Fourth Book of the Perils of Persiles and Sigismunda, A Northern Saga

Summary

First Chapter of the Fourth Book

OUR WANDERING PILGRIM troop weighed whether or not Isabela Castrucho’s deviously managed marriage was valid, not once but again and again. Periandro said it was and what is more, they were not competent to weigh in on the matter. But what upset him most was the conjunction of the baptism, wedding, and burial, and the doctor’s ignorance, who failed to see through Isabela’s ruse or even the danger to her uncle. At times they dealt with this issue and at other times they referred to the dangers they had undergone.

Croriano and his wife Ruperta continually wondered who Periandro and Auristela and Antonio and Constanza were, which is not what they did to figure out who the three French ladies were, since they pegged them the first moment they saw them. Thus, occupied and traveling more than average distances each day, they arrived at Acquapendente, a place near Rome. At this town’s entrance Periandro and Auristela walked a little ahead of the others, where they did not fear listening ears or eavesdropping by anyone; Periandro then spoke to Auristela in this way:

“You know quite well, O my lady, that the origins of what motivated us to leave our homelands and our comforts were equally necessary. The breezes of Rome are already blowing in our faces; the hopes that sustain us are already boiling in our souls; I realize that very soon now I can see myself in possession of my sweet hope. Consider, madam, if it would be wise for you to review your thoughts and to search your heart to see if you retain your original commitment or if you will retain it after you have fulfilled your vow, about which I have no doubt, because I know that your royal blood was not begotten among dishonest promises or double-dealing tricks. As for me, I can tell you, O beautiful Sigismunda, that this Periandro you have before you is the Persiles whom you saw in the house of my father the king. The same one, I tell you, who gave you his word to be your husband in your father’s palaces, and he will honour it in the deserts of Libya, should our adverse fortunes take us there.”