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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio, by
+Giovanni Boccaccio
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio
+
+Author: Giovanni Boccaccio
+
+Translator: John Payne
+
+Release Date: December 3, 2007 [EBook #23700]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DECAMERON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Ted Garvin, Linda Cantoni, and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's Note: The original text does not observe the normal
+convention of placing quotation marks at the beginnings of paragraphs
+within a multiple-paragraph quotation. This idiosyncrasy has been
+preserved in this e-text.
+
+Archaic spellings have been preserved, but obvious printer errors have
+been corrected.
+
+In the untranslated Italian passage in Day 3, Story 10, the original
+is missing the accents, which have been added using an Italian edition
+of _Decameron_ (Milan: Mursia, 1977) as a guide.
+
+John Payne's translation of _The Decameron_ was originally published
+in a private printing for The Villon Society, London, 1886. The
+American edition from which this e-text was prepared is undated.]
+
+
+
+
+_The_
+
+_Decameron_
+
+_of_
+
+_Giovanni Boccaccio_
+
+
+_Translated by_
+
+_John Payne_
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+WALTER J. BLACK, INC.
+171 Madison Avenue
+NEW YORK, N.Y.
+
+PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
+
+
+
+
+_Contents_
+
+
+PROEM.
+
+
+DAY THE FIRST 1
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Master Ciappelletto dupeth a holy friar with a false
+confession and dieth; and having been in his lifetime the worst of
+men, he is, after his death, reputed a saint and called Saint
+Ciappelletto_ 16
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Abraham the Jew, at the instigation of Jehannot de
+Chevigné, goeth to the Court of Rome and seeing the depravity of the
+clergy, returneth to Paris and there becometh a Christian_ 25
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Melchizedek the Jew, with a story of three rings,
+escapeth a parlous snare set for him by Saladin_ 28
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _A monk, having fallen into a sin deserving of very
+grievous punishment, adroitly reproaching the same fault to his abbot,
+quitteth himself of the penalty_ 30
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _The Marchioness of Monferrato, with a dinner of hens
+and certain sprightly words, curbeth the extravagant passion of the
+King of France_ 33
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _An honest man, with a chance pleasantry, putteth to
+shame the perverse hypocrisy of the religious orders_ 35
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Bergamino, with a story of Primasso and the Abbot
+of Cluny, courteously rebuketh a fit of parsimony newly come to Messer
+Cane della Scala_ 37
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Guglielmo Borsiere with some quaint words rebuketh
+the niggardliness of Messer Ermino de' Grimaldi_ 40
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _The King of Cyprus, touched to the quick by a Gascon
+lady, from a mean-spirited prince becometh a man of worth and
+valiance_ 42
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Master Alberto of Bologna civilly putteth a lady to
+the blush who thought to have shamed him of being enamoured of her_ 43
+
+
+DAY THE SECOND 48
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Martellino feigneth himself a cripple and maketh
+believe to wax whole upon the body of St. Arrigo. His imposture being
+discovered, he is beaten and being after taken [for a thief,] goeth in
+peril of being hanged by the neck, but ultimately escapeth_ 49
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Rinaldo d'Asti, having been robbed, maketh his way
+to Castel Guglielmo, where he is hospitably entertained by a widow
+lady and having made good his loss, returneth to his own house, safe
+and sound_ 52
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Three young men squander their substance and become
+poor; but a nephew of theirs, returning home in desperation, falleth
+in with an abbot and findeth him to be the king's daughter of England,
+who taketh him to husband and maketh good all his uncles' losses,
+restoring them to good estate_ 57
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Landolfo Ruffolo, grown poor, turneth corsair and
+being taken by the Genoese, is wrecked at sea, but saveth himself upon
+a coffer full of jewels of price and being entertained in Corfu by a
+woman, returneth home rich_ 63
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Andreuccio of Perugia, coming to Naples to buy
+horses, is in one night overtaken with three grievous accidents, but
+escapeth them all and returneth home with a ruby_ 66
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Madam Beritola, having lost her two sons, is found
+on a desert island with two kids and goeth thence into Lunigiana,
+where one of her sons, taking service with the lord of the country,
+lieth with his daughter and is cast into prison. Sicily after
+rebelling against King Charles and the youth being recognized by his
+mother, he espouseth his lord's daughter, and his brother being
+likewise found, they are all three restored to high estate_ 75
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _The Soldan of Babylon sendeth a daughter of his to
+be married to the King of Algarve, and she, by divers chances, in the
+space of four years cometh to the hands of nine men in various places.
+Ultimately, being restored to her father for a maid, she goeth to the
+King of Algarve to wife, as first she did_ 85
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _The Count of Antwerp, being falsely accused, goeth
+into exile and leaveth his two children in different places in
+England, whither, after awhile, returning in disguise and finding them
+in good case, he taketh service as a horseboy in the service of the
+King of France and being approved innocent, is restored to his former
+estate_ 100
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Bernabo of Genoa, duped by Ambrogiuolo, loseth his
+good and commandeth that his innocent wife be put to death. She
+escapeth and serveth the Soldan in a man's habit. Here she lighteth
+upon the deceiver of her husband and bringeth the latter to
+Alexandria, where, her traducer being punished, she resumeth woman's
+apparel and returneth to Genoa with her husband, rich_ 111
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Paganino of Monaco stealeth away the wife of Messer
+Ricciardo di Chinzica, who, learning where she is, goeth thither and
+making friends with Paganino, demandeth her again of him. The latter
+concedeth her to him, an she will; but she refuseth to return with him
+and Messer Ricciardo dying, she becometh the wife of Paganino_ 120
+
+
+DAY THE THIRD 127
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Masetto of Lamporecchio feigneth himself dumb and
+becometh gardener to a convent of women, who all flock to lie with
+him_ 129
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _A horsekeeper lieth with the wife of King Agilulf,
+who, becoming aware thereof, without word said, findeth him out and
+polleth him; but the polled man polleth all his fellows on like wise
+and so escapeth ill hap_ 134
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Under colour of confession and of exceeding niceness
+of conscience, a lady, being enamoured of a young man, bringeth a
+grave friar, without his misdoubting him thereof, to afford a means of
+giving entire effect to her pleasure_ 137
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Dom Felice teacheth Fra Puccio how he may become
+beatified by performing a certain penance of his fashion, which the
+other doth, and Dom Felice meanwhile leadeth a merry life of it with
+the good man's wife_ 143
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Ricciardo, surnamed Il Zima, giveth Messer Francesco
+Vergellesi a palfrey of his and hath therefor his leave to speak with
+his wife. She keeping silence, he in her person replieth unto himself,
+and the effect after ensueth in accordance with his answer_ 147
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Ricciardo Minutolo, being enamoured of the wife of
+Filippello Fighinolfi and knowing her jealousy of her husband,
+contriveth, by representing that Filippello was on the ensuing day to
+be with his own wife in a bagnio, to bring her to the latter place,
+where, thinking to be with her husband, she findeth that she hath
+abidden with Ricciardo_ 152
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Tedaldo Elisei, having fallen out with his
+mistress, departeth Florence and returning thither, after awhile, in a
+pilgrim's favour, speaketh with the lady and maketh her cognisant of
+her error; after which he delivereth her husband, who had been
+convicted of murdering him, from death and reconciling him with his
+brethren, thenceforward discreetly enjoyeth himself with his mistress_
+157
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Ferondo, having swallowed a certain powder, is
+entombed for dead and being taken forth of the sepulchre by the abbot,
+who enjoyeth his wife the while, is put in prison and given to believe
+that he is in purgatory; after which, being raised up again, he
+reareth for his own a child begotten of the abbot on his wife_ 169
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Gillette de Narbonne recovereth the King of France
+of a fistula and demandeth for her husband Bertrand de Roussillon, who
+marrieth her against his will and betaketh him for despite to
+Florence, where, he paying court to a young lady, Gillette, in the
+person of the latter, lieth with him and hath by him two sons;
+wherefore after, holding her dear, he entertaineth her for his wife_
+176
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Alibech, turning hermit, is taught by Rustico, a
+monk, to put the devil in hell, and being after brought away thence,
+becometh Neerbale his wife_ 182
+
+
+DAY THE FOURTH 189
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Tancred, Prince of Salerno, slayeth his daughter's
+lover and sendeth her his heart in a bowl of gold; whereupon, pouring
+poisoned water over it, she drinketh thereof and dieth_ 194
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Fra Alberto giveth a lady to believe that the angel
+Gabriel is enamoured of her and in his shape lieth with her sundry
+times; after which, for fear of her kinsmen, he casteth himself forth
+of her window into the canal and taketh refuge in the house of a poor
+man, who on the morrow carrieth him, in the guise of a wild man of the
+woods, to the Piazza, where, being recognized, he is taken by his
+brethren and put in prison_ 201
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Three young men love three sisters and flee with
+them into Crete, where the eldest sister for jealousy slayeth her
+lover. The second, yielding herself to the Duke of Crete, saveth her
+sister from death, whereupon her own lover slayeth her and fleeth with
+the eldest sister. Meanwhile the third lover and the youngest sister
+are accused of the new murder and being taken, confess it; then, for
+fear of death, they corrupt their keepers with money and flee to
+Rhodes, where they die in poverty_ 208
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Gerbino, against the plighted faith of his
+grandfather, King Guglielmo of Sicily, attacketh a ship of the King of
+Tunis, to carry off a daughter of his, who being put to death of those
+on board, he slayeth these latter and is after himself beheaded_ 213
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Lisabetta's 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_ 216
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Andrevuola loveth Gabriotto and recounteth to him a
+dream she hath had, whereupon he telleth her one of his own and
+presently dieth suddenly in her arms. What while she and a waiting
+woman of hers bear him to his own house, they are taken by the
+officers of justice and carried before the provost, to whom she
+discovereth how the case standeth. The provost would fain force her,
+but she suffereth it not and her father, coming to hear of the matter,
+procureth her to be set at liberty, she being found innocent;
+whereupon, altogether refusing to abide longer in the world, she
+becometh a nun_ 220
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Simona loveth Pasquino and they being together in
+a garden, the latter rubbeth a leaf of sage against his teeth and
+dieth. She, being taken and thinking to show the judge how her lover
+died, rubbeth one of the same leaves against her teeth and dieth on
+like wise_ 225
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Girolamo loveth Salvestra and being constrained by
+his mother's prayers to go to Paris, returneth and findeth his
+mistress married; whereupon he entereth her house by stealth and dieth
+by her side; and he being carried to a church, Salvestra dieth beside
+him_ 228
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Sir Guillaume de Roussillon giveth his wife to eat
+the heart of Sir Guillaume de Guardestaing by him slain and loved of
+her, which she after coming to know, casteth herself from a high
+casement to the ground and dying, is buried with her lover_ 232
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _A physician's wife putteth her lover for dead in a
+chest, which two usurers carry off to their own house, gallant and
+all. The latter, who is but drugged, cometh presently to himself and
+being discovered, is taken for a thief; but the lady's maid avoucheth
+to the seignory that she herself had put him into the chest stolen by
+the two usurers, whereby he escapeth the gallows and the thieves are
+amerced in certain monies_ 235
+
+
+DAY THE FIFTH 243
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Cimon, loving, waxeth wise and carrieth off to sea
+Iphigenia his mistress. Being cast into prison at Rhodes, he is
+delivered thence by Lysimachus and in concert with him carrieth off
+Iphigenia and Cassandra on their wedding-day, with whom the twain flee
+into Crete, where the two ladies become their wives and whence they
+are presently all four recalled home_ 244
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Costanza loveth Martuccio Gomito and hearing that
+he is dead, embarketh for despair alone in a boat, which is carried by
+the wind to Susa. Finding her lover alive at Tunis, she discovereth
+herself to him and he, being great in favour with the king for
+counsels given, espouseth her and returneth rich with her to Lipari_
+252
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Pietro Boccamazza, fleeing with Agnolella, falleth
+among thieves; the girl escapeth through a wood and is led [by
+fortune] to a castle, whilst Pietro is taken by the thieves, but
+presently, escaping from their hands, winneth, after divers
+adventures, to the castle where his mistress is and espousing her,
+returneth with her to Rome_ 256
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Ricciardo Manardi, being found by Messer Lizio da
+Valbona with his daughter, espouseth her and abideth in peace with her
+father_ 261
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Guidotto da Cremona leaveth to Giacomino da Pavia a
+daughter of his and dieth. Giannole di Severino and Minghino di
+Mingole fall in love with the girl at Faenza and come to blows on her
+account. Ultimately she is proved to be Giannole's sister and is given
+to Minghino to wife_ 265
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Gianni di Procida being found with a young lady,
+whom he loved and who had been given to King Frederick of Sicily, is
+bound with her to a stake to be burnt; but, being recognized by
+Ruggieri dell' Oria, escapeth and becometh her husband_ 269
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Teodoro, being enamoured of Violante, daughter of
+Messer Amerigo his lord, getteth her with child and is condemned to be
+hanged; but, being recognized and delivered by his father, as they are
+leading him to the gallows, scourging him the while, he taketh
+Violante to wife_ 273
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Nastagio degli Onesti, falling in love with a lady
+of the Traversari family, spendeth his substance, without being
+beloved in return, and betaking himself, at the instance of his
+kinsfolk, to Chiassi, he there seeth a horseman give chase to a damsel
+and slay her and cause her to be devoured of two dogs. Therewithal he
+biddeth his kinsfolk and the lady whom he loveth to a dinner, where
+his mistress seeth the same damsel torn in pieces and fearing a like
+fate, taketh Nastagio to husband_ 278
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Federigo degli Alberighi loveth and is not loved. He
+wasteth his substance in prodigal hospitality till there is left him
+but one sole falcon, which, having nought else, he giveth his mistress
+to eat, on her coming to his house; and she, learning this, changeth
+her mind and taking him to husband, maketh him rich again_ 282
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Pietro di Vinciolo goeth to sup abroad, whereupon
+his wife letteth fetch her a youth to keep her company, and her
+husband returning, unlooked for, she hideth her gallant under a
+hen-coop. Pietro telleth her how there had been found in the house of
+one Arcolano, with whom he was to have supped, a young man brought in
+by his wife, and she blameth the latter. Presently, an ass, by
+mischance, setteth foot on the fingers of him who is under the coop
+and he roareth out, whereupon Pietro runneth thither and espying him,
+discovereth his wife's unfaith, but ultimately cometh to an accord
+with her for his own lewd ends_ 286
+
+
+DAY THE SIXTH 294
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _A gentleman engageth to Madam Oretta to carry her
+a-horseback with a story, but, telling it disorderly, is prayed by her
+to set her down again_ 296
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Cisti the baker with a word of his fashion maketh
+Messer Geri Spina sensible of an indiscreet request of his_ 297
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Madam Nonna de' Pulci, with a ready retort to a not
+altogether seemly pleasantry, imposeth silence on the Bishop of
+Florence_ 299
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Chichibio, cook to Currado Gianfigliazzi, with a
+ready word spoken to save himself, turneth his master's anger into
+laughter and escapeth the punishment threatened him by the latter_ 301
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Messer Forese da Rabatta and Master Giotto the
+painter coming from Mugello, each jestingly rallieth the other on his
+scurvy favour_ 303
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Michele Scalza proveth to certain young men that the
+cadgers of Florence are the best gentlemen of the world or the Maremma
+and winneth a supper_ 304
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Madam Filippa, being found by her husband with a
+lover of hers and brought to justice, delivereth herself with a prompt
+and pleasant answer and causeth modify the statute_ 306
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Fresco exhorteth his niece not to mirror herself in
+the glass if, as she saith, it irketh her to see disagreeable folk_
+308
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Guido Cavalcanti with a pithy speech courteously
+flouteth certain Florentine gentlemen who had taken him by surprise_
+309
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Fra Cipolla promiseth certain country folk to show
+them one of the angel Gabriel's feathers and finding coals in place
+thereof, avoucheth these latter to be of those which roasted St.
+Lawrence_ 311
+
+
+DAY THE SEVENTH 322
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Gianni Lotteringhi heareth knock at his door by
+night and awakeneth his wife, who giveth him to believe that it is a
+phantom; whereupon they go to exorcise it with a certain orison and
+the knocking ceaseth_ 323
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Peronella hideth a lover of hers in a vat, upon her
+husband's unlooked for return, and hearing from the latter that he
+hath sold the vat, avoucheth herself to have sold it to one who is
+presently therewithin, to see if it be sound; whereupon the gallant,
+jumping out of the vat, causeth the husband scrape it out for him and
+after carry it home to his house_ 326
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Fra Rinaldo lieth with his gossip and being found of
+her husband closeted with her in her chamber, they give him to believe
+that he was in act to conjure worms from his godson_ 329
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Tofano one night shutteth his wife out of doors,
+who, availing not to re-enter by dint of entreaties, feigneth to cast
+herself into a well and casteth therein a great stone. Tofano cometh
+forth of the house and runneth thither, whereupon she slippeth in and
+locking him out, bawleth reproaches at him from the window_ 333
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _A jealous husband, in the guise of a priest,
+confesseth his wife, who giveth him to believe that she loveth a
+priest, who cometh to her every night; and whilst the husband secretly
+keepeth watch at the door for the latter, the lady bringeth in a lover
+of hers by the roof and lieth with him_ 336
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Madam Isabella, being in company with Leonetto her
+lover, is visited by one Messer Lambertuccio, of whom she is beloved;
+her husband returning, [unexpected,] she sendeth Lambertuccio forth of
+the house, whinger in hand, and the husband after escorteth Leonetto
+home_ 341
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Lodovico discovereth to Madam Beatrice the love he
+beareth her, whereupon she sendeth Egano her husband into the garden,
+in her own favour, and lieth meanwhile with Lodovico, who, presently
+arising, goeth and cudgelleth Egano in the garden_ 344
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _A man waxeth jealous of his wife, who bindeth a
+piece of packthread to her great toe anights, so she may have notice
+of her lover's coming. One night her husband becometh aware of this
+device and what while he pursueth the lover, the lady putteth another
+woman to bed in her room. This latter the husband beateth and cutteth
+off her hair, then fetcheth his wife's brothers, who, finding his
+story [seemingly] untrue, give him hard words_ 348
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Lydia, wife of Nicostratus, loveth Pyrrhus, who, so
+he may believe it, requireth of her three things, all which she doth.
+Moreover, she solaceth herself with him in the presence of Nicostratus
+and maketh the latter believe that that which he hath seen is not
+real_ 353
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Two Siennese love a lady, who is gossip to one of
+them; the latter dieth and returning to his companion, according to
+premise made him, relateth to him how folk fare in the other world_
+360
+
+
+DAY THE EIGHTH 365
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Gulfardo borroweth of Guasparruolo certain monies,
+for which he hath agreed with his wife that he shall lie with her, and
+accordingly giveth them to her; then, in her presence, he telleth
+Guasparruolo that he gave them to her, and she confesseth it to be
+true_ 365
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _The parish priest of Varlungo lieth with Mistress
+Belcolore and leaveth her a cloak of his in pledge; then, borrowing a
+mortar of her, he sendeth it back to her, demanding in return the
+cloak left by way of token, which the good woman grudgingly giveth him
+back_ 367
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Calandrino, Bruno and Buffalmacco go coasting along
+the Mugnone in search of the heliotrope and Calandrino thinketh to
+have found it. Accordingly he returneth home, laden with stones, and
+his wife chideth him; whereupon, flying out into a rage, he beateth
+her and recounteth to his companions that which they know better than
+he_ 371
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _The rector of Fiesole loveth a widow lady, but is
+not loved by her and thinking to lie with her, lieth with a
+serving-wench of hers, whilst the lady's brothers cause the bishop
+find him in this case_ 377
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Three young men pull the breeches off a Marchegan
+judge in Florence, what while he is on the bench, administering
+justice_ 380
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Bruno and Buffalmacco, having stolen a pig from
+Calandrino, make him try the ordeal with ginger boluses and sack and
+give him (instead of the ginger) two dogballs compounded with aloes,
+whereby it appeareth that he himself hath had the pig and they make
+him pay blackmail, and he would not have them tell his wife_ 383
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _A scholar loveth a widow lady, who, being
+enamoured of another, causeth him spend one winter's night in the snow
+awaiting her, and he after contriveth, by his sleight, to have her
+abide naked, all one mid-July day, on the summit of a tower, exposed
+to flies and gads and sun_ 387
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Two men consorting together, one lieth with the
+wife of his comrade, who, becoming aware thereof, doth with her on
+such wise that the other is shut up in a chest, upon which he lieth
+with his wife, he being inside the while_ 403
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Master Simone the physician, having been induced by
+Bruno and Buffalmacco to repair to a certain place by night, there to
+be made a member of a company, that goeth a-roving, is cast by
+Buffalmacco into a trench full of ordure and there left_ 406
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _A certain woman of Sicily artfully despoileth a
+merchant of that which he had brought to Palermo; but he, making
+believe to have returned thither with much greater plenty of
+merchandise than before, borroweth money of her and leaveth her water
+and tow in payment_ 418
+
+
+DAY THE NINTH 427
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Madam Francesca, being courted of one Rinuccio
+Palermini and one Alessandro Chiarmontesi and loving neither the one
+nor the other, adroitly riddeth herself of both by causing one enter
+for dead into a sepulchre and the other bring him forth thereof for
+dead, on such wise that they cannot avail to accomplish the condition
+imposed_ 428
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _An abbess, arising in haste and in the dark to find
+one of her nuns, who had been denounced to her, in bed with her lover
+and, thinking to cover her head with her coif, donneth instead thereof
+the breeches of a priest who is abed with her; the which the accused
+nun observing and making her aware thereof, she is acquitted and hath
+leisure to be with her lover_ 432
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Master Simone, at the instance of Bruno and
+Buffalmacco and Nello, maketh Calandrino believe that he is with
+child; wherefore he giveth them capons and money for medicines and
+recovereth without bringing forth_ 435
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Cecco Fortarrigo gameth away at Buonconvento all
+his good and the monies of Cecco Angiolieri [his master;] moreover,
+running after the latter, in his shirt, and avouching that he hath
+robbed him, he causeth him be taken of the countryfolk; then, donning
+Angiolieri's clothes and mounting his palfrey, he maketh off and
+leaveth the other in his shirt_ 438
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Calandrino falleth in love with a wench and Bruno
+writeth him a talisman, wherewith when he toucheth her, she goeth with
+him; and his wife finding them together, there betideth him grievous
+trouble and annoy_ 441
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Two young gentlemen lodge the night with an
+innkeeper, whereof one goeth to lie with the host's daughter, whilst
+his wife unwittingly coucheth with the other; after which he who lay
+with the girl getteth him to bed with her father and telleth him all,
+thinking to bespeak his comrade. Therewithal they come to words, but
+the wife, perceiving her mistake, entereth her daughter's bed and
+thence with certain words appeaseth everything_ 446
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Talano di Molese dreameth that a wolf mangleth all
+his wife's neck and face and biddeth her beware thereof; but she
+payeth no heed to his warning and it befalleth her even as he had
+dreamed_ 450
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Biondello cheateth Ciacco of a dinner, whereof the
+other craftily avengeth himself, procuring him to be shamefully
+beaten_ 451
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Two young men seek counsel of Solomon, one how he
+may be loved and the other how he may amend his froward wife, and in
+answer he biddeth the one love and the other get him to Goosebridge_
+454
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Dom Gianni, at the instance of his gossip Pietro,
+performeth a conjuration for the purpose of causing the latter's wife
+to become a mare; but, whenas he cometh to put on the tail, Pietro
+marreth the whole conjuration, saying that he will not have a tail_
+457
+
+
+DAY THE TENTH 462
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _A knight in the king's service of Spain thinking
+himself ill guerdoned, the king by very certain proof showeth him that
+this is not his fault, but that of his own perverse fortune, and after
+largesseth him magnificently_ 462
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Ghino di Tacco taketh the Abbot of Cluny and having
+cured him of the stomach-complaint, letteth him go; whereupon the
+Abbot, returning to the court of Rome, reconcileth him with Pope
+Boniface and maketh him a Prior of the Hospitallers_ 464
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Mithridanes, envying Nathan his hospitality and
+generosity and going to kill him, falleth in with himself, without
+knowing him, and is by him instructed of the course he shall take to
+accomplish his purpose; by means whereof he findeth him, as he himself
+had ordered it, in a coppice and recognizing him, is ashamed and
+becometh his friend_ 468
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Messer Gentile de' Carisendi, coming from Modona,
+taketh forth of the sepulchre a lady whom he loveth and who hath been
+buried for dead. The lady, restored to life, beareth a male child and
+Messer Gentile restoreth her and her son to Niccoluccio Caccianimico,
+her husband_ 472
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Madam Dianora requireth of Messer Ansaldo a garden
+as fair in January as in May, and he by binding himself [to pay a
+great sum of money] to a nigromancer, giveth it to her. Her husband
+granteth her leave to do Messer Ansaldo's pleasure, but he, hearing of
+the former's generosity, absolveth her of her promise, whereupon the
+nigromancer, in his turn, acquitteth Messer Ansaldo of his bond,
+without willing aught of his_ 478
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _King Charles the Old, the Victorious, falleth
+enamoured of a young girl, but after, ashamed of his fond thought,
+honourably marrieth both her and her sister_ 481
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _King Pedro of Arragon, coming to know the fervent
+love borne him by Lisa, comforteth the lovesick maid and presently
+marrieth her to a noble young gentleman; then, kissing her on the
+brow, he ever after avoucheth himself her knight_ 485
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Sophronia, thinking to marry Gisippus, becometh the
+wife of Titus Quintius Fulvus and with him betaketh herself to Rome,
+whither Gisippus cometh in poor case and conceiving himself slighted
+of Titus, declareth, so he may die, to have slain a man. Titus,
+recognizing him, to save him, avoucheth himself to have done the deed,
+and the true murderer, seeing this, discovereth himself; whereupon
+they are all three liberated by Octavianus and Titus, giving Gisippus
+his sister to wife, hath all his good in common with him_ 491
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Saladin, in the disguise of a merchant, is
+honourably entertained by Messer Torello d'Istria, who, presently
+undertaking the [third] crusade, appointeth his wife a term for her
+marrying again. He is taken [by the Saracens] and cometh, by his skill
+in training hawks, under the notice of the Soldan, who knoweth him
+again and discovering himself to him, entreateth him with the utmost
+honour. Then, Torello falling sick for languishment, he is by magical
+art transported in one night [from Alexandria] to Pavia, where, being
+recognized by his wife at the bride-feast held for her marrying again,
+he returneth with her to his own house_ 503
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _The Marquess of Saluzzo, constrained by the prayers
+of his vassals to marry, but determined to do it after his own
+fashion, taketh to wife the daughter of a peasant and hath of her two
+children, whom he maketh believe to her to put to death; after which,
+feigning to be grown weary of her and to have taken another wife, he
+letteth bring his own daughter home to his house, as she were his new
+bride, and turneth his wife away in her shift; but, finding her
+patient under everything, he fetcheth her home again, dearer than
+ever, and showing her her children grown great, honoureth and letteth
+honour her as marchioness_ 510
+
+
+CONCLUSION OF THE AUTHOR 525
+
+
+
+
+HERE BEGINNETH THE BOOK CALLED DECAMERON AND SURNAMED PRINCE GALAHALT
+WHEREIN ARE CONTAINED AN HUNDRED STORIES IN TEN DAYS TOLD BY SEVEN
+LADIES AND THREE YOUNG MEN
+
+PROEM
+
+
+A kindly thing it is to have compassion of the afflicted and albeit it
+well beseemeth every one, yet of those is it more particularly
+required who have erst had need of comfort and have found it in any,
+amongst whom, if ever any had need thereof or held it dear or took
+pleasure therein aforetimes, certes, I am one of these. For that,
+having from my first youth unto this present been beyond measure
+inflamed with a very high and noble passion (higher and nobler,
+perchance, than might appear, were I to relate it, to sort with my low
+estate) albeit by persons of discretion who had intelligence thereof I
+was commended therefor and accounted so much the more worth, natheless
+a passing sore travail it was to me to bear it, not, certes, by reason
+of the cruelty of the beloved lady, but because of the exceeding
+ardour begotten in my breast of an ill-ordered appetite, for which,
+for that it suffered me not to stand content at any reasonable bounds,
+caused me ofttimes feel more chagrin than I had occasion for. In this
+my affliction the pleasant discourse of a certain friend of mine and
+his admirable consolations afforded me such refreshment that I firmly
+believe of these it came that I died not. But, as it pleased Him who,
+being Himself infinite, hath for immutable law appointed unto all
+things mundane that they shall have an end, my love,--beyond every
+other fervent and which nor stress of reasoning nor counsel, no, nor
+yet manifest shame nor peril that might ensue thereof, had availed
+either to break or to bend,--of its own motion, in process of time, on
+such wise abated that of itself at this present it hath left me only
+that pleasance which it is used to afford unto whoso adventureth
+himself not too far in the navigation of its profounder oceans; by
+reason whereof, all chagrin being done away, I feel it grown
+delightsome, whereas it used to be grievous. Yet, albeit the pain hath
+ceased, not, therefore, is the memory fled of the benefits whilom
+received and the kindnesses bestowed on me by those to whom, of the
+goodwill they bore me, my troubles were grievous; nor, as I deem, will
+it ever pass away, save for death. And for that gratitude, to my
+thinking, is, among the other virtues, especially commendable and its
+contrary blameworthy, I have, that I may not appear ungrateful,
+bethought myself, now that I can call myself free, to endeavour, in
+that little which is possible to me, to afford some relief, in
+requital of that which I received aforetime,--if not to those who
+succoured me and who, belike, by reason of their good sense or of
+their fortune, have no occasion therefor,--to those, at least, who
+stand in need thereof. And albeit my support, or rather I should say
+my comfort, may be and indeed is of little enough avail to the
+afflicted, natheless meseemeth it should rather be proffered whereas
+the need appeareth greater, as well because it will there do more
+service as for that it will still be there the liefer had. And who
+will deny that this [comfort], whatsoever [worth] it be, it behoveth
+much more to give unto lovesick ladies than unto men? For that these
+within their tender bosoms, fearful and shamefast, hold hid the fires
+of love (which those who have proved know how much more puissance they
+have than those which are manifest), and constrained by the wishes,
+the pleasures, the commandments of fathers, mothers, brothers and
+husbands, abide most time enmewed in the narrow compass of their
+chambers and sitting in a manner idle, willing and willing not in one
+breath, revolve in themselves various thoughts which it is not
+possible should still be merry. By reason whereof if there arise in
+their minds any melancholy, bred of ardent desire, needs must it with
+grievous annoy abide therein, except it be done away by new discourse;
+more by token that they are far less strong than men to endure. With
+men in love it happeneth not on this wise, as we may manifestly see.
+They, if any melancholy or heaviness of thought oppress them, have
+many means of easing it or doing it away, for that to them, an they
+have a mind thereto, there lacketh not commodity of going about
+hearing and seeing many things, fowling, hunting, fishing, riding,
+gaming and trafficking; each of which means hath, altogether or in
+part, power to draw the mind unto itself and to divert it from
+troublous thought, at least for some space of time, whereafter, one
+way or another, either solacement superveneth or else the annoy
+groweth less. Wherefore, to the end that the unright of Fortune may by
+me in part be amended, which, where there is the less strength to
+endure, as we see it in delicate ladies, hath there been the more
+niggard of support, I purpose, for the succour and solace of ladies in
+love (unto others[1] the needle and the spindle and the reel suffice)
+to recount an hundred stories or fables or parables or histories or
+whatever you like to style them, in ten days' time related by an
+honourable company of seven ladies and three young men made in the
+days of the late deadly pestilence, together with sundry canzonets
+sung by the aforesaid ladies for their diversion. In these stories
+will be found love-chances,[2] both gladsome and grievous, and other
+accidents of fortune befallen as well in times present as in days of
+old, whereof the ladies aforesaid, who shall read them, may at once
+take solace from the delectable things therein shown forth and useful
+counsel, inasmuch as they may learn thereby what is to be eschewed and
+what is on like wise to be ensued,--the which methinketh cannot betide
+without cease of chagrin. If it happen thus (as God grant it may) let
+them render thanks therefor to Love, who, by loosing me from his
+bonds, hath vouchsafed me the power of applying myself to the service
+of their pleasures.
+
+[Footnote 1: _i.e._ those not in love.]
+
+[Footnote 2: Syn. adventures (_casi_).]
+
+
+
+
+_Day the First_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE FIRST DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN (AFTER
+     DEMONSTRATION MADE BY THE AUTHOR OF THE MANNER IN WHICH IT
+     CAME TO PASS THAT THE PERSONS WHO ARE HEREINAFTER PRESENTED
+     FOREGATHERED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVISING TOGETHER) UNDER THE
+     GOVERNANCE OF PAMPINEA IS DISCOURSED OF THAT WHICH IS MOST
+     AGREEABLE UNTO EACH
+
+
+As often, most gracious ladies, as, taking thought in myself, I mind
+me how very pitiful you are all by nature, so often do I recognize
+that this present work will, to your thinking, have a grievous and a
+weariful beginning, inasmuch as the dolorous remembrance of the late
+pestiferous mortality, which it beareth on its forefront, is
+universally irksome to all who saw or otherwise knew it. But I would
+not therefore have this affright you from reading further, as if in
+the reading you were still to fare among sighs and tears. Let this
+grisly beginning be none other to you than is to wayfarers a rugged
+and steep mountain, beyond which is situate a most fair and delightful
+plain, which latter cometh so much the pleasanter to them as the
+greater was the hardship of the ascent and the descent; for, like as
+dolour occupieth the extreme of gladness, even so are miseries
+determined by imminent joyance. This brief annoy (I say brief,
+inasmuch as it is contained in few pages) is straightway succeeded by
+the pleasance and delight which I have already promised you and which,
+belike, were it not aforesaid, might not be looked for from such a
+beginning. And in truth, could I fairly have availed to bring you to
+my desire otherwise than by so rugged a path as this will be I had
+gladly done it; but being in a manner constrained thereto, for that,
+without this reminiscence of our past miseries, it might not be shown
+what was the occasion of the coming about of the things that will
+hereafter be read, I have brought myself to write them.[3]
+
+[Footnote 3: _i.e._ the few pages of which he speaks above.]
+
+I say, then, that the years [of the era] of the fruitful Incarnation
+of the Son of God had attained to the number of one thousand three
+hundred and forty-eight, when into the notable city of Florence, fair
+over every other of Italy, there came the death-dealing pestilence,
+which, through the operation of the heavenly bodies or of our own
+iniquitous dealings, being sent down upon mankind for our correction
+by the just wrath of God, had some years before appeared in the parts
+of the East and after having bereft these latter of an innumerable
+number of inhabitants, extending without cease from one place to
+another, had now unhappily spread towards the West. And thereagainst
+no wisdom availing nor human foresight (whereby the city was purged of
+many impurities by officers deputed to that end and it was forbidden
+unto any sick person to enter therein and many were the counsels
+given[4] for the preservation of health) nor yet humble
+supplications, not once but many times both in ordered processions and
+on other wise made unto God by devout persons,--about the coming in of
+the Spring of the aforesaid year, it began on horrible and miraculous
+wise to show forth its dolorous effects. Yet not as it had done in the
+East, where, if any bled at the nose, it was a manifest sign of
+inevitable death; nay, but in men and women alike there appeared, at
+the beginning of the malady, certain swellings, either on the groin or
+under the armpits, whereof some waxed of the bigness of a common
+apple, others like unto an egg, some more and some less, and these the
+vulgar named plague-boils. From these two parts the aforesaid
+death-bearing plague-boils proceeded, in brief space, to appear and
+come indifferently in every part of the body; wherefrom, after awhile,
+the fashion of the contagion began to change into black or livid
+blotches, which showed themselves in many [first] on the arms and
+about the thighs and [after spread to] every other part of the person,
+in some large and sparse and in others small and thick-sown; and like
+as the plague-boils had been first (and yet were) a very certain token
+of coming death, even so were these for every one to whom they came.
+
+[Footnote 4: Syn. provisions made or means taken (_consigli dati_).
+Boccaccio constantly uses _consiglio_ in this latter sense.]
+
+To the cure of these maladies nor counsel[5] of physician nor virtue
+of any medicine appeared to avail or profit aught; on the
+contrary,--whether it was that the nature of the infection suffered it
+not or that the ignorance of the physicians (of whom, over and above
+the men of art, the number, both men and women, who had never had any
+teaching of medicine, was become exceeding great,) availed not to know
+whence it arose and consequently took not due measures thereagainst,--not
+only did few recover thereof, but well nigh all died within the third
+day from the appearance of the aforesaid signs, this sooner and that
+later, and for the most part without fever or other accident.[6] And
+this pestilence was the more virulent for that, by communication with
+those who were sick thereof, it gat hold upon the sound, no otherwise
+than fire upon things dry or greasy, whenas they are brought very near
+thereunto. Nay, the mischief was yet greater; for that not only did
+converse and consortion with the sick give to the sound infection of
+cause of common death, but the mere touching of the clothes or of
+whatsoever other thing had been touched or used of the sick appeared
+of itself to communicate the malady to the toucher. A marvellous thing
+to hear is that which I have to tell and one which, had it not been
+seen of many men's eyes and of mine own, I had scarce dared credit,
+much less set down in writing, though I had heard it from one worthy
+of belief. I say, then, that of such efficience was the nature of the
+pestilence in question in communicating itself from one to another,
+that, not only did it pass from man to man, but this, which is much
+more, it many times visibly did;--to wit, a thing which had pertained
+to a man sick or dead of the aforesaid sickness, being touched by an
+animal foreign to the human species, not only infected this latter
+with the plague, but in a very brief space of time killed it. Of this
+mine own eyes (as hath a little before been said) had one day, among
+others, experience on this wise; to wit, that the rags of a poor man,
+who had died of the plague, being cast out into the public way, two
+hogs came up to them and having first, after their wont, rooted amain
+among them with their snouts, took them in their mouths and tossed
+them about their jaws; then, in a little while, after turning round
+and round, they both, as if they had taken poison, fell down dead upon
+the rags with which they had in an ill hour intermeddled.
+
+[Footnote 5: Syn. help, remedy.]
+
+[Footnote 6: _Accidente_, what a modern physician would call
+"complication." "Symptom" does not express the whole meaning of the
+Italian word.]
+
+From these things and many others like unto them or yet stranger
+divers fears and conceits were begotten in those who abode alive,
+which well nigh all tended to a very barbarous conclusion, namely, to
+shun and flee from the sick and all that pertained to them, and thus
+doing, each thought to secure immunity for himself. Some there were
+who conceived that to live moderately and keep oneself from all excess
+was the best defence against such a danger; wherefore, making up their
+company, they lived removed from every other and shut themselves up in
+those houses where none had been sick and where living was best; and
+there, using very temperately of the most delicate viands and the
+finest wines and eschewing all incontinence, they abode with music and
+such other diversions as they might have, never suffering themselves
+to speak with any nor choosing to hear any news from without of death
+or sick folk. Others, inclining to the contrary opinion, maintained
+that to carouse and make merry and go about singing and frolicking and
+satisfy the appetite in everything possible and laugh and scoff at
+whatsoever befell was a very certain remedy for such an ill. That
+which they said they put in practice as best they might, going about
+day and night, now to this tavern, now to that, drinking without stint
+or measure; and on this wise they did yet more freely in other folk's
+houses, so but they scented there aught that liked or tempted them, as
+they might lightly do, for that every one--as he were to live no
+longer--had abandoned all care of his possessions, as of himself,
+wherefore the most part of the houses were become common good and
+strangers used them, whenas they happened upon them, like as the very
+owner might have done; and with all this bestial preoccupation, they
+still shunned the sick to the best of their power.
+
+In this sore affliction and misery of our city, the reverend authority
+of the laws, both human and divine, was all in a manner dissolved and
+fallen into decay, for [lack of] the ministers and executors thereof,
+who, like other men, were all either dead or sick or else left so
+destitute of followers that they were unable to exercise any office,
+wherefore every one had license to do whatsoever pleased him. Many
+others held a middle course between the two aforesaid, not straitening
+themselves so exactly in the matter of diet as the first neither
+allowing themselves such license in drinking and other debauchery as
+the second, but using things in sufficiency, according to their
+appetites; nor did they seclude themselves, but went about, carrying
+in their hands, some flowers, some odoriferous herbs and other some
+divers kinds of spiceries,[7] which they set often to their noses,
+accounting it an excellent thing to fortify the brain with such
+odours, more by token that the air seemed all heavy and attainted with
+the stench of the dead bodies and that of the sick and of the remedies
+used.
+
+[Footnote 7: _i.e._ aromatic drugs.]
+
+Some were of a more barbarous, though, peradventure, a surer way of
+thinking, avouching that there was no remedy against pestilences
+better than--no, nor any so good as--to flee before them; wherefore,
+moved by this reasoning and recking of nought but themselves, very
+many, both men and women, abandoned their own city, their own houses
+and homes, their kinsfolk and possessions, and sought the country
+seats of others, or, at the least, their own, as if the wrath of God,
+being moved to punish the iniquity of mankind, would not proceed to do
+so wheresoever they might be, but would content itself with afflicting
+those only who were found within the walls of their city, or as if
+they were persuaded that no person was to remain therein and that its
+last hour was come. And albeit these, who opined thus variously, died
+not all, yet neither did they all escape; nay, many of each way of
+thinking and in every place sickened of the plague and languished on
+all sides, well nigh abandoned, having themselves, what while they
+were whole, set the example to those who abode in health.
+
+Indeed, leaving be that townsman avoided townsman and that well nigh
+no neighbour took thought unto other and that kinsfolk seldom or never
+visited one another and held no converse together save from afar, this
+tribulation had stricken such terror to the hearts of all, men and
+women alike, that brother forsook brother, uncle nephew and sister
+brother and oftentimes wife husband; nay (what is yet more
+extraordinary and well nigh incredible) fathers and mothers refused to
+visit or tend their very children, as they had not been theirs. By
+reason whereof there remained unto those (and the number of them, both
+males and females, was incalculable) who fell sick, none other succour
+than that which they owed either to the charity of friends (and of
+these there were few) or the greed of servants, who tended them,
+allured by high and extravagant wage; albeit, for all this, these
+latter were not grown many, and those men and women of mean
+understanding and for the most part unused to such offices, who served
+for well nigh nought but to reach things called for by the sick or to
+note when they died; and in the doing of these services many of them
+perished with their gain.
+
+Of this abandonment of the sick by neighbours, kinsfolk and friends
+and of the scarcity of servants arose an usage before well nigh
+unheard, to wit, that no woman, how fair or lovesome or well-born
+soever she might be, once fallen sick, recked aught of having a man to
+tend her, whatever he might be, or young or old, and without any shame
+discovered to him every part of her body, no otherwise than she would
+have done to a woman, so but the necessity of her sickness required
+it; the which belike, in those who recovered, was the occasion of
+lesser modesty in time to come. Moreover, there ensued of this
+abandonment the death of many who peradventure, had they been
+succoured, would have escaped alive; wherefore, as well for the lack
+of the opportune services which the sick availed not to have as for
+the virulence of the plague, such was the multitude of those who died
+in the city by day and by night that it was an astonishment to hear
+tell thereof, much more to see it; and thence, as it were of
+necessity, there sprang up among those who abode alive things contrary
+to the pristine manners of the townsfolk.
+
+It was then (even as we yet see it used) a custom that the kinswomen
+and she-neighbours of the dead should assemble in his house and there
+condole with those who more nearly pertained unto him, whilst his
+neighbours and many other citizens foregathered with his next of kin
+before his house, whither, according to the dead man's quality, came
+the clergy, and he with funeral pomp of chants and candles was borne
+on the shoulders of his peers to the church chosen by himself before
+his death; which usages, after the virulence of the plague began to
+increase, were either altogether or for the most part laid aside, and
+other and strange customs sprang up in their stead. For that, not only
+did folk die without having a multitude of women about them, but many
+there were who departed this life without witness and few indeed were
+they to whom the pious plaints and bitter tears of their kinsfolk were
+vouchsafed; nay, in lieu of these things there obtained, for the most
+part, laughter and jests and gibes and feasting and merrymaking in
+company; which usance women, laying aside womanly pitifulness, had
+right well learned for their own safety.
+
+Few, again, were they whose bodies were accompanied to the church by
+more than half a score or a dozen of their neighbours, and of these no
+worshipful and illustrious citizens, but a sort of blood-suckers,
+sprung from the dregs of the people, who styled themselves
+_pickmen_[8] and did such offices for hire, shouldered the bier and
+bore it with hurried steps, not to that church which the dead man had
+chosen before his death, but most times to the nearest, behind five or
+six[9] priests, with little light[10] and whiles none at all, which
+latter, with the aid of the said pickmen, thrust him into what grave
+soever they first found unoccupied, without troubling themselves with
+too long or too formal a service.
+
+[Footnote 8: _i.e._ gravediggers (_becchini_).]
+
+[Footnote 9: Lit. _four_ or six. This is the equivalent Italian
+idiom.]
+
+[Footnote 10: _i.e._ but few tapers.]
+
+The condition of the common people (and belike, in great part, of the
+middle class also) was yet more pitiable to behold, for that these,
+for the most part retained by hope[11] or poverty in their houses and
+abiding in their own quarters, sickened by the thousand daily and
+being altogether untended and unsuccoured, died well nigh all without
+recourse. Many breathed their last in the open street, whilst other
+many, for all they died in their houses, made it known to the
+neighbours that they were dead rather by the stench of their rotting
+bodies than otherwise; and of these and others who died all about the
+whole city was full. For the most part one same usance was observed by
+the neighbours, moved more by fear lest the corruption of the dead
+bodies should imperil themselves than by any charity they had for the
+departed; to wit, that either with their own hands or with the aid of
+certain bearers, whenas they might have any, they brought the bodies
+of those who had died forth of their houses and laid them before their
+doors, where, especially in the morning, those who went about might
+see corpses without number; then they fetched biers and some, in
+default thereof, they laid upon some board or other. Nor was it only
+one bier that carried two or three corpses, nor did this happen but
+once; nay, many might have been counted which contained husband and
+wife, two or three brothers, father and son or the like. And an
+infinite number of times it befell that, two priests going with one
+cross for some one, three or four biers, borne by bearers, ranged
+themselves behind the latter,[12] and whereas the priests thought to
+have but one dead man to bury, they had six or eight, and whiles more.
+Nor therefore were the dead honoured with aught of tears or candles or
+funeral train; nay, the thing was come to such a pass that folk recked
+no more of men that died than nowadays they would of goats; whereby it
+very manifestly appeared that that which the natural course of things
+had not availed, by dint of small and infrequent harms, to teach the
+wise to endure with patience, the very greatness of their ills had
+brought even the simple to expect and make no account of. The
+consecrated ground sufficing not to the burial of the vast multitude
+of corpses aforesaid, which daily and well nigh hourly came carried in
+crowds to every church,--especially if it were sought to give each his
+own place, according to ancient usance,--there were made throughout
+the churchyards, after every other part was full, vast trenches,
+wherein those who came after were laid by the hundred and being heaped
+up therein by layers, as goods are stowed aboard ship, were covered
+with a little earth, till such time as they reached the top of the
+trench.
+
+[Footnote 11: _i.e._ expectation of gain from acting as tenders of the
+sick, gravediggers, etc. The word _speranza_ is, however, constantly
+used by Dante and his follower Boccaccio in the contrary sense of
+"fear," and may be so meant in the present instance.]
+
+[Footnote 12: _i.e._ the cross.]
+
+Moreover,--not to go longer searching out and recalling every
+particular of our past miseries, as they befell throughout the
+city,--I say that, whilst so sinister a time prevailed in the latter,
+on no wise therefor was the surrounding country spared, wherein,
+(letting be the castles,[13] which in their littleness[14] were like
+unto the city,) throughout the scattered villages and in the fields,
+the poor and miserable husbandmen and their families, without succour
+of physician or aid of servitor, died, not like men, but well nigh
+like beasts, by the ways or in their tillages or about the houses,
+indifferently by day and night. By reason whereof, growing lax like
+the townsfolk in their manners and customs, they recked not of any
+thing or business of theirs; nay, all, as if they looked for death
+that very day, studied with all their wit, not to help to maturity the
+future produce of their cattle and their fields and the fruits of
+their own past toils, but to consume those which were ready to hand.
+Thus it came to pass that the oxen, the asses, the sheep, the goats,
+the swine, the fowls, nay, the very dogs, so faithful to mankind,
+being driven forth of their own houses, went straying at their
+pleasure about the fields, where the very corn was abandoned, without
+being cut, much less gathered in; and many, well nigh like reasonable
+creatures, after grazing all day, returned at night, glutted, to their
+houses, without the constraint of any herdsman.
+
+[Footnote 13: _i.e._ walled burghs.]
+
+[Footnote 14: _i.e._ in miniature.]
+
+To leave the country and return to the city, what more can be said
+save that such and so great was the cruelty of heaven (and in part,
+peradventure, that of men) that, between March and the following July,
+what with the virulence of that pestiferous sickness and the number of
+sick folk ill tended or forsaken in their need, through the
+fearfulness of those who were whole, it is believed for certain that
+upward of an hundred thousand human beings perished within the walls
+of the city of Florence, which, peradventure, before the advent of
+that death-dealing calamity, had not been accounted to hold so many?
+Alas, how many great palaces, how many goodly houses, how many noble
+mansions, once full of families, of lords and of ladies, abode empty
+even to the meanest servant! How many memorable families, how many
+ample heritages, how many famous fortunes were seen to remain without
+lawful heir! How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, how many
+sprightly youths, whom, not others only, but Galen, Hippocrates or
+Ćsculapius themselves would have judged most hale, breakfasted in the
+morning with their kinsfolk, comrades and friends and that same night
+supped with their ancestors in the other world!
+
+I am myself weary of going wandering so long among such miseries;
+wherefore, purposing henceforth to leave such part thereof as I can
+fitly, I say that,--our city being at this pass, well nigh void of
+inhabitants,--it chanced (as I afterward heard from a person worthy of
+credit) that there foregathered in the venerable church of Santa Maria
+Novella, one Tuesday morning when there was well nigh none else there,
+seven young ladies, all knit one to another by friendship or
+neighbourhood or kinship, who had heard divine service in mourning
+attire, as sorted with such a season. Not one of them had passed her
+eight-and-twentieth year nor was less than eighteen years old, and
+each was discreet and of noble blood, fair of favour and well-mannered
+and full of honest sprightliness. The names of these ladies I would in
+proper terms set out, did not just cause forbid me, to wit, that I
+would not have it possible that, in time to come, any of them should
+take shame by reason of the things hereinafter related as being told
+or hearkened by them, the laws of disport being nowadays somewhat
+straitened, which at that time, for the reasons above shown, were of
+the largest, not only for persons of their years, but for those of a
+much riper age; nor yet would I give occasion to the envious, who are
+still ready to carp at every praiseworthy life, on anywise to
+disparage the fair fame of these honourable ladies with unseemly talk.
+Wherefore, so that which each saith may hereafterward be apprehended
+without confusion, I purpose to denominate them by names altogether or
+in part sorting with each one's quality.[15] The first of them and
+her of ripest age I shall call Pampinea, the second Fiammetta, the
+third Filomena and the fourth Emilia. To the fifth we will give the
+name of Lauretta, to the sixth that of Neifile and the last, not
+without cause, we will style Elisa.[16] These, then, not drawn of any
+set purpose, but foregathering by chance in a corner of the church,
+having seated themselves in a ring, after divers sighs, let be the
+saying of paternosters and fell to devising with one another many and
+various things of the nature of the time. After awhile, the others
+being silent, Pampinea proceeded to speak thus:
+
+[Footnote 15: Or character (_qualitŕ_).]
+
+[Footnote 16: I know of no explanation of these names by the
+commentators, who seem, indeed, after the manner of their kind, to
+have generally confined themselves to the elaborate illustration and
+elucidation (or rather, alas! too often, obscuration) of passages
+already perfectly plain, leaving the difficult passages for the most
+part untouched. The following is the best I can make of them.
+_Pampinea_ appears to be formed from the Greek [Greek: pan], all, and
+[Greek: pinuô], I advise, admonish or inform, and to mean all-advising
+or admonishing, which would agree well enough with the character of
+Pampinea, who is represented as the eldest and sagest of the female
+personages of the Decameron and as taking the lead in everything.
+_Fiammetta_ is the name by which Boccaccio designates his mistress,
+the Princess Maria of Naples (the lady for whom he cherished "the very
+high and noble passion" of which he speaks in his Proem), in his
+earlier opuscule, the "Elégia di Madonna Fiammetta," describing, in
+her name, the torments of separation from the beloved. In this work he
+speaks of himself under the name of Pamfilo (Gr. [Greek: pan], all,
+and [Greek: phileô], I love, _i.e._ the all-loving or the passionate
+lover), and it is probable, therefore, that under these names he
+intended to introduce his royal ladylove and himself in the present
+work. _Filomena_ (Italian form of Philomela, a nightingale, Greek
+[Greek: philos] loving, and [Greek: melos], melody, song, _i.e._
+song-loving) is perhaps so styled for her love of music, and
+_Emilia's_ character, as it appears in the course of the work,
+justifies the derivation of her name from the Greek [Greek: aimylios],
+pleasing, engaging in manners and behaviour, cajoling. _Lauretta_
+Boccaccio probably intends us to look upon as a learned lady, if, as
+we may suppose, her name is a corruption of _laureata_,
+laurel-crowned; whilst _Neifile's_ name (Greek [Greek: neios] [[Greek:
+neos]] new, and [Greek: phileô], I love, _i.e._ novelty-loving) stamps
+her as being of a somewhat curious disposition, eager "to tell or to
+hear some new thing." The name _Elisa_ is not so easily to be
+explained as the others; possibly it was intended by the author as a
+reminiscence of Dido, to whom the name (which is by some authorities
+explained to mean "Godlike," from a Hebrew root) is said to have been
+given "quňd plurima supra animi muliebris fortitudinem gesserit." It
+does not, however, appear that there was in Elisa's character or life
+anything to justify the implied comparison.]
+
+"Dear my ladies, you may, like myself, have many times heard that
+whoso honestly useth his right doth no one wrong; and it is the
+natural right of every one who is born here below to succour, keep and
+defend his own life as best he may, and in so far is this allowed that
+it hath happened whiles that, for the preservation thereof, men have
+been slain without any fault. If this much be conceded of the laws,
+which have in view the well-being of all mortals, how much more is it
+lawful for us and whatsoever other, without offence unto any, to take
+such means as we may for the preservation of our lives? As often as I
+consider our fashions of this morning and those of many other mornings
+past and bethink me what and what manner discourses are ours, I feel,
+and you likewise must feel, that each of us is in fear for herself.
+Nor do I anywise wonder at this; but I wonder exceedingly, considering
+that we all have a woman's wit, that we take no steps to provide
+ourselves against that which each of us justly feareth. We abide here,
+to my seeming, no otherwise than as if we would or should be witness
+of how many dead bodies are brought hither for burial or to hearken if
+the friars of the place, whose number is come well nigh to nought,
+chant their offices at the due hours or by our apparel to show forth
+unto whosoever appeareth here the nature and extent of our distresses.
+If we depart hence, we either see dead bodies or sick persons carried
+about or those, whom for their misdeeds the authority of the public
+laws whilere condemned to exile, overrun the whole place with unseemly
+excesses, as if scoffing at the laws, for that they know the executors
+thereof to be either dead or sick; whilst the dregs of our city,
+fattened with our blood, style themselves _pickmen_ and ruffle it
+everywhere in mockery of us, riding and running all about and flouting
+us with our distresses in ribald songs. We hear nothing here but 'Such
+an one is dead' or 'Such an one is at the point of death'; and were
+there any to make them, we should hear dolorous lamentations on all
+sides. And if we return to our houses, I know not if it is with you as
+with me, but, for my part, when I find none left therein of a great
+household, save my serving-maid, I wax fearful and feel every hair of
+my body stand on end; and wherever I go or abide about the house,
+meseemeth I see the shades of those who are departed and who wear not
+those countenances that I was used to see, but terrify me with a
+horrid aspect, I know not whence newly come to them.
+
+By reason of these things I feel myself alike ill at ease here and
+abroad and at home, more by token that meseemeth none, who hath, as we
+have, the power and whither to go, is left here, other than ourselves;
+or if any such there be, I have many a time both heard and perceived
+that, without making any distinction between things lawful and
+unlawful, so but appetite move them, whether alone or in company, both
+day and night, they do that which affordeth them most delight. Nor is
+it the laity alone who do thus; nay, even those who are shut in the
+monasteries, persuading themselves that what befitteth and is lawful
+to others alike sortable and unforbidden unto them,[17] have broken
+the laws of obedience and giving themselves to carnal delights,
+thinking thus to escape, are grown lewd and dissolute. If thus, then,
+it be, as is manifestly to be seen, what do we here? What look we for?
+What dream we? Why are we more sluggish and slower to provide for our
+safety than all the rest of the townsfolk? Deem we ourselves of less
+price than others, or do we hold our life to be bounden in our bodies
+with a stronger chain than is theirs and that therefore we need reck
+nothing of aught that hath power to harm it? We err, we are deceived;
+what folly is ours, if we think thus! As often as we choose to call to
+mind the number and quality of the youths and ladies overborne of this
+cruel pestilence, we may see a most manifest proof thereof.
+
+[Footnote 17: This phrase may also be read "persuading themselves that
+that (_i.e._ their breach of the laws of obedience, etc.) beseemeth
+them and is forbidden only to others" (_faccendosi a credere che
+quello a lor si convenga e non si disdica che all' altre_); but the
+reading in the text appears more in harmony with the general sense and
+is indeed indicated by the punctuation of the Giunta Edition of 1527,
+which I generally follow in case of doubt.]
+
+Wherefore, in order that we may not, through wilfulness or
+nonchalance, fall into that wherefrom we may, peradventure, an we but
+will, by some means or other escape, I know not if it seem to you as
+it doth to me, but methinketh it were excellently well done that we,
+such as we are, depart this city, as many have done before us, and
+eschewing, as we would death, the dishonourable example of others,
+betake ourselves quietly to our places in the country, whereof each of
+us hath great plenty, and there take such diversion, such delight and
+such pleasance as we may, without anywise overpassing the bounds of
+reason. There may we hear the small birds sing, there may we see the
+hills and plains clad all in green and the fields full of corn wave
+even as doth the sea; there may we see trees, a thousand sorts, and
+there is the face of heaven more open to view, the which, angered
+against us though it be, nevertheless denieth not unto us its eternal
+beauties, far goodlier to look upon than the empty walls of our city.
+Moreover, there is the air far fresher[18] and there at this season is
+more plenty of that which behoveth unto life and less is the sum of
+annoys, for that, albeit the husbandmen die there, even as do the
+townsfolk here, the displeasance is there the less, insomuch as houses
+and inhabitants are rarer than in the city.
+
+[Footnote 18: Syn. cooler.]
+
+Here, on the other hand, if I deem aright, we abandon no one; nay, we
+may far rather say with truth that we ourselves are abandoned, seeing
+that our kinsfolk, either dying or fleeing from death, have left us
+alone in this great tribulation, as it were we pertained not unto
+them. No blame can therefore befall the ensuing of this counsel; nay,
+dolour and chagrin and belike death may betide us, an we ensue it not.
+Wherefore, an it please you, methinketh we should do well to take our
+maids and letting follow after us with the necessary gear, sojourn
+to-day in this place and to-morrow in that, taking such pleasance and
+diversion as the season may afford, and on this wise abide till such
+time (an we be not earlier overtaken of death) as we shall see what
+issue Heaven reserveth unto these things. And I would remind you that
+it is no more forbidden unto us honourably to depart than it is unto
+many others of our sex to abide in dishonour."
+
+The other ladies, having hearkened to Pampinea, not only commended her
+counsel, but, eager to follow it, had already begun to devise more
+particularly among themselves of the manner, as if, arising from
+their session there, they were to set off out of hand. But Filomena,
+who was exceeding discreet, said, "Ladies, albeit that which Pampinea
+allegeth is excellently well said, yet is there no occasion for
+running, as meseemeth you would do. Remember that we are all women and
+none of us is child enough not to know how [little] reasonable women
+are among themselves and how [ill], without some man's guidance, they
+know how to order themselves. We are fickle, wilful, suspicious,
+faint-hearted and timorous, for which reasons I misdoubt me sore, an
+we take not some other guidance than our own, that our company will be
+far too soon dissolved and with less honour to ourselves than were
+seemly; wherefore we should do well to provide ourselves, ere we
+begin."
+
+"Verily," answered Elisa, "men are the head of women, and without
+their ordinance seldom cometh any emprise of ours to good end; but how
+may we come by these men? There is none of us but knoweth that of her
+kinsmen the most part are dead and those who abide alive are all gone
+fleeing that which we seek to flee, in divers companies, some here and
+some there, without our knowing where, and to invite strangers would
+not be seemly, seeing that, if we would endeavour after our welfare,
+it behoveth us find a means of so ordering ourselves that, wherever we
+go for diversion and repose, scandal nor annoy may ensue thereof."
+
+Whilst such discourse was toward between the ladies, behold, there
+entered the church three young men,--yet not so young that the age of
+the youngest of them was less than five-and-twenty years,--in whom
+neither the perversity of the time nor loss of friends and kinsfolk,
+no, nor fear for themselves had availed to cool, much less to quench,
+the fire of love. Of these one was called Pamfilo,[19] another
+Filostrato[20] and the third Dioneo,[21] all very agreeable and
+well-bred, and they went seeking, for their supreme solace, in such a
+perturbation of things, to see their mistresses, who, as it chanced,
+were all three among the seven aforesaid; whilst certain of the other
+ladies were near kinswomen of one or other of the young men.
+
+[Footnote 19: See ante, p. 8, note.]
+
+[Footnote 20: _Filostrato_, Greek [Greek: philos], loving, and [Greek:
+stratos], army, _met._ strife, war, _i.e._ one who loves strife. This
+name appears to be a reminiscence of Boccaccio's poem (_Il
+Filostrato_, well known through its translation by Chaucer and the
+Senechal d'Anjou) upon the subject of the loves of Troilus and
+Cressida and to be in this instance used by him as a synonym for an
+unhappy lover, whom no rebuffs, no treachery can divert from his
+ill-starred passion. Such a lover may well be said to be in love with
+strife, and that the Filostrato of the Decameron sufficiently answers
+to this description we learn later on from his own lips.]
+
+[Footnote 21: _Dioneo_, a name probably coined from the Greek [Greek:
+Diônę], one of the _agnomina_ of Venus (properly her mother's name)
+and intended to denote the amorous temperament of his personage, to
+which, indeed, the erotic character of most of the stories told by him
+bears sufficient witness.]
+
+No sooner had their eyes fallen on the ladies than they were
+themselves espied of them; whereupon quoth Pampinea, smiling, "See,
+fortune is favourable to our beginnings and hath thrown in our way
+young men of worth and discretion, who will gladly be to us both
+guides and servitors, an we disdain not to accept of them in that
+capacity." But Neifile, whose face was grown all vermeil for
+shamefastness, for that it was she who was beloved of one of the young
+men, said, "For God's sake, Pampinea, look what thou sayest! I
+acknowledge most frankly that there can be nought but all good said of
+which one soever of them and I hold them sufficient unto a much
+greater thing than this, even as I opine that they would bear, not
+only ourselves, but far fairer and nobler dames than we, good and
+honourable company. But, for that it is a very manifest thing that
+they are enamoured of certain of us who are here, I fear lest, without
+our fault or theirs, scandal and blame ensue thereof, if we carry them
+with us." Quoth Filomena, "That skilleth nought; so but I live
+honestly and conscience prick me not of aught, let who will speak to
+the contrary; God and the truth will take up arms for me. Wherefore,
+if they be disposed to come, verily we may say with Pampinea that
+fortune is favourable to our going."
+
+The other ladies, hearing her speak thus absolutely, not only held
+their peace, but all with one accord agreed that the young men should
+be called and acquainted with their project and bidden to be pleased
+bear them company in their expedition. Accordingly, without more
+words, Pampinea, who was knit by kinship to one of them, rising to her
+feet, made for the three young men, who stood fast, looking upon them,
+and saluting them with a cheerful countenance, discovered to them
+their intent and prayed them, on behalf of herself and her companions,
+that they would be pleased to bear them company in a pure and
+brotherly spirit. The young men at the first thought themselves
+bantered, but, seeing that the lady spoke in good earnest, they made
+answer joyfully that they were ready, and without losing time about
+the matter, forthright took order for that which they had to do
+against departure.
+
+On the following morning, Wednesday to wit, towards break of day,
+having let orderly make ready all things needful and despatched them
+in advance whereas they purposed to go,[22] the ladies, with certain
+of their waiting-women, and the three young men, with as many of their
+serving-men, departing Florence, set out upon their way; nor had they
+gone more than two short miles from the city, when they came to the
+place fore-appointed of them, which was situate on a little hill,
+somewhat withdrawn on every side from the high way and full of various
+shrubs and plants, all green of leafage and pleasant to behold. On the
+summit of this hill was a palace, with a goodly and great courtyard in
+its midst and galleries[23] and saloons and bedchambers, each in
+itself most fair and adorned and notable with jocund paintings, with
+lawns and grassplots round about and wonder-goodly gardens and wells
+of very cold water and cellars full of wines of price, things more apt
+unto curious drinkers than unto sober and modest ladies. The new
+comers, to their no little pleasure, found the place all swept and the
+beds made in the chambers and every thing full of such flowers as
+might be had at that season and strewn with rushes.
+
+[Footnote 22: _e prima mandato lŕ dove_, etc. This passage is obscure
+and may be read to mean "and having first despatched [a messenger] (or
+sent [word]) whereas," etc. I think, however, that _mandato_ is a
+copyist's error for _mandata_, in which case the meaning would be as
+in the text.]
+
+[Footnote 23: Or balconies (_loggie_).]
+
+As soon as they had seated themselves, Dioneo, who was the merriest
+springald in the world and full of quips and cranks, said, "Ladies,
+your wit, rather than our foresight, hath guided us hither, and I know
+not what you purpose to do with your cares; as for my own, I left them
+within the city gates, whenas I issued thence with you awhile agone;
+wherefore, do you either address yourselves to make merry and laugh
+and sing together with me (in so far, I mean, as pertaineth to your
+dignity) or give me leave to go back for my cares and abide in the
+afflicted city." Whereto Pampinea, no otherwise than as if in like
+manner she had banished all her own cares, answered blithely, "Dioneo,
+thou sayst well; it behoveth us live merrily, nor hath any other
+occasion caused us flee from yonder miseries. But, for that things
+which are without measure may not long endure, I, who began the
+discourse wherethrough this so goodly company came to be made, taking
+thought for the continuance of our gladness, hold it of necessity that
+we appoint some one to be principal among us, whom we may honour and
+obey as chief and whose especial care it shall be to dispose us to
+live joyously. And in order that each in turn may prove the burden of
+solicitude, together with the pleasure of headship; and that, the
+chief being thus drawn, in turn, from one and the other sex, there may
+be no cause for jealousy, as might happen, were any excluded from the
+sovranty, I say that unto each be attributed the burden and the honour
+for one day. Let who is to be our first chief be at the election of us
+all. For who shall follow, be it he or she whom it shall please the
+governor of the day to appoint, whenas the hour of vespers draweth
+near, and let each in turn, at his or her discretion, order and
+dispose of the place and manner wherein we are to live, for such time
+as his or her seignory shall endure."
+
+Pampinea's words pleased mightily, and with one voice they elected her
+chief of the first day; whereupon Filomena, running nimbly to a
+laurel-tree--for that she had many a time heard speak of the honour
+due to the leaves of this plant and how worship-worth they made whoso
+was deservedly crowned withal--and plucking divers sprays therefrom,
+made her thereof a goodly and honourable wreath, which, being set upon
+her head, was thenceforth, what while their company lasted, a manifest
+sign unto every other of the royal office and seignory.
+
+Pampinea, being made queen, commanded that every one should be silent;
+then, calling the serving-men of the three young gentlemen and her own
+and the other ladies' women, who were four in number, before herself
+and all being silent, she spoke thus: "In order that I may set you a
+first example, by which, proceeding from good to better, our company
+may live and last in order and pleasance and without reproach so long
+as it is agreeable to us, I constitute, firstly, Parmeno, Dioneo's
+servant, my seneschal and commit unto him the care and ordinance of
+all our household and [especially] that which pertaineth to the
+service of the saloon. Sirisco, Pamfilo's servant, I will shall be
+our purveyor and treasurer and ensue the commandments of Parmeno.
+Tindaro shall look to the service of Filostrato and the other two
+gentlemen in their bed chambers, what time the others, being occupied
+about their respective offices, cannot attend thereto. Misia, my
+woman, and Filomena's Licisca shall still abide in the kitchen and
+there diligently prepare such viands as shall be appointed them of
+Parmeno. Lauretta's Chimera and Fiammetta's Stratilia it is our
+pleasure shall occupy themselves with the ordinance of the ladies'
+chambers and the cleanliness of the places where we shall abide; and
+we will and command all and several, as they hold our favour dear, to
+have a care that, whithersoever they go or whencesoever they return
+and whatsoever they hear or see, they bring us from without no news
+other than joyous." These orders summarily given and commended of all,
+Pampinea, rising blithely to her feet, said, "Here be gardens, here be
+meadows, here be store of other delectable places, wherein let each go
+a-pleasuring at will; and when tierce[24] soundeth, let all be here,
+so we may eat in the cool."
+
+[Footnote 24: _i.e._ Nine o'clock a.m. Boccaccio's habit of measuring
+time by the canonical hours has been a sore stumbling-block to the
+ordinary English and French translator, who is generally terribly at
+sea as to his meaning, inclining to render _tierce_ three, _sexte_ six
+o'clock and _none_ noon and making shots of the same wild kind at the
+other hours. The monasterial rule (which before the general
+introduction of clocks was commonly followed by the medićval public in
+the computation of time) divided the twenty-four hours of the day and
+night into seven parts (six of three hours each and one of six), the
+inception of which was denoted by the sound of the bells that summoned
+the clergy to the performance of the seven canonical offices _i.e._
+_Matins_ at 3 a.m., _Prime_ at 6 a.m., _Tierce_ at 9 a.m., _Sexte_ or
+Noonsong at noon, _None_ at 3 p.m., _Vespers_ or Evensong at 6 p.m.
+and _Complines_ or Nightsong at 9 p.m., and at the same time served
+the laity as a clock.]
+
+The merry company, being thus dismissed by the new queen, went
+straying with slow steps, young men and fair ladies together, about a
+garden, devising blithely and diverting themselves with weaving goodly
+garlands of various leaves and carolling amorously. After they had
+abidden there such time as had been appointed them of the queen, they
+returned to the house, where they found that Parmeno had made a
+diligent beginning with his office, for that, entering a saloon on the
+ground floor, they saw there the tables laid with the whitest of
+cloths and beakers that seemed of silver and everything covered with
+the flowers of the broom; whereupon, having washed their hands, they
+all, by command of the queen, seated themselves according to Parmeno's
+ordinance. Then came viands delicately drest and choicest wines were
+proffered and the three serving-men, without more, quietly tended the
+tables. All, being gladdened by these things, for that they were fair
+and orderly done, ate joyously and with store of merry talk, and the
+tables being cleared away,[25] the queen bade bring instruments of
+music, for that all the ladies knew how to dance, as also the young
+men, and some of them could both play and sing excellent well.
+Accordingly, by her commandment, Dioneo took a lute and Fiammetta a
+viol and began softly to sound a dance; whereupon the queen and the
+other ladies, together with the other two young men, having sent the
+serving-men to eat, struck up a round and began with a slow pace to
+dance a brawl; which ended, they fell to singing quaint and merry
+ditties. On this wise they abode till it seemed to the queen time to
+go to sleep,[26] and she accordingly dismissed them all; whereupon the
+young men retired to their chambers, which were withdrawn from the
+ladies' lodging, and finding them with the beds well made and as full
+of flowers as the saloon, put off their clothes and betook themselves
+to rest, whilst the ladies, on their part, did likewise.
+
+[Footnote 25: The table of Boccaccio's time was a mere board upon
+trestles, which when not in actual use, was stowed away, for room's
+sake, against the wall.]
+
+[Footnote 26: _i.e._ to take the siesta or midday nap common in hot
+countries.]
+
+None[27] had not long sounded when the queen, arising, made all the
+other ladies arise, and on like wise the three young men, alleging
+overmuch sleep to be harmful by day; and so they betook themselves to
+a little meadow, where the grass grew green and high nor there had the
+sun power on any side. There, feeling the waftings of a gentle breeze,
+they all, as their queen willed it, seated themselves in a ring on the
+green grass; while she bespoke them thus, "As ye see, the sun is high
+and the heat great, nor is aught heard save the crickets yonder among
+the olives; wherefore it were doubtless folly to go anywhither at this
+present. Here is the sojourn fair and cool, and here, as you see, are
+chess and tables,[28] and each can divert himself as is most to his
+mind. But, an my counsel be followed in this, we shall pass away this
+sultry part of the day, not in gaming,--wherein the mind of one of the
+players must of necessity be troubled, without any great pleasure of
+the other or of those who look on,--but in telling stories, which, one
+telling, may afford diversion to all the company who hearken; nor
+shall we have made an end of telling each his story but the sun will
+have declined and the heat be abated, and we can then go a-pleasuring
+whereas it may be most agreeable to us. Wherefore, if this that I say
+please you, (for I am disposed to follow your pleasure therein,) let
+us do it; and if it please you not, let each until the hour of vespers
+do what most liketh him." Ladies and men alike all approved the
+story-telling, whereupon, "Then," said the queen, "since this pleaseth
+you, I will that this first day each be free to tell of such matters
+as are most to his liking." Then, turning to Pamfilo, who sat on her
+right hand, she smilingly bade him give beginning to the story-telling
+with one of his; and he, hearing the commandment, forthright began
+thus, whilst all gave ear to him.
+
+[Footnote 27: _i.e._ three o'clock p.m.]
+
+[Footnote 28: _i.e._ backgammon.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     MASTER CIAPPELLETTO DUPETH A HOLY FRIAR WITH A FALSE
+     CONFESSION AND DIETH; AND HAVING BEEN IN HIS LIFETIME THE
+     WORST OF MEN, HE IS, AFTER HIS DEATH, REPUTED A SAINT AND
+     CALLED SAINT CIAPPELLETTO.
+
+
+"It is a seemly thing, dearest ladies, that whatsoever a man doth, he
+give it beginning from the holy and admirable name of Him who is the
+maker of all things. Wherefore, it behoving me, as the first, to give
+commencement to our story-telling, I purpose to begin with one of His
+marvels, to the end that, this being heard, our hope in Him, as in a
+thing immutable, may be confirmed and His name be ever praised of us.
+It is manifest that, like as things temporal are all transitory and
+mortal, even so both within and without are they full of annoy and
+anguish and travail and subject to infinite perils, against which it
+is indubitable that we, who live enmingled therein and who are indeed
+part and parcel thereof, might avail neither to endure nor to defend
+ourselves, except God's especial grace lent us strength and foresight;
+which latter, it is not to be believed, descendeth unto us and upon us
+by any merit of our own, but of the proper motion of His own benignity
+and the efficacy of the prayers of those who were mortals even as we
+are and having diligently ensued His commandments, what while they
+were on life, are now with Him become eternal and blessed and unto
+whom we,--belike not daring to address ourselves unto the proper
+presence of so august a judge,--proffer our petitions of the things
+which we deem needful unto ourselves, as unto advocates[29] informed
+by experience of our frailty. And this more we discern in Him, full as
+He is of compassionate liberality towards us, that, whereas it
+chanceth whiles (the keenness of mortal eyes availing not in any wise
+to penetrate the secrets of the Divine intent), that we peradventure,
+beguiled by report, make such an one our advocate unto His
+majesty, who is outcast from His presence with an eternal
+banishment,--nevertheless He, from whom nothing is hidden, having
+regard rather to the purity of the suppliant's intent than to his
+ignorance or to the reprobate estate of him whose intercession be
+invoketh, giveth ear unto those who pray unto the latter, as if he
+were in very deed blessed in His aspect. The which will manifestly
+appear from the story which I purpose to relate; I say manifestly,
+ensuing, not the judgment of God, but that of men.
+
+[Footnote 29: Or procurators.]
+
+It is told, then, that Musciatto Franzesi,[30] being from a very rich
+and considerable merchant in France become a knight and it behoving
+him thereupon go into Tuscany with Messire Charles Sansterre,[31]
+brother to the king of France,[32] who had been required and bidden
+thither by Pope Boniface,[33] found his affairs in one part and
+another sore embroiled, (as those of merchants most times are,) and
+was unable lightly or promptly to disentangle them; wherefore he
+bethought himself to commit them unto divers persons and made shift
+for all, save only he abode in doubt whom he might leave sufficient to
+the recovery of the credits he had given to certain Burgundians. The
+cause of his doubt was that he knew the Burgundians to be litigious,
+quarrelsome fellows, ill-conditioned and disloyal, and could not call
+one to mind, in whom he might put any trust, curst enough to cope with
+their perversity. After long consideration of the matter, there came
+to his memory a certain Master Ciapperello da Prato, who came often to
+his house in Paris and whom, for that he was little of person and
+mighty nice in his dress, the French, knowing not what Cepparello[34]
+meant and thinking it be the same with Cappello, to wit, in their
+vernacular, Chaplet, called him, not Cappello, but Ciappelletto,[35]
+and accordingly as Ciappelletto he was known everywhere, whilst few
+knew him for Master Ciapperello.
+
+[Footnote 30: A Florentine merchant settled in France; he had great
+influence over Philippe le Bel and made use of the royal favour to
+enrich himself by means of monopolies granted at the expense of his
+compatriots.]
+
+[Footnote 31: Charles, Comte de Valois et d'Alençon.]
+
+[Footnote 32: Philippe le Bel, A.D. 1268-1314.]
+
+[Footnote 33: The Eighth.]
+
+[Footnote 34: Sic. _Cepparello_ means a log or stump. Ciapperello is
+apparently a dialectic variant of the same word.]
+
+[Footnote 35: Diminutive of Cappello. This passage is obscure and most
+likely corrupt. Boccaccio probably meant to write "hat" instead of
+"chaplet" (_ghirlanda_), as the meaning of _cappello_, chaplet
+(diminutive of Old English _chapel_, a hat,) being the meaning of
+_ciappelletto_ (properly _cappelletto_).]
+
+Now this said Ciappelletto was of this manner life, that, being a
+scrivener, he thought very great shame whenas any of his instrument
+was found (and indeed he drew few such) other than false; whilst of
+the latter[36] he would have drawn as many as might be required of him
+and these with a better will by way of gift than any other for a great
+wage. False witness he bore with especial delight, required or not
+required, and the greatest regard being in those times paid to oaths
+in France, as he recked nothing of forswearing himself, he knavishly
+gained all the suits concerning which he was called upon to tell the
+truth upon his faith. He took inordinate pleasure and was mighty
+diligent in stirring up troubles and enmities and scandals between
+friends and kinsfolk and whomsoever else, and the greater the
+mischiefs he saw ensue thereof, the more he rejoiced. If bidden to
+manslaughter or whatsoever other naughty deed, he went about it with a
+will, without ever saying nay thereto; and many a time of his proper
+choice he had been known to wound men and do them to death with his
+own hand. He was a terrible blasphemer of God and the saints, and that
+for every trifle, being the most choleric man alive. To church he went
+never and all the sacraments thereof he flouted in abominable terms,
+as things of no account; whilst, on the other hand, he was still fain
+to haunt and use taverns and other lewd places. Of women he was as
+fond as dogs of the stick; but in the contrary he delighted more than
+any filthy fellow alive. He robbed and pillaged with as much
+conscience as a godly man would make oblation to God; he was a very
+glutton and a great wine bibber, insomuch that bytimes it wrought him
+shameful mischief, and to boot, he was a notorious gamester and a
+caster of cogged dice. But why should I enlarge in so many words? He
+was belike the worst man that ever was born.[37] His wickedness had
+long been upheld by the power and interest of Messer Musciatto, who
+had many a time safeguarded him as well from private persons, to whom
+he often did a mischief, as from the law, against which he was a
+perpetual offender.
+
+[Footnote 36: _i.e._ false instruments.]
+
+[Footnote 37: A "twopence-coloured" sketch of an impossible villain,
+drawn with a crudeness unusual in Boccaccio.]
+
+This Master Ciappelletto then, coming to Musciatto's mind, the latter,
+who was very well acquainted with his way of life, bethought himself
+that he should be such an one as the perversity of the Burgundians
+required and accordingly, sending for him, he bespoke him thus:
+'Master Ciappelletto, I am, as thou knowest, about altogether to
+withdraw hence, and having to do, amongst others, with certain
+Burgundians, men full of guile, I know none whom I may leave to
+recover my due from them more fitting than thyself, more by token that
+thou dost nothing at this present; wherefore, an thou wilt undertake
+this, I will e'en procure thee the favour of the Court and give thee
+such part as shall be meet of that which thou shalt recover.'
+
+Don Ciappelletto, who was then out of employ and ill provided with the
+goods of the world, seeing him who had long been his stay and his
+refuge about to depart thence, lost no time in deliberation, but, as
+of necessity constrained, replied that he would well. They being come
+to an accord, Musciatto departed and Ciappelletto, having gotten his
+patron's procuration and letters commendatory from the king, betook
+himself into Burgundy, where well nigh none knew him, and there,
+contrary to his nature, began courteously and blandly to seek to get
+in his payments and do that wherefor he was come thither, as if
+reserving choler and violence for a last resort. Dealing thus and
+lodging in the house of two Florentines, brothers, who there lent at
+usance and who entertained him with great honour for the love of
+Messer Musciatto, it chanced that he fell sick, whereupon the two
+brothers promptly fetched physicians and servants to tend him and
+furnished him with all that behoved unto the recovery of his health.
+But every succour was in vain, for that, by the physicians' report,
+the good man, who was now old and had lived disorderly, grew daily
+worse, as one who had a mortal sickness; wherefore the two brothers
+were sore concerned and one day, being pretty near the chamber where
+he lay sick, they began to take counsel together, saying one to the
+other, 'How shall we do with yonder fellow? We have a sorry bargain on
+our hands of his affair, for that to send him forth of our house, thus
+sick, were a sore reproach to us and a manifest sign of little wit on
+our part, if the folk, who have seen us first receive him and after
+let tend and medicine him with such solicitude, should now see him
+suddenly put out of our house, sick unto death as he is, without it
+being possible for him to have done aught that should displease us. On
+the other hand, he hath been so wicked a man that he will never
+consent to confess or take any sacrament of the church; and he dying
+without confession, no church will receive his body; nay, he will be
+cast into a ditch, like a dog. Again, even if he do confess, his sins
+are so many and so horrible that the like will come of it, for that
+there is nor priest nor friar who can or will absolve him thereof;
+wherefore, being unshriven, he will still be cast into the ditches.
+Should it happen thus, the people of the city, as well on account of
+our trade, which appeareth to them most iniquitous and of which they
+missay all day, as of their itch to plunder us, seeing this, will rise
+up in riot and cry out, "These Lombard dogs, whom the church refuseth
+to receive, are to be suffered here no longer";--and they will run to
+our houses and despoil us not only of our good, but may be of our
+lives, to boot; wherefore in any case it will go ill with us, if
+yonder fellow die.'
+
+Master Ciappelletto, who, as we have said, lay near the place where
+the two brothers were in discourse, being quick of hearing, as is most
+times the case with the sick, heard what they said of him and calling
+them to him, bespoke them thus: 'I will not have you anywise misdoubt
+of me nor fear to take any hurt by me. I have heard what you say of me
+and am well assured that it would happen even as you say, should
+matters pass as you expect; but it shall go otherwise. I have in my
+lifetime done God the Lord so many an affront that it will make
+neither more nor less, an I do Him yet another at the point of death;
+wherefore do you make shift to bring me the holiest and worthiest
+friar you may avail to have, if any such there be,[38] and leave the
+rest to me, for that I will assuredly order your affairs and mine own
+on such wise that all shall go well and you shall have good cause to
+be satisfied.'
+
+[Footnote 38: _i.e._ if there be such a thing as a holy and worthy
+friar.]
+
+The two brothers, albeit they conceived no great hope of this,
+nevertheless betook themselves to a brotherhood of monks and demanded
+some holy and learned man to hear the confession of a Lombard who lay
+sick in their house. There was given them a venerable brother of holy
+and good life and a past master in Holy Writ, a very reverend man, for
+whom all the townsfolk had a very great and special regard, and they
+carried him to their house; where, coming to the chamber where Master
+Ciappelletto lay and seating himself by his side, he began first
+tenderly to comfort him and after asked him how long it was since he
+had confessed last; whereto Master Ciappelletto, who had never
+confessed in his life, answered, 'Father, it hath been my usance to
+confess every week once at the least and often more; it is true that,
+since I fell sick, to wit, these eight days past, I have not
+confessed, such is the annoy that my sickness hath given me.' Quoth
+the friar, 'My son, thou hast done well and so must thou do
+henceforward. I see, since thou confessest so often, that I shall be
+at little pains either of hearing or questioning.' 'Sir,' answered
+Master Ciappelletto, 'say not so; I have never confessed so much nor
+so often but I would still fain make a general confession of all my
+sins that I could call to mind from the day of my birth to that of my
+confession; wherefore I pray you, good my father, question me as
+punctually of everything, nay, everything, as if I had never
+confessed; and consider me not because I am sick, for that I had far
+liefer displease this my flesh than, in consulting its ease, do aught
+that might be the perdition of my soul, which my Saviour redeemed with
+His precious blood.'
+
+These words much pleased the holy man and seemed to him to argue a
+well-disposed mind; wherefore, after he had much commended Master
+Ciappelletto for that his usance, he asked him if he had ever sinned
+by way of lust with any woman. 'Father,' replied Master Ciappelletto,
+sighing, 'on this point I am ashamed to tell you the truth, fearing to
+sin by way of vainglory.' Quoth the friar, 'Speak in all security, for
+never did one sin by telling the truth, whether in confession or
+otherwise.' 'Then,' said Master Ciappelletto, 'since you certify me of
+this, I will tell you; I am yet a virgin, even as I came forth of my
+mother's body.' 'O blessed be thou of God!' cried the monk. 'How well
+hast thou done! And doing thus, thou hast the more deserved, inasmuch
+as, an thou wouldst, thou hadst more leisure to do the contrary than
+we and whatsoever others are limited by any rule.'
+
+After this he asked him if he had ever offended against God in the sin
+of gluttony; whereto Master Ciappelletto answered, sighing, Ay had he,
+and that many a time; for that, albeit, over and above the Lenten
+fasts that are yearly observed of the devout, he had been wont to fast
+on bread and water three days at the least in every week,--he had
+oftentimes (and especially whenas he had endured any fatigue, either
+praying or going a-pilgrimage) drunken the water with as much appetite
+and as keen a relish as great drinkers do wine. And many a time he had
+longed to have such homely salads of potherbs as women make when they
+go into the country; and whiles eating had given him more pleasure
+than himseemed it should do to one who fasteth for devotion, as did
+he. 'My son,' said the friar, 'these sins are natural and very slight
+and I would not therefore have thee burden thy conscience withal more
+than behoveth. It happeneth to every man, how devout soever he be,
+that, after long fasting, meat seemeth good to him, and after travail,
+drink.'
+
+'Alack, father mine,' rejoined Ciappelletto, 'tell me not this to
+comfort me; you must know I know that things done for the service of
+God should be done sincerely and with an ungrudging mind; and whoso
+doth otherwise sinneth.' Quoth the friar, exceeding well pleased, 'I
+am content that thou shouldst thus apprehend it and thy pure and good
+conscience therein pleaseth me exceedingly. But, tell me, hast thou
+sinned by way of avarice, desiring more than befitted or withholding
+that which it behoved thee not to withhold?' 'Father mine,' replied
+Ciappelletto, 'I would not have you look to my being in the house of
+these usurers; I have nought to do here; nay, I came hither to
+admonish and chasten them and turn them from this their abominable way
+of gain; and methinketh I should have made shift to do so, had not God
+thus visited me. But you must know that I was left a rich man by my
+father, of whose good, when he was dead, I bestowed the most part in
+alms, and after, to sustain my life and that I might be able to
+succour Christ's poor, I have done my little traffickings, and in
+these I have desired to gain; but still with God's poor have I shared
+that which I gained, converting my own half to my occasion and giving
+them the other, and in this so well hath my Creator prospered me that
+my affairs have still gone from good to better.'
+
+'Well hast thou done,' said the friar; 'but hast thou often been
+angered?' 'Oh,' cried Master Ciappelletto, 'that I must tell you I
+have very often been! And who could keep himself therefrom, seeing men
+do unseemly things all day long, keeping not the commandments of God
+neither fearing His judgment? Many times a day I had liefer been dead
+than alive, seeing young men follow after vanities and hearing them
+curse and forswear themselves, haunting the taverns, visiting not the
+churches and ensuing rather the ways of the world than that of God.'
+'My son,' said the friar, 'this is a righteous anger, nor for my part
+might I enjoin thee any penance therefor. But hath anger at any time
+availed to move thee to do any manslaughter or to bespeak any one
+unseemly or do any other unright?' 'Alack, sir,' answered the sick
+man, 'you, who seem to me a man of God, how can you say such words?
+Had I ever had the least thought of doing any one of the things
+whereof you speak, think you I believe that God would so long have
+forborne me? These be the doings of outlaws and men of nought, whereof
+I never saw any but I said still, "Go, may God amend thee!"'
+
+Then said the friar, 'Now tell me, my son (blessed be thou of God),
+hast thou never borne false witness against any or missaid of another,
+or taken others' good, without leave of him to whom it pertained?'
+'Ay, indeed, sir,' replied Master Ciappelletto; 'I have missaid of
+others; for that I had a neighbour aforetime, who, with the greatest
+unright in the world, did nought but beat his wife, insomuch that I
+once spoke ill of him to her kinsfolk, so great was the compassion
+that overcame me for the poor woman, whom he used as God alone can
+tell, whenassoever he had drunken overmuch.' Quoth the friar, 'Thou
+tellest me thou hast been a merchant. Hast thou never cheated any one,
+as merchants do whiles!' 'I' faith, yes, sir,' answered Master
+Ciappelletto; 'but I know not whom, except it were a certain man, who
+once brought me monies which he owed me for cloth I had sold him and
+which I threw into a chest, without counting. A good month after, I
+found that they were four farthings more than they should have been;
+wherefore, not seeing him again and having kept them by me a full
+year, that I might restore them to him, I gave them away in alms.'
+Quoth the friar, 'This was a small matter, and thou didst well to deal
+with it as thou didst.'
+
+Then he questioned him of many other things, of all which he answered
+after the same fashion, and the holy father offering to proceed to
+absolution, Master Ciappelletto said, 'Sir, I have yet sundry sins
+that I have not told you.' The friar asked him what they were, and he
+answered, 'I mind me that one Saturday, after none, I caused my
+servant sweep out the house and had not that reverence for the Lord's
+holy day which it behoved me have.' 'Oh,' said the friar, 'that is a
+light matter, my son.' 'Nay,' rejoined Master Ciappelletto, 'call it
+not a light matter, for that the Lord's Day is greatly to be honoured,
+seeing that on such a day our Lord rose from the dead.' Then said the
+friar, 'Well, hast thou done aught else?' 'Ay, sir,' answered Master
+Ciappelletto; 'once, unthinking what I did, I spat in the church of
+God.' Thereupon the friar fell a-smiling, and said, 'My son, that is
+no thing to be recked of; we who are of the clergy, we spit there all
+day long.' 'And you do very ill,' rejoined Master Ciappelletto; 'for
+that there is nought which it so straitly behoveth to keep clean as
+the holy temple wherein is rendered sacrifice to God.'
+
+Brief, he told him great plenty of such like things and presently fell
+a-sighing and after weeping sore, as he knew full well to do, whenas
+he would. Quoth the holy friar, 'What aileth thee, my son?' 'Alas,
+sir,' replied Master Ciappelletto, 'I have one sin left, whereof I
+never yet confessed me, such shame have I to tell it; and every time I
+call it to mind, I weep, even as you see, and meseemeth very certain
+that God will never pardon it me.' 'Go to, son,' rejoined the friar;
+'what is this thou sayest? If all the sins that were ever wrought or
+are yet to be wrought of all mankind, what while the world endureth,
+were all in one man and he repented him thereof and were contrite
+therefor, as I see thee, such is the mercy and loving-kindness of God
+that, upon confession, He would freely pardon them to him. Wherefore
+do thou tell it in all assurance.' Quoth Master Ciappelletto, still
+weeping sore, 'Alack, father mine, mine is too great a sin, and I can
+scarce believe that it will ever be forgiven me of God, except your
+prayers strive for me.' Then said the friar, 'Tell it me in all
+assurance, for I promise thee to pray God for thee.'
+
+Master Ciappelletto, however, still wept and said nought; but, after
+he had thus held the friar a great while in suspense, he heaved a deep
+sigh and said, 'Father mine, since you promise me to pray God for me,
+I will e'en tell it you. Know, then, that, when I was little, I once
+cursed my mother.' So saying, he fell again to weeping sore. 'O my
+son,' quoth the friar, 'seemeth this to thee so heinous a sin? Why,
+men blaspheme God all day long and He freely pardoneth whoso repenteth
+him of having blasphemed Him; and deemest thou not He will pardon thee
+this? Weep not, but comfort thyself; for, certes, wert thou one of
+those who set Him on the cross, He would pardon thee, in favour of
+such contrition as I see in thee.' 'Alack, father mine, what say you?'
+replied Ciappelletto. 'My kind mother, who bore me nine months in her
+body, day and night, and carried me on her neck an hundred times and
+more, I did passing ill to curse her and it was an exceeding great
+sin; and except you pray God for me, it will not be forgiven me.'
+
+The friar, then, seeing that Master Ciappelletto had no more to say,
+gave him absolution and bestowed on him his benison, holding him a
+very holy man and devoutly believing all that he had told him to be
+true. And who would not have believed it, hearing a man at the point
+of death speak thus? Then, after all this, he said to him, 'Master
+Ciappelletto, with God's help you will speedily be whole; but, should
+it come to pass that God call your blessed and well-disposed soul to
+Himself, would it please you that your body be buried in our convent?'
+'Ay, would it, sir,' replied Master Ciappelletto. 'Nay, I would fain
+no be buried otherwhere, since you have promised to pray God for me;
+more by token that I have ever had a special regard for your order.
+Wherefore I pray you that whenas you return to your lodging, you must
+cause bring me that most veritable body of Christ, which you
+consecrate a-mornings upon the altar, for that, with your leave, I
+purpose (all unworthy as I am) to take it and after, holy and extreme
+unction, to the intent that, if I have lived as a sinner, I may at the
+least die like a Christian.' The good friar replied that it pleased
+him much and that he said well and promised to see it presently
+brought him; and so was it done.
+
+Meanwhile, the two brothers, misdoubting them sore lest Master
+Ciappelletto should play them false, had posted themselves behind a
+wainscot, that divided the chamber where he lay from another, and
+listening, easily heard and apprehended that which he said to the
+friar and had whiles so great a mind to laugh, hearing the things
+which he confessed to having done, that they were like to burst and
+said, one to other, 'What manner of man is this, whom neither old age
+nor sickness nor fear of death, whereunto he seeth himself near, nor
+yet of God, before whose judgment-seat he looketh to be ere long, have
+availed to turn from his wickedness nor hinder him from choosing to
+die as he hath lived?' However, seeing that he had so spoken that he
+should be admitted to burial in a church, they recked nought of the
+rest.
+
+Master Ciappelletto presently took the sacrament and, growing rapidly
+worse, received extreme unction, and a little after evensong of the
+day he had made his fine confession, he died; whereupon the two
+brothers, having, of his proper monies, taken order for his honourable
+burial, sent to the convent to acquaint the friars therewith, bidding
+them come thither that night to hold vigil, according to usance, and
+fetch away the body in the morning, and meanwhile made ready all that
+was needful thereunto.
+
+The holy friar, who had shriven him, hearing that he had departed this
+life, betook himself to the prior of the convent and, letting ring to
+chapter, gave out to the brethren therein assembled that Master
+Ciappelletto had been a holy man, according to that which he had
+gathered from his confession, and persuaded them to receive his body
+with the utmost reverence and devotion, in the hope that God should
+show forth many miracles through him. To this the prior and brethren
+credulously consented and that same evening, coming all whereas Master
+Ciappelletto lay dead, they held high and solemn vigil over him and on
+the morrow, clad all in albs and copes, book in hand and crosses
+before them, they went, chanting the while, for his body and brought
+it with the utmost pomp and solemnity to their church, followed by
+well nigh all the people of the city, men and women.
+
+As soon as they had set the body down in the church, the holy friar,
+who had confessed him, mounted the pulpit and fell a-preaching
+marvellous things of the dead man and of his life, his fasts, his
+virginity, his simplicity and innocence and sanctity, recounting,
+amongst other things, that which he had confessed to him as his
+greatest sin and how he had hardly availed to persuade him that God
+would forgive it him; thence passing on to reprove the folk who
+hearkened, 'And you, accursed that you are,' quoth he, 'for every waif
+of straw that stirreth between your feet, you blaspheme God and the
+Virgin and all the host of heaven.' Moreover, he told them many other
+things of his loyalty and purity of heart; brief, with his speech,
+whereto entire faith was yielded of the people of the city, he so
+established the dead man in the reverent consideration of all who were
+present that, no sooner was the service at an end, than they all with
+the utmost eagerness flocked to kiss his hands and feet and the
+clothes were torn off his back, he holding himself blessed who might
+avail to have never so little thereof; and needs must they leave him
+thus all that day, so he might be seen and visited of all.
+
+The following night he was honourably buried in a marble tomb in one
+of the chapels of the church and on the morrow the folk began
+incontinent to come and burn candles and offer up prayers and make
+vows to him and hang images of wax[39] at his shrine, according to the
+promise made. Nay, on such wise waxed the frame of his sanctity and
+men's devotion to him that there was scarce any who, being in
+adversity, would vow himself to another saint than him; and they
+styled and yet style him Saint Ciappelletto and avouch that God
+through him hath wrought many miracles and yet worketh, them every day
+for whoso devoutly commendeth himself unto him.
+
+[Footnote 39: _i.e._ ex voto.]
+
+Thus, then, lived and died Master Cepperello[40] da Prato and became a
+saint, as you have heard; nor would I deny it to be possible that he
+is beatified in God's presence, for that, albeit his life was wicked
+and perverse, he may at his last extremity have shown such contrition
+that peradventure God had mercy on him and received him into His
+kingdom; but, for that this is hidden from us, I reason according to
+that which, is apparent and say that he should rather be in the hands
+of the devil in perdition than in Paradise. And if so it be, we may
+know from this how great is God's loving-kindness towards us, which,
+having regard not to our error, but to the purity of our faith, whenas
+we thus make an enemy (deeming him a friend) of His our intermediary,
+giveth ear unto us, even as if we had recourse unto one truly holy, as
+intercessor for His favour. Wherefore, to the end that by His grace we
+may be preserved safe and sound in this present adversity and in this
+so joyous company, let us, magnifying His name, in which we have begun
+our diversion, and holding Him in reverence, commend ourselves to Him
+in our necessities, well assured of being heard." And with this he was
+silent.
+
+[Footnote 40: It will be noted that this is Boccaccio's third variant
+of his hero's name (the others being Ciapperello and Cepparello) and
+the edition of 1527 furnishes us with a fourth and a fifth form _i.e._
+Ciepparello and Ciepperello.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     ABRAHAM THE JEW, AT THE INSTIGATION OF JEHANNOT DE CHEVIGNÉ,
+     GOETH TO THE COURT OF ROME AND SEEING THE DEPRAVITY OF THE
+     CLERGY, RETURNETH TO PARIS AND THERE BECOMETH A CHRISTIAN
+
+
+Pamfilo's story was in part laughed at and altogether commended by the
+ladies, and it being come to its end, after being diligently
+hearkened, the queen bade Neifile, who sat next him, ensue the
+ordinance of the commenced diversion by telling one[41] of her
+fashion. Neifile, who was distinguished no less by courteous manners
+than by beauty, answered blithely that she would well and began on
+this wise: "Pamfilo hath shown us in his story that God's benignness
+regardeth not our errors, when they proceed from that which is beyond
+our ken; and I, in mine, purpose to show you how this same
+benignness,--patiently suffering the defaults of those who, being
+especially bounden both with words and deeds to bear true witness
+thereof[42] yet practise the contrary,--exhibiteth unto us an
+infallible proof of itself, to the intent that we may, with the more
+constancy of mind, ensue that which we believe.
+
+[Footnote 41: _i.e._ a story.]
+
+[Footnote 42: _i.e._ of God's benignness.]
+
+As I have heard tell, gracious ladies, there was once in Paris a great
+merchant and a very loyal and upright man, whose name was Jehannot de
+Chevigné and who was of great traffic in silks and stuffs. He had
+particular friendship for a very rich Jew called Abraham, who was also
+a merchant and a very honest and trusty man, and seeing the latter's
+worth and loyalty, it began to irk him sore that the soul of so worthy
+and discreet and good a man should go to perdition for default of
+faith; wherefore he fell to beseeching him on friendly wise leave the
+errors of the Jewish faith and turn to the Christian verity, which he
+might see still wax and prosper, as being holy and good, whereas his
+own faith, on the contrary, was manifestly on the wane and dwindling
+to nought. The Jew made answer that he held no faith holy or good save
+only the Jewish, that in this latter he was born and therein meant to
+live and die, nor should aught ever make him remove therefrom.
+
+Jehannot for all that desisted not from him, but some days after
+returned to the attack with similar words, showing him, on rude enough
+wise (for that merchants for the most part can no better), for what
+reasons our religion is better than the Jewish; and albeit the Jew was
+a past master in their law, nevertheless, whether it was the great
+friendship he bore Jehannot that moved him or peradventure words
+wrought it that the Holy Ghost put into the good simple man's mouth,
+the latter's arguments began greatly to please him; but yet,
+persisting in his own belief, he would not suffer himself to be
+converted. Like as he abode obstinate, even so Jehannot never gave
+over importuning him, till at last the Jew, overcome by such continual
+insistence, said, 'Look you, Jehannot, thou wouldst have me become a
+Christian and I am disposed to do it; insomuch, indeed, that I mean,
+in the first place, to go to Rome and there see him who, thou sayest,
+is God's Vicar upon earth and consider his manners and fashions and
+likewise those of his chief brethren.[43] If these appear to me such
+that I may, by them, as well as by your words, apprehend that your
+faith is better than mine, even as thou hast studied to show me, I
+will do as I have said; and if it be not so, I will remain a Jew as I
+am.'
+
+[Footnote 43: Lit. cardinal brethren (_fratelli cardinali_).]
+
+When Jehannot heard this, he was beyond measure chagrined and said in
+himself, 'I have lost my pains, which meseemed I had right well
+bestowed, thinking to have converted this man; for that, an he go to
+the court of Rome and see the lewd and wicked life of the clergy, not
+only will he never become a Christian, but, were he already a
+Christian, he would infallibly turn Jew again.' Then, turning to
+Abraham, he said to him, 'Alack, my friend, why wilt thou undertake
+this travail and so great a charge as it will be to thee to go from
+here to Rome? More by token that, both by sea and by land, the road is
+full of perils for a rich man such as thou art. Thinkest thou not to
+find here who shall give thee baptism? Or, if peradventure thou have
+any doubts concerning the faith which I have propounded to thee, where
+are there greater doctors and men more learned in the matter than are
+here or better able to resolve thee of that which thou wilt know or
+ask? Wherefore, to my thinking, this thy going is superfluous. Bethink
+thee that the prelates there are even such as those thou mayst have
+seen here, and indeed so much the better as they are nearer unto the
+Chief Pastor. Wherefore, an thou wilt be counselled by me, thou wilt
+reserve this travail unto another time against some jubilee or other,
+whereunto it may be I will bear thee company.' To this the Jew made
+answer, 'I doubt not, Jehannot, but it is as thou tellest me; but, to
+sum up many words in one, I am altogether determined, an thou wouldst
+have me do that whereof thou hast so instantly besought me, to go
+thither; else will I never do aught thereof.' Jehannot, seeing his
+determination, said, 'Go and good luck go with thee!' And inwardly
+assured that he would never become a Christian, when once he should
+have seen the court of Rome, but availing[44] nothing in the matter,
+he desisted.
+
+[Footnote 44: Lit. losing (_perdendo_), but this is probably some
+copyist's mistake for _podendo_, the old form of _potendo_, availing.]
+
+The Jew mounted to horse and as quickliest he might betook himself to
+the court of Rome, he was honourably entertained of his brethren, and
+there abiding, without telling any the reason of his coming, he began
+diligently to enquire into the manners and fashions of the Pope and
+Cardinals and other prelates and of all the members of his court, and
+what with that which he himself noted, being a mighty quick-witted
+man, and that which he gathered from others, he found all, from the
+highest to the lowest, most shamefully given to the sin of lust, and
+that not only in the way of nature, but after the Sodomitical fashion,
+without any restraint of remorse or shamefastness, insomuch that the
+interest of courtezans and catamites was of no small avail there in
+obtaining any considerable thing.
+
+Moreover, he manifestly perceived them to be universally gluttons,
+wine-bibbers, drunkards and slaves to their bellies, brute-beast
+fashion, more than to aught else after lust. And looking farther, he
+saw them all covetous and greedy after money, insomuch that human,
+nay, Christian blood, no less than things sacred, whatsoever they
+might be, whether pertaining to the sacrifices of the altar or to the
+benefices of the church, they sold and bought indifferently for a
+price, making a greater traffic and having more brokers thereof than
+folk at Paris of silks and stuffs or what not else. Manifest simony
+they had christened 'procuration' and gluttony 'sustentation,' as if
+God apprehended not,--let be the meaning of words but,--the intention
+of depraved minds and would suffer Himself, after the fashion of men,
+to be duped by the names of things. All this, together with much else
+which must be left unsaid, was supremely displeasing to the Jew, who
+was a sober and modest man, and himseeming he had seen enough, he
+determined to return to Paris and did so.
+
+As soon as Jehannot knew of his return, he betook himself to him,
+hoping nothing less than that he should become a Christian, and they
+greeted each other with the utmost joy. Then, after Abraham had rested
+some days, Jehannot asked him how himseemed of the Holy Father and of
+the cardinals and others of his court. Whereto the Jew promptly
+answered, 'Meseemeth, God give them ill one and all! And I say this
+for that, if I was able to observe aright, no piety, no devoutness, no
+good work or example of life or otherwhat did I see there in any who
+was a churchman; nay, but lust, covetise, gluttony and the like and
+worse (if worse can be) meseemed to be there in such favour with all
+that I hold it for a forgingplace of things diabolical rather than
+divine. And as far as I can judge, meseemeth your chief pastor and
+consequently all the others endeavour with all diligence and all their
+wit and every art to bring to nought and banish from the world the
+Christian religion, whereas they should be its foundation and support.
+And for that I see that this whereafter they strive cometh not to
+pass, but that your religion continually increaseth and waxeth still
+brighter and more glorious, meseemeth I manifestly discern that the
+Holy Spirit is verily the foundation and support thereof, as of that
+which is true and holy over any other. Wherefore, whereas, aforetime I
+abode obdurate and insensible to thine exhortations and would not be
+persuaded to embrace thy faith, I now tell thee frankly that for
+nothing in the world would I forbear to become a Christian. Let us,
+then, to church and there have me baptized, according to the rite and
+ordinance of your holy faith.'
+
+Jehannot, who looked for a directly contrary conclusion to this, was
+the joyfullest man that might be, when he heard him speak thus, and
+repairing with him to our Lady's Church of Paris, required the clergy
+there to give Abraham baptism. They, hearing that the Jew himself
+demanded it, straightway proceeded to baptize him, whilst Jehannot
+raised him from the sacred font[45] and named him Giovanni. After
+this, he had him thoroughly lessoned by men of great worth and
+learning in the tenets of our holy faith, which he speedily
+apprehended and thenceforward was a good man and a worthy and one of a
+devout life."
+
+[Footnote 45: _i.e._ stood sponsor for him.]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     MELCHIZEDEK THE JEW, WITH A STORY OF THREE RINGS, ESCAPETH A
+     PARLOUS SNARE SET FOR HIM BY SALADIN
+
+
+Neifile having made an end of her story, which was commended of all,
+Filomena, by the queen's good pleasure, proceeded to speak thus: "The
+story told by Neifile bringeth to my mind a parlous case the once
+betided a Jew; and for that, it having already been excellent well
+spoken both of God and of the verity of our faith, it should not
+henceforth be forbidden us to descend to the doings of mankind and the
+events that have befallen them, I will now proceed to relate to you
+the case aforesaid, which having heard, you will peradventure become
+more wary in answering the questions that may be put to you. You must
+know, lovesome[46] companions[47] mine, that, like as folly ofttimes
+draweth folk forth of happy estate and casteth them into the utmost
+misery, even so doth good sense extricate the wise man from the
+greatest perils and place him in assurance and tranquillity. How true
+it is that folly bringeth many an one from fair estate unto misery is
+seen by multitude of examples, with the recounting whereof we have no
+present concern, considering that a thousand instances thereof do
+every day manifestly appear to us; but that good sense is a cause of
+solacement I will, as I promised, briefly show you by a little story.
+
+[Footnote 46: Lit. amorous (_amorose_), but Boccaccio frequently uses
+_amoroso_, _vago_, and other adjectives, which are now understood in
+an active or transitive sense only, in their ancient passive or
+intransitive sense of lovesome, desirable, etc.]
+
+[Footnote 47: _Compagne_, _i.e._ she-companions. Filomena is
+addressing the female part of the company.]
+
+Saladin,--whose valour was such that not only from a man of little
+account it made him Soldan of Babylon, but gained him many victories
+over kings Saracen and Christian,--having in divers wars and in the
+exercise of his extraordinary munificences expended his whole treasure
+and having an urgent occasion for a good sum of money nor seeing
+whence he might avail to have it as promptly as it behoved him, called
+to mind a rich Jew, by name Melchizedek, who lent at usance in
+Alexandria, and bethought himself that this latter had the wherewithal
+to oblige him, and he would; but he was so miserly that he would never
+have done it of his freewill and Saladin was loath to use force with
+him; wherefore, need constraining him, he set his every wit awork to
+find a means how the Jew might be brought to serve him in this and
+presently concluded to do him a violence coloured by some show of
+reason.
+
+Accordingly he sent for Melchizedek and receiving him familiarly,
+seated him by himself, then said to him, 'Honest man, I have
+understood from divers persons that thou art a very learned man and
+deeply versed in matters of divinity; wherefore I would fain know of
+thee whether of the three Laws thou reputest the true, the Jewish, the
+Saracen or the Christian.' The Jew, who was in truth a man of learning
+and understanding, perceived but too well that Saladin looked to
+entrap him in words, so he might fasten a quarrel on him, and
+bethought himself that he could not praise any of the three more than
+the others without giving him the occasion he sought. Accordingly,
+sharpening his wits, as became one who felt himself in need of an
+answer by which he might not be taken at a vantage, there speedily
+occurred to him that which it behoved him reply and he said, 'My lord,
+the question that you propound to me is a nice one and to acquaint you
+with that which I think of the matter, it behoveth me tell you a
+little story, which you shall hear.
+
+An I mistake not, I mind me to have many a time heard tell that there
+was once a great man and a rich, who among other very precious jewels
+in his treasury, had a very goodly and costly ring, whereunto being
+minded, for its worth and beauty, to do honour and wishing to leave it
+in perpetuity to his descendants, he declared that whichsoever of his
+sons should, at his death, be found in possession thereof, by his
+bequest unto him, should be recognized as his heir and be held of all
+the others in honour and reverence as chief and head. He to whom the
+ring was left by him held a like course with his own descendants and
+did even as his father had done. In brief the ring passed from hand to
+hand, through many generations, and came at last into the possession
+of a man who had three goodly and virtuous sons, all very obedient to
+their father wherefore he loved them all three alike. The young men,
+knowing the usance of the ring, each for himself, desiring to be the
+most honoured among his folk, as best he might, besought his father,
+who was now an old man, to leave him the ring, whenas he came to die.
+The worthy man, who loved them all alike and knew not himself how to
+choose to which he had liefer leave the ring, bethought himself,
+having promised it to each, to seek to satisfy all three and privily
+let make by a good craftsman other two rings, which were so like unto
+the first that he himself scarce knew which was the true. When he came
+to die, he secretly gave each one of his sons his ring, wherefore each
+of them, seeking after their father's death, to occupy the inheritance
+and the honour and denying it to the others, produced his ring, in
+witness of his right, and the three rings being found so like unto one
+another that the true might not be known, the question which was the
+father's very heir abode pending and yet pendeth. And so say I to you,
+my lord, of the three Laws to the three peoples given of God the
+Father, whereof you question me; each people deemeth itself to have
+his inheritance, His true Law and His commandments; but of which in
+very deed hath them, even as of the rings, the question yet pendeth.'
+
+Saladin perceived that the Jew had excellently well contrived to
+escape the snare which he had spread before his feet; wherefore he
+concluded to discover to him his need and see if he were willing to
+serve him; and so accordingly he did, confessing to him that which he
+had it in mind to do, had he not answered him on such discreet wise.
+The Jew freely furnished him with all that he required, and the Soldan
+after satisfied him in full; moreover, he gave him very great gifts
+and still had him to friend and maintained him about his own person in
+high and honourable estate."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     A MONK, HAVING FALLEN INTO A SIN DESERVING OF VERY GRIEVOUS
+     PUNISHMENT, ADROITLY REPROACHING THE SAME FAULT TO HIS
+     ABBOT, QUITTETH HIMSELF OF THE PENALTY
+
+
+Filomena, having despatched her story, was now silent, whereupon
+Dioneo, who sat next her, knowing already, by the ordinance begun,
+that it fell to his turn to tell, proceeded, without awaiting farther
+commandment from the queen, to speak on this wise: "Lovesome ladies,
+if I have rightly apprehended the intention of you all, we are here to
+divert ourselves with story-telling; wherefore, so but it be not done
+contrary to this our purpose, I hold it lawful unto each (even as our
+queen told us a while agone) to tell such story as he deemeth may
+afford most entertainment. Accordingly having heard how, by the good
+counsels of Jehannot de Chevigné, Abraham had his soul saved and how
+Melchizedek, by his good sense, defended his riches from Saladin's
+ambushes, I purpose, without looking for reprehension from you,
+briefly to relate with what address a monk delivered his body from a
+very grievous punishment.
+
+There was in Lunigiana, a country not very far hence, a monastery
+whilere more abounding in sanctity and monks than it is nowadays, and
+therein, among others, was a young monk, whose vigour and lustiness
+neither fasts nor vigils availed to mortify. It chanced one day,
+towards noontide, when all the other monks slept, that, as he went all
+alone round about the convent,[48] which stood in a very solitary
+place, he espied a very well-favoured lass, belike some husbandman's
+daughter of the country, who went about the fields culling certain
+herbs, and no sooner had he set eyes on her than he was violently
+assailed by carnal appetite. Wherefore, accosting her, he entered into
+parley with her and so led on from one thing to another that he came
+to an accord with her and brought her to his cell, unperceived of
+any; but whilst, carried away by overmuch ardour, he disported himself
+with her less cautiously than was prudent, it chanced that the abbot
+arose from sleep and softly passing by the monk's cell, heard the
+racket that the twain made together; whereupon he came stealthily up
+to the door to listen, that he might the better recognize the voices,
+and manifestly perceiving that there was a woman in the cell, was at
+first minded to cause open to him, but after bethought himself to hold
+another course in the matter and, returning to his chamber, awaited
+the monk's coming forth.
+
+[Footnote 48: Lit. his church (_sua chiesa_); but the context seems to
+indicate that the monastery itself is meant.]
+
+The latter, all taken up as he was with the wench and his exceeding
+pleasure and delight in her company, was none the less on his guard
+and himseeming he heard some scuffling of feet in the dormitory, he
+set his eye to a crevice and plainly saw the abbot stand hearkening
+unto him; whereby he understood but too well that the latter must have
+gotten wind of the wench's presence in his cell and knowing that sore
+punishment would ensue to him thereof, he was beyond measure
+chagrined. However, without discovering aught of his concern to the
+girl, he hastily revolved many things in himself, seeking to find some
+means of escape, and presently hit upon a rare device, which went
+straight to the mark he aimed at. Accordingly, making a show of
+thinking he had abidden long enough with the damsel, he said to her,
+'I must go cast about for a means how thou mayest win forth hence,
+without being seen; wherefore do thou abide quietly until my return.'
+
+Then, going forth and locking the cell door on her, he betook himself
+straight to the abbot's chamber and presenting him with the key,
+according as each monk did, whenas he went abroad, said to him, with a
+good countenance, 'Sir, I was unable to make an end this morning of
+bringing off all the faggots I had cut; wherefore with your leave I
+will presently go to the wood and fetch them away.' The abbot, deeming
+the monk unaware that he had been seen of him, was glad of such an
+opportunity to inform himself more fully of the offence committed by
+him and accordingly took the key and gave him the leave he sought.
+Then, as soon as he saw him gone, he fell to considering which he
+should rather do, whether open his cell in the presence of all the
+other monks and cause them to see his default, so they might after
+have no occasion to murmur against himself, whenas he should punish
+the offender, or seek first to learn from the girl herself how the
+thing had passed; and bethinking himself that she might perchance be
+the wife or daughter of such a man that he would be loath to have done
+her the shame of showing her to all the monks, he determined first to
+see her and after come to a conclusion; wherefore, betaking himself to
+the cell, he opened it and, entering, shut the door after him.
+
+The girl, seeing the abbot enter, was all aghast and fell a-weeping
+for fear of shame; but my lord abbot, casting his eyes upon her and
+seeing her young and handsome, old as he was, suddenly felt the pricks
+of the flesh no less importunate than his young monk had done and fell
+a-saying in himself, 'Marry, why should I not take somewhat of
+pleasure, whenas I may, more by token that displeasance and annoy are
+still at hand, whenever I have a mind to them? This is a handsome
+wench and is here unknown of any in the world. If I can bring her to
+do my pleasure, I know not why I should not do it. Who will know it?
+No one will ever know it and a sin that's hidden is half forgiven.
+Maybe this chance will never occur again. I hold it great sense to
+avail ourselves of a good, whenas God the Lord sendeth us thereof.'
+
+So saying and having altogether changed purpose from that wherewith he
+came, he drew near to the girl and began gently to comfort her,
+praying her not to weep, and passing from one word to another, he
+ended by discovering to her his desire. The girl, who was neither iron
+nor adamant, readily enough lent herself to the pleasure of the abbot,
+who, after he had clipped and kissed her again and again, mounted upon
+the monk's pallet and having belike regard to the grave burden of his
+dignity and the girl's tender age and fearful of irking her for
+overmuch heaviness, bestrode not her breast, but set her upon his own
+and so a great while disported himself with her.
+
+Meanwhile, the monk, who had only made believe to go to the wood and
+had hidden himself in the dormitory, was altogether reassured, whenas
+he saw the abbot enter his cell alone, doubting not but his device
+should have effect, and when he saw him lock the door from within, he
+held it for certain. Accordingly, coming forth of his hiding-place, he
+stealthily betook himself to a crevice, through which he both heard
+and saw all that the abbot did and said. When it seemed to the latter
+that he had tarried long enough with the damsel, he locked her in the
+cell and returned to his own chamber, whence, after awhile, he heard
+the monk stirring and deeming him returned from the wood, thought to
+rebuke him severely and cast him into prison, so himself might alone
+possess the prey he had gotten; wherefore, sending for him, he very
+grievously rebuked him and with a stern countenance and commanded that
+he should be put in prison.
+
+The monk very readily answered, 'Sir, I have not yet pertained long
+enough to the order of St. Benedict to have been able to learn every
+particular thereof, and you had not yet shown me that monks should
+make of women a means of mortification,[49] as of fasts and vigils;
+but, now that you have shown it me, I promise you, so you will pardon
+me this default, never again to offend therein, but still to do as I
+have seen you do.' The abbot, who was a quick-witted man, readily
+understood that the monk not only knew more than himself, but had seen
+what he did; wherefore, his conscience pricking him for his own
+default, he was ashamed to inflict on the monk a punishment which he
+himself had merited even as he. Accordingly, pardoning him and
+charging him keep silence of that which he had seen, they privily put
+the girl out of doors and it is believed that they caused her return
+thither more than once thereafterward."
+
+[Footnote 49: Lit. a pressure or oppression (_priemere_, hod.
+_premere_, to press or oppress, indicative used as a noun). The monk
+of course refers to the posture in which he had seen the abbot have to
+do with the girl, pretending to believe that he placed her on his own
+breast (instead of mounting on hers) out of a sentiment of humility
+and a desire to mortify his flesh _ipsâ in voluptate_.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     THE MARCHIONESS OF MONFERRATO, WITH A DINNER OF HENS AND
+     CERTAIN SPRIGHTLY WORDS, CURBETH THE EXTRAVAGANT PASSION OF
+     THE KING OF FRANCE
+
+
+The story told by Dioneo at first pricked the hearts of the listening
+ladies with somewhat of shamefastness, whereof a modest redness
+appearing in their faces gave token; but after, looking one at other
+and being scarce able to keep their countenance, they listened,
+laughing in their sleeves. The end thereof being come, after they had
+gently chidden him, giving him to understand that such tales were not
+fit to be told among ladies, the queen, turning to Fiammetta, who sat
+next him on the grass, bade her follow on the ordinance. Accordingly,
+she began with a good grace and a cheerful countenance, "It hath
+occurred to my mind, fair my ladies,--at once because it pleaseth me
+that we have entered upon showing by stories how great is the efficacy
+of prompt and goodly answers and because, like as in men it is great
+good sense to seek still to love a lady of higher lineage than
+themselves,[50] so in women it is great discretion to know how to keep
+themselves from being taken with the love of men of greater condition
+than they,--to set forth to you, in the story which it falleth to me
+to tell, how both with deeds and words a noble lady guarded herself
+against this and diverted another therefrom.
+
+[Footnote 50: An evident allusion to Boccaccio's passion for the
+Princess Maria, _i.e._ Fiammetta herself.]
+
+The Marquis of Monferrato, a man of high worth and gonfalonier[51] of
+the church, had passed beyond seas on the occasion of a general
+crusade undertaken by the Christians, arms in hand, and it being one
+day discoursed of his merit at the court of King Phillippe le
+Borgne,[52] who was then making ready to depart France upon the same
+crusade, it was avouched by a gentleman present that there was not
+under the stars a couple to match with the marquis and his lady, for
+that, even as he was renowned among knights for every virtue, so was
+she the fairest and noblest of all the ladies in the world. These
+words took such hold upon the mind of the King of France that, without
+having seen the marchioness, he fell of a sudden ardently in love with
+her and determined to take ship for the crusade, on which he was to
+go, no otherwhere than at Genoa, in order that, journeying thither by
+land, he might have an honourable occasion of visiting the
+marchioness, doubting not but that, the marquis being absent, he might
+avail to give effect to his desire.
+
+[Footnote 51: Or standard-bearer.]
+
+[Footnote 52: _i.e._ the One-eyed (syn. le myope, the short-sighted,
+the Italian word [_Il Bornio_] having both meanings), _i.e._ Philip
+II. of France, better known as Philip Augustus.]
+
+As he had bethought himself, so he put his thought into execution;
+for, having sent forward all his power, he set out, attended only by
+some few gentlemen, and coming within a day's journey of the
+marquis's domains, despatched a vauntcourier to bid the lady expect
+him the following morning to dinner. The marchioness, who was well
+advised and discreet, replied blithely that in this he did her the
+greatest of favours and that he would be welcome and after bethought
+herself what this might mean that such a king should come to visit her
+in her husband's absence, nor was she deceived in the conclusion to
+which she came, to wit, that the report of her beauty drew him
+thither. Nevertheless, like a brave lady as she was, she determined to
+receive him with honour and summoning to her counsels sundry gentlemen
+of those who remained there, with their help, she let provide for
+everything needful. The ordinance of the repast and of the viands she
+reserved to herself alone and having forthright caused collect as many
+hens as were in the country, she bade her cooks dress various dishes
+of these alone for the royal table.
+
+The king came at the appointed time and was received by the lady with
+great honour and rejoicing. When he beheld her, she seemed to him fair
+and noble and well-bred beyond that which he had conceived from the
+courtier's words, whereat he marvelled exceedingly and commended her
+amain, waxing so much the hotter in his desire as he found the lady
+overpassing his foregone conceit of her. After he had taken somewhat
+of rest in chambers adorned to the utmost with all that pertaineth to
+the entertainment of such a king, the dinner hour being come, the king
+and the marchioness seated themselves at one table, whilst the rest,
+according to their quality, were honourably entertained at others. The
+king, being served with many dishes in succession, as well as with
+wines of the best and costliest, and to boot gazing with delight the
+while upon the lovely marchioness, was mightily pleased with his
+entertainment; but, after awhile, as the viands followed one upon
+another, he began somewhat to marvel, perceiving that, for all the
+diversity of the dishes, they were nevertheless of nought other than
+hens, and this although he knew the part where he was to be such as
+should abound in game of various kinds and although he had, by
+advising the lady in advance of his coming, given her time to send
+a-hunting. However, much as he might marvel at this, he chose not to
+take occasion of engaging her in parley thereof, otherwise than in the
+matter of her hens, and accordingly, turning to her with a merry air,
+'Madam,' quoth he, 'are hens only born in these parts, without ever a
+cock?' The marchioness, who understood the king's question excellent
+well, herseeming God had vouchsafed her, according to her wish, an
+opportune occasion of discovering her mind, turned to him and answered
+boldly, 'Nay, my lord; but women, albeit in apparel and dignities they
+may differ somewhat from others, are natheless all of the same fashion
+here as elsewhere.'
+
+The King, hearing this, right well apprehended the meaning of the
+banquet of hens and the virtue hidden in her speech and perceived that
+words would be wasted upon such a lady and that violence was out of
+the question; wherefore, even as he had ill-advisedly taken fire for
+her, so now it behoved him sagely, for his own honour's sake, stifle
+his ill-conceived passion. Accordingly, without making any more words
+with her, for fear of her replies, he dined, out of all hope; and the
+meal ended, thanking her for the honourable entertainment he had
+received from her and commending her to God, he set out for Genoa, so
+by his prompt departure he might make amends for his unseemly visit."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     AN HONEST MAN, WITH A CHANCE PLEASANTRY, PUTTETH TO SHAME
+     THE PERVERSE HYPOCRISY OF THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS
+
+
+Emilia, who sat next after Fiammetta,--the courage of the marchioness
+and the quaint rebuke administered by her to the King of France having
+been commended of all the ladies,--began, by the queen's pleasure,
+boldly to speak as follows: "I also, I will not keep silence of a
+biting reproof given by an honest layman to a covetous monk with a
+speech no less laughable than commendable.
+
+There was, then, dear lasses, no great while agone, in our city, a
+Minor friar and inquisitor of heretical pravity, who, for all he
+studied hard to appear a devout and tender lover of the Christian
+religion, as do they all, was no less diligent in enquiring of who had
+a well-filled purse than of whom he might find wanting in the things
+of the Faith. Thanks to this his diligence, he lit by chance upon a
+good simple man, richer, by far in coin than in wit, who, of no lack
+of religion, but speaking thoughtlessly and belike overheated with
+wine or excess of mirth, chanced one day to say to a company of his
+friends that he had a wine so good that Christ himself might drink
+thereof. This being reported to the inquisitor and he understanding
+that the man's means were large and his purse well filled, ran in a
+violent hurry _cum gladiis et fustibus_[53] to clap up a right
+grievous suit against him, looking not for an amendment of misbelief
+in the defendant, but for the filling of his own hand with florins to
+ensue thereof (as indeed it did,) and causing him to be cited, asked
+him if that which had been alleged against him were true.
+
+[Footnote 53: _i.e._ with sword and whips, a technical term of
+ecclesiastical procedure, about equivalent to our "with the strong arm
+of the law."]
+
+The good man replied that it was and told him how it chanced;
+whereupon quoth the most holy inquisitor, who was a devotee of St.
+John Goldenbeard,[54] 'Then hast thou made Christ a wine-bibber and
+curious in wines of choice, as if he were Cinciglione[55] or what not
+other of your drunken sots and tavern-haunters; and now thou speakest
+lowly and wouldst feign this to be a very light matter! It is not as
+thou deemest; thou hast merited the fire therefor, an we were minded
+to deal with thee as we ought.' With these and many other words he
+bespoke him, with as menacing a countenance as if the poor wretch had
+been Epicurus denying the immortality of the soul, and in brief so
+terrified him that the good simple soul, by means of certain
+intermediaries, let grease his palm with a good dose of St. John
+Goldenmouth's ointment[56] (the which is a sovereign remedy for the
+pestilential covetise of the clergy and especially of the Minor
+Brethren, who dare not touch money), so he should deal mercifully with
+him.
+
+[Footnote 54: _i.e._ a lover of money.]
+
+[Footnote 55: A notorious drinker of the time.]
+
+[Footnote 56: _i.e._ money.]
+
+This unguent, being of great virtue (albeit Galen speaketh not thereof
+in any part of his Medicines), wrought to such purpose that the fire
+denounced against him was by favour commuted into [the wearing, by way
+of penance, of] a cross, and to make the finer banner, as he were to
+go a crusading beyond seas, the inquisitor imposed it him yellow upon
+black. Moreover, whenas he had gotten the money, he detained him about
+himself some days, enjoining him, by way of penance, hear a mass every
+morning at Santa Croce and present himself before him at dinner-time,
+and after that he might do what most pleased him the rest of the day;
+all which he diligently performed.
+
+One morning, amongst others, it chanced that at the Mass he heard a
+Gospel, wherein these words were chanted, 'For every one ye shall
+receive an hundred and shall possess eternal life.'[57] This he laid
+fast up in his memory and according to the commandment given him,
+presented him at the eating hour before the inquisitor, whom he found
+at dinner. The friar asked him if he had heard mass that morning,
+whereto he promptly answered, 'Ay have I, sir.' Quoth the inquisitor,
+'Heardest thou aught therein whereof thou doubtest or would question?'
+'Certes,' replied the good man, 'I doubt not of aught that I heard,
+but do firmly believe all to be true. I did indeed hear something
+which caused and yet causeth me have the greatest compassion of you
+and your brother friars, bethinking me of the ill case wherein you
+will find yourselves over yonder in the next life.' 'And what was it
+that moved thee to such compassion of us?' asked the inquisitor.
+'Sir,' answered the other, 'it was that verse of the Evangel, which
+saith, "For every one ye shall receive an hundred." 'That is true,'
+rejoined the inquisitor; 'but why did these words move thee thus?'
+'Sir,' replied the good man, 'I will tell you. Since I have been used
+to resort hither, I have seen give out every day to a multitude of
+poor folk now one and now two vast great cauldrons of broth, which had
+been taken away from before yourself and the other brethren of this
+convent, as superfluous; wherefore, if for each one of these cauldrons
+of broth there be rendered you an hundred in the world to come, you
+will have so much thereof that you will assuredly all be drowned
+therein.'
+
+[Footnote 57: "And every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or
+sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name's
+sake shall receive an hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting
+life."--Matthew xix. 29. Boccaccio has garbled the passage for the
+sake of his point.]
+
+All who were at the inquisitor's table fell a-laughing; but the
+latter, feeling the hit at the broth-swilling[58] hypocrisy of himself
+and his brethren, was mightily incensed, and but that he had gotten
+blame for that which he had already done, he would have saddled him
+with another prosecution, for that with a laughable speech he had
+rebuked him and his brother good-for-noughts; wherefore, of his
+despite, he bade him thenceforward do what most pleased him and not
+come before him again."
+
+[Footnote 58: Syn. gluttonous (_brodajuola_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     BERGAMINO, WITH A STORY OF PRIMASSO AND THE ABBOT OF CLUNY,
+     COURTEOUSLY REBUKETH A FIT OF PARSIMONY NEWLY COME TO MESSER
+     CANE DELLA SCALA
+
+
+Emilia's pleasantness and her story moved the queen and all the rest
+to laugh and applaud the rare conceit of this new-fangled crusader.
+Then, after the laughter had subsided and all were silent again,
+Filostrato, whose turn it was to tell, began to speak on this wise:
+"It is a fine thing, noble ladies, to hit a mark that never stirreth;
+but it is well-nigh miraculous if, when some unwonted thing appeareth
+of a sudden, it be forthright stricken of an archer. The lewd and
+filthy life of the clergy, in many things as it were a constant mark
+for malice, giveth without much difficulty occasion to all who have a
+mind to speak of, to gird at and rebuke it; wherefore, albeit the
+worthy man, who pierced the inquisitor to the quick touching the
+hypocritical charity of the friars, who give to the poor that which it
+should behove them cast to the swine or throw away, did well, I hold
+him much more to be commended of whom, the foregoing tale moving me
+thereto, I am to speak and who with a quaint story rebuked Messer Cane
+della Scala, a magnificent nobleman, of a sudden and unaccustomed
+niggardliness newly appeared in him, figuring, in the person of
+another, that which he purposed to say to him concerning themselves;
+the which was on this wise.
+
+As very manifest renown proclaimeth well nigh throughout the whole
+world, Messer Cane della Scala, to whom in many things fortune was
+favourable, was one of the most notable and most magnificent gentlemen
+that have been known in Italy since the days of the Emperor Frederick
+the Second. Being minded to make a notable and wonder-goodly
+entertainment in Verona, whereunto many folk should have come from
+divers parts and especially men of art[59] of all kinds, he of a
+sudden (whatever might have been the cause) withdrew therefrom and
+having in a measure requited those who were come thither, dismissed
+them all, save only one, Bergamino by name, a man ready of speech and
+accomplished beyond the credence of whoso had not heard him, who,
+having received neither largesse nor dismissal, abode behind, in the
+hope that his stay might prove to his future advantage. But Messer
+Cane had taken it into his mind that what thing soever he might give
+him were far worse bestowed than if it had been thrown into the fire,
+nor of this did he bespeak him or let tell him aught.
+
+[Footnote 59: _i.e._ gleemen, minstrels, story-tellers, jugglers and
+the like, lit. men of court (_uomini di corte_).]
+
+Bergamino, after some days, finding himself neither called upon nor
+required unto aught that pertained to his craft and wasting his
+substance, to boot, in the hostelry with his horses and his servants,
+began to be sore concerned, but waited yet, himseeming he would not do
+well to depart. Now he had brought with him three goodly and rich
+suits of apparel, which had been given him of other noblemen, that he
+might make a brave appearance at the festival, and his host pressing
+for payment, he gave one thereof to him. After this, tarrying yet
+longer, it behoved him give the host the second suit, an he would
+abide longer with him, and withal he began to live upon the third,
+resolved to abide in expectation so long as this should last and then
+depart. Whilst he thus fed upon the third suit, he chanced one day,
+Messer Cane being at dinner, to present himself before him with a
+rueful countenance, and Messer Cane, seeing this, more by way of
+rallying him than of intent to divert himself with any of his speech,
+said to him, 'What aileth thee, Bergamino, to stand thus disconsolate?
+Tell us somewhat.'[60] Whereupon Bergamino, without a moment's
+hesitation, forthright, as if he had long considered it, related the
+following story to the purpose of his own affairs.
+
+[Footnote 60: _Dinne alcuna cosa._ If we take the affix _ne_ (thereof,
+of it), in its other meaning (as dative of _noi_, we), of "to us,"
+this phrase will read "Tell somewhat thereof," _i.e._ of the cause of
+thy melancholy.]
+
+'My lord,' said he, 'you must know that Primasso was a very learned
+grammarian[61] and a skilful and ready verse-maker above all others,
+which things rendered him so notable and so famous that, albeit he
+might not everywhere be known by sight, there was well nigh none who
+knew him not by name and by report. It chanced that, finding himself
+once at Paris in poor case, as indeed he abode most times, for that
+worth is[62] little prized of those who can most,[63] he heard speak
+of the Abbot of Cluny, who is believed to be, barring the Pope, the
+richest prelate of his revenues that the Church of God possesseth, and
+of him he heard tell marvellous and magnificent things, in that he
+still held open house nor were meat and drink ever denied to any who
+went whereas he might be, so but he sought it what time the Abbot was
+at meat. Primasso, hearing this and being one who delighted in looking
+upon men of worth and nobility, determined to go see the magnificence
+of this Abbot and enquired how near he then abode to Paris. It was
+answered him that he was then at a place of his maybe half a dozen
+miles thence; wherefore Primasso thought to be there at dinner-time,
+by starting in the morning betimes.
+
+[Footnote 61: _i.e._ Latinist.]
+
+[Footnote 62: Lit. was (_era_); but as Boccaccio puts "can"
+(_possono_) in the present tense we must either read _č_ and _possono_
+or _era_ and _potevano_. The first reading seems the more probable.]
+
+[Footnote 63: _i.e._ have most power or means of requiting it.]
+
+Accordingly, he enquired the way, but, finding none bound thither, he
+feared lest he might go astray by mischance and happen on a part where
+there might be no victual so readily to be found; wherefore, in order
+that, if this should betide, he might not suffer for lack of food, he
+bethought himself to carry with him three cakes of bread, judging that
+water (albeit it was little to his taste) he should find everywhere.
+The bread he put in his bosom and setting out, was fortunate enough to
+reach the Abbot's residence before the eating-hour. He entered and
+went spying all about and seeing the great multitude of tables set and
+the mighty preparations making in the kitchen and what not else
+provided against dinner, said in himself, "Of a truth this Abbot is as
+magnificent as folk say." After he had abidden awhile intent upon
+these things, the Abbot's seneschal, eating-time being come, bade
+bring water for the hands; which being done, he seated each man at
+table, and it chanced that Primasso was set right over against the
+door of the chamber, whence the Abbot should come forth into the
+eating-hall.
+
+Now it was the usance in that house that neither wine nor bread nor
+aught else of meat or drink should ever be set on the tables, except
+the Abbot were first came to sit at his own table. Accordingly, the
+seneschal, having set the tables, let tell the Abbot that, whenas it
+pleased him, the meat was ready. The Abbot let open the chamber-door,
+that he might pass into the saloon, and looking before him as he came,
+as chance would have it, the first who met his eyes was Primasso, who
+was very ill accoutred and whom he knew not by sight. When he saw him,
+incontinent there came into his mind an ill thought and one that had
+never yet been there, and he said in himself, "See to whom I give my
+substance to eat!" Then, turning back, he bade shut the chamber-door
+and enquired of those who were about him if any knew yonder losel who
+sat at table over against his chamber-door; but all answered no.
+
+Meanwhile Primasso, who had a mind to eat, having come a journey and
+being unused to fast, waited awhile and seeing that the Abbot came
+not, pulled out of his bosom one of the three cakes of bread he had
+brought with him and fell to eating. The Abbot, after he had waited
+awhile, bade one of his serving-men look if Primasso were gone, and
+the man answered, "No, my lord; nay, he eateth bread, which it seemeth
+he hath brought with him." Quoth the Abbot, "Well, let him eat of his
+own, an he have thereof; for of ours he shall not eat to-day." Now he
+would fain have had Primasso depart of his own motion, himseeming it
+were not well done to turn him away; but the latter, having eaten one
+cake of bread and the Abbot coming not, began upon the second; the
+which was likewise reported to the Abbot, who had caused look if he
+were gone.
+
+At last, the Abbot still tarrying, Primasso, having eaten the second
+cake, began upon the third, and this again was reported to the Abbot,
+who fell a-pondering in himself and saying, "Alack, what new maggot is
+this that is come into my head to-day? What avarice! What despite! And
+for whom? This many a year have I given my substance to eat to
+whosoever had a mind thereto, without regarding if he were gentle or
+simple, poor or rich, merchant or huckster, and have seen it with mine
+own eyes squandered by a multitude of ribald knaves; nor ever yet came
+there to my mind the thought that hath entered into me for yonder man.
+Of a surety avarice cannot have assailed me for a man of little
+account; needs must this who seemeth to me a losel be some great
+matter, since my soul hath thus repugned to do him honour."
+
+So saying, he desired to know who he was and finding that it was
+Primasso, whom he had long known by report for a man of merit, come
+thither to see with his own eyes that which he had heard of his
+magnificence, was ashamed and eager to make him amends, studied in
+many ways to do him honour. Moreover, after eating, he caused clothe
+him sumptuously, as befitted his quality, and giving him money and a
+palfrey, left it to his own choice to go or stay; whereupon Primasso,
+well pleased with his entertainment, rendered him the best thanks in
+his power and returned on horseback to Paris, whence he had set out
+afoot.
+
+Messer Cane, who was a gentleman of understanding, right well
+apprehended Bergamino's meaning, without further exposition, and said
+to him, smiling, 'Bergamino, thou hast very aptly set forth to me thy
+wrongs and merit and my niggardliness, as well as that which thou
+wouldst have of me; and in good sooth, never, save now on thine
+account, have I been assailed of parsimony; but I will drive it away
+with that same stick which thou thyself hast shown me.' Then, letting
+pay Bergamino's host and clothing himself most sumptuously in a suit
+of his own apparel, he gave him money and a palfrey and committed to
+his choice for the nonce to go or stay."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     GUGLIELMO BORSIERE WITH SOME QUAINT WORDS REBUKETH THE
+     NIGGARDLINESS OF MESSER ERMINO DE' GRIMALDI
+
+
+Next Filostrato sat Lauretta, who, after she had heard Bergamino's
+address commended, perceiving that it behoved her tell somewhat,
+began, without awaiting any commandment, blithely to speak thus: "The
+foregoing story, dear companions,[64] bringeth me in mind to tell how
+an honest minstrel on like wise and not without fruit rebuked the
+covetise of a very rich merchant, the which, albeit in effect it
+resembleth the last story, should not therefore be less agreeable to
+you, considering that good came thereof in the end.
+
+[Footnote 64: Fem.]
+
+There was, then, in Genoa, a good while agone, a gentleman called
+Messer Ermino de' Grimaldi, who (according to general belief) far
+overpassed in wealth of lands and monies the riches of whatsoever
+other richest citizen was then known in Italy; and like as he excelled
+all other Italians in wealth, even so in avarice and sordidness he
+outwent beyond compare every other miser and curmudgeon in the world;
+for not only did he keep a strait purse in the matter of hospitality,
+but, contrary to the general usance of the Genoese, who are wont to
+dress sumptuously, he suffered the greatest privations in things
+necessary to his own person, no less than in meat and in drink, rather
+than be at any expense; by reason whereof the surname de' Grimaldi had
+fallen away from him and he was deservedly called of all only Messer
+Ermino Avarizia.
+
+It chanced that, whilst, by dint of spending not, he multiplied his
+wealth, there came to Genoa a worthy minstrel,[65] both well-bred and
+well-spoken, by name Guglielmo Borsiere, a man no whit like those[66]
+of the present day, who (to the no small reproach of the corrupt and
+blameworthy usances of those[67] who nowadays would fain be called and
+reputed gentlefolk and seigniors) are rather to be styled asses,
+reared in all the beastliness and depravity of the basest of mankind,
+than [minstrels, bred] in the courts [of kings and princes]. In those
+times it used to be a minstrel's office and his wont to expend his
+pains in negotiating treaties of peace, where feuds or despites had
+befallen between noblemen, or transacting marriages, alliances and
+friendships, in solacing the minds of the weary and diverting courts
+with quaint and pleasant sayings, ay, and with sharp reproofs,
+father-like, rebuking the misdeeds of the froward,--and this for
+slight enough reward; but nowadays they study to spend their time in
+hawking evil reports from one to another, in sowing discord, in
+speaking naughtiness and obscenity and (what is worse) doing them in
+all men's presence, in imputing evil doings, lewdnesses and knaveries,
+true or false, one to other, and in prompting men of condition with
+treacherous allurements to base and shameful actions; and he is most
+cherished and honoured and most munificently entertained and rewarded
+of the sorry unmannerly noblemen of our time who saith and doth the
+most abominable words and deeds; a sore and shameful reproach to the
+present age and a very manifest proof that the virtues have departed
+this lower world and left us wretched mortals to wallow in the slough
+of the vices.
+
+[Footnote 65: _Uomo di corte._ This word has been another grievous
+stumbling block to the French and English translators of Boccaccio,
+who render it literally "courtier." The reader need hardly be reminded
+that the minstrel of the middle ages was commonly jester, gleeman and
+story-teller all in one and in these several capacities was allowed
+the utmost license of speech. He was generally attached to the court
+of some king or sovereign prince, but, in default of some such
+permanent appointment, passed his time in visiting the courts and
+mansions of princes and men of wealth and liberty, where his talents
+were likely to be appreciated and rewarded; hence the name _uomo di
+corte_, "man of court" (not "courtier," which is _cortigiano_).]
+
+[Footnote 66: _i.e._ those minstrels.]
+
+[Footnote 67: _i.e._ the noblemen their patrons.]
+
+But to return to my story, from which a just indignation hath carried
+me somewhat farther astray than I purposed,--I say that the aforesaid
+Guglielmo was honoured by all the gentlemen of Genoa and gladly seen
+of them, and having sojourned some days in the city and hearing many
+tales of Messer Ermino's avarice and sordidness, he desired to see
+him. Messer Ermino having already heard how worthy a man was this
+Guglielmo Borsiere and having yet, all miser as he was, some tincture
+of gentle breeding, received him with very amicable words and blithe
+aspect and entered with him into many and various discourses. Devising
+thus, he carried him, together with other Genoese who were in his
+company, into a fine new house of his which he had lately built and
+after having shown it all to him, said, 'Pray, Messer Guglielmo, you
+who have seen and heard many things, can you tell me of something that
+was never yet seen, which I may have depictured in the saloon of this
+my house?' Guglielmo, hearing this his preposterous question,
+answered, 'Sir, I doubt me I cannot undertake to tell you of aught
+that was never yet seen, except it were sneezings or the like; but, an
+it like you, I will tell you of somewhat which me thinketh you never
+yet beheld.' Quoth Messer Ermino, not looking for such an answer as he
+got, 'I pray you tell me what it is.' Whereto Guglielmo promptly
+replied, 'Cause Liberality to be here depictured.'
+
+When Messer Ermino heard this speech, there took him incontinent such
+a shame that it availed in a manner to change his disposition
+altogether to the contrary of that which it had been and he said,
+'Messer Guglielmo, I will have it here depictured after such a fashion
+that neither you nor any other shall ever again have cause to tell me
+that I have never seen nor known it.' And from that time forth (such
+was the virtue of Guglielmo's words) he was the most liberal and the
+most courteous gentleman of his day in Genoa and he who most
+hospitably entreated both strangers and citizens."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     THE KING OF CYPRUS, TOUCHED TO THE QUICK BY A GASCON LADY,
+     FROM A MEAN-SPIRITED PRINCE BECOMETH A MAN OF WORTH AND
+     VALIANCE
+
+
+The Queen's last commandment rested with Elisa, who, without awaiting
+it, began all blithely, "Young ladies, it hath often chanced that what
+all manner reproofs and many pains[68] bestowed upon a man have not
+availed to bring about in him hath been effected by a word more often
+spoken at hazard than of purpose aforethought. This is very well shown
+in the story related by Lauretta and I, in my turn, purpose to prove
+to you the same thing by means of another and a very short one; for
+that, since good things may still serve, they should be received with
+a mind attent, whoever be the sayer thereof.
+
+[Footnote 68: Syn. penalties, punishments (_pene_).]
+
+I say, then, that in the days of the first King of Cyprus, after the
+conquest of the Holy Land by Godefroi de Bouillon, it chanced that a
+gentlewoman of Gascony went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre and
+returning thence, came to Cyprus, where she was shamefully abused of
+certain lewd fellows; whereof having complained, without getting any
+satisfaction, she thought to appeal to the King for redress, but was
+told that she would lose her pains, for that he was of so abject a
+composition and so little of worth that, far from justifying others of
+their wrongs, he endured with shameful pusillanimity innumerable
+affronts offered to himself, insomuch that whose had any grudge
+[against him] was wont to vent his despite by doing him some shame or
+insult.
+
+The lady, hearing this and despairing of redress, bethought herself,
+by way of some small solacement of her chagrin, to seek to rebuke the
+king's pusillanimity; wherefore, presenting herself in tears before
+him, she said to him, 'My lord, I come not into thy presence for any
+redress that I expect of the wrong that hath been done me; but in
+satisfaction thereof, I prithee teach me how thou dost to suffer those
+affronts which I understand are offered unto thyself, so haply I may
+learn of thee patiently to endure mine own, the which God knoweth, an
+I might, I would gladly bestow on thee, since thou art so excellent a
+supporter thereof.'
+
+The King, who till then had been sluggish and supine, awoke as if from
+sleep and beginning with the wrong done to the lady, which he cruelly
+avenged, thenceforth became a very rigorous prosecutor of all who
+committed aught against the honour of his crown."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     MASTER ALBERTO OF BOLOGNA CIVILLY PUTTETH A LADY TO THE
+     BLUSH WHO THOUGHT TO HAVE SHAMED HIM OF BEING ENAMOURED OF
+     HER
+
+
+Elisa being now silent, the last burden of the story-telling rested
+with the queen, who, with womanly grace beginning to speak, said,
+"Noble damsels, like as in the lucid nights the stars are the ornament
+of the sky and as in Spring-time the flowers of the green meadows,
+even so are commendable manners and pleasing discourse adorned by
+witty sallies, which latter, for that they are brief, are yet more
+beseeming to women than to men, inasmuch as much and long speech,
+whenas it may be dispensed with, is straitlier forbidden unto women
+than to men, albeit nowadays there are few or no women left who
+understand a sprightly saying or, if they understand it, know how to
+answer it, to the general shame be it said of ourselves and of all
+women alive. For that virtue,[69] which was erst in the minds of the
+women of times past, those of our day have diverted to the adornment
+of the body, and she on whose back are to be seen the most motley
+garments and the most gaudily laced and garded and garnished with the
+greatest plenty of fringes and purflings and broidery deemeth herself
+worthy to be held of far more account than her fellows and to be
+honoured above them, considering not that, were it a question of who
+should load her back and shoulders with bravery, an ass would carry
+much more thereof than any of them nor would therefore be honoured for
+more than an ass.
+
+[Footnote 69: _Virtů_, in the old Roman sense of strength, vigour,
+energy.]
+
+I blush to avow it, for that I cannot say aught against other women
+but I say it against myself; these women that are so laced and purfled
+and painted and parti-coloured abide either mute and senseless, like
+marble statues, or, an they be questioned, answer after such a fashion
+that it were far better to have kept silence. And they would have you
+believe that their unableness to converse among ladies and men of
+parts proceedeth from purity of mind, and to their witlessness they
+give the name of modesty, as if forsooth no woman were modest but she
+who talketh with her chamberwoman or her laundress or her bake-wench;
+the which had Nature willed, as they would have it believed, she had
+assuredly limited unto them their prattle on other wise. It is true
+that in this, as in other things, it behoveth to have regard to time
+and place and with whom one talketh; for that it chanceth bytimes that
+women or men, thinking with some pleasantry or other to put another to
+the blush and not having well measured their own powers with those of
+the latter, find that confusion, which they thought to cast upon
+another, recoil upon themselves. Wherefore, so you may know how to
+keep yourselves and that, to boot, you may not serve as a text for the
+proverb which is current everywhere, to wit, that women in everything
+still take the worst, I would have you learn a lesson from the last of
+to-day's stories, which falleth to me to tell, to the intent that,
+even as you are by nobility of mind distinguished from other women, so
+likewise you may show yourselves no less removed from them by
+excellence of manners.
+
+It is not many years since there lived (and belike yet liveth) at
+Bologna a very great and famous physician, known by manifest renown to
+well nigh all the world. His name was Master Alberto and such was the
+vivacity of his spirit that, albeit he was an old man of hard upon
+seventy years of age and well nigh all natural heat had departed his
+body, he scrupled not to expose himself to the flames of love; for
+that, having seen at an entertainment a very beautiful widow lady,
+called, as some say, Madam Malgherida[70] de' Ghisolieri, and being
+vastly taken with her, he received into his mature bosom, no otherwise
+than if he had been a young gallant, the amorous fire, insomuch that
+himseemed he rested not well by night, except the day foregone he had
+looked upon the delicate and lovesome countenance of the fair lady.
+Wherefore he fell to passing continually before her house, now afoot
+and now on horseback, as the occasion served him, insomuch that she
+and many other ladies got wind of the cause of his constant passings
+to and fro and oftentimes made merry among themselves to see a man
+thus ripe of years and wit in love, as if they deemed that that most
+pleasant passion of love took root and flourished only in the silly
+minds of the young and not otherwhere.
+
+[Footnote 70: Old form of Margherita.]
+
+What while he continued to pass back and forth, it chanced one holiday
+that, the lady being seated with many others before her door and
+espying Master Alberto making towards them from afar, they one and
+all took counsel together to entertain him and do him honour and after
+to rally him on that his passion. Accordingly, they all rose to
+receive him and inviting him [to enter,] carried him into a shady
+courtyard, whither they let bring the choicest of wines and sweetmeats
+and presently enquired of him, in very civil and pleasant terms, how
+it might be that he was fallen enamoured of that fair lady, knowing
+her to be loved of many handsome, young and sprightly gentlemen. The
+physician, finding himself thus courteously attacked, put on a blithe
+countenance and answered, 'Madam, that I love should be no marvel to
+any understanding person, and especially that I love yourself, for
+that you deserve it; and albeit old men are by operation of nature
+bereft of the vigour that behoveth unto amorous exercises, yet not for
+all that are they bereft of the will nor of the wit to apprehend that
+which is worthy to be loved; nay, this latter is naturally the better
+valued of them, inasmuch as they have more knowledge and experience
+than the young. As for the hope that moveth me, who am an old man, to
+love you who are courted of many young gallants, it is on this wise: I
+have been many a time where I have seen ladies lunch and eat lupins
+and leeks. Now, although in the leek no part is good, yet is the
+head[71] thereof less hurtful and more agreeable to the taste; but you
+ladies, moved by a perverse appetite, commonly hold the head in your
+hand and munch the leaves, which are not only naught, but of an ill
+savour. How know I, madam, but you do the like in the election of your
+lovers? In which case, I should be the one chosen of you and the
+others would be turned away.'
+
+[Footnote 71: _i.e._ the base or eatable part of the stem.]
+
+The gentlewoman and her companions were somewhat abashed and said,
+'Doctor, you have right well and courteously chastised our
+presumptuous emprise; algates, your love is dear to me, as should be
+that of a man of worth and learning; wherefore, you may in all
+assurance command me, as your creature, of your every pleasure, saving
+only mine honour.' The physician, rising with his companions, thanked
+the lady and taking leave of her with laughter and merriment, departed
+thence. Thus the lady, looking not whom she rallied and thinking to
+discomfit another, was herself discomfited; wherefrom, an you be wise,
+you will diligently guard yourselves."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The sun had begun to decline towards the evening, and the heat was in
+great part abated, when the stories of the young ladies and of the
+three young men came to an end; whereupon quoth the queen
+blithesomely, "Henceforth, dear companions, there remaineth nought
+more to do in the matter of my governance for the present day, save to
+give you a new queen, who shall, according to her judgment, order her
+life and ours, for that[72] which is to come, unto honest pleasance.
+And albeit the day may be held to endure from now until nightfall,
+yet,--for that whoso taketh not somewhat of time in advance cannot,
+meseemeth, so well provide for the future and in order that what the
+new queen shall deem needful for the morrow may be prepared,--methinketh
+the ensuing days should commence at this hour. Wherefore, in reverence
+of Him unto whom all things live and for our own solacement, Filomena,
+a right discreet damsel, shall, as queen, govern our kingdom for the
+coming day." So saying, she rose to her feet and putting off the
+laurel-wreath, set it reverently on the head of Filomena, whom first
+herself and after all the other ladies and the young men likewise
+saluted as queen, cheerfully submitting themselves to her governance.
+
+[Footnote 72: _i.e._ that day.]
+
+Filomena blushed somewhat to find herself invested with the queendom,
+but, calling to mind the words a little before spoken by
+Pampinea,[73]--in order that she might not appear witless, she resumed
+her assurance and in the first place confirmed all the offices given
+by Pampinea; then, having declared that they should abide whereas they
+were, she appointed that which was to do against the ensuing morning,
+as well as for that night's supper, and after proceeded to speak thus:
+
+[Footnote 73: See ante, p. 8.]
+
+"Dearest companions, albeit Pampinea, more of her courtesy than for
+any worth of mine, hath made me queen of you all, I am not therefore
+disposed to follow my judgment alone in the manner of our living, but
+yours together with mine; and that you may know that which meseemeth
+is to do and consequently at your pleasure add thereto or abate
+thereof, I purpose briefly to declare it to you.
+
+If I have well noted the course this day held by Pampinea, meseemeth I
+have found it alike praiseworthy and delectable; wherefore till such
+time as, for overlong continuance or other reason, it grow irksome to
+us, I judge it not to be changed. Order, then, being taken for [the
+continuance of] that which we have already begun to do, we will,
+arising hence, go awhile a-pleasuring, and whenas the sun shall be for
+going under, we will sup in the cool of the evening, and after sundry
+canzonets and other pastimes, we shall do well to betake ourselves to
+sleep. To-morrow, rising in the cool of the morning, we will on like
+wise go somewhither a-pleasuring, as shall be most agreeable to every
+one; and as we have done to-day, we will at the due hour come back to
+eat; after which we will dance and when we arise from sleep, as to-day
+we have done, we will return hither to our story-telling, wherein
+meseemeth a very great measure to consist alike of pleasance and of
+profit. Moreover, that which Pampinea had indeed no opportunity of
+doing, by reason of her late election to the governance, I purpose now
+to enter upon, to wit, to limit within some bound that whereof we are
+to tell and to declare it[74] to you beforehand, so each of you may
+have leisure to think of some goodly story to relate upon the theme
+proposed, the which, an it please you, shall be on this wise; namely,
+seeing that since the beginning of the world men have been and will
+be, until the end thereof, bandied about by various shifts of fortune,
+each shall be holden to tell OF THOSE WHO AFTER BEING BAFFLED BY
+DIVERS CHANCES HAVE WON AT LAST TO A JOYFUL ISSUE BEYOND THEIR HOPE."
+
+[Footnote 74: _i.e._ the terms of the limitation aforesaid.]
+
+Ladies and men alike all commended this ordinance and declared
+themselves ready to ensue it. Only Dioneo, the others all being
+silent, said, "Madam, as all the rest have said, so say I, to wit that
+the ordinance given by you is exceeding pleasant and commendable; but
+of especial favour I crave you a boon, which I would have confirmed to
+me for such time as our company shall endure, to wit, that I may not
+be constrained by this your law to tell a story upon the given theme,
+an it like me not, but shall be free to tell that which shall most
+please me. And that none may think I seek this favour as one who hath
+not stories, in hand, from this time forth I am content to be still
+the last to tell."
+
+The queen,--who knew him for a merry man and a gamesome and was well
+assured that he asked this but that he might cheer the company with
+some laughable story, whenas they should be weary of discoursing,--with
+the others' consent, cheerfully accorded him the favour he sought.
+Then, arising from session, with slow steps they took their way
+towards a rill of very clear water, that ran down from a little hill,
+amid great rocks and green herbage, into a valley overshaded with many
+trees and there, going about in the water, bare-armed and shoeless,
+they fell to taking various diversions among themselves, till
+supper-time drew near, when they returned to the palace and there
+supped merrily. Supper ended, the queen called for instruments of
+music and bade Lauretta lead up a dance, whilst Emilia sang a song, to
+the accompaniment of Dioneo's lute. Accordingly, Lauretta promptly set
+up a dance and led it off, whilst Emilia amorously warbled the
+following song:
+
+     I burn for mine own charms with such a fire,
+         Methinketh that I ne'er
+       Of other love shall reck or have desire.
+
+     Whene'er I mirror me, I see therein[75]
+       That good which still contenteth heart and spright;
+     Nor fortune new nor thought of old can win
+       To dispossess me of such dear delight.
+       What other object, then, could fill my sight,
+         Enough of pleasance e'er
+     To kindle in my breast a new desire?
+
+     This good flees not, what time soe'er I'm fain
+       Afresh to view it for my solacement;
+     Nay, at my pleasure, ever and again
+       With such a grace it doth itself present
+       Speech cannot tell it nor its full intent
+         Be known of mortal e'er,
+       Except indeed he burn with like desire.
+
+     And I, grown more enamoured every hour,
+       The straitlier fixed mine eyes upon it be,
+     Give all myself and yield me to its power,
+       E'en tasting now of that it promised me,
+       And greater joyance yet I hope to see,
+         Of such a strain as ne'er
+       Was proven here below of love-desire.
+
+[Footnote 75: _i.e._ in the mirrored presentment of her own beauty.]
+
+Lauretta having thus made an end of her ballad,[76]--in the burden of
+which all had blithely joined, albeit the words thereof gave some much
+matter for thought,--divers other rounds were danced and a part of the
+short night being now spent, it pleased the queen to give an end to
+the first day; wherefore, letting kindle the flambeaux, she commanded
+that all should betake themselves to rest until the ensuing morning,
+and all, accordingly, returning to their several chambers, did so.
+
+[Footnote 76: _Ballatella_, lit. little dancing song or song made to
+be sung as an accompaniment to a dance (from _ballare_, to dance).
+This is the origin of our word ballad.]
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE FIRST DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Second_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE SECOND DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF FILOMENA IS DISCOURSED OF THOSE WHO AFTER
+     BEING BAFFLED BY DIVERS CHANCES HAVE WON AT LAST TO A JOYFUL
+     ISSUE BEYOND THEIR HOPE
+
+
+The sun had already everywhere brought on the new day with its light
+and the birds, carolling blithely among the green branches, bore
+witness thereof unto the ear with their merry songs, when the ladies
+and the three young men, arising all, entered the gardens and pressing
+the dewy grass with slow step, went wandering hither and thither,
+weaving goodly garlands and disporting themselves, a great while. And
+like as they had done the day foregone, even so did they at present;
+to wit, having eaten in the cool and danced awhile, they betook them
+to repose and arising thence after none, came all, by command of their
+queen, into the fresh meadows, where they seated themselves round
+about her. Then she, who was fair of favour and exceeding pleasant of
+aspect, having sat awhile, crowned with her laurel wreath, and looked
+all her company in the face, bade Neifile give beginning to the day's
+stories by telling one of her fashion; whereupon the latter, without
+making any excuse, blithely began to speak thus:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     MARTELLINO FEIGNETH HIMSELF A CRIPPLE AND MAKETH BELIEVE TO
+     WAX WHOLE UPON THE BODY OF ST. ARRIGO. HIS IMPOSTURE BEING
+     DISCOVERED, HE IS BEATEN AND BEING AFTER TAKEN [FOR A
+     THIEF,] GOETH IN PERIL OF BEING HANGED BY THE NECK, BUT
+     ULTIMATELY ESCAPETH
+
+
+"It chanceth oft, dearest ladies, that he who studieth to befool
+others, and especially in things reverend, findeth himself with
+nothing for his pains but flouts and whiles cometh not off scathless.
+Wherefore, that I may obey the queen's commandment and give beginning
+to the appointed theme with a story of mine, I purpose to relate to
+you that which, first misfortunately and after happily, beyond his
+every thought, betided a townsman of ours.
+
+No great while agone there was at Treviso a German called Arrigo, who,
+being a poor man, served whoso required him to carry burdens for hire;
+and withal he was held of all a man of very holy and good life.
+Wherefore, be it true or untrue, when he died, it befell, according to
+that which the Trevisans avouch, that, in the hour of his death, the
+bells of the great church of Treviso began to ring, without being
+pulled of any. The people of the city, accounting this a miracle,
+proclaimed this Arrigo a saint and running all to the house where he
+lay, bore his body, for that of a saint, to the Cathedral, whither
+they fell to bringing the halt, the impotent and the blind and others
+afflicted with whatsoever defect or infirmity, as if they should all
+be made whole by the touch of the body.
+
+In the midst of this great turmoil and concourse of folk, it chanced
+that there arrived at Treviso three of our townsmen, whereof one was
+called Stecchi, another Martellino and the third Marchese, men who
+visited the courts of princes and lords and diverted the beholders by
+travestying themselves and counterfeiting whatsoever other man with
+rare motions and grimaces. Never having been there before and seeing
+all the folk run, they marvelled and hearing the cause, were for going
+to see what was toward; wherefore they laid up their baggage at an inn
+and Marchese said, 'We would fain go look upon this saint; but, for my
+part, I see not how we may avail to win thither, for that I understand
+the Cathedral place is full of German and other men-at-arms, whom the
+lord of this city hath stationed there, so no riot may betide; more by
+token that they say the church is so full of folk that well nigh none
+else might enter there.' 'Let not that hinder you,' quoth Martellino,
+who was all agog to see the show; 'I warrant you I will find a means
+of winning to the holy body.' 'How so?' asked Marchese, and Martellino
+answered, 'I will tell thee. I will counterfeit myself a cripple and
+thou on one side and Stecchi on the other shall go upholding me, as it
+were I could not walk of myself, making as if you would fain bring me
+to the saint, so he may heal me. There will be none but, seeing us,
+will make way for us and let us pass.'
+
+The device pleased Marchese and Stecchi and they went forth of the inn
+without delay, all three. Whenas they came to a solitary place,
+Martellino writhed his hands and fingers and arms and legs and eke his
+mouth and eyes and all his visnomy on such wise that it was a
+frightful thing to look upon, nor was there any saw him but would have
+avouched him to be verily all fordone and palsied of his person.
+Marchese and Stecchi, taking him up, counterfeited as he was, made
+straight for the church, with a show of the utmost compunction, humbly
+beseeching all who came in their way for the love of God to make room
+for them, the which was lightly yielded them. Brief, every one gazing
+on them and crying well nigh all, 'Make way! Make way!' they came
+whereas Saint Arrigo's body lay and Martellino was forthright taken up
+by certain gentlemen who stood around and laid upon the body, so he
+might thereby regain the benefit of health. Martellino, having lain
+awhile, whilst all the folk were on the stretch to see what should
+come of him, began, as right well he knew how, to make a show of
+opening first one finger, then a hand and after putting forth an arm
+and so at last coming to stretch himself out altogether. Which when
+the people saw, they set up such an outcry in praise of Saint Arrigo
+as would have drowned the very thunder.
+
+Now, as chance would have it, there was therenigh a certain
+Florentine, who knew Martellino very well, but had not recognized him,
+counterfeited as he was, whenas he was brought thither. However, when
+he saw him grown straight again, he knew him and straightway fell
+a-laughing and saying, 'God confound him! Who that saw him come had
+not deemed him palsied in good earnest?' His words were overheard of
+sundry Trevisans, who asked him incontinent, 'How! Was he not
+palsied?' 'God forbid!' answered the Florentine. 'He hath ever been as
+straight as any one of us; but he knoweth better than any man in the
+world how to play off tricks of this kind and counterfeit what shape
+soever he will.'
+
+When the others heard this, there needed nothing farther; but they
+pushed forward by main force and fell a-crying out and saying, 'Seize
+yonder traitor and scoffer at God and His saints, who, being whole of
+his body, hath come hither, in the guise of a cripple, to make mock of
+us and of our saint!' So saying, they laid hold of Martellino and
+pulled him down from the place where he lay. Then, taking him by the
+hair of his head and tearing all the clothes off his back, they fell
+upon him with cuffs and kicks; nor himseemed was there a man in the
+place but ran to do likewise. Martellino roared out, 'Mercy, for God's
+sake!' and fended himself as best he might, but to no avail; for the
+crowd redoubled upon him momently. Stecchi and Marchese, seeing this,
+began to say one to the other that things stood ill, but, fearing for
+themselves, dared not come to his aid; nay, they cried out with the
+rest to put him to death, bethinking them the while how they might
+avail to fetch him out of the hands of the people, who would certainly
+have slain him, but for a means promptly taken by Marchese; to wit,
+all the officers of the Seignory being without the church, he betook
+himself as quickliest he might, to him who commanded for the Provost
+and said, 'Help, for God's sake! There is a lewd fellow within who
+hath cut my purse, with a good hundred gold florins. I pray you take
+him, so I may have mine own again.'
+
+Hearing this, a round dozen of sergeants ran straightway whereas the
+wretched Martellino was being carded without a comb and having with
+the greatest pains in the world broken through the crowd, dragged him
+out of the people's hands, all bruised and tumbled as he was, and
+haled him off to the palace, whither many followed him who held
+themselves affronted of him and hearing that he had been taken for a
+cutpurse and themseeming they had no better occasion[77] of doing him
+an ill turn,[78] began each on like wise to say that he had cut his
+purse. The Provost's judge, who was a crabbed, ill-conditioned fellow,
+hearing this, forthright took him apart and began to examine him of
+the matter; but Martellino answered jestingly, as if he made light of
+his arrest; whereat the judge, incensed, caused truss him up and give
+him two or three good bouts of the strappado, with intent to make him
+confess that which they laid to his charge, so he might after have him
+strung up by the neck.
+
+[Footnote 77: Or pretext (_titolo_).]
+
+[Footnote 78: Or "having him punished," lit. "causing give him ill
+luck" (_fargli dar la mala ventura_). This passage, like so many
+others of the Decameron, is ambiguous and may also be read
+"themseeming none other had a juster title to do him an ill turn."]
+
+When he was let down again, the judge asked him once more if that were
+true which the folk avouched against him, and Martellino, seeing that
+it availed him not to deny, answered, 'My lord, I am ready to confess
+the truth to you; but first make each who accuseth me say when and
+where I cut his purse, and I will tell you what I did and what not.'
+Quoth the judge, 'I will well,' and calling some of his accusers, put
+the question to them; whereupon one said that he had cut his purse
+eight, another six and a third four days agone, whilst some said that
+very day. Martellino, hearing this, said, 'My lord, these all lie in
+their throats and I can give you this proof that I tell you the truth,
+inasmuch as would God it were as sure that I had never come hither as
+it is that I was never in this place till a few hours agone; and as
+soon as I arrived, I went, of my ill fortune, to see yonder holy body
+in the church, where I was carded as you may see; and that this I say
+is true, the Prince's officer who keepeth the register of strangers
+can certify you, he and his book, as also can my host. If, therefore,
+you find it as I tell you, I beseech you torture me not neither put me
+to death at the instance of these wicked, men.'
+
+Whilst things were at this pass, Marchese and Stecchi, hearing that
+the judge of the Provostry was proceeding rigorously against
+Martellino and had already given him the strappado, were sore affeared
+and said in themselves, 'We have gone the wrong way to work; we have
+brought him forth of the frying-pan and cast him into the fire.'
+Wherefore they went with all diligence in quest of their host and
+having found him, related to him how the case stood. He laughed and
+carried them to one Sandro Agolanti, who abode in Treviso and had
+great interest with the Prince, and telling him everything in order,
+joined with them in beseeching him to occupy himself with Martellino's
+affairs. Sandro, after many a laugh, repaired to the Prince and
+prevailed upon him to send for Martellino.
+
+The Prince's messengers found Martellino still in his shirt before the
+judge, all confounded and sore adread, for that the judge would hear
+nothing in his excuse; nay, having, by chance, some spite against the
+people of Florence, he was altogether determined to hang him by the
+neck and would on no wise render him up to the Prince till such time
+as he was constrained thereto in his despite. Martellino, being
+brought before the lord of the city and having told him everything in
+order, besought him, by way of special favour, to let him go about his
+business, for that, until he should be in Florence again, it would
+still seem to him he had the rope about his neck. The Prince laughed
+heartily at his mischance and let give each of the three a suit of
+apparel, wherewith they returned home safe and sound, having, beyond
+all their hope, escaped so great a peril."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     RINALDO D'ASTI, HAVING BEEN ROBBED, MAKETH HIS WAY TO CASTEL
+     GUGLIELMO, WHERE HE IS HOSPITABLY ENTERTAINED BY A WIDOW
+     LADY AND HAVING MADE GOOD HIS LOSS, RETURNETH TO HIS OWN
+     HOUSE, SAFE AND SOUND
+
+
+The ladies laughed immoderately at Martellino's misfortunes narrated
+by Neifile, as did also the young men and especially Filostrato, whom,
+for that he sat next Neifile, the queen bade follow her in
+story-telling. Accordingly he began without delay, "Fair ladies, needs
+must I tell you a story[79] of things Catholic,[80] in part mingled
+with misadventures and love-matters, which belike will not be other
+than profitable to hear, especially to those who are wayfarers in the
+perilous lands of love, wherein whoso hath not said St. Julian his
+Paternoster is oftentimes ill lodged, for all he have a good bed.
+
+[Footnote 79: Lit. a story striveth in (draweth) me to be told or to
+tell itself (_a raccontarsi mi tira una novella_).]
+
+[Footnote 80: _i.e._ religious matters (_cose cattoliche_).]
+
+In the days, then, of the Marquis Azzo of Ferrara, there came a
+merchant called Rinaldo d'Asti to Bologna on his occasions, which
+having despatched and returning homeward, it chanced that, as he
+issued forth of Ferrara and rode towards Verona, he fell in with
+certain folk who seemed merchants, but were in truth highwaymen and
+men of lewd life and condition, with whom he unwarily joined company
+and entered into discourse. They, seeing him to be a merchant and
+judging him to have monies about him, took counsel together to rob
+him, at the first opportunity that should offer; wherefore, that he
+might take no suspicion, they went devising with him, like decent
+peaceable folk, of things honest and seemly and of loyalty, ordering
+themselves toward him, in so far as they knew and could, with respect
+and complaisance, so that he deemed himself in great luck to have met
+with them, for that he was alone with a serving-man of his on
+horseback.
+
+Thus faring on and passing from one thing to another, as it chanceth
+in discourse, they presently fell to talking of the orisons that men
+offer up to God, and one of the highwaymen, who were three in number,
+said to Rinaldo, 'And you, fair sir, what orison do you use to say on
+a journey?' Whereto he answered, 'Sooth to say, I am but a plain man
+and little versed in these matters and have few orisons in hand; I
+live after the old fashion and let a couple of shillings pass for
+four-and-twenty pence.[81] Nevertheless, I have still been wont, when
+on a journey, to say of a morning, what time I come forth of the inn,
+a Pater and an Ave for the soul of St. Julian's father and mother,
+after which I pray God and the saint to grant me a good lodging for
+the ensuing night. Many a time in my day have I, in the course of my
+journeyings, been in great perils, from all of which I have escaped
+and have still found myself at night, to boot, in a place of safety
+and well lodged. Wherefore I firmly believe that St. Julian, in whose
+honour I say it, hath gotten me this favour of God; nor meseemeth
+should I fare well by day nor come to good harbourage at night, except
+I had said it in the morning.' 'And did you say it[82] this morning?'
+asked he who had put the question to him. 'Ay did I,' answered
+Rinaldo; whereupon quoth the other in himself, knowing well how the
+thing was to go, 'May it stand thee in stead![83] For, an no hindrance
+betide us, methinketh thou art e'en like to lodge ill.' Then, to
+Rinaldo, 'I likewise,' quoth he, 'have travelled much and have never
+said this orison, albeit I have heard it greatly commended, nor ever
+hath it befallen me to lodge other than well; and this evening maybe
+you shall chance to see which will lodge the better, you who have said
+it or I who have not. True, I use, instead thereof, the _Dirupisti_ or
+the _Intemerata_ or the _De Profundis_, the which, according to that
+which a grandmother of mine used to tell me, are of singular virtue.'
+
+[Footnote 81: _i.e._ take things by the first intention, without
+seeking to refine upon them, or, in English popular phrase, "I do not
+pretend to see farther through a stone wall than my neighbours."]
+
+[Footnote 82: _i.e._ the aforesaid orison.]
+
+[Footnote 83: Or "'Twill have been opportunely done of thee."]
+
+Discoursing thus of various matters and faring on their way, on the
+look out the while for time and place apt unto their knavish purpose,
+they came, late in the day, to a place a little beyond Castel
+Guglielmo, where, at the fording of a river, the three rogues, seeing
+the hour advanced and the spot solitary and close shut in, fell upon
+Rinaldo and robbed him of money, clothes and horse. Then, leaving him
+afoot and in his shirt, they departed, saying, 'Go see if thy St.
+Julian will give thee a good lodging this night, even as ours[84] will
+assuredly do for us.' And passing the stream, they went their ways.
+Rinaldo's servant, seeing him attacked, like a cowardly knave as he
+was, did nought to help him, but turning his horse's head, never drew
+bridle till he came to Castel Guglielmo and entering the town, took up
+his lodging there, without giving himself farther concern.
+
+[Footnote 84: _i.e._ our patron saint.]
+
+Rinaldo, left in his shirt and barefoot, it being very cold and
+snowing hard, knew not what to do and seeing the night already at
+hand, looked about him, trembling and chattering the while with his
+teeth, if there were any shelter to be seen therenigh, where he might
+pass the night, so he should not perish of cold; but, seeing none, for
+that a little before there had been war in those parts and everything
+had been burnt, set off at a run, spurred by the cold, towards Castel
+Guglielmo, knowing not withal if his servant were fled thither or
+otherwise and thinking that, so he might but avail to enter therein,
+God would send him some relief. But darkness overtook him near a mile
+from the town, wherefore he arrived there so late that, the gates
+being shut and the draw-bridges raised, he could get no admission.
+Thereupon, despairing and disconsolate, he looked about, weeping, for
+a place where he might shelter, so at the least it should not snow
+upon him, and chancing to espy a house that projected somewhat beyond
+the walls of the town, he determined to go bide thereunder till day.
+Accordingly, betaking himself thither, he found there a door, albeit
+it was shut, and gathering at foot thereof somewhat of straw that was
+therenigh, he laid himself down there, tristful and woebegone,
+complaining sore to St. Julian and saying that this was not of the
+faith he had in him.
+
+However, the saint had not lost sight of him and was not long in
+providing him with a good lodging. There was in the town a widow lady,
+as fair of favour as any woman living, whom the Marquis Azzo loved as
+his life and there kept at his disposition, and she abode in that same
+house, beneath the projection whereof Rinaldo had taken shelter. Now,
+as chance would have it, the Marquis had come to the town that day,
+thinking to lie the night with her, and had privily let make ready in
+her house a bath and a sumptuous supper. Everything being ready and
+nought awaited by the lady but the coming of the Marquis, it chanced
+that there came a serving-man to the gate, who brought him news, which
+obliged him to take horse forthright; wherefore, sending to tell his
+mistress not to expect him, he departed in haste. The lady, somewhat
+disconsolate at this, knowing not what to do, determined to enter the
+bath prepared for the Marquis and after sup and go to bed.
+
+Accordingly she entered the bath, which was near the door, against
+which the wretched merchant was crouched without the city-wall;
+wherefore she, being therein, heard the weeping and trembling kept up
+by Rinaldo, who seemed as he were grown a stork,[85] and calling her
+maid, said to her, 'Go up and look over the wall who is at the
+postern-foot and what he doth there.' The maid went thither and aided
+by the clearness of the air, saw Rinaldo in his shirt and barefoot,
+sitting there, as hath been said, and trembling sore; whereupon she
+asked him who he was. He told her, as briefliest he might, who he was
+and how and why he was there, trembling the while on such wise that he
+could scarce form the words, and after fell to beseeching her
+piteously not to leave him there all night to perish of cold, [but to
+succour him,] an it might be. The maid was moved to pity of him and
+returning to her mistress, told her all. The lady, on like wise taking
+compassion on him and remembering that she had the key of the door
+aforesaid, which served whiles for the privy entrances of the Marquis,
+said, 'Go softly and open to him; here is this supper and none to eat
+it and we have commodity enough for his lodging.'
+
+[Footnote 85: _i.e._ whose teeth chattered as it were the clapping of
+a stork's beak.]
+
+The maid, having greatly commended her mistress for this her humanity,
+went and opening to Rinaldo, brought him in; whereupon the lady,
+seeing him well nigh palsied with cold, said to him, 'Quick, good man,
+enter this bath, which is yet warm.' Rinaldo, without awaiting farther
+invitation, gladly obeyed and was so recomforted with the warmth of
+the bath that himseemed he was come back from death to life. The lady
+let fetch him a suit of clothes that had pertained to her husband,
+then lately dead, which when he had donned, they seemed made to his
+measure, and whilst awaiting what she should command him, he fell to
+thanking God and St. Julian for that they had delivered him from the
+scurvy night he had in prospect and had, as he deemed, brought him to
+good harbourage.
+
+Presently, the lady, being somewhat rested,[86] let make a great fire
+in her dining-hall and betaking herself thither, asked how it was with
+the poor man; whereto the maid answered, 'Madam, he hath clad himself
+and is a handsome man and appeareth a person of good condition and
+very well-mannered.' Quoth the lady, 'Go, call him and bid him come to
+the fire and sup, for I know he is fasting.' Accordingly, Rinaldo
+entered the hall and seeing the gentlewoman, who appeared to him a
+lady of quality, saluted her respectfully and rendered her the best
+thanks in his power for the kindness done him. The lady, having seen
+and heard him and finding him even as her maid had said, received him
+graciously and making him sit familiarly with her by the fire,
+questioned him of the chance that had brought him thither; whereupon
+he related everything to her in order. Now she had heard somewhat of
+this at the time of his servant's coming into the town, wherefore she
+gave entire belief to all he said and told him, in turn, what she knew
+of his servant and how he might lightly find him again on the morrow.
+Then, the table being laid, Rinaldo, at the lady's instance, washed
+his hands and sat down with her to supper. Now he was tall of his
+person and comely and pleasant of favour and very engaging and
+agreeable of manners and a man in the prime of life; wherefore the
+lady had several times cast her eyes on him and found him much to her
+liking, and her desires being already aroused for the Marquis, who was
+to have come to lie with her, she had taken a mind to him.
+Accordingly, after supper, whenas they were risen from table, she took
+counsel with her maid whether herseemed she would do well, the Marquis
+having left her in the lurch, to use the good which fortune had sent
+her. The maid, seeing her mistress's drift, encouraged her as best she
+might to ensue it; whereupon the lady, returning to the fireside,
+where she had left Rinaldo alone, fell to gazing amorously upon him
+and said to him, 'How now, Rinaldo, why bide you thus melancholy?
+Think you you cannot be requited the loss of a horse and of some small
+matter of clothes? Take comfort and be of good cheer; you are in your
+own house. Nay, I will e'en tell you more, that, seeing you with those
+clothes on your back, which were my late husband's, and meseeming you
+were himself, there hath taken me belike an hundred times to-night a
+longing to embrace you and kiss you: and but that I feared to
+displease you, I had certainly done it.'
+
+[Footnote 86: _i.e._ after her bath.]
+
+Rinaldo, who was no simpleton, hearing these words and seeing the
+lady's eyes sparkle, advanced towards her with open arms, saying,
+'Madam, considering that I owe it to you to say that I am now alive
+and having regard to that from which you delivered me, it were great
+unmannerliness in me, did I not study to do everything that may be
+agreeable to you; wherefore do you embrace me and kiss me to your
+heart's content, and I will kiss and clip you more than willingly.'
+There needed no more words. The lady, who was all afire with amorous
+longing, straightway threw herself into his arms and after she had
+strained him desirefully to her bosom and bussed him a thousand times
+and had of him been kissed as often, they went off to her chamber, and
+there without delay betaking themselves to bed, they fully and many a
+time, before the day should come, satisfied their desires one of the
+other. Whenas the day began to appear, they arose,--it being her
+pleasure, so the thing might not be suspected of any,--and she, having
+given him some sorry clothes and a purse full of money and shown him
+how he should go about to enter the town and find his servant, put him
+forth at the postern whereby he had entered, praying him keep the
+matter secret.
+
+As soon as it was broad day and the gates were opened, he entered the
+town, feigning to come from afar, and found his servant. Therewithal
+he donned the clothes that were in the saddle-bags and was about to
+mount the man's horse and depart, when, as by a miracle, it befell
+that the three highwaymen, who had robbed him overnight, having been a
+little after taken for some other misdeed of them committed, were
+brought into the town and on their confession, his horse and clothes
+and money were restored to him, nor did he lose aught save a pair of
+garters, with which the robbers knew not what they had done. Rinaldo
+accordingly gave thanks to God and St. Julian and taking horse,
+returned home, safe and sound, leaving the three rogues to go kick on
+the morrow against the wind."[87]
+
+[Footnote 87: _i.e._ to be hanged or, in the equivalent English idiom,
+to dance upon nothing.]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     THREE YOUNG MEN SQUANDER THEIR SUBSTANCE AND BECOME POOR;
+     BUT A NEPHEW OF THEIRS, RETURNING HOME IN DESPERATION,
+     FALLETH IN WITH AN ABBOT AND FINDETH HIM TO BE THE KING'S
+     DAUGHTER OF ENGLAND, WHO TAKETH HIM TO HUSBAND AND MAKETH
+     GOOD ALL HIS UNCLES' LOSSES, RESTORING THEM TO GOOD ESTATE
+
+
+The adventures of Rinaldo d'Asti were hearkened with admiration and
+his devoutness commended by the ladies, who returned thanks to God and
+St. Julian for that they had succoured him in his utmost need. Nor yet
+(though this was said half aside) was the lady reputed foolish, who
+had known how to take the good God had sent her in her own house. But,
+whilst they discoursed, laughing in their sleeves, of the pleasant
+night she had had, Pampinea, seeing herself beside Filostrato and
+deeming, as indeed it befell, that the next turn would rest with her,
+began to collect her thoughts and take counsel with herself what she
+should say; after which, having received the queen's commandment, she
+proceeded to speak thus, no less resolutely than blithely, "Noble
+ladies, the more it is discoursed of the doings of Fortune, the more,
+to whoso is fain to consider her dealings aright, remaineth to be said
+thereof; and at this none should marvel, an he consider advisedly that
+all the things, which we foolishly style ours, are in her hands and
+are consequently, according to her hidden ordinance, transmuted by her
+without cease from one to another and back again, without any method
+known unto us. Wherefore, albeit this truth is conclusively
+demonstrated in everything and all day long and hath already been
+shown forth in divers of the foregoing stories, nevertheless, since it
+is our queen's pleasure that we discourse upon this theme, I will, not
+belike without profit for the listeners, add to the stories aforesaid
+one of my own, which methinketh should please.
+
+There was once in our city a gentleman, by name Messer Tedaldo, who,
+as some will have it, was of the Lamberti family, albeit others avouch
+that he was of the Agolanti, arguing more, belike, from the craft
+after followed by his sons,[88] which was like unto that which the
+Agolanti have ever practised and yet practise, than from aught else.
+But, leaving be of which of these two houses he was, I say that he
+was, in his time, a very rich gentleman and had three sons, whereof
+the eldest was named Lamberto, the second Tedaldo and the third
+Agolante, all handsome and sprightly youths, the eldest of whom had
+not reached his eighteenth year when it befell that the aforesaid
+Messer Tedaldo died very rich and left all his possessions, both
+moveable and immoveable, to them, as his legitimate heirs. The young
+men, seeing themselves left very rich both in lands and monies, began
+to spend without check or reserve or other governance than that of
+their own pleasure, keeping a vast household and many and goodly
+horses and dogs and hawks, still holding open house and giving
+largesse and making tilts and tournaments and doing not only that
+which pertaineth unto men of condition, but all, to boot, that it
+occurred to their youthful appetite to will.
+
+[Footnote 88: _i.e._ usury? See post. One of the commentators
+ridiculously suggests that they were needlemakers, from _ago_, a
+needle.]
+
+They had not long led this manner of life before the treasure left by
+their father melted away and their revenues alone sufficing not unto
+their current expenses, they proceeded to sell and mortgage their
+estates, and selling one to-day and another to-morrow, they found
+themselves well nigh to nought, without perceiving it, and poverty
+opened their eyes, which wealth had kept closed. Whereupon Lamberto,
+one day, calling the other two, reminded them how great had been their
+father's magnificence and how great their own and setting before them
+what wealth had been theirs and the poverty to which they were come
+through their inordinate expenditure, exhorted them, as best he knew,
+ere their distress should become more apparent, to sell what little
+was left them and get them gone, together with himself. They did as he
+counselled them and departing Florence, without leavetaking or
+ceremony, stayed not till they came to England, where, taking a little
+house in London and spending very little, they addressed themselves
+with the utmost diligence to lend money at usance. In this fortune was
+so favourable to them that in a few years they amassed a vast sum of
+money, wherewith, returning to Florence, one after another, they
+bought back great part of their estates and purchased others to boot
+and took unto themselves wives.
+
+Nevertheless, they still continued to lend money in England and sent
+thither, to look to their affairs, a young man, a nephew of theirs,
+Alessandro by name, whilst themselves all three at Florence, for all
+they were become fathers of families, forgetting to what a pass
+inordinate expenditure had aforetime brought them, began to spend more
+extravagantly than ever and were high in credit with all the
+merchants, who trusted them for any sum of money, however great. The
+monies remitted them by Alessandro, who had fallen to lending to the
+barons upon their castles and other their possessions, which brought
+him great profit, helped them for some years to support these
+expenses; but, presently, what while the three brothers spent thus
+freely and lacking money, borrowed, still reckoning with all assurance
+upon England, it chanced that, contrary to all expectation, there
+broke out war in England between the king and his son, through which
+the whole island was divided into two parties, some holding with the
+one and some with the other; and by reason thereof all the barons'
+castles were taken from Alessandro nor was there any other source of
+revenue that answered him aught. Hoping that from day to day peace
+should be made between father and son and consequently everything
+restored to him, both interest and capital, Alessandro departed not
+the island and the three brothers in Florence no wise abated their
+extravagant expenditure, borrowing more and more every day. But, when,
+after several years, no effect was seen to follow upon their
+expectation, the three brothers not only lost their credit, but, their
+creditors seeking to be paid their due, they were suddenly arrested
+and their possessions sufficing not unto payment, they abode in
+prison for the residue, whilst their wives and little ones betook
+themselves, some into the country, some hither and some thither, in
+very ill plight, unknowing what to expect but misery for the rest of
+their lives.
+
+Meanwhile, Alessandro, after waiting several years in England for
+peace, seeing that it came not and himseeming that not only was his
+tarrying there in vain, but that he went in danger of his life,
+determined to return to Italy. Accordingly, he set out all alone and
+as chance would have it, coming out of Bruges, he saw an abbot of
+white friars likewise issuing thence, accompanied by many monks and
+with a numerous household and a great baggage-train in his van. After
+him came two old knights, kinsmen of the King, whom Alessandro
+accosted as acquaintances and was gladly admitted into their company.
+As he journeyed with them, he asked them softly who were the monks
+that rode in front with so great a train and whither they were bound;
+and one of them answered, 'He who rideth yonder is a young gentleman
+of our kindred, who hath been newly elected abbot of one of the most
+considerable abbeys of England, and for that he is younger than is
+suffered by the laws for such a dignity, we go with him to Rome to
+obtain of the Holy Father that he dispense him of his defect of
+overmuch youthfulness and confirm him in the dignity aforesaid; but
+this must not be spoken of with any.'
+
+The new abbot, faring on thus, now in advance of his retinue and now
+in their rear, as daily we see it happen with noblemen on a journey,
+chanced by the way to see near him Alessandro, who was a young man
+exceedingly goodly of person and favour, well-bred, agreeable and fair
+of fashion as any might be, and who at first sight pleased him
+marvellously, as nought had ever done, and calling him to his side,
+fell a-discoursing pleasantly with him, asking him who he was and
+whence he came and whither he was bound; whereupon Alessandro frankly
+discovered to him his whole case and satisfied his questions, offering
+himself to his service in what little he might. The abbot, hearing his
+goodly and well-ordered speech, took more particular note of his
+manners and inwardly judging him to be a man of gentle breeding, for
+all his business had been mean, grew yet more enamoured of his
+pleasantness and full of compassion for his mishaps, comforted him on
+very friendly wise, bidding him be of good hope, for that, an he were
+a man of worth, God would yet replace him in that estate whence
+fortune had cast him down, nay, in a yet higher. Moreover, he prayed
+him, since he was bound for Tuscany, that it would please him bear him
+company, inasmuch as himself was likewise on the way thitherward;
+whereupon Alessandro returned him thanks for his encouragement and
+declared himself ready to his every commandment.
+
+The abbot, in whose breast new feelings had been aroused by the sight
+of Alessandro, continuing his journey, it chanced that, after some
+days, they came to a village not overwell furnished with hostelries,
+and the abbot having a mind to pass the night there, Alessandro caused
+him alight at the house of an innkeeper, who was his familiar
+acquaintance, and let prepare him his sleeping-chamber in the least
+incommodious place of the house; and being now, like an expert man as
+he was, grown well nigh a master of the household to the abbot, he
+lodged all his company, as best he might, about the village, some here
+and some there. After the abbot had supped, the night being now well
+advanced and every one gone to bed, Alessandro asked the host where he
+himself could lie; whereto he answered, 'In truth, I know not; thou
+seest that every place is full and I and my household must needs sleep
+upon the benches. Algates, in the abbot's chamber there be certain
+grain-sacks, whereto I can bring thee and spread thee thereon some
+small matter of bed, and there, an it please thee, thou shalt lie this
+night, as best thou mayst.' Quoth Alessandro, 'How shall I go into the
+abbot's chamber, seeing thou knowest it is little and of its
+straitness none of his monks might lie there? Had I bethought me of
+this, ere the curtains were drawn, I would have let his monks lie on
+the grain-sacks and have lodged myself where they sleep.' 'Nay,'
+answered the host, 'the case standeth thus;[89] but, an thou wilt,
+thou mayst lie whereas I tell thee with all the ease in the world. The
+abbot is asleep and his curtains are drawn; I will quickly lay thee a
+pallet-bed there, and do thou sleep on it.' Alessandro, seeing that
+this might be done without giving the abbot any annoy, consented
+thereto and settled himself on the grain-sacks as softliest he might.
+
+[Footnote 89: _i.e._ the thing is done and cannot be undone; there is
+no help for it.]
+
+The abbot, who slept not, nay, whose thoughts were ardently occupied
+with his new desires, heard what passed between Alessandro and the
+host and noted where the former laid himself to sleep, and well
+pleased with this, began to say in himself, 'God hath sent an occasion
+unto my desires; an I take it not, it may be long ere the like recur
+to me.' Accordingly, being altogether resolved to take the opportunity
+and himseeming all was quiet in the inn, he called to Alessandro in a
+low voice and bade him come couch with him. Alessandro, after many
+excuses, put off his clothes and laid himself beside the abbot, who
+put his hand on his breast and fell to touching him no otherwise than
+amorous damsels use to do with their lovers; whereat Alessandro
+marvelled exceedingly and misdoubted him the abbot was moved by
+unnatural love to handle him on that wise; but the latter promptly
+divined his suspicions, whether of presumption or through some gesture
+of his, and smiled; then, suddenly putting off a shirt that he wore,
+he took Alessandro's hand and laying it on his own breast, said,
+'Alessandro, put away thy foolish thought and searching here, know
+that which I conceal.'
+
+Alessandro accordingly put his hand to the abbot's bosom and found
+there two little breasts, round and firm and delicate, no otherwise
+than as they were of ivory, whereby perceiving that the supposed
+prelate was a woman, without awaiting farther bidding, he straightway
+took her in his arms and would have kissed her; but she said to him,
+'Ere thou draw nearer to me, hearken to that which I have to say to
+thee. As thou mayst see, I am a woman and not a man, and having left
+home a maid, I was on my way to the Pope, that he might marry me. Be
+it thy good fortune or my mishap, no sooner did I see thee the other
+day than love so fired me for thee, that never yet was woman who so
+loved man. Wherefore, I am resolved to take thee, before any other, to
+husband; but, an thou wilt not have me to wife, begone hence
+forthright and return to thy place.'
+
+Alessandro, albeit he knew her not, having regard to her company and
+retinue, judged her to be of necessity noble and rich and saw that she
+was very fair; wherefore, without overlong thought, he replied that,
+if this pleased her, it was mighty agreeable to him. Accordingly,
+sitting up with him in bed, she put a ring into his hand and made him
+espouse her[90] before a picture wherein our Lord was portrayed, after
+which they embraced each other and solaced themselves with amorous
+dalliance, to the exceeding pleasure of both parties, for so much as
+remained of the night.
+
+[Footnote 90: _i.e._ make her a solemn promise of marriage, formally
+plight her his troth. The ceremony of betrothal was formerly (and
+still is in certain countries) the most essential part of the marriage
+rite.]
+
+When the day came, after they had taken order together concerning
+their affairs, Alessandro arose and departed the chamber by the way he
+had entered, without any knowing where he had passed the night. Then,
+glad beyond measure, he took to the road again with the abbot and his
+company and came after many days to Rome. There they abode some days,
+after which the abbot, with the two knights and Alessandro and no
+more, went in to the Pope and having done him due reverence, bespoke
+him thus, 'Holy Father, as you should know better than any other,
+whoso is minded to live well and honestly should, inasmuch as he may,
+eschew every occasion that may lead him to do otherwise; the which
+that I, who would fain live honestly, may throughly do, having fled
+privily with a great part of the treasures of the King of England my
+father, (who would have given me to wife to the King of Scotland, a
+very old prince, I being, as you see, a young maid), I set out,
+habited as you see me, to come hither, so your Holiness might marry
+me. Nor was it so much the age of the King of Scotland that made me
+flee as the fear, if I were married to him, lest I should, for the
+frailty of my youth, be led to do aught that might be contrary to the
+Divine laws and the honour of the royal blood of my father. As I came,
+thus disposed, God, who alone knoweth aright that which behoveth unto
+every one, set before mine eyes (as I believe, of His mercy) him whom
+it pleased Him should be my husband, to wit, this young man,' showing
+Alessandro, 'whom you see here beside me and whose fashions and desert
+are worthy of however great a lady, although belike the nobility of
+his blood is not so illustrious as the blood-royal. Him, then, have I
+taken and him I desire, nor will I ever have any other than he,
+however it may seem to my father or to other folk. Thus, the principal
+occasion of my coming is done away; but it pleased me to make an end
+of my journey, at once that I might visit the holy and reverential
+places, whereof this city is full, and your Holiness and that through
+you I might make manifest, in your presence and consequently in that
+of the rest of mankind, the marriage contracted between Alessandro
+and myself in the presence of God alone. Wherefore I humbly pray you
+that this which hath pleased God and me may find favour with you and
+that you will vouchsafe us your benison, in order that with this, as
+with more assurance of His approof whose Vicar you are, we may live
+and ultimately die together.'
+
+Alessandro marvelled to hear that the damsel was the King's daughter
+of England and was inwardly filled with exceeding great gladness; but
+the two knights marvelled yet more and were so incensed, that, had
+they been otherwhere than in the Pope's presence, they had done
+Alessandro a mischief and belike the lady also. The Pope also, on his
+part, marvelled exceedingly both at the habit of the lady and at her
+choice; but, seeing that there was no going back on that which was
+done, he consented to satisfy her of her prayer. Accordingly, having
+first appeased the two knights, whom he knew to be angered, and made
+them well at one again with the lady and Alessandro, he took order for
+that which was to do, and the day appointed by him being come, before
+all the cardinals and many other men of great worship, come, at his
+bidding, to a magnificent bride-feast prepared by him, he produced the
+lady, royally apparelled, who showed so fair and so agreeable that she
+was worthily commended of all, and on like wise Alessandro splendidly
+attired, in bearing and appearance no whit like a youth who had lent
+at usury, but rather one of royal blood, and now much honoured of the
+two knights. There he caused solemnly celebrate the marriage afresh
+and after goodly and magnificent nuptials made, he dismissed them with
+his benison.
+
+It pleased Alessandro, and likewise the lady, departing Rome, to
+betake themselves to Florence, whither report had already carried the
+news. There they were received by the townsfolk with the utmost honour
+and the lady caused liberate the three brothers, having first paid
+every man [his due]. Moreover, she reinstated them and their ladies in
+their possessions and with every one's goodwill, because of this, she
+and her husband departed Florence, carrying Agolante with them, and
+coming to Paris, were honourably entertained by the King. Thence the
+two knights passed into England and so wrought with the King that the
+latter restored to his daughter his good graces and with exceeding
+great rejoicing received her and his son-in-law, whom he a little
+after made a knight with the utmost honour and gave him the Earldom of
+Cornwall. In this capacity he approved himself a man of such parts and
+made shift to do on such wise that he reconciled the son with his
+father, whereof there ensued great good to the island, and thereby he
+gained the love and favour of all the people of the country.
+
+Moreover, Agolante thoroughly recovered all that was there due to him
+and his brethren and returned to Florence, rich beyond measure, having
+first been knighted by Count Alessandro. The latter lived long and
+gloriously with his lady, and according as some avouch, what with his
+wit and valour and the aid of his father-in-law, he after conquered
+Scotland and was crowned King thereof."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     LANDOLFO RUFFOLO, GROWN POOR, TURNETH CORSAIR AND BEING
+     TAKEN BY THE GENOESE, IS WRECKED AT SEA, BUT SAVETH HIMSELF
+     UPON A COFFER FULL OF JEWELS OF PRICE AND BEING ENTERTAINED
+     IN CORFU BY A WOMAN, RETURNETH HOME RICH
+
+
+Lauretta, who sat next Pampinea, seeing her come to the glorious
+ending of her story, began, without awaiting more, to speak on this
+wise: "Most gracious ladies, there can, to my judgment, be seen no
+greater feat of fortune than when we behold one raised from the lowest
+misery to royal estate, even as Pampinea's story hath shown it to have
+betided her Alessandro. And for that from this time forth whosoever
+relateth of the appointed matter must of necessity speak within these
+limits,[91] I shall think no shame to tell a story, which, albeit it
+compriseth in itself yet greater distresses hath not withal so
+splendid an issue. I know well, indeed, that, having regard unto that,
+my story will be hearkened with less diligence; but, as I can no
+otherwise, I shall be excused.
+
+[Footnote 91: _i.e._ cannot hope to tell a story presenting more
+extraordinary shifts from one to the other extreme of human fortune
+than that of Pampinea.]
+
+The sea-coast from Reggio to Gaeta is commonly believed to be well
+nigh the most delightful part of Italy, and therein, pretty near
+Salerno, is a hillside overlooking the sea, which the countryfolk call
+Amalfi Side, full of little towns and gardens and springs and of men
+as rich and stirring in the matter of trade as any in the world. Among
+the said cities is one called Ravello and therein, albeit nowadays
+there are rich men there, there was aforetime one, Landolfo Ruffolo by
+name, who was exceeding rich and who, his wealth sufficing him not,
+came nigh, in seeking to double it, to lose it all and himself withal.
+This man, then, having, after the usance of merchants, laid his plans,
+bought a great ship and freighting it all of his own monies with
+divers merchandise, repaired therewith to Cyprus. There he found
+sundry other ships come with the same kind and quality of merchandise
+as he had brought, by reason of which not only was he constrained to
+make great good cheap of his own venture, but it behoved him, an he
+would dispose of his goods, well nigh to throw them away, whereby he
+was brought near unto ruin.
+
+Sore chagrined at this mischance and knowing not what to do, seeing
+himself thus from a very rich man in brief space grown in a manner
+poor, he determined either to die or repair his losses by pillage, so
+he might not return thither poor, whence he had departed rich.
+Accordingly, having found a purchaser for his great ship, with the
+price thereof and that which he had gotten of his wares, he bought a
+little vessel, light and apt for cruising and arming and garnishing it
+excellent well with everything needful unto such a service, addressed
+himself to make his purchase of other men's goods and especially of
+those of the Turks. In this trade fortune was far kinder to him than
+she had been in that of a merchant, for that, in some year's space,
+he plundered and took so many Turkish vessels that he found he had not
+only gotten him his own again that he had lost in trade, but had more
+than doubled his former substance. Whereupon, schooled by the chagrin
+of his former loss and deeming he had enough, he persuaded himself,
+rather than risk a second mischance, to rest content with that which
+he had, without seeking more. Accordingly he resolved to return
+therewith to his own country and being fearful of trade, concerned not
+himself to employ his money otherwise, but, thrusting his oars into
+the water, set out homeward in that same little vessel wherewith he
+had gained it.
+
+He had already reached the Archipelago when there arose one evening a
+violent south-east wind, which was not only contrary to his course,
+but raised so great a sea that his little vessel could not endure it;
+wherefore he took refuge in a bight of the sea, made by a little
+island, and there abode sheltered from the wind and purposing there to
+await better weather. He had not lain there long when two great
+Genoese carracks, coming from Constantinople, made their way with
+great difficulty into the little harbour, to avoid that from which
+himself had fled. The newcomers espied the little ship and hearing
+that it pertained to Landolfo, whom they already knew by report to be
+very rich, blocked against it the way by which it might depart and
+addressed themselves, like men by nature rapacious and greedy of
+gain,[92] to make prize of it. Accordingly, they landed part of their
+men well harnessed and armed with crossbows and posted them on such
+wise that none might come down from the bark, an he would not be shot;
+whilst the rest, warping themselves in with small boats and aided by
+the current, laid Landolfo's little ship aboard and took it out of
+hand, crew and all, without missing a man. Landolfo they carried
+aboard one of the carracks, leaving him but a sorry doublet; then,
+taking everything out of the ship, they scuttled her.
+
+[Footnote 92: The Genoese have the reputation in Italy of being
+thieves by nature.]
+
+On the morrow, the wind having shifted, the carracks made sail
+westward and fared on their voyage prosperously all that day; but
+towards evening there arose a tempestuous wind which made the waves
+run mountains high and parted the two carracks one from the other.
+Moreover, from stress of wind it befell that that wherein was the
+wretched and unfortunate Landolfo smote with great violence upon a
+shoal over against the island of Cephalonia and parting amidships,
+broke all in sunder no otherwise than a glass dashed against a wall.
+The sea was in a moment all full of bales of merchandise and chests
+and planks, that floated on the surface, as is wont to happen in such
+cases, and the poor wretches on board, swimming, those who knew how,
+albeit it was a very dark night and the sea was exceeding great and
+swollen, fell to laying hold of such things as came within their
+reach. Among the rest the unfortunate Landolfo, albeit many a time
+that day he had called for death, (choosing rather to die than return
+home poor as he found himself,) seeing it near at hand, was fearful
+thereof and like the others, laid hold of a plank that came to his
+hand, so haply, an he put off drowning awhile, God might send him
+some means of escape.
+
+Bestriding this, he kept himself afloat as best he might, driven
+hither and thither of the sea and the wind, till daylight, when he
+looked about him and saw nothing but clouds and sea and a chest
+floating on the waves, which bytimes, to his sore affright, drew nigh
+unto him, for that he feared lest peradventure it should dash against
+him on such wise as to do him a mischief; wherefore, as often as it
+came near him, he put it away from him as best he might with his hand,
+albeit he had little strength thereof. But presently there issued a
+sudden flaw of wind out of the air and falling on the sea, smote upon
+the chest and drove it with such violence against Landolfo's plank
+that the latter was overset and he himself perforce went under water.
+However, he struck out and rising to the surface, aided more by fear
+than by strength, saw the plank far removed from him, wherefore,
+fearing he might be unable to reach it again, he made for the chest,
+which was pretty near him, and laying himself flat with his breast on
+the lid thereof, guided it with his arms as best he might.[93]
+
+[Footnote 93: It seems doubtful whether _la reggeva diritta_ should
+not rather be rendered "kept it upright." Boccaccio has a knack, very
+trying to the translator, of constantly using words in an obscure or
+strained sense.]
+
+On this wise, tossed about by the sea now hither and now thither,
+without eating, as one indeed who had not the wherewithal, but
+drinking more than he could have wished, he abode all that day and the
+ensuing night, unknowing where he was and descrying nought but sea;
+but, on the following day, whether it was God's pleasure or stress of
+wind that wrought it, he came, grown well nigh a sponge and clinging
+fast with both hands to the marges of the chest, even as we see those
+do who are like to drown, to the coast of the island of Corfu, where a
+poor woman chanced to be scouring her pots and pans and making them
+bright with sand and salt water. Seeing Landolfo draw near and
+discerning in him no [human] shape, she drew back, affrighted and
+crying out. He could not speak and scarce saw, wherefore he said
+nothing; but presently, the sea carrying him landward, the woman
+descried the shape of the chest and looking straitlier, perceived
+first the arms outspread upon it and then the face and guessed it for
+that which it was.
+
+Accordingly, moved with compassion, she entered somedele into the sea,
+which was now calm, and seizing Landolfo by the hair, dragged him
+ashore, chest and all. There having with difficulty unclasped his
+hands from the chest, she set the latter on the head of a young
+daughter of hers, who was with her, and carried him off, as he were a
+little child, to her hut, where she put him in a bagnio and so chafed
+and bathed him with warm water that the strayed heat returned to him,
+together with somewhat of his lost strength. Then, taking him up out
+of the bath, whenas it seemed good to her, she comforted him with
+somewhat of good wine and confections and tended him some days, as
+best she might, till he had recovered his strength and knew where he
+was, when she judged it time to restore him his chest, which she had
+kept safe for him, and to tell him that he might now prosecute his
+fortune.
+
+Landolfo, who had no recollection of the chest, yet took it, when the
+good woman presented it to him, thinking it could not be so little
+worth but that it might defray his expenses for some days, but,
+finding it very light, was sore abated of his hopes. Nevertheless,
+what while his hostess was abroad, he broke it open, to see what it
+contained, and found therein store of precious stones, both set and
+unset. He had some knowledge of these matters and seeing them, knew
+them to be of great value; wherefore he praised God, who had not yet
+forsaken him, and was altogether comforted. However, as one who had in
+brief space been twice cruelly baffled by fortune, fearing a third
+misadventure, he bethought himself that it behoved him use great
+wariness and he would bring those things home; wherefore, wrapping
+them, as best he might, in some rags, he told the good woman that he
+had no more occasion for the chest, but that, an it pleased her, she
+should give him a bag and take the chest herself. This she willingly
+did and he, having rendered her the best thanks in his power for the
+kindness received from her, shouldered his bag and going aboard a
+bark, passed over to Brindisi and thence made his way, along the
+coast, to Trani.
+
+Here he found certain townsmen of his, who were drapers and clad him
+for the love of God,[94] after he had related to them all his
+adventures, except that of the chest; nay more, they lent him a horse
+and sent him, under escort, to Ravello, whither he said he would fain
+return. There, deeming himself in safety and thanking God who had
+conducted him thither, he opened his bag and examining everything more
+diligently than he had yet done, found he had so many and such stones
+that, supposing he sold them at a fair price or even less, he was
+twice as rich again as when he departed thence. Then, finding means to
+dispose of his jewels, he sent a good sum of money to Corfu to the
+good woman who had brought him forth of the sea, in requital of the
+service received, and the like to Trani to those who had reclothed
+him. The rest he kept for himself and lived in honour and worship to
+the end of his days, without seeking to trade any more."
+
+[Footnote 94: _i.e._ for nothing.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     ANDREUCCIO OF PERUGIA, COMING TO NAPLES TO BUY HORSES, IS IN
+     ONE NIGHT OVERTAKEN WITH THREE GRIEVOUS ACCIDENTS, BUT
+     ESCAPETH THEM ALL AND RETURNETH HOME WITH A RUBY
+
+
+"The stones found by Landolfo," began Fiammetta, to whose turn it came
+to tell, "have brought to my mind a story scarce less full of perilous
+scapes than that related by Lauretta, but differing therefrom inasmuch
+as the adventures comprised in the latter befell in the course of
+belike several years and these of which I have to tell in the space
+of a single night, as you shall hear.
+
+There was once in Perugia, as I have heard tell aforetime, a young
+man, a horse-courser, by name Andreuccio di Pietro,[95] who, hearing
+that horses were good cheap at Naples, put five hundred gold florins
+in his purse and betook himself thither with other merchants, having
+never before been away from home. He arrived there one Sunday evening,
+towards vespers, and having taken counsel with his host, sallied forth
+next morning to the market, where he saw great plenty of horses. Many
+of them pleased him and he cheapened one and another, but could not
+come to an accord concerning any. Meanwhile, to show that he was for
+buying, he now and again, like a raw unwary clown as he was, pulled
+out the purse of florins he had with him, in the presence of those who
+came and went. As he was thus engaged, with his purse displayed, it
+chanced that a Sicilian damsel, who was very handsome, but disposed
+for a small matter to do any man's pleasure, passed near him, without
+his seeing her, and catching sight of the purse, said straightway in
+herself, 'Who would fare better than I, if yonder money were mine!'
+And passed on.
+
+[Footnote 95: _i.e._ son of Pietro, as they still say in Lancashire
+and other northern provinces, "Tom o' Dick" for "Thomas, son of
+Richard," etc.]
+
+Now there was with her an old woman, likewise a Sicilian, who, seeing
+Andreuccio, let her companion pass on and running to him, embraced him
+affectionately, which when the damsel saw, she stepped aside to wait
+for her, without saying aught. Andreuccio, turning to the old woman
+and recognizing her, gave her a hearty greeting and she, having
+promised to visit him at his inn, took leave, without holding overlong
+parley there, whilst he fell again to chaffering, but bought nothing
+that morning. The damsel, who had noted first Andreuccio's purse and
+after her old woman's acquaintance with him, began cautiously to
+enquire of the latter, by way of casting about for a means of coming
+at the whole or part of the money, who and whence he was and what he
+did there and how she came to know him. The old woman told her every
+particular of Andreuccio's affairs well nigh as fully as he himself
+could have done, having long abidden with his father, first in Sicily
+and after at Perugia, and acquainted her, to boot, where he lodged and
+wherefore he was come thither.
+
+The damsel, being thus fully informed both of his name and parentage,
+thereby with subtle craft laid her plans for giving effect to her
+desire and returning home, set the old woman awork for the rest of the
+day, so she might not avail to return to Andreuccio. Then, calling a
+maid of hers, whom she had right well lessoned unto such offices, she
+despatched her, towards evensong, to the inn where Andreuccio lodged.
+As chance would have it, she found him alone at the door and enquired
+at him of himself. He answered that he was the man she sought,
+whereupon she drew him aside and said to him, 'Sir, an it please you,
+a gentlewoman of this city would fain speak with you.' Andreuccio,
+hearing this, considered himself from head to foot and himseeming he
+was a handsome varlet of his person, he concluded (as if there were
+no other well-looking young fellow to be found in Naples,) that the
+lady in question must have fallen in love with him. Accordingly, he
+answered without further deliberation that he was ready and asked the
+girl when and where the lady would speak with him; whereto she
+answered, 'Sir, whenas it pleaseth you to come, she awaiteth you in
+her house'; and Andreuccio forthwith rejoined, without saying aught to
+the people of the inn, 'Go thou on before; I will come after thee.'
+
+Thereupon the girl carried him to the house of her mistress, who dwelt
+in a street called Malpertugio,[96] the very name whereof denoteth how
+reputable a quarter it is. But he, unknowing neither suspecting aught
+thereof and thinking to go to most honourable place and to a lady of
+quality, entered the house without hesitation,--preceded by the
+serving-maid, who called her mistress and said, 'Here is
+Andreuccio,'--and mounting the stair, saw the damsel come to the
+stairhead to receive him. Now she was yet in the prime of youth, tall
+of person, with a very fair face and very handsomely dressed and
+adorned. As he drew near her, she came down three steps to meet him
+with open arms and clasping him round the neck, abode awhile without
+speaking, as if hindered by excess of tenderness; then kissed him on
+the forehead, weeping, and said, in a somewhat broken voice, 'O my
+Andreuccio, thou art indeed welcome.'
+
+[Footnote 96: _i.e._ ill hole.]
+
+He was amazed at such tender caresses and answered, all confounded,
+'Madam, you are well met.' Thereupon, taking him by the hand, she
+carried him up into her saloon and thence, without saying another word
+to him, she brought him into her chamber, which was all redolent of
+roses and orange flowers and other perfumes. Here he saw a very fine
+bed, hung round with curtains, and store of dresses upon the pegs and
+other very goodly and rich gear, after the usance of those parts; by
+reason whereof, like a freshman as he was, he firmly believed her to
+be no less than a great lady. She made him sit with her on a chest
+that stood at the foot of the bed and bespoke him thus, 'Andreuccio, I
+am very certain thou marvellest at these caresses that I bestow on
+thee and at my tears, as he may well do who knoweth me not and hath
+maybe never heard speak of me; but I have that to tell thee which is
+like to amaze thee yet more, namely, that I am thy sister; and I tell
+thee that, since God hath vouchsafed me to look upon one of my
+brothers, (though fain would I see you all,) before my death,
+henceforth I shall not die disconsolate; and as perchance thou has
+never heard of this, I will tell it thee.
+
+Pietro, my father and thine, as I doubt not thou knowest, abode long
+in Palermo and there for his good humour and pleasant composition was
+and yet is greatly beloved of those who knew him; but, among all his
+lovers, my mother, who was a lady of gentle birth and then a widow,
+was she who most affected him, insomuch that, laying aside the fear of
+her father and brethren, as well as the care of her own honour, she
+became so private with him that I was born thereof and grew up as thou
+seest me. Presently, having occasion to depart Palermo and return to
+Perugia, he left me a little maid with my mother nor ever after, for
+all that I could hear, remembered him of me or her; whereof, were he
+not my father, I should blame him sore, having regard to the
+ingratitude shown by him to my mother (to say nothing of the love it
+behoved him bear me, as his daughter, born of no serving-wench nor
+woman of mean extraction) who had, moved by very faithful love,
+without anywise knowing who he might be, committed into his hands her
+possessions and herself no less. But what [skilleth it]? Things ill
+done and long time passed are easier blamed than mended; algates, so
+it was.
+
+He left me a little child in Palermo, where being grown well nigh as I
+am now, my mother, who was a rich lady, gave me to wife to a worthy
+gentleman of Girgenti, who, for her love and mine, came to abide at
+Palermo and there, being a great Guelph,[97] he entered into treaty
+with our King Charles,[98] which, being discovered by King
+Frederick,[99] ere effect could be given to it, was the occasion of
+our being enforced to flee from Sicily, whenas I looked to be the
+greatest lady was ever in the island; wherefore, taking such few
+things as we might (I say few, in respect of the many we had) and
+leaving our lands and palaces, we took refuge in this city, where we
+found King Charles so mindful of our services that he hath in part
+made good to us the losses we had sustained for him, bestowing on us
+both lands and houses, and still maketh my husband, thy kinsman that
+is, a goodly provision, as thou shalt hereafter see. On this wise come
+I in this city, where, Godamercy and no thanks to thee, sweet my
+brother, I now behold thee.' So saying, she embraced him over again
+and kissed him on the forehead, still weeping for tenderness.
+
+[Footnote 97: _i.e._ a member of the Guelph party, as against the
+Ghibellines or partisans of the Pope.]
+
+[Footnote 98: Charles d'Anjou, afterwards King of Sicily.]
+
+[Footnote 99: _i.e._ Frederick II. of Germany.]
+
+Andreuccio, hearing this fable so orderly, so artfully delivered by
+the damsel, without ever stammering or faltering for a word, and
+remembering it to be true that his father had been in Palermo,
+knowing, moreover, by himself the fashions of young men and how
+lightly they fall in love in their youth and seeing the affectionate
+tears and embraces and the chaste kisses that she lavished on him,
+held all she told him for more than true; wherefore, as soon as she
+was silent, he answered her, saying, 'Madam, it should seem to you no
+very great matter if I marvel, for that in truth, whether it be that
+my father, for whatsoever reason, never spoke of your mother nor of
+yourself, or that if he did, it came not to my notice, I had no more
+knowledge of you than if you had never been, and so much the dearer is
+it to me to find you my sister here, as I am alone in this city and
+the less expected this. Indeed, I know no man of so high a condition
+that you should not be dear to him, to say nothing of myself, who am
+but a petty trader. But I pray you make me clear of one thing; how
+knew you that I was here?' Whereto she made answer, 'A poor woman, who
+much frequenteth me, gave me this morning to know of thy coming, for
+that, as she telleth me, she abode long with our father both at
+Palermo and at Perugia; and but that meseemed it was a more reputable
+thing that thou shouldst visit me in my own house than I thee in that
+of another, I had come to thee this great while agone.' After this,
+she proceeded to enquire more particularly of all his kinsfolk by
+name, and he answered her of all, giving the more credence, by reason
+of this, to that which it the less behoved him to believe.
+
+The talk being long and the heat great, she called for Greek wine and
+confections and let give Andreuccio to drink, after which he would
+have taken leave, for that it was supper-time; but she would on no
+wise suffer it and making a show of being sore vexed, embraced him and
+said, 'Ah, woe is me! I see but too clearly how little dear I am to
+thee! Who would believe that thou couldst be with a sister of thine,
+whom thou hast never yet seen and in whose house thou shouldst have
+lighted down, whenas thou earnest hither, and offer to leave her, to
+go sup at the inn? Indeed, thou shalt sup with me, and albeit my
+husband is abroad, which grieveth me mightily, I shall know well how
+to do thee some little honour, such as a woman may.' To which
+Andreuccio, unknowing what else he should say, answered, 'I hold you
+as dear as a sister should be held; but, an I go not, I shall be
+expected to supper all the evening and shall do an unmannerliness.'
+'Praised be God!' cried she. 'One would think I had no one in the
+house to send to tell them not to expect thee; albeit thou wouldst do
+much greater courtesy and indeed but thy duty an thou sentest to bid
+thy companions come hither to supper; and after, am thou must e'en
+begone, you might all go away together.'
+
+Andreuccio replied that he had no desire for his companions that
+evening; but that, since it was agreeable to her, she might do her
+pleasure of him. Accordingly, she made a show of sending to the inn to
+say that he was not to be expected to supper, and after much other
+discourse, they sat down to supper and were sumptuously served with
+various meats, whilst she adroitly contrived to prolong the repast
+till it was dark night. Then, when they rose from table and Andreuccio
+would have taken his leave, she declared that she would on no wise
+suffer this, for that Naples was no place to go about in by night
+especially for a stranger, and that, whenas she sent to the inn to say
+that he was not to be expected to supper, she had at the same time
+given notice that he would lie abroad. Andreuccio, believing this and
+taking pleasure in being with her, beguiled as he was by false
+credence, abode where he was, and after supper they held much and long
+discourse, not without reason,[100] till a part of the night was past,
+when she withdrew with her women into another room, leaving Andreuccio
+in her own chamber, with a little lad to wait upon him, if he should
+lack aught.
+
+[Footnote 100: The reason was that she wished to keep him in play till
+late into the night, when all the folk should be asleep and she might
+the lightlier deal with him.]
+
+The heat being great, Andreuccio, as soon as he found himself alone,
+stripped to his doublet and putting off his hosen, laid them at the
+bedhead; after which, natural use soliciting him to rid himself of the
+overmuch burden of his stomach, he asked the boy where this might be
+done, who showed him a door in one corner of the room and said, 'Go in
+there.' Accordingly he opened the door and passing through in all
+assurance, chanced to set foot on a plank, which, being broken loose
+from the joist at the opposite end, [flew up] and down they went,
+plank and man together. God so favoured him that he did himself no
+hurt in the fall, albeit he fell from some height; but he was all
+bemired with the ordure whereof the place was full; and in order that
+you may the better apprehend both that which hath been said and that
+which ensueth, I will show you how the place lay. There were in a
+narrow alley, such as we often see between two houses, a pair of
+rafters laid from one house to another, and thereon sundry boards
+nailed and the place of session set up; of which boards that which
+gave way with Andreuccio was one.
+
+Finding himself, then, at the bottom of the alley and sore chagrined
+at the mishap, he fell a-bawling for the boy; but the latter, as soon
+as he heard him fall, had run to tell his mistress, who hastened to
+his chamber and searching hurriedly if his clothes were there, found
+them and with them the money, which, in his mistrust, he still
+foolishly carried about him. Having now gotten that for which,
+feigning herself of Palermo and sister to a Perugian, she had set her
+snare, she took no more reck of him, but hastened to shut the door
+whereby he had gone out when he fell.
+
+Andreuccio, getting no answer from the boy, proceeded to call
+loudlier, but to no purpose; whereupon, his suspicions being now
+aroused, he began too late to smoke the cheat. Accordingly, he
+scrambled over a low wall that shut off the alley from the street, and
+letting himself down into the road, went up to the door of the house,
+which he knew very well, and there called long and loud and shook and
+beat upon it amain, but all in vain. Wherefore, bewailing himself, as
+one who was now fully aware of his mischance, 'Ah, woe is me!' cried
+he. 'In how little time have I lost five hundred florins and a
+sister!' Then, after many other words, he fell again to battering the
+door and crying out and this he did so long and so lustily that many
+of the neighbours, being awakened and unable to brook the annoy, arose
+and one of the courtezan's waiting-women, coming to the window,
+apparently all sleepy-eyed, said peevishly, 'Who knocketh below
+there?'
+
+'What?' cried Andreuccio. 'Dost thou not know me? I am Andreuccio,
+brother to Madam Fiordaliso.' Whereto quoth she, 'Good man, an thou
+have drunken overmuch, go sleep and come back to-morrow morning. I
+know no Andreuccio nor what be these idle tales thou tellest. Begone
+in peace and let us sleep, so it please thee.' 'How?' replied
+Andreuccio. 'Thou knowest not what I mean? Certes, thou knowest; but,
+if Sicilian kinships be of such a fashion that they are forgotten in
+so short a time, at least give me back my clothes and I will begone
+with all my heart.' 'Good man,' rejoined she, as if laughing,
+'methinketh thou dreamest'; and to say this and to draw in her head
+and shut the window were one and the same thing. Whereat Andreuccio,
+now fully certified of his loss, was like for chagrin to turn his
+exceeding anger into madness and bethought himself to seek to recover
+by violence that which he might not have again with words; wherefore,
+taking up a great stone, he began anew to batter the door more
+furiously than ever.
+
+At this many of the neighbours, who had already been awakened and had
+arisen, deeming him some pestilent fellow who had trumped up this
+story to spite the woman of the house and provoked at the knocking he
+kept up, came to the windows and began to say, no otherwise than as
+all the dogs of a quarter bark after a strange dog, ''Tis a villainous
+shame to come at this hour to decent women's houses and tell these
+cock-and-bull stories. For God's sake, good man, please you begone in
+peace and let us sleep. An thou have aught to mell with her, come back
+to-morrow and spare us this annoy to-night.' Taking assurance,
+perchance, by these words, there came to the window one who was within
+the house, a bully of the gentlewoman's, whom Andreuccio had as yet
+neither heard nor seen, and said, in a terrible big rough voice, 'Who
+is below there?'
+
+Andreuccio, hearing this, raised his eyes and saw at the window one
+who, by what little he could make out, himseemed should be a very
+masterful fellow, with a bushy black beard on his face, and who yawned
+and rubbed his eyes, as he had arisen from bed or deep sleep;
+whereupon, not without fear, he answered, 'I am a brother of the lady
+of the house.' The other waited not for him to make an end of his
+reply, but said, more fiercely than before, 'I know not what hindereth
+me from coming down and cudgelling thee what while I see thee stir,
+for a pestilent drunken ass as thou must be, who will not let us sleep
+this night.' Then, drawing back into the house, he shut the window;
+whereupon certain of the neighbours, who were better acquainted with
+the fellow's quality, said softly to Andreuccio, 'For God's sake, good
+man, begone in peace and abide not there to-night to be slain; get
+thee gone for thine own good.'
+
+Andreuccio, terrified at the fellow's voice and aspect and moved by
+the exhortations of the neighbours, who seemed to him to speak out of
+charity, set out to return to his inn, in the direction of the quarter
+whence he had followed the maid, without knowing whither to go,
+despairing of his money and woebegone as ever man was. Being loathsome
+to himself, for the stench that came from him, and thinking to repair
+to the sea to wash himself, he turned to the left and followed a
+street called Ruga Catalana,[101] that led towards the upper part of
+the city. Presently, he espied two men coming towards him with a
+lantern and fearing they might be officers of the watch or other
+ill-disposed folk, he stealthily took refuge, to avoid them, in a
+hovel, that he saw hard by. But they, as of malice aforethought, made
+straight for the same place and entering in, began to examine certain
+irons which one of them laid from off his shoulder, discoursing
+various things thereof the while.
+
+[Footnote 101: _i.e._ Catalan Street.]
+
+Presently, 'What meaneth this?' quoth one. 'I smell the worst stench
+meseemeth I ever smelt.' So saying, he raised the lantern and seeing
+the wretched Andreuccio, enquired, in amazement. 'Who is there?'
+Andreuccio made no answer, but they came up to him with the light and
+asked him what he did there in such a pickle; whereupon he related to
+them all that had befallen him, and they, conceiving where this might
+have happened, said, one to the other, 'Verily, this must have been
+in the house of Scarabone Buttafuocco.' Then, turning to him, 'Good
+man,' quoth one, 'albeit thou hast lost thy money, thou hast much
+reason to praise God that this mischance betided thee, so that thou
+fellest nor couldst after avail to enter the house again; for, hadst
+thou not fallen, thou mayst be assured that, when once thou wast
+fallen asleep, thou hadst been knocked on the head and hadst lost thy
+life as well as thy money. But what booteth it now to repine? Thou
+mayst as well look to have the stars out of the sky as to recover a
+farthing of thy money; nay, thou art like to be murdered, should
+yonder fellow hear that thou makest any words thereof.' Then they
+consulted together awhile and presently said to him, 'Look you, we are
+moved to pity for thee; wherefore, an thou wilt join with us in
+somewhat we go about to do, it seemeth to us certain that there will
+fall to thee for thy share much more than the value of that which thou
+hast lost.' Whereupon Andreuccio, in his desperation, answered that he
+was ready.
+
+Now there had been that day buried an archbishop of Naples, by name
+Messer Filippo Minutolo, and he had been interred in his richest
+ornaments and with a ruby on his finger worth more than five hundred
+florins of gold. Him they were minded to despoil and this their intent
+they discovered to Andreuccio, who, more covetous than well-advised,
+set out with them for the cathedral. As they went, Andreuccio still
+stinking amain, one of the thieves said, 'Can we not find means for
+this fellow to wash himself a little, be it where it may, so he may
+not stink so terribly?' 'Ay can we,' answered the other. 'We are here
+near a well, where there useth to be a rope and pulley and a great
+bucket; let us go thither and we will wash him in a trice.'
+Accordingly they made for the well in question and found the rope
+there, but the bucket had been taken away; wherefore they took counsel
+together to tie him to the rope and let him down into the well, so he
+might wash himself there, charging him shake the rope as soon as he
+was clean, and they would pull him up.
+
+Hardly had they let him down when, as chance would have it, certain of
+the watch, being athirst for the heat and with running after some
+rogue or another, came to the well to drink, and the two rogues,
+setting eyes on them, made off incontinent, before the officers saw
+them. Presently, Andreuccio, having washed himself at the bottom of
+the well, shook the rope, and the thirsty officers, laying by their
+targets and arms and surcoats, began to haul upon the rope, thinking
+the bucket full of water at the other end. As soon as Andreuccio found
+himself near the top, he let go the rope and laid hold of the marge
+with both hands; which when the officers saw, overcome with sudden
+affright, they dropped the rope, without saying a word, and took to
+their heels as quickliest they might. At this Andreuccio marvelled
+sore, and but that he had fast hold of the marge, would have fallen to
+the bottom, to his no little hurt or maybe death. However, he made his
+way out and finding the arms, which he knew were none of his
+companions' bringing, he was yet more amazed; but, knowing not what to
+make of it and misdoubting [some snare], he determined to begone
+without touching aught and accordingly made off he knew not whither,
+bewailing his ill-luck.
+
+As he went, he met his two comrades, who came to draw him forth of the
+well; and when they saw him, they marvelled exceedingly and asked him
+who had drawn him up. Andreuccio replied that he knew not and told
+them orderly how it had happened and what he had found by the
+wellside, whereupon the others, perceiving how the case stood, told
+him, laughing, why they had fled and who these were that had pulled
+him up. Then, without farther parley, it being now middle night, they
+repaired to the cathedral and making their way thereinto lightly
+enough, went straight to the archbishop's tomb, which was of marble
+and very large. With their irons they raised the lid, which was very
+heavy, and propped it up so as a man might enter; which being done,
+quoth one, 'Who shall go in?' 'Not I,' answered the other. 'Nor I,'
+rejoined his fellow; 'let Andreuccio enter.' 'That will I not,' said
+the latter; whereupon the two rogues turned upon him and said, 'How!
+Thou wilt not? Cock's faith, an thou enter not, we will clout thee
+over the costard with one of these iron bars till thou fall dead.'
+
+Andreuccio, affrighted, crept into the tomb, saying in himself the
+while, 'These fellows will have me go in here so they may cheat me,
+for that, when I shall have given them everything, they will begone
+about their business, whilst I am labouring to win out of the tomb,
+and I shall abide empty-handed.' Accordingly, he determined to make
+sure of his share beforehand; wherefore, as soon as he came to the
+bottom, calling to mind the precious ring whereof he had heard them
+speak, he drew it from the archbishop's finger and set it on his own.
+Then he passed them the crozier and mitre and gloves and stripping the
+dead man to his shirt, gave them everything, saying that there was
+nothing more. The others declared that the ring must be there and bade
+him seek everywhere; but he replied that he found it not and making a
+show of seeking it, kept them in play awhile. At last, the two rogues,
+who were no less wily than himself, bidding him seek well the while,
+took occasion to pull away the prop that held up the lid and made off,
+leaving him shut in the tomb.
+
+What became of Andreuccio, when he found himself in this plight, you
+may all imagine for yourselves. He strove again and again to heave up
+the lid with his head and shoulders, but only wearied himself in vain;
+wherefore, overcome with chagrin and despair, he fell down in a swoon
+upon the archbishop's dead body; and whoso saw him there had hardly
+known which was the deader, the prelate or he. Presently, coming to
+himself, he fell into a passion of weeping, seeing he must there
+without fail come to one of two ends, to wit, either he must, if none
+came thither to open the tomb again, die of hunger and stench, among
+the worms of the dead body, or, if any came and found him there, he
+would certainly be hanged for a thief.
+
+As he abode in this mind, exceeding woebegone, he heard folk stirring
+in the Church and many persons speaking and presently perceived that
+they came to do that which he and his comrades had already done;
+whereat fear redoubled upon him. But, after the newcomers had forced
+open the tomb and propped up the lid, they fell into dispute of who
+should go in, and none was willing to do it. However, after long
+parley, a priest said, 'What fear ye? Think you he will eat you? The
+dead eat not men. I will go in myself.' So saying, he set his breast
+to the marge of the tomb and turning his head outward, put in his
+legs, thinking to let himself drop. Andreuccio, seeing this, started
+up and catching the priest by one of his legs, made a show of offering
+to pull him down into the tomb. The other, feeling this, gave a
+terrible screech and flung precipitately out of the tomb; whereupon
+all the others fled in terror, as they were pursued by an hundred
+thousand devils, leaving the tomb open.
+
+Andreuccio, seeing this, scrambled hastily out of the tomb, rejoiced
+beyond all hope, and made off out of the church by the way he had
+entered in. The day now drawing near, he fared on at a venture, with
+the ring on his finger, till he came to the sea-shore and thence made
+his way back to his inn, where he found his comrades and the host, who
+had been in concern for him all that night. He told them what had
+betided him and themseemed, by the host's counsel, that he were best
+depart Naples incontinent. Accordingly, he set out forthright and
+returned to Perugia, having invested his money in a ring, whereas he
+came to buy horses."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     MADAM BERITOLA, HAVING LOST HER TWO SONS, IS FOUND ON A
+     DESERT ISLAND WITH TWO KIDS AND GOETH THENCE INTO LUNIGIANA,
+     WHERE ONE OF HER SONS, TAKING SERVICE WITH THE LORD OF THE
+     COUNTRY, LIETH WITH HIS DAUGHTER AND IS CAST INTO PRISON.
+     SICILY AFTER REBELLING AGAINST KING CHARLES AND THE YOUTH
+     BEING RECOGNIZED BY HIS MOTHER, HE ESPOUSETH HIS LORD'S
+     DAUGHTER, AND HIS BROTHER BEING LIKEWISE FOUND, THEY ARE ALL
+     THREE RESTORED TO HIGH ESTATE
+
+
+Ladies and young men alike laughed heartily at Andreuccio's
+adventures, as related by Fiammetta, and Emilia, seeing the story
+ended, began, by the queen's commandment, to speak thus: "Grievous
+things and woeful are the various shifts of Fortune, whereof,--for
+that, whenassoever it is discoursed of them, it is an awakenment for
+our minds, which lightly fall asleep under her blandishments,--methinketh
+it should never be irksome either to the happy or the unhappy to hear
+tell, inasmuch as it rendereth the former wary and consoleth the
+latter. Wherefore, albeit great things have already been recounted
+upon this subject, I purpose to tell you thereanent a story no less
+true than pitiful, whereof, for all it had a joyful ending, so great
+and so longsome was the bitterness that I can scarce believe it to
+have been assuaged by any subsequent gladness.
+
+You must know, dearest ladies, that, after the death of the Emperor
+Frederick the Second, Manfred was crowned King of Sicily, in very high
+estate with whom was a gentleman of Naples called Arrighetto Capece,
+who had to wife a fair and noble lady, also of Naples, by name Madam
+Beritola Caracciola. The said Arrighetto, who had the governance of
+the island in his hands, hearing that King Charles the First[102] had
+overcome and slain Manfred at Benevento and that all the realm had
+revolted to him and having scant assurance of the short-lived fidelity
+of the Sicilians, prepared for flight, misliking to become a subject
+of his lord's enemy; but, his intent being known of the Sicilians, he
+and many other friends and servants of King Manfred were suddenly made
+prisoners and delivered to King Charles, together with possession of
+the island.
+
+[Footnote 102: Charles d'Anjou.]
+
+Madam Beritola, in this grievous change of affairs, knowing not what
+was come of Arrighetto and sore adread of that which had befallen,
+abandoned all her possessions for fear of shame and poor and pregnant
+as she was, embarked, with a son of hers and maybe eight years of age,
+Giusfredi by name, in a little boat and fled to Lipari, where she gave
+birth to another male child, whom she named Scacciato,[103] and
+getting her a nurse, took ship with all three to return to her
+kinsfolk at Naples. But it befell otherwise than as she purposed; for
+that the ship, which should have gone to Naples, was carried by stress
+of wind to the island of Ponza,[104] where they entered a little bight
+of the sea and there awaited an occasion for continuing their voyage.
+Madam Beritola, going up, like the rest, into the island and finding a
+remote and solitary place, addressed herself to make moan for her
+Arrighetto, all alone there.
+
+[Footnote 103: _i.e._ the Banished or the Expelled One.]
+
+[Footnote 104: An island in the Gulf of Gaeta, about 70 miles from
+Naples. It is now inhabited, but appears in Boccaccio's time to have
+been desert.]
+
+This being her daily usance, it chanced one day that, as she was
+occupied in bewailing herself, there came up a pirate galley,
+unobserved of any, sailor or other, and taking them all at unawares,
+made off with her prize. Madam Beritola, having made an end of her
+diurnal lamentation, returned to the sea-shore, as she was used to do,
+to visit her children, but found none there; whereat she first
+marvelled and after, suddenly misdoubting her of that which had
+happened, cast her eyes out to sea and saw the galley at no great
+distance, towing the little ship after it; whereby she knew but too
+well that she had lost her children, as well as her husband, and
+seeing herself there poor and desolate and forsaken, unknowing where
+she should ever again find any of them, she fell down aswoon upon the
+strand, calling upon her husband and her children. There was none
+there to recall her distracted spirits with cold water or other
+remedy, wherefore they might at their leisure go wandering whither it
+pleased them; but, after awhile, the lost senses returning to her
+wretched body, in company with tears and lamentations, she called long
+upon her children and went a great while seeking them in every cavern.
+At last, finding all her labour in vain and seeing the night coming
+on, she began, hoping and knowing not what, to be careful for herself
+and departing the sea-shore, returned to the cavern where she was wont
+to weep and bemoan herself.
+
+She passed the night in great fear and inexpressible dolour and the
+new day being come and the hour of tierce past, she was fain,
+constrained by hunger, for that she had not supped overnight, to
+browse upon herbs; and having fed as best she might, she gave herself,
+weeping, to various thoughts of her future life. Pondering thus, she
+saw a she-goat enter a cavern hard by and presently issue thence and
+betake herself into the wood; whereupon she arose and entering whereas
+the goat had come forth, found there two little kidlings, born belike
+that same day, which seemed to her the quaintest and prettiest things
+in the world. Her milk being yet undried from her recent delivery, she
+tenderly took up the kids and set them to her breast. They refused not
+the service, but sucked her as if she had been their dam and
+thenceforth made no distinction between the one and the other.
+Wherefore, herseeming she had found some company in that desert place,
+and growing no less familiar with the old goat than with her little
+ones, she resigned herself to live and die there and abode eating of
+herbs and drinking water and weeping as often as she remembered her of
+her husband and children and of her past life.
+
+The gentle lady, thus grown a wild creature, abiding on this wise, it
+befell, after some months, that there came on like wise to the place
+whither she had aforetime been driven by stress of weather, a little
+vessel from Pisa and there abode some days. On broad this bark was a
+gentleman named Currado [of the family] of the Marquises of Malespina,
+who, with his wife, a lady of worth and piety, was on his return home
+from a pilgrimage to all the holy places that be in the kingdom of
+Apulia. To pass away the time, Currado set out one day, with his lady
+and certain of his servants and his dogs, to go about the island, and
+not far from Madam Beritola's place of harbourage, the dogs started
+the two kids, which were now grown pretty big, as they went grazing.
+The latter, chased by the dogs, fled to no other place but into the
+cavern where was Madam Beritola, who, seeing this, started to her feet
+and catching up a staff, beat off the dogs. Currado and his wife, who
+came after them, seeing the lady, who was grown swart and lean and
+hairy, marvelled, and she yet more at them. But after Currado had, at
+her instance, called off his dogs, they prevailed with her, by dint of
+much entreaty, to tell them who she was and what she did there;
+whereupon she fully discovered to them her whole condition and all
+that had befallen her, together with her firm resolution [to abide
+alone in the island].
+
+Currado, who had know Arrighetto Capece very well, hearing this, wept
+for pity, and did his utmost to divert her with words from so
+barbarous a purpose, offering to carry her back to her own house or to
+keep her with himself, holding her in such honour as his sister, until
+God should send her happier fortune. The lady not yielding to these
+proffers, Currado left his wife with her, bidding the latter cause
+bring thither to eat and clothe the lady, who was all in rags, with
+some of her own apparel, and charging her contrive, by whatsoever
+means, to bring her away with her. Accordingly, the gentle lady, being
+left with Madam Beritola, after condoling with her amain of her
+misfortunes, sent for raiment and victual and prevailed on her, with
+all the pains in the world, to don the one and eat the other.
+
+Ultimately, after many prayers, Madam Beritola protesting that she
+would never consent to go whereas she might be known, she persuaded
+her to go with her into Lunigiana, together with the two kids and
+their dam, which latter were meantime returned and had greeted her
+with the utmost fondness, to the no small wonderment of the
+gentlewoman. Accordingly, as soon as fair weather was come, Madam
+Beritola embarked with Currado and his lady in their vessel, carrying
+with her the two kids and the she-goat (on whose account, her name
+being everywhere unknown, she was styled Cavriuola[105]) and setting
+sail with a fair wind, came speedily to the mouth of the Magra,[106]
+where they landed and went up to Currado's castle. There Madam
+Beritola abode, in a widow's habit, about the person of Currado's
+lady, as one of her waiting-women, humble, modest and obedient, still
+cherishing her kids and letting nourish them.
+
+[Footnote 105: _i.e._ wild she-goat.]
+
+[Footnote 106: A river falling into the Gulf of Genoa between Carrara
+and Spezzia.]
+
+Meanwhile, the corsairs, who had taken the ship wherein Madam Beritola
+came to Ponza, but had left herself, as being unseen of them, betook
+themselves with all the other folk to Genoa, where, the booty coming
+to be shared among the owners of the galley, it chanced that the nurse
+and the two children fell, amongst other things, to the lot of a
+certain Messer Guasparrino d'Oria,[107] who sent them all three to his
+mansion, to be there employed as slaves about the service of the
+house. The nurse, afflicted beyond measure at the loss of her mistress
+and at the wretched condition where into she found herself and the two
+children fallen, wept long and sore; but, for that, albeit a poor
+woman, she was discreet and well-advised, when she saw that tears
+availed nothing and that she was become a slave together with them,
+she first comforted herself as best she might and after, considering
+whither they were come, she bethought herself that, should the two
+children be known, they might lightly chance to suffer hindrance;
+wherefore, hoping withal that, sooner or later fortune might change
+and they, an they lived, regain their lost estate, she resolved to
+discover to no one who they were, until she should see occasion
+therefor, and told all who asked her thereof that they were her sons.
+The elder she named, not Giusfredi, but Giannotto di Procida (the name
+of the younger she cared not to change), and explained to him, with
+the utmost diligence, why she had changed his name, showing him in
+what peril he might be, an he were known. This she set out to him not
+once, but many and many a time, and the boy, who was quick of wit,
+punctually obeyed the enjoinment of his discreet nurse.
+
+[Footnote 107: More familiar to modern ears as Doria.]
+
+Accordingly, the two boys and their nurse abode patiently in Messer
+Guasparrino's house several years, ill-clad and worse shod and
+employed about the meanest offices. But Giannotto, who was now sixteen
+years of age, and had more spirit than pertained to a slave, scorning
+the baseness of a menial condition, embarked on board certain galleys
+bound for Alexandria and taking leave of Messer Guasparrino's service,
+journeyed to divers parts, without any wise availing to advance
+himself. At last some three or four years after his departure from
+Genoa, being grown a handsome youth and tall of his person and hearing
+that his father, whom he thought dead, was yet alive, but was kept by
+King Charles in prison and duresse, he went wandering at a venture,
+well nigh despairing of fortune, till he came to Lunigiana and there,
+as chance would have it, took service with Currado Malespina, whom he
+served with great aptitude and acceptance. And albeit he now and again
+saw his mother, who was with Currado's lady, he never recognized her
+nor she him, so much had time changed the one and the other from that
+which they were used to be, whenas they last set eyes on each other.
+
+Giannotto being, then, in Currado's service, it befell that a daughter
+of the latter, by name Spina, being left the widow of one Niccolo da
+Grignano, returned to her father's house and being very fair and
+agreeable and a girl of little more than sixteen years of age, chanced
+to cast eyes on Giannotto and he on her, and they became passionately
+enamoured of each other. Their love was not long without effect and
+lasted several months ere any was ware thereof. Wherefore, taking
+overmuch assurance, they began to order themselves with less
+discretion than behoveth unto matters of this kind, and one day, as
+they went, the young lady and Giannotto together, through a fair and
+thickset wood, they pushed on among the trees, leaving the rest of the
+company behind. Presently, themseeming they had far foregone the
+others, they laid themselves down to rest in a pleasant place, full of
+grass and flowers and shut in with trees, and there fell to taking
+amorous delight one of the other.
+
+In this occupation, the greatness of their delight making the time
+seem brief to them, albeit they had been there a great while, they
+were surprised, first by the girl's mother and after by Currado, who,
+chagrined beyond measure at this sight, without saying aught of the
+cause, had them both seized by three of his serving-men and carried in
+bonds to a castle of his and went off, boiling with rage and despite
+and resolved to put them both to a shameful death. The girl's mother,
+although sore incensed and holding her daughter worthy of the severest
+punishment for her default, having by certain words of Currado
+apprehended his intent towards the culprits and unable to brook this,
+hastened after her enraged husband and began to beseech him that it
+would please him not run madly to make himself in his old age the
+murderer of his own daughter and to soil his hands with the blood of
+one of his servants, but to find other means of satisfying his wrath,
+such as to clap them in prison and there let them pine and bewail the
+fault committed. With these and many other words the pious lady so
+wrought upon him that she turned his mind from putting them to death
+and he bade imprison them, each in a place apart, where they should be
+well guarded and kept with scant victual and much unease, till such
+time as he should determine farther of them. As he bade, so was it
+done, and what their life was in duresse and continual tears and in
+fasts longer than might have behoved unto them, each may picture to
+himself.
+
+What while Giannotto and Spina abode in this doleful case and had
+therein already abidden a year's space, unremembered of Currado, it
+came to pass that King Pedro of Arragon, by the procurement of Messer
+Gian di Procida, raised the island of Sicily against King Charles and
+took it from him, whereat Currado, being a Ghibelline,[108] rejoiced
+exceedingly, Giannotto, hearing of this from one of those who had him
+in guard, heaved a great sigh and said, 'Ah, woe is me! These fourteen
+years have I gone ranging beggarlike about the world, looking for
+nought other than this, which, now that it is come, so I may never
+again hope for weal, hath found me in a prison whence I have no hope
+ever to come forth, save dead.' 'How so?' asked the gaoler. 'What doth
+that concern thee which great kings do to one another? What hast thou
+to do in Sicily?' Quoth Giannotto, 'My heart is like to burst when I
+remember me of that which my father erst had to do there, whom, albeit
+I was but a little child, when I fled thence, yet do I mind me to have
+been lord thereof, in the lifetime of King Manfred.' 'And who was thy
+father?' asked the gaoler. 'My father's name,' answered Giannotto, 'I
+may now safely make known, since I find myself in the peril whereof I
+was in fear, an I discovered it. He was and is yet, an he live, called
+Arrighetto Capece, and my name is, not Giannotto, but Giusfredi, and I
+doubt not a jot, an I were quit of this prison, but I might yet, by
+returning to Sicily, have very high place there.'
+
+[Footnote 108: The Ghibellines were the supporters of the Papal
+faction against the Guelphs or adherents of the Emperor Frederick II.
+of Germany. The cardinal struggle between the two factions took place
+over the succession to the throne of Naples and Sicily, to which the
+Pope appointed Charles of Anjou, who overcame and killed the reigning
+sovereign Manfred, but was himself, through the machinations of the
+Ghibellines, expelled from Sicily by the celebrated popular rising
+known as the Sicilian Vespers.]
+
+The honest man, without asking farther, reported Giannotto's words, as
+first he had occasion, to Currado, who, hearing this,--albeit he
+feigned to the gaoler to make light of it,--betook himself to Madam
+Beritola and courteously asked her if she had had by Arrighetto a son
+named Giusfredi. The lady answered, weeping, that, if the elder of her
+two sons were alive, he would so be called and would be two-and-twenty
+years old. Currado, hearing this, concluded that this must be he and
+bethought himself that, were it so, he might at once do a great mercy
+and take away his own and his daughter's shame by giving her to
+Giannotto to wife; wherefore, sending privily for the latter, he
+particularly examined him touching all his past life and finding, by
+very manifest tokens, that he was indeed Giusfredi, son of Arrighetto
+Capece, he said to him, 'Giannotto, thou knowest what and how great is
+the wrong thou hast done me in the person of my daughter, whereas, I
+having ever well and friendly entreated thee, it behoved thee, as a
+servant should, still to study and do for my honour and interest; and
+many there be who, hadst thou used them like as thou hast used me,
+would have put thee to a shameful death, the which my clemency brooked
+not. Now, if it be as thou tellest me, to wit, that thou art the son
+of a man of condition and of a noble lady, I purpose, an thou thyself
+be willing, to put an end to thy tribulations and relieving thee from
+the misery and duresse wherein thou abidest, to reinstate at once
+thine honour and mine own in their due stead. As thou knowest, Spina,
+whom thou hast, though after a fashion misbeseeming both thyself and
+her, taken with love-liking, is a widow and her dowry is both great
+and good; as for her manners and her father and mother, thou knowest
+them, and of thy present state I say nothing. Wherefore, an thou will,
+I purpose that, whereas she hath unlawfully been thy mistress, she
+shall now lawfully become thy wife and that thou shalt abide here with
+me and with her, as my very son, so long as it shall please thee.'
+
+Now prison had mortified Giannotto's flesh, but had nothing abated the
+generous spirit, which he derived from his noble birth, nor yet the
+entire affection he bore his mistress; and albeit he ardently desired
+that which Currado proffered him and saw himself in the latter's
+power, yet no whit did he dissemble of that which the greatness of his
+soul prompted him to say; wherefore he answered, 'Currado, neither
+lust of lordship nor greed of gain nor other cause whatever hath ever
+made me lay snares, traitor-wise, for thy life or thy good. I loved
+and love thy daughter and still shall love her, for that I hold her
+worthy of my love, and if I dealt with her less than honourably, in
+the opinion of the vulgar, my sin was one which still goeth hand in
+hand with youth and which an you would do away, it behoveth you first
+do away with youth. Moreover, it is an offence which, would the old
+but remember them of having been young and measure the defaults of
+others by their own and their own by those of others, would show less
+grievous than thou and many others make it; and as a friend, and not
+as an enemy, I committed it. This that thou profferest me I have still
+desired and had I thought it should be vouchsafed me, I had long since
+sought it; and so much the dearer will it now be to me, as my hope
+thereof was less. If, then, thou have not that intent which thy words
+denote, feed me not with vain hope; but restore me to prison and there
+torment me as thou wilt, for, so long as I love Spina, even so, for
+the love of her, shall I still love thee, whatsoever thou dost with
+me, and have thee in reverence.'
+
+Currado, hearing this, marvelled and held him great of soul and his
+love fervent and tendered him therefore the dearer; wherefore, rising
+to his feet, he embraced him and kissed him and without more delay
+bade privily bring Spina thither. Accordingly, the lady--who was grown
+lean and pale and weakly in prison and showed well nigh another than
+she was wont to be, as on like wise Giannotto another man--being come,
+the two lovers in Currado's presence with one consent contracted
+marriage according to our usance. Then, after some days, during which
+he had let furnish the newly-married pair with all that was necessary
+or agreeable to them, he deemed it time to gladden their mothers with
+the good news and accordingly calling his lady and Cavriuola, he said
+to the latter, 'What would you say, madam, an I should cause you have
+again your elder son as the husband of one of my daughters?' Whereto
+she answered, 'Of that I can say to you no otherwhat than that, could
+I be more beholden to you than I am, I should be so much the more so
+as you would have restored to me that which is dearer to me than mine
+own self; and restoring it to me on such wise as you say, you would in
+some measure re-awaken in me my lost hope.' With this, she held her
+peace, weeping, and Currado said to his lady, 'And thou, mistress, how
+wouldst thou take it, were I to present thee with such a son-in-law?'
+The lady replied, 'Even a common churl, so he pleased you, would
+please me, let alone one of these,[109] who are men of gentle birth.'
+'Then,' said Currado, 'I hope, ere many days, to make you happy women
+in this.'
+
+[Footnote 109: _i.e._ Beritola's sons.]
+
+Accordingly, seeing the two young folk now restored to their former
+cheer, he clad them sumptuously and said to Giusfredi, 'Were it not
+dear to thee, over and above thy present joyance, an thou sawest thy
+mother here?' Whereto he answered, 'I dare not flatter myself that the
+chagrin of her unhappy chances can have left her so long alive; but,
+were it indeed so, it were dear to me above all, more by token that
+methinketh I might yet, by her counsel, avail to recover great part of
+my estate in Sicily.' Thereupon Currado sent for both the ladies, who
+came and made much of the newly-wedded wife, no little wondering what
+happy inspiration it could have been that prompted Currado to such
+exceeding complaisance as he had shown in joining Giannotto with her
+in marriage. Madam Beritola, by reason of the words she had heard from
+Currado, began to consider Giannotto and some remembrance of the
+boyish lineaments of her son's countenance being by occult virtue
+awakened in her, without awaiting farther explanation, she ran,
+open-armed, to cast herself upon his neck, nor did overabounding
+emotion and maternal joy suffer her to say a word; nay, they so locked
+up all her senses that she fell into her son's arms, as if dead.
+
+The latter, albeit he was sore amazed, remembering to have many times
+before seen her in that same castle and never recognized her,
+nevertheless knew incontinent the maternal odour and blaming himself
+for his past heedlessness, received her, weeping, in his arms and
+kissed her tenderly. After awhile, Madam Beritola, being
+affectionately tended by Currado's lady and Spina and plied both with
+cold water and other remedies, recalled her strayed senses and
+embracing her son anew, full of maternal tenderness, with many tears
+and many tender words, kissed him a thousand times, whilst he all
+reverently beheld and entreated her. After these joyful and honourable
+greetings had been thrice or four times repeated, to the no small
+contentment of the bystanders, and they had related unto each other
+all that had befallen them, Currado now, to the exceeding satisfaction
+of all, signified to his friends the new alliance made by him and gave
+ordinance for a goodly and magnificent entertainment.
+
+Then said Giusfredi to him, 'Currado, you have made me glad of many
+things and have long honourably entertained my mother; and now, that
+no whit may remain undone of that which it is in your power to do, I
+pray you gladden my mother and bride-feast and myself with the
+presence of my brother, whom Messer Guasparrino d'Oria holdeth in
+servitude in his house and whom, as I have already told you, he took
+with me in one of his cruises. Moreover, I would have you send into
+Sicily one who shall thoroughly inform himself of the state and
+condition of the country and study to learn what is come of
+Arrighetto, my father, an he be alive or dead, and if he be alive, in
+what estate; of all which having fully certified himself, let him
+return to us.' Giusfredi's request was pleasing to Currado, and
+without any delay he despatched very discreet persons both to Genoa
+and to Sicily.
+
+He who went to Genoa there sought out Messer Guasparrino and instantly
+besought him, on Currado's part, to send him Scacciato and his nurse,
+orderly recounting to him all his lord's dealings with Giusfredi and
+his mother. Messer Guasparrino marvelled exceedingly to hear this and
+said, 'True is it I would do all I may to pleasure Currado, and I
+have, indeed, these fourteen years had in my house the boy thou
+seekest and one his mother, both of whom I will gladly send him; but
+do thou bid him, on my part, beware of lending overmuch credence to
+the fables of Giannotto, who nowadays styleth himself Giusfredi, for
+that he is a far greater knave than he deemeth.' So saying, he caused
+honourably entertain the gentleman and sending privily for the nurse,
+questioned her shrewdly touching the matter. Now she had heard of the
+Sicilian revolt and understood Arrighetto to be alive, wherefore,
+casting off her former fears, she told him everything in order and
+showed him the reasons that had moved her to do as she had done.
+
+Messer Guasparrino, finding her tale to accord perfectly with that of
+Currado's messenger, began to give credit to the latter's words and
+having by one means and another, like a very astute man as he was,
+made enquiry of the matter and happening hourly upon things that gave
+him more and more assurance of the fact, took shame to himself of his
+mean usage of the lad, in amends whereof, knowing what Arrighetto had
+been and was, he gave him to wife a fair young daughter of his, eleven
+years of age, with a great dowry. Then, after making a great
+bride-feast thereon, he embarked with the boy and girl and Currado's
+messenger and the nurse in a well-armed galliot and betook himself to
+Lerici, where he was received by Currado and went up, with all his
+company, to one of the latter's castles, not far removed thence, where
+there was a great banquet toward.
+
+The mother's joy at seeing her son again and that of the two brothers
+in each other and of all three in the faithful nurse, the honour done
+of all to Messer Guasparrino and his daughter and of him to all and
+the rejoicing of all together with Currado and his lady and children
+and friends, no words might avail to express; wherefore, ladies, I
+leave it to you to imagine. Thereunto,[110] that it might be complete,
+it pleased God the Most High, a most abundant giver, whenas He
+beginneth, to add the glad news of the life and well-being of
+Arrighetto Capece; for that, the feast being at its height and the
+guests, both ladies and men, yet at table for the first service, there
+came he who had been sent into Sicily and amongst other things,
+reported of Arrighetto that he, being kept in captivity by King
+Charles, whenas the revolt against the latter broke out in the land,
+the folk ran in a fury to the prison and slaying his guards, delivered
+himself and as a capital enemy of King Charles, made him their captain
+and followed him to expel and slay the French: wherefore he was become
+in especial favour with King Pedro,[111] who had reinstated him in all
+his honours and possessions, and was now in great good case. The
+messenger added that he had received himself with the utmost honour
+and had rejoiced with inexpressible joy in the recovery of his wife
+and son, of whom he had heard nothing since his capture; moreover, he
+had sent a brigantine for them, with divers gentlemen aboard, who came
+after him.
+
+[Footnote 110: _i.e._ to which general joy.]
+
+[Footnote 111: Pedro of Arragon, son-in-law of Manfred, who, in
+consequence of the Sicilian Vespers, succeeded Charles d'Anjou as King
+of Sicily.]
+
+The messenger was received and hearkened with great gladness and
+rejoicing, whilst Currado, with certain of his friends, set out
+incontinent to meet the gentlemen who came for Madam Beritola and
+Giusfredi and welcoming them joyously, introduced them into his
+banquet, which was not yet half ended. There both the lady and
+Giusfredi, no less than all the others, beheld them with such joyance
+that never was heard the like; and the gentlemen, ere they sat down to
+meat, saluted Currado and his lady on the part of Arrighetto, thanking
+them, as best they knew and might, for the honour done both to his
+wife and his son and offering himself to their pleasure,[112] in all
+that lay in his power. Then, turning to Messer Guasparrino, whose
+kindness was unlooked for, they avouched themselves most certain that,
+whenas that which he had done for Scacciato should be known of
+Arrighetto, the like thanks and yet greater would be rendered him.
+
+[Footnote 112: Or (in modern phrase) putting himself at their
+disposition.]
+
+Thereafter they banqueted right joyously with the new-made bridegrooms
+at the bride-feast of the two newly-wedded wives; nor that day alone
+did Currado entertain his son-in-law and other his kinsmen and
+friends, but many others. As soon as the rejoicings were somewhat
+abated, it appearing to Madam Beritola and to Giusfredi and the others
+that it was time to depart, they took leave with many tears of Currado
+and his lady and Messer Guasparrino and embarked on board the
+brigantine, carrying Spina with them; then, setting sail with a fair
+wind, they came speedily to Sicily, where all alike, both sons and
+daughters-in-law, were received by Arrighetto in Palermo with such
+rejoicing as might never be told; and there it is believed that they
+all lived happily a great while after, in love and thankfulness to God
+the Most High, as mindful of the benefits received."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     THE SOLDAN OF BABYLON SENDETH A DAUGHTER OF HIS TO BE
+     MARRIED TO THE KING OF ALGARVE, AND SHE, BY DIVERS CHANCES,
+     IN THE SPACE OF FOUR YEARS COMETH TO THE HANDS OF NINE MEN
+     IN VARIOUS PLACES. ULTIMATELY, BEING RESTORED TO HER FATHER
+     FOR A MAID, SHE GOETH TO THE KING OF ALGARVE TO WIFE, AS
+     FIRST SHE DID
+
+
+Had Emilia's story been much longer protracted, it is like the
+compassion had by the young ladies on the misfortunes of Madam
+Beritola would have brought them to tears; but, an end being now made
+thereof, it pleased the queen that Pamfilo should follow on with his
+story, and accordingly he, who was very obedient, began thus, "Uneath,
+charming ladies, is it for us to know that which is meet for us, for
+that, as may oftentimes have been seen, many, imagining that, were
+they but rich, they might avail to live without care and secure, have
+not only with prayers sought riches of God, but have diligently
+studied to acquire them, grudging no toil and no peril in the quest,
+and who,--whereas, before they became enriched, they loved their
+lives,--once having gotten their desire, have found folk to slay them,
+for greed of so ample an inheritance. Others of low estate, having,
+through a thousand perilous battles and the blood of their brethren
+and their friends, mounted to the summit of kingdoms, thinking in the
+royal estate to enjoy supreme felicity, without the innumerable cares
+and alarms whereof they see and feel it full, have learned, at the
+cost of their lives, that poison is drunken at royal tables in cups of
+gold. Many there be who have with most ardent appetite desired bodily
+strength and beauty and divers personal adornments and perceived not
+that they had desired ill till they found these very gifts a cause to
+them of death or dolorous life. In fine, not to speak particularly of
+all the objects of human desire, I dare say that there is not one
+which can, with entire assurance, be chosen by mortal men as secure
+from the vicissitudes of fortune; wherefore, an we would do aright,
+needs must we resign ourselves to take and possess that which is
+appointed us of Him who alone knoweth that which behoveth unto us and
+is able to give it to us. But for that, whereas men sin in desiring
+various things, you, gracious ladies, sin, above all, in one, to wit,
+in wishing to be fair,--insomuch that, not content with the charms
+vouchsafed you by nature, you still with marvellous art study to
+augment them,--it pleaseth me to recount to you how ill-fortunedly
+fair was a Saracen lady, whom it befell, for her beauty, to be in some
+four years' space nine times wedded anew.
+
+It is now a pretty while since there was a certain Soldan of
+Babylon,[113] by name Berminedab, to whom in his day many things
+happened in accordance with his pleasure.[114] Amongst many other
+children, both male and female, he had a daughter called Alatiel, who,
+by report of all who saw her, was the fairest woman to be seen in the
+world in those days, and having, in a great defeat he had inflicted
+upon a vast multitude of Arabs who were come upon him, been
+wonder-well seconded by the King of Algarve,[115] had, at his request,
+given her to him to wife, of especial favour; wherefore, embarking her
+aboard a ship well armed and equipped, with an honourable company of
+men and ladies and store of rich and sumptuous gear and furniture, he
+despatched her to him, commending her to God.
+
+[Footnote 113: _i.e._ Egypt, Cairo was known in the middle ages by the
+name of "Babylon of Egypt." It need hardly be noted that the Babylon
+of the Bible was the city of that name on the Euphrates, the ancient
+capital of Chaldća (Irak Babili). The names Beminedab and Alatiel are
+purely imaginary.]
+
+[Footnote 114: _i.e._ to his wish, to whom fortune was mostly
+favourable in his enterprises.]
+
+[Footnote 115: _Il Garbo_, Arabic El Gherb or Gharb, [Arabic: al
+gharb], the West, a name given by the Arabs to several parts of the
+Muslim empire, but by which Boccaccio apparently means Algarve, the
+southernmost province of Portugal and the last part of that kingdom to
+succumb to the wave of Christian reconquest, it having remained in the
+hands of the Muslims till the second half of the thirteenth century.
+This supposition is confirmed by the course taken by Alatiel's ship,
+which would naturally pass Sardinia and the Balearic Islands on its
+way from Alexandria to Portugal.]
+
+The sailors, seeing the weather favourable, gave their sails to the
+wind and departing the port of Alexandria, fared on prosperously many
+days, and having now passed Sardinia, deemed themselves near the end
+of their voyage, when there arose one day of a sudden divers contrary
+winds, which, being each beyond measure boisterous, so harassed the
+ship, wherein was the lady, and the sailors, that the latter more than
+once gave themselves over for lost. However, like valiant men, using
+every art and means in their power, they rode it out two days, though
+buffeted by a terrible sea; but, at nightfall of the third day, the
+tempest abating not, nay, waxing momently, they felt the ship open,
+being then not far off Majorca, but knowing not where they were
+neither availing to apprehend it either by nautical reckoning or by
+sight, for that the sky was altogether obscured by clouds and dark
+night; wherefore, seeing no other way of escape and having each
+himself in mind and not others, they lowered a shallop into the water,
+into which the officers cast themselves, choosing rather to trust
+themselves thereto than to the leaking ship. The rest of the men in
+the ship crowded after them into the boat, albeit those who had first
+embarked therein opposed it, knife in hand,--and thinking thus to flee
+from death, ran straight into it, for that the boat, availing not, for
+the intemperance of the weather, to hold so many, foundered and they
+perished one and all.
+
+As for the ship, being driven by a furious wind and running very
+swiftly, albeit it was now well nigh water-logged, (none being left on
+board save the princess and her women, who all, overcome by the
+tempestuous sea and by fear, lay about the decks as they were dead,)
+it stranded upon a beach of the island of Majorca and such and so
+great was the shock that it well nigh buried itself in the sand some
+stone's cast from the shore, where it abode the night, beaten by the
+waves, nor might the wind avail to stir it more. Broad day came and
+the tempest somewhat abating, the princess, who was half dead, raised
+her head and weak as she was, fell to calling now one, now another of
+her household, but to no purpose, for that those she called were too
+far distant. Finding herself unanswered of any and seeing no one, she
+marvelled exceedingly and began to be sore afraid; then, rising up, as
+best she might, she saw the ladies who were in her company and the
+other women lying all about and trying now one and now another, found
+few who gave any signs of life, the most of them being dead what with
+sore travail of the stomach and what with affright; wherefore fear
+redoubled upon her.
+
+Nevertheless, necessity constraining her, for that she saw herself
+alone there and had neither knowledge nor inkling where she was, she
+so goaded those who were yet alive that she made them arise and
+finding them unknowing whither the men were gone and seeing the ship
+stranded and full of water, she fell to weeping piteously, together
+with them. It was noon ere they saw any about the shore or elsewhere,
+whom they might move to pity and succour them; but about that hour
+there passed by a gentleman, by name Pericone da Visalgo, returning by
+chance from a place of his, with sundry of his servants on horseback.
+He saw the ship and forthright conceiving what it was, bade one of the
+servants board it without delay and tell him what he found there. The
+man, though with difficulty, made his way on board and found the young
+lady, with what little company she had, crouched, all adread, under
+the heel of the bowsprit. When they saw him, they besought him,
+weeping, of mercy again and again; but, perceiving that he understood
+them not nor they him, they made shift to make known to him their
+misadventure by signs.
+
+The servant having examined everything as best he might, reported to
+Pericone that which was on board; whereupon the latter promptly caused
+to bring the ladies ashore, together with the most precious things
+that were in the ship and might be gotten, and carried them off to a
+castle of his, where, the women being refreshed with food and rest, he
+perceived, from the richness of her apparel, that the lady whom he had
+found must needs be some great gentlewoman, and of this he was
+speedily certified by the honour that he saw the others do her and her
+alone; and although she was pale and sore disordered of her person,
+for the fatigues of the voyage, her features seemed to him exceeding
+fair; wherefore he forthright took counsel with himself, an she had no
+husband, to seek to have her to wife, and if he might not have her in
+marriage, to make shift to have her favours.
+
+He was a man of commanding presence and exceeding robust and having
+for some days let tend the lady excellently well and she being thereby
+altogether restored, he saw her lovely past all conception and was
+grieved beyond measure that he could not understand her nor she him
+and so he might not learn who she was. Nevertheless, being
+inordinately inflamed by her charms, he studied, with pleasing and
+amorous gestures, to engage her to do his pleasure without contention;
+but to no avail; she altogether rejected his advances and so much the
+more waxed Pericone's ardour. The lady, seeing this and having now
+abidden there some days, perceived, by the usances of the folk, that
+she was among Christians and in a country where, even if she could, it
+had little profited her to make herself known and foresaw that, in the
+end, either perforce or for love, needs must she resign herself to do
+Pericone's pleasure, but resolved nevertheless by dint of magnanimity
+to override the wretchedness of her fortune; wherefore she commanded
+her women, of whom but three were left her, that they should never
+discover to any who she was, except they found themselves whereas they
+might look for manifest furtherance in the regaining of their liberty,
+and urgently exhorted them, moreover, to preserve their chastity,
+avouching herself determined that none, save her husband, should ever
+enjoy her. They commended her for this and promised to observe her
+commandment to the best of their power.
+
+Meanwhile Pericone, waxing daily more inflamed, insomuch as he saw the
+thing desired so near and yet so straitly denied, and seeing that his
+blandishments availed him nothing, resolved to employ craft and
+artifice, reserving force unto the last. Wherefore, having observed
+bytimes that wine was pleasing to the lady, as being unused to drink
+thereof, for that her law forbade it, he bethought himself that he
+might avail to take her with this, as with a minister of enus.
+Accordingly, feigning to reck no more of that whereof she showed
+herself so chary, he made one night by way of special festival a
+goodly supper, whereto he bade the lady, and therein, the repast being
+gladdened with many things, he took order with him who served her that
+he should give her to drink of various wines mingled. The cupbearer
+did his bidding punctually and she, being nowise on her guard against
+this and allured by the pleasantness of the drink, took more thereof
+than consisted with her modesty; whereupon, forgetting all her past
+troubles, she waxed merry and seeing some women dance after the
+fashion of Majorca, herself danced in the Alexandrian manner.
+
+Pericone, seeing this, deemed himself on the high road to that which
+he desired and continuing the supper with great plenty of meats and
+wines, protracted it far into the night. Ultimately, the guests having
+departed, he entered with the lady alone into her chamber, where she,
+more heated with wine than restrained by modesty, without any reserve
+of shamefastness, undid herself in his presence, as he had been one of
+her women, and betook herself to bed. Pericone was not slow to follow
+her, but, putting out all the lights, promptly hid himself beside her
+and catching her in his arms, proceeded, without any gainsayal on her
+part, amorously to solace himself with her; which when once she had
+felt,--having never theretofore known with what manner horn men
+butt,--as if repenting her of not having yielded to Pericone's
+solicitations, thenceforth, without waiting to be bidden to such
+agreeable nights, she oftentimes invited herself thereto, not by
+words, which she knew not how to make understood, but by deeds.
+
+But, in the midst of this great pleasance of Pericone and herself,
+fortune, not content with having reduced her from a king's bride to be
+the mistress of a country gentleman, had foreordained unto her a more
+barbarous alliance. Pericone had a brother by name Marato,
+five-and-twenty years of age and fair and fresh as a rose, who saw her
+and she pleased him mightily. Himseemed, moreover, according to that
+which he could apprehend from her gestures, that he was very well seen
+of her and conceiving that nought hindered him of that which he craved
+of her save the strait watch kept on her by Pericone, he fell into a
+barbarous thought, whereon the nefarious effect followed without
+delay.
+
+There was then, by chance, in the harbour of the city a vessel laden
+with merchandise and bound for Chiarenza[116] in Roumelia; whereof two
+young Genoese were masters, who had already hoisted sail to depart as
+soon as the wind should be fair. Marato, having agreed with them, took
+order how he should on the ensuing night be received aboard their ship
+with the lady; and this done, as soon as it was dark, having inwardly
+determined what he should do, he secretly betook himself, with certain
+of his trustiest friends, whom he had enlisted for the purpose, to the
+house of Pericone, who nowise mistrusted him. There he hid himself,
+according to the ordinance appointed between them, and after a part of
+the night had passed, he admitted his companions and repaired with
+them to the chamber where Pericone lay with the lady. Having opened
+the door, they slew Pericone, as he slept, and took the lady, who was
+now awake and in tears, threatening her with death, if she made any
+outcry; after which they made off, unobserved, with great part of
+Pericone's most precious things and betook themselves in haste to the
+sea-shore, where Marato and the lady embarked without delay on board
+the ship, whilst his companions returned whence they came.
+
+[Footnote 116: The modern Klarentza in the north-west of the Morea,
+which latter province formed part of Roumelia under the Turkish
+domination.]
+
+The sailors, having a fair wind and a fresh, made sail and set out on
+their voyage, whilst the princess sore and bitterly bewailed both her
+former and that her second misadventure; but Marato, with that Saint
+Waxeth-in-hand, which God hath given us [men,] proceeded to comfort
+her after such a fashion that she soon grew familiar with him and
+forgetting Pericone, began to feel at her ease, when fortune, as if
+not content with the past tribulations wherewith it had visited her,
+prepared her a new affliction; for that, she being, as we have already
+more than once said, exceeding fair of favour and of very engaging
+manners, the two young men, the masters of the ship, became so
+passionately enamoured of her that, forgetting all else, they studied
+only to serve and pleasure her, being still on their guard lest Marato
+should get wind of the cause. Each becoming aware of the other's
+passion, they privily took counsel together thereof, and agreed to
+join in getting the lady for themselves and enjoy her in common, as if
+love should suffer this, as do merchandise and gain.
+
+Seeing her straitly guarded by Marato and being thereby hindered of
+their purpose, one day, as the ship fared on at full speed under sail
+and Marato stood at the poop, looking out on the sea and nowise on his
+guard against them, they went of one accord and laying hold of him
+suddenly from behind, cast him into the sea, nor was it till they had
+sailed more than a mile farther that any perceived Marato to be
+fallen overboard. Alatiel, hearing this and seeing no possible way of
+recovering him, began anew to make moan for herself; whereupon the two
+lovers came incontinent to her succour and with soft words and very
+good promises, whereof she understood but little, studied to soothe
+and console the lady, who lamented not so much her lost husband as her
+own ill fortune. After holding much discourse with her at one time and
+another, themseeming after awhile they had well nigh comforted her,
+they came to words with one another which should first take her to lie
+with him. Each would fain be the first and being unable to come to any
+accord upon this, they first with words began a sore and hot dispute
+and thereby kindled into rage, they clapped hands to their knives and
+falling furiously on one another, before those on board could part
+them, dealt each other several blows, whereof one incontinent fell
+dead, whilst the other abode on life, though grievously wounded in
+many places.
+
+This new mishap was sore unpleasing to the lady, who saw herself
+alone, without aid or counsel of any, and feared lest the anger of the
+two masters' kinsfolk and friends should revert upon herself; but the
+prayers of the wounded man and their speedy arrival at Chiarenza
+delivered her from danger of death. There she went ashore with the
+wounded man and took up her abode with him in an inn, where the report
+of her great beauty soon spread through the city and came to the ears
+of the Prince of the Morea, who was then at Chiarenza and was fain to
+see her. Having gotten sight of her and himseeming she was fairer than
+report gave out, he straightway became so sore enamoured of her that
+he could think of nothing else and hearing how she came thither,
+doubted not to be able to get her for himself. As he cast about for a
+means of effecting his purpose, the wounded man's kinsfolk got wind of
+his desire and without awaiting more, sent her to him forthright,
+which was mighty agreeable to the prince and to the lady also, for
+that herseemed she was quit of a great peril. The prince, seeing her
+graced, over and above her beauty, with royal manners and unable
+otherwise to learn who she was, concluded her to be some noble lady,
+wherefore he redoubled in his love for her and holding her in
+exceeding honour, entreated her not as a mistress, but as his very
+wife.
+
+The lady, accordingly, having regard to her past troubles and
+herseeming she was well enough bestowed, was altogether comforted and
+waxing blithe again, her beauties flourished on such wise that it
+seemed all Roumelia could talk of nothing else. The report of her
+loveliness reaching the Duke of Athens, who was young and handsome and
+doughty of his person and a friend and kinsman of the prince, he was
+taken with a desire to see her and making a show of paying him a
+visit, as he was wont bytimes to do, repaired, with a fair and
+worshipful company, to Chiarenza, where he was honourably received and
+sumptuously entertained. Some days after, the two kinsmen coming to
+discourse together of the lady's charms, the duke asked if she were
+indeed so admirable a creature as was reported; to which the prince
+answered, 'Much more so; but thereof I will have not my words, but
+thine own eyes certify thee.' Accordingly, at the duke's
+solicitation, they betook themselves together to the princess's
+lodging, who, having had notice of their coming, received them very
+courteously and with a cheerful favour, and they seated her between
+them, but might not have the pleasure of conversing with her, for that
+she understood little or nothing of their language; wherefore each
+contented himself with gazing upon her, as upon a marvel, and
+especially the duke, who could scarce bring himself to believe that
+she was a mortal creature and thinking to satisfy his desire with her
+sight, heedless of the amorous poison he drank in at his eyes,
+beholding her, he miserably ensnared himself, becoming most ardently
+enamoured of her.
+
+After he had departed her presence with the prince and had leisure to
+bethink himself, he esteemed his kinsman happy beyond all others in
+having so fair a creature at his pleasure, and after many and various
+thoughts, his unruly passion weighing more with him than his honour,
+he resolved, come thereof what might, to do his utmost endeavour to
+despoil the prince of that felicity and bless himself therewith.
+Accordingly, being minded to make a quick despatch of the matter and
+setting aside all reason and all equity, he turned his every thought
+to the devising of means for the attainment of his wishes, and one
+day, in accordance with the nefarious ordinance taken by him with a
+privy chamberlain of the prince's, by name Ciuriaci, he let make ready
+in secret his horses and baggage for a sudden departure.
+
+The night come, he was, with a companion, both armed, stealthily
+introduced by the aforesaid Ciuriaci into the prince's chamber and saw
+the latter (the lady being asleep) standing, all naked for the great
+heat, at a window overlooking the sea-shore, to take a little breeze
+that came from that quarter; whereupon, having beforehand informed his
+companion of that which he had to do, he went softly up to the window
+and striking the prince with a knife, stabbed him, through and through
+the small of his back; then, taking him up in haste, he cast him forth
+of the window. The palace stood over against the sea and was very
+lofty and the window in question looked upon certain houses that had
+been undermined by the beating of the waves and where seldom or never
+any came; wherefore it happened, as the duke had foreseen, that the
+fall of the prince's body was not nor might be heard of any. The
+duke's companion, seeing this done, pulled out a halter he had brought
+with him to that end and making a show of caressing Ciuriaci, cast it
+adroitly about his neck and drew it so that he could make no outcry;
+then, the duke coming up, they strangled him and cast him whereas they
+had cast the prince.
+
+This done and they being manifestly certified that they had been
+unheard of the lady or of any other, the duke took a light in his hand
+and carrying it to the bedside, softly uncovered the princess, who
+slept fast. He considered her from head to foot and mightily commended
+her; for, if she was to his liking, being clothed, she pleased him,
+naked, beyond all compare. Wherefore, fired with hotter desire and
+unawed by his new-committed crime, he couched himself by her side,
+with hands yet bloody, and lay with her, all sleepy-eyed as she was
+and thinking him to be the prince. After he had abidden with her
+awhile in the utmost pleasure, he arose and summoning certain of his
+companions, caused take up the lady on such wise that she could make
+no outcry and carry her forth by a privy door, whereat he had entered;
+then, setting her on horseback, he took to the road with all his men,
+as softliest he might, and returned to his own dominions. However (for
+that he had a wife) he carried the lady, who was the most distressful
+of women, not to Athens, but to a very goodly place he had by the sea,
+a little without the city, and there entertained her in secret,
+causing honourably furnish her with all that was needful.
+
+The prince's courtiers on the morrow awaited his rising till none,
+when, hearing nothing, they opened the chamber-doors, which were but
+closed, and finding no one, concluded that he was gone somewhither
+privily, to pass some days there at his ease with his fair lady, and
+gave themselves no farther concern. Things being thus, it chanced next
+day that an idiot, entering the ruins where lay the bodies of the
+prince and Ciuriaci, dragged the latter forth by the halter and went
+haling him after him. The body was, with no little wonderment,
+recognized by many, who, coaxing the idiot to bring them to the place
+whence he had dragged it, there, to the exceeding grief of the whole
+city, found the prince's corpse and gave it honourable burial. Then,
+enquiring for the authors of so heinous a crime and finding that the
+Duke of Athens was no longer there, but had departed by stealth, they
+concluded, even as was the case, that it must be he who had done this
+and carried off the lady; whereupon they straightway substituted a
+brother of the dead man to their prince and incited him with all their
+might to vengeance. The new prince, being presently certified by
+various other circumstances that it was as they had surmised, summoned
+his friends and kinsmen and servants from divers parts and promptly
+levying a great and goodly and powerful army, set out to make war upon
+the Duke of Athens.
+
+The latter, hearing of this, on like wise mustered all his forces for
+his own defence, and to his aid came many lords, amongst whom the
+Emperor of Constantinople sent Constantine his son and Manual his
+nephew, with a great and goodly following. The two princes were
+honourably received by the duke and yet more so by the duchess, for
+that she was their sister,[117] and matters drawing thus daily nearer
+unto war, taking her occasion, she sent for them both one day to her
+chamber and there, with tears galore and many words, related to them
+the whole story, acquainting them with the causes of the war.
+Moreover, she discovered to them the affront done her by the duke in
+the matter of the woman whom it was believed he privily entertained,
+and complaining sore thereof, besought them to apply to the matter
+such remedy as best they might, for the honour of the duke and her own
+solacement.
+
+[Footnote 117: _i.e._ sister to the one and cousin to the other.]
+
+The young men already knew all the facts as it had been; wherefore,
+without enquiring farther, they comforted the duchess, as best they
+might, and filled her with good hope. Then, having learned from her
+where the lady abode, they took their leave and having a mind to see
+the latter, for that they had oftentimes heard her commended for
+marvellous beauty, they besought the duke to show her to them. He,
+unmindful of that which had befallen the Prince of the Morea for
+having shown her to himself, promised to do this and accordingly next
+morning, having let prepare a magnificent collation in a very goodly
+garden that pertained to the lady's place of abode, he carried them
+and a few others thither to eat with her. Constantine, sitting with
+Alatiel, fell a-gazing upon her, full of wonderment, avouching in
+himself that he had never seen aught so lovely and that certes the
+duke must needs be held excused, ay, and whatsoever other, to have so
+fair a creature, should do treason or other foul thing, and looking on
+her again and again and each time admiring her more, it betided him no
+otherwise than it had betided the duke; wherefore, taking his leave,
+enamoured of her, he abandoned all thought of the war and occupied
+himself with considering how he might take her from the duke,
+carefully concealing his passion the while from every one.
+
+Whilst he yet burnt in this fire, the time came to go out against the
+new prince, who now drew near to the duke's territories; wherefore the
+latter and Constantine and all the others, sallied forth of Athens
+according to the given ordinance and betook themselves to the defence
+of certain frontiers, so the prince might not avail to advance
+farther. When they had lain there some days, Constantine having his
+mind and thought still intent upon the lady and conceiving that, now
+the duke was no longer near her, he might very well avail to
+accomplish his pleasure, feigned himself sore indisposed of his
+person, to have an occasion of returning to Athens; wherefore, with
+the duke's leave, committing his whole power to Manuel, he returned to
+Athens to his sister, and there, after some days, putting her upon
+talk of the affront which herseemed she suffered from the duke by
+reason of the lady whom he entertained, he told her that, an it liked
+her, he would soon ease her thereof by causing take the lady from
+whereas she was and carry her off. The duchess, conceiving that he did
+this of regard for herself and not for love of the lady, answered that
+it liked her exceeding well so but it might be done on such wise that
+the duke should never know that she had been party thereto, which
+Constantine fully promised her, and thereupon she consented that he
+should do as seemed best to him.
+
+Constantine, accordingly, let secretly equip a light vessel and sent
+it one evening to the neighbourhood of the garden where the lady
+abode; then, having taught certain of his men who were on board what
+they had to do, he repaired with others to the lady's pavilion, where
+he was cheerfully received by those in her service and indeed by the
+lady herself, who, at his instance, betook herself with him to the
+garden, attended by her servitors and his companions. There, making as
+he would speak with her on the duke's part, he went with her alone
+towards a gate, which gave upon the sea and had already been opened by
+one of his men, and calling the bark thither with the given signal, he
+caused suddenly seize the lady and carry her aboard; then, turning to
+her people, he said to them, 'Let none stir or utter a word, an he
+would not die; for that I purpose not to rob the duke of his wench,
+but to do away the affront which he putteth upon my sister.'
+
+To this none dared make answer; whereupon Constantine, embarking with
+his people and seating himself by the side of the weeping lady, bade
+thrust the oars into the water and make off. Accordingly, they put out
+to sea and not hieing, but flying,[118] came, after a little after
+daybreak on the morrow, to Egina, where they landed and took rest,
+whilst Constantine solaced himself awhile with the lady, who bemoaned
+her ill-fated beauty. Thence, going aboard the bark again, they made
+their way, in a few days, to Chios, where it pleased Constantine to
+take up his sojourn, as in a place of safety, for fear of his father's
+resentment and lest the stolen lady should be taken from him. There
+the fair lady bewailed her ill fate some days, but, being presently
+comforted by Constantine, she began, as she had done otherwhiles, to
+take her pleasure of that which fortune had foreordained to her.
+
+[Footnote 118: _Non vogando, ma volando._]
+
+Things being at this pass, Osbech, King of the Turks, who abode in
+continual war with the Emperor, came by chance to Smyrna, where
+hearing how Constantine abode in Chios, without any precaution,
+leading a wanton life with a mistress of his, whom he had stolen away,
+he repaired thither one night with some light-armed ships and entering
+the city by stealth with some of his people, took many in their beds,
+ere they knew of the enemy's coming. Some, who, taking the alert, had
+run to arms, he slew and having burnt the whole place, carried the
+booty and captives on board the ships and returned to Smyrna. When
+they arrived there, Osbech, who was a young man, passing his prisoners
+in review, found the fair lady among them and knowing her for her who
+had been taken with Constantine asleep in bed, was mightily rejoiced
+at sight of her. Accordingly, he made her his wife without delay, and
+celebrating the nuptials forthright, lay with her some months in all
+joyance.
+
+Meanwhile, the Emperor, who had, before these things came to pass,
+been in treaty with Bassano, King of Cappadocia, to the end that he
+should come down upon Osbech from one side with his power, whilst
+himself assailed him on the other, but had not yet been able to come
+to a full accord with him, for that he was unwilling to grant certain
+things which Bassano demanded and which he deemed unreasonable,
+hearing what had betided his son and chagrined beyond measure thereat,
+without hesitating farther, did that which the King of Cappadocia
+asked and pressed him as most he might to fall upon Osbech, whilst
+himself made ready to come down upon him from another quarter. Osbech,
+hearing this, assembled his army, ere he should be straitened between
+two such puissant princes, and marched against Bassano, leaving his
+fair lady at Smyrna, in charge of a trusty servant and friend of his.
+After some time he encountered the King of Cappadocia and giving him
+battle, was slain in the mellay and his army discomfited and
+dispersed; whereupon Bassano advanced in triumph towards Smyrna,
+unopposed, and all the folk submitted to him by the way, as to a
+conqueror.
+
+Meanwhile, Osbech's servant, Antiochus by name, in whose charge the
+lady had been left, seeing her so fair, forgot his plighted faith to
+his friend and master and became enamoured of her, for all he was a
+man in years. Urged by love and knowing her tongue (the which was
+mighty agreeable to her, as well as it might be to one whom it had
+behoved for some years live as she were deaf and dumb, for that she
+understood none neither was understanded of any) he began, in a few
+days, to be so familiar with her that, ere long, having no regard to
+their lord and master who was absent in the field, they passed from
+friendly commerce to amorous privacy, taking marvellous pleasure one
+of the other between the sheets. When they heard that Osbech was
+defeated and slain and that Bassano came carrying all before him, they
+took counsel together not to await him there and laying hands on great
+part of the things of most price that were there pertaining to Osbech,
+gat them privily to Rhodes, where they had not long abidden ere
+Antiochus sickened unto death.
+
+As chance would have it, there was then in lodging with him a merchant
+of Cyprus, who was much loved of him and his fast friend, and
+Antiochus, feeling himself draw to his end, bethought himself to leave
+him both his possessions and his beloved lady; wherefore, being now
+nigh upon death, he called them both to him and bespoke them thus, 'I
+feel myself, without a doubt, passing away, which grieveth me, for
+that never had I such delight in life as I presently have. Of one
+thing, indeed, I die most content, in that, since I must e'en die, I
+see myself die in the arms of those twain whom I love over all others
+that be in the world, to wit, in thine, dearest friend, and in those
+of this lady, whom I have loved more than mine own self, since first I
+knew her. True, it grieveth me to feel that, when I am dead, she will
+abide here a stranger, without aid or counsel; and it were yet more
+grievous to me, did I not know thee here, who wilt, I trust, have that
+same care of her, for the love of me, which thou wouldst have had of
+myself. Wherefore, I entreat thee, as most I may, if it come to pass
+that I die, that thou take my goods and her into thy charge and do
+with them and her that which thou deemest may be for the solacement of
+my soul. And thou, dearest lady, I prithee forget me not after my
+death, so I may vaunt me, in the other world, of being beloved here
+below of the fairest lady ever nature formed; of which two things an
+you will give me entire assurance, I shall depart without misgiving
+and comforted.'
+
+The merchant his friend and the lady, hearing these words, wept, and
+when he had made an end of his speech, they comforted him and promised
+him upon their troth to do that which he asked, if it came to pass
+that he died. He tarried not long, but presently departed this life
+and was honourably interred of them. A few days after, the merchant
+having despatched all his business in Rhodes and purposing to return
+to Cyprus on board a Catalan carrack that was there, asked the fair
+lady what she had a mind to do, for that it behoved him return to
+Cyprus. She answered that, an it pleased him, she would gladly go with
+him, hoping for Antiochus his love to be of him entreated and regarded
+as a sister. The merchant replied that he was content to do her every
+pleasure, and the better to defend her from any affront that might be
+offered her, ere they came to Cyprus, he avouched that she was his
+wife. Accordingly, they embarked on board the ship and were given a
+little cabin on the poop, where, that the fact might not belie his
+words, he lay with her in one very small bed. Whereby there came about
+that which was not intended of the one or the other of them at
+departing Rhodes, to wit, that--darkness and commodity and the heat of
+the bed, matters of no small potency, inciting them,--drawn by equal
+appetite and forgetting both the friendship and the love of Antiochus
+dead, they fell to dallying with each other and before they reached
+Baffa, whence the Cypriot came, they had clapped up an alliance
+together.
+
+At Baffa she abode some time with the merchant till, as chance would
+have it, there came thither, for his occasions, a gentleman by name
+Antigonus, great of years and greater yet of wit, but little of
+wealth, for that, intermeddling in the affairs of the King of Cyprus,
+fortune had in many things been contrary to him. Chancing one day to
+pass by the house where the fair lady dwelt with the merchant, who was
+then gone with his merchandise into Armenia, he espied her at a window
+and seeing her very beautiful, fell to gazing fixedly upon her and
+presently began to recollect that he must have seen her otherwhere,
+but where he could on no wise call to mind. As for the lady, who had
+long been the sport of fortune, but the term of whose ills was now
+drawing near, she no sooner set eyes on Antigonus than she remembered
+to have seen him at Alexandria in no mean station in her father's
+service; wherefore, conceiving a sudden hope of yet by his aid
+regaining her royal estate, and knowing her merchant to be abroad, she
+let call him to her as quickliest she might and asked him, blushing,
+an he were not, as she supposed, Antigonus of Famagosta. He answered
+that he was and added, 'Madam, meseemeth I know you, but on no wise
+can I remember me where I have seen you; wherefore I pray you, an it
+mislike you not, put me in mind who you are.'
+
+The lady hearing that it was indeed he, to his great amazement, cast
+her arms about his neck, weeping sore, and presently asked him if he
+had never seen her in Alexandria. Antigonus, hearing this, incontinent
+knew her for the Soldan's daughter Alatiel, who was thought to have
+perished at sea, and would fain have paid her the homage due to her
+quality; but she would on no wise suffer it and besought him to sit
+with her awhile. Accordingly, seating himself beside her, he asked her
+respectfully how and when and whence she came thither, seeing that it
+was had for certain, through all the land of Egypt, that she had been
+drowned at sea years agone. 'Would God,' replied she, 'it had been so,
+rather than that I should have had the life I have had; and I doubt
+not but my father would wish the like, if ever he came to know it.'
+
+So saying, she fell anew to weeping wonder-sore; whereupon quoth
+Antigonus to her, 'Madam, despair not ere it behove you; but, an it
+please you, relate to me your adventures and what manner of life yours
+hath been; it may be the matter hath gone on such wise that, with
+God's aid, we may avail to find an effectual remedy.' 'Antigonus,'
+answered the fair lady, 'when I beheld thee, meseemed I saw my father,
+and moved by that love and tenderness, which I am bounden to bear him,
+I discovered myself to thee, having it in my power to conceal myself
+from thee, and few persons could it have befallen me to look upon in
+whom I could have been so well-pleased as I am to have seen and known
+thee before any other; wherefore that which in my ill fortune I have
+still kept hidden, to thee, as to a father, I will discover. If, after
+thou hast heard it, thou see any means of restoring me to my pristine
+estate, prithee use it; but, if thou see none, I beseech thee never
+tell any that thou hast seen me or heard aught of me.'
+
+This said, she recounted to him, still weeping, that which had
+befallen her from the time of her shipwreck on Majorca up to that
+moment; whereupon he fell a-weeping for pity and after considering
+awhile, 'Madam,' said he, 'since in your misfortunes it hath been
+hidden who you are, I will, without fail, restore you, dearer than
+ever, to your father and after to the King of Algarve to wife.' Being
+questioned of her of the means, he showed her orderly that which was
+to do, and lest any hindrance should betide through delay, he
+presently returned to Famagosta and going in to the king, said to him,
+'My lord, an it like you, you have it in your power at once to do
+yourself exceeding honour and me, who am poor through you, a great
+service, at no great cost of yours.' The king asked how and Antigonus
+replied, 'There is come to Baffa the Soldan's fair young daughter, who
+hath so long been reputed drowned and who, to save her honour, hath
+long suffered very great unease and is presently in poor case and
+would fain return to her father. An it pleased you send her to him
+under my guard, it would be much to your honour and to my weal, nor do
+I believe that such a service would ever be forgotten of the Soldan.'
+
+The king, moved by a royal generosity of mind, answered forthright
+that he would well and sending for Alatiel, brought her with all
+honour and worship to Famagosta, where she was received by himself and
+the queen with inexpressible rejoicing and entertained with
+magnificent hospitality. Being presently questioned of the king and
+queen of her adventures, she answered according to the instructions
+given her by Antigonus and related everything;[119] and a few days
+after, at her request, the king sent her, under the governance of
+Antigonus, with a goodly and worshipful company of men and women, back
+to the Soldan, of whom let none ask if she was received with
+rejoicing, as also was Antigonus and all her company.
+
+[Footnote 119: Sic (_contň tutto_); but this is an oversight of the
+author's, as it is evident from what follows that she did _not_ relate
+everything.]
+
+As soon as she was somewhat rested, the Soldan desired to know how it
+chanced that she was yet alive and where she had so long abidden,
+without having ever let him know aught of her condition; whereupon the
+lady, who had kept Antigonus his instructions perfectly in mind,
+bespoke him thus, 'Father mine, belike the twentieth day after my
+departure from you, our ship, having sprung a leak in a terrible
+storm, struck in the night upon certain coasts yonder in the
+West,[120] near a place called Aguamorta, and what became of the men
+who were aboard I know not nor could ever learn; this much only do I
+remember that, the day come and I arisen as it were from death to
+life, the shattered vessel was espied of the country people, who ran
+from all the parts around to plunder it. I and two of my women were
+first set ashore and the latter were incontinent seized by certain of
+the young men, who fled with them, one this way and the other that,
+and what came of them I never knew.
+
+[Footnote 120: Lit. Ponant (_Ponente_), _i.e._ the Western coasts of
+the Mediterranean, as opposed to the Eastern or Levant.]
+
+As for myself, I was taken, despite my resistance, by two young men,
+and haled along by the hair, weeping sore the while; but, as they
+crossed over a road, to enter a great wood, there passed by four men
+on horseback, whom when my ravishers saw, they loosed me forthwith and
+took to flight. The new comers, who seemed to me persons of great
+authority, seeing this, ran where I was and asked me many questions;
+whereto I answered much, but neither understood nor was understanded
+of them. However, after long consultation they set me on one of their
+horses and carried me to a convent of women vowed to religion,
+according to their law, where, whatever they said, I was of all the
+ladies kindly received and still entreated with honour, and there with
+great devotion I joined them in serving Saint Waxeth-in-Deepdene, a
+saint for whom the women of that country have a vast regard.
+
+After I had abidden with them awhile and learned somewhat of their
+language, they questioned me of who I was and fearing, an I told the
+truth, to be expelled from amongst them, as an enemy of their faith, I
+answered that I was the daughter of a great gentleman of Cyprus, who
+was sending me to be married in Crete, when, as ill-luck would have
+it, we had run thither and suffered shipwreck. Moreover, many a time
+and in many things I observed their customs, for fear of worse, and
+being asked by the chief of the ladies, her whom they call abbess, if
+I wished to return thence to Cyprus, I answered that I desired nothing
+so much; but she, tender of my honour, would never consent to trust me
+to any person who was bound for Cyprus, till some two months agone,
+when there came thither certain gentlemen of France with their ladies.
+One of the latter being a kinswoman of the abbess and she hearing that
+they were bound for Jerusalem, to visit the Sepulchre where He whom
+they hold God was buried, after He had been slain by the Jews, she
+commended me to their care and besought them to deliver me to my
+father in Cyprus.
+
+With what honour these gentlemen entreated me and how cheerfully they
+received me together with their ladies, it were a long story to tell;
+suffice it to say that we took ship and came, after some days, to
+Baffa, where finding myself arrived and knowing none in the place, I
+knew not what to say to the gentlemen, who would fain have delivered
+me to my father, according to that which had been enjoined them of the
+reverend lady; but God, taking pity belike on my affliction, brought
+me Antigonus upon the beach what time we disembarked at Baffa, whom I
+straightway hailed and in our tongue, so as not to be understood of
+the gentlemen and their ladies, bade him receive me as a daughter. He
+promptly apprehended me and receiving me with a great show of joy,
+entertained the gentlemen and their ladies with such honour as his
+poverty permitted and carried me to the King of Cyprus, who received
+me with such hospitality and hath sent me back to you [with such
+courtesy] as might never be told of me. If aught remain to be said,
+let Antigonus, who hath ofttimes heard from me these adventures,
+recount it.'
+
+Accordingly Antigonus, turning to the Soldan, said, 'My lord, even as
+she hath many a time told me and as the gentlemen and ladies, with
+whom she came, said to me, so hath she recounted unto you. Only one
+part hath she forborne to tell you, the which methinketh she left
+unsaid for that it beseemeth her not to tell it, to wit, how much the
+gentlemen and ladies, with whom she came, said of the chaste and
+modest life which she led with the religious ladies and of her virtue
+and commendable manners and the tears and lamentations of her
+companions, both men and women, when, having restored her to me, they
+took leave of her. Of which things were I fain to tell in full that
+which they said to me, not only this present day, but the ensuing
+night would not suffice unto us; be it enough to say only that
+(according to that which their words attested and that also which I
+have been able to see thereof,) you may vaunt yourself of having the
+fairest daughter and the chastest and most virtuous of any prince that
+nowadays weareth a crown.'
+
+The Soldan was beyond measure rejoiced at these things and besought
+God again and again to vouchsafe him of His grace the power of
+worthily requiting all who had succoured his daughter and especially
+the King of Cyprus, by whom she had been sent back to him with honour.
+After some days, having caused prepare great gifts for Antigonus, he
+gave him leave to return to Cyprus and rendered, both by letters and
+by special ambassadors, the utmost thanks to the king for that which
+he had done with his daughter. Then desiring that that which was begun
+should have effect, to wit, that she should be the wife of the King of
+Algarve, he acquainted the latter with the whole matter and wrote to
+him to boot, that, an it pleased him have her, he should send for her.
+The King of Algarve was mightily rejoiced at this news and sending for
+her in state, received her joyfully; and she, who had lain with eight
+men belike ten thousand times, was put to bed to him for a maid and
+making him believe that she was so, lived happily with him as his
+queen awhile after; wherefore it was said, 'Lips for kissing forfeit
+no favour; nay, they renew as the moon doth ever.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     THE COUNT OF ANTWERP, BEING FALSELY ACCUSED, GOETH INTO
+     EXILE AND LEAVETH HIS TWO CHILDREN IN DIFFERENT PLACES IN
+     ENGLAND, WHITHER, AFTER AWHILE, RETURNING IN DISGUISE AND
+     FINDING THEM IN GOOD CASE, HE TAKETH SERVICE AS A HORSEBOY
+     IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING OF FRANCE AND BEING APPROVED
+     INNOCENT, IS RESTORED TO HIS FORMER ESTATE
+
+
+The ladies sighed amain over the fortunes of the fair Saracen; but who
+knoweth what gave rise to those sighs? Maybe there were some of them
+who sighed no less for envy of such frequent nuptials than for pity of
+Alatiel. But, leaving that be for the present, after they had laughed
+at Pamfilo's last words, the queen, seeing his story ended, turned to
+Elisa and bade her follow on with one of hers. Elisa cheerfully obeyed
+and began as follows: "A most ample field is that wherein we go to-day
+a-ranging, nor is there any of us but could lightly enough run, not
+one, but half a score courses there, so abounding hath Fortune made it
+in her strange and grievous chances; wherefore, to come to tell of one
+of these latter, which are innumerable, I say that:
+
+When the Roman Empire was transferred from the French to the
+Germans,[121] there arose between the one and the other nation an
+exceeding great enmity and a grievous and continual war, by reason
+whereof, as well for the defence of their own country as for the
+offence of that of others, the King of France and a son of his, with
+all the power of their realm and of such friends and kinsfolk as they
+could command, levied a mighty army to go forth upon the foe; and ere
+they proceeded thereunto,--not to leave the realm without
+governance,--knowing Gautier, Count of Antwerp,[122] for a noble and
+discreet gentleman and their very faithful friend and servant, and for
+that (albeit he was well versed in the art of war) he seemed to them
+more apt unto things delicate than unto martial toils, they left him
+vicar general in their stead over all the governance of the realm of
+France and went on their way. Gautier accordingly addressed himself
+with both order and discretion to the office committed unto him, still
+conferring of everything with the queen and her daughter-in-law, whom,
+for all they were left under his custody and jurisdiction, he honoured
+none the less as his liege ladies and mistresses.
+
+[Footnote 121: _i.e._ A.D. 912, when, upon the death of Louis III, the
+last prince of the Carlovingian race, Conrad, Duke of Franconia, was
+elected Emperor and the Empire, which had till then been hereditary in
+the descendants of Charlemagne, became elective and remained
+thenceforth in German hands.]
+
+[Footnote 122: _Anguersa_, the old form of _Anversa_, Antwerp. All
+versions that I have seen call Gautier Comte d'_Angers_ or _Angiers_,
+the translators, who forgot or were unaware that Antwerp, as part of
+Flanders, was then a fief of the French crown, apparently taking it
+for granted that the mention of the latter city was in error and
+substituting the name of the ancient capital of Anjou on their own
+responsibility.]
+
+Now this Gautier was exceedingly goodly of his body, being maybe
+forty years old and as agreeable and well-mannered a gentleman as
+might be; and withal, he was the sprightliest and daintiest cavalier
+known in those days and he who went most adorned of his person. His
+countess was dead, leaving him two little children, a boy and a girl,
+without more, and it befell that, the King of France and his son being
+at the war aforesaid and Gautier using much at the court of the
+aforesaid ladies and speaking often with them of the affairs of the
+kingdom, the wife of the king's son cast her eyes on him and
+considering his person and his manners with very great affection, was
+secretly fired with a fervent love for him. Feeling herself young and
+lusty and knowing him wifeless, she doubted not but her desire might
+lightly be accomplished unto her and thinking nought hindered her
+thereof but shamefastness, she bethought herself altogether to put
+that away and discover to him her passion. Accordingly, being one day
+alone and it seeming to her time, she sent for him into her chamber,
+as though she would discourse with him of other matters.
+
+The count, whose thought was far from that of the lady, betook himself
+to her without any delay and at her bidding, seated himself by her
+side on a couch; then, they being alone together, he twice asked her
+the occasion for which she had caused him come thither; but she made
+him no reply. At last, urged by love and grown all vermeil for shame,
+well nigh in tears and all trembling, with broken speech she thus
+began to say: 'Dearest and sweet friend and my lord, you may easily as
+a man of understanding apprehend how great is the frailty both of men
+and of women, and that more, for divers reasons, in one than in
+another; wherefore, at the hands of a just judge, the same sin in
+diverse kinds of qualities of persons should not in equity receive one
+same punishment. And who is there will deny that a poor man or a poor
+woman, whom it behoveth gain with their toil that which is needful for
+their livelihood, would, an they were stricken with Love's smart and
+followed after him, be far more blameworthy than a lady who is rich
+and idle and to whom nothing is lacking that can flatter her desires?
+Certes, I believe, no one. For which reason methinketh the things
+aforesaid [to wit, wealth and leisure and luxurious living] should
+furnish forth a very great measure of excuse on behalf of her who
+possesseth them, if, peradventure, she suffer herself lapse into
+loving, and the having made choice of a lover of worth and discretion
+should stand for the rest,[123] if she who loveth hath done that.
+These circumstances being both, to my seeming, in myself (beside
+several others which should move me to love, such as my youth and the
+absence of my husband), it behoveth now that they rise up in my behalf
+for the defence of my ardent love in your sight, wherein if they avail
+that which they should avail in the eyes of men of understanding, I
+pray you afford me counsel and succour in that which I shall ask of
+you. True is it, that availing not, for the absence of my husband, to
+withstand the pricks of the flesh nor the might of love-liking, the
+which are of such potency that they have erst many a time overcome and
+yet all days long overcome the strongest men, to say nothing of weak
+women,--and enjoying the commodities and the leisures wherein you see
+me, I have suffered myself lapse into ensuing Love his pleasures and
+becoming enamoured; the which,--albeit, were it known, I acknowledge
+it would not be seemly, yet,--being and abiding hidden, I hold[124]
+well nigh nothing unseemly; more by token that Love hath been insomuch
+gracious to me that not only hath he not bereft me of due discernment
+in the choice of a lover, but hath lent me great plenty thereof[125]
+to that end, showing me yourself worthy to be loved of a lady such as
+I,--you whom, if my fancy beguile me not, I hold the goodliest, the
+most agreeable, the sprightliest and the most accomplished cavalier
+that may be found in all the realm of France; and even as I may say
+that I find myself without a husband, so likewise are you without a
+wife. Wherefore, I pray you, by the great love which I bear you, that
+you deny me not your love in return, but have compassion on my youth,
+the which, in very deed, consumeth for you, as ice before the fire.'
+
+[Footnote 123: _i.e._ of her excuse.]
+
+[Footnote 124: Lit. Thou holdest (or judges); but _giudichi_ in the
+text is apparently a mistake for _giudico_.]
+
+[Footnote 125: _i.e._ of discernment.]
+
+With these words her tears welled up in such abundance that, albeit
+she would fain have proffered him yet other prayers, she had no power
+to speak farther, but, bowing her face, as if overcome, she let
+herself fall, weeping, her head on the count's bosom. The latter, who
+was a very loyal gentleman, began with the gravest reproofs to rebuke
+so fond a passion and to repel the princess, who would fain have cast
+herself on his neck, avouching to her with oaths that he had liefer be
+torn limb from limb than consent unto such an offence against his
+lord's honour, whether in himself or in another. The lady, hearing
+this, forthright forgot her love and kindling into a furious rage,
+said, 'Felon knight that you are, shall I be this wise flouted by you
+of my desire? Now God forbid, since you would have me die, but I have
+you put to death or driven from the world!' So saying, she set her
+hands to her tresses and altogether disordered and tore them; then,
+rending her raiment at the breast, she fell to crying aloud and
+saying, 'Help! Help! The Count of Antwerp would do me violence.' The
+count, seeing this, misdoubting far more the courtiers' envy than his
+own conscience and fearful lest, by reason of this same envy, more
+credence should be given to the lady's malice than to his own
+innocence, started up and departing the chamber and the palace as
+quickliest he might, fled to his own house, where, without taking
+other counsel, he set his children on horseback and mounting himself
+to horse, made off with them, as most he might, towards Calais.
+
+Meanwhile, many ran to the princess's clamour and seeing her in that
+plight and hearing [her account of] the cause of her outcry, not only
+gave credence to her words, but added[126] that the count's gallant
+bearing and debonair address had long been used by him to win to that
+end. Accordingly, they ran in a fury to his houses to arrest him, but
+finding him not, first plundered them all and after razed them to the
+foundations. The news, in its perverted shape, came presently to the
+army to the king and his son, who, sore incensed, doomed Gautier and
+his descendants to perpetual banishment, promising very great guerdons
+to whoso should deliver him to them alive or dead.
+
+[Footnote 126: Sic (_aggiunsero_); but _semble_ should mean "believed,
+in addition."]
+
+The count, woeful for that by his flight he had, innocent as he was,
+approved himself guilty, having, without making himself known or being
+recognized, reached Calais with his children, passed hastily over into
+England and betook himself in mean apparel to London, wherein ere he
+entered, with many words he lessoned his two little children, and
+especially in two things; first, that they should brook with patience
+the poor estate, whereunto, without their fault, fortune had brought
+them, together with himself,--and after, that with all wariness they
+should keep themselves from ever discovering unto any whence or whose
+children they were, as they held life dear. The boy, Louis by name,
+who was some nine and the girl, who was called Violante and was some
+seven years old, both, as far as their tender age comported, very well
+apprehended their father's lessons and showed it thereafter by deed.
+That this might be the better done,[127] he deemed it well to change
+their names; wherefore he named the boy Perrot and the girl Jeannette
+and all three, entering London, meanly clad, addressed themselves to
+go about asking alms, like as we see yonder French vagabonds do.
+
+[Footnote 127: _i.e._ That the secret might be the better kept.]
+
+They being on this account one morning at a church door, it chanced
+that a certain great lady, the wife of one of the king's marshals of
+England, coming forth of the church, saw the count and his two little
+ones asking alms and questioned him whence he was and if the children
+were his, to which he replied that he was from Picardy and that, by
+reason of the misfeasance of a rakehelly elder son of his, it had
+behoved him depart the country with these two, who were his. The lady,
+who was pitiful, cast her eyes on the girl and being much taken with
+her, for that she was handsome, well-mannered and engaging, said,
+'Honest man, an thou be content to leave thy daughter with me, I will
+willingly take her, for that she hath a good favour, and if she prove
+an honest woman, I will in due time marry her on such wise that she
+shall fare well.' This offer was very pleasing to the count, who
+promptly answered, 'Yes,' and with tears gave up the girl to the lady,
+urgently commending her to her care.
+
+Having thus disposed of his daughter, well knowing to whom, he
+resolved to abide there no longer and accordingly, begging his way
+across the island, came, not without sore fatigue, as one who was
+unused to go afoot, into Wales. Here dwelt another of the king's
+marshals, who held great state and entertained a numerous household,
+and to his court both the count and his son whiles much resorted to
+get food. Certain sons of the said marshal and other gentlemen's
+children being there engaged in such boyish exercises as running and
+leaping, Perrot began to mingle with them and to do as dextrously as
+any of the rest, or more so, each feat that was practised among them.
+The marshal, chancing whiles to see this and being much taken with
+the manners and fashion of the boy, asked who he was and was told that
+he was the son of a poor man who came there bytimes for alms;
+whereupon he caused require him of the count, and the latter, who
+indeed besought God of nought else, freely resigned the boy to him,
+grievous as it was to him to be parted from him. Having thus provided
+his son and daughter, he determined to abide no longer in England and
+passing over into Ireland, made his way, as best he might, to
+Stamford, where he took service with a knight belonging to an earl of
+the country, doing all such things as pertain unto a lackey or a
+horseboy, and there, without being known of any, he abode a great
+while in unease and travail galore.
+
+Meanwhile Violante, called Jeannette, went waxing with the gentlewoman
+in London in years and person and beauty and was in such favour both
+with the lady and her husband and with every other of the house and
+whoso else knew her, that it was a marvellous thing to see; nor was
+there any who noted her manners and fashions but avouched her worthy
+of every greatest good and honour. Wherefore the noble lady who had
+received her from her father, without having ever availed to learn who
+he was, otherwise than as she had heard from himself, was purposed to
+marry her honourably according to that condition whereof she deemed
+her. But God, who is a just observer of folk's deserts, knowing her to
+be of noble birth and to bear, without fault, the penalty of another's
+sin, ordained otherwise, and fain must we believe that He of His
+benignity permitted that which came to pass to the end that the gentle
+damsel might not fall into the hands of a man of low estate.
+
+The noble lady with whom Jeannette dwelt had of her husband one only
+son, whom both she and his father loved with an exceeding love, both
+for that he was their child and that he deserved it by reason of his
+worth and virtues. He, being some six years older than Jeannette and
+seeing her exceeding fair and graceful, became so sore enamoured of
+her that he saw nought beyond her; yet, for that he deemed her to be
+of mean extraction, not only dared he not demand her of his father and
+mother to wife, but, fearing to be blamed for having set himself to
+love unworthily, he held his love, as most he might, hidden; wherefore
+it tormented him far more than if he had discovered it; and thus it
+came to pass that, for excess of chagrin, he fell sick and that
+grievously. Divers physicians were called in to medicine him, who,
+having noted one and another symptom of his case and being
+nevertheless unable to discover what ailed him, all with one accord
+despaired of his recovery; whereat the young man's father and mother
+suffered dolour and melancholy so great that greater might not be
+brooked, and many a time, with piteous prayers, they questioned him of
+the cause of his malady, whereto or sighs he gave for answer or
+replied that he felt himself all wasting away.
+
+It chanced one day that, what while a doctor, young enough, but
+exceedingly deeply versed in science, sat by him and held him by the
+arm in that part where leaches use to seek the pulse, Jeannette, who,
+of regard for his mother, tended him solicitously, entered, on some
+occasion or another, the chamber where the young man lay. When the
+latter saw her, without word said or gesture made, he felt the amorous
+ardour redouble in his heart, wherefore his pulse began to beat
+stronglier than of wont; the which the leach incontinent noted and
+marvelling, abode still to see how long this should last. As soon as
+Jeannette left the chamber, the beating abated, wherefore it seemed to
+the physician he had gotten impartment of the cause of the young man's
+ailment, and after waiting awhile, he let call Jeannette to him, as he
+would question her of somewhat, still holding the sick man by the arm.
+She came to him incontinent and no sooner did she enter than the
+beating of the youth's pulse returned and she being gone again,
+ceased. Thereupon, it seeming to the physician that he had full enough
+assurance, he rose and taking the young man's father and mother apart,
+said to them, 'The healing of your son is not in the succour of
+physicians, but abideth in the hands of Jeannette, whom, as I have by
+sure signs manifestly recognized, the young man ardently loveth,
+albeit, for all I can see, she is unaware thereof. You know now what
+you have to do, if his life be dear to you.'
+
+The gentleman and his lady, hearing this, were well pleased, inasmuch
+as some means was found for his recoverance, albeit it irked them sore
+that the means in question should be that whereof they misdoubted
+them, to wit, that they should give Jeannette to their son to wife.
+Accordingly, the physician being gone, they went into the sick man and
+the lady bespoke him thus: 'Son mine, I could never have believed that
+thou wouldst keep from me any desire of thine, especially seeing
+thyself pine away for lack thereof; for that thou shouldst have been
+and shouldst be assured that there is nought I can for thy
+contentment, were it even less than seemly, which I would not do as
+for myself. But, since thou hast e'en done this, God the Lord hath
+been more pitiful over thee than thou thyself and that thou mayst not
+die of this sickness, hath shown me the cause of thine ill, which is
+no otherwhat than excess of love for some damsel or other, whoever she
+may be; and this, indeed, thou needest not have thought shame to
+discover, for that thine age requireth it, and wert thou not
+enamoured, I should hold thee of very little account. Wherefore, my
+son, dissemble not with me, but in all security discover to me thine
+every desire and put away from thee the melancholy and the
+thought-taking which be upon thee and from which proceedeth this thy
+sickness and take comfort and be assured that there is nothing of that
+which thou mayst impose on me for thy satisfaction but I will do it to
+the best of my power, as she who loveth thee more than her life.
+Banish shamefastness and fearfulness and tell me if I can do aught to
+further thy passion; and if thou find me not diligent therein or if I
+bring it not to effect for thee, account me the cruellest mother that
+ever bore son.'
+
+The young man, hearing his mother's words, was at first abashed, but
+presently, bethinking himself that none was better able than she to
+satisfy his wishes, he put away shamefastness and said thus to her:
+'Madam, nothing hath wrought so effectually with me to keep my love
+hidden as my having noted of most folk that, once they are grown in
+years, they choose not to remember them of having themselves been
+young. But, since in this I find you reasonable, not only will I not
+deny that to be true which you say you have observed, but I will, to
+boot, discover to you of whom [I am enamoured], on condition that you
+will, to the best of your power, give effect to your promise; and thus
+may you have me whole again.' Whereto the lady (trusting overmuch in
+that which was not to come to pass for her on such wise as she deemed
+in herself) answered freely that he might in all assurance discover to
+her his every desire, for that she would without any delay address
+herself to contrive that he should have his pleasure. 'Madam,' then
+said the youth, 'the exceeding beauty and commendable fashions of our
+Jeannette and my unableness to make her even sensible, still less to
+move her to pity, of my love and the having never dared to discover it
+unto any have brought me whereas you see me; and if that which you
+have promised me come not, one way or another, to pass, you may be
+assured that my life will be brief.'
+
+The lady, to whom it appeared more a time for comfort than for
+reproof, said, smilingly, 'Alack, my son, hast thou then for this
+suffered thyself to languish thus? Take comfort and leave me do, once
+thou shalt be recovered.' The youth, full of good hope, in a very
+short time showed signs of great amendment, whereas the lady, being
+much rejoiced, began to cast about how she might perform that which
+she had promised him. Accordingly, calling Jeannette to her one day,
+she asked her very civilly, as by way of a jest, if she had a lover;
+whereupon she waxed all red and answered, 'Madam, it concerneth not
+neither were it seemly in a poor damsel like myself, banished from
+house and home and abiding in others' service, to think of love.'
+Quoth the lady, 'An you have no lover, we mean to give you one, in
+whom you may rejoice and live merry and have more delight of your
+beauty, for it behoveth not that so handsome a girl as you are abide
+without a lover.' To this Jeannette made answer, 'Madam, you took me
+from my father's poverty and have reared me as a daughter, wherefore
+it behoveth me to do your every pleasure; but in this I will nowise
+comply with you, and therein methinketh I do well. If it please you
+give me a husband, him do I purpose to love, but none other; for that,
+since of the inheritance of my ancestors nought is left me save only
+honour, this latter I mean to keep and preserve as long as life shall
+endure to me.'
+
+This speech seemed to the lady very contrary to that whereto she
+thought to come for the keeping of her promise to her son,--albeit,
+like a discreet woman as she was, she inwardly much commended the
+damsel therefor,--and she said, 'How now, Jeannette? If our lord the
+king, who is a young cavalier, as thou art a very fair damsel, would
+fain have some easance of thy love, wouldst thou deny it to him?'
+Whereto she answered forthright, 'The king might do me violence, but
+of my consent he should never avail to have aught of me save what was
+honourable.' The lady, seeing how she was minded, left parleying with
+her and bethought herself to put her to the proof; wherefore she told
+her son that, whenas he should be recovered, she would contrive to
+get her alone with him in a chamber, so he might make shift to have
+his pleasure of her, saying that it appeared to her unseemly that she
+should, procuress-wise, plead for her son and solicit her own maid.
+
+With this the young man was nowise content and presently waxed
+grievously worse, which when his mother saw, she opened her mind to
+Jeannette, but, finding her more constant than ever, recounted what
+she had done to her husband, and he and she resolved of one accord,
+grievous though it seemed to them, to give her to him to wife,
+choosing rather to have their son alive with a wife unsorted to his
+quality than dead without any; and so, after much parley, they did;
+whereat Jeannette was exceeding content and with a devout heart
+rendered thanks to God, who had not forgotten her; but for all that
+she never avouched herself other than the daughter of a Picard. As for
+the young man, he presently recovered and celebrating his nuptials,
+the gladdest man alive, proceeded to lead a merry life with his bride.
+
+Meanwhile, Perrot, who had been left in Wales with the King of
+England's marshal, waxed likewise in favour with his lord and grew up
+very goodly of his person and doughty as any man in the island,
+insomuch that neither in tourneying nor jousting nor in any other act
+of arms was there any in the land who could cope with him; wherefore
+he was everywhere known and famous under the name of Perrot the
+Picard. And even as God had not forgotten his sister, so on like wise
+He showed that He had him also in mind; for that a pestilential
+sickness, being come into those parts, carried off well nigh half the
+people thereof, besides that most part of those who survived fled for
+fear into other lands; wherefore the whole country appeared desert. In
+this mortality, the marshal his lord and his lady and only son,
+together with many others, brothers and nephews and kinsmen, all died,
+nor was any left of all his house save a daughter, just husband-ripe,
+and Perrot, with sundry other serving folk. The pestilence being
+somewhat abated, the young lady, with the approof and by the counsel
+of some few gentlemen of the country[128] left alive, took Perrot, for
+that he was a man of worth and prowess, to husband and made him lord
+of all that had fallen to her by inheritance; nor was it long ere the
+King of England, hearing the marshal to be dead and knowing the worth
+of Perrot the Picard, substituted him in the dead man's room and made
+him his marshal. This, in brief, is what came of the two innocent
+children of the Count of Antwerp, left by him for lost.
+
+[Footnote 128: _Paesani_, lit., countrymen; but Boccaccio evidently
+uses the word in the sense of "vassals."]
+
+Eighteen years were now passed since the count's flight from Paris,
+when, as he abode in Ireland, having suffered many things in a very
+sorry way of life, there took him a desire to learn, as he might, what
+was come of his children. Wherefore, seeing himself altogether changed
+of favour from that which he was wont to be and feeling himself, for
+long exercise, grown more robust of his person than he had been when
+young and abiding in ease and idlesse, he took leave of him with whom
+he had so long abidden and came, poor and ill enough in case, to
+England. Thence he betook himself whereas he had left Perrot and found
+him a marshal and a great lord and saw him robust and goodly of
+person; the which was mighty pleasing unto him, but he would not make
+himself known to him till he should have learned how it was with
+Jeannette. Accordingly, he set out and stayed not till he came to
+London, where, cautiously enquiring of the lady with whom he had left
+his daughter and of her condition, he found Jeannette married to her
+son, which greatly rejoiced him and he counted all his past adversity
+a little thing, since he had found his children again alive and in
+good case.
+
+Then, desirous of seeing Jeannette, he began beggarwise, to haunt the
+neighbourhood of her house, where one day Jamy Lamiens, (for so was
+Jeannette's husband called,) espying him and having compassion on him,
+for that he saw him old and poor, bade one of his servants bring him
+in and give him to eat for the love of God, which the man readily did.
+Now Jeannette had had several children by Jamy, whereof the eldest was
+no more than eight years old, and they were the handsomest and
+sprightliest children in the world. When they saw the count eat, they
+came one and all about him and began to caress him, as if, moved by
+some occult virtue, they divined him to be their grandfather. He,
+knowing them for his grandchildren, fell to fondling and making much
+of them, wherefore the children would not leave him, albeit he who had
+charge of their governance called them. Jeannette, hearing this,
+issued forth of a chamber therenigh and coming whereas the count was,
+chid them amain and threatened to beat them, an they did not what
+their governor willed. The children began to weep and say that they
+would fain abide with that honest man, who loved them better than
+their governor, whereat both the lady and the count laughed. Now the
+latter had risen, nowise as a father, but as a poor man, to do honour
+to his daughter, as to a mistress, and seeing her, felt a marvellous
+pleasure at his heart. But she nor then nor after knew him any whit,
+for that he was beyond measure changed from what he was used to be,
+being grown old and hoar and bearded and lean and swart, and appeared
+altogether another man than the count.
+
+The lady then, seeing that the children were unwilling to leave him
+and wept, when she would have them go away, bade their governor let
+them be awhile and the children thus being with the good man, it
+chanced that Jamy's father returned and heard from their governor what
+had passed, whereupon quoth the marshal, who held Jeannette in
+despite, 'Let them be, God give them ill-luck! They do but hark back
+to that whence they sprang. They come by their mother of a vagabond
+and therefore it is no wonder if they are fain to herd with
+vagabonds.' The count heard these words and was mightily chagrined
+thereat; nevertheless, he shrugged his shoulders and put up with the
+affront, even as he had put up with many others. Jamy, hearing how the
+children had welcomed the honest man, to wit, the count, albeit it
+misliked him, nevertheless so loved them that, rather than see them
+weep, he commanded that, if the good man chose to abide there in any
+capacity, he should be received into his service. The count answered
+that he would gladly abide there, but he knew not to do aught other
+than tend horses, whereto he had been used all his lifetime. A horse
+was accordingly assigned to him and when he had cared for it, he
+busied himself with making sport for the children.
+
+Whilst fortune handled the Count of Antwerp and his children on such
+wise as hath been set out, it befell that the King of France, after
+many truces made with the Germans, died and his son, whose wife was
+she through whom the count had been banished, was crowned in his
+place; and no sooner was the current truce expired than he again began
+a very fierce war. To his aid the King of England, as a new-made
+kinsman, despatched much people, under the commandment of Perrot his
+marshal and Jamy Lamiens, son of the other marshal, and with them went
+the good man, to wit, the count, who, without being recognized of any,
+abode a pretty while with the army in the guise of a horseboy, and
+there, like a man of mettle as he was, wrought good galore, more than
+was required of him, both with counsels and with deeds.
+
+During the war, it came to pass that the Queen of France fell
+grievously sick and feeling herself nigh unto death, contrite for all
+her sins, confessed herself unto the Archbishop of Rouen, who was held
+of all a very holy and good man. Amongst her other sins, she related
+to him that which the Count of Antwerp had most wrongfully suffered
+through her; nor was she content to tell it to him alone, nay, but
+before many other men of worth she recounted all as it had passed,
+beseeching them so to do with the king that the count, an he were on
+life, or, if not, one of his children, should be restored to his
+estate; after which she lingered not long, but, departing this life,
+was honourably buried. Her confession, being reported to the king,
+moved him, after he had heaved divers sighs of regret for the wrong
+done to the nobleman, to let cry throughout all the army and in many
+other parts, that whoso should give him news of the Count of Antwerp
+or of either of his children should for each be wonder-well guerdoned
+of him, for that he held him, upon the queen's confession, innocent of
+that for which he had gone into exile and was minded to restore him to
+his first estate and more.
+
+The count, in his guise of a horseboy, hearing this and being assured
+that it was the truth,[129] betook himself forthright to Jamy Lamiens
+and prayed him go with him to Perrot, for that he had a mind to
+discover to them that which the king went seeking. All three being
+then met together, quoth the count to Perrot, who had it already in
+mind to discover himself, 'Perrot, Jamy here hath thy sister to wife
+nor ever had any dowry with her; wherefore, that thy sister may not go
+undowered, I purpose that he and none other shall, by making thee
+known as the son of the Count of Antwerp, have this great reward that
+the king promiseth for thee and for Violante, thy sister and his wife,
+and myself, who am the Count of Antwerp and your father.' Perrot,
+hearing this and looking steadfastly upon him, presently knew him and
+cast himself, weeping, at his feet and embraced him, saying, 'Father
+mine, you are dearly welcome.' Jamy, hearing first what the count
+said and after seeing what Perrot did, was overcome at once with such
+wonderment and such gladness that he scarce knew what he should do.
+However, after awhile, giving credence to the former's speech and sore
+ashamed for the injurious words he had whiles used to the
+hostler-count, he let himself fall, weeping, at his feet and humbly
+besought him pardon of every past affront, the which the count, having
+raised him to his feet, graciously accorded him.
+
+[Footnote 129: _i.e._ that it was not a snare.]
+
+Then, after they had all three discoursed awhile of each one's various
+adventures and wept and rejoiced together amain, Perrot and Jamy would
+have reclad the count, who would on nowise suffer it, but willed that
+Jamy, having first assured himself of the promised guerdon, should,
+the more to shame the king, present him to the latter in that his then
+plight and in his groom's habit. Accordingly, Jamy, followed by the
+count and Perrot, presented himself before the king, and offered,
+provided he would guerdon him according to the proclamation made, to
+produce to him the count and his children. The king promptly let bring
+for all three a guerdon marvellous in Jamy's eyes and commanded that
+he should be free to carry it off, whenas he should in very deed
+produce the count and his children, as he promised. Jamy, then,
+turning himself about and putting forward the count his horseboy and
+Perrot, said, 'My lord, here be the father and the son; the daughter,
+who is my wife and who is not here, with God's aid you shall soon
+see.'
+
+The king, hearing this, looked at the count and albeit he was sore
+changed from that which he was used to be, yet, after he had awhile
+considered him, he knew him and well nigh with tears in his eyes
+raised him--for that he was on his knees before him--to his feet and
+kissed and embraced him. Perrot, also, he graciously received and
+commanded that the count should incontinent be furnished anew with
+clothes and servants and horses and harness, according as his quality
+required, which was straightway done. Moreover, he entreated Jamy with
+exceeding honour and would fain know every particular of his[130] past
+adventures. Then, Jamy being about to receive the magnificent guerdons
+appointed him for having discovered the count and his children, the
+former said to him, 'Take these of the munificence of our lord the
+king and remember to tell thy father that thy children, his
+grandchildren and mine, are not by their mother born of a vagabond.'
+Jamy, accordingly, took the gifts and sent for his wife and mother to
+Paris, whither came also Perrot's wife; and there they all
+foregathered in the utmost joyance with the count, whom the king had
+reinstated in all his good and made greater than he ever was. Then
+all, with Gautier's leave, returned to their several homes and he
+until his death abode in Paris more worshipfully than ever."
+
+[Footnote 130: _Qućre_, the Count's?]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     BERNABO OF GENOA, DUPED BY AMBROGIUOLO, LOSETH HIS GOOD AND
+     COMMANDETH THAT HIS INNOCENT WIFE BE PUT TO DEATH. SHE
+     ESCAPETH AND SERVETH THE SOLDAN IN A MAN'S HABIT. HERE SHE
+     LIGHTETH UPON THE DECEIVER OF HER HUSBAND AND BRINGETH THE
+     LATTER TO ALEXANDRIA, WHERE, HER TRADUCER BEING PUNISHED,
+     SHE RESUMETH WOMAN'S APPAREL AND RETURNETH TO GENOA WITH HER
+     HUSBAND, RICH
+
+
+Elisa having furnished her due with her pitiful story, Filomena the
+queen, who was tall and goodly of person and smiling and agreeable of
+aspect beyond any other of her sex, collecting herself, said, "Needs
+must the covenant with Dioneo be observed, wherefore, there remaining
+none other to tell than he and I, I will tell my story first, and he,
+for that he asked it as a favour, shall be the last to speak." So
+saying, she began thus, "There is a proverb oftentimes cited among the
+common folk to the effect that the deceiver abideth[131] at the feet
+of the deceived; the which meseemeth may by no reasoning be shown to
+be true, an it approve not itself by actual occurrences. Wherefore,
+whilst ensuing the appointed theme, it hath occurred to me, dearest
+ladies, to show you, at the same time, that this is true, even as it
+is said; nor should it mislike you to hear it, so you may know how to
+keep yourselves from deceivers.
+
+[Footnote 131: _Rimane._ The verb _rimanere_ is constantly used by the
+old Italian writers in the sense of "to become," so that the proverb
+cited in the text may be read "The deceiver becometh (_i.e._ findeth
+himself in the end) at the feet (_i.e._ at the mercy) of the person
+deceived."]
+
+There were once at Paris in an inn certain very considerable Italian
+merchants, who were come thither, according to their usance, some on
+one occasion and some on another, and having one evening among others
+supped all together merrily, they fell to devising of divers matters,
+and passing from one discourse to another, they came at last to speak
+of their wives, whom they had left at home, and one said jestingly, 'I
+know not how mine doth; but this I know well, that, whenas there
+cometh to my hand here any lass that pleaseth me, I leave on one side
+the love I bear my wife and take of the other such pleasure as I may.'
+'And I,' quoth another, 'do likewise, for that if I believe that my
+wife pusheth her fortunes [in my absence,] she doth it, and if I
+believe it not, still she doth it; wherefore tit for tat be it; an ass
+still getteth as good as he giveth.'[132] A third, following on, came
+well nigh to the same conclusion, and in brief all seemed agreed upon
+this point, that the wives they left behind had no mind to lose time
+in their husbands' absence. One only, who hight Bernabo Lomellini of
+Genoa, maintained the contrary, avouching that he, by special grace of
+God, had a lady to wife who was belike the most accomplished woman of
+all Italy in all those qualities which a lady, nay, even (in great
+part) in those which a knight or an esquire, should have; for that she
+was fair of favour and yet in her first youth and adroit and robust of
+her person; nor was there aught that pertaineth unto a woman, such as
+works of broidery in silk and the like, but she did it better than any
+other of her sex. Moreover, said he, there was no sewer, or in other
+words, no serving-man, alive who served better or more deftly at a
+nobleman's table than did she, for that she was very well bred and
+exceeding wise and discreet. He after went on to extol her as knowing
+better how to ride a horse and fly a hawk, to read and write and cast
+a reckoning than if she were a merchant; and thence, after many other
+commendations, coming to that whereof it had been discoursed among
+them, he avouched with an oath that there could be found no honester
+nor chaster woman than she; wherefore he firmly believed that, should
+he abide half a score years, or even always, from home, she would
+never incline to the least levity with another man. Among the
+merchants who discoursed thus was a young man called Ambrogiuolo of
+Piacenza, who fell to making the greatest mock in the world of this
+last commendation bestowed by Bernabo upon his wife and asked him
+scoffingly if the emperor had granted him that privilege over and
+above all other men. Bernabo, some little nettled, replied that not
+the emperor, but God, who could somewhat more than the emperor, had
+vouchsafed him the favour in question. Whereupon quoth Ambrogiuolo,
+'Bernabo, I doubt not a whit but that thou thinkest to say sooth; but
+meseemeth thou hast paid little regard to the nature of things; for
+that, hadst thou taken heed thereunto, I deem thee not so dull of wit
+but thou wouldst have noted therein certain matters which had made
+thee speak more circumspectly on this subject. And that thou mayst not
+think that we, who have spoken much at large of our wives, believe
+that we have wives other or otherwise made than thine, but mayst see
+that we spoke thus, moved by natural perception, I will e'en reason
+with thee a little on this matter. I have always understood man to be
+the noblest animal created of God among mortals, and after him, woman;
+but man, as is commonly believed and as is seen by works, is the more
+perfect and having more perfection, must without fail have more of
+firmness and constancy, for that women universally are more
+changeable; the reason whereof might be shown by many natural
+arguments, which for the present I purpose to leave be. If then man be
+of more stability and yet cannot keep himself, let alone from
+complying with a woman who soliciteth him, but even from desiring one
+who pleaseth him, nay more, from doing what he can, so he may avail to
+be with her,--and if this betide him not once a month, but a thousand
+times a day,--what canst thou expect a woman, naturally unstable, to
+avail against the prayers, the blandishments, the gifts and a thousand
+other means which an adroit man, who loveth her, will use? Thinkest
+thou she can hold out? Certes, how much soever thou mayst affirm it,
+I believe not that thou believest it; and thou thyself sayst that thy
+wife is a woman and that she is of flesh and blood, as are other
+women. If this be so, those same desires must be hers and the same
+powers that are in other women to resist these natural appetites;
+wherefore, however honest she be, it is possible she may do that which
+other women do; and nothing that is possible she be so peremptorily
+denied nor the contrary thereof affirmed with such rigour as thou
+dost.' To which Bernabo made answer, saying, 'I am a merchant, and not
+a philosopher, and as a merchant I will answer; and I say that I
+acknowledge that what thou sayst may happen to foolish women in whom
+there is no shame; but those who are discreet are so careful of their
+honour that for the guarding thereof they become stronger than men,
+who reck not of this; and of those thus fashioned is my wife.'
+'Indeed,' rejoined Ambrogiuolo, 'if, for every time they occupy
+themselves with toys of this kind, there sprouted from their foreheads
+a horn to bear witness of that which they have done, there be few, I
+believe, who would incline thereto; but, far from the horn sprouting,
+there appeareth neither trace nor token thereof in those who are
+discreet, and shame and soil of honour consist not but in things
+discovered; wherefore, whenas they may secretly, they do it, or, if
+they forebear, it is for stupidity. And have thou this for certain
+that she alone is chaste, who hath either never been solicited of any
+or who, having herself solicited, hath not been hearkened. And
+although I know by natural and true reasons that it is e'en as I say,
+yet should I not speak thereof with so full an assurance, had I not
+many a time and with many women made essay thereof. And this I tell
+thee, that, were I near this most sanctified wife of thine, I warrant
+me I would in brief space of time bring her to that which I have
+already gotten of other women.' Whereupon quoth Bernabo, 'Disputing
+with words might be prolonged without end; thou wouldst say and I
+should say, and in the end it would all amount to nothing. But, since
+thou wilt have it that all women are so compliant and that thine
+address is such, I am content, so I may certify thee of my wife's
+honesty, to have my head cut off, and thou canst anywise avail to
+bring her to do thy pleasure in aught of the kind; and if thou fail
+thereof, I will have thee lose no otherwhat than a thousand gold
+florins.' 'Bernabo,' replied Ambrogiuolo, who was now grown heated
+over the dispute, 'I know not what I should do with thy blood, if I
+won the wager; but, an thou have a mind to see proof of that which I
+have advanced, do thou stake five thousand gold florins of thy monies,
+which should be less dear to thee than thy head, against a thousand of
+mine, and whereas thou settest no limit [of time,] I will e'en bind
+myself to go to Genoa and within three months from the day of my
+departure hence to have done my will of thy wife and to bring back
+with me, in proof thereof, sundry of her most precious things and such
+and so many tokens that thou shalt thyself confess it to be truth, so
+verily thou wilt pledge me thy faith not to come to Genoa within that
+term nor write her aught of the matter.' Bernabo said that it liked
+him well and albeit the other merchants endeavoured to hinder the
+affair, foreseeing that sore mischief might come thereof, the two
+merchants' minds were so inflamed that, in despite of the rest, they
+bound themselves one to other by express writings under their hands.
