A tragic love affair.

A miserable Rape. (note that rape in the 16th century could mean was commonly used to describe an act of seizing or carrying off a person, often by force. It was used in a broader sense to refer to abduction, kidnapping, or the act of taking someone against their will.)

At such time as the French made war in Italy, under the reign of Louis XII, a rich merchant of Milan, (having one only son called Galeas, about ten years olde) died, leaving his heir a very great estate, whom the Mother (a honourable and virtuous Gentlewoman) caused to be carefully brought up, and instructed in all honest and decent exercises. Being come to the age of eighteen years, he began on the one part; to understand the estate of his affairs, for that his mother would not marry any more and on the other, he was persuaded by sundry exhortations to contain himself in the way of virtue. Thereupon it happened, that there was a question for the recovery of a great sum of money due by a Gentleman of Venice, who trafficked much into the Levantine Seas. Galeas who had not gone far from his own house, intreated his Mother to give him leave to make his voyage to Venice, to take some order for this business, having a ready with fits for any thing. The Mother consented, and after many goodly admonitions, having given him a servant to accompany him, she suffered him to depart. Being come to Venice, the Gentleman that was his debtor, entertained him courteously, and after some days, conducted him to Padua, where his family was, that he might provide for the payment of his debt.
The Venetian had a daughter called Lucretia, about sixteen years old, of whom at the first sight Galeas fell in love. The night following, he had a fearful dream. It seemed unto him that a man unknown opened his breast and Lucretia’s, and then fed upon their hearts. Awaking suddenly all amazed, and crying out, he tells his servant his passion, whereon he had afterwards this dream. The servant who was a cunning bawd, made him an exposition of this dream, such as he knew to be fit for his Master’s humour, and wrought so cunningly, that soon after the young man and the young maid talked secretly together, Galeas promising Lucretia to take her away, and carry her to Milan, where when as they should come to riper age, they would marry. Their disordered desires did so blind and transport them, as contemning all honest and lawful means, which were easier, they ran headlong into the miseries which followed. Galeas using diverse treacherous practises, feigned to send his servant back to Milan, with divers letters of affaires, and he himself returned to Venice with the Gentleman, where he received money, and took order for all that for the which he had been sent by his mother. After three days, news were brought to this poor Gentleman of Venice, that they knew not what was become of his daughter Lucretia. But Galeas servant lurking at Milan, had stolen her away, and carried her to Milan, where he had hired a house, and left her in the guard of an olde woman, who was sometimes Galeas nurse, who seemed to weep with the Venetian who understanding that his wise remaining at Padua, grew desperate for the loss of her daughter, went thither to comfort her: leaving Galeas, who presently takes another way, saying, that he went to his mother, who had called him home.
Being come to Milan, after that he had given an account of their common affaires, he goes to Lucretia whom he entertains in his house so cunningly, as for three years together nothing was discovered. In the end Galeas had two crosse encounters. The one by Lucretia, who desired the performance of his promise, and the other by his Mother, who did solicit him to marry. He was wholly inclined to keep his word, and to marry Lucretia, but yet they were much troubled to discover it to his Mother, who seeing a great alteration in him since his return from Venice, did long muse upon her son’s excuses: who being grown strong, rich, and in the flower of his age, was desired of the best families of Milan, who would not have disdained his alliance. In the end she wrought so, as she blew up this mine, and discovered that her son entertained a very faire young maid, in that lodging, where his nurse had been placed: but whereas she should have proceeded freely, she took a wrong course, which brought forth terrible effects, Gods Justice using such means for the execution of his fearful decrees. Watching a fit opportunity, she sent certain men disguised into the house whereas Lucretia was: they put a gag in her mouth, and threaten her with death, if she cried out, and then they carry her secretly into a Monastery of women, where she is committed to safe keeping. Galeas returning late to this lodging, and not finding her: understood from his nurse what had chanced: wherewith he entered into a strange fury, and continued all the next day without eating any thing. His mother advertised thereof, went to him; and seeing him in the way to despair, she began to assure him that Lucretia was whereas she would give a good account of her, wishing him to take courage and be of good cheer. There upon he came somewhat to himself, having a promise that they would restore Lucretia again to him that night. In the meantime he imagines, that these disguised men had abused her with other strange furies wherewith choler had possessed him so as toward night Lucretia being restored to him, he gave her but a cold reception, then coming nearer to her, he said, there is no reason they should separate us any more, but that we should concur together in one death at which words he drew out his poignard, and stabbed her in such sort, as she fell down dead at his feet with the same poignard smoking with Lucretia’s blood, he strikes himself in the heart, and after some words he dyed. The same night they were both interred, upon a brute that they were dead of the plague, whom the contagion had presently choked. History of Italy.