91How Apollonius is made schoolmaster to Lucina, and how she preferreth the love of him above all the nobility of Pentapolis.

92WHEN night was come and every one was at rest, Lucina lay unquietly tumbling in her bed, always thinking upon Apollonius, and could not sleep. Wherefore in the morning she rose very early and came in to the king her father's chamber. Whom when her father saw, "What is the matter, daughter Lucina," quoth he, "that contrary to custom you be stirring so early this morning?" "Dear father," quoth Lucina, "I could take no rest all this night for the desire I have to learn music of Apollonius; and therefore I pray you good father to put me unto him to be instructed in the art of music and other good qualities wherein he is skilful." When Altistrates heard his daughter's talk, he smiled within himself when he perceived the warmed affection kindled within her breast, which with so seemly a pretence she had covered as the desire to learn, and determined in part presently to satisfy her request: and when time served, he sent a messenger for Apollonius. And when he was come, he said unto him: "Apollonius, my daughter much desireth to be your scholar, and therefore I pray you take her to your government and instruct her the best you can, and I will reward you to your contentation." Apollonius answered, "Gracious prince, I am most willing to obey your commandment." So he took the lady and instructed her in the best manner he could, even as himself had learned; wherein she profited so well that in short time she matched or rather surpassed her master. Thus increased she not only in learning, but grew also daily in more fervent love of Apollonius, as whether standing in doubt of her father's resolute good will if he were moved concerning marriage, or fearing the time would be deferred in respect whereof she was presently ready, insomuch that she fell sick and became weaker every day than other. When the king perceived his daughter's infirmity to increase, he sent immediately throughout all the dominions for the learnedst physicians to search out her grief and to cure it, who, examining her urine and feeling her pulse, could find out no manifest cause or substance of her disease.

93After a few days that this happened, three noble young men of the same country, which had been suitors a long time unto Lucina for marriage, came unto the court, and, being brought into the king's presence, saluted him dutifully. To whom the king said, "Gentlemen, what is the cause of your coming?" They answered, "Your Grace had oftentimes promised to bestow your daughter in marriage upon one of us, and this is the cause of our coming at this time. We are your subjects, wealthy and descended of noble families; might it therefore please your Grace to choose one among us three to be your son-in-law." Then answered the king, "You are come unto me at an unseasonable time, for my daughter now applieth her study and lieth sick for the desire of learning, and the time is much unmeet for marriage. But to the intent you shall not altogether lose your labor, nor that I will not seem to defer you too long, write your names every one severally in a piece of paper, and what jointure you will make, and I will send the writings to my daughter that she may choose him whom she best liketh of." They did forthwith as the king had counselled them and delivered the writings unto the king, which he read and signed them and delivered them unto Apollonius, saying: Take here these bills, and deliver them to your scholar, which Apollonius received, and took them immediately unto the Lady Lucina.

94Now when she saw her schoolmaster whom she loved so entirely, she said unto him: "Master, what is the cause that you come alone into my chamber?" Apollonius answered: "Madam, I have brought writings from the king your father, which he willeth you to read." Lucina then received the writings and broke them up, and when she had read the names of the three noblemen her suitors, she threw away the bills, and, looking upon Apollonius, she said unto him: "My well-beloved schoolmaster Apollonius, doth it not grieve you that I shall be married unto another?" Apollonius answered, "No madam, it grieveth not me, for whatsoever shall be for your honor, shall be unto me profitable." Then said Lucina, "Master, if you loved me, you would be sorry," and therewithal she called for ink and paper, and wrote an answer unto her father in form following. "Gracious king and dear father, forasmuch as of your goodness you have given me free choice and liberty to write my mind, these are to let you understand that I would marry with the sea-wrecked man and with none other, your humble daughter, Lucina."

95And when she had sealed it, she delivered it unto Apollonius to be carried unto the king. When the king had received the letters, he perused them, wherein he perceived his daughter's mind, not knowing whom she meant by the sea-wrecked man. And therefore, turning himself towards the three noblemen, he demanded of them which of them had suffered shipwreck? Then one of them, named Ardonius, answered, "If it like your Grace, I have suffered shipwreck." The other twain, named Munditius and Carnillus, when they heard him say so, waxed wroth and fell into terms of outrage against him, saying: "Sickness and the fiends of hell consume thee, for thy foul and impudent lie! Do not we, who are thy equals both of birth and age, know right well that thou never wentest almost out of this city gates? And how couldst thou then suffer shipwreck?" Now when the king Altistrates could not find out which of them had suffered shipwreck, he looked towards Apollonius, saying: "Take these letters and read them, for it may be that I do not know him whom thou knowest, who was present." Apollonius, receiving the letters, perused them quickly, and, perceiving himself to be loved, blushed wonderfully. Then said the king to Apollonius, "Hast thou found the sea-wrecked man?" But Apollonius answered little or nothing, wherein his wisdom the rather appeared according to the saying of the wise man: In many words there wanteth discretion; whereas, contrariwise, many an undiscreet person might be accounted wise if he had but this one point of wisdom: to hold his tongue. Wherein indeed consisteth the whole trial or rather insight of a man, as signified the most wise philosopher, Socrates.