+This done, Bernabo abode behind, whilst Ambrogiuolo, as quickliest he
+might, betook himself to Genoa. There he abode some days and informing
+himself with the utmost precaution of the name of the street where the
+lady dwelt and of her manner of life, understood of her that and more
+than that which he had heard of her from Bernabo, wherefore himseemed
+he was come on a fool's errand. However, he presently clapped up an
+acquaintance with a poor woman, who was much about the house and whose
+great well-wisher the lady was, and availing not to induce her to
+aught else, he debauched her with money and prevailed with her to
+bring him, in a chest wroughten after a fashion of his own, not only
+into the house, but into the gentlewoman's very bedchamber, where,
+according to the ordinance given her of him, the good woman commended
+it to her care for some days, as if she had a mind to go somewhither.
+The chest, then being left in the chamber and the night come,
+Ambrogiuolo, what time he judged the lady to be asleep, opened the
+chest with certain engines of his and came softly out into the
+chamber, where there was a light burning, with whose aid he proceeded
+to observe the ordinance of the place, the paintings and every other
+notable thing that was therein and fixed them in his memory. Then,
+drawing near the bed and perceiving that the lady and a little girl,
+who was with her, were fast asleep, he softly altogether uncovered the
+former and found that she was as fair, naked, as clad, but saw no sign
+about her that he might carry away, save one, to wit, a mole which she
+had under the left pap and about which were sundry little hairs as red
+as gold. This noted he covered her softly up again, albeit, seeing her
+so fair, he was tempted to adventure his life and lay himself by her
+side; however, for that he had heard her to be so obdurate and
+uncomplying in matters of this kind, he hazarded not himself, but,
+abiding at his leisure in the chamber the most part of the night, took
+from one of her coffers a purse and a night-rail, together with sundry
+rings and girdles, and laying them all in his chest, returned thither
+himself and shut himself up therein as before; and on this wise he did
+two nights, without the lady being ware of aught. On the third day the
+good woman came back for the chest, according to the given ordinance,
+and carried it off whence she had taken it, whereupon Ambrogiuolo came
+out and having rewarded her according to promise, returned, as
+quickliest he might, with the things aforesaid, to Paris, where he
+arrived before the term appointed. There he summoned the merchants who
+had been present at the dispute and the laying of the wager and
+declared, in Bernabo's presence, that he had won the wager laid
+between them, for that he had accomplished that whereof he had vaunted
+himself; and to prove this to be true, he first described the fashion
+of the chamber and the paintings thereof and after showed the things
+he had brought with him thence, avouching that he had them of herself.
+Bernabo confessed the chamber to be as he had said and owned,
+moreover, that he recognized the things in question as being in truth
+his wife's; but said that he might have learned from one of the
+servants of the house the fashion of the chamber and have gotten the
+things in like manner; wherefore, an he had nought else to say,
+himseemed not that this should suffice to prove him to have won.
+Whereupon quoth Ambrogiuolo, 'In sooth this should suffice, but, since
+thou wilt have me say more, I will say it. I tell thee that Madam
+Ginevra thy wife hath under her left pap a pretty big mole, about
+which are maybe half a dozen little hairs as red as gold.' When
+Bernabo heard this, it was as if he had gotten a knife-thrust in the
+heart, such anguish did he feel, and though he had said not a word,
+his countenance, being all changed, gave very manifest token that what
+Ambrogiuolo said was true. Then, after awhile, 'Gentlemen,' quoth he,
+'that which Ambrogiuolo saith is true; wherefore, he having won, let
+him come whenassoever it pleaseth him and he shall be paid.'
+Accordingly, on the ensuing day Ambrogiuolo was paid in full and
+Bernabo, departing Paris, betook himself to Genoa with fell intent
+against the lady. When he drew near the city, he would not enter
+therein, but lighted down a good score miles away at a country house
+of his and despatched one of his servants, in whom he much trusted, to
+Genoa with two horses and letters under his hand, advising his wife
+that he had returned and bidding her come to him; and he privily
+charged the man, whenas he should be with the lady in such place as
+should seem best to him, to put her to death without pity and return
+to him. The servant accordingly repaired to Genoa and delivering the
+letters and doing his errand, was received with great rejoicing by the
+lady, who on the morrow took horse with him and set out for their
+country house. As they fared on together, discoursing of one thing and
+another, they came to a very deep and lonely valley, beset with high
+rocks and trees, which seeming to the servant a place wherein he
+might, with assurance for himself, do his lord's commandment, he
+pulled out his knife and taking the lady by the arm, said, 'Madam,
+commend your soul to God, for needs must you die, without faring
+farther.' The lady, seeing the knife and hearing these words, was all
+dismayed and said, 'Mercy, for God's sake! Ere thou slay me, tell me
+wherein I have offended thee, that thou wouldst put me to death.'
+'Madam,' answered the man, 'me you have nowise offended; but wherein
+you have offended your husband I know not, save that he hath commanded
+me slay you by the way, without having any pity upon you, threatening
+me, an I did it not, to have me hanged by the neck. You know well how
+much I am beholden to him and how I may not gainsay him in aught that
+he may impose upon me; God knoweth it irketh me for you, but I can no
+otherwise.' Whereupon quoth the lady, weeping, 'Alack, for God's sake,
+consent not to become the murderer of one who hath never wronged thee,
+to serve another! God who knoweth all knoweth that I never did aught
+for which I should receive such a recompense from my husband. But let
+that be; thou mayst, an thou wilt, at once content God and thy master
+and me, on this wise; to wit, that thou take these my clothes and give
+me but thy doublet and a hood and with the former return to my lord
+and thine and tell him that thou hast slain me; and I swear to thee,
+by that life which thou wilt have bestowed on me, that I will remove
+hence and get me gone into a country whence never shall any news of me
+win either to him or to thee or into these parts.' The servant, who
+was loath to slay her, was lightly moved to compassion; wherefore he
+took her clothes and give her a sorry doublet of his and a hood,
+leaving her sundry monies she had with her. Then praying her depart
+the country, he left her in the valley and afoot and betook himself to
+his master, to whom he avouched that not only was his commandment
+accomplished, but that he had left the lady's dead body among a pack
+of wolves, and Bernabo presently returned to Genoa, where the thing
+becoming known, he was much blamed. As for the lady, she abode alone
+and disconsolate till nightfall, when she disguised herself as most
+she might and repaired to a village hard by, where, having gotten from
+an old woman that which she needed, she fitted the doublet to her
+shape and shortening it, made a pair of linen breeches of her shift;
+then, having cut her hair and altogether transformed herself in the
+guise of a sailor, she betook herself to the sea-shore, where, as
+chance would have it, she found a Catalan gentleman, by name Senor
+Encararch, who had landed at Alba from a ship he had in the offing, to
+refresh himself at a spring there. With him she entered into parley
+and engaging with him as a servant, embarked on board the ship, under
+the name of Sicurano da Finale. There, being furnished by the
+gentleman with better clothes, she proceeded to serve him so well and
+so aptly that she became in the utmost favour with him. No great while
+after it befell that the Catalan made a voyage to Alexandria with a
+lading of his and carrying thither certain peregrine falcons for the
+Soldan, presented them to him. The Soldan, having once and again
+entertained him at meat and noting with approof the fashions of
+Sicurano, who still went serving him, begged him[133] of his master,
+who yielded him to him, although it irked him to do it, and Sicurano,
+in a little while, by his good behaviour, gained the love and favour
+of the Soldan, even as he had gained that of the Catalan. Wherefore,
+in process of time, it befell that,--the time coming for a great
+assemblage, in the guise of a fair, of merchants, both Christian and
+Saracen, which was wont at a certain season of the year to be held in
+Acre, a town under the seignory of the Soldan, and to which, in order
+that the merchants and their merchandise might rest secure, the latter
+was still used to despatch, besides other his officers, some one of
+his chief men, with troops, to look to the guard,--he bethought
+himself to send Sicurano, who was by this well versed in the language
+of the country, on this service; and so he did. Sicurano accordingly
+came to Acre as governor and captain of the guard of the merchants and
+their merchandise and there well and diligently doing that which
+pertained to his office and going round looking about him, saw many
+merchants there, Sicilians and Pisans and Genoese and Venetians and
+other Italians, with whom he was fain to make acquaintance, in
+remembrance of his country. It befell, one time amongst others, that,
+having lighted down at the shop of certain Venetian merchants, he
+espied among other trinkets, a purse and a girdle, which he
+straightway knew for having been his and marvelled thereat; but,
+without making any sign, he carelessly asked to whom they pertained
+and if they were for sale. Now Ambrogiuolo of Piacenza was come
+thither with much merchandise on board a Venetian ship and hearing the
+captain of the guard ask whose the trinkets were, came forward and
+said, laughing, 'Sir, the things are mine and I do not sell them; but,
+if they please you, I will gladly give them to you.' Sicurano, seeing
+him laugh, misdoubted he had recognized him by some gesture of his;
+but yet, keeping a steady countenance, he said, 'Belike thou laughest
+to see me, a soldier, go questioning of these women's toys?' 'Sir,'
+answered Ambrogiuolo, 'I laugh not at that; nay, but at the way I came
+by them.' 'Marry, then,' said Sicurano, 'an it be not unspeakable,
+tell me how thou gottest them, so God give thee good luck.' Quoth
+Ambrogiuolo, 'Sir, a gentlewoman of Genoa, hight Madam Ginevra, wife
+of Bernabo Lomellini, gave me these things, with certain others, one
+night that I lay with her, and prayed me keep them for the love of
+her. Now I laugh for that I mind me of the simplicity of Bernabo, who
+was fool enough to lay five thousand florins to one that I would not
+bring his wife to do my pleasure; the which I did and won the wager;
+whereupon he, who should rather have punished himself for his
+stupidity than her for doing that which all women do, returned from
+Paris to Genoa and there, by what I have since heard, caused her put
+to death.' Sicurano, hearing this, understood forthwith what was the
+cause of Bernabo's anger against his wife[134] and manifestly
+perceiving this fellow to have been the occasion of all her ills,
+determined not to let him go unpunished therefor. Accordingly he
+feigned to be greatly diverted with the story and artfully clapped up
+a strait acquaintance with him, insomuch that, the fair being ended,
+Ambrogiuolo, at his instance, accompanied him, with all his good, to
+Alexandria. Here Sicurano let build him a warehouse and lodged in his
+hands store of his own monies; and Ambrogiuolo, foreseeing great
+advantage to himself, willingly took up his abode there. Meanwhile,
+Sicurano, careful to make Bernabo clear of his[135] innocence, rested
+not till, by means of certain great Genoese merchants who were then in
+Alexandria, he had, on some plausible occasion of his[136] own
+devising, caused him come thither, where finding him in poor enough
+case, he had him privily entertained by a friend of his[137] against
+it should seem to him[138] time to do that which he purposed. Now he
+had already made Ambrogiuolo recount his story before the Soldan for
+the latter's diversion; but seeing Bernabo there and thinking there
+was no need to use farther delay in the matter, he took occasion to
+procure the Soldan to have Ambrogiuolo and Bernabo brought before him
+and in the latter's presence, to extort from the former, by dint of
+severity, an it might not easily be done [by other means,] the truth
+of that whereof he vaunted himself concerning Bernabo's wife.
+Accordingly, they both being come, the Soldan, in the presence of
+many, with a stern countenance commanded Ambrogiuolo to tell the truth
+how he had won of Bernabo the five thousand gold florins; and Sicurano
+himself, in whom he most trusted, with a yet angrier aspect,
+threatened him with the most grievous torments, an he told it not;
+whereupon Ambrogiuolo, affrighted on one side and another and in a
+measure constrained, in the presence of Bernabo and many others,
+plainly related everything, even as it passed, expecting no worse
+punishment therefor than the restitution of the five thousand gold
+florins and of the stolen trinkets. He having spoken, Sicurano, as he
+were the Soldan's minister in the matter, turned to Bernabo and said
+to him, 'And thou, what didst thou to thy lady for this lie?' Whereto
+Bernabo replied, 'Overcome with wrath for the loss of my money and
+with resentment for the shame which meseemed I had gotten from my
+wife, I caused a servant of mine put her to death, and according to
+that which he reported to me, she was straightway devoured by a
+multitude of wolves,' These things said in the presence of the Soldan
+and all heard and apprehended of him, albeit he knew not yet to what
+end Sicurano, who had sought and ordered this, would fain come, the
+latter said to him, 'My lord, you may very clearly see how much reason
+yonder poor lady had to vaunt herself of her gallant and her husband,
+for that the former at once bereaved her of honour, marring her fair
+fame with lies, and despoiled her husband, whilst the latter more
+credulous of others' falsehoods than of the truth which he might by
+long experience have known, caused her to be slain and eaten of
+wolves; and moreover, such is the goodwill and the love borne her by
+the one and the other that, having long abidden with her, neither of
+them knoweth her. But that you may the better apprehend that which
+each of these hath deserved, I will,--so but you vouchsafe me, of
+special favour to punish the deceiver and pardon the dupe,--e'en cause
+her come hither into your and their presence.' The Soldan, disposed in
+the matter altogether to comply with Sicurano's wishes, answered that
+he would well and bade him produce the lady; whereat Bernabo marvelled
+exceedingly, for that he firmly believed her to be dead, whilst
+Ambrogiuolo, now divining his danger, began to be in fear of worse
+than paying of monies and knew not whether more to hope or to fear
+from the coming of the lady, but awaited her appearance with the
+utmost amazement. The Soldan, then, having accorded Sicurano his wish,
+the latter threw himself, weeping, on his knees before him and putting
+off, as it were at one and the same time, his manly voice and
+masculine demeanour, said, 'My lord, I am the wretched misfortunate
+Ginevra, who have these six years gone wandering in man's disguise
+about the world, having been foully and wickedly aspersed by this
+traitor Ambrogiuolo and given by yonder cruel and unjust man to one
+of his servants to be slain and eaten of wolves.' Then, tearing open
+the fore part of her clothes and showing her breast, she discovered
+herself to the Soldan and all else who were present and after, turning
+to Ambrogiuolo, indignantly demanded of him when he had ever lain with
+her, according as he had aforetime boasted; but he, now knowing her
+and fallen well nigh dumb for shame, said nothing. The Soldan, who had
+always held her a man, seeing and hearing this, fell into such a
+wonderment that he more than once misdoubted that which he saw and
+heard to be rather a dream than true. However, after his amazement had
+abated, apprehending the truth of the matter, he lauded to the utmost
+the life and fashions of Ginevra, till then called Sicurano, and
+extolled her constancy and virtue; and letting bring her very
+sumptuous woman's apparel and women to attend her, he pardoned
+Bernabo, in accordance with her request, the death he had merited,
+whilst the latter, recognizing her, cast himself at her feet, weeping
+and craving forgiveness, which she, ill worthy as he was thereof,
+graciously accorded him and raising him to his feet, embraced him
+tenderly, as her husband. Then the Soldan commanded that Ambrogiuolo
+should incontinent be bound to a stake and smeared with honey and
+exposed to the sun in some high place of the city, nor should ever be
+loosed thence till such time as he should fall of himself; and so was
+it done. After this he commanded that all that had belonged to him
+should be given to the lady, the which was not so little but that it
+outvalued ten thousand doubloons. Moreover, he let make a very goodly
+banquet, wherein he entertained Bernabo with honour, as Madam
+Ginevra's husband, and herself as a very valiant lady and gave her, in
+jewels and vessels of gold and silver and monies, that which amounted
+to better[139] than other ten thousand doubloons. Then, the banquet
+over, he caused equip them a ship and gave them leave to return at
+their pleasure to Genoa, whither accordingly they returned with great
+joyance and exceeding rich; and there they were received with the
+utmost honour, especially Madam Ginevra, who was of all believed to be
+dead and who, while she lived, was still reputed of great worth and
+virtue. As for Ambrogiuolo, being that same day bounded to the stake
+and anointed with honey, he was, to his exceeding torment, not only
+slain, but devoured, of the flies and wasps and gadflies, wherewith
+that country aboundeth, even to the bones, which latter, waxed white
+and hanging by the sinews, being left unremoved, long bore witness of
+his villainy to all who saw them. And on this wise did the deceiver
+abide at the feet of the deceived."
+
+[Footnote 132: Lit. Whatsoever an ass giveth against a wall, such he
+receiveth (_Quale asino da in parete, tal riceve_). I cannot find any
+satisfactory explanation of this proverbial saying, which may be
+rendered in two ways, according as _quale_ and _tale_ are taken as
+relative to a thing or a person. The probable reference seems to be to
+the circumstance of an ass making water against a wall, so that his
+urine returns to him.]
+
+[Footnote 133: From this point until the final discovery of her true
+sex, the heroine is spoken of in the masculine gender, as became her
+assumed name and habit.]
+
+[Footnote 134: Here Boccaccio uses the feminine pronoun, immediately
+afterward resuming the masculine form in speaking of Sicurano.]
+
+[Footnote 135: _i.e._ her.]
+
+[Footnote 136: _i.e._ her.]
+
+[Footnote 137: _i.e._ hers.]
+
+[Footnote 138: _i.e._ her.]
+
+[Footnote 139: Sic (_meglio_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     PAGANINO OF MONACO STEALETH AWAY THE WIFE OF MESSER
+     RICCIARDO DI CHINZICA, WHO, LEARNING WHERE SHE IS, GOETH
+     THITHER AND MAKING FRIENDS WITH PAGANINO, DEMANDETH HER
+     AGAIN OF HIM. THE LATTER CONCEDETH HER TO HIM, AN SHE WILL;
+     BUT SHE REFUSETH TO RETURN WITH HIM AND MESSER RICCIARDO
+     DYING, SHE BECOMETH THE WIFE OF PAGANINO
+
+
+Each of the honourable company highly commended for goodly the story
+told by their queen, especially Dioneo, with whom alone for that
+present day it now rested to tell, and who, after many praises
+bestowed upon the preceding tale, said, "Fair ladies, one part of the
+queen's story hath caused me change counsel of telling you one that
+was in my mind, and determine to tell you another,--and that is the
+stupidity of Bernabo (albeit good betided him thereof) and of all
+others who give themselves to believe that which he made a show of
+believing and who, to wit, whilst going about the world, diverting
+themselves now with this woman and now with that, imagine that the
+ladies left at home abide with their hands in their girdles, as if we
+knew not, we who are born and reared among the latter, unto what they
+are fain. In telling you this story, I shall at once show you how
+great is the folly of these folk and how greater yet is that of those
+who, deeming themselves more potent than nature herself, think by dint
+of sophistical inventions[140] to avail unto that which is beyond
+their power and study to bring others to that which they themselves
+are, whenas the complexion of those on whom they practise brooketh it
+not.
+
+[Footnote 140: Lit. fabulous demonstrations (_dimostrazioni
+favolose_), casuistical arguments, founded upon premises of their own
+invention.]
+
+There was, then, in Pisa a judge, by name Messer Ricciardo di
+Chinzica, more gifted with wit than with bodily strength, who,
+thinking belike to satisfy a wife by the same means which served him
+to despatch his studies and being very rich, sought with no little
+diligence to have a fair and young lady to wife; whereas, had he but
+known to counsel himself as he counselled others, he should have
+shunned both the one and the other. The thing came to pass according
+to his wish, for Messer Lotto Gualandi gave him to wife a daughter of
+his, Bartolomea by name, one of the fairest and handsomest young
+ladies of Pisa, albeit there be few there that are not very lizards to
+look upon. The judge accordingly brought her home with the utmost pomp
+and having held a magnificent wedding, made shift the first night to
+hand her one venue for the consummation of the marriage, but came
+within an ace of making a stalemate of it, whereafter, lean and dry
+and scant of wind as he was, it behoved him on the morrow bring
+himself back to life with malmsey and restorative confections and
+other remedies. Thenceforward, being now a better judge of his own
+powers than he was, he fell to teaching his wife a calendar fit for
+children learning to read and belike made aforetime at Ravenna,[141]
+for that, according to what he feigned to her, there was no day in the
+year but was sacred not to one saint only, but to many, in reverence
+of whom he showed by divers reasons that man and wife should abstain
+from carnal conversation; and to these be added, to boot, fast days
+and Emberdays and the vigils of the Apostles and of a thousand other
+saints and Fridays and Saturdays and Lord's Day and all Lent and
+certain seasons of the moon and store of other exceptions, conceiving
+belike that it behoved to keep holiday with women in bed like as he
+did bytimes whilst pleading in the courts of civil law. This fashion
+(to the no small chagrin of the lady, whom he handled maybe once a
+month, and hardly that) he followed a great while, still keeping
+strait watch over her, lest peradventure some other should teach her
+to know working-days, even as he had taught her holidays. Things
+standing thus, it chanced that, the heat being great and Messer
+Ricciardo having a mind to go a-pleasuring to a very fair country-seat
+he had, near Monte Nero, and there abide some days to take the air, he
+betook himself thither, carrying with him his fair lady. There
+sojourning, to give her some diversion, he caused one day fish and
+they went out to sea in two boats, he in one with the fishermen, and
+she in another with other ladies. The sport luring them on, they
+drifted some miles out to sea, well nigh without perceiving it, and
+whilst they were intent upon their diversion, there came up of a
+sudden a galliot belonging to Paganino da Mare, a famous corsair of
+those days. The latter, espying the boats, made for them, nor could
+they flee so fast but he overtook that in which were the women and
+seeing therein the judge's fair lady, he carried her aboard the
+galliot, in full sight of Messer Ricciardo, who was now come to land,
+and made off without recking of aught else. When my lord judge, who
+was so jealous that he misdoubted of the very air, saw this, it
+booteth not to ask if he was chagrined; and in vain, both at Pisa and
+otherwhere, did he complain of the villainy of the corsairs, for that
+he knew not who had taken his wife from him nor whither he had carried
+her. As for Paganino, finding her so fair, he deemed himself in luck
+and having no wife, resolved to keep her for himself. Accordingly,
+seeing her weeping sore, he studied to comfort her with soft words
+till nightfall, when, his calendar having dropped from his girdle and
+saints' days and holidays gone clean out of his head, he fell to
+comforting her with deeds, himseeming that words had availed little by
+day; and after such a fashion did he console her that, ere they came
+to Monaco, the judge and his ordinances had altogether escaped her
+mind and she began to lead the merriest of lives with Paganino. The
+latter carried her to Monaco and there, over and above the
+consolations with which he plied her night and day, he entreated her
+honourably as his wife. After awhile it came to Messer Ricciardo's
+ears where his wife was and he, being possessed with the most ardent
+desire to have her again and bethinking himself that none other might
+thoroughly suffice to do what was needful to that end, resolved to go
+thither himself, determined to spend any quantity of money for her
+ransom. Accordingly he set out by sea and coming to Monaco, there both
+saw and was seen of the lady, who told it to Paganino that same
+evening and acquainted him with her intent. Next morning Messer
+Ricciardo, seeing Paganino, accosted him and quickly clapped up a
+great familiarity and friendship with him, whilst the other feigned
+not to know him and waited to see at what he aimed. Accordingly,
+whenas it seemed to him time, Messer Ricciardo discovered to him, as
+best and most civilly he knew, the occasion of his coming and prayed
+him take what he pleased and restore him the lady. To which Paganino
+made answer with a cheerful countenance, 'Sir, you are welcome, and to
+answer you briefly, I say thus; it is true I have a young lady in my
+house, if she be your wife or another's I know not, for that I know
+you not nor indeed her, save in so much as she hath abidden awhile
+with me. If you be, as you say, her husband, I will, since you seem to
+me a civil gentleman, carry you to her and I am assured that she will
+know you right well. If she say it is as you avouch and be willing to
+go with you, you shall, for the sake of your civility, give me what
+you yourself will to her ransom; but, an it be not so, you would do
+ill to seek to take her from me, for that I am a young man and can
+entertain a woman as well as another, and especially such an one as
+she, who is the most pleasing I ever saw.' Quoth Messer Ricciardo,
+'For certain she is my wife, an thou bring me where she is, thou shalt
+soon see it; for she will incontinent throw herself on my neck;
+wherefore I ask no better than that it be as thou proposest.' 'Then,'
+said Paganino, 'let us be going.' Accordingly they betook themselves
+to the corsair's house, where he brought the judge into a saloon of
+his and let call the lady, who issued forth of a chamber, all dressed
+and tired, and came whereas they were, but accosted Messer Ricciardo
+no otherwise than as she would any other stranger who might have come
+home with Paganino. The judge, who looked to have been received by her
+with the utmost joy, marvelled sore at this and fell a-saying in
+himself, 'Belike the chagrin and long grief I have suffered, since I
+lost her, have so changed me that she knoweth me not.' Wherefore he
+said to her, 'Wife, it hath cost me dear to carry thee a-fishing, for
+that never was grief felt like that which I have suffered since I lost
+thee, and now meseemeth thou knowest me not, so distantly dost thou
+greet me. Seest thou not that I am thine own Messer Ricciardo, come
+hither to pay that which this gentleman, in whose house we are, shall
+require to thy ransom and to carry thee away? And he, of his favour,
+restoreth thee to me for what I will.' The lady turned to him and
+said, smiling somewhat, 'Speak you to me, sir? Look you mistake me
+not, for, for my part, I mind me not ever to have seen you.' Quoth
+Ricciardo, 'Look what thou sayest; consider me well; an thou wilt but
+recollect thyself, thou wilt see that I am thine own Ricciardo di
+Chinzica.' 'Sir,' answered the lady, 'you will pardon me; belike it is
+not so seemly a thing as you imagine for me to look much on you.
+Nevertheless I have seen enough of you to know that I never before set
+eyes on you.' Ricciardo, concluding that she did this for fear of
+Paganino and chose not to confess to knowing him in the latter's
+presence, besought him of his favour that he might speak with her in a
+room alone. Paganino replied that he would well, so but he would not
+kiss her against her will, and bade the lady go with him into a
+chamber and there hear what he had to say and answer him as it should
+please her. Accordingly the lady and Messer Ricciardo went into a room
+apart and as soon as they were seated, the latter began to say,
+'Alack, heart of my body, sweet my soul and my hope, knowest thou not
+thy Ricciardo, who loveth thee more than himself? How can this be? Am
+I so changed? Prithee, fair mine eye, do but look on me a little.' The
+lady began to laugh and without letting him say more, replied, 'You
+may be assured that I am not so scatterbrained but that I know well
+enough you are Messer Ricciardo di Chinzica, my husband; but, what
+time I was with you, you showed that you knew me very ill, for that
+you should have had the sense to see that I was young and lusty and
+gamesome and should consequently have known that which behoveth unto
+young ladies, over and above clothes and meat, albeit for
+shamefastness they name it not; the which how you performed, you know.
+If the study of the laws was more agreeable to you than your wife, you
+should not have taken her, albeit it never appeared to me that you
+were a judge; nay, you seemed to me rather a common crier of saints'
+days and sacraments and fasts and vigils, so well you knew them. And I
+tell you this, that, had you suffered the husbandmen who till your
+lands keep as many holidays as you allowed him who had the tilling of
+my poor little field, you would never have reaped the least grain of
+corn. However, as God, having compassion on my youth, hath willed it,
+I have happened on yonder man, with whom I abide in this chamber,
+wherein it is unknown what manner of thing is a holiday (I speak of
+those holidays which you, more assiduous in the service of God than in
+that of the ladies, did so diligently celebrate) nor ever yet entered
+in at this door Saturday nor Friday nor vigil nor Emberday nor Lent,
+that is so long; nay, here swink we day and night and thump our wool;
+and this very night after matinsong, I know right well how the thing
+went, once he was up. Wherefore I mean to abide with him and work;
+whilst I am young, and leave saints' days and jubilees and fasts for
+my keeping when I am old; so get you gone about your business as
+quickliest you may, good luck go with you, and keep as many holidays
+as you please, without me.' Messer Ricciardo, hearing these words, was
+distressed beyond endurance and said, whenas he saw she had made an
+end of speaking. 'Alack, sweet my soul, what is this thou sayest? Hast
+thou no regard for thy kinsfolk's honour and thine own? Wilt thou
+rather abide here for this man's whore and in mortal sin than at Pisa
+as my wife? He, when he is weary of thee, will turn thee away to thine
+own exceeding reproach, whilst I will still hold thee dear and still
+(e'en though I willed it not) thou shalt be mistress of my house. Wilt
+thou for the sake of a lewd and disorderly appetite, forsake thine
+honour and me, who love thee more than my life? For God's sake, dear
+my hope, speak no more thus, but consent to come with me; henceforth,
+since I know thy desire, I will enforce myself [to content it;]
+wherefore, sweet my treasure, change counsel and come away with me,
+who have never known weal since thou wast taken from me.' Whereto
+answered the lady, 'I have no mind that any, now that it availeth not,
+should be more tender of my honour than I myself; would my kinsfolk
+had had regard thereto, whenas they gave me to you! But, as they had
+then no care for my honour, I am under no present concern to be
+careful of theirs; and if I am herein _mortar_[142] sin, I shall abide
+though it be in pestle[142] sin. And let me tell you that here
+meseemeth I am Paganino's wife, whereas at Pisa meseemed I was your
+whore, seeing that there, by season of the moon and quadratures of
+geometry, needs must be planets concur to couple betwixt you and me,
+whereas here Paganino holdeth me all night in his arms and straineth
+me and biteth me, and how he serveth me, let God tell you for me. You
+say forsooth you will enforce yourself; to what? To do it in three
+casts and cause it stand by dint of cudgelling? I warrant me you are
+grown a doughty cavalier since I saw you last! Begone and enforce
+yourself to live, for methinketh indeed you do but sojourn here below
+upon sufferance, so peaked and scant o' wind you show to me. And yet
+more I tell you, that, should he leave me (albeit meseemeth he is
+nowise inclined thereto, so I choose to stay,) I purpose not therefor
+ever to return to you, of whom squeeze you as I might, there were no
+making a porringer of sauce; for that I abode with you once to my
+grievous hurt and loss, wherefore in such a case I should seek my
+vantage elsewhere. Nay, once again I tell you, here be neither saints'
+days nor vigils; wherefore here I mean to abide; so get you gone in
+God's name as quickliest you may, or I will cry out that you would
+fain force me.' Messer Ricciardo, seeing himself in ill case and now
+recognizing his folly in taking a young wife, whenas he was himself
+forspent, went forth the chamber tristful and woebegone, and bespoke
+Paganino with many words, that skilled not a jot. Ultimately, leaving
+the lady, he returned to Pisa, without having accomplished aught, and
+there for chagrin fell into such dotage that, as he went about Pisa,
+to whoso greeted him or asked him of anywhat, he answered nought but
+'The ill hole[143] will have no holidays;'[144] and there, no great
+while after, he died. Paganino, hearing this and knowing the love the
+lady bore himself, espoused her to his lawful wife and thereafter,
+without ever observing saints' day or vigil or keeping Lent, they
+wrought what while their legs would carry them and led a jolly life of
+it. Wherefore, dear my ladies, meseemeth Bernabo, in his dispute with
+Ambrogiuolo, rode the she-goat down the steep."[145]
+
+[Footnote 141: According to one of the commentators of the Decameron,
+there are as many churches at Ravenna as days in the year and each day
+is there celebrated as that of some saint or other.]
+
+[Footnote 142: A trifling jingle upon the similarity in sound of the
+words _mortale_ (mortal), _mortaio_ (mortar), _pestello_ (pestle), and
+_pestilente_ (pestilential). The same word-play occurs at least once
+more in the Decameron.]
+
+[Footnote 143: _Il mal foro_, a woman's commodity (Florio).]
+
+[Footnote 144: _i.e._ _Cunnus nonvult feriari._ Some commentators
+propose to read _il mal furo_, the ill thief, supposing Ricciardo to
+allude to Paganino, but this seems far-fetched.]
+
+[Footnote 145: _i.e. semble_ ran headlong to destruction. The
+commentators explain this proverbial expression by saying that a
+she-goat is in any case a hazardous mount, and _a fortiori_ when
+ridden down a precipice; but this seems a somewhat "sporting" kind of
+interpretation.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This story gave such occasion for laughter to all the company that
+there was none whose jaws ached not therefor, and all the ladies
+avouched with one accord that Dioneo spoke sooth and that Bernabo had
+been an ass. But, after the story was ended and the laughter abated,
+the queen, observing that the hour was now late and that all had told
+and seeing that the end of her seignory was come, according to the
+ordinance commenced, took the wreath from her own head and set it on
+that of Neifile, saying, with a blithe aspect, "Henceforth, companion
+dear, be thine the governance of this little people"; and reseated
+herself. Neifile blushed a little at the honour received and became in
+countenance like as showeth a new-blown rose of April or of May in the
+breaking of the day, with lovesome eyes some little downcast,
+sparkling no otherwise than the morning-star. But, after the courteous
+murmur of the bystanders, whereby they gladsomely approved their
+goodwill towards the new-made queen, had abated and she had taken
+heart again, she seated herself somewhat higher than of wont and said,
+"Since I am to be your queen, I will, departing not from the manner
+holden of those who have foregone me and whose governance you have by
+your obedience commended, make manifest to you in few words my
+opinion, which, an it be approved by your counsel, we will ensue.
+To-morrow, as you know, is Friday and the next day is Saturday, days
+which, by reason of the viands that are used therein,[146] are
+somewhat irksome to most folk, more by token that Friday, considering
+that He who died for our life on that day suffered passion, is worthy
+of reverence; wherefore I hold it a just thing and a seemly that, in
+honour of the Divinity, we apply ourselves rather to orisons than to
+story-telling. As for Saturday, it is the usance of ladies on that day
+to wash their heads and do away all dust and all uncleanliness
+befallen them for the labours of the past week; and many, likewise,
+use, in reverence of the Virgin Mother of the Son of God, to fast and
+rest from all manner of work in honour of the ensuing Sunday.
+Wherefore, we being unable fully to ensue the order of living taken by
+us, on like wise methinketh we were well to rest from story-telling on
+that day also; after which, for that we shall then have sojourned here
+four days, I hold it opportune, an we would give no occasion for
+newcomers to intrude upon us, that we remove hence and get us gone
+elsewhither; where I have already considered and provided. There when
+we shall be assembled together on Sunday, after sleeping,--we having
+to-day had leisure enough for discoursing at large,[147]--I have
+bethought myself,--at once that you may have more time to consider and
+because it will be yet goodlier that the license of our story-telling
+be somewhat straitened and that we devise of one of the many fashions
+of fortune,--that our discourse shall be OF SUCH AS HAVE, BY DINT OF
+DILIGENCE,[148] ACQUIRED SOME MUCH DESIRED THING OR RECOVERED SOME
+LOST GOOD. Whereupon let each think to tell somewhat that may be
+useful or at least entertaining to the company, saving always Dioneo
+his privilege." All commended the speech and disposition of the queen
+and ordained that it should be as she had said. Then, calling for her
+seneschal, she particularly instructed him where he should set the
+tables that evening and after of what he should do during all the time
+of her seignory; and this done, rising to her feet, she gave the
+company leave to do that which was most pleasing unto each.
+Accordingly, ladies and men betook themselves to a little garden and
+there, after they had disported themselves awhile, the hour of supper
+being come, they supped with mirth and pleasance; then, all arising
+thence and Emilia, by the queen's commandment, leading the round, the
+ditty following was sung by Pampinea, whilst the other ladies
+responded:
+
+     What lady aye should sing, and if not I,
+     Who'm blest with all for which a maid can sigh?
+     Come then, O Love, thou source of all my weal,
+       All hope and every issue glad and bright
+         Sing ye awhile yfere
+     Of sighs nor bitter pains I erst did feel,
+       That now but sweeten to me thy delight,
+       Nay, but of that fire clear,
+       Wherein I, burning, live in joy and cheer,
+     And as my God, thy name do magnify.
+
+     Thou settest, Love, before these eyes of mine
+       Whenas thy fire I entered the first day,
+         A youngling so beseen
+     With valour, worth and loveliness divine,
+       That never might one find a goodlier, nay,
+         Nor yet his match, I ween.
+         So sore I burnt for him I still must e'en
+     Sing, blithe, of him with thee, my lord most high.
+
+     And that in him which crowneth my liesse
+       Is that I please him, as he pleaseth me,
+         Thanks to Love debonair;
+     Thus in this world my wish I do possess
+       And in the next I trust at peace to be,
+         Through that fast faith I bear
+         To him; sure God, who seeth this, will ne'er
+     The kingdom of His bliss to us deny.
+
+[Footnote 146: _i.e._ Friday being a fast day and Saturday a _jour
+maigre_.]
+
+[Footnote 147: _i.e._ generally upon the vicissitudes of Fortune and
+not upon any particular feature.]
+
+[Footnote 148: _Industria_, syn. address, skilful contrivance.]
+
+After this they sang sundry other songs and danced sundry dances and
+played upon divers instruments of music. Then, the queen deeming it
+time to go to rest, each betook himself, with torches before him, to
+his chamber, and all on the two following days, whilst applying
+themselves to those things whereof the queen had spoken, looked
+longingly for Sunday.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE SECOND DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Third_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE THIRD DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF NEIFILE IS DISCOURSED OF SUCH AS HAVE BY
+     DINT OF DILIGENCE ACQUIRED SOME MUCH DESIRED THING OR
+     RECOVERED SOME LOST GOOD
+
+
+The dawn from vermeil began to grow orange-tawny, at the approach of
+the sun, when on the Sunday the queen arose and caused all her company
+rise also. The seneschal had a great while before despatched to the
+place whither they were to go store of things needful and folk who
+should there make ready that which behoved, and seeing the queen now
+on the way, straightway let load everything else, as if the camp were
+raised thence, and with the household stuff and such of the servants
+as remained set out in rear of the ladies and gentlemen. The queen,
+then, with slow step, accompanied and followed by her ladies and the
+three young men and guided by the song of some score nightingales and
+other birds, took her way westward, by a little-used footpath, full of
+green herbs and flowers, which latter now all began to open for the
+coming sun, and chatting, jesting and laughing with her company,
+brought them a while before half tierce,[149] without having gone over
+two thousand paces, to a very fair and rich palace, somewhat upraised
+above the plain upon a little knoll. Here they entered and having gone
+all about and viewed the great saloons and the quaint and elegant
+chambers all throughly furnished with that which pertaineth thereunto,
+they mightily commended the place and accounted its lord magnificent.
+Then, going below and seeing the very spacious and cheerful court
+thereof, the cellars full of choicest wines and the very cool water
+that welled there in great abundance, they praised it yet more.
+Thence, as if desirous of repose, they betook themselves to sit in a
+gallery which commanded all the courtyard and was all full of flowers,
+such as the season afforded, and leafage, whereupon there came the
+careful seneschal and entertained and refreshed them with costliest
+confections and wines of choice. Thereafter, letting open to them a
+garden, all walled about, which coasted the palace, they entered
+therein and it seeming to them, at their entering, altogether[150]
+wonder-goodly, they addressed themselves more intently to view the
+particulars thereof. It had about it and athwart the middle very
+spacious alleys, all straight as arrows and embowered with trellises
+of vines, which made great show of bearing abundance of grapes that
+year and being then all in blossom, yielded so rare a savour about the
+garden, that, as it blent with the fragrance of many another
+sweet-smelling plant that there gave scent, themseemed they were among
+all the spiceries that ever grew in the Orient. The sides of these
+alleys were all in a manner walled about with roses, red and white,
+and jessamine, wherefore not only of a morning, but what while the sun
+was highest, one might go all about, untouched thereby, neath
+odoriferous and delightsome shade. What and how many and how orderly
+disposed were the plants that grew in that place, it were tedious to
+recount; suffice it that there is none goodly of those which may brook
+our air but was there in abundance. Amiddleward the garden (what was
+not less, but yet more commendable than aught else there) was a plat
+of very fine grass, so green that it seemed well nigh black, enamelled
+all with belike a thousand kinds of flowers and closed about with the
+greenest and lustiest of orange and citron trees, the which, bearing
+at once old fruits and new and flowers, not only afforded the eyes a
+pleasant shade, but were no less grateful to the smell. Midmost the
+grass-plat was a fountain of the whitest marble, enchased with
+wonder-goodly sculptures, and thence,--whether I know not from a
+natural or an artificial source,--there sprang, by a figure that stood
+on a column in its midst, so great a jet of water and so high towards
+the sky, whence not without a delectable sound it fell back into the
+wonder-limpid fount, that a mill might have wrought with less; the
+which after (I mean the water which overflowed the full basin) issued
+forth of the lawn by a hidden way, and coming to light therewithout,
+encompassed it all about by very goodly and curiously wroughten
+channels. Thence by like channels it ran through well nigh every part
+of the pleasance and was gathered again at the last in a place whereby
+it had issue from the fair garden and whence it descended, in the
+clearest of streams, towards the plain; but, ere it won thither, it
+turned two mills with exceeding power and to the no small vantage of
+the lord. The sight of this garden and its fair ordinance and the
+plants and the fountain, with the rivulets proceeding therefrom, so
+pleased the ladies and the three young men that they all of one accord
+avouched that, an Paradise might be created upon earth, they could not
+avail to conceive what form, other than that of this garden, might be
+given it nor what farther beauty might possibly be added thereunto.
+However, as they went most gladsomely thereabout, weaving them the
+goodliest garlands of the various leafage of the trees and hearkening
+the while to the carols of belike a score of different kinds of birds,
+that sang as if in rivalry one of other, they became aware of a
+delectable beauty, which, wonderstricken as they were with the other
+charms of the place, they had not yet noted; to wit, they found the
+garden full of maybe an hundred kinds of goodly creatures, and one
+showing them to other, they saw on one side rabbits issue, on another
+hares run; here lay kids and there fawns went grazing, and there was
+many another kind of harmless animal, each going about his pastime at
+his pleasure, as if tame; the which added unto them a yet greater
+pleasure than the others. After they had gone about their fill,
+viewing now this thing and now that, the queen let set the tables
+around the fair fountain and at her commandment, having first sung
+half a dozen canzonets and danced sundry dances, they sat down to
+meat. There, being right well and orderly served, after a very fair
+and sumptuous and tranquil fashion, with goodly and delicate viands,
+they waxed yet blither and arising thence, gave themselves anew to
+music-making and singing and dancing till it seemed good to the queen
+that those whom it pleased should betake themselves to sleep.
+Accordingly some went thither, whilst others, overcome with the beauty
+of the place, willed not to leave it, but, abiding there, addressed
+themselves, some to reading romances and some to playing chess or
+tables, whilst the others slept. But presently, the hour of none being
+past and the sleepers having arisen and refreshed their faces with
+cold water, they came all, at the queen's commandment, to the lawn
+hard by the fountain and there seating themselves, after the wonted
+fashion, waited to fall to story-telling upon the subject proposed by
+her. The first upon whom she laid this charge was Filostrato, who
+began on this wise:
+
+[Footnote 149: _i.e._ half _before_ (not half _after_) tierce or 7.30
+a.m. _Cf._ the equivalent German idiom, _halb acht_, 7.30 (not 8.30)
+a.m.]
+
+[Footnote 150: _i.e._ as a whole (_tutto insieme_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     MASETTO OF LAMPORECCHIO FEIGNETH HIMSELF DUMB AND BECOMETH
+     GARDENER TO A CONVENT OF WOMEN, WHO ALL FLOCK TO LIE WITH
+     HIM
+
+
+"Fairest ladies, there be many men and women foolish enough to believe
+that, whenas the white fillet is bound about a girl's head and the
+black cowl clapped upon her back, she is no longer a woman and is no
+longer sensible of feminine appetites, as if the making her a nun had
+changed her to stone; and if perchance they hear aught contrary to
+this their belief, they are as much incensed as if a very great and
+heinous misdeed had been committed against nature, considering not
+neither having regard to themselves, whom full license to do that
+which they will availeth not to sate, nor yet to the much potency of
+idlesse and thought-taking.[151] On like wise there are but too many
+who believe that spade and mattock and coarse victuals and hard living
+do altogether purge away carnal appetites from the tillers of the
+earth and render them exceeding dull of wit and judgment. But how much
+all who believe thus are deluded, I purpose, since the queen hath
+commanded it to me, to make plain to you in a little story, without
+departing from the theme by her appointed.
+
+[Footnote 151: _Sollecitudine._ The commentators will have it that
+this is an error for _solitudine_, solitude, but I see no necessity
+for the substitution, the text being perfectly acceptable as it
+stands.]
+
+There was (and is yet) in these our parts a convent of women, very
+famous for sanctity (the which, that I may not anywise abate its
+repute, I will not name), wherein no great while agone, there being
+then no more than eight nuns and an abbess, all young, in the nunnery,
+a poor silly dolt of a fellow was gardener of a very goodly garden of
+theirs, who, being miscontent with his wage, settled his accounts with
+the ladies' bailiff and returned to Lamporecchio, whence he came.
+There, amongst others who welcomed him home, was a young labouring
+man, stout and robust and (for a countryman) a well-favoured fellow,
+by name of Masetto, who asked him where he had been so long. The good
+man, whose name was Nuto, told him, whereupon Masetto asked him in
+what he had served the convent, and he, 'I tended a great and goodly
+garden of theirs, and moreover I went while to the coppice for faggots
+and drew water and did other such small matters of service; but the
+nuns gave me so little wage that I could scare find me in shoon
+withal. Besides, they are all young and methinketh they are possessed
+of the devil, for there was no doing anything to their liking; nay,
+when I was at work whiles in the hortyard,[152] quoth one, "Set this
+here," and another, "Set that here," and a third snatched the spade
+from my hand, saying, "That is naught"; brief, they gave me so much
+vexation that I would leave work be and begone out of the hortyard;
+insomuch that, what with one thing and what with another, I would
+abide there no longer and took myself off. When I came away, their
+bailiff besought me, an I could lay my hand on any one apt unto that
+service, to send the man to him, and I promised it him; but may God
+make him sound of the loins as he whom I shall get him, else will I
+send him none at all!' Masetto, hearing this, was taken with so great
+a desire to be with these nuns that he was all consumed therewith,
+judging from Nuto's words that he might avail to compass somewhat of
+that which he desired. However, foreseeing that he would fail of his
+purpose, if he discovered aught thereof to Nuto, he said to the
+latter, 'Egad, thou didst well to come away. How is a man to live with
+women? He were better abide with devils. Six times out of seven they
+know not what they would have themselves.' But, after they had made an
+end of their talk, Masetto began to cast about what means he should
+take to be with them and feeling himself well able to do the offices
+of which Nuto had spoken, he had no fear of being refused on that
+head, but misdoubted him he might not be received, for that he was
+young and well-looked. Wherefore, after pondering many things in
+himself, he bethought himself thus: 'The place is far hence and none
+knoweth me there, an I can but make a show of being dumb, I shall for
+certain be received there.' Having fixed upon this device, he set out
+with an axe he had about his neck, without telling any whither he was
+bound, and betook himself, in the guise of a beggarman, to the
+convent, where being come, he entered in and as luck would have it,
+found the bailiff in the courtyard. Him he accosted with signs such as
+dumb folk use and made a show of asking food of him for the love of
+God and that in return he would, an it were needed, cleave wood for
+him. The bailiff willingly gave him to eat and after set before him
+divers logs that Nuto had not availed to cleave, but of all which
+Masetto, who was very strong, made a speedy despatch. By and by, the
+bailiff, having occasion to go to the coppice, carried him thither and
+put him to cutting faggots; after which, setting the ass before him,
+he gave him to understand by signs that he was to bring them home.
+This he did very well; wherefore the bailiff kept him there some days,
+so he might have him do certain things for which he had occasion. One
+day it chanced that the abbess saw him and asked the bailiff who he
+was. 'Madam,' answered he, 'this is a poor deaf and dumb man, who came
+hither the other day to ask an alms; so I took him in out of charity
+and have made him do sundry things of which we had need. If he knew
+how to till the hortyard and chose to abide with us, I believe we
+should get good service of him; for that we lack such an one and he is
+strong and we could make what we would of him; more by token that you
+would have no occasion to fear his playing the fool with yonder lasses
+of yours.' 'I' faith,' rejoined the abbess, 'thou sayst sooth. Learn
+if he knoweth how to till and study to keep him here; give him a pair
+of shoes and some old hood or other and make much of him, caress him,
+give him plenty to eat.' Which the bailiff promised to do. Masetto was
+not so far distant but he heard all this, making a show the while of
+sweeping the courtyard, and said merrily in himself, 'An you put me
+therein, I will till you your hortyard as it was never tilled yet.'
+Accordingly, the bailiff, seeing that he knew right well how to work,
+asked him by signs if he had a mind to abide there and he replied on
+like wise that he would do whatsoever he wished; whereupon the bailiff
+engaged him and charged him till the hortyard, showing him what he was
+to do; after which he went about other business of the convent and
+left him. Presently, as Masetto went working one day after another,
+the nuns fell to plaguing him and making mock of him, as ofttimes it
+betideth that folk do with mutes, and bespoke him the naughtiest words
+in the world, thinking he understood them not; whereof the abbess,
+mayhap supposing him to be tailless as well as tongueless, recked
+little or nothing. It chanced one day, however, that, as he rested
+himself after a hard morning's work, two young nuns, who went about
+the garden,[153] drew near the place where he lay and fell to looking
+upon him, whilst he made a show of sleeping. Presently quoth one who
+was somewhat the bolder of the twain to the other, 'If I thought thou
+wouldst keep my counsel, I would tell thee a thought which I have once
+and again had and which might perchance profit thee also.' 'Speak in
+all assurance,' answered the other, 'for certes I will never tell it
+to any.' Then said the forward wench, 'I know not if thou have ever
+considered how straitly we are kept and how no man dare ever enter
+here, save the bailiff, who is old, and yonder dumb fellow; and I have
+again and again heard ladies, who come to visit us, say that all other
+delights in the world are but toys in comparison with that which a
+woman enjoyeth, whenas she hath to do with a man. Wherefore I have
+often had it in mind to make trial with this mute, since with others I
+may not, if it be so. And indeed he is the best in the world to that
+end, for that, e'en if he would, he could not nor might tell it
+again. Thou seest he is a poor silly lout of a lad, who hath overgrown
+his wit, and I would fain hear how thou deemest of the thing.'
+'Alack!' rejoined the other, 'what is this thou sayest? Knowest thou
+not that we have promised our virginity to God?' 'Oh, as for that,'
+answered the first, 'how many things are promised Him all day long,
+whereof not one is fulfilled unto Him! An we have promised it Him, let
+Him find Himself another or others to perform it to Him.' 'Or if,'
+went on her fellow, 'we should prove with child, how would it go
+then?' Quoth the other, 'Thou beginnest to take thought unto ill ere
+it cometh; when that betideth, then will we look to it; there will be
+a thousand ways for us of doing so that it shall never be known,
+provided we ourselves tell it not.' The other, hearing this and having
+now a greater itch than her companion to prove what manner beast a man
+was, said, 'Well, then, how shall we do?' Quoth the first, 'Thou seest
+it is nigh upon none and methinketh the sisters are all asleep, save
+only ourselves; let us look about the hortyard if there be any there,
+and if there be none, what have we to do but to take him by the hand
+and carry him into yonder hut, whereas he harboureth against the rain,
+and there let one of us abide with him, whilst the other keepeth
+watch? He is so simple that he will do whatever we will.' Masetto
+heard all this talk and disposed to compliance, waited but to be taken
+by one of the nuns. The latter having looked well all about and
+satisfied themselves that they could be seen from nowhere, she who had
+broached the matter came up to Masetto and aroused him, whereupon he
+rose incontinent to his feet. The nun took him coaxingly by the hand
+and led him, grinning like an idiot, to the hut, where, without
+overmuch pressing, he did what she would. Then, like a loyal comrade,
+having had her will, she gave place to her fellow, and Masetto, still
+feigning himself a simpleton, did their pleasure. Before they departed
+thence, each of the girls must needs once more prove how the mute
+could horse it, and after devising with each other, they agreed that
+the thing was as delectable as they had heard, nay, more so.
+Accordingly, watching their opportunity, they went oftentimes at
+fitting seasons to divert themselves with the mute, till one day it
+chanced that one of their sisters, espying them in the act from the
+lattice of her cell, showed it to other twain. At first they talked of
+denouncing the culprits to the abbess, but, after, changing counsel
+and coming to an accord with the first two, they became sharers with
+them in Masetto's services, and to them the other three nuns were at
+divers times and by divers chances added as associates. Ultimately,
+the abbess, who had not yet gotten wind of these doings, walking one
+day alone in the garden, the heat being great, found Masetto (who had
+enough of a little fatigue by day, because of overmuch posting it by
+night) stretched out asleep under the shade of an almond-tree, and the
+wind lifting the forepart of his clothes, all abode discovered. The
+lady, beholding this and seeing herself alone, fell into that same
+appetite which had gotten hold of her nuns, and arousing Masetto,
+carried him to her chamber, where, to the no small miscontent of the
+others, who complained loudly that the gardener came not to till the
+hortyard, she kept him several days, proving and reproving that
+delight which she had erst been wont to blame in others. At last she
+sent him back to his own lodging, but was fain to have him often again
+and as, moreover, she required of him more than her share, Masetto,
+unable to satisfy so many, bethought himself that his playing the mute
+might, an it endured longer, result in his exceeding great hurt.
+Wherefore, being one night with the abbess, he gave loose to[154] his
+tongue and bespoke her thus: 'Madam, I have heard say that one cock
+sufficeth unto half a score hens, but that half a score men can ill or
+hardly satisfy one woman; whereas needs must I serve nine, and to this
+I can no wise endure; nay, for that which I have done up to now, I am
+come to such a pass that I can do neither little nor much; wherefore
+do ye either let me go in God's name or find a remedy for the matter.'
+The abbess, hearing him speak whom she held dumb, was all amazed and
+said, 'What is this? Methought thou wast dumb.' 'Madam,' answered
+Masetto, 'I was indeed dumb, not by nature, but by reason of a malady
+which bereft me of speech, and only this very night for the first time
+do I feel it restored to me, wherefore I praise God as most I may.'
+The lady believed this and asked him what he meant by saying that he
+had to serve nine. Masetto told her how the case stood, whereby she
+perceived that she had no nun but was far wiser than herself; but,
+like a discreet woman as she was, she resolved to take counsel with
+her nuns to find some means of arranging the matter, without letting
+Masetto go, so the convent might not be defamed by him. Accordingly,
+having openly confessed to one another that which had been secretly
+done of each, they all of one accord, with Masetto's consent, so
+ordered it that the people round about believed speech to have been
+restored to him, after he had long been mute, through their prayers
+and by the merits of the saint in whose name the convent was
+intituled, and their bailiff being lately dead, they made Masetto
+bailiff in his stead and apportioned his toils on such wise that he
+could endure them. Thereafter, albeit he began upon them monikins
+galore, the thing was so discreetly ordered that nothing took vent
+thereof till after the death of the abbess, when Masetto began to grow
+old and had a mind to return home rich. The thing becoming known,
+enabled him lightly to accomplish his desire, and thus Masetto, having
+by his foresight contrived to employ his youth to good purpose,
+returned in his old age, rich and a father, without being at the pains
+or expense of rearing children, to the place whence he had set out
+with an axe about his neck, avouching that thus did Christ entreat
+whoso set horns to his cap."
+
+[Footnote 152: Hortyard (_orto_) is the old form of orchard, properly
+an enclosed tract of land in which fruit, vegetables and potherbs are
+cultivated for use, _i.e._ the modern kitchen garden and orchard in
+one, as distinguished from the pleasaunce or flower garden
+(_giardino_).]
+
+[Footnote 153: _Giardino_, _i.e._ flower-garden.]
+
+[Footnote 154: Lit. broke the string of.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     A HORSEKEEPER LIETH WITH THE WIFE OF KING AGILULF, WHO,
+     BECOMING AWARE THEREOF, WITHOUT WORD SAID, FINDETH HIM OUT
+     AND POLLETH HIM; BUT THE POLLED MAN POLLETH ALL HIS FELLOWS
+     ON LIKE WISE AND SO ESCAPETH ILL HAP
+
+
+The end of Filostrato's story, whereat whiles the ladies had some
+little blushed and other whiles laughed, being come, it pleased the
+queen that Pampinea should follow on with a story, and she
+accordingly, beginning with a smiling countenance, said, "Some are so
+little discreet in seeking at all hazards to show that they know and
+apprehend that which it concerneth them not to know, that whiles,
+rebuking to this end unperceived defects in others, they think to
+lessen their own shame, whereas they do infinitely augment it; and
+that this is so I purpose, lovesome ladies, to prove to you by the
+contrary thereof, showing you the astuteness of one who, in the
+judgment of a king of worth and valour, was held belike of less
+account than Masetto himself.
+
+Agilulf, King of the Lombards, as his predecessors had done, fixed the
+seat of his kingship at Pavia, a city of Lombardy, and took to wife
+Theodolinda[155] the widow of Autari, likewise King of the Lombards, a
+very fair lady and exceeding discreet and virtuous, but ill fortuned
+in a lover.[156] The affairs of the Lombards having, thanks to the
+valour and judgment of King Agilulf, been for some time prosperous and
+in quiet, it befell that one of the said queen's horse-keepers, a man
+of very low condition, in respect of birth, but otherwise of worth far
+above so mean a station, and comely of person and tall as he were the
+king, became beyond measure enamoured of his mistress. His mean estate
+hindered him not from being sensible that this love of his was out of
+all reason, wherefore, like a discreet man as he was, he discovered it
+unto none, nor dared he make it known to her even with his eyes. But,
+albeit he lived without any hope of ever winning her favour, yet
+inwardly he gloried in that he had bestowed his thoughts in such high
+place, and being all aflame with amorous fire, he studied, beyond
+every other of his fellows, to do whatsoever he deemed might pleasure
+the queen; whereby it befell that, whenas she had occasion to ride
+abroad, she liefer mounted the palfrey of which he had charge than any
+other; and when this happened, he reckoned it a passing great favour
+to himself nor ever stirred from her stirrup, accounting himself happy
+what time he might but touch her clothes. But, as often enough we see
+it happen that, even as hope groweth less, so love waxeth greater, so
+did it betide this poor groom, insomuch that sore uneath it was to him
+to avail to brook his great desire, keeping it, as he did, hidden and
+being upheld by no hope; and many a time, unable to rid himself of
+that his love, he determined in himself to die. And considering
+inwardly of the manner, he resolved to seek his death on such wise
+that it should be manifest he died for the love he bore the queen, to
+which end he bethought himself to try his fortune in an enterprise of
+such a sort as should afford him a chance of having or all or part of
+his desire. He set not himself to seek to say aught to the queen nor
+to make her sensible of his love by letters, knowing he should speak
+and write in vain, but chose rather to essay an he might by practice
+avail to lie with her; nor was there any other shift for it but to
+find a means how he might, in the person of the king, who, he knew,
+lay not with her continually, contrive to make his way to her and
+enter her bedchamber. Accordingly, that he might see on what wise and
+in what habit the king went, whenas he visited her, he hid himself
+several times by night in a great saloon of the palace, which lay
+between the king's bedchamber and that of the queen, and one night,
+amongst others, he saw the king come forth of his chamber, wrapped in
+a great mantle, with a lighted taper in one hand and a little wand in
+the other, and making for the queen's chamber, strike once or twice
+upon the door with the wand, without saying aught, whereupon it was
+incontinent opened to him and the taper taken from his hand. Noting
+this and having seen the king return after the same fashion, he
+bethought himself to do likewise. Accordingly, finding means to have a
+cloak like that which he had seen the king wear, together with a taper
+and a wand, and having first well washed himself in a bagnio, lest
+haply the smell of the muck should offend the queen or cause her smoke
+the cheat, he hid himself in the great saloon, as of wont. Whenas he
+knew that all were asleep and it seemed to him time either to give
+effect to his desire or to make his way by high emprise[157] to the
+wished-for death, he struck a light with a flint and steel he had
+brought with him and kindling the taper, wrapped himself fast in the
+mantle, then, going up to the chamber-door, smote twice upon it with
+the wand. The door was opened by a bedchamber-woman, all sleepy-eyed,
+who took the light and covered it; whereupon, without saying aught, he
+passed within the curtain, put off his mantle and entered the bed
+where the queen slept. Then, taking her desirefully in his arms and
+feigning himself troubled (for that he knew the king's wont to be
+that, whenas he was troubled, he cared not to hear aught), without
+speaking or being spoken to, he several times carnally knew the queen;
+after which, grievous as it seemed to him to depart, yet, fearing lest
+his too long stay should be the occasion of turning the gotten delight
+into dolour, he arose and taking up the mantle and the light,
+withdrew, without word said, and returned, as quickliest he might, to
+his own bed. He could scarce yet have been therein when the king arose
+and repaired to the queen's chamber, whereat she marvelled
+exceedingly; and as he entered the bed and greeted her blithely, she
+took courage by his cheerfulness and said, 'O my lord, what new
+fashion is this of to-night? You left me but now, after having taken
+pleasure of me beyond your wont, and do you return so soon? Have a
+care what you do.' The king, hearing these words, at once concluded
+that the queen had been deceived by likeness of manners and person,
+but, like a wise man, bethought himself forthright, seeing that
+neither she nor any else had perceived the cheat, not to make her
+aware thereof; which many simpletons would not have done, but would
+have said, 'I have not been here, I. Who is it hath been here? How did
+it happen? Who came hither?' Whence many things might have arisen,
+whereby he would needlessly have afflicted the lady and given her
+ground for desiring another time that which she had already tasted;
+more by token that, an he kept silence of the matter, no shame might
+revert to him, whereas, by speaking, he would have brought dishonour
+upon himself. The king, then, more troubled at heart than in looks or
+speech, answered, saying, 'Wife, seem I not to you man enough to have
+been here a first time and to come yet again after that?' 'Ay, my
+lord,' answered she. 'Nevertheless, I beseech you have regard to your
+health.' Quoth Agilulf, 'And it pleaseth me to follow your counsel,
+wherefore for the nonce I will get me gone again, without giving you
+more annoy.' This said, taking up his mantle, he departed the chamber,
+with a heart full of wrath and despite for the affront that he saw had
+been done him, and bethought himself quietly to seek to discover the
+culprit, concluding that he must be of the household and could not,
+whoever he might be, have issued forth of the palace. Accordingly,
+taking a very small light in a little lantern, he betook himself to a
+very long gallery that was over the stables of his palace and where
+all his household slept in different beds, and judging that, whoever
+he might be that had done what the queen said, his pulse and the
+beating of his heart for the swink endured could not yet have had time
+to abate, he silently, beginning at one end of the gallery, fell to
+feeling each one's breast, to know if his heart beat high. Although
+every other slept fast, he who had been with the queen was not yet
+asleep, but, seeing the king come and guessing what he went seeking,
+fell into such a fright that to the beating of the heart caused by the
+late-had fatigue, fear added yet a greater and he doubted not but the
+king, if he became aware of this, would put him to death without
+delay, and many things passed through his thought that he should do.
+However, seeing him all unarmed, he resolved to feign sleep and await
+what he should do. Agilulf, then, having examined many and found none
+whom he judged to be he of whom he was in quest, came presently to the
+horsekeeper and feeling his heart beat high, said in himself, 'This is
+the man.' Nevertheless, an he would have nought be known of that which
+he purposed to do, he did nought to him but poll, with a pair of
+scissors he had brought with him, somewhat on one side of his hair,
+which they then wore very long, so by that token he might know him
+again on the morrow; and this done, he withdrew and returned to his
+own chamber. The culprit, who had felt all this, like a shrewd fellow
+as he was, understood plainly enough why he had been thus marked;
+wherefore he arose without delay and finding a pair of shears, whereof
+it chanced there were several about the stables for the service of the
+horses, went softly up to all who lay in the gallery and clipped each
+one's hair on like wise over the ear; which having done without being
+observed, he returned to sleep. When the king arose in the morning, he
+commanded that all his household should present themselves before him,
+or ever the palace-doors were opened; and it was done as he said.
+Then, as they all stood before him with uncovered heads, he began to
+look that he might know him whom he had polled; but, seeing the most
+part of them with their hair clipped after one and the same fashion,
+he marvelled and said in himself, 'He whom I seek, for all he may be
+of mean estate, showeth right well he is of no mean wit.' Then, seeing
+that he could not, without making a stir, avail to have him whom he
+sought, and having no mind to incur a great shame for the sake of a
+paltry revenge, it pleased him with one sole word to admonish the
+culprit and show him that he was ware of the matter; wherefore,
+turning to all who were present, he said, 'Let him who did it do it no
+more and get you gone in peace.' Another would have been for giving
+them the strappado, for torturing, examining and questioning, and
+doing this, would have published that which every one should go about
+to conceal; and having thus discovered himself, though he should have
+taken entire revenge for the affront suffered, his shame had not been
+minished, nay, were rather much enhanced therefor and his lady's
+honour sullied. Those who heard the king's words marvelled and long
+debated amongst themselves what he meant by this speech; but none
+understood it, save he whom it concerned, and he, like a wise man,
+never, during Agilulf's lifetime, discovered the matter nor ever again
+committed his life to the hazard of such a venture."
+
+[Footnote 155: Boccaccio calls her _Teudelinga_; but I know of no
+authority for this form of the name of the famous Longobardian queen.]
+
+[Footnote 156: Referring apparently to the adventure related in the
+present story.]
+
+[Footnote 157: Lit. with high (_i.e._ worthy) cause (_con alta
+cagione_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     UNDER COLOUR OF CONFESSION AND OF EXCEEDING NICENESS OF
+     CONSCIENCE, A LADY, BEING ENAMOURED OF A YOUNG MAN, BRINGETH
+     A GRAVE FRIAR, WITHOUT HIS MISDOUBTING HIM THEREOF, TO
+     AFFORD A MEANS OF GIVING ENTIRE EFFECT TO HER PLEASURE
+
+
+Pampinea being now silent and the daring and subtlety of the
+horsekeeper having been extolled by several of the company, as also
+the king's good sense, the queen, turning to Filomena, charged her
+follow on; whereupon she blithely began to speak thus, "I purpose to
+recount to you a cheat which was in very deed put by a fair lady upon
+a grave friar and which should be so much the more pleasing to every
+layman as these [--friars, to wit--], albeit for the most part very
+dull fools and men of strange manners and usances, hold themselves to
+be in everything both better worth and wiser than others, whereas they
+are of far less account than the rest of mankind, being men who,
+lacking, of the meanness of their spirit, the ability to provide
+themselves, take refuge, like swine, whereas they may have what to
+eat. And this story, charming ladies, I shall tell you, not only for
+the ensuing of the order imposed, but to give you to know withal that
+even the clergy, to whom we women, beyond measure credulous as we are,
+yield overmuch faith, can be and are whiles adroitly befooled, and
+that not by men only, but even by certain of our own sex.
+
+In our city, the which is fuller of cozenage than of love or faith,
+there was, not many years agone, a gentlewoman adorned with beauty and
+charms and as richly endowed by nature as any of her sex with engaging
+manners and loftiness of spirit and subtle wit, whose name albeit I
+know, I purpose not to discover it, no, nor any other that pertaineth
+unto the present story, for that there be folk yet alive who would
+take it in despite, whereas it should be passed over with a laugh.
+This lady, then, seeing herself, though of high lineage, married to a
+wool-monger and unable, for that he was a craftsman, to put off the
+haughtiness of her spirit, whereby she deemed no man of mean
+condition, how rich soever he might be, worthy of a gentlewoman and
+seeing him moreover, for all his wealth, to be apt unto nothing of
+more moment than to lay a warp for a piece of motley or let weave a
+cloth or chaffer with a spinster anent her yarn, resolved on no wise
+to admit of his embraces, save in so far as she might not deny him,
+but to seek, for her own satisfaction, to find some one who should be
+worthier of her favours than the wool-monger appeared to her to be,
+and accordingly fell so fervently in love with a man of very good
+quality and middle age, that, whenas she saw him not by day, she could
+not pass the ensuing night without unease. The gentleman, perceiving
+not how the case stood, took no heed of her, and she, being very
+circumspect, dared not make the matter known to him by sending of
+women nor by letter, fearing the possible perils that might betide.
+However, observing that he companied much with a churchman, who,
+albeit a dull lump of a fellow, was nevertheless, for that he was a
+man of very devout life, reputed of well nigh all a most worthy friar,
+she bethought herself that this latter would make an excellent
+go-between herself and her lover and having considered what means she
+should use, she repaired, at a fitting season, to the church where he
+abode, and letting call him to her, told him that, an he pleased, she
+would fain confess herself to him. The friar seeing her and judging
+her to be a woman of condition, willingly gave ear to her, and she,
+after confession, said to him, 'Father mine, it behoveth me have
+recourse to you for aid and counsel anent that which you shall hear. I
+know, as having myself told you, that you know my kinsfolk and my
+husband, who loveth me more than his life, nor is there aught I desire
+but I have it of him incontinent, he being a very rich man and one who
+can well afford it; wherefore I love him more than mine own self and
+should I but think, let alone do, aught that might be contrary to his
+honour and pleasure, there were no woman more wicked or more deserving
+of the fire than I. Now one, whose name in truth I know not, but who
+is, meseemeth, a man of condition, and is, if I mistake not, much in
+your company,--a well-favoured man and tall of his person and clad in
+very decent sad-coloured raiment,--unaware belike of the constancy of
+my purpose, appeareth to have laid siege to me, nor can I show myself
+at door or window nor go without the house, but he incontinent
+presenteth himself before me, and I marvel that he is not here now;
+whereat I am sore concerned, for that such fashions as these often
+bring virtuous women into reproach, without their fault. I have whiles
+had it in mind to have him told of this by my brothers; but then I
+have bethought me that men oftentimes do messages on such wise that
+ill answers ensue, which give rise to words and from words they come
+to deeds; wherefore, lest mischief spring therefrom and scandal, I
+have kept silence of the matter and have determined to discover it to
+yourself rather than to another, at once because meseemeth you are his
+friend and for that it beseemeth you to rebuke not only friends, but
+strangers, of such things. I beseech you, therefore, for the one God's
+sake, that you rebuke him of this and pray him leave these his
+fashions. There be women enough, who incline belike to these toys and
+would take pleasure in being dogged and courted by him, whereas to me,
+who have no manner of mind to such matters, it is a very grievous
+annoy.' So saying, she bowed her head as she would weep. The holy
+friar understood incontinent of whom she spoke and firmly believing
+what she said to be true, greatly commended her righteous intent and
+promised her to do on such wise that she should have no farther annoy
+from the person in question; and knowing her to be very rich, he
+commended to her works of charity and almsdeeds, recounting to her his
+own need. Quoth the lady, 'I beseech you thereof for God's sake, and
+should he deny, prithee scruple not to tell him that it was I who told
+you this and complained to you thereof.' Then, having made her
+confession and gotten her penance, recalling the friar's exhortations
+to works of almsgiving, she stealthily filled his hand with money,
+praying him to say masses for the souls of her dead kinsfolk; after
+which she rose from his feet and taking leave of him, returned home.
+Not long after up came the gentleman, according to his wont, and after
+they had talked awhile of one thing and another, the friar, drawing
+his friend aside, very civilly rebuked him of the manner in which, as
+he believed, he pursued and spied upon the lady aforesaid, according
+to that which she had given him to understand. The other marvelled, as
+well he might, having never set eyes upon her and being used very
+rarely to pass before her house, and would have excused himself; but
+the friar suffered him not to speak, saying, 'Now make no show of
+wonderment nor waste words in denying it, for it will avail thee
+nothing; I learnt not these matters from the neighbours; nay, she
+herself told them to me, complaining sore of thee. And besides that
+such toys beseem not a man of thine age, I may tell thee this much of
+her, that if ever I saw a woman averse to these follies, it is she;
+wherefore, for thine own credit and her comfort, I prithee desist
+therefrom and let her be in peace.' The gentleman, quicker of wit than
+the friar, was not slow to apprehend the lady's device and feigning to
+be somewhat abashed, promised to meddle no more with her
+thenceforward; then, taking leave of the friar, he betook himself to
+the house of the lady, who still abode await at a little window, so
+she might see him, should he pass that way. When she saw him come, she
+showed herself so rejoiced and so gracious to him, that he might very
+well understand that he had gathered the truth from the friar's words,
+and thenceforward, under colour of other business, he began with the
+utmost precaution to pass continually through the street, to his own
+pleasure and to the exceeding delight and solace of the lady. After
+awhile, perceiving that she pleased him even as he pleased her and
+wishful to inflame him yet more and to certify him of the love she
+bore him, she betook herself again, choosing her time and place, to
+the holy friar and seating herself at his feet in the church, fell
+a-weeping. The friar, seeing this, asked her affectionately what was
+to do with her anew. 'Alack, father mine,' answered she, 'that which
+aileth me is none other than yonder God-accursed friend of yours, of
+whom I complained to you the other day, for that methinketh he was
+born for my especial torment and to make me do a thing, such that I
+should never be glad again nor ever after dare to seat myself at your
+feet.' 'How?' cried the friar. 'Hath he not given over annoying thee?'
+'No, indeed,' answered she; 'nay, since I complained to you of him, as
+if of despite, maybe taking it ill that I should have done so, for
+every once he used to pass before my house, I verily believe he hath
+passed seven times. And would to God he were content with passing and
+spying upon me! Nay, he is grown so bold and so malapert that but
+yesterday he despatched a woman to me at home with his idle tales and
+toys and sent me a purse and a girdle, as if I had not purses and
+girdles galore; the which I took and take so ill that I believe, but
+for my having regard to the sin of it and after for the love of you, I
+had played the devil. However, I contained myself and would not do or
+say aught whereof I should not first have let you know. Nay, I had
+already returned the purse and the girdle to the baggage who brought
+them, that she might carry them back to him, and had given her a rough
+dismissal, but after, fearing she might keep them for herself and tell
+him that I had accepted them, as I hear women of her fashion do
+whiles, I called her back and took them, full of despite, from her
+hands and have brought them to you, so you may return them to him and
+tell him I want none of his trash, for that, thanks to God and my
+husband, I have purses and girdles enough to smother him withal.
+Moreover, if hereafter he desist not from this, I tell you, as a
+father, you must excuse me, but I will tell it, come what may, to my
+husband and my brothers; for I had far liefer he should brook an
+affront, if needs he must, than that I should suffer blame for him;
+wherefore let him look to himself.' So saying, still weeping sore, she
+pulled out from under her surcoat a very handsome and rich purse and a
+quaint and costly girdle and threw them into the lap of the friar,
+who, fully crediting that which she told him and incensed beyond
+measure, took them and said to her, 'Daughter, I marvel not that thou
+art provoked at these doings, nor can I blame thee therefor; but I
+much commend thee for following my counsel in the matter. I rebuked
+him the other day and he hath ill performed that which he promised me;
+wherefore, as well for that as for this that he hath newly done, I
+mean to warm his ears[158] for him after such a fashion that
+methinketh he will give thee no farther concern; but do thou, God's
+benison on thee, suffer not thyself to be so overcome with anger that
+thou tell it to any of thy folk, for that overmuch harm might ensue
+thereof unto him. Neither fear thou lest this blame anywise ensue to
+thee, for I shall still, before both God and men, be a most constant
+witness to thy virtue.' The lady made believe to be somewhat comforted
+and leaving that talk, said, as one who knew his greed and that of his
+fellow-churchmen, 'Sir, these some nights past there have appeared to
+me sundry of my kinsfolk, who ask nought but almsdeeds, and meseemeth
+they are indeed in exceeding great torment, especially my mother, who
+appeareth to me in such ill case and affliction that it is pity to
+behold. Methinketh she suffereth exceeding distress to see me in this
+tribulation with yonder enemy of God; wherefore I would have you say
+me forty masses of Saint Gregory for her and their souls, together
+with certain of your own prayers, so God may deliver them from that
+penitential fire.' So saying, she put a florin into his hand, which
+the holy father blithely received and confirming her devoutness with
+fair words and store of pious instances, gave her his benison and let
+her go. The lady being gone, the friar, never thinking how he was
+gulled, sent for his friend, who, coming and finding him troubled, at
+once divined that he was to have news of the lady and awaited what the
+friar should say. The latter repeated that which he had before said to
+him and bespeaking him anew angrily and reproachfully, rebuked him
+severely of that which, according to the lady's report, he had done.
+The gentleman, not yet perceiving the friar's drift, faintly enough
+denied having sent her the purse and the girdle, so as not to
+undeceive the friar, in case the lady should have given him to believe
+that he had done this; whereat the good man was sore incensed and
+said, 'How canst thou deny it, wicked man that thou art? See, here
+they are, for she herself brought them to me, weeping; look if thou
+knowest them.' The gentleman feigned to be sore abashed and answered,
+'Yes, I do indeed know them and I confess to you that I did ill; but I
+swear to you, since I see her thus disposed, that you shall never more
+hear a word of this.' Brief, after many words, the numskull of a friar
+gave his friend the purse and the girdle and dismissed him, after
+rating him amain and beseeching him occupy himself no more with these
+follies, the which he promised him. The gentleman, overjoyed both at
+the assurance that himseemed he had of the lady's love and at the
+goodly gift, was no sooner quit of the friar than he betook himself to
+a place where he made shift to let his mistress see that he had the
+one and the other thing; whereat she was mightily rejoiced, more by
+token that herseemed her device went from good to better. She now
+awaited nought but her husband's going abroad to give completion to
+the work, and it befell not long after that it behoved him repair to
+Genoa on some occasion or other. No sooner had he mounted to horse in
+the morning and gone his way, than the lady betook herself to the holy
+man and after many lamentations, said to him, weeping, 'Father mine,
+I tell you now plainly that I can brook no more; but, for that I
+promised you the other day to do nought, without first telling you, I
+am come to excuse myself to you; and that you may believe I have good
+reason both to weep and to complain, I will tell you what your friend,
+or rather devil incarnate, did to me this very morning, a little
+before matins. I know not what ill chance gave him to know that my
+husband was to go to Genoa yestermorn; algates, this morning, at the
+time I tell you, he came into a garden of mine and climbing up by a
+tree to the window of my bedchamber, which giveth upon the garden, had
+already opened the lattice and was for entering, when I of a sudden
+awoke and starting up, offered to cry out, nay, would assuredly have
+cried out, but that he, who was not yet within, besought me of mercy
+in God's name and yours, telling me who he was; which when I heard, I
+held my peace for the love of you and naked as I was born, ran and
+shut the window in his face; whereupon I suppose he took himself off
+(ill-luck go with him!), for I heard no more of him. Look you now if
+this be a goodly thing and to be endured. For my part I mean to bear
+with him no more; nay, I have already forborne him overmuch for the
+love of you.' The friar, hearing this, was the wrathfullest man alive
+and knew not what to say, except to ask again and again if she had
+well certified herself that it was indeed he and not another; to which
+she answered, 'Praised be God! As if I did not yet know him from
+another! I tell you it was himself, and although he should deny it,
+credit him not.' Then said the friar, 'Daughter, there is nothing to
+be said for it but that this was exceeding effrontery and a thing
+exceeding ill done, and in sending him off, as thou didst, thou didst
+that which it behoved thee to do. But I beseech thee, since God hath
+preserved thee from shame, that, like as thou hast twice followed my
+counsel, even so do thou yet this once; to wit, without complaining to
+any kinsman of thine, leave it to me to see an I can bridle yonder
+devil broke loose, whom I believed a saint. If I can make shift to
+turn him from this lewdness, well and good; if not, I give thee leave
+henceforth to do with him that which thy soul shall judge best, and my
+benison go with thee.' 'Well, then,' answered the lady, 'for this once
+I will well not to vex or disobey you; but look you do on such wise
+that he be ware of annoying me again, for I promise you I will never
+again return to you for this cause.' Thereupon, without saying more,
+she took leave of the friar and went away, as if in anger. Hardly was
+she out of the church when up came the gentleman and was called by the
+friar, who, taking him apart, gave him the soundest rating ever man
+had, calling him disloyal and forsworn and traitor. The other, who had
+already twice had occasion to know to what the monk's reprimands
+amounted, abode expectant and studied with embarrassed answers to make
+him speak out, saying, at the first, 'Why all this passion, Sir? Have
+I crucified Christ?' Whereupon, 'Mark this shameless fellow!' cried
+the friar. 'Hear what he saith! He speaketh as if a year or two were
+passed and he had for lapse of time forgotten his misdeeds and his
+lewdness! Hath it then escaped thy mind between this and matinsong
+that thou hast outraged some one this very morning? Where wast thou
+this morning a little before day?' 'I know not,' answered the
+gentleman; 'but wherever it was, the news thereof hath reached you
+mighty early.' Quoth the friar, 'Certes, the news hath reached me.
+Doubtless thou supposedst because her husband was abroad, that needs
+must the gentlewoman receive thee incontinent in her arms. A fine
+thing, indeed! Here's a pretty fellow! Here's an honourable man! He's
+grown a nighthawk, a garden-breaker, a tree-climber! Thinkest thou by
+importunity to overcome this lady's chastity, that thou climbest up to
+her windows anights by the trees? There is nought in the world so
+displeasing to her as thou; yet must thou e'en go essaying it again
+and again. Truly, thou hast profited finely by my admonitions, let
+alone that she hath shown thee her aversion in many ways. But this I
+have to say to thee; she hath up to now, not for any love she beareth
+thee, but at my instant entreaty, kept silence of that which thou hast
+done; but she will do so no more; I have given her leave to do what
+seemeth good to her, an thou annoy her again in aught. What wilt thou
+do, an she tell her brothers?' The gentleman having now gathered
+enough of that which it concerned him to know, appeased the friar, as
+best he knew and might, with many and ample promises, and taking leave
+of him, waited till matinsong[159] of the ensuing night, when he made
+his way into the garden and climbed up by the tree to the window. He
+found the lattice open and entering the chamber as quickliest he
+might, threw himself into the arms of his fair mistress, who, having
+awaited him with the utmost impatience, received him joyfully, saying,
+'Gramercy to my lord the friar for that he so well taught thee the way
+hither!' Then, taking their pleasure one of the other, they solaced
+themselves together with great delight, devising and laughing amain
+anent the simplicity of the dolt of a friar and gibing at wool-hanks
+and teasels and carding-combs. Moreover, having taken order for their
+future converse, they did on such wise that, without having to resort
+anew to my lord the friar, they foregathered in equal joyance many
+another night, to the like whereof I pray God, of His holy mercy,
+speedily to conduct me and all Christian souls who have a mind
+thereto."
+
+[Footnote 158: Lit. (_riscaldare gli orecchi_).]
+
+[Footnote 159: _i.e._ three a.m. next morning.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     DOM FELICE TEACHETH FRA PUCCIO HOW HE MAY BECOME BEATIFIED
+     BY PERFORMING A CERTAIN PENANCE OF HIS FASHION, WHICH THE
+     OTHER DOTH, AND DOM FELICE MEANWHILE LEADETH A MERRY LIFE OF
+     IT WITH THE GOOD MAN'S WIFE
+
+
+Filomena, having made an end of her story, was silent and Dioneo
+having with dulcet speech mightily commended the lady's shrewdness and
+eke the prayer with which Filomena had concluded, the queen turned
+with a smile to Pamfilo and said, "Come, Pamfilo, continue our
+diversion with some pleasant trifle." Pamfilo promptly answered that
+he would well and began thus: "Madam, there are many persons who, what
+while they study to enter Paradise, unwittingly send others thither;
+the which happened, no great while since, to a neighbour of ours, as
+you shall hear.
+
+According to that which I have heard tell, there abode near San
+Pancrazio an honest man and a rich, called Puccio di Rinieri, who,
+devoting himself in his latter days altogether to religious practices,
+became a tertiary[160] of the order of St. Francis, whence he was
+styled Fra Puccio, and ensuing this his devout life, much frequented
+the church, for that he had no family other than a wife and one maid
+and consequently, it behoved him not apply himself to any craft. Being
+an ignorant, clod-pated fellow, he said his paternosters, went to
+preachments and attended mass, nor ever failed to be at the Lauds
+chanted by the seculars,[161] and fasted and mortified himself; nay,
+it was buzzed about that he was of the Flagellants.[162] His wife,
+whose name was Mistress Isabetta,[163] a woman, yet young, of
+eight-and-twenty to thirty years of age, fresh and fair and plump as a
+lady-apple, kept, by reason of the piety and belike of the age of her
+husband, much longer and more frequent fasts than she could have
+wished, and when she would have slept or maybe frolicked with him, he
+recounted to her the life of Christ and the preachments of Fra
+Nastagio or the Complaint of Mary Magdalene or the like. Meantime
+there returned home from Paris a monk hight Dom[164] Felice,
+Conventual[165] of San Pancrazio, who was young and comely enough of
+person, keen of wit and a profound scholar, and with him Fra Puccio
+contracted a strait friendship. And for that this Dom Felice right
+well resolved him his every doubt and knowing his pious turn of mind,
+made him a show of exceeding devoutness, Fra Puccio fell to carrying
+him home bytimes and giving him to dine and sup, as the occasion
+offered; and the lady also, for her husband's sake, became familiar
+with him and willingly did him honour. The monk, then, continuing to
+frequent Fra Puccio's house and seeing the latter's wife so fresh and
+plump, guessed what should be the thing whereof she suffered the most
+default and bethought himself, an he might, to go about to furnish her
+withal himself, and so spare Fra Puccio fatigue. Accordingly, craftily
+casting his eyes on her, at one time and another, he made shift to
+kindle in her breast that same desire which he had himself, which when
+he saw, he bespoke her of his wishes as first occasion betided him.
+But, albeit he found her well disposed to give effect to the work, he
+could find no means thereunto, for that she would on nowise trust
+herself to be with him in any place in the world save her own house,
+and there it might not be, seeing that Fra Puccio never went without
+the town. At this the monk was sore chagrined; but, after much
+consideration, he hit upon a device whereby he might avail to
+foregather with the lady in her own house, without suspect, for all
+Fra Puccio should be at home. Accordingly, the latter coming one day
+to visit him, he bespoke him thus, 'I have many a time understood, Fra
+Puccio, that all thy desire is to become a saint and to this end
+meseemeth thou goest about by a long road, whereas there is another
+and a very short one, which the Pope and the other great prelates, who
+know and practise it, will not have made known, for that the clergy,
+who for the most part live by alms, would incontinent be undone,
+inasmuch as the laity would no longer trouble themselves to propitiate
+them with alms or otherwhat. But, for that thou art my friend and hast
+very honourably entertained me, I would teach it thee, so I were
+assured thou wouldst practise it and wouldst not discover it to any
+living soul.' Fra Puccio, eager to know the thing, began straightway
+to entreat him with the utmost instancy that he would teach it him and
+then to swear that never, save in so far as it should please him,
+would he tell it to any, engaging, an if it were such as he might
+avail to follow, to address himself thereunto. Whereupon quoth the
+monk, 'Since thou promisest me this, I will e'en discover it to thee.
+Thou must know that the doctors of the church hold that it behoveth
+whoso would become blessed to perform the penance which thou shalt
+hear; but understand me aright; I do not say that, after the penance,
+thou wilt not be a sinner like as thou presently art; but this will
+betide, that the sins which thou hast committed up to the time of the
+penance will all by virtue thereof be purged and pardoned unto thee,
+and those which thou shalt commit thereafterward will not be written
+to thy prejudice, but will pass away with the holy water, as venial
+sins do now. It behoveth a man, then, in the first place, whenas he
+cometh to begin the penance, to confess himself with the utmost
+diligence of his sins, and after this he must keep a fast and a very
+strict abstinence for the space of forty days, during which time
+thou[166] must abstain from touching, not to say other women, but even
+thine own wife. Moreover, thou must have in thine own house some place
+whence thou mayst see the sky by night, whither thou must betake
+thyself towards the hour of complines,[167] and there thou must have a
+wide plank set up, on such wise that, standing upright, thou mayst
+lean thy loins against it and keeping thy feet on the ground, stretch
+out thine arms, crucifix fashion. An thou wouldst rest them upon some
+peg or other, thou mayst do it, and on this wise thou must abide
+gazing upon the sky, without budging a jot, till matins. Wert thou a
+scholar, thou wouldst do well to repeat certain orisons I would give
+thee; but, as thou art it not, thou must say three hundred
+Paternosters and as many Ave Marys, in honour of the Trinity, and
+looking upon heaven, still have in remembrance that God is the Creator
+of heaven and earth and the passion of Christ, abiding on such wise as
+He abode on the cross. When the bell ringeth to matins, thou mayst, an
+thou wilt, go and cast thyself, clad as thou art, on thy bed and
+sleep, and after, in the forenoon, betake thyself to church and there
+hear at least three masses and repeat fifty Paternosters and as many
+Aves; after which thou shalt with a single heart do all and sundry
+thine occasions, if thou have any to do, and dine and at evensong be
+in church again and there say certain orisons which I will give thee
+by writ and without which it cannot be done. Then, towards complines,
+do thou return to the fashion aforesaid, and thus doing, even as I
+have myself done aforetime, I doubt not but, ere thou come to the end
+of the penance, thou wilt, (provided thou shalt have performed it with
+devoutness and compunction,) feel somewhat marvellous of eternal
+beatitude.' Quoth Fra Puccio, 'This is no very burdensome matter, nor
+yet overlong, and may very well be done; wherefore I purpose in God's
+name to begin on Sunday.' Then, taking leave of him and returning
+home, he related everything in due order to his wife, having the
+other's permission therefor. The lady understood very well what the
+monk meant by bidding him stand fast without stirring till matins;
+wherefore, the device seeming to her excellent, she replied that she
+was well pleased therewith and with every other good work that he did
+for the health of his soul and that, so God might make the penance
+profitable to him, she would e'en fast with him, but do no more. They
+being thus of accord and Sunday come, Fra Puccio began his penance and
+my lord monk, having agreed with the lady, came most evenings to sup
+with her, bringing with him store of good things to eat and drink, and
+after lay with her till matinsong, when he arose and took himself off,
+whilst Fra Puccio returned to bed. Now the place which Fra Puccio had
+chosen for his penance adjoined the chamber where the lady lay and was
+parted therefrom but by a very slight wall, wherefore, Master Monk
+wantoning it one night overfreely with the lady and she with him, it
+seemed to Fra Puccio that he felt a shaking of the floor of the house.
+Accordingly, having by this said an hundred of his Paternosters, he
+made a stop there and without moving, called to his wife to know what
+she did. The lady, who was of a waggish turn and was then belike
+astride of San Benedetto his beast or that of San Giovanni Gualberto,
+answered, 'I' faith, husband mine, I toss as most I may.' 'How?'
+quoth Fra Puccio. 'Thou tossest? What meaneth this tossing?' The lady,
+laughing, for that she was a frolicsome dame and doubtless had cause
+to laugh, answered merrily; 'How? You know not what it meaneth? Why, I
+have heard you say a thousand times, "Who suppeth not by night must
+toss till morning light."' Fra Puccio doubted not but that the fasting
+was the cause of her unableness to sleep and it was for this she
+tossed thus about the bed; wherefore, in the simplicity of his heart,
+'Wife,' said he, 'I told thee not to fast; but, since thou wouldst
+e'en do it, think not of that, but address thyself to rest; thou
+givest such vaults about the bed that thou makest all in the place
+shake.' 'Have no care for that,' answered the lady; 'I know what I am
+about; do you but well, you, and I will do as well as I may.' Fra
+Puccio, accordingly, held his peace and betook himself anew to his
+Paternosters; and after that night my lord monk and the lady let make
+a bed in another part of the house, wherein they abode in the utmost
+joyance what while Fra Puccio's penance lasted. At one and the same
+hour the monk took himself off and the lady returned to her own bed,
+whereto a little after came Fra Puccio from his penance; and on this
+wise the latter continued to do penance, whilst his wife did her
+delight with the monk, to whom quoth she merrily, now and again, 'Thou
+hast put Fra Puccio upon performing a penance, whereby we have gotten
+Paradise.' Indeed, the lady, finding herself in good case, took such a
+liking to the monk's fare, having been long kept on low diet by her
+husband, that, whenas Fra Puccio's penance was accomplished, she still
+found means to feed her fill with him elsewhere and using discretion,
+long took her pleasure thereof. Thus, then, that my last words may not
+be out of accord with my first, it came to pass that, whereas Fra
+Puccio, by doing penance, thought to win Paradise for himself, he put
+therein the monk, who had shown him the speedy way thither, and his
+wife, who lived with him in great lack of that whereof Dom Felice,
+like a charitable man as he was, vouchsafed her great plenty."
+
+[Footnote 160: _i.e._ a lay brother or affiliate.]
+
+[Footnote 161: _i.e._ the canticles of praise chanted by certain lay
+confraternities, established for that purpose and answering to our
+prć-Reformation Laudsingers.]
+
+[Footnote 162: An order of lay penitents, who were wont at certain
+times to go masked about the streets, scourging themselves in
+expiation of the sins of the people. This expiatory practice was
+particularly prevalent in Italy in the middle of the thirteenth
+century.]
+
+[Footnote 163: Contraction of Elisabetta.]
+
+[Footnote 164: _Dom_, contraction of Dominus (lord), the title
+commonly given to the beneficed clergy in the middle ages, answering
+to our _Sir_ as used by Shakespeare (_e.g._ Sir Hugh Evans the Welsh
+Parson, Sir Topas the Curate, etc.). The expression survives in the
+title _Dominie_ (_i.e._ Domine, voc. of Dominus) still familiarly
+applied to schoolmasters, who were of course originally invariably
+clergymen.]
+
+[Footnote 165: A Conventual is a member of some monastic order
+attached to the regular service of a church, or (as would nowadays be
+said) a "beneficed" monk.]
+
+[Footnote 166: _Sic._ This confusion of persons constantly occurs in
+Boccaccio, especially in the conversational parts of the Decameron, in
+which he makes the freest use of the various forms of enallage and of
+other rhetorical figures, such as hyperbaton, synecdoche, etc., to the
+no small detriment of his style in the matter of clearness.]
+
+[Footnote 167: _i.e._ nine o'clock p.m.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     RICCIARDO, SURNAMED IL ZIMA, GIVETH MESSER FRANCESCO
+     VERGELLESI A PALFREY OF HIS AND HATH THEREFOR HIS LEAVE TO
+     SPEAK WITH HIS WIFE. SHE KEEPING SILENCE, HE IN HER PERSON
+     REPLIETH UNTO HIMSELF, AND THE EFFECT AFTER ENSUETH IN
+     ACCORDANCE WITH HIS ANSWER
+
+
+Pamfilo having made an end, not without laughter on the part of the
+ladies, of the story of Fra Puccio, the queen with a commanding air
+bade Elisa follow on. She, rather tartly than otherwise, not out of
+malice, but of old habit, began to speak thus, "Many folk, knowing
+much, imagine that others know nothing, and so ofttimes, what while
+they think to overreach others, find, after the event, that they
+themselves have been outwitted of them; wherefore I hold his folly
+great who setteth himself without occasion to test the strength of
+another's wit. But, for that maybe all are not of my opinion, it
+pleaseth me, whilst following on the given order of the discourse, to
+relate to you that which befell a Pistolese gentleman[168] by reason
+thereof.
+
+[Footnote 168: _i.e._ a gentleman of Pistoia.]
+
+There was in Pistoia a gentleman of the Vergellesi family, by name
+Messer Francesco, a man of great wealth and understanding and well
+advised in all else, but covetous beyond measure. Being made provost
+of Milan, he had furnished himself with everything necessary for his
+honourable going thither, except only with a palfrey handsome enough
+for him, and finding none to his liking, he abode in concern thereof.
+Now there was then in the same town a young man called Ricciardo, of
+little family, but very rich, who still went so quaintly clad and so
+brave of his person that he was commonly known as Il Zima,[169] and he
+had long in vain loved and courted Messer Francesco's wife, who was
+exceeding fair and very virtuous. Now he had one of the handsomest
+palfreys in all Tuscany and set great store by it for its beauty and
+it being public to every one that he was enamoured of Messer
+Francesco's wife, there were those who told the latter that, should he
+ask it, he might have the horse for the love Il Zima bore his lady.
+Accordingly, moved by covetise, Messer Francesco let call Il Zima to
+him and sought of him his palfrey by way of sale, so he should proffer
+it to him as a gift. The other, hearing this, was well pleased and
+made answer to him, saying, "Sir, though you gave me all you have in
+the world, you might not avail to have my palfrey by way of sale, but
+by way of gift you may have it, whenas it pleaseth you, on condition
+that, ere you take it, I may have leave to speak some words with your
+lady in your presence, but so far removed from every one that I may be
+heard of none other than herself.' The gentleman, urged by avarice and
+looking to outwit the other, answered that it liked him well and [that
+he might speak with her] as much as he would; then, leaving him in the
+saloon of his palace, he betook himself to the lady's chamber and
+telling her how easily he might acquire the palfrey, bade her come
+hearken to Il Zima, but charged her take good care to answer neither
+little or much to aught that he should say. To this the lady much
+demurred, but, it behoving her ensue her husband's pleasure, she
+promised to do his bidding and followed him to the saloon, to hear
+what Il Zima should say. The latter, having renewed his covenant with
+the gentleman, seated himself with the lady in a part of the saloon at
+a great distance from every one and began to say thus, 'Noble lady,
+meseemeth certain that you have too much wit not to have long since
+perceived how great a love I have been brought to bear you by your
+beauty, which far transcendeth that of any woman whom methinketh I
+ever beheld, to say nothing of the engaging manners and the peerless
+virtues which be in you and which might well avail to take the
+loftiest spirits of mankind; wherefore it were needless to declare to
+you in words that this [my love] is the greatest and most fervent that
+ever man bore woman; and thus, without fail, will I do[170] so long as
+my wretched life shall sustain these limbs, nay, longer; for that, if
+in the other world folk love as they do here below, I shall love you
+to all eternity. Wherefore you may rest assured that you have nothing,
+be it much or little worth, that you may hold so wholly yours and
+whereon you may in every wise so surely reckon as myself, such as I
+am, and that likewise which is mine. And that of this you may take
+assurance by very certain argument, I tell you that I should count
+myself more graced, did you command me somewhat that I might do and
+that would pleasure you, than if, I commanding, all the world should
+promptliest obey me. Since, then, I am yours, even as you have heard,
+it is not without reason that I dare to offer up my prayers to your
+nobility, wherefrom alone can all peace, all health and all well-being
+derive for me, and no otherwhence; yea, as the humblest of your
+servants, I beseech you, dear my good and only hope of my soul, which,
+midmost the fire of love, feedeth upon its hope in you,--that your
+benignity may be so great and your past rigour shown unto me, who am
+yours, on such wise be mollified that I, recomforted by your kindness,
+may say that, like as by your beauty I was stricken with love, even so
+by your pity have I life, which latter, an your haughty soul incline
+not to my prayers, will without fail come to nought and I shall perish
+and you may be said to be my murderer. Letting be that my death will
+do you no honour, I doubt not eke but that, conscience bytimes
+pricking you therefor, you will regret having wrought it[171] and
+whiles, better disposed, will say in yourself, "Alack, how ill I did
+not to have compassion upon my poor Zima!" and this repentance, being
+of no avail, will cause you the great annoy. Wherefore, so this may
+not betide, now that you have it in your power to succour me, bethink
+yourself and ere I die, be moved to pity on me, for that with you
+alone it resteth to make me the happiest or the most miserable man
+alive. I trust your courtesy will be such that you will not suffer me
+to receive death in guerdon of such and so great a love, but will with
+a glad response and full of favour quicken my fainting spirits, which
+flutter, all dismayed, in your presence.' Therewith he held his peace
+and heaving the deepest of sighs, followed up with sundry tears,
+proceeded to await the lady's answer. The latter,--whom the long court
+he had paid her, the joustings held and the serenades given in her
+honour and other like things done of him for the love of her had not
+availed to move,--was moved by the passionate speech of this most
+ardent lover and began to be sensible of that which she had never yet
+felt, to wit, what manner of thing love was; and albeit, in ensuance
+of the commandment laid upon her by her husband, she kept silence, she
+could not withal hinder sundry gentle sighs from discovering that
+which, in answer to Il Zima, she would gladly have made manifest. Il
+Zima, having waited awhile and seeing that no response ensued, was
+wondered and presently began to divine the husband's device; but yet,
+looking her in the face and observing certain flashes of her eyes
+towards him now and again and noting, moreover, the sighs which she
+suffered not to escape her bosom with all her strength, conceived
+fresh hope and heartened thereby, took new counsel[172] and proceeded
+to answer himself after the following fashion, she hearkening the
+while: 'Zima mine, this long time, in good sooth, have I perceived thy
+love for me to be most great and perfect, and now by thy words I know
+it yet better and am well pleased therewith, as indeed I should be.
+Algates, an I have seemed to thee harsh and cruel, I will not have
+thee believe that I have at heart been that which I have shown myself
+in countenance; nay, I have ever loved thee and held thee dear above
+all other men; but thus hath it behoved me do, both for fear of others
+and for the preserving of my fair fame. But now is the time at hand
+when I may show thee clearly that I love thee and guerdon thee of the
+love that thou hast borne and bearest me. Take comfort, therefore, and
+be of good hope, for that a few days hence Messer Francesco is to go
+to Milan for provost, as indeed thou knowest, who hast for the love of
+me given him thy goodly palfrey; and whenas he shall be gone, I
+promise thee by my troth and of the true love I bear thee, that,
+before many days, thou shalt without fail foregather with me and we
+will give gladsome and entire accomplishment to our love. And that I
+may not have to bespeak thee otherwhiles of the matter, I tell thee
+presently that, whenas thou shalt see two napkins displayed at the
+window of my chamber, which giveth upon our garden, do thou that same
+evening at nightfall make shift to come to me by the garden door,
+taking good care that thou be not seen. Thou wilt find me awaiting
+thee and we will all night long have delight and pleasance one of
+another, to our hearts' content.' Having thus spoken for the lady, he
+began again to speak in his own person and rejoined on this wise,
+'Dearest lady, my every sense is so transported with excessive joy for
+your gracious reply that I can scarce avail to make response, much
+less to render you due thanks; nay, could I e'en speak as I desire,
+there is no term so long that it might suffice me fully to thank you
+as I would fain do and as it behoveth me; wherefore I leave it to your
+discreet consideration to imagine that which, for all my will, I am
+unable to express in words. This much only I tell you that I will
+without fail bethink myself to do as you have charged me, and being
+then, peradventure, better certified of so great a grace as that which
+you have vouchsafed me, I will, as best I may, study to render you the
+utmost thanks in my power. For the nonce there abideth no more to say;
+wherefore, dearest lady mine, God give you that gladness and that weal
+which you most desire, and so to Him I commend you.' For all this the
+lady said not a word; whereupon Il Zima arose and turned towards the
+husband, who, seeing him risen, came up to him and said, laughing 'How
+deemest thou? Have I well performed my promise to thee?' 'Nay, sir'
+answered Il Zima; 'for you promised to let me speak with your lady and
+you have caused me speak with a marble statue.' These words were
+mighty pleasing to the husband, who, for all he had a good opinion of
+the lady, conceived of her a yet better and said, 'Now is thy palfrey
+fairly mine.' 'Ay is it, sir,' replied Il Zima, 'but, had I thought to
+reap of this favour received of you such fruit as I have gotten, I had
+given you the palfrey, without asking it[173] of you; and would God I
+had done it, for that now you have bought the palfrey and I have not
+sold it.' The other laughed at this and being now provided with a
+palfrey, set out upon his way a few days after and betook himself to
+Milan, to enter upon the Provostship. The lady, left free in her
+house, called to mind Il Zima's words and the love he bore her and the
+palfrey given for her sake and seeing him pass often by the house,
+said in herself, 'What do I? Why waste I my youth? Yonder man is gone
+to Milan and will not return these six months. When will he ever
+render me them[174] again? When I am old? Moreover, when shall I ever
+find such a lover as Il Zima? I am alone and have no one to fear. I
+know not why I should not take this good opportunity what while I may;
+I shall not always have such leisure as I presently have. None will
+know the thing, and even were it to be known, it is better to do and
+repent, than to abstain and repent.' Having thus taken counsel with
+herself, she one day set two napkins in the garden window, even as Il
+Zima had said, which when he saw, he was greatly rejoiced and no
+sooner was the night come than he betook himself, secretly and alone,
+to the gate of the lady's garden and finding it open, passed on to
+another door that opened into the house, where he found his mistress
+awaiting him. She, seeing him come, started up to meet him and
+received him with the utmost joy, whilst he clipped and kissed her an
+hundred thousand times and followed her up the stair to her chamber,
+where, getting them to bed without a moment's delay, they knew the
+utmost term of amorous delight. Nor was this first time the last, for
+that, what while the gentleman abode at Milan and even after his
+coming back, Il Zima returned thither many another time, to the
+exceeding satisfaction of both parties."
+
+[Footnote 169: Lit. "The summit," or in modern slang "The tiptop,"
+_i.e._ the pink of fashion.]
+
+[Footnote 170: _i.e._ this love shall I bear you. This is a flagrant
+instance of the misuse of ellipsis, which so frequently disfigures
+Boccaccio's dialogue.]
+
+[Footnote 171: _i.e._ my death.]
+
+[Footnote 172: Syn. a rare or strange means (_nuovo consiglio_). The
+word _nuovo_ is constantly used by Boccaccio in the latter sense, as
+is _consiglio_ in its remoter signification of means, remedy, etc.]
+
+[Footnote 173: _i.e._ the favour.]
+
+[Footnote 174: _i.e._ the lost six months.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     RICCIARDO MINUTOLO, BEING ENAMOURED OF THE WIFE OF
+     FILIPPELLO FIGHINOLFI AND KNOWING HER JEALOUSY OF HER
+     HUSBAND, CONTRIVETH, BY REPRESENTING THAT FILIPPELLO WAS ON
+     THE ENSUING DAY TO BE WITH HIS OWN WIFE IN A BAGNIO, TO
+     BRING HER TO THE LATTER PLACE, WHERE, THINKING TO BE WITH
+     HER HUSBAND, SHE FINDETH THAT SHE HATH ABIDDEN WITH
+     RICCIARDO
+
+
+Elisa having no more to say, the queen, after commending the sagacity
+of Il Zima, bade Fiammetta proceed with a story, who answered, all
+smilingly, "Willingly, Madam," and began thus: "It behoveth somedele
+to depart our city (which, like as it aboundeth in all things else, is
+fruitful in instances of every subject) and as Elisa hath done, to
+recount somewhat of the things that have befallen in other parts of
+the world; wherefore, passing over to Naples, I shall tell how one of
+those she-saints, who feign themselves so shy of love, was by the
+ingenuity of a lover of hers brought to taste the fruits of love, ere
+she had known its flowers; the which will at once teach you
+circumspection in the things that may hap and afford you diversion of
+those already befallen.
+
+In Naples, a very ancient city and as delightful as any in Italy or
+maybe more so, there was once a young man, illustrious for nobility of
+blood and noted for his much wealth, whose name was Ricciardo
+Minutolo. Albeit he had to wife a very fair and lovesome young lady,
+he fell in love with one who, according to general opinion, far
+overpassed in beauty all the other ladies of Naples. Her name was
+Catella and she was the wife of another young gentleman of like
+condition, hight Filippello Fighinolfi, whom, like a very virtuous
+woman as she was, she loved and cherished over all. Ricciardo, then,
+loving this Catella and doing all those things whereby the love and
+favour of a lady are commonly to be won, yet for all that availing not
+to compass aught of his desire, was like to despair; and unknowing or
+unable to rid him of his passion, he neither knew how to die nor did
+it profit him to live.
+
+Abiding in this mind, it befell that he was one day urgently exhorted
+by certain ladies of his kinsfolk to renounce this passion of his,
+seeing he did but weary himself in vain, for that Catella had none
+other good than Filippello, of whom she lived in such jealousy that
+she fancied every bird that flew through the air would take him from
+her. Ricciardo, hearing of Catella's jealousy, forthright bethought
+himself how he might compass his wishes and accordingly proceeded to
+feign himself in despair of her love and to have therefore set his
+mind upon another lady, for whose love he began to make a show of
+jousting and tourneying and doing all those things which he had been
+used to do for Catella; nor did he do this long before well nigh all
+the Neapolitans, and among the rest the lady herself, were persuaded
+that he no longer loved Catella, but was ardently enamoured of this
+second lady; and on this wise he persisted until it was so firmly
+believed not only of others, but of Catella herself, that the latter
+laid aside a certain reserve with which she was wont to entreat him,
+by reason of the love he bore her, and coming and going, saluted him
+familiarly, neighbourwise, as she did others.
+
+It presently befell that, the weather being warm, many companies of
+ladies and gentlemen went, according to the usance of the Neapolitans,
+to divert themselves on the banks of the sea and there to dine and
+sup, and Ricciardo, knowing Catella to be gone thither with her
+company, betook himself to the same place with his friends and was
+received into Catella's party of ladies, after allowing himself to be
+much pressed, as if he had no great mind to abide there. The ladies
+and Catella fell to rallying him upon his new love, and he, feigning
+himself sore inflamed therewith, gave them the more occasion for
+discourse. Presently, one lady going hither and thither, as commonly
+happeneth in such places, and Catella being left with a few whereas
+Ricciardo was, the latter cast at her a hint of a certain amour of
+Filippello her husband, whereupon she fell into a sudden passion of
+jealousy and began to be inwardly all afire with impatience to know
+what he meant. At last, having contained herself awhile and being
+unable to hold out longer, she besought Ricciardo, for that lady's
+sake whom he most loved, to be pleased to make her clear[175] of that
+which he had said of Filippello; whereupon quoth he, 'You conjure me
+by such a person that I dare not deny aught you ask me; wherefore I am
+ready to tell it you, so but you promise me that you will never say a
+word thereof either to him or to any other, save whenas you shall by
+experience have seen that which I shall tell you to be true; for that,
+when you please, I will teach you how you may see it.'
+
+[Footnote 175: Or, in modern parlance, to enlighten her.]
+
+The lady consented to that which he asked and swore to him never to
+repeat that which he should tell her, believing it the more to be
+true. Then, withdrawing apart with her, so they might not be overheard
+of any, he proceeded to say thus: 'Madam, an I loved you as once I
+loved, I should not dare tell you aught which I thought might vex you;
+but, since that love is passed away, I shall be less chary of
+discovering to you the whole truth. I know not if Filippello have ever
+taken umbrage at the love I bore you or have believed that I was ever
+loved of you. Be this as it may, he hath never personally shown me
+aught thereof; but now, having peradventure awaited a time whenas he
+deemed I should be less suspicious, it seemeth he would fain do unto
+me that which I misdoubt me he feareth I have done unto him, to wit,
+[he seeketh] to have my wife at his pleasure. As I find, he hath for
+some little time past secretly solicited her with sundry messages, all
+of which I have known from herself, and she hath made answer thereunto
+according as I have enjoined her. This very day, however, ere I came
+hither, I found in the house, in close conference with my wife, a
+woman whom I set down incontinent for that which she was, wherefore I
+called my wife and asked her what the woman wanted. Quoth she, "She is
+the agent of Filippello, with whom thou hast saddled me, by dint of
+making me answer him and give him hopes, and she saith that he will
+e'en know once for all what I mean to do and that, an I will, he
+would contrive for me to be privily at a bagnio in this city; nay, of
+this he prayeth and importuneth me; and hadst thou not, I know not
+why, caused me keep this traffic with him, I would have rid myself of
+him after such a fashion that he should never more have looked whereas
+I might be." Thereupon meseemed this was going too far and that it was
+no longer to be borne; and I bethought myself to tell it to you, so
+you might know how he requiteth that entire fidelity of yours, whereby
+aforetime I was nigh upon death. And so you shall not believe this
+that I tell you to be words and fables, but may, whenas you have a
+mind thereto, openly both see and touch it, I caused my wife make this
+answer to her who awaited it, that she was ready to be at the bagnio
+in question to-morrow at none, whenas the folk sleep; with which the
+woman took leave of her, very well pleased. Now methinketh not you
+believe that I will send my wife thither; but, were I in your place, I
+would contrive that he should find me there in the room of her he
+thinketh to meet, and whenas I had abidden with him awhile, I would
+give him to know with whom he had been and render him such honour
+thereof as should beseem him; by which means methinketh you would do
+him such a shame that the affront he would fain put upon yourself and
+upon me would at one blow be avenged.'
+
+Catella, hearing this, without anywise considering who it was that
+said it to her or suspecting his design, forthright, after the wont of
+jealous folk, gave credence to his words and fell a-fitting to his
+story certain things that had already befallen; then, fired with
+sudden anger, she answered that she would certainly do as he
+counselled,--it was no such great matter,--and that assuredly, if
+Filippello came thither, she would do him such a shame that it should
+still recur to his mind, as often as he saw a woman. Ricciardo, well
+pleased at this and himseeming his device was a good one and in a fair
+way of success, confirmed her in her purpose with many other words and
+strengthened her belief in his story, praying her, natheless, never to
+say that she had heard it from him, the which she promised him on her
+troth.
+
+Next morning, Ricciardo betook himself to a good woman, who kept the
+bagnio he had named to Catella, and telling her what he purposed to
+do, prayed her to further him therein as most she might. The good
+woman, who was much beholden to him, answered that she would well and
+agreed with him what she should do and say. Now in the house where the
+bagnio was she had a very dark chamber, for that no window gave
+thereon by which the light might enter. This chamber she made ready
+and spread a bed there, as best she might, wherein Ricciardo, as soon
+as he had dined, laid himself and proceeded to await Catella. The
+latter, having heard Ricciardo's words and giving more credence
+thereto than behoved her, returned in the evening, full of despite, to
+her house, whither Filippello also returned and being by chance full
+of other thought, maybe did not show her his usual fondness. When she
+saw this, her suspicions rose yet higher and she said in herself,
+'Forsooth, his mind is occupied with yonder lady with whom he thinketh
+to take his pleasure to-morrow; but of a surety this shall not come to
+pass.' An in this thought she abode well nigh all that night,
+considering how she should bespeak him, whenas she should be with him
+[in the bagnio].
+
+What more [need I say?] The hour of none come, she took her
+waiting-woman and without anywise changing counsel, repaired to the
+bagnio that Ricciardo had named to her, and there finding the good
+woman, asked her if Filippello had been there that day, whereupon
+quoth the other, who had been duly lessoned by Ricciardo, 'Are you the
+lady that should come to speak with him?' 'Ay am I,' answered Catella.
+'Then,' said the woman, 'get you in to him.' Catella, who went seeking
+that which she would fain not have found, caused herself to be brought
+to the chamber where Ricciardo was and entering with covered head,
+locked herself in. Ricciardo, seeing her enter, rose joyfully to his
+feet and catching her in his arms, said softly, 'Welcome, my soul!'
+Whilst she, the better to feign herself other than she was, clipped
+him and kissed him and made much of him, without saying a word,
+fearing to be known of him if she should speak. The chamber was very
+dark, wherewith each of them was well pleased, nor for long abiding
+there did the eyes recover more power. Ricciardo carried her to the
+bed and there, without speaking, lest their voices should betray them,
+they abode a long while, to the greater delight and pleasance of the
+one party than the other.
+
+But presently, it seeming to Catella time to vent the resentment she
+felt, she began, all afire with rage and despite, to speak thus,
+'Alas, how wretched is women's lot and how ill bestowed the love that
+many of them bear their husbands! I, unhappy that I am, these eight
+years have I loved thee more than my life, and thou, as I have felt,
+art all afire and all consumed with love of a strange woman, wicked
+and perverse man that thou art! Now with whom thinkest thou to have
+been? Thou hast been with her whom thou hast too long beguiled with
+thy false blandishments, making a show of love to her and being
+enamoured elsewhere. I am Catella, not Ricciardo's wife, disloyal
+traitor that thou art! Hearken if thou know my voice; it is indeed I;
+and it seemeth to me a thousand years till we be in the light, so I
+may shame thee as thou deservest, scurvy discredited cur that thou
+art! Alack, woe is me! To whom have I borne so much love these many
+years? To this disloyal dog, who, thinking to have a strange woman in
+his arms, hath lavished on me more caresses and more fondnesses in
+this little while I have been here with him than in all the rest of
+the time I have been his. Thou hast been brisk enough to-day, renegade
+cur that thou art, that usest at home to show thyself so feeble and
+forspent and impotent; but, praised be God, thou hast tilled thine own
+field and not, as thou thoughtest, that of another. No wonder thou
+camest not anigh me yesternight; thou lookedst to discharge thee of
+thy lading elsewhere and wouldst fain come fresh to the battle; but,
+thanks to God and my own foresight, the stream hath e'en run in its
+due channel. Why answerest thou not, wicked man? Why sayst thou not
+somewhat? Art thou grown dumb, hearing me? Cock's faith, I know not
+what hindereth me from thrusting my hands into thine eyes and tearing
+them out for thee. Thou thoughtest to do this treason very secretly;
+but, perdie, one knoweth as much as another; thou hast not availed to
+compass thine end; I have had better beagles at thy heels than thou
+thoughtest.'
+
+Ricciardo inwardly rejoiced at these words and without making any
+reply, clipped her and kissed her and fondled her more than ever;
+whereupon quoth she, following on her speech, 'Ay, thou thinkest to
+cajole me with thy feigned caresses, fashious dog that thou art, and
+to appease and console me; but thou art mistaken; I shall never be
+comforted for this till I have put thee to shame therefor in the
+presence of all our friends and kinsmen and neighbours. Am I not as
+fair as Ricciardo's wife, thou villain? Am I not as good a
+gentlewoman? Why dost thou not answer, thou sorry dog? What hath she
+more than I? Keep thy distance; touch me not; thou hast done enough
+feats of arms for to-day. Now thou knowest who I am, I am well assured
+that all thou couldst do would be perforce; but, so God grant me
+grace, I will yet cause thee suffer want thereof, and I know not what
+hindereth me from sending for Ricciardo, who hath loved me more than
+himself and could never boast that I once even looked at him; nor know
+I what harm it were to do it. Thou thoughtest to have his wife here
+and it is as if thou hadst had her, inasmuch as it is none of thy
+fault that the thing hath miscarried; wherefore, were I to have
+himself, thou couldst not with reason blame me.'
+
+Brief, many were the lady's words and sore her complaining. However,
+at last, Ricciardo, bethinking himself that, an he let her go in that
+belief, much ill might ensue thereof, determined to discover himself
+and undeceive her; wherefore, catching her in his arms and holding her
+fast, so she might not get away, he said, 'Sweet my soul, be not
+angered; that which I could not have of you by simply loving you, Love
+hath taught me to obtain by practice; and I am your Ricciardo.'
+Catella, hearing this and knowing him by the voice, would have thrown
+herself incontinent out of bed, but could not; whereupon she offered
+to cry out; but Ricciardo stopped her mouth with one hand and said,
+'Madam, this that hath been may henceforth on nowise be undone, though
+you should cry all the days of your life; and if you cry out or cause
+this ever anywise to be known of any one, two things will come
+thereof; the one (which should no little concern you) will be that
+your honour and fair fame will be marred, for that, albeit you may
+avouch that I brought you hither by practice, I shall say that it is
+not true, nay, that I caused you come hither for monies and gifts that
+I promised you, whereof for that I gave you not so largely as you
+hoped, you waxed angry and made all this talk and this outcry; and you
+know that folk are more apt to credit ill than good, wherefore I shall
+more readily be believed than you. Secondly, there will ensue thereof
+a mortal enmity between your husband and myself, and it may as well
+happen that I shall kill him as he me, in which case you are never
+after like to be happy or content. Wherefore, heart of my body, go not
+about at once to dishonour yourself and to cast your husband and
+myself into strife and peril. You are not the first woman, nor will
+you be the last, who hath been deceived, nor have I in this practised
+upon you to bereave you of your own, but for the exceeding love that
+I bear you and am minded ever to bear you and to be your most humble
+servant. And although it is long since I and all that I possess or can
+or am worth have been yours and at your service, henceforward I
+purpose that they shall be more than ever so. Now, you are well
+advised in other things and so I am certain you will be in this.'
+
+Catella, what while Ricciardo spoke thus, wept sore, but, albeit she
+was sore provoked and complained grievously, nevertheless, her reason
+allowed so much force to his true words that she knew it to be
+possible that it should happen as he said; wherefore quoth she,
+'Ricciardo, I know not how God will vouchsafe me strength to suffer
+the affront and the cheat thou hast put upon me; I will well to make
+no outcry here whither my simplicity and overmuch jealousy have
+brought me; but of this be assured that I shall never be content till
+one way or another I see myself avenged of this thou hast done to me.
+Wherefore, leave me, hold me no longer; thou hast had that which thou
+desiredst and hast tumbled me to thy heart's content; it is time to
+leave me; let me go, I prithee.'
+
+Ricciardo, seeing her mind yet overmuch disordered, had laid it to
+heart never to leave her till he had gotten his pardon of her;
+wherefore, studying with the softest words to appease her, he so
+bespoke and so entreated and so conjured her that she was prevailed
+upon to make peace with him, and of like accord they abode together a
+great while thereafter in the utmost delight. Moreover, Catella,
+having thus learned how much more savoury were the lover's kisses than
+those of the husband and her former rigour being changed into kind
+love-liking for Ricciardo, from that day forth she loved him very
+tenderly and thereafter, ordering themselves with the utmost
+discretion, they many a time had joyance of their loves. God grant us
+to enjoy ours!"
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     TEDALDO ELISEI, HAVING FALLEN OUT WITH HIS MISTRESS,
+     DEPARTETH FLORENCE AND RETURNING THITHER, AFTER AWHILE, IN A
+     PILGRIM'S FAVOUR, SPEAKETH WITH THE LADY AND MAKETH HER
+     COGNISANT OF HER ERROR; AFTER WHICH HE DELIVERETH HER
+     HUSBAND, WHO HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIM, FROM DEATH
+     AND RECONCILING HIM WITH HIS BRETHREN, THENCEFORWARD
+     DISCREETLY ENJOYETH HIMSELF WITH HIS MISTRESS
+
+
+Fiammetta being now silent, commended of all, the queen, to lose no
+time, forthright committed the burden of discourse to Emilia, who
+began thus: "It pleaseth me to return to our city, whence it pleased
+the last two speakers to depart, and to show you how a townsman of
+ours regained his lost mistress.
+
+There was, then, in Florence a noble youth, whose name was Tedaldo
+Elisei and who, being beyond measure enamoured of a lady called Madam
+Ermellina, the wife of one Aldobrandino Palermini, deserved for his
+praiseworthy fashions, to enjoy his desire. However, Fortune, the
+enemy of the happy, denied him this solace, for that, whatever might
+have been the cause, the lady, after complying awhile with Tedaldo's
+wishes, suddenly altogether withdrew her good graces from him and not
+only refused to hearken to any message of his, but would on no wise
+see him; wherefore he fell into a dire and cruel melancholy; but his
+love for her had been so hidden that none guessed it to be the cause
+of his chagrin. After he had in divers ways studied amain to recover
+the love himseemed he had lost without his fault and finding all his
+labour vain, he resolved to withdraw from the world, that he might not
+afford her who was the cause of his ill the pleasure of seeing him
+pine away; wherefore, without saying aught to friend or kinsman, save
+to a comrade of his, who knew all, he took such monies as he might
+avail to have and departing secretly, came to Ancona, where, under the
+name of Filippo di Sanlodeccio, he made acquaintance with a rich
+merchant and taking service with him, accompanied him to Cyprus on
+board a ship of his.
+
+His manners and behaviour so pleased the merchant that he not only
+assigned him a good wage, but made him in part his associate and put
+into his hands a great part of his affairs, which he ordered so well
+and so diligently that in a few years he himself became a rich and
+famous and considerable merchant; and albeit, in the midst of these
+his dealings, he oft remembered him of his cruel mistress and was
+grievously tormented of love and yearned sore to look on her again,
+such was his constancy that seven years long he got the better of the
+battle. But, chancing one day to hear sing in Cyprus a song that
+himself had made aforetime and wherein was recounted the love he bore
+his mistress and she him and the pleasure he had of her, and thinking
+it could not be she had forgotten him, he flamed up into such a
+passion of desire to see her again that, unable to endure longer, he
+resolved to return to Florence.
+
+Accordingly, having set all his affairs in order, he betook himself
+with one only servant to Ancona and transporting all his good thither,
+despatched it to Florence to a friend of the Anconese his partner,
+whilst he himself, in the disguise of a pilgrim returning from the
+Holy Sepulchre, followed secretly after with his servant and coming to
+Florence, put up at a little hostelry kept by two brothers, in the
+neighbourhood of his mistress's house, whereto he repaired first of
+all, to see her, an he might. However, he found the windows and doors
+and all else closed, wherefore his heart misgave him she was dead or
+had removed thence and he betook himself, in great concern, to the
+house of his brethren, before which he saw four of the latter clad all
+in black. At this he marvelled exceedingly and knowing himself so
+changed both in habit and person from that which he was used to be,
+whenas he departed thence, that he might not lightly be recognized, he
+boldly accosted a cordwainer hard by and asked him why they were clad
+in black; whereto he answered, 'Yonder men are clad in black for that
+it is not yet a fortnight since a brother of theirs, who had not been
+here this great while, was murdered, and I understand they have
+proved to the court that one Aldobrandino Palermini, who is in prison,
+slew him, for that he was a well-wisher of his wife and had returned
+hither unknown to be with her.'
+
+Tedaldo marvelled exceedingly that any one should so resemble him as
+to be taken for him and was grieved for Aldobrandino's ill fortune.
+Then, having learned that the lady was alive and well and it being now
+night, he returned, full of various thoughts, to the inn and having
+supped with his servant, was put to sleep well nigh at the top of the
+house. There, what with the many thoughts that stirred him and the
+badness of the bed and peradventure also by reason of the supper,
+which had been meagre, half the night passed whilst he had not yet
+been able to fall asleep; wherefore, being awake, himseemed about
+midnight he heard folk come down into the house from the roof, and
+after through the chinks of the chamber-door he saw a light come up
+thither. Thereupon he stole softly to the door and putting his eye to
+the chink, fell a-spying what this might mean and saw a comely enough
+lass who held the light, whilst three men, who had come down from the
+roof, made towards her; and after some greetings had passed between
+them, one of them said to the girl, 'Henceforth, praised be God, we
+may abide secure, since we know now for certain that the death of
+Tedaldo Elisei hath been proved by his brethren against Aldobrandino
+Palermini, who hath confessed thereto, and judgment is now recorded;
+nevertheless, it behoveth to keep strict silence, for that, should it
+ever become known that it was we [who slew him], we shall be in the
+same danger as is Aldobrandino.' Having thus bespoken the woman, who
+showed herself much rejoiced thereat, they left her and going below,
+betook themselves to bed.
+
+Tedaldo, hearing this, fell a-considering how many and how great are
+the errors which may befall the minds of men, bethinking him first of
+his brothers who had bewept and buried a stranger in his stead and
+after of the innocent man accused on false suspicion and brought by
+untrue witness to the point of death, no less than of the blind
+severity of laws and rulers, who ofttimes, under cover of diligent
+investigation of the truth, cause, by their cruelties, prove that
+which is false and style themselves ministers of justice and of God,
+whereas indeed they are executors of iniquity and of the devil; after
+which he turned his thought to the deliverance of Aldobrandino and
+determined in himself what he should do. Accordingly, arising in the
+morning, he left his servant at the inn and betook himself alone,
+whenas it seemed to him time, to the house of his mistress, where,
+chancing to find the door open, he entered in and saw the lady seated,
+all full of tears and bitterness of soul, in a little ground floor
+room that was there.
+
+At this sight he was like to weep for compassion of her and drawing
+near to her, said, 'Madam, afflict not yourself; your peace is at
+hand.' The lady, hearing this, lifted her eyes and said, weeping,
+'Good man, thou seemest to me a stranger pilgrim; what knowest thou of
+my peace or of my affliction?' 'Madam,' answered Tedaldo, 'I am of
+Constantinople and am but now come hither, being sent of God to turn
+your tears into laughter and to deliver your husband from death.'
+Quoth she, 'An thou be of Constantinople and newly come hither, how
+knowest thou who I am or who is my husband?' Thereupon, the pilgrim
+beginning from the beginning, recounted to her the whole history of
+Aldobrandino's troubles and told her who she was and how long she had
+been married and other things which he very well knew of her affairs;
+whereat she marvelled exceedingly and holding him for a prophet, fell
+on her knees at his feet, beseeching him for God's sake, an he were
+come for Aldobrandino's salvation, to despatch, for that the time was
+short.
+
+The pilgrim, feigning himself a very holy man, said, 'Madam, arise and
+weep not, but hearken well to that which I shall say to you and take
+good care never to tell it to any. According to that which God hath
+revealed unto me, the tribulation wherein you now are hath betided you
+because of a sin committed by you aforetime, which God the Lord hath
+chosen in part to purge with this present annoy and will have
+altogether amended of you; else will you fall into far greater
+affliction.' 'Sir,' answered the lady, 'I have many sins and know not
+which one, more than another, God the Lord would have me amend;
+wherefore, an you know it, tell me and I will do what I may to amend
+it.' 'Madam,' rejoined the pilgrim, 'I know well enough what it is,
+nor do I question you thereof the better to know it, but to the intent
+that, telling it yourself, you may have the more remorse thereof. But
+let us come to the fact; tell me, do you remember, ever to have had a
+lover?'
+
+The lady, hearing this, heaved a deep sigh and marvelled sore,
+supposing none had ever known it, albeit, in the days when he was
+slain who had been buried for Tedaldo, there had been some whispering
+thereof, for certain words not very discreetly used by Tedaldo's
+confidant, who knew it; then answered, 'I see that God discovereth
+unto you all men's secrets, wherefore I am resolved not to hide mine
+own from you. True it is that in my youth I loved over all the
+ill-fortuned youth whose death is laid to my husband's charge, which
+death I have bewept as sore as it was grievous to me, for that, albeit
+I showed myself harsh and cruel to him before his departure, yet
+neither his long absence nor his unhappy death hath availed to tear
+him from my heart.' Quoth the pilgrim, 'The hapless youth who is dead
+you never loved, but Tedaldo Elisei ay.[176] But tell me, what was the
+occasion of your falling out with him? Did he ever give you any
+offence?' 'Certes, no,' replied she; 'he never offended against me;
+the cause of the breach was the prate of an accursed friar, to whom I
+once confessed me and who, when I told him of the love I bore Tedaldo
+and the privacy I had with him, made such a racket about my ears that
+I tremble yet to think of it, telling me that, an I desisted not
+therefrom, I should go in the devil's mouth to the deepest deep of
+hell and there be cast into everlasting fire; whereupon there entered
+into me such a fear that I altogether determined to forswear all
+further converse with him, and that I might have no occasion
+therefor, I would no longer receive his letters or messages; albeit I
+believe, had he persevered awhile, instead of getting him gone (as I
+presume) in despair, that, seeing him, as I did, waste away like snow
+in the sun, my harsh resolve would have yielded, for that I had no
+greater desire in the world.'
+
+[Footnote 176: _i.e._ It was not the dead man, but Tedaldo Elisei whom
+you loved. (_Lo sventurato giovane che fu morto non amasti voi mai, ma
+Tedaldo Elisei si._)]
+
+'Madam,' rejoined the pilgrim, 'it is this sin alone that now
+afflicteth you. I know for certain that Tedaldo did you no manner of
+violence; whenas you fell in love with him, you did it of your own
+free will, for that he pleased you; and as you yourself would have it,
+he came to you and enjoyed your privacy, wherein both with words and
+deeds you showed him such complaisance that, if he loved you before,
+you caused his love redouble a thousandfold. And this being so (as I
+know it was) what cause should have availed to move you so harshly to
+withdraw yourself from him? These things should be pondered awhile
+beforehand and if you think you may presently have cause to repent
+thereof, as of ill doing, you ought not to do them. You might, at your
+pleasure, have ordained of him, as of that which belonged to you, that
+he should no longer be yours; but to go about to deprive him of
+yourself, you who were his, was a theft and an unseemly thing, whenas
+it was not his will. Now you must know that I am a friar and am
+therefore well acquainted with all their usances; and if I speak
+somewhat at large of them for your profit, it is not forbidden me, as
+it were to another; nay, and it pleaseth me to speak of them, so you
+may henceforward know them better than you appear to have done in the
+past.
+
+Friars of old were very pious and worthy men, but those who nowadays
+style themselves friars and would be held such have nothing of the
+monk but the gown; nor is this latter even that of a true friar, for
+that,--whereas of the founders of the monastic orders they[177] were
+ordained strait and poor and of coarse stuff and demonstrative[178] of
+the spirit of the wearers, who testified that they held things
+temporal in contempt whenas they wrapped their bodies in so mean a
+habit,--those of our time have them made full and double and glossy
+and of the finest cloth and have brought them to a quaint pontifical
+cut, insomuch that they think it no shame to flaunt it withal
+peacock-wise, in the churches and public places, even as do the laity
+with their apparel; and like as with the sweep-net the fisher goeth
+about to take many fishes in the river at one cast, even so these,
+wrapping themselves about with the amplest of skirts, study to
+entangle therein great store of prudish maids and widows and many
+other silly women and men, and this is their chief concern over any
+other exercise; wherefore, to speak more plainly, they have not the
+friar's gown, but only the colours thereof.
+
+[Footnote 177: _i.e._ friars' gowns. Boccaccio constantly uses this
+irregular form of enallage, especially in dialogue.]
+
+[Footnote 178: Or, as we should nowadays say, "typical."]
+
+Moreover, whereas the ancients[179] desired the salvation of mankind,
+those of our day covet women and riches and turn their every thought
+to terrifying the minds of the foolish with clamours and
+depicturements[180] and to making believe that sins may be purged with
+almsdeeds and masses, to the intent that unto themselves (who, of
+poltroonery, not of devoutness, and that they may not suffer
+fatigue,[181] have, as a last resort, turned friars) one may bring
+bread, another send wine and a third give them a dole of money for the
+souls of their departed friends. Certes, it is true that almsdeeds and
+prayers purge away sins; but, if those who give alms knew on what
+manner folks they bestow them, they would or keep them for themselves
+or cast them before as many hogs. And for that these[182] know that,
+the fewer the possessors of a great treasure, the more they live at
+ease, every one of them studieth with clamours and bugbears to detach
+others from that whereof he would fain abide sole possessor. They
+decry lust in men, in order that, they who are chidden desisting from
+women, the latter may be left to the chiders; they condemn usury and
+unjust gains, to the intent that, it being entrusted to them to make
+restitution thereof, they may, with that which they declare must bring
+to perdition him who hath it, make wide their gowns and purchase
+bishopricks and other great benefices.
+
+[Footnote 179: _i.e._ the founders of the monastic orders.]
+
+[Footnote 180: Lit. pictures, paintings (_dipinture_), but evidently
+here used in a tropical sense, Boccaccio's apparent meaning being that
+the hypocritical friars used to terrify their devotees by picturing to
+them, in vivid colours, the horrors of the punishment reserved for
+sinners.]
+
+[Footnote 181: _i.e._ may not have to labour for their living.]
+
+[Footnote 182: _i.e._ the false friars.]
+
+And when they are taken to task of these and many other unseemly
+things that they do, they think that to answer, "Do as we say and not
+as we do," is a sufficient discharge of every grave burden, as if it
+were possible for the sheep to be more constant and stouter to resist
+temptation[183] than the shepherds. And how many there be of those to
+whom they make such a reply who apprehend it not after the
+fashion[184] in which they say it, the most part of them know. The
+monks of our day would have you do as they say, to wit, fill their
+purses with money, trust your secrets to them, observe chastity,
+practise patience and forgiveness of injuries and keep yourselves from
+evil speaking,--all things good, seemly and righteous; but why would
+they have this? So they may do that, which if the laity did,
+themselves could not do. Who knoweth not that without money idleness
+may not endure? An thou expend thy monies in thy pleasures, the friar
+will not be able to idle it in the monastery; an thou follow after
+women, there will be no room for him, and except thou be patient or a
+forgiver of injuries, he will not dare to come to thy house to corrupt
+thy family. But why should I hark back after every particular? They
+condemn themselves in the eyes of the understanding as often as they
+make this excuse. An they believe not themselves able to abstain and
+lead a devout life, why do they not rather abide at home? Or, if they
+will e'en give themselves unto this,[185] why do they not ensue that
+other holy saying of the Gospel, "Christ began to do and to
+teach?"[186] Let them first do and after teach others. I have in my
+time seen a thousand of them wooers, lovers and haunters, not of lay
+women alone, but of nuns; ay, and of those that make the greatest
+outcry in the pulpit. Shall we, then, follow after these who are thus
+fashioned? Whoso doth it doth that which he will, but God knoweth if
+he do wisely.
+
+[Footnote 183: Lit. more of iron (_piů di ferro_).]
+
+[Footnote 184: Sic (_per lo modo_); but _qućre_ not rather "in the
+sense."]
+
+[Footnote 185: _i.e._ if they must enter upon this way of life, to
+wit, that of the friar.]
+
+[Footnote 186: The reference is apparently to the opening verse of the
+Acts of the Apostles, where Luke says, "The former treatise have I
+made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and to teach." It
+need hardly be remarked that the passage in question does not bear the
+interpretation Boccaccio would put upon it.]
+
+But, granted even we are to allow that which the friar who chid you
+said to you, to wit, that it is a grievous sin to break the marriage
+vow, is it not a far greater sin to rob a man and a greater yet to
+slay him or drive him into exile, to wander miserably about the world?
+Every one must allow this. For a woman to have converse with a man is
+a sin of nature; but to rob him or slay him or drive him into exile
+proceedeth from malignity of mind. That you robbed Tedaldo I have
+already shown you, in despoiling him of yourself, who had become his
+of your spontaneous will, and I say also that, so far as in you lay,
+you slew him, for that it was none of your fault,--showing yourself,
+as you did, hourly more cruel,--that he slew not himself with his own
+hand; and the law willeth that whoso is the cause of the ill that is
+done be held alike guilty with him who doth it. And that you were the
+cause of his exile and of his going wandering seven years about the
+world cannot be denied. So that in whichever one of these three things
+aforesaid you have committed a far greater sin than in your converse
+with him.
+
+But, let us see; maybe Tedaldo deserved this usage? Certes, he did
+not; you yourself have already confessed it, more by token that I know
+he loveth[187] you more than himself. No woman was ever so honoured,
+so exalted, so magnified over every other of her sex as were you by
+him, whenas he found himself where he might fairly speak of you,
+without engendering suspicion. His every good, his every honour, his
+every liberty were all committed by him into your hands. Was he not
+noble and young? Was he not handsome among all his townsmen? Was he
+not accomplished in such things as pertain unto young men? Was he not
+loved, cherished and well seen of every one? You will not say nay to
+this either. Then how, at the bidding of a scurvy, envious numskull of
+a friar, could you take such a cruel resolve against him? I know not
+what error is that of women who eschew men and hold them in little
+esteem, whenas, considering what themselves are and what and how great
+is the nobility, beyond every other animal, given of God to man, they
+should rather glory whenas they are loved of any and prize him over
+all and study with all diligence to please him, so he may never desist
+from loving them. This how you did, moved by the prate of a friar,
+who must for certain have been some broth-swilling pasty-gorger, you
+yourself know; and most like he had a mind to put himself in the place
+whence he studied to expel others.
+
+[Footnote 187: _Sic_; but the past tense "loved" is probably intended,
+as the pretended pilgrim had not yet discovered Tedaldo to be alive.]
+
+This, then, is the sin that Divine justice, the which with a just
+balance bringeth all its operations to effect, hath willed not to
+leave unpunished; and even as you without reason studied to withdraw
+yourself from Tedaldo, so on like wise hath your husband been and is
+yet, without reason, in peril for Tedaldo, and you in tribulation.
+Wherefrom an you would be delivered, that which it behoveth you to
+promise, and yet more to do, is this; that, should it ever chance that
+Tedaldo return hither from his long banishment, you will render him
+again your favour, your love, your goodwill and your privacy and
+reinstate him in that condition wherein he was, ere you foolishly
+hearkened to yonder crack-brained friar.'
+
+The pilgrim having thus made an end of his discourse, the lady, who
+had hearkened thereto with the utmost attention, for that his
+arguments appeared to her most true and that, hearing him say, she
+accounted herself of a certainty afflicted for the sin of which he
+spoke, said, 'Friend of God, I know full well that the things you
+allege are true, and in great part by your showing do I perceive what
+manner of folk are these friars, whom till now I have held all saints.
+Moreover, I acknowledge my default without doubt to have been great in
+that which I wrought against Tedaldo; and an I might, I would gladly
+amend it on such wise as you have said; but how may this be done?
+Tedaldo can never more return hither; he is dead; wherefore I know not
+why it should behove me promise that which may not be performed.'
+'Madam,' replied the pilgrim, 'according to that which God hath
+revealed unto me, Tedaldo is nowise dead, but alive and well and in
+good case, so but he had your favour.' Quoth the lady, 'Look what you
+say; I saw him dead before my door of several knife-thrusts and had
+him in these arms and bathed his dead face with many tears, the which
+it may be gave occasion for that which hath been spoken thereof
+unseemly.' 'Madam,' replied the pilgrim, 'whatever you may say, I
+certify you that Tedaldo is alive, and if you will e'en promise me
+that [which I ask,] with intent to fulfil your promise, I hope you
+shall soon see him.' Quoth she, 'That do I promise and will gladly
+perform; nor could aught betide that would afford me such content as
+to see my husband free and unharmed and Tedaldo alive.'
+
+Thereupon it seemed to Tedaldo time to discover himself and to comfort
+the lady with more certain hope of her husband, and accordingly he
+said, 'Madam, in order that I may comfort you for your husband, it
+behoveth me reveal to you a secret, which look you discover not unto
+any, as you value your life.' Now they were in a very retired place
+and alone, the lady having conceived the utmost confidence of the
+sanctity which herseemed was in the pilgrim; wherefore Tedaldo,
+pulling out a ring, which she had given him the last night he had been
+with her and which he had kept with the utmost diligence, and showing
+it to her, said, 'Madam, know you this?' As soon as she saw it, she
+recognized it and answered, 'Ay, sir; I gave it to Tedaldo aforetime.'
+Whereupon the pilgrim, rising to his feet, hastily cast off his
+palmer's gown and hat and speaking Florence-fashion, said, 'And know
+you me?'
+
+When the lady saw this, she knew him to be Tedaldo and was all aghast,
+fearing him as one feareth the dead, an they be seen after death to go
+as if alive; wherefore she made not towards him to welcome him as
+Tedaldo returned from Cyprus, but would have fled from him in
+affright, as he were Tedaldo come back from the tomb. Whereupon,
+'Madam,' quoth he, 'fear not; I am your Tedaldo, alive and well, and
+have never died nor been slain, whatsoever you and my brothers may
+believe.' The lady, somewhat reassured and knowing his voice,
+considered him awhile longer and avouched in herself that he was
+certainly Tedaldo; wherefore she threw herself, weeping, on his neck
+and kissed him, saying, 'Welcome back, sweet my Tedaldo.'
+
+Tedaldo, having kissed and embraced her, said, 'Madam, it is no time
+now for closer greetings; I must e'en go take order that Aldobrandino
+may be restored to you safe and sound; whereof I hope that, ere
+to-morrow come eventide, you shall hear news that will please you;
+nay, if, as I expect, I have good news of his safety, I trust this
+night to be able to come to you and report them to you at more leisure
+than I can at this present.' Then, donning his gown and hat again, he
+kissed the lady once more and bidding her be of good hope, took leave
+of her and repaired whereas Aldobrandino lay in prison, occupied more
+with fear of imminent death than with hopes of deliverance to come.
+Tedaldo, with the gaoler's consent, went in to him, in the guise of a
+ghostly comforter, and seating himself by his side, said to him,
+'Aldobrandino, I am a friend of thine, sent thee for thy deliverance
+by God, who hath taken pity on thee because of thine innocence;
+wherefore, if, in reverence to Him, thou wilt grant me a little boon
+that I shall ask of thee, thou shalt without fail, ere to-morrow be
+night, whereas thou lookest for sentence of death, hear that of thine
+acquittance.'
+
+'Honest man,' replied the prisoner, 'since thou art solicitous of my
+deliverance, albeit I know thee not nor mind me ever to have seen
+thee, needs must thou be a friend, as thou sayst. In truth, the sin,
+for which they say I am to be doomed to death, I never committed;
+though others enough have I committed aforetime, which, it may be,
+have brought me to this pass. But this I say to thee, of reverence to
+God; an He presently have compassion on me, I will not only promise,
+but gladly do any thing, however great, to say nothing of a little
+one; wherefore ask that which pleaseth thee, for without fail, if it
+come to pass that I escape with life, I will punctually perform it.'
+Then said the pilgrim, 'What I would have of thee is that thou pardon
+Tedaldo's four brothers the having brought thee to this pass,
+believing thee guilty of their brother's death, and have them again
+for brethren and for friends, whenas they crave thee pardon thereof.'
+Whereto quoth Aldobrandino, 'None knoweth but he who hath suffered the
+affront how sweet a thing is vengeance and with what ardour it is
+desired; nevertheless, so God may apply Himself to my deliverance, I
+will freely pardon them; nay, I pardon them now, and if I come off
+hence alive and escape, I will in this hold such course as shall be
+to thy liking.'
+
+This pleased the pilgrim and without concerning himself to say more to
+him, he exhorted him to be of good heart, for that, ere the ensuing
+day came to an end, he should without fail hear very certain news of
+his safety. Then, taking leave of him, he repaired to the Seignory and
+said privily to a gentleman who was in session there, 'My lord, every
+one should gladly labour to bring to light the truth of things, and
+especially those who hold such a room as this of yours, to the end
+that those may not suffer the penalty who have not committed the crime
+and that the guilty may be punished; that which may be brought about,
+to your honour and the bane of those who have merited it, I am come
+hither to you. As you know, you have rigorously proceeded against
+Aldobrandino Palermini and thinking you have found for truth that it
+was he who slew Tedaldo Elisei, are minded to condemn him; but this is
+most certainly false, as I doubt not to show you, ere midnight betide,
+by giving into your hands the murderers of the young man in question.'
+
+The worthy gentleman, who was in concern for Aldobrandino, willingly
+gave ear to the pilgrim's words and having conferred at large with him
+upon the matter, on his information, took the two innkeeper brothers
+and their servant, without resistance, in their first sleep. He would
+have put them to the question, to discover how the case stood; but
+they brooked it not and each first for himself, and after all
+together, openly confessed that it was they who had slain Tedaldo
+Elisei, knowing him not. Being questioned of the case, they said [that
+it was] for that he had given the wife of one of them sore annoy, what
+while they were abroad, and would fain have enforced her to do his
+will.
+
+The pilgrim, having heard this, with the magistrate's consent took his
+leave and repairing privily to the house of Madam Ermellina, found her
+alone and awaiting him, (all else in the house being gone to sleep,)
+alike desirous of having good news of her husband and of fully
+reconciling herself with her Tedaldo. He accosted her with a joyful
+countenance and said, 'Dearest lady mine, be of good cheer, for
+to-morrow thou shalt certainly have thine Aldobrandino here again safe
+and sound'; and to give her more entire assurance thereof, he fully
+recounted to her that which he had done. Whereupon she, glad as ever
+woman was of two so sudden and so happy chances, to wit, the having
+her lover alive again, whom she verily believed to have bewept dead,
+and the seeing Aldobrandino free from peril, whose death she looked
+ere many days to have to mourn, affectionately embraced and kissed
+Tedaldo; then, getting them to bed together, with one accord they made
+a glad and gracious peace, taking delight and joyance one of the
+other. Whenas the day drew near, Tedaldo arose, after showing the lady
+that which he purposed to do and praying her anew to keep it a close
+secret, and went forth, even in his pilgrim's habit, to attend, whenas
+it should be time, to Aldobrandino's affairs. The day come, it
+appearing to the Seignory that they had full information of the
+matter, they straightway discharged Aldobrandino and a few days after
+let strike off the murderers' heads whereas they had committed the
+crime.
+
+Aldobrandino being now, to the great joy of himself and his wife and
+of all his friends and kinsfolk, free and manifestly acknowledging
+that he owed his deliverance to the good offices of the pilgrim,
+carried the latter to his house for such time as it pleased him to
+sojourn in the city; and there they could not sate themselves of doing
+him honour and worship, especially the lady, who knew with whom she
+had to do. After awhile, deeming it time to bring his brothers to an
+accord with Aldobrandino and knowing that they were not only put to
+shame by the latter's acquittance, but went armed for fear [of his
+resentment,] he demanded of his host the fulfilment of his promise.
+Aldobrandino freely answered that he was ready, whereupon the pilgrim
+caused him prepare against the morrow a goodly banquet, whereat he
+told him he would have him and his kinsmen and kinswomen entertain the
+four brothers and their ladies, adding that he himself would go
+incontinent and bid the latter on his part to peace and his banquet.
+Aldobrandino consenting to all that liked the pilgrim, the latter
+forthright betook himself to the four brothers and plying them with
+store of such words as behoved unto the matter, in fine, with
+irrepugnable arguments, brought them easily enough to consent to
+regain Aldobrandino's friendship by asking pardon; which done, he
+invited them and their ladies to dinner with Aldobrandino next
+morning, and they, being certified of his good faith, frankly accepted
+the invitation.
+
+Accordingly, on the morrow, towards dinner-time, Tedaldo's four
+brothers, clad all in black as they were, came, with sundry of their
+friends, to the house of Aldobrandino, who stayed for them, and there,
+in the presence of all who had been bidden of him to bear them
+company, cast down their arms and committed themselves to his mercy,
+craving forgiveness of that which they had wrought against him.
+Aldobrandino, weeping, received them affectionately, and kissing them
+all on the mouth, despatched the matter in a few words, remitting unto
+them every injury received. After them came their wives and sisters,
+clad all in sad-coloured raiment, and were graciously received by
+Madam Ermellina and the other ladies. Then were all, ladies and men
+alike, magnificently entertained at the banquet, nor was there aught
+in the entertainment other than commendable, except it were the
+taciturnity occasioned by the yet fresh sorrow expressed in the sombre
+raiment of Tedaldo's kinsfolk. Now on this account the pilgrim's
+device of the banquet had been blamed of some and he had observed it;
+wherefore, the time being come to do away with the constraint
+aforesaid, he rose to his feet, according as he had foreordained in
+himself, what while the rest still ate of the fruits, and said,
+'Nothing hath lacked to this entertainment that should make it joyful,
+save only Tedaldo himself; whom (since having had him continually with
+you, you have not known him) I will e'en discover to you.'
+
+So saying, he cast off his palmer's gown and all other his pilgrim's
+weeds and abiding in a jerkin of green sendal, was with no little
+amazement, long eyed and considered of all, ere any would venture to
+believe it was indeed he. Tedaldo, seeing this, recounted many
+particulars of the relations and things betided between them, as well
+as of his own adventures; whereupon his brethren and the other
+gentlemen present ran all to embrace him, with eyes full of joyful
+tears, as after did the ladies on like wise, as well strangers as
+kinswomen, except only Madam Ermellina. Which Aldobrandino seeing,
+'What is this, Ermellina?' quoth he. 'Why dost thou not welcome
+Tedaldo, as do the other ladies?' Whereto she answered, in the hearing
+of all, 'There is none who had more gladly welcomed and would yet
+welcome him than myself, who am more beholden to him than any other
+woman, seeing that by his means I have gotten thee again; but the
+unseemly words spoken in the days when we mourned him whom we deemed
+Tedaldo made me refrain therefrom.' Quoth her husband, 'Go to;
+thinkest thou I believe in the howlers?[188] He hath right well shown
+their prate to be false by procuring my deliverance; more by token
+that I never believed it. Quick, rise and go and embrace him.'
+
+[Footnote 188: Lit. barkers (_abbajatori_), _i.e._ slanderers.]
+
+The lady, who desired nothing better, was not slow to obey her husband
+in this and accordingly, arising, embraced Tedaldo, as the other
+ladies had done, and gave him joyous welcome. This liberality of
+Aldobrandino was mighty pleasing to Tedaldo's brothers and to every
+man and woman there, and thereby all suspect[189] that had been
+aroused in the minds of some by the words aforesaid was done away.
+Then, every one having given Tedaldo joy, he with his own hands rent
+the black clothes on his brothers' backs and the sad-coloured on those
+of his sisters and kinswomen and would have them send after other
+apparel, which whenas they had donned, they gave themselves to singing
+and dancing and other diversions galore; wherefore the banquet, which
+had had a silent beginning had a loud-resounding ending. Thereafter,
+with the utmost mirth, they one and all repaired, even as they were,
+to Tedaldo's house, where they supped that night, and on this wise
+they continued to feast several days longer.
+
+[Footnote 189: Lit. despite, rancour (_rugginuzza_), but the phrase
+appears to refer to the suspicions excited by the whispers that had
+been current, as above mentioned, of the connection between Ermellina
+and Tedaldo.]
+
+The Florentines awhile regarded Tedaldo with amazement, as a man risen
+from the dead; nay, in many an one's mind, and even in that of his
+brethren, there abode a certain faint doubt an he were indeed himself
+and they did not yet thoroughly believe it, nor belike had they
+believed it for a long time to come but for a chance which made them
+clear who the murdered man was which was on this wise. There passed
+one day before their house certain footmen[190] of Lunigiana, who,
+seeing Tedaldo, made towards him and said, 'Give you good day,
+Faziuolo.' Whereto Tedaldo in his brothers' presence answered, 'You
+mistake me.' The others, hearing him speak, were abashed and cried him
+pardon, saying, 'Forsooth you resemble, more than ever we saw one man
+favour another, a comrade of ours called Faziuolo of Pontremoli, who
+came hither some fortnight or more agone, nor could we ever since
+learn what is come of him. Indeed, we marvelled at the dress, for that
+he was a soldier, even as we are.' Tedaldo's elder brother, hearing
+this, came forward and enquired how this Faziuolo had been clad. They
+told him and it was found to have been punctually as they said;
+wherefore, what with these and what with other tokens, it was known
+for certain that he who had been slain was Faziuolo and not Tedaldo,
+and all doubt of the latter[191] accordingly departed [the minds of]
+his brothers and of every other. Tedaldo, then, being returned very
+rich, persevered in his love and the lady falling out with him no
+more, they long, discreetly dealing, had enjoyment of their love. God
+grant us to enjoy ours!"
+
+[Footnote 190: _i.e._ foot-soldiers.]
+
+[Footnote 191: _i.e._ of his identity.]
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     FERONDO, HAVING SWALLOWED A CERTAIN POWDER, IS ENTOMBED FOR
+     DEAD AND BEING TAKEN FORTH OF THE SEPULCHRE BY THE ABBOT,
+     WHO ENJOYETH HIS WIFE THE WHILE, IS PUT IN PRISON AND GIVEN
+     TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS IN PURGATORY; AFTER WHICH, BEING
+     RAISED UP AGAIN, HE REARETH FOR HIS OWN A CHILD BEGOTTEN OF
+     THE ABBOT ON HIS WIFE
+
+
+The end being come of Emilia's long story,--which had not withal for
+its length been unpleasing to any of the company, nay, but was held of
+all the ladies to have been briefly narrated, having regard to the
+number and diversity of the incidents therein recounted,--the queen,
+having with a mere sign intimated her pleasure to Lauretta, gave her
+occasion to begin thus: "Dearest ladies, there occurreth to me to tell
+you a true story which hath much more semblance of falsehood than of
+that which it indeed is and which hath been recalled to my mind by
+hearing one to have been bewept and buried for another. I purpose
+then, to tell you how a live man was entombed for dead and how after
+he and many other folk believed himself to have come forth of the
+sepulchre as one raised from the dead, by reason whereof he[192] was
+adored as a saint who should rather have been condemned as a criminal.
+
+[Footnote 192: _i.e._ the abbot who played the trick upon Ferondo. See
+post.]
+
+There was, then, and yet is, in Tuscany, an abbey situate, like as we
+see many thereof, in a place not overmuch frequented of men, whereof a
+monk was made abbot, who was a very holy man in everything, save in
+the matter of women, and in this he contrived to do so warily that
+well nigh none, not to say knew, but even suspected him thereof, for
+that he was holden exceeding godly and just in everything. It chanced
+that a very wealthy farmer, by name Ferondo, contracted a great
+intimacy with him, a heavy, clodpate fellow and dull-witted beyond
+measure, whose commerce pleased the abbot but for that his simplicity
+whiles afforded him some diversion, and in the course of their
+acquaintance, the latter perceived that Ferondo had a very handsome
+woman to wife, of whom he became so passionately enamoured that he
+thought of nothing else day or night; but, hearing that, simple and
+shallow-witted as Ferondo was in everything else, he was shrewd enough
+in the matter of loving and guarding his wife, he well nigh despaired
+of her.
+
+However, like a very adroit man as he was, he wrought on such wise
+with Ferondo that he came whiles, with his wife, to take his pleasance
+in the abbey-garden, and there he very demurely entertained them with
+discourse of the beatitude of the life eternal and of the pious works
+of many men and women of times past, insomuch that the lady was taken
+with a desire to confess herself to him and asked and had Ferondo's
+leave thereof. Accordingly, to the abbot's exceeding pleasure, she
+came to confess to him and seating herself at his feet, before she
+proceeded to say otherwhat, began thus: 'Sir, if God had given me a
+right husband or had given me none, it would belike be easy to me,
+with the help of your exhortations, to enter upon the road which you
+say leadeth folk unto life eternal; but I, having regard to what
+Ferondo is and to his witlessness, may style myself a widow, and yet I
+am married, inasmuch as, he living, I can have no other husband; and
+dolt as he is, he is without any cause, so out of all measure jealous
+of me that by reason thereof I cannot live with him otherwise than in
+tribulation and misery; wherefore, ere I come to other confession, I
+humbly beseech you, as most I may, that it may please you give me some
+counsel concerning this, for that, an the occasion of my well-doing
+begin not therefrom, confession or other good work will profit me
+little.'
+
+This speech gave the abbot great satisfaction and himseemed fortune
+had opened him the way to his chief desire; wherefore, 'Daughter,'
+quoth he, 'I can well believe that it must be a sore annoy for a fair
+and dainty dame such as you are to have a blockhead to husband, but a
+much greater meseemeth to have a jealous man; wherefore, you having
+both the one and the other, I can lightly credit that which you avouch
+of your tribulation. But for this, speaking briefly, I see neither
+counsel nor remedy save one, the which is that Ferondo be cured of
+this jealousy. The medicine that will cure him I know very well how to
+make, provided you have the heart to keep secret that which I shall
+tell you.' 'Father mine,' answered the lady, 'have no fear of that,
+for I would liefer suffer death than tell any that which you bid me
+not repeat; but how may this be done?' Quoth the abbot, 'An we would
+have him cured, it behoveth of necessity that he go to purgatory.'
+'But how,' asked she, 'can he go thither alive?' 'Needs must he die,'
+replied the abbot, 'and so go thither; and whenas he shall have
+suffered such penance as shall suffice to purge him of his jealousy,
+we will pray God, with certain orisons that he restore him to this
+life, and He will do it.' 'Then,' said the lady, 'I am to become a
+widow?' 'Ay,' answered the abbot, 'for a certain time, wherein you
+must look well you suffer not yourself to be married again, for that
+God would take it in ill part, and whenas Ferondo returned hither, it
+would behove you return to him and he would then be more jealous than
+ever.' Quoth she, 'Provided he be but cured of this calamity, so it
+may not behove me abide in prison all my life, I am content; do as it
+pleaseth you.' 'And I will do it,'[193] rejoined he; 'but what guerdon
+am I to have of you for such a service?' 'Father,' answered the lady,
+'you shall have whatsoever pleaseth you, so but it be in my power; but
+what can the like of me that may befit such a man as yourself?'
+'Madam,' replied the abbot 'you can do no less for me than that which
+I undertake to do for you; for that, like as I am disposed to do that
+which is to be your weal and your solacement, even so can you do that
+which will be the saving and assainment of my life.' Quoth she, 'An it
+be so, I am ready.' 'Then,' said the abbot, 'you must give me your
+love and vouchsafe me satisfaction of yourself, for whom I am all
+afire with love and languishment.'
+
+[Footnote 193: _i.e._ I will cure your husband of his jealousy.]
+
+The lady, hearing this, was all aghast and answered, 'Alack, father
+mine, what is this you ask? Methought you were a saint. Doth it beseem
+holy men to require women, who come to them for counsel, of such
+things?' 'Fair my soul,' rejoined the abbot, 'marvel not, for that
+sanctity nowise abateth by this, seeing it hath its seat in the soul
+and that which I ask of you is a sin of the body. But, be that as it
+may, your ravishing beauty hath had such might that love constraineth
+me to do thus; and I tell you that you may glory in your charms over
+all other women, considering that they please holy men, who are used
+to look upon the beauties of heaven. Moreover, abbot though I be, I am
+a man like another and am, as you see, not yet old. Nor should this
+that I ask be grievous to you to do; nay, you should rather desire it,
+for that, what while Ferondo sojourneth in purgatory, I will bear you
+company by night and render you that solacement which he should give
+you; nor shall any ever come to know of this, for that every one
+believeth of me that, and more than that, which you but now believed
+of me. Reject not the grace that God sendeth you, for there be women
+enough who covet that which you may have and shall have, if, like a
+wise woman, you hearken to my counsel. Moreover, I have fair and
+precious jewels, which I purpose shall belong to none other than
+yourself. Do, then, for me, sweet my hope, that which I willingly do
+for you.'
+
+The lady hung her head, knowing not how to deny him, whilst herseemed
+it were ill done to grant him what he asked; but the abbot, seeing
+that she hearkened and hesitated to reply and himseeming he had
+already half converted her, followed up his first words with many
+others and stayed not till he had persuaded her that she would do well
+to comply with him. Accordingly, she said, blushing, that she was
+ready to do his every commandment, but might not avail thereto till
+such time as Ferondo should be gone to purgatory; whereupon quoth the
+abbot, exceeding well pleased, 'And we will make shift to send him
+thither incontinent; do you but contrive that he come hither to-morrow
+or next day to sojourn with me.' So saying, he privily put a very
+handsome ring into her hand and dismissed her. The lady rejoiced at
+the gift and looking to have others, rejoined her companions, to whom
+she fell to relating marvellous things of the abbot's sanctity, and
+presently returned home with them.
+
+A few days after Ferondo repaired to the abbey, whom, whenas the abbot
+saw, he cast about to send him to purgatory. Accordingly, he sought
+out a powder of marvellous virtue, which he had gotten in the parts of
+the Levant of a great prince who avouched it to be that which was wont
+to be used of the Old Man of the Mountain,[194] whenas he would fain
+send any one, sleeping, into his paradise or bring him forth thereof,
+and that, according as more or less thereof was given, without doing
+any hurt, it made him who took it sleep more or less [time] on such
+wise that, whilst its virtue lasted, none would say he had life in
+him. Of this he took as much as might suffice to make a man sleep
+three days and putting it in a beaker of wine, that was not yet well
+cleared, gave it to Ferondo to drink in his cell, without the latter
+suspecting aught; after which he carried him into the cloister and
+there with some of his monks fell to making sport of him and his
+dunceries; nor was it long before, the powder working, Ferondo was
+taken with so sudden and overpowering a drowsiness, that he slumbered
+as yet he stood afoot and presently fell down fast asleep.
+
+[Footnote 194: The well-known chief of the Assassins (properly
+_Heshashin_, _i.e._ hashish or hemp eaters). The powder in question is
+apparently a preparation of hashish or hemp. Boccaccio seems to have
+taken his idea of the Old Man of the Mountain from Marco Polo, whose
+travels, published in the early part of the fourteenth century, give a
+most romantic account of that chieftain and his followers.]
+
+The abbot made a show of being concerned at this accident and letting
+untruss him, caused fetch cold water and cast it in his face and essay
+many other remedies of his fashion, as if he would recall the strayed
+life and senses from [the oppression of] some fumosity of the stomach
+or what not like affection that had usurped them. The monks, seeing
+that for all this he came not to himself and feeling his pulse, but
+finding no sign of life in him, all held it for certain that he was
+dead. Accordingly, they sent to tell his wife and his kinsfolk, who
+all came thither forthright, and the lady having bewept him awhile
+with her kinswomen, the abbot caused lay him, clad as he was, in a
+tomb; whilst the lady returned to her house and giving out that she
+meant never to part from a little son, whom she had had by her
+husband, abode at home and occupied herself with the governance of the
+child and of the wealth which had been Ferondo's. Meanwhile, the abbot
+arose stealthily in the night and with the aid of a Bolognese monk, in
+whom he much trusted and who was that day come thither from Bologna,
+took up Ferondo out of the tomb and carried him into a vault, in which
+there was no light to be seen and which had been made for prison of
+such of the monks as should make default in aught. There they pulled
+off his garments and clothing him monk-fashion, laid him on a truss of
+straw and there left him against he should recover his senses, whilst
+the Bolognese monk, having been instructed by the abbot of that which
+he had to do, without any else knowing aught thereof, proceeded to
+await his coming to himself.
+
+On the morrow, the abbot, accompanied by sundry of his monks, betook
+himself, by way of visitation, to the house of the lady, whom he found
+clad in black and in great tribulation, and having comforted her
+awhile, he softly required her of her promise. The lady, finding
+herself free and unhindered of Ferondo or any other and seeing on his
+finger another fine ring, replied that she was ready and appointed him
+to come to her that same night. Accordingly, night come, the abbot,
+disguised in Ferondo's clothes and accompanied by the monk his
+confidant, repaired thither and lay with her in the utmost delight and
+pleasance till the morning, when he returned to the abbey. After this
+he very often made the same journey on a like errand and being whiles
+encountered, coming or going, of one or another of the villagers, it
+was believed he was Ferondo who went about those parts, doing penance;
+by reason whereof many strange stories were after bruited about among
+the simple countryfolk, and this was more than once reported to
+Ferondo's wife, who well knew what it was.
+
+As for Ferondo, when he recovered his senses and found himself he knew
+not where, the Bolognese monk came in to him with a horrible noise and
+laying hold of him, gave him a sound drubbing with a rod he had in his
+hand. Ferondo, weeping and crying out, did nought but ask, 'Where am
+I?' To which the monk answered, 'Thou art in purgatory.' 'How?' cried
+Ferondo. 'Am I then dead?' 'Ay, certes,' replied the other; whereupon
+Ferondo fell to bemoaning himself and his wife and child, saying the
+oddest things in the world. Presently the monk brought him somewhat of
+meat and drink, which Ferondo seeing, 'What!' cried he. 'Do the dead
+eat?' 'Ay do they,' answered the monk. 'This that I bring thee is what
+the woman, thy wife that was, sent this morning to the church to let
+say masses for thy soul, and God the Lord willeth that it be made over
+to thee.' Quoth Ferondo, 'God grant her a good year! I still cherished
+her ere I died, insomuch that I held her all night in mine arms and
+did nought but kiss her, and t' other thing also I did, when I had a
+mind thereto.' Then, being very sharp-set, he fell to eating and
+drinking and himseeming the wine was not overgood, 'Lord confound
+her!' quoth he. 'Why did not she give the priest wine of the cask
+against the wall?'
+
+After he had eaten, the monk laid hold of him anew and gave him
+another sound beating with the same rod; whereat Ferondo roared out
+lustily and said, 'Alack, why dost thou this to me?' Quoth the monk,
+'Because thus hath God the Lord ordained that it be done unto thee
+twice every day.' 'And for what cause?' asked Ferondo. 'Because,'
+answered the monk, 'thou wast jealous, having the best woman in the
+country to wife.' 'Alas!' said Ferondo. 'Thou sayst sooth, ay, and the
+kindest creature; she was sweeter than syrup; but I knew not that God
+the Lord held it for ill that a man should be jealous; else had I not
+been so.' Quoth the monk, 'Thou shouldst have bethought thyself of
+that, whenas thou wast there below,[195] and have amended thee
+thereof; and should it betide that thou ever return thither, look thou
+so have in mind that which I do unto thee at this present that thou be
+nevermore jealous.' 'What?' said Ferondo. 'Do the dead ever return
+thither?' 'Ay,' answered the monk; 'whom God willeth.' 'Marry,' cried
+Ferondo, 'and I ever return thither, I will be the best husband in the
+world; I will never beat her nor give her an ill word, except it be
+anent the wine she sent hither this morning and for that she sent no
+candles, so it behoved me to eat in the dark.' 'Nay,' said the monk,
+'she sent candles enough, but they were all burnt for the masses.'
+'True,' rejoined Ferondo; 'and assuredly, an I return thither, I will
+let her do what she will. But tell me, who art thou that usest me
+thus?' Quoth the monk, 'I also am dead. I was of Sardinia and for that
+aforetime I much commended a master of mine of being jealous, I have
+been doomed of God to this punishment, that I must give thee to eat
+and drink and beat thee thus, till such time as God shall ordain
+otherwhat of thee and of me.' Then said Ferondo, 'Is there none here
+other than we twain?' 'Ay,' answered the monk, 'there be folk by the
+thousands; but thou canst neither see nor hear them, nor they thee.'
+Quoth Ferondo, 'And how far are we from our own countries?' 'Ecod,'
+replied the other, 'we are distant thence more miles than we can well
+cack at a bout.' 'Faith,' rejoined the farmer, 'that is far enough;
+meseemeth we must be out of the world, an it be so much as all that.'
+
+[Footnote 195: _i.e._ in the sublunary world.]
+
+In such and the like discourse was Ferondo entertained half a score
+months with eating and drinking and beating, what while the abbot
+assiduously visited the fair lady, without miscarriage, and gave
+himself the goodliest time in the world with her. At last, as ill-luck
+would have it, the lady found herself with child and straightway
+acquainted the abbot therewith, wherefore it seemed well to them both
+that Ferondo should without delay be recalled from purgatory to life
+and return to her, so she might avouch herself with child by him.
+Accordingly, the abbot that same night caused call to Ferondo in
+prison with a counterfeit voice, saying, 'Ferondo, take comfort, for
+it is God's pleasure that thou return to the world, where thou shalt
+have a son by thy wife, whom look thou name Benedict, for that by the
+prayers of thy holy abbot and of thy wife and for the love of St.
+Benedict He doth thee this favour.' Ferondo, hearing this, was
+exceedingly rejoiced and said, 'It liketh me well, Lord grant a good
+year to Seignior God Almighty and to the abbot and St. Benedict and my
+cheesy[196] sweet honey wife.' The abbot let give him, in the wine
+that he sent him, so much of the powder aforesaid as should cause him
+sleep maybe four hours and with the aid of his monk, having put his
+own clothes on him, restored him privily to the tomb wherein he had
+been buried.
+
+[Footnote 196: _Sic_ (_casciata_); meaning that he loves her as well
+as he loves cheese, for which it is well known that the lower-class
+Italian has a romantic passion. According to Alexandre Dumas, the
+Italian loves cheese so well that he has succeeded in introducing it
+into everything he eats or drinks, with the one exception of coffee.]
+
+Next morning, at break of day, Ferondo came to himself and espying
+light,--a thing which he had not seen for good ten months,--through
+some crevice of the tomb, doubted not but he was alive again.
+Accordingly, he fell to bawling out, 'Open to me! Open to me!' and
+heaving so lustily at the lid of the tomb with his head that he
+stirred it, for that it was eath to move, and had begun to move it
+away, when the monks, having now made an end of saying matins, ran
+thither and knew Ferondo's voice and saw him in act to come forth of
+the sepulchre; whereupon, all aghast for the strangeness of the case,
+they took to their heels and ran to the abbot, who made a show of
+rising from prayer and said, 'My sons, have no fear; take the cross
+and the holy water and follow after me, so we may see that which God
+willeth to show forth to us of His might'; and as he said, so he did.
+
+Now Ferondo was come forth of the sepulchre all pale, as well might he
+be who had so long abidden without seeing the sky. As soon as he saw
+the abbot, he ran to cast himself at his feet and said, 'Father mine,
+according to that which hath been revealed to me, your prayers and
+those of St. Benedict and my wife have delivered me from the pains of
+purgatory and restored me to life, wherefore I pray God to give you a
+good year and good calends now and always.' Quoth the abbot, 'Praised
+be God His might! Go, my son, since He hath sent thee back hither;
+comfort thy wife, who hath been still in tears, since thou departedst
+this life, and henceforth be a friend and servant of God.' 'Sir,'
+replied Ferondo, 'so hath it indeed been said to me; only leave me do;
+for, as soon as I find her, I shall buss her, such goodwill do I bear
+her.'
+
+The abbot, left alone with his monks, made a great show of wonderment
+at this miracle and caused devoutly sing Miserere therefor. As for
+Ferondo, he returned to his village, where all who saw him fled, as
+men use to do from things frightful; but he called them back and
+avouched himself to be raised up again. His wife on like wise feigned
+to be adread of him; but, after the folk were somewhat reassured anent
+him and saw that he was indeed alive, they questioned him of many
+things, and he, as it were he had returned wise, made answer to all
+and gave them news of the souls of their kinsfolk, making up, of his
+own motion, the finest fables in the world of the affairs of purgatory
+and recounting in full assembly the revelation made him by the mouth
+of the Rangel Bragiel[197] ere he was raised up again. Then, returning
+to his house and entering again into possession of his goods, he got
+his wife, as he thought, with child, and by chance it befell that, in
+due time,--to the thinking of the fools who believe that women go just
+nine months with child,--the lady gave birth to a boy, who was called
+Benedict Ferondi.[198]
+
+[Footnote 197: _i.e._ the Angel Gabriel.]
+
+[Footnote 198: The plural of a surname is, in strictness, always used
+by the Italians in speaking of a man by his full name, _dei_ being
+understood between the Christian and surname, as _Benedetto_ (_dei_)
+_Ferondi_, Benedict of the Ferondos or Ferondo family, whilst, when he
+is denominated by the surname alone, it is used in the singular, _il_
+(the) being understood, _e.g._ (Il) Boccaccio, (Il) Ferondo, _i.e._
+the particular Boccaccio or Ferondo in question for the nonce.]
+
+Ferondo's return and his talk, well nigh every one believing him to
+have risen from the dead, added infinitely to the renown of the
+abbot's sanctity, and he himself, as if cured of his jealousy by the
+many beatings he had received therefor, thenceforward, according to
+the promise made by the abbot to the lady, was no more jealous;
+whereat she was well pleased and lived honestly with him, as of her
+wont, save indeed that, whenas she conveniently might, she willingly
+foregathered with the holy abbot, who had so well and diligently
+served her in her greatest needs."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     GILLETTE DE NARBONNE RECOVERETH THE KING OF FRANCE OF A
+     FISTULA AND DEMANDETH FOR HER HUSBAND BERTRAND DE
+     ROUSSILLON, WHO MARRIETH HER AGAINST HIS WILL AND BETAKETH
+     HIM FOR DESPITE TO FLORENCE, WHERE, HE PAYING COURT TO A
+     YOUNG LADY, GILLETTE, IN THE PERSON OF THE LATTER, LIETH
+     WITH HIM AND HATH BY HIM TWO SONS; WHEREFORE AFTER, HOLDING
+     HER DEAR, HE ENTERTAINETH HER FOR HIS WIFE
+
+
+Lauretta's story being now ended, it rested but with the queen to
+tell, an she would not infringe upon Dioneo's privilege; wherefore,
+without waiting to be solicited by her companions, she began all
+blithesomely to speak thus: "Who shall tell a story that may appear
+goodly, now we have heard that of Lauretta? Certes, it was well for us
+that hers was not the first, for that few of the others would have
+pleased after it, as I misdoubt me[199] will betide of those which are
+yet to tell this day. Natheless, be that as it may, I will e'en
+recount to you that which occurreth to me upon the proposed theme.
+
+[Footnote 199: Lit. and so I hope (_spero_), a curious instance of the
+ancient Dantesque use of the word _spero_, I hope, in its contrary
+sense of fear.]
+
+There was in the kingdom of France a gentleman called Isnard, Count of
+Roussillon, who, for that he was scant of health, still entertained
+about his person a physician, by name Master Gerard de Narbonne. The
+said count had one little son, and no more, hight Bertrand, who was
+exceeding handsome and agreeable, and with him other children of his
+own age were brought up. Among these latter was a daughter of the
+aforesaid physician, by name Gillette, who vowed to the said Bertrand
+an infinite love and fervent more than pertained unto her tender
+years. The count dying and leaving his son in the hands of the king,
+it behoved him betake himself to Paris, whereof the damsel abode sore
+disconsolate, and her own father dying no great while after, she would
+fain, an she might have had a seemly occasion, have gone to Paris to
+see Bertrand: but, being straitly guarded, for that she was left rich
+and alone, she saw no honourable way thereto; and being now of age for
+a husband and having never been able to forget Bertrand, she had,
+without reason assigned, refused many to whom her kinsfolk would have
+married her.
+
+Now it befell that, what while she burned more than ever for love of
+Bertrand, for that she heard he was grown a very goodly gentleman,
+news came to her how the King of France, by an imposthume which he had
+had in his breast and which had been ill tended, had gotten a fistula,
+which occasioned him the utmost anguish and annoy, nor had he yet been
+able to find a physician who might avail to recover him thereof,
+albeit many had essayed it, but all had aggravated the ill; wherefore
+the king, despairing of cure, would have no more counsel nor aid of
+any. Hereof the young lady was beyond measure content and bethought
+herself that not only would this furnish her with a legitimate
+occasion of going to Paris, but that, should the king's ailment be
+such as she believed, she might lightly avail to have Bertrand to
+husband. Accordingly, having aforetime learned many things of her
+father, she made a powder of certain simples useful for such an
+infirmity as she conceived the king's to be and taking horse, repaired
+to Paris.
+
+Before aught else she studied to see Bertrand and next, presenting
+herself before the king, she prayed him of his favour to show her his
+ailment. The king, seeing her a fair and engaging damsel, knew not how
+to deny her and showed her that which ailed him. Whenas she saw it,
+she was certified incontinent that she could heal it and accordingly
+said, 'My lord, an it please you, I hope in God to make you whole of
+this your infirmity in eight days' time, without annoy or fatigue on
+your part.' The king scoffed in himself at her words, saying, 'That
+which the best physicians in the world have availed not neither known
+to do, how shall a young woman know?' Accordingly, he thanked her for
+her good will and answered that he was resolved no more to follow the
+counsel of physicians. Whereupon quoth the damsel, 'My lord, you make
+light of my skill, for that I am young and a woman; but I would have
+you bear in mind that I medicine not of mine own science, but with the
+aid of God and the science of Master Gerard de Narbonne, who was my
+father and a famous physician whilst he lived.'
+
+The king, hearing this, said in himself, 'It may be this woman is sent
+me of God; why should I not make proof of her knowledge, since she
+saith she will, without annoy of mine, cure me in little time?'
+Accordingly, being resolved to essay her, he said, 'Damsel, and if you
+cure us not, after causing us break our resolution, what will you have
+ensue to you therefor?' 'My lord,' answered she, 'set a guard upon me
+and if I cure you not within eight days, let burn me alive; but, if I
+cure you, what reward shall I have?' Quoth the king, 'You seem as yet
+unhusbanded; if you do this, we will marry you well and worshipfully.'
+'My lord,' replied the young lady, 'I am well pleased that you should
+marry me, but I will have a husband such as I shall ask of you,
+excepting always any one of your sons or of the royal house.' He
+readily promised her that which she sought, whereupon she began her
+cure and in brief, before the term limited, she brought him back to
+health.
+
+The king, feeling himself healed, said, 'Damsel, you have well earned
+your husband'; whereto she answered, 'Then, my lord, I have earned
+Bertrand de Roussillon, whom I began to love even in the days of my
+childhood and have ever since loved over all.' The king deemed it a
+grave matter to give him to her; nevertheless, having promised her and
+unwilling to fail of his faith, he let call the count to himself and
+bespoke him thus: 'Bertrand, you are now of age and accomplished [in
+all that behoveth unto man's estate];[200] wherefore it is our
+pleasure that you return to govern your county and carry with you a
+damsel, whom we have given you to wife.' 'And who is the damsel, my
+lord?' asked Bertrand; to which the king answered, 'It is she who hath
+with her medicines restored to us our health.'
+
+[Footnote 200: _Fornito_, a notable example of what the illustrious
+Lewis Carroll Dodgson, Waywode of Wonderland, calls a "portmanteau-word,"
+a species that abounds in medićval Italian, for the confusion of
+translators.]
+
+Bertrand, who had seen and recognized Gillette, knowing her (albeit
+she seemed to him very fair) to be of no such lineage as sorted with
+his quality, said all disdainfully, 'My lord, will you then marry me
+to a she-leach? Now God forbid I should ever take such an one to
+wife!' 'Then,' said the king, 'will you have us fail of our faith, the
+which, to have our health again, we pledged to the damsel, who in
+guerdon thereof demanded you to husband?' 'My lord,' answered
+Bertrand, 'you may, an you will, take from me whatsoever I possess or,
+as your liegeman, bestow me upon whoso pleaseth you; but of this I
+certify you, that I will never be a consenting party unto such a
+marriage.' 'Nay,' rejoined the king, 'but you shall, for that the
+damsel is fair and wise and loveth you dear; wherefore we doubt not
+but you will have a far happier life with her than with a lady of
+higher lineage.' Bertrand held his peace and the king let make great
+preparations for the celebration of the marriage.
+
+The appointed day being come, Bertrand, sore against his will, in the
+presence of the king, espoused the damsel, who loved him more than
+herself. This done, having already determined in himself what he
+should do, he sought leave of the king to depart, saying he would fain
+return to his county and there consummate the marriage; then, taking
+horse, he repaired not thither, but betook himself into Tuscany,
+where, hearing that the Florentines were at war with those of Sienna,
+he determined to join himself to the former, by whom he was joyfully
+received and made captain over a certain number of men-at-arms; and
+there, being well provided[201] of them, he abode a pretty while in
+their service.
+
+[Footnote 201: _i.e._ getting good pay and allowances (_avendo buona
+provisione_).]
+
+The newly-made wife, ill content with such a lot, but hoping by her
+fair dealing to recall him to his county, betook herself to
+Roussillon, where she was received of all as their liege lady. There,
+finding everything waste and disordered for the long time that the
+land had been without a lord, with great diligence and solicitude,
+like a discreet lady as she was, she set all in order again, whereof
+the count's vassals were mightily content and held her exceeding dear,
+vowing her a great love and blaming the count sore for that he
+accepted not of her. The lady, having thoroughly ordered the county,
+notified the count thereof by two knights, whom she despatched to him,
+praying him that, an it were on her account he forbore to come to his
+county, he should signify it to her and she, to pleasure him, would
+depart thence; but he answered them very harshly, saying, 'For that,
+let her do her pleasure; I, for my part, will return thither to abide
+with her, whenas she shall have this my ring on her finger and in her
+arms a son by me begotten.' Now the ring in question he held very dear
+and never parted with it, by reason of a certain virtue which it had
+been given him to understand that it had.
+
+The knights understood the hardship of the condition implied in these
+two well nigh impossible requirements, but, seeing that they might not
+by their words avail to move him from his purpose, they returned to
+the lady and reported to her his reply; whereat she was sore afflicted
+and determined, after long consideration, to seek to learn if and
+where the two things aforesaid might be compassed, to the intent that
+she might, in consequence, have her husband again. Accordingly, having
+bethought herself what she should do, she assembled certain of the
+best and chiefest men of the county and with plaintive speech very
+orderly recounted to them that which she had already done for love of
+the count and showed them what had ensued thereof, adding that it was
+not her intent that, through her sojourn there, the count should abide
+in perpetual exile; nay, rather she purposed to spend the rest of her
+life in pilgrimages and works of mercy and charity for her soul's
+health; wherefore she prayed them take the ward and governance of the
+county and notify the count that she had left him free and vacant
+possession and had departed the country, intending nevermore to return
+to Roussillon. Many were the tears shed by the good folk, whilst she
+spoke, and many the prayers addressed to her that it would please her
+change counsel and abide there; but they availed nought. Then,
+commending them to God, she set out upon her way, without telling any
+whither she was bound, well furnished with monies and jewels of price
+and accompanied by a cousin of hers and a chamberwoman, all in
+pilgrims' habits, and stayed not till she came to Florence, where,
+chancing upon a little inn, kept by a decent widow woman, she there
+took up her abode and lived quietly, after the fashion of a poor
+pilgrim, impatient to hear news of her lord.
+
+It befell, then, that on the morrow of her arrival she saw Bertrand
+pass before her lodging, a-horseback with his company, and albeit she
+knew him full well, natheless she asked the good woman of the inn who
+he was. The hostess answered, 'That is a stranger gentleman, who
+calleth himself Count Bertrand, a pleasant man and a courteous and
+much loved in this city; and he is the most enamoured man in the world
+of a she-neighbour of ours, who is a gentlewoman, but poor. Sooth to
+say, she is a very virtuous damsel and abideth, being yet unmarried
+for poverty, with her mother, a very good and discreet lady, but for
+whom, maybe, she had already done the count's pleasure.' The countess
+took good note of what she heard and having more closely enquired into
+every particular and apprehended all aright, determined in herself how
+she should do.
+
+Accordingly, having learned the house and name of the lady whose
+daughter the count loved, she one day repaired privily thither in her
+pilgrim's habit and finding the mother and daughter in very poor case,
+saluted them and told the former that, an it pleased her, she would
+fain speak with her alone. The gentlewoman, rising, replied that she
+was ready to hearken to her and accordingly carried her into a chamber
+of hers, where they seated themselves and the countess began thus,
+'Madam, meseemeth you are of the enemies of Fortune, even as I am;
+but, an you will, belike you may be able to relieve both yourself and
+me.' The lady answered that she desired nothing better than to relieve
+herself by any honest means; and the countess went on, 'Needs must you
+pledge me your faith, whereto an I commit myself and you deceive me,
+you will mar your own affairs and mine.' 'Tell me anything you will in
+all assurance,' replied the gentlewoman; 'for never shall you find
+yourself deceived of me.'
+
+Thereupon the countess, beginning with her first enamourment,
+recounted to her who she was and all that had betided her to that day
+after such a fashion that the gentlewoman, putting faith in her words
+and having, indeed, already in part heard her story from others, began
+to have compassion of her. The countess, having related her
+adventures, went on to say, 'You have now, amongst my other troubles,
+heard what are the two things which it behoveth me have, an I would
+have my husband, and to which I know none who can help me, save only
+yourself, if that be true which I hear, to wit, that the count my
+husband is passionately enamoured of your daughter.' 'Madam,' answered
+the gentlewoman, 'if the count love my daughter I know not; indeed he
+maketh a great show thereof. But, an it be so, what can I do in this
+that you desire?' 'Madam,' rejoined the countess, 'I will tell you;
+but first I will e'en show you what I purpose shall ensue thereof to
+you, an you serve me. I see your daughter fair and of age for a
+husband and according to what I have heard, meseemeth I understand the
+lack of good to marry her withal it is that causeth you keep her at
+home. Now I purpose, in requital of the service you shall do me, to
+give her forthright of mine own monies such a dowry as you yourself
+shall deem necessary to marry her honorably.'
+
+The mother, being needy, was pleased with the offer; algates, having
+the spirit of a gentlewoman, she said, 'Madam, tell me what I can do
+for you; if it consist with my honour, I will willingly do it, and you
+shall after do that which shall please you.' Then said the countess,
+'It behoveth me that you let tell the count my husband by some one in
+whom you trust, that your daughter is ready to do his every pleasure,
+so she may but be certified that he loveth her as he pretendeth, the
+which she will never believe, except he send her the ring which he
+carrieth on his finger and by which she hath heard he setteth such
+store. An he send you the ring, you must give it to me and after send
+to him to say that your daughter is ready do his pleasure; then bring
+him hither in secret and privily put me to bed to him in the stead of
+your daughter. It may be God will vouchsafe me to conceive and on this
+wise, having his ring on my finger and a child in mine arms of him
+begotten, I shall presently regain him and abide with him, as a wife
+should abide with her husband, and you will have been the cause
+thereof.'
+
+This seemed a grave matter to the gentlewoman, who feared lest blame
+should haply ensue thereof to her daughter; nevertheless, bethinking
+her it were honourably done to help the poor lady recover her husband
+and that she went about to do this to a worthy end and trusting in the
+good and honest intention of the countess, she not only promised her
+to do it, but, before many days, dealing with prudence and secrecy, in
+accordance with the latter's instructions, she both got the ring
+(albeit this seemed somewhat grievous to the count) and adroitly put
+her to bed with her husband, in the place of her own daughter. In
+these first embracements, most ardently sought of the count, the lady,
+by God's pleasure, became with child of two sons, as her delivery in
+due time made manifest. Nor once only, but many times, did the
+gentlewoman gratify the countess with her husband's embraces,
+contriving so secretly that never was a word known of the matter,
+whilst the count still believed himself to have been, not with his
+wife, but with her whom he loved; and whenas he came to take leave of
+a morning, he gave her, at one time and another, divers goodly and
+precious jewels, which the countess laid up with all diligence.
+
+Then, feeling herself with child and unwilling to burden the
+gentlewoman farther with such an office, she said to her, 'Madam,
+thanks to God and you, I have gotten that which I desired, wherefore
+it is time that I do that which shall content you and after get me
+gone hence.' The gentlewoman answered that, if she had gotten that
+which contented her, she was well pleased, but that she had not done
+this of any hope of reward, nay, for that herseemed it behoved her to
+do it, an she would do well. 'Madam,' rejoined the countess, 'that
+which you say liketh me well and so on my part I purpose not to give
+you that which you shall ask of me by way of reward, but to do well,
+for that meseemeth behoveful so to do.' The gentlewoman, then,
+constrained by necessity, with the utmost shamefastness, asked her an
+hundred pounds to marry her daughter withal; but the countess, seeing
+her confusion and hearing her modest demand, gave her five hundred and
+so many rare and precious jewels as were worth maybe as much more.
+With this the gentlewoman was far more than satisfied and rendered the
+countess the best thanks in her power; whereupon the latter, taking
+leave of her, returned to the inn, whilst the other, to deprive
+Bertrand of all farther occasion of coming or sending to her house,
+removed with her daughter into the country to the house of one of her
+kinsfolk, and he, being a little after recalled by his vassals and
+hearing that the countess had departed the country, returned to his
+own house.
+
+The countess, hearing that he had departed Florence and returned to
+his county, was mightily rejoiced and abode at Florence till her time
+came to be delivered, when she gave birth to two male children, most
+like their father, and let rear them with all diligence. Whenas it
+seemed to her time, she set out and came, without being known of any,
+to Montpellier, where having rested some days and made enquiry of the
+count and where he was, she learned that he was to hold a great
+entertainment of knights and ladies at Roussillon on All Saints' Day
+and betook herself thither, still in her pilgrim's habit that she was
+wont to wear. Finding the knights and ladies assembled in the count's
+palace and about to sit down to table, she went up, with her children
+in her arms and without changing her dress, into the banqueting hall
+and making her way between man and man whereas she saw the count, cast
+herself at his feet and said, weeping, 'I am thine unhappy wife, who,
+to let thee return and abide in thy house, have long gone wandering
+miserably about the world. I conjure thee, in the name of God, to
+accomplish unto me thy promise upon the condition appointed me by the
+two knights I sent thee; for, behold, here in mine arms is not only
+one son of thine, but two, and here is thy ring. It is time, then,
+that I be received of thee as a wife, according to thy promise.'
+
+The count, hearing this, was all confounded and recognized the ring
+and the children also, so like were they to him; but yet he said, 'How
+can this have come to pass?' The countess, then, to his exceeding
+wonderment and that of all others who were present, orderly recounted
+that which had passed and how it had happened; whereupon the count,
+feeling that she spoke sooth and seeing her constancy and wit and
+moreover two such goodly children, as well for the observance of his
+promise as to pleasure all his liegemen and the ladies, who all
+besought him thenceforth to receive and honour her as his lawful wife,
+put off his obstinate despite and raising the countess to her feet,
+embraced her and kissing her, acknowledged her for his lawful wife and
+those for his children. Then, letting clothe her in apparel such as
+beseemed her quality, to the exceeding joyance of as many as were
+there and of all other his vassals who heard the news, he held high
+festival, not only all that day, but sundry others, and from that day
+forth still honoured her as his bride and his wife and loved and
+tendered her over all."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     ALIBECH, TURNING HERMIT, IS TAUGHT BY RUSTICO, A MONK, TO
+     PUT THE DEVIL IN HELL, AND BEING AFTER BROUGHT AWAY THENCE,
+     BECOMETH NEERBALE HIS WIFE
+
+
+Dioneo, who had diligently hearkened to the queen's story, seeing that
+it was ended and that it rested with him alone to tell, without
+awaiting commandment, smilingly began to speak as follows: "Charming
+ladies, maybe you have never heard tell how one putteth the devil in
+hell; wherefore, without much departing from the tenor of that
+whereof you have discoursed all this day, I will e'en tell it you.
+Belike, having learned it, you may catch the spirit[202] thereof and
+come to know that, albeit Love sojourneth liefer in jocund palaces and
+luxurious chambers than in the hovels of the poor, yet none the less
+doth he whiles make his power felt midmost thick forests and rugged
+mountains and in desert caverns; whereby it may be understood that all
+things are subject to his puissance.
+
+[Footnote 202: _Guadagnare l'anima_, lit. gain the soul (syn. pith,
+kernel, substance). This passage is ambiguous and should perhaps be
+rendered "catch the knack or trick" or "acquire the wish."]
+
+To come, then, to the fact, I say that in the city of Capsa in Barbary
+there was aforetime a very rich man, who, among his other children,
+had a fair and winsome young daughter, by name Alibech. She, not being
+a Christian and hearing many Christians who abode in the town mightily
+extol the Christian faith and the service of God, one day questioned
+one of them in what manner one might avail to serve God with the least
+hindrance. The other answered that they best served God who most
+strictly eschewed the things of the world, as those did who had
+betaken them into the solitudes of the deserts of Thebais. The girl,
+who was maybe fourteen years old and very simple, moved by no ordered
+desire, but by some childish fancy, set off next morning by stealth
+and all alone, to go to the desert of Thebais, without letting any
+know her intent. After some days, her desire persisting, she won, with
+no little toil, to the deserts in question and seeing a hut afar off,
+went thither and found at the door a holy man, who marvelled to see
+her there and asked her what she sought. She replied that, being
+inspired of God, she went seeking to enter into His service and was
+now in quest of one who should teach her how it behoved to serve Him.
+
+The worthy man, seeing her young and very fair and fearing lest, an he
+entertained her, the devil should beguile him, commended her pious
+intent and giving her somewhat to eat of roots of herbs and wild
+apples and dates and to drink of water, said to her, 'Daughter mine,
+not far hence is a holy man, who is a much better master than I of
+that which thou goest seeking; do thou betake thyself to him'; and put
+her in the way. However, when she reached the man in question, she had
+of him the same answer and faring farther, came to the cell of a young
+hermit, a very devout and good man, whose name was Rustico and to whom
+she made the same request as she had done to the others. He, having a
+mind to make a trial of his own constancy, sent her not away, as the
+others had done, but received her into his cell, and the night being
+come, he made her a little bed of palm-fronds and bade her lie down to
+rest thereon. This done, temptations tarried not to give battle to his
+powers of resistance and he, finding himself grossly deceived by these
+latter, turned tail, without awaiting many assaults, and confessed
+himself beaten; then, laying aside devout thoughts and orisons and
+mortifications, he fell to revolving in his memory the youth and
+beauty of the damsel and bethinking himself what course he should take
+with her, so as to win to that which he desired of her, without her
+taking him for a debauched fellow.
+
+Accordingly, having sounded her with sundry questions, he found that
+she had never known man and was in truth as simple as she seemed;
+wherefore he bethought him how, under colour of the service of God, he
+might bring her to his pleasures. In the first place, he showeth her
+with many words how great an enemy the devil was of God the Lord and
+after gave her to understand that the most acceptable service that
+could be rendered to God was to put back the devil into hell, whereto
+he had condemned him. The girl asked him how this might be done; and
+he, 'Thou shalt soon know that; do thou but as thou shalt see me do.'
+So saying, he proceeded to put off the few garments he had and abode
+stark naked, as likewise did the girl, whereupon he fell on his knees,
+as he would pray, and caused her abide over against himself.[203]
+
+[Footnote 203: The translators regret that the disuse into which magic
+has fallen, makes it impossible to render the technicalities of that
+mysterious art into tolerable English; they have therefore found it
+necessary to insert several passages in the original Italian.]
+
+E cosí stando, essendo Rustico, piú che mai, nel suo disidero acceso,
+per lo vederla cosí bella, venue la resurrezion della carne; la quale
+riguardando Alibech, e maravigliatasti, disse: Rustico, quella che
+cosa č, che io ti veggio, che cosí si pigne in fuori, e non l' ho io?
+O figliuola mia, disse Rustico, questo č il diavolo, di che io t'ho
+parlato, e vedi tu ora: egli mi dŕ grandissima molestia, tanta, che io
+appena la posso sofferire. Allora disse la giovane. O lodato sia
+Iddio, ché io veggio, che io sto meglio, che non stai tu, ché io non
+ho cotesto diavolo io. Disse Rustico, tu di vero; ma tu hai un' altra
+cosa, che non l'ho io, et haila in iscambio di questo. Disse Alibech:
+O che? A cui Rustico disse: Hai l'inferno; e dicoti, che io mi credo,
+che Dio t'abbia qui mandata per la salute dell' anima mia; perciňche,
+se questo diavolo pur mi darŕ questa noia, ove tu cogli aver di me
+tanta pietŕ, e sofferire, che io in inferno il rimetta; tu mi darai
+grandissima consolazione, et a Dio farai grandissimo piacere, e
+servigio; se tu per quello fare in queste parti venuta se; che tu di.
+La giovane di buona fede rispose O padre mio, poscia che io ho
+l'inferno, sia pure quando vi piacerŕ mettervi il diavolo. Disse
+allora Rustico: Figliuola mia benedetta sia tu: andiamo dunque, e
+rimettiamlovi sí, che egli poscia mi lasci stare. E cosí detto, menate
+la giovane sopra uno de' loro letticelli, le 'nsegnň, come star si
+dovesse a dover incarcerare quel maladetto da Dio. La giovane, che mai
+piú non aveva in inferno messo diavolo alcuno, per la prima volta
+sentí un poco di noia; perché ella disse a Rustico.
+
+Per certo, padre mio, mala cosa dee essere questo diavolo, e veramente
+nimico di Iddio ché ancora all'inferno, non che altrui duole quando,
+egli v'č dentro rimesso. Disse Rustico: Figliuola, egli non averrŕ
+sempre cosí: e per fare, che questo non avvenisse, da sei volte
+anziche di su il letticel si movesero, ve 'l rimisero; tantoche per
+quella volta gli trasser sí la superbia del capo, che egli si stette
+volentieri in pace. Ma ritornatagli poi nel seguente tempo piú volte,
+e la giovane ubbidente sempre a trargliela si disponesse, avvenne,
+che il giuoco le cominciň a piacere; e cominciň a dire a Rustico. Ben
+veggio, che il ver dicevano que valenti uomini in Capsa, che il
+servire a Dio era cosí dolce cosa, e per certo io non mi ricordo, che
+mai alcuna altra ne facessi, che di tanto diletto, e piacere mi fosse,
+quanto č il rimettere il diavolo in inferno; e perciň giudico ogn'
+altra persona, che ad altro che a servire a Dio attende, essere una
+bestia. Per la qual cosa essa spesse volte andava a Rustico, e gli
+diceva. Padre mio, io son qui venuta per servire a Dio, e non per
+istare oziosa; andiamo a rimittere il diavolo in inferno. La qual cosa
+faccendo, diceva ella alcuna volta. Rustico, io non so perché il
+diavolo si fugga di ninferno, ché s' egli vi stesse cosí volentiere,
+come l'inferno il riceve, e tiene; agli non sene uscirebbe mai. Cosí
+adunque invitando spesso la giovane Rustico, et al servigio di Dio
+confortandolo, se la bambagia del farsetto tratta gli avea, che egli a
+talora sentiva freddo, che un' altro sarebbe sudato; e perciň egli
+incominciň a dire alla giovane, che il diavolo non era da gastigare,
+né da rimettere in inferno, se non quando egli per superbia levasse il
+capo; e noi, per la grazia, di Dio, l'abbiamo sí sgannato, che egla
+priega Iddio di starsi in pace: e cosí alquanto impose di silenzio
+alla giovane. La qual, poiche vide che Rustico non la richiedeva a
+dovere il diavolo rimittere in inferno, gli disse un giorno. Rustico,
+se il diavolo tuo č gastigato, e piú non ti dŕ noia me il mio ninferno
+non lascia stare: perché tu farai bene, che tu col tuo diavolo aiuti
+ad attutare la rabbia al mio inferno; come io col mio ninferno ho
+ajutato a trarre la superbia al tuo diavolo.
+
+     [Transcriber's Note: The following is a 1903 translation of
+     this passage by J.M. Rigg (from Project Gutenberg Etext No.
+     3726):
+
+     Whereupon Rustico, seeing her so fair, felt an accession of
+     desire, and therewith came an insurgence of the flesh, which
+     Alibech marking with surprise, said:--"Rustico, what is
+     this, which I see thee have, that so protrudes, and which I
+     have not?" "Oh! my daughter," said Rustico, "'tis the Devil
+     of whom I have told thee: and, seest thou? he is now
+     tormenting me most grievously, insomuch that I am scarce
+     able to hold out." Then:--"Praise be to God," said the girl,
+     "I see that I am in better case than thou, for no such Devil
+     have I." "Sooth sayst thou," returned Rustico; "but instead
+     of him thou hast somewhat else that I have not." "Oh!" said
+     Alibech, "what may that be?" "Hell," answered Rustico: "and
+     I tell thee, that 'tis my belief that God has sent thee
+     hither for the salvation of my soul; seeing that, if this
+     Devil shall continue to plague me thus, then, so thou wilt
+     have compassion on me and permit me to put him in hell, thou
+     wilt both afford me great and exceeding great solace, and
+     render to God an exceeding most acceptable service, if, as
+     thou sayst, thou art come into these parts for such a
+     purpose." In good faith the girl made answer:--"As I have
+     hell to match your Devil, be it, my father, as and when you
+     will." Whereupon:--"Bless thee, my daughter," said Rustico,
+     "go we then, and put him there, that he leave me henceforth
+     in peace." Which said, he took the girl to one of the beds
+     and taught her the posture in which she must lie in order to
+     incarcerate this spirit accursed of God. The girl, having
+     never before put any devil in hell, felt on this first
+     occasion a twinge of pain: wherefore she said to Rustico:--
+
+     "Of a surety, my father, he must be a wicked fellow, this
+     devil, and in very truth a foe to God; for there is sorrow
+     even in hell--not to speak of other places--when he is put
+     there." "Daughter," said Rustico, "'twill not be always so."
+     And for better assurance thereof they put him there six
+     times before they quitted the bed; whereby they so
+     thoroughly abased his pride that he was fain to be quiet.
+     However, the proud fit returning upon him from time to time,
+     and the girl addressing herself always obediently to its
+     reduction, it so befell that she began to find the game
+     agreeable, and would say to Rustico:--"Now see I plainly
+     that 'twas true, what the worthy men said at Capsa, of the
+     service of God being so delightful: indeed I cannot remember
+     that in aught that ever I did I had so much pleasure, so
+     much solace, as in putting the Devil in hell; for which
+     cause I deem it insensate folly on the part of any one to
+     have a care to aught else than the service of God."
+     Wherefore many a time she would come to Rustico, and say to
+     him:--"My father, 'twas to serve God that I came hither, and
+     not to pass my days in idleness: go we then, and put the
+     Devil in hell." And while they did so, she would now and
+     again say:--"I know not, Rustico, why the Devil should
+     escape from hell; were he but as ready to stay there as hell
+     is to receive and retain him, he would never come out of
+     it." So, the girl thus frequently inviting and exhorting
+     Rustico to the service of God, there came at length a time
+     when she had so thoroughly lightened his doublet that he
+     shivered when another would have sweated; wherefore he began
+     to instruct her that the Devil was not to be corrected and
+     put in hell, save when his head was exalted with pride;
+     adding, "and we by God's grace have brought him to so sober
+     a mind that he prays God he may be left in peace;" by which
+     means he for a time kept the girl quiet. But when she saw
+     that Rustico had no more occasion for her to put the Devil
+     in hell, she said to him one day:--"Rustico, if thy Devil is
+     chastened and gives thee no more trouble, my hell, on the
+     other hand, gives me no peace; wherefore, I with my hell
+     have holpen thee to abase the pride of thy Devil, so thou
+     wouldst do well to lend me the aid of thy Devil to allay the
+     fervent heat of my hell."]
+
+Rustico, who lived on roots and water, could ill avail to answer her
+calls and told her that it would need overmany devils to appease hell,
+but he would do what he might thereof. Accordingly he satisfied her
+bytimes, but so seldom it was but casting a bean into the lion's
+mouth; whereas the girl, herseeming she served not God as diligently
+as she would fain have done, murmured somewhat. But, whilst this
+debate was toward between Rustico his devil and Alibech her hell, for
+overmuch desire on the one part and lack of power on the other, it
+befell that a fire broke out in Capsa and burnt Alibech's father in
+his own house, with as many children and other family as he had; by
+reason whereof she abode heir to all his good. Thereupon, a young man
+called Neerbale, who had spent all his substance in gallantry, hearing
+that she was alive, set out in search of her and finding her, before
+the court[204] had laid hands upon her father's estate, as that of a
+man dying without heir, to Rustico's great satisfaction, but against
+her own will, brought her back to Capsa, where he took her to wife and
+succeeded, in her right, to the ample inheritance of her father.
+
+[Footnote 204: _i.e._ the government (_corte_).]
+
+There, being asked by the women at what she served God in the desert,
+she answered (Neerbale having not yet lain with her) that she served
+Him at putting the devil in hell and that Neerbale had done a grievous
+sin in that he had taken her from such service. The ladies asked, 'How
+putteth one the devil in hell?' And the girl, what with words and
+what with gestures, expounded it to them; whereat they set up so great
+a laughing that they laugh yet and said, 'Give yourself no concern, my
+child; nay, for that is done here also and Neerbale will serve our
+Lord full well with thee at this.' Thereafter, telling it from one to
+another throughout the city, they brought it to a common saying there
+that the most acceptable service one could render to God was to put
+the devil in hell, which byword, having passed the sea hither, is yet
+current here. Wherefore do all you young ladies, who have need of
+God's grace, learn to put the devil in hell, for that this is highly
+acceptable to Him and pleasing to both parties and much good may grow
+and ensue thereof."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A thousand times or more had Dioneo's story moved the modest ladies to
+laughter, so quaint and comical did his words appear to them; then,
+whenas he had made an end thereof, the queen, knowing the term of her
+sovranty to be come, lifted the laurel from her head and set it
+merrily on that of Filostrato, saying: "We shall presently see if the
+wolf will know how to govern the ewes better than the ewes have
+governed the wolves." Filostrato, hearing this, said, laughing, "An I
+were hearkened to, the wolves had taught the ewes to put the devil in
+hell, no worse than Rustico taught Alibech; wherefore do ye not style
+us wolven, since you yourselves have not been ewen. Algates, I will
+govern the kingdom committed to me to the best of my power." "Harkye,
+Filostrato," rejoined Neifile, "in seeking to teach us, you might have
+chanced to learn sense, even as did Masetto of Lamporecchio of the
+nuns, and find your tongue what time your bones should have learnt to
+whistle without a master."
+
+Filostrato, finding that he still got a Roland for his Oliver,[205]
+gave over pleasantry and addressed himself to the governance of the
+kingdom committed to him. Wherefore, letting call the seneschal, he
+was fain to know at what point things stood all and after discreetly
+ordained that which he judged would be well and would content the
+company for such time as his seignory should endure. Then, turning to
+the ladies, "Lovesome ladies," quoth he, "since I knew good from evil,
+I have, for my ill fortune, been still subject unto Love for the
+charms of one or other of you; nor hath humility neither obedience,
+no, nor the assiduous ensuing him in all his usances, in so far as it
+hath been known of me, availed me but that first I have been abandoned
+for another and after have still gone from bad to worse; and so I
+believe I shall fare unto my death; wherefore it pleaseth me that it
+be discoursed to-morrow of none other matter than that which is most
+conformable to mine own case, to wit, OF THOSE WHOSE LOVES HAVE HAD
+UNHAPPY ENDING, for that I in the long run look for a most unhappy
+[issue to mine own]; nor was the name by which you call me conferred
+on me for otherwhat by such an one who knew well what it meant."[206]
+So saying, he rose to his feet and dismissed every one until
+supper-time.
+
+[Footnote 205: Lit. that scythes were no less plenty that he had
+arrows (_che falci si trovavano non meno che egli avesse strali_), a
+proverbial expression the exact bearing of which I do not know, but
+whose evident sense I have rendered in the equivalent English idiom.]
+
+[Footnote 206: Syn. what he said (_che si dire_). See ante, p. 11,
+note.]
+
+The garden was so goodly and so delightsome that there was none who
+elected to go forth thereof, in the hope of finding more pleasance
+elsewhere. Nay, the sun, now grown mild, making it nowise irksome to
+give chase to the fawns and kids and rabbits and other beasts which
+were thereabout and which, as they sat, had come maybe an hundred
+times to disturb them by skipping through their midst, some addressed
+themselves to pursue them. Dioneo and Fiammetta fell to singing of
+Messer Guglielmo and the Lady of Vergiu,[207] whilst Filomena and
+Pamfilo sat down to chess; and so, some doing one thing and some
+another, the time passed on such wise that the hour of supper came
+well nigh unlooked for; whereupon, the tables being set round about
+the fair fountain, they supped there in the evening with the utmost
+delight.
+
+[Footnote 207: Apparently the well-known fabliau of the Dame de Vergy,
+upon which Marguerite d'Angoulęme founded the seventieth story of the
+Heptameron.]
+
+As soon as the tables were taken away, Filostrato, not to depart from
+the course holden of those who had been queens before him, commanded
+Lauretta to lead up a dance and sing a song. "My lord," answered she,
+"I know none of other folk's songs, nor have I in mind any of mine own
+which should best beseem so joyous a company; but, an you choose one
+of those which I have, I will willingly sing it." Quote the king,
+"Nothing of thine can be other than goodly and pleasing; wherefore
+sing us such as thou hast." Lauretta, then, with a sweet voice enough,
+but in a somewhat plaintive style, began thus, the other ladies
+answering:
+
+       No maid disconsolate
+         Hath cause as I, alack!
+       Who sigh for love in vain, to mourn her fate.
+
+     He who moves heaven and all the stars in air
+       Made me for His delight
+     Lovesome and sprightly, kind and debonair,
+       E'en here below to give each lofty spright
+     Some inkling of that fair
+       That still in heaven abideth in His sight;
+       But erring men's unright,
+         Ill knowing me, my worth
+           Accepted not, nay, with dispraise did bate.
+
+     Erst was there one who held me dear and fain
+       Took me, a youngling maid,
+     Into his arms and thought and heart and brain,
+       Caught fire at my sweet eyes; yea time, unstayed
+     Of aught, that flits amain
+       And lightly, all to wooing me he laid.
+       I, courteous, nought gainsaid
+         And held[208] him worthy me;
+           But now, woe's me, of him I'm desolate.
+
+     Then unto me there did himself present
+       A youngling proud and haught,
+     Renowning him for valorous and gent;
+       He took and holds me and with erring thought[209]
+     To jealousy is bent;
+       Whence I, alack! nigh to despair am wrought,
+       As knowing myself,--brought
+         Into this world for good
+           Of many an one,--engrossed of one sole mate.
+
+     The luckless hour I curse, in very deed,
+       When I, alas! said yea,
+     Vesture to change,--so fair in that dusk wede
+       I was and glad, whereas in this more gay
+     A weary life I lead,
+       Far less than erst held honest, welaway!
+       Ah, dolorous bridal day,
+         Would God I had been dead
+           Or e'er I proved thee in such ill estate!
+
+     O lover dear, with whom well pleased was I
+       Whilere past all that be,--
+     Who now before Him sittest in the sky
+       Who fashioned us,--have pity upon me
+     Who cannot, though I die,
+       Forget thee for another; cause me see
+       The flame that kindled thee
+         For me lives yet unquenched
+           And my recall up thither[210] impetrate.
+
+[Footnote 208: Lit. made (_Di me il feci digno_).]
+
+[Footnote 209: _i.e._ false suspicion (_falso pensiero_).]
+
+[Footnote 210: _i.e._ to heaven (_e costa su m'impetra la tornata_).]
+
+Here Lauretta made an end of her song, wherein, albeit attentively
+followed of all, she was diversely apprehended of divers persons, and
+there were those who would e'en understand, Milan-fashion, that a good
+hog was better than a handsome wench;[211] but others were of a
+loftier and better and truer apprehension, whereof it booteth not to
+tell at this present. Thereafter the king let kindle store of
+flambeaux upon the grass and among the flowers and caused sing divers
+other songs, until every star began to decline, that was above the
+horizon, when, deeming it time for sleep, he bade all with a good
+night betake themselves to their chambers.
+
+[Footnote 211: The pertinence of this allusion, which probably refers
+to some current Milanese proverbial saying, the word _tosa_, here used
+by Boccaccio for "wench," belonging to the Lombard dialect, is not
+very clear. The expression "Milan-fashion" (_alla melanese_) may be
+supposed to refer to the proverbial materialism of the people of
+Lombardy.]
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE THIRD DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Fourth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE FOURTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF FILOSTRATO IS DISCOURSED OF THOSE WHOSE
+     LOVES HAVE HAD UNHAPPY ENDINGS
+
+
+Dearest ladies, as well by words of wise men heard as by things many a
+time both seen and read of myself, I had conceived that the boisterous
+and burning blast of envy was apt to smite none but lofty towers or
+the highest summits of the trees; but I find myself mistaken in my
+conceit, for that, fleeing, as I have still studied to flee, from the
+cruel onslaught of that raging wind, I have striven to go, not only in
+the plains, but in the very deepest of the valleys, as many manifestly
+enough appear to whoso considereth these present stories, the which
+have been written by me, not only in vulgar Florentine and in prose
+and without [author's] name, but eke in as humble and sober a style as
+might be. Yet for all this have I not availed to escape being cruelly
+shaken, nay, well nigh uprooted, of the aforesaid wind and all torn of
+the fangs of envy; wherefore I can very manifestly understand that to
+be true which the wise use to say, to wit, that misery alone in things
+present is without envy.[212]
+
+[Footnote 212: Sic (_senza invidia_); but the meaning is that misery
+alone is without _enviers_.]
+
+There are then, discreet ladies, some who, reading these stories, have
+said that you please me overmuch and that it is not a seemly thing
+that I should take so much delight in pleasuring and solacing you; and
+some have said yet worse of commending you as I do. Others, making a
+show of wishing to speak more maturely, have said that it sorteth ill
+with mine age henceforth to follow after things of this kind, to wit,
+to discourse of women or to study to please them. And many, feigning
+themselves mighty tender of my repute, avouch that I should do more
+wisely to abide with the Muses on Parnassus than to busy myself among
+you with these toys. Again, there be some who, speaking more
+despitefully than advisedly, have said that I should do more
+discreetly to consider whence I might get me bread than to go peddling
+after these baubles, feeding upon wind; and certain others, in
+disparagement of my pains, study to prove the things recounted by me
+to have been otherwise than as I present them to you.
+
+With such, then, and so many blusterings,[213] such atrocious
+backbitings, such needle-pricks, noble ladies, am I, what while I
+battle in your service, baffled and buffeted and transfixed even to
+the quick. The which things, God knoweth, I hear and apprehend with an
+untroubled mind; and albeit my defence in this pertaineth altogether
+unto you, natheless, I purpose not to spare mine own pains; nay,
+without answering so much [at large] as it might behove, I mean to rid
+mine ears of them with some slight rejoinder, and that without delay;
+for that if even now, I being not yet come to[214] the third part of
+my travail, they[215] are many and presume amain, I opine that, ere I
+come to the end thereof, they may, having had no rebuff at the first,
+on such wise be multiplied that with whatsoever little pains of theirs
+they might overthrow me, nor might your powers, great though they be,
+avail to withstand this.
+
+[Footnote 213: _i.e._ blasts of calumny.]
+
+[Footnote 214: _i.e._ having not yet accomplished.]
+
+[Footnote 215: _i.e._ my censors.]
+
+But, ere I come to make answer to any of them, it pleaseth me, in mine
+own defence, to relate, not an entire story,--lest it should seem I
+would fain mingle mine own stories with those of so commendable a
+company as that which I have presented to you,--but a part of
+one,--that so its very default [of completeness] may attest that it is
+none of those,--and accordingly, speaking to my assailants, I say that
+in our city, a good while agone, there was a townsman, by name Filippo
+Balducci, a man of mean enough extraction, but rich and well addressed
+and versed in such matters as his condition comported. He had a wife,
+whom he loved with an exceeding love, as she him, and they lived a
+peaceful life together, studying nothing so much as wholly to please
+one another. In course of time it came to pass, as it cometh to pass
+of all, that the good lady departed this life and left Filippo nought
+of herself but one only son, begotten of him and maybe two years old.
+Filippo for the death of his lady abode as disconsolate as ever man
+might, having lost a beloved one, and seeing himself left alone and
+forlorn of that company which most he loved, he resolved to be no more
+of the world, but to give himself altogether to the service of God and
+do the like with his little son. Wherefore, bestowing all his good for
+the love of God,[216] he repaired without delay to the top of Mount
+Asinajo, where he took up his abode with his son in a little hut and
+there living with him upon alms, in the practice of fasts and prayers,
+straitly guarded himself from discoursing whereas the boy was, of any
+temporal thing, neither suffered him see aught thereof, lest this
+should divert him from the service aforesaid, but still bespoke him of
+the glories of life eternal and of God and the saints, teaching him
+nought but pious orisons; and in this way of life he kept him many
+years, never suffering him go forth of the hermitage nor showing him
+aught other than himself.
+
+[Footnote 216: _i.e._ in alms.]
+
+Now the good man was used to come whiles into Florence, where being
+succoured, according to his occasions, of the friends of God, he
+returned to his hut, and it chanced one day that, his son being now
+eighteen years old and Filippo an old man, the lad asked him whither
+he went. Filippo told him and the boy said, "Father mine, you are now
+an old man and can ill endure fatigue; why do you not whiles carry me
+to Florence and bring me to know the friends and devotees of God and
+yourself, to the end that I, who am young and better able to toil than
+you, may after, whenas it pleaseth you, go to Florence for our
+occasions, whilst you abide here?" The worthy man, considering that
+his son was now grown to man's estate and thinking him so inured to
+the service of God that the things of this world might thenceforth
+uneath allure him to themselves, said in himself, "The lad saith
+well"; and accordingly, having occasion to go thither, he carried him
+with him. There the youth, seeing the palaces, the houses, the
+churches and all the other things whereof one seeth all the city full,
+began, as one who had never to his recollection beheld the like, to
+marvel amain and questioned his father of many things what they were
+and how they were called. Filippo told him and he, hearing him, abode
+content and questioned of somewhat else.
+
+As they went thus, the son asking and the father answering, they
+encountered by chance a company of pretty and well-dressed young
+women, coming from a wedding, whom as soon as the young man saw, he
+asked his father what manner of things these were. "My son," answered
+Filippo, "cast your eyes on the ground and look not at them, for that
+they are an ill thing." Quoth the son, "And how are they called?" The
+father, not to awaken in the lad's mind a carnal appetite less than
+useful, would not name them by the proper name, to wit, women, but
+said, "They are called green geese." Whereupon, marvellous to relate,
+he who have never seen a woman and who recked not of palaces nor oxen
+nor horses nor asses nor monies nor of aught else he had seen, said
+suddenly, "Father mine, I prithee get me one of these green geese."
+"Alack, my son," replied the father, "hold they peace; I tell thee
+they are an ill thing." "How!" asked the youth. "Are ill things then
+made after this fashion?" and Filippo answered, "Ay." Then said the
+son, "I know not what you would say nor why these are an ill thing;
+for my part, meseemeth I never yet saw aught goodly or pleasing as are
+these. They are fairer than the painted angels you have shown me
+whiles. For God's sake, an you reck of me, contrive that we may carry
+one of yonder green geese back with us up yonder, and I will give it
+to eat." "Nay," answered the father, "I will not: thou knowest not
+whereon they feed." And he understood incontinent that nature was
+stronger than his wit and repented him of having brought the youth to
+Florence. But I will have it suffice me to have told this much of the
+present story and return to those for whose behoof I have related it.
+
+Some, then, of my censurers say that I do ill, young ladies, in
+studying overmuch to please you and that you please me overmuch. Which
+things I do most openly confess, to wit, that you please me and that I
+study to please you, and I ask them if they marvel thereat,--considering
+(let be the having known the dulcet kisses and amorous embracements
+and delightsome couplings that are of you, most sweet ladies, often
+gotten) only my having seen and still seeing your dainty manners and
+lovesome beauty and sprightly grace and above all your womanly
+courtesy,--whenas he who had been reared and bred on a wild and
+solitary mountain and within the bounds of a little cell, without
+other company than his father, no sooner set eyes on you than you
+alone were desired of him, you alone sought, you alone followed with
+the eagerness of passion. Will they, then, blame me, back bite me,
+rend me with their tongues if I, whose body Heaven created all apt to
+love you, I, who from my childhood vowed my soul to you, feeling the
+potency of the light of your eyes and the sweetness of your honeyed
+words and the flame enkindled by your piteous sighs,--if, I say, you
+please me or if I study to please you, seeing that you over all else
+pleased a hermitling, a lad without understanding, nay, rather, a wild
+animal? Certes, it is only those, who, having neither sense nor
+cognizance of the pleasures and potency of natural affection, love you
+not nor desire to be loved of you, that chide me thus; and of these I
+reck little.
+
+As for those who go railing anent mine age, it would seem they know
+ill that, for all the leek hath a white head, the tail thereof is
+green. But to these, laying aside pleasantry, I answer that never, no,
+not to the extreme limit of my life, shall I repute it to myself for
+shame to seek to please those whom Guido Cavalcanti and Dante
+Alighieri, when already stricken in years, and Messer Cino da Pistoja,
+when a very old man, held in honour and whose approof was dear to
+them. And were it not to depart from the wonted usance of discourse, I
+would cite history in support and show it to be all full of stories of
+ancient and noble men who in their ripest years have still above all
+studied to please the ladies, the which an they know not, let them go
+learn. That I should abide with the Muses on Parnassus, I confess to
+be good counsel; but, since we can neither abide for ever with the
+Muses, nor they with us, it is nothing blameworthy if, whenas it
+chanceth a man is parted from them, he take delight in seeing that
+which is like unto them. The muses are women, and albeit women may not
+avail to match with them, yet at first sight they have a semblance of
+them; insomuch that, an they pleased me not for aught else, for this
+they should please me; more by token that women have aforetime been to
+me the occasion of composing a thousand verses, whereas the Muses
+never were to me the occasion of making any. They aided me, indeed,
+and showed me how to compose the verses in question; and peradventure,
+in the writing of these present things, all lowly though they be, they
+have come whiles to abide with me, in token maybe and honour of the
+likeness that women bear to them; wherefore, in inditing these toys, I
+stray not so far from Mount Parnassus nor from the Muses as many
+belike conceive.
+
+But what shall we say to those who have such compassion on my hunger
+that they counsel me provide myself bread? Certes, I know not, save
+that, whenas I seek to imagine in myself what would be their answer,
+an I should of necessity beseech them thereof, to wit, of bread,
+methinketh they would reply, "Go seek it among thy fables." Indeed,
+aforetime poets have found more thereof among their fables than many a
+rich man among his treasures, and many, following after their fables,
+have caused their age to flourish; whereas, on the contrary, many, in
+seeking to have more bread than they needed, have perished miserably.
+What more [shall I say?] Let them drive me forth, whenas I ask it of
+them, not that, Godamercy, I have yet need thereof; and even should
+need betide, I know with the Apostle Paul both how to abound and
+suffer need;[217] wherefore let none be more careful of me than I am
+of myself. For those who say that these things have not been such as I
+have here set them down, I would fain have them produce the originals,
+and an these latter accord not with that of which I write, I will
+confess their objection for just and will study to amend myself; but
+till otherwhat than words appeareth, I will leave them to their
+opinion and follow mine own, saying of them that which they say of me.
+
+[Footnote 217: "I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound;
+everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be
+hungry, both to abound and suffer need."--_Philippians_ iv. 12.]
+
+Wherefore, deeming that for the nonce I have answered enough, I say
+that, armed, as I hope to be, with God's aid and yours, gentlest
+ladies, and with fair patience, I will fare on with this that I have
+begun, turning my back to the wind aforesaid and letting it blow, for
+that I see not that aught can betide me other than that which betideth
+thin dust, the which a whirlwind, whenas it bloweth, either stirreth
+not from the earth, or, an it stir it, carrieth it aloft and leaveth
+it oftentimes upon the heads of men and upon the crowns of kings and
+emperors, nay, bytimes upon high palaces and lofty towers, whence an
+it fall, it cannot go lower than the place wherefrom it was uplifted.
+And if ever with all my might I vowed myself to seek to please you in
+aught, now more than ever shall I address myself thereto; for that I
+know none can with reason say otherwhat than that I and others who
+love you do according to nature, whose laws to seek to gainstand
+demandeth overgreat strength, and oftentimes not only in vain, but to
+the exceeding hurt of whoso striveth to that end, is this strength
+employed. Such strength I confess I have not nor ever desired in this
+to have; and an I had it, I had liefer lend it to others than use it
+for myself. Wherefore, let the carpers be silent and an they avail not
+to warm themselves, let them live star-stricken[218] and abiding in
+their delights--or rather their corrupt appetites,--leave me to abide
+in mine for this brief life that is appointed me. But now, fair
+ladies, for that we have strayed enough, needs must we return whence
+we set out and ensue the ordinance commenced.
+
+[Footnote 218: _i.e._ benumbed (_assiderati_).]
+
+The sun had already banished every star from the sky and had driven
+from the earth the humid vapours of the night, when Filostrato,
+arising, caused all his company arise and with them betook himself to
+the fair garden, where they all proceeded to disport themselves, and
+the eating-hour come, they dined whereas they had supped on the
+foregoing evening. Then, after having slept, what time the sun was at
+its highest, they seated themselves, after the wonted fashion, hard by
+the fair fountain, and Filostrato bade Fiammetta give beginning to the
+story-telling; whereupon, without awaiting further commandment, she
+began with womanly grace as follows:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     TANCRED, PRINCE OF SALERNO, SLAYETH HIS DAUGHTER'S LOVER AND
+     SENDETH HER HIS HEART IN A BOWL OF GOLD; WHEREUPON, POURING
+     POISONED WATER OVER IT, SHE DRINKETH THEREOF AND DIETH
+
+
+"Our king hath this day appointed us a woeful subject of discourse,
+considering that, whereas we came hither to make merry, needs must we
+tell of others' tears, the which may not be recounted without moving
+both those who tell and those who hearken to compassion thereof. He
+hath mayhap done this somedele to temper the mirth of the foregoing
+days; but, whatsoever may have moved him thereto, since it pertaineth
+not to me to change his pleasure, I will relate a piteous chance, nay,
+an ill-fortuned and a worthy of your tears.
+
+Tancred, Lord of Salerno, was a humane prince and benign enough of
+nature, (had he not in his old age imbrued his hands in lover's
+blood,) who in all the course of his life had but one daughter, and
+happier had he been if he had none. She was of him as tenderly loved
+as ever daughter of father, and knowing not, by reason of this his
+tender love for her, how to part with her, he married her not till she
+had long overpassed the age when she should have had a husband. At
+last, he gave her to wife to a son of the Duke of Capua, with whom
+having abidden a little while, she was left a widow and returned to
+her father. Now she was most fair of form and favour, as ever was
+woman, and young and sprightly and learned perchance more than is
+required of a lady. Abiding, then, with her father in all ease and
+luxury, like a great lady as she was, and seeing that, for the love he
+bore her, he recked little of marrying her again, nor did it seem to
+her a seemly thing to require him thereof, she bethought herself to
+seek, an it might be, to get her privily a worthy lover. She saw men
+galore, gentle and simple, frequent her father's court, and
+considering the manners and fashions of many, a young serving-man of
+her father's, Guiscardo by name, a man of humble enough extraction,
+but nobler of worth and manners than whatsoever other, pleased her
+over all and of him, seeing him often, she became in secret ardently
+enamoured, approving more and more his fashions every hour; whilst the
+young man, who was no dullard, perceiving her liking for him, received
+her into his heart, on such wise that his mind was thereby diverted
+from well nigh everything other than the love of her.
+
+Each, then, thus secretly tendering the other, the young lady, who
+desired nothing so much as to foregather with him, but had no mind to
+make any one a confidant of her passion, bethought herself of a rare
+device to apprize him of the means; to wit, she wrote him a letter,
+wherein she showed him how he should do to foregather with her on the
+ensuing day, and placing it in the hollow of a cane, gave the letter
+jestingly to Guiscardo, saying, 'Make thee a bellows thereof for thy
+serving-maid, wherewith she may blow up the fire to-night.' Guiscardo
+took the cane and bethinking himself that she would not have given it
+him nor spoken thus, without some cause, took his leave and returned
+therewith to his lodging. There he examined the cane and seeing it to
+be cleft, opened it and found therein the letter, which having read
+and well apprehended that which he had to do, he was the joyfullest
+man alive and set about taking order how he might go to her, according
+to the fashion appointed him of her.
+
+There was, beside the prince's palace, a grotto hewn out of the rock
+and made in days long agone, and to this grotto some little light was
+given by a tunnel[219] by art wrought in the mountain, which latter,
+for that the grotto was abandoned, was well nigh blocked at its mouth
+with briers and weeds that had overgrown it. Into this grotto one
+might go by a privy stair which was in one of the ground floor rooms
+of the lady's apartment in the palace and which was shut in by a very
+strong door. This stair was so out of all folk's minds, for that it
+had been unused from time immemorial, that well nigh none remembered
+it to be there; but Love, to whose eyes there is nothing so secret but
+it winneth, had recalled it to the memory of the enamoured lady, who,
+that none should get wind of the matter, had laboured sore many days
+with such tools as she might command, ere she could make shift to open
+the door; then, going down alone thereby into the grotto and seeing
+the tunnel, she sent to bid Guiscardo study to come to her thereby and
+acquainted him with the height which herseemed should be from the
+mouth thereof to the ground.
+
+[Footnote 219: Or airshaft (_spiraglio_).]
+
+To this end Guiscardo promptly made ready a rope with certain knots
+and loops, whereby he might avail to descend and ascend, and donning a
+leathern suit, that might defend him from the briers, he on the
+ensuing night repaired, without letting any know aught of the matter,
+to the mouth of the tunnel. There making one end of the rope fast to a
+stout tree-stump that had grown up in the mouth, he let himself down
+thereby into the grotto and there awaited the lady, who, on the
+morrow, feigning a desire to sleep, dismissed her women and shut
+herself up alone in her chamber; then, opening the privy door, she
+descended into the grotto, where she found Guiscardo. They greeted one
+another with marvellous joy and betook themselves to her chamber,
+where they abode great part of the day in the utmost delight; and
+after they had taken order together for the discreet conduct of their
+loves, so they might abide secret, Guiscardo returned to the grotto,
+whilst she shut the privy door and went forth to her women. The night
+come, Guiscardo climbed up by his rope to the mouth of the tunnel and
+issuing forth whence he had entered in, returned to his lodging; and
+having learned this road, he in process of time returned many times
+thereafter.
+
+But fortune, jealous of so long and so great a delight, with a woeful
+chance changed the gladness of the two lovers into mourning and
+sorrow; and it befell on this wise. Tancred was wont to come bytimes
+all alone into his daughter's chamber and there abide with her and
+converse awhile and after go away. Accordingly, one day, after dinner,
+he came thither, what time the lady (whose name was Ghismonda) was in
+a garden of hers with all her women, and willing not to take her from
+her diversion, he entered her chamber, without being seen or heard of
+any. Finding the windows closed and the curtains let down over the
+bed, he sat down in a corner on a hassock at the bedfoot and leant his
+head against the bed; then, drawing the curtain over himself, as if he
+had studied to hide himself there, he fell asleep. As he slept thus,
+Ghismonda, who, as ill chance would have it, had appointed her lover
+to come thither that day, softly entered the chamber, leaving her
+women in the garden, and having shut herself in, without perceiving
+that there was some one there, opened the secret door to Guiscardo,
+who awaited her. They straightway betook themselves to bed, as of
+their wont, and what while they sported and solaced themselves
+together, it befell that Tancred awoke and heard and saw that which
+Guiscardo and his daughter did; whereat beyond measure grieved, at
+first he would have cried out at them, but after bethought himself to
+keep silence and abide, an he might, hidden, so with more secrecy and
+less shame to himself he might avail to do that which had already
+occurred to his mind.
+
+The two lovers abode a great while together, according to their
+usance, without observing Tancred, and coming down from the bed,
+whenas it seemed to them time, Guiscardo returned to the grotto and
+she departed the chamber; whereupon Tancred, for all he was an old
+man, let himself down into the garden by a window and returned, unseen
+of any, to his own chamber, sorrowful unto death. That same night, at
+the time of the first sleep, Guiscardo, by his orders, was seized by
+two men, as he came forth of the tunnel, and carried secretly, trussed
+as he was in his suit of leather, to Tancred, who, whenas he saw him,
+said, well nigh weeping, 'Guiscardo, my kindness to thee merited not
+the outrage and the shame thou hast done me in mine own flesh and
+blood, as I have this day seen with my very eyes.' Whereto Guiscardo
+answered nothing but this, 'Love can far more than either you or I.'
+Tancred then commanded that he should be kept secretly under guard and
+in one of the chambers of the palace, and so was it done.
+
+On the morrow, having meanwhile revolved in himself many and divers
+devices, he betook himself, after eating, as of his wont, to his
+daughter's chamber and sending for the lady, who as yet knew nothing
+of these things, shut himself up with her and proceeded, with tears in
+his eyes, to bespeak her thus: 'Ghismonda, meseemed I knew thy virtue
+and thine honesty, nor might it ever have occurred to my mind, though
+it were told me, had I not seen it with mine own eyes, that thou
+wouldst, even so much as in thought, have abandoned thyself to any
+man, except he were thy husband; wherefore in this scant remnant of
+life that my eld reserveth unto me, I shall still abide sorrowful,
+remembering me of this. Would God, an thou must needs stoop to such
+wantonness, thou hadst taken a man sortable to thy quality! But,
+amongst so many who frequent my court, thou hast chosen Guiscardo, a
+youth of the meanest condition, reared in our court, well nigh of
+charity, from a little child up to this day; wherefore thou hast put
+me in sore travail of mind, for that I know not what course to take
+with thee. With Guiscardo, whom I caused take yesternight, as he
+issued forth of the tunnel and have in ward, I am already resolved how
+to deal; but with thee God knoweth I know not what to do. On one side
+love draweth me, which I still borne thee more than father ever bore
+daughter, and on the other most just despite, conceived for thine
+exceeding folly; the one would have me pardon thee, the other would
+have me, against my nature, deal harshly by thee. But ere I come to a
+decision, I would fain hear what thou hast to say to this.' So saying,
+he bowed his head and wept sore as would a beaten child.
+
+Ghismonda, hearing her father's words and seeing that not only was her
+secret love discovered, but Guiscardo taken, felt an inexpressible
+chagrin and came many a time near upon showing it with outcry and
+tears, as women mostly do; nevertheless, her haughty soul
+overmastering that weakness, with marvellous fortitude she composed
+her countenance and rather than proffer any prayer for herself,
+determined inwardly to abide no more on life, doubting not but her
+Guiscardo was already dead. Wherefore, not as a woman rebuked and
+woeful for her default, but as one undaunted and valiant, with dry
+eyes and face open and nowise troubled, she thus bespoke her father:
+'Tancred, I purpose neither to deny nor to entreat, for that the one
+would profit me nothing nor would I have the other avail me; more by
+token that I am nowise minded to seek to render thy mansuetude and
+thine affection favourable to me, but rather, confessing the truth,
+first with true arguments to vindicate mine honour and after with
+deeds right resolutely to ensue the greatness of my soul. True is it I
+have loved and love Guiscardo, and what while I live, which will be
+little, I shall love him, nor, if folk live after death, shall I ever
+leave loving him; but unto this it was not so much my feminine frailty
+that moved me as thy little solicitude to remarry me and his own
+worth.
+
+It should have been manifest to thee, Tancred, being as thou art flesh
+and blood, that thou hadst begotten a daughter of flesh and blood and
+not of iron or stone; and thou shouldst have remembered and should
+still remember, for all thou art old, what and what like are the laws
+of youth and with what potency they work; nor, albeit thou, being a
+man, hast in thy best years exercised thyself in part in arms,
+shouldst thou the less know what ease and leisure and luxury can do in
+the old, to say nothing of the young. I am, then, as being of thee
+begotten, of flesh and blood and have lived so little that I am yet
+young and (for the one and the other reason) full of carnal desire,
+whereunto the having aforetime, by reason of marriage, known what
+pleasure it is to give accomplishment to such desire hath added
+marvellous strength. Unable, therefore, to withstand the strength of
+my desires, I addressed myself, being young and a woman, to ensue that
+whereto they prompted me and became enamoured. And certes in this I
+set my every faculty to the endeavouring that, so far as in me lay, no
+shame should ensue either to thee or to me through this to which
+natural frailty moved me. To this end compassionate Love and favouring
+Fortune found and showed me a very occult way, whereby, unknown of
+any, I won to my desire, and this, whoever it be discovered it to
+thee or howsoever thou knowest it, I nowise deny.
+
+Guiscardo I took not at hazard, as many women do; nay, of deliberate
+counsel I chose him before every other and with advisement prepense
+drew him to me[220] and by dint of perseverance and discretion on my
+part and on his, I have long had enjoyment of my desire. Whereof it
+seemeth that thou, ensuing rather vulgar prejudice than truth,
+reproachest me with more bitterness than of having sinned by way of
+love, saying (as if thou shouldst not have been chagrined, had I
+chosen therefor a man of gentle birth,) that I have committed myself
+with a man of mean condition. Wherein thou seest not that thou blamest
+not my default, but that of fortune, which too often advanceth the
+unworthy to high estate, leaving the worthiest alow.
+
+[Footnote 220: Lit. introduced him to me (_a me lo 'ntrodussi_); but
+Boccaccio here uses the word _introdurre_ in its rarer literal sense
+to lead, to draw, to bring in.]
+
+But now let us leave this and look somewhat to the first principles of
+things, whereby thou wilt see that we all get our flesh from one same
+stock and that all souls were by one same Creator created with equal
+faculties, equal powers and equal virtues. Worth it was that first
+distinguished between us, who were all and still are born equal;
+wherefore those who had and used the greatest sum thereof were called
+noble and the rest abode not noble. And albeit contrary usance hath
+since obscured this primary law, yet is it nowise done away nor
+blotted out from nature and good manners; wherefore he who doth
+worthily manifestly showeth himself a gentleman, and if any call him
+otherwise, not he who is called, but he who calleth committeth
+default. Look among all thy gentlemen and examine into their worth,
+their usances and their manners, and on the other hand consider those
+of Guiscardo; if thou wilt consent to judge without animosity, thou
+wilt say that he is most noble and that these thy nobles are all
+churls. With regard to his worth and virtue, I trusted not to the
+judgment of any other, but to that of thy words and of mine own eyes.
+Who ever so commended him as thou didst in all those praiseworthy
+things wherefor a man of worth should be commended? And certes not
+without reason; for, if mine eyes deceived me not, there was no praise
+given him of thee which I saw him not justify by deeds, and that more
+admirably than thy words availed to express; and even had I suffered
+any deceit in this, it is by thyself I should have been deceived. An,
+then, thou say that I have committed myself with a man of mean
+condition, thou sayst not sooth; but shouldst thou say with a poor
+man, it might peradventure be conceded thee, to thy shame who hast so
+ill known to put a servant of thine and a man of worth in good case;
+yet poverty bereaveth not any of gentilesse; nay, rather, wealth it is
+that doth this. Many kings, many great princes were once poor and many
+who delve and tend sheep were once very rich.
+
+The last doubt that thou broachest, to wit, what thou shouldst do with
+me, drive it away altogether; an thou in thine extreme old age be
+disposed to do that which thou usedst not, being young, namely, to
+deal cruelly, wreak thy cruelty upon me, who am minded to proffer no
+prayer unto thee, as being the prime cause of this sin, if sin it be;
+for of this I certify thee, that whatsoever thou hast done or shalt do
+with Guiscardo, an thou do not the like with me, mine own hands shall
+do it. Now begone; go shed tears with women and waxing cruel, slay him
+and me with one same blow, an it seem to thee we have deserved it.'
+
+The prince knew the greatness of his daughter's soul, but
+notwithstanding believed her not altogether so firmly resolved as she
+said unto that which her words gave out. Wherefore, taking leave of
+her and having laid aside all intent of using rigour against her
+person, he thought to cool her fervent love with other's suffering and
+accordingly bade Guiscardo's two guardians strangle him without noise
+that same night and taking out his heart, bring it to him. They did
+even as it was commanded them, and on the morrow the prince let bring
+a great and goodly bowl of gold and setting therein Guiscardo's heart,
+despatched it to his daughter by the hands of a very privy servant of
+his, bidding him say, whenas he gave it her, 'Thy father sendeth thee
+this, to solace thee of the thing thou most lovest, even as thou hast
+solaced him of that which he loved most.'
+
+Now Ghismonda, unmoved from her stern purpose, had, after her father's
+departure, let bring poisonous herbs and roots and distilled and
+reduced them in water, so she might have it at hand, an that she
+feared should come to pass. The serving-man coming to her with the
+prince's present and message, she took the cup with a steadfast
+countenance and uncovered it. Whenas she saw the heart and
+apprehended the words of the message, she was throughly certified that
+this was Guiscardo's heart and turning her eyes upon the messenger,
+said to him, 'No sepulchre less of worth than one of gold had beseemed
+a heart such as this; and in this my father hath done discreetly.' So
+saying, she set the heart to her lips and kissing it, said, 'Still in
+everything and even to this extreme limit of my life have I found my
+father's love most tender towards me; but now more than ever;
+wherefore do than render him on my part for so great a gift the last
+thanks I shall ever have to give him.'
+
+Then, bending down over the cup, which she held fast, she said,
+looking upon the heart, 'Alack, sweetest harbourage of all my
+pleasures, accursed be his cruelty who maketh me now to see thee with
+the eyes of the body! Enough was it for me at all hours to behold thee
+with those of the mind. Thou hast finished thy course and hast
+acquitted thyself on such wise as was vouchsafed thee of fortune; thou
+art come to the end whereunto each runneth; thou hast left the toils
+and miseries of the world, and of thy very enemy thou hast that
+sepulchre which thy worth hath merited. There lacked nought to thee to
+make thy funeral rites complete save her tears whom in life thou so
+lovedst, the which that thou mightest have, God put it into the heart
+of my unnatural father to send thee to me and I will give them to
+thee, albeit I had purposed to die with dry eyes and visage undismayed
+of aught; and having given them to thee, I will without delay so do
+that my soul, thou working it,[221] shall rejoin that soul which thou
+erst so dearly guardedst. And in what company could I betake me more
+contentedly or with better assurance to the regions unknown than with
+it?[222] Certain am I that it abideth yet herewithin[223] and vieweth
+the seats of its delights and mine and as that which I am assured
+still loveth me, awaiteth my soul, whereof it is over all beloved.'
+
+[Footnote 221: _i.e._ thou being the means of bringing about the
+conjunction (_adoperandol tu_).]
+
+[Footnote 222: _i.e._ Guiscardo's soul.]
+
+[Footnote 223: _i.e._ in the heart.]
+
+So saying, no otherwise than as she had a fountain of water in her
+head, bowing herself over the bowl, without making any womanly outcry,
+she began, lamenting, to shed so many and such tears that they were a
+marvel to behold, kissing the dead heart the while an infinite number
+of times. Her women, who stood about her, understood not what this
+heart was nor what her words meant, but, overcome with compassion,
+wept all and in vain questioned her affectionately of the cause of her
+lament and studied yet more, as best they knew and might, to comfort
+her. The lady, having wept as much as herseemed fit, raised her head
+and drying her eyes, said, 'O much-loved heart, I have accomplished
+mine every office towards thee, nor is there left me aught else to do
+save to come with my soul and bear thine company.' So saying, she
+called for the vial wherein was the water she had made the day before
+and poured the latter into the bowl where was the heart bathed with so
+many of her tears; then, setting her mouth thereto without any fear,
+she drank it all off and having drunken, mounted, with the cup in her
+hand, upon the bed, where composing her body as most decently she
+might, she pressed her dead lover's heart to her own and without
+saying aught, awaited death.
+
+Her women, seeing and hearing all this, albeit they knew not what
+water this was she had drunken, had sent to tell Tancred everything,
+and he, fearing that which came to pass, came quickly down into his
+daughter's chamber, where he arrived what time she laid herself on her
+bed and addressed himself too late to comfort her with soft words;
+but, seeing the extremity wherein she was, he fell a-weeping
+grievously; whereupon quoth the lady to him, 'Tancred, keep these
+tears against a less desired fate than this of mine and give them not
+to me, who desire them not. Who ever saw any, other than thou, lament
+for that which he himself hath willed? Nevertheless, if aught yet live
+in thee of the love which once thou borest me, vouchsafe me for a last
+boon that, since it was not thy pleasure that I should privily and in
+secret live with Guiscardo, my body may openly abide with his,
+whereassoever thou hast caused cast him dead.' The agony of his grief
+suffered not the prince to reply; whereupon the young lady, feeling
+herself come to her end, strained the dead heart to her breast and
+said, 'Abide ye with God, for I go hence.' Then, closing her eyes and
+losing every sense, she departed this life of woe. Such, then, as you
+have heard, was the sorrowful ending of the loves of Guiscardo and
+Ghismonda, whose bodies Tancred, after much lamentation, too late
+repenting him of his cruelty, caused honourably bury in one same
+sepulchre, amid the general mourning of all the people of Salerno."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     FRA ALBERTO GIVETH A LADY TO BELIEVE THAT THE ANGEL GABRIEL
+     IS ENAMOURED OF HER AND IN HIS SHAPE LIETH WITH HER SUNDRY
+     TIMES; AFTER WHICH, FOR FEAR OF HER KINSMEN, HE CASTETH
+     HIMSELF FORTH OF HER WINDOW INTO THE CANAL AND TAKETH REFUGE
+     IN THE HOUSE OF A POOR MAN, WHO ON THE MORROW CARRIETH HIM,
+     IN THE GUISE OF A WILD MAN OF THE WOODS, TO THE PIAZZA,
+     WHERE, BEING RECOGNIZED, HE IS TAKEN BY HIS BRETHREN AND PUT
+     IN PRISON
+
+
+The story told by Fiammetta had more than once brought the tears to
+the eyes of the ladies her companions; but, it being now finished, the
+king with a stern countenance said, "My life would seem to me a little
+price to give for half the delight that Guiscardo had with Ghismonda,
+nor should any of you ladies marvel thereat, seeing that every hour of
+my life I suffer a thousand deaths, nor for all that is a single
+particle of delight vouchsafed me. But, leaving be my affairs for the
+present, it is my pleasure that Pampinea follow on the order of the
+discourse with some story of woeful chances and fortunes in part like
+to mine own; which if she ensue like as Fiammetta hath begun, I shall
+doubtless begin to feel some dew fallen upon my fire." Pampinea,
+hearing the order laid upon her, more by her affection apprehended the
+mind of the ladies her companions than that of Filostrato by his
+words,[224] wherefore, being more disposed to give them some diversion
+than to content the king, farther than in the mere letter of his
+commandment, she bethought herself to tell a story, that should,
+without departing from the proposed theme, give occasion for laughter,
+and accordingly began as follows:
+
+[Footnote 224: _i.e._ was more inclined to consider the wishes of the
+ladies her companions, which she divined by sympathy, than those of
+Filostrato, as shown by his words (_piů per la sua affezione cognobbe
+l'animo delle campagne che quello del re per le sue parole_). It is
+difficult, however, in this instance as in many others, to discover
+with certainty Boccaccio's exact meaning, owing to his affectation of
+Ciceronian concision and delight in obscure elliptical forms of
+construction; whilst his use of words in a remote or unfamiliar sense
+and the impossibility of deciding, in certain cases, the person of the
+pronouns and adjectives employed tend still farther to darken counsel.
+_E.g._, if we render _affezione_ sentiment, _cognobbe_ (as
+_riconobbe_) acknowledged, recognized, and read _le sue parole_ as
+meaning _her_ (instead of _his_) words, the whole sense of the passage
+is changed, and we must read it "more by her sentiment (_i.e._ by the
+tendency and spirit of her story) recognized the inclination of her
+companions than that of the king by her [actual] words." I have
+commented thus at large on this passage, in order to give my readers
+some idea of the difficulties which at every page beset the translator
+of the Decameron and which make Boccaccio perhaps the most troublesome
+of all authors to render into representative English.]
+
+"The vulgar have a proverb to the effect that he who is naught and is
+held good may do ill and it is not believed of him; the which
+affordeth me ample matter for discourse upon that which hath been
+proposed to me and at the same time to show what and how great is the
+hypocrisy of the clergy, who, with garments long and wide and faces
+paled by art and voices humble and meek to solicit the folk, but
+exceeding loud and fierce to rebuke in others their own vices, pretend
+that themselves by taking and others by giving to them come to
+salvation, and to boot, not as men who have, like ourselves, to
+purchase paradise, but as in a manner they were possessors and lords
+thereof, assign unto each who dieth, according to the sum of the
+monies left them by him, a more or less excellent place there,
+studying thus to deceive first themselves, an they believe as they
+say, and after those who put faith for that matter in their words.
+Anent whom, were it permitted me to discover as much as it behoved, I
+would quickly make clear to many simple folk that which they keep
+hidden under those huge wide gowns of theirs. But would God it might
+betide them all of their cozening tricks, as it betided a certain
+minor friar, and he no youngling, but held one of the first
+casuists[225] in Venice; of whom it especially pleaseth me to tell
+you, so as peradventure somewhat to cheer your hearts, that are full
+of compassion for the death of Ghismonda, with laughter and pleasance.
+
+[Footnote 225: Lit. of those who _was_ held of the greatest casuists
+(_di quelli che de' maggior cassesi era tenuto_). This is another very
+obscure passage. The meaning of the word _cassesi_ is unknown and we
+can only guess it to be a dialectic (probably Venetian) corruption of
+the word _casisti_ (casuists). The Giunta edition separates the word
+thus, _casse si_, making _si_ a mere corroborative prefix to _era_,
+but I do not see how the alteration helps us, the word _casse_
+(chests, boxes) being apparently meaningless in this connection.]
+
+There was, then, noble ladies, in Imola, a man of wicked and corrupt
+life, who was called Berto della Massa and whose lewd fashions, being
+well known of the Imolese, had brought him into such ill savour with
+them that there was none in the town who would credit him, even when
+he said sooth; wherefore, seeing that his shifts might no longer stand
+him in stead there, he removed in desperation to Venice, the
+receptacle of every kind of trash, thinking to find there new means of
+carrying on his wicked practices. There, as if conscience-stricken for
+the evil deeds done by him in the past, feigning himself overcome with
+the utmost humility and waxing devouter than any man alive, he went
+and turned Minor Friar and styled himself Fra Alberta da Imola; in
+which habit he proceeded to lead, to all appearance, a very austere
+life, greatly commending abstinence and mortification and never eating
+flesh nor drinking wine, whenas he had not thereof that which was to
+his liking. In short, scarce was any ware of him when from a thief, a
+pimp, a forger, a manslayer, he suddenly became a great preacher,
+without having for all that forsworn the vices aforesaid, whenas he
+might secretly put them in practice. Moreover, becoming a priest, he
+would still, whenas he celebrated mass at the altar, an he were seen
+of many, beweep our Saviour's passion, as one whom tears cost little,
+whenas he willed it. Brief, what with his preachings and his tears, he
+contrived on such wise to inveigle the Venetians that he was trustee
+and depository of well nigh every will made in the town and guardian
+of folk's monies, besides being confessor and counsellor of the most
+part of the men and women of the place; and doing thus, from wolf he
+was become shepherd and the fame of his sanctity was far greater in
+those parts than ever was that of St. Francis at Assisi.
+
+It chanced one day that a vain simple young lady, by name Madam
+Lisetta da Ca[226] Quirino, wife of a great merchant who was gone with
+the galleys into Flanders, came with other ladies to confess to this
+same holy friar, at whose feet kneeling and having, like a true
+daughter of Venice as she was (where the women are all feather-brained),
+told him part of her affairs, she was asked of him if she had a lover.
+Whereto she answered, with an offended air, 'Good lack, sir friar,
+have you no eyes in your head? Seem my charms to you such as those of
+yonder others? I might have lovers and to spare, an I would; but my
+beauties are not for this one nor that. How many women do you see
+whose charms are such as mine, who would be fair in Paradise?' Brief,
+she said so many things of this beauty of hers that it was a weariness
+to hear. Fra Alberto incontinent perceived that she savoured of folly
+and himseeming she was a fit soil for his tools, he fell suddenly and
+beyond measure in love with her; but, reserving blandishments for a
+more convenient season, he proceeded, for the nonce, so he might show
+himself a holy man, to rebuke her and tell her that this was vainglory
+and so forth. The lady told him he was an ass and knew not what one
+beauty was more than another, whereupon he, unwilling to vex her
+overmuch, took her confession and let her go away with the others.
+
+[Footnote 226: Venetian contraction of _Casa_, house. Da Ca Quirino,
+of the Quirino house or family.]
+
+He let some days pass, then, taking with him a trusty companion of
+his, he repaired to Madam Lisetta's house and withdrawing with her
+into a room apart, where none might see him, he fell on his knees
+before her and said, 'Madam, I pray you for God's sake pardon me that
+which I said to you last Sunday, whenas you bespoke me of your beauty,
+for that the following night I was so cruelly chastised there that I
+have not since been able to rise from my bed till to-day.' Quoth
+Mistress Featherbrain, 'And who chastised you thus?' 'I will tell
+you,' replied the monk. 'Being that night at my orisons, as I still
+use to be, I saw of a sudden a great light in my cell and ere I could
+turn me to see what it might be, I beheld over against me a very fair
+youth with a stout cudgel in his hand, who took me by the gown and
+dragging me to my feet, gave me such a drubbing that he broke every
+bone in my body. I asked him why he used me thus and he answered, "For
+that thou presumedst to-day, to disparage the celestial charms of
+Madam Lisetta, whom I love over all things, save only God." "Who,
+then, are you?" asked I; and he replied that he was the angel Gabriel.
+"O my lord," said I, "I pray you pardon me"; and he, "So be it; I
+pardon thee on condition that thou go to her, as first thou mayst, and
+get her pardon; but if she pardons thee not, I will return to thee and
+give thee such a bout of it that I will make thee a woeful man for
+all the time thou shalt live here below." That which he said to me
+after I dare not tell you, except you first pardon me.'
+
+My Lady Addlepate, who was somewhat scant of wit, was overjoyed to
+hear this, taking it all for gospel, and said, after a little, 'I told
+you, Fra Alberto, that my charms were celestial, but, so God be mine
+aid, it irketh me for you and I will pardon you forthright, so you may
+come to no more harm, provided you tell me truly that which the angel
+said to you after.' 'Madam,' replied Fra Alberto, 'since you pardon
+me, I will gladly tell it you; but I must warn you of one thing, to
+wit, that whatever I tell you, you must have a care not to repeat it
+to any one alive, an you would not mar your affairs, for that you are
+the luckiest lady in the world. The angel Gabriel bade me tell you
+that you pleased him so much that he had many a time come to pass the
+night with you, but that he feared to affright you. Now he sendeth to
+tell you by me that he hath a mind to come to you one night and abide
+awhile with you and (for that he is an angel and that, if he came in
+angel-form, you might not avail to touch him,) he purposeth, for your
+delectation, to come in guise of a man, wherefore he biddeth you send
+to tell him when you would have him come and in whose form, and he
+will come hither; whereof you may hold yourself blest over any other
+lady alive.'
+
+My Lady Conceit answered that it liked her well that the angel Gabriel
+loved her, seeing she loved him well nor ever failed to light a candle
+of a groat before him, whereas she saw him depictured, and that what
+time soever he chose to come to her, he should be dearly welcome and
+would find her all alone in her chamber, but on this condition, that
+he should not leave her for the Virgin Mary, whose great well-wisher
+it was said he was, as indeed appeareth, inasmuch as in every place
+where she saw him [limned], he was on his knees before her. Moreover,
+she said it must rest with him to come in whatsoever form he pleased,
+so but she was not affrighted.
+
+Then said Fra Alberto, 'Madam, you speak sagely and I will without
+fail take order with him of that which you tell me. But you may do me
+a great favour, which will cost you nothing; it is this, that you will
+him come with this my body. And I will tell you in what you will do me
+a favour; you must know that he will take my soul forth of my body and
+put it in Paradise, whilst he himself will enter into me; and what
+while he abideth with you, so long will my soul abide in Paradise.'
+'With all my heart,' answered Dame Littlewit. 'I will well that you
+have this consolation, in requital of the buffets he gave you on my
+account.' Then said Fra Alberto, 'Look that he find the door of your
+house open to-night, so he may come in thereat, for that, coming in
+human form, as he will, he might not enter save by the door.' The lady
+replied that it should be done, whereupon the monk took his leave and
+she abode in such a transport of exultation that her breech touched
+not her shift and herseemed a thousand years till the angel Gabriel
+should come to her.
+
+Meanwhile, Fra Alberto, bethinking him that it behoved him play the
+cavalier, not the angel, that night proceeded to fortify himself with
+confections and other good things, so he might not lightly be
+unhorsed; then, getting leave, as soon as it was night, he repaired
+with one of his comrades to the house of a woman, a friend of his,
+whence he was used whiles to take his start what time he went to
+course the fillies; and thence, whenas it seemed to him time, having
+disguised himself, he betook him to the lady's house. There he tricked
+himself out as an angel with the trappings he had brought with him and
+going up, entered the chamber of the lady, who, seeing this creature
+all in white, fell on her knees before him. The angel blessed her and
+raising her to her feet, signed to her to go to bed, which she,
+studious to obey, promptly did, and the angel after lay down with his
+devotee. Now Fra Alberto was a personable man of his body and a lusty
+and excellent well set up on his legs; wherefore, finding himself in
+bed with Madam Lisetta, who was young and dainty, he showed himself
+another guess bedfellow than her husband and many a time that night
+took flight without wings, whereof she avowed herself exceeding
+content; and eke he told her many things of the glories of heaven.
+Then, the day drawing near, after taking order for his return, he made
+off with his trappings and returned to his comrade, whom the good
+woman of the house had meanwhile borne amicable company, lest he
+should get a fright, lying alone.
+
+As for the lady, no sooner had she dined than, taking her
+waiting-woman with her, she betook herself to Fra Alberto and gave him
+news of the angel Gabriel, telling him that which she had heard from
+him of the glories of life eternal and how he was made and adding to
+boot, marvellous stories of her own invention. 'Madam,' said he, 'I
+know not how you fared with him; I only know that yesternight, whenas
+he came to me and I did your message to him, he suddenly transported
+my soul amongst such a multitude of roses and other flowers that never
+was the like thereof seen here below, and I abode in one of the most
+delightsome places that was aye until the morning; but what became of
+my body meanwhile I know not.' 'Do I not tell you?' answered the lady.
+'Your body lay all night in mine arms with the angel Gabriel. If you
+believe me not, look under your left pap, whereas I gave the angel
+such a kiss that the marks of it will stay by you for some days to
+come.' Quoth the friar, 'Say you so? Then will I do to-day a thing I
+have not done this great while; I will strip myself, to see if you
+tell truth.' Then, after much prating, the lady returned home and Fra
+Alberto paid her many visits in angel-form, without suffering any
+hindrance.
+
+However, it chanced one day that Madam Lisetta, being in dispute with
+a gossip of hers upon the question of female charms, to set her own
+above all others, said, like a woman who had little wit in her noddle,
+'An you but knew whom my beauty pleaseth, in truth you would hold your
+peace of other women.' The other, longing to hear, said, as one who
+knew her well, 'Madam, maybe you say sooth; but knowing not who this
+may be, one cannot turn about so lightly.' Thereupon quoth Lisetta,
+who was eath enough to draw, 'Gossip, it must go no farther; but he I
+mean is the angel Gabriel, who loveth me more than himself, as the
+fairest lady (for that which he telleth me) who is in the world or the
+Maremma.'[227] The other had a mind to laugh, but contained herself,
+so she might make Lisetta speak farther, and said, 'Faith, madam, an
+the angel Gabriel be your lover and tell you this, needs must it be
+so; but methought not the angels did these things.' 'Gossip,' answered
+the lady, 'you are mistaken; zounds, he doth what you wot of better
+than my husband and telleth me they do it also up yonder; but, for
+that I seem to him fairer than any she in heaven, he hath fallen in
+love with me and cometh full oft to lie with me; seestow now?'[228]
+
+[Footnote 227: _cf._ Artemus Ward's "Natives of the Universe and other
+parts."]
+
+[Footnote 228: _Mo vedi vu_, Venetian for _Or vedi tu_, now dost thou
+see? I have rendered it by the equivalent old English form.]
+
+The gossip, to whom it seemed a thousand years till she should be
+whereas she might repeat these things, took her leave of Madam Lisetta
+and foregathering at an entertainment with a great company of ladies,
+orderly recounted to them the whole story. They told it again to their
+husbands and other ladies, and these to yet others, and so in less
+than two days Venice was all full of it. Among others to whose ears
+the thing came were Lisetta's brothers-in-law, who, without saying
+aught to her, bethought themselves to find the angel in question and
+see if he knew how to fly, and to this end they lay several nights in
+wait for him. As chance would have it, some inkling of the matter[229]
+came to the ears of Fra Alberto, who accordingly repaired one night to
+the lady's house, to reprove her, but hardly had he put off his
+clothes ere her brothers-in-law, who had seen him come, were at the
+door of her chamber to open it.
+
+[Footnote 229: _i.e._ not of the trap laid for him by the lady's
+brothers-in-law, but of her indiscretion in discovering the secret.]
+
+Fra Alberto, hearing this and guessing what was to do, started up and
+having no other resource, opened a window, which gave upon the Grand
+Canal, and cast himself thence into the water. The canal was deep
+there and he could swim well, so that he did himself no hurt, but made
+his way to the opposite bank and hastily entering a house that stood
+open there, besought a poor man, whom he found within, to save his
+life for the love of God, telling him a tale of his own fashion, to
+explain how he came there at that hour and naked. The good man was
+moved to pity and it behoving him to go do his occasions, he put him
+in his own bed and bade him abide there against his return; then,
+locking him in, he went about his affairs. Meanwhile, the lady's
+brothers-in-law entered her chamber and found that the angel Gabriel
+had flown, leaving his wings there; whereupon, seeing themselves
+baffled, they gave her all manner hard words and ultimately made off
+to their own house with the angel's trappings, leaving her
+disconsolate.
+
+Broad day come, the good man with whom Fra Alberto had taken refuge,
+being on the Rialto, heard how the angel Gabriel had gone that night
+to lie with Madam Lisetta and being surprised by her kinsmen, had cast
+himself for fear into the canal, nor was it known what was come of
+him, and concluded forthright that this was he whom he had at home.
+Accordingly, he returned thither and recognizing the monk, found means
+after much parley, to make him fetch him fifty ducats, an he would not
+have him give him up to the lady's kinsmen. Having gotten the money
+and Fra Alberto offering to depart thence, the good man said to him,
+'There is no way of escape for you, an it be not one that I will tell
+you. We hold to-day a festival, wherein one bringeth a man clad
+bear-fashion and another one accoutred as a wild man of the woods and
+what not else, some one thing and some another, and there is a hunt
+held in St. Mark's Place, which finished, the festival is at an end
+and after each goeth whither it pleaseth him with him whom he hath
+brought. An you will have me lead you thither, after one or other of
+these fashions, I can after carry you whither you please, ere it be
+spied out that you are here; else I know not how you are to get away,
+without being recognized, for the lady's kinsmen, concluding that you
+must be somewhere hereabout, have set a watch for you on all sides.'
+
+Hard as it seemed to Fra Alberto to go on such wise, nevertheless, of
+the fear he had of the lady's kinsmen, he resigned himself thereto and
+told his host whither he would be carried, leaving the manner to him.
+Accordingly, the other, having smeared him all over with honey and
+covered him with down, clapped a chain about his neck and a mask on
+his face; then giving him a great staff in on hand and in the other
+two great dogs which he had fetched from the shambles he despatched
+one to the Rialto to make public proclamation that whoso would see the
+angel Gabriel should repair to St. Mark's Place; and this was Venetian
+loyalty! This done, after a while, he brought him forth and setting
+him before himself, went holding him by the chain behind, to the no
+small clamour of the folk, who said all, 'What be this? What be
+this?'[230] till he came to the place, where, what with those who had
+followed after them and those who, hearing the proclamation, were come
+thither from the Rialto, were folk without end. There he tied his wild
+man to a column in a raised and high place, making a show of awaiting
+the hunt, whilst the flies and gads gave the monk exceeding annoy, for
+that he was besmeared with honey. But, when he saw the place well
+filled, making as he would unchain his wild man, he pulled off Fra
+Alberto's mask and said, 'Gentlemen, since the bear cometh not and
+there is no hunt toward, I purpose, so you may not be come in vain,
+that you shall see the angel Gabriel, who cometh down from heaven to
+earth anights, to comfort the Venetian ladies.'
+
+[Footnote 230: _Che xe quel?_ Venetian for _che c'e quella cosa_, What
+is this thing?]
+
+No sooner was the mask off than Fra Alberto was incontinent recognized
+of all, who raised a general outcry against him, giving him the
+scurviest words and the soundest rating was ever given a canting
+knave; moreover, they cast in his face, one this kind of filth and
+another that, and so they baited him a great while, till the news came
+by chance to his brethren, whereupon half a dozen of them sallied
+forth and coming thither, unchained him and threw a gown over him;
+then, with a general hue and cry behind them, they carried him off to
+the convent, where it is believed he died in prison, after a wretched
+life. Thus then did this fellow, held good and doing ill, without it
+being believed, dare to feign himself the angel Gabriel, and after
+being turned into a wild man of the woods and put to shame, as he
+deserved, bewailed, when too late, the sins he had committed. God
+grant it happen thus to all other knaves of his fashion!"
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     THREE YOUNG MEN LOVE THREE SISTERS AND FLEE WITH THEM INTO
+     CRETE, WHERE THE ELDEST SISTER FOR JEALOUSY SLAYETH HER
+     LOVER. THE SECOND, YIELDING HERSELF TO THE DUKE OF CRETE,
+     SAVETH HER SISTER FROM DEATH, WHEREUPON HER OWN LOVER
+     SLAYETH HER AND FLEETH WITH THE ELDEST SISTER. MEANWHILE THE
+     THIRD LOVER AND THE YOUNGEST SISTER ARE ACCUSED OF THE NEW
+     MURDER AND BEING TAKEN, CONFESS IT; THEN, FOR FEAR OF DEATH,
+     THEY CORRUPT THEIR KEEPERS WITH MONEY AND FLEE TO RHODES,
+     WHERE THEY DIE IN POVERTY
+
+
+Filostrato, having heard the end of Pampinea's story, bethought
+himself awhile and presently, turning to her, said, "There was some
+little that was good and that pleased me in the ending of your story;
+but there was overmuch before that which gave occasion for laughter
+and which I would not have had there." Then, turning to Lauretta,
+"Lady," said he, "ensue you with a better, and it may be." Quoth she,
+laughing, "You are too cruel towards lovers, an you desire of them
+only an ill end;[231] but, to obey you, I will tell a story of three
+who all ended equally ill, having had scant enjoyment of their loves."
+So saying, she began thus: "Young ladies, as you should manifestly
+know, every vice may turn to the grievous hurt of whoso practiseth it,
+and often of other folk also; but of all others that which with the
+slackest rein carrieth us away to our peril, meseemeth is anger, which
+is none otherwhat than a sudden and unconsidered emotion, aroused by
+an affront suffered, and which, banishing all reason and overclouding
+the eyes of the understanding with darkness, kindleth the soul to the
+hottest fury. And although this often cometh to pass in men and more
+in one than in another, yet hath it been seen aforetime to work
+greater mischiefs in women, for that it is lightlier enkindled in
+these latter and burneth in them with a fiercer flame and urgeth them
+with less restraint. Nor is this to be marvelled at, for that, an we
+choose to consider, we may see that fire, of its nature, catcheth
+quicklier to light and delicate things than to those which are denser
+and more ponderous; and we women, indeed,--let men not take it
+ill,--are more delicately fashioned than they and far more mobile.
+Wherefore, seeing that we are naturally inclined thereunto[232] and
+considering after how our mansuetude and our loving kindness are of
+repose and pleasance to the men with whom we have to do and how big
+with harm and peril are anger and fury, I purpose, to the intent that
+we may with a more steadfast, mind keep ourselves from these latter,
+to show you by my story how the loves of three young men and as many
+ladies came, as I said before, to an ill end, becoming through the ire
+of one of the latter, from happy most unhappy.
+
+[Footnote 231: _i.e._ _semble_ "an you would wish them nought but an
+ill end."]
+
+[Footnote 232: _i.e._ to anger.]
+
+Marseilles is, as you know, a very ancient and noble city, situate in
+Provence on the sea-shore, and was once more abounding in rich and
+great merchants than it is nowadays. Among the latter was one called
+Narnald Cluada, a man of mean extraction, but of renowned good faith
+and a loyal merchant, rich beyond measure in lands and monies, who had
+by a wife of his several children, whereof the three eldest were
+daughters. Two of these latter, born at a birth, were fifteen and the
+third fourteen years old, nor was aught awaited by their kinsfolk to
+marry them but the return of Narnald, who was gone into Spain with his
+merchandise. The names of the two elder were the one Ninetta and the
+other Maddalena and the third called Bertella. Of Ninetta a young man
+of gentle birth, though poor, called Restagnone, was enamoured as much
+as man might be, and she of him, and they had contrived to do on such
+wise that, without any knowing it, they had enjoyment of their loves.
+
+They had already a pretty while enjoyed this satisfaction when it
+chanced that two young companions, named the one Folco and the other
+Ughetto, whose fathers were dead, leaving them very rich, fell in
+love, the one with Maddalena and the other with Bertella. Restagnone,
+noting this (it having been shown him of Ninetta), bethought himself
+that he might make shift to supply his own lack by means of the
+newcomers' love. Accordingly, he clapped up an acquaintance with them,
+so that now one, now the other of them accompanied him to visit their
+mistresses and his; and when himseemed he was grown privy enough with
+them and much their friend, he called them one day into his house and
+said to them, 'Dearest youths, our commerce should have certified you
+how great is the love I bear you and that I would do for you that
+which I would do for myself; and for that I love you greatly, I
+purpose to discover to you that which hath occurred to my mind, and
+you and I together will after take such counsel thereof as shall seem
+to you best. You, an your words lie not and for that to boot which
+meseemeth I have apprehended by your deeds, both daily and nightly,
+burn with an exceeding passion for the two young ladies beloved of
+you, as do I for the third their sister; and to this ardour, an you
+will consent thereunto,[233] my heart giveth me to find a very sweet
+and pleasing remedy, the which is as follows. You are both very rich,
+which I am not; now, if you will agree to bring your riches into a
+common stock, making me a third sharer with you therein, and determine
+in which part of the world we shall go lead a merry life with our
+mistresses, my heart warranteth me I can without fail so do that the
+three sisters, with a great part of their father's good, will go with,
+us whithersoever we shall please, and there, each with his wench, like
+three brothers, we may live the happiest lives of any men in the
+world. It resteth with you now to determine whether you will go about
+to solace yourself in this or leave it be.'
+
+[Footnote 233: _i.e._ to the proposal I have to make.]
+
+The two young men, who were beyond measure inflamed, hearing that they
+were to have their lasses, were not long in making up their minds, but
+answered that, so this[234] should ensue, they were ready to do as he
+said. Restagnone, having gotten this answer from the young men, found
+means a few days after to foregather with Ninetta, to whom he could
+not come without great unease, and after he had abidden with her
+awhile, he told her what he had proposed to the others and with many
+arguments studied to commend the emprise to her. This was little
+uneath to him, seeing that she was yet more desirous than himself to
+be with him without suspect; wherefore she answered him frankly that
+it liked her well and that her sisters would do whatever she wished,
+especially in this, and bade him make ready everything needful
+therefor as quickliest he might. Restagnone accordingly returned to
+the two young men, who still importuned him amain to do that whereof
+he had bespoken them, and told them that, so far as concerned their
+mistresses, the matter was settled. Then, having determined among
+themselves to go to Crete, they sold certain lands they had, under
+colour of meaning to go a-trading with the price, and having made
+money of all their other goods, bought a light brigantine and secretly
+equipped it to the utmost advantage.
+
+[Footnote 234: _i.e._ the possession of their mistresses.]
+
+Meanwhile, Ninetta, who well enough knew her sisters' mind, with soft
+words inflamed them with such a liking for the venture that themseemed
+they might not live to see the thing accomplished. Accordingly, the
+night come when they were to go aboard the brigantine, the three
+sisters opened a great coffer of their father's and taking thence a
+vast quantity of money and jewels, stole out of the house, according
+to the given order. They found their gallants awaiting them and going
+straightway all aboard the brigantine, they thrust the oars into the
+water and put out to sea nor rested till they came, on the following
+evening, to Genoa, where the new lovers for the first time took ease
+and joyance of their loves. There having refreshed themselves with
+that whereof they had need, they set out again and sailing from port
+to port, came, ere it was the eighth day, without any hindrance, to
+Crete, where they bought great and goodly estates near Candia and made
+them very handsome and delightsome dwelling-houses thereon. Here they
+fell to living like lords and passed their days in banquets and
+joyance and merrymaking, the happiest men in the world, they and their
+mistresses, with great plenty of servants and hounds and hawks and
+horses.
+
+Abiding on this wise, it befell (even as we see it happen all day long
+that, how much soever things may please, they grow irksome, an one
+have overgreat plenty thereof) that Restagnone, who had much loved
+Ninetta, being now able to have her at his every pleasure, without let
+or hindrance, began to weary of her, and consequently his love for her
+began to wane. Having seen at entertainment a damsel of the country, a
+fair and noble young lady, who pleased him exceedingly, he fell to
+courting her with all his might, giving marvellous entertainments in
+her honor and plying her with all manner gallantries; which Ninetta
+coming to know, she fell into such a jealousy that he could not go a
+step but she heard of it and after harassed both him and herself with
+words and reproaches on account thereof. But, like as overabundance of
+aught begetteth weariness, even so doth the denial of a thing desired
+redouble the appetite; accordingly, Ninetta's reproaches did but fan
+the flame of Restagnone's new love and in process of time it came to
+pass that, whether he had the favours of the lady he loved or not,
+Ninetta held it for certain, whoever it was reported it to her;
+wherefore she fell into such a passion of grief and thence passed into
+such a fit of rage and despite that the love which she bore Restagnone
+was changed to bitter hatred, and blinded by her wrath, she bethought
+herself to avenge, by his death, the affront which herseemed she had
+received.
+
+Accordingly, betaking herself to an old Greek woman, a past mistress
+in the art of compounding poisons, she induced her with gifts and
+promises to make her a death-dealing water, which she, without
+considering farther, gave Restagnone one evening to drink he being
+heated and misdoubting him not thereof; and such was the potency of
+the poison that, ere morning came, it had slain him. Folco and Ughetto
+and their mistresses, hearing of his death and knowing not of what
+poison he had died,[235] bewept him bitterly, together with Ninetta,
+and caused bury him honourably. But not many days after it chanced
+that the old woman, who had compounded the poisoned water for Ninetta,
+was taken for some other misdeed and being put to the torture,
+confessed to this amongst her other crimes, fully declaring that which
+had betided by reason thereof; whereupon the Duke of Crete, without
+saying aught of the matter, beset Folco's palace by surprise one night
+and without any noise or gainsayal, carried off Ninetta prisoner, from
+whom, without putting her to the torture, he readily got what he would
+know of the death of Restagnone.
+
+[Footnote 235: Sic (_di che veleno fosse morto_), but this is probably
+a copyist's error for _che di veleno fosse morto_, _i.e._ that he had
+died of poison.]
+
+Folco and Ughetto (and from them their ladies) had privy notice from
+the duke why Ninetta had been taken, the which was exceeding grievous
+to them and they used their every endeavour to save her from the fire,
+whereto they doubted not she would be condemned, as indeed she richly
+deserved; but all seemed vain, for that the duke abode firm in willing
+to do justice upon her. However, Maddalena, who was a beautiful young
+woman and had long been courted by the duke, but had never yet
+consented to do aught that might pleasure him, thinking that, by
+complying with his wishes, she might avail to save her sister from the
+fire, signified to him by a trusty messenger that she was at his
+commandment in everything, provided two things should ensue thereof,
+to wit, that she should have her sister again safe and sound and that
+the thing should be secret. Her message pleased the duke, and after
+long debate with himself if he should do as she proposed, he
+ultimately agreed thereto and said that he was ready. Accordingly, one
+night, having, with the lady's consent, caused detain Folco and
+Ughetto, as he would fain examine them of the matter, he went secretly
+to couch with Maddalena and having first made a show of putting
+Ninetta in a sack and of purposing to let sink her that night in the
+sea, he carried her with him to her sister, to whom on the morrow he
+delivered her at parting, in payment of the night he had passed with
+her, praying her that this,[236] which had been the first of their
+loves, might not be the last and charging her send the guilty lady
+away, lest blame betide himself and it behove him anew proceed against
+her with rigour.
+
+[Footnote 236: _i.e._ that night.]
+
+Next morning, Folco and Ughetto, having heard that Ninetta had been
+sacked overnight and believing it, were released and returned home to
+comfort their mistresses for the death of their sister. However, for
+all Maddalena could do to hide her, Folco soon became aware of
+Ninetta's presence in the palace, whereat he marvelled exceedingly and
+suddenly waxing suspicious,--for that he had heard of the duke's
+passion for Maddalena,--asked the latter how her sister came to be
+there. Maddalena began a long story, which she had devised to account
+to him therefor, but was little believed of her lover, who was shrewd
+and constrained her to confess the truth, which, after long parley,
+she told him. Folco, overcome with chagrin and inflamed with rage,
+pulled out a sword and slew her, whilst she in vain besought mercy;
+then, fearing the wrath and justice of the duke, he left her dead in
+the chamber and repairing whereas Ninetta was, said to her, with a
+feigned air of cheerfulness, 'Quick, let us begone whither it hath
+been appointed of thy sister that I shall carry thee, so thou mayst
+not fall again into the hands of the duke.' Ninetta, believing this
+and eager, in her fearfulness, to begone, set out with Folco, it being
+now night, without seeking to take leave of her sister; whereupon he
+and she, with such monies (which were but few) as he could lay hands
+on, betook themselves to the sea-shore and embarked on board a vessel;
+nor was it ever known whither they went.
+
+On the morrow, Maddalena being found murdered, there were some who, of
+the envy and hatred they bore to Ughetto, forthright gave notice
+thereof to the duke, whereupon the latter, who loved Maddalena
+exceedingly, ran furiously to the house and seizing Ughetto and his
+lady, who as yet knew nothing of the matter,--to wit, of the departure
+of Folco and Ninetta,--constrained them to confess themselves guilty,
+together with Folco, of his mistress's death. They, apprehending with
+reason death in consequence of this confession, with great pains
+corrupted those who had them in keeping, giving them a certain sum of
+money, which they kept hidden in their house against urgent
+occasions, and embarking with their guards, without having leisure to
+take any of their goods, fled by night to Rhodes, where they lived no
+great while after in poverty and distress. To such a pass, then, did
+Restagnone's mad love and Ninetta's rage bring themselves and others."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     GERBINO, AGAINST THE PLIGHTED FAITH OF HIS GRANDFATHER, KING
+     GUGLIELMO OF SICILY, ATTACKETH A SHIP OF THE KING OF TUNIS,
+     TO CARRY OFF A DAUGHTER OF HIS, WHO BEING PUT TO DEATH OF
+     THOSE ON BOARD, HE SLAYETH THESE LATTER AND IS AFTER HIMSELF
+     BEHEADED
+
+
+Lauretta, having made an end of her story, was silent, whilst the
+company bewailed the illhap of the lovers, some blaming Ninetta's
+anger and one saying one thing and another another, till presently the
+king, raising his head, as if aroused from deep thought, signed to
+Elisa to follow on; whereupon she began modestly, "Charming ladies,
+there are many who believe that Love launcheth his shafts only when
+enkindled of the eyes and make mock of those who hold that one may
+fall in love by hearsay; but that these are mistaken will very
+manifestly appear in a story that I purpose to relate, wherein you
+will see that report not only wrought this, without the lovers having
+ever set eyes on each other, but it will be made manifest to you that
+it brought both the one and the other to a miserable death.
+
+Guglielmo, the Second, King of Sicily, had (as the Sicilians pretend)
+two children, a son called Ruggieri and a daughter called Costanza.
+The former, dying before his father, left a son named Gerbino, who was
+diligently reared by his grandfather and became a very goodly youth
+and a renowned for prowess and courtesy. Nor did his fame abide
+confined within the limits of Sicily, but, resounding in various parts
+of the world, was nowhere more glorious than in Barbary, which in
+those days was tributary to the King of Sicily. Amongst the rest to
+whose ears came the magnificent fame of Gerbino's valour and courtesy
+was a daughter of the King of Tunis, who, according to the report of
+all who had seen her, was one of the fairest creatures ever fashioned
+by nature and the best bred and of a noble and great soul. She,
+delighting to hear tell of men of valour, with such goodwill received
+the tales recounted by one and another of the deeds valiantly done of
+Gerbino and they so pleased her that, picturing to herself the
+prince's fashion, she became ardently enamoured of him and discoursed
+more willingly of him than of any other and hearkened to whoso spoke
+of him.
+
+On the other hand, the great renown of her beauty and worth had won to
+Sicily, as elsewhither, and not without great delight nor in vain had
+it reached the ears of Gerbino; nay, it had inflamed him with love of
+her, no less than that which she herself had conceived for him.
+Wherefore, desiring beyond measure to see her, against he should find
+a colourable occasion of having his grandfather's leave to go to
+Tunis, he charged his every friend who went thither to make known to
+her, as best he might, his secret and great love and bring him news of
+her. This was very dexterously done by one of them, who, under
+pretence of carrying her women's trinkets to view, as do merchants,
+throughly discovered Gerbino's passion to her and avouched the prince
+and all that was his to be at her commandment. The princess received
+the messenger and the message with a glad flavour and answering that
+she burnt with like love for the prince, sent him one of her most
+precious jewels in token thereof. This Gerbino received with the
+utmost joy wherewith one can receive whatsoever precious thing and
+wrote to her once and again by the same messenger, sending her the
+most costly gifts and holding certain treaties[237] with her, whereby
+they should have seen and touched one another, had fortune but allowed
+it.
+
+[Footnote 237: Or, in modern parlance, "laying certain plans."]
+
+But, things going thus and somewhat farther than was expedient, the
+young lady on the one hand and Gerbino on the other burning with
+desire, it befell that the King of Tunis gave her in marriage to the
+King of Granada, whereat she was beyond measure chagrined, bethinking
+herself that not only should she be separated from her lover by long
+distance, but was like to be altogether parted from him; and had she
+seen a means thereto, she would gladly, so this might not betide, have
+fled from her father and betaken herself to Gerbino. Gerbino, in like
+manner, hearing of this marriage, was beyond measure sorrowful
+therefor and often bethought himself to take her by force, if it
+should chance that she went to her husband by sea. The King of Tunis,
+getting some inkling of Gerbino's love and purpose and fearing his
+valour and prowess, sent to King Guglielmo, whenas the time came for
+despatching her to Granada, advising him of that which he was minded
+to do and that, having assurance from him that he should not be
+hindered therein by Gerbino or others, he purposed to do it. The King
+of Sicily, who was an old man and had heard nothing of Gerbino's
+passion and consequently suspected not that it was for this that such
+an assurance was demanded, freely granted it and in token thereof,
+sent the King of Tunis a glove of his. The latter, having gotten the
+desired assurance, caused equip a very great and goodly ship in the
+port of Carthage and furnish it with what was needful for those who
+were to sail therein and having fitted and adorned it for the sending
+of his daughter into Granada, awaited nought but weather.
+
+The young lady, who saw and knew all this, despatched one of her
+servants secretly to Palermo, bidding him salute the gallant Gerbino
+on her part and tell him that she was to sail in a few days for
+Granada, wherefore it would now appear if he were as valiant a man as
+was said and if he loved her as much as he had sundry times declared
+to her. Her messenger did his errand excellent well and returned to
+Tunis, whilst Gerbino, hearing this and knowing that his grandfather
+had given the King of Tunis assurance, knew not what to do. However,
+urged by love and that he might not appear a craven, he betook himself
+to Messina, where he hastily armed two light galleys and manning them
+with men of approved valour, set sail with them for the coast of
+Sardinia, looking for the lady's ship to pass there. Nor was he far
+out in his reckoning, for he had been there but a few days when the
+ship hove in sight with a light wind not far from the place where he
+lay expecting it.
+
+Gerbino, seeing this, said to his companions, 'Gentlemen, an you be
+the men of mettle I take you for, methinketh there is none of you but
+hath either felt or feeleth love, without which, as I take it, no
+mortal can have aught of valour or worth in himself; and if you have
+been or are enamoured, it will be an easy thing to you to understand
+my desire. I love and love hath moved me to give you this present
+pains; and she whom I love is in the ship which you see becalmed
+yonder and which, beside that thing which I most desire, is full of
+very great riches. These latter, an ye be men of valour, we may with
+little difficulty acquire, fighting manfully; of which victory I
+desire nothing to my share save one sole lady, for whose love I have
+taken up arms; everything else shall freely be yours. Come, then, and
+let us right boldly assail the ship; God is favourable to our emprise
+and holdeth it here fast, without vouchsafing it a breeze.'
+
+The gallant Gerbino had no need of many words, for that the Messinese,
+who were with him being eager for plunder, were already disposed to do
+that unto which he exhorted them. Wherefore, making a great outcry, at
+the end of his speech, that it should be so, they sounded the trumpets
+and catching up their arms, thrust the oars into the water and made
+for the Tunis ship. They who were aboard this latter, seeing the
+galleys coming afar off and being unable to flee,[238] made ready for
+defence. The gallant Gerbino accosting the ship, let command that the
+masters thereof should be sent on board the galleys, an they had no
+mind to fight; but the Saracens, having certified themselves who they
+were and what they sought, declared themselves attacked of them
+against the faith plighted them by King Guglielmo; in token whereof
+they showed the latter's glove, and altogether refused to surrender
+themselves, save for stress of battle, or to give them aught that was
+in the ship.
+
+[Footnote 238: _i.e._ for lack of wind.]
+
+Gerbino, who saw the lady upon the poop, far fairer than he had
+pictured her to himself, and was more inflamed than ever, replied to
+the showing of the glove that there were no falcons there at that
+present and consequently there needed no gloves; wherefore, an they
+chose not to give up the lady, they must prepare to receive battle.
+Accordingly, without further parley, they fell to casting shafts and
+stones at one another, and on this wise they fought a great while,
+with loss on either side. At last, Gerbino, seeing that he did little
+to the purpose, took a little vessel he had brought with him out of
+Sardinia and setting fire therein, thrust it with both the galleys
+aboard the ship. The Saracens, seeing this and knowing that they must
+of necessity surrender or die, fetched the king's daughter, who wept
+below, on deck and brought her to the ship's prow; then, calling
+Gerbino, they butchered her before his eyes, what while she called for
+mercy and succour, and cast her into the sea, saying, 'Take her; we
+give her to thee, such as we may and such as thine unfaith hath
+merited.'
+
+Gerbino, seeing their barbarous deed, caused lay himself alongside the
+ship and recking not of shaft or stone, boarded it, as if courting
+death, in spite of those who were therein; then,--even as a hungry
+lion, coming among a herd of oxen, slaughtereth now this, now that,
+and with teeth and claws sateth rather his fury than his
+hunger,--sword in hand, hewing now at one, now at another, he cruelly
+slew many of the Saracens; after which, the fire now waxing in the
+enkindled ship, he caused the sailors fetch thereout what they might,
+in payment of their pains, and descended thence, having gotten but a
+sorry victory over his adversaries. Then, letting take up the fair
+lady's body from the sea, long and with many tears he bewept it and
+steering 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 thereof, they had
+not yet married. Now these brothers had in one of their warehouses a
+youth of Pisa, called Lorenzo, who did and ordered all their affairs
+and was very comely and agreeable of person; wherefore, Lisabetta
+looking sundry times upon him, it befell that he began strangely to
+please her; of which Lorenzo taking note at one time and another, he
+in like manner, leaving his other loves, began to turn his thoughts to
+her; and so went the affair, that, each being alike pleasing to the
+other, it was no great while before, taking assurance, they did that
+which each of them most desired.
+
+Continuing on this wise and enjoying great pleasure and delight one of
+the other, they knew not how to do so secretly but that, one night,
+Lisabetta, going whereas Lorenzo lay, was, unknown to herself, seen of
+the eldest of her brothers, who, being a prudent youth, for all the
+annoy it gave him to know this thing, being yet moved by more
+honourable counsel, abode without sign or word till the morning,
+revolving in himself various things anent the matter. The day being
+come, he recounted to his brothers that which he had seen the past
+night of Lisabetta and Lorenzo, and after long advisement with them,
+determined (so that neither to them nor to their sister should any
+reproach ensue thereof) to pass the thing over in silence and feign to
+have seen and known nothing thereof till such time as, without hurt or
+unease to themselves, they might avail to do away this shame from
+their sight, ere it should go farther. In this mind abiding and
+devising and laughing with Lorenzo as was their wont, it befell that
+one day, feigning to go forth the city, all three, a-pleasuring, they
+carried him with them to a very lonely and remote place; and there,
+the occasion offering, they slew him, whilst he was off his guard, and
+buried him on such wise that none had knowledge of it; then, returning
+to Messina, they gave out that they had despatched him somewhither for
+their occasions, the which was the lightlier credited that they were
+often used to send him abroad about their business.
+
+Lorenzo returning not and Lisabetta often and instantly questioning
+her brothers of him, as one to whom the long delay was grievous, it
+befell one day, as she very urgently enquired of him, that one of them
+said to her, 'What meaneth this? What hast thou to do often of him? An
+thou question of him with Lorenzo, that thou askest thus more, we
+will make thee such answer as thou deservest.' Wherefore the girl, sad
+and grieving and fearful she knew not of what, abode without more
+asking; yet many a time anights she piteously called him and prayed
+him come to her, and whiles with many tears she complained of his long
+tarrying; and thus, without a moment's gladness, she abode expecting
+him alway, till one night, having sore lamented Lorenzo for that he
+returned not and being at last fallen asleep, weeping, he appeared to
+her in a dream, pale and all disordered, with clothes all rent and
+mouldered, and herseemed he bespoke her thus: 'Harkye, Lisabetta; thou
+dost nought but call upon me, grieving for my long delay and cruelly
+impeaching me with thy tears. Know, therefore, that I may never more
+return to thee, for that, the last day thou sawest me, thy brothers
+slew me.' Then, having discovered to her the place where they had
+buried him, he charged her no more call him nor expect him and
+disappeared; whereupon she awoke and giving faith to the vision, wept
+bitterly.
+
+In the morning, being risen and daring not say aught to her brothers,
+she determined to go to the place appointed and see if the thing were
+true, as it had appeared to her in the dream. Accordingly, having
+leave to go somedele without the city for her disport, she betook
+herself thither,[241] as quickliest she might, in company of one who
+had been with them[242] otherwhiles and knew all her affairs; and
+there, clearing away the dead leaves from the place, she dug whereas
+herseemed the earth was less hard. She had not dug long before she
+found the body of her unhappy lover, yet nothing changed nor rotted,
+and thence knew manifestly that her vision was true, wherefore she was
+the most distressful of women; yet, knowing that this was no place for
+lament, she would fain, an she but might, have borne away the whole
+body, to give it fitter burial; but, seeing that this might not be,
+she with a knife did off[243] the head from the body, as best she
+could, and wrapping it in a napkin, laid it in her maid's lap. Then,
+casting back the earth over the trunk, she departed thence, without
+being seen of any, and returned home, where, shutting herself in her
+chamber with her lover's head, she bewept it long and bitterly,
+insomuch that she bathed it all with her tears, and kissed it a
+thousand times in every part. Then, taking a great and goodly pot, of
+those wherein they plant marjoram or sweet basil, she set the head
+therein, folded in a fair linen cloth, and covered it with earth, in
+which she planted sundry heads of right fair basil of Salerno; nor did
+she ever water these with other water than that of her tears or rose
+or orange-flower water. Moreover she took wont to sit still near the
+pot and to gaze amorously upon it with all her desire, as upon that
+which held her Lorenzo hid; and after she had a great while looked
+thereon, she would bend over it and fall to weeping so sore and so
+long that her tears bathed all the basil, which, by dint of long and
+assiduous tending, as well as by reason of the fatness of the earth,
+proceeding from the rotting head that was therein, waxed passing fair
+and very sweet of savour.
+
+[Footnote 241: _i.e._ to the place shown her in the dream.]
+
+[Footnote 242: _i.e._ in their service.]
+
+[Footnote 243: Lit. unhung (_spiccň_).]
+
+The damsel, doing without cease after this wise, was sundry times seen
+of her neighbours, who to her brothers, marvelling at her waste beauty
+and that her eyes seemed to have fled forth her head [for weeping],
+related this, saying, 'We have noted that she doth every day after
+such a fashion.' The brothers, hearing and seeing this and having once
+and again reproved her therefor, but without avail, let secretly carry
+away from her the pot, which she, missing, with the utmost instance
+many a time required, and for that it was not restored to her, stinted
+not to weep and lament till she fell sick; nor in her sickness did she
+ask aught other than the pot of basil. The young men marvelled greatly
+at this continual asking and bethought them therefor to see what was
+in this pot. Accordingly, turning out the earth, they found the cloth
+and therein the head, not yet so rotted but they might know it, by the
+curled hair, to be that of Lorenzo. At this they were mightily amazed
+and feared lest the thing should get wind; wherefore, burying the
+head, without word said, they privily departed Messina, having taken
+order how they should withdraw thence, and betook themselves to
+Naples. The damsel, ceasing never from lamenting and still demanding
+her pot, died, weeping; and so her ill-fortuned love had end. But,
+after a while the thing being grown manifest unto many, there was one
+who made thereon the song that is yet sung, to wit:
+
+     Alack! ah, who can the ill Christian be,
+       That stole my pot away?" etc.[244]
+
+[Footnote 244: The following is a translation of the whole of the song
+in question, as printed, from a MS. in the Medicean Library, in
+Fanfani's edition of the Decameron.
+
+Alack! ah, who can the ill Christian be,
+  That stole my pot away,
+My pot of basil of Salern, from me?
+  'Twas thriv'n with many a spray
+And I with mine own hand did plant the tree,
+  Even on the festal[A] day.
+'Tis felony to waste another's ware.
+
+'Tis felony to waste another's ware;
+  Yea, and right grievous sin.
+And I, poor lass, that sowed myself whilere
+  A pot with flowers therein,
+Slept in its shade, so great it was and fair;
+  But folk, that envious bin,
+Stole it away even from my very door.
+
+'Twas stolen away even from my very door.
+  Full heavy was my cheer,
+(Ah, luckless maid, would I had died tofore!)
+  Who brought[B] it passing dear,
+Yet kept ill ward thereon one day of fear.
+  For him I loved so sore,
+I planted it with marjoram about.
+
+I planted it with marjoram about,
+  When May was blithe and new;
+Yea, thrice I watered it, week in, week out,
+  And watched how well it grew:
+But now, for sure, away from me 'tis ta'en.
+
+Ay, now, for sure, away from me 'tis ta'en;
+  I may 't no longer hide.
+Had I but known (alas, regret is vain!)
+  That which should me betide,
+Before my door on guard I would have lain
+  To sleep, my flowers beside.
+Yet might the Great God ease me at His will.
+
+Yea, God Most High might ease me, at His will,
+  If but it liked Him well,
+Of him who wrought me such unright and ill;
+  He into pangs of hell
+Cast me who stole my basil-pot, that still
+  Was full of such sweet smell,
+Its savour did all dole from me away.
+
+All dole its savour did from me away;
+  It was so redolent,
+When, with the risen sun, at early day
+  To water it I went,
+The folk would marvel all at it and say,
+  "Whence comes the sweetest scent?"
+And I for love of it shall surely die.
+
+Yea, I for love of it shall surely die,
+  For love and grief and pain.
+If one would tell me where it is, I'd buy
+  It willingly again.
+Fivescore gold crowns, that in my pouch have I,
+  I'd proffer him full fain,
+And eke a kiss, if so it liked the swain.]
+
+[Footnote A: Qućre--natal?--perhaps meaning her birthday (_lo giorno
+della festa_).]
+
+[Footnote B: Or "purchased" in the old sense of obtained, acquired
+(_accattai_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     ANDREVUOLA LOVETH GABRIOTTO AND RECOUNTETH TO HIM A DREAM
+     SHE HATH HAD, WHEREUPON HE TELLETH HER ONE OF HIS OWN AND
+     PRESENTLY DIETH SUDDENLY IN HER ARMS. WHAT WHILE SHE AND A
+     WAITING WOMAN OF HERS BEAR HIM TO HIS OWN HOUSE, THEY ARE
+     TAKEN BY THE OFFICERS OF JUSTICE AND CARRIED BEFORE THE
+     PROVOST, TO WHOM SHE DISCOVERETH HOW THE CASE STANDETH. THE
+     PROVOST WOULD FAIN FORCE HER, BUT SHE SUFFERETH IT NOT AND
+     HER FATHER, COMING TO HEAR OF THE MATTER, PROCURETH HER TO
+     BE SET AT LIBERTY, SHE BEING FOUND INNOCENT; WHEREUPON,
+     ALTOGETHER REFUSING TO ABIDE LONGER IN THE WORLD, SHE
+     BECOMETH A NUN
+
+
+Filomela's story was very welcome to the ladies, for that they had
+many a time heard sing this song, yet could never, for asking, learn
+the occasion of its making. But the king, having heard the end
+thereof, charged Pamfilo follow on the ordinance; whereupon quoth he,
+"The dream in the foregoing story giveth me occasion to recount one
+wherein is made mention of two dreams, which were of a thing to come,
+even as the former was of a thing [already] betided, and scarce were
+they finished telling by those who had dreamt them than the
+accomplishment followed of both. You must know, then, lovesome ladies,
+that it is an affection common to all alive to see various things in
+sleep, whereof,--albeit to the sleeper, what while he sleepeth, they
+all appear most true and he, awakened, accounteth some true, others
+probable and yet others out of all likelihood,--many are natheless
+found to be come to pass. By reason whereof many lend to every dream
+as much belief as they would to things they should see, waking, and
+for their proper dreams they sorrow or rejoice, according as by these
+they hope or fear. And contrariwise, there are those who believe none
+thereof, save after they find themselves fallen into the peril
+foreshown. Of these,[245] I approve neither the one nor other, for
+that dreams are neither always true nor always false. That they are
+not all true, each one of us must often enough have had occasion to
+know; and that they are not all false hath been already shown in
+Filomena her story, and I also purpose, as I said before, to show it
+in mine. Wherefore I am of opinion that, in the matter of living and
+doing virtuously, one should have no fear of any dream contrary
+thereto nor forego good intentions by reason thereof; as for perverse
+and wicked things, on the other hand, however favourable dreams may
+appear thereto and how much soever they may hearten him who seeth them
+with propitious auguries, none of them should be credited, whilst full
+faith should be accorded unto all that tend to the contrary.[246] But
+to come to the story.
+
+[Footnote 245: _i.e._ these two classes of folk.]
+
+[Footnote 246: _i.e._ to the encouragement of good and virtuous
+actions and purposes.]
+
+There was once in the city of Brescia a gentleman called Messer Negro
+da Ponte Carraro, who amongst sundry other children had a daughter
+named Andrevuola, young and unmarried and very fair. It chanced she
+fell in love with a neighbour of hers, Gabriotto by name, a man of
+mean condition, but full laudable fashions and comely and pleasant of
+his person, and by the means and with the aid of the serving-maid of
+the house, she so wrought that not only did Gabriotto know himself
+beloved of her, but was many and many a time brought, to the delight
+of both parties, into a goodly garden of her father's. And in order
+that no cause, other than death, should ever avail to sever those
+their delightsome loves, they became in secret husband and wife, and
+so stealthily continuing their foregatherings, it befell that the
+young lady, being one night asleep, dreamt that she was in her garden
+with Gabriotto and held him in her arms, to the exceeding pleasure of
+each; but, as they abode thus, herseemed she saw come forth of his
+body something dark and frightful, the form whereof she could not
+discern; the which took Gabriotto and tearing him in her despite with
+marvellous might from her embrace, made off with him underground, nor
+ever more might she avail to see either the one or the other.
+
+At this she fell into an inexpressible passion of grief, whereby she
+awoke, and albeit, awaking, she was rejoiced to find that it was not
+as she had dreamed, nevertheless fear entered into her by reason of
+the dream she had seen. Wherefore, Gabriotto presently desiring to
+visit her that next night, she studied as most she might to prevent
+his coming; however, seeing his desire and so he might not misdoubt
+him of otherwhat, she received him in the garden and having gathered
+great store of roses, white and red (for that it was the season), she
+went to sit with him at the foot of a very goodly and clear fountain
+that was there. After they had taken great and long delight together,
+Gabriotto asked her why she would have forbidden his coming that
+night; whereupon she told him, recounting to him the dream she had
+seen the foregoing night and the fear she had gotten therefrom.
+
+He, hearing this, laughed it to scorn and said that it was great folly
+to put any faith in dreams, for that they arose of excess of food or
+lack thereof and were daily seen to be all vain, adding, 'Were I
+minded to follow after dreams, I had not come hither, not so much on
+account of this of thine as of one I myself dreamt last night; which
+was that meseemed I was in a fair and delightsome wood, wherein I went
+hunting and had taken the fairest and loveliest hind was ever seen;
+for methought she was whiter than snow and was in brief space become
+so familiar with me that she never left me a moment. Moreover,
+meseemed I held her so dear that, so she might not depart from me, I
+had put a collar of gold about her neck and held her in hand with a
+golden chain. After this medreamed that, once upon a time, what while
+this hind lay couched with its head in my bosom,[247] there issued I
+know not whence a greyhound bitch as black as coal, anhungred and
+passing gruesome of aspect, and made towards me. Methought I offered
+it no resistance, wherefore meseemed it thrust its muzzle into my
+breast on the left side and gnawed thereat till it won to my heart,
+which methought it tore from me, to carry it away. Therewith I felt
+such a pain that my sleep was broken and awaking, I straightway
+clapped my hand to my side, to see if I had aught there; but, finding
+nothing amiss with me, I made mock of myself for having sought. But,
+after all, what booteth this dream?[248] I have dreamed many such and
+far more frightful, nor hath aught in the world befallen me by reason
+thereof; wherefore let it pass and let us think to give ourselves a
+good time.'
+
+[Footnote 247: Or "lap" (_seno_).]
+
+[Footnote 248: Lit. what meaneth this? (_che vuol dire questo?_)]
+
+The young lady, already sore adread for her own dream, hearing this,
+waxed yet more so, but hid her fear, as most she might, not to be the
+occasion of any unease to Gabriotto. Nevertheless, what while she
+solaced herself with him, clipping and kissing him again and again and
+being of him clipped and kissed, she many a time eyed him in the face
+more than of her wont, misdoubting she knew not what, and whiles she
+looked about the garden, and she should see aught of black come
+anywhence. Presently, as they abode thus, Gabriotto heaved a great
+sigh and embracing her said, 'Alas, my soul, help me, for I die!' So
+saying, he fell to the ground upon the grass of the lawn. The young
+lady, seeing this, drew him up into her lap and said, well nigh
+weeping, 'Alack, sweet my lord, what aileth thee?' He answered not,
+but, panting sore and sweating all over, no great while after departed
+this life.
+
+How grievous, how dolorous was this to the young lady, who loved him
+more than her life, each one of you may conceive for herself. She
+bewept him sore and many a time called him in vain; but after she had
+handled him in every part of his body and found him cold in all,
+perceiving that he was altogether dead and knowing not what to do or
+to say, she went, all tearful as she was and full of anguish, to call
+her maid, who was privy to their loves, and discovered to her misery
+and her grief. Then, after they had awhile made woeful lamentation
+over Gabriotto's dead face, the young lady said to the maid, 'Since
+God hath bereft me of him I love, I purpose to abide no longer on
+life; but, ere I go about to slay myself, I would fain take fitting
+means to preserve my honour and the secret of the love that hath been
+between us twain and that the body, wherefrom the gracious spirit is
+departed, may be buried.'
+
+'Daughter mine,' answered the maid, 'talk not of seeking to slay
+thyself, for that, if thou have lost him in this world, by slaying
+thyself thou wouldst lose him in the world to come also, since thou
+wouldst go to hell, whither I am assured his soul hath not gone; for
+he was a virtuous youth. It were better far to comfort thyself and
+think of succouring his soul with prayers and other good works, so
+haply he have need thereof for any sin committed. The means of burying
+him are here at hand in this garden and none will ever know of the
+matter, for none knoweth that he ever came hither. Or, an thou wilt
+not have it so, let us put him forth of the garden and leave him be;
+he will be found to-morrow morning and carried to his house, where his
+kinsfolk will have him buried.' The young lady, albeit she was full of
+bitter sorrow and wept without ceasing, yet gave ear to her maid's
+counsels and consenting not to the first part thereof, made answer to
+the second, saying, 'God forbid that I should suffer so dear a youth
+and one so beloved of me and my husband to be buried after the fashion
+of a dog or left to lie in the street! He hath had my tears and
+inasmuch as I may, he shall have those of his kinsfolk, and I have
+already bethought me of that which we have to do to that end.'
+
+Therewith she despatched her maid for a piece of cloth of silk, which
+she had in a coffer of hers, and spreading it on the earth, laid
+Gabriotto's body thereon, with his head upon a pillow. Then with many
+tears she closed his eyes and mouth and weaving him a chaplet of
+roses, covered him with all they had gathered, he and she; after which
+she said to the maid, 'It is but a little way hence to his house;
+wherefore we will carry him thither, thou and I, even as we have
+arrayed him, and lay him before the door. It will not be long ere it
+be day and he will be taken up; and although this may be no
+consolation to his friends, yet to me, in whose arms he died, it will
+be a pleasure.' So saying, once more with most abundant tears she cast
+herself upon his face and wept a great while. Then, being urged by her
+maid to despatch, for that the day was at hand, she rose to her feet
+and drawing from her finger the ring wherewith Gabriotto had espoused
+her, she set it on his and said, weeping, 'Dear my lord, if thy soul
+now seeth my tears or if any sense or cognizance abide in the body,
+after the departure thereof, benignly receive her last gift, whom,
+living, thou lovedst so well.' This said, she fell down upon him in a
+swoon, but, presently coming to herself and rising, she took up,
+together with her maid, the cloth whereon the body lay and going forth
+the garden therewith, made for his house.
+
+As they went, they were discovered and taken with the dead body by
+the officers of the provostry, who chanced to be abroad at that hour
+about some other matter. Andrevuola, more desirous of death than of
+life, recognizing the officers, said frankly, 'I know who you are and
+that it would avail me nothing to seek to flee; I am ready to go with
+you before the Seignory and there declare how the case standeth; but
+let none of you dare to touch me, provided I am obedient to you, or to
+remove aught from this body, an he would not be accused of me.'
+Accordingly, without being touched of any, she repaired, with
+Gabriotto's body, to the palace, where the Provost, hearing what was
+to do, arose and sending for her into his chamber, proceeded to
+enquire of this that had happened. To this end he caused divers
+physicians look if the dead man had been done to death with poison or
+otherwise, who all affirmed that it was not so, but that some
+imposthume had burst near the heart, the which had suffocated him. The
+magistrate hearing this and feeling her to be guilty in [but] a small
+matter, studied to make a show of giving her that which he could not
+sell her and told her that, an she would consent to his pleasures, he
+would release her; but, these words availing not, he offered, out of
+all seemliness, to use force. However, Andrevuola, fired with disdain
+and waxed strong [for indignation], defended herself manfully,
+rebutting him with proud and scornful words.
+
+Meanwhile, broad day come and these things being recounted to Messer
+Negro, he betook himself, sorrowful unto death, to the palace, in
+company with many of his friends, and being there acquainted by the
+Provost with the whole matter, demanded resentfully[249] that his
+daughter should be restored to him. The Provost, choosing rather to
+accuse himself of the violence he would have done her than to be
+accused of her, first extolled the damsel and her constancy and in
+proof thereof, proceeded to tell that which he had done; by reason
+whereof, seeing her of so excellent a firmness, he had vowed her an
+exceeding love and would gladly, an it were agreeable to him, who was
+her father, and to herself, espouse her for his lady, notwithstanding
+she had had a husband of mean condition. Whilst they yet talked,
+Andrevuola presented herself and weeping, cast herself before her
+father and said, 'Father mine, methinketh there is no need that I
+recount to you the story of my boldness and my illhap, for I am
+assured that you have heard and know it; wherefore, as most I may, I
+humbly ask pardon of you for my default, to wit, the having without
+your knowledge taken him who most pleased me to husband. And this boon
+I ask of you, not for that my life may be spared me, but to die your
+daughter and not your enemy.' So saying, she fell weeping at his feet.
+
+[Footnote 249: Lit. complaining, making complaint (_dolendosi_).]
+
+Messer Negro, who was an old man and kindly and affectionate of his
+nature, hearing these words, began to weep and with tears in his eyes
+raised his daughter tenderly to her feet and said, 'Daughter mine, it
+had better pleased me that thou shouldst have had such a husband as,
+according to my thinking, behoved unto thee; and that thou shouldst
+have taken such an one as was pleasing unto thee had also been
+pleasing to me; but that thou shouldst have concealed him, of thy
+little confidence in me, grieveth me, and so much the more as I see
+thee to have lost him, ere I knew it. However, since the case is so,
+that which had he lived, I had gladly done him, to content thee, to
+wit, honour, as to my son-in-law, be it done him, now he is dead.'
+Then, turning to his sons and his kinsfolk, he commanded that great
+and honourable obsequies should be prepared for Gabriotto.
+
+Meanwhile, the kinsmen and kinswomen of the young man, hearing the
+news, had flocked thither, and with them well nigh all the men and
+women in the city. Therewith, the body, being laid out amiddleward the
+courtyard upon Andrevuola's silken cloth and strewn, with all her
+roses, was there not only bewept by her and his kinsfolk, but publicly
+mourned by well nigh all the ladies of the city and by many men, and
+being brought forth of the courtyard of the Seignory, not as that of a
+plebeian, but as that of a nobleman, it was with the utmost honour
+borne to the sepulchre upon the shoulders of the most noble citizens.
+Some days thereafterward, the Provost ensuing that which he had
+demanded, Messer Negro propounded it to his daughter, who would hear
+nought thereof, but, her father being willing to comply with her in
+this, she and her maid made themselves nuns in a convent very famous
+for sanctity and there lived honourably a great while after."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     SIMONA LOVETH PASQUINO AND THEY BEING TOGETHER IN A GARDEN,
+     THE LATTER RUBBETH A LEAF OF SAGE AGAINST HIS TEETH AND
+     DIETH. SHE, BEING TAKEN AND THINKING TO SHOW THE JUDGE HOW
+     HER LOVER DIED, RUBBETH ONE OF THE SAME LEAVES AGAINST HER
+     TEETH AND DIETH ON LIKE WISE
+
+
+Pamfilo having delivered himself of his story, the king, showing no
+compassion for Andrevuola, looked at Emilia and signed to her that it
+was his pleasure she should with a story follow on those who had
+already told; whereupon she, without delay, began as follows: "Dear
+companions, the story told by Pamfilo putteth me in mind to tell you
+one in nothing like unto his save that like as Andrevuola lost her
+beloved in a garden, even so did she of whom I have to tell, and being
+taken in like manner as was Andrevuola, freed herself from the court,
+not by dint of fortitude nor constancy, but by an unlooked-for death.
+And as hath otherwhile been said amongst us, albeit Love liefer
+inhabiteth the houses of the great, yet not therefor doth he decline
+the empery of those of the poor; nay, whiles in these latter he so
+manifesteth his power that he maketh himself feared, as a most
+puissant seignior, of the richer sort. This, if not in all, yet in
+great part, will appear from my story, with which it pleaseth me to
+re-enter our own city, wherefrom this day, discoursing diversely of
+divers things and ranging over various parts of the world, we have so
+far departed.
+
+There was, then, no great while ago, in Florence a damsel very
+handsome and agreeable, according to her condition, who was the
+daughter of a poor father and was called Simona; and although it
+behoved her with her own hands earn the bread she would eat and
+sustain her life by spinning wool, she was not therefor of so poor a
+spirit but that she dared to admit into her heart Love, which,--by
+means of the pleasing words and fashions of a youth of no greater
+account than herself, who went giving wool to spin for a master of
+his, a wool-monger,--had long made a show of wishing to enter there.
+Having, then, received Him into her bosom with the pleasing aspect of
+the youth who loved her whose name was Pasquino, she heaved a thousand
+sighs, hotter than fire, at every hank of yarn she wound about the
+spindle, bethinking her of him who had given it her to spin and
+ardently desiring, but venturing not to do more. He, on his side,
+grown exceeding anxious that his master's wool should be well spun,
+overlooked Simona's spinning more diligently than that of any other,
+as if the yarn spun by her alone and none other were to furnish forth
+the whole cloth; wherefore, the one soliciting and the other
+delighting to be solicited, it befell that, he growing bolder than of
+his wont and she laying aside much of the timidity and shamefastness
+she was used to feel, they gave themselves up with a common accord to
+mutual pleasures, which were so pleasing to both that not only did
+neither wait to be bidden thereto of the other, but each forewent
+other in the matter of invitation.
+
+Ensuing this their delight from day to day and waxing ever more
+enkindled for continuance, it chanced one day that Pasquino told
+Simona he would fain have her find means to come to a garden, whither
+he wished to carry her so they might there foregather more at their
+ease and with less suspect. Simona answered that she would well and
+accordingly on Sunday, after eating, giving her father to believe that
+she meant to go a-pardoning to San Gallo,[250] she betook herself,
+with a friend of hers, called Lagina, to the garden appointed her of
+Pasquino. There she found him with a comrade of his, whose name was
+Puccino, but who was commonly called Stramba,[251] and an amorous
+acquaintance being quickly clapped up between the latter and Lagina,
+Simona and her lover withdrew to one part of the garden, to do their
+pleasure, leaving Stramba and Lagina in another.
+
+[Footnote 250: _i.e._ to attend the ecclesiastical function called a
+Pardon, with which word, used in this sense, Meyerbeer's opera of
+Dinorah (properly Le Pardon de Ploërmel) has familiarized opera-goers.
+A Pardon is a sort of minor jubilee of the Roman Catholic Church, held
+in honour of some local saint, at which certain indulgences and
+remissions of sins (hence the name) are granted to the faithful
+attending the services of the occasion.]
+
+[Footnote 251: _i.e._ Bandy-legs.]
+
+Now in that part of the garden, whither Pasquino and Simona had
+betaken themselves, was a very great and goodly bush of sage, at the
+foot whereof they sat down and solaced themselves together a great
+while, holding much discourse of a collation they purposed to make
+there at their leisure. Presently, Pasquino turned to the great
+sage-bush and plucking a leaf thereof, began to rub his teeth and gums
+withal, avouching that sage cleaned them excellent well of aught that
+might be left thereon after eating. After he had thus rubbed them
+awhile, he returned to the subject of the collation, of which he had
+already spoken, nor had he long pursued his discourse when he began
+altogether to change countenance and well nigh immediately after lost
+sight and speech, and in a little while he died. Simona, seeing this,
+fell to weeping and crying out and called Stramba and Lagina, who ran
+thither in haste and seeing Pasquino not only dead, but already grown
+all swollen and full of dark spots about his face and body, Stramba
+cried out of a sudden, 'Ah, wicked woman! Thou hast poisoned him.'
+Making a great outcry, he was heard of many who dwelt near the garden
+and who, running to the clamour, found Pasquino dead and swollen.
+
+Hearing Stramba lamenting and accusing Simona of having poisoned him
+of her malice, whilst she, for dolour of the sudden mishap that had
+carried off her lover, knew not how to excuse herself, being as it
+were beside herself, they all concluded that it was as he said; and
+accordingly she was taken and carried off, still weeping sore, to the
+Provost's palace, where, at the instance of Stramba and other two
+comrades of Pasquino, by name Atticciato and Malagevole, who had come
+up meanwhile, a judge addressed himself without delay to examine her
+of the fact and being unable to discover that she had done malice in
+the matter or was anywise guilty, he bethought himself, in her
+presence, to view the dead body and the place and manner of the
+mishap, as recounted to him by her, for that he apprehended it not
+very well by her words.
+
+Accordingly, he let bring her, without any stir, whereas Pasquino's
+body lay yet, swollen as it were a tun, and himself following her
+thither, marvelled at the dead man and asked her how it had been;
+whereupon, going up to the sage-bush, she recounted to him all the
+foregoing story and to give him more fully to understand how the thing
+had befallen, she did even as Pasquino had done and rubbed one of the
+sage-leaves against her teeth. Then,--whilst her words were, in the
+judge's presence, flouted by Stramba and Atticciato and the other
+friends and comrades of Pasquino as frivolous and vain and they all
+denounced her wickedness with the more instance, demanding nothing
+less than that the fire should be the punishment of such
+perversity,--the wretched girl, who abode all confounded for dolour of
+her lost lover and fear of the punishment demanded by Stramba fell,
+for having rubbed the sage against her teeth, into that same
+mischance, whereinto her lover had fallen [and dropped dead], to the
+no small wonderment of as many as were present. O happy souls, to whom
+it fell in one same day to terminate at once your fervent love and
+your mortal life! Happier yet, an ye went together to one same place!
+And most happy, if folk love in the other life and ye love there as
+you loved here below! But happiest beyond compare,--at least in our
+judgment who abide after her on life,--was Simona's soul, whose
+innocence fortune suffered not to fall under the testimony of Stramba
+and Atticciato and Malagevole, wool-carders belike or men of yet
+meaner condition, finding her a more honourable way, with a death like
+unto that of her lover, to deliver herself from their calumnies and to
+follow the soul, so dearly loved of her, of her Pasquino.
+
+The judge, in a manner astonied, as were likewise as many as were
+there, at this mischance and unknowing what to say, abode long silent;
+then, recollecting himself, he said, 'It seemeth this sage is
+poisonous, the which is not wont to happen of sage. But, so it may not
+avail to offend on this wise against any other, be it cut down even to
+the roots and cast into the fire.' This the keeper of the garden
+proceeded to do in the judge's presence, and no sooner had he levelled
+the great bush with the ground than the cause of the death of the two
+unfortunate lovers appeared; for thereunder was a toad of marvellous
+bigness, by whose pestiferous breath they concluded the sage to have
+become venomous. None daring approach the beast, they made a great
+hedge of brushwood about it and there burnt it, together with the
+sage. So ended the judge's inquest upon the death of the unfortunate
+Pasquino, who, together with his Simona, all swollen as they were, was
+buried by Stramba and Atticciato and Guccio Imbratta and Malagevole in
+the church of St. Paul, whereof it chanced they were parishioners."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     GIROLAMO LOVETH SALVESTRA AND BEING CONSTRAINED BY HIS
+     MOTHER'S PRAYERS TO GO TO PARIS, RETURNETH AND FINDETH HIS
+     MISTRESS MARRIED; WHEREUPON HE ENTERETH HER HOUSE BY STEALTH
+     AND DIETH BY HER SIDE; AND HE BEING CARRIED TO A CHURCH,
+     SALVESTRA DIETH BESIDE HIM
+
+
+Emilia's story come to an end, Neifile, by the king's commandment,
+began thus: "There are some, noble ladies, who believe themselves to
+know more than other folk, albeit, to my thinking, they know less, and
+who, by reason thereof, presume to oppose their judgment not only to
+the counsels of men, but even to set it up against the very nature of
+things; of which presumption very grave ills have befallen aforetime,
+nor ever was any good known to come thereof. And for that of all
+natural things love is that which least brooketh contrary counsel or
+opposition and whose nature is such that it may lightlier consume of
+itself than be done away by advisement, it hath come to my mind to
+narrate to you a story of a lady, who, seeking to be wiser than
+pertained unto her and than she was, nay, than the matter comported in
+which she studied to show her wit, thought to tear out from an
+enamoured heart a love which had belike been set there of the stars,
+and so doing, succeeded in expelling at once love and life from her
+son's body.
+
+There was, then, in our city, according to that which the ancients
+relate, a very great and rich merchant, whose name was Lionardo
+Sighieri and who had by his wife a son called Girolamo, after whose
+birth, having duly set his affairs in order, he departed this life.
+The guardians of the boy, together with his mother, well and loyally
+ordered his affairs, and he, growing up with his neighbour's children,
+became familiar with a girl of his own age, the daughter of the
+tailor, more than with any other of the quarter. As he waxed in age,
+use turned to love so great and so ardent that he was never easy save
+what time he saw her, and certes she loved him no less than she was
+loved of him. The boy's mother, observing this, many a time chid and
+rebuked him therefor and after, Girolamo availing not to desist
+therefrom, complained thereof to his guardians, saying to them, as if
+she thought, thanks to her son's great wealth, to make an orange-tree
+of a bramble, 'This boy of ours, albeit he is yet scarce fourteen
+years old, is so enamoured of the daughter of a tailor our neighbour,
+by name Salvestra, that, except we remove her from his sight, he will
+peradventure one day take her to wife, without any one's knowledge,
+and I shall never after be glad; or else he will pine away from her,
+if he see her married to another; wherefore meseemeth, to avoid this,
+you were best send him somewhither far from here, about the business
+of the warehouse; for that, he being removed from seeing her, she will
+pass out of his mind and we may after avail to give him some well-born
+damsel to wife.'
+
+The guardians answered that the lady said well and that they would do
+this to the best of their power; wherefore, calling the boy into the
+warehouse, one of them began very lovingly to bespeak him thus, 'My
+son, thou art now somewhat waxen in years and it were well that thou
+shouldst begin to look for thyself to thine affairs; wherefore it
+would much content us that thou shouldst go sojourn awhile at Paris,
+where thou wilt see how great part of thy wealth is employed, more by
+token that thou wilt there become far better bred and mannered and
+more of worth than thou couldst here, seeing the lords and barons and
+gentlemen who are there in plenty and learning their usances; after
+which thou mayst return hither.' The youth hearkened diligently and
+answered curtly that he was nowise disposed to do this, for that he
+believed himself able to fare as well at Florence as another. The
+worthy men, hearing this, essayed him again with sundry discourse,
+but, failing to get other answer of him, told his mother, who, sore
+provoked thereat, gave him a sound rating, not because of his
+unwillingness to go to Paris, but of his enamourment; after which, she
+fell to cajoling him with fair words, coaxing him and praying him
+softly be pleased to do what his guardians wished; brief, she
+contrived to bespeak him to such purpose that he consented to go to
+France and there abide a year and no more.
+
+Accordingly, ardently enamoured as he was, he betook himself to Paris
+and there, being still put off from one day to another, he was kept
+two years; at the end of which time, returning, more in love than
+ever, he found his Salvestra married to an honest youth, a tent maker.
+At this he was beyond measure woebegone; but, seeing no help for it,
+he studied to console himself therefor and having spied out where she
+dwelt, began, after the wont of young men in love, to pass before
+her, expecting she should no more have forgotten him than he her. But
+the case was otherwise; she had no more remembrance of him than if she
+had never seen him; or, if indeed she remembered aught of him, she
+feigned the contrary; and of this, in a very brief space of time,
+Girolamo became aware, to his no small chagrin. Nevertheless, he did
+all he might to bring himself to her mind; but, himseeming he wrought
+nothing, he resolved to speak with her, face to face, though he should
+die for it.
+
+Accordingly, having learned from a neighbour how her house stood, one
+evening that she and her husband were gone to keep wake with their
+neighbours, he entered therein by stealth and hiding himself behind
+certain tent cloths that were spread there, waited till, the twain
+having returned and gotten them to bed, he knew her husband to be
+asleep; whereupon he came whereas he had seen Salvestra lay herself
+and putting his hand upon her breast, said softly, 'Sleepest thou yet,
+O my soul?' The girl, who was awake, would have cried out; but he said
+hastily, 'For God's sake, cry not, for I am thy Girolamo.' She,
+hearing this, said, all trembling, 'Alack, for God's sake, Girolamo,
+get thee gone; the time is past when it was not forbidden unto our
+childishness to be lovers. I am, as thou seest, married and it
+beseemeth me no more to have regard to any man other than my husband;
+wherefore I beseech thee, by God the Only, to begone, for that, if my
+husband heard thee, even should no other harm ensue thereof, yet would
+it follow that I might never more avail to live with him in peace or
+quiet, whereas now I am beloved of him and abide with him in weal and
+in tranquility.'
+
+The youth, hearing these words, was grievously endoloured and recalled
+to her the time past and his love no whit grown less for absence,
+mingling many prayers and many great promises, but obtained nothing;
+wherefore, desiring to die, he prayed her at last that, in requital of
+so much love, she would suffer him couch by her side, so he might warm
+himself somewhat, for that he was grown chilled, awaiting her,
+promising her that he would neither say aught to her nor touch her and
+would get him gone, so soon as he should be a little warmed.
+Salvestra, having some little compassion of him, granted him this he
+asked, upon the conditions aforesaid, and he accordingly lay down
+beside her, without touching her. Then, collecting into one thought
+the long love he had borne her and her present cruelty and his lost
+hope, he resolved to live no longer; wherefore, straitening in himself
+his vital spirits,[252] he clenched his hands and died by her side,
+without word or motion.
+
+[Footnote 252: _Ristretti in sč gli spiriti._ An obscure passage;
+perhaps "holding his breath" is meant; but in this case we should read
+"_lo spirito_" instead of "_gli spiriti_."]
+
+After a while the young woman, marvelling at his continence and
+fearing lest her husband should awake, began to say, 'Alack, Girolamo,
+why dost thou not get thee gone?' Hearing no answer, she concluded
+that he had fallen asleep and putting out her hand to awaken him,
+found him cold to the touch as ice, whereat she marvelled sore; then,
+nudging him more sharply and finding that he stirred not, she felt him
+again and knew that he was dead; whereat she was beyond measure
+woebegone and abode a great while, unknowing what she should do. At
+last she bethought herself to try, in the person of another, what her
+husband should say was to do [in such a case]; wherefore, awakening
+him, she told him, as having happened to another, that which had
+presently betided herself and after asked him what counsel she should
+take thereof,[253] if it should happen to herself. The good man
+replied that himseemed the dead man should be quietly carried to his
+house and there left, without bearing any ill will thereof to the
+woman, who, it appeared to him, had nowise done amiss. Then said
+Salvestra, 'And so it behoveth us do'; and taking his hand, made him
+touch the dead youth; whereupon, all confounded, he arose, without
+entering into farther parley with his wife, and kindled a light; then,
+clothing the dead body in its own garments, he took it, without any
+delay, on his shoulders and carried it, his innocence aiding him, to
+the door of Girolamo's house, where he set it down and left it.
+
+[Footnote 253: _i.e._ what course she should take in the matter,
+_consiglio_ used as before (see notes, pp. 2 and 150) in this special
+sense.]
+
+When the day came and Girolamo was found dead before his own door,
+great was outcry, especially on the part of his mother, and the
+physicians having examined him and searched his body everywhere, but
+finding no wound nor bruise whatsoever on him, it was generally
+concluded that he had died of grief, as was indeed the case. Then was
+the body carried into a church and the sad mother, repairing thither
+with many other ladies, kinswomen and neighbours, began to weep
+without stint and make sore moan over him, according to our usance.
+What while the lamentation was at it highest, the good man, in whose
+house he had died, said to Salvestra, 'Harkye, put some mantlet or
+other on thy head and get thee to the church whither Girolamo hath
+been carried and mingle with the women and hearken to that which is
+discoursed of the matter; and I will do the like among the men, so we
+may hear if aught be said against us.' The thing pleased the girl, who
+was too late grown pitiful and would fain look upon him, dead, whom,
+living, she had not willed to pleasure with one poor kiss, and she
+went thither. A marvellous thing it is to think how uneath to search
+out are the ways of love! That heart, which Girolamo's fair fortune
+had not availed to open, his illhap opened and the old flames reviving
+all therein, whenas she saw the dead face it[254] melted of a sudden
+into such compassion that she pressed between the women, veiled as she
+was in the mantlet, and stayed not till she won to the body, and
+there, giving a terrible great shriek, she cast herself, face
+downward, on the dead youth, whom she bathed not with many tears, for
+that no sooner did she touch him than grief bereaved her of life, even
+as it had bereft him.
+
+[Footnote 254: _i.e._ her heart.]
+
+The women would have comforted her and bidden her arise, not yet
+knowing her; but after they had bespoken her awhile in vain, they
+sought to lift her and finding her motionless, raised her up and knew
+her at once for Salvestra and for dead; whereupon all who were there,
+overcome with double pity, set up a yet greater clamour of
+lamentation. The news soon spread abroad among the men without the
+church and came presently to the ears of her husband, who was amongst
+them and who, without lending ear to consolation or comfort from any,
+wept a great while; after which he recounted to many of those who were
+there the story of that which had befallen that night between the dead
+youth and his wife; and so was the cause of each one's death made
+everywhere manifest, the which was grievous unto all. Then, taking up
+the dead girl and decking her, as they use to deck the dead, they laid
+her beside Girolamo on the same bier and there long bewept her; after
+which the twain were buried in one same tomb, and so these, whom love
+had not availed to conjoin on life, death conjoined with an
+inseparable union."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     SIR GUILLAUME DE ROUSSILLON GIVETH HIS WIFE TO EAT THE HEART
+     OF SIR GUILLAUME DE GUARDESTAING BY HIM SLAIN AND LOVED OF
+     HER, WHICH SHE AFTER COMING TO KNOW, CASTETH HERSELF FROM A
+     HIGH CASEMENT TO THE GROUND AND DYING, IS BURIED WITH HER
+     LOVER
+
+
+Neifile having made an end of her story, which had awakened no little
+compassion in all the ladies her companions, the king, who purposed
+not to infringe Dioneo his privilege, there being none else to tell
+but they twain, began, "Gentle ladies, since you have such compassion
+upon ill-fortuned loves, it hath occurred to me to tell you a story
+whereof it will behove you have no less pity than of the last, for
+that those to whom that which I shall tell happened were persons of
+more account than those of whom it hath been spoken and yet more cruel
+was the mishap that befell them.
+
+You must know, then, that according to that which the Provençals
+relate, there were aforetime in Provence two noble knights, each of
+whom had castles and vassals under him, called the one Sir Guillaume
+de Roussillon and the other Sir Guillaume de Guardestaing, and for
+that they were both men of great prowess in arms, they loved each
+other with an exceeding love and were wont to go still together and
+clad in the same colours to every tournament or jousting or other act
+of arms. Although they abode each in his own castle and were distant,
+one from other, a good half score miles, yet it came to pass that, Sir
+Guillaume de Roussillon having a very fair and lovesome lady to wife,
+Sir Guillaume de Guardestaing, notwithstanding the friendship and
+fellowship that was between them, become beyond measure enamoured of
+her and so wrought, now with one means and now with another, that the
+lady became aware of his passion and knowing him for a very valiant
+knight, it pleased her and she began to return his love, insomuch that
+she desired and tendered nothing more than him nor awaited otherwhat
+than to be solicited of him; the which was not long in coming to pass
+and they foregathered once and again.
+
+Loving each other amain and conversing together less discreetly than
+behoved, it befell that the husband became aware of their familiarity
+and was mightily incensed thereat, insomuch that the great love he
+bore to Guardestaing was turned into mortal hatred; but this he knew
+better to keep hidden than the two lovers had known to conceal their
+love and was fully resolved in himself to kill him. Roussillon being
+in this mind, it befell that a great tourneying was proclaimed in
+France, the which he forthright signified to Guardestaing and sent to
+bid him come to him, an it pleased him, so they might take counsel
+together if and how they should go thither; whereto the other very
+joyously answered that he would without fail come to sup with him on
+the ensuing day. Roussillon, hearing this, thought the time come
+whenas he might avail to kill him and accordingly on the morrow he
+armed himself and mounting to horse with a servant of his, lay at
+ambush, maybe a mile from his castle, in a wood whereas Guardestaing
+must pass.
+
+There after he had awaited him a good while, he saw him come, unarmed
+and followed by two servants in like case, as one who apprehends
+nothing from him; and when he saw him come whereas he would have him,
+he rushed out upon him, lance in hand, full of rage and malice,
+crying, 'Traitor, thou art dead!' And to say thus and to plunge the
+lance into his breast were one and the same thing. Guardestaing,
+without being able to make any defence or even to say a word, fell
+from his horse, transfixed of the lance, and a little after died,
+whilst his servants, without waiting to learn who had done this,
+turned their horses' heads and fled as quickliest they might, towards
+their lord's castle. Roussillon dismounted and opening the dead man's
+breast with a knife, with his own hands tore out his heart, which he
+let wrap in the pennon of a lance and gave to one of his men to carry.
+Then, commanding that none should dare make words of the matter, he
+remounted, it being now night, and returned to his castle.
+
+The lady, who had heard that Guardestaing was to be there that evening
+to supper and looked for him with the utmost impatience, seeing him
+not come, marvelled sore and said to her husband, 'How is it, sir,
+that Guardestaing is not come?' 'Wife,' answered he, 'I have had
+[word] from him that he cannot be here till to-morrow'; whereat the
+lady abode somewhat troubled. Roussillon then dismounted and calling
+the cook, said to him, 'Take this wild boar's heart and look thou make
+a dainty dish thereof, the best and most delectable to eat that thou
+knowest, and when I am at table, send it to me in a silver porringer.'
+The cook accordingly took the heart and putting all his art thereto
+and all his diligence, minced it and seasoning it with store of rich
+spices, made of it a very dainty ragout.
+
+When it was time, Sir Guillaume sat down to table with his wife and
+the viands came; but he ate little, being hindered in thought for the
+ill deed he had committed. Presently the cook sent him the ragout,
+which he caused set before the lady, feigning himself disordered[255]
+that evening and commending the dish to her amain. The lady, who was
+nowise squeamish, tasted thereof and finding it good, ate it all;
+which when the knight saw, he said to her, 'Wife, how deem you of this
+dish?' 'In good sooth, my lord,' answered she, 'it liketh me
+exceedingly.' Whereupon, 'So God be mine aid,' quoth Roussillon; 'I do
+indeed believe it you, nor do I marvel if that please you, dead,
+which, alive, pleased you more than aught else.' The lady, hearing
+this, hesitated awhile, then said, 'How? What have you made me eat?'
+'This that you have eaten,' answered the knight, 'was in very truth
+the heart of Sir Guillaume de Guardestaing, whom you, disloyal wife as
+you are, so loved; and know for certain that it is his very heart, for
+that I tore it from his breast with these hands a little before my
+return.'
+
+[Footnote 255: Or surfeited (_svogliato_).]
+
+It needeth not to ask if the lady were woebegone, hearing this of him
+whom she loved more than aught else; and after awhile she said, 'You
+have done the deed of a disloyal and base knight, as you are; for, if
+I, unenforced of him, made him lord of my love and therein offended
+against you, not he, but I should have borne the penalty thereof. But
+God forfend that ever other victual should follow upon such noble meat
+the heart of so valiant and so courteous a gentleman as was Sir
+Guillaume de Guardestaing!' Then, rising to her feet, without any
+manner of hesitation, she let herself fall backward through a window
+which was behind her and which was exceeding high above the ground;
+wherefore, as she fell, she was not only killed, but well nigh broken
+in pieces.
+
+Sir Guillaume, seeing this, was sore dismayed and himseemed he had
+done ill; wherefore, being adread of the country people and of the
+Count of Provence, he let saddle his horses and made off. On the
+morrow it was known all over the country how the thing had passed;
+whereupon the two bodies were, with the utmost grief and lamentation,
+taken up by Guardestaing's people and those of the lady and laid in
+one same sepulchre in the chapel of the latter's own castle; and
+thereover were verses written, signifying who these were that were
+buried therewithin and the manner and occasion of their death."[256]
+
+[Footnote 256: This is the well-known story of the Troubadour Guillem
+de Cabestanh or Cabestaing, whose name Boccaccio alters to
+Guardastagno or Guardestaing.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     A PHYSICIAN'S WIFE PUTTETH HER LOVER FOR DEAD IN A CHEST,
+     WHICH TWO USURERS CARRY OFF TO THEIR OWN HOUSE, GALLANT AND
+     ALL. THE LATTER, WHO IS BUT DRUGGED, COMETH PRESENTLY TO
+     HIMSELF AND BEING DISCOVERED, IS TAKEN FOR A THIEF; BUT THE
+     LADY'S MAID AVOUCHETH TO THE SEIGNORY THAT SHE HERSELF HAD
+     PUT HIM INTO THE CHEST STOLEN BY THE TWO USURERS, WHEREBY HE
+     ESCAPETH THE GALLOWS AND THE THIEVES ARE AMERCED IN CERTAIN
+     MONIES
+
+
+Filostrato having made an end of his telling, it rested only with
+Dioneo to accomplish his task, who, knowing this and it being
+presently commanded him of the king, began as follows: 'The sorrows
+that have been this day related of ill fortuned loves have saddened
+not only your eyes and hearts, ladies, but mine also; wherefore I have
+ardently longed for an end to be made thereof. Now that, praised be
+God, they are finished (except I should choose to make an ill addition
+to such sorry ware, from which God keep me!), I will, without farther
+ensuing so dolorous a theme, begin with something blither and better,
+thereby perchance affording a good argument for that which is to be
+related on the ensuing day.
+
+You must know, then, fairest lasses, that there was in Salerno, no
+great while since, a very famous doctor in surgery, by name Master
+Mazzeo della Montagna, who, being already come to extreme old age,
+took to wife a fair and gentle damsel of his city and kept better
+furnished with sumptuous and rich apparel and jewels and all that can
+pleasure a lady than any woman of the place. True it is she went
+a-cold most of her time, being kept of her husband ill covered abed;
+for, like as Messer Ricardo di Chinzica (of whom we already told)
+taught his wife to observe saints' days and holidays, even so the
+doctor pretended to her that once lying with a woman necessitated I
+know not how many days' study to recruit the strength and the like
+toys; whereof she abode exceeding ill content and like a discreet and
+high-spirited woman as she was, bethought herself, so she might the
+better husband the household good, to betake herself to the highway
+and seek to spend others' gear. To this end, considering divers young
+men, at last she found one to her mind and on him she set all her
+hope; whereof he becoming aware and she pleasing him mightily, he in
+like manner turned all his love upon her.
+
+The spark in question was called Ruggieri da Jeroli, a man of noble
+birth, but of lewd life and blameworthy carriage, insomuch that he had
+left himself neither friend nor kinsman who wished him well or cared
+to see him and was defamed throughout all Salerno for thefts and other
+knaveries of the vilest; but of this the lady recked little, he
+pleasing her for otherwhat, and with the aid of a maid of hers, she
+wrought on such wise that they came together. After they had taken
+some delight, the lady proceeded to blame his past way of life and to
+pray him, for the love of her, to desist from these ill fashions; and
+to give him the means of doing this, she fell to succouring him, now
+with one sum of money and now with another. On this wise they abode
+together, using the utmost discretion, till it befell that a sick man
+was put into the doctor's hands, who had a gangrened leg, and Master
+Mazzeo, having examined the case, told the patient's kinsfolk that,
+except a decayed bone he had in his leg were taken out, needs must he
+have the whole limb cut off or die, and that, by taking out the bone,
+he might recover, but that he would not undertake him otherwise than
+for a dead man; to which those to whom the sick man pertained agreed
+and gave the latter into his hands for such. The doctor, judging that
+the patient might not brook the pain nor would suffer himself to be
+operated, without an opiate, and having appointed to set about the
+matter at evensong, let that morning distil a certain water of his
+composition, which being drunken by the sick man, should make him
+sleep so long as he deemed necessary for the performing of the
+operation upon him, and fetching it home, set it in his chamber,
+without telling any what it was.
+
+The hour of vespers come and the doctor being about to go to the
+patient in question, there came to him a messenger from certain very
+great friends of his at Malfi, charging him fail not for anything to
+repair thither incontinent, for that there had been a great fray
+there, in which many had been wounded. Master Mazzeo accordingly put
+off the tending of the leg until the ensuing morning and going aboard
+a boat, went off to Malfi, whereupon his wife, knowing that he would
+not return home that night, let fetch Ruggieri, as of her wont, and
+bringing him into her chamber, locked him therewithin, against certain
+other persons of the house should be gone to sleep. Ruggieri, then,
+abiding in the chamber, awaiting his mistress, and being,--whether for
+fatigue endured that day or salt meat that he had eaten or maybe for
+usance,--sore, athirst, caught sight of the flagon of water, which the
+doctor had prepared for the sick man and which stood in the window,
+and deeming it drinking water, set it to his mouth and drank it all
+off; nor was it long ere a great drowsiness took him and he fell
+asleep.
