. But this being discovered to the _Sicillians_, he and many more, who had beene loyall servants to King _Manfred_, were suddenly taken and imprisoned by King _Charles_, and the sole possession of the Iland confirmed to him. Madam _Beritola_ not knowing (in so sudden and strange an alteration of State affaires) what was become of her Husband, fearing also greatly before, those inconveniences which afterward followed; being overcome with many passionate considerations, having left and forsaken all her goods, going aboard a small Barke with a Sonne of hers, aged about some eight yeeres, named _Geoffrey_, and growne great with childe with another; shee fled thence to _Lipary_, where shee was brought to bed of another Sonne, whom shee named (answerable both to his and her hard fortune) _The poore expelled_. Having provided her selfe of a Nurse, they altogether went aboard againe, setting sayle for _Naples_ to visit her Parents; but it chanced quite contrary to her expectation, because by stormie windes and weather, the vessell being bound for _Naples_, was hurried to the Ile of _Ponzo_, where entring into a small Port of the Sea, they concluded to make their aboade, till a time more furtherous should favour their voyage.