+
+The lady came to the chamber as first she might and finding Ruggieri
+asleep, nudged him and bade him in a low voice arise, but to no
+effect, for he replied not neither stirred anywhit; whereat she was
+somewhat vexed and nudged him more sharply, saying, 'Get up, slugabed!
+An thou hadst a mind to sleep, thou shouldst have betaken thee to
+thine own house and not come hither.' Ruggieri, being thus pushed,
+fell to the ground from a chest whereon he lay and gave no more sign
+of life than a dead body; whereupon the lady, now somewhat alarmed,
+began to seek to raise him up and to shake him more roughly, tweaking
+him by the nose and plucking him by the beard, but all in vain; he had
+tied his ass to a fast picket.[257] At this she began to fear lest he
+were dead; nevertheless she proceeded to pinch him sharply and burn
+his flesh with a lighted taper, but all to no purpose; wherefore,
+being no doctress, for all her husband was a physician, she doubted
+not but he was dead in very deed. Loving him over all else as she
+did, it needeth no asking if she were woebegone for this and daring
+not make any outcry, she silently fell a-weeping over him and
+bewailing so sore a mishap.
+
+[Footnote 257: A proverbial way of saying that he was fast asleep.]
+
+After awhile, fearing to add shame to her loss, she bethought herself
+that it behoved her without delay find a means of carrying the dead
+man forth of the house and knowing not how to contrive this, she
+softly called her maid and discovering to her her misadventure sought
+counsel of her. The maid marvelled exceedingly and herself pulled and
+pinched Ruggieri, but, finding him without sense or motion, agreed
+with her mistress that he was certainly dead and counselled her put
+him forth of the house. Quoth the lady, 'And where can we put him, so
+it may not be suspected, whenas he shall be seen to-morrow morning,
+that he hath been brought out hence?' 'Madam,' answered the maid, 'I
+saw, this evening at nightfall, over against the shop of our neighbour
+yonder the carpenter, a chest not overbig, the which, an the owner
+have not taken it in again, will come very apt for our affair; for
+that we can lay him therein, after giving him two or three slashes
+with a knife, and leave him be. I know no reason why whoso findeth him
+should suppose him to have been put there from this house rather than
+otherwhence; nay, it will liefer be believed, seeing he was a young
+man of lewd life, that he hath been slain by some enemy of his, whilst
+going about to do some mischief or other, and after clapped in the
+chest.'
+
+The maid's counsel pleased the lady, save that she would not hear of
+giving him any wound, saying that for naught in the world would her
+heart suffer her to do that. Accordingly she sent her to see if the
+chest were yet whereas she had noted it and she presently returned and
+said, 'Ay.' Then, being young and lusty, with the aid of her mistress,
+she took Ruggieri on her shoulders and carrying him out,--whilst the
+lady forewent her, to look if any came,--clapped him into the chest
+and shutting down the lid, left him there. Now it chanced that, a day
+or two before, two young men, who lent at usance, had taken up their
+abode in a house a little farther and lacking household gear, but
+having a mind to gain much and spend little, had that day espied the
+chest in question and had plotted together, if it should abide there
+the night, to carry it off to their own house. Accordingly, midnight
+come, they sallied forth and finding the chest still there, without
+looking farther, they hastily carried it off, for all it seemed to
+them somewhat heavy, to their own house, where they set it down beside
+a chamber in which their wives slept and there leaving it, without
+concerning themselves for the nonce to settle it overnicely, betook
+them to bed.
+
+Presently, the morning drawing near, Ruggieri, who had slept a great
+while, having by this time digested the sleeping draught and exhausted
+its effects, awoke and albeit his sleep was broken and his senses in
+some measure restored, there abode yet a dizziness in his brain, which
+held him stupefied, not that night only, but some days after. Opening
+his eyes and seeing nothing, he put out his hands hither and thither
+and finding himself in the chest, bethought himself and said, 'What is
+this? Where am I? Am I asleep or awake? Algates I mind me that I came
+this evening into my mistress's chamber and now meseemeth I am in a
+chest. What meaneth this? Can the physician have returned or other
+accident befallen, by reason whereof the lady hath hidden me here, I
+being asleep? Methinketh it must have been thus; assuredly it was so.'
+Accordingly, he addressed himself to abide quiet and hearken if he
+could hear aught and after he had abidden thus a great while, being
+somewhat ill at ease in the chest, which was small, and the side
+whereon he lay irking him, he would have turned over to the other and
+wrought so dexterously that, thrusting his loins against one of the
+sides of the chest, which had not been set on a level place, he caused
+it first to incline to one side and after topple over. In falling, it
+made a great noise, whereat the women who slept therenigh awoke and
+being affrighted, were silent for fear. Ruggieri was sore alarmed at
+the fall of the chest, but, finding that it had opened in the fall,
+chose rather, if aught else should betide, to be out of it than to
+abide therewithin. Accordingly, he came forth and what with knowing
+not where he was and what with one thing and another, he fell to
+groping about the house, so haply he should find a stair or a door,
+whereby he might get him gone.
+
+The women, hearing this, began to say, 'Who is there?' But Ruggieri,
+knowing not the voice, answered not; whereupon they proceeded to call
+the two young men, who, for that they had overwatched themselves,
+slept fast and heard nothing of all this. Thereupon the women, waxing
+more fearful, arose and betaking themselves to the windows, fell
+a-crying, 'Thieves! Thieves!' At this sundry of the neighbours ran up
+and made their way, some by the roof and some by one part and some by
+another, into the house; and the young men also, awaking for the
+noise, arose and seized Ruggieri, who finding himself there, was in a
+manner beside himself for wonderment and saw no way of escape. Then
+they gave him into the hands of the officers of the governor of the
+city, who had now run thither at the noise and carried him before
+their chief. The latter, for that he was held of all a very sorry
+fellow, straightway put him to the question and he confessed to having
+entered the usurers' house to steal; whereupon the governor thought to
+let string him up by the neck without delay.
+
+The news was all over Salerno by the morning that Ruggieri had been
+taken in the act of robbing the money-lenders' house, which the lady
+and her maid hearing, they were filled with such strange and exceeding
+wonderment that they were like to persuade themselves that they had
+not done, but had only dreamed of doing, that which they had done
+overnight; whilst the lady, to boot, was so concerned at the news of
+the danger wherein Ruggieri was that she was like to go mad. Soon
+after half tierce[258] the physician, having returned from Malfi and
+wishing to medicine his patient, called for his prepared water and
+finding the flagon empty, made a great outcry, saying that nothing
+could abide as it was in his house. The lady, who was troubled with
+another great chagrin, answered angrily, saying 'What wouldst thou
+say, doctor, of grave matter, whenas thou makest such an outcry anent
+a flagonlet of water overset? Is there no more water to be found in
+the world?' 'Wife,' rejoined the physician, 'thou thinkest this was
+common water; it was not so; nay, it was a water prepared to cause
+sleep'; and told her for what occasion he had made it. When she heard
+this, she understood forthright that Ruggieri had drunken the opiate
+and had therefore appeared to them dead and said to her husband,
+'Doctor, we knew it not; wherefore do you make yourself some more';
+and the physician, accordingly, seeing he might not do otherwise, let
+make thereof anew.
+
+[Footnote 258: _i.e._ about half-past seven a.m.]
+
+A little after, the maid, who had gone by her mistress's commandment
+to learn what should be reported of Ruggieri, returned and said to
+her, 'Madam, every one missaith of Ruggieri; nor, for aught I could
+hear, is there friend or kinsman who hath risen up or thinketh to rise
+up to assist him, and it is held certain that the prefect of police
+will have him hanged to-morrow. Moreover, I have a strange thing to
+tell you, to wit, meseemeth I have discovered how he came into the
+money-lenders' house, and hear how. You know the carpenter overagainst
+whose shop was the chest wherein we laid him; he was but now at the
+hottest words in the world with one to whom it seemeth the chest
+belonged; for the latter demanded of him the price of his chest, and
+the carpenter replied that he had not sold it, but that it had that
+night been stolen from him. Whereto, "Not so," quoth the other, "nay,
+thou soldest it to the two young men, the money-lenders yonder, as
+they told me yesternight, when I saw it in their house what time
+Ruggieri was taken." "They lie," answered the carpenter. "I never sold
+it to them; but they stole it from me yesternight. Let us go to them."
+So they went off with one accord to the money-lenders' house, and I
+came back hither. On this wise, as you may see, I conclude that
+Ruggieri was transported whereas he was found; but how he came to life
+again I cannot divine.'
+
+The lady now understood very well how the case stood and telling the
+maid what she had heard from the physician, besought her help to save
+Ruggieri, for that she might, an she would, at once save him and
+preserve her honour. Quoth she, 'Madam, teach me how, and I will
+gladly do anything.' Whereupon the lady, whose wits were sharpened by
+the urgency of the case, having promptly bethought herself of that
+which was to do, particularly acquainted the maid therewith, who first
+betook herself to the physician and weeping, began to say to him,
+'Sir, it behoveth me ask you pardon of a great fault, which I have
+committed against you.' 'In what?' asked the doctor, and she, never
+giving over weeping, answered, 'Sir, you know what manner young man is
+Ruggieri da Jeroli. He took a liking to me awhile agone and partly for
+fear and partly for love, needs must I become his mistress.
+Yesternight, knowing that you were abroad, he cajoled me on such wise
+that I brought him into your house to lie with me in my chamber, and
+he being athirst and I having no whither more quickly to resort for
+water or wine, unwilling as I was that your lady, who was in the
+saloon, should see me, I remembered me to have seen a flagon of water
+in your chamber. Accordingly, I ran for it and giving him the water to
+drink, replaced the flagon whence I had taken it, whereof I find you
+have made a great outcry in the house. And certes I confess I did ill;
+but who is there doth not ill bytimes? Indeed, I am exceeding grieved
+to have done it, not so much for the thing itself as for that which
+hath ensued of it and by reason whereof Ruggieri is like to lose his
+life. Wherefore I pray you, as most I may, pardon me and give me leave
+to go succour Ruggieri inasmuch as I can.' The physician, hearing
+this, for all he was angry, answered jestingly, 'Thou hast given
+thyself thine own penance therefor, seeing that, whereas thou
+thoughtest yesternight to have a lusty young fellow who would shake
+thy skincoats well for thee, thou hadst a sluggard; wherefore go and
+endeavour for the deliverance of thy lover; but henceforth look thou
+bring him not into the house again, or I will pay thee for this time
+and that together.'
+
+The maid, thinking she had fared well for the first venue, betook
+herself, as quickliest she might, to the prison, where Ruggieri lay
+and coaxed the gaoler to let her speak with the prisoner, whom after
+she had instructed what answers he should make to the prefect of
+police, an he would fain escape, she contrived to gain admission to
+the magistrate himself. The latter, for that she was young and buxom,
+would fain, ere he would hearken to her, cast his grapnel aboard the
+good wench, whereof she, to be the better heard, was no whit chary;
+then, having quitted herself of the grinding due,[259] 'Sir,' said
+she, 'you have here Ruggieri da Jeroli taken for a thief; but the
+truth is not so.' Then, beginning from the beginning, she told him the
+whole story; how she, being his mistress, had brought him into the
+physician's house and had given him the drugged water to drink,
+unknowing what it was, and how she had put him for dead into the
+chest; after which she told him the talk she had heard between the
+master carpenter and the owner of the chest, showing him thereby how
+Ruggieri had come into the money-lenders' house.
+
+[Footnote 259: Or "having risen from the grinding" (_levatasi dal
+macinio_).]
+
+The magistrate, seeing it an easy thing to come at the truth of the
+matter, first questioned the physician if it were true of the water
+and found that it was as she had said; whereupon he let summon the
+carpenter and him to whom the chest belonged and the two money-lenders
+and after much parley, found that the latter had stolen the chest
+overnight and put it in their house. Ultimately he sent for Ruggieri
+and questioned him where he had lain that night, whereto he replied
+that where he had lain he knew not; he remembered indeed having gone
+to pass the night with Master Mazzeo's maid, in whose chamber he had
+drunken water for a sore thirst he had; but what became of him after
+he knew not, save that, when he awoke, he found himself in the
+money-lenders' house in a chest. The prefect, hearing these things and
+taking great pleasure therein, caused the maid and Ruggieri and the
+carpenter and the money-lenders repeat their story again and again;
+and in the end, seeing Ruggieri to be innocent, he released him and
+amerced the money-lenders in half a score ounces for that they had
+stolen the chest. How welcome this was to Ruggieri, none need ask, and
+it was beyond measure pleasing to his mistress, who together with her
+lover and the precious maid, who had proposed to give him the slashes
+with the knife, many a time after laughed and made merry of the
+matter, still continuing their loves and their disport from good to
+better; the which I would well might so betide myself, save always the
+being put in the chest."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+If the former stories had saddened the hearts of the lovesome ladies,
+this last one of Dioneo's made them laugh heartily, especially when he
+spoke of the prefect casting his grapnel aboard the maid, that they
+were able thus to recover themselves of the melancholy caused by the
+others. But the king, seeing that the sun began to grow yellow and
+that the term of his seignory was come, with very courteous speech
+excused himself to the fair ladies for that which he had done, to wit,
+that he had caused discourse of so sorrowful a matter as that of
+lovers' infelicity; which done, he rose to his feet and taking from
+his head the laurel wreath, whilst the ladies waited to see on whom he
+should bestow it, set it daintily on Fiammetta's fair head, saying, "I
+make over this crown to thee, as to her who will, better than any
+other, know how with to-morrow's pleasance to console these ladies our
+companions of to-day's woefulness."
+
+Fiammetta, whose locks were curled and long and golden and fell over
+her white and delicate shoulders and whose soft-rounded face was all
+resplendent with white lilies and vermeil roses commingled, with two
+eyes in her head as they were those of a peregrine falcon and a dainty
+little mouth, the lips whereof seemed twin rubies, answered, smiling,
+"And I, Filostrato, I take it willingly, and that thou mayst be the
+better cognizant of that which thou hast done, I presently will and
+command that each prepare to discourse to-morrow of THAT WHICH HATH
+HAPPILY BETIDED LOVERS AFTER SUNDRY CRUEL AND MISFORTUNATE
+ADVENTURES." Her proposition[260] was pleasing unto all and she, after
+summoning the seneschal and taking counsel with him of things needful,
+arising from session, blithely dismissed all the company until
+supper-time. Accordingly, they all proceeded, according to their
+various appetites, to take their several pleasures, some wandering
+about the garden, whose beauties were not such as might lightly tire,
+and other some betaking themselves towards the mills which wrought
+therewithout, whilst the rest fared some hither and some thither,
+until the hour of supper, which being come, they all foregathered, as
+of their wont, anigh the fair fountain and there supped with exceeding
+pleasance and well served. Presently, arising thence, they addressed
+themselves, as of their wont, to dancing and singing, and Filomena
+leading off the dance, the queen said, "Filostrato, I purpose not to
+depart from the usance of those who have foregone me in the sovranty,
+but, like as they have done, so I intend that a song be sung at my
+commandment; and as I am assured that thy songs are even such as are
+thy stories, it is our pleasure that, so no more days than this be
+troubled with thine ill fortunes, thou sing such one thereof as most
+pleaseth thee." Filostrato replied that he would well and forthright
+proceeded to sing on this wise:
+
+[Footnote 260: _i.e._ the theme proposed by her.]
+
+         Weeping, I demonstrate
+     How sore with reason doth my heart complain
+     Of love betrayed and plighted faith in vain.
+
+       Love, whenas first there was of thee imprest
+         Thereon[261] her image for whose sake I sigh,
+           Sans hope of succour aye,
+           So full of virtue didst thou her pourtray,
+         That every torment light accounted I
+       That through thee to my breast
+       Grown full of drear unrest
+     And dole, might come; but now, alack! I'm fain
+     To own my error, not withouten pain.
+
+       Yea, of the cheat first was I made aware,
+         Seeing myself of her forsaken sheer,
+           In whom I hoped alone;
+           For, when I deemed myself most fairly grown
+         Into her favour and her servant dear,
+       Without her thought or care
+       Of my to-come despair,
+     I found she had another's merit ta'en
+     To heart and put me from her with disdain.
+
+       Whenas I knew me banished from my stead,
+         Straight in my heart a dolorous plaint there grew,
+           That yet therein hath power,
+           And oft I curse the day and eke the hour
+         When first her lovesome visage met my view,
+       Graced with high goodlihead;
+       And more enamouréd
+     Than eye, my soul keeps up its dying strain,
+     Faith, ardour, hope, blaspheming still amain.
+       How void my misery is of all relief
+         Thou mayst e'en feel, so sore I call thee, sire,
+           With voice all full of woe;
+           Ay, and I tell thee that it irks me so
+         That death for lesser torment I desire.
+       Come, death, then; shear the sheaf
+       Of this my life of grief
+     And with thy stroke my madness eke assain;
+     Go where I may, less dire will be my bane.
+
+       No other way than death is left my spright,
+         Ay, and none other solace for my dole;
+           Then give it[262] me straightway,
+           Love; put an end withal to my dismay:
+       Ah, do it; since fate's spite
+       Hath robbed me of delight;
+     Gladden thou her, lord, with my death, love-slain,
+     As thou hast cheered her with another swain.
+
+       My song, though none to learn thee lend an ear,
+         I reck the less thereof, indeed, that none
+           Could sing thee even as I;
+           One only charge I give thee, ere I die,
+         That thou find Love and unto him alone
+       Show fully how undear
+       This bitter life and drear
+     Is to me, craving of his might he deign
+     Some better harbourage I may attain.
+
+         Weeping I demonstrate
+     How sore with reason doth my heart complain
+     Of love betrayed and plighted faith in vain.
+
+[Footnote 261: _i.e._ on my heart.]
+
+[Footnote 262: _i.e._ death.]
+
+The words of this song clearly enough discovered the state of
+Filostrato's mind and the cause thereof, the which belike the
+countenance of a certain lady who was in the dance had yet plainlier
+declared, had not the shades of the now fallen night hidden the
+blushes that rose to her face. But, when he had made an end of his
+song, many others were sung, till such time as the hour of sleep
+arrived, whereupon, at the queen's commandment, each of the ladies
+withdrew to her chamber.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE FOURTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Fifth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE FIFTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF FIAMMETTA IS DISCOURSED OF THAT WHICH HATH
+     HAPPILY BETIDED LOVERS AFTER SUNDRY CRUEL AND MISFORTUNATE
+     ADVENTURES
+
+
+The East was already all white and the rays of the rising sun had made
+it light through all our hemisphere, when Fiammetta, allured by the
+sweet song of the birds that blithely chanted the first hour of the
+day upon the branches, arose and let call all the other ladies and the
+three young men; then, with leisured pace descending into the fields,
+she went a-pleasuring with her company about the ample plain upon the
+dewy grasses, discoursing with them of one thing and another, until
+the sun was somewhat risen, when, feeling that its rays began to grow
+hot, she turned their steps to their abiding-place. There, with
+excellent wines and confections, she let restore the light fatigue had
+and they disported themselves in the delightsome garden until the
+eating hour, which being come and everything made ready by the
+discreet seneschal, they sat blithely down to meat, such being the
+queen's pleasure, after they had sung sundry roundelays and a ballad
+or two. Having dined orderly and with mirth, not unmindful of their
+wonted usance of dancing, they danced sundry short dances to the sound
+of songs and tabrets, after which the queen dismissed them all until
+the hour of slumber should be past. Accordingly, some betook
+themselves to sleep, whilst others addressed themselves anew to their
+diversion about the fair garden; but all, according to the wonted
+fashion, assembled together again, a little after none, near the fair
+fountain, whereas it pleased the queen. Then she, having seated
+herself in the chief room, looked towards Pamfilo and smilingly
+charged him make a beginning with the fair-fortuned stories; whereto
+he willingly addressed himself and spoke as follows:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     CIMON, LOVING, WAXETH WISE AND CARRIETH OFF TO SEA IPHIGENIA
+     HIS MISTRESS. BEING CAST INTO PRISON AT RHODES, HE IS
+     DELIVERED THENCE BY LYSIMACHUS AND IN CONCERT WITH HIM
+     CARRIETH OFF IPHIGENIA AND CASSANDRA ON THEIR WEDDING-DAY,
+     WITH WHOM THE TWAIN FLEE INTO CRETE, WHERE THE TWO LADIES
+     BECOME THEIR WIVES AND WHENCE THEY ARE PRESENTLY ALL FOUR
+     RECALLED HOME
+
+
+"Many stories, delightsome ladies, apt to give beginning to so glad a
+day as this will be, offer themselves unto me to be related; whereof
+one is the most pleasing to my mind, for that thereby, beside the
+happy issue which is to mark this day's discourses, you may understand
+how holy, how puissant and how full of all good is the power of Love,
+which many, unknowing what they say, condemn and vilify with great
+unright; and this, an I err not, must needs be exceeding pleasing to
+you, for that I believe you all to be in love.
+
+There was, then, in the island of Cyprus, (as we have read aforetime
+in the ancient histories of the Cypriots,) a very noble gentleman, by
+name Aristippus, who was rich beyond any other of the country in all
+temporal things and might have held himself the happiest man alive,
+had not fortune made him woeful in one only thing, to wit, that
+amongst his other children he had a son who overpassed all the other
+youths of his age in stature and goodliness of body, but was a
+hopeless dullard and well nigh an idiot. His true name was Galesus,
+but for that neither by toil of teacher nor blandishment nor beating
+of his father nor study nor endeavour of whatsoever other had it been
+found possible to put into his head any inkling of letters or good
+breeding and that he had a rough voice and an uncouth and manners more
+befitting a beast than a man, he was of well nigh all by way of
+mockery called Cimon, which in their tongue signified as much as brute
+beast in ours. His father brooked his wastrel life with the most
+grievous concern and having presently given over all hope of him, he
+bade him begone to his country house[263] and there abide with his
+husbandmen, so he might not still have before him the cause of his
+chagrin; the which was very agreeable to Cimon, for that the manners
+and usages of clowns and churls were much more to his liking than
+those of the townsfolk.
+
+[Footnote 263: Or farm (_villa_).]
+
+Cimon, then, betaking himself to the country and there employing
+himself in the things that pertained thereto, it chanced one day,
+awhile after noon, as he passed from one farm to another, with his
+staff on his shoulder, that he entered a very fair coppice which was
+in those parts and which was then all in leaf, for that it was the
+month of May. Passing therethrough, he happened (even as his fortune
+guided him thither) upon a little mead compassed about with very high
+trees, in one corner whereof was a very clear and cool spring, beside
+which he saw a very fair damsel asleep upon the green grass, with so
+thin a garment upon her body that it hid well nigh nothing of her
+snowy flesh. She was covered only from the waist down with a very
+white and light coverlet; and at her feet slept on like wise two women
+and a man, her servants. When Cimon espied the young lady, he halted
+and leaning upon his staff, fell, without saying a word, to gazing
+most intently upon her with the utmost admiration, no otherwise than
+as he had never yet seen a woman's form, whilst in his rude breast,
+wherein for a thousand lessonings no least impression of civil
+pleasance had availed to penetrate, he felt a thought awaken which
+intimated to his gross and material spirit that this maiden was the
+fairest thing that had been ever seen of any living soul. Thence he
+proceeded to consider her various parts,--commending her hair, which
+he accounted of gold, her brow, her nose, her mouth, her throat and
+her arms, and above all her breast, as yet but little upraised,--and
+grown of a sudden from a churl a judge of beauty, he ardently desired
+in himself to see the eyes, which, weighed down with deep sleep, she
+kept closed. To this end, he had it several times in mind to awaken
+her; but, for that she seemed to him beyond measure fairer than the
+other women aforetime seen of him, he misdoubted him she must be some
+goddess. Now he had wit enough to account things divine worthy of more
+reverence than those mundane; wherefore he forbore, waiting for her to
+awake of herself; and albeit the delay seemed overlong to him, yet,
+taken as he was with an unwonted pleasure, he knew not how to tear
+himself away.
+
+It befell, then, that, after a long while, the damsel, whose name was
+Iphigenia, came to herself, before any of her people, and opening her
+eyes, saw Cimon (who, what for his fashion and uncouthness and his
+father's wealth and nobility, was known in a manner to every one in
+the country) standing before her, leant on his staff, marvelled
+exceedingly and said, 'Cimon, what goest thou seeking in this wood at
+this hour?' He made her no answer, but, seeing her eyes open, began to
+look steadfastly upon them, himseeming there proceeded thence a
+sweetness which fulfilled him with a pleasure such as he had never
+before felt. The young lady, seeing this, began to misdoubt her lest
+his so fixed looking upon her should move his rusticity to somewhat
+that might turn to her shame; wherefore, calling her women, she rose
+up, saying, 'Cimon, abide with God.' To which he replied, 'I will
+begone with thee'; and albeit the young lady, who was still in fear of
+him, would have declined his company, she could not win to rid herself
+of him till he had accompanied her to her own house.
+
+Thence he repaired to his father's house [in the city,] and declared
+to him that he would on no wise consent to return to the country; the
+which was irksome enough to Aristippus and his kinsfolk; nevertheless
+they let him be, awaiting to see what might be the cause of his change
+of mind. Love's arrow having, then, through Iphigenia's beauty,
+penetrated into Cimon's heart, whereinto no teaching had ever availed
+to win an entrance, in a very brief time, proceeding from one idea to
+another, he made his father marvel and all his kinsfolk and every
+other that knew him. In the first place he besought his father that he
+would cause him go bedecked with clothes and every other thing, even
+as his brothers, the which Aristippus right gladly did. Then,
+consorting with young men of condition and learning the fashions and
+carriage that behoved unto gentlemen and especially unto lovers, he
+first, to the utmost wonderment of every one, in a very brief space of
+time, not only learned the first [elements of] letters, but became
+very eminent among the students of philosophy, and after (the love
+which he bore Iphigenia being the cause of all this) he not only
+reduced his rude and rustical manner of speech to seemliness and
+civility, but became a past master of song and sound[264] and
+exceeding expert and doughty in riding and martial exercises, both by
+land and by sea. In short, not to go recounting every particular of
+his merits, the fourth year was not accomplished from the day of his
+first falling in love, ere he was grown the sprightliest and most
+accomplished gentleman of all the young men in the island of Cyprus,
+ay, and the best endowed with every particular excellence. What, then,
+charming ladies, shall we say of Cimon? Certes, none other thing than
+that the lofty virtues implanted by heaven in his generous soul had
+been bounden with exceeding strong bonds of jealous fortune and shut
+in some straitest corner of his heart, all which bonds Love, as a
+mightier than fortune, broke and burst in sunder and in its quality of
+awakener and quickener of drowsed and sluggish wits, urged forth into
+broad daylight the virtues aforesaid, which had till then been
+overdarkened with a barbarous obscurity, thus manifestly discovering
+from how mean a room it can avail to uplift those souls that are
+subject unto it and to what an eminence it can conduct them with its
+beams.
+
+[Footnote 264: _i.e._ of music, vocal and instrumental.]
+
+Although Cimon, loving Iphigenia as he did, might exceed in certain
+things, as young men in love very often do, nevertheless Aristippus,
+considering that Love had turned him from a dunce into a man, not only
+patiently bore with the extravagances into which it might whiles lead
+him, but encouraged him to ensue its every pleasure. But Cimon, (who
+refused to be called Galesus, remembering that Iphigenia had called
+him by the former name,) seeking to put an honourable term to his
+desire, once and again caused essay Cipseus, Iphigenia's father, so he
+should give him his daughter to wife; but Cipseus still answered that
+he had promised her to Pasimondas, a young nobleman of Rhodes, to whom
+he had no mind to fail of his word. The time coming the covenanted
+nuptials of Iphigenia and the bridegroom having sent for her, Cimon
+said to himself, 'Now, O Iphigenia, is the time to prove how much thou
+are beloved of me. By thee am I become a man and so I may but have
+thee, I doubt not to become more glorious than any god; and for
+certain I will or have thee or die.'
+
+Accordingly, having secretly recruited certain young noblemen who were
+his friends and let privily equip a ship with everything apt for naval
+battle, he put out to sea and awaited the vessel wherein Iphigenia was
+to be transported to her husband in Rhodes. The bride, after much
+honour done of her father to the bridegroom's friends, took ship with
+the latter, who turned their prow towards Rhodes and departed. On the
+following day, Cimon, who slept not, came out upon them with his ship
+and cried out, in a loud voice, from the prow, to those who were on
+board Iphigenia's vessel, saying, 'Stay, strike your sails or look to
+be beaten and sunken in the sea.' Cimon's adversaries had gotten up
+their arms on deck and made ready to defend themselves; whereupon he,
+after speaking the words aforesaid, took a grappling-iron and casting
+it upon the poop of the Rhodians, who were making off at the top of
+their speed, made it fast by main force to the prow of his own ship.
+Then, bold as a lion, he leapt on board their ship, without waiting
+for any to follow him, as if he held them all for nought, and Love
+spurring him, he fell upon his enemies with marvellous might, cutlass
+in hand, striking now this one and now that and hewing them down like
+sheep.
+
+The Rhodians, seeing this, cast down their arms and all as with one
+voice confessed themselves prisoners; whereupon quoth Cimon to them,
+'Young men, it was neither lust of rapine nor hate that I had against
+you made me depart Cyprus to assail you, arms in hand, in mid sea.
+That which moved me thereunto was the desire of a thing which to have
+gotten is a very grave matter to me and to you a very light one to
+yield me in peace; it is, to wit, Iphigenia, whom I loved over all
+else and whom, availing not to have of her father on friendly and
+peaceful wise, Love hath constrained me to win from you as an enemy
+and by force of arms. Wherefor I mean to be to her that which your
+friend Pasimondas should have been. Give her to me, then, and begone
+and God's grace go with you.'
+
+The Rhodians, more by force constrained than of freewill, surrendered
+Iphigenia, weeping, to Cimon, who, seeing her in tears, said to her,
+'Noble Lady, be not disconsolate; I am thy Cimon, who by long love
+have far better deserved to have thee than Pasimondas by plighted
+faith.' Thereupon he caused carry her aboard his own ship and
+returning to his companions, let the Rhodians go, without touching
+aught else of theirs. Then, glad beyond any man alive to have gotten
+so dear a prey, after devoting some time to comforting the weeping
+lady, he took counsel with his comrades not to return to Cyprus at
+that present; wherefore, of one accord, they turned the ship's head
+towards Crete, where well nigh every one, and especially Cimon, had
+kinsfolk, old and new, and friends in plenty and where they doubted
+not to be in safety with Iphigenia. But fortune the unstable, which
+had cheerfully enough vouchsafed unto Cimon the acquisition of the
+lady, suddenly changed the inexpressible joyance of the enamoured
+youth into sad and bitter mourning; for it was not four full told
+hours since he had left the Rhodians when the night (which Cimon
+looked to be more delightsome than any he had ever known) came on and
+with it a very troublous and tempestuous shift of weather, which
+filled all the sky with clouds and the sea with ravening winds, by
+reason whereof none could see what to do or whither to steer, nor
+could any even keep the deck to do any office.
+
+How sore concerned was Cimon for this it needeth not to ask; himseemed
+the gods had vouchsafed him his desire but to make death the more
+grievous to him, whereof, without that, he had before recked little.
+His comrades lamented on like wise, but Iphigenia bewailed herself
+over all, weeping sore and fearing every stroke of the waves; and in
+her chagrin she bitterly cursed Cimon's love and blamed his
+presumption, avouching that the tempest had arisen for none other
+thing but that the gods chose not that he, who would fain against
+their will have her to wife, should avail to enjoy his presumptuous
+desire, but, seeing her first die, should after himself perish
+miserably.
+
+Amidst such lamentations and others yet more grievous, the wind waxing
+hourly fiercer and the seamen knowing not what to do, they came,
+without witting whither they went or availing to change their course,
+near to the island of Rhodes, and unknowing that it was Rhodes, they
+used their every endeavour to get to land thereon, an it were
+possible, for the saving of their lives. In this fortune was
+favourable to them and brought them into a little bight of the sea,
+where the Rhodians whom Cimon had let go had a little before arrived
+with their ship; nor did they perceive that they had struck the island
+of Rhodes till the dawn broke and made the sky somewhat clearer, when
+they found themselves maybe a bowshot distant from the ship left of
+them the day before. At this Cimon was beyond measure chagrined and
+fearing lest that should betide them which did in very deed ensue,
+bade use every endeavour to issue thence and let fortune after carry
+them whither it should please her, for that they could be nowhere in
+worse case than there. Accordingly, they made the utmost efforts to
+put to sea, but in vain; for the wind blew so mightily against them
+that not only could they not avail to issue from the little harbour,
+but whether they would or no, it drove them ashore.
+
+No sooner were they come thither than they were recognized by the
+Rhodian sailors, who had landed from their ship, and one of them ran
+nimbly to a village hard by, whither the young Rhodian gentlemen had
+betaken themselves, and told the latter that, as luck would have
+it,[265] Cimon and Iphigenia were come thither aboard their ship,
+driven, like themselves, by stress of weather. They, hearing this,
+were greatly rejoiced and repairing in all haste to the sea-shore,
+with a number of the villagers, took Cimon, together with Iphigenia
+and all his company, who had now landed and taken counsel together to
+flee into some neighbouring wood, and carried them to the village. The
+news coming to Pasimondas, he made his complaint to the senate of the
+island and according as he had ordered it with them, Lysimachus, in
+whom the chief magistracy of the Rhodians was for that year vested,
+coming thither from the city with a great company of men-at-arms,
+haled Cimon and all his men to prison. On such wise did the wretched
+and lovelorn Cimon lose his Iphigenia, scantwhile before won of him,
+without having taken of her more than a kiss or two; whilst she
+herself was received by many noble ladies of Rhodes and comforted as
+well for the chagrin had of her seizure as for the fatigue suffered by
+reason of the troubled sea; and with them she abode against the day
+appointed for her nuptials.
+
+[Footnote 265: _Per fortuna._ This may also be rendered "by tempest,"
+_fortuna_ being a name for a squall or hurricane, which Boccaccio uses
+elsewhere in the same sense.]
+
+As for Cimon and his companions, their lives were granted them, in
+consideration of the liberty given by them to the young Rhodians the
+day before,--albeit Pasimondas used his utmost endeavour to procure
+them to be put to death,--and they were condemned to perpetual prison,
+wherein, as may well be believed, they abode woebegone and without
+hope of any relief. However, whilst Pasimondas, as most he might,
+hastened the preparations for his coming nuptials, fortune, as if
+repenting her of the sudden injury done to Cimon, brought about a new
+circumstance for his deliverance, the which was on this wise.
+Pasimondas had a brother called Ormisdas, less in years, but not in
+merit, than himself, who had been long in treaty for the hand of a
+fair and noble damsel of the city, by name Cassandra, whom Lysimachus
+ardently loved, and the match had sundry times been broken off by
+divers untoward accidents. Now Pasimondas, being about to celebrate
+his own nuptials with the utmost splendour, bethought himself that it
+were excellently well done if he could procure Ormisdas likewise to
+take wife on the same occasion, not to resort afresh to expense and
+festival making. Accordingly, he took up again the parleys with
+Cassandra's parents and brought them to a successful issue; wherefore
+he and his brother agreed, in concert with them, that Ormisdas should
+take Cassandra to wife on the same day whenas himself took Iphigenia.
+
+Lysimachus hearing this, it was beyond measure displeasing to him, for
+that he saw himself bereaved of the hope which he cherished, that, an
+Ormisdas took her not, he should certainly have her. However, like a
+wise man, he kept his chagrin hidden and fell to considering on what
+wise he might avail to hinder this having effect, but could see no way
+possible save the carrying her off. This seemed easy to him to compass
+for the office which he held, but he accounted the deed far more
+dishonourable than if he had not held the office in question.
+Ultimately, however, after long deliberation, honour gave place to
+love and he determined, come what might of it, to carry off Cassandra.
+Then, bethinking himself of the company he must have and the course he
+must hold to do this, he remembered him of Cimon, whom he had in
+prison with his comrades, and concluded that he might have no better
+or trustier companion than Cimon in this affair.
+
+Accordingly, that same night he had him privily into his chamber and
+proceeded to bespeak him on this wise: 'Cimon, like as the gods are
+very excellent and bountiful givers of things to men, even so are they
+most sagacious provers of their virtues, and those, whom they find
+resolute and constant under all circumstances, they hold deserving, as
+the most worthy, of the highest recompenses. They have been minded to
+have more certain proof of thy worth than could be shown by thee
+within the limits of thy father's house, whom I know to be abundantly
+endowed with riches; wherefore, first, with the poignant instigations
+of love they brought thee from a senseless animal to be a man, and
+after with foul fortune and at this present with prison dour, they
+would fain try if thy spirit change not from that which it was, whenas
+thou wast scantwhile glad of the gotten prize. If that[266] be the
+same as it was erst, they never yet vouchsafed thee aught so gladsome
+as that which they are presently prepared to bestow on thee and which,
+so thou mayst recover thy wonted powers and resume thy whilom spirit,
+I purpose to discover to thee.
+
+[Footnote 266: _i.e._ thy spirit.]
+
+Pasimondas, rejoicing in thy misadventure and a diligent promoter of
+thy death, bestirreth himself as most he may to celebrate his nuptials
+with thine Iphigenia, so therein he may enjoy the prize which fortune
+first blithely conceded thee and after, growing troubled, took from
+thee of a sudden. How much this must grieve thee, an thou love as I
+believe, I know by myself, to whom Ormisdas his brother prepareth in
+one same day to do a like injury in the person of Cassandra, whom I
+love over all else. To escape so great an unright and annoy of
+fortune, I see no way left open of her to us, save the valour of our
+souls and the might of our right hands, wherein it behoveth us take
+our swords and make us a way to the carrying off of our two
+mistresses, thee for the second and me for the first time. If, then,
+it be dear to thee to have again--I will not say thy liberty, whereof
+methinketh thou reckest little without thy lady, but--thy mistress,
+the gods have put her in thy hands, an thou be willing to second me in
+my emprize.'
+
+All Cimon's lost spirit was requickened in him by these words and he
+replied, without overmuch consideration, 'Lysimachus, thou canst have
+no stouter or trustier comrade than myself in such an enterprise, an
+that be to ensue thereof for me which thou avouchest; wherefore do
+thou command me that which thou deemest should be done of me, and thou
+shalt find thyself wonder-puissantly seconded.' Then said Lysimachus,
+'On the third day from this the new-married wives will for the first
+time enter their husbands' houses, whereinto thou with thy companions
+armed and I with certain of my friends, in whom I put great trust,
+will make our way towards nightfall and snatching up our mistresses
+out of the midst of the guests, will carry them off to a ship, which I
+have caused secretly equip, slaying whosoever shall presume to offer
+opposition.' The devise pleased Cimon and he abode quiet in prison
+until the appointed time.
+
+The wedding-day being come, great and magnificent was the pomp of the
+festival and every part of the two brothers' house was full of mirth
+and merrymaking; whereupon Lysimachus, having made ready everything
+needful, divided Cimon and his companions, together with his own
+friends, all armed under their clothes, into three parties and having
+first kindled them to his purpose with many words, secretly despatched
+one party to the harbour, so none might hinder their going aboard the
+ship, whenas need should be. Then, coming with the other twain, whenas
+it seemed to him time, to Pasimondas his house, he left one party of
+them at the door, so as none might shut them up therewithin or forbid
+them the issue, and with Cimon and the rest went up by the stairs.
+Coming to the saloon where the new-wedded brides were seated orderly
+at meat with many other ladies, they rushed in upon them and
+overthrowing the tables, took each his mistress and putting them in
+the hands of their comrades, bade straightway carry them to the ship
+that was in waiting. The brides fell a-weeping and shrieking, as did
+likewise the other ladies and the servants, and the whole house was of
+a sudden full of clamour and lamentation.
+
+Cimon and Lysimachus and their companions, drawing their swords, made
+for the stairs, without any opposition, all giving way to them, and as
+they descended, Pasimondas presented himself before them, with a great
+cudgel in his hand, being drawn thither by the outcry; but Cimon dealt
+him a swashing blow on the head and cleaving it sheer in sunder, laid
+him dead at his feet. The wretched Ormisdas, running to his brother's
+aid, was on like wise slain by one of Cimon's strokes, and divers
+others who sought to draw nigh them were in like manner wounded and
+beaten off by the companions of the latter and Lysimachus, who,
+leaving the house full of blood and clamour and weeping and woe, drew
+together and made their way to the ship with their prizes, unhindered
+of any. Here they embarked with their mistresses and all their
+companions, the shore being now full of armed folk come to the rescue
+of the ladies, and thrusting the oars into the water, made off,
+rejoicing, about their business. Coming presently to Crete, they were
+there joyfully received by many, both friends and kinsfolk, and
+espousing their mistresses with great pomp, gave themselves up to the
+glad enjoyment of their purchase. Loud and long were the clamours and
+differences in Cyprus and in Rhodes by reason of their doings; but,
+ultimately, their friends and kinsfolk, interposing in one and the
+other place, found means so to adjust matters that, after some exile,
+Cimon joyfully returned to Cyprus with Iphigenia, whilst Lysimachus on
+like wise returned to Rhodes with Cassandra, and each lived long and
+happily with his mistress in his own country."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     COSTANZA LOVETH MARTUCCIO GOMITO AND HEARING THAT HE IS
+     DEAD, EMBARKETH FOR DESPAIR ALONE IN A BOAT, WHICH IS
+     CARRIED BY THE WIND TO SUSA. FINDING HER LOVER ALIVE AT
+     TUNIS, SHE DISCOVERETH HERSELF TO HIM AND HE, BEING GREAT IN
+     FAVOUR WITH THE KING FOR COUNSELS GIVEN, ESPOUSETH HER AND
+     RETURNETH RICH WITH HER TO LIPARI
+
+
+The queen, seeing Pamfilo's story at an end, after she had much
+commended it, enjoined Emilia to follow on, telling another, and she
+accordingly began thus: "Every one must naturally delight in those
+things wherein he seeth rewards ensue according to the affections;[267]
+and for that love in the long run deserveth rather happiness than
+affliction, I shall, intreating of the present theme, obey the queen
+with much greater pleasure to myself than I did the king in that of
+yesterday.
+
+[Footnote 267: Syn. inclinations (_affezioni_). This is a somewhat
+obscure passage, owing to the vagueness of the word _affezioni_ (syn.
+_affetti_) in this position, and may be rendered, with about equal
+probability, in more than one way.]
+
+You must know, then, dainty dames, that near unto Sicily is an islet
+called Lipari, wherein, no great while agone, was a very fair damsel
+called Costanza, born of a very considerable family there. It chanced
+that a young man of the same island, called Martuccio Gomito, who was
+very agreeable and well bred and of approved worth[268] in his
+craft,[269] fell in love with her; and she in like manner so burned
+for him that she was never easy save whenas she saw him. Martuccio,
+wishing to have her to wife, caused demand her of her father, who
+answered that he was poor and that therefore he would not give her to
+him. The young man, enraged to see himself rejected for poverty, in
+concert with certain of his friends and kinsmen, equipped a light ship
+and swore never to return to Lipari, except rich. Accordingly, he
+departed thence and turning corsair, fell to cruising off the coast of
+Barbary and plundering all who were weaker than himself; wherein
+fortune was favourable enough to him, had he known how to set bounds
+to his wishes; but, it sufficing him not to have waxed very rich, he
+and his comrades, in a brief space of time, it befell that, whilst
+they sought to grow overrich, he was, after a long defence, taken and
+plundered with all his companions by certain ships of the Saracens,
+who, after scuttling the vessel and sacking the greater part of the
+crew, carried Martuccio to Tunis, where he was put in prison and long
+kept in misery.
+
+[Footnote 268: Or "eminent" (_valoroso_), _i.e._ in modern parlance,
+"a man of merit and talent."]
+
+[Footnote 269: _Valoroso nel suo mestiere._ It does not appear that
+Martuccio was a craftsman and it is possible, therefore, that
+Boccaccio intended the word _mestiere_ to be taken in the sense (to me
+unknown) of "condition" or "estate," in which case the passage would
+read, "a man of worth for (_i.e._ as far as comported with) his [mean]
+estate"; and this seems a probable reading.]
+
+The news was brought to Lipari, not by one or by two, but by many and
+divers persons, that he and all on board the bark had been drowned;
+whereupon the girl, who had been beyond measure woebegone for her
+lover's departure, hearing that he was dead with the others, wept sore
+and resolved in herself to live no longer; but, her heart suffering
+her not to slay herself by violence, she determined to give a new
+occasion[270] to her death.[271] Accordingly, she issued secretly
+forth of her father's house one night and betaking herself to the
+harbour, happened upon a fishing smack, a little aloof from the other
+ships, which, for that its owners had but then landed therefrom, she
+found furnished with mast and sail and oars. In this she hastily
+embarked and rowed herself out to sea; then, being somewhat skilled in
+the mariner's art, as the women of that island mostly are, she made
+sail and casting the oars and rudder adrift, committed herself
+altogether to the mercy of the waves, conceiving that it must needs
+happen that the wind would either overturn a boat without lading or
+steersman or drive it upon some rock and break it up, whereby she
+could not, even if she would, escape, but must of necessity be
+drowned. Accordingly, wrapping her head in a mantle, she laid herself,
+weeping, in the bottom of the boat.
+
+[Footnote 270: Lit. necessity (_necessitŕ_).]
+
+[Footnote 271: _i.e._ to use a new (or strange) fashion of exposing
+herself to an inevitable death (_nuova necessitŕ dare alla sua
+morte_).]
+
+But it befell altogether otherwise than as she conceived, for that,
+the wind being northerly and very light and there being well nigh no
+sea, the boat rode it out in safety and brought her on the morrow,
+about vespers, to a beach near a town called Susa, a good hundred
+miles beyond Tunis. The girl, who, for aught that might happen, had
+never lifted nor meant to lift her head, felt nothing of being ashore
+more than at sea;[272] but, as chance would have it, there was on the
+beach, whenas the bark struck upon it, a poor woman in act to take up
+from the sun the nets of the fishermen her masters, who, seeing the
+bark, marvelled how it should be left to strike full sail upon the
+land. Thinking that the fishermen aboard were asleep, she went up to
+the bark and seeing none therein but the damsel aforesaid, who slept
+fast, called her many times and having at last aroused her and knowing
+her by her habit for a Christian, asked her in Latin how she came
+there in that bark all alone. The girl, hearing her speak Latin,
+misdoubted her a shift of wind must have driven her back to Lipari and
+starting suddenly to her feet, looked about her, but knew not the
+country, and seeing herself on land, asked the good woman where she
+was; to which she answered, 'Daughter mine, thou art near unto Susa in
+Barbary.' The girl, hearing this, was woeful for that God had not
+chosen to vouchsafe her the death she sought, and being in fear of
+shame and knowing not what to do, she seated herself at the foot of
+her bark and fell a-weeping.
+
+[Footnote 272: _i.e._ knew not whether she was ashore or afloat, so
+absorbed was she in her despair.]
+
+The good woman, seeing this, took pity upon her and brought her, by
+dint of entreaty, into a little hut of hers and there so humoured her
+that she told her how she came thither; whereupon, seeing that she
+was fasting, she set before her her own dry bread and somewhat of fish
+and water and so besought her that she ate a little. Costanza after
+asked her who she was that she spoke Latin thus; to which she answered
+that she was from Trapani and was called Carapresa and served certain
+Christian fishermen there. The girl, hearing the name of Carapresa,
+albeit she was exceeding woebegone and knew not what reason moved her
+thereunto, took it unto herself for a good augury to have heard this
+name[273] and began to hope, without knowing what, and somewhat to
+abate of her wish to die. Then, without discovering who or whence she
+was, she earnestly besought the good woman to have pity, for the love
+of God, on her youth and give her some counsel how she might escape
+any affront being offered her.
+
+[Footnote 273: Or "augured well from the hearing of the name."
+_Carapresa_ signifies "a dear or precious prize, gain or capture."]
+
+Carapresa, like a good woman as she was, hearing this, left her in her
+hut, whilst she hastily gathered up her nets; then, returning to her,
+she wrapped her from head to foot in her own mantle and carried her to
+Susa, where she said to her, 'Costanza, I will bring thee into the
+house of a very good Saracen lady, whom I serve oftentimes in her
+occasions and who is old and pitiful. I will commend thee to her as
+most I may and I am very certain that she will gladly receive thee and
+use thee as a daughter; and do thou, abiding with her, study thine
+utmost, in serving her, to gain her favour, against God send thee
+better fortune.' And as she said, so she did. The lady, who was well
+stricken in years, hearing the woman's story, looked the girl in the
+face and fell a-weeping; then taking her by the hand, she kissed her
+on the forehead and carried her into her house, where she and sundry
+other women abode, without any man, and wrought all with their hands
+at various crafts, doing divers works of silk and palm-fibre and
+leather. Costanza soon learned to do some of these and falling to
+working with the rest, became in such favour with the lady and the
+others that it was a marvellous thing; nor was it long before, with
+their teaching, she learnt their language.
+
+What while she abode thus at Susa, being now mourned at home for lost
+and dead, it befell that, one Mariabdela[274] being King of Tunis, a
+certain youth of great family and much puissance in Granada, avouching
+that that kingdom belonged to himself, levied a great multitude of
+folk and came upon King Mariabdela, to oust him from the kingship.
+This came to the ears of Martuccio Gomito in prison and he knowing the
+Barbary language excellent well and hearing that the king was making
+great efforts for his defence, said to one of those who had him and
+his fellows in keeping, 'An I might have speech of the king, my heart
+assureth me that I could give him a counsel, by which he should gain
+this his war.' The keeper reported these words to his chief, and he
+carried them incontinent to the king, who bade fetch Martuccio and
+asked him what might be his counsel; whereto he made answer on this
+wise, 'My lord, if, what time I have otherwhiles frequented these your
+dominions, I have noted aright the order you keep in your battles,
+meseemeth you wage them more with archers than with aught else;
+wherefore, if a means could be found whereby your adversary's bowmen
+should lack of arrows, whilst your own had abundance thereof,
+methinketh your battle would be won.' 'Without doubt,' answered the
+king, 'and this might be compassed, I should deem myself assured of
+victory.' Whereupon, 'My lord,' quoth Martuccio, 'an you will, this
+may very well be done, and you shall hear how. You must let make
+strings for your archers' bows much thinner than those which are
+everywhere commonly used and after let make arrows, the notches
+whereof shall not serve but for these thin strings. This must be so
+secretly done that your adversary should know nought thereof; else
+would he find a remedy therefor; and the reason for which I counsel
+you thus is this. After your enemy's archers and your own shall have
+shot all their arrows, you know that, the battle lasting, it will
+behove your foes to gather up the arrows shot by your men and the
+latter in like manner to gather theirs; but the enemy will not be able
+to make use of your arrows, by reason of the strait notches which will
+not take their thick strings, whereas the contrary will betide your
+men of the enemy's arrows, for that the thin strings will excellently
+well take the wide-notched arrows; and so your men will have abundance
+of ammunition, whilst the others will suffer default thereof.'
+
+[Footnote 274: This name is apparently a distortion of the Arabic
+_Amir Abdullah_.]
+
+The king, who was a wise prince, was pleased with Martuccio's counsel
+and punctually following it, found himself thereby to have won his
+war. Wherefore Martuccio became in high favour with him and rose in
+consequence to great and rich estate. The report of these things
+spread over the land and it came presently to Costanza's ears that
+Martuccio Gomito, whom she had long deemed dead, was alive, whereupon
+the love of him, that was now grown cool in her heart, broke out of a
+sudden into fresh flame and waxed greater than ever, whilst dead hope
+revived in her. Therewithal she altogether discovered her every
+adventure to the good lady, with whom she dwelt, and told her that she
+would fain go to Tunis, so she might satisfy her eyes of that whereof
+her ears had made them desireful, through the reports received. The
+old lady greatly commended her purpose and taking ship with her,
+carried her, as if she had been her mother, to Tunis, where they were
+honourably entertained in the house of a kinswoman of hers. There she
+despatched Carapresa, who had come with them, to see what she could
+learn of Martuccio, and she, finding him alive and in great estate and
+reporting this to the old gentlewoman, it pleased the latter to will
+to be she who should signify unto Martuccio that his Costanza was come
+thither to him; wherefore, betaking herself one day whereas he was,
+she said to him, 'Martuccio, there is come to my house a servant of
+thine from Lipari, who would fain speak with thee privily there;
+wherefore, not to trust to others, I have myself, at his desire, come
+to give thee notice thereof.' He thanked her and followed her to her
+house, where when Costanza saw him, she was like to die of gladness
+and unable to contain herself, ran straightway with open arms to
+throw herself on his neck; then, embracing him, without availing to
+say aught, she fell a-weeping tenderly, both for compassion of their
+past ill fortunes and for present gladness.
+
+Martuccio, seeing his mistress, abode awhile dumb for amazement, then
+said sighing, 'O my Costanza, art thou then yet alive? It is long
+since I heard that thou wast lost; nor in our country was aught known
+of thee.' So saying, he embraced her, weeping, and kissed her
+tenderly. Costanza then related to him all that had befallen her and
+the honourable treatment which she had received from the gentlewoman
+with whom she dwelt; and Martuccio, after much discourse, taking leave
+of her, repaired to the king his master and told him all, to wit, his
+own adventures and those of the damsel, adding that, with his leave,
+he meant to take her to wife, according to our law. The king marvelled
+at these things and sending for the damsel and hearing from her that
+it was even as Martuccio had avouched, said to her, 'Then hast thou
+right well earned him to husband.' Then, letting bring very great and
+magnificent gifts, he gave part thereof to her and part to Martuccio,
+granting them leave to do one with the other that which was most
+pleasing unto each of them; whereupon Martuccio, having entreated the
+gentlewoman who had harboured Costanza with the utmost honour and
+thanked her for that which she had done to serve her and bestowed on
+her such gifts as sorted with her quality, commended her to God and
+took leave of her, he and his mistress, not without many tears from
+the latter. Then, with the king's leave, they embarked with Carapresa
+on board a little ship and returned with a fair wind to Lipari, where
+so great was the rejoicing that it might never be told. There
+Martuccio took Costanza to wife and held great and goodly nuptials;
+after which they long in peace and repose had enjoyment of their
+loves."
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     PIETRO BOCCAMAZZA, FLEEING WITH AGNOLELLA, FALLETH AMONG
+     THIEVES; THE GIRL ESCAPETH THROUGH A WOOD AND IS LED [BY
+     FORTUNE] TO A CASTLE, WHILST PIETRO IS TAKEN BY THE THIEVES,
+     BUT PRESENTLY, ESCAPING FROM THEIR HANDS, WINNETH, AFTER
+     DIVERS ADVENTURES, TO THE CASTLE WHERE HIS MISTRESS IS AND
+     ESPOUSING HER, RETURNETH WITH HER TO ROME
+
+
+There was none among all the company but commended Emilia's story,
+which the queen seeing to be finished, turned to Elisa and bade her
+follow on. Accordingly, studious to obey, she began: "There occurreth
+to my mind, charming ladies, an ill night passed by a pair of
+indiscreet young lovers; but, for that many happy days ensued thereon,
+it pleaseth me to tell the story, as one that conformeth to our
+proposition.
+
+There was, a little while agone, at Rome,--once the head, as it is
+nowadays the tail of the world,[275]--a youth, called Pietro
+Boccamazza, of a very worshipful family among those of the city, who
+fell in love with a very fair and lovesome damsel called Agnolella,
+the daughter of one Gigliuozzo Saullo, a plebeian, but very dear to
+the Romans, and loving her, he contrived so to do that the girl began
+to love him no less than he loved her; whereupon, constrained by
+fervent love and himseeming he might no longer brook the cruel pain
+that the desire he had of her gave him, he demanded her in marriage;
+which no sooner did his kinsfolk know than they all repaired to him
+and chid him sore for that which he would have done; and on the other
+hand they gave Gigliuozzo to understand that he should make no account
+of Pietro's words, for that, an he did this, they would never have him
+for friend or kinsman. Pietro seeing that way barred whereby alone he
+deemed he might avail to win to his desire, was like to die of
+chagrin, and had Gigliuozzo consented, he would have taken his
+daughter to wife, in despite of all his kindred. However, he
+determined, an it liked the girl, to contrive to give effect to their
+wishes, and having assured himself, by means of an intermediary, that
+this was agreeable to her, he agreed with her that she should flee
+with him from Rome.
+
+[Footnote 275: Clement V. early in the fourteenth century removed the
+Papal See to Avignon, where it continued to be during the reigns of
+the five succeeding Popes, Rome being in the meantime abandoned by the
+Papal Court, till Gregory XI, in the year 1376 again took up his
+residence at the latter city. It is apparently to this circumstance
+that Boccaccio alludes in the text.]
+
+Accordingly, having taken order for this, Pietro arose very early one
+morning and taking horse with the damsel, set out for Anagni, where he
+had certain friends in whom he trusted greatly. They had no leisure to
+make a wedding of it, for that they feared to be followed, but rode
+on, devising of their love and now and again kissing one another. It
+chanced that, when they came mayhap eight miles from Rome, the way not
+being overwell known to Pietro, they took a path to the left, whereas
+they should have kept to the right; and scarce had they ridden more
+than two miles farther when they found themselves near a little
+castle, wherefrom, as soon as they were seen, there issued suddenly a
+dozen footmen. The girl, espying these, whenas they were already close
+upon them, cried out, saying, 'Pietro, let us begone, for we are
+attacked'; then, turning her rouncey's head, as best she knew, towards
+a great wood hard by, she clapped her spurs fast to his flank and held
+on to the saddlebow, whereupon the nag, feeling himself goaded, bore
+her into the wood at a gallop.
+
+Pietro, who went gazing more at her face than at the road, not having
+become so quickly aware as she of the new comers, was overtaken and
+seized by them, whilst he still looked, without yet perceiving them,
+to see whence they should come. They made him alight from his hackney
+and enquired who he was, which he having told, they proceeded to take
+counsel together and said, 'This fellow is of the friends of our
+enemies; what else should we do but take from him these clothes and
+this nag and string him up to one of yonder oaks, to spite the
+Orsini?' They all fell in with this counsel and bade Pietro put off
+his clothes, which as he was in act to do, foreboding him by this of
+the ill fate which awaited him, it chanced that an ambush of good
+five-and-twenty footmen started suddenly out upon the others, crying,
+'Kill! Kill!' The rogues, taken by surprise, let Pietro be and turned
+to stand upon their defence, but, seeing themselves greatly
+outnumbered by their assailants, betook themselves to flight, whilst
+the others pursued them.
+
+Pietro, seeing this, hurriedly caught up his gear and springing on his
+hackney, addressed himself, as best he might, to flee by the way he
+had seen his mistress take; but finding her not and seeing neither
+road nor footpath in the wood neither perceiving any horse's hoof
+marks, he was the woefullest man alive; and as soon as himseemed he
+was safe and out of reach of those who had taken him, as well as of
+the others by whom they had been assailed, he began to drive hither
+and thither about the wood, weeping and calling; but none answered him
+and he dared not turn back and knew not where he might come, an he
+went forward, more by token that he was in fear of the wild beasts
+that use to harbour in the woods, at once for himself and for his
+mistress, whom he looked momently to see strangled of some bear or
+some wolf. On this wise, then, did the unlucky Pietro range all day
+about the wood, crying and calling, whiles going backward, when as he
+thought to go forward, until, what with shouting and weeping and fear
+and long fasting, he was so spent that he could no more and seeing the
+night come and knowing not what other course to take, he dismounted
+from his hackney and tied the latter to a great oak, into which he
+climbed, so he might not be devoured of the wild beasts in the night.
+A little after the moon rose and the night being very clear and
+bright, he abode there on wake, sighing and weeping and cursing his
+ill luck, for that he durst not go to sleep, lest he should fall,
+albeit, had he had more commodity thereof, grief and the concern in
+which he was for his mistress would not have suffered him to sleep.
+
+Meanwhile, the damsel, fleeing, as we have before said, and knowing
+not whither to betake herself, save whereas it seemed good to her
+hackney to carry her, fared on so far into the wood that she could not
+see where she had entered, and went wandering all day about that
+desert place, no otherwise than as Pietro had done, now pausing [to
+hearken] and now going on, weeping the while and calling and making
+moan of her illhap. At last, seeing that Pietro came not and it being
+now eventide, she happened on a little path, into which her hackney
+turned, and following it, after she had ridden some two or more miles
+she saw a little house afar off. Thither she made her way as
+quickliest she might and found there a good man sore stricken in years
+and a woman, his wife alike old, who, seeing her alone, said to her,
+'Daughter, what dost thou alone at this hour in these parts?' The
+damsel replied, weeping, that she had lost her company in the wood and
+enquired how near she was to Anagni. 'Daughter mine,' answered the
+good man, 'this is not the way to go to Anagni; it is more than a
+dozen miles hence.' Quoth the girl, 'And how far is it hence to any
+habitations where I may have a lodging for the night?' To which the
+good man answered, 'There is none anywhere so near that thou mayst
+come thither by daylight.' Then said the damsel, 'Since I can go no
+otherwhere, will it please you harbour me here to-night for the love
+of God?' 'Young lady,' replied the old man, 'thou art very welcome to
+abide with us this night; algates, we must warn you that there are
+many ill companies, both of friends and of foes that come and go about
+these parts both by day and by night, who many a time do us sore annoy
+and great mischief; and if, by ill chance, thou being here, there come
+any of them and seeing thee, fair and young as thou art, should offer
+to do thee affront and shame, we could not avail to succour thee
+therefrom. We deem it well to apprise thee of this, so that, an it
+betide, thou mayst not be able to complain of us.'
+
+The girl, seeing that it was late, albeit the old man's words
+affrighted her, said, 'An it please God, He will keep both you and me
+from that annoy; and even if it befall me, it were a much less evil to
+be maltreated of men than to be mangled of the wild beasts in the
+woods.' So saying, she alighted from the rouncey and entered the poor
+man's house, where she supped with him on such poor fare as they had
+and after, all clad as she was, cast herself, together with them, on a
+little bed of theirs. She gave not over sighing and bewailing her own
+mishap and that of Pietro all night, knowing not if she might hope
+other than ill of him; and when it drew near unto morning, she heard a
+great trampling of folk approaching, whereupon she arose and betaking
+herself to a great courtyard, that lay behind the little house, saw in
+a corner a great heap of hay, in which she hid herself, so she might
+not be so quickly found, if those folk should come thither. Hardly had
+she made an end of hiding herself when these, who were a great company
+of ill knaves, came to the door of the little house and causing open
+to them, entered and found Agnolella's hackney yet all saddled and
+bridled; whereupon they asked who was there and the good man, not
+seeing the girl, answered, 'None is here save ourselves; but this
+rouncey, from whomsoever it may have escaped, came hither yestereve
+and we brought it into the house, lest the wolves should eat it.'
+'Then,' said the captain of the troop, 'since it hath none other
+master, it is fair prize for us.'
+
+Thereupon they all dispersed about the little house and some went into
+the courtyard, where, laying down their lances and targets, it chanced
+that one of them, knowing not what else to do, cast his lance into the
+hay and came very near to slay the hidden girl and she to discover
+herself, for that the lance passed so close to her left breast that
+the steel tore a part of her dress, wherefore she was like to utter a
+great cry, fearing to be wounded; but, remembering where she was, she
+abode still, all fear-stricken. Presently, the rogues, having dressed
+the kids and other meat they had with them and eaten and drunken, went
+off, some hither and some thither, about their affairs, and carried
+with them the girl's hackney. When they had gone some distance, the
+good man asked his wife, 'What befell of our young woman, who came
+thither yestereve? I have seen nothing of her since we arose.' The
+good wife replied that she knew not and went looking for her,
+whereupon the girl, hearing that the rogues were gone, came forth of
+the hay, to the no small contentment of her host, who, rejoiced to see
+that she had not fallen into their hands, said to her, it now growing
+day, 'Now that the day cometh, we will, an it please thee, accompany
+thee to a castle five miles hence, where thou wilt be in safety; but
+needs must thou go afoot, for yonder ill folk, that now departed
+hence, have carried off thy rouncey.' The girl concerned herself
+little about the nag, but besought them for God's sake to bring her to
+the castle in question, whereupon they set out and came thither about
+half tierce.
+
+Now this castle belonged to one of the Orsini family, by name Lionello
+di Campodifiore, and there by chance was his wife, a very pious and
+good lady, who, seeing the girl, knew her forthright and received her
+with joy and would fain know orderly how she came thither. Agnolella
+told her all and the lady, who knew Pietro on like wise, as being a
+friend of her husband's, was grieved for the ill chance that had
+betided and hearing where he had been taken, doubted not but he was
+dead; wherefore she said to Agnolella, 'Since thou knowest not what is
+come of Pietro, thou shalt abide here till such time as I shall have a
+commodity to send thee safe to Rome.'
+
+Meanwhile Pietro abode, as woebegone as could be, in the oak, and
+towards the season of the first sleep, he saw a good score of wolves
+appear, which came all about his hackney, as soon as they saw him. The
+horse, scenting them, tugged at his bridle, till he broke it, and
+would have fled, but being surrounded and unable to escape, he
+defended himself a great while with his teeth and his hoofs. At last,
+however, he was brought down and strangled and quickly disembowelled
+by the wolves, which took all their fill of his flesh and having
+devoured him, made off, without leaving aught but the bones, whereat
+Pietro, to whom it seemed he had in the rouncey a companion and a
+support in his troubles, was sore dismayed and misdoubted he should
+never avail to win forth of the wood. However, towards daybreak, being
+perished with cold in the oak and looking still all about him, he
+caught sight of a great fire before him, mayhap a mile off, wherefore,
+as soon as it was grown broad day, he came down from the oak, not
+without fear, and making for the fire, fared on till he came to the
+place, where he found shepherds eating and making merry about it, by
+whom he was received for compassion.
+
+After he had eaten and warmed himself, he acquainted them with his
+misadventure and telling them how he came thither alone, asked them if
+there was in those parts a village or castle, to which he might betake
+himself. The shepherds answered that some three miles thence there was
+a castle belonging to Lionello di Campodifiore, whose lady was
+presently there; whereat Pietro was much rejoiced and besought them
+that one of them should accompany him to the castle, which two of them
+readily did. There he found some who knew him and was in act to
+enquire for a means of having search made about the forest for the
+damsel, when he was bidden to the lady's presence and incontinent
+repaired to her. Never was joy like unto his, when he saw Agnolella
+with her, and he was all consumed with desire to embrace her, but
+forbore of respect for the lady, and if he was glad, the girl's joy
+was no less great. The gentle lady, having welcomed him and made much
+of him and heard from him what had betided him, chid him amain of that
+which he would have done against the will of his kinsfolk; but, seeing
+that he was e'en resolved upon this and that it was agreeable to the
+girl also, she said in herself, 'Why do I weary myself in vain? These
+two love and know each other and both are friends of my husband. Their
+desire is an honourable one and meseemeth it is pleasing to God, since
+the one of them hath scaped the gibbet and the other the lance-thrust
+and both the wild beasts of the wood; wherefore be it as they will.'
+Then, turning to the lovers, she said to them, 'If you have it still
+at heart to be man and wife, it is my pleasure also; be it so, and let
+the nuptials be celebrated here at Lionello's expense. I will engage
+after to make peace between you and your families.' Accordingly, they
+were married then and there, to the great contentment of Pietro and
+the yet greater satisfaction of Agnolella, and the gentle lady made
+them honourable nuptials, in so far as might be in the mountains.
+There, with the utmost delight, they enjoyed the first-fruits of their
+love and a few days after, they took horse with the lady and returned,
+under good escort, to Rome, where she found Pietro's kinsfolk sore
+incensed at that which he had done, but contrived to make his peace
+with them, and he lived with his Agnolella in all peace and pleasance
+to a good old age."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     RICCIARDO MANARDI, BEING FOUND BY MESSER LIZIO DA VALBONA
+     WITH HIS DAUGHTER, ESPOUSETH HER AND ABIDETH IN PEACE WITH
+     HER FATHER
+
+
+Elisa holding her peace and hearkening to the praises bestowed by the
+ladies her companions upon her story, the Queen charged Filostrato
+tell one of his own, whereupon he began, laughing, "I have been so
+often rated by so many of you ladies for having imposed on you matter
+for woeful discourse and such as tended to make you weep, that
+methinketh I am beholden, an I would in some measure requite you that
+annoy, to relate somewhat whereby I may make you laugh a little; and I
+mean therefore to tell you, in a very short story, of a love that,
+after no worse hindrance than sundry sighs and a brief fright, mingled
+with shame, came to a happy issue.
+
+It is, then, noble ladies, no great while ago since there lived in
+Romagna a gentleman of great worth and good breeding, called Messer
+Lizio da Valbona, to whom, well nigh in his old age, it chanced there
+was born of his wife, Madam Giacomina by name, a daughter, who grew up
+fair and agreeable beyond any other of the country; and for that she
+was the only child that remained to her father and mother, they loved
+and tendered her exceeding dear and guarded her with marvellous
+diligence, looking to make some great alliance by her. Now there was
+a young man of the Manardi of Brettinoro, comely and lusty of his
+person, by name Ricciardo, who much frequented Messer Lizio's house
+and conversed amain with him and of whom the latter and his lady took
+no more account than they would have taken of a son of theirs. Now,
+this Ricciardo, looking once and again upon the young lady and seeing
+her very fair and sprightly and commendable of manners and fashions,
+fell desperately in love with her, but was very careful to keep his
+love secret. The damsel presently became aware thereof and without
+anywise seeking to shun the stroke, began on like wise to love him;
+whereat Ricciardo was mightily rejoiced. He had many a time a mind to
+speak to her, but kept silence of misdoubtance; however, one day,
+taking courage and opportunity, he said to her, 'I prithee, Caterina,
+cause me not die of love.' To which she straightway made answer,
+'Would God thou wouldst not cause _me_ die!'
+
+This answer added much courage and pleasure to Ricciardo and he said
+to her, 'Never shall aught that may be agreeable to thee miscarry[276]
+for me; but it resteth with thee to find a means of saving thy life
+and mine.' 'Ricciardo,' answered she, 'thou seest how straitly I am
+guarded; wherefore, for my part, I cannot see how thou mayst avail to
+come at me; but, if thou canst see aught that I may do without shame
+to myself, tell it me and I will do it.' Ricciardo, having bethought
+himself of sundry things, answered promptly, 'My sweet Caterina, I can
+see no way, except that thou lie or make shift to come upon the
+gallery that adjoineth thy father's garden, where an I knew that thou
+wouldst be anights, I would without fail contrive to come to thee, how
+high soever it may be.' 'If thou have the heart to come thither,'
+rejoined Caterina, 'methinketh I can well enough win to be there.'
+Ricciardo assented and they kissed each other once only in haste and
+went their ways.
+
+[Footnote 276: Lit. stand (_stare_), _i.e._ abide undone.]
+
+Next day, it being then near the end of May, the girl began to
+complain before her mother that she had not been able to sleep that
+night for the excessive heat. Quoth the lady, 'Of what heat dost thou
+speak, daughter? Nay, it was nowise hot.' 'Mother mine,' answered
+Caterina, 'you should say "To my seeming," and belike you would say
+sooth; but you should consider how much hotter are young girls than
+ladies in years.' 'Daughter mine,' rejoined the lady, 'that is true;
+but I cannot make it cold and hot at my pleasure, as belike thou
+wouldst have me do. We must put up with the weather, such as the
+seasons make it; maybe this next night will be cooler and thou wilt
+sleep better.' 'God grant it may be so!' cried Caterina. 'But it is
+not usual for the nights to go cooling, as it groweth towards summer.'
+'Then what wouldst thou have done?' asked the mother; and she
+answered, 'An it please my father and you, I would fain have a little
+bed made in the gallery, that is beside his chamber and over his
+garden, and there sleep. There I should hear the nightingale sing and
+having a cooler place to lie in, I should fare much better than in
+your chamber.' Quoth the mother, 'Daughter, comfort thyself; I will
+tell thy father, and as he will, so will we do.'
+
+Messer Lizio hearing all this from his wife, said, for that he was an
+old man and maybe therefore somewhat cross-grained, 'What nightingale
+is this to whose song she would sleep? I will yet make her sleep to
+the chirp of the crickets.' Caterina, coming to know this, more of
+despite than for the heat, not only slept not that night, but suffered
+not her mother to sleep, still complaining of the great heat.
+Accordingly, next morning, the latter repaired to her husband and said
+to him, 'Sir, you have little tenderness for yonder girl; what
+mattereth it to you if she lie in the gallery? She could get no rest
+all night for the heat. Besides, can you wonder at her having a mind
+to hear the nightingale sing, seeing she is but a child? Young folk
+are curious of things like themselves. Messer Lizio, hearing this,
+said, 'Go to, make her a bed there, such as you think fit, and bind it
+about with some curtain or other, and there let her lie and hear the
+nightingale sing to her heart's content.'
+
+The girl, learning this, straightway let make a bed in the gallery and
+meaning to lie there that same night, watched till she saw Ricciardo
+and made him a signal appointed between them, by which he understood
+what was to be done. Messer Lizio, hearing the girl gone to bed,
+locked a door that led from his chamber into the gallery and betook
+himself likewise to sleep. As for Ricciardo, as soon as he heard all
+quiet on every hand, he mounted a wall, with the aid of a ladder, and
+thence, laying hold of certain toothings of another wall, he made his
+way, with great toil and danger, if he had fallen, up to the gallery,
+where he was quietly received by the girl with the utmost joy. Then,
+after many kisses, they went to bed together and took delight and
+pleasure one of another well nigh all that night, making the
+nightingale sing many a time. The nights being short and the delight
+great and it being now, though they thought it not, near day, they
+fell asleep without any covering, so overheated were they what with
+the weather and what with their sport, Caterina having her right arm
+entwined about Ricciardo's neck and holding him with the left hand by
+that thing which you ladies think most shame to name among men.
+
+As they slept on this wise, without awaking, the day came on and
+Messer Lizio arose and remembering him that his daughter lay in the
+gallery, opened the door softly, saying in himself, 'Let us see how
+the nightingale hath made Caterina sleep this night.' Then, going in,
+he softly lifted up the serge, wherewith the bed was curtained about,
+and saw his daughter and Ricciardo lying asleep, naked and uncovered,
+embraced as it hath before been set out; whereupon, having recognized
+Ricciardo, he went out again and repairing to his wife's chamber,
+called to her, saying, 'Quick, wife, get thee up and come see, for
+that thy daughter hath been so curious of the nightingale that she
+hath e'en taken it and hath it in hand.' 'How can that be?' quoth she;
+and he answered, 'Thou shalt see it, an thou come quickly.'
+Accordingly, she made haste to dress herself and quietly followed her
+husband to the bed, where, the curtain being drawn, Madam Giacomina
+might plainly see how her daughter had taken and held the
+nightingale, which she had so longed to hear sing; whereat the lady,
+holding herself sore deceived of Ricciardo, would have cried out and
+railed at him; but Messer Lizio said to her, 'Wife, as thou holdest my
+love dear, look thou say not a word, for, verily, since she hath
+gotten it, it shall be hers. Ricciardo is young and rich and gently
+born; he cannot make us other than a good son-in-law. An he would part
+from me on good terms, needs must he first marry her, so it will be
+found that he hath put the nightingale in his own cage and not in that
+of another.'
+
+The lady was comforted to see that her husband was not angered at the
+matter and considering that her daughter had passed a good night and
+rested well and had caught the nightingale, to boot, she held her
+tongue. Nor had they abidden long after these words when Ricciardo
+awoke and seeing that it was broad day, gave himself over for lost and
+called Caterina, saying, 'Alack, my soul, how shall we do, for the day
+is come and hath caught me here?' Whereupon Messer Lizio came forward
+and lifting the curtain, answered, 'We shall do well.' When Ricciardo
+saw him, himseemed the heart was torn out of his body and sitting up
+in bed, he said, 'My lord, I crave your pardon for God's sake. I
+acknowledged to have deserved death, as a disloyal and wicked man;
+wherefore do you with me as best pleaseth you; but, I prithee, an it
+may be, have mercy on my life and let me not die.' 'Ricciardo,'
+answered Messer Lizio, 'the love that I bore thee and the faith I had
+in thee merited not this return; yet, since thus it is and youth hath
+carried thee away into such a fault, do thou, to save thyself from
+death and me from shame, take Caterina to thy lawful wife, so that,
+like as this night she hath been thine, she may e'en be thine so long
+as she shall live. On this wise thou mayst gain my pardon and thine
+own safety; but, an thou choose not to do this, commend thy soul to
+God.'
+
+Whilst these words were saying, Caterina let go the nightingale and
+covering herself, fell to weeping sore and beseeching her father to
+pardon Ricciardo, whilst on the other hand she entreated her lover to
+do as Messer Lizio wished, so they might long pass such nights
+together in security. But there needed not overmany prayers, for that,
+on the one hand, shame of the fault committed and desire to make
+amends for it, and on the other, the fear of death and the wish to
+escape,--to say nothing of his ardent love and longing to possess the
+thing beloved,--made Ricciardo freely and without hesitation avouch
+himself ready to do that which pleased Messer Lizio; whereupon the
+latter borrowed of Madam Giacomina one of her rings and there, without
+budging, Ricciardo in their presence took Caterina to his wife. This
+done, Messer Lizio and his lady departed, saying, 'Now rest
+yourselves, for belike you have more need thereof than of rising.'
+They being gone, the young folk clipped each other anew and not having
+run more than half a dozen courses overnight, they ran other twain ere
+they arose and so made an end of the first day's tilting. Then they
+arose and Ricciardo having had more orderly conference with Messer
+Lizio, a few days after, as it beseemed, he married the damsel over
+again, in the presence of their friends and kinsfolk, and brought her
+with great pomp to his own house. There he held goodly and honourable
+nuptials and after went long nightingale-fowling with her to his
+heart's content, in peace and solace, both by night and by day."
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     GUIDOTTO DA CREMONA LEAVETH TO GIACOMINO DA PAVIA A DAUGHTER
+     OF HIS AND DIETH. GIANNOLE DI SEVERINO AND MINGHINO DI
+     MINGOLE FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL AT FAENZA AND COME TO
+     BLOWS ON HER ACCOUNT. ULTIMATELY SHE IS PROVED TO BE
+     GIANNOLE'S SISTER AND IS GIVEN TO MINGHINO TO WIFE
+
+
+All the ladies, hearkening to the story of the nightingale, had
+laughed so much that, though Filostrato had made an end of telling,
+they could not yet give over laughing. But, after they had laughed
+awhile, the queen said to Filostrato, "Assuredly, if thou afflictedest
+us ladies yesterday, thou hast so tickled us to-day that none of us
+can deservedly complain of thee." Then, addressing herself to Neifile,
+she charged her tell, and she blithely began to speak thus: "Since
+Filostrato, discoursing, hath entered into Romagna, it pleaseth me on
+like wise to go ranging awhile therein with mine own story.
+
+I say, then, that there dwelt once in the city of Fano two Lombards,
+whereof the one was called Guidotto da Cremona and the other Giacomino
+da Pavia, both men advanced in years, who had in their youth been well
+nigh always soldiers and engaged in deeds of arms. Guidotto, being at
+the point of death and having nor son nor other kinsmen nor friend in
+whom he trusted more than in Giacomino, left him a little daughter he
+had, of maybe ten years of age, and all that he possessed in the
+world, and after having bespoken him at length of his affairs, he
+died. In those days it befell that the city of Faenza, which had been
+long in war and ill case, was restored to somewhat better estate and
+permission to sojourn there was freely conceded to all who had a mind
+to return thither; wherefore Giacomino, who had abidden there
+otherwhile and had a liking for the place, returned thither with all
+his good and carried with him the girl left him by Guidotto, whom he
+loved and entreated as his own child.
+
+The latter grew up and became as fair a damsel as any in the city, ay,
+and as virtuous and well bred as she was fair; wherefore she began to
+be courted of many, but especially two very agreeable young men of
+equal worth and condition vowed her a very great love, insomuch that
+for jealousy they came to hold each other in hate out of measure. They
+were called, the one Giannole di Severino and the other Minghino di
+Mingole; nor was there either of them but would gladly have taken the
+young lady, who was now fifteen years old, to wife, had it been
+suffered of his kinsfolk; wherefore, seeing her denied to them on
+honourable wise, each cast about to get her for himself as best he
+might. Now Giacomino had in his house an old serving-wench and a
+serving-man, Crivello by name, a very merry and obliging person, with
+whom Giannole clapped up a great acquaintance and to whom, whenas
+himseemed time, he discovered his passion, praying him to be
+favourable to him in his endeavour to obtain his desire and promising
+him great things an he did this; whereto quoth Crivello, 'Look you, I
+can do nought for thee in this matter other than that, when next
+Giacomino goeth abroad to supper, I will bring thee whereas she may
+be; for that, an I offered to say a word to her in thy favour, she
+would never stop to listen to me. If this like thee, I promise it to
+thee and will do it; and do thou after, an thou know how, that which
+thou deemest shall best serve thy purpose.' Giannole answered that he
+desired nothing more and they abode on this understanding. Meanwhile
+Minghino, on his part, had suborned the maidservant and so wrought
+with her that she had several times carried messages to the girl and
+had well night inflamed her with love of him; besides which she had
+promised him to bring him in company with her, so soon as Giacomino
+should chance to go abroad of an evening for whatever cause.
+
+Not long after this it chanced that, by Crivello's contrivance,
+Giacomino went to sup with a friend of his, whereupon Crivello gave
+Giannole to know thereof and appointed with him that, whenas he made a
+certain signal, he should come and would find the door open. The maid,
+on her side, knowing nothing of all this, let Minghino know that
+Giacomino was to sup abroad and bade him abide near the house, so
+that, whenas he saw a signal which she should make he might come and
+enter therein. The evening come, the two lovers, knowing nothing of
+each other's designs, but each misdoubting of his rival, came, with
+sundry companions armed, to enter into possession. Minghino, with his
+troop took up his quarters in the house of a friend of his, a
+neighbour of the young lady's; whilst Giannole and his friends
+stationed themselves at a little distance from the house. Meanwhile,
+Crivello and the maid, Giacomino being gone, studied each to send the
+other away. Quoth he to her, 'Why dost thou not get thee to bed? Why
+goest thou still wandering about the house?' 'And thou,' retorted she,
+'why goest thou not for thy master? What awaitest thou here, now that
+thou hast supped?' And so neither could make other avoid the place;
+but Crivello, seeing the hour come that he had appointed with Giannole
+said in himself, 'What reck I of her? An she abide not quiet, she is
+like to smart for it.'
+
+Accordingly, giving the appointed signal, he went to open the door,
+whereupon Giannole, coming up in haste with two companions, entered
+and finding the young lady in the saloon, laid hands on her to carry
+her off. The girl began to struggle and make a great outcry, as
+likewise did the maid, which Minghino hearing, he ran thither with his
+companions and seeing the young lady being presently dragged out at
+the door, they pulled out their swords and cried all, 'Ho, traitors,
+ye are dead men! The thing shall not go thus. What is this violence?'
+So saying, they fell to hewing at them, whilst the neighbors, issuing
+forth at the clamour with lights and arms, began to blame Giannole's
+behaviour and to second Minghino; wherefore, after long contention,
+the latter rescued the young lady from his rival and restored her to
+Giacomino's house. But, before the fray was over, up came the
+town-captain's officers and arrested many of them; and amongst the
+rest Minghino and Giannole and Crivello were taken and carried off to
+prison. After matters were grown quiet again, Giacomino returned home
+and was sore chagrined at that which had happened; but, enquiring how
+it had come about and finding that the girl was nowise at fault, he
+was somewhat appeased and determined in himself to marry her as
+quickliest he might, so the like should not again betide.
+
+Next morning, the kinsfolk of the two young men, hearing the truth of
+the case and knowing the ill that might ensue thereof for the
+imprisoned youths, should Giacomino choose to do that which he
+reasonably might, repaired to him and prayed him with soft words to
+have regard, not so much to the affront which he had suffered from the
+little sense of the young men as to the love and goodwill which they
+believed he bore to themselves who thus besought him, submitting
+themselves and the young men who had done the mischief to any amends
+it should please him take. Giacomino, who had in his time seen many
+things and was a man of sense, answered briefly, 'Gentlemen, were I in
+mine own country, as I am in yours, I hold myself so much your friend
+that neither in this nor in otherwhat would I do aught save insomuch
+as it should please you; besides, I am the more bounden to comply with
+your wishes in this matter, inasmuch as you have therein offended
+against yourselves, for that the girl in question is not, as belike
+many suppose, of Cremona nor of Pavia; nay, she is a Faentine,[277]
+albeit neither I nor she nor he of whom I had her might ever learn
+whose daughter she was; wherefore, concerning that whereof you pray
+me, so much shall be done by me as you yourselves shall enjoin me.'
+
+[Footnote 277: _i.e._ a native of Faenza (_Faentina_).]
+
+The gentlemen, hearing this, marvelled and returning thanks to
+Giacomino for his gracious answer, prayed him that it would please him
+tell them how she came to his hands and how he knew her to be a
+Faentine; whereto quoth he, 'Guidotto da Cremona, who was my friend
+and comrade, told me, on his deathbed, that, when this city was taken
+by the Emperor Frederick and everything given up to pillage, he
+entered with his companions into a house and found it full of booty,
+but deserted by its inhabitants, save only this girl, who was then
+some two years old or thereabouts and who, seeing him mount the
+stairs, called him "father"; whereupon, taking compassion upon her, he
+carried her off with him to Fano, together with all that was in the
+house, and dying there, left her to me with what he had, charging me
+marry her in due time and give her to her dowry that which had been
+hers. Since she hath come to marriageable age, I have not yet found an
+occasion of marrying her to my liking, though I would gladly do it,
+rather than that another mischance like that of yesternight should
+betide me on her account.'
+
+Now among the others there was a certain Guiglielmino da Medicina,
+who had been with Guidotto in that affair[278] and knew very well
+whose house it was that he had plundered, and he, seeing the person in
+question[279] there among the rest, accosted him, saying,
+'Bernabuccio, hearest thou what Giacomino saith?' 'Ay do I,' answered
+Bernabuccio, 'and I was presently in thought thereof, more by token
+that I mind me to have lost a little daughter of the age whereof
+Giacomino speaketh in those very troubles.' Quoth Guiglielmino, 'This
+is she for certain, for that I was once in company with Guidotto, when
+I heard him tell where he had done the plundering and knew it to be
+thy house that he had sacked; wherefore do thou bethink thee if thou
+mayst credibly recognize her by any token and let make search
+therefor; for thou wilt assuredly find that she is thy daughter.'
+
+[Footnote 278: _A questo fatto_, _i.e._ at the storm of Faenza.]
+
+[Footnote 279: _i.e._ the owner of the plundered house.]
+
+Accordingly, Bernabuccio bethought himself and remembered that she
+should have a little cross-shaped scar over her left ear, proceeding
+from a tumour, which he had caused cut for her no great while before
+that occurrence; whereupon, without further delay, he accosted
+Giacomino, who was still there, and besought him to carry him to his
+house and let him see the damsel. To this he readily consented and
+carrying him thither, let bring the girl before him. When Bernabuccio
+set eyes on her, himseemed he saw the very face of her mother, who was
+yet a handsome lady; nevertheless, not contenting himself with this,
+he told Giacomino that he would fain of his favour have leave to raise
+her hair a little above her left ear, to which the other consented.
+Accordingly, going up to the girl, who stood shamefast, he lifted up
+her hair with his right hand and found the cross; whereupon, knowing
+her to be indeed his daughter, he fell to weeping tenderly and
+embracing her, notwithstanding her resistance; then, turning to
+Giacomino, 'Brother mine,' quoth he, 'this is my daughter; it was my
+house Guidotto plundered and this girl was, in the sudden alarm,
+forgotten there of my wife and her mother; and until now we believed
+that she had perished with the house, which was burned me that same
+day.'
+
+The girl, hearing this, and seeing him to be a man in years, gave
+credence to his words and submitting herself to his embraces, as moved
+by some occult instinct, fell a-weeping tenderly with him. Bernabuccio
+presently sent for her mother and other her kinswomen and for her
+sisters and brothers and presented her to them all, recounting the
+matter to them; then, after a thousand embraces, he carried her home
+to his house with the utmost rejoicing, to the great satisfaction of
+Giacomino. The town-captain, who was a man of worth, learning this and
+knowing that Giannole, whom he had in prison, was Bernabuccio's son
+and therefore the lady's own brother, determined indulgently to
+overpass the offence committed by him and released with him Minghino
+and Crivello and the others who were implicated in the affair.
+Moreover, he interceded with Bernabuccio and Giacomino concerning
+these matters and making peace between the two young men, gave the
+girl, whose name was Agnesa, to Minghino to wife, to the great
+contentment of all their kinsfolk; whereupon Minghino, mightily
+rejoiced, made a great and goodly wedding and carrying her home, lived
+with her many years after in peace and weal."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     GIANNI DI PROCIDA BEING FOUND WITH A YOUNG LADY, WHOM HE
+     LOVED AND WHO HAD BEEN GIVEN TO KING FREDERICK OF SICILY, IS
+     BOUND WITH HER TO A STAKE TO BE BURNT; BUT, BEING RECOGNIZED
+     BY RUGGIERI DELL' ORIA, ESCAPETH AND BECOMETH HER HUSBAND
+
+
+Neifile's story, which had much pleased the ladies, being ended, the
+queen bade Pampinea address herself to tell another, and she
+accordingly, raising her bright face, began: "Exceeding great,
+charming ladies, is the might of Love and exposeth lovers to sore
+travails, ay, and to excessive and unforeseen perils, as may be
+gathered from many a thing that hath been related both to-day and
+otherwhiles; nevertheless, it pleaseth me yet again to demonstrate it
+to you with a story of an enamoured youth.
+
+Ischia is an island very near Naples, and therein, among others, was
+once a very fair and sprightly damsel, by name Restituta, who was the
+daughter of a gentleman of the island called Marino Bolgaro and whom a
+youth named Gianni, a native of a little island near Ischia, called
+Procida, loved more than his life, as she on like wise loved him. Not
+only did he come by day from Procida to see her, but oftentimes
+anights, not finding a boat, he had swum from Procida to Ischia, at
+the least to look upon the walls of her house, an he might no
+otherwise. During the continuance of this so ardent love, it befell
+that the girl, being all alone one summer day on the sea-shore,
+chanced, as she went from rock to rock, loosening shell-fish from the
+stones with a knife, upon a place hidden among the cliffs, where, at
+once for shade and for the commodity of a spring of very cool water
+that was there, certain young men of Sicily, coming from Naples, had
+taken up their quarters with a pinnace they had. They, seeing that she
+was alone and very handsome and was yet unaware of them, took counsel
+together to seize her and carry her off and put their resolve into
+execution. Accordingly, they took her, for all she made a great
+outcry, and carrying her aboard the pinnace, made the best of their
+way to Calabria, where they fell to disputing of whose she should be.
+Brief, each would fain have her; wherefore, being unable to agree
+among themselves and fearing to come to worse and to mar their affairs
+for her, they took counsel together to present her to Frederick, King
+of Sicily, who was then a young man and delighted in such toys.
+Accordingly, coming to Palermo, they made gift of the damsel to the
+king, who, seeing her to be fair, held her dear; but, for that he was
+presently somewhat infirm of his person, he commanded that, against he
+should be stronger, she should be lodged in a very goodly pavilion,
+belonging to a garden of his he called La Cuba, and there tended; and
+so it was done.
+
+Great was the outcry in Ischia for the ravishment of the damsel and
+what most chagrined them was that they could not learn who they were
+that had carried her off; but Gianni, whom the thing concerned more
+than any other, not looking to get any news of this in Ischia and
+learning in what direction the ravishers had gone, equipped another
+pinnace and embarking therein, as quickliest as he might, scoured all
+the coast from La Minerva to La Scalea in Calabria, enquiring
+everywhere for news of the girl. Being told at La Scalea that she had
+been carried off to Palermo by some Sicilian sailors, he betook
+himself thither, as quickliest he might, and there, after much search,
+finding that she had been presented to the king and was by him kept
+under ward at La Cuba, he was sore chagrined and lost well nigh all
+hope, not only of ever having her again, but even of seeing her.
+Nevertheless, detained by love, having sent away his pinnace and
+seeing that he was known of none there, he abode behind and passing
+often by La Cuba, he chanced one day to catch sight of her at a window
+and she saw him, to the great contentment of them both.
+
+Gianni, seeing the place lonely, approached as most he might and
+bespeaking her, was instructed by her how he must do, an he would
+thereafterward have further speech of her. He then took leave of her,
+having first particularly examined the ordinance of the place in every
+part, and waited till a good part of the night was past, when he
+returned thither and clambering up in places where a woodpecker had
+scarce found a foothold, he made his way into the garden. There he
+found a long pole and setting it against the window which his mistress
+had shown him, climbed up thereby lightly enough. The damsel,
+herseeming she had already lost her honour, for the preservation
+whereof she had in times past been somewhat coy to him, thinking that
+she could give herself to none more worthily than to him and doubting
+not to be able to induce him to carry her off, had resolved in herself
+to comply with him in every his desire; wherefore she had left the
+window open, so he might enter forthright. Accordingly, Gianni,
+finding it open, softly made his way into the chamber and laid himself
+beside the girl, who slept not and who, before they came to otherwhat,
+discovered to him all her intent, instantly beseeching him to take her
+thence and carry her away. Gianni answered that nothing could be so
+pleasing to him as this and promised that he would without fail, as
+soon as he should have taken his leave of her, put the matter in train
+on such wise that he might carry her away with him, the first time he
+returned thither. Then, embracing each other with exceeding pleasure,
+they took that delight beyond which Love can afford no greater, and
+after reiterating it again and again, they fell asleep, without
+perceiving it, in each other's arms.
+
+Meanwhile, the king, who had at first sight been greatly taken with
+the damsel, calling her to mind and feeling himself well of body,
+determined, albeit it was nigh upon day, to go and abide with her
+awhile. Accordingly, he betook himself privily to La Cuba with certain
+of his servants and entering the pavilion, caused softly open the
+chamber wherein he knew the girl slept. Then, with a great lighted
+flambeau before him, he entered therein and looking upon the bed, saw
+her and Gianni lying asleep and naked in each other's arms; whereas he
+was of a sudden furiously incensed and flamed up into such a passion
+of wrath that it lacked of little but he had, without saying a word,
+slain them both then and there with a dagger he had by his side.
+However, esteeming it a very base thing of any man, much more a king,
+to slay two naked folk in their sleep, he contained himself and
+determined to put them to death in public and by fire; wherefore,
+turning to one only companion he had with him, he said to him, 'How
+deemest thou of this vile woman, on whom I had set my hope?' And after
+he asked him if he knew the young man who had dared enter his house to
+do him such an affront and such an outrage; but he answered that he
+remembered not ever to have seen him. The king then departed the
+chamber, full of rage, and commanded that the two lovers should be
+taken and bound, naked as they were, and that, as soon as it was broad
+day, they should be carried to Palermo and there bound to a stake,
+back to back, in the public place, where they should be kept till the
+hour of tierce, so they might be seen of all, and after burnt, even as
+they had deserved; and this said, he returned to his palace at
+Palermo, exceeding wroth.
+
+The king gone, there fell many upon the two lovers and not only
+awakened them, but forthright without any pity took them and bound
+them; which when they saw, it may lightly be conceived if they were
+woeful and feared for their lives and wept and made moan. According to
+the king's commandment, they were carried to Palermo and bound to a
+stake in the public place, whilst the faggots and the fire were made
+ready before their eyes, to burn them at the hour appointed. Thither
+straightway flocked all the townsfolk, both men and women, to see the
+two lovers; the men all pressed to look upon the damsel and like as
+they praised her for fair and well made in every part of her body,
+even so, on the other hand, the women, who all ran to gaze upon the
+young man, supremely commended him for handsome and well shapen. But
+the wretched lovers, both sore ashamed, stood with bowed heads and
+bewailed their sorry fortune, hourly expecting the cruel death by
+fire.
+
+Whilst they were thus kept against the appointed hour, the default of
+them committed, being bruited about everywhere, came to the ears of
+Ruggieri dell' Oria, a man of inestimable worth and then the king's
+admiral, whereupon he repaired to the place where they were bound and
+considering first the girl, commended her amain for beauty, then,
+turning to look upon the young man, knew him without much difficulty
+and drawing nearer to him, asked him if he were not Gianni di Procida.
+The youth, raising his eyes and recognizing the admiral, answered, 'My
+lord, I was indeed he of whom you ask; but I am about to be no more.'
+The admiral then asked him what had brought him to that pass, and he
+answered, 'Love and the king's anger.' The admiral caused him tell his
+story more at large and having heard everything from him as it had
+happened, was about to depart, when Gianni called him back and said to
+him, 'For God's sake, my lord, an it may be, get me one favour of him
+who maketh me to abide thus.' 'What is that?' asked Ruggieri; and
+Gianni said, 'I see I must die, and that speedily, and I ask,
+therefore, by way of favour,--as I am bound with my back to this
+damsel, whom I have loved more than my life, even as she hath loved
+me, and she with her back to me,--that we may be turned about with our
+faces one to the other, so that, dying, I may look upon her face and
+get me gone, comforted.' 'With all my heart,' answered Ruggieri,
+laughing; 'I will do on such wise that thou shalt yet see her till
+thou grow weary of her sight.'
+
+Then, taking leave of him, he charged those who were appointed to
+carry the sentence into execution that they should proceed no farther
+therein, without other commandment of the king, and straightway betook
+himself to the latter, to whom, albeit he saw him sore incensed, he
+spared not to speak his mind, saying, 'King, in what have the two
+young folk offended against thee, whom thou hast commanded to be
+burned yonder in the public place?' The king told him and Ruggieri
+went on, 'The offence committed by them deserveth it indeed, but not
+from thee; for, like as defaults merit punishment, even so do good
+offices merit recompense, let alone grace and clemency. Knowest thou
+who these are thou wouldst have burnt?' The king answered no, and
+Ruggieri continued, 'Then I will have thee know them, so thou mayst
+see how discreetly[280] thou sufferest thyself to be carried away by
+the transports of passion. The young man is the son of Landolfo di
+Procida, own brother to Messer Gian di Procida,[281] by whose means
+thou art king and lord of this island, and the damsel is the daughter
+of Marino Bolgaro, to whose influence thou owest it that thine
+officers have not been driven forth of Ischia. Moreover, they are
+lovers who have long loved one another and constrained of love, rather
+than of will to do despite to thine authority, have done this sin, if
+that can be called sin which young folk do for love. Wherefore, then,
+wilt thou put them to death, whenas thou shouldst rather honour them
+with the greatest favours and boons at thy commandment?'
+
+[Footnote 280: Iron., meaning "with how little discretion."]
+
+[Footnote 281: Gianni (Giovanni) di Procida was a Sicilian noble, to
+whose efforts in stirring up the island to revolt against Charles of
+Anjou was mainly due the popular rising known as the Sicilian Vespers
+(A.D. 1283) which expelled the French usurper from Sicily and
+transferred the crown to the house of Arragon. The Frederick (A.D.
+1296-1337) named in the text was the fourth prince of the latter
+dynasty.]
+
+The king, hearing this and certifying himself that Ruggieri spoke
+sooth, not only forbore from proceeding to do worse, but repented him
+of that which he had done, wherefore he commanded incontinent that the
+two lovers should be loosed from the stake and brought before him;
+which was forthright done. Therewith, having fully acquainted himself
+with their case, he concluded that it behoved him requite them the
+injury he had done them with gifts and honour; wherefore he let clothe
+them anew on sumptuous wise and finding them of one accord, caused
+Gianni to take the damsel to wife. Then, making them magnificent
+presents, he sent them back, rejoicing, to their own country, where
+they were received with the utmost joyance and delight."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     TEODORO, BEING ENAMOURED OF VIOLANTE, DAUGHTER OF MESSER
+     AMERIGO HIS LORD, GETTETH HER WITH CHILD AND IS CONDEMNED TO
+     BE HANGED; BUT, BEING RECOGNIZED AND DELIVERED BY HIS
+     FATHER, AS THEY ARE LEADING HIM TO THE GALLOWS, SCOURGING
+     HIM THE WHILE, HE TAKETH VIOLANTE TO WIFE
+
+
+The ladies, who abode all fearful in suspense to know if the lovers
+should be burnt, hearing of their escape, praised God and were glad;
+whereupon the queen, seeing that Pampinea had made an end of her
+story, imposed on Lauretta the charge of following on, who blithely
+proceeded to say: "Fairest ladies, in the days when good King
+William[282] ruled over Sicily, there was in that island a gentleman
+hight Messer Amerigo Abate of Trapani, who, among other worldly goods,
+was very well furnished with children; wherefore, having occasion for
+servants and there coming thither from the Levant certain galleys of
+Genoese corsairs, who had, in their cruises off the coast of Armenia,
+taken many boys, he bought some of these latter, deeming them Turks,
+and amongst them one, Teodoro by name, of nobler mien and better
+bearing than the rest, who seemed all mere shepherds. Teodoro,
+although entreated as a slave, was brought up in the house with Messer
+Amerigo's children and conforming more to his own nature than to the
+accidents of fortune, approved himself so accomplished and well-bred
+and so commended himself to Messer Amerigo that he set him free and
+still believing him to be a Turk, caused baptize him and call him
+Pietro and made him chief over all his affairs, trusting greatly in
+him.
+
+[Footnote 282: William II. (A.D. 1166-1189), the last (legitimate)
+king of the Norman dynasty in Sicily, called the Good, to distinguish
+him from his father, William the Bad.]
+
+As Messer Amerigo's children grew up, there grew up with them a
+daughter of his, called Violante, a fair and dainty damsel, who, her
+father tarrying overmuch to marry her, became by chance enamoured of
+Pietro and loving him and holding his manners and fashions in great
+esteem, was yet ashamed to discover this to him. But Love spared her
+that pains, for that Pietro, having once and again looked upon her by
+stealth, had become so passionately enamoured of her that he never
+knew ease save whenas he saw her; but he was sore afraid lest any
+should become aware thereof, himseeming that in this he did other than
+well. The young lady, who took pleasure in looking upon him, soon
+perceived this and to give him more assurance, showed herself
+exceeding well pleased therewith, as indeed she was. On this wise they
+abode a great while, daring not to say aught to one another, much as
+each desired it; but, whilst both, alike enamoured, languished
+enkindled in the flames of love, fortune, as if it had determined of
+will aforethought that this should be, furnished them with an occasion
+of doing away the timorousness that baulked them.
+
+Messer Amerigo had, about a mile from Trapani, a very goodly
+place,[283] to which his lady was wont ofttimes to resort by way of
+pastime with her daughter and other women and ladies. Thither
+accordingly they betook themselves one day of great heat, carrying
+Pietro with them, and there abiding, it befell, as whiles we see it
+happen in summer time, that the sky became of a sudden overcast with
+dark clouds, wherefore the lady set out with her company to return to
+Trapani, so they might not be there overtaken of the foul weather, and
+fared on as fast as they might. But Pietro and Violante, being young,
+outwent her mother and the rest by a great way, urged belike, no less
+by love than by fear of the weather, and they being already so far in
+advance that they were hardly to be seen, it chanced that, of a
+sudden, after many thunderclaps, a very heavy and thick shower of hail
+began to fall, wherefrom the lady and her company fled into the house
+of a husbandman.
+
+[Footnote 283: Apparently a pleasure-garden, without a house attached
+in which they might have taken shelter from the rain.]
+
+Pietro and the young lady, having no readier shelter, took refuge in a
+little old hut, well nigh all in ruins, wherein none dwelt, and there
+huddled together under a small piece of roof, that yet remained whole.
+The scantness of the cover constrained them to press close one to
+other, and this touching was the means of somewhat emboldening their
+minds to discover the amorous desires that consumed them both; and
+Pietro first began to say, 'Would God this hail might never give over,
+so but I might abide as I am!' 'Indeed,' answered the girl, 'that were
+dear to me also.' From these words they came to taking each other by
+the hands and pressing them and from that to clipping and after to
+kissing, it hailing still the while; and in short, not to recount
+every particular, the weather mended not before they had known the
+utmost delights of love and had taken order to have their pleasure
+secretly one of the other. The storm ended, they fared on to the gate
+of the city, which was near at hand, and there awaiting the lady,
+returned home with her.
+
+Thereafter, with very discreet and secret ordinance, they foregathered
+again and again in the same place, to the great contentment of them
+both, and the work went on so briskly that the young lady became with
+child, which was sore unwelcome both to the one and the other;
+wherefore she used many arts to rid herself, contrary to the course of
+nature, of her burden, but could nowise avail to accomplish it.
+Therewithal, Pietro, fearing for his life, bethought himself to flee
+and told her, to which she answered, 'An thou depart, I will without
+fail kill myself.' Whereupon quoth Pietro, who loved her exceedingly,
+'Lady mine, how wilt thou have me abide here? Thy pregnancy will
+discover our default and it will lightly be pardoned unto thee; but I,
+poor wretch, it will be must needs bear the penalty of thy sin and
+mine own.' 'Pietro,' replied she, 'my sin must indeed be discovered;
+but be assured that thine will never be known, an thou tell not
+thyself.' Then said he, 'Since thou promisest me this, I will remain;
+but look thou keep thy promise to me.'
+
+After awhile, the young lady, who had as most she might, concealed her
+being with child, seeing that, for the waxing of her body, she might
+no longer dissemble it, one day discovered her case to her mother,
+beseeching her with many tears to save her; whereupon the lady, beyond
+measure woeful, gave her hard words galore and would know of her how
+the thing had come about. Violante, in order that no harm might come
+to Pietro, told her a story of her own devising, disguising the truth
+in other forms. The lady believed it and to conceal her daughter's
+default, sent her away to a country house of theirs. There, the time
+of her delivery coming and the girl crying out, as women use to do,
+what while her mother never dreamed that Messer Amerigo, who was well
+nigh never wont to do so, should come thither, it chanced that he
+passed, on his return from hawking, by the chamber where his daughter
+lay and marvelling at the outcry she made, suddenly entered the
+chamber and demanded what was to do. The lady, seeing her husband come
+unawares, started up all woebegone and told him that which had
+befallen the girl. But he, less easy of belief than his wife had been,
+declared that it could not be true that she knew not by whom she was
+with child and would altogether know who he was, adding that, by
+confessing it, she might regain his favour; else must she make ready
+to die without mercy.
+
+The lady did her utmost to persuade her husband to abide content with
+that which she had said; but to no purpose. He flew out into a passion
+and running, with his naked sword in his hand, at his daughter, who,
+what while her mother held her father in parley, had given birth to a
+male child, said, 'Either do thou discover by whom the child was
+begotten, or thou shalt die without delay.' The girl, fearing death,
+broke her promise to Pietro and discovered all that had passed between
+him and her; which when the gentleman heard, he fell into a fury of
+anger and hardly withheld himself from slaying her.
+
+However, after he had said to her that which his rage dictated to him,
+he took horse again and returning to Trapani, recounted the affront
+that Pietro had done him to a certain Messer Currado, who was captain
+there for the king. The latter caused forthright seize Pietro, who was
+off his guard, and put him to the torture, whereupon he confessed all
+and being a few days after sentenced by the captain to be flogged
+through the city and after strung up by the neck, Messer Amerigo
+(whose wrath had not been done away by the having brought Pietro to
+death,) in order that one and the same hour should rid the earth of
+the two lovers and their child, put poison in a hanap with wine and
+delivering it, together with a naked poniard, to a serving-man of his,
+said to him, 'Carry these two things to Violante and bid her, on my
+part, forthright take which she will of these two deaths, poison or
+steel; else will I have her burned alive, even as she hath deserved,
+in the presence of as many townsfolk as be here. This done, thou shalt
+take the child, a few days agone born of her, and dash its head
+against the wall and after cast it to the dogs to eat.' This barbarous
+sentence passed by the cruel father upon his daughter and his
+grandchild, the servant, who was more disposed to ill than to good,
+went off upon his errand.
+
+Meanwhile, Pietro, as he was carried to the gallows by the officers,
+being scourged of them the while, passed, according as it pleased
+those who led the company, before a hostelry wherein were three
+noblemen of Armenia, who had been sent by the king of that country
+ambassadors to Rome, to treat with the Pope of certain matters of
+great moment, concerning a crusade that was about to be undertaken,
+and who had lighted down there to take some days' rest and
+refreshment. They had been much honoured by the noblemen of Trapani
+and especially by Messer Amerigo, and hearing those pass who led
+Pietro, they came to a window to see. Now Pietro was all naked to the
+waist, with his hands bounden behind his back, and one of the three
+ambassadors, a man of great age and authority, named Fineo, espied on
+his breast a great vermeil spot, not painted, but naturally imprinted
+on his skin, after the fashion of what women here call _roses_. Seeing
+this, there suddenly recurred to his memory a son of his who had been
+carried off by corsairs fifteen years agone upon the coast of Lazistan
+and of whom he had never since been able to learn any news; and
+considering the age of the poor wretch who was scourged, he bethought
+himself that, if his son were alive, he must be of such an age as
+Pietro appeared to him. Wherefore he began to suspect by that token
+that it must be he and bethought himself that, were he indeed his son,
+he should still remember him of his name and that of his father and of
+the Armenian tongue. Accordingly, as he drew near, he called out,
+saying, 'Ho, Teodoro!' Pietro, hearing this, straightway lifted up his
+head and Fineo, speaking in Armenian, said to him, 'What countryman
+art thou and whose son?' The sergeants who had him in charge halted
+with him, of respect for the nobleman, so that Pietro answered,
+saying, 'I was of Armenia and son to one Fineo and was brought hither,
+as a little child, by I know not what folk.'
+
+Fineo, hearing this, knew him for certain to be the son whom he had
+lost, wherefore he came down, weeping, with his companions, and ran to
+embrace him among all the sergeants; then, casting over his shoulders
+a mantle of the richest silk, which he had on his own back, he
+besought the officer who was escorting him to execution to be pleased
+to wait there till such time as commandment should come to him to
+carry the prisoner back; to which he answered that he would well. Now
+Fineo had already learned the reason for which Pietro was being led to
+death, report having noised it abroad everywhere; wherefore he
+straightway betook himself, with his companions and their retinue, to
+Messer Currado and bespoke him thus: 'Sir, he whom you have doomed to
+die, as a slave, is a free man and my son and is ready to take to
+wife her whom it is said he hath bereft of her maidenhead; wherefore
+may it please you to defer the execution till such time as it may be
+learned if she will have him to husband, so, in case she be willing,
+you may not be found to have done contrary to the law.' Messer
+Currado, hearing that the condemned man was Fineo's son, marvelled and
+confessing that which the latter said to be true, was somewhat ashamed
+of the unright of fortune and straightway caused carry Pietro home;
+then, sending for Messer Amerigo, he acquainted him with these things.
+
+Messer Amerigo, who by this believed his daughter and grandson to be
+dead, was the woefullest man in the world for that which he had done,
+seeing that all might very well have been set right, so but Violante
+were yet alive. Nevertheless, he despatched a runner whereas his
+daughter was, to the intent that, in case his commandment had not been
+done, it should not be carried into effect. The messenger found the
+servant sent by Messer Amerigo rating the lady, before whom he had
+laid the poniard and the poison, for that she made not her election as
+speedily [as he desired], and would have constrained her to take the
+one or the other. But, hearing his lord's commandment, he let her be
+and returning to Messer Amerigo, told him how the case stood, to the
+great satisfaction of the latter, who, betaking himself whereas Fineo
+was, excused himself, well nigh with tears, as best he knew, of that
+which had passed, craving pardon therefor and evouching that, an
+Teodoro would have his daughter to wife, he was exceeding well pleased
+to give her to him. Fineo gladly received his excuses and answered,
+'It is my intent that my son shall take your daughter to wife; and if
+he will not, let the sentence passed upon him take its course.'
+
+Accordingly, being thus agreed, they both repaired whereas Teodoro
+abode yet all fearful of death, albeit he was rejoiced to have found
+his father again, and questioned him of his mind concerning this
+thing. When he heard that, an he would, he might have Violante to
+wife, such was his joy that himseemed he had won from hell to heaven
+at one bound, and he answered that this would be to him the utmost of
+favours, so but it pleased both of them. Thereupon they sent to know
+the mind of the young lady, who, whereas she abode in expectation of
+death, the woefullest woman alive, hearing that which had betided and
+was like to betide Teodoro, after much parley, began to lend some
+faith to their words and taking a little comfort, answered that, were
+she to ensue her own wishes in the matter, no greater happiness could
+betide her than to be the wife of Teodoro; algates, she would do that
+which her father should command her.
+
+Accordingly, all parties being of accord, the two lovers were married
+with the utmost magnificence, to the exceeding satisfaction of all the
+townsfolk; and the young lady, heartening herself and letting rear her
+little son, became ere long fairer than ever. Then, being risen from
+childbed, she went out to meet Fineo, whose return was expected from
+Rome, and paid him reverence as to a father; whereupon he, exceeding
+well pleased to have so fair a daughter-in-law, caused celebrate their
+nuptials with the utmost pomp and rejoicing and receiving her as a
+daughter, ever after held her such. And after some days, taking ship
+with his son and her and his little grandson, he carried them with him
+into Lazistan, where the two lovers abode in peace and happiness, so
+long as life endured unto them."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     NASTAGIO DEGLI ONESTI, FALLING IN LOVE WITH A LADY OF THE
+     TRAVERSARI FAMILY, SPENDETH HIS SUBSTANCE WITHOUT BEING
+     BELOVED IN RETURN, AND BETAKING HIMSELF, AT THE INSTANCE OF
+     HIS KINSFOLK, TO CHIASSI, HE THERE SEETH A HORSEMAN GIVE
+     CHASE TO A DAMSEL AND SLAY HER AND CAUSE HER BE DEVOURED OF
+     TWO DOGS. THEREWITHAL HE BIDDETH HIS KINSFOLK AND THE LADY
+     WHOM HE LOVETH TO A DINNER, WHERE HIS MISTRESS SEETH THE
+     SAME DAMSEL TORN IN PIECES AND FEARING A LIKE FATE, TAKETH
+     NASTAGIO TO HUSBAND
+
+
+No sooner was Lauretta silent than Filomena, by the queen's
+commandment, began thus: "Lovesome ladies, even as pity is in us
+commended, so also is cruelty rigorously avenged by Divine justice;
+the which that I may prove to you and so engage you altogether to
+purge yourselves therefrom, it pleaseth me tell you a story no less
+pitiful than delectable.
+
+In Ravenna, a very ancient city of Romagna, there were aforetime many
+noblemen and gentlemen, and amongst the rest a young man called
+Nastagio degli Onesti, who had, by the death of his father and an
+uncle of his, been left rich beyond all estimation and who, as it
+happeneth often with young men, being without a wife, fell in love
+with a daughter of Messer Paolo Traversari, a young lady of much
+greater family than his own, hoping by his fashions to bring her to
+love him in return. But these, though great and goodly and
+commendable, not only profited him nothing; nay, it seemed they did
+him harm, so cruel and obdurate and intractable did the beloved damsel
+show herself to him, being grown belike, whether for her singular
+beauty or the nobility of her birth, so proud and disdainful that
+neither he nor aught that pleased him pleased her. This was so
+grievous to Nastagio to bear that many a time, for chagrin, being
+weary of complaining, he had it in his thought to kill himself, but
+held his hand therefrom; and again and again he took it to heart to
+let her be altogether or have her, an he might, in hatred, even as she
+had him. But in vain did he take such a resolve, for that, the more
+hope failed him, the more it seemed his love redoubled. Accordingly,
+he persisted both in loving and in spending without stint or measure,
+till it seemed to certain of his friends and kinsfolk that he was like
+to consume both himself and his substance; wherefore they besought him
+again and again and counselled him depart Ravenna and go sojourn
+awhile in some other place, for that, so doing, he would abate both
+his passion and his expenditure. Nastagio long made light of this
+counsel, but, at last, being importuned of them and able no longer to
+say no, he promised to do as they would have him and let make great
+preparations, as he would go into France or Spain or some other far
+place. Then, taking horse in company with many of his friends, he rode
+out of Ravenna and betook himself to a place called Chiassi, some
+three miles from the city, where, sending for tents and pavilions, he
+told those who had accompanied him thither that he meant to abide and
+that they might return to Ravenna. Accordingly, having encamped there,
+he proceeded to lead the goodliest and most magnificent life that was
+aye, inviting now these, now those others, to supper and to dinner, as
+he was used.
+
+It chanced one day, he being come thus well nigh to the beginning of
+May and the weather being very fair, that, having entered into thought
+of his cruel mistress, he bade all his servants leave him to himself,
+so he might muse more at his leisure, and wandered on, step by step,
+lost in melancholy thought, till he came [unwillingly] into the
+pine-wood. The fifth hour of the day was well nigh past and he had
+gone a good half mile into the wood, remembering him neither of eating
+nor of aught else, when himseemed of a sudden he heard a terrible
+great wailing and loud cries uttered by a woman; whereupon, his dulcet
+meditation being broken, he raised his head to see what was to do and
+marvelled to find himself among the pines; then, looking before him,
+he saw a very fair damsel come running, naked through a thicket all
+thronged with underwood and briers, towards the place where he was,
+weeping and crying sore for mercy and all dishevelled and torn by the
+bushes and the brambles. At her heels ran two huge and fierce
+mastiffs, which followed hard upon her and ofttimes bit her cruelly,
+whenas they overtook her; and after them he saw come riding upon a
+black courser a knight arrayed in sad-coloured armour, with a very
+wrathful aspect and a tuck in his hand, threatening her with death in
+foul and fearsome words.
+
+This sight filled Nastagio's mind at once with terror and amazement
+and after stirred him to compassion of the ill-fortuned lady,
+wherefrom arose a desire to deliver her, an but he might, from such
+anguish and death. Finding himself without arms, he ran to take the
+branch of a tree for a club, armed wherewith, he advanced to meet the
+dogs and the knight. When the latter saw this, he cried out to him
+from afar off, saying, 'Nastagio, meddle not; suffer the dogs and
+myself to do that which this wicked woman hath merited.' As he spoke,
+the dogs, laying fast hold of the damsel by the flanks, brought her to
+a stand and the knight, coming up, lighted down from his horse;
+whereupon Nastagio drew near unto him and said, 'I know not who thou
+mayst be, that knowest me so well; but this much I say to see that it
+is a great felony for an armed knight to seek to slay a naked woman
+and to set the dogs on her, as she were a wild beast; certes, I will
+defend her as most I may.'
+
+'Nastagio,' answered the knight, 'I was of one same city with thyself
+and thou wast yet a little child when I, who hight Messer Guido degli
+Anastagi, was yet more passionately enamoured of this woman than thou
+art presently of yonder one of the Traversari and my ill fortune for
+her hard-heartedness and barbarity came to such a pass that one day I
+slew myself in despair with this tuck thou seest in my hand and was
+doomed to eternal punishment. Nor was it long ere she, who was beyond
+measure rejoiced at my death, died also and for the sin of her cruelty
+and of the delight had of her in my torments (whereof she repented her
+not, as one who thought not to have sinned therein, but rather to have
+merited reward,) was and is on like wise condemned to the pains of
+hell. Wherein no sooner was she descended than it was decreed unto her
+and to me, for penance thereof,[284] that she should flee before me
+and that I, who once loved her so dear, should pursue her, not as a
+beloved mistress, but as a mortal enemy, and that, as often as I
+overtook her, I should slay her with this tuck, wherewith I slew
+myself, and ripping open her loins, tear from her body, as thou shalt
+presently see, that hard and cold heart, wherein nor love nor pity
+might ever avail to enter, together with the other entrails, and give
+them to the dogs to eat. Nor is it a great while after ere, as God's
+justice and puissance will it, she riseth up again, as she had not
+been dead, and beginneth anew her woeful flight, whilst the dogs and I
+again pursue her. And every Friday it betideth that I come up with her
+here at this hour and wreak on her the slaughter that thou shalt see;
+and think not that we rest the other days; nay, I overtake her in
+other places, wherein she thought and wrought cruelly against me.
+Thus, being as thou seest, from her lover grown her foe, it behoveth
+me pursue her on this wise as many years as she was cruel to me
+months. Wherefore leave me to carry the justice of God into effect and
+seek not to oppose that which thou mayst not avail to hinder.'
+
+[Footnote 284: _i.e._ of her sin.]
+
+Nastagio, hearing these words, drew back, grown all adread, with not
+an hair on his body but stood on end, and looking upon the wretched
+damsel, began fearfully to await that which the knight should do. The
+latter, having made an end of his discourse, ran, tuck in hand, as he
+were a ravening dog, at the damsel, who, fallen on her knees and held
+fast by the two mastiffs, cried him mercy, and smiting her with all
+his might amiddleward the breast, pierced her through and through. No
+sooner had she received this stroke than she fell grovelling on the
+ground, still weeping and crying out; whereupon the knight, clapping
+his hand to his hunting-knife, ripped open her loins and tearing forth
+her heart and all that was thereabout, cast them to the two mastiffs,
+who devoured them incontinent, as being sore anhungred. Nor was it
+long ere, as if none of these things had been, the damsel of a sudden
+rose to her feet and began to flee towards the sea, with the dogs
+after her, still rending her; and in a little while they had gone so
+far that Nastagio could see them no more. The latter, seeing these
+things, abode a great while between pity and fear, and presently it
+occurred to his mind that this might much avail him, seeing that it
+befell every Friday; wherefore, marking the place, he returned to his
+servants and after, whenas it seemed to him fit, he sent for sundry
+of his kinsmen and friends and said to them, 'You have long urged me
+leave loving this mine enemy and put an end to my expenditure, and I
+am ready to do it, provided you will obtain me a favour; the which is
+this, that on the coming Friday you make shift to have Messer Paolo
+Traversari and his wife and daughter and all their kinswomen and what
+other ladies soever it shall please you here to dinner with me. That
+for which I wish this, you shall see then.' This seemed to them a
+little thing enough to do, wherefore, returning to Ravenna, they in
+due time invited those whom Nastagio would have to dine with him, and
+albeit it was no easy matter to bring thither the young lady whom he
+loved, natheless she went with the other ladies. Meanwhile, Nastagio
+let make ready a magnificent banquet and caused set the tables under
+the pines round about the place where he had witnessed the slaughter
+of the cruel lady.
+
+The time come, he seated the gentlemen and the ladies at table and so
+ordered it that his mistress should be placed right over against the
+spot where the thing should befall. Accordingly, hardly was the last
+dish come when the despairful outcry of the hunted damsel began to be
+heard of all, whereat each of the company marvelled and enquired what
+was to do, but none could say; whereupon all started to their feet and
+looking what this might be, they saw the woeful damsel and the knight
+and the dogs; nor was it long ere they were all there among them.
+Great was the clamor against both dogs and knight, and many rushed
+forward to succour the damsel; but the knight, bespeaking them as he
+had bespoken Nastagio, not only made them draw back, but filled them
+all with terror and amazement. Then did he as he had done before,
+whereat all the ladies that were there (and there were many present
+who had been kinswomen both to the woeful damsel and to the knight and
+who remembered them both of his love and of his death) wept as
+piteously as if they had seen this done to themselves.
+
+The thing carried to its end and the damsel and the knight gone, the
+adventure set those who had seen it upon many and various discourses;
+but of those who were the most affrighted was the cruel damsel beloved
+of Nastagio, who had distinctly seen and heard the whole matter and
+understood that these things concerned her more than any other who was
+there, remembering her of the cruelty she had still used towards
+Nastagio; wherefore herseemed she fled already before her enraged
+lover and had the mastiffs at her heels. Such was the terror awakened
+in her thereby that,--so this might not betide her,--no sooner did she
+find an opportunity (which was afforded her that same evening) than,
+turning her hatred into love, she despatched to Nastagio a trusty
+chamberwoman of hers, who besought him that it should please him to go
+to her, for that she was ready to do all that should be his pleasure.
+He answered that this was exceeding agreeable to him, but that, so it
+pleased her, he desired to have his pleasure of her with honour, to
+wit, by taking her to wife. The damsel, who knew that it rested with
+none other than herself that she had not been his wife, made answer to
+him that it liked her well; then, playing the messenger herself, she
+told her father and mother that she was content to be Nastagio's
+wife, whereat they were mightily rejoiced, and he, espousing her on
+the ensuing Sunday and celebrating his nuptials, lived with her long
+and happily. Nor was this affright the cause of that good only; nay,
+all the ladies of Ravenna became so fearful by reason thereof, that
+ever after they were much more amenable than they had before been to
+the desires of the men."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     FEDERIGO DEGLI ALBERIGHI LOVETH AND IS NOT LOVED. HE WASTETH
+     HIS SUBSTANCE IN PRODIGAL HOSPITALITY TILL THERE IS LEFT HIM
+     BUT ONE SOLE FALCON, WHICH, HAVING NOUGHT ELSE, HE GIVETH
+     HIS MISTRESS TO EAT, ON HER COMING TO HIS HOUSE; AND SHE,
+     LEARNING THIS, CHANGETH HER MIND AND TAKING HIM TO HUSBAND,
+     MAKETH HIM RICH AGAIN
+
+
+Filomena having ceased speaking, the queen, seeing that none remained
+to tell save only herself and Dioneo, whose privilege entitled him to
+speak last, said, with blithe aspect, "It pertaineth now to me to tell
+and I, dearest ladies, will willingly do it, relating a story like in
+part to the foregoing, to the intent that not only may you know how
+much the love of you[285] can avail in gentle hearts, but that you may
+learn to be yourselves, whenas it behoveth, bestowers of your
+guerdons, without always suffering fortune to be your guide, which
+most times, as it chanceth, giveth not discreetly, but out of all
+measure.
+
+[Footnote 285: Syn. your charms (_la vostra vaghezza_).]
+
+You must know, then, that Coppo di Borghese Domenichi, who was of our
+days and maybe is yet a man of great worship and authority in our city
+and illustrious and worthy of eternal renown, much more for his
+fashions and his merit than for the nobility of his blood, being grown
+full of years, delighted oftentimes to discourse with his neighbours
+and others of things past, the which he knew how to do better and more
+orderly and with more memory and elegance of speech than any other
+man. Amongst other fine things of his, he was used to tell that there
+was once in Florence a young man called Federigo, son of Messer
+Filippo Alberighi and renowned for deeds of arms and courtesy over
+every other bachelor in Tuscany, who, as betideth most gentlemen,
+became enamoured of a gentlewoman named Madam Giovanna, in her day
+held one of the fairest and sprightliest ladies that were in Florence;
+and to win her love, he held jousts and tourneyings and made
+entertainments and gave gifts and spent his substance without any
+stint; but she, being no less virtuous than fair, recked nought of
+these things done for her nor of him who did them. Federigo spending
+thus far beyond his means and gaining nought, his wealth, as lightly
+happeneth, in course of time came to an end and he abode poor, nor
+was aught left him but a poor little farm, on whose returns he lived
+very meagrely, and to boot a falcon he had, one of the best in the
+world. Wherefore, being more in love than ever and himseeming he might
+no longer make such a figure in the city as he would fain do, he took
+up his abode at Campi, where his farm was, and there bore his poverty
+with patience, hawking whenas he might and asking of no one.
+
+Federigo being thus come to extremity, it befell one day that Madam
+Giovanna's husband fell sick and seeing himself nigh upon death, made
+his will, wherein, being very rich, he left a son of his, now well
+grown, his heir, after which, having much loved Madam Giovanna, he
+substituted her to his heir, in case his son should die without lawful
+issue, and died. Madam Giovanna, being thus left a widow, betook
+herself that summer, as is the usance of our ladies, into the country
+with her son to an estate of hers very near that of Federigo;
+wherefore it befell that the lad made acquaintance with the latter and
+began to take delight in hawks and hounds, and having many a time seen
+his falcon flown and being strangely taken therewith, longed sore to
+have it, but dared not ask it of him, seeing it so dear to him. The
+thing standing thus, it came to pass that the lad fell sick, whereat
+his mother was sore concerned, as one who had none but him and loved
+him with all her might, and abode about him all day, comforting him
+without cease; and many a time she asked him if there were aught he
+desired, beseeching him tell it her, for an it might be gotten, she
+would contrive that he should have it. The lad, having heard these
+offers many times repeated, said, 'Mother mine, an you could procure
+me to have Federigo's falcon, methinketh I should soon be whole.'
+
+The lady hearing this, bethought herself awhile and began to consider
+how she should do. She knew that Federigo had long loved her and had
+never gotten of her so much as a glance of the eye; wherefore quoth
+she in herself, 'How shall I send or go to him to seek of him this
+falcon, which is, by all I hear, the best that ever flew and which, to
+boot, maintaineth him in the world? And how can I be so graceless as
+to offer to take this from a gentleman who hath none other pleasure
+left?' Perplexed with this thought and knowing not what to say, for
+all she was very certain of getting the bird, if she asked for it, she
+made no reply to her son, but abode silent. However, at last, the love
+of her son so got the better of her that she resolved in herself to
+satisfy him, come what might, and not to send, but to go herself for
+the falcon and fetch it to him. Accordingly she said to him, 'My son,
+take comfort and bethink thyself to grow well again, for I promise
+thee that the first thing I do to-morrow morning I will go for it and
+fetch it to thee.' The boy was rejoiced at this and showed some
+amendment that same day.
+
+Next morning, the lady, taking another lady to bear her company,
+repaired, by way of diversion, to Federigo's little house and enquired
+for the latter, who, for that it was no weather for hawking nor had
+been for some days past, was then in a garden he had, overlooking the
+doing of certain little matters of his, and hearing that Madam
+Giovanna asked for him at the door, ran thither, rejoicing and
+marvelling exceedingly. She, seeing him come, rose and going with
+womanly graciousness to meet him, answered his respectful salutation
+with 'Give you good day, Federigo!' then went on to say, 'I am come to
+make thee amends for that which thou hast suffered through me, in
+loving me more than should have behooved thee; and the amends in
+question is this that I purpose to dine with thee this morning
+familiarly, I and this lady my companion.' 'Madam,' answered Federigo
+humbly, 'I remember me not to have ever received any ill at your
+hands, but on the contrary so much good that, if ever I was worth
+aught, it came about through your worth and the love I bore you; and
+assuredly, albeit you have come to a poor host, this your gracious
+visit is far more precious to me than it would be an it were given me
+to spend over again as much as that which I have spent aforetime.' So
+saying, he shamefastly received her into his house and thence brought
+her into his garden, where, having none else to bear her company, he
+said to her, 'Madam, since there is none else here, this good woman,
+wife of yonder husbandman, will bear you company, whilst I go see the
+table laid.'
+
+Never till that moment, extreme as was his poverty, had he been so
+dolorously sensible of the straits to which he had brought himself for
+the lack of those riches he had spent on such disorderly wise. But
+that morning, finding he had nothing wherewithal he might honourably
+entertain the lady, for love of whom he had aforetime entertained folk
+without number, he was made perforce aware of his default and ran
+hither and thither, perplexed beyond measure, like a man beside
+himself, inwardly cursing his ill fortune, but found neither money nor
+aught he might pawn. It was now growing late and he having a great
+desire to entertain the gentle lady with somewhat, yet choosing not to
+have recourse to his own labourer, much less any one else, his eye
+fell on his good falcon, which he saw on his perch in his little
+saloon; whereupon, having no other resource, he took the bird and
+finding him fat, deemed him a dish worthy of such a lady. Accordingly,
+without more ado, he wrung the hawk's neck and hastily caused a little
+maid of his pluck it and truss it and after put it on the spit and
+roast it diligently. Then, the table laid and covered with very white
+cloths, whereof he had yet some store, he returned with a blithe
+countenance to the lady in the garden and told her that dinner was
+ready, such as it was in his power to provide. Accordingly, the lady
+and her friend, arising, betook themselves to table and in company
+with Federigo, who served them with the utmost diligence, ate the good
+falcon, unknowing what they did.
+
+Presently, after they had risen from table and had abidden with him
+awhile in cheerful discourse, the lady, thinking it time to tell that
+wherefor she was come, turned to Federigo and courteously bespoke him,
+saying, 'Federigo, I doubt not a jot but that, when thou hearest that
+which is the especial occasion of my coming hither, thou wilt marvel
+at my presumption, remembering thee of thy past life and of my virtue,
+which latter belike thou reputedst cruelty and hardness of heart;
+but, if thou hadst or hadst had children, by whom thou mightest know
+how potent is the love one beareth them, meseemeth certain that thou
+wouldst in part hold me excused. But, although thou hast none, I, who
+have one child, cannot therefore escape the common laws to which other
+mothers are subject and whose enforcements it behoveth me ensue, need
+must I, against my will and contrary to all right and seemliness, ask
+of thee a boon, which I know is supremely dear to thee (and that with
+good reason, for that thy sorry fortune hath left thee none other
+delight, none other diversion, none other solace), to wit, thy falcon,
+whereof my boy is so sore enamoured that, an I carry it not to him, I
+fear me his present disorder will be so aggravated that there may
+presently ensue thereof somewhat whereby I shall lose him. Wherefore I
+conjure thee,--not by the love thou bearest me and whereto thou art
+nowise beholden, but by thine own nobility, which in doing courtesy
+hath approved itself greater than in any other,--that it please thee
+give it to me, so by the gift I may say I have kept my son alive and
+thus made him for ever thy debtor.'
+
+Federigo, hearing what the lady asked and knowing that he could not
+oblige her, for that he had given her the falcon to eat, fell
+a-weeping in her presence, ere he could answer a word. The lady at
+first believed that his tears arose from grief at having to part from
+his good falcon and was like to say that she would not have it.
+However, she contained herself and awaited what Federigo should reply,
+who, after weeping awhile, made answer thus: 'Madam, since it pleased
+God that I should set my love on you, I have in many things reputed
+fortune contrary to me and have complained of her; but all the ill
+turns she hath done me have been a light matter in comparison with
+that which she doth me at this present and for which I can never more
+be reconciled to her, considering that you are come hither to my poor
+house, whereas you deigned not to come what while I was rich, and seek
+of me a little boon, the which she hath so wrought that I cannot grant
+you; and why this cannot be I will tell you briefly. When I heard that
+you, of your favour, were minded to dine with me, I deemed it a light
+thing and a seemly, having regard to your worth and the nobility of
+your station, to honour you, as far as in me lay, with some choicer
+victual than that which is commonly set before other folk; wherefore,
+remembering me of the falcon which you ask of me and of his
+excellence, I judged him a dish worthy of you. This very morning,
+then, you have had him roasted upon the trencher, and indeed I had
+accounted him excellently well bestowed; but now, seeing that you
+would fain have had him on other wise, it is so great a grief to me
+that I cannot oblige you therein that methinketh I shall never forgive
+myself therefor.' So saying, in witness of this, he let cast before
+her the falcon's feathers and feet and beak.
+
+The lady, seeing and hearing this, first blamed him for having, to
+give a woman to eat, slain such a falcon, and after inwardly much
+commended the greatness of his soul, which poverty had not availed nor
+might anywise avail to abate. Then, being put out of all hope of
+having the falcon and fallen therefore in doubt of her son's recovery,
+she took her leave and returned, all disconsolate, to the latter,
+who, before many days had passed, whether for chagrin that he could
+not have the bird or for that his disorder was e'en fated to bring him
+to that pass, departed this life, to the inexpressible grief of his
+mother. After she had abidden awhile full of tears and affliction,
+being left very rich and yet young, she was more than once urged by
+her brothers to marry again, and albeit she would fain not have done
+so, yet, finding herself importuned and calling to mind Federigo's
+worth and his last magnificence, to wit, the having slain such a
+falcon for her entertainment, she said to them, 'I would gladly, an it
+liked you, abide as I am; but, since it is your pleasure that I take a
+[second] husband, certes I will never take any other, an I have not
+Federigo degli Alberighi.' Whereupon her brothers, making mock of her,
+said 'Silly woman that thou art, what is this thou sayest? How canst
+thou choose him, seeing he hath nothing in the world?' 'Brothers
+mine,' answered she, 'I know very well that it is as you say; but I
+would liefer have a man that lacketh of riches than riches that lack
+of a man.' Her brethren, hearing her mind and knowing Federigo for a
+man of great merit, poor though he was, gave her, with all her wealth,
+to him, even as she would; and he, seeing himself married to a lady of
+such worth and one whom he had loved so dear and exceeding rich, to
+boot, became a better husband of his substance and ended his days with
+her in joy and solace."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     PIETRO DI VINCIOLO GOETH TO SUP ABROAD, WHEREUPON HIS WIFE
+     LETTETH FETCH HER A YOUTH TO KEEP HER COMPANY, AND HER
+     HUSBAND RETURNING, UNLOOKED FOR, SHE HIDETH HER GALLANT
+     UNDER A HEN-COOP. PIETRO TELLETH HER HOW THERE HAD BEEN
+     FOUND IN THE HOUSE OF ONE ARCOLANO, WITH WHOM HE WAS TO HAVE
+     SUPPED, A YOUNG MAN BROUGHT IN BY HIS WIFE, AND SHE BLAMETH
+     THE LATTER. PRESENTLY, AN ASS, BY MISCHANCE, SETTETH FOOT ON
+     THE FINGERS OF HIM WHO IS UNDER THE COOP AND HE ROARETH OUT,
+     WHEREUPON PIETRO RUNNETH THITHER AND ESPYING HIM,
+     DISCOVERETH HIS WIFE'S UNFAITH, BUT ULTIMATELY COMETH TO AN
+     ACCORD WITH HER FOR HIS OWN LEWD ENDS
+
+
+The queen's story come to an end and all having praised God for that
+He had rewarded Federigo according to his desert, Dioneo, who never
+waited for commandment, began on this wise: "I know not whether to say
+if it be a casual vice, grown up in mankind through perversity of
+manners and usances, or a defect inherent in our nature, that we laugh
+rather at things ill than at good works, especially when they concern
+us not. Wherefore, seeing that the pains I have otherwhiles taken and
+am now about to take aim at none other end than to rid you of
+melancholy and afford you occasion for laughter and merriment,--albeit
+the matter of my present story may be in part not altogether seemly,
+nevertheless, lovesome lasses, for that it may afford diversion, I
+will e'en tell it you, and do you, hearkening thereunto, as you are
+wont to do, whenas you enter into gardens, where, putting out your
+dainty hands, you cull the roses and leave the thorns be. On this wise
+must you do with my story, leaving the naughty man of whom I shall
+tell you to his infamy and ill-luck go with him, what while you laugh
+merrily at the amorous devices of his wife, having compassion, whenas
+need is, of the mischances of others.
+
+There was, then, in Perugia, no great while agone, a rich man called
+Pietro di Vinciolo, who, belike more to beguile others and to abate
+the general suspect in which he was had of all the Perugians, than for
+any desire of his own, took him a wife, and fortune in this was so far
+conformable to his inclination that the wife he took was a thickset,
+red-haired, hot-complexioned wench, who would liefer have had two
+husbands than one, whereas she happened upon one who had a mind far
+more disposed to otherwhat than to her. Becoming, in process of time,
+aware of this and seeing herself fair and fresh and feeling herself
+buxom and lusty, she began by being sore incensed thereat and came
+once and again to unseemly words thereof with her husband, with whom
+she was well nigh always at variance. Then, seeing that this might
+result rather in her own exhaustion than in the amendment of her
+husband's depravity, she said in herself, 'Yonder caitiff forsaketh me
+to go of his ribaldries on pattens through the dry, and I will study
+to carry others on shipboard through the wet. I took him to husband
+and brought him a fine great dowry, knowing him to be a man and
+supposing him desireful of that whereunto men are and should be fain;
+and had I not believed that he would play the part of a man, I had
+never taken him. He knew that I was a woman; why, then, did he take me
+to wife, if women were not to his mind? This is not to be suffered.
+Were I minded to renounce the world, I should have made myself a nun;
+but, if, choosing to live in the world, as I do, I look for delight or
+pleasure from yonder fellow, I may belike grow old, expecting in vain,
+and whenas I shall be old, I shall in vain repent and bemoan myself of
+having wasted my youth, which latter he himself is a very good teacher
+and demonstrator how I should solace, showing me by example how I
+should delect myself with that wherein he delighteth, more by token
+that this were commendable in me, whereas in him it is exceeding
+blameworthy, seeing that I should offend against the laws alone,
+whereas he offendeth against both law and nature.'
+
+Accordingly, the good lady, having thus bethought herself and belike
+more than once, to give effect privily to these considerations,
+clapped up an acquaintance with an old woman who showed like Saint
+Verdiana, that giveth the serpents to eat, and still went to every
+pardoning, beads in hand, nor ever talked of aught but the lives of
+the Holy Fathers or of the wounds of St. Francis and was of well nigh
+all reputed a saint, and whenas it seemed to her time, frankly
+discovered to her her intent. 'Daughter mine,' replied the beldam,
+'God who knoweth all knoweth that thou wilt do exceeding well, and if
+for nought else, yet shouldst thou do it, thou and every other young
+woman, not to lose the time of your youth, for that to whoso hath
+understanding, there is no grief like that of having lost one's time.
+And what a devil are we women good for, once we are old, save to keep
+the ashes about the fire-pot? If none else knoweth it and can bear
+witness thereof, that do and can I; for, now that I am old, I
+recognize without avail, but not without very sore and bitter remorse
+of mind, the time that I let slip, and albeit I lost it not altogether
+(for that I would not have thee deem me a ninny), still I did not what
+I might have done; whereof whenas I remember me, seeing myself
+fashioned as thou seest me at this present, so that thou wouldst find
+none to give me fire to my tinder,[286] God knoweth what chagrin I
+feel. With men it is not so; they are born apt for a thousand things,
+not for this alone, and most part of them are of much more account old
+than young; but women are born into the world for nothing but to do
+this and bear children, and it is for this that they are prized; the
+which, if from nought else, thou mayst apprehend from this, that we
+women are still ready for the sport; more by token that one woman
+would tire out many men at the game, whereas many men cannot tire one
+woman; and for that we are born unto this, I tell thee again that thou
+wilt do exceeding well to return thy husband a loaf for his bannock,
+so thy soul may have no cause to reproach thy flesh in thine old age.
+Each one hath of this world just so much as he taketh to himself
+thereof, and especially is this the case with women, whom it behoveth,
+much more than men, make use of their time, whilst they have it; for
+thou mayst see how, when we grow old, nor husband nor other will look
+at us; nay, they send us off to the kitchen to tell tales to the cat
+and count the pots and pans; and what is worse, they tag rhymes on us
+and say,
+
+     "Tidbits for wenches young;
+     Gags[287] for the old wife's tongue."
+
+[Footnote 286: _i.e._ she was grown so repulsively ugly in her old
+age, that no one cared to do her even so trifling a service as giving
+her a spark in tinder to light her fire withal.]
+
+[Footnote 287: Or chokebits (_stranguglioni_).]
+
+And many another thing to the like purpose. And that I may hold thee
+no longer in parley, I tell thee in fine that thou couldst not have
+discovered thy mind to any one in the world who can be more useful to
+thee than I, for that there is no man so high and mighty but I dare
+tell him what behoveth, nor any so dour or churlish but I know how to
+supple him aright and bring him to what I will. Wherefore do thou but
+show me who pleaseth thee and after leave me do; but one thing I
+commend to thee, daughter mine, and that is, that thou be mindful of
+me, for that I am a poor body and would have thee henceforth a sharer
+in all my pardonings and in all the paternosters I shall say, so God
+may make them light and candles for thy dead.'[288]
+
+[Footnote 288: _i.e._ that they may serve to purchase remission from
+purgatory for the souls of her dead relatives, instead of the burning
+of candles and tapers, which is held by the Roman Catholic Church to
+have that effect.]
+
+With this she made an end of her discourse, and the young lady came to
+an understanding with her that, whenas she chanced to spy a certain
+young spark who passed often through that quarter and whose every
+feature she set out to her, she should know what she had to do; then,
+giving her a piece of salt meat, she dismissed her with God's
+blessing; nor had many days passed ere the old woman brought her him
+of whom she had bespoken her privily into her chamber, and a little
+while after, another and another, according as they chanced to take
+the lady's fancy, who stinted not to indulge herself in this as often
+as occasion offered, though still fearful of her husband. It chanced
+one evening that, her husband being to sup abroad with a friend of
+his, Ercolano by name, she charged the old woman bring her a youth,
+who was one of the goodliest and most agreeable of all Perugia, which
+she promptly did; but hardly had the lady seated herself at table to
+sup with her gallant, when, behold, Pietro called out at the door to
+have it opened to him. She, hearing this, gave herself up for lost,
+but yet desiring, an she might, to conceal the youth and not having
+the presence of mind to send him away or hide him elsewhere, made him
+take refuge under a hen-coop, that was in a shed adjoining the chamber
+where they were at supper, and cast over him the sacking of a
+pallet-bed that she had that day let empty.
+
+This done, she made haste to open to her husband, to whom quoth she,
+as soon as he entered the house, 'You have very soon despatched this
+supper of yours!' 'We have not so much as tasted it,' replied he; and
+she said, 'How was that?' Quoth he, 'I will tell thee. Scarce were we
+seated at table, Ercolano and his wife and I, when we heard some one
+sneeze hard by, whereof we took no note the first time nor the second;
+but, he who sneezed sneezing yet a third time and a fourth and a fifth
+and many other times, it made us all marvel; whereupon Ercolano, who
+was somewhat vexed with his wife for that she had kept us a great
+while standing at the door, without opening to us, said, as if in a
+rage, "What meaneth this? Who is it sneezeth thus?" And rising from
+table, made for a stair that stood near at hand and under which, hard
+by the stairfoot, was a closure of planks, wherein to bestow all
+manner things, as we see those do every day who set their houses in
+order. Himseeming it was from this that came the noise of sneezing, he
+opened a little door that was therein and no sooner had he done this
+than there issued forth thereof the frightfullest stench of sulphur
+that might be. Somewhat of this smell had already reached us and we
+complaining thereof, the lady had said, "It is because I was but now
+in act to bleach my veils with sulphur and after set the pan, over
+which I had spread them to catch the fumes, under the stair, so that
+it yet smoketh thereof."
+
+As soon as the smoke was somewhat spent, Ercolano looked into the
+cupboard and there espied him who had sneezed and who was yet in act
+to sneeze, for that the fumes of the sulphur constrained him thereto,
+and indeed they had by this time so straitened his breast that, had he
+abidden a while longer, he had never sneezed nor done aught else
+again. Ercolano, seeing him, cried out, "Now, wife, I see why, whenas
+we came hither awhile ago, we were kept so long at the door, without
+its being opened to us; but may I never again have aught that shall
+please me, an I pay thee not for this!" The lady, hearing this and
+seeing that her sin was discovered, stayed not to make any excuse, but
+started up from table and made off I know not whither. Ercolano,
+without remarking his wife's flight, again and again bade him who
+sneezed come forth; but the latter, who was now at the last gasp,
+offered not to stir, for all that he could say; whereupon, taking him
+by one foot, he haled him forth of his hiding-place and ran for a
+knife to kill him; but I, fearing the police on mine own account,
+arose and suffered him not to slay him or do him any hurt; nay, crying
+out and defending him, I gave the alarm to certain of the neighbours,
+who ran thither and taking the now half-dead youth, carried him forth
+the house I know not whither. Wherefore, our supper being disturbed by
+these things, I have not only not despatched it, nay, I have, as I
+said, not even tasted it.'
+
+The lady, hearing this, knew that there were other women as wise as
+herself, albeit illhap bytimes betided some of them thereof, and would
+fain have defended Ercolano's wife with words; but herseeming that, by
+blaming others' defaults, she might make freer way for her own, she
+began to say, 'Here be fine doings! A holy and virtuous lady indeed
+she must be! She, to whom, as I am an honest woman, I would have
+confessed myself, so spiritually minded meseemed she was! And the
+worst of it is that she, being presently an old woman, setteth a
+mighty fine example to the young. Accursed by the hour she came into
+the world and she also, who suffereth herself to live, perfidious and
+vile woman that she must be, the general reproach and shame of all the
+ladies of this city, who, casting to the winds her honour and the
+faith plighted to her husband and the world's esteem, is not ashamed
+to dishonour him, and herself with him, for another man, him who is
+such a man and so worshipful a citizen and who used her so well! So
+God save me, there should be no mercy had of such women as she; they
+should be put to death; they should be cast alive into the fire and
+burned to ashes.' Then, bethinking her of her gallant, whom she had
+hard by under the coop, she began to exhort Pietro to betake himself
+to bed, for that it was time; but he, having more mind to eat than to
+sleep, enquired if there was aught for supper. 'Supper, quotha!'
+answered the lady. 'Truly, we are much used to get supper, whenas thou
+art abroad! A fine thing, indeed! Dost thou take me for Ercolano's
+wife? Alack, why dost thou not go to sleep for to-night? How far
+better thou wilt do!' Now it chanced that, certain husbandmen of
+Pietro's being come that evening with sundry matters from the farm and
+having put up their asses, without watering them, in a little stable
+adjoining the shed, one of the latter, being sore athirst, slipped his
+head out of the halter and making his way out of the stable, went
+smelling to everything, so haply he might find some water, and going
+thus, he came presently full on the hen-coop, under which was the
+young man. The latter having, for that it behoved him abide on all
+fours, put out the fingers of one hand on the ground beyond the coop,
+such was his luck, or rather let us say, his ill luck, that the ass
+set his hoof on them, whereupon the youth, feeling an exceeding great
+pain, set up a terrible outcry. Pietro, hearing this, marvelled and
+perceived that the noise came from within the house; wherefore he went
+out into the shed and hearing the other still clamouring, for that the
+ass had not lifted up his hoof from his fingers, but still trod hard
+upon them, said, 'Who is there?' Then, running to the hen-coop, he
+raised it and espied the young man, who, beside the pain he suffered
+from his fingers that were crushed by the ass's hoof, was all
+a-trembling for fear lest Pietro should do him a mischief.
+
+The latter, knowing him for one whom he had long pursued for his lewd
+ends, asked him what he did there, whereto he answered him nothing,
+but prayed him for the love of God do him no harm. Quoth Pietro,
+'Arise and fear not that I will do thee any hurt; but tell me how thou
+comest here and for what purpose.' The youth told him all, whereupon
+Pietro, no less rejoiced to have found him than his wife was woeful,
+taking him by the hand, carried him into the chamber, where the lady
+awaited him with the greatest affright in the world, and seating
+himself overagainst her, said, 'But now thou cursedst Ercolano's wife
+and avouchedst that she should be burnt and that she was the disgrace
+of all you women; why didst thou not speak of thyself? Or, an thou
+choosedst not to speak of thyself, how could thy conscience suffer
+thee to speak thus of her, knowing thyself to have done even as did
+she? Certes, none other thing moved thee thereunto save that you women
+are all made thus and look to cover your own doings with others'
+defaults; would fire might come from heaven to burn you all up,
+perverse generation that you are!'
+
+The lady, seeing that, in the first heat of the discovery, he had done
+her no harm other than in words and herseeming she saw that he was all
+agog with joy for that he held so goodly a stripling by the hand, took
+heart and said, 'Of this much, indeed, I am mighty well assured, that
+thou wouldst have fire come from heaven to burn us women all up,
+being, as thou art, as fain to us as a dog to cudgels; but, by Christ
+His cross, thou shalt not get thy wish. However, I would fain have a
+little discourse with thee, so I may know of what thou complainest.
+Certes, it were a fine thing an thou shouldst seek to even me with
+Ercolano's wife, who is a beat-breast, a smell-sin,[289] and hath of
+her husband what she will and is of him held dear as a wife should be,
+the which is not the case with me. For, grant that I am well clad and
+shod of thee, thou knowest but too well how I fare for the rest and
+how long it is since thou hast lain with me; and I had liefer go
+barefoot and rags to my back and be well used of thee abed than have
+all these things, being used as I am of thee. For understand plainly,
+Pietro; I am a woman like other women and have a mind unto that which
+other women desire; so that, an I procure me thereof, not having it
+from thee, thou hast no call to missay of me therefor; at the least, I
+do thee this much honour that I have not to do with horseboys and
+scald-heads.'
+
+[Footnote 289: _i.e._ a hypocritical sham devotee, covering a lewd
+life with an appearance of sanctity.]
+
+Pietro perceived that words were not like to fail her for all that
+night; wherefore, as one who recked little of her, 'Wife,' said he,
+'no more for the present; I will content thee aright of this matter;
+but thou wilt do us a great courtesy to let us have somewhat to sup
+withal, for that meseemeth this lad, like myself, hath not yet
+supped.' 'Certes, no,' answered the lady, 'he hath not yet supped; for
+we were sitting down to table, when thou camest in thine ill hour.'
+'Go, then,' rejoined Pietro, 'contrive that we may sup, and after I
+will order this matter on such wise that thou shalt have no cause to
+complain.' The lady, finding that her husband was satisfied, arose and
+caused straightway reset the table; then, letting bring the supper she
+had prepared, she supped merrily in company with her caitiff of a
+husband and the young man. After supper, what Pietro devised for the
+satisfaction of all three hath escaped my mind; but this much I know
+that on the following morning the youth was escorted back to the
+public place, not altogether certain which he had the more been that
+night, wife or husband. Wherefore, dear my ladies, this will I say to
+you, 'Whoso doth it to you, do you it to him'; and if you cannot
+presently, keep it in mind till such time as you can, so he may get as
+good as he giveth."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dioneo having made an end of his story, which had been less laughed at
+by the ladies [than usual], more for shamefastness than for the little
+delight they took therein, the queen, seeing the end of her sovranty
+come, rose to her feet and putting off the laurel crown, set it
+blithely on Elisa's head, saying, "With you, madam, henceforth it
+resteth to command." Elisa, accepting the honour, did even as it had
+been done before her, in that, having first, to the satisfaction of
+the company, taken order with the seneschal for that whereof there was
+need for the time of her governance, she said, "We have many a time
+heard how, by dint of smart sayings and ready repartees and prompt
+advisements, many have availed with an apt retort[290] to take the
+edge off other folks' teeth or to fend off imminent perils; and, for
+that the matter is goodly and may be useful,[291] I will that
+to-morrow, with God's aid, it be discoursed within these terms, to
+wit, OF WHOSO, BEING ASSAILED WITH SOME JIBING SPEECH, HATH VINDICATED
+HIMSELF OR HATH WITH SOME READY REPLY OR ADVISEMENT ESCAPED LOSS,
+PERIL OR SHAME."
+
+[Footnote 290: Lit. a due or deserved bite (_debito morso_). I mention
+this to show the connection with teeth.]
+
+[Footnote 291: An ellipsis of a kind common in Boccaccio and indeed in
+all the old Italian writers, meaning "it may be useful to enlarge upon
+the subject in question."]
+
+This was much commended of all, whereupon the queen, rising to her
+feet, dismissed them all until supper time. The honourable company,
+seeing her risen, stood up all and each, according to the wonted
+fashion, applied himself to that which was most agreeable to him. But,
+the crickets having now given over singing, the queen let call every
+one and they betook themselves to supper, which being despatched with
+merry cheer, they all gave themselves to singing and making music, and
+Emilia having, at the queen's commandment, set up a dance, Dioneo was
+bidden sing a song, whereupon he straightway struck up with "Mistress
+Aldruda, come lift up your fud-a, for I bring you, I bring you, good
+tidings." Whereat all the ladies fell a-laughing and especially the
+queen, who bade him leave that and sing another. Quoth Dioneo, "Madam,
+had I a tabret, I would sing 'Come truss your coats, I prithee,
+Mistress Burdock,' or 'Under the olive the grass is'; or will you have
+me say 'The waves of the sea do great evil to me'? But I have no
+tabret, so look which you will of these others. Will it please you
+have 'Come forth unto us, so it may be cut down, like a May in the
+midst of the meadows'?" "Nay," answered the queen; "give us another."
+"Then," said Dioneo, "shall I sing, 'Mistress Simona, embarrel,
+embarrel! It is not the month of October'?" Quoth the queen, laughing,
+"Ill luck to thee, sing us a goodly one, an thou wilt, for we will
+none of these." "Nay, madam," rejoined Dioneo, "fash not yourself; but
+which then like you better? I know more than a thousand. Will you have
+'This my shell an I prick it not well,' or 'Fair and softly, husband
+mine' or 'I'll buy me a cock, a cock of an hundred pounds
+sterling'?"[292] Therewithal the queen, somewhat provoked, though all
+the other ladies laughed, said, "Dioneo, leave jesting and sing us a
+goodly one; else shalt thou prove how I can be angry." Hearing this,
+he gave over his quips and cranks and forthright fell a-singing after
+this fashion:
+
+[Footnote 292: The songs proposed by Dioneo are all apparently of a
+light, if not a wanton, character and "not fit to be sung before
+ladies."]
+
+         O Love, the amorous light
+     That beameth from yon fair one's lovely eyes
+     Hath made me thine and hers in servant-guise.
+
+     The splendour of her lovely eyes, it wrought
+       That first thy flames were kindled in my breast,
+         Passing thereto through mine;
+     Yea, and thy virtue first unto my thought
+       Her visage fair it was made manifest,
+         Which picturing, I twine
+         And lay before her shrine
+     All virtues, that to her I sacrifice,
+     Become the new occasion of my sighs.
+
+     Thus, dear my lord, thy vassal am I grown
+       And of thy might obediently await
+         Grace for my lowliness;
+     Yet wot I not if wholly there be known
+       The high desire that in my breast thou'st set
+         And my sheer faith, no less,
+         Of her who doth possess
+     My heart so that from none beneath the skies,
+     Save her alone, peace would I take or prize.
+
+     Wherefore I pray thee, sweet my lord and sire,
+       Discover it to her and cause her taste
+         Some scantling of thy heat
+     To-me-ward,--for thou seest that in the fire,
+       Loving, I languish and for torment waste
+         By inches at her feet,--
+         And eke in season meet
+     Commend me to her favour on such wise
+     As I would plead for thee, should need arise.[293]
+
+[Footnote 293: This singularly naďve give-and-take fashion of asking a
+favour of a God recalls the old Scotch epitaph cited by Mr. George
+Macdonald:
+
+     Here lie I Martin Elginbrodde:
+     Hae mercy o' my soul, Lord God;
+     As I wad do, were I Lord God
+     And ye were Martin Elginbrodde.]
+
+Dioneo, by his silence, showing that his song was ended, the queen let
+sing many others, having natheless much commended his. Then, somedele
+of the night being spent and the queen feeling the heat of the day to
+be now overcome of the coolness of the night, she bade each at his
+pleasure betake himself to rest against the ensuing day.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE FIFTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Sixth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE SIXTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF ELISA IS DISCOURSED OF WHOSO BEING
+     ASSAILED WITH SOME JIBING SPEECH HATH VINDICATED HIMSELF OR
+     HATH WITH SOME READY REPLY OR ADVISEMENT ESCAPED LOSS, PERIL
+     OR SHAME
+
+
+The moon, being now in the middest heaven, had lost its radiance and
+every part of our world was bright with the new coming light, when,
+the queen arising and letting call her company, they all with slow
+step fared forth and rambled over the dewy grass to a little distance
+from the fair hill, holding various discourse of one thing and another
+and debating of the more or less goodliness of the stories told, what
+while they renewed their laughter at the various adventures related
+therein, till such time as the sun mounting high and beginning to wax
+hot, it seemed well to them all to turn homeward. Wherefore, reversing
+their steps, they returned to the palace and there, by the queen's
+commandment, the tables being already laid and everything strewn with
+sweet-scented herbs and fair flowers, they addressed themselves to
+eat, ere the heat should grow greater. This being joyously
+accomplished, ere they did otherwhat, they sang divers goodly and
+pleasant canzonets, after which some went to sleep, whilst some sat
+down to play at chess and other some at tables and Dioneo fell to
+singing, in concert with Lauretta, of Troilus and Cressida. Then, the
+hour come for their reassembling after the wonted fashion,[294] they
+all, being summoned on the part of the queen, seated themselves, as
+of their usance, about the fountain; but, as she was about to call for
+the first story, there befell a thing that had not yet befallen there,
+to wit, that a great clamour was heard by her and by all, made by the
+wenches and serving-men in the kitchen.
+
+[Footnote 294: Lit. for their returning to consistory (_del dovere a
+concistoro tornare_).]
+
+The seneschal, being called and questioned who it was that cried thus
+and what might be the occasion of the turmoil, answered that the
+clamour was between Licisca and Tindaro, but that he knew not the
+cause thereof, being but then come thither to make them bide quiet,
+whenas he had been summoned on her part. The queen bade him
+incontinent fetch thither the two offenders and they being come,
+enquired what was the cause of their clamour; whereto Tindaro offering
+to reply, Licisca, who was well in years and somewhat overmasterful,
+being heated with the outcry she had made, turned to him with an angry
+air and said, "Mark this brute of a man who dareth to speak before me,
+whereas I am! Let me speak." Then, turning again to the queen,
+"Madam," quoth she, "this fellow would teach me, forsooth, to know
+Sicofante's wife and neither more nor less than as if I had not been
+familiar with her, would fain give me to believe that, the first night
+her husband lay with her, Squire Maul[295] made his entry into Black
+Hill[296] by force and with effusion of blood; and I say that it is
+not true; nay, he entered there in peace and to the great contentment
+of those within. Marry, this fellow is simple enough to believe
+wenches to be such ninnies that they stand to lose their time, abiding
+the commodity of their fathers and brothers, who six times out of
+seven tarry three or four years more than they should to marry them.
+Well would they fare, forsooth, were they to wait so long! By Christ
+His faith (and I should know what I say, when I swear thus) I have not
+a single gossip who went a maid to her husband; and as for the wives,
+I know full well how many and what tricks they play their husbands;
+and this blockhead would teach me to know women, as if I had been born
+yesterday."
+
+[Footnote 295: _Messer Mazza_, _i.e._ veretrum.]
+
+[Footnote 296: _Monte Nero_, _i.e._ vas muliebre.]
+
+What while Licisca spoke, the ladies kept up such a laughing that you
+might have drawn all their teeth; and the queen imposed silence upon
+her a good half dozen times, but to no purpose; she stinted not till
+she had said her say. When she had at last made an end of her talk,
+the queen turned to Dioneo and said, laughing, "Dioneo, this is a
+matter for thy jurisdiction; wherefore, when we shall have made an end
+of our stories, thou shalt proceed to give final judgment thereon."
+Whereto he answered promptly, "Madam, the judgment is already given,
+without hearing more of the matter; and I say that Licisca is in the
+right and opine that it is even as she saith and that Tindaro is an
+ass." Licisca, hearing this, fell a-laughing and turning to Tindaro,
+said, "I told thee so; begone and God go with thee; thinkest thou thou
+knowest better than I, thou whose eyes are not yet dry?[297] Gramercy,
+I have not lived here below for nothing, no, not I!" And had not the
+queen with an angry air imposed silence on her and sent her and
+Tindaro away, bidding her make no more words or clamour, an she would
+not be flogged, they had had nought to do all that day but attend to
+her. When they were gone, the queen called on Filomena to make a
+beginning with the day's stories and she blithely began thus:
+
+[Footnote 297: _i.e._ who are yet a child, in modern parlance, "Thou
+whose lips are yet wet with thy mother's milk."]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     A GENTLEMAN ENGAGETH TO MADAM ORETTA TO CARRY HER
+     A-HORSEBACK WITH A STORY, BUT, TELLING IT DISORDERLY, IS
+     PRAYED BY HER TO SET HER DOWN AGAIN
+
+
+"Young ladies, like as stars, in the clear nights, are the ornaments
+of the heavens and the flowers and the leaf-clad shrubs, in the
+Spring, of the green fields and the hillsides, even so are
+praiseworthy manners and goodly discourse adorned by sprightly
+sallies, the which, for that they are brief, beseem women yet better
+than men, inasmuch as much speaking is more forbidden to the former
+than to the latter. Yet, true it is, whatever the cause, whether it be
+the meanness of our[298] understanding or some particular grudge borne
+by heaven to our times, that there be nowadays few or no women left
+who know how to say a witty word in due season or who, an it be said
+to them, know how to apprehend it as it behoveth; the which is a
+general reproach to our whole sex. However, for that enough hath been
+said aforetime on the subject by Pampinea,[299] I purpose to say no
+more thereof; but, to give you to understand how much goodliness there
+is in witty sayings, when spoken in due season, it pleaseth me to
+recount to you the courteous fashion in which a lady imposed silence
+upon a gentleman.
+
+[Footnote 298: _i.e._ women's.]
+
+[Footnote 299: See ante, p. 43, Introduction to the last story of the
+First Day.]
+
+As many of you ladies may either know by sight or have heard tell,
+there was not long since in our city a noble and well-bred and
+well-spoken gentlewoman, whose worth merited not that her name be left
+unsaid. She was called, then, Madam Oretta and was the wife of Messer
+Geri Spina. She chanced to be, as we are, in the country, going from
+place to place, by way of diversion, with a company of ladies and
+gentlemen, whom she had that day entertained to dinner at her house,
+and the way being belike somewhat long from the place whence they set
+out to that whither they were all purposed to go afoot, one of the
+gentlemen said to her, 'Madam Oretta, an you will, I will carry you
+a-horseback great part of the way we have to go with one of the finest
+stories in the world.' 'Nay, sir,' answered the lady, 'I pray you
+instantly thereof; indeed, it will be most agreeable to me.' Master
+cavalier, who maybe fared no better, sword at side than tale on
+tongue, hearing this, began a story of his, which of itself was in
+truth very goodly; but he, now thrice or four or even half a dozen
+times repeating one same word, anon turning back and whiles saying, 'I
+said not aright,' and often erring in the names and putting one for
+another, marred it cruelly, more by token that he delivered himself
+exceedingly ill, having regard to the quality of the persons and the
+nature of the incidents of his tale. By reason whereof, Madam Oretta,
+hearkening to him, was many a time taken with a sweat and failing of
+the heart, as she were sick and near her end, and at last, being
+unable to brook the thing any more and seeing the gentleman engaged in
+an imbroglio from which he was not like to extricate himself, she said
+to him pleasantly, 'Sir, this horse of yours hath too hard a trot;
+wherefore I pray you be pleased to set me down.' The gentleman, who,
+as it chanced, understood a hint better than he told a story, took the
+jest in good part and turning it off with a laugh, fell to discoursing
+of other matters and left unfinished the story that he had begun and
+conducted so ill."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     CISTI THE BAKER WITH A WORD OF HIS FASHION MAKETH MESSER
+     GERI SPINA SENSIBLE OF AN INDISCREET REQUEST OF HIS
+
+
+Madam Oretta's saying was greatly commended of all, ladies and men,
+and the queen bidding Pampinea follow on, she began thus: "Fair
+ladies, I know not of mine own motion to resolve me which is the more
+at fault, whether nature in fitting to a noble soul a mean body or
+fortune in imposing a mean condition upon a body endowed with a noble
+soul, as in one our townsman Cisti and in many another we may have
+seen it happen; which Cisti being gifted with a very lofty spirit,
+fortune made him a baker. And for this, certes, I should curse both
+nature and fortune like, did I not know the one to be most discreet
+and the other to have a thousand eyes, albeit fools picture her blind;
+and I imagine, therefore, that, being exceeding well-advised, they do
+that which is oftentimes done of human beings, who, uncertain of
+future events, bury their most precious things, against their
+occasions, in the meanest places of their houses, as being the least
+suspect, and thence bring them forth in their greatest needs, the mean
+place having the while kept them more surely than would the goodly
+chamber. And so, meseemeth, do the governors of the world hide
+oftentimes their most precious things under the shadow of crafts and
+conditions reputed most mean, to the end that, bringing them forth
+therefrom in time of need, their lustre may show the brighter. Which
+how Cisti the baker made manifest, though in but a trifling matter,
+restoring to Messer Geri Spina (whom the story but now told of Madam
+Oretta, who was his wife, hath recalled to my memory) the eyes of the
+understanding, it pleaseth me to show you in a very short story.
+
+I must tell you, then, that Pope Boniface, with whom Messer Geri
+Spina was in very great favour, having despatched to Florence certain
+of his gentlemen on an embassy concerning sundry important matters of
+his, they lighted down at the house of Messer Geri and he treating the
+pope's affairs in company with them, it chanced, whatever might have
+been the occasion thereof, that he and they passed well nigh every
+morning afoot before Santa Maria Ughi, where Cisti the baker had his
+bakehouse and plied his craft in person. Now, albeit fortune had
+appointed Cisti a humble enough condition, she had so far at the least
+been kind to him therein that he was grown very rich and without ever
+choosing to abandon it for any other, lived very splendidly, having,
+amongst his other good things, the best wines, white and red, that
+were to be found in Florence or in the neighbouring country. Seeing
+Messer Geri and the pope's ambassadors pass every morning before his
+door and the heat being great, he bethought himself that it were a
+great courtesy to give them to drink of his good white wine; but,
+having regard to his own condition and that of Messer Geri, he deemed
+it not a seemly thing to presume to invite them, but determined to
+bear himself on such wise as should lead Messer Geri to invite
+himself.
+
+Accordingly, having still on his body a very white doublet and an
+apron fresh from the wash, which bespoke him rather a miller than a
+baker, he let set before his door, every morning, towards the time
+when he looked for Messer Geri and the ambassadors to pass, a new
+tinned pail of fair water and a small pitcher of new Bolognese ware,
+full of his good white wine, together with two beakers, which seemed
+of silver, so bright they were, and seated himself there, against they
+should pass, when, after clearing his throat once or twice, he fell to
+drinking of that his wine with such a relish that he had made a dead
+man's mouth water for it. Messer Geri, having seen him do thus one and
+two mornings, said on the third, 'How now, Cisti? Is it good?'
+Whereupon he started to his feet and said, 'Ay is it, Sir; but how
+good I cannot give you to understand, except you taste thereof.'
+Messer Geri, in whom either the nature of the weather or belike the
+relish with which he saw Cisti drink had begotten a thirst, turned to
+the ambassadors and said, smiling, 'Gentlemen, we shall do well to
+taste this honest man's wine; belike it is such that we shall not
+repent thereof.' Accordingly, he made with them towards Cisti, who let
+bring a goodly settle out of his bakehouse and praying them sit, said
+to their serving-men, who pressed forward to rinse the beakers, 'Stand
+back, friends, and leave this office to me, for that I know no less
+well how to skink than to wield the baking-peel; and look you not to
+taste a drop thereof.' So saying, he with his own hands washed out
+four new and goodly beakers and letting bring a little pitcher of his
+good wine, busied himself with giving Messer Geri and his companions
+to drink, to whom the wine seemed the best they had drunken that great
+while; wherefore they commended it greatly, and well nigh every
+morning, whilst the ambassadors abode there, Messer Geri went thither
+to drink in company with them.
+
+After awhile, their business being despatched and they about to
+depart, Messer Geri made them a magnificent banquet, whereto he bade
+a number of the most worshipful citizens and amongst the rest, Cisti,
+who would, however, on no condition go thither; whereupon Messer Geri
+bade one of his serving-men go fetch a flask of the baker's wine and
+give each guest a half beaker thereof with the first course. The
+servant, despiteful most like for that he had never availed to drink
+of the wine, took a great flagon, which when Cisti saw, 'My son,' said
+he, 'Messer Geri sent thee not to me.' The man avouched again and
+again that he had, but, getting none other answer, returned to Messer
+Geri and reported it to him. Quoth he, 'Go back to him and tell him
+that I do indeed send thee to him; and if he still make thee the same
+answer, ask him to whom I send thee, [an it be not to him.]'
+Accordingly, the servant went back to the baker and said to him,
+'Cisti, for certain Messer Geri sendeth me to thee and none other.'
+'For certain, my son,' answered the baker, 'he doth it not.' 'Then,'
+said the man, 'to whom doth he send me?' 'To the Arno,' replied Cisti;
+which answer when the servant reported to Messer Geri, the eyes of his
+understanding were of a sudden opened and he said to the man, 'Let me
+see what flask thou carriedst thither.'
+
+When he saw the great flagon aforesaid, he said, 'Cisti saith sooth,'
+and giving the man a sharp reproof, made him take a sortable flask,
+which when Cisti saw, 'Now,' quoth he, 'I know full well that he
+sendeth thee to me,' and cheerfully filled it unto him. Then, that
+same day, he let fill a little cask with the like wine and causing
+carry it softly to Messer Geri's house, went presently thither and
+finding him there, said to him, 'Sir. I would not have you think that
+the great flagon of this morning frightened me; nay, but, meseeming
+that which I have of these past days shown you with my little pitchers
+had escaped your mind, to wit, that this is no household wine,[300] I
+wished to recall it to you. But, now, for that I purpose no longer to
+be your steward thereof, I have sent it all to you; henceforward do
+with it as it pleaseth you.' Messer Geri set great store by Cisti's
+present and rendering him such thanks as he deemed sortable, ever
+after held him for a man of great worth and for friend."
+
+[Footnote 300: Lit. Family wine (_vin da famiglia_), _i.e._ no wine
+for servants' or general drinking, but a choice vintage, to be
+reserved for special occasions.]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     MADAM NONNA DE' PULCI, WITH A READY RETORT TO A NOT
+     ALTOGETHER SEEMLY PLEASANTRY, IMPOSETH SILENCE ON THE BISHOP
+     OF FLORENCE
+
+
+Pampinea having made an end of her story and both Cisti's reply and
+his liberality having been much commended of all, it pleased the queen
+that the next story should be told by Lauretta, who blithely began as
+follows, "Jocund ladies, first Pampinea and now Filomena have spoken
+truly enough touching our little worth and the excellence of pithy
+sayings, whereto that there may be no need now to return, I would
+fain remind you, over and above that which hath been said on the
+subject, that the nature of smart sayings is such that they should
+bite upon the hearer, not as the dog, but as the sheep biteth; for
+that, an a trait bit like a dog, it were not a trait, but an affront.
+The right mean in this was excellently well hit both by Madam Oretta's
+speech and Cisti's reply. It is true that, if a smart thing be said by
+way of retort, and the answerer biteth like a dog, having been bitten
+on like wise, meseemeth he is not to be blamed as he would have been,
+had this not been the case; wherefore it behoveth us look how and with
+whom, no less than when and where, we bandy jests; to which
+considerations, a prelate of ours, taking too little heed, received at
+least as sharp a bite as he thought to give, as I shall show you in a
+little story.
+
+Messer Antonio d'Orso, a learned and worthy prelate, being Bishop of
+Florence, there came thither a Catalan gentleman, called Messer Dego
+della Ratta, marshal for King Robert, who, being a man of a very fine
+person and a great amorist, took a liking to one among other
+Florentine ladies, a very fair lady and granddaughter to a brother of
+the said bishop, and hearing that her husband, albeit a man of good
+family, was very sordid and miserly, agreed with him to give him five
+hundred gold florins, so he would suffer him lie a night with his
+wife. Accordingly, he let gild so many silver poplins,[301] a coin
+which was then current, and having lain with the lady, though against
+her will, gave them to the husband. The thing after coming to be known
+everywhere, the sordid wretch of a husband reaped both loss and scorn,
+but the bishop, like a discreet man as he was, affected to know
+nothing of the matter. Wherefore, he and the marshal consorting much
+together, it chanced, as they rode side by side with each other, one
+St. John's Day, viewing the ladies on either side of the way where the
+mantle is run for,[302] the prelate espied a young lady,--of whom this
+present pestilence hath bereft us and whom all you ladies must have
+known, Madam Nonna de' Pulci by name, cousin to Messer Alessio
+Rinucci, a fresh and fair young woman, both well-spoken and
+high-spirited, then not long before married in Porta San Piero,--and
+pointed her out to the marshal; then, being near her, he laid his hand
+on the latter's shoulder and said to her, 'Nonna, how deemest thou of
+this gallant? Thinkest thou thou couldst make a conquest of him?' It
+seemed to the lady that those words somewhat trenched upon her honour
+and were like to sully it in the eyes of those (and there were many
+there) who heard them; wherefore, not thinking to purge away the soil,
+but to return blow for blow, she promptly answered, 'Maybe, sir, he
+would not make a conquest of me; but, in any case, I should want good
+money.' The marshal and the bishop, hearing this, felt themselves
+alike touched to the quick by her speech, the one as the author of
+the cheat put upon the bishop's brother's granddaughter and the other
+as having suffered the affront in the person of his kinswoman, and
+made off, shamefast and silent, without looking at one another or
+saying aught more to her that day. Thus, then, the young lady having
+been bitten, it was not forbidden her to bite her biter with a
+retort."
+
+[Footnote 301: A silver coin of about the size and value of our silver
+penny, which, when gilded, would pass muster well enough for a gold
+florin, unless closely examined.]
+
+[Footnote 302: _Il palio_, a race anciently run at Florence on St.
+John's Day, as that of the Barberi at Rome during the Carnival.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     CHICHIBIO, COOK TO CURRADO GIANFIGLIAZZI, WITH A READY WORD
+     SPOKEN TO SAVE HIMSELF, TURNETH HIS MASTER'S ANGER INTO
+     LAUGHTER AND ESCAPETH THE PUNISHMENT THREATENED HIM BY THE
+     LATTER
+
+
+Lauretta being silent and Nonna having been mightily commended of all,
+the queen charged Neifile to follow on, and she said, "Although,
+lovesome ladies, a ready wit doth often furnish folk with words both
+prompt and useful and goodly, according to the circumstances, yet
+fortune whiles cometh to the help of the fearful and putteth of a
+sudden into their mouths such answers as might never of malice
+aforethought be found of the speaker, as I purpose to show you by my
+story.
+
+Currado Gianfigliazzi, as each of you ladies may have both heard and
+seen, hath still been a noble citizen of our city, liberal and
+magnificent, and leading a knightly life, hath ever, letting be for
+the present his weightier doings, taken delight in hawks and hounds.
+Having one day with a falcon of his brought down a crane and finding
+it young and fat, he sent it to a good cook he had, a Venetian hight
+Chichibio, bidding him roast it for supper and dress it well.
+Chichibio, who looked the new-caught gull he was, trussed the crane
+and setting it to the fire, proceeded to cook it diligently. When it
+was all but done and gave out a very savoury smell, it chanced that a
+wench of the neighbourhood, Brunetta by name, of whom Chichibio was
+sore enamoured, entered the kitchen and smelling the crane and seeing
+it, instantly besought him to give her a thigh thereof. He answered
+her, singing, and said, 'Thou shalt not have it from me, Mistress
+Brunetta, thou shalt not have it from me.' Whereat she, being vexed,
+said to him, 'By God His faith, an thou give it me not, thou shalt
+never have of me aught that shall pleasure thee.' In brief, many were
+the words between them and at last, Chichibio, not to anger his
+mistress, cut off one of the thighs of the crane and gave it her.
+
+The bird being after set before Messer Currado and certain stranger
+guests of his, lacking a thigh, and the former marvelling thereat, he
+let call Chichibio and asked him what was come of the other thigh;
+whereto the liar of a Venetian answered without hesitation, 'Sir,
+cranes have but one thigh and one leg.' 'What a devil?' cried Currado
+in a rage. 'They have but one thigh and one leg? Have I never seen a
+crane before?' 'Sir,' replied Chichibio, 'it is as I tell you, and
+whenas it pleaseth you, I will cause you see it in the quick.'
+Currado, out of regard for the strangers he had with him, chose not to
+make more words of the matter, but said, 'Since thou sayst thou wilt
+cause me see it in the quick, a thing I never yet saw or heard tell
+of, I desire to see it to-morrow morning, in which case I shall be
+content; but I swear to thee, by Christ His body, that, an it be
+otherwise, I will have thee served on such wise that thou shalt still
+have cause to remember my name to thy sorrow so long as thou livest.'
+There was an end of the talk for that night; but, next morning, as
+soon as it was day, Currado, whose anger was nothing abated for sleep,
+arose, still full of wrath, and bade bring the horses; then, mounting
+Chichibio upon a rouncey, he carried him off towards a watercourse, on
+whose banks cranes were still to be seen at break of day, saying, 'We
+shall soon see who lied yestereve, thou or I.'
+
+Chichibio, seeing that his master's wrath yet endured and that needs
+must be made good his lie and knowing not how he should avail
+thereunto, rode after Currado in the greatest fright that might be,
+and fain would he have fled, so but he might. But, seeing no way of
+escape, he looked now before him and now behind and now on either side
+and took all he saw for cranes standing on two feet. Presently, coming
+near to the river, he chanced to catch sight, before any other, of a
+round dozen of cranes on the bank, all perched on one leg, as they use
+to do, when they sleep; whereupon he straightway showed them to
+Currado, saying, 'Now, sir, if you look at those that stand yonder,
+you may very well see that I told you the truth yesternight, to wit,
+that cranes have but one thigh and one leg.' Currado, seeing them,
+answered, 'Wait and I will show thee that they have two,' and going
+somewhat nearer to them, he cried out, 'Ho! Ho!' At this the cranes,
+putting down the other leg, all, after some steps, took to flight;
+whereupon Currado said to him, 'How sayst thou now, malapert knave
+that thou art? Deemest thou they have two legs?' Chichibio, all
+confounded and knowing not whether he stood on his head or his
+heels,[303] answered, 'Ay, sir; but you did not cry, "Ho! Ho!" to
+yesternight's crane; had you cried thus, it would have put out the
+other thigh and the other leg, even as did those yonder.' This reply
+so tickled Currado that all his wrath was changed into mirth and
+laughter and he said, 'Chichibio, thou art in the right; indeed, I
+should have done it.' Thus, then, with his prompt and comical answer
+did Chichibio avert ill luck and made his peace with his master."
+
+[Footnote 303: Lit. knowing not whence himself came.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     MESSER FORESE DA RABATTA AND MASTER GIOTTO THE PAINTER
+     COMING FROM MUGELLO, EACH JESTINGLY RALLIETH THE OTHER ON
+     HIS SCURVY FAVOUR
+
+
+Neifile being silent and the ladies having taken much pleasure in
+Chichibio's reply, Pamfilo, by the queen's desire, spoke thus:
+"Dearest ladies, it chanceth often that, like as fortune whiles hideth
+very great treasures of worth and virtue under mean conditions, as
+hath been a little before shown by Pampinea, even so, under the
+sorriest of human forms are marvellous wits found to have been lodged
+by nature; and this very plainly appeared in two townsmen of ours, of
+whom I purpose briefly to entertain you. For that the one, who was
+called Messer Forese da Rabatta, though little of person and
+misshapen, with a flat camoys face, that had been an eyesore on the
+shoulders of the foulest cadger in Florence, was yet of such
+excellence in the interpretation of the laws, that he was of many men
+of worth reputed a very treasury of civil right; whilst the other,
+whose name was Giotto, had so excellent a genius that there was
+nothing of all which Nature, mother and mover of all things,
+presenteth unto us by the ceaseless revolution of the heavens, but he
+with pencil and pen and brush depicted it and that so closely that not
+like, nay, but rather the thing itself it seemed, insomuch that men's
+visual sense is found to have been oftentimes deceived in things of
+his fashion, taking that for real which was but depictured. Wherefore,
+he having brought back to the light this art, which had for many an
+age lain buried under the errors of certain folk who painted more to
+divert the eyes of the ignorant than to please the understanding of
+the judicious, he may deservedly be styled one of the chief glories of
+Florence, the more so that he bore the honours he had gained with the
+utmost humility and although, while he lived, chief over all else in
+his art, he still refused to be called master, which title, though
+rejected by him, shone so much the more gloriously in him as it was
+with greater eagerness greedily usurped by those who knew less than
+he, or by his disciples. Yet, great as was his skill, he was not
+therefore anywise goodlier of person or better favoured than Messer
+Forese. But, to come to my story:
+
+I must tell you that Messer Forese and Giotto had each his country
+house at Mugello and the former, having gone to visit his estates, at
+that season of the summer when the Courts hold holiday, and returning
+thence on a sorry cart-horse, chanced to fall in with the aforesaid
+Giotto, who had been on the same errand and was then on his way back
+to Florence nowise better equipped than himself in horse and
+accoutrements. Accordingly, they joined company and fared on softly,
+like old men as they were. Presently, it chanced, as we often see it
+happen in summer time, that a sudden shower overtook them, from which,
+as quickliest they might, they took shelter in the house of a
+husbandman, a friend and acquaintance of both of them. After awhile,
+the rain showing no sign of giving over and they wishing to reach
+Florence by daylight, they borrowed of their host two old homespun
+cloaks and two hats, rusty with age, for that there were no better to
+be had, and set out again upon their way.
+
+When they had gone awhile and were all drenched and bemired with the
+splashing that their hackneys kept up with their hoofs--things which
+use not to add worship to any one's looks,--the weather began to clear
+a little and the two wayfarers, who had long fared on in silence, fell
+to conversing together. Messer Forese, as he rode, hearkening to
+Giotto, who was a very fine talker, fell to considering his companion
+from head to foot and seeing him everywise so ill accoutred and in
+such scurvy case, burst out laughing and without taking any thought to
+his own plight, said to him, 'How sayst thou, Giotto? An there
+encountered us here a stranger who had never seen thee, thinkest thou
+he would believe thee to be, as thou art, the finest painter in the
+world?' 'Ay, sir,' answered Giotto forthright, 'methinketh he might
+e'en believe it whenas, looking upon you, he should believe that you
+knew your A B C.' Messer Forese, hearing this, was sensible of his
+error and saw himself paid with money such as the wares he had
+sold."[304]
+
+[Footnote 304: Or, as we should say, "in his own coin."]
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     MICHELE SCALZA PROVETH TO CERTAIN YOUNG MEN THAT THE CADGERS
+     OF FLORENCE ARE THE BEST GENTLEMEN OF THE WORLD OR THE
+     MAREMMA AND WINNETH A SUPPER
+
+
+The ladies yet laughed at Giotto's prompt retort, when the queen
+charged Fiammetta follow on and she proceeded to speak thus: "Young
+ladies, the mention by Pamfilo of the cadgers of Florence, whom
+peradventure you know not as doth he, hath brought to my mind a story,
+wherein, without deviating from our appointed theme, it is
+demonstrated how great is their nobility; and it pleaseth me,
+therefore, to relate it.
+
+It is no great while since there was in our city a young man called
+Michele Scalza, who was the merriest and most agreeable man in the
+world and he had still the rarest stories in hand, wherefore the young
+Florentines were exceeding glad to have his company whenas they made a
+party of pleasure amongst themselves. It chanced one day, he being
+with certain folk at Monte Ughi, that the question was started among
+them of who were the best and oldest gentlemen of Florence. Some said
+the Uberti, others the Lamberti, and one this family and another that,
+according as it occurred to his mind; which Scalza hearing, he fell
+a-laughing and said, 'Go to, addlepates that you are! You know not
+what you say. The best gentlemen and the oldest, not only of Florence,
+but of all the world or the Maremma,[305] are the Cadgers,[306] a
+matter upon which all the phisopholers and every one who knoweth them,
+as I do, are of accord; and lest you should understand it of others, I
+speak of the Cadgers your neighbors of Santa Maria Maggiore.'
+
+[Footnote 305: A commentator notes that the adjunction to the world of
+the Maremma (cf. Elijer Goff, "The Irish Question has for some
+centuries been enjoyed by _the universe and other parts_") produces a
+risible effect and gives the reader to understand that Scalza broaches
+the question only by way of a joke. The same may be said of the
+jesting inversion of the word philosophers (phisopholers, Fisofoli) in
+the next line.]
+
+[Footnote 306: _Baronci_, the Florentine name for what we should call
+professional beggars, "mumpers, chanters and Abrahammen," called
+_Bari_ and _Barocci_ in other parts of Italy. This story has been a
+prodigious stumbling-block to former translators, not one of whom
+appears to have had the slightest idea of Boccaccio's meaning.]
+
+When the young men, who looked for him to say otherwhat, heard this,
+they all made mock of him and said, 'Thou gullest us, as if we knew
+not the Cadgers, even as thou dost.' 'By the Evangels,' replied
+Scalza, 'I gull you not; nay, I speak the truth, and if there be any
+here who will lay a supper thereon, to be given to the winner and half
+a dozen companions of his choosing, I will willingly hold the wager;
+and I will do yet more for you, for I will abide by the judgment of
+whomsoever you will.' Quoth one of them, called Neri Mannini, 'I am
+ready to try to win the supper in question'; whereupon, having agreed
+together to take Piero di Fiorentino, in whose house they were, to
+judge, they betook themselves to him, followed by all the rest, who
+looked to see Scalza lose and to make merry over his discomfiture, and
+recounted to him all that had passed. Piero, who was a discreet young
+man, having first heard Neri's argument, turned to Scalza and said to
+him, 'And thou, how canst thou prove this that thou affirmest?' 'How,
+sayest thou?' answered Scalza. 'Nay, I will prove it by such reasoning
+that not only thou, but he who denieth it, shall acknowledge that I
+speak sooth. You know that, the ancienter men are, the nobler they
+are; and so was it said but now among these. Now the Cadgers are more
+ancient than any one else, so that they are nobler; and showing you
+how they are the most ancient, I shall undoubtedly have won the wager.
+You must know, then, that the Cadgers were made by God the Lord in the
+days when He first began to learn to draw; but the rest of mankind
+were made after He knew how to draw. And to assure yourselves that in
+this I say sooth, do but consider the Cadgers in comparison with other
+folk; whereas you see all the rest of mankind with faces well composed
+and duly proportioned, you may see the Cadgers, this with a visnomy
+very long and strait and with a face out of all measure broad; one
+hath too long and another too short a nose and a third hath a chin
+jutting out and turned upward and huge jawbones that show as they were
+those of an ass, whilst some there be who have one eye bigger than the
+other and other some who have one set lower than the other, like the
+faces that children used to make, whenas they first begin to learn to
+draw. Wherefore, as I have already said, it is abundantly apparent
+that God the Lord made them, what time He was learning to draw; so
+that they are more ancient and consequently nobler than the rest of
+mankind.' At this, both Piero, who was the judge, and Neri, who had
+wagered the supper, and all the rest, hearing Scalza's comical
+argument and remembering themselves,[307] fell all a-laughing and
+affirmed that he was in the right and had won the supper, for that the
+Cadgers were assuredly the noblest and most ancient gentlemen that
+were to be found not in Florence alone, but in the world or the
+Maremma. Wherefore it was very justly said of Pamfilo, seeking to show
+the foulness of Messer Forese's visnomy, that it would have showed
+notably ugly on one of the Cadgers."
+
+[Footnote 307: _i.e._ of the comical fashion of the Cadgers.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     MADAM FILIPPA, BEING FOUND BY HER HUSBAND WITH A LOVER OF
+     HERS AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE, DELIVERETH HERSELF WITH A
+     PROMPT AND PLEASANT ANSWER AND CAUSETH MODIFY THE STATUTE
+
+
+Fiammetta was now silent and all laughed yet at the novel argument
+used by Scalza for the ennoblement over all of the Cadgers, when the
+queen enjoined Filostrato to tell and he accordingly began to say, "It
+is everywise a fine thing, noble ladies, to know how to speak well,
+but I hold it yet goodlier to know how to do it whereas necessity
+requireth it, even as a gentlewoman, of whom I purpose to entertain
+you, knew well how to do on such wise that not only did she afford her
+hearers matter for mirth and laughter, but did herself loose from the
+toils of an ignominious death, as you shall presently hear.
+
+There was, then, aforetime, in the city of Prato, a statute in truth
+no less blameworthy than cruel, which, without making any distinction,
+ordained that any woman found by her husband in adultery with any her
+lover should be burnt, even as she who should be discovered to have
+sold her favours for money. What while this statute was in force, it
+befell that a noble and beautiful lady, by name Madam Filippa, who was
+of a singularly amorous complexion, was one night found by Rinaldo de'
+Pugliesi her husband, in her own chamber in the arms of Lazzerino de'
+Guazzagliotri, a noble and handsome youth of that city, whom she loved
+even as herself. Rinaldo, seeing this, was sore enraged and scarce
+contained himself from falling upon them and slaying them; and but
+that he feared for himself, an he should ensue the promptings of his
+anger, he had certainly done it. However, he forbore from this, but
+could not refrain from seeking of the law of Prato that which it was
+not permitted him to accomplish with his own hand, to wit, the death
+of his wife. Having, therefore, very sufficient evidence to prove the
+lady's default, no sooner was the day come than, without taking other
+counsel, he lodged an accusation against her and caused summon her
+before the provost.
+
+Madam Filippa, being great of heart, as women commonly are who are
+verily in love, resolved, although counselled to the contrary by many
+of her friends and kinsfolk, to appear, choosing rather, confessing
+the truth, to die with an undaunted spirit, than, meanly fleeing, to
+live an outlaw in exile and confess herself unworthy of such a lover
+as he in whose arms she had been the foregoing night. Wherefore,
+presenting herself before the provost, attended by a great company of
+men and ladies and exhorted of all to deny the charge, she demanded,
+with a firm voice and an assured air, what he would with her. The
+magistrate, looking upon her and seeing her very fair and commendable
+of carriage and according as her words testified, of a lofty spirit,
+began to have compassion of her, fearing lest she should confess
+somewhat wherefore it should behoove him, for his own honour's sake,
+condemn her to die. However, having no choice but to question her of
+that which was laid to her charge, he said to her, 'Madam, as you see,
+here is Rinaldo your husband, who complaineth of you, avouching
+himself to have found you in adultery with another man and demanding
+that I should punish you therefor by putting you to death, according
+to the tenor of a statute which here obtaineth; but this I cannot do,
+except you confess it; wherefore look well what you answer and tell me
+if that be true whereof your husband impeacheth you.'
+
+The lady, no wise dismayed, replied very cheerfully, 'Sir, true it is
+that Rinaldo is my husband and that he found me last night in the arms
+of Lazzarino, wherein, for the great and perfect love I bear him, I
+have many a time been; nor am I anywise minded to deny this. But, as I
+am assured you know, laws should be common to all and made with the
+consent of those whom they concern; and this is not the case with this
+statute, which is binding only upon us unhappy women, who might far
+better than men avail to satisfy many; more by token that, when it was
+made, not only did no woman yield consent thereunto, but none of us
+was even cited to do so; wherefore it may justly be styled naught.
+However, an you choose, to the prejudice of my body and of your own
+soul, to be the executor of this unrighteous law, it resteth with you
+to do so; but, ere you proceed to adjudge aught, I pray you do me one
+slight favour, to wit, that you question my husband if at all times
+and as often as it pleased him, without ever saying him nay, I have or
+not vouchsafed him entire commodity of myself.'
+
+Rinaldo, without waiting to be questioned of the provost, straightway
+made answer that undoubtedly the lady had, at his every request,
+accorded him his every pleasure of herself; whereupon, 'Then, my lord
+provost,' straightway rejoined she, 'if he have still taken of me that
+which was needful and pleasing to him, what, I ask you, was or am I to
+do with that which remaineth over and above his requirements? Should I
+cast it to the dogs? Was it not far better to gratify withal a
+gentleman who loveth me more than himself, than to leave it waste or
+spoil?' Now well nigh all the people of Prato had flocked thither to
+the trial of such a matter and of so fair and famous a lady, and
+hearing so comical a question, they all, after much laughter, cried
+out as with one voice that she was in the right of it and that she
+said well. Moreover, ere they departed thence, at the instance of the
+provost, they modified the cruel statute and left it to apply to those
+women only who should for money make default to their husbands.
+Thereupon Rinaldo, having taken nought but shame by so fond an
+emprise, departed the court, and the lady returned in triumph to her
+own house, joyful and free and in a manner raised up out of the fire."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     FRESCO EXHORTETH HIS NIECE NOT TO MIRROR HERSELF IN THE
+     GLASS, IF, AS SHE SAITH, IT IRKETH HER TO SEE DISAGREEABLE
+     FOLK
+
+
+The story told by Filostrato at first touched the hearts of the
+listening ladies with some little shamefastness and they gave token
+thereof by a modest redness that appeared upon their faces; but, after
+looking one at another, they hearkened thereto, tittering the while
+and scarce able to abstain from laughing. As soon as he was come to
+the end thereof, the queen turned to Emilia and bade her follow on,
+whereupon, sighing no otherwise than as she had been aroused from a
+dream, she began, "Lovesome lasses, for that long thought hath held me
+far from here, I shall, to obey our queen content myself with
+[relating] a story belike much slighter than that which I might have
+bethought myself to tell, had my mind been present here, recounting to
+you the silly default of a damsel, corrected by an uncle of hers with
+a jocular retort, had she been woman enough to have apprehended it.
+
+A certain Fresco da Celatico, then, had a niece familiarly called
+Ciesca,[308] who, having a comely face and person (though none of
+those angelical beauties that we have often seen aforetime), set so
+much store by herself and accounted herself so noble that she had
+gotten a habit of carping at both men and women and everything she
+saw, without anywise taking thought to herself, who was so much more
+fashous, froward and humoursome than any other of her sex that nothing
+could be done to her liking. Beside all this, she was so prideful
+that, had she been of the blood royal of France, it had been
+overweening; and when she went abroad, she gave herself so many airs
+that she did nought but make wry faces, as if there came to her a
+stench from whomsoever she saw or met. But, letting be many other
+vexatious and tiresome fashions of hers, it chanced one day that she
+came back to the house, where Fresco was, and seating herself near
+him, all full of airs and grimaces, did nothing but puff and blow;
+whereupon quoth he, 'What meaneth this, Ciesca, that, to-day being a
+holiday, thou comest home so early?' To which she answered, all like
+to die away with affectation, 'It is true I have come back soon, for
+that I believe there were never in this city so many disagreeable and
+tiresome people, both men and women, as there are to-day; there
+passeth none about the streets but is hateful to me as ill-chance, and
+I do not believe there is a woman in the world to whom it is more
+irksome to see disagreeable folk than it is to me; wherefore I have
+returned thus early, not to see them.' 'My lass,' rejoined Fresco, to
+whom his niece's airs and graces were mighty displeasing, 'if
+disagreeable folk be so distasteful to thee as thou sayest, never
+mirror thyself in the glass, so thou wouldst live merry.' But she,
+emptier than a reed, albeit herseemed she was a match for Solomon in
+wit, apprehended Fresco's true speech no better than a block; nay, she
+said that she chose to mirror herself in the glass like other women;
+and so she abode in her folly and therein abideth yet."
+
+[Footnote 308: An abbreviation of Francesca.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     GUIDO CAVALCANTI WITH A PITHY SPEECH COURTEOUSLY FLOUTETH
+     CERTAIN FLORENTINE GENTLEMEN WHO HAD TAKEN HIM BY SURPRISE
+
+
+The queen, seeing Emilia delivered of her story and that it rested
+with none other than herself to tell, saving him who was privileged to
+speak last, began thus, "Although, sprightly ladies, you have this day
+taken out of my mouth at the least two stories, whereof I had purposed
+to relate one, I have yet one left to tell, the end whereof compriseth
+a saying of such a fashion that none, peradventure, of such
+pertinence, hath yet been cited to us.
+
+You must know, then, that there were in our city, of times past, many
+goodly and commendable usances, whereof none is left there nowadays,
+thanks to the avarice that hath waxed therein with wealth and hath
+banished them all. Among these there was a custom to the effect that
+the gentlemen of the various quarters of Florence assembled together
+in divers places about the town and formed themselves into companies
+of a certain number, having a care to admit thereinto such only as
+might aptly bear the expense, whereof to-day the one and to-morrow the
+other, and so all in turn, hold open house, each his day, for the
+whole company. At these banquets they often entertained both stranger
+gentlemen, whenas there came any thither, and those of the city; and
+on like wise, once at the least in the year, they clad themselves
+alike and rode in procession through the city on the most notable days
+and whiles they held passes of arms, especially on the chief holidays
+or whenas some glad news of victory or the like came to the city.
+
+Amongst these companies was one of Messer Betto Brunelleschi,
+whereinto the latter and his companions had studied amain to draw
+Guido, son of Messer Cavalcante de' Cavalcanti, and not without cause;
+for that, besides being one of the best logicians in the world and an
+excellent natural philosopher (of which things, indeed, they recked
+little), he was very sprightly and well-bred and a mighty well-spoken
+man and knew better than any other to do everything that he would and
+that pertained unto a gentleman, more by token that he was very rich
+and knew wonder-well how to entertain whomsoever he deemed deserving
+of honour. But Messer Betto had never been able to win and to have
+him, and he and his companions believed that this betided for that
+Guido, being whiles engaged in abstract speculations, became much
+distraught from mankind; and for that he inclined somewhat to the
+opinion of the Epicureans, it was reported among the common folk that
+these his speculations consisted only in seeking if it might be
+discovered that God was not.
+
+It chanced one day that Guido set out from Orto San Michele and came
+by way of the Corso degli Ademari, the which was oftentimes his road,
+to San Giovanni, round about which there were at that present divers
+great marble tombs (which are nowadays at Santa Reparata) and many
+others. As he was between the columns of porphyry there and the tombs
+in question and the door of the church, which was shut, Messer Betto
+and his company, coming a-horseback along the Piazza di Santa
+Reparata, espied him among the tombs and said, 'Let us go plague him.'
+Accordingly, spurring their horses, they charged all down upon him in
+sport and coming upon him ere he was aware of them, said to him,
+'Guido, thou refusest to be of our company; but, harkye, whenas thou
+shalt have found that God is not, what wilt thou have accomplished?'
+Guido, seeing himself hemmed in by them, answered promptly,
+'Gentlemen, you may say what you will to me in your own house'; then,
+laying his hand on one of the great tombs aforesaid and being very
+nimble of body, he took a spring and alighting on the other side, made
+off, having thus rid himself of them.
+
+The gentlemen abode looking one upon another and fell a-saying that he
+was a crack-brain and that this that he had answered them amounted to
+nought seeing that there where they were they had no more to do than
+all the other citizens, nor Guido himself less than any of themselves.
+But Messer Betto turned to them and said, 'It is you who are the
+crackbrains, if you have not apprehended him. He hath courteously and
+in a few words given us the sharpest rebuke in the world; for that, an
+you consider aright, these tombs are the houses of the dead, seeing
+they are laid and abide therein, and these, saith he, are our house,
+meaning thus to show us that we and other foolish and unlettered men
+are, compared with him and other men of learning, worse than dead
+folk; wherefore, being here, we are in our own house.' Thereupon each
+understood what Guido had meant to say and was abashed nor ever
+plagued him more, but held Messer Betto thenceforward a gentleman of a
+subtle wit and an understanding."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     FRA CIPOLLA PROMISETH CERTAIN COUNTRY FOLK TO SHOW THEM ONE
+     OF THE ANGEL GABRIEL'S FEATHERS AND FINDING COALS IN PLACE
+     THEREOF, AVOUCHETH THESE LATTER TO BE OF THOSE WHICH ROASTED
+     ST. LAWRENCE
+
+
+Each of the company being now quit of his[309] story, Dioneo perceived
+that it rested with him to tell; whereupon, without awaiting more
+formal commandment, he began on this wise, silence having first been
+imposed on those who commended Guido's pregnant retort: "Charming
+ladies, albeit I am privileged to speak of that which most liketh me,
+I purpose not to-day to depart from the matter whereof you have all
+very aptly spoken; but, ensuing in your footsteps, I mean to show you
+how cunningly a friar of the order of St. Anthony, by name Fra
+Cipolla, contrived with a sudden shift to extricate himself from a
+snare[310] which had been set for him by two young men; nor should it
+irk you if, for the complete telling of the story, I enlarge somewhat
+in speaking, an you consider the sun, which is yet amiddleward in the
+sky.
+
+[Footnote 309: "Or her."]
+
+[Footnote 310: Lit. to avoid or elude a scorn (_fuggire uno scorno_).]
+
+Certaldo, as you may have heard, is a burgh of Val d' Elsa situate in
+our country, which, small though it be, was once inhabited by
+gentlemen and men of substance; and thither, for that he found good
+pasture there, one of the friars of the order of St. Anthony was long
+used to resort once a year, to get in the alms bestowed by simpletons
+upon him and his brethren. His name was Fra Cipolla and he was gladly
+seen there, no less belike, for his name's sake[311] than for other
+reasons, seeing that these parts produce onions that are famous
+throughout all Tuscany. This Fra Cipolla was little of person,
+red-haired and merry of countenance, the jolliest rascal in the world,
+and to boot, for all he was no scholar, he was so fine a talker and so
+ready of wit that those who knew him not would not only have esteemed
+him a great rhetorician, but had avouched him to be Tully himself or
+may be Quintilian; and he was gossip or friend or well-wisher[312] to
+well nigh every one in the country.
+
+[Footnote 311: _Cipolla_ means onion.]
+
+[Footnote 312: The term "well-wisher" (_benivogliente_), when
+understood in relation to a woman, is generally equivalent (at least
+with the older Italian writers) to "lover." See ante, passim.]
+
+One August among others he betook himself thither according to his
+wont, and on a Sunday morning, all the goodmen and goodwives of the
+villages around being come to hear mass at the parish church, he came
+forward, whenas it seemed to him time, and said, 'Gentlemen and
+ladies, it is, as you know, your usance to send every year to the poor
+of our lord Baron St. Anthony of your corn and of your oats, this
+little and that much, according to his means and his devoutness, to
+the intent that the blessed St. Anthony may keep watch over your
+beeves and asses and swine and sheep; and besides this, you use to
+pay, especially such of you as are inscribed into our company, that
+small due which is payable once a year. To collect these I have been
+sent by my superior, to wit, my lord abbot; wherefore, with the
+blessing of God, you shall, after none, whenas you hear the bells
+ring, come hither without the church, where I will make preachment to
+you after the wonted fashion and you shall kiss the cross; moreover,
+for that I know you all to be great devotees of our lord St. Anthony,
+I will, as an especial favour show you a very holy and goodly relic,
+which I myself brought aforetime from the holy lands beyond seas; and
+that is one of the Angel Gabriel's feathers, which remained in the
+Virgin Mary's chamber, whenas he came to announce to her in Nazareth.'
+This said, he broke off and went on with his mass.
+
+Now, when he said this, there were in the church, among many others,
+two roguish young fellows, hight one Giovanni del Bragioniera and the
+other Biagio Pizzini, who, after laughing with one another awhile over
+Fra Cipolla's relic, took counsel together, for all they were great
+friends and cronies of his, to play him some trick in the matter of
+the feather in question. Accordingly, having learned that he was to
+dine that morning with a friend of his in the burgh, they went down
+into the street as soon as they knew him to be at table, and betook
+themselves to the inn where he had alighted, purposing that Biagio
+should hold his servant in parley, whilst Giovanni should search his
+baggage for the feather aforesaid, whatever it might be, and carry it
+off, to see what he should say to the people of the matter.
+
+Fra Cipolla had a servant, whom some called Guccio[313] Balena,[314]
+others Guccio Imbratta[315] and yet others Guccia Porco[316] and who
+was such a scurvy knave that Lipo Topo[317] never wrought his like,
+inasmuch as his master used oftentimes to jest of him with his cronies
+and say, 'My servant hath in him nine defaults, such that, were one of
+them in Solomon or Aristotle or Seneca, it would suffice to mar all
+their worth, all their wit and all their sanctity. Consider, then,
+what a man he must be, who hath all nine of them and in whom there is
+neither worth nor wit nor sanctity.' Being questioned whiles what were
+these nine defaults and having put them into doggerel rhyme, he would
+answer, 'I will tell you. He's a liar, a sloven, a slugabed;
+disobedient, neglectful, ill bred; o'erweening, foul-spoken, a
+dunderhead; beside which he hath divers other peccadilloes, whereof it
+booteth not to speak. But what is most laughable of all his fashions
+is that, wherever he goeth, he is still for taking a wife and hiring a
+house; for, having a big black greasy beard, him-seemeth he is so
+exceeding handsome and agreeable that he conceiteth himself all the
+women who see him fall in love with him, and if you let him alone, he
+would run after them all till he lost his girdle.[318] Sooth to say,
+he is of great assistance to me, for that none can ever seek to speak
+with me so secretly but he must needs hear his share; and if it chance
+that I be questioned of aught, he is so fearful lest I should not know
+how to answer, that he straightway answereth for me both Ay and No, as
+he judgeth sortable.'
+
+[Footnote 313: Diminutive of contempt of Arrigo, contracted from
+Arriguccio, _i.e._ mean little Arrigo.]
+
+[Footnote 314: _i.e._ Whale.]
+
+[Footnote 315: _i.e._ Dirt.]
+
+[Footnote 316: _i.e._ Hog.]
+
+[Footnote 317: A painter of Boccaccio's time, of whom little or
+nothing seems to be known.]
+
+[Footnote 318: _Perpendo lo coreggia._ The exact meaning of this
+passage is not clear. The commentators make sundry random shots at it,
+but, as usual, only succeed in making confusion worse confounded. It
+may perhaps be rendered, "till his wind failed him."]
+
+Now Fra Cipolla, in leaving him at the inn, had bidden him look well
+that none touched his gear, and more particularly his saddle-bags, for
+that therein were the sacred things. But Guccio, who was fonder of the
+kitchen than the nightingale of the green boughs, especially if he
+scented some serving-wench there, and who had seen in that of the inn
+a gross fat cookmaid, undersized and ill-made, with a pair of paps
+that showed like two manure-baskets and a face like a cadger's, all
+sweaty, greasy and smoky, leaving Fra Cipolla's chamber and all his
+gear to care for themselves, swooped down upon the kitchen, even as
+the vulture swoopeth upon carrion, and seating himself by the fire,
+for all it was August, entered into discourse with the wench in
+question, whose name was Nuta, telling her that he was by rights a
+gentleman and had more than nine millions of florins, beside that
+which he had to give others, which was rather more than less, and that
+he could do and say God only knew what. Moreover, without regard to
+his bonnet, whereon was grease enough to have seasoned the caldron of
+Altopascio,[319] and his doublet all torn and pieced and enamelled
+with filth about the collar and under the armpits, with more spots and
+patches of divers colours than ever had Turkey or India stuffs, and
+his shoes all broken and hose unsewn, he told her, as he had been the
+Sieur de Châtillon,[320] that he meant to clothe her and trick her out
+anew and deliver her from the wretchedness of abiding with
+others,[321] and bring her to hope of better fortune, if without any
+great wealth in possession, and many other things, which, for all he
+delivered them very earnestly, all turned to wind and came to nought,
+as did most of his enterprises.
+
+[Footnote 319: Said by the commentators to have been an abbey, where
+they made cheese-soup for all comers twice a week; hence "the caldron
+of Altopascio" became a proverb; but _qućre_ is not the name
+Altopascio (high feeding) a fancy one?]
+
+[Footnote 320: It does not appear to which member of this great house
+Boccaccio here alludes, but the Châtillons were always rich and
+magnificent gentlemen, from Gaucher de Châtillon, who followed Philip
+Augustus to the third crusade, to the great Admiral de Coligny.]
+
+[Footnote 321: Sic (_star con altrui_); but "being in the service of
+or dependent upon others" seems to be the probable meaning.]
+
+The two young men, accordingly, found Guccio busy about Nuta, whereat
+they were well pleased, for that it spared them half their pains, and
+entering Fra Cipolla's chamber, which they found open, the first thing
+that came under their examination was the saddle-bags wherein was the
+feather. In these they found, enveloped in a great taffetas wrapper,
+a little casket and opening this latter, discovered therein a parrot's
+tail-feather, which they concluded must be that which the friar had
+promised to show the people of Certaldo. And certes he might lightly
+cause it to be believed in those days, for that the refinements of
+Egypt had not yet made their way save into a small part of Tuscany, as
+they have since done in very great abundance, to the undoing of all
+Italy; and wherever they may have been some little known, in those
+parts they were well nigh altogether unknown of the inhabitants; nay
+the rude honesty of the ancients yet enduring there, not only had they
+never set eyes on a parrot, but were far from having ever heard tell
+of such a bird. The young men, then, rejoiced at finding the feather,
+laid hands on it and not to leave the casket empty, filled it with
+some coals they saw in a corner of the room and shut it again. Then,
+putting all things in order as they had found them, they made off in
+high glee with the feather, without having been seen, and began to
+await what Fra Cipolli should say, when he found the coals in place
+thereof.
+
+The simple men and women who were in the church, hearing that they
+were to see the Angel Gabriel's feather after none, returned home, as
+soon as mass was over, and neighbor telling it to neighbor and gossip
+to gossip, no sooner had they all dined than so many men and women
+flocked to the burgh that it would scarce hold them, all looking
+eagerly to see the aforesaid feather. Fra Cipolla, having well dined
+and after slept awhile, arose a little after none and hearing of the
+great multitude of country folk come to see the feather, sent to bid
+Guccio Imbratta come thither with the bells and bring his saddle-bags.
+Guccio, tearing himself with difficulty away from the kitchen and
+Nuta, betook himself with the things required to the appointed place,
+whither coming, out of breath, for that the water he had drunken had
+made his belly swell amain, he repaired, by his master's commandment,
+to the church door and fell to ringing the bells lustily.
+
+When all the people were assembled there, Fra Cipolla, without
+observing that aught of his had been meddled with, began his
+preachment and said many words anent his affairs; after which,
+thinking to come to the showing of the Angel Gabriel's feather, he
+first recited the Confiteor with the utmost solemnity and let kindle a
+pair of flambeaux; then, pulling off his bonnet, he delicately
+unfolded the taffetas wrapper and brought out the casket. Having first
+pronounced certain ejaculations in praise and commendation of the
+Angel Gabriel and of his relic, he opened the casket and seeing it
+full of coals, suspected not Guccio Balena of having played him this
+trick, for that he knew him not to be man enough; nor did he curse him
+for having kept ill watch lest others should do it, but silently
+cursed himself for having committed to him the care of his gear,
+knowing him, as he did, to be negligent, disobedient, careless and
+forgetful.
+
+Nevertheless, without changing colour, he raised his eyes and hands to
+heaven and said, so as to be heard of all, 'O God, praised be still
+thy puissance!' Then, shutting the casket and turning to the people,
+'Gentlemen and ladies,' quoth he, 'you must know that, whilst I was
+yet very young, I was dispatched by my superior to those parts where
+the sun riseth and it was expressly commanded me that I should seek
+till I found the Privileges of Porcellana, which, though they cost
+nothing to seal, are much more useful to others than to us. On this
+errand I set out from Venice and passed through Borgo de' Greci,[322]
+whence, riding through the kingdom of Algarve and Baldacca,[323] I
+came to Parione,[324] and from there, not without thirst, I came after
+awhile into Sardinia. But what booteth it to set out to you in detail
+all the lands explored by me? Passing the straits of San Giorgio,[325]
+I came into Truffia[326] and Buffia,[327] countries much inhabited and
+with great populations, and thence into the land of Menzogna,[328]
+where I found great plenty of our brethren and of friars of other
+religious orders, who all went about those parts, shunning unease for
+the love of God, recking little of others' travail, whenas they saw
+their own advantage to ensue, and spending none other money than such
+as was uncoined.[329] Thence I passed into the land of the Abruzzi,
+where the men and women go in clogs over the mountains, clothing the
+swine in their own guts;[330] and a little farther I found folk who
+carried bread on sticks and wine in bags. From this I came to the
+Mountains of the Bachi, where all the waters run down hill; and in
+brief, I made my way so far inward that I won at last even to India
+Pastinaca,[331] where I swear to you, by the habit I wear on my back,
+that I saw hedge-bills[332] fly, a thing incredible to whoso hath not
+seen it. But of this Maso del Saggio will confirm me, whom I found
+there a great merchant, cracking walnuts and selling the shells by
+retail.
+
+[Footnote 322: Apparently the Neapolitan town of that name.]
+
+[Footnote 323: The name of a famous tavern in Florence (_Florio_).]
+
+[Footnote 324: _Qućre_ a place in Florence? One of the commentators,
+with characteristic carelessness, states that the places mentioned in
+the preachment of Fra Cipolla (an amusing specimen of the
+patter-sermon of the mendicant friar of the middle ages, that
+ecclesiastical Cheap Jack of his day) are all names of streets or
+places of Florence, a statement which, it is evident to the most
+cursory reader, is altogether inaccurate.]
+
+[Footnote 325: Apparently the island of that name near Venice.]
+
+[Footnote 326: _i.e._ Nonsense-land.]
+
+[Footnote 327: _i.e._ Land of Tricks or Cozenage.]
+
+[Footnote 328: _i.e._ Falsehood, Lie-land.]
+
+[Footnote 329: _i.e._ paying their way with fine words, instead of
+coin.]
+
+[Footnote 330: _i.e._ making sausages of them.]
+
+[Footnote 331: _Bachi_, drones or maggots. _Pastinaca_ means "parsnip"
+and is a meaningless addition of Fra Cipolla's fashion.]
+
+[Footnote 332: A play of words upon the primary meaning (winged
+things) of the word _pennate_, hedge-bills.]
+
+Being unable to find that which I went seeking, for that thence one
+goeth thither by water, I turned back and arrived in those holy
+countries, where, in summer-years, cold bread is worth four farthings
+a loaf and the hot goeth for nothing. There I found the venerable
+father my lord Blamemenot Anitpleaseyou, the very worshipful Patriarch
+of Jerusalem, who, for reverence of the habit I have still worn of my
+lord Baron St. Anthony, would have me see all the holy relics that he
+had about him and which were so many that, an I sought to recount
+them all to you, I should not come to an end thereof in several miles.
+However, not to leave you disconsolate, I will tell you some thereof.
+First, he showed me the finger of the Holy Ghost, as whole and sound
+as ever it was, and the forelock of the seraph that appeared to St.
+Francis and one of the nails of the Cherubim and one of the ribs of
+the Verbum Caro[333] Get-thee-to-the-windows and some of the vestments
+of the Holy Catholic Faith and divers rays of the star that appeared
+to the Three Wise Men in the East and a vial of the sweat of St.
+Michael, whenas he fought with the devil, and the jawbone of the death
+of St. Lazarus and others. And for that I made him a free gift of the
+Steeps[334] of Monte Morello in the vernacular and of some chapters of
+the Caprezio,[335] which he had long gone seeking, he made me a sharer
+in his holy relics and gave me one of the teeth of the Holy Rood and
+somewhat of the sound of the bells of Solomon's Temple in a vial and
+the feather of the Angel Gabriel, whereof I have already bespoken you,
+and one of the pattens of St. Gherardo da Villa Magna, which not long
+since at Florence I gave to Gherardo di Bonsi, who hath a particular
+devotion for that saint; and he gave me also of the coals wherewith
+the most blessed martyr St. Lawrence was roasted; all which things I
+devoutly brought home with me and yet have. True it is that my
+superior hath never suffered me to show them till such time as he
+should be certified if they were the very things or not. But now that,
+by certain miracles performed by them and by letters received from the
+patriarch, he hath been made certain of this, he hath granted me leave
+to show them; and I, fearing to trust them to others, still carry them
+with me.
+
+[Footnote 333: _i.e._ The Word [made] flesh. Get-thee-to-the-windows
+is only a patter tag.]
+
+[Footnote 334: Or Slopes or Coasts (_piaggie_).]
+
+[Footnote 335: ?]
+
+Now I carry the Angel Gabriel's feather, so it may not be marred, in
+one casket, and the coals wherewith St. Lawrence was roasted in
+another, the which are so like one to other, that it hath often
+happened to me to take one for the other, and so hath it betided me at
+this present, for that, thinking to bring hither the casket wherein
+was the feather, I have brought that wherein are the coals. The which
+I hold not to have been an error; nay, meseemeth certain that it was
+God's will and that He Himself placed the casket with the coals in my
+hands, especially now I mind me that the feast of St. Lawrence is but
+two days hence; wherefore God, willing that, by showing you the coals
+wherewith he was roasted, I should rekindle in your hearts the
+devotion it behoveth you have for him, caused me take, not the
+feather, as I purposed, but the blessed coals extinguished by the
+sweat of that most holy body. So, O my blessed children, put off your
+bonnets and draw near devoutly to behold them; but first I would have
+you knew that whoso is scored with these coals, in the form of the
+sign of the cross, may rest assured, for the whole year to come, that
+fire shall not touch him but he shall feel it.'
+
+Having thus spoken, he opened the casket, chanting the while a
+canticle in praise of St. Lawrence, and showed the coals, which after
+the simple multitude had awhile beheld with reverent admiration, they
+all crowded about Fra Cipolla and making him better offerings than
+they were used, besought him to touch them withal. Accordingly, taking
+the coals in hand, he fell to making the biggest crosses for which he
+could find room upon their white smocks and doublets and upon the
+veils of the women, avouching that how much soever the coals
+diminished in making these crosses, they after grew again in the
+casket, as he had many a time proved. On this wise he crossed all the
+people of Certaldo, to his no small profit, and thus, by his ready wit
+and presence of mind, he baffled those who, by taking the feather from
+him, had thought to baffle him and who, being present at his
+preachment and hearing the rare shift employed by him and from how far
+he had taken it and with what words, had so laughed that they thought
+to have cracked their jaws. Then, after the common folk had departed,
+they went up to him and with all the mirth in the world discovered to
+him that which they had done and after restored him his feather, which
+next year stood him in as good stead as the coals had done that day."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This story afforded unto all the company alike the utmost pleasure and
+solace, and it was much laughed of all at Fra Cipolla, and
+particularly of his pilgrimage and the relics seen and brought back by
+him. The queen, seeing the story and likewise her sovantry at an end,
+rose to her feet and put off the crown, which she set laughingly on
+Dioneo's head, saying, "It is time, Dioneo, that thou prove awhile
+what manner charge it is to have ladies to govern and guide; be thou,
+then, king and rule on such wise that, in the end, we may have reason
+to give ourselves joy of thy governance." Dioneo took the crown and
+answered, laughing, "You may often enough have seen much better kings
+than I, I mean chess-kings; but, an you obey me as a king should in
+truth be obeyed, I will cause you enjoy that without which assuredly
+no entertainment is ever complete in its gladness. But let that talk
+be; I will rule as best I know."
+
+Then, sending for the seneschal, according to the wonted usance, he
+orderly enjoined him of that which he should do during the continuance
+of his seignory and after said, "Noble ladies, it hath in divers
+manners been devised of human industry[336] and of the various chances
+[of fortune,] insomuch that, had not Dame Licisca come hither a while
+agone and found me matter with her prate for our morrow's relations, I
+misdoubt me I should have been long at pains to find a subject of
+discourse. As you heard, she avouched that she had not a single gossip
+who had come to her husband a maid and added that she knew right well
+how many and what manner tricks married women yet played their
+husbands. But, letting be the first part, which is a childish matter,
+methinketh the second should be an agreeable subject for discourse;
+wherefore I will and ordain it that, since Licisca hath given us
+occasion therefor, it be discoursed to-morrow OF THE TRICKS WHICH, OR
+FOR LOVE OR FOR THEIR OWN PRESERVATION, WOMEN HAVE HERETOFORE PLAYED
+THEIR HUSBANDS, WITH OR WITHOUT THE LATTER'S COGNIZANCE THEREOF."
+
+[Footnote 336: _Industria_ in the old sense of ingenuity, skilful
+procurement, etc.]
+
+It seemed to some of the ladies that to discourse of such a matter
+would ill beseem them and they prayed him, therefore, to change the
+theme proposed; wherefore answered he, "Ladies, I am no less cognizant
+than yourselves of that which I have ordained, and that which you
+would fain allege to me availed not to deter me from ordaining it,
+considering that the times are such that, provided men and women are
+careful to eschew unseemly actions, all liberty of discourse is
+permitted. Know you not that, for the malignity of the season, the
+judges have forsaken the tribunals, that the laws, as well Divine as
+human, are silent and full licence is conceded unto every one for the
+preservation of his life? Wherefore, if your modesty allow itself some
+little freedom in discourse, not with intent to ensue it with aught of
+unseemly in deeds, but to afford yourselves and others diversion, I
+see not with what plausible reason any can blame you in the future.
+Moreover, your company, from the first day of our assembling until
+this present, hath been most decorous, nor, for aught that hath been
+said here, doth it appear to me that its honour hath anywise been
+sullied. Again, who is there knoweth not your virtue? Which, not to
+say mirthful discourse, but even fear of death I do not believe could
+avail to shake. And to tell you the truth, whosoever should hear that
+you shrank from devising bytimes of these toys would be apt to suspect
+that you were guilty in the matter and were therefore unwilling to
+discourse thereof. To say nothing of the fine honour you would do me
+in that, I having been obedient unto all, you now, having made me your
+king, seek to lay down the law to me, and not to discourse of the
+subject which I propose. Put off, then, this misdoubtance, apter to
+mean minds than to yours, and good luck to you, let each of you
+bethink herself of some goodly story to tell." When the ladies heard
+this, they said it should be as he pleased; whereupon he gave them all
+leave to do their several pleasures until supper-time.
+
+The sun was yet high, for that the discoursement[337] had been brief;
+wherefor Dioneo having addressed himself to play at tables with the
+other young men, Elisa called the other ladies apart and said to them,
+"Since we have been here, I have still wished to carry you to a place
+very near at hand, whither methinketh none of you hath ever been and
+which is called the Ladies' Valley, but have never yet found an
+occasion of bringing you thither unto to-day; wherefore, as the sun is
+yet high, I doubt not but, an it please you come thither, you will be
+exceeding well pleased to have been there." They answered that they
+were ready and calling one of their maids, set out upon their way,
+without letting the young men know aught thereof; nor had they gone
+much more than a mile, when they came to the Ladies' Valley. They
+entered therein by a very strait way, on one side whereof ran a very
+clear streamlet, and saw it as fair and as delectable, especially at
+that season whenas the heat was great, as most might be conceived.
+According to that which one of them after told me, the plain that was
+in the valley was as round as if it had been traced with the compass,
+albeit it seemed the work of nature and not of art, and was in circuit
+a little more than half a mile, encompassed about with six little
+hills not over-high, on the summit of each of which stood a palace
+builded in guise of a goodly castle. The sides of these hills went
+sloping gradually downward to the plain on such wise as we see in
+amphitheatres, the degrees descend in ordered succession from the
+highest to the lowest, still contracting their circuit; and of these
+slopes those which looked toward the south were all full of vines and
+olives and almonds and cherries and figs and many another kind of
+fruit-bearing trees, without a span thereof being wasted; whilst those
+which faced the North Star[338] were all covered with thickets of
+dwarf oaks and ashes and other trees as green and straight as might
+be. The middle plain, which had no other inlet than that whereby the
+ladies were come thither, was full of firs and cypresses and laurels
+and various sorts of pines, as well arrayed and ordered as if the best
+artist in that kind had planted them; and between these little or no
+sun, even at its highest, made its way to the ground, which was all
+one meadow of very fine grass, thick-sown with flowers purpurine and
+others. Moreover, that which afforded no less delight than otherwhat
+was a little stream, which ran down from a valley that divided two of
+the hills aforesaid and falling over cliffs of live rock, made a
+murmur very delectable to hear, what while it showed from afar, as it
+broke over the stones, like so much quicksilver jetting out, under
+pressure of somewhat, into fine spray. As it came down into the little
+plain, it was there received into a fair channel and ran very swiftly
+into the middest thereof, where it formed a lakelet, such as the
+townsfolk made whiles, by way of fishpond, in their gardens, whenas
+they have a commodity thereof. This lakelet was no deeper than a man's
+stature, breast high, and its waters being exceeding clear and
+altogether untroubled with any admixture, it showed its bottom to be
+of a very fine gravel, the grains whereof whoso had nought else to do
+might, an he would, have availed to number; nor, looking into the
+water, was the bottom alone to be seen, nay, but so many fish fleeting
+hither and thither that, over and above the pleasure thereof, it was a
+marvel to behold; nor was it enclosed with other banks than the very
+soil of the meadow, which was the goodlier thereabout in so much as it
+received the more of its moisture. The water that abounded over and
+above the capacity of the lake was received into another channel,
+whereby, issuing forth of the little valley, it ran off into the lower
+parts.
+
+[Footnote 337: _i.e._ the tale-telling.]
+
+[Footnote 338: Lit. the northern chariot (_carro di tramontana_);
+_qućre_ the Great Bear?]
+
+Hither then came the young ladies and after they had gazed all about
+and much commended the place, they took counsel together to bathe, for
+that the heat was great and that they saw the lakelet before them and
+were in no fear of being seen. Accordingly, bidding their serving
+maid abide over against the way whereby one entered there and look if
+any should come and give them notice thereof, they stripped themselves
+naked, all seven, and entered the lake, which hid their white bodies
+no otherwise than as a thin glass would do with a vermeil rose. Then,
+they being therein and no troubling of the water ensuing thereof, they
+fell, as best they might, to faring hither and thither in pursuit of
+the fish, which had uneath where to hide themselves, and seeking to
+take them with the naked hand. After they had abidden awhile in such
+joyous pastime and had taken some of the fish, they came forth of the
+lakelet and clad themselves anew. Then, unable to commend the place
+more than they had already done and themseeming time to turn homeward,
+they set out, with soft step, upon their way, discoursing much of the
+goodliness of the valley.
+
+They reached the palace betimes and there found the young men yet at
+play where they had left them; to whom quoth Pampinea, laughing. "We
+have e'en stolen a march on you to-day." "How?" asked Dioneo. "Do you
+begin to do deeds ere you come to say words?"[339] "Ay, my lord,"
+answered she and related to him at large whence they came and how the
+place was fashioned and how far distant thence and that which they had
+done. The king, hearing tell of the goodliness of the place and
+desirous of seeing it, caused straightway order the supper, which
+being dispatched to the general satisfaction, the three young men,
+leaving the ladies, betook themselves with their servants to the
+valley and having viewed it in every part, for that none of them had
+ever been there before, extolled it for one of the goodliest things in
+the world. Then, for that it grew late, after they had bathed and
+donned their clothes, they returned home, where they found the ladies
+dancing a round, to the accompaniment of a song sung by Fiammetta.
+
+[Footnote 339: Alluding to the subject fixed for the next day's
+discourse, as who should say, "Have you begun already to play tricks
+upon us men in very deed, ere you tell about them in words?"]
+
+The dance ended, they entered with them into a discourse of the
+Ladies' Valley and said much in praise and commendation thereof.
+Moreover, the king, sending for the seneschal, bade him look that the
+dinner be made ready there on the following morning and have sundry
+beds carried thither, in case any should have a mind to lie or sleep
+there for nooning; after which he let bring lights and wine and
+confections and the company having somedele refreshed themselves, he
+commanded that all should address themselves to dancing. Then, Pamfilo
+having, at his commandment, set up a dance, the king turned to Elisa
+and said courteously to her, "Fair damsel, thou has to-day done me the
+honour of the crown and I purpose this evening to do thee that of the
+song; wherefore look thou sing such an one as most liketh thee." Elisa
+answered, smiling, that she would well and with dulcet voice began on
+this wise:
+
+       Love, from thy clutches could I but win free,
+         Hardly, methinks, again
+       Shall any other hook take hold on me.
+       I entered in thy wars a youngling maid,
+         Thinking thy strife was utmost peace and sweet,
+       And all my weapons on the ground I laid,
+         As one secure, undoubting of defeat;
+         But thou, false tyrant, with rapacious heat,
+       Didst fall on me amain
+     With all the grapnels of thine armoury.
+
+       Then, wound about and fettered with thy chains,
+         To him, who for my death in evil hour
+       Was born, thou gav'st me, bounden, full of pains
+         And bitter tears; and syne within his power
+         He hath me and his rule's so harsh and dour
+       No sighs can move the swain
+     Nor all my wasting plaints to set me free.
+
+       My prayers, the wild winds bear them all away;
+         He hearkeneth unto none and none will hear;
+       Wherefore each hour my torment waxeth aye;
+         I cannot die, albeit life irks me drear.
+         Ah, Lord, have pity on my heavy cheer;
+       Do that I seek in vain
+     And give him bounden in thy chains to me.
+
+       An this thou wilt not, at the least undo
+         The bonds erewhen of hope that knitted were;
+       Alack, O Lord, thereof to thee I sue,
+         For, an thou do it, yet to waxen fair
+         Again I trust, as was my use whilere,
+       And being quit of pain
+     Myself with white flowers and with red besee.
+
+Elisa ended her song with a very plaintive sigh, and albeit all
+marvelled at the words thereof, yet was there none who might conceive
+what it was that caused her sing thus. But the king, who was in a
+merry mood, calling for Tindaro, bade him bring out his bagpipes, to
+the sound whereof he let dance many dances; after which, a great part
+of the night being now past, he bade each go sleep.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE SIXTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Seventh_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVENTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN
+     UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF DIONEO IS DISCOURSED OF THE TRICKS
+     WHICH OR FOR LOVE OR FOR THEIR OWN PRESERVATION WOMEN HAVE
+     HERETOFORE PLAYED THEIR HUSBANDS WITH OR WITHOUT THE
+     LATTER'S COGNIZANCE THEREOF
+
+
+Every star was already fled from the parts of the East, save only that
+which we style Lucifer and which shone yet in the whitening dawn, when
+the seneschal, arising, betook himself, with a great baggage-train, to
+the Ladies' Valley, there to order everything, according to
+commandment had of his lord. The king, whom the noise of the packers
+and of the beasts had awakened, tarried not long after his departure
+to rise and being risen, caused arouse all the ladies and likewise the
+young men; nor had the rays of the sun yet well broken forth, when
+they all entered upon the road. Never yet had the nightingales and the
+other birds seemed to them to sing so blithely as they did that
+morning, what while, accompanied by their carols, they repaired to the
+Ladies' Valley, where they were received by many more, which seemed to
+them to make merry for their coming. There, going round about the
+place and reviewing it all anew, it appeared to them so much fairer
+than on the foregoing day as the season of the day was more sorted to
+its goodliness. Then, after they had broken their fast with good wine
+and confections, not to be behindhand with the birds in the matter of
+song, they fell a-singing and the valley with them, still echoing
+those same songs which they did sing, whereto all the birds, as if
+they would not be outdone, added new and dulcet notes. Presently, the
+dinner-hour being come and the tables spread hard by the fair lakelet
+under the thickset laurels and other goodly trees, they seated
+themselves there, as it pleased the king, and eating, watched the fish
+swim in vast shoals about the lake, which gave bytimes occasion for
+talk as well as observation. When they had made an end of dining and
+the meats and tables were removed, they fell anew to singing more
+blithely than ever; after which, beds having been spread in various
+places about the little valley and all enclosed about by the discreet
+seneschal with curtains and canopies of French serge, whoso would
+might with the king's permission, go sleep; whilst those who had no
+mind to sleep might at their will take pleasure of their other wonted
+pastimes. But, after awhile, all being now arisen and the hour come
+when they should assemble together for story-telling, carpets were, at
+the king's commandment, spread upon the grass, not far from the place
+where they had eaten, and all having seated themselves thereon hard by
+the lake, the king bade Emilia begin; whereupon she blithely proceeded
+to speak, smiling, thus:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     GIANNI LOTTERINGHI HEARETH KNOCK AT HIS DOOR BY NIGHT AND
+     AWAKENETH HIS WIFE, WHO GIVETH HIM TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS A
+     PHANTOM; WHEREUPON THEY GO TO EXORCISE IT WITH A CERTAIN
+     ORISON AND THE KNOCKING CEASETH
+
+
+"My Lord, it had been very agreeable to me, were such your pleasure,
+that other than I should have given a beginning to so goodly a matter
+as is that whereof we are to speak; but, since it pleaseth you that I
+give all the other ladies assurance by my example, I will gladly do
+it. Moreover, dearest ladies, I will study to tell a thing that may be
+useful to you in time to come, for that, if you others are as fearful
+as I, and especially of phantoms, (though what manner of thing they
+may be God knoweth I know not, nor ever found I any woman who knew it,
+albeit all are alike adread of them,) you may, by noting well my
+story, learn a holy and goodly orison of great virtue for the
+conjuring them away, should they come to you.
+
+There was once in Florence, in the quarter of San Brancazio, a
+wool-comber called Gianni Lotteringhi, a man more fortunate in his
+craft than wise in other things, for that, savoring of the simpleton,
+he was very often made captain of the Laudsingers[340] of Santa Maria
+Novella and had the governance of their confraternity, and he many a
+time had other little offices of the same kind, upon which he much
+valued himself. This betided him for that, being a man of substance,
+he gave many a good pittance to the clergy, who, getting of him often,
+this a pair of hose, that a gown and another a scapulary, taught him
+in return store of goodly orisons and gave him the paternoster in the
+vulgar tongue, the Song of Saint Alexis, the Lamentations of Saint
+Bernard, the Canticles of Madam Matilda and the like trumpery, all
+which he held very dear and kept very diligently for his soul's
+health. Now he had a very fair and lovesome lady to wife, by name
+Mistress Tessa, who was the daughter of Mannuccio dalla Cuculia and
+was exceeding discreet and well advised. She, knowing her husband's
+simplicity and being enamoured of Federigo di Neri Pegolotti, a brisk
+and handsome youth, and he of her, took order with a serving-maid of
+hers that he should come speak with her at a very goodly country house
+which her husband had at Camerata, where she sojourned all the summer
+and whither Gianni came whiles to sup and sleep, returning in the
+morning to his shop and bytimes to his Laudsingers.
+
+[Footnote 340: See p. 144, note 2.]
+
+Federigo, who desired this beyond measure, taking his opportunity,
+repaired thither on the day appointed him towards vespers and Gianni
+not coming thither that evening, supped and lay the night in all ease
+and delight with the lady, who, being in his arms, taught him that
+night a good half dozen of her husband's lauds. Then, neither she nor
+Federigo purposing that this should be the last, as it had been the
+first time [of their foregathering], they took order together on this
+wise, so it should not be needful to send the maid for him each time,
+to wit, that every day, as he came and went to and from a place he had
+a little farther on, he should keep his eye on a vineyard that
+adjoined the house, where he would see an ass's skull set up on one of
+the vine poles, which whenas he saw with the muzzle turned towards
+Florence, he should without fail and in all assurance betake himself
+to her that evening after dark; and if he found the door shut he
+should knock softly thrice and she would open to him; but that, whenas
+he saw the ass's muzzle turned towards Fiesole, he should not come,
+for that Gianni would be there; and doing on this wise, they
+foregathered many a time.
+
+But once, amongst other times, it chanced that, Federigo being one
+night to sup with Mistress Tessa and she having let cook two fat
+capons, Gianni, who was not expected there that night, came thither
+very late, whereat the lady was much chagrined and having supped with
+her husband on a piece of salt pork, which she had let boil apart,
+caused the maid wrap the two boiled capons in a white napkin and carry
+them, together with good store of new-laid eggs and a flask of good
+wine, into a garden she had, whither she could go, without passing
+through the house, and where she was wont to sup whiles with her
+lover, bidding her lay them at the foot of a peach-tree that grew
+beside a lawn there. But such was her trouble and annoy that she
+remembered not to bid the maid wait till Federigo should come and tell
+him that Gianni was there and that he should take the viands from the
+garden; wherefore, she and Gianni betaking themselves to bed and the
+maid likewise, it was not long before Federigo came to the door and
+knocked softly once. The door was so near to the bedchamber that
+Gianni heard it incontinent, as also did the lady; but she made a show
+of being asleep, so her husband might have no suspicion of her. After
+waiting a little, Federigo knocked a second time, whereupon Gianni,
+marvelling, nudged his wife somewhat and said, 'Tessa, hearest thou
+what I hear? Meseemeth there is a knocking at our door.'
+
+The lady, who had heard it much better than he, made a show of awaking
+and said, 'Eh? How sayst thou?' 'I say,' answered Gianni, 'that
+meseemeth there is a knocking at our door.' 'Knocking!' cried she.
+'Alack, Gianni mine, knowst thou not what it is? It is a phantom, that
+hath these last few nights given me the greatest fright that ever was,
+insomuch that, whenas I hear it, I put my head under the clothes and
+dare not bring it out again until it is broad day.' Quoth Gianni, 'Go
+to, wife; have no fear, if it be so; for I said the _Te Lucis_ and the
+_Intemerata_ and such and such other pious orisons, before we lay
+down, and crossed the bed from side to side, in the name of the
+Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, so that we have no need to fear,
+for that, what power soever it have, it cannot avail to harm us.'
+
+The lady, fearing lest Federigo should perchance suspect otherwhat and
+be angered with her, determined at all hazards to arise and let him
+know that Gianni was there; wherefore quoth she to her husband, 'That
+is all very well; thou sayst thy words, thou; but, for my part, I
+shall never hold myself safe nor secure, except we exorcise it, since
+thou art here.' 'And how is it to be exorcised?' asked he; and she, 'I
+know full well how to exorcise it; for, the other day, when I went to
+the Pardon at Fiesole, a certain anchoress (the very holiest of
+creatures, Gianni mine, God only can say how holy she is,) seeing me
+thus fearful, taught me a pious and effectual orison and told me that
+she had made trial of it several times, ere she became a recluse, and
+that it had always availed her. God knoweth I should never have dared
+go alone to make proof of it; but, now that thou art here, I would
+have us go exorcise the phantom.'
+
+Gianni answered that he would well and accordingly they both arose and
+went softly to the door, without which Federigo, who now began to
+misdoubt him of somewhat, was yet in waiting. When they came thither,
+the lady said to Gianni, 'Do thou spit, whenas I shall bid thee.' And
+he answered, 'Good.' Then she began the conjuration and said,
+'Phantom, phantom that goest by night, with tail upright[341] thou
+cam'st to us; now get thee gone with tail upright. Begone into the
+garden to the foot of the great peach tree; there shalt thou find an
+anointed twice-anointed one[342] and an hundred turds of my sitting
+hen;[343] set thy mouth to the flagon and get thee gone again and do
+thou no hurt to my Gianni nor to me.' Then to her husband, 'Spit,
+Gianni,' quoth she, and he spat. Federigo, who heard all this from
+without and was now quit of jealousy, had, for all his vexation, so
+great a mind to laugh that he was like to burst, and when Gianni spat,
+he said under his breath '[Would it were] thy teeth!'
+
+[Footnote 341: _i.e._ pene arrecto.]
+
+[Footnote 342: _i.e._ a fattened capon well larded.]
+
+[Footnote 343: _i.e._ eggs.]
+
+The lady, having thrice conjured the phantom on this wise, returned to
+bed with her husband, whilst Federigo, who had not supped, looking to
+sup with her, and had right well apprehended the words of the
+conjuration, betook himself to the garden and finding the capons and
+wine and eggs at the foot of the great peach-tree, carried them off to
+his house and there supped at his ease; and after, when he next
+foregathered with the lady, he had a hearty laugh with her anent the
+conjuration aforesaid. Some say indeed that the lady had actually
+turned the ass's skull towards Fiesole, but that a husbandman, passing
+through the vineyard, had given it a blow with a stick and caused it
+spin round and it had become turned towards Florence, wherefore
+Federigo, thinking himself summoned, had come thither, and that the
+lady had made the conjuration on this wise: 'Phantom, phantom, get
+thee gone in God's name; for it was not I turned the ass's head; but
+another it was, God put him to shame! and I am here with my Gianni in
+bed'; whereupon he went away and abode without supper or lodging. But
+a neighbour of mine, a very ancient lady, telleth me that, according
+to that which she heard, when a child, both the one and the other were
+true; but that the latter happened, not to Gianni Lotteringhi, but to
+one Gianni di Nello, who abode at Porta San Piero and was no less
+exquisite a ninny than the other. Wherefore, dear my ladies, it
+abideth at your election to take whether of the two orisons most
+pleaseth you, except you will have both. They have great virtue in
+such cases, as you have had proof in the story you have heard; get
+them, therefore, by heart and they may yet avail you."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     PERONELLA HIDETH A LOVER OF HERS IN A VAT, UPON HER
+     HUSBAND'S UNLOOKED FOR RETURN, AND HEARING FROM THE LATTER
+     THAT HE HATH SOLD THE VAT, AVOUCHETH HERSELF TO HAVE SOLD IT
+     TO ONE WHO IS PRESENTLY THEREWITHIN, TO SEE IF IT BE SOUND;
+     WHEREUPON THE GALLANT, JUMPING OUT OF THE VAT, CAUSETH THE
+     HUSBAND SCRAPE IT OUT FOR HIM AND AFTER CARRY IT HOME TO HIS
+     HOUSE
+
+
+Emilia's story was received with loud laughter and the conjuration
+commended of all as goodly and excellent; and this come to an end, the
+king bade Filostrato follow on, who accordingly began, "Dearest
+ladies, so many are the tricks that men, and particularly husbands,
+play you, that, if some woman chance whiles to put a cheat upon her
+husband, you should not only be blithe that this hath happened and
+take pleasure in coming to know it or hearing it told of any, but
+should yourselves go telling it everywhere, so men may understand
+that, if they are knowing, women, on their part, are no less so! the
+which cannot be other than useful unto you, for that, when one knoweth
+that another is on the alert, he setteth himself not overlightly to
+cozen him. Who, then, can doubt but that which we shall say to-day
+concerning this matter, coming to be known of men, may be exceeding
+effectual in restraining them from cozening you ladies, whenas they
+find that you likewise know how to cozen, an you will? I purpose,
+therefore, to tell you the trick which, on the spur of the moment, a
+young woman, albeit she was of mean condition, played her husband for
+her own preservation.
+
+In Naples no great while agone there was a poor man who took to wife a
+fair and lovesome damsel called Peronella, and albeit he with his
+craft, which was that of a mason, and she by spinning, earned but a
+slender pittance, they ordered their life as best they might. It
+chanced one day that a young gallant of the neighbourhood saw this
+Peronella and she pleasing him mightily, he fell in love with her and
+importuned her one way and another till he became familiar with her
+and they took order with each other on this wise, so they might be
+together; to wit, seeing that her husband arose every morning betimes
+to go to work or to find work, they agreed that the young man should
+be whereas he might see him go out, and that, as soon as he was
+gone,--the street where she abode, which was called Avorio, being very
+solitary,--he should come to her house. On this wise they did many
+times; but one morning, the good man having gone out and Giannello
+Strignario (for so was the lover named) having entered the house and
+being with Peronella, it chanced that, after awhile, the husband
+returned home, whereas it was his wont to be abroad all day, and
+finding the door locked within, knocked and after fell a-saying in
+himself, 'O my God, praised be Thou ever! For, though Thou hast made
+me poor, at least Thou hast comforted me with a good and honest damsel
+to wife. See how she locked the door within as soon as I was gone out,
+so none might enter to do her any annoy.'
+
+Peronella, knowing her husband by his way of knocking, said to her
+lover, 'Alack, Giannello mine, I am a dead woman! For here is my
+husband, whom God confound, come back and I know not what this
+meaneth, for never yet came he back hither at this hour; belike he saw
+thee whenas thou enteredst here. But, for the love of God, however the
+case may be, get thee into yonder vat, whilst I go open to him, and we
+shall see what is the meaning of his returning home so early this
+morning.' Accordingly, Giannello betook himself in all haste into the
+vat, whilst Peronella, going to the door, opened to her husband and
+said to him, with an angry air, 'What is to do now, that thou
+returnest home so soon this morning? Meseemeth thou hast a mind to do
+nought to-day, that I see thee come back, tools in hand; and if thou
+do thus, on what are we to live? Whence shall we get bread? Thinkest
+thou I will suffer thee pawn my gown and my other poor clothes? I, who
+do nothing but spin day and night, till the flesh is come apart from
+my nails, so I may at the least have so much oil as will keep our lamp
+burning! Husband, husband, there is not a neighbour's wife of ours but
+marvelleth thereat and maketh mock of me for the pains I give myself
+and all that I endure; and thou, thou returnest home to me, with thy
+hands a-dangle, whenas thou shouldst be at work.'
+
+So saying, she fell a-weeping and went on to say, 'Alack, woe is me,
+unhappy woman that I am! In what an ill hour was I born, at what an
+ill moment did I come hither! I who might have had a young man of such
+worth and would none of him, so I might come to this fellow here, who
+taketh no thought to her whom he hath brought home! Other women give
+themselves a good time with their lovers, for there is none [I know]
+but hath two and some three, and they enjoy themselves and show their
+husbands the moon for the sun. But I, wretch that I am! because I am
+good and occupy myself not with such toys, I suffer ill and ill hap. I
+know not why I do not take me a lover, as do other women. Understand
+well, husband mine, that had I a mind to do ill, I could soon enough
+find the wherewithal, for there be store of brisk young fellows who
+love me and wish me well and have sent to me, proffering money galore
+or dresses and jewels, at my choice; but my heart would never suffer
+me to do it, for that I was no mother's daughter of that ilk; and here
+thou comest home to me, whenas thou shouldst be at work.'
+
+'Good lack, wife,' answered the husband, 'fret not thyself, for God's
+sake; thou shouldst be assured that I know what manner of woman thou
+art, and indeed this morning I have in part had proof thereof. It is
+true that I went out to go to work; but it seemeth thou knowest not,
+as I myself knew not, that this is the Feast-day of San Galeone and
+there is no work doing; that is why I am come back at this hour; but
+none the less I have provided and found a means how we shall have
+bread for more than a month, for I have sold yonder man thou seest
+here with me the vat which, as thou knowest, hath this long while
+cumbered the house; and he is to give me five lily-florins[344] for
+it.' Quoth Peronella, 'So much the more cause have I to complain;
+thou, who art a man and goest about and should be versed in the things
+of the world, thou hast sold a vat for five florins, whilst I, a poor
+silly woman who hath scarce ever been without the door, seeing the
+hindrance it gave us in the house, have sold it for seven to an honest
+man, who entered it but now, as thou camest back, to see if it were
+sound!' When the husband heard this, he was more than satisfied and
+said to him who had come for the vat, 'Good man, begone in peace; for
+thou hearest that my wife hath sold the vat for seven florins, whereas
+thou wast to give me but five for it.' 'Good,' replied the other and
+went his way; whereupon quoth Peronella to her husband, 'Since thou
+art here, come up and settle with him thyself.' Giannello, who abode
+with his ears pricked up to hear if it behoved him fear or be on his
+guard against aught, hearing his mistress's words, straightway
+scrambled out of the vat and cried out, as if he had heard nothing of
+the husband's return, 'Where art thou, good wife?' whereupon the
+goodman, coming up, answered, 'Here am I; what wouldst thou have?'
+'Who art thou?' asked Giannello. 'I want the woman with whom I made
+the bargain for this vat.' Quoth the other, 'You may deal with me in
+all assurance, for I am her husband.' Then said Giannello, 'The vat
+appeareth to me sound enough; but meseemeth you have kept dregs or the
+like therein, for it is all overcrusted with I know not what that is
+so hard and dry that I cannot remove aught thereof with my nails;
+wherefore I will not take it, except I first see it clean.' 'Nay,'
+answered Peronella, 'the bargain shall not fall through for that; my
+husband will clean it all out.' 'Ay will I,' rejoined the latter, and
+laying down his tools, put off his coat; then, calling for a light and
+a scraper, he entered the vat and fell to scraping. Peronella, as if
+she had a mind to see what he did, thrust her head and one of her
+arms, shoulder and all, in at the mouth of the vat, which was not
+overbig, and fell to saying, 'Scrape here' and 'There' and 'There
+also' and 'See, here is a little left.'
+
+[Footnote 344: So called from the figure of a lily stamped on the
+coin; cf. our rose-nobles.]
+
+Whilst she was thus engaged in directing her husband and showing him
+where to scrape, Giannello, who had scarce yet that morning done his
+full desire, when they were interrupted by the mason's coming, seeing
+that he could not as he would, bethought himself to accomplish it as
+he might; wherefore, boarding her, as she held the mouth of the vat
+all closed up, on such wise as in the ample plains the unbridled
+stallions, afire with love, assail the mares of Parthia, he satisfied
+his juvenile ardour, the which enterprise was brought to perfection
+well nigh at the same moment as the scraping of the vat; whereupon he
+dismounted and Peronella withdrawing her head from the mouth of the
+vat, the husband came forth thereof. Then said she to her gallant,
+'Take this light, good man, and look if it be clean to thy mind.'
+Giannello looked in and said that it was well and that he was
+satisfied and giving the husband seven florins, caused carry the vat
+to his own house."
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     FRA RINALDO LIETH WITH HIS GOSSIP AND BEING FOUND OF HER
+     HUSBAND CLOSETED WITH HER IN HER CHAMBER, THEY GIVE HIM TO
+     BELIEVE THAT HE WAS IN ACT TO CONJURE WORMS FROM HIS GODSON
+
+
+Filostrato had not known to speak so obscurely of the mares of Parthia
+but that the roguish ladies laughed thereat, making believe to laugh
+at otherwhat. But, when the king saw that his story was ended, he bade
+Elisa tell, who accordingly, with obedient readiness, began, "Charming
+ladies, Emilia's conjuration of the phantom hath brought to my memory
+the story of another conjuration, which latter, though it be not so
+goodly as hers, nevertheless, for that none other bearing upon our
+subject occurreth to me at this present, I will proceed to relate.
+
+You must know that there was once in Siena a very agreeable young man
+and of a worshipful family, by name Rinaldo, who was passionately
+enamored of a very beautiful lady, a neighbour of his and the wife of
+a rich man, and flattered himself that, could he but find means to
+speak with her unsuspected, he might avail to have of her all that he
+should desire. Seeing none other way and the lady being great with
+child, he bethought himself to become her gossip and accordingly,
+clapping up an acquaintance with her husband, he offered him, on such
+wise as appeared to him most seemly, to be godfather to his child. His
+offer was accepted and he being now become Madam Agnesa's gossip and
+having a somewhat more colourable excuse for speaking with her, he
+took courage and gave her in so many words to know that of his intent
+which she had indeed long before gathered from his looks; but little
+did this profit him, although the lady was nothing displeased to have
+heard him.
+
+Not long after, whatever might have been the reason, it came to pass
+that Rinaldo turned friar and whether or not he found the pasturage to
+his liking, he persevered in that way of life; and albeit, in the days
+of his becoming a monk, he had for awhile laid on one side the love he
+bore his gossip, together with sundry other vanities of his, yet, in
+process of time, without quitting the monk's habit, he resumed
+them[345] and began to delight in making a show and wearing fine
+stuffs and being dainty and elegant in all his fashions and making
+canzonets and sonnets and ballads and in singing and all manner other
+things of the like sort. But what say I of our Fra Rinaldo, of whom we
+speak? What monks are there that do not thus? Alack, shame that they
+are of the corrupt world, they blush not to appear fat and ruddy in
+the face, dainty in their garb and in all that pertaineth unto them,
+and strut along, not like doves, but like very turkey-cocks, with
+crest erect and breast puffed out; and what is worse (to say nothing
+of having their cells full of gallipots crammed with electuaries and
+unguents, of boxes full of various confections, of phials and flagons
+of distilled waters and oils, of pitchers brimming with Malmsey and
+Cyprus and other wines of price, insomuch that they seem to the
+beholder not friars' cells, but rather apothecaries' or perfumers'
+shops) they think no shame that folk should know them to be gouty,
+conceiving that others see not nor know that strict fasting, coarse
+viands and spare and sober living make men lean and slender and for
+the most part sound of body, and that if indeed some sicken thereof,
+at least they sicken not of the gout, whereto it is used to give, for
+medicine, chastity and everything else that pertaineth to the natural
+way of living of an honest friar. Yet they persuade themselves that
+others know not that,--let alone the scant and sober living,--long
+vigils, praying and discipline should make men pale and mortified and
+that neither St. Dominic nor St. Francis, far from having four gowns
+for one, clad themselves in cloth dyed in grain nor in other fine
+stuffs, but in garments of coarse wool and undyed, to keep out the
+cold and not to make a show. For which things, as well as for the
+souls of the simpletons who nourish them, there is need that God
+provide.
+
+[Footnote 345: _i.e._ the discarded vanities aforesaid.]
+
+Fra Rinaldo, then, having returned to his former appetites, began to
+pay frequent visits to his gossip and waxing in assurance, proceeded
+to solicit her with more than his former instancy to that which he
+desired of her. The good lady, seeing herself hard pressed and Fra
+Rinaldo seeming to her belike goodlier than she had thought him
+aforetime, being one day sore importuned of him, had recourse to that
+argument which all women use who have a mind to yield that which is
+asked of them and said, 'How now, Fra Rinaldo? Do monks such things?'
+'Madam,' answered he, 'when as I shall have this gown off my
+back,--and I can put it off mighty easily,--I shall appear to you a
+man fashioned like other men and not a monk.' The lady pulled a demure
+face and said, 'Alack, wretched me! You are my gossip; how can I do
+this? It were sadly ill, and I have heard many a time that it is a
+very great sin; but, certes, were it not for this, I would do that
+which you wish.' Quoth Fra Rinaldo, 'You are a simpleton, if you
+forbear for this; I do not say that it is not a sin, but God pardoneth
+greater than this to whoso repenteth. But tell me, who is more akin to
+your child, I who held him at baptism or your husband who begat him?'
+'My husband is more akin to him,' answered the lady; whereupon, 'You
+say sooth,' rejoined the friar. 'And doth not your husband lie with
+you?' 'Ay doth he,' replied she. 'Then,' said Fra Rinaldo, 'I, who am
+less akin to your child than is your husband, may lie with you even
+as doth he.' The lady, who knew no logic and needed little persuasion,
+either believed or made a show of believing that the friar spoke the
+truth and answered, 'Who might avail to answer your learned words?'
+And after, notwithstanding the gossipship, she resigned herself to do
+his pleasure; nor did they content themselves with one bout, but
+foregathered many and many a time, having the more commodity thereof
+under cover of the gossipship, for that there was less suspicion.
+
+But once, amongst other times, it befell that Fra Rinaldo, coming to
+the lady's house and finding none with her but a little maid of hers,
+who was very pretty and agreeable, despatched his comrade with the
+latter to the pigeon-loft, to teach her her Paternoster, and entered
+with the lady, who had her child in her hand, into her bedchamber,
+where they locked themselves in and fell to taking their pleasure upon
+a daybed that was there. As they were thus engaged, it chanced that
+the husband came home and making for the bedchamber-door, unperceived
+of any, knocked and called to the lady, who, hearing this, said to the
+friar, 'I am a dead woman, for here is my husband, and now he will
+certainly perceive what is the reason of our familiarity.' Now Rinaldo
+was stripped to his waistcoat, to wit, he had put off his gown and his
+scapulary, and hearing this, answered, 'You say sooth; were I but
+dressed, there might be some means; but, if you open to him and he
+find me thus, there can be no excuse for us.' The lady, seized with a
+sudden idea, said, 'Harkye, dress yourself and when you are dressed,
+take your godchild in your arms and hearken well to that which I shall
+say to him, so your words may after accord with mine, and leave me
+do.' Then, to the good man, who had not yet left knocking, 'I come to
+thee,' quoth she and rising, opened the chamber-door and said, with a
+good countenance, 'Husband mine, I must tell thee that Fra Rinaldo,
+our gossip, is come hither and it was God sent him to us; for, certes,
+but for his coming, we should to-day have lost our child.'
+
+The good simple man, hearing this, was like to swoon and said, 'How
+so?' 'O husband mine,' answered Agnesa, 'there took him but now of a
+sudden a fainting-fit, that methought he was dead, and I knew not what
+to do or say; but just then Fra Rinaldo our gossip came in and taking
+him in his arms, said, "Gossip, these be worms he hath in his body,
+the which draw near to his heart and would infallibly kill him; but
+have no fear, for I will conjure them and make them all die; and ere I
+go hence, you shall see the child whole again as ever you saw him."
+And for that we had need of thee to repeat certain orisons and that
+the maid could not find thee, he caused his comrade say them in the
+highest room of our house, whilst he and I came hither and locked
+ourselves in, so none should hinder us, for that none other than the
+child's mother might be present at such an office. Indeed, he hath the
+child yet in his arms and methinketh he waiteth but for his comrade to
+have made an end of saying the orisons and it will be done, for that
+the boy is already altogether restored to himself.' The good simple
+man, believing all this, was so straitened with concern for his child
+that it never entered his mind to suspect the cheat put upon him by
+his wife; but, heaving a great sigh, he said, 'I will go see him.'
+'Nay,' answered she, 'thou wouldst mar that which hath been done.
+Wait; I will go see an thou mayst come in and call thee.'
+
+Meanwhile, Fra Rinaldo, who had heard everything and had dressed
+himself at his leisure, took the child in his arms and called out, as
+soon as he had ordered matters to his mind, saying, 'Harkye, gossip,
+hear I not my gossip your husband there?' 'Ay, sir,' answered the
+simpleton; whereupon, 'Then,' said the other, 'come hither.' The
+cuckold went to him and Fra Rinaldo said to him, 'Take your son by the
+grace of God whole and well, whereas I deemed but now you would not
+see him alive at vespers; and look you let make a waxen image of his
+bigness and set it up, to the praise and glory of God, before the
+statue of our lord St. Ambrose, through whose intercession He hath
+vouchsafed to restore him unto you.' The child, seeing his father, ran
+to him and caressed him, as little children used to do, whilst the
+latter, taking him, weeping, in his arms, no otherwise than as he had
+brought him forth of the grave, fell to kissing him and returning
+thanks to his gossip for that he had made him whole.
+
+Meanwhile, Fra Rinaldo's comrade, who had by this taught the
+serving-wench not one, but maybe more than four paternosters, and had
+given her a little purse of white thread, which he had from a nun, and
+made her his devotee, hearing the cuckold call at his wife's
+chamber-door, had softly betaken himself to a place whence he could,
+himself unseen, both see and hear what should betide and presently,
+seeing that all had passed off well, came down and entering the
+chamber, said, 'Fra Rinaldo, I have despatched all four of the orisons
+which you bade me say.' 'Brother mine,' answered the friar, 'thou hast
+a good wind and hast done well; I, for my part, had said but two
+thereof, when my gossip came; but God the Lord, what with thy pains
+and mine, hath shown us such favour that the child is healed.'
+Therewithal the cuckold let bring good wines and confections and
+entertained his gossip and the latter's comrade with that whereof they
+had more need than of aught else. Then, attending them to the door, he
+commended them to God and letting make the waxen image without delay,
+he sent to hang it up with the others[346] before the statue of St.
+Ambrose, but not that of Milan."[347]
+
+[Footnote 346: _i.e._ the other ex votos.]
+
+[Footnote 347: There is apparently some satirical allusion here, which
+I cannot undertake to explain.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     TOFANO ONE NIGHT SHUTTETH HIS WIFE OUT OF DOORS, WHO,
+     AVAILING NOT TO RE-ENTER BY DINT OF ENTREATIES, FEIGNETH TO
+     CAST HERSELF INTO A WELL AND CASTETH THEREIN A GREAT STONE.
+     TOFANO COMETH FORTH OF THE HOUSE AND RUNNETH THITHER,
+     WHEREUPON SHE SLIPPETH IN AND LOCKING HIM OUT, BAWLETH
+     REPROACHES AT HIM FROM THE WINDOW
+
+
+The king no sooner perceived Elisa's story to be ended than, turning
+without delay to Lauretta, he signified to her his pleasure that she
+should tell; whereupon she, without hesitation, began thus, "O Love,
+how great and how various is thy might! How many thy resources and thy
+devices! What philosopher, what craftsman[348] could ever have availed
+or might avail to teach those shifts, those feints, those subterfuges
+which thou on the spur of the moment suggestest to whoso ensueth in
+thy traces! Certes, all others' teaching is halting compared with
+thine, as may very well have been apprehended by the devices which
+have already been set forth and to which, lovesome ladies, I will add
+one practised by a woman of a simple wit enough and such as I know
+none but Love could have taught her.
+
+[Footnote 348: Syn. professor of the liberal arts (_artista_).]
+
+There was once, then, in Arezzo, a rich man called Tofano and he was
+given to wife a very fair lady, by name Madam Ghita, of whom, without
+knowing why, he quickly waxed jealous. The lady, becoming aware of
+this, was despited thereat and questioned him once and again of the
+reason of his jealousy; but he was able to assign her none, save such
+as were general and naught; wherefore it occurred to her mind to cause
+him die of the disease whereof he stood without reason in fear.
+Accordingly, perceiving that a young man, who was much to her taste,
+sighed for her, she proceeded discreetly to come to an understanding
+with him and things being so far advanced between them that there
+lacked but with deeds to give effect to words, she cast about for a
+means of bringing this also to pass; wherefore, having already
+remarked, amongst her husband's other ill usances, that he delighted
+in drinking, she began not only to commend this to him, but would
+often artfully incite him thereto. This became so much his wont that,
+well nigh whensoever it pleased her, she led him to drink even to
+intoxication, and putting him to bed whenas she saw him well drunken,
+she a first time foregathered with her lover, with whom many a time
+thereafter she continued to do so in all security. Indeed, she grew to
+put such trust in her husband's drunkenness that not only did she make
+bold to bring her gallant into the house, but went whiles to pass a
+great part of the night with him in his own house, which was not very
+far distant.
+
+The enamoured lady continuing on this wise, it befell that the
+wretched husband came to perceive that she, whilst encouraging him to
+drink, natheless herself drank never; wherefore suspicion took him
+that it might be as in truth it was, to wit, that she made him
+drunken, so she might after do her pleasure what while he slept, and
+wishing to make proof of this, an it were so, he one evening, not
+having drunken that day, feigned himself, both in words and fashions,
+the drunkenest man that was aye. The lady, believing this and judging
+that he needed no more drink, put him to bed in all haste and this
+done, betook herself, as she was used to do whiles, to the house of
+her lover, where she abode till midnight. As for Tofano, no sooner did
+he know the lady to have left the house than he straightway arose and
+going to the doors, locked them from within; after which he posted
+himself at the window, so he might see her return and show her that he
+had gotten wind of her fashions; and there he abode till such time as
+she came back. The lady, returning home and finding herself locked
+out, was beyond measure woeful and began to essay an she might avail
+to open the door by force, which, after Tofano had awhile suffered,
+'Wife,' quoth he, 'thou weariest thyself in vain, for thou canst
+nowise come in here again. Go, get thee back whereas thou hast been
+till now and be assured that thou shalt never return thither till such
+time as I shall have done thee, in respect of this affair, such honour
+as beseemeth thee in the presence of thy kinsfolk and of the
+neighbours.'
+
+The lady fell to beseeching him for the love of God that it would
+please him open to her, for that she came not whence he supposed, but
+from keeping vigil with a she-neighbour of hers, for that the nights
+were long and she could not sleep them all out nor watch at home
+alone. However, prayers profited her nought, for that her brute of a
+husband was minded to have all the Aretines[349] know their shame,
+whereas none as yet knew it; wherefore, seeing that prayers availed
+her not, she had recourse to threats and said, 'An thou open not to
+me, I will make thee the woefullest man alive.' 'And what canst thou
+do to me?' asked Tofano, and Mistress Tessa, whose wits Love had
+already whetted with his counsels, replied, 'Rather than brook the
+shame which thou wouldst wrongfully cause me suffer, I will cast
+myself into this well that is herenigh, where when I am found dead,
+there is none will believe otherwise than that thou, for very
+drunkenness, hast cast me therein; wherefore it will behove thee flee
+and lose all thou hast and abide in banishment or have thy head cut
+off for my murderer, as thou wilt in truth have been.'
+
+[Footnote 349: _i.e._ inhabitants of Arezzo.]
+
+Tofano was nowise moved by these words from his besotted intent;
+wherefore quoth she to him, 'Harkye now, I can no longer brook this
+thy fashery, God pardon it thee! Look thou cause lay up[350] this
+distaff of mine that I leave here.' So saying, the night being so dark
+that one might scarce see other by the way, she went up to the well
+and taking a great stone that lay thereby, cried out, 'God pardon me!'
+and let it drop into the water. The stone, striking the water, made a
+very great noise, which when Tofano heard, he verily believed that she
+had cast herself in; wherefore, snatching up the bucket and the rope,
+he rushed out of the house and ran to the well to succour her. The
+lady, who had hidden herself near the door, no sooner saw him run to
+the well than she slipped into the house and locked herself in; then,
+getting her to the window, 'You should water your wine, whenas you
+drink it,' quoth she, 'and not after and by night.' Tofano, hearing
+this, knew himself to have been fooled and returned to the door, but
+could get no admission and proceeded to bid her open to him; but she
+left speaking softly, as she had done till then, and began, well nigh
+at a scream, to say, 'By Christ His Cross, tiresome sot that thou art,
+thou shalt not enter here to-night; I cannot brook these thy fashions
+any longer; needs must I let every one see what manner of man thou art
+and at what hour thou comest home anights.' Tofano, on his side,
+flying into a rage, began to rail at her and bawl; whereupon the
+neighbours, hearing the clamour, arose, both men and women, and coming
+to the windows, asked what was to do. The lady answered, weeping, 'It
+is this wretch of a man, who still returneth to me of an evening,
+drunken, or falleth asleep about the taverns and after cometh home at
+this hour; the which I have long suffered, but, it availing me not and
+I being unable to put up with it longer, I have bethought me to shame
+him therefor by locking him out of doors, to see and he will mend
+himself thereof.'
+
+[Footnote 350: _Riporre_, possibly a mistake for _riportare_, to fetch
+back.]
+
+Tofano, on the other hand, told them, like an ass as he was, how the
+case stood and threatened her sore; but she said to the neighbours,
+'Look you now what a man he is! What would you say, were I in the
+street, as he is, and he in the house, as am I? By God His faith, I
+doubt me you would believe he said sooth. By this you may judge of his
+wits; he saith I have done just what methinketh he hath himself done.
+He thought to fear me by casting I know not what into the well; but
+would God he had cast himself there in good sooth and drowned himself,
+so he might have well watered the wine which he hath drunken to
+excess.' The neighbours, both men and women, all fell to blaming
+Tofano, holding him at fault, and chid him for that which he said
+against the lady; and in a short time the report was so noised abroad
+from neighbour to neighbour that it reached the ears of the lady's
+kinsfolk, who came thither and hearing the thing from one and another
+of the neighbours, took Tofano and gave him such a drubbing that they
+broke every bone in his body. Then, entering the house, they took the
+lady's gear and carried her off home with them, threatening Tofano
+with worse. The latter, finding himself in ill case and seeing that
+his jealousy had brought him to a sorry pass, for that he still loved
+his wife heartily,[351] procured certain friends to intercede for him
+and so wrought that he made his peace with the lady and had her home
+again with him, promising her that he would never be jealous again.
+Moreover, he gave her leave to do her every pleasure, provided she
+wrought so discreetly that he should know nothing thereof; and on this
+wise, like a crack-brained churl as he was, he made peace after
+suffering damage. So long live Love and death to war and all its
+company!"
+
+[Footnote 351: Lit. wished her all his weal.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     A JEALOUS HUSBAND, IN THE GUISE OF A PRIEST, CONFESSETH HIS
+     WIFE, WHO GIVETH HIM TO BELIEVE THAT SHE LOVETH A PRIEST,
+     WHO COMETH TO HER EVERY NIGHT; AND WHILST THE HUSBAND
+     SECRETLY KEEPETH WATCH AT THE DOOR FOR THE LATTER, THE LADY
+     BRINGETH IN A LOVER OF HERS BY THE ROOF AND LIETH WITH HIM
+
+
+Lauretta having made an end of her story and all having commended the
+lady for that she had done aright and even as befitted her wretch of a
+husband, the king, to lose no time, turned to Fiammetta and
+courteously imposed on her the burden of the story-telling; whereupon
+she began thus, "Most noble ladies, the foregoing story moveth me to
+tell you, on like wise, of a jealous husband, accounting, as I do, all
+that their wives do unto such,--particularly whenas they are jealous
+without cause,--to be well done and holding that, if the makers of the
+laws had considered everything, they should have appointed none other
+penalty unto women who offend in this than that which they appoint
+unto whoso offendeth against other in self-defence; for that jealous
+men are plotters against the lives of young women and most diligent
+procurers of their deaths. Wives abide all the week mewed up at home,
+occupying themselves with domestic offices and the occasions of their
+families and households, and after they would fain, like every one
+else, have some solace and some rest on holidays and be at leisure to
+take some diversion even as do the tillers of the fields, the artisans
+of the towns and the administrators of the laws, according to the
+example of God himself, who rested from all His labours the seventh
+day, and to the intent of the laws, both human and Divine, which,
+looking to the honour of God and the common weal of all, have
+distinguished working days from those of repose. But to this jealous
+men will on no wise consent; nay, those days which are gladsome for
+all other women they make wretcheder and more doleful than the others
+to their wives, keeping them yet closelier straitened and confined;
+and what a misery and a languishment this is for the poor creatures
+those only know who have proved it. Wherefore, to conclude, I say that
+what a woman doth to a husband who is jealous without cause should
+certes not be condemned, but rather commended.
+
+There was, then, in Arimino a merchant, very rich both in lands and
+monies, who, having to wife a very fair lady, became beyond measure
+jealous of her; nor had he other cause for this save that, as he loved
+her exceedingly and held her very fair and saw that she studied with
+all her might to please him, even so he imagined that every man loved
+her and that she appeared fair to all and eke that she studied to
+please others as she did himself, which was the reasoning of a man of
+nought and one of little sense. Being grown thus jealous, he kept such
+strict watch over her and held her in such constraint that belike many
+there be of those who are condemned to capital punishment who are less
+straitly guarded of their gaolers; for, far from being at liberty to
+go to weddings or entertainments or to church or indeed anywise to set
+foot without the house, she dared not even stand at the window nor
+look abroad on any occasion; wherefore her life was most wretched and
+she brooked this annoy with the more impatience as she felt herself
+the less to blame. Accordingly, seeing herself unjustly suspected of
+her husband, she determined, for her own solacement, to find a means
+(an she but might) of doing on such wise that he should have reason
+for his ill usage of her. And for that she might not station herself
+at the window and so had no opportunity of showing herself favourable
+to the suit of any one who might take note of her, as he passed along
+her street, and pay his court to her,--knowing that in the adjoining
+house there was a certain young man both handsome and agreeable,--she
+bethought herself to look if there were any hole in the wall that
+parted the two houses and therethrough to spy once and again till such
+time as she should see the youth aforesaid and find an occasion of
+speaking with him and bestowing on him her love, so he would accept
+thereof, purposing, if a means could be found, to foregather with him
+bytimes and on this wise while away her sorry life till such time as
+the demon [of jealousy] should take leave of her husband.
+
+Accordingly, she went spying about the walls of the house, now in one
+part and now in another, whenas her husband was abroad, and happened
+at last upon a very privy place where the wall was somewhat opened by
+a fissure and looking therethrough, albeit she could ill discover what
+was on the other side, algates she perceived that the opening gave
+upon a bedchamber there and said in herself, 'Should this be the
+chamber of Filippo,' to wit, the youth her neighbour, 'I were half
+sped.' Then, causing secretly enquire of this by a maid of hers, who
+had pity upon her, she found that the young man did indeed sleep in
+that chamber all alone; wherefore, by dint of often visiting the
+crevice and dropping pebbles and such small matters, whenas she
+perceived him to be there, she wrought on such wise that he came to
+the opening, to see what was to do; whereupon she called to him
+softly. He, knowing her voice, answered her, and she, profiting by the
+occasion, discovered to him in brief all her mind; whereat the youth
+was mightily content and made shift to enlarge the hole from his side
+on such wise that none could perceive it; and therethrough they many a
+time bespoke one another and touched hands, but could go no farther,
+for the jealous vigilance of the husband.
+
+After awhile, the Feast of the Nativity drawing near, the lady told
+her husband that, an it pleased him, she would fain go to church on
+Christmas morning and confess and take the sacrament, as other
+Christians did. Quoth he, 'And what sin hast thou committed that thou
+wouldst confess?' 'How?' answered the lady. 'Thinkest thou that I am a
+saint, because thou keepest me mewed up? Thou must know well enough
+that I commit sins like all others that live in this world; but I will
+not tell them to thee, for that thou art not a priest.' The jealous
+wretch took suspicion at these words and determined to seek to know
+what sins she had committed; wherefore, having bethought himself of a
+means whereby he might gain his end, he answered that he was content,
+but that he would have her go to no other church than their parish
+chapel and that thither she must go betimes in the morning and confess
+herself either to their chaplain or to such priest as the latter
+should appoint her and to none other and presently return home.
+Herseemed she half apprehended his meaning; but without saying
+otherwhat, she answered that she would do as he said.
+
+Accordingly, Christmas Day come, the lady arose at daybreak and
+attiring herself, repaired to the church appointed her of her husband,
+who, on his part, betook himself to the same place and reached it
+before her. Having already taken order with the chaplain of that which
+he had a mind to do, he hastily donned one of the latter's gowns, with
+a great flapped cowl, such as we see priests wear, and drawing the
+hood a little over his face, seated himself in the choir. The lady,
+entering the chapel, enquired for the chaplain, who came and hearing
+from her that she would fain confess, said that he could not hear her,
+but would send her one of his brethren. Accordingly, going away, he
+sent her the jealous man, in an ill hour for the latter, who came up
+with a very grave air, and albeit the day was not over bright and he
+had drawn the cowl far over his eyes, knew not so well to disguise
+himself but he was readily recognized by the lady, who, seeing this,
+said in herself, 'Praised be God! From a jealous man he is turned
+priest; but no matter; I will e'en give him what he goeth seeking.'
+
+Accordingly, feigning not to know him, she seated herself at his feet.
+My lord Jealousy had put some pebbles in his mouth, to impede his
+speech somewhat, so his wife might not know him by his voice,
+himseeming he was in every other particular so thoroughly disguised
+that he was nowise fearful of being recognized by her. To come to the
+confession, the lady told him, amongst other things, (having first
+declared herself to be married,) that she was enamoured of a priest,
+who came every night to lie with her. When the jealous man heard this,
+himseemed he had gotten a knife-thrust in the heart, and had not
+desire constrained him to know more, he had abandoned the confession
+and gone away. Standing fast, then, he asked the lady, 'How! Doth not
+your husband lie with you?' 'Ay doth he, sir,' replied she. 'How,
+then,' asked the jealous man, 'can the priest also lie with you?'
+'Sir,' answered she, 'by what art he doth it I know not, but there is
+not a door in the house so fast locked but it openeth so soon as he
+toucheth it; and he telleth me that, whenas he cometh to the door of
+my chamber, before opening it, he pronounceth certain words, by virtue
+whereof my husband incontinent falleth asleep, and so soon as he
+perceiveth him to be fast, he openeth the door and cometh in and lieth
+with me; and this never faileth.' Quoth the mock priest, 'Madam, this
+is ill done, and it behoveth you altogether to refrain therefrom.'
+'Sir,' answered the lady, 'methinketh I could never do that, for that
+I love him too well.' 'Then,' said the other, 'I cannot shrive you.'
+Quoth she, 'I am grieved for that; but I came not hither to tell you
+lies; an I thought I could do it, I would tell you so.' 'In truth,
+madam,' replied the husband, 'I am concerned for you, for that I see
+you lose your soul at this game; but, to do you service, I will well
+to take the pains of putting up my special orisons to God in your
+name, the which maybe shall profit you, and I will send you bytimes a
+little clerk of mine, to whom you shall say if they have profited you
+or not; and if they have profited you, we will proceed farther.'
+'Sir,' answered the lady, 'whatever you do, send none to me at home,
+for, should my husband come to know of it, he is so terribly jealous
+that nothing in the world would get it out of his head that your
+messenger came hither for nought[352] but ill, and I should have no
+peace with him this year to come.' Quoth the other, 'Madam, have no
+fear of that, for I will certainly contrive it on such wise that you
+shall never hear a word of the matter from him.' Then said she, 'So
+but you can engage to do that, I am content.' Then, having made her
+confession and gotten her penance, she rose to her feet and went off
+to hear mass; whilst the jealous man, (ill luck go with him!)
+withdrew, bursting with rage, to put off his priest's habit, and
+returned home, impatient to find a means of surprising the priest with
+his wife, so he might play the one and the other an ill turn.
+
+[Footnote 352: Boccaccio writes carelessly "for _aught_" (_altro_),
+which makes nonsense of the passage.]
+
+Presently the lady came back from church and saw plainly enough from
+her husband's looks that she had given him an ill Christmas; albeit he
+studied, as most he might, to conceal that which he had done and what
+himseemed he had learned. Then, being inwardly resolved to lie in wait
+near the street-door that night and watch for the priest's coming, he
+said to the lady, 'Needs must I sup and lie abroad to-night, wherefore
+look thou lock the street-door fast, as well as that of the midstair
+and that of thy chamber, and get thee to bed, whenas it seemeth good
+to thee.' The lady answered, 'It is well,' and betaking herself, as
+soon as she had leisure, to the hole in the wall, she made the wonted
+signal, which when Filippo heard, he came to her forthright. She told
+him how she had done that morning and what her husband had said to her
+after dinner and added, 'I am certain he will not leave the house, but
+will set himself to watch the door; wherefore do thou find means to
+come hither to me to-night by the roof, so we may lie together.' The
+young man was mightily rejoiced at this and answered, 'Madam, leave me
+do.'
+
+Accordingly, the night come, the jealous man took his arms and hid
+himself by stealth in a room on the ground floor, whilst the lady,
+whenas it seemed to her time,--having caused lock all the doors and in
+particular that of the midstair, so he might not avail to come
+up,--summoned the young man, who came to her from his side by a very
+privy way. Thereupon they went to bed and gave themselves a good time,
+taking their pleasure one of the other till daybreak, when the young
+man returned to his own house. Meanwhile, the jealous man stood to his
+arms well nigh all night beside the street-door, sorry and supperless
+and dying of cold, and waited for the priest to come till near upon
+day, when, unable to watch any longer, he returned to the ground floor
+room and there fell asleep. Towards tierce he awoke and the street
+door being now open, he made a show of returning from otherwhere and
+went up into his house and dined. A little after, he sent a lad, as he
+were the priest's clerkling that had confessed her, to the lady to ask
+if she wot of were come thither again. She knew the messenger well
+enough and answered that he had not come thither that night and that
+if he did thus, he might haply pass out of her mind, albeit she wished
+it not. What more should I tell you? The jealous man abode on the
+watch night after night, looking to catch the priest at his entering
+in, and the lady still had a merry life with her lover the while.
+
+At length the cuckold, able to contain himself no longer, asked his
+wife, with an angry air, what she had said to the priest the morning
+she had confessed herself to him. She answered that she would not tell
+him, for that it was neither a just thing nor a seemly; whereupon,
+'Vile woman that thou art!' cried he. 'In despite of thee I know what
+thou saidst to him, and needs must I know the priest of whom thou art
+so mightily enamoured and who, by means of his conjurations, lieth
+with thee every night; else will I slit thy weasand.' She replied that
+it was not true that she was enamoured of any priest. 'How?' cried the
+husband, 'Saidst thou not thus and thus to the priest who confessed
+thee?' And she, 'Thou couldst not have reported it better, not to say
+if he had told it thee, but if thou hadst been present; ay, I did tell
+him this.' 'Then,' rejoined the jealous man, 'tell me who is this
+priest, and that quickly.'
+
+The lady fell a-smiling and answered, 'It rejoiceth me mightily to see
+a wise man led by the nose by a woman, even as one leadeth a ram by
+the horns to the shambles, albeit thou art no longer wise nor hast
+been since the hour when, unknowing why, thou sufferedst the malignant
+spirit of jealousy to enter thy breast; and the sillier and more
+besotted thou art, so much the less is my glory thereof. Deemest thou,
+husband mine, I am as blind of the eyes of the body as thou of those
+of the mind? Certes, no; I perceived at first sight who was the priest
+that confessed me and know that thou wast he; but I had it at heart to
+give thee that which thou wentest seeking, and in sooth I have done
+it. Wert thou as wise as thou thinkest to be, thou wouldst not have
+essayed by this means to learn the secrets of thy good wife, but
+wouldst, without taking vain suspicion, have recognized that which she
+confessed to thee to be the very truth, without her having sinned in
+aught. I told thee that I loved a priest, and wast not thou, whom I am
+much to blame to love as I do, become a priest? I told thee that no
+door of my house could abide locked, whenas he had a mind to lie with
+me; and what door in the house was ever kept against thee, whenas thou
+wouldst come whereas I might be? I told thee that the priest lay with
+me every night, and when was it that thou layest not with me? And
+whenassoever thou sentest thy clerk to me, which was thou knowest, as
+often as thou layest from me, I sent thee word that the priest had not
+been with me. What other than a crack-brain like thee, who has
+suffered thyself to be blinded by thy jealousy, had failed to
+understand these things? Thou hast abidden in the house, keeping
+watch anights, and thoughtest to have given me to believe that thou
+wast gone abroad to sup and sleep. Bethink thee henceforth and become
+a man again, as thou wast wont to be; and make not thyself a laughing
+stock to whoso knoweth thy fashions, as do I, and leave this
+unconscionable watching that thou keepest; for I swear to God that, an
+the fancy took me to make thee wear the horns, I would engage, haddest
+thou an hundred eyes, as thou hast but two, to do my pleasure on such
+wise that thou shouldst not be ware thereof.'
+
+The jealous wretch, who thought to have very adroitly surprised his
+wife's secrets, hearing this, avouched himself befooled and without
+answering otherwhat, held the lady for virtuous and discreet; and
+whenas it behoved him to be jealous, he altogether divested himself of
+his jealousy, even as he had put it on, what time he had no need
+thereof. Wherefore the discreet lady, being in a manner licensed to do
+her pleasures, thenceforward no longer caused her lover to come to her
+by the roof, as go the cats, but e'en brought him in at the door, and
+dealing advisedly, many a day thereafter gave herself a good time and
+led a merry life with him."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     MADAM ISABELLA, BEING IN COMPANY WITH LEONETTO HER LOVER, IS
+     VISITED BY ONE MESSER LAMBERTUCCIO, OF WHOM SHE IS BELOVED;
+     HER HUSBAND RETURNING, [UNEXPECTED,] SHE SENDETH
+     LAMBERTUCCIO FORTH OF THE HOUSE, WHINGER IN HAND, AND THE
+     HUSBAND AFTER ESCORTETH LEONETTO HOME
+
+
+The company were wonder-well pleased with Fiammetta's story, all
+affirming that the lady had done excellently well and as it behoved
+unto such a brute of a man, and after it was ended, the king bade
+Pampinea follow on, who proceeded to say, "There are many who,
+speaking ignorantly, avouch that love bereaveth folk of their senses
+and causeth whoso loveth to become witless. Meseemeth this is a
+foolish opinion, as hath indeed been well enough shown by the things
+already related, and I purpose yet again to demonstrate it.
+
+In our city, which aboundeth in all good things, there was once a
+young lady both gently born and very fair, who was the wife of a very
+worthy and notable gentleman; and as it happeneth often that folk
+cannot for ever brook one same food, but desire bytimes to vary their
+diet, this lady, her husband not altogether satisfying her, became
+enamoured of a young man called Leonetto and very well bred and
+agreeable, for all he was of no great extraction. He on like wise fell
+in love with her, and as you know that seldom doth that which both
+parties desire abide without effect, it was no great while before
+accomplishment was given to their loves. Now it chanced that, she
+being a fair and engaging lady, a gentleman called Messer
+Lambertuccio became sore enamoured of her, whom, for that he seemed
+to her a disagreeable man and a tiresome, she could not for aught in
+the world bring herself to love. However, after soliciting her amain
+with messages and it availing him nought, he sent to her threatening
+her, for that he was a notable man, to dishonour her, an she did not
+his pleasure; wherefore she, fearful and knowing his character,
+submitted herself to do his will.
+
+It chanced one day that the lady, whose name was Madam Isabella, being
+gone, as is our custom in summer-time, to abide at a very goodly
+estate she had in the country and her husband having ridden
+somewhither to pass some days abroad, she sent for Leonetto to come
+and be with her, whereat he was mightily rejoiced and betook himself
+thither incontinent. Meanwhile Messer Lambertuccio, hearing that her
+husband was gone abroad, took horse and repairing, all alone, to her
+house, knocked at the door. The lady's waiting-woman, seeing him, came
+straight to her mistress, who was closeted with Leonetto, and called
+to her, saying, 'Madam, Messer Lambertuccio is below, all alone.' The
+lady, hearing this, was the woefullest woman in the world, but, as she
+stood in great fear of Messer Lambertuccio, she besought Leonetto not
+to take it ill to hide himself awhile behind the curtains of her bed
+till such time as the other should be gone. Accordingly, Leonetto, who
+feared him no less than did the lady, hid himself there and she bade
+the maid go open to Messer Lambertuccio, which being done, he lighted
+down in the courtyard and making his palfrey fast to a staple there,
+went up into the house. The lady put on a cheerful countenance and
+coming to the head of the stair, received him with as good a grace as
+she might and asked him what brought him thither; whereupon he caught
+her in his arms and clipped her and kissed her, saying, 'My soul, I
+understood that your husband was abroad and am come accordingly to be
+with you awhile.' After these words, they entered a bedchamber, where
+they locked themselves in, and Messer Lambertuccio fell to taking
+delight of her.
+
+As they were thus engaged, it befell, altogether out of the lady's
+expectation, that her husband returned, whom when the maid saw near
+the house, she ran in haste to the lady's chamber and said, 'Madam,
+here is my lord come back; methinketh he is already below in the
+courtyard.' When the lady heard this, bethinking her that she had two
+men in the house and knowing that there was no hiding Messer
+Lambertuccio, by reason of his palfrey which was in the courtyard, she
+gave herself up for lost. Nevertheless, taking a sudden resolution,
+she sprang hastily down from the bed and said to Messer Lambertuccio,
+'Sir, an you wish me anywise well and would save me from death, do
+that which I shall bid you. Take your hanger naked in your hand and go
+down the stair with an angry air and all disordered and begone,
+saying, "I vow to God that I will take him elsewhere." And should my
+husband offer to detain you or question you of aught, do you say no
+otherwhat than that which I have told you, but take horse and look you
+abide not with him on any account.' The gentleman answered that he
+would well, and accordingly, drawing his hanger, he did as she had
+enjoined him, with a face all afire what with the swink he had
+furnished and with anger at the husband's return. The latter was by
+this dismounted in the courtyard and marvelled to see the palfrey
+there; then, offering to go up into the house, he saw Messer
+Lambertuccio come down and wondering both at his words and his air,
+said, 'What is this, sir?' Messer Lambertuccio putting his foot in the
+stirrup and mounting to horse, said nought but, 'Cock's body, I shall
+find him again otherwhere,' and made off.
+
+The gentleman, going up, found his wife at the stairhead, all
+disordered and fearful, and said to her, 'What is all this? Whom goeth
+Messer Lambertuccio threatening thus in such a fury?' The lady,
+withdrawing towards the chamber where Leonetto was, so he might hear
+her, answered, 'Sir, never had I the like of this fright. There came
+fleeing hither but now a young man, whom I know not, followed by
+Messer Lambertuccio, hanger in hand, and finding by chance the door of
+this chamber open, said to me, all trembling, "For God's sake, madam,
+help me, that I be not slain in your arms." I rose to my feet and was
+about to question him who he was and what ailed him, when, behold, in
+rushed Messer Lambertuccio, saying, "Where art thou, traitor?" I set
+myself before the chamber-door and hindered him from entering; and he
+was in so far courteous that, after many words, seeing it pleased me
+not that he should enter there, he went his way down, as you have
+seen.' Quoth the husband, 'Wife, thou didst well, it were too great a
+reproach to us, had a man been slain in our house, and Messer
+Lambertuccio did exceeding unmannerly to follow a person who had taken
+refuge here.'
+
+Then he asked where the young man was, and the lady answered, 'Indeed
+sir, I know not where he hath hidden himself.' Then said the husband
+'Where art thou? Come forth in safety.' Whereupon Leonetto, who had
+heard everything, came forth all trembling for fear, (as indeed he had
+had a great fright,) of the place where he had hidden himself, and the
+gentleman said to him, 'What hast thou to do with Messer
+Lambertuccio?' 'Sir,' answered he, 'I have nothing in the world to do
+with him, wherefore methinketh assuredly he is either not in his right
+wits or he hath mistaken me for another; for that no sooner did he set
+eyes on me in the road not far from this house than he forthright
+clapped his hand to his hanger and said, "Traitor, thou art a dead
+man!" I stayed not to ask why, but took to my heels as best I might
+and made my way hither, where, thanks to God and to this gentlewoman,
+I have escaped.' Quoth the husband, 'Go to; have no fears; I will
+bring thee to thine own house safe and sound, and thou canst after
+seek out what thou hast to do with him.' Accordingly, when they had
+supped, he mounted him a-horseback and carrying him back to Florence,
+left him in his own house. As for Leonetto, that same evening,
+according as he had been lessoned of the lady, he privily bespoke
+Messer Lambertuccio and took such order with him, albeit there was
+much talk of the matter thereafterward, the husband never for all that
+became aware of the cheat that had been put on him by his wife."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     LODOVICO DISCOVERETH TO MADAM BEATRICE THE LOVE HE BEARETH
+     HER, WHEREUPON SHE SENDETH EGANO HER HUSBAND INTO THE
+     GARDEN, IN HER OWN FAVOUR, AND LIETH MEANWHILE WITH
+     LODOVICO, WHO, PRESENTLY ARISING, GOETH AND CUDGELLETH EGANO
+     IN THE GARDEN
+
+
+Madam Isabella's presence of mind, as related by Pampinea, was held
+admirable by all the company; but, whilst they yet marvelled thereat,
+Filomena, whom the king had appointed to follow on, said, "Lovesome
+ladies, and I mistake not, methinketh I can tell you no less goodly a
+story on the same subject, and that forthright.
+
+You must know, then, that there was once in Paris a Florentine
+gentleman, who was for poverty turned merchant and had thriven so well
+in commerce that he was grown thereby very rich. He had by his lady
+one only son, whom he had named Lodovico, and for that he might
+concern himself with his father's nobility and not with trade, he had
+willed not to place him in any warehouse, but had sent him to be with
+other gentlemen in the service of the King of France, where he learned
+store of goodly manners and other fine things. During his sojourn
+there, it befell that certain gentlemen, who were returned from
+visiting the Holy Sepulchre, coming in upon a conversation between
+certain young men, of whom Lodovico was one, and hearing them
+discourse among themselves of the fair ladies of France and England
+and other parts of the world, one of them began to say that assuredly,
+in all the lands he had traversed and for all the ladies he had seen,
+he had never beheld the like for beauty of Madam Beatrice, the wife of
+Messer Egano de' Gulluzzi of Bologna; to which all his companions, who
+had with him seen her at Bologna, agreed.
+
+Lodovico, who had never yet been enamoured of any woman, hearkening to
+this, was fired with such longing to see her that he could hold his
+thought to nothing else and being altogether resolved to journey to
+Bologna for that purpose and there, if she pleased him, to abide
+awhile, he feigned to his father that he had a mind to go visit the
+Holy Sepulchre, the which with great difficulty he obtained of him.
+Accordingly, taking the name of Anichino, he set out for Bologna, and
+on the day following [his arrival,] as fortune would have it, he saw
+the lady in question at an entertainment, where she seemed to him
+fairer far than he had imagined her; wherefore, falling most ardently
+enamoured of her, he resolved never to depart Bologna till he should
+have gained her love. Then, devising in himself what course he should
+take to this end, he bethought himself, leaving be all other means,
+that, an he might but avail to become one of her husband's servants,
+whereof he entertained many, he might peradventure compass that which
+he desired. Accordingly, having sold his horses and disposed as best
+might be of his servants, bidding them make a show of knowing him not,
+he entered into discourse with his host and told him that he would
+fain engage for a servant with some gentleman of condition, could
+such an one be found. Quoth the host, 'Thou art the right serving-man
+to please a gentleman of this city, by name Egano, who keepeth many
+and will have them all well looking, as thou art. I will bespeak him
+of the matter.' As he said, so he did, and ere he took leave of Egano,
+he had brought Anichino to an accord with him, to the exceeding
+satisfaction of the latter, who, abiding with Egano and having
+abundant opportunity of seeing his lady often, proceeded to serve him
+so well and so much to his liking that he set such store by him that
+he could do nothing without him and committed to him the governance,
+not of himself alone, but of all his affairs.
+
+It chanced one day that, Egano being gone a-fowling and having left
+Anichino at home, Madam Beatrice (who was not yet become aware of his
+love for her, albeit, considering him and his fashions, she had
+ofttimes much commended him to herself and he pleased her,) fell to
+playing chess with him and he, desiring to please her, very adroitly
+contrived to let himself be beaten, whereat the lady was marvellously
+rejoiced. Presently, all her women having gone away from seeing them
+play and left them playing alone, Anichino heaved a great sigh,
+whereupon she looked at him and said, 'What aileth thee, Anichino?
+Doth it irk thee that I should beat thee?' 'Madam,' answered he, 'a
+far greater thing than that was the cause of my sighing.' Quoth the
+lady, 'Prithee, as thou wishest me well, tell it me.' When Anichino
+heard himself conjured, 'as thou wishest me well,' by her whom he
+loved over all else, he heaved a sigh yet heavier than the first;
+wherefore the lady besought him anew that it would please him tell her
+the cause of his sighing. 'Madam,' replied Anichino, 'I am sore
+fearful lest it displease you, if I tell it you, and moreover I
+misdoubt me you will tell it again to others.' Whereto rejoined she,
+'Certes, it will not displease me, and thou mayst be assured that,
+whatsoever thou sayest to me I will never tell to any, save whenas it
+shall please thee.' Quoth he, 'Since you promise me this, I will e'en
+tell it you.' Then, with tears in his eyes, he told her who he was and
+what he had heard of her and when and how he was become enamoured of
+her and why he had taken service with her husband and after humbly
+besought her that it would please her have compassion on him and
+comply with him in that his secret and so fervent desire, and in case
+she willed not to do this, that she should suffer him to love her,
+leaving him be in that his then present guise.
+
+O singular blandness of the Bolognese blood! How art thou still to be
+commended in such circumstance! Never wast thou desirous of tears or
+sighs; still wast thou compliant unto prayers and amenable unto
+amorous desires! Had I words worthy to commend thee, my voice should
+never weary of singing thy praises. The gentle lady, what while
+Anichino spoke, kept her eyes fixed on him and giving full credence to
+his words, received, by the prevalence of his prayers, the love of him
+with such might into her heart that she also fell a-sighing and
+presently answered, 'Sweet my Anichino, be of good courage; neither
+presents nor promises nor solicitations of nobleman or gentleman or
+other (for I have been and am yet courted of many) have ever availed
+to move my heart to love any one of them; but thou, in this small
+space of time that thy words have lasted, hast made me far more thine
+than mine own. Methinketh thou hast right well earned my love,
+wherefore I give it thee and promise thee that I will cause thee have
+enjoyment thereof ere this next night be altogether spent. And that
+this may have effect, look thou come to my chamber about midnight. I
+will leave the door open; thou knowest which side the bed I lie; do
+thou come thither and if I sleep, touch me so I may awake, and I will
+ease thee of this so long desire that thou hast had. And that thou
+mayst believe this that I say, I will e'en give thee a kiss by way of
+arles.' Accordingly, throwing her arms about his neck, she kissed him
+amorously and he on like wise kissed her. These things said, he left
+her and went to do certain occasions of his, awaiting with the
+greatest gladness in the world the coming of the night.
+
+Presently, Egano returned from fowling and being weary, betook himself
+to bed, as soon as he had supper, and after him the lady, who left the
+chamber-door open, as she had promised. Thither, at the appointed
+hour, came Anichino and softly entering the chamber, shut the door
+again from within; then, going up to the bed on the side where the
+lady lay, he put his hand to her breast and found her awake. As soon
+as she felt him come, she took his hand in both her own and held it
+fast; then, turning herself about in the bed, she did on such wise
+that Egano, who was asleep, awoke; whereupon quoth she to him, 'I
+would not say aught to thee yestereve, for that meseemed thou was
+weary; but tell me, Egano, so God save thee, whom holdest thou thy
+best and trustiest servant and him who most loveth thee of those whom
+thou hast in the house?' 'Wife,' answered Egano, 'what is this whereof
+thou askest me? Knowest thou it not? I have not nor had aye any in
+whom I so trusted and whom I loved as I love and trust in Anichino.
+But why dost thou ask me thereof?'
+
+Anichino, seeing Egano awake and hearing talk of himself, was sore
+afraid lest the lady had a mind to cozen him and offered again and
+again to draw his hand away, so he might begone; but she held it so
+fast that he could not win free. Then said she to Egano, 'I will tell
+thee. I also believed till to-day that he was even such as thou sayest
+and that he was more loyal to thee than any other, but he hath
+undeceived me; for that, what while thou wentest a-fowling to-day, he
+abode here, and whenas it seemed to him time, he was not ashamed to
+solicit me to yield myself to his pleasures, and I, so I might make
+thee touch and see this thing and that it might not behove me certify
+thee thereof with too many proofs, replied that I would well and that
+this very night, after midnight, I would go into our garden and there
+await him at the foot of the pine. Now for my part I mean not to go
+thither; but thou, an thou have a mind to know thy servant's fidelity,
+thou mayst lightly do it by donning a gown and a veil of mine and
+going down yonder to wait and see if he will come thither, as I am
+assured he will.' Egano hearing this, answered, 'Certes, needs must I
+go see,' and rising, donned one of the lady's gowns, as best he knew
+in the dark; then, covering his head with a veil, he betook himself to
+the garden and proceeded to await Anichino at the foot of the pine.
+
+As for the lady, as soon as she knew him gone forth of the chamber,
+she arose and locked the door from within, whilst Anichino, (who had
+had the greatest fright he had ever known and had enforced himself as
+most he might to escape from the lady's hands, cursing her and her
+love and himself who had trusted in her an hundred thousand times,)
+seeing this that she had done in the end, was the joyfullest man that
+was aye. Then, she having returned to bed, he, at her bidding, put off
+his clothes and coming to bed to her, they took delight and pleasure
+together a pretty while; after which, herseeming he should not abide
+longer, she caused him arise and dress himself and said to him,
+'Sweetheart, do thou take a stout cudgel and get thee to the garden
+and there, feigning to have solicited me to try me, rate Egano, as he
+were I, and ring me a good peal of bells on his back with the cudgel,
+for that thereof will ensue to us marvellous pleasance and delight.'
+Anichino accordingly repaired to the garden, with a sallow-stick in
+his hand, and Egano, seeing him draw near the pine, rose up and came
+to meet him, as he would receive him with the utmost joy; whereupon
+quoth Anichino, 'Ah, wicked woman, art thou then come hither, and
+thinkest thou I would do my lord such a wrong? A thousand times ill
+come to thee!' Then, raising the cudgel, he began to lay on to him.
+
+Egano, hearing this and seeing the cudgel, took to his heels, without
+saying a word, whilst Anichino still followed after him, saying, 'Go
+to, God give thee an ill year, vile woman that thou art! I will
+certainly tell it to Egano to-morrow morning.' Egano made his way back
+to the chamber as quickliest he might, having gotten sundry good
+clouts, and being questioned of the lady if Anichino had come to the
+garden, 'Would God he had not!' answered he. 'For that, taking me for
+thee, he hath cudgelled me to a mummy and given me the soundest rating
+that was aye bestowed upon lewd woman. Certes, I marvelled sore at him
+that he should have said these words to thee, with intent to do aught
+that might be a shame to me; but, for that he saw thee so blithe and
+gamesome, he had a mind to try thee.' Then said the lady, 'Praised be
+God that he hath tried me with words and thee with deeds! Methinketh
+he may say that I suffered his words more patiently than thou his
+deeds. But, since he is so loyal to thee, it behoveth thee hold him
+dear and do him honour.' 'Certes,' answered Egano, 'thou sayst sooth';
+and reasoning by this, he concluded that he had the truest wife and
+the trustiest servant that ever gentleman had; by reason whereof,
+albeit both he and the lady made merry more than once with Anichino
+over this adventure, the latter and his mistress had leisure enough of
+that which belike, but for this, they would not have had, to wit, to
+do that which afforded them pleasance and delight, that while it
+pleased Anichino abide with Egano in Bologna."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     A MAN WAXETH JEALOUS OF HIS WIFE, WHO BINDETH A PIECE OF
+     PACKTHREAD TO HER GREAT TOE ANIGHTS, SO SHE MAY HAVE NOTICE
+     OF HER LOVER'S COMING. ONE NIGHT HER HUSBAND BECOMETH AWARE
+     OF THIS DEVICE AND WHAT WHILE HE PURSUETH THE LOVER, THE
+     LADY PUTTETH ANOTHER WOMAN TO BED IN HER ROOM. THIS LATTER
+     THE HUSBAND BEATETH AND CUTTETH OFF HER HAIR, THEN FETCHETH
+     HIS WIFE'S BROTHERS, WHO, FINDING HIS STORY [SEEMINGLY]
+     UNTRUE, GIVE HIM HARD WORDS
+
+
+It seemed to them all that Madam Beatrice had been extraordinarily
+ingenious in cozening her husband and all agreed that Anichino's
+fright must have been very great, whenas, being the while held fast by
+the lady, he heard her say that he had required her of love. But the
+king, seeing Filomena silent, turned to Neifile and said to her, "Do
+you tell"; whereupon she, smiling first a little, began, "Fair ladies,
+I have a hard task before me if I desire to pleasure you with a goodly
+story, as those of you have done, who have already told; but, with
+God's aid, I trust to discharge myself thereof well enough.
+
+You must know, then, that there was once in our city a very rich
+merchant called Arriguccio Berlinghieri, who, foolishly thinking, as
+merchants yet do every day, to ennoble himself by marriage, took to
+wife a young gentlewoman ill sorting with himself, by name Madam
+Sismonda, who, for that he, merchant-like, was much abroad and
+sojourned little with her, fell in love with a young man called
+Ruberto, who had long courted her, and clapped up a lover's privacy
+with him. Using belike over-little discretion in her dealings with her
+lover, for that they were supremely delightsome to her, it chanced
+that, whether Arriguccio scented aught of the matter or how else
+soever it happened, the latter became the most jealous man alive and
+leaving be his going about and all his other concerns, applied himself
+well nigh altogether to the keeping good watch over his wife; nor
+would he ever fall asleep, except he first felt her come into the bed;
+by reason whereof the lady suffered the utmost chagrin, for that on no
+wise might she avail to be with her Ruberto.
+
+However, after pondering many devices for finding a means to
+foregather with him and being to boot continually solicited thereof by
+him, it presently occurred to her to do on this wise; to wit, having
+many a time observed that Arriguccio tarried long to fall asleep, but
+after slept very soundly, she determined to cause Ruberto come about
+midnight to the door of the house and to go open to him and abide with
+him what while her husband slept fast. And that she might know when he
+should be come, she bethought herself to hang a twine out of the
+window of her bedchamber, which looked upon the street, on such wise
+that none might perceive it, one end whereof should well nigh reach
+the ground, whilst she carried the other end along the floor of the
+room to the bed and hid it under the clothes, meaning to make it fast
+to her great toe, whenas she should be abed. Accordingly, she sent to
+acquaint Ruberto with this and charged him, when he came, to pull the
+twine, whereupon, if her husband slept, she would let it go and come
+to open to him; but, if he slept not, she would hold it fast and draw
+it to herself, so he should not wait. The device pleased Ruberto and
+going thither frequently, he was whiles able to foregather with her
+and whiles not.
+
+On this wise they continued to do till, one night, the lady being
+asleep, it chanced that her husband stretched out his foot in bed and
+felt the twine, whereupon he put his hand to it and finding it made
+fast to his wife's toe, said in himself, 'This should be some trick';
+and presently perceiving that the twine led out of window, he held it
+for certain. Accordingly, he cut it softly from the lady's toe and
+making it fast to his own, abode on the watch to see what this might
+mean. He had not waited long before up came Ruberto and pulled at the
+twine, as of his wont; whereupon Arriguccio started up; but, he not
+having made the twine well fast to his toe and Ruberto pulling hard,
+it came loose in the latter's hand, whereby he understood that he was
+to wait and did so. As for Arriguccio, he arose in haste and taking
+his arms, ran to the door, to see who this might be and do him a
+mischief, for, albeit a merchant, he was a stout fellow and a strong.
+When he came to the door, he opened it not softly as the lady was used
+to do, which when Ruberto, who was await, observed, he guessed how the
+case stood, to wit, that it was Arriguccio who opened the door, and
+accordingly made off in haste and the other after him. At last, having
+fled a great way and Arriguccio stinting not from following him,
+Ruberto, being also armed, drew his sword and turned upon his pursuer,
+whereupon they fell to blows, the one attacking and the other
+defending himself.
+
+Meanwhile, the lady, awaking, as Arriguccio opened the chamber-door,
+and finding the twine cut from her toe, knew incontinent that her
+device was discovered, whereupon, perceiving that her husband had run
+after her lover, she arose in haste and foreseeing what might happen,
+called her maid, who knew all, and conjured her to such purpose that
+she prevailed with her to take her own place in the bed, beseeching
+her patiently to endure, without discovering herself, whatsoever
+buffets Arriguccio might deal her, for that she would requite her
+therefor on such wise that she should have no cause to complain; after
+which she did out the light that burnt in the chamber and going forth
+thereof, hid herself in another part of the house and there began to
+await what should betide.
+
+Meanwhile, the people of the quarter, aroused by the noise of the
+affray between Arriguccio and Ruberto, arose and fell a-railing at
+them; whereupon the husband, fearing to be known, let the youth go,
+without having availed to learn who he was or to do him any hurt, and
+returned to his house, full of rage and despite. There, coming into
+the chamber, he cried out angrily, saying, 'Where art thou, vile
+woman? Thou hast done out the light, so I may not find thee; but thou
+art mistaken.' Then, coming to the bedside, he seized upon the maid,
+thinking to take his wife, and laid on to her so lustily with cuffs
+and kicks, as long as he could wag his hands and feet, that he bruised
+all her face, ending by cutting off her hair, still giving her the
+while the hardest words that were ever said to worthless woman. The
+maid wept sore, as indeed she had good cause to do, and albeit she
+said whiles, 'Alas, mercy, for God's sake!' and 'Oh, no more!' her
+voice was so broken with sobs and Arriguccio was so hindered with his
+rage that he never discerned it to be that of another woman than his
+wife.
+
+Having, then, as we have said, beaten her to good purpose and cut off
+her hair, he said to her, 'Wicked woman that thou art, I mean not to
+touch thee otherwise, but shall now go fetch thy brothers and acquaint
+them with thy fine doings and after bid them come for thee and deal
+with thee as they shall deem may do them honour and carry thee away;
+for assuredly in this house thou shalt abide no longer.' So saying, he
+departed the chamber and locking the door from without, went away all
+alone. As soon as Madam Sismonda, who had heard all, was certified of
+her husband's departure, she opened the door and rekindling the light,
+found her maid all bruised and weeping sore; whereupon she comforted
+her as best she might and carried her back to her own chamber, where
+she after caused privily tend her and care for her and so rewarded her
+of Arriguccio's own monies that she avouched herself content. No
+sooner had she done this than she hastened to make the bed in her own
+chamber and all restablished it and set it in such order as if none
+had lain there that night; after which she dressed and tired herself,
+as if she had not yet gone to bed; then, lighting a lamp, she took her
+clothes and seated herself at the stairhead, where she proceeded to
+sew and await the issue of the affair.
+
+Meanwhile Arriguccio betook himself in all haste to the house of his
+wife's brothers and there knocked so long and so loudly that he was
+heard and it was opened to him. The lady's three brothers and her
+mother, hearing that it was Arriguccio, rose all and letting kindle
+lights, came to him and asked what he went seeking at that hour and
+alone. Whereupon, beginning from the twine he had found tied to wife's
+toe, he recounted to them all that he had discovered and done, and to
+give them entire proof of the truth of his story, he put into their
+hands the hair he thought to have cut from his wife's head, ending by
+requiring them to come for her and do with her that which they should
+judge pertinent to their honour, for that he meant to keep her no
+longer in his house. The lady's brothers, hearing this and holding it
+for certain, were sore incensed against her and letting kindle
+torches, set out to accompany Arriguccio to his house, meaning to do
+her a mischief; which their mother seeing, she followed after them,
+weeping and entreating now the one, now the other not to be in such
+haste to believe these things of their sister, without seeing or
+knowing more of the matter, for that her husband might have been
+angered with her for some other cause and have maltreated her and
+might now allege this in his own excuse, adding that she marvelled
+exceedingly how this [whereof he accused her] could have happened, for
+that she knew her daughter well, as having reared her from a little
+child, with many other words to the like purpose.
+
+When they came to Arriguccio's house, they entered and proceeded to
+mount the stair, whereupon Madam Sismonda, hearing them come, said,
+'Who is there?' To which one of her brothers answered, 'Thou shalt
+soon know who it is, vile woman that thou art!' 'God aid us!' cried
+she. 'What meaneth this?' Then, rising to her feet, 'Brothers mine,'
+quoth she, 'you are welcome; but what go you all three seeking at this
+hour?' The brothers,--seeing her seated sewing, with no sign of
+beating on her face, whereas Arriguccio avouched that he had beaten
+her to a mummy,--began to marvel and curbing the violence of their
+anger, demanded of her how that had been whereof Arriguccio accused
+her, threatening her sore, and she told them not all. Quoth she, 'I
+know not what you would have me say nor of what Arriguccio can have
+complained to you of me.' Arriguccio, seeing her thus, eyed her as if
+he had lost his wits, remembering that he had dealt her belike a
+thousand buffets on the face and scratched her and done her all the
+ill in the world, and now he beheld her as if nothing of all this had
+been.
+
+Her brothers told her briefly what they had heard from Arriguccio,
+twine and beating and all, whereupon she turned to him and said,
+'Alack, husband mine, what is this I hear? Why wilt thou make me pass,
+to thine own great shame, for an ill woman, where as I am none, and
+thyself for a cruel and wicked man, which thou art not? When wast thou
+in this house to-night till now, let alone with me? When didst thou
+beat me? For my part, I have no remembrance of it.' 'How, vile woman
+that thou art!' cried he. 'Did we not go to bed together here? Did I
+not return hither, after running after thy lover? Did I not deal thee
+a thousand buffets and cut off thy hair?' 'Thou wentest not to bed in
+this house to-night,' replied Sismonda. 'But let that pass, for I can
+give no proof thereof other than mine own true words, and let us come
+to that which thou sayest, to wit, that thou didst beat me and cut off
+my hair. Me thou hast never beaten, and do all who are here and thou
+thyself take note of me, if I have any mark of beating in any part of
+my person. Indeed, I should not counsel thee make so bold as to lay a
+hand on me, for, by Christ His Cross, I would mar thy face for thee!
+Neither didst thou cut off my hair, for aught that I felt or saw; but
+haply thou didst it on such wise that I perceived it not; let me see
+if I have it shorn or no.' Then, putting off her veil from her head,
+she showed that she had her hair unshorn and whole.
+
+Her mother and brothers, seeing and hearing all this, turned upon her
+husband and said to him, 'What meanest thou, Arriguccio? This is not
+that so far which thou camest to tell us thou hadst done, and we know
+not how thou wilt make good the rest.' Arriguccio stood as one in a
+trance and would have spoken; but, seeing that it was not as he
+thought he could show, he dared say nothing; whereupon the lady,
+turning to her brothers, said to them, 'Brothers mine, I see he hath
+gone seeking to have me do what I have never yet chosen to do, to wit,
+that I should acquaint you with his lewdness and his vile fashions,
+and I will do it. I firmly believe that this he hath told you hath
+verily befallen him and that he hath done as he saith; and you shall
+hear how. This worthy man, to whom in an ill hour for me you gave me
+to wife, who calleth himself a merchant and would be thought a man of
+credit, this fellow, forsooth, who should be more temperate than a
+monk and chaster than a maid, there be few nights but he goeth
+fuddling himself about the taverns, foregathering now with this lewd
+woman and now with that and keeping me waiting for him, on such wise
+as you find me, half the night and whiles even till morning. I doubt
+not but that, having well drunken, he went to bed with some trull of
+his and waking, found the twine on her foot and after did all these
+his fine feats whereof he telleth, winding up by returning to her and
+beating her and cutting off her hair; and not being yet well come to
+himself, he fancied (and I doubt not yet fancieth) that he did all
+this to me; and if you look him well in the face, you will see he is
+yet half fuddled. Algates, whatsoever he may have said of me, I will
+not have you take it to yourselves except as a drunken man's talk, and
+since I forgive him, do you also pardon him.'
+
+Her mother, hearing this, began to make an outcry and say, 'By Christ
+His Cross, daughter mine, it shall not pass thus! Nay, he should
+rather be slain for a thankless, ill-conditioned dog, who was never
+worthy to have a girl of thy fashion to wife. Marry, a fine thing,
+forsooth! He could have used thee no worse, had he picked thee up out
+of the dirt! Devil take him if thou shalt abide at the mercy of the
+spite of a paltry little merchant of asses' dung! They come to us out
+of their pigstyes in the country, clad in homespun frieze, with their
+bag-breeches and pen in arse, and as soon as they have gotten a leash
+of groats, they must e'en have the daughters of gentlemen and right
+ladies to wife and bear arms and say, "I am of such a family" and
+"Those of my house did thus and thus." Would God my sons had followed
+my counsel in the matter, for that they might have stablished thee so
+worshipfully in the family of the Counts Guidi, with a crust of bread
+to thy dowry! But they must needs give thee to this fine jewel of
+fellow, who, whereas thou art the best girl in Florence and the
+modestest, is not ashamed to knock us up in the middle of the night,
+to tell us that thou art a strumpet, as if we knew thee not. But, by
+God His faith, an they would be ruled by me, he should get such a
+trouncing therefor that he should stink for it!' Then, turning to the
+lady's brothers, 'My sons,' said she, 'I told you this could not be.
+Have you heard how your fine brother-in-law here entreateth your
+sister? Four-farthing[353] huckster that he is! Were I in your shoes,
+he having said what he hath of her and doing that which he doth, I
+would never hold myself content nor appeased till I had rid the earth
+of him; and were I a man, as I am a woman, I would trouble none other
+than myself to despatch his business. Confound him for a sorry drunken
+beast, that hath no shame!'
+
+[Footnote 353: Or, in modern parlance, "twopennny-halfpenny."]
+
+The young men, seeing and hearing all this, turned upon Arriguccio and
+gave him the soundest rating ever losel got; and ultimately they said
+to him. 'We pardon thee this as to a drunken man; but, as thou
+tenderest thy life, look henceforward we hear no more news of this
+kind, for, if aught of the like come ever again to our ears, we will
+pay thee at once for this and for that.' So saying, they went their
+ways, leaving Arriguccio all aghast, as it were he had taken leave of
+his wits, unknowing in himself whether that which he had done had
+really been or whether he had dreamed it; wherefore he made no more
+words thereof, but left his wife in peace. Thus the lady, by her ready
+wit, not only escaped the imminent peril [that threatened her,] but
+opened herself a way to do her every pleasure in time to come, without
+evermore having any fear of her husband."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     LYDIA, WIFE OF NICOSTRATUS, LOVETH PYRRHUS, WHO, SO HE MAY
+     BELIEVE IT, REQUIRETH OF HER THREE THINGS, ALL WHICH SHE
+     DOTH. MOREOVER, SHE SOLACETH HERSELF WITH HIM IN THE
+     PRESENCE OF NICOSTRATUS AND MAKETH THE LATTER BELIEVE THAT
+     THAT WHICH HE HATH SEEN IS NOT REAL
+
+
+Neifile's story so pleased the ladies that they could neither give
+over to laugh at nor to talk of it, albeit the king, having bidden
+Pamfilo tell his story, had several times imposed silence upon them.
+However, after they had held their peace, Pamfilo began thus: "I do
+not believe, worshipful ladies, that there is anything, how hard and
+doubtful soever it be, that whoso loveth passionately will not dare to
+do; the which, albeit it hath already been demonstrated in many
+stories, methinketh, nevertheless, I shall be able yet more plainly to
+show forth to you in one which I purpose to tell you and wherein you
+shall hear of a lady, who was in her actions much more favoured of
+fortune than well-advised of reason; wherefore I would not counsel any
+one to adventure herself in the footsteps of her of whom I am to tell,
+for that fortune is not always well disposed nor are all men in the
+world equally blind.
+
+In Argos, city of Achia far more famous for its kings of past time
+than great in itself, there was once a nobleman called Nicostratus, to
+whom, when already neighbouring on old age, fortune awarded a lady of
+great family to wife, whose name was Lydia and who was no less
+high-spirited than fair. Nicostratus, like a nobleman and a man of
+wealth as he was, kept many servants and hounds and hawks and took the
+utmost delight in the chase. Among his other servants he had a young
+man called Pyrrhus, who was sprightly and well bred and comely of his
+person and adroit in all that he had a mind to do, and him he loved
+and trusted over all else. Of this Pyrrhus Lydia became so sore
+enamoured that neither by day nor by night could she have her thought
+otherwhere than with him; but he, whether it was that he perceived not
+her liking for him or that he would none of it, appeared to reck
+nothing thereof, by reason whereof the lady suffered intolerable
+chagrin in herself and being altogether resolved to give him to know
+of her passion, called a chamberwoman of hers, Lusca by name, in whom
+she much trusted, and said to her, 'Lusca, the favours thou hast had
+of me should make thee faithful and obedient; wherefore look thou none
+ever know that which I shall presently say to thee, save he to whom I
+shall charge thee tell it. As thou seest, Lusca, I am a young and
+lusty lady, abundantly endowed with all those things which any woman
+can desire; in brief, I can complain of but one thing, to wit, that my
+husband's years are overmany, an they be measured by mine own,
+wherefore I fare but ill in the matter of that thing wherein young
+women take most pleasure, and none the less desiring it, as other
+women do, I have this long while determined in myself, since fortune
+hath been thus little my friend in giving me so old a husband, that I
+will not be so much mine own enemy as not to contrive to find means
+for my pleasures and my weal; which that I may have as complete in
+this as in other things, I have bethought myself to will that our
+Pyrrhus, as being worthier thereof than any other, should furnish them
+with his embracements; nay, I have vowed him so great a love that I
+never feel myself at ease save whenas I see him or think of him, and
+except I foregather with him without delay, methinketh I shall
+certainly die thereof. Wherefore, if my life be dear to thee, thou
+wilt, on such wise as shall seem best to thee, signify to him any love
+and beseech him, on my part, to be pleased to come to me, whenas thou
+shalt go for him.'
+
+The chamberwoman replied that she would well and taking Pyrrhus apart,
+whenas first it seemed to her time and place, she did her lady's
+errand to him as best she knew. Pyrrhus, hearing this, was sore amazed
+thereat, as one who had never anywise perceived aught of the matter,
+and misdoubted him the lady had let say this to him to try him;
+wherefore he answered roughly and hastily, 'Lusca, I cannot believe
+that these words come from my lady; wherefore, have a care what thou
+sayst; or, if they do indeed come from her, I do not believe that she
+caused thee say them with intent, and even if she did so, my lord doth
+me more honour than I deserve and I would not for my life do him such
+an outrage; wherefore look thou bespeak me no more of such things.'
+Lusca, nowise daunted by his austere speech, said to him, 'Pyrrhus, I
+will e'en bespeak thee both of this and of everything else wherewithal
+my lady shall charge me when and as often as she shall bid me, whether
+it cause thee pleasure or annoy; but thou art an ass.' Then, somewhat
+despited at his words, she returned to her mistress, who, hearing what
+Pyrrhus had said, wished for death, but, some days after, she again
+bespoke the chamberwoman of the matter and said to her, 'Lusca, thou
+knowest that the oak falleth not for the first stroke; wherefore
+meseemeth well that thou return anew to him who so strangely willeth
+to abide loyal to my prejudice, and taking a sortable occasion,
+throughly discover to him my passion and do thine every endeavour that
+the thing may have effect; for that, an it fall through thus, I shall
+assuredly die of it. Moreover, he will think to have been befooled,
+and whereas we seek to have his love, hate will ensue thereof.'
+
+The maid comforted her and going in quest of Pyrrhus found him merry
+and well-disposed and said to him, 'Pyrrhus I showed thee, a few days
+agone, in what a fire my lady and thine abideth for the love she
+beareth thee, and now anew I certify thee thereof, for that, an thou
+persist in the rigour thou showedst the other day, thou mayst be
+assured that she will not live long; wherefore I prithee be pleased to
+satisfy her of her desire, and if thou yet abide fast in thine
+obstinacy, whereas I have still accounted thee mighty discreet, I
+shall hold thee a blockhead. What can be a greater glory for thee than
+that such a lady, so fair and so noble, should love thee over all
+else? Besides, how greatly shouldst thou acknowledge thyself beholden
+unto Fortune, seeing that she proffereth thee a thing of such worth
+and so conformable to the desires of thy youth and to boot, such a
+resource for thy necessities! Which of thy peers knowest thou who
+fareth better by way of delight than thou mayst fare, an thou be wise?
+What other couldst thou find who may fare so well in the matter of
+arms and horses and apparel and monies as thou mayst do, so thou wilt
+but vouchsafe thy love to this lady? Open, then, thy mind to my words
+and return to thy senses; bethink thee that once, and no oftener, it
+is wont to betide that fortune cometh unto a man with smiling face and
+open arms, who an he know not then to welcome, if after he find
+himself poor and beggarly, he hath himself and not her to blame.
+Besides, there is no call to use that loyalty between servants and
+masters that behoveth between friends and kinsfolk; nay, servants
+should use their masters, in so far as they may, like as themselves
+are used of them. Thinkest thou, an thou hadst a fair wife or mother
+or daughter or sister, who pleased Nicostratus, that he would go
+questing after this loyalty that thou wouldst fain observe towards him
+in respect of this lady? Thou are a fool, if thou think thus; for thou
+mayst hold it for certain that, if blandishments and prayers sufficed
+him not, he would not scruple to use force in the matter, whatsoever
+thou mightest deem thereof. Let us, then, entreat them and their
+affairs even as they entreat us and ours. Profit by the favour of
+fortune and drive her not away, but welcome her with open arms and
+meet her halfway, for assuredly, and thou do it not, thou wilt yet
+(leave alone the death that will without fail ensue thereof to thy
+lady) repent thee thereof so many a time thou wilt be fain to die
+therefor.'
+
+Pyrrhus, who had again and again pondered the words that Lusca had
+said to him, had determined, and she should return to him, to make her
+another guess answer and altogether to submit himself to comply with
+the lady's wishes, so but he might be certified that it was not a
+trick to try him, and accordingly answered, 'Harkye, Lusca; all that
+thou sayst to me I allow to be true; but, on the other hand, I know my
+lord for very discreet and well-advised, and as he committeth all his
+affairs to my hands, I am sore adread lest Lydia, with his counsel and
+by his wish, do this to try me; wherefore, an it please her for mine
+assurance do three things that I shall ask, she shall for certain
+thereafterward command me nought but I will do it forthright. And the
+three things I desire are these: first, that in Nicostratus his
+presence she slay his good hawk; secondly, that she send me a lock of
+her husband's beard and lastly, one of his best teeth.' These
+conditions seemed hard unto Lusca and to the lady harder yet;
+however, Love, who is an excellent comforter[354] and a past master in
+shifts and devices, made her resolve to do his pleasure and
+accordingly she sent him word by her chamberwoman that she would
+punctually do what he required and that quickly, and that over and
+above this, for that he deemed Nicostratus so well-advised, she would
+solace herself with him in her husband's presence and make the latter
+believe that it was not true.
+
+[Footnote 354: Syn. encourager, helper, auxiliary (_confortatore_).]
+
+Pyrrhus, accordingly, began to await what the lady should do, and
+Nicostratus having, a few days after, made, as he oftentimes used to
+do, a great dinner to certain gentlemen, Madam Lydia, whenas the
+tables were cleared away, came forth of her chamber, clad in green
+samite and richly bedecked, and entered the saloon where the guests
+were. There, in the sight of Pyrrhus and of all the rest, she went up
+to the perch, whereon was the hawk that Nicostratus held so dear, and
+cast it loose, as she would set it on her hand; then, taking it by the
+jesses, she dashed it against the wall and killed it; whereupon
+Nicostratus cried out at her, saying, 'Alack, wife, what hast thou
+done?' She answered him nothing, but, turning to the gentlemen who had
+eaten with him, she said to them, 'Gentlemen, I should ill know how to
+avenge myself on a king who did me a despite, an I dared not take my
+wreak of a hawk. You must know that this bird hath long robbed me of
+all the time which should of men be accorded to the pleasuring of the
+ladies; for that no sooner is the day risen than Nicostratus is up and
+drest and away he goeth a-horseback, with his hawk on his fist, to the
+open plains, to see him fly, whilst I, such as you see me, abide in
+bed alone and ill-content; wherefore I have many a time had a mind to
+do that which I have now done, nor hath aught hindered me therefrom
+but that I waited to do it in the presence of gentlemen who would be
+just judges in my quarrel, as methinketh you will be.' The gentlemen,
+hearing this and believing her affection for Nicostratus to be no
+otherwise than as her words denoted, turned all to the latter, who was
+angered, and said, laughing, 'Ecod, how well hath the lady done to
+avenge herself of her wrong by the death of the hawk!' Then, with
+divers of pleasantries upon the subject (the lady being now gone back
+to her chamber), they turned Nicostratus his annoy into laughter;
+whilst Pyrrhus, seeing all this, said in himself, 'The lady hath given
+a noble beginning to my happy loves; God grant she persevere!'
+
+Lydia having thus slain the hawk, not many days were passed when,
+being in her chamber with Nicostratus, she fell to toying and
+frolicking with him, and he, pulling her somedele by the hair, by way
+of sport, gave her occasion to accomplish the second thing required of
+her by Pyrrhus. Accordingly, taking him of a sudden by a lock of his
+beard, she tugged so hard at it, laughing the while, that she plucked
+it clean out of his chin; whereof he complaining, 'How now?' quoth
+she. 'What aileth thee to pull such a face? Is it because I have
+plucked out maybe half a dozen hairs of thy beard? Thou feltest not
+that which I suffered, whenas thou pulledst me now by the hair.' On
+this wise continuing their disport from one word to another, she
+privily kept the lock of hair that she had plucked from his beard and
+sent it that same day to her lover.
+
+Anent the last of the three things required by Pyrrhus she was harder
+put to it for a device; nevertheless, being of a surpassing wit and
+Love making her yet quicker of invention, she soon bethought herself
+what means she should use to give it accomplishment. Nicostratus had
+two boys given him of their father, to the intent that, being of
+gentle birth, they might learn somewhat of manners and good breeding
+in his house, of whom, whenas he was at meat, one carved before him
+and the other gave him to drink. Lydia called them both and giving
+them to believe that they stank at the mouth, enjoined them that,
+whenas they served Nicostratus, they should still hold their heads
+backward as most they might nor ever tell this to any. The boys,
+believing that which she said, proceeded to do as she had lessoned
+them, and she after a while said to her husband one day, 'Hast thou
+noted that which yonder boys do, whenas they serve thee?' 'Ay have I,'
+replied Nicostratus; 'and indeed I had it in mind to ask them why they
+did it.' Quoth the lady, 'Do it not, for I can tell thee the reason;
+and I have kept it silent from thee this long while, not to cause thee
+annoy; but, now I perceive that others begin to be aware thereof, it
+skilleth not to hide it from thee longer. This betideth thee for none
+other what than that thou stinkest terribly at the mouth, and I know
+not what can be the cause thereof; for that it used not to be thus.
+Now this is a very unseemly thing for thee who hast to do with
+gentlemen, and needs must we see for a means of curing it.' Whereupon
+said he, 'What can this be? Can I have some rotten tooth in my head?'
+'Maybe ay,' answered Lydia and carried him to a window, where she made
+him open his mouth, and after she had viewed it in every part, 'O
+Nicostratus,' cried she, 'how canst thou have put up with it so long?
+Thou hast a tooth on this side which meseemth is not only decayed, but
+altogether rotten, and assuredly, and thou keep it much longer in thy
+mouth, it will mar thee those which be on either side; wherefore I
+counsel thee have it drawn, ere the thing go farther.' 'Since it
+seemeth good to thee,' answered he, 'I will well; let a surgeon be
+sent for without more delay, who shall draw it for me.' 'God forbid,'
+rejoined the lady, 'that a surgeon come hither for that! Methinketh it
+lieth on such wise that I myself, without any surgeon, can very well
+draw it for thee; more by token that these same surgeons are so
+barbarous in doing such offices that my heart would on no account
+suffer me to see or know thee in the hands of any one of them; for, an
+it irk thee overmuch, I will at least loose thee incontinent, which a
+surgeon would not do.'
+
+Accordingly, she let fetch the proper instruments and sent every one
+forth of the chamber, except only Lusca; after which, locking herself
+in, she made Nicostratus lie down on a table and thrusting the pincers
+into his mouth, what while the maid held him fast, she pulled out one
+of his teeth by main force, albeit he roared out lustily for the pain.
+Then, keeping to herself that which she had drawn, she brought out a
+frightfully decayed tooth she had ready in her hand and showed it to
+her husband, half dead as he was for pain, saying, 'See what thou
+hast had in thy mouth all this while.' Nicostratus believed what she
+said and now that the tooth was out, for all he had suffered the most
+grievous pain and made sore complaint thereof, him seemed he was
+cured; and presently, having comforted himself with one thing and
+another and the pain being abated, he went forth of the chamber;
+whereupon his wife took the tooth and straightway despatched it to her
+gallant, who, being now certified of her love, professed himself ready
+to do her every pleasure.
+
+The lady, albeit every hour seemed to her a thousand till she should
+be with him, desiring to give him farther assurance and wishful to
+perform that which she had promised him, made a show one day of being
+ailing and being visited after dinner by Nicostratus, with no one in
+his company but Pyrrhus, she prayed them, by way of allaying her
+unease, to help her go into the garden. Accordingly, Nicostratus
+taking her on one side and Pyrrhus on the other, they carried her into
+the garden and set her down on a grassplot, at the foot of a fine
+pear-tree; where, after they had sat awhile, the lady, who had already
+given her gallant to know what he had to do, said, 'Pyrrhus, I have a
+great desire to eat of yonder pears; do thou climb up and throw us
+down some of them.' Pyrrhus straightway climbed up into the tree and
+fell to throwing down of the pears, which as he did, he began to say,
+'How now, my lord! What is this you do? And you, madam, are you not
+ashamed to suffer it in my presence? Think you I am blind? But now you
+were sore disordered; how cometh it you have so quickly recovered that
+you do such things? An you have a mind unto this, you have store of
+goodly chambers; why go you not do it in one of these? It were more
+seemly than in my presence.'
+
+The lady turned to her husband and said, 'What saith Pyrrhus? Doth he
+rave?' 'No, madam,' answered the young man, 'I rave not. Think you I
+cannot see?' As for Nicostratus, he marvelled sore and said, 'Verily,
+Pyrrhus, methinketh thou dreamest.' 'My lord,' replied Pyrrhus, 'I
+dream not a jot, neither do you dream; nay, you bestir yourselves on
+such wise that were this tree to do likewise, there would not be a
+pear left on it.' Quoth the lady, 'What may this be? Can it be that
+this he saith appeareth to him to be true? So God save me, and I were
+whole as I was aforetime, I would climb up into the tree, to see what
+marvels are those which this fellow saith he seeth.' Meanwhile Pyrrhus
+from the top of the pear-tree still said the same thing and kept up
+the pretence; whereupon Nicostratus bade him come down. Accordingly he
+came down and his master said to him, 'Now, what sayst thou thou
+sawest?' 'Methinketh,' answered he, 'you take me for a lackwit or a
+loggerhead. Since I must needs say it, I saw you a-top of your lady,
+and after, as I came down, I saw you arise and seat yourself where you
+presently are.' 'Assuredly,' said Nicostratus, 'thou dotest; for we
+have not stirred a jot, save as thou seest, since thou climbest up
+into the pear-tree.' Whereupon quoth Pyrrhus, 'What booteth it to make
+words of the matter? I certainly saw you; and if I did see you, it was
+a-top of your own.'
+
+Nicostratus waxed momently more and more astonished, insomuch that he
+said, 'Needs must I see if this pear-tree is enchanted and if whoso is
+thereon seeth marvels.' Thereupon he climbed up into the tree and no
+sooner was he come to the top than the lady and Pyrrhus fell to
+solacing themselves together; which when Nicostratus saw, he began to
+cry out, saying, 'Ah, vile woman that thou art, what is this thou
+dost? And thou, Pyrrhus, in whom I most trusted?' So saying, he
+proceeded to descend the tree, whilst the lovers said, 'We are sitting
+here'; then, seeing him come down, they reseated themselves whereas he
+had left them. As soon as he was down and saw his wife and Pyrrhus
+where he had left them, he fell a-railing at them; whereupon quoth
+Pyrrhus, 'Now, verily, Nicostratus, I acknowledged that, as you said
+before, I must have seen falsely what while I was in the pear-tree,
+nor do I know it otherwise than by this, that I see and know yourself
+to have seen falsely in the like case. And that I speak the truth
+nought else should be needful to certify you but that you have regard
+to the circumstances of the case and consider if it be possible that
+your lady, who is the most virtuous of women and discreeter than any
+other of her sex, could, an she had a mind to outrage you on such
+wise, bring herself to do it before your very eyes. I speak not of
+myself, who would rather suffer myself to be torn limb-meal than so
+much as think of such a thing, much more come to do it in your
+presence. Wherefore the fault of this misseeing must needs proceed
+from the pear-tree, for that all the world had not made me believe but
+that you were in act to have carnal knowledge of your lady here, had I
+not heard you say that it appeared to yourself that I did what I know
+most certainly I never thought, much less did.'
+
+Thereupon the lady, feigning to be mightily incensed, rose to her feet
+and said, 'Ill luck betide thee, dost thou hold me so little of wit
+that, an I had a mind to such filthy fashions as thou wouldst have us
+believe thou sawest, I should come to do them before thy very eyes?
+Thou mayst be assured of this that, if ever the fancy took me thereof,
+I should not come hither; marry, methinketh I should have sense enough
+to contrive it in one of our chambers, on such wise and after such a
+fashion that it would seem to me an extraordinary thing if ever thou
+camest to know of it.' Nicostratus, himseeming that what the lady and
+Pyrrhus said was true, to wit, that they would never have ventured
+upon such an act there before himself, gave over words and reproaches
+and fell to discoursing of the strangeness of the fact and the miracle
+of the sight, which was thus changed unto whoso climbed up into the
+pear-tree. But his wife, feigning herself chagrined for the ill
+thought he had shown of her, said, 'Verily, this pear-tree shall never
+again, if I can help it, do me nor any other lady the like of this
+shame; wherefore do thou run, Pyrrhus, and fetch a hatchet and at one
+stroke avenge both thyself and me by cutting it down; albeit it were
+better yet lay it about Nicostratus his cosard, who, without any
+consideration, suffered the eyes of his understanding to be so quickly
+blinded, whenas, however certain that which thou[355] saidst might
+seem to those[356] which thou hast in thy head, thou shouldst for
+nought in the world in the judgment of thy mind have believed or
+allowed that such a thing could be.'
+
+[Footnote 355: This sudden change from the third to the second person,
+in speaking of Nicostratus, is a characteristic example of Boccaccio's
+constant abuse of the figure enallage in his dialogues.]
+
+[Footnote 356: _i.e._ those eyes.]
+
+Pyrrhus very readily fetched the hatchet and cut down the tree, which
+when the lady saw fallen, she said to Nicostratus, 'Since I see the
+enemy of mine honour overthrown, my anger is past,' and graciously
+forgave her husband, who besought her thereof, charging him that it
+should never again happen to him to presume such a thing of her, who
+loved him better than herself. Accordingly, the wretched husband, thus
+befooled, returned with her and her lover to the palace, where many a
+time thereafterward Pyrrhus took delight and pleasance more at ease of
+Lydia and she of him. God grant us as much!"
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     TWO SIENNESE LOVE A LADY, WHO IS GOSSIP TO ONE OF THEM; THE
+     LATTER DIETH AND RETURNING TO HIS COMPANION, ACCORDING TO
+     PROMISE MADE HIM, RELATETH TO HIM HOW FOLK FARE IN THE OTHER
+     WORLD
+
+
+It now rested only with the king to tell and he accordingly, as soon
+as he saw the ladies quieted, who lamented the cutting down of the
+unoffending pear-tree, began, "It is a very manifest thing that every
+just king should be the first to observe the laws made by him, and an
+he do otherwise, he must be adjudged a slave deserving of punishment
+and not a king, into which offence and under which reproach I, who am
+your king, am in a manner constrained to fall. True it is that
+yesterday I laid down the law for to-day's discourses, purposing not
+this day to make use of my privilege, but, submitting myself to the
+same obligation as you, to discourse of that whereof you have all
+discoursed. However, not only hath that story been told which I had
+thought to tell, but so many other and far finer things have been said
+upon the matter that, for my part, ransack my memory as I will, I can
+call nothing to mind and must avouch myself unable to say aught anent
+such a subject that may compare with those stories which have already
+been told. Wherefore, it behoving me transgress against the law made
+by myself, I declare myself in advance ready, as one deserving of
+punishment, to submit to any forfeit which may be imposed on me, and
+so have recourse to my wonted privilege. Accordingly, dearest ladies,
+I say that Elisa's story of Fra Rinaldo and his gossip and eke the
+simplicity of the Siennese have such efficacy that they induce me,
+letting be the cheats put upon foolish husbands by their wily wives,
+to tell you a slight story of them,[357] which though it have in it no
+little of that which must not be believed, will natheless in part, at
+least, be pleasing to hear.
+
+[Footnote 357: _i.e._ the Siennese.]
+
+There were, then, in Siena two young men of the people, whereof one
+was called Tingoccio Mini and the other Meuccio di Tura; they abode at
+Porta Salaja and consorted well nigh never save one with the other. To
+all appearance they loved each exceedingly and resorting, as men do,
+to churches and preachings, they had many a time heard tell of the
+happiness and of the misery that are, according to their deserts,
+allotted in the next world to the souls of those who die; of which
+things desiring to have certain news and finding no way thereto, they
+promised one another that whichever of them died first should, an he
+might, return to him who abode on life and give him tidings of that
+which he would fain know; and this they confirmed with an oath. Having
+come to this accord and companying still together, as hath been said,
+it chanced that Tingoccio became godfather to a child which one
+Ambruogio Anselmini, abiding at Campo Reggi, had had of his wife,
+Mistress Mita by name, and from time to time visiting, together with
+Meuccio, his gossip who was a very fair and lovesome lady, he became,
+notwithstanding the gossipship, enamoured of her. Meuccio, on like
+wise, hearing her mightily commended of his friend and being himself
+much pleased with her, fell in love with her, and each hid his love
+from the other, but not for one same reason. Tingoccio was careful not
+to discover it to Meuccio, on account of the naughty deed which
+himseemed he did to love his gossip and which he had been ashamed that
+any should know. Meuccio, on the other hand, kept himself
+therefrom,[358] for that he had already perceived that the lady
+pleased Tingoccio; whereupon he said in himself, 'If I discover this
+to him, he will wax jealous of me and being able, as her gossip, to
+bespeak her at his every pleasure, he will, inasmuch as he may, bring
+me in ill savour with her, and so I shall never have of her aught that
+may please me.'
+
+[Footnote 358: _i.e._ from discovering to his friend his liking for
+the lady.]
+
+Things being at this pass, it befell that Tingoccio, having more
+leisure of discovering his every desire to the lady, contrived with
+acts and words so to do that he had his will of her, of which Meuccio
+soon became aware and albeit it sore misliked him, yet, hoping some
+time or other to compass his desire, he feigned ignorance thereof, so
+Tingoccio might not have cause or occasion to do him an ill turn or
+hinder him in any of his affairs. The two friends loving thus, the one
+more happily than the other, it befell that Tingoccio, finding the
+soil of his gossip's demesne soft and eath to till, so delved and
+laboured there that there overcame him thereof a malady, which after
+some days waxed so heavy upon him that, being unable to brook it, he
+departed this life. The third day after his death (for that belike he
+had not before been able) he came by night, according to the promise
+made, into Meuccio's chamber and called the latter, who slept fast.
+Meuccio awoke and said, 'Who art thou?' Whereto he answered, 'I am
+Tingoccio, who, according to the promise which I made thee, am come
+back to thee to give thee news of the other world.'
+
+Meuccio was somewhat affrighted at seeing him; nevertheless, taking
+heart, 'Thou art welcome, brother mine,' quoth he, and presently asked
+him if he were lost. 'Things are lost that are not to be found,'
+replied Tingoccio; 'and how should I be here, if I were lost?'
+'Alack,' cried Meuccio, 'I say not so; nay, I ask thee if thou art
+among the damned souls in the avenging fire of hell.' Whereto quoth
+Tingoccio, 'As for that, no; but I am, notwithstanding, in very
+grievous and anguishful torment for the sins committed by me.' Meuccio
+then particularly enquired of him what punishments were awarded in the
+other world for each of the sins that folk use to commit here below,
+and he told him them all. After this Meuccio asked if there were aught
+he might do for him in this world, whereto Tingoccio replied that
+there was, to wit, that he should let say for him masses and orisons
+and do alms in his name, for that these things were mightily
+profitable to those who abode yonder. Meuccio said that he would well
+and Tingoccio offering to take leave of him, he remembered himself of
+the latter's amour with his gossip and raising his head, said, 'Now
+that I bethink me, Tingoccio, what punishment is given thee over
+yonder anent thy gossip, with whom thou layest, whenas thou wast here
+below?' 'Brother mine,' answered Tingoccio, 'whenas I came yonder,
+there was one who it seemed knew all my sins by heart and bade me
+betake myself to a certain place, where I bemoaned my offences in
+exceeding sore punishment and where I found many companions condemned
+to the same penance as myself. Being among them and remembering me of
+that which I had done whilere with my gossip, I looked for a much
+sorer punishment on account thereof than that which had presently been
+given me and went all shivering for fear, albeit I was in a great fire
+and an exceeding hot; which one who was by my side perceiving, he said
+to me, "What aileth thee more than all the others who are here that
+thou shiverest, being in the fire?" "Marry," said I, "my friend, I am
+sore in fear of the sentence I expect for a grievous sin I wrought
+aforetime." The other asked me what sin this was, and I answered, "It
+was that I lay with a gossip of mine, and that with such a vengeance
+that it cost me my life"; whereupon quoth he, making merry over my
+fear, "Go to, fool; have no fear. Here is no manner of account taken
+of gossips." Which when I heard, I was altogether reassured.' This
+said and the day drawing near, 'Meuccio,' quoth he, 'abide with God,
+for I may no longer be with thee,' and was suddenly gone. Meuccio,
+hearing that no account was taken of gossips in the world to come,
+began to make mock of his own simplicity, for that whiles he had
+spared several of them; wherefore, laying by his ignorance, he became
+wiser in that respect for the future. Which things if Fra Rinaldo had
+known, he had not needed to go a-syllogizing,[359] whenas he converted
+his good gossip to his pleasure."
+
+[Footnote 359: Or, in modern parlance, logic-chopping
+(_sillogizzando_).]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Zephyr was now arisen, for the sun that drew near unto the setting,
+when the king, having made an end of his story and there being none
+other left to tell, put off the crown from his own head and set it on
+that of Lauretta, saying, "Madam, with yourself[360] I crown you
+queen of our company; do you then, from this time forth, as sovereign
+lady, command that which you may deem shall be for the pleasure and
+solacement of all." This said, he reseated himself, whereupon
+Lauretta, become queen, let call the seneschal and bade him look that
+the tables be set in the pleasant valley somewhat earlier than of
+wont, so they might return to the palace at their leisure; after which
+she instructed him what he should do what while her sovranty lasted.
+Then, turning to the company, she said, "Dioneo willed yesterday that
+we should discourse to-day of the tricks that women play their
+husbands and but that I am loath to show myself of the tribe of
+snappish curs, which are fain incontinent to avenge themselves of any
+affront done them, I would say that to-morrow's discourse should be of
+the tricks that men play their wives. But, letting that be, I ordain
+that each bethink himself to tell OF THE TRICKS THAT ALL DAY LONG
+WOMEN PLAY MEN OR MEN WOMEN OR MEN ONE ANOTHER; and I doubt not but
+that in this[361] there will be no less of pleasant discourse than
+there hath been to-day." So saying, she rose to her feet and dismissed
+the company till supper-time.
+
+[Footnote 360: _i.e._ with that whereof you bear the name, _i.e._
+laurel (_laurea_).]
+
+[Footnote 361: Or "on this subject" (_in questo_).]
+
+Accordingly, they all, ladies and men alike, arose and some began to
+go barefoot through the clear water, whilst others went a-pleasuring
+upon the greensward among the straight and goodly trees. Dioneo and
+Fiammetta sang together a great while of Arcite and Palemon, and on
+this wise, taking various and divers delights, they passed the time
+with the utmost satisfaction until the hour of supper; which being
+come, they seated themselves at table beside the lakelet and there, to
+the song of a thousand birds, still refreshed by a gentle breeze, that
+came from the little hills around, and untroubled of any fly, they
+supped in peace and cheer. Then, the tables being removed and the sun
+being yet half-vespers[362] high, after they had gone awhile round
+about the pleasant valley, they wended their way again, even as it
+pleased their queen, with slow steps towards their wonted
+dwelling-place, and jesting and chattering a thousand things, as well
+of those whereof it had been that day discoursed as of others, they
+came near upon nightfall to the fair palace, where having with the
+coolest of wines and confections done away the fatigues of the little
+journey, they presently fell to dancing about the fair fountain,
+carolling[363] now to the sound of Tindaro's bagpipe and anon to that
+of other instruments. But, after awhile, the queen bade Filomena sing
+a song, whereupon she began thus:
+
+[Footnote 362: _Qućre_, "half-complines," _i.e._ half-past seven p.m.
+"Half-vespers" would be half-past four, which seems too early.]
+
+[Footnote 363: _Carolando_, _i.e._ dancing in a round and singing the
+while, the original meaning of our word "carol."]
+
+     Alack, my life forlorn!
+       Will't ever chance I may once more regain
+     Th' estate whence sorry fortune hath me torn?
+
+       Certes, I know not, such a wish of fire
+         I carry in my thought
+           To find me where, alas! I was whilere.
+       O dear my treasure, thou my sole desire,
+         That holdst my heart distraught.
+           Tell it me, thou; for whom I know nor dare
+           To ask it otherwhere.
+       Ah, dear my lord, oh, cause me hope again,
+     So I may comfort me my spright wayworn.
+
+       What was the charm I cannot rightly tell
+         That kindled in me such
+           A flame of love that rest nor day nor night
+       I find; for, by some strong unwonted spell,
+         Hearing and touch
+           And seeing each new fires in me did light,
+           Wherein I burn outright;
+       Nor other than thyself can soothe my pain
+     Nor call my senses back, by love o'erborne.
+
+       O tell me if and when, then, it shall be
+         That I shall find thee e'er
+           Whereas I kissed those eyes that did me slay.
+       O dear my good, my soul, ah, tell it me,
+         When thou wilt come back there,
+           And saying "Quickly," comfort my dismay
+           Somedele. Short be the stay
+       Until thou come, and long mayst thou remain!
+     I'm so love-struck, I reck not of men's scorn.
+
+       If once again I chance to hold thee aye,
+         I will not be so fond
+           As erst I was to suffer thee to fly;
+       Nay, fast I'll hold thee, hap of it what may,
+         And having thee in bond,
+           Of thy sweet mouth my lust I'll satisfy.
+           Now of nought else will I
+       Discourse. Quick, to thy bosom come me strain;
+     The sheer thought bids me sing like lark at morn.
+
+This song caused all the company conclude that a new and pleasing love
+held Filomena in bonds, and as by the words it appeared that she had
+tasted more thereof than sight alone, she was envied of this by
+certain who were there and who held her therefor so much the happier.
+But, after her song was ended, the queen, remembering her that the
+ensuing day was Friday, thus graciously bespoke all, "You know, noble
+ladies and you also, young men, that to-morrow is the day consecrated
+to the passion of our Lord, the which, an you remember aright, what
+time Neifile was queen, we celebrated devoutly and therein gave pause
+to our delightsome discoursements, and on like wise we did with the
+following Saturday. Wherefore, being minded to follow the good example
+given us by Neifile, I hold it seemly that to-morrow and the next day
+we abstain, even as we did a week agone, from our pleasant
+story-telling, recalling to memory that which on those days befell
+whilere for the salvation of our souls." The queen's pious speech was
+pleasing unto all and a good part of the night being now past, they
+all, dismissed by her, betook them to repose.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE SEVENTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Eighth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF LAURETTA IS DISCOURSED OF THE TRICKS THAT
+     ALL DAY LONG WOMEN PLAY MEN OR MEN WOMEN OR MEN ONE ANOTHER
+
+
+Already on the Sunday morning the rays of the rising light appeared on
+the summits of the higher mountains and every shadow having departed,
+things might manifestly be discerned, when the queen, arising with her
+company, went wandering first through the dewy grass and after,
+towards half-tierce,[364] visiting a little neighboring church, heard
+there divine service; then, returning home, they ate with mirth and
+joyance and after sang and danced awhile till the queen dismissed
+them, so whoso would might go rest himself. But, whenas the sun had
+passed the meridian, they all seated themselves, according as it
+pleased the queen, near the fair fountain, for the wonted
+story-telling, and Neifile, by her commandment, began thus:
+
+[Footnote 364: _i.e._ half-past seven a.m.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     GULFARDO BORROWETH OF GUASPARRUOLO CERTAIN MONIES, FOR WHICH
+     HE HATH AGREED WITH HIS WIFE THAT HE SHALL LIE WITH HER, AND
+     ACCORDINGLY GIVETH THEM TO HER; THEN, IN HER PRESENCE, HE
+     TELLETH GUASPARRUOLO THAT HE GAVE THEM TO HER, AND SHE
+     CONFESSETH IT TO BE TRUE
+
+
+"Since God hath so ordered it that I am to give a beginning to the
+present day's discourses, with my story, I am content, and therefore,
+lovesome ladies, seeing that much hath been said of the tricks played
+by women upon men, it is my pleasure to relate one played by a man
+upon a woman, not that I mean therein to blame that which the man did
+or to deny that it served the woman aright, nay, rather to commend the
+man and blame the woman and to show that men also know how to cozen
+those who put faith in them, even as themselves are cozened by those
+in whom they believe. Indeed, to speak more precisely, that whereof I
+have to tell should not be called cozenage; nay, it should rather be
+styled a just requital; for that, albeit a woman should still be
+virtuous and guard her chastity as her life nor on any account suffer
+herself be persuaded to sully it, yet, seeing that, by reason of our
+frailty, this is not always possible as fully as should be, I affirm
+that she who consenteth to her own dishonour for a price is worthy of
+the fire, whereas she who yieldeth for Love's sake, knowing his
+exceeding great puissance, meriteth forgiveness from a judge not too
+severe, even as, a few days agone, Filostrato showed it to have been
+observed towards Madam Filippa at Prato.
+
+There was, then, aforetime at Milan a German, by name Gulfardo, in the
+pay of the state, a stout fellow of his person and very loyal to those
+in whose service he engaged himself, which is seldom the case with
+Germans; and for that he was a very punctual repayer of such loans as
+were made him, he might always find many merchants ready to lend him
+any quantity of money at little usance. During his sojourn in Milan,
+he set his heart upon a very fair lady called Madam Ambruogia, the
+wife of a rich merchant, by name Guasparruolo Cagastraccio, who was
+much his acquaintance and friend, and loving her very discreetly, so
+that neither her husband nor any other suspected it, he sent one day
+to speak with her, praying her that it would please her vouchsafe him
+her favours and protesting that he, on his part, was ready to do
+whatsoever she should command him. The lady, after many parleys, came
+to this conclusion, that she was ready to do that which Gulfardo
+wished, provided two things should ensue thereof; one, that this
+should never be by him discovered to any and the other, that, as she
+had need of two hundred gold florins for some occasion of hers, he,
+who was a rich man, should give them to her; after which she would
+still be at his service.
+
+Gulfardo, hearing this and indignant at the sordidness of her whom he
+had accounted a lady of worth, was like to exchange his fervent love
+for hatred and thinking to cheat her, sent back to her, saying that he
+would very willingly do this and all else in his power that might
+please her and that therefore she should e'en send him word when she
+would have him go to her, for that he would carry her the money, nor
+should any ever hear aught of the matter, save a comrade of his in
+whom he trusted greatly and who still bore him company in whatsoever
+he did. The lady, or rather, I should say, the vile woman, hearing
+this, was well pleased and sent to him, saying that Guasparruolo her
+husband was to go to Genoa for his occasions a few days hence and that
+she would presently let him know of this and send for him. Meanwhile,
+Gulfardo, taking his opportunity, repaired to Guasparruolo and said to
+him, 'I have present occasion for two hundred gold florins, the which
+I would have thee lend me at that same usance whereat thou art wont to
+lend me other monies.' The other replied that he would well and
+straightway counted out to him the money.
+
+A few days thereafterward Guasparruolo went to Genoa, even as the
+lady had said, whereupon she sent to Gulfardo to come to her and
+bring the two hundred gold florins. Accordingly, he took his comrade
+and repaired to the lady's house, where finding her expecting him, the
+first thing he did was to put into her hands the two hundred gold
+florins, in his friend's presence, saying to her, 'Madam, take these
+monies and give them to your husband, whenas he shall be returned.'
+The lady took them, never guessing why he said thus, but supposing
+that he did it so his comrade should not perceive that he gave them to
+her by way of price, and answered, 'With all my heart; but I would
+fain see how many they are.' Accordingly, she turned them out upon the
+table and finding them full two hundred, laid them up, mighty content
+in herself; then, returning to Gulfardo and carrying him into her
+chamber, she satisfied him of her person not that night only, but many
+others before her husband returned from Genoa.
+
+As soon as the latter came back, Gulfardo, having spied out a time
+when he was in company with his wife, betook himself to him, together
+with his comrade aforesaid, and said to him, in the lady's presence,
+'Guasparruolo, I had no occasion for the monies, to wit, the two
+hundred gold florins, thou lentest me the other day, for that I could
+not compass the business for which I borrowed them. Accordingly, I
+brought them presently back to thy lady here and gave them to her;
+wherefore look thou cancel my account.' Guasparruolo, turning to his
+wife, asked her if she had the monies, and she, seeing the witness
+present, knew not how to deny, but said, 'Ay, I had them and had not
+yet remembered me to tell thee.' Whereupon quoth Guasparruolo,
+'Gulfardo, I am satisfied; get you gone and God go with you: I will
+settle your account aright.' Gulfardo gone, the lady, finding herself
+cozened, gave her husband the dishonourable price of her baseness; and
+on this wise the crafty lover enjoyed his sordid mistress without
+cost."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     THE PARISH PRIEST OF VARLUNGO LIETH WITH MISTRESS BELCOLORE
+     AND LEAVETH HER A CLOAK OF HIS IN PLEDGE; THEN, BORROWING A
+     MORTAR OF HER, HE SENDETH IT BACK TO HER, DEMANDING IN
+     RETURN THE CLOAK LEFT BY WAY OF TOKEN, WHICH THE GOOD WOMAN
+     GRUDGINGLY GIVETH HIM BACK
+
+
+Men and ladies alike commended that which Gulfardo had done to the
+sordid Milanese lady, and the queen, turning to Pamfilo, smilingly
+charged him follow on; whereupon quoth he, "Fair ladies, it occurreth
+to me to tell you a little story against those who continually offend
+against us, without being open to retaliation on our part, to wit, the
+clergy, who have proclaimed a crusade against our wives and who,
+whenas they avail to get one of the latter under them, conceive
+themselves to have gained forgiveness of fault and pardon of penalty
+no otherwise than as they had brought the Soldan bound from
+Alexandria to Avignon.[365] Whereof the wretched laymen cannot return
+them the like, albeit they wreak their ire upon the priests' mothers
+and sisters, doxies and daughters, assailing them with no less ardour
+than the former do their wives. Wherefore I purpose to recount to you
+a village love-affair, more laughable for its conclusion than long in
+words, wherefrom you may yet gather, by way of fruit, that priests are
+not always to be believed in everything.
+
+[Footnote 365: Where the papal court then was. See p. 257, note.]
+
+You must know, then, that there was once at Varlungo,--a village very
+near here, as each of you ladies either knoweth or may have heard,--a
+worthy priest and a lusty of his person in the service of the ladies,
+who, albeit he knew not overwell how to read, natheless regaled his
+parishioners with store of good and pious saws at the elmfoot on
+Sundays and visited their women, whenas they went abroad anywhither,
+more diligently than any priest who had been there aforetime, carrying
+them fairings and holy water and a stray candle-end or so, whiles even
+to their houses. Now it chanced that, among other his she-parishioners
+who were most to his liking, one pleased him over all, by name
+Mistress Belcolore, the wife of a husbandman who styled himself
+Bentivegna del Mazzo, a jolly, buxom country wench, brown-favoured and
+tight-made, as apt at turning the mill[366] as any woman alive.
+Moreover, it was she who knew how to play the tabret and sing 'The
+water runneth to the ravine' and lead up the haye and the round, when
+need was, with a fine muckender in her hand and a quaint, better than
+any woman of her neighbourhood; by reason of which things my lord
+priest became so sore enamoured of her that he was like to lose his
+wits therefor and would prowl about all day long to get a sight of
+her. Whenas he espied her in church of a Sunday morning, he would say
+a Kyrie and a Sanctus, studying to show himself a past master in
+descant, that it seemed as it were an ass a-braying; whereas, when he
+saw her not there, he passed that part of the service over lightly
+enough. But yet he made shift to do on such wise that neither
+Bentivegna nor any of his neighbours suspected aught; and the better
+to gain Mistress Belcolore's goodwill, he made her presents from time
+to time, sending her whiles a clove of garlic, which he had the finest
+of all the countryside in a garden he tilled with his own hands, and
+otherwhiles a punnet of peascods or a bunch of chives or scallions,
+and whenas he saw his opportunity, he would ogle her askance and cast
+a friendly gibe at her; but she, putting on the prude, made a show of
+not observing it and passed on with a demure air; wherefore my lord
+priest could not come by his will of her.
+
+[Footnote 366: Or, as La Fontaine would say, "aussi bien faite pour
+armer un lit."]
+
+It chanced one day that as he sauntered about the quarter on the
+stroke of noon, he encountered Bentivegna del Mazzo, driving an ass
+laden with gear, and accosting him, asked whither he went. 'Faith,
+sir,' answered the husbandman, 'to tell you the truth, I am going to
+town about a business of mine and am carrying these things to Squire
+Bonaccorri da Ginestreto, so he may help me in I know not what whereof
+the police-court judge hath summoned me by his proctor for a
+peremptory attendance.' The priest was rejoiced to hear this and
+said, 'Thou dost well, my son; go now with my benison and return
+speedily; and shouldst thou chance to see Lapuccio or Naldino, forget
+not to bid them bring me those straps they wot of for my flails.'
+Bentivegna answered that it should be done and went his way towards
+Florence, whereupon the priest bethought himself that now was his time
+to go try his luck with Belcolore. Accordingly, he let not the grass
+grow under his feet, but set off forthright and stayed not till he
+came to her house and entering in, said, 'God send us all well! Who is
+within there?' Belcolore, who was gone up into the hay-loft, hearing
+him, said, 'Marry, sir, you are welcome; but what do you gadding it
+abroad in this heat?' 'So God give me good luck,' answered he, 'I came
+to abide with thee awhile, for that I met thy man going to town.'
+
+Belcolore came down and taking a seat, fell to picking over
+cabbage-seed which her husband had threshed out a while before;
+whereupon quoth the priest to her, 'Well, Belcolore, wilt thou still
+cause me die for thee on this wise?' She laughed and answered, 'What
+is it I do to you?' Quoth he, 'Thou dost nought to me, but thou
+sufferest me not do to thee that which I would fain do and which God
+commandeth.' 'Alack!' cried Belcolore, 'Go to, go to. Do priests do
+such things?' 'Ay do we,' replied he, 'as well as other men; and why
+not? And I tell thee more, we do far and away better work and knowest
+thou why? Because we grind with a full head of water. But in good
+sooth it shall be shrewdly to thy profit, an thou wilt but abide quiet
+and let me do.' 'And what might this "shrewdly to my profit" be?'
+asked she. 'For all you priests are stingier than the devil.' Quoth
+he, 'I know not; ask thou. Wilt have a pair of shoes or a head-lace or
+a fine stammel waistband or what thou wilt?' 'Pshaw!' cried Belcolore.
+'I have enough and to spare of such things; but an you wish me so
+well, why do you not render me a service, and I will do what you
+will?' Quoth the priest, 'Say what thou wilt have of me, and I will do
+it willingly.' Then said she, 'Needs must I go to Florence, come
+Saturday, to carry back the wool I have spun and get my spinning-wheel
+mended; and an you will lend me five crowns, which I know you have by
+you, I can take my watchet gown out of pawn and my Sunday girdle[367]
+that I brought my husband, for you see I cannot go to church nor to
+any decent place, because I have them not; and after I will still do
+what you would have me.' 'So God give me a good year,' replied the
+priest, 'I have them not about me; but believe me, ere Saturday come,
+I will contrive that thou shalt have them, and that very willingly.'
+'Ay,' said Belcolore, 'you are all like this, great promisers, and
+after perform nothing to any. Think you to do with me as you did with
+Biliuzza, who went off with the ghittern-player?[368] Cock's faith,
+then, you shall not, for that she is turned a common drab only for
+that. If you have them not about you, go for them.' 'Alack,' cried the
+priest, 'put me not upon going all the way home. Thou seest that I
+have the luck just now to find thee alone, but maybe, when I return,
+there will be some one or other here to hinder us; and I know not when
+I shall find so good an opportunity again.' Quoth she, 'It is well; an
+you choose to go, go; if not, go without.'
+
+[Footnote 367: Or apron.]
+
+[Footnote 368: _Se n'andň col ceteratojo_; a proverbial expression of
+similar meaning to our "was whistled down the wind," _i.e._ was
+lightly dismissed without provision, like a cast-off hawk.]
+
+The priest, seeing that she was not in the humour to do his pleasure
+without a _salvum me fac_, whereas he would fain have done it _sine
+custodiâ_, said, 'Harkye, thou believest not that I will bring thee
+the money; but, so thou mayst credit me, I will leave thee this my
+blue-cloth cloak.' Belcolore raised her eyes and said, 'Eh what! That
+cloak? What is it worth?' 'Worth?' answered the priest. 'I would have
+thee know that it is cloth of Douay, nay, Threeay, and there be some
+of our folk here who hold it for Fouray.[369] It is scarce a fortnight
+since it cost me seven crowns of hard money to Lotto the broker, and
+according to what Buglietto telleth me (and thou knowest he is a judge
+of this kind of cloth), I had it good five shillings overcheap.'
+'Indeed!' quoth Belcolore. 'So God be mine aid, I had never thought
+it. But give it me first of all.' My lord priest, who had his arbalest
+ready cocked, pulled off the cloak and gave it her; and she, after she
+had laid it up, said, 'Come, sir, let us go into the barn, for no one
+ever cometh there.' And so they did. There the priest gave her the
+heartiest busses in the world and making her sib to God Almighty,[370]
+solaced himself with her a great while; after which he took leave of
+her and returned to the parsonage in his cassock, as it were he came
+from officiating at a wedding.
+
+[Footnote 369: A play of words upon the Italian equivalent of the
+French word Douay (_Duagio, i.e. Twoay, Treagio, Quattragio_) invented
+by the roguish priest to impose upon the simple goodwife.]
+
+[Footnote 370: Or in modern parlance, "making her a connection by
+marriage of etc.," Boccaccio feigning priests to be members of the
+Holy Family, by virtue of their office.]
+
+There, bethinking himself that all the candle-ends he got by way of
+offertory in all the year were not worth the half of five crowns,
+himseemed he had done ill and repenting him of having left the cloak,
+he fell to considering how he might have it again without cost. Being
+shrewd enough in a small way, he soon hit upon a device and it
+succeeded to his wish; for that on the morrow, it being a holiday, he
+sent a neighbour's lad of his to Mistress Belcolore's house, with a
+message praying her be pleased to lend him her stone mortar, for that
+Binguccio dal Poggio and Nuto Buglietti were to dine with him that
+morning and he had a mind to make sauce. She sent it to him and
+towards dinner-time, the priest, having spied out when Bentivegna and
+his wife were at meat together, called his clerk and said to him,
+'Carry this mortar back to Belcolore and say to her, 'His reverence
+biddeth you gramercy and prayeth you send him back the cloak that the
+boy left you by way of token.' The clerk accordingly repaired to her
+house and there, finding her at table with Bentivegna, set down the
+mortar and did the priest's errand. Belcolore, hearing require the
+cloak again, would have answered; but her husband said, with an angry
+air, 'Takest thou a pledge of his reverence? I vow to Christ, I have a
+mind to give thee a good clout over the head! Go, give it quickly back
+to him, pox take thee! And in future, let him ask what he will of
+ours, (ay, though he should seek our ass,) look that it be not denied
+him.' Belcolore rose, grumbling, and pulling the cloak out of the
+chest, gave it to the clerk, saying, 'Tell her reverence from me,
+Belcolore saith, she voweth to God you shall never again pound sauce
+in her mortar; you have done her no such fine honour of this bout.'
+
+The clerk made off with the cloak and did her message to the priest,
+who said, laughing, 'Tell her, when thou seest her, that, an she will
+not lend me her mortar, I will not lend her my pestle; and so we shall
+be quits.' Bentivegna concluded that his wife had said this, because
+he had chidden her, and took no heed thereof; but Belcolore bore the
+priest a grudge and held him at arm's length till vintage-time; when,
+he having threatened to cause her go into the mouth of Lucifer the
+great devil, for very fear she made her peace with him over must and
+roast chestnuts and they after made merry together time and again. In
+lieu of the five crowns, the priest let put new parchment to her
+tabret and string thereto a cast of hawk's bells, and with this she
+was fain to be content."
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     CALANDRINO, BRUNO AND BUFFALMACCO GO COASTING ALONG THE
+     MUGNONE IN SEARCH OF THE HELIOTROPE AND CALANDRINO THINKETH
+     TO HAVE FOUND IT. ACCORDINGLY HE RETURNETH HOME, LADEN WITH
+     STONES, AND HIS WIFE CHIDETH HIM; WHEREUPON, FLYING OUT INTO
+     A RAGE, HE BEATETH HER AND RECOUNTETH TO HIS COMPANIONS THAT
+     WHICH THEY KNOW BETTER THAN HE
+
+
+Pamfilo having made an end of his story, at which the ladies had
+laughed so much that they laugh yet, the queen bade Elisa follow on,
+who, still laughing, began, "I know not, charming ladies, if with a
+little story of mine, no less true than pleasant, I shall succeed in
+making you laugh as much as Pamfilo hath done with his; but I will do
+my endeavor thereof.
+
+In our city, then, which hath ever abounded in various fashions and
+strange folk, there was once, no great while since, a painter called
+Calandrino, a simple-witted man and of strange usances. He companied
+most of his time with other two painters, called the one Bruno and the
+other Buffalmacco, both very merry men, but otherwise well-advised and
+shrewd, who consorted with Calandrino for that they ofttimes had great
+diversion of his fashions and his simplicity. There was then also in
+Florence a young man of a mighty pleasant humor and marvellously
+adroit in all he had a mind to do, astute and plausible, who was
+called Maso del Saggio, and who, hearing certain traits of
+Calandrino's simplicity, determined to amuse himself at his expense
+by putting off some cheat on him or causing him believe some strange
+thing. He chanced one day to come upon him in the church of San
+Giovanni and seeing him intent upon the carved work and paintings of
+the pyx, which is upon the altar of the said church and which had then
+not long been placed there, he judged the place and time opportune for
+carrying his intent into execution. Accordingly, acquainting a friend
+of his with that which he purposed to do, they both drew near unto the
+place where Calandrino sat alone and feigning not to see him, fell
+a-discoursing together of the virtues of divers stones, whereof Maso
+spoke as authoritatively as if he had been a great and famous
+lapidary.
+
+Calandrino gave ear to their talk and presently, seeing that it was no
+secret, he rose to his feet and joined himself to them, to the no
+small satisfaction of Maso, who, pursuing his discourse, was asked by
+Calandrino where these wonder-working stones were to be found. Maso
+replied that the most of them were found in Berlinzone, a city of the
+Basques, in a country called Bengodi,[371] where the vines are tied up
+with sausages and a goose is to be had for a farthing[372] and a
+gosling into the bargain, and that there was a mountain all of grated
+Parmesan cheese, whereon abode folk who did nothing but make maccaroni
+and ravioli[373] and cook them in capon-broth, after which they threw
+them down thence and whoso got most thereof had most; and that hard by
+ran a rivulet of vernage,[374] the best ever was drunk, without a drop
+of water therein. 'Marry,' cried Calandrino, 'that were a fine
+country; but tell me, what is done with the capons that they boil for
+broth?' Quoth Maso, 'The Basques eat them all.' Then said Calandrino,
+'Wast thou ever there?' 'Was I ever there, quotha!' replied Maso. 'If
+I have been there once I have been there a thousand times.' 'And how
+many miles is it distant hence?' asked Calandrino; and Maso, 'How
+many? a million or more; you might count them all night and not know.'
+'Then,' said Calandrino, 'it must be farther off than the Abruzzi?'
+'Ay, indeed,' answered Maso; 'it is a trifle farther.'
+
+[Footnote 371: _i.e._ Good cheer.]
+
+[Footnote 372: A play upon the double meaning of _a denajo_, which
+signifies also "for money."]
+
+[Footnote 373: A kind of rissole made of eggs, sweet herbs and
+cheese.]
+
+[Footnote 374: _Vernaccia_, a kind of rich white wine like Malmsey.]
+
+Calandrino, like a simpleton as he was, hearing Maso tell all this
+with an assured air and without laughing, gave such credence thereto
+as can be given to whatsoever verity is most manifest and so, holding
+it for truth, said, 'That is overfar for my money; though, were it
+nearer, I tell thee aright I would go thither with thee once upon a
+time, if but to see the maccaroni come tumbling headlong down and take
+my fill thereof. But tell me, God keep thee merry, is there none of
+those wonder-working stones to be found in these parts?' 'Ay is
+there,' answered Maso; 'there be two kinds of stones of very great
+virtue found here; the first are the grits of Settignano and Montisci,
+by virtue whereof, when they are wrought into millstones, flour is
+made; wherefore it is said in those parts that grace cometh from God
+and millstones from Montisci; but there is such great plenty of these
+grits that they are as little prized with us as emeralds with the folk
+over yonder, where they have mountains of them bigger than Mount
+Morello, which shine in the middle of the night, I warrant thee. And
+thou must know that whoso should cause set fine and perfect
+millstones, before they are pierced, in rings and carry them to the
+Soldan might have for them what he would. The other is what we
+lapidaries call Heliotrope, a stone of exceeding great virtue, for
+that whoso hath it about him is not seen of any other person whereas
+he is not, what while he holdeth it.' Quoth Calandrino, 'These be
+indeed great virtues; but where is this second stone found?' To which
+Maso replied that it was commonly found in the Mugnone. 'What bigness
+is this stone,' asked Calandrino, 'and what is its colour?' Quoth
+Maso, 'It is of various sizes, some more and some less; but all are
+well nigh black of colour.'
+
+Calandrino noted all this in himself and feigning to have otherwhat to
+do, took leave of Maso, inwardly determined to go seek the stone in
+question, but bethought himself not to do it without the knowledge of
+Bruno and Buffalmacco, whom he most particularly affected. Accordingly
+he addressed himself to seek for them, so they might, without delay
+and before any else, set about the search, and spent all the rest of
+the morning seeking them. At last, when it was past none, he
+remembered him that they were awork in the Ladies' Convent at Faenza
+and leaving all his other business, he betook himself thither well
+nigh at a run, notwithstanding the great heat. As soon as he saw them,
+he called them and bespoke them thus: 'Comrades, an you will hearken
+to me, we may become the richest men in all Florence, for that I have
+learned from a man worthy of belief that in the Mugnone is to be found
+a stone, which whoso carrieth about him is not seen of any; wherefore
+meseemeth we were best go thither in quest thereof without delay, ere
+any forestall us. We shall certainly find it, for that I know it well,
+and when we have gotten it, what have we to do but put it in our poke
+and getting us to the moneychangers' tables, which you know stand
+still laden with groats and florins, take as much as we will thereof?
+None will see us, and so may we grow rich of a sudden, without having
+to smear walls all day long, snail-fashion.'
+
+Bruno and Buffalmacco, hearing this, fell a-laughing in their sleeves
+and eyeing each other askance, made a show of exceeding wonderment and
+praised Calandrino's counsel, but Bruno asked how the stone in
+question was called. Calandrino, who was a clod-pated fellow, had
+already forgotten the name, wherefore quoth he, 'What have we to do
+with the name, since we know the virtue of the stone? Meseemeth we
+were best go about the quest without more ado.' 'Well, then,' said
+Bruno, 'how is it fashioned?' 'It is of all fashions,' replied
+Calandrino; 'but all are well nigh black; wherefore meseemeth that
+what we have to do is to gather up all the black stones we see, till
+we happen upon the right. So let us lose no time, but get us gone.'
+Quoth Bruno, 'Wait awhile,' and turning to his comrade, said,
+'Methinketh Calandrino saith well; but meseemeth this is no season
+for the search, for that the sun is high and shineth full upon the
+Mugnone, where it hath dried all the stones, so that certain of those
+that be there appear presently white, which of a morning, ere the sun
+have dried them, show black; more by token that, to-day being a
+working day, there be many folk, on one occasion or another abroad
+along the banks, who, seeing us, may guess what we are about and maybe
+do likewise, whereby the stone may come to their hands and we shall
+have lost the trot for the amble. Meseemeth (an you be of the same way
+of thinking) that this is a business to be undertaken of a morning,
+whenas the black may be the better known from the white, and of a
+holiday, when there will be none there to see us.'
+
+Buffalmacco commended Bruno's counsel and Calandrino fell in
+therewith; wherefore they agreed to go seek for the stone all three on
+the following Sunday morning, and Calandrino besought them over all
+else not to say a word of the matter to any one alive, for that it had
+been imparted to him in confidence, and after told them that which he
+had heard tell of the land of Bengodi, affirming with an oath that it
+was as he said. As soon as he had taken his leave, the two others
+agreed with each other what they should do in the matter and
+Calandrino impatiently awaited the Sunday morning, which being come,
+he arose at break of day and called his friends, with whom he sallied
+forth of the city by the San Gallo gate and descending into the bed of
+the Mugnone, began to go searching down stream for the stone.
+Calandrino, as the eagerest of the three, went on before, skipping
+nimbly hither and thither, and whenever he espied any black stone, he
+pounced upon it and picking it up, thrust it into his bosom. His
+comrades followed after him picking up now one stone and now another;
+but Calandrino had not gone far before he had his bosom full of
+stones; wherefore, gathering up the skirts of his grown, which was not
+cut Flanders fashion,[375] he tucked them well into his surcingle all
+round and made an ample lap thereof. However, it was no great while
+ere he had filled it, and making a lap on like wise of his mantle,
+soon filled this also with stones. Presently, the two others seeing
+that he had gotten his load and that dinner-time drew nigh, quoth
+Bruno to Buffalmacco, in accordance with the plan concerted between
+them, 'Where is Calandrino?' Buffalmacco, who saw him hard by, turned
+about and looking now here and now there, answered, 'I know not; but
+he was before us but now.' 'But now, quotha!' cried Bruno. 'I warrant
+you he is presently at home at dinner and hath left us to play the
+fool here, seeking black stones down the Mugnone.' 'Egad,' rejoined
+Buffalmacco 'he hath done well to make mock of us and leave us here,
+since we were fools enough to credit him. Marry, who but we had been
+simple enough to believe that a stone of such virtue was to be found
+in the Mugnone?'
+
+[Footnote 375: _i.e._ not strait-cut.]
+
+Calandrino, hearing this, concluded that the heliotrope had fallen
+into his hands and that by virtue thereof they saw him not, albeit he
+was present with them, and rejoiced beyond measure at such a piece of
+good luck, answered them not a word, but determined to return;
+wherefore, turning back, he set off homeward. Buffalmacco, seeing
+this, said to Bruno, 'What shall we do? Why do we not get us gone?'
+Whereto Bruno answered, 'Let us begone; but I vow to God that
+Calandrino shall never again serve me thus, and were I presently near
+him as I have been all the morning, I would give him such a clout on
+the shins with this stone that he should have cause to remember this
+trick for maybe a month to come.' To say this and to let fly at
+Calandrino's shins with the stone were one and the same thing; and the
+latter, feeling the pain, lifted up his leg and began to puff and
+blow, but yet held his peace and fared on. Presently Buffalmacco took
+one of the flints he had picked up and said to Bruno, 'Look at this
+fine flint; here should go for Calandrino's loins!' So saying, he let
+fly and dealt him a sore rap in the small of the back with the stone.
+Brief, on this wise, now with one word and now with another, they went
+pelting him up the Mugnone till they came to the San Gallo gate, where
+they threw down the stones they had gathered and halted awhile at the
+custom house.
+
+The officers, forewarned by them, feigned not to see Calandrino and
+let him pass, laughing heartily at the jest, whilst he, without
+stopping, made straight for his house, which was near the Canto alla
+Macina, and fortune so far favoured the cheat that none accosted him,
+as he came up the stream and after through the city, as, indeed, he
+met with few, for that well nigh every one was at dinner. Accordingly,
+he reached his house, thus laden, and as chance would have it, his
+wife, a fair and virtuous lady, by name Mistress Tessa, was at the
+stairhead. Seeing him come and somewhat provoked at his long
+tarriance, she began to rail at him, saying, 'Devil take the man! Wilt
+thou never think to come home betimes? All the folk have already dined
+whenas thou comest back to dinner.' Calandrino, hearing this and
+finding that he was seen, was overwhelmed with chagrin and vexation
+and cried out, 'Alack, wicked woman that thou art, wast thou there?
+Thou hast undone me; but, by God His faith, I will pay thee therefor!'
+Therewithal he ran up to a little saloon he had and there disburdened
+himself of the mass of stones he had brought home; then, running in a
+fury at his wife, he laid hold of her by the hair and throwing her
+down at his feet, cuffed and kicked her in every part as long as he
+could wag his arms and legs, without leaving a hair on her head or a
+bone in her body that was not beaten to a mash, nor did it avail her
+aught to cry him mercy with clasped hands.
+
+Meanwhile Bruno and Buffalmacco, after laughing awhile with the
+keepers of the gate, proceeded with slow step to follow Calandrino
+afar off and presently coming to the door of his house, heard the
+cruel beating he was in act to give his wife; whereupon, making a show
+of having but then come back, they called Calandrino, who came to the
+window, all asweat and red with anger and vexation, and prayed them
+come up to him. Accordingly, they went up, making believe to be
+somewhat vexed, and seeing the room full of stones and the lady, all
+torn and dishevelled and black and blue in the face for bruises,
+weeping piteously in one corner of the room, whilst Calandrino sat in
+another, untrussed and panting like one forspent, eyed them awhile,
+then said, 'What is this, Calandrino? Art thou for building, that we
+see all these stones here? And Mistress Tessa, what aileth her? It
+seemeth thou hast beaten her. What is all this ado?' Calandrino,
+outwearied with the weight of the stones and the fury with which he
+had beaten his wife, no less than with chagrin for the luck which
+himseemed he had lost, could not muster breath to give them aught but
+broken words in reply; wherefore, as he delayed to answer, Buffalmacco
+went on, 'Harkye, Calandrino, whatever other cause for anger thou
+mightest have had, thou shouldst not have fooled us as thou hast done,
+in that, after thou hadst carried us off to seek with thee for the
+wonder-working stone, thou leftest us in the Mugnone, like a couple of
+gulls, and madest off home, without saying so much as God be with you
+or devil; the which we take exceeding ill; but assuredly this shall be
+the last trick thou shalt ever play us.'
+
+Therewithal, Calandrino enforcing himself,[376] answered, 'Comrades,
+be not angered; the case standeth otherwise than as you deem. I
+(unlucky wretch that I am!) had found the stone in question, and you
+shall hear if I tell truth. When first you questioned one another of
+me, I was less than half a score yards distant from you; but, seeing
+that you made off and saw me not, I went on before you and came back
+hither, still keeping a little in front of you.' Then, beginning from
+the beginning, he recounted to them all that they had said and done,
+first and last, and showed them how the stones had served his back and
+shins; after which, 'And I may tell you,' continued he, 'that, whenas
+I entered in at the gate, with all these stones about me which you see
+here, there was nothing said to me, albeit you know how vexatious and
+tiresome these gatekeepers use to be in wanting to see everything;
+more by token that I met by the way several of my friends and gossips,
+who are still wont to accost me and invite me to drink; but none of
+them said a word to me, no, nor half a word, as those who saw me not.
+At last, being come home hither, this accursed devil of a woman
+presented herself before me, for that, as you know, women cause
+everything lose its virtue, wherefore I, who might else have called
+myself the luckiest man in Florence, am become the most unlucky. For
+this I have beaten her as long as I could wag my fists and I know not
+what hindereth me from slitting her weasand, accursed be the hour when
+first I saw her and when she came to me in this house.' Then, flaming
+out into fresh anger, he offered to rise and beat her anew.
+
+[Footnote 376: _Sforzandosi_, _i.e._ recovering his wind with an
+effort.]
+
+Bruno and Buffalmacco, hearing all this, made believe to marvel
+exceedingly and often confirmed that which Calandrino said, albeit
+they had the while so great a mind to laugh that they were like to
+burst; but, seeing him start up in a rage to beat his wife again, they
+rose upon him and withheld him, avouching that the lady was nowise at
+fault, but that he had only himself to blame for that which had
+happened, since he knew that women caused things to lose their virtue
+and had not bidden her beware of appearing before him that day, and
+that God had bereft him of foresight to provide against this, either
+for that the adventure was not to be his or because he had had it in
+mind to cozen his comrades, to whom he should have discovered the
+matter, as soon as he perceived that he had found the stone. Brief,
+after many words, they made peace, not without much ado, between him
+and the woebegone lady and went their ways, leaving him disconsolate,
+with the house full of stones."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     THE RECTOR OF FIESOLE LOVETH A WIDOW LADY, BUT IS NOT LOVED
+     BY HER AND THINKING TO LIE WITH HER, LIETH WITH A
+     SERVING-WENCH OF HERS, WHILST THE LADY'S BROTHERS CAUSE THE
+     BISHOP FIND HIM IN THIS CASE
+
+
+Elisa being come to the end of her story, which she had related to the
+no small pleasure of all the company, the queen turned to Emilia, and
+signified to her her wish that she should follow after with her story,
+whereupon she promptly began thus: "I have not forgotten, noble
+ladies, that it hath already been shown, in sundry of the foregoing
+stories, how much we women are exposed to the importunities of the
+priests and friars and clergy of every kind; but, seeing that so much
+cannot be said thereof but that yet more will remain to say, I
+purpose, to boot, to tell you a story of a rector, who, maugre all the
+world, would e'en have a gentlewoman wish him well,[377] whether she
+would or not; whereupon she, like a very discreet woman as she was,
+used him as he deserved.
+
+[Footnote 377: _i.e._ love him, grant him her favours. See ante,
+passim.]
+
+As all of you know, Fiesole, whose hill we can see hence, was once a
+very great and ancient city, nor, albeit it is nowadays all undone,
+hath it ever ceased to be, as it is yet, the seat of a bishop. Near
+the cathedral church there a widow lady of noble birth, by name Madam
+Piccarda, had an estate, where, for that she was not overwell to do,
+she abode the most part of the year in a house of hers that was not
+very big, and with her, two brothers of hers, very courteous and
+worthy youths. It chanced that, the lady frequenting the cathedral
+church and being yet very young and fair and agreeable, the rector of
+the church became so sore enamoured of her that he could think of
+nothing else, and after awhile, making bold to discover his mind to
+her, he prayed her accept of his love and love him as he loved her.
+Now he was already old in years, but very young in wit, malapert and
+arrogant and presumptuous in the extreme, with manners and fashions
+full of conceit and ill grace, and withal so froward and
+ill-conditioned that there was none who wished him well; and if any
+had scant regard for him, it was the lady in question, who not only
+wished him no whit of good, but hated him worse than the megrims;
+wherefore, like a discreet woman as she was, she answered him, 'Sir,
+that you love me should be mighty pleasing to me, who am bound to love
+you and will gladly do so; but between your love and mine nothing
+unseemly should ever befall. You are my spiritual father and a priest
+and are presently well stricken in years, all which things should make
+you both modest and chaste; whilst I, on the other hand, am no girl,
+nor do these amorous toys beseem my present condition, for that I am a
+widow and you well know what discretion is required in widows;
+wherefore I pray you hold me excused, for that I shall never love you
+after the fashion whereof you require me; nor do I wish to be thus
+loved of you.'
+
+The rector could get of her no other answer for that time, but, nowise
+daunted or disheartened by the first rebuff, solicited her again and
+again with the most overweening importunity, both by letter and
+message, nay, even by word of mouth, whenas he saw her come into the
+church. Wherefor, herseeming that this was too great and too grievous
+an annoy, she cast about to rid herself of him after such a fashion as
+he deserved, since she could no otherwise, but would do nought ere she
+had taken counsel with her brothers. Accordingly, she acquainted them
+with the rector's behaviour towards her and that which she purposed to
+do, and having therein full license from them, went a few days after
+to the church, as was her wont. As soon as the rector saw her, he came
+up to her and with his usual assurance, accosted her familiarly. The
+lady received him with a cheerful countenance and withdrawing apart
+with him, after he had said many words to her in his wonted style, she
+heaved a great sigh and said, 'Sir, I have heard that there is no
+fortalice so strong but that, being every day assaulted, it cometh at
+last to be taken, and this I can very well see to have happened to
+myself; for that you have so closely beset me with soft words and with
+one complaisance and another, that you have made me break my resolve,
+and I am now disposed, since I please you thus, to consent to be
+yours.' 'Gramercy, madam,' answered the rector, overjoyed, 'to tell
+you the truth, I have often wondered how you could hold out so long,
+considering that never did the like betide me with any woman; nay, I
+have said whiles, "Were women of silver, they would not be worth a
+farthing, for that not one of them would stand the hammer." But let
+that pass for the present. When and where can we be together?' Whereto
+quoth the lady, 'Sweet my lord, as for the when, it may be what time
+soever most pleaseth us, for that I have no husband to whom it
+behoveth me render an account of my nights; but for the where I know
+not how to contrive.' 'How?' cried the priest. 'Why, in your house to
+be sure.' 'Sir,' answered the lady, 'you know I have two young
+brothers, who come and go about the house with their companions day
+and night, and my house is not overbig; wherefore it may not be there,
+except one chose to abide there mute-fashion, without saying a word or
+making the least sound, and be in the dark, after the manner of the
+blind. An you be content to do this, it might be, for they meddle not
+with my bedchamber; but their own is so close to mine that one cannot
+whisper the least word, without its being heard.' 'Madam,' answered
+the rector, 'this shall not hinder us for a night or two, against I
+bethink me where we may foregather more at ease.' Quoth she, 'Sir, let
+that rest with you; but of one thing I pray you, that this abide
+secret, so no word be ever known thereof.' 'Madam,' replied he, 'have
+no fear for that; but, an it may be, make shift that we shall
+foregather this evening.' 'With all my heart,' said the lady; and
+appointing him how and when he should come, she took leave of him and
+returned home.
+
+Now she had a serving-wench, who was not overyoung, but had the
+foulest and worst-favoured visnomy was ever seen; for she had a nose
+flattened sore, a mouth all awry, thick lips and great ill-set teeth;
+moreover, she inclined to squint, nor was ever without sore eyes, and
+had a green and yellow complexion, which gave her the air of having
+passed the summer not at Fiesole, but at Sinigaglia.[378] Besides all
+this, she was hipshot and a thought crooked on the right side. Her
+name was Ciuta, but, for that she had such a dog's visnomy of her own,
+she was called of every one Ciutazza;[379] and for all she was
+misshapen of her person, she was not without a spice of roguishness.
+The lady called her and said to her, 'Harkye, Ciutazza, an thou wilt
+do me a service this night. I will give thee a fine new shift.'
+Ciutazza, hearing speak of the shift, answered, 'Madam, so you give me
+a shift, I will cast myself into the fire, let alone otherwhat.'
+'Well, then,' said her mistress, 'I would have thee lie to-night with
+a man in my bed and load him with caresses, but take good care not to
+say a word, lest thou be heard by my brothers, who, as thou knowest,
+sleep in the next room; and after I will give thee the shift.' Quoth
+Ciutazza, 'With all my heart. I will lie with half a dozen men, if
+need be, let alone one.' Accordingly, at nightfall, my lord the rector
+made his appearance, according to agreement, whilst the two young men,
+by the lady's appointment, were in their bedchamber and took good care
+to make themselves heard; wherefore he entered the lady's chamber in
+silence and darkness and betook himself, as she had bidden him,
+straight to the bed, whither on her part came Ciutazza, who had been
+well lessoned by the lady of that which she had to do. My lord rector,
+thinking he had his mistress beside him, caught Ciutazza in his arms
+and fell to kissing her, without saying a word, and she him; whereupon
+he proceeded to solace himself with her, taking, as he thought,
+possession of the long-desired good.
+
+[Footnote 378: _i.e._ in the malaria district.]
+
+[Footnote 379: _i.e._ great ugly Ciuta.]
+
+The lady, having done this, charged her brothers carry the rest of the
+plot into execution, wherefore, stealing softly out of the chamber,
+they made for the great square and fortune was more favorable to them
+than they themselves asked in that which they had a mind to do,
+inasmuch as, the heat being great, the bishop had enquired for the two
+young gentlemen, so he might go a-pleasuring to their house and drink
+with them. But, seeing them coming, he acquainted them with his wish
+and returned with them to their house, where, entering a cool little
+courtyard of theirs, in which were many flambeaux alight, he drank
+with great pleasure of an excellent wine of theirs. When he had
+drunken, the young men said to him, 'My lord, since you have done us
+so much favour as to deign to visit this our poor house, whereto we
+came to invite you, we would have you be pleased to view a small
+matter with which we would fain show you.' The bishop answered that he
+would well; whereupon one of the young men, taking a lighted flambeau
+in his hand, made for the chamber where my lord rector lay with
+Ciutazza, followed by the bishop and all the rest. The rector, to
+arrive the quicklier at his journey's end, had hastened to take horse
+and had already ridden more than three miles before they came thither;
+wherefore, being somewhat weary, he had, notwithstanding the heat,
+fallen asleep with Ciutazza in his arms. Accordingly, when the young
+man entered the chamber, light in hand, and after him the bishop and
+all the others, he was shown to the prelate in this plight; whereupon
+he awoke and seeing the light and the folk about him, was sore abashed
+and hid his head for fear under the bed-clothes. The bishop gave him a
+sound rating and made him put out his head and see with whom he had
+lain; whereupon the rector, understanding the trick that had been
+played him of the lady, what with this and what with the disgrace
+himseemed he had gotten, became of a sudden the woefullest man that
+was aye. Then, having, by the bishop's commandment, reclad himself, he
+was despatched to his house under good guard, to suffer sore penance
+for the sin he had committed. The bishop presently enquiring how it
+came to pass that he had gone thither to lie with Ciutazza, the young
+men orderly related everything to him, which having heard, he greatly
+commended both the lady and her brothers for that, without choosing to
+imbrue their hands in the blood of a priest, they had entreated him as
+he deserved. As for the rector, he caused him bewail his offence forty
+days' space; but love and despite made him rue it for more than
+nine-and-forty,[380] more by token that, for a great while after, he
+could never go abroad but the children would point at him and say,
+'See, there is he who lay with Ciutazza'; the which was so sore an
+annoy to him that he was like to go mad therefor. On such wise did the
+worthy lady rid herself of the importunity of the malapert rector and
+Ciutazza gained the shift and a merry night."
+
+[Footnote 380: _Quarantanove_, a proverbial expression for an
+indefinite number.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     THREE YOUNG MEN PULL THE BREECHES OFF A MARCHEGAN JUDGE IN
+     FLORENCE, WHAT WHILE HE IS ON THE BENCH, ADMINISTERING
+     JUSTICE
+
+
+Emilia having made an end of her story and the widow lady having been
+commended of all, the queen looked to Filostrato and said, "It is now
+thy turn to tell." He answered promptly that he was ready and began,
+"Delightsome ladies, the mention by Elisa a little before of a certain
+young man, to wit, Maso del Saggio, hath caused me leave a story I
+purposed to tell you, so I may relate to you one of him and certain
+companions of his, which, if (albeit it is nowise unseemly) it offer
+certain expressions which you think shame to use, is natheless so
+laughable that I will e'en tell it.
+
+As you may all have heard, there come oftentimes to our city governors
+from the Marches of Ancona, who are commonly mean-spirited folk and so
+paltry and sordid of life that their every fashion seemeth nought
+other than a lousy cadger's trick; and of this innate paltriness and
+avarice, they bring with them judges and notaries, who seem men taken
+from the plough-tail or the cobbler's stall rather than from the
+schools of law. Now, one of these being come hither for Provost, among
+the many judges whom he brought with him was one who styled himself
+Messer Niccola da San Lepidio and who had more the air of a tinker
+than of aught else, and he was set with other judges to hear criminal
+causes. As it oft happeneth that, for all the townsfolk have nought in
+the world to do at the courts of law, yet bytimes they go thither, it
+befell that Maso del Saggio went thither one morning, in quest of a
+friend of his, and chancing to cast his eyes whereas this said Messer
+Niccola sat, himseemed that here was a rare outlandish kind of wild
+fowl. Accordingly, he went on to examine him from head to foot, and
+albeit he saw him with the miniver bonnet on his head all black with
+smoke and grease and a paltry inkhorn at his girdle, a gown longer
+than his mantle and store of other things all foreign to a man of good
+breeding and manners, yet of all these the most notable, to his
+thinking, was a pair of breeches, the backside whereof, as the judge
+sat, with his clothes standing open in front for straitness, he
+perceived came halfway down his legs. Thereupon, without tarrying
+longer to look upon him, he left him with whom he went seeking and
+beginning a new quest, presently found two comrades of his, called one
+Ribi and the other Matteuzzo, men much of the same mad humour as
+himself, and said to them, 'As you tender me, come with me to the law
+courts, for I wish to show you the rarest scarecrow you ever saw.'
+
+Accordingly, carrying them to the court house, he showed them the
+aforesaid judge and his breeches, whereat they fell a-laughing, as
+soon as they caught sight of him afar off; then, drawing nearer to the
+platform whereon my lord judge sat, they saw that one might lightly
+pass thereunder and that, moreover, the boards under his feet were so
+broken that one might with great ease thrust his hand and arm between
+them; whereupon quoth Maso to his comrades, 'Needs must we pull him
+off those breeches of his altogether, for that it may very well be
+done.' Each of the others had already seen how;[381] wherefore, having
+agreed among themselves what they should say and do, they returned
+thither next morning, when, the court being very full of folk,
+Matteuzzo, without being seen of any, crept under the bench and posted
+himself immediately beneath the judge's feet. Meanwhile, Maso came up
+to my lord judge on one side and taking him by the skirt of his gown,
+whilst Ribi did the like on the other side, began to say, 'My lord,
+my lord, I pray you for God's sake, ere yonder scurvy thief on the
+other side of you go elsewhere, make him restore me a pair of
+saddle-bags whereof he hath saith indeed he did it not; but I saw him,
+not a month ago, in act to have them resoled.' Ribi on his side cried
+out with all his might, 'Believe him not, my lord; he is an arrant
+knave, and for that he knoweth I am come to lay a complaint against
+him for a pair of saddle-bags whereof he hath robbed me, he cometh now
+with his story of the boothose, which I have had in my house this many
+a day. An you believe me not, I can bring you to witness my next-door
+neighbor Trecca and Grassa the tripewoman and one who goeth gathering
+the sweepings from Santa Masia at Verjaza, who saw him when he came
+back from the country.
+
+[Footnote 381: _i.e._ how they might do this.]
+
+Maso on the other hand suffered not Ribi to speak, but bawled his
+loudest, whereupon the other but shouted the more. The judge stood up
+and leaned towards them, so he might the better apprehend what they
+had to say, wherefore Matteuzzo, watching his opportunity, thrust his
+hand between the crack of the boards and laying hold of Messer
+Niccola's galligaskins by the breech, tugged at them amain. The
+breeches came down incontinent, for that the judge was lean and lank
+of the crupper; whereupon, feeling this and knowing not what it might
+be, he would have sat down again and pulled his skirts forward to
+cover himself; but Maso on the one side and Ribi on the other still
+held him fast and cried out, 'My lord, you do ill not to do me justice
+and to seek to avoid hearing me and get you gone otherwhere; there be
+no writs granted in this city for such small matters as this.' So
+saying, they held him fast by the clothes on such wise that all who
+were in the court perceived that his breeches had been pulled down.
+However, Matteuzzo, after he had held them awhile, let them go and
+coming forth from under the platform, made off out of the court and
+went his way without being seen; whereupon quoth Ribi, himseeming he
+had done enough, 'I vow to God I will appeal to the syndicate!' Whilst
+Maso, on his part, let go the mantle and said, 'Nay, I will e'en come
+hither again and again until such time as I find you not hindered as
+you seem to be this morning.' So saying, they both made off as
+quickliest they might, each on his own side, whilst my lord judge
+pulled up his breeches in every one's presence, as if he were arisen
+from sleep; then, perceiving how the case stood, he enquired whither
+they were gone who were at difference anent the boothose and the
+saddle-bags; but they were not to be found, whereupon he began to
+swear by Cock's bowels that need must he know and learn if it were the
+wont at Florence to pull down the judges' breeches, whenas they sat on
+the judicial bench. The Provost, on his part, hearing of this, made a
+great stir; but, his friends having shown him that this had only been
+done to give him notice that the Florentines right well understood
+how, whereas he should have brought judges, he had brought them sorry
+patches, to have them better cheap, he thought it best to hold his
+peace, and so the thing went no farther for the nonce."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     BRUNO AND BUFFALMACCO, HAVING STOLEN A PIG FROM CALANDRINO,
+     MAKE HIM TRY THE ORDEAL WITH GINGER BOLUSES AND SACK AND
+     GIVE HIM (INSTEAD OF THE GINGER) TWO DOG-BALLS COMPOUNDED
+     WITH ALOES, WHEREBY IT APPEARETH THAT HE HIMSELF HATH HAD
+     THE PIG AND THEY MAKE HIM PAY BLACKMAIL, AN HE WOULD NOT
+     HAVE THEM TELL HIS WIFE
+
+
+No sooner had Filostrato despatched his story, which had given rise to
+many a laugh, than the queen bade Filomena follow on, whereupon she
+began: "Gracious ladies, even as Filostrato was led by the mention of
+Maso to tell the story which you have just heard from him, so neither
+more nor less am I moved by that of Calandrino and his friends to tell
+you another of them, which methinketh will please you.
+
+Who Calandrino, Bruno and Buffalmacco were I need not explain to you,
+for that you have already heard it well enough; wherefore, to proceed
+with my story, I must tell you that Calandrino owned a little farm at
+no great distance from Florence, that he had had to his wife's dowry.
+From this farm, amongst other things that he got thence, he had every
+year a pig, and it was his wont still to betake himself thither, he
+and his wife, and kill the pig and have it salted on the spot. It
+chanced one year that, his wife being somewhat ailing, he went himself
+to kill the pig, which Bruno and Buffalmacco hearing and knowing that
+his wife was not gone to the farm with him, they repaired to a priest,
+very great friend of theirs and a neighbor of Calandrino, to sojourn
+some days with him. Now Calandrino had that very morning killed the
+pig and seeing them with the priest, called to them saying, 'You are
+welcome. I would fain have you see what a good husband[382] I am.'
+Then carrying them into the house, he showed them the pig, which they
+seeing to be a very fine one and understanding from Calandrino that he
+meant to salt it down for his family, 'Good lack,' quoth Bruno to him,
+'what a ninny thou art! Sell it and let us make merry with the price,
+and tell thy wife that it hath been stolen from thee.' 'Nay, answered
+Calandrino, 'she would never believe it and would drive me out of the
+house. Spare your pains, for I will never do it.' And many were the
+words, but they availed nothing.
+
+[Footnote 382: _i.e._ in the old sense of "manager" (_massajo_).]
+
+Calandrino invited them to supper, but with so ill a grace that they
+refused to sup there and took their leave of him; whereupon quoth
+Bruno and Buffalmacco, 'What sayest thou to stealing yonder pig from
+him to-night?' 'Marry,' replied the other, 'how can we do it?' Quoth
+Bruno, 'I can see how well enough, an he remove it not from where it
+was but now.' 'Then,' rejoined his companion, 'let us do it. Why
+should we not? And after we will make merry over it with the parson
+here.' The priest answered that he would well, and Bruno said, 'Here
+must some little art be used. Thou knowest, Buffalmacco, how
+niggardly Calandrino is and how gladly he drinketh when others pay;
+let us go and carry him to the tavern, where the priest shall make
+believe to pay the whole scot in our honor nor suffer him to pay
+aught. Calandrino will soon grow fuddled and then we can manage it
+lightly enough, for that he is alone in the house.' As he said, so
+they did and Calandrino seeing that the priest suffered none to pay,
+gave himself up to drinking and took in a good load, albeit it needed
+no great matter to make him drunk. It was pretty late at night when
+they left the tavern and Calandrino, without troubling himself about
+supper, went straight home, where, thinking to have shut the door, he
+left it open and betook himself to bed. Buffalmacco and Bruno went off
+to sup with the priest and after supper repaired quietly to
+Calandrino's house, carrying with them certain implements wherewithal
+to break in whereas Bruno had appointed it; but, finding the door
+open, they entered and unhooking the pig, carried it off to the
+priest's house, where they laid it up and betook themselves to sleep.
+
+On the morrow, Calandrino, having slept off the fumes of the wine,
+arose in the morning and going down, missed his pig and saw the door
+open; whereupon he questioned this one and that if they knew who had
+taken it and getting no news of it, began to make a great outcry,
+saying, 'Woe is me, miserable wretch that I am!' for that the pig had
+been stolen from him. As soon as Bruno and Buffalmacco were risen,
+they repaired to Calandrino's house, to hear what he would say anent
+the pig, and he no sooner saw them than he called out to them, well
+nigh weeping, and said, 'Woe's me, comrades mine; my pig hath been
+stolen from me!' Whereupon Bruno came up to him and said softly, 'It
+is a marvel that thou hast been wise for once.' 'Alack,' replied
+Calandrino, 'indeed I say sooth.' 'That's the thing to say,' quoth
+Bruno. 'Make a great outcry, so it may well appear that it is e'en as
+thou sayst.' Therewithal Calandrino bawled out yet loudlier, saying,
+'Cock's body, I tell thee it hath been stolen from me in good
+earnest!' 'Good, good,' replied Bruno; 'that's the way to speak; cry
+out lustily, make thyself well heard, so it may seem true.' Quoth
+Calandrino, 'Thou wouldst make me give my soul to the Fiend! I tell
+thee and thou believest me not. May I be strung up by the neck an it
+have not been stolen from me!' 'Good lack!' cried Bruno. 'How can that
+be? I saw it here but yesterday. Thinkest thou to make me believe that
+it hath flown away?' Quoth Calandrino, 'It is as I tell thee.' 'Good
+lack,' repeated Bruno, 'can it be?' 'Certes,' replied Calandrino, 'it
+is so, more by token that I am undone and know not how I shall return
+home. My wife will never believe me; or even if she do, I shall have
+no peace with her this year to come.' Quoth Bruno, 'So God save me,
+this is ill done, if it be true; but thou knowest, Calandrino, I
+lessoned thee yesterday to say thus and I would not have thee at once
+cozen thy wife and us.' Therewithal Calandrino fell to crying out and
+saying, 'Alack, why will you drive me to desperation and make me
+blaspheme God and the Saints? I tell you the pig was stolen from me
+yesternight.'
+
+Then said Buffalmacco, 'If it be so indeed, we must cast about for a
+means of having it again, an we may contrive it.' 'But what means,'
+asked Calandrino, 'can we find?' Quoth Buffalmacco, 'We may be sure
+that there hath come none from the Indies to rob thee of thy pig; the
+thief must have been some one of thy neighbors. An thou canst make
+shift to assemble them, I know how to work the ordeal by bread and
+cheese and we will presently see for certain who hath had it.' 'Ay,'
+put in Bruno, 'thou wouldst make a fine thing of bread and cheese with
+such gentry as we have about here, for one of them I am certain hath
+had the pig, and he would smoke the trap and would not come.' 'How,
+then, shall we do?' asked Buffalmacco, and Bruno said, 'We must e'en
+do it with ginger boluses and good vernage[383] and invite them to
+drink. They will suspect nothing and come, and the ginger boluses can
+be blessed even as the bread and cheese.' Quoth Buffalmacco, 'Indeed,
+thou sayst sooth. What sayst thou, Calandrino? Shall's do 't?' 'Nay,'
+replied the gull, 'I pray you thereof for the love of God; for, did I
+but know who hath had it, I should hold myself half consoled.' 'Marry,
+then,' said Bruno, 'I am ready to go to Florence, to oblige thee, for
+the things aforesaid, so thou wilt give me the money.' Now Calandrino
+had maybe forty shillings, which he gave him, and Bruno accordingly
+repaired to Florence to a friend of his, a druggist, of whom he bought
+a pound of fine ginger boluses and caused compound a couple of
+dogballs with fresh confect of hepatic aloes; after which he let cover
+these latter with sugar, like the others, and set thereon a privy mark
+by which he might very well know them, so he should not mistake them
+nor change them. Then, buying a flask of good vernage, he returned to
+Calandrino in the country and said to him, 'Do thou to-morrow morning
+invite those whom thou suspectest to drink with thee; it is a holiday
+and all will willingly come. Meanwhile, Buffalmacco and I will
+to-night make the conjuration over the pills and bring them to thee
+to-morrow morning at home; and for the love of thee I will administer
+them myself and do and say that which is to be said and done.'
+
+[Footnote 383: _i.e._ white wine, see p. 372, note.]
+
+Calandrino did as he said and assembled on the following morning a
+goodly company of such young Florentines as were presently about the
+village and of husbandmen; whereupon Bruno and Buffalmacco came with a
+box of pills and the flask of wine and made the folk stand in a ring.
+Then said Bruno, 'Gentlemen, needs must I tell you the reason
+wherefore you are here, so that, if aught betide that please you not,
+you may have no cause to complain of me. Calandrino here was robbed
+yesternight of a fine pig, nor can he find who hath had it; and for
+that none other than some one of us who are here can have stolen it
+from him, he proffereth each of you, that he may discover who hath had
+it, one of these pills to eat and a draught of wine. Now you must know
+that he who hath had the pig will not be able to swallow the pill;
+nay, it will seem to him more bitter than poison and he will spit it
+out; wherefore, rather than that shame be done him in the presence of
+so many, he were better tell it to the parson by way of confession and
+I will proceed no farther with this matter.'
+
+All who were there declared that they would willingly eat of the
+pills, whereupon Bruno ranged them in order and set Calandrino among
+them; then, beginning at one end of the line, he proceeded to give
+each his bolus, and whenas he came over against Calandrino, he took
+one of the dogballs and put it into his hand. Calandrino clapped it
+incontinent into his mouth and began to chew it; but no sooner did his
+tongue taste the aloes, than he spat it out again, being unable to
+brook the bitterness. Meanwhile, each was looking other in the face,
+to see who should spit out his bolus, and whilst Bruno, not having
+made an end of serving them out, went on to do so, feigning to pay no
+heed to Calandrino's doing, he heard say behind him, 'How now,
+Calandrino? What meaneth this?' Whereupon he turned suddenly round and
+seeing that Calandrino had spat out his bolus, said, 'Stay, maybe
+somewhat else hath caused him spit it out. Take another of them.'
+Then, taking the other dogball, he thrust it into Calandrino's mouth
+and went on to finish giving out the rest. If the first ball seemed
+bitter to Calandrino, the second was bitterer yet; but, being ashamed
+to spit it out, he kept it awhile in his mouth, chewing it and
+shedding tears that seemed hazel-nuts so big they were, till at last,
+unable to hold out longer, he cast it forth, like as he had the first.
+Meanwhile Buffalmacco and Bruno gave the company to drink, and all,
+seeing this, declared that Calandrino had certainly stolen the pig
+from himself; nay, there were those there who rated him roundly.
+
+After they were all gone, and the two rogues left alone with
+Calandrino, Buffalmacco said to him, 'I still had it for certain that
+it was thou tookst the pig thyself and wouldst fain make us believe
+that it had been stolen from thee, to escape giving us one poor while
+to drink of the monies thou hadst for it.' Calandrino, who was not yet
+quit of the bitter taste of the aloes, began to swear that he had not
+had it, and Buffalmacco said, 'But in good earnest, comrade, what
+gottest thou for it? Was it six florins?' Calandrino, hearing this,
+began to wax desperate, and Bruno said, 'Harkye, Calandrino, there was
+such an one in the company that ate and drank with us, who told me
+that thou hast a wench over yonder, whom thou keepest for thy pleasure
+and to whom thou givest whatsoever thou canst scrape together, and
+that he held it for certain that thou hadst sent her the pig. Thou
+hast learned of late to play pranks of this kind; thou carriedst us
+off t'other day down the Mugnone, picking up black stones, and whenas
+thou hadst gotten us aboard ship without biscuit,[384] thou madest off
+and wouldst after have us believe that thou hadst found the magic
+stone; and now on like wise thou thinkest, by dint of oaths, to make
+us believe that the pig, which thou hast given away or more like sold,
+hath been stolen from thee. But we are used to thy tricks and know
+them; thou shalt not avail to play us any more of them, and to be
+plain with thee, since we have been at pains to make the conjuration,
+we mean that thou shalt give us two pairs of capons; else will we
+tell Mistress Tessa everything.' Calandrino, seeing that he was not
+believed and himseeming he had had vexation enough, without having his
+wife's scolding into the bargain, gave them two pairs of capons, which
+they carried off to Florence, after they had salted the pig, leaving
+Calandrino to digest the loss and the flouting as best he might."
+
+[Footnote 384: _i.e._ embarked on a bootless quest.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     A SCHOLAR LOVETH A WIDOW LADY, WHO, BEING ENAMOURED OF
+     ANOTHER, CAUSETH HIM SPEND ONE WINTER'S NIGHT IN THE SNOW
+     AWAITING HER, AND HE AFTER CONTRIVETH, BY HIS SLEIGHT, TO
+     HAVE HER ABIDE NAKED, ALL ONE MID-JULY DAY, ON THE SUMMIT OF
+     A TOWER, EXPOSED TO FLIES AND GADS AND SUN
+
+
+The ladies laughed amain at the unhappy Calandrino and would have
+laughed yet more, but that it irked them to see him fleeced of the
+capons, to boot, by those who had already robbed him of the pig. But,
+as soon as the end of the story was come, the queen charged Pampinea
+tell hers, and she promptly began thus: "It chanceth oft, dearest
+ladies, that craft is put to scorn by craft and it is therefore a sign
+of little wit to delight in making mock of others. We have, for
+several stories, laughed amain at tricks that have been played upon
+folk and whereof no vengeance is recorded to have been taken; but I
+purpose now to cause you have some compassion of a just retribution
+wreaked upon a townswoman of ours, on whose head her own cheat
+recoiled and was retorted well nigh unto death; and the hearing of
+this will not be without profit unto you, for that henceforward you
+will the better keep yourselves from making mock of others, and in
+this you will show great good sense.
+
+Not many years ago there was in Florence, a young lady, by name Elena,
+fair of favour and haughty of humour, of very gentle lineage and
+endowed with sufficient abundance of the goods of fortune, who, being
+widowed of her husband, chose never to marry again, for that she was
+enamoured of a handsome and agreeable youth of her own choice, and
+with the aid of a maid of hers, in whom she put great trust, being
+quit of every other care, she often with marvellous delight gave
+herself a good time with him. In these days it chanced that a young
+gentleman of our city, by name Rinieri, having long studied in Paris,
+not for the sake of after selling his knowledge by retail, as many do,
+but to know the nature of things and their causes, the which
+excellently becometh a gentleman, returned thence to Florence and
+there lived citizen-fashion, much honoured as well for his nobility as
+for his learning. But, as it chanceth often that those, who have the
+most experience of things profound, are the soonest snared of love,
+even so it befell this Rinieri; for, having one day repaired, by way
+of diversion, to an entertainment, there presented herself before his
+eyes the aforesaid Elena, clad all in black, as our widows go, and
+full, to his judgment, of such beauty and pleasantness as himseemed he
+had never beheld in any other woman; and in his heart he deemed that
+he might call himself blest whom God should vouchsafe to hold her
+naked in his arms. Then, furtively considering her once and again and
+knowing that great things and precious were not to be acquired without
+travail, he altogether determined in himself to devote all his pains
+and all his diligence to the pleasing her, to the end that thereby he
+might gain her love and so avail to have his fill of her.
+
+The young lady, (who kept not her eyes fixed upon the nether world,
+but, conceiting herself as much and more than as much as she was,
+moved them artfully hither and thither, gazing all about, and was
+quick to note who delighted to look upon her,) soon became aware of
+Rinieri and said, laughing, in herself, 'I have not come hither in
+vain to-day; for, an I mistake not, I have caught a woodcock by the
+bill.' Accordingly, she fell to ogling him from time to time with the
+tail of her eye and studied, inasmuch as she might, to let him see
+that she took note of him, thinking that the more men she allured and
+ensnared with her charms, so much the more of price would her beauty
+be, especially to him on whom she had bestowed it, together with her
+love. The learned scholar, laying aside philosophical speculations,
+turned all his thoughts to her and thinking to please her, enquired
+where she lived and proceeded to pass to and fro before her house,
+colouring his comings and goings with various pretexts, whilst the
+lady, idly glorying in this, for the reason already set out, made
+believe to take great pleasure in seeing him. Accordingly, he found
+means to clap up an acquaintance with her maid and discovering to her
+his love, prayed her make interest for him with her mistress, so he
+might avail to have her favour. The maid promised freely and told the
+lady, who hearkened with the heartiest laughter in the world and said,
+'Seest thou where yonder man cometh to lose the wit he hath brought
+back from Paris? Marry, we will give him that which he goeth seeking.
+An he bespeak thee again, do thou tell him that I love him far more
+than he loveth me; but that it behoveth me look to mine honour, so I
+may hold up my head with the other ladies; whereof and he be as wise
+as folk say, he will hold me so much the dearer.' Alack, poor silly
+soul, she knew not aright, ladies mine, what it is to try conclusions
+with scholars. The maid went in search of Rinieri and finding him, did
+that which had been enjoined her of her mistress, whereat he was
+overjoyed and proceeded to use more urgent entreaties, writing letters
+and sending presents, all of which were accepted, but he got nothing
+but vague and general answers; and on this wise she held him in play a
+great while.
+
+At last, to show her lover, to whom she had discovered everything and
+who was whiles somewhat vexed with her for this and had conceived some
+jealousy of Rinieri, that he did wrong to suspect her thereof, she
+despatched to the scholar, now grown very pressing, her maid, who told
+him, on her mistress's part, that she had never yet had an opportunity
+to do aught that might pleasure him since he had certified her of his
+love, but that on the occasion of the festival of the Nativity she
+hoped to be able to be with him; wherefore, an it liked him, he was
+on the evening of the feast to come by night to her courtyard, whither
+she would go for him as first she might. At this the scholar was the
+gladdest man alive and betook himself at the appointed time to his
+mistress's house, where he was carried by the maid into a courtyard
+and being there locked in, proceeded to wait the lady's coming. The
+latter had that evening sent for her lover and after she had supped
+merrily with him, she told him that which she purposed to do that
+night, adding, 'And thou mayst see for thyself what and how great is
+the love I have borne and bear him of whom thou hast taken a
+jealousy.' The lover heard these words with great satisfaction and was
+impatient to see by the fact that which the lady gave him to
+understand with words.
+
+It had by chance snowed hard during the day and everything was covered
+with snow, wherefore the scholar had not long abidden in the courtyard
+before he began to feel colder than he could have wished; but, looking
+to recruit himself speedily, he was fain to endure it with patience.
+Presently, the lady said to her lover, 'Let us go look from a lattice
+what yonder fellow, of whom thou art waxed jealous, doth and hear what
+he shall answer the maid, whom I have sent to parley with him.'
+Accordingly, they betook themselves to a lattice and thence, seeing,
+without being seen, they heard the maid from another lattice bespeak
+the scholar and say, 'Rinieri, my lady is the woefullest woman that
+was aye, for that there is one of her brothers come hither to-night,
+who hath talked much with her and after must needs sup with her, nor
+is yet gone away; but methinketh he will soon be gone; wherefore she
+hath not been able to come to thee, but will soon come now and prayeth
+thee not to take the waiting in ill part.' Rinieri, believing this to
+be true, replied, 'Tell my lady to give herself no concern for me till
+such time as she can at her commodity come to me, but bid her do this
+as quickliest she may.' The maid turned back into the house and betook
+herself to bed, whilst the lady said to her gallant, 'Well, how sayst
+thou? Thinkest thou that, an I wished him such weal as thou fearest, I
+would suffer him stand a-freezing down yonder?' So saying, she betook
+herself to bed with her lover, who was now in part satisfied, and
+there they abode a great while in joyance and liesse, laughing and
+making mock of the wretched scholar, who fared to and fro the while in
+the courtyard, making shift to warm himself with exercise, nor had
+whereas he might seat himself or shelter from the night-damp. He
+cursed her brother's long stay with the lady and took everything he
+heard for the opening of a door to him by her, but hoped in vain.
+
+The lady, having solaced herself with her lover till near upon
+midnight, said to him, 'How deemest thou, my soul, of our scholar?
+Whether seemeth to thee the greater, his wit or the love I bear him?
+Will the cold which I presently cause him suffer do away from thy mind
+the doubts which my pleasantries aroused therein the other day?'
+Whereto he replied, 'Heart of my body, yes, I know right well that,
+like as thou art my good and my peace and my delight and all my hope,
+even so am I thine.' 'Then,' rejoined she, 'kiss me a thousand times,
+so I may see if thou say sooth.' Whereupon he clipped her fast in his
+arms and kissed her not a thousand, but more than an hundred thousand
+times. Then, after they had abidden awhile in such discourse, the lady
+said, 'Marry, let us arise a little and go see if the fire is anydele
+spent, wherein this my new lover wrote me that he burnt all day long.'
+Accordingly, they arose and getting them to the accustomed lattice,
+looked out into the courtyard, where they saw the scholar dancing a
+right merry jig on the snow, so fast and brisk that never had they
+seen the like, to the sound of the chattering of the teeth that he
+made for excess of cold; whereupon quoth the lady, 'How sayst thou,
+sweet my hope? Seemeth to thee that I know how to make folk jig it
+without sound of trump or bagpipe?' Whereto he answered, laughing, 'Ay
+dost thou, my chief delight.' Quoth the lady, 'I will that we go down
+to the door; thou shalt abide quiet, whilst I bespeak him, and we
+shall hear what he will say; belike we shall have no less diversion
+thereof than we had from seeing him.'
+
+Accordingly, they softly opened the chamber and stole down to the
+door, where, without opening it anydele, the lady called to the
+scholar in a low voice by a little hole that was there. Rinieri
+hearing himself called, praised God, taking it oversoon for granted
+that he was to be presently admitted, and coming up to the door, said,
+'Here am I, madam; open for God's sake, for I die of cold.' 'O ay,'
+replied the lady, 'I know thou art a chilly one; is then the cold so
+exceeding great, because, forsooth, there is a little snow about? I
+wot the nights are much colder in Paris. I cannot open to thee yet,
+for that accursed brother of mine, who came to sup with me to-night,
+is not yet gone; but he will soon begone and I will come incontinent
+to open to thee. I have but now very hardly stolen away from him, that
+I might come to exhort thee not to wax weary of waiting.' 'Alack,
+madam,' cried the scholar, 'I pray you for God's sake open to me, so I
+may abide within under cover, for that this little while past there is
+come on the thickest snow in the world and it yet snoweth, and I will
+wait for you as long as it shall please you.' 'Woe's me, sweet my
+treasure,' replied the lady, 'that cannot I; for this door maketh so
+great a noise, whenas it is opened, that it would lightly be heard of
+my brother, if I should open to thee; but I will go bid him begone, so
+I may after come back and open to thee.' 'Then go quickly,' rejoined
+he; 'and I prithee let make a good fire, so I may warm me as soon as I
+come in, for that I am grown so cold I can scarce feel myself.' Quoth
+the lady, 'That should not be possible, an that be true which thou
+hast many a time written me, to wit, that thou burnest for the love of
+me. Now, I must go, wait and be of good heart.' Then, with her lover,
+who had heard all this with the utmost pleasure, she went back to bed,
+and that night they slept little, nay, they spent it well nigh all in
+dalliance and delight and in making mock of Rinieri.
+
+Meanwhile, the unhappy scholar (now well nigh grown a stork, so sore
+did his teeth chatter,) perceiving at last that he was befooled,
+essayed again and again to open the door and sought an he might not
+avail to issue thence by another way; but, finding no means
+thereunto, he fell a-ranging to and fro like a lion, cursing the
+foulness of the weather and the lady's malignity and the length of the
+night, together with his own credulity; wherefore, being sore despited
+against his mistress, the long and ardent love he had borne her was
+suddenly changed to fierce and bitter hatred and he revolved in
+himself many and various things, so he might find a means of revenge,
+the which he now desired far more eagerly than he had before desired
+to be with the lady. At last, after much long tarriance, the night
+drew near unto day and the dawn began to appear; whereupon the maid,
+who had been lessoned by the lady, coming down, opened the courtyard
+door and feigning to have compassion of Rinieri, said, 'Bad luck may
+he have who came hither yestereve! He hath kept us all night upon
+thorns and hath caused thee freeze; but knowest thou what? Bear it
+with patience, for that which could not be to-night shall be another
+time. Indeed, I know nought could have happened that had been so
+displeasing to my lady.'
+
+The despiteful scholar, like a wise man as he was, who knew that
+threats are but arms for the threatened, locked up in his breast that
+which untempered will would fain have vented and said in a low voice,
+without anywise showing himself vexed, 'In truth I have had the worst
+night I ever had; but I have well apprehended that the lady is nowise
+to blame for this, inasmuch as she herself of her compassion for me,
+came down hither to excuse herself and to hearten me; and as thou
+sayest, that which hath not been to-night shall be another time.
+Commend me to her and God be with thee.' Therewithal, well nigh stark
+with cold, he made his way, as best he might, back to his house,
+where, being drowsed to death, he cast himself upon his bed to sleep
+and awoke well nigh crippled of his arms and legs; wherefore, sending
+for sundry physicians and acquainting them with the cold he had
+suffered, he caused take order for his cure. The leaches, plying him
+with prompt and very potent remedies, hardly, after some time, availed
+to recover him of the shrinking of the sinews and cause them relax;
+and but that he was young and that the warm season came on, he had
+overmuch to suffer. However, being restored to health and lustihead,
+he kept his hate to himself and feigned himself more than ever
+enamoured of his widow.
+
+Now it befell, after a certain space of time, that fortune furnished
+him with an occasion of satisfying his desire [for vengeance], for
+that the youth beloved of the widow being, without any regard for the
+love she bore him, fallen enamoured of another lady, would have nor
+little nor much to say to her nor do aught to pleasure her, wherefore
+she pined in tears and bitterness. But her maid, who had great
+compassion of her, finding no way of rousing her mistress from the
+chagrin into which the loss of her lover had cast her and seeing the
+scholar pass along the street, after the wonted manner, entered into a
+fond conceit, to wit, that the lady's lover might be brought by some
+necromantic operation or other to love her as he had been wont to do
+and that the scholar should be a past master in this manner of thing,
+and told her thought to her mistress. The latter, little wise, without
+considering that, had the scholar been acquainted with the black art,
+he would have practised it for himself, lent her mind to her maid's
+words and bade her forthright learn from him if he would do it and
+give him all assurance that, in requital thereof, she would do
+whatsoever pleased him. The maid did her errand well and diligently,
+which when the scholar heard, he was overjoyed and said in himself,
+'Praised be Thou, my God! The time is come when with Thine aid I may
+avail to make yonder wicked woman pay the penalty of the harm she did
+me in requital of the great love I bore her.' Then to the maid, 'Tell
+my lady,' quoth he, 'that she need be in no concern for this, for
+that, were her lover in the Indies, I would speedily cause him come to
+her and crave pardon of that which he hath done to displeasure her;
+but the means she must take to this end I purpose to impart to
+herself, when and where it shall most please her. So say to her and
+hearten her on my part.'
+
+The maid carried his answer to her mistress and it was agreed that
+they should foregather at Santa Lucia del Prato, whither, accordingly,
+the lady, and the scholar being come and speaking together alone, she,
+remembering her not that she had aforetime brought him well nigh to
+death's door, openly discovered to him her case and that which she
+desired and besought him to succour her. 'Madam,' answered he, 'it is
+true that amongst the other things I learned at Paris was necromancy,
+whereof for certain I know that which is extant thereof; but for that
+the thing is supremely displeasing unto God, I had sworn never to
+practise it either for myself or for others. Nevertheless, the love I
+bear you is of such potency that I know not how I may deny you aught
+that you would have me do; wherefore, though it should behove me for
+this alone go to the devil's stead, I am yet ready to do it, since it
+is your pleasure. But I must forewarn you that the thing is more
+uneath to do than you perchance imagine, especially whenas a woman
+would recall a man to loving her or a man a woman, for that this
+cannot be done save by the very person unto whom it pertaineth; and it
+behoveth that whoso doth it be of an assured mind, seeing it must be
+done anights and in solitary places without company; which things I
+know not how you are disposed to do.' The lady, more enamoured than
+discreet, replied, 'Love spurreth me on such wise that there is
+nothing I would not do to have again him who hath wrongfully forsaken
+me. Algates, an it please you, show me in what I must approve myself
+assured of mind.' 'Madam,' replied the scholar, who had a patch of ill
+hair to his tail,[385] 'I must make an image of pewter in his name
+whom you desire to get again, which whenas I shall send you, it will
+behove you seven times bathe yourself therewith, all naked, in a
+running stream, at the hour of the first sleep, what time the moon is
+far on the wane. Thereafter, naked as you are, you must get you up
+into a tree or to the top of some uninhabited house and turning to the
+north, with the image in your hand, seven times running say certain
+words which I shall give you written; which when you shall have done,
+there will come to you two of the fairest damsels you ever beheld, who
+will salute you and ask you courteously what you would have done. Do
+you well and throughly discover to them your desires and look it
+betide you not to name one for another. As soon as you have told them,
+they will depart and you may then come down to the place where you
+shall have left your clothes and re-clothe yourself and return home;
+and for certain, ere it be the middle of the ensuing night, your lover
+will come, weeping, to crave you pardon and mercy; and know that from
+that time forth he will never again leave you for any other.'
+
+[Footnote 385: A proverbial way of saying that he bore malice and was
+vindictive.]
+
+The lady, hearing all this and lending entire faith thereto, was half
+comforted, herseeming she already had her lover again in her arms, and
+said, 'Never fear; I will very well do these things, and I have
+therefor the finest commodity in the world; for I have, towards the
+upper end of the Val d'Arno, a farm, which is very near the
+river-bank, and it is now July, so that bathing will be pleasant; more
+by token that I mind me there is, not far from the stream, a little
+uninhabited tower, save that the shepherds climb up bytimes, by a
+ladder of chestnut-wood that is there, to a sollar at the top, to look
+for their strayed beasts: otherwise it is a very solitary
+out-of-the-way[386] place. Thither will I betake myself and there I
+hope to do that which you shall enjoin me the best in the world.' The
+scholar, who very well knew both the place and the tower mentioned by
+the lady, was rejoiced to be certified of her intent and said, 'Madam,
+I was never in these part and therefore know neither the farm nor the
+tower; but, an it be as you say, nothing in the world can be better.
+Wherefore, whenas it shall be time, I will send you the image and the
+conjuration; but I pray you instantly, whenas you shall have gotten
+your desire and shall know I have served you well, that you be mindful
+of me and remember to keep your promise to me.' She answered that she
+would without fail do it and taking leave of him, returned to her
+house; whilst the scholar, rejoiced for that himseemed his desire was
+like to have effect, made an image with certain talismanic characters
+of his own devising, and wrote a rigmarole of his fashion, by way of
+conjuration; the which, whenas it seemed to him time, he despatched to
+the lady and sent to tell her that she must that very night, without
+more tarriance, do that which he had enjoined her; after which he
+secretly betook himself, with a servant of his, to the house of one of
+his friends who abode very near the tower, so he might give effect to
+his design.
+
+[Footnote 386: Lit. out of hand (_fuor di mano_).]
+
+The lady, on her part, set out with her maid and repaired to her farm,
+where, as soon as the night was come, she made a show of going to bed
+and sent the maid away to sleep, but towards the hour of the first
+sleep, she issued quietly forth of the house and betook herself to the
+bank of the Arno hard by the tower, where, looking first well all
+about and seeing nor hearing any, she put off her clothes and hiding
+them under a bush, bathed seven times with the image; after which,
+naked as she was, she made for the tower, image in hand. The scholar,
+who had, at the coming on of the night, hidden himself with his
+servant among the willows and other trees near the tower and had
+witnessed all this, seeing her, as she passed thus naked close to
+him, overcome the darkness of the night with the whiteness of her body
+and after considering her breast and the other parts of her person and
+seeing them fair, bethought himself what they should become in a
+little while and felt some compassion of her; whilst, on the other
+hand, the pricks of the flesh assailed him of a sudden and caused that
+stand on end which erst lay prone, inciting him to issue forth of his
+ambush and go take her and do his will of her. Between the one and the
+other he was like to be overcome; but, calling to mind who he was and
+what the injury he had suffered and wherefore and at whose hands and
+he being thereby rekindled in despite and compassion and carnal
+appetite banished, he abode firm in his purpose and let her go.
+
+The lady, going up on to the tower and turning to the north, began to
+repeat the words given her by the scholar, who, coming quietly into
+the tower awhile after, little by little removed the ladder, which led
+to the sollar where she was, and after awaited that which she should
+do and say. Meanwhile, the lady, having seven times said her
+conjuration, began to look for the two damsels and so long was her
+waiting (more by token that she felt it cooler than she could have
+wished) that she saw the dawn appear; whereupon, woeful that it had
+not befallen as the scholar had told her, she said in herself, 'I fear
+me yonder man hath had a mind to give me a night such as that which I
+gave him; but, an that be his intent, he hath ill known to avenge
+himself, for that this night hath not been as long by a third as was
+his, forbye that the cold was of anothergates sort.' Then, so the day
+might not surprise her there, she proceeded to seek to go down from
+the tower, but found the ladder gone; whereupon her courage forsook
+her, as it were the world had failed beneath her feet, and she fell
+down aswoon upon the platform of the tower. As soon as her sense
+returned to her, she fell to weeping piteously and bemoaning herself,
+and perceiving but too well that this must have been the scholar's
+doing, she went on to blame herself for having affronted others and
+after for having overmuch trusted in him whom she had good reason to
+believe her enemy; and on this wise she abode a great while. Then,
+looking if there were no way of descending and seeing none, she fell
+again to her lamentation and gave herself up to bitter thought, saying
+in herself, 'Alas, unhappy woman! What will be said of thy brothers
+and kinsfolk and neighbours and generally of all the people of
+Florence, when it shall be known that thou has been found here naked?
+Thy repute, that hath hitherto been so great, will be known to have
+been false; and shouldst thou seek to frame lying excuses for thyself,
+(if indeed there are any to be found) the accursed scholar, who
+knoweth all thine affairs, will not suffer thee lie. Oh wretched
+woman, that wilt at one stroke have lost the youth so ill-fatedly
+beloved and thine own honour!'
+
+Therewithal she fell into such a passion of woe that she was like to
+cast herself down from the tower to the ground; but, the sun being now
+risen and she drawing near to one side of the walls of the tower, to
+look if any boy should pass with cattle, whom she might send for her
+maid, it chanced that the scholar, who had slept awhile at the foot
+of a bush, awaking, saw her and she him; whereupon quoth he to her,
+'Good day, madam; are the damsels come yet?' The lady, seeing and
+hearing him, began afresh to weep sore and besought him to come within
+the tower, so she might speak with him. In this he was courteous
+enough to comply with her and she laying herself prone on the platform
+and showing only her head at the opening, said, weeping, 'Assuredly,
+Rinieri, if I gave thee an ill night, thou hast well avenged thyself
+of me, for that, albeit it is July, I have thought to freeze this
+night, naked as I am, more by token that I have so sore bewept both
+the trick I put upon thee and mine own folly in believing thee that it
+is a wonder I have any eyes left in my head. Wherefore I entreat thee,
+not for the love of me, whom thou hast no call to love, but for the
+love of thyself, who are a gentleman, that thou be content, for
+vengeance of the injury I did thee, with that which thou hast already
+done and cause fetch me my clothes and suffer me come down hence, nor
+seek to take from me that which thou couldst not after restore me, an
+thou wouldst, to wit, my honour; for, if I took from thee the being
+with me that night, I can render thee many nights for that one,
+whenassoever it liketh thee. Let this, then, suffice and let it
+content thee, as a man of honour, to have availed to avenge thyself
+and to have caused me confess it. Seek not to use thy strength against
+a woman; no glory is it for an eagle to have overcome a dove,
+wherefore, for the love of God and thine own honour, have pity on me.'
+
+The scholar, with stern mind revolving in himself the injury suffered
+and seeing her weep and beseech, felt at once both pleasure and annoy;
+pleasure in the revenge which he had desired more than aught else, and
+annoy he felt, for that his humanity moved him to compassion of the
+unhappy woman. However, humanity availing not to overcome the
+fierceness of his appetite [for vengeance], 'Madam Elena,' answered
+he, 'if my prayers (which, it is true, I knew not to bathe with tears
+nor to make honeyed, as thou presently knowest to proffer thine,) had
+availed, the night when I was dying of cold in thy snow-filled
+courtyard, to procure me to be put of thee but a little under cover,
+it were a light matter to me to hearken now unto thine; but, if thou
+be presently so much more concerned for thine honour than in the past
+and it be grievous to thee to abide up there naked, address these thy
+prayers to him in whose arms thou didst not scruple, that night which
+thou thyself recallest, to abide naked, hearing me the while go about
+thy courtyard, chattering with my teeth and trampling the snow, and
+get thee succour of him; cause him fetch thee thy clothes and set thee
+the ladder, whereby thou mayest descend, and study to inform him with
+tenderness for thine honour, the which thou hast not scrupled both now
+and a thousand other times to imperil for him. Why dost thou not call
+him to come help thee? To whom pertaineth it more than unto him? Thou
+art his; and what should he regard or succour, an he regard not
+neither succour thee? Call him, silly woman that thou art, and prove
+if the love thou bearest him and thy wits and his together can avail
+to deliver thee from my folly, whereof, dallying with him the while,
+thou questionedst aforetime whether himseemed the greater, my folly or
+the love thou borest him.[387] Thou canst not now be lavish to me of
+that which I desire not, nor couldst thou deny it to me, an I desired
+it; keep thy nights for thy lover, an it chance that thou come off
+hence alive; be they thine and his. I had overmuch of one of them and
+it sufficeth me to have been once befooled. Again, using thy craft and
+wiliness in speech, thou studiest, by extolling me, to gain my
+goodwill and callest me a gentleman and a man of honour, thinking thus
+to cajole me into playing the magnanimous and forebearing to punish
+thee for thy wickedness; but thy blandishments shall not now darken me
+the eyes of the understanding, as did thy disloyal promises whilere. I
+know myself, nor did I learn so much of myself what while I sojourned
+at Paris as thou taughtest me in one single night of thine. But,
+granted I were indeed magnanimous, thou art none of those towards whom
+magnanimity should be shown; the issue of punishment, as likewise of
+vengeance, in the case of wild beasts such as thou art, behoveth to be
+death, whereas for human beings that should suffice whereof thou
+speakest. Wherefore, albeit I am no eagle, knowing thee to be no dove,
+but a venomous serpent, I mean to pursue thee, as an immemorial enemy,
+with every hate and all my might, albeit this that I do to thee can
+scarce properly be styled vengeance, but rather chastisement, inasmuch
+as vengeance should overpass the offence and this will not attain
+thereto; for that, an I sought to avenge myself, considering to what a
+pass thou broughtest my soul, thy life, should I take it from thee,
+would not suffice me, no, nor the lives of an hundred others such as
+thou, since, slaying thee, I should but slay a vile, wicked and
+worthless trull of a woman. And what a devil more account (setting
+aside this thy scantling of fair favour,[388] which a few years will
+mar, filling it with wrinkles,) art thou than whatsoever other sorry
+serving-drab? Whereas it was no fault of thine that thou failedst of
+causing the death of a man of honour, as thou styledst me but now,
+whose life may yet in one day be of more service to the world than an
+hundred thousand of thy like could be what while the world endureth. I
+will teach thee, then, by means of this annoy that thou sufferest,
+what it is to flout men of sense, and particularly scholars, and will
+give thee cause never more, an thou comest off alive, to fall into
+such a folly. But, an thou have so great a wish to descend, why dost
+thou not cast thyself down? On this wise, with God's help, thou wilt,
+by breaking thy neck, at once deliver thyself from the torment,
+wherein it seemeth to thee thou art, and make me the joyfullest man in
+the world. Now, I have no more to say to thee. I knew to contrive on
+such wise that I caused thee go up thither; do thou now contrive to
+come down thence, even as thou knewest to befool me.'
+
+[Footnote 387: Boccaccio here misquotes himself. See p. 389, where the
+lady says to her lover, "Whether seemeth to thee the greater, his wit
+or the love I bear him?" This is only one of the numberless instances
+of negligence and inconsistency which occur in the Decameron and which
+make it evident to the student that it must have passed into the hands
+of the public without the final revision and correction by the author,
+that _limć labor_ without which no book is complete and which is
+especially necessary in the case of such a work as the present, where
+Boccaccio figures as the virtual creator of Italian prose.]
+
+[Footnote 388: Lit. face, aspect (_viso_).]
+
+What while the scholar spoke thus, the wretched lady wept without
+ceasing and the time lapsed by, the sun still rising high and higher;
+but, when she saw that he was silent, she said, 'Alack, cruel man, if
+the accursed night was so grievous to thee and if my default seem to
+thee so heinous a thing that neither my young beauty nor my bitter
+tears and humble prayers may avail to move thee to any pity, at least
+let this act of mine alone some little move thee and abate the rigour
+of thy rancour, to wit, that I but now trusted in thee and discovered
+to thee mine every secret, opening withal to thy desire a way whereby
+thou mightest avail to make me cognizant of my sin; more by token
+that, except I had trusted in thee, thou hadst had no means of
+availing to take of me that vengeance, which thou seemest to have so
+ardently desired. For God's sake, leave thine anger and pardon me
+henceforth; I am ready, so thou wilt but forgive me and bring me down
+hence, altogether to renounce yonder faithless youth and to have thee
+alone to lover and lord, albeit thou decriest my beauty, avouching it
+short-lived and little worth; natheless, whatever it be, compared with
+that of other women, yet this I know, that, if for nought else, it is
+to be prized for that it is the desire and pastime and delight of
+men's youth, and thou art not old. And albeit I am cruelly entreated
+of thee, I cannot believe withal that thou wouldst fain see me die so
+unseemly a death as were the casting myself down from this tower, as
+in desperation, before thine eyes, wherein, an thou was not a liar as
+thou are since become, I was erst so pleasing. Alack, have ruth on me
+for God's sake and pity's! The sun beginneth to wax hot, and like as
+the overmuch cold irked me this night, even so doth the heat begin to
+do me sore annoy.'
+
+The scholar, who held her in parley for his diversion, answered,
+'Madam, thou hast not presently trusted thine honour in my hands for
+any love that thou borest me, but to regain him whom thou hast lost,
+wherefore it meriteth but greater severity, and if thou think that
+this way alone was apt and opportune unto the vengeance desired of me,
+thou thinkest foolishly; I had a thousand others; nay, whilst feigning
+to love thee, I had spread a thousand snares about thy feet, and it
+would not have been long, had this not chanced, ere thou must of
+necessity have fallen into one of them, nor couldst thou have fallen
+into any but it had caused thee greater torment and shame than this
+present, the which I took, not to ease thee, but to be the quicklier
+satisfied. And though all else should have failed me, the pen had
+still been left me, wherewithal I would have written such and so many
+things of thee and after such a fashion that, whenas thou camest (as
+thou wouldst have come) to know of them, thou wouldst a thousand times
+a day have wished thyself never born. The power of the pen is far
+greater than they imagine who have not proved it with experience. I
+swear to God (so may He gladden me to the end of this vengeance that I
+take of thee, even as He hath made me glad thereof in the beginning!)
+that I would have written such things of thee, that, being ashamed,
+not to say before other folk, but before thine own self, thou shouldst
+have put out thine own eyes, not to see thyself in the glass;
+wherefore let not the little rivulet twit the sea with having caused
+it wax. Of thy love or that thou be mine, I reck not, as I have
+already said, a jot; be thou e'en his, an thou may, whose thou wast
+erst and whom, as I once hated, so at this present I love, having
+regard unto that which he hath wrought towards thee of late. You women
+go falling enamoured of young springalds and covet their love, for
+that you see them somewhat fresher of colour and blacker of beard and
+they go erect and jaunty and dance and joust, all which things they
+have had who are somewhat more in years, ay, and these know that which
+those have yet to learn. Moreover, you hold them better cavaliers and
+deem that they fare more miles in a day than men of riper age. Certes,
+I confess that they jumble a wench's furbelows more briskly; but those
+more in years, being men of experience, know better where the fleas
+stick, and little meat and savoury is far and away rather to be chosen
+than much and insipid, more by token that hard trotting undoth and
+wearieth folk, how young soever they be, whereas easy going, though
+belike it bring one somewhat later to the inn, at the least carrieth
+him thither unfatigued. You women perceive not, animals without
+understanding that you are, how much ill lieth hid under this
+scantling of fair seeming. Young fellows are not content with one
+woman; nay, as many as they see, so many do they covet and of so many
+themseemeth they are worthy; wherefore their love cannot be stable,
+and of this thou mayst presently of thine own experience bear very
+true witness. Themseemeth they are worthy to be worshipped and
+caressed of their mistresses and they have no greater glory than to
+vaunt them of those whom they have had; the which default of theirs
+hath aforetime cast many a woman into the arms of the monks, who tell
+no tales. Albeit thou sayst that never did any know of thine amours,
+save thy maid and myself, thou knowest it ill and believest awry, an
+thou think thus. His[389] quarter talketh well nigh of nothing else,
+and thine likewise; but most times the last to whose ears such things
+come is he to whom they pertain. Young men, to boot, despoil you,
+whereas it is given you[390] of men of riper years. Since, then, thou
+hast ill chosen, be thou his to whom thou gavest thyself and leave me,
+of whom thou madest mock, to others, for that I have found a mistress
+of much more account than thou, who hath been wise enough to know me
+better than thou didst. And that thou mayst carry into the other world
+greater assurance of the desire of mine eyes than meseemeth thou
+gatherest from my words, do but cast thyself down forthright and thy
+soul, being, as I doubt not it will be, straightway received into the
+arms of the devil, will be able to see if mine eyes be troubled or not
+at seeing thee fall headlong. But, as medoubteth thou wilt not consent
+to do me so much pleasure, I counsel thee, if the sun begin to scorch
+thee, remember thee of the cold thou madest me suffer, which an thou
+mingle with the heat aforesaid, thou wilt without fail feel the sun
+attempered.'
+
+[Footnote 389: _i.e._ thy lover's.]
+
+[Footnote 390: _V'č donato_, _i.e._ young lovers look to receive gifts
+of their mistresses, whilst those of more mature age bestow them.]
+
+The disconsolate lady, seeing that the scholar's words tended to a
+cruel end, fell again to weeping and said, 'Harkye, since nothing I
+can say availeth to move thee to pity of me, let the love move thee,
+which thou bearest that lady whom thou hast found wiser than I and of
+whom thou sayst thou art beloved, and for the love of her pardon me
+and fetch me my clothes, so I may dress myself, and cause me descend
+hence.' Therewith the scholar began to laugh and seeing that tierce
+was now passed by a good hour, replied, 'Marry, I know not how to say
+thee nay, since thou conjurest me by such a lady; tell me where thy
+clothes are and I will go for them and help thee come down from up
+yonder.' The lady, believing this, was somewhat comforted and showed
+him where she had laid her clothes; whereupon he went forth of the
+tower and bidding his servant not depart thence, but abide near at
+hand and watch as most he might that none should enter there till such
+time as he should return, went off to his friend's house, where he
+dined at his ease and after, whenas himseemed time, betook himself to
+sleep; whilst the lady, left upon the tower, albeit some little
+heartened with fond hope, natheless beyond measure woebegone, sat up
+and creeping close to that part of the wall where there was a little
+shade, fell a-waiting, in company of very bitter thoughts. There she
+abode, now hoping and now despairing of the scholar's return with her
+clothes, and passing from one thought to another, she presently fell
+asleep, as one who was overcome of dolour and who had slept no whit
+the past night.
+
+The sun, which was exceeding hot, being now risen to the meridian,
+beat full and straight upon her tender and delicate body and upon her
+head, which was all uncovered, with such force that not only did it
+burn her flesh, wherever it touched it, but cracked and opened it all
+over little by little, and such was the pain of the burning that it
+constrained her to awake, albeit she slept fast. Feeling herself on
+the roast and moving somewhat, it seemed as if all her scorched skin
+cracked and clove asunder for the motion, as we see happen with a
+scorched sheepskin, if any stretch it, and to boot her head irked her
+so sore that it seemed it would burst, which was no wonder. And the
+platform of the tower was so burning hot that she could find no
+restingplace there either for her feet or for otherwhat; wherefore,
+without standing fast, she still removed now hither and now thither,
+weeping. Moreover, there being not a breath of wind, the flies and
+gads flocked thither in swarms and settling upon her cracked flesh,
+stung her so cruelly that each prick seemed to her a pike-stab;
+wherefore she stinted not to fling her hands about, still cursing
+herself, her life, her lover and the scholar.
+
+Being thus by the inexpressible heat of the sun, by the flies and the
+gads and likewise by hunger, but much more by thirst, and by a
+thousand irksome thoughts, to boot, tortured and stung and pierced to
+the quick, she started to her feet and addressed herself to look if
+she might see or hear any one near at hand, resolved, whatever might
+betide thereof, to call him and crave aid. But of this resource also
+had her unfriendly fortune deprived her. The husbandmen were all
+departed from the fields for the heat, more by token that none had
+come that day to work therenigh, they being all engaged in threshing
+out their sheaves beside their houses; wherefore she heard nought but
+crickets and saw the Arno, which latter sight, provoking in her desire
+of its waters, abated not her thirst, but rather increased it. In
+several places also she saw thickets and shady places and houses here
+and there, which were all alike to her an anguish for desire of them.
+What more shall we say of the ill-starred lady? The sun overhead and
+the heat of the platform underfoot and the stings of the flies and
+gads on every side had so entreated her that, whereas with her
+whiteness she had overcome the darkness of the foregoing night, she
+was presently grown red as ruddle,[391] and all bescabbed as she was
+with blood, had seemed to whoso saw her the foulest thing in the
+world.
+
+[Footnote 391: Lit. red as rabies (_rabbia_). Some commentators
+suppose that Boccaccio meant to write _robbia_, madder.]
+
+As she abode on this wise, without aught of hope or counsel,[392]
+expecting death more than otherwhat, it being now past half none, the
+scholar, arising from sleep and remembering him of his mistress,
+returned to the tower, to see what was come of her, and sent his
+servant, who was yet fasting, to eat. The lady, hearing him, came, all
+weak and anguishful as she was for the grievous annoy she had
+suffered, overagainst the trap-door and seating herself there, began,
+weeping, to say, 'Indeed, Rinieri, thou hast beyond measure avenged
+thyself, for, if I made thee freeze in my courtyard by night, thou
+hast made me roast, nay burn, on this tower by day and die of hunger
+and thirst to boot; wherefore I pray thee by the One only God that
+thou come up hither and since my heart suffereth me not give myself
+death with mine own hands, give it me thou, for that I desire it more
+than aught else, such and so great are the torments I endure. Or, an
+thou wilt not do me that favour, let bring me, at the least, a cup of
+water, so I may wet my mouth, whereunto my tears suffice not; so sore
+is the drouth and the burning that I have therein.'
+
+[Footnote 392: _i.e._ resource (_consiglio_). See ante, passim.]
+
+The scholar knew her weakness by her voice and eke saw, in part, her
+body all burnt up of the sun; wherefore and for her humble prayers
+there overcame him a little compassion of her; but none the less he
+answered, 'Wicked woman, thou shalt not die by my hands; nay, by thine
+own shalt thou die, an thou have a mind thereto; and thou shalt have
+of me as much water for the allaying of thy heat as I had fire of thee
+for the comforting of my cold. This much I sore regret that, whereas
+it behoved me heal the infirmity of my cold with the heat of stinking
+dung, that of thy heat will be healed with the coolth of odoriferous
+rose-water; and whereas I was like to lose both limbs and life, thou,
+flayed by this heat, wilt abide fair none otherwise than doth the
+snake, casting its old skin.' 'Alack, wretch that I am,' cried the
+lady, 'God give beauties on such wise acquired to those who wish me
+ill! But thou, that are more cruel than any wild beast, how couldst
+thou have the heart to torture me after this fashion? What more could
+I expect from thee or any other, if I had done all thy kinsfolk to
+death with the cruellest torments? Certes, meknoweth not what greater
+cruelty could be wreaked upon a traitor who had brought a whole city
+to slaughter than that whereto thou hast exposed me in causing me to
+be roasted of the sun and devoured of the flies and withal denying me
+a cup of water, whenas to murderers condemned of justice is
+oftentimes, as they go to their death, given to drink of wine, so but
+they ask it. Nay, since I see thee abide firm in thy savage cruelty
+and that my sufferance availeth not anywise to move thee, I will
+resign myself with patience to receive death, so God, whom I beseech
+to look with equitable eyes upon this thy dealing, may have mercy upon
+my soul.'
+
+So saying, she dragged herself painfully to the midward of the
+platform, despairing to escape alive from so fierce a heat; and not
+once, but a thousand times, over and above her other torments, she
+thought to swoon for thirst, still weeping and bemoaning her illhap.
+However, it being now vespers and it seeming to the scholar he had
+done enough, he caused his servant take up the unhappy lady's clothes
+and wrap them in his cloak; then, betaking himself to her house, he
+found her maid seated before the door, sad and disconsolate and
+unknowing what to do, and said to her, 'Good woman, what is come of
+thy mistress?' 'Sir,' replied she, 'I know not. I thought to find her
+this morning in the bed whither meseemed I saw her betake herself
+yesternight; but I can find her neither there nor otherwhere and know
+not what is come of her; wherefore I suffer the utmost concern. But
+you, sir, can you not tell me aught of her?' Quoth he, 'Would I had
+had thee together with her whereas I have had her, so I might have
+punished thee of thy default, like as I have punished her for hers!
+But assuredly thou shalt not escape from my hands, ere I have so paid
+thee for thy dealings that thou shalt never more make mock of any man,
+without remembering thee of me.' Then to his servant, 'Give her the
+clothes,' quoth he, 'and bid her go to her mistress, an she will.' The
+man did his bidding and gave the clothes to the maid, who, knowing
+them and hearing what Rinieri said, was sore afraid lest they should
+have slain her mistress and scarce refrained from crying out; then,
+the scholar being done, she set out with the clothes for the tower,
+weeping the while.
+
+Now it chanced that one of the lady's husbandmen had that day lost two
+of his swine and going in search of them, came, a little after the
+scholar's departure, to the tower. As he went spying about everywhere
+if he should see his hogs, he heard the piteous lamentation made of
+the miserable lady and climbing up as most he might, cried out, 'Who
+maketh moan there aloft?' The lady knew her husbandman's voice and
+calling him by name, said to him, 'For God's sake, fetch me my maid
+and contrive so she may come up hither to me.' Whereupon quoth the
+man, recognizing her, 'Alack, madam, who hath brought you up yonder?
+Your maid hath gone seeking you all day; but who had ever thought you
+could be here?' Then, taking the ladder-poles, he set them up in their
+place and addressed himself to bind the cross-staves thereto with
+withy bands.[393] Meanwhile, up came the maid, who no sooner entered
+the tower than, unable any longer to hold her tongue, she fell to
+crying out, buffeting herself the while with her hands, 'Alack, sweet
+my lady, where are you?' The lady, hearing her, answered as loudliest
+she might, 'O sister mine, I am here aloft. Weep not, but fetch me my
+clothes quickly.' When the maid heard her speak, she was in a manner
+all recomforted and with the husbandman's aid, mounting the ladder,
+which was now well nigh repaired, reached the sollar, where, whenas
+she saw her lady lying naked on the ground, all forspent and wan, more
+as she were a half-burnt log than a human being, she thrust her nails
+into her own face and fell a-weeping over her, no otherwise than as
+she had been dead.
+
+[Footnote 393: Boccaccio appears to have forgotten to mention that
+Rinieri had broken the rounds of the ladder, when he withdrew it (as
+stated, p. 394), apparently to place an additional obstacle in the way
+of the lady's escape.]
+
+The lady besought her for God's sake be silent and help her dress
+herself, and learning from her that none knew where she had been save
+those who had carried her the clothes and the husbandman there
+present, was somewhat comforted and prayed them for God's sake never
+to say aught of the matter to any one. Then, after much parley, the
+husbandman, taking the lady in his arms, for that she could not walk,
+brought her safely without the tower; but the unlucky maid, who had
+remained behind, descending less circumspectly, made a slip of the
+foot and falling from the ladder to the ground, broke her thigh,
+whereupon she fell a-roaring for the pain, that it seemed a lion. The
+husbandman, setting the lady down on a plot of grass, went to see what
+ailed the maid and finding her with her thigh broken, carried her also
+to the grass-plat and laid her beside her mistress, who, seeing this
+befallen in addition to her other troubles and that she had broken her
+thigh by whom she looked to have been succoured more than by any else,
+was beyond measure woebegone and fell a-weeping afresh and so
+piteously that not only could the husbandman not avail to comfort her,
+but himself fell a-weeping like wise. But presently, the sun being now
+low, he repaired, at the instance of the disconsolate lady, lest the
+night should overtake them there, to his own house, and there called
+his wife and two brothers of his, who returned to the tower with a
+plank and setting the maid thereon, carried her home, whilst he
+himself, having comforted the lady with a little cold water and kind
+words, took her up in his arms and brought her to her own chamber.
+
+His wife gave her a wine-sop to eat and after, undressing her, put her
+to bed; and they contrived that night to have her and her maid carried
+to Florence. There, the lady, who had shifts and devices great plenty,
+framed a story of her fashion, altogether out of conformity with that
+which had passed, and gave her brothers and sisters and every one else
+to believe that this had befallen herself and her maid by dint of
+diabolical bewitchments. Physicians were quickly at hand, who, not
+without putting her to very great anguish and vexation, recovered the
+lady of a sore fever, after she had once and again left her skin
+sticking to the sheets, and on like wise healed the maid of her broken
+thigh. Wherefore, forgetting her lover, from that time forth she
+discreetly forbore both from making mock of others and from loving,
+whilst the scholar, hearing that the maid had broken her thigh, held
+himself fully avenged and passed on, content, without saying otherwhat
+thereof. Thus, then, did it befall the foolish young lady of her
+pranks, for that she thought to fool it with a scholar as she would
+have done with another, unknowing that scholars,--I will not say all,
+but the most part of them,--know where the devil keepeth his tail.
+Wherefore, ladies, beware of making mock of folk, and especially of
+scholars."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     TWO MEN CONSORTING TOGETHER, ONE LIETH WITH THE WIFE OF HIS
+     COMRADE, WHO, BECOMING AWARE THEREOF, DOTH WITH HER ON SUCH
+     WISE THAT THE OTHER IS SHUT UP IN A CHEST, UPON WHICH HE
+     LIETH WITH HIS WIFE, HE BEING INSIDE THE WHILE
+
+
+Elena's troubles had been irksome and grievous to the ladies to hear;
+natheless, for that they deemed them in part justly befallen her, they
+passed them over with more moderate compassion, albeit they held the
+scholar to have been terribly stern and obdurate, nay, cruel. But,
+Pampinea being now come to the end of her story, the queen charged
+Fiammetta follow on, who, nothing loath to obey, said, "Charming
+ladies, for that meseemeth the severity of the offended scholar hath
+somedele distressed you, I deem it well to solace your ruffled spirits
+with somewhat more diverting; wherefore I purpose to tell you a little
+story of a young man who received an injury in a milder spirit and
+avenged it after a more moderate fashion, by which you may understand
+that, whenas a man goeth about to avenge an injury suffered, it should
+suffice him to give as good as he hath gotten, without seeking to do
+hurt overpassing the behoof of the feud.
+
+You must know, then, that there were once in Siena, as I have
+understood aforetime, two young men in easy enough case and of good
+city families, whereof one was named Spinelloccio Tanena and the other
+Zeppa di Mino, and they were next-door neighbours in Camollia.[394]
+These two young men still companied together and loved each other, to
+all appearance, as they had been brothers, or better; and each of them
+had a very fair wife. It chanced that Spinelloccio, by dint of much
+frequenting Zeppa's house, both when the latter was at home and when
+he was abroad, grew so private with his wife that he ended by lying
+with her, and on this wise they abode a pretty while, before any
+became aware thereof. However, at last, one day, Zeppa being at home,
+unknown to his wife, Spinelloccio came to call him and the lady said
+that he was abroad; whereupon the other came straightway up into the
+house and finding her in the saloon and seeing none else there, he
+took her in his arms and fell to kissing her and she him. Zeppa, who
+saw this, made no sign, but abode hidden to see in what the game
+should result and presently saw his wife and Spinelloccio betake
+themselves, thus embraced, to a chamber and there lock themselves in;
+whereat he was sore angered. But, knowing that his injury would not
+become less for making an outcry nor for otherwhat, nay, that shame
+would but wax therefor, he set himself to think what revenge he should
+take thereof, so his soul might abide content, without the thing being
+known all about, and himseeming, after long consideration, he had
+found the means, he abode hidden so long as Spinelloccio remained with
+his wife.
+
+[Footnote 394: _Qućre_, the street of that name?]
+
+As soon as the other was gone away, he entered the chamber and there
+finding the lady, who had not yet made an end of adjusting her
+head-veils, which Spinelloccio had plucked down in dallying with her,
+said to her, 'Wife, what dost thou?' Quoth she, 'Seest thou not?' And
+Zeppa answered, 'Ay, indeed, I have seen more than I could wish.' So
+saying, he taxed her with that which had passed and she, in sore
+affright, confessed to him, after much parley, that which she could
+not aptly deny of her familiarity with Spinelloccio. Then she began to
+crave him pardon, weeping, and Zeppa said to her, 'Harkye, wife, thou
+hast done ill, and if thou wilt have me pardon it to thee, bethink
+thee punctually to do that which I shall enjoin thee, which is this; I
+will have thee bid Spinelloccio find an occasion to part company with
+me to-morrow morning, towards tierce, and come hither to thee. When he
+is here I will come back and so soon as thou hearest me, do thou make
+him enter this chest here and lock him therein. Then, when thou shalt
+have done this, I will tell thee what else thou shalt do; and have
+thou no fear of doing this, for that I promise thee I will do him no
+manner of hurt.' The lady, to satisfy him, promised to do his bidding,
+and so she did.
+
+The morrow come and Zeppa and Spinelloccio being together towards
+tierce, the latter, who had promised the lady to be with her at that
+hour, said to the former, 'I am to dine this morning with a friend,
+whom I would not keep waiting for me; wherefore God be with thee.'
+Quoth Zeppa, 'It is not dinner-time yet awhile'; but Spinelloccio
+answered, 'No matter; I am to speak with him also of an affair of
+mine, so that needs must I be there betimes.' Accordingly, taking
+leave of him, he fetched a compass and making for Zeppa's house,
+entered a chamber with the latter's wife. He had not been there long
+ere Zeppa returned, whom when the lady heard, feigning to be mightily
+affrighted, she made him take refuge in the chest, as her husband had
+bidden her, and locking him therein, went forth of the chamber. Zeppa,
+coming up, said, 'Wife, is it dinner-time?' 'Ay,' answered she,
+'forthright.' Quoth he, 'Spinelloccio is gone to dine this morning
+with a friend of his and hath left his wife alone; get thee to the
+window and call her and bid her come dine with us.' The lady, fearing
+for herself and grown therefor mighty obedient, did as he bade her and
+Spinelloccio's wife, being much pressed by her and hearing that her
+own husband was to dine abroad, came hither.
+
+Zeppa made much of her and whispering his wife begone into the
+kitchen, took her familiarly by the hand and carried her into the
+chamber, wherein no sooner were they come than, turning back, he
+locked the door within. When the lady saw him do this, she said,
+'Alack, Zeppa, what meaneth this? Have you then brought me hither for
+this? Is this the love you bear Spinelloccio and the loyal
+companionship you practise towards him?' Whereupon quoth Zeppa,
+drawing near to the chest wherein was her husband locked up and
+holding her fast, 'Madam, ere thou complainest, hearken to that which
+I have to say to thee. I have loved and love Spinelloccio as a
+brother, and yesterday, albeit he knoweth it not, I found that the
+trust I had in him was come to this, that he lieth with my wife even
+as with thee. Now, for that I love him, I purpose not to take
+vengeance of him, save on such wise as the offence hath been; he hath
+had my wife and I mean to have thee. An thou wilt not, needs must I
+take him here and for that I mean not to let this affront go
+unpunished, I will play him such a turn that neither thou nor he shall
+ever again be glad.' The lady, hearing this and believing what Zeppa
+said, after many affirmations made her of him, replied, 'Zeppa mine,
+since this vengeance is to fall on me, I am content, so but thou wilt
+contrive, notwithstanding what we are to do, that I may abide at peace
+with thy wife, even as I intend to abide with her, notwithstanding
+this that she hath done to me.' 'Assuredly,' rejoined Zeppa, 'I will
+do it; and to boot, I will give thee a precious and fine jewel as none
+other thou hast.' So saying, he embraced her; then, laying her flat on
+the chest, there to his heart's content, he solaced himself with her,
+and she with him.
+
+Spinelloccio, hearing from within the chest all that Zeppa said his
+wife's answer and feeling the morrisdance[395] that was toward over
+his head, was at first so sore despited that himseemed he should die;
+and but that he stood in fear of Zeppa, he had rated his wife finely,
+shut up as he was. However, bethinking himself that the offence had
+begun with him and that Zeppa was in his right to do as he did and had
+indeed borne himself towards him humanely and like a comrade, he
+presently resolved in himself to be, an he would, more than ever his
+friend. Zeppa, having been with the lady so long as it pleased him,
+dismounted from the chest, and she asking for the promised jewel, he
+opened the chamber-door and called his wife, who said nought else than
+'Madam, you have given me a loaf for my bannock'; and this she said
+laughing. To her quoth Zeppa, 'Open this chest.' Accordingly she
+opened it and therein Zeppa showed the lady her husband, saying, 'Here
+is the jewel I promised thee.' It were hard to say which was the more
+abashed of the twain, Spinelloccio, seeing Zeppa and knowing that he
+knew what he had done, or his wife, seeing her husband and knowing
+that he had both heard and felt that which she had done over his head.
+But Spinelloccio, coming forth of the chest, said, without more
+parley, 'Zeppa, we are quits; wherefore it is well, as thou saidst but
+now to my wife, that we be still friends as we were, and that, since
+there is nothing unshared between us two but our wives, we have these
+also in common.' Zeppa was content and they all four dined together in
+the utmost possible harmony; and thenceforward each of the two ladies
+had two husbands and each of the latter two wives, without ever having
+any strife or grudge anent the matter."
+
+[Footnote 395: _Danza trivigiana_, lit. Trevisan dance, O.E. the
+shaking of the sheets.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     MASTER SIMONE THE PHYSICIAN, HAVING BEEN INDUCED BY BRUNO
+     AND BUFFALMACCO TO REPAIR TO A CERTAIN PLACE BY NIGHT, THERE
+     TO BE MADE A MEMBER OF A COMPANY THAT GOETH A-ROVING, IS
+     CAST BY BUFFALMACCO INTO A TRENCH FULL OF ORDURE AND THERE
+     LEFT
+
+
+After the ladies had chatted awhile over the community of wives
+practised by the two Siennese, the queen, with whom alone it rested to
+tell, so she would not do Dioneo an unright, began on this wise:
+"Right well, lovesome ladies, did Spinelloccio deserve the cheat put
+upon him by Zeppa; wherefore meseemeth he is not severely to be blamed
+(as Pampinea sought awhile ago to show), who putteth a cheat on those
+who go seeking it or deserve it. Now Spinelloccio deserved it, and I
+mean to tell you of one who went seeking it for himself. Those who
+tricked him, I hold not to be blameworthy, but rather commendable, and
+he to whom it was done was a physician, who, having set out for
+Bologna a sheepshead, returned to Florence all covered with
+miniver.[396]
+
+[Footnote 396: _i.e._ with the doctor's hood of miniver.]
+
+As we see daily, our townsmen return hither from Bologna, this a
+judge, that a physician and a third a notary, tricked out with robes
+long and large and scarlets and minivers and store of other fine
+paraphernalia, and make a mighty brave show, to which how far the
+effects conform we may still see all day long. Among the rest a
+certain Master Simone da Villa, richer in inherited goods than in
+learning, returned hither, no great while since, a doctor of medicine,
+according to his own account, clad all in scarlet[397] and with a
+great miniver hood, and took a house in the street which we call
+nowadays the Via del Cocomero. This said Master Simone, being thus
+newly returned, as hath been said, had, amongst other his notable
+customs, a trick of asking whosoever was with him who was no matter
+what man he saw pass in the street, and as if of the doings and
+fashions of men he should compound the medicines he gave his
+patients, he took note of all and laid them all up in his memory.
+Amongst others on whom it occurred to him more particularly to cast
+his eyes were two painters of whom it hath already twice to-day been
+discoursed, namely, Bruno and Buffalmacco, who were neighbours of his
+and still went in company. Himseeming they recked less of the world
+and lived more merrily than other folk, as was indeed the case, he
+questioned divers persons of their condition and hearing from all that
+they were poor men and painters, he took it into his head that it
+might not be they lived so blithely of their poverty, but concluded,
+for that he had heard they were shrewd fellows, that they must needs
+derive very great profits from some source unknown to the general;
+wherefore he was taken with a desire to clap up an acquaintance, an he
+might, with them both, or at least with one of them, and succeeded in
+making friends with Bruno. The latter, perceiving, after he had been
+with him a few times, that the physician was a very jackass, began to
+give himself the finest time in the world with him and to be hugely
+diverted with his extraordinary humours, whilst Master Simone in like
+manner took a marvellous delight in his company.
+
+[Footnote 397: The colour of the doctors' robes of that time.]
+
+After a while, having sundry times bidden him to dinner and thinking
+himself entitled in consequence to discourse familiarly with him, he
+discovered to him the wonderment that he felt at him and Buffalmacco,
+how, being poor men, they lived so merrily, and besought him to
+apprise him how they did. Bruno, hearing this talk from the physician
+and himseeing the question was one of his wonted witless
+impertinences, fell a-laughing in his sleeve, and bethinking himself
+to answer him according as his folly deserved, said, 'Doctor, there
+are not many whom I would tell how we do; but you I shall not scruple
+to tell, for that you are a friend and I know you will not repeat it
+to any. It is true we live, my friend and I, as merrily and as well as
+it appeareth to you, nay, more so, albeit neither of our craft nor of
+revenues we derive from any possessions might we have enough to pay
+for the very water we consume. Yet I would not, for all that, have you
+think that we go steal; nay, we go a-roving, and thence, without hurt
+unto any, we get us all to which we have a mind or for which we have
+occasion; hence the merry life you see us lead.'
+
+The physician, hearing this and believing it, without knowing what it
+was, marvelled exceedingly and forthright conceiving an ardent desire
+to know what manner of thing this going a-roving might be, besought
+him very urgently to tell him, affirming that he would assuredly never
+discover it to any. 'Alack, doctor,' cried Bruno, 'what is this you
+ask me? This you would know is too great a secret and a thing to undo
+me and drive me from the world, nay, to bring me into the mouth of the
+Lucifer of San Gallo,[398] should any come to know it. But so great is
+the love I bear your right worshipful pumpkinheadship of Legnaja[399]
+and the confidence I have in you that I can deny you nothing you
+would have; wherefore I will tell it you, on condition that you swear
+to me by the cross at Montesone, never, as you have promised, to tell
+it to any one.
+
+[Footnote 398: The commentators note here that on the church door of
+San Gallo was depicted an especially frightful Lucifer, with many
+mouths.]
+
+[Footnote 399: Legnaja is said to be famous for big pumpkins.]
+
+The physician declared that he would never repeat what he should tell
+him, and Bruno said, 'You must know, then, honey doctor mine, that not
+long since there was in this city a great master in necromancy, who
+was called Michael Scott, for that he was of Scotland, and who
+received the greatest hospitality from many gentlemen, of whom few are
+nowadays alive; wherefore, being minded to depart hence, he left them,
+at their instant prayers, two of his ablest disciples, whom he
+enjoined still to hold themselves in readiness to satisfy every wish
+of the gentlemen who had so worshipfully entertained him. These two,
+then, freely served the aforesaid gentlemen in certain amours of
+theirs and other small matters, and afterward, the city and the usages
+of the folk pleasing them, they determined to abide there always.
+Accordingly, they contracted great and strait friendship with certain
+of the townfolk, regarding not who they were, whether gentle or
+simple, rich or poor, but solely if they were men comfortable to their
+own usances; and to pleasure these who were thus become their friends,
+they founded a company of maybe five-and-twenty men, who should
+foregather twice at the least in the month in some place appointed of
+them, where being assembled, each should tell them his desire, which
+they would forthright accomplish unto him for that night. Buffalmacco
+and I, having an especial friendship and intimacy with these two, were
+put of them on the roll of the aforesaid company and are still
+thereof. And I may tell you that, what time it chanceth that we
+assemble together, it is a marvellous thing to see the hangings about
+the saloon where we eat and the tables spread on royal wise and the
+multitude of noble and goodly servants, as well female as male, at the
+pleasure of each one who is of the company, and the basons and ewers
+and flagons and goblets and the vessels of gold and silver, wherein we
+eat and drink, more by token of the many and various viands that are
+set before us, each in its season, according to that which each one
+desireth. I could never avail to set out to you what and how many are
+the sweet sounds of innumerable instruments and the songs full of
+melody that are heard there; nor might I tell you how much wax is
+burned at these suppers nor what and how many are the confections that
+are consumed there nor how costly are the wines that are drunken. But
+I would not have you believe, good saltless pumpkinhead mine, that we
+abide there in this habit and with these clothes that you see us wear
+every day; nay, there is none of us of so little account but would
+seem to you an emperor, so richly are we adorned with vestments of
+price and fine things. But, over all the other pleasures that be there
+is that of fair ladies, who, so one but will it, are incontinent
+brought thither from the four quarters of the world. There might you
+see the Sovereign Lady of the Rascal-Roughs, the Queen of the Basques,
+the wife of the Soldan, the Empress of the Usbeg Tartars, the
+Driggledraggletail of Norroway, the Moll-a-green of Flapdoodleland and
+the Madkate of Woolgathergreen. But why need I enumerate them to you?
+There be all the queens in the world, even, I may say, to the
+Sirreverence of Prester John, who hath his horns amiddleward his arse;
+see you now? There, after we have drunken and eaten confections and
+walked a dance or two, each lady betaketh herself to her bedchamber
+with him at whose instance she hath been brought thither. And you must
+know that these bedchambers are a very paradise to behold, so goodly
+they are; ay, and they are no less odoriferous than are the
+spice-boxes of your shop, whenas you let bray cummin-seed, and therein
+are beds that would seem to you goodlier than that of the Doge of
+Venice, and in these they betake themselves to rest. Marry, what a
+working of the treadles, what a hauling-to of the battens to make the
+cloth close, these weaveresses keep up, I will e'en leave you to
+imagine; but of those who fare best, to my seeming, are Buffalmacco
+and myself, for that he most times letteth come thither the Queen of
+France for himself, whilst I send for her of England, the which are
+two of the fairest ladies in the world, and we have known so to do
+that they have none other eye in their head than us.[400] Wherefore
+you may judge for yourself if we can and should live and go more
+merrily than other men, seeing we have the love of two such queens,
+more by token that, whenas we would have a thousand or two thousand
+florins of them, we get them not. This, then, we commonly style going
+a-roving, for that, like as the rovers take every man's good, even so
+do we, save that we are in this much different from them that they
+never restore that which they take, whereas we return it again, whenas
+we have used it. Now, worthy doctor mine, you have heard what it is we
+call going a-roving; but how strictly this requireth to be kept secret
+you can see for yourself, and therefore I say no more to you nor pray
+you thereof.'
+
+[Footnote 400: _i.e._ they think of and cherish us alone, holding us
+as dear as their very eyes.]
+
+The physician, whose science reached no farther belike than the curing
+children of the scald-head, gave as much credit to Bruno's story as
+had been due to the most manifest truth and was inflamed with as great
+desire to be received into that company as might be kindled in any for
+the most desirable thing in the world; wherefore he made answer to him
+that assuredly it was no marvel if they went merry and hardly
+constrained himself to defer requesting him to bring him to be there
+until such time as, having done him further hospitality, he might with
+more confidence proffer his request to him. Accordingly, reserving
+this unto a more favourable season, he proceeded to keep straiter
+usance with Bruno, having him morning and evening to eat with him and
+showing him an inordinate affection; and indeed so great and so
+constant was this their commerce that it seemed as if the physician
+could not nor knew how to live without the painter. The latter,
+finding himself in good case, so he might not appear ungrateful for
+the hospitality shown him, had painted Master Simone a picture of Lent
+in his saloon, besides an Agnus Dei at the entering in of his chamber
+and a chamber-pot over the street-door, so those who had occasion for
+his advice might know how to distinguish him from the others; and in
+a little gallery he had, he had depictured him the battle of the rats
+and the cats, which appeared to the physician a very fine thing.
+Moreover, he said whiles to him, whenas he had not supper with him
+overnight, 'I was at the society yesternight and being a trifle tired
+of the Queen of England, I caused fetch me the Dolladoxy of the Grand
+Cham of Tartary.' 'What meaneth Dolladoxy?' asked Master Simone. 'I do
+not understand these names.' 'Marry, doctor mine,' replied Bruno, 'I
+marvel not thereat, for I have right well heard that Porcograsso and
+Vannacena[401] say nought thereof.' Quoth the physician. 'Thou meanest
+Ipocrasso and Avicenna.' 'I' faith,' answered Bruno, 'I know not; I
+understand your names as ill as you do mine; but Dolladoxy in the
+Grand Cham's lingo meaneth as much as to say Empress in our tongue.
+Egad, you would think her a plaguy fine woman! I dare well say she
+would make you forget your drugs and your clysters and all your
+plasters.'
+
+[Footnote 401: _i.e._ Fat-hog and Get-thee-to-supper, burlesque
+perversions of the names Ipocrasso (Hippocrates) and Avicenna.]
+
+On this wise he bespoke him at one time and another, to enkindle him
+the more, till one night, what while it chanced my lord doctor held
+the light to Bruno, who was in act to paint the battle of the rats and
+the cats, the former, himseeming he had now well taken him with his
+hospitalities, determined to open his mind to him, and accordingly,
+they being alone together, he said to him, 'God knoweth, Bruno, there
+is no one alive for whom I would do everything as I would for thee;
+indeed, shouldst thou bid me go hence to Peretola, methinketh it would
+take little to make me go thither; wherefore I would not have thee
+marvel if I require thee of somewhat familiarly and with confidence.
+As thou knowest, it is no great while since thou bespokest me of the
+fashions of your merry company, wherefore so great a longing hath
+taken me to be one of you that never did I desire aught so much. Nor
+is this my desire without cause, as thou shalt see, if ever it chance
+that I be of your company; for I give thee leave to make mock of me an
+I cause not come thither the finest serving-wench thou ever setst eyes
+on. I saw her but last year at Cacavincigli and wish her all my
+weal;[402] and by the body of Christ, I had e'en given her half a
+score Bolognese groats, so she would but have consented to me; but she
+would not. Wherefore, as most I may, I prithee teach me what I must do
+to avail to be of your company and do thou also do and contrive so I
+may be thereof. Indeed, you will have in me a good and loyal comrade,
+ay, and a worshipful. Thou seest, to begin with, what a fine man I am
+and how well I am set up on my legs. Ay, and I have a face as it were
+a rose, more by token that I am a doctor of medicine, such as I
+believe you have none among you. Moreover, I know many fine things and
+goodly canzonets; marry, I will sing you one.' And incontinent he fell
+a-singing.
+
+[Footnote 402: _i.e._ love her beyond anything in the world. For
+former instances of this idiomatic expression, see ante, passim.]
+
+Bruno had so great a mind to laugh that he was like to burst; however
+he contained himself and the physician, having made an end of his
+song, said, 'How deemedst thou thereof?' 'Certes,' answered Bruno,
+'there's no Jew's harp but would lose with you, so archigothically do
+you caterwarble it.' Quoth Master Simone, 'I tell thee thou wouldst
+never have believed it, hadst thou not heard me.' 'Certes,' replied
+Bruno, 'you say sooth!' and the physician went on, 'I know store of
+others; but let that be for the present. Such as thou seest me, my
+father was a gentleman, albeit he abode in the country, and I myself
+come by my mother of the Vallecchio family. Moreover, as thou mayst
+have seen, I have the finest books and gowns of any physician in
+Florence. Cock's faith, I have a gown that stood me, all reckoned, in
+nigh upon an hundred pounds of doits, more than half a score years
+ago; wherefore I pray thee as most I may, to bring me to be of your
+company, and by Cock's faith, an thou do it, thou mayst be as ill as
+thou wilt, for I will never take a farthing of thee for my services.'
+
+Bruno, hearing this and the physician seeming to him a greater
+numskull than ever, said, 'Doctor, hold the light a thought more this
+way and take patience till I have made these rats their tails, and
+after I will answer you.' The tails being finished, Bruno made believe
+that the physician's request was exceeding irksome to him and said,
+'Doctor mine, these be great things you would do for me and I
+acknowledge it; nevertheless, that which you ask of me, little as it
+may be for the greatness of your brain, is yet to me a very grave
+matter, nor know I any one in the world for whom, it being in my
+power, I would do it, an I did it not for you, both because I love you
+as it behoveth and on account of your words, which are seasoned with
+so much wit that they would draw the straps out of a pair of boots,
+much more me from my purpose; for the more I consort with you, the
+wiser you appear to me. And I may tell you this, to boot, that, though
+I had none other reason, yet do I wish you well, for that I see you
+enamoured of so fair a creature as is she of whom you speak. But this
+much I will say to you; I have no such power in this matter as you
+suppose and cannot therefore do for you that which were behoving;
+however, an you will promise me, upon your solemn and surbated[403]
+faith, to keep it me secret, I will tell you the means you must use
+and meseemeth certain that, with such fine books and other gear as you
+tell me you have, you will gain your end.'
+
+[Footnote 403: Syn. cauterized (_calterita_), a nonsensical word
+employed by Bruno for the purpose of mystifying the credulous
+physician.]
+
+Quoth the doctor, 'Say on in all assurance; I see thou art not yet
+well acquainted with me and knowest not how I can keep a secret. There
+be few things indeed that Messer Guasparruolo da Saliceto did, whenas
+he was judge of the Provostry at Forlimpopoli, but he sent to tell me,
+for that he found me so good a secret-keeper.[404] And wilt thou judge
+an I say sooth? I was the first man whom he told that he was to marry
+Bergamina: seest thou now?' 'Marry, then,' rejoined Bruno, 'all is
+well; if such a man trusted in you, I may well do so. The course you
+must take is on this wise. You must know that we still have to this
+our company a captain and two counsellors, who are changed from six
+months to six months, and without fail, at the first of the month,
+Buffalmacco will be captain and I shall be counsellor; for so it is
+settled. Now whoso is captain can do much by way of procuring
+whomsoever he will to be admitted into the company; wherefore
+meseemeth you should seek, inasmuch as you may, to gain Buffalmacco's
+friendship and do him honour. He is a man, seeing you so wise, to fall
+in love with you incontinent, and whenas with your wit and with these
+fine things you have you shall have somedele ingratiated yourself with
+him, you can make your request to him; he will not know how to say you
+nay. I have already bespoken him of you and he wisheth you all the
+weal in the world; and whenas you shall have done this, leave me do
+with him.' Quoth the physician, 'That which thou counsellest liketh me
+well. Indeed, an he be a man who delighteth in men of learning and
+talketh but with me a little, I will engage to make him go still
+seeking my company, for that, as for wit, I have so much thereof that
+I could stock a city withal and yet abide exceeding wise.'
+
+[Footnote 404: Syn. secretary, confidant (_segretaro_).]
+
+This being settled, Bruno imparted the whole matter to Buffalmacco,
+wherefore it seemed to the latter a thousand years till they should
+come to do that which this arch-zany went seeking. The physician, who
+longed beyond measure to go a-roving, rested not till he made friends
+with Buffalmacco, which he easily succeeded in doing, and therewithal
+he fell to giving him, and Bruno with him, the finest suppers and
+dinners in the world. The two painters, like the accommodating
+gentlemen they were, were nothing loath to engage with him and having
+once tasted the excellent wines and fat capons and other good things
+galore, with which he plied them, stuck very close to him and ended by
+quartering themselves upon him, without awaiting overmuch invitation,
+still declaring that they would not do this for another. Presently,
+whenas it seemed to him time, the physician made the same request to
+Buffalmacco as he had made Bruno aforetime; whereupon Buffalmacco
+feigned himself sore chagrined and made a great outcry against Bruno,
+saying, 'I vow to the High God of Pasignano that I can scarce withhold
+myself from giving thee such a clout over the head as should cause thy
+nose drop to thy heels, traitor that thou art; for none other than
+thou hath discovered these matters to the doctor.'
+
+Master Simone did his utmost to excuse Bruno, saying and swearing that
+he had learned the thing from another quarter, and after many of his
+wise words, he succeeded in pacifying Buffalmacco; whereupon the
+latter turned to him and said, 'Doctor mine, it is very evident that
+you have been at Bologna and have brought back a close mouth to these
+parts; and I tell you moreover that you have not learnt your A B C on
+the apple as many blockheads are fain to do; nay, you have learned it
+aright on the pumpkin, that is so long;[405] and if I mistake not,
+you were baptized on a Sunday.[406] And albeit Bruno hath told me
+that you told me that you studied medicine there, meseemeth you
+studied rather to learn to catch men, the which you, with your wit and
+your fine talk, know better to do than any man I ever set eyes on.'
+Here the physician took the words out of his mouth and breaking in,
+said to Bruno, 'What a thing it is to talk and consort with learned
+men! Who would so have quickly apprehended every particular of my
+intelligence as hath this worthy man? Thou didst not half so speedily
+become aware of my value as he; but, at the least, that which I told
+thee, whenas thou saidst to me that Buffalmacco delighted in learned
+men, seemeth it to thee I have done it?' 'Ay hast thou,' replied
+Bruno, 'and better.'
+
+[Footnote 405: A play of words upon _mela_ (apple) and _mellone_
+(pumpkin). _Mellone_ is strictly a water-melon; but I have rendered it
+"pumpkin," to preserve the English idiom, "pumpkinhead" being our
+equivalent for the Italian "melon," used in the sense of dullard,
+noodle.]
+
+[Footnote 406: According to the commentators, "baptized on a Sunday"
+anciently signified a simpleton, because salt (which is constantly
+used by the Italian classical writers as a synonym for wit or sense)
+was not sold on Sundays.]
+
+Then said the doctor to Buffalmacco, 'Thou wouldst have told another
+tale, hadst thou seen me at Bologna, where there was none, great or
+small, doctor or scholar, but wished me all the weal in the world, so
+well did I know to content them all with my discourse and my wit. And
+what is more, I never said a word there, but I made every one laugh,
+so hugely did I please them; and whenas I departed thence, they all
+set up the greatest lament in the world and would all have had me
+remain there; nay, to such a pass came it for that I should abide
+there, that they would have left it to me alone to lecture on medicine
+to as many students as were there; but I would not, for that I was
+e'en minded to come hither to certain very great heritages which I
+have here and which have still been in my family; and so I did.' Quoth
+Bruno to Buffalmacco, 'How deemest thou? Thou believedst me not,
+whenas I told it thee. By the Evangels, there is not a leach in these
+parts who is versed in asses' water to compare with this one, and
+assuredly thou wouldst not find another of him from here to Paris
+gates. Marry, hold yourself henceforth [if you can,] from doing that
+which he will.' Quoth Master Simone, 'Bruno saith sooth; but I am not
+understood here. You Florentines are somewhat dull of wit; but I would
+have you see me among the doctors, as I am used to be.' 'Verily,
+doctor,' said Buffalmacco, 'you are far wiser than I could ever have
+believed; wherefore to speak to you as it should be spoken to scholars
+such as you are, I tell you, cut-and-slash fashion,[407] I will
+without fail procure you to be of our company.'
+
+[Footnote 407: Syn. confusedly (_frastagliatamente_).]
+
+After this promise the physician redoubled in his hospitalities to the
+two rogues, who enjoyed themselves [at his expense,] what while they
+crammed him with the greatest extravagances in the world and fooled
+him to the top of his bent, promising him to give him to mistress the
+Countess of Jakes,[408]who was the fairest creature to be found in
+all the back-settlements of the human generation. The physician
+enquired who this countess was, whereto quoth Buffalmacco, 'Good my
+seed-pumpkin, she is a very great lady and there be few houses in the
+world wherein she hath not some jurisdiction. To say nothing of
+others, the Minor Friars themselves render her tribute, to the sound
+of kettle-drums.[409] And I can assure you that, whenas she goeth
+abroad, she maketh herself well felt,[410] albeit she abideth for the
+most part shut up. Natheless, it is no great while since she passed by
+your door, one night that she repaired to the Arno, to wash her feet
+and take the air a little; but her most continual abiding-place is in
+Draughthouseland.[411] There go ofttimes about store of her serjeants,
+who all in token of her supremacy, bear the staff and the plummet, and
+of her barons many are everywhere to be seen, such as Sirreverence of
+the Gate, Goodman Turd, Hardcake,[412] Squitterbreech and others, who
+methinketh are your familiars, albeit you call them not presently to
+mind. In the soft arms, then, of this great lady, leaving be her of
+Cacavincigli, we will, an expectation cheat us not, bestow you.'
+
+[Footnote 408: _La Contessa di Civillari_, _i.e._ the public sewers.
+Civillari, according to the commentators, was the name of an alley in
+Florence, where all the ordure and filth of the neighbourhood was
+deposited and stored in trenches for manure.]
+
+[Footnote 409: _Nacchere_, syn. a loud crack of wind.]
+
+[Footnote 410: Syn. smelt (_sentito_).]
+
+[Footnote 411: _Laterina_, _i.e._ Latrina.]
+
+[Footnote 412: Lit. Broom-handle (_Manico della Scopa_).]
+
+The physician, who had been born and bred at Bologna, understood not
+their canting terms and accordingly avouched himself well pleased with
+the lady in question. Not long after this talk, the painters brought
+him news that he was accepted to member of the company and the day
+being come before the night appointed for their assembly, he had them
+both to dinner. When they had dined, he asked them what means it
+behoved him take to come thither; whereupon quoth Buffalmacco, 'Look
+you, doctor, it behoveth you have plenty of assurance; for that, an
+you be not mighty resolute, you may chance to suffer hindrance and do
+us very great hurt; and in what it behoveth you to approve yourself
+very stout-hearted you shall hear. You must find means to be this
+evening, at the season of the first sleep, on one of the raised tombs
+which have been lately made without Santa Maria Novella, with one of
+your finest gowns on your back, so you may make an honourable figure
+for your first appearance before the company and also because,
+according to what was told us (we were not there after) the Countess
+is minded, for that you are a man of gentle birth, to make you a
+Knight of the Bath at her own proper costs and charges; and there you
+must wait till there cometh for you he whom we shall send. And so you
+may be apprised of everything, there will come for you a black horned
+beast, not overbig, which will go capering about the piazza before you
+and making a great whistling and bounding, to terrify you; but, when
+he seeth that you are not to be daunted, he will come up to you
+quietly. Then do you, without any fear, come down from the tomb and
+mount the beast, naming neither God nor the Saints; and as soon as you
+are settled on his back, you must cross your hands upon your breast,
+in the attitude of obeisance, and touch him no more. He will then set
+off softly and bring you to us; but if you call upon God or the
+Saints or show fear, I must tell you that he may chance to cast you
+off or strike you into some place where you are like to stink for it;
+wherefore, an your heart misgive you and unless you can make sure of
+being mighty resolute, come not thither, for you would but do us a
+mischief, without doing yourself any good.'[413]
+
+[Footnote 413: Lit. "do _yourself_ a mischief, without doing _us_ any
+good"; but the sequel shows that the contrary is meant, as in the
+text.]
+
+Quoth the physician, 'I see you know me not yet; maybe you judge of me
+by my gloves and long gown. If you knew what I did aforetimes at
+Bologna anights, when I went a-wenching whiles with my comrades, you
+would marvel. Cock's faith, there was such and such a night when, one
+of them refusing to come with us, (more by token that she was a scurvy
+little baggage, no higher than my fist,) I dealt her, to begin with,
+good store of cuffs, then, taking her up bodily, I dare say I carried
+her a crossbowshot and wrought so that needs must she come with us.
+Another time I remember me that, without any other in my company than
+a serving-man of mine, I passed yonder alongside the Cemetery of the
+Minor Friars, a little after the Ave Maria, albeit there had been a
+woman buried there that very day, and felt no whit of fear; wherefore
+misdoubt you not of this, for I am but too stout of heart and lusty.
+Moreover, I tell you that, to do you credit at my coming thither, I
+will don my gown of scarlet, wherein I was admitted doctor, and we
+shall see if the company rejoice not at my sight and an I be not made
+captain out of hand. You shall e'en see how the thing will go, once I
+am there, since, without having yet set eyes on me, this countess hath
+fallen so enamoured of me that she is minded to make me a Knight of
+the Bath. It may be knighthood will not sit so ill on me nor shall I
+be at a loss to carry it off with worship! Marry, only leave me do.'
+'You say very well,' answered Buffalmacco; 'but look you leave us not
+in the lurch and not come or not be found at the trysting-place,
+whenas we shall send for you; and this I say for that the weather is
+cold and you gentlemen doctors are very careful of yourselves
+thereanent.' 'God forbid!' cried Master Simone. 'I am none of your
+chilly ones. I reck not of the cold; seldom or never, whenas I rise of
+a night for my bodily occasions, as a man will bytimes, do I put me on
+more than my fur gown over my doublet. Wherefore I will certainly be
+there.'
+
+Thereupon they took leave of him and whenas it began to grow towards
+night, Master Simone contrived to make some excuse or other to his
+wife and secretly got out his fine gown; then, whenas it seemed to him
+time, he donned it and betook himself to Santa Maria Novella, where he
+mounted one of the aforesaid tombs and huddling himself up on the
+marble, for that the cold was great, he proceeded to wait the coming
+of the beast. Meanwhile Buffalmacco, who was tall and robust of his
+person, made shift to have one of those masks that were wont to be
+used for certain games which are not held nowadays, and donning a
+black fur pelisse, inside out, arrayed himself therein on such wise
+that he seemed a very bear, save that his mask had a devil's face and
+was horned. Thus accoutred, he betook himself to the new Piazza of
+Santa Maria, Bruno following him to see how the thing should go. As
+soon as he perceived that the physician was there, he fell a-capering
+and caracoling and made a terrible great blustering about the piazza,
+whistling and howling and bellowing as he were possessed of the devil.
+When Master Simone, who was more fearful than a woman, heard and saw
+this, every hair of his body stood on end and he fell a-trembling all
+over, and it was now he had liefer been at home than there.
+Nevertheless, since he was e'en there, he enforced himself to take
+heart, so overcome was he with desire to see the marvels whereof the
+painters had told him.
+
+After Buffalmacco had raged about awhile, as hath been said, he made a
+show of growing pacified and coming up to the tomb whereon was the
+physician, stood stock-still. Master Simone, who was all a-tremble for
+fear, knew not what to do, whether to mount or abide where he was.
+However, at last, fearing that the beast should do him a mischief, an
+he mounted him not, he did away the first fear with the second and
+coming down from the tomb, mounted on his back, saying softly, 'God
+aid me!' Then he settled himself as best he might and still trembling
+in every limb, crossed his hands upon his breast, as it had been
+enjoined him; whereupon Buffalmacco set off at an amble towards Santa
+Maria della Scala and going on all fours, brought him hard by the
+Nunnery of Ripole. In those days there were dykes in that quarter,
+wherein the tillers of the neighbouring lands let empty the jakes, to
+manure their fields withal; whereto whenas Buffalmacco came nigh, he
+went up to the brink of one of them and taking the opportunity, laid
+hold of one of the physician's legs and jerking him off his back,
+pitched him clean in, head foremost. Then he fell a-snorting and
+snarling and capering and raged about awhile; after which he made off
+alongside Santa Maria della Scala till he came to Allhallows Fields.
+There he found Bruno, who had taken to flight, for that he was unable
+to restrain his laughter; and with him, after they had made merry
+together at Master Simone's expense, he addressed himself to see from
+afar what the bemoiled physician should do.
+
+My lord leech, finding himself in that abominable place, struggled to
+arise and strove as best he might to win forth thereof; and after
+falling in again and again, now here and now there, and swallowing
+some drachms of the filth, he at last succeeded in making his way out
+of the dyke, in the woefullest of plights, bewrayed from head to foot
+and leaving his bonnet behind him. Then, having wiped himself as best
+he might with his hands and knowing not what other course to take, he
+returned home and knocked till it was opened to him. Hardly was he
+entered, stinking as he did, and the door shut again ere up came Bruno
+and Buffalmacco, to hear how he should be received of his wife, and
+standing hearkening, they heard the lady give him the foulest rating
+was ever given poor devil, saying, 'Good lack, what a pickle thou art
+in! Thou hast been gallanting it to some other woman and must needs
+seek to cut a figure with thy gown of scarlet! What, was not I enough
+for thee? Why, man alive, I could suffice to a whole people, let alone
+thee. Would God they had choked thee, like as they cast thee whereas
+thou deservedst to be thrown! Here's a fine physician for you, to have
+a wife of his own and go a-gadding anights after other folk's
+womankind!' And with these and many other words of the same fashion
+she gave not over tormenting him till midnight, what while the
+physician let wash himself from head to foot.
+
+Next morning up came Bruno and Buffalmacco, who had painted all their
+flesh under their clothes with livid blotches, such as beatings use to
+make, and entering the physician's house, found him already arisen.
+Accordingly they went in to him and found the whole place full of
+stench, for that they had not yet been able so to clean everything
+that it should not stink there. Master Simone, seeing them enter, came
+to meet them and bade God give them good day; whereto the two rogues,
+as they had agreed beforehand, replied with an angry air, saying,
+'That say we not to you; nay, rather, we pray God give you so many ill
+years that you may die a dog's death, as the most disloyal man and the
+vilest traitor alive; for it was no thanks to you that, whereas we
+studied to do you pleasure and worship, we were not slain like dogs.
+As it is, thanks to your disloyalty, we have gotten so many buffets
+this past night that an ass would go to Rome for less, without
+reckoning that we have gone in danger of being expelled the company
+into which we had taken order for having you received. An you believe
+us not, look at our bodies and see how they have fared.' Then, opening
+their clothes in front, they showed him, by an uncertain light, their
+breasts all painted and covered them up again in haste.
+
+The physician would have excused himself and told of his mishaps and
+how and where he had been cast; but Buffalmacco said, 'Would he had
+thrown you off the bridge into the Arno! Why did you call on God and
+the Saints? Were you not forewarned of this?' 'By God His faith,'
+replied the physician, 'I did it not.' 'How?' cried Buffalmacco. 'You
+did not call on them? Egad, you did it again and again; for our
+messenger told us that you shook like a reed and knew not where you
+were. Marry, for the nonce you have befooled us finely; but never
+again shall any one serve us thus, and we will yet do you such honour
+thereof as you merit.' The physician fell to craving pardon and
+conjuring them for God's sake not to dishonour him and studied to
+appease them with the best words he could command. And if aforetime he
+had entreated them with honour, from that time forth he honoured them
+yet more and made much of them, entertaining them with banquets and
+otherwhat, for fear lest they should publish his shame. Thus, then, as
+you have heard, is sense taught to whoso hath learned no great store
+thereof at Bologna."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     A CERTAIN WOMAN OF SICILY ARTFULLY DESPOILETH A MERCHANT OF
+     THAT WHICH HE HAD BROUGHT TO PALERMO; BUT HE, MAKING BELIEVE
+     TO HAVE RETURNED THITHER WITH MUCH GREATER PLENTY OF
+     MERCHANDISE THAN BEFORE, BORROWETH MONEY OF HER AND LEAVETH
+     HER WATER AND TOW IN PAYMENT
+
+
+How much the queen's story in divers places made the ladies laugh, it
+needed not to ask; suffice it to say that there was none of them to
+whose eyes the tears had not come a dozen times for excess of
+laughter: but, after it had an end, Dioneo, knowing that it was come
+to his turn to tell, said, "Gracious ladies, it is a manifest thing
+that sleights and devices are the more pleasing, the subtler the
+trickster who is thereby artfully outwitted. Wherefore, albeit you
+have related very fine stories, I mean to tell you one, which should
+please you more than any other that hath been told upon the same
+subject, inasmuch as she who was cheated was a greater mistress of the
+art of cheating others than was any of the men or women who were
+cozened by those of whom you have told.
+
+There used to be, and belike is yet, a custom, in all maritime places
+which have a port, that all merchants who come thither with
+merchandise, having unloaded it, should carry it all into a warehouse,
+which is in many places called a customhouse, kept by the commonality
+or by the lord of the place. There they give unto those who are
+deputed to that end a note in writing of all their merchandise and the
+value thereof, and they thereupon make over to each merchant a
+storehouse, wherein he layeth up his goods under lock and key.
+Moreover, the said officers enter in the book of the Customs, to each
+merchant's credit, all his merchandise, causing themselves after he
+paid their dues of the merchants, whether for all his said merchandise
+or for such part thereof as he withdraweth from the customhouse. By
+this book of the Customs the brokers mostly inform themselves of the
+quality and the quantity of the goods that are in bond there and also
+who are the merchants that own them; and with these latter, as
+occasion serveth them, they treat of exchanges and barters and sales
+and other transactions. This usance, amongst many other places, was
+current at Palermo in Sicily, where likewise there were and are yet
+many women, very fair of their person, but sworn enemies to honesty,
+who would be and are by those who know them not held great ladies and
+passing virtuous and who, being given not to shave, but altogether to
+flay men, no sooner espy a merchant there than they inform themselves
+by the book of the Customs of that which he hath there and how much he
+can do;[414] after which by their lovesome and engaging fashions and
+with the most dulcet words, they study to allure the said merchants
+and draw them into the snare of their love; and many an one have they
+aforetime lured thereinto, from whom they have wiled great part of
+their merchandise; nay, many have they despoiled of all, and of these
+there be some who have left goods and ship and flesh and bones in
+their hands, so sweetly hath the barberess known to ply the razor.
+
+[Footnote 414: _i.e._ what he is worth.]
+
+It chanced, not long since, that there came thither, sent by his
+masters, one of our young Florentines, by name Niccolo da Cignano,
+though more commonly called Salabaetto, with as many woollen cloths,
+left on his hands from the Salerno fair, as might be worth some five
+hundred gold florins, which having given the customhouse officers the
+invoice thereof, he laid up in a magazine and began, without showing
+overmuch haste to dispose of them, to go bytimes a-pleasuring about
+the city. He being of a fair complexion and yellow-haired and withal
+very sprightly and personable, it chanced that one of these same
+barberesses, who styled herself Madam Biancofiore, having heard
+somewhat of his affairs, cast her eyes on him; which he perceiving and
+taking her for some great lady, concluded that he pleased her for his
+good looks and bethought himself to order this amour with the utmost
+secrecy; wherefore, without saying aught thereof to any, he fell to
+passing and repassing before her house. She, noting this, after she
+had for some days well enkindled him with her eyes, making believe to
+languish for him, privily despatched to him one of her women, who was
+a past mistress in the procuring art and who, after much parley, told
+him, well nigh with tears in her eyes, that he had so taken her
+mistress with his comeliness and his pleasing fashions that she could
+find no rest day or night; wherefore, whenas it pleased him, she
+desired, more than aught else, to avail to foregather with him privily
+in a bagnio; then, pulling a ring from her pouch, she gave it to him
+on the part of her mistress. Salabaetto, hearing this, was the
+joyfullest man that was aye and taking the ring, rubbed it against his
+eyes and kissed it; after which he set it on his finger and replied to
+the good woman that, if Madam Biancofiore loved him, she was well
+requited it, for that he loved her more than his proper life and was
+ready to go whereassoever it should please her and at any hour. The
+messenger returned to her mistress with this answer and it was
+appointed Salabaetto out of hand at what bagnio he should expect her
+on the ensuing day after vespers.
+
+Accordingly, without saying aught of the matter to any, he punctually
+repaired thither at the hour appointed him and found the bagnio taken
+by the lady; nor had he waited long ere there came two slave-girls
+laden with gear and bearing on their heads, the one a fine large
+mattress of cotton wool and the other a great basket full of gear. The
+mattress they set on a bedstead in one of the chambers of the bagnio
+and spread thereon a pair of very fine sheets, laced with silk,
+together with a counterpane of snow-white Cyprus buckram[415] and two
+pillows wonder-curiously wrought.[416] Then, putting off their clothes
+they entered the bath and swept it all and washed it excellent well.
+Nor was it long ere the lady herself came thither, with other two
+slave-girls, and accosted Salabaetto with the utmost joy; then, as
+first she had commodity, after she had both clipped and kissed him
+amain, heaving the heaviest sighs in the world, she said to him, 'I
+know not who could have brought me to this pass, other than thou; thou
+hast kindled a fire in my vitals, little dog of a Tuscan!' Then, at
+her instance, they entered the bath, both naked, and with them two of
+the slave-girls; and there, without letting any else lay a finger on
+him, she with her own hands washed Salabaetto all wonder-well with
+musk and clove-scented soap; after which she let herself be washed and
+rubbed of the slave-girls. This done, the latter brought two very
+white and fine sheets, whence came so great a scent of roses that
+everything there seemed roses, in one of which they wrapped Salabaetto
+and in the other the lady and taking them in their arms, carried them
+both to the bed prepared for them. There, whenas they had left
+sweating, the slave-girls did them loose from the sheets wherein they
+were wrapped and they abode naked in the others, whilst the girls
+brought out of the basket wonder-goodly casting-bottles of silver,
+full of sweet waters, rose and jessamine and orange and citron-flower
+scented, and sprinkled them all therewith; after which boxes of
+succades and wines of great price were produced and they refreshed
+themselves awhile.
+
+[Footnote 415: _Bucherame._ The word "buckram" was anciently applied
+to the finest linen cloth, as is apparently the case here; see
+Ducange, voce _Boquerannus_, and Florio, voce _Bucherame_.]
+
+[Footnote 416: _i.e._ in needlework.]
+
+It seemed to Salabaetto as he were in Paradise and he cast a thousand
+glances at the lady, who was certes very handsome, himseeming each
+hour was an hundred years till the slave-girls should begone and he
+should find himself in her arms. Presently, at her commandment, the
+girls departed the chamber, leaving a flambeau alight there; whereupon
+she embraced Salabaetto and he her, and they abode together a great
+while, to the exceeding pleasure of the Florentine, to whom it seemed
+she was all afire for love of him. Whenas it seemed to her time to
+rise, she called the slave-girls and they clad themselves; then they
+recruited themselves somedele with a second collation of wine and
+sweetmeats and washed their hands and faces with odoriferous waters;
+after which, being about to depart, the lady said to Salabaetto, 'So
+it be agreeable to thee, it were doing me a very great favour an thou
+camest this evening to sup and lie the night with me.' Salabaetto, who
+was by this time altogether captivated by her beauty and the artful
+pleasantness of her fashions and firmly believed himself to be loved
+of her as he were the heart out of her body, replied, 'Madam, your
+every pleasure is supremely agreeable to me, wherefore both to-night
+and at all times I mean to do that which shall please you and that
+which shall be commanded me of you.'
+
+Accordingly the lady returned to her house, where she caused well
+bedeck her bedchamber with her dresses and gear and letting make ready
+a splendid supper, awaited Salabaetto, who, as soon as it was grown
+somewhat dark, betook himself thither and being received with open
+arms, supped with all cheer and commodity of service. Thereafter they
+betook themselves into the bedchamber, where he smelt a marvellous
+fragrance of aloes-wood and saw the bed very richly adorned with
+Cyprian singing-birds[417] and store of fine dresses upon the pegs,
+all which things together and each of itself made him conclude that
+this must be some great and rich lady. And although he had heard some
+whispers to the contrary anent her manner of life, he would not
+anywise believe it; or, if he e'en gave so much credit thereto as to
+allow that she might erst have cozened others, for nothing in the
+world could he have believed that this might possibly happen to
+himself. He lay that night with her in the utmost delight, still
+waxing more enamoured, and in the morning she girt him on a quaint and
+goodly girdle of silver, with a fine purse thereto, saying, 'Sweet my
+Salabaetto, I commend myself to thy remembrance, and like as my person
+is at thy pleasure, even so is all that is here and all that dependeth
+upon me at thy service and commandment.' Salabaetto, rejoiced,
+embraced and kissed her; then, going forth of her house, he betook
+himself whereas the other merchants were used to resort.
+
+[Footnote 417: "It was the custom in those days to attach to the
+bedposts sundry small instruments in the form of birds, which, by
+means of certain mechanical devices, gave forth sounds modulated like
+the song of actual birds."--_Fanfani._]
+
+On this wise consorting with her at one time and another, without its
+costing him aught in the world, and growing every hour more entangled,
+it befell that he sold his stuffs for ready money and made a good
+profit thereby; of which the lady incontinent heard, not from him, but
+from others, and Salabaetto being come one night to visit her, she
+fell to prattling and wantoning with him, kissing and clipping him and
+feigning herself so enamoured of him that it seemed she must die of
+love in his arms. Moreover, she would fain have given him two very
+fine hanaps of silver that she had; but he would not take them, for
+that he had had of her, at one time and another, what was worth a good
+thirty gold florins, without availing to have her take of him so much
+as a groat's worth. At last, whenas she had well enkindled him by
+showing herself so enamoured and freehanded, one of her slave-girls
+called her, as she had ordained beforehand; whereupon she left the
+chamber and coming back, after awhile, in tears cast herself face
+downward on the bed and fell to making the woefullest lamentation ever
+woman made. Salabaetto, marvelling at this, caught her in his arms and
+fell a-weeping with her and saying, 'Alack, heart of my body, what
+aileth thee thus suddenly? What is the cause of this grief? For God's
+sake, tell it me, my soul.' The lady, after letting herself be long
+entreated, answered, 'Woe's me, sweet my lord, I know not what to say
+or to do; I have but now received letters from Messina and my brother
+writeth me that, should I sell or pawn all that is here,[418] I must
+without fail send him a thousand gold florins within eight days from
+this time, else will his head be cut off; and I know not how I shall
+do to get this sum so suddenly. Had I but fifteen days' grace, I would
+find a means of procuring it from a certain quarter whence I am to
+have much more, or I would sell one of our farms; but, as this may not
+be, I had liefer be dead than that this ill news should have come to
+me.'
+
+[Footnote 418: Syn. that which belongeth to us (_ciň che ci č_,) _ci_,
+as I have before noted, signifying both "here" and "us," dative and
+accusative.]
+
+So saying, she made a show of being sore afflicted and stinted not
+from weeping; whereupon quoth Salabaetto, whom the flames of love had
+bereft of great part of his wonted good sense, so that he believed
+her tears to be true and her words truer yet, 'Madam, I cannot oblige
+you with a thousand florins, but five hundred I can very well advance
+you, since you believe you will be able to return them to me within a
+fortnight from this time; and this is of your good fortune that I
+chanced but yesterday to sell my stuffs; for, had it not been so, I
+could not have lent you a groat.' 'Alack,' cried the lady, 'hast thou
+then been straitened for lack of money? Marry, why didst thou not
+require me thereof? Though I have not a thousand, I had an hundred and
+even two hundred to give thee. Thou hast deprived me of all heart to
+accept of thee the service thou profferest me.' Salabaetto was more
+than ever taken with these words and said, 'Madam, I would not have
+you refrain on that account, for, had I had such an occasion therefor
+as you presently have, I would assuredly have asked you.' 'Alack,
+Salabaetto mine,' replied the lady, 'now know I aright that thine is a
+true and perfect love for me, since, without waiting to be required,
+thou freely succoureth me, in such a strait, with so great a sum of
+money. Certes, I was all thine without this, but with this I shall be
+far more so; nor shall I ever forget that I owe thee my brother's
+life. But God knoweth I take it sore unwillingly, seeing that thou art
+a merchant and that with money merchants transact all their affairs;
+however, since need constraineth me, and I have certain assurance of
+speedily restoring it to thee, I will e'en take it; and for the rest,
+an I find no readier means, I will pawn all these my possessions.' So
+saying, she let herself fall, weeping, on Salabaetto's neck. He fell
+to comforting her and after abiding the night with her, he, next
+morning, to approve himself her most liberal servant, without waiting
+to be asked by her, carried her five hundred right gold florins, which
+she received with tears in her eyes, but laughter in her heart,
+Salabaetto contenting himself with her simple promise.
+
+As soon as the lady had the money, the signs began to change, and
+whereas before he had free access to her whenassoever it pleased him,
+reasons now began to crop up, whereby it betided him not to win
+admission there once out of seven times, nor was he received with the
+same countenance nor the same caresses and rejoicings as before. And
+the term at which he was to have had his monies again being, not to
+say come, but past by a month or two and he requiring them, words were
+given him in payment. Thereupon his eyes were opened to the wicked
+woman's arts and his own lack of wit, wherefore, feeling that he could
+say nought of her beyond that which might please her concerning the
+matter, since he had neither script nor other evidence thereof, and
+being ashamed to complain to any, as well for that he had been
+forewarned thereof as for fear of the scoffs which he might reasonably
+expect for his folly, he was beyond measure woeful and inwardly
+bewailed his credulity.
+
+At last, having had divers letters from his masters, requiring him to
+change[419] the monies in question and remit them to them, he
+determined to depart, lest, an he did it not, his default should be
+discovered there, and accordingly, going aboard a little ship, he
+betook himself, not to Pisa, as he should have done, but to Naples.
+There at that time was our gossip Pietro dello Canigiano, treasurer to
+the Empress of Constantinople, a man of great understanding and subtle
+wit and a fast friend of Salabaetto and his family; and to him, as to
+a very discreet man, the disconsolate Florentine recounted that which
+he had done and the mischance that had befallen him, requiring him of
+aid and counsel, so he might contrive to gain his living there, and
+avouching his intention nevermore to return to Florence. Canigiano was
+concerned for this and said, 'Ill hast thou done and ill hast thou
+carried thyself; thou hast disobeyed thy masters and hast, at one
+cast, spent a great sum of money in wantonness; but, since it is done,
+we must look for otherwhat.'[420] Accordingly, like a shrewd man as he
+was, he speedily bethought himself what was to be done and told it to
+Salabaetto, who was pleased with the device and set about putting it
+in execution. He had some money and Canigiano having lent him other
+some, he made up a number of bales well packed and corded; then,
+buying a score of oil-casks and filling them, he embarked the whole
+and returned to Palermo, where, having given the customhouse officers
+the bill of lading and the value of the casks and let enter everything
+to his account, he laid the whole up in the magazines, saying that he
+meant not to touch them till such time as certain other merchandise
+which he expected should be come.
+
+[Footnote 419: _i.e._ procure bills of exchange for.]
+
+[Footnote 420: _i.e._ we must see what is to be done.]
+
+Biancofiore, getting wind of this and hearing that the merchandise he
+had presently brought with him was worth good two thousand florins,
+without reckoning what he looked for, which was valued at more than
+three thousand, bethought herself that she had flown at too small game
+and determined to restore him the five hundred florins, so she might
+avail to have the greater part of the five thousand. Accordingly, she
+sent for him and Salabaetto, grown cunning, went to her; whereupon,
+making believe to know nothing of that which he had brought with him,
+she received him with a great show of fondness and said to him,
+'Harkye, if thou wast vexed with me, for that I repaid thee not thy
+monies on the very day....' Salabaetto fell a-laughing and answered;
+'In truth, madam, it did somewhat displease me, seeing I would have
+torn out my very heart to give it you, an I thought to pleasure you
+withal; but I will have you hear how I am vexed with you. Such and so
+great is the love I bear you, that I have sold the most part of my
+possessions and have presently brought hither merchandise to the value
+of more than two thousand florins and expect from the westward as much
+more as will be worth over three thousand, with which I mean to stock
+me a warehouse in this city and take up my sojourn here, so I may
+still be near you, meseeming I fare better of your love than ever
+lover of his lady.'
+
+'Look you, Salabaetto,' answered the lady, 'every commodity of thine
+is mighty pleasing to me, as that of him whom I love more than my
+life, and it pleaseth me amain that thou art returned hither with
+intent to sojourn here, for that I hope yet to have good time galore
+with thee; but I would fain excuse myself somedele to thee for that,
+whenas thou wast about to depart, thou wouldst bytimes have come
+hither and couldst not, and whiles thou camest and wast not so gladly
+seen as thou wast used to be, more by token that I returned thee not
+thy monies at the time promised. Thou must know that I was then in
+very great concern and sore affliction, and whoso is in such case, how
+much soever he may love another, cannot always show him so cheerful a
+countenance or pay him such attention as he might wish. Moreover, thou
+must know that it is mighty uneasy for a woman to avail to find a
+thousand gold florins; all day long we are put off with lies and that
+which is promised us is not performed unto us; wherefore needs must we
+in our turn lie unto others. Hence cometh it, and not of my default,
+that I gave thee not back thy monies. However, I had them a little
+after thy departure, and had I known whither to send them, thou mayst
+be assured that I would have remitted them to thee; but, not knowing
+this, I kept them for thee.' Then, letting fetch a purse wherein were
+the very monies he had brought her, she put it into his hand, saying,
+'Count them if there be five hundred.' Never was Salabaetto so glad;
+he counted them and finding them five hundred, put them up and said,
+'Madam, I am assured that you say sooth; but you have done enough [to
+convince me of your love for me,] and I tell you that, for this and
+for the love I bear you, you could never require me, for any your
+occasion, of whatsoever sum I might command, but I would oblige you
+therewith; and whenas I am established here, you may put this to the
+proof.'
+
+Having again on this wise renewed his loves with her in words, he fell
+again to using amically with her, whilst she made much of him and
+showed him the greatest goodwill and honour in the world, feigning the
+utmost love for him. But he, having a mind to return her cheat for
+cheat, being one day sent for by her to sup and sleep with her, went
+thither so chapfallen and so woebegone that it seemed as he would die.
+Biancofiore, embracing him and kissing him, began to question him of
+what ailed him to be thus melancholy, and he, after letting himself be
+importuned a good while, answered, 'I am a ruined man, for that the
+ship, wherein is the merchandise I expected, hath been taken by the
+corsairs of Monaco and held to ransom in ten thousand gold florins,
+whereof it falleth to me to pay a thousand, and I have not a farthing,
+for that the five hundred pieces thou returnedst to me I sent
+incontinent to Naples to lay out in cloths to be brought hither; and
+should I go about at this present to sell the merchandise I have here,
+I should scarce get a penny for two pennyworth, for that it is no time
+for selling. Nor am I yet so well known that I could find any here to
+help me to this, wherefore I know not what to do or to say; for, if I
+send not the monies speedily, the merchandise will be carried off to
+Monaco and I shall never again have aught thereof.'
+
+The lady was mightily concerned at this, fearing to lose him
+altogether, and considering how she should do, so he might not go to
+Monaco, said, 'God knoweth I am sore concerned for the love of thee;
+but what availeth it to afflict oneself thus? If I had the monies, God
+knoweth I would lend them to thee incontinent; but I have them not.
+True, there is a certain person here who obliged me the other day
+with the five hundred florins that I lacked; but he will have heavy
+usance for his monies; nay, he requireth no less than thirty in the
+hundred, and if thou wilt borrow of him, needs must he be made secure
+with a good pledge. For my part, I am ready to engage for thee all
+these my goods and my person, to boot, for as much as he will lend
+thereon; but how wilt thou assure him of the rest?' Salabaetto readily
+apprehended the reason that moved her to do him this service and
+divined that it was she herself who was to lend him the money;
+wherewith he was well pleased and thanking her, answered that he would
+not be put off for exorbitant usance, need constraining him. Moreover,
+he said that he would give assurance of the merchandise he had in the
+customhouse, letting inscribe it to him who should lend him the money;
+but that needs must be kept the key of the magazines, as well that he
+might be able to show his wares, an it were required of him, as that
+nothing might be touched or changed or tampered withal.
+
+The lady answered that it was well said and that this was good enough
+assurance; wherefore, as soon as the day was come, she sent for a
+broker, in whom she trusted greatly, and taking order with him of the
+matter, gave him a thousand gold florins, which he lent to Salabaetto,
+letting inscribe in his own name at the customhouse that which the
+latter had there; then, having made their writings and counter-writings
+together and being come to an accord,[421] they occupied themselves
+with their other affairs. Salabaetto, as soonest he might, embarked,
+with the fifteen hundred gold florins, on board a little ship and
+returned to Pietro dello Canigiano at Naples, whence he remitted to
+his masters, who had despatched him with the stuffs, a good and entire
+account thereof. Then, having repaid Pietro and every other to whom he
+owed aught, he made merry several days with Canigiano over the cheat
+he had put upon the Sicilian trickstress; after which, resolved to be
+no more a merchant, he betook himself to Ferrara.
+
+[Footnote 421: _i.e._ having executed and exchanged the necessary
+legal documents for the proper carrying out of the transaction and
+completed the matter to their mutual satisfaction.]
+
+Meanwhile, Biancofiore, finding that Salabaetto had left Palermo,
+began to marvel and wax misdoubtful and after having awaited him good
+two months, seeing that he came not, she caused the broker force open
+the magazines. Trying first the casks, which she believed to be filled
+with oil, she found them full of seawater, save that there was in each
+maybe a runlet of oil at the top near the bunghole. Then, undoing the
+bales, she found them all full of tow, with the exception of two,
+which were stuffs; and in brief, with all that was there, there was
+not more than two hundred florins' worth. Wherefore Biancofiore,
+confessing herself outwitted, long lamented the five hundred florins
+repaid and yet more the thousand lent, saying often, 'Who with a
+Tuscan hath to do, Must nor be blind nor see askew.' On this wise,
+having gotten nothing for her pains but loss and scorn, she found, to
+her cost, that some folk know as much as others."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+No sooner had Dioneo made an end of his story than Lauretta, knowing
+the term to be come beyond which she was not to reign and having
+commended Canigiano's counsel (which was approved good by its effect)
+and Salabaetto's shrewdness (which was no less commendable) in
+carrying it into execution, lifted the laurel from her own head and
+set it on that of Emilia, saying, with womanly grace, "Madam, I know
+not how pleasant a queen we shall have of you; but, at the least, we
+shall have a fair one. Look, then, that your actions be conformable to
+your beauties." So saying, she returned to her seat, whilst Emilia, a
+thought abashed, not so much at being made queen as to see herself
+publicly commended of that which women use most to covet, waxed such
+in face as are the new-blown roses in the dawning. However, after she
+had kept her eyes awhile lowered, till the redness had given place,
+she took order with the seneschal of that which concerned the general
+entertainment and presently said, "Delightsome ladies, it is common,
+after oxen have toiled some part of the day, confined under the yoke,
+to see them loosed and eased thereof and freely suffered to go
+a-pasturing, where most it liketh them, about the woods; and it is
+manifest also that leafy gardens, embowered with various plants, are
+not less, but much more fair than groves wherein one seeth only oaks.
+Wherefore, seeing how many days we have discoursed, under the
+restraint of a fixed law, I opine that, as well unto us as to those
+whom need constraineth to labour for their daily bread, it is not only
+useful, but necessary, to play the truant awhile and wandering thus
+afield, to regain strength to enter anew under the yoke. Wherefore,
+for that which is to be related to-morrow, ensuing your delectable
+usance of discourse, I purpose not to restrict you to any special
+subject, but will have each discourse according as it pleaseth him,
+holding it for certain that the variety of the things which will be
+said will afford us no less entertainment than to have discoursed of
+one alone; and having done thus, whoso shall come after me in the
+sovranty may, as stronger than I, avail with greater assurance to
+restrict us within the limits of the wonted laws." So saying, she set
+every one at liberty till supper-time.
+
+All commended the queen of that which she had said, holding it sagely
+spoken, and rising to their feet, addressed themselves, this to one
+kind of diversion and that to another, the ladies to weaving garlands
+and to gambolling and the young men to gaming and singing. On this
+wise they passed the time until the supper-hour, which being come,
+they supped with mirth and good cheer about the fair fountain and
+after diverted themselves with singing and dancing according to the
+wonted usance. At last, the queen, to ensue the fashion of her
+predecessors, commanded Pamfilo to sing a song, notwithstanding those
+which sundry of the company had already sung of their freewill; and he
+readily began thus:
+
+         Such is thy pleasure, Love
+     And such the allegresse I feel thereby
+     That happy, burning in thy fire, am I.
+
+     The abounding gladness in my heart that glows,
+       For the high joy and dear
+         Whereto thou hast me led,
+     Unable to contain there, overflows
+       And in my face's cheer
+         Displays my happihead;
+         For being enamouréd
+     In such a worship-worthy place and high
+     Makes eath to me the burning I aby.
+
+     I cannot with my finger what I feel
+       Limn, Love, nor do I know
+         My bliss in song to vent;
+     Nay, though I knew it, needs must I conceal,
+       For, once divulged, I trow
+         'Twould turn to dreariment.
+         Yet am I so content,
+     All speech were halt and feeble, did I try
+     The least thereof with words to signify.
+
+     Who might conceive it that these arms of mine
+       Should anywise attain
+         Whereas I've held them aye,
+     Or that my face should reach so fair a shrine
+       As that, of favour fain
+         And grace, I've won to? Nay,
+         Such fortune ne'er a day
+     Believed me were; whence all afire am I,
+     Hiding the source of my liesse thereby.
+
+This was the end of Pamfilo's song, whereto albeit it had been
+completely responded of all, there was none but noted the words
+thereof with more attent solicitude than pertained unto him, studying
+to divine that which, as he sang, it behoved him to keep hidden from
+them; and although sundry went imagining various things, nevertheless
+none happened upon the truth of the case.[422] But the queen, seeing
+that the song was ended and that both young ladies and men would
+gladly rest themselves, commanded that all should betake themselves to
+bed.
+
+[Footnote 422: The song sung by Pamfilo (under which name, as I have
+before pointed out, the author appears to represent himself)
+apparently alludes to Boccaccio's amours with the Princess Maria of
+Naples (Fiammetta), by whom his passion was returned in kind.]
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE EIGHTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Ninth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE NINTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF EMILIA EACH DISCOURSETH ACCORDING AS IT
+     PLEASETH HIM AND OF THAT WHICH IS MOST TO HIS LIKING
+
+
+The light, from whose resplendence the night fleeth, had already
+changed all the eighth heaven[423] from azure to watchet-colour[424]
+and the flowerets began to lift their heads along the meads, when
+Emilia, uprising, let call the ladies her comrades and on like wise
+the young men, who, being come, fared forth, ensuing the slow steps of
+the queen, and betook themselves to a coppice but little distant from
+the palace. Therein entering, they saw the animals, wild goats and
+deer and others, as if assured of security from the hunters by reason
+of the prevailing pestilence, stand awaiting them no otherwise than as
+they were grown without fear or tame, and diverted themselves awhile
+with them, drawing near, now to this one and now to that, as if they
+would fain lay hands on them, and making them run and skip. But, the
+sun now waxing high, they deemed it well to turn back. They were all
+garlanded with oak leaves, with their hands full of flowers and
+sweet-scented herbs, and whoso encountered them had said no otherwhat
+than "Or these shall not be overcome of death or it will slay them
+merry." On this wise, then, they fared on, step by step, singing and
+chatting and laughing, till they came to the palace, where they found
+everything orderly disposed and their servants full of mirth and
+joyous cheer. There having rested awhile, they went not to dinner till
+half a dozen canzonets, each merrier than other, had been carolled by
+the young men and the ladies; then, water being given to their hands,
+the seneschal seated them all at table, according to the queen's
+pleasure, and the viands being brought, they all ate blithely. Rising
+thence, they gave themselves awhile to dancing and music-making, and
+after, by the queen's commandment, whoso would betook himself to rest.
+But presently, the wonted hour being come, all in the accustomed place
+assembled to discourse, whereupon the queen, looking at Filomena, bade
+her give commencement to the stories of that day, and she, smiling,
+began on this wise:
+
+[Footnote 423: According to the Ptolemaic system, the earth is
+encompassed by eight celestial zones or heavens; the first or highest,
+above which is the empyrean, (otherwise called the ninth heaven,) is
+that of the Moon, the second that of Mercury, the third that of Venus,
+the fourth that of the Sun, the fifth that of Mars, the sixth that of
+Jupiter, the seventh that of Saturn and the eighth or lowest that of
+the fixed stars and of the Earth.]
+
+[Footnote 424: _D'azzurrino in color cilestro._ This is one of the
+many passages in which Boccaccio has imitated Dante (cf. Purgatorio,
+c. xxvi. II. 4-6, "... il sole.... Che giŕ, raggiando, tutto
+l'occidente Mutava in bianco aspetto di cilestro,") and also one of
+the innumerable instances in which former translators (who all agree
+in making the advent of the light change the colour of the sky from
+azure to a darker colour, instead of, as Boccaccio intended, to
+watchet, _i.e._ a paler or greyish blue,) have misrendered the text,
+for sheer ignorance of the author's meaning.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     MADAM FRANCESCA, BEING COURTED BY ONE RINUCCIO PALERMINI AND
+     ONE ALESSANDRO CHIARMONTESI AND LOVING NEITHER THE ONE NOR
+     THE OTHER, ADROITLY RIDDETH HERSELF OF BOTH BY CAUSING ONE
+     ENTER FOR DEAD INTO A SEPULCHRE AND THE OTHER BRING HIM
+     FORTH THEREOF FOR DEAD, ON SUCH WISE THAT THEY CANNOT AVAIL
+     TO ACCOMPLISH THE CONDITION IMPOSED
+
+
+"Since it is your pleasure, madam, I am well pleased to be she who
+shall run the first ring in this open and free field of story-telling,
+wherein your magnificence hath set us; the which an I do well, I doubt
+not but that those who shall come after will do well and better. Many
+a time, charming ladies, hath it been shown in our discourses what
+and how great is the power of love; natheless, for that medeemeth not
+it hath been fully spoken thereof (no, nor would be, though we should
+speak of nothing else for a year to come,) and that not only doth love
+bring lovers into divers dangers of death, but causeth them even to
+enter for dead into the abiding-places of the dead, it is my pleasure
+to relate to you a story thereof, over and above those which have been
+told, whereby not only will you apprehend the puissance of love, but
+will know the wit used by a worthy lady in ridding herself of two who
+loved her against her will.
+
+You must know, then, that there was once in the city of Pistoia a very
+fair widow lady, of whom two of our townsmen, called the one Rinuccio
+Palermini and the other Alessandro Chiarmontesi, there abiding by
+reason of banishment from Florence, were, without knowing one of
+other, passionately enamoured, having by chance fallen in love with
+her and doing privily each his utmost endeavour to win her favour. The
+gentlewoman in question, whose name was Madam Francesca de' Lazzari,
+being still importuned of the one and the other with messages and
+entreaties, to which she had whiles somewhat unwisely given ear, and
+desiring, but in vain, discreetly to retract, bethought herself how
+she might avail to rid herself of their importunity by requiring them
+of a service, which, albeit it was possible, she conceived that
+neither of them would render her, to the intent that, they not doing
+that which she required, she might have a fair and colourable occasion
+of refusing to hearken more to their messages; and the device which
+occurred to her was on this wise.
+
+There had died that very day at Pistoia, one, who, albeit his
+ancestors were gentlemen, was reputed the worst man that was, not only
+in Pistoia, but in all the world; more by token that he was in his
+lifetime so misshapen and of so monstrous a favour that whoso knew him
+not, seeing him for the first time, had been affeared of him; and he
+had been buried in a tomb without the church of the Minor Friars. This
+circumstance she bethought herself would in part be very apt to her
+purpose and accordingly she said to a maid of hers, 'Thou knowest the
+annoy and the vexation I suffer all day long by the messages of yonder
+two Florentines, Rinuccio and Alessandro. Now I am not disposed to
+gratify [either of] them with my love, and to rid myself of them, I
+have bethought myself, for the great proffers that they make, to seek
+to make proof of them in somewhat which I am certain they will not do;
+so shall I do away from me this their importunity, and thou shalt see
+how. Thou knowest that Scannadio,[425] for so was the wicked man
+called of whom we have already spoken, 'was this morning buried in the
+burial-place of the Minor Brethren, Scannadio, of whom, whenas they
+saw him alive, let alone dead, the doughtiest men of this city went in
+fear; wherefore go thou privily first to Alessandro and bespeak him,
+saying, "Madam Francesca giveth thee to know that now is the time
+come whenas thou mayst have her love, which thou hast so much
+desired, and be with her, an thou wilt, on this wise. This night, for
+a reason which thou shalt know after, the body of Scannadio, who was
+this morning buried, is to be brought to her house by a kinsman of
+hers, and she, being in great fear of him, dead though he be, would
+fain not have him there; wherefore she prayeth thee that it please
+thee, by way of doing her a great service, go this evening, at the
+time of the first sleep, to the tomb wherein he is buried, and donning
+the dead man's clothes, abide as thou wert he until such time as they
+shall come for thee. Then, without moving or speaking, thou must
+suffer thyself be taken up out of the tomb and carried to her house,
+where she will receive thee, and thou mayst after abide with her and
+depart at thy leisure, leaving to her the care of the rest." An he say
+that he will do it, well and good; but, should he refuse, bid him on
+my part, never more show himself whereas I may be and look, as he
+valueth his life, that he send me no more letters or messages. Then
+shalt thou betake thee to Rinuccio Palermini and say to him, "Madam
+Francesca saith that she is ready to do thine every pleasure, an thou
+wilt render her a great service, to wit, that to-night, towards the
+middle hour, thou get thee to the tomb wherein Scannadio was this
+morning buried and take him up softly thence and bring him to her at
+her house, without saying a word of aught thou mayst hear or feel.
+There shalt thou learn what she would with him and have of her thy
+pleasure; but, an it please thee not to do this, she chargeth thee
+never more send her writ nor message."'
+
+[Footnote 425: _Scannadio_ signifies "Murder-God" and was no doubt a
+nickname bestowed upon the dead man, on account of his wicked and
+reprobate way of life.]
+
+The maid betook herself to the two lovers and did her errand
+punctually to each, saying as it had been enjoined her; whereto each
+made answer that, an it pleased her, they would go, not only into a
+tomb, but into hell itself. The maid carried their reply to the lady
+and she waited to see if they would be mad enough to do it. The night
+come, whenas it was the season of the first sleep, Alessandro
+Chiarmontesi, having stripped himself to his doublet, went forth of
+his house to take Scannadio's place in the tomb; but, by the way,
+there came a very frightful thought into his head and he fell a-saying
+in himself, 'Good lack, what a fool I am! Whither go I? How know I but
+yonder woman's kinsfolk, having maybe perceived that I love her and
+believing that which is not, have caused me do this, so they may
+slaughter me in yonder tomb? An it should happen thus, I should suffer
+for it nor would aught in the world be ever known thereof to their
+detriment. Or what know I but maybe some enemy of mine hath procured
+me this, whom she belike loveth and seeketh to oblige therein?' Then
+said he, 'But, grant that neither of these things be and that her
+kinsfolk are e'en for carrying me to her house, I must believe that
+they want not Scannadio's body to hold it in their arms or to put it
+in hers; nay, it is rather to be conceived that they mean to do it
+some mischief, as the body of one who maybe disobliged them in
+somewhat aforetime. She saith that I am not to say a word for aught
+that I may feel. But, should they put out mine eyes or draw my teeth
+or lop off my hands or play me any other such trick, how shall I do?
+How could I abide quiet? And if I speak, they will know me and mayhap
+do me a mischief, or, though they do me no hurt, yet shall I have
+accomplished nothing, for that they will not leave me with the lady;
+whereupon she will say that I have broken her commandment and will
+never do aught to pleasure me.' So saying, he had well nigh returned
+home; but, nevertheless, his great love urged him on with counter
+arguments of such potency that they brought him to the tomb, which he
+opened and entering therein, stripped Scannadio of his clothes; then,
+donning them and shutting the tomb upon himself, he laid himself in
+the dead man's place. Thereupon he began to call to mind what manner
+of man the latter had been and remembering him of all the things
+whereof he had aforetime heard tell as having befallen by night, not
+to say in the sepulchres of the dead, but even otherwhere, his every
+hair began to stand on end and himseemed each moment as if Scannadio
+should rise upright and butcher him then and there. However, aided by
+his ardent love, he got the better of these and the other fearful
+thoughts that beset him and abiding as he were the dead man, he fell
+to awaiting that which should betide him.
+
+Meanwhile, Rinuccio, midnight being now at hand, departed his house,
+to do that which had been enjoined him of his mistress, and as he
+went, he entered into many and various thoughts of the things which
+might possibly betide him; as, to wit, that he might fall into the
+hands of the police, with Scannadio's body on his shoulders, and be
+doomed to the fire as a sorcerer, and that he should, an the thing
+came to be known, incur the ill-will of his kinsfolk, and other like
+thoughts, whereby he was like to have been deterred. But after,
+bethinking himself again, 'Alack,' quoth he, 'shall I deny this
+gentlewoman, whom I have so loved and love, the first thing she
+requireth of me, especially as I am thereby to gain her favour? God
+forbid, though I were certainly to die thereof, but I should set
+myself to do that which I have promised!' Accordingly, he went on and
+presently coming to the sepulchre, opened it easily; which Alessandro
+hearing, abode still, albeit he was in great fear. Rinuccio, entering
+in and thinking to take Scannadio's body, laid hold of Alessandro's
+feet and drew him forth of the tomb; then, hoisting him on his
+shoulders, he made off towards the lady's house.
+
+Going thus and taking no manner of heed to his burden, he jolted it
+many a time now against one corner and now another of certain benches
+that were beside the way, more by token that the night was so cloudy
+and so dark he could not see whither he went. He was already well nigh
+at the door of the gentlewoman, who had posted herself at the window
+with her maid, to see if he would bring Alessandro, and was ready
+armed with an excuse to send them both away, when it chanced that the
+officers of the watch, who were ambushed in the street and abode
+silently on the watch to lay hands upon a certain outlaw, hearing the
+scuffling that Rinuccio made with his feet, suddenly put out a light,
+to see what was to do and whither to go, and rattled their targets and
+halberds, crying, 'Who goeth there?' Rinuccio, seeing this and having
+scant time for deliberation, let fall his burden and made off as fast
+as his legs would carry him; whereupon Alessandro arose in haste and
+made off in his turn, for all he was hampered with the dead man's
+clothes, which were very long. The lady, by the light of the lantern
+put out by the police, had plainly recognized Rinuccio, with
+Alessandro on his shoulders, and perceiving the latter to be clad in
+Scannadio's clothes, marvelled amain at the exceeding hardihood of
+both; but, for all her wonderment, she laughed heartily to see
+Alessandro cast down on the ground and to see him after take to
+flight. Then, rejoiced at this accident and praising God that He had
+rid her of the annoy of these twain, she turned back into the house
+and betook herself to her chamber, avouching to her maid that without
+doubt they both loved her greatly, since, as it appeared, they had
+done that which she had enjoined them.
+
+Meanwhile Rinuccio, woeful and cursing his ill fortune, for all that
+returned not home, but, as soon as the watch had departed the
+neighbourhood, he came back whereas he had dropped Alessandro and
+groped about, to see if he could find him again, so he might make an
+end of his service; but, finding him not and concluding that the
+police had carried him off, he returned to his own house, woebegone,
+whilst Alessandro, unknowing what else to do, made off home on like
+wise, chagrined at such a misadventure and without having recognized
+him who had borne him thither. On the morrow, Scannadio's tomb being
+found open and his body not to be seen, for that Alessandro had rolled
+it to the bottom of the vault, all Pistoia was busy with various
+conjectures anent the matter, and the simpler sort concluded that he
+had been carried off by the devils. Nevertheless, each of the two
+lovers signified to the lady that which he had done and what had
+befallen and excusing himself withal for not having full accomplished
+her commandment, claimed her favour and her love; but she, making
+believe to credit neither of this, rid herself of them with a curt
+response to the effect that she would never consent to do aught for
+them, since they had not done that which she had required of them."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     AN ABBESS, ARISING IN HASTE AND IN THE DARK TO FIND ONE OF
+     HER NUNS, WHO HAD BEEN DENOUNCED TO HER, IN BED WITH HER
+     LOVER AND THINKING TO COVER HER HEAD WITH HER COIF, DONNETH
+     INSTEAD THEREOF THE BREECHES OF A PRIEST WHO IS ABED WITH
+     HER; THE WHICH THE ACCUSED NUN OBSERVING AND MAKING HER
+     AWARE THEREOF, SHE IS ACQUITTED AND HATH LEISURE TO BE WITH
+     HER LOVER
+
+
+Filomena was now silent and the lady's address in ridding herself of
+those whom she chose not to love having been commended of all, whilst,
+on the other hand, the presumptuous hardihood of the two gallants was
+held of them to be not love, but madness, the queen said gaily to
+Elisa, "Elisa, follow on." Accordingly, she promptly began,
+"Adroitly, indeed, dearest ladies, did Madam Francesca contrive to rid
+herself of her annoy, as hath been told; but a young nun, fortune
+aiding her, delivered herself with an apt speech from an imminent
+peril. As you know, there be many very dull folk, who set up for
+teachers and censors of others, but whom, as you may apprehend from my
+story, fortune bytimes deservedly putteth to shame, as befell the
+abbess, under whose governance was the nun of whom I have to tell.
+
+You must know, then, that there was once in Lombardy a convent, very
+famous for sanctity and religion, wherein, amongst the other nuns who
+were there, was a young lady of noble birth and gifted with marvellous
+beauty, who was called Isabetta and who, coming one day to the grate
+to speak with a kinsman of hers, fell in love with a handsome young
+man who accompanied him. The latter, seeing her very fair and divining
+her wishes with his eyes, became on like wise enamoured of her, and
+this love they suffered a great while without fruit, to the no small
+unease of each. At last, each being solicited by a like desire, the
+young man hit upon a means of coming at his nun in all secrecy, and
+she consenting thereto, he visited her, not once, but many times, to
+the great contentment of both. But, this continuing, it chanced one
+night that he was, without the knowledge of himself or his mistress,
+seen of one of the ladies of the convent to take leave of Isabetta and
+go his ways. The nun communicated her discovery to divers others and
+they were minded at first to denounce Isabetta to the abbess, who was
+called Madam Usimbalda and who, in the opinion of the nuns and of
+whosoever knew her, was a good and pious lady; but, on consideration,
+they bethought themselves to seek to have the abbess take her with the
+young man, so there might be no room for denial. Accordingly, they
+held their peace and kept watch by turns in secret to surprise her.
+
+Now it chanced that Isabetta, suspecting nothing of this nor being on
+her guard, caused her lover come thither one night, which was
+forthright known to those who were on the watch for this and who,
+whenas it seemed to them time, a good part of the night being spent,
+divided themselves into two parties, whereof one abode on guard at the
+door of her cell, whilst the other ran to the abbess's chamber and
+knocking at the door, till she answered, said to her, 'Up, madam;
+arise quickly, for we have discovered that Isabetta hath a young man
+in her cell.' Now the abbess was that night in company with a priest,
+whom she ofttimes let come to her in a chest; but, hearing the nuns'
+outcry and fearing lest, of their overhaste and eagerness, they should
+push open the door, she hurriedly arose and dressed herself as best
+she might in the dark. Thinking to take certain plaited veils, which
+nuns wear on their heads and call a psalter, she caught up by chance
+the priest's breeches, and such was her haste that, without remarking
+what she did, she threw them over her head, in lieu of the psalter,
+and going forth, hurriedly locked the door after her, saying, 'Where
+is this accursed one of God?' Then, in company with the others, who
+were so ardent and so intent upon having Isabetta taken in default
+that they noted not that which the abbess had on her head, she came
+to the cell-door and breaking it open, with the aid of the others,
+entered and found the two lovers abed in each other's arms, who, all
+confounded at such a surprise, abode fast, unknowing what to do.
+
+The young lady was incontinent seized by the other nuns and haled off,
+by command of the abbess, to the chapter-house, whilst her gallant
+dressed himself and abode await to see what should be the issue of the
+adventure, resolved, if any hurt were offered to his mistress, to do a
+mischief to as many nuns as he could come at and carry her off. The
+abbess, sitting in chapter, proceeded, in the presence of all the
+nuns, who had no eyes but for the culprit, to give the latter the
+foulest rating that ever woman had, as having by her lewd and filthy
+practices (an the thing should come to be known without the walls)
+sullied the sanctity, the honour and the fair fame of the convent; and
+to this she added very grievous menaces. The young lady, shamefast and
+fearful, as feeling herself guilty, knew not what to answer and
+keeping silence, possessed the other nuns with compassion for her.
+However, after a while, the abbess multiplying words, she chanced to
+raise her eyes and espied that which the former had on her head and
+the hose-points that hung down therefrom on either side; whereupon,
+guessing how the matter stood, she was all reassured and said, 'Madam,
+God aid you, tie up your coif and after say what you will to me.'
+
+The abbess, taking not her meaning, answered, 'What coif, vile woman
+that thou art? Hast thou the face to bandy pleasantries at such a
+time? Thinkest thou this that thou hast done is a jesting matter?'
+'Prithee, madam,' answered Isabetta, 'tie up your coif and after say
+what you will to me.' Thereupon many of the nuns raised their eyes to
+the abbess's head and she also, putting her hand thereto, perceived,
+as did the others, why Isabetta spoke thus; wherefore the abbess,
+becoming aware of her own default and perceiving that it was seen of
+all, past hope of recoverance, changed her note and proceeding to
+speak after a fashion altogether different from her beginning, came to
+the conclusion that it is impossible to withstand the pricks of the
+flesh, wherefore she said that each should, whenas she might, privily
+give herself a good time, even as it had been done until that day.
+Accordingly, setting the young lady free, she went back to sleep with
+her priest and Isabetta returned to her lover, whom many a time
+thereafter she let come thither, in despite of those who envied her,
+whilst those of the others who were loverless pushed their fortunes in
+secret, as best they knew."
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     MASTER SIMONE, AT THE INSTANCE OF BRUNO AND BUFFALMACCO AND
+     NELLO, MAKETH CALANDRINO BELIEVE THAT HE IS WITH CHILD;
+     WHEREFORE HE GIVETH THEM CAPONS AND MONEY FOR MEDICINES AND
+     RECOVERETH WITHOUT BRINGING FORTH
+
+
+After Elisa had finished her story and all the ladies had returned
+thanks to God, who had with a happy issue delivered the young nun from
+the claws of her envious companions, the queen bade Filostrato follow
+on, and he, without awaiting further commandment, began, "Fairest
+ladies, the unmannerly lout of a Marchegan judge, of whom I told you
+yesterday, took out of my mouth a story of Calandrino and his
+companions, which I was about to relate; and for that, albeit it hath
+been much discoursed of him and them, aught that is told of him cannot
+do otherwise than add to our merriment, I will e'en tell you that
+which I had then in mind.
+
+It hath already been clearly enough shown who Calandrino was and who
+were the others of whom I am to speak in this story, wherefore,
+without further preface, I shall tell you that an aunt of his chanced
+to die and left him two hundred crowns in small coin; whereupon he
+fell a-talking of wishing to buy an estate and entered into treaty
+with all the brokers in Florence, as if he had ten thousand gold
+florins to expend; but the matter still fell through, when they came
+to the price of the estate in question. Bruno and Buffalmacco, knowing
+all this, had told him once and again that he were better spend the
+money in making merry together with them than go buy land, as if he
+had had to make pellets;[426] but, far from this, they had never even
+availed to bring him to give them once to eat. One day, as they were
+complaining of this, there came up a comrade of theirs, a painter by
+name Nello, and they all three took counsel together how they might
+find a means of greasing their gullets at Calandrino's expense;
+wherefore, without more delay, having agreed among themselves of that
+which was to do, they watched next morning for his coming forth of his
+house, nor had he gone far when Nello accosted him, saying, 'Good-day,
+Calandrino.' Calandrino answered God give him good day and good year,
+and Nello, halting awhile, fell to looking him in the face; whereupon
+Calandrino asked him, 'At what lookest thou?' Quoth the painter, 'Hath
+aught ailed thee this night? Meseemeth thou are not thyself this
+morning.' Calandrino incontinent began to quake and said, 'Alack, how
+so? What deemest thou aileth me?' 'Egad,' answered Nello, 'as for that
+I can't say; but thou seemest to me all changed; belike it is
+nothing.' So saying, he let him pass, and Calandrino fared on, all
+misdoubtful, albeit he felt no whit ailing; but Buffalmacco, who was
+not far off, seeing him quit of Nello, made for him and saluting him,
+enquired if aught ailed him. Quoth Calandrino, 'I know not; nay, Nello
+told me but now that I seemed to him all changed. Can it be that aught
+aileth me?' 'Ay,' rejoined Buffalmacco, 'there must e'en be something
+or other amiss with thee, for thou appearest half dead.'
+
+[Footnote 426: _i.e._ balls for a pellet bow, usually made out of
+clay. Bruno and Buffalmacco were punning upon the double meaning, land
+and earth (or clay), of the word _terra_.]
+
+By this time it seemed to Calandrino that he had the fevers, when, lo,
+up came Bruno and the first thing he said was, 'Calandrino, what
+manner of face is this?' Calandrino, hearing them all in the same
+tale, held it for certain that he was in an ill way and asked them,
+all aghast, 'what shall I do?' Quoth Bruno, 'Methinketh thou wert best
+return home and get thee to bed and cover thyself well and send thy
+water to Master Simone the doctor, who is, as thou knowest, as our
+very creature and will tell thee incontinent what thou must do. We
+will go with thee and if it behoveth to do aught, we will do it.'
+Accordingly, Nello having joined himself to them, they returned home
+with Calandrino, who betook himself, all dejected, into the bedchamber
+and said to his wife, 'Come, cover me well, for I feel myself sore
+disordered.' Then, laying himself down, he despatched his water by a
+little maid to Master Simone, who then kept shop in the Old Market, at
+the sign of the Pumpkin, whilst Bruno said to his comrades, 'Abide you
+here with him, whilst I go hear what the doctor saith and bring him
+hither, if need be.' 'Ay, for God's sake, comrade mine,' cried
+Calandrino, 'go thither and bring me back word how the case standeth,
+for I feel I know not what within me.'
+
+Accordingly, Bruno posted off to Master Simone and coming thither
+before the girl who brought the water, acquainted him with the case;
+wherefore, the maid being come and the physician, having seen the
+water, he said to her, 'Begone and bid Calandrino keep himself well
+warm, and I will come to him incontinent and tell him that which
+aileth him and what he must do.' The maid reported this to her master
+nor was it long before the physician and Bruno came, whereupon the
+former, seating himself beside Calandrino, fell to feeling his pulse
+and presently, the patient's wife being there present, he said,
+'Harkye, Calandrino, to speak to thee as a friend, there aileth thee
+nought but that thou art with child.' When Calandrino heard this, he
+fell a-roaring for dolour and said, 'Woe's me! Tessa, this is thy
+doing, for that thou wilt still be uppermost; I told thee how it would
+be.' The lady, who was a very modest person, hearing her husband speak
+thus, blushed all red for shamefastness and hanging her head, went out
+of the room, without answering a word; whilst Calandrino, pursuing his
+complaint, said, 'Alack, wretch that I am! How shall I do? How shall I
+bring forth this child? Whence shall he issue? I see plainly I am a
+dead man, through the mad lust of yonder wife of mine, whom God make
+as woeful as I would fain be glad! Were I as well as I am not, I would
+arise and deal her so many and such buffets that I would break every
+bone in her body; albeit it e'en serveth me right, for that I should
+never have suffered her get the upper hand; but, for certain, an I
+come off alive this time, she may die of desire ere she do it again.'
+
+Bruno and Buffalmacco and Nello were like to burst with laughter,
+hearing Calandrino's words; however, they contained themselves, but
+Doctor Simple-Simon[427] laughed so immoderately that you might have
+drawn every tooth in his head. Finally, Calandrino commending himself
+to the physician and praying him give him aid and counsel in this his
+strait, the latter said to him, 'Calandrino, I will not have thee lose
+heart; for, praised be God, we have taken the case so betimes that, in
+a few days and with a little trouble, I will deliver thee thereof; but
+it will cost thee some little expense.' 'Alack, doctor mine,' cried
+Calandrino, 'ay, for the love of God, do it! I have here two hundred
+crowns, wherewith I was minded to buy me an estate; take them all, if
+need be, so I be not brought to bed; for I know not how I should do,
+seeing I hear women make such a terrible outcry, whereas they are
+about to bear child, for all they have ample commodity therefor, that
+methinketh, if I had that pain to suffer, I should die ere I came to
+the bringing forth.' Quoth the doctor, 'Have no fear of that; I will
+let make thee a certain ptisan of distilled waters, very good and
+pleasant to drink, which will in three mornings' time carry off
+everything and leave thee sounder than a fish; but look thou be more
+discreet for the future and suffer not thyself fall again into these
+follies. Now for this water it behoveth us have three pairs of fine
+fat capons, and for other things that are required thereanent, do thou
+give one of these (thy comrades) five silver crowns, so he may buy
+them, and let carry everything to my shop; and to-morrow, in God's
+name, I will send thee the distilled water aforesaid, whereof thou
+shalt proceed to drink a good beakerful at a time.' 'Doctor mine,'
+replied Calandrino, 'I put myself in your hands'; and giving Bruno
+five crowns and money for three pairs of capons, he besought him to
+oblige him by taking the pains to buy these things.
+
+[Footnote 427: _Scimmione_ (lit. ape), a contemptuous distortion of
+_Simone_.]
+
+The physician then took his leave and letting make a little
+clary,[428] despatched it to Calandrino, whilst Bruno, buying the
+capons and other things necessary for making good cheer, ate them in
+company with his comrades and Master Simone. Calandrino drank of his
+clary three mornings, after which the doctor came to him, together
+with his comrades, and feeling his pulse, said to him, 'Calandrino,
+thou art certainly cured; wherefore henceforth thou mayst safely go
+about thine every business nor abide longer at home for this.'
+Accordingly, Calandrino arose, overjoyed, and went about his
+occasions, mightily extolling, as often as he happened to speak with
+any one, the fine cure that Master Simone had wrought of him, in that
+he had unbegotten him with child in three days' time, without any
+pain; whilst Bruno and Buffalmacco and Nello abode well pleased at
+having contrived with this device to overreach his niggardliness,
+albeit Dame Tessa, smoking the cheat, rated her husband amain
+thereanent."
+
+[Footnote 428: _Chiarea._ According to the commentators, the
+composition of this drink is unknown, but that of clary, a sort of
+hippocras or spiced wine _clear-strained_ (whence the name), offers no
+difficulty to the student of old English literature.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     CECCO FORTARRIGO GAMETH AWAY AT BUONCONVENTO ALL HIS GOOD
+     AND THE MONIES OF CECCO ANGIOLIERI [HIS MASTER;] MOREOVER,
+     RUNNING AFTER THE LATTER, IN HIS SHIRT, AND AVOUCHING THAT
+     HE HATH ROBBED HIM, HE CAUSETH HIM BE TAKEN OF THE
+     COUNTRYFOLK; THEN, DONNING ANGIOLIERI'S CLOTHES AND MOUNTING
+     HIS PALFREY, HE MAKETH OFF AND LEAVETH THE OTHER IN HIS
+     SHIRT
+
+
+Calandrino's speech concerning his wife had been hearkened of all the
+company with the utmost laughter; then, Filostrato being silent,
+Neifile, as the queen willed it, began, "Noble ladies, were it not
+uneather for men to show forth unto others their wit and their worth
+than it is for them to exhibit their folly and their vice, many would
+weary themselves in vain to put a bridle on their tongues; and this
+hath right well been made manifest to you by the folly of Calandrino,
+who had no call, in seeking to be made whole of the ailment in which
+his simplicity caused him believe, to publish the privy diversions of
+his wife; and this hath brought to my mind somewhat of contrary
+purport to itself, to wit, a story of how one man's knavery got the
+better of another's wit, to the grievous hurt and confusion of the
+over-reached one, the which it pleaseth me to relate to you.
+
+There were, then, in Siena, not many years ago, two (as far as age
+went) full-grown men, each of whom was called Cecco. One was the son
+of Messer Angiolieri and the other of Messer Fortarrigo, and albeit in
+most other things they sorted ill of fashions one with the other, they
+were natheless so far of accord in one particular, to wit, that they
+were both hated of their fathers, that they were by reason thereof
+grown friends and companied often together. After awhile, Angiolieri,
+who was both a handsome man and a well-mannered, himseeming he could
+ill live at Siena of the provision assigned him of his father and
+hearing that a certain cardinal, a great patron of his, was come into
+the Marches of Ancona as the Pope's Legate, determined to betake
+himself to him, thinking thus to better his condition. Accordingly,
+acquainting his father with his purpose, he took order with him to
+have at once that which he was to give him in six months, so he might
+clothe and horse himself and make an honourable figure. As he went
+seeking some one whom he might carry with him for his service, the
+thing came to Fortarrigo's knowledge, whereupon he presently repaired
+to Angiolieri and besought him, as best he knew, to carry him with
+him, offering himself to be to him lackey and serving-man and all,
+without any wage beyond his expenses paid. Angiolieri answered that he
+would nowise take him, not but he knew him to be right well sufficient
+unto every manner of service, but for that he was a gambler and
+bytimes a drunkard, to boot. But the other replied that he would
+without fail keep himself from both of these defaults and affirmed it
+unto him with oaths galore, adding so many prayers that Angiolieri was
+prevailed upon and said that he was content.
+
+Accordingly, they both set out one morning and went to dine at
+Buonconvento, where, after dinner, the heat being great, Angiolieri
+let make ready a bed at the inn and undressing himself, with
+Fortarrigo's aid, went to sleep, charging the latter call him at the
+stroke of none. As soon as his master was asleep, Fortarrigo betook
+himself to the tavern and there, after drinking awhile, he fell to
+gaming with certain men, who in a trice won of him some money he had
+and after, the very clothes he had on his back; whereupon, desirous of
+retrieving himself, he repaired, in his shirt as he was, to
+Angiolieri's chamber and seeing him fast asleep, took from his purse
+what monies he had and returning to play, lost these as he had lost
+the others. Presently, Angiolieri awoke and arising, dressed himself
+and enquired for Fortarrigo. The latter was not to be found and
+Angiolieri, concluding him to be asleep, drunken, somewhere, as was
+bytimes his wont, determined to leave him be and get himself another
+servant at Corsignano. Accordingly, he caused put his saddle and his
+valise on a palfrey he had and thinking to pay the reckoning, so he
+might get him gone, found himself without a penny; whereupon great was
+the outcry and all the hostelry was in an uproar, Angiolieri declaring
+that he had been robbed there and threatening to have the host and all
+his household carried prisoners to Siena.
+
+At this moment up came Fortarrigo in his shirt, thinking to take his
+master's clothes, as he had taken his money, and seeing the latter
+ready to mount, said, 'What is this, Angiolieri? Must we needs be gone
+already? Good lack, wait awhile; there will be one here forthwith who
+hath my doublet in pawn for eight-and-thirty shillings; and I am
+certain that he will render it up for five-and-thirty, money down.' As
+he spoke, there came one who certified Angiolieri that it was
+Fortarrigo who had robbed him of his monies, by showing him the sum of
+those which the latter had lost at play; wherefore he was sore
+incensed and loaded Fortarrigo with reproaches; and had he not feared
+others more than he feared God, he had done him a mischief; then,
+threatening to have him strung up by the neck or outlawed from Siena,
+he mounted to horse. Fortarrigo, as if he spoke not to him, but to
+another, said, 'Good lack, Angiolieri, let be for the nonce this talk
+that skilleth not a straw, and have regard unto this; by redeeming
+it[429] forthright, we may have it again for five-and-thirty
+shillings; whereas, if we tarry but till to-morrow, he will not take
+less than the eight-and-thirty he lent me thereon; and this favour he
+doth me for that I staked it after his counsel. Marry, why should we
+not better ourselves by these three shillings?'
+
+[Footnote 429: _i.e._ the doublet.]
+
+Angiolieri, hearing him talk thus, lost all patience (more by token
+that he saw himself eyed askance by the bystanders, who manifestly
+believed, not that Fortarrigo had gamed away his monies, but that he
+had yet monies of Fortarrigo's in hand) and said to him, 'What have I
+to do with thy doublet? Mayst thou be strung up by the neck, since not
+only hast thou robbed me and gambled away my money, but hinderest me
+to boot in my journey, and now thou makest mock of me.' However,
+Fortarrigo still stood to it, as it were not spoken to him and said,
+'Ecod, why wilt thou not better me these three shillings? Thinkest
+thou I shall not be able to oblige thee therewith another time?
+Prithee, do it, an thou have any regard for me. Why all this haste? We
+shall yet reach Torrenieri betimes this evening. Come, find the purse;
+thou knowest I might ransack all Siena and not find a doublet to suit
+me so well as this; and to think I should let yonder fellow have it
+for eight-and-thirty shillings! It is worth yet forty shillings or
+more, so that thou wouldst worsen me in two ways.'[430]
+
+[Footnote 430: _i.e._ do me a double injury.]
+
+Angiolieri, beyond measure exasperated to see himself first robbed and
+now held in parley after this fashion, made him no further answer,
+but, turning his palfrey's head, took the road to Torrenieri, whilst
+Fortarrigo, bethinking himself of a subtle piece of knavery, proceeded
+to trot after him in his shirt good two miles, still requiring him of
+his doublet. Presently, Angiolieri pricking on amain, to rid his ears
+of the annoy, Fortarrigo espied some husbandmen in a field, adjoining
+the highway in advance of him, and cried out to them, saying, 'Stop
+him, stop him!' Accordingly, they ran up, some with spades and others
+with mattocks, and presenting themselves in the road before
+Angiolieri, concluding that he had robbed him who came crying after
+him in his shirt, stopped and took him. It availed him little to tell
+them who he was and how the case stood, and Fortarrigo, coming up,
+said with an angry air, 'I know not what hindereth me from slaying
+thee, disloyal thief that thou wast to make off with my gear!' Then,
+turning to the countrymen, 'See, gentlemen,' quoth he, 'in what a
+plight he left me at the inn, having first gamed away all his own! I
+may well say by God and by you have I gotten back this much, and
+thereof I shall still be beholden to you.'
+
+Angiolieri told them his own story, but his words were not heeded;
+nay, Fortarrigo, with the aid of the countrymen, pulled him off his
+palfrey and stripping him, clad himself in his clothes; then, mounting
+to horse, he left him in his shirt and barefoot and returned to Siena,
+avouching everywhere that he had won the horse and clothes of
+Angiolieri, whilst the latter, who had thought to go, as a rich man,
+to the cardinal in the Marches, returned to Buonconvento, poor and in
+his shirt, nor dared for shamefastness go straight back to Siena, but,
+some clothes being lent him, he mounted the rouncey that Fortarrigo
+had ridden and betook himself to his kinsfolk at Corsignano, with whom
+he abode till such time as he was furnished anew by his father. On
+this wise Fortarrigo's knavery baffled Angiolieri's fair
+advisement,[431] albeit his villainy was not left by the latter
+unpunished in due time and place."
+
+[Footnote 431: Syn. goodly design of foresight (_buono avviso_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     CALANDRINO FALLETH IN LOVE WITH A WENCH AND BRUNO WRITETH
+     HIM A TALISMAN, WHEREWITH WHEN HE TOUCHETH HER, SHE GOETH
+     WITH HIM; AND HIS WIFE FINDING THEM TOGETHER, THERE BETIDETH
+     HIM GRIEVOUS TROUBLE AND ANNOY
+
+
+Neifile's short story being finished and the company having passed it
+over without overmuch talk or laughter, the queen turned to Fiammetta
+and bade her follow on, to which she replied all blithely that she
+would well and began, "Gentlest ladies, there is, as methinketh you
+may know, nothing, how much soever it may have been talked thereof,
+but will still please, provided whoso is minded to speak of it know
+duly to choose the time and the place that befit it. Wherefore, having
+regard to our intent in being here (for that we are here to make merry
+and divert ourselves and not for otherwhat), meseemeth that everything
+which may afford mirth and pleasance hath here both due place and due
+time; and albeit it may have been a thousand times discoursed thereof,
+it should natheless be none the less pleasing, though one speak of it
+as much again. Wherefore, notwithstanding it hath been many times
+spoken among us of the sayings and doings of Calandrino, I will make
+bold, considering, as Filostrato said awhile ago, that these are all
+diverting, to tell you yet another story thereof, wherein were I
+minded to swerve from the fact, I had very well known to disguise and
+recount it under other names; but, for that, in the telling of a
+story, to depart from the truth of things betided detracteth greatly
+from the listener's pleasure, I will e'en tell it you in its true
+shape, moved by the reason aforesaid.
+
+Niccolo Cornacchini was a townsman of ours and a rich man and had,
+among his other possessions, a fine estate at Camerata, whereon he let
+build a magnificent mansion and agreed with Bruno and Buffalmacco to
+paint it all for him; and they, for that the work was great, joined to
+themselves Nello and Calandrino and fell to work. Thither, for that
+there was none of the family in the house, although there were one or
+two chambers furnished with beds and other things needful and an old
+serving-woman abode there, as guardian of the place, a son of the said
+Niccolo, by name Filippo, being young and without a wife, was wont
+bytimes to bring some wench or other for his diversion and keep her
+there a day or two and after send her away. It chanced once, among
+other times, that he brought thither one called Niccolosa, whom a lewd
+fellow, by name Mangione, kept at his disposal in a house at Camaldoli
+and let out on hire. She was a woman of a fine person and well clad
+and for her kind well enough mannered and spoken.
+
+One day at noontide, she having come forth her chamber in a white
+petticoat, with her hair twisted about her head, and being in act to
+wash her hands and face at a well that was in the courtyard of the
+mansion, it chanced that Calandrino came thither for water and saluted
+her familiarly. She returned him his greeting and fell to eying him,
+more because he seemed to her an odd sort of fellow than for any fancy
+she had for him; whereupon he likewise fell a-considering her and
+himseeming she was handsome, he began to find his occasions for
+abiding there and returned not to his comrades with the water, but,
+knowing her not, dared not say aught to her. She, who had noted his
+looking, glanced at him from time to time, to make game of him,
+heaving some small matter of sighs the while; wherefore Calandrino
+fell suddenly over head and ears in love with her and left not the
+courtyard till she was recalled by Filippo into the chamber.
+Therewithal he returned to work, but did nought but sigh, which Bruno,
+who had still an eye to his doings, for that he took great delight in
+his fashions, remarking, 'What a devil aileth thee, friend
+Calandrino?' quoth he. 'Thou dost nought but sigh.' 'Comrade,'
+answered Calandrino, 'had I but some one to help me, I should fare
+well.' 'How so?' enquired Bruno; and Calandrino replied, 'It must not
+be told to any; but there is a lass down yonder, fairer than a fairy,
+who hath fallen so mightily in love with me that 'twould seem to thee
+a grave matter. I noted it but now, whenas I went for the water.'
+'Ecod,' cried Bruno, 'look she be not Filippo's wife.' Quoth
+Calandrino, 'Methinketh it is she, for that he called her and she went
+to him in the chamber; but what of that? In matters of this kind I
+would jockey Christ himself, let alone Filippo; and to tell thee the
+truth, comrade, she pleaseth me more than I can tell thee.' 'Comrade,'
+answered Bruno, 'I will spy thee out who she is, and if she be
+Filippo's wife, I will order thine affairs for thee in a brace of
+words, for she is a great friend of mine. But how shall we do, so
+Buffalmacco may not know? I can never get a word with her, but he is
+with me.' Quoth Calandrino, 'Of Buffalmacco I reck not; but we must
+beware of Nello, for that he is Tessa's kinsman and would mar us
+everything.' And Bruno said, 'True.'
+
+Now he knew very well who the wench was, for that he had seen her come
+and moreover Filippo had told him. Accordingly, Calandrino having left
+work awhile and gone to get a sight of her, Bruno told Nello and
+Buffalmacco everything and they took order together in secret what
+they should do with him in the matter of this his enamourment. When he
+came back, Bruno said to him softly, 'Hast seen her?' 'Alack, yes,'
+replied Calandrino; 'she hath slain me.' Quoth Bruno, 'I must go see
+an it be she I suppose; and if it be so, leave me do.' Accordingly, he
+went down into the courtyard and finding Filippo and Niccolosa there,
+told them precisely what manner of man Calandrino was and took order
+with them of that which each of them should do and say, so they might
+divert themselves with the lovesick gull and make merry over his
+passion. Then, returning to Calandrino, he said, 'It is indeed she;
+wherefore needs must the thing be very discreetly managed, for, should
+Filippo get wind of it, all the water in the Arno would not wash us.
+But what wouldst thou have me say to her on thy part, if I should
+chance to get speech of her?' 'Faith,' answered Calandrino, 'thou
+shalt tell her, to begin with, that I will her a thousand measures of
+that good stuff that getteth with child, and after, that I am her
+servant and if she would have aught.... Thou takest me?' 'Ay,' said
+Bruno, 'leave me do.'
+
+Presently, supper-time being come, the painters left work and went
+down into the courtyard, where they found Filippo and Niccolosa and
+tarried there awhile, to oblige Calandrino. The latter fell to ogling
+Niccolosa and making the oddest grimaces in the world, such and so
+many that a blind man would have remarked them. She on her side did
+everything that she thought apt to inflame him, and Filippo, in
+accordance with the instructions he had of Bruno, made believe to talk
+with Buffalmacco and the others and to have no heed of this, whilst
+taking the utmost diversion in Calandrino's fashions. However, after a
+while, to the latter's exceeding chagrin, they took their leave and as
+they returned to Florence, Bruno said to Calandrino, 'I can tell thee
+thou makest her melt like ice in the sun. Cock's body, wert thou to
+fetch thy rebeck and warble thereto some of those amorous ditties of
+thine, thou wouldst cause her cast herself out of window to come to
+thee.' Quoth Calandrino, 'Deemest thou, gossip? Deemest thou I should
+do well to fetch it?' 'Ay, do I,' answered Bruno; and Calandrino went
+on, 'Thou wouldst not credit me this morning, whenas I told it thee;
+but, for certain, gossip, methinketh I know better than any man alive
+to do what I will. Who, other than I, had known to make such a lady so
+quickly in love with me? Not your trumpeting young braggarts,[432] I
+warrant you, who are up and down all day long and could not make
+shift, in a thousand years, to get together three handsful of cherry
+stones. I would fain have thee see me with the rebeck; 'twould be fine
+sport for thee. I will have thee to understand once for all that I am
+no dotard, as thou deemest me, and this she hath right well perceived,
+she; but I will make her feel it othergates fashion, so once I get my
+claw into her back; by the very body of Christ, I will lead her such a
+dance that she will run after me, as the madwoman after her child.'
+'Ay,' rejoined Bruno, 'I warrant me thou wilt rummage her; methinketh
+I see thee, with those teeth of thine that were made for virginal
+jacks,[433] bite that little vermeil mouth of hers and those her
+cheeks, that show like two roses, and after eat her all up.'
+
+[Footnote 432: _Giovani di tromba marina._ The sense seems as above;
+the commentators say that _giovani di tromba marina_ is a name given
+to those youths who go trumpeting about everywhere the favours
+accorded them by women; but the _tromba marina_ is a _stringed_ (not a
+wind) _instrument_, a sort of primitive violoncello with one string.]
+
+[Footnote 433: "Your teeth did dance like virginal jacks."--_Ben
+Jonson._]
+
+Calandrino, hearing this, fancied himself already at it and went
+singing and skipping, so overjoyed that he was like to jump out of his
+skin. On the morrow, having brought the rebeck, he, to the great
+diversion of all the company, sang sundry songs thereto; and in brief,
+he was taken with such an itch for the frequent seeing of her that he
+wrought not a whit, but ran a thousand times a day, now to the window,
+now to the door and anon into the courtyard, to get a look at her,
+whereof she, adroitly carrying out Bruno's instructions, afforded him
+ample occasion. Bruno, on his side, answered his messages in her name
+and bytimes brought him others as from her; and whenas she was not
+there, which was mostly the case, he carried him letters from her,
+wherein she gave him great hopes of compassing his desire, feigning
+herself at home with her kinsfolk, where he might not presently see
+her. On this wise, Bruno, with the aid of Buffalmacco, who had a hand
+in the matter, kept the game afoot and had the greatest sport in the
+world with Calandrino's antics, causing him give them bytimes, as at
+his mistress's request, now an ivory comb, now a purse and anon a
+knife and such like toys, for which they brought him in return divers
+paltry counterfeit rings of no value, with which he was vastly
+delighted; and to boot, they had of him, for their pains, store of
+dainty collations and other small matters of entertainment, so they
+might be diligent about his affairs.
+
+On this wise they kept him in play good two months, without getting a
+step farther, at the end of which time, seeing the work draw to an end
+and bethinking himself that, an he brought not his amours to an issue
+in the meantime, he might never have another chance thereof, he began
+to urge and importune Bruno amain; wherefore, when next the girl came
+to the mansion, Bruno, having first taken order with her and Filippo
+of what was to be done, said to Calandrino, 'Harkye, gossip, yonder
+lady hath promised me a good thousand times to do that which thou
+wouldst have and yet doth nought thereof, and meseemeth she leadeth
+thee by the nose; wherefore, since she doth it not as she promiseth,
+we will an it like thee, make her do it, will she, nill she.' 'Ecod,
+ay!' answered Calandrino. 'For the love of God let it be done
+speedily.' Quoth Bruno, 'Will thy heart serve thee to touch her with a
+script I shall give thee?' 'Ay, sure,' replied Calandrino; and the
+other, 'Then do thou make shift to bring me a piece of virgin
+parchment and a live bat, together with three grains of frankincense
+and a candle that hath been blessed by the priest, and leave me do.'
+Accordingly, Calandrino lay in wait all the next night with his
+engines to catch a bat and having at last taken one, carried it to
+Bruno, with the other things required; whereupon the latter,
+withdrawing to a chamber, scribbled divers toys of his fashion upon
+the parchment, in characters of his own devising, and brought it to
+him, saying, 'Know, Calandrino, that, if thou touch her with this
+script, she will incontinent follow thee and do what thou wilt.
+Wherefore, if Filippo should go abroad anywhither to-day, do thou
+contrive to accost her on some pretext or other and touch her; then
+betake thyself to the barn yonder, which is the best place here for
+thy purpose, for that no one ever frequenteth there. Thou wilt find
+she will come thither, and when she is there, thou knowest well what
+thou hast to do.' Calandrino was the joyfullest man alive and took the
+script, saying, 'Gossip, leave me do.'
+
+Now Nello, whom Calandrino mistrusted, had as much diversion of the
+matter as the others and bore a hand with them in making sport of him:
+wherefore, of accord with Bruno, he betook himself to Florence to
+Calandrino's wife and said to her, 'Tessa, thou knowest what a
+beating Calandrino gave thee without cause the day he came back, laden
+with stones from the Mugnone; wherefore I mean to have thee avenge
+thyself on him; and if thou do it not, hold me no more for kinsman or
+for friend. He hath fallen in love with a woman over yonder, and she
+is lewd enough to go very often closeting herself with him. A little
+while agone, they appointed each other to foregather together this
+very day; wherefore I would have thee come thither and lie in wait for
+him and chastise him well.' When the lady heard this, it seemed to her
+no jesting matter, but, starting to her feet, she fell a-saying,
+'Alack, common thief that thou art, is it thus that thou usest me? By
+Christ His Cross, it shall not pass thus, but I will pay thee
+therefor!' Then, taking her mantle and a little maid to bear her
+company, she started off at a good round pace for the mansion,
+together with Nello.
+
+As soon as Bruno saw the latter afar off, he said to Filippo, 'Here
+cometh our friend'; whereupon the latter, betaking himself whereas
+Calandrino and the others were at work, said, 'Masters, needs must I
+go presently to Florence; work with a will.' Then, going away, he hid
+himself in a place when he could, without being seen, see what
+Calandrino should do. The latter, as soon as he deemed Filippo
+somewhat removed, came down into the courtyard and finding Niccolosa
+there alone, entered into talk with her, whilst she, who knew well
+enough what she had to do, drew near him and entreated him somewhat
+more familiarly than of wont. Thereupon he touched her with the script
+and no sooner had he done so than he turned, without saying a word,
+and made for the barn, whither she followed him. As soon as she was
+within, she shut the door and taking him in her arms, threw him down
+on the straw that was on the floor; then, mounting astride of him and
+holding him with her hands on his shoulders, without letting him draw
+near her face, she gazed at him, as he were her utmost desire, and
+said, 'O sweet my Calandrino, heart of my body, my soul, my treasure,
+my comfort, how long have I desired to have thee and to be able to
+hold thee at my wish! Thou hast drawn all the thread out of my shift
+with thy gentilesse; thou hast tickled my heart with thy rebeck. Can
+it be true that I hold thee?' Calandrino, who could scarce stir, said,
+'For God's sake, sweet my soul, let me buss thee.' 'Marry,' answered
+she, 'thou art in a mighty hurry. Let me first take my fill of looking
+upon thee; let me sate mine eyes with that sweet face of thine.'
+
+Now Bruno and Buffalmacco were come to join Filippo and all three
+heard and saw all this. As Calandrino was now offering to kiss
+Niccolosa perforce, up came Nello with Dame Tessa and said, as soon as
+he reached the place, 'I vow to God they are together.' Then, coming
+up to the door of the barn, the lady, who was all a-fume with rage,
+dealt it such a push with her hands that she sent it flying, and
+entering, saw Niccolosa astride of Calandrino. The former, seeing the
+lady, started up in haste and taking to flight, made off to join
+Filippo, whilst Dame Tessa fell tooth and nail upon Calandrino, who
+was still on his back, and clawed all his face; then, clutching him
+by the hair and haling him hither and thither, 'Thou sorry shitten
+cur,' quoth she, 'dost thou then use me thus? Besotted dotard that
+thou art, accursed be the weal I have willed thee! Marry, seemeth it
+to thee thou hast not enough to do at home, that thou must go
+wantoning it in other folk's preserves? A fine gallant, i'faith! Dost
+thou not know thyself, losel that thou art? Dost thou not know
+thyself, good for nought? Wert thou to be squeezed dry, there would
+not come as much juice from thee as might suffice for a sauce. Cock's
+faith, thou canst not say it was Tessa that was presently in act to
+get thee with child, God make her sorry, who ever she is, for a scurvy
+trull as she must be to have a mind to so fine a jewel as thou!'
+
+Calandrino, seeing his wife come, abode neither dead nor alive and had
+not the hardihood to make any defence against her; but, rising, all
+scratched and flayed and baffled as he was, and picking up his bonnet,
+he fell to humbly beseeching her leave crying out, an she would not
+have him cut in pieces, for that she who had been with him was the
+wife of the master of the house; whereupon quoth she, 'So be it, God
+give her an ill year.' At this moment, Bruno and Buffalmacco, having
+laughed their fill at all this, in company with Filippo and Niccolosa,
+came up, feigning to be attracted by the clamour, and having with no
+little ado appeased the lady, counselled Calandrino betake himself to
+Florence and return thither no more, lest Filippo should get wind of
+the matter and do him a mischief. Accordingly he returned to Florence,
+chapfallen and woebegone, all flayed and scratched, and never ventured
+to go thither again; but, being plagued and harassed night and day
+with his wife's reproaches, he made an end of his fervent love, having
+given much cause for laughter to his companions, no less than to
+Niccolosa and Filippo."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     TWO YOUNG GENTLEMEN LODGE THE NIGHT WITH AN INNKEEPER,
+     WHEREOF ONE GOETH TO LIE WITH THE HOST'S DAUGHTER, WHILST
+     HIS WIFE UNWITTINGLY COUCHETH WITH THE OTHER; AFTER WHICH HE
+     WHO LAY WITH THE GIRL GETTETH HIM TO BED WITH HER FATHER AND
+     TELLETH HIM ALL, THINKING TO BESPEAK HIS COMRADE.
+     THEREWITHAL THEY COME TO WORDS, BUT THE WIFE, PERCEIVING HER
+     MISTAKE, ENTERETH HER DAUGHTER'S BED AND THENCE WITH CERTAIN
+     WORDS APPEASETH EVERYTHING
+
+
+Calandrino, who had otherwhiles afforded the company matter for
+laughter, made them laugh this time also, and whenas the ladies had
+left devising of his fashions, the queen bade Pamfilo tell, whereupon
+quoth he, "Laudable ladies, the name of Niccolosa, Calandrino's
+mistress, hath brought me back to mind a story of another Niccolosa,
+which it pleaseth me to tell you, for that therein you shall see how a
+goodwife's ready wit did away a great scandal.
+
+In the plain of Mugnone there was not long since a good man who gave
+wayfarers to eat and drink for their money, and although he was poor
+and had but a small house, he bytimes at a pinch gave, not every one,
+but sundry acquaintances, a night's lodging. He had a wife, a very
+handsome woman, by whom he had two children, whereof one was a fine
+buxom lass of some fifteen or sixteen years of age, who was not yet
+married, and the other a little child, not yet a year old, whom his
+mother herself suckled. Now a young gentleman of our city, a sprightly
+and pleasant youth, who was often in those parts, had cast his eyes on
+the girl and loved her ardently; and she, who gloried greatly in being
+beloved of a youth of his quality, whilst studying with pleasing
+fashions to maintain him in her love, became no less enamoured of him,
+and more than once, by mutual accord, this their love had had the
+desired effect, but that Pinuccio (for such was the young man's name)
+feared to bring reproach upon his mistress and himself. However, his
+ardour waxing from day to day, he could no longer master his desire to
+foregather with her and bethought himself to find a means of
+harbouring with her father, doubting not, from his acquaintance with
+the ordinance of the latter's house, but he might in that event
+contrive to pass the night in her company, without any being the
+wiser; and no sooner had he conceived this design than he proceeded
+without delay to carry it into execution.
+
+Accordingly, in company with a trusty friend of his called Adriano,
+who knew his love, he late one evening hired a couple of hackneys and
+set thereon two pairs of saddle-bags, filled belike with straw, with
+which they set out from Florence and fetching a compass, rode till
+they came overagainst the plain of Mugnone, it being by this night;
+then, turning about, as they were on their way back from Romagna, they
+made for the good man's house and knocked at the door. The host, being
+very familiar with both of them, promptly opened the door and Pinuccio
+said to him, 'Look you, thou must needs harbour us this night. We
+thought to reach Florence before dark, but have not availed to make
+such haste but that we find ourselves here, as thou seest at this
+hour.' 'Pinuccio,' answered the host, 'thou well knowest how little
+commodity I have to lodge such men as you are; however, since the
+night hath e'en overtaken you here and there is no time for you to go
+otherwhere, I will gladly harbour you as I may.' The two young men
+accordingly alighted and entered the inn, where they first eased[434]
+their hackneys and after supper with the host, having taken good care
+to bring provision with them.
+
+[Footnote 434: _Adagiarono_, _i.e._ unsaddled and stabled and fed
+them.]
+
+Now the good man had but one very small bedchamber, wherein were three
+pallet-beds set as best he knew, two at one end of the room and the
+third overagainst them at the other end; nor for all that was there so
+much space left that one could go there otherwise than straitly. The
+least ill of the three the host let make ready for the two friends and
+put them to lie there; then, after a while neither of the gentlemen
+being asleep, though both made a show thereof, he caused his daughter
+betake herself to bed in one of the two others and lay down himself
+in the third, with his wife, who set by the bedside the cradle wherein
+she had her little son. Things being ordered after this fashion and
+Pinuccio having seen everything, after a while, himseeming that every
+one was asleep, he arose softly and going to the bed where slept the
+girl beloved of him, laid himself beside the latter, by whom, for all
+she did it timorously, he was joyfully received, and with her he
+proceeded to take of that pleasure which both most desired. Whilst
+Pinuccio abode thus with his mistress, it chanced that a cat caused
+certain things fall, which the good wife, awaking, heard; whereupon,
+fearing lest it were otherwhat, she arose, as she was, in the dark and
+betook herself whereas she had heard the noise.
+
+Meanwhile, Adriano, without intent aforethought, arose by chance for
+some natural occasion and going to despatch this, came upon the
+cradle, whereas it had been set by the good wife, and unable to pass
+without moving it, took it up and set it down beside his own bed;
+then, having accomplished that for which he had arisen, he returned
+and betook himself to bed again, without recking of the cradle. The
+good wife, having searched and found the thing which had fallen was
+not what she thought, never troubled herself to kindle a light, to see
+it, but, chiding the cat, returned to the chamber and groped her way
+to the bed where her husband lay. Finding the cradle not there, 'Mercy
+o' me!' quoth she in herself. 'See what I was about to do! As I am a
+Christian, I had well nigh gone straight to our guest's bed.' Then,
+going a little farther and finding the cradle, she entered the bed
+whereby it stood and laid herself down beside Adriano, thinking to
+couch with her husband. Adriano, who was not yet asleep, feeling this,
+received her well and joyously and laying her aboard in a trice,
+clapped on all sail, to the no small contentment of the lady.
+
+Meanwhile, Pinuccio, fearing lest sleep should surprise him with his
+lass and having taken of her his fill of pleasure, arose from her, to
+return to his own bed, to sleep, and finding the cradle in his way,
+took the adjoining bed for that of his host; wherefore, going a little
+farther, he lay down with the latter, who awoke at his coming.
+Pinuccio, deeming himself beside Adriano, said, 'I tell thee there
+never was so sweet a creature as is Niccolosa. Cock's body, I have had
+with her the rarest sport ever man had with woman, more by token that
+I have gone upwards of six times into the country, since I left thee.'
+The host, hearing this talk and being not overwell pleased therewith,
+said first in himself, 'What a devil doth this fellow here?' Then,
+more angered than well-advised, 'Pinuccio,' quoth he, 'this hath been
+a great piece of villainy of thine, and I know not why thou shouldst
+have used me thus; but, by the body of God, I will pay thee for it!!'
+Pinuccio, who was not the wisest lad in the world, seeing his mistake,
+addressed not himself to mend it as best he might, but said, 'Of what
+wilt thou pay me? What canst thou do to me?' Therewithal the hostess,
+who thought herself with her husband, said to Adriano, 'Good lack,
+hark to our guests how they are at I know not what words together!'
+Quoth Adriano, laughing, 'Leave them do, God land them in an ill
+year! They drank overmuch yesternight.'
+
+The good wife, herseeming she had heard her husband scold and hearing
+Adriano speak, incontinent perceived where and with whom she had been;
+whereupon, like a wise woman as she was, she arose forthright, without
+saying a word, and taking her little son's cradle, carried it at a
+guess, for that there was no jot of light to be seen in the chamber,
+to the side of the bed where her daughter slept and lay down with the
+latter; then, as if she had been aroused by her husband's clamour, she
+called him and enquired what was to do between himself and Pinuccio.
+He answered, 'Hearest thou not what he saith he hath done this night
+unto Niccolosa?' 'Marry,' quoth she, 'he lieth in his throat, for he
+was never abed with Niccolosa, seeing that I have lain here all night;
+more by token that I have not been able to sleep a wink; and thou art
+an ass to believe him. You men drink so much of an evening that you do
+nothing but dream all night and fare hither and thither, without
+knowing it, and fancy you do wonders. 'Tis a thousand pities you don't
+break your necks. But what doth Pinuccio yonder? Why bideth he not in
+his own bed?' Adriano, on his part, seeing how adroitly the good wife
+went about to cover her own shame and that of her daughter, chimed in
+with, 'Pinuccio, I have told thee an hundred times not to go abroad,
+for that this thy trick of arising in thy sleep and telling for true
+the extravagances thou dreamest will bring thee into trouble some day
+or other. Come back here, God give thee an ill night!'
+
+The host, hearing what his wife and Adriano said, began to believe in
+good earnest that Pinuccio was dreaming; and accordingly, taking him
+by the shoulders, he fell to shaking and calling him, saying,
+'Pinuccio, awake; return to thine own bed.' Pinuccio having
+apprehended all that had been said began to wander off into other
+extravagances, after the fashion of a man a-dream; whereat the host
+set up the heartiest laughter in the world. At last, he made believe
+to awake for stress of shaking, and calling to Adriano, said, 'Is it
+already day, that thou callest me?' 'Ay,' answered the other, 'come
+hither.' Accordingly, Pinuccio, dissembling and making a show of being
+sleepy-eyed, arose at last from beside the host and went back to bed
+with Adriano. The day come and they being risen, the host fell to
+laughing and mocking at Pinuccio and his dreams; and so they passed
+from one jest to another, till the young men, having saddled their
+rounceys and strapped on their valises and drunken with the host,
+remounted to horse and rode away to Florence, no less content with the
+manner in which the thing had betided than with the effect itself
+thereof. Thereafter Pinuccio found other means of foregathering with
+Niccolosa, who vowed to her mother that he had certainly dreamt the
+thing; wherefore the goodwife, remembering her of Adriano's
+embracements, inwardly avouched herself alone to have waked."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     TALANO DI MOLESE DREAMETH THAT A WOLF MANGLETH ALL HIS
+     WIFE'S NECK AND FACE AND BIDDETH HER BEWARE THEREOF; BUT SHE
+     PAYETH NO HEED TO HIS WARNING AND IT BEFALLETH HER EVEN AS
+     HE HAD DREAMED
+
+
+Pamfilo's story being ended and the goodwife's presence of mind having
+been commended of all, the queen bade Pampinea tell hers and she
+thereupon began, "It hath been otherwhile discoursed among us,
+charming ladies, of the truths foreshown by dreams, the which many of
+our sex scoff at; wherefore, notwithstanding that which hath been said
+thereof, I shall not scruple to tell you, in a very few words, that
+which no great while ago befell a she-neighbour of mine for not giving
+credit to a dream of herself seen by her husband.
+
+I know not if you were acquainted with Talano di Molese, a very
+worshipful man, who took to wife a young lady called Margarita, fair
+over all others, but so humoursome, ill-conditioned and froward that
+she would do nought of other folk's judgment, nor could others do
+aught to her liking; the which, irksome as it was to Talano to endure,
+natheless, as he could no otherwise, needs must he put up with. It
+chanced one night that, being with this Margarita of his at an estate
+he had in the country, himseemed in his sleep he saw his wife go
+walking in a very fair wood which they had not far from their house,
+and as she went, himseemed there came forth of a thicket a great and
+fierce wolf, which sprang straight at her throat and pulling her to
+the ground, enforced himself to carry her off, whilst she screamed for
+aid; and after, she winning free of his fangs, it seemed he had marred
+all her throat and face. Accordingly, when he arose in the morning, he
+said to the lady, 'Wife, albeit thy frowardness hath never suffered me
+to have a good day with thee, yet it would grieve me should ill betide
+thee; wherefore, an thou wilt hearken to my counsel, thou wilt not go
+forth the house to-day'; and being asked of her why, he orderly
+recounted to her his dream.
+
+The lady shook her head and said, 'Who willeth thee ill, dreameth thee
+ill. Thou feignest thyself mighty careful of me; but thou dreamest of
+me that which thou wouldst fain see come to pass; and thou mayst be
+assured that I will be careful both to-day and always not to gladden
+thee with this or other mischance of mine.' Quoth Talano, 'I knew thou
+wouldst say thus; for that such thanks still hath he who combeth a
+scald-head; but, believe as thou listeth, I for my part tell it to
+thee for good, and once more I counsel thee abide at home to-day or at
+least beware of going into our wood.' 'Good,' answered the lady, 'I
+will do it'; and after fell a-saying to herself, 'Sawest thou how
+artfully yonder man thinketh to have feared me from going to our wood
+to-day? Doubtless he hath given some trull or other tryst there and
+would not have me find him with her. Marry, it were fine eating for
+him with blind folk and I should be a right simpleton an I saw not his
+drift and if I believed him! But certes he shall not have his will;
+nay, though I abide there all day, needs must I see what traffic is
+this that he hath in hand to-day.'
+
+Accordingly, her husband being gone out at one door, she went out at
+the other and betook herself as most secretly she might straight to
+the wood and hid herself in the thickest part thereof, standing attent
+and looking now here and now there, an she should see any one come. As
+she abode on this wise, without any thought of danger, behold, there
+sallied forth of a thick coppice hard by a terrible great wolf, and
+scarce could she say, 'Lord, aid me!' when it flew at her throat and
+laying fast hold of her, proceeded to carry her off, as she were a
+lambkin. She could neither cry nor aid herself on other wise, so sore
+was her gullet straitened; wherefore the wolf, carrying her off, would
+assuredly have throttled her, had he not encountered certain
+shepherds, who shouted at him and constrained him to loose her. The
+shepherds knew her and carried her home, in a piteous plight, where,
+after long tending by the physicians, she was healed, yet not so
+wholly but she had all her throat and a part of her face marred on
+such wise that, whereas before she was fair, she ever after appeared
+misfeatured and very foul of favour; wherefore, being ashamed to
+appear whereas she might be seen, she many a time bitterly repented
+her of her frowardness and her perverse denial to put faith, in a
+matter which cost her nothing, in her husband's true dream."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     BIONDELLO CHEATETH CIACCO OF A DINNER, WHEREOF THE OTHER
+     CRAFTILY AVENGETH HIMSELF, PROCURING HIM TO BE SHAMEFULLY
+     BEATEN
+
+
+The merry company with one accord avouched that which Talano had seen
+in sleep to have been no dream, but a vision, so punctually, without
+there failing aught thereof, had it come to pass. But, all being
+silent the queen charged Lauretta follow on, who said, "Like as those,
+most discreet ladies, who have to-day foregone me in speech, have been
+well nigh all moved to discourse by something already said, even so
+the stern vengeance wreaked by the scholar, of whom Pampinea told us
+yesterday, moveth me to tell of a piece of revenge, which, without
+being so barbarous as the former, was nevertheless grievous unto him
+who brooked it.
+
+I must tell you, then, that there was once in Florence a man whom all
+called Ciacco,[435] as great a glutton as ever lived. His means
+sufficing him not to support the expense that his gluttony required
+and he being, for the rest, a very well-mannered man and full of
+goodly and pleasant sayings, he addressed himself to be, not
+altogether a buffoon, but a spunger[436] and to company with those
+who were rich and delighted to eat of good things; and with these he
+went often to dine and sup, albeit he was not always bidden. There was
+likewise at Florence, in those days, a man called Biondello, a little
+dapper fellow of his person, very quaint of his dress and sprucer than
+a fly, with his coif on his head and his yellow periwig still drest to
+a nicety, without a hair awry, who plied the same trade as Ciacco.
+Going one morning in Lent whereas they sell the fish and cheapening
+two very fine lampreys for Messer Vieri de' Cerchj, he was seen by
+Ciacco, who accosted him and said, 'What meaneth this?' Whereto
+Biondello made answer, 'Yestereve there were sent unto Messer Corso
+Donati three lampreys, much finer than these, and a sturgeon; to which
+sufficing him not for a dinner he is minded to give certain gentlemen,
+he would have me buy these other two. Wilt thou not come thither,
+thou?' Quoth Ciacco, 'Thou knowest well that I shall be there.'
+
+[Footnote 435: _i.e._ hog.]
+
+[Footnote 436: Lit. a backbiter (_morditore_).]
+
+Accordingly, whenas it seemed to him time, he betook himself to Messer
+Corso's house, where he found him with sundry neighbours of his, not
+yet gone to dinner, and being asked of him what he went doing,
+answered, 'Sir, I am come to dine with you and your company.' Quoth
+Messer Corso, 'Thou art welcome; and as it is time, let us to table.'
+Thereupon they seated themselves at table and had, to begin with,
+chickpease and pickled tunny, and after a dish of fried fish from the
+Arno, and no more, Ciacco, perceiving the cheat that Biondello had put
+upon him, was inwardly no little angered thereat and resolved to pay
+him for it; nor had many days passed ere he again encountered the
+other, who had by this time made many folk merry with the trick he had
+played him. Biondello, seeing him, saluted him and asked him,
+laughing, how he had found Messer Corso's lampreys; to which Ciacco
+answered, 'That shalt thou know much better than I, ere eight days be
+past.'
+
+Then, without wasting time over the matter, he took leave of Biondello
+and agreeing for a price with a shrewd huckster, carried him near to
+the Cavicciuoli Gallery and showing him a gentleman there, called
+Messer Filippo Argenti, a big burly rawboned fellow and the most
+despiteful, choleric and humoursome man alive, gave him a great glass
+flagon and said to him, 'Go to yonder gentleman with this flask in
+hand and say to him, "Sir Biondello sendeth me to you and prayeth you
+be pleased to rubify him this flask with your good red wine, for that
+he would fain make merry somedele with his minions." But take good
+care he lay not his hands on thee; else will he give thee an ill
+morrow and thou wilt have marred my plans.' 'Have I aught else to
+say,' asked the huckster; and Ciacco answered, 'No; do but go and say
+this and after come back to me here with the flask and I will pay
+thee.' The huckster accordingly set off and did his errand to Messer
+Filippo, who, hearing the message and being lightly ruffled, concluded
+that Biondello, whom he knew, had a mind to make mock of him, and
+waxing all red in the face, said, 'What "rubify me" and what "minions"
+be these? God land thee and him an ill year!' Then, starting to his
+feet, he put out his hand to lay hold of the huckster; but the latter,
+who was on his guard, promptly took to his heels and returning by
+another way to Ciacco, who had seen all that had passed, told him what
+Messer Filippo had said to him. Ciacco, well pleased, paid him and
+rested not till he found Biondello, to whom quoth he, 'Hast thou been
+late at the Cavicciuoli Gallery?' 'Nay,' answered the other. 'Why dost
+thou ask me?' 'Because,' replied Ciacco, 'I must tell thee that Messer
+Filippo enquireth for thee; I know not what he would have.' 'Good,'
+rejoined Biondello; 'I am going that way and will speak with him.'
+Accordingly, he made off, and Ciacco followed him, to see how the
+thing should pass.
+
+Meanwhile Messer Filippo, having failed to come at the huckster, abode
+sore disordered and was inwardly all a-fume with rage, being unable to
+make anything in the world of the huckster's words, if not that
+Biondello, at whosesoever instance, was minded to make mock of him. As
+he fretted himself thus, up came Biondello, whom no sooner did he espy
+than he made for him and dealt him a sore buffet in the face. 'Alack,
+sir,' cried Biondello, 'what is this?' Whereupon Messer Filippo,
+clutching him by the hair and tearing his coif, cast his bonnet to the
+ground and said, laying on to him amain the while, 'Knave that thou
+art, thou shalt soon see what it is! What is this thou sendest to say
+to me with thy "rubify me" and thy "minions"? Deemest thou me a child,
+to be flouted on this wise?' So saying, he battered his whole face
+with his fists, which were like very iron, nor left him a hair on his
+head unruffled; then, rolling him in the mire, he tore all the clothes
+off his back; and to this he applied himself with such a will that
+Biondello could not avail to say a word to him nor ask why he served
+him thus. He had heard him indeed speak of 'rubify me' and 'minions,'
+but knew not what this meant.
+
+At last, Messer Filippo having beaten him soundly, the bystanders,
+whereof many had by this time gathered about them, dragged him, with
+the utmost difficulty, out of the other's clutches, all bruised and
+battered as he was, and told him why the gentleman had done this,
+blaming him for that which he had sent to say to him and telling him
+that he should by that time have known Messer Filippo better and that
+he was not a man to jest withal. Biondello, all in tears protested his
+innocence, declaring that he had never sent to Messer Filippo for
+wine, and as soon as he was somewhat recovered, he returned home, sick
+and sorry, divining that this must have been Ciacco's doing. When,
+after many days, the bruises being gone, he began to go abroad again,
+it chanced that Ciacco encountered him and asked him, laughing,
+'Harkye, Biondello, how deemest thou of Messer Filippo's wine?' 'Even
+as thou of Messer Corso's lampreys,' replied the other; and Ciacco
+said, 'The thing resteth with thee henceforth. Whenever thou goest
+about to give me to eat as thou didst, I will give thee in return to
+drink after t'other day's fashion.' Biondello, knowing full well that
+it was easier to wish Ciacco ill than to put it in practise, besought
+God of his peace[437] and thenceforth was careful to affront him no
+more."
+
+[Footnote 437: _i.e._ conjured him by God to make peace with him.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     TWO YOUNG MEN SEEK COUNSEL OF SOLOMON, ONE HOW HE MAY BE
+     LOVED AND THE OTHER HOW HE MAY AMEND HIS FROWARD WIFE, AND
+     IN ANSWER HE BIDDETH THE ONE LOVE AND THE OTHER GET HIM TO
+     GOOSEBRIDGE
+
+
+None other than the queen remaining to tell, so she would maintain
+Dioneo his privilege, she, after the ladies had laughed at the unlucky
+Biondello, began blithely to speak thus: "Lovesome ladies, if the
+ordinance of created things be considered with a whole mind, it will
+lightly enough be seen that the general multitude of women are by
+nature, by custom and by law subjected unto men and that it behoveth
+them order and govern themselves according to the discretion of these
+latter; wherefore each woman, who would have quiet and ease and solace
+with those men to whom she pertaineth, should be humble, patient and
+obedient, besides being virtuous, which latter is the supreme and
+especial treasure of every wise woman. Nay, though the laws, which in
+all things regard the general weal, and usance or (let us say) custom,
+whose puissance is both great and worship-worth, taught us not this,
+nature very manifestly showeth it unto us, inasmuch as she hath made
+us women tender and delicate of body and timid and fearful of spirit
+and hath given us little bodily strength, sweet voices and soft and
+graceful movements, all things testifying that we have need of the
+governance of others. Now, those who have need to be helped and
+governed, all reason requireth that they be obedient and submissive
+and reverent to their governors; and whom have we to governors and
+helpers, if not men? To men, therefore, it behoveth us submit
+ourselves, honouring them supremely; and whoso departeth from this, I
+hold her deserving, not only of grave reprehension, but of severe
+punishment. To these considerations I was lead, though not for the
+first time, by that which Pampinea told us a while ago of Talano's
+froward wife, upon whom God sent that chastisement which her husband
+had not known to give her; wherefore, as I have already said, all
+those women who depart from being loving, compliant and amenable, as
+nature, usance and law will it, are, in my judgment, worthy of stern
+and severe chastisement. It pleaseth me, therefore, to recount to you
+a counsel given by Solomon, as a salutary medicine for curing women
+who are thus made of that malady; which counsel let none, who meriteth
+not such treatment, repute to have been said for her, albeit men have
+a byword which saith, 'Good horse and bad horse both the spur need
+still, And women need the stick, both good and ill.' Which words, an
+one seek to interpret them by way of pleasantry, all women will
+lightly allow to be true; nay, but considering them morally,[438] I
+say that the same must be conceded of them; for that women are all
+naturally unstable and prone [to frailty,] wherefore, to correct the
+iniquity of those who allow themselves too far to overpass the limits
+appointed them, there needeth the stick which punisheth them, and to
+support the virtue of others who suffer not themselves to transgress,
+there needeth the stick which sustaineth and affeareth them. But, to
+leave be preaching for the nonce and come to that which I have it in
+mind to tell.
+
+[Footnote 438: _i.e._ from a serious or moral point of view.]
+
+You must know that, the high renown of Solomon's miraculous wisdom
+being bruited abroad well nigh throughout the whole world, no less
+than the liberality with which he dispensed it unto whoso would fain
+be certified thereof by experience, there flocked many to him from
+divers parts of the world for counsel in their straitest and most
+urgent occasions. Amongst others who thus resorted to him was a young
+man, Melisso by name, a gentleman of noble birth and great wealth, who
+set out from the city of Lajazzo,[439] whence he was and where he
+dwelt; and as he journeyed towards Jerusalem, it chanced that, coming
+forth of Antioch, he rode for some distance with a young man called
+Giosefo, who held the same course as himself. As the custom is of
+wayfarers, he entered into discourse with him and having learned from
+him what and whence he was, he asked him whither he went and upon what
+occasion; to which Giosefo replied that he was on his way to Solomon,
+to have counsel of him what course he should take with a wife he had,
+the most froward and perverse woman alive, whom neither with prayers
+nor with blandishments nor on any other wise could he avail to correct
+of her waywardness. Then he in his turn questioned Melisso whence he
+was and whither he went and on what errand, and he answered, 'I am of
+Lajazzo, and like as thou hast a grievance, even so have I one; I am
+young and rich and spend my substance in keeping open house and
+entertaining my fellow-townsmen, and yet, strange to say, I cannot for
+all that find one who wisheth me well; wherefore I go whither thou
+goest, to have counsel how I may win to be beloved.'
+
+[Footnote 439: Apparently Laodicea (_hod._ Eskihissar) in Anatolia,
+from which a traveller, taking the direct land route, would
+necessarily pass Antioch (_hod._ Antakhia) on his way to Jerusalem.]
+
+Accordingly, they joined company and journeyed till they came to
+Jerusalem, where, by the introduction of one of Solomon's barons, they
+were admitted to the presence of the king, to whom Melisso briefly set
+forth his occasion. Solomon answered him, 'Love'; and this said,
+Melisso was straightway put forth and Giosefo told that for which he
+was there. Solomon made him no other answer than 'Get thee to
+Goosebridge'; which said, Giosefo was on like wise removed, without
+delay, from the king's presence and finding Melisso awaiting him
+without, told him that which he had had for answer. Thereupon,
+pondering Solomon's words and availing to apprehend therefrom neither
+significance nor profit whatsoever for their occasions, they set out
+to return home, as deeming themselves flouted. After journeying for
+some days, they came to a river, over which was a fine bridge, and a
+caravan of pack-mules and sumpter-horses being in act to pass, it
+behoved them tarry till such time as these should be crossed over.
+Presently, the beasts having well nigh all crossed, it chanced that
+one of the mules took umbrage, as oftentimes we see them do, and
+would by no means pass on; whereupon a muleteer, taking a stick, began
+to beat it at first moderately enough to make it go on; but the mule
+shied now to this and now to that side of the road and whiles turned
+back altogether, but would on no wise pass on; whereupon the man,
+incensed beyond measure, fell to dealing it with the stick the
+heaviest blows in the world, now on the head, now on the flanks and
+anon on the crupper, but all to no purpose.
+
+Melisso and Giosefo stood watching this and said often to the
+muleteer, 'Alack, wretch that thou art, what dost thou? Wilt thou kill
+the beast? Why studiest thou not to manage him by fair means and
+gentle dealing? He will come quicklier than for cudgeling him as thou
+dost.' To which the man answered, 'You know your horses and I know my
+mule; leave me do with him.' So saying, he fell again to cudgelling
+him and belaboured him to such purpose on one side and on the other,
+that the mule passed on and the muleteer won the bout. Then, the two
+young men being now about to depart, Giosefo asked a poor man, who sat
+at the bridge-head, how the place was called, and he answered, 'Sir,
+this is called Goosebridge.' When Giosefo heard this, he straightway
+called to mind Solomon's words and said to Melisso, 'Marry, I tell
+thee, comrade, that the counsel given me by Solomon may well prove
+good and true, for I perceive very plainly that I knew not how to beat
+my wife; but this muleteer hath shown me what I have to do.'
+
+Accordingly, they fared on and came, after some days, to Antioch,
+where Giosefo kept Melisso with him, that he might rest himself a day
+or two, and being scurvily enough received of his wife, he bade her
+prepare supper according as Melisso should ordain; whereof the latter,
+seeing that it was his friend's pleasure, acquitted himself in a few
+words. The lady, as her usance had been in the past, did not as
+Melisso had ordained, but well nigh altogether the contrary; which
+Giosefo seeing, he was vexed and said, 'Was it not told thee on what
+wise thou shouldst prepare the supper?' The lady, turning round
+haughtily, answered, 'What meaneth this? Good lack, why dost thou not
+sup, an thou have a mind to sup? An if it were told me otherwise, it
+seemed good to me to do thus. If it please thee, so be it; if not,
+leave it be.' Melisso marvelled at the lady's answer and blamed her
+exceedingly; whilst Giosefo, hearing this, said, 'Wife, thou art still
+what thou wast wont to be; but, trust me, I will make thee change thy
+fashion.' Then turning to Melisso, 'Friend,' said he, 'we shall soon
+see what manner of counsel was Solomon's; but I prithee let it not irk
+thee to stand to see it and hold that which I shall do for a sport.
+And that thou mayest not hinder me, bethink thee of the answer the
+muleteer made us, when we pitied his mule.' Quoth Melisso, 'I am in
+thy house, where I purpose not to depart from thy good pleasure.'
+
+Giosefo then took a round stick, made of a young oak, and repaired a
+chamber, whither the lady, having arisen from table for despite, had
+betaken herself, grumbling; then, laying hold of her by the hair, he
+threw her down at his feet and proceeded to give her a sore beating
+with the stick. The lady at first cried out and after fell to
+threats; but, seeing that Giosefo for all that stinted not and being
+by this time all bruised, she began to cry him mercy for God's sake
+and besought him not to kill her, declaring that she would never more
+depart from his pleasure. Nevertheless, he held not his hand; nay, he
+continued to baste her more furiously than ever on all her seams,
+belabouring her amain now on the ribs, now on the haunches and now
+about the shoulder, nor stinted till he was weary and there was not a
+place left unbruised on the good lady's back. This done, he returned
+to his friend and said to him, 'To-morrow we shall see what will be
+the issue of the counsel to go to Goosebridge.' Then, after he had
+rested awhile and they had washed their hands, he supped with Melisso
+and in due season they betook themselves to bed.
+
+Meanwhile the wretched lady arose with great pain from the ground and
+casting herself on the bed, there rested as best she might until the
+morning, when she arose betimes and let ask Giosefo what he would have
+dressed for dinner. The latter, making merry over this with Melisso,
+appointed it in due course, and after, whenas it was time, returning,
+they found everything excellently well done and in accordance with the
+ordinance given; wherefore they mightily commended the counsel at
+first so ill apprehended of them. After some days, Melisso took leave
+of Giosefo and returning to his own house, told one, who was a man of
+understanding, the answer he had had from Solomon; whereupon quoth the
+other, 'He could have given thee no truer nor better counsel. Thou
+knowest thou lovest no one, and the honours and services thou
+renderest others, thou dost not for love that thou bearest them, but
+for pomp and ostentation. Love, then, as Solomon bade thee, and thou
+shalt be loved.' On this wise, then, was the froward wife corrected
+and the young man, loving, was beloved."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     DOM GIANNI, AT THE INSTANCE OF HIS GOSSIP PIETRO, PERFORMETH
+     A CONJURATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CAUSING THE LATTER'S WIFE
+     TO BECOME A MARE; BUT, WHENAS HE COMETH TO PUT ON THE TAIL,
+     PIETRO MARRETH THE WHOLE CONJURATION, SAYING THAT HE WILL
+     NOT HAVE A TAIL
+
+
+The queen's story made the young men laugh and gave rise to some
+murmurs on the part of the ladies; then, as soon as the latter were
+quiet, Dioneo began to speak thus, "Sprightly ladies, a black crow
+amongst a multitude of white doves addeth more beauty than would a
+snow-white swan, and in like manner among many sages one less wise is
+not only an augmentation of splendour and goodliness to their
+maturity, but eke a source of diversion and solace. Wherefore, you
+ladies being all exceeding discreet and modest, I, who savour somewhat
+of the scatterbrain, should be dearer to you, causing, as I do, your
+worth to shine the brightlier for my default, than if with my greater
+merit I made this of yours wax dimmer; and consequently, I should have
+larger license to show you myself such as I am and should more
+patiently be suffered of you, in saying that which I shall say, than
+if I were wiser. I will, therefore, tell you a story not overlong,
+whereby you may apprehend how diligently it behoveth to observe the
+conditions imposed by those who do aught by means of enchantment and
+how slight a default thereof sufficeth to mar everything done by the
+magician.
+
+A year or two agone there was at Barletta a priest called Dom Gianni
+di Barolo, who, for that he had but a poor cure, took to eking out his
+livelihood by hawking merchandise hither and thither about the fairs
+of Apulia with a mare of his and buying and selling. In the course of
+his travels he contracted a strait friendship with one who styled
+himself Pietro da Tresanti and plied the same trade with the aid of an
+ass he had. In token of friendship and affection, he called him still
+Gossip Pietro, after the Apulian fashion, and whenassoever he visited
+Barletta, he carried him to his parsonage and there lodged him with
+himself and entertained him to the best of his power. Gossip Pietro,
+on his part, albeit he was very poor and had but a sorry little house
+at Tresanti, scarce sufficing for himself and a young and buxom wife
+he had and his ass, as often as Dom Gianni came to Tresanti, carried
+him home with him and entertained him as best he might, in requital of
+the hospitality received from him at Barletta. Nevertheless, in the
+matter of lodging, having but one sorry little bed, in which he slept
+with his handsome wife, he could not entertain him as he would, but,
+Dom Gianni's mare being lodged with Pietro's ass in a little stable he
+had, needs must the priest himself lie by her side on a truss of
+straw.
+
+The goodwife, knowing the hospitality which the latter did her husband
+at Barletta, would more than once, whenas the priest came thither,
+have gone to lie with a neighbor of hers, by name Zita Caraprese,
+[daughter] of Giudice Leo, so he might sleep in the bed with her
+husband, and had many a time proposed it to Dom Gianni, but he would
+never hear of it; and once, amongst other times, he said to her,
+'Gossip Gemmata, fret not thyself for me; I fare very well, for that,
+whenas it pleaseth me, I cause this mare of mine become a handsome
+wench and couch with her, and after, when I will, I change her into a
+mare again; wherefore I care not to part from her.'
+
+The young woman marvelled, but believed his tale and told her husband,
+saying, 'If he is so much thy friend as thou sayest, why dost thou not
+make him teach thee his charm, so thou mayst avail to make of me a
+mare and do thine affairs with the ass and the mare? So should we gain
+two for one; and when we were back at home, thou couldst make me a
+woman again, as I am.' Pietro, who was somewhat dull of wit, believed
+what she said and falling in with her counsel, began, as best he knew,
+to importune Dom Gianni to teach him the trick. The latter did his
+best to cure him of that folly, but availing not thereto, he said,
+'Harkye, since you will e'en have it so, we will arise to-morrow
+morning before day, as of our wont, and I will show you how it is
+done. To tell thee the truth, the uneathest part of the matter is the
+putting on of the tail, as thou shalt see.'
+
+Accordingly, whenas it drew near unto day, Goodman Pietro and Gossip
+Gemmata, who had scarce slept that night, with such impatience did
+they await the accomplishment of the matter, arose and called Dom
+Gianni, who, arising in his shirt, betook himself to Pietro's little
+chamber and said to him, 'I know none in the world, except you, for
+whom I would do this; wherefore since it pleaseth you, I will e'en do
+it; but needs must you do as I shall bid you, an you would have the
+thing succeed.' They answered that they would do that which he should
+say; whereupon, taking the light, he put it into Pietro's hand and
+said to him, 'Mark how I shall do and keep well in mind that which I
+shall say. Above all, have a care, an thou wouldst not mar everything,
+that, whatsoever thou hearest or seest, thou say not a single word,
+and pray God that the tail may stick fast.' Pietro took the light,
+promising to do exactly as he said, whereupon Dom Gianni let strip
+Gemmata naked as she was born and caused her stand on all fours,
+mare-fashion, enjoining herself likewise not to utter a word for aught
+that should betide. Then, passing his hand over her face and her head,
+he proceeded to say, 'Be this a fine mare's head,' and touching her
+hair, said, 'Be this a fine mare's mane'; after which he touched her
+arms, saying, 'Be these fine mare's legs and feet,' and coming
+presently to her breast and finding it round and firm, such an one
+awoke that was not called and started up on end,[440] whereupon quoth
+he, 'Be this a fine mare's chest.' And on like wise he did with her
+back and belly and crupper and thighs and legs. Ultimately, nothing
+remaining to do but the tail, he pulled up his shirt and taking the
+dibble with which he planted men, he thrust it hastily into the furrow
+made therefor and said, 'And be this a fine mare's tail.'
+
+[Footnote 440: _i.e._ arrectus est penis ejus.]
+
+Pietro, who had thitherto watched everything intently, seeing this
+last proceeding and himseeming it was ill done, said, 'Ho there, Dom
+Gianni, I won't have a tail there, I won't have a tail there!' The
+radical moisture, wherewith all plants are made fast, was by this
+come, and Dom Gianni drew it forth, saying, 'Alack, gossip Pietro,
+what hast thou done? Did I not bid thee say not a word for aught that
+thou shouldst see? The mare was all made; but thou hast marred
+everything by talking, nor is there any means of doing it over again
+henceforth.' Quoth Pietro, 'Marry, I did not want that tail there. Why
+did you not say to me, "Make it thou"? More by token that you were for
+setting it too low.' 'Because,' answered Dom Gianni, 'thou hadst not
+known for the first time to set it on so well as I.' The young woman,
+hearing all this, stood up and said to her husband, in all good faith,
+'Dolt that thou art, why hast thou marred thine affairs and mine? What
+mare sawest thou ever without a tail? So God aid me, thou art poor,
+but it would serve thee right, wert thou much poorer.' Then, there
+being now, by reason of the words that Pietro had spoken, no longer
+any means of making a mare of the young woman, she donned her clothes,
+woebegone and disconsolate, and Pietro, continuing to ply his old
+trade with an ass, as he was used, betook himself, in company with Dom
+Gianni, to the Bitonto fair, nor ever again required him of such a
+service."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+How much the company laughed at this story, which was better
+understood of the ladies than Dioneo willed, let her who shall yet
+laugh thereat imagine for herself. But, the day's stories being now
+ended and the sun beginning to abate of its heat, the queen, knowing
+the end of her seignory to be come, rose to her feet and putting off
+the crown, set it on the head of Pamfilo, whom alone it remained to
+honour after such a fashion, and said, smiling, "My lord, there
+devolveth on thee a great burden, inasmuch as with thee it resteth,
+thou being the last, to make amends for my default and that of those
+who have foregone me in the dignity which thou presently holdest;
+whereof God lend thee grace, even as He hath vouchsafed it unto me to
+make thee king." Pamfilo blithely received the honour done him and
+answered, "Your merit and that of my other subjects will do on such
+wise that I shall be adjudged deserving of commendation, even as the
+others have been." Then, having, according to the usance of his
+predecessors, taken order with the seneschal of the things that were
+needful, he turned to the expectant ladies and said to them, "Lovesome
+ladies, it was the pleasure of Emilia, who hath this day been our
+queen, to give you, for the purpose of affording some rest to your
+powers, license to discourse of that which should most please you;
+wherefore, you being now rested, I hold it well to return to the
+wonted ordinance, and accordingly I will that each of you bethink
+herself to discourse to-morrow of this, to wit, OF WHOSO HATH ANYWISE
+WROUGHT GENEROUSLY OR MAGNIFICENTLY IN MATTERS OF LOVE OR OTHERWHAT.
+The telling and doing of these things will doubtless fire your
+well-disposed minds to do worthily; so will our life, which may not be
+other than brief in this mortal body, be made perpetual in laudatory
+renown; a thing which all, who serve not the belly only, as do the
+beasts, should not only desire, but with all diligence seek and
+endeavour after."
+
+The theme pleased the joyous company, who having all, with the new
+king's license, arisen from session, gave themselves to their wonted
+diversions, according to that unto which each was most drawn by
+desire; and on this wise they did until the hour of supper, whereunto
+they came joyously and were served with diligence and fair ordinance.
+Supper at an end, they arose to the wonted dances, and after they had
+sung a thousand canzonets, more diverting of words than masterly of
+music, the king bade Neifile sing one in her own name; whereupon, with
+clear and blithesome voice, she cheerfully and without delay began
+thus:
+
+       A youngling maid am I and full of glee,
+         Am fain to carol in the new-blown May,
+       Love and sweet thoughts-a-mercy, blithe and free.
+
+       I go about the meads, considering
+           The vermeil flowers and golden and the white,
+           Roses thorn-set and lilies snowy-bright,
+         And one and all I fare a-likening
+         Unto his face who hath with love-liking
+       Ta'en and will hold me ever, having aye
+     None other wish than as his pleasures be;
+
+       Whereof when one I find me that doth show,
+           Unto my seeming, likest him, full fain
+           I cull and kiss and talk with it amain
+         And all my heart to it, as best I know,
+         Discover, with its store of wish and woe,
+       Then it with others in a wreath I lay,
+     Bound with my hair so golden-bright of blee.
+
+       Ay, and that pleasure which the eye doth prove,
+           By nature, of the flower's view, like delight
+           Doth give me as I saw the very wight
+         Who hath inflamed me of his dulcet love,
+         And what its scent thereover and above
+       Worketh in me, no words indeed can say;
+     But sighs thereof bear witness true for me,
+
+       The which from out my bosom day nor night
+           Ne'er, as with other ladies, fierce and wild,
+           Storm up; nay, thence they issue warm and mild
+         And straight betake them to my loved one's sight,
+         Who, hearing, moveth of himself, delight
+       To give me; ay, and when I'm like to say
+     "Ah come, lest I despair," still cometh he.
+
+Neifile's canzonet was much commended both of the king and of the
+other ladies; after which, for that a great part of the night was now
+spent, the king commanded that all should betake themselves to rest
+until the day.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE NINTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Tenth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE TENTH AND LAST DAY OF THE DECAMERON
+     WHEREIN UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF PAMFILO IS DISCOURSED OF
+     WHOSO HATH ANYWISE WROUGHT GENEROUSLY OR MAGNIFICENTLY IN
+     MATTERS OF LOVE OR OTHERWHAT
+
+
+Certain cloudlets in the West were yet vermeil, what time those of the
+East were already at their marges grown lucent like unto very gold,
+when Pamfilo, arising, let call his comrades and the ladies, who being
+all come, he took counsel with them of whither they should go for
+their diversion and fared forth with slow step, accompanied by
+Filomena and Fiammetta, whilst all the others followed after. On this
+wise, devising and telling and answering many things of their future
+life together, they went a great while a-pleasuring; then, having made
+a pretty long circuit and the sun beginning to wax overhot, they
+returned to the palace. There they let rinse the beakers in the clear
+fountain and whoso would drank somewhat; after which they went
+frolicking among the pleasant shades of the garden until the
+eating-hour. Then, having eaten and slept, as of their wont, they
+assembled whereas it pleased the king and there he called upon Neifile
+for the first discourse, who blithely began thus:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     A KNIGHT IN THE KING'S SERVICE OF SPAIN THINKING HIMSELF ILL
+     GUERDONED, THE KING BY VERY CERTAIN PROOF SHOWETH HIM THAT
+     THIS IS NOT HIS FAULT, BUT THAT OF HIS OWN PERVERSE FORTUNE,
+     AND AFTER LARGESSETH HIM MAGNIFICENTLY
+
+
+"Needs, honourable ladies, must I repute it a singular favour to
+myself that our king hath preferred me unto such an honour as it is to
+be the first to tell of magnificence, the which, even as the sun is
+the glory and adornment of all the heaven, is the light and lustre of
+every other virtue. I will, therefore, tell you a little story
+thereof, quaint and pleasant enough to my thinking, which to recall
+can certes be none other than useful.
+
+You must know, then, that, among the other gallant gentlemen who have
+from time immemorial graced our city, there was one (and maybe the
+most of worth) by name Messer Ruggieri de' Figiovanni, who, being both
+rich and high-spirited and seeing that, in view of the way of living
+and of the usages of Tuscany, he might, if he tarried there, avail to
+display little or nothing of his merit, resolved to seek service
+awhile with Alfonso, King of Spain, the renown of whose valiance
+transcended that of every other prince of his time; wherefore he
+betook himself, very honourably furnished with arms and horses and
+followers, to Alfonso in Spain and was by him graciously received.
+Accordingly, he took up his abode there and living splendidly and
+doing marvellous deeds of arms, he very soon made himself known for a
+man of worth and valour.
+
+When he had sojourned there a pretty while and had taken particular
+note of the king's fashions, himseemed he bestowed castles and cities
+and baronies now upon one and now upon another with little enough
+discretion, as giving them to those who were unworthy thereof, and for
+that to him, who held himself for that which he was, nothing was
+given, he conceived that his repute would be much abated by reason
+thereof; wherefore he determined to depart and craved leave of the
+king. The latter granted him the leave he sought and gave him one of
+the best and finest mules that ever was ridden, the which, for the
+long journey he had to make, was very acceptable to Messer Ruggieri.
+Moreover, he charged a discreet servant of his that he should study,
+by such means as seemed to him best, to ride with Messer Ruggieri on
+such wise that he should not appear to have been sent by the king, and
+note everything he should say of him, so as he might avail to repeat
+it to him, and that on the ensuing morning he should command him
+return to the court. Accordingly, the servant, lying in wait for
+Messer Ruggieri's departure, accosted him, as he came forth the city,
+and very aptly joined company with him, giving him to understand that
+he also was bound for Italy. Messer Ruggieri, then, fared on, riding
+the mule given him by the king and devising of one thing and another
+with the latter's servant, till hard upon tierce, when he said,
+'Methinketh it were well done to let our beasts stale.' Accordingly,
+they put them up in a stable and they all staled, except the mule;
+then they rode on again, whilst the squire still took note of the
+gentleman's words, and came presently to a river, where, as they
+watered their cattle, the mule staled in the stream; which Messer
+Ruggieri seeing, 'Marry,' quoth he, 'God confound thee, beast, for
+that thou art made after the same fashion as the prince who gave thee
+to me!' The squire noted these words and albeit he took store of many
+others, as he journeyed with him all that day, he heard him say nought
+else but what was to the highest praise of the king.
+
+Next morning, they being mounted and Ruggieri offering to ride towards
+Tuscany, the squire imparted to him the king's commandment, whereupon
+he incontinent turned back. When he arrived at court, the king,
+learning what he had said of the mule, let call him to himself and
+receiving him with a cheerful favour, asked him why he had likened him
+to his mule, or rather why he had likened the mule to him. 'My lord,'
+replied Ruggieri frankly, 'I likened her to you for that, like as you
+give whereas it behoveth not and give not whereas it behoveth, even so
+she staled not whereas it behoved, but staled whereas it behoved not.'
+Then said the king, 'Messer Ruggieri, if I have not given to you, as I
+have given unto many who are of no account in comparison with you, it
+happened not because I knew you not for a most valiant cavalier and
+worthy of every great gift; nay, but it is your fortune, which hath
+not suffered me guerdon you according to your deserts, that hath
+sinned in this, and not I; and that I may say sooth I will manifestly
+prove to you.' 'My lord,' replied Ruggieri, 'I was not chagrined
+because I have gotten no largesse of you, for that I desire not to be
+richer than I am, but because you have on no wise borne witness to my
+merit. Natheless, I hold your excuse for good and honourable and am
+ready to see that which it shall please you show me, albeit I believe
+you without proof.' The king then carried him into a great hall of
+his, where, as he had ordered it beforehand, were two great locked
+coffers, and said to him, in presence of many, 'Messer Ruggieri, in
+one of these coffers is my crown, the royal sceptre and the orb,
+together with many goodly girdles and ouches and rings of mine, and in
+fine every precious jewel I have; and the other is full of earth.
+Take, then, one and be that which you shall take yours; and you may
+thus see whether of the twain hath been ungrateful to your worth,
+myself of your ill fortune.'
+
+Messer Ruggieri, seeing that it was the king's pleasure, took one of
+the coffers, which, being opened by Alfonso's commandment, was found
+to be that which was full of earth; whereupon quoth the king,
+laughing, 'Now can you see, Messer Ruggieri, that this that I tell you
+of your fortune is true; but certes your worth meriteth that I should
+oppose myself to her might. I know you have no mind to turn Spaniard
+and therefore I will bestow upon you neither castle nor city in these
+parts; but this coffer, of which fortune deprived you, I will in her
+despite shall be yours, so you may carry it off to your own country
+and justly glorify yourself of your worth in the sight of your
+countrymen by the witness of my gifts.' Messer Ruggieri accordingly
+took the coffer and having rendered the king those thanks which sorted
+with such a gift, joyfully returned therewith to Tuscany."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     GHINO DI TACCO TAKETH THE ABBOT OF CLUNY AND HAVING CURED
+     HIM OF THE STOMACH-COMPLAINT, LETTETH HIM GO; WHEREUPON THE
+     ABBOT, RETURNING TO THE COURT OF ROME, RECONCILETH HIM WITH
+     POPE BONIFACE AND MAKETH HIM A PRIOR OF THE HOSPITALLERS
+
+
+The magnificence shown by King Alfonso to the Florentine cavalier
+having been duly commended, the king, who had been mightily pleased
+therewith, enjoined Elisa to follow on, and she straightway began
+thus: "Dainty dames, it cannot be denied that for a king to be
+munificent and to have shown his munificence to him who had served him
+is a great and a praiseworthy thing; but what shall we say if a
+churchman be related to have practised marvellous magnanimity towards
+one, whom if he had used as an enemy, he had of none been blamed
+therefor? Certes, we can say none otherwise than that the king's
+magnificence was a virtue, whilst that of the churchman was a miracle,
+inasmuch as the clergy are all exceeding niggardly, nay, far more so
+than women, and sworn enemies of all manner of liberality; and albeit
+all men naturally hunger after vengeance for affronts received, we see
+churchmen, for all they preach patience and especially commend the
+remission of offences, pursue it more eagerly than other folk. This,
+then, to wit, how a churchman was magnanimous, you may manifestly
+learn from the following story of mine.
+
+Ghino di Tacco, a man very famous for his cruelty and his robberies,
+being expelled [Transcriber's Note: missing 'from'] Siena and at feud
+with the Counts of Santa Fiore, raised Radicofani against the Church
+of Rome and taking up his sojourn there, caused his swashbucklers
+despoil whosoever passed through the surrounding country. Now,
+Boniface the Eighth being pope in Rome, there came to court the Abbot
+of Cluny, who is believed to be one of the richest prelates in the
+world, and having there marred his stomach, he was advised by the
+physicians to repair to the baths of Siena and he would without fail
+be cured. Accordingly, having gotten the pope's leave, he set out on
+his way thither in great pomp of gear and baggage and horses and
+servitors, unrecking of Ghino's [ill] report. The latter, hearing of
+his coming, spread his nets and hemmed him and all his household and
+gear about in a strait place, without letting a single footboy escape.
+This done, he despatched to the abbot one, the most sufficient, of his
+men, well accompanied, who in his name very lovingly prayed him be
+pleased to light down and sojourn with the aforesaid Ghino in his
+castle. The abbot, hearing this, answered furiously that he would
+nowise do it, having nought to do with Ghino, but that he would fare
+on and would fain see who should forbid his passage. Whereto quoth the
+messenger on humble wise, 'Sir, you are come into parts where, barring
+God His might, there is nothing to fear for us and where
+excommunications and interdicts are all excommunicated; wherefore, may
+it please you, you were best comply with Ghino in this.'
+
+During this parley, the whole place had been encompassed about with
+men-at-arms; wherefore the abbot, seeing himself taken with his men,
+betook himself, sore against his will, to the castle, in company with
+the ambassador, and with him all his household and gear, and alighting
+there, was, by Ghino's orders, lodged all alone in a very dark and
+mean little chamber in one of the pavilions, whilst every one else was
+well enough accommodated, according to his quality, about the castle
+and the horses and all the gear put in safety, without aught thereof
+being touched. This done, Ghino betook himself to the abbot and said
+to him, 'Sir, Ghino, whose guest you are, sendeth to you, praying you
+acquaint him whither you are bound and on what occasion.' The abbot,
+like a wise man, had by this laid by his pride and told him whither he
+went and why. Ghino, hearing this, took his leave and bethought
+himself to go about to cure him without baths. Accordingly, he let
+keep a great fire still burning in the little room and causing guard
+the place well, returned not to the abbot till the following morning,
+when he brought him, in a very white napkin, two slices of toasted
+bread and a great beaker of his own Corniglia vernage[441] and
+bespoke him thus, 'Sir, when Ghino was young, he studied medicine and
+saith that he learned there was no better remedy for the
+stomach-complaint than that which he purposeth to apply to you and of
+which these things that I bring you are the beginning; wherefore do
+you take them and refresh yourself.'
+
+[Footnote 441: See p. 372, note.]
+
+The abbot, whose hunger was greater than his desire to bandy words,
+ate the bread and drank the wine, though he did it with an ill will,
+and after made many haughty speeches, asking and counselling of many
+things and demanding in particular to see Ghino. The latter, hearing
+this talk, let part of it pass as idle and answered the rest very
+courteously, avouching that Ghino would visit him as quickliest he
+might. This said, he took his leave of him and returned not until the
+ensuing day, when he brought him as much toasted bread and as much
+malmsey; and so he kept him several days, till such time as he
+perceived that he had eaten some dried beans, which he had of intent
+aforethought brought secretly thither and left there; whereupon he
+asked him, on Ghino's part, how he found himself about the stomach.
+The abbot answered, 'Meseemeth I should fare well, were I but out of
+his hands; and after that, I have no greater desire than to eat, so
+well have his remedies cured me.' Thereupon Ghino caused the abbot's
+own people array him a goodly chamber with his own gear and let make
+ready a magnificent banquet, to which he bade the prelate's whole
+household, together with many folk of the burgh. Next morning, he
+betook himself to the abbot and said to him, 'Sir, since you feel
+yourself well, it is time to leave the infirmary.' Then, taking him by
+the hand, he brought him to the chamber prepared for him and leaving
+him there in company of his own people, occupied himself with caring
+that the banquet should be a magnificent one.
+
+The abbot solaced himself awhile with his men and told them what his
+life had been since his capture, whilst they, on the other hand,
+avouched themselves all to have been wonder-well entreated of Ghino.
+The eating-hour come, the abbot and the rest were well and orderly
+served with goodly viands and fine wines, without Ghino yet letting
+himself be known of the prelate; but, after the latter had abidden
+some days on this wise, the outlaw, having let bring all his gear into
+one saloon and all his horses, down to the sorriest rouncey, into a
+courtyard that was under the windows thereof, betook himself to him
+and asked him how he did and if he deemed himself strong enough to
+take horse. The abbot answered that he was strong enough and quite
+recovered of his stomach-complaint and that he should fare perfectly
+well, once he should be out of Ghino's hands. Ghino then brought him
+into the saloon, wherein was his gear and all his train, and carrying
+him to a window, whence he might see all his horses, said, 'My lord
+abbot, you must know that it was the being a gentleman and expelled
+from his house and poor and having many and puissant enemies, and not
+evilness of mind, that brought Ghino di Tacco (who is none other than
+myself) to be, for the defence of his life and his nobility, a
+highway-robber and an enemy of the court of Rome. Nevertheless, for
+that you seem to me a worthy gentleman, I purpose not, now that I have
+cured you of your stomach-complaint, to use you as I would another,
+from whom, he being in my hands as you are, I would take for myself
+such part of his goods as seemed well to me; nay, it is my intent that
+you, having regard to my need, shall appoint to me such part of your
+good as you yourself will. It is all here before you in its entirety
+and your horses you may from this window see in the courtyard; take,
+therefore, both part and all, as it pleaseth you, and from this time
+forth be it at your pleasure to go or to stay.'
+
+The abbot marvelled to hear such generous words from a highway-robber
+and was exceeding well pleased therewith, insomuch that, his anger and
+despite being of a sudden fallen, nay, changed into goodwill, he
+became Ghino's hearty friend and ran to embrace him, saying, 'I vow to
+God that, to gain the friendship of a man such as I presently judge
+thee to be, I would gladly consent to suffer a far greater affront
+than that which meseemed but now thou hadst done me. Accursed be
+fortune that constrained thee to so damnable a trade!' Then, letting
+take of his many goods but a very few necessary things, and the like
+of his horses, he left all the rest to Ghino and returned to Rome. The
+pope had had news of the taking of the abbot and albeit it had given
+him sore concern, he asked him, when he saw him, how the baths had
+profited him; whereto he replied, smiling, 'Holy Father, I found a
+worthy physician nearer than at the baths, who hath excellently well
+cured me'; and told him how, whereat the pope laughed, and the abbot,
+following on his speech and moved by a magnanimous spirit, craved a
+boon of him. The pope, thinking he would demand otherwhat, freely
+offered to do that which he should ask; and the abbot said, 'Holy
+Father, that which I mean to ask of you is that you restore your
+favour to Ghino di Tacco, my physician, for that, of all the men of
+worth and high account whom I ever knew, he is certes one of the most
+deserving; and for this ill that he doth, I hold it much more
+fortune's fault than his; the which[442] if you change by bestowing on
+him somewhat whereby he may live according to his condition, I doubt
+not anywise but you will, in brief space of time, deem of him even as
+I do.' The pope, who was great of soul and a lover of men of worth,
+hearing this, replied that he would gladly do it, an Ghino were indeed
+of such account as the abbot avouched, and bade the latter cause him
+come thither in all security. Accordingly, Ghino, at the abbot's
+instance, came to court, upon that assurance, nor had he been long
+about the pope's person ere the latter reputed him a man of worth and
+taking him into favour, bestowed on him a grand priory of those of the
+Hospitallers, having first let make him a knight of that order; which
+office he held whilst he lived, still approving himself a loyal friend
+and servant of Holy Church and of the Abbot of Cluny."
+
+[Footnote 442: _i.e._ fortune.]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     MITHRIDANES, ENVYING NATHAN HIS HOSPITALITY AND GENEROSITY
+     AND GOING TO KILL HIM, FALLETH IN WITH HIMSELF, WITHOUT
+     KNOWING HIM, AND IS BY HIM INSTRUCTED OF THE COURSE HE SHALL
+     TAKE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSE; BY MEANS WHEREOF HE FINDETH
+     HIM, AS HE HIMSELF HAD ORDERED IT, IN A COPPICE AND
+     RECOGNIZING HIM, IS ASHAMED AND BECOMETH HIS FRIEND
+
+
+Themseemed all they had heard what was like unto a miracle, to wit,
+that a churchman should have wrought anywhat magnificently; but, as
+soon as the ladies had left discoursing thereof, the king bade
+Filostrato proceed, who forthright began, "Noble ladies, great was the
+magnificence of the King of Spain and that of the Abbot of Cluny a
+thing belike never yet heard of; but maybe it will seem to you no less
+marvellous a thing to hear how a man, that he might do generosity to
+another who thirsted for his blood, nay, for the very breath of his
+nostrils, privily bethought himself to give them to him, ay, and would
+have done it, had the other willed to take them, even as I purpose to
+show you in a little story of mine.
+
+It is a very certain thing (if credit may be given to the report of
+divers Genoese and others who have been in those countries) that there
+was aforetime in the parts of Cattajo[443] a man of noble lineage and
+rich beyond compare, called Nathan, who, having an estate adjoining a
+highway whereby as of necessity passed all who sought to go from the
+Ponant to the Levant or from the Levant to the Ponant, and being a man
+of great and generous soul and desirous that it should be known by his
+works, assembled a great multitude of artificers and let build there,
+in a little space of time, one of the fairest and greatest and richest
+palaces that had ever been seen, the which he caused excellently well
+furnished with all that was apt unto the reception and entertainment
+of gentlemen. Then, having a great and goodly household, he there
+received and honourably entertained, with joyance and good cheer,
+whosoever came and went; and in this praiseworthy usance he persevered
+insomuch that not only the Levant, but well nigh all the Ponant, knew
+him by report. He was already full of years nor was therefore grown
+weary of the practice of hospitality, when it chanced that his fame
+reached the ears of a young man of a country not far from his own, by
+name Mithridanes, who, knowing himself no less rich than Nathan and
+waxing envious of his renown and his virtues, bethought himself to
+eclipse or shadow them with greater liberality. Accordingly, letting
+build a palace like unto that of Nathan, he proceeded to do the most
+unbounded courtesies[444] that ever any did whosoever came or went
+about those parts, and in a short time he became without doubt very
+famous.
+
+[Footnote 443: _Cattajo._ This word is usually translated Cathay,
+_i.e._ China; but _semble_ Boccaccio meant rather the Dalmatian
+province of Cattaro, which would better answer the description in the
+text, Nathan's estate being described as adjoining a highway leading
+from the Ponant (or Western shores of the Mediterranean) to the Levant
+(or Eastern shores), _e.g._ the road from Cattaro on the Adriatic to
+Salonica on the Ćgean. Cathay (China) seems, from the circumstances of
+the case, out of the question, as is also the Italian town called
+Cattaio, near Padua.]
+
+[Footnote 444: _i.e._ to show the most extravagant hospitality.]
+
+It chanced one day that, as he abode all alone in the midcourt of his
+palace, there came in, by one of the gates, a poor woman, who sought
+of him an alms and had it; then, coming in again to him by the second,
+she had of him another alms, and so on for twelve times in succession;
+but, whenas she returned for the thirteenth time, he said to her,
+'Good woman, thou art very diligent in this thine asking,' and
+natheless gave her an alms. The old crone, hearing these words,
+exclaimed, 'O liberality of Nathan, how marvellous art thou! For that,
+entering in by each of the two-and-thirty gates which his palace hath,
+and asking of him an alms, never, for all that he showed, was I
+recognized of him, and still I had it; whilst here, having as yet come
+in but at thirteen gates, I have been both recognized and chidden.' So
+saying, she went her ways and returned thither no more. Mithridanes,
+hearing the old woman's words, flamed up into a furious rage, as he
+who held that which he heard of Nathan's fame a diminishment of his
+own, and fell to saying, 'Alack, woe is me! When shall I attain to
+Nathan's liberality in great things, let alone overpass it, as I seek
+to do, seeing that I cannot approach him in the smallest? Verily, I
+weary myself in vain, an I remove him not from the earth; wherefore,
+since eld carrieth him not off, needs must I with mine own hands do it
+without delay.'
+
+Accordingly, rising upon that motion, he took horse with a small
+company, without communicating his design to any, and came after three
+days whereas Nathan abode. He arrived there at eventide and bidding
+his followers make a show of not being with him and provide themselves
+with lodging, against they should hear farther from him, abode alone
+at no great distance from the fair palace, where he found Nathan all
+unattended, as he went walking for his diversion, without any pomp of
+apparel, and knowing him not, asked him if he could inform him where
+Nathan dwelt. 'My son,' answered the latter cheerfully, 'there is none
+in these parts who is better able than I to show thee that; wherefore,
+whenas it pleaseth thee, I will carry thee thither.' Mithridanes
+rejoined that this would be very acceptable to him, but that, an it
+might be, he would fain be neither seen nor known of Nathan; and the
+latter said, 'That also will I do, since it pleaseth thee.'
+Mithridanes accordingly dismounted and repaired to the goodly palace,
+in company with Nathan, who quickly engaged him in most pleasant
+discourse. There he caused one of his servants take the young man's
+horse and putting his mouth to his ear, charged him take order with
+all those of the house, so none should tell the youth that he was
+Nathan; and so was it done. Moreover, he lodged him in a very goodly
+chamber, where none saw him, save those whom he had deputed to this
+service, and let entertain him with the utmost honour, himself bearing
+him company.
+
+After Mithridanes had abidden with him awhile on this wise, he asked
+him (albeit he held him in reverence as a father) who he was; to which
+Nathan answered, 'I am an unworthy servant of Nathan, who have grown
+old with him from my childhood, nor hath he ever advanced me to
+otherwhat than that which thou seest me; wherefore, albeit every one
+else is mighty well pleased with him, I for my part have little cause
+to thank him.' These words afforded Mithridanes some hope of availing
+with more certitude and more safety to give effect to his perverse
+design, and Nathan very courteously asking him who he was and what
+occasion brought him into those parts and proffering him his advice
+and assistance insomuch as lay in his power, he hesitated awhile to
+reply, but, presently, resolving to trust himself to him, he with a
+long circuit of words[445] required him first of secrecy and after of
+aid and counsel and entirely discovered to him who he was and
+wherefore and on what motion he came. Nathan, hearing his discourse
+and his cruel design, was inwardly all disordered; but nevertheless,
+without much hesitation, he answered him with an undaunted mind and a
+firm countenance, saying, 'Mithridanes, thy father was a noble man and
+thou showest thyself minded not to degenerate from him, in having
+entered upon so high an emprise as this thou hast undertaken, to wit,
+to be liberal unto all; and greatly do I commend the jealousy thou
+bearest unto Nathan's virtues, for that, were there many such,[446]
+the world, that is most wretched, would soon become good. The design
+that thou hast discovered to me I will without fail keep secret; but
+for the accomplishment thereof I can rather give thee useful counsel
+than great help; the which is this. Thou mayst from here see a
+coppice, maybe half a mile hence, wherein Nathan well nigh every
+morning walketh all alone, taking his pleasure there a pretty long
+while; and there it will be a light matter to thee to find him and do
+thy will of him. If thou slay him, thou must, so thou mayst return
+home without hindrance, get thee gone, not by that way thou camest,
+but by that which thou wilt see issue forth of the coppice on the left
+hand, for that, albeit it is somewhat wilder, it is nearer to thy
+country and safer for thee.'
+
+[Footnote 445: Or as we should say, "After much beating about the
+bush."]
+
+[Footnote 446: _i.e._ jealousies.]
+
+Mithridanes, having received this information and Nathan having taken
+leave of him, privily let his companions, who had, like himself, taken
+up their sojourn in the palace, know where they should look for him on
+the morrow; and the new day came, Nathan, whose intent was nowise at
+variance with the counsel he had given Mithridanes nor was anywise
+changed, betook himself alone to the coppice, there to die. Meanwhile,
+Mithridanes arose and taking his bow and his sword, for other arms he
+had not, mounted to horse and made for the coppice, where he saw
+Nathan from afar go walking all alone. Being resolved, ere he attacked
+him, to seek to see him and hear him speak, he ran towards him and
+seizing him by the fillet he had about his head, said, 'Old man, thou
+art dead.' Whereto Nathan answered no otherwhat than, 'Then have I
+merited it.' Mithridanes, hearing his voice and looking him in the
+face, knew him forthright for him who had so lovingly received him
+and familiarly companied with him and faithfully counselled him;
+whereupon his fury incontinent subsided and his rage was changed into
+shame. Accordingly, casting away the sword, which he had already
+pulled out to smite him, and lighting down from his horse, he ran,
+weeping, to throw himself at Nathan's feet and said to him, 'Now,
+dearest father, do I manifestly recognize your liberality, considering
+with what secrecy you are come hither to give me your life, whereof,
+without any reason, I showed myself desirous, and that to yourself;
+but God, more careful of mine honour than I myself, hath, in the
+extremest hour of need, opened the eyes of my understanding, which
+vile envy had closed. Wherefore, the readier you have been to comply
+with me, so much the more do I confess myself beholden to do penance
+for my default. Take, then, of me the vengeance which you deem
+conformable to my sin.'
+
+Nathan raised Mithridanes to his feet and tenderly embraced and kissed
+him, saying, 'My son, it needeth not that thou shouldst ask nor that I
+should grant forgiveness of thine emprise, whatever thou choosest to
+style it, whether wicked or otherwise; for that thou pursuedst it, not
+of hatred, but to win to be held better. Live, then, secure from me
+and be assured that there is no man alive who loveth thee as I do,
+having regard to the loftiness of thy soul, which hath given itself,
+not to the amassing of monies, as do the covetous, but to the
+expenditure of those that have been amassed. Neither be thou ashamed
+of having sought to slay me, so though mightest become famous, nor
+think that I marvel thereat. The greatest emperors and the most
+illustrious kings have, with well nigh none other art than that of
+slaying, not one man, as thou wouldst have done, but an infinite
+multitude of men, and burning countries and razing cities, enlarged
+their realms and consequently their fame; wherefore, an thou wouldst,
+to make thyself more famous, have slain me only, thou diddest no new
+nor extraordinary thing, but one much used.'
+
+Mithridanes, without holding himself excused of his perverse design,
+commended the honourable excuse found by Nathan and came, in course of
+converse with him, to say that he marvelled beyond measure how he
+could have brought himself to meet his death and have gone so far as
+even to give him means and counsel to that end; whereto quoth Nathan,
+'Mithridanes, I would not have thee marvel at my resolution nor at the
+counsel I gave thee, for that, since I have been mine own master and
+have addressed myself to do that same thing which thou hast undertaken
+to do, there came never any to my house but I contented him, so far as
+in me lay, of that which was required of me by him. Thou camest
+hither, desirous of my life; wherefore, learning that thou soughtest
+it, I straightway determined to give it thee, so thou mightest not be
+the only one to depart hence without his wish; and in order that thou
+mightest have thy desire, I gave thee such counsel as I thought apt to
+enable thee to have my life and not lose thine own; and therefore I
+tell thee once more and pray thee, an it please thee, take it and
+satisfy thyself thereof. I know not how I may better bestow it. These
+fourscore years have I occupied it and used it about my pleasures and
+my diversions, and I know that in the course of nature, according as
+it fareth with other men and with things in general, it can now be
+left me but a little while longer; wherefore I hold it far better to
+bestow it by way of gift, like as I have still given and expended my
+[other] treasures, than to seek to keep it until such times as it
+shall be taken from me by nature against my will. To give an hundred
+years is no great boon; how much less, then, is it to give the six or
+eight I have yet to abide here? Take it, then, an it like thee.
+Prithee, then, take it, an thou have a mind thereto; for that never
+yet, what while I have lived here, have I found any who hath desired
+it, nor know I when I may find any such, an thou, who demandest it,
+take it not. And even should I chance to find any one, I know that,
+the longer I keep it, the less worth will it be; therefore, ere it wax
+sorrier, take it, I beseech thee.'
+
+Mithridanes was sore abashed and replied, 'God forbid I should, let
+alone take and sever from you a thing of such price as your life, but
+even desire to do so, as but late I did,--your life, whose years far
+from seeking to lessen, I would willingly add thereto of mine own!'
+Whereto Nathan straightway rejoined, 'And art thou indeed willing, it
+being in thy power to do it, to add of thy years unto mine and in so
+doing, to cause me do for thee that which I never yet did for any man,
+to wit, take of thy good, I who never yet took aught of others?' 'Ay
+am I,' answered Mithridanes in haste. 'Then,' said Nathan, 'thou must
+do as I shall bid thee. Thou shalt take up thine abode, young as thou
+art, here in my house and bear the name of Nathan, whilst I will
+betake myself to thy house and let still call myself Mithridanes.'
+Quoth Mithridanes, 'An I knew how to do as well as you have done and
+do, I would, without hesitation, take that which you proffer me; but,
+since meseemeth very certain that my actions would be a diminishment
+of Nathan's fame and as I purpose not to mar in another that which I
+know not how to order in myself, I will not take it.' These and many
+other courteous discourses having passed between them, they returned,
+at Nathan's instance, to the latter's palace, where he entertained
+Mithridanes with the utmost honour sundry days, heartening him in his
+great and noble purpose with all manner of wit and wisdom. Then,
+Mithridanes desiring to return to his own house with his company, he
+dismissed him, having throughly given him to know that he might never
+avail to outdo him in liberality."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     MESSER GENTILE DE' CARISENDI, COMING FROM MODONA, TAKETH
+     FORTH OF THE SEPULCHRE A LADY WHOM HE LOVETH AND WHO HATH
+     BEEN BURIED FOR DEAD. THE LADY, RESTORED TO LIFE, BEARETH A
+     MALE CHILD AND MESSER GENTILE RESTORETH HER AND HER SON TO
+     NICCOLUCCIO CACCIANIMICO, HER HUSBAND
+
+
+It seemed to all a marvellous thing that a man should be lavish of his
+own blood and they declared Nathan's liberality to have verily
+transcended that of the King of Spain and the Abbot of Cluny. But,
+after enough to one and the other effect had been said thereof, the
+king, looking towards Lauretta, signed to her that he would have her
+tell, whereupon she straightway began, "Young ladies, magnificent and
+goodly are the things that have been recounted, nor meseemeth is there
+aught left unto us who have yet to tell, wherethrough we may range a
+story-telling, so throughly have they all[447] been occupied with the
+loftiness of the magnificences related, except we have recourse to the
+affairs of love, which latter afford a great abundance of matter for
+discourse on every subject; wherefore, at once on this account and for
+that the theme is one to which our age must needs especially incline
+us, it pleaseth me to relate to you an act of magnanimity done by a
+lover, which, all things considered, will peradventure appear to you
+nowise inferior to any of those already set forth, if it be true that
+treasures are lavished, enmities forgotten and life itself, nay, what
+is far more, honour and renown, exposed to a thousand perils, so we
+may avail to possess the thing beloved.
+
+[Footnote 447: _i.e._ all sections of the given theme.]
+
+There was, then, in Bologna, a very noble city of Lombardy, a
+gentleman very notable for virtue and nobility of blood, called Messer
+Gentile Carisendi, who, being young, became enamoured of a noble lady
+called Madam Catalina, the wife of one Niccoluccio Caccianimico; and
+for that he was ill repaid of his love by the lady, being named
+provost of Modona, he betook himself thither, as in despair of her.
+Meanwhile, Niccoluccio being absent from Bologna and the lady having,
+for that she was with child, gone to abide at a country house she had
+maybe three miles distant from the city, she was suddenly seized with
+a grievous fit of sickness,[448] which overcame her with such violence
+that it extinguished in her all sign of life, so that she was even
+adjudged dead of divers physicians; and for that her nearest kinswomen
+declared themselves to have had it from herself that she had not been
+so long pregnant that the child could be fully formed, without giving
+themselves farther concern, they buried her, such as she was, after
+much lamentation, in one of the vaults of a neighbouring church.
+
+[Footnote 448: Lit. accident (_accidente_).]
+
+The thing was forthright signified by a friend of his to Messer
+Gentile, who, poor as he had still been of her favour, grieved sore
+therefor and ultimately said in himself, 'Harkye, Madam Catalina, thou
+art dead, thou of whom, what while thou livedst, I could never avail
+to have so much as a look; wherefore, now thou canst not defend
+thyself, needs must I take of thee a kiss or two, all dead as thou
+art.' This said, he took order so his going should be secret and it
+being presently night, he mounted to horse with one of his servants
+and rode, without halting, till he came whereas the lady was buried
+and opened the sepulchre with all despatch. Then, entering therein, he
+laid himself beside her and putting his face to hers, kissed her again
+and again with many tears. But presently,--as we see men's appetites
+never abide content within any limit, but still desire farther, and
+especially those of lovers,--having bethought himself to tarry there
+no longer, he said, 'Marry, now that I am here, why should I not touch
+her somedele on the breast? I may never touch her more, nor have I
+ever yet done so.' Accordingly, overcome with this desire, he put his
+hand into her bosom and holding it there awhile, himseemed he felt her
+heart beat somewhat. Thereupon, putting aside all fear, he sought more
+diligently and found that she was certainly not dead, scant and feeble
+as he deemed the life [that lingered in her;] wherefore, with the help
+of his servant, he brought her forth of the tomb, as softliest he
+might, and setting her before him on his horse, carried her privily to
+his house in Bologna.
+
+There was his mother, a worthy and discreet gentlewoman, and she,
+after she had heard everything at large from her son, moved to
+compassion, quietly addressed herself by means of hot baths and great
+fires to recall the strayed life to the lady, who, coming presently to
+herself, heaved a great sigh and said, 'Ah me, where am I?' To which
+the good lady replied, 'Be of good comfort; thou art in safety.' Madam
+Catalina, collecting herself, looked about her and knew not aright
+where she was; but, seeing Messer Gentile before her, she was filled
+with wonderment and besought his mother to tell her how she came
+thither; whereupon Messer Gentile related to her everything in order.
+At this she was sore afflicted, but presently rendered him such thanks
+as she might and after conjured him, by the love he had erst borne her
+and of his courtesy, that she might not in his house suffer at his
+hands aught that should be anywise contrary to her honour and that of
+her husband and that, as soon as the day should be come, he would
+suffer her return to her own house. 'Madam,' answered Messer Gentile,
+'whatsoever may have been my desire of time past, I purpose not,
+either at this present or ever henceforth, (since God hath vouchsafed
+me this grace that He hath restored you to me from death to life, and
+that by means of the love I have hitherto borne you,) to use you
+either here or elsewhere otherwise than as a dear sister; but this my
+service that I have done you to-night meriteth some recompense;
+wherefore I would have you deny me not a favour that I shall ask you.'
+
+The lady very graciously replied that she was ready to do his desire,
+so but she might and it were honourable. Then said he, 'Madam, your
+kinsfolk and all the Bolognese believe and hold you for certain to be
+dead, wherefore there is no one who looketh for you more at home, and
+therefore I would have you of your favour be pleased to abide quietly
+here with my mother till such time as I shall return from Modona,
+which will be soon. And the reason for which I require you of this is
+that I purpose to make a dear and solemn present of you to your
+husband in the presence of the most notable citizens of this place.'
+The lady, confessing herself beholden to the gentleman and that his
+request was an honourable one, determined to do as he asked, how much
+soever she desired to gladden her kinsfolk of her life,[449] and so
+she promised it to him upon her faith. Hardly had she made an end of
+her reply, when she felt the time of her delivery to be come and not
+long after, being lovingly tended of Messer Gentile's mother, she gave
+birth to a goodly male child, which manifold redoubled his gladness
+and her own. Messer Gentile took order that all things needful should
+be forthcoming and that she should be tended as she were his proper
+wife and presently returned in secret to Modona. There, having served
+the term of his office and being about to return to Bologna, he took
+order for the holding of a great and goodly banquet at his house on
+the morning he was to enter the city, and thereto he bade many
+gentlemen of the place, amongst whom was Niccoluccio Caccianimico.
+Accordingly, when he returned and dismounted, he found them all
+awaiting him, as likewise the lady, fairer and sounder than ever, and
+her little son in good case, and with inexpressible joy seating his
+guests at table, he let serve them magnificently with various meats.
+
+[Footnote 449: _i.e._ with news of her life.]
+
+Whenas the repast was near its end, having first told the lady what he
+meant to do and taken order with her of the course that she should
+hold, he began to speak thus: 'Gentlemen, I remember to have heard
+whiles that there is in Persia a custom and to my thinking a pleasant
+one, to wit, that, whenas any is minded supremely to honour a friend
+of his, he biddeth him to his house and there showeth him the thing,
+be it wife or mistress or daughter or whatsoever else, he holdeth most
+dear, avouching that, like as he showeth him this, even so, an he
+might, would he yet more willingly show him his very heart; which
+custom I purpose to observe in Bologna. You, of your favour, have
+honoured my banquet with your presence, and I in turn mean to honour
+you, after the Persian fashion, by showing you the most precious thing
+I have or may ever have in the world. But, ere I proceed to do this, I
+pray you tell me what you deem of a doubt[450] which I shall broach to
+you and which is this. A certain person hath in his house a very
+faithful and good servant, who falleth grievously sick, whereupon the
+former, without awaiting the sick man's end, letteth carry him into
+the middle street and hath no more heed of him. Cometh a stranger,
+who, moved to compassion of the sick man, carrieth him off to his own
+house and with great diligence and expense bringeth him again to his
+former health. Now I would fain know whether, if he keep him and make
+use of his services, his former master can in equity complain of or
+blame the second, if, he demanding him again, the latter refuse to
+restore him.'
+
+[Footnote 450: _Dubbio_, _i.e._ a doubtful case or question.]
+
+The gentlemen, after various discourse among themselves, concurring
+all in one opinion, committed the response to Niccoluccio
+Caccianimico, for that he was a goodly and eloquent speaker; whereupon
+the latter, having first commended the Persian usage, declared that he
+and all the rest were of opinion that the first master had no longer
+any right in his servant, since he had, in such a circumstance, not
+only abandoned him, but cast him away, and that, for the kind offices
+done him by the second, themseemed the servant was justly become his;
+wherefore, in keeping him, he did the first no hurt, no violence, no
+unright whatsoever. The other guests at table (and there were men
+there of worth and worship) said all of one accord that they held to
+that which had been answered by Niccoluccio; and Messer Gentile, well
+pleased with this response and that Niccoluccio had made it, avouched
+himself also to be of the same opinion. Then said he, 'It is now time
+that I honour you according to promise,' and calling two of his
+servants, despatched them to the lady, whom he had let magnificently
+dress and adorn, praying her be pleased to come gladden the company
+with her presence. Accordingly, she took her little son, who was very
+handsome, in her arms and coming into the banqueting-hall, attended by
+two serving-men seated herself, as Messer Gentile willed it, by the
+side of a gentleman of high standing. Then said he, 'Gentlemen, this
+is the thing which I hold and purpose to hold dearer than any other;
+look if it seem to you that I have reason to do so.'
+
+The guests, having paid her the utmost honour, commending her amain
+and declaring to Messer Gentile that he might well hold her dear, fell
+to looking upon her; and there were many there who had avouched her to
+be herself,[451] had they not held her for dead. But Niccoluccio gazed
+upon her above all and unable to contain himself, asked her, (Messer
+Gentile having withdrawn awhile,) as one who burned to know who she
+was, if she were a Bolognese lady or a foreigner. The lady, seeing
+herself questioned of her husband, hardly restrained herself from
+answering; but yet, to observe the appointed ordinance, she held her
+peace. Another asked her if the child was hers and a third if she were
+Messer Gentile's wife or anywise akin to him; but she made them no
+reply. Presently, Messer Gentile coming up, one of his guests said to
+him, 'Sir, this is a fair creature of yours, but she seemeth to us
+mute; is she so?' 'Gentlemen,' replied he, 'her not having spoken at
+this present is no small proof of her virtue.' And the other said,
+'Tell us, then, who she is.' Quoth Messer Gentile, 'That will I
+gladly, so but you will promise me that none, for aught that I shall
+say, will budge from his place till such time as I shall have made an
+end of my story.'
+
+[Footnote 451: _i.e._ who would have recognized her as Madam
+Catalina.]
+
+All promised this and the tables being presently removed, Messer
+Gentile, seating himself beside the lady, said, 'Gentlemen, this lady
+is that loyal and faithful servant, of whom I questioned you awhile
+agone and who, being held little dear of her folk and so, as a thing
+without worth and no longer useful, cast out into the midward of the
+street, was by me taken up; yea, by my solicitude and of my handiwork
+I brought her forth of the jaws of death, and God, having regard to my
+good intent, hath caused her, by my means, from a frightful corpse
+become thus beautiful. But, that you may more manifestly apprehend how
+this betided me, I will briefly declare it to you.' Then, beginning
+from his falling enamoured of her, he particularly related to them
+that which had passed until that time, to the great wonderment of the
+hearers, and added, 'By reason of which things, an you, and especially
+Niccoluccio, have not changed counsel since awhile ago, the lady is
+fairly mine, nor can any with just title demand her again of me.' To
+this none made answer; nay, all awaited that which he should say
+farther; whilst Niccoluccio and the lady and certain of the others
+who were there wept for compassion.[452]
+
+[Footnote 452: _Compassione_, _i.e._ emotion.]
+
+Then Messer Gentile, rising to his feet and taking the little child in
+his arms and the lady by the hand, made for Niccoluccio and said to
+him, 'Rise up, gossip; I do not restore thee thy wife, whom thy
+kinsfolk and hers cast away; nay, but I will well bestow on thee this
+lady my gossip, with this her little son, who I am assured, was
+begotten of thee and whom I held at baptism and named Gentile; and I
+pray thee that she be none the less dear to thee for that she hath
+abidden near upon three months in my house; for I swear to thee,--by
+that God who belike caused me aforetime fall in love with her, to the
+intent that my love might be, as in effect it hath been, the occasion
+of her deliverance,--that never, whether with father or mother or with
+thee, hath she lived more chastely than she hath done with my mother
+in my house.' So saying, he turned to the lady and said to her,
+'Madam, from this time forth I absolve you of every promise made me
+and leave you free [to return] to Niccoluccio.'[453] Then, giving the
+lady and the child into Niccoluccio's arms, he returned to his seat.
+Niccoluccio received them with the utmost eagerness, so much the more
+rejoiced as he was the farther removed from hope thereof, and thanked
+Messer Gentile, as best he might and knew; whilst the others, who all
+wept for compassion, commended the latter amain of this; yea, and he
+was commended of whosoever heard it. The lady was received in her
+house with marvellous rejoicing and long beheld with amazement by the
+Bolognese, as one raised from the dead; whilst Messer Gentile ever
+after abode a friend of Niccoluccio and of his kinsfolk and those of
+the lady.
+
+[Footnote 453: Lit. I leave you free _of_ Niccoluccio (_libera vi
+lascio di Niccoluccio_).]
+
+What, then, gentle ladies, will you say [of this case]? Is, think you,
+a king's having given away his sceptre and his crown or an abbot's
+having, without cost to himself, reconciled an evildoer with the pope
+or an old man's having proffered his weasand to the enemy's knife to
+be evened with this deed of Messer Gentile, who, being young and
+ardent and himseeming he had a just title to that which the
+heedlessness of others had cast away and he of his good fortune had
+taken up, not only honourably tempered his ardour, but, having in his
+possession that which he was still wont with all his thoughts to covet
+and to seek to steal away, freely restored it [to its owner]? Certes,
+meseemeth none of the magnificences already recounted can compare with
+this."
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     MADAM DIANORA REQUIRETH OF MESSER ANSALDO A GARDEN AS FAIR
+     IN JANUARY AS IN MAY, AND HE BY BINDING HIMSELF [TO PAY A
+     GREAT SUM OF MONEY] TO A NIGROMANCER, GIVETH IT TO HER. HER
+     HUSBAND GRANTETH HER LEAVE TO DO MESSER ANSALDO'S PLEASURE,
+     BUT HE, HEARING OF THE FORMER'S GENEROSITY, ABSOLVETH HER OF
+     HER PROMISE, WHEREUPON THE NIGROMANCER, IN HIS TURN,
+     ACQUITTETH MESSER ANSALDO OF HIS BOND, WITHOUT WILLING AUGHT
+     OF HIS
+
+
+Messer Gentile having by each of the merry company been extolled to
+the very skies with the highest praise, the king charged Emilia follow
+on, who confidently, as if eager to speak, began as follows: "Dainty
+dames, none can with reason deny that Messer Gentile wrought
+magnificently; but, if it be sought to say that his magnanimity might
+not be overpassed, it will not belike be uneath to show that more is
+possible, as I purpose to set out to you in a little story of mine.
+
+In Friuli, a country, though cold, glad with goodly mountains and
+store of rivers and clear springs, is a city called Udine, wherein was
+aforetime a fair and noble lady called Madam Dianora, the wife of a
+wealthy gentleman named Gilberto, who was very debonair and easy of
+composition. The lady's charm procured her to be passionately loved of
+a noble and great baron by name Messer Ansaldo Gradense, a man of high
+condition and everywhere renowned for prowess and courtesy. He loved
+her fervently and did all that lay in his power to be beloved of her,
+to which end he frequently solicited her with messages, but wearied
+himself in vain. At last, his importunities being irksome to the lady
+and she seeing that, for all she denied him everything he sought of
+her, he stinted not therefor to love and solicit her, she determined
+to seek to rid herself of him by means of an extraordinary and in her
+judgment an impossible demand; wherefore she said one day to a woman,
+who came often to her on his part, 'Good woman, thou hast many times
+avouched to me that Messer Ansaldo loveth me over all things and hast
+proffered me marvellous great gifts on his part, which I would have
+him keep to himself, seeing that never thereby might I be prevailed
+upon to love him or comply with his wishes; but, an I could be
+certified that he loveth me in very deed as much as thou sayest, I
+might doubtless bring myself to love him and do that which he willeth;
+wherefore, an he choose to certify me of this with that which I shall
+require of him, I shall be ready to do his commandments.' Quoth the
+good woman, 'And what is that, madam, which you would have him do?'
+'That which I desire,' replied the lady, 'is this; I will have, for
+this coming month of January, a garden, near this city, full of green
+grass and flowers and trees in full leaf, no otherwise than as it were
+May; the which if he contrive not, let him never more send me thee nor
+any other, for that, an he importune me more, so surely as I have
+hitherto kept his pursuit hidden from my husband and my kinsfolk, I
+will study to rid myself of him by complaining to them.'
+
+The gentleman, hearing the demand and the offer of his mistress, for
+all it seemed to him a hard thing and in a manner impossible to do and
+he knew it to be required of the lady for none otherwhat than to
+bereave him of all hope, determined nevertheless to essay whatsoever
+might be done thereof and sent into various parts about the world,
+enquiring if there were any to be found who would give him aid and
+counsel in the matter. At last, he happened upon one who offered, so
+he were well guerdoned, to do the thing by nigromantic art, and having
+agreed with him for a great sum of money, he joyfully awaited the
+appointed time, which come and the cold being extreme and everything
+full of snow and ice, the learned man, the night before the calends of
+January, so wrought by his arts in a very goodly meadow adjoining the
+city, that it appeared in the morning (according to the testimony of
+those who saw it) one of the goodliest gardens was ever seen of any,
+with grass and trees and fruits of every kind. Messer Ansaldo, after
+viewing this with the utmost gladness, let cull of the finest fruits
+and the fairest flowers that were there and caused privily present
+them to his mistress, bidding her come and see the garden required by
+her, so thereby she might know how he loved her and after, remembering
+her of the promise made him and sealed with an oath, bethink herself,
+as a loyal lady, to accomplish it to him.
+
+The lady, seeing the fruits and flowers and having already from many
+heard tell of the miraculous garden, began to repent of her promise.
+Natheless, curious, for all her repentance, of seeing strange things,
+she went with many other ladies of the city to view the garden and
+having with no little wonderment commended it amain, returned home,
+the woefullest woman alive, bethinking her of that to which she was
+bounden thereby. Such was her chagrin that she availed not so well to
+dissemble it but needs must it appear, and her husband, perceiving it,
+was urgent to know the reason. The lady, for shamefastness, kept
+silence thereof a great while; but at last, constrained to speak, she
+orderly discovered to him everything; which Gilberto, hearing, was at
+the first sore incensed, but presently, considering the purity of the
+lady's intent and chasing away anger with better counsel, he said,
+'Dianora, it is not the part of a discreet nor of a virtuous woman to
+give ear unto any message of this sort nor to compound with any for
+her chastity under whatsoever condition. Words received into the heart
+by the channel of the ears have more potency than many conceive and
+well nigh every thing becometh possible to lovers. Thou didst ill,
+then, first to hearken and after to enter into terms of composition;
+but, for that I know the purity of thine intent, I will, to absolve
+thee of the bond of the promise, concede thee that which peradventure
+none other would do, being thereto the more induced by fear of the
+nigromancer, whom Messer Ansaldo, an thou cheat him, will maybe cause
+make us woeful. I will, then, that thou go to him and study to have
+thyself absolved of this thy promise, preserving thy chastity, if thou
+mayst anywise contrive it; but, an it may not be otherwise, thou
+shalt, for this once, yield him thy body, but not thy soul.'
+
+The lady, hearing her husband's speech, wept and denied herself
+willing to receive such a favour from him; but, for all her much
+denial, he would e'en have it be so. Accordingly, next morning, at
+daybreak, the lady, without overmuch adorning herself, repaired to
+Messer Ansaldo's house, with two of her serving-men before and a
+chamberwoman after her. Ansaldo, hearing that his mistress was come to
+him, marvelled sore and letting call the nigromancer, said to him, 'I
+will have thee see what a treasure thy skill hath gotten me.' Then,
+going to meet her, he received her with decency and reverence, without
+ensuing any disorderly appetite, and they entered all[454] into a
+goodly chamber, wherein was a great fire. There he caused set her a
+seat and said, 'Madam, I prithee, if the long love I have borne you
+merit any recompense, let it not irk you to discover to me the true
+cause which hath brought you hither at such an hour and in such
+company.' The lady, shamefast and well nigh with tears in her eyes,
+answered, 'Sir, neither love that I bear you nor plighted faith
+bringeth me hither, but the commandment of my husband, who, having
+more regard to the travails of your disorderly passion than to his
+honour and mine own, hath caused me come hither; and by his behest I
+am for this once disposed to do your every pleasure.' If Messer
+Ansaldo had marvelled at the sight of the lady, far more did he
+marvel, when he heard her words, and moved by Gilberto's generosity,
+his heat began to change to compassion and he said, 'God forbid,
+madam, an it be as you say, that I should be a marrer of his honour
+who hath compassion of my love; wherefore you shall, what while it is
+your pleasure to abide here, be no otherwise entreated than as you
+were my sister; and whenas it shall be agreeable to you, you are free
+to depart, so but you will render your husband, on my part, those
+thanks which you shall deem befitting unto courtesy such as his hath
+been and have me ever, in time to come, for brother and for servant.'
+
+[Footnote 454: _i.e._ Ansaldo, Dianora and the nigromancer.]
+
+The lady, hearing these words, was the joyfullest woman in the world
+and answered, saying, 'Nothing, having regard to your fashions, could
+ever make me believe that aught should ensue to me of my coming other
+than this that I see you do in the matter; whereof I shall still be
+beholden to you.' Then, taking leave, she returned, under honourable
+escort, to Messer Gilberto and told him that which had passed, of
+which there came about a very strait and loyal friendship between him
+and Messer Ansaldo. Moreover, the nigromancer, to whom the gentleman
+was for giving the promised guerdon, seeing Gilberto's generosity
+towards his wife's lover and that of the latter towards the lady,
+said, 'God forbid, since I have seen Gilberto liberal of his honour
+and you of your love, that I should not on like wise be liberal of my
+hire; wherefore, knowing it[455] will stand you in good stead, I
+intend that it shall be yours.' At this the gentleman was ashamed and
+studied to make him take or all or part; but, seeing that he wearied
+himself in vain and it pleasing the nigromancer (who had, after three
+days, done away his garden) to depart, he commended him to God and
+having extinguished from his heart his lustful love for the lady, he
+abode fired with honourable affection for her. How say you now,
+lovesome ladies? Shall we prefer [Gentile's resignation of] the in a
+manner dead lady and of his love already cooled for hope forspent,
+before the generosity of Messer Ansaldo, whose love was more ardent
+than ever and who was in a manner fired with new hope, holding in his
+hands the prey so long pursued? Meseemeth it were folly to pretend
+that this generosity can be evened with that."
+
+[Footnote 455: _i.e._ the money promised him by way of recompense.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     KING CHARLES THE OLD, THE VICTORIOUS, FALLETH ENAMOURED OF A
+     YOUNG GIRL, BUT AFTER, ASHAMED OF HIS FOND THOUGHT,
+     HONOURABLY MARRIETH BOTH HER AND HER SISTER
+
+
+It were over longsome fully to recount the various discourse that had
+place among the ladies of who used the greatest generosity, Gilberto
+or Messer Ansaldo or the nigromancer, in Madam Dianora's affairs; but,
+after the king had suffered them debate awhile, he looked at Fiammetta
+and bade her, telling a story, put an end to their contention;
+whereupon she, without hesitation, began as follows: "Illustrious
+ladies, I was ever of opinion that, in companies such as ours, it
+should still be discoursed so much at large that the overstraitness[456]
+of intent of the things said be not unto any matter for debate, the
+which is far more sortable among students in the schools than among us
+[women,] who scarce suffice unto the distaff and the spindle.
+Wherefore, seeing that you are presently at cross-purposes by reason
+of the things already said, I, who had in mind a thing maybe somewhat
+doubtful [of meaning,] will leave that be and tell you a story,
+treating nowise of a man of little account, but of a valiant king, who
+therein wrought knightly, in nothing attainting his honour.
+
+[Footnote 456: _i.e._, nicety, minuteness (_strettezza_).]
+
+Each one of you must many a time have heard tell of King Charles the
+Old or First, by whose magnanimous emprise, and after by the glorious
+victory gained by him over King Manfred, the Ghibellines were expelled
+from Florence and the Guelphs returned thither. In consequence of this
+a certain gentleman, called Messer Neri degli Uberti, departing the
+city with all his household and much monies and being minded to take
+refuge no otherwhere than under the hand of King Charles, betook
+himself to Castellamare di Stabia.[457] There, belike a crossbowshot
+removed from the other habitations of the place, among olive-trees
+and walnuts and chestnuts, wherewith the country aboundeth, he bought
+him an estate and built thereon a goodly and commodious
+dwelling-house, with a delightsome garden thereby, amiddleward which,
+having great plenty of running water, he made, after our country
+fashion, a goodly and clear fishpond and lightly filled it with good
+store of fish. Whilst he concerned himself to make his garden goodlier
+every day, it befell that King Charles repaired to Castellamare, to
+rest himself awhile in the hot season, and there hearing tell of the
+beauty of Messer Neri's garden, he desired to behold it. Hearing,
+moreover, to whom it belonged, he bethought himself that, as the
+gentleman was of the party adverse to his own, it behoved to deal the
+more familiarly with him, and accordingly sent to him to say that he
+purposed to sup with him privily in his garden that evening, he and
+four companions. This was very agreeable to Messer Neri, and having
+made magnificent preparation and taken order with his household of
+that which was to do, he received the king in his fair garden as
+gladliest he might and knew. The latter, after having viewed and
+commended all the garden and Messer Neri's house and washed, seated
+himself at one of the tables, which were set beside the fishpond, and
+seating Count Guy de Montfort, who was of his company, on one side of
+him and Messer Neri on the other, commanded other three, who were come
+thither with them, to serve according to the order appointed of his
+host. Thereupon there came dainty meats and there were wines of the
+best and costliest and the ordinance was exceeding goodly and
+praiseworthy, without noise or annoy whatsoever, the which the king
+much commended.
+
+[Footnote 457: A town on the Bay of Naples, near the ruins of
+Pompeii.]
+
+Presently, as he sat blithely at meat, enjoying the solitary place,
+there entered the garden two young damsels of maybe fifteen years of
+age, with hair like threads of gold, all ringleted and hanging loose,
+whereon was a light chaplet of pervinck-blossoms. Their faces bespoke
+them rather angels than otherwhat, so delicately fair they were, and
+they were clad each upon her skin in a garment of the finest linen and
+white as snow, the which from the waist upward was very strait and
+thence hung down in ample folds, pavilionwise, to the feet. She who
+came first bore on her left shoulder a pair of hand-nets and in her
+right hand a long pole, and the other had on her left shoulder a
+frying-pan and under the same arm a faggot of wood, whilst in her left
+hand she held a trivet and in the other a flask of oil and a lighted
+flambeau. The king, seeing them, marvelled and in suspense awaited
+what this should mean. The damsels came forward modestly and
+blushingly did obeisance to him, then, betaking themselves whereas one
+went down into the fishpond, she who bore the frying-pan set it down
+and the other things by it and taking the pole that the other carried,
+they both entered the water, which came up to their breasts.
+Meanwhile, one of Messer Neri's servants deftly kindled fire under the
+trivet and setting the pan thereon, poured therein oil and waited for
+the damsels to throw him fish. The latter, the one groping with the
+pole in those parts whereas she knew the fish lay hid and the other
+standing ready with the net, in a short space of time took fish
+galore, to the exceeding pleasure of the king, who eyed them attently;
+then, throwing some thereof to the servant, who put them in the pan,
+well nigh alive, they proceeded, as they had been lessoned, to take of
+the finest and cast them on the table before the king and his
+table-fellows. The fish wriggled about the table, to the marvellous
+diversion of the king, who took of them in his turn and sportively
+cast them back to the damsels; and on this wise they frolicked awhile,
+till such time as the servant had cooked the fish which had been given
+him and which, Messer Neri having so ordered it, were now set before
+the king, more as a relish than as any very rare and delectable dish.
+
+The damsels, seeing the fish cooked and having taken enough, came
+forth of the water, their thin white garments all clinging to their
+skins and hiding well nigh nought of their delicate bodies, and
+passing shamefastly before the king, returned to the house. The latter
+and the count and the others who served had well considered the
+damsels and each inwardly greatly commended them for fair and well
+shapen, no less than for agreeable and well mannered. But above all
+they pleased the king, who had so intently eyed every part of their
+bodies, as they came forth of the water, that, had any then pricked
+him, he would not have felt it, and as he called them more
+particularly to mind, unknowing who they were, he felt a very fervent
+desire awaken in his heart to please them, whereby he right well
+perceived himself to be in danger of becoming enamoured, an he took no
+heed to himself thereagainst; nor knew he indeed whether of the twain
+it was the more pleased him, so like in all things was the one to the
+other. After he had abidden awhile in this thought, he turned to
+Messer Neri and asked him who were the two damsels, to which the
+gentleman answered, 'My lord, these are my daughters born at a birth,
+whereof the one is called Ginevra the Fair and the other Isotta the
+Blonde.' The king commended them greatly and exhorted him to marry
+them, whereof Messer Neri excused himself, for that he was no more
+able thereunto. Meanwhile, nothing now remaining to be served of the
+supper but the fruits, there came the two damsels in very goodly gowns
+of sendal, with two great silver platters in their hands, full of
+various fruits, such as the season afforded, and these they set on the
+table before the king; which done, they withdrew a little apart and
+fell to singing a canzonet, whereof the words began thus:
+
+       Whereas I'm come, O Love,
+     It might not be, indeed, at length recounted, etc.
+
+This song they carolled on such dulcet wise and so delightsomely that
+to the king, who beheld and hearkened to them with ravishment, it
+seemed as if all the hierarchies of the angels were lighted there to
+sing. The song sung, they fell on their knees and respectfully craved
+of him leave to depart, who, albeit their departure was grievous to
+him, yet with a show of blitheness accorded it to them. The supper
+being now at an end, the king remounted to horse with his company and
+leaving Messer Neri, returned to the royal lodging, devising of one
+thing and another. There, holding his passion hidden, but availing
+not, for whatsoever great affair might supervene, to forget the beauty
+and grace of Ginevra the Fair, (for love of whom he loved her sister
+also, who was like unto her,) he became so fast entangled in the
+amorous snares that he could think of well nigh nought else and
+feigning other occasions, kept a strait intimacy with Messer Neri and
+very often visited his fair garden, to see Ginevra.
+
+At last, unable to endure longer and bethinking himself, in default of
+other means of compassing his desire, to take not one alone, but both
+of the damsels from their father, he discovered both his passion and
+his intent to Count Guy, who, for that he was an honourable man, said
+to him, 'My lord, I marvel greatly at that which you tell me, and that
+more than would another, inasmuch as meseemeth I have from your
+childhood to this day known your fashions better than any other;
+wherefore, meseeming never to have known such a passion in your youth,
+wherein Love might lightlier have fixed his talons, and seeing you
+presently hard upon old age, it is so new and so strange to me that
+you should love by way of enamourment[458] that it seemeth to me well
+nigh a miracle, and were it my office to reprove you thereof, I know
+well that which I should say to you thereanent, having in regard that
+you are yet with your harness on your back in a kingdom newly gained,
+amidst a people unknown and full of wiles and treasons, and are all
+occupied with very grave cares and matters of high moment, nor have
+you yet availed to seat yourself [in security;] and yet, among such
+and so many affairs, you have made place for the allurements of love.
+This is not the fashion of a magnanimous king; nay, but rather that of
+a pusillanimous boy. Moreover, what is far worse, you say that you are
+resolved to take his two daughters from a gentleman who hath
+entertained you in his house beyond his means and who, to do you the
+more honour, hath shown you these twain in a manner naked, thereby
+attesting how great is the faith he hath in you and that he firmly
+believeth you to be a king and not a ravening wolf. Again, hath it so
+soon dropped your memory that it was the violences done of Manfred to
+women that opened you the entry into this kingdom? What treason was
+ever wroughten more deserving of eternal punishment than this would
+be, that you should take from him who hospitably entreateth you his
+honour and hope and comfort? What would be said of you, an you should
+do it? You think, maybe, it were a sufficient excuse to say, "I did it
+for that he is a Ghibelline." Is this of the justice of kings, that
+they who resort on such wise to their arms should be entreated after
+such a fashion, be they who they may? Let me tell you, king, that it
+was an exceedingly great glory to you to have overcome Manfred, but a
+far greater one it is to overcome one's self; wherefore do you, who
+have to correct others, conquer yourself and curb this appetite, nor
+offer with such a blot to mar that which you have so gloriously
+gained.'
+
+[Footnote 458: _Per amore amiate_ (Fr. aimiez par amour).]
+
+These words stung the king's conscience to the quick and afflicted him
+the more inasmuch as he knew them for true; wherefore, after sundry
+heavy sighs, he said, 'Certes, Count, I hold every other enemy,
+however strong, weak and eath enough to the well-lessoned warrior to
+overcome in comparison with his own appetites; natheless, great as is
+the travail and inexpressible as is the might it requireth, your words
+have so stirred me that needs must I, ere many days be past, cause you
+see by deed that, like as I know how to conquer others, even so do I
+know how to overcome myself.' Nor had many days passed after this
+discourse when the king, having returned to Naples, determined, as
+well to deprive himself of occasion to do dishonourably as to requite
+the gentleman the hospitality received from him, to go about (grievous
+as it was to him to make others possessors of that which he coveted
+over all for himself) to marry the two young ladies, and that not as
+Messer Neri's daughters, but as his own. Accordingly, with Messer
+Neri's accord, he dowered them magnificently and gave Ginevra the Fair
+to Messer Maffeo da Palizzi and Isotta the Blonde to Messer Guglielmo
+della Magna, both noble cavaliers and great barons, to whom with
+inexpressible chagrin consigning them, he betook himself into Apulia,
+where with continual fatigues he so mortified the fierceness of his
+appetite that, having burst and broken the chains of love, he abode
+free of such passion for the rest of his life. There are some belike
+who will say that it was a little thing for a king to have married two
+young ladies, and that I will allow; but a great and a very great
+thing I call it, if we consider that it was a king enamoured who did
+this and who married to another her whom he loved, without having
+gotten or taking of his love leaf or flower or fruit. On this wise,
+then, did this magnanimous king, at once magnificently guerdoning the
+noble gentleman, laudably honouring the young ladies whom he loved and
+bravely overcoming himself."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     KING PEDRO OF ARRAGON, COMING TO KNOW THE FERVENT LOVE BORNE
+     HIM BY LISA, COMFORTETH THE LOVE-SICK MAID AND PRESENTLY
+     MARRIETH HER TO A NOBLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN; THEN, KISSING HER
+     ON THE BROW, HE EVER AFTER AVOUCHETH HIMSELF HER KNIGHT
+
+
+Fiammetta having made an end of her story and the manful magnanimity of
+King Charles having been much commended, albeit there was one lady
+there who, being a Ghibelline, was loath to praise him, Pampinea, by
+the king's commandment, began thus, "There is no one of understanding,
+worshipful ladies, but would say that which you say of good King
+Charles, except she bear him ill-will for otherwhat; but, for that
+there occurreth to my memory a thing, belike no less commendable than
+this, done of one his adversary to one of our Florentine damsels, it
+pleaseth me to relate it to you.
+
+At the time of the expulsion of the French from Sicily, one of our
+Florentines was an apothecary at Palermo, a very rich man called
+Bernardo Puccini, who had by his wife an only daughter, a very fair
+damsel and already apt for marriage. Now King Pedro of Arragon, become
+lord of the island, held high festival with his barons at Palermo,
+wherein he tilting after the Catalan fashion, it chanced that
+Bernardo's daughter, whose name was Lisa, saw him running [at the
+ring] from a window where she was with other ladies, and he so
+marvellously pleased her that, looking upon him once and again, she
+fell passionately in love with him; and the festival ended and she
+abiding in her father's house, she could think of nothing but of this
+her illustrious and exalted love. And what most irked her in this was
+the consciousness of her own mean condition, which scarce suffered her
+to cherish any hope of a happy issue; natheless, she could not
+therefor bring herself to leave loving the king, albeit, for fear of
+greater annoy, she dared not discover her passion. The king had not
+perceived this thing and recked not of her, wherefor she suffered
+intolerable chagrin, past all that can be imagined. Thus it befell
+that, love still waxing in her and melancholy redoubling upon
+melancholy, the fair maid, unable to endure more, fell sick and wasted
+visibly away from day to day, like snow in the sun. Her father and
+mother, sore concerned for this that befell her, studied with
+assiduous tenderness to hearten her and succoured her in as much as
+might be with physicians and medicines, but it availed nothing, for
+that, despairing of her love, she had elected to live no longer.
+
+It chanced one day that, her father offering to do her every pleasure,
+she bethought herself, and she might aptly, to seek, before she died,
+to make the king acquainted with her love and her intent, and
+accordingly she prayed him bring her Minuccio d'Arezzo. Now this
+Minuccio was in those days held a very quaint and subtle singer and
+player and was gladly seen of the king; and Bernardo concluded that
+Lisa had a mind to hear him sing and play awhile. Accordingly, he sent
+to tell him, and Minuccio, who was a man of a debonair humour,
+incontinent came to her and having somedele comforted her with kindly
+speech, softly played her a fit or two on a viol he had with him and
+after sang her sundry songs, the which were fire and flame unto the
+damsel's passion, whereas he thought to solace her. Presently she told
+him that she would fain speak some words with him alone, wherefore,
+all else having withdrawn, she said to him, 'Minuccio, I have chosen
+thee to keep me very faithfully a secret of mine, hoping in the first
+place that thou wilt never discover it to any one, save to him of whom
+I shall tell thee, and after that thou wilt help me in that which
+lieth in thy power; and of this I pray thee Thou must know, then,
+Minuccio mine, that the day our lord King Pedro held the great
+festival in honour of his exaltation to the throne, it befell me, as
+he tilted, to espy him at so dour a point[459] that for the love of
+him there was kindled in my heart a fire that hath brought me to this
+pass wherein thou seest me, and knowing how ill my love beseemeth to a
+king, yet availing not, let alone to drive it away, but even to abate
+it, and it being beyond measure grievous to me to bear, I have as a
+lesser evil elected to die, as I shall do. True it is that I should
+begone hence cruelly disconsolate, an he first knew it not; wherefore,
+unknowing by whom I could more aptly acquaint him with this my
+resolution than by thyself, I desire to commit it to thee and pray
+thee that thou refuse not to do it, and whenas thou shalt have done
+it, that thou give me to know thereof, so that, dying comforted, I may
+be assoiled of these my pains.' And this said, she stinted, weeping.
+
+[Footnote 459: _In si forte punto_, or, in modern parlance, at so
+critical or ill-starred a moment.]
+
+Minuccio marvelled at the greatness of the damsel's soul and at her
+cruel resolve and was sore concerned for her; then, it suddenly
+occurring to his mind how he might honourably oblige her, he said to
+her, 'Lisa, I pledge thee my faith, whereof thou mayst live assured
+that thou wilt never find thyself deceived, and after, commending thee
+of so high an emprise as it is to have set thy mind upon so great a
+king, I proffer thee mine aid, by means whereof I hope, an thou wilt
+but take comfort, so to do that, ere three days be past, I doubt not
+to bring thee news that will be exceeding grateful to thee; and to
+lose no time, I mean to go about it forthright.' Lisa, having anew
+besought him amain thereof and promised him to take comfort, bade him
+God speed; whereupon Minuccio, taking his leave, betook himself to one
+Mico da Siena, a mighty good rhymer of those days, and constrained him
+with prayers to make the following canzonet:
+
+     Bestir thee, Love, and get thee to my Sire
+       And tell him all the torments I aby;
+       Tell him I'm like to die,
+     For fearfulness concealing my desire.
+
+     Love, with clasped hands I cry thee mercy, so
+       Thou mayst betake thee where my lord doth dwell.
+     Say that I love and long for him, for lo,
+       My heart he hath inflamed so sadly well;
+     Yea, for the fire wherewith I'm all aglow,
+       I fear to die nor yet the hour can tell
+       When I shall part from pain so fierce and fell
+         As that which, longing, for his sake I dree
+         In shame and fear; ah me,
+     For God's sake, cause him know my torment dire.
+
+     Since first enamoured, Love, of him I grew,
+       Thou hast not given me the heart to dare
+     So much as one poor once my lord unto
+       My love and longing plainly to declare,
+     My lord who maketh me so sore to rue;
+       Death, dying thus, were hard to me to bear.
+       Belike, indeed, for he is debonair,
+         'Twould not displease him, did he know what pain
+         I feel and didst thou deign
+     Me daring to make known to him my fire.
+
+     Yet, since 'twas not thy pleasure to impart,
+       Love, such assurance to me that by glance
+     Or sign or writ I might make known my heart
+       Unto my lord, for my deliverance
+     I prithee, sweet my master, of thine art
+       Get thee to him and give him souvenance
+       Of that fair day I saw him shield and lance
+         Bear with the other knights and looking more,
+         Enamoured fell so sore
+     My heart thereof doth perish and expire.
+
+These words Minuccio forthwith set to a soft and plaintive air, such
+as the matter thereof required, and on the third day he betook himself
+to court, where, King Pedro being yet at meat, he was bidden by him
+sing somewhat to his viol. Thereupon he fell to singing the song
+aforesaid on such dulcet wise that all who were in the royal hall
+appeared men astonied, so still and attent stood they all to hearken,
+and the king maybe more than the others. Minuccio having made an end
+of his singing, the king enquired whence came this song that himseemed
+he had never before heard. 'My lord,' replied the minstrel, 'it is not
+yet three days since the words were made and the air.' The king asked
+for whom it had been made; and Minuccio answered, 'I dare not discover
+it save to you alone.' The king, desirous to hear it, as soon as the
+tables were removed, sent for Minuccio into his chamber and the latter
+orderly recounted to him all that he had heard from Lisa; wherewith
+Don Pedro was exceeding well pleased and much commended the damsel,
+avouching himself resolved to have compassion of so worthful a young
+lady and bidding him therefore go comfort her on his part and tell her
+that he would without fail come to visit her that day towards vespers.
+Minuccio, overjoyed to be the bearer of such pleasing news, betook
+himself incontinent, viol and all, to the damsel and bespeaking her in
+private, recounted to her all that had passed and after sang her the
+song to his viol; whereat she was so rejoiced and so content that she
+straightway showed manifest signs of great amendment and longingly
+awaited the hour of vespers, whenas her lord should come, without any
+of the household knowing or guessing how the case stood.
+
+Meanwhile, the king, who was a debonair and generous prince, having
+sundry times taken thought to the things heard from Minuccio and very
+well knowing the damsel and her beauty, waxed yet more pitiful over
+her and mounting to horse towards vespers, under colour of going
+abroad for his diversion, betook himself to the apothecary's house,
+where, having required a very goodly garden which he had to be opened
+to him, he alighted therein and presently asked Bernardo what was come
+of his daughter and if he had yet married her. 'My lord,' replied the
+apothecary, 'she is not married; nay, she hath been and is yet very
+sick; albeit it is true that since none she hath mended marvellously.'
+The king readily apprehended what this amendment meant and said, 'In
+good sooth, 'twere pity so fair a creature should be yet taken from
+the world. We would fain go visit her.' Accordingly, a little after,
+he betook himself with Bernardo and two companions only to her chamber
+and going up to the bed where the damsel, somedele upraised,[460]
+awaited him with impatience, took her by the hand and said to her,
+'What meaneth this, my mistress? You are young and should comfort
+other women; yet you suffer yourself to be sick. We would beseech you
+be pleased, for the love of us, to hearten yourself on such wise that
+you may speedily be whole again.' The damsel, feeling herself touched
+of his hands whom she loved over all else, albeit she was somewhat
+shamefast, felt yet such gladness in her heart as she were in Paradise
+and answered him, as best she might, saying, 'My lord, my having
+willed to subject my little strength unto very grievous burdens hath
+been the cause to me of this mine infirmity, whereof, thanks to your
+goodness, you shall soon see me quit.' The king alone understood the
+damsel's covert speech and held her momently of more account; nay,
+sundry whiles he inwardly cursed fortune, who had made her daughter
+unto such a man; then, after he had tarried with her awhile and
+comforted her yet more, he took his leave.
+
+[Footnote 460: _Sollevata_, syn. solaced, relieved or (3) agitated,
+troubled.]
+
+This humanity of the king was greatly commended and attributed for
+great honour to the apothecary and his daughter, which latter abode as
+well pleased as ever was woman of her lover, and sustained of better
+hope, in a few days recovered and became fairer than ever. When she
+was whole again, the king, having taken counsel with the queen of what
+return he should make her for so much love, mounting one day to horse
+with many of his barons, repaired to the apothecary's house and
+entering the garden, let call Master Bernardo and his daughter; then,
+the queen presently coming thither with many ladies and having
+received Lisa among them, they fell to making wonder-merry. After a
+while, the king and queen called Lisa to them and the former said to
+her, 'Noble damsel, the much love you have borne us hath gotten you a
+great honour from us, wherewith we would have you for the love of us
+be content; to wit, that, since you are apt for marriage, we would
+have you take him to husband whom we shall bestow on you, purposing,
+notwithstanding this, to call ourselves still your knight, without
+desiring aught from you of so much love but one sole kiss.' The
+damsel, grown all vermeil in the face for shamefastness, making the
+king's pleasure hers, replied in a low voice on this wise, 'My lord, I
+am well assured that, were it known that I had fallen enamoured of
+you, most folk would account me mad therefor, thinking belike that I
+had forgotten myself and knew not mine own condition nor yet yours;
+but God, who alone seeth the hearts of mortals, knoweth that, in that
+same hour whenas first you pleased me, I knew you for a king and
+myself for the daughter of Bernardo the apothecary and that it ill
+beseemed me to address the ardour of my soul unto so high a place.
+But, as you know far better than I, none here below falleth in love
+according to fitness of election, but according to appetite and
+inclination, against which law I once and again strove with all my
+might, till, availing no farther, I loved and love and shall ever
+love you. But, since first I felt myself taken with love of you, I
+determined still to make your will mine; wherefore, not only will I
+gladly obey you in this matter of taking a husband at your hands and
+holding him dear whom it shall please you to bestow on me, since that
+will be mine honour and estate, but, should you bid me abide in the
+fire, it were a delight to me, an I thought thereby to pleasure you.
+To have you, a king, to knight, you know how far it befitteth me,
+wherefore to that I make no farther answer; nor shall the kiss be
+vouchsafed you, which alone of my love you would have, without leave
+of my lady the queen. Natheless, of such graciousness as hath been
+yours towards me and that of our lady the queen here God render you
+for me both thanks and recompense, for I have not the wherewithal.'
+And with that she was silent.
+
+Her answer much pleased the queen and she seemed to her as discreet as
+the king had reported her. Don Pedro then let call the girl's father
+and mother and finding that they were well pleased with that which he
+purposed to do, summoned a young man, by name Perdicone, who was of
+gentle birth, but poor, and giving certain rings into his hand,
+married him, nothing loath, to Lisa; which done, he then and there,
+over and above many and precious jewels bestowed by the queen and
+himself upon the damsel, gave him Ceffalu and Calatabellotta, two very
+rich and goodly fiefs, and said to him, 'These we give thee to the
+lady's dowry. That which we purpose to do for thyself, thou shalt see
+in time to come.' This said, he turned to the damsel and saying, 'Now
+will we take that fruit which we are to have of your love,' took her
+head in his hands and kissed her on the brow. Perdicone and Lisa's
+father and mother, well pleased, (as indeed was she herself,) held
+high festival and joyous nuptials; and according as many avouch, the
+king very faithfully kept his covenant with the damsel, for that,
+whilst she lived, he still styled himself her knight nor ever went
+about any deed of arms but he wore none other favour than that which
+was sent him of her. It is by doing, then, on this wise that subjects'
+hearts are gained, that others are incited to do well and that eternal
+renown is acquired; but this is a mark at which few or none nowadays
+bend the bow of their understanding, most princes being presently
+grown cruel and tyrannical."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     SOPHRONIA, THINKING TO MARRY GISIPPUS, BECOMETH THE WIFE OF
+     TITUS QUINTIUS FULVUS AND WITH HIM BETAKETH HERSELF TO ROME,
+     WHITHER GISIPPUS COMETH IN POOR CASE AND CONCEIVING HIMSELF
+     SLIGHTED OF TITUS, DECLARETH, SO HE MAY DIE, TO HAVE SLAIN A
+     MAN. TITUS, RECOGNIZING HIM, TO SAVE HIM, AVOUCHETH HIMSELF
+     TO HAVE DONE THE DEED, AND THE TRUE MURDERER, SEEING THIS,
+     DISCOVERETH HIMSELF; WHEREUPON THEY ARE ALL THREE LIBERATED
+     BY OCTAVIANUS AND TITUS, GIVING GISIPPUS HIS SISTER TO WIFE,
+     HATH ALL HIS GOOD IN COMMON WITH HIM
+
+
+Pampinea having left speaking and all having commended King Pedro, the
+Ghibelline lady more than the rest, Fiammetta, by the king's
+commandment, began thus, "Illustrious ladies, who is there knoweth not
+that kings, when they will, can do everything great and that it is, to
+boot, especially required of them that they be magnificent? Whoso,
+then, having the power, doth that which pertaineth unto him, doth
+well; but folk should not so much marvel thereat nor exalt him to such
+a height with supreme praise as it would behove them do with another,
+of whom, for lack of means, less were required. Wherefore, if you with
+such words extol the actions of kings and they seem to you fair, I
+doubt not anywise but those of our peers, whenas they are like unto or
+greater than those of kings, will please you yet more and be yet
+highlier commended of you, and I purpose accordingly to recount to
+you, in a story, the praiseworthy and magnanimous dealings of two
+citizens and friends with each other.
+
+You must know, then, that at the time when Octavianus Cćsar (not yet
+styled Augustus) ruled the Roman empire in the office called
+Triumvirate, there was in Rome a gentleman called Publius Quintius
+Fulvus,[461] who, having a son of marvellous understanding, by name
+Titus Quintius Fulvus, sent him to Athens to study philosophy and
+commended him as most he might to a nobleman there called Chremes, his
+very old friend, by whom Titus was lodged in his own house, in company
+of a son of his called Gisippus, and set to study with the latter,
+under the governance of a philosopher named Aristippus. The two young
+men, coming to consort together, found each other's usances so
+conformable that there was born thereof a brotherhood between them and
+a friendship so great that it was never sundered by other accident
+than death, and neither of them knew weal nor peace save in so much as
+they were together. Entering upon their studies and being each alike
+endowed with the highest understanding, they ascended with equal step
+and marvellous commendation to the glorious altitudes of philosophy;
+and in this way of life they continued good three years, to the
+exceeding contentment of Chremes, who in a manner looked upon the one
+as no more his son than the other. At the end of this time it befell,
+even as it befalleth of all things, that Chremes, now an old man,
+departed this life, whereof the two young men suffered a like sorrow,
+as for a common father, nor could his friends and kinsfolk discern
+which of the twain was the more in need of consolation for that which
+had betided them.
+
+[Footnote 461: Sic, _Publio Quinzio Fulvo_; but _qućre_ should it not
+rather be _Publio Quinto Fulvio_, _i.e._ Publius Quintus Fulvius, a
+form of the name which seems more in accordance with the genius of the
+Latin language?]
+
+It came to pass, after some months, that the friends and kinsfolk of
+Gisippus resorted to him and together with Titus exhorted him to take
+a wife, to which he consenting, they found him a young Athenian lady
+of marvellous beauty and very noble parentage, whose name was
+Sophronia and who was maybe fifteen years old. The term of the future
+nuptials drawing nigh, Gisippus one day besought Titus to go visit her
+with him, for that he had not yet seen her. Accordingly, they being
+come into her house and she seated between the twain, Titus proceeded
+to consider her with the utmost attention, as if to judge of the
+beauty of his friend's bride, and every part of her pleasing him
+beyond measure, what while he inwardly commended her charms to the
+utmost, he fell, without showing any sign thereof, as passionately
+enamoured of her as ever yet man of woman. After they had been with
+her awhile, they took their leave and returned home, where Titus,
+betaking himself alone into his chamber, fell a-thinking of the
+charming damsel and grew the more enkindled the more he enlarged upon
+her in thought; which, perceiving, he fell to saying in himself, after
+many ardent sighs, 'Alack, the wretchedness of thy life, Titus! Where
+and on what settest thou thy mind and thy love and thy hope? Knowest
+thou not that it behoveth thee, as well for the kindness received from
+Chremes and his family as for the entire friendship that is between
+thee and Gisippus, whose bride she is, to have yonder damsel in such
+respect as a sister? Whom, then, lovest thou? Whither lettest thou
+thyself be carried away by delusive love, whither by fallacious hope?
+Open the eyes of thine understanding and recollect thyself, wretch
+that thou art; give place to reason, curb thy carnal appetite, temper
+thine unhallowed desires and direct thy thoughts unto otherwhat;
+gainstand thy lust in this its beginning and conquer thyself, whilst
+it is yet time. This thou wouldst have is unseemly, nay, it is
+dishonourable; this thou art minded to ensue it behoveth thee, even
+wert thou assured (which thou art not) of obtaining it, to flee from,
+an thou have regard unto that which true friendship requireth and that
+which thou oughtest. What, then, wilt thou do, Titus? Thou wilt leave
+this unseemly love, an thou wouldst do that which behoveth.'
+
+Then, remembering him of Sophronia and going over to the contrary, he
+denounced all that he had said, saying, 'The laws of love are of
+greater puissance than any others; they annul even the Divine laws,
+let alone those of friendship; how often aforetime hath father loved
+daughter, brother sister, stepmother stepson, things more monstrous
+than for one friend to love the other's wife, the which hath already a
+thousand times befallen! Moreover, I am young and youth is altogether
+subject to the laws of Love; wherefor that which pleaseth Him, needs
+must it please me. Things honourable pertain unto maturer folk; I can
+will nought save that which Love willeth. The beauty of yonder damsel
+deserveth to be loved of all, and if I love her, who am young, who can
+justly blame me therefor? I love her not because she is Gisippus's;
+nay, I love her for that I should love her, whosesoever she was. In
+this fortune sinneth that hath allotted her to Gisippus my friend,
+rather than to another; and if she must be loved, (as she must, and
+deservedly, for her beauty,) Gisippus, an he came to know it, should
+be better pleased that I should love her, I, than another.' Then, from
+that reasoning he reverted again to the contrary, making mock of
+himself, and wasted not only that day and the ensuing night in passing
+from this to that and back again, but many others, insomuch that,
+losing appetite and sleep therefor, he was constrained for weakness to
+take to his bed.
+
+Gisippus, having beheld him several days full of melancholy thought
+and seeing him presently sick, was sore concerned and with every art
+and all solicitude studied to comfort him, never leaving him and
+questioning him often and instantly of the cause of his melancholy and
+his sickness. Titus, after having once and again given him idle tales,
+which Gisippus knew to be such, by way of answer, finding himself e'en
+constrained thereunto, with tears and sighs replied to him on this
+wise, 'Gisippus, had it pleased the Gods, death were far more a-gree
+to me than to live longer, considering that fortune hath brought me to
+a pass whereas it behoved me make proof of my virtue and that I have,
+to my exceeding shame, found this latter overcome; but certes I look
+thereof to have ere long the reward that befitteth me, to wit, death,
+and this will be more pleasing to me than to live in remembrance of my
+baseness, which latter, for that I cannot nor should hide aught from
+thee, I will, not without sore blushing, discover to thee.' Then,
+beginning from the beginning, he discovered to him the cause of his
+melancholy and the conflict of his thoughts and ultimately gave him to
+know which had gotten the victory and confessed himself perishing for
+love of Sophronia, declaring that, knowing how much this misbeseemed
+him, he had for penance thereof resolved himself to die, whereof he
+trusted speedily to make an end.
+
+Gisippus, hearing this and seeing his tears, abode awhile irresolute,
+as one who, though more moderately, was himself taken with the charms
+of the fair damsel, but speedily bethought himself that his friend's
+life should be dearer to him than Sophronia. Accordingly, solicited to
+tears by those of his friend, he answered him, weeping, 'Titus, wert
+thou not in need as thou art of comfort, I should complain of thee to
+thyself, as of one who hath transgressed against our friendship in
+having so long kept thy most grievous passion hidden from me; since,
+albeit it appeared not to thee honourable, nevertheless dishonourable
+things should not, more than honourable, be hidden from a friend; for
+that a friend, like as he rejoiceth with his friend in honourable
+things, even so he studieth to do away the dishonourable from his
+friend's mind; but for the present I will refrain therefrom and come
+to that which I perceive to be of greater urgency. That thou lovest
+Sophronia, who is betrothed to me, I marvel not: nay, I should
+marvel, indeed, if it were not so, knowing her beauty and the nobility
+of thy mind, so much the more susceptible of passion as the thing that
+pleaseth hath the more excellence. And the more reason thou hast to
+love Sophronia, so much the more unjustly dost thou complain of
+fortune (albeit thou expressest this not in so many words) in that it
+hath awarded her to me, it seeming to thee that thy love for her had
+been honourable, were she other than mine; but tell me, if thou be as
+well advised as thou usest to be, to whom could fortune have awarded
+her, whereof thou shouldst have more cause to render it thanks, than
+of having awarded her to me? Whoso else had had her, how honourable
+soever thy love had been, had liefer loved her for himself[462] than
+for thee,[463] a thing which thou shouldst not fear[464] from me, an
+thou hold me a friend such as I am to thee, for that I mind me not,
+since we have been friends, to have ever had aught that was not as
+much thine as mine. Now, were the matter so far advanced that it might
+not be otherwise, I would do with her as I have done with my other
+possessions;[465] but it is yet at such a point that I can make her
+thine alone; and I will do so, for that I know not why my friendship
+should be dear to thee, if, in respect of a thing that may honourably
+be done, I knew not of a desire of mine to make thine. True it is that
+Sophronia is my promised bride and that I loved her much and looked
+with great joyance for my nuptials with her; but, since thou, being
+far more understanding than I, with more ardour desirest so dear a
+thing as she is, live assured that she shall enter my chamber, not as
+my wife, but as thine. Wherefore leave thought-taking, put away
+melancholy, call back thy lost health and comfort and allegresse and
+from this time forth expect with blitheness the reward of thy love,
+far worthier than was mine.'
+
+[Footnote 462: Or "his" (_a sč_).]
+
+[Footnote 463: Or "thine" (_a te_).]
+
+[Footnote 464: Lit. "hope" (_sperare_). See note, p. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 465: _i.e._ I would have her in common with thee.]
+
+When Titus heard Gisippus speak thus, the more the flattering hopes
+given him of the latter afforded him pleasure, so much the more did
+just reason inform him with shame, showing him that, the greater was
+Gisippus his liberality, the more unworthy it appeared of himself to
+use it; wherefore, without giving over weeping, he with difficulty
+replied to him thus, 'Gisippus, thy generous and true friendship very
+plainly showeth me that which it pertaineth unto mine to do. God
+forfend that her, whom He hath bestowed upon thee as upon the
+worthier, I should receive from thee for mine! Had He judged it
+fitting that she should be mine, nor thou nor others can believe that
+He would ever have bestowed her on thee. Use, therefore, joyfully,
+thine election and discreet counsel and His gifts, and leave me to
+languish in the tears, which, as to one undeserving of such a
+treasure, He hath prepared unto me and which I will either overcome,
+and that will be dear to thee, or they will overcome me and I shall be
+out of pain.' 'Titus,' rejoined Gisippus, 'an our friendship might
+accord me such license that I should enforce thee to ensue a desire of
+mine and if it may avail to induce thee to do so, it is in this case
+that I mean to use it to the utmost, and if thou yield not to my
+prayers with a good grace, I will, with such violence as it behoveth
+us use for the weal of our friends, procure that Sophronia shall be
+thine. I know how great is the might of love and that, not once, but
+many a time, it hath brought lovers to a miserable death; nay, unto
+this I see thee so near that thou canst neither turn back nor avail to
+master thy tears, but, proceeding thus, wouldst pine and die;
+whereupon I, without any doubt, should speedily follow after. If,
+then, I loved thee not for otherwhat, thy life is dear to me, so I
+myself may live. Sophronia, therefore, shall be thine, for that thou
+couldst not lightly find another woman who would so please thee, and
+as I shall easily turn my love unto another, I shall thus have
+contented both thyself and me. I should not, peradventure, be so free
+to do this, were wives as scarce and as uneath to find as friends;
+however, as I can very easily find me another wife, but not another
+friend, I had liefer (I will not say _lose_ her, for that I shall not
+lose her, giving her to thee, but shall transfer her to another and a
+better self, but) transfer her than lose thee. Wherefore, if my
+prayers avail aught with thee, I beseech thee put away from thee this
+affliction and comforting at once thyself and me, address thee with
+good hope to take that joyance which thy fervent love desireth of the
+thing beloved.'
+
+Although Titus was ashamed to consent to this, namely, that Sophronia
+should become his wife, and on this account held out yet awhile,
+nevertheless, love on the one hand drawing him and Gisippus his
+exhortations on the other urging him, he said, 'Look you, Gisippus, I
+know not which I can say I do most, my pleasure or thine, in doing
+that whereof thou prayest me and which thou tellest me is so pleasing
+to thee, and since thy generosity is such that it overcometh my just
+shame, I will e'en do it; but of this thou mayst be assured that I do
+it as one who knoweth himself to receive of thee, not only the beloved
+lady, but with her his life. The Gods grant, an it be possible, that I
+may yet be able to show thee, for thine honour and thy weal, how
+grateful to me is that which thou, more pitiful for me than I for
+myself, dost for me!' These things said, 'Titus,' quoth Gisippus, 'in
+this matter, an we would have it take effect, meseemeth this course is
+to be held. As thou knowest, Sophronia, after long treaty between my
+kinsfolk and hers, is become my affianced bride; wherefore, should I
+now go about to say that I will not have her to wife, a sore scandal
+would ensue thereof and I should anger both her kinsfolk and mine own.
+Of this, indeed, I should reck nothing, an I saw that she was thereby
+to become thine; but I misdoubt me that, an I renounce her at this
+point, her kinsfolk will straightway give her to another, who belike
+will not be thyself, and so wilt thou have lost that which I shall not
+have gained. Wherefore meseemeth well, an thou be content, that I
+follow on with that which I have begun and bring her home as mine and
+hold the nuptials, and thou mayst after, as we shall know how to
+contrive, privily lie with her as with thy wife. Then, in due place
+and season, we will make manifest the fact, which, if it please them
+not, will still be done and they must perforce be content, being
+unable to go back upon it.'
+
+The device pleased Titus; wherefore Gisippus received the lady into
+his house, as his, (Titus being by this recovered and in good case,)
+and after holding high festival, the night being come, the ladies left
+the new-married wife in her husband's bed and went their ways. Now
+Titus his chamber adjoined that of Gisippus and one might go from the
+one room into the other; wherefore Gisippus, being in his chamber and
+having put out all the lights, betook himself stealthily to his friend
+and bade him go couch with his mistress. Titus, seeing this, was
+overcome with shame and would fain have repented and refused to go;
+but Gisippus, who with his whole heart, no less than in words, was
+minded to do his friend's pleasure, sent him thither, after long
+contention. Whenas he came into the bed, he took the damsel in his
+arms and asked her softly, as if in sport, if she chose to be his
+wife. She, thinking him to be Gisippus, answered, 'Yes'; whereupon he
+set a goodly and rich ring on her finger, saying, 'And I choose to be
+thy husband.' Then, the marriage consummated, he took long and amorous
+pleasance of her, without her or others anywise perceiving that other
+than Gisippus lay with her.
+
+The marriage of Sophronia and Titus being at this pass, Publius his
+father departed this life, wherefore it was written him that he should
+without delay return to Rome, to look to his affairs, and he
+accordingly took counsel with Gisippus to betake himself thither and
+carry Sophronia with him; which might not nor should aptly be done
+without discovering to her how the case stood. Accordingly, one day,
+calling her into the chamber, they thoroughly discovered to her the
+fact and thereof Titus certified her by many particulars of that which
+had passed between them twain. Sophronia, after eying the one and the
+other somewhat despitefully, fell a-weeping bitterly, complaining of
+Gisippus his deceit; then, rather than make any words of this in his
+house, she repaired to that of her father and there acquainted him and
+her mother with the cheat that had been put upon her and them by
+Gisippus, avouching herself to be the wife of Titus and not of
+Gisippus, as they believed. This was exceeding grievous to Sophronia's
+father, who made long and sore complaint thereof to her kinsfolk and
+those of Gisippus, and much and great was the talk and the clamour by
+reason thereof. Gisippus was held in despite both by his own kindred
+and those of Sophronia and every one declared him worthy not only of
+blame, but of severe chastisement; whilst he, on the contrary,
+avouched himself to have done an honourable thing and one for which
+thanks should be rendered him by Sophronia's kinsfolk, having married
+her to a better than himself.
+
+Titus, on his part, heard and suffered everything with no little annoy
+and knowing it to be the usance of the Greeks to press on with
+clamours and menaces, till such times as they found who should answer
+them, and then to become not only humble, but abject, he bethought
+himself that their clamour was no longer to be brooked without reply
+and having a Roman spirit and an Athenian wit, he adroitly contrived
+to assemble Gisippus his kinsfolk and those of Sophronia in a temple,
+wherein entering, accompanied by Gisippus alone, he thus bespoke the
+expectant folk: 'It is the belief of many philosophers that the
+actions of mortals are determined and foreordained of the immortal
+Gods, wherefore some will have it that all that is or shall ever be
+done is of necessity, albeit there be others who attribute this
+necessity to that only which is already done. If these opinions be
+considered with any diligence, it will very manifestly be seen that to
+blame a thing which cannot be undone is to do no otherwhat than to
+seek to show oneself wiser than the Gods, who, we must e'en believe,
+dispose of and govern us and our affairs with unfailing wisdom and
+without any error; wherefore you may very easily see what fond and
+brutish overweening it is to presume to find fault with their
+operations and eke how many and what chains they merit who suffer
+themselves be so far carried away by hardihood as to do this. Of whom,
+to my thinking, you are all, if that be true which I understand you
+have said and still say for that Sophronia is become my wife, whereas
+you had given her to Gisippus, never considering that it was
+foreordained from all eternity that she should become not his, but
+mine, as by the issue is known at this present. But, for that to speak
+of the secret foreordinance and intention of the Gods appeareth unto
+many a hard thing and a grievous to apprehend, I am willing to suppose
+that they concern not themselves with aught of our affairs and to
+condescend to the counsels[466] of mankind, in speaking whereof, it
+will behove me to do two things, both very contrary to my usances, the
+one, somedele to commend myself, and the other, in some measure to
+blame or disparage others; but, for that I purpose, neither in the one
+nor in the other, to depart from the truth and that the present matter
+requireth it, I will e'en do it.
+
+[Footnote 466: Or "arguments" (_consigli_).]
+
+Your complainings, dictated more by rage than by reason, upbraid,
+revile and condemn Gisippus with continual murmurs or rather clamours,
+for that, of his counsel, he hath given me to wife her whom you of
+yours[467] had given him; whereas I hold that he is supremely to be
+commended therefor, and that for two reasons, the one, for that he
+hath done that which a friend should do, and the other, for that he
+hath in this wrought more discreetly than did you. That which the
+sacred laws of friendship will that one friend should do for the
+other, it is not my intention at this present to expound, being
+content to have recalled to you this much only thereof, to wit, that
+the bonds of friendship are far more stringent than those of blood or
+of kindred, seeing that the friends we have are such as we choose for
+ourselves and our kinsfolk such as fortune giveth us; wherefore, if
+Gisippus loved my life more than your goodwill, I being his friend, as
+I hold myself, none should marvel thereat. But to come to the second
+reason, whereanent it more instantly behoveth to show you that he hath
+been wiser than yourselves, since meseemeth you reck nothing of the
+foreordinance of the Gods and know yet less of the effects of
+friendship:--I say, then, that you of your judgment, of your counsel
+and of your deliberation, gave Sophronia to Gisippus, a young man and
+a philosopher; Gisippus of his gave her to a young man and a
+philosopher; your counsel gave her to an Athenian and that of Gisippus
+to a Roman; your counsel gave her to a youth of noble birth and his to
+one yet nobler; yours to a rich youth, his to a very rich; yours to a
+youth who not only loved her not, but scarce knew her, his to one who
+loved her over his every happiness and more than his very life. And to
+show you that this I say is true and that Gisippus his action is more
+commendable than yours, let us consider it, part by part. That I, like
+Gisippus, am a young man and a philosopher, my favour and my studies
+may declare, without more discourse thereof. One same age is his and
+mine and still with equal step have we proceeded studying. True, he is
+an Athenian and I am a Roman. If it be disputed of the glory of our
+native cities, I say that I am a citizen of a free city and he of a
+tributary one; I am of a city mistress of the whole world and he of a
+city obedient unto mine; I am of a city most illustrious in arms, in
+empery and in letters, whereas he can only commend his own for
+letters. Moreover, albeit you see me here on lowly wise enough a
+student, I am not born of the dregs of the Roman populace; my houses
+and the public places of Rome are full of antique images of my
+ancestors and the Roman annals will be found full of many a triumph
+led by the Quintii up to the Roman Capitol; nor is the glory of our
+name fallen for age into decay, nay, it presently flourisheth more
+splendidly than ever. I speak not, for shamefastness, of my riches,
+bearing in mind that honourable poverty hath ever been the ancient and
+most ample patrimony of the noble citizens of Rome; but, if this be
+condemned of the opinion of the vulgar and treasures commended, I am
+abundantly provided with these latter, not as one covetous, but as
+beloved of fortune.[468] I know very well that it was and should have
+been and should be dear unto you to have Gisippus here in Athens to
+kinsman; but I ought not for any reason to be less dear to you at
+Rome, considering that in me you would have there an excellent host
+and an useful and diligent and powerful patron, no less in public
+occasions than in matters of private need.
+
+[Footnote 467: _i.e._ of your counsel.]
+
+[Footnote 468: _i.e._ my riches are not the result of covetous
+amassing, but of the favours of fortune.]
+
+Who then, letting be wilfulness and considering with reason, will
+commend your counsels above those of my Gisippus? Certes, none.
+Sophronia, then, is well and duly married to Titus Quintius Fulvus, a
+noble, rich and long-descended citizen of Rome and a friend of
+Gisippus; wherefore whoso complaineth or maketh moan of this doth not
+that which he ought neither knoweth that which he doth. Some perchance
+will say that they complain not of Sophronia being the wife of Titus,
+but of the manner wherein she became his wife, to wit, in secret and
+by stealth, without friend or kinsman knowing aught thereof; but this
+is no marvel nor thing that betideth newly. I willingly leave be those
+who have aforetime taken husbands against their parents' will and
+those who have fled with their lovers and have been mistresses before
+they were wives and those who have discovered themselves to be married
+rather by pregnancy or child-bearing than with the tongue, yet hath
+necessity commended it to their kinsfolk; nothing of which hath
+happened in Sophronia's case; nay, she hath orderly, discreetly and
+honourably been given by Gisippus to Titus. Others will say that he
+gave her in marriage to whom it appertained not to do so; but these be
+all foolish and womanish complaints and proceed from lack of
+advisement. This is not the first time that fortune hath made use of
+various means and strange instruments to bring matters to foreordained
+issues. What have I to care if it be a cordwainer rather than a
+philosopher, that hath, according to his judgment, despatched an
+affair of mine, and whether in secret or openly, provided the issue be
+good? If the cordwainer be indiscreet, all I have to do is to look
+well that he have no more to do with my affairs and thank him for that
+which is done. If Gisippus hath married Sophronia well, it is a
+superfluous folly to go complaining of the manner and of him. If you
+have no confidence in his judgment, look he have no more of your
+daughters to marry and thank him for this one.
+
+Nevertheless I would have you to know that I sought not, either by art
+or by fraud, to impose any stain upon the honour and illustriousness
+of your blood in the person of Sophronia, and that, albeit I took her
+secretly to wife, I came not as a ravisher to rob her of her
+maidenhead nor sought, after the manner of an enemy, whilst shunning
+your alliance, to have her otherwise than honourably; but, being
+ardently enkindled by her lovesome beauty and by her worth and knowing
+that, had I sought her with that ordinance which you will maybe say I
+should have used, I should not (she being much beloved of you) have
+had her, for fear lest I should carry her off to Rome, I used the
+occult means that may now be discovered to you and caused Gisippus, in
+my person, consent unto that which he himself was not disposed to do.
+Moreover, ardently as I loved her, I sought her embraces not as a
+lover, but as a husband, nor, as she herself can truly testify, did I
+draw near to her till I had first both with the due words and with the
+ring espoused her, asking her if she would have me for husband, to
+which she answered ay. If it appear to her that she hath been
+deceived, it is not I who am to blame therefor, but she, who asked me
+not who I was. This, then, is the great misdeed, the grievous crime,
+the sore default committed by Gisippus as a friend and by myself as a
+lover, to wit, that Sophronia hath secretly become the wife of Titus
+Quintius, and this it is for which you defame and menace and plot
+against him. What more could you do, had he bestowed her upon a churl,
+a losel or a slave? What chains, what prison, what gibbets had
+sufficed thereunto?
+
+But let that be for the present; the time is come which I looked not
+for yet, to wit, my father is dead and it behoveth me return to Rome;
+wherefore, meaning to carry Sophronia with me, I have discovered to
+you that which I should otherwise belike have yet kept hidden from you
+and with which, an you be wise, you will cheerfully put up, for that,
+had I wished to cheat or outrage you, I might have left her to you,
+scorned and dishonored; but God forfend that such a baseness should
+ever avail to harbour in a Roman breast! She, then, namely Sophronia,
+by the consent of the Gods and the operation of the laws of mankind,
+no less than by the admirable contrivance of my Gisippus and mine own
+amorous astuteness, is become mine, and this it seemeth that you,
+holding yourselves belike wiser than the Gods and than the rest of
+mankind, brutishly condemn, showing your disapproval in two ways both
+exceedingly noyous to myself, first by detaining Sophronia, over whom
+you have no right, save in so far as it pleaseth me to allow it, and
+secondly, by entreating Gisippus, to whom you are justly beholden, as
+an enemy. How foolishly you do in both which things I purpose not at
+this present to make farther manifest to you, but will only counsel
+you, as a friend, to lay by your despites and altogether leaving your
+resentments and the rancours that you have conceived, to restore
+Sophronia to me, so I may joyfully depart your kinsman and live your
+friend; for of this, whether that which is done please you or please
+you not, you may be assured that, if you offer to do otherwise, I will
+take Gisippus from you and if I win to Rome, I will without fail,
+however ill you may take it, have her again who is justly mine and
+ever after showing myself your enemy, will cause you know by
+experience that whereof the despite of Roman souls is capable.'
+
+Titus, having thus spoken, rose to his feet, with a countenance all
+disordered for anger, and taking Gisippus by the hand, went forth of
+the temple, shaking his head threateningly and showing that he recked
+little of as many as were there. The latter, in part reconciled by his
+reasonings to the alliance and desirous of his friendship and in part
+terrified by his last words, of one accord determined that it was
+better to have him for a kinsman, since Gisippus had not willed it,
+than to have lost the latter to kinsman and gotten the former for an
+enemy. Accordingly, going in quest of Titus, they told him that they
+were willing that Sophronia should be his and to have him for a dear
+kinsman and Gisippus for a dear friend; then, having mutually done
+each other such honours and courtesies as beseem between kinsmen and
+friends, they took their leaves and sent Sophronia back to him. She,
+like a wise woman, making a virtue of necessity, readily transferred
+to Titus the affection she bore Gisippus and repaired with him to
+Rome, where she was received with great honour.
+
+Meanwhile, Gisippus abode in Athens, held in little esteem of well
+nigh all, and no great while after, through certain intestine
+troubles, was, with all those of his house, expelled from Athens, in
+poverty and misery, and condemned to perpetual exile. Finding himself
+in this case and being grown not only poor, but beggarly, he betook
+himself, as least ill he might, to Rome, to essay if Titus should
+remember him. There, learning that the latter was alive and high in
+favour with all the Romans and enquiring for his dwelling-place, he
+stationed himself before the door and there abode till such time as
+Titus came, to whom, by reason of the wretched plight wherein he was,
+he dared not say a word, but studied to cause himself be seen of him,
+so he might recognize him and let call him to himself; wherefore
+Titus passed on, [without noting him,] and Gisippus, conceiving that
+he had seen and shunned him and remembering him of that which himself
+had done for him aforetime, departed, despiteful and despairing. It
+being by this night and he fasting and penniless, he wandered on,
+unknowing whither and more desirous of death than of otherwhat, and
+presently happened upon a very desert part of the city, where seeing a
+great cavern, he addressed himself to abide the night there and
+presently, forspent with long weeping, he fell asleep on the naked
+earth and ill in case. To this cavern two, who had gone a-thieving
+together that night, came towards morning, with the booty they had
+gotten, and falling out over the division, one, who was the stronger,
+slew the other and went away. Gisippus had seen and heard this and
+himseemed he had found a way to the death so sore desired of him,
+without slaying himself; wherefore he abode without stirring, till
+such time as the Serjeants of the watch, who had by this gotten wind
+of the deed, came thither and laying furious hands of him, carried him
+off prisoner. Gisippus, being examined, confessed that he had murdered
+the man nor had since availed to depart the cavern; whereupon the
+prćtor, who was called Marcus Varro, commanded that he should be put
+to death upon the cross, as the usance then was.
+
+Now Titus was by chance come at that juncture to the prćtorium and
+looking the wretched condemned man in the face and hearing why he had
+been doomed to die, suddenly knew him for Gisippus; whereupon,
+marvelling at his sorry fortune and how he came to be in Rome and
+desiring most ardently to succour him, but seeing no other means of
+saving him than to accuse himself and thus excuse him, he thrust
+forward in haste and cried out, saying, 'Marcus Varro, call back the
+poor man whom thou hast condemned, for that he is innocent. I have
+enough offended against the Gods with one crime, in slaying him whom
+thine officer found this morning dead, without willing presently to
+wrong them with the death of another innocent.' Varro marvelled and it
+irked him that all the prćtorium should have heard him; but, being
+unable, for his own honour's sake, to forbear from doing that which
+the laws commanded, he caused bring back Gisippus and in the presence
+of Titus said to him, 'How camest thou to be so mad that, without
+suffering any torture, thou confessedst to that which thou didst not,
+it being a capital matter? Thou declaredst thyself to be he who slew
+the man yesternight, and now this man cometh and saith that it was not
+thou, but he that slew him.'
+
+Gisippus looked and seeing that it was Titus, perceived full well that
+he did this to save him, as grateful for the service aforetime
+received from him; wherefore, weeping for pity, 'Varro,' quoth he,
+'indeed it was I slew him and Titus his solicitude for my safety is
+now too late.' Titus on the other hand, said, 'Prćtor, do as thou
+seest, this man is a stranger and was found without arms beside the
+murdered man, and thou mayst see that his wretchedness giveth him
+occasion to wish to die; wherefore do thou release him and punish me,
+who have deserved it.' Varro marvelled at the insistence of these two
+and beginning now to presume that neither of them might be guilty, was
+casting about for a means of acquitting them, when, behold, up came a
+youth called Publius Ambustus, a man of notorious ill life and known
+to all the Romans for an arrant rogue, who had actually done the
+murder and knowing neither of the twain to be guilty of that whereof
+each accused himself, such was the pity that overcame his heart for
+the innocence of the two friends that, moved by supreme compassion, he
+came before Varro and said, 'Prćtor, my fates impel me to solve the
+grievous contention of these twain and I know not what God within me
+spurreth and importuneth me to discover to thee my sin. Know, then,
+that neither of these men is guilty of that whereof each accuseth
+himself. I am verily he who slew yonder man this morning towards
+daybreak and I saw this poor wretch asleep there, what while I was in
+act to divide the booty gotten with him whom I slew. There is no need
+for me to excuse Titus; his renown is everywhere manifest and every
+one knoweth him to be no man of such a condition. Release him,
+therefore, and take of me that forfeit which the laws impose on me.'
+
+By this Octavianus had notice of the matter and causing all three be
+brought before him, desired to hear what cause had moved each of them
+to seek to be the condemned man. Accordingly, each related his own
+story, whereupon Octavianus released the two friends, for that they
+were innocent, and pardoned the other for the love of them. Thereupon
+Titus took his Gisippus and first reproaching him sore for
+lukewarmness[469] and diffidence, rejoiced in him with marvellous
+great joy and carried him to his house, where Sophronia with tears of
+compassion received him as a brother. Then, having awhile recruited
+him with rest and refreshment and reclothed him and restored him to
+such a habit as sorted with his worth and quality, he first shared all
+his treasures and estates in common with him and after gave him to
+wife a young sister of his, called Fulvia, saying, 'Gisippus,
+henceforth it resteth with thee whether thou wilt abide here with me
+or return with everything I have given thee into Achaia.' Gisippus,
+constrained on the one hand by his banishment from his native land and
+on the other by the love which he justly bore to the cherished
+friendship of Titus, consented to become a Roman and accordingly took
+up his abode in the city, where he with his Fulvia and Titus with his
+Sophronia lived long and happily, still abiding in one house and
+waxing more friends (an more they might be) every day.
+
+[Footnote 469: Sic (_tiepidezza_); but _semble_ "timidity" or
+"distrustfulness" is meant.]
+
+A most sacred thing, then, is friendship and worthy not only of
+especial reverence, but to be commended with perpetual praise, as the
+most discreet mother of magnanimity and honour, the sister of
+gratitude and charity and the enemy of hatred and avarice, still,
+without waiting to be entreated, ready virtuously to do unto others
+that which it would have done to itself. Nowadays its divine effects
+are very rarely to be seen in any twain, by the fault and to the shame
+of the wretched cupidity of mankind, which, regarding only its own
+profit, hath relegated it to perpetual exile, beyond the extremest
+limits of the earth. What love, what riches, what kinship, what,
+except friendship, could have made Gisippus feel in his heart the
+ardour, the tears and the sighs of Titus with such efficacy as to
+cause him yield up to his friend his betrothed bride, fair and gentle
+and beloved of him? What laws, what menaces, what fears could have
+enforced the young arms of Gisippus to abstain, in solitary places and
+in dark, nay, in his very bed, from the embraces of the fair damsel,
+she mayhap bytimes inviting him, had friendship not done it? What
+honours, what rewards, what advancements, what, indeed, but
+friendship, could have made Gisippus reck not of losing his own
+kinsfolk and those of Sophronia nor of the unmannerly clamours of the
+populace nor of scoffs and insults, so that he might pleasure his
+friend? On the other hand, what, but friendship, could have prompted
+Titus, whenas he might fairly have feigned not to see, unhesitatingly
+to compass his own death, that he might deliver Gisippus from the
+cross to which he had of his own motion procured himself to be
+condemned? What else could have made Titus, without the least demur,
+so liberal in sharing his most ample patrimony with Gisippus, whom
+fortune had bereft of his own? What else could have made him so
+forward to vouchsafe his sister to his friend, albeit he saw him very
+poor and reduced to the extreme of misery? Let men, then, covet a
+multitude of comrades, troops of brethren and children galore and add,
+by dint of monies, to the number of their servitors, considering not
+that every one of these, who and whatsoever he may be, is more fearful
+of every least danger of his own than careful to do away the
+great[470] from father or brother or master, whereas we see a friend
+do altogether the contrary."
+
+[Footnote 470: _i.e._ perils.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     SALADIN, IN THE DISGUISE OF A MERCHANT, IS HONOURABLY
+     ENTERTAINED BY MESSER TORELLO D'ISTRIA, WHO, PRESENTLY
+     UNDERTAKING THE [THIRD] CRUSADE, APPOINTETH HIS WIFE A TERM
+     FOR HER MARRYING AGAIN. HE IS TAKEN [BY THE SARACENS] AND
+     COMETH, BY HIS SKILL IN TRAINING HAWKS, UNDER THE NOTICE OF
+     THE SOLDAN, WHO KNOWETH HIM AGAIN AND DISCOVERING HIMSELF TO
+     HIM, ENTREATETH HIM WITH THE UTMOST HONOUR. THEN, TORELLO
+     FALLING SICK FOR LANGUISHMENT, HE IS BY MAGICAL ART
+     TRANSPORTED IN ONE NIGHT [FROM ALEXANDRIA] TO PAVIA, WHERE,
+     BEING RECOGNIZED BY HIS WIFE AT THE BRIDE-FEAST HELD FOR HER
+     MARRYING AGAIN, HE RETURNETH WITH HER TO HIS OWN HOUSE
+
+
+Filomena having made an end of her discourse and the magnificent
+gratitude of Titus having been of all alike commended, the king,
+reserving the last place unto Dioneo, proceeded to speak thus:
+"Assuredly, lovesome ladies, Filomena speaketh sooth in that which she
+saith of friendship and with reason complaineth, in concluding her
+discourse, of its being so little in favour with mankind. If we were
+here for the purpose of correcting the defaults of the age or even of
+reprehending them, I might ensue her words with a discourse at large
+upon the subject; but, for that we aim at otherwhat, it hath occurred
+to my mind to set forth to you, in a story belike somewhat overlong,
+but withal altogether pleasing, one of the magnificences of Saladin,
+to the end that, if, by reason of our defaults, the friendship of any
+one may not be throughly acquired, we may, at the least, be led, by
+the things which you shall hear in my story, to take delight in doing
+service, in the hope that, whenassoever it may be, reward will ensue
+to us thereof.
+
+I must tell you, then, that, according to that which divers folk
+affirm, a general crusade was, in the days of the Emperor Frederick
+the First, undertaken by the Christians for the recovery of the Holy
+Land, whereof Saladin, a very noble and valiant prince, who was then
+Soldan of Babylon, having notice awhile beforehand, he bethought
+himself to seek in his own person to see the preparations of the
+Christian princes for the undertaking in question, so he might the
+better avail to provide himself. Accordingly, having ordered all his
+affairs in Egypt, he made a show of going a pilgrimage and set out in
+the disguise of a merchant, attended by two only of his chiefest and
+sagest officers and three serving-men. After he had visited many
+Christian countries, it chanced that, as they rode through Lombardy,
+thinking to pass beyond the mountains,[471] they encountered, about
+vespers, on the road from Milan to Pavia, a gentleman of the latter
+place, by name Messer Torello d'Istria, who was on his way, with his
+servants and dogs and falcons, to sojourn at a goodly country seat he
+had upon the Tesino, and no sooner set eyes on Saladin and his company
+than he knew them for gentlemen and strangers; wherefore, the Soldan
+enquiring of one of his servants how far they were yet distant from
+Pavia and if he might win thither in time to enter the city, he
+suffered not the man to reply, but himself answered, 'Gentlemen, you
+cannot reach Pavia in time to enter therein.' 'Then,' said Saladin,
+'may it please you acquaint us (for that we are strangers) where we
+may best lodge the night.' Quoth Messer Torello, 'That will I
+willingly do. I had it presently in mind to dispatch one of my men
+here to the neighborhood of Pavia for somewhat: I will send him with
+you and he shall bring you to a place where you may lodge conveniently
+enough.' Then, turning to the discreetest of his men he [privily]
+enjoined him what he should do and sent him with them, whilst he
+himself, making for his country house, let order, as best he might, a
+goodly supper and set the tables in the garden; which done, he posted
+himself at the door to await his guests.
+
+[Footnote 471: _i.e._ to cross the Alps into France.]
+
+Meanwhile, the servant, devising with the gentlemen of one thing and
+another, led them about by certain by-roads and brought them, without
+their suspecting it, to his lord's residence, where, whenas Messer
+Torello saw them, he came to meet them afoot and said, smiling,
+'Gentlemen, you are very welcome.' Saladin, who was very quick of
+apprehension, understood that the gentleman had misdoubted him they
+would not have accepted his invitation, had he bidden them whenas he
+fell in with them, and had, therefore, brought them by practice to his
+house, so they might not avail to refuse to pass the night with him,
+and accordingly, returning his greeting, he said, 'Sir, an one could
+complain of men of courtesy, we might complain of you, for that
+(letting be that you have somewhat hindered us from our road) you
+have, without our having merited your goodwill otherwise than by a
+mere salutation, constrained us to accept of such noble hospitality as
+is this of yours.' 'Gentlemen,' answered Messer Torello, who was a
+discreet and well-spoken man, 'it is but a sorry hospitality that you
+will receive from us, regard had to that which should behove unto you,
+an I may judge by that which I apprehend from your carriage and that
+of your companions; but in truth you could nowhere out of Pavia have
+found any decent place of entertainment; wherefore, let it not irk you
+to have gone somedele beside your way, to have a little less unease.'
+Meanwhile, his servants came round about the travellers and helping
+them to dismount, eased[472] their horses.
+
+[Footnote 472: _Adagiarono_; see p. 447, note.]
+
+Messer Torello then brought the three stranger gentlemen to the
+chambers prepared for them, where he let unboot them and refresh them
+somewhat with very cool wines and entertained them in agreeable
+discourse till such time as they might sup. Saladin and his companions
+and servants all knew Latin, wherefore they understood very well and
+were understood, and it seemed to each of them that this gentleman was
+the most pleasant and well-mannered man they had ever seen, ay, and
+the best spoken. It appeared to Messer Torello, on the other hand,
+that they were men of magnificent fashions and much more of account
+than he had at first conceived, wherefore he was inwardly chagrined
+that he could not honour them that evening with companions and with a
+more considerable entertainment. But for this he bethought himself to
+make them amends on the morrow, and accordingly, having instructed one
+of his servants of that which he would have done, he despatched him to
+Pavia, which was very near at hand and where no gate was ever locked,
+to his lady, who was exceeding discreet and great-hearted. Then,
+carrying the gentlemen into the garden, he courteously asked them who
+they were, to which Saladin answered, 'We are merchants from Cyprus
+and are bound to Paris on our occasions.' 'Would to God,' cried Messer
+Torello, 'that this our country produced gentlemen of such a fashion
+as I see Cyprus doth merchants!' In these and other discourses they
+abode till it was time to sup, whereupon he left it to them to honour
+themselves at table,[473] and there, for an improvised supper, they
+were very well and orderly served; nor had they abidden long after the
+tables were removed, when Messer Torello, judging them to be weary,
+put them to sleep in very goodly beds and himself a little after in
+like manner betook himself to rest.
+
+[Footnote 473: _i.e._ to place themselves according to their several
+ranks, which were unknown to Torello.]
+
+Meanwhile the servant sent to Pavia did his errand to the lady, who,
+with no womanly, but with a royal spirit, let call in haste a great
+number of the friends and servants of Messer Torello and made ready
+all that behoved unto a magnificent banquet. Moreover, she let bid by
+torchlight many of the noblest of the townfolk to the banquet and
+bringing out cloths and silks and furs, caused throughly order that
+which her husband had sent to bid her do. The day come, Saladin and
+his companions arose, whereupon Messer Torello took horse with them
+and sending for his falcons, carried them to a neighbouring ford and
+there showed them how the latter flew; then, Saladin enquiring for
+some one who should bring him to Pavia and to the best inn, his host
+said, 'I will be your guide, for that it behoveth me go thither.' The
+others, believing this, were content and set out in company with him
+for the city, which they reached about tierce and thinking to be on
+their way to the best inn, were carried by Messer Torello to his own
+house, where a good half-hundred of the most considerable citizens
+were already come to receive the stranger gentlemen and were
+straightway about their bridles and stirrups. Saladin and his
+companions, seeing this, understood but too well what was forward and
+said, 'Messer Torello, this is not what we asked of you; you have done
+enough for us this past night, ay, and far more than we are worth;
+wherefore you might now fitly suffer us fare on our way.' 'Gentlemen,'
+replied Messer Torello, 'for my yesternight's dealing with you I am
+more indebted to fortune than to you, which took you on the road at an
+hour when it behoved you come to my poor house; but of your this
+morning's visit I shall be beholden to yourselves, and with me all
+these gentlemen who are about you and to whom an it seem to you
+courteous to refuse to dine with them, you can do so, if you will.'
+
+Saladin and his companions, overcome, dismounted and being joyfully
+received by the assembled company, were carried to chambers which had
+been most sumptuously arrayed for them, where having put off their
+travelling gear and somewhat refreshed themselves, they repaired to
+the saloon, where the banquet was splendidly prepared. Water having
+been given to the hands, they were seated at table with the goodliest
+and most orderly observance and magnificently served with many viands,
+insomuch that, were the emperor himself come thither, it had been
+impossible to do him more honour, and albeit Saladin and his
+companions were great lords and used to see very great things,
+natheless, they were mightily wondered at this and it seemed to them
+of the greatest, having regard to the quality of the gentleman, whom
+they knew to be only a citizen and not a lord. Dinner ended and the
+tables removed, they conversed awhile of divers things; then, at
+Messer Torello's instance, the heat being great, the gentlemen of
+Pavia all betook themselves to repose, whilst he himself, abiding
+alone with his three guests, carried them into a chamber and (that no
+precious thing of his should remain unseen of them) let call thither
+his noble lady. Accordingly, the latter, who was very fair and tall of
+her person, came in to them, arrayed in rich apparel and flanked by
+two little sons of hers, as they were two angels, and saluted them
+courteously. The strangers, seeing her, rose to their feet and
+receiving her with worship, caused her sit among them and made much of
+her two fair children. Therewithal she entered into pleasant discourse
+with them and presently, Messer Torello having gone out awhile, she
+asked them courteously whence they were and whither they went; to
+which they made answer even as they had done to her husband; whereupon
+quoth she, with a blithe air, 'Then see I that my womanly advisement
+will be useful; wherefore I pray you, of your especial favour, refuse
+me not neither disdain a slight present, which I shall cause bring
+you, but accept it, considering that women, of their little heart,
+give little things and regarding more the goodwill of the giver than
+the value of the gift.' Then, letting fetch them each two gowns, one
+lined with silk and the other with miniver, no wise citizens' clothes
+nor merchants, but fit for great lords to wear, and three doublets of
+sendal and linen breeches to match, she said, 'Take these; I have clad
+my lord in gowns of the like fashion, and the other things, for all
+they are little worth, may be acceptable to you, considering that you
+are far from your ladies and the length of the way you have travelled
+and that which is yet to travel and that merchants are proper men and
+nice of their persons.'
+
+The Saracens marvelled and manifestly perceived that Messer Torello
+was minded to leave no particular of hospitality undone them; nay,
+seeing the magnificence of the unmerchantlike gowns, they misdoubted
+them they had been recognized of him. However, one of them made answer
+to the lady, saying, 'Madam, these are very great matters and such as
+should not lightly be accepted, an your prayers, to which it is
+impossible to say no, constrained us not thereto.' This done and
+Messer Torello being now returned, the lady, commending them to God,
+took leave of them and let furnish their servants with like things
+such as sorted with their condition. Messer Torello with many prayers
+prevailed upon them to abide with him all that day; wherefore, after
+they had slept awhile, they donned their gowns and rode with him
+somedele about the city; then, the supper-hour come, they supped
+magnificently with many worshipful companions and in due time betook
+themselves to rest. On the morrow they arose with day and found, in
+place of their tired hackneys, three stout and good palfreys, and on
+likewise fresh and strong horses for their servants, which when
+Saladin saw, he turned to his companions and said, 'I vow to God that
+never was there a more accomplished gentleman nor a more courteous and
+apprehensive than this one, and if the kings of the Christians are
+kings of such a fashion as this is a gentleman, the Soldan of Babylon
+can never hope to stand against a single one of them, not to speak of
+the many whom we see make ready to fall upon him.' Then, knowing that
+it were in vain to seek to refuse this new gift, they very courteously
+thanked him therefor and mounted to horse.
+
+Messer Torello, with many companions, brought them a great way without
+the city, till, grievous as it was to Saladin to part from him, (so
+much was he by this grown enamoured of him,) natheless, need
+constraining him to press on, he presently besought him to turn back;
+whereupon, loath as he was to leave them, 'Gentlemen,' quoth he,
+'since it pleaseth you, I will do it; but one thing I will e'en say to
+you; I know not who you are nor do I ask to know more thereof than it
+pleaseth you to tell me; but, be you who you may, you will never make
+me believe that you are merchants, and so I commend you to God.'
+Saladin, having by this taken leave of all Messer Torello's
+companions, replied to him, saying, 'Sir, we may yet chance to let you
+see somewhat of our merchandise, whereby we may confirm your
+belief;[474] meantime, God be with you.' Thereupon he departed with
+his followers, firmly resolved, if life should endure to him and the
+war he looked for undo him not, to do Messer Torello no less honour
+than that which he had done him, and much did he discourse with his
+companions of him and of his lady and all his affairs and fashions and
+dealings, mightily commending everything. Then, after he had, with no
+little fatigue, visited all the West, he took ship with his companions
+and returned to Alexandria, where, being now fully informed, he
+addressed himself to his defence. As for Messer Torello, he returned
+to Pavia and went long in thought who these might be, but never hit
+upon the truth, no, nor came near it.
+
+[Footnote 474: Sic (_la vostra credenza raffermeremo_); but the
+meaning is, "whereby we may amend your unbelief and give you cause to
+credit our assertion that we are merchants."]
+
+The time being now come for the crusade and great preparations made
+everywhere, Messer Torello, notwithstanding the tears and entreaties
+of his wife, was altogether resolved to go thereon and having made his
+every provision and being about to take horse, he said to his lady,
+whom he loved over all, 'Wife, as thou seest, I go on this crusade, as
+well for the honour of my body as for the health of my soul. I commend
+to thee our affairs and our honour, and for that I am certain of the
+going, but of the returning, for a thousand chances that may betide, I
+have no assurance, I will have thee do me a favour, to wit, that
+whatever befall of me, an thou have not certain news of my life, thou
+shalt await me a year and a month and a day, ere thou marry again,
+beginning from this the day of my departure.' The lady, who wept sore,
+answered, 'Messer Torello, I know not how I shall endure the chagrin
+wherein you leave me by your departure; but, an my life prove stronger
+than my grief and aught befall you, you may live and die assured that
+I shall live and die the wife of Messer Torello and of his memory.'
+'Wife,' rejoined Messer Torello, 'I am very certain that, inasmuch as
+in thee lieth, this that thou promisest me will come to pass; but thou
+art a young woman and fair and of high family and thy worth is great
+and everywhere known; wherefore I doubt not but many great and noble
+gentlemen will, should aught be misdoubted of me,[475] demand thee of
+thy brethren and kinsfolk; from whose importunities, how much soever
+thou mightest wish, thou wilt not be able to defend thyself and it
+will behove thee perforce comply with their wishes; and this is why I
+ask of thee this term and not a greater one.' Quoth the lady, 'I will
+do what I may of that which I have told you, and should it
+nevertheless behove me to do otherwise, I will assuredly obey you in
+this that you enjoin me; but I pray God that He bring nor you nor me
+to such an extremity in these days.' This said, she embraced him,
+weeping, and drawing a ring from her finger, gave it to him, saying,
+'And it chance that I die ere I see you again, remember me when you
+look upon this ring.'
+
+[Footnote 475: _i.e._ should any rumour get wind of death.]
+
+Torello took the ring and mounted to horse; then, bidding all his
+people adieu, he set out on his journey and came presently with his
+company to Genoa. There he embarked on board a galleon and coming in a
+little while to Acre, joined himself to the other army[476] of the
+Christians, wherein, well nigh out of hand, there began a sore
+sickness and mortality. During this, whether by Saladin's skill or of
+his good fortune, well nigh all the remnant of the Christians who had
+escaped alive were taken by him, without blow stricken, and divided
+among many cities and imprisoned. Messer Torello was one of those
+taken and was carried prisoner to Alexandria, where, being unknown and
+fearing to make himself known, he addressed himself, of necessity
+constrained, to the training of hawks, of which he was a great master,
+and by this he came under the notice of Saladin, who took him out of
+prison and entertained him for his falconer. Messer Torello, who was
+called by the Soldan by none other name than the Christian, recognized
+him not nor did Saladin recognize him; nay, all his thoughts were in
+Pavia and he had more than once essayed to flee, but without avail;
+wherefore, certain Genoese coming ambassadors to Saladin, to treat for
+the ransom of sundry of their townsmen, and being about to depart, he
+bethought himself to write to his lady, giving her to know that he was
+alive and would return to her as quickliest he might and bidding her
+await him. Accordingly, he wrote letters to this effect and instantly
+besought one of the ambassadors, whom he knew, to cause them come to
+the hands of the Abbot of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro, who was his uncle.
+
+[Footnote 476: Sic (_all' altro esercito_). The meaning of this does
+not appear, as no mention has yet been made of two Christian armies.
+Perhaps we should translate "the rest of the army," _i.e._ such part
+of the remnant of the Christian host as fled to Acre and shut
+themselves up there after the disastrous day of Hittin (23 June,
+1187). Acre fell on the 29th July, 1187.]
+
+Things being at this pass with him, it befell one day that, as Saladin
+was devising with him of his hawks, Messer Torello chanced to smile
+and made a motion with his mouth, which the former had much noted,
+what while he was in his house at Pavia. This brought the gentleman to
+his mind and looking steadfastly upon him, himseemed it was himself;
+wherefore, leaving the former discourse, 'Harkye, Christian, said he,
+'What countryman art thou of the West?' 'My lord,' replied Torello, 'I
+am a Lombard of a city called Pavia, a poor man and of mean
+condition.' Saladin, hearing this, was in a manner certified of the
+truth of his suspicion and said joyfully in himself, 'God hath
+vouchsafed me an opportunity of showing this man how grateful his
+courtesy was to me.' Accordingly, without saying otherwhat, he let
+lay out all his apparel in a chamber and carrying him thither, said to
+him, 'Look, Christian, if there be any among these gowns that thou
+hast ever seen.' Torello looked and saw those which his lady had given
+Saladin; but, natheless, conceiving not that they could possibly be
+the same, he answered, 'My lord, I know none of them; albeit, in good
+sooth, these twain do favour certain gowns wherewithal I, together
+with three merchants who came to my house, was invested aforetime.'
+Thereupon Saladin, unable to contain himself farther, embraced him
+tenderly, saying, 'You are Messer Torello d'Istria and I am one of the
+three merchants to whom your lady gave these gowns; and now is the
+time come to certify you what manner merchandise mine is, even as I
+told you, at my parting from you, might chance to betide.' Messer
+Torello, hearing this, was at once rejoiced and ashamed; rejoiced to
+have had such a guest and ashamed for that himseemed he had
+entertained him but scurvily. Then said Saladin, 'Messer Torello,
+since God hath sent you hither to me, henceforth consider that not I,
+but you are master here.' Accordingly, after they had mightily
+rejoiced in each other, he clad him in royal apparel and carrying him
+into the presence of all his chief barons, commanded, after saying
+many things in praise of his worth, that he should of all who held his
+favour dear be honoured as himself, which was thenceforward done of
+all, but above all of the two gentlemen who had been Saladin's
+companions in his house.
+
+The sudden height of glory to which Messer Torello thus found himself
+advanced put his Lombardy affairs somedele out of his mind, more by
+token that he had good reason to hope that his letters were by this
+come to his uncle's hands. Now there had died and been buried in the
+camp or rather in the host, of the Christians, the day they were taken
+by Saladin, a Provençal gentleman of little account, by name Messer
+Torello de Dignes, by reason whereof, Messer Torello d'Istria being
+renowned throughout the army for his magnificence, whosoever heard
+say, 'Messer Torello is dead,' believed it of Messer Torello d'Istria,
+not of him of Dignes. The hazard of the capture that ensued thereupon
+suffered not those who had been thus misled to be undeceived;
+wherefore many Italians returned with this news, amongst whom were
+some who scrupled not to avouch that they had seen him dead and had
+been at the burial. This, coming to be known of his wife and kinsfolk,
+was the cause of grievous and inexpressible sorrow, not only to them,
+but to all who had known him. It were longsome to set forth what and
+how great was the grief and sorrow and lamentation of his lady; but,
+after having bemoaned herself some months in continual affliction,
+coming to sorrow less and being sought in marriage with the chiefest
+men in Lombardy, she began to be presently importuned by her brothers
+and other her kinsfolk to marry again. After having again and again
+refused with many tears, needs must she at the last consent perforce
+to do her kinsfolk's will, on condition that she should abide, without
+going to a husband, so long as she had promised Messer Torello.
+
+The lady's affairs at Pavia being at this pass and there lacking maybe
+eight days of the term appointed for her going to her new husband, it
+chanced that Messer Torello espied one day in Alexandria one whom he
+had seen embark with the Genoese ambassadors on board the galley that
+was to carry them back to Genoa, and calling him, asked him what
+manner voyage they had had and when they had reached Genoa; whereto
+the other replied, 'Sir, the galleon (as I heard in Crete, where I
+remained,) made an ill voyage; for that, as she drew near unto Sicily,
+there arose a furious northerly wind, which drove her on to the
+Barbary quicksands, nor was any one saved; and amongst the rest two
+brothers of mine perished there.' Messer Torello, giving credit to his
+words, which were indeed but too true, and remembering him that the
+term required by him of his wife ended a few days thence, concluded
+that nothing could be known at Pavia of his condition and held it for
+certain that the lady must have married again; wherefore he fell into
+such a chagrin that he lost [sleep and] appetite and taking to his
+bed, determined to die. When Saladin, who loved him above all, heard
+of this, he came to him and having, by dint of many and urgent
+prayers, learned the cause of his grief and his sickness, upbraided
+him sore for that he had not before told it to him and after besought
+him to be comforted, assuring him that, if he would but take heart, he
+would so contrive that he should be in Pavia at the appointed term and
+told him how. Messer Torello, putting faith in Saladin's words and
+having many a time heard say that this was possible and had indeed
+been often enough done, began to take comfort and pressed Saladin to
+despatch. The Soldan accordingly charged a nigromancer of his, of
+whose skill he had aforetime made proof, to cast about for a means
+whereby Messer Torello should be in one night transported upon a bed
+to Pavia, to which the magician replied that it should be done, but
+that, for the gentleman's own weal, he must put him to sleep.
+
+This done, Saladin returned to Messer Torello and finding him
+altogether resolved to seek at any hazard to be in Pavia at the term
+appointed, if it were possible, and in default thereof, to die,
+bespoke him thus; 'Messer Torello, God knoweth that I neither will nor
+can anywise blame you if you tenderly love your lady and are fearful
+of her becoming another's, for that, of all the women I ever saw, she
+it is whose manners, whose fashions and whose demeanour, (leaving be
+her beauty, which is but a short-lived flower,) appear to me most
+worthy to be commended and held dear. It had been very grateful to me,
+since fortune hath sent you hither, that we should have passed
+together, as equal masters in the governance of this my realm, such
+time as you and I have to live, and if this was not to be vouchsafed
+me of God, it being fated that you should take it to heart to seek
+either to die or to find yourself in Pavia at the appointed term, I
+should above all have desired to know it in time, that I might have
+you transported to your house with such honour, such magnificence and
+in such company as your worth meriteth. However, since this hath not
+been vouchsafed and you desire to be presently there, I will e'en, as
+I may, despatch you thither after the fashion whereof I have bespoken
+you.' 'My lord,' replied Messer Torello, 'your acts, without your
+words, have given me sufficient proof of your favour, which I have
+never merited in such supreme degree, and of that which you say,
+though you had not said it, I shall live and die most assured; but,
+since I have taken this resolve, I pray you that that which you tell
+me you will do may be done speedily, for that to-morrow is the last
+day I am to be looked for.'
+
+Saladin answered that this should without fail be accomplished and
+accordingly, on the morrow, meaning to send him away that same night,
+he let make, in a great hall of his palace, a very goodly and rich bed
+of mattresses, all, according to their usance, of velvet and cloth of
+gold and caused lay thereon a counterpoint curiously wrought in
+various figures with great pearls and jewels of great price (the which
+here in Italy was after esteemed an inestimable treasure) and two
+pillows such as sorted with a bed of that fashion. This done, he bade
+invest Messer Torello, who was presently well and strong again, in a
+gown of the Saracen fashion, the richest and goodliest thing that had
+ever been seen of any, and wind about his head, after their guise, one
+of his longest turban-cloths.[477] Then, it growing late, he betook
+himself with many of his barons to the chamber where Messer Torello
+was and seating himself, well nigh weeping, by his side, bespoke him
+thus; 'Messer Torello, the hour draweth near that is to sunder me from
+you, and since I may not bear you company nor cause you to be
+accompanied, by reason of the nature of the journey you have to make,
+which suffereth it not, needs must I take leave of you here in this
+chamber, to which end I am come hither. Wherefore, ere I commend you
+to God, I conjure you, by that love and that friendship that is
+between us, that you remember you of me and if it be possible, ere our
+times come to an end, that, whenas you have ordered your affairs in
+Lombardy, you come at the least once to see me, to the end that, what
+while I am cheered by your sight, I may then supply the default which
+needs must I presently commit by reason of your haste; and against
+that betide, let it not irk you to visit me with letters and require
+me of such things as shall please you; for that of a surety I will
+more gladly do them for you than for any man alive.'
+
+[Footnote 477: It may be well to remind the European reader that the
+turban consists of two parts, _i.e._ a skull-cap and a linen cloth,
+which is wound round it in various folds and shapes, to form the
+well-known Eastern head-dress.]
+
+As for Messer Torello, he could not contain his tears; wherefore,
+being hindered thereby, he answered, in a few words, that it was
+impossible his benefits and his nobility should ever escape his mind
+and that he would without fail do that which he enjoined him, whenas
+occasion should be afforded him; whereupon Saladin, having tenderly
+embraced him and kissed him, bade him with many tears God speed and
+departed the chamber. The other barons then all took leave of him and
+followed the Soldan into the hall where he had caused make ready the
+bed. Meanwhile, it waxing late and the nigromant awaiting and pressing
+for despatch, there came a physician to Messer Torello with a draught
+and making him believe that he gave it him to fortify him, caused him
+drink it; nor was it long ere he fell asleep and so, by Saladin's
+commandment, was carried into the hall and laid upon the bed
+aforesaid, whereon the Soldan placed a great and goodly crown of great
+price and inscribed it on such wise that it was after manifestly
+understood to be sent by him to Messer Torello's lady; after which he
+put on Torello's finger a ring, wherein was a carbuncle enchased, so
+resplendent that it seemed a lighted flambeau, the value whereof could
+scarce be reckoned, and girt him with a sword, whose garniture might
+not lightly be appraised. Moreover, he let hang a fermail on his
+breast, wherein were pearls whose like were never seen, together with
+other precious stones galore, and on his either side he caused set two
+great basins of gold, full of doubloons, and many strings of pearls
+and rings and girdles and other things, which it were tedious to
+recount, round about him. This done, he kissed him once more and bade
+the nigromant despatch, whereupon, in his presence, the bed was
+incontinent taken away, Messer Torello and all, and Saladin abode
+devising of him with his barons.
+
+Meanwhile, Messer Torello had been set down, even as he had requested,
+in the church of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro at Pavia, with all the
+jewels and ornaments aforesaid, and yet slept when, matins having
+sounded, the sacristan of the church entered, with a light in his
+hand, and chancing suddenly to espy the rich bed, not only marvelled,
+but, seized with a terrible fright, turned and fled. The abbot and the
+monks, seeing him flee, marvelled and questioned him of the cause,
+which he told them; whereupon quoth the abbot, 'Marry, thou art no
+child nor art thou new to the church that thou shouldst thus lightly
+take fright; let us go see who hath played the bugbear with thee.'
+Accordingly, kindling several lights, the abbot and all his monks
+entered the church and saw that wonder-rich and goodly bed and thereon
+the gentleman asleep; and what while, misdoubting and fearful, they
+gazed upon the noble jewels, without drawing anywise near to the bed,
+it befell that, the virtue of the draught being spent, Messer Torello
+awoke and heaved a great sigh, which when the monks saw and heard,
+they took to flight, abbot and all, affrighted and crying, 'Lord aid
+us!' Messer Torello opened his eyes and looking about him, plainly
+perceived himself to be whereas he had asked Saladin to have him
+carried, at which he was mightily content. Then, sitting up, he
+particularly examined that which he had about him, and for all he had
+before known of the magnificence of Saladin, it seemed to him now
+greater and he knew it more. Nevertheless, without moving farther,
+seeing the monks flee and divining why, he proceeded to call the abbot
+by name, praying him be not afraid, for that he was Torello his
+nephew. The abbot, hearing this, waxed yet more fearful, as holding
+him as dead many months before; but, after awhile, taking assurance by
+true arguments and hearing himself called, he made the sign of the
+cross and went up to him; whereupon quoth Messer Torello, 'How now,
+father mine, of what are you adread? Godamercy, I am alive and
+returned hither from beyond seas.'
+
+The abbot, for all he had a great beard and was clad after the Saracen
+fashion, presently recognized him and altogether reassured, took him
+by the hand, saying, 'My son, thou art welcome back.' Then he
+continued, 'Thou must not marvel at our affright, for that there is
+not a man in these parts but firmly believeth thee to be dead,
+insomuch that I must tell thee that Madam Adalieta thy wife,
+overmastered by the prayers and threats of her kinsfolk and against
+her own will, is married again and is this morning to go to her new
+husband; ay, and the bride-feast and all that pertaineth unto the
+nuptial festivities is prepared.' Therewithal Messer Torello arose
+from off the rich bed and greeting the abbot and the monks with
+marvellous joyance, prayed them all to speak with none of that his
+return, against he should have despatched an occasion of his; after
+which, having caused lay up the costly jewels in safety, he recounted
+to his uncle all that had befallen him up to that moment. The abbot
+rejoiced in his happy fortunes and together with him, rendered thanks
+to God, after which Messer Torello asked him who was his lady's new
+husband. The abbot told him and Torello said, 'I have a mind, ere folk
+know of my return, to see what manner countenance is that of my wife
+in these nuptials; wherefore, albeit it is not the usance of men of
+your habit to go to entertainments of this kind, I would have you
+contrive, for the love of me, that we may go thither, you and I.' The
+abbot replied that he would well and accordingly, as soon as it was
+day, he sent to the new bridegroom, saying that he would fain be at
+his nuptials with a friend of his, whereto the gentleman answered that
+it liked him passing well.
+
+Accordingly, eating-time come, Messer Torello, clad as he was,
+repaired with his uncle to the bridegroom's house, beheld with
+wonderment of all who saw him, but recognized of none; and the abbot
+told every one that he was a Saracen sent ambassador from the Soldan
+to the King of France. He was, therefore, seated at a table right
+overagainst his lady, whom he beheld with the utmost pleasure, and
+himseemed she was troubled in countenance at these new nuptials. She,
+in her turn, looked whiles upon him, but not of any cognizance that
+she had of him, for that his great beard and outlandish habit and the
+firm assurance she had that he was dead hindered her thereof.
+Presently, whenas it seemed to him time to essay if she remembered her
+of him, he took the ring she had given him at his parting and calling
+a lad who served before her, said to him, 'Say to the bride, on my
+part, that it is the usance in my country, whenas any stranger, such
+as I am here, eateth at the bride-feast of any new-married lady, like
+herself, that she, in token that she holdeth him welcome at her table,
+send him the cup, wherein she drinketh, full of wine, whereof after
+the stranger hath drunken what he will, the cup being covered again,
+the bride drinketh the rest.'
+
+The page did his errand to the lady, who, like a well-bred and
+discreet woman as she was, believing him to be some great gentleman,
+commanded, to show him that she had his coming in gree, that a great
+gilded cup, which stood before her, should be washed and filled with
+wine and carried to the gentleman; and so it was done. Messer Torello,
+taking her ring in his mouth, contrived in drinking to drop it, unseen
+of any, into the cup, wherein having left but a little wine, he
+covered it again and despatched it to the lady. Madam Adalieta, taking
+the cup and uncovering it, that she might accomplish his usance, set
+it to her mouth and seeing the ring, considered it awhile, without
+saying aught; then, knowing it for that which she had given to Messer
+Torello at parting, she took it up and looking fixedly upon him whom
+she deemed a stranger, presently recognized him; whereupon, as she
+were waxen mad, she overthrew the table she had before her and cried
+out, saying, 'It is my lord, it is indeed Messer Torello!' Then,
+running to the place where he sat, she cast herself as far forward as
+she might, without taking thought to her clothes or to aught that was
+on the table, and clipped him close in her arms nor could, for word or
+deed of any there, be loosed from his neck till she was bidden of
+Messer Torello contain herself somewhat, for that time enough would
+yet be afforded her to embrace him. She accordingly having arisen and
+the nuptials being by this all troubled, albeit in part more joyous
+than ever for the recovery of such a gentleman, every one, at Messer
+Torello's request, abode quiet; whereupon he related to them all that
+had betided him from the day of his departure up to that moment,
+concluding that the gentleman, who, deeming him dead, had taken his
+lady to wife, must not hold it ill if he, being alive, took her again
+unto himself.
+
+The bridegroom, though somewhat mortified, answered frankly and as a
+friend that it rested with himself to do what most pleased him of his
+own. Accordingly, the lady put off the ring and crown had of her new
+groom and donned the ring which she had taken from the cup and the
+crown sent her by the Soldan; then, issuing forth of the house where
+they were, they betook themselves, with all the nuptial train, to
+Messer Torello's house and there recomforted his disconsolate friends
+and kindred and all the townsfolk, who regarded his return as well
+nigh a miracle, with long and joyous festival. As for Messer Torello,
+after imparting of his precious jewels to him who had had the expense
+of the nuptials, as well as to the abbot and many others, and
+signifying his happy repatriation by more than one message to Saladin,
+whose friend and servant he still professed himself, he lived many
+years thereafterward with his noble lady and thenceforth, used more
+hospitality and courtesy than ever. Such then was the issue of the
+troubles of Messer Torello and his beloved lady and the recompense of
+their cheerful and ready hospitalities, the which many study to
+practise, who, albeit they have the wherewithal, do yet so ill
+contrive it that they make those on whom they bestow their courtesies
+buy them, ere they have done with them, for more than their worth;
+wherefore, if no reward ensue to them thereof, neither themselves nor
+others should marvel thereat."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     THE MARQUESS OF SALUZZO, CONSTRAINED BY THE PRAYERS OF HIS
+     VASSALS TO MARRY, BUT DETERMINED TO DO IT AFTER HIS OWN
+     FASHION, TAKETH TO WIFE THE DAUGHTER OF A PEASANT AND HATH
+     OF HER TWO CHILDREN, WHOM HE MAKETH BELIEVE TO HER TO PUT TO
+     DEATH; AFTER WHICH, FEIGNING TO BE GROWN WEARY OF HER AND TO
+     HAVE TAKEN ANOTHER WIFE, HE LETTETH BRING HIS OWN DAUGHTER
+     HOME TO HIS HOUSE, AS SHE WERE HIS NEW BRIDE, AND TURNETH
+     HIS WIFE AWAY IN HER SHIFT; BUT, FINDING HER PATIENT UNDER
+     EVERYTHING, HE FETCHETH HER HOME AGAIN, DEARER THAN EVER,
+     AND SHOWING HER HER CHILDREN GROWN GREAT, HONOURETH AND
+     LETTETH HONOUR HER AS MARCHIONESS
+
+
+The king's long story being ended and having, to all appearance, much
+pleased all, Dioneo said, laughing, "The good man,[478] who looked
+that night to abase the phantom's tail upright,[479] had not given a
+brace of farthings of all the praises that you bestow on Messer
+Torello." Then, knowing that it rested with him alone to tell, he
+proceeded: "Gentle ladies mine, it appeareth to me that this day hath
+been given up to Kings and Soldans and the like folk; wherefore, that
+I may not remove overfar from you, I purpose to relate to you of a
+marquess, not an act of magnificence, but a monstrous folly, which,
+albeit good ensued to him thereof in the end, I counsel not any to
+imitate, for it was a thousand pities that weal betided him thereof.
+
+[Footnote 478: _i.e._ he who was to have married Madam Adalieta.]
+
+[Footnote 479: See p. 325.]
+
+It is now a great while agone since the chief of the house among the
+Marquesses of Saluzzo was a youth called Gualtieri, who, having
+neither wife nor children, spent his time in nought but hunting and
+hawking nor had any thought of taking a wife nor of having children;
+wherein he deserved to be reputed very wise. The thing, however, not
+pleasing his vassals, they besought him many times to take a wife, so
+he might not abide without an heir nor they without a lord, and
+offered themselves to find him one of such a fashion and born of such
+parents that good hopes might be had of her and he be well content
+with her; whereto he answered, 'My friends, you constrain me unto that
+which I was altogether resolved never to do, considering how hard a
+thing it is to find a wife whose fashions sort well within one's own
+humour and how great an abundance there is of the contrary sort and
+how dour a life is his who happeneth upon a woman not well suited unto
+him. To say that you think, by the manners and fashions of the
+parents, to know the daughters, wherefrom you argue to give me a wife
+such as will please me, is a folly, since I know not whence you may
+avail to know their fathers nor yet the secrets of their mothers; and
+even did you know them, daughters are often unlike their parents.
+However, since it e'en pleaseth you to bind me in these chains, I am
+content to do your desire; but, that I may not have occasion to
+complain of other than myself, if it prove ill done, I mean to find a
+wife for myself, certifying you that, whomsoever I may take me, if she
+be not honoured of you as your lady and mistress, you shall prove, to
+your cost, how much it irketh me to have at your entreaty taken a wife
+against mine own will.'
+
+The good honest men replied that they were content, so he would but
+bring himself to take a wife. Now the fashions of a poor girl, who was
+of a village near to his house, had long pleased Gualtieri, and
+himseeming she was fair enough, he judged that he might lead a very
+comfortable life with her; wherefore, without seeking farther, he
+determined to marry her and sending for her father, who was a very
+poor man, agreed with him to take her to wife. This done, he assembled
+all his friends of the country round and said to them, 'My friends, it
+hath pleased and pleaseth you that I should dispose me to take a wife
+and I have resigned myself thereto, more to complease you than of any
+desire I have for marriage. You know what you promised me, to wit,
+that you would be content with and honour as your lady and mistress
+her whom I should take, whosoever she might be; wherefore the time is
+come when I am to keep my promise to you and when I would have you
+keep yours to me. I have found a damsel after mine own heart and
+purpose within some few days hence to marry her and bring her home to
+my house; wherefore do you bethink yourselves how the bride-feast may
+be a goodly one and how you may receive her with honour, on such wise
+that I may avouch myself contented of your promise, even as you will
+have cause to be of mine.' The good folk all answered joyfully that
+this liked them well and that, be she who he would, they would hold
+her for lady and mistress and honour her as such in all things; after
+which they all addressed themselves to hold fair and high and glad
+festival and on like wise did Gualtieri, who let make ready very great
+and goodly nuptials and bade thereto many his friends and kinsfolk and
+great gentlemen and others of the neighbourhood. Moreover, he let cut
+and fashion store of rich and goodly apparel, after the measure of a
+damsel who seemed to him like of her person to the young woman he was
+purposed to marry, and provided also rings and girdles and a rich and
+goodly crown and all that behoveth unto a bride.
+
+The day come that he had appointed for the nuptials, Gualtieri towards
+half tierce mounted to horse, he and all those who were come to do him
+honour, and having ordered everything needful. 'Gentlemen,' quoth he,
+'it is time to go fetch the bride.' Then, setting out with all his
+company, he rode to the village and betaking himself to the house of
+the girl's father, found her returning in great haste with water from
+the spring, so she might after go with other women to see Gualtieri's
+bride come. When the marquess saw her, he called her by name, to wit,
+Griselda, and asked her where her father was; to which she answered
+bashfully, 'My lord, he is within the house.' Thereupon Gualtieri
+dismounted and bidding all await him, entered the poor house alone,
+where he found her father, whose name was Giannucolo, and said to him,
+'I am come to marry Griselda, but first I would fain know of her
+somewhat in thy presence.' Accordingly, he asked her if, an he took
+her to wife, she would still study to please him, nor take umbrage at
+aught that he should do or say, and if she would be obedient, and many
+other like things, to all of which she answered ay; whereupon
+Gualtieri, taking her by the hand, led her forth and in the presence
+of all his company and of every one else, let strip her naked. Then,
+sending for the garments which he had let make, he caused forthright
+clothe and shoe her and would have her set the crown on her hair, all
+tumbled as it was; after which, all marvelling at this, he said,
+'Gentlemen, this is she who I purpose shall be my wife, an she will
+have me to husband.' Then, turning to her, where she stood, all
+shamefast and confounded, he said to her, 'Griselda, wilt thou have me
+to thy husband?' To which she answered, 'Ay, my lord.' Quoth he, 'And
+I will have thee to my wife'; and espoused her in the presence of all.
+Then, mounting her on a palfrey, he carried her, honourably
+accompanied, to his mansion, where the nuptials were celebrated with
+the utmost splendour and rejoicing, no otherwise than as he had taken
+to wife the king's daughter of France.
+
+The young wife seemed to have, together with her clothes, changed her
+mind and her manners. She was, as we have already said, goodly of
+person and countenance, and even as she was fair, on like wise she
+became so engaging, so pleasant and so well-mannered that she seemed
+rather to have been the child of some noble gentleman than the
+daughter of Giannucolo and a tender of sheep; whereof she made every
+one marvel who had known her aforetime. Moreover, she was so obedient
+to her husband and so diligent in his service that he accounted
+himself the happiest and best contented man in the world; and on like
+wise she bore herself with such graciousness and such loving kindness
+towards her husband's subjects that there was none of them but loved
+and honoured her with his whole heart, praying all for her welfare and
+prosperity and advancement; and whereas they were used to say that
+Gualtieri had done as one of little wit to take her to wife, they now
+with one accord declared that he was the sagest and best-advised man
+alive, for that none other than he might ever have availed to know her
+high worth, hidden as it was under poor clothes and a rustic habit.
+Brief, it was no great while ere she knew so to do that, not only in
+her husband's marquisate, but everywhere else, she made folk talk of
+her virtues and her well-doing and turned to the contrary whatsoever
+had been said against her husband on her account, whenas he married
+her.
+
+She had not long abidden with Gualtieri ere she conceived with child
+and in due time bore a daughter, whereat he rejoiced greatly. But, a
+little after, a new[480] thought having entered his mind, to wit, to
+seek, by dint of long tribulation and things unendurable, to make
+trial of her patience, he first goaded her with words, feigning
+himself troubled and saying that his vassals were exceeding ill
+content with her, by reason of her mean extraction, especially since
+they saw that she bore children, and that they did nothing but
+murmur, being sore chagrined for the birth of her daughter. The lady,
+hearing this, replied, without anywise changing countenance or showing
+the least distemperature, 'My lord, do with me that which thou deemest
+will be most for thine honour and solace, for that I shall be content
+with all, knowing, as I do, that I am of less account than they[481]
+and that I was unworthy of this dignity to which thou hast advanced me
+of thy courtesy.' This reply was mighty agreeable to Gualtieri, for
+that he saw she was not uplifted into aught of pridefulness for any
+honour that himself or others had done her; but, a little after,
+having in general terms told her that his vassals could not brook this
+girl that had been born of her, he sent to her a serving-man of his,
+whom he had lessoned and who said to her with a very woeful
+countenance, 'Madam, an I would not die, needs must I do that which my
+lord commandeth me. He hath bidden me take this your daughter and....'
+And said no more. The lady, hearing this and seeing the servant's
+aspect and remembering her of her husband's words, concluded that he
+had enjoined him put the child to death; whereupon, without changing
+countenance, albeit she felt a sore anguish at heart, she straightway
+took her from the cradle and having kissed and blessed her, laid her
+in the servant's arms, saying, 'Take her and punctually do that which
+thy lord hath enjoined thee; but leave her not to be devoured of the
+beasts and the birds, except he command it thee.' The servant took the
+child and reported that which the lady had said to Gualtieri, who
+marvelled at her constancy and despatched him with the child to a
+kinswoman of his at Bologna, praying her to bring her up and rear her
+diligently, without ever saying whose daughter she was.
+
+[Footnote 480: Or "strange" (_nuovo_); see ante, passim.]
+
+[Footnote 481: _i.e._ his vassals.]
+
+In course of time the lady again conceived and in due season bore a
+male child, to her husband's great joy; but, that which he had already
+done sufficing him not, he addressed himself to probe her to the quick
+with a yet sorer stroke and accordingly said to her one day with a
+troubled air, 'Wife, since thou hast borne this male child, I have
+nowise been able to live in peace with these my people, so sore do
+they murmur that a grandson of Giannucolo should become their lord
+after me; wherefore I misdoubt me, an I would not be driven forth of
+my domains, it will behove me do in this case that which I did
+otherwhen and ultimately put thee away and take another wife.' The
+lady gave ear to him with a patient mind nor answered otherwhat then,
+'My lord, study to content thyself and to satisfy thy pleasure and
+have no thought of me, for that nothing is dear to me save in so much
+as I see it please thee.' Not many days after, Gualtieri sent for the
+son, even as he had sent for the daughter, and making a like show of
+having him put to death, despatched him to Bologna, there to be
+brought up, even as he had done with the girl; but the lady made no
+other countenance nor other words thereof than she had done of the
+girl; whereat Gualtieri marvelled sore and affirmed in himself that no
+other woman could have availed to do this that she did; and had he not
+seen her tender her children with the utmost fondness, what while it
+pleased him, he had believed that she did this because she recked no
+more of them; whereas in effect he knew that she did it of her
+discretion. His vassals, believing that he had caused put the children
+to death, blamed him sore, accounting him a barbarous man, and had the
+utmost compassion of his wife, who never answered otherwhat to the
+ladies who condoled with her for her children thus slain, than that
+that which pleased him thereof who had begotten them, pleased her
+also.
+
+At last, several years being passed since the birth of the girl,
+Gualtieri, deeming it time to make the supreme trial of her endurance,
+declared, in the presence of his people, that he could no longer
+endure to have Griselda to wife and that he perceived that he had done
+ill and boyishly in taking her, wherefore he purposed, as far as in
+him lay, to make interest with the Pope to grant him a dispensation,
+so he might put her away and take another wife. For this he was
+roundly taken to task by many men of worth, but answered them nothing
+save that needs must it be so. The lady, hearing these things and
+herseeming she must look to return to her father's house and maybe
+tend sheep again as she had done aforetime, what while she saw another
+woman in possession of him to whom she willed all her weal, sorrowed
+sore in herself; but yet, even as she had borne the other affronts of
+fortune, so with a firm countenance she addressed herself to bear this
+also. Gualtieri no great while after let come to him from Rome
+counterfeit letters of dispensation and gave his vassals to believe
+that the Pope had thereby licensed him to take another wife and leave
+Griselda; then, sending for the latter, he said to her, in presence of
+many, 'Wife, by concession made me of the Pope, I am free to take
+another wife and put thee away, and accordingly, for that mine
+ancestors have been great gentlemen and lords of this country, whilst
+thine have still been husbandmen, I mean that thou be no more my wife,
+but that thou return to Giannucolo his house with the dowry which thou
+broughtest me, and I will after bring hither another wife, for that I
+have found one more sorted to myself.'
+
+The lady, hearing this, contained her tears, contrary to the nature of
+woman, though not without great unease, and answered, 'My lord, I ever
+knew my mean estate to be nowise sortable with your nobility, and for
+that which I have been with you I have still confessed myself indebted
+to you and to God, nor have I ever made nor held it mine, as given to
+me, but have still accounted it but as a loan. It pleaseth you to
+require it again and it must and doth please me to restore it to you.
+Here is your ring wherewith you espoused me; take it. You bid me carry
+away with me that dowry which I brought hither, which to do you will
+need no paymaster and I neither purse nor packhorse, for I have not
+forgotten that you had me naked, and if you account it seemly that
+this my body, wherein I have carried children begotten of you, be seen
+of all, I will begone naked; but I pray you, in requital of my
+maidenhead, which I brought hither and bear not hence with me, that it
+please you I may carry away at the least one sole shift over and above
+my dowry.' Gualtieri, who had more mind to weep than to otherwhat,
+natheless kept a stern countenance and said, 'So be it; carry away a
+shift.' As many as stood around besought him to give her a gown, so
+that she who had been thirteen years and more his wife should not be
+seen go forth of his house on such mean and shameful wise as it was to
+depart in her shift; but their prayers all went for nothing; wherefore
+the lady, having commended them to God, went forth his house in her
+shift, barefoot and nothing on her head, and returned to her father,
+followed by the tears and lamentations of all who saw her. Giannucolo,
+who had never been able to believe it true that Gualtieri should
+entertain his daughter to wife and went in daily expectation of this
+event, had kept her the clothes which she had put off the morning that
+Gualtieri had married her and now brought them to her; whereupon she
+donned them and addressed herself, as she had been wont to do, to the
+little offices of her father's house, enduring the cruel onslaught of
+hostile fortune with a stout heart.
+
+Gualtieri, having done this, gave out to his people that he had chosen
+a daughter of one of the Counts of Panago and letting make great
+preparations for the nuptials, sent for Griselda to come to him and
+said to her, 'I am about to bring home this lady, whom I have newly
+taken to wife, and mean, at this her first coming, to do her honour.
+Thou knowest I have no women about me who know how to array me the
+rooms nor to do a multitude of things that behove unto such a
+festival; wherefore do thou, who art better versed than any else in
+these household matters, order that which is to do here and let bid
+such ladies as it seemeth good to thee and receive them as thou wert
+mistress here; then, when the nuptials are ended, thou mayst begone
+back to thy house.' Albeit these words were all daggers to Griselda's
+heart, who had been unable to lay down the love she bore him as she
+had laid down her fair fortune, she replied, 'My lord, I am ready and
+willing.' Then, in her coarse homespun clothes, entering the house,
+whence she had a little before departed in her shift, she fell to
+sweeping and ordering the chambers and letting place hangings and
+cover-cloths about the saloons and make ready the viands, putting her
+hand to everything, as she were some paltry serving-wench of the
+house, nor ever gave over till she had arrayed and ordered everything
+as it behoved. Thereafter, having let invite all the ladies of the
+country on Gualtieri's part, she awaited the day of the festival,
+which being come, with a cheerful countenance and the spirit and
+bearing of a lady of high degree, for all she had mean clothes on her
+back, she received all the ladies who came thither.
+
+Meanwhile, Gualtieri, who had caused the two children be diligently
+reared in Bologna by his kinswoman, (who was married to a gentleman of
+the Panago family,) the girl being now twelve years old and the
+fairest creature that ever was seen and the boy six, had sent to his
+kinsman[482] at Bologna, praying him be pleased to come to Saluzzo
+with his son and daughter and take order to bring with him a goodly
+and honourable company and bidding him tell every one that he was
+carrying him the young lady to his wife, without otherwise discovering
+to any aught of who she was. The gentleman did as the marquess prayed
+him and setting out, with the girl and boy and a goodly company of
+gentlefolk, after some days' journey, arrived, about dinner-time, at
+Saluzzo, where he found all the countryfolk and many others of the
+neighbourhood awaiting Gualtieri's new bride. The latter, being
+received by the ladies and come into the saloon where the tables were
+laid, Griselda came to meet her, clad as she was, and accosted her
+blithely, saying, 'Welcome and fair welcome to my lady.' Thereupon the
+ladies (who had urgently, but in vain, besought Gualtieri to suffer
+Griselda to abide in a chamber or lend her one of the gowns that had
+been hers, so that she might not go thus before his guests) were
+seated at table and it was proceeded to serve them. The girl was eyed
+by every one and all declared that Gualtieri had made a good exchange;
+and among the rest Griselda commended her amain, both her and her
+young brother.
+
+[Footnote 482: _i.e._ the husband of his kinswoman aforesaid.]
+
+Gualtieri perceiving that the strangeness of the case in no wise
+changed her and being assured that this proceeded not from lack of
+understanding, for that he knew her to be very quick of wit, himseemed
+he had now seen fully as much as he desired of his lady's patience and
+he judged it time to deliver her from the bitterness which he doubted
+not she kept hidden under her constant countenance; wherefore, calling
+her to himself, he said to her, smiling, in the presence of every one,
+'How deemest thou of our bride?' 'My lord,' answered she, 'I deem
+exceeding well of her, and if, as I believe, she is as discreet as she
+is fair, I doubt not a whit but you will live the happiest gentleman
+in the world with her; but I beseech you, as most I may, that you
+inflict not on her those pangs which you inflicted whilere on her who
+was sometime yours; for methinketh she might scarce avail to endure
+them, both because she is younger and because she hath been delicately
+reared, whereas the other had been in continual fatigues from a little
+child.' Thereupon, Gualtieri, seeing she firmly believed that the
+young lady was to be his wife nor therefore spoke anywise less than
+well, seated her by his side and said to her, 'Griselda, it is now
+time that thou reap the fruits of thy long patience and that those who
+have reputed me cruel and unjust and brutish should know that this
+which I have done I wrought to an end aforeseen, willing to teach thee
+to be a wife and to show them how to take and use one and at the same
+time to beget myself perpetual quiet, what while I had to live with
+thee; the which, whenas I came to take a wife, I was sore afraid might
+not betide me, and therefore, to make proof thereof, I probed and
+afflicted thee after such kind as thou knowest. And meseeming, for
+that I have never perceived that either in word or in deed hast thou
+departed from my pleasure, that I have of thee that solace which I
+desired, I purpose presently to restore thee, at one stroke, that
+which I took from thee at many and to requite thee with a supreme
+delight the pangs I have inflicted on thee. Wherefore with a joyful
+heart take this whom thou deemest my bride and her brother for thy
+children and mine; for these be they whom thou and many others have
+long accounted me to have barbarously let put to death; and I am thy
+husband, who loveth thee over all else, believing I may vaunt me that
+there is none else who can be so content of his wife as can I.'
+
+So saying, he embraced her and kissed her; then, rising up, he betook
+himself with Griselda, who wept for joy, whereas the daughter, hearing
+these things, sat all stupefied, and tenderly embracing her and her
+brother, undeceived her and many others who were there. Thereupon the
+ladies arose from table, overjoyed, and withdrew with Griselda into a
+chamber, where, with happier augury, pulling off her mean attire, they
+clad her anew in a magnificent dress of her own and brought her again
+to the saloon, as a gentlewoman, which indeed she appeared, even in
+rags. There she rejoiced in her children with wonder-great joy, and
+all being overjoyed at this happy issue, they redoubled in feasting
+and merrymaking and prolonged the festivities several days, accounting
+Gualtieri a very wise man, albeit they held the trials which he had
+made of his lady overharsh, nay, intolerable; but over all they held
+Griselda most sage. The Count of Panago returned, after some days, to
+Bologna, and Gualtieri, taking Giannucolo from his labour, placed him
+in such estate as befitted his father-in-law, so that he lived in
+honour and great solace and so ended his days; whilst he himself,
+having nobly married his daughter, lived long and happily with
+Griselda, honouring her as most might be. What more can here be said
+save that even in poor cottages there rain down divine spirits from
+heaven, like as in princely palaces there be those who were worthier
+to tend swine than to have lordship over men? Who but Griselda could,
+with a countenance, not only dry,[483] but cheerful, have endured the
+barbarous and unheard proofs made by Gualtieri? Which latter had not
+belike been ill requited, had he happened upon one who, when he turned
+her out of doors in her shift, had let jumble her furbelows of another
+to such purpose that a fine gown had come of it."
+
+[Footnote 483: _i.e._ unwetted with tears.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dioneo's story being finished and the ladies having discoursed amain
+thereof, some inclining to one side and some to another, this blaming
+one thing and that commending it, the king, lifting his eyes to heaven
+and seeing that the sun was now low and the hour of vespers at hand,
+proceeded, without arising from session, to speak thus, "Charming
+ladies, as I doubt not you know, the understanding of mortals
+consisteth not only in having in memory things past and taking
+cognizance of things present; but in knowing, by means of the one and
+the other of these, to forecast things future is reputed by men of
+mark to consist the greatest wisdom. To-morrow, as you know, it will
+be fifteen days since we departed Florence, to take some diversion for
+the preservation of our health and of our lives, eschewing the woes
+and dolours and miseries which, since this pestilential season began,
+are continually to be seen about our city. This, to my judgment, we
+have well and honourably done; for that, an I have known to see
+aright, albeit merry stories and belike incentive to concupiscence
+have been told here and we have continually eaten and drunken well and
+danced and sung and made music, all things apt to incite weak minds to
+things less seemly, I have noted no act, no word, in fine nothing
+blameworthy, either on your part or on that of us men; nay, meseemeth
+I have seen and felt here a continual decency, an unbroken concord and
+a constant fraternal familiarity; the which, at once for your honour
+and service and for mine own, is, certes, most pleasing to me. Lest,
+however, for overlong usance aught should grow thereof that might
+issue in tediousness, and that none may avail to cavil at our overlong
+tarriance,--each of us, moreover, having had his or her share of the
+honour that yet resideth in myself,--I hold it meet, an it be your
+pleasure, that we now return whence we came; more by token that, if
+you consider aright, our company, already known to several others of
+the neighbourhood, may multiply after a fashion that will deprive us
+of our every commodity. Wherefore, if you approve my counsel, I will
+retain the crown conferred on me until our departure, which I purpose
+shall be to-morrow morning; but, should you determine otherwise, I
+have already in mind whom I shall invest withal for the ensuing day."
+
+Much was the debate between the ladies and the young men; but
+ultimately they all took the king's counsel for useful and seemly and
+determined to do as he proposed; whereupon, calling the seneschal, he
+bespoke him of the manner which he should hold on the ensuing morning
+and after, having dismissed the company until supper-time, he rose to
+his feet. The ladies and the young men, following his example, gave
+themselves, this to one kind of diversion and that to another, no
+otherwise than of their wont; and supper-time come, they betook
+themselves to table with the utmost pleasure and after fell to singing
+and carolling and making music. Presently, Lauretta leading up a
+dance, the king bade Fiammetta sing a song, whereupon she very
+blithely proceeded to sing thus:
+
+       If love came but withouten jealousy,
+         I know no lady born
+       So blithe as I were, whosoe'er she be.
+       If gladsome youthfulness
+         In a fair lover might content a maid,
+           Virtue and worth discreet,
+       Valiance or gentilesse,
+         Wit and sweet speech and fashions all arrayed
+           In pleasantness complete,
+           Certes, I'm she for whose behoof these meet
+       In one; for, love-o'erborne,
+     All these in him who is my hope I see.
+
+       But for that I perceive
+         That other women are as wise as I,
+           I tremble for affright
+       And tending to believe
+         The worst, in others the desire espy
+           Of him who steals my spright;
+           Thus this that is my good and chief delight
+       Enforceth me, forlorn,
+     Sigh sore and live in dole and misery.
+
+       If I knew fealty such
+         In him my lord as I know merit there,
+           I were not jealous, I;
+       But here is seen so much
+         Lovers to tempt, how true they be soe'er,
+           I hold all false; whereby
+           I'm all disconsolate and fain would die,
+       Of each with doubting torn
+     Who eyes him, lest she bear him off from me.
+
+       Be, then, each lady prayed
+         By God that she in this be not intent
+           'Gainst me to do amiss;
+       For, sure, if any maid
+         Should or with words or becks or blandishment
+           My detriment in this
+           Seek or procure and if I know't, ywis,
+       Be all my charms forsworn
+     But I will make her rue it bitterly.
+
+No sooner had Fiammetta made an end of her song than Dioneo, who was
+beside her, said, laughing, "Madam, you would do a great courtesy to
+let all the ladies know who he is, lest you be ousted of his
+possession through ignorance, since you would be so sore incensed
+thereat." After this divers other songs were sung and the night being
+now well nigh half spent, they all, by the king's commandment, betook
+themselves to repose. As the new day appeared, they arose and the
+seneschal having already despatched all their gear in advance, they
+returned, under the guidance of their discreet king, to Florence,
+where the three young men took leave of the seven ladies and leaving
+them in Santa Maria Novella, whence they had set out with them, went
+about their other pleasures, whilst the ladies, whenas it seemed to
+them time, returned to their houses.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE TENTH AND LAST DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Conclusion of the Author_
+
+
+Most noble damsels, for whose solace I have addressed myself to so
+long a labour, I have now, methinketh, with the aid of the Divine
+favour, (vouchsafed me, as I deem, for your pious prayers and not for
+my proper merits,) throughly accomplished that which I engaged, at the
+beginning of this present work, to do; wherefore, returning thanks
+first to God and after to you, it behoveth to give rest to my pen and
+to my tired hand. Which ere I accord them, I purpose briefly to reply,
+as to objections tacitly broached, to certain small matters that may
+peradventure be alleged by some one of you or by others, since
+meseemeth very certain that these stories have no especial privilege
+more than other things; nay, I mind me to have shown, at the beginning
+of the fourth day, that they have none such. There are, peradventure,
+some of you who will say that I have used overmuch license in
+inditing these stories, as well as in making ladies whiles say and
+very often hearken to things not very seemly either to be said or
+heard of modest women. This I deny, for that there is nothing so
+unseemly as to be forbidden unto any one, so but he express it in
+seemly terms, as meseemeth indeed I have here very aptly done. But let
+us suppose that it is so (for that I mean not to plead with you, who
+would overcome me,) I say that many reasons very readily offer
+themselves in answer why I have done this. Firstly, if there be aught
+thereof[484] in any of them, the nature of the stories required it,
+the which, an they be considered with the rational eye of a person of
+understanding, it will be abundantly manifest that I could not have
+otherwise recounted, an I would not altogether disfeature them. And if
+perchance there be therein some tittle, some wordlet or two freer,
+maybe, than liketh your squeamish hypocritical prudes, who weigh words
+rather than deeds and study more to appear, than to be, good, I say
+that it should no more be forbidden me to write them than it is
+commonly forbidden unto men and women to say all day long _hole_ and
+_peg_ and _mortar_ and _pestle_ and _sausage_ and _polony_ and all
+manner like things; without reckoning that no less liberty should be
+accorded to my pen than is conceded to the brush of the limner, who,
+without any (or, at the least, any just) reprehension, maketh--let be
+St. Michael smite the serpent with sword or spear and St. George the
+dragon, whereas it pleaseth them--but Adam male and Eve female and
+affixeth to the cross, whiles with one nail and whiles with two, the
+feet of Him Himself who willed for the salvation of the human race to
+die upon the rood. Moreover, it is eath enough to see that these
+things are spoken, not in the church, of the affairs whereof it
+behoveth to speak with a mind and in terms alike of the chastest
+(albeit among its histories there are tales enough to be found of
+anothergates fashion than those written by me), nor yet in the schools
+of philosophy, where decency is no less required than otherwhere, nor
+among churchmen or philosophers anywhere, but amidst gardens, in a
+place of pleasance and diversion and among men and women, though
+young, yet of mature wit and not to be led astray by stories, at a
+time when it was not forbidden to the most virtuous to go, for their
+own preservation, with their breeches on their heads. Again, such as
+they are, these stories, like everything else, can both harm and
+profit, according to the disposition of the listener. Who knoweth not
+that wine, though, according to Cinciglione and Scolajo[485] and many
+others, an excellent thing for people in health,[486] is hurtful unto
+whoso hath the fever? Shall we say, then, because it harmeth the
+fevered, that it is naught? Who knoweth not that fire is most useful,
+nay, necessary to mortals? Shall we say, because it burneth houses and
+villages and cities, that it is naught? Arms on like wise assure the
+welfare of those who desire to live in peace and yet oftentimes slay
+men, not of any malice of their own, but of the perversity of those
+who use them wrongfully. Corrupt mind never understood word healthily,
+and even as seemly words profit not depraved minds, so those which are
+not altogether seemly avail not to contaminate the well-disposed, any
+more than mire can sully the rays of the sun or earthly foulness the
+beauties of the sky. What books, what words, what letters are holier,
+worthier, more venerable than those of the Divine Scriptures? Yet many
+there be, who, interpreting them perversely, have brought themselves
+and others to perdition. Everything in itself is good unto somewhat
+and ill used, may be in many things harmful; and so say I of my
+stories. If any be minded to draw therefrom ill counsel or ill
+practice, they will nowise forbid it him, if perchance they have it in
+them or be strained and twisted into having it; and who so will have
+profit and utility thereof, they will not deny it him, nor will they
+be ever styled or accounted other than useful and seemly, if they be
+read at those times and to those persons for which and for whom they
+have been recounted. Whoso hath to say paternosters or to make tarts
+and puddings for her spiritual director, let her leave them be; they
+will not run after any to make her read them; albeit your she-saints
+themselves now and again say and even do fine things.
+
+[Footnote 484: _i.e._ of overmuch licence.]
+
+[Footnote 485: Two noted wine-bidders of the time.]
+
+[Footnote 486: Lit. living folk (_viventi_).]
+
+There be some ladies also who will say that there are some stories
+here, which had been better away. Granted; but I could not nor should
+write aught save those actually related, wherefore those who told them
+should have told them goodly and I would have written them goodly.
+But, if folk will e'en pretend that I am both the inventor and writer
+thereof (which I am not), I say that I should not take shame to myself
+that they were not all alike goodly, for that there is no craftsman
+living (barring God) who doth everything alike well and completely;
+witness Charlemagne, who was the first maker of the Paladins, but knew
+not to make so many thereof that he might avail to form an army of
+them alone. In the multitude of things, needs must divers qualities
+thereof be found. No field was ever so well tilled but therein or
+nettles or thistles or somewhat of briers or other weeds might be
+found mingled with the better herbs. Besides, having to speak to
+simple lasses, such as you are for the most part, it had been folly to
+go seeking and wearying myself to find very choice and exquisite
+matters, and to use great pains to speak very measuredly. Algates,
+whoso goeth reading among these, let him leave those which offend and
+read those which divert. They all, not to lead any one into error,
+bear branded upon the forefront that which they hold hidden within
+their bosoms.
+
+Again, I doubt not but there be those who will say that some of them
+are overlong; to whom I say again that whoso hath overwhat to do doth
+folly to read these stories, even though they were brief. And albeit a
+great while is passed from the time when I began to write to this
+present hour whenas I come to the end of my toils, it hath not
+therefor escaped my memory that I proffered this my travail to idle
+women and not to others, and unto whoso readeth to pass away the time,
+nothing can be overlong, so but it do that for which he useth it.
+Things brief are far better suited unto students, who study, not to
+pass away, but usefully to employ time, than to you ladies, who have
+on your hands all the time that you spend not in the pleasures of
+love; more by token that, as none of you goeth to Athens or Bologna or
+Paris to study, it behoveth to speak to you more at large than to
+those who have had their wits whetted by study. Again, I doubt not a
+jot but there be yet some of you who will say that the things
+aforesaid are full of quips and cranks and quodlibets and that it ill
+beseemeth a man of weight and gravity to have written thus. To these I
+am bound to render and do render thanks, for that, moved by a virtuous
+jealousy, they are so tender of my fame; but to their objection I
+reply on this wise; I confess to being a man of weight and to have
+been often weighed in my time, wherefore, speaking to those ladies who
+have not weighed me, I declare that I am not heavy; nay, I am so light
+that I abide like a nutgall in water, and considering that the
+preachments made of friars, to rebuke men of their sins, are nowadays
+for the most part seen full of quips and cranks and gibes, I conceived
+that these latter would not sit amiss in my stories written to ease
+women of melancholy. Algates, an they should laugh overmuch on that
+account, the Lamentations of Jeremiah, the Passion of our Saviour and
+the Complaint of Mary Magdalen will lightly avail to cure them
+thereof.
+
+Again, who can doubt but there will to boot be found some to say that
+I have an ill tongue and a venomous, for that I have in sundry places
+written the truth anent the friars? To those who shall say thus it
+must be forgiven, since it is not credible that they are moved by
+other than just cause, for that the friars are a good sort of folk,
+who eschew unease for the love of God and who grind with a full head
+of water and tell no tales, and but that they all savour somewhat of
+the buck-goat, their commerce would be far more agreeable. Natheless,
+I confess that the things of this world have no stability and are
+still on the change, and so may it have befallen of my tongue, the
+which, not to trust to mine own judgment, (which I eschew as most I
+may in my affairs,) a she-neighbour of mine told me, not long since,
+was the best and sweetest in the world; and in good sooth, were this
+the case, there had been few of the foregoing stories to write. But,
+for that those who say thus speak despitefully, I will have that which
+hath been said suffice them for a reply; wherefore, leaving each of
+you henceforth to say and believe as seemeth good to her, it is time
+for me to make an end of words, humbly thanking Him who hath, after so
+long a labour, brought us with His help to the desired end. And you,
+charming ladies, abide you in peace with His favour, remembering you
+of me, if perchance it profit any of you aught to have read these
+stories.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE BOOK CALLED DECAMERON
+AND SURNAMED PRINCE GALAHALT
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio, by
+Giovanni Boccaccio
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio, by
+Giovanni Boccaccio
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio
+
+Author: Giovanni Boccaccio
+
+Translator: John Payne
+
+Release Date: December 3, 2007 [EBook #23700]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DECAMERON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Ted Garvin, Linda Cantoni, and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's Note: The original text does not observe the normal
+convention of placing quotation marks at the beginnings of paragraphs
+within a multiple-paragraph quotation. This idiosyncrasy has been
+preserved in this e-text.
+
+Archaic spellings have been preserved, but obvious printer errors have
+been corrected.
+
+In the untranslated Italian passage in Day 3, Story 10, the original
+is missing the accents, which have been added using an Italian edition
+of _Decameron_ (Milan: Mursia, 1977) as a guide.
+
+John Payne's translation of _The Decameron_ was originally published
+in a private printing for The Villon Society, London, 1886. The
+American edition from which this e-text was prepared is undated.]
+
+
+
+
+_The_
+
+_Decameron_
+
+_of_
+
+_Giovanni Boccaccio_
+
+
+_Translated by_
+
+_John Payne_
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+WALTER J. BLACK, INC.
+171 Madison Avenue
+NEW YORK, N.Y.
+
+PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
+
+
+
+
+_Contents_
+
+
+PROEM.
+
+
+DAY THE FIRST 1
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Master Ciappelletto dupeth a holy friar with a false
+confession and dieth; and having been in his lifetime the worst of
+men, he is, after his death, reputed a saint and called Saint
+Ciappelletto_ 16
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Abraham the Jew, at the instigation of Jehannot de
+Chevigne, goeth to the Court of Rome and seeing the depravity of the
+clergy, returneth to Paris and there becometh a Christian_ 25
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Melchizedek the Jew, with a story of three rings,
+escapeth a parlous snare set for him by Saladin_ 28
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _A monk, having fallen into a sin deserving of very
+grievous punishment, adroitly reproaching the same fault to his abbot,
+quitteth himself of the penalty_ 30
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _The Marchioness of Monferrato, with a dinner of hens
+and certain sprightly words, curbeth the extravagant passion of the
+King of France_ 33
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _An honest man, with a chance pleasantry, putteth to
+shame the perverse hypocrisy of the religious orders_ 35
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Bergamino, with a story of Primasso and the Abbot
+of Cluny, courteously rebuketh a fit of parsimony newly come to Messer
+Cane della Scala_ 37
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Guglielmo Borsiere with some quaint words rebuketh
+the niggardliness of Messer Ermino de' Grimaldi_ 40
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _The King of Cyprus, touched to the quick by a Gascon
+lady, from a mean-spirited prince becometh a man of worth and
+valiance_ 42
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Master Alberto of Bologna civilly putteth a lady to
+the blush who thought to have shamed him of being enamoured of her_ 43
+
+
+DAY THE SECOND 48
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Martellino feigneth himself a cripple and maketh
+believe to wax whole upon the body of St. Arrigo. His imposture being
+discovered, he is beaten and being after taken [for a thief,] goeth in
+peril of being hanged by the neck, but ultimately escapeth_ 49
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Rinaldo d'Asti, having been robbed, maketh his way
+to Castel Guglielmo, where he is hospitably entertained by a widow
+lady and having made good his loss, returneth to his own house, safe
+and sound_ 52
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Three young men squander their substance and become
+poor; but a nephew of theirs, returning home in desperation, falleth
+in with an abbot and findeth him to be the king's daughter of England,
+who taketh him to husband and maketh good all his uncles' losses,
+restoring them to good estate_ 57
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Landolfo Ruffolo, grown poor, turneth corsair and
+being taken by the Genoese, is wrecked at sea, but saveth himself upon
+a coffer full of jewels of price and being entertained in Corfu by a
+woman, returneth home rich_ 63
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Andreuccio of Perugia, coming to Naples to buy
+horses, is in one night overtaken with three grievous accidents, but
+escapeth them all and returneth home with a ruby_ 66
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Madam Beritola, having lost her two sons, is found
+on a desert island with two kids and goeth thence into Lunigiana,
+where one of her sons, taking service with the lord of the country,
+lieth with his daughter and is cast into prison. Sicily after
+rebelling against King Charles and the youth being recognized by his
+mother, he espouseth his lord's daughter, and his brother being
+likewise found, they are all three restored to high estate_ 75
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _The Soldan of Babylon sendeth a daughter of his to
+be married to the King of Algarve, and she, by divers chances, in the
+space of four years cometh to the hands of nine men in various places.
+Ultimately, being restored to her father for a maid, she goeth to the
+King of Algarve to wife, as first she did_ 85
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _The Count of Antwerp, being falsely accused, goeth
+into exile and leaveth his two children in different places in
+England, whither, after awhile, returning in disguise and finding them
+in good case, he taketh service as a horseboy in the service of the
+King of France and being approved innocent, is restored to his former
+estate_ 100
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Bernabo of Genoa, duped by Ambrogiuolo, loseth his
+good and commandeth that his innocent wife be put to death. She
+escapeth and serveth the Soldan in a man's habit. Here she lighteth
+upon the deceiver of her husband and bringeth the latter to
+Alexandria, where, her traducer being punished, she resumeth woman's
+apparel and returneth to Genoa with her husband, rich_ 111
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Paganino of Monaco stealeth away the wife of Messer
+Ricciardo di Chinzica, who, learning where she is, goeth thither and
+making friends with Paganino, demandeth her again of him. The latter
+concedeth her to him, an she will; but she refuseth to return with him
+and Messer Ricciardo dying, she becometh the wife of Paganino_ 120
+
+
+DAY THE THIRD 127
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Masetto of Lamporecchio feigneth himself dumb and
+becometh gardener to a convent of women, who all flock to lie with
+him_ 129
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _A horsekeeper lieth with the wife of King Agilulf,
+who, becoming aware thereof, without word said, findeth him out and
+polleth him; but the polled man polleth all his fellows on like wise
+and so escapeth ill hap_ 134
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Under colour of confession and of exceeding niceness
+of conscience, a lady, being enamoured of a young man, bringeth a
+grave friar, without his misdoubting him thereof, to afford a means of
+giving entire effect to her pleasure_ 137
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Dom Felice teacheth Fra Puccio how he may become
+beatified by performing a certain penance of his fashion, which the
+other doth, and Dom Felice meanwhile leadeth a merry life of it with
+the good man's wife_ 143
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Ricciardo, surnamed Il Zima, giveth Messer Francesco
+Vergellesi a palfrey of his and hath therefor his leave to speak with
+his wife. She keeping silence, he in her person replieth unto himself,
+and the effect after ensueth in accordance with his answer_ 147
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Ricciardo Minutolo, being enamoured of the wife of
+Filippello Fighinolfi and knowing her jealousy of her husband,
+contriveth, by representing that Filippello was on the ensuing day to
+be with his own wife in a bagnio, to bring her to the latter place,
+where, thinking to be with her husband, she findeth that she hath
+abidden with Ricciardo_ 152
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Tedaldo Elisei, having fallen out with his
+mistress, departeth Florence and returning thither, after awhile, in a
+pilgrim's favour, speaketh with the lady and maketh her cognisant of
+her error; after which he delivereth her husband, who had been
+convicted of murdering him, from death and reconciling him with his
+brethren, thenceforward discreetly enjoyeth himself with his mistress_
+157
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Ferondo, having swallowed a certain powder, is
+entombed for dead and being taken forth of the sepulchre by the abbot,
+who enjoyeth his wife the while, is put in prison and given to believe
+that he is in purgatory; after which, being raised up again, he
+reareth for his own a child begotten of the abbot on his wife_ 169
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Gillette de Narbonne recovereth the King of France
+of a fistula and demandeth for her husband Bertrand de Roussillon, who
+marrieth her against his will and betaketh him for despite to
+Florence, where, he paying court to a young lady, Gillette, in the
+person of the latter, lieth with him and hath by him two sons;
+wherefore after, holding her dear, he entertaineth her for his wife_
+176
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Alibech, turning hermit, is taught by Rustico, a
+monk, to put the devil in hell, and being after brought away thence,
+becometh Neerbale his wife_ 182
+
+
+DAY THE FOURTH 189
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Tancred, Prince of Salerno, slayeth his daughter's
+lover and sendeth her his heart in a bowl of gold; whereupon, pouring
+poisoned water over it, she drinketh thereof and dieth_ 194
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Fra Alberto giveth a lady to believe that the angel
+Gabriel is enamoured of her and in his shape lieth with her sundry
+times; after which, for fear of her kinsmen, he casteth himself forth
+of her window into the canal and taketh refuge in the house of a poor
+man, who on the morrow carrieth him, in the guise of a wild man of the
+woods, to the Piazza, where, being recognized, he is taken by his
+brethren and put in prison_ 201
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Three young men love three sisters and flee with
+them into Crete, where the eldest sister for jealousy slayeth her
+lover. The second, yielding herself to the Duke of Crete, saveth her
+sister from death, whereupon her own lover slayeth her and fleeth with
+the eldest sister. Meanwhile the third lover and the youngest sister
+are accused of the new murder and being taken, confess it; then, for
+fear of death, they corrupt their keepers with money and flee to
+Rhodes, where they die in poverty_ 208
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Gerbino, against the plighted faith of his
+grandfather, King Guglielmo of Sicily, attacketh a ship of the King of
+Tunis, to carry off a daughter of his, who being put to death of those
+on board, he slayeth these latter and is after himself beheaded_ 213
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Lisabetta's 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_ 216
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Andrevuola loveth Gabriotto and recounteth to him a
+dream she hath had, whereupon he telleth her one of his own and
+presently dieth suddenly in her arms. What while she and a waiting
+woman of hers bear him to his own house, they are taken by the
+officers of justice and carried before the provost, to whom she
+discovereth how the case standeth. The provost would fain force her,
+but she suffereth it not and her father, coming to hear of the matter,
+procureth her to be set at liberty, she being found innocent;
+whereupon, altogether refusing to abide longer in the world, she
+becometh a nun_ 220
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Simona loveth Pasquino and they being together in
+a garden, the latter rubbeth a leaf of sage against his teeth and
+dieth. She, being taken and thinking to show the judge how her lover
+died, rubbeth one of the same leaves against her teeth and dieth on
+like wise_ 225
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Girolamo loveth Salvestra and being constrained by
+his mother's prayers to go to Paris, returneth and findeth his
+mistress married; whereupon he entereth her house by stealth and dieth
+by her side; and he being carried to a church, Salvestra dieth beside
+him_ 228
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Sir Guillaume de Roussillon giveth his wife to eat
+the heart of Sir Guillaume de Guardestaing by him slain and loved of
+her, which she after coming to know, casteth herself from a high
+casement to the ground and dying, is buried with her lover_ 232
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _A physician's wife putteth her lover for dead in a
+chest, which two usurers carry off to their own house, gallant and
+all. The latter, who is but drugged, cometh presently to himself and
+being discovered, is taken for a thief; but the lady's maid avoucheth
+to the seignory that she herself had put him into the chest stolen by
+the two usurers, whereby he escapeth the gallows and the thieves are
+amerced in certain monies_ 235
+
+
+DAY THE FIFTH 243
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Cimon, loving, waxeth wise and carrieth off to sea
+Iphigenia his mistress. Being cast into prison at Rhodes, he is
+delivered thence by Lysimachus and in concert with him carrieth off
+Iphigenia and Cassandra on their wedding-day, with whom the twain flee
+into Crete, where the two ladies become their wives and whence they
+are presently all four recalled home_ 244
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Costanza loveth Martuccio Gomito and hearing that
+he is dead, embarketh for despair alone in a boat, which is carried by
+the wind to Susa. Finding her lover alive at Tunis, she discovereth
+herself to him and he, being great in favour with the king for
+counsels given, espouseth her and returneth rich with her to Lipari_
+252
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Pietro Boccamazza, fleeing with Agnolella, falleth
+among thieves; the girl escapeth through a wood and is led [by
+fortune] to a castle, whilst Pietro is taken by the thieves, but
+presently, escaping from their hands, winneth, after divers
+adventures, to the castle where his mistress is and espousing her,
+returneth with her to Rome_ 256
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Ricciardo Manardi, being found by Messer Lizio da
+Valbona with his daughter, espouseth her and abideth in peace with her
+father_ 261
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Guidotto da Cremona leaveth to Giacomino da Pavia a
+daughter of his and dieth. Giannole di Severino and Minghino di
+Mingole fall in love with the girl at Faenza and come to blows on her
+account. Ultimately she is proved to be Giannole's sister and is given
+to Minghino to wife_ 265
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Gianni di Procida being found with a young lady,
+whom he loved and who had been given to King Frederick of Sicily, is
+bound with her to a stake to be burnt; but, being recognized by
+Ruggieri dell' Oria, escapeth and becometh her husband_ 269
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Teodoro, being enamoured of Violante, daughter of
+Messer Amerigo his lord, getteth her with child and is condemned to be
+hanged; but, being recognized and delivered by his father, as they are
+leading him to the gallows, scourging him the while, he taketh
+Violante to wife_ 273
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Nastagio degli Onesti, falling in love with a lady
+of the Traversari family, spendeth his substance, without being
+beloved in return, and betaking himself, at the instance of his
+kinsfolk, to Chiassi, he there seeth a horseman give chase to a damsel
+and slay her and cause her to be devoured of two dogs. Therewithal he
+biddeth his kinsfolk and the lady whom he loveth to a dinner, where
+his mistress seeth the same damsel torn in pieces and fearing a like
+fate, taketh Nastagio to husband_ 278
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Federigo degli Alberighi loveth and is not loved. He
+wasteth his substance in prodigal hospitality till there is left him
+but one sole falcon, which, having nought else, he giveth his mistress
+to eat, on her coming to his house; and she, learning this, changeth
+her mind and taking him to husband, maketh him rich again_ 282
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Pietro di Vinciolo goeth to sup abroad, whereupon
+his wife letteth fetch her a youth to keep her company, and her
+husband returning, unlooked for, she hideth her gallant under a
+hen-coop. Pietro telleth her how there had been found in the house of
+one Arcolano, with whom he was to have supped, a young man brought in
+by his wife, and she blameth the latter. Presently, an ass, by
+mischance, setteth foot on the fingers of him who is under the coop
+and he roareth out, whereupon Pietro runneth thither and espying him,
+discovereth his wife's unfaith, but ultimately cometh to an accord
+with her for his own lewd ends_ 286
+
+
+DAY THE SIXTH 294
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _A gentleman engageth to Madam Oretta to carry her
+a-horseback with a story, but, telling it disorderly, is prayed by her
+to set her down again_ 296
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Cisti the baker with a word of his fashion maketh
+Messer Geri Spina sensible of an indiscreet request of his_ 297
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Madam Nonna de' Pulci, with a ready retort to a not
+altogether seemly pleasantry, imposeth silence on the Bishop of
+Florence_ 299
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Chichibio, cook to Currado Gianfigliazzi, with a
+ready word spoken to save himself, turneth his master's anger into
+laughter and escapeth the punishment threatened him by the latter_ 301
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Messer Forese da Rabatta and Master Giotto the
+painter coming from Mugello, each jestingly rallieth the other on his
+scurvy favour_ 303
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Michele Scalza proveth to certain young men that the
+cadgers of Florence are the best gentlemen of the world or the Maremma
+and winneth a supper_ 304
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Madam Filippa, being found by her husband with a
+lover of hers and brought to justice, delivereth herself with a prompt
+and pleasant answer and causeth modify the statute_ 306
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Fresco exhorteth his niece not to mirror herself in
+the glass if, as she saith, it irketh her to see disagreeable folk_
+308
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Guido Cavalcanti with a pithy speech courteously
+flouteth certain Florentine gentlemen who had taken him by surprise_
+309
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Fra Cipolla promiseth certain country folk to show
+them one of the angel Gabriel's feathers and finding coals in place
+thereof, avoucheth these latter to be of those which roasted St.
+Lawrence_ 311
+
+
+DAY THE SEVENTH 322
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Gianni Lotteringhi heareth knock at his door by
+night and awakeneth his wife, who giveth him to believe that it is a
+phantom; whereupon they go to exorcise it with a certain orison and
+the knocking ceaseth_ 323
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Peronella hideth a lover of hers in a vat, upon her
+husband's unlooked for return, and hearing from the latter that he
+hath sold the vat, avoucheth herself to have sold it to one who is
+presently therewithin, to see if it be sound; whereupon the gallant,
+jumping out of the vat, causeth the husband scrape it out for him and
+after carry it home to his house_ 326
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Fra Rinaldo lieth with his gossip and being found of
+her husband closeted with her in her chamber, they give him to believe
+that he was in act to conjure worms from his godson_ 329
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Tofano one night shutteth his wife out of doors,
+who, availing not to re-enter by dint of entreaties, feigneth to cast
+herself into a well and casteth therein a great stone. Tofano cometh
+forth of the house and runneth thither, whereupon she slippeth in and
+locking him out, bawleth reproaches at him from the window_ 333
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _A jealous husband, in the guise of a priest,
+confesseth his wife, who giveth him to believe that she loveth a
+priest, who cometh to her every night; and whilst the husband secretly
+keepeth watch at the door for the latter, the lady bringeth in a lover
+of hers by the roof and lieth with him_ 336
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Madam Isabella, being in company with Leonetto her
+lover, is visited by one Messer Lambertuccio, of whom she is beloved;
+her husband returning, [unexpected,] she sendeth Lambertuccio forth of
+the house, whinger in hand, and the husband after escorteth Leonetto
+home_ 341
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Lodovico discovereth to Madam Beatrice the love he
+beareth her, whereupon she sendeth Egano her husband into the garden,
+in her own favour, and lieth meanwhile with Lodovico, who, presently
+arising, goeth and cudgelleth Egano in the garden_ 344
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _A man waxeth jealous of his wife, who bindeth a
+piece of packthread to her great toe anights, so she may have notice
+of her lover's coming. One night her husband becometh aware of this
+device and what while he pursueth the lover, the lady putteth another
+woman to bed in her room. This latter the husband beateth and cutteth
+off her hair, then fetcheth his wife's brothers, who, finding his
+story [seemingly] untrue, give him hard words_ 348
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Lydia, wife of Nicostratus, loveth Pyrrhus, who, so
+he may believe it, requireth of her three things, all which she doth.
+Moreover, she solaceth herself with him in the presence of Nicostratus
+and maketh the latter believe that that which he hath seen is not
+real_ 353
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Two Siennese love a lady, who is gossip to one of
+them; the latter dieth and returning to his companion, according to
+premise made him, relateth to him how folk fare in the other world_
+360
+
+
+DAY THE EIGHTH 365
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Gulfardo borroweth of Guasparruolo certain monies,
+for which he hath agreed with his wife that he shall lie with her, and
+accordingly giveth them to her; then, in her presence, he telleth
+Guasparruolo that he gave them to her, and she confesseth it to be
+true_ 365
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _The parish priest of Varlungo lieth with Mistress
+Belcolore and leaveth her a cloak of his in pledge; then, borrowing a
+mortar of her, he sendeth it back to her, demanding in return the
+cloak left by way of token, which the good woman grudgingly giveth him
+back_ 367
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Calandrino, Bruno and Buffalmacco go coasting along
+the Mugnone in search of the heliotrope and Calandrino thinketh to
+have found it. Accordingly he returneth home, laden with stones, and
+his wife chideth him; whereupon, flying out into a rage, he beateth
+her and recounteth to his companions that which they know better than
+he_ 371
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _The rector of Fiesole loveth a widow lady, but is
+not loved by her and thinking to lie with her, lieth with a
+serving-wench of hers, whilst the lady's brothers cause the bishop
+find him in this case_ 377
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Three young men pull the breeches off a Marchegan
+judge in Florence, what while he is on the bench, administering
+justice_ 380
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Bruno and Buffalmacco, having stolen a pig from
+Calandrino, make him try the ordeal with ginger boluses and sack and
+give him (instead of the ginger) two dogballs compounded with aloes,
+whereby it appeareth that he himself hath had the pig and they make
+him pay blackmail, and he would not have them tell his wife_ 383
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _A scholar loveth a widow lady, who, being
+enamoured of another, causeth him spend one winter's night in the snow
+awaiting her, and he after contriveth, by his sleight, to have her
+abide naked, all one mid-July day, on the summit of a tower, exposed
+to flies and gads and sun_ 387
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Two men consorting together, one lieth with the
+wife of his comrade, who, becoming aware thereof, doth with her on
+such wise that the other is shut up in a chest, upon which he lieth
+with his wife, he being inside the while_ 403
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Master Simone the physician, having been induced by
+Bruno and Buffalmacco to repair to a certain place by night, there to
+be made a member of a company, that goeth a-roving, is cast by
+Buffalmacco into a trench full of ordure and there left_ 406
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _A certain woman of Sicily artfully despoileth a
+merchant of that which he had brought to Palermo; but he, making
+believe to have returned thither with much greater plenty of
+merchandise than before, borroweth money of her and leaveth her water
+and tow in payment_ 418
+
+
+DAY THE NINTH 427
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _Madam Francesca, being courted of one Rinuccio
+Palermini and one Alessandro Chiarmontesi and loving neither the one
+nor the other, adroitly riddeth herself of both by causing one enter
+for dead into a sepulchre and the other bring him forth thereof for
+dead, on such wise that they cannot avail to accomplish the condition
+imposed_ 428
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _An abbess, arising in haste and in the dark to find
+one of her nuns, who had been denounced to her, in bed with her lover
+and, thinking to cover her head with her coif, donneth instead thereof
+the breeches of a priest who is abed with her; the which the accused
+nun observing and making her aware thereof, she is acquitted and hath
+leisure to be with her lover_ 432
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Master Simone, at the instance of Bruno and
+Buffalmacco and Nello, maketh Calandrino believe that he is with
+child; wherefore he giveth them capons and money for medicines and
+recovereth without bringing forth_ 435
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Cecco Fortarrigo gameth away at Buonconvento all
+his good and the monies of Cecco Angiolieri [his master;] moreover,
+running after the latter, in his shirt, and avouching that he hath
+robbed him, he causeth him be taken of the countryfolk; then, donning
+Angiolieri's clothes and mounting his palfrey, he maketh off and
+leaveth the other in his shirt_ 438
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Calandrino falleth in love with a wench and Bruno
+writeth him a talisman, wherewith when he toucheth her, she goeth with
+him; and his wife finding them together, there betideth him grievous
+trouble and annoy_ 441
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _Two young gentlemen lodge the night with an
+innkeeper, whereof one goeth to lie with the host's daughter, whilst
+his wife unwittingly coucheth with the other; after which he who lay
+with the girl getteth him to bed with her father and telleth him all,
+thinking to bespeak his comrade. Therewithal they come to words, but
+the wife, perceiving her mistake, entereth her daughter's bed and
+thence with certain words appeaseth everything_ 446
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _Talano di Molese dreameth that a wolf mangleth all
+his wife's neck and face and biddeth her beware thereof; but she
+payeth no heed to his warning and it befalleth her even as he had
+dreamed_ 450
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Biondello cheateth Ciacco of a dinner, whereof the
+other craftily avengeth himself, procuring him to be shamefully
+beaten_ 451
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Two young men seek counsel of Solomon, one how he
+may be loved and the other how he may amend his froward wife, and in
+answer he biddeth the one love and the other get him to Goosebridge_
+454
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _Dom Gianni, at the instance of his gossip Pietro,
+performeth a conjuration for the purpose of causing the latter's wife
+to become a mare; but, whenas he cometh to put on the tail, Pietro
+marreth the whole conjuration, saying that he will not have a tail_
+457
+
+
+DAY THE TENTH 462
+
+THE FIRST STORY. _A knight in the king's service of Spain thinking
+himself ill guerdoned, the king by very certain proof showeth him that
+this is not his fault, but that of his own perverse fortune, and after
+largesseth him magnificently_ 462
+
+THE SECOND STORY. _Ghino di Tacco taketh the Abbot of Cluny and having
+cured him of the stomach-complaint, letteth him go; whereupon the
+Abbot, returning to the court of Rome, reconcileth him with Pope
+Boniface and maketh him a Prior of the Hospitallers_ 464
+
+THE THIRD STORY. _Mithridanes, envying Nathan his hospitality and
+generosity and going to kill him, falleth in with himself, without
+knowing him, and is by him instructed of the course he shall take to
+accomplish his purpose; by means whereof he findeth him, as he himself
+had ordered it, in a coppice and recognizing him, is ashamed and
+becometh his friend_ 468
+
+THE FOURTH STORY. _Messer Gentile de' Carisendi, coming from Modona,
+taketh forth of the sepulchre a lady whom he loveth and who hath been
+buried for dead. The lady, restored to life, beareth a male child and
+Messer Gentile restoreth her and her son to Niccoluccio Caccianimico,
+her husband_ 472
+
+THE FIFTH STORY. _Madam Dianora requireth of Messer Ansaldo a garden
+as fair in January as in May, and he by binding himself [to pay a
+great sum of money] to a nigromancer, giveth it to her. Her husband
+granteth her leave to do Messer Ansaldo's pleasure, but he, hearing of
+the former's generosity, absolveth her of her promise, whereupon the
+nigromancer, in his turn, acquitteth Messer Ansaldo of his bond,
+without willing aught of his_ 478
+
+THE SIXTH STORY. _King Charles the Old, the Victorious, falleth
+enamoured of a young girl, but after, ashamed of his fond thought,
+honourably marrieth both her and her sister_ 481
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY. _King Pedro of Arragon, coming to know the fervent
+love borne him by Lisa, comforteth the lovesick maid and presently
+marrieth her to a noble young gentleman; then, kissing her on the
+brow, he ever after avoucheth himself her knight_ 485
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY. _Sophronia, thinking to marry Gisippus, becometh the
+wife of Titus Quintius Fulvus and with him betaketh herself to Rome,
+whither Gisippus cometh in poor case and conceiving himself slighted
+of Titus, declareth, so he may die, to have slain a man. Titus,
+recognizing him, to save him, avoucheth himself to have done the deed,
+and the true murderer, seeing this, discovereth himself; whereupon
+they are all three liberated by Octavianus and Titus, giving Gisippus
+his sister to wife, hath all his good in common with him_ 491
+
+THE NINTH STORY. _Saladin, in the disguise of a merchant, is
+honourably entertained by Messer Torello d'Istria, who, presently
+undertaking the [third] crusade, appointeth his wife a term for her
+marrying again. He is taken [by the Saracens] and cometh, by his skill
+in training hawks, under the notice of the Soldan, who knoweth him
+again and discovering himself to him, entreateth him with the utmost
+honour. Then, Torello falling sick for languishment, he is by magical
+art transported in one night [from Alexandria] to Pavia, where, being
+recognized by his wife at the bride-feast held for her marrying again,
+he returneth with her to his own house_ 503
+
+THE TENTH STORY. _The Marquess of Saluzzo, constrained by the prayers
+of his vassals to marry, but determined to do it after his own
+fashion, taketh to wife the daughter of a peasant and hath of her two
+children, whom he maketh believe to her to put to death; after which,
+feigning to be grown weary of her and to have taken another wife, he
+letteth bring his own daughter home to his house, as she were his new
+bride, and turneth his wife away in her shift; but, finding her
+patient under everything, he fetcheth her home again, dearer than
+ever, and showing her her children grown great, honoureth and letteth
+honour her as marchioness_ 510
+
+
+CONCLUSION OF THE AUTHOR 525
+
+
+
+
+HERE BEGINNETH THE BOOK CALLED DECAMERON AND SURNAMED PRINCE GALAHALT
+WHEREIN ARE CONTAINED AN HUNDRED STORIES IN TEN DAYS TOLD BY SEVEN
+LADIES AND THREE YOUNG MEN
+
+PROEM
+
+
+A kindly thing it is to have compassion of the afflicted and albeit it
+well beseemeth every one, yet of those is it more particularly
+required who have erst had need of comfort and have found it in any,
+amongst whom, if ever any had need thereof or held it dear or took
+pleasure therein aforetimes, certes, I am one of these. For that,
+having from my first youth unto this present been beyond measure
+inflamed with a very high and noble passion (higher and nobler,
+perchance, than might appear, were I to relate it, to sort with my low
+estate) albeit by persons of discretion who had intelligence thereof I
+was commended therefor and accounted so much the more worth, natheless
+a passing sore travail it was to me to bear it, not, certes, by reason
+of the cruelty of the beloved lady, but because of the exceeding
+ardour begotten in my breast of an ill-ordered appetite, for which,
+for that it suffered me not to stand content at any reasonable bounds,
+caused me ofttimes feel more chagrin than I had occasion for. In this
+my affliction the pleasant discourse of a certain friend of mine and
+his admirable consolations afforded me such refreshment that I firmly
+believe of these it came that I died not. But, as it pleased Him who,
+being Himself infinite, hath for immutable law appointed unto all
+things mundane that they shall have an end, my love,--beyond every
+other fervent and which nor stress of reasoning nor counsel, no, nor
+yet manifest shame nor peril that might ensue thereof, had availed
+either to break or to bend,--of its own motion, in process of time, on
+such wise abated that of itself at this present it hath left me only
+that pleasance which it is used to afford unto whoso adventureth
+himself not too far in the navigation of its profounder oceans; by
+reason whereof, all chagrin being done away, I feel it grown
+delightsome, whereas it used to be grievous. Yet, albeit the pain hath
+ceased, not, therefore, is the memory fled of the benefits whilom
+received and the kindnesses bestowed on me by those to whom, of the
+goodwill they bore me, my troubles were grievous; nor, as I deem, will
+it ever pass away, save for death. And for that gratitude, to my
+thinking, is, among the other virtues, especially commendable and its
+contrary blameworthy, I have, that I may not appear ungrateful,
+bethought myself, now that I can call myself free, to endeavour, in
+that little which is possible to me, to afford some relief, in
+requital of that which I received aforetime,--if not to those who
+succoured me and who, belike, by reason of their good sense or of
+their fortune, have no occasion therefor,--to those, at least, who
+stand in need thereof. And albeit my support, or rather I should say
+my comfort, may be and indeed is of little enough avail to the
+afflicted, natheless meseemeth it should rather be proffered whereas
+the need appeareth greater, as well because it will there do more
+service as for that it will still be there the liefer had. And who
+will deny that this [comfort], whatsoever [worth] it be, it behoveth
+much more to give unto lovesick ladies than unto men? For that these
+within their tender bosoms, fearful and shamefast, hold hid the fires
+of love (which those who have proved know how much more puissance they
+have than those which are manifest), and constrained by the wishes,
+the pleasures, the commandments of fathers, mothers, brothers and
+husbands, abide most time enmewed in the narrow compass of their
+chambers and sitting in a manner idle, willing and willing not in one
+breath, revolve in themselves various thoughts which it is not
+possible should still be merry. By reason whereof if there arise in
+their minds any melancholy, bred of ardent desire, needs must it with
+grievous annoy abide therein, except it be done away by new discourse;
+more by token that they are far less strong than men to endure. With
+men in love it happeneth not on this wise, as we may manifestly see.
+They, if any melancholy or heaviness of thought oppress them, have
+many means of easing it or doing it away, for that to them, an they
+have a mind thereto, there lacketh not commodity of going about
+hearing and seeing many things, fowling, hunting, fishing, riding,
+gaming and trafficking; each of which means hath, altogether or in
+part, power to draw the mind unto itself and to divert it from
+troublous thought, at least for some space of time, whereafter, one
+way or another, either solacement superveneth or else the annoy
+groweth less. Wherefore, to the end that the unright of Fortune may by
+me in part be amended, which, where there is the less strength to
+endure, as we see it in delicate ladies, hath there been the more
+niggard of support, I purpose, for the succour and solace of ladies in
+love (unto others[1] the needle and the spindle and the reel suffice)
+to recount an hundred stories or fables or parables or histories or
+whatever you like to style them, in ten days' time related by an
+honourable company of seven ladies and three young men made in the
+days of the late deadly pestilence, together with sundry canzonets
+sung by the aforesaid ladies for their diversion. In these stories
+will be found love-chances,[2] both gladsome and grievous, and other
+accidents of fortune befallen as well in times present as in days of
+old, whereof the ladies aforesaid, who shall read them, may at once
+take solace from the delectable things therein shown forth and useful
+counsel, inasmuch as they may learn thereby what is to be eschewed and
+what is on like wise to be ensued,--the which methinketh cannot betide
+without cease of chagrin. If it happen thus (as God grant it may) let
+them render thanks therefor to Love, who, by loosing me from his
+bonds, hath vouchsafed me the power of applying myself to the service
+of their pleasures.
+
+[Footnote 1: _i.e._ those not in love.]
+
+[Footnote 2: Syn. adventures (_casi_).]
+
+
+
+
+_Day the First_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE FIRST DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN (AFTER
+     DEMONSTRATION MADE BY THE AUTHOR OF THE MANNER IN WHICH IT
+     CAME TO PASS THAT THE PERSONS WHO ARE HEREINAFTER PRESENTED
+     FOREGATHERED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVISING TOGETHER) UNDER THE
+     GOVERNANCE OF PAMPINEA IS DISCOURSED OF THAT WHICH IS MOST
+     AGREEABLE UNTO EACH
+
+
+As often, most gracious ladies, as, taking thought in myself, I mind
+me how very pitiful you are all by nature, so often do I recognize
+that this present work will, to your thinking, have a grievous and a
+weariful beginning, inasmuch as the dolorous remembrance of the late
+pestiferous mortality, which it beareth on its forefront, is
+universally irksome to all who saw or otherwise knew it. But I would
+not therefore have this affright you from reading further, as if in
+the reading you were still to fare among sighs and tears. Let this
+grisly beginning be none other to you than is to wayfarers a rugged
+and steep mountain, beyond which is situate a most fair and delightful
+plain, which latter cometh so much the pleasanter to them as the
+greater was the hardship of the ascent and the descent; for, like as
+dolour occupieth the extreme of gladness, even so are miseries
+determined by imminent joyance. This brief annoy (I say brief,
+inasmuch as it is contained in few pages) is straightway succeeded by
+the pleasance and delight which I have already promised you and which,
+belike, were it not aforesaid, might not be looked for from such a
+beginning. And in truth, could I fairly have availed to bring you to
+my desire otherwise than by so rugged a path as this will be I had
+gladly done it; but being in a manner constrained thereto, for that,
+without this reminiscence of our past miseries, it might not be shown
+what was the occasion of the coming about of the things that will
+hereafter be read, I have brought myself to write them.[3]
+
+[Footnote 3: _i.e._ the few pages of which he speaks above.]
+
+I say, then, that the years [of the era] of the fruitful Incarnation
+of the Son of God had attained to the number of one thousand three
+hundred and forty-eight, when into the notable city of Florence, fair
+over every other of Italy, there came the death-dealing pestilence,
+which, through the operation of the heavenly bodies or of our own
+iniquitous dealings, being sent down upon mankind for our correction
+by the just wrath of God, had some years before appeared in the parts
+of the East and after having bereft these latter of an innumerable
+number of inhabitants, extending without cease from one place to
+another, had now unhappily spread towards the West. And thereagainst
+no wisdom availing nor human foresight (whereby the city was purged of
+many impurities by officers deputed to that end and it was forbidden
+unto any sick person to enter therein and many were the counsels
+given[4] for the preservation of health) nor yet humble
+supplications, not once but many times both in ordered processions and
+on other wise made unto God by devout persons,--about the coming in of
+the Spring of the aforesaid year, it began on horrible and miraculous
+wise to show forth its dolorous effects. Yet not as it had done in the
+East, where, if any bled at the nose, it was a manifest sign of
+inevitable death; nay, but in men and women alike there appeared, at
+the beginning of the malady, certain swellings, either on the groin or
+under the armpits, whereof some waxed of the bigness of a common
+apple, others like unto an egg, some more and some less, and these the
+vulgar named plague-boils. From these two parts the aforesaid
+death-bearing plague-boils proceeded, in brief space, to appear and
+come indifferently in every part of the body; wherefrom, after awhile,
+the fashion of the contagion began to change into black or livid
+blotches, which showed themselves in many [first] on the arms and
+about the thighs and [after spread to] every other part of the person,
+in some large and sparse and in others small and thick-sown; and like
+as the plague-boils had been first (and yet were) a very certain token
+of coming death, even so were these for every one to whom they came.
+
+[Footnote 4: Syn. provisions made or means taken (_consigli dati_).
+Boccaccio constantly uses _consiglio_ in this latter sense.]
+
+To the cure of these maladies nor counsel[5] of physician nor virtue
+of any medicine appeared to avail or profit aught; on the
+contrary,--whether it was that the nature of the infection suffered it
+not or that the ignorance of the physicians (of whom, over and above
+the men of art, the number, both men and women, who had never had any
+teaching of medicine, was become exceeding great,) availed not to know
+whence it arose and consequently took not due measures thereagainst,--not
+only did few recover thereof, but well nigh all died within the third
+day from the appearance of the aforesaid signs, this sooner and that
+later, and for the most part without fever or other accident.[6] And
+this pestilence was the more virulent for that, by communication with
+those who were sick thereof, it gat hold upon the sound, no otherwise
+than fire upon things dry or greasy, whenas they are brought very near
+thereunto. Nay, the mischief was yet greater; for that not only did
+converse and consortion with the sick give to the sound infection of
+cause of common death, but the mere touching of the clothes or of
+whatsoever other thing had been touched or used of the sick appeared
+of itself to communicate the malady to the toucher. A marvellous thing
+to hear is that which I have to tell and one which, had it not been
+seen of many men's eyes and of mine own, I had scarce dared credit,
+much less set down in writing, though I had heard it from one worthy
+of belief. I say, then, that of such efficience was the nature of the
+pestilence in question in communicating itself from one to another,
+that, not only did it pass from man to man, but this, which is much
+more, it many times visibly did;--to wit, a thing which had pertained
+to a man sick or dead of the aforesaid sickness, being touched by an
+animal foreign to the human species, not only infected this latter
+with the plague, but in a very brief space of time killed it. Of this
+mine own eyes (as hath a little before been said) had one day, among
+others, experience on this wise; to wit, that the rags of a poor man,
+who had died of the plague, being cast out into the public way, two
+hogs came up to them and having first, after their wont, rooted amain
+among them with their snouts, took them in their mouths and tossed
+them about their jaws; then, in a little while, after turning round
+and round, they both, as if they had taken poison, fell down dead upon
+the rags with which they had in an ill hour intermeddled.
+
+[Footnote 5: Syn. help, remedy.]
+
+[Footnote 6: _Accidente_, what a modern physician would call
+"complication." "Symptom" does not express the whole meaning of the
+Italian word.]
+
+From these things and many others like unto them or yet stranger
+divers fears and conceits were begotten in those who abode alive,
+which well nigh all tended to a very barbarous conclusion, namely, to
+shun and flee from the sick and all that pertained to them, and thus
+doing, each thought to secure immunity for himself. Some there were
+who conceived that to live moderately and keep oneself from all excess
+was the best defence against such a danger; wherefore, making up their
+company, they lived removed from every other and shut themselves up in
+those houses where none had been sick and where living was best; and
+there, using very temperately of the most delicate viands and the
+finest wines and eschewing all incontinence, they abode with music and
+such other diversions as they might have, never suffering themselves
+to speak with any nor choosing to hear any news from without of death
+or sick folk. Others, inclining to the contrary opinion, maintained
+that to carouse and make merry and go about singing and frolicking and
+satisfy the appetite in everything possible and laugh and scoff at
+whatsoever befell was a very certain remedy for such an ill. That
+which they said they put in practice as best they might, going about
+day and night, now to this tavern, now to that, drinking without stint
+or measure; and on this wise they did yet more freely in other folk's
+houses, so but they scented there aught that liked or tempted them, as
+they might lightly do, for that every one--as he were to live no
+longer--had abandoned all care of his possessions, as of himself,
+wherefore the most part of the houses were become common good and
+strangers used them, whenas they happened upon them, like as the very
+owner might have done; and with all this bestial preoccupation, they
+still shunned the sick to the best of their power.
+
+In this sore affliction and misery of our city, the reverend authority
+of the laws, both human and divine, was all in a manner dissolved and
+fallen into decay, for [lack of] the ministers and executors thereof,
+who, like other men, were all either dead or sick or else left so
+destitute of followers that they were unable to exercise any office,
+wherefore every one had license to do whatsoever pleased him. Many
+others held a middle course between the two aforesaid, not straitening
+themselves so exactly in the matter of diet as the first neither
+allowing themselves such license in drinking and other debauchery as
+the second, but using things in sufficiency, according to their
+appetites; nor did they seclude themselves, but went about, carrying
+in their hands, some flowers, some odoriferous herbs and other some
+divers kinds of spiceries,[7] which they set often to their noses,
+accounting it an excellent thing to fortify the brain with such
+odours, more by token that the air seemed all heavy and attainted with
+the stench of the dead bodies and that of the sick and of the remedies
+used.
+
+[Footnote 7: _i.e._ aromatic drugs.]
+
+Some were of a more barbarous, though, peradventure, a surer way of
+thinking, avouching that there was no remedy against pestilences
+better than--no, nor any so good as--to flee before them; wherefore,
+moved by this reasoning and recking of nought but themselves, very
+many, both men and women, abandoned their own city, their own houses
+and homes, their kinsfolk and possessions, and sought the country
+seats of others, or, at the least, their own, as if the wrath of God,
+being moved to punish the iniquity of mankind, would not proceed to do
+so wheresoever they might be, but would content itself with afflicting
+those only who were found within the walls of their city, or as if
+they were persuaded that no person was to remain therein and that its
+last hour was come. And albeit these, who opined thus variously, died
+not all, yet neither did they all escape; nay, many of each way of
+thinking and in every place sickened of the plague and languished on
+all sides, well nigh abandoned, having themselves, what while they
+were whole, set the example to those who abode in health.
+
+Indeed, leaving be that townsman avoided townsman and that well nigh
+no neighbour took thought unto other and that kinsfolk seldom or never
+visited one another and held no converse together save from afar, this
+tribulation had stricken such terror to the hearts of all, men and
+women alike, that brother forsook brother, uncle nephew and sister
+brother and oftentimes wife husband; nay (what is yet more
+extraordinary and well nigh incredible) fathers and mothers refused to
+visit or tend their very children, as they had not been theirs. By
+reason whereof there remained unto those (and the number of them, both
+males and females, was incalculable) who fell sick, none other succour
+than that which they owed either to the charity of friends (and of
+these there were few) or the greed of servants, who tended them,
+allured by high and extravagant wage; albeit, for all this, these
+latter were not grown many, and those men and women of mean
+understanding and for the most part unused to such offices, who served
+for well nigh nought but to reach things called for by the sick or to
+note when they died; and in the doing of these services many of them
+perished with their gain.
+
+Of this abandonment of the sick by neighbours, kinsfolk and friends
+and of the scarcity of servants arose an usage before well nigh
+unheard, to wit, that no woman, how fair or lovesome or well-born
+soever she might be, once fallen sick, recked aught of having a man to
+tend her, whatever he might be, or young or old, and without any shame
+discovered to him every part of her body, no otherwise than she would
+have done to a woman, so but the necessity of her sickness required
+it; the which belike, in those who recovered, was the occasion of
+lesser modesty in time to come. Moreover, there ensued of this
+abandonment the death of many who peradventure, had they been
+succoured, would have escaped alive; wherefore, as well for the lack
+of the opportune services which the sick availed not to have as for
+the virulence of the plague, such was the multitude of those who died
+in the city by day and by night that it was an astonishment to hear
+tell thereof, much more to see it; and thence, as it were of
+necessity, there sprang up among those who abode alive things contrary
+to the pristine manners of the townsfolk.
+
+It was then (even as we yet see it used) a custom that the kinswomen
+and she-neighbours of the dead should assemble in his house and there
+condole with those who more nearly pertained unto him, whilst his
+neighbours and many other citizens foregathered with his next of kin
+before his house, whither, according to the dead man's quality, came
+the clergy, and he with funeral pomp of chants and candles was borne
+on the shoulders of his peers to the church chosen by himself before
+his death; which usages, after the virulence of the plague began to
+increase, were either altogether or for the most part laid aside, and
+other and strange customs sprang up in their stead. For that, not only
+did folk die without having a multitude of women about them, but many
+there were who departed this life without witness and few indeed were
+they to whom the pious plaints and bitter tears of their kinsfolk were
+vouchsafed; nay, in lieu of these things there obtained, for the most
+part, laughter and jests and gibes and feasting and merrymaking in
+company; which usance women, laying aside womanly pitifulness, had
+right well learned for their own safety.
+
+Few, again, were they whose bodies were accompanied to the church by
+more than half a score or a dozen of their neighbours, and of these no
+worshipful and illustrious citizens, but a sort of blood-suckers,
+sprung from the dregs of the people, who styled themselves
+_pickmen_[8] and did such offices for hire, shouldered the bier and
+bore it with hurried steps, not to that church which the dead man had
+chosen before his death, but most times to the nearest, behind five or
+six[9] priests, with little light[10] and whiles none at all, which
+latter, with the aid of the said pickmen, thrust him into what grave
+soever they first found unoccupied, without troubling themselves with
+too long or too formal a service.
+
+[Footnote 8: _i.e._ gravediggers (_becchini_).]
+
+[Footnote 9: Lit. _four_ or six. This is the equivalent Italian
+idiom.]
+
+[Footnote 10: _i.e._ but few tapers.]
+
+The condition of the common people (and belike, in great part, of the
+middle class also) was yet more pitiable to behold, for that these,
+for the most part retained by hope[11] or poverty in their houses and
+abiding in their own quarters, sickened by the thousand daily and
+being altogether untended and unsuccoured, died well nigh all without
+recourse. Many breathed their last in the open street, whilst other
+many, for all they died in their houses, made it known to the
+neighbours that they were dead rather by the stench of their rotting
+bodies than otherwise; and of these and others who died all about the
+whole city was full. For the most part one same usance was observed by
+the neighbours, moved more by fear lest the corruption of the dead
+bodies should imperil themselves than by any charity they had for the
+departed; to wit, that either with their own hands or with the aid of
+certain bearers, whenas they might have any, they brought the bodies
+of those who had died forth of their houses and laid them before their
+doors, where, especially in the morning, those who went about might
+see corpses without number; then they fetched biers and some, in
+default thereof, they laid upon some board or other. Nor was it only
+one bier that carried two or three corpses, nor did this happen but
+once; nay, many might have been counted which contained husband and
+wife, two or three brothers, father and son or the like. And an
+infinite number of times it befell that, two priests going with one
+cross for some one, three or four biers, borne by bearers, ranged
+themselves behind the latter,[12] and whereas the priests thought to
+have but one dead man to bury, they had six or eight, and whiles more.
+Nor therefore were the dead honoured with aught of tears or candles or
+funeral train; nay, the thing was come to such a pass that folk recked
+no more of men that died than nowadays they would of goats; whereby it
+very manifestly appeared that that which the natural course of things
+had not availed, by dint of small and infrequent harms, to teach the
+wise to endure with patience, the very greatness of their ills had
+brought even the simple to expect and make no account of. The
+consecrated ground sufficing not to the burial of the vast multitude
+of corpses aforesaid, which daily and well nigh hourly came carried in
+crowds to every church,--especially if it were sought to give each his
+own place, according to ancient usance,--there were made throughout
+the churchyards, after every other part was full, vast trenches,
+wherein those who came after were laid by the hundred and being heaped
+up therein by layers, as goods are stowed aboard ship, were covered
+with a little earth, till such time as they reached the top of the
+trench.
+
+[Footnote 11: _i.e._ expectation of gain from acting as tenders of the
+sick, gravediggers, etc. The word _speranza_ is, however, constantly
+used by Dante and his follower Boccaccio in the contrary sense of
+"fear," and may be so meant in the present instance.]
+
+[Footnote 12: _i.e._ the cross.]
+
+Moreover,--not to go longer searching out and recalling every
+particular of our past miseries, as they befell throughout the
+city,--I say that, whilst so sinister a time prevailed in the latter,
+on no wise therefor was the surrounding country spared, wherein,
+(letting be the castles,[13] which in their littleness[14] were like
+unto the city,) throughout the scattered villages and in the fields,
+the poor and miserable husbandmen and their families, without succour
+of physician or aid of servitor, died, not like men, but well nigh
+like beasts, by the ways or in their tillages or about the houses,
+indifferently by day and night. By reason whereof, growing lax like
+the townsfolk in their manners and customs, they recked not of any
+thing or business of theirs; nay, all, as if they looked for death
+that very day, studied with all their wit, not to help to maturity the
+future produce of their cattle and their fields and the fruits of
+their own past toils, but to consume those which were ready to hand.
+Thus it came to pass that the oxen, the asses, the sheep, the goats,
+the swine, the fowls, nay, the very dogs, so faithful to mankind,
+being driven forth of their own houses, went straying at their
+pleasure about the fields, where the very corn was abandoned, without
+being cut, much less gathered in; and many, well nigh like reasonable
+creatures, after grazing all day, returned at night, glutted, to their
+houses, without the constraint of any herdsman.
+
+[Footnote 13: _i.e._ walled burghs.]
+
+[Footnote 14: _i.e._ in miniature.]
+
+To leave the country and return to the city, what more can be said
+save that such and so great was the cruelty of heaven (and in part,
+peradventure, that of men) that, between March and the following July,
+what with the virulence of that pestiferous sickness and the number of
+sick folk ill tended or forsaken in their need, through the
+fearfulness of those who were whole, it is believed for certain that
+upward of an hundred thousand human beings perished within the walls
+of the city of Florence, which, peradventure, before the advent of
+that death-dealing calamity, had not been accounted to hold so many?
+Alas, how many great palaces, how many goodly houses, how many noble
+mansions, once full of families, of lords and of ladies, abode empty
+even to the meanest servant! How many memorable families, how many
+ample heritages, how many famous fortunes were seen to remain without
+lawful heir! How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, how many
+sprightly youths, whom, not others only, but Galen, Hippocrates or
+AEsculapius themselves would have judged most hale, breakfasted in the
+morning with their kinsfolk, comrades and friends and that same night
+supped with their ancestors in the other world!
+
+I am myself weary of going wandering so long among such miseries;
+wherefore, purposing henceforth to leave such part thereof as I can
+fitly, I say that,--our city being at this pass, well nigh void of
+inhabitants,--it chanced (as I afterward heard from a person worthy of
+credit) that there foregathered in the venerable church of Santa Maria
+Novella, one Tuesday morning when there was well nigh none else there,
+seven young ladies, all knit one to another by friendship or
+neighbourhood or kinship, who had heard divine service in mourning
+attire, as sorted with such a season. Not one of them had passed her
+eight-and-twentieth year nor was less than eighteen years old, and
+each was discreet and of noble blood, fair of favour and well-mannered
+and full of honest sprightliness. The names of these ladies I would in
+proper terms set out, did not just cause forbid me, to wit, that I
+would not have it possible that, in time to come, any of them should
+take shame by reason of the things hereinafter related as being told
+or hearkened by them, the laws of disport being nowadays somewhat
+straitened, which at that time, for the reasons above shown, were of
+the largest, not only for persons of their years, but for those of a
+much riper age; nor yet would I give occasion to the envious, who are
+still ready to carp at every praiseworthy life, on anywise to
+disparage the fair fame of these honourable ladies with unseemly talk.
+Wherefore, so that which each saith may hereafterward be apprehended
+without confusion, I purpose to denominate them by names altogether or
+in part sorting with each one's quality.[15] The first of them and
+her of ripest age I shall call Pampinea, the second Fiammetta, the
+third Filomena and the fourth Emilia. To the fifth we will give the
+name of Lauretta, to the sixth that of Neifile and the last, not
+without cause, we will style Elisa.[16] These, then, not drawn of any
+set purpose, but foregathering by chance in a corner of the church,
+having seated themselves in a ring, after divers sighs, let be the
+saying of paternosters and fell to devising with one another many and
+various things of the nature of the time. After awhile, the others
+being silent, Pampinea proceeded to speak thus:
+
+[Footnote 15: Or character (_qualita_).]
+
+[Footnote 16: I know of no explanation of these names by the
+commentators, who seem, indeed, after the manner of their kind, to
+have generally confined themselves to the elaborate illustration and
+elucidation (or rather, alas! too often, obscuration) of passages
+already perfectly plain, leaving the difficult passages for the most
+part untouched. The following is the best I can make of them.
+_Pampinea_ appears to be formed from the Greek [Greek: pan], all, and
+[Greek: pinuo], I advise, admonish or inform, and to mean all-advising
+or admonishing, which would agree well enough with the character of
+Pampinea, who is represented as the eldest and sagest of the female
+personages of the Decameron and as taking the lead in everything.
+_Fiammetta_ is the name by which Boccaccio designates his mistress,
+the Princess Maria of Naples (the lady for whom he cherished "the very
+high and noble passion" of which he speaks in his Proem), in his
+earlier opuscule, the "Elegia di Madonna Fiammetta," describing, in
+her name, the torments of separation from the beloved. In this work he
+speaks of himself under the name of Pamfilo (Gr. [Greek: pan], all,
+and [Greek: phileo], I love, _i.e._ the all-loving or the passionate
+lover), and it is probable, therefore, that under these names he
+intended to introduce his royal ladylove and himself in the present
+work. _Filomena_ (Italian form of Philomela, a nightingale, Greek
+[Greek: philos] loving, and [Greek: melos], melody, song, _i.e._
+song-loving) is perhaps so styled for her love of music, and
+_Emilia's_ character, as it appears in the course of the work,
+justifies the derivation of her name from the Greek [Greek: aimylios],
+pleasing, engaging in manners and behaviour, cajoling. _Lauretta_
+Boccaccio probably intends us to look upon as a learned lady, if, as
+we may suppose, her name is a corruption of _laureata_,
+laurel-crowned; whilst _Neifile's_ name (Greek [Greek: neios] [[Greek:
+neos]] new, and [Greek: phileo], I love, _i.e._ novelty-loving) stamps
+her as being of a somewhat curious disposition, eager "to tell or to
+hear some new thing." The name _Elisa_ is not so easily to be
+explained as the others; possibly it was intended by the author as a
+reminiscence of Dido, to whom the name (which is by some authorities
+explained to mean "Godlike," from a Hebrew root) is said to have been
+given "quod plurima supra animi muliebris fortitudinem gesserit." It
+does not, however, appear that there was in Elisa's character or life
+anything to justify the implied comparison.]
+
+"Dear my ladies, you may, like myself, have many times heard that
+whoso honestly useth his right doth no one wrong; and it is the
+natural right of every one who is born here below to succour, keep and
+defend his own life as best he may, and in so far is this allowed that
+it hath happened whiles that, for the preservation thereof, men have
+been slain without any fault. If this much be conceded of the laws,
+which have in view the well-being of all mortals, how much more is it
+lawful for us and whatsoever other, without offence unto any, to take
+such means as we may for the preservation of our lives? As often as I
+consider our fashions of this morning and those of many other mornings
+past and bethink me what and what manner discourses are ours, I feel,
+and you likewise must feel, that each of us is in fear for herself.
+Nor do I anywise wonder at this; but I wonder exceedingly, considering
+that we all have a woman's wit, that we take no steps to provide
+ourselves against that which each of us justly feareth. We abide here,
+to my seeming, no otherwise than as if we would or should be witness
+of how many dead bodies are brought hither for burial or to hearken if
+the friars of the place, whose number is come well nigh to nought,
+chant their offices at the due hours or by our apparel to show forth
+unto whosoever appeareth here the nature and extent of our distresses.
+If we depart hence, we either see dead bodies or sick persons carried
+about or those, whom for their misdeeds the authority of the public
+laws whilere condemned to exile, overrun the whole place with unseemly
+excesses, as if scoffing at the laws, for that they know the executors
+thereof to be either dead or sick; whilst the dregs of our city,
+fattened with our blood, style themselves _pickmen_ and ruffle it
+everywhere in mockery of us, riding and running all about and flouting
+us with our distresses in ribald songs. We hear nothing here but 'Such
+an one is dead' or 'Such an one is at the point of death'; and were
+there any to make them, we should hear dolorous lamentations on all
+sides. And if we return to our houses, I know not if it is with you as
+with me, but, for my part, when I find none left therein of a great
+household, save my serving-maid, I wax fearful and feel every hair of
+my body stand on end; and wherever I go or abide about the house,
+meseemeth I see the shades of those who are departed and who wear not
+those countenances that I was used to see, but terrify me with a
+horrid aspect, I know not whence newly come to them.
+
+By reason of these things I feel myself alike ill at ease here and
+abroad and at home, more by token that meseemeth none, who hath, as we
+have, the power and whither to go, is left here, other than ourselves;
+or if any such there be, I have many a time both heard and perceived
+that, without making any distinction between things lawful and
+unlawful, so but appetite move them, whether alone or in company, both
+day and night, they do that which affordeth them most delight. Nor is
+it the laity alone who do thus; nay, even those who are shut in the
+monasteries, persuading themselves that what befitteth and is lawful
+to others alike sortable and unforbidden unto them,[17] have broken
+the laws of obedience and giving themselves to carnal delights,
+thinking thus to escape, are grown lewd and dissolute. If thus, then,
+it be, as is manifestly to be seen, what do we here? What look we for?
+What dream we? Why are we more sluggish and slower to provide for our
+safety than all the rest of the townsfolk? Deem we ourselves of less
+price than others, or do we hold our life to be bounden in our bodies
+with a stronger chain than is theirs and that therefore we need reck
+nothing of aught that hath power to harm it? We err, we are deceived;
+what folly is ours, if we think thus! As often as we choose to call to
+mind the number and quality of the youths and ladies overborne of this
+cruel pestilence, we may see a most manifest proof thereof.
+
+[Footnote 17: This phrase may also be read "persuading themselves that
+that (_i.e._ their breach of the laws of obedience, etc.) beseemeth
+them and is forbidden only to others" (_faccendosi a credere che
+quello a lor si convenga e non si disdica che all' altre_); but the
+reading in the text appears more in harmony with the general sense and
+is indeed indicated by the punctuation of the Giunta Edition of 1527,
+which I generally follow in case of doubt.]
+
+Wherefore, in order that we may not, through wilfulness or
+nonchalance, fall into that wherefrom we may, peradventure, an we but
+will, by some means or other escape, I know not if it seem to you as
+it doth to me, but methinketh it were excellently well done that we,
+such as we are, depart this city, as many have done before us, and
+eschewing, as we would death, the dishonourable example of others,
+betake ourselves quietly to our places in the country, whereof each of
+us hath great plenty, and there take such diversion, such delight and
+such pleasance as we may, without anywise overpassing the bounds of
+reason. There may we hear the small birds sing, there may we see the
+hills and plains clad all in green and the fields full of corn wave
+even as doth the sea; there may we see trees, a thousand sorts, and
+there is the face of heaven more open to view, the which, angered
+against us though it be, nevertheless denieth not unto us its eternal
+beauties, far goodlier to look upon than the empty walls of our city.
+Moreover, there is the air far fresher[18] and there at this season is
+more plenty of that which behoveth unto life and less is the sum of
+annoys, for that, albeit the husbandmen die there, even as do the
+townsfolk here, the displeasance is there the less, insomuch as houses
+and inhabitants are rarer than in the city.
+
+[Footnote 18: Syn. cooler.]
+
+Here, on the other hand, if I deem aright, we abandon no one; nay, we
+may far rather say with truth that we ourselves are abandoned, seeing
+that our kinsfolk, either dying or fleeing from death, have left us
+alone in this great tribulation, as it were we pertained not unto
+them. No blame can therefore befall the ensuing of this counsel; nay,
+dolour and chagrin and belike death may betide us, an we ensue it not.
+Wherefore, an it please you, methinketh we should do well to take our
+maids and letting follow after us with the necessary gear, sojourn
+to-day in this place and to-morrow in that, taking such pleasance and
+diversion as the season may afford, and on this wise abide till such
+time (an we be not earlier overtaken of death) as we shall see what
+issue Heaven reserveth unto these things. And I would remind you that
+it is no more forbidden unto us honourably to depart than it is unto
+many others of our sex to abide in dishonour."
+
+The other ladies, having hearkened to Pampinea, not only commended her
+counsel, but, eager to follow it, had already begun to devise more
+particularly among themselves of the manner, as if, arising from
+their session there, they were to set off out of hand. But Filomena,
+who was exceeding discreet, said, "Ladies, albeit that which Pampinea
+allegeth is excellently well said, yet is there no occasion for
+running, as meseemeth you would do. Remember that we are all women and
+none of us is child enough not to know how [little] reasonable women
+are among themselves and how [ill], without some man's guidance, they
+know how to order themselves. We are fickle, wilful, suspicious,
+faint-hearted and timorous, for which reasons I misdoubt me sore, an
+we take not some other guidance than our own, that our company will be
+far too soon dissolved and with less honour to ourselves than were
+seemly; wherefore we should do well to provide ourselves, ere we
+begin."
+
+"Verily," answered Elisa, "men are the head of women, and without
+their ordinance seldom cometh any emprise of ours to good end; but how
+may we come by these men? There is none of us but knoweth that of her
+kinsmen the most part are dead and those who abide alive are all gone
+fleeing that which we seek to flee, in divers companies, some here and
+some there, without our knowing where, and to invite strangers would
+not be seemly, seeing that, if we would endeavour after our welfare,
+it behoveth us find a means of so ordering ourselves that, wherever we
+go for diversion and repose, scandal nor annoy may ensue thereof."
+
+Whilst such discourse was toward between the ladies, behold, there
+entered the church three young men,--yet not so young that the age of
+the youngest of them was less than five-and-twenty years,--in whom
+neither the perversity of the time nor loss of friends and kinsfolk,
+no, nor fear for themselves had availed to cool, much less to quench,
+the fire of love. Of these one was called Pamfilo,[19] another
+Filostrato[20] and the third Dioneo,[21] all very agreeable and
+well-bred, and they went seeking, for their supreme solace, in such a
+perturbation of things, to see their mistresses, who, as it chanced,
+were all three among the seven aforesaid; whilst certain of the other
+ladies were near kinswomen of one or other of the young men.
+
+[Footnote 19: See ante, p. 8, note.]
+
+[Footnote 20: _Filostrato_, Greek [Greek: philos], loving, and [Greek:
+stratos], army, _met._ strife, war, _i.e._ one who loves strife. This
+name appears to be a reminiscence of Boccaccio's poem (_Il
+Filostrato_, well known through its translation by Chaucer and the
+Senechal d'Anjou) upon the subject of the loves of Troilus and
+Cressida and to be in this instance used by him as a synonym for an
+unhappy lover, whom no rebuffs, no treachery can divert from his
+ill-starred passion. Such a lover may well be said to be in love with
+strife, and that the Filostrato of the Decameron sufficiently answers
+to this description we learn later on from his own lips.]
+
+[Footnote 21: _Dioneo_, a name probably coined from the Greek [Greek:
+Dione], one of the _agnomina_ of Venus (properly her mother's name)
+and intended to denote the amorous temperament of his personage, to
+which, indeed, the erotic character of most of the stories told by him
+bears sufficient witness.]
+
+No sooner had their eyes fallen on the ladies than they were
+themselves espied of them; whereupon quoth Pampinea, smiling, "See,
+fortune is favourable to our beginnings and hath thrown in our way
+young men of worth and discretion, who will gladly be to us both
+guides and servitors, an we disdain not to accept of them in that
+capacity." But Neifile, whose face was grown all vermeil for
+shamefastness, for that it was she who was beloved of one of the young
+men, said, "For God's sake, Pampinea, look what thou sayest! I
+acknowledge most frankly that there can be nought but all good said of
+which one soever of them and I hold them sufficient unto a much
+greater thing than this, even as I opine that they would bear, not
+only ourselves, but far fairer and nobler dames than we, good and
+honourable company. But, for that it is a very manifest thing that
+they are enamoured of certain of us who are here, I fear lest, without
+our fault or theirs, scandal and blame ensue thereof, if we carry them
+with us." Quoth Filomena, "That skilleth nought; so but I live
+honestly and conscience prick me not of aught, let who will speak to
+the contrary; God and the truth will take up arms for me. Wherefore,
+if they be disposed to come, verily we may say with Pampinea that
+fortune is favourable to our going."
+
+The other ladies, hearing her speak thus absolutely, not only held
+their peace, but all with one accord agreed that the young men should
+be called and acquainted with their project and bidden to be pleased
+bear them company in their expedition. Accordingly, without more
+words, Pampinea, who was knit by kinship to one of them, rising to her
+feet, made for the three young men, who stood fast, looking upon them,
+and saluting them with a cheerful countenance, discovered to them
+their intent and prayed them, on behalf of herself and her companions,
+that they would be pleased to bear them company in a pure and
+brotherly spirit. The young men at the first thought themselves
+bantered, but, seeing that the lady spoke in good earnest, they made
+answer joyfully that they were ready, and without losing time about
+the matter, forthright took order for that which they had to do
+against departure.
+
+On the following morning, Wednesday to wit, towards break of day,
+having let orderly make ready all things needful and despatched them
+in advance whereas they purposed to go,[22] the ladies, with certain
+of their waiting-women, and the three young men, with as many of their
+serving-men, departing Florence, set out upon their way; nor had they
+gone more than two short miles from the city, when they came to the
+place fore-appointed of them, which was situate on a little hill,
+somewhat withdrawn on every side from the high way and full of various
+shrubs and plants, all green of leafage and pleasant to behold. On the
+summit of this hill was a palace, with a goodly and great courtyard in
+its midst and galleries[23] and saloons and bedchambers, each in
+itself most fair and adorned and notable with jocund paintings, with
+lawns and grassplots round about and wonder-goodly gardens and wells
+of very cold water and cellars full of wines of price, things more apt
+unto curious drinkers than unto sober and modest ladies. The new
+comers, to their no little pleasure, found the place all swept and the
+beds made in the chambers and every thing full of such flowers as
+might be had at that season and strewn with rushes.
+
+[Footnote 22: _e prima mandato la dove_, etc. This passage is obscure
+and may be read to mean "and having first despatched [a messenger] (or
+sent [word]) whereas," etc. I think, however, that _mandato_ is a
+copyist's error for _mandata_, in which case the meaning would be as
+in the text.]
+
+[Footnote 23: Or balconies (_loggie_).]
+
+As soon as they had seated themselves, Dioneo, who was the merriest
+springald in the world and full of quips and cranks, said, "Ladies,
+your wit, rather than our foresight, hath guided us hither, and I know
+not what you purpose to do with your cares; as for my own, I left them
+within the city gates, whenas I issued thence with you awhile agone;
+wherefore, do you either address yourselves to make merry and laugh
+and sing together with me (in so far, I mean, as pertaineth to your
+dignity) or give me leave to go back for my cares and abide in the
+afflicted city." Whereto Pampinea, no otherwise than as if in like
+manner she had banished all her own cares, answered blithely, "Dioneo,
+thou sayst well; it behoveth us live merrily, nor hath any other
+occasion caused us flee from yonder miseries. But, for that things
+which are without measure may not long endure, I, who began the
+discourse wherethrough this so goodly company came to be made, taking
+thought for the continuance of our gladness, hold it of necessity that
+we appoint some one to be principal among us, whom we may honour and
+obey as chief and whose especial care it shall be to dispose us to
+live joyously. And in order that each in turn may prove the burden of
+solicitude, together with the pleasure of headship; and that, the
+chief being thus drawn, in turn, from one and the other sex, there may
+be no cause for jealousy, as might happen, were any excluded from the
+sovranty, I say that unto each be attributed the burden and the honour
+for one day. Let who is to be our first chief be at the election of us
+all. For who shall follow, be it he or she whom it shall please the
+governor of the day to appoint, whenas the hour of vespers draweth
+near, and let each in turn, at his or her discretion, order and
+dispose of the place and manner wherein we are to live, for such time
+as his or her seignory shall endure."
+
+Pampinea's words pleased mightily, and with one voice they elected her
+chief of the first day; whereupon Filomena, running nimbly to a
+laurel-tree--for that she had many a time heard speak of the honour
+due to the leaves of this plant and how worship-worth they made whoso
+was deservedly crowned withal--and plucking divers sprays therefrom,
+made her thereof a goodly and honourable wreath, which, being set upon
+her head, was thenceforth, what while their company lasted, a manifest
+sign unto every other of the royal office and seignory.
+
+Pampinea, being made queen, commanded that every one should be silent;
+then, calling the serving-men of the three young gentlemen and her own
+and the other ladies' women, who were four in number, before herself
+and all being silent, she spoke thus: "In order that I may set you a
+first example, by which, proceeding from good to better, our company
+may live and last in order and pleasance and without reproach so long
+as it is agreeable to us, I constitute, firstly, Parmeno, Dioneo's
+servant, my seneschal and commit unto him the care and ordinance of
+all our household and [especially] that which pertaineth to the
+service of the saloon. Sirisco, Pamfilo's servant, I will shall be
+our purveyor and treasurer and ensue the commandments of Parmeno.
+Tindaro shall look to the service of Filostrato and the other two
+gentlemen in their bed chambers, what time the others, being occupied
+about their respective offices, cannot attend thereto. Misia, my
+woman, and Filomena's Licisca shall still abide in the kitchen and
+there diligently prepare such viands as shall be appointed them of
+Parmeno. Lauretta's Chimera and Fiammetta's Stratilia it is our
+pleasure shall occupy themselves with the ordinance of the ladies'
+chambers and the cleanliness of the places where we shall abide; and
+we will and command all and several, as they hold our favour dear, to
+have a care that, whithersoever they go or whencesoever they return
+and whatsoever they hear or see, they bring us from without no news
+other than joyous." These orders summarily given and commended of all,
+Pampinea, rising blithely to her feet, said, "Here be gardens, here be
+meadows, here be store of other delectable places, wherein let each go
+a-pleasuring at will; and when tierce[24] soundeth, let all be here,
+so we may eat in the cool."
+
+[Footnote 24: _i.e._ Nine o'clock a.m. Boccaccio's habit of measuring
+time by the canonical hours has been a sore stumbling-block to the
+ordinary English and French translator, who is generally terribly at
+sea as to his meaning, inclining to render _tierce_ three, _sexte_ six
+o'clock and _none_ noon and making shots of the same wild kind at the
+other hours. The monasterial rule (which before the general
+introduction of clocks was commonly followed by the mediaeval public in
+the computation of time) divided the twenty-four hours of the day and
+night into seven parts (six of three hours each and one of six), the
+inception of which was denoted by the sound of the bells that summoned
+the clergy to the performance of the seven canonical offices _i.e._
+_Matins_ at 3 a.m., _Prime_ at 6 a.m., _Tierce_ at 9 a.m., _Sexte_ or
+Noonsong at noon, _None_ at 3 p.m., _Vespers_ or Evensong at 6 p.m.
+and _Complines_ or Nightsong at 9 p.m., and at the same time served
+the laity as a clock.]
+
+The merry company, being thus dismissed by the new queen, went
+straying with slow steps, young men and fair ladies together, about a
+garden, devising blithely and diverting themselves with weaving goodly
+garlands of various leaves and carolling amorously. After they had
+abidden there such time as had been appointed them of the queen, they
+returned to the house, where they found that Parmeno had made a
+diligent beginning with his office, for that, entering a saloon on the
+ground floor, they saw there the tables laid with the whitest of
+cloths and beakers that seemed of silver and everything covered with
+the flowers of the broom; whereupon, having washed their hands, they
+all, by command of the queen, seated themselves according to Parmeno's
+ordinance. Then came viands delicately drest and choicest wines were
+proffered and the three serving-men, without more, quietly tended the
+tables. All, being gladdened by these things, for that they were fair
+and orderly done, ate joyously and with store of merry talk, and the
+tables being cleared away,[25] the queen bade bring instruments of
+music, for that all the ladies knew how to dance, as also the young
+men, and some of them could both play and sing excellent well.
+Accordingly, by her commandment, Dioneo took a lute and Fiammetta a
+viol and began softly to sound a dance; whereupon the queen and the
+other ladies, together with the other two young men, having sent the
+serving-men to eat, struck up a round and began with a slow pace to
+dance a brawl; which ended, they fell to singing quaint and merry
+ditties. On this wise they abode till it seemed to the queen time to
+go to sleep,[26] and she accordingly dismissed them all; whereupon the
+young men retired to their chambers, which were withdrawn from the
+ladies' lodging, and finding them with the beds well made and as full
+of flowers as the saloon, put off their clothes and betook themselves
+to rest, whilst the ladies, on their part, did likewise.
+
+[Footnote 25: The table of Boccaccio's time was a mere board upon
+trestles, which when not in actual use, was stowed away, for room's
+sake, against the wall.]
+
+[Footnote 26: _i.e._ to take the siesta or midday nap common in hot
+countries.]
+
+None[27] had not long sounded when the queen, arising, made all the
+other ladies arise, and on like wise the three young men, alleging
+overmuch sleep to be harmful by day; and so they betook themselves to
+a little meadow, where the grass grew green and high nor there had the
+sun power on any side. There, feeling the waftings of a gentle breeze,
+they all, as their queen willed it, seated themselves in a ring on the
+green grass; while she bespoke them thus, "As ye see, the sun is high
+and the heat great, nor is aught heard save the crickets yonder among
+the olives; wherefore it were doubtless folly to go anywhither at this
+present. Here is the sojourn fair and cool, and here, as you see, are
+chess and tables,[28] and each can divert himself as is most to his
+mind. But, an my counsel be followed in this, we shall pass away this
+sultry part of the day, not in gaming,--wherein the mind of one of the
+players must of necessity be troubled, without any great pleasure of
+the other or of those who look on,--but in telling stories, which, one
+telling, may afford diversion to all the company who hearken; nor
+shall we have made an end of telling each his story but the sun will
+have declined and the heat be abated, and we can then go a-pleasuring
+whereas it may be most agreeable to us. Wherefore, if this that I say
+please you, (for I am disposed to follow your pleasure therein,) let
+us do it; and if it please you not, let each until the hour of vespers
+do what most liketh him." Ladies and men alike all approved the
+story-telling, whereupon, "Then," said the queen, "since this pleaseth
+you, I will that this first day each be free to tell of such matters
+as are most to his liking." Then, turning to Pamfilo, who sat on her
+right hand, she smilingly bade him give beginning to the story-telling
+with one of his; and he, hearing the commandment, forthright began
+thus, whilst all gave ear to him.
+
+[Footnote 27: _i.e._ three o'clock p.m.]
+
+[Footnote 28: _i.e._ backgammon.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     MASTER CIAPPELLETTO DUPETH A HOLY FRIAR WITH A FALSE
+     CONFESSION AND DIETH; AND HAVING BEEN IN HIS LIFETIME THE
+     WORST OF MEN, HE IS, AFTER HIS DEATH, REPUTED A SAINT AND
+     CALLED SAINT CIAPPELLETTO.
+
+
+"It is a seemly thing, dearest ladies, that whatsoever a man doth, he
+give it beginning from the holy and admirable name of Him who is the
+maker of all things. Wherefore, it behoving me, as the first, to give
+commencement to our story-telling, I purpose to begin with one of His
+marvels, to the end that, this being heard, our hope in Him, as in a
+thing immutable, may be confirmed and His name be ever praised of us.
+It is manifest that, like as things temporal are all transitory and
+mortal, even so both within and without are they full of annoy and
+anguish and travail and subject to infinite perils, against which it
+is indubitable that we, who live enmingled therein and who are indeed
+part and parcel thereof, might avail neither to endure nor to defend
+ourselves, except God's especial grace lent us strength and foresight;
+which latter, it is not to be believed, descendeth unto us and upon us
+by any merit of our own, but of the proper motion of His own benignity
+and the efficacy of the prayers of those who were mortals even as we
+are and having diligently ensued His commandments, what while they
+were on life, are now with Him become eternal and blessed and unto
+whom we,--belike not daring to address ourselves unto the proper
+presence of so august a judge,--proffer our petitions of the things
+which we deem needful unto ourselves, as unto advocates[29] informed
+by experience of our frailty. And this more we discern in Him, full as
+He is of compassionate liberality towards us, that, whereas it
+chanceth whiles (the keenness of mortal eyes availing not in any wise
+to penetrate the secrets of the Divine intent), that we peradventure,
+beguiled by report, make such an one our advocate unto His
+majesty, who is outcast from His presence with an eternal
+banishment,--nevertheless He, from whom nothing is hidden, having
+regard rather to the purity of the suppliant's intent than to his
+ignorance or to the reprobate estate of him whose intercession be
+invoketh, giveth ear unto those who pray unto the latter, as if he
+were in very deed blessed in His aspect. The which will manifestly
+appear from the story which I purpose to relate; I say manifestly,
+ensuing, not the judgment of God, but that of men.
+
+[Footnote 29: Or procurators.]
+
+It is told, then, that Musciatto Franzesi,[30] being from a very rich
+and considerable merchant in France become a knight and it behoving
+him thereupon go into Tuscany with Messire Charles Sansterre,[31]
+brother to the king of France,[32] who had been required and bidden
+thither by Pope Boniface,[33] found his affairs in one part and
+another sore embroiled, (as those of merchants most times are,) and
+was unable lightly or promptly to disentangle them; wherefore he
+bethought himself to commit them unto divers persons and made shift
+for all, save only he abode in doubt whom he might leave sufficient to
+the recovery of the credits he had given to certain Burgundians. The
+cause of his doubt was that he knew the Burgundians to be litigious,
+quarrelsome fellows, ill-conditioned and disloyal, and could not call
+one to mind, in whom he might put any trust, curst enough to cope with
+their perversity. After long consideration of the matter, there came
+to his memory a certain Master Ciapperello da Prato, who came often to
+his house in Paris and whom, for that he was little of person and
+mighty nice in his dress, the French, knowing not what Cepparello[34]
+meant and thinking it be the same with Cappello, to wit, in their
+vernacular, Chaplet, called him, not Cappello, but Ciappelletto,[35]
+and accordingly as Ciappelletto he was known everywhere, whilst few
+knew him for Master Ciapperello.
+
+[Footnote 30: A Florentine merchant settled in France; he had great
+influence over Philippe le Bel and made use of the royal favour to
+enrich himself by means of monopolies granted at the expense of his
+compatriots.]
+
+[Footnote 31: Charles, Comte de Valois et d'Alencon.]
+
+[Footnote 32: Philippe le Bel, A.D. 1268-1314.]
+
+[Footnote 33: The Eighth.]
+
+[Footnote 34: Sic. _Cepparello_ means a log or stump. Ciapperello is
+apparently a dialectic variant of the same word.]
+
+[Footnote 35: Diminutive of Cappello. This passage is obscure and most
+likely corrupt. Boccaccio probably meant to write "hat" instead of
+"chaplet" (_ghirlanda_), as the meaning of _cappello_, chaplet
+(diminutive of Old English _chapel_, a hat,) being the meaning of
+_ciappelletto_ (properly _cappelletto_).]
+
+Now this said Ciappelletto was of this manner life, that, being a
+scrivener, he thought very great shame whenas any of his instrument
+was found (and indeed he drew few such) other than false; whilst of
+the latter[36] he would have drawn as many as might be required of him
+and these with a better will by way of gift than any other for a great
+wage. False witness he bore with especial delight, required or not
+required, and the greatest regard being in those times paid to oaths
+in France, as he recked nothing of forswearing himself, he knavishly
+gained all the suits concerning which he was called upon to tell the
+truth upon his faith. He took inordinate pleasure and was mighty
+diligent in stirring up troubles and enmities and scandals between
+friends and kinsfolk and whomsoever else, and the greater the
+mischiefs he saw ensue thereof, the more he rejoiced. If bidden to
+manslaughter or whatsoever other naughty deed, he went about it with a
+will, without ever saying nay thereto; and many a time of his proper
+choice he had been known to wound men and do them to death with his
+own hand. He was a terrible blasphemer of God and the saints, and that
+for every trifle, being the most choleric man alive. To church he went
+never and all the sacraments thereof he flouted in abominable terms,
+as things of no account; whilst, on the other hand, he was still fain
+to haunt and use taverns and other lewd places. Of women he was as
+fond as dogs of the stick; but in the contrary he delighted more than
+any filthy fellow alive. He robbed and pillaged with as much
+conscience as a godly man would make oblation to God; he was a very
+glutton and a great wine bibber, insomuch that bytimes it wrought him
+shameful mischief, and to boot, he was a notorious gamester and a
+caster of cogged dice. But why should I enlarge in so many words? He
+was belike the worst man that ever was born.[37] His wickedness had
+long been upheld by the power and interest of Messer Musciatto, who
+had many a time safeguarded him as well from private persons, to whom
+he often did a mischief, as from the law, against which he was a
+perpetual offender.
+
+[Footnote 36: _i.e._ false instruments.]
+
+[Footnote 37: A "twopence-coloured" sketch of an impossible villain,
+drawn with a crudeness unusual in Boccaccio.]
+
+This Master Ciappelletto then, coming to Musciatto's mind, the latter,
+who was very well acquainted with his way of life, bethought himself
+that he should be such an one as the perversity of the Burgundians
+required and accordingly, sending for him, he bespoke him thus:
+'Master Ciappelletto, I am, as thou knowest, about altogether to
+withdraw hence, and having to do, amongst others, with certain
+Burgundians, men full of guile, I know none whom I may leave to
+recover my due from them more fitting than thyself, more by token that
+thou dost nothing at this present; wherefore, an thou wilt undertake
+this, I will e'en procure thee the favour of the Court and give thee
+such part as shall be meet of that which thou shalt recover.'
+
+Don Ciappelletto, who was then out of employ and ill provided with the
+goods of the world, seeing him who had long been his stay and his
+refuge about to depart thence, lost no time in deliberation, but, as
+of necessity constrained, replied that he would well. They being come
+to an accord, Musciatto departed and Ciappelletto, having gotten his
+patron's procuration and letters commendatory from the king, betook
+himself into Burgundy, where well nigh none knew him, and there,
+contrary to his nature, began courteously and blandly to seek to get
+in his payments and do that wherefor he was come thither, as if
+reserving choler and violence for a last resort. Dealing thus and
+lodging in the house of two Florentines, brothers, who there lent at
+usance and who entertained him with great honour for the love of
+Messer Musciatto, it chanced that he fell sick, whereupon the two
+brothers promptly fetched physicians and servants to tend him and
+furnished him with all that behoved unto the recovery of his health.
+But every succour was in vain, for that, by the physicians' report,
+the good man, who was now old and had lived disorderly, grew daily
+worse, as one who had a mortal sickness; wherefore the two brothers
+were sore concerned and one day, being pretty near the chamber where
+he lay sick, they began to take counsel together, saying one to the
+other, 'How shall we do with yonder fellow? We have a sorry bargain on
+our hands of his affair, for that to send him forth of our house, thus
+sick, were a sore reproach to us and a manifest sign of little wit on
+our part, if the folk, who have seen us first receive him and after
+let tend and medicine him with such solicitude, should now see him
+suddenly put out of our house, sick unto death as he is, without it
+being possible for him to have done aught that should displease us. On
+the other hand, he hath been so wicked a man that he will never
+consent to confess or take any sacrament of the church; and he dying
+without confession, no church will receive his body; nay, he will be
+cast into a ditch, like a dog. Again, even if he do confess, his sins
+are so many and so horrible that the like will come of it, for that
+there is nor priest nor friar who can or will absolve him thereof;
+wherefore, being unshriven, he will still be cast into the ditches.
+Should it happen thus, the people of the city, as well on account of
+our trade, which appeareth to them most iniquitous and of which they
+missay all day, as of their itch to plunder us, seeing this, will rise
+up in riot and cry out, "These Lombard dogs, whom the church refuseth
+to receive, are to be suffered here no longer";--and they will run to
+our houses and despoil us not only of our good, but may be of our
+lives, to boot; wherefore in any case it will go ill with us, if
+yonder fellow die.'
+
+Master Ciappelletto, who, as we have said, lay near the place where
+the two brothers were in discourse, being quick of hearing, as is most
+times the case with the sick, heard what they said of him and calling
+them to him, bespoke them thus: 'I will not have you anywise misdoubt
+of me nor fear to take any hurt by me. I have heard what you say of me
+and am well assured that it would happen even as you say, should
+matters pass as you expect; but it shall go otherwise. I have in my
+lifetime done God the Lord so many an affront that it will make
+neither more nor less, an I do Him yet another at the point of death;
+wherefore do you make shift to bring me the holiest and worthiest
+friar you may avail to have, if any such there be,[38] and leave the
+rest to me, for that I will assuredly order your affairs and mine own
+on such wise that all shall go well and you shall have good cause to
+be satisfied.'
+
+[Footnote 38: _i.e._ if there be such a thing as a holy and worthy
+friar.]
+
+The two brothers, albeit they conceived no great hope of this,
+nevertheless betook themselves to a brotherhood of monks and demanded
+some holy and learned man to hear the confession of a Lombard who lay
+sick in their house. There was given them a venerable brother of holy
+and good life and a past master in Holy Writ, a very reverend man, for
+whom all the townsfolk had a very great and special regard, and they
+carried him to their house; where, coming to the chamber where Master
+Ciappelletto lay and seating himself by his side, he began first
+tenderly to comfort him and after asked him how long it was since he
+had confessed last; whereto Master Ciappelletto, who had never
+confessed in his life, answered, 'Father, it hath been my usance to
+confess every week once at the least and often more; it is true that,
+since I fell sick, to wit, these eight days past, I have not
+confessed, such is the annoy that my sickness hath given me.' Quoth
+the friar, 'My son, thou hast done well and so must thou do
+henceforward. I see, since thou confessest so often, that I shall be
+at little pains either of hearing or questioning.' 'Sir,' answered
+Master Ciappelletto, 'say not so; I have never confessed so much nor
+so often but I would still fain make a general confession of all my
+sins that I could call to mind from the day of my birth to that of my
+confession; wherefore I pray you, good my father, question me as
+punctually of everything, nay, everything, as if I had never
+confessed; and consider me not because I am sick, for that I had far
+liefer displease this my flesh than, in consulting its ease, do aught
+that might be the perdition of my soul, which my Saviour redeemed with
+His precious blood.'
+
+These words much pleased the holy man and seemed to him to argue a
+well-disposed mind; wherefore, after he had much commended Master
+Ciappelletto for that his usance, he asked him if he had ever sinned
+by way of lust with any woman. 'Father,' replied Master Ciappelletto,
+sighing, 'on this point I am ashamed to tell you the truth, fearing to
+sin by way of vainglory.' Quoth the friar, 'Speak in all security, for
+never did one sin by telling the truth, whether in confession or
+otherwise.' 'Then,' said Master Ciappelletto, 'since you certify me of
+this, I will tell you; I am yet a virgin, even as I came forth of my
+mother's body.' 'O blessed be thou of God!' cried the monk. 'How well
+hast thou done! And doing thus, thou hast the more deserved, inasmuch
+as, an thou wouldst, thou hadst more leisure to do the contrary than
+we and whatsoever others are limited by any rule.'
+
+After this he asked him if he had ever offended against God in the sin
+of gluttony; whereto Master Ciappelletto answered, sighing, Ay had he,
+and that many a time; for that, albeit, over and above the Lenten
+fasts that are yearly observed of the devout, he had been wont to fast
+on bread and water three days at the least in every week,--he had
+oftentimes (and especially whenas he had endured any fatigue, either
+praying or going a-pilgrimage) drunken the water with as much appetite
+and as keen a relish as great drinkers do wine. And many a time he had
+longed to have such homely salads of potherbs as women make when they
+go into the country; and whiles eating had given him more pleasure
+than himseemed it should do to one who fasteth for devotion, as did
+he. 'My son,' said the friar, 'these sins are natural and very slight
+and I would not therefore have thee burden thy conscience withal more
+than behoveth. It happeneth to every man, how devout soever he be,
+that, after long fasting, meat seemeth good to him, and after travail,
+drink.'
+
+'Alack, father mine,' rejoined Ciappelletto, 'tell me not this to
+comfort me; you must know I know that things done for the service of
+God should be done sincerely and with an ungrudging mind; and whoso
+doth otherwise sinneth.' Quoth the friar, exceeding well pleased, 'I
+am content that thou shouldst thus apprehend it and thy pure and good
+conscience therein pleaseth me exceedingly. But, tell me, hast thou
+sinned by way of avarice, desiring more than befitted or withholding
+that which it behoved thee not to withhold?' 'Father mine,' replied
+Ciappelletto, 'I would not have you look to my being in the house of
+these usurers; I have nought to do here; nay, I came hither to
+admonish and chasten them and turn them from this their abominable way
+of gain; and methinketh I should have made shift to do so, had not God
+thus visited me. But you must know that I was left a rich man by my
+father, of whose good, when he was dead, I bestowed the most part in
+alms, and after, to sustain my life and that I might be able to
+succour Christ's poor, I have done my little traffickings, and in
+these I have desired to gain; but still with God's poor have I shared
+that which I gained, converting my own half to my occasion and giving
+them the other, and in this so well hath my Creator prospered me that
+my affairs have still gone from good to better.'
+
+'Well hast thou done,' said the friar; 'but hast thou often been
+angered?' 'Oh,' cried Master Ciappelletto, 'that I must tell you I
+have very often been! And who could keep himself therefrom, seeing men
+do unseemly things all day long, keeping not the commandments of God
+neither fearing His judgment? Many times a day I had liefer been dead
+than alive, seeing young men follow after vanities and hearing them
+curse and forswear themselves, haunting the taverns, visiting not the
+churches and ensuing rather the ways of the world than that of God.'
+'My son,' said the friar, 'this is a righteous anger, nor for my part
+might I enjoin thee any penance therefor. But hath anger at any time
+availed to move thee to do any manslaughter or to bespeak any one
+unseemly or do any other unright?' 'Alack, sir,' answered the sick
+man, 'you, who seem to me a man of God, how can you say such words?
+Had I ever had the least thought of doing any one of the things
+whereof you speak, think you I believe that God would so long have
+forborne me? These be the doings of outlaws and men of nought, whereof
+I never saw any but I said still, "Go, may God amend thee!"'
+
+Then said the friar, 'Now tell me, my son (blessed be thou of God),
+hast thou never borne false witness against any or missaid of another,
+or taken others' good, without leave of him to whom it pertained?'
+'Ay, indeed, sir,' replied Master Ciappelletto; 'I have missaid of
+others; for that I had a neighbour aforetime, who, with the greatest
+unright in the world, did nought but beat his wife, insomuch that I
+once spoke ill of him to her kinsfolk, so great was the compassion
+that overcame me for the poor woman, whom he used as God alone can
+tell, whenassoever he had drunken overmuch.' Quoth the friar, 'Thou
+tellest me thou hast been a merchant. Hast thou never cheated any one,
+as merchants do whiles!' 'I' faith, yes, sir,' answered Master
+Ciappelletto; 'but I know not whom, except it were a certain man, who
+once brought me monies which he owed me for cloth I had sold him and
+which I threw into a chest, without counting. A good month after, I
+found that they were four farthings more than they should have been;
+wherefore, not seeing him again and having kept them by me a full
+year, that I might restore them to him, I gave them away in alms.'
+Quoth the friar, 'This was a small matter, and thou didst well to deal
+with it as thou didst.'
+
+Then he questioned him of many other things, of all which he answered
+after the same fashion, and the holy father offering to proceed to
+absolution, Master Ciappelletto said, 'Sir, I have yet sundry sins
+that I have not told you.' The friar asked him what they were, and he
+answered, 'I mind me that one Saturday, after none, I caused my
+servant sweep out the house and had not that reverence for the Lord's
+holy day which it behoved me have.' 'Oh,' said the friar, 'that is a
+light matter, my son.' 'Nay,' rejoined Master Ciappelletto, 'call it
+not a light matter, for that the Lord's Day is greatly to be honoured,
+seeing that on such a day our Lord rose from the dead.' Then said the
+friar, 'Well, hast thou done aught else?' 'Ay, sir,' answered Master
+Ciappelletto; 'once, unthinking what I did, I spat in the church of
+God.' Thereupon the friar fell a-smiling, and said, 'My son, that is
+no thing to be recked of; we who are of the clergy, we spit there all
+day long.' 'And you do very ill,' rejoined Master Ciappelletto; 'for
+that there is nought which it so straitly behoveth to keep clean as
+the holy temple wherein is rendered sacrifice to God.'
+
+Brief, he told him great plenty of such like things and presently fell
+a-sighing and after weeping sore, as he knew full well to do, whenas
+he would. Quoth the holy friar, 'What aileth thee, my son?' 'Alas,
+sir,' replied Master Ciappelletto, 'I have one sin left, whereof I
+never yet confessed me, such shame have I to tell it; and every time I
+call it to mind, I weep, even as you see, and meseemeth very certain
+that God will never pardon it me.' 'Go to, son,' rejoined the friar;
+'what is this thou sayest? If all the sins that were ever wrought or
+are yet to be wrought of all mankind, what while the world endureth,
+were all in one man and he repented him thereof and were contrite
+therefor, as I see thee, such is the mercy and loving-kindness of God
+that, upon confession, He would freely pardon them to him. Wherefore
+do thou tell it in all assurance.' Quoth Master Ciappelletto, still
+weeping sore, 'Alack, father mine, mine is too great a sin, and I can
+scarce believe that it will ever be forgiven me of God, except your
+prayers strive for me.' Then said the friar, 'Tell it me in all
+assurance, for I promise thee to pray God for thee.'
+
+Master Ciappelletto, however, still wept and said nought; but, after
+he had thus held the friar a great while in suspense, he heaved a deep
+sigh and said, 'Father mine, since you promise me to pray God for me,
+I will e'en tell it you. Know, then, that, when I was little, I once
+cursed my mother.' So saying, he fell again to weeping sore. 'O my
+son,' quoth the friar, 'seemeth this to thee so heinous a sin? Why,
+men blaspheme God all day long and He freely pardoneth whoso repenteth
+him of having blasphemed Him; and deemest thou not He will pardon thee
+this? Weep not, but comfort thyself; for, certes, wert thou one of
+those who set Him on the cross, He would pardon thee, in favour of
+such contrition as I see in thee.' 'Alack, father mine, what say you?'
+replied Ciappelletto. 'My kind mother, who bore me nine months in her
+body, day and night, and carried me on her neck an hundred times and
+more, I did passing ill to curse her and it was an exceeding great
+sin; and except you pray God for me, it will not be forgiven me.'
+
+The friar, then, seeing that Master Ciappelletto had no more to say,
+gave him absolution and bestowed on him his benison, holding him a
+very holy man and devoutly believing all that he had told him to be
+true. And who would not have believed it, hearing a man at the point
+of death speak thus? Then, after all this, he said to him, 'Master
+Ciappelletto, with God's help you will speedily be whole; but, should
+it come to pass that God call your blessed and well-disposed soul to
+Himself, would it please you that your body be buried in our convent?'
+'Ay, would it, sir,' replied Master Ciappelletto. 'Nay, I would fain
+no be buried otherwhere, since you have promised to pray God for me;
+more by token that I have ever had a special regard for your order.
+Wherefore I pray you that whenas you return to your lodging, you must
+cause bring me that most veritable body of Christ, which you
+consecrate a-mornings upon the altar, for that, with your leave, I
+purpose (all unworthy as I am) to take it and after, holy and extreme
+unction, to the intent that, if I have lived as a sinner, I may at the
+least die like a Christian.' The good friar replied that it pleased
+him much and that he said well and promised to see it presently
+brought him; and so was it done.
+
+Meanwhile, the two brothers, misdoubting them sore lest Master
+Ciappelletto should play them false, had posted themselves behind a
+wainscot, that divided the chamber where he lay from another, and
+listening, easily heard and apprehended that which he said to the
+friar and had whiles so great a mind to laugh, hearing the things
+which he confessed to having done, that they were like to burst and
+said, one to other, 'What manner of man is this, whom neither old age
+nor sickness nor fear of death, whereunto he seeth himself near, nor
+yet of God, before whose judgment-seat he looketh to be ere long, have
+availed to turn from his wickedness nor hinder him from choosing to
+die as he hath lived?' However, seeing that he had so spoken that he
+should be admitted to burial in a church, they recked nought of the
+rest.
+
+Master Ciappelletto presently took the sacrament and, growing rapidly
+worse, received extreme unction, and a little after evensong of the
+day he had made his fine confession, he died; whereupon the two
+brothers, having, of his proper monies, taken order for his honourable
+burial, sent to the convent to acquaint the friars therewith, bidding
+them come thither that night to hold vigil, according to usance, and
+fetch away the body in the morning, and meanwhile made ready all that
+was needful thereunto.
+
+The holy friar, who had shriven him, hearing that he had departed this
+life, betook himself to the prior of the convent and, letting ring to
+chapter, gave out to the brethren therein assembled that Master
+Ciappelletto had been a holy man, according to that which he had
+gathered from his confession, and persuaded them to receive his body
+with the utmost reverence and devotion, in the hope that God should
+show forth many miracles through him. To this the prior and brethren
+credulously consented and that same evening, coming all whereas Master
+Ciappelletto lay dead, they held high and solemn vigil over him and on
+the morrow, clad all in albs and copes, book in hand and crosses
+before them, they went, chanting the while, for his body and brought
+it with the utmost pomp and solemnity to their church, followed by
+well nigh all the people of the city, men and women.
+
+As soon as they had set the body down in the church, the holy friar,
+who had confessed him, mounted the pulpit and fell a-preaching
+marvellous things of the dead man and of his life, his fasts, his
+virginity, his simplicity and innocence and sanctity, recounting,
+amongst other things, that which he had confessed to him as his
+greatest sin and how he had hardly availed to persuade him that God
+would forgive it him; thence passing on to reprove the folk who
+hearkened, 'And you, accursed that you are,' quoth he, 'for every waif
+of straw that stirreth between your feet, you blaspheme God and the
+Virgin and all the host of heaven.' Moreover, he told them many other
+things of his loyalty and purity of heart; brief, with his speech,
+whereto entire faith was yielded of the people of the city, he so
+established the dead man in the reverent consideration of all who were
+present that, no sooner was the service at an end, than they all with
+the utmost eagerness flocked to kiss his hands and feet and the
+clothes were torn off his back, he holding himself blessed who might
+avail to have never so little thereof; and needs must they leave him
+thus all that day, so he might be seen and visited of all.
+
+The following night he was honourably buried in a marble tomb in one
+of the chapels of the church and on the morrow the folk began
+incontinent to come and burn candles and offer up prayers and make
+vows to him and hang images of wax[39] at his shrine, according to the
+promise made. Nay, on such wise waxed the frame of his sanctity and
+men's devotion to him that there was scarce any who, being in
+adversity, would vow himself to another saint than him; and they
+styled and yet style him Saint Ciappelletto and avouch that God
+through him hath wrought many miracles and yet worketh, them every day
+for whoso devoutly commendeth himself unto him.
+
+[Footnote 39: _i.e._ ex voto.]
+
+Thus, then, lived and died Master Cepperello[40] da Prato and became a
+saint, as you have heard; nor would I deny it to be possible that he
+is beatified in God's presence, for that, albeit his life was wicked
+and perverse, he may at his last extremity have shown such contrition
+that peradventure God had mercy on him and received him into His
+kingdom; but, for that this is hidden from us, I reason according to
+that which, is apparent and say that he should rather be in the hands
+of the devil in perdition than in Paradise. And if so it be, we may
+know from this how great is God's loving-kindness towards us, which,
+having regard not to our error, but to the purity of our faith, whenas
+we thus make an enemy (deeming him a friend) of His our intermediary,
+giveth ear unto us, even as if we had recourse unto one truly holy, as
+intercessor for His favour. Wherefore, to the end that by His grace we
+may be preserved safe and sound in this present adversity and in this
+so joyous company, let us, magnifying His name, in which we have begun
+our diversion, and holding Him in reverence, commend ourselves to Him
+in our necessities, well assured of being heard." And with this he was
+silent.
+
+[Footnote 40: It will be noted that this is Boccaccio's third variant
+of his hero's name (the others being Ciapperello and Cepparello) and
+the edition of 1527 furnishes us with a fourth and a fifth form _i.e._
+Ciepparello and Ciepperello.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     ABRAHAM THE JEW, AT THE INSTIGATION OF JEHANNOT DE CHEVIGNE,
+     GOETH TO THE COURT OF ROME AND SEEING THE DEPRAVITY OF THE
+     CLERGY, RETURNETH TO PARIS AND THERE BECOMETH A CHRISTIAN
+
+
+Pamfilo's story was in part laughed at and altogether commended by the
+ladies, and it being come to its end, after being diligently
+hearkened, the queen bade Neifile, who sat next him, ensue the
+ordinance of the commenced diversion by telling one[41] of her
+fashion. Neifile, who was distinguished no less by courteous manners
+than by beauty, answered blithely that she would well and began on
+this wise: "Pamfilo hath shown us in his story that God's benignness
+regardeth not our errors, when they proceed from that which is beyond
+our ken; and I, in mine, purpose to show you how this same
+benignness,--patiently suffering the defaults of those who, being
+especially bounden both with words and deeds to bear true witness
+thereof[42] yet practise the contrary,--exhibiteth unto us an
+infallible proof of itself, to the intent that we may, with the more
+constancy of mind, ensue that which we believe.
+
+[Footnote 41: _i.e._ a story.]
+
+[Footnote 42: _i.e._ of God's benignness.]
+
+As I have heard tell, gracious ladies, there was once in Paris a great
+merchant and a very loyal and upright man, whose name was Jehannot de
+Chevigne and who was of great traffic in silks and stuffs. He had
+particular friendship for a very rich Jew called Abraham, who was also
+a merchant and a very honest and trusty man, and seeing the latter's
+worth and loyalty, it began to irk him sore that the soul of so worthy
+and discreet and good a man should go to perdition for default of
+faith; wherefore he fell to beseeching him on friendly wise leave the
+errors of the Jewish faith and turn to the Christian verity, which he
+might see still wax and prosper, as being holy and good, whereas his
+own faith, on the contrary, was manifestly on the wane and dwindling
+to nought. The Jew made answer that he held no faith holy or good save
+only the Jewish, that in this latter he was born and therein meant to
+live and die, nor should aught ever make him remove therefrom.
+
+Jehannot for all that desisted not from him, but some days after
+returned to the attack with similar words, showing him, on rude enough
+wise (for that merchants for the most part can no better), for what
+reasons our religion is better than the Jewish; and albeit the Jew was
+a past master in their law, nevertheless, whether it was the great
+friendship he bore Jehannot that moved him or peradventure words
+wrought it that the Holy Ghost put into the good simple man's mouth,
+the latter's arguments began greatly to please him; but yet,
+persisting in his own belief, he would not suffer himself to be
+converted. Like as he abode obstinate, even so Jehannot never gave
+over importuning him, till at last the Jew, overcome by such continual
+insistence, said, 'Look you, Jehannot, thou wouldst have me become a
+Christian and I am disposed to do it; insomuch, indeed, that I mean,
+in the first place, to go to Rome and there see him who, thou sayest,
+is God's Vicar upon earth and consider his manners and fashions and
+likewise those of his chief brethren.[43] If these appear to me such
+that I may, by them, as well as by your words, apprehend that your
+faith is better than mine, even as thou hast studied to show me, I
+will do as I have said; and if it be not so, I will remain a Jew as I
+am.'
+
+[Footnote 43: Lit. cardinal brethren (_fratelli cardinali_).]
+
+When Jehannot heard this, he was beyond measure chagrined and said in
+himself, 'I have lost my pains, which meseemed I had right well
+bestowed, thinking to have converted this man; for that, an he go to
+the court of Rome and see the lewd and wicked life of the clergy, not
+only will he never become a Christian, but, were he already a
+Christian, he would infallibly turn Jew again.' Then, turning to
+Abraham, he said to him, 'Alack, my friend, why wilt thou undertake
+this travail and so great a charge as it will be to thee to go from
+here to Rome? More by token that, both by sea and by land, the road is
+full of perils for a rich man such as thou art. Thinkest thou not to
+find here who shall give thee baptism? Or, if peradventure thou have
+any doubts concerning the faith which I have propounded to thee, where
+are there greater doctors and men more learned in the matter than are
+here or better able to resolve thee of that which thou wilt know or
+ask? Wherefore, to my thinking, this thy going is superfluous. Bethink
+thee that the prelates there are even such as those thou mayst have
+seen here, and indeed so much the better as they are nearer unto the
+Chief Pastor. Wherefore, an thou wilt be counselled by me, thou wilt
+reserve this travail unto another time against some jubilee or other,
+whereunto it may be I will bear thee company.' To this the Jew made
+answer, 'I doubt not, Jehannot, but it is as thou tellest me; but, to
+sum up many words in one, I am altogether determined, an thou wouldst
+have me do that whereof thou hast so instantly besought me, to go
+thither; else will I never do aught thereof.' Jehannot, seeing his
+determination, said, 'Go and good luck go with thee!' And inwardly
+assured that he would never become a Christian, when once he should
+have seen the court of Rome, but availing[44] nothing in the matter,
+he desisted.
+
+[Footnote 44: Lit. losing (_perdendo_), but this is probably some
+copyist's mistake for _podendo_, the old form of _potendo_, availing.]
+
+The Jew mounted to horse and as quickliest he might betook himself to
+the court of Rome, he was honourably entertained of his brethren, and
+there abiding, without telling any the reason of his coming, he began
+diligently to enquire into the manners and fashions of the Pope and
+Cardinals and other prelates and of all the members of his court, and
+what with that which he himself noted, being a mighty quick-witted
+man, and that which he gathered from others, he found all, from the
+highest to the lowest, most shamefully given to the sin of lust, and
+that not only in the way of nature, but after the Sodomitical fashion,
+without any restraint of remorse or shamefastness, insomuch that the
+interest of courtezans and catamites was of no small avail there in
+obtaining any considerable thing.
+
+Moreover, he manifestly perceived them to be universally gluttons,
+wine-bibbers, drunkards and slaves to their bellies, brute-beast
+fashion, more than to aught else after lust. And looking farther, he
+saw them all covetous and greedy after money, insomuch that human,
+nay, Christian blood, no less than things sacred, whatsoever they
+might be, whether pertaining to the sacrifices of the altar or to the
+benefices of the church, they sold and bought indifferently for a
+price, making a greater traffic and having more brokers thereof than
+folk at Paris of silks and stuffs or what not else. Manifest simony
+they had christened 'procuration' and gluttony 'sustentation,' as if
+God apprehended not,--let be the meaning of words but,--the intention
+of depraved minds and would suffer Himself, after the fashion of men,
+to be duped by the names of things. All this, together with much else
+which must be left unsaid, was supremely displeasing to the Jew, who
+was a sober and modest man, and himseeming he had seen enough, he
+determined to return to Paris and did so.
+
+As soon as Jehannot knew of his return, he betook himself to him,
+hoping nothing less than that he should become a Christian, and they
+greeted each other with the utmost joy. Then, after Abraham had rested
+some days, Jehannot asked him how himseemed of the Holy Father and of
+the cardinals and others of his court. Whereto the Jew promptly
+answered, 'Meseemeth, God give them ill one and all! And I say this
+for that, if I was able to observe aright, no piety, no devoutness, no
+good work or example of life or otherwhat did I see there in any who
+was a churchman; nay, but lust, covetise, gluttony and the like and
+worse (if worse can be) meseemed to be there in such favour with all
+that I hold it for a forgingplace of things diabolical rather than
+divine. And as far as I can judge, meseemeth your chief pastor and
+consequently all the others endeavour with all diligence and all their
+wit and every art to bring to nought and banish from the world the
+Christian religion, whereas they should be its foundation and support.
+And for that I see that this whereafter they strive cometh not to
+pass, but that your religion continually increaseth and waxeth still
+brighter and more glorious, meseemeth I manifestly discern that the
+Holy Spirit is verily the foundation and support thereof, as of that
+which is true and holy over any other. Wherefore, whereas, aforetime I
+abode obdurate and insensible to thine exhortations and would not be
+persuaded to embrace thy faith, I now tell thee frankly that for
+nothing in the world would I forbear to become a Christian. Let us,
+then, to church and there have me baptized, according to the rite and
+ordinance of your holy faith.'
+
+Jehannot, who looked for a directly contrary conclusion to this, was
+the joyfullest man that might be, when he heard him speak thus, and
+repairing with him to our Lady's Church of Paris, required the clergy
+there to give Abraham baptism. They, hearing that the Jew himself
+demanded it, straightway proceeded to baptize him, whilst Jehannot
+raised him from the sacred font[45] and named him Giovanni. After
+this, he had him thoroughly lessoned by men of great worth and
+learning in the tenets of our holy faith, which he speedily
+apprehended and thenceforward was a good man and a worthy and one of a
+devout life."
+
+[Footnote 45: _i.e._ stood sponsor for him.]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     MELCHIZEDEK THE JEW, WITH A STORY OF THREE RINGS, ESCAPETH A
+     PARLOUS SNARE SET FOR HIM BY SALADIN
+
+
+Neifile having made an end of her story, which was commended of all,
+Filomena, by the queen's good pleasure, proceeded to speak thus: "The
+story told by Neifile bringeth to my mind a parlous case the once
+betided a Jew; and for that, it having already been excellent well
+spoken both of God and of the verity of our faith, it should not
+henceforth be forbidden us to descend to the doings of mankind and the
+events that have befallen them, I will now proceed to relate to you
+the case aforesaid, which having heard, you will peradventure become
+more wary in answering the questions that may be put to you. You must
+know, lovesome[46] companions[47] mine, that, like as folly ofttimes
+draweth folk forth of happy estate and casteth them into the utmost
+misery, even so doth good sense extricate the wise man from the
+greatest perils and place him in assurance and tranquillity. How true
+it is that folly bringeth many an one from fair estate unto misery is
+seen by multitude of examples, with the recounting whereof we have no
+present concern, considering that a thousand instances thereof do
+every day manifestly appear to us; but that good sense is a cause of
+solacement I will, as I promised, briefly show you by a little story.
+
+[Footnote 46: Lit. amorous (_amorose_), but Boccaccio frequently uses
+_amoroso_, _vago_, and other adjectives, which are now understood in
+an active or transitive sense only, in their ancient passive or
+intransitive sense of lovesome, desirable, etc.]
+
+[Footnote 47: _Compagne_, _i.e._ she-companions. Filomena is
+addressing the female part of the company.]
+
+Saladin,--whose valour was such that not only from a man of little
+account it made him Soldan of Babylon, but gained him many victories
+over kings Saracen and Christian,--having in divers wars and in the
+exercise of his extraordinary munificences expended his whole treasure
+and having an urgent occasion for a good sum of money nor seeing
+whence he might avail to have it as promptly as it behoved him, called
+to mind a rich Jew, by name Melchizedek, who lent at usance in
+Alexandria, and bethought himself that this latter had the wherewithal
+to oblige him, and he would; but he was so miserly that he would never
+have done it of his freewill and Saladin was loath to use force with
+him; wherefore, need constraining him, he set his every wit awork to
+find a means how the Jew might be brought to serve him in this and
+presently concluded to do him a violence coloured by some show of
+reason.
+
+Accordingly he sent for Melchizedek and receiving him familiarly,
+seated him by himself, then said to him, 'Honest man, I have
+understood from divers persons that thou art a very learned man and
+deeply versed in matters of divinity; wherefore I would fain know of
+thee whether of the three Laws thou reputest the true, the Jewish, the
+Saracen or the Christian.' The Jew, who was in truth a man of learning
+and understanding, perceived but too well that Saladin looked to
+entrap him in words, so he might fasten a quarrel on him, and
+bethought himself that he could not praise any of the three more than
+the others without giving him the occasion he sought. Accordingly,
+sharpening his wits, as became one who felt himself in need of an
+answer by which he might not be taken at a vantage, there speedily
+occurred to him that which it behoved him reply and he said, 'My lord,
+the question that you propound to me is a nice one and to acquaint you
+with that which I think of the matter, it behoveth me tell you a
+little story, which you shall hear.
+
+An I mistake not, I mind me to have many a time heard tell that there
+was once a great man and a rich, who among other very precious jewels
+in his treasury, had a very goodly and costly ring, whereunto being
+minded, for its worth and beauty, to do honour and wishing to leave it
+in perpetuity to his descendants, he declared that whichsoever of his
+sons should, at his death, be found in possession thereof, by his
+bequest unto him, should be recognized as his heir and be held of all
+the others in honour and reverence as chief and head. He to whom the
+ring was left by him held a like course with his own descendants and
+did even as his father had done. In brief the ring passed from hand to
+hand, through many generations, and came at last into the possession
+of a man who had three goodly and virtuous sons, all very obedient to
+their father wherefore he loved them all three alike. The young men,
+knowing the usance of the ring, each for himself, desiring to be the
+most honoured among his folk, as best he might, besought his father,
+who was now an old man, to leave him the ring, whenas he came to die.
+The worthy man, who loved them all alike and knew not himself how to
+choose to which he had liefer leave the ring, bethought himself,
+having promised it to each, to seek to satisfy all three and privily
+let make by a good craftsman other two rings, which were so like unto
+the first that he himself scarce knew which was the true. When he came
+to die, he secretly gave each one of his sons his ring, wherefore each
+of them, seeking after their father's death, to occupy the inheritance
+and the honour and denying it to the others, produced his ring, in
+witness of his right, and the three rings being found so like unto one
+another that the true might not be known, the question which was the
+father's very heir abode pending and yet pendeth. And so say I to you,
+my lord, of the three Laws to the three peoples given of God the
+Father, whereof you question me; each people deemeth itself to have
+his inheritance, His true Law and His commandments; but of which in
+very deed hath them, even as of the rings, the question yet pendeth.'
+
+Saladin perceived that the Jew had excellently well contrived to
+escape the snare which he had spread before his feet; wherefore he
+concluded to discover to him his need and see if he were willing to
+serve him; and so accordingly he did, confessing to him that which he
+had it in mind to do, had he not answered him on such discreet wise.
+The Jew freely furnished him with all that he required, and the Soldan
+after satisfied him in full; moreover, he gave him very great gifts
+and still had him to friend and maintained him about his own person in
+high and honourable estate."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     A MONK, HAVING FALLEN INTO A SIN DESERVING OF VERY GRIEVOUS
+     PUNISHMENT, ADROITLY REPROACHING THE SAME FAULT TO HIS
+     ABBOT, QUITTETH HIMSELF OF THE PENALTY
+
+
+Filomena, having despatched her story, was now silent, whereupon
+Dioneo, who sat next her, knowing already, by the ordinance begun,
+that it fell to his turn to tell, proceeded, without awaiting farther
+commandment from the queen, to speak on this wise: "Lovesome ladies,
+if I have rightly apprehended the intention of you all, we are here to
+divert ourselves with story-telling; wherefore, so but it be not done
+contrary to this our purpose, I hold it lawful unto each (even as our
+queen told us a while agone) to tell such story as he deemeth may
+afford most entertainment. Accordingly having heard how, by the good
+counsels of Jehannot de Chevigne, Abraham had his soul saved and how
+Melchizedek, by his good sense, defended his riches from Saladin's
+ambushes, I purpose, without looking for reprehension from you,
+briefly to relate with what address a monk delivered his body from a
+very grievous punishment.
+
+There was in Lunigiana, a country not very far hence, a monastery
+whilere more abounding in sanctity and monks than it is nowadays, and
+therein, among others, was a young monk, whose vigour and lustiness
+neither fasts nor vigils availed to mortify. It chanced one day,
+towards noontide, when all the other monks slept, that, as he went all
+alone round about the convent,[48] which stood in a very solitary
+place, he espied a very well-favoured lass, belike some husbandman's
+daughter of the country, who went about the fields culling certain
+herbs, and no sooner had he set eyes on her than he was violently
+assailed by carnal appetite. Wherefore, accosting her, he entered into
+parley with her and so led on from one thing to another that he came
+to an accord with her and brought her to his cell, unperceived of
+any; but whilst, carried away by overmuch ardour, he disported himself
+with her less cautiously than was prudent, it chanced that the abbot
+arose from sleep and softly passing by the monk's cell, heard the
+racket that the twain made together; whereupon he came stealthily up
+to the door to listen, that he might the better recognize the voices,
+and manifestly perceiving that there was a woman in the cell, was at
+first minded to cause open to him, but after bethought himself to hold
+another course in the matter and, returning to his chamber, awaited
+the monk's coming forth.
+
+[Footnote 48: Lit. his church (_sua chiesa_); but the context seems to
+indicate that the monastery itself is meant.]
+
+The latter, all taken up as he was with the wench and his exceeding
+pleasure and delight in her company, was none the less on his guard
+and himseeming he heard some scuffling of feet in the dormitory, he
+set his eye to a crevice and plainly saw the abbot stand hearkening
+unto him; whereby he understood but too well that the latter must have
+gotten wind of the wench's presence in his cell and knowing that sore
+punishment would ensue to him thereof, he was beyond measure
+chagrined. However, without discovering aught of his concern to the
+girl, he hastily revolved many things in himself, seeking to find some
+means of escape, and presently hit upon a rare device, which went
+straight to the mark he aimed at. Accordingly, making a show of
+thinking he had abidden long enough with the damsel, he said to her,
+'I must go cast about for a means how thou mayest win forth hence,
+without being seen; wherefore do thou abide quietly until my return.'
+
+Then, going forth and locking the cell door on her, he betook himself
+straight to the abbot's chamber and presenting him with the key,
+according as each monk did, whenas he went abroad, said to him, with a
+good countenance, 'Sir, I was unable to make an end this morning of
+bringing off all the faggots I had cut; wherefore with your leave I
+will presently go to the wood and fetch them away.' The abbot, deeming
+the monk unaware that he had been seen of him, was glad of such an
+opportunity to inform himself more fully of the offence committed by
+him and accordingly took the key and gave him the leave he sought.
+Then, as soon as he saw him gone, he fell to considering which he
+should rather do, whether open his cell in the presence of all the
+other monks and cause them to see his default, so they might after
+have no occasion to murmur against himself, whenas he should punish
+the offender, or seek first to learn from the girl herself how the
+thing had passed; and bethinking himself that she might perchance be
+the wife or daughter of such a man that he would be loath to have done
+her the shame of showing her to all the monks, he determined first to
+see her and after come to a conclusion; wherefore, betaking himself to
+the cell, he opened it and, entering, shut the door after him.
+
+The girl, seeing the abbot enter, was all aghast and fell a-weeping
+for fear of shame; but my lord abbot, casting his eyes upon her and
+seeing her young and handsome, old as he was, suddenly felt the pricks
+of the flesh no less importunate than his young monk had done and fell
+a-saying in himself, 'Marry, why should I not take somewhat of
+pleasure, whenas I may, more by token that displeasance and annoy are
+still at hand, whenever I have a mind to them? This is a handsome
+wench and is here unknown of any in the world. If I can bring her to
+do my pleasure, I know not why I should not do it. Who will know it?
+No one will ever know it and a sin that's hidden is half forgiven.
+Maybe this chance will never occur again. I hold it great sense to
+avail ourselves of a good, whenas God the Lord sendeth us thereof.'
+
+So saying and having altogether changed purpose from that wherewith he
+came, he drew near to the girl and began gently to comfort her,
+praying her not to weep, and passing from one word to another, he
+ended by discovering to her his desire. The girl, who was neither iron
+nor adamant, readily enough lent herself to the pleasure of the abbot,
+who, after he had clipped and kissed her again and again, mounted upon
+the monk's pallet and having belike regard to the grave burden of his
+dignity and the girl's tender age and fearful of irking her for
+overmuch heaviness, bestrode not her breast, but set her upon his own
+and so a great while disported himself with her.
+
+Meanwhile, the monk, who had only made believe to go to the wood and
+had hidden himself in the dormitory, was altogether reassured, whenas
+he saw the abbot enter his cell alone, doubting not but his device
+should have effect, and when he saw him lock the door from within, he
+held it for certain. Accordingly, coming forth of his hiding-place, he
+stealthily betook himself to a crevice, through which he both heard
+and saw all that the abbot did and said. When it seemed to the latter
+that he had tarried long enough with the damsel, he locked her in the
+cell and returned to his own chamber, whence, after awhile, he heard
+the monk stirring and deeming him returned from the wood, thought to
+rebuke him severely and cast him into prison, so himself might alone
+possess the prey he had gotten; wherefore, sending for him, he very
+grievously rebuked him and with a stern countenance and commanded that
+he should be put in prison.
+
+The monk very readily answered, 'Sir, I have not yet pertained long
+enough to the order of St. Benedict to have been able to learn every
+particular thereof, and you had not yet shown me that monks should
+make of women a means of mortification,[49] as of fasts and vigils;
+but, now that you have shown it me, I promise you, so you will pardon
+me this default, never again to offend therein, but still to do as I
+have seen you do.' The abbot, who was a quick-witted man, readily
+understood that the monk not only knew more than himself, but had seen
+what he did; wherefore, his conscience pricking him for his own
+default, he was ashamed to inflict on the monk a punishment which he
+himself had merited even as he. Accordingly, pardoning him and
+charging him keep silence of that which he had seen, they privily put
+the girl out of doors and it is believed that they caused her return
+thither more than once thereafterward."
+
+[Footnote 49: Lit. a pressure or oppression (_priemere_, hod.
+_premere_, to press or oppress, indicative used as a noun). The monk
+of course refers to the posture in which he had seen the abbot have to
+do with the girl, pretending to believe that he placed her on his own
+breast (instead of mounting on hers) out of a sentiment of humility
+and a desire to mortify his flesh _ipsa in voluptate_.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     THE MARCHIONESS OF MONFERRATO, WITH A DINNER OF HENS AND
+     CERTAIN SPRIGHTLY WORDS, CURBETH THE EXTRAVAGANT PASSION OF
+     THE KING OF FRANCE
+
+
+The story told by Dioneo at first pricked the hearts of the listening
+ladies with somewhat of shamefastness, whereof a modest redness
+appearing in their faces gave token; but after, looking one at other
+and being scarce able to keep their countenance, they listened,
+laughing in their sleeves. The end thereof being come, after they had
+gently chidden him, giving him to understand that such tales were not
+fit to be told among ladies, the queen, turning to Fiammetta, who sat
+next him on the grass, bade her follow on the ordinance. Accordingly,
+she began with a good grace and a cheerful countenance, "It hath
+occurred to my mind, fair my ladies,--at once because it pleaseth me
+that we have entered upon showing by stories how great is the efficacy
+of prompt and goodly answers and because, like as in men it is great
+good sense to seek still to love a lady of higher lineage than
+themselves,[50] so in women it is great discretion to know how to keep
+themselves from being taken with the love of men of greater condition
+than they,--to set forth to you, in the story which it falleth to me
+to tell, how both with deeds and words a noble lady guarded herself
+against this and diverted another therefrom.
+
+[Footnote 50: An evident allusion to Boccaccio's passion for the
+Princess Maria, _i.e._ Fiammetta herself.]
+
+The Marquis of Monferrato, a man of high worth and gonfalonier[51] of
+the church, had passed beyond seas on the occasion of a general
+crusade undertaken by the Christians, arms in hand, and it being one
+day discoursed of his merit at the court of King Phillippe le
+Borgne,[52] who was then making ready to depart France upon the same
+crusade, it was avouched by a gentleman present that there was not
+under the stars a couple to match with the marquis and his lady, for
+that, even as he was renowned among knights for every virtue, so was
+she the fairest and noblest of all the ladies in the world. These
+words took such hold upon the mind of the King of France that, without
+having seen the marchioness, he fell of a sudden ardently in love with
+her and determined to take ship for the crusade, on which he was to
+go, no otherwhere than at Genoa, in order that, journeying thither by
+land, he might have an honourable occasion of visiting the
+marchioness, doubting not but that, the marquis being absent, he might
+avail to give effect to his desire.
+
+[Footnote 51: Or standard-bearer.]
+
+[Footnote 52: _i.e._ the One-eyed (syn. le myope, the short-sighted,
+the Italian word [_Il Bornio_] having both meanings), _i.e._ Philip
+II. of France, better known as Philip Augustus.]
+
+As he had bethought himself, so he put his thought into execution;
+for, having sent forward all his power, he set out, attended only by
+some few gentlemen, and coming within a day's journey of the
+marquis's domains, despatched a vauntcourier to bid the lady expect
+him the following morning to dinner. The marchioness, who was well
+advised and discreet, replied blithely that in this he did her the
+greatest of favours and that he would be welcome and after bethought
+herself what this might mean that such a king should come to visit her
+in her husband's absence, nor was she deceived in the conclusion to
+which she came, to wit, that the report of her beauty drew him
+thither. Nevertheless, like a brave lady as she was, she determined to
+receive him with honour and summoning to her counsels sundry gentlemen
+of those who remained there, with their help, she let provide for
+everything needful. The ordinance of the repast and of the viands she
+reserved to herself alone and having forthright caused collect as many
+hens as were in the country, she bade her cooks dress various dishes
+of these alone for the royal table.
+
+The king came at the appointed time and was received by the lady with
+great honour and rejoicing. When he beheld her, she seemed to him fair
+and noble and well-bred beyond that which he had conceived from the
+courtier's words, whereat he marvelled exceedingly and commended her
+amain, waxing so much the hotter in his desire as he found the lady
+overpassing his foregone conceit of her. After he had taken somewhat
+of rest in chambers adorned to the utmost with all that pertaineth to
+the entertainment of such a king, the dinner hour being come, the king
+and the marchioness seated themselves at one table, whilst the rest,
+according to their quality, were honourably entertained at others. The
+king, being served with many dishes in succession, as well as with
+wines of the best and costliest, and to boot gazing with delight the
+while upon the lovely marchioness, was mightily pleased with his
+entertainment; but, after awhile, as the viands followed one upon
+another, he began somewhat to marvel, perceiving that, for all the
+diversity of the dishes, they were nevertheless of nought other than
+hens, and this although he knew the part where he was to be such as
+should abound in game of various kinds and although he had, by
+advising the lady in advance of his coming, given her time to send
+a-hunting. However, much as he might marvel at this, he chose not to
+take occasion of engaging her in parley thereof, otherwise than in the
+matter of her hens, and accordingly, turning to her with a merry air,
+'Madam,' quoth he, 'are hens only born in these parts, without ever a
+cock?' The marchioness, who understood the king's question excellent
+well, herseeming God had vouchsafed her, according to her wish, an
+opportune occasion of discovering her mind, turned to him and answered
+boldly, 'Nay, my lord; but women, albeit in apparel and dignities they
+may differ somewhat from others, are natheless all of the same fashion
+here as elsewhere.'
+
+The King, hearing this, right well apprehended the meaning of the
+banquet of hens and the virtue hidden in her speech and perceived that
+words would be wasted upon such a lady and that violence was out of
+the question; wherefore, even as he had ill-advisedly taken fire for
+her, so now it behoved him sagely, for his own honour's sake, stifle
+his ill-conceived passion. Accordingly, without making any more words
+with her, for fear of her replies, he dined, out of all hope; and the
+meal ended, thanking her for the honourable entertainment he had
+received from her and commending her to God, he set out for Genoa, so
+by his prompt departure he might make amends for his unseemly visit."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     AN HONEST MAN, WITH A CHANCE PLEASANTRY, PUTTETH TO SHAME
+     THE PERVERSE HYPOCRISY OF THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS
+
+
+Emilia, who sat next after Fiammetta,--the courage of the marchioness
+and the quaint rebuke administered by her to the King of France having
+been commended of all the ladies,--began, by the queen's pleasure,
+boldly to speak as follows: "I also, I will not keep silence of a
+biting reproof given by an honest layman to a covetous monk with a
+speech no less laughable than commendable.
+
+There was, then, dear lasses, no great while agone, in our city, a
+Minor friar and inquisitor of heretical pravity, who, for all he
+studied hard to appear a devout and tender lover of the Christian
+religion, as do they all, was no less diligent in enquiring of who had
+a well-filled purse than of whom he might find wanting in the things
+of the Faith. Thanks to this his diligence, he lit by chance upon a
+good simple man, richer, by far in coin than in wit, who, of no lack
+of religion, but speaking thoughtlessly and belike overheated with
+wine or excess of mirth, chanced one day to say to a company of his
+friends that he had a wine so good that Christ himself might drink
+thereof. This being reported to the inquisitor and he understanding
+that the man's means were large and his purse well filled, ran in a
+violent hurry _cum gladiis et fustibus_[53] to clap up a right
+grievous suit against him, looking not for an amendment of misbelief
+in the defendant, but for the filling of his own hand with florins to
+ensue thereof (as indeed it did,) and causing him to be cited, asked
+him if that which had been alleged against him were true.
+
+[Footnote 53: _i.e._ with sword and whips, a technical term of
+ecclesiastical procedure, about equivalent to our "with the strong arm
+of the law."]
+
+The good man replied that it was and told him how it chanced;
+whereupon quoth the most holy inquisitor, who was a devotee of St.
+John Goldenbeard,[54] 'Then hast thou made Christ a wine-bibber and
+curious in wines of choice, as if he were Cinciglione[55] or what not
+other of your drunken sots and tavern-haunters; and now thou speakest
+lowly and wouldst feign this to be a very light matter! It is not as
+thou deemest; thou hast merited the fire therefor, an we were minded
+to deal with thee as we ought.' With these and many other words he
+bespoke him, with as menacing a countenance as if the poor wretch had
+been Epicurus denying the immortality of the soul, and in brief so
+terrified him that the good simple soul, by means of certain
+intermediaries, let grease his palm with a good dose of St. John
+Goldenmouth's ointment[56] (the which is a sovereign remedy for the
+pestilential covetise of the clergy and especially of the Minor
+Brethren, who dare not touch money), so he should deal mercifully with
+him.
+
+[Footnote 54: _i.e._ a lover of money.]
+
+[Footnote 55: A notorious drinker of the time.]
+
+[Footnote 56: _i.e._ money.]
+
+This unguent, being of great virtue (albeit Galen speaketh not thereof
+in any part of his Medicines), wrought to such purpose that the fire
+denounced against him was by favour commuted into [the wearing, by way
+of penance, of] a cross, and to make the finer banner, as he were to
+go a crusading beyond seas, the inquisitor imposed it him yellow upon
+black. Moreover, whenas he had gotten the money, he detained him about
+himself some days, enjoining him, by way of penance, hear a mass every
+morning at Santa Croce and present himself before him at dinner-time,
+and after that he might do what most pleased him the rest of the day;
+all which he diligently performed.
+
+One morning, amongst others, it chanced that at the Mass he heard a
+Gospel, wherein these words were chanted, 'For every one ye shall
+receive an hundred and shall possess eternal life.'[57] This he laid
+fast up in his memory and according to the commandment given him,
+presented him at the eating hour before the inquisitor, whom he found
+at dinner. The friar asked him if he had heard mass that morning,
+whereto he promptly answered, 'Ay have I, sir.' Quoth the inquisitor,
+'Heardest thou aught therein whereof thou doubtest or would question?'
+'Certes,' replied the good man, 'I doubt not of aught that I heard,
+but do firmly believe all to be true. I did indeed hear something
+which caused and yet causeth me have the greatest compassion of you
+and your brother friars, bethinking me of the ill case wherein you
+will find yourselves over yonder in the next life.' 'And what was it
+that moved thee to such compassion of us?' asked the inquisitor.
+'Sir,' answered the other, 'it was that verse of the Evangel, which
+saith, "For every one ye shall receive an hundred." 'That is true,'
+rejoined the inquisitor; 'but why did these words move thee thus?'
+'Sir,' replied the good man, 'I will tell you. Since I have been used
+to resort hither, I have seen give out every day to a multitude of
+poor folk now one and now two vast great cauldrons of broth, which had
+been taken away from before yourself and the other brethren of this
+convent, as superfluous; wherefore, if for each one of these cauldrons
+of broth there be rendered you an hundred in the world to come, you
+will have so much thereof that you will assuredly all be drowned
+therein.'
+
+[Footnote 57: "And every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or
+sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name's
+sake shall receive an hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting
+life."--Matthew xix. 29. Boccaccio has garbled the passage for the
+sake of his point.]
+
+All who were at the inquisitor's table fell a-laughing; but the
+latter, feeling the hit at the broth-swilling[58] hypocrisy of himself
+and his brethren, was mightily incensed, and but that he had gotten
+blame for that which he had already done, he would have saddled him
+with another prosecution, for that with a laughable speech he had
+rebuked him and his brother good-for-noughts; wherefore, of his
+despite, he bade him thenceforward do what most pleased him and not
+come before him again."
+
+[Footnote 58: Syn. gluttonous (_brodajuola_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     BERGAMINO, WITH A STORY OF PRIMASSO AND THE ABBOT OF CLUNY,
+     COURTEOUSLY REBUKETH A FIT OF PARSIMONY NEWLY COME TO MESSER
+     CANE DELLA SCALA
+
+
+Emilia's pleasantness and her story moved the queen and all the rest
+to laugh and applaud the rare conceit of this new-fangled crusader.
+Then, after the laughter had subsided and all were silent again,
+Filostrato, whose turn it was to tell, began to speak on this wise:
+"It is a fine thing, noble ladies, to hit a mark that never stirreth;
+but it is well-nigh miraculous if, when some unwonted thing appeareth
+of a sudden, it be forthright stricken of an archer. The lewd and
+filthy life of the clergy, in many things as it were a constant mark
+for malice, giveth without much difficulty occasion to all who have a
+mind to speak of, to gird at and rebuke it; wherefore, albeit the
+worthy man, who pierced the inquisitor to the quick touching the
+hypocritical charity of the friars, who give to the poor that which it
+should behove them cast to the swine or throw away, did well, I hold
+him much more to be commended of whom, the foregoing tale moving me
+thereto, I am to speak and who with a quaint story rebuked Messer Cane
+della Scala, a magnificent nobleman, of a sudden and unaccustomed
+niggardliness newly appeared in him, figuring, in the person of
+another, that which he purposed to say to him concerning themselves;
+the which was on this wise.
+
+As very manifest renown proclaimeth well nigh throughout the whole
+world, Messer Cane della Scala, to whom in many things fortune was
+favourable, was one of the most notable and most magnificent gentlemen
+that have been known in Italy since the days of the Emperor Frederick
+the Second. Being minded to make a notable and wonder-goodly
+entertainment in Verona, whereunto many folk should have come from
+divers parts and especially men of art[59] of all kinds, he of a
+sudden (whatever might have been the cause) withdrew therefrom and
+having in a measure requited those who were come thither, dismissed
+them all, save only one, Bergamino by name, a man ready of speech and
+accomplished beyond the credence of whoso had not heard him, who,
+having received neither largesse nor dismissal, abode behind, in the
+hope that his stay might prove to his future advantage. But Messer
+Cane had taken it into his mind that what thing soever he might give
+him were far worse bestowed than if it had been thrown into the fire,
+nor of this did he bespeak him or let tell him aught.
+
+[Footnote 59: _i.e._ gleemen, minstrels, story-tellers, jugglers and
+the like, lit. men of court (_uomini di corte_).]
+
+Bergamino, after some days, finding himself neither called upon nor
+required unto aught that pertained to his craft and wasting his
+substance, to boot, in the hostelry with his horses and his servants,
+began to be sore concerned, but waited yet, himseeming he would not do
+well to depart. Now he had brought with him three goodly and rich
+suits of apparel, which had been given him of other noblemen, that he
+might make a brave appearance at the festival, and his host pressing
+for payment, he gave one thereof to him. After this, tarrying yet
+longer, it behoved him give the host the second suit, an he would
+abide longer with him, and withal he began to live upon the third,
+resolved to abide in expectation so long as this should last and then
+depart. Whilst he thus fed upon the third suit, he chanced one day,
+Messer Cane being at dinner, to present himself before him with a
+rueful countenance, and Messer Cane, seeing this, more by way of
+rallying him than of intent to divert himself with any of his speech,
+said to him, 'What aileth thee, Bergamino, to stand thus disconsolate?
+Tell us somewhat.'[60] Whereupon Bergamino, without a moment's
+hesitation, forthright, as if he had long considered it, related the
+following story to the purpose of his own affairs.
+
+[Footnote 60: _Dinne alcuna cosa._ If we take the affix _ne_ (thereof,
+of it), in its other meaning (as dative of _noi_, we), of "to us,"
+this phrase will read "Tell somewhat thereof," _i.e._ of the cause of
+thy melancholy.]
+
+'My lord,' said he, 'you must know that Primasso was a very learned
+grammarian[61] and a skilful and ready verse-maker above all others,
+which things rendered him so notable and so famous that, albeit he
+might not everywhere be known by sight, there was well nigh none who
+knew him not by name and by report. It chanced that, finding himself
+once at Paris in poor case, as indeed he abode most times, for that
+worth is[62] little prized of those who can most,[63] he heard speak
+of the Abbot of Cluny, who is believed to be, barring the Pope, the
+richest prelate of his revenues that the Church of God possesseth, and
+of him he heard tell marvellous and magnificent things, in that he
+still held open house nor were meat and drink ever denied to any who
+went whereas he might be, so but he sought it what time the Abbot was
+at meat. Primasso, hearing this and being one who delighted in looking
+upon men of worth and nobility, determined to go see the magnificence
+of this Abbot and enquired how near he then abode to Paris. It was
+answered him that he was then at a place of his maybe half a dozen
+miles thence; wherefore Primasso thought to be there at dinner-time,
+by starting in the morning betimes.
+
+[Footnote 61: _i.e._ Latinist.]
+
+[Footnote 62: Lit. was (_era_); but as Boccaccio puts "can"
+(_possono_) in the present tense we must either read _e_ and _possono_
+or _era_ and _potevano_. The first reading seems the more probable.]
+
+[Footnote 63: _i.e._ have most power or means of requiting it.]
+
+Accordingly, he enquired the way, but, finding none bound thither, he
+feared lest he might go astray by mischance and happen on a part where
+there might be no victual so readily to be found; wherefore, in order
+that, if this should betide, he might not suffer for lack of food, he
+bethought himself to carry with him three cakes of bread, judging that
+water (albeit it was little to his taste) he should find everywhere.
+The bread he put in his bosom and setting out, was fortunate enough to
+reach the Abbot's residence before the eating-hour. He entered and
+went spying all about and seeing the great multitude of tables set and
+the mighty preparations making in the kitchen and what not else
+provided against dinner, said in himself, "Of a truth this Abbot is as
+magnificent as folk say." After he had abidden awhile intent upon
+these things, the Abbot's seneschal, eating-time being come, bade
+bring water for the hands; which being done, he seated each man at
+table, and it chanced that Primasso was set right over against the
+door of the chamber, whence the Abbot should come forth into the
+eating-hall.
+
+Now it was the usance in that house that neither wine nor bread nor
+aught else of meat or drink should ever be set on the tables, except
+the Abbot were first came to sit at his own table. Accordingly, the
+seneschal, having set the tables, let tell the Abbot that, whenas it
+pleased him, the meat was ready. The Abbot let open the chamber-door,
+that he might pass into the saloon, and looking before him as he came,
+as chance would have it, the first who met his eyes was Primasso, who
+was very ill accoutred and whom he knew not by sight. When he saw him,
+incontinent there came into his mind an ill thought and one that had
+never yet been there, and he said in himself, "See to whom I give my
+substance to eat!" Then, turning back, he bade shut the chamber-door
+and enquired of those who were about him if any knew yonder losel who
+sat at table over against his chamber-door; but all answered no.
+
+Meanwhile Primasso, who had a mind to eat, having come a journey and
+being unused to fast, waited awhile and seeing that the Abbot came
+not, pulled out of his bosom one of the three cakes of bread he had
+brought with him and fell to eating. The Abbot, after he had waited
+awhile, bade one of his serving-men look if Primasso were gone, and
+the man answered, "No, my lord; nay, he eateth bread, which it seemeth
+he hath brought with him." Quoth the Abbot, "Well, let him eat of his
+own, an he have thereof; for of ours he shall not eat to-day." Now he
+would fain have had Primasso depart of his own motion, himseeming it
+were not well done to turn him away; but the latter, having eaten one
+cake of bread and the Abbot coming not, began upon the second; the
+which was likewise reported to the Abbot, who had caused look if he
+were gone.
+
+At last, the Abbot still tarrying, Primasso, having eaten the second
+cake, began upon the third, and this again was reported to the Abbot,
+who fell a-pondering in himself and saying, "Alack, what new maggot is
+this that is come into my head to-day? What avarice! What despite! And
+for whom? This many a year have I given my substance to eat to
+whosoever had a mind thereto, without regarding if he were gentle or
+simple, poor or rich, merchant or huckster, and have seen it with mine
+own eyes squandered by a multitude of ribald knaves; nor ever yet came
+there to my mind the thought that hath entered into me for yonder man.
+Of a surety avarice cannot have assailed me for a man of little
+account; needs must this who seemeth to me a losel be some great
+matter, since my soul hath thus repugned to do him honour."
+
+So saying, he desired to know who he was and finding that it was
+Primasso, whom he had long known by report for a man of merit, come
+thither to see with his own eyes that which he had heard of his
+magnificence, was ashamed and eager to make him amends, studied in
+many ways to do him honour. Moreover, after eating, he caused clothe
+him sumptuously, as befitted his quality, and giving him money and a
+palfrey, left it to his own choice to go or stay; whereupon Primasso,
+well pleased with his entertainment, rendered him the best thanks in
+his power and returned on horseback to Paris, whence he had set out
+afoot.
+
+Messer Cane, who was a gentleman of understanding, right well
+apprehended Bergamino's meaning, without further exposition, and said
+to him, smiling, 'Bergamino, thou hast very aptly set forth to me thy
+wrongs and merit and my niggardliness, as well as that which thou
+wouldst have of me; and in good sooth, never, save now on thine
+account, have I been assailed of parsimony; but I will drive it away
+with that same stick which thou thyself hast shown me.' Then, letting
+pay Bergamino's host and clothing himself most sumptuously in a suit
+of his own apparel, he gave him money and a palfrey and committed to
+his choice for the nonce to go or stay."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     GUGLIELMO BORSIERE WITH SOME QUAINT WORDS REBUKETH THE
+     NIGGARDLINESS OF MESSER ERMINO DE' GRIMALDI
+
+
+Next Filostrato sat Lauretta, who, after she had heard Bergamino's
+address commended, perceiving that it behoved her tell somewhat,
+began, without awaiting any commandment, blithely to speak thus: "The
+foregoing story, dear companions,[64] bringeth me in mind to tell how
+an honest minstrel on like wise and not without fruit rebuked the
+covetise of a very rich merchant, the which, albeit in effect it
+resembleth the last story, should not therefore be less agreeable to
+you, considering that good came thereof in the end.
+
+[Footnote 64: Fem.]
+
+There was, then, in Genoa, a good while agone, a gentleman called
+Messer Ermino de' Grimaldi, who (according to general belief) far
+overpassed in wealth of lands and monies the riches of whatsoever
+other richest citizen was then known in Italy; and like as he excelled
+all other Italians in wealth, even so in avarice and sordidness he
+outwent beyond compare every other miser and curmudgeon in the world;
+for not only did he keep a strait purse in the matter of hospitality,
+but, contrary to the general usance of the Genoese, who are wont to
+dress sumptuously, he suffered the greatest privations in things
+necessary to his own person, no less than in meat and in drink, rather
+than be at any expense; by reason whereof the surname de' Grimaldi had
+fallen away from him and he was deservedly called of all only Messer
+Ermino Avarizia.
+
+It chanced that, whilst, by dint of spending not, he multiplied his
+wealth, there came to Genoa a worthy minstrel,[65] both well-bred and
+well-spoken, by name Guglielmo Borsiere, a man no whit like those[66]
+of the present day, who (to the no small reproach of the corrupt and
+blameworthy usances of those[67] who nowadays would fain be called and
+reputed gentlefolk and seigniors) are rather to be styled asses,
+reared in all the beastliness and depravity of the basest of mankind,
+than [minstrels, bred] in the courts [of kings and princes]. In those
+times it used to be a minstrel's office and his wont to expend his
+pains in negotiating treaties of peace, where feuds or despites had
+befallen between noblemen, or transacting marriages, alliances and
+friendships, in solacing the minds of the weary and diverting courts
+with quaint and pleasant sayings, ay, and with sharp reproofs,
+father-like, rebuking the misdeeds of the froward,--and this for
+slight enough reward; but nowadays they study to spend their time in
+hawking evil reports from one to another, in sowing discord, in
+speaking naughtiness and obscenity and (what is worse) doing them in
+all men's presence, in imputing evil doings, lewdnesses and knaveries,
+true or false, one to other, and in prompting men of condition with
+treacherous allurements to base and shameful actions; and he is most
+cherished and honoured and most munificently entertained and rewarded
+of the sorry unmannerly noblemen of our time who saith and doth the
+most abominable words and deeds; a sore and shameful reproach to the
+present age and a very manifest proof that the virtues have departed
+this lower world and left us wretched mortals to wallow in the slough
+of the vices.
+
+[Footnote 65: _Uomo di corte._ This word has been another grievous
+stumbling block to the French and English translators of Boccaccio,
+who render it literally "courtier." The reader need hardly be reminded
+that the minstrel of the middle ages was commonly jester, gleeman and
+story-teller all in one and in these several capacities was allowed
+the utmost license of speech. He was generally attached to the court
+of some king or sovereign prince, but, in default of some such
+permanent appointment, passed his time in visiting the courts and
+mansions of princes and men of wealth and liberty, where his talents
+were likely to be appreciated and rewarded; hence the name _uomo di
+corte_, "man of court" (not "courtier," which is _cortigiano_).]
+
+[Footnote 66: _i.e._ those minstrels.]
+
+[Footnote 67: _i.e._ the noblemen their patrons.]
+
+But to return to my story, from which a just indignation hath carried
+me somewhat farther astray than I purposed,--I say that the aforesaid
+Guglielmo was honoured by all the gentlemen of Genoa and gladly seen
+of them, and having sojourned some days in the city and hearing many
+tales of Messer Ermino's avarice and sordidness, he desired to see
+him. Messer Ermino having already heard how worthy a man was this
+Guglielmo Borsiere and having yet, all miser as he was, some tincture
+of gentle breeding, received him with very amicable words and blithe
+aspect and entered with him into many and various discourses. Devising
+thus, he carried him, together with other Genoese who were in his
+company, into a fine new house of his which he had lately built and
+after having shown it all to him, said, 'Pray, Messer Guglielmo, you
+who have seen and heard many things, can you tell me of something that
+was never yet seen, which I may have depictured in the saloon of this
+my house?' Guglielmo, hearing this his preposterous question,
+answered, 'Sir, I doubt me I cannot undertake to tell you of aught
+that was never yet seen, except it were sneezings or the like; but, an
+it like you, I will tell you of somewhat which me thinketh you never
+yet beheld.' Quoth Messer Ermino, not looking for such an answer as he
+got, 'I pray you tell me what it is.' Whereto Guglielmo promptly
+replied, 'Cause Liberality to be here depictured.'
+
+When Messer Ermino heard this speech, there took him incontinent such
+a shame that it availed in a manner to change his disposition
+altogether to the contrary of that which it had been and he said,
+'Messer Guglielmo, I will have it here depictured after such a fashion
+that neither you nor any other shall ever again have cause to tell me
+that I have never seen nor known it.' And from that time forth (such
+was the virtue of Guglielmo's words) he was the most liberal and the
+most courteous gentleman of his day in Genoa and he who most
+hospitably entreated both strangers and citizens."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     THE KING OF CYPRUS, TOUCHED TO THE QUICK BY A GASCON LADY,
+     FROM A MEAN-SPIRITED PRINCE BECOMETH A MAN OF WORTH AND
+     VALIANCE
+
+
+The Queen's last commandment rested with Elisa, who, without awaiting
+it, began all blithely, "Young ladies, it hath often chanced that what
+all manner reproofs and many pains[68] bestowed upon a man have not
+availed to bring about in him hath been effected by a word more often
+spoken at hazard than of purpose aforethought. This is very well shown
+in the story related by Lauretta and I, in my turn, purpose to prove
+to you the same thing by means of another and a very short one; for
+that, since good things may still serve, they should be received with
+a mind attent, whoever be the sayer thereof.
+
+[Footnote 68: Syn. penalties, punishments (_pene_).]
+
+I say, then, that in the days of the first King of Cyprus, after the
+conquest of the Holy Land by Godefroi de Bouillon, it chanced that a
+gentlewoman of Gascony went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre and
+returning thence, came to Cyprus, where she was shamefully abused of
+certain lewd fellows; whereof having complained, without getting any
+satisfaction, she thought to appeal to the King for redress, but was
+told that she would lose her pains, for that he was of so abject a
+composition and so little of worth that, far from justifying others of
+their wrongs, he endured with shameful pusillanimity innumerable
+affronts offered to himself, insomuch that whose had any grudge
+[against him] was wont to vent his despite by doing him some shame or
+insult.
+
+The lady, hearing this and despairing of redress, bethought herself,
+by way of some small solacement of her chagrin, to seek to rebuke the
+king's pusillanimity; wherefore, presenting herself in tears before
+him, she said to him, 'My lord, I come not into thy presence for any
+redress that I expect of the wrong that hath been done me; but in
+satisfaction thereof, I prithee teach me how thou dost to suffer those
+affronts which I understand are offered unto thyself, so haply I may
+learn of thee patiently to endure mine own, the which God knoweth, an
+I might, I would gladly bestow on thee, since thou art so excellent a
+supporter thereof.'
+
+The King, who till then had been sluggish and supine, awoke as if from
+sleep and beginning with the wrong done to the lady, which he cruelly
+avenged, thenceforth became a very rigorous prosecutor of all who
+committed aught against the honour of his crown."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the First]
+
+     MASTER ALBERTO OF BOLOGNA CIVILLY PUTTETH A LADY TO THE
+     BLUSH WHO THOUGHT TO HAVE SHAMED HIM OF BEING ENAMOURED OF
+     HER
+
+
+Elisa being now silent, the last burden of the story-telling rested
+with the queen, who, with womanly grace beginning to speak, said,
+"Noble damsels, like as in the lucid nights the stars are the ornament
+of the sky and as in Spring-time the flowers of the green meadows,
+even so are commendable manners and pleasing discourse adorned by
+witty sallies, which latter, for that they are brief, are yet more
+beseeming to women than to men, inasmuch as much and long speech,
+whenas it may be dispensed with, is straitlier forbidden unto women
+than to men, albeit nowadays there are few or no women left who
+understand a sprightly saying or, if they understand it, know how to
+answer it, to the general shame be it said of ourselves and of all
+women alive. For that virtue,[69] which was erst in the minds of the
+women of times past, those of our day have diverted to the adornment
+of the body, and she on whose back are to be seen the most motley
+garments and the most gaudily laced and garded and garnished with the
+greatest plenty of fringes and purflings and broidery deemeth herself
+worthy to be held of far more account than her fellows and to be
+honoured above them, considering not that, were it a question of who
+should load her back and shoulders with bravery, an ass would carry
+much more thereof than any of them nor would therefore be honoured for
+more than an ass.
+
+[Footnote 69: _Virtu_, in the old Roman sense of strength, vigour,
+energy.]
+
+I blush to avow it, for that I cannot say aught against other women
+but I say it against myself; these women that are so laced and purfled
+and painted and parti-coloured abide either mute and senseless, like
+marble statues, or, an they be questioned, answer after such a fashion
+that it were far better to have kept silence. And they would have you
+believe that their unableness to converse among ladies and men of
+parts proceedeth from purity of mind, and to their witlessness they
+give the name of modesty, as if forsooth no woman were modest but she
+who talketh with her chamberwoman or her laundress or her bake-wench;
+the which had Nature willed, as they would have it believed, she had
+assuredly limited unto them their prattle on other wise. It is true
+that in this, as in other things, it behoveth to have regard to time
+and place and with whom one talketh; for that it chanceth bytimes that
+women or men, thinking with some pleasantry or other to put another to
+the blush and not having well measured their own powers with those of
+the latter, find that confusion, which they thought to cast upon
+another, recoil upon themselves. Wherefore, so you may know how to
+keep yourselves and that, to boot, you may not serve as a text for the
+proverb which is current everywhere, to wit, that women in everything
+still take the worst, I would have you learn a lesson from the last of
+to-day's stories, which falleth to me to tell, to the intent that,
+even as you are by nobility of mind distinguished from other women, so
+likewise you may show yourselves no less removed from them by
+excellence of manners.
+
+It is not many years since there lived (and belike yet liveth) at
+Bologna a very great and famous physician, known by manifest renown to
+well nigh all the world. His name was Master Alberto and such was the
+vivacity of his spirit that, albeit he was an old man of hard upon
+seventy years of age and well nigh all natural heat had departed his
+body, he scrupled not to expose himself to the flames of love; for
+that, having seen at an entertainment a very beautiful widow lady,
+called, as some say, Madam Malgherida[70] de' Ghisolieri, and being
+vastly taken with her, he received into his mature bosom, no otherwise
+than if he had been a young gallant, the amorous fire, insomuch that
+himseemed he rested not well by night, except the day foregone he had
+looked upon the delicate and lovesome countenance of the fair lady.
+Wherefore he fell to passing continually before her house, now afoot
+and now on horseback, as the occasion served him, insomuch that she
+and many other ladies got wind of the cause of his constant passings
+to and fro and oftentimes made merry among themselves to see a man
+thus ripe of years and wit in love, as if they deemed that that most
+pleasant passion of love took root and flourished only in the silly
+minds of the young and not otherwhere.
+
+[Footnote 70: Old form of Margherita.]
+
+What while he continued to pass back and forth, it chanced one holiday
+that, the lady being seated with many others before her door and
+espying Master Alberto making towards them from afar, they one and
+all took counsel together to entertain him and do him honour and after
+to rally him on that his passion. Accordingly, they all rose to
+receive him and inviting him [to enter,] carried him into a shady
+courtyard, whither they let bring the choicest of wines and sweetmeats
+and presently enquired of him, in very civil and pleasant terms, how
+it might be that he was fallen enamoured of that fair lady, knowing
+her to be loved of many handsome, young and sprightly gentlemen. The
+physician, finding himself thus courteously attacked, put on a blithe
+countenance and answered, 'Madam, that I love should be no marvel to
+any understanding person, and especially that I love yourself, for
+that you deserve it; and albeit old men are by operation of nature
+bereft of the vigour that behoveth unto amorous exercises, yet not for
+all that are they bereft of the will nor of the wit to apprehend that
+which is worthy to be loved; nay, this latter is naturally the better
+valued of them, inasmuch as they have more knowledge and experience
+than the young. As for the hope that moveth me, who am an old man, to
+love you who are courted of many young gallants, it is on this wise: I
+have been many a time where I have seen ladies lunch and eat lupins
+and leeks. Now, although in the leek no part is good, yet is the
+head[71] thereof less hurtful and more agreeable to the taste; but you
+ladies, moved by a perverse appetite, commonly hold the head in your
+hand and munch the leaves, which are not only naught, but of an ill
+savour. How know I, madam, but you do the like in the election of your
+lovers? In which case, I should be the one chosen of you and the
+others would be turned away.'
+
+[Footnote 71: _i.e._ the base or eatable part of the stem.]
+
+The gentlewoman and her companions were somewhat abashed and said,
+'Doctor, you have right well and courteously chastised our
+presumptuous emprise; algates, your love is dear to me, as should be
+that of a man of worth and learning; wherefore, you may in all
+assurance command me, as your creature, of your every pleasure, saving
+only mine honour.' The physician, rising with his companions, thanked
+the lady and taking leave of her with laughter and merriment, departed
+thence. Thus the lady, looking not whom she rallied and thinking to
+discomfit another, was herself discomfited; wherefrom, an you be wise,
+you will diligently guard yourselves."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The sun had begun to decline towards the evening, and the heat was in
+great part abated, when the stories of the young ladies and of the
+three young men came to an end; whereupon quoth the queen
+blithesomely, "Henceforth, dear companions, there remaineth nought
+more to do in the matter of my governance for the present day, save to
+give you a new queen, who shall, according to her judgment, order her
+life and ours, for that[72] which is to come, unto honest pleasance.
+And albeit the day may be held to endure from now until nightfall,
+yet,--for that whoso taketh not somewhat of time in advance cannot,
+meseemeth, so well provide for the future and in order that what the
+new queen shall deem needful for the morrow may be prepared,--methinketh
+the ensuing days should commence at this hour. Wherefore, in reverence
+of Him unto whom all things live and for our own solacement, Filomena,
+a right discreet damsel, shall, as queen, govern our kingdom for the
+coming day." So saying, she rose to her feet and putting off the
+laurel-wreath, set it reverently on the head of Filomena, whom first
+herself and after all the other ladies and the young men likewise
+saluted as queen, cheerfully submitting themselves to her governance.
+
+[Footnote 72: _i.e._ that day.]
+
+Filomena blushed somewhat to find herself invested with the queendom,
+but, calling to mind the words a little before spoken by
+Pampinea,[73]--in order that she might not appear witless, she resumed
+her assurance and in the first place confirmed all the offices given
+by Pampinea; then, having declared that they should abide whereas they
+were, she appointed that which was to do against the ensuing morning,
+as well as for that night's supper, and after proceeded to speak thus:
+
+[Footnote 73: See ante, p. 8.]
+
+"Dearest companions, albeit Pampinea, more of her courtesy than for
+any worth of mine, hath made me queen of you all, I am not therefore
+disposed to follow my judgment alone in the manner of our living, but
+yours together with mine; and that you may know that which meseemeth
+is to do and consequently at your pleasure add thereto or abate
+thereof, I purpose briefly to declare it to you.
+
+If I have well noted the course this day held by Pampinea, meseemeth I
+have found it alike praiseworthy and delectable; wherefore till such
+time as, for overlong continuance or other reason, it grow irksome to
+us, I judge it not to be changed. Order, then, being taken for [the
+continuance of] that which we have already begun to do, we will,
+arising hence, go awhile a-pleasuring, and whenas the sun shall be for
+going under, we will sup in the cool of the evening, and after sundry
+canzonets and other pastimes, we shall do well to betake ourselves to
+sleep. To-morrow, rising in the cool of the morning, we will on like
+wise go somewhither a-pleasuring, as shall be most agreeable to every
+one; and as we have done to-day, we will at the due hour come back to
+eat; after which we will dance and when we arise from sleep, as to-day
+we have done, we will return hither to our story-telling, wherein
+meseemeth a very great measure to consist alike of pleasance and of
+profit. Moreover, that which Pampinea had indeed no opportunity of
+doing, by reason of her late election to the governance, I purpose now
+to enter upon, to wit, to limit within some bound that whereof we are
+to tell and to declare it[74] to you beforehand, so each of you may
+have leisure to think of some goodly story to relate upon the theme
+proposed, the which, an it please you, shall be on this wise; namely,
+seeing that since the beginning of the world men have been and will
+be, until the end thereof, bandied about by various shifts of fortune,
+each shall be holden to tell OF THOSE WHO AFTER BEING BAFFLED BY
+DIVERS CHANCES HAVE WON AT LAST TO A JOYFUL ISSUE BEYOND THEIR HOPE."
+
+[Footnote 74: _i.e._ the terms of the limitation aforesaid.]
+
+Ladies and men alike all commended this ordinance and declared
+themselves ready to ensue it. Only Dioneo, the others all being
+silent, said, "Madam, as all the rest have said, so say I, to wit that
+the ordinance given by you is exceeding pleasant and commendable; but
+of especial favour I crave you a boon, which I would have confirmed to
+me for such time as our company shall endure, to wit, that I may not
+be constrained by this your law to tell a story upon the given theme,
+an it like me not, but shall be free to tell that which shall most
+please me. And that none may think I seek this favour as one who hath
+not stories, in hand, from this time forth I am content to be still
+the last to tell."
+
+The queen,--who knew him for a merry man and a gamesome and was well
+assured that he asked this but that he might cheer the company with
+some laughable story, whenas they should be weary of discoursing,--with
+the others' consent, cheerfully accorded him the favour he sought.
+Then, arising from session, with slow steps they took their way
+towards a rill of very clear water, that ran down from a little hill,
+amid great rocks and green herbage, into a valley overshaded with many
+trees and there, going about in the water, bare-armed and shoeless,
+they fell to taking various diversions among themselves, till
+supper-time drew near, when they returned to the palace and there
+supped merrily. Supper ended, the queen called for instruments of
+music and bade Lauretta lead up a dance, whilst Emilia sang a song, to
+the accompaniment of Dioneo's lute. Accordingly, Lauretta promptly set
+up a dance and led it off, whilst Emilia amorously warbled the
+following song:
+
+     I burn for mine own charms with such a fire,
+         Methinketh that I ne'er
+       Of other love shall reck or have desire.
+
+     Whene'er I mirror me, I see therein[75]
+       That good which still contenteth heart and spright;
+     Nor fortune new nor thought of old can win
+       To dispossess me of such dear delight.
+       What other object, then, could fill my sight,
+         Enough of pleasance e'er
+     To kindle in my breast a new desire?
+
+     This good flees not, what time soe'er I'm fain
+       Afresh to view it for my solacement;
+     Nay, at my pleasure, ever and again
+       With such a grace it doth itself present
+       Speech cannot tell it nor its full intent
+         Be known of mortal e'er,
+       Except indeed he burn with like desire.
+
+     And I, grown more enamoured every hour,
+       The straitlier fixed mine eyes upon it be,
+     Give all myself and yield me to its power,
+       E'en tasting now of that it promised me,
+       And greater joyance yet I hope to see,
+         Of such a strain as ne'er
+       Was proven here below of love-desire.
+
+[Footnote 75: _i.e._ in the mirrored presentment of her own beauty.]
+
+Lauretta having thus made an end of her ballad,[76]--in the burden of
+which all had blithely joined, albeit the words thereof gave some much
+matter for thought,--divers other rounds were danced and a part of the
+short night being now spent, it pleased the queen to give an end to
+the first day; wherefore, letting kindle the flambeaux, she commanded
+that all should betake themselves to rest until the ensuing morning,
+and all, accordingly, returning to their several chambers, did so.
+
+[Footnote 76: _Ballatella_, lit. little dancing song or song made to
+be sung as an accompaniment to a dance (from _ballare_, to dance).
+This is the origin of our word ballad.]
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE FIRST DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Second_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE SECOND DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF FILOMENA IS DISCOURSED OF THOSE WHO AFTER
+     BEING BAFFLED BY DIVERS CHANCES HAVE WON AT LAST TO A JOYFUL
+     ISSUE BEYOND THEIR HOPE
+
+
+The sun had already everywhere brought on the new day with its light
+and the birds, carolling blithely among the green branches, bore
+witness thereof unto the ear with their merry songs, when the ladies
+and the three young men, arising all, entered the gardens and pressing
+the dewy grass with slow step, went wandering hither and thither,
+weaving goodly garlands and disporting themselves, a great while. And
+like as they had done the day foregone, even so did they at present;
+to wit, having eaten in the cool and danced awhile, they betook them
+to repose and arising thence after none, came all, by command of their
+queen, into the fresh meadows, where they seated themselves round
+about her. Then she, who was fair of favour and exceeding pleasant of
+aspect, having sat awhile, crowned with her laurel wreath, and looked
+all her company in the face, bade Neifile give beginning to the day's
+stories by telling one of her fashion; whereupon the latter, without
+making any excuse, blithely began to speak thus:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     MARTELLINO FEIGNETH HIMSELF A CRIPPLE AND MAKETH BELIEVE TO
+     WAX WHOLE UPON THE BODY OF ST. ARRIGO. HIS IMPOSTURE BEING
+     DISCOVERED, HE IS BEATEN AND BEING AFTER TAKEN [FOR A
+     THIEF,] GOETH IN PERIL OF BEING HANGED BY THE NECK, BUT
+     ULTIMATELY ESCAPETH
+
+
+"It chanceth oft, dearest ladies, that he who studieth to befool
+others, and especially in things reverend, findeth himself with
+nothing for his pains but flouts and whiles cometh not off scathless.
+Wherefore, that I may obey the queen's commandment and give beginning
+to the appointed theme with a story of mine, I purpose to relate to
+you that which, first misfortunately and after happily, beyond his
+every thought, betided a townsman of ours.
+
+No great while agone there was at Treviso a German called Arrigo, who,
+being a poor man, served whoso required him to carry burdens for hire;
+and withal he was held of all a man of very holy and good life.
+Wherefore, be it true or untrue, when he died, it befell, according to
+that which the Trevisans avouch, that, in the hour of his death, the
+bells of the great church of Treviso began to ring, without being
+pulled of any. The people of the city, accounting this a miracle,
+proclaimed this Arrigo a saint and running all to the house where he
+lay, bore his body, for that of a saint, to the Cathedral, whither
+they fell to bringing the halt, the impotent and the blind and others
+afflicted with whatsoever defect or infirmity, as if they should all
+be made whole by the touch of the body.
+
+In the midst of this great turmoil and concourse of folk, it chanced
+that there arrived at Treviso three of our townsmen, whereof one was
+called Stecchi, another Martellino and the third Marchese, men who
+visited the courts of princes and lords and diverted the beholders by
+travestying themselves and counterfeiting whatsoever other man with
+rare motions and grimaces. Never having been there before and seeing
+all the folk run, they marvelled and hearing the cause, were for going
+to see what was toward; wherefore they laid up their baggage at an inn
+and Marchese said, 'We would fain go look upon this saint; but, for my
+part, I see not how we may avail to win thither, for that I understand
+the Cathedral place is full of German and other men-at-arms, whom the
+lord of this city hath stationed there, so no riot may betide; more by
+token that they say the church is so full of folk that well nigh none
+else might enter there.' 'Let not that hinder you,' quoth Martellino,
+who was all agog to see the show; 'I warrant you I will find a means
+of winning to the holy body.' 'How so?' asked Marchese, and Martellino
+answered, 'I will tell thee. I will counterfeit myself a cripple and
+thou on one side and Stecchi on the other shall go upholding me, as it
+were I could not walk of myself, making as if you would fain bring me
+to the saint, so he may heal me. There will be none but, seeing us,
+will make way for us and let us pass.'
+
+The device pleased Marchese and Stecchi and they went forth of the inn
+without delay, all three. Whenas they came to a solitary place,
+Martellino writhed his hands and fingers and arms and legs and eke his
+mouth and eyes and all his visnomy on such wise that it was a
+frightful thing to look upon, nor was there any saw him but would have
+avouched him to be verily all fordone and palsied of his person.
+Marchese and Stecchi, taking him up, counterfeited as he was, made
+straight for the church, with a show of the utmost compunction, humbly
+beseeching all who came in their way for the love of God to make room
+for them, the which was lightly yielded them. Brief, every one gazing
+on them and crying well nigh all, 'Make way! Make way!' they came
+whereas Saint Arrigo's body lay and Martellino was forthright taken up
+by certain gentlemen who stood around and laid upon the body, so he
+might thereby regain the benefit of health. Martellino, having lain
+awhile, whilst all the folk were on the stretch to see what should
+come of him, began, as right well he knew how, to make a show of
+opening first one finger, then a hand and after putting forth an arm
+and so at last coming to stretch himself out altogether. Which when
+the people saw, they set up such an outcry in praise of Saint Arrigo
+as would have drowned the very thunder.
+
+Now, as chance would have it, there was therenigh a certain
+Florentine, who knew Martellino very well, but had not recognized him,
+counterfeited as he was, whenas he was brought thither. However, when
+he saw him grown straight again, he knew him and straightway fell
+a-laughing and saying, 'God confound him! Who that saw him come had
+not deemed him palsied in good earnest?' His words were overheard of
+sundry Trevisans, who asked him incontinent, 'How! Was he not
+palsied?' 'God forbid!' answered the Florentine. 'He hath ever been as
+straight as any one of us; but he knoweth better than any man in the
+world how to play off tricks of this kind and counterfeit what shape
+soever he will.'
+
+When the others heard this, there needed nothing farther; but they
+pushed forward by main force and fell a-crying out and saying, 'Seize
+yonder traitor and scoffer at God and His saints, who, being whole of
+his body, hath come hither, in the guise of a cripple, to make mock of
+us and of our saint!' So saying, they laid hold of Martellino and
+pulled him down from the place where he lay. Then, taking him by the
+hair of his head and tearing all the clothes off his back, they fell
+upon him with cuffs and kicks; nor himseemed was there a man in the
+place but ran to do likewise. Martellino roared out, 'Mercy, for God's
+sake!' and fended himself as best he might, but to no avail; for the
+crowd redoubled upon him momently. Stecchi and Marchese, seeing this,
+began to say one to the other that things stood ill, but, fearing for
+themselves, dared not come to his aid; nay, they cried out with the
+rest to put him to death, bethinking them the while how they might
+avail to fetch him out of the hands of the people, who would certainly
+have slain him, but for a means promptly taken by Marchese; to wit,
+all the officers of the Seignory being without the church, he betook
+himself as quickliest he might, to him who commanded for the Provost
+and said, 'Help, for God's sake! There is a lewd fellow within who
+hath cut my purse, with a good hundred gold florins. I pray you take
+him, so I may have mine own again.'
+
+Hearing this, a round dozen of sergeants ran straightway whereas the
+wretched Martellino was being carded without a comb and having with
+the greatest pains in the world broken through the crowd, dragged him
+out of the people's hands, all bruised and tumbled as he was, and
+haled him off to the palace, whither many followed him who held
+themselves affronted of him and hearing that he had been taken for a
+cutpurse and themseeming they had no better occasion[77] of doing him
+an ill turn,[78] began each on like wise to say that he had cut his
+purse. The Provost's judge, who was a crabbed, ill-conditioned fellow,
+hearing this, forthright took him apart and began to examine him of
+the matter; but Martellino answered jestingly, as if he made light of
+his arrest; whereat the judge, incensed, caused truss him up and give
+him two or three good bouts of the strappado, with intent to make him
+confess that which they laid to his charge, so he might after have him
+strung up by the neck.
+
+[Footnote 77: Or pretext (_titolo_).]
+
+[Footnote 78: Or "having him punished," lit. "causing give him ill
+luck" (_fargli dar la mala ventura_). This passage, like so many
+others of the Decameron, is ambiguous and may also be read
+"themseeming none other had a juster title to do him an ill turn."]
+
+When he was let down again, the judge asked him once more if that were
+true which the folk avouched against him, and Martellino, seeing that
+it availed him not to deny, answered, 'My lord, I am ready to confess
+the truth to you; but first make each who accuseth me say when and
+where I cut his purse, and I will tell you what I did and what not.'
+Quoth the judge, 'I will well,' and calling some of his accusers, put
+the question to them; whereupon one said that he had cut his purse
+eight, another six and a third four days agone, whilst some said that
+very day. Martellino, hearing this, said, 'My lord, these all lie in
+their throats and I can give you this proof that I tell you the truth,
+inasmuch as would God it were as sure that I had never come hither as
+it is that I was never in this place till a few hours agone; and as
+soon as I arrived, I went, of my ill fortune, to see yonder holy body
+in the church, where I was carded as you may see; and that this I say
+is true, the Prince's officer who keepeth the register of strangers
+can certify you, he and his book, as also can my host. If, therefore,
+you find it as I tell you, I beseech you torture me not neither put me
+to death at the instance of these wicked, men.'
+
+Whilst things were at this pass, Marchese and Stecchi, hearing that
+the judge of the Provostry was proceeding rigorously against
+Martellino and had already given him the strappado, were sore affeared
+and said in themselves, 'We have gone the wrong way to work; we have
+brought him forth of the frying-pan and cast him into the fire.'
+Wherefore they went with all diligence in quest of their host and
+having found him, related to him how the case stood. He laughed and
+carried them to one Sandro Agolanti, who abode in Treviso and had
+great interest with the Prince, and telling him everything in order,
+joined with them in beseeching him to occupy himself with Martellino's
+affairs. Sandro, after many a laugh, repaired to the Prince and
+prevailed upon him to send for Martellino.
+
+The Prince's messengers found Martellino still in his shirt before the
+judge, all confounded and sore adread, for that the judge would hear
+nothing in his excuse; nay, having, by chance, some spite against the
+people of Florence, he was altogether determined to hang him by the
+neck and would on no wise render him up to the Prince till such time
+as he was constrained thereto in his despite. Martellino, being
+brought before the lord of the city and having told him everything in
+order, besought him, by way of special favour, to let him go about his
+business, for that, until he should be in Florence again, it would
+still seem to him he had the rope about his neck. The Prince laughed
+heartily at his mischance and let give each of the three a suit of
+apparel, wherewith they returned home safe and sound, having, beyond
+all their hope, escaped so great a peril."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     RINALDO D'ASTI, HAVING BEEN ROBBED, MAKETH HIS WAY TO CASTEL
+     GUGLIELMO, WHERE HE IS HOSPITABLY ENTERTAINED BY A WIDOW
+     LADY AND HAVING MADE GOOD HIS LOSS, RETURNETH TO HIS OWN
+     HOUSE, SAFE AND SOUND
+
+
+The ladies laughed immoderately at Martellino's misfortunes narrated
+by Neifile, as did also the young men and especially Filostrato, whom,
+for that he sat next Neifile, the queen bade follow her in
+story-telling. Accordingly he began without delay, "Fair ladies, needs
+must I tell you a story[79] of things Catholic,[80] in part mingled
+with misadventures and love-matters, which belike will not be other
+than profitable to hear, especially to those who are wayfarers in the
+perilous lands of love, wherein whoso hath not said St. Julian his
+Paternoster is oftentimes ill lodged, for all he have a good bed.
+
+[Footnote 79: Lit. a story striveth in (draweth) me to be told or to
+tell itself (_a raccontarsi mi tira una novella_).]
+
+[Footnote 80: _i.e._ religious matters (_cose cattoliche_).]
+
+In the days, then, of the Marquis Azzo of Ferrara, there came a
+merchant called Rinaldo d'Asti to Bologna on his occasions, which
+having despatched and returning homeward, it chanced that, as he
+issued forth of Ferrara and rode towards Verona, he fell in with
+certain folk who seemed merchants, but were in truth highwaymen and
+men of lewd life and condition, with whom he unwarily joined company
+and entered into discourse. They, seeing him to be a merchant and
+judging him to have monies about him, took counsel together to rob
+him, at the first opportunity that should offer; wherefore, that he
+might take no suspicion, they went devising with him, like decent
+peaceable folk, of things honest and seemly and of loyalty, ordering
+themselves toward him, in so far as they knew and could, with respect
+and complaisance, so that he deemed himself in great luck to have met
+with them, for that he was alone with a serving-man of his on
+horseback.
+
+Thus faring on and passing from one thing to another, as it chanceth
+in discourse, they presently fell to talking of the orisons that men
+offer up to God, and one of the highwaymen, who were three in number,
+said to Rinaldo, 'And you, fair sir, what orison do you use to say on
+a journey?' Whereto he answered, 'Sooth to say, I am but a plain man
+and little versed in these matters and have few orisons in hand; I
+live after the old fashion and let a couple of shillings pass for
+four-and-twenty pence.[81] Nevertheless, I have still been wont, when
+on a journey, to say of a morning, what time I come forth of the inn,
+a Pater and an Ave for the soul of St. Julian's father and mother,
+after which I pray God and the saint to grant me a good lodging for
+the ensuing night. Many a time in my day have I, in the course of my
+journeyings, been in great perils, from all of which I have escaped
+and have still found myself at night, to boot, in a place of safety
+and well lodged. Wherefore I firmly believe that St. Julian, in whose
+honour I say it, hath gotten me this favour of God; nor meseemeth
+should I fare well by day nor come to good harbourage at night, except
+I had said it in the morning.' 'And did you say it[82] this morning?'
+asked he who had put the question to him. 'Ay did I,' answered
+Rinaldo; whereupon quoth the other in himself, knowing well how the
+thing was to go, 'May it stand thee in stead![83] For, an no hindrance
+betide us, methinketh thou art e'en like to lodge ill.' Then, to
+Rinaldo, 'I likewise,' quoth he, 'have travelled much and have never
+said this orison, albeit I have heard it greatly commended, nor ever
+hath it befallen me to lodge other than well; and this evening maybe
+you shall chance to see which will lodge the better, you who have said
+it or I who have not. True, I use, instead thereof, the _Dirupisti_ or
+the _Intemerata_ or the _De Profundis_, the which, according to that
+which a grandmother of mine used to tell me, are of singular virtue.'
+
+[Footnote 81: _i.e._ take things by the first intention, without
+seeking to refine upon them, or, in English popular phrase, "I do not
+pretend to see farther through a stone wall than my neighbours."]
+
+[Footnote 82: _i.e._ the aforesaid orison.]
+
+[Footnote 83: Or "'Twill have been opportunely done of thee."]
+
+Discoursing thus of various matters and faring on their way, on the
+look out the while for time and place apt unto their knavish purpose,
+they came, late in the day, to a place a little beyond Castel
+Guglielmo, where, at the fording of a river, the three rogues, seeing
+the hour advanced and the spot solitary and close shut in, fell upon
+Rinaldo and robbed him of money, clothes and horse. Then, leaving him
+afoot and in his shirt, they departed, saying, 'Go see if thy St.
+Julian will give thee a good lodging this night, even as ours[84] will
+assuredly do for us.' And passing the stream, they went their ways.
+Rinaldo's servant, seeing him attacked, like a cowardly knave as he
+was, did nought to help him, but turning his horse's head, never drew
+bridle till he came to Castel Guglielmo and entering the town, took up
+his lodging there, without giving himself farther concern.
+
+[Footnote 84: _i.e._ our patron saint.]
+
+Rinaldo, left in his shirt and barefoot, it being very cold and
+snowing hard, knew not what to do and seeing the night already at
+hand, looked about him, trembling and chattering the while with his
+teeth, if there were any shelter to be seen therenigh, where he might
+pass the night, so he should not perish of cold; but, seeing none, for
+that a little before there had been war in those parts and everything
+had been burnt, set off at a run, spurred by the cold, towards Castel
+Guglielmo, knowing not withal if his servant were fled thither or
+otherwise and thinking that, so he might but avail to enter therein,
+God would send him some relief. But darkness overtook him near a mile
+from the town, wherefore he arrived there so late that, the gates
+being shut and the draw-bridges raised, he could get no admission.
+Thereupon, despairing and disconsolate, he looked about, weeping, for
+a place where he might shelter, so at the least it should not snow
+upon him, and chancing to espy a house that projected somewhat beyond
+the walls of the town, he determined to go bide thereunder till day.
+Accordingly, betaking himself thither, he found there a door, albeit
+it was shut, and gathering at foot thereof somewhat of straw that was
+therenigh, he laid himself down there, tristful and woebegone,
+complaining sore to St. Julian and saying that this was not of the
+faith he had in him.
+
+However, the saint had not lost sight of him and was not long in
+providing him with a good lodging. There was in the town a widow lady,
+as fair of favour as any woman living, whom the Marquis Azzo loved as
+his life and there kept at his disposition, and she abode in that same
+house, beneath the projection whereof Rinaldo had taken shelter. Now,
+as chance would have it, the Marquis had come to the town that day,
+thinking to lie the night with her, and had privily let make ready in
+her house a bath and a sumptuous supper. Everything being ready and
+nought awaited by the lady but the coming of the Marquis, it chanced
+that there came a serving-man to the gate, who brought him news, which
+obliged him to take horse forthright; wherefore, sending to tell his
+mistress not to expect him, he departed in haste. The lady, somewhat
+disconsolate at this, knowing not what to do, determined to enter the
+bath prepared for the Marquis and after sup and go to bed.
+
+Accordingly she entered the bath, which was near the door, against
+which the wretched merchant was crouched without the city-wall;
+wherefore she, being therein, heard the weeping and trembling kept up
+by Rinaldo, who seemed as he were grown a stork,[85] and calling her
+maid, said to her, 'Go up and look over the wall who is at the
+postern-foot and what he doth there.' The maid went thither and aided
+by the clearness of the air, saw Rinaldo in his shirt and barefoot,
+sitting there, as hath been said, and trembling sore; whereupon she
+asked him who he was. He told her, as briefliest he might, who he was
+and how and why he was there, trembling the while on such wise that he
+could scarce form the words, and after fell to beseeching her
+piteously not to leave him there all night to perish of cold, [but to
+succour him,] an it might be. The maid was moved to pity of him and
+returning to her mistress, told her all. The lady, on like wise taking
+compassion on him and remembering that she had the key of the door
+aforesaid, which served whiles for the privy entrances of the Marquis,
+said, 'Go softly and open to him; here is this supper and none to eat
+it and we have commodity enough for his lodging.'
+
+[Footnote 85: _i.e._ whose teeth chattered as it were the clapping of
+a stork's beak.]
+
+The maid, having greatly commended her mistress for this her humanity,
+went and opening to Rinaldo, brought him in; whereupon the lady,
+seeing him well nigh palsied with cold, said to him, 'Quick, good man,
+enter this bath, which is yet warm.' Rinaldo, without awaiting farther
+invitation, gladly obeyed and was so recomforted with the warmth of
+the bath that himseemed he was come back from death to life. The lady
+let fetch him a suit of clothes that had pertained to her husband,
+then lately dead, which when he had donned, they seemed made to his
+measure, and whilst awaiting what she should command him, he fell to
+thanking God and St. Julian for that they had delivered him from the
+scurvy night he had in prospect and had, as he deemed, brought him to
+good harbourage.
+
+Presently, the lady, being somewhat rested,[86] let make a great fire
+in her dining-hall and betaking herself thither, asked how it was with
+the poor man; whereto the maid answered, 'Madam, he hath clad himself
+and is a handsome man and appeareth a person of good condition and
+very well-mannered.' Quoth the lady, 'Go, call him and bid him come to
+the fire and sup, for I know he is fasting.' Accordingly, Rinaldo
+entered the hall and seeing the gentlewoman, who appeared to him a
+lady of quality, saluted her respectfully and rendered her the best
+thanks in his power for the kindness done him. The lady, having seen
+and heard him and finding him even as her maid had said, received him
+graciously and making him sit familiarly with her by the fire,
+questioned him of the chance that had brought him thither; whereupon
+he related everything to her in order. Now she had heard somewhat of
+this at the time of his servant's coming into the town, wherefore she
+gave entire belief to all he said and told him, in turn, what she knew
+of his servant and how he might lightly find him again on the morrow.
+Then, the table being laid, Rinaldo, at the lady's instance, washed
+his hands and sat down with her to supper. Now he was tall of his
+person and comely and pleasant of favour and very engaging and
+agreeable of manners and a man in the prime of life; wherefore the
+lady had several times cast her eyes on him and found him much to her
+liking, and her desires being already aroused for the Marquis, who was
+to have come to lie with her, she had taken a mind to him.
+Accordingly, after supper, whenas they were risen from table, she took
+counsel with her maid whether herseemed she would do well, the Marquis
+having left her in the lurch, to use the good which fortune had sent
+her. The maid, seeing her mistress's drift, encouraged her as best she
+might to ensue it; whereupon the lady, returning to the fireside,
+where she had left Rinaldo alone, fell to gazing amorously upon him
+and said to him, 'How now, Rinaldo, why bide you thus melancholy?
+Think you you cannot be requited the loss of a horse and of some small
+matter of clothes? Take comfort and be of good cheer; you are in your
+own house. Nay, I will e'en tell you more, that, seeing you with those
+clothes on your back, which were my late husband's, and meseeming you
+were himself, there hath taken me belike an hundred times to-night a
+longing to embrace you and kiss you: and but that I feared to
+displease you, I had certainly done it.'
+
+[Footnote 86: _i.e._ after her bath.]
+
+Rinaldo, who was no simpleton, hearing these words and seeing the
+lady's eyes sparkle, advanced towards her with open arms, saying,
+'Madam, considering that I owe it to you to say that I am now alive
+and having regard to that from which you delivered me, it were great
+unmannerliness in me, did I not study to do everything that may be
+agreeable to you; wherefore do you embrace me and kiss me to your
+heart's content, and I will kiss and clip you more than willingly.'
+There needed no more words. The lady, who was all afire with amorous
+longing, straightway threw herself into his arms and after she had
+strained him desirefully to her bosom and bussed him a thousand times
+and had of him been kissed as often, they went off to her chamber, and
+there without delay betaking themselves to bed, they fully and many a
+time, before the day should come, satisfied their desires one of the
+other. Whenas the day began to appear, they arose,--it being her
+pleasure, so the thing might not be suspected of any,--and she, having
+given him some sorry clothes and a purse full of money and shown him
+how he should go about to enter the town and find his servant, put him
+forth at the postern whereby he had entered, praying him keep the
+matter secret.
+
+As soon as it was broad day and the gates were opened, he entered the
+town, feigning to come from afar, and found his servant. Therewithal
+he donned the clothes that were in the saddle-bags and was about to
+mount the man's horse and depart, when, as by a miracle, it befell
+that the three highwaymen, who had robbed him overnight, having been a
+little after taken for some other misdeed of them committed, were
+brought into the town and on their confession, his horse and clothes
+and money were restored to him, nor did he lose aught save a pair of
+garters, with which the robbers knew not what they had done. Rinaldo
+accordingly gave thanks to God and St. Julian and taking horse,
+returned home, safe and sound, leaving the three rogues to go kick on
+the morrow against the wind."[87]
+
+[Footnote 87: _i.e._ to be hanged or, in the equivalent English idiom,
+to dance upon nothing.]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     THREE YOUNG MEN SQUANDER THEIR SUBSTANCE AND BECOME POOR;
+     BUT A NEPHEW OF THEIRS, RETURNING HOME IN DESPERATION,
+     FALLETH IN WITH AN ABBOT AND FINDETH HIM TO BE THE KING'S
+     DAUGHTER OF ENGLAND, WHO TAKETH HIM TO HUSBAND AND MAKETH
+     GOOD ALL HIS UNCLES' LOSSES, RESTORING THEM TO GOOD ESTATE
+
+
+The adventures of Rinaldo d'Asti were hearkened with admiration and
+his devoutness commended by the ladies, who returned thanks to God and
+St. Julian for that they had succoured him in his utmost need. Nor yet
+(though this was said half aside) was the lady reputed foolish, who
+had known how to take the good God had sent her in her own house. But,
+whilst they discoursed, laughing in their sleeves, of the pleasant
+night she had had, Pampinea, seeing herself beside Filostrato and
+deeming, as indeed it befell, that the next turn would rest with her,
+began to collect her thoughts and take counsel with herself what she
+should say; after which, having received the queen's commandment, she
+proceeded to speak thus, no less resolutely than blithely, "Noble
+ladies, the more it is discoursed of the doings of Fortune, the more,
+to whoso is fain to consider her dealings aright, remaineth to be said
+thereof; and at this none should marvel, an he consider advisedly that
+all the things, which we foolishly style ours, are in her hands and
+are consequently, according to her hidden ordinance, transmuted by her
+without cease from one to another and back again, without any method
+known unto us. Wherefore, albeit this truth is conclusively
+demonstrated in everything and all day long and hath already been
+shown forth in divers of the foregoing stories, nevertheless, since it
+is our queen's pleasure that we discourse upon this theme, I will, not
+belike without profit for the listeners, add to the stories aforesaid
+one of my own, which methinketh should please.
+
+There was once in our city a gentleman, by name Messer Tedaldo, who,
+as some will have it, was of the Lamberti family, albeit others avouch
+that he was of the Agolanti, arguing more, belike, from the craft
+after followed by his sons,[88] which was like unto that which the
+Agolanti have ever practised and yet practise, than from aught else.
+But, leaving be of which of these two houses he was, I say that he
+was, in his time, a very rich gentleman and had three sons, whereof
+the eldest was named Lamberto, the second Tedaldo and the third
+Agolante, all handsome and sprightly youths, the eldest of whom had
+not reached his eighteenth year when it befell that the aforesaid
+Messer Tedaldo died very rich and left all his possessions, both
+moveable and immoveable, to them, as his legitimate heirs. The young
+men, seeing themselves left very rich both in lands and monies, began
+to spend without check or reserve or other governance than that of
+their own pleasure, keeping a vast household and many and goodly
+horses and dogs and hawks, still holding open house and giving
+largesse and making tilts and tournaments and doing not only that
+which pertaineth unto men of condition, but all, to boot, that it
+occurred to their youthful appetite to will.
+
+[Footnote 88: _i.e._ usury? See post. One of the commentators
+ridiculously suggests that they were needlemakers, from _ago_, a
+needle.]
+
+They had not long led this manner of life before the treasure left by
+their father melted away and their revenues alone sufficing not unto
+their current expenses, they proceeded to sell and mortgage their
+estates, and selling one to-day and another to-morrow, they found
+themselves well nigh to nought, without perceiving it, and poverty
+opened their eyes, which wealth had kept closed. Whereupon Lamberto,
+one day, calling the other two, reminded them how great had been their
+father's magnificence and how great their own and setting before them
+what wealth had been theirs and the poverty to which they were come
+through their inordinate expenditure, exhorted them, as best he knew,
+ere their distress should become more apparent, to sell what little
+was left them and get them gone, together with himself. They did as he
+counselled them and departing Florence, without leavetaking or
+ceremony, stayed not till they came to England, where, taking a little
+house in London and spending very little, they addressed themselves
+with the utmost diligence to lend money at usance. In this fortune was
+so favourable to them that in a few years they amassed a vast sum of
+money, wherewith, returning to Florence, one after another, they
+bought back great part of their estates and purchased others to boot
+and took unto themselves wives.
+
+Nevertheless, they still continued to lend money in England and sent
+thither, to look to their affairs, a young man, a nephew of theirs,
+Alessandro by name, whilst themselves all three at Florence, for all
+they were become fathers of families, forgetting to what a pass
+inordinate expenditure had aforetime brought them, began to spend more
+extravagantly than ever and were high in credit with all the
+merchants, who trusted them for any sum of money, however great. The
+monies remitted them by Alessandro, who had fallen to lending to the
+barons upon their castles and other their possessions, which brought
+him great profit, helped them for some years to support these
+expenses; but, presently, what while the three brothers spent thus
+freely and lacking money, borrowed, still reckoning with all assurance
+upon England, it chanced that, contrary to all expectation, there
+broke out war in England between the king and his son, through which
+the whole island was divided into two parties, some holding with the
+one and some with the other; and by reason thereof all the barons'
+castles were taken from Alessandro nor was there any other source of
+revenue that answered him aught. Hoping that from day to day peace
+should be made between father and son and consequently everything
+restored to him, both interest and capital, Alessandro departed not
+the island and the three brothers in Florence no wise abated their
+extravagant expenditure, borrowing more and more every day. But, when,
+after several years, no effect was seen to follow upon their
+expectation, the three brothers not only lost their credit, but, their
+creditors seeking to be paid their due, they were suddenly arrested
+and their possessions sufficing not unto payment, they abode in
+prison for the residue, whilst their wives and little ones betook
+themselves, some into the country, some hither and some thither, in
+very ill plight, unknowing what to expect but misery for the rest of
+their lives.
+
+Meanwhile, Alessandro, after waiting several years in England for
+peace, seeing that it came not and himseeming that not only was his
+tarrying there in vain, but that he went in danger of his life,
+determined to return to Italy. Accordingly, he set out all alone and
+as chance would have it, coming out of Bruges, he saw an abbot of
+white friars likewise issuing thence, accompanied by many monks and
+with a numerous household and a great baggage-train in his van. After
+him came two old knights, kinsmen of the King, whom Alessandro
+accosted as acquaintances and was gladly admitted into their company.
+As he journeyed with them, he asked them softly who were the monks
+that rode in front with so great a train and whither they were bound;
+and one of them answered, 'He who rideth yonder is a young gentleman
+of our kindred, who hath been newly elected abbot of one of the most
+considerable abbeys of England, and for that he is younger than is
+suffered by the laws for such a dignity, we go with him to Rome to
+obtain of the Holy Father that he dispense him of his defect of
+overmuch youthfulness and confirm him in the dignity aforesaid; but
+this must not be spoken of with any.'
+
+The new abbot, faring on thus, now in advance of his retinue and now
+in their rear, as daily we see it happen with noblemen on a journey,
+chanced by the way to see near him Alessandro, who was a young man
+exceedingly goodly of person and favour, well-bred, agreeable and fair
+of fashion as any might be, and who at first sight pleased him
+marvellously, as nought had ever done, and calling him to his side,
+fell a-discoursing pleasantly with him, asking him who he was and
+whence he came and whither he was bound; whereupon Alessandro frankly
+discovered to him his whole case and satisfied his questions, offering
+himself to his service in what little he might. The abbot, hearing his
+goodly and well-ordered speech, took more particular note of his
+manners and inwardly judging him to be a man of gentle breeding, for
+all his business had been mean, grew yet more enamoured of his
+pleasantness and full of compassion for his mishaps, comforted him on
+very friendly wise, bidding him be of good hope, for that, an he were
+a man of worth, God would yet replace him in that estate whence
+fortune had cast him down, nay, in a yet higher. Moreover, he prayed
+him, since he was bound for Tuscany, that it would please him bear him
+company, inasmuch as himself was likewise on the way thitherward;
+whereupon Alessandro returned him thanks for his encouragement and
+declared himself ready to his every commandment.
+
+The abbot, in whose breast new feelings had been aroused by the sight
+of Alessandro, continuing his journey, it chanced that, after some
+days, they came to a village not overwell furnished with hostelries,
+and the abbot having a mind to pass the night there, Alessandro caused
+him alight at the house of an innkeeper, who was his familiar
+acquaintance, and let prepare him his sleeping-chamber in the least
+incommodious place of the house; and being now, like an expert man as
+he was, grown well nigh a master of the household to the abbot, he
+lodged all his company, as best he might, about the village, some here
+and some there. After the abbot had supped, the night being now well
+advanced and every one gone to bed, Alessandro asked the host where he
+himself could lie; whereto he answered, 'In truth, I know not; thou
+seest that every place is full and I and my household must needs sleep
+upon the benches. Algates, in the abbot's chamber there be certain
+grain-sacks, whereto I can bring thee and spread thee thereon some
+small matter of bed, and there, an it please thee, thou shalt lie this
+night, as best thou mayst.' Quoth Alessandro, 'How shall I go into the
+abbot's chamber, seeing thou knowest it is little and of its
+straitness none of his monks might lie there? Had I bethought me of
+this, ere the curtains were drawn, I would have let his monks lie on
+the grain-sacks and have lodged myself where they sleep.' 'Nay,'
+answered the host, 'the case standeth thus;[89] but, an thou wilt,
+thou mayst lie whereas I tell thee with all the ease in the world. The
+abbot is asleep and his curtains are drawn; I will quickly lay thee a
+pallet-bed there, and do thou sleep on it.' Alessandro, seeing that
+this might be done without giving the abbot any annoy, consented
+thereto and settled himself on the grain-sacks as softliest he might.
+
+[Footnote 89: _i.e._ the thing is done and cannot be undone; there is
+no help for it.]
+
+The abbot, who slept not, nay, whose thoughts were ardently occupied
+with his new desires, heard what passed between Alessandro and the
+host and noted where the former laid himself to sleep, and well
+pleased with this, began to say in himself, 'God hath sent an occasion
+unto my desires; an I take it not, it may be long ere the like recur
+to me.' Accordingly, being altogether resolved to take the opportunity
+and himseeming all was quiet in the inn, he called to Alessandro in a
+low voice and bade him come couch with him. Alessandro, after many
+excuses, put off his clothes and laid himself beside the abbot, who
+put his hand on his breast and fell to touching him no otherwise than
+amorous damsels use to do with their lovers; whereat Alessandro
+marvelled exceedingly and misdoubted him the abbot was moved by
+unnatural love to handle him on that wise; but the latter promptly
+divined his suspicions, whether of presumption or through some gesture
+of his, and smiled; then, suddenly putting off a shirt that he wore,
+he took Alessandro's hand and laying it on his own breast, said,
+'Alessandro, put away thy foolish thought and searching here, know
+that which I conceal.'
+
+Alessandro accordingly put his hand to the abbot's bosom and found
+there two little breasts, round and firm and delicate, no otherwise
+than as they were of ivory, whereby perceiving that the supposed
+prelate was a woman, without awaiting farther bidding, he straightway
+took her in his arms and would have kissed her; but she said to him,
+'Ere thou draw nearer to me, hearken to that which I have to say to
+thee. As thou mayst see, I am a woman and not a man, and having left
+home a maid, I was on my way to the Pope, that he might marry me. Be
+it thy good fortune or my mishap, no sooner did I see thee the other
+day than love so fired me for thee, that never yet was woman who so
+loved man. Wherefore, I am resolved to take thee, before any other, to
+husband; but, an thou wilt not have me to wife, begone hence
+forthright and return to thy place.'
+
+Alessandro, albeit he knew her not, having regard to her company and
+retinue, judged her to be of necessity noble and rich and saw that she
+was very fair; wherefore, without overlong thought, he replied that,
+if this pleased her, it was mighty agreeable to him. Accordingly,
+sitting up with him in bed, she put a ring into his hand and made him
+espouse her[90] before a picture wherein our Lord was portrayed, after
+which they embraced each other and solaced themselves with amorous
+dalliance, to the exceeding pleasure of both parties, for so much as
+remained of the night.
+
+[Footnote 90: _i.e._ make her a solemn promise of marriage, formally
+plight her his troth. The ceremony of betrothal was formerly (and
+still is in certain countries) the most essential part of the marriage
+rite.]
+
+When the day came, after they had taken order together concerning
+their affairs, Alessandro arose and departed the chamber by the way he
+had entered, without any knowing where he had passed the night. Then,
+glad beyond measure, he took to the road again with the abbot and his
+company and came after many days to Rome. There they abode some days,
+after which the abbot, with the two knights and Alessandro and no
+more, went in to the Pope and having done him due reverence, bespoke
+him thus, 'Holy Father, as you should know better than any other,
+whoso is minded to live well and honestly should, inasmuch as he may,
+eschew every occasion that may lead him to do otherwise; the which
+that I, who would fain live honestly, may throughly do, having fled
+privily with a great part of the treasures of the King of England my
+father, (who would have given me to wife to the King of Scotland, a
+very old prince, I being, as you see, a young maid), I set out,
+habited as you see me, to come hither, so your Holiness might marry
+me. Nor was it so much the age of the King of Scotland that made me
+flee as the fear, if I were married to him, lest I should, for the
+frailty of my youth, be led to do aught that might be contrary to the
+Divine laws and the honour of the royal blood of my father. As I came,
+thus disposed, God, who alone knoweth aright that which behoveth unto
+every one, set before mine eyes (as I believe, of His mercy) him whom
+it pleased Him should be my husband, to wit, this young man,' showing
+Alessandro, 'whom you see here beside me and whose fashions and desert
+are worthy of however great a lady, although belike the nobility of
+his blood is not so illustrious as the blood-royal. Him, then, have I
+taken and him I desire, nor will I ever have any other than he,
+however it may seem to my father or to other folk. Thus, the principal
+occasion of my coming is done away; but it pleased me to make an end
+of my journey, at once that I might visit the holy and reverential
+places, whereof this city is full, and your Holiness and that through
+you I might make manifest, in your presence and consequently in that
+of the rest of mankind, the marriage contracted between Alessandro
+and myself in the presence of God alone. Wherefore I humbly pray you
+that this which hath pleased God and me may find favour with you and
+that you will vouchsafe us your benison, in order that with this, as
+with more assurance of His approof whose Vicar you are, we may live
+and ultimately die together.'
+
+Alessandro marvelled to hear that the damsel was the King's daughter
+of England and was inwardly filled with exceeding great gladness; but
+the two knights marvelled yet more and were so incensed, that, had
+they been otherwhere than in the Pope's presence, they had done
+Alessandro a mischief and belike the lady also. The Pope also, on his
+part, marvelled exceedingly both at the habit of the lady and at her
+choice; but, seeing that there was no going back on that which was
+done, he consented to satisfy her of her prayer. Accordingly, having
+first appeased the two knights, whom he knew to be angered, and made
+them well at one again with the lady and Alessandro, he took order for
+that which was to do, and the day appointed by him being come, before
+all the cardinals and many other men of great worship, come, at his
+bidding, to a magnificent bride-feast prepared by him, he produced the
+lady, royally apparelled, who showed so fair and so agreeable that she
+was worthily commended of all, and on like wise Alessandro splendidly
+attired, in bearing and appearance no whit like a youth who had lent
+at usury, but rather one of royal blood, and now much honoured of the
+two knights. There he caused solemnly celebrate the marriage afresh
+and after goodly and magnificent nuptials made, he dismissed them with
+his benison.
+
+It pleased Alessandro, and likewise the lady, departing Rome, to
+betake themselves to Florence, whither report had already carried the
+news. There they were received by the townsfolk with the utmost honour
+and the lady caused liberate the three brothers, having first paid
+every man [his due]. Moreover, she reinstated them and their ladies in
+their possessions and with every one's goodwill, because of this, she
+and her husband departed Florence, carrying Agolante with them, and
+coming to Paris, were honourably entertained by the King. Thence the
+two knights passed into England and so wrought with the King that the
+latter restored to his daughter his good graces and with exceeding
+great rejoicing received her and his son-in-law, whom he a little
+after made a knight with the utmost honour and gave him the Earldom of
+Cornwall. In this capacity he approved himself a man of such parts and
+made shift to do on such wise that he reconciled the son with his
+father, whereof there ensued great good to the island, and thereby he
+gained the love and favour of all the people of the country.
+
+Moreover, Agolante thoroughly recovered all that was there due to him
+and his brethren and returned to Florence, rich beyond measure, having
+first been knighted by Count Alessandro. The latter lived long and
+gloriously with his lady, and according as some avouch, what with his
+wit and valour and the aid of his father-in-law, he after conquered
+Scotland and was crowned King thereof."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     LANDOLFO RUFFOLO, GROWN POOR, TURNETH CORSAIR AND BEING
+     TAKEN BY THE GENOESE, IS WRECKED AT SEA, BUT SAVETH HIMSELF
+     UPON A COFFER FULL OF JEWELS OF PRICE AND BEING ENTERTAINED
+     IN CORFU BY A WOMAN, RETURNETH HOME RICH
+
+
+Lauretta, who sat next Pampinea, seeing her come to the glorious
+ending of her story, began, without awaiting more, to speak on this
+wise: "Most gracious ladies, there can, to my judgment, be seen no
+greater feat of fortune than when we behold one raised from the lowest
+misery to royal estate, even as Pampinea's story hath shown it to have
+betided her Alessandro. And for that from this time forth whosoever
+relateth of the appointed matter must of necessity speak within these
+limits,[91] I shall think no shame to tell a story, which, albeit it
+compriseth in itself yet greater distresses hath not withal so
+splendid an issue. I know well, indeed, that, having regard unto that,
+my story will be hearkened with less diligence; but, as I can no
+otherwise, I shall be excused.
+
+[Footnote 91: _i.e._ cannot hope to tell a story presenting more
+extraordinary shifts from one to the other extreme of human fortune
+than that of Pampinea.]
+
+The sea-coast from Reggio to Gaeta is commonly believed to be well
+nigh the most delightful part of Italy, and therein, pretty near
+Salerno, is a hillside overlooking the sea, which the countryfolk call
+Amalfi Side, full of little towns and gardens and springs and of men
+as rich and stirring in the matter of trade as any in the world. Among
+the said cities is one called Ravello and therein, albeit nowadays
+there are rich men there, there was aforetime one, Landolfo Ruffolo by
+name, who was exceeding rich and who, his wealth sufficing him not,
+came nigh, in seeking to double it, to lose it all and himself withal.
+This man, then, having, after the usance of merchants, laid his plans,
+bought a great ship and freighting it all of his own monies with
+divers merchandise, repaired therewith to Cyprus. There he found
+sundry other ships come with the same kind and quality of merchandise
+as he had brought, by reason of which not only was he constrained to
+make great good cheap of his own venture, but it behoved him, an he
+would dispose of his goods, well nigh to throw them away, whereby he
+was brought near unto ruin.
+
+Sore chagrined at this mischance and knowing not what to do, seeing
+himself thus from a very rich man in brief space grown in a manner
+poor, he determined either to die or repair his losses by pillage, so
+he might not return thither poor, whence he had departed rich.
+Accordingly, having found a purchaser for his great ship, with the
+price thereof and that which he had gotten of his wares, he bought a
+little vessel, light and apt for cruising and arming and garnishing it
+excellent well with everything needful unto such a service, addressed
+himself to make his purchase of other men's goods and especially of
+those of the Turks. In this trade fortune was far kinder to him than
+she had been in that of a merchant, for that, in some year's space,
+he plundered and took so many Turkish vessels that he found he had not
+only gotten him his own again that he had lost in trade, but had more
+than doubled his former substance. Whereupon, schooled by the chagrin
+of his former loss and deeming he had enough, he persuaded himself,
+rather than risk a second mischance, to rest content with that which
+he had, without seeking more. Accordingly he resolved to return
+therewith to his own country and being fearful of trade, concerned not
+himself to employ his money otherwise, but, thrusting his oars into
+the water, set out homeward in that same little vessel wherewith he
+had gained it.
+
+He had already reached the Archipelago when there arose one evening a
+violent south-east wind, which was not only contrary to his course,
+but raised so great a sea that his little vessel could not endure it;
+wherefore he took refuge in a bight of the sea, made by a little
+island, and there abode sheltered from the wind and purposing there to
+await better weather. He had not lain there long when two great
+Genoese carracks, coming from Constantinople, made their way with
+great difficulty into the little harbour, to avoid that from which
+himself had fled. The newcomers espied the little ship and hearing
+that it pertained to Landolfo, whom they already knew by report to be
+very rich, blocked against it the way by which it might depart and
+addressed themselves, like men by nature rapacious and greedy of
+gain,[92] to make prize of it. Accordingly, they landed part of their
+men well harnessed and armed with crossbows and posted them on such
+wise that none might come down from the bark, an he would not be shot;
+whilst the rest, warping themselves in with small boats and aided by
+the current, laid Landolfo's little ship aboard and took it out of
+hand, crew and all, without missing a man. Landolfo they carried
+aboard one of the carracks, leaving him but a sorry doublet; then,
+taking everything out of the ship, they scuttled her.
+
+[Footnote 92: The Genoese have the reputation in Italy of being
+thieves by nature.]
+
+On the morrow, the wind having shifted, the carracks made sail
+westward and fared on their voyage prosperously all that day; but
+towards evening there arose a tempestuous wind which made the waves
+run mountains high and parted the two carracks one from the other.
+Moreover, from stress of wind it befell that that wherein was the
+wretched and unfortunate Landolfo smote with great violence upon a
+shoal over against the island of Cephalonia and parting amidships,
+broke all in sunder no otherwise than a glass dashed against a wall.
+The sea was in a moment all full of bales of merchandise and chests
+and planks, that floated on the surface, as is wont to happen in such
+cases, and the poor wretches on board, swimming, those who knew how,
+albeit it was a very dark night and the sea was exceeding great and
+swollen, fell to laying hold of such things as came within their
+reach. Among the rest the unfortunate Landolfo, albeit many a time
+that day he had called for death, (choosing rather to die than return
+home poor as he found himself,) seeing it near at hand, was fearful
+thereof and like the others, laid hold of a plank that came to his
+hand, so haply, an he put off drowning awhile, God might send him
+some means of escape.
+
+Bestriding this, he kept himself afloat as best he might, driven
+hither and thither of the sea and the wind, till daylight, when he
+looked about him and saw nothing but clouds and sea and a chest
+floating on the waves, which bytimes, to his sore affright, drew nigh
+unto him, for that he feared lest peradventure it should dash against
+him on such wise as to do him a mischief; wherefore, as often as it
+came near him, he put it away from him as best he might with his hand,
+albeit he had little strength thereof. But presently there issued a
+sudden flaw of wind out of the air and falling on the sea, smote upon
+the chest and drove it with such violence against Landolfo's plank
+that the latter was overset and he himself perforce went under water.
+However, he struck out and rising to the surface, aided more by fear
+than by strength, saw the plank far removed from him, wherefore,
+fearing he might be unable to reach it again, he made for the chest,
+which was pretty near him, and laying himself flat with his breast on
+the lid thereof, guided it with his arms as best he might.[93]
+
+[Footnote 93: It seems doubtful whether _la reggeva diritta_ should
+not rather be rendered "kept it upright." Boccaccio has a knack, very
+trying to the translator, of constantly using words in an obscure or
+strained sense.]
+
+On this wise, tossed about by the sea now hither and now thither,
+without eating, as one indeed who had not the wherewithal, but
+drinking more than he could have wished, he abode all that day and the
+ensuing night, unknowing where he was and descrying nought but sea;
+but, on the following day, whether it was God's pleasure or stress of
+wind that wrought it, he came, grown well nigh a sponge and clinging
+fast with both hands to the marges of the chest, even as we see those
+do who are like to drown, to the coast of the island of Corfu, where a
+poor woman chanced to be scouring her pots and pans and making them
+bright with sand and salt water. Seeing Landolfo draw near and
+discerning in him no [human] shape, she drew back, affrighted and
+crying out. He could not speak and scarce saw, wherefore he said
+nothing; but presently, the sea carrying him landward, the woman
+descried the shape of the chest and looking straitlier, perceived
+first the arms outspread upon it and then the face and guessed it for
+that which it was.
+
+Accordingly, moved with compassion, she entered somedele into the sea,
+which was now calm, and seizing Landolfo by the hair, dragged him
+ashore, chest and all. There having with difficulty unclasped his
+hands from the chest, she set the latter on the head of a young
+daughter of hers, who was with her, and carried him off, as he were a
+little child, to her hut, where she put him in a bagnio and so chafed
+and bathed him with warm water that the strayed heat returned to him,
+together with somewhat of his lost strength. Then, taking him up out
+of the bath, whenas it seemed good to her, she comforted him with
+somewhat of good wine and confections and tended him some days, as
+best she might, till he had recovered his strength and knew where he
+was, when she judged it time to restore him his chest, which she had
+kept safe for him, and to tell him that he might now prosecute his
+fortune.
+
+Landolfo, who had no recollection of the chest, yet took it, when the
+good woman presented it to him, thinking it could not be so little
+worth but that it might defray his expenses for some days, but,
+finding it very light, was sore abated of his hopes. Nevertheless,
+what while his hostess was abroad, he broke it open, to see what it
+contained, and found therein store of precious stones, both set and
+unset. He had some knowledge of these matters and seeing them, knew
+them to be of great value; wherefore he praised God, who had not yet
+forsaken him, and was altogether comforted. However, as one who had in
+brief space been twice cruelly baffled by fortune, fearing a third
+misadventure, he bethought himself that it behoved him use great
+wariness and he would bring those things home; wherefore, wrapping
+them, as best he might, in some rags, he told the good woman that he
+had no more occasion for the chest, but that, an it pleased her, she
+should give him a bag and take the chest herself. This she willingly
+did and he, having rendered her the best thanks in his power for the
+kindness received from her, shouldered his bag and going aboard a
+bark, passed over to Brindisi and thence made his way, along the
+coast, to Trani.
+
+Here he found certain townsmen of his, who were drapers and clad him
+for the love of God,[94] after he had related to them all his
+adventures, except that of the chest; nay more, they lent him a horse
+and sent him, under escort, to Ravello, whither he said he would fain
+return. There, deeming himself in safety and thanking God who had
+conducted him thither, he opened his bag and examining everything more
+diligently than he had yet done, found he had so many and such stones
+that, supposing he sold them at a fair price or even less, he was
+twice as rich again as when he departed thence. Then, finding means to
+dispose of his jewels, he sent a good sum of money to Corfu to the
+good woman who had brought him forth of the sea, in requital of the
+service received, and the like to Trani to those who had reclothed
+him. The rest he kept for himself and lived in honour and worship to
+the end of his days, without seeking to trade any more."
+
+[Footnote 94: _i.e._ for nothing.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     ANDREUCCIO OF PERUGIA, COMING TO NAPLES TO BUY HORSES, IS IN
+     ONE NIGHT OVERTAKEN WITH THREE GRIEVOUS ACCIDENTS, BUT
+     ESCAPETH THEM ALL AND RETURNETH HOME WITH A RUBY
+
+
+"The stones found by Landolfo," began Fiammetta, to whose turn it came
+to tell, "have brought to my mind a story scarce less full of perilous
+scapes than that related by Lauretta, but differing therefrom inasmuch
+as the adventures comprised in the latter befell in the course of
+belike several years and these of which I have to tell in the space
+of a single night, as you shall hear.
+
+There was once in Perugia, as I have heard tell aforetime, a young
+man, a horse-courser, by name Andreuccio di Pietro,[95] who, hearing
+that horses were good cheap at Naples, put five hundred gold florins
+in his purse and betook himself thither with other merchants, having
+never before been away from home. He arrived there one Sunday evening,
+towards vespers, and having taken counsel with his host, sallied forth
+next morning to the market, where he saw great plenty of horses. Many
+of them pleased him and he cheapened one and another, but could not
+come to an accord concerning any. Meanwhile, to show that he was for
+buying, he now and again, like a raw unwary clown as he was, pulled
+out the purse of florins he had with him, in the presence of those who
+came and went. As he was thus engaged, with his purse displayed, it
+chanced that a Sicilian damsel, who was very handsome, but disposed
+for a small matter to do any man's pleasure, passed near him, without
+his seeing her, and catching sight of the purse, said straightway in
+herself, 'Who would fare better than I, if yonder money were mine!'
+And passed on.
+
+[Footnote 95: _i.e._ son of Pietro, as they still say in Lancashire
+and other northern provinces, "Tom o' Dick" for "Thomas, son of
+Richard," etc.]
+
+Now there was with her an old woman, likewise a Sicilian, who, seeing
+Andreuccio, let her companion pass on and running to him, embraced him
+affectionately, which when the damsel saw, she stepped aside to wait
+for her, without saying aught. Andreuccio, turning to the old woman
+and recognizing her, gave her a hearty greeting and she, having
+promised to visit him at his inn, took leave, without holding overlong
+parley there, whilst he fell again to chaffering, but bought nothing
+that morning. The damsel, who had noted first Andreuccio's purse and
+after her old woman's acquaintance with him, began cautiously to
+enquire of the latter, by way of casting about for a means of coming
+at the whole or part of the money, who and whence he was and what he
+did there and how she came to know him. The old woman told her every
+particular of Andreuccio's affairs well nigh as fully as he himself
+could have done, having long abidden with his father, first in Sicily
+and after at Perugia, and acquainted her, to boot, where he lodged and
+wherefore he was come thither.
+
+The damsel, being thus fully informed both of his name and parentage,
+thereby with subtle craft laid her plans for giving effect to her
+desire and returning home, set the old woman awork for the rest of the
+day, so she might not avail to return to Andreuccio. Then, calling a
+maid of hers, whom she had right well lessoned unto such offices, she
+despatched her, towards evensong, to the inn where Andreuccio lodged.
+As chance would have it, she found him alone at the door and enquired
+at him of himself. He answered that he was the man she sought,
+whereupon she drew him aside and said to him, 'Sir, an it please you,
+a gentlewoman of this city would fain speak with you.' Andreuccio,
+hearing this, considered himself from head to foot and himseeming he
+was a handsome varlet of his person, he concluded (as if there were
+no other well-looking young fellow to be found in Naples,) that the
+lady in question must have fallen in love with him. Accordingly, he
+answered without further deliberation that he was ready and asked the
+girl when and where the lady would speak with him; whereto she
+answered, 'Sir, whenas it pleaseth you to come, she awaiteth you in
+her house'; and Andreuccio forthwith rejoined, without saying aught to
+the people of the inn, 'Go thou on before; I will come after thee.'
+
+Thereupon the girl carried him to the house of her mistress, who dwelt
+in a street called Malpertugio,[96] the very name whereof denoteth how
+reputable a quarter it is. But he, unknowing neither suspecting aught
+thereof and thinking to go to most honourable place and to a lady of
+quality, entered the house without hesitation,--preceded by the
+serving-maid, who called her mistress and said, 'Here is
+Andreuccio,'--and mounting the stair, saw the damsel come to the
+stairhead to receive him. Now she was yet in the prime of youth, tall
+of person, with a very fair face and very handsomely dressed and
+adorned. As he drew near her, she came down three steps to meet him
+with open arms and clasping him round the neck, abode awhile without
+speaking, as if hindered by excess of tenderness; then kissed him on
+the forehead, weeping, and said, in a somewhat broken voice, 'O my
+Andreuccio, thou art indeed welcome.'
+
+[Footnote 96: _i.e._ ill hole.]
+
+He was amazed at such tender caresses and answered, all confounded,
+'Madam, you are well met.' Thereupon, taking him by the hand, she
+carried him up into her saloon and thence, without saying another word
+to him, she brought him into her chamber, which was all redolent of
+roses and orange flowers and other perfumes. Here he saw a very fine
+bed, hung round with curtains, and store of dresses upon the pegs and
+other very goodly and rich gear, after the usance of those parts; by
+reason whereof, like a freshman as he was, he firmly believed her to
+be no less than a great lady. She made him sit with her on a chest
+that stood at the foot of the bed and bespoke him thus, 'Andreuccio, I
+am very certain thou marvellest at these caresses that I bestow on
+thee and at my tears, as he may well do who knoweth me not and hath
+maybe never heard speak of me; but I have that to tell thee which is
+like to amaze thee yet more, namely, that I am thy sister; and I tell
+thee that, since God hath vouchsafed me to look upon one of my
+brothers, (though fain would I see you all,) before my death,
+henceforth I shall not die disconsolate; and as perchance thou has
+never heard of this, I will tell it thee.
+
+Pietro, my father and thine, as I doubt not thou knowest, abode long
+in Palermo and there for his good humour and pleasant composition was
+and yet is greatly beloved of those who knew him; but, among all his
+lovers, my mother, who was a lady of gentle birth and then a widow,
+was she who most affected him, insomuch that, laying aside the fear of
+her father and brethren, as well as the care of her own honour, she
+became so private with him that I was born thereof and grew up as thou
+seest me. Presently, having occasion to depart Palermo and return to
+Perugia, he left me a little maid with my mother nor ever after, for
+all that I could hear, remembered him of me or her; whereof, were he
+not my father, I should blame him sore, having regard to the
+ingratitude shown by him to my mother (to say nothing of the love it
+behoved him bear me, as his daughter, born of no serving-wench nor
+woman of mean extraction) who had, moved by very faithful love,
+without anywise knowing who he might be, committed into his hands her
+possessions and herself no less. But what [skilleth it]? Things ill
+done and long time passed are easier blamed than mended; algates, so
+it was.
+
+He left me a little child in Palermo, where being grown well nigh as I
+am now, my mother, who was a rich lady, gave me to wife to a worthy
+gentleman of Girgenti, who, for her love and mine, came to abide at
+Palermo and there, being a great Guelph,[97] he entered into treaty
+with our King Charles,[98] which, being discovered by King
+Frederick,[99] ere effect could be given to it, was the occasion of
+our being enforced to flee from Sicily, whenas I looked to be the
+greatest lady was ever in the island; wherefore, taking such few
+things as we might (I say few, in respect of the many we had) and
+leaving our lands and palaces, we took refuge in this city, where we
+found King Charles so mindful of our services that he hath in part
+made good to us the losses we had sustained for him, bestowing on us
+both lands and houses, and still maketh my husband, thy kinsman that
+is, a goodly provision, as thou shalt hereafter see. On this wise come
+I in this city, where, Godamercy and no thanks to thee, sweet my
+brother, I now behold thee.' So saying, she embraced him over again
+and kissed him on the forehead, still weeping for tenderness.
+
+[Footnote 97: _i.e._ a member of the Guelph party, as against the
+Ghibellines or partisans of the Pope.]
+
+[Footnote 98: Charles d'Anjou, afterwards King of Sicily.]
+
+[Footnote 99: _i.e._ Frederick II. of Germany.]
+
+Andreuccio, hearing this fable so orderly, so artfully delivered by
+the damsel, without ever stammering or faltering for a word, and
+remembering it to be true that his father had been in Palermo,
+knowing, moreover, by himself the fashions of young men and how
+lightly they fall in love in their youth and seeing the affectionate
+tears and embraces and the chaste kisses that she lavished on him,
+held all she told him for more than true; wherefore, as soon as she
+was silent, he answered her, saying, 'Madam, it should seem to you no
+very great matter if I marvel, for that in truth, whether it be that
+my father, for whatsoever reason, never spoke of your mother nor of
+yourself, or that if he did, it came not to my notice, I had no more
+knowledge of you than if you had never been, and so much the dearer is
+it to me to find you my sister here, as I am alone in this city and
+the less expected this. Indeed, I know no man of so high a condition
+that you should not be dear to him, to say nothing of myself, who am
+but a petty trader. But I pray you make me clear of one thing; how
+knew you that I was here?' Whereto she made answer, 'A poor woman, who
+much frequenteth me, gave me this morning to know of thy coming, for
+that, as she telleth me, she abode long with our father both at
+Palermo and at Perugia; and but that meseemed it was a more reputable
+thing that thou shouldst visit me in my own house than I thee in that
+of another, I had come to thee this great while agone.' After this,
+she proceeded to enquire more particularly of all his kinsfolk by
+name, and he answered her of all, giving the more credence, by reason
+of this, to that which it the less behoved him to believe.
+
+The talk being long and the heat great, she called for Greek wine and
+confections and let give Andreuccio to drink, after which he would
+have taken leave, for that it was supper-time; but she would on no
+wise suffer it and making a show of being sore vexed, embraced him and
+said, 'Ah, woe is me! I see but too clearly how little dear I am to
+thee! Who would believe that thou couldst be with a sister of thine,
+whom thou hast never yet seen and in whose house thou shouldst have
+lighted down, whenas thou earnest hither, and offer to leave her, to
+go sup at the inn? Indeed, thou shalt sup with me, and albeit my
+husband is abroad, which grieveth me mightily, I shall know well how
+to do thee some little honour, such as a woman may.' To which
+Andreuccio, unknowing what else he should say, answered, 'I hold you
+as dear as a sister should be held; but, an I go not, I shall be
+expected to supper all the evening and shall do an unmannerliness.'
+'Praised be God!' cried she. 'One would think I had no one in the
+house to send to tell them not to expect thee; albeit thou wouldst do
+much greater courtesy and indeed but thy duty an thou sentest to bid
+thy companions come hither to supper; and after, am thou must e'en
+begone, you might all go away together.'
+
+Andreuccio replied that he had no desire for his companions that
+evening; but that, since it was agreeable to her, she might do her
+pleasure of him. Accordingly, she made a show of sending to the inn to
+say that he was not to be expected to supper, and after much other
+discourse, they sat down to supper and were sumptuously served with
+various meats, whilst she adroitly contrived to prolong the repast
+till it was dark night. Then, when they rose from table and Andreuccio
+would have taken his leave, she declared that she would on no wise
+suffer this, for that Naples was no place to go about in by night
+especially for a stranger, and that, whenas she sent to the inn to say
+that he was not to be expected to supper, she had at the same time
+given notice that he would lie abroad. Andreuccio, believing this and
+taking pleasure in being with her, beguiled as he was by false
+credence, abode where he was, and after supper they held much and long
+discourse, not without reason,[100] till a part of the night was past,
+when she withdrew with her women into another room, leaving Andreuccio
+in her own chamber, with a little lad to wait upon him, if he should
+lack aught.
+
+[Footnote 100: The reason was that she wished to keep him in play till
+late into the night, when all the folk should be asleep and she might
+the lightlier deal with him.]
+
+The heat being great, Andreuccio, as soon as he found himself alone,
+stripped to his doublet and putting off his hosen, laid them at the
+bedhead; after which, natural use soliciting him to rid himself of the
+overmuch burden of his stomach, he asked the boy where this might be
+done, who showed him a door in one corner of the room and said, 'Go in
+there.' Accordingly he opened the door and passing through in all
+assurance, chanced to set foot on a plank, which, being broken loose
+from the joist at the opposite end, [flew up] and down they went,
+plank and man together. God so favoured him that he did himself no
+hurt in the fall, albeit he fell from some height; but he was all
+bemired with the ordure whereof the place was full; and in order that
+you may the better apprehend both that which hath been said and that
+which ensueth, I will show you how the place lay. There were in a
+narrow alley, such as we often see between two houses, a pair of
+rafters laid from one house to another, and thereon sundry boards
+nailed and the place of session set up; of which boards that which
+gave way with Andreuccio was one.
+
+Finding himself, then, at the bottom of the alley and sore chagrined
+at the mishap, he fell a-bawling for the boy; but the latter, as soon
+as he heard him fall, had run to tell his mistress, who hastened to
+his chamber and searching hurriedly if his clothes were there, found
+them and with them the money, which, in his mistrust, he still
+foolishly carried about him. Having now gotten that for which,
+feigning herself of Palermo and sister to a Perugian, she had set her
+snare, she took no more reck of him, but hastened to shut the door
+whereby he had gone out when he fell.
+
+Andreuccio, getting no answer from the boy, proceeded to call
+loudlier, but to no purpose; whereupon, his suspicions being now
+aroused, he began too late to smoke the cheat. Accordingly, he
+scrambled over a low wall that shut off the alley from the street, and
+letting himself down into the road, went up to the door of the house,
+which he knew very well, and there called long and loud and shook and
+beat upon it amain, but all in vain. Wherefore, bewailing himself, as
+one who was now fully aware of his mischance, 'Ah, woe is me!' cried
+he. 'In how little time have I lost five hundred florins and a
+sister!' Then, after many other words, he fell again to battering the
+door and crying out and this he did so long and so lustily that many
+of the neighbours, being awakened and unable to brook the annoy, arose
+and one of the courtezan's waiting-women, coming to the window,
+apparently all sleepy-eyed, said peevishly, 'Who knocketh below
+there?'
+
+'What?' cried Andreuccio. 'Dost thou not know me? I am Andreuccio,
+brother to Madam Fiordaliso.' Whereto quoth she, 'Good man, an thou
+have drunken overmuch, go sleep and come back to-morrow morning. I
+know no Andreuccio nor what be these idle tales thou tellest. Begone
+in peace and let us sleep, so it please thee.' 'How?' replied
+Andreuccio. 'Thou knowest not what I mean? Certes, thou knowest; but,
+if Sicilian kinships be of such a fashion that they are forgotten in
+so short a time, at least give me back my clothes and I will begone
+with all my heart.' 'Good man,' rejoined she, as if laughing,
+'methinketh thou dreamest'; and to say this and to draw in her head
+and shut the window were one and the same thing. Whereat Andreuccio,
+now fully certified of his loss, was like for chagrin to turn his
+exceeding anger into madness and bethought himself to seek to recover
+by violence that which he might not have again with words; wherefore,
+taking up a great stone, he began anew to batter the door more
+furiously than ever.
+
+At this many of the neighbours, who had already been awakened and had
+arisen, deeming him some pestilent fellow who had trumped up this
+story to spite the woman of the house and provoked at the knocking he
+kept up, came to the windows and began to say, no otherwise than as
+all the dogs of a quarter bark after a strange dog, ''Tis a villainous
+shame to come at this hour to decent women's houses and tell these
+cock-and-bull stories. For God's sake, good man, please you begone in
+peace and let us sleep. An thou have aught to mell with her, come back
+to-morrow and spare us this annoy to-night.' Taking assurance,
+perchance, by these words, there came to the window one who was within
+the house, a bully of the gentlewoman's, whom Andreuccio had as yet
+neither heard nor seen, and said, in a terrible big rough voice, 'Who
+is below there?'
+
+Andreuccio, hearing this, raised his eyes and saw at the window one
+who, by what little he could make out, himseemed should be a very
+masterful fellow, with a bushy black beard on his face, and who yawned
+and rubbed his eyes, as he had arisen from bed or deep sleep;
+whereupon, not without fear, he answered, 'I am a brother of the lady
+of the house.' The other waited not for him to make an end of his
+reply, but said, more fiercely than before, 'I know not what hindereth
+me from coming down and cudgelling thee what while I see thee stir,
+for a pestilent drunken ass as thou must be, who will not let us sleep
+this night.' Then, drawing back into the house, he shut the window;
+whereupon certain of the neighbours, who were better acquainted with
+the fellow's quality, said softly to Andreuccio, 'For God's sake, good
+man, begone in peace and abide not there to-night to be slain; get
+thee gone for thine own good.'
+
+Andreuccio, terrified at the fellow's voice and aspect and moved by
+the exhortations of the neighbours, who seemed to him to speak out of
+charity, set out to return to his inn, in the direction of the quarter
+whence he had followed the maid, without knowing whither to go,
+despairing of his money and woebegone as ever man was. Being loathsome
+to himself, for the stench that came from him, and thinking to repair
+to the sea to wash himself, he turned to the left and followed a
+street called Ruga Catalana,[101] that led towards the upper part of
+the city. Presently, he espied two men coming towards him with a
+lantern and fearing they might be officers of the watch or other
+ill-disposed folk, he stealthily took refuge, to avoid them, in a
+hovel, that he saw hard by. But they, as of malice aforethought, made
+straight for the same place and entering in, began to examine certain
+irons which one of them laid from off his shoulder, discoursing
+various things thereof the while.
+
+[Footnote 101: _i.e._ Catalan Street.]
+
+Presently, 'What meaneth this?' quoth one. 'I smell the worst stench
+meseemeth I ever smelt.' So saying, he raised the lantern and seeing
+the wretched Andreuccio, enquired, in amazement. 'Who is there?'
+Andreuccio made no answer, but they came up to him with the light and
+asked him what he did there in such a pickle; whereupon he related to
+them all that had befallen him, and they, conceiving where this might
+have happened, said, one to the other, 'Verily, this must have been
+in the house of Scarabone Buttafuocco.' Then, turning to him, 'Good
+man,' quoth one, 'albeit thou hast lost thy money, thou hast much
+reason to praise God that this mischance betided thee, so that thou
+fellest nor couldst after avail to enter the house again; for, hadst
+thou not fallen, thou mayst be assured that, when once thou wast
+fallen asleep, thou hadst been knocked on the head and hadst lost thy
+life as well as thy money. But what booteth it now to repine? Thou
+mayst as well look to have the stars out of the sky as to recover a
+farthing of thy money; nay, thou art like to be murdered, should
+yonder fellow hear that thou makest any words thereof.' Then they
+consulted together awhile and presently said to him, 'Look you, we are
+moved to pity for thee; wherefore, an thou wilt join with us in
+somewhat we go about to do, it seemeth to us certain that there will
+fall to thee for thy share much more than the value of that which thou
+hast lost.' Whereupon Andreuccio, in his desperation, answered that he
+was ready.
+
+Now there had been that day buried an archbishop of Naples, by name
+Messer Filippo Minutolo, and he had been interred in his richest
+ornaments and with a ruby on his finger worth more than five hundred
+florins of gold. Him they were minded to despoil and this their intent
+they discovered to Andreuccio, who, more covetous than well-advised,
+set out with them for the cathedral. As they went, Andreuccio still
+stinking amain, one of the thieves said, 'Can we not find means for
+this fellow to wash himself a little, be it where it may, so he may
+not stink so terribly?' 'Ay can we,' answered the other. 'We are here
+near a well, where there useth to be a rope and pulley and a great
+bucket; let us go thither and we will wash him in a trice.'
+Accordingly they made for the well in question and found the rope
+there, but the bucket had been taken away; wherefore they took counsel
+together to tie him to the rope and let him down into the well, so he
+might wash himself there, charging him shake the rope as soon as he
+was clean, and they would pull him up.
+
+Hardly had they let him down when, as chance would have it, certain of
+the watch, being athirst for the heat and with running after some
+rogue or another, came to the well to drink, and the two rogues,
+setting eyes on them, made off incontinent, before the officers saw
+them. Presently, Andreuccio, having washed himself at the bottom of
+the well, shook the rope, and the thirsty officers, laying by their
+targets and arms and surcoats, began to haul upon the rope, thinking
+the bucket full of water at the other end. As soon as Andreuccio found
+himself near the top, he let go the rope and laid hold of the marge
+with both hands; which when the officers saw, overcome with sudden
+affright, they dropped the rope, without saying a word, and took to
+their heels as quickliest they might. At this Andreuccio marvelled
+sore, and but that he had fast hold of the marge, would have fallen to
+the bottom, to his no little hurt or maybe death. However, he made his
+way out and finding the arms, which he knew were none of his
+companions' bringing, he was yet more amazed; but, knowing not what to
+make of it and misdoubting [some snare], he determined to begone
+without touching aught and accordingly made off he knew not whither,
+bewailing his ill-luck.
+
+As he went, he met his two comrades, who came to draw him forth of the
+well; and when they saw him, they marvelled exceedingly and asked him
+who had drawn him up. Andreuccio replied that he knew not and told
+them orderly how it had happened and what he had found by the
+wellside, whereupon the others, perceiving how the case stood, told
+him, laughing, why they had fled and who these were that had pulled
+him up. Then, without farther parley, it being now middle night, they
+repaired to the cathedral and making their way thereinto lightly
+enough, went straight to the archbishop's tomb, which was of marble
+and very large. With their irons they raised the lid, which was very
+heavy, and propped it up so as a man might enter; which being done,
+quoth one, 'Who shall go in?' 'Not I,' answered the other. 'Nor I,'
+rejoined his fellow; 'let Andreuccio enter.' 'That will I not,' said
+the latter; whereupon the two rogues turned upon him and said, 'How!
+Thou wilt not? Cock's faith, an thou enter not, we will clout thee
+over the costard with one of these iron bars till thou fall dead.'
+
+Andreuccio, affrighted, crept into the tomb, saying in himself the
+while, 'These fellows will have me go in here so they may cheat me,
+for that, when I shall have given them everything, they will begone
+about their business, whilst I am labouring to win out of the tomb,
+and I shall abide empty-handed.' Accordingly, he determined to make
+sure of his share beforehand; wherefore, as soon as he came to the
+bottom, calling to mind the precious ring whereof he had heard them
+speak, he drew it from the archbishop's finger and set it on his own.
+Then he passed them the crozier and mitre and gloves and stripping the
+dead man to his shirt, gave them everything, saying that there was
+nothing more. The others declared that the ring must be there and bade
+him seek everywhere; but he replied that he found it not and making a
+show of seeking it, kept them in play awhile. At last, the two rogues,
+who were no less wily than himself, bidding him seek well the while,
+took occasion to pull away the prop that held up the lid and made off,
+leaving him shut in the tomb.
+
+What became of Andreuccio, when he found himself in this plight, you
+may all imagine for yourselves. He strove again and again to heave up
+the lid with his head and shoulders, but only wearied himself in vain;
+wherefore, overcome with chagrin and despair, he fell down in a swoon
+upon the archbishop's dead body; and whoso saw him there had hardly
+known which was the deader, the prelate or he. Presently, coming to
+himself, he fell into a passion of weeping, seeing he must there
+without fail come to one of two ends, to wit, either he must, if none
+came thither to open the tomb again, die of hunger and stench, among
+the worms of the dead body, or, if any came and found him there, he
+would certainly be hanged for a thief.
+
+As he abode in this mind, exceeding woebegone, he heard folk stirring
+in the Church and many persons speaking and presently perceived that
+they came to do that which he and his comrades had already done;
+whereat fear redoubled upon him. But, after the newcomers had forced
+open the tomb and propped up the lid, they fell into dispute of who
+should go in, and none was willing to do it. However, after long
+parley, a priest said, 'What fear ye? Think you he will eat you? The
+dead eat not men. I will go in myself.' So saying, he set his breast
+to the marge of the tomb and turning his head outward, put in his
+legs, thinking to let himself drop. Andreuccio, seeing this, started
+up and catching the priest by one of his legs, made a show of offering
+to pull him down into the tomb. The other, feeling this, gave a
+terrible screech and flung precipitately out of the tomb; whereupon
+all the others fled in terror, as they were pursued by an hundred
+thousand devils, leaving the tomb open.
+
+Andreuccio, seeing this, scrambled hastily out of the tomb, rejoiced
+beyond all hope, and made off out of the church by the way he had
+entered in. The day now drawing near, he fared on at a venture, with
+the ring on his finger, till he came to the sea-shore and thence made
+his way back to his inn, where he found his comrades and the host, who
+had been in concern for him all that night. He told them what had
+betided him and themseemed, by the host's counsel, that he were best
+depart Naples incontinent. Accordingly, he set out forthright and
+returned to Perugia, having invested his money in a ring, whereas he
+came to buy horses."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     MADAM BERITOLA, HAVING LOST HER TWO SONS, IS FOUND ON A
+     DESERT ISLAND WITH TWO KIDS AND GOETH THENCE INTO LUNIGIANA,
+     WHERE ONE OF HER SONS, TAKING SERVICE WITH THE LORD OF THE
+     COUNTRY, LIETH WITH HIS DAUGHTER AND IS CAST INTO PRISON.
+     SICILY AFTER REBELLING AGAINST KING CHARLES AND THE YOUTH
+     BEING RECOGNIZED BY HIS MOTHER, HE ESPOUSETH HIS LORD'S
+     DAUGHTER, AND HIS BROTHER BEING LIKEWISE FOUND, THEY ARE ALL
+     THREE RESTORED TO HIGH ESTATE
+
+
+Ladies and young men alike laughed heartily at Andreuccio's
+adventures, as related by Fiammetta, and Emilia, seeing the story
+ended, began, by the queen's commandment, to speak thus: "Grievous
+things and woeful are the various shifts of Fortune, whereof,--for
+that, whenassoever it is discoursed of them, it is an awakenment for
+our minds, which lightly fall asleep under her blandishments,--methinketh
+it should never be irksome either to the happy or the unhappy to hear
+tell, inasmuch as it rendereth the former wary and consoleth the
+latter. Wherefore, albeit great things have already been recounted
+upon this subject, I purpose to tell you thereanent a story no less
+true than pitiful, whereof, for all it had a joyful ending, so great
+and so longsome was the bitterness that I can scarce believe it to
+have been assuaged by any subsequent gladness.
+
+You must know, dearest ladies, that, after the death of the Emperor
+Frederick the Second, Manfred was crowned King of Sicily, in very high
+estate with whom was a gentleman of Naples called Arrighetto Capece,
+who had to wife a fair and noble lady, also of Naples, by name Madam
+Beritola Caracciola. The said Arrighetto, who had the governance of
+the island in his hands, hearing that King Charles the First[102] had
+overcome and slain Manfred at Benevento and that all the realm had
+revolted to him and having scant assurance of the short-lived fidelity
+of the Sicilians, prepared for flight, misliking to become a subject
+of his lord's enemy; but, his intent being known of the Sicilians, he
+and many other friends and servants of King Manfred were suddenly made
+prisoners and delivered to King Charles, together with possession of
+the island.
+
+[Footnote 102: Charles d'Anjou.]
+
+Madam Beritola, in this grievous change of affairs, knowing not what
+was come of Arrighetto and sore adread of that which had befallen,
+abandoned all her possessions for fear of shame and poor and pregnant
+as she was, embarked, with a son of hers and maybe eight years of age,
+Giusfredi by name, in a little boat and fled to Lipari, where she gave
+birth to another male child, whom she named Scacciato,[103] and
+getting her a nurse, took ship with all three to return to her
+kinsfolk at Naples. But it befell otherwise than as she purposed; for
+that the ship, which should have gone to Naples, was carried by stress
+of wind to the island of Ponza,[104] where they entered a little bight
+of the sea and there awaited an occasion for continuing their voyage.
+Madam Beritola, going up, like the rest, into the island and finding a
+remote and solitary place, addressed herself to make moan for her
+Arrighetto, all alone there.
+
+[Footnote 103: _i.e._ the Banished or the Expelled One.]
+
+[Footnote 104: An island in the Gulf of Gaeta, about 70 miles from
+Naples. It is now inhabited, but appears in Boccaccio's time to have
+been desert.]
+
+This being her daily usance, it chanced one day that, as she was
+occupied in bewailing herself, there came up a pirate galley,
+unobserved of any, sailor or other, and taking them all at unawares,
+made off with her prize. Madam Beritola, having made an end of her
+diurnal lamentation, returned to the sea-shore, as she was used to do,
+to visit her children, but found none there; whereat she first
+marvelled and after, suddenly misdoubting her of that which had
+happened, cast her eyes out to sea and saw the galley at no great
+distance, towing the little ship after it; whereby she knew but too
+well that she had lost her children, as well as her husband, and
+seeing herself there poor and desolate and forsaken, unknowing where
+she should ever again find any of them, she fell down aswoon upon the
+strand, calling upon her husband and her children. There was none
+there to recall her distracted spirits with cold water or other
+remedy, wherefore they might at their leisure go wandering whither it
+pleased them; but, after awhile, the lost senses returning to her
+wretched body, in company with tears and lamentations, she called long
+upon her children and went a great while seeking them in every cavern.
+At last, finding all her labour in vain and seeing the night coming
+on, she began, hoping and knowing not what, to be careful for herself
+and departing the sea-shore, returned to the cavern where she was wont
+to weep and bemoan herself.
+
+She passed the night in great fear and inexpressible dolour and the
+new day being come and the hour of tierce past, she was fain,
+constrained by hunger, for that she had not supped overnight, to
+browse upon herbs; and having fed as best she might, she gave herself,
+weeping, to various thoughts of her future life. Pondering thus, she
+saw a she-goat enter a cavern hard by and presently issue thence and
+betake herself into the wood; whereupon she arose and entering whereas
+the goat had come forth, found there two little kidlings, born belike
+that same day, which seemed to her the quaintest and prettiest things
+in the world. Her milk being yet undried from her recent delivery, she
+tenderly took up the kids and set them to her breast. They refused not
+the service, but sucked her as if she had been their dam and
+thenceforth made no distinction between the one and the other.
+Wherefore, herseeming she had found some company in that desert place,
+and growing no less familiar with the old goat than with her little
+ones, she resigned herself to live and die there and abode eating of
+herbs and drinking water and weeping as often as she remembered her of
+her husband and children and of her past life.
+
+The gentle lady, thus grown a wild creature, abiding on this wise, it
+befell, after some months, that there came on like wise to the place
+whither she had aforetime been driven by stress of weather, a little
+vessel from Pisa and there abode some days. On broad this bark was a
+gentleman named Currado [of the family] of the Marquises of Malespina,
+who, with his wife, a lady of worth and piety, was on his return home
+from a pilgrimage to all the holy places that be in the kingdom of
+Apulia. To pass away the time, Currado set out one day, with his lady
+and certain of his servants and his dogs, to go about the island, and
+not far from Madam Beritola's place of harbourage, the dogs started
+the two kids, which were now grown pretty big, as they went grazing.
+The latter, chased by the dogs, fled to no other place but into the
+cavern where was Madam Beritola, who, seeing this, started to her feet
+and catching up a staff, beat off the dogs. Currado and his wife, who
+came after them, seeing the lady, who was grown swart and lean and
+hairy, marvelled, and she yet more at them. But after Currado had, at
+her instance, called off his dogs, they prevailed with her, by dint of
+much entreaty, to tell them who she was and what she did there;
+whereupon she fully discovered to them her whole condition and all
+that had befallen her, together with her firm resolution [to abide
+alone in the island].
+
+Currado, who had know Arrighetto Capece very well, hearing this, wept
+for pity, and did his utmost to divert her with words from so
+barbarous a purpose, offering to carry her back to her own house or to
+keep her with himself, holding her in such honour as his sister, until
+God should send her happier fortune. The lady not yielding to these
+proffers, Currado left his wife with her, bidding the latter cause
+bring thither to eat and clothe the lady, who was all in rags, with
+some of her own apparel, and charging her contrive, by whatsoever
+means, to bring her away with her. Accordingly, the gentle lady, being
+left with Madam Beritola, after condoling with her amain of her
+misfortunes, sent for raiment and victual and prevailed on her, with
+all the pains in the world, to don the one and eat the other.
+
+Ultimately, after many prayers, Madam Beritola protesting that she
+would never consent to go whereas she might be known, she persuaded
+her to go with her into Lunigiana, together with the two kids and
+their dam, which latter were meantime returned and had greeted her
+with the utmost fondness, to the no small wonderment of the
+gentlewoman. Accordingly, as soon as fair weather was come, Madam
+Beritola embarked with Currado and his lady in their vessel, carrying
+with her the two kids and the she-goat (on whose account, her name
+being everywhere unknown, she was styled Cavriuola[105]) and setting
+sail with a fair wind, came speedily to the mouth of the Magra,[106]
+where they landed and went up to Currado's castle. There Madam
+Beritola abode, in a widow's habit, about the person of Currado's
+lady, as one of her waiting-women, humble, modest and obedient, still
+cherishing her kids and letting nourish them.
+
+[Footnote 105: _i.e._ wild she-goat.]
+
+[Footnote 106: A river falling into the Gulf of Genoa between Carrara
+and Spezzia.]
+
+Meanwhile, the corsairs, who had taken the ship wherein Madam Beritola
+came to Ponza, but had left herself, as being unseen of them, betook
+themselves with all the other folk to Genoa, where, the booty coming
+to be shared among the owners of the galley, it chanced that the nurse
+and the two children fell, amongst other things, to the lot of a
+certain Messer Guasparrino d'Oria,[107] who sent them all three to his
+mansion, to be there employed as slaves about the service of the
+house. The nurse, afflicted beyond measure at the loss of her mistress
+and at the wretched condition where into she found herself and the two
+children fallen, wept long and sore; but, for that, albeit a poor
+woman, she was discreet and well-advised, when she saw that tears
+availed nothing and that she was become a slave together with them,
+she first comforted herself as best she might and after, considering
+whither they were come, she bethought herself that, should the two
+children be known, they might lightly chance to suffer hindrance;
+wherefore, hoping withal that, sooner or later fortune might change
+and they, an they lived, regain their lost estate, she resolved to
+discover to no one who they were, until she should see occasion
+therefor, and told all who asked her thereof that they were her sons.
+The elder she named, not Giusfredi, but Giannotto di Procida (the name
+of the younger she cared not to change), and explained to him, with
+the utmost diligence, why she had changed his name, showing him in
+what peril he might be, an he were known. This she set out to him not
+once, but many and many a time, and the boy, who was quick of wit,
+punctually obeyed the enjoinment of his discreet nurse.
+
+[Footnote 107: More familiar to modern ears as Doria.]
+
+Accordingly, the two boys and their nurse abode patiently in Messer
+Guasparrino's house several years, ill-clad and worse shod and
+employed about the meanest offices. But Giannotto, who was now sixteen
+years of age, and had more spirit than pertained to a slave, scorning
+the baseness of a menial condition, embarked on board certain galleys
+bound for Alexandria and taking leave of Messer Guasparrino's service,
+journeyed to divers parts, without any wise availing to advance
+himself. At last some three or four years after his departure from
+Genoa, being grown a handsome youth and tall of his person and hearing
+that his father, whom he thought dead, was yet alive, but was kept by
+King Charles in prison and duresse, he went wandering at a venture,
+well nigh despairing of fortune, till he came to Lunigiana and there,
+as chance would have it, took service with Currado Malespina, whom he
+served with great aptitude and acceptance. And albeit he now and again
+saw his mother, who was with Currado's lady, he never recognized her
+nor she him, so much had time changed the one and the other from that
+which they were used to be, whenas they last set eyes on each other.
+
+Giannotto being, then, in Currado's service, it befell that a daughter
+of the latter, by name Spina, being left the widow of one Niccolo da
+Grignano, returned to her father's house and being very fair and
+agreeable and a girl of little more than sixteen years of age, chanced
+to cast eyes on Giannotto and he on her, and they became passionately
+enamoured of each other. Their love was not long without effect and
+lasted several months ere any was ware thereof. Wherefore, taking
+overmuch assurance, they began to order themselves with less
+discretion than behoveth unto matters of this kind, and one day, as
+they went, the young lady and Giannotto together, through a fair and
+thickset wood, they pushed on among the trees, leaving the rest of the
+company behind. Presently, themseeming they had far foregone the
+others, they laid themselves down to rest in a pleasant place, full of
+grass and flowers and shut in with trees, and there fell to taking
+amorous delight one of the other.
+
+In this occupation, the greatness of their delight making the time
+seem brief to them, albeit they had been there a great while, they
+were surprised, first by the girl's mother and after by Currado, who,
+chagrined beyond measure at this sight, without saying aught of the
+cause, had them both seized by three of his serving-men and carried in
+bonds to a castle of his and went off, boiling with rage and despite
+and resolved to put them both to a shameful death. The girl's mother,
+although sore incensed and holding her daughter worthy of the severest
+punishment for her default, having by certain words of Currado
+apprehended his intent towards the culprits and unable to brook this,
+hastened after her enraged husband and began to beseech him that it
+would please him not run madly to make himself in his old age the
+murderer of his own daughter and to soil his hands with the blood of
+one of his servants, but to find other means of satisfying his wrath,
+such as to clap them in prison and there let them pine and bewail the
+fault committed. With these and many other words the pious lady so
+wrought upon him that she turned his mind from putting them to death
+and he bade imprison them, each in a place apart, where they should be
+well guarded and kept with scant victual and much unease, till such
+time as he should determine farther of them. As he bade, so was it
+done, and what their life was in duresse and continual tears and in
+fasts longer than might have behoved unto them, each may picture to
+himself.
+
+What while Giannotto and Spina abode in this doleful case and had
+therein already abidden a year's space, unremembered of Currado, it
+came to pass that King Pedro of Arragon, by the procurement of Messer
+Gian di Procida, raised the island of Sicily against King Charles and
+took it from him, whereat Currado, being a Ghibelline,[108] rejoiced
+exceedingly, Giannotto, hearing of this from one of those who had him
+in guard, heaved a great sigh and said, 'Ah, woe is me! These fourteen
+years have I gone ranging beggarlike about the world, looking for
+nought other than this, which, now that it is come, so I may never
+again hope for weal, hath found me in a prison whence I have no hope
+ever to come forth, save dead.' 'How so?' asked the gaoler. 'What doth
+that concern thee which great kings do to one another? What hast thou
+to do in Sicily?' Quoth Giannotto, 'My heart is like to burst when I
+remember me of that which my father erst had to do there, whom, albeit
+I was but a little child, when I fled thence, yet do I mind me to have
+been lord thereof, in the lifetime of King Manfred.' 'And who was thy
+father?' asked the gaoler. 'My father's name,' answered Giannotto, 'I
+may now safely make known, since I find myself in the peril whereof I
+was in fear, an I discovered it. He was and is yet, an he live, called
+Arrighetto Capece, and my name is, not Giannotto, but Giusfredi, and I
+doubt not a jot, an I were quit of this prison, but I might yet, by
+returning to Sicily, have very high place there.'
+
+[Footnote 108: The Ghibellines were the supporters of the Papal
+faction against the Guelphs or adherents of the Emperor Frederick II.
+of Germany. The cardinal struggle between the two factions took place
+over the succession to the throne of Naples and Sicily, to which the
+Pope appointed Charles of Anjou, who overcame and killed the reigning
+sovereign Manfred, but was himself, through the machinations of the
+Ghibellines, expelled from Sicily by the celebrated popular rising
+known as the Sicilian Vespers.]
+
+The honest man, without asking farther, reported Giannotto's words, as
+first he had occasion, to Currado, who, hearing this,--albeit he
+feigned to the gaoler to make light of it,--betook himself to Madam
+Beritola and courteously asked her if she had had by Arrighetto a son
+named Giusfredi. The lady answered, weeping, that, if the elder of her
+two sons were alive, he would so be called and would be two-and-twenty
+years old. Currado, hearing this, concluded that this must be he and
+bethought himself that, were it so, he might at once do a great mercy
+and take away his own and his daughter's shame by giving her to
+Giannotto to wife; wherefore, sending privily for the latter, he
+particularly examined him touching all his past life and finding, by
+very manifest tokens, that he was indeed Giusfredi, son of Arrighetto
+Capece, he said to him, 'Giannotto, thou knowest what and how great is
+the wrong thou hast done me in the person of my daughter, whereas, I
+having ever well and friendly entreated thee, it behoved thee, as a
+servant should, still to study and do for my honour and interest; and
+many there be who, hadst thou used them like as thou hast used me,
+would have put thee to a shameful death, the which my clemency brooked
+not. Now, if it be as thou tellest me, to wit, that thou art the son
+of a man of condition and of a noble lady, I purpose, an thou thyself
+be willing, to put an end to thy tribulations and relieving thee from
+the misery and duresse wherein thou abidest, to reinstate at once
+thine honour and mine own in their due stead. As thou knowest, Spina,
+whom thou hast, though after a fashion misbeseeming both thyself and
+her, taken with love-liking, is a widow and her dowry is both great
+and good; as for her manners and her father and mother, thou knowest
+them, and of thy present state I say nothing. Wherefore, an thou will,
+I purpose that, whereas she hath unlawfully been thy mistress, she
+shall now lawfully become thy wife and that thou shalt abide here with
+me and with her, as my very son, so long as it shall please thee.'
+
+Now prison had mortified Giannotto's flesh, but had nothing abated the
+generous spirit, which he derived from his noble birth, nor yet the
+entire affection he bore his mistress; and albeit he ardently desired
+that which Currado proffered him and saw himself in the latter's
+power, yet no whit did he dissemble of that which the greatness of his
+soul prompted him to say; wherefore he answered, 'Currado, neither
+lust of lordship nor greed of gain nor other cause whatever hath ever
+made me lay snares, traitor-wise, for thy life or thy good. I loved
+and love thy daughter and still shall love her, for that I hold her
+worthy of my love, and if I dealt with her less than honourably, in
+the opinion of the vulgar, my sin was one which still goeth hand in
+hand with youth and which an you would do away, it behoveth you first
+do away with youth. Moreover, it is an offence which, would the old
+but remember them of having been young and measure the defaults of
+others by their own and their own by those of others, would show less
+grievous than thou and many others make it; and as a friend, and not
+as an enemy, I committed it. This that thou profferest me I have still
+desired and had I thought it should be vouchsafed me, I had long since
+sought it; and so much the dearer will it now be to me, as my hope
+thereof was less. If, then, thou have not that intent which thy words
+denote, feed me not with vain hope; but restore me to prison and there
+torment me as thou wilt, for, so long as I love Spina, even so, for
+the love of her, shall I still love thee, whatsoever thou dost with
+me, and have thee in reverence.'
+
+Currado, hearing this, marvelled and held him great of soul and his
+love fervent and tendered him therefore the dearer; wherefore, rising
+to his feet, he embraced him and kissed him and without more delay
+bade privily bring Spina thither. Accordingly, the lady--who was grown
+lean and pale and weakly in prison and showed well nigh another than
+she was wont to be, as on like wise Giannotto another man--being come,
+the two lovers in Currado's presence with one consent contracted
+marriage according to our usance. Then, after some days, during which
+he had let furnish the newly-married pair with all that was necessary
+or agreeable to them, he deemed it time to gladden their mothers with
+the good news and accordingly calling his lady and Cavriuola, he said
+to the latter, 'What would you say, madam, an I should cause you have
+again your elder son as the husband of one of my daughters?' Whereto
+she answered, 'Of that I can say to you no otherwhat than that, could
+I be more beholden to you than I am, I should be so much the more so
+as you would have restored to me that which is dearer to me than mine
+own self; and restoring it to me on such wise as you say, you would in
+some measure re-awaken in me my lost hope.' With this, she held her
+peace, weeping, and Currado said to his lady, 'And thou, mistress, how
+wouldst thou take it, were I to present thee with such a son-in-law?'
+The lady replied, 'Even a common churl, so he pleased you, would
+please me, let alone one of these,[109] who are men of gentle birth.'
+'Then,' said Currado, 'I hope, ere many days, to make you happy women
+in this.'
+
+[Footnote 109: _i.e._ Beritola's sons.]
+
+Accordingly, seeing the two young folk now restored to their former
+cheer, he clad them sumptuously and said to Giusfredi, 'Were it not
+dear to thee, over and above thy present joyance, an thou sawest thy
+mother here?' Whereto he answered, 'I dare not flatter myself that the
+chagrin of her unhappy chances can have left her so long alive; but,
+were it indeed so, it were dear to me above all, more by token that
+methinketh I might yet, by her counsel, avail to recover great part of
+my estate in Sicily.' Thereupon Currado sent for both the ladies, who
+came and made much of the newly-wedded wife, no little wondering what
+happy inspiration it could have been that prompted Currado to such
+exceeding complaisance as he had shown in joining Giannotto with her
+in marriage. Madam Beritola, by reason of the words she had heard from
+Currado, began to consider Giannotto and some remembrance of the
+boyish lineaments of her son's countenance being by occult virtue
+awakened in her, without awaiting farther explanation, she ran,
+open-armed, to cast herself upon his neck, nor did overabounding
+emotion and maternal joy suffer her to say a word; nay, they so locked
+up all her senses that she fell into her son's arms, as if dead.
+
+The latter, albeit he was sore amazed, remembering to have many times
+before seen her in that same castle and never recognized her,
+nevertheless knew incontinent the maternal odour and blaming himself
+for his past heedlessness, received her, weeping, in his arms and
+kissed her tenderly. After awhile, Madam Beritola, being
+affectionately tended by Currado's lady and Spina and plied both with
+cold water and other remedies, recalled her strayed senses and
+embracing her son anew, full of maternal tenderness, with many tears
+and many tender words, kissed him a thousand times, whilst he all
+reverently beheld and entreated her. After these joyful and honourable
+greetings had been thrice or four times repeated, to the no small
+contentment of the bystanders, and they had related unto each other
+all that had befallen them, Currado now, to the exceeding satisfaction
+of all, signified to his friends the new alliance made by him and gave
+ordinance for a goodly and magnificent entertainment.
+
+Then said Giusfredi to him, 'Currado, you have made me glad of many
+things and have long honourably entertained my mother; and now, that
+no whit may remain undone of that which it is in your power to do, I
+pray you gladden my mother and bride-feast and myself with the
+presence of my brother, whom Messer Guasparrino d'Oria holdeth in
+servitude in his house and whom, as I have already told you, he took
+with me in one of his cruises. Moreover, I would have you send into
+Sicily one who shall thoroughly inform himself of the state and
+condition of the country and study to learn what is come of
+Arrighetto, my father, an he be alive or dead, and if he be alive, in
+what estate; of all which having fully certified himself, let him
+return to us.' Giusfredi's request was pleasing to Currado, and
+without any delay he despatched very discreet persons both to Genoa
+and to Sicily.
+
+He who went to Genoa there sought out Messer Guasparrino and instantly
+besought him, on Currado's part, to send him Scacciato and his nurse,
+orderly recounting to him all his lord's dealings with Giusfredi and
+his mother. Messer Guasparrino marvelled exceedingly to hear this and
+said, 'True is it I would do all I may to pleasure Currado, and I
+have, indeed, these fourteen years had in my house the boy thou
+seekest and one his mother, both of whom I will gladly send him; but
+do thou bid him, on my part, beware of lending overmuch credence to
+the fables of Giannotto, who nowadays styleth himself Giusfredi, for
+that he is a far greater knave than he deemeth.' So saying, he caused
+honourably entertain the gentleman and sending privily for the nurse,
+questioned her shrewdly touching the matter. Now she had heard of the
+Sicilian revolt and understood Arrighetto to be alive, wherefore,
+casting off her former fears, she told him everything in order and
+showed him the reasons that had moved her to do as she had done.
+
+Messer Guasparrino, finding her tale to accord perfectly with that of
+Currado's messenger, began to give credit to the latter's words and
+having by one means and another, like a very astute man as he was,
+made enquiry of the matter and happening hourly upon things that gave
+him more and more assurance of the fact, took shame to himself of his
+mean usage of the lad, in amends whereof, knowing what Arrighetto had
+been and was, he gave him to wife a fair young daughter of his, eleven
+years of age, with a great dowry. Then, after making a great
+bride-feast thereon, he embarked with the boy and girl and Currado's
+messenger and the nurse in a well-armed galliot and betook himself to
+Lerici, where he was received by Currado and went up, with all his
+company, to one of the latter's castles, not far removed thence, where
+there was a great banquet toward.
+
+The mother's joy at seeing her son again and that of the two brothers
+in each other and of all three in the faithful nurse, the honour done
+of all to Messer Guasparrino and his daughter and of him to all and
+the rejoicing of all together with Currado and his lady and children
+and friends, no words might avail to express; wherefore, ladies, I
+leave it to you to imagine. Thereunto,[110] that it might be complete,
+it pleased God the Most High, a most abundant giver, whenas He
+beginneth, to add the glad news of the life and well-being of
+Arrighetto Capece; for that, the feast being at its height and the
+guests, both ladies and men, yet at table for the first service, there
+came he who had been sent into Sicily and amongst other things,
+reported of Arrighetto that he, being kept in captivity by King
+Charles, whenas the revolt against the latter broke out in the land,
+the folk ran in a fury to the prison and slaying his guards, delivered
+himself and as a capital enemy of King Charles, made him their captain
+and followed him to expel and slay the French: wherefore he was become
+in especial favour with King Pedro,[111] who had reinstated him in all
+his honours and possessions, and was now in great good case. The
+messenger added that he had received himself with the utmost honour
+and had rejoiced with inexpressible joy in the recovery of his wife
+and son, of whom he had heard nothing since his capture; moreover, he
+had sent a brigantine for them, with divers gentlemen aboard, who came
+after him.
+
+[Footnote 110: _i.e._ to which general joy.]
+
+[Footnote 111: Pedro of Arragon, son-in-law of Manfred, who, in
+consequence of the Sicilian Vespers, succeeded Charles d'Anjou as King
+of Sicily.]
+
+The messenger was received and hearkened with great gladness and
+rejoicing, whilst Currado, with certain of his friends, set out
+incontinent to meet the gentlemen who came for Madam Beritola and
+Giusfredi and welcoming them joyously, introduced them into his
+banquet, which was not yet half ended. There both the lady and
+Giusfredi, no less than all the others, beheld them with such joyance
+that never was heard the like; and the gentlemen, ere they sat down to
+meat, saluted Currado and his lady on the part of Arrighetto, thanking
+them, as best they knew and might, for the honour done both to his
+wife and his son and offering himself to their pleasure,[112] in all
+that lay in his power. Then, turning to Messer Guasparrino, whose
+kindness was unlooked for, they avouched themselves most certain that,
+whenas that which he had done for Scacciato should be known of
+Arrighetto, the like thanks and yet greater would be rendered him.
+
+[Footnote 112: Or (in modern phrase) putting himself at their
+disposition.]
+
+Thereafter they banqueted right joyously with the new-made bridegrooms
+at the bride-feast of the two newly-wedded wives; nor that day alone
+did Currado entertain his son-in-law and other his kinsmen and
+friends, but many others. As soon as the rejoicings were somewhat
+abated, it appearing to Madam Beritola and to Giusfredi and the others
+that it was time to depart, they took leave with many tears of Currado
+and his lady and Messer Guasparrino and embarked on board the
+brigantine, carrying Spina with them; then, setting sail with a fair
+wind, they came speedily to Sicily, where all alike, both sons and
+daughters-in-law, were received by Arrighetto in Palermo with such
+rejoicing as might never be told; and there it is believed that they
+all lived happily a great while after, in love and thankfulness to God
+the Most High, as mindful of the benefits received."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     THE SOLDAN OF BABYLON SENDETH A DAUGHTER OF HIS TO BE
+     MARRIED TO THE KING OF ALGARVE, AND SHE, BY DIVERS CHANCES,
+     IN THE SPACE OF FOUR YEARS COMETH TO THE HANDS OF NINE MEN
+     IN VARIOUS PLACES. ULTIMATELY, BEING RESTORED TO HER FATHER
+     FOR A MAID, SHE GOETH TO THE KING OF ALGARVE TO WIFE, AS
+     FIRST SHE DID
+
+
+Had Emilia's story been much longer protracted, it is like the
+compassion had by the young ladies on the misfortunes of Madam
+Beritola would have brought them to tears; but, an end being now made
+thereof, it pleased the queen that Pamfilo should follow on with his
+story, and accordingly he, who was very obedient, began thus, "Uneath,
+charming ladies, is it for us to know that which is meet for us, for
+that, as may oftentimes have been seen, many, imagining that, were
+they but rich, they might avail to live without care and secure, have
+not only with prayers sought riches of God, but have diligently
+studied to acquire them, grudging no toil and no peril in the quest,
+and who,--whereas, before they became enriched, they loved their
+lives,--once having gotten their desire, have found folk to slay them,
+for greed of so ample an inheritance. Others of low estate, having,
+through a thousand perilous battles and the blood of their brethren
+and their friends, mounted to the summit of kingdoms, thinking in the
+royal estate to enjoy supreme felicity, without the innumerable cares
+and alarms whereof they see and feel it full, have learned, at the
+cost of their lives, that poison is drunken at royal tables in cups of
+gold. Many there be who have with most ardent appetite desired bodily
+strength and beauty and divers personal adornments and perceived not
+that they had desired ill till they found these very gifts a cause to
+them of death or dolorous life. In fine, not to speak particularly of
+all the objects of human desire, I dare say that there is not one
+which can, with entire assurance, be chosen by mortal men as secure
+from the vicissitudes of fortune; wherefore, an we would do aright,
+needs must we resign ourselves to take and possess that which is
+appointed us of Him who alone knoweth that which behoveth unto us and
+is able to give it to us. But for that, whereas men sin in desiring
+various things, you, gracious ladies, sin, above all, in one, to wit,
+in wishing to be fair,--insomuch that, not content with the charms
+vouchsafed you by nature, you still with marvellous art study to
+augment them,--it pleaseth me to recount to you how ill-fortunedly
+fair was a Saracen lady, whom it befell, for her beauty, to be in some
+four years' space nine times wedded anew.
+
+It is now a pretty while since there was a certain Soldan of
+Babylon,[113] by name Berminedab, to whom in his day many things
+happened in accordance with his pleasure.[114] Amongst many other
+children, both male and female, he had a daughter called Alatiel, who,
+by report of all who saw her, was the fairest woman to be seen in the
+world in those days, and having, in a great defeat he had inflicted
+upon a vast multitude of Arabs who were come upon him, been
+wonder-well seconded by the King of Algarve,[115] had, at his request,
+given her to him to wife, of especial favour; wherefore, embarking her
+aboard a ship well armed and equipped, with an honourable company of
+men and ladies and store of rich and sumptuous gear and furniture, he
+despatched her to him, commending her to God.
+
+[Footnote 113: _i.e._ Egypt, Cairo was known in the middle ages by the
+name of "Babylon of Egypt." It need hardly be noted that the Babylon
+of the Bible was the city of that name on the Euphrates, the ancient
+capital of Chaldaea (Irak Babili). The names Beminedab and Alatiel are
+purely imaginary.]
+
+[Footnote 114: _i.e._ to his wish, to whom fortune was mostly
+favourable in his enterprises.]
+
+[Footnote 115: _Il Garbo_, Arabic El Gherb or Gharb, [Arabic: al
+gharb], the West, a name given by the Arabs to several parts of the
+Muslim empire, but by which Boccaccio apparently means Algarve, the
+southernmost province of Portugal and the last part of that kingdom to
+succumb to the wave of Christian reconquest, it having remained in the
+hands of the Muslims till the second half of the thirteenth century.
+This supposition is confirmed by the course taken by Alatiel's ship,
+which would naturally pass Sardinia and the Balearic Islands on its
+way from Alexandria to Portugal.]
+
+The sailors, seeing the weather favourable, gave their sails to the
+wind and departing the port of Alexandria, fared on prosperously many
+days, and having now passed Sardinia, deemed themselves near the end
+of their voyage, when there arose one day of a sudden divers contrary
+winds, which, being each beyond measure boisterous, so harassed the
+ship, wherein was the lady, and the sailors, that the latter more than
+once gave themselves over for lost. However, like valiant men, using
+every art and means in their power, they rode it out two days, though
+buffeted by a terrible sea; but, at nightfall of the third day, the
+tempest abating not, nay, waxing momently, they felt the ship open,
+being then not far off Majorca, but knowing not where they were
+neither availing to apprehend it either by nautical reckoning or by
+sight, for that the sky was altogether obscured by clouds and dark
+night; wherefore, seeing no other way of escape and having each
+himself in mind and not others, they lowered a shallop into the water,
+into which the officers cast themselves, choosing rather to trust
+themselves thereto than to the leaking ship. The rest of the men in
+the ship crowded after them into the boat, albeit those who had first
+embarked therein opposed it, knife in hand,--and thinking thus to flee
+from death, ran straight into it, for that the boat, availing not, for
+the intemperance of the weather, to hold so many, foundered and they
+perished one and all.
+
+As for the ship, being driven by a furious wind and running very
+swiftly, albeit it was now well nigh water-logged, (none being left on
+board save the princess and her women, who all, overcome by the
+tempestuous sea and by fear, lay about the decks as they were dead,)
+it stranded upon a beach of the island of Majorca and such and so
+great was the shock that it well nigh buried itself in the sand some
+stone's cast from the shore, where it abode the night, beaten by the
+waves, nor might the wind avail to stir it more. Broad day came and
+the tempest somewhat abating, the princess, who was half dead, raised
+her head and weak as she was, fell to calling now one, now another of
+her household, but to no purpose, for that those she called were too
+far distant. Finding herself unanswered of any and seeing no one, she
+marvelled exceedingly and began to be sore afraid; then, rising up, as
+best she might, she saw the ladies who were in her company and the
+other women lying all about and trying now one and now another, found
+few who gave any signs of life, the most of them being dead what with
+sore travail of the stomach and what with affright; wherefore fear
+redoubled upon her.
+
+Nevertheless, necessity constraining her, for that she saw herself
+alone there and had neither knowledge nor inkling where she was, she
+so goaded those who were yet alive that she made them arise and
+finding them unknowing whither the men were gone and seeing the ship
+stranded and full of water, she fell to weeping piteously, together
+with them. It was noon ere they saw any about the shore or elsewhere,
+whom they might move to pity and succour them; but about that hour
+there passed by a gentleman, by name Pericone da Visalgo, returning by
+chance from a place of his, with sundry of his servants on horseback.
+He saw the ship and forthright conceiving what it was, bade one of the
+servants board it without delay and tell him what he found there. The
+man, though with difficulty, made his way on board and found the young
+lady, with what little company she had, crouched, all adread, under
+the heel of the bowsprit. When they saw him, they besought him,
+weeping, of mercy again and again; but, perceiving that he understood
+them not nor they him, they made shift to make known to him their
+misadventure by signs.
+
+The servant having examined everything as best he might, reported to
+Pericone that which was on board; whereupon the latter promptly caused
+to bring the ladies ashore, together with the most precious things
+that were in the ship and might be gotten, and carried them off to a
+castle of his, where, the women being refreshed with food and rest, he
+perceived, from the richness of her apparel, that the lady whom he had
+found must needs be some great gentlewoman, and of this he was
+speedily certified by the honour that he saw the others do her and her
+alone; and although she was pale and sore disordered of her person,
+for the fatigues of the voyage, her features seemed to him exceeding
+fair; wherefore he forthright took counsel with himself, an she had no
+husband, to seek to have her to wife, and if he might not have her in
+marriage, to make shift to have her favours.
+
+He was a man of commanding presence and exceeding robust and having
+for some days let tend the lady excellently well and she being thereby
+altogether restored, he saw her lovely past all conception and was
+grieved beyond measure that he could not understand her nor she him
+and so he might not learn who she was. Nevertheless, being
+inordinately inflamed by her charms, he studied, with pleasing and
+amorous gestures, to engage her to do his pleasure without contention;
+but to no avail; she altogether rejected his advances and so much the
+more waxed Pericone's ardour. The lady, seeing this and having now
+abidden there some days, perceived, by the usances of the folk, that
+she was among Christians and in a country where, even if she could, it
+had little profited her to make herself known and foresaw that, in the
+end, either perforce or for love, needs must she resign herself to do
+Pericone's pleasure, but resolved nevertheless by dint of magnanimity
+to override the wretchedness of her fortune; wherefore she commanded
+her women, of whom but three were left her, that they should never
+discover to any who she was, except they found themselves whereas they
+might look for manifest furtherance in the regaining of their liberty,
+and urgently exhorted them, moreover, to preserve their chastity,
+avouching herself determined that none, save her husband, should ever
+enjoy her. They commended her for this and promised to observe her
+commandment to the best of their power.
+
+Meanwhile Pericone, waxing daily more inflamed, insomuch as he saw the
+thing desired so near and yet so straitly denied, and seeing that his
+blandishments availed him nothing, resolved to employ craft and
+artifice, reserving force unto the last. Wherefore, having observed
+bytimes that wine was pleasing to the lady, as being unused to drink
+thereof, for that her law forbade it, he bethought himself that he
+might avail to take her with this, as with a minister of enus.
+Accordingly, feigning to reck no more of that whereof she showed
+herself so chary, he made one night by way of special festival a
+goodly supper, whereto he bade the lady, and therein, the repast being
+gladdened with many things, he took order with him who served her that
+he should give her to drink of various wines mingled. The cupbearer
+did his bidding punctually and she, being nowise on her guard against
+this and allured by the pleasantness of the drink, took more thereof
+than consisted with her modesty; whereupon, forgetting all her past
+troubles, she waxed merry and seeing some women dance after the
+fashion of Majorca, herself danced in the Alexandrian manner.
+
+Pericone, seeing this, deemed himself on the high road to that which
+he desired and continuing the supper with great plenty of meats and
+wines, protracted it far into the night. Ultimately, the guests having
+departed, he entered with the lady alone into her chamber, where she,
+more heated with wine than restrained by modesty, without any reserve
+of shamefastness, undid herself in his presence, as he had been one of
+her women, and betook herself to bed. Pericone was not slow to follow
+her, but, putting out all the lights, promptly hid himself beside her
+and catching her in his arms, proceeded, without any gainsayal on her
+part, amorously to solace himself with her; which when once she had
+felt,--having never theretofore known with what manner horn men
+butt,--as if repenting her of not having yielded to Pericone's
+solicitations, thenceforth, without waiting to be bidden to such
+agreeable nights, she oftentimes invited herself thereto, not by
+words, which she knew not how to make understood, but by deeds.
+
+But, in the midst of this great pleasance of Pericone and herself,
+fortune, not content with having reduced her from a king's bride to be
+the mistress of a country gentleman, had foreordained unto her a more
+barbarous alliance. Pericone had a brother by name Marato,
+five-and-twenty years of age and fair and fresh as a rose, who saw her
+and she pleased him mightily. Himseemed, moreover, according to that
+which he could apprehend from her gestures, that he was very well seen
+of her and conceiving that nought hindered him of that which he craved
+of her save the strait watch kept on her by Pericone, he fell into a
+barbarous thought, whereon the nefarious effect followed without
+delay.
+
+There was then, by chance, in the harbour of the city a vessel laden
+with merchandise and bound for Chiarenza[116] in Roumelia; whereof two
+young Genoese were masters, who had already hoisted sail to depart as
+soon as the wind should be fair. Marato, having agreed with them, took
+order how he should on the ensuing night be received aboard their ship
+with the lady; and this done, as soon as it was dark, having inwardly
+determined what he should do, he secretly betook himself, with certain
+of his trustiest friends, whom he had enlisted for the purpose, to the
+house of Pericone, who nowise mistrusted him. There he hid himself,
+according to the ordinance appointed between them, and after a part of
+the night had passed, he admitted his companions and repaired with
+them to the chamber where Pericone lay with the lady. Having opened
+the door, they slew Pericone, as he slept, and took the lady, who was
+now awake and in tears, threatening her with death, if she made any
+outcry; after which they made off, unobserved, with great part of
+Pericone's most precious things and betook themselves in haste to the
+sea-shore, where Marato and the lady embarked without delay on board
+the ship, whilst his companions returned whence they came.
+
+[Footnote 116: The modern Klarentza in the north-west of the Morea,
+which latter province formed part of Roumelia under the Turkish
+domination.]
+
+The sailors, having a fair wind and a fresh, made sail and set out on
+their voyage, whilst the princess sore and bitterly bewailed both her
+former and that her second misadventure; but Marato, with that Saint
+Waxeth-in-hand, which God hath given us [men,] proceeded to comfort
+her after such a fashion that she soon grew familiar with him and
+forgetting Pericone, began to feel at her ease, when fortune, as if
+not content with the past tribulations wherewith it had visited her,
+prepared her a new affliction; for that, she being, as we have already
+more than once said, exceeding fair of favour and of very engaging
+manners, the two young men, the masters of the ship, became so
+passionately enamoured of her that, forgetting all else, they studied
+only to serve and pleasure her, being still on their guard lest Marato
+should get wind of the cause. Each becoming aware of the other's
+passion, they privily took counsel together thereof, and agreed to
+join in getting the lady for themselves and enjoy her in common, as if
+love should suffer this, as do merchandise and gain.
+
+Seeing her straitly guarded by Marato and being thereby hindered of
+their purpose, one day, as the ship fared on at full speed under sail
+and Marato stood at the poop, looking out on the sea and nowise on his
+guard against them, they went of one accord and laying hold of him
+suddenly from behind, cast him into the sea, nor was it till they had
+sailed more than a mile farther that any perceived Marato to be
+fallen overboard. Alatiel, hearing this and seeing no possible way of
+recovering him, began anew to make moan for herself; whereupon the two
+lovers came incontinent to her succour and with soft words and very
+good promises, whereof she understood but little, studied to soothe
+and console the lady, who lamented not so much her lost husband as her
+own ill fortune. After holding much discourse with her at one time and
+another, themseeming after awhile they had well nigh comforted her,
+they came to words with one another which should first take her to lie
+with him. Each would fain be the first and being unable to come to any
+accord upon this, they first with words began a sore and hot dispute
+and thereby kindled into rage, they clapped hands to their knives and
+falling furiously on one another, before those on board could part
+them, dealt each other several blows, whereof one incontinent fell
+dead, whilst the other abode on life, though grievously wounded in
+many places.
+
+This new mishap was sore unpleasing to the lady, who saw herself
+alone, without aid or counsel of any, and feared lest the anger of the
+two masters' kinsfolk and friends should revert upon herself; but the
+prayers of the wounded man and their speedy arrival at Chiarenza
+delivered her from danger of death. There she went ashore with the
+wounded man and took up her abode with him in an inn, where the report
+of her great beauty soon spread through the city and came to the ears
+of the Prince of the Morea, who was then at Chiarenza and was fain to
+see her. Having gotten sight of her and himseeming she was fairer than
+report gave out, he straightway became so sore enamoured of her that
+he could think of nothing else and hearing how she came thither,
+doubted not to be able to get her for himself. As he cast about for a
+means of effecting his purpose, the wounded man's kinsfolk got wind of
+his desire and without awaiting more, sent her to him forthright,
+which was mighty agreeable to the prince and to the lady also, for
+that herseemed she was quit of a great peril. The prince, seeing her
+graced, over and above her beauty, with royal manners and unable
+otherwise to learn who she was, concluded her to be some noble lady,
+wherefore he redoubled in his love for her and holding her in
+exceeding honour, entreated her not as a mistress, but as his very
+wife.
+
+The lady, accordingly, having regard to her past troubles and
+herseeming she was well enough bestowed, was altogether comforted and
+waxing blithe again, her beauties flourished on such wise that it
+seemed all Roumelia could talk of nothing else. The report of her
+loveliness reaching the Duke of Athens, who was young and handsome and
+doughty of his person and a friend and kinsman of the prince, he was
+taken with a desire to see her and making a show of paying him a
+visit, as he was wont bytimes to do, repaired, with a fair and
+worshipful company, to Chiarenza, where he was honourably received and
+sumptuously entertained. Some days after, the two kinsmen coming to
+discourse together of the lady's charms, the duke asked if she were
+indeed so admirable a creature as was reported; to which the prince
+answered, 'Much more so; but thereof I will have not my words, but
+thine own eyes certify thee.' Accordingly, at the duke's
+solicitation, they betook themselves together to the princess's
+lodging, who, having had notice of their coming, received them very
+courteously and with a cheerful favour, and they seated her between
+them, but might not have the pleasure of conversing with her, for that
+she understood little or nothing of their language; wherefore each
+contented himself with gazing upon her, as upon a marvel, and
+especially the duke, who could scarce bring himself to believe that
+she was a mortal creature and thinking to satisfy his desire with her
+sight, heedless of the amorous poison he drank in at his eyes,
+beholding her, he miserably ensnared himself, becoming most ardently
+enamoured of her.
+
+After he had departed her presence with the prince and had leisure to
+bethink himself, he esteemed his kinsman happy beyond all others in
+having so fair a creature at his pleasure, and after many and various
+thoughts, his unruly passion weighing more with him than his honour,
+he resolved, come thereof what might, to do his utmost endeavour to
+despoil the prince of that felicity and bless himself therewith.
+Accordingly, being minded to make a quick despatch of the matter and
+setting aside all reason and all equity, he turned his every thought
+to the devising of means for the attainment of his wishes, and one
+day, in accordance with the nefarious ordinance taken by him with a
+privy chamberlain of the prince's, by name Ciuriaci, he let make ready
+in secret his horses and baggage for a sudden departure.
+
+The night come, he was, with a companion, both armed, stealthily
+introduced by the aforesaid Ciuriaci into the prince's chamber and saw
+the latter (the lady being asleep) standing, all naked for the great
+heat, at a window overlooking the sea-shore, to take a little breeze
+that came from that quarter; whereupon, having beforehand informed his
+companion of that which he had to do, he went softly up to the window
+and striking the prince with a knife, stabbed him, through and through
+the small of his back; then, taking him up in haste, he cast him forth
+of the window. The palace stood over against the sea and was very
+lofty and the window in question looked upon certain houses that had
+been undermined by the beating of the waves and where seldom or never
+any came; wherefore it happened, as the duke had foreseen, that the
+fall of the prince's body was not nor might be heard of any. The
+duke's companion, seeing this done, pulled out a halter he had brought
+with him to that end and making a show of caressing Ciuriaci, cast it
+adroitly about his neck and drew it so that he could make no outcry;
+then, the duke coming up, they strangled him and cast him whereas they
+had cast the prince.
+
+This done and they being manifestly certified that they had been
+unheard of the lady or of any other, the duke took a light in his hand
+and carrying it to the bedside, softly uncovered the princess, who
+slept fast. He considered her from head to foot and mightily commended
+her; for, if she was to his liking, being clothed, she pleased him,
+naked, beyond all compare. Wherefore, fired with hotter desire and
+unawed by his new-committed crime, he couched himself by her side,
+with hands yet bloody, and lay with her, all sleepy-eyed as she was
+and thinking him to be the prince. After he had abidden with her
+awhile in the utmost pleasure, he arose and summoning certain of his
+companions, caused take up the lady on such wise that she could make
+no outcry and carry her forth by a privy door, whereat he had entered;
+then, setting her on horseback, he took to the road with all his men,
+as softliest he might, and returned to his own dominions. However (for
+that he had a wife) he carried the lady, who was the most distressful
+of women, not to Athens, but to a very goodly place he had by the sea,
+a little without the city, and there entertained her in secret,
+causing honourably furnish her with all that was needful.
+
+The prince's courtiers on the morrow awaited his rising till none,
+when, hearing nothing, they opened the chamber-doors, which were but
+closed, and finding no one, concluded that he was gone somewhither
+privily, to pass some days there at his ease with his fair lady, and
+gave themselves no farther concern. Things being thus, it chanced next
+day that an idiot, entering the ruins where lay the bodies of the
+prince and Ciuriaci, dragged the latter forth by the halter and went
+haling him after him. The body was, with no little wonderment,
+recognized by many, who, coaxing the idiot to bring them to the place
+whence he had dragged it, there, to the exceeding grief of the whole
+city, found the prince's corpse and gave it honourable burial. Then,
+enquiring for the authors of so heinous a crime and finding that the
+Duke of Athens was no longer there, but had departed by stealth, they
+concluded, even as was the case, that it must be he who had done this
+and carried off the lady; whereupon they straightway substituted a
+brother of the dead man to their prince and incited him with all their
+might to vengeance. The new prince, being presently certified by
+various other circumstances that it was as they had surmised, summoned
+his friends and kinsmen and servants from divers parts and promptly
+levying a great and goodly and powerful army, set out to make war upon
+the Duke of Athens.
+
+The latter, hearing of this, on like wise mustered all his forces for
+his own defence, and to his aid came many lords, amongst whom the
+Emperor of Constantinople sent Constantine his son and Manual his
+nephew, with a great and goodly following. The two princes were
+honourably received by the duke and yet more so by the duchess, for
+that she was their sister,[117] and matters drawing thus daily nearer
+unto war, taking her occasion, she sent for them both one day to her
+chamber and there, with tears galore and many words, related to them
+the whole story, acquainting them with the causes of the war.
+Moreover, she discovered to them the affront done her by the duke in
+the matter of the woman whom it was believed he privily entertained,
+and complaining sore thereof, besought them to apply to the matter
+such remedy as best they might, for the honour of the duke and her own
+solacement.
+
+[Footnote 117: _i.e._ sister to the one and cousin to the other.]
+
+The young men already knew all the facts as it had been; wherefore,
+without enquiring farther, they comforted the duchess, as best they
+might, and filled her with good hope. Then, having learned from her
+where the lady abode, they took their leave and having a mind to see
+the latter, for that they had oftentimes heard her commended for
+marvellous beauty, they besought the duke to show her to them. He,
+unmindful of that which had befallen the Prince of the Morea for
+having shown her to himself, promised to do this and accordingly next
+morning, having let prepare a magnificent collation in a very goodly
+garden that pertained to the lady's place of abode, he carried them
+and a few others thither to eat with her. Constantine, sitting with
+Alatiel, fell a-gazing upon her, full of wonderment, avouching in
+himself that he had never seen aught so lovely and that certes the
+duke must needs be held excused, ay, and whatsoever other, to have so
+fair a creature, should do treason or other foul thing, and looking on
+her again and again and each time admiring her more, it betided him no
+otherwise than it had betided the duke; wherefore, taking his leave,
+enamoured of her, he abandoned all thought of the war and occupied
+himself with considering how he might take her from the duke,
+carefully concealing his passion the while from every one.
+
+Whilst he yet burnt in this fire, the time came to go out against the
+new prince, who now drew near to the duke's territories; wherefore the
+latter and Constantine and all the others, sallied forth of Athens
+according to the given ordinance and betook themselves to the defence
+of certain frontiers, so the prince might not avail to advance
+farther. When they had lain there some days, Constantine having his
+mind and thought still intent upon the lady and conceiving that, now
+the duke was no longer near her, he might very well avail to
+accomplish his pleasure, feigned himself sore indisposed of his
+person, to have an occasion of returning to Athens; wherefore, with
+the duke's leave, committing his whole power to Manuel, he returned to
+Athens to his sister, and there, after some days, putting her upon
+talk of the affront which herseemed she suffered from the duke by
+reason of the lady whom he entertained, he told her that, an it liked
+her, he would soon ease her thereof by causing take the lady from
+whereas she was and carry her off. The duchess, conceiving that he did
+this of regard for herself and not for love of the lady, answered that
+it liked her exceeding well so but it might be done on such wise that
+the duke should never know that she had been party thereto, which
+Constantine fully promised her, and thereupon she consented that he
+should do as seemed best to him.
+
+Constantine, accordingly, let secretly equip a light vessel and sent
+it one evening to the neighbourhood of the garden where the lady
+abode; then, having taught certain of his men who were on board what
+they had to do, he repaired with others to the lady's pavilion, where
+he was cheerfully received by those in her service and indeed by the
+lady herself, who, at his instance, betook herself with him to the
+garden, attended by her servitors and his companions. There, making as
+he would speak with her on the duke's part, he went with her alone
+towards a gate, which gave upon the sea and had already been opened by
+one of his men, and calling the bark thither with the given signal, he
+caused suddenly seize the lady and carry her aboard; then, turning to
+her people, he said to them, 'Let none stir or utter a word, an he
+would not die; for that I purpose not to rob the duke of his wench,
+but to do away the affront which he putteth upon my sister.'
+
+To this none dared make answer; whereupon Constantine, embarking with
+his people and seating himself by the side of the weeping lady, bade
+thrust the oars into the water and make off. Accordingly, they put out
+to sea and not hieing, but flying,[118] came, after a little after
+daybreak on the morrow, to Egina, where they landed and took rest,
+whilst Constantine solaced himself awhile with the lady, who bemoaned
+her ill-fated beauty. Thence, going aboard the bark again, they made
+their way, in a few days, to Chios, where it pleased Constantine to
+take up his sojourn, as in a place of safety, for fear of his father's
+resentment and lest the stolen lady should be taken from him. There
+the fair lady bewailed her ill fate some days, but, being presently
+comforted by Constantine, she began, as she had done otherwhiles, to
+take her pleasure of that which fortune had foreordained to her.
+
+[Footnote 118: _Non vogando, ma volando._]
+
+Things being at this pass, Osbech, King of the Turks, who abode in
+continual war with the Emperor, came by chance to Smyrna, where
+hearing how Constantine abode in Chios, without any precaution,
+leading a wanton life with a mistress of his, whom he had stolen away,
+he repaired thither one night with some light-armed ships and entering
+the city by stealth with some of his people, took many in their beds,
+ere they knew of the enemy's coming. Some, who, taking the alert, had
+run to arms, he slew and having burnt the whole place, carried the
+booty and captives on board the ships and returned to Smyrna. When
+they arrived there, Osbech, who was a young man, passing his prisoners
+in review, found the fair lady among them and knowing her for her who
+had been taken with Constantine asleep in bed, was mightily rejoiced
+at sight of her. Accordingly, he made her his wife without delay, and
+celebrating the nuptials forthright, lay with her some months in all
+joyance.
+
+Meanwhile, the Emperor, who had, before these things came to pass,
+been in treaty with Bassano, King of Cappadocia, to the end that he
+should come down upon Osbech from one side with his power, whilst
+himself assailed him on the other, but had not yet been able to come
+to a full accord with him, for that he was unwilling to grant certain
+things which Bassano demanded and which he deemed unreasonable,
+hearing what had betided his son and chagrined beyond measure thereat,
+without hesitating farther, did that which the King of Cappadocia
+asked and pressed him as most he might to fall upon Osbech, whilst
+himself made ready to come down upon him from another quarter. Osbech,
+hearing this, assembled his army, ere he should be straitened between
+two such puissant princes, and marched against Bassano, leaving his
+fair lady at Smyrna, in charge of a trusty servant and friend of his.
+After some time he encountered the King of Cappadocia and giving him
+battle, was slain in the mellay and his army discomfited and
+dispersed; whereupon Bassano advanced in triumph towards Smyrna,
+unopposed, and all the folk submitted to him by the way, as to a
+conqueror.
+
+Meanwhile, Osbech's servant, Antiochus by name, in whose charge the
+lady had been left, seeing her so fair, forgot his plighted faith to
+his friend and master and became enamoured of her, for all he was a
+man in years. Urged by love and knowing her tongue (the which was
+mighty agreeable to her, as well as it might be to one whom it had
+behoved for some years live as she were deaf and dumb, for that she
+understood none neither was understanded of any) he began, in a few
+days, to be so familiar with her that, ere long, having no regard to
+their lord and master who was absent in the field, they passed from
+friendly commerce to amorous privacy, taking marvellous pleasure one
+of the other between the sheets. When they heard that Osbech was
+defeated and slain and that Bassano came carrying all before him, they
+took counsel together not to await him there and laying hands on great
+part of the things of most price that were there pertaining to Osbech,
+gat them privily to Rhodes, where they had not long abidden ere
+Antiochus sickened unto death.
+
+As chance would have it, there was then in lodging with him a merchant
+of Cyprus, who was much loved of him and his fast friend, and
+Antiochus, feeling himself draw to his end, bethought himself to leave
+him both his possessions and his beloved lady; wherefore, being now
+nigh upon death, he called them both to him and bespoke them thus, 'I
+feel myself, without a doubt, passing away, which grieveth me, for
+that never had I such delight in life as I presently have. Of one
+thing, indeed, I die most content, in that, since I must e'en die, I
+see myself die in the arms of those twain whom I love over all others
+that be in the world, to wit, in thine, dearest friend, and in those
+of this lady, whom I have loved more than mine own self, since first I
+knew her. True, it grieveth me to feel that, when I am dead, she will
+abide here a stranger, without aid or counsel; and it were yet more
+grievous to me, did I not know thee here, who wilt, I trust, have that
+same care of her, for the love of me, which thou wouldst have had of
+myself. Wherefore, I entreat thee, as most I may, if it come to pass
+that I die, that thou take my goods and her into thy charge and do
+with them and her that which thou deemest may be for the solacement of
+my soul. And thou, dearest lady, I prithee forget me not after my
+death, so I may vaunt me, in the other world, of being beloved here
+below of the fairest lady ever nature formed; of which two things an
+you will give me entire assurance, I shall depart without misgiving
+and comforted.'
+
+The merchant his friend and the lady, hearing these words, wept, and
+when he had made an end of his speech, they comforted him and promised
+him upon their troth to do that which he asked, if it came to pass
+that he died. He tarried not long, but presently departed this life
+and was honourably interred of them. A few days after, the merchant
+having despatched all his business in Rhodes and purposing to return
+to Cyprus on board a Catalan carrack that was there, asked the fair
+lady what she had a mind to do, for that it behoved him return to
+Cyprus. She answered that, an it pleased him, she would gladly go with
+him, hoping for Antiochus his love to be of him entreated and regarded
+as a sister. The merchant replied that he was content to do her every
+pleasure, and the better to defend her from any affront that might be
+offered her, ere they came to Cyprus, he avouched that she was his
+wife. Accordingly, they embarked on board the ship and were given a
+little cabin on the poop, where, that the fact might not belie his
+words, he lay with her in one very small bed. Whereby there came about
+that which was not intended of the one or the other of them at
+departing Rhodes, to wit, that--darkness and commodity and the heat of
+the bed, matters of no small potency, inciting them,--drawn by equal
+appetite and forgetting both the friendship and the love of Antiochus
+dead, they fell to dallying with each other and before they reached
+Baffa, whence the Cypriot came, they had clapped up an alliance
+together.
+
+At Baffa she abode some time with the merchant till, as chance would
+have it, there came thither, for his occasions, a gentleman by name
+Antigonus, great of years and greater yet of wit, but little of
+wealth, for that, intermeddling in the affairs of the King of Cyprus,
+fortune had in many things been contrary to him. Chancing one day to
+pass by the house where the fair lady dwelt with the merchant, who was
+then gone with his merchandise into Armenia, he espied her at a window
+and seeing her very beautiful, fell to gazing fixedly upon her and
+presently began to recollect that he must have seen her otherwhere,
+but where he could on no wise call to mind. As for the lady, who had
+long been the sport of fortune, but the term of whose ills was now
+drawing near, she no sooner set eyes on Antigonus than she remembered
+to have seen him at Alexandria in no mean station in her father's
+service; wherefore, conceiving a sudden hope of yet by his aid
+regaining her royal estate, and knowing her merchant to be abroad, she
+let call him to her as quickliest she might and asked him, blushing,
+an he were not, as she supposed, Antigonus of Famagosta. He answered
+that he was and added, 'Madam, meseemeth I know you, but on no wise
+can I remember me where I have seen you; wherefore I pray you, an it
+mislike you not, put me in mind who you are.'
+
+The lady hearing that it was indeed he, to his great amazement, cast
+her arms about his neck, weeping sore, and presently asked him if he
+had never seen her in Alexandria. Antigonus, hearing this, incontinent
+knew her for the Soldan's daughter Alatiel, who was thought to have
+perished at sea, and would fain have paid her the homage due to her
+quality; but she would on no wise suffer it and besought him to sit
+with her awhile. Accordingly, seating himself beside her, he asked her
+respectfully how and when and whence she came thither, seeing that it
+was had for certain, through all the land of Egypt, that she had been
+drowned at sea years agone. 'Would God,' replied she, 'it had been so,
+rather than that I should have had the life I have had; and I doubt
+not but my father would wish the like, if ever he came to know it.'
+
+So saying, she fell anew to weeping wonder-sore; whereupon quoth
+Antigonus to her, 'Madam, despair not ere it behove you; but, an it
+please you, relate to me your adventures and what manner of life yours
+hath been; it may be the matter hath gone on such wise that, with
+God's aid, we may avail to find an effectual remedy.' 'Antigonus,'
+answered the fair lady, 'when I beheld thee, meseemed I saw my father,
+and moved by that love and tenderness, which I am bounden to bear him,
+I discovered myself to thee, having it in my power to conceal myself
+from thee, and few persons could it have befallen me to look upon in
+whom I could have been so well-pleased as I am to have seen and known
+thee before any other; wherefore that which in my ill fortune I have
+still kept hidden, to thee, as to a father, I will discover. If, after
+thou hast heard it, thou see any means of restoring me to my pristine
+estate, prithee use it; but, if thou see none, I beseech thee never
+tell any that thou hast seen me or heard aught of me.'
+
+This said, she recounted to him, still weeping, that which had
+befallen her from the time of her shipwreck on Majorca up to that
+moment; whereupon he fell a-weeping for pity and after considering
+awhile, 'Madam,' said he, 'since in your misfortunes it hath been
+hidden who you are, I will, without fail, restore you, dearer than
+ever, to your father and after to the King of Algarve to wife.' Being
+questioned of her of the means, he showed her orderly that which was
+to do, and lest any hindrance should betide through delay, he
+presently returned to Famagosta and going in to the king, said to him,
+'My lord, an it like you, you have it in your power at once to do
+yourself exceeding honour and me, who am poor through you, a great
+service, at no great cost of yours.' The king asked how and Antigonus
+replied, 'There is come to Baffa the Soldan's fair young daughter, who
+hath so long been reputed drowned and who, to save her honour, hath
+long suffered very great unease and is presently in poor case and
+would fain return to her father. An it pleased you send her to him
+under my guard, it would be much to your honour and to my weal, nor do
+I believe that such a service would ever be forgotten of the Soldan.'
+
+The king, moved by a royal generosity of mind, answered forthright
+that he would well and sending for Alatiel, brought her with all
+honour and worship to Famagosta, where she was received by himself and
+the queen with inexpressible rejoicing and entertained with
+magnificent hospitality. Being presently questioned of the king and
+queen of her adventures, she answered according to the instructions
+given her by Antigonus and related everything;[119] and a few days
+after, at her request, the king sent her, under the governance of
+Antigonus, with a goodly and worshipful company of men and women, back
+to the Soldan, of whom let none ask if she was received with
+rejoicing, as also was Antigonus and all her company.
+
+[Footnote 119: Sic (_conto tutto_); but this is an oversight of the
+author's, as it is evident from what follows that she did _not_ relate
+everything.]
+
+As soon as she was somewhat rested, the Soldan desired to know how it
+chanced that she was yet alive and where she had so long abidden,
+without having ever let him know aught of her condition; whereupon the
+lady, who had kept Antigonus his instructions perfectly in mind,
+bespoke him thus, 'Father mine, belike the twentieth day after my
+departure from you, our ship, having sprung a leak in a terrible
+storm, struck in the night upon certain coasts yonder in the
+West,[120] near a place called Aguamorta, and what became of the men
+who were aboard I know not nor could ever learn; this much only do I
+remember that, the day come and I arisen as it were from death to
+life, the shattered vessel was espied of the country people, who ran
+from all the parts around to plunder it. I and two of my women were
+first set ashore and the latter were incontinent seized by certain of
+the young men, who fled with them, one this way and the other that,
+and what came of them I never knew.
+
+[Footnote 120: Lit. Ponant (_Ponente_), _i.e._ the Western coasts of
+the Mediterranean, as opposed to the Eastern or Levant.]
+
+As for myself, I was taken, despite my resistance, by two young men,
+and haled along by the hair, weeping sore the while; but, as they
+crossed over a road, to enter a great wood, there passed by four men
+on horseback, whom when my ravishers saw, they loosed me forthwith and
+took to flight. The new comers, who seemed to me persons of great
+authority, seeing this, ran where I was and asked me many questions;
+whereto I answered much, but neither understood nor was understanded
+of them. However, after long consultation they set me on one of their
+horses and carried me to a convent of women vowed to religion,
+according to their law, where, whatever they said, I was of all the
+ladies kindly received and still entreated with honour, and there with
+great devotion I joined them in serving Saint Waxeth-in-Deepdene, a
+saint for whom the women of that country have a vast regard.
+
+After I had abidden with them awhile and learned somewhat of their
+language, they questioned me of who I was and fearing, an I told the
+truth, to be expelled from amongst them, as an enemy of their faith, I
+answered that I was the daughter of a great gentleman of Cyprus, who
+was sending me to be married in Crete, when, as ill-luck would have
+it, we had run thither and suffered shipwreck. Moreover, many a time
+and in many things I observed their customs, for fear of worse, and
+being asked by the chief of the ladies, her whom they call abbess, if
+I wished to return thence to Cyprus, I answered that I desired nothing
+so much; but she, tender of my honour, would never consent to trust me
+to any person who was bound for Cyprus, till some two months agone,
+when there came thither certain gentlemen of France with their ladies.
+One of the latter being a kinswoman of the abbess and she hearing that
+they were bound for Jerusalem, to visit the Sepulchre where He whom
+they hold God was buried, after He had been slain by the Jews, she
+commended me to their care and besought them to deliver me to my
+father in Cyprus.
+
+With what honour these gentlemen entreated me and how cheerfully they
+received me together with their ladies, it were a long story to tell;
+suffice it to say that we took ship and came, after some days, to
+Baffa, where finding myself arrived and knowing none in the place, I
+knew not what to say to the gentlemen, who would fain have delivered
+me to my father, according to that which had been enjoined them of the
+reverend lady; but God, taking pity belike on my affliction, brought
+me Antigonus upon the beach what time we disembarked at Baffa, whom I
+straightway hailed and in our tongue, so as not to be understood of
+the gentlemen and their ladies, bade him receive me as a daughter. He
+promptly apprehended me and receiving me with a great show of joy,
+entertained the gentlemen and their ladies with such honour as his
+poverty permitted and carried me to the King of Cyprus, who received
+me with such hospitality and hath sent me back to you [with such
+courtesy] as might never be told of me. If aught remain to be said,
+let Antigonus, who hath ofttimes heard from me these adventures,
+recount it.'
+
+Accordingly Antigonus, turning to the Soldan, said, 'My lord, even as
+she hath many a time told me and as the gentlemen and ladies, with
+whom she came, said to me, so hath she recounted unto you. Only one
+part hath she forborne to tell you, the which methinketh she left
+unsaid for that it beseemeth her not to tell it, to wit, how much the
+gentlemen and ladies, with whom she came, said of the chaste and
+modest life which she led with the religious ladies and of her virtue
+and commendable manners and the tears and lamentations of her
+companions, both men and women, when, having restored her to me, they
+took leave of her. Of which things were I fain to tell in full that
+which they said to me, not only this present day, but the ensuing
+night would not suffice unto us; be it enough to say only that
+(according to that which their words attested and that also which I
+have been able to see thereof,) you may vaunt yourself of having the
+fairest daughter and the chastest and most virtuous of any prince that
+nowadays weareth a crown.'
+
+The Soldan was beyond measure rejoiced at these things and besought
+God again and again to vouchsafe him of His grace the power of
+worthily requiting all who had succoured his daughter and especially
+the King of Cyprus, by whom she had been sent back to him with honour.
+After some days, having caused prepare great gifts for Antigonus, he
+gave him leave to return to Cyprus and rendered, both by letters and
+by special ambassadors, the utmost thanks to the king for that which
+he had done with his daughter. Then desiring that that which was begun
+should have effect, to wit, that she should be the wife of the King of
+Algarve, he acquainted the latter with the whole matter and wrote to
+him to boot, that, an it pleased him have her, he should send for her.
+The King of Algarve was mightily rejoiced at this news and sending for
+her in state, received her joyfully; and she, who had lain with eight
+men belike ten thousand times, was put to bed to him for a maid and
+making him believe that she was so, lived happily with him as his
+queen awhile after; wherefore it was said, 'Lips for kissing forfeit
+no favour; nay, they renew as the moon doth ever.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     THE COUNT OF ANTWERP, BEING FALSELY ACCUSED, GOETH INTO
+     EXILE AND LEAVETH HIS TWO CHILDREN IN DIFFERENT PLACES IN
+     ENGLAND, WHITHER, AFTER AWHILE, RETURNING IN DISGUISE AND
+     FINDING THEM IN GOOD CASE, HE TAKETH SERVICE AS A HORSEBOY
+     IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING OF FRANCE AND BEING APPROVED
+     INNOCENT, IS RESTORED TO HIS FORMER ESTATE
+
+
+The ladies sighed amain over the fortunes of the fair Saracen; but who
+knoweth what gave rise to those sighs? Maybe there were some of them
+who sighed no less for envy of such frequent nuptials than for pity of
+Alatiel. But, leaving that be for the present, after they had laughed
+at Pamfilo's last words, the queen, seeing his story ended, turned to
+Elisa and bade her follow on with one of hers. Elisa cheerfully obeyed
+and began as follows: "A most ample field is that wherein we go to-day
+a-ranging, nor is there any of us but could lightly enough run, not
+one, but half a score courses there, so abounding hath Fortune made it
+in her strange and grievous chances; wherefore, to come to tell of one
+of these latter, which are innumerable, I say that:
+
+When the Roman Empire was transferred from the French to the
+Germans,[121] there arose between the one and the other nation an
+exceeding great enmity and a grievous and continual war, by reason
+whereof, as well for the defence of their own country as for the
+offence of that of others, the King of France and a son of his, with
+all the power of their realm and of such friends and kinsfolk as they
+could command, levied a mighty army to go forth upon the foe; and ere
+they proceeded thereunto,--not to leave the realm without
+governance,--knowing Gautier, Count of Antwerp,[122] for a noble and
+discreet gentleman and their very faithful friend and servant, and for
+that (albeit he was well versed in the art of war) he seemed to them
+more apt unto things delicate than unto martial toils, they left him
+vicar general in their stead over all the governance of the realm of
+France and went on their way. Gautier accordingly addressed himself
+with both order and discretion to the office committed unto him, still
+conferring of everything with the queen and her daughter-in-law, whom,
+for all they were left under his custody and jurisdiction, he honoured
+none the less as his liege ladies and mistresses.
+
+[Footnote 121: _i.e._ A.D. 912, when, upon the death of Louis III, the
+last prince of the Carlovingian race, Conrad, Duke of Franconia, was
+elected Emperor and the Empire, which had till then been hereditary in
+the descendants of Charlemagne, became elective and remained
+thenceforth in German hands.]
+
+[Footnote 122: _Anguersa_, the old form of _Anversa_, Antwerp. All
+versions that I have seen call Gautier Comte d'_Angers_ or _Angiers_,
+the translators, who forgot or were unaware that Antwerp, as part of
+Flanders, was then a fief of the French crown, apparently taking it
+for granted that the mention of the latter city was in error and
+substituting the name of the ancient capital of Anjou on their own
+responsibility.]
+
+Now this Gautier was exceedingly goodly of his body, being maybe
+forty years old and as agreeable and well-mannered a gentleman as
+might be; and withal, he was the sprightliest and daintiest cavalier
+known in those days and he who went most adorned of his person. His
+countess was dead, leaving him two little children, a boy and a girl,
+without more, and it befell that, the King of France and his son being
+at the war aforesaid and Gautier using much at the court of the
+aforesaid ladies and speaking often with them of the affairs of the
+kingdom, the wife of the king's son cast her eyes on him and
+considering his person and his manners with very great affection, was
+secretly fired with a fervent love for him. Feeling herself young and
+lusty and knowing him wifeless, she doubted not but her desire might
+lightly be accomplished unto her and thinking nought hindered her
+thereof but shamefastness, she bethought herself altogether to put
+that away and discover to him her passion. Accordingly, being one day
+alone and it seeming to her time, she sent for him into her chamber,
+as though she would discourse with him of other matters.
+
+The count, whose thought was far from that of the lady, betook himself
+to her without any delay and at her bidding, seated himself by her
+side on a couch; then, they being alone together, he twice asked her
+the occasion for which she had caused him come thither; but she made
+him no reply. At last, urged by love and grown all vermeil for shame,
+well nigh in tears and all trembling, with broken speech she thus
+began to say: 'Dearest and sweet friend and my lord, you may easily as
+a man of understanding apprehend how great is the frailty both of men
+and of women, and that more, for divers reasons, in one than in
+another; wherefore, at the hands of a just judge, the same sin in
+diverse kinds of qualities of persons should not in equity receive one
+same punishment. And who is there will deny that a poor man or a poor
+woman, whom it behoveth gain with their toil that which is needful for
+their livelihood, would, an they were stricken with Love's smart and
+followed after him, be far more blameworthy than a lady who is rich
+and idle and to whom nothing is lacking that can flatter her desires?
+Certes, I believe, no one. For which reason methinketh the things
+aforesaid [to wit, wealth and leisure and luxurious living] should
+furnish forth a very great measure of excuse on behalf of her who
+possesseth them, if, peradventure, she suffer herself lapse into
+loving, and the having made choice of a lover of worth and discretion
+should stand for the rest,[123] if she who loveth hath done that.
+These circumstances being both, to my seeming, in myself (beside
+several others which should move me to love, such as my youth and the
+absence of my husband), it behoveth now that they rise up in my behalf
+for the defence of my ardent love in your sight, wherein if they avail
+that which they should avail in the eyes of men of understanding, I
+pray you afford me counsel and succour in that which I shall ask of
+you. True is it, that availing not, for the absence of my husband, to
+withstand the pricks of the flesh nor the might of love-liking, the
+which are of such potency that they have erst many a time overcome and
+yet all days long overcome the strongest men, to say nothing of weak
+women,--and enjoying the commodities and the leisures wherein you see
+me, I have suffered myself lapse into ensuing Love his pleasures and
+becoming enamoured; the which,--albeit, were it known, I acknowledge
+it would not be seemly, yet,--being and abiding hidden, I hold[124]
+well nigh nothing unseemly; more by token that Love hath been insomuch
+gracious to me that not only hath he not bereft me of due discernment
+in the choice of a lover, but hath lent me great plenty thereof[125]
+to that end, showing me yourself worthy to be loved of a lady such as
+I,--you whom, if my fancy beguile me not, I hold the goodliest, the
+most agreeable, the sprightliest and the most accomplished cavalier
+that may be found in all the realm of France; and even as I may say
+that I find myself without a husband, so likewise are you without a
+wife. Wherefore, I pray you, by the great love which I bear you, that
+you deny me not your love in return, but have compassion on my youth,
+the which, in very deed, consumeth for you, as ice before the fire.'
+
+[Footnote 123: _i.e._ of her excuse.]
+
+[Footnote 124: Lit. Thou holdest (or judges); but _giudichi_ in the
+text is apparently a mistake for _giudico_.]
+
+[Footnote 125: _i.e._ of discernment.]
+
+With these words her tears welled up in such abundance that, albeit
+she would fain have proffered him yet other prayers, she had no power
+to speak farther, but, bowing her face, as if overcome, she let
+herself fall, weeping, her head on the count's bosom. The latter, who
+was a very loyal gentleman, began with the gravest reproofs to rebuke
+so fond a passion and to repel the princess, who would fain have cast
+herself on his neck, avouching to her with oaths that he had liefer be
+torn limb from limb than consent unto such an offence against his
+lord's honour, whether in himself or in another. The lady, hearing
+this, forthright forgot her love and kindling into a furious rage,
+said, 'Felon knight that you are, shall I be this wise flouted by you
+of my desire? Now God forbid, since you would have me die, but I have
+you put to death or driven from the world!' So saying, she set her
+hands to her tresses and altogether disordered and tore them; then,
+rending her raiment at the breast, she fell to crying aloud and
+saying, 'Help! Help! The Count of Antwerp would do me violence.' The
+count, seeing this, misdoubting far more the courtiers' envy than his
+own conscience and fearful lest, by reason of this same envy, more
+credence should be given to the lady's malice than to his own
+innocence, started up and departing the chamber and the palace as
+quickliest he might, fled to his own house, where, without taking
+other counsel, he set his children on horseback and mounting himself
+to horse, made off with them, as most he might, towards Calais.
+
+Meanwhile, many ran to the princess's clamour and seeing her in that
+plight and hearing [her account of] the cause of her outcry, not only
+gave credence to her words, but added[126] that the count's gallant
+bearing and debonair address had long been used by him to win to that
+end. Accordingly, they ran in a fury to his houses to arrest him, but
+finding him not, first plundered them all and after razed them to the
+foundations. The news, in its perverted shape, came presently to the
+army to the king and his son, who, sore incensed, doomed Gautier and
+his descendants to perpetual banishment, promising very great guerdons
+to whoso should deliver him to them alive or dead.
+
+[Footnote 126: Sic (_aggiunsero_); but _semble_ should mean "believed,
+in addition."]
+
+The count, woeful for that by his flight he had, innocent as he was,
+approved himself guilty, having, without making himself known or being
+recognized, reached Calais with his children, passed hastily over into
+England and betook himself in mean apparel to London, wherein ere he
+entered, with many words he lessoned his two little children, and
+especially in two things; first, that they should brook with patience
+the poor estate, whereunto, without their fault, fortune had brought
+them, together with himself,--and after, that with all wariness they
+should keep themselves from ever discovering unto any whence or whose
+children they were, as they held life dear. The boy, Louis by name,
+who was some nine and the girl, who was called Violante and was some
+seven years old, both, as far as their tender age comported, very well
+apprehended their father's lessons and showed it thereafter by deed.
+That this might be the better done,[127] he deemed it well to change
+their names; wherefore he named the boy Perrot and the girl Jeannette
+and all three, entering London, meanly clad, addressed themselves to
+go about asking alms, like as we see yonder French vagabonds do.
+
+[Footnote 127: _i.e._ That the secret might be the better kept.]
+
+They being on this account one morning at a church door, it chanced
+that a certain great lady, the wife of one of the king's marshals of
+England, coming forth of the church, saw the count and his two little
+ones asking alms and questioned him whence he was and if the children
+were his, to which he replied that he was from Picardy and that, by
+reason of the misfeasance of a rakehelly elder son of his, it had
+behoved him depart the country with these two, who were his. The lady,
+who was pitiful, cast her eyes on the girl and being much taken with
+her, for that she was handsome, well-mannered and engaging, said,
+'Honest man, an thou be content to leave thy daughter with me, I will
+willingly take her, for that she hath a good favour, and if she prove
+an honest woman, I will in due time marry her on such wise that she
+shall fare well.' This offer was very pleasing to the count, who
+promptly answered, 'Yes,' and with tears gave up the girl to the lady,
+urgently commending her to her care.
+
+Having thus disposed of his daughter, well knowing to whom, he
+resolved to abide there no longer and accordingly, begging his way
+across the island, came, not without sore fatigue, as one who was
+unused to go afoot, into Wales. Here dwelt another of the king's
+marshals, who held great state and entertained a numerous household,
+and to his court both the count and his son whiles much resorted to
+get food. Certain sons of the said marshal and other gentlemen's
+children being there engaged in such boyish exercises as running and
+leaping, Perrot began to mingle with them and to do as dextrously as
+any of the rest, or more so, each feat that was practised among them.
+The marshal, chancing whiles to see this and being much taken with
+the manners and fashion of the boy, asked who he was and was told that
+he was the son of a poor man who came there bytimes for alms;
+whereupon he caused require him of the count, and the latter, who
+indeed besought God of nought else, freely resigned the boy to him,
+grievous as it was to him to be parted from him. Having thus provided
+his son and daughter, he determined to abide no longer in England and
+passing over into Ireland, made his way, as best he might, to
+Stamford, where he took service with a knight belonging to an earl of
+the country, doing all such things as pertain unto a lackey or a
+horseboy, and there, without being known of any, he abode a great
+while in unease and travail galore.
+
+Meanwhile Violante, called Jeannette, went waxing with the gentlewoman
+in London in years and person and beauty and was in such favour both
+with the lady and her husband and with every other of the house and
+whoso else knew her, that it was a marvellous thing to see; nor was
+there any who noted her manners and fashions but avouched her worthy
+of every greatest good and honour. Wherefore the noble lady who had
+received her from her father, without having ever availed to learn who
+he was, otherwise than as she had heard from himself, was purposed to
+marry her honourably according to that condition whereof she deemed
+her. But God, who is a just observer of folk's deserts, knowing her to
+be of noble birth and to bear, without fault, the penalty of another's
+sin, ordained otherwise, and fain must we believe that He of His
+benignity permitted that which came to pass to the end that the gentle
+damsel might not fall into the hands of a man of low estate.
+
+The noble lady with whom Jeannette dwelt had of her husband one only
+son, whom both she and his father loved with an exceeding love, both
+for that he was their child and that he deserved it by reason of his
+worth and virtues. He, being some six years older than Jeannette and
+seeing her exceeding fair and graceful, became so sore enamoured of
+her that he saw nought beyond her; yet, for that he deemed her to be
+of mean extraction, not only dared he not demand her of his father and
+mother to wife, but, fearing to be blamed for having set himself to
+love unworthily, he held his love, as most he might, hidden; wherefore
+it tormented him far more than if he had discovered it; and thus it
+came to pass that, for excess of chagrin, he fell sick and that
+grievously. Divers physicians were called in to medicine him, who,
+having noted one and another symptom of his case and being
+nevertheless unable to discover what ailed him, all with one accord
+despaired of his recovery; whereat the young man's father and mother
+suffered dolour and melancholy so great that greater might not be
+brooked, and many a time, with piteous prayers, they questioned him of
+the cause of his malady, whereto or sighs he gave for answer or
+replied that he felt himself all wasting away.
+
+It chanced one day that, what while a doctor, young enough, but
+exceedingly deeply versed in science, sat by him and held him by the
+arm in that part where leaches use to seek the pulse, Jeannette, who,
+of regard for his mother, tended him solicitously, entered, on some
+occasion or another, the chamber where the young man lay. When the
+latter saw her, without word said or gesture made, he felt the amorous
+ardour redouble in his heart, wherefore his pulse began to beat
+stronglier than of wont; the which the leach incontinent noted and
+marvelling, abode still to see how long this should last. As soon as
+Jeannette left the chamber, the beating abated, wherefore it seemed to
+the physician he had gotten impartment of the cause of the young man's
+ailment, and after waiting awhile, he let call Jeannette to him, as he
+would question her of somewhat, still holding the sick man by the arm.
+She came to him incontinent and no sooner did she enter than the
+beating of the youth's pulse returned and she being gone again,
+ceased. Thereupon, it seeming to the physician that he had full enough
+assurance, he rose and taking the young man's father and mother apart,
+said to them, 'The healing of your son is not in the succour of
+physicians, but abideth in the hands of Jeannette, whom, as I have by
+sure signs manifestly recognized, the young man ardently loveth,
+albeit, for all I can see, she is unaware thereof. You know now what
+you have to do, if his life be dear to you.'
+
+The gentleman and his lady, hearing this, were well pleased, inasmuch
+as some means was found for his recoverance, albeit it irked them sore
+that the means in question should be that whereof they misdoubted
+them, to wit, that they should give Jeannette to their son to wife.
+Accordingly, the physician being gone, they went into the sick man and
+the lady bespoke him thus: 'Son mine, I could never have believed that
+thou wouldst keep from me any desire of thine, especially seeing
+thyself pine away for lack thereof; for that thou shouldst have been
+and shouldst be assured that there is nought I can for thy
+contentment, were it even less than seemly, which I would not do as
+for myself. But, since thou hast e'en done this, God the Lord hath
+been more pitiful over thee than thou thyself and that thou mayst not
+die of this sickness, hath shown me the cause of thine ill, which is
+no otherwhat than excess of love for some damsel or other, whoever she
+may be; and this, indeed, thou needest not have thought shame to
+discover, for that thine age requireth it, and wert thou not
+enamoured, I should hold thee of very little account. Wherefore, my
+son, dissemble not with me, but in all security discover to me thine
+every desire and put away from thee the melancholy and the
+thought-taking which be upon thee and from which proceedeth this thy
+sickness and take comfort and be assured that there is nothing of that
+which thou mayst impose on me for thy satisfaction but I will do it to
+the best of my power, as she who loveth thee more than her life.
+Banish shamefastness and fearfulness and tell me if I can do aught to
+further thy passion; and if thou find me not diligent therein or if I
+bring it not to effect for thee, account me the cruellest mother that
+ever bore son.'
+
+The young man, hearing his mother's words, was at first abashed, but
+presently, bethinking himself that none was better able than she to
+satisfy his wishes, he put away shamefastness and said thus to her:
+'Madam, nothing hath wrought so effectually with me to keep my love
+hidden as my having noted of most folk that, once they are grown in
+years, they choose not to remember them of having themselves been
+young. But, since in this I find you reasonable, not only will I not
+deny that to be true which you say you have observed, but I will, to
+boot, discover to you of whom [I am enamoured], on condition that you
+will, to the best of your power, give effect to your promise; and thus
+may you have me whole again.' Whereto the lady (trusting overmuch in
+that which was not to come to pass for her on such wise as she deemed
+in herself) answered freely that he might in all assurance discover to
+her his every desire, for that she would without any delay address
+herself to contrive that he should have his pleasure. 'Madam,' then
+said the youth, 'the exceeding beauty and commendable fashions of our
+Jeannette and my unableness to make her even sensible, still less to
+move her to pity, of my love and the having never dared to discover it
+unto any have brought me whereas you see me; and if that which you
+have promised me come not, one way or another, to pass, you may be
+assured that my life will be brief.'
+
+The lady, to whom it appeared more a time for comfort than for
+reproof, said, smilingly, 'Alack, my son, hast thou then for this
+suffered thyself to languish thus? Take comfort and leave me do, once
+thou shalt be recovered.' The youth, full of good hope, in a very
+short time showed signs of great amendment, whereas the lady, being
+much rejoiced, began to cast about how she might perform that which
+she had promised him. Accordingly, calling Jeannette to her one day,
+she asked her very civilly, as by way of a jest, if she had a lover;
+whereupon she waxed all red and answered, 'Madam, it concerneth not
+neither were it seemly in a poor damsel like myself, banished from
+house and home and abiding in others' service, to think of love.'
+Quoth the lady, 'An you have no lover, we mean to give you one, in
+whom you may rejoice and live merry and have more delight of your
+beauty, for it behoveth not that so handsome a girl as you are abide
+without a lover.' To this Jeannette made answer, 'Madam, you took me
+from my father's poverty and have reared me as a daughter, wherefore
+it behoveth me to do your every pleasure; but in this I will nowise
+comply with you, and therein methinketh I do well. If it please you
+give me a husband, him do I purpose to love, but none other; for that,
+since of the inheritance of my ancestors nought is left me save only
+honour, this latter I mean to keep and preserve as long as life shall
+endure to me.'
+
+This speech seemed to the lady very contrary to that whereto she
+thought to come for the keeping of her promise to her son,--albeit,
+like a discreet woman as she was, she inwardly much commended the
+damsel therefor,--and she said, 'How now, Jeannette? If our lord the
+king, who is a young cavalier, as thou art a very fair damsel, would
+fain have some easance of thy love, wouldst thou deny it to him?'
+Whereto she answered forthright, 'The king might do me violence, but
+of my consent he should never avail to have aught of me save what was
+honourable.' The lady, seeing how she was minded, left parleying with
+her and bethought herself to put her to the proof; wherefore she told
+her son that, whenas he should be recovered, she would contrive to
+get her alone with him in a chamber, so he might make shift to have
+his pleasure of her, saying that it appeared to her unseemly that she
+should, procuress-wise, plead for her son and solicit her own maid.
+
+With this the young man was nowise content and presently waxed
+grievously worse, which when his mother saw, she opened her mind to
+Jeannette, but, finding her more constant than ever, recounted what
+she had done to her husband, and he and she resolved of one accord,
+grievous though it seemed to them, to give her to him to wife,
+choosing rather to have their son alive with a wife unsorted to his
+quality than dead without any; and so, after much parley, they did;
+whereat Jeannette was exceeding content and with a devout heart
+rendered thanks to God, who had not forgotten her; but for all that
+she never avouched herself other than the daughter of a Picard. As for
+the young man, he presently recovered and celebrating his nuptials,
+the gladdest man alive, proceeded to lead a merry life with his bride.
+
+Meanwhile, Perrot, who had been left in Wales with the King of
+England's marshal, waxed likewise in favour with his lord and grew up
+very goodly of his person and doughty as any man in the island,
+insomuch that neither in tourneying nor jousting nor in any other act
+of arms was there any in the land who could cope with him; wherefore
+he was everywhere known and famous under the name of Perrot the
+Picard. And even as God had not forgotten his sister, so on like wise
+He showed that He had him also in mind; for that a pestilential
+sickness, being come into those parts, carried off well nigh half the
+people thereof, besides that most part of those who survived fled for
+fear into other lands; wherefore the whole country appeared desert. In
+this mortality, the marshal his lord and his lady and only son,
+together with many others, brothers and nephews and kinsmen, all died,
+nor was any left of all his house save a daughter, just husband-ripe,
+and Perrot, with sundry other serving folk. The pestilence being
+somewhat abated, the young lady, with the approof and by the counsel
+of some few gentlemen of the country[128] left alive, took Perrot, for
+that he was a man of worth and prowess, to husband and made him lord
+of all that had fallen to her by inheritance; nor was it long ere the
+King of England, hearing the marshal to be dead and knowing the worth
+of Perrot the Picard, substituted him in the dead man's room and made
+him his marshal. This, in brief, is what came of the two innocent
+children of the Count of Antwerp, left by him for lost.
+
+[Footnote 128: _Paesani_, lit., countrymen; but Boccaccio evidently
+uses the word in the sense of "vassals."]
+
+Eighteen years were now passed since the count's flight from Paris,
+when, as he abode in Ireland, having suffered many things in a very
+sorry way of life, there took him a desire to learn, as he might, what
+was come of his children. Wherefore, seeing himself altogether changed
+of favour from that which he was wont to be and feeling himself, for
+long exercise, grown more robust of his person than he had been when
+young and abiding in ease and idlesse, he took leave of him with whom
+he had so long abidden and came, poor and ill enough in case, to
+England. Thence he betook himself whereas he had left Perrot and found
+him a marshal and a great lord and saw him robust and goodly of
+person; the which was mighty pleasing unto him, but he would not make
+himself known to him till he should have learned how it was with
+Jeannette. Accordingly, he set out and stayed not till he came to
+London, where, cautiously enquiring of the lady with whom he had left
+his daughter and of her condition, he found Jeannette married to her
+son, which greatly rejoiced him and he counted all his past adversity
+a little thing, since he had found his children again alive and in
+good case.
+
+Then, desirous of seeing Jeannette, he began beggarwise, to haunt the
+neighbourhood of her house, where one day Jamy Lamiens, (for so was
+Jeannette's husband called,) espying him and having compassion on him,
+for that he saw him old and poor, bade one of his servants bring him
+in and give him to eat for the love of God, which the man readily did.
+Now Jeannette had had several children by Jamy, whereof the eldest was
+no more than eight years old, and they were the handsomest and
+sprightliest children in the world. When they saw the count eat, they
+came one and all about him and began to caress him, as if, moved by
+some occult virtue, they divined him to be their grandfather. He,
+knowing them for his grandchildren, fell to fondling and making much
+of them, wherefore the children would not leave him, albeit he who had
+charge of their governance called them. Jeannette, hearing this,
+issued forth of a chamber therenigh and coming whereas the count was,
+chid them amain and threatened to beat them, an they did not what
+their governor willed. The children began to weep and say that they
+would fain abide with that honest man, who loved them better than
+their governor, whereat both the lady and the count laughed. Now the
+latter had risen, nowise as a father, but as a poor man, to do honour
+to his daughter, as to a mistress, and seeing her, felt a marvellous
+pleasure at his heart. But she nor then nor after knew him any whit,
+for that he was beyond measure changed from what he was used to be,
+being grown old and hoar and bearded and lean and swart, and appeared
+altogether another man than the count.
+
+The lady then, seeing that the children were unwilling to leave him
+and wept, when she would have them go away, bade their governor let
+them be awhile and the children thus being with the good man, it
+chanced that Jamy's father returned and heard from their governor what
+had passed, whereupon quoth the marshal, who held Jeannette in
+despite, 'Let them be, God give them ill-luck! They do but hark back
+to that whence they sprang. They come by their mother of a vagabond
+and therefore it is no wonder if they are fain to herd with
+vagabonds.' The count heard these words and was mightily chagrined
+thereat; nevertheless, he shrugged his shoulders and put up with the
+affront, even as he had put up with many others. Jamy, hearing how the
+children had welcomed the honest man, to wit, the count, albeit it
+misliked him, nevertheless so loved them that, rather than see them
+weep, he commanded that, if the good man chose to abide there in any
+capacity, he should be received into his service. The count answered
+that he would gladly abide there, but he knew not to do aught other
+than tend horses, whereto he had been used all his lifetime. A horse
+was accordingly assigned to him and when he had cared for it, he
+busied himself with making sport for the children.
+
+Whilst fortune handled the Count of Antwerp and his children on such
+wise as hath been set out, it befell that the King of France, after
+many truces made with the Germans, died and his son, whose wife was
+she through whom the count had been banished, was crowned in his
+place; and no sooner was the current truce expired than he again began
+a very fierce war. To his aid the King of England, as a new-made
+kinsman, despatched much people, under the commandment of Perrot his
+marshal and Jamy Lamiens, son of the other marshal, and with them went
+the good man, to wit, the count, who, without being recognized of any,
+abode a pretty while with the army in the guise of a horseboy, and
+there, like a man of mettle as he was, wrought good galore, more than
+was required of him, both with counsels and with deeds.
+
+During the war, it came to pass that the Queen of France fell
+grievously sick and feeling herself nigh unto death, contrite for all
+her sins, confessed herself unto the Archbishop of Rouen, who was held
+of all a very holy and good man. Amongst her other sins, she related
+to him that which the Count of Antwerp had most wrongfully suffered
+through her; nor was she content to tell it to him alone, nay, but
+before many other men of worth she recounted all as it had passed,
+beseeching them so to do with the king that the count, an he were on
+life, or, if not, one of his children, should be restored to his
+estate; after which she lingered not long, but, departing this life,
+was honourably buried. Her confession, being reported to the king,
+moved him, after he had heaved divers sighs of regret for the wrong
+done to the nobleman, to let cry throughout all the army and in many
+other parts, that whoso should give him news of the Count of Antwerp
+or of either of his children should for each be wonder-well guerdoned
+of him, for that he held him, upon the queen's confession, innocent of
+that for which he had gone into exile and was minded to restore him to
+his first estate and more.
+
+The count, in his guise of a horseboy, hearing this and being assured
+that it was the truth,[129] betook himself forthright to Jamy Lamiens
+and prayed him go with him to Perrot, for that he had a mind to
+discover to them that which the king went seeking. All three being
+then met together, quoth the count to Perrot, who had it already in
+mind to discover himself, 'Perrot, Jamy here hath thy sister to wife
+nor ever had any dowry with her; wherefore, that thy sister may not go
+undowered, I purpose that he and none other shall, by making thee
+known as the son of the Count of Antwerp, have this great reward that
+the king promiseth for thee and for Violante, thy sister and his wife,
+and myself, who am the Count of Antwerp and your father.' Perrot,
+hearing this and looking steadfastly upon him, presently knew him and
+cast himself, weeping, at his feet and embraced him, saying, 'Father
+mine, you are dearly welcome.' Jamy, hearing first what the count
+said and after seeing what Perrot did, was overcome at once with such
+wonderment and such gladness that he scarce knew what he should do.
+However, after awhile, giving credence to the former's speech and sore
+ashamed for the injurious words he had whiles used to the
+hostler-count, he let himself fall, weeping, at his feet and humbly
+besought him pardon of every past affront, the which the count, having
+raised him to his feet, graciously accorded him.
+
+[Footnote 129: _i.e._ that it was not a snare.]
+
+Then, after they had all three discoursed awhile of each one's various
+adventures and wept and rejoiced together amain, Perrot and Jamy would
+have reclad the count, who would on nowise suffer it, but willed that
+Jamy, having first assured himself of the promised guerdon, should,
+the more to shame the king, present him to the latter in that his then
+plight and in his groom's habit. Accordingly, Jamy, followed by the
+count and Perrot, presented himself before the king, and offered,
+provided he would guerdon him according to the proclamation made, to
+produce to him the count and his children. The king promptly let bring
+for all three a guerdon marvellous in Jamy's eyes and commanded that
+he should be free to carry it off, whenas he should in very deed
+produce the count and his children, as he promised. Jamy, then,
+turning himself about and putting forward the count his horseboy and
+Perrot, said, 'My lord, here be the father and the son; the daughter,
+who is my wife and who is not here, with God's aid you shall soon
+see.'
+
+The king, hearing this, looked at the count and albeit he was sore
+changed from that which he was used to be, yet, after he had awhile
+considered him, he knew him and well nigh with tears in his eyes
+raised him--for that he was on his knees before him--to his feet and
+kissed and embraced him. Perrot, also, he graciously received and
+commanded that the count should incontinent be furnished anew with
+clothes and servants and horses and harness, according as his quality
+required, which was straightway done. Moreover, he entreated Jamy with
+exceeding honour and would fain know every particular of his[130] past
+adventures. Then, Jamy being about to receive the magnificent guerdons
+appointed him for having discovered the count and his children, the
+former said to him, 'Take these of the munificence of our lord the
+king and remember to tell thy father that thy children, his
+grandchildren and mine, are not by their mother born of a vagabond.'
+Jamy, accordingly, took the gifts and sent for his wife and mother to
+Paris, whither came also Perrot's wife; and there they all
+foregathered in the utmost joyance with the count, whom the king had
+reinstated in all his good and made greater than he ever was. Then
+all, with Gautier's leave, returned to their several homes and he
+until his death abode in Paris more worshipfully than ever."
+
+[Footnote 130: _Quaere_, the Count's?]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     BERNABO OF GENOA, DUPED BY AMBROGIUOLO, LOSETH HIS GOOD AND
+     COMMANDETH THAT HIS INNOCENT WIFE BE PUT TO DEATH. SHE
+     ESCAPETH AND SERVETH THE SOLDAN IN A MAN'S HABIT. HERE SHE
+     LIGHTETH UPON THE DECEIVER OF HER HUSBAND AND BRINGETH THE
+     LATTER TO ALEXANDRIA, WHERE, HER TRADUCER BEING PUNISHED,
+     SHE RESUMETH WOMAN'S APPAREL AND RETURNETH TO GENOA WITH HER
+     HUSBAND, RICH
+
+
+Elisa having furnished her due with her pitiful story, Filomena the
+queen, who was tall and goodly of person and smiling and agreeable of
+aspect beyond any other of her sex, collecting herself, said, "Needs
+must the covenant with Dioneo be observed, wherefore, there remaining
+none other to tell than he and I, I will tell my story first, and he,
+for that he asked it as a favour, shall be the last to speak." So
+saying, she began thus, "There is a proverb oftentimes cited among the
+common folk to the effect that the deceiver abideth[131] at the feet
+of the deceived; the which meseemeth may by no reasoning be shown to
+be true, an it approve not itself by actual occurrences. Wherefore,
+whilst ensuing the appointed theme, it hath occurred to me, dearest
+ladies, to show you, at the same time, that this is true, even as it
+is said; nor should it mislike you to hear it, so you may know how to
+keep yourselves from deceivers.
+
+[Footnote 131: _Rimane._ The verb _rimanere_ is constantly used by the
+old Italian writers in the sense of "to become," so that the proverb
+cited in the text may be read "The deceiver becometh (_i.e._ findeth
+himself in the end) at the feet (_i.e._ at the mercy) of the person
+deceived."]
+
+There were once at Paris in an inn certain very considerable Italian
+merchants, who were come thither, according to their usance, some on
+one occasion and some on another, and having one evening among others
+supped all together merrily, they fell to devising of divers matters,
+and passing from one discourse to another, they came at last to speak
+of their wives, whom they had left at home, and one said jestingly, 'I
+know not how mine doth; but this I know well, that, whenas there
+cometh to my hand here any lass that pleaseth me, I leave on one side
+the love I bear my wife and take of the other such pleasure as I may.'
+'And I,' quoth another, 'do likewise, for that if I believe that my
+wife pusheth her fortunes [in my absence,] she doth it, and if I
+believe it not, still she doth it; wherefore tit for tat be it; an ass
+still getteth as good as he giveth.'[132] A third, following on, came
+well nigh to the same conclusion, and in brief all seemed agreed upon
+this point, that the wives they left behind had no mind to lose time
+in their husbands' absence. One only, who hight Bernabo Lomellini of
+Genoa, maintained the contrary, avouching that he, by special grace of
+God, had a lady to wife who was belike the most accomplished woman of
+all Italy in all those qualities which a lady, nay, even (in great
+part) in those which a knight or an esquire, should have; for that she
+was fair of favour and yet in her first youth and adroit and robust of
+her person; nor was there aught that pertaineth unto a woman, such as
+works of broidery in silk and the like, but she did it better than any
+other of her sex. Moreover, said he, there was no sewer, or in other
+words, no serving-man, alive who served better or more deftly at a
+nobleman's table than did she, for that she was very well bred and
+exceeding wise and discreet. He after went on to extol her as knowing
+better how to ride a horse and fly a hawk, to read and write and cast
+a reckoning than if she were a merchant; and thence, after many other
+commendations, coming to that whereof it had been discoursed among
+them, he avouched with an oath that there could be found no honester
+nor chaster woman than she; wherefore he firmly believed that, should
+he abide half a score years, or even always, from home, she would
+never incline to the least levity with another man. Among the
+merchants who discoursed thus was a young man called Ambrogiuolo of
+Piacenza, who fell to making the greatest mock in the world of this
+last commendation bestowed by Bernabo upon his wife and asked him
+scoffingly if the emperor had granted him that privilege over and
+above all other men. Bernabo, some little nettled, replied that not
+the emperor, but God, who could somewhat more than the emperor, had
+vouchsafed him the favour in question. Whereupon quoth Ambrogiuolo,
+'Bernabo, I doubt not a whit but that thou thinkest to say sooth; but
+meseemeth thou hast paid little regard to the nature of things; for
+that, hadst thou taken heed thereunto, I deem thee not so dull of wit
+but thou wouldst have noted therein certain matters which had made
+thee speak more circumspectly on this subject. And that thou mayst not
+think that we, who have spoken much at large of our wives, believe
+that we have wives other or otherwise made than thine, but mayst see
+that we spoke thus, moved by natural perception, I will e'en reason
+with thee a little on this matter. I have always understood man to be
+the noblest animal created of God among mortals, and after him, woman;
+but man, as is commonly believed and as is seen by works, is the more
+perfect and having more perfection, must without fail have more of
+firmness and constancy, for that women universally are more
+changeable; the reason whereof might be shown by many natural
+arguments, which for the present I purpose to leave be. If then man be
+of more stability and yet cannot keep himself, let alone from
+complying with a woman who soliciteth him, but even from desiring one
+who pleaseth him, nay more, from doing what he can, so he may avail to
+be with her,--and if this betide him not once a month, but a thousand
+times a day,--what canst thou expect a woman, naturally unstable, to
+avail against the prayers, the blandishments, the gifts and a thousand
+other means which an adroit man, who loveth her, will use? Thinkest
+thou she can hold out? Certes, how much soever thou mayst affirm it,
+I believe not that thou believest it; and thou thyself sayst that thy
+wife is a woman and that she is of flesh and blood, as are other
+women. If this be so, those same desires must be hers and the same
+powers that are in other women to resist these natural appetites;
+wherefore, however honest she be, it is possible she may do that which
+other women do; and nothing that is possible she be so peremptorily
+denied nor the contrary thereof affirmed with such rigour as thou
+dost.' To which Bernabo made answer, saying, 'I am a merchant, and not
+a philosopher, and as a merchant I will answer; and I say that I
+acknowledge that what thou sayst may happen to foolish women in whom
+there is no shame; but those who are discreet are so careful of their
+honour that for the guarding thereof they become stronger than men,
+who reck not of this; and of those thus fashioned is my wife.'
+'Indeed,' rejoined Ambrogiuolo, 'if, for every time they occupy
+themselves with toys of this kind, there sprouted from their foreheads
+a horn to bear witness of that which they have done, there be few, I
+believe, who would incline thereto; but, far from the horn sprouting,
+there appeareth neither trace nor token thereof in those who are
+discreet, and shame and soil of honour consist not but in things
+discovered; wherefore, whenas they may secretly, they do it, or, if
+they forebear, it is for stupidity. And have thou this for certain
+that she alone is chaste, who hath either never been solicited of any
+or who, having herself solicited, hath not been hearkened. And
+although I know by natural and true reasons that it is e'en as I say,
+yet should I not speak thereof with so full an assurance, had I not
+many a time and with many women made essay thereof. And this I tell
+thee, that, were I near this most sanctified wife of thine, I warrant
+me I would in brief space of time bring her to that which I have
+already gotten of other women.' Whereupon quoth Bernabo, 'Disputing
+with words might be prolonged without end; thou wouldst say and I
+should say, and in the end it would all amount to nothing. But, since
+thou wilt have it that all women are so compliant and that thine
+address is such, I am content, so I may certify thee of my wife's
+honesty, to have my head cut off, and thou canst anywise avail to
+bring her to do thy pleasure in aught of the kind; and if thou fail
+thereof, I will have thee lose no otherwhat than a thousand gold
+florins.' 'Bernabo,' replied Ambrogiuolo, who was now grown heated
+over the dispute, 'I know not what I should do with thy blood, if I
+won the wager; but, an thou have a mind to see proof of that which I
+have advanced, do thou stake five thousand gold florins of thy monies,
+which should be less dear to thee than thy head, against a thousand of
+mine, and whereas thou settest no limit [of time,] I will e'en bind
+myself to go to Genoa and within three months from the day of my
+departure hence to have done my will of thy wife and to bring back
+with me, in proof thereof, sundry of her most precious things and such
+and so many tokens that thou shalt thyself confess it to be truth, so
+verily thou wilt pledge me thy faith not to come to Genoa within that
+term nor write her aught of the matter.' Bernabo said that it liked
+him well and albeit the other merchants endeavoured to hinder the
+affair, foreseeing that sore mischief might come thereof, the two
+merchants' minds were so inflamed that, in despite of the rest, they
+bound themselves one to other by express writings under their hands.
+This done, Bernabo abode behind, whilst Ambrogiuolo, as quickliest he
+might, betook himself to Genoa. There he abode some days and informing
+himself with the utmost precaution of the name of the street where the
+lady dwelt and of her manner of life, understood of her that and more
+than that which he had heard of her from Bernabo, wherefore himseemed
+he was come on a fool's errand. However, he presently clapped up an
+acquaintance with a poor woman, who was much about the house and whose
+great well-wisher the lady was, and availing not to induce her to
+aught else, he debauched her with money and prevailed with her to
+bring him, in a chest wroughten after a fashion of his own, not only
+into the house, but into the gentlewoman's very bedchamber, where,
+according to the ordinance given her of him, the good woman commended
+it to her care for some days, as if she had a mind to go somewhither.
+The chest, then being left in the chamber and the night come,
+Ambrogiuolo, what time he judged the lady to be asleep, opened the
+chest with certain engines of his and came softly out into the
+chamber, where there was a light burning, with whose aid he proceeded
+to observe the ordinance of the place, the paintings and every other
+notable thing that was therein and fixed them in his memory. Then,
+drawing near the bed and perceiving that the lady and a little girl,
+who was with her, were fast asleep, he softly altogether uncovered the
+former and found that she was as fair, naked, as clad, but saw no sign
+about her that he might carry away, save one, to wit, a mole which she
+had under the left pap and about which were sundry little hairs as red
+as gold. This noted he covered her softly up again, albeit, seeing her
+so fair, he was tempted to adventure his life and lay himself by her
+side; however, for that he had heard her to be so obdurate and
+uncomplying in matters of this kind, he hazarded not himself, but,
+abiding at his leisure in the chamber the most part of the night, took
+from one of her coffers a purse and a night-rail, together with sundry
+rings and girdles, and laying them all in his chest, returned thither
+himself and shut himself up therein as before; and on this wise he did
+two nights, without the lady being ware of aught. On the third day the
+good woman came back for the chest, according to the given ordinance,
+and carried it off whence she had taken it, whereupon Ambrogiuolo came
+out and having rewarded her according to promise, returned, as
+quickliest he might, with the things aforesaid, to Paris, where he
+arrived before the term appointed. There he summoned the merchants who
+had been present at the dispute and the laying of the wager and
+declared, in Bernabo's presence, that he had won the wager laid
+between them, for that he had accomplished that whereof he had vaunted
+himself; and to prove this to be true, he first described the fashion
+of the chamber and the paintings thereof and after showed the things
+he had brought with him thence, avouching that he had them of herself.
+Bernabo confessed the chamber to be as he had said and owned,
+moreover, that he recognized the things in question as being in truth
+his wife's; but said that he might have learned from one of the
+servants of the house the fashion of the chamber and have gotten the
+things in like manner; wherefore, an he had nought else to say,
+himseemed not that this should suffice to prove him to have won.
+Whereupon quoth Ambrogiuolo, 'In sooth this should suffice, but, since
+thou wilt have me say more, I will say it. I tell thee that Madam
+Ginevra thy wife hath under her left pap a pretty big mole, about
+which are maybe half a dozen little hairs as red as gold.' When
+Bernabo heard this, it was as if he had gotten a knife-thrust in the
+heart, such anguish did he feel, and though he had said not a word,
+his countenance, being all changed, gave very manifest token that what
+Ambrogiuolo said was true. Then, after awhile, 'Gentlemen,' quoth he,
+'that which Ambrogiuolo saith is true; wherefore, he having won, let
+him come whenassoever it pleaseth him and he shall be paid.'
+Accordingly, on the ensuing day Ambrogiuolo was paid in full and
+Bernabo, departing Paris, betook himself to Genoa with fell intent
+against the lady. When he drew near the city, he would not enter
+therein, but lighted down a good score miles away at a country house
+of his and despatched one of his servants, in whom he much trusted, to
+Genoa with two horses and letters under his hand, advising his wife
+that he had returned and bidding her come to him; and he privily
+charged the man, whenas he should be with the lady in such place as
+should seem best to him, to put her to death without pity and return
+to him. The servant accordingly repaired to Genoa and delivering the
+letters and doing his errand, was received with great rejoicing by the
+lady, who on the morrow took horse with him and set out for their
+country house. As they fared on together, discoursing of one thing and
+another, they came to a very deep and lonely valley, beset with high
+rocks and trees, which seeming to the servant a place wherein he
+might, with assurance for himself, do his lord's commandment, he
+pulled out his knife and taking the lady by the arm, said, 'Madam,
+commend your soul to God, for needs must you die, without faring
+farther.' The lady, seeing the knife and hearing these words, was all
+dismayed and said, 'Mercy, for God's sake! Ere thou slay me, tell me
+wherein I have offended thee, that thou wouldst put me to death.'
+'Madam,' answered the man, 'me you have nowise offended; but wherein
+you have offended your husband I know not, save that he hath commanded
+me slay you by the way, without having any pity upon you, threatening
+me, an I did it not, to have me hanged by the neck. You know well how
+much I am beholden to him and how I may not gainsay him in aught that
+he may impose upon me; God knoweth it irketh me for you, but I can no
+otherwise.' Whereupon quoth the lady, weeping, 'Alack, for God's sake,
+consent not to become the murderer of one who hath never wronged thee,
+to serve another! God who knoweth all knoweth that I never did aught
+for which I should receive such a recompense from my husband. But let
+that be; thou mayst, an thou wilt, at once content God and thy master
+and me, on this wise; to wit, that thou take these my clothes and give
+me but thy doublet and a hood and with the former return to my lord
+and thine and tell him that thou hast slain me; and I swear to thee,
+by that life which thou wilt have bestowed on me, that I will remove
+hence and get me gone into a country whence never shall any news of me
+win either to him or to thee or into these parts.' The servant, who
+was loath to slay her, was lightly moved to compassion; wherefore he
+took her clothes and give her a sorry doublet of his and a hood,
+leaving her sundry monies she had with her. Then praying her depart
+the country, he left her in the valley and afoot and betook himself to
+his master, to whom he avouched that not only was his commandment
+accomplished, but that he had left the lady's dead body among a pack
+of wolves, and Bernabo presently returned to Genoa, where the thing
+becoming known, he was much blamed. As for the lady, she abode alone
+and disconsolate till nightfall, when she disguised herself as most
+she might and repaired to a village hard by, where, having gotten from
+an old woman that which she needed, she fitted the doublet to her
+shape and shortening it, made a pair of linen breeches of her shift;
+then, having cut her hair and altogether transformed herself in the
+guise of a sailor, she betook herself to the sea-shore, where, as
+chance would have it, she found a Catalan gentleman, by name Senor
+Encararch, who had landed at Alba from a ship he had in the offing, to
+refresh himself at a spring there. With him she entered into parley
+and engaging with him as a servant, embarked on board the ship, under
+the name of Sicurano da Finale. There, being furnished by the
+gentleman with better clothes, she proceeded to serve him so well and
+so aptly that she became in the utmost favour with him. No great while
+after it befell that the Catalan made a voyage to Alexandria with a
+lading of his and carrying thither certain peregrine falcons for the
+Soldan, presented them to him. The Soldan, having once and again
+entertained him at meat and noting with approof the fashions of
+Sicurano, who still went serving him, begged him[133] of his master,
+who yielded him to him, although it irked him to do it, and Sicurano,
+in a little while, by his good behaviour, gained the love and favour
+of the Soldan, even as he had gained that of the Catalan. Wherefore,
+in process of time, it befell that,--the time coming for a great
+assemblage, in the guise of a fair, of merchants, both Christian and
+Saracen, which was wont at a certain season of the year to be held in
+Acre, a town under the seignory of the Soldan, and to which, in order
+that the merchants and their merchandise might rest secure, the latter
+was still used to despatch, besides other his officers, some one of
+his chief men, with troops, to look to the guard,--he bethought
+himself to send Sicurano, who was by this well versed in the language
+of the country, on this service; and so he did. Sicurano accordingly
+came to Acre as governor and captain of the guard of the merchants and
+their merchandise and there well and diligently doing that which
+pertained to his office and going round looking about him, saw many
+merchants there, Sicilians and Pisans and Genoese and Venetians and
+other Italians, with whom he was fain to make acquaintance, in
+remembrance of his country. It befell, one time amongst others, that,
+having lighted down at the shop of certain Venetian merchants, he
+espied among other trinkets, a purse and a girdle, which he
+straightway knew for having been his and marvelled thereat; but,
+without making any sign, he carelessly asked to whom they pertained
+and if they were for sale. Now Ambrogiuolo of Piacenza was come
+thither with much merchandise on board a Venetian ship and hearing the
+captain of the guard ask whose the trinkets were, came forward and
+said, laughing, 'Sir, the things are mine and I do not sell them; but,
+if they please you, I will gladly give them to you.' Sicurano, seeing
+him laugh, misdoubted he had recognized him by some gesture of his;
+but yet, keeping a steady countenance, he said, 'Belike thou laughest
+to see me, a soldier, go questioning of these women's toys?' 'Sir,'
+answered Ambrogiuolo, 'I laugh not at that; nay, but at the way I came
+by them.' 'Marry, then,' said Sicurano, 'an it be not unspeakable,
+tell me how thou gottest them, so God give thee good luck.' Quoth
+Ambrogiuolo, 'Sir, a gentlewoman of Genoa, hight Madam Ginevra, wife
+of Bernabo Lomellini, gave me these things, with certain others, one
+night that I lay with her, and prayed me keep them for the love of
+her. Now I laugh for that I mind me of the simplicity of Bernabo, who
+was fool enough to lay five thousand florins to one that I would not
+bring his wife to do my pleasure; the which I did and won the wager;
+whereupon he, who should rather have punished himself for his
+stupidity than her for doing that which all women do, returned from
+Paris to Genoa and there, by what I have since heard, caused her put
+to death.' Sicurano, hearing this, understood forthwith what was the
+cause of Bernabo's anger against his wife[134] and manifestly
+perceiving this fellow to have been the occasion of all her ills,
+determined not to let him go unpunished therefor. Accordingly he
+feigned to be greatly diverted with the story and artfully clapped up
+a strait acquaintance with him, insomuch that, the fair being ended,
+Ambrogiuolo, at his instance, accompanied him, with all his good, to
+Alexandria. Here Sicurano let build him a warehouse and lodged in his
+hands store of his own monies; and Ambrogiuolo, foreseeing great
+advantage to himself, willingly took up his abode there. Meanwhile,
+Sicurano, careful to make Bernabo clear of his[135] innocence, rested
+not till, by means of certain great Genoese merchants who were then in
+Alexandria, he had, on some plausible occasion of his[136] own
+devising, caused him come thither, where finding him in poor enough
+case, he had him privily entertained by a friend of his[137] against
+it should seem to him[138] time to do that which he purposed. Now he
+had already made Ambrogiuolo recount his story before the Soldan for
+the latter's diversion; but seeing Bernabo there and thinking there
+was no need to use farther delay in the matter, he took occasion to
+procure the Soldan to have Ambrogiuolo and Bernabo brought before him
+and in the latter's presence, to extort from the former, by dint of
+severity, an it might not easily be done [by other means,] the truth
+of that whereof he vaunted himself concerning Bernabo's wife.
+Accordingly, they both being come, the Soldan, in the presence of
+many, with a stern countenance commanded Ambrogiuolo to tell the truth
+how he had won of Bernabo the five thousand gold florins; and Sicurano
+himself, in whom he most trusted, with a yet angrier aspect,
+threatened him with the most grievous torments, an he told it not;
+whereupon Ambrogiuolo, affrighted on one side and another and in a
+measure constrained, in the presence of Bernabo and many others,
+plainly related everything, even as it passed, expecting no worse
+punishment therefor than the restitution of the five thousand gold
+florins and of the stolen trinkets. He having spoken, Sicurano, as he
+were the Soldan's minister in the matter, turned to Bernabo and said
+to him, 'And thou, what didst thou to thy lady for this lie?' Whereto
+Bernabo replied, 'Overcome with wrath for the loss of my money and
+with resentment for the shame which meseemed I had gotten from my
+wife, I caused a servant of mine put her to death, and according to
+that which he reported to me, she was straightway devoured by a
+multitude of wolves,' These things said in the presence of the Soldan
+and all heard and apprehended of him, albeit he knew not yet to what
+end Sicurano, who had sought and ordered this, would fain come, the
+latter said to him, 'My lord, you may very clearly see how much reason
+yonder poor lady had to vaunt herself of her gallant and her husband,
+for that the former at once bereaved her of honour, marring her fair
+fame with lies, and despoiled her husband, whilst the latter more
+credulous of others' falsehoods than of the truth which he might by
+long experience have known, caused her to be slain and eaten of
+wolves; and moreover, such is the goodwill and the love borne her by
+the one and the other that, having long abidden with her, neither of
+them knoweth her. But that you may the better apprehend that which
+each of these hath deserved, I will,--so but you vouchsafe me, of
+special favour to punish the deceiver and pardon the dupe,--e'en cause
+her come hither into your and their presence.' The Soldan, disposed in
+the matter altogether to comply with Sicurano's wishes, answered that
+he would well and bade him produce the lady; whereat Bernabo marvelled
+exceedingly, for that he firmly believed her to be dead, whilst
+Ambrogiuolo, now divining his danger, began to be in fear of worse
+than paying of monies and knew not whether more to hope or to fear
+from the coming of the lady, but awaited her appearance with the
+utmost amazement. The Soldan, then, having accorded Sicurano his wish,
+the latter threw himself, weeping, on his knees before him and putting
+off, as it were at one and the same time, his manly voice and
+masculine demeanour, said, 'My lord, I am the wretched misfortunate
+Ginevra, who have these six years gone wandering in man's disguise
+about the world, having been foully and wickedly aspersed by this
+traitor Ambrogiuolo and given by yonder cruel and unjust man to one
+of his servants to be slain and eaten of wolves.' Then, tearing open
+the fore part of her clothes and showing her breast, she discovered
+herself to the Soldan and all else who were present and after, turning
+to Ambrogiuolo, indignantly demanded of him when he had ever lain with
+her, according as he had aforetime boasted; but he, now knowing her
+and fallen well nigh dumb for shame, said nothing. The Soldan, who had
+always held her a man, seeing and hearing this, fell into such a
+wonderment that he more than once misdoubted that which he saw and
+heard to be rather a dream than true. However, after his amazement had
+abated, apprehending the truth of the matter, he lauded to the utmost
+the life and fashions of Ginevra, till then called Sicurano, and
+extolled her constancy and virtue; and letting bring her very
+sumptuous woman's apparel and women to attend her, he pardoned
+Bernabo, in accordance with her request, the death he had merited,
+whilst the latter, recognizing her, cast himself at her feet, weeping
+and craving forgiveness, which she, ill worthy as he was thereof,
+graciously accorded him and raising him to his feet, embraced him
+tenderly, as her husband. Then the Soldan commanded that Ambrogiuolo
+should incontinent be bound to a stake and smeared with honey and
+exposed to the sun in some high place of the city, nor should ever be
+loosed thence till such time as he should fall of himself; and so was
+it done. After this he commanded that all that had belonged to him
+should be given to the lady, the which was not so little but that it
+outvalued ten thousand doubloons. Moreover, he let make a very goodly
+banquet, wherein he entertained Bernabo with honour, as Madam
+Ginevra's husband, and herself as a very valiant lady and gave her, in
+jewels and vessels of gold and silver and monies, that which amounted
+to better[139] than other ten thousand doubloons. Then, the banquet
+over, he caused equip them a ship and gave them leave to return at
+their pleasure to Genoa, whither accordingly they returned with great
+joyance and exceeding rich; and there they were received with the
+utmost honour, especially Madam Ginevra, who was of all believed to be
+dead and who, while she lived, was still reputed of great worth and
+virtue. As for Ambrogiuolo, being that same day bounded to the stake
+and anointed with honey, he was, to his exceeding torment, not only
+slain, but devoured, of the flies and wasps and gadflies, wherewith
+that country aboundeth, even to the bones, which latter, waxed white
+and hanging by the sinews, being left unremoved, long bore witness of
+his villainy to all who saw them. And on this wise did the deceiver
+abide at the feet of the deceived."
+
+[Footnote 132: Lit. Whatsoever an ass giveth against a wall, such he
+receiveth (_Quale asino da in parete, tal riceve_). I cannot find any
+satisfactory explanation of this proverbial saying, which may be
+rendered in two ways, according as _quale_ and _tale_ are taken as
+relative to a thing or a person. The probable reference seems to be to
+the circumstance of an ass making water against a wall, so that his
+urine returns to him.]
+
+[Footnote 133: From this point until the final discovery of her true
+sex, the heroine is spoken of in the masculine gender, as became her
+assumed name and habit.]
+
+[Footnote 134: Here Boccaccio uses the feminine pronoun, immediately
+afterward resuming the masculine form in speaking of Sicurano.]
+
+[Footnote 135: _i.e._ her.]
+
+[Footnote 136: _i.e._ her.]
+
+[Footnote 137: _i.e._ hers.]
+
+[Footnote 138: _i.e._ her.]
+
+[Footnote 139: Sic (_meglio_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Second]
+
+     PAGANINO OF MONACO STEALETH AWAY THE WIFE OF MESSER
+     RICCIARDO DI CHINZICA, WHO, LEARNING WHERE SHE IS, GOETH
+     THITHER AND MAKING FRIENDS WITH PAGANINO, DEMANDETH HER
+     AGAIN OF HIM. THE LATTER CONCEDETH HER TO HIM, AN SHE WILL;
+     BUT SHE REFUSETH TO RETURN WITH HIM AND MESSER RICCIARDO
+     DYING, SHE BECOMETH THE WIFE OF PAGANINO
+
+
+Each of the honourable company highly commended for goodly the story
+told by their queen, especially Dioneo, with whom alone for that
+present day it now rested to tell, and who, after many praises
+bestowed upon the preceding tale, said, "Fair ladies, one part of the
+queen's story hath caused me change counsel of telling you one that
+was in my mind, and determine to tell you another,--and that is the
+stupidity of Bernabo (albeit good betided him thereof) and of all
+others who give themselves to believe that which he made a show of
+believing and who, to wit, whilst going about the world, diverting
+themselves now with this woman and now with that, imagine that the
+ladies left at home abide with their hands in their girdles, as if we
+knew not, we who are born and reared among the latter, unto what they
+are fain. In telling you this story, I shall at once show you how
+great is the folly of these folk and how greater yet is that of those
+who, deeming themselves more potent than nature herself, think by dint
+of sophistical inventions[140] to avail unto that which is beyond
+their power and study to bring others to that which they themselves
+are, whenas the complexion of those on whom they practise brooketh it
+not.
+
+[Footnote 140: Lit. fabulous demonstrations (_dimostrazioni
+favolose_), casuistical arguments, founded upon premises of their own
+invention.]
+
+There was, then, in Pisa a judge, by name Messer Ricciardo di
+Chinzica, more gifted with wit than with bodily strength, who,
+thinking belike to satisfy a wife by the same means which served him
+to despatch his studies and being very rich, sought with no little
+diligence to have a fair and young lady to wife; whereas, had he but
+known to counsel himself as he counselled others, he should have
+shunned both the one and the other. The thing came to pass according
+to his wish, for Messer Lotto Gualandi gave him to wife a daughter of
+his, Bartolomea by name, one of the fairest and handsomest young
+ladies of Pisa, albeit there be few there that are not very lizards to
+look upon. The judge accordingly brought her home with the utmost pomp
+and having held a magnificent wedding, made shift the first night to
+hand her one venue for the consummation of the marriage, but came
+within an ace of making a stalemate of it, whereafter, lean and dry
+and scant of wind as he was, it behoved him on the morrow bring
+himself back to life with malmsey and restorative confections and
+other remedies. Thenceforward, being now a better judge of his own
+powers than he was, he fell to teaching his wife a calendar fit for
+children learning to read and belike made aforetime at Ravenna,[141]
+for that, according to what he feigned to her, there was no day in the
+year but was sacred not to one saint only, but to many, in reverence
+of whom he showed by divers reasons that man and wife should abstain
+from carnal conversation; and to these be added, to boot, fast days
+and Emberdays and the vigils of the Apostles and of a thousand other
+saints and Fridays and Saturdays and Lord's Day and all Lent and
+certain seasons of the moon and store of other exceptions, conceiving
+belike that it behoved to keep holiday with women in bed like as he
+did bytimes whilst pleading in the courts of civil law. This fashion
+(to the no small chagrin of the lady, whom he handled maybe once a
+month, and hardly that) he followed a great while, still keeping
+strait watch over her, lest peradventure some other should teach her
+to know working-days, even as he had taught her holidays. Things
+standing thus, it chanced that, the heat being great and Messer
+Ricciardo having a mind to go a-pleasuring to a very fair country-seat
+he had, near Monte Nero, and there abide some days to take the air, he
+betook himself thither, carrying with him his fair lady. There
+sojourning, to give her some diversion, he caused one day fish and
+they went out to sea in two boats, he in one with the fishermen, and
+she in another with other ladies. The sport luring them on, they
+drifted some miles out to sea, well nigh without perceiving it, and
+whilst they were intent upon their diversion, there came up of a
+sudden a galliot belonging to Paganino da Mare, a famous corsair of
+those days. The latter, espying the boats, made for them, nor could
+they flee so fast but he overtook that in which were the women and
+seeing therein the judge's fair lady, he carried her aboard the
+galliot, in full sight of Messer Ricciardo, who was now come to land,
+and made off without recking of aught else. When my lord judge, who
+was so jealous that he misdoubted of the very air, saw this, it
+booteth not to ask if he was chagrined; and in vain, both at Pisa and
+otherwhere, did he complain of the villainy of the corsairs, for that
+he knew not who had taken his wife from him nor whither he had carried
+her. As for Paganino, finding her so fair, he deemed himself in luck
+and having no wife, resolved to keep her for himself. Accordingly,
+seeing her weeping sore, he studied to comfort her with soft words
+till nightfall, when, his calendar having dropped from his girdle and
+saints' days and holidays gone clean out of his head, he fell to
+comforting her with deeds, himseeming that words had availed little by
+day; and after such a fashion did he console her that, ere they came
+to Monaco, the judge and his ordinances had altogether escaped her
+mind and she began to lead the merriest of lives with Paganino. The
+latter carried her to Monaco and there, over and above the
+consolations with which he plied her night and day, he entreated her
+honourably as his wife. After awhile it came to Messer Ricciardo's
+ears where his wife was and he, being possessed with the most ardent
+desire to have her again and bethinking himself that none other might
+thoroughly suffice to do what was needful to that end, resolved to go
+thither himself, determined to spend any quantity of money for her
+ransom. Accordingly he set out by sea and coming to Monaco, there both
+saw and was seen of the lady, who told it to Paganino that same
+evening and acquainted him with her intent. Next morning Messer
+Ricciardo, seeing Paganino, accosted him and quickly clapped up a
+great familiarity and friendship with him, whilst the other feigned
+not to know him and waited to see at what he aimed. Accordingly,
+whenas it seemed to him time, Messer Ricciardo discovered to him, as
+best and most civilly he knew, the occasion of his coming and prayed
+him take what he pleased and restore him the lady. To which Paganino
+made answer with a cheerful countenance, 'Sir, you are welcome, and to
+answer you briefly, I say thus; it is true I have a young lady in my
+house, if she be your wife or another's I know not, for that I know
+you not nor indeed her, save in so much as she hath abidden awhile
+with me. If you be, as you say, her husband, I will, since you seem to
+me a civil gentleman, carry you to her and I am assured that she will
+know you right well. If she say it is as you avouch and be willing to
+go with you, you shall, for the sake of your civility, give me what
+you yourself will to her ransom; but, an it be not so, you would do
+ill to seek to take her from me, for that I am a young man and can
+entertain a woman as well as another, and especially such an one as
+she, who is the most pleasing I ever saw.' Quoth Messer Ricciardo,
+'For certain she is my wife, an thou bring me where she is, thou shalt
+soon see it; for she will incontinent throw herself on my neck;
+wherefore I ask no better than that it be as thou proposest.' 'Then,'
+said Paganino, 'let us be going.' Accordingly they betook themselves
+to the corsair's house, where he brought the judge into a saloon of
+his and let call the lady, who issued forth of a chamber, all dressed
+and tired, and came whereas they were, but accosted Messer Ricciardo
+no otherwise than as she would any other stranger who might have come
+home with Paganino. The judge, who looked to have been received by her
+with the utmost joy, marvelled sore at this and fell a-saying in
+himself, 'Belike the chagrin and long grief I have suffered, since I
+lost her, have so changed me that she knoweth me not.' Wherefore he
+said to her, 'Wife, it hath cost me dear to carry thee a-fishing, for
+that never was grief felt like that which I have suffered since I lost
+thee, and now meseemeth thou knowest me not, so distantly dost thou
+greet me. Seest thou not that I am thine own Messer Ricciardo, come
+hither to pay that which this gentleman, in whose house we are, shall
+require to thy ransom and to carry thee away? And he, of his favour,
+restoreth thee to me for what I will.' The lady turned to him and
+said, smiling somewhat, 'Speak you to me, sir? Look you mistake me
+not, for, for my part, I mind me not ever to have seen you.' Quoth
+Ricciardo, 'Look what thou sayest; consider me well; an thou wilt but
+recollect thyself, thou wilt see that I am thine own Ricciardo di
+Chinzica.' 'Sir,' answered the lady, 'you will pardon me; belike it is
+not so seemly a thing as you imagine for me to look much on you.
+Nevertheless I have seen enough of you to know that I never before set
+eyes on you.' Ricciardo, concluding that she did this for fear of
+Paganino and chose not to confess to knowing him in the latter's
+presence, besought him of his favour that he might speak with her in a
+room alone. Paganino replied that he would well, so but he would not
+kiss her against her will, and bade the lady go with him into a
+chamber and there hear what he had to say and answer him as it should
+please her. Accordingly the lady and Messer Ricciardo went into a room
+apart and as soon as they were seated, the latter began to say,
+'Alack, heart of my body, sweet my soul and my hope, knowest thou not
+thy Ricciardo, who loveth thee more than himself? How can this be? Am
+I so changed? Prithee, fair mine eye, do but look on me a little.' The
+lady began to laugh and without letting him say more, replied, 'You
+may be assured that I am not so scatterbrained but that I know well
+enough you are Messer Ricciardo di Chinzica, my husband; but, what
+time I was with you, you showed that you knew me very ill, for that
+you should have had the sense to see that I was young and lusty and
+gamesome and should consequently have known that which behoveth unto
+young ladies, over and above clothes and meat, albeit for
+shamefastness they name it not; the which how you performed, you know.
+If the study of the laws was more agreeable to you than your wife, you
+should not have taken her, albeit it never appeared to me that you
+were a judge; nay, you seemed to me rather a common crier of saints'
+days and sacraments and fasts and vigils, so well you knew them. And I
+tell you this, that, had you suffered the husbandmen who till your
+lands keep as many holidays as you allowed him who had the tilling of
+my poor little field, you would never have reaped the least grain of
+corn. However, as God, having compassion on my youth, hath willed it,
+I have happened on yonder man, with whom I abide in this chamber,
+wherein it is unknown what manner of thing is a holiday (I speak of
+those holidays which you, more assiduous in the service of God than in
+that of the ladies, did so diligently celebrate) nor ever yet entered
+in at this door Saturday nor Friday nor vigil nor Emberday nor Lent,
+that is so long; nay, here swink we day and night and thump our wool;
+and this very night after matinsong, I know right well how the thing
+went, once he was up. Wherefore I mean to abide with him and work;
+whilst I am young, and leave saints' days and jubilees and fasts for
+my keeping when I am old; so get you gone about your business as
+quickliest you may, good luck go with you, and keep as many holidays
+as you please, without me.' Messer Ricciardo, hearing these words, was
+distressed beyond endurance and said, whenas he saw she had made an
+end of speaking. 'Alack, sweet my soul, what is this thou sayest? Hast
+thou no regard for thy kinsfolk's honour and thine own? Wilt thou
+rather abide here for this man's whore and in mortal sin than at Pisa
+as my wife? He, when he is weary of thee, will turn thee away to thine
+own exceeding reproach, whilst I will still hold thee dear and still
+(e'en though I willed it not) thou shalt be mistress of my house. Wilt
+thou for the sake of a lewd and disorderly appetite, forsake thine
+honour and me, who love thee more than my life? For God's sake, dear
+my hope, speak no more thus, but consent to come with me; henceforth,
+since I know thy desire, I will enforce myself [to content it;]
+wherefore, sweet my treasure, change counsel and come away with me,
+who have never known weal since thou wast taken from me.' Whereto
+answered the lady, 'I have no mind that any, now that it availeth not,
+should be more tender of my honour than I myself; would my kinsfolk
+had had regard thereto, whenas they gave me to you! But, as they had
+then no care for my honour, I am under no present concern to be
+careful of theirs; and if I am herein _mortar_[142] sin, I shall abide
+though it be in pestle[142] sin. And let me tell you that here
+meseemeth I am Paganino's wife, whereas at Pisa meseemed I was your
+whore, seeing that there, by season of the moon and quadratures of
+geometry, needs must be planets concur to couple betwixt you and me,
+whereas here Paganino holdeth me all night in his arms and straineth
+me and biteth me, and how he serveth me, let God tell you for me. You
+say forsooth you will enforce yourself; to what? To do it in three
+casts and cause it stand by dint of cudgelling? I warrant me you are
+grown a doughty cavalier since I saw you last! Begone and enforce
+yourself to live, for methinketh indeed you do but sojourn here below
+upon sufferance, so peaked and scant o' wind you show to me. And yet
+more I tell you, that, should he leave me (albeit meseemeth he is
+nowise inclined thereto, so I choose to stay,) I purpose not therefor
+ever to return to you, of whom squeeze you as I might, there were no
+making a porringer of sauce; for that I abode with you once to my
+grievous hurt and loss, wherefore in such a case I should seek my
+vantage elsewhere. Nay, once again I tell you, here be neither saints'
+days nor vigils; wherefore here I mean to abide; so get you gone in
+God's name as quickliest you may, or I will cry out that you would
+fain force me.' Messer Ricciardo, seeing himself in ill case and now
+recognizing his folly in taking a young wife, whenas he was himself
+forspent, went forth the chamber tristful and woebegone, and bespoke
+Paganino with many words, that skilled not a jot. Ultimately, leaving
+the lady, he returned to Pisa, without having accomplished aught, and
+there for chagrin fell into such dotage that, as he went about Pisa,
+to whoso greeted him or asked him of anywhat, he answered nought but
+'The ill hole[143] will have no holidays;'[144] and there, no great
+while after, he died. Paganino, hearing this and knowing the love the
+lady bore himself, espoused her to his lawful wife and thereafter,
+without ever observing saints' day or vigil or keeping Lent, they
+wrought what while their legs would carry them and led a jolly life of
+it. Wherefore, dear my ladies, meseemeth Bernabo, in his dispute with
+Ambrogiuolo, rode the she-goat down the steep."[145]
+
+[Footnote 141: According to one of the commentators of the Decameron,
+there are as many churches at Ravenna as days in the year and each day
+is there celebrated as that of some saint or other.]
+
+[Footnote 142: A trifling jingle upon the similarity in sound of the
+words _mortale_ (mortal), _mortaio_ (mortar), _pestello_ (pestle), and
+_pestilente_ (pestilential). The same word-play occurs at least once
+more in the Decameron.]
+
+[Footnote 143: _Il mal foro_, a woman's commodity (Florio).]
+
+[Footnote 144: _i.e._ _Cunnus nonvult feriari._ Some commentators
+propose to read _il mal furo_, the ill thief, supposing Ricciardo to
+allude to Paganino, but this seems far-fetched.]
+
+[Footnote 145: _i.e. semble_ ran headlong to destruction. The
+commentators explain this proverbial expression by saying that a
+she-goat is in any case a hazardous mount, and _a fortiori_ when
+ridden down a precipice; but this seems a somewhat "sporting" kind of
+interpretation.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This story gave such occasion for laughter to all the company that
+there was none whose jaws ached not therefor, and all the ladies
+avouched with one accord that Dioneo spoke sooth and that Bernabo had
+been an ass. But, after the story was ended and the laughter abated,
+the queen, observing that the hour was now late and that all had told
+and seeing that the end of her seignory was come, according to the
+ordinance commenced, took the wreath from her own head and set it on
+that of Neifile, saying, with a blithe aspect, "Henceforth, companion
+dear, be thine the governance of this little people"; and reseated
+herself. Neifile blushed a little at the honour received and became in
+countenance like as showeth a new-blown rose of April or of May in the
+breaking of the day, with lovesome eyes some little downcast,
+sparkling no otherwise than the morning-star. But, after the courteous
+murmur of the bystanders, whereby they gladsomely approved their
+goodwill towards the new-made queen, had abated and she had taken
+heart again, she seated herself somewhat higher than of wont and said,
+"Since I am to be your queen, I will, departing not from the manner
+holden of those who have foregone me and whose governance you have by
+your obedience commended, make manifest to you in few words my
+opinion, which, an it be approved by your counsel, we will ensue.
+To-morrow, as you know, is Friday and the next day is Saturday, days
+which, by reason of the viands that are used therein,[146] are
+somewhat irksome to most folk, more by token that Friday, considering
+that He who died for our life on that day suffered passion, is worthy
+of reverence; wherefore I hold it a just thing and a seemly that, in
+honour of the Divinity, we apply ourselves rather to orisons than to
+story-telling. As for Saturday, it is the usance of ladies on that day
+to wash their heads and do away all dust and all uncleanliness
+befallen them for the labours of the past week; and many, likewise,
+use, in reverence of the Virgin Mother of the Son of God, to fast and
+rest from all manner of work in honour of the ensuing Sunday.
+Wherefore, we being unable fully to ensue the order of living taken by
+us, on like wise methinketh we were well to rest from story-telling on
+that day also; after which, for that we shall then have sojourned here
+four days, I hold it opportune, an we would give no occasion for
+newcomers to intrude upon us, that we remove hence and get us gone
+elsewhither; where I have already considered and provided. There when
+we shall be assembled together on Sunday, after sleeping,--we having
+to-day had leisure enough for discoursing at large,[147]--I have
+bethought myself,--at once that you may have more time to consider and
+because it will be yet goodlier that the license of our story-telling
+be somewhat straitened and that we devise of one of the many fashions
+of fortune,--that our discourse shall be OF SUCH AS HAVE, BY DINT OF
+DILIGENCE,[148] ACQUIRED SOME MUCH DESIRED THING OR RECOVERED SOME
+LOST GOOD. Whereupon let each think to tell somewhat that may be
+useful or at least entertaining to the company, saving always Dioneo
+his privilege." All commended the speech and disposition of the queen
+and ordained that it should be as she had said. Then, calling for her
+seneschal, she particularly instructed him where he should set the
+tables that evening and after of what he should do during all the time
+of her seignory; and this done, rising to her feet, she gave the
+company leave to do that which was most pleasing unto each.
+Accordingly, ladies and men betook themselves to a little garden and
+there, after they had disported themselves awhile, the hour of supper
+being come, they supped with mirth and pleasance; then, all arising
+thence and Emilia, by the queen's commandment, leading the round, the
+ditty following was sung by Pampinea, whilst the other ladies
+responded:
+
+     What lady aye should sing, and if not I,
+     Who'm blest with all for which a maid can sigh?
+     Come then, O Love, thou source of all my weal,
+       All hope and every issue glad and bright
+         Sing ye awhile yfere
+     Of sighs nor bitter pains I erst did feel,
+       That now but sweeten to me thy delight,
+       Nay, but of that fire clear,
+       Wherein I, burning, live in joy and cheer,
+     And as my God, thy name do magnify.
+
+     Thou settest, Love, before these eyes of mine
+       Whenas thy fire I entered the first day,
+         A youngling so beseen
+     With valour, worth and loveliness divine,
+       That never might one find a goodlier, nay,
+         Nor yet his match, I ween.
+         So sore I burnt for him I still must e'en
+     Sing, blithe, of him with thee, my lord most high.
+
+     And that in him which crowneth my liesse
+       Is that I please him, as he pleaseth me,
+         Thanks to Love debonair;
+     Thus in this world my wish I do possess
+       And in the next I trust at peace to be,
+         Through that fast faith I bear
+         To him; sure God, who seeth this, will ne'er
+     The kingdom of His bliss to us deny.
+
+[Footnote 146: _i.e._ Friday being a fast day and Saturday a _jour
+maigre_.]
+
+[Footnote 147: _i.e._ generally upon the vicissitudes of Fortune and
+not upon any particular feature.]
+
+[Footnote 148: _Industria_, syn. address, skilful contrivance.]
+
+After this they sang sundry other songs and danced sundry dances and
+played upon divers instruments of music. Then, the queen deeming it
+time to go to rest, each betook himself, with torches before him, to
+his chamber, and all on the two following days, whilst applying
+themselves to those things whereof the queen had spoken, looked
+longingly for Sunday.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE SECOND DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Third_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE THIRD DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF NEIFILE IS DISCOURSED OF SUCH AS HAVE BY
+     DINT OF DILIGENCE ACQUIRED SOME MUCH DESIRED THING OR
+     RECOVERED SOME LOST GOOD
+
+
+The dawn from vermeil began to grow orange-tawny, at the approach of
+the sun, when on the Sunday the queen arose and caused all her company
+rise also. The seneschal had a great while before despatched to the
+place whither they were to go store of things needful and folk who
+should there make ready that which behoved, and seeing the queen now
+on the way, straightway let load everything else, as if the camp were
+raised thence, and with the household stuff and such of the servants
+as remained set out in rear of the ladies and gentlemen. The queen,
+then, with slow step, accompanied and followed by her ladies and the
+three young men and guided by the song of some score nightingales and
+other birds, took her way westward, by a little-used footpath, full of
+green herbs and flowers, which latter now all began to open for the
+coming sun, and chatting, jesting and laughing with her company,
+brought them a while before half tierce,[149] without having gone over
+two thousand paces, to a very fair and rich palace, somewhat upraised
+above the plain upon a little knoll. Here they entered and having gone
+all about and viewed the great saloons and the quaint and elegant
+chambers all throughly furnished with that which pertaineth thereunto,
+they mightily commended the place and accounted its lord magnificent.
+Then, going below and seeing the very spacious and cheerful court
+thereof, the cellars full of choicest wines and the very cool water
+that welled there in great abundance, they praised it yet more.
+Thence, as if desirous of repose, they betook themselves to sit in a
+gallery which commanded all the courtyard and was all full of flowers,
+such as the season afforded, and leafage, whereupon there came the
+careful seneschal and entertained and refreshed them with costliest
+confections and wines of choice. Thereafter, letting open to them a
+garden, all walled about, which coasted the palace, they entered
+therein and it seeming to them, at their entering, altogether[150]
+wonder-goodly, they addressed themselves more intently to view the
+particulars thereof. It had about it and athwart the middle very
+spacious alleys, all straight as arrows and embowered with trellises
+of vines, which made great show of bearing abundance of grapes that
+year and being then all in blossom, yielded so rare a savour about the
+garden, that, as it blent with the fragrance of many another
+sweet-smelling plant that there gave scent, themseemed they were among
+all the spiceries that ever grew in the Orient. The sides of these
+alleys were all in a manner walled about with roses, red and white,
+and jessamine, wherefore not only of a morning, but what while the sun
+was highest, one might go all about, untouched thereby, neath
+odoriferous and delightsome shade. What and how many and how orderly
+disposed were the plants that grew in that place, it were tedious to
+recount; suffice it that there is none goodly of those which may brook
+our air but was there in abundance. Amiddleward the garden (what was
+not less, but yet more commendable than aught else there) was a plat
+of very fine grass, so green that it seemed well nigh black, enamelled
+all with belike a thousand kinds of flowers and closed about with the
+greenest and lustiest of orange and citron trees, the which, bearing
+at once old fruits and new and flowers, not only afforded the eyes a
+pleasant shade, but were no less grateful to the smell. Midmost the
+grass-plat was a fountain of the whitest marble, enchased with
+wonder-goodly sculptures, and thence,--whether I know not from a
+natural or an artificial source,--there sprang, by a figure that stood
+on a column in its midst, so great a jet of water and so high towards
+the sky, whence not without a delectable sound it fell back into the
+wonder-limpid fount, that a mill might have wrought with less; the
+which after (I mean the water which overflowed the full basin) issued
+forth of the lawn by a hidden way, and coming to light therewithout,
+encompassed it all about by very goodly and curiously wroughten
+channels. Thence by like channels it ran through well nigh every part
+of the pleasance and was gathered again at the last in a place whereby
+it had issue from the fair garden and whence it descended, in the
+clearest of streams, towards the plain; but, ere it won thither, it
+turned two mills with exceeding power and to the no small vantage of
+the lord. The sight of this garden and its fair ordinance and the
+plants and the fountain, with the rivulets proceeding therefrom, so
+pleased the ladies and the three young men that they all of one accord
+avouched that, an Paradise might be created upon earth, they could not
+avail to conceive what form, other than that of this garden, might be
+given it nor what farther beauty might possibly be added thereunto.
+However, as they went most gladsomely thereabout, weaving them the
+goodliest garlands of the various leafage of the trees and hearkening
+the while to the carols of belike a score of different kinds of birds,
+that sang as if in rivalry one of other, they became aware of a
+delectable beauty, which, wonderstricken as they were with the other
+charms of the place, they had not yet noted; to wit, they found the
+garden full of maybe an hundred kinds of goodly creatures, and one
+showing them to other, they saw on one side rabbits issue, on another
+hares run; here lay kids and there fawns went grazing, and there was
+many another kind of harmless animal, each going about his pastime at
+his pleasure, as if tame; the which added unto them a yet greater
+pleasure than the others. After they had gone about their fill,
+viewing now this thing and now that, the queen let set the tables
+around the fair fountain and at her commandment, having first sung
+half a dozen canzonets and danced sundry dances, they sat down to
+meat. There, being right well and orderly served, after a very fair
+and sumptuous and tranquil fashion, with goodly and delicate viands,
+they waxed yet blither and arising thence, gave themselves anew to
+music-making and singing and dancing till it seemed good to the queen
+that those whom it pleased should betake themselves to sleep.
+Accordingly some went thither, whilst others, overcome with the beauty
+of the place, willed not to leave it, but, abiding there, addressed
+themselves, some to reading romances and some to playing chess or
+tables, whilst the others slept. But presently, the hour of none being
+past and the sleepers having arisen and refreshed their faces with
+cold water, they came all, at the queen's commandment, to the lawn
+hard by the fountain and there seating themselves, after the wonted
+fashion, waited to fall to story-telling upon the subject proposed by
+her. The first upon whom she laid this charge was Filostrato, who
+began on this wise:
+
+[Footnote 149: _i.e._ half _before_ (not half _after_) tierce or 7.30
+a.m. _Cf._ the equivalent German idiom, _halb acht_, 7.30 (not 8.30)
+a.m.]
+
+[Footnote 150: _i.e._ as a whole (_tutto insieme_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     MASETTO OF LAMPORECCHIO FEIGNETH HIMSELF DUMB AND BECOMETH
+     GARDENER TO A CONVENT OF WOMEN, WHO ALL FLOCK TO LIE WITH
+     HIM
+
+
+"Fairest ladies, there be many men and women foolish enough to believe
+that, whenas the white fillet is bound about a girl's head and the
+black cowl clapped upon her back, she is no longer a woman and is no
+longer sensible of feminine appetites, as if the making her a nun had
+changed her to stone; and if perchance they hear aught contrary to
+this their belief, they are as much incensed as if a very great and
+heinous misdeed had been committed against nature, considering not
+neither having regard to themselves, whom full license to do that
+which they will availeth not to sate, nor yet to the much potency of
+idlesse and thought-taking.[151] On like wise there are but too many
+who believe that spade and mattock and coarse victuals and hard living
+do altogether purge away carnal appetites from the tillers of the
+earth and render them exceeding dull of wit and judgment. But how much
+all who believe thus are deluded, I purpose, since the queen hath
+commanded it to me, to make plain to you in a little story, without
+departing from the theme by her appointed.
+
+[Footnote 151: _Sollecitudine._ The commentators will have it that
+this is an error for _solitudine_, solitude, but I see no necessity
+for the substitution, the text being perfectly acceptable as it
+stands.]
+
+There was (and is yet) in these our parts a convent of women, very
+famous for sanctity (the which, that I may not anywise abate its
+repute, I will not name), wherein no great while agone, there being
+then no more than eight nuns and an abbess, all young, in the nunnery,
+a poor silly dolt of a fellow was gardener of a very goodly garden of
+theirs, who, being miscontent with his wage, settled his accounts with
+the ladies' bailiff and returned to Lamporecchio, whence he came.
+There, amongst others who welcomed him home, was a young labouring
+man, stout and robust and (for a countryman) a well-favoured fellow,
+by name of Masetto, who asked him where he had been so long. The good
+man, whose name was Nuto, told him, whereupon Masetto asked him in
+what he had served the convent, and he, 'I tended a great and goodly
+garden of theirs, and moreover I went while to the coppice for faggots
+and drew water and did other such small matters of service; but the
+nuns gave me so little wage that I could scare find me in shoon
+withal. Besides, they are all young and methinketh they are possessed
+of the devil, for there was no doing anything to their liking; nay,
+when I was at work whiles in the hortyard,[152] quoth one, "Set this
+here," and another, "Set that here," and a third snatched the spade
+from my hand, saying, "That is naught"; brief, they gave me so much
+vexation that I would leave work be and begone out of the hortyard;
+insomuch that, what with one thing and what with another, I would
+abide there no longer and took myself off. When I came away, their
+bailiff besought me, an I could lay my hand on any one apt unto that
+service, to send the man to him, and I promised it him; but may God
+make him sound of the loins as he whom I shall get him, else will I
+send him none at all!' Masetto, hearing this, was taken with so great
+a desire to be with these nuns that he was all consumed therewith,
+judging from Nuto's words that he might avail to compass somewhat of
+that which he desired. However, foreseeing that he would fail of his
+purpose, if he discovered aught thereof to Nuto, he said to the
+latter, 'Egad, thou didst well to come away. How is a man to live with
+women? He were better abide with devils. Six times out of seven they
+know not what they would have themselves.' But, after they had made an
+end of their talk, Masetto began to cast about what means he should
+take to be with them and feeling himself well able to do the offices
+of which Nuto had spoken, he had no fear of being refused on that
+head, but misdoubted him he might not be received, for that he was
+young and well-looked. Wherefore, after pondering many things in
+himself, he bethought himself thus: 'The place is far hence and none
+knoweth me there, an I can but make a show of being dumb, I shall for
+certain be received there.' Having fixed upon this device, he set out
+with an axe he had about his neck, without telling any whither he was
+bound, and betook himself, in the guise of a beggarman, to the
+convent, where being come, he entered in and as luck would have it,
+found the bailiff in the courtyard. Him he accosted with signs such as
+dumb folk use and made a show of asking food of him for the love of
+God and that in return he would, an it were needed, cleave wood for
+him. The bailiff willingly gave him to eat and after set before him
+divers logs that Nuto had not availed to cleave, but of all which
+Masetto, who was very strong, made a speedy despatch. By and by, the
+bailiff, having occasion to go to the coppice, carried him thither and
+put him to cutting faggots; after which, setting the ass before him,
+he gave him to understand by signs that he was to bring them home.
+This he did very well; wherefore the bailiff kept him there some days,
+so he might have him do certain things for which he had occasion. One
+day it chanced that the abbess saw him and asked the bailiff who he
+was. 'Madam,' answered he, 'this is a poor deaf and dumb man, who came
+hither the other day to ask an alms; so I took him in out of charity
+and have made him do sundry things of which we had need. If he knew
+how to till the hortyard and chose to abide with us, I believe we
+should get good service of him; for that we lack such an one and he is
+strong and we could make what we would of him; more by token that you
+would have no occasion to fear his playing the fool with yonder lasses
+of yours.' 'I' faith,' rejoined the abbess, 'thou sayst sooth. Learn
+if he knoweth how to till and study to keep him here; give him a pair
+of shoes and some old hood or other and make much of him, caress him,
+give him plenty to eat.' Which the bailiff promised to do. Masetto was
+not so far distant but he heard all this, making a show the while of
+sweeping the courtyard, and said merrily in himself, 'An you put me
+therein, I will till you your hortyard as it was never tilled yet.'
+Accordingly, the bailiff, seeing that he knew right well how to work,
+asked him by signs if he had a mind to abide there and he replied on
+like wise that he would do whatsoever he wished; whereupon the bailiff
+engaged him and charged him till the hortyard, showing him what he was
+to do; after which he went about other business of the convent and
+left him. Presently, as Masetto went working one day after another,
+the nuns fell to plaguing him and making mock of him, as ofttimes it
+betideth that folk do with mutes, and bespoke him the naughtiest words
+in the world, thinking he understood them not; whereof the abbess,
+mayhap supposing him to be tailless as well as tongueless, recked
+little or nothing. It chanced one day, however, that, as he rested
+himself after a hard morning's work, two young nuns, who went about
+the garden,[153] drew near the place where he lay and fell to looking
+upon him, whilst he made a show of sleeping. Presently quoth one who
+was somewhat the bolder of the twain to the other, 'If I thought thou
+wouldst keep my counsel, I would tell thee a thought which I have once
+and again had and which might perchance profit thee also.' 'Speak in
+all assurance,' answered the other, 'for certes I will never tell it
+to any.' Then said the forward wench, 'I know not if thou have ever
+considered how straitly we are kept and how no man dare ever enter
+here, save the bailiff, who is old, and yonder dumb fellow; and I have
+again and again heard ladies, who come to visit us, say that all other
+delights in the world are but toys in comparison with that which a
+woman enjoyeth, whenas she hath to do with a man. Wherefore I have
+often had it in mind to make trial with this mute, since with others I
+may not, if it be so. And indeed he is the best in the world to that
+end, for that, e'en if he would, he could not nor might tell it
+again. Thou seest he is a poor silly lout of a lad, who hath overgrown
+his wit, and I would fain hear how thou deemest of the thing.'
+'Alack!' rejoined the other, 'what is this thou sayest? Knowest thou
+not that we have promised our virginity to God?' 'Oh, as for that,'
+answered the first, 'how many things are promised Him all day long,
+whereof not one is fulfilled unto Him! An we have promised it Him, let
+Him find Himself another or others to perform it to Him.' 'Or if,'
+went on her fellow, 'we should prove with child, how would it go
+then?' Quoth the other, 'Thou beginnest to take thought unto ill ere
+it cometh; when that betideth, then will we look to it; there will be
+a thousand ways for us of doing so that it shall never be known,
+provided we ourselves tell it not.' The other, hearing this and having
+now a greater itch than her companion to prove what manner beast a man
+was, said, 'Well, then, how shall we do?' Quoth the first, 'Thou seest
+it is nigh upon none and methinketh the sisters are all asleep, save
+only ourselves; let us look about the hortyard if there be any there,
+and if there be none, what have we to do but to take him by the hand
+and carry him into yonder hut, whereas he harboureth against the rain,
+and there let one of us abide with him, whilst the other keepeth
+watch? He is so simple that he will do whatever we will.' Masetto
+heard all this talk and disposed to compliance, waited but to be taken
+by one of the nuns. The latter having looked well all about and
+satisfied themselves that they could be seen from nowhere, she who had
+broached the matter came up to Masetto and aroused him, whereupon he
+rose incontinent to his feet. The nun took him coaxingly by the hand
+and led him, grinning like an idiot, to the hut, where, without
+overmuch pressing, he did what she would. Then, like a loyal comrade,
+having had her will, she gave place to her fellow, and Masetto, still
+feigning himself a simpleton, did their pleasure. Before they departed
+thence, each of the girls must needs once more prove how the mute
+could horse it, and after devising with each other, they agreed that
+the thing was as delectable as they had heard, nay, more so.
+Accordingly, watching their opportunity, they went oftentimes at
+fitting seasons to divert themselves with the mute, till one day it
+chanced that one of their sisters, espying them in the act from the
+lattice of her cell, showed it to other twain. At first they talked of
+denouncing the culprits to the abbess, but, after, changing counsel
+and coming to an accord with the first two, they became sharers with
+them in Masetto's services, and to them the other three nuns were at
+divers times and by divers chances added as associates. Ultimately,
+the abbess, who had not yet gotten wind of these doings, walking one
+day alone in the garden, the heat being great, found Masetto (who had
+enough of a little fatigue by day, because of overmuch posting it by
+night) stretched out asleep under the shade of an almond-tree, and the
+wind lifting the forepart of his clothes, all abode discovered. The
+lady, beholding this and seeing herself alone, fell into that same
+appetite which had gotten hold of her nuns, and arousing Masetto,
+carried him to her chamber, where, to the no small miscontent of the
+others, who complained loudly that the gardener came not to till the
+hortyard, she kept him several days, proving and reproving that
+delight which she had erst been wont to blame in others. At last she
+sent him back to his own lodging, but was fain to have him often again
+and as, moreover, she required of him more than her share, Masetto,
+unable to satisfy so many, bethought himself that his playing the mute
+might, an it endured longer, result in his exceeding great hurt.
+Wherefore, being one night with the abbess, he gave loose to[154] his
+tongue and bespoke her thus: 'Madam, I have heard say that one cock
+sufficeth unto half a score hens, but that half a score men can ill or
+hardly satisfy one woman; whereas needs must I serve nine, and to this
+I can no wise endure; nay, for that which I have done up to now, I am
+come to such a pass that I can do neither little nor much; wherefore
+do ye either let me go in God's name or find a remedy for the matter.'
+The abbess, hearing him speak whom she held dumb, was all amazed and
+said, 'What is this? Methought thou wast dumb.' 'Madam,' answered
+Masetto, 'I was indeed dumb, not by nature, but by reason of a malady
+which bereft me of speech, and only this very night for the first time
+do I feel it restored to me, wherefore I praise God as most I may.'
+The lady believed this and asked him what he meant by saying that he
+had to serve nine. Masetto told her how the case stood, whereby she
+perceived that she had no nun but was far wiser than herself; but,
+like a discreet woman as she was, she resolved to take counsel with
+her nuns to find some means of arranging the matter, without letting
+Masetto go, so the convent might not be defamed by him. Accordingly,
+having openly confessed to one another that which had been secretly
+done of each, they all of one accord, with Masetto's consent, so
+ordered it that the people round about believed speech to have been
+restored to him, after he had long been mute, through their prayers
+and by the merits of the saint in whose name the convent was
+intituled, and their bailiff being lately dead, they made Masetto
+bailiff in his stead and apportioned his toils on such wise that he
+could endure them. Thereafter, albeit he began upon them monikins
+galore, the thing was so discreetly ordered that nothing took vent
+thereof till after the death of the abbess, when Masetto began to grow
+old and had a mind to return home rich. The thing becoming known,
+enabled him lightly to accomplish his desire, and thus Masetto, having
+by his foresight contrived to employ his youth to good purpose,
+returned in his old age, rich and a father, without being at the pains
+or expense of rearing children, to the place whence he had set out
+with an axe about his neck, avouching that thus did Christ entreat
+whoso set horns to his cap."
+
+[Footnote 152: Hortyard (_orto_) is the old form of orchard, properly
+an enclosed tract of land in which fruit, vegetables and potherbs are
+cultivated for use, _i.e._ the modern kitchen garden and orchard in
+one, as distinguished from the pleasaunce or flower garden
+(_giardino_).]
+
+[Footnote 153: _Giardino_, _i.e._ flower-garden.]
+
+[Footnote 154: Lit. broke the string of.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     A HORSEKEEPER LIETH WITH THE WIFE OF KING AGILULF, WHO,
+     BECOMING AWARE THEREOF, WITHOUT WORD SAID, FINDETH HIM OUT
+     AND POLLETH HIM; BUT THE POLLED MAN POLLETH ALL HIS FELLOWS
+     ON LIKE WISE AND SO ESCAPETH ILL HAP
+
+
+The end of Filostrato's story, whereat whiles the ladies had some
+little blushed and other whiles laughed, being come, it pleased the
+queen that Pampinea should follow on with a story, and she
+accordingly, beginning with a smiling countenance, said, "Some are so
+little discreet in seeking at all hazards to show that they know and
+apprehend that which it concerneth them not to know, that whiles,
+rebuking to this end unperceived defects in others, they think to
+lessen their own shame, whereas they do infinitely augment it; and
+that this is so I purpose, lovesome ladies, to prove to you by the
+contrary thereof, showing you the astuteness of one who, in the
+judgment of a king of worth and valour, was held belike of less
+account than Masetto himself.
+
+Agilulf, King of the Lombards, as his predecessors had done, fixed the
+seat of his kingship at Pavia, a city of Lombardy, and took to wife
+Theodolinda[155] the widow of Autari, likewise King of the Lombards, a
+very fair lady and exceeding discreet and virtuous, but ill fortuned
+in a lover.[156] The affairs of the Lombards having, thanks to the
+valour and judgment of King Agilulf, been for some time prosperous and
+in quiet, it befell that one of the said queen's horse-keepers, a man
+of very low condition, in respect of birth, but otherwise of worth far
+above so mean a station, and comely of person and tall as he were the
+king, became beyond measure enamoured of his mistress. His mean estate
+hindered him not from being sensible that this love of his was out of
+all reason, wherefore, like a discreet man as he was, he discovered it
+unto none, nor dared he make it known to her even with his eyes. But,
+albeit he lived without any hope of ever winning her favour, yet
+inwardly he gloried in that he had bestowed his thoughts in such high
+place, and being all aflame with amorous fire, he studied, beyond
+every other of his fellows, to do whatsoever he deemed might pleasure
+the queen; whereby it befell that, whenas she had occasion to ride
+abroad, she liefer mounted the palfrey of which he had charge than any
+other; and when this happened, he reckoned it a passing great favour
+to himself nor ever stirred from her stirrup, accounting himself happy
+what time he might but touch her clothes. But, as often enough we see
+it happen that, even as hope groweth less, so love waxeth greater, so
+did it betide this poor groom, insomuch that sore uneath it was to him
+to avail to brook his great desire, keeping it, as he did, hidden and
+being upheld by no hope; and many a time, unable to rid himself of
+that his love, he determined in himself to die. And considering
+inwardly of the manner, he resolved to seek his death on such wise
+that it should be manifest he died for the love he bore the queen, to
+which end he bethought himself to try his fortune in an enterprise of
+such a sort as should afford him a chance of having or all or part of
+his desire. He set not himself to seek to say aught to the queen nor
+to make her sensible of his love by letters, knowing he should speak
+and write in vain, but chose rather to essay an he might by practice
+avail to lie with her; nor was there any other shift for it but to
+find a means how he might, in the person of the king, who, he knew,
+lay not with her continually, contrive to make his way to her and
+enter her bedchamber. Accordingly, that he might see on what wise and
+in what habit the king went, whenas he visited her, he hid himself
+several times by night in a great saloon of the palace, which lay
+between the king's bedchamber and that of the queen, and one night,
+amongst others, he saw the king come forth of his chamber, wrapped in
+a great mantle, with a lighted taper in one hand and a little wand in
+the other, and making for the queen's chamber, strike once or twice
+upon the door with the wand, without saying aught, whereupon it was
+incontinent opened to him and the taper taken from his hand. Noting
+this and having seen the king return after the same fashion, he
+bethought himself to do likewise. Accordingly, finding means to have a
+cloak like that which he had seen the king wear, together with a taper
+and a wand, and having first well washed himself in a bagnio, lest
+haply the smell of the muck should offend the queen or cause her smoke
+the cheat, he hid himself in the great saloon, as of wont. Whenas he
+knew that all were asleep and it seemed to him time either to give
+effect to his desire or to make his way by high emprise[157] to the
+wished-for death, he struck a light with a flint and steel he had
+brought with him and kindling the taper, wrapped himself fast in the
+mantle, then, going up to the chamber-door, smote twice upon it with
+the wand. The door was opened by a bedchamber-woman, all sleepy-eyed,
+who took the light and covered it; whereupon, without saying aught, he
+passed within the curtain, put off his mantle and entered the bed
+where the queen slept. Then, taking her desirefully in his arms and
+feigning himself troubled (for that he knew the king's wont to be
+that, whenas he was troubled, he cared not to hear aught), without
+speaking or being spoken to, he several times carnally knew the queen;
+after which, grievous as it seemed to him to depart, yet, fearing lest
+his too long stay should be the occasion of turning the gotten delight
+into dolour, he arose and taking up the mantle and the light,
+withdrew, without word said, and returned, as quickliest he might, to
+his own bed. He could scarce yet have been therein when the king arose
+and repaired to the queen's chamber, whereat she marvelled
+exceedingly; and as he entered the bed and greeted her blithely, she
+took courage by his cheerfulness and said, 'O my lord, what new
+fashion is this of to-night? You left me but now, after having taken
+pleasure of me beyond your wont, and do you return so soon? Have a
+care what you do.' The king, hearing these words, at once concluded
+that the queen had been deceived by likeness of manners and person,
+but, like a wise man, bethought himself forthright, seeing that
+neither she nor any else had perceived the cheat, not to make her
+aware thereof; which many simpletons would not have done, but would
+have said, 'I have not been here, I. Who is it hath been here? How did
+it happen? Who came hither?' Whence many things might have arisen,
+whereby he would needlessly have afflicted the lady and given her
+ground for desiring another time that which she had already tasted;
+more by token that, an he kept silence of the matter, no shame might
+revert to him, whereas, by speaking, he would have brought dishonour
+upon himself. The king, then, more troubled at heart than in looks or
+speech, answered, saying, 'Wife, seem I not to you man enough to have
+been here a first time and to come yet again after that?' 'Ay, my
+lord,' answered she. 'Nevertheless, I beseech you have regard to your
+health.' Quoth Agilulf, 'And it pleaseth me to follow your counsel,
+wherefore for the nonce I will get me gone again, without giving you
+more annoy.' This said, taking up his mantle, he departed the chamber,
+with a heart full of wrath and despite for the affront that he saw had
+been done him, and bethought himself quietly to seek to discover the
+culprit, concluding that he must be of the household and could not,
+whoever he might be, have issued forth of the palace. Accordingly,
+taking a very small light in a little lantern, he betook himself to a
+very long gallery that was over the stables of his palace and where
+all his household slept in different beds, and judging that, whoever
+he might be that had done what the queen said, his pulse and the
+beating of his heart for the swink endured could not yet have had time
+to abate, he silently, beginning at one end of the gallery, fell to
+feeling each one's breast, to know if his heart beat high. Although
+every other slept fast, he who had been with the queen was not yet
+asleep, but, seeing the king come and guessing what he went seeking,
+fell into such a fright that to the beating of the heart caused by the
+late-had fatigue, fear added yet a greater and he doubted not but the
+king, if he became aware of this, would put him to death without
+delay, and many things passed through his thought that he should do.
+However, seeing him all unarmed, he resolved to feign sleep and await
+what he should do. Agilulf, then, having examined many and found none
+whom he judged to be he of whom he was in quest, came presently to the
+horsekeeper and feeling his heart beat high, said in himself, 'This is
+the man.' Nevertheless, an he would have nought be known of that which
+he purposed to do, he did nought to him but poll, with a pair of
+scissors he had brought with him, somewhat on one side of his hair,
+which they then wore very long, so by that token he might know him
+again on the morrow; and this done, he withdrew and returned to his
+own chamber. The culprit, who had felt all this, like a shrewd fellow
+as he was, understood plainly enough why he had been thus marked;
+wherefore he arose without delay and finding a pair of shears, whereof
+it chanced there were several about the stables for the service of the
+horses, went softly up to all who lay in the gallery and clipped each
+one's hair on like wise over the ear; which having done without being
+observed, he returned to sleep. When the king arose in the morning, he
+commanded that all his household should present themselves before him,
+or ever the palace-doors were opened; and it was done as he said.
+Then, as they all stood before him with uncovered heads, he began to
+look that he might know him whom he had polled; but, seeing the most
+part of them with their hair clipped after one and the same fashion,
+he marvelled and said in himself, 'He whom I seek, for all he may be
+of mean estate, showeth right well he is of no mean wit.' Then, seeing
+that he could not, without making a stir, avail to have him whom he
+sought, and having no mind to incur a great shame for the sake of a
+paltry revenge, it pleased him with one sole word to admonish the
+culprit and show him that he was ware of the matter; wherefore,
+turning to all who were present, he said, 'Let him who did it do it no
+more and get you gone in peace.' Another would have been for giving
+them the strappado, for torturing, examining and questioning, and
+doing this, would have published that which every one should go about
+to conceal; and having thus discovered himself, though he should have
+taken entire revenge for the affront suffered, his shame had not been
+minished, nay, were rather much enhanced therefor and his lady's
+honour sullied. Those who heard the king's words marvelled and long
+debated amongst themselves what he meant by this speech; but none
+understood it, save he whom it concerned, and he, like a wise man,
+never, during Agilulf's lifetime, discovered the matter nor ever again
+committed his life to the hazard of such a venture."
+
+[Footnote 155: Boccaccio calls her _Teudelinga_; but I know of no
+authority for this form of the name of the famous Longobardian queen.]
+
+[Footnote 156: Referring apparently to the adventure related in the
+present story.]
+
+[Footnote 157: Lit. with high (_i.e._ worthy) cause (_con alta
+cagione_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     UNDER COLOUR OF CONFESSION AND OF EXCEEDING NICENESS OF
+     CONSCIENCE, A LADY, BEING ENAMOURED OF A YOUNG MAN, BRINGETH
+     A GRAVE FRIAR, WITHOUT HIS MISDOUBTING HIM THEREOF, TO
+     AFFORD A MEANS OF GIVING ENTIRE EFFECT TO HER PLEASURE
+
+
+Pampinea being now silent and the daring and subtlety of the
+horsekeeper having been extolled by several of the company, as also
+the king's good sense, the queen, turning to Filomena, charged her
+follow on; whereupon she blithely began to speak thus, "I purpose to
+recount to you a cheat which was in very deed put by a fair lady upon
+a grave friar and which should be so much the more pleasing to every
+layman as these [--friars, to wit--], albeit for the most part very
+dull fools and men of strange manners and usances, hold themselves to
+be in everything both better worth and wiser than others, whereas they
+are of far less account than the rest of mankind, being men who,
+lacking, of the meanness of their spirit, the ability to provide
+themselves, take refuge, like swine, whereas they may have what to
+eat. And this story, charming ladies, I shall tell you, not only for
+the ensuing of the order imposed, but to give you to know withal that
+even the clergy, to whom we women, beyond measure credulous as we are,
+yield overmuch faith, can be and are whiles adroitly befooled, and
+that not by men only, but even by certain of our own sex.
+
+In our city, the which is fuller of cozenage than of love or faith,
+there was, not many years agone, a gentlewoman adorned with beauty and
+charms and as richly endowed by nature as any of her sex with engaging
+manners and loftiness of spirit and subtle wit, whose name albeit I
+know, I purpose not to discover it, no, nor any other that pertaineth
+unto the present story, for that there be folk yet alive who would
+take it in despite, whereas it should be passed over with a laugh.
+This lady, then, seeing herself, though of high lineage, married to a
+wool-monger and unable, for that he was a craftsman, to put off the
+haughtiness of her spirit, whereby she deemed no man of mean
+condition, how rich soever he might be, worthy of a gentlewoman and
+seeing him moreover, for all his wealth, to be apt unto nothing of
+more moment than to lay a warp for a piece of motley or let weave a
+cloth or chaffer with a spinster anent her yarn, resolved on no wise
+to admit of his embraces, save in so far as she might not deny him,
+but to seek, for her own satisfaction, to find some one who should be
+worthier of her favours than the wool-monger appeared to her to be,
+and accordingly fell so fervently in love with a man of very good
+quality and middle age, that, whenas she saw him not by day, she could
+not pass the ensuing night without unease. The gentleman, perceiving
+not how the case stood, took no heed of her, and she, being very
+circumspect, dared not make the matter known to him by sending of
+women nor by letter, fearing the possible perils that might betide.
+However, observing that he companied much with a churchman, who,
+albeit a dull lump of a fellow, was nevertheless, for that he was a
+man of very devout life, reputed of well nigh all a most worthy friar,
+she bethought herself that this latter would make an excellent
+go-between herself and her lover and having considered what means she
+should use, she repaired, at a fitting season, to the church where he
+abode, and letting call him to her, told him that, an he pleased, she
+would fain confess herself to him. The friar seeing her and judging
+her to be a woman of condition, willingly gave ear to her, and she,
+after confession, said to him, 'Father mine, it behoveth me have
+recourse to you for aid and counsel anent that which you shall hear. I
+know, as having myself told you, that you know my kinsfolk and my
+husband, who loveth me more than his life, nor is there aught I desire
+but I have it of him incontinent, he being a very rich man and one who
+can well afford it; wherefore I love him more than mine own self and
+should I but think, let alone do, aught that might be contrary to his
+honour and pleasure, there were no woman more wicked or more deserving
+of the fire than I. Now one, whose name in truth I know not, but who
+is, meseemeth, a man of condition, and is, if I mistake not, much in
+your company,--a well-favoured man and tall of his person and clad in
+very decent sad-coloured raiment,--unaware belike of the constancy of
+my purpose, appeareth to have laid siege to me, nor can I show myself
+at door or window nor go without the house, but he incontinent
+presenteth himself before me, and I marvel that he is not here now;
+whereat I am sore concerned, for that such fashions as these often
+bring virtuous women into reproach, without their fault. I have whiles
+had it in mind to have him told of this by my brothers; but then I
+have bethought me that men oftentimes do messages on such wise that
+ill answers ensue, which give rise to words and from words they come
+to deeds; wherefore, lest mischief spring therefrom and scandal, I
+have kept silence of the matter and have determined to discover it to
+yourself rather than to another, at once because meseemeth you are his
+friend and for that it beseemeth you to rebuke not only friends, but
+strangers, of such things. I beseech you, therefore, for the one God's
+sake, that you rebuke him of this and pray him leave these his
+fashions. There be women enough, who incline belike to these toys and
+would take pleasure in being dogged and courted by him, whereas to me,
+who have no manner of mind to such matters, it is a very grievous
+annoy.' So saying, she bowed her head as she would weep. The holy
+friar understood incontinent of whom she spoke and firmly believing
+what she said to be true, greatly commended her righteous intent and
+promised her to do on such wise that she should have no farther annoy
+from the person in question; and knowing her to be very rich, he
+commended to her works of charity and almsdeeds, recounting to her his
+own need. Quoth the lady, 'I beseech you thereof for God's sake, and
+should he deny, prithee scruple not to tell him that it was I who told
+you this and complained to you thereof.' Then, having made her
+confession and gotten her penance, recalling the friar's exhortations
+to works of almsgiving, she stealthily filled his hand with money,
+praying him to say masses for the souls of her dead kinsfolk; after
+which she rose from his feet and taking leave of him, returned home.
+Not long after up came the gentleman, according to his wont, and after
+they had talked awhile of one thing and another, the friar, drawing
+his friend aside, very civilly rebuked him of the manner in which, as
+he believed, he pursued and spied upon the lady aforesaid, according
+to that which she had given him to understand. The other marvelled, as
+well he might, having never set eyes upon her and being used very
+rarely to pass before her house, and would have excused himself; but
+the friar suffered him not to speak, saying, 'Now make no show of
+wonderment nor waste words in denying it, for it will avail thee
+nothing; I learnt not these matters from the neighbours; nay, she
+herself told them to me, complaining sore of thee. And besides that
+such toys beseem not a man of thine age, I may tell thee this much of
+her, that if ever I saw a woman averse to these follies, it is she;
+wherefore, for thine own credit and her comfort, I prithee desist
+therefrom and let her be in peace.' The gentleman, quicker of wit than
+the friar, was not slow to apprehend the lady's device and feigning to
+be somewhat abashed, promised to meddle no more with her
+thenceforward; then, taking leave of the friar, he betook himself to
+the house of the lady, who still abode await at a little window, so
+she might see him, should he pass that way. When she saw him come, she
+showed herself so rejoiced and so gracious to him, that he might very
+well understand that he had gathered the truth from the friar's words,
+and thenceforward, under colour of other business, he began with the
+utmost precaution to pass continually through the street, to his own
+pleasure and to the exceeding delight and solace of the lady. After
+awhile, perceiving that she pleased him even as he pleased her and
+wishful to inflame him yet more and to certify him of the love she
+bore him, she betook herself again, choosing her time and place, to
+the holy friar and seating herself at his feet in the church, fell
+a-weeping. The friar, seeing this, asked her affectionately what was
+to do with her anew. 'Alack, father mine,' answered she, 'that which
+aileth me is none other than yonder God-accursed friend of yours, of
+whom I complained to you the other day, for that methinketh he was
+born for my especial torment and to make me do a thing, such that I
+should never be glad again nor ever after dare to seat myself at your
+feet.' 'How?' cried the friar. 'Hath he not given over annoying thee?'
+'No, indeed,' answered she; 'nay, since I complained to you of him, as
+if of despite, maybe taking it ill that I should have done so, for
+every once he used to pass before my house, I verily believe he hath
+passed seven times. And would to God he were content with passing and
+spying upon me! Nay, he is grown so bold and so malapert that but
+yesterday he despatched a woman to me at home with his idle tales and
+toys and sent me a purse and a girdle, as if I had not purses and
+girdles galore; the which I took and take so ill that I believe, but
+for my having regard to the sin of it and after for the love of you, I
+had played the devil. However, I contained myself and would not do or
+say aught whereof I should not first have let you know. Nay, I had
+already returned the purse and the girdle to the baggage who brought
+them, that she might carry them back to him, and had given her a rough
+dismissal, but after, fearing she might keep them for herself and tell
+him that I had accepted them, as I hear women of her fashion do
+whiles, I called her back and took them, full of despite, from her
+hands and have brought them to you, so you may return them to him and
+tell him I want none of his trash, for that, thanks to God and my
+husband, I have purses and girdles enough to smother him withal.
+Moreover, if hereafter he desist not from this, I tell you, as a
+father, you must excuse me, but I will tell it, come what may, to my
+husband and my brothers; for I had far liefer he should brook an
+affront, if needs he must, than that I should suffer blame for him;
+wherefore let him look to himself.' So saying, still weeping sore, she
+pulled out from under her surcoat a very handsome and rich purse and a
+quaint and costly girdle and threw them into the lap of the friar,
+who, fully crediting that which she told him and incensed beyond
+measure, took them and said to her, 'Daughter, I marvel not that thou
+art provoked at these doings, nor can I blame thee therefor; but I
+much commend thee for following my counsel in the matter. I rebuked
+him the other day and he hath ill performed that which he promised me;
+wherefore, as well for that as for this that he hath newly done, I
+mean to warm his ears[158] for him after such a fashion that
+methinketh he will give thee no farther concern; but do thou, God's
+benison on thee, suffer not thyself to be so overcome with anger that
+thou tell it to any of thy folk, for that overmuch harm might ensue
+thereof unto him. Neither fear thou lest this blame anywise ensue to
+thee, for I shall still, before both God and men, be a most constant
+witness to thy virtue.' The lady made believe to be somewhat comforted
+and leaving that talk, said, as one who knew his greed and that of his
+fellow-churchmen, 'Sir, these some nights past there have appeared to
+me sundry of my kinsfolk, who ask nought but almsdeeds, and meseemeth
+they are indeed in exceeding great torment, especially my mother, who
+appeareth to me in such ill case and affliction that it is pity to
+behold. Methinketh she suffereth exceeding distress to see me in this
+tribulation with yonder enemy of God; wherefore I would have you say
+me forty masses of Saint Gregory for her and their souls, together
+with certain of your own prayers, so God may deliver them from that
+penitential fire.' So saying, she put a florin into his hand, which
+the holy father blithely received and confirming her devoutness with
+fair words and store of pious instances, gave her his benison and let
+her go. The lady being gone, the friar, never thinking how he was
+gulled, sent for his friend, who, coming and finding him troubled, at
+once divined that he was to have news of the lady and awaited what the
+friar should say. The latter repeated that which he had before said to
+him and bespeaking him anew angrily and reproachfully, rebuked him
+severely of that which, according to the lady's report, he had done.
+The gentleman, not yet perceiving the friar's drift, faintly enough
+denied having sent her the purse and the girdle, so as not to
+undeceive the friar, in case the lady should have given him to believe
+that he had done this; whereat the good man was sore incensed and
+said, 'How canst thou deny it, wicked man that thou art? See, here
+they are, for she herself brought them to me, weeping; look if thou
+knowest them.' The gentleman feigned to be sore abashed and answered,
+'Yes, I do indeed know them and I confess to you that I did ill; but I
+swear to you, since I see her thus disposed, that you shall never more
+hear a word of this.' Brief, after many words, the numskull of a friar
+gave his friend the purse and the girdle and dismissed him, after
+rating him amain and beseeching him occupy himself no more with these
+follies, the which he promised him. The gentleman, overjoyed both at
+the assurance that himseemed he had of the lady's love and at the
+goodly gift, was no sooner quit of the friar than he betook himself to
+a place where he made shift to let his mistress see that he had the
+one and the other thing; whereat she was mightily rejoiced, more by
+token that herseemed her device went from good to better. She now
+awaited nought but her husband's going abroad to give completion to
+the work, and it befell not long after that it behoved him repair to
+Genoa on some occasion or other. No sooner had he mounted to horse in
+the morning and gone his way, than the lady betook herself to the holy
+man and after many lamentations, said to him, weeping, 'Father mine,
+I tell you now plainly that I can brook no more; but, for that I
+promised you the other day to do nought, without first telling you, I
+am come to excuse myself to you; and that you may believe I have good
+reason both to weep and to complain, I will tell you what your friend,
+or rather devil incarnate, did to me this very morning, a little
+before matins. I know not what ill chance gave him to know that my
+husband was to go to Genoa yestermorn; algates, this morning, at the
+time I tell you, he came into a garden of mine and climbing up by a
+tree to the window of my bedchamber, which giveth upon the garden, had
+already opened the lattice and was for entering, when I of a sudden
+awoke and starting up, offered to cry out, nay, would assuredly have
+cried out, but that he, who was not yet within, besought me of mercy
+in God's name and yours, telling me who he was; which when I heard, I
+held my peace for the love of you and naked as I was born, ran and
+shut the window in his face; whereupon I suppose he took himself off
+(ill-luck go with him!), for I heard no more of him. Look you now if
+this be a goodly thing and to be endured. For my part I mean to bear
+with him no more; nay, I have already forborne him overmuch for the
+love of you.' The friar, hearing this, was the wrathfullest man alive
+and knew not what to say, except to ask again and again if she had
+well certified herself that it was indeed he and not another; to which
+she answered, 'Praised be God! As if I did not yet know him from
+another! I tell you it was himself, and although he should deny it,
+credit him not.' Then said the friar, 'Daughter, there is nothing to
+be said for it but that this was exceeding effrontery and a thing
+exceeding ill done, and in sending him off, as thou didst, thou didst
+that which it behoved thee to do. But I beseech thee, since God hath
+preserved thee from shame, that, like as thou hast twice followed my
+counsel, even so do thou yet this once; to wit, without complaining to
+any kinsman of thine, leave it to me to see an I can bridle yonder
+devil broke loose, whom I believed a saint. If I can make shift to
+turn him from this lewdness, well and good; if not, I give thee leave
+henceforth to do with him that which thy soul shall judge best, and my
+benison go with thee.' 'Well, then,' answered the lady, 'for this once
+I will well not to vex or disobey you; but look you do on such wise
+that he be ware of annoying me again, for I promise you I will never
+again return to you for this cause.' Thereupon, without saying more,
+she took leave of the friar and went away, as if in anger. Hardly was
+she out of the church when up came the gentleman and was called by the
+friar, who, taking him apart, gave him the soundest rating ever man
+had, calling him disloyal and forsworn and traitor. The other, who had
+already twice had occasion to know to what the monk's reprimands
+amounted, abode expectant and studied with embarrassed answers to make
+him speak out, saying, at the first, 'Why all this passion, Sir? Have
+I crucified Christ?' Whereupon, 'Mark this shameless fellow!' cried
+the friar. 'Hear what he saith! He speaketh as if a year or two were
+passed and he had for lapse of time forgotten his misdeeds and his
+lewdness! Hath it then escaped thy mind between this and matinsong
+that thou hast outraged some one this very morning? Where wast thou
+this morning a little before day?' 'I know not,' answered the
+gentleman; 'but wherever it was, the news thereof hath reached you
+mighty early.' Quoth the friar, 'Certes, the news hath reached me.
+Doubtless thou supposedst because her husband was abroad, that needs
+must the gentlewoman receive thee incontinent in her arms. A fine
+thing, indeed! Here's a pretty fellow! Here's an honourable man! He's
+grown a nighthawk, a garden-breaker, a tree-climber! Thinkest thou by
+importunity to overcome this lady's chastity, that thou climbest up to
+her windows anights by the trees? There is nought in the world so
+displeasing to her as thou; yet must thou e'en go essaying it again
+and again. Truly, thou hast profited finely by my admonitions, let
+alone that she hath shown thee her aversion in many ways. But this I
+have to say to thee; she hath up to now, not for any love she beareth
+thee, but at my instant entreaty, kept silence of that which thou hast
+done; but she will do so no more; I have given her leave to do what
+seemeth good to her, an thou annoy her again in aught. What wilt thou
+do, an she tell her brothers?' The gentleman having now gathered
+enough of that which it concerned him to know, appeased the friar, as
+best he knew and might, with many and ample promises, and taking leave
+of him, waited till matinsong[159] of the ensuing night, when he made
+his way into the garden and climbed up by the tree to the window. He
+found the lattice open and entering the chamber as quickliest he
+might, threw himself into the arms of his fair mistress, who, having
+awaited him with the utmost impatience, received him joyfully, saying,
+'Gramercy to my lord the friar for that he so well taught thee the way
+hither!' Then, taking their pleasure one of the other, they solaced
+themselves together with great delight, devising and laughing amain
+anent the simplicity of the dolt of a friar and gibing at wool-hanks
+and teasels and carding-combs. Moreover, having taken order for their
+future converse, they did on such wise that, without having to resort
+anew to my lord the friar, they foregathered in equal joyance many
+another night, to the like whereof I pray God, of His holy mercy,
+speedily to conduct me and all Christian souls who have a mind
+thereto."
+
+[Footnote 158: Lit. (_riscaldare gli orecchi_).]
+
+[Footnote 159: _i.e._ three a.m. next morning.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     DOM FELICE TEACHETH FRA PUCCIO HOW HE MAY BECOME BEATIFIED
+     BY PERFORMING A CERTAIN PENANCE OF HIS FASHION, WHICH THE
+     OTHER DOTH, AND DOM FELICE MEANWHILE LEADETH A MERRY LIFE OF
+     IT WITH THE GOOD MAN'S WIFE
+
+
+Filomena, having made an end of her story, was silent and Dioneo
+having with dulcet speech mightily commended the lady's shrewdness and
+eke the prayer with which Filomena had concluded, the queen turned
+with a smile to Pamfilo and said, "Come, Pamfilo, continue our
+diversion with some pleasant trifle." Pamfilo promptly answered that
+he would well and began thus: "Madam, there are many persons who, what
+while they study to enter Paradise, unwittingly send others thither;
+the which happened, no great while since, to a neighbour of ours, as
+you shall hear.
+
+According to that which I have heard tell, there abode near San
+Pancrazio an honest man and a rich, called Puccio di Rinieri, who,
+devoting himself in his latter days altogether to religious practices,
+became a tertiary[160] of the order of St. Francis, whence he was
+styled Fra Puccio, and ensuing this his devout life, much frequented
+the church, for that he had no family other than a wife and one maid
+and consequently, it behoved him not apply himself to any craft. Being
+an ignorant, clod-pated fellow, he said his paternosters, went to
+preachments and attended mass, nor ever failed to be at the Lauds
+chanted by the seculars,[161] and fasted and mortified himself; nay,
+it was buzzed about that he was of the Flagellants.[162] His wife,
+whose name was Mistress Isabetta,[163] a woman, yet young, of
+eight-and-twenty to thirty years of age, fresh and fair and plump as a
+lady-apple, kept, by reason of the piety and belike of the age of her
+husband, much longer and more frequent fasts than she could have
+wished, and when she would have slept or maybe frolicked with him, he
+recounted to her the life of Christ and the preachments of Fra
+Nastagio or the Complaint of Mary Magdalene or the like. Meantime
+there returned home from Paris a monk hight Dom[164] Felice,
+Conventual[165] of San Pancrazio, who was young and comely enough of
+person, keen of wit and a profound scholar, and with him Fra Puccio
+contracted a strait friendship. And for that this Dom Felice right
+well resolved him his every doubt and knowing his pious turn of mind,
+made him a show of exceeding devoutness, Fra Puccio fell to carrying
+him home bytimes and giving him to dine and sup, as the occasion
+offered; and the lady also, for her husband's sake, became familiar
+with him and willingly did him honour. The monk, then, continuing to
+frequent Fra Puccio's house and seeing the latter's wife so fresh and
+plump, guessed what should be the thing whereof she suffered the most
+default and bethought himself, an he might, to go about to furnish her
+withal himself, and so spare Fra Puccio fatigue. Accordingly, craftily
+casting his eyes on her, at one time and another, he made shift to
+kindle in her breast that same desire which he had himself, which when
+he saw, he bespoke her of his wishes as first occasion betided him.
+But, albeit he found her well disposed to give effect to the work, he
+could find no means thereunto, for that she would on nowise trust
+herself to be with him in any place in the world save her own house,
+and there it might not be, seeing that Fra Puccio never went without
+the town. At this the monk was sore chagrined; but, after much
+consideration, he hit upon a device whereby he might avail to
+foregather with the lady in her own house, without suspect, for all
+Fra Puccio should be at home. Accordingly, the latter coming one day
+to visit him, he bespoke him thus, 'I have many a time understood, Fra
+Puccio, that all thy desire is to become a saint and to this end
+meseemeth thou goest about by a long road, whereas there is another
+and a very short one, which the Pope and the other great prelates, who
+know and practise it, will not have made known, for that the clergy,
+who for the most part live by alms, would incontinent be undone,
+inasmuch as the laity would no longer trouble themselves to propitiate
+them with alms or otherwhat. But, for that thou art my friend and hast
+very honourably entertained me, I would teach it thee, so I were
+assured thou wouldst practise it and wouldst not discover it to any
+living soul.' Fra Puccio, eager to know the thing, began straightway
+to entreat him with the utmost instancy that he would teach it him and
+then to swear that never, save in so far as it should please him,
+would he tell it to any, engaging, an if it were such as he might
+avail to follow, to address himself thereunto. Whereupon quoth the
+monk, 'Since thou promisest me this, I will e'en discover it to thee.
+Thou must know that the doctors of the church hold that it behoveth
+whoso would become blessed to perform the penance which thou shalt
+hear; but understand me aright; I do not say that, after the penance,
+thou wilt not be a sinner like as thou presently art; but this will
+betide, that the sins which thou hast committed up to the time of the
+penance will all by virtue thereof be purged and pardoned unto thee,
+and those which thou shalt commit thereafterward will not be written
+to thy prejudice, but will pass away with the holy water, as venial
+sins do now. It behoveth a man, then, in the first place, whenas he
+cometh to begin the penance, to confess himself with the utmost
+diligence of his sins, and after this he must keep a fast and a very
+strict abstinence for the space of forty days, during which time
+thou[166] must abstain from touching, not to say other women, but even
+thine own wife. Moreover, thou must have in thine own house some place
+whence thou mayst see the sky by night, whither thou must betake
+thyself towards the hour of complines,[167] and there thou must have a
+wide plank set up, on such wise that, standing upright, thou mayst
+lean thy loins against it and keeping thy feet on the ground, stretch
+out thine arms, crucifix fashion. An thou wouldst rest them upon some
+peg or other, thou mayst do it, and on this wise thou must abide
+gazing upon the sky, without budging a jot, till matins. Wert thou a
+scholar, thou wouldst do well to repeat certain orisons I would give
+thee; but, as thou art it not, thou must say three hundred
+Paternosters and as many Ave Marys, in honour of the Trinity, and
+looking upon heaven, still have in remembrance that God is the Creator
+of heaven and earth and the passion of Christ, abiding on such wise as
+He abode on the cross. When the bell ringeth to matins, thou mayst, an
+thou wilt, go and cast thyself, clad as thou art, on thy bed and
+sleep, and after, in the forenoon, betake thyself to church and there
+hear at least three masses and repeat fifty Paternosters and as many
+Aves; after which thou shalt with a single heart do all and sundry
+thine occasions, if thou have any to do, and dine and at evensong be
+in church again and there say certain orisons which I will give thee
+by writ and without which it cannot be done. Then, towards complines,
+do thou return to the fashion aforesaid, and thus doing, even as I
+have myself done aforetime, I doubt not but, ere thou come to the end
+of the penance, thou wilt, (provided thou shalt have performed it with
+devoutness and compunction,) feel somewhat marvellous of eternal
+beatitude.' Quoth Fra Puccio, 'This is no very burdensome matter, nor
+yet overlong, and may very well be done; wherefore I purpose in God's
+name to begin on Sunday.' Then, taking leave of him and returning
+home, he related everything in due order to his wife, having the
+other's permission therefor. The lady understood very well what the
+monk meant by bidding him stand fast without stirring till matins;
+wherefore, the device seeming to her excellent, she replied that she
+was well pleased therewith and with every other good work that he did
+for the health of his soul and that, so God might make the penance
+profitable to him, she would e'en fast with him, but do no more. They
+being thus of accord and Sunday come, Fra Puccio began his penance and
+my lord monk, having agreed with the lady, came most evenings to sup
+with her, bringing with him store of good things to eat and drink, and
+after lay with her till matinsong, when he arose and took himself off,
+whilst Fra Puccio returned to bed. Now the place which Fra Puccio had
+chosen for his penance adjoined the chamber where the lady lay and was
+parted therefrom but by a very slight wall, wherefore, Master Monk
+wantoning it one night overfreely with the lady and she with him, it
+seemed to Fra Puccio that he felt a shaking of the floor of the house.
+Accordingly, having by this said an hundred of his Paternosters, he
+made a stop there and without moving, called to his wife to know what
+she did. The lady, who was of a waggish turn and was then belike
+astride of San Benedetto his beast or that of San Giovanni Gualberto,
+answered, 'I' faith, husband mine, I toss as most I may.' 'How?'
+quoth Fra Puccio. 'Thou tossest? What meaneth this tossing?' The lady,
+laughing, for that she was a frolicsome dame and doubtless had cause
+to laugh, answered merrily; 'How? You know not what it meaneth? Why, I
+have heard you say a thousand times, "Who suppeth not by night must
+toss till morning light."' Fra Puccio doubted not but that the fasting
+was the cause of her unableness to sleep and it was for this she
+tossed thus about the bed; wherefore, in the simplicity of his heart,
+'Wife,' said he, 'I told thee not to fast; but, since thou wouldst
+e'en do it, think not of that, but address thyself to rest; thou
+givest such vaults about the bed that thou makest all in the place
+shake.' 'Have no care for that,' answered the lady; 'I know what I am
+about; do you but well, you, and I will do as well as I may.' Fra
+Puccio, accordingly, held his peace and betook himself anew to his
+Paternosters; and after that night my lord monk and the lady let make
+a bed in another part of the house, wherein they abode in the utmost
+joyance what while Fra Puccio's penance lasted. At one and the same
+hour the monk took himself off and the lady returned to her own bed,
+whereto a little after came Fra Puccio from his penance; and on this
+wise the latter continued to do penance, whilst his wife did her
+delight with the monk, to whom quoth she merrily, now and again, 'Thou
+hast put Fra Puccio upon performing a penance, whereby we have gotten
+Paradise.' Indeed, the lady, finding herself in good case, took such a
+liking to the monk's fare, having been long kept on low diet by her
+husband, that, whenas Fra Puccio's penance was accomplished, she still
+found means to feed her fill with him elsewhere and using discretion,
+long took her pleasure thereof. Thus, then, that my last words may not
+be out of accord with my first, it came to pass that, whereas Fra
+Puccio, by doing penance, thought to win Paradise for himself, he put
+therein the monk, who had shown him the speedy way thither, and his
+wife, who lived with him in great lack of that whereof Dom Felice,
+like a charitable man as he was, vouchsafed her great plenty."
+
+[Footnote 160: _i.e._ a lay brother or affiliate.]
+
+[Footnote 161: _i.e._ the canticles of praise chanted by certain lay
+confraternities, established for that purpose and answering to our
+prae-Reformation Laudsingers.]
+
+[Footnote 162: An order of lay penitents, who were wont at certain
+times to go masked about the streets, scourging themselves in
+expiation of the sins of the people. This expiatory practice was
+particularly prevalent in Italy in the middle of the thirteenth
+century.]
+
+[Footnote 163: Contraction of Elisabetta.]
+
+[Footnote 164: _Dom_, contraction of Dominus (lord), the title
+commonly given to the beneficed clergy in the middle ages, answering
+to our _Sir_ as used by Shakespeare (_e.g._ Sir Hugh Evans the Welsh
+Parson, Sir Topas the Curate, etc.). The expression survives in the
+title _Dominie_ (_i.e._ Domine, voc. of Dominus) still familiarly
+applied to schoolmasters, who were of course originally invariably
+clergymen.]
+
+[Footnote 165: A Conventual is a member of some monastic order
+attached to the regular service of a church, or (as would nowadays be
+said) a "beneficed" monk.]
+
+[Footnote 166: _Sic._ This confusion of persons constantly occurs in
+Boccaccio, especially in the conversational parts of the Decameron, in
+which he makes the freest use of the various forms of enallage and of
+other rhetorical figures, such as hyperbaton, synecdoche, etc., to the
+no small detriment of his style in the matter of clearness.]
+
+[Footnote 167: _i.e._ nine o'clock p.m.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     RICCIARDO, SURNAMED IL ZIMA, GIVETH MESSER FRANCESCO
+     VERGELLESI A PALFREY OF HIS AND HATH THEREFOR HIS LEAVE TO
+     SPEAK WITH HIS WIFE. SHE KEEPING SILENCE, HE IN HER PERSON
+     REPLIETH UNTO HIMSELF, AND THE EFFECT AFTER ENSUETH IN
+     ACCORDANCE WITH HIS ANSWER
+
+
+Pamfilo having made an end, not without laughter on the part of the
+ladies, of the story of Fra Puccio, the queen with a commanding air
+bade Elisa follow on. She, rather tartly than otherwise, not out of
+malice, but of old habit, began to speak thus, "Many folk, knowing
+much, imagine that others know nothing, and so ofttimes, what while
+they think to overreach others, find, after the event, that they
+themselves have been outwitted of them; wherefore I hold his folly
+great who setteth himself without occasion to test the strength of
+another's wit. But, for that maybe all are not of my opinion, it
+pleaseth me, whilst following on the given order of the discourse, to
+relate to you that which befell a Pistolese gentleman[168] by reason
+thereof.
+
+[Footnote 168: _i.e._ a gentleman of Pistoia.]
+
+There was in Pistoia a gentleman of the Vergellesi family, by name
+Messer Francesco, a man of great wealth and understanding and well
+advised in all else, but covetous beyond measure. Being made provost
+of Milan, he had furnished himself with everything necessary for his
+honourable going thither, except only with a palfrey handsome enough
+for him, and finding none to his liking, he abode in concern thereof.
+Now there was then in the same town a young man called Ricciardo, of
+little family, but very rich, who still went so quaintly clad and so
+brave of his person that he was commonly known as Il Zima,[169] and he
+had long in vain loved and courted Messer Francesco's wife, who was
+exceeding fair and very virtuous. Now he had one of the handsomest
+palfreys in all Tuscany and set great store by it for its beauty and
+it being public to every one that he was enamoured of Messer
+Francesco's wife, there were those who told the latter that, should he
+ask it, he might have the horse for the love Il Zima bore his lady.
+Accordingly, moved by covetise, Messer Francesco let call Il Zima to
+him and sought of him his palfrey by way of sale, so he should proffer
+it to him as a gift. The other, hearing this, was well pleased and
+made answer to him, saying, "Sir, though you gave me all you have in
+the world, you might not avail to have my palfrey by way of sale, but
+by way of gift you may have it, whenas it pleaseth you, on condition
+that, ere you take it, I may have leave to speak some words with your
+lady in your presence, but so far removed from every one that I may be
+heard of none other than herself.' The gentleman, urged by avarice and
+looking to outwit the other, answered that it liked him well and [that
+he might speak with her] as much as he would; then, leaving him in the
+saloon of his palace, he betook himself to the lady's chamber and
+telling her how easily he might acquire the palfrey, bade her come
+hearken to Il Zima, but charged her take good care to answer neither
+little or much to aught that he should say. To this the lady much
+demurred, but, it behoving her ensue her husband's pleasure, she
+promised to do his bidding and followed him to the saloon, to hear
+what Il Zima should say. The latter, having renewed his covenant with
+the gentleman, seated himself with the lady in a part of the saloon at
+a great distance from every one and began to say thus, 'Noble lady,
+meseemeth certain that you have too much wit not to have long since
+perceived how great a love I have been brought to bear you by your
+beauty, which far transcendeth that of any woman whom methinketh I
+ever beheld, to say nothing of the engaging manners and the peerless
+virtues which be in you and which might well avail to take the
+loftiest spirits of mankind; wherefore it were needless to declare to
+you in words that this [my love] is the greatest and most fervent that
+ever man bore woman; and thus, without fail, will I do[170] so long as
+my wretched life shall sustain these limbs, nay, longer; for that, if
+in the other world folk love as they do here below, I shall love you
+to all eternity. Wherefore you may rest assured that you have nothing,
+be it much or little worth, that you may hold so wholly yours and
+whereon you may in every wise so surely reckon as myself, such as I
+am, and that likewise which is mine. And that of this you may take
+assurance by very certain argument, I tell you that I should count
+myself more graced, did you command me somewhat that I might do and
+that would pleasure you, than if, I commanding, all the world should
+promptliest obey me. Since, then, I am yours, even as you have heard,
+it is not without reason that I dare to offer up my prayers to your
+nobility, wherefrom alone can all peace, all health and all well-being
+derive for me, and no otherwhence; yea, as the humblest of your
+servants, I beseech you, dear my good and only hope of my soul, which,
+midmost the fire of love, feedeth upon its hope in you,--that your
+benignity may be so great and your past rigour shown unto me, who am
+yours, on such wise be mollified that I, recomforted by your kindness,
+may say that, like as by your beauty I was stricken with love, even so
+by your pity have I life, which latter, an your haughty soul incline
+not to my prayers, will without fail come to nought and I shall perish
+and you may be said to be my murderer. Letting be that my death will
+do you no honour, I doubt not eke but that, conscience bytimes
+pricking you therefor, you will regret having wrought it[171] and
+whiles, better disposed, will say in yourself, "Alack, how ill I did
+not to have compassion upon my poor Zima!" and this repentance, being
+of no avail, will cause you the great annoy. Wherefore, so this may
+not betide, now that you have it in your power to succour me, bethink
+yourself and ere I die, be moved to pity on me, for that with you
+alone it resteth to make me the happiest or the most miserable man
+alive. I trust your courtesy will be such that you will not suffer me
+to receive death in guerdon of such and so great a love, but will with
+a glad response and full of favour quicken my fainting spirits, which
+flutter, all dismayed, in your presence.' Therewith he held his peace
+and heaving the deepest of sighs, followed up with sundry tears,
+proceeded to await the lady's answer. The latter,--whom the long court
+he had paid her, the joustings held and the serenades given in her
+honour and other like things done of him for the love of her had not
+availed to move,--was moved by the passionate speech of this most
+ardent lover and began to be sensible of that which she had never yet
+felt, to wit, what manner of thing love was; and albeit, in ensuance
+of the commandment laid upon her by her husband, she kept silence, she
+could not withal hinder sundry gentle sighs from discovering that
+which, in answer to Il Zima, she would gladly have made manifest. Il
+Zima, having waited awhile and seeing that no response ensued, was
+wondered and presently began to divine the husband's device; but yet,
+looking her in the face and observing certain flashes of her eyes
+towards him now and again and noting, moreover, the sighs which she
+suffered not to escape her bosom with all her strength, conceived
+fresh hope and heartened thereby, took new counsel[172] and proceeded
+to answer himself after the following fashion, she hearkening the
+while: 'Zima mine, this long time, in good sooth, have I perceived thy
+love for me to be most great and perfect, and now by thy words I know
+it yet better and am well pleased therewith, as indeed I should be.
+Algates, an I have seemed to thee harsh and cruel, I will not have
+thee believe that I have at heart been that which I have shown myself
+in countenance; nay, I have ever loved thee and held thee dear above
+all other men; but thus hath it behoved me do, both for fear of others
+and for the preserving of my fair fame. But now is the time at hand
+when I may show thee clearly that I love thee and guerdon thee of the
+love that thou hast borne and bearest me. Take comfort, therefore, and
+be of good hope, for that a few days hence Messer Francesco is to go
+to Milan for provost, as indeed thou knowest, who hast for the love of
+me given him thy goodly palfrey; and whenas he shall be gone, I
+promise thee by my troth and of the true love I bear thee, that,
+before many days, thou shalt without fail foregather with me and we
+will give gladsome and entire accomplishment to our love. And that I
+may not have to bespeak thee otherwhiles of the matter, I tell thee
+presently that, whenas thou shalt see two napkins displayed at the
+window of my chamber, which giveth upon our garden, do thou that same
+evening at nightfall make shift to come to me by the garden door,
+taking good care that thou be not seen. Thou wilt find me awaiting
+thee and we will all night long have delight and pleasance one of
+another, to our hearts' content.' Having thus spoken for the lady, he
+began again to speak in his own person and rejoined on this wise,
+'Dearest lady, my every sense is so transported with excessive joy for
+your gracious reply that I can scarce avail to make response, much
+less to render you due thanks; nay, could I e'en speak as I desire,
+there is no term so long that it might suffice me fully to thank you
+as I would fain do and as it behoveth me; wherefore I leave it to your
+discreet consideration to imagine that which, for all my will, I am
+unable to express in words. This much only I tell you that I will
+without fail bethink myself to do as you have charged me, and being
+then, peradventure, better certified of so great a grace as that which
+you have vouchsafed me, I will, as best I may, study to render you the
+utmost thanks in my power. For the nonce there abideth no more to say;
+wherefore, dearest lady mine, God give you that gladness and that weal
+which you most desire, and so to Him I commend you.' For all this the
+lady said not a word; whereupon Il Zima arose and turned towards the
+husband, who, seeing him risen, came up to him and said, laughing 'How
+deemest thou? Have I well performed my promise to thee?' 'Nay, sir'
+answered Il Zima; 'for you promised to let me speak with your lady and
+you have caused me speak with a marble statue.' These words were
+mighty pleasing to the husband, who, for all he had a good opinion of
+the lady, conceived of her a yet better and said, 'Now is thy palfrey
+fairly mine.' 'Ay is it, sir,' replied Il Zima, 'but, had I thought to
+reap of this favour received of you such fruit as I have gotten, I had
+given you the palfrey, without asking it[173] of you; and would God I
+had done it, for that now you have bought the palfrey and I have not
+sold it.' The other laughed at this and being now provided with a
+palfrey, set out upon his way a few days after and betook himself to
+Milan, to enter upon the Provostship. The lady, left free in her
+house, called to mind Il Zima's words and the love he bore her and the
+palfrey given for her sake and seeing him pass often by the house,
+said in herself, 'What do I? Why waste I my youth? Yonder man is gone
+to Milan and will not return these six months. When will he ever
+render me them[174] again? When I am old? Moreover, when shall I ever
+find such a lover as Il Zima? I am alone and have no one to fear. I
+know not why I should not take this good opportunity what while I may;
+I shall not always have such leisure as I presently have. None will
+know the thing, and even were it to be known, it is better to do and
+repent, than to abstain and repent.' Having thus taken counsel with
+herself, she one day set two napkins in the garden window, even as Il
+Zima had said, which when he saw, he was greatly rejoiced and no
+sooner was the night come than he betook himself, secretly and alone,
+to the gate of the lady's garden and finding it open, passed on to
+another door that opened into the house, where he found his mistress
+awaiting him. She, seeing him come, started up to meet him and
+received him with the utmost joy, whilst he clipped and kissed her an
+hundred thousand times and followed her up the stair to her chamber,
+where, getting them to bed without a moment's delay, they knew the
+utmost term of amorous delight. Nor was this first time the last, for
+that, what while the gentleman abode at Milan and even after his
+coming back, Il Zima returned thither many another time, to the
+exceeding satisfaction of both parties."
+
+[Footnote 169: Lit. "The summit," or in modern slang "The tiptop,"
+_i.e._ the pink of fashion.]
+
+[Footnote 170: _i.e._ this love shall I bear you. This is a flagrant
+instance of the misuse of ellipsis, which so frequently disfigures
+Boccaccio's dialogue.]
+
+[Footnote 171: _i.e._ my death.]
+
+[Footnote 172: Syn. a rare or strange means (_nuovo consiglio_). The
+word _nuovo_ is constantly used by Boccaccio in the latter sense, as
+is _consiglio_ in its remoter signification of means, remedy, etc.]
+
+[Footnote 173: _i.e._ the favour.]
+
+[Footnote 174: _i.e._ the lost six months.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     RICCIARDO MINUTOLO, BEING ENAMOURED OF THE WIFE OF
+     FILIPPELLO FIGHINOLFI AND KNOWING HER JEALOUSY OF HER
+     HUSBAND, CONTRIVETH, BY REPRESENTING THAT FILIPPELLO WAS ON
+     THE ENSUING DAY TO BE WITH HIS OWN WIFE IN A BAGNIO, TO
+     BRING HER TO THE LATTER PLACE, WHERE, THINKING TO BE WITH
+     HER HUSBAND, SHE FINDETH THAT SHE HATH ABIDDEN WITH
+     RICCIARDO
+
+
+Elisa having no more to say, the queen, after commending the sagacity
+of Il Zima, bade Fiammetta proceed with a story, who answered, all
+smilingly, "Willingly, Madam," and began thus: "It behoveth somedele
+to depart our city (which, like as it aboundeth in all things else, is
+fruitful in instances of every subject) and as Elisa hath done, to
+recount somewhat of the things that have befallen in other parts of
+the world; wherefore, passing over to Naples, I shall tell how one of
+those she-saints, who feign themselves so shy of love, was by the
+ingenuity of a lover of hers brought to taste the fruits of love, ere
+she had known its flowers; the which will at once teach you
+circumspection in the things that may hap and afford you diversion of
+those already befallen.
+
+In Naples, a very ancient city and as delightful as any in Italy or
+maybe more so, there was once a young man, illustrious for nobility of
+blood and noted for his much wealth, whose name was Ricciardo
+Minutolo. Albeit he had to wife a very fair and lovesome young lady,
+he fell in love with one who, according to general opinion, far
+overpassed in beauty all the other ladies of Naples. Her name was
+Catella and she was the wife of another young gentleman of like
+condition, hight Filippello Fighinolfi, whom, like a very virtuous
+woman as she was, she loved and cherished over all. Ricciardo, then,
+loving this Catella and doing all those things whereby the love and
+favour of a lady are commonly to be won, yet for all that availing not
+to compass aught of his desire, was like to despair; and unknowing or
+unable to rid him of his passion, he neither knew how to die nor did
+it profit him to live.
+
+Abiding in this mind, it befell that he was one day urgently exhorted
+by certain ladies of his kinsfolk to renounce this passion of his,
+seeing he did but weary himself in vain, for that Catella had none
+other good than Filippello, of whom she lived in such jealousy that
+she fancied every bird that flew through the air would take him from
+her. Ricciardo, hearing of Catella's jealousy, forthright bethought
+himself how he might compass his wishes and accordingly proceeded to
+feign himself in despair of her love and to have therefore set his
+mind upon another lady, for whose love he began to make a show of
+jousting and tourneying and doing all those things which he had been
+used to do for Catella; nor did he do this long before well nigh all
+the Neapolitans, and among the rest the lady herself, were persuaded
+that he no longer loved Catella, but was ardently enamoured of this
+second lady; and on this wise he persisted until it was so firmly
+believed not only of others, but of Catella herself, that the latter
+laid aside a certain reserve with which she was wont to entreat him,
+by reason of the love he bore her, and coming and going, saluted him
+familiarly, neighbourwise, as she did others.
+
+It presently befell that, the weather being warm, many companies of
+ladies and gentlemen went, according to the usance of the Neapolitans,
+to divert themselves on the banks of the sea and there to dine and
+sup, and Ricciardo, knowing Catella to be gone thither with her
+company, betook himself to the same place with his friends and was
+received into Catella's party of ladies, after allowing himself to be
+much pressed, as if he had no great mind to abide there. The ladies
+and Catella fell to rallying him upon his new love, and he, feigning
+himself sore inflamed therewith, gave them the more occasion for
+discourse. Presently, one lady going hither and thither, as commonly
+happeneth in such places, and Catella being left with a few whereas
+Ricciardo was, the latter cast at her a hint of a certain amour of
+Filippello her husband, whereupon she fell into a sudden passion of
+jealousy and began to be inwardly all afire with impatience to know
+what he meant. At last, having contained herself awhile and being
+unable to hold out longer, she besought Ricciardo, for that lady's
+sake whom he most loved, to be pleased to make her clear[175] of that
+which he had said of Filippello; whereupon quoth he, 'You conjure me
+by such a person that I dare not deny aught you ask me; wherefore I am
+ready to tell it you, so but you promise me that you will never say a
+word thereof either to him or to any other, save whenas you shall by
+experience have seen that which I shall tell you to be true; for that,
+when you please, I will teach you how you may see it.'
+
+[Footnote 175: Or, in modern parlance, to enlighten her.]
+
+The lady consented to that which he asked and swore to him never to
+repeat that which he should tell her, believing it the more to be
+true. Then, withdrawing apart with her, so they might not be overheard
+of any, he proceeded to say thus: 'Madam, an I loved you as once I
+loved, I should not dare tell you aught which I thought might vex you;
+but, since that love is passed away, I shall be less chary of
+discovering to you the whole truth. I know not if Filippello have ever
+taken umbrage at the love I bore you or have believed that I was ever
+loved of you. Be this as it may, he hath never personally shown me
+aught thereof; but now, having peradventure awaited a time whenas he
+deemed I should be less suspicious, it seemeth he would fain do unto
+me that which I misdoubt me he feareth I have done unto him, to wit,
+[he seeketh] to have my wife at his pleasure. As I find, he hath for
+some little time past secretly solicited her with sundry messages, all
+of which I have known from herself, and she hath made answer thereunto
+according as I have enjoined her. This very day, however, ere I came
+hither, I found in the house, in close conference with my wife, a
+woman whom I set down incontinent for that which she was, wherefore I
+called my wife and asked her what the woman wanted. Quoth she, "She is
+the agent of Filippello, with whom thou hast saddled me, by dint of
+making me answer him and give him hopes, and she saith that he will
+e'en know once for all what I mean to do and that, an I will, he
+would contrive for me to be privily at a bagnio in this city; nay, of
+this he prayeth and importuneth me; and hadst thou not, I know not
+why, caused me keep this traffic with him, I would have rid myself of
+him after such a fashion that he should never more have looked whereas
+I might be." Thereupon meseemed this was going too far and that it was
+no longer to be borne; and I bethought myself to tell it to you, so
+you might know how he requiteth that entire fidelity of yours, whereby
+aforetime I was nigh upon death. And so you shall not believe this
+that I tell you to be words and fables, but may, whenas you have a
+mind thereto, openly both see and touch it, I caused my wife make this
+answer to her who awaited it, that she was ready to be at the bagnio
+in question to-morrow at none, whenas the folk sleep; with which the
+woman took leave of her, very well pleased. Now methinketh not you
+believe that I will send my wife thither; but, were I in your place, I
+would contrive that he should find me there in the room of her he
+thinketh to meet, and whenas I had abidden with him awhile, I would
+give him to know with whom he had been and render him such honour
+thereof as should beseem him; by which means methinketh you would do
+him such a shame that the affront he would fain put upon yourself and
+upon me would at one blow be avenged.'
+
+Catella, hearing this, without anywise considering who it was that
+said it to her or suspecting his design, forthright, after the wont of
+jealous folk, gave credence to his words and fell a-fitting to his
+story certain things that had already befallen; then, fired with
+sudden anger, she answered that she would certainly do as he
+counselled,--it was no such great matter,--and that assuredly, if
+Filippello came thither, she would do him such a shame that it should
+still recur to his mind, as often as he saw a woman. Ricciardo, well
+pleased at this and himseeming his device was a good one and in a fair
+way of success, confirmed her in her purpose with many other words and
+strengthened her belief in his story, praying her, natheless, never to
+say that she had heard it from him, the which she promised him on her
+troth.
+
+Next morning, Ricciardo betook himself to a good woman, who kept the
+bagnio he had named to Catella, and telling her what he purposed to
+do, prayed her to further him therein as most she might. The good
+woman, who was much beholden to him, answered that she would well and
+agreed with him what she should do and say. Now in the house where the
+bagnio was she had a very dark chamber, for that no window gave
+thereon by which the light might enter. This chamber she made ready
+and spread a bed there, as best she might, wherein Ricciardo, as soon
+as he had dined, laid himself and proceeded to await Catella. The
+latter, having heard Ricciardo's words and giving more credence
+thereto than behoved her, returned in the evening, full of despite, to
+her house, whither Filippello also returned and being by chance full
+of other thought, maybe did not show her his usual fondness. When she
+saw this, her suspicions rose yet higher and she said in herself,
+'Forsooth, his mind is occupied with yonder lady with whom he thinketh
+to take his pleasure to-morrow; but of a surety this shall not come to
+pass.' An in this thought she abode well nigh all that night,
+considering how she should bespeak him, whenas she should be with him
+[in the bagnio].
+
+What more [need I say?] The hour of none come, she took her
+waiting-woman and without anywise changing counsel, repaired to the
+bagnio that Ricciardo had named to her, and there finding the good
+woman, asked her if Filippello had been there that day, whereupon
+quoth the other, who had been duly lessoned by Ricciardo, 'Are you the
+lady that should come to speak with him?' 'Ay am I,' answered Catella.
+'Then,' said the woman, 'get you in to him.' Catella, who went seeking
+that which she would fain not have found, caused herself to be brought
+to the chamber where Ricciardo was and entering with covered head,
+locked herself in. Ricciardo, seeing her enter, rose joyfully to his
+feet and catching her in his arms, said softly, 'Welcome, my soul!'
+Whilst she, the better to feign herself other than she was, clipped
+him and kissed him and made much of him, without saying a word,
+fearing to be known of him if she should speak. The chamber was very
+dark, wherewith each of them was well pleased, nor for long abiding
+there did the eyes recover more power. Ricciardo carried her to the
+bed and there, without speaking, lest their voices should betray them,
+they abode a long while, to the greater delight and pleasance of the
+one party than the other.
+
+But presently, it seeming to Catella time to vent the resentment she
+felt, she began, all afire with rage and despite, to speak thus,
+'Alas, how wretched is women's lot and how ill bestowed the love that
+many of them bear their husbands! I, unhappy that I am, these eight
+years have I loved thee more than my life, and thou, as I have felt,
+art all afire and all consumed with love of a strange woman, wicked
+and perverse man that thou art! Now with whom thinkest thou to have
+been? Thou hast been with her whom thou hast too long beguiled with
+thy false blandishments, making a show of love to her and being
+enamoured elsewhere. I am Catella, not Ricciardo's wife, disloyal
+traitor that thou art! Hearken if thou know my voice; it is indeed I;
+and it seemeth to me a thousand years till we be in the light, so I
+may shame thee as thou deservest, scurvy discredited cur that thou
+art! Alack, woe is me! To whom have I borne so much love these many
+years? To this disloyal dog, who, thinking to have a strange woman in
+his arms, hath lavished on me more caresses and more fondnesses in
+this little while I have been here with him than in all the rest of
+the time I have been his. Thou hast been brisk enough to-day, renegade
+cur that thou art, that usest at home to show thyself so feeble and
+forspent and impotent; but, praised be God, thou hast tilled thine own
+field and not, as thou thoughtest, that of another. No wonder thou
+camest not anigh me yesternight; thou lookedst to discharge thee of
+thy lading elsewhere and wouldst fain come fresh to the battle; but,
+thanks to God and my own foresight, the stream hath e'en run in its
+due channel. Why answerest thou not, wicked man? Why sayst thou not
+somewhat? Art thou grown dumb, hearing me? Cock's faith, I know not
+what hindereth me from thrusting my hands into thine eyes and tearing
+them out for thee. Thou thoughtest to do this treason very secretly;
+but, perdie, one knoweth as much as another; thou hast not availed to
+compass thine end; I have had better beagles at thy heels than thou
+thoughtest.'
+
+Ricciardo inwardly rejoiced at these words and without making any
+reply, clipped her and kissed her and fondled her more than ever;
+whereupon quoth she, following on her speech, 'Ay, thou thinkest to
+cajole me with thy feigned caresses, fashious dog that thou art, and
+to appease and console me; but thou art mistaken; I shall never be
+comforted for this till I have put thee to shame therefor in the
+presence of all our friends and kinsmen and neighbours. Am I not as
+fair as Ricciardo's wife, thou villain? Am I not as good a
+gentlewoman? Why dost thou not answer, thou sorry dog? What hath she
+more than I? Keep thy distance; touch me not; thou hast done enough
+feats of arms for to-day. Now thou knowest who I am, I am well assured
+that all thou couldst do would be perforce; but, so God grant me
+grace, I will yet cause thee suffer want thereof, and I know not what
+hindereth me from sending for Ricciardo, who hath loved me more than
+himself and could never boast that I once even looked at him; nor know
+I what harm it were to do it. Thou thoughtest to have his wife here
+and it is as if thou hadst had her, inasmuch as it is none of thy
+fault that the thing hath miscarried; wherefore, were I to have
+himself, thou couldst not with reason blame me.'
+
+Brief, many were the lady's words and sore her complaining. However,
+at last, Ricciardo, bethinking himself that, an he let her go in that
+belief, much ill might ensue thereof, determined to discover himself
+and undeceive her; wherefore, catching her in his arms and holding her
+fast, so she might not get away, he said, 'Sweet my soul, be not
+angered; that which I could not have of you by simply loving you, Love
+hath taught me to obtain by practice; and I am your Ricciardo.'
+Catella, hearing this and knowing him by the voice, would have thrown
+herself incontinent out of bed, but could not; whereupon she offered
+to cry out; but Ricciardo stopped her mouth with one hand and said,
+'Madam, this that hath been may henceforth on nowise be undone, though
+you should cry all the days of your life; and if you cry out or cause
+this ever anywise to be known of any one, two things will come
+thereof; the one (which should no little concern you) will be that
+your honour and fair fame will be marred, for that, albeit you may
+avouch that I brought you hither by practice, I shall say that it is
+not true, nay, that I caused you come hither for monies and gifts that
+I promised you, whereof for that I gave you not so largely as you
+hoped, you waxed angry and made all this talk and this outcry; and you
+know that folk are more apt to credit ill than good, wherefore I shall
+more readily be believed than you. Secondly, there will ensue thereof
+a mortal enmity between your husband and myself, and it may as well
+happen that I shall kill him as he me, in which case you are never
+after like to be happy or content. Wherefore, heart of my body, go not
+about at once to dishonour yourself and to cast your husband and
+myself into strife and peril. You are not the first woman, nor will
+you be the last, who hath been deceived, nor have I in this practised
+upon you to bereave you of your own, but for the exceeding love that
+I bear you and am minded ever to bear you and to be your most humble
+servant. And although it is long since I and all that I possess or can
+or am worth have been yours and at your service, henceforward I
+purpose that they shall be more than ever so. Now, you are well
+advised in other things and so I am certain you will be in this.'
+
+Catella, what while Ricciardo spoke thus, wept sore, but, albeit she
+was sore provoked and complained grievously, nevertheless, her reason
+allowed so much force to his true words that she knew it to be
+possible that it should happen as he said; wherefore quoth she,
+'Ricciardo, I know not how God will vouchsafe me strength to suffer
+the affront and the cheat thou hast put upon me; I will well to make
+no outcry here whither my simplicity and overmuch jealousy have
+brought me; but of this be assured that I shall never be content till
+one way or another I see myself avenged of this thou hast done to me.
+Wherefore, leave me, hold me no longer; thou hast had that which thou
+desiredst and hast tumbled me to thy heart's content; it is time to
+leave me; let me go, I prithee.'
+
+Ricciardo, seeing her mind yet overmuch disordered, had laid it to
+heart never to leave her till he had gotten his pardon of her;
+wherefore, studying with the softest words to appease her, he so
+bespoke and so entreated and so conjured her that she was prevailed
+upon to make peace with him, and of like accord they abode together a
+great while thereafter in the utmost delight. Moreover, Catella,
+having thus learned how much more savoury were the lover's kisses than
+those of the husband and her former rigour being changed into kind
+love-liking for Ricciardo, from that day forth she loved him very
+tenderly and thereafter, ordering themselves with the utmost
+discretion, they many a time had joyance of their loves. God grant us
+to enjoy ours!"
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     TEDALDO ELISEI, HAVING FALLEN OUT WITH HIS MISTRESS,
+     DEPARTETH FLORENCE AND RETURNING THITHER, AFTER AWHILE, IN A
+     PILGRIM'S FAVOUR, SPEAKETH WITH THE LADY AND MAKETH HER
+     COGNISANT OF HER ERROR; AFTER WHICH HE DELIVERETH HER
+     HUSBAND, WHO HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIM, FROM DEATH
+     AND RECONCILING HIM WITH HIS BRETHREN, THENCEFORWARD
+     DISCREETLY ENJOYETH HIMSELF WITH HIS MISTRESS
+
+
+Fiammetta being now silent, commended of all, the queen, to lose no
+time, forthright committed the burden of discourse to Emilia, who
+began thus: "It pleaseth me to return to our city, whence it pleased
+the last two speakers to depart, and to show you how a townsman of
+ours regained his lost mistress.
+
+There was, then, in Florence a noble youth, whose name was Tedaldo
+Elisei and who, being beyond measure enamoured of a lady called Madam
+Ermellina, the wife of one Aldobrandino Palermini, deserved for his
+praiseworthy fashions, to enjoy his desire. However, Fortune, the
+enemy of the happy, denied him this solace, for that, whatever might
+have been the cause, the lady, after complying awhile with Tedaldo's
+wishes, suddenly altogether withdrew her good graces from him and not
+only refused to hearken to any message of his, but would on no wise
+see him; wherefore he fell into a dire and cruel melancholy; but his
+love for her had been so hidden that none guessed it to be the cause
+of his chagrin. After he had in divers ways studied amain to recover
+the love himseemed he had lost without his fault and finding all his
+labour vain, he resolved to withdraw from the world, that he might not
+afford her who was the cause of his ill the pleasure of seeing him
+pine away; wherefore, without saying aught to friend or kinsman, save
+to a comrade of his, who knew all, he took such monies as he might
+avail to have and departing secretly, came to Ancona, where, under the
+name of Filippo di Sanlodeccio, he made acquaintance with a rich
+merchant and taking service with him, accompanied him to Cyprus on
+board a ship of his.
+
+His manners and behaviour so pleased the merchant that he not only
+assigned him a good wage, but made him in part his associate and put
+into his hands a great part of his affairs, which he ordered so well
+and so diligently that in a few years he himself became a rich and
+famous and considerable merchant; and albeit, in the midst of these
+his dealings, he oft remembered him of his cruel mistress and was
+grievously tormented of love and yearned sore to look on her again,
+such was his constancy that seven years long he got the better of the
+battle. But, chancing one day to hear sing in Cyprus a song that
+himself had made aforetime and wherein was recounted the love he bore
+his mistress and she him and the pleasure he had of her, and thinking
+it could not be she had forgotten him, he flamed up into such a
+passion of desire to see her again that, unable to endure longer, he
+resolved to return to Florence.
+
+Accordingly, having set all his affairs in order, he betook himself
+with one only servant to Ancona and transporting all his good thither,
+despatched it to Florence to a friend of the Anconese his partner,
+whilst he himself, in the disguise of a pilgrim returning from the
+Holy Sepulchre, followed secretly after with his servant and coming to
+Florence, put up at a little hostelry kept by two brothers, in the
+neighbourhood of his mistress's house, whereto he repaired first of
+all, to see her, an he might. However, he found the windows and doors
+and all else closed, wherefore his heart misgave him she was dead or
+had removed thence and he betook himself, in great concern, to the
+house of his brethren, before which he saw four of the latter clad all
+in black. At this he marvelled exceedingly and knowing himself so
+changed both in habit and person from that which he was used to be,
+whenas he departed thence, that he might not lightly be recognized, he
+boldly accosted a cordwainer hard by and asked him why they were clad
+in black; whereto he answered, 'Yonder men are clad in black for that
+it is not yet a fortnight since a brother of theirs, who had not been
+here this great while, was murdered, and I understand they have
+proved to the court that one Aldobrandino Palermini, who is in prison,
+slew him, for that he was a well-wisher of his wife and had returned
+hither unknown to be with her.'
+
+Tedaldo marvelled exceedingly that any one should so resemble him as
+to be taken for him and was grieved for Aldobrandino's ill fortune.
+Then, having learned that the lady was alive and well and it being now
+night, he returned, full of various thoughts, to the inn and having
+supped with his servant, was put to sleep well nigh at the top of the
+house. There, what with the many thoughts that stirred him and the
+badness of the bed and peradventure also by reason of the supper,
+which had been meagre, half the night passed whilst he had not yet
+been able to fall asleep; wherefore, being awake, himseemed about
+midnight he heard folk come down into the house from the roof, and
+after through the chinks of the chamber-door he saw a light come up
+thither. Thereupon he stole softly to the door and putting his eye to
+the chink, fell a-spying what this might mean and saw a comely enough
+lass who held the light, whilst three men, who had come down from the
+roof, made towards her; and after some greetings had passed between
+them, one of them said to the girl, 'Henceforth, praised be God, we
+may abide secure, since we know now for certain that the death of
+Tedaldo Elisei hath been proved by his brethren against Aldobrandino
+Palermini, who hath confessed thereto, and judgment is now recorded;
+nevertheless, it behoveth to keep strict silence, for that, should it
+ever become known that it was we [who slew him], we shall be in the
+same danger as is Aldobrandino.' Having thus bespoken the woman, who
+showed herself much rejoiced thereat, they left her and going below,
+betook themselves to bed.
+
+Tedaldo, hearing this, fell a-considering how many and how great are
+the errors which may befall the minds of men, bethinking him first of
+his brothers who had bewept and buried a stranger in his stead and
+after of the innocent man accused on false suspicion and brought by
+untrue witness to the point of death, no less than of the blind
+severity of laws and rulers, who ofttimes, under cover of diligent
+investigation of the truth, cause, by their cruelties, prove that
+which is false and style themselves ministers of justice and of God,
+whereas indeed they are executors of iniquity and of the devil; after
+which he turned his thought to the deliverance of Aldobrandino and
+determined in himself what he should do. Accordingly, arising in the
+morning, he left his servant at the inn and betook himself alone,
+whenas it seemed to him time, to the house of his mistress, where,
+chancing to find the door open, he entered in and saw the lady seated,
+all full of tears and bitterness of soul, in a little ground floor
+room that was there.
+
+At this sight he was like to weep for compassion of her and drawing
+near to her, said, 'Madam, afflict not yourself; your peace is at
+hand.' The lady, hearing this, lifted her eyes and said, weeping,
+'Good man, thou seemest to me a stranger pilgrim; what knowest thou of
+my peace or of my affliction?' 'Madam,' answered Tedaldo, 'I am of
+Constantinople and am but now come hither, being sent of God to turn
+your tears into laughter and to deliver your husband from death.'
+Quoth she, 'An thou be of Constantinople and newly come hither, how
+knowest thou who I am or who is my husband?' Thereupon, the pilgrim
+beginning from the beginning, recounted to her the whole history of
+Aldobrandino's troubles and told her who she was and how long she had
+been married and other things which he very well knew of her affairs;
+whereat she marvelled exceedingly and holding him for a prophet, fell
+on her knees at his feet, beseeching him for God's sake, an he were
+come for Aldobrandino's salvation, to despatch, for that the time was
+short.
+
+The pilgrim, feigning himself a very holy man, said, 'Madam, arise and
+weep not, but hearken well to that which I shall say to you and take
+good care never to tell it to any. According to that which God hath
+revealed unto me, the tribulation wherein you now are hath betided you
+because of a sin committed by you aforetime, which God the Lord hath
+chosen in part to purge with this present annoy and will have
+altogether amended of you; else will you fall into far greater
+affliction.' 'Sir,' answered the lady, 'I have many sins and know not
+which one, more than another, God the Lord would have me amend;
+wherefore, an you know it, tell me and I will do what I may to amend
+it.' 'Madam,' rejoined the pilgrim, 'I know well enough what it is,
+nor do I question you thereof the better to know it, but to the intent
+that, telling it yourself, you may have the more remorse thereof. But
+let us come to the fact; tell me, do you remember, ever to have had a
+lover?'
+
+The lady, hearing this, heaved a deep sigh and marvelled sore,
+supposing none had ever known it, albeit, in the days when he was
+slain who had been buried for Tedaldo, there had been some whispering
+thereof, for certain words not very discreetly used by Tedaldo's
+confidant, who knew it; then answered, 'I see that God discovereth
+unto you all men's secrets, wherefore I am resolved not to hide mine
+own from you. True it is that in my youth I loved over all the
+ill-fortuned youth whose death is laid to my husband's charge, which
+death I have bewept as sore as it was grievous to me, for that, albeit
+I showed myself harsh and cruel to him before his departure, yet
+neither his long absence nor his unhappy death hath availed to tear
+him from my heart.' Quoth the pilgrim, 'The hapless youth who is dead
+you never loved, but Tedaldo Elisei ay.[176] But tell me, what was the
+occasion of your falling out with him? Did he ever give you any
+offence?' 'Certes, no,' replied she; 'he never offended against me;
+the cause of the breach was the prate of an accursed friar, to whom I
+once confessed me and who, when I told him of the love I bore Tedaldo
+and the privacy I had with him, made such a racket about my ears that
+I tremble yet to think of it, telling me that, an I desisted not
+therefrom, I should go in the devil's mouth to the deepest deep of
+hell and there be cast into everlasting fire; whereupon there entered
+into me such a fear that I altogether determined to forswear all
+further converse with him, and that I might have no occasion
+therefor, I would no longer receive his letters or messages; albeit I
+believe, had he persevered awhile, instead of getting him gone (as I
+presume) in despair, that, seeing him, as I did, waste away like snow
+in the sun, my harsh resolve would have yielded, for that I had no
+greater desire in the world.'
+
+[Footnote 176: _i.e._ It was not the dead man, but Tedaldo Elisei whom
+you loved. (_Lo sventurato giovane che fu morto non amasti voi mai, ma
+Tedaldo Elisei si._)]
+
+'Madam,' rejoined the pilgrim, 'it is this sin alone that now
+afflicteth you. I know for certain that Tedaldo did you no manner of
+violence; whenas you fell in love with him, you did it of your own
+free will, for that he pleased you; and as you yourself would have it,
+he came to you and enjoyed your privacy, wherein both with words and
+deeds you showed him such complaisance that, if he loved you before,
+you caused his love redouble a thousandfold. And this being so (as I
+know it was) what cause should have availed to move you so harshly to
+withdraw yourself from him? These things should be pondered awhile
+beforehand and if you think you may presently have cause to repent
+thereof, as of ill doing, you ought not to do them. You might, at your
+pleasure, have ordained of him, as of that which belonged to you, that
+he should no longer be yours; but to go about to deprive him of
+yourself, you who were his, was a theft and an unseemly thing, whenas
+it was not his will. Now you must know that I am a friar and am
+therefore well acquainted with all their usances; and if I speak
+somewhat at large of them for your profit, it is not forbidden me, as
+it were to another; nay, and it pleaseth me to speak of them, so you
+may henceforward know them better than you appear to have done in the
+past.
+
+Friars of old were very pious and worthy men, but those who nowadays
+style themselves friars and would be held such have nothing of the
+monk but the gown; nor is this latter even that of a true friar, for
+that,--whereas of the founders of the monastic orders they[177] were
+ordained strait and poor and of coarse stuff and demonstrative[178] of
+the spirit of the wearers, who testified that they held things
+temporal in contempt whenas they wrapped their bodies in so mean a
+habit,--those of our time have them made full and double and glossy
+and of the finest cloth and have brought them to a quaint pontifical
+cut, insomuch that they think it no shame to flaunt it withal
+peacock-wise, in the churches and public places, even as do the laity
+with their apparel; and like as with the sweep-net the fisher goeth
+about to take many fishes in the river at one cast, even so these,
+wrapping themselves about with the amplest of skirts, study to
+entangle therein great store of prudish maids and widows and many
+other silly women and men, and this is their chief concern over any
+other exercise; wherefore, to speak more plainly, they have not the
+friar's gown, but only the colours thereof.
+
+[Footnote 177: _i.e._ friars' gowns. Boccaccio constantly uses this
+irregular form of enallage, especially in dialogue.]
+
+[Footnote 178: Or, as we should nowadays say, "typical."]
+
+Moreover, whereas the ancients[179] desired the salvation of mankind,
+those of our day covet women and riches and turn their every thought
+to terrifying the minds of the foolish with clamours and
+depicturements[180] and to making believe that sins may be purged with
+almsdeeds and masses, to the intent that unto themselves (who, of
+poltroonery, not of devoutness, and that they may not suffer
+fatigue,[181] have, as a last resort, turned friars) one may bring
+bread, another send wine and a third give them a dole of money for the
+souls of their departed friends. Certes, it is true that almsdeeds and
+prayers purge away sins; but, if those who give alms knew on what
+manner folks they bestow them, they would or keep them for themselves
+or cast them before as many hogs. And for that these[182] know that,
+the fewer the possessors of a great treasure, the more they live at
+ease, every one of them studieth with clamours and bugbears to detach
+others from that whereof he would fain abide sole possessor. They
+decry lust in men, in order that, they who are chidden desisting from
+women, the latter may be left to the chiders; they condemn usury and
+unjust gains, to the intent that, it being entrusted to them to make
+restitution thereof, they may, with that which they declare must bring
+to perdition him who hath it, make wide their gowns and purchase
+bishopricks and other great benefices.
+
+[Footnote 179: _i.e._ the founders of the monastic orders.]
+
+[Footnote 180: Lit. pictures, paintings (_dipinture_), but evidently
+here used in a tropical sense, Boccaccio's apparent meaning being that
+the hypocritical friars used to terrify their devotees by picturing to
+them, in vivid colours, the horrors of the punishment reserved for
+sinners.]
+
+[Footnote 181: _i.e._ may not have to labour for their living.]
+
+[Footnote 182: _i.e._ the false friars.]
+
+And when they are taken to task of these and many other unseemly
+things that they do, they think that to answer, "Do as we say and not
+as we do," is a sufficient discharge of every grave burden, as if it
+were possible for the sheep to be more constant and stouter to resist
+temptation[183] than the shepherds. And how many there be of those to
+whom they make such a reply who apprehend it not after the
+fashion[184] in which they say it, the most part of them know. The
+monks of our day would have you do as they say, to wit, fill their
+purses with money, trust your secrets to them, observe chastity,
+practise patience and forgiveness of injuries and keep yourselves from
+evil speaking,--all things good, seemly and righteous; but why would
+they have this? So they may do that, which if the laity did,
+themselves could not do. Who knoweth not that without money idleness
+may not endure? An thou expend thy monies in thy pleasures, the friar
+will not be able to idle it in the monastery; an thou follow after
+women, there will be no room for him, and except thou be patient or a
+forgiver of injuries, he will not dare to come to thy house to corrupt
+thy family. But why should I hark back after every particular? They
+condemn themselves in the eyes of the understanding as often as they
+make this excuse. An they believe not themselves able to abstain and
+lead a devout life, why do they not rather abide at home? Or, if they
+will e'en give themselves unto this,[185] why do they not ensue that
+other holy saying of the Gospel, "Christ began to do and to
+teach?"[186] Let them first do and after teach others. I have in my
+time seen a thousand of them wooers, lovers and haunters, not of lay
+women alone, but of nuns; ay, and of those that make the greatest
+outcry in the pulpit. Shall we, then, follow after these who are thus
+fashioned? Whoso doth it doth that which he will, but God knoweth if
+he do wisely.
+
+[Footnote 183: Lit. more of iron (_piu di ferro_).]
+
+[Footnote 184: Sic (_per lo modo_); but _quaere_ not rather "in the
+sense."]
+
+[Footnote 185: _i.e._ if they must enter upon this way of life, to
+wit, that of the friar.]
+
+[Footnote 186: The reference is apparently to the opening verse of the
+Acts of the Apostles, where Luke says, "The former treatise have I
+made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and to teach." It
+need hardly be remarked that the passage in question does not bear the
+interpretation Boccaccio would put upon it.]
+
+But, granted even we are to allow that which the friar who chid you
+said to you, to wit, that it is a grievous sin to break the marriage
+vow, is it not a far greater sin to rob a man and a greater yet to
+slay him or drive him into exile, to wander miserably about the world?
+Every one must allow this. For a woman to have converse with a man is
+a sin of nature; but to rob him or slay him or drive him into exile
+proceedeth from malignity of mind. That you robbed Tedaldo I have
+already shown you, in despoiling him of yourself, who had become his
+of your spontaneous will, and I say also that, so far as in you lay,
+you slew him, for that it was none of your fault,--showing yourself,
+as you did, hourly more cruel,--that he slew not himself with his own
+hand; and the law willeth that whoso is the cause of the ill that is
+done be held alike guilty with him who doth it. And that you were the
+cause of his exile and of his going wandering seven years about the
+world cannot be denied. So that in whichever one of these three things
+aforesaid you have committed a far greater sin than in your converse
+with him.
+
+But, let us see; maybe Tedaldo deserved this usage? Certes, he did
+not; you yourself have already confessed it, more by token that I know
+he loveth[187] you more than himself. No woman was ever so honoured,
+so exalted, so magnified over every other of her sex as were you by
+him, whenas he found himself where he might fairly speak of you,
+without engendering suspicion. His every good, his every honour, his
+every liberty were all committed by him into your hands. Was he not
+noble and young? Was he not handsome among all his townsmen? Was he
+not accomplished in such things as pertain unto young men? Was he not
+loved, cherished and well seen of every one? You will not say nay to
+this either. Then how, at the bidding of a scurvy, envious numskull of
+a friar, could you take such a cruel resolve against him? I know not
+what error is that of women who eschew men and hold them in little
+esteem, whenas, considering what themselves are and what and how great
+is the nobility, beyond every other animal, given of God to man, they
+should rather glory whenas they are loved of any and prize him over
+all and study with all diligence to please him, so he may never desist
+from loving them. This how you did, moved by the prate of a friar,
+who must for certain have been some broth-swilling pasty-gorger, you
+yourself know; and most like he had a mind to put himself in the place
+whence he studied to expel others.
+
+[Footnote 187: _Sic_; but the past tense "loved" is probably intended,
+as the pretended pilgrim had not yet discovered Tedaldo to be alive.]
+
+This, then, is the sin that Divine justice, the which with a just
+balance bringeth all its operations to effect, hath willed not to
+leave unpunished; and even as you without reason studied to withdraw
+yourself from Tedaldo, so on like wise hath your husband been and is
+yet, without reason, in peril for Tedaldo, and you in tribulation.
+Wherefrom an you would be delivered, that which it behoveth you to
+promise, and yet more to do, is this; that, should it ever chance that
+Tedaldo return hither from his long banishment, you will render him
+again your favour, your love, your goodwill and your privacy and
+reinstate him in that condition wherein he was, ere you foolishly
+hearkened to yonder crack-brained friar.'
+
+The pilgrim having thus made an end of his discourse, the lady, who
+had hearkened thereto with the utmost attention, for that his
+arguments appeared to her most true and that, hearing him say, she
+accounted herself of a certainty afflicted for the sin of which he
+spoke, said, 'Friend of God, I know full well that the things you
+allege are true, and in great part by your showing do I perceive what
+manner of folk are these friars, whom till now I have held all saints.
+Moreover, I acknowledge my default without doubt to have been great in
+that which I wrought against Tedaldo; and an I might, I would gladly
+amend it on such wise as you have said; but how may this be done?
+Tedaldo can never more return hither; he is dead; wherefore I know not
+why it should behove me promise that which may not be performed.'
+'Madam,' replied the pilgrim, 'according to that which God hath
+revealed unto me, Tedaldo is nowise dead, but alive and well and in
+good case, so but he had your favour.' Quoth the lady, 'Look what you
+say; I saw him dead before my door of several knife-thrusts and had
+him in these arms and bathed his dead face with many tears, the which
+it may be gave occasion for that which hath been spoken thereof
+unseemly.' 'Madam,' replied the pilgrim, 'whatever you may say, I
+certify you that Tedaldo is alive, and if you will e'en promise me
+that [which I ask,] with intent to fulfil your promise, I hope you
+shall soon see him.' Quoth she, 'That do I promise and will gladly
+perform; nor could aught betide that would afford me such content as
+to see my husband free and unharmed and Tedaldo alive.'
+
+Thereupon it seemed to Tedaldo time to discover himself and to comfort
+the lady with more certain hope of her husband, and accordingly he
+said, 'Madam, in order that I may comfort you for your husband, it
+behoveth me reveal to you a secret, which look you discover not unto
+any, as you value your life.' Now they were in a very retired place
+and alone, the lady having conceived the utmost confidence of the
+sanctity which herseemed was in the pilgrim; wherefore Tedaldo,
+pulling out a ring, which she had given him the last night he had been
+with her and which he had kept with the utmost diligence, and showing
+it to her, said, 'Madam, know you this?' As soon as she saw it, she
+recognized it and answered, 'Ay, sir; I gave it to Tedaldo aforetime.'
+Whereupon the pilgrim, rising to his feet, hastily cast off his
+palmer's gown and hat and speaking Florence-fashion, said, 'And know
+you me?'
+
+When the lady saw this, she knew him to be Tedaldo and was all aghast,
+fearing him as one feareth the dead, an they be seen after death to go
+as if alive; wherefore she made not towards him to welcome him as
+Tedaldo returned from Cyprus, but would have fled from him in
+affright, as he were Tedaldo come back from the tomb. Whereupon,
+'Madam,' quoth he, 'fear not; I am your Tedaldo, alive and well, and
+have never died nor been slain, whatsoever you and my brothers may
+believe.' The lady, somewhat reassured and knowing his voice,
+considered him awhile longer and avouched in herself that he was
+certainly Tedaldo; wherefore she threw herself, weeping, on his neck
+and kissed him, saying, 'Welcome back, sweet my Tedaldo.'
+
+Tedaldo, having kissed and embraced her, said, 'Madam, it is no time
+now for closer greetings; I must e'en go take order that Aldobrandino
+may be restored to you safe and sound; whereof I hope that, ere
+to-morrow come eventide, you shall hear news that will please you;
+nay, if, as I expect, I have good news of his safety, I trust this
+night to be able to come to you and report them to you at more leisure
+than I can at this present.' Then, donning his gown and hat again, he
+kissed the lady once more and bidding her be of good hope, took leave
+of her and repaired whereas Aldobrandino lay in prison, occupied more
+with fear of imminent death than with hopes of deliverance to come.
+Tedaldo, with the gaoler's consent, went in to him, in the guise of a
+ghostly comforter, and seating himself by his side, said to him,
+'Aldobrandino, I am a friend of thine, sent thee for thy deliverance
+by God, who hath taken pity on thee because of thine innocence;
+wherefore, if, in reverence to Him, thou wilt grant me a little boon
+that I shall ask of thee, thou shalt without fail, ere to-morrow be
+night, whereas thou lookest for sentence of death, hear that of thine
+acquittance.'
+
+'Honest man,' replied the prisoner, 'since thou art solicitous of my
+deliverance, albeit I know thee not nor mind me ever to have seen
+thee, needs must thou be a friend, as thou sayst. In truth, the sin,
+for which they say I am to be doomed to death, I never committed;
+though others enough have I committed aforetime, which, it may be,
+have brought me to this pass. But this I say to thee, of reverence to
+God; an He presently have compassion on me, I will not only promise,
+but gladly do any thing, however great, to say nothing of a little
+one; wherefore ask that which pleaseth thee, for without fail, if it
+come to pass that I escape with life, I will punctually perform it.'
+Then said the pilgrim, 'What I would have of thee is that thou pardon
+Tedaldo's four brothers the having brought thee to this pass,
+believing thee guilty of their brother's death, and have them again
+for brethren and for friends, whenas they crave thee pardon thereof.'
+Whereto quoth Aldobrandino, 'None knoweth but he who hath suffered the
+affront how sweet a thing is vengeance and with what ardour it is
+desired; nevertheless, so God may apply Himself to my deliverance, I
+will freely pardon them; nay, I pardon them now, and if I come off
+hence alive and escape, I will in this hold such course as shall be
+to thy liking.'
+
+This pleased the pilgrim and without concerning himself to say more to
+him, he exhorted him to be of good heart, for that, ere the ensuing
+day came to an end, he should without fail hear very certain news of
+his safety. Then, taking leave of him, he repaired to the Seignory and
+said privily to a gentleman who was in session there, 'My lord, every
+one should gladly labour to bring to light the truth of things, and
+especially those who hold such a room as this of yours, to the end
+that those may not suffer the penalty who have not committed the crime
+and that the guilty may be punished; that which may be brought about,
+to your honour and the bane of those who have merited it, I am come
+hither to you. As you know, you have rigorously proceeded against
+Aldobrandino Palermini and thinking you have found for truth that it
+was he who slew Tedaldo Elisei, are minded to condemn him; but this is
+most certainly false, as I doubt not to show you, ere midnight betide,
+by giving into your hands the murderers of the young man in question.'
+
+The worthy gentleman, who was in concern for Aldobrandino, willingly
+gave ear to the pilgrim's words and having conferred at large with him
+upon the matter, on his information, took the two innkeeper brothers
+and their servant, without resistance, in their first sleep. He would
+have put them to the question, to discover how the case stood; but
+they brooked it not and each first for himself, and after all
+together, openly confessed that it was they who had slain Tedaldo
+Elisei, knowing him not. Being questioned of the case, they said [that
+it was] for that he had given the wife of one of them sore annoy, what
+while they were abroad, and would fain have enforced her to do his
+will.
+
+The pilgrim, having heard this, with the magistrate's consent took his
+leave and repairing privily to the house of Madam Ermellina, found her
+alone and awaiting him, (all else in the house being gone to sleep,)
+alike desirous of having good news of her husband and of fully
+reconciling herself with her Tedaldo. He accosted her with a joyful
+countenance and said, 'Dearest lady mine, be of good cheer, for
+to-morrow thou shalt certainly have thine Aldobrandino here again safe
+and sound'; and to give her more entire assurance thereof, he fully
+recounted to her that which he had done. Whereupon she, glad as ever
+woman was of two so sudden and so happy chances, to wit, the having
+her lover alive again, whom she verily believed to have bewept dead,
+and the seeing Aldobrandino free from peril, whose death she looked
+ere many days to have to mourn, affectionately embraced and kissed
+Tedaldo; then, getting them to bed together, with one accord they made
+a glad and gracious peace, taking delight and joyance one of the
+other. Whenas the day drew near, Tedaldo arose, after showing the lady
+that which he purposed to do and praying her anew to keep it a close
+secret, and went forth, even in his pilgrim's habit, to attend, whenas
+it should be time, to Aldobrandino's affairs. The day come, it
+appearing to the Seignory that they had full information of the
+matter, they straightway discharged Aldobrandino and a few days after
+let strike off the murderers' heads whereas they had committed the
+crime.
+
+Aldobrandino being now, to the great joy of himself and his wife and
+of all his friends and kinsfolk, free and manifestly acknowledging
+that he owed his deliverance to the good offices of the pilgrim,
+carried the latter to his house for such time as it pleased him to
+sojourn in the city; and there they could not sate themselves of doing
+him honour and worship, especially the lady, who knew with whom she
+had to do. After awhile, deeming it time to bring his brothers to an
+accord with Aldobrandino and knowing that they were not only put to
+shame by the latter's acquittance, but went armed for fear [of his
+resentment,] he demanded of his host the fulfilment of his promise.
+Aldobrandino freely answered that he was ready, whereupon the pilgrim
+caused him prepare against the morrow a goodly banquet, whereat he
+told him he would have him and his kinsmen and kinswomen entertain the
+four brothers and their ladies, adding that he himself would go
+incontinent and bid the latter on his part to peace and his banquet.
+Aldobrandino consenting to all that liked the pilgrim, the latter
+forthright betook himself to the four brothers and plying them with
+store of such words as behoved unto the matter, in fine, with
+irrepugnable arguments, brought them easily enough to consent to
+regain Aldobrandino's friendship by asking pardon; which done, he
+invited them and their ladies to dinner with Aldobrandino next
+morning, and they, being certified of his good faith, frankly accepted
+the invitation.
+
+Accordingly, on the morrow, towards dinner-time, Tedaldo's four
+brothers, clad all in black as they were, came, with sundry of their
+friends, to the house of Aldobrandino, who stayed for them, and there,
+in the presence of all who had been bidden of him to bear them
+company, cast down their arms and committed themselves to his mercy,
+craving forgiveness of that which they had wrought against him.
+Aldobrandino, weeping, received them affectionately, and kissing them
+all on the mouth, despatched the matter in a few words, remitting unto
+them every injury received. After them came their wives and sisters,
+clad all in sad-coloured raiment, and were graciously received by
+Madam Ermellina and the other ladies. Then were all, ladies and men
+alike, magnificently entertained at the banquet, nor was there aught
+in the entertainment other than commendable, except it were the
+taciturnity occasioned by the yet fresh sorrow expressed in the sombre
+raiment of Tedaldo's kinsfolk. Now on this account the pilgrim's
+device of the banquet had been blamed of some and he had observed it;
+wherefore, the time being come to do away with the constraint
+aforesaid, he rose to his feet, according as he had foreordained in
+himself, what while the rest still ate of the fruits, and said,
+'Nothing hath lacked to this entertainment that should make it joyful,
+save only Tedaldo himself; whom (since having had him continually with
+you, you have not known him) I will e'en discover to you.'
+
+So saying, he cast off his palmer's gown and all other his pilgrim's
+weeds and abiding in a jerkin of green sendal, was with no little
+amazement, long eyed and considered of all, ere any would venture to
+believe it was indeed he. Tedaldo, seeing this, recounted many
+particulars of the relations and things betided between them, as well
+as of his own adventures; whereupon his brethren and the other
+gentlemen present ran all to embrace him, with eyes full of joyful
+tears, as after did the ladies on like wise, as well strangers as
+kinswomen, except only Madam Ermellina. Which Aldobrandino seeing,
+'What is this, Ermellina?' quoth he. 'Why dost thou not welcome
+Tedaldo, as do the other ladies?' Whereto she answered, in the hearing
+of all, 'There is none who had more gladly welcomed and would yet
+welcome him than myself, who am more beholden to him than any other
+woman, seeing that by his means I have gotten thee again; but the
+unseemly words spoken in the days when we mourned him whom we deemed
+Tedaldo made me refrain therefrom.' Quoth her husband, 'Go to;
+thinkest thou I believe in the howlers?[188] He hath right well shown
+their prate to be false by procuring my deliverance; more by token
+that I never believed it. Quick, rise and go and embrace him.'
+
+[Footnote 188: Lit. barkers (_abbajatori_), _i.e._ slanderers.]
+
+The lady, who desired nothing better, was not slow to obey her husband
+in this and accordingly, arising, embraced Tedaldo, as the other
+ladies had done, and gave him joyous welcome. This liberality of
+Aldobrandino was mighty pleasing to Tedaldo's brothers and to every
+man and woman there, and thereby all suspect[189] that had been
+aroused in the minds of some by the words aforesaid was done away.
+Then, every one having given Tedaldo joy, he with his own hands rent
+the black clothes on his brothers' backs and the sad-coloured on those
+of his sisters and kinswomen and would have them send after other
+apparel, which whenas they had donned, they gave themselves to singing
+and dancing and other diversions galore; wherefore the banquet, which
+had had a silent beginning had a loud-resounding ending. Thereafter,
+with the utmost mirth, they one and all repaired, even as they were,
+to Tedaldo's house, where they supped that night, and on this wise
+they continued to feast several days longer.
+
+[Footnote 189: Lit. despite, rancour (_rugginuzza_), but the phrase
+appears to refer to the suspicions excited by the whispers that had
+been current, as above mentioned, of the connection between Ermellina
+and Tedaldo.]
+
+The Florentines awhile regarded Tedaldo with amazement, as a man risen
+from the dead; nay, in many an one's mind, and even in that of his
+brethren, there abode a certain faint doubt an he were indeed himself
+and they did not yet thoroughly believe it, nor belike had they
+believed it for a long time to come but for a chance which made them
+clear who the murdered man was which was on this wise. There passed
+one day before their house certain footmen[190] of Lunigiana, who,
+seeing Tedaldo, made towards him and said, 'Give you good day,
+Faziuolo.' Whereto Tedaldo in his brothers' presence answered, 'You
+mistake me.' The others, hearing him speak, were abashed and cried him
+pardon, saying, 'Forsooth you resemble, more than ever we saw one man
+favour another, a comrade of ours called Faziuolo of Pontremoli, who
+came hither some fortnight or more agone, nor could we ever since
+learn what is come of him. Indeed, we marvelled at the dress, for that
+he was a soldier, even as we are.' Tedaldo's elder brother, hearing
+this, came forward and enquired how this Faziuolo had been clad. They
+told him and it was found to have been punctually as they said;
+wherefore, what with these and what with other tokens, it was known
+for certain that he who had been slain was Faziuolo and not Tedaldo,
+and all doubt of the latter[191] accordingly departed [the minds of]
+his brothers and of every other. Tedaldo, then, being returned very
+rich, persevered in his love and the lady falling out with him no
+more, they long, discreetly dealing, had enjoyment of their love. God
+grant us to enjoy ours!"
+
+[Footnote 190: _i.e._ foot-soldiers.]
+
+[Footnote 191: _i.e._ of his identity.]
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     FERONDO, HAVING SWALLOWED A CERTAIN POWDER, IS ENTOMBED FOR
+     DEAD AND BEING TAKEN FORTH OF THE SEPULCHRE BY THE ABBOT,
+     WHO ENJOYETH HIS WIFE THE WHILE, IS PUT IN PRISON AND GIVEN
+     TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS IN PURGATORY; AFTER WHICH, BEING
+     RAISED UP AGAIN, HE REARETH FOR HIS OWN A CHILD BEGOTTEN OF
+     THE ABBOT ON HIS WIFE
+
+
+The end being come of Emilia's long story,--which had not withal for
+its length been unpleasing to any of the company, nay, but was held of
+all the ladies to have been briefly narrated, having regard to the
+number and diversity of the incidents therein recounted,--the queen,
+having with a mere sign intimated her pleasure to Lauretta, gave her
+occasion to begin thus: "Dearest ladies, there occurreth to me to tell
+you a true story which hath much more semblance of falsehood than of
+that which it indeed is and which hath been recalled to my mind by
+hearing one to have been bewept and buried for another. I purpose
+then, to tell you how a live man was entombed for dead and how after
+he and many other folk believed himself to have come forth of the
+sepulchre as one raised from the dead, by reason whereof he[192] was
+adored as a saint who should rather have been condemned as a criminal.
+
+[Footnote 192: _i.e._ the abbot who played the trick upon Ferondo. See
+post.]
+
+There was, then, and yet is, in Tuscany, an abbey situate, like as we
+see many thereof, in a place not overmuch frequented of men, whereof a
+monk was made abbot, who was a very holy man in everything, save in
+the matter of women, and in this he contrived to do so warily that
+well nigh none, not to say knew, but even suspected him thereof, for
+that he was holden exceeding godly and just in everything. It chanced
+that a very wealthy farmer, by name Ferondo, contracted a great
+intimacy with him, a heavy, clodpate fellow and dull-witted beyond
+measure, whose commerce pleased the abbot but for that his simplicity
+whiles afforded him some diversion, and in the course of their
+acquaintance, the latter perceived that Ferondo had a very handsome
+woman to wife, of whom he became so passionately enamoured that he
+thought of nothing else day or night; but, hearing that, simple and
+shallow-witted as Ferondo was in everything else, he was shrewd enough
+in the matter of loving and guarding his wife, he well nigh despaired
+of her.
+
+However, like a very adroit man as he was, he wrought on such wise
+with Ferondo that he came whiles, with his wife, to take his pleasance
+in the abbey-garden, and there he very demurely entertained them with
+discourse of the beatitude of the life eternal and of the pious works
+of many men and women of times past, insomuch that the lady was taken
+with a desire to confess herself to him and asked and had Ferondo's
+leave thereof. Accordingly, to the abbot's exceeding pleasure, she
+came to confess to him and seating herself at his feet, before she
+proceeded to say otherwhat, began thus: 'Sir, if God had given me a
+right husband or had given me none, it would belike be easy to me,
+with the help of your exhortations, to enter upon the road which you
+say leadeth folk unto life eternal; but I, having regard to what
+Ferondo is and to his witlessness, may style myself a widow, and yet I
+am married, inasmuch as, he living, I can have no other husband; and
+dolt as he is, he is without any cause, so out of all measure jealous
+of me that by reason thereof I cannot live with him otherwise than in
+tribulation and misery; wherefore, ere I come to other confession, I
+humbly beseech you, as most I may, that it may please you give me some
+counsel concerning this, for that, an the occasion of my well-doing
+begin not therefrom, confession or other good work will profit me
+little.'
+
+This speech gave the abbot great satisfaction and himseemed fortune
+had opened him the way to his chief desire; wherefore, 'Daughter,'
+quoth he, 'I can well believe that it must be a sore annoy for a fair
+and dainty dame such as you are to have a blockhead to husband, but a
+much greater meseemeth to have a jealous man; wherefore, you having
+both the one and the other, I can lightly credit that which you avouch
+of your tribulation. But for this, speaking briefly, I see neither
+counsel nor remedy save one, the which is that Ferondo be cured of
+this jealousy. The medicine that will cure him I know very well how to
+make, provided you have the heart to keep secret that which I shall
+tell you.' 'Father mine,' answered the lady, 'have no fear of that,
+for I would liefer suffer death than tell any that which you bid me
+not repeat; but how may this be done?' Quoth the abbot, 'An we would
+have him cured, it behoveth of necessity that he go to purgatory.'
+'But how,' asked she, 'can he go thither alive?' 'Needs must he die,'
+replied the abbot, 'and so go thither; and whenas he shall have
+suffered such penance as shall suffice to purge him of his jealousy,
+we will pray God, with certain orisons that he restore him to this
+life, and He will do it.' 'Then,' said the lady, 'I am to become a
+widow?' 'Ay,' answered the abbot, 'for a certain time, wherein you
+must look well you suffer not yourself to be married again, for that
+God would take it in ill part, and whenas Ferondo returned hither, it
+would behove you return to him and he would then be more jealous than
+ever.' Quoth she, 'Provided he be but cured of this calamity, so it
+may not behove me abide in prison all my life, I am content; do as it
+pleaseth you.' 'And I will do it,'[193] rejoined he; 'but what guerdon
+am I to have of you for such a service?' 'Father,' answered the lady,
+'you shall have whatsoever pleaseth you, so but it be in my power; but
+what can the like of me that may befit such a man as yourself?'
+'Madam,' replied the abbot 'you can do no less for me than that which
+I undertake to do for you; for that, like as I am disposed to do that
+which is to be your weal and your solacement, even so can you do that
+which will be the saving and assainment of my life.' Quoth she, 'An it
+be so, I am ready.' 'Then,' said the abbot, 'you must give me your
+love and vouchsafe me satisfaction of yourself, for whom I am all
+afire with love and languishment.'
+
+[Footnote 193: _i.e._ I will cure your husband of his jealousy.]
+
+The lady, hearing this, was all aghast and answered, 'Alack, father
+mine, what is this you ask? Methought you were a saint. Doth it beseem
+holy men to require women, who come to them for counsel, of such
+things?' 'Fair my soul,' rejoined the abbot, 'marvel not, for that
+sanctity nowise abateth by this, seeing it hath its seat in the soul
+and that which I ask of you is a sin of the body. But, be that as it
+may, your ravishing beauty hath had such might that love constraineth
+me to do thus; and I tell you that you may glory in your charms over
+all other women, considering that they please holy men, who are used
+to look upon the beauties of heaven. Moreover, abbot though I be, I am
+a man like another and am, as you see, not yet old. Nor should this
+that I ask be grievous to you to do; nay, you should rather desire it,
+for that, what while Ferondo sojourneth in purgatory, I will bear you
+company by night and render you that solacement which he should give
+you; nor shall any ever come to know of this, for that every one
+believeth of me that, and more than that, which you but now believed
+of me. Reject not the grace that God sendeth you, for there be women
+enough who covet that which you may have and shall have, if, like a
+wise woman, you hearken to my counsel. Moreover, I have fair and
+precious jewels, which I purpose shall belong to none other than
+yourself. Do, then, for me, sweet my hope, that which I willingly do
+for you.'
+
+The lady hung her head, knowing not how to deny him, whilst herseemed
+it were ill done to grant him what he asked; but the abbot, seeing
+that she hearkened and hesitated to reply and himseeming he had
+already half converted her, followed up his first words with many
+others and stayed not till he had persuaded her that she would do well
+to comply with him. Accordingly, she said, blushing, that she was
+ready to do his every commandment, but might not avail thereto till
+such time as Ferondo should be gone to purgatory; whereupon quoth the
+abbot, exceeding well pleased, 'And we will make shift to send him
+thither incontinent; do you but contrive that he come hither to-morrow
+or next day to sojourn with me.' So saying, he privily put a very
+handsome ring into her hand and dismissed her. The lady rejoiced at
+the gift and looking to have others, rejoined her companions, to whom
+she fell to relating marvellous things of the abbot's sanctity, and
+presently returned home with them.
+
+A few days after Ferondo repaired to the abbey, whom, whenas the abbot
+saw, he cast about to send him to purgatory. Accordingly, he sought
+out a powder of marvellous virtue, which he had gotten in the parts of
+the Levant of a great prince who avouched it to be that which was wont
+to be used of the Old Man of the Mountain,[194] whenas he would fain
+send any one, sleeping, into his paradise or bring him forth thereof,
+and that, according as more or less thereof was given, without doing
+any hurt, it made him who took it sleep more or less [time] on such
+wise that, whilst its virtue lasted, none would say he had life in
+him. Of this he took as much as might suffice to make a man sleep
+three days and putting it in a beaker of wine, that was not yet well
+cleared, gave it to Ferondo to drink in his cell, without the latter
+suspecting aught; after which he carried him into the cloister and
+there with some of his monks fell to making sport of him and his
+dunceries; nor was it long before, the powder working, Ferondo was
+taken with so sudden and overpowering a drowsiness, that he slumbered
+as yet he stood afoot and presently fell down fast asleep.
+
+[Footnote 194: The well-known chief of the Assassins (properly
+_Heshashin_, _i.e._ hashish or hemp eaters). The powder in question is
+apparently a preparation of hashish or hemp. Boccaccio seems to have
+taken his idea of the Old Man of the Mountain from Marco Polo, whose
+travels, published in the early part of the fourteenth century, give a
+most romantic account of that chieftain and his followers.]
+
+The abbot made a show of being concerned at this accident and letting
+untruss him, caused fetch cold water and cast it in his face and essay
+many other remedies of his fashion, as if he would recall the strayed
+life and senses from [the oppression of] some fumosity of the stomach
+or what not like affection that had usurped them. The monks, seeing
+that for all this he came not to himself and feeling his pulse, but
+finding no sign of life in him, all held it for certain that he was
+dead. Accordingly, they sent to tell his wife and his kinsfolk, who
+all came thither forthright, and the lady having bewept him awhile
+with her kinswomen, the abbot caused lay him, clad as he was, in a
+tomb; whilst the lady returned to her house and giving out that she
+meant never to part from a little son, whom she had had by her
+husband, abode at home and occupied herself with the governance of the
+child and of the wealth which had been Ferondo's. Meanwhile, the abbot
+arose stealthily in the night and with the aid of a Bolognese monk, in
+whom he much trusted and who was that day come thither from Bologna,
+took up Ferondo out of the tomb and carried him into a vault, in which
+there was no light to be seen and which had been made for prison of
+such of the monks as should make default in aught. There they pulled
+off his garments and clothing him monk-fashion, laid him on a truss of
+straw and there left him against he should recover his senses, whilst
+the Bolognese monk, having been instructed by the abbot of that which
+he had to do, without any else knowing aught thereof, proceeded to
+await his coming to himself.
+
+On the morrow, the abbot, accompanied by sundry of his monks, betook
+himself, by way of visitation, to the house of the lady, whom he found
+clad in black and in great tribulation, and having comforted her
+awhile, he softly required her of her promise. The lady, finding
+herself free and unhindered of Ferondo or any other and seeing on his
+finger another fine ring, replied that she was ready and appointed him
+to come to her that same night. Accordingly, night come, the abbot,
+disguised in Ferondo's clothes and accompanied by the monk his
+confidant, repaired thither and lay with her in the utmost delight and
+pleasance till the morning, when he returned to the abbey. After this
+he very often made the same journey on a like errand and being whiles
+encountered, coming or going, of one or another of the villagers, it
+was believed he was Ferondo who went about those parts, doing penance;
+by reason whereof many strange stories were after bruited about among
+the simple countryfolk, and this was more than once reported to
+Ferondo's wife, who well knew what it was.
+
+As for Ferondo, when he recovered his senses and found himself he knew
+not where, the Bolognese monk came in to him with a horrible noise and
+laying hold of him, gave him a sound drubbing with a rod he had in his
+hand. Ferondo, weeping and crying out, did nought but ask, 'Where am
+I?' To which the monk answered, 'Thou art in purgatory.' 'How?' cried
+Ferondo. 'Am I then dead?' 'Ay, certes,' replied the other; whereupon
+Ferondo fell to bemoaning himself and his wife and child, saying the
+oddest things in the world. Presently the monk brought him somewhat of
+meat and drink, which Ferondo seeing, 'What!' cried he. 'Do the dead
+eat?' 'Ay do they,' answered the monk. 'This that I bring thee is what
+the woman, thy wife that was, sent this morning to the church to let
+say masses for thy soul, and God the Lord willeth that it be made over
+to thee.' Quoth Ferondo, 'God grant her a good year! I still cherished
+her ere I died, insomuch that I held her all night in mine arms and
+did nought but kiss her, and t' other thing also I did, when I had a
+mind thereto.' Then, being very sharp-set, he fell to eating and
+drinking and himseeming the wine was not overgood, 'Lord confound
+her!' quoth he. 'Why did not she give the priest wine of the cask
+against the wall?'
+
+After he had eaten, the monk laid hold of him anew and gave him
+another sound beating with the same rod; whereat Ferondo roared out
+lustily and said, 'Alack, why dost thou this to me?' Quoth the monk,
+'Because thus hath God the Lord ordained that it be done unto thee
+twice every day.' 'And for what cause?' asked Ferondo. 'Because,'
+answered the monk, 'thou wast jealous, having the best woman in the
+country to wife.' 'Alas!' said Ferondo. 'Thou sayst sooth, ay, and the
+kindest creature; she was sweeter than syrup; but I knew not that God
+the Lord held it for ill that a man should be jealous; else had I not
+been so.' Quoth the monk, 'Thou shouldst have bethought thyself of
+that, whenas thou wast there below,[195] and have amended thee
+thereof; and should it betide that thou ever return thither, look thou
+so have in mind that which I do unto thee at this present that thou be
+nevermore jealous.' 'What?' said Ferondo. 'Do the dead ever return
+thither?' 'Ay,' answered the monk; 'whom God willeth.' 'Marry,' cried
+Ferondo, 'and I ever return thither, I will be the best husband in the
+world; I will never beat her nor give her an ill word, except it be
+anent the wine she sent hither this morning and for that she sent no
+candles, so it behoved me to eat in the dark.' 'Nay,' said the monk,
+'she sent candles enough, but they were all burnt for the masses.'
+'True,' rejoined Ferondo; 'and assuredly, an I return thither, I will
+let her do what she will. But tell me, who art thou that usest me
+thus?' Quoth the monk, 'I also am dead. I was of Sardinia and for that
+aforetime I much commended a master of mine of being jealous, I have
+been doomed of God to this punishment, that I must give thee to eat
+and drink and beat thee thus, till such time as God shall ordain
+otherwhat of thee and of me.' Then said Ferondo, 'Is there none here
+other than we twain?' 'Ay,' answered the monk, 'there be folk by the
+thousands; but thou canst neither see nor hear them, nor they thee.'
+Quoth Ferondo, 'And how far are we from our own countries?' 'Ecod,'
+replied the other, 'we are distant thence more miles than we can well
+cack at a bout.' 'Faith,' rejoined the farmer, 'that is far enough;
+meseemeth we must be out of the world, an it be so much as all that.'
+
+[Footnote 195: _i.e._ in the sublunary world.]
+
+In such and the like discourse was Ferondo entertained half a score
+months with eating and drinking and beating, what while the abbot
+assiduously visited the fair lady, without miscarriage, and gave
+himself the goodliest time in the world with her. At last, as ill-luck
+would have it, the lady found herself with child and straightway
+acquainted the abbot therewith, wherefore it seemed well to them both
+that Ferondo should without delay be recalled from purgatory to life
+and return to her, so she might avouch herself with child by him.
+Accordingly, the abbot that same night caused call to Ferondo in
+prison with a counterfeit voice, saying, 'Ferondo, take comfort, for
+it is God's pleasure that thou return to the world, where thou shalt
+have a son by thy wife, whom look thou name Benedict, for that by the
+prayers of thy holy abbot and of thy wife and for the love of St.
+Benedict He doth thee this favour.' Ferondo, hearing this, was
+exceedingly rejoiced and said, 'It liketh me well, Lord grant a good
+year to Seignior God Almighty and to the abbot and St. Benedict and my
+cheesy[196] sweet honey wife.' The abbot let give him, in the wine
+that he sent him, so much of the powder aforesaid as should cause him
+sleep maybe four hours and with the aid of his monk, having put his
+own clothes on him, restored him privily to the tomb wherein he had
+been buried.
+
+[Footnote 196: _Sic_ (_casciata_); meaning that he loves her as well
+as he loves cheese, for which it is well known that the lower-class
+Italian has a romantic passion. According to Alexandre Dumas, the
+Italian loves cheese so well that he has succeeded in introducing it
+into everything he eats or drinks, with the one exception of coffee.]
+
+Next morning, at break of day, Ferondo came to himself and espying
+light,--a thing which he had not seen for good ten months,--through
+some crevice of the tomb, doubted not but he was alive again.
+Accordingly, he fell to bawling out, 'Open to me! Open to me!' and
+heaving so lustily at the lid of the tomb with his head that he
+stirred it, for that it was eath to move, and had begun to move it
+away, when the monks, having now made an end of saying matins, ran
+thither and knew Ferondo's voice and saw him in act to come forth of
+the sepulchre; whereupon, all aghast for the strangeness of the case,
+they took to their heels and ran to the abbot, who made a show of
+rising from prayer and said, 'My sons, have no fear; take the cross
+and the holy water and follow after me, so we may see that which God
+willeth to show forth to us of His might'; and as he said, so he did.
+
+Now Ferondo was come forth of the sepulchre all pale, as well might he
+be who had so long abidden without seeing the sky. As soon as he saw
+the abbot, he ran to cast himself at his feet and said, 'Father mine,
+according to that which hath been revealed to me, your prayers and
+those of St. Benedict and my wife have delivered me from the pains of
+purgatory and restored me to life, wherefore I pray God to give you a
+good year and good calends now and always.' Quoth the abbot, 'Praised
+be God His might! Go, my son, since He hath sent thee back hither;
+comfort thy wife, who hath been still in tears, since thou departedst
+this life, and henceforth be a friend and servant of God.' 'Sir,'
+replied Ferondo, 'so hath it indeed been said to me; only leave me do;
+for, as soon as I find her, I shall buss her, such goodwill do I bear
+her.'
+
+The abbot, left alone with his monks, made a great show of wonderment
+at this miracle and caused devoutly sing Miserere therefor. As for
+Ferondo, he returned to his village, where all who saw him fled, as
+men use to do from things frightful; but he called them back and
+avouched himself to be raised up again. His wife on like wise feigned
+to be adread of him; but, after the folk were somewhat reassured anent
+him and saw that he was indeed alive, they questioned him of many
+things, and he, as it were he had returned wise, made answer to all
+and gave them news of the souls of their kinsfolk, making up, of his
+own motion, the finest fables in the world of the affairs of purgatory
+and recounting in full assembly the revelation made him by the mouth
+of the Rangel Bragiel[197] ere he was raised up again. Then, returning
+to his house and entering again into possession of his goods, he got
+his wife, as he thought, with child, and by chance it befell that, in
+due time,--to the thinking of the fools who believe that women go just
+nine months with child,--the lady gave birth to a boy, who was called
+Benedict Ferondi.[198]
+
+[Footnote 197: _i.e._ the Angel Gabriel.]
+
+[Footnote 198: The plural of a surname is, in strictness, always used
+by the Italians in speaking of a man by his full name, _dei_ being
+understood between the Christian and surname, as _Benedetto_ (_dei_)
+_Ferondi_, Benedict of the Ferondos or Ferondo family, whilst, when he
+is denominated by the surname alone, it is used in the singular, _il_
+(the) being understood, _e.g._ (Il) Boccaccio, (Il) Ferondo, _i.e._
+the particular Boccaccio or Ferondo in question for the nonce.]
+
+Ferondo's return and his talk, well nigh every one believing him to
+have risen from the dead, added infinitely to the renown of the
+abbot's sanctity, and he himself, as if cured of his jealousy by the
+many beatings he had received therefor, thenceforward, according to
+the promise made by the abbot to the lady, was no more jealous;
+whereat she was well pleased and lived honestly with him, as of her
+wont, save indeed that, whenas she conveniently might, she willingly
+foregathered with the holy abbot, who had so well and diligently
+served her in her greatest needs."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     GILLETTE DE NARBONNE RECOVERETH THE KING OF FRANCE OF A
+     FISTULA AND DEMANDETH FOR HER HUSBAND BERTRAND DE
+     ROUSSILLON, WHO MARRIETH HER AGAINST HIS WILL AND BETAKETH
+     HIM FOR DESPITE TO FLORENCE, WHERE, HE PAYING COURT TO A
+     YOUNG LADY, GILLETTE, IN THE PERSON OF THE LATTER, LIETH
+     WITH HIM AND HATH BY HIM TWO SONS; WHEREFORE AFTER, HOLDING
+     HER DEAR, HE ENTERTAINETH HER FOR HIS WIFE
+
+
+Lauretta's story being now ended, it rested but with the queen to
+tell, an she would not infringe upon Dioneo's privilege; wherefore,
+without waiting to be solicited by her companions, she began all
+blithesomely to speak thus: "Who shall tell a story that may appear
+goodly, now we have heard that of Lauretta? Certes, it was well for us
+that hers was not the first, for that few of the others would have
+pleased after it, as I misdoubt me[199] will betide of those which are
+yet to tell this day. Natheless, be that as it may, I will e'en
+recount to you that which occurreth to me upon the proposed theme.
+
+[Footnote 199: Lit. and so I hope (_spero_), a curious instance of the
+ancient Dantesque use of the word _spero_, I hope, in its contrary
+sense of fear.]
+
+There was in the kingdom of France a gentleman called Isnard, Count of
+Roussillon, who, for that he was scant of health, still entertained
+about his person a physician, by name Master Gerard de Narbonne. The
+said count had one little son, and no more, hight Bertrand, who was
+exceeding handsome and agreeable, and with him other children of his
+own age were brought up. Among these latter was a daughter of the
+aforesaid physician, by name Gillette, who vowed to the said Bertrand
+an infinite love and fervent more than pertained unto her tender
+years. The count dying and leaving his son in the hands of the king,
+it behoved him betake himself to Paris, whereof the damsel abode sore
+disconsolate, and her own father dying no great while after, she would
+fain, an she might have had a seemly occasion, have gone to Paris to
+see Bertrand: but, being straitly guarded, for that she was left rich
+and alone, she saw no honourable way thereto; and being now of age for
+a husband and having never been able to forget Bertrand, she had,
+without reason assigned, refused many to whom her kinsfolk would have
+married her.
+
+Now it befell that, what while she burned more than ever for love of
+Bertrand, for that she heard he was grown a very goodly gentleman,
+news came to her how the King of France, by an imposthume which he had
+had in his breast and which had been ill tended, had gotten a fistula,
+which occasioned him the utmost anguish and annoy, nor had he yet been
+able to find a physician who might avail to recover him thereof,
+albeit many had essayed it, but all had aggravated the ill; wherefore
+the king, despairing of cure, would have no more counsel nor aid of
+any. Hereof the young lady was beyond measure content and bethought
+herself that not only would this furnish her with a legitimate
+occasion of going to Paris, but that, should the king's ailment be
+such as she believed, she might lightly avail to have Bertrand to
+husband. Accordingly, having aforetime learned many things of her
+father, she made a powder of certain simples useful for such an
+infirmity as she conceived the king's to be and taking horse, repaired
+to Paris.
+
+Before aught else she studied to see Bertrand and next, presenting
+herself before the king, she prayed him of his favour to show her his
+ailment. The king, seeing her a fair and engaging damsel, knew not how
+to deny her and showed her that which ailed him. Whenas she saw it,
+she was certified incontinent that she could heal it and accordingly
+said, 'My lord, an it please you, I hope in God to make you whole of
+this your infirmity in eight days' time, without annoy or fatigue on
+your part.' The king scoffed in himself at her words, saying, 'That
+which the best physicians in the world have availed not neither known
+to do, how shall a young woman know?' Accordingly, he thanked her for
+her good will and answered that he was resolved no more to follow the
+counsel of physicians. Whereupon quoth the damsel, 'My lord, you make
+light of my skill, for that I am young and a woman; but I would have
+you bear in mind that I medicine not of mine own science, but with the
+aid of God and the science of Master Gerard de Narbonne, who was my
+father and a famous physician whilst he lived.'
+
+The king, hearing this, said in himself, 'It may be this woman is sent
+me of God; why should I not make proof of her knowledge, since she
+saith she will, without annoy of mine, cure me in little time?'
+Accordingly, being resolved to essay her, he said, 'Damsel, and if you
+cure us not, after causing us break our resolution, what will you have
+ensue to you therefor?' 'My lord,' answered she, 'set a guard upon me
+and if I cure you not within eight days, let burn me alive; but, if I
+cure you, what reward shall I have?' Quoth the king, 'You seem as yet
+unhusbanded; if you do this, we will marry you well and worshipfully.'
+'My lord,' replied the young lady, 'I am well pleased that you should
+marry me, but I will have a husband such as I shall ask of you,
+excepting always any one of your sons or of the royal house.' He
+readily promised her that which she sought, whereupon she began her
+cure and in brief, before the term limited, she brought him back to
+health.
+
+The king, feeling himself healed, said, 'Damsel, you have well earned
+your husband'; whereto she answered, 'Then, my lord, I have earned
+Bertrand de Roussillon, whom I began to love even in the days of my
+childhood and have ever since loved over all.' The king deemed it a
+grave matter to give him to her; nevertheless, having promised her and
+unwilling to fail of his faith, he let call the count to himself and
+bespoke him thus: 'Bertrand, you are now of age and accomplished [in
+all that behoveth unto man's estate];[200] wherefore it is our
+pleasure that you return to govern your county and carry with you a
+damsel, whom we have given you to wife.' 'And who is the damsel, my
+lord?' asked Bertrand; to which the king answered, 'It is she who hath
+with her medicines restored to us our health.'
+
+[Footnote 200: _Fornito_, a notable example of what the illustrious
+Lewis Carroll Dodgson, Waywode of Wonderland, calls a "portmanteau-word,"
+a species that abounds in mediaeval Italian, for the confusion of
+translators.]
+
+Bertrand, who had seen and recognized Gillette, knowing her (albeit
+she seemed to him very fair) to be of no such lineage as sorted with
+his quality, said all disdainfully, 'My lord, will you then marry me
+to a she-leach? Now God forbid I should ever take such an one to
+wife!' 'Then,' said the king, 'will you have us fail of our faith, the
+which, to have our health again, we pledged to the damsel, who in
+guerdon thereof demanded you to husband?' 'My lord,' answered
+Bertrand, 'you may, an you will, take from me whatsoever I possess or,
+as your liegeman, bestow me upon whoso pleaseth you; but of this I
+certify you, that I will never be a consenting party unto such a
+marriage.' 'Nay,' rejoined the king, 'but you shall, for that the
+damsel is fair and wise and loveth you dear; wherefore we doubt not
+but you will have a far happier life with her than with a lady of
+higher lineage.' Bertrand held his peace and the king let make great
+preparations for the celebration of the marriage.
+
+The appointed day being come, Bertrand, sore against his will, in the
+presence of the king, espoused the damsel, who loved him more than
+herself. This done, having already determined in himself what he
+should do, he sought leave of the king to depart, saying he would fain
+return to his county and there consummate the marriage; then, taking
+horse, he repaired not thither, but betook himself into Tuscany,
+where, hearing that the Florentines were at war with those of Sienna,
+he determined to join himself to the former, by whom he was joyfully
+received and made captain over a certain number of men-at-arms; and
+there, being well provided[201] of them, he abode a pretty while in
+their service.
+
+[Footnote 201: _i.e._ getting good pay and allowances (_avendo buona
+provisione_).]
+
+The newly-made wife, ill content with such a lot, but hoping by her
+fair dealing to recall him to his county, betook herself to
+Roussillon, where she was received of all as their liege lady. There,
+finding everything waste and disordered for the long time that the
+land had been without a lord, with great diligence and solicitude,
+like a discreet lady as she was, she set all in order again, whereof
+the count's vassals were mightily content and held her exceeding dear,
+vowing her a great love and blaming the count sore for that he
+accepted not of her. The lady, having thoroughly ordered the county,
+notified the count thereof by two knights, whom she despatched to him,
+praying him that, an it were on her account he forbore to come to his
+county, he should signify it to her and she, to pleasure him, would
+depart thence; but he answered them very harshly, saying, 'For that,
+let her do her pleasure; I, for my part, will return thither to abide
+with her, whenas she shall have this my ring on her finger and in her
+arms a son by me begotten.' Now the ring in question he held very dear
+and never parted with it, by reason of a certain virtue which it had
+been given him to understand that it had.
+
+The knights understood the hardship of the condition implied in these
+two well nigh impossible requirements, but, seeing that they might not
+by their words avail to move him from his purpose, they returned to
+the lady and reported to her his reply; whereat she was sore afflicted
+and determined, after long consideration, to seek to learn if and
+where the two things aforesaid might be compassed, to the intent that
+she might, in consequence, have her husband again. Accordingly, having
+bethought herself what she should do, she assembled certain of the
+best and chiefest men of the county and with plaintive speech very
+orderly recounted to them that which she had already done for love of
+the count and showed them what had ensued thereof, adding that it was
+not her intent that, through her sojourn there, the count should abide
+in perpetual exile; nay, rather she purposed to spend the rest of her
+life in pilgrimages and works of mercy and charity for her soul's
+health; wherefore she prayed them take the ward and governance of the
+county and notify the count that she had left him free and vacant
+possession and had departed the country, intending nevermore to return
+to Roussillon. Many were the tears shed by the good folk, whilst she
+spoke, and many the prayers addressed to her that it would please her
+change counsel and abide there; but they availed nought. Then,
+commending them to God, she set out upon her way, without telling any
+whither she was bound, well furnished with monies and jewels of price
+and accompanied by a cousin of hers and a chamberwoman, all in
+pilgrims' habits, and stayed not till she came to Florence, where,
+chancing upon a little inn, kept by a decent widow woman, she there
+took up her abode and lived quietly, after the fashion of a poor
+pilgrim, impatient to hear news of her lord.
+
+It befell, then, that on the morrow of her arrival she saw Bertrand
+pass before her lodging, a-horseback with his company, and albeit she
+knew him full well, natheless she asked the good woman of the inn who
+he was. The hostess answered, 'That is a stranger gentleman, who
+calleth himself Count Bertrand, a pleasant man and a courteous and
+much loved in this city; and he is the most enamoured man in the world
+of a she-neighbour of ours, who is a gentlewoman, but poor. Sooth to
+say, she is a very virtuous damsel and abideth, being yet unmarried
+for poverty, with her mother, a very good and discreet lady, but for
+whom, maybe, she had already done the count's pleasure.' The countess
+took good note of what she heard and having more closely enquired into
+every particular and apprehended all aright, determined in herself how
+she should do.
+
+Accordingly, having learned the house and name of the lady whose
+daughter the count loved, she one day repaired privily thither in her
+pilgrim's habit and finding the mother and daughter in very poor case,
+saluted them and told the former that, an it pleased her, she would
+fain speak with her alone. The gentlewoman, rising, replied that she
+was ready to hearken to her and accordingly carried her into a chamber
+of hers, where they seated themselves and the countess began thus,
+'Madam, meseemeth you are of the enemies of Fortune, even as I am;
+but, an you will, belike you may be able to relieve both yourself and
+me.' The lady answered that she desired nothing better than to relieve
+herself by any honest means; and the countess went on, 'Needs must you
+pledge me your faith, whereto an I commit myself and you deceive me,
+you will mar your own affairs and mine.' 'Tell me anything you will in
+all assurance,' replied the gentlewoman; 'for never shall you find
+yourself deceived of me.'
+
+Thereupon the countess, beginning with her first enamourment,
+recounted to her who she was and all that had betided her to that day
+after such a fashion that the gentlewoman, putting faith in her words
+and having, indeed, already in part heard her story from others, began
+to have compassion of her. The countess, having related her
+adventures, went on to say, 'You have now, amongst my other troubles,
+heard what are the two things which it behoveth me have, an I would
+have my husband, and to which I know none who can help me, save only
+yourself, if that be true which I hear, to wit, that the count my
+husband is passionately enamoured of your daughter.' 'Madam,' answered
+the gentlewoman, 'if the count love my daughter I know not; indeed he
+maketh a great show thereof. But, an it be so, what can I do in this
+that you desire?' 'Madam,' rejoined the countess, 'I will tell you;
+but first I will e'en show you what I purpose shall ensue thereof to
+you, an you serve me. I see your daughter fair and of age for a
+husband and according to what I have heard, meseemeth I understand the
+lack of good to marry her withal it is that causeth you keep her at
+home. Now I purpose, in requital of the service you shall do me, to
+give her forthright of mine own monies such a dowry as you yourself
+shall deem necessary to marry her honorably.'
+
+The mother, being needy, was pleased with the offer; algates, having
+the spirit of a gentlewoman, she said, 'Madam, tell me what I can do
+for you; if it consist with my honour, I will willingly do it, and you
+shall after do that which shall please you.' Then said the countess,
+'It behoveth me that you let tell the count my husband by some one in
+whom you trust, that your daughter is ready to do his every pleasure,
+so she may but be certified that he loveth her as he pretendeth, the
+which she will never believe, except he send her the ring which he
+carrieth on his finger and by which she hath heard he setteth such
+store. An he send you the ring, you must give it to me and after send
+to him to say that your daughter is ready do his pleasure; then bring
+him hither in secret and privily put me to bed to him in the stead of
+your daughter. It may be God will vouchsafe me to conceive and on this
+wise, having his ring on my finger and a child in mine arms of him
+begotten, I shall presently regain him and abide with him, as a wife
+should abide with her husband, and you will have been the cause
+thereof.'
+
+This seemed a grave matter to the gentlewoman, who feared lest blame
+should haply ensue thereof to her daughter; nevertheless, bethinking
+her it were honourably done to help the poor lady recover her husband
+and that she went about to do this to a worthy end and trusting in the
+good and honest intention of the countess, she not only promised her
+to do it, but, before many days, dealing with prudence and secrecy, in
+accordance with the latter's instructions, she both got the ring
+(albeit this seemed somewhat grievous to the count) and adroitly put
+her to bed with her husband, in the place of her own daughter. In
+these first embracements, most ardently sought of the count, the lady,
+by God's pleasure, became with child of two sons, as her delivery in
+due time made manifest. Nor once only, but many times, did the
+gentlewoman gratify the countess with her husband's embraces,
+contriving so secretly that never was a word known of the matter,
+whilst the count still believed himself to have been, not with his
+wife, but with her whom he loved; and whenas he came to take leave of
+a morning, he gave her, at one time and another, divers goodly and
+precious jewels, which the countess laid up with all diligence.
+
+Then, feeling herself with child and unwilling to burden the
+gentlewoman farther with such an office, she said to her, 'Madam,
+thanks to God and you, I have gotten that which I desired, wherefore
+it is time that I do that which shall content you and after get me
+gone hence.' The gentlewoman answered that, if she had gotten that
+which contented her, she was well pleased, but that she had not done
+this of any hope of reward, nay, for that herseemed it behoved her to
+do it, an she would do well. 'Madam,' rejoined the countess, 'that
+which you say liketh me well and so on my part I purpose not to give
+you that which you shall ask of me by way of reward, but to do well,
+for that meseemeth behoveful so to do.' The gentlewoman, then,
+constrained by necessity, with the utmost shamefastness, asked her an
+hundred pounds to marry her daughter withal; but the countess, seeing
+her confusion and hearing her modest demand, gave her five hundred and
+so many rare and precious jewels as were worth maybe as much more.
+With this the gentlewoman was far more than satisfied and rendered the
+countess the best thanks in her power; whereupon the latter, taking
+leave of her, returned to the inn, whilst the other, to deprive
+Bertrand of all farther occasion of coming or sending to her house,
+removed with her daughter into the country to the house of one of her
+kinsfolk, and he, being a little after recalled by his vassals and
+hearing that the countess had departed the country, returned to his
+own house.
+
+The countess, hearing that he had departed Florence and returned to
+his county, was mightily rejoiced and abode at Florence till her time
+came to be delivered, when she gave birth to two male children, most
+like their father, and let rear them with all diligence. Whenas it
+seemed to her time, she set out and came, without being known of any,
+to Montpellier, where having rested some days and made enquiry of the
+count and where he was, she learned that he was to hold a great
+entertainment of knights and ladies at Roussillon on All Saints' Day
+and betook herself thither, still in her pilgrim's habit that she was
+wont to wear. Finding the knights and ladies assembled in the count's
+palace and about to sit down to table, she went up, with her children
+in her arms and without changing her dress, into the banqueting hall
+and making her way between man and man whereas she saw the count, cast
+herself at his feet and said, weeping, 'I am thine unhappy wife, who,
+to let thee return and abide in thy house, have long gone wandering
+miserably about the world. I conjure thee, in the name of God, to
+accomplish unto me thy promise upon the condition appointed me by the
+two knights I sent thee; for, behold, here in mine arms is not only
+one son of thine, but two, and here is thy ring. It is time, then,
+that I be received of thee as a wife, according to thy promise.'
+
+The count, hearing this, was all confounded and recognized the ring
+and the children also, so like were they to him; but yet he said, 'How
+can this have come to pass?' The countess, then, to his exceeding
+wonderment and that of all others who were present, orderly recounted
+that which had passed and how it had happened; whereupon the count,
+feeling that she spoke sooth and seeing her constancy and wit and
+moreover two such goodly children, as well for the observance of his
+promise as to pleasure all his liegemen and the ladies, who all
+besought him thenceforth to receive and honour her as his lawful wife,
+put off his obstinate despite and raising the countess to her feet,
+embraced her and kissing her, acknowledged her for his lawful wife and
+those for his children. Then, letting clothe her in apparel such as
+beseemed her quality, to the exceeding joyance of as many as were
+there and of all other his vassals who heard the news, he held high
+festival, not only all that day, but sundry others, and from that day
+forth still honoured her as his bride and his wife and loved and
+tendered her over all."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Third]
+
+     ALIBECH, TURNING HERMIT, IS TAUGHT BY RUSTICO, A MONK, TO
+     PUT THE DEVIL IN HELL, AND BEING AFTER BROUGHT AWAY THENCE,
+     BECOMETH NEERBALE HIS WIFE
+
+
+Dioneo, who had diligently hearkened to the queen's story, seeing that
+it was ended and that it rested with him alone to tell, without
+awaiting commandment, smilingly began to speak as follows: "Charming
+ladies, maybe you have never heard tell how one putteth the devil in
+hell; wherefore, without much departing from the tenor of that
+whereof you have discoursed all this day, I will e'en tell it you.
+Belike, having learned it, you may catch the spirit[202] thereof and
+come to know that, albeit Love sojourneth liefer in jocund palaces and
+luxurious chambers than in the hovels of the poor, yet none the less
+doth he whiles make his power felt midmost thick forests and rugged
+mountains and in desert caverns; whereby it may be understood that all
+things are subject to his puissance.
+
+[Footnote 202: _Guadagnare l'anima_, lit. gain the soul (syn. pith,
+kernel, substance). This passage is ambiguous and should perhaps be
+rendered "catch the knack or trick" or "acquire the wish."]
+
+To come, then, to the fact, I say that in the city of Capsa in Barbary
+there was aforetime a very rich man, who, among his other children,
+had a fair and winsome young daughter, by name Alibech. She, not being
+a Christian and hearing many Christians who abode in the town mightily
+extol the Christian faith and the service of God, one day questioned
+one of them in what manner one might avail to serve God with the least
+hindrance. The other answered that they best served God who most
+strictly eschewed the things of the world, as those did who had
+betaken them into the solitudes of the deserts of Thebais. The girl,
+who was maybe fourteen years old and very simple, moved by no ordered
+desire, but by some childish fancy, set off next morning by stealth
+and all alone, to go to the desert of Thebais, without letting any
+know her intent. After some days, her desire persisting, she won, with
+no little toil, to the deserts in question and seeing a hut afar off,
+went thither and found at the door a holy man, who marvelled to see
+her there and asked her what she sought. She replied that, being
+inspired of God, she went seeking to enter into His service and was
+now in quest of one who should teach her how it behoved to serve Him.
+
+The worthy man, seeing her young and very fair and fearing lest, an he
+entertained her, the devil should beguile him, commended her pious
+intent and giving her somewhat to eat of roots of herbs and wild
+apples and dates and to drink of water, said to her, 'Daughter mine,
+not far hence is a holy man, who is a much better master than I of
+that which thou goest seeking; do thou betake thyself to him'; and put
+her in the way. However, when she reached the man in question, she had
+of him the same answer and faring farther, came to the cell of a young
+hermit, a very devout and good man, whose name was Rustico and to whom
+she made the same request as she had done to the others. He, having a
+mind to make a trial of his own constancy, sent her not away, as the
+others had done, but received her into his cell, and the night being
+come, he made her a little bed of palm-fronds and bade her lie down to
+rest thereon. This done, temptations tarried not to give battle to his
+powers of resistance and he, finding himself grossly deceived by these
+latter, turned tail, without awaiting many assaults, and confessed
+himself beaten; then, laying aside devout thoughts and orisons and
+mortifications, he fell to revolving in his memory the youth and
+beauty of the damsel and bethinking himself what course he should take
+with her, so as to win to that which he desired of her, without her
+taking him for a debauched fellow.
+
+Accordingly, having sounded her with sundry questions, he found that
+she had never known man and was in truth as simple as she seemed;
+wherefore he bethought him how, under colour of the service of God, he
+might bring her to his pleasures. In the first place, he showeth her
+with many words how great an enemy the devil was of God the Lord and
+after gave her to understand that the most acceptable service that
+could be rendered to God was to put back the devil into hell, whereto
+he had condemned him. The girl asked him how this might be done; and
+he, 'Thou shalt soon know that; do thou but as thou shalt see me do.'
+So saying, he proceeded to put off the few garments he had and abode
+stark naked, as likewise did the girl, whereupon he fell on his knees,
+as he would pray, and caused her abide over against himself.[203]
+
+[Footnote 203: The translators regret that the disuse into which magic
+has fallen, makes it impossible to render the technicalities of that
+mysterious art into tolerable English; they have therefore found it
+necessary to insert several passages in the original Italian.]
+
+E cosi stando, essendo Rustico, piu che mai, nel suo disidero acceso,
+per lo vederla cosi bella, venue la resurrezion della carne; la quale
+riguardando Alibech, e maravigliatasti, disse: Rustico, quella che
+cosa e, che io ti veggio, che cosi si pigne in fuori, e non l' ho io?
+O figliuola mia, disse Rustico, questo e il diavolo, di che io t'ho
+parlato, e vedi tu ora: egli mi da grandissima molestia, tanta, che io
+appena la posso sofferire. Allora disse la giovane. O lodato sia
+Iddio, che io veggio, che io sto meglio, che non stai tu, che io non
+ho cotesto diavolo io. Disse Rustico, tu di vero; ma tu hai un' altra
+cosa, che non l'ho io, et haila in iscambio di questo. Disse Alibech:
+O che? A cui Rustico disse: Hai l'inferno; e dicoti, che io mi credo,
+che Dio t'abbia qui mandata per la salute dell' anima mia; percioche,
+se questo diavolo pur mi dara questa noia, ove tu cogli aver di me
+tanta pieta, e sofferire, che io in inferno il rimetta; tu mi darai
+grandissima consolazione, et a Dio farai grandissimo piacere, e
+servigio; se tu per quello fare in queste parti venuta se; che tu di.
+La giovane di buona fede rispose O padre mio, poscia che io ho
+l'inferno, sia pure quando vi piacera mettervi il diavolo. Disse
+allora Rustico: Figliuola mia benedetta sia tu: andiamo dunque, e
+rimettiamlovi si, che egli poscia mi lasci stare. E cosi detto, menate
+la giovane sopra uno de' loro letticelli, le 'nsegno, come star si
+dovesse a dover incarcerare quel maladetto da Dio. La giovane, che mai
+piu non aveva in inferno messo diavolo alcuno, per la prima volta
+senti un poco di noia; perche ella disse a Rustico.
+
+Per certo, padre mio, mala cosa dee essere questo diavolo, e veramente
+nimico di Iddio che ancora all'inferno, non che altrui duole quando,
+egli v'e dentro rimesso. Disse Rustico: Figliuola, egli non averra
+sempre cosi: e per fare, che questo non avvenisse, da sei volte
+anziche di su il letticel si movesero, ve 'l rimisero; tantoche per
+quella volta gli trasser si la superbia del capo, che egli si stette
+volentieri in pace. Ma ritornatagli poi nel seguente tempo piu volte,
+e la giovane ubbidente sempre a trargliela si disponesse, avvenne,
+che il giuoco le comincio a piacere; e comincio a dire a Rustico. Ben
+veggio, che il ver dicevano que valenti uomini in Capsa, che il
+servire a Dio era cosi dolce cosa, e per certo io non mi ricordo, che
+mai alcuna altra ne facessi, che di tanto diletto, e piacere mi fosse,
+quanto e il rimettere il diavolo in inferno; e percio giudico ogn'
+altra persona, che ad altro che a servire a Dio attende, essere una
+bestia. Per la qual cosa essa spesse volte andava a Rustico, e gli
+diceva. Padre mio, io son qui venuta per servire a Dio, e non per
+istare oziosa; andiamo a rimittere il diavolo in inferno. La qual cosa
+faccendo, diceva ella alcuna volta. Rustico, io non so perche il
+diavolo si fugga di ninferno, che s' egli vi stesse cosi volentiere,
+come l'inferno il riceve, e tiene; agli non sene uscirebbe mai. Cosi
+adunque invitando spesso la giovane Rustico, et al servigio di Dio
+confortandolo, se la bambagia del farsetto tratta gli avea, che egli a
+talora sentiva freddo, che un' altro sarebbe sudato; e percio egli
+incomincio a dire alla giovane, che il diavolo non era da gastigare,
+ne da rimettere in inferno, se non quando egli per superbia levasse il
+capo; e noi, per la grazia, di Dio, l'abbiamo si sgannato, che egla
+priega Iddio di starsi in pace: e cosi alquanto impose di silenzio
+alla giovane. La qual, poiche vide che Rustico non la richiedeva a
+dovere il diavolo rimittere in inferno, gli disse un giorno. Rustico,
+se il diavolo tuo e gastigato, e piu non ti da noia me il mio ninferno
+non lascia stare: perche tu farai bene, che tu col tuo diavolo aiuti
+ad attutare la rabbia al mio inferno; come io col mio ninferno ho
+ajutato a trarre la superbia al tuo diavolo.
+
+     [Transcriber's Note: The following is a 1903 translation of
+     this passage by J.M. Rigg (from Project Gutenberg Etext No.
+     3726):
+
+     Whereupon Rustico, seeing her so fair, felt an accession of
+     desire, and therewith came an insurgence of the flesh, which
+     Alibech marking with surprise, said:--"Rustico, what is
+     this, which I see thee have, that so protrudes, and which I
+     have not?" "Oh! my daughter," said Rustico, "'tis the Devil
+     of whom I have told thee: and, seest thou? he is now
+     tormenting me most grievously, insomuch that I am scarce
+     able to hold out." Then:--"Praise be to God," said the girl,
+     "I see that I am in better case than thou, for no such Devil
+     have I." "Sooth sayst thou," returned Rustico; "but instead
+     of him thou hast somewhat else that I have not." "Oh!" said
+     Alibech, "what may that be?" "Hell," answered Rustico: "and
+     I tell thee, that 'tis my belief that God has sent thee
+     hither for the salvation of my soul; seeing that, if this
+     Devil shall continue to plague me thus, then, so thou wilt
+     have compassion on me and permit me to put him in hell, thou
+     wilt both afford me great and exceeding great solace, and
+     render to God an exceeding most acceptable service, if, as
+     thou sayst, thou art come into these parts for such a
+     purpose." In good faith the girl made answer:--"As I have
+     hell to match your Devil, be it, my father, as and when you
+     will." Whereupon:--"Bless thee, my daughter," said Rustico,
+     "go we then, and put him there, that he leave me henceforth
+     in peace." Which said, he took the girl to one of the beds
+     and taught her the posture in which she must lie in order to
+     incarcerate this spirit accursed of God. The girl, having
+     never before put any devil in hell, felt on this first
+     occasion a twinge of pain: wherefore she said to Rustico:--
+
+     "Of a surety, my father, he must be a wicked fellow, this
+     devil, and in very truth a foe to God; for there is sorrow
+     even in hell--not to speak of other places--when he is put
+     there." "Daughter," said Rustico, "'twill not be always so."
+     And for better assurance thereof they put him there six
+     times before they quitted the bed; whereby they so
+     thoroughly abased his pride that he was fain to be quiet.
+     However, the proud fit returning upon him from time to time,
+     and the girl addressing herself always obediently to its
+     reduction, it so befell that she began to find the game
+     agreeable, and would say to Rustico:--"Now see I plainly
+     that 'twas true, what the worthy men said at Capsa, of the
+     service of God being so delightful: indeed I cannot remember
+     that in aught that ever I did I had so much pleasure, so
+     much solace, as in putting the Devil in hell; for which
+     cause I deem it insensate folly on the part of any one to
+     have a care to aught else than the service of God."
+     Wherefore many a time she would come to Rustico, and say to
+     him:--"My father, 'twas to serve God that I came hither, and
+     not to pass my days in idleness: go we then, and put the
+     Devil in hell." And while they did so, she would now and
+     again say:--"I know not, Rustico, why the Devil should
+     escape from hell; were he but as ready to stay there as hell
+     is to receive and retain him, he would never come out of
+     it." So, the girl thus frequently inviting and exhorting
+     Rustico to the service of God, there came at length a time
+     when she had so thoroughly lightened his doublet that he
+     shivered when another would have sweated; wherefore he began
+     to instruct her that the Devil was not to be corrected and
+     put in hell, save when his head was exalted with pride;
+     adding, "and we by God's grace have brought him to so sober
+     a mind that he prays God he may be left in peace;" by which
+     means he for a time kept the girl quiet. But when she saw
+     that Rustico had no more occasion for her to put the Devil
+     in hell, she said to him one day:--"Rustico, if thy Devil is
+     chastened and gives thee no more trouble, my hell, on the
+     other hand, gives me no peace; wherefore, I with my hell
+     have holpen thee to abase the pride of thy Devil, so thou
+     wouldst do well to lend me the aid of thy Devil to allay the
+     fervent heat of my hell."]
+
+Rustico, who lived on roots and water, could ill avail to answer her
+calls and told her that it would need overmany devils to appease hell,
+but he would do what he might thereof. Accordingly he satisfied her
+bytimes, but so seldom it was but casting a bean into the lion's
+mouth; whereas the girl, herseeming she served not God as diligently
+as she would fain have done, murmured somewhat. But, whilst this
+debate was toward between Rustico his devil and Alibech her hell, for
+overmuch desire on the one part and lack of power on the other, it
+befell that a fire broke out in Capsa and burnt Alibech's father in
+his own house, with as many children and other family as he had; by
+reason whereof she abode heir to all his good. Thereupon, a young man
+called Neerbale, who had spent all his substance in gallantry, hearing
+that she was alive, set out in search of her and finding her, before
+the court[204] had laid hands upon her father's estate, as that of a
+man dying without heir, to Rustico's great satisfaction, but against
+her own will, brought her back to Capsa, where he took her to wife and
+succeeded, in her right, to the ample inheritance of her father.
+
+[Footnote 204: _i.e._ the government (_corte_).]
+
+There, being asked by the women at what she served God in the desert,
+she answered (Neerbale having not yet lain with her) that she served
+Him at putting the devil in hell and that Neerbale had done a grievous
+sin in that he had taken her from such service. The ladies asked, 'How
+putteth one the devil in hell?' And the girl, what with words and
+what with gestures, expounded it to them; whereat they set up so great
+a laughing that they laugh yet and said, 'Give yourself no concern, my
+child; nay, for that is done here also and Neerbale will serve our
+Lord full well with thee at this.' Thereafter, telling it from one to
+another throughout the city, they brought it to a common saying there
+that the most acceptable service one could render to God was to put
+the devil in hell, which byword, having passed the sea hither, is yet
+current here. Wherefore do all you young ladies, who have need of
+God's grace, learn to put the devil in hell, for that this is highly
+acceptable to Him and pleasing to both parties and much good may grow
+and ensue thereof."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A thousand times or more had Dioneo's story moved the modest ladies to
+laughter, so quaint and comical did his words appear to them; then,
+whenas he had made an end thereof, the queen, knowing the term of her
+sovranty to be come, lifted the laurel from her head and set it
+merrily on that of Filostrato, saying: "We shall presently see if the
+wolf will know how to govern the ewes better than the ewes have
+governed the wolves." Filostrato, hearing this, said, laughing, "An I
+were hearkened to, the wolves had taught the ewes to put the devil in
+hell, no worse than Rustico taught Alibech; wherefore do ye not style
+us wolven, since you yourselves have not been ewen. Algates, I will
+govern the kingdom committed to me to the best of my power." "Harkye,
+Filostrato," rejoined Neifile, "in seeking to teach us, you might have
+chanced to learn sense, even as did Masetto of Lamporecchio of the
+nuns, and find your tongue what time your bones should have learnt to
+whistle without a master."
+
+Filostrato, finding that he still got a Roland for his Oliver,[205]
+gave over pleasantry and addressed himself to the governance of the
+kingdom committed to him. Wherefore, letting call the seneschal, he
+was fain to know at what point things stood all and after discreetly
+ordained that which he judged would be well and would content the
+company for such time as his seignory should endure. Then, turning to
+the ladies, "Lovesome ladies," quoth he, "since I knew good from evil,
+I have, for my ill fortune, been still subject unto Love for the
+charms of one or other of you; nor hath humility neither obedience,
+no, nor the assiduous ensuing him in all his usances, in so far as it
+hath been known of me, availed me but that first I have been abandoned
+for another and after have still gone from bad to worse; and so I
+believe I shall fare unto my death; wherefore it pleaseth me that it
+be discoursed to-morrow of none other matter than that which is most
+conformable to mine own case, to wit, OF THOSE WHOSE LOVES HAVE HAD
+UNHAPPY ENDING, for that I in the long run look for a most unhappy
+[issue to mine own]; nor was the name by which you call me conferred
+on me for otherwhat by such an one who knew well what it meant."[206]
+So saying, he rose to his feet and dismissed every one until
+supper-time.
+
+[Footnote 205: Lit. that scythes were no less plenty that he had
+arrows (_che falci si trovavano non meno che egli avesse strali_), a
+proverbial expression the exact bearing of which I do not know, but
+whose evident sense I have rendered in the equivalent English idiom.]
+
+[Footnote 206: Syn. what he said (_che si dire_). See ante, p. 11,
+note.]
+
+The garden was so goodly and so delightsome that there was none who
+elected to go forth thereof, in the hope of finding more pleasance
+elsewhere. Nay, the sun, now grown mild, making it nowise irksome to
+give chase to the fawns and kids and rabbits and other beasts which
+were thereabout and which, as they sat, had come maybe an hundred
+times to disturb them by skipping through their midst, some addressed
+themselves to pursue them. Dioneo and Fiammetta fell to singing of
+Messer Guglielmo and the Lady of Vergiu,[207] whilst Filomena and
+Pamfilo sat down to chess; and so, some doing one thing and some
+another, the time passed on such wise that the hour of supper came
+well nigh unlooked for; whereupon, the tables being set round about
+the fair fountain, they supped there in the evening with the utmost
+delight.
+
+[Footnote 207: Apparently the well-known fabliau of the Dame de Vergy,
+upon which Marguerite d'Angouleme founded the seventieth story of the
+Heptameron.]
+
+As soon as the tables were taken away, Filostrato, not to depart from
+the course holden of those who had been queens before him, commanded
+Lauretta to lead up a dance and sing a song. "My lord," answered she,
+"I know none of other folk's songs, nor have I in mind any of mine own
+which should best beseem so joyous a company; but, an you choose one
+of those which I have, I will willingly sing it." Quote the king,
+"Nothing of thine can be other than goodly and pleasing; wherefore
+sing us such as thou hast." Lauretta, then, with a sweet voice enough,
+but in a somewhat plaintive style, began thus, the other ladies
+answering:
+
+       No maid disconsolate
+         Hath cause as I, alack!
+       Who sigh for love in vain, to mourn her fate.
+
+     He who moves heaven and all the stars in air
+       Made me for His delight
+     Lovesome and sprightly, kind and debonair,
+       E'en here below to give each lofty spright
+     Some inkling of that fair
+       That still in heaven abideth in His sight;
+       But erring men's unright,
+         Ill knowing me, my worth
+           Accepted not, nay, with dispraise did bate.
+
+     Erst was there one who held me dear and fain
+       Took me, a youngling maid,
+     Into his arms and thought and heart and brain,
+       Caught fire at my sweet eyes; yea time, unstayed
+     Of aught, that flits amain
+       And lightly, all to wooing me he laid.
+       I, courteous, nought gainsaid
+         And held[208] him worthy me;
+           But now, woe's me, of him I'm desolate.
+
+     Then unto me there did himself present
+       A youngling proud and haught,
+     Renowning him for valorous and gent;
+       He took and holds me and with erring thought[209]
+     To jealousy is bent;
+       Whence I, alack! nigh to despair am wrought,
+       As knowing myself,--brought
+         Into this world for good
+           Of many an one,--engrossed of one sole mate.
+
+     The luckless hour I curse, in very deed,
+       When I, alas! said yea,
+     Vesture to change,--so fair in that dusk wede
+       I was and glad, whereas in this more gay
+     A weary life I lead,
+       Far less than erst held honest, welaway!
+       Ah, dolorous bridal day,
+         Would God I had been dead
+           Or e'er I proved thee in such ill estate!
+
+     O lover dear, with whom well pleased was I
+       Whilere past all that be,--
+     Who now before Him sittest in the sky
+       Who fashioned us,--have pity upon me
+     Who cannot, though I die,
+       Forget thee for another; cause me see
+       The flame that kindled thee
+         For me lives yet unquenched
+           And my recall up thither[210] impetrate.
+
+[Footnote 208: Lit. made (_Di me il feci digno_).]
+
+[Footnote 209: _i.e._ false suspicion (_falso pensiero_).]
+
+[Footnote 210: _i.e._ to heaven (_e costa su m'impetra la tornata_).]
+
+Here Lauretta made an end of her song, wherein, albeit attentively
+followed of all, she was diversely apprehended of divers persons, and
+there were those who would e'en understand, Milan-fashion, that a good
+hog was better than a handsome wench;[211] but others were of a
+loftier and better and truer apprehension, whereof it booteth not to
+tell at this present. Thereafter the king let kindle store of
+flambeaux upon the grass and among the flowers and caused sing divers
+other songs, until every star began to decline, that was above the
+horizon, when, deeming it time for sleep, he bade all with a good
+night betake themselves to their chambers.
+
+[Footnote 211: The pertinence of this allusion, which probably refers
+to some current Milanese proverbial saying, the word _tosa_, here used
+by Boccaccio for "wench," belonging to the Lombard dialect, is not
+very clear. The expression "Milan-fashion" (_alla melanese_) may be
+supposed to refer to the proverbial materialism of the people of
+Lombardy.]
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE THIRD DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Fourth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE FOURTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF FILOSTRATO IS DISCOURSED OF THOSE WHOSE
+     LOVES HAVE HAD UNHAPPY ENDINGS
+
+
+Dearest ladies, as well by words of wise men heard as by things many a
+time both seen and read of myself, I had conceived that the boisterous
+and burning blast of envy was apt to smite none but lofty towers or
+the highest summits of the trees; but I find myself mistaken in my
+conceit, for that, fleeing, as I have still studied to flee, from the
+cruel onslaught of that raging wind, I have striven to go, not only in
+the plains, but in the very deepest of the valleys, as many manifestly
+enough appear to whoso considereth these present stories, the which
+have been written by me, not only in vulgar Florentine and in prose
+and without [author's] name, but eke in as humble and sober a style as
+might be. Yet for all this have I not availed to escape being cruelly
+shaken, nay, well nigh uprooted, of the aforesaid wind and all torn of
+the fangs of envy; wherefore I can very manifestly understand that to
+be true which the wise use to say, to wit, that misery alone in things
+present is without envy.[212]
+
+[Footnote 212: Sic (_senza invidia_); but the meaning is that misery
+alone is without _enviers_.]
+
+There are then, discreet ladies, some who, reading these stories, have
+said that you please me overmuch and that it is not a seemly thing
+that I should take so much delight in pleasuring and solacing you; and
+some have said yet worse of commending you as I do. Others, making a
+show of wishing to speak more maturely, have said that it sorteth ill
+with mine age henceforth to follow after things of this kind, to wit,
+to discourse of women or to study to please them. And many, feigning
+themselves mighty tender of my repute, avouch that I should do more
+wisely to abide with the Muses on Parnassus than to busy myself among
+you with these toys. Again, there be some who, speaking more
+despitefully than advisedly, have said that I should do more
+discreetly to consider whence I might get me bread than to go peddling
+after these baubles, feeding upon wind; and certain others, in
+disparagement of my pains, study to prove the things recounted by me
+to have been otherwise than as I present them to you.
+
+With such, then, and so many blusterings,[213] such atrocious
+backbitings, such needle-pricks, noble ladies, am I, what while I
+battle in your service, baffled and buffeted and transfixed even to
+the quick. The which things, God knoweth, I hear and apprehend with an
+untroubled mind; and albeit my defence in this pertaineth altogether
+unto you, natheless, I purpose not to spare mine own pains; nay,
+without answering so much [at large] as it might behove, I mean to rid
+mine ears of them with some slight rejoinder, and that without delay;
+for that if even now, I being not yet come to[214] the third part of
+my travail, they[215] are many and presume amain, I opine that, ere I
+come to the end thereof, they may, having had no rebuff at the first,
+on such wise be multiplied that with whatsoever little pains of theirs
+they might overthrow me, nor might your powers, great though they be,
+avail to withstand this.
+
+[Footnote 213: _i.e._ blasts of calumny.]
+
+[Footnote 214: _i.e._ having not yet accomplished.]
+
+[Footnote 215: _i.e._ my censors.]
+
+But, ere I come to make answer to any of them, it pleaseth me, in mine
+own defence, to relate, not an entire story,--lest it should seem I
+would fain mingle mine own stories with those of so commendable a
+company as that which I have presented to you,--but a part of
+one,--that so its very default [of completeness] may attest that it is
+none of those,--and accordingly, speaking to my assailants, I say that
+in our city, a good while agone, there was a townsman, by name Filippo
+Balducci, a man of mean enough extraction, but rich and well addressed
+and versed in such matters as his condition comported. He had a wife,
+whom he loved with an exceeding love, as she him, and they lived a
+peaceful life together, studying nothing so much as wholly to please
+one another. In course of time it came to pass, as it cometh to pass
+of all, that the good lady departed this life and left Filippo nought
+of herself but one only son, begotten of him and maybe two years old.
+Filippo for the death of his lady abode as disconsolate as ever man
+might, having lost a beloved one, and seeing himself left alone and
+forlorn of that company which most he loved, he resolved to be no more
+of the world, but to give himself altogether to the service of God and
+do the like with his little son. Wherefore, bestowing all his good for
+the love of God,[216] he repaired without delay to the top of Mount
+Asinajo, where he took up his abode with his son in a little hut and
+there living with him upon alms, in the practice of fasts and prayers,
+straitly guarded himself from discoursing whereas the boy was, of any
+temporal thing, neither suffered him see aught thereof, lest this
+should divert him from the service aforesaid, but still bespoke him of
+the glories of life eternal and of God and the saints, teaching him
+nought but pious orisons; and in this way of life he kept him many
+years, never suffering him go forth of the hermitage nor showing him
+aught other than himself.
+
+[Footnote 216: _i.e._ in alms.]
+
+Now the good man was used to come whiles into Florence, where being
+succoured, according to his occasions, of the friends of God, he
+returned to his hut, and it chanced one day that, his son being now
+eighteen years old and Filippo an old man, the lad asked him whither
+he went. Filippo told him and the boy said, "Father mine, you are now
+an old man and can ill endure fatigue; why do you not whiles carry me
+to Florence and bring me to know the friends and devotees of God and
+yourself, to the end that I, who am young and better able to toil than
+you, may after, whenas it pleaseth you, go to Florence for our
+occasions, whilst you abide here?" The worthy man, considering that
+his son was now grown to man's estate and thinking him so inured to
+the service of God that the things of this world might thenceforth
+uneath allure him to themselves, said in himself, "The lad saith
+well"; and accordingly, having occasion to go thither, he carried him
+with him. There the youth, seeing the palaces, the houses, the
+churches and all the other things whereof one seeth all the city full,
+began, as one who had never to his recollection beheld the like, to
+marvel amain and questioned his father of many things what they were
+and how they were called. Filippo told him and he, hearing him, abode
+content and questioned of somewhat else.
+
+As they went thus, the son asking and the father answering, they
+encountered by chance a company of pretty and well-dressed young
+women, coming from a wedding, whom as soon as the young man saw, he
+asked his father what manner of things these were. "My son," answered
+Filippo, "cast your eyes on the ground and look not at them, for that
+they are an ill thing." Quoth the son, "And how are they called?" The
+father, not to awaken in the lad's mind a carnal appetite less than
+useful, would not name them by the proper name, to wit, women, but
+said, "They are called green geese." Whereupon, marvellous to relate,
+he who have never seen a woman and who recked not of palaces nor oxen
+nor horses nor asses nor monies nor of aught else he had seen, said
+suddenly, "Father mine, I prithee get me one of these green geese."
+"Alack, my son," replied the father, "hold they peace; I tell thee
+they are an ill thing." "How!" asked the youth. "Are ill things then
+made after this fashion?" and Filippo answered, "Ay." Then said the
+son, "I know not what you would say nor why these are an ill thing;
+for my part, meseemeth I never yet saw aught goodly or pleasing as are
+these. They are fairer than the painted angels you have shown me
+whiles. For God's sake, an you reck of me, contrive that we may carry
+one of yonder green geese back with us up yonder, and I will give it
+to eat." "Nay," answered the father, "I will not: thou knowest not
+whereon they feed." And he understood incontinent that nature was
+stronger than his wit and repented him of having brought the youth to
+Florence. But I will have it suffice me to have told this much of the
+present story and return to those for whose behoof I have related it.
+
+Some, then, of my censurers say that I do ill, young ladies, in
+studying overmuch to please you and that you please me overmuch. Which
+things I do most openly confess, to wit, that you please me and that I
+study to please you, and I ask them if they marvel thereat,--considering
+(let be the having known the dulcet kisses and amorous embracements
+and delightsome couplings that are of you, most sweet ladies, often
+gotten) only my having seen and still seeing your dainty manners and
+lovesome beauty and sprightly grace and above all your womanly
+courtesy,--whenas he who had been reared and bred on a wild and
+solitary mountain and within the bounds of a little cell, without
+other company than his father, no sooner set eyes on you than you
+alone were desired of him, you alone sought, you alone followed with
+the eagerness of passion. Will they, then, blame me, back bite me,
+rend me with their tongues if I, whose body Heaven created all apt to
+love you, I, who from my childhood vowed my soul to you, feeling the
+potency of the light of your eyes and the sweetness of your honeyed
+words and the flame enkindled by your piteous sighs,--if, I say, you
+please me or if I study to please you, seeing that you over all else
+pleased a hermitling, a lad without understanding, nay, rather, a wild
+animal? Certes, it is only those, who, having neither sense nor
+cognizance of the pleasures and potency of natural affection, love you
+not nor desire to be loved of you, that chide me thus; and of these I
+reck little.
+
+As for those who go railing anent mine age, it would seem they know
+ill that, for all the leek hath a white head, the tail thereof is
+green. But to these, laying aside pleasantry, I answer that never, no,
+not to the extreme limit of my life, shall I repute it to myself for
+shame to seek to please those whom Guido Cavalcanti and Dante
+Alighieri, when already stricken in years, and Messer Cino da Pistoja,
+when a very old man, held in honour and whose approof was dear to
+them. And were it not to depart from the wonted usance of discourse, I
+would cite history in support and show it to be all full of stories of
+ancient and noble men who in their ripest years have still above all
+studied to please the ladies, the which an they know not, let them go
+learn. That I should abide with the Muses on Parnassus, I confess to
+be good counsel; but, since we can neither abide for ever with the
+Muses, nor they with us, it is nothing blameworthy if, whenas it
+chanceth a man is parted from them, he take delight in seeing that
+which is like unto them. The muses are women, and albeit women may not
+avail to match with them, yet at first sight they have a semblance of
+them; insomuch that, an they pleased me not for aught else, for this
+they should please me; more by token that women have aforetime been to
+me the occasion of composing a thousand verses, whereas the Muses
+never were to me the occasion of making any. They aided me, indeed,
+and showed me how to compose the verses in question; and peradventure,
+in the writing of these present things, all lowly though they be, they
+have come whiles to abide with me, in token maybe and honour of the
+likeness that women bear to them; wherefore, in inditing these toys, I
+stray not so far from Mount Parnassus nor from the Muses as many
+belike conceive.
+
+But what shall we say to those who have such compassion on my hunger
+that they counsel me provide myself bread? Certes, I know not, save
+that, whenas I seek to imagine in myself what would be their answer,
+an I should of necessity beseech them thereof, to wit, of bread,
+methinketh they would reply, "Go seek it among thy fables." Indeed,
+aforetime poets have found more thereof among their fables than many a
+rich man among his treasures, and many, following after their fables,
+have caused their age to flourish; whereas, on the contrary, many, in
+seeking to have more bread than they needed, have perished miserably.
+What more [shall I say?] Let them drive me forth, whenas I ask it of
+them, not that, Godamercy, I have yet need thereof; and even should
+need betide, I know with the Apostle Paul both how to abound and
+suffer need;[217] wherefore let none be more careful of me than I am
+of myself. For those who say that these things have not been such as I
+have here set them down, I would fain have them produce the originals,
+and an these latter accord not with that of which I write, I will
+confess their objection for just and will study to amend myself; but
+till otherwhat than words appeareth, I will leave them to their
+opinion and follow mine own, saying of them that which they say of me.
+
+[Footnote 217: "I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound;
+everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be
+hungry, both to abound and suffer need."--_Philippians_ iv. 12.]
+
+Wherefore, deeming that for the nonce I have answered enough, I say
+that, armed, as I hope to be, with God's aid and yours, gentlest
+ladies, and with fair patience, I will fare on with this that I have
+begun, turning my back to the wind aforesaid and letting it blow, for
+that I see not that aught can betide me other than that which betideth
+thin dust, the which a whirlwind, whenas it bloweth, either stirreth
+not from the earth, or, an it stir it, carrieth it aloft and leaveth
+it oftentimes upon the heads of men and upon the crowns of kings and
+emperors, nay, bytimes upon high palaces and lofty towers, whence an
+it fall, it cannot go lower than the place wherefrom it was uplifted.
+And if ever with all my might I vowed myself to seek to please you in
+aught, now more than ever shall I address myself thereto; for that I
+know none can with reason say otherwhat than that I and others who
+love you do according to nature, whose laws to seek to gainstand
+demandeth overgreat strength, and oftentimes not only in vain, but to
+the exceeding hurt of whoso striveth to that end, is this strength
+employed. Such strength I confess I have not nor ever desired in this
+to have; and an I had it, I had liefer lend it to others than use it
+for myself. Wherefore, let the carpers be silent and an they avail not
+to warm themselves, let them live star-stricken[218] and abiding in
+their delights--or rather their corrupt appetites,--leave me to abide
+in mine for this brief life that is appointed me. But now, fair
+ladies, for that we have strayed enough, needs must we return whence
+we set out and ensue the ordinance commenced.
+
+[Footnote 218: _i.e._ benumbed (_assiderati_).]
+
+The sun had already banished every star from the sky and had driven
+from the earth the humid vapours of the night, when Filostrato,
+arising, caused all his company arise and with them betook himself to
+the fair garden, where they all proceeded to disport themselves, and
+the eating-hour come, they dined whereas they had supped on the
+foregoing evening. Then, after having slept, what time the sun was at
+its highest, they seated themselves, after the wonted fashion, hard by
+the fair fountain, and Filostrato bade Fiammetta give beginning to the
+story-telling; whereupon, without awaiting further commandment, she
+began with womanly grace as follows:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     TANCRED, PRINCE OF SALERNO, SLAYETH HIS DAUGHTER'S LOVER AND
+     SENDETH HER HIS HEART IN A BOWL OF GOLD; WHEREUPON, POURING
+     POISONED WATER OVER IT, SHE DRINKETH THEREOF AND DIETH
+
+
+"Our king hath this day appointed us a woeful subject of discourse,
+considering that, whereas we came hither to make merry, needs must we
+tell of others' tears, the which may not be recounted without moving
+both those who tell and those who hearken to compassion thereof. He
+hath mayhap done this somedele to temper the mirth of the foregoing
+days; but, whatsoever may have moved him thereto, since it pertaineth
+not to me to change his pleasure, I will relate a piteous chance, nay,
+an ill-fortuned and a worthy of your tears.
+
+Tancred, Lord of Salerno, was a humane prince and benign enough of
+nature, (had he not in his old age imbrued his hands in lover's
+blood,) who in all the course of his life had but one daughter, and
+happier had he been if he had none. She was of him as tenderly loved
+as ever daughter of father, and knowing not, by reason of this his
+tender love for her, how to part with her, he married her not till she
+had long overpassed the age when she should have had a husband. At
+last, he gave her to wife to a son of the Duke of Capua, with whom
+having abidden a little while, she was left a widow and returned to
+her father. Now she was most fair of form and favour, as ever was
+woman, and young and sprightly and learned perchance more than is
+required of a lady. Abiding, then, with her father in all ease and
+luxury, like a great lady as she was, and seeing that, for the love he
+bore her, he recked little of marrying her again, nor did it seem to
+her a seemly thing to require him thereof, she bethought herself to
+seek, an it might be, to get her privily a worthy lover. She saw men
+galore, gentle and simple, frequent her father's court, and
+considering the manners and fashions of many, a young serving-man of
+her father's, Guiscardo by name, a man of humble enough extraction,
+but nobler of worth and manners than whatsoever other, pleased her
+over all and of him, seeing him often, she became in secret ardently
+enamoured, approving more and more his fashions every hour; whilst the
+young man, who was no dullard, perceiving her liking for him, received
+her into his heart, on such wise that his mind was thereby diverted
+from well nigh everything other than the love of her.
+
+Each, then, thus secretly tendering the other, the young lady, who
+desired nothing so much as to foregather with him, but had no mind to
+make any one a confidant of her passion, bethought herself of a rare
+device to apprize him of the means; to wit, she wrote him a letter,
+wherein she showed him how he should do to foregather with her on the
+ensuing day, and placing it in the hollow of a cane, gave the letter
+jestingly to Guiscardo, saying, 'Make thee a bellows thereof for thy
+serving-maid, wherewith she may blow up the fire to-night.' Guiscardo
+took the cane and bethinking himself that she would not have given it
+him nor spoken thus, without some cause, took his leave and returned
+therewith to his lodging. There he examined the cane and seeing it to
+be cleft, opened it and found therein the letter, which having read
+and well apprehended that which he had to do, he was the joyfullest
+man alive and set about taking order how he might go to her, according
+to the fashion appointed him of her.
+
+There was, beside the prince's palace, a grotto hewn out of the rock
+and made in days long agone, and to this grotto some little light was
+given by a tunnel[219] by art wrought in the mountain, which latter,
+for that the grotto was abandoned, was well nigh blocked at its mouth
+with briers and weeds that had overgrown it. Into this grotto one
+might go by a privy stair which was in one of the ground floor rooms
+of the lady's apartment in the palace and which was shut in by a very
+strong door. This stair was so out of all folk's minds, for that it
+had been unused from time immemorial, that well nigh none remembered
+it to be there; but Love, to whose eyes there is nothing so secret but
+it winneth, had recalled it to the memory of the enamoured lady, who,
+that none should get wind of the matter, had laboured sore many days
+with such tools as she might command, ere she could make shift to open
+the door; then, going down alone thereby into the grotto and seeing
+the tunnel, she sent to bid Guiscardo study to come to her thereby and
+acquainted him with the height which herseemed should be from the
+mouth thereof to the ground.
+
+[Footnote 219: Or airshaft (_spiraglio_).]
+
+To this end Guiscardo promptly made ready a rope with certain knots
+and loops, whereby he might avail to descend and ascend, and donning a
+leathern suit, that might defend him from the briers, he on the
+ensuing night repaired, without letting any know aught of the matter,
+to the mouth of the tunnel. There making one end of the rope fast to a
+stout tree-stump that had grown up in the mouth, he let himself down
+thereby into the grotto and there awaited the lady, who, on the
+morrow, feigning a desire to sleep, dismissed her women and shut
+herself up alone in her chamber; then, opening the privy door, she
+descended into the grotto, where she found Guiscardo. They greeted one
+another with marvellous joy and betook themselves to her chamber,
+where they abode great part of the day in the utmost delight; and
+after they had taken order together for the discreet conduct of their
+loves, so they might abide secret, Guiscardo returned to the grotto,
+whilst she shut the privy door and went forth to her women. The night
+come, Guiscardo climbed up by his rope to the mouth of the tunnel and
+issuing forth whence he had entered in, returned to his lodging; and
+having learned this road, he in process of time returned many times
+thereafter.
+
+But fortune, jealous of so long and so great a delight, with a woeful
+chance changed the gladness of the two lovers into mourning and
+sorrow; and it befell on this wise. Tancred was wont to come bytimes
+all alone into his daughter's chamber and there abide with her and
+converse awhile and after go away. Accordingly, one day, after dinner,
+he came thither, what time the lady (whose name was Ghismonda) was in
+a garden of hers with all her women, and willing not to take her from
+her diversion, he entered her chamber, without being seen or heard of
+any. Finding the windows closed and the curtains let down over the
+bed, he sat down in a corner on a hassock at the bedfoot and leant his
+head against the bed; then, drawing the curtain over himself, as if he
+had studied to hide himself there, he fell asleep. As he slept thus,
+Ghismonda, who, as ill chance would have it, had appointed her lover
+to come thither that day, softly entered the chamber, leaving her
+women in the garden, and having shut herself in, without perceiving
+that there was some one there, opened the secret door to Guiscardo,
+who awaited her. They straightway betook themselves to bed, as of
+their wont, and what while they sported and solaced themselves
+together, it befell that Tancred awoke and heard and saw that which
+Guiscardo and his daughter did; whereat beyond measure grieved, at
+first he would have cried out at them, but after bethought himself to
+keep silence and abide, an he might, hidden, so with more secrecy and
+less shame to himself he might avail to do that which had already
+occurred to his mind.
+
+The two lovers abode a great while together, according to their
+usance, without observing Tancred, and coming down from the bed,
+whenas it seemed to them time, Guiscardo returned to the grotto and
+she departed the chamber; whereupon Tancred, for all he was an old
+man, let himself down into the garden by a window and returned, unseen
+of any, to his own chamber, sorrowful unto death. That same night, at
+the time of the first sleep, Guiscardo, by his orders, was seized by
+two men, as he came forth of the tunnel, and carried secretly, trussed
+as he was in his suit of leather, to Tancred, who, whenas he saw him,
+said, well nigh weeping, 'Guiscardo, my kindness to thee merited not
+the outrage and the shame thou hast done me in mine own flesh and
+blood, as I have this day seen with my very eyes.' Whereto Guiscardo
+answered nothing but this, 'Love can far more than either you or I.'
+Tancred then commanded that he should be kept secretly under guard and
+in one of the chambers of the palace, and so was it done.
+
+On the morrow, having meanwhile revolved in himself many and divers
+devices, he betook himself, after eating, as of his wont, to his
+daughter's chamber and sending for the lady, who as yet knew nothing
+of these things, shut himself up with her and proceeded, with tears in
+his eyes, to bespeak her thus: 'Ghismonda, meseemed I knew thy virtue
+and thine honesty, nor might it ever have occurred to my mind, though
+it were told me, had I not seen it with mine own eyes, that thou
+wouldst, even so much as in thought, have abandoned thyself to any
+man, except he were thy husband; wherefore in this scant remnant of
+life that my eld reserveth unto me, I shall still abide sorrowful,
+remembering me of this. Would God, an thou must needs stoop to such
+wantonness, thou hadst taken a man sortable to thy quality! But,
+amongst so many who frequent my court, thou hast chosen Guiscardo, a
+youth of the meanest condition, reared in our court, well nigh of
+charity, from a little child up to this day; wherefore thou hast put
+me in sore travail of mind, for that I know not what course to take
+with thee. With Guiscardo, whom I caused take yesternight, as he
+issued forth of the tunnel and have in ward, I am already resolved how
+to deal; but with thee God knoweth I know not what to do. On one side
+love draweth me, which I still borne thee more than father ever bore
+daughter, and on the other most just despite, conceived for thine
+exceeding folly; the one would have me pardon thee, the other would
+have me, against my nature, deal harshly by thee. But ere I come to a
+decision, I would fain hear what thou hast to say to this.' So saying,
+he bowed his head and wept sore as would a beaten child.
+
+Ghismonda, hearing her father's words and seeing that not only was her
+secret love discovered, but Guiscardo taken, felt an inexpressible
+chagrin and came many a time near upon showing it with outcry and
+tears, as women mostly do; nevertheless, her haughty soul
+overmastering that weakness, with marvellous fortitude she composed
+her countenance and rather than proffer any prayer for herself,
+determined inwardly to abide no more on life, doubting not but her
+Guiscardo was already dead. Wherefore, not as a woman rebuked and
+woeful for her default, but as one undaunted and valiant, with dry
+eyes and face open and nowise troubled, she thus bespoke her father:
+'Tancred, I purpose neither to deny nor to entreat, for that the one
+would profit me nothing nor would I have the other avail me; more by
+token that I am nowise minded to seek to render thy mansuetude and
+thine affection favourable to me, but rather, confessing the truth,
+first with true arguments to vindicate mine honour and after with
+deeds right resolutely to ensue the greatness of my soul. True is it I
+have loved and love Guiscardo, and what while I live, which will be
+little, I shall love him, nor, if folk live after death, shall I ever
+leave loving him; but unto this it was not so much my feminine frailty
+that moved me as thy little solicitude to remarry me and his own
+worth.
+
+It should have been manifest to thee, Tancred, being as thou art flesh
+and blood, that thou hadst begotten a daughter of flesh and blood and
+not of iron or stone; and thou shouldst have remembered and should
+still remember, for all thou art old, what and what like are the laws
+of youth and with what potency they work; nor, albeit thou, being a
+man, hast in thy best years exercised thyself in part in arms,
+shouldst thou the less know what ease and leisure and luxury can do in
+the old, to say nothing of the young. I am, then, as being of thee
+begotten, of flesh and blood and have lived so little that I am yet
+young and (for the one and the other reason) full of carnal desire,
+whereunto the having aforetime, by reason of marriage, known what
+pleasure it is to give accomplishment to such desire hath added
+marvellous strength. Unable, therefore, to withstand the strength of
+my desires, I addressed myself, being young and a woman, to ensue that
+whereto they prompted me and became enamoured. And certes in this I
+set my every faculty to the endeavouring that, so far as in me lay, no
+shame should ensue either to thee or to me through this to which
+natural frailty moved me. To this end compassionate Love and favouring
+Fortune found and showed me a very occult way, whereby, unknown of
+any, I won to my desire, and this, whoever it be discovered it to
+thee or howsoever thou knowest it, I nowise deny.
+
+Guiscardo I took not at hazard, as many women do; nay, of deliberate
+counsel I chose him before every other and with advisement prepense
+drew him to me[220] and by dint of perseverance and discretion on my
+part and on his, I have long had enjoyment of my desire. Whereof it
+seemeth that thou, ensuing rather vulgar prejudice than truth,
+reproachest me with more bitterness than of having sinned by way of
+love, saying (as if thou shouldst not have been chagrined, had I
+chosen therefor a man of gentle birth,) that I have committed myself
+with a man of mean condition. Wherein thou seest not that thou blamest
+not my default, but that of fortune, which too often advanceth the
+unworthy to high estate, leaving the worthiest alow.
+
+[Footnote 220: Lit. introduced him to me (_a me lo 'ntrodussi_); but
+Boccaccio here uses the word _introdurre_ in its rarer literal sense
+to lead, to draw, to bring in.]
+
+But now let us leave this and look somewhat to the first principles of
+things, whereby thou wilt see that we all get our flesh from one same
+stock and that all souls were by one same Creator created with equal
+faculties, equal powers and equal virtues. Worth it was that first
+distinguished between us, who were all and still are born equal;
+wherefore those who had and used the greatest sum thereof were called
+noble and the rest abode not noble. And albeit contrary usance hath
+since obscured this primary law, yet is it nowise done away nor
+blotted out from nature and good manners; wherefore he who doth
+worthily manifestly showeth himself a gentleman, and if any call him
+otherwise, not he who is called, but he who calleth committeth
+default. Look among all thy gentlemen and examine into their worth,
+their usances and their manners, and on the other hand consider those
+of Guiscardo; if thou wilt consent to judge without animosity, thou
+wilt say that he is most noble and that these thy nobles are all
+churls. With regard to his worth and virtue, I trusted not to the
+judgment of any other, but to that of thy words and of mine own eyes.
+Who ever so commended him as thou didst in all those praiseworthy
+things wherefor a man of worth should be commended? And certes not
+without reason; for, if mine eyes deceived me not, there was no praise
+given him of thee which I saw him not justify by deeds, and that more
+admirably than thy words availed to express; and even had I suffered
+any deceit in this, it is by thyself I should have been deceived. An,
+then, thou say that I have committed myself with a man of mean
+condition, thou sayst not sooth; but shouldst thou say with a poor
+man, it might peradventure be conceded thee, to thy shame who hast so
+ill known to put a servant of thine and a man of worth in good case;
+yet poverty bereaveth not any of gentilesse; nay, rather, wealth it is
+that doth this. Many kings, many great princes were once poor and many
+who delve and tend sheep were once very rich.
+
+The last doubt that thou broachest, to wit, what thou shouldst do with
+me, drive it away altogether; an thou in thine extreme old age be
+disposed to do that which thou usedst not, being young, namely, to
+deal cruelly, wreak thy cruelty upon me, who am minded to proffer no
+prayer unto thee, as being the prime cause of this sin, if sin it be;
+for of this I certify thee, that whatsoever thou hast done or shalt do
+with Guiscardo, an thou do not the like with me, mine own hands shall
+do it. Now begone; go shed tears with women and waxing cruel, slay him
+and me with one same blow, an it seem to thee we have deserved it.'
+
+The prince knew the greatness of his daughter's soul, but
+notwithstanding believed her not altogether so firmly resolved as she
+said unto that which her words gave out. Wherefore, taking leave of
+her and having laid aside all intent of using rigour against her
+person, he thought to cool her fervent love with other's suffering and
+accordingly bade Guiscardo's two guardians strangle him without noise
+that same night and taking out his heart, bring it to him. They did
+even as it was commanded them, and on the morrow the prince let bring
+a great and goodly bowl of gold and setting therein Guiscardo's heart,
+despatched it to his daughter by the hands of a very privy servant of
+his, bidding him say, whenas he gave it her, 'Thy father sendeth thee
+this, to solace thee of the thing thou most lovest, even as thou hast
+solaced him of that which he loved most.'
+
+Now Ghismonda, unmoved from her stern purpose, had, after her father's
+departure, let bring poisonous herbs and roots and distilled and
+reduced them in water, so she might have it at hand, an that she
+feared should come to pass. The serving-man coming to her with the
+prince's present and message, she took the cup with a steadfast
+countenance and uncovered it. Whenas she saw the heart and
+apprehended the words of the message, she was throughly certified that
+this was Guiscardo's heart and turning her eyes upon the messenger,
+said to him, 'No sepulchre less of worth than one of gold had beseemed
+a heart such as this; and in this my father hath done discreetly.' So
+saying, she set the heart to her lips and kissing it, said, 'Still in
+everything and even to this extreme limit of my life have I found my
+father's love most tender towards me; but now more than ever;
+wherefore do than render him on my part for so great a gift the last
+thanks I shall ever have to give him.'
+
+Then, bending down over the cup, which she held fast, she said,
+looking upon the heart, 'Alack, sweetest harbourage of all my
+pleasures, accursed be his cruelty who maketh me now to see thee with
+the eyes of the body! Enough was it for me at all hours to behold thee
+with those of the mind. Thou hast finished thy course and hast
+acquitted thyself on such wise as was vouchsafed thee of fortune; thou
+art come to the end whereunto each runneth; thou hast left the toils
+and miseries of the world, and of thy very enemy thou hast that
+sepulchre which thy worth hath merited. There lacked nought to thee to
+make thy funeral rites complete save her tears whom in life thou so
+lovedst, the which that thou mightest have, God put it into the heart
+of my unnatural father to send thee to me and I will give them to
+thee, albeit I had purposed to die with dry eyes and visage undismayed
+of aught; and having given them to thee, I will without delay so do
+that my soul, thou working it,[221] shall rejoin that soul which thou
+erst so dearly guardedst. And in what company could I betake me more
+contentedly or with better assurance to the regions unknown than with
+it?[222] Certain am I that it abideth yet herewithin[223] and vieweth
+the seats of its delights and mine and as that which I am assured
+still loveth me, awaiteth my soul, whereof it is over all beloved.'
+
+[Footnote 221: _i.e._ thou being the means of bringing about the
+conjunction (_adoperandol tu_).]
+
+[Footnote 222: _i.e._ Guiscardo's soul.]
+
+[Footnote 223: _i.e._ in the heart.]
+
+So saying, no otherwise than as she had a fountain of water in her
+head, bowing herself over the bowl, without making any womanly outcry,
+she began, lamenting, to shed so many and such tears that they were a
+marvel to behold, kissing the dead heart the while an infinite number
+of times. Her women, who stood about her, understood not what this
+heart was nor what her words meant, but, overcome with compassion,
+wept all and in vain questioned her affectionately of the cause of her
+lament and studied yet more, as best they knew and might, to comfort
+her. The lady, having wept as much as herseemed fit, raised her head
+and drying her eyes, said, 'O much-loved heart, I have accomplished
+mine every office towards thee, nor is there left me aught else to do
+save to come with my soul and bear thine company.' So saying, she
+called for the vial wherein was the water she had made the day before
+and poured the latter into the bowl where was the heart bathed with so
+many of her tears; then, setting her mouth thereto without any fear,
+she drank it all off and having drunken, mounted, with the cup in her
+hand, upon the bed, where composing her body as most decently she
+might, she pressed her dead lover's heart to her own and without
+saying aught, awaited death.
+
+Her women, seeing and hearing all this, albeit they knew not what
+water this was she had drunken, had sent to tell Tancred everything,
+and he, fearing that which came to pass, came quickly down into his
+daughter's chamber, where he arrived what time she laid herself on her
+bed and addressed himself too late to comfort her with soft words;
+but, seeing the extremity wherein she was, he fell a-weeping
+grievously; whereupon quoth the lady to him, 'Tancred, keep these
+tears against a less desired fate than this of mine and give them not
+to me, who desire them not. Who ever saw any, other than thou, lament
+for that which he himself hath willed? Nevertheless, if aught yet live
+in thee of the love which once thou borest me, vouchsafe me for a last
+boon that, since it was not thy pleasure that I should privily and in
+secret live with Guiscardo, my body may openly abide with his,
+whereassoever thou hast caused cast him dead.' The agony of his grief
+suffered not the prince to reply; whereupon the young lady, feeling
+herself come to her end, strained the dead heart to her breast and
+said, 'Abide ye with God, for I go hence.' Then, closing her eyes and
+losing every sense, she departed this life of woe. Such, then, as you
+have heard, was the sorrowful ending of the loves of Guiscardo and
+Ghismonda, whose bodies Tancred, after much lamentation, too late
+repenting him of his cruelty, caused honourably bury in one same
+sepulchre, amid the general mourning of all the people of Salerno."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     FRA ALBERTO GIVETH A LADY TO BELIEVE THAT THE ANGEL GABRIEL
+     IS ENAMOURED OF HER AND IN HIS SHAPE LIETH WITH HER SUNDRY
+     TIMES; AFTER WHICH, FOR FEAR OF HER KINSMEN, HE CASTETH
+     HIMSELF FORTH OF HER WINDOW INTO THE CANAL AND TAKETH REFUGE
+     IN THE HOUSE OF A POOR MAN, WHO ON THE MORROW CARRIETH HIM,
+     IN THE GUISE OF A WILD MAN OF THE WOODS, TO THE PIAZZA,
+     WHERE, BEING RECOGNIZED, HE IS TAKEN BY HIS BRETHREN AND PUT
+     IN PRISON
+
+
+The story told by Fiammetta had more than once brought the tears to
+the eyes of the ladies her companions; but, it being now finished, the
+king with a stern countenance said, "My life would seem to me a little
+price to give for half the delight that Guiscardo had with Ghismonda,
+nor should any of you ladies marvel thereat, seeing that every hour of
+my life I suffer a thousand deaths, nor for all that is a single
+particle of delight vouchsafed me. But, leaving be my affairs for the
+present, it is my pleasure that Pampinea follow on the order of the
+discourse with some story of woeful chances and fortunes in part like
+to mine own; which if she ensue like as Fiammetta hath begun, I shall
+doubtless begin to feel some dew fallen upon my fire." Pampinea,
+hearing the order laid upon her, more by her affection apprehended the
+mind of the ladies her companions than that of Filostrato by his
+words,[224] wherefore, being more disposed to give them some diversion
+than to content the king, farther than in the mere letter of his
+commandment, she bethought herself to tell a story, that should,
+without departing from the proposed theme, give occasion for laughter,
+and accordingly began as follows:
+
+[Footnote 224: _i.e._ was more inclined to consider the wishes of the
+ladies her companions, which she divined by sympathy, than those of
+Filostrato, as shown by his words (_piu per la sua affezione cognobbe
+l'animo delle campagne che quello del re per le sue parole_). It is
+difficult, however, in this instance as in many others, to discover
+with certainty Boccaccio's exact meaning, owing to his affectation of
+Ciceronian concision and delight in obscure elliptical forms of
+construction; whilst his use of words in a remote or unfamiliar sense
+and the impossibility of deciding, in certain cases, the person of the
+pronouns and adjectives employed tend still farther to darken counsel.
+_E.g._, if we render _affezione_ sentiment, _cognobbe_ (as
+_riconobbe_) acknowledged, recognized, and read _le sue parole_ as
+meaning _her_ (instead of _his_) words, the whole sense of the passage
+is changed, and we must read it "more by her sentiment (_i.e._ by the
+tendency and spirit of her story) recognized the inclination of her
+companions than that of the king by her [actual] words." I have
+commented thus at large on this passage, in order to give my readers
+some idea of the difficulties which at every page beset the translator
+of the Decameron and which make Boccaccio perhaps the most troublesome
+of all authors to render into representative English.]
+
+"The vulgar have a proverb to the effect that he who is naught and is
+held good may do ill and it is not believed of him; the which
+affordeth me ample matter for discourse upon that which hath been
+proposed to me and at the same time to show what and how great is the
+hypocrisy of the clergy, who, with garments long and wide and faces
+paled by art and voices humble and meek to solicit the folk, but
+exceeding loud and fierce to rebuke in others their own vices, pretend
+that themselves by taking and others by giving to them come to
+salvation, and to boot, not as men who have, like ourselves, to
+purchase paradise, but as in a manner they were possessors and lords
+thereof, assign unto each who dieth, according to the sum of the
+monies left them by him, a more or less excellent place there,
+studying thus to deceive first themselves, an they believe as they
+say, and after those who put faith for that matter in their words.
+Anent whom, were it permitted me to discover as much as it behoved, I
+would quickly make clear to many simple folk that which they keep
+hidden under those huge wide gowns of theirs. But would God it might
+betide them all of their cozening tricks, as it betided a certain
+minor friar, and he no youngling, but held one of the first
+casuists[225] in Venice; of whom it especially pleaseth me to tell
+you, so as peradventure somewhat to cheer your hearts, that are full
+of compassion for the death of Ghismonda, with laughter and pleasance.
+
+[Footnote 225: Lit. of those who _was_ held of the greatest casuists
+(_di quelli che de' maggior cassesi era tenuto_). This is another very
+obscure passage. The meaning of the word _cassesi_ is unknown and we
+can only guess it to be a dialectic (probably Venetian) corruption of
+the word _casisti_ (casuists). The Giunta edition separates the word
+thus, _casse si_, making _si_ a mere corroborative prefix to _era_,
+but I do not see how the alteration helps us, the word _casse_
+(chests, boxes) being apparently meaningless in this connection.]
+
+There was, then, noble ladies, in Imola, a man of wicked and corrupt
+life, who was called Berto della Massa and whose lewd fashions, being
+well known of the Imolese, had brought him into such ill savour with
+them that there was none in the town who would credit him, even when
+he said sooth; wherefore, seeing that his shifts might no longer stand
+him in stead there, he removed in desperation to Venice, the
+receptacle of every kind of trash, thinking to find there new means of
+carrying on his wicked practices. There, as if conscience-stricken for
+the evil deeds done by him in the past, feigning himself overcome with
+the utmost humility and waxing devouter than any man alive, he went
+and turned Minor Friar and styled himself Fra Alberta da Imola; in
+which habit he proceeded to lead, to all appearance, a very austere
+life, greatly commending abstinence and mortification and never eating
+flesh nor drinking wine, whenas he had not thereof that which was to
+his liking. In short, scarce was any ware of him when from a thief, a
+pimp, a forger, a manslayer, he suddenly became a great preacher,
+without having for all that forsworn the vices aforesaid, whenas he
+might secretly put them in practice. Moreover, becoming a priest, he
+would still, whenas he celebrated mass at the altar, an he were seen
+of many, beweep our Saviour's passion, as one whom tears cost little,
+whenas he willed it. Brief, what with his preachings and his tears, he
+contrived on such wise to inveigle the Venetians that he was trustee
+and depository of well nigh every will made in the town and guardian
+of folk's monies, besides being confessor and counsellor of the most
+part of the men and women of the place; and doing thus, from wolf he
+was become shepherd and the fame of his sanctity was far greater in
+those parts than ever was that of St. Francis at Assisi.
+
+It chanced one day that a vain simple young lady, by name Madam
+Lisetta da Ca[226] Quirino, wife of a great merchant who was gone with
+the galleys into Flanders, came with other ladies to confess to this
+same holy friar, at whose feet kneeling and having, like a true
+daughter of Venice as she was (where the women are all feather-brained),
+told him part of her affairs, she was asked of him if she had a lover.
+Whereto she answered, with an offended air, 'Good lack, sir friar,
+have you no eyes in your head? Seem my charms to you such as those of
+yonder others? I might have lovers and to spare, an I would; but my
+beauties are not for this one nor that. How many women do you see
+whose charms are such as mine, who would be fair in Paradise?' Brief,
+she said so many things of this beauty of hers that it was a weariness
+to hear. Fra Alberto incontinent perceived that she savoured of folly
+and himseeming she was a fit soil for his tools, he fell suddenly and
+beyond measure in love with her; but, reserving blandishments for a
+more convenient season, he proceeded, for the nonce, so he might show
+himself a holy man, to rebuke her and tell her that this was vainglory
+and so forth. The lady told him he was an ass and knew not what one
+beauty was more than another, whereupon he, unwilling to vex her
+overmuch, took her confession and let her go away with the others.
+
+[Footnote 226: Venetian contraction of _Casa_, house. Da Ca Quirino,
+of the Quirino house or family.]
+
+He let some days pass, then, taking with him a trusty companion of
+his, he repaired to Madam Lisetta's house and withdrawing with her
+into a room apart, where none might see him, he fell on his knees
+before her and said, 'Madam, I pray you for God's sake pardon me that
+which I said to you last Sunday, whenas you bespoke me of your beauty,
+for that the following night I was so cruelly chastised there that I
+have not since been able to rise from my bed till to-day.' Quoth
+Mistress Featherbrain, 'And who chastised you thus?' 'I will tell
+you,' replied the monk. 'Being that night at my orisons, as I still
+use to be, I saw of a sudden a great light in my cell and ere I could
+turn me to see what it might be, I beheld over against me a very fair
+youth with a stout cudgel in his hand, who took me by the gown and
+dragging me to my feet, gave me such a drubbing that he broke every
+bone in my body. I asked him why he used me thus and he answered, "For
+that thou presumedst to-day, to disparage the celestial charms of
+Madam Lisetta, whom I love over all things, save only God." "Who,
+then, are you?" asked I; and he replied that he was the angel Gabriel.
+"O my lord," said I, "I pray you pardon me"; and he, "So be it; I
+pardon thee on condition that thou go to her, as first thou mayst, and
+get her pardon; but if she pardons thee not, I will return to thee and
+give thee such a bout of it that I will make thee a woeful man for
+all the time thou shalt live here below." That which he said to me
+after I dare not tell you, except you first pardon me.'
+
+My Lady Addlepate, who was somewhat scant of wit, was overjoyed to
+hear this, taking it all for gospel, and said, after a little, 'I told
+you, Fra Alberto, that my charms were celestial, but, so God be mine
+aid, it irketh me for you and I will pardon you forthright, so you may
+come to no more harm, provided you tell me truly that which the angel
+said to you after.' 'Madam,' replied Fra Alberto, 'since you pardon
+me, I will gladly tell it you; but I must warn you of one thing, to
+wit, that whatever I tell you, you must have a care not to repeat it
+to any one alive, an you would not mar your affairs, for that you are
+the luckiest lady in the world. The angel Gabriel bade me tell you
+that you pleased him so much that he had many a time come to pass the
+night with you, but that he feared to affright you. Now he sendeth to
+tell you by me that he hath a mind to come to you one night and abide
+awhile with you and (for that he is an angel and that, if he came in
+angel-form, you might not avail to touch him,) he purposeth, for your
+delectation, to come in guise of a man, wherefore he biddeth you send
+to tell him when you would have him come and in whose form, and he
+will come hither; whereof you may hold yourself blest over any other
+lady alive.'
+
+My Lady Conceit answered that it liked her well that the angel Gabriel
+loved her, seeing she loved him well nor ever failed to light a candle
+of a groat before him, whereas she saw him depictured, and that what
+time soever he chose to come to her, he should be dearly welcome and
+would find her all alone in her chamber, but on this condition, that
+he should not leave her for the Virgin Mary, whose great well-wisher
+it was said he was, as indeed appeareth, inasmuch as in every place
+where she saw him [limned], he was on his knees before her. Moreover,
+she said it must rest with him to come in whatsoever form he pleased,
+so but she was not affrighted.
+
+Then said Fra Alberto, 'Madam, you speak sagely and I will without
+fail take order with him of that which you tell me. But you may do me
+a great favour, which will cost you nothing; it is this, that you will
+him come with this my body. And I will tell you in what you will do me
+a favour; you must know that he will take my soul forth of my body and
+put it in Paradise, whilst he himself will enter into me; and what
+while he abideth with you, so long will my soul abide in Paradise.'
+'With all my heart,' answered Dame Littlewit. 'I will well that you
+have this consolation, in requital of the buffets he gave you on my
+account.' Then said Fra Alberto, 'Look that he find the door of your
+house open to-night, so he may come in thereat, for that, coming in
+human form, as he will, he might not enter save by the door.' The lady
+replied that it should be done, whereupon the monk took his leave and
+she abode in such a transport of exultation that her breech touched
+not her shift and herseemed a thousand years till the angel Gabriel
+should come to her.
+
+Meanwhile, Fra Alberto, bethinking him that it behoved him play the
+cavalier, not the angel, that night proceeded to fortify himself with
+confections and other good things, so he might not lightly be
+unhorsed; then, getting leave, as soon as it was night, he repaired
+with one of his comrades to the house of a woman, a friend of his,
+whence he was used whiles to take his start what time he went to
+course the fillies; and thence, whenas it seemed to him time, having
+disguised himself, he betook him to the lady's house. There he tricked
+himself out as an angel with the trappings he had brought with him and
+going up, entered the chamber of the lady, who, seeing this creature
+all in white, fell on her knees before him. The angel blessed her and
+raising her to her feet, signed to her to go to bed, which she,
+studious to obey, promptly did, and the angel after lay down with his
+devotee. Now Fra Alberto was a personable man of his body and a lusty
+and excellent well set up on his legs; wherefore, finding himself in
+bed with Madam Lisetta, who was young and dainty, he showed himself
+another guess bedfellow than her husband and many a time that night
+took flight without wings, whereof she avowed herself exceeding
+content; and eke he told her many things of the glories of heaven.
+Then, the day drawing near, after taking order for his return, he made
+off with his trappings and returned to his comrade, whom the good
+woman of the house had meanwhile borne amicable company, lest he
+should get a fright, lying alone.
+
+As for the lady, no sooner had she dined than, taking her
+waiting-woman with her, she betook herself to Fra Alberto and gave him
+news of the angel Gabriel, telling him that which she had heard from
+him of the glories of life eternal and how he was made and adding to
+boot, marvellous stories of her own invention. 'Madam,' said he, 'I
+know not how you fared with him; I only know that yesternight, whenas
+he came to me and I did your message to him, he suddenly transported
+my soul amongst such a multitude of roses and other flowers that never
+was the like thereof seen here below, and I abode in one of the most
+delightsome places that was aye until the morning; but what became of
+my body meanwhile I know not.' 'Do I not tell you?' answered the lady.
+'Your body lay all night in mine arms with the angel Gabriel. If you
+believe me not, look under your left pap, whereas I gave the angel
+such a kiss that the marks of it will stay by you for some days to
+come.' Quoth the friar, 'Say you so? Then will I do to-day a thing I
+have not done this great while; I will strip myself, to see if you
+tell truth.' Then, after much prating, the lady returned home and Fra
+Alberto paid her many visits in angel-form, without suffering any
+hindrance.
+
+However, it chanced one day that Madam Lisetta, being in dispute with
+a gossip of hers upon the question of female charms, to set her own
+above all others, said, like a woman who had little wit in her noddle,
+'An you but knew whom my beauty pleaseth, in truth you would hold your
+peace of other women.' The other, longing to hear, said, as one who
+knew her well, 'Madam, maybe you say sooth; but knowing not who this
+may be, one cannot turn about so lightly.' Thereupon quoth Lisetta,
+who was eath enough to draw, 'Gossip, it must go no farther; but he I
+mean is the angel Gabriel, who loveth me more than himself, as the
+fairest lady (for that which he telleth me) who is in the world or the
+Maremma.'[227] The other had a mind to laugh, but contained herself,
+so she might make Lisetta speak farther, and said, 'Faith, madam, an
+the angel Gabriel be your lover and tell you this, needs must it be
+so; but methought not the angels did these things.' 'Gossip,' answered
+the lady, 'you are mistaken; zounds, he doth what you wot of better
+than my husband and telleth me they do it also up yonder; but, for
+that I seem to him fairer than any she in heaven, he hath fallen in
+love with me and cometh full oft to lie with me; seestow now?'[228]
+
+[Footnote 227: _cf._ Artemus Ward's "Natives of the Universe and other
+parts."]
+
+[Footnote 228: _Mo vedi vu_, Venetian for _Or vedi tu_, now dost thou
+see? I have rendered it by the equivalent old English form.]
+
+The gossip, to whom it seemed a thousand years till she should be
+whereas she might repeat these things, took her leave of Madam Lisetta
+and foregathering at an entertainment with a great company of ladies,
+orderly recounted to them the whole story. They told it again to their
+husbands and other ladies, and these to yet others, and so in less
+than two days Venice was all full of it. Among others to whose ears
+the thing came were Lisetta's brothers-in-law, who, without saying
+aught to her, bethought themselves to find the angel in question and
+see if he knew how to fly, and to this end they lay several nights in
+wait for him. As chance would have it, some inkling of the matter[229]
+came to the ears of Fra Alberto, who accordingly repaired one night to
+the lady's house, to reprove her, but hardly had he put off his
+clothes ere her brothers-in-law, who had seen him come, were at the
+door of her chamber to open it.
+
+[Footnote 229: _i.e._ not of the trap laid for him by the lady's
+brothers-in-law, but of her indiscretion in discovering the secret.]
+
+Fra Alberto, hearing this and guessing what was to do, started up and
+having no other resource, opened a window, which gave upon the Grand
+Canal, and cast himself thence into the water. The canal was deep
+there and he could swim well, so that he did himself no hurt, but made
+his way to the opposite bank and hastily entering a house that stood
+open there, besought a poor man, whom he found within, to save his
+life for the love of God, telling him a tale of his own fashion, to
+explain how he came there at that hour and naked. The good man was
+moved to pity and it behoving him to go do his occasions, he put him
+in his own bed and bade him abide there against his return; then,
+locking him in, he went about his affairs. Meanwhile, the lady's
+brothers-in-law entered her chamber and found that the angel Gabriel
+had flown, leaving his wings there; whereupon, seeing themselves
+baffled, they gave her all manner hard words and ultimately made off
+to their own house with the angel's trappings, leaving her
+disconsolate.
+
+Broad day come, the good man with whom Fra Alberto had taken refuge,
+being on the Rialto, heard how the angel Gabriel had gone that night
+to lie with Madam Lisetta and being surprised by her kinsmen, had cast
+himself for fear into the canal, nor was it known what was come of
+him, and concluded forthright that this was he whom he had at home.
+Accordingly, he returned thither and recognizing the monk, found means
+after much parley, to make him fetch him fifty ducats, an he would not
+have him give him up to the lady's kinsmen. Having gotten the money
+and Fra Alberto offering to depart thence, the good man said to him,
+'There is no way of escape for you, an it be not one that I will tell
+you. We hold to-day a festival, wherein one bringeth a man clad
+bear-fashion and another one accoutred as a wild man of the woods and
+what not else, some one thing and some another, and there is a hunt
+held in St. Mark's Place, which finished, the festival is at an end
+and after each goeth whither it pleaseth him with him whom he hath
+brought. An you will have me lead you thither, after one or other of
+these fashions, I can after carry you whither you please, ere it be
+spied out that you are here; else I know not how you are to get away,
+without being recognized, for the lady's kinsmen, concluding that you
+must be somewhere hereabout, have set a watch for you on all sides.'
+
+Hard as it seemed to Fra Alberto to go on such wise, nevertheless, of
+the fear he had of the lady's kinsmen, he resigned himself thereto and
+told his host whither he would be carried, leaving the manner to him.
+Accordingly, the other, having smeared him all over with honey and
+covered him with down, clapped a chain about his neck and a mask on
+his face; then giving him a great staff in on hand and in the other
+two great dogs which he had fetched from the shambles he despatched
+one to the Rialto to make public proclamation that whoso would see the
+angel Gabriel should repair to St. Mark's Place; and this was Venetian
+loyalty! This done, after a while, he brought him forth and setting
+him before himself, went holding him by the chain behind, to the no
+small clamour of the folk, who said all, 'What be this? What be
+this?'[230] till he came to the place, where, what with those who had
+followed after them and those who, hearing the proclamation, were come
+thither from the Rialto, were folk without end. There he tied his wild
+man to a column in a raised and high place, making a show of awaiting
+the hunt, whilst the flies and gads gave the monk exceeding annoy, for
+that he was besmeared with honey. But, when he saw the place well
+filled, making as he would unchain his wild man, he pulled off Fra
+Alberto's mask and said, 'Gentlemen, since the bear cometh not and
+there is no hunt toward, I purpose, so you may not be come in vain,
+that you shall see the angel Gabriel, who cometh down from heaven to
+earth anights, to comfort the Venetian ladies.'
+
+[Footnote 230: _Che xe quel?_ Venetian for _che c'e quella cosa_, What
+is this thing?]
+
+No sooner was the mask off than Fra Alberto was incontinent recognized
+of all, who raised a general outcry against him, giving him the
+scurviest words and the soundest rating was ever given a canting
+knave; moreover, they cast in his face, one this kind of filth and
+another that, and so they baited him a great while, till the news came
+by chance to his brethren, whereupon half a dozen of them sallied
+forth and coming thither, unchained him and threw a gown over him;
+then, with a general hue and cry behind them, they carried him off to
+the convent, where it is believed he died in prison, after a wretched
+life. Thus then did this fellow, held good and doing ill, without it
+being believed, dare to feign himself the angel Gabriel, and after
+being turned into a wild man of the woods and put to shame, as he
+deserved, bewailed, when too late, the sins he had committed. God
+grant it happen thus to all other knaves of his fashion!"
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     THREE YOUNG MEN LOVE THREE SISTERS AND FLEE WITH THEM INTO
+     CRETE, WHERE THE ELDEST SISTER FOR JEALOUSY SLAYETH HER
+     LOVER. THE SECOND, YIELDING HERSELF TO THE DUKE OF CRETE,
+     SAVETH HER SISTER FROM DEATH, WHEREUPON HER OWN LOVER
+     SLAYETH HER AND FLEETH WITH THE ELDEST SISTER. MEANWHILE THE
+     THIRD LOVER AND THE YOUNGEST SISTER ARE ACCUSED OF THE NEW
+     MURDER AND BEING TAKEN, CONFESS IT; THEN, FOR FEAR OF DEATH,
+     THEY CORRUPT THEIR KEEPERS WITH MONEY AND FLEE TO RHODES,
+     WHERE THEY DIE IN POVERTY
+
+
+Filostrato, having heard the end of Pampinea's story, bethought
+himself awhile and presently, turning to her, said, "There was some
+little that was good and that pleased me in the ending of your story;
+but there was overmuch before that which gave occasion for laughter
+and which I would not have had there." Then, turning to Lauretta,
+"Lady," said he, "ensue you with a better, and it may be." Quoth she,
+laughing, "You are too cruel towards lovers, an you desire of them
+only an ill end;[231] but, to obey you, I will tell a story of three
+who all ended equally ill, having had scant enjoyment of their loves."
+So saying, she began thus: "Young ladies, as you should manifestly
+know, every vice may turn to the grievous hurt of whoso practiseth it,
+and often of other folk also; but of all others that which with the
+slackest rein carrieth us away to our peril, meseemeth is anger, which
+is none otherwhat than a sudden and unconsidered emotion, aroused by
+an affront suffered, and which, banishing all reason and overclouding
+the eyes of the understanding with darkness, kindleth the soul to the
+hottest fury. And although this often cometh to pass in men and more
+in one than in another, yet hath it been seen aforetime to work
+greater mischiefs in women, for that it is lightlier enkindled in
+these latter and burneth in them with a fiercer flame and urgeth them
+with less restraint. Nor is this to be marvelled at, for that, an we
+choose to consider, we may see that fire, of its nature, catcheth
+quicklier to light and delicate things than to those which are denser
+and more ponderous; and we women, indeed,--let men not take it
+ill,--are more delicately fashioned than they and far more mobile.
+Wherefore, seeing that we are naturally inclined thereunto[232] and
+considering after how our mansuetude and our loving kindness are of
+repose and pleasance to the men with whom we have to do and how big
+with harm and peril are anger and fury, I purpose, to the intent that
+we may with a more steadfast, mind keep ourselves from these latter,
+to show you by my story how the loves of three young men and as many
+ladies came, as I said before, to an ill end, becoming through the ire
+of one of the latter, from happy most unhappy.
+
+[Footnote 231: _i.e._ _semble_ "an you would wish them nought but an
+ill end."]
+
+[Footnote 232: _i.e._ to anger.]
+
+Marseilles is, as you know, a very ancient and noble city, situate in
+Provence on the sea-shore, and was once more abounding in rich and
+great merchants than it is nowadays. Among the latter was one called
+Narnald Cluada, a man of mean extraction, but of renowned good faith
+and a loyal merchant, rich beyond measure in lands and monies, who had
+by a wife of his several children, whereof the three eldest were
+daughters. Two of these latter, born at a birth, were fifteen and the
+third fourteen years old, nor was aught awaited by their kinsfolk to
+marry them but the return of Narnald, who was gone into Spain with his
+merchandise. The names of the two elder were the one Ninetta and the
+other Maddalena and the third called Bertella. Of Ninetta a young man
+of gentle birth, though poor, called Restagnone, was enamoured as much
+as man might be, and she of him, and they had contrived to do on such
+wise that, without any knowing it, they had enjoyment of their loves.
+
+They had already a pretty while enjoyed this satisfaction when it
+chanced that two young companions, named the one Folco and the other
+Ughetto, whose fathers were dead, leaving them very rich, fell in
+love, the one with Maddalena and the other with Bertella. Restagnone,
+noting this (it having been shown him of Ninetta), bethought himself
+that he might make shift to supply his own lack by means of the
+newcomers' love. Accordingly, he clapped up an acquaintance with them,
+so that now one, now the other of them accompanied him to visit their
+mistresses and his; and when himseemed he was grown privy enough with
+them and much their friend, he called them one day into his house and
+said to them, 'Dearest youths, our commerce should have certified you
+how great is the love I bear you and that I would do for you that
+which I would do for myself; and for that I love you greatly, I
+purpose to discover to you that which hath occurred to my mind, and
+you and I together will after take such counsel thereof as shall seem
+to you best. You, an your words lie not and for that to boot which
+meseemeth I have apprehended by your deeds, both daily and nightly,
+burn with an exceeding passion for the two young ladies beloved of
+you, as do I for the third their sister; and to this ardour, an you
+will consent thereunto,[233] my heart giveth me to find a very sweet
+and pleasing remedy, the which is as follows. You are both very rich,
+which I am not; now, if you will agree to bring your riches into a
+common stock, making me a third sharer with you therein, and determine
+in which part of the world we shall go lead a merry life with our
+mistresses, my heart warranteth me I can without fail so do that the
+three sisters, with a great part of their father's good, will go with,
+us whithersoever we shall please, and there, each with his wench, like
+three brothers, we may live the happiest lives of any men in the
+world. It resteth with you now to determine whether you will go about
+to solace yourself in this or leave it be.'
+
+[Footnote 233: _i.e._ to the proposal I have to make.]
+
+The two young men, who were beyond measure inflamed, hearing that they
+were to have their lasses, were not long in making up their minds, but
+answered that, so this[234] should ensue, they were ready to do as he
+said. Restagnone, having gotten this answer from the young men, found
+means a few days after to foregather with Ninetta, to whom he could
+not come without great unease, and after he had abidden with her
+awhile, he told her what he had proposed to the others and with many
+arguments studied to commend the emprise to her. This was little
+uneath to him, seeing that she was yet more desirous than himself to
+be with him without suspect; wherefore she answered him frankly that
+it liked her well and that her sisters would do whatever she wished,
+especially in this, and bade him make ready everything needful
+therefor as quickliest he might. Restagnone accordingly returned to
+the two young men, who still importuned him amain to do that whereof
+he had bespoken them, and told them that, so far as concerned their
+mistresses, the matter was settled. Then, having determined among
+themselves to go to Crete, they sold certain lands they had, under
+colour of meaning to go a-trading with the price, and having made
+money of all their other goods, bought a light brigantine and secretly
+equipped it to the utmost advantage.
+
+[Footnote 234: _i.e._ the possession of their mistresses.]
+
+Meanwhile, Ninetta, who well enough knew her sisters' mind, with soft
+words inflamed them with such a liking for the venture that themseemed
+they might not live to see the thing accomplished. Accordingly, the
+night come when they were to go aboard the brigantine, the three
+sisters opened a great coffer of their father's and taking thence a
+vast quantity of money and jewels, stole out of the house, according
+to the given order. They found their gallants awaiting them and going
+straightway all aboard the brigantine, they thrust the oars into the
+water and put out to sea nor rested till they came, on the following
+evening, to Genoa, where the new lovers for the first time took ease
+and joyance of their loves. There having refreshed themselves with
+that whereof they had need, they set out again and sailing from port
+to port, came, ere it was the eighth day, without any hindrance, to
+Crete, where they bought great and goodly estates near Candia and made
+them very handsome and delightsome dwelling-houses thereon. Here they
+fell to living like lords and passed their days in banquets and
+joyance and merrymaking, the happiest men in the world, they and their
+mistresses, with great plenty of servants and hounds and hawks and
+horses.
+
+Abiding on this wise, it befell (even as we see it happen all day long
+that, how much soever things may please, they grow irksome, an one
+have overgreat plenty thereof) that Restagnone, who had much loved
+Ninetta, being now able to have her at his every pleasure, without let
+or hindrance, began to weary of her, and consequently his love for her
+began to wane. Having seen at entertainment a damsel of the country, a
+fair and noble young lady, who pleased him exceedingly, he fell to
+courting her with all his might, giving marvellous entertainments in
+her honor and plying her with all manner gallantries; which Ninetta
+coming to know, she fell into such a jealousy that he could not go a
+step but she heard of it and after harassed both him and herself with
+words and reproaches on account thereof. But, like as overabundance of
+aught begetteth weariness, even so doth the denial of a thing desired
+redouble the appetite; accordingly, Ninetta's reproaches did but fan
+the flame of Restagnone's new love and in process of time it came to
+pass that, whether he had the favours of the lady he loved or not,
+Ninetta held it for certain, whoever it was reported it to her;
+wherefore she fell into such a passion of grief and thence passed into
+such a fit of rage and despite that the love which she bore Restagnone
+was changed to bitter hatred, and blinded by her wrath, she bethought
+herself to avenge, by his death, the affront which herseemed she had
+received.
+
+Accordingly, betaking herself to an old Greek woman, a past mistress
+in the art of compounding poisons, she induced her with gifts and
+promises to make her a death-dealing water, which she, without
+considering farther, gave Restagnone one evening to drink he being
+heated and misdoubting him not thereof; and such was the potency of
+the poison that, ere morning came, it had slain him. Folco and Ughetto
+and their mistresses, hearing of his death and knowing not of what
+poison he had died,[235] bewept him bitterly, together with Ninetta,
+and caused bury him honourably. But not many days after it chanced
+that the old woman, who had compounded the poisoned water for Ninetta,
+was taken for some other misdeed and being put to the torture,
+confessed to this amongst her other crimes, fully declaring that which
+had betided by reason thereof; whereupon the Duke of Crete, without
+saying aught of the matter, beset Folco's palace by surprise one night
+and without any noise or gainsayal, carried off Ninetta prisoner, from
+whom, without putting her to the torture, he readily got what he would
+know of the death of Restagnone.
+
+[Footnote 235: Sic (_di che veleno fosse morto_), but this is probably
+a copyist's error for _che di veleno fosse morto_, _i.e._ that he had
+died of poison.]
+
+Folco and Ughetto (and from them their ladies) had privy notice from
+the duke why Ninetta had been taken, the which was exceeding grievous
+to them and they used their every endeavour to save her from the fire,
+whereto they doubted not she would be condemned, as indeed she richly
+deserved; but all seemed vain, for that the duke abode firm in willing
+to do justice upon her. However, Maddalena, who was a beautiful young
+woman and had long been courted by the duke, but had never yet
+consented to do aught that might pleasure him, thinking that, by
+complying with his wishes, she might avail to save her sister from the
+fire, signified to him by a trusty messenger that she was at his
+commandment in everything, provided two things should ensue thereof,
+to wit, that she should have her sister again safe and sound and that
+the thing should be secret. Her message pleased the duke, and after
+long debate with himself if he should do as she proposed, he
+ultimately agreed thereto and said that he was ready. Accordingly, one
+night, having, with the lady's consent, caused detain Folco and
+Ughetto, as he would fain examine them of the matter, he went secretly
+to couch with Maddalena and having first made a show of putting
+Ninetta in a sack and of purposing to let sink her that night in the
+sea, he carried her with him to her sister, to whom on the morrow he
+delivered her at parting, in payment of the night he had passed with
+her, praying her that this,[236] which had been the first of their
+loves, might not be the last and charging her send the guilty lady
+away, lest blame betide himself and it behove him anew proceed against
+her with rigour.
+
+[Footnote 236: _i.e._ that night.]
+
+Next morning, Folco and Ughetto, having heard that Ninetta had been
+sacked overnight and believing it, were released and returned home to
+comfort their mistresses for the death of their sister. However, for
+all Maddalena could do to hide her, Folco soon became aware of
+Ninetta's presence in the palace, whereat he marvelled exceedingly and
+suddenly waxing suspicious,--for that he had heard of the duke's
+passion for Maddalena,--asked the latter how her sister came to be
+there. Maddalena began a long story, which she had devised to account
+to him therefor, but was little believed of her lover, who was shrewd
+and constrained her to confess the truth, which, after long parley,
+she told him. Folco, overcome with chagrin and inflamed with rage,
+pulled out a sword and slew her, whilst she in vain besought mercy;
+then, fearing the wrath and justice of the duke, he left her dead in
+the chamber and repairing whereas Ninetta was, said to her, with a
+feigned air of cheerfulness, 'Quick, let us begone whither it hath
+been appointed of thy sister that I shall carry thee, so thou mayst
+not fall again into the hands of the duke.' Ninetta, believing this
+and eager, in her fearfulness, to begone, set out with Folco, it being
+now night, without seeking to take leave of her sister; whereupon he
+and she, with such monies (which were but few) as he could lay hands
+on, betook themselves to the sea-shore and embarked on board a vessel;
+nor was it ever known whither they went.
+
+On the morrow, Maddalena being found murdered, there were some who, of
+the envy and hatred they bore to Ughetto, forthright gave notice
+thereof to the duke, whereupon the latter, who loved Maddalena
+exceedingly, ran furiously to the house and seizing Ughetto and his
+lady, who as yet knew nothing of the matter,--to wit, of the departure
+of Folco and Ninetta,--constrained them to confess themselves guilty,
+together with Folco, of his mistress's death. They, apprehending with
+reason death in consequence of this confession, with great pains
+corrupted those who had them in keeping, giving them a certain sum of
+money, which they kept hidden in their house against urgent
+occasions, and embarking with their guards, without having leisure to
+take any of their goods, fled by night to Rhodes, where they lived no
+great while after in poverty and distress. To such a pass, then, did
+Restagnone's mad love and Ninetta's rage bring themselves and others."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     GERBINO, AGAINST THE PLIGHTED FAITH OF HIS GRANDFATHER, KING
+     GUGLIELMO OF SICILY, ATTACKETH A SHIP OF THE KING OF TUNIS,
+     TO CARRY OFF A DAUGHTER OF HIS, WHO BEING PUT TO DEATH OF
+     THOSE ON BOARD, HE SLAYETH THESE LATTER AND IS AFTER HIMSELF
+     BEHEADED
+
+
+Lauretta, having made an end of her story, was silent, whilst the
+company bewailed the illhap of the lovers, some blaming Ninetta's
+anger and one saying one thing and another another, till presently the
+king, raising his head, as if aroused from deep thought, signed to
+Elisa to follow on; whereupon she began modestly, "Charming ladies,
+there are many who believe that Love launcheth his shafts only when
+enkindled of the eyes and make mock of those who hold that one may
+fall in love by hearsay; but that these are mistaken will very
+manifestly appear in a story that I purpose to relate, wherein you
+will see that report not only wrought this, without the lovers having
+ever set eyes on each other, but it will be made manifest to you that
+it brought both the one and the other to a miserable death.
+
+Guglielmo, the Second, King of Sicily, had (as the Sicilians pretend)
+two children, a son called Ruggieri and a daughter called Costanza.
+The former, dying before his father, left a son named Gerbino, who was
+diligently reared by his grandfather and became a very goodly youth
+and a renowned for prowess and courtesy. Nor did his fame abide
+confined within the limits of Sicily, but, resounding in various parts
+of the world, was nowhere more glorious than in Barbary, which in
+those days was tributary to the King of Sicily. Amongst the rest to
+whose ears came the magnificent fame of Gerbino's valour and courtesy
+was a daughter of the King of Tunis, who, according to the report of
+all who had seen her, was one of the fairest creatures ever fashioned
+by nature and the best bred and of a noble and great soul. She,
+delighting to hear tell of men of valour, with such goodwill received
+the tales recounted by one and another of the deeds valiantly done of
+Gerbino and they so pleased her that, picturing to herself the
+prince's fashion, she became ardently enamoured of him and discoursed
+more willingly of him than of any other and hearkened to whoso spoke
+of him.
+
+On the other hand, the great renown of her beauty and worth had won to
+Sicily, as elsewhither, and not without great delight nor in vain had
+it reached the ears of Gerbino; nay, it had inflamed him with love of
+her, no less than that which she herself had conceived for him.
+Wherefore, desiring beyond measure to see her, against he should find
+a colourable occasion of having his grandfather's leave to go to
+Tunis, he charged his every friend who went thither to make known to
+her, as best he might, his secret and great love and bring him news of
+her. This was very dexterously done by one of them, who, under
+pretence of carrying her women's trinkets to view, as do merchants,
+throughly discovered Gerbino's passion to her and avouched the prince
+and all that was his to be at her commandment. The princess received
+the messenger and the message with a glad flavour and answering that
+she burnt with like love for the prince, sent him one of her most
+precious jewels in token thereof. This Gerbino received with the
+utmost joy wherewith one can receive whatsoever precious thing and
+wrote to her once and again by the same messenger, sending her the
+most costly gifts and holding certain treaties[237] with her, whereby
+they should have seen and touched one another, had fortune but allowed
+it.
+
+[Footnote 237: Or, in modern parlance, "laying certain plans."]
+
+But, things going thus and somewhat farther than was expedient, the
+young lady on the one hand and Gerbino on the other burning with
+desire, it befell that the King of Tunis gave her in marriage to the
+King of Granada, whereat she was beyond measure chagrined, bethinking
+herself that not only should she be separated from her lover by long
+distance, but was like to be altogether parted from him; and had she
+seen a means thereto, she would gladly, so this might not betide, have
+fled from her father and betaken herself to Gerbino. Gerbino, in like
+manner, hearing of this marriage, was beyond measure sorrowful
+therefor and often bethought himself to take her by force, if it
+should chance that she went to her husband by sea. The King of Tunis,
+getting some inkling of Gerbino's love and purpose and fearing his
+valour and prowess, sent to King Guglielmo, whenas the time came for
+despatching her to Granada, advising him of that which he was minded
+to do and that, having assurance from him that he should not be
+hindered therein by Gerbino or others, he purposed to do it. The King
+of Sicily, who was an old man and had heard nothing of Gerbino's
+passion and consequently suspected not that it was for this that such
+an assurance was demanded, freely granted it and in token thereof,
+sent the King of Tunis a glove of his. The latter, having gotten the
+desired assurance, caused equip a very great and goodly ship in the
+port of Carthage and furnish it with what was needful for those who
+were to sail therein and having fitted and adorned it for the sending
+of his daughter into Granada, awaited nought but weather.
+
+The young lady, who saw and knew all this, despatched one of her
+servants secretly to Palermo, bidding him salute the gallant Gerbino
+on her part and tell him that she was to sail in a few days for
+Granada, wherefore it would now appear if he were as valiant a man as
+was said and if he loved her as much as he had sundry times declared
+to her. Her messenger did his errand excellent well and returned to
+Tunis, whilst Gerbino, hearing this and knowing that his grandfather
+had given the King of Tunis assurance, knew not what to do. However,
+urged by love and that he might not appear a craven, he betook himself
+to Messina, where he hastily armed two light galleys and manning them
+with men of approved valour, set sail with them for the coast of
+Sardinia, looking for the lady's ship to pass there. Nor was he far
+out in his reckoning, for he had been there but a few days when the
+ship hove in sight with a light wind not far from the place where he
+lay expecting it.
+
+Gerbino, seeing this, said to his companions, 'Gentlemen, an you be
+the men of mettle I take you for, methinketh there is none of you but
+hath either felt or feeleth love, without which, as I take it, no
+mortal can have aught of valour or worth in himself; and if you have
+been or are enamoured, it will be an easy thing to you to understand
+my desire. I love and love hath moved me to give you this present
+pains; and she whom I love is in the ship which you see becalmed
+yonder and which, beside that thing which I most desire, is full of
+very great riches. These latter, an ye be men of valour, we may with
+little difficulty acquire, fighting manfully; of which victory I
+desire nothing to my share save one sole lady, for whose love I have
+taken up arms; everything else shall freely be yours. Come, then, and
+let us right boldly assail the ship; God is favourable to our emprise
+and holdeth it here fast, without vouchsafing it a breeze.'
+
+The gallant Gerbino had no need of many words, for that the Messinese,
+who were with him being eager for plunder, were already disposed to do
+that unto which he exhorted them. Wherefore, making a great outcry, at
+the end of his speech, that it should be so, they sounded the trumpets
+and catching up their arms, thrust the oars into the water and made
+for the Tunis ship. They who were aboard this latter, seeing the
+galleys coming afar off and being unable to flee,[238] made ready for
+defence. The gallant Gerbino accosting the ship, let command that the
+masters thereof should be sent on board the galleys, an they had no
+mind to fight; but the Saracens, having certified themselves who they
+were and what they sought, declared themselves attacked of them
+against the faith plighted them by King Guglielmo; in token whereof
+they showed the latter's glove, and altogether refused to surrender
+themselves, save for stress of battle, or to give them aught that was
+in the ship.
+
+[Footnote 238: _i.e._ for lack of wind.]
+
+Gerbino, who saw the lady upon the poop, far fairer than he had
+pictured her to himself, and was more inflamed than ever, replied to
+the showing of the glove that there were no falcons there at that
+present and consequently there needed no gloves; wherefore, an they
+chose not to give up the lady, they must prepare to receive battle.
+Accordingly, without further parley, they fell to casting shafts and
+stones at one another, and on this wise they fought a great while,
+with loss on either side. At last, Gerbino, seeing that he did little
+to the purpose, took a little vessel he had brought with him out of
+Sardinia and setting fire therein, thrust it with both the galleys
+aboard the ship. The Saracens, seeing this and knowing that they must
+of necessity surrender or die, fetched the king's daughter, who wept
+below, on deck and brought her to the ship's prow; then, calling
+Gerbino, they butchered her before his eyes, what while she called for
+mercy and succour, and cast her into the sea, saying, 'Take her; we
+give her to thee, such as we may and such as thine unfaith hath
+merited.'
+
+Gerbino, seeing their barbarous deed, caused lay himself alongside the
+ship and recking not of shaft or stone, boarded it, as if courting
+death, in spite of those who were therein; then,--even as a hungry
+lion, coming among a herd of oxen, slaughtereth now this, now that,
+and with teeth and claws sateth rather his fury than his
+hunger,--sword in hand, hewing now at one, now at another, he cruelly
+slew many of the Saracens; after which, the fire now waxing in the
+enkindled ship, he caused the sailors fetch thereout what they might,
+in payment of their pains, and descended thence, having gotten but a
+sorry victory over his adversaries. Then, letting take up the fair
+lady's body from the sea, long and with many tears he bewept it and
+steering 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 thereof, they had
+not yet married. Now these brothers had in one of their warehouses a
+youth of Pisa, called Lorenzo, who did and ordered all their affairs
+and was very comely and agreeable of person; wherefore, Lisabetta
+looking sundry times upon him, it befell that he began strangely to
+please her; of which Lorenzo taking note at one time and another, he
+in like manner, leaving his other loves, began to turn his thoughts to
+her; and so went the affair, that, each being alike pleasing to the
+other, it was no great while before, taking assurance, they did that
+which each of them most desired.
+
+Continuing on this wise and enjoying great pleasure and delight one of
+the other, they knew not how to do so secretly but that, one night,
+Lisabetta, going whereas Lorenzo lay, was, unknown to herself, seen of
+the eldest of her brothers, who, being a prudent youth, for all the
+annoy it gave him to know this thing, being yet moved by more
+honourable counsel, abode without sign or word till the morning,
+revolving in himself various things anent the matter. The day being
+come, he recounted to his brothers that which he had seen the past
+night of Lisabetta and Lorenzo, and after long advisement with them,
+determined (so that neither to them nor to their sister should any
+reproach ensue thereof) to pass the thing over in silence and feign to
+have seen and known nothing thereof till such time as, without hurt or
+unease to themselves, they might avail to do away this shame from
+their sight, ere it should go farther. In this mind abiding and
+devising and laughing with Lorenzo as was their wont, it befell that
+one day, feigning to go forth the city, all three, a-pleasuring, they
+carried him with them to a very lonely and remote place; and there,
+the occasion offering, they slew him, whilst he was off his guard, and
+buried him on such wise that none had knowledge of it; then, returning
+to Messina, they gave out that they had despatched him somewhither for
+their occasions, the which was the lightlier credited that they were
+often used to send him abroad about their business.
+
+Lorenzo returning not and Lisabetta often and instantly questioning
+her brothers of him, as one to whom the long delay was grievous, it
+befell one day, as she very urgently enquired of him, that one of them
+said to her, 'What meaneth this? What hast thou to do often of him? An
+thou question of him with Lorenzo, that thou askest thus more, we
+will make thee such answer as thou deservest.' Wherefore the girl, sad
+and grieving and fearful she knew not of what, abode without more
+asking; yet many a time anights she piteously called him and prayed
+him come to her, and whiles with many tears she complained of his long
+tarrying; and thus, without a moment's gladness, she abode expecting
+him alway, till one night, having sore lamented Lorenzo for that he
+returned not and being at last fallen asleep, weeping, he appeared to
+her in a dream, pale and all disordered, with clothes all rent and
+mouldered, and herseemed he bespoke her thus: 'Harkye, Lisabetta; thou
+dost nought but call upon me, grieving for my long delay and cruelly
+impeaching me with thy tears. Know, therefore, that I may never more
+return to thee, for that, the last day thou sawest me, thy brothers
+slew me.' Then, having discovered to her the place where they had
+buried him, he charged her no more call him nor expect him and
+disappeared; whereupon she awoke and giving faith to the vision, wept
+bitterly.
+
+In the morning, being risen and daring not say aught to her brothers,
+she determined to go to the place appointed and see if the thing were
+true, as it had appeared to her in the dream. Accordingly, having
+leave to go somedele without the city for her disport, she betook
+herself thither,[241] as quickliest she might, in company of one who
+had been with them[242] otherwhiles and knew all her affairs; and
+there, clearing away the dead leaves from the place, she dug whereas
+herseemed the earth was less hard. She had not dug long before she
+found the body of her unhappy lover, yet nothing changed nor rotted,
+and thence knew manifestly that her vision was true, wherefore she was
+the most distressful of women; yet, knowing that this was no place for
+lament, she would fain, an she but might, have borne away the whole
+body, to give it fitter burial; but, seeing that this might not be,
+she with a knife did off[243] the head from the body, as best she
+could, and wrapping it in a napkin, laid it in her maid's lap. Then,
+casting back the earth over the trunk, she departed thence, without
+being seen of any, and returned home, where, shutting herself in her
+chamber with her lover's head, she bewept it long and bitterly,
+insomuch that she bathed it all with her tears, and kissed it a
+thousand times in every part. Then, taking a great and goodly pot, of
+those wherein they plant marjoram or sweet basil, she set the head
+therein, folded in a fair linen cloth, and covered it with earth, in
+which she planted sundry heads of right fair basil of Salerno; nor did
+she ever water these with other water than that of her tears or rose
+or orange-flower water. Moreover she took wont to sit still near the
+pot and to gaze amorously upon it with all her desire, as upon that
+which held her Lorenzo hid; and after she had a great while looked
+thereon, she would bend over it and fall to weeping so sore and so
+long that her tears bathed all the basil, which, by dint of long and
+assiduous tending, as well as by reason of the fatness of the earth,
+proceeding from the rotting head that was therein, waxed passing fair
+and very sweet of savour.
+
+[Footnote 241: _i.e._ to the place shown her in the dream.]
+
+[Footnote 242: _i.e._ in their service.]
+
+[Footnote 243: Lit. unhung (_spicco_).]
+
+The damsel, doing without cease after this wise, was sundry times seen
+of her neighbours, who to her brothers, marvelling at her waste beauty
+and that her eyes seemed to have fled forth her head [for weeping],
+related this, saying, 'We have noted that she doth every day after
+such a fashion.' The brothers, hearing and seeing this and having once
+and again reproved her therefor, but without avail, let secretly carry
+away from her the pot, which she, missing, with the utmost instance
+many a time required, and for that it was not restored to her, stinted
+not to weep and lament till she fell sick; nor in her sickness did she
+ask aught other than the pot of basil. The young men marvelled greatly
+at this continual asking and bethought them therefor to see what was
+in this pot. Accordingly, turning out the earth, they found the cloth
+and therein the head, not yet so rotted but they might know it, by the
+curled hair, to be that of Lorenzo. At this they were mightily amazed
+and feared lest the thing should get wind; wherefore, burying the
+head, without word said, they privily departed Messina, having taken
+order how they should withdraw thence, and betook themselves to
+Naples. The damsel, ceasing never from lamenting and still demanding
+her pot, died, weeping; and so her ill-fortuned love had end. But,
+after a while the thing being grown manifest unto many, there was one
+who made thereon the song that is yet sung, to wit:
+
+     Alack! ah, who can the ill Christian be,
+       That stole my pot away?" etc.[244]
+
+[Footnote 244: The following is a translation of the whole of the song
+in question, as printed, from a MS. in the Medicean Library, in
+Fanfani's edition of the Decameron.
+
+Alack! ah, who can the ill Christian be,
+  That stole my pot away,
+My pot of basil of Salern, from me?
+  'Twas thriv'n with many a spray
+And I with mine own hand did plant the tree,
+  Even on the festal[A] day.
+'Tis felony to waste another's ware.
+
+'Tis felony to waste another's ware;
+  Yea, and right grievous sin.
+And I, poor lass, that sowed myself whilere
+  A pot with flowers therein,
+Slept in its shade, so great it was and fair;
+  But folk, that envious bin,
+Stole it away even from my very door.
+
+'Twas stolen away even from my very door.
+  Full heavy was my cheer,
+(Ah, luckless maid, would I had died tofore!)
+  Who brought[B] it passing dear,
+Yet kept ill ward thereon one day of fear.
+  For him I loved so sore,
+I planted it with marjoram about.
+
+I planted it with marjoram about,
+  When May was blithe and new;
+Yea, thrice I watered it, week in, week out,
+  And watched how well it grew:
+But now, for sure, away from me 'tis ta'en.
+
+Ay, now, for sure, away from me 'tis ta'en;
+  I may 't no longer hide.
+Had I but known (alas, regret is vain!)
+  That which should me betide,
+Before my door on guard I would have lain
+  To sleep, my flowers beside.
+Yet might the Great God ease me at His will.
+
+Yea, God Most High might ease me, at His will,
+  If but it liked Him well,
+Of him who wrought me such unright and ill;
+  He into pangs of hell
+Cast me who stole my basil-pot, that still
+  Was full of such sweet smell,
+Its savour did all dole from me away.
+
+All dole its savour did from me away;
+  It was so redolent,
+When, with the risen sun, at early day
+  To water it I went,
+The folk would marvel all at it and say,
+  "Whence comes the sweetest scent?"
+And I for love of it shall surely die.
+
+Yea, I for love of it shall surely die,
+  For love and grief and pain.
+If one would tell me where it is, I'd buy
+  It willingly again.
+Fivescore gold crowns, that in my pouch have I,
+  I'd proffer him full fain,
+And eke a kiss, if so it liked the swain.]
+
+[Footnote A: Quaere--natal?--perhaps meaning her birthday (_lo giorno
+della festa_).]
+
+[Footnote B: Or "purchased" in the old sense of obtained, acquired
+(_accattai_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     ANDREVUOLA LOVETH GABRIOTTO AND RECOUNTETH TO HIM A DREAM
+     SHE HATH HAD, WHEREUPON HE TELLETH HER ONE OF HIS OWN AND
+     PRESENTLY DIETH SUDDENLY IN HER ARMS. WHAT WHILE SHE AND A
+     WAITING WOMAN OF HERS BEAR HIM TO HIS OWN HOUSE, THEY ARE
+     TAKEN BY THE OFFICERS OF JUSTICE AND CARRIED BEFORE THE
+     PROVOST, TO WHOM SHE DISCOVERETH HOW THE CASE STANDETH. THE
+     PROVOST WOULD FAIN FORCE HER, BUT SHE SUFFERETH IT NOT AND
+     HER FATHER, COMING TO HEAR OF THE MATTER, PROCURETH HER TO
+     BE SET AT LIBERTY, SHE BEING FOUND INNOCENT; WHEREUPON,
+     ALTOGETHER REFUSING TO ABIDE LONGER IN THE WORLD, SHE
+     BECOMETH A NUN
+
+
+Filomela's story was very welcome to the ladies, for that they had
+many a time heard sing this song, yet could never, for asking, learn
+the occasion of its making. But the king, having heard the end
+thereof, charged Pamfilo follow on the ordinance; whereupon quoth he,
+"The dream in the foregoing story giveth me occasion to recount one
+wherein is made mention of two dreams, which were of a thing to come,
+even as the former was of a thing [already] betided, and scarce were
+they finished telling by those who had dreamt them than the
+accomplishment followed of both. You must know, then, lovesome ladies,
+that it is an affection common to all alive to see various things in
+sleep, whereof,--albeit to the sleeper, what while he sleepeth, they
+all appear most true and he, awakened, accounteth some true, others
+probable and yet others out of all likelihood,--many are natheless
+found to be come to pass. By reason whereof many lend to every dream
+as much belief as they would to things they should see, waking, and
+for their proper dreams they sorrow or rejoice, according as by these
+they hope or fear. And contrariwise, there are those who believe none
+thereof, save after they find themselves fallen into the peril
+foreshown. Of these,[245] I approve neither the one nor other, for
+that dreams are neither always true nor always false. That they are
+not all true, each one of us must often enough have had occasion to
+know; and that they are not all false hath been already shown in
+Filomena her story, and I also purpose, as I said before, to show it
+in mine. Wherefore I am of opinion that, in the matter of living and
+doing virtuously, one should have no fear of any dream contrary
+thereto nor forego good intentions by reason thereof; as for perverse
+and wicked things, on the other hand, however favourable dreams may
+appear thereto and how much soever they may hearten him who seeth them
+with propitious auguries, none of them should be credited, whilst full
+faith should be accorded unto all that tend to the contrary.[246] But
+to come to the story.
+
+[Footnote 245: _i.e._ these two classes of folk.]
+
+[Footnote 246: _i.e._ to the encouragement of good and virtuous
+actions and purposes.]
+
+There was once in the city of Brescia a gentleman called Messer Negro
+da Ponte Carraro, who amongst sundry other children had a daughter
+named Andrevuola, young and unmarried and very fair. It chanced she
+fell in love with a neighbour of hers, Gabriotto by name, a man of
+mean condition, but full laudable fashions and comely and pleasant of
+his person, and by the means and with the aid of the serving-maid of
+the house, she so wrought that not only did Gabriotto know himself
+beloved of her, but was many and many a time brought, to the delight
+of both parties, into a goodly garden of her father's. And in order
+that no cause, other than death, should ever avail to sever those
+their delightsome loves, they became in secret husband and wife, and
+so stealthily continuing their foregatherings, it befell that the
+young lady, being one night asleep, dreamt that she was in her garden
+with Gabriotto and held him in her arms, to the exceeding pleasure of
+each; but, as they abode thus, herseemed she saw come forth of his
+body something dark and frightful, the form whereof she could not
+discern; the which took Gabriotto and tearing him in her despite with
+marvellous might from her embrace, made off with him underground, nor
+ever more might she avail to see either the one or the other.
+
+At this she fell into an inexpressible passion of grief, whereby she
+awoke, and albeit, awaking, she was rejoiced to find that it was not
+as she had dreamed, nevertheless fear entered into her by reason of
+the dream she had seen. Wherefore, Gabriotto presently desiring to
+visit her that next night, she studied as most she might to prevent
+his coming; however, seeing his desire and so he might not misdoubt
+him of otherwhat, she received him in the garden and having gathered
+great store of roses, white and red (for that it was the season), she
+went to sit with him at the foot of a very goodly and clear fountain
+that was there. After they had taken great and long delight together,
+Gabriotto asked her why she would have forbidden his coming that
+night; whereupon she told him, recounting to him the dream she had
+seen the foregoing night and the fear she had gotten therefrom.
+
+He, hearing this, laughed it to scorn and said that it was great folly
+to put any faith in dreams, for that they arose of excess of food or
+lack thereof and were daily seen to be all vain, adding, 'Were I
+minded to follow after dreams, I had not come hither, not so much on
+account of this of thine as of one I myself dreamt last night; which
+was that meseemed I was in a fair and delightsome wood, wherein I went
+hunting and had taken the fairest and loveliest hind was ever seen;
+for methought she was whiter than snow and was in brief space become
+so familiar with me that she never left me a moment. Moreover,
+meseemed I held her so dear that, so she might not depart from me, I
+had put a collar of gold about her neck and held her in hand with a
+golden chain. After this medreamed that, once upon a time, what while
+this hind lay couched with its head in my bosom,[247] there issued I
+know not whence a greyhound bitch as black as coal, anhungred and
+passing gruesome of aspect, and made towards me. Methought I offered
+it no resistance, wherefore meseemed it thrust its muzzle into my
+breast on the left side and gnawed thereat till it won to my heart,
+which methought it tore from me, to carry it away. Therewith I felt
+such a pain that my sleep was broken and awaking, I straightway
+clapped my hand to my side, to see if I had aught there; but, finding
+nothing amiss with me, I made mock of myself for having sought. But,
+after all, what booteth this dream?[248] I have dreamed many such and
+far more frightful, nor hath aught in the world befallen me by reason
+thereof; wherefore let it pass and let us think to give ourselves a
+good time.'
+
+[Footnote 247: Or "lap" (_seno_).]
+
+[Footnote 248: Lit. what meaneth this? (_che vuol dire questo?_)]
+
+The young lady, already sore adread for her own dream, hearing this,
+waxed yet more so, but hid her fear, as most she might, not to be the
+occasion of any unease to Gabriotto. Nevertheless, what while she
+solaced herself with him, clipping and kissing him again and again and
+being of him clipped and kissed, she many a time eyed him in the face
+more than of her wont, misdoubting she knew not what, and whiles she
+looked about the garden, and she should see aught of black come
+anywhence. Presently, as they abode thus, Gabriotto heaved a great
+sigh and embracing her said, 'Alas, my soul, help me, for I die!' So
+saying, he fell to the ground upon the grass of the lawn. The young
+lady, seeing this, drew him up into her lap and said, well nigh
+weeping, 'Alack, sweet my lord, what aileth thee?' He answered not,
+but, panting sore and sweating all over, no great while after departed
+this life.
+
+How grievous, how dolorous was this to the young lady, who loved him
+more than her life, each one of you may conceive for herself. She
+bewept him sore and many a time called him in vain; but after she had
+handled him in every part of his body and found him cold in all,
+perceiving that he was altogether dead and knowing not what to do or
+to say, she went, all tearful as she was and full of anguish, to call
+her maid, who was privy to their loves, and discovered to her misery
+and her grief. Then, after they had awhile made woeful lamentation
+over Gabriotto's dead face, the young lady said to the maid, 'Since
+God hath bereft me of him I love, I purpose to abide no longer on
+life; but, ere I go about to slay myself, I would fain take fitting
+means to preserve my honour and the secret of the love that hath been
+between us twain and that the body, wherefrom the gracious spirit is
+departed, may be buried.'
+
+'Daughter mine,' answered the maid, 'talk not of seeking to slay
+thyself, for that, if thou have lost him in this world, by slaying
+thyself thou wouldst lose him in the world to come also, since thou
+wouldst go to hell, whither I am assured his soul hath not gone; for
+he was a virtuous youth. It were better far to comfort thyself and
+think of succouring his soul with prayers and other good works, so
+haply he have need thereof for any sin committed. The means of burying
+him are here at hand in this garden and none will ever know of the
+matter, for none knoweth that he ever came hither. Or, an thou wilt
+not have it so, let us put him forth of the garden and leave him be;
+he will be found to-morrow morning and carried to his house, where his
+kinsfolk will have him buried.' The young lady, albeit she was full of
+bitter sorrow and wept without ceasing, yet gave ear to her maid's
+counsels and consenting not to the first part thereof, made answer to
+the second, saying, 'God forbid that I should suffer so dear a youth
+and one so beloved of me and my husband to be buried after the fashion
+of a dog or left to lie in the street! He hath had my tears and
+inasmuch as I may, he shall have those of his kinsfolk, and I have
+already bethought me of that which we have to do to that end.'
+
+Therewith she despatched her maid for a piece of cloth of silk, which
+she had in a coffer of hers, and spreading it on the earth, laid
+Gabriotto's body thereon, with his head upon a pillow. Then with many
+tears she closed his eyes and mouth and weaving him a chaplet of
+roses, covered him with all they had gathered, he and she; after which
+she said to the maid, 'It is but a little way hence to his house;
+wherefore we will carry him thither, thou and I, even as we have
+arrayed him, and lay him before the door. It will not be long ere it
+be day and he will be taken up; and although this may be no
+consolation to his friends, yet to me, in whose arms he died, it will
+be a pleasure.' So saying, once more with most abundant tears she cast
+herself upon his face and wept a great while. Then, being urged by her
+maid to despatch, for that the day was at hand, she rose to her feet
+and drawing from her finger the ring wherewith Gabriotto had espoused
+her, she set it on his and said, weeping, 'Dear my lord, if thy soul
+now seeth my tears or if any sense or cognizance abide in the body,
+after the departure thereof, benignly receive her last gift, whom,
+living, thou lovedst so well.' This said, she fell down upon him in a
+swoon, but, presently coming to herself and rising, she took up,
+together with her maid, the cloth whereon the body lay and going forth
+the garden therewith, made for his house.
+
+As they went, they were discovered and taken with the dead body by
+the officers of the provostry, who chanced to be abroad at that hour
+about some other matter. Andrevuola, more desirous of death than of
+life, recognizing the officers, said frankly, 'I know who you are and
+that it would avail me nothing to seek to flee; I am ready to go with
+you before the Seignory and there declare how the case standeth; but
+let none of you dare to touch me, provided I am obedient to you, or to
+remove aught from this body, an he would not be accused of me.'
+Accordingly, without being touched of any, she repaired, with
+Gabriotto's body, to the palace, where the Provost, hearing what was
+to do, arose and sending for her into his chamber, proceeded to
+enquire of this that had happened. To this end he caused divers
+physicians look if the dead man had been done to death with poison or
+otherwise, who all affirmed that it was not so, but that some
+imposthume had burst near the heart, the which had suffocated him. The
+magistrate hearing this and feeling her to be guilty in [but] a small
+matter, studied to make a show of giving her that which he could not
+sell her and told her that, an she would consent to his pleasures, he
+would release her; but, these words availing not, he offered, out of
+all seemliness, to use force. However, Andrevuola, fired with disdain
+and waxed strong [for indignation], defended herself manfully,
+rebutting him with proud and scornful words.
+
+Meanwhile, broad day come and these things being recounted to Messer
+Negro, he betook himself, sorrowful unto death, to the palace, in
+company with many of his friends, and being there acquainted by the
+Provost with the whole matter, demanded resentfully[249] that his
+daughter should be restored to him. The Provost, choosing rather to
+accuse himself of the violence he would have done her than to be
+accused of her, first extolled the damsel and her constancy and in
+proof thereof, proceeded to tell that which he had done; by reason
+whereof, seeing her of so excellent a firmness, he had vowed her an
+exceeding love and would gladly, an it were agreeable to him, who was
+her father, and to herself, espouse her for his lady, notwithstanding
+she had had a husband of mean condition. Whilst they yet talked,
+Andrevuola presented herself and weeping, cast herself before her
+father and said, 'Father mine, methinketh there is no need that I
+recount to you the story of my boldness and my illhap, for I am
+assured that you have heard and know it; wherefore, as most I may, I
+humbly ask pardon of you for my default, to wit, the having without
+your knowledge taken him who most pleased me to husband. And this boon
+I ask of you, not for that my life may be spared me, but to die your
+daughter and not your enemy.' So saying, she fell weeping at his feet.
+
+[Footnote 249: Lit. complaining, making complaint (_dolendosi_).]
+
+Messer Negro, who was an old man and kindly and affectionate of his
+nature, hearing these words, began to weep and with tears in his eyes
+raised his daughter tenderly to her feet and said, 'Daughter mine, it
+had better pleased me that thou shouldst have had such a husband as,
+according to my thinking, behoved unto thee; and that thou shouldst
+have taken such an one as was pleasing unto thee had also been
+pleasing to me; but that thou shouldst have concealed him, of thy
+little confidence in me, grieveth me, and so much the more as I see
+thee to have lost him, ere I knew it. However, since the case is so,
+that which had he lived, I had gladly done him, to content thee, to
+wit, honour, as to my son-in-law, be it done him, now he is dead.'
+Then, turning to his sons and his kinsfolk, he commanded that great
+and honourable obsequies should be prepared for Gabriotto.
+
+Meanwhile, the kinsmen and kinswomen of the young man, hearing the
+news, had flocked thither, and with them well nigh all the men and
+women in the city. Therewith, the body, being laid out amiddleward the
+courtyard upon Andrevuola's silken cloth and strewn, with all her
+roses, was there not only bewept by her and his kinsfolk, but publicly
+mourned by well nigh all the ladies of the city and by many men, and
+being brought forth of the courtyard of the Seignory, not as that of a
+plebeian, but as that of a nobleman, it was with the utmost honour
+borne to the sepulchre upon the shoulders of the most noble citizens.
+Some days thereafterward, the Provost ensuing that which he had
+demanded, Messer Negro propounded it to his daughter, who would hear
+nought thereof, but, her father being willing to comply with her in
+this, she and her maid made themselves nuns in a convent very famous
+for sanctity and there lived honourably a great while after."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     SIMONA LOVETH PASQUINO AND THEY BEING TOGETHER IN A GARDEN,
+     THE LATTER RUBBETH A LEAF OF SAGE AGAINST HIS TEETH AND
+     DIETH. SHE, BEING TAKEN AND THINKING TO SHOW THE JUDGE HOW
+     HER LOVER DIED, RUBBETH ONE OF THE SAME LEAVES AGAINST HER
+     TEETH AND DIETH ON LIKE WISE
+
+
+Pamfilo having delivered himself of his story, the king, showing no
+compassion for Andrevuola, looked at Emilia and signed to her that it
+was his pleasure she should with a story follow on those who had
+already told; whereupon she, without delay, began as follows: "Dear
+companions, the story told by Pamfilo putteth me in mind to tell you
+one in nothing like unto his save that like as Andrevuola lost her
+beloved in a garden, even so did she of whom I have to tell, and being
+taken in like manner as was Andrevuola, freed herself from the court,
+not by dint of fortitude nor constancy, but by an unlooked-for death.
+And as hath otherwhile been said amongst us, albeit Love liefer
+inhabiteth the houses of the great, yet not therefor doth he decline
+the empery of those of the poor; nay, whiles in these latter he so
+manifesteth his power that he maketh himself feared, as a most
+puissant seignior, of the richer sort. This, if not in all, yet in
+great part, will appear from my story, with which it pleaseth me to
+re-enter our own city, wherefrom this day, discoursing diversely of
+divers things and ranging over various parts of the world, we have so
+far departed.
+
+There was, then, no great while ago, in Florence a damsel very
+handsome and agreeable, according to her condition, who was the
+daughter of a poor father and was called Simona; and although it
+behoved her with her own hands earn the bread she would eat and
+sustain her life by spinning wool, she was not therefor of so poor a
+spirit but that she dared to admit into her heart Love, which,--by
+means of the pleasing words and fashions of a youth of no greater
+account than herself, who went giving wool to spin for a master of
+his, a wool-monger,--had long made a show of wishing to enter there.
+Having, then, received Him into her bosom with the pleasing aspect of
+the youth who loved her whose name was Pasquino, she heaved a thousand
+sighs, hotter than fire, at every hank of yarn she wound about the
+spindle, bethinking her of him who had given it her to spin and
+ardently desiring, but venturing not to do more. He, on his side,
+grown exceeding anxious that his master's wool should be well spun,
+overlooked Simona's spinning more diligently than that of any other,
+as if the yarn spun by her alone and none other were to furnish forth
+the whole cloth; wherefore, the one soliciting and the other
+delighting to be solicited, it befell that, he growing bolder than of
+his wont and she laying aside much of the timidity and shamefastness
+she was used to feel, they gave themselves up with a common accord to
+mutual pleasures, which were so pleasing to both that not only did
+neither wait to be bidden thereto of the other, but each forewent
+other in the matter of invitation.
+
+Ensuing this their delight from day to day and waxing ever more
+enkindled for continuance, it chanced one day that Pasquino told
+Simona he would fain have her find means to come to a garden, whither
+he wished to carry her so they might there foregather more at their
+ease and with less suspect. Simona answered that she would well and
+accordingly on Sunday, after eating, giving her father to believe that
+she meant to go a-pardoning to San Gallo,[250] she betook herself,
+with a friend of hers, called Lagina, to the garden appointed her of
+Pasquino. There she found him with a comrade of his, whose name was
+Puccino, but who was commonly called Stramba,[251] and an amorous
+acquaintance being quickly clapped up between the latter and Lagina,
+Simona and her lover withdrew to one part of the garden, to do their
+pleasure, leaving Stramba and Lagina in another.
+
+[Footnote 250: _i.e._ to attend the ecclesiastical function called a
+Pardon, with which word, used in this sense, Meyerbeer's opera of
+Dinorah (properly Le Pardon de Ploermel) has familiarized opera-goers.
+A Pardon is a sort of minor jubilee of the Roman Catholic Church, held
+in honour of some local saint, at which certain indulgences and
+remissions of sins (hence the name) are granted to the faithful
+attending the services of the occasion.]
+
+[Footnote 251: _i.e._ Bandy-legs.]
+
+Now in that part of the garden, whither Pasquino and Simona had
+betaken themselves, was a very great and goodly bush of sage, at the
+foot whereof they sat down and solaced themselves together a great
+while, holding much discourse of a collation they purposed to make
+there at their leisure. Presently, Pasquino turned to the great
+sage-bush and plucking a leaf thereof, began to rub his teeth and gums
+withal, avouching that sage cleaned them excellent well of aught that
+might be left thereon after eating. After he had thus rubbed them
+awhile, he returned to the subject of the collation, of which he had
+already spoken, nor had he long pursued his discourse when he began
+altogether to change countenance and well nigh immediately after lost
+sight and speech, and in a little while he died. Simona, seeing this,
+fell to weeping and crying out and called Stramba and Lagina, who ran
+thither in haste and seeing Pasquino not only dead, but already grown
+all swollen and full of dark spots about his face and body, Stramba
+cried out of a sudden, 'Ah, wicked woman! Thou hast poisoned him.'
+Making a great outcry, he was heard of many who dwelt near the garden
+and who, running to the clamour, found Pasquino dead and swollen.
+
+Hearing Stramba lamenting and accusing Simona of having poisoned him
+of her malice, whilst she, for dolour of the sudden mishap that had
+carried off her lover, knew not how to excuse herself, being as it
+were beside herself, they all concluded that it was as he said; and
+accordingly she was taken and carried off, still weeping sore, to the
+Provost's palace, where, at the instance of Stramba and other two
+comrades of Pasquino, by name Atticciato and Malagevole, who had come
+up meanwhile, a judge addressed himself without delay to examine her
+of the fact and being unable to discover that she had done malice in
+the matter or was anywise guilty, he bethought himself, in her
+presence, to view the dead body and the place and manner of the
+mishap, as recounted to him by her, for that he apprehended it not
+very well by her words.
+
+Accordingly, he let bring her, without any stir, whereas Pasquino's
+body lay yet, swollen as it were a tun, and himself following her
+thither, marvelled at the dead man and asked her how it had been;
+whereupon, going up to the sage-bush, she recounted to him all the
+foregoing story and to give him more fully to understand how the thing
+had befallen, she did even as Pasquino had done and rubbed one of the
+sage-leaves against her teeth. Then,--whilst her words were, in the
+judge's presence, flouted by Stramba and Atticciato and the other
+friends and comrades of Pasquino as frivolous and vain and they all
+denounced her wickedness with the more instance, demanding nothing
+less than that the fire should be the punishment of such
+perversity,--the wretched girl, who abode all confounded for dolour of
+her lost lover and fear of the punishment demanded by Stramba fell,
+for having rubbed the sage against her teeth, into that same
+mischance, whereinto her lover had fallen [and dropped dead], to the
+no small wonderment of as many as were present. O happy souls, to whom
+it fell in one same day to terminate at once your fervent love and
+your mortal life! Happier yet, an ye went together to one same place!
+And most happy, if folk love in the other life and ye love there as
+you loved here below! But happiest beyond compare,--at least in our
+judgment who abide after her on life,--was Simona's soul, whose
+innocence fortune suffered not to fall under the testimony of Stramba
+and Atticciato and Malagevole, wool-carders belike or men of yet
+meaner condition, finding her a more honourable way, with a death like
+unto that of her lover, to deliver herself from their calumnies and to
+follow the soul, so dearly loved of her, of her Pasquino.
+
+The judge, in a manner astonied, as were likewise as many as were
+there, at this mischance and unknowing what to say, abode long silent;
+then, recollecting himself, he said, 'It seemeth this sage is
+poisonous, the which is not wont to happen of sage. But, so it may not
+avail to offend on this wise against any other, be it cut down even to
+the roots and cast into the fire.' This the keeper of the garden
+proceeded to do in the judge's presence, and no sooner had he levelled
+the great bush with the ground than the cause of the death of the two
+unfortunate lovers appeared; for thereunder was a toad of marvellous
+bigness, by whose pestiferous breath they concluded the sage to have
+become venomous. None daring approach the beast, they made a great
+hedge of brushwood about it and there burnt it, together with the
+sage. So ended the judge's inquest upon the death of the unfortunate
+Pasquino, who, together with his Simona, all swollen as they were, was
+buried by Stramba and Atticciato and Guccio Imbratta and Malagevole in
+the church of St. Paul, whereof it chanced they were parishioners."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     GIROLAMO LOVETH SALVESTRA AND BEING CONSTRAINED BY HIS
+     MOTHER'S PRAYERS TO GO TO PARIS, RETURNETH AND FINDETH HIS
+     MISTRESS MARRIED; WHEREUPON HE ENTERETH HER HOUSE BY STEALTH
+     AND DIETH BY HER SIDE; AND HE BEING CARRIED TO A CHURCH,
+     SALVESTRA DIETH BESIDE HIM
+
+
+Emilia's story come to an end, Neifile, by the king's commandment,
+began thus: "There are some, noble ladies, who believe themselves to
+know more than other folk, albeit, to my thinking, they know less, and
+who, by reason thereof, presume to oppose their judgment not only to
+the counsels of men, but even to set it up against the very nature of
+things; of which presumption very grave ills have befallen aforetime,
+nor ever was any good known to come thereof. And for that of all
+natural things love is that which least brooketh contrary counsel or
+opposition and whose nature is such that it may lightlier consume of
+itself than be done away by advisement, it hath come to my mind to
+narrate to you a story of a lady, who, seeking to be wiser than
+pertained unto her and than she was, nay, than the matter comported in
+which she studied to show her wit, thought to tear out from an
+enamoured heart a love which had belike been set there of the stars,
+and so doing, succeeded in expelling at once love and life from her
+son's body.
+
+There was, then, in our city, according to that which the ancients
+relate, a very great and rich merchant, whose name was Lionardo
+Sighieri and who had by his wife a son called Girolamo, after whose
+birth, having duly set his affairs in order, he departed this life.
+The guardians of the boy, together with his mother, well and loyally
+ordered his affairs, and he, growing up with his neighbour's children,
+became familiar with a girl of his own age, the daughter of the
+tailor, more than with any other of the quarter. As he waxed in age,
+use turned to love so great and so ardent that he was never easy save
+what time he saw her, and certes she loved him no less than she was
+loved of him. The boy's mother, observing this, many a time chid and
+rebuked him therefor and after, Girolamo availing not to desist
+therefrom, complained thereof to his guardians, saying to them, as if
+she thought, thanks to her son's great wealth, to make an orange-tree
+of a bramble, 'This boy of ours, albeit he is yet scarce fourteen
+years old, is so enamoured of the daughter of a tailor our neighbour,
+by name Salvestra, that, except we remove her from his sight, he will
+peradventure one day take her to wife, without any one's knowledge,
+and I shall never after be glad; or else he will pine away from her,
+if he see her married to another; wherefore meseemeth, to avoid this,
+you were best send him somewhither far from here, about the business
+of the warehouse; for that, he being removed from seeing her, she will
+pass out of his mind and we may after avail to give him some well-born
+damsel to wife.'
+
+The guardians answered that the lady said well and that they would do
+this to the best of their power; wherefore, calling the boy into the
+warehouse, one of them began very lovingly to bespeak him thus, 'My
+son, thou art now somewhat waxen in years and it were well that thou
+shouldst begin to look for thyself to thine affairs; wherefore it
+would much content us that thou shouldst go sojourn awhile at Paris,
+where thou wilt see how great part of thy wealth is employed, more by
+token that thou wilt there become far better bred and mannered and
+more of worth than thou couldst here, seeing the lords and barons and
+gentlemen who are there in plenty and learning their usances; after
+which thou mayst return hither.' The youth hearkened diligently and
+answered curtly that he was nowise disposed to do this, for that he
+believed himself able to fare as well at Florence as another. The
+worthy men, hearing this, essayed him again with sundry discourse,
+but, failing to get other answer of him, told his mother, who, sore
+provoked thereat, gave him a sound rating, not because of his
+unwillingness to go to Paris, but of his enamourment; after which, she
+fell to cajoling him with fair words, coaxing him and praying him
+softly be pleased to do what his guardians wished; brief, she
+contrived to bespeak him to such purpose that he consented to go to
+France and there abide a year and no more.
+
+Accordingly, ardently enamoured as he was, he betook himself to Paris
+and there, being still put off from one day to another, he was kept
+two years; at the end of which time, returning, more in love than
+ever, he found his Salvestra married to an honest youth, a tent maker.
+At this he was beyond measure woebegone; but, seeing no help for it,
+he studied to console himself therefor and having spied out where she
+dwelt, began, after the wont of young men in love, to pass before
+her, expecting she should no more have forgotten him than he her. But
+the case was otherwise; she had no more remembrance of him than if she
+had never seen him; or, if indeed she remembered aught of him, she
+feigned the contrary; and of this, in a very brief space of time,
+Girolamo became aware, to his no small chagrin. Nevertheless, he did
+all he might to bring himself to her mind; but, himseeming he wrought
+nothing, he resolved to speak with her, face to face, though he should
+die for it.
+
+Accordingly, having learned from a neighbour how her house stood, one
+evening that she and her husband were gone to keep wake with their
+neighbours, he entered therein by stealth and hiding himself behind
+certain tent cloths that were spread there, waited till, the twain
+having returned and gotten them to bed, he knew her husband to be
+asleep; whereupon he came whereas he had seen Salvestra lay herself
+and putting his hand upon her breast, said softly, 'Sleepest thou yet,
+O my soul?' The girl, who was awake, would have cried out; but he said
+hastily, 'For God's sake, cry not, for I am thy Girolamo.' She,
+hearing this, said, all trembling, 'Alack, for God's sake, Girolamo,
+get thee gone; the time is past when it was not forbidden unto our
+childishness to be lovers. I am, as thou seest, married and it
+beseemeth me no more to have regard to any man other than my husband;
+wherefore I beseech thee, by God the Only, to begone, for that, if my
+husband heard thee, even should no other harm ensue thereof, yet would
+it follow that I might never more avail to live with him in peace or
+quiet, whereas now I am beloved of him and abide with him in weal and
+in tranquility.'
+
+The youth, hearing these words, was grievously endoloured and recalled
+to her the time past and his love no whit grown less for absence,
+mingling many prayers and many great promises, but obtained nothing;
+wherefore, desiring to die, he prayed her at last that, in requital of
+so much love, she would suffer him couch by her side, so he might warm
+himself somewhat, for that he was grown chilled, awaiting her,
+promising her that he would neither say aught to her nor touch her and
+would get him gone, so soon as he should be a little warmed.
+Salvestra, having some little compassion of him, granted him this he
+asked, upon the conditions aforesaid, and he accordingly lay down
+beside her, without touching her. Then, collecting into one thought
+the long love he had borne her and her present cruelty and his lost
+hope, he resolved to live no longer; wherefore, straitening in himself
+his vital spirits,[252] he clenched his hands and died by her side,
+without word or motion.
+
+[Footnote 252: _Ristretti in se gli spiriti._ An obscure passage;
+perhaps "holding his breath" is meant; but in this case we should read
+"_lo spirito_" instead of "_gli spiriti_."]
+
+After a while the young woman, marvelling at his continence and
+fearing lest her husband should awake, began to say, 'Alack, Girolamo,
+why dost thou not get thee gone?' Hearing no answer, she concluded
+that he had fallen asleep and putting out her hand to awaken him,
+found him cold to the touch as ice, whereat she marvelled sore; then,
+nudging him more sharply and finding that he stirred not, she felt him
+again and knew that he was dead; whereat she was beyond measure
+woebegone and abode a great while, unknowing what she should do. At
+last she bethought herself to try, in the person of another, what her
+husband should say was to do [in such a case]; wherefore, awakening
+him, she told him, as having happened to another, that which had
+presently betided herself and after asked him what counsel she should
+take thereof,[253] if it should happen to herself. The good man
+replied that himseemed the dead man should be quietly carried to his
+house and there left, without bearing any ill will thereof to the
+woman, who, it appeared to him, had nowise done amiss. Then said
+Salvestra, 'And so it behoveth us do'; and taking his hand, made him
+touch the dead youth; whereupon, all confounded, he arose, without
+entering into farther parley with his wife, and kindled a light; then,
+clothing the dead body in its own garments, he took it, without any
+delay, on his shoulders and carried it, his innocence aiding him, to
+the door of Girolamo's house, where he set it down and left it.
+
+[Footnote 253: _i.e._ what course she should take in the matter,
+_consiglio_ used as before (see notes, pp. 2 and 150) in this special
+sense.]
+
+When the day came and Girolamo was found dead before his own door,
+great was outcry, especially on the part of his mother, and the
+physicians having examined him and searched his body everywhere, but
+finding no wound nor bruise whatsoever on him, it was generally
+concluded that he had died of grief, as was indeed the case. Then was
+the body carried into a church and the sad mother, repairing thither
+with many other ladies, kinswomen and neighbours, began to weep
+without stint and make sore moan over him, according to our usance.
+What while the lamentation was at it highest, the good man, in whose
+house he had died, said to Salvestra, 'Harkye, put some mantlet or
+other on thy head and get thee to the church whither Girolamo hath
+been carried and mingle with the women and hearken to that which is
+discoursed of the matter; and I will do the like among the men, so we
+may hear if aught be said against us.' The thing pleased the girl, who
+was too late grown pitiful and would fain look upon him, dead, whom,
+living, she had not willed to pleasure with one poor kiss, and she
+went thither. A marvellous thing it is to think how uneath to search
+out are the ways of love! That heart, which Girolamo's fair fortune
+had not availed to open, his illhap opened and the old flames reviving
+all therein, whenas she saw the dead face it[254] melted of a sudden
+into such compassion that she pressed between the women, veiled as she
+was in the mantlet, and stayed not till she won to the body, and
+there, giving a terrible great shriek, she cast herself, face
+downward, on the dead youth, whom she bathed not with many tears, for
+that no sooner did she touch him than grief bereaved her of life, even
+as it had bereft him.
+
+[Footnote 254: _i.e._ her heart.]
+
+The women would have comforted her and bidden her arise, not yet
+knowing her; but after they had bespoken her awhile in vain, they
+sought to lift her and finding her motionless, raised her up and knew
+her at once for Salvestra and for dead; whereupon all who were there,
+overcome with double pity, set up a yet greater clamour of
+lamentation. The news soon spread abroad among the men without the
+church and came presently to the ears of her husband, who was amongst
+them and who, without lending ear to consolation or comfort from any,
+wept a great while; after which he recounted to many of those who were
+there the story of that which had befallen that night between the dead
+youth and his wife; and so was the cause of each one's death made
+everywhere manifest, the which was grievous unto all. Then, taking up
+the dead girl and decking her, as they use to deck the dead, they laid
+her beside Girolamo on the same bier and there long bewept her; after
+which the twain were buried in one same tomb, and so these, whom love
+had not availed to conjoin on life, death conjoined with an
+inseparable union."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     SIR GUILLAUME DE ROUSSILLON GIVETH HIS WIFE TO EAT THE HEART
+     OF SIR GUILLAUME DE GUARDESTAING BY HIM SLAIN AND LOVED OF
+     HER, WHICH SHE AFTER COMING TO KNOW, CASTETH HERSELF FROM A
+     HIGH CASEMENT TO THE GROUND AND DYING, IS BURIED WITH HER
+     LOVER
+
+
+Neifile having made an end of her story, which had awakened no little
+compassion in all the ladies her companions, the king, who purposed
+not to infringe Dioneo his privilege, there being none else to tell
+but they twain, began, "Gentle ladies, since you have such compassion
+upon ill-fortuned loves, it hath occurred to me to tell you a story
+whereof it will behove you have no less pity than of the last, for
+that those to whom that which I shall tell happened were persons of
+more account than those of whom it hath been spoken and yet more cruel
+was the mishap that befell them.
+
+You must know, then, that according to that which the Provencals
+relate, there were aforetime in Provence two noble knights, each of
+whom had castles and vassals under him, called the one Sir Guillaume
+de Roussillon and the other Sir Guillaume de Guardestaing, and for
+that they were both men of great prowess in arms, they loved each
+other with an exceeding love and were wont to go still together and
+clad in the same colours to every tournament or jousting or other act
+of arms. Although they abode each in his own castle and were distant,
+one from other, a good half score miles, yet it came to pass that, Sir
+Guillaume de Roussillon having a very fair and lovesome lady to wife,
+Sir Guillaume de Guardestaing, notwithstanding the friendship and
+fellowship that was between them, become beyond measure enamoured of
+her and so wrought, now with one means and now with another, that the
+lady became aware of his passion and knowing him for a very valiant
+knight, it pleased her and she began to return his love, insomuch that
+she desired and tendered nothing more than him nor awaited otherwhat
+than to be solicited of him; the which was not long in coming to pass
+and they foregathered once and again.
+
+Loving each other amain and conversing together less discreetly than
+behoved, it befell that the husband became aware of their familiarity
+and was mightily incensed thereat, insomuch that the great love he
+bore to Guardestaing was turned into mortal hatred; but this he knew
+better to keep hidden than the two lovers had known to conceal their
+love and was fully resolved in himself to kill him. Roussillon being
+in this mind, it befell that a great tourneying was proclaimed in
+France, the which he forthright signified to Guardestaing and sent to
+bid him come to him, an it pleased him, so they might take counsel
+together if and how they should go thither; whereto the other very
+joyously answered that he would without fail come to sup with him on
+the ensuing day. Roussillon, hearing this, thought the time come
+whenas he might avail to kill him and accordingly on the morrow he
+armed himself and mounting to horse with a servant of his, lay at
+ambush, maybe a mile from his castle, in a wood whereas Guardestaing
+must pass.
+
+There after he had awaited him a good while, he saw him come, unarmed
+and followed by two servants in like case, as one who apprehends
+nothing from him; and when he saw him come whereas he would have him,
+he rushed out upon him, lance in hand, full of rage and malice,
+crying, 'Traitor, thou art dead!' And to say thus and to plunge the
+lance into his breast were one and the same thing. Guardestaing,
+without being able to make any defence or even to say a word, fell
+from his horse, transfixed of the lance, and a little after died,
+whilst his servants, without waiting to learn who had done this,
+turned their horses' heads and fled as quickliest they might, towards
+their lord's castle. Roussillon dismounted and opening the dead man's
+breast with a knife, with his own hands tore out his heart, which he
+let wrap in the pennon of a lance and gave to one of his men to carry.
+Then, commanding that none should dare make words of the matter, he
+remounted, it being now night, and returned to his castle.
+
+The lady, who had heard that Guardestaing was to be there that evening
+to supper and looked for him with the utmost impatience, seeing him
+not come, marvelled sore and said to her husband, 'How is it, sir,
+that Guardestaing is not come?' 'Wife,' answered he, 'I have had
+[word] from him that he cannot be here till to-morrow'; whereat the
+lady abode somewhat troubled. Roussillon then dismounted and calling
+the cook, said to him, 'Take this wild boar's heart and look thou make
+a dainty dish thereof, the best and most delectable to eat that thou
+knowest, and when I am at table, send it to me in a silver porringer.'
+The cook accordingly took the heart and putting all his art thereto
+and all his diligence, minced it and seasoning it with store of rich
+spices, made of it a very dainty ragout.
+
+When it was time, Sir Guillaume sat down to table with his wife and
+the viands came; but he ate little, being hindered in thought for the
+ill deed he had committed. Presently the cook sent him the ragout,
+which he caused set before the lady, feigning himself disordered[255]
+that evening and commending the dish to her amain. The lady, who was
+nowise squeamish, tasted thereof and finding it good, ate it all;
+which when the knight saw, he said to her, 'Wife, how deem you of this
+dish?' 'In good sooth, my lord,' answered she, 'it liketh me
+exceedingly.' Whereupon, 'So God be mine aid,' quoth Roussillon; 'I do
+indeed believe it you, nor do I marvel if that please you, dead,
+which, alive, pleased you more than aught else.' The lady, hearing
+this, hesitated awhile, then said, 'How? What have you made me eat?'
+'This that you have eaten,' answered the knight, 'was in very truth
+the heart of Sir Guillaume de Guardestaing, whom you, disloyal wife as
+you are, so loved; and know for certain that it is his very heart, for
+that I tore it from his breast with these hands a little before my
+return.'
+
+[Footnote 255: Or surfeited (_svogliato_).]
+
+It needeth not to ask if the lady were woebegone, hearing this of him
+whom she loved more than aught else; and after awhile she said, 'You
+have done the deed of a disloyal and base knight, as you are; for, if
+I, unenforced of him, made him lord of my love and therein offended
+against you, not he, but I should have borne the penalty thereof. But
+God forfend that ever other victual should follow upon such noble meat
+the heart of so valiant and so courteous a gentleman as was Sir
+Guillaume de Guardestaing!' Then, rising to her feet, without any
+manner of hesitation, she let herself fall backward through a window
+which was behind her and which was exceeding high above the ground;
+wherefore, as she fell, she was not only killed, but well nigh broken
+in pieces.
+
+Sir Guillaume, seeing this, was sore dismayed and himseemed he had
+done ill; wherefore, being adread of the country people and of the
+Count of Provence, he let saddle his horses and made off. On the
+morrow it was known all over the country how the thing had passed;
+whereupon the two bodies were, with the utmost grief and lamentation,
+taken up by Guardestaing's people and those of the lady and laid in
+one same sepulchre in the chapel of the latter's own castle; and
+thereover were verses written, signifying who these were that were
+buried therewithin and the manner and occasion of their death."[256]
+
+[Footnote 256: This is the well-known story of the Troubadour Guillem
+de Cabestanh or Cabestaing, whose name Boccaccio alters to
+Guardastagno or Guardestaing.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fourth]
+
+     A PHYSICIAN'S WIFE PUTTETH HER LOVER FOR DEAD IN A CHEST,
+     WHICH TWO USURERS CARRY OFF TO THEIR OWN HOUSE, GALLANT AND
+     ALL. THE LATTER, WHO IS BUT DRUGGED, COMETH PRESENTLY TO
+     HIMSELF AND BEING DISCOVERED, IS TAKEN FOR A THIEF; BUT THE
+     LADY'S MAID AVOUCHETH TO THE SEIGNORY THAT SHE HERSELF HAD
+     PUT HIM INTO THE CHEST STOLEN BY THE TWO USURERS, WHEREBY HE
+     ESCAPETH THE GALLOWS AND THE THIEVES ARE AMERCED IN CERTAIN
+     MONIES
+
+
+Filostrato having made an end of his telling, it rested only with
+Dioneo to accomplish his task, who, knowing this and it being
+presently commanded him of the king, began as follows: 'The sorrows
+that have been this day related of ill fortuned loves have saddened
+not only your eyes and hearts, ladies, but mine also; wherefore I have
+ardently longed for an end to be made thereof. Now that, praised be
+God, they are finished (except I should choose to make an ill addition
+to such sorry ware, from which God keep me!), I will, without farther
+ensuing so dolorous a theme, begin with something blither and better,
+thereby perchance affording a good argument for that which is to be
+related on the ensuing day.
+
+You must know, then, fairest lasses, that there was in Salerno, no
+great while since, a very famous doctor in surgery, by name Master
+Mazzeo della Montagna, who, being already come to extreme old age,
+took to wife a fair and gentle damsel of his city and kept better
+furnished with sumptuous and rich apparel and jewels and all that can
+pleasure a lady than any woman of the place. True it is she went
+a-cold most of her time, being kept of her husband ill covered abed;
+for, like as Messer Ricardo di Chinzica (of whom we already told)
+taught his wife to observe saints' days and holidays, even so the
+doctor pretended to her that once lying with a woman necessitated I
+know not how many days' study to recruit the strength and the like
+toys; whereof she abode exceeding ill content and like a discreet and
+high-spirited woman as she was, bethought herself, so she might the
+better husband the household good, to betake herself to the highway
+and seek to spend others' gear. To this end, considering divers young
+men, at last she found one to her mind and on him she set all her
+hope; whereof he becoming aware and she pleasing him mightily, he in
+like manner turned all his love upon her.
+
+The spark in question was called Ruggieri da Jeroli, a man of noble
+birth, but of lewd life and blameworthy carriage, insomuch that he had
+left himself neither friend nor kinsman who wished him well or cared
+to see him and was defamed throughout all Salerno for thefts and other
+knaveries of the vilest; but of this the lady recked little, he
+pleasing her for otherwhat, and with the aid of a maid of hers, she
+wrought on such wise that they came together. After they had taken
+some delight, the lady proceeded to blame his past way of life and to
+pray him, for the love of her, to desist from these ill fashions; and
+to give him the means of doing this, she fell to succouring him, now
+with one sum of money and now with another. On this wise they abode
+together, using the utmost discretion, till it befell that a sick man
+was put into the doctor's hands, who had a gangrened leg, and Master
+Mazzeo, having examined the case, told the patient's kinsfolk that,
+except a decayed bone he had in his leg were taken out, needs must he
+have the whole limb cut off or die, and that, by taking out the bone,
+he might recover, but that he would not undertake him otherwise than
+for a dead man; to which those to whom the sick man pertained agreed
+and gave the latter into his hands for such. The doctor, judging that
+the patient might not brook the pain nor would suffer himself to be
+operated, without an opiate, and having appointed to set about the
+matter at evensong, let that morning distil a certain water of his
+composition, which being drunken by the sick man, should make him
+sleep so long as he deemed necessary for the performing of the
+operation upon him, and fetching it home, set it in his chamber,
+without telling any what it was.
+
+The hour of vespers come and the doctor being about to go to the
+patient in question, there came to him a messenger from certain very
+great friends of his at Malfi, charging him fail not for anything to
+repair thither incontinent, for that there had been a great fray
+there, in which many had been wounded. Master Mazzeo accordingly put
+off the tending of the leg until the ensuing morning and going aboard
+a boat, went off to Malfi, whereupon his wife, knowing that he would
+not return home that night, let fetch Ruggieri, as of her wont, and
+bringing him into her chamber, locked him therewithin, against certain
+other persons of the house should be gone to sleep. Ruggieri, then,
+abiding in the chamber, awaiting his mistress, and being,--whether for
+fatigue endured that day or salt meat that he had eaten or maybe for
+usance,--sore, athirst, caught sight of the flagon of water, which the
+doctor had prepared for the sick man and which stood in the window,
+and deeming it drinking water, set it to his mouth and drank it all
+off; nor was it long ere a great drowsiness took him and he fell
+asleep.
+
+The lady came to the chamber as first she might and finding Ruggieri
+asleep, nudged him and bade him in a low voice arise, but to no
+effect, for he replied not neither stirred anywhit; whereat she was
+somewhat vexed and nudged him more sharply, saying, 'Get up, slugabed!
+An thou hadst a mind to sleep, thou shouldst have betaken thee to
+thine own house and not come hither.' Ruggieri, being thus pushed,
+fell to the ground from a chest whereon he lay and gave no more sign
+of life than a dead body; whereupon the lady, now somewhat alarmed,
+began to seek to raise him up and to shake him more roughly, tweaking
+him by the nose and plucking him by the beard, but all in vain; he had
+tied his ass to a fast picket.[257] At this she began to fear lest he
+were dead; nevertheless she proceeded to pinch him sharply and burn
+his flesh with a lighted taper, but all to no purpose; wherefore,
+being no doctress, for all her husband was a physician, she doubted
+not but he was dead in very deed. Loving him over all else as she
+did, it needeth no asking if she were woebegone for this and daring
+not make any outcry, she silently fell a-weeping over him and
+bewailing so sore a mishap.
+
+[Footnote 257: A proverbial way of saying that he was fast asleep.]
+
+After awhile, fearing to add shame to her loss, she bethought herself
+that it behoved her without delay find a means of carrying the dead
+man forth of the house and knowing not how to contrive this, she
+softly called her maid and discovering to her her misadventure sought
+counsel of her. The maid marvelled exceedingly and herself pulled and
+pinched Ruggieri, but, finding him without sense or motion, agreed
+with her mistress that he was certainly dead and counselled her put
+him forth of the house. Quoth the lady, 'And where can we put him, so
+it may not be suspected, whenas he shall be seen to-morrow morning,
+that he hath been brought out hence?' 'Madam,' answered the maid, 'I
+saw, this evening at nightfall, over against the shop of our neighbour
+yonder the carpenter, a chest not overbig, the which, an the owner
+have not taken it in again, will come very apt for our affair; for
+that we can lay him therein, after giving him two or three slashes
+with a knife, and leave him be. I know no reason why whoso findeth him
+should suppose him to have been put there from this house rather than
+otherwhence; nay, it will liefer be believed, seeing he was a young
+man of lewd life, that he hath been slain by some enemy of his, whilst
+going about to do some mischief or other, and after clapped in the
+chest.'
+
+The maid's counsel pleased the lady, save that she would not hear of
+giving him any wound, saying that for naught in the world would her
+heart suffer her to do that. Accordingly she sent her to see if the
+chest were yet whereas she had noted it and she presently returned and
+said, 'Ay.' Then, being young and lusty, with the aid of her mistress,
+she took Ruggieri on her shoulders and carrying him out,--whilst the
+lady forewent her, to look if any came,--clapped him into the chest
+and shutting down the lid, left him there. Now it chanced that, a day
+or two before, two young men, who lent at usance, had taken up their
+abode in a house a little farther and lacking household gear, but
+having a mind to gain much and spend little, had that day espied the
+chest in question and had plotted together, if it should abide there
+the night, to carry it off to their own house. Accordingly, midnight
+come, they sallied forth and finding the chest still there, without
+looking farther, they hastily carried it off, for all it seemed to
+them somewhat heavy, to their own house, where they set it down beside
+a chamber in which their wives slept and there leaving it, without
+concerning themselves for the nonce to settle it overnicely, betook
+them to bed.
+
+Presently, the morning drawing near, Ruggieri, who had slept a great
+while, having by this time digested the sleeping draught and exhausted
+its effects, awoke and albeit his sleep was broken and his senses in
+some measure restored, there abode yet a dizziness in his brain, which
+held him stupefied, not that night only, but some days after. Opening
+his eyes and seeing nothing, he put out his hands hither and thither
+and finding himself in the chest, bethought himself and said, 'What is
+this? Where am I? Am I asleep or awake? Algates I mind me that I came
+this evening into my mistress's chamber and now meseemeth I am in a
+chest. What meaneth this? Can the physician have returned or other
+accident befallen, by reason whereof the lady hath hidden me here, I
+being asleep? Methinketh it must have been thus; assuredly it was so.'
+Accordingly, he addressed himself to abide quiet and hearken if he
+could hear aught and after he had abidden thus a great while, being
+somewhat ill at ease in the chest, which was small, and the side
+whereon he lay irking him, he would have turned over to the other and
+wrought so dexterously that, thrusting his loins against one of the
+sides of the chest, which had not been set on a level place, he caused
+it first to incline to one side and after topple over. In falling, it
+made a great noise, whereat the women who slept therenigh awoke and
+being affrighted, were silent for fear. Ruggieri was sore alarmed at
+the fall of the chest, but, finding that it had opened in the fall,
+chose rather, if aught else should betide, to be out of it than to
+abide therewithin. Accordingly, he came forth and what with knowing
+not where he was and what with one thing and another, he fell to
+groping about the house, so haply he should find a stair or a door,
+whereby he might get him gone.
+
+The women, hearing this, began to say, 'Who is there?' But Ruggieri,
+knowing not the voice, answered not; whereupon they proceeded to call
+the two young men, who, for that they had overwatched themselves,
+slept fast and heard nothing of all this. Thereupon the women, waxing
+more fearful, arose and betaking themselves to the windows, fell
+a-crying, 'Thieves! Thieves!' At this sundry of the neighbours ran up
+and made their way, some by the roof and some by one part and some by
+another, into the house; and the young men also, awaking for the
+noise, arose and seized Ruggieri, who finding himself there, was in a
+manner beside himself for wonderment and saw no way of escape. Then
+they gave him into the hands of the officers of the governor of the
+city, who had now run thither at the noise and carried him before
+their chief. The latter, for that he was held of all a very sorry
+fellow, straightway put him to the question and he confessed to having
+entered the usurers' house to steal; whereupon the governor thought to
+let string him up by the neck without delay.
+
+The news was all over Salerno by the morning that Ruggieri had been
+taken in the act of robbing the money-lenders' house, which the lady
+and her maid hearing, they were filled with such strange and exceeding
+wonderment that they were like to persuade themselves that they had
+not done, but had only dreamed of doing, that which they had done
+overnight; whilst the lady, to boot, was so concerned at the news of
+the danger wherein Ruggieri was that she was like to go mad. Soon
+after half tierce[258] the physician, having returned from Malfi and
+wishing to medicine his patient, called for his prepared water and
+finding the flagon empty, made a great outcry, saying that nothing
+could abide as it was in his house. The lady, who was troubled with
+another great chagrin, answered angrily, saying 'What wouldst thou
+say, doctor, of grave matter, whenas thou makest such an outcry anent
+a flagonlet of water overset? Is there no more water to be found in
+the world?' 'Wife,' rejoined the physician, 'thou thinkest this was
+common water; it was not so; nay, it was a water prepared to cause
+sleep'; and told her for what occasion he had made it. When she heard
+this, she understood forthright that Ruggieri had drunken the opiate
+and had therefore appeared to them dead and said to her husband,
+'Doctor, we knew it not; wherefore do you make yourself some more';
+and the physician, accordingly, seeing he might not do otherwise, let
+make thereof anew.
+
+[Footnote 258: _i.e._ about half-past seven a.m.]
+
+A little after, the maid, who had gone by her mistress's commandment
+to learn what should be reported of Ruggieri, returned and said to
+her, 'Madam, every one missaith of Ruggieri; nor, for aught I could
+hear, is there friend or kinsman who hath risen up or thinketh to rise
+up to assist him, and it is held certain that the prefect of police
+will have him hanged to-morrow. Moreover, I have a strange thing to
+tell you, to wit, meseemeth I have discovered how he came into the
+money-lenders' house, and hear how. You know the carpenter overagainst
+whose shop was the chest wherein we laid him; he was but now at the
+hottest words in the world with one to whom it seemeth the chest
+belonged; for the latter demanded of him the price of his chest, and
+the carpenter replied that he had not sold it, but that it had that
+night been stolen from him. Whereto, "Not so," quoth the other, "nay,
+thou soldest it to the two young men, the money-lenders yonder, as
+they told me yesternight, when I saw it in their house what time
+Ruggieri was taken." "They lie," answered the carpenter. "I never sold
+it to them; but they stole it from me yesternight. Let us go to them."
+So they went off with one accord to the money-lenders' house, and I
+came back hither. On this wise, as you may see, I conclude that
+Ruggieri was transported whereas he was found; but how he came to life
+again I cannot divine.'
+
+The lady now understood very well how the case stood and telling the
+maid what she had heard from the physician, besought her help to save
+Ruggieri, for that she might, an she would, at once save him and
+preserve her honour. Quoth she, 'Madam, teach me how, and I will
+gladly do anything.' Whereupon the lady, whose wits were sharpened by
+the urgency of the case, having promptly bethought herself of that
+which was to do, particularly acquainted the maid therewith, who first
+betook herself to the physician and weeping, began to say to him,
+'Sir, it behoveth me ask you pardon of a great fault, which I have
+committed against you.' 'In what?' asked the doctor, and she, never
+giving over weeping, answered, 'Sir, you know what manner young man is
+Ruggieri da Jeroli. He took a liking to me awhile agone and partly for
+fear and partly for love, needs must I become his mistress.
+Yesternight, knowing that you were abroad, he cajoled me on such wise
+that I brought him into your house to lie with me in my chamber, and
+he being athirst and I having no whither more quickly to resort for
+water or wine, unwilling as I was that your lady, who was in the
+saloon, should see me, I remembered me to have seen a flagon of water
+in your chamber. Accordingly, I ran for it and giving him the water to
+drink, replaced the flagon whence I had taken it, whereof I find you
+have made a great outcry in the house. And certes I confess I did ill;
+but who is there doth not ill bytimes? Indeed, I am exceeding grieved
+to have done it, not so much for the thing itself as for that which
+hath ensued of it and by reason whereof Ruggieri is like to lose his
+life. Wherefore I pray you, as most I may, pardon me and give me leave
+to go succour Ruggieri inasmuch as I can.' The physician, hearing
+this, for all he was angry, answered jestingly, 'Thou hast given
+thyself thine own penance therefor, seeing that, whereas thou
+thoughtest yesternight to have a lusty young fellow who would shake
+thy skincoats well for thee, thou hadst a sluggard; wherefore go and
+endeavour for the deliverance of thy lover; but henceforth look thou
+bring him not into the house again, or I will pay thee for this time
+and that together.'
+
+The maid, thinking she had fared well for the first venue, betook
+herself, as quickliest she might, to the prison, where Ruggieri lay
+and coaxed the gaoler to let her speak with the prisoner, whom after
+she had instructed what answers he should make to the prefect of
+police, an he would fain escape, she contrived to gain admission to
+the magistrate himself. The latter, for that she was young and buxom,
+would fain, ere he would hearken to her, cast his grapnel aboard the
+good wench, whereof she, to be the better heard, was no whit chary;
+then, having quitted herself of the grinding due,[259] 'Sir,' said
+she, 'you have here Ruggieri da Jeroli taken for a thief; but the
+truth is not so.' Then, beginning from the beginning, she told him the
+whole story; how she, being his mistress, had brought him into the
+physician's house and had given him the drugged water to drink,
+unknowing what it was, and how she had put him for dead into the
+chest; after which she told him the talk she had heard between the
+master carpenter and the owner of the chest, showing him thereby how
+Ruggieri had come into the money-lenders' house.
+
+[Footnote 259: Or "having risen from the grinding" (_levatasi dal
+macinio_).]
+
+The magistrate, seeing it an easy thing to come at the truth of the
+matter, first questioned the physician if it were true of the water
+and found that it was as she had said; whereupon he let summon the
+carpenter and him to whom the chest belonged and the two money-lenders
+and after much parley, found that the latter had stolen the chest
+overnight and put it in their house. Ultimately he sent for Ruggieri
+and questioned him where he had lain that night, whereto he replied
+that where he had lain he knew not; he remembered indeed having gone
+to pass the night with Master Mazzeo's maid, in whose chamber he had
+drunken water for a sore thirst he had; but what became of him after
+he knew not, save that, when he awoke, he found himself in the
+money-lenders' house in a chest. The prefect, hearing these things and
+taking great pleasure therein, caused the maid and Ruggieri and the
+carpenter and the money-lenders repeat their story again and again;
+and in the end, seeing Ruggieri to be innocent, he released him and
+amerced the money-lenders in half a score ounces for that they had
+stolen the chest. How welcome this was to Ruggieri, none need ask, and
+it was beyond measure pleasing to his mistress, who together with her
+lover and the precious maid, who had proposed to give him the slashes
+with the knife, many a time after laughed and made merry of the
+matter, still continuing their loves and their disport from good to
+better; the which I would well might so betide myself, save always the
+being put in the chest."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+If the former stories had saddened the hearts of the lovesome ladies,
+this last one of Dioneo's made them laugh heartily, especially when he
+spoke of the prefect casting his grapnel aboard the maid, that they
+were able thus to recover themselves of the melancholy caused by the
+others. But the king, seeing that the sun began to grow yellow and
+that the term of his seignory was come, with very courteous speech
+excused himself to the fair ladies for that which he had done, to wit,
+that he had caused discourse of so sorrowful a matter as that of
+lovers' infelicity; which done, he rose to his feet and taking from
+his head the laurel wreath, whilst the ladies waited to see on whom he
+should bestow it, set it daintily on Fiammetta's fair head, saying, "I
+make over this crown to thee, as to her who will, better than any
+other, know how with to-morrow's pleasance to console these ladies our
+companions of to-day's woefulness."
+
+Fiammetta, whose locks were curled and long and golden and fell over
+her white and delicate shoulders and whose soft-rounded face was all
+resplendent with white lilies and vermeil roses commingled, with two
+eyes in her head as they were those of a peregrine falcon and a dainty
+little mouth, the lips whereof seemed twin rubies, answered, smiling,
+"And I, Filostrato, I take it willingly, and that thou mayst be the
+better cognizant of that which thou hast done, I presently will and
+command that each prepare to discourse to-morrow of THAT WHICH HATH
+HAPPILY BETIDED LOVERS AFTER SUNDRY CRUEL AND MISFORTUNATE
+ADVENTURES." Her proposition[260] was pleasing unto all and she, after
+summoning the seneschal and taking counsel with him of things needful,
+arising from session, blithely dismissed all the company until
+supper-time. Accordingly, they all proceeded, according to their
+various appetites, to take their several pleasures, some wandering
+about the garden, whose beauties were not such as might lightly tire,
+and other some betaking themselves towards the mills which wrought
+therewithout, whilst the rest fared some hither and some thither,
+until the hour of supper, which being come, they all foregathered, as
+of their wont, anigh the fair fountain and there supped with exceeding
+pleasance and well served. Presently, arising thence, they addressed
+themselves, as of their wont, to dancing and singing, and Filomena
+leading off the dance, the queen said, "Filostrato, I purpose not to
+depart from the usance of those who have foregone me in the sovranty,
+but, like as they have done, so I intend that a song be sung at my
+commandment; and as I am assured that thy songs are even such as are
+thy stories, it is our pleasure that, so no more days than this be
+troubled with thine ill fortunes, thou sing such one thereof as most
+pleaseth thee." Filostrato replied that he would well and forthright
+proceeded to sing on this wise:
+
+[Footnote 260: _i.e._ the theme proposed by her.]
+
+         Weeping, I demonstrate
+     How sore with reason doth my heart complain
+     Of love betrayed and plighted faith in vain.
+
+       Love, whenas first there was of thee imprest
+         Thereon[261] her image for whose sake I sigh,
+           Sans hope of succour aye,
+           So full of virtue didst thou her pourtray,
+         That every torment light accounted I
+       That through thee to my breast
+       Grown full of drear unrest
+     And dole, might come; but now, alack! I'm fain
+     To own my error, not withouten pain.
+
+       Yea, of the cheat first was I made aware,
+         Seeing myself of her forsaken sheer,
+           In whom I hoped alone;
+           For, when I deemed myself most fairly grown
+         Into her favour and her servant dear,
+       Without her thought or care
+       Of my to-come despair,
+     I found she had another's merit ta'en
+     To heart and put me from her with disdain.
+
+       Whenas I knew me banished from my stead,
+         Straight in my heart a dolorous plaint there grew,
+           That yet therein hath power,
+           And oft I curse the day and eke the hour
+         When first her lovesome visage met my view,
+       Graced with high goodlihead;
+       And more enamoured
+     Than eye, my soul keeps up its dying strain,
+     Faith, ardour, hope, blaspheming still amain.
+       How void my misery is of all relief
+         Thou mayst e'en feel, so sore I call thee, sire,
+           With voice all full of woe;
+           Ay, and I tell thee that it irks me so
+         That death for lesser torment I desire.
+       Come, death, then; shear the sheaf
+       Of this my life of grief
+     And with thy stroke my madness eke assain;
+     Go where I may, less dire will be my bane.
+
+       No other way than death is left my spright,
+         Ay, and none other solace for my dole;
+           Then give it[262] me straightway,
+           Love; put an end withal to my dismay:
+       Ah, do it; since fate's spite
+       Hath robbed me of delight;
+     Gladden thou her, lord, with my death, love-slain,
+     As thou hast cheered her with another swain.
+
+       My song, though none to learn thee lend an ear,
+         I reck the less thereof, indeed, that none
+           Could sing thee even as I;
+           One only charge I give thee, ere I die,
+         That thou find Love and unto him alone
+       Show fully how undear
+       This bitter life and drear
+     Is to me, craving of his might he deign
+     Some better harbourage I may attain.
+
+         Weeping I demonstrate
+     How sore with reason doth my heart complain
+     Of love betrayed and plighted faith in vain.
+
+[Footnote 261: _i.e._ on my heart.]
+
+[Footnote 262: _i.e._ death.]
+
+The words of this song clearly enough discovered the state of
+Filostrato's mind and the cause thereof, the which belike the
+countenance of a certain lady who was in the dance had yet plainlier
+declared, had not the shades of the now fallen night hidden the
+blushes that rose to her face. But, when he had made an end of his
+song, many others were sung, till such time as the hour of sleep
+arrived, whereupon, at the queen's commandment, each of the ladies
+withdrew to her chamber.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE FOURTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Fifth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE FIFTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF FIAMMETTA IS DISCOURSED OF THAT WHICH HATH
+     HAPPILY BETIDED LOVERS AFTER SUNDRY CRUEL AND MISFORTUNATE
+     ADVENTURES
+
+
+The East was already all white and the rays of the rising sun had made
+it light through all our hemisphere, when Fiammetta, allured by the
+sweet song of the birds that blithely chanted the first hour of the
+day upon the branches, arose and let call all the other ladies and the
+three young men; then, with leisured pace descending into the fields,
+she went a-pleasuring with her company about the ample plain upon the
+dewy grasses, discoursing with them of one thing and another, until
+the sun was somewhat risen, when, feeling that its rays began to grow
+hot, she turned their steps to their abiding-place. There, with
+excellent wines and confections, she let restore the light fatigue had
+and they disported themselves in the delightsome garden until the
+eating hour, which being come and everything made ready by the
+discreet seneschal, they sat blithely down to meat, such being the
+queen's pleasure, after they had sung sundry roundelays and a ballad
+or two. Having dined orderly and with mirth, not unmindful of their
+wonted usance of dancing, they danced sundry short dances to the sound
+of songs and tabrets, after which the queen dismissed them all until
+the hour of slumber should be past. Accordingly, some betook
+themselves to sleep, whilst others addressed themselves anew to their
+diversion about the fair garden; but all, according to the wonted
+fashion, assembled together again, a little after none, near the fair
+fountain, whereas it pleased the queen. Then she, having seated
+herself in the chief room, looked towards Pamfilo and smilingly
+charged him make a beginning with the fair-fortuned stories; whereto
+he willingly addressed himself and spoke as follows:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     CIMON, LOVING, WAXETH WISE AND CARRIETH OFF TO SEA IPHIGENIA
+     HIS MISTRESS. BEING CAST INTO PRISON AT RHODES, HE IS
+     DELIVERED THENCE BY LYSIMACHUS AND IN CONCERT WITH HIM
+     CARRIETH OFF IPHIGENIA AND CASSANDRA ON THEIR WEDDING-DAY,
+     WITH WHOM THE TWAIN FLEE INTO CRETE, WHERE THE TWO LADIES
+     BECOME THEIR WIVES AND WHENCE THEY ARE PRESENTLY ALL FOUR
+     RECALLED HOME
+
+
+"Many stories, delightsome ladies, apt to give beginning to so glad a
+day as this will be, offer themselves unto me to be related; whereof
+one is the most pleasing to my mind, for that thereby, beside the
+happy issue which is to mark this day's discourses, you may understand
+how holy, how puissant and how full of all good is the power of Love,
+which many, unknowing what they say, condemn and vilify with great
+unright; and this, an I err not, must needs be exceeding pleasing to
+you, for that I believe you all to be in love.
+
+There was, then, in the island of Cyprus, (as we have read aforetime
+in the ancient histories of the Cypriots,) a very noble gentleman, by
+name Aristippus, who was rich beyond any other of the country in all
+temporal things and might have held himself the happiest man alive,
+had not fortune made him woeful in one only thing, to wit, that
+amongst his other children he had a son who overpassed all the other
+youths of his age in stature and goodliness of body, but was a
+hopeless dullard and well nigh an idiot. His true name was Galesus,
+but for that neither by toil of teacher nor blandishment nor beating
+of his father nor study nor endeavour of whatsoever other had it been
+found possible to put into his head any inkling of letters or good
+breeding and that he had a rough voice and an uncouth and manners more
+befitting a beast than a man, he was of well nigh all by way of
+mockery called Cimon, which in their tongue signified as much as brute
+beast in ours. His father brooked his wastrel life with the most
+grievous concern and having presently given over all hope of him, he
+bade him begone to his country house[263] and there abide with his
+husbandmen, so he might not still have before him the cause of his
+chagrin; the which was very agreeable to Cimon, for that the manners
+and usages of clowns and churls were much more to his liking than
+those of the townsfolk.
+
+[Footnote 263: Or farm (_villa_).]
+
+Cimon, then, betaking himself to the country and there employing
+himself in the things that pertained thereto, it chanced one day,
+awhile after noon, as he passed from one farm to another, with his
+staff on his shoulder, that he entered a very fair coppice which was
+in those parts and which was then all in leaf, for that it was the
+month of May. Passing therethrough, he happened (even as his fortune
+guided him thither) upon a little mead compassed about with very high
+trees, in one corner whereof was a very clear and cool spring, beside
+which he saw a very fair damsel asleep upon the green grass, with so
+thin a garment upon her body that it hid well nigh nothing of her
+snowy flesh. She was covered only from the waist down with a very
+white and light coverlet; and at her feet slept on like wise two women
+and a man, her servants. When Cimon espied the young lady, he halted
+and leaning upon his staff, fell, without saying a word, to gazing
+most intently upon her with the utmost admiration, no otherwise than
+as he had never yet seen a woman's form, whilst in his rude breast,
+wherein for a thousand lessonings no least impression of civil
+pleasance had availed to penetrate, he felt a thought awaken which
+intimated to his gross and material spirit that this maiden was the
+fairest thing that had been ever seen of any living soul. Thence he
+proceeded to consider her various parts,--commending her hair, which
+he accounted of gold, her brow, her nose, her mouth, her throat and
+her arms, and above all her breast, as yet but little upraised,--and
+grown of a sudden from a churl a judge of beauty, he ardently desired
+in himself to see the eyes, which, weighed down with deep sleep, she
+kept closed. To this end, he had it several times in mind to awaken
+her; but, for that she seemed to him beyond measure fairer than the
+other women aforetime seen of him, he misdoubted him she must be some
+goddess. Now he had wit enough to account things divine worthy of more
+reverence than those mundane; wherefore he forbore, waiting for her to
+awake of herself; and albeit the delay seemed overlong to him, yet,
+taken as he was with an unwonted pleasure, he knew not how to tear
+himself away.
+
+It befell, then, that, after a long while, the damsel, whose name was
+Iphigenia, came to herself, before any of her people, and opening her
+eyes, saw Cimon (who, what for his fashion and uncouthness and his
+father's wealth and nobility, was known in a manner to every one in
+the country) standing before her, leant on his staff, marvelled
+exceedingly and said, 'Cimon, what goest thou seeking in this wood at
+this hour?' He made her no answer, but, seeing her eyes open, began to
+look steadfastly upon them, himseeming there proceeded thence a
+sweetness which fulfilled him with a pleasure such as he had never
+before felt. The young lady, seeing this, began to misdoubt her lest
+his so fixed looking upon her should move his rusticity to somewhat
+that might turn to her shame; wherefore, calling her women, she rose
+up, saying, 'Cimon, abide with God.' To which he replied, 'I will
+begone with thee'; and albeit the young lady, who was still in fear of
+him, would have declined his company, she could not win to rid herself
+of him till he had accompanied her to her own house.
+
+Thence he repaired to his father's house [in the city,] and declared
+to him that he would on no wise consent to return to the country; the
+which was irksome enough to Aristippus and his kinsfolk; nevertheless
+they let him be, awaiting to see what might be the cause of his change
+of mind. Love's arrow having, then, through Iphigenia's beauty,
+penetrated into Cimon's heart, whereinto no teaching had ever availed
+to win an entrance, in a very brief time, proceeding from one idea to
+another, he made his father marvel and all his kinsfolk and every
+other that knew him. In the first place he besought his father that he
+would cause him go bedecked with clothes and every other thing, even
+as his brothers, the which Aristippus right gladly did. Then,
+consorting with young men of condition and learning the fashions and
+carriage that behoved unto gentlemen and especially unto lovers, he
+first, to the utmost wonderment of every one, in a very brief space of
+time, not only learned the first [elements of] letters, but became
+very eminent among the students of philosophy, and after (the love
+which he bore Iphigenia being the cause of all this) he not only
+reduced his rude and rustical manner of speech to seemliness and
+civility, but became a past master of song and sound[264] and
+exceeding expert and doughty in riding and martial exercises, both by
+land and by sea. In short, not to go recounting every particular of
+his merits, the fourth year was not accomplished from the day of his
+first falling in love, ere he was grown the sprightliest and most
+accomplished gentleman of all the young men in the island of Cyprus,
+ay, and the best endowed with every particular excellence. What, then,
+charming ladies, shall we say of Cimon? Certes, none other thing than
+that the lofty virtues implanted by heaven in his generous soul had
+been bounden with exceeding strong bonds of jealous fortune and shut
+in some straitest corner of his heart, all which bonds Love, as a
+mightier than fortune, broke and burst in sunder and in its quality of
+awakener and quickener of drowsed and sluggish wits, urged forth into
+broad daylight the virtues aforesaid, which had till then been
+overdarkened with a barbarous obscurity, thus manifestly discovering
+from how mean a room it can avail to uplift those souls that are
+subject unto it and to what an eminence it can conduct them with its
+beams.
+
+[Footnote 264: _i.e._ of music, vocal and instrumental.]
+
+Although Cimon, loving Iphigenia as he did, might exceed in certain
+things, as young men in love very often do, nevertheless Aristippus,
+considering that Love had turned him from a dunce into a man, not only
+patiently bore with the extravagances into which it might whiles lead
+him, but encouraged him to ensue its every pleasure. But Cimon, (who
+refused to be called Galesus, remembering that Iphigenia had called
+him by the former name,) seeking to put an honourable term to his
+desire, once and again caused essay Cipseus, Iphigenia's father, so he
+should give him his daughter to wife; but Cipseus still answered that
+he had promised her to Pasimondas, a young nobleman of Rhodes, to whom
+he had no mind to fail of his word. The time coming the covenanted
+nuptials of Iphigenia and the bridegroom having sent for her, Cimon
+said to himself, 'Now, O Iphigenia, is the time to prove how much thou
+are beloved of me. By thee am I become a man and so I may but have
+thee, I doubt not to become more glorious than any god; and for
+certain I will or have thee or die.'
+
+Accordingly, having secretly recruited certain young noblemen who were
+his friends and let privily equip a ship with everything apt for naval
+battle, he put out to sea and awaited the vessel wherein Iphigenia was
+to be transported to her husband in Rhodes. The bride, after much
+honour done of her father to the bridegroom's friends, took ship with
+the latter, who turned their prow towards Rhodes and departed. On the
+following day, Cimon, who slept not, came out upon them with his ship
+and cried out, in a loud voice, from the prow, to those who were on
+board Iphigenia's vessel, saying, 'Stay, strike your sails or look to
+be beaten and sunken in the sea.' Cimon's adversaries had gotten up
+their arms on deck and made ready to defend themselves; whereupon he,
+after speaking the words aforesaid, took a grappling-iron and casting
+it upon the poop of the Rhodians, who were making off at the top of
+their speed, made it fast by main force to the prow of his own ship.
+Then, bold as a lion, he leapt on board their ship, without waiting
+for any to follow him, as if he held them all for nought, and Love
+spurring him, he fell upon his enemies with marvellous might, cutlass
+in hand, striking now this one and now that and hewing them down like
+sheep.
+
+The Rhodians, seeing this, cast down their arms and all as with one
+voice confessed themselves prisoners; whereupon quoth Cimon to them,
+'Young men, it was neither lust of rapine nor hate that I had against
+you made me depart Cyprus to assail you, arms in hand, in mid sea.
+That which moved me thereunto was the desire of a thing which to have
+gotten is a very grave matter to me and to you a very light one to
+yield me in peace; it is, to wit, Iphigenia, whom I loved over all
+else and whom, availing not to have of her father on friendly and
+peaceful wise, Love hath constrained me to win from you as an enemy
+and by force of arms. Wherefor I mean to be to her that which your
+friend Pasimondas should have been. Give her to me, then, and begone
+and God's grace go with you.'
+
+The Rhodians, more by force constrained than of freewill, surrendered
+Iphigenia, weeping, to Cimon, who, seeing her in tears, said to her,
+'Noble Lady, be not disconsolate; I am thy Cimon, who by long love
+have far better deserved to have thee than Pasimondas by plighted
+faith.' Thereupon he caused carry her aboard his own ship and
+returning to his companions, let the Rhodians go, without touching
+aught else of theirs. Then, glad beyond any man alive to have gotten
+so dear a prey, after devoting some time to comforting the weeping
+lady, he took counsel with his comrades not to return to Cyprus at
+that present; wherefore, of one accord, they turned the ship's head
+towards Crete, where well nigh every one, and especially Cimon, had
+kinsfolk, old and new, and friends in plenty and where they doubted
+not to be in safety with Iphigenia. But fortune the unstable, which
+had cheerfully enough vouchsafed unto Cimon the acquisition of the
+lady, suddenly changed the inexpressible joyance of the enamoured
+youth into sad and bitter mourning; for it was not four full told
+hours since he had left the Rhodians when the night (which Cimon
+looked to be more delightsome than any he had ever known) came on and
+with it a very troublous and tempestuous shift of weather, which
+filled all the sky with clouds and the sea with ravening winds, by
+reason whereof none could see what to do or whither to steer, nor
+could any even keep the deck to do any office.
+
+How sore concerned was Cimon for this it needeth not to ask; himseemed
+the gods had vouchsafed him his desire but to make death the more
+grievous to him, whereof, without that, he had before recked little.
+His comrades lamented on like wise, but Iphigenia bewailed herself
+over all, weeping sore and fearing every stroke of the waves; and in
+her chagrin she bitterly cursed Cimon's love and blamed his
+presumption, avouching that the tempest had arisen for none other
+thing but that the gods chose not that he, who would fain against
+their will have her to wife, should avail to enjoy his presumptuous
+desire, but, seeing her first die, should after himself perish
+miserably.
+
+Amidst such lamentations and others yet more grievous, the wind waxing
+hourly fiercer and the seamen knowing not what to do, they came,
+without witting whither they went or availing to change their course,
+near to the island of Rhodes, and unknowing that it was Rhodes, they
+used their every endeavour to get to land thereon, an it were
+possible, for the saving of their lives. In this fortune was
+favourable to them and brought them into a little bight of the sea,
+where the Rhodians whom Cimon had let go had a little before arrived
+with their ship; nor did they perceive that they had struck the island
+of Rhodes till the dawn broke and made the sky somewhat clearer, when
+they found themselves maybe a bowshot distant from the ship left of
+them the day before. At this Cimon was beyond measure chagrined and
+fearing lest that should betide them which did in very deed ensue,
+bade use every endeavour to issue thence and let fortune after carry
+them whither it should please her, for that they could be nowhere in
+worse case than there. Accordingly, they made the utmost efforts to
+put to sea, but in vain; for the wind blew so mightily against them
+that not only could they not avail to issue from the little harbour,
+but whether they would or no, it drove them ashore.
+
+No sooner were they come thither than they were recognized by the
+Rhodian sailors, who had landed from their ship, and one of them ran
+nimbly to a village hard by, whither the young Rhodian gentlemen had
+betaken themselves, and told the latter that, as luck would have
+it,[265] Cimon and Iphigenia were come thither aboard their ship,
+driven, like themselves, by stress of weather. They, hearing this,
+were greatly rejoiced and repairing in all haste to the sea-shore,
+with a number of the villagers, took Cimon, together with Iphigenia
+and all his company, who had now landed and taken counsel together to
+flee into some neighbouring wood, and carried them to the village. The
+news coming to Pasimondas, he made his complaint to the senate of the
+island and according as he had ordered it with them, Lysimachus, in
+whom the chief magistracy of the Rhodians was for that year vested,
+coming thither from the city with a great company of men-at-arms,
+haled Cimon and all his men to prison. On such wise did the wretched
+and lovelorn Cimon lose his Iphigenia, scantwhile before won of him,
+without having taken of her more than a kiss or two; whilst she
+herself was received by many noble ladies of Rhodes and comforted as
+well for the chagrin had of her seizure as for the fatigue suffered by
+reason of the troubled sea; and with them she abode against the day
+appointed for her nuptials.
+
+[Footnote 265: _Per fortuna._ This may also be rendered "by tempest,"
+_fortuna_ being a name for a squall or hurricane, which Boccaccio uses
+elsewhere in the same sense.]
+
+As for Cimon and his companions, their lives were granted them, in
+consideration of the liberty given by them to the young Rhodians the
+day before,--albeit Pasimondas used his utmost endeavour to procure
+them to be put to death,--and they were condemned to perpetual prison,
+wherein, as may well be believed, they abode woebegone and without
+hope of any relief. However, whilst Pasimondas, as most he might,
+hastened the preparations for his coming nuptials, fortune, as if
+repenting her of the sudden injury done to Cimon, brought about a new
+circumstance for his deliverance, the which was on this wise.
+Pasimondas had a brother called Ormisdas, less in years, but not in
+merit, than himself, who had been long in treaty for the hand of a
+fair and noble damsel of the city, by name Cassandra, whom Lysimachus
+ardently loved, and the match had sundry times been broken off by
+divers untoward accidents. Now Pasimondas, being about to celebrate
+his own nuptials with the utmost splendour, bethought himself that it
+were excellently well done if he could procure Ormisdas likewise to
+take wife on the same occasion, not to resort afresh to expense and
+festival making. Accordingly, he took up again the parleys with
+Cassandra's parents and brought them to a successful issue; wherefore
+he and his brother agreed, in concert with them, that Ormisdas should
+take Cassandra to wife on the same day whenas himself took Iphigenia.
+
+Lysimachus hearing this, it was beyond measure displeasing to him, for
+that he saw himself bereaved of the hope which he cherished, that, an
+Ormisdas took her not, he should certainly have her. However, like a
+wise man, he kept his chagrin hidden and fell to considering on what
+wise he might avail to hinder this having effect, but could see no way
+possible save the carrying her off. This seemed easy to him to compass
+for the office which he held, but he accounted the deed far more
+dishonourable than if he had not held the office in question.
+Ultimately, however, after long deliberation, honour gave place to
+love and he determined, come what might of it, to carry off Cassandra.
+Then, bethinking himself of the company he must have and the course he
+must hold to do this, he remembered him of Cimon, whom he had in
+prison with his comrades, and concluded that he might have no better
+or trustier companion than Cimon in this affair.
+
+Accordingly, that same night he had him privily into his chamber and
+proceeded to bespeak him on this wise: 'Cimon, like as the gods are
+very excellent and bountiful givers of things to men, even so are they
+most sagacious provers of their virtues, and those, whom they find
+resolute and constant under all circumstances, they hold deserving, as
+the most worthy, of the highest recompenses. They have been minded to
+have more certain proof of thy worth than could be shown by thee
+within the limits of thy father's house, whom I know to be abundantly
+endowed with riches; wherefore, first, with the poignant instigations
+of love they brought thee from a senseless animal to be a man, and
+after with foul fortune and at this present with prison dour, they
+would fain try if thy spirit change not from that which it was, whenas
+thou wast scantwhile glad of the gotten prize. If that[266] be the
+same as it was erst, they never yet vouchsafed thee aught so gladsome
+as that which they are presently prepared to bestow on thee and which,
+so thou mayst recover thy wonted powers and resume thy whilom spirit,
+I purpose to discover to thee.
+
+[Footnote 266: _i.e._ thy spirit.]
+
+Pasimondas, rejoicing in thy misadventure and a diligent promoter of
+thy death, bestirreth himself as most he may to celebrate his nuptials
+with thine Iphigenia, so therein he may enjoy the prize which fortune
+first blithely conceded thee and after, growing troubled, took from
+thee of a sudden. How much this must grieve thee, an thou love as I
+believe, I know by myself, to whom Ormisdas his brother prepareth in
+one same day to do a like injury in the person of Cassandra, whom I
+love over all else. To escape so great an unright and annoy of
+fortune, I see no way left open of her to us, save the valour of our
+souls and the might of our right hands, wherein it behoveth us take
+our swords and make us a way to the carrying off of our two
+mistresses, thee for the second and me for the first time. If, then,
+it be dear to thee to have again--I will not say thy liberty, whereof
+methinketh thou reckest little without thy lady, but--thy mistress,
+the gods have put her in thy hands, an thou be willing to second me in
+my emprize.'
+
+All Cimon's lost spirit was requickened in him by these words and he
+replied, without overmuch consideration, 'Lysimachus, thou canst have
+no stouter or trustier comrade than myself in such an enterprise, an
+that be to ensue thereof for me which thou avouchest; wherefore do
+thou command me that which thou deemest should be done of me, and thou
+shalt find thyself wonder-puissantly seconded.' Then said Lysimachus,
+'On the third day from this the new-married wives will for the first
+time enter their husbands' houses, whereinto thou with thy companions
+armed and I with certain of my friends, in whom I put great trust,
+will make our way towards nightfall and snatching up our mistresses
+out of the midst of the guests, will carry them off to a ship, which I
+have caused secretly equip, slaying whosoever shall presume to offer
+opposition.' The devise pleased Cimon and he abode quiet in prison
+until the appointed time.
+
+The wedding-day being come, great and magnificent was the pomp of the
+festival and every part of the two brothers' house was full of mirth
+and merrymaking; whereupon Lysimachus, having made ready everything
+needful, divided Cimon and his companions, together with his own
+friends, all armed under their clothes, into three parties and having
+first kindled them to his purpose with many words, secretly despatched
+one party to the harbour, so none might hinder their going aboard the
+ship, whenas need should be. Then, coming with the other twain, whenas
+it seemed to him time, to Pasimondas his house, he left one party of
+them at the door, so as none might shut them up therewithin or forbid
+them the issue, and with Cimon and the rest went up by the stairs.
+Coming to the saloon where the new-wedded brides were seated orderly
+at meat with many other ladies, they rushed in upon them and
+overthrowing the tables, took each his mistress and putting them in
+the hands of their comrades, bade straightway carry them to the ship
+that was in waiting. The brides fell a-weeping and shrieking, as did
+likewise the other ladies and the servants, and the whole house was of
+a sudden full of clamour and lamentation.
+
+Cimon and Lysimachus and their companions, drawing their swords, made
+for the stairs, without any opposition, all giving way to them, and as
+they descended, Pasimondas presented himself before them, with a great
+cudgel in his hand, being drawn thither by the outcry; but Cimon dealt
+him a swashing blow on the head and cleaving it sheer in sunder, laid
+him dead at his feet. The wretched Ormisdas, running to his brother's
+aid, was on like wise slain by one of Cimon's strokes, and divers
+others who sought to draw nigh them were in like manner wounded and
+beaten off by the companions of the latter and Lysimachus, who,
+leaving the house full of blood and clamour and weeping and woe, drew
+together and made their way to the ship with their prizes, unhindered
+of any. Here they embarked with their mistresses and all their
+companions, the shore being now full of armed folk come to the rescue
+of the ladies, and thrusting the oars into the water, made off,
+rejoicing, about their business. Coming presently to Crete, they were
+there joyfully received by many, both friends and kinsfolk, and
+espousing their mistresses with great pomp, gave themselves up to the
+glad enjoyment of their purchase. Loud and long were the clamours and
+differences in Cyprus and in Rhodes by reason of their doings; but,
+ultimately, their friends and kinsfolk, interposing in one and the
+other place, found means so to adjust matters that, after some exile,
+Cimon joyfully returned to Cyprus with Iphigenia, whilst Lysimachus on
+like wise returned to Rhodes with Cassandra, and each lived long and
+happily with his mistress in his own country."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     COSTANZA LOVETH MARTUCCIO GOMITO AND HEARING THAT HE IS
+     DEAD, EMBARKETH FOR DESPAIR ALONE IN A BOAT, WHICH IS
+     CARRIED BY THE WIND TO SUSA. FINDING HER LOVER ALIVE AT
+     TUNIS, SHE DISCOVERETH HERSELF TO HIM AND HE, BEING GREAT IN
+     FAVOUR WITH THE KING FOR COUNSELS GIVEN, ESPOUSETH HER AND
+     RETURNETH RICH WITH HER TO LIPARI
+
+
+The queen, seeing Pamfilo's story at an end, after she had much
+commended it, enjoined Emilia to follow on, telling another, and she
+accordingly began thus: "Every one must naturally delight in those
+things wherein he seeth rewards ensue according to the affections;[267]
+and for that love in the long run deserveth rather happiness than
+affliction, I shall, intreating of the present theme, obey the queen
+with much greater pleasure to myself than I did the king in that of
+yesterday.
+
+[Footnote 267: Syn. inclinations (_affezioni_). This is a somewhat
+obscure passage, owing to the vagueness of the word _affezioni_ (syn.
+_affetti_) in this position, and may be rendered, with about equal
+probability, in more than one way.]
+
+You must know, then, dainty dames, that near unto Sicily is an islet
+called Lipari, wherein, no great while agone, was a very fair damsel
+called Costanza, born of a very considerable family there. It chanced
+that a young man of the same island, called Martuccio Gomito, who was
+very agreeable and well bred and of approved worth[268] in his
+craft,[269] fell in love with her; and she in like manner so burned
+for him that she was never easy save whenas she saw him. Martuccio,
+wishing to have her to wife, caused demand her of her father, who
+answered that he was poor and that therefore he would not give her to
+him. The young man, enraged to see himself rejected for poverty, in
+concert with certain of his friends and kinsmen, equipped a light ship
+and swore never to return to Lipari, except rich. Accordingly, he
+departed thence and turning corsair, fell to cruising off the coast of
+Barbary and plundering all who were weaker than himself; wherein
+fortune was favourable enough to him, had he known how to set bounds
+to his wishes; but, it sufficing him not to have waxed very rich, he
+and his comrades, in a brief space of time, it befell that, whilst
+they sought to grow overrich, he was, after a long defence, taken and
+plundered with all his companions by certain ships of the Saracens,
+who, after scuttling the vessel and sacking the greater part of the
+crew, carried Martuccio to Tunis, where he was put in prison and long
+kept in misery.
+
+[Footnote 268: Or "eminent" (_valoroso_), _i.e._ in modern parlance,
+"a man of merit and talent."]
+
+[Footnote 269: _Valoroso nel suo mestiere._ It does not appear that
+Martuccio was a craftsman and it is possible, therefore, that
+Boccaccio intended the word _mestiere_ to be taken in the sense (to me
+unknown) of "condition" or "estate," in which case the passage would
+read, "a man of worth for (_i.e._ as far as comported with) his [mean]
+estate"; and this seems a probable reading.]
+
+The news was brought to Lipari, not by one or by two, but by many and
+divers persons, that he and all on board the bark had been drowned;
+whereupon the girl, who had been beyond measure woebegone for her
+lover's departure, hearing that he was dead with the others, wept sore
+and resolved in herself to live no longer; but, her heart suffering
+her not to slay herself by violence, she determined to give a new
+occasion[270] to her death.[271] Accordingly, she issued secretly
+forth of her father's house one night and betaking herself to the
+harbour, happened upon a fishing smack, a little aloof from the other
+ships, which, for that its owners had but then landed therefrom, she
+found furnished with mast and sail and oars. In this she hastily
+embarked and rowed herself out to sea; then, being somewhat skilled in
+the mariner's art, as the women of that island mostly are, she made
+sail and casting the oars and rudder adrift, committed herself
+altogether to the mercy of the waves, conceiving that it must needs
+happen that the wind would either overturn a boat without lading or
+steersman or drive it upon some rock and break it up, whereby she
+could not, even if she would, escape, but must of necessity be
+drowned. Accordingly, wrapping her head in a mantle, she laid herself,
+weeping, in the bottom of the boat.
+
+[Footnote 270: Lit. necessity (_necessita_).]
+
+[Footnote 271: _i.e._ to use a new (or strange) fashion of exposing
+herself to an inevitable death (_nuova necessita dare alla sua
+morte_).]
+
+But it befell altogether otherwise than as she conceived, for that,
+the wind being northerly and very light and there being well nigh no
+sea, the boat rode it out in safety and brought her on the morrow,
+about vespers, to a beach near a town called Susa, a good hundred
+miles beyond Tunis. The girl, who, for aught that might happen, had
+never lifted nor meant to lift her head, felt nothing of being ashore
+more than at sea;[272] but, as chance would have it, there was on the
+beach, whenas the bark struck upon it, a poor woman in act to take up
+from the sun the nets of the fishermen her masters, who, seeing the
+bark, marvelled how it should be left to strike full sail upon the
+land. Thinking that the fishermen aboard were asleep, she went up to
+the bark and seeing none therein but the damsel aforesaid, who slept
+fast, called her many times and having at last aroused her and knowing
+her by her habit for a Christian, asked her in Latin how she came
+there in that bark all alone. The girl, hearing her speak Latin,
+misdoubted her a shift of wind must have driven her back to Lipari and
+starting suddenly to her feet, looked about her, but knew not the
+country, and seeing herself on land, asked the good woman where she
+was; to which she answered, 'Daughter mine, thou art near unto Susa in
+Barbary.' The girl, hearing this, was woeful for that God had not
+chosen to vouchsafe her the death she sought, and being in fear of
+shame and knowing not what to do, she seated herself at the foot of
+her bark and fell a-weeping.
+
+[Footnote 272: _i.e._ knew not whether she was ashore or afloat, so
+absorbed was she in her despair.]
+
+The good woman, seeing this, took pity upon her and brought her, by
+dint of entreaty, into a little hut of hers and there so humoured her
+that she told her how she came thither; whereupon, seeing that she
+was fasting, she set before her her own dry bread and somewhat of fish
+and water and so besought her that she ate a little. Costanza after
+asked her who she was that she spoke Latin thus; to which she answered
+that she was from Trapani and was called Carapresa and served certain
+Christian fishermen there. The girl, hearing the name of Carapresa,
+albeit she was exceeding woebegone and knew not what reason moved her
+thereunto, took it unto herself for a good augury to have heard this
+name[273] and began to hope, without knowing what, and somewhat to
+abate of her wish to die. Then, without discovering who or whence she
+was, she earnestly besought the good woman to have pity, for the love
+of God, on her youth and give her some counsel how she might escape
+any affront being offered her.
+
+[Footnote 273: Or "augured well from the hearing of the name."
+_Carapresa_ signifies "a dear or precious prize, gain or capture."]
+
+Carapresa, like a good woman as she was, hearing this, left her in her
+hut, whilst she hastily gathered up her nets; then, returning to her,
+she wrapped her from head to foot in her own mantle and carried her to
+Susa, where she said to her, 'Costanza, I will bring thee into the
+house of a very good Saracen lady, whom I serve oftentimes in her
+occasions and who is old and pitiful. I will commend thee to her as
+most I may and I am very certain that she will gladly receive thee and
+use thee as a daughter; and do thou, abiding with her, study thine
+utmost, in serving her, to gain her favour, against God send thee
+better fortune.' And as she said, so she did. The lady, who was well
+stricken in years, hearing the woman's story, looked the girl in the
+face and fell a-weeping; then taking her by the hand, she kissed her
+on the forehead and carried her into her house, where she and sundry
+other women abode, without any man, and wrought all with their hands
+at various crafts, doing divers works of silk and palm-fibre and
+leather. Costanza soon learned to do some of these and falling to
+working with the rest, became in such favour with the lady and the
+others that it was a marvellous thing; nor was it long before, with
+their teaching, she learnt their language.
+
+What while she abode thus at Susa, being now mourned at home for lost
+and dead, it befell that, one Mariabdela[274] being King of Tunis, a
+certain youth of great family and much puissance in Granada, avouching
+that that kingdom belonged to himself, levied a great multitude of
+folk and came upon King Mariabdela, to oust him from the kingship.
+This came to the ears of Martuccio Gomito in prison and he knowing the
+Barbary language excellent well and hearing that the king was making
+great efforts for his defence, said to one of those who had him and
+his fellows in keeping, 'An I might have speech of the king, my heart
+assureth me that I could give him a counsel, by which he should gain
+this his war.' The keeper reported these words to his chief, and he
+carried them incontinent to the king, who bade fetch Martuccio and
+asked him what might be his counsel; whereto he made answer on this
+wise, 'My lord, if, what time I have otherwhiles frequented these your
+dominions, I have noted aright the order you keep in your battles,
+meseemeth you wage them more with archers than with aught else;
+wherefore, if a means could be found whereby your adversary's bowmen
+should lack of arrows, whilst your own had abundance thereof,
+methinketh your battle would be won.' 'Without doubt,' answered the
+king, 'and this might be compassed, I should deem myself assured of
+victory.' Whereupon, 'My lord,' quoth Martuccio, 'an you will, this
+may very well be done, and you shall hear how. You must let make
+strings for your archers' bows much thinner than those which are
+everywhere commonly used and after let make arrows, the notches
+whereof shall not serve but for these thin strings. This must be so
+secretly done that your adversary should know nought thereof; else
+would he find a remedy therefor; and the reason for which I counsel
+you thus is this. After your enemy's archers and your own shall have
+shot all their arrows, you know that, the battle lasting, it will
+behove your foes to gather up the arrows shot by your men and the
+latter in like manner to gather theirs; but the enemy will not be able
+to make use of your arrows, by reason of the strait notches which will
+not take their thick strings, whereas the contrary will betide your
+men of the enemy's arrows, for that the thin strings will excellently
+well take the wide-notched arrows; and so your men will have abundance
+of ammunition, whilst the others will suffer default thereof.'
+
+[Footnote 274: This name is apparently a distortion of the Arabic
+_Amir Abdullah_.]
+
+The king, who was a wise prince, was pleased with Martuccio's counsel
+and punctually following it, found himself thereby to have won his
+war. Wherefore Martuccio became in high favour with him and rose in
+consequence to great and rich estate. The report of these things
+spread over the land and it came presently to Costanza's ears that
+Martuccio Gomito, whom she had long deemed dead, was alive, whereupon
+the love of him, that was now grown cool in her heart, broke out of a
+sudden into fresh flame and waxed greater than ever, whilst dead hope
+revived in her. Therewithal she altogether discovered her every
+adventure to the good lady, with whom she dwelt, and told her that she
+would fain go to Tunis, so she might satisfy her eyes of that whereof
+her ears had made them desireful, through the reports received. The
+old lady greatly commended her purpose and taking ship with her,
+carried her, as if she had been her mother, to Tunis, where they were
+honourably entertained in the house of a kinswoman of hers. There she
+despatched Carapresa, who had come with them, to see what she could
+learn of Martuccio, and she, finding him alive and in great estate and
+reporting this to the old gentlewoman, it pleased the latter to will
+to be she who should signify unto Martuccio that his Costanza was come
+thither to him; wherefore, betaking herself one day whereas he was,
+she said to him, 'Martuccio, there is come to my house a servant of
+thine from Lipari, who would fain speak with thee privily there;
+wherefore, not to trust to others, I have myself, at his desire, come
+to give thee notice thereof.' He thanked her and followed her to her
+house, where when Costanza saw him, she was like to die of gladness
+and unable to contain herself, ran straightway with open arms to
+throw herself on his neck; then, embracing him, without availing to
+say aught, she fell a-weeping tenderly, both for compassion of their
+past ill fortunes and for present gladness.
+
+Martuccio, seeing his mistress, abode awhile dumb for amazement, then
+said sighing, 'O my Costanza, art thou then yet alive? It is long
+since I heard that thou wast lost; nor in our country was aught known
+of thee.' So saying, he embraced her, weeping, and kissed her
+tenderly. Costanza then related to him all that had befallen her and
+the honourable treatment which she had received from the gentlewoman
+with whom she dwelt; and Martuccio, after much discourse, taking leave
+of her, repaired to the king his master and told him all, to wit, his
+own adventures and those of the damsel, adding that, with his leave,
+he meant to take her to wife, according to our law. The king marvelled
+at these things and sending for the damsel and hearing from her that
+it was even as Martuccio had avouched, said to her, 'Then hast thou
+right well earned him to husband.' Then, letting bring very great and
+magnificent gifts, he gave part thereof to her and part to Martuccio,
+granting them leave to do one with the other that which was most
+pleasing unto each of them; whereupon Martuccio, having entreated the
+gentlewoman who had harboured Costanza with the utmost honour and
+thanked her for that which she had done to serve her and bestowed on
+her such gifts as sorted with her quality, commended her to God and
+took leave of her, he and his mistress, not without many tears from
+the latter. Then, with the king's leave, they embarked with Carapresa
+on board a little ship and returned with a fair wind to Lipari, where
+so great was the rejoicing that it might never be told. There
+Martuccio took Costanza to wife and held great and goodly nuptials;
+after which they long in peace and repose had enjoyment of their
+loves."
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     PIETRO BOCCAMAZZA, FLEEING WITH AGNOLELLA, FALLETH AMONG
+     THIEVES; THE GIRL ESCAPETH THROUGH A WOOD AND IS LED [BY
+     FORTUNE] TO A CASTLE, WHILST PIETRO IS TAKEN BY THE THIEVES,
+     BUT PRESENTLY, ESCAPING FROM THEIR HANDS, WINNETH, AFTER
+     DIVERS ADVENTURES, TO THE CASTLE WHERE HIS MISTRESS IS AND
+     ESPOUSING HER, RETURNETH WITH HER TO ROME
+
+
+There was none among all the company but commended Emilia's story,
+which the queen seeing to be finished, turned to Elisa and bade her
+follow on. Accordingly, studious to obey, she began: "There occurreth
+to my mind, charming ladies, an ill night passed by a pair of
+indiscreet young lovers; but, for that many happy days ensued thereon,
+it pleaseth me to tell the story, as one that conformeth to our
+proposition.
+
+There was, a little while agone, at Rome,--once the head, as it is
+nowadays the tail of the world,[275]--a youth, called Pietro
+Boccamazza, of a very worshipful family among those of the city, who
+fell in love with a very fair and lovesome damsel called Agnolella,
+the daughter of one Gigliuozzo Saullo, a plebeian, but very dear to
+the Romans, and loving her, he contrived so to do that the girl began
+to love him no less than he loved her; whereupon, constrained by
+fervent love and himseeming he might no longer brook the cruel pain
+that the desire he had of her gave him, he demanded her in marriage;
+which no sooner did his kinsfolk know than they all repaired to him
+and chid him sore for that which he would have done; and on the other
+hand they gave Gigliuozzo to understand that he should make no account
+of Pietro's words, for that, an he did this, they would never have him
+for friend or kinsman. Pietro seeing that way barred whereby alone he
+deemed he might avail to win to his desire, was like to die of
+chagrin, and had Gigliuozzo consented, he would have taken his
+daughter to wife, in despite of all his kindred. However, he
+determined, an it liked the girl, to contrive to give effect to their
+wishes, and having assured himself, by means of an intermediary, that
+this was agreeable to her, he agreed with her that she should flee
+with him from Rome.
+
+[Footnote 275: Clement V. early in the fourteenth century removed the
+Papal See to Avignon, where it continued to be during the reigns of
+the five succeeding Popes, Rome being in the meantime abandoned by the
+Papal Court, till Gregory XI, in the year 1376 again took up his
+residence at the latter city. It is apparently to this circumstance
+that Boccaccio alludes in the text.]
+
+Accordingly, having taken order for this, Pietro arose very early one
+morning and taking horse with the damsel, set out for Anagni, where he
+had certain friends in whom he trusted greatly. They had no leisure to
+make a wedding of it, for that they feared to be followed, but rode
+on, devising of their love and now and again kissing one another. It
+chanced that, when they came mayhap eight miles from Rome, the way not
+being overwell known to Pietro, they took a path to the left, whereas
+they should have kept to the right; and scarce had they ridden more
+than two miles farther when they found themselves near a little
+castle, wherefrom, as soon as they were seen, there issued suddenly a
+dozen footmen. The girl, espying these, whenas they were already close
+upon them, cried out, saying, 'Pietro, let us begone, for we are
+attacked'; then, turning her rouncey's head, as best she knew, towards
+a great wood hard by, she clapped her spurs fast to his flank and held
+on to the saddlebow, whereupon the nag, feeling himself goaded, bore
+her into the wood at a gallop.
+
+Pietro, who went gazing more at her face than at the road, not having
+become so quickly aware as she of the new comers, was overtaken and
+seized by them, whilst he still looked, without yet perceiving them,
+to see whence they should come. They made him alight from his hackney
+and enquired who he was, which he having told, they proceeded to take
+counsel together and said, 'This fellow is of the friends of our
+enemies; what else should we do but take from him these clothes and
+this nag and string him up to one of yonder oaks, to spite the
+Orsini?' They all fell in with this counsel and bade Pietro put off
+his clothes, which as he was in act to do, foreboding him by this of
+the ill fate which awaited him, it chanced that an ambush of good
+five-and-twenty footmen started suddenly out upon the others, crying,
+'Kill! Kill!' The rogues, taken by surprise, let Pietro be and turned
+to stand upon their defence, but, seeing themselves greatly
+outnumbered by their assailants, betook themselves to flight, whilst
+the others pursued them.
+
+Pietro, seeing this, hurriedly caught up his gear and springing on his
+hackney, addressed himself, as best he might, to flee by the way he
+had seen his mistress take; but finding her not and seeing neither
+road nor footpath in the wood neither perceiving any horse's hoof
+marks, he was the woefullest man alive; and as soon as himseemed he
+was safe and out of reach of those who had taken him, as well as of
+the others by whom they had been assailed, he began to drive hither
+and thither about the wood, weeping and calling; but none answered him
+and he dared not turn back and knew not where he might come, an he
+went forward, more by token that he was in fear of the wild beasts
+that use to harbour in the woods, at once for himself and for his
+mistress, whom he looked momently to see strangled of some bear or
+some wolf. On this wise, then, did the unlucky Pietro range all day
+about the wood, crying and calling, whiles going backward, when as he
+thought to go forward, until, what with shouting and weeping and fear
+and long fasting, he was so spent that he could no more and seeing the
+night come and knowing not what other course to take, he dismounted
+from his hackney and tied the latter to a great oak, into which he
+climbed, so he might not be devoured of the wild beasts in the night.
+A little after the moon rose and the night being very clear and
+bright, he abode there on wake, sighing and weeping and cursing his
+ill luck, for that he durst not go to sleep, lest he should fall,
+albeit, had he had more commodity thereof, grief and the concern in
+which he was for his mistress would not have suffered him to sleep.
+
+Meanwhile, the damsel, fleeing, as we have before said, and knowing
+not whither to betake herself, save whereas it seemed good to her
+hackney to carry her, fared on so far into the wood that she could not
+see where she had entered, and went wandering all day about that
+desert place, no otherwise than as Pietro had done, now pausing [to
+hearken] and now going on, weeping the while and calling and making
+moan of her illhap. At last, seeing that Pietro came not and it being
+now eventide, she happened on a little path, into which her hackney
+turned, and following it, after she had ridden some two or more miles
+she saw a little house afar off. Thither she made her way as
+quickliest she might and found there a good man sore stricken in years
+and a woman, his wife alike old, who, seeing her alone, said to her,
+'Daughter, what dost thou alone at this hour in these parts?' The
+damsel replied, weeping, that she had lost her company in the wood and
+enquired how near she was to Anagni. 'Daughter mine,' answered the
+good man, 'this is not the way to go to Anagni; it is more than a
+dozen miles hence.' Quoth the girl, 'And how far is it hence to any
+habitations where I may have a lodging for the night?' To which the
+good man answered, 'There is none anywhere so near that thou mayst
+come thither by daylight.' Then said the damsel, 'Since I can go no
+otherwhere, will it please you harbour me here to-night for the love
+of God?' 'Young lady,' replied the old man, 'thou art very welcome to
+abide with us this night; algates, we must warn you that there are
+many ill companies, both of friends and of foes that come and go about
+these parts both by day and by night, who many a time do us sore annoy
+and great mischief; and if, by ill chance, thou being here, there come
+any of them and seeing thee, fair and young as thou art, should offer
+to do thee affront and shame, we could not avail to succour thee
+therefrom. We deem it well to apprise thee of this, so that, an it
+betide, thou mayst not be able to complain of us.'
+
+The girl, seeing that it was late, albeit the old man's words
+affrighted her, said, 'An it please God, He will keep both you and me
+from that annoy; and even if it befall me, it were a much less evil to
+be maltreated of men than to be mangled of the wild beasts in the
+woods.' So saying, she alighted from the rouncey and entered the poor
+man's house, where she supped with him on such poor fare as they had
+and after, all clad as she was, cast herself, together with them, on a
+little bed of theirs. She gave not over sighing and bewailing her own
+mishap and that of Pietro all night, knowing not if she might hope
+other than ill of him; and when it drew near unto morning, she heard a
+great trampling of folk approaching, whereupon she arose and betaking
+herself to a great courtyard, that lay behind the little house, saw in
+a corner a great heap of hay, in which she hid herself, so she might
+not be so quickly found, if those folk should come thither. Hardly had
+she made an end of hiding herself when these, who were a great company
+of ill knaves, came to the door of the little house and causing open
+to them, entered and found Agnolella's hackney yet all saddled and
+bridled; whereupon they asked who was there and the good man, not
+seeing the girl, answered, 'None is here save ourselves; but this
+rouncey, from whomsoever it may have escaped, came hither yestereve
+and we brought it into the house, lest the wolves should eat it.'
+'Then,' said the captain of the troop, 'since it hath none other
+master, it is fair prize for us.'
+
+Thereupon they all dispersed about the little house and some went into
+the courtyard, where, laying down their lances and targets, it chanced
+that one of them, knowing not what else to do, cast his lance into the
+hay and came very near to slay the hidden girl and she to discover
+herself, for that the lance passed so close to her left breast that
+the steel tore a part of her dress, wherefore she was like to utter a
+great cry, fearing to be wounded; but, remembering where she was, she
+abode still, all fear-stricken. Presently, the rogues, having dressed
+the kids and other meat they had with them and eaten and drunken, went
+off, some hither and some thither, about their affairs, and carried
+with them the girl's hackney. When they had gone some distance, the
+good man asked his wife, 'What befell of our young woman, who came
+thither yestereve? I have seen nothing of her since we arose.' The
+good wife replied that she knew not and went looking for her,
+whereupon the girl, hearing that the rogues were gone, came forth of
+the hay, to the no small contentment of her host, who, rejoiced to see
+that she had not fallen into their hands, said to her, it now growing
+day, 'Now that the day cometh, we will, an it please thee, accompany
+thee to a castle five miles hence, where thou wilt be in safety; but
+needs must thou go afoot, for yonder ill folk, that now departed
+hence, have carried off thy rouncey.' The girl concerned herself
+little about the nag, but besought them for God's sake to bring her to
+the castle in question, whereupon they set out and came thither about
+half tierce.
+
+Now this castle belonged to one of the Orsini family, by name Lionello
+di Campodifiore, and there by chance was his wife, a very pious and
+good lady, who, seeing the girl, knew her forthright and received her
+with joy and would fain know orderly how she came thither. Agnolella
+told her all and the lady, who knew Pietro on like wise, as being a
+friend of her husband's, was grieved for the ill chance that had
+betided and hearing where he had been taken, doubted not but he was
+dead; wherefore she said to Agnolella, 'Since thou knowest not what is
+come of Pietro, thou shalt abide here till such time as I shall have a
+commodity to send thee safe to Rome.'
+
+Meanwhile Pietro abode, as woebegone as could be, in the oak, and
+towards the season of the first sleep, he saw a good score of wolves
+appear, which came all about his hackney, as soon as they saw him. The
+horse, scenting them, tugged at his bridle, till he broke it, and
+would have fled, but being surrounded and unable to escape, he
+defended himself a great while with his teeth and his hoofs. At last,
+however, he was brought down and strangled and quickly disembowelled
+by the wolves, which took all their fill of his flesh and having
+devoured him, made off, without leaving aught but the bones, whereat
+Pietro, to whom it seemed he had in the rouncey a companion and a
+support in his troubles, was sore dismayed and misdoubted he should
+never avail to win forth of the wood. However, towards daybreak, being
+perished with cold in the oak and looking still all about him, he
+caught sight of a great fire before him, mayhap a mile off, wherefore,
+as soon as it was grown broad day, he came down from the oak, not
+without fear, and making for the fire, fared on till he came to the
+place, where he found shepherds eating and making merry about it, by
+whom he was received for compassion.
+
+After he had eaten and warmed himself, he acquainted them with his
+misadventure and telling them how he came thither alone, asked them if
+there was in those parts a village or castle, to which he might betake
+himself. The shepherds answered that some three miles thence there was
+a castle belonging to Lionello di Campodifiore, whose lady was
+presently there; whereat Pietro was much rejoiced and besought them
+that one of them should accompany him to the castle, which two of them
+readily did. There he found some who knew him and was in act to
+enquire for a means of having search made about the forest for the
+damsel, when he was bidden to the lady's presence and incontinent
+repaired to her. Never was joy like unto his, when he saw Agnolella
+with her, and he was all consumed with desire to embrace her, but
+forbore of respect for the lady, and if he was glad, the girl's joy
+was no less great. The gentle lady, having welcomed him and made much
+of him and heard from him what had betided him, chid him amain of that
+which he would have done against the will of his kinsfolk; but, seeing
+that he was e'en resolved upon this and that it was agreeable to the
+girl also, she said in herself, 'Why do I weary myself in vain? These
+two love and know each other and both are friends of my husband. Their
+desire is an honourable one and meseemeth it is pleasing to God, since
+the one of them hath scaped the gibbet and the other the lance-thrust
+and both the wild beasts of the wood; wherefore be it as they will.'
+Then, turning to the lovers, she said to them, 'If you have it still
+at heart to be man and wife, it is my pleasure also; be it so, and let
+the nuptials be celebrated here at Lionello's expense. I will engage
+after to make peace between you and your families.' Accordingly, they
+were married then and there, to the great contentment of Pietro and
+the yet greater satisfaction of Agnolella, and the gentle lady made
+them honourable nuptials, in so far as might be in the mountains.
+There, with the utmost delight, they enjoyed the first-fruits of their
+love and a few days after, they took horse with the lady and returned,
+under good escort, to Rome, where she found Pietro's kinsfolk sore
+incensed at that which he had done, but contrived to make his peace
+with them, and he lived with his Agnolella in all peace and pleasance
+to a good old age."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     RICCIARDO MANARDI, BEING FOUND BY MESSER LIZIO DA VALBONA
+     WITH HIS DAUGHTER, ESPOUSETH HER AND ABIDETH IN PEACE WITH
+     HER FATHER
+
+
+Elisa holding her peace and hearkening to the praises bestowed by the
+ladies her companions upon her story, the Queen charged Filostrato
+tell one of his own, whereupon he began, laughing, "I have been so
+often rated by so many of you ladies for having imposed on you matter
+for woeful discourse and such as tended to make you weep, that
+methinketh I am beholden, an I would in some measure requite you that
+annoy, to relate somewhat whereby I may make you laugh a little; and I
+mean therefore to tell you, in a very short story, of a love that,
+after no worse hindrance than sundry sighs and a brief fright, mingled
+with shame, came to a happy issue.
+
+It is, then, noble ladies, no great while ago since there lived in
+Romagna a gentleman of great worth and good breeding, called Messer
+Lizio da Valbona, to whom, well nigh in his old age, it chanced there
+was born of his wife, Madam Giacomina by name, a daughter, who grew up
+fair and agreeable beyond any other of the country; and for that she
+was the only child that remained to her father and mother, they loved
+and tendered her exceeding dear and guarded her with marvellous
+diligence, looking to make some great alliance by her. Now there was
+a young man of the Manardi of Brettinoro, comely and lusty of his
+person, by name Ricciardo, who much frequented Messer Lizio's house
+and conversed amain with him and of whom the latter and his lady took
+no more account than they would have taken of a son of theirs. Now,
+this Ricciardo, looking once and again upon the young lady and seeing
+her very fair and sprightly and commendable of manners and fashions,
+fell desperately in love with her, but was very careful to keep his
+love secret. The damsel presently became aware thereof and without
+anywise seeking to shun the stroke, began on like wise to love him;
+whereat Ricciardo was mightily rejoiced. He had many a time a mind to
+speak to her, but kept silence of misdoubtance; however, one day,
+taking courage and opportunity, he said to her, 'I prithee, Caterina,
+cause me not die of love.' To which she straightway made answer,
+'Would God thou wouldst not cause _me_ die!'
+
+This answer added much courage and pleasure to Ricciardo and he said
+to her, 'Never shall aught that may be agreeable to thee miscarry[276]
+for me; but it resteth with thee to find a means of saving thy life
+and mine.' 'Ricciardo,' answered she, 'thou seest how straitly I am
+guarded; wherefore, for my part, I cannot see how thou mayst avail to
+come at me; but, if thou canst see aught that I may do without shame
+to myself, tell it me and I will do it.' Ricciardo, having bethought
+himself of sundry things, answered promptly, 'My sweet Caterina, I can
+see no way, except that thou lie or make shift to come upon the
+gallery that adjoineth thy father's garden, where an I knew that thou
+wouldst be anights, I would without fail contrive to come to thee, how
+high soever it may be.' 'If thou have the heart to come thither,'
+rejoined Caterina, 'methinketh I can well enough win to be there.'
+Ricciardo assented and they kissed each other once only in haste and
+went their ways.
+
+[Footnote 276: Lit. stand (_stare_), _i.e._ abide undone.]
+
+Next day, it being then near the end of May, the girl began to
+complain before her mother that she had not been able to sleep that
+night for the excessive heat. Quoth the lady, 'Of what heat dost thou
+speak, daughter? Nay, it was nowise hot.' 'Mother mine,' answered
+Caterina, 'you should say "To my seeming," and belike you would say
+sooth; but you should consider how much hotter are young girls than
+ladies in years.' 'Daughter mine,' rejoined the lady, 'that is true;
+but I cannot make it cold and hot at my pleasure, as belike thou
+wouldst have me do. We must put up with the weather, such as the
+seasons make it; maybe this next night will be cooler and thou wilt
+sleep better.' 'God grant it may be so!' cried Caterina. 'But it is
+not usual for the nights to go cooling, as it groweth towards summer.'
+'Then what wouldst thou have done?' asked the mother; and she
+answered, 'An it please my father and you, I would fain have a little
+bed made in the gallery, that is beside his chamber and over his
+garden, and there sleep. There I should hear the nightingale sing and
+having a cooler place to lie in, I should fare much better than in
+your chamber.' Quoth the mother, 'Daughter, comfort thyself; I will
+tell thy father, and as he will, so will we do.'
+
+Messer Lizio hearing all this from his wife, said, for that he was an
+old man and maybe therefore somewhat cross-grained, 'What nightingale
+is this to whose song she would sleep? I will yet make her sleep to
+the chirp of the crickets.' Caterina, coming to know this, more of
+despite than for the heat, not only slept not that night, but suffered
+not her mother to sleep, still complaining of the great heat.
+Accordingly, next morning, the latter repaired to her husband and said
+to him, 'Sir, you have little tenderness for yonder girl; what
+mattereth it to you if she lie in the gallery? She could get no rest
+all night for the heat. Besides, can you wonder at her having a mind
+to hear the nightingale sing, seeing she is but a child? Young folk
+are curious of things like themselves. Messer Lizio, hearing this,
+said, 'Go to, make her a bed there, such as you think fit, and bind it
+about with some curtain or other, and there let her lie and hear the
+nightingale sing to her heart's content.'
+
+The girl, learning this, straightway let make a bed in the gallery and
+meaning to lie there that same night, watched till she saw Ricciardo
+and made him a signal appointed between them, by which he understood
+what was to be done. Messer Lizio, hearing the girl gone to bed,
+locked a door that led from his chamber into the gallery and betook
+himself likewise to sleep. As for Ricciardo, as soon as he heard all
+quiet on every hand, he mounted a wall, with the aid of a ladder, and
+thence, laying hold of certain toothings of another wall, he made his
+way, with great toil and danger, if he had fallen, up to the gallery,
+where he was quietly received by the girl with the utmost joy. Then,
+after many kisses, they went to bed together and took delight and
+pleasure one of another well nigh all that night, making the
+nightingale sing many a time. The nights being short and the delight
+great and it being now, though they thought it not, near day, they
+fell asleep without any covering, so overheated were they what with
+the weather and what with their sport, Caterina having her right arm
+entwined about Ricciardo's neck and holding him with the left hand by
+that thing which you ladies think most shame to name among men.
+
+As they slept on this wise, without awaking, the day came on and
+Messer Lizio arose and remembering him that his daughter lay in the
+gallery, opened the door softly, saying in himself, 'Let us see how
+the nightingale hath made Caterina sleep this night.' Then, going in,
+he softly lifted up the serge, wherewith the bed was curtained about,
+and saw his daughter and Ricciardo lying asleep, naked and uncovered,
+embraced as it hath before been set out; whereupon, having recognized
+Ricciardo, he went out again and repairing to his wife's chamber,
+called to her, saying, 'Quick, wife, get thee up and come see, for
+that thy daughter hath been so curious of the nightingale that she
+hath e'en taken it and hath it in hand.' 'How can that be?' quoth she;
+and he answered, 'Thou shalt see it, an thou come quickly.'
+Accordingly, she made haste to dress herself and quietly followed her
+husband to the bed, where, the curtain being drawn, Madam Giacomina
+might plainly see how her daughter had taken and held the
+nightingale, which she had so longed to hear sing; whereat the lady,
+holding herself sore deceived of Ricciardo, would have cried out and
+railed at him; but Messer Lizio said to her, 'Wife, as thou holdest my
+love dear, look thou say not a word, for, verily, since she hath
+gotten it, it shall be hers. Ricciardo is young and rich and gently
+born; he cannot make us other than a good son-in-law. An he would part
+from me on good terms, needs must he first marry her, so it will be
+found that he hath put the nightingale in his own cage and not in that
+of another.'
+
+The lady was comforted to see that her husband was not angered at the
+matter and considering that her daughter had passed a good night and
+rested well and had caught the nightingale, to boot, she held her
+tongue. Nor had they abidden long after these words when Ricciardo
+awoke and seeing that it was broad day, gave himself over for lost and
+called Caterina, saying, 'Alack, my soul, how shall we do, for the day
+is come and hath caught me here?' Whereupon Messer Lizio came forward
+and lifting the curtain, answered, 'We shall do well.' When Ricciardo
+saw him, himseemed the heart was torn out of his body and sitting up
+in bed, he said, 'My lord, I crave your pardon for God's sake. I
+acknowledged to have deserved death, as a disloyal and wicked man;
+wherefore do you with me as best pleaseth you; but, I prithee, an it
+may be, have mercy on my life and let me not die.' 'Ricciardo,'
+answered Messer Lizio, 'the love that I bore thee and the faith I had
+in thee merited not this return; yet, since thus it is and youth hath
+carried thee away into such a fault, do thou, to save thyself from
+death and me from shame, take Caterina to thy lawful wife, so that,
+like as this night she hath been thine, she may e'en be thine so long
+as she shall live. On this wise thou mayst gain my pardon and thine
+own safety; but, an thou choose not to do this, commend thy soul to
+God.'
+
+Whilst these words were saying, Caterina let go the nightingale and
+covering herself, fell to weeping sore and beseeching her father to
+pardon Ricciardo, whilst on the other hand she entreated her lover to
+do as Messer Lizio wished, so they might long pass such nights
+together in security. But there needed not overmany prayers, for that,
+on the one hand, shame of the fault committed and desire to make
+amends for it, and on the other, the fear of death and the wish to
+escape,--to say nothing of his ardent love and longing to possess the
+thing beloved,--made Ricciardo freely and without hesitation avouch
+himself ready to do that which pleased Messer Lizio; whereupon the
+latter borrowed of Madam Giacomina one of her rings and there, without
+budging, Ricciardo in their presence took Caterina to his wife. This
+done, Messer Lizio and his lady departed, saying, 'Now rest
+yourselves, for belike you have more need thereof than of rising.'
+They being gone, the young folk clipped each other anew and not having
+run more than half a dozen courses overnight, they ran other twain ere
+they arose and so made an end of the first day's tilting. Then they
+arose and Ricciardo having had more orderly conference with Messer
+Lizio, a few days after, as it beseemed, he married the damsel over
+again, in the presence of their friends and kinsfolk, and brought her
+with great pomp to his own house. There he held goodly and honourable
+nuptials and after went long nightingale-fowling with her to his
+heart's content, in peace and solace, both by night and by day."
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     GUIDOTTO DA CREMONA LEAVETH TO GIACOMINO DA PAVIA A DAUGHTER
+     OF HIS AND DIETH. GIANNOLE DI SEVERINO AND MINGHINO DI
+     MINGOLE FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL AT FAENZA AND COME TO
+     BLOWS ON HER ACCOUNT. ULTIMATELY SHE IS PROVED TO BE
+     GIANNOLE'S SISTER AND IS GIVEN TO MINGHINO TO WIFE
+
+
+All the ladies, hearkening to the story of the nightingale, had
+laughed so much that, though Filostrato had made an end of telling,
+they could not yet give over laughing. But, after they had laughed
+awhile, the queen said to Filostrato, "Assuredly, if thou afflictedest
+us ladies yesterday, thou hast so tickled us to-day that none of us
+can deservedly complain of thee." Then, addressing herself to Neifile,
+she charged her tell, and she blithely began to speak thus: "Since
+Filostrato, discoursing, hath entered into Romagna, it pleaseth me on
+like wise to go ranging awhile therein with mine own story.
+
+I say, then, that there dwelt once in the city of Fano two Lombards,
+whereof the one was called Guidotto da Cremona and the other Giacomino
+da Pavia, both men advanced in years, who had in their youth been well
+nigh always soldiers and engaged in deeds of arms. Guidotto, being at
+the point of death and having nor son nor other kinsmen nor friend in
+whom he trusted more than in Giacomino, left him a little daughter he
+had, of maybe ten years of age, and all that he possessed in the
+world, and after having bespoken him at length of his affairs, he
+died. In those days it befell that the city of Faenza, which had been
+long in war and ill case, was restored to somewhat better estate and
+permission to sojourn there was freely conceded to all who had a mind
+to return thither; wherefore Giacomino, who had abidden there
+otherwhile and had a liking for the place, returned thither with all
+his good and carried with him the girl left him by Guidotto, whom he
+loved and entreated as his own child.
+
+The latter grew up and became as fair a damsel as any in the city, ay,
+and as virtuous and well bred as she was fair; wherefore she began to
+be courted of many, but especially two very agreeable young men of
+equal worth and condition vowed her a very great love, insomuch that
+for jealousy they came to hold each other in hate out of measure. They
+were called, the one Giannole di Severino and the other Minghino di
+Mingole; nor was there either of them but would gladly have taken the
+young lady, who was now fifteen years old, to wife, had it been
+suffered of his kinsfolk; wherefore, seeing her denied to them on
+honourable wise, each cast about to get her for himself as best he
+might. Now Giacomino had in his house an old serving-wench and a
+serving-man, Crivello by name, a very merry and obliging person, with
+whom Giannole clapped up a great acquaintance and to whom, whenas
+himseemed time, he discovered his passion, praying him to be
+favourable to him in his endeavour to obtain his desire and promising
+him great things an he did this; whereto quoth Crivello, 'Look you, I
+can do nought for thee in this matter other than that, when next
+Giacomino goeth abroad to supper, I will bring thee whereas she may
+be; for that, an I offered to say a word to her in thy favour, she
+would never stop to listen to me. If this like thee, I promise it to
+thee and will do it; and do thou after, an thou know how, that which
+thou deemest shall best serve thy purpose.' Giannole answered that he
+desired nothing more and they abode on this understanding. Meanwhile
+Minghino, on his part, had suborned the maidservant and so wrought
+with her that she had several times carried messages to the girl and
+had well night inflamed her with love of him; besides which she had
+promised him to bring him in company with her, so soon as Giacomino
+should chance to go abroad of an evening for whatever cause.
+
+Not long after this it chanced that, by Crivello's contrivance,
+Giacomino went to sup with a friend of his, whereupon Crivello gave
+Giannole to know thereof and appointed with him that, whenas he made a
+certain signal, he should come and would find the door open. The maid,
+on her side, knowing nothing of all this, let Minghino know that
+Giacomino was to sup abroad and bade him abide near the house, so
+that, whenas he saw a signal which she should make he might come and
+enter therein. The evening come, the two lovers, knowing nothing of
+each other's designs, but each misdoubting of his rival, came, with
+sundry companions armed, to enter into possession. Minghino, with his
+troop took up his quarters in the house of a friend of his, a
+neighbour of the young lady's; whilst Giannole and his friends
+stationed themselves at a little distance from the house. Meanwhile,
+Crivello and the maid, Giacomino being gone, studied each to send the
+other away. Quoth he to her, 'Why dost thou not get thee to bed? Why
+goest thou still wandering about the house?' 'And thou,' retorted she,
+'why goest thou not for thy master? What awaitest thou here, now that
+thou hast supped?' And so neither could make other avoid the place;
+but Crivello, seeing the hour come that he had appointed with Giannole
+said in himself, 'What reck I of her? An she abide not quiet, she is
+like to smart for it.'
+
+Accordingly, giving the appointed signal, he went to open the door,
+whereupon Giannole, coming up in haste with two companions, entered
+and finding the young lady in the saloon, laid hands on her to carry
+her off. The girl began to struggle and make a great outcry, as
+likewise did the maid, which Minghino hearing, he ran thither with his
+companions and seeing the young lady being presently dragged out at
+the door, they pulled out their swords and cried all, 'Ho, traitors,
+ye are dead men! The thing shall not go thus. What is this violence?'
+So saying, they fell to hewing at them, whilst the neighbors, issuing
+forth at the clamour with lights and arms, began to blame Giannole's
+behaviour and to second Minghino; wherefore, after long contention,
+the latter rescued the young lady from his rival and restored her to
+Giacomino's house. But, before the fray was over, up came the
+town-captain's officers and arrested many of them; and amongst the
+rest Minghino and Giannole and Crivello were taken and carried off to
+prison. After matters were grown quiet again, Giacomino returned home
+and was sore chagrined at that which had happened; but, enquiring how
+it had come about and finding that the girl was nowise at fault, he
+was somewhat appeased and determined in himself to marry her as
+quickliest he might, so the like should not again betide.
+
+Next morning, the kinsfolk of the two young men, hearing the truth of
+the case and knowing the ill that might ensue thereof for the
+imprisoned youths, should Giacomino choose to do that which he
+reasonably might, repaired to him and prayed him with soft words to
+have regard, not so much to the affront which he had suffered from the
+little sense of the young men as to the love and goodwill which they
+believed he bore to themselves who thus besought him, submitting
+themselves and the young men who had done the mischief to any amends
+it should please him take. Giacomino, who had in his time seen many
+things and was a man of sense, answered briefly, 'Gentlemen, were I in
+mine own country, as I am in yours, I hold myself so much your friend
+that neither in this nor in otherwhat would I do aught save insomuch
+as it should please you; besides, I am the more bounden to comply with
+your wishes in this matter, inasmuch as you have therein offended
+against yourselves, for that the girl in question is not, as belike
+many suppose, of Cremona nor of Pavia; nay, she is a Faentine,[277]
+albeit neither I nor she nor he of whom I had her might ever learn
+whose daughter she was; wherefore, concerning that whereof you pray
+me, so much shall be done by me as you yourselves shall enjoin me.'
+
+[Footnote 277: _i.e._ a native of Faenza (_Faentina_).]
+
+The gentlemen, hearing this, marvelled and returning thanks to
+Giacomino for his gracious answer, prayed him that it would please him
+tell them how she came to his hands and how he knew her to be a
+Faentine; whereto quoth he, 'Guidotto da Cremona, who was my friend
+and comrade, told me, on his deathbed, that, when this city was taken
+by the Emperor Frederick and everything given up to pillage, he
+entered with his companions into a house and found it full of booty,
+but deserted by its inhabitants, save only this girl, who was then
+some two years old or thereabouts and who, seeing him mount the
+stairs, called him "father"; whereupon, taking compassion upon her, he
+carried her off with him to Fano, together with all that was in the
+house, and dying there, left her to me with what he had, charging me
+marry her in due time and give her to her dowry that which had been
+hers. Since she hath come to marriageable age, I have not yet found an
+occasion of marrying her to my liking, though I would gladly do it,
+rather than that another mischance like that of yesternight should
+betide me on her account.'
+
+Now among the others there was a certain Guiglielmino da Medicina,
+who had been with Guidotto in that affair[278] and knew very well
+whose house it was that he had plundered, and he, seeing the person in
+question[279] there among the rest, accosted him, saying,
+'Bernabuccio, hearest thou what Giacomino saith?' 'Ay do I,' answered
+Bernabuccio, 'and I was presently in thought thereof, more by token
+that I mind me to have lost a little daughter of the age whereof
+Giacomino speaketh in those very troubles.' Quoth Guiglielmino, 'This
+is she for certain, for that I was once in company with Guidotto, when
+I heard him tell where he had done the plundering and knew it to be
+thy house that he had sacked; wherefore do thou bethink thee if thou
+mayst credibly recognize her by any token and let make search
+therefor; for thou wilt assuredly find that she is thy daughter.'
+
+[Footnote 278: _A questo fatto_, _i.e._ at the storm of Faenza.]
+
+[Footnote 279: _i.e._ the owner of the plundered house.]
+
+Accordingly, Bernabuccio bethought himself and remembered that she
+should have a little cross-shaped scar over her left ear, proceeding
+from a tumour, which he had caused cut for her no great while before
+that occurrence; whereupon, without further delay, he accosted
+Giacomino, who was still there, and besought him to carry him to his
+house and let him see the damsel. To this he readily consented and
+carrying him thither, let bring the girl before him. When Bernabuccio
+set eyes on her, himseemed he saw the very face of her mother, who was
+yet a handsome lady; nevertheless, not contenting himself with this,
+he told Giacomino that he would fain of his favour have leave to raise
+her hair a little above her left ear, to which the other consented.
+Accordingly, going up to the girl, who stood shamefast, he lifted up
+her hair with his right hand and found the cross; whereupon, knowing
+her to be indeed his daughter, he fell to weeping tenderly and
+embracing her, notwithstanding her resistance; then, turning to
+Giacomino, 'Brother mine,' quoth he, 'this is my daughter; it was my
+house Guidotto plundered and this girl was, in the sudden alarm,
+forgotten there of my wife and her mother; and until now we believed
+that she had perished with the house, which was burned me that same
+day.'
+
+The girl, hearing this, and seeing him to be a man in years, gave
+credence to his words and submitting herself to his embraces, as moved
+by some occult instinct, fell a-weeping tenderly with him. Bernabuccio
+presently sent for her mother and other her kinswomen and for her
+sisters and brothers and presented her to them all, recounting the
+matter to them; then, after a thousand embraces, he carried her home
+to his house with the utmost rejoicing, to the great satisfaction of
+Giacomino. The town-captain, who was a man of worth, learning this and
+knowing that Giannole, whom he had in prison, was Bernabuccio's son
+and therefore the lady's own brother, determined indulgently to
+overpass the offence committed by him and released with him Minghino
+and Crivello and the others who were implicated in the affair.
+Moreover, he interceded with Bernabuccio and Giacomino concerning
+these matters and making peace between the two young men, gave the
+girl, whose name was Agnesa, to Minghino to wife, to the great
+contentment of all their kinsfolk; whereupon Minghino, mightily
+rejoiced, made a great and goodly wedding and carrying her home, lived
+with her many years after in peace and weal."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     GIANNI DI PROCIDA BEING FOUND WITH A YOUNG LADY, WHOM HE
+     LOVED AND WHO HAD BEEN GIVEN TO KING FREDERICK OF SICILY, IS
+     BOUND WITH HER TO A STAKE TO BE BURNT; BUT, BEING RECOGNIZED
+     BY RUGGIERI DELL' ORIA, ESCAPETH AND BECOMETH HER HUSBAND
+
+
+Neifile's story, which had much pleased the ladies, being ended, the
+queen bade Pampinea address herself to tell another, and she
+accordingly, raising her bright face, began: "Exceeding great,
+charming ladies, is the might of Love and exposeth lovers to sore
+travails, ay, and to excessive and unforeseen perils, as may be
+gathered from many a thing that hath been related both to-day and
+otherwhiles; nevertheless, it pleaseth me yet again to demonstrate it
+to you with a story of an enamoured youth.
+
+Ischia is an island very near Naples, and therein, among others, was
+once a very fair and sprightly damsel, by name Restituta, who was the
+daughter of a gentleman of the island called Marino Bolgaro and whom a
+youth named Gianni, a native of a little island near Ischia, called
+Procida, loved more than his life, as she on like wise loved him. Not
+only did he come by day from Procida to see her, but oftentimes
+anights, not finding a boat, he had swum from Procida to Ischia, at
+the least to look upon the walls of her house, an he might no
+otherwise. During the continuance of this so ardent love, it befell
+that the girl, being all alone one summer day on the sea-shore,
+chanced, as she went from rock to rock, loosening shell-fish from the
+stones with a knife, upon a place hidden among the cliffs, where, at
+once for shade and for the commodity of a spring of very cool water
+that was there, certain young men of Sicily, coming from Naples, had
+taken up their quarters with a pinnace they had. They, seeing that she
+was alone and very handsome and was yet unaware of them, took counsel
+together to seize her and carry her off and put their resolve into
+execution. Accordingly, they took her, for all she made a great
+outcry, and carrying her aboard the pinnace, made the best of their
+way to Calabria, where they fell to disputing of whose she should be.
+Brief, each would fain have her; wherefore, being unable to agree
+among themselves and fearing to come to worse and to mar their affairs
+for her, they took counsel together to present her to Frederick, King
+of Sicily, who was then a young man and delighted in such toys.
+Accordingly, coming to Palermo, they made gift of the damsel to the
+king, who, seeing her to be fair, held her dear; but, for that he was
+presently somewhat infirm of his person, he commanded that, against he
+should be stronger, she should be lodged in a very goodly pavilion,
+belonging to a garden of his he called La Cuba, and there tended; and
+so it was done.
+
+Great was the outcry in Ischia for the ravishment of the damsel and
+what most chagrined them was that they could not learn who they were
+that had carried her off; but Gianni, whom the thing concerned more
+than any other, not looking to get any news of this in Ischia and
+learning in what direction the ravishers had gone, equipped another
+pinnace and embarking therein, as quickliest as he might, scoured all
+the coast from La Minerva to La Scalea in Calabria, enquiring
+everywhere for news of the girl. Being told at La Scalea that she had
+been carried off to Palermo by some Sicilian sailors, he betook
+himself thither, as quickliest he might, and there, after much search,
+finding that she had been presented to the king and was by him kept
+under ward at La Cuba, he was sore chagrined and lost well nigh all
+hope, not only of ever having her again, but even of seeing her.
+Nevertheless, detained by love, having sent away his pinnace and
+seeing that he was known of none there, he abode behind and passing
+often by La Cuba, he chanced one day to catch sight of her at a window
+and she saw him, to the great contentment of them both.
+
+Gianni, seeing the place lonely, approached as most he might and
+bespeaking her, was instructed by her how he must do, an he would
+thereafterward have further speech of her. He then took leave of her,
+having first particularly examined the ordinance of the place in every
+part, and waited till a good part of the night was past, when he
+returned thither and clambering up in places where a woodpecker had
+scarce found a foothold, he made his way into the garden. There he
+found a long pole and setting it against the window which his mistress
+had shown him, climbed up thereby lightly enough. The damsel,
+herseeming she had already lost her honour, for the preservation
+whereof she had in times past been somewhat coy to him, thinking that
+she could give herself to none more worthily than to him and doubting
+not to be able to induce him to carry her off, had resolved in herself
+to comply with him in every his desire; wherefore she had left the
+window open, so he might enter forthright. Accordingly, Gianni,
+finding it open, softly made his way into the chamber and laid himself
+beside the girl, who slept not and who, before they came to otherwhat,
+discovered to him all her intent, instantly beseeching him to take her
+thence and carry her away. Gianni answered that nothing could be so
+pleasing to him as this and promised that he would without fail, as
+soon as he should have taken his leave of her, put the matter in train
+on such wise that he might carry her away with him, the first time he
+returned thither. Then, embracing each other with exceeding pleasure,
+they took that delight beyond which Love can afford no greater, and
+after reiterating it again and again, they fell asleep, without
+perceiving it, in each other's arms.
+
+Meanwhile, the king, who had at first sight been greatly taken with
+the damsel, calling her to mind and feeling himself well of body,
+determined, albeit it was nigh upon day, to go and abide with her
+awhile. Accordingly, he betook himself privily to La Cuba with certain
+of his servants and entering the pavilion, caused softly open the
+chamber wherein he knew the girl slept. Then, with a great lighted
+flambeau before him, he entered therein and looking upon the bed, saw
+her and Gianni lying asleep and naked in each other's arms; whereas he
+was of a sudden furiously incensed and flamed up into such a passion
+of wrath that it lacked of little but he had, without saying a word,
+slain them both then and there with a dagger he had by his side.
+However, esteeming it a very base thing of any man, much more a king,
+to slay two naked folk in their sleep, he contained himself and
+determined to put them to death in public and by fire; wherefore,
+turning to one only companion he had with him, he said to him, 'How
+deemest thou of this vile woman, on whom I had set my hope?' And after
+he asked him if he knew the young man who had dared enter his house to
+do him such an affront and such an outrage; but he answered that he
+remembered not ever to have seen him. The king then departed the
+chamber, full of rage, and commanded that the two lovers should be
+taken and bound, naked as they were, and that, as soon as it was broad
+day, they should be carried to Palermo and there bound to a stake,
+back to back, in the public place, where they should be kept till the
+hour of tierce, so they might be seen of all, and after burnt, even as
+they had deserved; and this said, he returned to his palace at
+Palermo, exceeding wroth.
+
+The king gone, there fell many upon the two lovers and not only
+awakened them, but forthright without any pity took them and bound
+them; which when they saw, it may lightly be conceived if they were
+woeful and feared for their lives and wept and made moan. According to
+the king's commandment, they were carried to Palermo and bound to a
+stake in the public place, whilst the faggots and the fire were made
+ready before their eyes, to burn them at the hour appointed. Thither
+straightway flocked all the townsfolk, both men and women, to see the
+two lovers; the men all pressed to look upon the damsel and like as
+they praised her for fair and well made in every part of her body,
+even so, on the other hand, the women, who all ran to gaze upon the
+young man, supremely commended him for handsome and well shapen. But
+the wretched lovers, both sore ashamed, stood with bowed heads and
+bewailed their sorry fortune, hourly expecting the cruel death by
+fire.
+
+Whilst they were thus kept against the appointed hour, the default of
+them committed, being bruited about everywhere, came to the ears of
+Ruggieri dell' Oria, a man of inestimable worth and then the king's
+admiral, whereupon he repaired to the place where they were bound and
+considering first the girl, commended her amain for beauty, then,
+turning to look upon the young man, knew him without much difficulty
+and drawing nearer to him, asked him if he were not Gianni di Procida.
+The youth, raising his eyes and recognizing the admiral, answered, 'My
+lord, I was indeed he of whom you ask; but I am about to be no more.'
+The admiral then asked him what had brought him to that pass, and he
+answered, 'Love and the king's anger.' The admiral caused him tell his
+story more at large and having heard everything from him as it had
+happened, was about to depart, when Gianni called him back and said to
+him, 'For God's sake, my lord, an it may be, get me one favour of him
+who maketh me to abide thus.' 'What is that?' asked Ruggieri; and
+Gianni said, 'I see I must die, and that speedily, and I ask,
+therefore, by way of favour,--as I am bound with my back to this
+damsel, whom I have loved more than my life, even as she hath loved
+me, and she with her back to me,--that we may be turned about with our
+faces one to the other, so that, dying, I may look upon her face and
+get me gone, comforted.' 'With all my heart,' answered Ruggieri,
+laughing; 'I will do on such wise that thou shalt yet see her till
+thou grow weary of her sight.'
+
+Then, taking leave of him, he charged those who were appointed to
+carry the sentence into execution that they should proceed no farther
+therein, without other commandment of the king, and straightway betook
+himself to the latter, to whom, albeit he saw him sore incensed, he
+spared not to speak his mind, saying, 'King, in what have the two
+young folk offended against thee, whom thou hast commanded to be
+burned yonder in the public place?' The king told him and Ruggieri
+went on, 'The offence committed by them deserveth it indeed, but not
+from thee; for, like as defaults merit punishment, even so do good
+offices merit recompense, let alone grace and clemency. Knowest thou
+who these are thou wouldst have burnt?' The king answered no, and
+Ruggieri continued, 'Then I will have thee know them, so thou mayst
+see how discreetly[280] thou sufferest thyself to be carried away by
+the transports of passion. The young man is the son of Landolfo di
+Procida, own brother to Messer Gian di Procida,[281] by whose means
+thou art king and lord of this island, and the damsel is the daughter
+of Marino Bolgaro, to whose influence thou owest it that thine
+officers have not been driven forth of Ischia. Moreover, they are
+lovers who have long loved one another and constrained of love, rather
+than of will to do despite to thine authority, have done this sin, if
+that can be called sin which young folk do for love. Wherefore, then,
+wilt thou put them to death, whenas thou shouldst rather honour them
+with the greatest favours and boons at thy commandment?'
+
+[Footnote 280: Iron., meaning "with how little discretion."]
+
+[Footnote 281: Gianni (Giovanni) di Procida was a Sicilian noble, to
+whose efforts in stirring up the island to revolt against Charles of
+Anjou was mainly due the popular rising known as the Sicilian Vespers
+(A.D. 1283) which expelled the French usurper from Sicily and
+transferred the crown to the house of Arragon. The Frederick (A.D.
+1296-1337) named in the text was the fourth prince of the latter
+dynasty.]
+
+The king, hearing this and certifying himself that Ruggieri spoke
+sooth, not only forbore from proceeding to do worse, but repented him
+of that which he had done, wherefore he commanded incontinent that the
+two lovers should be loosed from the stake and brought before him;
+which was forthright done. Therewith, having fully acquainted himself
+with their case, he concluded that it behoved him requite them the
+injury he had done them with gifts and honour; wherefore he let clothe
+them anew on sumptuous wise and finding them of one accord, caused
+Gianni to take the damsel to wife. Then, making them magnificent
+presents, he sent them back, rejoicing, to their own country, where
+they were received with the utmost joyance and delight."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     TEODORO, BEING ENAMOURED OF VIOLANTE, DAUGHTER OF MESSER
+     AMERIGO HIS LORD, GETTETH HER WITH CHILD AND IS CONDEMNED TO
+     BE HANGED; BUT, BEING RECOGNIZED AND DELIVERED BY HIS
+     FATHER, AS THEY ARE LEADING HIM TO THE GALLOWS, SCOURGING
+     HIM THE WHILE, HE TAKETH VIOLANTE TO WIFE
+
+
+The ladies, who abode all fearful in suspense to know if the lovers
+should be burnt, hearing of their escape, praised God and were glad;
+whereupon the queen, seeing that Pampinea had made an end of her
+story, imposed on Lauretta the charge of following on, who blithely
+proceeded to say: "Fairest ladies, in the days when good King
+William[282] ruled over Sicily, there was in that island a gentleman
+hight Messer Amerigo Abate of Trapani, who, among other worldly goods,
+was very well furnished with children; wherefore, having occasion for
+servants and there coming thither from the Levant certain galleys of
+Genoese corsairs, who had, in their cruises off the coast of Armenia,
+taken many boys, he bought some of these latter, deeming them Turks,
+and amongst them one, Teodoro by name, of nobler mien and better
+bearing than the rest, who seemed all mere shepherds. Teodoro,
+although entreated as a slave, was brought up in the house with Messer
+Amerigo's children and conforming more to his own nature than to the
+accidents of fortune, approved himself so accomplished and well-bred
+and so commended himself to Messer Amerigo that he set him free and
+still believing him to be a Turk, caused baptize him and call him
+Pietro and made him chief over all his affairs, trusting greatly in
+him.
+
+[Footnote 282: William II. (A.D. 1166-1189), the last (legitimate)
+king of the Norman dynasty in Sicily, called the Good, to distinguish
+him from his father, William the Bad.]
+
+As Messer Amerigo's children grew up, there grew up with them a
+daughter of his, called Violante, a fair and dainty damsel, who, her
+father tarrying overmuch to marry her, became by chance enamoured of
+Pietro and loving him and holding his manners and fashions in great
+esteem, was yet ashamed to discover this to him. But Love spared her
+that pains, for that Pietro, having once and again looked upon her by
+stealth, had become so passionately enamoured of her that he never
+knew ease save whenas he saw her; but he was sore afraid lest any
+should become aware thereof, himseeming that in this he did other than
+well. The young lady, who took pleasure in looking upon him, soon
+perceived this and to give him more assurance, showed herself
+exceeding well pleased therewith, as indeed she was. On this wise they
+abode a great while, daring not to say aught to one another, much as
+each desired it; but, whilst both, alike enamoured, languished
+enkindled in the flames of love, fortune, as if it had determined of
+will aforethought that this should be, furnished them with an occasion
+of doing away the timorousness that baulked them.
+
+Messer Amerigo had, about a mile from Trapani, a very goodly
+place,[283] to which his lady was wont ofttimes to resort by way of
+pastime with her daughter and other women and ladies. Thither
+accordingly they betook themselves one day of great heat, carrying
+Pietro with them, and there abiding, it befell, as whiles we see it
+happen in summer time, that the sky became of a sudden overcast with
+dark clouds, wherefore the lady set out with her company to return to
+Trapani, so they might not be there overtaken of the foul weather, and
+fared on as fast as they might. But Pietro and Violante, being young,
+outwent her mother and the rest by a great way, urged belike, no less
+by love than by fear of the weather, and they being already so far in
+advance that they were hardly to be seen, it chanced that, of a
+sudden, after many thunderclaps, a very heavy and thick shower of hail
+began to fall, wherefrom the lady and her company fled into the house
+of a husbandman.
+
+[Footnote 283: Apparently a pleasure-garden, without a house attached
+in which they might have taken shelter from the rain.]
+
+Pietro and the young lady, having no readier shelter, took refuge in a
+little old hut, well nigh all in ruins, wherein none dwelt, and there
+huddled together under a small piece of roof, that yet remained whole.
+The scantness of the cover constrained them to press close one to
+other, and this touching was the means of somewhat emboldening their
+minds to discover the amorous desires that consumed them both; and
+Pietro first began to say, 'Would God this hail might never give over,
+so but I might abide as I am!' 'Indeed,' answered the girl, 'that were
+dear to me also.' From these words they came to taking each other by
+the hands and pressing them and from that to clipping and after to
+kissing, it hailing still the while; and in short, not to recount
+every particular, the weather mended not before they had known the
+utmost delights of love and had taken order to have their pleasure
+secretly one of the other. The storm ended, they fared on to the gate
+of the city, which was near at hand, and there awaiting the lady,
+returned home with her.
+
+Thereafter, with very discreet and secret ordinance, they foregathered
+again and again in the same place, to the great contentment of them
+both, and the work went on so briskly that the young lady became with
+child, which was sore unwelcome both to the one and the other;
+wherefore she used many arts to rid herself, contrary to the course of
+nature, of her burden, but could nowise avail to accomplish it.
+Therewithal, Pietro, fearing for his life, bethought himself to flee
+and told her, to which she answered, 'An thou depart, I will without
+fail kill myself.' Whereupon quoth Pietro, who loved her exceedingly,
+'Lady mine, how wilt thou have me abide here? Thy pregnancy will
+discover our default and it will lightly be pardoned unto thee; but I,
+poor wretch, it will be must needs bear the penalty of thy sin and
+mine own.' 'Pietro,' replied she, 'my sin must indeed be discovered;
+but be assured that thine will never be known, an thou tell not
+thyself.' Then said he, 'Since thou promisest me this, I will remain;
+but look thou keep thy promise to me.'
+
+After awhile, the young lady, who had as most she might, concealed her
+being with child, seeing that, for the waxing of her body, she might
+no longer dissemble it, one day discovered her case to her mother,
+beseeching her with many tears to save her; whereupon the lady, beyond
+measure woeful, gave her hard words galore and would know of her how
+the thing had come about. Violante, in order that no harm might come
+to Pietro, told her a story of her own devising, disguising the truth
+in other forms. The lady believed it and to conceal her daughter's
+default, sent her away to a country house of theirs. There, the time
+of her delivery coming and the girl crying out, as women use to do,
+what while her mother never dreamed that Messer Amerigo, who was well
+nigh never wont to do so, should come thither, it chanced that he
+passed, on his return from hawking, by the chamber where his daughter
+lay and marvelling at the outcry she made, suddenly entered the
+chamber and demanded what was to do. The lady, seeing her husband come
+unawares, started up all woebegone and told him that which had
+befallen the girl. But he, less easy of belief than his wife had been,
+declared that it could not be true that she knew not by whom she was
+with child and would altogether know who he was, adding that, by
+confessing it, she might regain his favour; else must she make ready
+to die without mercy.
+
+The lady did her utmost to persuade her husband to abide content with
+that which she had said; but to no purpose. He flew out into a passion
+and running, with his naked sword in his hand, at his daughter, who,
+what while her mother held her father in parley, had given birth to a
+male child, said, 'Either do thou discover by whom the child was
+begotten, or thou shalt die without delay.' The girl, fearing death,
+broke her promise to Pietro and discovered all that had passed between
+him and her; which when the gentleman heard, he fell into a fury of
+anger and hardly withheld himself from slaying her.
+
+However, after he had said to her that which his rage dictated to him,
+he took horse again and returning to Trapani, recounted the affront
+that Pietro had done him to a certain Messer Currado, who was captain
+there for the king. The latter caused forthright seize Pietro, who was
+off his guard, and put him to the torture, whereupon he confessed all
+and being a few days after sentenced by the captain to be flogged
+through the city and after strung up by the neck, Messer Amerigo
+(whose wrath had not been done away by the having brought Pietro to
+death,) in order that one and the same hour should rid the earth of
+the two lovers and their child, put poison in a hanap with wine and
+delivering it, together with a naked poniard, to a serving-man of his,
+said to him, 'Carry these two things to Violante and bid her, on my
+part, forthright take which she will of these two deaths, poison or
+steel; else will I have her burned alive, even as she hath deserved,
+in the presence of as many townsfolk as be here. This done, thou shalt
+take the child, a few days agone born of her, and dash its head
+against the wall and after cast it to the dogs to eat.' This barbarous
+sentence passed by the cruel father upon his daughter and his
+grandchild, the servant, who was more disposed to ill than to good,
+went off upon his errand.
+
+Meanwhile, Pietro, as he was carried to the gallows by the officers,
+being scourged of them the while, passed, according as it pleased
+those who led the company, before a hostelry wherein were three
+noblemen of Armenia, who had been sent by the king of that country
+ambassadors to Rome, to treat with the Pope of certain matters of
+great moment, concerning a crusade that was about to be undertaken,
+and who had lighted down there to take some days' rest and
+refreshment. They had been much honoured by the noblemen of Trapani
+and especially by Messer Amerigo, and hearing those pass who led
+Pietro, they came to a window to see. Now Pietro was all naked to the
+waist, with his hands bounden behind his back, and one of the three
+ambassadors, a man of great age and authority, named Fineo, espied on
+his breast a great vermeil spot, not painted, but naturally imprinted
+on his skin, after the fashion of what women here call _roses_. Seeing
+this, there suddenly recurred to his memory a son of his who had been
+carried off by corsairs fifteen years agone upon the coast of Lazistan
+and of whom he had never since been able to learn any news; and
+considering the age of the poor wretch who was scourged, he bethought
+himself that, if his son were alive, he must be of such an age as
+Pietro appeared to him. Wherefore he began to suspect by that token
+that it must be he and bethought himself that, were he indeed his son,
+he should still remember him of his name and that of his father and of
+the Armenian tongue. Accordingly, as he drew near, he called out,
+saying, 'Ho, Teodoro!' Pietro, hearing this, straightway lifted up his
+head and Fineo, speaking in Armenian, said to him, 'What countryman
+art thou and whose son?' The sergeants who had him in charge halted
+with him, of respect for the nobleman, so that Pietro answered,
+saying, 'I was of Armenia and son to one Fineo and was brought hither,
+as a little child, by I know not what folk.'
+
+Fineo, hearing this, knew him for certain to be the son whom he had
+lost, wherefore he came down, weeping, with his companions, and ran to
+embrace him among all the sergeants; then, casting over his shoulders
+a mantle of the richest silk, which he had on his own back, he
+besought the officer who was escorting him to execution to be pleased
+to wait there till such time as commandment should come to him to
+carry the prisoner back; to which he answered that he would well. Now
+Fineo had already learned the reason for which Pietro was being led to
+death, report having noised it abroad everywhere; wherefore he
+straightway betook himself, with his companions and their retinue, to
+Messer Currado and bespoke him thus: 'Sir, he whom you have doomed to
+die, as a slave, is a free man and my son and is ready to take to
+wife her whom it is said he hath bereft of her maidenhead; wherefore
+may it please you to defer the execution till such time as it may be
+learned if she will have him to husband, so, in case she be willing,
+you may not be found to have done contrary to the law.' Messer
+Currado, hearing that the condemned man was Fineo's son, marvelled and
+confessing that which the latter said to be true, was somewhat ashamed
+of the unright of fortune and straightway caused carry Pietro home;
+then, sending for Messer Amerigo, he acquainted him with these things.
+
+Messer Amerigo, who by this believed his daughter and grandson to be
+dead, was the woefullest man in the world for that which he had done,
+seeing that all might very well have been set right, so but Violante
+were yet alive. Nevertheless, he despatched a runner whereas his
+daughter was, to the intent that, in case his commandment had not been
+done, it should not be carried into effect. The messenger found the
+servant sent by Messer Amerigo rating the lady, before whom he had
+laid the poniard and the poison, for that she made not her election as
+speedily [as he desired], and would have constrained her to take the
+one or the other. But, hearing his lord's commandment, he let her be
+and returning to Messer Amerigo, told him how the case stood, to the
+great satisfaction of the latter, who, betaking himself whereas Fineo
+was, excused himself, well nigh with tears, as best he knew, of that
+which had passed, craving pardon therefor and evouching that, an
+Teodoro would have his daughter to wife, he was exceeding well pleased
+to give her to him. Fineo gladly received his excuses and answered,
+'It is my intent that my son shall take your daughter to wife; and if
+he will not, let the sentence passed upon him take its course.'
+
+Accordingly, being thus agreed, they both repaired whereas Teodoro
+abode yet all fearful of death, albeit he was rejoiced to have found
+his father again, and questioned him of his mind concerning this
+thing. When he heard that, an he would, he might have Violante to
+wife, such was his joy that himseemed he had won from hell to heaven
+at one bound, and he answered that this would be to him the utmost of
+favours, so but it pleased both of them. Thereupon they sent to know
+the mind of the young lady, who, whereas she abode in expectation of
+death, the woefullest woman alive, hearing that which had betided and
+was like to betide Teodoro, after much parley, began to lend some
+faith to their words and taking a little comfort, answered that, were
+she to ensue her own wishes in the matter, no greater happiness could
+betide her than to be the wife of Teodoro; algates, she would do that
+which her father should command her.
+
+Accordingly, all parties being of accord, the two lovers were married
+with the utmost magnificence, to the exceeding satisfaction of all the
+townsfolk; and the young lady, heartening herself and letting rear her
+little son, became ere long fairer than ever. Then, being risen from
+childbed, she went out to meet Fineo, whose return was expected from
+Rome, and paid him reverence as to a father; whereupon he, exceeding
+well pleased to have so fair a daughter-in-law, caused celebrate their
+nuptials with the utmost pomp and rejoicing and receiving her as a
+daughter, ever after held her such. And after some days, taking ship
+with his son and her and his little grandson, he carried them with him
+into Lazistan, where the two lovers abode in peace and happiness, so
+long as life endured unto them."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     NASTAGIO DEGLI ONESTI, FALLING IN LOVE WITH A LADY OF THE
+     TRAVERSARI FAMILY, SPENDETH HIS SUBSTANCE WITHOUT BEING
+     BELOVED IN RETURN, AND BETAKING HIMSELF, AT THE INSTANCE OF
+     HIS KINSFOLK, TO CHIASSI, HE THERE SEETH A HORSEMAN GIVE
+     CHASE TO A DAMSEL AND SLAY HER AND CAUSE HER BE DEVOURED OF
+     TWO DOGS. THEREWITHAL HE BIDDETH HIS KINSFOLK AND THE LADY
+     WHOM HE LOVETH TO A DINNER, WHERE HIS MISTRESS SEETH THE
+     SAME DAMSEL TORN IN PIECES AND FEARING A LIKE FATE, TAKETH
+     NASTAGIO TO HUSBAND
+
+
+No sooner was Lauretta silent than Filomena, by the queen's
+commandment, began thus: "Lovesome ladies, even as pity is in us
+commended, so also is cruelty rigorously avenged by Divine justice;
+the which that I may prove to you and so engage you altogether to
+purge yourselves therefrom, it pleaseth me tell you a story no less
+pitiful than delectable.
+
+In Ravenna, a very ancient city of Romagna, there were aforetime many
+noblemen and gentlemen, and amongst the rest a young man called
+Nastagio degli Onesti, who had, by the death of his father and an
+uncle of his, been left rich beyond all estimation and who, as it
+happeneth often with young men, being without a wife, fell in love
+with a daughter of Messer Paolo Traversari, a young lady of much
+greater family than his own, hoping by his fashions to bring her to
+love him in return. But these, though great and goodly and
+commendable, not only profited him nothing; nay, it seemed they did
+him harm, so cruel and obdurate and intractable did the beloved damsel
+show herself to him, being grown belike, whether for her singular
+beauty or the nobility of her birth, so proud and disdainful that
+neither he nor aught that pleased him pleased her. This was so
+grievous to Nastagio to bear that many a time, for chagrin, being
+weary of complaining, he had it in his thought to kill himself, but
+held his hand therefrom; and again and again he took it to heart to
+let her be altogether or have her, an he might, in hatred, even as she
+had him. But in vain did he take such a resolve, for that, the more
+hope failed him, the more it seemed his love redoubled. Accordingly,
+he persisted both in loving and in spending without stint or measure,
+till it seemed to certain of his friends and kinsfolk that he was like
+to consume both himself and his substance; wherefore they besought him
+again and again and counselled him depart Ravenna and go sojourn
+awhile in some other place, for that, so doing, he would abate both
+his passion and his expenditure. Nastagio long made light of this
+counsel, but, at last, being importuned of them and able no longer to
+say no, he promised to do as they would have him and let make great
+preparations, as he would go into France or Spain or some other far
+place. Then, taking horse in company with many of his friends, he rode
+out of Ravenna and betook himself to a place called Chiassi, some
+three miles from the city, where, sending for tents and pavilions, he
+told those who had accompanied him thither that he meant to abide and
+that they might return to Ravenna. Accordingly, having encamped there,
+he proceeded to lead the goodliest and most magnificent life that was
+aye, inviting now these, now those others, to supper and to dinner, as
+he was used.
+
+It chanced one day, he being come thus well nigh to the beginning of
+May and the weather being very fair, that, having entered into thought
+of his cruel mistress, he bade all his servants leave him to himself,
+so he might muse more at his leisure, and wandered on, step by step,
+lost in melancholy thought, till he came [unwillingly] into the
+pine-wood. The fifth hour of the day was well nigh past and he had
+gone a good half mile into the wood, remembering him neither of eating
+nor of aught else, when himseemed of a sudden he heard a terrible
+great wailing and loud cries uttered by a woman; whereupon, his dulcet
+meditation being broken, he raised his head to see what was to do and
+marvelled to find himself among the pines; then, looking before him,
+he saw a very fair damsel come running, naked through a thicket all
+thronged with underwood and briers, towards the place where he was,
+weeping and crying sore for mercy and all dishevelled and torn by the
+bushes and the brambles. At her heels ran two huge and fierce
+mastiffs, which followed hard upon her and ofttimes bit her cruelly,
+whenas they overtook her; and after them he saw come riding upon a
+black courser a knight arrayed in sad-coloured armour, with a very
+wrathful aspect and a tuck in his hand, threatening her with death in
+foul and fearsome words.
+
+This sight filled Nastagio's mind at once with terror and amazement
+and after stirred him to compassion of the ill-fortuned lady,
+wherefrom arose a desire to deliver her, an but he might, from such
+anguish and death. Finding himself without arms, he ran to take the
+branch of a tree for a club, armed wherewith, he advanced to meet the
+dogs and the knight. When the latter saw this, he cried out to him
+from afar off, saying, 'Nastagio, meddle not; suffer the dogs and
+myself to do that which this wicked woman hath merited.' As he spoke,
+the dogs, laying fast hold of the damsel by the flanks, brought her to
+a stand and the knight, coming up, lighted down from his horse;
+whereupon Nastagio drew near unto him and said, 'I know not who thou
+mayst be, that knowest me so well; but this much I say to see that it
+is a great felony for an armed knight to seek to slay a naked woman
+and to set the dogs on her, as she were a wild beast; certes, I will
+defend her as most I may.'
+
+'Nastagio,' answered the knight, 'I was of one same city with thyself
+and thou wast yet a little child when I, who hight Messer Guido degli
+Anastagi, was yet more passionately enamoured of this woman than thou
+art presently of yonder one of the Traversari and my ill fortune for
+her hard-heartedness and barbarity came to such a pass that one day I
+slew myself in despair with this tuck thou seest in my hand and was
+doomed to eternal punishment. Nor was it long ere she, who was beyond
+measure rejoiced at my death, died also and for the sin of her cruelty
+and of the delight had of her in my torments (whereof she repented her
+not, as one who thought not to have sinned therein, but rather to have
+merited reward,) was and is on like wise condemned to the pains of
+hell. Wherein no sooner was she descended than it was decreed unto her
+and to me, for penance thereof,[284] that she should flee before me
+and that I, who once loved her so dear, should pursue her, not as a
+beloved mistress, but as a mortal enemy, and that, as often as I
+overtook her, I should slay her with this tuck, wherewith I slew
+myself, and ripping open her loins, tear from her body, as thou shalt
+presently see, that hard and cold heart, wherein nor love nor pity
+might ever avail to enter, together with the other entrails, and give
+them to the dogs to eat. Nor is it a great while after ere, as God's
+justice and puissance will it, she riseth up again, as she had not
+been dead, and beginneth anew her woeful flight, whilst the dogs and I
+again pursue her. And every Friday it betideth that I come up with her
+here at this hour and wreak on her the slaughter that thou shalt see;
+and think not that we rest the other days; nay, I overtake her in
+other places, wherein she thought and wrought cruelly against me.
+Thus, being as thou seest, from her lover grown her foe, it behoveth
+me pursue her on this wise as many years as she was cruel to me
+months. Wherefore leave me to carry the justice of God into effect and
+seek not to oppose that which thou mayst not avail to hinder.'
+
+[Footnote 284: _i.e._ of her sin.]
+
+Nastagio, hearing these words, drew back, grown all adread, with not
+an hair on his body but stood on end, and looking upon the wretched
+damsel, began fearfully to await that which the knight should do. The
+latter, having made an end of his discourse, ran, tuck in hand, as he
+were a ravening dog, at the damsel, who, fallen on her knees and held
+fast by the two mastiffs, cried him mercy, and smiting her with all
+his might amiddleward the breast, pierced her through and through. No
+sooner had she received this stroke than she fell grovelling on the
+ground, still weeping and crying out; whereupon the knight, clapping
+his hand to his hunting-knife, ripped open her loins and tearing forth
+her heart and all that was thereabout, cast them to the two mastiffs,
+who devoured them incontinent, as being sore anhungred. Nor was it
+long ere, as if none of these things had been, the damsel of a sudden
+rose to her feet and began to flee towards the sea, with the dogs
+after her, still rending her; and in a little while they had gone so
+far that Nastagio could see them no more. The latter, seeing these
+things, abode a great while between pity and fear, and presently it
+occurred to his mind that this might much avail him, seeing that it
+befell every Friday; wherefore, marking the place, he returned to his
+servants and after, whenas it seemed to him fit, he sent for sundry
+of his kinsmen and friends and said to them, 'You have long urged me
+leave loving this mine enemy and put an end to my expenditure, and I
+am ready to do it, provided you will obtain me a favour; the which is
+this, that on the coming Friday you make shift to have Messer Paolo
+Traversari and his wife and daughter and all their kinswomen and what
+other ladies soever it shall please you here to dinner with me. That
+for which I wish this, you shall see then.' This seemed to them a
+little thing enough to do, wherefore, returning to Ravenna, they in
+due time invited those whom Nastagio would have to dine with him, and
+albeit it was no easy matter to bring thither the young lady whom he
+loved, natheless she went with the other ladies. Meanwhile, Nastagio
+let make ready a magnificent banquet and caused set the tables under
+the pines round about the place where he had witnessed the slaughter
+of the cruel lady.
+
+The time come, he seated the gentlemen and the ladies at table and so
+ordered it that his mistress should be placed right over against the
+spot where the thing should befall. Accordingly, hardly was the last
+dish come when the despairful outcry of the hunted damsel began to be
+heard of all, whereat each of the company marvelled and enquired what
+was to do, but none could say; whereupon all started to their feet and
+looking what this might be, they saw the woeful damsel and the knight
+and the dogs; nor was it long ere they were all there among them.
+Great was the clamor against both dogs and knight, and many rushed
+forward to succour the damsel; but the knight, bespeaking them as he
+had bespoken Nastagio, not only made them draw back, but filled them
+all with terror and amazement. Then did he as he had done before,
+whereat all the ladies that were there (and there were many present
+who had been kinswomen both to the woeful damsel and to the knight and
+who remembered them both of his love and of his death) wept as
+piteously as if they had seen this done to themselves.
+
+The thing carried to its end and the damsel and the knight gone, the
+adventure set those who had seen it upon many and various discourses;
+but of those who were the most affrighted was the cruel damsel beloved
+of Nastagio, who had distinctly seen and heard the whole matter and
+understood that these things concerned her more than any other who was
+there, remembering her of the cruelty she had still used towards
+Nastagio; wherefore herseemed she fled already before her enraged
+lover and had the mastiffs at her heels. Such was the terror awakened
+in her thereby that,--so this might not betide her,--no sooner did she
+find an opportunity (which was afforded her that same evening) than,
+turning her hatred into love, she despatched to Nastagio a trusty
+chamberwoman of hers, who besought him that it should please him to go
+to her, for that she was ready to do all that should be his pleasure.
+He answered that this was exceeding agreeable to him, but that, so it
+pleased her, he desired to have his pleasure of her with honour, to
+wit, by taking her to wife. The damsel, who knew that it rested with
+none other than herself that she had not been his wife, made answer to
+him that it liked her well; then, playing the messenger herself, she
+told her father and mother that she was content to be Nastagio's
+wife, whereat they were mightily rejoiced, and he, espousing her on
+the ensuing Sunday and celebrating his nuptials, lived with her long
+and happily. Nor was this affright the cause of that good only; nay,
+all the ladies of Ravenna became so fearful by reason thereof, that
+ever after they were much more amenable than they had before been to
+the desires of the men."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     FEDERIGO DEGLI ALBERIGHI LOVETH AND IS NOT LOVED. HE WASTETH
+     HIS SUBSTANCE IN PRODIGAL HOSPITALITY TILL THERE IS LEFT HIM
+     BUT ONE SOLE FALCON, WHICH, HAVING NOUGHT ELSE, HE GIVETH
+     HIS MISTRESS TO EAT, ON HER COMING TO HIS HOUSE; AND SHE,
+     LEARNING THIS, CHANGETH HER MIND AND TAKING HIM TO HUSBAND,
+     MAKETH HIM RICH AGAIN
+
+
+Filomena having ceased speaking, the queen, seeing that none remained
+to tell save only herself and Dioneo, whose privilege entitled him to
+speak last, said, with blithe aspect, "It pertaineth now to me to tell
+and I, dearest ladies, will willingly do it, relating a story like in
+part to the foregoing, to the intent that not only may you know how
+much the love of you[285] can avail in gentle hearts, but that you may
+learn to be yourselves, whenas it behoveth, bestowers of your
+guerdons, without always suffering fortune to be your guide, which
+most times, as it chanceth, giveth not discreetly, but out of all
+measure.
+
+[Footnote 285: Syn. your charms (_la vostra vaghezza_).]
+
+You must know, then, that Coppo di Borghese Domenichi, who was of our
+days and maybe is yet a man of great worship and authority in our city
+and illustrious and worthy of eternal renown, much more for his
+fashions and his merit than for the nobility of his blood, being grown
+full of years, delighted oftentimes to discourse with his neighbours
+and others of things past, the which he knew how to do better and more
+orderly and with more memory and elegance of speech than any other
+man. Amongst other fine things of his, he was used to tell that there
+was once in Florence a young man called Federigo, son of Messer
+Filippo Alberighi and renowned for deeds of arms and courtesy over
+every other bachelor in Tuscany, who, as betideth most gentlemen,
+became enamoured of a gentlewoman named Madam Giovanna, in her day
+held one of the fairest and sprightliest ladies that were in Florence;
+and to win her love, he held jousts and tourneyings and made
+entertainments and gave gifts and spent his substance without any
+stint; but she, being no less virtuous than fair, recked nought of
+these things done for her nor of him who did them. Federigo spending
+thus far beyond his means and gaining nought, his wealth, as lightly
+happeneth, in course of time came to an end and he abode poor, nor
+was aught left him but a poor little farm, on whose returns he lived
+very meagrely, and to boot a falcon he had, one of the best in the
+world. Wherefore, being more in love than ever and himseeming he might
+no longer make such a figure in the city as he would fain do, he took
+up his abode at Campi, where his farm was, and there bore his poverty
+with patience, hawking whenas he might and asking of no one.
+
+Federigo being thus come to extremity, it befell one day that Madam
+Giovanna's husband fell sick and seeing himself nigh upon death, made
+his will, wherein, being very rich, he left a son of his, now well
+grown, his heir, after which, having much loved Madam Giovanna, he
+substituted her to his heir, in case his son should die without lawful
+issue, and died. Madam Giovanna, being thus left a widow, betook
+herself that summer, as is the usance of our ladies, into the country
+with her son to an estate of hers very near that of Federigo;
+wherefore it befell that the lad made acquaintance with the latter and
+began to take delight in hawks and hounds, and having many a time seen
+his falcon flown and being strangely taken therewith, longed sore to
+have it, but dared not ask it of him, seeing it so dear to him. The
+thing standing thus, it came to pass that the lad fell sick, whereat
+his mother was sore concerned, as one who had none but him and loved
+him with all her might, and abode about him all day, comforting him
+without cease; and many a time she asked him if there were aught he
+desired, beseeching him tell it her, for an it might be gotten, she
+would contrive that he should have it. The lad, having heard these
+offers many times repeated, said, 'Mother mine, an you could procure
+me to have Federigo's falcon, methinketh I should soon be whole.'
+
+The lady hearing this, bethought herself awhile and began to consider
+how she should do. She knew that Federigo had long loved her and had
+never gotten of her so much as a glance of the eye; wherefore quoth
+she in herself, 'How shall I send or go to him to seek of him this
+falcon, which is, by all I hear, the best that ever flew and which, to
+boot, maintaineth him in the world? And how can I be so graceless as
+to offer to take this from a gentleman who hath none other pleasure
+left?' Perplexed with this thought and knowing not what to say, for
+all she was very certain of getting the bird, if she asked for it, she
+made no reply to her son, but abode silent. However, at last, the love
+of her son so got the better of her that she resolved in herself to
+satisfy him, come what might, and not to send, but to go herself for
+the falcon and fetch it to him. Accordingly she said to him, 'My son,
+take comfort and bethink thyself to grow well again, for I promise
+thee that the first thing I do to-morrow morning I will go for it and
+fetch it to thee.' The boy was rejoiced at this and showed some
+amendment that same day.
+
+Next morning, the lady, taking another lady to bear her company,
+repaired, by way of diversion, to Federigo's little house and enquired
+for the latter, who, for that it was no weather for hawking nor had
+been for some days past, was then in a garden he had, overlooking the
+doing of certain little matters of his, and hearing that Madam
+Giovanna asked for him at the door, ran thither, rejoicing and
+marvelling exceedingly. She, seeing him come, rose and going with
+womanly graciousness to meet him, answered his respectful salutation
+with 'Give you good day, Federigo!' then went on to say, 'I am come to
+make thee amends for that which thou hast suffered through me, in
+loving me more than should have behooved thee; and the amends in
+question is this that I purpose to dine with thee this morning
+familiarly, I and this lady my companion.' 'Madam,' answered Federigo
+humbly, 'I remember me not to have ever received any ill at your
+hands, but on the contrary so much good that, if ever I was worth
+aught, it came about through your worth and the love I bore you; and
+assuredly, albeit you have come to a poor host, this your gracious
+visit is far more precious to me than it would be an it were given me
+to spend over again as much as that which I have spent aforetime.' So
+saying, he shamefastly received her into his house and thence brought
+her into his garden, where, having none else to bear her company, he
+said to her, 'Madam, since there is none else here, this good woman,
+wife of yonder husbandman, will bear you company, whilst I go see the
+table laid.'
+
+Never till that moment, extreme as was his poverty, had he been so
+dolorously sensible of the straits to which he had brought himself for
+the lack of those riches he had spent on such disorderly wise. But
+that morning, finding he had nothing wherewithal he might honourably
+entertain the lady, for love of whom he had aforetime entertained folk
+without number, he was made perforce aware of his default and ran
+hither and thither, perplexed beyond measure, like a man beside
+himself, inwardly cursing his ill fortune, but found neither money nor
+aught he might pawn. It was now growing late and he having a great
+desire to entertain the gentle lady with somewhat, yet choosing not to
+have recourse to his own labourer, much less any one else, his eye
+fell on his good falcon, which he saw on his perch in his little
+saloon; whereupon, having no other resource, he took the bird and
+finding him fat, deemed him a dish worthy of such a lady. Accordingly,
+without more ado, he wrung the hawk's neck and hastily caused a little
+maid of his pluck it and truss it and after put it on the spit and
+roast it diligently. Then, the table laid and covered with very white
+cloths, whereof he had yet some store, he returned with a blithe
+countenance to the lady in the garden and told her that dinner was
+ready, such as it was in his power to provide. Accordingly, the lady
+and her friend, arising, betook themselves to table and in company
+with Federigo, who served them with the utmost diligence, ate the good
+falcon, unknowing what they did.
+
+Presently, after they had risen from table and had abidden with him
+awhile in cheerful discourse, the lady, thinking it time to tell that
+wherefor she was come, turned to Federigo and courteously bespoke him,
+saying, 'Federigo, I doubt not a jot but that, when thou hearest that
+which is the especial occasion of my coming hither, thou wilt marvel
+at my presumption, remembering thee of thy past life and of my virtue,
+which latter belike thou reputedst cruelty and hardness of heart;
+but, if thou hadst or hadst had children, by whom thou mightest know
+how potent is the love one beareth them, meseemeth certain that thou
+wouldst in part hold me excused. But, although thou hast none, I, who
+have one child, cannot therefore escape the common laws to which other
+mothers are subject and whose enforcements it behoveth me ensue, need
+must I, against my will and contrary to all right and seemliness, ask
+of thee a boon, which I know is supremely dear to thee (and that with
+good reason, for that thy sorry fortune hath left thee none other
+delight, none other diversion, none other solace), to wit, thy falcon,
+whereof my boy is so sore enamoured that, an I carry it not to him, I
+fear me his present disorder will be so aggravated that there may
+presently ensue thereof somewhat whereby I shall lose him. Wherefore I
+conjure thee,--not by the love thou bearest me and whereto thou art
+nowise beholden, but by thine own nobility, which in doing courtesy
+hath approved itself greater than in any other,--that it please thee
+give it to me, so by the gift I may say I have kept my son alive and
+thus made him for ever thy debtor.'
+
+Federigo, hearing what the lady asked and knowing that he could not
+oblige her, for that he had given her the falcon to eat, fell
+a-weeping in her presence, ere he could answer a word. The lady at
+first believed that his tears arose from grief at having to part from
+his good falcon and was like to say that she would not have it.
+However, she contained herself and awaited what Federigo should reply,
+who, after weeping awhile, made answer thus: 'Madam, since it pleased
+God that I should set my love on you, I have in many things reputed
+fortune contrary to me and have complained of her; but all the ill
+turns she hath done me have been a light matter in comparison with
+that which she doth me at this present and for which I can never more
+be reconciled to her, considering that you are come hither to my poor
+house, whereas you deigned not to come what while I was rich, and seek
+of me a little boon, the which she hath so wrought that I cannot grant
+you; and why this cannot be I will tell you briefly. When I heard that
+you, of your favour, were minded to dine with me, I deemed it a light
+thing and a seemly, having regard to your worth and the nobility of
+your station, to honour you, as far as in me lay, with some choicer
+victual than that which is commonly set before other folk; wherefore,
+remembering me of the falcon which you ask of me and of his
+excellence, I judged him a dish worthy of you. This very morning,
+then, you have had him roasted upon the trencher, and indeed I had
+accounted him excellently well bestowed; but now, seeing that you
+would fain have had him on other wise, it is so great a grief to me
+that I cannot oblige you therein that methinketh I shall never forgive
+myself therefor.' So saying, in witness of this, he let cast before
+her the falcon's feathers and feet and beak.
+
+The lady, seeing and hearing this, first blamed him for having, to
+give a woman to eat, slain such a falcon, and after inwardly much
+commended the greatness of his soul, which poverty had not availed nor
+might anywise avail to abate. Then, being put out of all hope of
+having the falcon and fallen therefore in doubt of her son's recovery,
+she took her leave and returned, all disconsolate, to the latter,
+who, before many days had passed, whether for chagrin that he could
+not have the bird or for that his disorder was e'en fated to bring him
+to that pass, departed this life, to the inexpressible grief of his
+mother. After she had abidden awhile full of tears and affliction,
+being left very rich and yet young, she was more than once urged by
+her brothers to marry again, and albeit she would fain not have done
+so, yet, finding herself importuned and calling to mind Federigo's
+worth and his last magnificence, to wit, the having slain such a
+falcon for her entertainment, she said to them, 'I would gladly, an it
+liked you, abide as I am; but, since it is your pleasure that I take a
+[second] husband, certes I will never take any other, an I have not
+Federigo degli Alberighi.' Whereupon her brothers, making mock of her,
+said 'Silly woman that thou art, what is this thou sayest? How canst
+thou choose him, seeing he hath nothing in the world?' 'Brothers
+mine,' answered she, 'I know very well that it is as you say; but I
+would liefer have a man that lacketh of riches than riches that lack
+of a man.' Her brethren, hearing her mind and knowing Federigo for a
+man of great merit, poor though he was, gave her, with all her wealth,
+to him, even as she would; and he, seeing himself married to a lady of
+such worth and one whom he had loved so dear and exceeding rich, to
+boot, became a better husband of his substance and ended his days with
+her in joy and solace."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Fifth]
+
+     PIETRO DI VINCIOLO GOETH TO SUP ABROAD, WHEREUPON HIS WIFE
+     LETTETH FETCH HER A YOUTH TO KEEP HER COMPANY, AND HER
+     HUSBAND RETURNING, UNLOOKED FOR, SHE HIDETH HER GALLANT
+     UNDER A HEN-COOP. PIETRO TELLETH HER HOW THERE HAD BEEN
+     FOUND IN THE HOUSE OF ONE ARCOLANO, WITH WHOM HE WAS TO HAVE
+     SUPPED, A YOUNG MAN BROUGHT IN BY HIS WIFE, AND SHE BLAMETH
+     THE LATTER. PRESENTLY, AN ASS, BY MISCHANCE, SETTETH FOOT ON
+     THE FINGERS OF HIM WHO IS UNDER THE COOP AND HE ROARETH OUT,
+     WHEREUPON PIETRO RUNNETH THITHER AND ESPYING HIM,
+     DISCOVERETH HIS WIFE'S UNFAITH, BUT ULTIMATELY COMETH TO AN
+     ACCORD WITH HER FOR HIS OWN LEWD ENDS
+
+
+The queen's story come to an end and all having praised God for that
+He had rewarded Federigo according to his desert, Dioneo, who never
+waited for commandment, began on this wise: "I know not whether to say
+if it be a casual vice, grown up in mankind through perversity of
+manners and usances, or a defect inherent in our nature, that we laugh
+rather at things ill than at good works, especially when they concern
+us not. Wherefore, seeing that the pains I have otherwhiles taken and
+am now about to take aim at none other end than to rid you of
+melancholy and afford you occasion for laughter and merriment,--albeit
+the matter of my present story may be in part not altogether seemly,
+nevertheless, lovesome lasses, for that it may afford diversion, I
+will e'en tell it you, and do you, hearkening thereunto, as you are
+wont to do, whenas you enter into gardens, where, putting out your
+dainty hands, you cull the roses and leave the thorns be. On this wise
+must you do with my story, leaving the naughty man of whom I shall
+tell you to his infamy and ill-luck go with him, what while you laugh
+merrily at the amorous devices of his wife, having compassion, whenas
+need is, of the mischances of others.
+
+There was, then, in Perugia, no great while agone, a rich man called
+Pietro di Vinciolo, who, belike more to beguile others and to abate
+the general suspect in which he was had of all the Perugians, than for
+any desire of his own, took him a wife, and fortune in this was so far
+conformable to his inclination that the wife he took was a thickset,
+red-haired, hot-complexioned wench, who would liefer have had two
+husbands than one, whereas she happened upon one who had a mind far
+more disposed to otherwhat than to her. Becoming, in process of time,
+aware of this and seeing herself fair and fresh and feeling herself
+buxom and lusty, she began by being sore incensed thereat and came
+once and again to unseemly words thereof with her husband, with whom
+she was well nigh always at variance. Then, seeing that this might
+result rather in her own exhaustion than in the amendment of her
+husband's depravity, she said in herself, 'Yonder caitiff forsaketh me
+to go of his ribaldries on pattens through the dry, and I will study
+to carry others on shipboard through the wet. I took him to husband
+and brought him a fine great dowry, knowing him to be a man and
+supposing him desireful of that whereunto men are and should be fain;
+and had I not believed that he would play the part of a man, I had
+never taken him. He knew that I was a woman; why, then, did he take me
+to wife, if women were not to his mind? This is not to be suffered.
+Were I minded to renounce the world, I should have made myself a nun;
+but, if, choosing to live in the world, as I do, I look for delight or
+pleasure from yonder fellow, I may belike grow old, expecting in vain,
+and whenas I shall be old, I shall in vain repent and bemoan myself of
+having wasted my youth, which latter he himself is a very good teacher
+and demonstrator how I should solace, showing me by example how I
+should delect myself with that wherein he delighteth, more by token
+that this were commendable in me, whereas in him it is exceeding
+blameworthy, seeing that I should offend against the laws alone,
+whereas he offendeth against both law and nature.'
+
+Accordingly, the good lady, having thus bethought herself and belike
+more than once, to give effect privily to these considerations,
+clapped up an acquaintance with an old woman who showed like Saint
+Verdiana, that giveth the serpents to eat, and still went to every
+pardoning, beads in hand, nor ever talked of aught but the lives of
+the Holy Fathers or of the wounds of St. Francis and was of well nigh
+all reputed a saint, and whenas it seemed to her time, frankly
+discovered to her her intent. 'Daughter mine,' replied the beldam,
+'God who knoweth all knoweth that thou wilt do exceeding well, and if
+for nought else, yet shouldst thou do it, thou and every other young
+woman, not to lose the time of your youth, for that to whoso hath
+understanding, there is no grief like that of having lost one's time.
+And what a devil are we women good for, once we are old, save to keep
+the ashes about the fire-pot? If none else knoweth it and can bear
+witness thereof, that do and can I; for, now that I am old, I
+recognize without avail, but not without very sore and bitter remorse
+of mind, the time that I let slip, and albeit I lost it not altogether
+(for that I would not have thee deem me a ninny), still I did not what
+I might have done; whereof whenas I remember me, seeing myself
+fashioned as thou seest me at this present, so that thou wouldst find
+none to give me fire to my tinder,[286] God knoweth what chagrin I
+feel. With men it is not so; they are born apt for a thousand things,
+not for this alone, and most part of them are of much more account old
+than young; but women are born into the world for nothing but to do
+this and bear children, and it is for this that they are prized; the
+which, if from nought else, thou mayst apprehend from this, that we
+women are still ready for the sport; more by token that one woman
+would tire out many men at the game, whereas many men cannot tire one
+woman; and for that we are born unto this, I tell thee again that thou
+wilt do exceeding well to return thy husband a loaf for his bannock,
+so thy soul may have no cause to reproach thy flesh in thine old age.
+Each one hath of this world just so much as he taketh to himself
+thereof, and especially is this the case with women, whom it behoveth,
+much more than men, make use of their time, whilst they have it; for
+thou mayst see how, when we grow old, nor husband nor other will look
+at us; nay, they send us off to the kitchen to tell tales to the cat
+and count the pots and pans; and what is worse, they tag rhymes on us
+and say,
+
+     "Tidbits for wenches young;
+     Gags[287] for the old wife's tongue."
+
+[Footnote 286: _i.e._ she was grown so repulsively ugly in her old
+age, that no one cared to do her even so trifling a service as giving
+her a spark in tinder to light her fire withal.]
+
+[Footnote 287: Or chokebits (_stranguglioni_).]
+
+And many another thing to the like purpose. And that I may hold thee
+no longer in parley, I tell thee in fine that thou couldst not have
+discovered thy mind to any one in the world who can be more useful to
+thee than I, for that there is no man so high and mighty but I dare
+tell him what behoveth, nor any so dour or churlish but I know how to
+supple him aright and bring him to what I will. Wherefore do thou but
+show me who pleaseth thee and after leave me do; but one thing I
+commend to thee, daughter mine, and that is, that thou be mindful of
+me, for that I am a poor body and would have thee henceforth a sharer
+in all my pardonings and in all the paternosters I shall say, so God
+may make them light and candles for thy dead.'[288]
+
+[Footnote 288: _i.e._ that they may serve to purchase remission from
+purgatory for the souls of her dead relatives, instead of the burning
+of candles and tapers, which is held by the Roman Catholic Church to
+have that effect.]
+
+With this she made an end of her discourse, and the young lady came to
+an understanding with her that, whenas she chanced to spy a certain
+young spark who passed often through that quarter and whose every
+feature she set out to her, she should know what she had to do; then,
+giving her a piece of salt meat, she dismissed her with God's
+blessing; nor had many days passed ere the old woman brought her him
+of whom she had bespoken her privily into her chamber, and a little
+while after, another and another, according as they chanced to take
+the lady's fancy, who stinted not to indulge herself in this as often
+as occasion offered, though still fearful of her husband. It chanced
+one evening that, her husband being to sup abroad with a friend of
+his, Ercolano by name, she charged the old woman bring her a youth,
+who was one of the goodliest and most agreeable of all Perugia, which
+she promptly did; but hardly had the lady seated herself at table to
+sup with her gallant, when, behold, Pietro called out at the door to
+have it opened to him. She, hearing this, gave herself up for lost,
+but yet desiring, an she might, to conceal the youth and not having
+the presence of mind to send him away or hide him elsewhere, made him
+take refuge under a hen-coop, that was in a shed adjoining the chamber
+where they were at supper, and cast over him the sacking of a
+pallet-bed that she had that day let empty.
+
+This done, she made haste to open to her husband, to whom quoth she,
+as soon as he entered the house, 'You have very soon despatched this
+supper of yours!' 'We have not so much as tasted it,' replied he; and
+she said, 'How was that?' Quoth he, 'I will tell thee. Scarce were we
+seated at table, Ercolano and his wife and I, when we heard some one
+sneeze hard by, whereof we took no note the first time nor the second;
+but, he who sneezed sneezing yet a third time and a fourth and a fifth
+and many other times, it made us all marvel; whereupon Ercolano, who
+was somewhat vexed with his wife for that she had kept us a great
+while standing at the door, without opening to us, said, as if in a
+rage, "What meaneth this? Who is it sneezeth thus?" And rising from
+table, made for a stair that stood near at hand and under which, hard
+by the stairfoot, was a closure of planks, wherein to bestow all
+manner things, as we see those do every day who set their houses in
+order. Himseeming it was from this that came the noise of sneezing, he
+opened a little door that was therein and no sooner had he done this
+than there issued forth thereof the frightfullest stench of sulphur
+that might be. Somewhat of this smell had already reached us and we
+complaining thereof, the lady had said, "It is because I was but now
+in act to bleach my veils with sulphur and after set the pan, over
+which I had spread them to catch the fumes, under the stair, so that
+it yet smoketh thereof."
+
+As soon as the smoke was somewhat spent, Ercolano looked into the
+cupboard and there espied him who had sneezed and who was yet in act
+to sneeze, for that the fumes of the sulphur constrained him thereto,
+and indeed they had by this time so straitened his breast that, had he
+abidden a while longer, he had never sneezed nor done aught else
+again. Ercolano, seeing him, cried out, "Now, wife, I see why, whenas
+we came hither awhile ago, we were kept so long at the door, without
+its being opened to us; but may I never again have aught that shall
+please me, an I pay thee not for this!" The lady, hearing this and
+seeing that her sin was discovered, stayed not to make any excuse, but
+started up from table and made off I know not whither. Ercolano,
+without remarking his wife's flight, again and again bade him who
+sneezed come forth; but the latter, who was now at the last gasp,
+offered not to stir, for all that he could say; whereupon, taking him
+by one foot, he haled him forth of his hiding-place and ran for a
+knife to kill him; but I, fearing the police on mine own account,
+arose and suffered him not to slay him or do him any hurt; nay, crying
+out and defending him, I gave the alarm to certain of the neighbours,
+who ran thither and taking the now half-dead youth, carried him forth
+the house I know not whither. Wherefore, our supper being disturbed by
+these things, I have not only not despatched it, nay, I have, as I
+said, not even tasted it.'
+
+The lady, hearing this, knew that there were other women as wise as
+herself, albeit illhap bytimes betided some of them thereof, and would
+fain have defended Ercolano's wife with words; but herseeming that, by
+blaming others' defaults, she might make freer way for her own, she
+began to say, 'Here be fine doings! A holy and virtuous lady indeed
+she must be! She, to whom, as I am an honest woman, I would have
+confessed myself, so spiritually minded meseemed she was! And the
+worst of it is that she, being presently an old woman, setteth a
+mighty fine example to the young. Accursed by the hour she came into
+the world and she also, who suffereth herself to live, perfidious and
+vile woman that she must be, the general reproach and shame of all the
+ladies of this city, who, casting to the winds her honour and the
+faith plighted to her husband and the world's esteem, is not ashamed
+to dishonour him, and herself with him, for another man, him who is
+such a man and so worshipful a citizen and who used her so well! So
+God save me, there should be no mercy had of such women as she; they
+should be put to death; they should be cast alive into the fire and
+burned to ashes.' Then, bethinking her of her gallant, whom she had
+hard by under the coop, she began to exhort Pietro to betake himself
+to bed, for that it was time; but he, having more mind to eat than to
+sleep, enquired if there was aught for supper. 'Supper, quotha!'
+answered the lady. 'Truly, we are much used to get supper, whenas thou
+art abroad! A fine thing, indeed! Dost thou take me for Ercolano's
+wife? Alack, why dost thou not go to sleep for to-night? How far
+better thou wilt do!' Now it chanced that, certain husbandmen of
+Pietro's being come that evening with sundry matters from the farm and
+having put up their asses, without watering them, in a little stable
+adjoining the shed, one of the latter, being sore athirst, slipped his
+head out of the halter and making his way out of the stable, went
+smelling to everything, so haply he might find some water, and going
+thus, he came presently full on the hen-coop, under which was the
+young man. The latter having, for that it behoved him abide on all
+fours, put out the fingers of one hand on the ground beyond the coop,
+such was his luck, or rather let us say, his ill luck, that the ass
+set his hoof on them, whereupon the youth, feeling an exceeding great
+pain, set up a terrible outcry. Pietro, hearing this, marvelled and
+perceived that the noise came from within the house; wherefore he went
+out into the shed and hearing the other still clamouring, for that the
+ass had not lifted up his hoof from his fingers, but still trod hard
+upon them, said, 'Who is there?' Then, running to the hen-coop, he
+raised it and espied the young man, who, beside the pain he suffered
+from his fingers that were crushed by the ass's hoof, was all
+a-trembling for fear lest Pietro should do him a mischief.
+
+The latter, knowing him for one whom he had long pursued for his lewd
+ends, asked him what he did there, whereto he answered him nothing,
+but prayed him for the love of God do him no harm. Quoth Pietro,
+'Arise and fear not that I will do thee any hurt; but tell me how thou
+comest here and for what purpose.' The youth told him all, whereupon
+Pietro, no less rejoiced to have found him than his wife was woeful,
+taking him by the hand, carried him into the chamber, where the lady
+awaited him with the greatest affright in the world, and seating
+himself overagainst her, said, 'But now thou cursedst Ercolano's wife
+and avouchedst that she should be burnt and that she was the disgrace
+of all you women; why didst thou not speak of thyself? Or, an thou
+choosedst not to speak of thyself, how could thy conscience suffer
+thee to speak thus of her, knowing thyself to have done even as did
+she? Certes, none other thing moved thee thereunto save that you women
+are all made thus and look to cover your own doings with others'
+defaults; would fire might come from heaven to burn you all up,
+perverse generation that you are!'
+
+The lady, seeing that, in the first heat of the discovery, he had done
+her no harm other than in words and herseeming she saw that he was all
+agog with joy for that he held so goodly a stripling by the hand, took
+heart and said, 'Of this much, indeed, I am mighty well assured, that
+thou wouldst have fire come from heaven to burn us women all up,
+being, as thou art, as fain to us as a dog to cudgels; but, by Christ
+His cross, thou shalt not get thy wish. However, I would fain have a
+little discourse with thee, so I may know of what thou complainest.
+Certes, it were a fine thing an thou shouldst seek to even me with
+Ercolano's wife, who is a beat-breast, a smell-sin,[289] and hath of
+her husband what she will and is of him held dear as a wife should be,
+the which is not the case with me. For, grant that I am well clad and
+shod of thee, thou knowest but too well how I fare for the rest and
+how long it is since thou hast lain with me; and I had liefer go
+barefoot and rags to my back and be well used of thee abed than have
+all these things, being used as I am of thee. For understand plainly,
+Pietro; I am a woman like other women and have a mind unto that which
+other women desire; so that, an I procure me thereof, not having it
+from thee, thou hast no call to missay of me therefor; at the least, I
+do thee this much honour that I have not to do with horseboys and
+scald-heads.'
+
+[Footnote 289: _i.e._ a hypocritical sham devotee, covering a lewd
+life with an appearance of sanctity.]
+
+Pietro perceived that words were not like to fail her for all that
+night; wherefore, as one who recked little of her, 'Wife,' said he,
+'no more for the present; I will content thee aright of this matter;
+but thou wilt do us a great courtesy to let us have somewhat to sup
+withal, for that meseemeth this lad, like myself, hath not yet
+supped.' 'Certes, no,' answered the lady, 'he hath not yet supped; for
+we were sitting down to table, when thou camest in thine ill hour.'
+'Go, then,' rejoined Pietro, 'contrive that we may sup, and after I
+will order this matter on such wise that thou shalt have no cause to
+complain.' The lady, finding that her husband was satisfied, arose and
+caused straightway reset the table; then, letting bring the supper she
+had prepared, she supped merrily in company with her caitiff of a
+husband and the young man. After supper, what Pietro devised for the
+satisfaction of all three hath escaped my mind; but this much I know
+that on the following morning the youth was escorted back to the
+public place, not altogether certain which he had the more been that
+night, wife or husband. Wherefore, dear my ladies, this will I say to
+you, 'Whoso doth it to you, do you it to him'; and if you cannot
+presently, keep it in mind till such time as you can, so he may get as
+good as he giveth."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dioneo having made an end of his story, which had been less laughed at
+by the ladies [than usual], more for shamefastness than for the little
+delight they took therein, the queen, seeing the end of her sovranty
+come, rose to her feet and putting off the laurel crown, set it
+blithely on Elisa's head, saying, "With you, madam, henceforth it
+resteth to command." Elisa, accepting the honour, did even as it had
+been done before her, in that, having first, to the satisfaction of
+the company, taken order with the seneschal for that whereof there was
+need for the time of her governance, she said, "We have many a time
+heard how, by dint of smart sayings and ready repartees and prompt
+advisements, many have availed with an apt retort[290] to take the
+edge off other folks' teeth or to fend off imminent perils; and, for
+that the matter is goodly and may be useful,[291] I will that
+to-morrow, with God's aid, it be discoursed within these terms, to
+wit, OF WHOSO, BEING ASSAILED WITH SOME JIBING SPEECH, HATH VINDICATED
+HIMSELF OR HATH WITH SOME READY REPLY OR ADVISEMENT ESCAPED LOSS,
+PERIL OR SHAME."
+
+[Footnote 290: Lit. a due or deserved bite (_debito morso_). I mention
+this to show the connection with teeth.]
+
+[Footnote 291: An ellipsis of a kind common in Boccaccio and indeed in
+all the old Italian writers, meaning "it may be useful to enlarge upon
+the subject in question."]
+
+This was much commended of all, whereupon the queen, rising to her
+feet, dismissed them all until supper time. The honourable company,
+seeing her risen, stood up all and each, according to the wonted
+fashion, applied himself to that which was most agreeable to him. But,
+the crickets having now given over singing, the queen let call every
+one and they betook themselves to supper, which being despatched with
+merry cheer, they all gave themselves to singing and making music, and
+Emilia having, at the queen's commandment, set up a dance, Dioneo was
+bidden sing a song, whereupon he straightway struck up with "Mistress
+Aldruda, come lift up your fud-a, for I bring you, I bring you, good
+tidings." Whereat all the ladies fell a-laughing and especially the
+queen, who bade him leave that and sing another. Quoth Dioneo, "Madam,
+had I a tabret, I would sing 'Come truss your coats, I prithee,
+Mistress Burdock,' or 'Under the olive the grass is'; or will you have
+me say 'The waves of the sea do great evil to me'? But I have no
+tabret, so look which you will of these others. Will it please you
+have 'Come forth unto us, so it may be cut down, like a May in the
+midst of the meadows'?" "Nay," answered the queen; "give us another."
+"Then," said Dioneo, "shall I sing, 'Mistress Simona, embarrel,
+embarrel! It is not the month of October'?" Quoth the queen, laughing,
+"Ill luck to thee, sing us a goodly one, an thou wilt, for we will
+none of these." "Nay, madam," rejoined Dioneo, "fash not yourself; but
+which then like you better? I know more than a thousand. Will you have
+'This my shell an I prick it not well,' or 'Fair and softly, husband
+mine' or 'I'll buy me a cock, a cock of an hundred pounds
+sterling'?"[292] Therewithal the queen, somewhat provoked, though all
+the other ladies laughed, said, "Dioneo, leave jesting and sing us a
+goodly one; else shalt thou prove how I can be angry." Hearing this,
+he gave over his quips and cranks and forthright fell a-singing after
+this fashion:
+
+[Footnote 292: The songs proposed by Dioneo are all apparently of a
+light, if not a wanton, character and "not fit to be sung before
+ladies."]
+
+         O Love, the amorous light
+     That beameth from yon fair one's lovely eyes
+     Hath made me thine and hers in servant-guise.
+
+     The splendour of her lovely eyes, it wrought
+       That first thy flames were kindled in my breast,
+         Passing thereto through mine;
+     Yea, and thy virtue first unto my thought
+       Her visage fair it was made manifest,
+         Which picturing, I twine
+         And lay before her shrine
+     All virtues, that to her I sacrifice,
+     Become the new occasion of my sighs.
+
+     Thus, dear my lord, thy vassal am I grown
+       And of thy might obediently await
+         Grace for my lowliness;
+     Yet wot I not if wholly there be known
+       The high desire that in my breast thou'st set
+         And my sheer faith, no less,
+         Of her who doth possess
+     My heart so that from none beneath the skies,
+     Save her alone, peace would I take or prize.
+
+     Wherefore I pray thee, sweet my lord and sire,
+       Discover it to her and cause her taste
+         Some scantling of thy heat
+     To-me-ward,--for thou seest that in the fire,
+       Loving, I languish and for torment waste
+         By inches at her feet,--
+         And eke in season meet
+     Commend me to her favour on such wise
+     As I would plead for thee, should need arise.[293]
+
+[Footnote 293: This singularly naive give-and-take fashion of asking a
+favour of a God recalls the old Scotch epitaph cited by Mr. George
+Macdonald:
+
+     Here lie I Martin Elginbrodde:
+     Hae mercy o' my soul, Lord God;
+     As I wad do, were I Lord God
+     And ye were Martin Elginbrodde.]
+
+Dioneo, by his silence, showing that his song was ended, the queen let
+sing many others, having natheless much commended his. Then, somedele
+of the night being spent and the queen feeling the heat of the day to
+be now overcome of the coolness of the night, she bade each at his
+pleasure betake himself to rest against the ensuing day.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE FIFTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Sixth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE SIXTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF ELISA IS DISCOURSED OF WHOSO BEING
+     ASSAILED WITH SOME JIBING SPEECH HATH VINDICATED HIMSELF OR
+     HATH WITH SOME READY REPLY OR ADVISEMENT ESCAPED LOSS, PERIL
+     OR SHAME
+
+
+The moon, being now in the middest heaven, had lost its radiance and
+every part of our world was bright with the new coming light, when,
+the queen arising and letting call her company, they all with slow
+step fared forth and rambled over the dewy grass to a little distance
+from the fair hill, holding various discourse of one thing and another
+and debating of the more or less goodliness of the stories told, what
+while they renewed their laughter at the various adventures related
+therein, till such time as the sun mounting high and beginning to wax
+hot, it seemed well to them all to turn homeward. Wherefore, reversing
+their steps, they returned to the palace and there, by the queen's
+commandment, the tables being already laid and everything strewn with
+sweet-scented herbs and fair flowers, they addressed themselves to
+eat, ere the heat should grow greater. This being joyously
+accomplished, ere they did otherwhat, they sang divers goodly and
+pleasant canzonets, after which some went to sleep, whilst some sat
+down to play at chess and other some at tables and Dioneo fell to
+singing, in concert with Lauretta, of Troilus and Cressida. Then, the
+hour come for their reassembling after the wonted fashion,[294] they
+all, being summoned on the part of the queen, seated themselves, as
+of their usance, about the fountain; but, as she was about to call for
+the first story, there befell a thing that had not yet befallen there,
+to wit, that a great clamour was heard by her and by all, made by the
+wenches and serving-men in the kitchen.
+
+[Footnote 294: Lit. for their returning to consistory (_del dovere a
+concistoro tornare_).]
+
+The seneschal, being called and questioned who it was that cried thus
+and what might be the occasion of the turmoil, answered that the
+clamour was between Licisca and Tindaro, but that he knew not the
+cause thereof, being but then come thither to make them bide quiet,
+whenas he had been summoned on her part. The queen bade him
+incontinent fetch thither the two offenders and they being come,
+enquired what was the cause of their clamour; whereto Tindaro offering
+to reply, Licisca, who was well in years and somewhat overmasterful,
+being heated with the outcry she had made, turned to him with an angry
+air and said, "Mark this brute of a man who dareth to speak before me,
+whereas I am! Let me speak." Then, turning again to the queen,
+"Madam," quoth she, "this fellow would teach me, forsooth, to know
+Sicofante's wife and neither more nor less than as if I had not been
+familiar with her, would fain give me to believe that, the first night
+her husband lay with her, Squire Maul[295] made his entry into Black
+Hill[296] by force and with effusion of blood; and I say that it is
+not true; nay, he entered there in peace and to the great contentment
+of those within. Marry, this fellow is simple enough to believe
+wenches to be such ninnies that they stand to lose their time, abiding
+the commodity of their fathers and brothers, who six times out of
+seven tarry three or four years more than they should to marry them.
+Well would they fare, forsooth, were they to wait so long! By Christ
+His faith (and I should know what I say, when I swear thus) I have not
+a single gossip who went a maid to her husband; and as for the wives,
+I know full well how many and what tricks they play their husbands;
+and this blockhead would teach me to know women, as if I had been born
+yesterday."
+
+[Footnote 295: _Messer Mazza_, _i.e._ veretrum.]
+
+[Footnote 296: _Monte Nero_, _i.e._ vas muliebre.]
+
+What while Licisca spoke, the ladies kept up such a laughing that you
+might have drawn all their teeth; and the queen imposed silence upon
+her a good half dozen times, but to no purpose; she stinted not till
+she had said her say. When she had at last made an end of her talk,
+the queen turned to Dioneo and said, laughing, "Dioneo, this is a
+matter for thy jurisdiction; wherefore, when we shall have made an end
+of our stories, thou shalt proceed to give final judgment thereon."
+Whereto he answered promptly, "Madam, the judgment is already given,
+without hearing more of the matter; and I say that Licisca is in the
+right and opine that it is even as she saith and that Tindaro is an
+ass." Licisca, hearing this, fell a-laughing and turning to Tindaro,
+said, "I told thee so; begone and God go with thee; thinkest thou thou
+knowest better than I, thou whose eyes are not yet dry?[297] Gramercy,
+I have not lived here below for nothing, no, not I!" And had not the
+queen with an angry air imposed silence on her and sent her and
+Tindaro away, bidding her make no more words or clamour, an she would
+not be flogged, they had had nought to do all that day but attend to
+her. When they were gone, the queen called on Filomena to make a
+beginning with the day's stories and she blithely began thus:
+
+[Footnote 297: _i.e._ who are yet a child, in modern parlance, "Thou
+whose lips are yet wet with thy mother's milk."]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     A GENTLEMAN ENGAGETH TO MADAM ORETTA TO CARRY HER
+     A-HORSEBACK WITH A STORY, BUT, TELLING IT DISORDERLY, IS
+     PRAYED BY HER TO SET HER DOWN AGAIN
+
+
+"Young ladies, like as stars, in the clear nights, are the ornaments
+of the heavens and the flowers and the leaf-clad shrubs, in the
+Spring, of the green fields and the hillsides, even so are
+praiseworthy manners and goodly discourse adorned by sprightly
+sallies, the which, for that they are brief, beseem women yet better
+than men, inasmuch as much speaking is more forbidden to the former
+than to the latter. Yet, true it is, whatever the cause, whether it be
+the meanness of our[298] understanding or some particular grudge borne
+by heaven to our times, that there be nowadays few or no women left
+who know how to say a witty word in due season or who, an it be said
+to them, know how to apprehend it as it behoveth; the which is a
+general reproach to our whole sex. However, for that enough hath been
+said aforetime on the subject by Pampinea,[299] I purpose to say no
+more thereof; but, to give you to understand how much goodliness there
+is in witty sayings, when spoken in due season, it pleaseth me to
+recount to you the courteous fashion in which a lady imposed silence
+upon a gentleman.
+
+[Footnote 298: _i.e._ women's.]
+
+[Footnote 299: See ante, p. 43, Introduction to the last story of the
+First Day.]
+
+As many of you ladies may either know by sight or have heard tell,
+there was not long since in our city a noble and well-bred and
+well-spoken gentlewoman, whose worth merited not that her name be left
+unsaid. She was called, then, Madam Oretta and was the wife of Messer
+Geri Spina. She chanced to be, as we are, in the country, going from
+place to place, by way of diversion, with a company of ladies and
+gentlemen, whom she had that day entertained to dinner at her house,
+and the way being belike somewhat long from the place whence they set
+out to that whither they were all purposed to go afoot, one of the
+gentlemen said to her, 'Madam Oretta, an you will, I will carry you
+a-horseback great part of the way we have to go with one of the finest
+stories in the world.' 'Nay, sir,' answered the lady, 'I pray you
+instantly thereof; indeed, it will be most agreeable to me.' Master
+cavalier, who maybe fared no better, sword at side than tale on
+tongue, hearing this, began a story of his, which of itself was in
+truth very goodly; but he, now thrice or four or even half a dozen
+times repeating one same word, anon turning back and whiles saying, 'I
+said not aright,' and often erring in the names and putting one for
+another, marred it cruelly, more by token that he delivered himself
+exceedingly ill, having regard to the quality of the persons and the
+nature of the incidents of his tale. By reason whereof, Madam Oretta,
+hearkening to him, was many a time taken with a sweat and failing of
+the heart, as she were sick and near her end, and at last, being
+unable to brook the thing any more and seeing the gentleman engaged in
+an imbroglio from which he was not like to extricate himself, she said
+to him pleasantly, 'Sir, this horse of yours hath too hard a trot;
+wherefore I pray you be pleased to set me down.' The gentleman, who,
+as it chanced, understood a hint better than he told a story, took the
+jest in good part and turning it off with a laugh, fell to discoursing
+of other matters and left unfinished the story that he had begun and
+conducted so ill."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     CISTI THE BAKER WITH A WORD OF HIS FASHION MAKETH MESSER
+     GERI SPINA SENSIBLE OF AN INDISCREET REQUEST OF HIS
+
+
+Madam Oretta's saying was greatly commended of all, ladies and men,
+and the queen bidding Pampinea follow on, she began thus: "Fair
+ladies, I know not of mine own motion to resolve me which is the more
+at fault, whether nature in fitting to a noble soul a mean body or
+fortune in imposing a mean condition upon a body endowed with a noble
+soul, as in one our townsman Cisti and in many another we may have
+seen it happen; which Cisti being gifted with a very lofty spirit,
+fortune made him a baker. And for this, certes, I should curse both
+nature and fortune like, did I not know the one to be most discreet
+and the other to have a thousand eyes, albeit fools picture her blind;
+and I imagine, therefore, that, being exceeding well-advised, they do
+that which is oftentimes done of human beings, who, uncertain of
+future events, bury their most precious things, against their
+occasions, in the meanest places of their houses, as being the least
+suspect, and thence bring them forth in their greatest needs, the mean
+place having the while kept them more surely than would the goodly
+chamber. And so, meseemeth, do the governors of the world hide
+oftentimes their most precious things under the shadow of crafts and
+conditions reputed most mean, to the end that, bringing them forth
+therefrom in time of need, their lustre may show the brighter. Which
+how Cisti the baker made manifest, though in but a trifling matter,
+restoring to Messer Geri Spina (whom the story but now told of Madam
+Oretta, who was his wife, hath recalled to my memory) the eyes of the
+understanding, it pleaseth me to show you in a very short story.
+
+I must tell you, then, that Pope Boniface, with whom Messer Geri
+Spina was in very great favour, having despatched to Florence certain
+of his gentlemen on an embassy concerning sundry important matters of
+his, they lighted down at the house of Messer Geri and he treating the
+pope's affairs in company with them, it chanced, whatever might have
+been the occasion thereof, that he and they passed well nigh every
+morning afoot before Santa Maria Ughi, where Cisti the baker had his
+bakehouse and plied his craft in person. Now, albeit fortune had
+appointed Cisti a humble enough condition, she had so far at the least
+been kind to him therein that he was grown very rich and without ever
+choosing to abandon it for any other, lived very splendidly, having,
+amongst his other good things, the best wines, white and red, that
+were to be found in Florence or in the neighbouring country. Seeing
+Messer Geri and the pope's ambassadors pass every morning before his
+door and the heat being great, he bethought himself that it were a
+great courtesy to give them to drink of his good white wine; but,
+having regard to his own condition and that of Messer Geri, he deemed
+it not a seemly thing to presume to invite them, but determined to
+bear himself on such wise as should lead Messer Geri to invite
+himself.
+
+Accordingly, having still on his body a very white doublet and an
+apron fresh from the wash, which bespoke him rather a miller than a
+baker, he let set before his door, every morning, towards the time
+when he looked for Messer Geri and the ambassadors to pass, a new
+tinned pail of fair water and a small pitcher of new Bolognese ware,
+full of his good white wine, together with two beakers, which seemed
+of silver, so bright they were, and seated himself there, against they
+should pass, when, after clearing his throat once or twice, he fell to
+drinking of that his wine with such a relish that he had made a dead
+man's mouth water for it. Messer Geri, having seen him do thus one and
+two mornings, said on the third, 'How now, Cisti? Is it good?'
+Whereupon he started to his feet and said, 'Ay is it, Sir; but how
+good I cannot give you to understand, except you taste thereof.'
+Messer Geri, in whom either the nature of the weather or belike the
+relish with which he saw Cisti drink had begotten a thirst, turned to
+the ambassadors and said, smiling, 'Gentlemen, we shall do well to
+taste this honest man's wine; belike it is such that we shall not
+repent thereof.' Accordingly, he made with them towards Cisti, who let
+bring a goodly settle out of his bakehouse and praying them sit, said
+to their serving-men, who pressed forward to rinse the beakers, 'Stand
+back, friends, and leave this office to me, for that I know no less
+well how to skink than to wield the baking-peel; and look you not to
+taste a drop thereof.' So saying, he with his own hands washed out
+four new and goodly beakers and letting bring a little pitcher of his
+good wine, busied himself with giving Messer Geri and his companions
+to drink, to whom the wine seemed the best they had drunken that great
+while; wherefore they commended it greatly, and well nigh every
+morning, whilst the ambassadors abode there, Messer Geri went thither
+to drink in company with them.
+
+After awhile, their business being despatched and they about to
+depart, Messer Geri made them a magnificent banquet, whereto he bade
+a number of the most worshipful citizens and amongst the rest, Cisti,
+who would, however, on no condition go thither; whereupon Messer Geri
+bade one of his serving-men go fetch a flask of the baker's wine and
+give each guest a half beaker thereof with the first course. The
+servant, despiteful most like for that he had never availed to drink
+of the wine, took a great flagon, which when Cisti saw, 'My son,' said
+he, 'Messer Geri sent thee not to me.' The man avouched again and
+again that he had, but, getting none other answer, returned to Messer
+Geri and reported it to him. Quoth he, 'Go back to him and tell him
+that I do indeed send thee to him; and if he still make thee the same
+answer, ask him to whom I send thee, [an it be not to him.]'
+Accordingly, the servant went back to the baker and said to him,
+'Cisti, for certain Messer Geri sendeth me to thee and none other.'
+'For certain, my son,' answered the baker, 'he doth it not.' 'Then,'
+said the man, 'to whom doth he send me?' 'To the Arno,' replied Cisti;
+which answer when the servant reported to Messer Geri, the eyes of his
+understanding were of a sudden opened and he said to the man, 'Let me
+see what flask thou carriedst thither.'
+
+When he saw the great flagon aforesaid, he said, 'Cisti saith sooth,'
+and giving the man a sharp reproof, made him take a sortable flask,
+which when Cisti saw, 'Now,' quoth he, 'I know full well that he
+sendeth thee to me,' and cheerfully filled it unto him. Then, that
+same day, he let fill a little cask with the like wine and causing
+carry it softly to Messer Geri's house, went presently thither and
+finding him there, said to him, 'Sir. I would not have you think that
+the great flagon of this morning frightened me; nay, but, meseeming
+that which I have of these past days shown you with my little pitchers
+had escaped your mind, to wit, that this is no household wine,[300] I
+wished to recall it to you. But, now, for that I purpose no longer to
+be your steward thereof, I have sent it all to you; henceforward do
+with it as it pleaseth you.' Messer Geri set great store by Cisti's
+present and rendering him such thanks as he deemed sortable, ever
+after held him for a man of great worth and for friend."
+
+[Footnote 300: Lit. Family wine (_vin da famiglia_), _i.e._ no wine
+for servants' or general drinking, but a choice vintage, to be
+reserved for special occasions.]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     MADAM NONNA DE' PULCI, WITH A READY RETORT TO A NOT
+     ALTOGETHER SEEMLY PLEASANTRY, IMPOSETH SILENCE ON THE BISHOP
+     OF FLORENCE
+
+
+Pampinea having made an end of her story and both Cisti's reply and
+his liberality having been much commended of all, it pleased the queen
+that the next story should be told by Lauretta, who blithely began as
+follows, "Jocund ladies, first Pampinea and now Filomena have spoken
+truly enough touching our little worth and the excellence of pithy
+sayings, whereto that there may be no need now to return, I would
+fain remind you, over and above that which hath been said on the
+subject, that the nature of smart sayings is such that they should
+bite upon the hearer, not as the dog, but as the sheep biteth; for
+that, an a trait bit like a dog, it were not a trait, but an affront.
+The right mean in this was excellently well hit both by Madam Oretta's
+speech and Cisti's reply. It is true that, if a smart thing be said by
+way of retort, and the answerer biteth like a dog, having been bitten
+on like wise, meseemeth he is not to be blamed as he would have been,
+had this not been the case; wherefore it behoveth us look how and with
+whom, no less than when and where, we bandy jests; to which
+considerations, a prelate of ours, taking too little heed, received at
+least as sharp a bite as he thought to give, as I shall show you in a
+little story.
+
+Messer Antonio d'Orso, a learned and worthy prelate, being Bishop of
+Florence, there came thither a Catalan gentleman, called Messer Dego
+della Ratta, marshal for King Robert, who, being a man of a very fine
+person and a great amorist, took a liking to one among other
+Florentine ladies, a very fair lady and granddaughter to a brother of
+the said bishop, and hearing that her husband, albeit a man of good
+family, was very sordid and miserly, agreed with him to give him five
+hundred gold florins, so he would suffer him lie a night with his
+wife. Accordingly, he let gild so many silver poplins,[301] a coin
+which was then current, and having lain with the lady, though against
+her will, gave them to the husband. The thing after coming to be known
+everywhere, the sordid wretch of a husband reaped both loss and scorn,
+but the bishop, like a discreet man as he was, affected to know
+nothing of the matter. Wherefore, he and the marshal consorting much
+together, it chanced, as they rode side by side with each other, one
+St. John's Day, viewing the ladies on either side of the way where the
+mantle is run for,[302] the prelate espied a young lady,--of whom this
+present pestilence hath bereft us and whom all you ladies must have
+known, Madam Nonna de' Pulci by name, cousin to Messer Alessio
+Rinucci, a fresh and fair young woman, both well-spoken and
+high-spirited, then not long before married in Porta San Piero,--and
+pointed her out to the marshal; then, being near her, he laid his hand
+on the latter's shoulder and said to her, 'Nonna, how deemest thou of
+this gallant? Thinkest thou thou couldst make a conquest of him?' It
+seemed to the lady that those words somewhat trenched upon her honour
+and were like to sully it in the eyes of those (and there were many
+there) who heard them; wherefore, not thinking to purge away the soil,
+but to return blow for blow, she promptly answered, 'Maybe, sir, he
+would not make a conquest of me; but, in any case, I should want good
+money.' The marshal and the bishop, hearing this, felt themselves
+alike touched to the quick by her speech, the one as the author of
+the cheat put upon the bishop's brother's granddaughter and the other
+as having suffered the affront in the person of his kinswoman, and
+made off, shamefast and silent, without looking at one another or
+saying aught more to her that day. Thus, then, the young lady having
+been bitten, it was not forbidden her to bite her biter with a
+retort."
+
+[Footnote 301: A silver coin of about the size and value of our silver
+penny, which, when gilded, would pass muster well enough for a gold
+florin, unless closely examined.]
+
+[Footnote 302: _Il palio_, a race anciently run at Florence on St.
+John's Day, as that of the Barberi at Rome during the Carnival.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     CHICHIBIO, COOK TO CURRADO GIANFIGLIAZZI, WITH A READY WORD
+     SPOKEN TO SAVE HIMSELF, TURNETH HIS MASTER'S ANGER INTO
+     LAUGHTER AND ESCAPETH THE PUNISHMENT THREATENED HIM BY THE
+     LATTER
+
+
+Lauretta being silent and Nonna having been mightily commended of all,
+the queen charged Neifile to follow on, and she said, "Although,
+lovesome ladies, a ready wit doth often furnish folk with words both
+prompt and useful and goodly, according to the circumstances, yet
+fortune whiles cometh to the help of the fearful and putteth of a
+sudden into their mouths such answers as might never of malice
+aforethought be found of the speaker, as I purpose to show you by my
+story.
+
+Currado Gianfigliazzi, as each of you ladies may have both heard and
+seen, hath still been a noble citizen of our city, liberal and
+magnificent, and leading a knightly life, hath ever, letting be for
+the present his weightier doings, taken delight in hawks and hounds.
+Having one day with a falcon of his brought down a crane and finding
+it young and fat, he sent it to a good cook he had, a Venetian hight
+Chichibio, bidding him roast it for supper and dress it well.
+Chichibio, who looked the new-caught gull he was, trussed the crane
+and setting it to the fire, proceeded to cook it diligently. When it
+was all but done and gave out a very savoury smell, it chanced that a
+wench of the neighbourhood, Brunetta by name, of whom Chichibio was
+sore enamoured, entered the kitchen and smelling the crane and seeing
+it, instantly besought him to give her a thigh thereof. He answered
+her, singing, and said, 'Thou shalt not have it from me, Mistress
+Brunetta, thou shalt not have it from me.' Whereat she, being vexed,
+said to him, 'By God His faith, an thou give it me not, thou shalt
+never have of me aught that shall pleasure thee.' In brief, many were
+the words between them and at last, Chichibio, not to anger his
+mistress, cut off one of the thighs of the crane and gave it her.
+
+The bird being after set before Messer Currado and certain stranger
+guests of his, lacking a thigh, and the former marvelling thereat, he
+let call Chichibio and asked him what was come of the other thigh;
+whereto the liar of a Venetian answered without hesitation, 'Sir,
+cranes have but one thigh and one leg.' 'What a devil?' cried Currado
+in a rage. 'They have but one thigh and one leg? Have I never seen a
+crane before?' 'Sir,' replied Chichibio, 'it is as I tell you, and
+whenas it pleaseth you, I will cause you see it in the quick.'
+Currado, out of regard for the strangers he had with him, chose not to
+make more words of the matter, but said, 'Since thou sayst thou wilt
+cause me see it in the quick, a thing I never yet saw or heard tell
+of, I desire to see it to-morrow morning, in which case I shall be
+content; but I swear to thee, by Christ His body, that, an it be
+otherwise, I will have thee served on such wise that thou shalt still
+have cause to remember my name to thy sorrow so long as thou livest.'
+There was an end of the talk for that night; but, next morning, as
+soon as it was day, Currado, whose anger was nothing abated for sleep,
+arose, still full of wrath, and bade bring the horses; then, mounting
+Chichibio upon a rouncey, he carried him off towards a watercourse, on
+whose banks cranes were still to be seen at break of day, saying, 'We
+shall soon see who lied yestereve, thou or I.'
+
+Chichibio, seeing that his master's wrath yet endured and that needs
+must be made good his lie and knowing not how he should avail
+thereunto, rode after Currado in the greatest fright that might be,
+and fain would he have fled, so but he might. But, seeing no way of
+escape, he looked now before him and now behind and now on either side
+and took all he saw for cranes standing on two feet. Presently, coming
+near to the river, he chanced to catch sight, before any other, of a
+round dozen of cranes on the bank, all perched on one leg, as they use
+to do, when they sleep; whereupon he straightway showed them to
+Currado, saying, 'Now, sir, if you look at those that stand yonder,
+you may very well see that I told you the truth yesternight, to wit,
+that cranes have but one thigh and one leg.' Currado, seeing them,
+answered, 'Wait and I will show thee that they have two,' and going
+somewhat nearer to them, he cried out, 'Ho! Ho!' At this the cranes,
+putting down the other leg, all, after some steps, took to flight;
+whereupon Currado said to him, 'How sayst thou now, malapert knave
+that thou art? Deemest thou they have two legs?' Chichibio, all
+confounded and knowing not whether he stood on his head or his
+heels,[303] answered, 'Ay, sir; but you did not cry, "Ho! Ho!" to
+yesternight's crane; had you cried thus, it would have put out the
+other thigh and the other leg, even as did those yonder.' This reply
+so tickled Currado that all his wrath was changed into mirth and
+laughter and he said, 'Chichibio, thou art in the right; indeed, I
+should have done it.' Thus, then, with his prompt and comical answer
+did Chichibio avert ill luck and made his peace with his master."
+
+[Footnote 303: Lit. knowing not whence himself came.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     MESSER FORESE DA RABATTA AND MASTER GIOTTO THE PAINTER
+     COMING FROM MUGELLO, EACH JESTINGLY RALLIETH THE OTHER ON
+     HIS SCURVY FAVOUR
+
+
+Neifile being silent and the ladies having taken much pleasure in
+Chichibio's reply, Pamfilo, by the queen's desire, spoke thus:
+"Dearest ladies, it chanceth often that, like as fortune whiles hideth
+very great treasures of worth and virtue under mean conditions, as
+hath been a little before shown by Pampinea, even so, under the
+sorriest of human forms are marvellous wits found to have been lodged
+by nature; and this very plainly appeared in two townsmen of ours, of
+whom I purpose briefly to entertain you. For that the one, who was
+called Messer Forese da Rabatta, though little of person and
+misshapen, with a flat camoys face, that had been an eyesore on the
+shoulders of the foulest cadger in Florence, was yet of such
+excellence in the interpretation of the laws, that he was of many men
+of worth reputed a very treasury of civil right; whilst the other,
+whose name was Giotto, had so excellent a genius that there was
+nothing of all which Nature, mother and mover of all things,
+presenteth unto us by the ceaseless revolution of the heavens, but he
+with pencil and pen and brush depicted it and that so closely that not
+like, nay, but rather the thing itself it seemed, insomuch that men's
+visual sense is found to have been oftentimes deceived in things of
+his fashion, taking that for real which was but depictured. Wherefore,
+he having brought back to the light this art, which had for many an
+age lain buried under the errors of certain folk who painted more to
+divert the eyes of the ignorant than to please the understanding of
+the judicious, he may deservedly be styled one of the chief glories of
+Florence, the more so that he bore the honours he had gained with the
+utmost humility and although, while he lived, chief over all else in
+his art, he still refused to be called master, which title, though
+rejected by him, shone so much the more gloriously in him as it was
+with greater eagerness greedily usurped by those who knew less than
+he, or by his disciples. Yet, great as was his skill, he was not
+therefore anywise goodlier of person or better favoured than Messer
+Forese. But, to come to my story:
+
+I must tell you that Messer Forese and Giotto had each his country
+house at Mugello and the former, having gone to visit his estates, at
+that season of the summer when the Courts hold holiday, and returning
+thence on a sorry cart-horse, chanced to fall in with the aforesaid
+Giotto, who had been on the same errand and was then on his way back
+to Florence nowise better equipped than himself in horse and
+accoutrements. Accordingly, they joined company and fared on softly,
+like old men as they were. Presently, it chanced, as we often see it
+happen in summer time, that a sudden shower overtook them, from which,
+as quickliest they might, they took shelter in the house of a
+husbandman, a friend and acquaintance of both of them. After awhile,
+the rain showing no sign of giving over and they wishing to reach
+Florence by daylight, they borrowed of their host two old homespun
+cloaks and two hats, rusty with age, for that there were no better to
+be had, and set out again upon their way.
+
+When they had gone awhile and were all drenched and bemired with the
+splashing that their hackneys kept up with their hoofs--things which
+use not to add worship to any one's looks,--the weather began to clear
+a little and the two wayfarers, who had long fared on in silence, fell
+to conversing together. Messer Forese, as he rode, hearkening to
+Giotto, who was a very fine talker, fell to considering his companion
+from head to foot and seeing him everywise so ill accoutred and in
+such scurvy case, burst out laughing and without taking any thought to
+his own plight, said to him, 'How sayst thou, Giotto? An there
+encountered us here a stranger who had never seen thee, thinkest thou
+he would believe thee to be, as thou art, the finest painter in the
+world?' 'Ay, sir,' answered Giotto forthright, 'methinketh he might
+e'en believe it whenas, looking upon you, he should believe that you
+knew your A B C.' Messer Forese, hearing this, was sensible of his
+error and saw himself paid with money such as the wares he had
+sold."[304]
+
+[Footnote 304: Or, as we should say, "in his own coin."]
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     MICHELE SCALZA PROVETH TO CERTAIN YOUNG MEN THAT THE CADGERS
+     OF FLORENCE ARE THE BEST GENTLEMEN OF THE WORLD OR THE
+     MAREMMA AND WINNETH A SUPPER
+
+
+The ladies yet laughed at Giotto's prompt retort, when the queen
+charged Fiammetta follow on and she proceeded to speak thus: "Young
+ladies, the mention by Pamfilo of the cadgers of Florence, whom
+peradventure you know not as doth he, hath brought to my mind a story,
+wherein, without deviating from our appointed theme, it is
+demonstrated how great is their nobility; and it pleaseth me,
+therefore, to relate it.
+
+It is no great while since there was in our city a young man called
+Michele Scalza, who was the merriest and most agreeable man in the
+world and he had still the rarest stories in hand, wherefore the young
+Florentines were exceeding glad to have his company whenas they made a
+party of pleasure amongst themselves. It chanced one day, he being
+with certain folk at Monte Ughi, that the question was started among
+them of who were the best and oldest gentlemen of Florence. Some said
+the Uberti, others the Lamberti, and one this family and another that,
+according as it occurred to his mind; which Scalza hearing, he fell
+a-laughing and said, 'Go to, addlepates that you are! You know not
+what you say. The best gentlemen and the oldest, not only of Florence,
+but of all the world or the Maremma,[305] are the Cadgers,[306] a
+matter upon which all the phisopholers and every one who knoweth them,
+as I do, are of accord; and lest you should understand it of others, I
+speak of the Cadgers your neighbors of Santa Maria Maggiore.'
+
+[Footnote 305: A commentator notes that the adjunction to the world of
+the Maremma (cf. Elijer Goff, "The Irish Question has for some
+centuries been enjoyed by _the universe and other parts_") produces a
+risible effect and gives the reader to understand that Scalza broaches
+the question only by way of a joke. The same may be said of the
+jesting inversion of the word philosophers (phisopholers, Fisofoli) in
+the next line.]
+
+[Footnote 306: _Baronci_, the Florentine name for what we should call
+professional beggars, "mumpers, chanters and Abrahammen," called
+_Bari_ and _Barocci_ in other parts of Italy. This story has been a
+prodigious stumbling-block to former translators, not one of whom
+appears to have had the slightest idea of Boccaccio's meaning.]
+
+When the young men, who looked for him to say otherwhat, heard this,
+they all made mock of him and said, 'Thou gullest us, as if we knew
+not the Cadgers, even as thou dost.' 'By the Evangels,' replied
+Scalza, 'I gull you not; nay, I speak the truth, and if there be any
+here who will lay a supper thereon, to be given to the winner and half
+a dozen companions of his choosing, I will willingly hold the wager;
+and I will do yet more for you, for I will abide by the judgment of
+whomsoever you will.' Quoth one of them, called Neri Mannini, 'I am
+ready to try to win the supper in question'; whereupon, having agreed
+together to take Piero di Fiorentino, in whose house they were, to
+judge, they betook themselves to him, followed by all the rest, who
+looked to see Scalza lose and to make merry over his discomfiture, and
+recounted to him all that had passed. Piero, who was a discreet young
+man, having first heard Neri's argument, turned to Scalza and said to
+him, 'And thou, how canst thou prove this that thou affirmest?' 'How,
+sayest thou?' answered Scalza. 'Nay, I will prove it by such reasoning
+that not only thou, but he who denieth it, shall acknowledge that I
+speak sooth. You know that, the ancienter men are, the nobler they
+are; and so was it said but now among these. Now the Cadgers are more
+ancient than any one else, so that they are nobler; and showing you
+how they are the most ancient, I shall undoubtedly have won the wager.
+You must know, then, that the Cadgers were made by God the Lord in the
+days when He first began to learn to draw; but the rest of mankind
+were made after He knew how to draw. And to assure yourselves that in
+this I say sooth, do but consider the Cadgers in comparison with other
+folk; whereas you see all the rest of mankind with faces well composed
+and duly proportioned, you may see the Cadgers, this with a visnomy
+very long and strait and with a face out of all measure broad; one
+hath too long and another too short a nose and a third hath a chin
+jutting out and turned upward and huge jawbones that show as they were
+those of an ass, whilst some there be who have one eye bigger than the
+other and other some who have one set lower than the other, like the
+faces that children used to make, whenas they first begin to learn to
+draw. Wherefore, as I have already said, it is abundantly apparent
+that God the Lord made them, what time He was learning to draw; so
+that they are more ancient and consequently nobler than the rest of
+mankind.' At this, both Piero, who was the judge, and Neri, who had
+wagered the supper, and all the rest, hearing Scalza's comical
+argument and remembering themselves,[307] fell all a-laughing and
+affirmed that he was in the right and had won the supper, for that the
+Cadgers were assuredly the noblest and most ancient gentlemen that
+were to be found not in Florence alone, but in the world or the
+Maremma. Wherefore it was very justly said of Pamfilo, seeking to show
+the foulness of Messer Forese's visnomy, that it would have showed
+notably ugly on one of the Cadgers."
+
+[Footnote 307: _i.e._ of the comical fashion of the Cadgers.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     MADAM FILIPPA, BEING FOUND BY HER HUSBAND WITH A LOVER OF
+     HERS AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE, DELIVERETH HERSELF WITH A
+     PROMPT AND PLEASANT ANSWER AND CAUSETH MODIFY THE STATUTE
+
+
+Fiammetta was now silent and all laughed yet at the novel argument
+used by Scalza for the ennoblement over all of the Cadgers, when the
+queen enjoined Filostrato to tell and he accordingly began to say, "It
+is everywise a fine thing, noble ladies, to know how to speak well,
+but I hold it yet goodlier to know how to do it whereas necessity
+requireth it, even as a gentlewoman, of whom I purpose to entertain
+you, knew well how to do on such wise that not only did she afford her
+hearers matter for mirth and laughter, but did herself loose from the
+toils of an ignominious death, as you shall presently hear.
+
+There was, then, aforetime, in the city of Prato, a statute in truth
+no less blameworthy than cruel, which, without making any distinction,
+ordained that any woman found by her husband in adultery with any her
+lover should be burnt, even as she who should be discovered to have
+sold her favours for money. What while this statute was in force, it
+befell that a noble and beautiful lady, by name Madam Filippa, who was
+of a singularly amorous complexion, was one night found by Rinaldo de'
+Pugliesi her husband, in her own chamber in the arms of Lazzerino de'
+Guazzagliotri, a noble and handsome youth of that city, whom she loved
+even as herself. Rinaldo, seeing this, was sore enraged and scarce
+contained himself from falling upon them and slaying them; and but
+that he feared for himself, an he should ensue the promptings of his
+anger, he had certainly done it. However, he forbore from this, but
+could not refrain from seeking of the law of Prato that which it was
+not permitted him to accomplish with his own hand, to wit, the death
+of his wife. Having, therefore, very sufficient evidence to prove the
+lady's default, no sooner was the day come than, without taking other
+counsel, he lodged an accusation against her and caused summon her
+before the provost.
+
+Madam Filippa, being great of heart, as women commonly are who are
+verily in love, resolved, although counselled to the contrary by many
+of her friends and kinsfolk, to appear, choosing rather, confessing
+the truth, to die with an undaunted spirit, than, meanly fleeing, to
+live an outlaw in exile and confess herself unworthy of such a lover
+as he in whose arms she had been the foregoing night. Wherefore,
+presenting herself before the provost, attended by a great company of
+men and ladies and exhorted of all to deny the charge, she demanded,
+with a firm voice and an assured air, what he would with her. The
+magistrate, looking upon her and seeing her very fair and commendable
+of carriage and according as her words testified, of a lofty spirit,
+began to have compassion of her, fearing lest she should confess
+somewhat wherefore it should behoove him, for his own honour's sake,
+condemn her to die. However, having no choice but to question her of
+that which was laid to her charge, he said to her, 'Madam, as you see,
+here is Rinaldo your husband, who complaineth of you, avouching
+himself to have found you in adultery with another man and demanding
+that I should punish you therefor by putting you to death, according
+to the tenor of a statute which here obtaineth; but this I cannot do,
+except you confess it; wherefore look well what you answer and tell me
+if that be true whereof your husband impeacheth you.'
+
+The lady, no wise dismayed, replied very cheerfully, 'Sir, true it is
+that Rinaldo is my husband and that he found me last night in the arms
+of Lazzarino, wherein, for the great and perfect love I bear him, I
+have many a time been; nor am I anywise minded to deny this. But, as I
+am assured you know, laws should be common to all and made with the
+consent of those whom they concern; and this is not the case with this
+statute, which is binding only upon us unhappy women, who might far
+better than men avail to satisfy many; more by token that, when it was
+made, not only did no woman yield consent thereunto, but none of us
+was even cited to do so; wherefore it may justly be styled naught.
+However, an you choose, to the prejudice of my body and of your own
+soul, to be the executor of this unrighteous law, it resteth with you
+to do so; but, ere you proceed to adjudge aught, I pray you do me one
+slight favour, to wit, that you question my husband if at all times
+and as often as it pleased him, without ever saying him nay, I have or
+not vouchsafed him entire commodity of myself.'
+
+Rinaldo, without waiting to be questioned of the provost, straightway
+made answer that undoubtedly the lady had, at his every request,
+accorded him his every pleasure of herself; whereupon, 'Then, my lord
+provost,' straightway rejoined she, 'if he have still taken of me that
+which was needful and pleasing to him, what, I ask you, was or am I to
+do with that which remaineth over and above his requirements? Should I
+cast it to the dogs? Was it not far better to gratify withal a
+gentleman who loveth me more than himself, than to leave it waste or
+spoil?' Now well nigh all the people of Prato had flocked thither to
+the trial of such a matter and of so fair and famous a lady, and
+hearing so comical a question, they all, after much laughter, cried
+out as with one voice that she was in the right of it and that she
+said well. Moreover, ere they departed thence, at the instance of the
+provost, they modified the cruel statute and left it to apply to those
+women only who should for money make default to their husbands.
+Thereupon Rinaldo, having taken nought but shame by so fond an
+emprise, departed the court, and the lady returned in triumph to her
+own house, joyful and free and in a manner raised up out of the fire."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     FRESCO EXHORTETH HIS NIECE NOT TO MIRROR HERSELF IN THE
+     GLASS, IF, AS SHE SAITH, IT IRKETH HER TO SEE DISAGREEABLE
+     FOLK
+
+
+The story told by Filostrato at first touched the hearts of the
+listening ladies with some little shamefastness and they gave token
+thereof by a modest redness that appeared upon their faces; but, after
+looking one at another, they hearkened thereto, tittering the while
+and scarce able to abstain from laughing. As soon as he was come to
+the end thereof, the queen turned to Emilia and bade her follow on,
+whereupon, sighing no otherwise than as she had been aroused from a
+dream, she began, "Lovesome lasses, for that long thought hath held me
+far from here, I shall, to obey our queen content myself with
+[relating] a story belike much slighter than that which I might have
+bethought myself to tell, had my mind been present here, recounting to
+you the silly default of a damsel, corrected by an uncle of hers with
+a jocular retort, had she been woman enough to have apprehended it.
+
+A certain Fresco da Celatico, then, had a niece familiarly called
+Ciesca,[308] who, having a comely face and person (though none of
+those angelical beauties that we have often seen aforetime), set so
+much store by herself and accounted herself so noble that she had
+gotten a habit of carping at both men and women and everything she
+saw, without anywise taking thought to herself, who was so much more
+fashous, froward and humoursome than any other of her sex that nothing
+could be done to her liking. Beside all this, she was so prideful
+that, had she been of the blood royal of France, it had been
+overweening; and when she went abroad, she gave herself so many airs
+that she did nought but make wry faces, as if there came to her a
+stench from whomsoever she saw or met. But, letting be many other
+vexatious and tiresome fashions of hers, it chanced one day that she
+came back to the house, where Fresco was, and seating herself near
+him, all full of airs and grimaces, did nothing but puff and blow;
+whereupon quoth he, 'What meaneth this, Ciesca, that, to-day being a
+holiday, thou comest home so early?' To which she answered, all like
+to die away with affectation, 'It is true I have come back soon, for
+that I believe there were never in this city so many disagreeable and
+tiresome people, both men and women, as there are to-day; there
+passeth none about the streets but is hateful to me as ill-chance, and
+I do not believe there is a woman in the world to whom it is more
+irksome to see disagreeable folk than it is to me; wherefore I have
+returned thus early, not to see them.' 'My lass,' rejoined Fresco, to
+whom his niece's airs and graces were mighty displeasing, 'if
+disagreeable folk be so distasteful to thee as thou sayest, never
+mirror thyself in the glass, so thou wouldst live merry.' But she,
+emptier than a reed, albeit herseemed she was a match for Solomon in
+wit, apprehended Fresco's true speech no better than a block; nay, she
+said that she chose to mirror herself in the glass like other women;
+and so she abode in her folly and therein abideth yet."
+
+[Footnote 308: An abbreviation of Francesca.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     GUIDO CAVALCANTI WITH A PITHY SPEECH COURTEOUSLY FLOUTETH
+     CERTAIN FLORENTINE GENTLEMEN WHO HAD TAKEN HIM BY SURPRISE
+
+
+The queen, seeing Emilia delivered of her story and that it rested
+with none other than herself to tell, saving him who was privileged to
+speak last, began thus, "Although, sprightly ladies, you have this day
+taken out of my mouth at the least two stories, whereof I had purposed
+to relate one, I have yet one left to tell, the end whereof compriseth
+a saying of such a fashion that none, peradventure, of such
+pertinence, hath yet been cited to us.
+
+You must know, then, that there were in our city, of times past, many
+goodly and commendable usances, whereof none is left there nowadays,
+thanks to the avarice that hath waxed therein with wealth and hath
+banished them all. Among these there was a custom to the effect that
+the gentlemen of the various quarters of Florence assembled together
+in divers places about the town and formed themselves into companies
+of a certain number, having a care to admit thereinto such only as
+might aptly bear the expense, whereof to-day the one and to-morrow the
+other, and so all in turn, hold open house, each his day, for the
+whole company. At these banquets they often entertained both stranger
+gentlemen, whenas there came any thither, and those of the city; and
+on like wise, once at the least in the year, they clad themselves
+alike and rode in procession through the city on the most notable days
+and whiles they held passes of arms, especially on the chief holidays
+or whenas some glad news of victory or the like came to the city.
+
+Amongst these companies was one of Messer Betto Brunelleschi,
+whereinto the latter and his companions had studied amain to draw
+Guido, son of Messer Cavalcante de' Cavalcanti, and not without cause;
+for that, besides being one of the best logicians in the world and an
+excellent natural philosopher (of which things, indeed, they recked
+little), he was very sprightly and well-bred and a mighty well-spoken
+man and knew better than any other to do everything that he would and
+that pertained unto a gentleman, more by token that he was very rich
+and knew wonder-well how to entertain whomsoever he deemed deserving
+of honour. But Messer Betto had never been able to win and to have
+him, and he and his companions believed that this betided for that
+Guido, being whiles engaged in abstract speculations, became much
+distraught from mankind; and for that he inclined somewhat to the
+opinion of the Epicureans, it was reported among the common folk that
+these his speculations consisted only in seeking if it might be
+discovered that God was not.
+
+It chanced one day that Guido set out from Orto San Michele and came
+by way of the Corso degli Ademari, the which was oftentimes his road,
+to San Giovanni, round about which there were at that present divers
+great marble tombs (which are nowadays at Santa Reparata) and many
+others. As he was between the columns of porphyry there and the tombs
+in question and the door of the church, which was shut, Messer Betto
+and his company, coming a-horseback along the Piazza di Santa
+Reparata, espied him among the tombs and said, 'Let us go plague him.'
+Accordingly, spurring their horses, they charged all down upon him in
+sport and coming upon him ere he was aware of them, said to him,
+'Guido, thou refusest to be of our company; but, harkye, whenas thou
+shalt have found that God is not, what wilt thou have accomplished?'
+Guido, seeing himself hemmed in by them, answered promptly,
+'Gentlemen, you may say what you will to me in your own house'; then,
+laying his hand on one of the great tombs aforesaid and being very
+nimble of body, he took a spring and alighting on the other side, made
+off, having thus rid himself of them.
+
+The gentlemen abode looking one upon another and fell a-saying that he
+was a crack-brain and that this that he had answered them amounted to
+nought seeing that there where they were they had no more to do than
+all the other citizens, nor Guido himself less than any of themselves.
+But Messer Betto turned to them and said, 'It is you who are the
+crackbrains, if you have not apprehended him. He hath courteously and
+in a few words given us the sharpest rebuke in the world; for that, an
+you consider aright, these tombs are the houses of the dead, seeing
+they are laid and abide therein, and these, saith he, are our house,
+meaning thus to show us that we and other foolish and unlettered men
+are, compared with him and other men of learning, worse than dead
+folk; wherefore, being here, we are in our own house.' Thereupon each
+understood what Guido had meant to say and was abashed nor ever
+plagued him more, but held Messer Betto thenceforward a gentleman of a
+subtle wit and an understanding."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Sixth]
+
+     FRA CIPOLLA PROMISETH CERTAIN COUNTRY FOLK TO SHOW THEM ONE
+     OF THE ANGEL GABRIEL'S FEATHERS AND FINDING COALS IN PLACE
+     THEREOF, AVOUCHETH THESE LATTER TO BE OF THOSE WHICH ROASTED
+     ST. LAWRENCE
+
+
+Each of the company being now quit of his[309] story, Dioneo perceived
+that it rested with him to tell; whereupon, without awaiting more
+formal commandment, he began on this wise, silence having first been
+imposed on those who commended Guido's pregnant retort: "Charming
+ladies, albeit I am privileged to speak of that which most liketh me,
+I purpose not to-day to depart from the matter whereof you have all
+very aptly spoken; but, ensuing in your footsteps, I mean to show you
+how cunningly a friar of the order of St. Anthony, by name Fra
+Cipolla, contrived with a sudden shift to extricate himself from a
+snare[310] which had been set for him by two young men; nor should it
+irk you if, for the complete telling of the story, I enlarge somewhat
+in speaking, an you consider the sun, which is yet amiddleward in the
+sky.
+
+[Footnote 309: "Or her."]
+
+[Footnote 310: Lit. to avoid or elude a scorn (_fuggire uno scorno_).]
+
+Certaldo, as you may have heard, is a burgh of Val d' Elsa situate in
+our country, which, small though it be, was once inhabited by
+gentlemen and men of substance; and thither, for that he found good
+pasture there, one of the friars of the order of St. Anthony was long
+used to resort once a year, to get in the alms bestowed by simpletons
+upon him and his brethren. His name was Fra Cipolla and he was gladly
+seen there, no less belike, for his name's sake[311] than for other
+reasons, seeing that these parts produce onions that are famous
+throughout all Tuscany. This Fra Cipolla was little of person,
+red-haired and merry of countenance, the jolliest rascal in the world,
+and to boot, for all he was no scholar, he was so fine a talker and so
+ready of wit that those who knew him not would not only have esteemed
+him a great rhetorician, but had avouched him to be Tully himself or
+may be Quintilian; and he was gossip or friend or well-wisher[312] to
+well nigh every one in the country.
+
+[Footnote 311: _Cipolla_ means onion.]
+
+[Footnote 312: The term "well-wisher" (_benivogliente_), when
+understood in relation to a woman, is generally equivalent (at least
+with the older Italian writers) to "lover." See ante, passim.]
+
+One August among others he betook himself thither according to his
+wont, and on a Sunday morning, all the goodmen and goodwives of the
+villages around being come to hear mass at the parish church, he came
+forward, whenas it seemed to him time, and said, 'Gentlemen and
+ladies, it is, as you know, your usance to send every year to the poor
+of our lord Baron St. Anthony of your corn and of your oats, this
+little and that much, according to his means and his devoutness, to
+the intent that the blessed St. Anthony may keep watch over your
+beeves and asses and swine and sheep; and besides this, you use to
+pay, especially such of you as are inscribed into our company, that
+small due which is payable once a year. To collect these I have been
+sent by my superior, to wit, my lord abbot; wherefore, with the
+blessing of God, you shall, after none, whenas you hear the bells
+ring, come hither without the church, where I will make preachment to
+you after the wonted fashion and you shall kiss the cross; moreover,
+for that I know you all to be great devotees of our lord St. Anthony,
+I will, as an especial favour show you a very holy and goodly relic,
+which I myself brought aforetime from the holy lands beyond seas; and
+that is one of the Angel Gabriel's feathers, which remained in the
+Virgin Mary's chamber, whenas he came to announce to her in Nazareth.'
+This said, he broke off and went on with his mass.
+
+Now, when he said this, there were in the church, among many others,
+two roguish young fellows, hight one Giovanni del Bragioniera and the
+other Biagio Pizzini, who, after laughing with one another awhile over
+Fra Cipolla's relic, took counsel together, for all they were great
+friends and cronies of his, to play him some trick in the matter of
+the feather in question. Accordingly, having learned that he was to
+dine that morning with a friend of his in the burgh, they went down
+into the street as soon as they knew him to be at table, and betook
+themselves to the inn where he had alighted, purposing that Biagio
+should hold his servant in parley, whilst Giovanni should search his
+baggage for the feather aforesaid, whatever it might be, and carry it
+off, to see what he should say to the people of the matter.
+
+Fra Cipolla had a servant, whom some called Guccio[313] Balena,[314]
+others Guccio Imbratta[315] and yet others Guccia Porco[316] and who
+was such a scurvy knave that Lipo Topo[317] never wrought his like,
+inasmuch as his master used oftentimes to jest of him with his cronies
+and say, 'My servant hath in him nine defaults, such that, were one of
+them in Solomon or Aristotle or Seneca, it would suffice to mar all
+their worth, all their wit and all their sanctity. Consider, then,
+what a man he must be, who hath all nine of them and in whom there is
+neither worth nor wit nor sanctity.' Being questioned whiles what were
+these nine defaults and having put them into doggerel rhyme, he would
+answer, 'I will tell you. He's a liar, a sloven, a slugabed;
+disobedient, neglectful, ill bred; o'erweening, foul-spoken, a
+dunderhead; beside which he hath divers other peccadilloes, whereof it
+booteth not to speak. But what is most laughable of all his fashions
+is that, wherever he goeth, he is still for taking a wife and hiring a
+house; for, having a big black greasy beard, him-seemeth he is so
+exceeding handsome and agreeable that he conceiteth himself all the
+women who see him fall in love with him, and if you let him alone, he
+would run after them all till he lost his girdle.[318] Sooth to say,
+he is of great assistance to me, for that none can ever seek to speak
+with me so secretly but he must needs hear his share; and if it chance
+that I be questioned of aught, he is so fearful lest I should not know
+how to answer, that he straightway answereth for me both Ay and No, as
+he judgeth sortable.'
+
+[Footnote 313: Diminutive of contempt of Arrigo, contracted from
+Arriguccio, _i.e._ mean little Arrigo.]
+
+[Footnote 314: _i.e._ Whale.]
+
+[Footnote 315: _i.e._ Dirt.]
+
+[Footnote 316: _i.e._ Hog.]
+
+[Footnote 317: A painter of Boccaccio's time, of whom little or
+nothing seems to be known.]
+
+[Footnote 318: _Perpendo lo coreggia._ The exact meaning of this
+passage is not clear. The commentators make sundry random shots at it,
+but, as usual, only succeed in making confusion worse confounded. It
+may perhaps be rendered, "till his wind failed him."]
+
+Now Fra Cipolla, in leaving him at the inn, had bidden him look well
+that none touched his gear, and more particularly his saddle-bags, for
+that therein were the sacred things. But Guccio, who was fonder of the
+kitchen than the nightingale of the green boughs, especially if he
+scented some serving-wench there, and who had seen in that of the inn
+a gross fat cookmaid, undersized and ill-made, with a pair of paps
+that showed like two manure-baskets and a face like a cadger's, all
+sweaty, greasy and smoky, leaving Fra Cipolla's chamber and all his
+gear to care for themselves, swooped down upon the kitchen, even as
+the vulture swoopeth upon carrion, and seating himself by the fire,
+for all it was August, entered into discourse with the wench in
+question, whose name was Nuta, telling her that he was by rights a
+gentleman and had more than nine millions of florins, beside that
+which he had to give others, which was rather more than less, and that
+he could do and say God only knew what. Moreover, without regard to
+his bonnet, whereon was grease enough to have seasoned the caldron of
+Altopascio,[319] and his doublet all torn and pieced and enamelled
+with filth about the collar and under the armpits, with more spots and
+patches of divers colours than ever had Turkey or India stuffs, and
+his shoes all broken and hose unsewn, he told her, as he had been the
+Sieur de Chatillon,[320] that he meant to clothe her and trick her out
+anew and deliver her from the wretchedness of abiding with
+others,[321] and bring her to hope of better fortune, if without any
+great wealth in possession, and many other things, which, for all he
+delivered them very earnestly, all turned to wind and came to nought,
+as did most of his enterprises.
+
+[Footnote 319: Said by the commentators to have been an abbey, where
+they made cheese-soup for all comers twice a week; hence "the caldron
+of Altopascio" became a proverb; but _quaere_ is not the name
+Altopascio (high feeding) a fancy one?]
+
+[Footnote 320: It does not appear to which member of this great house
+Boccaccio here alludes, but the Chatillons were always rich and
+magnificent gentlemen, from Gaucher de Chatillon, who followed Philip
+Augustus to the third crusade, to the great Admiral de Coligny.]
+
+[Footnote 321: Sic (_star con altrui_); but "being in the service of
+or dependent upon others" seems to be the probable meaning.]
+
+The two young men, accordingly, found Guccio busy about Nuta, whereat
+they were well pleased, for that it spared them half their pains, and
+entering Fra Cipolla's chamber, which they found open, the first thing
+that came under their examination was the saddle-bags wherein was the
+feather. In these they found, enveloped in a great taffetas wrapper,
+a little casket and opening this latter, discovered therein a parrot's
+tail-feather, which they concluded must be that which the friar had
+promised to show the people of Certaldo. And certes he might lightly
+cause it to be believed in those days, for that the refinements of
+Egypt had not yet made their way save into a small part of Tuscany, as
+they have since done in very great abundance, to the undoing of all
+Italy; and wherever they may have been some little known, in those
+parts they were well nigh altogether unknown of the inhabitants; nay
+the rude honesty of the ancients yet enduring there, not only had they
+never set eyes on a parrot, but were far from having ever heard tell
+of such a bird. The young men, then, rejoiced at finding the feather,
+laid hands on it and not to leave the casket empty, filled it with
+some coals they saw in a corner of the room and shut it again. Then,
+putting all things in order as they had found them, they made off in
+high glee with the feather, without having been seen, and began to
+await what Fra Cipolli should say, when he found the coals in place
+thereof.
+
+The simple men and women who were in the church, hearing that they
+were to see the Angel Gabriel's feather after none, returned home, as
+soon as mass was over, and neighbor telling it to neighbor and gossip
+to gossip, no sooner had they all dined than so many men and women
+flocked to the burgh that it would scarce hold them, all looking
+eagerly to see the aforesaid feather. Fra Cipolla, having well dined
+and after slept awhile, arose a little after none and hearing of the
+great multitude of country folk come to see the feather, sent to bid
+Guccio Imbratta come thither with the bells and bring his saddle-bags.
+Guccio, tearing himself with difficulty away from the kitchen and
+Nuta, betook himself with the things required to the appointed place,
+whither coming, out of breath, for that the water he had drunken had
+made his belly swell amain, he repaired, by his master's commandment,
+to the church door and fell to ringing the bells lustily.
+
+When all the people were assembled there, Fra Cipolla, without
+observing that aught of his had been meddled with, began his
+preachment and said many words anent his affairs; after which,
+thinking to come to the showing of the Angel Gabriel's feather, he
+first recited the Confiteor with the utmost solemnity and let kindle a
+pair of flambeaux; then, pulling off his bonnet, he delicately
+unfolded the taffetas wrapper and brought out the casket. Having first
+pronounced certain ejaculations in praise and commendation of the
+Angel Gabriel and of his relic, he opened the casket and seeing it
+full of coals, suspected not Guccio Balena of having played him this
+trick, for that he knew him not to be man enough; nor did he curse him
+for having kept ill watch lest others should do it, but silently
+cursed himself for having committed to him the care of his gear,
+knowing him, as he did, to be negligent, disobedient, careless and
+forgetful.
+
+Nevertheless, without changing colour, he raised his eyes and hands to
+heaven and said, so as to be heard of all, 'O God, praised be still
+thy puissance!' Then, shutting the casket and turning to the people,
+'Gentlemen and ladies,' quoth he, 'you must know that, whilst I was
+yet very young, I was dispatched by my superior to those parts where
+the sun riseth and it was expressly commanded me that I should seek
+till I found the Privileges of Porcellana, which, though they cost
+nothing to seal, are much more useful to others than to us. On this
+errand I set out from Venice and passed through Borgo de' Greci,[322]
+whence, riding through the kingdom of Algarve and Baldacca,[323] I
+came to Parione,[324] and from there, not without thirst, I came after
+awhile into Sardinia. But what booteth it to set out to you in detail
+all the lands explored by me? Passing the straits of San Giorgio,[325]
+I came into Truffia[326] and Buffia,[327] countries much inhabited and
+with great populations, and thence into the land of Menzogna,[328]
+where I found great plenty of our brethren and of friars of other
+religious orders, who all went about those parts, shunning unease for
+the love of God, recking little of others' travail, whenas they saw
+their own advantage to ensue, and spending none other money than such
+as was uncoined.[329] Thence I passed into the land of the Abruzzi,
+where the men and women go in clogs over the mountains, clothing the
+swine in their own guts;[330] and a little farther I found folk who
+carried bread on sticks and wine in bags. From this I came to the
+Mountains of the Bachi, where all the waters run down hill; and in
+brief, I made my way so far inward that I won at last even to India
+Pastinaca,[331] where I swear to you, by the habit I wear on my back,
+that I saw hedge-bills[332] fly, a thing incredible to whoso hath not
+seen it. But of this Maso del Saggio will confirm me, whom I found
+there a great merchant, cracking walnuts and selling the shells by
+retail.
+
+[Footnote 322: Apparently the Neapolitan town of that name.]
+
+[Footnote 323: The name of a famous tavern in Florence (_Florio_).]
+
+[Footnote 324: _Quaere_ a place in Florence? One of the commentators,
+with characteristic carelessness, states that the places mentioned in
+the preachment of Fra Cipolla (an amusing specimen of the
+patter-sermon of the mendicant friar of the middle ages, that
+ecclesiastical Cheap Jack of his day) are all names of streets or
+places of Florence, a statement which, it is evident to the most
+cursory reader, is altogether inaccurate.]
+
+[Footnote 325: Apparently the island of that name near Venice.]
+
+[Footnote 326: _i.e._ Nonsense-land.]
+
+[Footnote 327: _i.e._ Land of Tricks or Cozenage.]
+
+[Footnote 328: _i.e._ Falsehood, Lie-land.]
+
+[Footnote 329: _i.e._ paying their way with fine words, instead of
+coin.]
+
+[Footnote 330: _i.e._ making sausages of them.]
+
+[Footnote 331: _Bachi_, drones or maggots. _Pastinaca_ means "parsnip"
+and is a meaningless addition of Fra Cipolla's fashion.]
+
+[Footnote 332: A play of words upon the primary meaning (winged
+things) of the word _pennate_, hedge-bills.]
+
+Being unable to find that which I went seeking, for that thence one
+goeth thither by water, I turned back and arrived in those holy
+countries, where, in summer-years, cold bread is worth four farthings
+a loaf and the hot goeth for nothing. There I found the venerable
+father my lord Blamemenot Anitpleaseyou, the very worshipful Patriarch
+of Jerusalem, who, for reverence of the habit I have still worn of my
+lord Baron St. Anthony, would have me see all the holy relics that he
+had about him and which were so many that, an I sought to recount
+them all to you, I should not come to an end thereof in several miles.
+However, not to leave you disconsolate, I will tell you some thereof.
+First, he showed me the finger of the Holy Ghost, as whole and sound
+as ever it was, and the forelock of the seraph that appeared to St.
+Francis and one of the nails of the Cherubim and one of the ribs of
+the Verbum Caro[333] Get-thee-to-the-windows and some of the vestments
+of the Holy Catholic Faith and divers rays of the star that appeared
+to the Three Wise Men in the East and a vial of the sweat of St.
+Michael, whenas he fought with the devil, and the jawbone of the death
+of St. Lazarus and others. And for that I made him a free gift of the
+Steeps[334] of Monte Morello in the vernacular and of some chapters of
+the Caprezio,[335] which he had long gone seeking, he made me a sharer
+in his holy relics and gave me one of the teeth of the Holy Rood and
+somewhat of the sound of the bells of Solomon's Temple in a vial and
+the feather of the Angel Gabriel, whereof I have already bespoken you,
+and one of the pattens of St. Gherardo da Villa Magna, which not long
+since at Florence I gave to Gherardo di Bonsi, who hath a particular
+devotion for that saint; and he gave me also of the coals wherewith
+the most blessed martyr St. Lawrence was roasted; all which things I
+devoutly brought home with me and yet have. True it is that my
+superior hath never suffered me to show them till such time as he
+should be certified if they were the very things or not. But now that,
+by certain miracles performed by them and by letters received from the
+patriarch, he hath been made certain of this, he hath granted me leave
+to show them; and I, fearing to trust them to others, still carry them
+with me.
+
+[Footnote 333: _i.e._ The Word [made] flesh. Get-thee-to-the-windows
+is only a patter tag.]
+
+[Footnote 334: Or Slopes or Coasts (_piaggie_).]
+
+[Footnote 335: ?]
+
+Now I carry the Angel Gabriel's feather, so it may not be marred, in
+one casket, and the coals wherewith St. Lawrence was roasted in
+another, the which are so like one to other, that it hath often
+happened to me to take one for the other, and so hath it betided me at
+this present, for that, thinking to bring hither the casket wherein
+was the feather, I have brought that wherein are the coals. The which
+I hold not to have been an error; nay, meseemeth certain that it was
+God's will and that He Himself placed the casket with the coals in my
+hands, especially now I mind me that the feast of St. Lawrence is but
+two days hence; wherefore God, willing that, by showing you the coals
+wherewith he was roasted, I should rekindle in your hearts the
+devotion it behoveth you have for him, caused me take, not the
+feather, as I purposed, but the blessed coals extinguished by the
+sweat of that most holy body. So, O my blessed children, put off your
+bonnets and draw near devoutly to behold them; but first I would have
+you knew that whoso is scored with these coals, in the form of the
+sign of the cross, may rest assured, for the whole year to come, that
+fire shall not touch him but he shall feel it.'
+
+Having thus spoken, he opened the casket, chanting the while a
+canticle in praise of St. Lawrence, and showed the coals, which after
+the simple multitude had awhile beheld with reverent admiration, they
+all crowded about Fra Cipolla and making him better offerings than
+they were used, besought him to touch them withal. Accordingly, taking
+the coals in hand, he fell to making the biggest crosses for which he
+could find room upon their white smocks and doublets and upon the
+veils of the women, avouching that how much soever the coals
+diminished in making these crosses, they after grew again in the
+casket, as he had many a time proved. On this wise he crossed all the
+people of Certaldo, to his no small profit, and thus, by his ready wit
+and presence of mind, he baffled those who, by taking the feather from
+him, had thought to baffle him and who, being present at his
+preachment and hearing the rare shift employed by him and from how far
+he had taken it and with what words, had so laughed that they thought
+to have cracked their jaws. Then, after the common folk had departed,
+they went up to him and with all the mirth in the world discovered to
+him that which they had done and after restored him his feather, which
+next year stood him in as good stead as the coals had done that day."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This story afforded unto all the company alike the utmost pleasure and
+solace, and it was much laughed of all at Fra Cipolla, and
+particularly of his pilgrimage and the relics seen and brought back by
+him. The queen, seeing the story and likewise her sovantry at an end,
+rose to her feet and put off the crown, which she set laughingly on
+Dioneo's head, saying, "It is time, Dioneo, that thou prove awhile
+what manner charge it is to have ladies to govern and guide; be thou,
+then, king and rule on such wise that, in the end, we may have reason
+to give ourselves joy of thy governance." Dioneo took the crown and
+answered, laughing, "You may often enough have seen much better kings
+than I, I mean chess-kings; but, an you obey me as a king should in
+truth be obeyed, I will cause you enjoy that without which assuredly
+no entertainment is ever complete in its gladness. But let that talk
+be; I will rule as best I know."
+
+Then, sending for the seneschal, according to the wonted usance, he
+orderly enjoined him of that which he should do during the continuance
+of his seignory and after said, "Noble ladies, it hath in divers
+manners been devised of human industry[336] and of the various chances
+[of fortune,] insomuch that, had not Dame Licisca come hither a while
+agone and found me matter with her prate for our morrow's relations, I
+misdoubt me I should have been long at pains to find a subject of
+discourse. As you heard, she avouched that she had not a single gossip
+who had come to her husband a maid and added that she knew right well
+how many and what manner tricks married women yet played their
+husbands. But, letting be the first part, which is a childish matter,
+methinketh the second should be an agreeable subject for discourse;
+wherefore I will and ordain it that, since Licisca hath given us
+occasion therefor, it be discoursed to-morrow OF THE TRICKS WHICH, OR
+FOR LOVE OR FOR THEIR OWN PRESERVATION, WOMEN HAVE HERETOFORE PLAYED
+THEIR HUSBANDS, WITH OR WITHOUT THE LATTER'S COGNIZANCE THEREOF."
+
+[Footnote 336: _Industria_ in the old sense of ingenuity, skilful
+procurement, etc.]
+
+It seemed to some of the ladies that to discourse of such a matter
+would ill beseem them and they prayed him, therefore, to change the
+theme proposed; wherefore answered he, "Ladies, I am no less cognizant
+than yourselves of that which I have ordained, and that which you
+would fain allege to me availed not to deter me from ordaining it,
+considering that the times are such that, provided men and women are
+careful to eschew unseemly actions, all liberty of discourse is
+permitted. Know you not that, for the malignity of the season, the
+judges have forsaken the tribunals, that the laws, as well Divine as
+human, are silent and full licence is conceded unto every one for the
+preservation of his life? Wherefore, if your modesty allow itself some
+little freedom in discourse, not with intent to ensue it with aught of
+unseemly in deeds, but to afford yourselves and others diversion, I
+see not with what plausible reason any can blame you in the future.
+Moreover, your company, from the first day of our assembling until
+this present, hath been most decorous, nor, for aught that hath been
+said here, doth it appear to me that its honour hath anywise been
+sullied. Again, who is there knoweth not your virtue? Which, not to
+say mirthful discourse, but even fear of death I do not believe could
+avail to shake. And to tell you the truth, whosoever should hear that
+you shrank from devising bytimes of these toys would be apt to suspect
+that you were guilty in the matter and were therefore unwilling to
+discourse thereof. To say nothing of the fine honour you would do me
+in that, I having been obedient unto all, you now, having made me your
+king, seek to lay down the law to me, and not to discourse of the
+subject which I propose. Put off, then, this misdoubtance, apter to
+mean minds than to yours, and good luck to you, let each of you
+bethink herself of some goodly story to tell." When the ladies heard
+this, they said it should be as he pleased; whereupon he gave them all
+leave to do their several pleasures until supper-time.
+
+The sun was yet high, for that the discoursement[337] had been brief;
+wherefor Dioneo having addressed himself to play at tables with the
+other young men, Elisa called the other ladies apart and said to them,
+"Since we have been here, I have still wished to carry you to a place
+very near at hand, whither methinketh none of you hath ever been and
+which is called the Ladies' Valley, but have never yet found an
+occasion of bringing you thither unto to-day; wherefore, as the sun is
+yet high, I doubt not but, an it please you come thither, you will be
+exceeding well pleased to have been there." They answered that they
+were ready and calling one of their maids, set out upon their way,
+without letting the young men know aught thereof; nor had they gone
+much more than a mile, when they came to the Ladies' Valley. They
+entered therein by a very strait way, on one side whereof ran a very
+clear streamlet, and saw it as fair and as delectable, especially at
+that season whenas the heat was great, as most might be conceived.
+According to that which one of them after told me, the plain that was
+in the valley was as round as if it had been traced with the compass,
+albeit it seemed the work of nature and not of art, and was in circuit
+a little more than half a mile, encompassed about with six little
+hills not over-high, on the summit of each of which stood a palace
+builded in guise of a goodly castle. The sides of these hills went
+sloping gradually downward to the plain on such wise as we see in
+amphitheatres, the degrees descend in ordered succession from the
+highest to the lowest, still contracting their circuit; and of these
+slopes those which looked toward the south were all full of vines and
+olives and almonds and cherries and figs and many another kind of
+fruit-bearing trees, without a span thereof being wasted; whilst those
+which faced the North Star[338] were all covered with thickets of
+dwarf oaks and ashes and other trees as green and straight as might
+be. The middle plain, which had no other inlet than that whereby the
+ladies were come thither, was full of firs and cypresses and laurels
+and various sorts of pines, as well arrayed and ordered as if the best
+artist in that kind had planted them; and between these little or no
+sun, even at its highest, made its way to the ground, which was all
+one meadow of very fine grass, thick-sown with flowers purpurine and
+others. Moreover, that which afforded no less delight than otherwhat
+was a little stream, which ran down from a valley that divided two of
+the hills aforesaid and falling over cliffs of live rock, made a
+murmur very delectable to hear, what while it showed from afar, as it
+broke over the stones, like so much quicksilver jetting out, under
+pressure of somewhat, into fine spray. As it came down into the little
+plain, it was there received into a fair channel and ran very swiftly
+into the middest thereof, where it formed a lakelet, such as the
+townsfolk made whiles, by way of fishpond, in their gardens, whenas
+they have a commodity thereof. This lakelet was no deeper than a man's
+stature, breast high, and its waters being exceeding clear and
+altogether untroubled with any admixture, it showed its bottom to be
+of a very fine gravel, the grains whereof whoso had nought else to do
+might, an he would, have availed to number; nor, looking into the
+water, was the bottom alone to be seen, nay, but so many fish fleeting
+hither and thither that, over and above the pleasure thereof, it was a
+marvel to behold; nor was it enclosed with other banks than the very
+soil of the meadow, which was the goodlier thereabout in so much as it
+received the more of its moisture. The water that abounded over and
+above the capacity of the lake was received into another channel,
+whereby, issuing forth of the little valley, it ran off into the lower
+parts.
+
+[Footnote 337: _i.e._ the tale-telling.]
+
+[Footnote 338: Lit. the northern chariot (_carro di tramontana_);
+_quaere_ the Great Bear?]
+
+Hither then came the young ladies and after they had gazed all about
+and much commended the place, they took counsel together to bathe, for
+that the heat was great and that they saw the lakelet before them and
+were in no fear of being seen. Accordingly, bidding their serving
+maid abide over against the way whereby one entered there and look if
+any should come and give them notice thereof, they stripped themselves
+naked, all seven, and entered the lake, which hid their white bodies
+no otherwise than as a thin glass would do with a vermeil rose. Then,
+they being therein and no troubling of the water ensuing thereof, they
+fell, as best they might, to faring hither and thither in pursuit of
+the fish, which had uneath where to hide themselves, and seeking to
+take them with the naked hand. After they had abidden awhile in such
+joyous pastime and had taken some of the fish, they came forth of the
+lakelet and clad themselves anew. Then, unable to commend the place
+more than they had already done and themseeming time to turn homeward,
+they set out, with soft step, upon their way, discoursing much of the
+goodliness of the valley.
+
+They reached the palace betimes and there found the young men yet at
+play where they had left them; to whom quoth Pampinea, laughing. "We
+have e'en stolen a march on you to-day." "How?" asked Dioneo. "Do you
+begin to do deeds ere you come to say words?"[339] "Ay, my lord,"
+answered she and related to him at large whence they came and how the
+place was fashioned and how far distant thence and that which they had
+done. The king, hearing tell of the goodliness of the place and
+desirous of seeing it, caused straightway order the supper, which
+being dispatched to the general satisfaction, the three young men,
+leaving the ladies, betook themselves with their servants to the
+valley and having viewed it in every part, for that none of them had
+ever been there before, extolled it for one of the goodliest things in
+the world. Then, for that it grew late, after they had bathed and
+donned their clothes, they returned home, where they found the ladies
+dancing a round, to the accompaniment of a song sung by Fiammetta.
+
+[Footnote 339: Alluding to the subject fixed for the next day's
+discourse, as who should say, "Have you begun already to play tricks
+upon us men in very deed, ere you tell about them in words?"]
+
+The dance ended, they entered with them into a discourse of the
+Ladies' Valley and said much in praise and commendation thereof.
+Moreover, the king, sending for the seneschal, bade him look that the
+dinner be made ready there on the following morning and have sundry
+beds carried thither, in case any should have a mind to lie or sleep
+there for nooning; after which he let bring lights and wine and
+confections and the company having somedele refreshed themselves, he
+commanded that all should address themselves to dancing. Then, Pamfilo
+having, at his commandment, set up a dance, the king turned to Elisa
+and said courteously to her, "Fair damsel, thou has to-day done me the
+honour of the crown and I purpose this evening to do thee that of the
+song; wherefore look thou sing such an one as most liketh thee." Elisa
+answered, smiling, that she would well and with dulcet voice began on
+this wise:
+
+       Love, from thy clutches could I but win free,
+         Hardly, methinks, again
+       Shall any other hook take hold on me.
+       I entered in thy wars a youngling maid,
+         Thinking thy strife was utmost peace and sweet,
+       And all my weapons on the ground I laid,
+         As one secure, undoubting of defeat;
+         But thou, false tyrant, with rapacious heat,
+       Didst fall on me amain
+     With all the grapnels of thine armoury.
+
+       Then, wound about and fettered with thy chains,
+         To him, who for my death in evil hour
+       Was born, thou gav'st me, bounden, full of pains
+         And bitter tears; and syne within his power
+         He hath me and his rule's so harsh and dour
+       No sighs can move the swain
+     Nor all my wasting plaints to set me free.
+
+       My prayers, the wild winds bear them all away;
+         He hearkeneth unto none and none will hear;
+       Wherefore each hour my torment waxeth aye;
+         I cannot die, albeit life irks me drear.
+         Ah, Lord, have pity on my heavy cheer;
+       Do that I seek in vain
+     And give him bounden in thy chains to me.
+
+       An this thou wilt not, at the least undo
+         The bonds erewhen of hope that knitted were;
+       Alack, O Lord, thereof to thee I sue,
+         For, an thou do it, yet to waxen fair
+         Again I trust, as was my use whilere,
+       And being quit of pain
+     Myself with white flowers and with red besee.
+
+Elisa ended her song with a very plaintive sigh, and albeit all
+marvelled at the words thereof, yet was there none who might conceive
+what it was that caused her sing thus. But the king, who was in a
+merry mood, calling for Tindaro, bade him bring out his bagpipes, to
+the sound whereof he let dance many dances; after which, a great part
+of the night being now past, he bade each go sleep.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE SIXTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Seventh_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVENTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN
+     UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF DIONEO IS DISCOURSED OF THE TRICKS
+     WHICH OR FOR LOVE OR FOR THEIR OWN PRESERVATION WOMEN HAVE
+     HERETOFORE PLAYED THEIR HUSBANDS WITH OR WITHOUT THE
+     LATTER'S COGNIZANCE THEREOF
+
+
+Every star was already fled from the parts of the East, save only that
+which we style Lucifer and which shone yet in the whitening dawn, when
+the seneschal, arising, betook himself, with a great baggage-train, to
+the Ladies' Valley, there to order everything, according to
+commandment had of his lord. The king, whom the noise of the packers
+and of the beasts had awakened, tarried not long after his departure
+to rise and being risen, caused arouse all the ladies and likewise the
+young men; nor had the rays of the sun yet well broken forth, when
+they all entered upon the road. Never yet had the nightingales and the
+other birds seemed to them to sing so blithely as they did that
+morning, what while, accompanied by their carols, they repaired to the
+Ladies' Valley, where they were received by many more, which seemed to
+them to make merry for their coming. There, going round about the
+place and reviewing it all anew, it appeared to them so much fairer
+than on the foregoing day as the season of the day was more sorted to
+its goodliness. Then, after they had broken their fast with good wine
+and confections, not to be behindhand with the birds in the matter of
+song, they fell a-singing and the valley with them, still echoing
+those same songs which they did sing, whereto all the birds, as if
+they would not be outdone, added new and dulcet notes. Presently, the
+dinner-hour being come and the tables spread hard by the fair lakelet
+under the thickset laurels and other goodly trees, they seated
+themselves there, as it pleased the king, and eating, watched the fish
+swim in vast shoals about the lake, which gave bytimes occasion for
+talk as well as observation. When they had made an end of dining and
+the meats and tables were removed, they fell anew to singing more
+blithely than ever; after which, beds having been spread in various
+places about the little valley and all enclosed about by the discreet
+seneschal with curtains and canopies of French serge, whoso would
+might with the king's permission, go sleep; whilst those who had no
+mind to sleep might at their will take pleasure of their other wonted
+pastimes. But, after awhile, all being now arisen and the hour come
+when they should assemble together for story-telling, carpets were, at
+the king's commandment, spread upon the grass, not far from the place
+where they had eaten, and all having seated themselves thereon hard by
+the lake, the king bade Emilia begin; whereupon she blithely proceeded
+to speak, smiling, thus:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     GIANNI LOTTERINGHI HEARETH KNOCK AT HIS DOOR BY NIGHT AND
+     AWAKENETH HIS WIFE, WHO GIVETH HIM TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS A
+     PHANTOM; WHEREUPON THEY GO TO EXORCISE IT WITH A CERTAIN
+     ORISON AND THE KNOCKING CEASETH
+
+
+"My Lord, it had been very agreeable to me, were such your pleasure,
+that other than I should have given a beginning to so goodly a matter
+as is that whereof we are to speak; but, since it pleaseth you that I
+give all the other ladies assurance by my example, I will gladly do
+it. Moreover, dearest ladies, I will study to tell a thing that may be
+useful to you in time to come, for that, if you others are as fearful
+as I, and especially of phantoms, (though what manner of thing they
+may be God knoweth I know not, nor ever found I any woman who knew it,
+albeit all are alike adread of them,) you may, by noting well my
+story, learn a holy and goodly orison of great virtue for the
+conjuring them away, should they come to you.
+
+There was once in Florence, in the quarter of San Brancazio, a
+wool-comber called Gianni Lotteringhi, a man more fortunate in his
+craft than wise in other things, for that, savoring of the simpleton,
+he was very often made captain of the Laudsingers[340] of Santa Maria
+Novella and had the governance of their confraternity, and he many a
+time had other little offices of the same kind, upon which he much
+valued himself. This betided him for that, being a man of substance,
+he gave many a good pittance to the clergy, who, getting of him often,
+this a pair of hose, that a gown and another a scapulary, taught him
+in return store of goodly orisons and gave him the paternoster in the
+vulgar tongue, the Song of Saint Alexis, the Lamentations of Saint
+Bernard, the Canticles of Madam Matilda and the like trumpery, all
+which he held very dear and kept very diligently for his soul's
+health. Now he had a very fair and lovesome lady to wife, by name
+Mistress Tessa, who was the daughter of Mannuccio dalla Cuculia and
+was exceeding discreet and well advised. She, knowing her husband's
+simplicity and being enamoured of Federigo di Neri Pegolotti, a brisk
+and handsome youth, and he of her, took order with a serving-maid of
+hers that he should come speak with her at a very goodly country house
+which her husband had at Camerata, where she sojourned all the summer
+and whither Gianni came whiles to sup and sleep, returning in the
+morning to his shop and bytimes to his Laudsingers.
+
+[Footnote 340: See p. 144, note 2.]
+
+Federigo, who desired this beyond measure, taking his opportunity,
+repaired thither on the day appointed him towards vespers and Gianni
+not coming thither that evening, supped and lay the night in all ease
+and delight with the lady, who, being in his arms, taught him that
+night a good half dozen of her husband's lauds. Then, neither she nor
+Federigo purposing that this should be the last, as it had been the
+first time [of their foregathering], they took order together on this
+wise, so it should not be needful to send the maid for him each time,
+to wit, that every day, as he came and went to and from a place he had
+a little farther on, he should keep his eye on a vineyard that
+adjoined the house, where he would see an ass's skull set up on one of
+the vine poles, which whenas he saw with the muzzle turned towards
+Florence, he should without fail and in all assurance betake himself
+to her that evening after dark; and if he found the door shut he
+should knock softly thrice and she would open to him; but that, whenas
+he saw the ass's muzzle turned towards Fiesole, he should not come,
+for that Gianni would be there; and doing on this wise, they
+foregathered many a time.
+
+But once, amongst other times, it chanced that, Federigo being one
+night to sup with Mistress Tessa and she having let cook two fat
+capons, Gianni, who was not expected there that night, came thither
+very late, whereat the lady was much chagrined and having supped with
+her husband on a piece of salt pork, which she had let boil apart,
+caused the maid wrap the two boiled capons in a white napkin and carry
+them, together with good store of new-laid eggs and a flask of good
+wine, into a garden she had, whither she could go, without passing
+through the house, and where she was wont to sup whiles with her
+lover, bidding her lay them at the foot of a peach-tree that grew
+beside a lawn there. But such was her trouble and annoy that she
+remembered not to bid the maid wait till Federigo should come and tell
+him that Gianni was there and that he should take the viands from the
+garden; wherefore, she and Gianni betaking themselves to bed and the
+maid likewise, it was not long before Federigo came to the door and
+knocked softly once. The door was so near to the bedchamber that
+Gianni heard it incontinent, as also did the lady; but she made a show
+of being asleep, so her husband might have no suspicion of her. After
+waiting a little, Federigo knocked a second time, whereupon Gianni,
+marvelling, nudged his wife somewhat and said, 'Tessa, hearest thou
+what I hear? Meseemeth there is a knocking at our door.'
+
+The lady, who had heard it much better than he, made a show of awaking
+and said, 'Eh? How sayst thou?' 'I say,' answered Gianni, 'that
+meseemeth there is a knocking at our door.' 'Knocking!' cried she.
+'Alack, Gianni mine, knowst thou not what it is? It is a phantom, that
+hath these last few nights given me the greatest fright that ever was,
+insomuch that, whenas I hear it, I put my head under the clothes and
+dare not bring it out again until it is broad day.' Quoth Gianni, 'Go
+to, wife; have no fear, if it be so; for I said the _Te Lucis_ and the
+_Intemerata_ and such and such other pious orisons, before we lay
+down, and crossed the bed from side to side, in the name of the
+Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, so that we have no need to fear,
+for that, what power soever it have, it cannot avail to harm us.'
+
+The lady, fearing lest Federigo should perchance suspect otherwhat and
+be angered with her, determined at all hazards to arise and let him
+know that Gianni was there; wherefore quoth she to her husband, 'That
+is all very well; thou sayst thy words, thou; but, for my part, I
+shall never hold myself safe nor secure, except we exorcise it, since
+thou art here.' 'And how is it to be exorcised?' asked he; and she, 'I
+know full well how to exorcise it; for, the other day, when I went to
+the Pardon at Fiesole, a certain anchoress (the very holiest of
+creatures, Gianni mine, God only can say how holy she is,) seeing me
+thus fearful, taught me a pious and effectual orison and told me that
+she had made trial of it several times, ere she became a recluse, and
+that it had always availed her. God knoweth I should never have dared
+go alone to make proof of it; but, now that thou art here, I would
+have us go exorcise the phantom.'
+
+Gianni answered that he would well and accordingly they both arose and
+went softly to the door, without which Federigo, who now began to
+misdoubt him of somewhat, was yet in waiting. When they came thither,
+the lady said to Gianni, 'Do thou spit, whenas I shall bid thee.' And
+he answered, 'Good.' Then she began the conjuration and said,
+'Phantom, phantom that goest by night, with tail upright[341] thou
+cam'st to us; now get thee gone with tail upright. Begone into the
+garden to the foot of the great peach tree; there shalt thou find an
+anointed twice-anointed one[342] and an hundred turds of my sitting
+hen;[343] set thy mouth to the flagon and get thee gone again and do
+thou no hurt to my Gianni nor to me.' Then to her husband, 'Spit,
+Gianni,' quoth she, and he spat. Federigo, who heard all this from
+without and was now quit of jealousy, had, for all his vexation, so
+great a mind to laugh that he was like to burst, and when Gianni spat,
+he said under his breath '[Would it were] thy teeth!'
+
+[Footnote 341: _i.e._ pene arrecto.]
+
+[Footnote 342: _i.e._ a fattened capon well larded.]
+
+[Footnote 343: _i.e._ eggs.]
+
+The lady, having thrice conjured the phantom on this wise, returned to
+bed with her husband, whilst Federigo, who had not supped, looking to
+sup with her, and had right well apprehended the words of the
+conjuration, betook himself to the garden and finding the capons and
+wine and eggs at the foot of the great peach-tree, carried them off to
+his house and there supped at his ease; and after, when he next
+foregathered with the lady, he had a hearty laugh with her anent the
+conjuration aforesaid. Some say indeed that the lady had actually
+turned the ass's skull towards Fiesole, but that a husbandman, passing
+through the vineyard, had given it a blow with a stick and caused it
+spin round and it had become turned towards Florence, wherefore
+Federigo, thinking himself summoned, had come thither, and that the
+lady had made the conjuration on this wise: 'Phantom, phantom, get
+thee gone in God's name; for it was not I turned the ass's head; but
+another it was, God put him to shame! and I am here with my Gianni in
+bed'; whereupon he went away and abode without supper or lodging. But
+a neighbour of mine, a very ancient lady, telleth me that, according
+to that which she heard, when a child, both the one and the other were
+true; but that the latter happened, not to Gianni Lotteringhi, but to
+one Gianni di Nello, who abode at Porta San Piero and was no less
+exquisite a ninny than the other. Wherefore, dear my ladies, it
+abideth at your election to take whether of the two orisons most
+pleaseth you, except you will have both. They have great virtue in
+such cases, as you have had proof in the story you have heard; get
+them, therefore, by heart and they may yet avail you."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     PERONELLA HIDETH A LOVER OF HERS IN A VAT, UPON HER
+     HUSBAND'S UNLOOKED FOR RETURN, AND HEARING FROM THE LATTER
+     THAT HE HATH SOLD THE VAT, AVOUCHETH HERSELF TO HAVE SOLD IT
+     TO ONE WHO IS PRESENTLY THEREWITHIN, TO SEE IF IT BE SOUND;
+     WHEREUPON THE GALLANT, JUMPING OUT OF THE VAT, CAUSETH THE
+     HUSBAND SCRAPE IT OUT FOR HIM AND AFTER CARRY IT HOME TO HIS
+     HOUSE
+
+
+Emilia's story was received with loud laughter and the conjuration
+commended of all as goodly and excellent; and this come to an end, the
+king bade Filostrato follow on, who accordingly began, "Dearest
+ladies, so many are the tricks that men, and particularly husbands,
+play you, that, if some woman chance whiles to put a cheat upon her
+husband, you should not only be blithe that this hath happened and
+take pleasure in coming to know it or hearing it told of any, but
+should yourselves go telling it everywhere, so men may understand
+that, if they are knowing, women, on their part, are no less so! the
+which cannot be other than useful unto you, for that, when one knoweth
+that another is on the alert, he setteth himself not overlightly to
+cozen him. Who, then, can doubt but that which we shall say to-day
+concerning this matter, coming to be known of men, may be exceeding
+effectual in restraining them from cozening you ladies, whenas they
+find that you likewise know how to cozen, an you will? I purpose,
+therefore, to tell you the trick which, on the spur of the moment, a
+young woman, albeit she was of mean condition, played her husband for
+her own preservation.
+
+In Naples no great while agone there was a poor man who took to wife a
+fair and lovesome damsel called Peronella, and albeit he with his
+craft, which was that of a mason, and she by spinning, earned but a
+slender pittance, they ordered their life as best they might. It
+chanced one day that a young gallant of the neighbourhood saw this
+Peronella and she pleasing him mightily, he fell in love with her and
+importuned her one way and another till he became familiar with her
+and they took order with each other on this wise, so they might be
+together; to wit, seeing that her husband arose every morning betimes
+to go to work or to find work, they agreed that the young man should
+be whereas he might see him go out, and that, as soon as he was
+gone,--the street where she abode, which was called Avorio, being very
+solitary,--he should come to her house. On this wise they did many
+times; but one morning, the good man having gone out and Giannello
+Strignario (for so was the lover named) having entered the house and
+being with Peronella, it chanced that, after awhile, the husband
+returned home, whereas it was his wont to be abroad all day, and
+finding the door locked within, knocked and after fell a-saying in
+himself, 'O my God, praised be Thou ever! For, though Thou hast made
+me poor, at least Thou hast comforted me with a good and honest damsel
+to wife. See how she locked the door within as soon as I was gone out,
+so none might enter to do her any annoy.'
+
+Peronella, knowing her husband by his way of knocking, said to her
+lover, 'Alack, Giannello mine, I am a dead woman! For here is my
+husband, whom God confound, come back and I know not what this
+meaneth, for never yet came he back hither at this hour; belike he saw
+thee whenas thou enteredst here. But, for the love of God, however the
+case may be, get thee into yonder vat, whilst I go open to him, and we
+shall see what is the meaning of his returning home so early this
+morning.' Accordingly, Giannello betook himself in all haste into the
+vat, whilst Peronella, going to the door, opened to her husband and
+said to him, with an angry air, 'What is to do now, that thou
+returnest home so soon this morning? Meseemeth thou hast a mind to do
+nought to-day, that I see thee come back, tools in hand; and if thou
+do thus, on what are we to live? Whence shall we get bread? Thinkest
+thou I will suffer thee pawn my gown and my other poor clothes? I, who
+do nothing but spin day and night, till the flesh is come apart from
+my nails, so I may at the least have so much oil as will keep our lamp
+burning! Husband, husband, there is not a neighbour's wife of ours but
+marvelleth thereat and maketh mock of me for the pains I give myself
+and all that I endure; and thou, thou returnest home to me, with thy
+hands a-dangle, whenas thou shouldst be at work.'
+
+So saying, she fell a-weeping and went on to say, 'Alack, woe is me,
+unhappy woman that I am! In what an ill hour was I born, at what an
+ill moment did I come hither! I who might have had a young man of such
+worth and would none of him, so I might come to this fellow here, who
+taketh no thought to her whom he hath brought home! Other women give
+themselves a good time with their lovers, for there is none [I know]
+but hath two and some three, and they enjoy themselves and show their
+husbands the moon for the sun. But I, wretch that I am! because I am
+good and occupy myself not with such toys, I suffer ill and ill hap. I
+know not why I do not take me a lover, as do other women. Understand
+well, husband mine, that had I a mind to do ill, I could soon enough
+find the wherewithal, for there be store of brisk young fellows who
+love me and wish me well and have sent to me, proffering money galore
+or dresses and jewels, at my choice; but my heart would never suffer
+me to do it, for that I was no mother's daughter of that ilk; and here
+thou comest home to me, whenas thou shouldst be at work.'
+
+'Good lack, wife,' answered the husband, 'fret not thyself, for God's
+sake; thou shouldst be assured that I know what manner of woman thou
+art, and indeed this morning I have in part had proof thereof. It is
+true that I went out to go to work; but it seemeth thou knowest not,
+as I myself knew not, that this is the Feast-day of San Galeone and
+there is no work doing; that is why I am come back at this hour; but
+none the less I have provided and found a means how we shall have
+bread for more than a month, for I have sold yonder man thou seest
+here with me the vat which, as thou knowest, hath this long while
+cumbered the house; and he is to give me five lily-florins[344] for
+it.' Quoth Peronella, 'So much the more cause have I to complain;
+thou, who art a man and goest about and should be versed in the things
+of the world, thou hast sold a vat for five florins, whilst I, a poor
+silly woman who hath scarce ever been without the door, seeing the
+hindrance it gave us in the house, have sold it for seven to an honest
+man, who entered it but now, as thou camest back, to see if it were
+sound!' When the husband heard this, he was more than satisfied and
+said to him who had come for the vat, 'Good man, begone in peace; for
+thou hearest that my wife hath sold the vat for seven florins, whereas
+thou wast to give me but five for it.' 'Good,' replied the other and
+went his way; whereupon quoth Peronella to her husband, 'Since thou
+art here, come up and settle with him thyself.' Giannello, who abode
+with his ears pricked up to hear if it behoved him fear or be on his
+guard against aught, hearing his mistress's words, straightway
+scrambled out of the vat and cried out, as if he had heard nothing of
+the husband's return, 'Where art thou, good wife?' whereupon the
+goodman, coming up, answered, 'Here am I; what wouldst thou have?'
+'Who art thou?' asked Giannello. 'I want the woman with whom I made
+the bargain for this vat.' Quoth the other, 'You may deal with me in
+all assurance, for I am her husband.' Then said Giannello, 'The vat
+appeareth to me sound enough; but meseemeth you have kept dregs or the
+like therein, for it is all overcrusted with I know not what that is
+so hard and dry that I cannot remove aught thereof with my nails;
+wherefore I will not take it, except I first see it clean.' 'Nay,'
+answered Peronella, 'the bargain shall not fall through for that; my
+husband will clean it all out.' 'Ay will I,' rejoined the latter, and
+laying down his tools, put off his coat; then, calling for a light and
+a scraper, he entered the vat and fell to scraping. Peronella, as if
+she had a mind to see what he did, thrust her head and one of her
+arms, shoulder and all, in at the mouth of the vat, which was not
+overbig, and fell to saying, 'Scrape here' and 'There' and 'There
+also' and 'See, here is a little left.'
+
+[Footnote 344: So called from the figure of a lily stamped on the
+coin; cf. our rose-nobles.]
+
+Whilst she was thus engaged in directing her husband and showing him
+where to scrape, Giannello, who had scarce yet that morning done his
+full desire, when they were interrupted by the mason's coming, seeing
+that he could not as he would, bethought himself to accomplish it as
+he might; wherefore, boarding her, as she held the mouth of the vat
+all closed up, on such wise as in the ample plains the unbridled
+stallions, afire with love, assail the mares of Parthia, he satisfied
+his juvenile ardour, the which enterprise was brought to perfection
+well nigh at the same moment as the scraping of the vat; whereupon he
+dismounted and Peronella withdrawing her head from the mouth of the
+vat, the husband came forth thereof. Then said she to her gallant,
+'Take this light, good man, and look if it be clean to thy mind.'
+Giannello looked in and said that it was well and that he was
+satisfied and giving the husband seven florins, caused carry the vat
+to his own house."
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     FRA RINALDO LIETH WITH HIS GOSSIP AND BEING FOUND OF HER
+     HUSBAND CLOSETED WITH HER IN HER CHAMBER, THEY GIVE HIM TO
+     BELIEVE THAT HE WAS IN ACT TO CONJURE WORMS FROM HIS GODSON
+
+
+Filostrato had not known to speak so obscurely of the mares of Parthia
+but that the roguish ladies laughed thereat, making believe to laugh
+at otherwhat. But, when the king saw that his story was ended, he bade
+Elisa tell, who accordingly, with obedient readiness, began, "Charming
+ladies, Emilia's conjuration of the phantom hath brought to my memory
+the story of another conjuration, which latter, though it be not so
+goodly as hers, nevertheless, for that none other bearing upon our
+subject occurreth to me at this present, I will proceed to relate.
+
+You must know that there was once in Siena a very agreeable young man
+and of a worshipful family, by name Rinaldo, who was passionately
+enamored of a very beautiful lady, a neighbour of his and the wife of
+a rich man, and flattered himself that, could he but find means to
+speak with her unsuspected, he might avail to have of her all that he
+should desire. Seeing none other way and the lady being great with
+child, he bethought himself to become her gossip and accordingly,
+clapping up an acquaintance with her husband, he offered him, on such
+wise as appeared to him most seemly, to be godfather to his child. His
+offer was accepted and he being now become Madam Agnesa's gossip and
+having a somewhat more colourable excuse for speaking with her, he
+took courage and gave her in so many words to know that of his intent
+which she had indeed long before gathered from his looks; but little
+did this profit him, although the lady was nothing displeased to have
+heard him.
+
+Not long after, whatever might have been the reason, it came to pass
+that Rinaldo turned friar and whether or not he found the pasturage to
+his liking, he persevered in that way of life; and albeit, in the days
+of his becoming a monk, he had for awhile laid on one side the love he
+bore his gossip, together with sundry other vanities of his, yet, in
+process of time, without quitting the monk's habit, he resumed
+them[345] and began to delight in making a show and wearing fine
+stuffs and being dainty and elegant in all his fashions and making
+canzonets and sonnets and ballads and in singing and all manner other
+things of the like sort. But what say I of our Fra Rinaldo, of whom we
+speak? What monks are there that do not thus? Alack, shame that they
+are of the corrupt world, they blush not to appear fat and ruddy in
+the face, dainty in their garb and in all that pertaineth unto them,
+and strut along, not like doves, but like very turkey-cocks, with
+crest erect and breast puffed out; and what is worse (to say nothing
+of having their cells full of gallipots crammed with electuaries and
+unguents, of boxes full of various confections, of phials and flagons
+of distilled waters and oils, of pitchers brimming with Malmsey and
+Cyprus and other wines of price, insomuch that they seem to the
+beholder not friars' cells, but rather apothecaries' or perfumers'
+shops) they think no shame that folk should know them to be gouty,
+conceiving that others see not nor know that strict fasting, coarse
+viands and spare and sober living make men lean and slender and for
+the most part sound of body, and that if indeed some sicken thereof,
+at least they sicken not of the gout, whereto it is used to give, for
+medicine, chastity and everything else that pertaineth to the natural
+way of living of an honest friar. Yet they persuade themselves that
+others know not that,--let alone the scant and sober living,--long
+vigils, praying and discipline should make men pale and mortified and
+that neither St. Dominic nor St. Francis, far from having four gowns
+for one, clad themselves in cloth dyed in grain nor in other fine
+stuffs, but in garments of coarse wool and undyed, to keep out the
+cold and not to make a show. For which things, as well as for the
+souls of the simpletons who nourish them, there is need that God
+provide.
+
+[Footnote 345: _i.e._ the discarded vanities aforesaid.]
+
+Fra Rinaldo, then, having returned to his former appetites, began to
+pay frequent visits to his gossip and waxing in assurance, proceeded
+to solicit her with more than his former instancy to that which he
+desired of her. The good lady, seeing herself hard pressed and Fra
+Rinaldo seeming to her belike goodlier than she had thought him
+aforetime, being one day sore importuned of him, had recourse to that
+argument which all women use who have a mind to yield that which is
+asked of them and said, 'How now, Fra Rinaldo? Do monks such things?'
+'Madam,' answered he, 'when as I shall have this gown off my
+back,--and I can put it off mighty easily,--I shall appear to you a
+man fashioned like other men and not a monk.' The lady pulled a demure
+face and said, 'Alack, wretched me! You are my gossip; how can I do
+this? It were sadly ill, and I have heard many a time that it is a
+very great sin; but, certes, were it not for this, I would do that
+which you wish.' Quoth Fra Rinaldo, 'You are a simpleton, if you
+forbear for this; I do not say that it is not a sin, but God pardoneth
+greater than this to whoso repenteth. But tell me, who is more akin to
+your child, I who held him at baptism or your husband who begat him?'
+'My husband is more akin to him,' answered the lady; whereupon, 'You
+say sooth,' rejoined the friar. 'And doth not your husband lie with
+you?' 'Ay doth he,' replied she. 'Then,' said Fra Rinaldo, 'I, who am
+less akin to your child than is your husband, may lie with you even
+as doth he.' The lady, who knew no logic and needed little persuasion,
+either believed or made a show of believing that the friar spoke the
+truth and answered, 'Who might avail to answer your learned words?'
+And after, notwithstanding the gossipship, she resigned herself to do
+his pleasure; nor did they content themselves with one bout, but
+foregathered many and many a time, having the more commodity thereof
+under cover of the gossipship, for that there was less suspicion.
+
+But once, amongst other times, it befell that Fra Rinaldo, coming to
+the lady's house and finding none with her but a little maid of hers,
+who was very pretty and agreeable, despatched his comrade with the
+latter to the pigeon-loft, to teach her her Paternoster, and entered
+with the lady, who had her child in her hand, into her bedchamber,
+where they locked themselves in and fell to taking their pleasure upon
+a daybed that was there. As they were thus engaged, it chanced that
+the husband came home and making for the bedchamber-door, unperceived
+of any, knocked and called to the lady, who, hearing this, said to the
+friar, 'I am a dead woman, for here is my husband, and now he will
+certainly perceive what is the reason of our familiarity.' Now Rinaldo
+was stripped to his waistcoat, to wit, he had put off his gown and his
+scapulary, and hearing this, answered, 'You say sooth; were I but
+dressed, there might be some means; but, if you open to him and he
+find me thus, there can be no excuse for us.' The lady, seized with a
+sudden idea, said, 'Harkye, dress yourself and when you are dressed,
+take your godchild in your arms and hearken well to that which I shall
+say to him, so your words may after accord with mine, and leave me
+do.' Then, to the good man, who had not yet left knocking, 'I come to
+thee,' quoth she and rising, opened the chamber-door and said, with a
+good countenance, 'Husband mine, I must tell thee that Fra Rinaldo,
+our gossip, is come hither and it was God sent him to us; for, certes,
+but for his coming, we should to-day have lost our child.'
+
+The good simple man, hearing this, was like to swoon and said, 'How
+so?' 'O husband mine,' answered Agnesa, 'there took him but now of a
+sudden a fainting-fit, that methought he was dead, and I knew not what
+to do or say; but just then Fra Rinaldo our gossip came in and taking
+him in his arms, said, "Gossip, these be worms he hath in his body,
+the which draw near to his heart and would infallibly kill him; but
+have no fear, for I will conjure them and make them all die; and ere I
+go hence, you shall see the child whole again as ever you saw him."
+And for that we had need of thee to repeat certain orisons and that
+the maid could not find thee, he caused his comrade say them in the
+highest room of our house, whilst he and I came hither and locked
+ourselves in, so none should hinder us, for that none other than the
+child's mother might be present at such an office. Indeed, he hath the
+child yet in his arms and methinketh he waiteth but for his comrade to
+have made an end of saying the orisons and it will be done, for that
+the boy is already altogether restored to himself.' The good simple
+man, believing all this, was so straitened with concern for his child
+that it never entered his mind to suspect the cheat put upon him by
+his wife; but, heaving a great sigh, he said, 'I will go see him.'
+'Nay,' answered she, 'thou wouldst mar that which hath been done.
+Wait; I will go see an thou mayst come in and call thee.'
+
+Meanwhile, Fra Rinaldo, who had heard everything and had dressed
+himself at his leisure, took the child in his arms and called out, as
+soon as he had ordered matters to his mind, saying, 'Harkye, gossip,
+hear I not my gossip your husband there?' 'Ay, sir,' answered the
+simpleton; whereupon, 'Then,' said the other, 'come hither.' The
+cuckold went to him and Fra Rinaldo said to him, 'Take your son by the
+grace of God whole and well, whereas I deemed but now you would not
+see him alive at vespers; and look you let make a waxen image of his
+bigness and set it up, to the praise and glory of God, before the
+statue of our lord St. Ambrose, through whose intercession He hath
+vouchsafed to restore him unto you.' The child, seeing his father, ran
+to him and caressed him, as little children used to do, whilst the
+latter, taking him, weeping, in his arms, no otherwise than as he had
+brought him forth of the grave, fell to kissing him and returning
+thanks to his gossip for that he had made him whole.
+
+Meanwhile, Fra Rinaldo's comrade, who had by this taught the
+serving-wench not one, but maybe more than four paternosters, and had
+given her a little purse of white thread, which he had from a nun, and
+made her his devotee, hearing the cuckold call at his wife's
+chamber-door, had softly betaken himself to a place whence he could,
+himself unseen, both see and hear what should betide and presently,
+seeing that all had passed off well, came down and entering the
+chamber, said, 'Fra Rinaldo, I have despatched all four of the orisons
+which you bade me say.' 'Brother mine,' answered the friar, 'thou hast
+a good wind and hast done well; I, for my part, had said but two
+thereof, when my gossip came; but God the Lord, what with thy pains
+and mine, hath shown us such favour that the child is healed.'
+Therewithal the cuckold let bring good wines and confections and
+entertained his gossip and the latter's comrade with that whereof they
+had more need than of aught else. Then, attending them to the door, he
+commended them to God and letting make the waxen image without delay,
+he sent to hang it up with the others[346] before the statue of St.
+Ambrose, but not that of Milan."[347]
+
+[Footnote 346: _i.e._ the other ex votos.]
+
+[Footnote 347: There is apparently some satirical allusion here, which
+I cannot undertake to explain.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     TOFANO ONE NIGHT SHUTTETH HIS WIFE OUT OF DOORS, WHO,
+     AVAILING NOT TO RE-ENTER BY DINT OF ENTREATIES, FEIGNETH TO
+     CAST HERSELF INTO A WELL AND CASTETH THEREIN A GREAT STONE.
+     TOFANO COMETH FORTH OF THE HOUSE AND RUNNETH THITHER,
+     WHEREUPON SHE SLIPPETH IN AND LOCKING HIM OUT, BAWLETH
+     REPROACHES AT HIM FROM THE WINDOW
+
+
+The king no sooner perceived Elisa's story to be ended than, turning
+without delay to Lauretta, he signified to her his pleasure that she
+should tell; whereupon she, without hesitation, began thus, "O Love,
+how great and how various is thy might! How many thy resources and thy
+devices! What philosopher, what craftsman[348] could ever have availed
+or might avail to teach those shifts, those feints, those subterfuges
+which thou on the spur of the moment suggestest to whoso ensueth in
+thy traces! Certes, all others' teaching is halting compared with
+thine, as may very well have been apprehended by the devices which
+have already been set forth and to which, lovesome ladies, I will add
+one practised by a woman of a simple wit enough and such as I know
+none but Love could have taught her.
+
+[Footnote 348: Syn. professor of the liberal arts (_artista_).]
+
+There was once, then, in Arezzo, a rich man called Tofano and he was
+given to wife a very fair lady, by name Madam Ghita, of whom, without
+knowing why, he quickly waxed jealous. The lady, becoming aware of
+this, was despited thereat and questioned him once and again of the
+reason of his jealousy; but he was able to assign her none, save such
+as were general and naught; wherefore it occurred to her mind to cause
+him die of the disease whereof he stood without reason in fear.
+Accordingly, perceiving that a young man, who was much to her taste,
+sighed for her, she proceeded discreetly to come to an understanding
+with him and things being so far advanced between them that there
+lacked but with deeds to give effect to words, she cast about for a
+means of bringing this also to pass; wherefore, having already
+remarked, amongst her husband's other ill usances, that he delighted
+in drinking, she began not only to commend this to him, but would
+often artfully incite him thereto. This became so much his wont that,
+well nigh whensoever it pleased her, she led him to drink even to
+intoxication, and putting him to bed whenas she saw him well drunken,
+she a first time foregathered with her lover, with whom many a time
+thereafter she continued to do so in all security. Indeed, she grew to
+put such trust in her husband's drunkenness that not only did she make
+bold to bring her gallant into the house, but went whiles to pass a
+great part of the night with him in his own house, which was not very
+far distant.
+
+The enamoured lady continuing on this wise, it befell that the
+wretched husband came to perceive that she, whilst encouraging him to
+drink, natheless herself drank never; wherefore suspicion took him
+that it might be as in truth it was, to wit, that she made him
+drunken, so she might after do her pleasure what while he slept, and
+wishing to make proof of this, an it were so, he one evening, not
+having drunken that day, feigned himself, both in words and fashions,
+the drunkenest man that was aye. The lady, believing this and judging
+that he needed no more drink, put him to bed in all haste and this
+done, betook herself, as she was used to do whiles, to the house of
+her lover, where she abode till midnight. As for Tofano, no sooner did
+he know the lady to have left the house than he straightway arose and
+going to the doors, locked them from within; after which he posted
+himself at the window, so he might see her return and show her that he
+had gotten wind of her fashions; and there he abode till such time as
+she came back. The lady, returning home and finding herself locked
+out, was beyond measure woeful and began to essay an she might avail
+to open the door by force, which, after Tofano had awhile suffered,
+'Wife,' quoth he, 'thou weariest thyself in vain, for thou canst
+nowise come in here again. Go, get thee back whereas thou hast been
+till now and be assured that thou shalt never return thither till such
+time as I shall have done thee, in respect of this affair, such honour
+as beseemeth thee in the presence of thy kinsfolk and of the
+neighbours.'
+
+The lady fell to beseeching him for the love of God that it would
+please him open to her, for that she came not whence he supposed, but
+from keeping vigil with a she-neighbour of hers, for that the nights
+were long and she could not sleep them all out nor watch at home
+alone. However, prayers profited her nought, for that her brute of a
+husband was minded to have all the Aretines[349] know their shame,
+whereas none as yet knew it; wherefore, seeing that prayers availed
+her not, she had recourse to threats and said, 'An thou open not to
+me, I will make thee the woefullest man alive.' 'And what canst thou
+do to me?' asked Tofano, and Mistress Tessa, whose wits Love had
+already whetted with his counsels, replied, 'Rather than brook the
+shame which thou wouldst wrongfully cause me suffer, I will cast
+myself into this well that is herenigh, where when I am found dead,
+there is none will believe otherwise than that thou, for very
+drunkenness, hast cast me therein; wherefore it will behove thee flee
+and lose all thou hast and abide in banishment or have thy head cut
+off for my murderer, as thou wilt in truth have been.'
+
+[Footnote 349: _i.e._ inhabitants of Arezzo.]
+
+Tofano was nowise moved by these words from his besotted intent;
+wherefore quoth she to him, 'Harkye now, I can no longer brook this
+thy fashery, God pardon it thee! Look thou cause lay up[350] this
+distaff of mine that I leave here.' So saying, the night being so dark
+that one might scarce see other by the way, she went up to the well
+and taking a great stone that lay thereby, cried out, 'God pardon me!'
+and let it drop into the water. The stone, striking the water, made a
+very great noise, which when Tofano heard, he verily believed that she
+had cast herself in; wherefore, snatching up the bucket and the rope,
+he rushed out of the house and ran to the well to succour her. The
+lady, who had hidden herself near the door, no sooner saw him run to
+the well than she slipped into the house and locked herself in; then,
+getting her to the window, 'You should water your wine, whenas you
+drink it,' quoth she, 'and not after and by night.' Tofano, hearing
+this, knew himself to have been fooled and returned to the door, but
+could get no admission and proceeded to bid her open to him; but she
+left speaking softly, as she had done till then, and began, well nigh
+at a scream, to say, 'By Christ His Cross, tiresome sot that thou art,
+thou shalt not enter here to-night; I cannot brook these thy fashions
+any longer; needs must I let every one see what manner of man thou art
+and at what hour thou comest home anights.' Tofano, on his side,
+flying into a rage, began to rail at her and bawl; whereupon the
+neighbours, hearing the clamour, arose, both men and women, and coming
+to the windows, asked what was to do. The lady answered, weeping, 'It
+is this wretch of a man, who still returneth to me of an evening,
+drunken, or falleth asleep about the taverns and after cometh home at
+this hour; the which I have long suffered, but, it availing me not and
+I being unable to put up with it longer, I have bethought me to shame
+him therefor by locking him out of doors, to see and he will mend
+himself thereof.'
+
+[Footnote 350: _Riporre_, possibly a mistake for _riportare_, to fetch
+back.]
+
+Tofano, on the other hand, told them, like an ass as he was, how the
+case stood and threatened her sore; but she said to the neighbours,
+'Look you now what a man he is! What would you say, were I in the
+street, as he is, and he in the house, as am I? By God His faith, I
+doubt me you would believe he said sooth. By this you may judge of his
+wits; he saith I have done just what methinketh he hath himself done.
+He thought to fear me by casting I know not what into the well; but
+would God he had cast himself there in good sooth and drowned himself,
+so he might have well watered the wine which he hath drunken to
+excess.' The neighbours, both men and women, all fell to blaming
+Tofano, holding him at fault, and chid him for that which he said
+against the lady; and in a short time the report was so noised abroad
+from neighbour to neighbour that it reached the ears of the lady's
+kinsfolk, who came thither and hearing the thing from one and another
+of the neighbours, took Tofano and gave him such a drubbing that they
+broke every bone in his body. Then, entering the house, they took the
+lady's gear and carried her off home with them, threatening Tofano
+with worse. The latter, finding himself in ill case and seeing that
+his jealousy had brought him to a sorry pass, for that he still loved
+his wife heartily,[351] procured certain friends to intercede for him
+and so wrought that he made his peace with the lady and had her home
+again with him, promising her that he would never be jealous again.
+Moreover, he gave her leave to do her every pleasure, provided she
+wrought so discreetly that he should know nothing thereof; and on this
+wise, like a crack-brained churl as he was, he made peace after
+suffering damage. So long live Love and death to war and all its
+company!"
+
+[Footnote 351: Lit. wished her all his weal.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     A JEALOUS HUSBAND, IN THE GUISE OF A PRIEST, CONFESSETH HIS
+     WIFE, WHO GIVETH HIM TO BELIEVE THAT SHE LOVETH A PRIEST,
+     WHO COMETH TO HER EVERY NIGHT; AND WHILST THE HUSBAND
+     SECRETLY KEEPETH WATCH AT THE DOOR FOR THE LATTER, THE LADY
+     BRINGETH IN A LOVER OF HERS BY THE ROOF AND LIETH WITH HIM
+
+
+Lauretta having made an end of her story and all having commended the
+lady for that she had done aright and even as befitted her wretch of a
+husband, the king, to lose no time, turned to Fiammetta and
+courteously imposed on her the burden of the story-telling; whereupon
+she began thus, "Most noble ladies, the foregoing story moveth me to
+tell you, on like wise, of a jealous husband, accounting, as I do, all
+that their wives do unto such,--particularly whenas they are jealous
+without cause,--to be well done and holding that, if the makers of the
+laws had considered everything, they should have appointed none other
+penalty unto women who offend in this than that which they appoint
+unto whoso offendeth against other in self-defence; for that jealous
+men are plotters against the lives of young women and most diligent
+procurers of their deaths. Wives abide all the week mewed up at home,
+occupying themselves with domestic offices and the occasions of their
+families and households, and after they would fain, like every one
+else, have some solace and some rest on holidays and be at leisure to
+take some diversion even as do the tillers of the fields, the artisans
+of the towns and the administrators of the laws, according to the
+example of God himself, who rested from all His labours the seventh
+day, and to the intent of the laws, both human and Divine, which,
+looking to the honour of God and the common weal of all, have
+distinguished working days from those of repose. But to this jealous
+men will on no wise consent; nay, those days which are gladsome for
+all other women they make wretcheder and more doleful than the others
+to their wives, keeping them yet closelier straitened and confined;
+and what a misery and a languishment this is for the poor creatures
+those only know who have proved it. Wherefore, to conclude, I say that
+what a woman doth to a husband who is jealous without cause should
+certes not be condemned, but rather commended.
+
+There was, then, in Arimino a merchant, very rich both in lands and
+monies, who, having to wife a very fair lady, became beyond measure
+jealous of her; nor had he other cause for this save that, as he loved
+her exceedingly and held her very fair and saw that she studied with
+all her might to please him, even so he imagined that every man loved
+her and that she appeared fair to all and eke that she studied to
+please others as she did himself, which was the reasoning of a man of
+nought and one of little sense. Being grown thus jealous, he kept such
+strict watch over her and held her in such constraint that belike many
+there be of those who are condemned to capital punishment who are less
+straitly guarded of their gaolers; for, far from being at liberty to
+go to weddings or entertainments or to church or indeed anywise to set
+foot without the house, she dared not even stand at the window nor
+look abroad on any occasion; wherefore her life was most wretched and
+she brooked this annoy with the more impatience as she felt herself
+the less to blame. Accordingly, seeing herself unjustly suspected of
+her husband, she determined, for her own solacement, to find a means
+(an she but might) of doing on such wise that he should have reason
+for his ill usage of her. And for that she might not station herself
+at the window and so had no opportunity of showing herself favourable
+to the suit of any one who might take note of her, as he passed along
+her street, and pay his court to her,--knowing that in the adjoining
+house there was a certain young man both handsome and agreeable,--she
+bethought herself to look if there were any hole in the wall that
+parted the two houses and therethrough to spy once and again till such
+time as she should see the youth aforesaid and find an occasion of
+speaking with him and bestowing on him her love, so he would accept
+thereof, purposing, if a means could be found, to foregather with him
+bytimes and on this wise while away her sorry life till such time as
+the demon [of jealousy] should take leave of her husband.
+
+Accordingly, she went spying about the walls of the house, now in one
+part and now in another, whenas her husband was abroad, and happened
+at last upon a very privy place where the wall was somewhat opened by
+a fissure and looking therethrough, albeit she could ill discover what
+was on the other side, algates she perceived that the opening gave
+upon a bedchamber there and said in herself, 'Should this be the
+chamber of Filippo,' to wit, the youth her neighbour, 'I were half
+sped.' Then, causing secretly enquire of this by a maid of hers, who
+had pity upon her, she found that the young man did indeed sleep in
+that chamber all alone; wherefore, by dint of often visiting the
+crevice and dropping pebbles and such small matters, whenas she
+perceived him to be there, she wrought on such wise that he came to
+the opening, to see what was to do; whereupon she called to him
+softly. He, knowing her voice, answered her, and she, profiting by the
+occasion, discovered to him in brief all her mind; whereat the youth
+was mightily content and made shift to enlarge the hole from his side
+on such wise that none could perceive it; and therethrough they many a
+time bespoke one another and touched hands, but could go no farther,
+for the jealous vigilance of the husband.
+
+After awhile, the Feast of the Nativity drawing near, the lady told
+her husband that, an it pleased him, she would fain go to church on
+Christmas morning and confess and take the sacrament, as other
+Christians did. Quoth he, 'And what sin hast thou committed that thou
+wouldst confess?' 'How?' answered the lady. 'Thinkest thou that I am a
+saint, because thou keepest me mewed up? Thou must know well enough
+that I commit sins like all others that live in this world; but I will
+not tell them to thee, for that thou art not a priest.' The jealous
+wretch took suspicion at these words and determined to seek to know
+what sins she had committed; wherefore, having bethought himself of a
+means whereby he might gain his end, he answered that he was content,
+but that he would have her go to no other church than their parish
+chapel and that thither she must go betimes in the morning and confess
+herself either to their chaplain or to such priest as the latter
+should appoint her and to none other and presently return home.
+Herseemed she half apprehended his meaning; but without saying
+otherwhat, she answered that she would do as he said.
+
+Accordingly, Christmas Day come, the lady arose at daybreak and
+attiring herself, repaired to the church appointed her of her husband,
+who, on his part, betook himself to the same place and reached it
+before her. Having already taken order with the chaplain of that which
+he had a mind to do, he hastily donned one of the latter's gowns, with
+a great flapped cowl, such as we see priests wear, and drawing the
+hood a little over his face, seated himself in the choir. The lady,
+entering the chapel, enquired for the chaplain, who came and hearing
+from her that she would fain confess, said that he could not hear her,
+but would send her one of his brethren. Accordingly, going away, he
+sent her the jealous man, in an ill hour for the latter, who came up
+with a very grave air, and albeit the day was not over bright and he
+had drawn the cowl far over his eyes, knew not so well to disguise
+himself but he was readily recognized by the lady, who, seeing this,
+said in herself, 'Praised be God! From a jealous man he is turned
+priest; but no matter; I will e'en give him what he goeth seeking.'
+
+Accordingly, feigning not to know him, she seated herself at his feet.
+My lord Jealousy had put some pebbles in his mouth, to impede his
+speech somewhat, so his wife might not know him by his voice,
+himseeming he was in every other particular so thoroughly disguised
+that he was nowise fearful of being recognized by her. To come to the
+confession, the lady told him, amongst other things, (having first
+declared herself to be married,) that she was enamoured of a priest,
+who came every night to lie with her. When the jealous man heard this,
+himseemed he had gotten a knife-thrust in the heart, and had not
+desire constrained him to know more, he had abandoned the confession
+and gone away. Standing fast, then, he asked the lady, 'How! Doth not
+your husband lie with you?' 'Ay doth he, sir,' replied she. 'How,
+then,' asked the jealous man, 'can the priest also lie with you?'
+'Sir,' answered she, 'by what art he doth it I know not, but there is
+not a door in the house so fast locked but it openeth so soon as he
+toucheth it; and he telleth me that, whenas he cometh to the door of
+my chamber, before opening it, he pronounceth certain words, by virtue
+whereof my husband incontinent falleth asleep, and so soon as he
+perceiveth him to be fast, he openeth the door and cometh in and lieth
+with me; and this never faileth.' Quoth the mock priest, 'Madam, this
+is ill done, and it behoveth you altogether to refrain therefrom.'
+'Sir,' answered the lady, 'methinketh I could never do that, for that
+I love him too well.' 'Then,' said the other, 'I cannot shrive you.'
+Quoth she, 'I am grieved for that; but I came not hither to tell you
+lies; an I thought I could do it, I would tell you so.' 'In truth,
+madam,' replied the husband, 'I am concerned for you, for that I see
+you lose your soul at this game; but, to do you service, I will well
+to take the pains of putting up my special orisons to God in your
+name, the which maybe shall profit you, and I will send you bytimes a
+little clerk of mine, to whom you shall say if they have profited you
+or not; and if they have profited you, we will proceed farther.'
+'Sir,' answered the lady, 'whatever you do, send none to me at home,
+for, should my husband come to know of it, he is so terribly jealous
+that nothing in the world would get it out of his head that your
+messenger came hither for nought[352] but ill, and I should have no
+peace with him this year to come.' Quoth the other, 'Madam, have no
+fear of that, for I will certainly contrive it on such wise that you
+shall never hear a word of the matter from him.' Then said she, 'So
+but you can engage to do that, I am content.' Then, having made her
+confession and gotten her penance, she rose to her feet and went off
+to hear mass; whilst the jealous man, (ill luck go with him!)
+withdrew, bursting with rage, to put off his priest's habit, and
+returned home, impatient to find a means of surprising the priest with
+his wife, so he might play the one and the other an ill turn.
+
+[Footnote 352: Boccaccio writes carelessly "for _aught_" (_altro_),
+which makes nonsense of the passage.]
+
+Presently the lady came back from church and saw plainly enough from
+her husband's looks that she had given him an ill Christmas; albeit he
+studied, as most he might, to conceal that which he had done and what
+himseemed he had learned. Then, being inwardly resolved to lie in wait
+near the street-door that night and watch for the priest's coming, he
+said to the lady, 'Needs must I sup and lie abroad to-night, wherefore
+look thou lock the street-door fast, as well as that of the midstair
+and that of thy chamber, and get thee to bed, whenas it seemeth good
+to thee.' The lady answered, 'It is well,' and betaking herself, as
+soon as she had leisure, to the hole in the wall, she made the wonted
+signal, which when Filippo heard, he came to her forthright. She told
+him how she had done that morning and what her husband had said to her
+after dinner and added, 'I am certain he will not leave the house, but
+will set himself to watch the door; wherefore do thou find means to
+come hither to me to-night by the roof, so we may lie together.' The
+young man was mightily rejoiced at this and answered, 'Madam, leave me
+do.'
+
+Accordingly, the night come, the jealous man took his arms and hid
+himself by stealth in a room on the ground floor, whilst the lady,
+whenas it seemed to her time,--having caused lock all the doors and in
+particular that of the midstair, so he might not avail to come
+up,--summoned the young man, who came to her from his side by a very
+privy way. Thereupon they went to bed and gave themselves a good time,
+taking their pleasure one of the other till daybreak, when the young
+man returned to his own house. Meanwhile, the jealous man stood to his
+arms well nigh all night beside the street-door, sorry and supperless
+and dying of cold, and waited for the priest to come till near upon
+day, when, unable to watch any longer, he returned to the ground floor
+room and there fell asleep. Towards tierce he awoke and the street
+door being now open, he made a show of returning from otherwhere and
+went up into his house and dined. A little after, he sent a lad, as he
+were the priest's clerkling that had confessed her, to the lady to ask
+if she wot of were come thither again. She knew the messenger well
+enough and answered that he had not come thither that night and that
+if he did thus, he might haply pass out of her mind, albeit she wished
+it not. What more should I tell you? The jealous man abode on the
+watch night after night, looking to catch the priest at his entering
+in, and the lady still had a merry life with her lover the while.
+
+At length the cuckold, able to contain himself no longer, asked his
+wife, with an angry air, what she had said to the priest the morning
+she had confessed herself to him. She answered that she would not tell
+him, for that it was neither a just thing nor a seemly; whereupon,
+'Vile woman that thou art!' cried he. 'In despite of thee I know what
+thou saidst to him, and needs must I know the priest of whom thou art
+so mightily enamoured and who, by means of his conjurations, lieth
+with thee every night; else will I slit thy weasand.' She replied that
+it was not true that she was enamoured of any priest. 'How?' cried the
+husband, 'Saidst thou not thus and thus to the priest who confessed
+thee?' And she, 'Thou couldst not have reported it better, not to say
+if he had told it thee, but if thou hadst been present; ay, I did tell
+him this.' 'Then,' rejoined the jealous man, 'tell me who is this
+priest, and that quickly.'
+
+The lady fell a-smiling and answered, 'It rejoiceth me mightily to see
+a wise man led by the nose by a woman, even as one leadeth a ram by
+the horns to the shambles, albeit thou art no longer wise nor hast
+been since the hour when, unknowing why, thou sufferedst the malignant
+spirit of jealousy to enter thy breast; and the sillier and more
+besotted thou art, so much the less is my glory thereof. Deemest thou,
+husband mine, I am as blind of the eyes of the body as thou of those
+of the mind? Certes, no; I perceived at first sight who was the priest
+that confessed me and know that thou wast he; but I had it at heart to
+give thee that which thou wentest seeking, and in sooth I have done
+it. Wert thou as wise as thou thinkest to be, thou wouldst not have
+essayed by this means to learn the secrets of thy good wife, but
+wouldst, without taking vain suspicion, have recognized that which she
+confessed to thee to be the very truth, without her having sinned in
+aught. I told thee that I loved a priest, and wast not thou, whom I am
+much to blame to love as I do, become a priest? I told thee that no
+door of my house could abide locked, whenas he had a mind to lie with
+me; and what door in the house was ever kept against thee, whenas thou
+wouldst come whereas I might be? I told thee that the priest lay with
+me every night, and when was it that thou layest not with me? And
+whenassoever thou sentest thy clerk to me, which was thou knowest, as
+often as thou layest from me, I sent thee word that the priest had not
+been with me. What other than a crack-brain like thee, who has
+suffered thyself to be blinded by thy jealousy, had failed to
+understand these things? Thou hast abidden in the house, keeping
+watch anights, and thoughtest to have given me to believe that thou
+wast gone abroad to sup and sleep. Bethink thee henceforth and become
+a man again, as thou wast wont to be; and make not thyself a laughing
+stock to whoso knoweth thy fashions, as do I, and leave this
+unconscionable watching that thou keepest; for I swear to God that, an
+the fancy took me to make thee wear the horns, I would engage, haddest
+thou an hundred eyes, as thou hast but two, to do my pleasure on such
+wise that thou shouldst not be ware thereof.'
+
+The jealous wretch, who thought to have very adroitly surprised his
+wife's secrets, hearing this, avouched himself befooled and without
+answering otherwhat, held the lady for virtuous and discreet; and
+whenas it behoved him to be jealous, he altogether divested himself of
+his jealousy, even as he had put it on, what time he had no need
+thereof. Wherefore the discreet lady, being in a manner licensed to do
+her pleasures, thenceforward no longer caused her lover to come to her
+by the roof, as go the cats, but e'en brought him in at the door, and
+dealing advisedly, many a day thereafter gave herself a good time and
+led a merry life with him."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     MADAM ISABELLA, BEING IN COMPANY WITH LEONETTO HER LOVER, IS
+     VISITED BY ONE MESSER LAMBERTUCCIO, OF WHOM SHE IS BELOVED;
+     HER HUSBAND RETURNING, [UNEXPECTED,] SHE SENDETH
+     LAMBERTUCCIO FORTH OF THE HOUSE, WHINGER IN HAND, AND THE
+     HUSBAND AFTER ESCORTETH LEONETTO HOME
+
+
+The company were wonder-well pleased with Fiammetta's story, all
+affirming that the lady had done excellently well and as it behoved
+unto such a brute of a man, and after it was ended, the king bade
+Pampinea follow on, who proceeded to say, "There are many who,
+speaking ignorantly, avouch that love bereaveth folk of their senses
+and causeth whoso loveth to become witless. Meseemeth this is a
+foolish opinion, as hath indeed been well enough shown by the things
+already related, and I purpose yet again to demonstrate it.
+
+In our city, which aboundeth in all good things, there was once a
+young lady both gently born and very fair, who was the wife of a very
+worthy and notable gentleman; and as it happeneth often that folk
+cannot for ever brook one same food, but desire bytimes to vary their
+diet, this lady, her husband not altogether satisfying her, became
+enamoured of a young man called Leonetto and very well bred and
+agreeable, for all he was of no great extraction. He on like wise fell
+in love with her, and as you know that seldom doth that which both
+parties desire abide without effect, it was no great while before
+accomplishment was given to their loves. Now it chanced that, she
+being a fair and engaging lady, a gentleman called Messer
+Lambertuccio became sore enamoured of her, whom, for that he seemed
+to her a disagreeable man and a tiresome, she could not for aught in
+the world bring herself to love. However, after soliciting her amain
+with messages and it availing him nought, he sent to her threatening
+her, for that he was a notable man, to dishonour her, an she did not
+his pleasure; wherefore she, fearful and knowing his character,
+submitted herself to do his will.
+
+It chanced one day that the lady, whose name was Madam Isabella, being
+gone, as is our custom in summer-time, to abide at a very goodly
+estate she had in the country and her husband having ridden
+somewhither to pass some days abroad, she sent for Leonetto to come
+and be with her, whereat he was mightily rejoiced and betook himself
+thither incontinent. Meanwhile Messer Lambertuccio, hearing that her
+husband was gone abroad, took horse and repairing, all alone, to her
+house, knocked at the door. The lady's waiting-woman, seeing him, came
+straight to her mistress, who was closeted with Leonetto, and called
+to her, saying, 'Madam, Messer Lambertuccio is below, all alone.' The
+lady, hearing this, was the woefullest woman in the world, but, as she
+stood in great fear of Messer Lambertuccio, she besought Leonetto not
+to take it ill to hide himself awhile behind the curtains of her bed
+till such time as the other should be gone. Accordingly, Leonetto, who
+feared him no less than did the lady, hid himself there and she bade
+the maid go open to Messer Lambertuccio, which being done, he lighted
+down in the courtyard and making his palfrey fast to a staple there,
+went up into the house. The lady put on a cheerful countenance and
+coming to the head of the stair, received him with as good a grace as
+she might and asked him what brought him thither; whereupon he caught
+her in his arms and clipped her and kissed her, saying, 'My soul, I
+understood that your husband was abroad and am come accordingly to be
+with you awhile.' After these words, they entered a bedchamber, where
+they locked themselves in, and Messer Lambertuccio fell to taking
+delight of her.
+
+As they were thus engaged, it befell, altogether out of the lady's
+expectation, that her husband returned, whom when the maid saw near
+the house, she ran in haste to the lady's chamber and said, 'Madam,
+here is my lord come back; methinketh he is already below in the
+courtyard.' When the lady heard this, bethinking her that she had two
+men in the house and knowing that there was no hiding Messer
+Lambertuccio, by reason of his palfrey which was in the courtyard, she
+gave herself up for lost. Nevertheless, taking a sudden resolution,
+she sprang hastily down from the bed and said to Messer Lambertuccio,
+'Sir, an you wish me anywise well and would save me from death, do
+that which I shall bid you. Take your hanger naked in your hand and go
+down the stair with an angry air and all disordered and begone,
+saying, "I vow to God that I will take him elsewhere." And should my
+husband offer to detain you or question you of aught, do you say no
+otherwhat than that which I have told you, but take horse and look you
+abide not with him on any account.' The gentleman answered that he
+would well, and accordingly, drawing his hanger, he did as she had
+enjoined him, with a face all afire what with the swink he had
+furnished and with anger at the husband's return. The latter was by
+this dismounted in the courtyard and marvelled to see the palfrey
+there; then, offering to go up into the house, he saw Messer
+Lambertuccio come down and wondering both at his words and his air,
+said, 'What is this, sir?' Messer Lambertuccio putting his foot in the
+stirrup and mounting to horse, said nought but, 'Cock's body, I shall
+find him again otherwhere,' and made off.
+
+The gentleman, going up, found his wife at the stairhead, all
+disordered and fearful, and said to her, 'What is all this? Whom goeth
+Messer Lambertuccio threatening thus in such a fury?' The lady,
+withdrawing towards the chamber where Leonetto was, so he might hear
+her, answered, 'Sir, never had I the like of this fright. There came
+fleeing hither but now a young man, whom I know not, followed by
+Messer Lambertuccio, hanger in hand, and finding by chance the door of
+this chamber open, said to me, all trembling, "For God's sake, madam,
+help me, that I be not slain in your arms." I rose to my feet and was
+about to question him who he was and what ailed him, when, behold, in
+rushed Messer Lambertuccio, saying, "Where art thou, traitor?" I set
+myself before the chamber-door and hindered him from entering; and he
+was in so far courteous that, after many words, seeing it pleased me
+not that he should enter there, he went his way down, as you have
+seen.' Quoth the husband, 'Wife, thou didst well, it were too great a
+reproach to us, had a man been slain in our house, and Messer
+Lambertuccio did exceeding unmannerly to follow a person who had taken
+refuge here.'
+
+Then he asked where the young man was, and the lady answered, 'Indeed
+sir, I know not where he hath hidden himself.' Then said the husband
+'Where art thou? Come forth in safety.' Whereupon Leonetto, who had
+heard everything, came forth all trembling for fear, (as indeed he had
+had a great fright,) of the place where he had hidden himself, and the
+gentleman said to him, 'What hast thou to do with Messer
+Lambertuccio?' 'Sir,' answered he, 'I have nothing in the world to do
+with him, wherefore methinketh assuredly he is either not in his right
+wits or he hath mistaken me for another; for that no sooner did he set
+eyes on me in the road not far from this house than he forthright
+clapped his hand to his hanger and said, "Traitor, thou art a dead
+man!" I stayed not to ask why, but took to my heels as best I might
+and made my way hither, where, thanks to God and to this gentlewoman,
+I have escaped.' Quoth the husband, 'Go to; have no fears; I will
+bring thee to thine own house safe and sound, and thou canst after
+seek out what thou hast to do with him.' Accordingly, when they had
+supped, he mounted him a-horseback and carrying him back to Florence,
+left him in his own house. As for Leonetto, that same evening,
+according as he had been lessoned of the lady, he privily bespoke
+Messer Lambertuccio and took such order with him, albeit there was
+much talk of the matter thereafterward, the husband never for all that
+became aware of the cheat that had been put on him by his wife."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     LODOVICO DISCOVERETH TO MADAM BEATRICE THE LOVE HE BEARETH
+     HER, WHEREUPON SHE SENDETH EGANO HER HUSBAND INTO THE
+     GARDEN, IN HER OWN FAVOUR, AND LIETH MEANWHILE WITH
+     LODOVICO, WHO, PRESENTLY ARISING, GOETH AND CUDGELLETH EGANO
+     IN THE GARDEN
+
+
+Madam Isabella's presence of mind, as related by Pampinea, was held
+admirable by all the company; but, whilst they yet marvelled thereat,
+Filomena, whom the king had appointed to follow on, said, "Lovesome
+ladies, and I mistake not, methinketh I can tell you no less goodly a
+story on the same subject, and that forthright.
+
+You must know, then, that there was once in Paris a Florentine
+gentleman, who was for poverty turned merchant and had thriven so well
+in commerce that he was grown thereby very rich. He had by his lady
+one only son, whom he had named Lodovico, and for that he might
+concern himself with his father's nobility and not with trade, he had
+willed not to place him in any warehouse, but had sent him to be with
+other gentlemen in the service of the King of France, where he learned
+store of goodly manners and other fine things. During his sojourn
+there, it befell that certain gentlemen, who were returned from
+visiting the Holy Sepulchre, coming in upon a conversation between
+certain young men, of whom Lodovico was one, and hearing them
+discourse among themselves of the fair ladies of France and England
+and other parts of the world, one of them began to say that assuredly,
+in all the lands he had traversed and for all the ladies he had seen,
+he had never beheld the like for beauty of Madam Beatrice, the wife of
+Messer Egano de' Gulluzzi of Bologna; to which all his companions, who
+had with him seen her at Bologna, agreed.
+
+Lodovico, who had never yet been enamoured of any woman, hearkening to
+this, was fired with such longing to see her that he could hold his
+thought to nothing else and being altogether resolved to journey to
+Bologna for that purpose and there, if she pleased him, to abide
+awhile, he feigned to his father that he had a mind to go visit the
+Holy Sepulchre, the which with great difficulty he obtained of him.
+Accordingly, taking the name of Anichino, he set out for Bologna, and
+on the day following [his arrival,] as fortune would have it, he saw
+the lady in question at an entertainment, where she seemed to him
+fairer far than he had imagined her; wherefore, falling most ardently
+enamoured of her, he resolved never to depart Bologna till he should
+have gained her love. Then, devising in himself what course he should
+take to this end, he bethought himself, leaving be all other means,
+that, an he might but avail to become one of her husband's servants,
+whereof he entertained many, he might peradventure compass that which
+he desired. Accordingly, having sold his horses and disposed as best
+might be of his servants, bidding them make a show of knowing him not,
+he entered into discourse with his host and told him that he would
+fain engage for a servant with some gentleman of condition, could
+such an one be found. Quoth the host, 'Thou art the right serving-man
+to please a gentleman of this city, by name Egano, who keepeth many
+and will have them all well looking, as thou art. I will bespeak him
+of the matter.' As he said, so he did, and ere he took leave of Egano,
+he had brought Anichino to an accord with him, to the exceeding
+satisfaction of the latter, who, abiding with Egano and having
+abundant opportunity of seeing his lady often, proceeded to serve him
+so well and so much to his liking that he set such store by him that
+he could do nothing without him and committed to him the governance,
+not of himself alone, but of all his affairs.
+
+It chanced one day that, Egano being gone a-fowling and having left
+Anichino at home, Madam Beatrice (who was not yet become aware of his
+love for her, albeit, considering him and his fashions, she had
+ofttimes much commended him to herself and he pleased her,) fell to
+playing chess with him and he, desiring to please her, very adroitly
+contrived to let himself be beaten, whereat the lady was marvellously
+rejoiced. Presently, all her women having gone away from seeing them
+play and left them playing alone, Anichino heaved a great sigh,
+whereupon she looked at him and said, 'What aileth thee, Anichino?
+Doth it irk thee that I should beat thee?' 'Madam,' answered he, 'a
+far greater thing than that was the cause of my sighing.' Quoth the
+lady, 'Prithee, as thou wishest me well, tell it me.' When Anichino
+heard himself conjured, 'as thou wishest me well,' by her whom he
+loved over all else, he heaved a sigh yet heavier than the first;
+wherefore the lady besought him anew that it would please him tell her
+the cause of his sighing. 'Madam,' replied Anichino, 'I am sore
+fearful lest it displease you, if I tell it you, and moreover I
+misdoubt me you will tell it again to others.' Whereto rejoined she,
+'Certes, it will not displease me, and thou mayst be assured that,
+whatsoever thou sayest to me I will never tell to any, save whenas it
+shall please thee.' Quoth he, 'Since you promise me this, I will e'en
+tell it you.' Then, with tears in his eyes, he told her who he was and
+what he had heard of her and when and how he was become enamoured of
+her and why he had taken service with her husband and after humbly
+besought her that it would please her have compassion on him and
+comply with him in that his secret and so fervent desire, and in case
+she willed not to do this, that she should suffer him to love her,
+leaving him be in that his then present guise.
+
+O singular blandness of the Bolognese blood! How art thou still to be
+commended in such circumstance! Never wast thou desirous of tears or
+sighs; still wast thou compliant unto prayers and amenable unto
+amorous desires! Had I words worthy to commend thee, my voice should
+never weary of singing thy praises. The gentle lady, what while
+Anichino spoke, kept her eyes fixed on him and giving full credence to
+his words, received, by the prevalence of his prayers, the love of him
+with such might into her heart that she also fell a-sighing and
+presently answered, 'Sweet my Anichino, be of good courage; neither
+presents nor promises nor solicitations of nobleman or gentleman or
+other (for I have been and am yet courted of many) have ever availed
+to move my heart to love any one of them; but thou, in this small
+space of time that thy words have lasted, hast made me far more thine
+than mine own. Methinketh thou hast right well earned my love,
+wherefore I give it thee and promise thee that I will cause thee have
+enjoyment thereof ere this next night be altogether spent. And that
+this may have effect, look thou come to my chamber about midnight. I
+will leave the door open; thou knowest which side the bed I lie; do
+thou come thither and if I sleep, touch me so I may awake, and I will
+ease thee of this so long desire that thou hast had. And that thou
+mayst believe this that I say, I will e'en give thee a kiss by way of
+arles.' Accordingly, throwing her arms about his neck, she kissed him
+amorously and he on like wise kissed her. These things said, he left
+her and went to do certain occasions of his, awaiting with the
+greatest gladness in the world the coming of the night.
+
+Presently, Egano returned from fowling and being weary, betook himself
+to bed, as soon as he had supper, and after him the lady, who left the
+chamber-door open, as she had promised. Thither, at the appointed
+hour, came Anichino and softly entering the chamber, shut the door
+again from within; then, going up to the bed on the side where the
+lady lay, he put his hand to her breast and found her awake. As soon
+as she felt him come, she took his hand in both her own and held it
+fast; then, turning herself about in the bed, she did on such wise
+that Egano, who was asleep, awoke; whereupon quoth she to him, 'I
+would not say aught to thee yestereve, for that meseemed thou was
+weary; but tell me, Egano, so God save thee, whom holdest thou thy
+best and trustiest servant and him who most loveth thee of those whom
+thou hast in the house?' 'Wife,' answered Egano, 'what is this whereof
+thou askest me? Knowest thou it not? I have not nor had aye any in
+whom I so trusted and whom I loved as I love and trust in Anichino.
+But why dost thou ask me thereof?'
+
+Anichino, seeing Egano awake and hearing talk of himself, was sore
+afraid lest the lady had a mind to cozen him and offered again and
+again to draw his hand away, so he might begone; but she held it so
+fast that he could not win free. Then said she to Egano, 'I will tell
+thee. I also believed till to-day that he was even such as thou sayest
+and that he was more loyal to thee than any other, but he hath
+undeceived me; for that, what while thou wentest a-fowling to-day, he
+abode here, and whenas it seemed to him time, he was not ashamed to
+solicit me to yield myself to his pleasures, and I, so I might make
+thee touch and see this thing and that it might not behove me certify
+thee thereof with too many proofs, replied that I would well and that
+this very night, after midnight, I would go into our garden and there
+await him at the foot of the pine. Now for my part I mean not to go
+thither; but thou, an thou have a mind to know thy servant's fidelity,
+thou mayst lightly do it by donning a gown and a veil of mine and
+going down yonder to wait and see if he will come thither, as I am
+assured he will.' Egano hearing this, answered, 'Certes, needs must I
+go see,' and rising, donned one of the lady's gowns, as best he knew
+in the dark; then, covering his head with a veil, he betook himself to
+the garden and proceeded to await Anichino at the foot of the pine.
+
+As for the lady, as soon as she knew him gone forth of the chamber,
+she arose and locked the door from within, whilst Anichino, (who had
+had the greatest fright he had ever known and had enforced himself as
+most he might to escape from the lady's hands, cursing her and her
+love and himself who had trusted in her an hundred thousand times,)
+seeing this that she had done in the end, was the joyfullest man that
+was aye. Then, she having returned to bed, he, at her bidding, put off
+his clothes and coming to bed to her, they took delight and pleasure
+together a pretty while; after which, herseeming he should not abide
+longer, she caused him arise and dress himself and said to him,
+'Sweetheart, do thou take a stout cudgel and get thee to the garden
+and there, feigning to have solicited me to try me, rate Egano, as he
+were I, and ring me a good peal of bells on his back with the cudgel,
+for that thereof will ensue to us marvellous pleasance and delight.'
+Anichino accordingly repaired to the garden, with a sallow-stick in
+his hand, and Egano, seeing him draw near the pine, rose up and came
+to meet him, as he would receive him with the utmost joy; whereupon
+quoth Anichino, 'Ah, wicked woman, art thou then come hither, and
+thinkest thou I would do my lord such a wrong? A thousand times ill
+come to thee!' Then, raising the cudgel, he began to lay on to him.
+
+Egano, hearing this and seeing the cudgel, took to his heels, without
+saying a word, whilst Anichino still followed after him, saying, 'Go
+to, God give thee an ill year, vile woman that thou art! I will
+certainly tell it to Egano to-morrow morning.' Egano made his way back
+to the chamber as quickliest he might, having gotten sundry good
+clouts, and being questioned of the lady if Anichino had come to the
+garden, 'Would God he had not!' answered he. 'For that, taking me for
+thee, he hath cudgelled me to a mummy and given me the soundest rating
+that was aye bestowed upon lewd woman. Certes, I marvelled sore at him
+that he should have said these words to thee, with intent to do aught
+that might be a shame to me; but, for that he saw thee so blithe and
+gamesome, he had a mind to try thee.' Then said the lady, 'Praised be
+God that he hath tried me with words and thee with deeds! Methinketh
+he may say that I suffered his words more patiently than thou his
+deeds. But, since he is so loyal to thee, it behoveth thee hold him
+dear and do him honour.' 'Certes,' answered Egano, 'thou sayst sooth';
+and reasoning by this, he concluded that he had the truest wife and
+the trustiest servant that ever gentleman had; by reason whereof,
+albeit both he and the lady made merry more than once with Anichino
+over this adventure, the latter and his mistress had leisure enough of
+that which belike, but for this, they would not have had, to wit, to
+do that which afforded them pleasance and delight, that while it
+pleased Anichino abide with Egano in Bologna."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     A MAN WAXETH JEALOUS OF HIS WIFE, WHO BINDETH A PIECE OF
+     PACKTHREAD TO HER GREAT TOE ANIGHTS, SO SHE MAY HAVE NOTICE
+     OF HER LOVER'S COMING. ONE NIGHT HER HUSBAND BECOMETH AWARE
+     OF THIS DEVICE AND WHAT WHILE HE PURSUETH THE LOVER, THE
+     LADY PUTTETH ANOTHER WOMAN TO BED IN HER ROOM. THIS LATTER
+     THE HUSBAND BEATETH AND CUTTETH OFF HER HAIR, THEN FETCHETH
+     HIS WIFE'S BROTHERS, WHO, FINDING HIS STORY [SEEMINGLY]
+     UNTRUE, GIVE HIM HARD WORDS
+
+
+It seemed to them all that Madam Beatrice had been extraordinarily
+ingenious in cozening her husband and all agreed that Anichino's
+fright must have been very great, whenas, being the while held fast by
+the lady, he heard her say that he had required her of love. But the
+king, seeing Filomena silent, turned to Neifile and said to her, "Do
+you tell"; whereupon she, smiling first a little, began, "Fair ladies,
+I have a hard task before me if I desire to pleasure you with a goodly
+story, as those of you have done, who have already told; but, with
+God's aid, I trust to discharge myself thereof well enough.
+
+You must know, then, that there was once in our city a very rich
+merchant called Arriguccio Berlinghieri, who, foolishly thinking, as
+merchants yet do every day, to ennoble himself by marriage, took to
+wife a young gentlewoman ill sorting with himself, by name Madam
+Sismonda, who, for that he, merchant-like, was much abroad and
+sojourned little with her, fell in love with a young man called
+Ruberto, who had long courted her, and clapped up a lover's privacy
+with him. Using belike over-little discretion in her dealings with her
+lover, for that they were supremely delightsome to her, it chanced
+that, whether Arriguccio scented aught of the matter or how else
+soever it happened, the latter became the most jealous man alive and
+leaving be his going about and all his other concerns, applied himself
+well nigh altogether to the keeping good watch over his wife; nor
+would he ever fall asleep, except he first felt her come into the bed;
+by reason whereof the lady suffered the utmost chagrin, for that on no
+wise might she avail to be with her Ruberto.
+
+However, after pondering many devices for finding a means to
+foregather with him and being to boot continually solicited thereof by
+him, it presently occurred to her to do on this wise; to wit, having
+many a time observed that Arriguccio tarried long to fall asleep, but
+after slept very soundly, she determined to cause Ruberto come about
+midnight to the door of the house and to go open to him and abide with
+him what while her husband slept fast. And that she might know when he
+should be come, she bethought herself to hang a twine out of the
+window of her bedchamber, which looked upon the street, on such wise
+that none might perceive it, one end whereof should well nigh reach
+the ground, whilst she carried the other end along the floor of the
+room to the bed and hid it under the clothes, meaning to make it fast
+to her great toe, whenas she should be abed. Accordingly, she sent to
+acquaint Ruberto with this and charged him, when he came, to pull the
+twine, whereupon, if her husband slept, she would let it go and come
+to open to him; but, if he slept not, she would hold it fast and draw
+it to herself, so he should not wait. The device pleased Ruberto and
+going thither frequently, he was whiles able to foregather with her
+and whiles not.
+
+On this wise they continued to do till, one night, the lady being
+asleep, it chanced that her husband stretched out his foot in bed and
+felt the twine, whereupon he put his hand to it and finding it made
+fast to his wife's toe, said in himself, 'This should be some trick';
+and presently perceiving that the twine led out of window, he held it
+for certain. Accordingly, he cut it softly from the lady's toe and
+making it fast to his own, abode on the watch to see what this might
+mean. He had not waited long before up came Ruberto and pulled at the
+twine, as of his wont; whereupon Arriguccio started up; but, he not
+having made the twine well fast to his toe and Ruberto pulling hard,
+it came loose in the latter's hand, whereby he understood that he was
+to wait and did so. As for Arriguccio, he arose in haste and taking
+his arms, ran to the door, to see who this might be and do him a
+mischief, for, albeit a merchant, he was a stout fellow and a strong.
+When he came to the door, he opened it not softly as the lady was used
+to do, which when Ruberto, who was await, observed, he guessed how the
+case stood, to wit, that it was Arriguccio who opened the door, and
+accordingly made off in haste and the other after him. At last, having
+fled a great way and Arriguccio stinting not from following him,
+Ruberto, being also armed, drew his sword and turned upon his pursuer,
+whereupon they fell to blows, the one attacking and the other
+defending himself.
+
+Meanwhile, the lady, awaking, as Arriguccio opened the chamber-door,
+and finding the twine cut from her toe, knew incontinent that her
+device was discovered, whereupon, perceiving that her husband had run
+after her lover, she arose in haste and foreseeing what might happen,
+called her maid, who knew all, and conjured her to such purpose that
+she prevailed with her to take her own place in the bed, beseeching
+her patiently to endure, without discovering herself, whatsoever
+buffets Arriguccio might deal her, for that she would requite her
+therefor on such wise that she should have no cause to complain; after
+which she did out the light that burnt in the chamber and going forth
+thereof, hid herself in another part of the house and there began to
+await what should betide.
+
+Meanwhile, the people of the quarter, aroused by the noise of the
+affray between Arriguccio and Ruberto, arose and fell a-railing at
+them; whereupon the husband, fearing to be known, let the youth go,
+without having availed to learn who he was or to do him any hurt, and
+returned to his house, full of rage and despite. There, coming into
+the chamber, he cried out angrily, saying, 'Where art thou, vile
+woman? Thou hast done out the light, so I may not find thee; but thou
+art mistaken.' Then, coming to the bedside, he seized upon the maid,
+thinking to take his wife, and laid on to her so lustily with cuffs
+and kicks, as long as he could wag his hands and feet, that he bruised
+all her face, ending by cutting off her hair, still giving her the
+while the hardest words that were ever said to worthless woman. The
+maid wept sore, as indeed she had good cause to do, and albeit she
+said whiles, 'Alas, mercy, for God's sake!' and 'Oh, no more!' her
+voice was so broken with sobs and Arriguccio was so hindered with his
+rage that he never discerned it to be that of another woman than his
+wife.
+
+Having, then, as we have said, beaten her to good purpose and cut off
+her hair, he said to her, 'Wicked woman that thou art, I mean not to
+touch thee otherwise, but shall now go fetch thy brothers and acquaint
+them with thy fine doings and after bid them come for thee and deal
+with thee as they shall deem may do them honour and carry thee away;
+for assuredly in this house thou shalt abide no longer.' So saying, he
+departed the chamber and locking the door from without, went away all
+alone. As soon as Madam Sismonda, who had heard all, was certified of
+her husband's departure, she opened the door and rekindling the light,
+found her maid all bruised and weeping sore; whereupon she comforted
+her as best she might and carried her back to her own chamber, where
+she after caused privily tend her and care for her and so rewarded her
+of Arriguccio's own monies that she avouched herself content. No
+sooner had she done this than she hastened to make the bed in her own
+chamber and all restablished it and set it in such order as if none
+had lain there that night; after which she dressed and tired herself,
+as if she had not yet gone to bed; then, lighting a lamp, she took her
+clothes and seated herself at the stairhead, where she proceeded to
+sew and await the issue of the affair.
+
+Meanwhile Arriguccio betook himself in all haste to the house of his
+wife's brothers and there knocked so long and so loudly that he was
+heard and it was opened to him. The lady's three brothers and her
+mother, hearing that it was Arriguccio, rose all and letting kindle
+lights, came to him and asked what he went seeking at that hour and
+alone. Whereupon, beginning from the twine he had found tied to wife's
+toe, he recounted to them all that he had discovered and done, and to
+give them entire proof of the truth of his story, he put into their
+hands the hair he thought to have cut from his wife's head, ending by
+requiring them to come for her and do with her that which they should
+judge pertinent to their honour, for that he meant to keep her no
+longer in his house. The lady's brothers, hearing this and holding it
+for certain, were sore incensed against her and letting kindle
+torches, set out to accompany Arriguccio to his house, meaning to do
+her a mischief; which their mother seeing, she followed after them,
+weeping and entreating now the one, now the other not to be in such
+haste to believe these things of their sister, without seeing or
+knowing more of the matter, for that her husband might have been
+angered with her for some other cause and have maltreated her and
+might now allege this in his own excuse, adding that she marvelled
+exceedingly how this [whereof he accused her] could have happened, for
+that she knew her daughter well, as having reared her from a little
+child, with many other words to the like purpose.
+
+When they came to Arriguccio's house, they entered and proceeded to
+mount the stair, whereupon Madam Sismonda, hearing them come, said,
+'Who is there?' To which one of her brothers answered, 'Thou shalt
+soon know who it is, vile woman that thou art!' 'God aid us!' cried
+she. 'What meaneth this?' Then, rising to her feet, 'Brothers mine,'
+quoth she, 'you are welcome; but what go you all three seeking at this
+hour?' The brothers,--seeing her seated sewing, with no sign of
+beating on her face, whereas Arriguccio avouched that he had beaten
+her to a mummy,--began to marvel and curbing the violence of their
+anger, demanded of her how that had been whereof Arriguccio accused
+her, threatening her sore, and she told them not all. Quoth she, 'I
+know not what you would have me say nor of what Arriguccio can have
+complained to you of me.' Arriguccio, seeing her thus, eyed her as if
+he had lost his wits, remembering that he had dealt her belike a
+thousand buffets on the face and scratched her and done her all the
+ill in the world, and now he beheld her as if nothing of all this had
+been.
+
+Her brothers told her briefly what they had heard from Arriguccio,
+twine and beating and all, whereupon she turned to him and said,
+'Alack, husband mine, what is this I hear? Why wilt thou make me pass,
+to thine own great shame, for an ill woman, where as I am none, and
+thyself for a cruel and wicked man, which thou art not? When wast thou
+in this house to-night till now, let alone with me? When didst thou
+beat me? For my part, I have no remembrance of it.' 'How, vile woman
+that thou art!' cried he. 'Did we not go to bed together here? Did I
+not return hither, after running after thy lover? Did I not deal thee
+a thousand buffets and cut off thy hair?' 'Thou wentest not to bed in
+this house to-night,' replied Sismonda. 'But let that pass, for I can
+give no proof thereof other than mine own true words, and let us come
+to that which thou sayest, to wit, that thou didst beat me and cut off
+my hair. Me thou hast never beaten, and do all who are here and thou
+thyself take note of me, if I have any mark of beating in any part of
+my person. Indeed, I should not counsel thee make so bold as to lay a
+hand on me, for, by Christ His Cross, I would mar thy face for thee!
+Neither didst thou cut off my hair, for aught that I felt or saw; but
+haply thou didst it on such wise that I perceived it not; let me see
+if I have it shorn or no.' Then, putting off her veil from her head,
+she showed that she had her hair unshorn and whole.
+
+Her mother and brothers, seeing and hearing all this, turned upon her
+husband and said to him, 'What meanest thou, Arriguccio? This is not
+that so far which thou camest to tell us thou hadst done, and we know
+not how thou wilt make good the rest.' Arriguccio stood as one in a
+trance and would have spoken; but, seeing that it was not as he
+thought he could show, he dared say nothing; whereupon the lady,
+turning to her brothers, said to them, 'Brothers mine, I see he hath
+gone seeking to have me do what I have never yet chosen to do, to wit,
+that I should acquaint you with his lewdness and his vile fashions,
+and I will do it. I firmly believe that this he hath told you hath
+verily befallen him and that he hath done as he saith; and you shall
+hear how. This worthy man, to whom in an ill hour for me you gave me
+to wife, who calleth himself a merchant and would be thought a man of
+credit, this fellow, forsooth, who should be more temperate than a
+monk and chaster than a maid, there be few nights but he goeth
+fuddling himself about the taverns, foregathering now with this lewd
+woman and now with that and keeping me waiting for him, on such wise
+as you find me, half the night and whiles even till morning. I doubt
+not but that, having well drunken, he went to bed with some trull of
+his and waking, found the twine on her foot and after did all these
+his fine feats whereof he telleth, winding up by returning to her and
+beating her and cutting off her hair; and not being yet well come to
+himself, he fancied (and I doubt not yet fancieth) that he did all
+this to me; and if you look him well in the face, you will see he is
+yet half fuddled. Algates, whatsoever he may have said of me, I will
+not have you take it to yourselves except as a drunken man's talk, and
+since I forgive him, do you also pardon him.'
+
+Her mother, hearing this, began to make an outcry and say, 'By Christ
+His Cross, daughter mine, it shall not pass thus! Nay, he should
+rather be slain for a thankless, ill-conditioned dog, who was never
+worthy to have a girl of thy fashion to wife. Marry, a fine thing,
+forsooth! He could have used thee no worse, had he picked thee up out
+of the dirt! Devil take him if thou shalt abide at the mercy of the
+spite of a paltry little merchant of asses' dung! They come to us out
+of their pigstyes in the country, clad in homespun frieze, with their
+bag-breeches and pen in arse, and as soon as they have gotten a leash
+of groats, they must e'en have the daughters of gentlemen and right
+ladies to wife and bear arms and say, "I am of such a family" and
+"Those of my house did thus and thus." Would God my sons had followed
+my counsel in the matter, for that they might have stablished thee so
+worshipfully in the family of the Counts Guidi, with a crust of bread
+to thy dowry! But they must needs give thee to this fine jewel of
+fellow, who, whereas thou art the best girl in Florence and the
+modestest, is not ashamed to knock us up in the middle of the night,
+to tell us that thou art a strumpet, as if we knew thee not. But, by
+God His faith, an they would be ruled by me, he should get such a
+trouncing therefor that he should stink for it!' Then, turning to the
+lady's brothers, 'My sons,' said she, 'I told you this could not be.
+Have you heard how your fine brother-in-law here entreateth your
+sister? Four-farthing[353] huckster that he is! Were I in your shoes,
+he having said what he hath of her and doing that which he doth, I
+would never hold myself content nor appeased till I had rid the earth
+of him; and were I a man, as I am a woman, I would trouble none other
+than myself to despatch his business. Confound him for a sorry drunken
+beast, that hath no shame!'
+
+[Footnote 353: Or, in modern parlance, "twopennny-halfpenny."]
+
+The young men, seeing and hearing all this, turned upon Arriguccio and
+gave him the soundest rating ever losel got; and ultimately they said
+to him. 'We pardon thee this as to a drunken man; but, as thou
+tenderest thy life, look henceforward we hear no more news of this
+kind, for, if aught of the like come ever again to our ears, we will
+pay thee at once for this and for that.' So saying, they went their
+ways, leaving Arriguccio all aghast, as it were he had taken leave of
+his wits, unknowing in himself whether that which he had done had
+really been or whether he had dreamed it; wherefore he made no more
+words thereof, but left his wife in peace. Thus the lady, by her ready
+wit, not only escaped the imminent peril [that threatened her,] but
+opened herself a way to do her every pleasure in time to come, without
+evermore having any fear of her husband."
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     LYDIA, WIFE OF NICOSTRATUS, LOVETH PYRRHUS, WHO, SO HE MAY
+     BELIEVE IT, REQUIRETH OF HER THREE THINGS, ALL WHICH SHE
+     DOTH. MOREOVER, SHE SOLACETH HERSELF WITH HIM IN THE
+     PRESENCE OF NICOSTRATUS AND MAKETH THE LATTER BELIEVE THAT
+     THAT WHICH HE HATH SEEN IS NOT REAL
+
+
+Neifile's story so pleased the ladies that they could neither give
+over to laugh at nor to talk of it, albeit the king, having bidden
+Pamfilo tell his story, had several times imposed silence upon them.
+However, after they had held their peace, Pamfilo began thus: "I do
+not believe, worshipful ladies, that there is anything, how hard and
+doubtful soever it be, that whoso loveth passionately will not dare to
+do; the which, albeit it hath already been demonstrated in many
+stories, methinketh, nevertheless, I shall be able yet more plainly to
+show forth to you in one which I purpose to tell you and wherein you
+shall hear of a lady, who was in her actions much more favoured of
+fortune than well-advised of reason; wherefore I would not counsel any
+one to adventure herself in the footsteps of her of whom I am to tell,
+for that fortune is not always well disposed nor are all men in the
+world equally blind.
+
+In Argos, city of Achia far more famous for its kings of past time
+than great in itself, there was once a nobleman called Nicostratus, to
+whom, when already neighbouring on old age, fortune awarded a lady of
+great family to wife, whose name was Lydia and who was no less
+high-spirited than fair. Nicostratus, like a nobleman and a man of
+wealth as he was, kept many servants and hounds and hawks and took the
+utmost delight in the chase. Among his other servants he had a young
+man called Pyrrhus, who was sprightly and well bred and comely of his
+person and adroit in all that he had a mind to do, and him he loved
+and trusted over all else. Of this Pyrrhus Lydia became so sore
+enamoured that neither by day nor by night could she have her thought
+otherwhere than with him; but he, whether it was that he perceived not
+her liking for him or that he would none of it, appeared to reck
+nothing thereof, by reason whereof the lady suffered intolerable
+chagrin in herself and being altogether resolved to give him to know
+of her passion, called a chamberwoman of hers, Lusca by name, in whom
+she much trusted, and said to her, 'Lusca, the favours thou hast had
+of me should make thee faithful and obedient; wherefore look thou none
+ever know that which I shall presently say to thee, save he to whom I
+shall charge thee tell it. As thou seest, Lusca, I am a young and
+lusty lady, abundantly endowed with all those things which any woman
+can desire; in brief, I can complain of but one thing, to wit, that my
+husband's years are overmany, an they be measured by mine own,
+wherefore I fare but ill in the matter of that thing wherein young
+women take most pleasure, and none the less desiring it, as other
+women do, I have this long while determined in myself, since fortune
+hath been thus little my friend in giving me so old a husband, that I
+will not be so much mine own enemy as not to contrive to find means
+for my pleasures and my weal; which that I may have as complete in
+this as in other things, I have bethought myself to will that our
+Pyrrhus, as being worthier thereof than any other, should furnish them
+with his embracements; nay, I have vowed him so great a love that I
+never feel myself at ease save whenas I see him or think of him, and
+except I foregather with him without delay, methinketh I shall
+certainly die thereof. Wherefore, if my life be dear to thee, thou
+wilt, on such wise as shall seem best to thee, signify to him any love
+and beseech him, on my part, to be pleased to come to me, whenas thou
+shalt go for him.'
+
+The chamberwoman replied that she would well and taking Pyrrhus apart,
+whenas first it seemed to her time and place, she did her lady's
+errand to him as best she knew. Pyrrhus, hearing this, was sore amazed
+thereat, as one who had never anywise perceived aught of the matter,
+and misdoubted him the lady had let say this to him to try him;
+wherefore he answered roughly and hastily, 'Lusca, I cannot believe
+that these words come from my lady; wherefore, have a care what thou
+sayst; or, if they do indeed come from her, I do not believe that she
+caused thee say them with intent, and even if she did so, my lord doth
+me more honour than I deserve and I would not for my life do him such
+an outrage; wherefore look thou bespeak me no more of such things.'
+Lusca, nowise daunted by his austere speech, said to him, 'Pyrrhus, I
+will e'en bespeak thee both of this and of everything else wherewithal
+my lady shall charge me when and as often as she shall bid me, whether
+it cause thee pleasure or annoy; but thou art an ass.' Then, somewhat
+despited at his words, she returned to her mistress, who, hearing what
+Pyrrhus had said, wished for death, but, some days after, she again
+bespoke the chamberwoman of the matter and said to her, 'Lusca, thou
+knowest that the oak falleth not for the first stroke; wherefore
+meseemeth well that thou return anew to him who so strangely willeth
+to abide loyal to my prejudice, and taking a sortable occasion,
+throughly discover to him my passion and do thine every endeavour that
+the thing may have effect; for that, an it fall through thus, I shall
+assuredly die of it. Moreover, he will think to have been befooled,
+and whereas we seek to have his love, hate will ensue thereof.'
+
+The maid comforted her and going in quest of Pyrrhus found him merry
+and well-disposed and said to him, 'Pyrrhus I showed thee, a few days
+agone, in what a fire my lady and thine abideth for the love she
+beareth thee, and now anew I certify thee thereof, for that, an thou
+persist in the rigour thou showedst the other day, thou mayst be
+assured that she will not live long; wherefore I prithee be pleased to
+satisfy her of her desire, and if thou yet abide fast in thine
+obstinacy, whereas I have still accounted thee mighty discreet, I
+shall hold thee a blockhead. What can be a greater glory for thee than
+that such a lady, so fair and so noble, should love thee over all
+else? Besides, how greatly shouldst thou acknowledge thyself beholden
+unto Fortune, seeing that she proffereth thee a thing of such worth
+and so conformable to the desires of thy youth and to boot, such a
+resource for thy necessities! Which of thy peers knowest thou who
+fareth better by way of delight than thou mayst fare, an thou be wise?
+What other couldst thou find who may fare so well in the matter of
+arms and horses and apparel and monies as thou mayst do, so thou wilt
+but vouchsafe thy love to this lady? Open, then, thy mind to my words
+and return to thy senses; bethink thee that once, and no oftener, it
+is wont to betide that fortune cometh unto a man with smiling face and
+open arms, who an he know not then to welcome, if after he find
+himself poor and beggarly, he hath himself and not her to blame.
+Besides, there is no call to use that loyalty between servants and
+masters that behoveth between friends and kinsfolk; nay, servants
+should use their masters, in so far as they may, like as themselves
+are used of them. Thinkest thou, an thou hadst a fair wife or mother
+or daughter or sister, who pleased Nicostratus, that he would go
+questing after this loyalty that thou wouldst fain observe towards him
+in respect of this lady? Thou are a fool, if thou think thus; for thou
+mayst hold it for certain that, if blandishments and prayers sufficed
+him not, he would not scruple to use force in the matter, whatsoever
+thou mightest deem thereof. Let us, then, entreat them and their
+affairs even as they entreat us and ours. Profit by the favour of
+fortune and drive her not away, but welcome her with open arms and
+meet her halfway, for assuredly, and thou do it not, thou wilt yet
+(leave alone the death that will without fail ensue thereof to thy
+lady) repent thee thereof so many a time thou wilt be fain to die
+therefor.'
+
+Pyrrhus, who had again and again pondered the words that Lusca had
+said to him, had determined, and she should return to him, to make her
+another guess answer and altogether to submit himself to comply with
+the lady's wishes, so but he might be certified that it was not a
+trick to try him, and accordingly answered, 'Harkye, Lusca; all that
+thou sayst to me I allow to be true; but, on the other hand, I know my
+lord for very discreet and well-advised, and as he committeth all his
+affairs to my hands, I am sore adread lest Lydia, with his counsel and
+by his wish, do this to try me; wherefore, an it please her for mine
+assurance do three things that I shall ask, she shall for certain
+thereafterward command me nought but I will do it forthright. And the
+three things I desire are these: first, that in Nicostratus his
+presence she slay his good hawk; secondly, that she send me a lock of
+her husband's beard and lastly, one of his best teeth.' These
+conditions seemed hard unto Lusca and to the lady harder yet;
+however, Love, who is an excellent comforter[354] and a past master in
+shifts and devices, made her resolve to do his pleasure and
+accordingly she sent him word by her chamberwoman that she would
+punctually do what he required and that quickly, and that over and
+above this, for that he deemed Nicostratus so well-advised, she would
+solace herself with him in her husband's presence and make the latter
+believe that it was not true.
+
+[Footnote 354: Syn. encourager, helper, auxiliary (_confortatore_).]
+
+Pyrrhus, accordingly, began to await what the lady should do, and
+Nicostratus having, a few days after, made, as he oftentimes used to
+do, a great dinner to certain gentlemen, Madam Lydia, whenas the
+tables were cleared away, came forth of her chamber, clad in green
+samite and richly bedecked, and entered the saloon where the guests
+were. There, in the sight of Pyrrhus and of all the rest, she went up
+to the perch, whereon was the hawk that Nicostratus held so dear, and
+cast it loose, as she would set it on her hand; then, taking it by the
+jesses, she dashed it against the wall and killed it; whereupon
+Nicostratus cried out at her, saying, 'Alack, wife, what hast thou
+done?' She answered him nothing, but, turning to the gentlemen who had
+eaten with him, she said to them, 'Gentlemen, I should ill know how to
+avenge myself on a king who did me a despite, an I dared not take my
+wreak of a hawk. You must know that this bird hath long robbed me of
+all the time which should of men be accorded to the pleasuring of the
+ladies; for that no sooner is the day risen than Nicostratus is up and
+drest and away he goeth a-horseback, with his hawk on his fist, to the
+open plains, to see him fly, whilst I, such as you see me, abide in
+bed alone and ill-content; wherefore I have many a time had a mind to
+do that which I have now done, nor hath aught hindered me therefrom
+but that I waited to do it in the presence of gentlemen who would be
+just judges in my quarrel, as methinketh you will be.' The gentlemen,
+hearing this and believing her affection for Nicostratus to be no
+otherwise than as her words denoted, turned all to the latter, who was
+angered, and said, laughing, 'Ecod, how well hath the lady done to
+avenge herself of her wrong by the death of the hawk!' Then, with
+divers of pleasantries upon the subject (the lady being now gone back
+to her chamber), they turned Nicostratus his annoy into laughter;
+whilst Pyrrhus, seeing all this, said in himself, 'The lady hath given
+a noble beginning to my happy loves; God grant she persevere!'
+
+Lydia having thus slain the hawk, not many days were passed when,
+being in her chamber with Nicostratus, she fell to toying and
+frolicking with him, and he, pulling her somedele by the hair, by way
+of sport, gave her occasion to accomplish the second thing required of
+her by Pyrrhus. Accordingly, taking him of a sudden by a lock of his
+beard, she tugged so hard at it, laughing the while, that she plucked
+it clean out of his chin; whereof he complaining, 'How now?' quoth
+she. 'What aileth thee to pull such a face? Is it because I have
+plucked out maybe half a dozen hairs of thy beard? Thou feltest not
+that which I suffered, whenas thou pulledst me now by the hair.' On
+this wise continuing their disport from one word to another, she
+privily kept the lock of hair that she had plucked from his beard and
+sent it that same day to her lover.
+
+Anent the last of the three things required by Pyrrhus she was harder
+put to it for a device; nevertheless, being of a surpassing wit and
+Love making her yet quicker of invention, she soon bethought herself
+what means she should use to give it accomplishment. Nicostratus had
+two boys given him of their father, to the intent that, being of
+gentle birth, they might learn somewhat of manners and good breeding
+in his house, of whom, whenas he was at meat, one carved before him
+and the other gave him to drink. Lydia called them both and giving
+them to believe that they stank at the mouth, enjoined them that,
+whenas they served Nicostratus, they should still hold their heads
+backward as most they might nor ever tell this to any. The boys,
+believing that which she said, proceeded to do as she had lessoned
+them, and she after a while said to her husband one day, 'Hast thou
+noted that which yonder boys do, whenas they serve thee?' 'Ay have I,'
+replied Nicostratus; 'and indeed I had it in mind to ask them why they
+did it.' Quoth the lady, 'Do it not, for I can tell thee the reason;
+and I have kept it silent from thee this long while, not to cause thee
+annoy; but, now I perceive that others begin to be aware thereof, it
+skilleth not to hide it from thee longer. This betideth thee for none
+other what than that thou stinkest terribly at the mouth, and I know
+not what can be the cause thereof; for that it used not to be thus.
+Now this is a very unseemly thing for thee who hast to do with
+gentlemen, and needs must we see for a means of curing it.' Whereupon
+said he, 'What can this be? Can I have some rotten tooth in my head?'
+'Maybe ay,' answered Lydia and carried him to a window, where she made
+him open his mouth, and after she had viewed it in every part, 'O
+Nicostratus,' cried she, 'how canst thou have put up with it so long?
+Thou hast a tooth on this side which meseemth is not only decayed, but
+altogether rotten, and assuredly, and thou keep it much longer in thy
+mouth, it will mar thee those which be on either side; wherefore I
+counsel thee have it drawn, ere the thing go farther.' 'Since it
+seemeth good to thee,' answered he, 'I will well; let a surgeon be
+sent for without more delay, who shall draw it for me.' 'God forbid,'
+rejoined the lady, 'that a surgeon come hither for that! Methinketh it
+lieth on such wise that I myself, without any surgeon, can very well
+draw it for thee; more by token that these same surgeons are so
+barbarous in doing such offices that my heart would on no account
+suffer me to see or know thee in the hands of any one of them; for, an
+it irk thee overmuch, I will at least loose thee incontinent, which a
+surgeon would not do.'
+
+Accordingly, she let fetch the proper instruments and sent every one
+forth of the chamber, except only Lusca; after which, locking herself
+in, she made Nicostratus lie down on a table and thrusting the pincers
+into his mouth, what while the maid held him fast, she pulled out one
+of his teeth by main force, albeit he roared out lustily for the pain.
+Then, keeping to herself that which she had drawn, she brought out a
+frightfully decayed tooth she had ready in her hand and showed it to
+her husband, half dead as he was for pain, saying, 'See what thou
+hast had in thy mouth all this while.' Nicostratus believed what she
+said and now that the tooth was out, for all he had suffered the most
+grievous pain and made sore complaint thereof, him seemed he was
+cured; and presently, having comforted himself with one thing and
+another and the pain being abated, he went forth of the chamber;
+whereupon his wife took the tooth and straightway despatched it to her
+gallant, who, being now certified of her love, professed himself ready
+to do her every pleasure.
+
+The lady, albeit every hour seemed to her a thousand till she should
+be with him, desiring to give him farther assurance and wishful to
+perform that which she had promised him, made a show one day of being
+ailing and being visited after dinner by Nicostratus, with no one in
+his company but Pyrrhus, she prayed them, by way of allaying her
+unease, to help her go into the garden. Accordingly, Nicostratus
+taking her on one side and Pyrrhus on the other, they carried her into
+the garden and set her down on a grassplot, at the foot of a fine
+pear-tree; where, after they had sat awhile, the lady, who had already
+given her gallant to know what he had to do, said, 'Pyrrhus, I have a
+great desire to eat of yonder pears; do thou climb up and throw us
+down some of them.' Pyrrhus straightway climbed up into the tree and
+fell to throwing down of the pears, which as he did, he began to say,
+'How now, my lord! What is this you do? And you, madam, are you not
+ashamed to suffer it in my presence? Think you I am blind? But now you
+were sore disordered; how cometh it you have so quickly recovered that
+you do such things? An you have a mind unto this, you have store of
+goodly chambers; why go you not do it in one of these? It were more
+seemly than in my presence.'
+
+The lady turned to her husband and said, 'What saith Pyrrhus? Doth he
+rave?' 'No, madam,' answered the young man, 'I rave not. Think you I
+cannot see?' As for Nicostratus, he marvelled sore and said, 'Verily,
+Pyrrhus, methinketh thou dreamest.' 'My lord,' replied Pyrrhus, 'I
+dream not a jot, neither do you dream; nay, you bestir yourselves on
+such wise that were this tree to do likewise, there would not be a
+pear left on it.' Quoth the lady, 'What may this be? Can it be that
+this he saith appeareth to him to be true? So God save me, and I were
+whole as I was aforetime, I would climb up into the tree, to see what
+marvels are those which this fellow saith he seeth.' Meanwhile Pyrrhus
+from the top of the pear-tree still said the same thing and kept up
+the pretence; whereupon Nicostratus bade him come down. Accordingly he
+came down and his master said to him, 'Now, what sayst thou thou
+sawest?' 'Methinketh,' answered he, 'you take me for a lackwit or a
+loggerhead. Since I must needs say it, I saw you a-top of your lady,
+and after, as I came down, I saw you arise and seat yourself where you
+presently are.' 'Assuredly,' said Nicostratus, 'thou dotest; for we
+have not stirred a jot, save as thou seest, since thou climbest up
+into the pear-tree.' Whereupon quoth Pyrrhus, 'What booteth it to make
+words of the matter? I certainly saw you; and if I did see you, it was
+a-top of your own.'
+
+Nicostratus waxed momently more and more astonished, insomuch that he
+said, 'Needs must I see if this pear-tree is enchanted and if whoso is
+thereon seeth marvels.' Thereupon he climbed up into the tree and no
+sooner was he come to the top than the lady and Pyrrhus fell to
+solacing themselves together; which when Nicostratus saw, he began to
+cry out, saying, 'Ah, vile woman that thou art, what is this thou
+dost? And thou, Pyrrhus, in whom I most trusted?' So saying, he
+proceeded to descend the tree, whilst the lovers said, 'We are sitting
+here'; then, seeing him come down, they reseated themselves whereas he
+had left them. As soon as he was down and saw his wife and Pyrrhus
+where he had left them, he fell a-railing at them; whereupon quoth
+Pyrrhus, 'Now, verily, Nicostratus, I acknowledged that, as you said
+before, I must have seen falsely what while I was in the pear-tree,
+nor do I know it otherwise than by this, that I see and know yourself
+to have seen falsely in the like case. And that I speak the truth
+nought else should be needful to certify you but that you have regard
+to the circumstances of the case and consider if it be possible that
+your lady, who is the most virtuous of women and discreeter than any
+other of her sex, could, an she had a mind to outrage you on such
+wise, bring herself to do it before your very eyes. I speak not of
+myself, who would rather suffer myself to be torn limb-meal than so
+much as think of such a thing, much more come to do it in your
+presence. Wherefore the fault of this misseeing must needs proceed
+from the pear-tree, for that all the world had not made me believe but
+that you were in act to have carnal knowledge of your lady here, had I
+not heard you say that it appeared to yourself that I did what I know
+most certainly I never thought, much less did.'
+
+Thereupon the lady, feigning to be mightily incensed, rose to her feet
+and said, 'Ill luck betide thee, dost thou hold me so little of wit
+that, an I had a mind to such filthy fashions as thou wouldst have us
+believe thou sawest, I should come to do them before thy very eyes?
+Thou mayst be assured of this that, if ever the fancy took me thereof,
+I should not come hither; marry, methinketh I should have sense enough
+to contrive it in one of our chambers, on such wise and after such a
+fashion that it would seem to me an extraordinary thing if ever thou
+camest to know of it.' Nicostratus, himseeming that what the lady and
+Pyrrhus said was true, to wit, that they would never have ventured
+upon such an act there before himself, gave over words and reproaches
+and fell to discoursing of the strangeness of the fact and the miracle
+of the sight, which was thus changed unto whoso climbed up into the
+pear-tree. But his wife, feigning herself chagrined for the ill
+thought he had shown of her, said, 'Verily, this pear-tree shall never
+again, if I can help it, do me nor any other lady the like of this
+shame; wherefore do thou run, Pyrrhus, and fetch a hatchet and at one
+stroke avenge both thyself and me by cutting it down; albeit it were
+better yet lay it about Nicostratus his cosard, who, without any
+consideration, suffered the eyes of his understanding to be so quickly
+blinded, whenas, however certain that which thou[355] saidst might
+seem to those[356] which thou hast in thy head, thou shouldst for
+nought in the world in the judgment of thy mind have believed or
+allowed that such a thing could be.'
+
+[Footnote 355: This sudden change from the third to the second person,
+in speaking of Nicostratus, is a characteristic example of Boccaccio's
+constant abuse of the figure enallage in his dialogues.]
+
+[Footnote 356: _i.e._ those eyes.]
+
+Pyrrhus very readily fetched the hatchet and cut down the tree, which
+when the lady saw fallen, she said to Nicostratus, 'Since I see the
+enemy of mine honour overthrown, my anger is past,' and graciously
+forgave her husband, who besought her thereof, charging him that it
+should never again happen to him to presume such a thing of her, who
+loved him better than herself. Accordingly, the wretched husband, thus
+befooled, returned with her and her lover to the palace, where many a
+time thereafterward Pyrrhus took delight and pleasance more at ease of
+Lydia and she of him. God grant us as much!"
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Seventh]
+
+     TWO SIENNESE LOVE A LADY, WHO IS GOSSIP TO ONE OF THEM; THE
+     LATTER DIETH AND RETURNING TO HIS COMPANION, ACCORDING TO
+     PROMISE MADE HIM, RELATETH TO HIM HOW FOLK FARE IN THE OTHER
+     WORLD
+
+
+It now rested only with the king to tell and he accordingly, as soon
+as he saw the ladies quieted, who lamented the cutting down of the
+unoffending pear-tree, began, "It is a very manifest thing that every
+just king should be the first to observe the laws made by him, and an
+he do otherwise, he must be adjudged a slave deserving of punishment
+and not a king, into which offence and under which reproach I, who am
+your king, am in a manner constrained to fall. True it is that
+yesterday I laid down the law for to-day's discourses, purposing not
+this day to make use of my privilege, but, submitting myself to the
+same obligation as you, to discourse of that whereof you have all
+discoursed. However, not only hath that story been told which I had
+thought to tell, but so many other and far finer things have been said
+upon the matter that, for my part, ransack my memory as I will, I can
+call nothing to mind and must avouch myself unable to say aught anent
+such a subject that may compare with those stories which have already
+been told. Wherefore, it behoving me transgress against the law made
+by myself, I declare myself in advance ready, as one deserving of
+punishment, to submit to any forfeit which may be imposed on me, and
+so have recourse to my wonted privilege. Accordingly, dearest ladies,
+I say that Elisa's story of Fra Rinaldo and his gossip and eke the
+simplicity of the Siennese have such efficacy that they induce me,
+letting be the cheats put upon foolish husbands by their wily wives,
+to tell you a slight story of them,[357] which though it have in it no
+little of that which must not be believed, will natheless in part, at
+least, be pleasing to hear.
+
+[Footnote 357: _i.e._ the Siennese.]
+
+There were, then, in Siena two young men of the people, whereof one
+was called Tingoccio Mini and the other Meuccio di Tura; they abode at
+Porta Salaja and consorted well nigh never save one with the other. To
+all appearance they loved each exceedingly and resorting, as men do,
+to churches and preachings, they had many a time heard tell of the
+happiness and of the misery that are, according to their deserts,
+allotted in the next world to the souls of those who die; of which
+things desiring to have certain news and finding no way thereto, they
+promised one another that whichever of them died first should, an he
+might, return to him who abode on life and give him tidings of that
+which he would fain know; and this they confirmed with an oath. Having
+come to this accord and companying still together, as hath been said,
+it chanced that Tingoccio became godfather to a child which one
+Ambruogio Anselmini, abiding at Campo Reggi, had had of his wife,
+Mistress Mita by name, and from time to time visiting, together with
+Meuccio, his gossip who was a very fair and lovesome lady, he became,
+notwithstanding the gossipship, enamoured of her. Meuccio, on like
+wise, hearing her mightily commended of his friend and being himself
+much pleased with her, fell in love with her, and each hid his love
+from the other, but not for one same reason. Tingoccio was careful not
+to discover it to Meuccio, on account of the naughty deed which
+himseemed he did to love his gossip and which he had been ashamed that
+any should know. Meuccio, on the other hand, kept himself
+therefrom,[358] for that he had already perceived that the lady
+pleased Tingoccio; whereupon he said in himself, 'If I discover this
+to him, he will wax jealous of me and being able, as her gossip, to
+bespeak her at his every pleasure, he will, inasmuch as he may, bring
+me in ill savour with her, and so I shall never have of her aught that
+may please me.'
+
+[Footnote 358: _i.e._ from discovering to his friend his liking for
+the lady.]
+
+Things being at this pass, it befell that Tingoccio, having more
+leisure of discovering his every desire to the lady, contrived with
+acts and words so to do that he had his will of her, of which Meuccio
+soon became aware and albeit it sore misliked him, yet, hoping some
+time or other to compass his desire, he feigned ignorance thereof, so
+Tingoccio might not have cause or occasion to do him an ill turn or
+hinder him in any of his affairs. The two friends loving thus, the one
+more happily than the other, it befell that Tingoccio, finding the
+soil of his gossip's demesne soft and eath to till, so delved and
+laboured there that there overcame him thereof a malady, which after
+some days waxed so heavy upon him that, being unable to brook it, he
+departed this life. The third day after his death (for that belike he
+had not before been able) he came by night, according to the promise
+made, into Meuccio's chamber and called the latter, who slept fast.
+Meuccio awoke and said, 'Who art thou?' Whereto he answered, 'I am
+Tingoccio, who, according to the promise which I made thee, am come
+back to thee to give thee news of the other world.'
+
+Meuccio was somewhat affrighted at seeing him; nevertheless, taking
+heart, 'Thou art welcome, brother mine,' quoth he, and presently asked
+him if he were lost. 'Things are lost that are not to be found,'
+replied Tingoccio; 'and how should I be here, if I were lost?'
+'Alack,' cried Meuccio, 'I say not so; nay, I ask thee if thou art
+among the damned souls in the avenging fire of hell.' Whereto quoth
+Tingoccio, 'As for that, no; but I am, notwithstanding, in very
+grievous and anguishful torment for the sins committed by me.' Meuccio
+then particularly enquired of him what punishments were awarded in the
+other world for each of the sins that folk use to commit here below,
+and he told him them all. After this Meuccio asked if there were aught
+he might do for him in this world, whereto Tingoccio replied that
+there was, to wit, that he should let say for him masses and orisons
+and do alms in his name, for that these things were mightily
+profitable to those who abode yonder. Meuccio said that he would well
+and Tingoccio offering to take leave of him, he remembered himself of
+the latter's amour with his gossip and raising his head, said, 'Now
+that I bethink me, Tingoccio, what punishment is given thee over
+yonder anent thy gossip, with whom thou layest, whenas thou wast here
+below?' 'Brother mine,' answered Tingoccio, 'whenas I came yonder,
+there was one who it seemed knew all my sins by heart and bade me
+betake myself to a certain place, where I bemoaned my offences in
+exceeding sore punishment and where I found many companions condemned
+to the same penance as myself. Being among them and remembering me of
+that which I had done whilere with my gossip, I looked for a much
+sorer punishment on account thereof than that which had presently been
+given me and went all shivering for fear, albeit I was in a great fire
+and an exceeding hot; which one who was by my side perceiving, he said
+to me, "What aileth thee more than all the others who are here that
+thou shiverest, being in the fire?" "Marry," said I, "my friend, I am
+sore in fear of the sentence I expect for a grievous sin I wrought
+aforetime." The other asked me what sin this was, and I answered, "It
+was that I lay with a gossip of mine, and that with such a vengeance
+that it cost me my life"; whereupon quoth he, making merry over my
+fear, "Go to, fool; have no fear. Here is no manner of account taken
+of gossips." Which when I heard, I was altogether reassured.' This
+said and the day drawing near, 'Meuccio,' quoth he, 'abide with God,
+for I may no longer be with thee,' and was suddenly gone. Meuccio,
+hearing that no account was taken of gossips in the world to come,
+began to make mock of his own simplicity, for that whiles he had
+spared several of them; wherefore, laying by his ignorance, he became
+wiser in that respect for the future. Which things if Fra Rinaldo had
+known, he had not needed to go a-syllogizing,[359] whenas he converted
+his good gossip to his pleasure."
+
+[Footnote 359: Or, in modern parlance, logic-chopping
+(_sillogizzando_).]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Zephyr was now arisen, for the sun that drew near unto the setting,
+when the king, having made an end of his story and there being none
+other left to tell, put off the crown from his own head and set it on
+that of Lauretta, saying, "Madam, with yourself[360] I crown you
+queen of our company; do you then, from this time forth, as sovereign
+lady, command that which you may deem shall be for the pleasure and
+solacement of all." This said, he reseated himself, whereupon
+Lauretta, become queen, let call the seneschal and bade him look that
+the tables be set in the pleasant valley somewhat earlier than of
+wont, so they might return to the palace at their leisure; after which
+she instructed him what he should do what while her sovranty lasted.
+Then, turning to the company, she said, "Dioneo willed yesterday that
+we should discourse to-day of the tricks that women play their
+husbands and but that I am loath to show myself of the tribe of
+snappish curs, which are fain incontinent to avenge themselves of any
+affront done them, I would say that to-morrow's discourse should be of
+the tricks that men play their wives. But, letting that be, I ordain
+that each bethink himself to tell OF THE TRICKS THAT ALL DAY LONG
+WOMEN PLAY MEN OR MEN WOMEN OR MEN ONE ANOTHER; and I doubt not but
+that in this[361] there will be no less of pleasant discourse than
+there hath been to-day." So saying, she rose to her feet and dismissed
+the company till supper-time.
+
+[Footnote 360: _i.e._ with that whereof you bear the name, _i.e._
+laurel (_laurea_).]
+
+[Footnote 361: Or "on this subject" (_in questo_).]
+
+Accordingly, they all, ladies and men alike, arose and some began to
+go barefoot through the clear water, whilst others went a-pleasuring
+upon the greensward among the straight and goodly trees. Dioneo and
+Fiammetta sang together a great while of Arcite and Palemon, and on
+this wise, taking various and divers delights, they passed the time
+with the utmost satisfaction until the hour of supper; which being
+come, they seated themselves at table beside the lakelet and there, to
+the song of a thousand birds, still refreshed by a gentle breeze, that
+came from the little hills around, and untroubled of any fly, they
+supped in peace and cheer. Then, the tables being removed and the sun
+being yet half-vespers[362] high, after they had gone awhile round
+about the pleasant valley, they wended their way again, even as it
+pleased their queen, with slow steps towards their wonted
+dwelling-place, and jesting and chattering a thousand things, as well
+of those whereof it had been that day discoursed as of others, they
+came near upon nightfall to the fair palace, where having with the
+coolest of wines and confections done away the fatigues of the little
+journey, they presently fell to dancing about the fair fountain,
+carolling[363] now to the sound of Tindaro's bagpipe and anon to that
+of other instruments. But, after awhile, the queen bade Filomena sing
+a song, whereupon she began thus:
+
+[Footnote 362: _Quaere_, "half-complines," _i.e._ half-past seven p.m.
+"Half-vespers" would be half-past four, which seems too early.]
+
+[Footnote 363: _Carolando_, _i.e._ dancing in a round and singing the
+while, the original meaning of our word "carol."]
+
+     Alack, my life forlorn!
+       Will't ever chance I may once more regain
+     Th' estate whence sorry fortune hath me torn?
+
+       Certes, I know not, such a wish of fire
+         I carry in my thought
+           To find me where, alas! I was whilere.
+       O dear my treasure, thou my sole desire,
+         That holdst my heart distraught.
+           Tell it me, thou; for whom I know nor dare
+           To ask it otherwhere.
+       Ah, dear my lord, oh, cause me hope again,
+     So I may comfort me my spright wayworn.
+
+       What was the charm I cannot rightly tell
+         That kindled in me such
+           A flame of love that rest nor day nor night
+       I find; for, by some strong unwonted spell,
+         Hearing and touch
+           And seeing each new fires in me did light,
+           Wherein I burn outright;
+       Nor other than thyself can soothe my pain
+     Nor call my senses back, by love o'erborne.
+
+       O tell me if and when, then, it shall be
+         That I shall find thee e'er
+           Whereas I kissed those eyes that did me slay.
+       O dear my good, my soul, ah, tell it me,
+         When thou wilt come back there,
+           And saying "Quickly," comfort my dismay
+           Somedele. Short be the stay
+       Until thou come, and long mayst thou remain!
+     I'm so love-struck, I reck not of men's scorn.
+
+       If once again I chance to hold thee aye,
+         I will not be so fond
+           As erst I was to suffer thee to fly;
+       Nay, fast I'll hold thee, hap of it what may,
+         And having thee in bond,
+           Of thy sweet mouth my lust I'll satisfy.
+           Now of nought else will I
+       Discourse. Quick, to thy bosom come me strain;
+     The sheer thought bids me sing like lark at morn.
+
+This song caused all the company conclude that a new and pleasing love
+held Filomena in bonds, and as by the words it appeared that she had
+tasted more thereof than sight alone, she was envied of this by
+certain who were there and who held her therefor so much the happier.
+But, after her song was ended, the queen, remembering her that the
+ensuing day was Friday, thus graciously bespoke all, "You know, noble
+ladies and you also, young men, that to-morrow is the day consecrated
+to the passion of our Lord, the which, an you remember aright, what
+time Neifile was queen, we celebrated devoutly and therein gave pause
+to our delightsome discoursements, and on like wise we did with the
+following Saturday. Wherefore, being minded to follow the good example
+given us by Neifile, I hold it seemly that to-morrow and the next day
+we abstain, even as we did a week agone, from our pleasant
+story-telling, recalling to memory that which on those days befell
+whilere for the salvation of our souls." The queen's pious speech was
+pleasing unto all and a good part of the night being now past, they
+all, dismissed by her, betook them to repose.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE SEVENTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Eighth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF LAURETTA IS DISCOURSED OF THE TRICKS THAT
+     ALL DAY LONG WOMEN PLAY MEN OR MEN WOMEN OR MEN ONE ANOTHER
+
+
+Already on the Sunday morning the rays of the rising light appeared on
+the summits of the higher mountains and every shadow having departed,
+things might manifestly be discerned, when the queen, arising with her
+company, went wandering first through the dewy grass and after,
+towards half-tierce,[364] visiting a little neighboring church, heard
+there divine service; then, returning home, they ate with mirth and
+joyance and after sang and danced awhile till the queen dismissed
+them, so whoso would might go rest himself. But, whenas the sun had
+passed the meridian, they all seated themselves, according as it
+pleased the queen, near the fair fountain, for the wonted
+story-telling, and Neifile, by her commandment, began thus:
+
+[Footnote 364: _i.e._ half-past seven a.m.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     GULFARDO BORROWETH OF GUASPARRUOLO CERTAIN MONIES, FOR WHICH
+     HE HATH AGREED WITH HIS WIFE THAT HE SHALL LIE WITH HER, AND
+     ACCORDINGLY GIVETH THEM TO HER; THEN, IN HER PRESENCE, HE
+     TELLETH GUASPARRUOLO THAT HE GAVE THEM TO HER, AND SHE
+     CONFESSETH IT TO BE TRUE
+
+
+"Since God hath so ordered it that I am to give a beginning to the
+present day's discourses, with my story, I am content, and therefore,
+lovesome ladies, seeing that much hath been said of the tricks played
+by women upon men, it is my pleasure to relate one played by a man
+upon a woman, not that I mean therein to blame that which the man did
+or to deny that it served the woman aright, nay, rather to commend the
+man and blame the woman and to show that men also know how to cozen
+those who put faith in them, even as themselves are cozened by those
+in whom they believe. Indeed, to speak more precisely, that whereof I
+have to tell should not be called cozenage; nay, it should rather be
+styled a just requital; for that, albeit a woman should still be
+virtuous and guard her chastity as her life nor on any account suffer
+herself be persuaded to sully it, yet, seeing that, by reason of our
+frailty, this is not always possible as fully as should be, I affirm
+that she who consenteth to her own dishonour for a price is worthy of
+the fire, whereas she who yieldeth for Love's sake, knowing his
+exceeding great puissance, meriteth forgiveness from a judge not too
+severe, even as, a few days agone, Filostrato showed it to have been
+observed towards Madam Filippa at Prato.
+
+There was, then, aforetime at Milan a German, by name Gulfardo, in the
+pay of the state, a stout fellow of his person and very loyal to those
+in whose service he engaged himself, which is seldom the case with
+Germans; and for that he was a very punctual repayer of such loans as
+were made him, he might always find many merchants ready to lend him
+any quantity of money at little usance. During his sojourn in Milan,
+he set his heart upon a very fair lady called Madam Ambruogia, the
+wife of a rich merchant, by name Guasparruolo Cagastraccio, who was
+much his acquaintance and friend, and loving her very discreetly, so
+that neither her husband nor any other suspected it, he sent one day
+to speak with her, praying her that it would please her vouchsafe him
+her favours and protesting that he, on his part, was ready to do
+whatsoever she should command him. The lady, after many parleys, came
+to this conclusion, that she was ready to do that which Gulfardo
+wished, provided two things should ensue thereof; one, that this
+should never be by him discovered to any and the other, that, as she
+had need of two hundred gold florins for some occasion of hers, he,
+who was a rich man, should give them to her; after which she would
+still be at his service.
+
+Gulfardo, hearing this and indignant at the sordidness of her whom he
+had accounted a lady of worth, was like to exchange his fervent love
+for hatred and thinking to cheat her, sent back to her, saying that he
+would very willingly do this and all else in his power that might
+please her and that therefore she should e'en send him word when she
+would have him go to her, for that he would carry her the money, nor
+should any ever hear aught of the matter, save a comrade of his in
+whom he trusted greatly and who still bore him company in whatsoever
+he did. The lady, or rather, I should say, the vile woman, hearing
+this, was well pleased and sent to him, saying that Guasparruolo her
+husband was to go to Genoa for his occasions a few days hence and that
+she would presently let him know of this and send for him. Meanwhile,
+Gulfardo, taking his opportunity, repaired to Guasparruolo and said to
+him, 'I have present occasion for two hundred gold florins, the which
+I would have thee lend me at that same usance whereat thou art wont to
+lend me other monies.' The other replied that he would well and
+straightway counted out to him the money.
+
+A few days thereafterward Guasparruolo went to Genoa, even as the
+lady had said, whereupon she sent to Gulfardo to come to her and
+bring the two hundred gold florins. Accordingly, he took his comrade
+and repaired to the lady's house, where finding her expecting him, the
+first thing he did was to put into her hands the two hundred gold
+florins, in his friend's presence, saying to her, 'Madam, take these
+monies and give them to your husband, whenas he shall be returned.'
+The lady took them, never guessing why he said thus, but supposing
+that he did it so his comrade should not perceive that he gave them to
+her by way of price, and answered, 'With all my heart; but I would
+fain see how many they are.' Accordingly, she turned them out upon the
+table and finding them full two hundred, laid them up, mighty content
+in herself; then, returning to Gulfardo and carrying him into her
+chamber, she satisfied him of her person not that night only, but many
+others before her husband returned from Genoa.
+
+As soon as the latter came back, Gulfardo, having spied out a time
+when he was in company with his wife, betook himself to him, together
+with his comrade aforesaid, and said to him, in the lady's presence,
+'Guasparruolo, I had no occasion for the monies, to wit, the two
+hundred gold florins, thou lentest me the other day, for that I could
+not compass the business for which I borrowed them. Accordingly, I
+brought them presently back to thy lady here and gave them to her;
+wherefore look thou cancel my account.' Guasparruolo, turning to his
+wife, asked her if she had the monies, and she, seeing the witness
+present, knew not how to deny, but said, 'Ay, I had them and had not
+yet remembered me to tell thee.' Whereupon quoth Guasparruolo,
+'Gulfardo, I am satisfied; get you gone and God go with you: I will
+settle your account aright.' Gulfardo gone, the lady, finding herself
+cozened, gave her husband the dishonourable price of her baseness; and
+on this wise the crafty lover enjoyed his sordid mistress without
+cost."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     THE PARISH PRIEST OF VARLUNGO LIETH WITH MISTRESS BELCOLORE
+     AND LEAVETH HER A CLOAK OF HIS IN PLEDGE; THEN, BORROWING A
+     MORTAR OF HER, HE SENDETH IT BACK TO HER, DEMANDING IN
+     RETURN THE CLOAK LEFT BY WAY OF TOKEN, WHICH THE GOOD WOMAN
+     GRUDGINGLY GIVETH HIM BACK
+
+
+Men and ladies alike commended that which Gulfardo had done to the
+sordid Milanese lady, and the queen, turning to Pamfilo, smilingly
+charged him follow on; whereupon quoth he, "Fair ladies, it occurreth
+to me to tell you a little story against those who continually offend
+against us, without being open to retaliation on our part, to wit, the
+clergy, who have proclaimed a crusade against our wives and who,
+whenas they avail to get one of the latter under them, conceive
+themselves to have gained forgiveness of fault and pardon of penalty
+no otherwise than as they had brought the Soldan bound from
+Alexandria to Avignon.[365] Whereof the wretched laymen cannot return
+them the like, albeit they wreak their ire upon the priests' mothers
+and sisters, doxies and daughters, assailing them with no less ardour
+than the former do their wives. Wherefore I purpose to recount to you
+a village love-affair, more laughable for its conclusion than long in
+words, wherefrom you may yet gather, by way of fruit, that priests are
+not always to be believed in everything.
+
+[Footnote 365: Where the papal court then was. See p. 257, note.]
+
+You must know, then, that there was once at Varlungo,--a village very
+near here, as each of you ladies either knoweth or may have heard,--a
+worthy priest and a lusty of his person in the service of the ladies,
+who, albeit he knew not overwell how to read, natheless regaled his
+parishioners with store of good and pious saws at the elmfoot on
+Sundays and visited their women, whenas they went abroad anywhither,
+more diligently than any priest who had been there aforetime, carrying
+them fairings and holy water and a stray candle-end or so, whiles even
+to their houses. Now it chanced that, among other his she-parishioners
+who were most to his liking, one pleased him over all, by name
+Mistress Belcolore, the wife of a husbandman who styled himself
+Bentivegna del Mazzo, a jolly, buxom country wench, brown-favoured and
+tight-made, as apt at turning the mill[366] as any woman alive.
+Moreover, it was she who knew how to play the tabret and sing 'The
+water runneth to the ravine' and lead up the haye and the round, when
+need was, with a fine muckender in her hand and a quaint, better than
+any woman of her neighbourhood; by reason of which things my lord
+priest became so sore enamoured of her that he was like to lose his
+wits therefor and would prowl about all day long to get a sight of
+her. Whenas he espied her in church of a Sunday morning, he would say
+a Kyrie and a Sanctus, studying to show himself a past master in
+descant, that it seemed as it were an ass a-braying; whereas, when he
+saw her not there, he passed that part of the service over lightly
+enough. But yet he made shift to do on such wise that neither
+Bentivegna nor any of his neighbours suspected aught; and the better
+to gain Mistress Belcolore's goodwill, he made her presents from time
+to time, sending her whiles a clove of garlic, which he had the finest
+of all the countryside in a garden he tilled with his own hands, and
+otherwhiles a punnet of peascods or a bunch of chives or scallions,
+and whenas he saw his opportunity, he would ogle her askance and cast
+a friendly gibe at her; but she, putting on the prude, made a show of
+not observing it and passed on with a demure air; wherefore my lord
+priest could not come by his will of her.
+
+[Footnote 366: Or, as La Fontaine would say, "aussi bien faite pour
+armer un lit."]
+
+It chanced one day that as he sauntered about the quarter on the
+stroke of noon, he encountered Bentivegna del Mazzo, driving an ass
+laden with gear, and accosting him, asked whither he went. 'Faith,
+sir,' answered the husbandman, 'to tell you the truth, I am going to
+town about a business of mine and am carrying these things to Squire
+Bonaccorri da Ginestreto, so he may help me in I know not what whereof
+the police-court judge hath summoned me by his proctor for a
+peremptory attendance.' The priest was rejoiced to hear this and
+said, 'Thou dost well, my son; go now with my benison and return
+speedily; and shouldst thou chance to see Lapuccio or Naldino, forget
+not to bid them bring me those straps they wot of for my flails.'
+Bentivegna answered that it should be done and went his way towards
+Florence, whereupon the priest bethought himself that now was his time
+to go try his luck with Belcolore. Accordingly, he let not the grass
+grow under his feet, but set off forthright and stayed not till he
+came to her house and entering in, said, 'God send us all well! Who is
+within there?' Belcolore, who was gone up into the hay-loft, hearing
+him, said, 'Marry, sir, you are welcome; but what do you gadding it
+abroad in this heat?' 'So God give me good luck,' answered he, 'I came
+to abide with thee awhile, for that I met thy man going to town.'
+
+Belcolore came down and taking a seat, fell to picking over
+cabbage-seed which her husband had threshed out a while before;
+whereupon quoth the priest to her, 'Well, Belcolore, wilt thou still
+cause me die for thee on this wise?' She laughed and answered, 'What
+is it I do to you?' Quoth he, 'Thou dost nought to me, but thou
+sufferest me not do to thee that which I would fain do and which God
+commandeth.' 'Alack!' cried Belcolore, 'Go to, go to. Do priests do
+such things?' 'Ay do we,' replied he, 'as well as other men; and why
+not? And I tell thee more, we do far and away better work and knowest
+thou why? Because we grind with a full head of water. But in good
+sooth it shall be shrewdly to thy profit, an thou wilt but abide quiet
+and let me do.' 'And what might this "shrewdly to my profit" be?'
+asked she. 'For all you priests are stingier than the devil.' Quoth
+he, 'I know not; ask thou. Wilt have a pair of shoes or a head-lace or
+a fine stammel waistband or what thou wilt?' 'Pshaw!' cried Belcolore.
+'I have enough and to spare of such things; but an you wish me so
+well, why do you not render me a service, and I will do what you
+will?' Quoth the priest, 'Say what thou wilt have of me, and I will do
+it willingly.' Then said she, 'Needs must I go to Florence, come
+Saturday, to carry back the wool I have spun and get my spinning-wheel
+mended; and an you will lend me five crowns, which I know you have by
+you, I can take my watchet gown out of pawn and my Sunday girdle[367]
+that I brought my husband, for you see I cannot go to church nor to
+any decent place, because I have them not; and after I will still do
+what you would have me.' 'So God give me a good year,' replied the
+priest, 'I have them not about me; but believe me, ere Saturday come,
+I will contrive that thou shalt have them, and that very willingly.'
+'Ay,' said Belcolore, 'you are all like this, great promisers, and
+after perform nothing to any. Think you to do with me as you did with
+Biliuzza, who went off with the ghittern-player?[368] Cock's faith,
+then, you shall not, for that she is turned a common drab only for
+that. If you have them not about you, go for them.' 'Alack,' cried the
+priest, 'put me not upon going all the way home. Thou seest that I
+have the luck just now to find thee alone, but maybe, when I return,
+there will be some one or other here to hinder us; and I know not when
+I shall find so good an opportunity again.' Quoth she, 'It is well; an
+you choose to go, go; if not, go without.'
+
+[Footnote 367: Or apron.]
+
+[Footnote 368: _Se n'ando col ceteratojo_; a proverbial expression of
+similar meaning to our "was whistled down the wind," _i.e._ was
+lightly dismissed without provision, like a cast-off hawk.]
+
+The priest, seeing that she was not in the humour to do his pleasure
+without a _salvum me fac_, whereas he would fain have done it _sine
+custodia_, said, 'Harkye, thou believest not that I will bring thee
+the money; but, so thou mayst credit me, I will leave thee this my
+blue-cloth cloak.' Belcolore raised her eyes and said, 'Eh what! That
+cloak? What is it worth?' 'Worth?' answered the priest. 'I would have
+thee know that it is cloth of Douay, nay, Threeay, and there be some
+of our folk here who hold it for Fouray.[369] It is scarce a fortnight
+since it cost me seven crowns of hard money to Lotto the broker, and
+according to what Buglietto telleth me (and thou knowest he is a judge
+of this kind of cloth), I had it good five shillings overcheap.'
+'Indeed!' quoth Belcolore. 'So God be mine aid, I had never thought
+it. But give it me first of all.' My lord priest, who had his arbalest
+ready cocked, pulled off the cloak and gave it her; and she, after she
+had laid it up, said, 'Come, sir, let us go into the barn, for no one
+ever cometh there.' And so they did. There the priest gave her the
+heartiest busses in the world and making her sib to God Almighty,[370]
+solaced himself with her a great while; after which he took leave of
+her and returned to the parsonage in his cassock, as it were he came
+from officiating at a wedding.
+
+[Footnote 369: A play of words upon the Italian equivalent of the
+French word Douay (_Duagio, i.e. Twoay, Treagio, Quattragio_) invented
+by the roguish priest to impose upon the simple goodwife.]
+
+[Footnote 370: Or in modern parlance, "making her a connection by
+marriage of etc.," Boccaccio feigning priests to be members of the
+Holy Family, by virtue of their office.]
+
+There, bethinking himself that all the candle-ends he got by way of
+offertory in all the year were not worth the half of five crowns,
+himseemed he had done ill and repenting him of having left the cloak,
+he fell to considering how he might have it again without cost. Being
+shrewd enough in a small way, he soon hit upon a device and it
+succeeded to his wish; for that on the morrow, it being a holiday, he
+sent a neighbour's lad of his to Mistress Belcolore's house, with a
+message praying her be pleased to lend him her stone mortar, for that
+Binguccio dal Poggio and Nuto Buglietti were to dine with him that
+morning and he had a mind to make sauce. She sent it to him and
+towards dinner-time, the priest, having spied out when Bentivegna and
+his wife were at meat together, called his clerk and said to him,
+'Carry this mortar back to Belcolore and say to her, 'His reverence
+biddeth you gramercy and prayeth you send him back the cloak that the
+boy left you by way of token.' The clerk accordingly repaired to her
+house and there, finding her at table with Bentivegna, set down the
+mortar and did the priest's errand. Belcolore, hearing require the
+cloak again, would have answered; but her husband said, with an angry
+air, 'Takest thou a pledge of his reverence? I vow to Christ, I have a
+mind to give thee a good clout over the head! Go, give it quickly back
+to him, pox take thee! And in future, let him ask what he will of
+ours, (ay, though he should seek our ass,) look that it be not denied
+him.' Belcolore rose, grumbling, and pulling the cloak out of the
+chest, gave it to the clerk, saying, 'Tell her reverence from me,
+Belcolore saith, she voweth to God you shall never again pound sauce
+in her mortar; you have done her no such fine honour of this bout.'
+
+The clerk made off with the cloak and did her message to the priest,
+who said, laughing, 'Tell her, when thou seest her, that, an she will
+not lend me her mortar, I will not lend her my pestle; and so we shall
+be quits.' Bentivegna concluded that his wife had said this, because
+he had chidden her, and took no heed thereof; but Belcolore bore the
+priest a grudge and held him at arm's length till vintage-time; when,
+he having threatened to cause her go into the mouth of Lucifer the
+great devil, for very fear she made her peace with him over must and
+roast chestnuts and they after made merry together time and again. In
+lieu of the five crowns, the priest let put new parchment to her
+tabret and string thereto a cast of hawk's bells, and with this she
+was fain to be content."
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     CALANDRINO, BRUNO AND BUFFALMACCO GO COASTING ALONG THE
+     MUGNONE IN SEARCH OF THE HELIOTROPE AND CALANDRINO THINKETH
+     TO HAVE FOUND IT. ACCORDINGLY HE RETURNETH HOME, LADEN WITH
+     STONES, AND HIS WIFE CHIDETH HIM; WHEREUPON, FLYING OUT INTO
+     A RAGE, HE BEATETH HER AND RECOUNTETH TO HIS COMPANIONS THAT
+     WHICH THEY KNOW BETTER THAN HE
+
+
+Pamfilo having made an end of his story, at which the ladies had
+laughed so much that they laugh yet, the queen bade Elisa follow on,
+who, still laughing, began, "I know not, charming ladies, if with a
+little story of mine, no less true than pleasant, I shall succeed in
+making you laugh as much as Pamfilo hath done with his; but I will do
+my endeavor thereof.
+
+In our city, then, which hath ever abounded in various fashions and
+strange folk, there was once, no great while since, a painter called
+Calandrino, a simple-witted man and of strange usances. He companied
+most of his time with other two painters, called the one Bruno and the
+other Buffalmacco, both very merry men, but otherwise well-advised and
+shrewd, who consorted with Calandrino for that they ofttimes had great
+diversion of his fashions and his simplicity. There was then also in
+Florence a young man of a mighty pleasant humor and marvellously
+adroit in all he had a mind to do, astute and plausible, who was
+called Maso del Saggio, and who, hearing certain traits of
+Calandrino's simplicity, determined to amuse himself at his expense
+by putting off some cheat on him or causing him believe some strange
+thing. He chanced one day to come upon him in the church of San
+Giovanni and seeing him intent upon the carved work and paintings of
+the pyx, which is upon the altar of the said church and which had then
+not long been placed there, he judged the place and time opportune for
+carrying his intent into execution. Accordingly, acquainting a friend
+of his with that which he purposed to do, they both drew near unto the
+place where Calandrino sat alone and feigning not to see him, fell
+a-discoursing together of the virtues of divers stones, whereof Maso
+spoke as authoritatively as if he had been a great and famous
+lapidary.
+
+Calandrino gave ear to their talk and presently, seeing that it was no
+secret, he rose to his feet and joined himself to them, to the no
+small satisfaction of Maso, who, pursuing his discourse, was asked by
+Calandrino where these wonder-working stones were to be found. Maso
+replied that the most of them were found in Berlinzone, a city of the
+Basques, in a country called Bengodi,[371] where the vines are tied up
+with sausages and a goose is to be had for a farthing[372] and a
+gosling into the bargain, and that there was a mountain all of grated
+Parmesan cheese, whereon abode folk who did nothing but make maccaroni
+and ravioli[373] and cook them in capon-broth, after which they threw
+them down thence and whoso got most thereof had most; and that hard by
+ran a rivulet of vernage,[374] the best ever was drunk, without a drop
+of water therein. 'Marry,' cried Calandrino, 'that were a fine
+country; but tell me, what is done with the capons that they boil for
+broth?' Quoth Maso, 'The Basques eat them all.' Then said Calandrino,
+'Wast thou ever there?' 'Was I ever there, quotha!' replied Maso. 'If
+I have been there once I have been there a thousand times.' 'And how
+many miles is it distant hence?' asked Calandrino; and Maso, 'How
+many? a million or more; you might count them all night and not know.'
+'Then,' said Calandrino, 'it must be farther off than the Abruzzi?'
+'Ay, indeed,' answered Maso; 'it is a trifle farther.'
+
+[Footnote 371: _i.e._ Good cheer.]
+
+[Footnote 372: A play upon the double meaning of _a denajo_, which
+signifies also "for money."]
+
+[Footnote 373: A kind of rissole made of eggs, sweet herbs and
+cheese.]
+
+[Footnote 374: _Vernaccia_, a kind of rich white wine like Malmsey.]
+
+Calandrino, like a simpleton as he was, hearing Maso tell all this
+with an assured air and without laughing, gave such credence thereto
+as can be given to whatsoever verity is most manifest and so, holding
+it for truth, said, 'That is overfar for my money; though, were it
+nearer, I tell thee aright I would go thither with thee once upon a
+time, if but to see the maccaroni come tumbling headlong down and take
+my fill thereof. But tell me, God keep thee merry, is there none of
+those wonder-working stones to be found in these parts?' 'Ay is
+there,' answered Maso; 'there be two kinds of stones of very great
+virtue found here; the first are the grits of Settignano and Montisci,
+by virtue whereof, when they are wrought into millstones, flour is
+made; wherefore it is said in those parts that grace cometh from God
+and millstones from Montisci; but there is such great plenty of these
+grits that they are as little prized with us as emeralds with the folk
+over yonder, where they have mountains of them bigger than Mount
+Morello, which shine in the middle of the night, I warrant thee. And
+thou must know that whoso should cause set fine and perfect
+millstones, before they are pierced, in rings and carry them to the
+Soldan might have for them what he would. The other is what we
+lapidaries call Heliotrope, a stone of exceeding great virtue, for
+that whoso hath it about him is not seen of any other person whereas
+he is not, what while he holdeth it.' Quoth Calandrino, 'These be
+indeed great virtues; but where is this second stone found?' To which
+Maso replied that it was commonly found in the Mugnone. 'What bigness
+is this stone,' asked Calandrino, 'and what is its colour?' Quoth
+Maso, 'It is of various sizes, some more and some less; but all are
+well nigh black of colour.'
+
+Calandrino noted all this in himself and feigning to have otherwhat to
+do, took leave of Maso, inwardly determined to go seek the stone in
+question, but bethought himself not to do it without the knowledge of
+Bruno and Buffalmacco, whom he most particularly affected. Accordingly
+he addressed himself to seek for them, so they might, without delay
+and before any else, set about the search, and spent all the rest of
+the morning seeking them. At last, when it was past none, he
+remembered him that they were awork in the Ladies' Convent at Faenza
+and leaving all his other business, he betook himself thither well
+nigh at a run, notwithstanding the great heat. As soon as he saw them,
+he called them and bespoke them thus: 'Comrades, an you will hearken
+to me, we may become the richest men in all Florence, for that I have
+learned from a man worthy of belief that in the Mugnone is to be found
+a stone, which whoso carrieth about him is not seen of any; wherefore
+meseemeth we were best go thither in quest thereof without delay, ere
+any forestall us. We shall certainly find it, for that I know it well,
+and when we have gotten it, what have we to do but put it in our poke
+and getting us to the moneychangers' tables, which you know stand
+still laden with groats and florins, take as much as we will thereof?
+None will see us, and so may we grow rich of a sudden, without having
+to smear walls all day long, snail-fashion.'
+
+Bruno and Buffalmacco, hearing this, fell a-laughing in their sleeves
+and eyeing each other askance, made a show of exceeding wonderment and
+praised Calandrino's counsel, but Bruno asked how the stone in
+question was called. Calandrino, who was a clod-pated fellow, had
+already forgotten the name, wherefore quoth he, 'What have we to do
+with the name, since we know the virtue of the stone? Meseemeth we
+were best go about the quest without more ado.' 'Well, then,' said
+Bruno, 'how is it fashioned?' 'It is of all fashions,' replied
+Calandrino; 'but all are well nigh black; wherefore meseemeth that
+what we have to do is to gather up all the black stones we see, till
+we happen upon the right. So let us lose no time, but get us gone.'
+Quoth Bruno, 'Wait awhile,' and turning to his comrade, said,
+'Methinketh Calandrino saith well; but meseemeth this is no season
+for the search, for that the sun is high and shineth full upon the
+Mugnone, where it hath dried all the stones, so that certain of those
+that be there appear presently white, which of a morning, ere the sun
+have dried them, show black; more by token that, to-day being a
+working day, there be many folk, on one occasion or another abroad
+along the banks, who, seeing us, may guess what we are about and maybe
+do likewise, whereby the stone may come to their hands and we shall
+have lost the trot for the amble. Meseemeth (an you be of the same way
+of thinking) that this is a business to be undertaken of a morning,
+whenas the black may be the better known from the white, and of a
+holiday, when there will be none there to see us.'
+
+Buffalmacco commended Bruno's counsel and Calandrino fell in
+therewith; wherefore they agreed to go seek for the stone all three on
+the following Sunday morning, and Calandrino besought them over all
+else not to say a word of the matter to any one alive, for that it had
+been imparted to him in confidence, and after told them that which he
+had heard tell of the land of Bengodi, affirming with an oath that it
+was as he said. As soon as he had taken his leave, the two others
+agreed with each other what they should do in the matter and
+Calandrino impatiently awaited the Sunday morning, which being come,
+he arose at break of day and called his friends, with whom he sallied
+forth of the city by the San Gallo gate and descending into the bed of
+the Mugnone, began to go searching down stream for the stone.
+Calandrino, as the eagerest of the three, went on before, skipping
+nimbly hither and thither, and whenever he espied any black stone, he
+pounced upon it and picking it up, thrust it into his bosom. His
+comrades followed after him picking up now one stone and now another;
+but Calandrino had not gone far before he had his bosom full of
+stones; wherefore, gathering up the skirts of his grown, which was not
+cut Flanders fashion,[375] he tucked them well into his surcingle all
+round and made an ample lap thereof. However, it was no great while
+ere he had filled it, and making a lap on like wise of his mantle,
+soon filled this also with stones. Presently, the two others seeing
+that he had gotten his load and that dinner-time drew nigh, quoth
+Bruno to Buffalmacco, in accordance with the plan concerted between
+them, 'Where is Calandrino?' Buffalmacco, who saw him hard by, turned
+about and looking now here and now there, answered, 'I know not; but
+he was before us but now.' 'But now, quotha!' cried Bruno. 'I warrant
+you he is presently at home at dinner and hath left us to play the
+fool here, seeking black stones down the Mugnone.' 'Egad,' rejoined
+Buffalmacco 'he hath done well to make mock of us and leave us here,
+since we were fools enough to credit him. Marry, who but we had been
+simple enough to believe that a stone of such virtue was to be found
+in the Mugnone?'
+
+[Footnote 375: _i.e._ not strait-cut.]
+
+Calandrino, hearing this, concluded that the heliotrope had fallen
+into his hands and that by virtue thereof they saw him not, albeit he
+was present with them, and rejoiced beyond measure at such a piece of
+good luck, answered them not a word, but determined to return;
+wherefore, turning back, he set off homeward. Buffalmacco, seeing
+this, said to Bruno, 'What shall we do? Why do we not get us gone?'
+Whereto Bruno answered, 'Let us begone; but I vow to God that
+Calandrino shall never again serve me thus, and were I presently near
+him as I have been all the morning, I would give him such a clout on
+the shins with this stone that he should have cause to remember this
+trick for maybe a month to come.' To say this and to let fly at
+Calandrino's shins with the stone were one and the same thing; and the
+latter, feeling the pain, lifted up his leg and began to puff and
+blow, but yet held his peace and fared on. Presently Buffalmacco took
+one of the flints he had picked up and said to Bruno, 'Look at this
+fine flint; here should go for Calandrino's loins!' So saying, he let
+fly and dealt him a sore rap in the small of the back with the stone.
+Brief, on this wise, now with one word and now with another, they went
+pelting him up the Mugnone till they came to the San Gallo gate, where
+they threw down the stones they had gathered and halted awhile at the
+custom house.
+
+The officers, forewarned by them, feigned not to see Calandrino and
+let him pass, laughing heartily at the jest, whilst he, without
+stopping, made straight for his house, which was near the Canto alla
+Macina, and fortune so far favoured the cheat that none accosted him,
+as he came up the stream and after through the city, as, indeed, he
+met with few, for that well nigh every one was at dinner. Accordingly,
+he reached his house, thus laden, and as chance would have it, his
+wife, a fair and virtuous lady, by name Mistress Tessa, was at the
+stairhead. Seeing him come and somewhat provoked at his long
+tarriance, she began to rail at him, saying, 'Devil take the man! Wilt
+thou never think to come home betimes? All the folk have already dined
+whenas thou comest back to dinner.' Calandrino, hearing this and
+finding that he was seen, was overwhelmed with chagrin and vexation
+and cried out, 'Alack, wicked woman that thou art, wast thou there?
+Thou hast undone me; but, by God His faith, I will pay thee therefor!'
+Therewithal he ran up to a little saloon he had and there disburdened
+himself of the mass of stones he had brought home; then, running in a
+fury at his wife, he laid hold of her by the hair and throwing her
+down at his feet, cuffed and kicked her in every part as long as he
+could wag his arms and legs, without leaving a hair on her head or a
+bone in her body that was not beaten to a mash, nor did it avail her
+aught to cry him mercy with clasped hands.
+
+Meanwhile Bruno and Buffalmacco, after laughing awhile with the
+keepers of the gate, proceeded with slow step to follow Calandrino
+afar off and presently coming to the door of his house, heard the
+cruel beating he was in act to give his wife; whereupon, making a show
+of having but then come back, they called Calandrino, who came to the
+window, all asweat and red with anger and vexation, and prayed them
+come up to him. Accordingly, they went up, making believe to be
+somewhat vexed, and seeing the room full of stones and the lady, all
+torn and dishevelled and black and blue in the face for bruises,
+weeping piteously in one corner of the room, whilst Calandrino sat in
+another, untrussed and panting like one forspent, eyed them awhile,
+then said, 'What is this, Calandrino? Art thou for building, that we
+see all these stones here? And Mistress Tessa, what aileth her? It
+seemeth thou hast beaten her. What is all this ado?' Calandrino,
+outwearied with the weight of the stones and the fury with which he
+had beaten his wife, no less than with chagrin for the luck which
+himseemed he had lost, could not muster breath to give them aught but
+broken words in reply; wherefore, as he delayed to answer, Buffalmacco
+went on, 'Harkye, Calandrino, whatever other cause for anger thou
+mightest have had, thou shouldst not have fooled us as thou hast done,
+in that, after thou hadst carried us off to seek with thee for the
+wonder-working stone, thou leftest us in the Mugnone, like a couple of
+gulls, and madest off home, without saying so much as God be with you
+or devil; the which we take exceeding ill; but assuredly this shall be
+the last trick thou shalt ever play us.'
+
+Therewithal, Calandrino enforcing himself,[376] answered, 'Comrades,
+be not angered; the case standeth otherwise than as you deem. I
+(unlucky wretch that I am!) had found the stone in question, and you
+shall hear if I tell truth. When first you questioned one another of
+me, I was less than half a score yards distant from you; but, seeing
+that you made off and saw me not, I went on before you and came back
+hither, still keeping a little in front of you.' Then, beginning from
+the beginning, he recounted to them all that they had said and done,
+first and last, and showed them how the stones had served his back and
+shins; after which, 'And I may tell you,' continued he, 'that, whenas
+I entered in at the gate, with all these stones about me which you see
+here, there was nothing said to me, albeit you know how vexatious and
+tiresome these gatekeepers use to be in wanting to see everything;
+more by token that I met by the way several of my friends and gossips,
+who are still wont to accost me and invite me to drink; but none of
+them said a word to me, no, nor half a word, as those who saw me not.
+At last, being come home hither, this accursed devil of a woman
+presented herself before me, for that, as you know, women cause
+everything lose its virtue, wherefore I, who might else have called
+myself the luckiest man in Florence, am become the most unlucky. For
+this I have beaten her as long as I could wag my fists and I know not
+what hindereth me from slitting her weasand, accursed be the hour when
+first I saw her and when she came to me in this house.' Then, flaming
+out into fresh anger, he offered to rise and beat her anew.
+
+[Footnote 376: _Sforzandosi_, _i.e._ recovering his wind with an
+effort.]
+
+Bruno and Buffalmacco, hearing all this, made believe to marvel
+exceedingly and often confirmed that which Calandrino said, albeit
+they had the while so great a mind to laugh that they were like to
+burst; but, seeing him start up in a rage to beat his wife again, they
+rose upon him and withheld him, avouching that the lady was nowise at
+fault, but that he had only himself to blame for that which had
+happened, since he knew that women caused things to lose their virtue
+and had not bidden her beware of appearing before him that day, and
+that God had bereft him of foresight to provide against this, either
+for that the adventure was not to be his or because he had had it in
+mind to cozen his comrades, to whom he should have discovered the
+matter, as soon as he perceived that he had found the stone. Brief,
+after many words, they made peace, not without much ado, between him
+and the woebegone lady and went their ways, leaving him disconsolate,
+with the house full of stones."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     THE RECTOR OF FIESOLE LOVETH A WIDOW LADY, BUT IS NOT LOVED
+     BY HER AND THINKING TO LIE WITH HER, LIETH WITH A
+     SERVING-WENCH OF HERS, WHILST THE LADY'S BROTHERS CAUSE THE
+     BISHOP FIND HIM IN THIS CASE
+
+
+Elisa being come to the end of her story, which she had related to the
+no small pleasure of all the company, the queen turned to Emilia, and
+signified to her her wish that she should follow after with her story,
+whereupon she promptly began thus: "I have not forgotten, noble
+ladies, that it hath already been shown, in sundry of the foregoing
+stories, how much we women are exposed to the importunities of the
+priests and friars and clergy of every kind; but, seeing that so much
+cannot be said thereof but that yet more will remain to say, I
+purpose, to boot, to tell you a story of a rector, who, maugre all the
+world, would e'en have a gentlewoman wish him well,[377] whether she
+would or not; whereupon she, like a very discreet woman as she was,
+used him as he deserved.
+
+[Footnote 377: _i.e._ love him, grant him her favours. See ante,
+passim.]
+
+As all of you know, Fiesole, whose hill we can see hence, was once a
+very great and ancient city, nor, albeit it is nowadays all undone,
+hath it ever ceased to be, as it is yet, the seat of a bishop. Near
+the cathedral church there a widow lady of noble birth, by name Madam
+Piccarda, had an estate, where, for that she was not overwell to do,
+she abode the most part of the year in a house of hers that was not
+very big, and with her, two brothers of hers, very courteous and
+worthy youths. It chanced that, the lady frequenting the cathedral
+church and being yet very young and fair and agreeable, the rector of
+the church became so sore enamoured of her that he could think of
+nothing else, and after awhile, making bold to discover his mind to
+her, he prayed her accept of his love and love him as he loved her.
+Now he was already old in years, but very young in wit, malapert and
+arrogant and presumptuous in the extreme, with manners and fashions
+full of conceit and ill grace, and withal so froward and
+ill-conditioned that there was none who wished him well; and if any
+had scant regard for him, it was the lady in question, who not only
+wished him no whit of good, but hated him worse than the megrims;
+wherefore, like a discreet woman as she was, she answered him, 'Sir,
+that you love me should be mighty pleasing to me, who am bound to love
+you and will gladly do so; but between your love and mine nothing
+unseemly should ever befall. You are my spiritual father and a priest
+and are presently well stricken in years, all which things should make
+you both modest and chaste; whilst I, on the other hand, am no girl,
+nor do these amorous toys beseem my present condition, for that I am a
+widow and you well know what discretion is required in widows;
+wherefore I pray you hold me excused, for that I shall never love you
+after the fashion whereof you require me; nor do I wish to be thus
+loved of you.'
+
+The rector could get of her no other answer for that time, but, nowise
+daunted or disheartened by the first rebuff, solicited her again and
+again with the most overweening importunity, both by letter and
+message, nay, even by word of mouth, whenas he saw her come into the
+church. Wherefor, herseeming that this was too great and too grievous
+an annoy, she cast about to rid herself of him after such a fashion as
+he deserved, since she could no otherwise, but would do nought ere she
+had taken counsel with her brothers. Accordingly, she acquainted them
+with the rector's behaviour towards her and that which she purposed to
+do, and having therein full license from them, went a few days after
+to the church, as was her wont. As soon as the rector saw her, he came
+up to her and with his usual assurance, accosted her familiarly. The
+lady received him with a cheerful countenance and withdrawing apart
+with him, after he had said many words to her in his wonted style, she
+heaved a great sigh and said, 'Sir, I have heard that there is no
+fortalice so strong but that, being every day assaulted, it cometh at
+last to be taken, and this I can very well see to have happened to
+myself; for that you have so closely beset me with soft words and with
+one complaisance and another, that you have made me break my resolve,
+and I am now disposed, since I please you thus, to consent to be
+yours.' 'Gramercy, madam,' answered the rector, overjoyed, 'to tell
+you the truth, I have often wondered how you could hold out so long,
+considering that never did the like betide me with any woman; nay, I
+have said whiles, "Were women of silver, they would not be worth a
+farthing, for that not one of them would stand the hammer." But let
+that pass for the present. When and where can we be together?' Whereto
+quoth the lady, 'Sweet my lord, as for the when, it may be what time
+soever most pleaseth us, for that I have no husband to whom it
+behoveth me render an account of my nights; but for the where I know
+not how to contrive.' 'How?' cried the priest. 'Why, in your house to
+be sure.' 'Sir,' answered the lady, 'you know I have two young
+brothers, who come and go about the house with their companions day
+and night, and my house is not overbig; wherefore it may not be there,
+except one chose to abide there mute-fashion, without saying a word or
+making the least sound, and be in the dark, after the manner of the
+blind. An you be content to do this, it might be, for they meddle not
+with my bedchamber; but their own is so close to mine that one cannot
+whisper the least word, without its being heard.' 'Madam,' answered
+the rector, 'this shall not hinder us for a night or two, against I
+bethink me where we may foregather more at ease.' Quoth she, 'Sir, let
+that rest with you; but of one thing I pray you, that this abide
+secret, so no word be ever known thereof.' 'Madam,' replied he, 'have
+no fear for that; but, an it may be, make shift that we shall
+foregather this evening.' 'With all my heart,' said the lady; and
+appointing him how and when he should come, she took leave of him and
+returned home.
+
+Now she had a serving-wench, who was not overyoung, but had the
+foulest and worst-favoured visnomy was ever seen; for she had a nose
+flattened sore, a mouth all awry, thick lips and great ill-set teeth;
+moreover, she inclined to squint, nor was ever without sore eyes, and
+had a green and yellow complexion, which gave her the air of having
+passed the summer not at Fiesole, but at Sinigaglia.[378] Besides all
+this, she was hipshot and a thought crooked on the right side. Her
+name was Ciuta, but, for that she had such a dog's visnomy of her own,
+she was called of every one Ciutazza;[379] and for all she was
+misshapen of her person, she was not without a spice of roguishness.
+The lady called her and said to her, 'Harkye, Ciutazza, an thou wilt
+do me a service this night. I will give thee a fine new shift.'
+Ciutazza, hearing speak of the shift, answered, 'Madam, so you give me
+a shift, I will cast myself into the fire, let alone otherwhat.'
+'Well, then,' said her mistress, 'I would have thee lie to-night with
+a man in my bed and load him with caresses, but take good care not to
+say a word, lest thou be heard by my brothers, who, as thou knowest,
+sleep in the next room; and after I will give thee the shift.' Quoth
+Ciutazza, 'With all my heart. I will lie with half a dozen men, if
+need be, let alone one.' Accordingly, at nightfall, my lord the rector
+made his appearance, according to agreement, whilst the two young men,
+by the lady's appointment, were in their bedchamber and took good care
+to make themselves heard; wherefore he entered the lady's chamber in
+silence and darkness and betook himself, as she had bidden him,
+straight to the bed, whither on her part came Ciutazza, who had been
+well lessoned by the lady of that which she had to do. My lord rector,
+thinking he had his mistress beside him, caught Ciutazza in his arms
+and fell to kissing her, without saying a word, and she him; whereupon
+he proceeded to solace himself with her, taking, as he thought,
+possession of the long-desired good.
+
+[Footnote 378: _i.e._ in the malaria district.]
+
+[Footnote 379: _i.e._ great ugly Ciuta.]
+
+The lady, having done this, charged her brothers carry the rest of the
+plot into execution, wherefore, stealing softly out of the chamber,
+they made for the great square and fortune was more favorable to them
+than they themselves asked in that which they had a mind to do,
+inasmuch as, the heat being great, the bishop had enquired for the two
+young gentlemen, so he might go a-pleasuring to their house and drink
+with them. But, seeing them coming, he acquainted them with his wish
+and returned with them to their house, where, entering a cool little
+courtyard of theirs, in which were many flambeaux alight, he drank
+with great pleasure of an excellent wine of theirs. When he had
+drunken, the young men said to him, 'My lord, since you have done us
+so much favour as to deign to visit this our poor house, whereto we
+came to invite you, we would have you be pleased to view a small
+matter with which we would fain show you.' The bishop answered that he
+would well; whereupon one of the young men, taking a lighted flambeau
+in his hand, made for the chamber where my lord rector lay with
+Ciutazza, followed by the bishop and all the rest. The rector, to
+arrive the quicklier at his journey's end, had hastened to take horse
+and had already ridden more than three miles before they came thither;
+wherefore, being somewhat weary, he had, notwithstanding the heat,
+fallen asleep with Ciutazza in his arms. Accordingly, when the young
+man entered the chamber, light in hand, and after him the bishop and
+all the others, he was shown to the prelate in this plight; whereupon
+he awoke and seeing the light and the folk about him, was sore abashed
+and hid his head for fear under the bed-clothes. The bishop gave him a
+sound rating and made him put out his head and see with whom he had
+lain; whereupon the rector, understanding the trick that had been
+played him of the lady, what with this and what with the disgrace
+himseemed he had gotten, became of a sudden the woefullest man that
+was aye. Then, having, by the bishop's commandment, reclad himself, he
+was despatched to his house under good guard, to suffer sore penance
+for the sin he had committed. The bishop presently enquiring how it
+came to pass that he had gone thither to lie with Ciutazza, the young
+men orderly related everything to him, which having heard, he greatly
+commended both the lady and her brothers for that, without choosing to
+imbrue their hands in the blood of a priest, they had entreated him as
+he deserved. As for the rector, he caused him bewail his offence forty
+days' space; but love and despite made him rue it for more than
+nine-and-forty,[380] more by token that, for a great while after, he
+could never go abroad but the children would point at him and say,
+'See, there is he who lay with Ciutazza'; the which was so sore an
+annoy to him that he was like to go mad therefor. On such wise did the
+worthy lady rid herself of the importunity of the malapert rector and
+Ciutazza gained the shift and a merry night."
+
+[Footnote 380: _Quarantanove_, a proverbial expression for an
+indefinite number.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     THREE YOUNG MEN PULL THE BREECHES OFF A MARCHEGAN JUDGE IN
+     FLORENCE, WHAT WHILE HE IS ON THE BENCH, ADMINISTERING
+     JUSTICE
+
+
+Emilia having made an end of her story and the widow lady having been
+commended of all, the queen looked to Filostrato and said, "It is now
+thy turn to tell." He answered promptly that he was ready and began,
+"Delightsome ladies, the mention by Elisa a little before of a certain
+young man, to wit, Maso del Saggio, hath caused me leave a story I
+purposed to tell you, so I may relate to you one of him and certain
+companions of his, which, if (albeit it is nowise unseemly) it offer
+certain expressions which you think shame to use, is natheless so
+laughable that I will e'en tell it.
+
+As you may all have heard, there come oftentimes to our city governors
+from the Marches of Ancona, who are commonly mean-spirited folk and so
+paltry and sordid of life that their every fashion seemeth nought
+other than a lousy cadger's trick; and of this innate paltriness and
+avarice, they bring with them judges and notaries, who seem men taken
+from the plough-tail or the cobbler's stall rather than from the
+schools of law. Now, one of these being come hither for Provost, among
+the many judges whom he brought with him was one who styled himself
+Messer Niccola da San Lepidio and who had more the air of a tinker
+than of aught else, and he was set with other judges to hear criminal
+causes. As it oft happeneth that, for all the townsfolk have nought in
+the world to do at the courts of law, yet bytimes they go thither, it
+befell that Maso del Saggio went thither one morning, in quest of a
+friend of his, and chancing to cast his eyes whereas this said Messer
+Niccola sat, himseemed that here was a rare outlandish kind of wild
+fowl. Accordingly, he went on to examine him from head to foot, and
+albeit he saw him with the miniver bonnet on his head all black with
+smoke and grease and a paltry inkhorn at his girdle, a gown longer
+than his mantle and store of other things all foreign to a man of good
+breeding and manners, yet of all these the most notable, to his
+thinking, was a pair of breeches, the backside whereof, as the judge
+sat, with his clothes standing open in front for straitness, he
+perceived came halfway down his legs. Thereupon, without tarrying
+longer to look upon him, he left him with whom he went seeking and
+beginning a new quest, presently found two comrades of his, called one
+Ribi and the other Matteuzzo, men much of the same mad humour as
+himself, and said to them, 'As you tender me, come with me to the law
+courts, for I wish to show you the rarest scarecrow you ever saw.'
+
+Accordingly, carrying them to the court house, he showed them the
+aforesaid judge and his breeches, whereat they fell a-laughing, as
+soon as they caught sight of him afar off; then, drawing nearer to the
+platform whereon my lord judge sat, they saw that one might lightly
+pass thereunder and that, moreover, the boards under his feet were so
+broken that one might with great ease thrust his hand and arm between
+them; whereupon quoth Maso to his comrades, 'Needs must we pull him
+off those breeches of his altogether, for that it may very well be
+done.' Each of the others had already seen how;[381] wherefore, having
+agreed among themselves what they should say and do, they returned
+thither next morning, when, the court being very full of folk,
+Matteuzzo, without being seen of any, crept under the bench and posted
+himself immediately beneath the judge's feet. Meanwhile, Maso came up
+to my lord judge on one side and taking him by the skirt of his gown,
+whilst Ribi did the like on the other side, began to say, 'My lord,
+my lord, I pray you for God's sake, ere yonder scurvy thief on the
+other side of you go elsewhere, make him restore me a pair of
+saddle-bags whereof he hath saith indeed he did it not; but I saw him,
+not a month ago, in act to have them resoled.' Ribi on his side cried
+out with all his might, 'Believe him not, my lord; he is an arrant
+knave, and for that he knoweth I am come to lay a complaint against
+him for a pair of saddle-bags whereof he hath robbed me, he cometh now
+with his story of the boothose, which I have had in my house this many
+a day. An you believe me not, I can bring you to witness my next-door
+neighbor Trecca and Grassa the tripewoman and one who goeth gathering
+the sweepings from Santa Masia at Verjaza, who saw him when he came
+back from the country.
+
+[Footnote 381: _i.e._ how they might do this.]
+
+Maso on the other hand suffered not Ribi to speak, but bawled his
+loudest, whereupon the other but shouted the more. The judge stood up
+and leaned towards them, so he might the better apprehend what they
+had to say, wherefore Matteuzzo, watching his opportunity, thrust his
+hand between the crack of the boards and laying hold of Messer
+Niccola's galligaskins by the breech, tugged at them amain. The
+breeches came down incontinent, for that the judge was lean and lank
+of the crupper; whereupon, feeling this and knowing not what it might
+be, he would have sat down again and pulled his skirts forward to
+cover himself; but Maso on the one side and Ribi on the other still
+held him fast and cried out, 'My lord, you do ill not to do me justice
+and to seek to avoid hearing me and get you gone otherwhere; there be
+no writs granted in this city for such small matters as this.' So
+saying, they held him fast by the clothes on such wise that all who
+were in the court perceived that his breeches had been pulled down.
+However, Matteuzzo, after he had held them awhile, let them go and
+coming forth from under the platform, made off out of the court and
+went his way without being seen; whereupon quoth Ribi, himseeming he
+had done enough, 'I vow to God I will appeal to the syndicate!' Whilst
+Maso, on his part, let go the mantle and said, 'Nay, I will e'en come
+hither again and again until such time as I find you not hindered as
+you seem to be this morning.' So saying, they both made off as
+quickliest they might, each on his own side, whilst my lord judge
+pulled up his breeches in every one's presence, as if he were arisen
+from sleep; then, perceiving how the case stood, he enquired whither
+they were gone who were at difference anent the boothose and the
+saddle-bags; but they were not to be found, whereupon he began to
+swear by Cock's bowels that need must he know and learn if it were the
+wont at Florence to pull down the judges' breeches, whenas they sat on
+the judicial bench. The Provost, on his part, hearing of this, made a
+great stir; but, his friends having shown him that this had only been
+done to give him notice that the Florentines right well understood
+how, whereas he should have brought judges, he had brought them sorry
+patches, to have them better cheap, he thought it best to hold his
+peace, and so the thing went no farther for the nonce."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     BRUNO AND BUFFALMACCO, HAVING STOLEN A PIG FROM CALANDRINO,
+     MAKE HIM TRY THE ORDEAL WITH GINGER BOLUSES AND SACK AND
+     GIVE HIM (INSTEAD OF THE GINGER) TWO DOG-BALLS COMPOUNDED
+     WITH ALOES, WHEREBY IT APPEARETH THAT HE HIMSELF HATH HAD
+     THE PIG AND THEY MAKE HIM PAY BLACKMAIL, AN HE WOULD NOT
+     HAVE THEM TELL HIS WIFE
+
+
+No sooner had Filostrato despatched his story, which had given rise to
+many a laugh, than the queen bade Filomena follow on, whereupon she
+began: "Gracious ladies, even as Filostrato was led by the mention of
+Maso to tell the story which you have just heard from him, so neither
+more nor less am I moved by that of Calandrino and his friends to tell
+you another of them, which methinketh will please you.
+
+Who Calandrino, Bruno and Buffalmacco were I need not explain to you,
+for that you have already heard it well enough; wherefore, to proceed
+with my story, I must tell you that Calandrino owned a little farm at
+no great distance from Florence, that he had had to his wife's dowry.
+From this farm, amongst other things that he got thence, he had every
+year a pig, and it was his wont still to betake himself thither, he
+and his wife, and kill the pig and have it salted on the spot. It
+chanced one year that, his wife being somewhat ailing, he went himself
+to kill the pig, which Bruno and Buffalmacco hearing and knowing that
+his wife was not gone to the farm with him, they repaired to a priest,
+very great friend of theirs and a neighbor of Calandrino, to sojourn
+some days with him. Now Calandrino had that very morning killed the
+pig and seeing them with the priest, called to them saying, 'You are
+welcome. I would fain have you see what a good husband[382] I am.'
+Then carrying them into the house, he showed them the pig, which they
+seeing to be a very fine one and understanding from Calandrino that he
+meant to salt it down for his family, 'Good lack,' quoth Bruno to him,
+'what a ninny thou art! Sell it and let us make merry with the price,
+and tell thy wife that it hath been stolen from thee.' 'Nay, answered
+Calandrino, 'she would never believe it and would drive me out of the
+house. Spare your pains, for I will never do it.' And many were the
+words, but they availed nothing.
+
+[Footnote 382: _i.e._ in the old sense of "manager" (_massajo_).]
+
+Calandrino invited them to supper, but with so ill a grace that they
+refused to sup there and took their leave of him; whereupon quoth
+Bruno and Buffalmacco, 'What sayest thou to stealing yonder pig from
+him to-night?' 'Marry,' replied the other, 'how can we do it?' Quoth
+Bruno, 'I can see how well enough, an he remove it not from where it
+was but now.' 'Then,' rejoined his companion, 'let us do it. Why
+should we not? And after we will make merry over it with the parson
+here.' The priest answered that he would well, and Bruno said, 'Here
+must some little art be used. Thou knowest, Buffalmacco, how
+niggardly Calandrino is and how gladly he drinketh when others pay;
+let us go and carry him to the tavern, where the priest shall make
+believe to pay the whole scot in our honor nor suffer him to pay
+aught. Calandrino will soon grow fuddled and then we can manage it
+lightly enough, for that he is alone in the house.' As he said, so
+they did and Calandrino seeing that the priest suffered none to pay,
+gave himself up to drinking and took in a good load, albeit it needed
+no great matter to make him drunk. It was pretty late at night when
+they left the tavern and Calandrino, without troubling himself about
+supper, went straight home, where, thinking to have shut the door, he
+left it open and betook himself to bed. Buffalmacco and Bruno went off
+to sup with the priest and after supper repaired quietly to
+Calandrino's house, carrying with them certain implements wherewithal
+to break in whereas Bruno had appointed it; but, finding the door
+open, they entered and unhooking the pig, carried it off to the
+priest's house, where they laid it up and betook themselves to sleep.
+
+On the morrow, Calandrino, having slept off the fumes of the wine,
+arose in the morning and going down, missed his pig and saw the door
+open; whereupon he questioned this one and that if they knew who had
+taken it and getting no news of it, began to make a great outcry,
+saying, 'Woe is me, miserable wretch that I am!' for that the pig had
+been stolen from him. As soon as Bruno and Buffalmacco were risen,
+they repaired to Calandrino's house, to hear what he would say anent
+the pig, and he no sooner saw them than he called out to them, well
+nigh weeping, and said, 'Woe's me, comrades mine; my pig hath been
+stolen from me!' Whereupon Bruno came up to him and said softly, 'It
+is a marvel that thou hast been wise for once.' 'Alack,' replied
+Calandrino, 'indeed I say sooth.' 'That's the thing to say,' quoth
+Bruno. 'Make a great outcry, so it may well appear that it is e'en as
+thou sayst.' Therewithal Calandrino bawled out yet loudlier, saying,
+'Cock's body, I tell thee it hath been stolen from me in good
+earnest!' 'Good, good,' replied Bruno; 'that's the way to speak; cry
+out lustily, make thyself well heard, so it may seem true.' Quoth
+Calandrino, 'Thou wouldst make me give my soul to the Fiend! I tell
+thee and thou believest me not. May I be strung up by the neck an it
+have not been stolen from me!' 'Good lack!' cried Bruno. 'How can that
+be? I saw it here but yesterday. Thinkest thou to make me believe that
+it hath flown away?' Quoth Calandrino, 'It is as I tell thee.' 'Good
+lack,' repeated Bruno, 'can it be?' 'Certes,' replied Calandrino, 'it
+is so, more by token that I am undone and know not how I shall return
+home. My wife will never believe me; or even if she do, I shall have
+no peace with her this year to come.' Quoth Bruno, 'So God save me,
+this is ill done, if it be true; but thou knowest, Calandrino, I
+lessoned thee yesterday to say thus and I would not have thee at once
+cozen thy wife and us.' Therewithal Calandrino fell to crying out and
+saying, 'Alack, why will you drive me to desperation and make me
+blaspheme God and the Saints? I tell you the pig was stolen from me
+yesternight.'
+
+Then said Buffalmacco, 'If it be so indeed, we must cast about for a
+means of having it again, an we may contrive it.' 'But what means,'
+asked Calandrino, 'can we find?' Quoth Buffalmacco, 'We may be sure
+that there hath come none from the Indies to rob thee of thy pig; the
+thief must have been some one of thy neighbors. An thou canst make
+shift to assemble them, I know how to work the ordeal by bread and
+cheese and we will presently see for certain who hath had it.' 'Ay,'
+put in Bruno, 'thou wouldst make a fine thing of bread and cheese with
+such gentry as we have about here, for one of them I am certain hath
+had the pig, and he would smoke the trap and would not come.' 'How,
+then, shall we do?' asked Buffalmacco, and Bruno said, 'We must e'en
+do it with ginger boluses and good vernage[383] and invite them to
+drink. They will suspect nothing and come, and the ginger boluses can
+be blessed even as the bread and cheese.' Quoth Buffalmacco, 'Indeed,
+thou sayst sooth. What sayst thou, Calandrino? Shall's do 't?' 'Nay,'
+replied the gull, 'I pray you thereof for the love of God; for, did I
+but know who hath had it, I should hold myself half consoled.' 'Marry,
+then,' said Bruno, 'I am ready to go to Florence, to oblige thee, for
+the things aforesaid, so thou wilt give me the money.' Now Calandrino
+had maybe forty shillings, which he gave him, and Bruno accordingly
+repaired to Florence to a friend of his, a druggist, of whom he bought
+a pound of fine ginger boluses and caused compound a couple of
+dogballs with fresh confect of hepatic aloes; after which he let cover
+these latter with sugar, like the others, and set thereon a privy mark
+by which he might very well know them, so he should not mistake them
+nor change them. Then, buying a flask of good vernage, he returned to
+Calandrino in the country and said to him, 'Do thou to-morrow morning
+invite those whom thou suspectest to drink with thee; it is a holiday
+and all will willingly come. Meanwhile, Buffalmacco and I will
+to-night make the conjuration over the pills and bring them to thee
+to-morrow morning at home; and for the love of thee I will administer
+them myself and do and say that which is to be said and done.'
+
+[Footnote 383: _i.e._ white wine, see p. 372, note.]
+
+Calandrino did as he said and assembled on the following morning a
+goodly company of such young Florentines as were presently about the
+village and of husbandmen; whereupon Bruno and Buffalmacco came with a
+box of pills and the flask of wine and made the folk stand in a ring.
+Then said Bruno, 'Gentlemen, needs must I tell you the reason
+wherefore you are here, so that, if aught betide that please you not,
+you may have no cause to complain of me. Calandrino here was robbed
+yesternight of a fine pig, nor can he find who hath had it; and for
+that none other than some one of us who are here can have stolen it
+from him, he proffereth each of you, that he may discover who hath had
+it, one of these pills to eat and a draught of wine. Now you must know
+that he who hath had the pig will not be able to swallow the pill;
+nay, it will seem to him more bitter than poison and he will spit it
+out; wherefore, rather than that shame be done him in the presence of
+so many, he were better tell it to the parson by way of confession and
+I will proceed no farther with this matter.'
+
+All who were there declared that they would willingly eat of the
+pills, whereupon Bruno ranged them in order and set Calandrino among
+them; then, beginning at one end of the line, he proceeded to give
+each his bolus, and whenas he came over against Calandrino, he took
+one of the dogballs and put it into his hand. Calandrino clapped it
+incontinent into his mouth and began to chew it; but no sooner did his
+tongue taste the aloes, than he spat it out again, being unable to
+brook the bitterness. Meanwhile, each was looking other in the face,
+to see who should spit out his bolus, and whilst Bruno, not having
+made an end of serving them out, went on to do so, feigning to pay no
+heed to Calandrino's doing, he heard say behind him, 'How now,
+Calandrino? What meaneth this?' Whereupon he turned suddenly round and
+seeing that Calandrino had spat out his bolus, said, 'Stay, maybe
+somewhat else hath caused him spit it out. Take another of them.'
+Then, taking the other dogball, he thrust it into Calandrino's mouth
+and went on to finish giving out the rest. If the first ball seemed
+bitter to Calandrino, the second was bitterer yet; but, being ashamed
+to spit it out, he kept it awhile in his mouth, chewing it and
+shedding tears that seemed hazel-nuts so big they were, till at last,
+unable to hold out longer, he cast it forth, like as he had the first.
+Meanwhile Buffalmacco and Bruno gave the company to drink, and all,
+seeing this, declared that Calandrino had certainly stolen the pig
+from himself; nay, there were those there who rated him roundly.
+
+After they were all gone, and the two rogues left alone with
+Calandrino, Buffalmacco said to him, 'I still had it for certain that
+it was thou tookst the pig thyself and wouldst fain make us believe
+that it had been stolen from thee, to escape giving us one poor while
+to drink of the monies thou hadst for it.' Calandrino, who was not yet
+quit of the bitter taste of the aloes, began to swear that he had not
+had it, and Buffalmacco said, 'But in good earnest, comrade, what
+gottest thou for it? Was it six florins?' Calandrino, hearing this,
+began to wax desperate, and Bruno said, 'Harkye, Calandrino, there was
+such an one in the company that ate and drank with us, who told me
+that thou hast a wench over yonder, whom thou keepest for thy pleasure
+and to whom thou givest whatsoever thou canst scrape together, and
+that he held it for certain that thou hadst sent her the pig. Thou
+hast learned of late to play pranks of this kind; thou carriedst us
+off t'other day down the Mugnone, picking up black stones, and whenas
+thou hadst gotten us aboard ship without biscuit,[384] thou madest off
+and wouldst after have us believe that thou hadst found the magic
+stone; and now on like wise thou thinkest, by dint of oaths, to make
+us believe that the pig, which thou hast given away or more like sold,
+hath been stolen from thee. But we are used to thy tricks and know
+them; thou shalt not avail to play us any more of them, and to be
+plain with thee, since we have been at pains to make the conjuration,
+we mean that thou shalt give us two pairs of capons; else will we
+tell Mistress Tessa everything.' Calandrino, seeing that he was not
+believed and himseeming he had had vexation enough, without having his
+wife's scolding into the bargain, gave them two pairs of capons, which
+they carried off to Florence, after they had salted the pig, leaving
+Calandrino to digest the loss and the flouting as best he might."
+
+[Footnote 384: _i.e._ embarked on a bootless quest.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     A SCHOLAR LOVETH A WIDOW LADY, WHO, BEING ENAMOURED OF
+     ANOTHER, CAUSETH HIM SPEND ONE WINTER'S NIGHT IN THE SNOW
+     AWAITING HER, AND HE AFTER CONTRIVETH, BY HIS SLEIGHT, TO
+     HAVE HER ABIDE NAKED, ALL ONE MID-JULY DAY, ON THE SUMMIT OF
+     A TOWER, EXPOSED TO FLIES AND GADS AND SUN
+
+
+The ladies laughed amain at the unhappy Calandrino and would have
+laughed yet more, but that it irked them to see him fleeced of the
+capons, to boot, by those who had already robbed him of the pig. But,
+as soon as the end of the story was come, the queen charged Pampinea
+tell hers, and she promptly began thus: "It chanceth oft, dearest
+ladies, that craft is put to scorn by craft and it is therefore a sign
+of little wit to delight in making mock of others. We have, for
+several stories, laughed amain at tricks that have been played upon
+folk and whereof no vengeance is recorded to have been taken; but I
+purpose now to cause you have some compassion of a just retribution
+wreaked upon a townswoman of ours, on whose head her own cheat
+recoiled and was retorted well nigh unto death; and the hearing of
+this will not be without profit unto you, for that henceforward you
+will the better keep yourselves from making mock of others, and in
+this you will show great good sense.
+
+Not many years ago there was in Florence, a young lady, by name Elena,
+fair of favour and haughty of humour, of very gentle lineage and
+endowed with sufficient abundance of the goods of fortune, who, being
+widowed of her husband, chose never to marry again, for that she was
+enamoured of a handsome and agreeable youth of her own choice, and
+with the aid of a maid of hers, in whom she put great trust, being
+quit of every other care, she often with marvellous delight gave
+herself a good time with him. In these days it chanced that a young
+gentleman of our city, by name Rinieri, having long studied in Paris,
+not for the sake of after selling his knowledge by retail, as many do,
+but to know the nature of things and their causes, the which
+excellently becometh a gentleman, returned thence to Florence and
+there lived citizen-fashion, much honoured as well for his nobility as
+for his learning. But, as it chanceth often that those, who have the
+most experience of things profound, are the soonest snared of love,
+even so it befell this Rinieri; for, having one day repaired, by way
+of diversion, to an entertainment, there presented herself before his
+eyes the aforesaid Elena, clad all in black, as our widows go, and
+full, to his judgment, of such beauty and pleasantness as himseemed he
+had never beheld in any other woman; and in his heart he deemed that
+he might call himself blest whom God should vouchsafe to hold her
+naked in his arms. Then, furtively considering her once and again and
+knowing that great things and precious were not to be acquired without
+travail, he altogether determined in himself to devote all his pains
+and all his diligence to the pleasing her, to the end that thereby he
+might gain her love and so avail to have his fill of her.
+
+The young lady, (who kept not her eyes fixed upon the nether world,
+but, conceiting herself as much and more than as much as she was,
+moved them artfully hither and thither, gazing all about, and was
+quick to note who delighted to look upon her,) soon became aware of
+Rinieri and said, laughing, in herself, 'I have not come hither in
+vain to-day; for, an I mistake not, I have caught a woodcock by the
+bill.' Accordingly, she fell to ogling him from time to time with the
+tail of her eye and studied, inasmuch as she might, to let him see
+that she took note of him, thinking that the more men she allured and
+ensnared with her charms, so much the more of price would her beauty
+be, especially to him on whom she had bestowed it, together with her
+love. The learned scholar, laying aside philosophical speculations,
+turned all his thoughts to her and thinking to please her, enquired
+where she lived and proceeded to pass to and fro before her house,
+colouring his comings and goings with various pretexts, whilst the
+lady, idly glorying in this, for the reason already set out, made
+believe to take great pleasure in seeing him. Accordingly, he found
+means to clap up an acquaintance with her maid and discovering to her
+his love, prayed her make interest for him with her mistress, so he
+might avail to have her favour. The maid promised freely and told the
+lady, who hearkened with the heartiest laughter in the world and said,
+'Seest thou where yonder man cometh to lose the wit he hath brought
+back from Paris? Marry, we will give him that which he goeth seeking.
+An he bespeak thee again, do thou tell him that I love him far more
+than he loveth me; but that it behoveth me look to mine honour, so I
+may hold up my head with the other ladies; whereof and he be as wise
+as folk say, he will hold me so much the dearer.' Alack, poor silly
+soul, she knew not aright, ladies mine, what it is to try conclusions
+with scholars. The maid went in search of Rinieri and finding him, did
+that which had been enjoined her of her mistress, whereat he was
+overjoyed and proceeded to use more urgent entreaties, writing letters
+and sending presents, all of which were accepted, but he got nothing
+but vague and general answers; and on this wise she held him in play a
+great while.
+
+At last, to show her lover, to whom she had discovered everything and
+who was whiles somewhat vexed with her for this and had conceived some
+jealousy of Rinieri, that he did wrong to suspect her thereof, she
+despatched to the scholar, now grown very pressing, her maid, who told
+him, on her mistress's part, that she had never yet had an opportunity
+to do aught that might pleasure him since he had certified her of his
+love, but that on the occasion of the festival of the Nativity she
+hoped to be able to be with him; wherefore, an it liked him, he was
+on the evening of the feast to come by night to her courtyard, whither
+she would go for him as first she might. At this the scholar was the
+gladdest man alive and betook himself at the appointed time to his
+mistress's house, where he was carried by the maid into a courtyard
+and being there locked in, proceeded to wait the lady's coming. The
+latter had that evening sent for her lover and after she had supped
+merrily with him, she told him that which she purposed to do that
+night, adding, 'And thou mayst see for thyself what and how great is
+the love I have borne and bear him of whom thou hast taken a
+jealousy.' The lover heard these words with great satisfaction and was
+impatient to see by the fact that which the lady gave him to
+understand with words.
+
+It had by chance snowed hard during the day and everything was covered
+with snow, wherefore the scholar had not long abidden in the courtyard
+before he began to feel colder than he could have wished; but, looking
+to recruit himself speedily, he was fain to endure it with patience.
+Presently, the lady said to her lover, 'Let us go look from a lattice
+what yonder fellow, of whom thou art waxed jealous, doth and hear what
+he shall answer the maid, whom I have sent to parley with him.'
+Accordingly, they betook themselves to a lattice and thence, seeing,
+without being seen, they heard the maid from another lattice bespeak
+the scholar and say, 'Rinieri, my lady is the woefullest woman that
+was aye, for that there is one of her brothers come hither to-night,
+who hath talked much with her and after must needs sup with her, nor
+is yet gone away; but methinketh he will soon be gone; wherefore she
+hath not been able to come to thee, but will soon come now and prayeth
+thee not to take the waiting in ill part.' Rinieri, believing this to
+be true, replied, 'Tell my lady to give herself no concern for me till
+such time as she can at her commodity come to me, but bid her do this
+as quickliest she may.' The maid turned back into the house and betook
+herself to bed, whilst the lady said to her gallant, 'Well, how sayst
+thou? Thinkest thou that, an I wished him such weal as thou fearest, I
+would suffer him stand a-freezing down yonder?' So saying, she betook
+herself to bed with her lover, who was now in part satisfied, and
+there they abode a great while in joyance and liesse, laughing and
+making mock of the wretched scholar, who fared to and fro the while in
+the courtyard, making shift to warm himself with exercise, nor had
+whereas he might seat himself or shelter from the night-damp. He
+cursed her brother's long stay with the lady and took everything he
+heard for the opening of a door to him by her, but hoped in vain.
+
+The lady, having solaced herself with her lover till near upon
+midnight, said to him, 'How deemest thou, my soul, of our scholar?
+Whether seemeth to thee the greater, his wit or the love I bear him?
+Will the cold which I presently cause him suffer do away from thy mind
+the doubts which my pleasantries aroused therein the other day?'
+Whereto he replied, 'Heart of my body, yes, I know right well that,
+like as thou art my good and my peace and my delight and all my hope,
+even so am I thine.' 'Then,' rejoined she, 'kiss me a thousand times,
+so I may see if thou say sooth.' Whereupon he clipped her fast in his
+arms and kissed her not a thousand, but more than an hundred thousand
+times. Then, after they had abidden awhile in such discourse, the lady
+said, 'Marry, let us arise a little and go see if the fire is anydele
+spent, wherein this my new lover wrote me that he burnt all day long.'
+Accordingly, they arose and getting them to the accustomed lattice,
+looked out into the courtyard, where they saw the scholar dancing a
+right merry jig on the snow, so fast and brisk that never had they
+seen the like, to the sound of the chattering of the teeth that he
+made for excess of cold; whereupon quoth the lady, 'How sayst thou,
+sweet my hope? Seemeth to thee that I know how to make folk jig it
+without sound of trump or bagpipe?' Whereto he answered, laughing, 'Ay
+dost thou, my chief delight.' Quoth the lady, 'I will that we go down
+to the door; thou shalt abide quiet, whilst I bespeak him, and we
+shall hear what he will say; belike we shall have no less diversion
+thereof than we had from seeing him.'
+
+Accordingly, they softly opened the chamber and stole down to the
+door, where, without opening it anydele, the lady called to the
+scholar in a low voice by a little hole that was there. Rinieri
+hearing himself called, praised God, taking it oversoon for granted
+that he was to be presently admitted, and coming up to the door, said,
+'Here am I, madam; open for God's sake, for I die of cold.' 'O ay,'
+replied the lady, 'I know thou art a chilly one; is then the cold so
+exceeding great, because, forsooth, there is a little snow about? I
+wot the nights are much colder in Paris. I cannot open to thee yet,
+for that accursed brother of mine, who came to sup with me to-night,
+is not yet gone; but he will soon begone and I will come incontinent
+to open to thee. I have but now very hardly stolen away from him, that
+I might come to exhort thee not to wax weary of waiting.' 'Alack,
+madam,' cried the scholar, 'I pray you for God's sake open to me, so I
+may abide within under cover, for that this little while past there is
+come on the thickest snow in the world and it yet snoweth, and I will
+wait for you as long as it shall please you.' 'Woe's me, sweet my
+treasure,' replied the lady, 'that cannot I; for this door maketh so
+great a noise, whenas it is opened, that it would lightly be heard of
+my brother, if I should open to thee; but I will go bid him begone, so
+I may after come back and open to thee.' 'Then go quickly,' rejoined
+he; 'and I prithee let make a good fire, so I may warm me as soon as I
+come in, for that I am grown so cold I can scarce feel myself.' Quoth
+the lady, 'That should not be possible, an that be true which thou
+hast many a time written me, to wit, that thou burnest for the love of
+me. Now, I must go, wait and be of good heart.' Then, with her lover,
+who had heard all this with the utmost pleasure, she went back to bed,
+and that night they slept little, nay, they spent it well nigh all in
+dalliance and delight and in making mock of Rinieri.
+
+Meanwhile, the unhappy scholar (now well nigh grown a stork, so sore
+did his teeth chatter,) perceiving at last that he was befooled,
+essayed again and again to open the door and sought an he might not
+avail to issue thence by another way; but, finding no means
+thereunto, he fell a-ranging to and fro like a lion, cursing the
+foulness of the weather and the lady's malignity and the length of the
+night, together with his own credulity; wherefore, being sore despited
+against his mistress, the long and ardent love he had borne her was
+suddenly changed to fierce and bitter hatred and he revolved in
+himself many and various things, so he might find a means of revenge,
+the which he now desired far more eagerly than he had before desired
+to be with the lady. At last, after much long tarriance, the night
+drew near unto day and the dawn began to appear; whereupon the maid,
+who had been lessoned by the lady, coming down, opened the courtyard
+door and feigning to have compassion of Rinieri, said, 'Bad luck may
+he have who came hither yestereve! He hath kept us all night upon
+thorns and hath caused thee freeze; but knowest thou what? Bear it
+with patience, for that which could not be to-night shall be another
+time. Indeed, I know nought could have happened that had been so
+displeasing to my lady.'
+
+The despiteful scholar, like a wise man as he was, who knew that
+threats are but arms for the threatened, locked up in his breast that
+which untempered will would fain have vented and said in a low voice,
+without anywise showing himself vexed, 'In truth I have had the worst
+night I ever had; but I have well apprehended that the lady is nowise
+to blame for this, inasmuch as she herself of her compassion for me,
+came down hither to excuse herself and to hearten me; and as thou
+sayest, that which hath not been to-night shall be another time.
+Commend me to her and God be with thee.' Therewithal, well nigh stark
+with cold, he made his way, as best he might, back to his house,
+where, being drowsed to death, he cast himself upon his bed to sleep
+and awoke well nigh crippled of his arms and legs; wherefore, sending
+for sundry physicians and acquainting them with the cold he had
+suffered, he caused take order for his cure. The leaches, plying him
+with prompt and very potent remedies, hardly, after some time, availed
+to recover him of the shrinking of the sinews and cause them relax;
+and but that he was young and that the warm season came on, he had
+overmuch to suffer. However, being restored to health and lustihead,
+he kept his hate to himself and feigned himself more than ever
+enamoured of his widow.
+
+Now it befell, after a certain space of time, that fortune furnished
+him with an occasion of satisfying his desire [for vengeance], for
+that the youth beloved of the widow being, without any regard for the
+love she bore him, fallen enamoured of another lady, would have nor
+little nor much to say to her nor do aught to pleasure her, wherefore
+she pined in tears and bitterness. But her maid, who had great
+compassion of her, finding no way of rousing her mistress from the
+chagrin into which the loss of her lover had cast her and seeing the
+scholar pass along the street, after the wonted manner, entered into a
+fond conceit, to wit, that the lady's lover might be brought by some
+necromantic operation or other to love her as he had been wont to do
+and that the scholar should be a past master in this manner of thing,
+and told her thought to her mistress. The latter, little wise, without
+considering that, had the scholar been acquainted with the black art,
+he would have practised it for himself, lent her mind to her maid's
+words and bade her forthright learn from him if he would do it and
+give him all assurance that, in requital thereof, she would do
+whatsoever pleased him. The maid did her errand well and diligently,
+which when the scholar heard, he was overjoyed and said in himself,
+'Praised be Thou, my God! The time is come when with Thine aid I may
+avail to make yonder wicked woman pay the penalty of the harm she did
+me in requital of the great love I bore her.' Then to the maid, 'Tell
+my lady,' quoth he, 'that she need be in no concern for this, for
+that, were her lover in the Indies, I would speedily cause him come to
+her and crave pardon of that which he hath done to displeasure her;
+but the means she must take to this end I purpose to impart to
+herself, when and where it shall most please her. So say to her and
+hearten her on my part.'
+
+The maid carried his answer to her mistress and it was agreed that
+they should foregather at Santa Lucia del Prato, whither, accordingly,
+the lady, and the scholar being come and speaking together alone, she,
+remembering her not that she had aforetime brought him well nigh to
+death's door, openly discovered to him her case and that which she
+desired and besought him to succour her. 'Madam,' answered he, 'it is
+true that amongst the other things I learned at Paris was necromancy,
+whereof for certain I know that which is extant thereof; but for that
+the thing is supremely displeasing unto God, I had sworn never to
+practise it either for myself or for others. Nevertheless, the love I
+bear you is of such potency that I know not how I may deny you aught
+that you would have me do; wherefore, though it should behove me for
+this alone go to the devil's stead, I am yet ready to do it, since it
+is your pleasure. But I must forewarn you that the thing is more
+uneath to do than you perchance imagine, especially whenas a woman
+would recall a man to loving her or a man a woman, for that this
+cannot be done save by the very person unto whom it pertaineth; and it
+behoveth that whoso doth it be of an assured mind, seeing it must be
+done anights and in solitary places without company; which things I
+know not how you are disposed to do.' The lady, more enamoured than
+discreet, replied, 'Love spurreth me on such wise that there is
+nothing I would not do to have again him who hath wrongfully forsaken
+me. Algates, an it please you, show me in what I must approve myself
+assured of mind.' 'Madam,' replied the scholar, who had a patch of ill
+hair to his tail,[385] 'I must make an image of pewter in his name
+whom you desire to get again, which whenas I shall send you, it will
+behove you seven times bathe yourself therewith, all naked, in a
+running stream, at the hour of the first sleep, what time the moon is
+far on the wane. Thereafter, naked as you are, you must get you up
+into a tree or to the top of some uninhabited house and turning to the
+north, with the image in your hand, seven times running say certain
+words which I shall give you written; which when you shall have done,
+there will come to you two of the fairest damsels you ever beheld, who
+will salute you and ask you courteously what you would have done. Do
+you well and throughly discover to them your desires and look it
+betide you not to name one for another. As soon as you have told them,
+they will depart and you may then come down to the place where you
+shall have left your clothes and re-clothe yourself and return home;
+and for certain, ere it be the middle of the ensuing night, your lover
+will come, weeping, to crave you pardon and mercy; and know that from
+that time forth he will never again leave you for any other.'
+
+[Footnote 385: A proverbial way of saying that he bore malice and was
+vindictive.]
+
+The lady, hearing all this and lending entire faith thereto, was half
+comforted, herseeming she already had her lover again in her arms, and
+said, 'Never fear; I will very well do these things, and I have
+therefor the finest commodity in the world; for I have, towards the
+upper end of the Val d'Arno, a farm, which is very near the
+river-bank, and it is now July, so that bathing will be pleasant; more
+by token that I mind me there is, not far from the stream, a little
+uninhabited tower, save that the shepherds climb up bytimes, by a
+ladder of chestnut-wood that is there, to a sollar at the top, to look
+for their strayed beasts: otherwise it is a very solitary
+out-of-the-way[386] place. Thither will I betake myself and there I
+hope to do that which you shall enjoin me the best in the world.' The
+scholar, who very well knew both the place and the tower mentioned by
+the lady, was rejoiced to be certified of her intent and said, 'Madam,
+I was never in these part and therefore know neither the farm nor the
+tower; but, an it be as you say, nothing in the world can be better.
+Wherefore, whenas it shall be time, I will send you the image and the
+conjuration; but I pray you instantly, whenas you shall have gotten
+your desire and shall know I have served you well, that you be mindful
+of me and remember to keep your promise to me.' She answered that she
+would without fail do it and taking leave of him, returned to her
+house; whilst the scholar, rejoiced for that himseemed his desire was
+like to have effect, made an image with certain talismanic characters
+of his own devising, and wrote a rigmarole of his fashion, by way of
+conjuration; the which, whenas it seemed to him time, he despatched to
+the lady and sent to tell her that she must that very night, without
+more tarriance, do that which he had enjoined her; after which he
+secretly betook himself, with a servant of his, to the house of one of
+his friends who abode very near the tower, so he might give effect to
+his design.
+
+[Footnote 386: Lit. out of hand (_fuor di mano_).]
+
+The lady, on her part, set out with her maid and repaired to her farm,
+where, as soon as the night was come, she made a show of going to bed
+and sent the maid away to sleep, but towards the hour of the first
+sleep, she issued quietly forth of the house and betook herself to the
+bank of the Arno hard by the tower, where, looking first well all
+about and seeing nor hearing any, she put off her clothes and hiding
+them under a bush, bathed seven times with the image; after which,
+naked as she was, she made for the tower, image in hand. The scholar,
+who had, at the coming on of the night, hidden himself with his
+servant among the willows and other trees near the tower and had
+witnessed all this, seeing her, as she passed thus naked close to
+him, overcome the darkness of the night with the whiteness of her body
+and after considering her breast and the other parts of her person and
+seeing them fair, bethought himself what they should become in a
+little while and felt some compassion of her; whilst, on the other
+hand, the pricks of the flesh assailed him of a sudden and caused that
+stand on end which erst lay prone, inciting him to issue forth of his
+ambush and go take her and do his will of her. Between the one and the
+other he was like to be overcome; but, calling to mind who he was and
+what the injury he had suffered and wherefore and at whose hands and
+he being thereby rekindled in despite and compassion and carnal
+appetite banished, he abode firm in his purpose and let her go.
+
+The lady, going up on to the tower and turning to the north, began to
+repeat the words given her by the scholar, who, coming quietly into
+the tower awhile after, little by little removed the ladder, which led
+to the sollar where she was, and after awaited that which she should
+do and say. Meanwhile, the lady, having seven times said her
+conjuration, began to look for the two damsels and so long was her
+waiting (more by token that she felt it cooler than she could have
+wished) that she saw the dawn appear; whereupon, woeful that it had
+not befallen as the scholar had told her, she said in herself, 'I fear
+me yonder man hath had a mind to give me a night such as that which I
+gave him; but, an that be his intent, he hath ill known to avenge
+himself, for that this night hath not been as long by a third as was
+his, forbye that the cold was of anothergates sort.' Then, so the day
+might not surprise her there, she proceeded to seek to go down from
+the tower, but found the ladder gone; whereupon her courage forsook
+her, as it were the world had failed beneath her feet, and she fell
+down aswoon upon the platform of the tower. As soon as her sense
+returned to her, she fell to weeping piteously and bemoaning herself,
+and perceiving but too well that this must have been the scholar's
+doing, she went on to blame herself for having affronted others and
+after for having overmuch trusted in him whom she had good reason to
+believe her enemy; and on this wise she abode a great while. Then,
+looking if there were no way of descending and seeing none, she fell
+again to her lamentation and gave herself up to bitter thought, saying
+in herself, 'Alas, unhappy woman! What will be said of thy brothers
+and kinsfolk and neighbours and generally of all the people of
+Florence, when it shall be known that thou has been found here naked?
+Thy repute, that hath hitherto been so great, will be known to have
+been false; and shouldst thou seek to frame lying excuses for thyself,
+(if indeed there are any to be found) the accursed scholar, who
+knoweth all thine affairs, will not suffer thee lie. Oh wretched
+woman, that wilt at one stroke have lost the youth so ill-fatedly
+beloved and thine own honour!'
+
+Therewithal she fell into such a passion of woe that she was like to
+cast herself down from the tower to the ground; but, the sun being now
+risen and she drawing near to one side of the walls of the tower, to
+look if any boy should pass with cattle, whom she might send for her
+maid, it chanced that the scholar, who had slept awhile at the foot
+of a bush, awaking, saw her and she him; whereupon quoth he to her,
+'Good day, madam; are the damsels come yet?' The lady, seeing and
+hearing him, began afresh to weep sore and besought him to come within
+the tower, so she might speak with him. In this he was courteous
+enough to comply with her and she laying herself prone on the platform
+and showing only her head at the opening, said, weeping, 'Assuredly,
+Rinieri, if I gave thee an ill night, thou hast well avenged thyself
+of me, for that, albeit it is July, I have thought to freeze this
+night, naked as I am, more by token that I have so sore bewept both
+the trick I put upon thee and mine own folly in believing thee that it
+is a wonder I have any eyes left in my head. Wherefore I entreat thee,
+not for the love of me, whom thou hast no call to love, but for the
+love of thyself, who are a gentleman, that thou be content, for
+vengeance of the injury I did thee, with that which thou hast already
+done and cause fetch me my clothes and suffer me come down hence, nor
+seek to take from me that which thou couldst not after restore me, an
+thou wouldst, to wit, my honour; for, if I took from thee the being
+with me that night, I can render thee many nights for that one,
+whenassoever it liketh thee. Let this, then, suffice and let it
+content thee, as a man of honour, to have availed to avenge thyself
+and to have caused me confess it. Seek not to use thy strength against
+a woman; no glory is it for an eagle to have overcome a dove,
+wherefore, for the love of God and thine own honour, have pity on me.'
+
+The scholar, with stern mind revolving in himself the injury suffered
+and seeing her weep and beseech, felt at once both pleasure and annoy;
+pleasure in the revenge which he had desired more than aught else, and
+annoy he felt, for that his humanity moved him to compassion of the
+unhappy woman. However, humanity availing not to overcome the
+fierceness of his appetite [for vengeance], 'Madam Elena,' answered
+he, 'if my prayers (which, it is true, I knew not to bathe with tears
+nor to make honeyed, as thou presently knowest to proffer thine,) had
+availed, the night when I was dying of cold in thy snow-filled
+courtyard, to procure me to be put of thee but a little under cover,
+it were a light matter to me to hearken now unto thine; but, if thou
+be presently so much more concerned for thine honour than in the past
+and it be grievous to thee to abide up there naked, address these thy
+prayers to him in whose arms thou didst not scruple, that night which
+thou thyself recallest, to abide naked, hearing me the while go about
+thy courtyard, chattering with my teeth and trampling the snow, and
+get thee succour of him; cause him fetch thee thy clothes and set thee
+the ladder, whereby thou mayest descend, and study to inform him with
+tenderness for thine honour, the which thou hast not scrupled both now
+and a thousand other times to imperil for him. Why dost thou not call
+him to come help thee? To whom pertaineth it more than unto him? Thou
+art his; and what should he regard or succour, an he regard not
+neither succour thee? Call him, silly woman that thou art, and prove
+if the love thou bearest him and thy wits and his together can avail
+to deliver thee from my folly, whereof, dallying with him the while,
+thou questionedst aforetime whether himseemed the greater, my folly or
+the love thou borest him.[387] Thou canst not now be lavish to me of
+that which I desire not, nor couldst thou deny it to me, an I desired
+it; keep thy nights for thy lover, an it chance that thou come off
+hence alive; be they thine and his. I had overmuch of one of them and
+it sufficeth me to have been once befooled. Again, using thy craft and
+wiliness in speech, thou studiest, by extolling me, to gain my
+goodwill and callest me a gentleman and a man of honour, thinking thus
+to cajole me into playing the magnanimous and forebearing to punish
+thee for thy wickedness; but thy blandishments shall not now darken me
+the eyes of the understanding, as did thy disloyal promises whilere. I
+know myself, nor did I learn so much of myself what while I sojourned
+at Paris as thou taughtest me in one single night of thine. But,
+granted I were indeed magnanimous, thou art none of those towards whom
+magnanimity should be shown; the issue of punishment, as likewise of
+vengeance, in the case of wild beasts such as thou art, behoveth to be
+death, whereas for human beings that should suffice whereof thou
+speakest. Wherefore, albeit I am no eagle, knowing thee to be no dove,
+but a venomous serpent, I mean to pursue thee, as an immemorial enemy,
+with every hate and all my might, albeit this that I do to thee can
+scarce properly be styled vengeance, but rather chastisement, inasmuch
+as vengeance should overpass the offence and this will not attain
+thereto; for that, an I sought to avenge myself, considering to what a
+pass thou broughtest my soul, thy life, should I take it from thee,
+would not suffice me, no, nor the lives of an hundred others such as
+thou, since, slaying thee, I should but slay a vile, wicked and
+worthless trull of a woman. And what a devil more account (setting
+aside this thy scantling of fair favour,[388] which a few years will
+mar, filling it with wrinkles,) art thou than whatsoever other sorry
+serving-drab? Whereas it was no fault of thine that thou failedst of
+causing the death of a man of honour, as thou styledst me but now,
+whose life may yet in one day be of more service to the world than an
+hundred thousand of thy like could be what while the world endureth. I
+will teach thee, then, by means of this annoy that thou sufferest,
+what it is to flout men of sense, and particularly scholars, and will
+give thee cause never more, an thou comest off alive, to fall into
+such a folly. But, an thou have so great a wish to descend, why dost
+thou not cast thyself down? On this wise, with God's help, thou wilt,
+by breaking thy neck, at once deliver thyself from the torment,
+wherein it seemeth to thee thou art, and make me the joyfullest man in
+the world. Now, I have no more to say to thee. I knew to contrive on
+such wise that I caused thee go up thither; do thou now contrive to
+come down thence, even as thou knewest to befool me.'
+
+[Footnote 387: Boccaccio here misquotes himself. See p. 389, where the
+lady says to her lover, "Whether seemeth to thee the greater, his wit
+or the love I bear him?" This is only one of the numberless instances
+of negligence and inconsistency which occur in the Decameron and which
+make it evident to the student that it must have passed into the hands
+of the public without the final revision and correction by the author,
+that _limae labor_ without which no book is complete and which is
+especially necessary in the case of such a work as the present, where
+Boccaccio figures as the virtual creator of Italian prose.]
+
+[Footnote 388: Lit. face, aspect (_viso_).]
+
+What while the scholar spoke thus, the wretched lady wept without
+ceasing and the time lapsed by, the sun still rising high and higher;
+but, when she saw that he was silent, she said, 'Alack, cruel man, if
+the accursed night was so grievous to thee and if my default seem to
+thee so heinous a thing that neither my young beauty nor my bitter
+tears and humble prayers may avail to move thee to any pity, at least
+let this act of mine alone some little move thee and abate the rigour
+of thy rancour, to wit, that I but now trusted in thee and discovered
+to thee mine every secret, opening withal to thy desire a way whereby
+thou mightest avail to make me cognizant of my sin; more by token
+that, except I had trusted in thee, thou hadst had no means of
+availing to take of me that vengeance, which thou seemest to have so
+ardently desired. For God's sake, leave thine anger and pardon me
+henceforth; I am ready, so thou wilt but forgive me and bring me down
+hence, altogether to renounce yonder faithless youth and to have thee
+alone to lover and lord, albeit thou decriest my beauty, avouching it
+short-lived and little worth; natheless, whatever it be, compared with
+that of other women, yet this I know, that, if for nought else, it is
+to be prized for that it is the desire and pastime and delight of
+men's youth, and thou art not old. And albeit I am cruelly entreated
+of thee, I cannot believe withal that thou wouldst fain see me die so
+unseemly a death as were the casting myself down from this tower, as
+in desperation, before thine eyes, wherein, an thou was not a liar as
+thou are since become, I was erst so pleasing. Alack, have ruth on me
+for God's sake and pity's! The sun beginneth to wax hot, and like as
+the overmuch cold irked me this night, even so doth the heat begin to
+do me sore annoy.'
+
+The scholar, who held her in parley for his diversion, answered,
+'Madam, thou hast not presently trusted thine honour in my hands for
+any love that thou borest me, but to regain him whom thou hast lost,
+wherefore it meriteth but greater severity, and if thou think that
+this way alone was apt and opportune unto the vengeance desired of me,
+thou thinkest foolishly; I had a thousand others; nay, whilst feigning
+to love thee, I had spread a thousand snares about thy feet, and it
+would not have been long, had this not chanced, ere thou must of
+necessity have fallen into one of them, nor couldst thou have fallen
+into any but it had caused thee greater torment and shame than this
+present, the which I took, not to ease thee, but to be the quicklier
+satisfied. And though all else should have failed me, the pen had
+still been left me, wherewithal I would have written such and so many
+things of thee and after such a fashion that, whenas thou camest (as
+thou wouldst have come) to know of them, thou wouldst a thousand times
+a day have wished thyself never born. The power of the pen is far
+greater than they imagine who have not proved it with experience. I
+swear to God (so may He gladden me to the end of this vengeance that I
+take of thee, even as He hath made me glad thereof in the beginning!)
+that I would have written such things of thee, that, being ashamed,
+not to say before other folk, but before thine own self, thou shouldst
+have put out thine own eyes, not to see thyself in the glass;
+wherefore let not the little rivulet twit the sea with having caused
+it wax. Of thy love or that thou be mine, I reck not, as I have
+already said, a jot; be thou e'en his, an thou may, whose thou wast
+erst and whom, as I once hated, so at this present I love, having
+regard unto that which he hath wrought towards thee of late. You women
+go falling enamoured of young springalds and covet their love, for
+that you see them somewhat fresher of colour and blacker of beard and
+they go erect and jaunty and dance and joust, all which things they
+have had who are somewhat more in years, ay, and these know that which
+those have yet to learn. Moreover, you hold them better cavaliers and
+deem that they fare more miles in a day than men of riper age. Certes,
+I confess that they jumble a wench's furbelows more briskly; but those
+more in years, being men of experience, know better where the fleas
+stick, and little meat and savoury is far and away rather to be chosen
+than much and insipid, more by token that hard trotting undoth and
+wearieth folk, how young soever they be, whereas easy going, though
+belike it bring one somewhat later to the inn, at the least carrieth
+him thither unfatigued. You women perceive not, animals without
+understanding that you are, how much ill lieth hid under this
+scantling of fair seeming. Young fellows are not content with one
+woman; nay, as many as they see, so many do they covet and of so many
+themseemeth they are worthy; wherefore their love cannot be stable,
+and of this thou mayst presently of thine own experience bear very
+true witness. Themseemeth they are worthy to be worshipped and
+caressed of their mistresses and they have no greater glory than to
+vaunt them of those whom they have had; the which default of theirs
+hath aforetime cast many a woman into the arms of the monks, who tell
+no tales. Albeit thou sayst that never did any know of thine amours,
+save thy maid and myself, thou knowest it ill and believest awry, an
+thou think thus. His[389] quarter talketh well nigh of nothing else,
+and thine likewise; but most times the last to whose ears such things
+come is he to whom they pertain. Young men, to boot, despoil you,
+whereas it is given you[390] of men of riper years. Since, then, thou
+hast ill chosen, be thou his to whom thou gavest thyself and leave me,
+of whom thou madest mock, to others, for that I have found a mistress
+of much more account than thou, who hath been wise enough to know me
+better than thou didst. And that thou mayst carry into the other world
+greater assurance of the desire of mine eyes than meseemeth thou
+gatherest from my words, do but cast thyself down forthright and thy
+soul, being, as I doubt not it will be, straightway received into the
+arms of the devil, will be able to see if mine eyes be troubled or not
+at seeing thee fall headlong. But, as medoubteth thou wilt not consent
+to do me so much pleasure, I counsel thee, if the sun begin to scorch
+thee, remember thee of the cold thou madest me suffer, which an thou
+mingle with the heat aforesaid, thou wilt without fail feel the sun
+attempered.'
+
+[Footnote 389: _i.e._ thy lover's.]
+
+[Footnote 390: _V'e donato_, _i.e._ young lovers look to receive gifts
+of their mistresses, whilst those of more mature age bestow them.]
+
+The disconsolate lady, seeing that the scholar's words tended to a
+cruel end, fell again to weeping and said, 'Harkye, since nothing I
+can say availeth to move thee to pity of me, let the love move thee,
+which thou bearest that lady whom thou hast found wiser than I and of
+whom thou sayst thou art beloved, and for the love of her pardon me
+and fetch me my clothes, so I may dress myself, and cause me descend
+hence.' Therewith the scholar began to laugh and seeing that tierce
+was now passed by a good hour, replied, 'Marry, I know not how to say
+thee nay, since thou conjurest me by such a lady; tell me where thy
+clothes are and I will go for them and help thee come down from up
+yonder.' The lady, believing this, was somewhat comforted and showed
+him where she had laid her clothes; whereupon he went forth of the
+tower and bidding his servant not depart thence, but abide near at
+hand and watch as most he might that none should enter there till such
+time as he should return, went off to his friend's house, where he
+dined at his ease and after, whenas himseemed time, betook himself to
+sleep; whilst the lady, left upon the tower, albeit some little
+heartened with fond hope, natheless beyond measure woebegone, sat up
+and creeping close to that part of the wall where there was a little
+shade, fell a-waiting, in company of very bitter thoughts. There she
+abode, now hoping and now despairing of the scholar's return with her
+clothes, and passing from one thought to another, she presently fell
+asleep, as one who was overcome of dolour and who had slept no whit
+the past night.
+
+The sun, which was exceeding hot, being now risen to the meridian,
+beat full and straight upon her tender and delicate body and upon her
+head, which was all uncovered, with such force that not only did it
+burn her flesh, wherever it touched it, but cracked and opened it all
+over little by little, and such was the pain of the burning that it
+constrained her to awake, albeit she slept fast. Feeling herself on
+the roast and moving somewhat, it seemed as if all her scorched skin
+cracked and clove asunder for the motion, as we see happen with a
+scorched sheepskin, if any stretch it, and to boot her head irked her
+so sore that it seemed it would burst, which was no wonder. And the
+platform of the tower was so burning hot that she could find no
+restingplace there either for her feet or for otherwhat; wherefore,
+without standing fast, she still removed now hither and now thither,
+weeping. Moreover, there being not a breath of wind, the flies and
+gads flocked thither in swarms and settling upon her cracked flesh,
+stung her so cruelly that each prick seemed to her a pike-stab;
+wherefore she stinted not to fling her hands about, still cursing
+herself, her life, her lover and the scholar.
+
+Being thus by the inexpressible heat of the sun, by the flies and the
+gads and likewise by hunger, but much more by thirst, and by a
+thousand irksome thoughts, to boot, tortured and stung and pierced to
+the quick, she started to her feet and addressed herself to look if
+she might see or hear any one near at hand, resolved, whatever might
+betide thereof, to call him and crave aid. But of this resource also
+had her unfriendly fortune deprived her. The husbandmen were all
+departed from the fields for the heat, more by token that none had
+come that day to work therenigh, they being all engaged in threshing
+out their sheaves beside their houses; wherefore she heard nought but
+crickets and saw the Arno, which latter sight, provoking in her desire
+of its waters, abated not her thirst, but rather increased it. In
+several places also she saw thickets and shady places and houses here
+and there, which were all alike to her an anguish for desire of them.
+What more shall we say of the ill-starred lady? The sun overhead and
+the heat of the platform underfoot and the stings of the flies and
+gads on every side had so entreated her that, whereas with her
+whiteness she had overcome the darkness of the foregoing night, she
+was presently grown red as ruddle,[391] and all bescabbed as she was
+with blood, had seemed to whoso saw her the foulest thing in the
+world.
+
+[Footnote 391: Lit. red as rabies (_rabbia_). Some commentators
+suppose that Boccaccio meant to write _robbia_, madder.]
+
+As she abode on this wise, without aught of hope or counsel,[392]
+expecting death more than otherwhat, it being now past half none, the
+scholar, arising from sleep and remembering him of his mistress,
+returned to the tower, to see what was come of her, and sent his
+servant, who was yet fasting, to eat. The lady, hearing him, came, all
+weak and anguishful as she was for the grievous annoy she had
+suffered, overagainst the trap-door and seating herself there, began,
+weeping, to say, 'Indeed, Rinieri, thou hast beyond measure avenged
+thyself, for, if I made thee freeze in my courtyard by night, thou
+hast made me roast, nay burn, on this tower by day and die of hunger
+and thirst to boot; wherefore I pray thee by the One only God that
+thou come up hither and since my heart suffereth me not give myself
+death with mine own hands, give it me thou, for that I desire it more
+than aught else, such and so great are the torments I endure. Or, an
+thou wilt not do me that favour, let bring me, at the least, a cup of
+water, so I may wet my mouth, whereunto my tears suffice not; so sore
+is the drouth and the burning that I have therein.'
+
+[Footnote 392: _i.e._ resource (_consiglio_). See ante, passim.]
+
+The scholar knew her weakness by her voice and eke saw, in part, her
+body all burnt up of the sun; wherefore and for her humble prayers
+there overcame him a little compassion of her; but none the less he
+answered, 'Wicked woman, thou shalt not die by my hands; nay, by thine
+own shalt thou die, an thou have a mind thereto; and thou shalt have
+of me as much water for the allaying of thy heat as I had fire of thee
+for the comforting of my cold. This much I sore regret that, whereas
+it behoved me heal the infirmity of my cold with the heat of stinking
+dung, that of thy heat will be healed with the coolth of odoriferous
+rose-water; and whereas I was like to lose both limbs and life, thou,
+flayed by this heat, wilt abide fair none otherwise than doth the
+snake, casting its old skin.' 'Alack, wretch that I am,' cried the
+lady, 'God give beauties on such wise acquired to those who wish me
+ill! But thou, that are more cruel than any wild beast, how couldst
+thou have the heart to torture me after this fashion? What more could
+I expect from thee or any other, if I had done all thy kinsfolk to
+death with the cruellest torments? Certes, meknoweth not what greater
+cruelty could be wreaked upon a traitor who had brought a whole city
+to slaughter than that whereto thou hast exposed me in causing me to
+be roasted of the sun and devoured of the flies and withal denying me
+a cup of water, whenas to murderers condemned of justice is
+oftentimes, as they go to their death, given to drink of wine, so but
+they ask it. Nay, since I see thee abide firm in thy savage cruelty
+and that my sufferance availeth not anywise to move thee, I will
+resign myself with patience to receive death, so God, whom I beseech
+to look with equitable eyes upon this thy dealing, may have mercy upon
+my soul.'
+
+So saying, she dragged herself painfully to the midward of the
+platform, despairing to escape alive from so fierce a heat; and not
+once, but a thousand times, over and above her other torments, she
+thought to swoon for thirst, still weeping and bemoaning her illhap.
+However, it being now vespers and it seeming to the scholar he had
+done enough, he caused his servant take up the unhappy lady's clothes
+and wrap them in his cloak; then, betaking himself to her house, he
+found her maid seated before the door, sad and disconsolate and
+unknowing what to do, and said to her, 'Good woman, what is come of
+thy mistress?' 'Sir,' replied she, 'I know not. I thought to find her
+this morning in the bed whither meseemed I saw her betake herself
+yesternight; but I can find her neither there nor otherwhere and know
+not what is come of her; wherefore I suffer the utmost concern. But
+you, sir, can you not tell me aught of her?' Quoth he, 'Would I had
+had thee together with her whereas I have had her, so I might have
+punished thee of thy default, like as I have punished her for hers!
+But assuredly thou shalt not escape from my hands, ere I have so paid
+thee for thy dealings that thou shalt never more make mock of any man,
+without remembering thee of me.' Then to his servant, 'Give her the
+clothes,' quoth he, 'and bid her go to her mistress, an she will.' The
+man did his bidding and gave the clothes to the maid, who, knowing
+them and hearing what Rinieri said, was sore afraid lest they should
+have slain her mistress and scarce refrained from crying out; then,
+the scholar being done, she set out with the clothes for the tower,
+weeping the while.
+
+Now it chanced that one of the lady's husbandmen had that day lost two
+of his swine and going in search of them, came, a little after the
+scholar's departure, to the tower. As he went spying about everywhere
+if he should see his hogs, he heard the piteous lamentation made of
+the miserable lady and climbing up as most he might, cried out, 'Who
+maketh moan there aloft?' The lady knew her husbandman's voice and
+calling him by name, said to him, 'For God's sake, fetch me my maid
+and contrive so she may come up hither to me.' Whereupon quoth the
+man, recognizing her, 'Alack, madam, who hath brought you up yonder?
+Your maid hath gone seeking you all day; but who had ever thought you
+could be here?' Then, taking the ladder-poles, he set them up in their
+place and addressed himself to bind the cross-staves thereto with
+withy bands.[393] Meanwhile, up came the maid, who no sooner entered
+the tower than, unable any longer to hold her tongue, she fell to
+crying out, buffeting herself the while with her hands, 'Alack, sweet
+my lady, where are you?' The lady, hearing her, answered as loudliest
+she might, 'O sister mine, I am here aloft. Weep not, but fetch me my
+clothes quickly.' When the maid heard her speak, she was in a manner
+all recomforted and with the husbandman's aid, mounting the ladder,
+which was now well nigh repaired, reached the sollar, where, whenas
+she saw her lady lying naked on the ground, all forspent and wan, more
+as she were a half-burnt log than a human being, she thrust her nails
+into her own face and fell a-weeping over her, no otherwise than as
+she had been dead.
+
+[Footnote 393: Boccaccio appears to have forgotten to mention that
+Rinieri had broken the rounds of the ladder, when he withdrew it (as
+stated, p. 394), apparently to place an additional obstacle in the way
+of the lady's escape.]
+
+The lady besought her for God's sake be silent and help her dress
+herself, and learning from her that none knew where she had been save
+those who had carried her the clothes and the husbandman there
+present, was somewhat comforted and prayed them for God's sake never
+to say aught of the matter to any one. Then, after much parley, the
+husbandman, taking the lady in his arms, for that she could not walk,
+brought her safely without the tower; but the unlucky maid, who had
+remained behind, descending less circumspectly, made a slip of the
+foot and falling from the ladder to the ground, broke her thigh,
+whereupon she fell a-roaring for the pain, that it seemed a lion. The
+husbandman, setting the lady down on a plot of grass, went to see what
+ailed the maid and finding her with her thigh broken, carried her also
+to the grass-plat and laid her beside her mistress, who, seeing this
+befallen in addition to her other troubles and that she had broken her
+thigh by whom she looked to have been succoured more than by any else,
+was beyond measure woebegone and fell a-weeping afresh and so
+piteously that not only could the husbandman not avail to comfort her,
+but himself fell a-weeping like wise. But presently, the sun being now
+low, he repaired, at the instance of the disconsolate lady, lest the
+night should overtake them there, to his own house, and there called
+his wife and two brothers of his, who returned to the tower with a
+plank and setting the maid thereon, carried her home, whilst he
+himself, having comforted the lady with a little cold water and kind
+words, took her up in his arms and brought her to her own chamber.
+
+His wife gave her a wine-sop to eat and after, undressing her, put her
+to bed; and they contrived that night to have her and her maid carried
+to Florence. There, the lady, who had shifts and devices great plenty,
+framed a story of her fashion, altogether out of conformity with that
+which had passed, and gave her brothers and sisters and every one else
+to believe that this had befallen herself and her maid by dint of
+diabolical bewitchments. Physicians were quickly at hand, who, not
+without putting her to very great anguish and vexation, recovered the
+lady of a sore fever, after she had once and again left her skin
+sticking to the sheets, and on like wise healed the maid of her broken
+thigh. Wherefore, forgetting her lover, from that time forth she
+discreetly forbore both from making mock of others and from loving,
+whilst the scholar, hearing that the maid had broken her thigh, held
+himself fully avenged and passed on, content, without saying otherwhat
+thereof. Thus, then, did it befall the foolish young lady of her
+pranks, for that she thought to fool it with a scholar as she would
+have done with another, unknowing that scholars,--I will not say all,
+but the most part of them,--know where the devil keepeth his tail.
+Wherefore, ladies, beware of making mock of folk, and especially of
+scholars."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     TWO MEN CONSORTING TOGETHER, ONE LIETH WITH THE WIFE OF HIS
+     COMRADE, WHO, BECOMING AWARE THEREOF, DOTH WITH HER ON SUCH
+     WISE THAT THE OTHER IS SHUT UP IN A CHEST, UPON WHICH HE
+     LIETH WITH HIS WIFE, HE BEING INSIDE THE WHILE
+
+
+Elena's troubles had been irksome and grievous to the ladies to hear;
+natheless, for that they deemed them in part justly befallen her, they
+passed them over with more moderate compassion, albeit they held the
+scholar to have been terribly stern and obdurate, nay, cruel. But,
+Pampinea being now come to the end of her story, the queen charged
+Fiammetta follow on, who, nothing loath to obey, said, "Charming
+ladies, for that meseemeth the severity of the offended scholar hath
+somedele distressed you, I deem it well to solace your ruffled spirits
+with somewhat more diverting; wherefore I purpose to tell you a little
+story of a young man who received an injury in a milder spirit and
+avenged it after a more moderate fashion, by which you may understand
+that, whenas a man goeth about to avenge an injury suffered, it should
+suffice him to give as good as he hath gotten, without seeking to do
+hurt overpassing the behoof of the feud.
+
+You must know, then, that there were once in Siena, as I have
+understood aforetime, two young men in easy enough case and of good
+city families, whereof one was named Spinelloccio Tanena and the other
+Zeppa di Mino, and they were next-door neighbours in Camollia.[394]
+These two young men still companied together and loved each other, to
+all appearance, as they had been brothers, or better; and each of them
+had a very fair wife. It chanced that Spinelloccio, by dint of much
+frequenting Zeppa's house, both when the latter was at home and when
+he was abroad, grew so private with his wife that he ended by lying
+with her, and on this wise they abode a pretty while, before any
+became aware thereof. However, at last, one day, Zeppa being at home,
+unknown to his wife, Spinelloccio came to call him and the lady said
+that he was abroad; whereupon the other came straightway up into the
+house and finding her in the saloon and seeing none else there, he
+took her in his arms and fell to kissing her and she him. Zeppa, who
+saw this, made no sign, but abode hidden to see in what the game
+should result and presently saw his wife and Spinelloccio betake
+themselves, thus embraced, to a chamber and there lock themselves in;
+whereat he was sore angered. But, knowing that his injury would not
+become less for making an outcry nor for otherwhat, nay, that shame
+would but wax therefor, he set himself to think what revenge he should
+take thereof, so his soul might abide content, without the thing being
+known all about, and himseeming, after long consideration, he had
+found the means, he abode hidden so long as Spinelloccio remained with
+his wife.
+
+[Footnote 394: _Quaere_, the street of that name?]
+
+As soon as the other was gone away, he entered the chamber and there
+finding the lady, who had not yet made an end of adjusting her
+head-veils, which Spinelloccio had plucked down in dallying with her,
+said to her, 'Wife, what dost thou?' Quoth she, 'Seest thou not?' And
+Zeppa answered, 'Ay, indeed, I have seen more than I could wish.' So
+saying, he taxed her with that which had passed and she, in sore
+affright, confessed to him, after much parley, that which she could
+not aptly deny of her familiarity with Spinelloccio. Then she began to
+crave him pardon, weeping, and Zeppa said to her, 'Harkye, wife, thou
+hast done ill, and if thou wilt have me pardon it to thee, bethink
+thee punctually to do that which I shall enjoin thee, which is this; I
+will have thee bid Spinelloccio find an occasion to part company with
+me to-morrow morning, towards tierce, and come hither to thee. When he
+is here I will come back and so soon as thou hearest me, do thou make
+him enter this chest here and lock him therein. Then, when thou shalt
+have done this, I will tell thee what else thou shalt do; and have
+thou no fear of doing this, for that I promise thee I will do him no
+manner of hurt.' The lady, to satisfy him, promised to do his bidding,
+and so she did.
+
+The morrow come and Zeppa and Spinelloccio being together towards
+tierce, the latter, who had promised the lady to be with her at that
+hour, said to the former, 'I am to dine this morning with a friend,
+whom I would not keep waiting for me; wherefore God be with thee.'
+Quoth Zeppa, 'It is not dinner-time yet awhile'; but Spinelloccio
+answered, 'No matter; I am to speak with him also of an affair of
+mine, so that needs must I be there betimes.' Accordingly, taking
+leave of him, he fetched a compass and making for Zeppa's house,
+entered a chamber with the latter's wife. He had not been there long
+ere Zeppa returned, whom when the lady heard, feigning to be mightily
+affrighted, she made him take refuge in the chest, as her husband had
+bidden her, and locking him therein, went forth of the chamber. Zeppa,
+coming up, said, 'Wife, is it dinner-time?' 'Ay,' answered she,
+'forthright.' Quoth he, 'Spinelloccio is gone to dine this morning
+with a friend of his and hath left his wife alone; get thee to the
+window and call her and bid her come dine with us.' The lady, fearing
+for herself and grown therefor mighty obedient, did as he bade her and
+Spinelloccio's wife, being much pressed by her and hearing that her
+own husband was to dine abroad, came hither.
+
+Zeppa made much of her and whispering his wife begone into the
+kitchen, took her familiarly by the hand and carried her into the
+chamber, wherein no sooner were they come than, turning back, he
+locked the door within. When the lady saw him do this, she said,
+'Alack, Zeppa, what meaneth this? Have you then brought me hither for
+this? Is this the love you bear Spinelloccio and the loyal
+companionship you practise towards him?' Whereupon quoth Zeppa,
+drawing near to the chest wherein was her husband locked up and
+holding her fast, 'Madam, ere thou complainest, hearken to that which
+I have to say to thee. I have loved and love Spinelloccio as a
+brother, and yesterday, albeit he knoweth it not, I found that the
+trust I had in him was come to this, that he lieth with my wife even
+as with thee. Now, for that I love him, I purpose not to take
+vengeance of him, save on such wise as the offence hath been; he hath
+had my wife and I mean to have thee. An thou wilt not, needs must I
+take him here and for that I mean not to let this affront go
+unpunished, I will play him such a turn that neither thou nor he shall
+ever again be glad.' The lady, hearing this and believing what Zeppa
+said, after many affirmations made her of him, replied, 'Zeppa mine,
+since this vengeance is to fall on me, I am content, so but thou wilt
+contrive, notwithstanding what we are to do, that I may abide at peace
+with thy wife, even as I intend to abide with her, notwithstanding
+this that she hath done to me.' 'Assuredly,' rejoined Zeppa, 'I will
+do it; and to boot, I will give thee a precious and fine jewel as none
+other thou hast.' So saying, he embraced her; then, laying her flat on
+the chest, there to his heart's content, he solaced himself with her,
+and she with him.
+
+Spinelloccio, hearing from within the chest all that Zeppa said his
+wife's answer and feeling the morrisdance[395] that was toward over
+his head, was at first so sore despited that himseemed he should die;
+and but that he stood in fear of Zeppa, he had rated his wife finely,
+shut up as he was. However, bethinking himself that the offence had
+begun with him and that Zeppa was in his right to do as he did and had
+indeed borne himself towards him humanely and like a comrade, he
+presently resolved in himself to be, an he would, more than ever his
+friend. Zeppa, having been with the lady so long as it pleased him,
+dismounted from the chest, and she asking for the promised jewel, he
+opened the chamber-door and called his wife, who said nought else than
+'Madam, you have given me a loaf for my bannock'; and this she said
+laughing. To her quoth Zeppa, 'Open this chest.' Accordingly she
+opened it and therein Zeppa showed the lady her husband, saying, 'Here
+is the jewel I promised thee.' It were hard to say which was the more
+abashed of the twain, Spinelloccio, seeing Zeppa and knowing that he
+knew what he had done, or his wife, seeing her husband and knowing
+that he had both heard and felt that which she had done over his head.
+But Spinelloccio, coming forth of the chest, said, without more
+parley, 'Zeppa, we are quits; wherefore it is well, as thou saidst but
+now to my wife, that we be still friends as we were, and that, since
+there is nothing unshared between us two but our wives, we have these
+also in common.' Zeppa was content and they all four dined together in
+the utmost possible harmony; and thenceforward each of the two ladies
+had two husbands and each of the latter two wives, without ever having
+any strife or grudge anent the matter."
+
+[Footnote 395: _Danza trivigiana_, lit. Trevisan dance, O.E. the
+shaking of the sheets.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     MASTER SIMONE THE PHYSICIAN, HAVING BEEN INDUCED BY BRUNO
+     AND BUFFALMACCO TO REPAIR TO A CERTAIN PLACE BY NIGHT, THERE
+     TO BE MADE A MEMBER OF A COMPANY THAT GOETH A-ROVING, IS
+     CAST BY BUFFALMACCO INTO A TRENCH FULL OF ORDURE AND THERE
+     LEFT
+
+
+After the ladies had chatted awhile over the community of wives
+practised by the two Siennese, the queen, with whom alone it rested to
+tell, so she would not do Dioneo an unright, began on this wise:
+"Right well, lovesome ladies, did Spinelloccio deserve the cheat put
+upon him by Zeppa; wherefore meseemeth he is not severely to be blamed
+(as Pampinea sought awhile ago to show), who putteth a cheat on those
+who go seeking it or deserve it. Now Spinelloccio deserved it, and I
+mean to tell you of one who went seeking it for himself. Those who
+tricked him, I hold not to be blameworthy, but rather commendable, and
+he to whom it was done was a physician, who, having set out for
+Bologna a sheepshead, returned to Florence all covered with
+miniver.[396]
+
+[Footnote 396: _i.e._ with the doctor's hood of miniver.]
+
+As we see daily, our townsmen return hither from Bologna, this a
+judge, that a physician and a third a notary, tricked out with robes
+long and large and scarlets and minivers and store of other fine
+paraphernalia, and make a mighty brave show, to which how far the
+effects conform we may still see all day long. Among the rest a
+certain Master Simone da Villa, richer in inherited goods than in
+learning, returned hither, no great while since, a doctor of medicine,
+according to his own account, clad all in scarlet[397] and with a
+great miniver hood, and took a house in the street which we call
+nowadays the Via del Cocomero. This said Master Simone, being thus
+newly returned, as hath been said, had, amongst other his notable
+customs, a trick of asking whosoever was with him who was no matter
+what man he saw pass in the street, and as if of the doings and
+fashions of men he should compound the medicines he gave his
+patients, he took note of all and laid them all up in his memory.
+Amongst others on whom it occurred to him more particularly to cast
+his eyes were two painters of whom it hath already twice to-day been
+discoursed, namely, Bruno and Buffalmacco, who were neighbours of his
+and still went in company. Himseeming they recked less of the world
+and lived more merrily than other folk, as was indeed the case, he
+questioned divers persons of their condition and hearing from all that
+they were poor men and painters, he took it into his head that it
+might not be they lived so blithely of their poverty, but concluded,
+for that he had heard they were shrewd fellows, that they must needs
+derive very great profits from some source unknown to the general;
+wherefore he was taken with a desire to clap up an acquaintance, an he
+might, with them both, or at least with one of them, and succeeded in
+making friends with Bruno. The latter, perceiving, after he had been
+with him a few times, that the physician was a very jackass, began to
+give himself the finest time in the world with him and to be hugely
+diverted with his extraordinary humours, whilst Master Simone in like
+manner took a marvellous delight in his company.
+
+[Footnote 397: The colour of the doctors' robes of that time.]
+
+After a while, having sundry times bidden him to dinner and thinking
+himself entitled in consequence to discourse familiarly with him, he
+discovered to him the wonderment that he felt at him and Buffalmacco,
+how, being poor men, they lived so merrily, and besought him to
+apprise him how they did. Bruno, hearing this talk from the physician
+and himseeing the question was one of his wonted witless
+impertinences, fell a-laughing in his sleeve, and bethinking himself
+to answer him according as his folly deserved, said, 'Doctor, there
+are not many whom I would tell how we do; but you I shall not scruple
+to tell, for that you are a friend and I know you will not repeat it
+to any. It is true we live, my friend and I, as merrily and as well as
+it appeareth to you, nay, more so, albeit neither of our craft nor of
+revenues we derive from any possessions might we have enough to pay
+for the very water we consume. Yet I would not, for all that, have you
+think that we go steal; nay, we go a-roving, and thence, without hurt
+unto any, we get us all to which we have a mind or for which we have
+occasion; hence the merry life you see us lead.'
+
+The physician, hearing this and believing it, without knowing what it
+was, marvelled exceedingly and forthright conceiving an ardent desire
+to know what manner of thing this going a-roving might be, besought
+him very urgently to tell him, affirming that he would assuredly never
+discover it to any. 'Alack, doctor,' cried Bruno, 'what is this you
+ask me? This you would know is too great a secret and a thing to undo
+me and drive me from the world, nay, to bring me into the mouth of the
+Lucifer of San Gallo,[398] should any come to know it. But so great is
+the love I bear your right worshipful pumpkinheadship of Legnaja[399]
+and the confidence I have in you that I can deny you nothing you
+would have; wherefore I will tell it you, on condition that you swear
+to me by the cross at Montesone, never, as you have promised, to tell
+it to any one.
+
+[Footnote 398: The commentators note here that on the church door of
+San Gallo was depicted an especially frightful Lucifer, with many
+mouths.]
+
+[Footnote 399: Legnaja is said to be famous for big pumpkins.]
+
+The physician declared that he would never repeat what he should tell
+him, and Bruno said, 'You must know, then, honey doctor mine, that not
+long since there was in this city a great master in necromancy, who
+was called Michael Scott, for that he was of Scotland, and who
+received the greatest hospitality from many gentlemen, of whom few are
+nowadays alive; wherefore, being minded to depart hence, he left them,
+at their instant prayers, two of his ablest disciples, whom he
+enjoined still to hold themselves in readiness to satisfy every wish
+of the gentlemen who had so worshipfully entertained him. These two,
+then, freely served the aforesaid gentlemen in certain amours of
+theirs and other small matters, and afterward, the city and the usages
+of the folk pleasing them, they determined to abide there always.
+Accordingly, they contracted great and strait friendship with certain
+of the townfolk, regarding not who they were, whether gentle or
+simple, rich or poor, but solely if they were men comfortable to their
+own usances; and to pleasure these who were thus become their friends,
+they founded a company of maybe five-and-twenty men, who should
+foregather twice at the least in the month in some place appointed of
+them, where being assembled, each should tell them his desire, which
+they would forthright accomplish unto him for that night. Buffalmacco
+and I, having an especial friendship and intimacy with these two, were
+put of them on the roll of the aforesaid company and are still
+thereof. And I may tell you that, what time it chanceth that we
+assemble together, it is a marvellous thing to see the hangings about
+the saloon where we eat and the tables spread on royal wise and the
+multitude of noble and goodly servants, as well female as male, at the
+pleasure of each one who is of the company, and the basons and ewers
+and flagons and goblets and the vessels of gold and silver, wherein we
+eat and drink, more by token of the many and various viands that are
+set before us, each in its season, according to that which each one
+desireth. I could never avail to set out to you what and how many are
+the sweet sounds of innumerable instruments and the songs full of
+melody that are heard there; nor might I tell you how much wax is
+burned at these suppers nor what and how many are the confections that
+are consumed there nor how costly are the wines that are drunken. But
+I would not have you believe, good saltless pumpkinhead mine, that we
+abide there in this habit and with these clothes that you see us wear
+every day; nay, there is none of us of so little account but would
+seem to you an emperor, so richly are we adorned with vestments of
+price and fine things. But, over all the other pleasures that be there
+is that of fair ladies, who, so one but will it, are incontinent
+brought thither from the four quarters of the world. There might you
+see the Sovereign Lady of the Rascal-Roughs, the Queen of the Basques,
+the wife of the Soldan, the Empress of the Usbeg Tartars, the
+Driggledraggletail of Norroway, the Moll-a-green of Flapdoodleland and
+the Madkate of Woolgathergreen. But why need I enumerate them to you?
+There be all the queens in the world, even, I may say, to the
+Sirreverence of Prester John, who hath his horns amiddleward his arse;
+see you now? There, after we have drunken and eaten confections and
+walked a dance or two, each lady betaketh herself to her bedchamber
+with him at whose instance she hath been brought thither. And you must
+know that these bedchambers are a very paradise to behold, so goodly
+they are; ay, and they are no less odoriferous than are the
+spice-boxes of your shop, whenas you let bray cummin-seed, and therein
+are beds that would seem to you goodlier than that of the Doge of
+Venice, and in these they betake themselves to rest. Marry, what a
+working of the treadles, what a hauling-to of the battens to make the
+cloth close, these weaveresses keep up, I will e'en leave you to
+imagine; but of those who fare best, to my seeming, are Buffalmacco
+and myself, for that he most times letteth come thither the Queen of
+France for himself, whilst I send for her of England, the which are
+two of the fairest ladies in the world, and we have known so to do
+that they have none other eye in their head than us.[400] Wherefore
+you may judge for yourself if we can and should live and go more
+merrily than other men, seeing we have the love of two such queens,
+more by token that, whenas we would have a thousand or two thousand
+florins of them, we get them not. This, then, we commonly style going
+a-roving, for that, like as the rovers take every man's good, even so
+do we, save that we are in this much different from them that they
+never restore that which they take, whereas we return it again, whenas
+we have used it. Now, worthy doctor mine, you have heard what it is we
+call going a-roving; but how strictly this requireth to be kept secret
+you can see for yourself, and therefore I say no more to you nor pray
+you thereof.'
+
+[Footnote 400: _i.e._ they think of and cherish us alone, holding us
+as dear as their very eyes.]
+
+The physician, whose science reached no farther belike than the curing
+children of the scald-head, gave as much credit to Bruno's story as
+had been due to the most manifest truth and was inflamed with as great
+desire to be received into that company as might be kindled in any for
+the most desirable thing in the world; wherefore he made answer to him
+that assuredly it was no marvel if they went merry and hardly
+constrained himself to defer requesting him to bring him to be there
+until such time as, having done him further hospitality, he might with
+more confidence proffer his request to him. Accordingly, reserving
+this unto a more favourable season, he proceeded to keep straiter
+usance with Bruno, having him morning and evening to eat with him and
+showing him an inordinate affection; and indeed so great and so
+constant was this their commerce that it seemed as if the physician
+could not nor knew how to live without the painter. The latter,
+finding himself in good case, so he might not appear ungrateful for
+the hospitality shown him, had painted Master Simone a picture of Lent
+in his saloon, besides an Agnus Dei at the entering in of his chamber
+and a chamber-pot over the street-door, so those who had occasion for
+his advice might know how to distinguish him from the others; and in
+a little gallery he had, he had depictured him the battle of the rats
+and the cats, which appeared to the physician a very fine thing.
+Moreover, he said whiles to him, whenas he had not supper with him
+overnight, 'I was at the society yesternight and being a trifle tired
+of the Queen of England, I caused fetch me the Dolladoxy of the Grand
+Cham of Tartary.' 'What meaneth Dolladoxy?' asked Master Simone. 'I do
+not understand these names.' 'Marry, doctor mine,' replied Bruno, 'I
+marvel not thereat, for I have right well heard that Porcograsso and
+Vannacena[401] say nought thereof.' Quoth the physician. 'Thou meanest
+Ipocrasso and Avicenna.' 'I' faith,' answered Bruno, 'I know not; I
+understand your names as ill as you do mine; but Dolladoxy in the
+Grand Cham's lingo meaneth as much as to say Empress in our tongue.
+Egad, you would think her a plaguy fine woman! I dare well say she
+would make you forget your drugs and your clysters and all your
+plasters.'
+
+[Footnote 401: _i.e._ Fat-hog and Get-thee-to-supper, burlesque
+perversions of the names Ipocrasso (Hippocrates) and Avicenna.]
+
+On this wise he bespoke him at one time and another, to enkindle him
+the more, till one night, what while it chanced my lord doctor held
+the light to Bruno, who was in act to paint the battle of the rats and
+the cats, the former, himseeming he had now well taken him with his
+hospitalities, determined to open his mind to him, and accordingly,
+they being alone together, he said to him, 'God knoweth, Bruno, there
+is no one alive for whom I would do everything as I would for thee;
+indeed, shouldst thou bid me go hence to Peretola, methinketh it would
+take little to make me go thither; wherefore I would not have thee
+marvel if I require thee of somewhat familiarly and with confidence.
+As thou knowest, it is no great while since thou bespokest me of the
+fashions of your merry company, wherefore so great a longing hath
+taken me to be one of you that never did I desire aught so much. Nor
+is this my desire without cause, as thou shalt see, if ever it chance
+that I be of your company; for I give thee leave to make mock of me an
+I cause not come thither the finest serving-wench thou ever setst eyes
+on. I saw her but last year at Cacavincigli and wish her all my
+weal;[402] and by the body of Christ, I had e'en given her half a
+score Bolognese groats, so she would but have consented to me; but she
+would not. Wherefore, as most I may, I prithee teach me what I must do
+to avail to be of your company and do thou also do and contrive so I
+may be thereof. Indeed, you will have in me a good and loyal comrade,
+ay, and a worshipful. Thou seest, to begin with, what a fine man I am
+and how well I am set up on my legs. Ay, and I have a face as it were
+a rose, more by token that I am a doctor of medicine, such as I
+believe you have none among you. Moreover, I know many fine things and
+goodly canzonets; marry, I will sing you one.' And incontinent he fell
+a-singing.
+
+[Footnote 402: _i.e._ love her beyond anything in the world. For
+former instances of this idiomatic expression, see ante, passim.]
+
+Bruno had so great a mind to laugh that he was like to burst; however
+he contained himself and the physician, having made an end of his
+song, said, 'How deemedst thou thereof?' 'Certes,' answered Bruno,
+'there's no Jew's harp but would lose with you, so archigothically do
+you caterwarble it.' Quoth Master Simone, 'I tell thee thou wouldst
+never have believed it, hadst thou not heard me.' 'Certes,' replied
+Bruno, 'you say sooth!' and the physician went on, 'I know store of
+others; but let that be for the present. Such as thou seest me, my
+father was a gentleman, albeit he abode in the country, and I myself
+come by my mother of the Vallecchio family. Moreover, as thou mayst
+have seen, I have the finest books and gowns of any physician in
+Florence. Cock's faith, I have a gown that stood me, all reckoned, in
+nigh upon an hundred pounds of doits, more than half a score years
+ago; wherefore I pray thee as most I may, to bring me to be of your
+company, and by Cock's faith, an thou do it, thou mayst be as ill as
+thou wilt, for I will never take a farthing of thee for my services.'
+
+Bruno, hearing this and the physician seeming to him a greater
+numskull than ever, said, 'Doctor, hold the light a thought more this
+way and take patience till I have made these rats their tails, and
+after I will answer you.' The tails being finished, Bruno made believe
+that the physician's request was exceeding irksome to him and said,
+'Doctor mine, these be great things you would do for me and I
+acknowledge it; nevertheless, that which you ask of me, little as it
+may be for the greatness of your brain, is yet to me a very grave
+matter, nor know I any one in the world for whom, it being in my
+power, I would do it, an I did it not for you, both because I love you
+as it behoveth and on account of your words, which are seasoned with
+so much wit that they would draw the straps out of a pair of boots,
+much more me from my purpose; for the more I consort with you, the
+wiser you appear to me. And I may tell you this, to boot, that, though
+I had none other reason, yet do I wish you well, for that I see you
+enamoured of so fair a creature as is she of whom you speak. But this
+much I will say to you; I have no such power in this matter as you
+suppose and cannot therefore do for you that which were behoving;
+however, an you will promise me, upon your solemn and surbated[403]
+faith, to keep it me secret, I will tell you the means you must use
+and meseemeth certain that, with such fine books and other gear as you
+tell me you have, you will gain your end.'
+
+[Footnote 403: Syn. cauterized (_calterita_), a nonsensical word
+employed by Bruno for the purpose of mystifying the credulous
+physician.]
+
+Quoth the doctor, 'Say on in all assurance; I see thou art not yet
+well acquainted with me and knowest not how I can keep a secret. There
+be few things indeed that Messer Guasparruolo da Saliceto did, whenas
+he was judge of the Provostry at Forlimpopoli, but he sent to tell me,
+for that he found me so good a secret-keeper.[404] And wilt thou judge
+an I say sooth? I was the first man whom he told that he was to marry
+Bergamina: seest thou now?' 'Marry, then,' rejoined Bruno, 'all is
+well; if such a man trusted in you, I may well do so. The course you
+must take is on this wise. You must know that we still have to this
+our company a captain and two counsellors, who are changed from six
+months to six months, and without fail, at the first of the month,
+Buffalmacco will be captain and I shall be counsellor; for so it is
+settled. Now whoso is captain can do much by way of procuring
+whomsoever he will to be admitted into the company; wherefore
+meseemeth you should seek, inasmuch as you may, to gain Buffalmacco's
+friendship and do him honour. He is a man, seeing you so wise, to fall
+in love with you incontinent, and whenas with your wit and with these
+fine things you have you shall have somedele ingratiated yourself with
+him, you can make your request to him; he will not know how to say you
+nay. I have already bespoken him of you and he wisheth you all the
+weal in the world; and whenas you shall have done this, leave me do
+with him.' Quoth the physician, 'That which thou counsellest liketh me
+well. Indeed, an he be a man who delighteth in men of learning and
+talketh but with me a little, I will engage to make him go still
+seeking my company, for that, as for wit, I have so much thereof that
+I could stock a city withal and yet abide exceeding wise.'
+
+[Footnote 404: Syn. secretary, confidant (_segretaro_).]
+
+This being settled, Bruno imparted the whole matter to Buffalmacco,
+wherefore it seemed to the latter a thousand years till they should
+come to do that which this arch-zany went seeking. The physician, who
+longed beyond measure to go a-roving, rested not till he made friends
+with Buffalmacco, which he easily succeeded in doing, and therewithal
+he fell to giving him, and Bruno with him, the finest suppers and
+dinners in the world. The two painters, like the accommodating
+gentlemen they were, were nothing loath to engage with him and having
+once tasted the excellent wines and fat capons and other good things
+galore, with which he plied them, stuck very close to him and ended by
+quartering themselves upon him, without awaiting overmuch invitation,
+still declaring that they would not do this for another. Presently,
+whenas it seemed to him time, the physician made the same request to
+Buffalmacco as he had made Bruno aforetime; whereupon Buffalmacco
+feigned himself sore chagrined and made a great outcry against Bruno,
+saying, 'I vow to the High God of Pasignano that I can scarce withhold
+myself from giving thee such a clout over the head as should cause thy
+nose drop to thy heels, traitor that thou art; for none other than
+thou hath discovered these matters to the doctor.'
+
+Master Simone did his utmost to excuse Bruno, saying and swearing that
+he had learned the thing from another quarter, and after many of his
+wise words, he succeeded in pacifying Buffalmacco; whereupon the
+latter turned to him and said, 'Doctor mine, it is very evident that
+you have been at Bologna and have brought back a close mouth to these
+parts; and I tell you moreover that you have not learnt your A B C on
+the apple as many blockheads are fain to do; nay, you have learned it
+aright on the pumpkin, that is so long;[405] and if I mistake not,
+you were baptized on a Sunday.[406] And albeit Bruno hath told me
+that you told me that you studied medicine there, meseemeth you
+studied rather to learn to catch men, the which you, with your wit and
+your fine talk, know better to do than any man I ever set eyes on.'
+Here the physician took the words out of his mouth and breaking in,
+said to Bruno, 'What a thing it is to talk and consort with learned
+men! Who would so have quickly apprehended every particular of my
+intelligence as hath this worthy man? Thou didst not half so speedily
+become aware of my value as he; but, at the least, that which I told
+thee, whenas thou saidst to me that Buffalmacco delighted in learned
+men, seemeth it to thee I have done it?' 'Ay hast thou,' replied
+Bruno, 'and better.'
+
+[Footnote 405: A play of words upon _mela_ (apple) and _mellone_
+(pumpkin). _Mellone_ is strictly a water-melon; but I have rendered it
+"pumpkin," to preserve the English idiom, "pumpkinhead" being our
+equivalent for the Italian "melon," used in the sense of dullard,
+noodle.]
+
+[Footnote 406: According to the commentators, "baptized on a Sunday"
+anciently signified a simpleton, because salt (which is constantly
+used by the Italian classical writers as a synonym for wit or sense)
+was not sold on Sundays.]
+
+Then said the doctor to Buffalmacco, 'Thou wouldst have told another
+tale, hadst thou seen me at Bologna, where there was none, great or
+small, doctor or scholar, but wished me all the weal in the world, so
+well did I know to content them all with my discourse and my wit. And
+what is more, I never said a word there, but I made every one laugh,
+so hugely did I please them; and whenas I departed thence, they all
+set up the greatest lament in the world and would all have had me
+remain there; nay, to such a pass came it for that I should abide
+there, that they would have left it to me alone to lecture on medicine
+to as many students as were there; but I would not, for that I was
+e'en minded to come hither to certain very great heritages which I
+have here and which have still been in my family; and so I did.' Quoth
+Bruno to Buffalmacco, 'How deemest thou? Thou believedst me not,
+whenas I told it thee. By the Evangels, there is not a leach in these
+parts who is versed in asses' water to compare with this one, and
+assuredly thou wouldst not find another of him from here to Paris
+gates. Marry, hold yourself henceforth [if you can,] from doing that
+which he will.' Quoth Master Simone, 'Bruno saith sooth; but I am not
+understood here. You Florentines are somewhat dull of wit; but I would
+have you see me among the doctors, as I am used to be.' 'Verily,
+doctor,' said Buffalmacco, 'you are far wiser than I could ever have
+believed; wherefore to speak to you as it should be spoken to scholars
+such as you are, I tell you, cut-and-slash fashion,[407] I will
+without fail procure you to be of our company.'
+
+[Footnote 407: Syn. confusedly (_frastagliatamente_).]
+
+After this promise the physician redoubled in his hospitalities to the
+two rogues, who enjoyed themselves [at his expense,] what while they
+crammed him with the greatest extravagances in the world and fooled
+him to the top of his bent, promising him to give him to mistress the
+Countess of Jakes,[408]who was the fairest creature to be found in
+all the back-settlements of the human generation. The physician
+enquired who this countess was, whereto quoth Buffalmacco, 'Good my
+seed-pumpkin, she is a very great lady and there be few houses in the
+world wherein she hath not some jurisdiction. To say nothing of
+others, the Minor Friars themselves render her tribute, to the sound
+of kettle-drums.[409] And I can assure you that, whenas she goeth
+abroad, she maketh herself well felt,[410] albeit she abideth for the
+most part shut up. Natheless, it is no great while since she passed by
+your door, one night that she repaired to the Arno, to wash her feet
+and take the air a little; but her most continual abiding-place is in
+Draughthouseland.[411] There go ofttimes about store of her serjeants,
+who all in token of her supremacy, bear the staff and the plummet, and
+of her barons many are everywhere to be seen, such as Sirreverence of
+the Gate, Goodman Turd, Hardcake,[412] Squitterbreech and others, who
+methinketh are your familiars, albeit you call them not presently to
+mind. In the soft arms, then, of this great lady, leaving be her of
+Cacavincigli, we will, an expectation cheat us not, bestow you.'
+
+[Footnote 408: _La Contessa di Civillari_, _i.e._ the public sewers.
+Civillari, according to the commentators, was the name of an alley in
+Florence, where all the ordure and filth of the neighbourhood was
+deposited and stored in trenches for manure.]
+
+[Footnote 409: _Nacchere_, syn. a loud crack of wind.]
+
+[Footnote 410: Syn. smelt (_sentito_).]
+
+[Footnote 411: _Laterina_, _i.e._ Latrina.]
+
+[Footnote 412: Lit. Broom-handle (_Manico della Scopa_).]
+
+The physician, who had been born and bred at Bologna, understood not
+their canting terms and accordingly avouched himself well pleased with
+the lady in question. Not long after this talk, the painters brought
+him news that he was accepted to member of the company and the day
+being come before the night appointed for their assembly, he had them
+both to dinner. When they had dined, he asked them what means it
+behoved him take to come thither; whereupon quoth Buffalmacco, 'Look
+you, doctor, it behoveth you have plenty of assurance; for that, an
+you be not mighty resolute, you may chance to suffer hindrance and do
+us very great hurt; and in what it behoveth you to approve yourself
+very stout-hearted you shall hear. You must find means to be this
+evening, at the season of the first sleep, on one of the raised tombs
+which have been lately made without Santa Maria Novella, with one of
+your finest gowns on your back, so you may make an honourable figure
+for your first appearance before the company and also because,
+according to what was told us (we were not there after) the Countess
+is minded, for that you are a man of gentle birth, to make you a
+Knight of the Bath at her own proper costs and charges; and there you
+must wait till there cometh for you he whom we shall send. And so you
+may be apprised of everything, there will come for you a black horned
+beast, not overbig, which will go capering about the piazza before you
+and making a great whistling and bounding, to terrify you; but, when
+he seeth that you are not to be daunted, he will come up to you
+quietly. Then do you, without any fear, come down from the tomb and
+mount the beast, naming neither God nor the Saints; and as soon as you
+are settled on his back, you must cross your hands upon your breast,
+in the attitude of obeisance, and touch him no more. He will then set
+off softly and bring you to us; but if you call upon God or the
+Saints or show fear, I must tell you that he may chance to cast you
+off or strike you into some place where you are like to stink for it;
+wherefore, an your heart misgive you and unless you can make sure of
+being mighty resolute, come not thither, for you would but do us a
+mischief, without doing yourself any good.'[413]
+
+[Footnote 413: Lit. "do _yourself_ a mischief, without doing _us_ any
+good"; but the sequel shows that the contrary is meant, as in the
+text.]
+
+Quoth the physician, 'I see you know me not yet; maybe you judge of me
+by my gloves and long gown. If you knew what I did aforetimes at
+Bologna anights, when I went a-wenching whiles with my comrades, you
+would marvel. Cock's faith, there was such and such a night when, one
+of them refusing to come with us, (more by token that she was a scurvy
+little baggage, no higher than my fist,) I dealt her, to begin with,
+good store of cuffs, then, taking her up bodily, I dare say I carried
+her a crossbowshot and wrought so that needs must she come with us.
+Another time I remember me that, without any other in my company than
+a serving-man of mine, I passed yonder alongside the Cemetery of the
+Minor Friars, a little after the Ave Maria, albeit there had been a
+woman buried there that very day, and felt no whit of fear; wherefore
+misdoubt you not of this, for I am but too stout of heart and lusty.
+Moreover, I tell you that, to do you credit at my coming thither, I
+will don my gown of scarlet, wherein I was admitted doctor, and we
+shall see if the company rejoice not at my sight and an I be not made
+captain out of hand. You shall e'en see how the thing will go, once I
+am there, since, without having yet set eyes on me, this countess hath
+fallen so enamoured of me that she is minded to make me a Knight of
+the Bath. It may be knighthood will not sit so ill on me nor shall I
+be at a loss to carry it off with worship! Marry, only leave me do.'
+'You say very well,' answered Buffalmacco; 'but look you leave us not
+in the lurch and not come or not be found at the trysting-place,
+whenas we shall send for you; and this I say for that the weather is
+cold and you gentlemen doctors are very careful of yourselves
+thereanent.' 'God forbid!' cried Master Simone. 'I am none of your
+chilly ones. I reck not of the cold; seldom or never, whenas I rise of
+a night for my bodily occasions, as a man will bytimes, do I put me on
+more than my fur gown over my doublet. Wherefore I will certainly be
+there.'
+
+Thereupon they took leave of him and whenas it began to grow towards
+night, Master Simone contrived to make some excuse or other to his
+wife and secretly got out his fine gown; then, whenas it seemed to him
+time, he donned it and betook himself to Santa Maria Novella, where he
+mounted one of the aforesaid tombs and huddling himself up on the
+marble, for that the cold was great, he proceeded to wait the coming
+of the beast. Meanwhile Buffalmacco, who was tall and robust of his
+person, made shift to have one of those masks that were wont to be
+used for certain games which are not held nowadays, and donning a
+black fur pelisse, inside out, arrayed himself therein on such wise
+that he seemed a very bear, save that his mask had a devil's face and
+was horned. Thus accoutred, he betook himself to the new Piazza of
+Santa Maria, Bruno following him to see how the thing should go. As
+soon as he perceived that the physician was there, he fell a-capering
+and caracoling and made a terrible great blustering about the piazza,
+whistling and howling and bellowing as he were possessed of the devil.
+When Master Simone, who was more fearful than a woman, heard and saw
+this, every hair of his body stood on end and he fell a-trembling all
+over, and it was now he had liefer been at home than there.
+Nevertheless, since he was e'en there, he enforced himself to take
+heart, so overcome was he with desire to see the marvels whereof the
+painters had told him.
+
+After Buffalmacco had raged about awhile, as hath been said, he made a
+show of growing pacified and coming up to the tomb whereon was the
+physician, stood stock-still. Master Simone, who was all a-tremble for
+fear, knew not what to do, whether to mount or abide where he was.
+However, at last, fearing that the beast should do him a mischief, an
+he mounted him not, he did away the first fear with the second and
+coming down from the tomb, mounted on his back, saying softly, 'God
+aid me!' Then he settled himself as best he might and still trembling
+in every limb, crossed his hands upon his breast, as it had been
+enjoined him; whereupon Buffalmacco set off at an amble towards Santa
+Maria della Scala and going on all fours, brought him hard by the
+Nunnery of Ripole. In those days there were dykes in that quarter,
+wherein the tillers of the neighbouring lands let empty the jakes, to
+manure their fields withal; whereto whenas Buffalmacco came nigh, he
+went up to the brink of one of them and taking the opportunity, laid
+hold of one of the physician's legs and jerking him off his back,
+pitched him clean in, head foremost. Then he fell a-snorting and
+snarling and capering and raged about awhile; after which he made off
+alongside Santa Maria della Scala till he came to Allhallows Fields.
+There he found Bruno, who had taken to flight, for that he was unable
+to restrain his laughter; and with him, after they had made merry
+together at Master Simone's expense, he addressed himself to see from
+afar what the bemoiled physician should do.
+
+My lord leech, finding himself in that abominable place, struggled to
+arise and strove as best he might to win forth thereof; and after
+falling in again and again, now here and now there, and swallowing
+some drachms of the filth, he at last succeeded in making his way out
+of the dyke, in the woefullest of plights, bewrayed from head to foot
+and leaving his bonnet behind him. Then, having wiped himself as best
+he might with his hands and knowing not what other course to take, he
+returned home and knocked till it was opened to him. Hardly was he
+entered, stinking as he did, and the door shut again ere up came Bruno
+and Buffalmacco, to hear how he should be received of his wife, and
+standing hearkening, they heard the lady give him the foulest rating
+was ever given poor devil, saying, 'Good lack, what a pickle thou art
+in! Thou hast been gallanting it to some other woman and must needs
+seek to cut a figure with thy gown of scarlet! What, was not I enough
+for thee? Why, man alive, I could suffice to a whole people, let alone
+thee. Would God they had choked thee, like as they cast thee whereas
+thou deservedst to be thrown! Here's a fine physician for you, to have
+a wife of his own and go a-gadding anights after other folk's
+womankind!' And with these and many other words of the same fashion
+she gave not over tormenting him till midnight, what while the
+physician let wash himself from head to foot.
+
+Next morning up came Bruno and Buffalmacco, who had painted all their
+flesh under their clothes with livid blotches, such as beatings use to
+make, and entering the physician's house, found him already arisen.
+Accordingly they went in to him and found the whole place full of
+stench, for that they had not yet been able so to clean everything
+that it should not stink there. Master Simone, seeing them enter, came
+to meet them and bade God give them good day; whereto the two rogues,
+as they had agreed beforehand, replied with an angry air, saying,
+'That say we not to you; nay, rather, we pray God give you so many ill
+years that you may die a dog's death, as the most disloyal man and the
+vilest traitor alive; for it was no thanks to you that, whereas we
+studied to do you pleasure and worship, we were not slain like dogs.
+As it is, thanks to your disloyalty, we have gotten so many buffets
+this past night that an ass would go to Rome for less, without
+reckoning that we have gone in danger of being expelled the company
+into which we had taken order for having you received. An you believe
+us not, look at our bodies and see how they have fared.' Then, opening
+their clothes in front, they showed him, by an uncertain light, their
+breasts all painted and covered them up again in haste.
+
+The physician would have excused himself and told of his mishaps and
+how and where he had been cast; but Buffalmacco said, 'Would he had
+thrown you off the bridge into the Arno! Why did you call on God and
+the Saints? Were you not forewarned of this?' 'By God His faith,'
+replied the physician, 'I did it not.' 'How?' cried Buffalmacco. 'You
+did not call on them? Egad, you did it again and again; for our
+messenger told us that you shook like a reed and knew not where you
+were. Marry, for the nonce you have befooled us finely; but never
+again shall any one serve us thus, and we will yet do you such honour
+thereof as you merit.' The physician fell to craving pardon and
+conjuring them for God's sake not to dishonour him and studied to
+appease them with the best words he could command. And if aforetime he
+had entreated them with honour, from that time forth he honoured them
+yet more and made much of them, entertaining them with banquets and
+otherwhat, for fear lest they should publish his shame. Thus, then, as
+you have heard, is sense taught to whoso hath learned no great store
+thereof at Bologna."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Eighth]
+
+     A CERTAIN WOMAN OF SICILY ARTFULLY DESPOILETH A MERCHANT OF
+     THAT WHICH HE HAD BROUGHT TO PALERMO; BUT HE, MAKING BELIEVE
+     TO HAVE RETURNED THITHER WITH MUCH GREATER PLENTY OF
+     MERCHANDISE THAN BEFORE, BORROWETH MONEY OF HER AND LEAVETH
+     HER WATER AND TOW IN PAYMENT
+
+
+How much the queen's story in divers places made the ladies laugh, it
+needed not to ask; suffice it to say that there was none of them to
+whose eyes the tears had not come a dozen times for excess of
+laughter: but, after it had an end, Dioneo, knowing that it was come
+to his turn to tell, said, "Gracious ladies, it is a manifest thing
+that sleights and devices are the more pleasing, the subtler the
+trickster who is thereby artfully outwitted. Wherefore, albeit you
+have related very fine stories, I mean to tell you one, which should
+please you more than any other that hath been told upon the same
+subject, inasmuch as she who was cheated was a greater mistress of the
+art of cheating others than was any of the men or women who were
+cozened by those of whom you have told.
+
+There used to be, and belike is yet, a custom, in all maritime places
+which have a port, that all merchants who come thither with
+merchandise, having unloaded it, should carry it all into a warehouse,
+which is in many places called a customhouse, kept by the commonality
+or by the lord of the place. There they give unto those who are
+deputed to that end a note in writing of all their merchandise and the
+value thereof, and they thereupon make over to each merchant a
+storehouse, wherein he layeth up his goods under lock and key.
+Moreover, the said officers enter in the book of the Customs, to each
+merchant's credit, all his merchandise, causing themselves after he
+paid their dues of the merchants, whether for all his said merchandise
+or for such part thereof as he withdraweth from the customhouse. By
+this book of the Customs the brokers mostly inform themselves of the
+quality and the quantity of the goods that are in bond there and also
+who are the merchants that own them; and with these latter, as
+occasion serveth them, they treat of exchanges and barters and sales
+and other transactions. This usance, amongst many other places, was
+current at Palermo in Sicily, where likewise there were and are yet
+many women, very fair of their person, but sworn enemies to honesty,
+who would be and are by those who know them not held great ladies and
+passing virtuous and who, being given not to shave, but altogether to
+flay men, no sooner espy a merchant there than they inform themselves
+by the book of the Customs of that which he hath there and how much he
+can do;[414] after which by their lovesome and engaging fashions and
+with the most dulcet words, they study to allure the said merchants
+and draw them into the snare of their love; and many an one have they
+aforetime lured thereinto, from whom they have wiled great part of
+their merchandise; nay, many have they despoiled of all, and of these
+there be some who have left goods and ship and flesh and bones in
+their hands, so sweetly hath the barberess known to ply the razor.
+
+[Footnote 414: _i.e._ what he is worth.]
+
+It chanced, not long since, that there came thither, sent by his
+masters, one of our young Florentines, by name Niccolo da Cignano,
+though more commonly called Salabaetto, with as many woollen cloths,
+left on his hands from the Salerno fair, as might be worth some five
+hundred gold florins, which having given the customhouse officers the
+invoice thereof, he laid up in a magazine and began, without showing
+overmuch haste to dispose of them, to go bytimes a-pleasuring about
+the city. He being of a fair complexion and yellow-haired and withal
+very sprightly and personable, it chanced that one of these same
+barberesses, who styled herself Madam Biancofiore, having heard
+somewhat of his affairs, cast her eyes on him; which he perceiving and
+taking her for some great lady, concluded that he pleased her for his
+good looks and bethought himself to order this amour with the utmost
+secrecy; wherefore, without saying aught thereof to any, he fell to
+passing and repassing before her house. She, noting this, after she
+had for some days well enkindled him with her eyes, making believe to
+languish for him, privily despatched to him one of her women, who was
+a past mistress in the procuring art and who, after much parley, told
+him, well nigh with tears in her eyes, that he had so taken her
+mistress with his comeliness and his pleasing fashions that she could
+find no rest day or night; wherefore, whenas it pleased him, she
+desired, more than aught else, to avail to foregather with him privily
+in a bagnio; then, pulling a ring from her pouch, she gave it to him
+on the part of her mistress. Salabaetto, hearing this, was the
+joyfullest man that was aye and taking the ring, rubbed it against his
+eyes and kissed it; after which he set it on his finger and replied to
+the good woman that, if Madam Biancofiore loved him, she was well
+requited it, for that he loved her more than his proper life and was
+ready to go whereassoever it should please her and at any hour. The
+messenger returned to her mistress with this answer and it was
+appointed Salabaetto out of hand at what bagnio he should expect her
+on the ensuing day after vespers.
+
+Accordingly, without saying aught of the matter to any, he punctually
+repaired thither at the hour appointed him and found the bagnio taken
+by the lady; nor had he waited long ere there came two slave-girls
+laden with gear and bearing on their heads, the one a fine large
+mattress of cotton wool and the other a great basket full of gear. The
+mattress they set on a bedstead in one of the chambers of the bagnio
+and spread thereon a pair of very fine sheets, laced with silk,
+together with a counterpane of snow-white Cyprus buckram[415] and two
+pillows wonder-curiously wrought.[416] Then, putting off their clothes
+they entered the bath and swept it all and washed it excellent well.
+Nor was it long ere the lady herself came thither, with other two
+slave-girls, and accosted Salabaetto with the utmost joy; then, as
+first she had commodity, after she had both clipped and kissed him
+amain, heaving the heaviest sighs in the world, she said to him, 'I
+know not who could have brought me to this pass, other than thou; thou
+hast kindled a fire in my vitals, little dog of a Tuscan!' Then, at
+her instance, they entered the bath, both naked, and with them two of
+the slave-girls; and there, without letting any else lay a finger on
+him, she with her own hands washed Salabaetto all wonder-well with
+musk and clove-scented soap; after which she let herself be washed and
+rubbed of the slave-girls. This done, the latter brought two very
+white and fine sheets, whence came so great a scent of roses that
+everything there seemed roses, in one of which they wrapped Salabaetto
+and in the other the lady and taking them in their arms, carried them
+both to the bed prepared for them. There, whenas they had left
+sweating, the slave-girls did them loose from the sheets wherein they
+were wrapped and they abode naked in the others, whilst the girls
+brought out of the basket wonder-goodly casting-bottles of silver,
+full of sweet waters, rose and jessamine and orange and citron-flower
+scented, and sprinkled them all therewith; after which boxes of
+succades and wines of great price were produced and they refreshed
+themselves awhile.
+
+[Footnote 415: _Bucherame._ The word "buckram" was anciently applied
+to the finest linen cloth, as is apparently the case here; see
+Ducange, voce _Boquerannus_, and Florio, voce _Bucherame_.]
+
+[Footnote 416: _i.e._ in needlework.]
+
+It seemed to Salabaetto as he were in Paradise and he cast a thousand
+glances at the lady, who was certes very handsome, himseeming each
+hour was an hundred years till the slave-girls should begone and he
+should find himself in her arms. Presently, at her commandment, the
+girls departed the chamber, leaving a flambeau alight there; whereupon
+she embraced Salabaetto and he her, and they abode together a great
+while, to the exceeding pleasure of the Florentine, to whom it seemed
+she was all afire for love of him. Whenas it seemed to her time to
+rise, she called the slave-girls and they clad themselves; then they
+recruited themselves somedele with a second collation of wine and
+sweetmeats and washed their hands and faces with odoriferous waters;
+after which, being about to depart, the lady said to Salabaetto, 'So
+it be agreeable to thee, it were doing me a very great favour an thou
+camest this evening to sup and lie the night with me.' Salabaetto, who
+was by this time altogether captivated by her beauty and the artful
+pleasantness of her fashions and firmly believed himself to be loved
+of her as he were the heart out of her body, replied, 'Madam, your
+every pleasure is supremely agreeable to me, wherefore both to-night
+and at all times I mean to do that which shall please you and that
+which shall be commanded me of you.'
+
+Accordingly the lady returned to her house, where she caused well
+bedeck her bedchamber with her dresses and gear and letting make ready
+a splendid supper, awaited Salabaetto, who, as soon as it was grown
+somewhat dark, betook himself thither and being received with open
+arms, supped with all cheer and commodity of service. Thereafter they
+betook themselves into the bedchamber, where he smelt a marvellous
+fragrance of aloes-wood and saw the bed very richly adorned with
+Cyprian singing-birds[417] and store of fine dresses upon the pegs,
+all which things together and each of itself made him conclude that
+this must be some great and rich lady. And although he had heard some
+whispers to the contrary anent her manner of life, he would not
+anywise believe it; or, if he e'en gave so much credit thereto as to
+allow that she might erst have cozened others, for nothing in the
+world could he have believed that this might possibly happen to
+himself. He lay that night with her in the utmost delight, still
+waxing more enamoured, and in the morning she girt him on a quaint and
+goodly girdle of silver, with a fine purse thereto, saying, 'Sweet my
+Salabaetto, I commend myself to thy remembrance, and like as my person
+is at thy pleasure, even so is all that is here and all that dependeth
+upon me at thy service and commandment.' Salabaetto, rejoiced,
+embraced and kissed her; then, going forth of her house, he betook
+himself whereas the other merchants were used to resort.
+
+[Footnote 417: "It was the custom in those days to attach to the
+bedposts sundry small instruments in the form of birds, which, by
+means of certain mechanical devices, gave forth sounds modulated like
+the song of actual birds."--_Fanfani._]
+
+On this wise consorting with her at one time and another, without its
+costing him aught in the world, and growing every hour more entangled,
+it befell that he sold his stuffs for ready money and made a good
+profit thereby; of which the lady incontinent heard, not from him, but
+from others, and Salabaetto being come one night to visit her, she
+fell to prattling and wantoning with him, kissing and clipping him and
+feigning herself so enamoured of him that it seemed she must die of
+love in his arms. Moreover, she would fain have given him two very
+fine hanaps of silver that she had; but he would not take them, for
+that he had had of her, at one time and another, what was worth a good
+thirty gold florins, without availing to have her take of him so much
+as a groat's worth. At last, whenas she had well enkindled him by
+showing herself so enamoured and freehanded, one of her slave-girls
+called her, as she had ordained beforehand; whereupon she left the
+chamber and coming back, after awhile, in tears cast herself face
+downward on the bed and fell to making the woefullest lamentation ever
+woman made. Salabaetto, marvelling at this, caught her in his arms and
+fell a-weeping with her and saying, 'Alack, heart of my body, what
+aileth thee thus suddenly? What is the cause of this grief? For God's
+sake, tell it me, my soul.' The lady, after letting herself be long
+entreated, answered, 'Woe's me, sweet my lord, I know not what to say
+or to do; I have but now received letters from Messina and my brother
+writeth me that, should I sell or pawn all that is here,[418] I must
+without fail send him a thousand gold florins within eight days from
+this time, else will his head be cut off; and I know not how I shall
+do to get this sum so suddenly. Had I but fifteen days' grace, I would
+find a means of procuring it from a certain quarter whence I am to
+have much more, or I would sell one of our farms; but, as this may not
+be, I had liefer be dead than that this ill news should have come to
+me.'
+
+[Footnote 418: Syn. that which belongeth to us (_cio che ci e_,) _ci_,
+as I have before noted, signifying both "here" and "us," dative and
+accusative.]
+
+So saying, she made a show of being sore afflicted and stinted not
+from weeping; whereupon quoth Salabaetto, whom the flames of love had
+bereft of great part of his wonted good sense, so that he believed
+her tears to be true and her words truer yet, 'Madam, I cannot oblige
+you with a thousand florins, but five hundred I can very well advance
+you, since you believe you will be able to return them to me within a
+fortnight from this time; and this is of your good fortune that I
+chanced but yesterday to sell my stuffs; for, had it not been so, I
+could not have lent you a groat.' 'Alack,' cried the lady, 'hast thou
+then been straitened for lack of money? Marry, why didst thou not
+require me thereof? Though I have not a thousand, I had an hundred and
+even two hundred to give thee. Thou hast deprived me of all heart to
+accept of thee the service thou profferest me.' Salabaetto was more
+than ever taken with these words and said, 'Madam, I would not have
+you refrain on that account, for, had I had such an occasion therefor
+as you presently have, I would assuredly have asked you.' 'Alack,
+Salabaetto mine,' replied the lady, 'now know I aright that thine is a
+true and perfect love for me, since, without waiting to be required,
+thou freely succoureth me, in such a strait, with so great a sum of
+money. Certes, I was all thine without this, but with this I shall be
+far more so; nor shall I ever forget that I owe thee my brother's
+life. But God knoweth I take it sore unwillingly, seeing that thou art
+a merchant and that with money merchants transact all their affairs;
+however, since need constraineth me, and I have certain assurance of
+speedily restoring it to thee, I will e'en take it; and for the rest,
+an I find no readier means, I will pawn all these my possessions.' So
+saying, she let herself fall, weeping, on Salabaetto's neck. He fell
+to comforting her and after abiding the night with her, he, next
+morning, to approve himself her most liberal servant, without waiting
+to be asked by her, carried her five hundred right gold florins, which
+she received with tears in her eyes, but laughter in her heart,
+Salabaetto contenting himself with her simple promise.
+
+As soon as the lady had the money, the signs began to change, and
+whereas before he had free access to her whenassoever it pleased him,
+reasons now began to crop up, whereby it betided him not to win
+admission there once out of seven times, nor was he received with the
+same countenance nor the same caresses and rejoicings as before. And
+the term at which he was to have had his monies again being, not to
+say come, but past by a month or two and he requiring them, words were
+given him in payment. Thereupon his eyes were opened to the wicked
+woman's arts and his own lack of wit, wherefore, feeling that he could
+say nought of her beyond that which might please her concerning the
+matter, since he had neither script nor other evidence thereof, and
+being ashamed to complain to any, as well for that he had been
+forewarned thereof as for fear of the scoffs which he might reasonably
+expect for his folly, he was beyond measure woeful and inwardly
+bewailed his credulity.
+
+At last, having had divers letters from his masters, requiring him to
+change[419] the monies in question and remit them to them, he
+determined to depart, lest, an he did it not, his default should be
+discovered there, and accordingly, going aboard a little ship, he
+betook himself, not to Pisa, as he should have done, but to Naples.
+There at that time was our gossip Pietro dello Canigiano, treasurer to
+the Empress of Constantinople, a man of great understanding and subtle
+wit and a fast friend of Salabaetto and his family; and to him, as to
+a very discreet man, the disconsolate Florentine recounted that which
+he had done and the mischance that had befallen him, requiring him of
+aid and counsel, so he might contrive to gain his living there, and
+avouching his intention nevermore to return to Florence. Canigiano was
+concerned for this and said, 'Ill hast thou done and ill hast thou
+carried thyself; thou hast disobeyed thy masters and hast, at one
+cast, spent a great sum of money in wantonness; but, since it is done,
+we must look for otherwhat.'[420] Accordingly, like a shrewd man as he
+was, he speedily bethought himself what was to be done and told it to
+Salabaetto, who was pleased with the device and set about putting it
+in execution. He had some money and Canigiano having lent him other
+some, he made up a number of bales well packed and corded; then,
+buying a score of oil-casks and filling them, he embarked the whole
+and returned to Palermo, where, having given the customhouse officers
+the bill of lading and the value of the casks and let enter everything
+to his account, he laid the whole up in the magazines, saying that he
+meant not to touch them till such time as certain other merchandise
+which he expected should be come.
+
+[Footnote 419: _i.e._ procure bills of exchange for.]
+
+[Footnote 420: _i.e._ we must see what is to be done.]
+
+Biancofiore, getting wind of this and hearing that the merchandise he
+had presently brought with him was worth good two thousand florins,
+without reckoning what he looked for, which was valued at more than
+three thousand, bethought herself that she had flown at too small game
+and determined to restore him the five hundred florins, so she might
+avail to have the greater part of the five thousand. Accordingly, she
+sent for him and Salabaetto, grown cunning, went to her; whereupon,
+making believe to know nothing of that which he had brought with him,
+she received him with a great show of fondness and said to him,
+'Harkye, if thou wast vexed with me, for that I repaid thee not thy
+monies on the very day....' Salabaetto fell a-laughing and answered;
+'In truth, madam, it did somewhat displease me, seeing I would have
+torn out my very heart to give it you, an I thought to pleasure you
+withal; but I will have you hear how I am vexed with you. Such and so
+great is the love I bear you, that I have sold the most part of my
+possessions and have presently brought hither merchandise to the value
+of more than two thousand florins and expect from the westward as much
+more as will be worth over three thousand, with which I mean to stock
+me a warehouse in this city and take up my sojourn here, so I may
+still be near you, meseeming I fare better of your love than ever
+lover of his lady.'
+
+'Look you, Salabaetto,' answered the lady, 'every commodity of thine
+is mighty pleasing to me, as that of him whom I love more than my
+life, and it pleaseth me amain that thou art returned hither with
+intent to sojourn here, for that I hope yet to have good time galore
+with thee; but I would fain excuse myself somedele to thee for that,
+whenas thou wast about to depart, thou wouldst bytimes have come
+hither and couldst not, and whiles thou camest and wast not so gladly
+seen as thou wast used to be, more by token that I returned thee not
+thy monies at the time promised. Thou must know that I was then in
+very great concern and sore affliction, and whoso is in such case, how
+much soever he may love another, cannot always show him so cheerful a
+countenance or pay him such attention as he might wish. Moreover, thou
+must know that it is mighty uneasy for a woman to avail to find a
+thousand gold florins; all day long we are put off with lies and that
+which is promised us is not performed unto us; wherefore needs must we
+in our turn lie unto others. Hence cometh it, and not of my default,
+that I gave thee not back thy monies. However, I had them a little
+after thy departure, and had I known whither to send them, thou mayst
+be assured that I would have remitted them to thee; but, not knowing
+this, I kept them for thee.' Then, letting fetch a purse wherein were
+the very monies he had brought her, she put it into his hand, saying,
+'Count them if there be five hundred.' Never was Salabaetto so glad;
+he counted them and finding them five hundred, put them up and said,
+'Madam, I am assured that you say sooth; but you have done enough [to
+convince me of your love for me,] and I tell you that, for this and
+for the love I bear you, you could never require me, for any your
+occasion, of whatsoever sum I might command, but I would oblige you
+therewith; and whenas I am established here, you may put this to the
+proof.'
+
+Having again on this wise renewed his loves with her in words, he fell
+again to using amically with her, whilst she made much of him and
+showed him the greatest goodwill and honour in the world, feigning the
+utmost love for him. But he, having a mind to return her cheat for
+cheat, being one day sent for by her to sup and sleep with her, went
+thither so chapfallen and so woebegone that it seemed as he would die.
+Biancofiore, embracing him and kissing him, began to question him of
+what ailed him to be thus melancholy, and he, after letting himself be
+importuned a good while, answered, 'I am a ruined man, for that the
+ship, wherein is the merchandise I expected, hath been taken by the
+corsairs of Monaco and held to ransom in ten thousand gold florins,
+whereof it falleth to me to pay a thousand, and I have not a farthing,
+for that the five hundred pieces thou returnedst to me I sent
+incontinent to Naples to lay out in cloths to be brought hither; and
+should I go about at this present to sell the merchandise I have here,
+I should scarce get a penny for two pennyworth, for that it is no time
+for selling. Nor am I yet so well known that I could find any here to
+help me to this, wherefore I know not what to do or to say; for, if I
+send not the monies speedily, the merchandise will be carried off to
+Monaco and I shall never again have aught thereof.'
+
+The lady was mightily concerned at this, fearing to lose him
+altogether, and considering how she should do, so he might not go to
+Monaco, said, 'God knoweth I am sore concerned for the love of thee;
+but what availeth it to afflict oneself thus? If I had the monies, God
+knoweth I would lend them to thee incontinent; but I have them not.
+True, there is a certain person here who obliged me the other day
+with the five hundred florins that I lacked; but he will have heavy
+usance for his monies; nay, he requireth no less than thirty in the
+hundred, and if thou wilt borrow of him, needs must he be made secure
+with a good pledge. For my part, I am ready to engage for thee all
+these my goods and my person, to boot, for as much as he will lend
+thereon; but how wilt thou assure him of the rest?' Salabaetto readily
+apprehended the reason that moved her to do him this service and
+divined that it was she herself who was to lend him the money;
+wherewith he was well pleased and thanking her, answered that he would
+not be put off for exorbitant usance, need constraining him. Moreover,
+he said that he would give assurance of the merchandise he had in the
+customhouse, letting inscribe it to him who should lend him the money;
+but that needs must be kept the key of the magazines, as well that he
+might be able to show his wares, an it were required of him, as that
+nothing might be touched or changed or tampered withal.
+
+The lady answered that it was well said and that this was good enough
+assurance; wherefore, as soon as the day was come, she sent for a
+broker, in whom she trusted greatly, and taking order with him of the
+matter, gave him a thousand gold florins, which he lent to Salabaetto,
+letting inscribe in his own name at the customhouse that which the
+latter had there; then, having made their writings and counter-writings
+together and being come to an accord,[421] they occupied themselves
+with their other affairs. Salabaetto, as soonest he might, embarked,
+with the fifteen hundred gold florins, on board a little ship and
+returned to Pietro dello Canigiano at Naples, whence he remitted to
+his masters, who had despatched him with the stuffs, a good and entire
+account thereof. Then, having repaid Pietro and every other to whom he
+owed aught, he made merry several days with Canigiano over the cheat
+he had put upon the Sicilian trickstress; after which, resolved to be
+no more a merchant, he betook himself to Ferrara.
+
+[Footnote 421: _i.e._ having executed and exchanged the necessary
+legal documents for the proper carrying out of the transaction and
+completed the matter to their mutual satisfaction.]
+
+Meanwhile, Biancofiore, finding that Salabaetto had left Palermo,
+began to marvel and wax misdoubtful and after having awaited him good
+two months, seeing that he came not, she caused the broker force open
+the magazines. Trying first the casks, which she believed to be filled
+with oil, she found them full of seawater, save that there was in each
+maybe a runlet of oil at the top near the bunghole. Then, undoing the
+bales, she found them all full of tow, with the exception of two,
+which were stuffs; and in brief, with all that was there, there was
+not more than two hundred florins' worth. Wherefore Biancofiore,
+confessing herself outwitted, long lamented the five hundred florins
+repaid and yet more the thousand lent, saying often, 'Who with a
+Tuscan hath to do, Must nor be blind nor see askew.' On this wise,
+having gotten nothing for her pains but loss and scorn, she found, to
+her cost, that some folk know as much as others."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+No sooner had Dioneo made an end of his story than Lauretta, knowing
+the term to be come beyond which she was not to reign and having
+commended Canigiano's counsel (which was approved good by its effect)
+and Salabaetto's shrewdness (which was no less commendable) in
+carrying it into execution, lifted the laurel from her own head and
+set it on that of Emilia, saying, with womanly grace, "Madam, I know
+not how pleasant a queen we shall have of you; but, at the least, we
+shall have a fair one. Look, then, that your actions be conformable to
+your beauties." So saying, she returned to her seat, whilst Emilia, a
+thought abashed, not so much at being made queen as to see herself
+publicly commended of that which women use most to covet, waxed such
+in face as are the new-blown roses in the dawning. However, after she
+had kept her eyes awhile lowered, till the redness had given place,
+she took order with the seneschal of that which concerned the general
+entertainment and presently said, "Delightsome ladies, it is common,
+after oxen have toiled some part of the day, confined under the yoke,
+to see them loosed and eased thereof and freely suffered to go
+a-pasturing, where most it liketh them, about the woods; and it is
+manifest also that leafy gardens, embowered with various plants, are
+not less, but much more fair than groves wherein one seeth only oaks.
+Wherefore, seeing how many days we have discoursed, under the
+restraint of a fixed law, I opine that, as well unto us as to those
+whom need constraineth to labour for their daily bread, it is not only
+useful, but necessary, to play the truant awhile and wandering thus
+afield, to regain strength to enter anew under the yoke. Wherefore,
+for that which is to be related to-morrow, ensuing your delectable
+usance of discourse, I purpose not to restrict you to any special
+subject, but will have each discourse according as it pleaseth him,
+holding it for certain that the variety of the things which will be
+said will afford us no less entertainment than to have discoursed of
+one alone; and having done thus, whoso shall come after me in the
+sovranty may, as stronger than I, avail with greater assurance to
+restrict us within the limits of the wonted laws." So saying, she set
+every one at liberty till supper-time.
+
+All commended the queen of that which she had said, holding it sagely
+spoken, and rising to their feet, addressed themselves, this to one
+kind of diversion and that to another, the ladies to weaving garlands
+and to gambolling and the young men to gaming and singing. On this
+wise they passed the time until the supper-hour, which being come,
+they supped with mirth and good cheer about the fair fountain and
+after diverted themselves with singing and dancing according to the
+wonted usance. At last, the queen, to ensue the fashion of her
+predecessors, commanded Pamfilo to sing a song, notwithstanding those
+which sundry of the company had already sung of their freewill; and he
+readily began thus:
+
+         Such is thy pleasure, Love
+     And such the allegresse I feel thereby
+     That happy, burning in thy fire, am I.
+
+     The abounding gladness in my heart that glows,
+       For the high joy and dear
+         Whereto thou hast me led,
+     Unable to contain there, overflows
+       And in my face's cheer
+         Displays my happihead;
+         For being enamoured
+     In such a worship-worthy place and high
+     Makes eath to me the burning I aby.
+
+     I cannot with my finger what I feel
+       Limn, Love, nor do I know
+         My bliss in song to vent;
+     Nay, though I knew it, needs must I conceal,
+       For, once divulged, I trow
+         'Twould turn to dreariment.
+         Yet am I so content,
+     All speech were halt and feeble, did I try
+     The least thereof with words to signify.
+
+     Who might conceive it that these arms of mine
+       Should anywise attain
+         Whereas I've held them aye,
+     Or that my face should reach so fair a shrine
+       As that, of favour fain
+         And grace, I've won to? Nay,
+         Such fortune ne'er a day
+     Believed me were; whence all afire am I,
+     Hiding the source of my liesse thereby.
+
+This was the end of Pamfilo's song, whereto albeit it had been
+completely responded of all, there was none but noted the words
+thereof with more attent solicitude than pertained unto him, studying
+to divine that which, as he sang, it behoved him to keep hidden from
+them; and although sundry went imagining various things, nevertheless
+none happened upon the truth of the case.[422] But the queen, seeing
+that the song was ended and that both young ladies and men would
+gladly rest themselves, commanded that all should betake themselves to
+bed.
+
+[Footnote 422: The song sung by Pamfilo (under which name, as I have
+before pointed out, the author appears to represent himself)
+apparently alludes to Boccaccio's amours with the Princess Maria of
+Naples (Fiammetta), by whom his passion was returned in kind.]
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE EIGHTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Ninth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE NINTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER
+     THE GOVERNANCE OF EMILIA EACH DISCOURSETH ACCORDING AS IT
+     PLEASETH HIM AND OF THAT WHICH IS MOST TO HIS LIKING
+
+
+The light, from whose resplendence the night fleeth, had already
+changed all the eighth heaven[423] from azure to watchet-colour[424]
+and the flowerets began to lift their heads along the meads, when
+Emilia, uprising, let call the ladies her comrades and on like wise
+the young men, who, being come, fared forth, ensuing the slow steps of
+the queen, and betook themselves to a coppice but little distant from
+the palace. Therein entering, they saw the animals, wild goats and
+deer and others, as if assured of security from the hunters by reason
+of the prevailing pestilence, stand awaiting them no otherwise than as
+they were grown without fear or tame, and diverted themselves awhile
+with them, drawing near, now to this one and now to that, as if they
+would fain lay hands on them, and making them run and skip. But, the
+sun now waxing high, they deemed it well to turn back. They were all
+garlanded with oak leaves, with their hands full of flowers and
+sweet-scented herbs, and whoso encountered them had said no otherwhat
+than "Or these shall not be overcome of death or it will slay them
+merry." On this wise, then, they fared on, step by step, singing and
+chatting and laughing, till they came to the palace, where they found
+everything orderly disposed and their servants full of mirth and
+joyous cheer. There having rested awhile, they went not to dinner till
+half a dozen canzonets, each merrier than other, had been carolled by
+the young men and the ladies; then, water being given to their hands,
+the seneschal seated them all at table, according to the queen's
+pleasure, and the viands being brought, they all ate blithely. Rising
+thence, they gave themselves awhile to dancing and music-making, and
+after, by the queen's commandment, whoso would betook himself to rest.
+But presently, the wonted hour being come, all in the accustomed place
+assembled to discourse, whereupon the queen, looking at Filomena, bade
+her give commencement to the stories of that day, and she, smiling,
+began on this wise:
+
+[Footnote 423: According to the Ptolemaic system, the earth is
+encompassed by eight celestial zones or heavens; the first or highest,
+above which is the empyrean, (otherwise called the ninth heaven,) is
+that of the Moon, the second that of Mercury, the third that of Venus,
+the fourth that of the Sun, the fifth that of Mars, the sixth that of
+Jupiter, the seventh that of Saturn and the eighth or lowest that of
+the fixed stars and of the Earth.]
+
+[Footnote 424: _D'azzurrino in color cilestro._ This is one of the
+many passages in which Boccaccio has imitated Dante (cf. Purgatorio,
+c. xxvi. II. 4-6, "... il sole.... Che gia, raggiando, tutto
+l'occidente Mutava in bianco aspetto di cilestro,") and also one of
+the innumerable instances in which former translators (who all agree
+in making the advent of the light change the colour of the sky from
+azure to a darker colour, instead of, as Boccaccio intended, to
+watchet, _i.e._ a paler or greyish blue,) have misrendered the text,
+for sheer ignorance of the author's meaning.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     MADAM FRANCESCA, BEING COURTED BY ONE RINUCCIO PALERMINI AND
+     ONE ALESSANDRO CHIARMONTESI AND LOVING NEITHER THE ONE NOR
+     THE OTHER, ADROITLY RIDDETH HERSELF OF BOTH BY CAUSING ONE
+     ENTER FOR DEAD INTO A SEPULCHRE AND THE OTHER BRING HIM
+     FORTH THEREOF FOR DEAD, ON SUCH WISE THAT THEY CANNOT AVAIL
+     TO ACCOMPLISH THE CONDITION IMPOSED
+
+
+"Since it is your pleasure, madam, I am well pleased to be she who
+shall run the first ring in this open and free field of story-telling,
+wherein your magnificence hath set us; the which an I do well, I doubt
+not but that those who shall come after will do well and better. Many
+a time, charming ladies, hath it been shown in our discourses what
+and how great is the power of love; natheless, for that medeemeth not
+it hath been fully spoken thereof (no, nor would be, though we should
+speak of nothing else for a year to come,) and that not only doth love
+bring lovers into divers dangers of death, but causeth them even to
+enter for dead into the abiding-places of the dead, it is my pleasure
+to relate to you a story thereof, over and above those which have been
+told, whereby not only will you apprehend the puissance of love, but
+will know the wit used by a worthy lady in ridding herself of two who
+loved her against her will.
+
+You must know, then, that there was once in the city of Pistoia a very
+fair widow lady, of whom two of our townsmen, called the one Rinuccio
+Palermini and the other Alessandro Chiarmontesi, there abiding by
+reason of banishment from Florence, were, without knowing one of
+other, passionately enamoured, having by chance fallen in love with
+her and doing privily each his utmost endeavour to win her favour. The
+gentlewoman in question, whose name was Madam Francesca de' Lazzari,
+being still importuned of the one and the other with messages and
+entreaties, to which she had whiles somewhat unwisely given ear, and
+desiring, but in vain, discreetly to retract, bethought herself how
+she might avail to rid herself of their importunity by requiring them
+of a service, which, albeit it was possible, she conceived that
+neither of them would render her, to the intent that, they not doing
+that which she required, she might have a fair and colourable occasion
+of refusing to hearken more to their messages; and the device which
+occurred to her was on this wise.
+
+There had died that very day at Pistoia, one, who, albeit his
+ancestors were gentlemen, was reputed the worst man that was, not only
+in Pistoia, but in all the world; more by token that he was in his
+lifetime so misshapen and of so monstrous a favour that whoso knew him
+not, seeing him for the first time, had been affeared of him; and he
+had been buried in a tomb without the church of the Minor Friars. This
+circumstance she bethought herself would in part be very apt to her
+purpose and accordingly she said to a maid of hers, 'Thou knowest the
+annoy and the vexation I suffer all day long by the messages of yonder
+two Florentines, Rinuccio and Alessandro. Now I am not disposed to
+gratify [either of] them with my love, and to rid myself of them, I
+have bethought myself, for the great proffers that they make, to seek
+to make proof of them in somewhat which I am certain they will not do;
+so shall I do away from me this their importunity, and thou shalt see
+how. Thou knowest that Scannadio,[425] for so was the wicked man
+called of whom we have already spoken, 'was this morning buried in the
+burial-place of the Minor Brethren, Scannadio, of whom, whenas they
+saw him alive, let alone dead, the doughtiest men of this city went in
+fear; wherefore go thou privily first to Alessandro and bespeak him,
+saying, "Madam Francesca giveth thee to know that now is the time
+come whenas thou mayst have her love, which thou hast so much
+desired, and be with her, an thou wilt, on this wise. This night, for
+a reason which thou shalt know after, the body of Scannadio, who was
+this morning buried, is to be brought to her house by a kinsman of
+hers, and she, being in great fear of him, dead though he be, would
+fain not have him there; wherefore she prayeth thee that it please
+thee, by way of doing her a great service, go this evening, at the
+time of the first sleep, to the tomb wherein he is buried, and donning
+the dead man's clothes, abide as thou wert he until such time as they
+shall come for thee. Then, without moving or speaking, thou must
+suffer thyself be taken up out of the tomb and carried to her house,
+where she will receive thee, and thou mayst after abide with her and
+depart at thy leisure, leaving to her the care of the rest." An he say
+that he will do it, well and good; but, should he refuse, bid him on
+my part, never more show himself whereas I may be and look, as he
+valueth his life, that he send me no more letters or messages. Then
+shalt thou betake thee to Rinuccio Palermini and say to him, "Madam
+Francesca saith that she is ready to do thine every pleasure, an thou
+wilt render her a great service, to wit, that to-night, towards the
+middle hour, thou get thee to the tomb wherein Scannadio was this
+morning buried and take him up softly thence and bring him to her at
+her house, without saying a word of aught thou mayst hear or feel.
+There shalt thou learn what she would with him and have of her thy
+pleasure; but, an it please thee not to do this, she chargeth thee
+never more send her writ nor message."'
+
+[Footnote 425: _Scannadio_ signifies "Murder-God" and was no doubt a
+nickname bestowed upon the dead man, on account of his wicked and
+reprobate way of life.]
+
+The maid betook herself to the two lovers and did her errand
+punctually to each, saying as it had been enjoined her; whereto each
+made answer that, an it pleased her, they would go, not only into a
+tomb, but into hell itself. The maid carried their reply to the lady
+and she waited to see if they would be mad enough to do it. The night
+come, whenas it was the season of the first sleep, Alessandro
+Chiarmontesi, having stripped himself to his doublet, went forth of
+his house to take Scannadio's place in the tomb; but, by the way,
+there came a very frightful thought into his head and he fell a-saying
+in himself, 'Good lack, what a fool I am! Whither go I? How know I but
+yonder woman's kinsfolk, having maybe perceived that I love her and
+believing that which is not, have caused me do this, so they may
+slaughter me in yonder tomb? An it should happen thus, I should suffer
+for it nor would aught in the world be ever known thereof to their
+detriment. Or what know I but maybe some enemy of mine hath procured
+me this, whom she belike loveth and seeketh to oblige therein?' Then
+said he, 'But, grant that neither of these things be and that her
+kinsfolk are e'en for carrying me to her house, I must believe that
+they want not Scannadio's body to hold it in their arms or to put it
+in hers; nay, it is rather to be conceived that they mean to do it
+some mischief, as the body of one who maybe disobliged them in
+somewhat aforetime. She saith that I am not to say a word for aught
+that I may feel. But, should they put out mine eyes or draw my teeth
+or lop off my hands or play me any other such trick, how shall I do?
+How could I abide quiet? And if I speak, they will know me and mayhap
+do me a mischief, or, though they do me no hurt, yet shall I have
+accomplished nothing, for that they will not leave me with the lady;
+whereupon she will say that I have broken her commandment and will
+never do aught to pleasure me.' So saying, he had well nigh returned
+home; but, nevertheless, his great love urged him on with counter
+arguments of such potency that they brought him to the tomb, which he
+opened and entering therein, stripped Scannadio of his clothes; then,
+donning them and shutting the tomb upon himself, he laid himself in
+the dead man's place. Thereupon he began to call to mind what manner
+of man the latter had been and remembering him of all the things
+whereof he had aforetime heard tell as having befallen by night, not
+to say in the sepulchres of the dead, but even otherwhere, his every
+hair began to stand on end and himseemed each moment as if Scannadio
+should rise upright and butcher him then and there. However, aided by
+his ardent love, he got the better of these and the other fearful
+thoughts that beset him and abiding as he were the dead man, he fell
+to awaiting that which should betide him.
+
+Meanwhile, Rinuccio, midnight being now at hand, departed his house,
+to do that which had been enjoined him of his mistress, and as he
+went, he entered into many and various thoughts of the things which
+might possibly betide him; as, to wit, that he might fall into the
+hands of the police, with Scannadio's body on his shoulders, and be
+doomed to the fire as a sorcerer, and that he should, an the thing
+came to be known, incur the ill-will of his kinsfolk, and other like
+thoughts, whereby he was like to have been deterred. But after,
+bethinking himself again, 'Alack,' quoth he, 'shall I deny this
+gentlewoman, whom I have so loved and love, the first thing she
+requireth of me, especially as I am thereby to gain her favour? God
+forbid, though I were certainly to die thereof, but I should set
+myself to do that which I have promised!' Accordingly, he went on and
+presently coming to the sepulchre, opened it easily; which Alessandro
+hearing, abode still, albeit he was in great fear. Rinuccio, entering
+in and thinking to take Scannadio's body, laid hold of Alessandro's
+feet and drew him forth of the tomb; then, hoisting him on his
+shoulders, he made off towards the lady's house.
+
+Going thus and taking no manner of heed to his burden, he jolted it
+many a time now against one corner and now another of certain benches
+that were beside the way, more by token that the night was so cloudy
+and so dark he could not see whither he went. He was already well nigh
+at the door of the gentlewoman, who had posted herself at the window
+with her maid, to see if he would bring Alessandro, and was ready
+armed with an excuse to send them both away, when it chanced that the
+officers of the watch, who were ambushed in the street and abode
+silently on the watch to lay hands upon a certain outlaw, hearing the
+scuffling that Rinuccio made with his feet, suddenly put out a light,
+to see what was to do and whither to go, and rattled their targets and
+halberds, crying, 'Who goeth there?' Rinuccio, seeing this and having
+scant time for deliberation, let fall his burden and made off as fast
+as his legs would carry him; whereupon Alessandro arose in haste and
+made off in his turn, for all he was hampered with the dead man's
+clothes, which were very long. The lady, by the light of the lantern
+put out by the police, had plainly recognized Rinuccio, with
+Alessandro on his shoulders, and perceiving the latter to be clad in
+Scannadio's clothes, marvelled amain at the exceeding hardihood of
+both; but, for all her wonderment, she laughed heartily to see
+Alessandro cast down on the ground and to see him after take to
+flight. Then, rejoiced at this accident and praising God that He had
+rid her of the annoy of these twain, she turned back into the house
+and betook herself to her chamber, avouching to her maid that without
+doubt they both loved her greatly, since, as it appeared, they had
+done that which she had enjoined them.
+
+Meanwhile Rinuccio, woeful and cursing his ill fortune, for all that
+returned not home, but, as soon as the watch had departed the
+neighbourhood, he came back whereas he had dropped Alessandro and
+groped about, to see if he could find him again, so he might make an
+end of his service; but, finding him not and concluding that the
+police had carried him off, he returned to his own house, woebegone,
+whilst Alessandro, unknowing what else to do, made off home on like
+wise, chagrined at such a misadventure and without having recognized
+him who had borne him thither. On the morrow, Scannadio's tomb being
+found open and his body not to be seen, for that Alessandro had rolled
+it to the bottom of the vault, all Pistoia was busy with various
+conjectures anent the matter, and the simpler sort concluded that he
+had been carried off by the devils. Nevertheless, each of the two
+lovers signified to the lady that which he had done and what had
+befallen and excusing himself withal for not having full accomplished
+her commandment, claimed her favour and her love; but she, making
+believe to credit neither of this, rid herself of them with a curt
+response to the effect that she would never consent to do aught for
+them, since they had not done that which she had required of them."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     AN ABBESS, ARISING IN HASTE AND IN THE DARK TO FIND ONE OF
+     HER NUNS, WHO HAD BEEN DENOUNCED TO HER, IN BED WITH HER
+     LOVER AND THINKING TO COVER HER HEAD WITH HER COIF, DONNETH
+     INSTEAD THEREOF THE BREECHES OF A PRIEST WHO IS ABED WITH
+     HER; THE WHICH THE ACCUSED NUN OBSERVING AND MAKING HER
+     AWARE THEREOF, SHE IS ACQUITTED AND HATH LEISURE TO BE WITH
+     HER LOVER
+
+
+Filomena was now silent and the lady's address in ridding herself of
+those whom she chose not to love having been commended of all, whilst,
+on the other hand, the presumptuous hardihood of the two gallants was
+held of them to be not love, but madness, the queen said gaily to
+Elisa, "Elisa, follow on." Accordingly, she promptly began,
+"Adroitly, indeed, dearest ladies, did Madam Francesca contrive to rid
+herself of her annoy, as hath been told; but a young nun, fortune
+aiding her, delivered herself with an apt speech from an imminent
+peril. As you know, there be many very dull folk, who set up for
+teachers and censors of others, but whom, as you may apprehend from my
+story, fortune bytimes deservedly putteth to shame, as befell the
+abbess, under whose governance was the nun of whom I have to tell.
+
+You must know, then, that there was once in Lombardy a convent, very
+famous for sanctity and religion, wherein, amongst the other nuns who
+were there, was a young lady of noble birth and gifted with marvellous
+beauty, who was called Isabetta and who, coming one day to the grate
+to speak with a kinsman of hers, fell in love with a handsome young
+man who accompanied him. The latter, seeing her very fair and divining
+her wishes with his eyes, became on like wise enamoured of her, and
+this love they suffered a great while without fruit, to the no small
+unease of each. At last, each being solicited by a like desire, the
+young man hit upon a means of coming at his nun in all secrecy, and
+she consenting thereto, he visited her, not once, but many times, to
+the great contentment of both. But, this continuing, it chanced one
+night that he was, without the knowledge of himself or his mistress,
+seen of one of the ladies of the convent to take leave of Isabetta and
+go his ways. The nun communicated her discovery to divers others and
+they were minded at first to denounce Isabetta to the abbess, who was
+called Madam Usimbalda and who, in the opinion of the nuns and of
+whosoever knew her, was a good and pious lady; but, on consideration,
+they bethought themselves to seek to have the abbess take her with the
+young man, so there might be no room for denial. Accordingly, they
+held their peace and kept watch by turns in secret to surprise her.
+
+Now it chanced that Isabetta, suspecting nothing of this nor being on
+her guard, caused her lover come thither one night, which was
+forthright known to those who were on the watch for this and who,
+whenas it seemed to them time, a good part of the night being spent,
+divided themselves into two parties, whereof one abode on guard at the
+door of her cell, whilst the other ran to the abbess's chamber and
+knocking at the door, till she answered, said to her, 'Up, madam;
+arise quickly, for we have discovered that Isabetta hath a young man
+in her cell.' Now the abbess was that night in company with a priest,
+whom she ofttimes let come to her in a chest; but, hearing the nuns'
+outcry and fearing lest, of their overhaste and eagerness, they should
+push open the door, she hurriedly arose and dressed herself as best
+she might in the dark. Thinking to take certain plaited veils, which
+nuns wear on their heads and call a psalter, she caught up by chance
+the priest's breeches, and such was her haste that, without remarking
+what she did, she threw them over her head, in lieu of the psalter,
+and going forth, hurriedly locked the door after her, saying, 'Where
+is this accursed one of God?' Then, in company with the others, who
+were so ardent and so intent upon having Isabetta taken in default
+that they noted not that which the abbess had on her head, she came
+to the cell-door and breaking it open, with the aid of the others,
+entered and found the two lovers abed in each other's arms, who, all
+confounded at such a surprise, abode fast, unknowing what to do.
+
+The young lady was incontinent seized by the other nuns and haled off,
+by command of the abbess, to the chapter-house, whilst her gallant
+dressed himself and abode await to see what should be the issue of the
+adventure, resolved, if any hurt were offered to his mistress, to do a
+mischief to as many nuns as he could come at and carry her off. The
+abbess, sitting in chapter, proceeded, in the presence of all the
+nuns, who had no eyes but for the culprit, to give the latter the
+foulest rating that ever woman had, as having by her lewd and filthy
+practices (an the thing should come to be known without the walls)
+sullied the sanctity, the honour and the fair fame of the convent; and
+to this she added very grievous menaces. The young lady, shamefast and
+fearful, as feeling herself guilty, knew not what to answer and
+keeping silence, possessed the other nuns with compassion for her.
+However, after a while, the abbess multiplying words, she chanced to
+raise her eyes and espied that which the former had on her head and
+the hose-points that hung down therefrom on either side; whereupon,
+guessing how the matter stood, she was all reassured and said, 'Madam,
+God aid you, tie up your coif and after say what you will to me.'
+
+The abbess, taking not her meaning, answered, 'What coif, vile woman
+that thou art? Hast thou the face to bandy pleasantries at such a
+time? Thinkest thou this that thou hast done is a jesting matter?'
+'Prithee, madam,' answered Isabetta, 'tie up your coif and after say
+what you will to me.' Thereupon many of the nuns raised their eyes to
+the abbess's head and she also, putting her hand thereto, perceived,
+as did the others, why Isabetta spoke thus; wherefore the abbess,
+becoming aware of her own default and perceiving that it was seen of
+all, past hope of recoverance, changed her note and proceeding to
+speak after a fashion altogether different from her beginning, came to
+the conclusion that it is impossible to withstand the pricks of the
+flesh, wherefore she said that each should, whenas she might, privily
+give herself a good time, even as it had been done until that day.
+Accordingly, setting the young lady free, she went back to sleep with
+her priest and Isabetta returned to her lover, whom many a time
+thereafter she let come thither, in despite of those who envied her,
+whilst those of the others who were loverless pushed their fortunes in
+secret, as best they knew."
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     MASTER SIMONE, AT THE INSTANCE OF BRUNO AND BUFFALMACCO AND
+     NELLO, MAKETH CALANDRINO BELIEVE THAT HE IS WITH CHILD;
+     WHEREFORE HE GIVETH THEM CAPONS AND MONEY FOR MEDICINES AND
+     RECOVERETH WITHOUT BRINGING FORTH
+
+
+After Elisa had finished her story and all the ladies had returned
+thanks to God, who had with a happy issue delivered the young nun from
+the claws of her envious companions, the queen bade Filostrato follow
+on, and he, without awaiting further commandment, began, "Fairest
+ladies, the unmannerly lout of a Marchegan judge, of whom I told you
+yesterday, took out of my mouth a story of Calandrino and his
+companions, which I was about to relate; and for that, albeit it hath
+been much discoursed of him and them, aught that is told of him cannot
+do otherwise than add to our merriment, I will e'en tell you that
+which I had then in mind.
+
+It hath already been clearly enough shown who Calandrino was and who
+were the others of whom I am to speak in this story, wherefore,
+without further preface, I shall tell you that an aunt of his chanced
+to die and left him two hundred crowns in small coin; whereupon he
+fell a-talking of wishing to buy an estate and entered into treaty
+with all the brokers in Florence, as if he had ten thousand gold
+florins to expend; but the matter still fell through, when they came
+to the price of the estate in question. Bruno and Buffalmacco, knowing
+all this, had told him once and again that he were better spend the
+money in making merry together with them than go buy land, as if he
+had had to make pellets;[426] but, far from this, they had never even
+availed to bring him to give them once to eat. One day, as they were
+complaining of this, there came up a comrade of theirs, a painter by
+name Nello, and they all three took counsel together how they might
+find a means of greasing their gullets at Calandrino's expense;
+wherefore, without more delay, having agreed among themselves of that
+which was to do, they watched next morning for his coming forth of his
+house, nor had he gone far when Nello accosted him, saying, 'Good-day,
+Calandrino.' Calandrino answered God give him good day and good year,
+and Nello, halting awhile, fell to looking him in the face; whereupon
+Calandrino asked him, 'At what lookest thou?' Quoth the painter, 'Hath
+aught ailed thee this night? Meseemeth thou are not thyself this
+morning.' Calandrino incontinent began to quake and said, 'Alack, how
+so? What deemest thou aileth me?' 'Egad,' answered Nello, 'as for that
+I can't say; but thou seemest to me all changed; belike it is
+nothing.' So saying, he let him pass, and Calandrino fared on, all
+misdoubtful, albeit he felt no whit ailing; but Buffalmacco, who was
+not far off, seeing him quit of Nello, made for him and saluting him,
+enquired if aught ailed him. Quoth Calandrino, 'I know not; nay, Nello
+told me but now that I seemed to him all changed. Can it be that aught
+aileth me?' 'Ay,' rejoined Buffalmacco, 'there must e'en be something
+or other amiss with thee, for thou appearest half dead.'
+
+[Footnote 426: _i.e._ balls for a pellet bow, usually made out of
+clay. Bruno and Buffalmacco were punning upon the double meaning, land
+and earth (or clay), of the word _terra_.]
+
+By this time it seemed to Calandrino that he had the fevers, when, lo,
+up came Bruno and the first thing he said was, 'Calandrino, what
+manner of face is this?' Calandrino, hearing them all in the same
+tale, held it for certain that he was in an ill way and asked them,
+all aghast, 'what shall I do?' Quoth Bruno, 'Methinketh thou wert best
+return home and get thee to bed and cover thyself well and send thy
+water to Master Simone the doctor, who is, as thou knowest, as our
+very creature and will tell thee incontinent what thou must do. We
+will go with thee and if it behoveth to do aught, we will do it.'
+Accordingly, Nello having joined himself to them, they returned home
+with Calandrino, who betook himself, all dejected, into the bedchamber
+and said to his wife, 'Come, cover me well, for I feel myself sore
+disordered.' Then, laying himself down, he despatched his water by a
+little maid to Master Simone, who then kept shop in the Old Market, at
+the sign of the Pumpkin, whilst Bruno said to his comrades, 'Abide you
+here with him, whilst I go hear what the doctor saith and bring him
+hither, if need be.' 'Ay, for God's sake, comrade mine,' cried
+Calandrino, 'go thither and bring me back word how the case standeth,
+for I feel I know not what within me.'
+
+Accordingly, Bruno posted off to Master Simone and coming thither
+before the girl who brought the water, acquainted him with the case;
+wherefore, the maid being come and the physician, having seen the
+water, he said to her, 'Begone and bid Calandrino keep himself well
+warm, and I will come to him incontinent and tell him that which
+aileth him and what he must do.' The maid reported this to her master
+nor was it long before the physician and Bruno came, whereupon the
+former, seating himself beside Calandrino, fell to feeling his pulse
+and presently, the patient's wife being there present, he said,
+'Harkye, Calandrino, to speak to thee as a friend, there aileth thee
+nought but that thou art with child.' When Calandrino heard this, he
+fell a-roaring for dolour and said, 'Woe's me! Tessa, this is thy
+doing, for that thou wilt still be uppermost; I told thee how it would
+be.' The lady, who was a very modest person, hearing her husband speak
+thus, blushed all red for shamefastness and hanging her head, went out
+of the room, without answering a word; whilst Calandrino, pursuing his
+complaint, said, 'Alack, wretch that I am! How shall I do? How shall I
+bring forth this child? Whence shall he issue? I see plainly I am a
+dead man, through the mad lust of yonder wife of mine, whom God make
+as woeful as I would fain be glad! Were I as well as I am not, I would
+arise and deal her so many and such buffets that I would break every
+bone in her body; albeit it e'en serveth me right, for that I should
+never have suffered her get the upper hand; but, for certain, an I
+come off alive this time, she may die of desire ere she do it again.'
+
+Bruno and Buffalmacco and Nello were like to burst with laughter,
+hearing Calandrino's words; however, they contained themselves, but
+Doctor Simple-Simon[427] laughed so immoderately that you might have
+drawn every tooth in his head. Finally, Calandrino commending himself
+to the physician and praying him give him aid and counsel in this his
+strait, the latter said to him, 'Calandrino, I will not have thee lose
+heart; for, praised be God, we have taken the case so betimes that, in
+a few days and with a little trouble, I will deliver thee thereof; but
+it will cost thee some little expense.' 'Alack, doctor mine,' cried
+Calandrino, 'ay, for the love of God, do it! I have here two hundred
+crowns, wherewith I was minded to buy me an estate; take them all, if
+need be, so I be not brought to bed; for I know not how I should do,
+seeing I hear women make such a terrible outcry, whereas they are
+about to bear child, for all they have ample commodity therefor, that
+methinketh, if I had that pain to suffer, I should die ere I came to
+the bringing forth.' Quoth the doctor, 'Have no fear of that; I will
+let make thee a certain ptisan of distilled waters, very good and
+pleasant to drink, which will in three mornings' time carry off
+everything and leave thee sounder than a fish; but look thou be more
+discreet for the future and suffer not thyself fall again into these
+follies. Now for this water it behoveth us have three pairs of fine
+fat capons, and for other things that are required thereanent, do thou
+give one of these (thy comrades) five silver crowns, so he may buy
+them, and let carry everything to my shop; and to-morrow, in God's
+name, I will send thee the distilled water aforesaid, whereof thou
+shalt proceed to drink a good beakerful at a time.' 'Doctor mine,'
+replied Calandrino, 'I put myself in your hands'; and giving Bruno
+five crowns and money for three pairs of capons, he besought him to
+oblige him by taking the pains to buy these things.
+
+[Footnote 427: _Scimmione_ (lit. ape), a contemptuous distortion of
+_Simone_.]
+
+The physician then took his leave and letting make a little
+clary,[428] despatched it to Calandrino, whilst Bruno, buying the
+capons and other things necessary for making good cheer, ate them in
+company with his comrades and Master Simone. Calandrino drank of his
+clary three mornings, after which the doctor came to him, together
+with his comrades, and feeling his pulse, said to him, 'Calandrino,
+thou art certainly cured; wherefore henceforth thou mayst safely go
+about thine every business nor abide longer at home for this.'
+Accordingly, Calandrino arose, overjoyed, and went about his
+occasions, mightily extolling, as often as he happened to speak with
+any one, the fine cure that Master Simone had wrought of him, in that
+he had unbegotten him with child in three days' time, without any
+pain; whilst Bruno and Buffalmacco and Nello abode well pleased at
+having contrived with this device to overreach his niggardliness,
+albeit Dame Tessa, smoking the cheat, rated her husband amain
+thereanent."
+
+[Footnote 428: _Chiarea._ According to the commentators, the
+composition of this drink is unknown, but that of clary, a sort of
+hippocras or spiced wine _clear-strained_ (whence the name), offers no
+difficulty to the student of old English literature.]
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     CECCO FORTARRIGO GAMETH AWAY AT BUONCONVENTO ALL HIS GOOD
+     AND THE MONIES OF CECCO ANGIOLIERI [HIS MASTER;] MOREOVER,
+     RUNNING AFTER THE LATTER, IN HIS SHIRT, AND AVOUCHING THAT
+     HE HATH ROBBED HIM, HE CAUSETH HIM BE TAKEN OF THE
+     COUNTRYFOLK; THEN, DONNING ANGIOLIERI'S CLOTHES AND MOUNTING
+     HIS PALFREY, HE MAKETH OFF AND LEAVETH THE OTHER IN HIS
+     SHIRT
+
+
+Calandrino's speech concerning his wife had been hearkened of all the
+company with the utmost laughter; then, Filostrato being silent,
+Neifile, as the queen willed it, began, "Noble ladies, were it not
+uneather for men to show forth unto others their wit and their worth
+than it is for them to exhibit their folly and their vice, many would
+weary themselves in vain to put a bridle on their tongues; and this
+hath right well been made manifest to you by the folly of Calandrino,
+who had no call, in seeking to be made whole of the ailment in which
+his simplicity caused him believe, to publish the privy diversions of
+his wife; and this hath brought to my mind somewhat of contrary
+purport to itself, to wit, a story of how one man's knavery got the
+better of another's wit, to the grievous hurt and confusion of the
+over-reached one, the which it pleaseth me to relate to you.
+
+There were, then, in Siena, not many years ago, two (as far as age
+went) full-grown men, each of whom was called Cecco. One was the son
+of Messer Angiolieri and the other of Messer Fortarrigo, and albeit in
+most other things they sorted ill of fashions one with the other, they
+were natheless so far of accord in one particular, to wit, that they
+were both hated of their fathers, that they were by reason thereof
+grown friends and companied often together. After awhile, Angiolieri,
+who was both a handsome man and a well-mannered, himseeming he could
+ill live at Siena of the provision assigned him of his father and
+hearing that a certain cardinal, a great patron of his, was come into
+the Marches of Ancona as the Pope's Legate, determined to betake
+himself to him, thinking thus to better his condition. Accordingly,
+acquainting his father with his purpose, he took order with him to
+have at once that which he was to give him in six months, so he might
+clothe and horse himself and make an honourable figure. As he went
+seeking some one whom he might carry with him for his service, the
+thing came to Fortarrigo's knowledge, whereupon he presently repaired
+to Angiolieri and besought him, as best he knew, to carry him with
+him, offering himself to be to him lackey and serving-man and all,
+without any wage beyond his expenses paid. Angiolieri answered that he
+would nowise take him, not but he knew him to be right well sufficient
+unto every manner of service, but for that he was a gambler and
+bytimes a drunkard, to boot. But the other replied that he would
+without fail keep himself from both of these defaults and affirmed it
+unto him with oaths galore, adding so many prayers that Angiolieri was
+prevailed upon and said that he was content.
+
+Accordingly, they both set out one morning and went to dine at
+Buonconvento, where, after dinner, the heat being great, Angiolieri
+let make ready a bed at the inn and undressing himself, with
+Fortarrigo's aid, went to sleep, charging the latter call him at the
+stroke of none. As soon as his master was asleep, Fortarrigo betook
+himself to the tavern and there, after drinking awhile, he fell to
+gaming with certain men, who in a trice won of him some money he had
+and after, the very clothes he had on his back; whereupon, desirous of
+retrieving himself, he repaired, in his shirt as he was, to
+Angiolieri's chamber and seeing him fast asleep, took from his purse
+what monies he had and returning to play, lost these as he had lost
+the others. Presently, Angiolieri awoke and arising, dressed himself
+and enquired for Fortarrigo. The latter was not to be found and
+Angiolieri, concluding him to be asleep, drunken, somewhere, as was
+bytimes his wont, determined to leave him be and get himself another
+servant at Corsignano. Accordingly, he caused put his saddle and his
+valise on a palfrey he had and thinking to pay the reckoning, so he
+might get him gone, found himself without a penny; whereupon great was
+the outcry and all the hostelry was in an uproar, Angiolieri declaring
+that he had been robbed there and threatening to have the host and all
+his household carried prisoners to Siena.
+
+At this moment up came Fortarrigo in his shirt, thinking to take his
+master's clothes, as he had taken his money, and seeing the latter
+ready to mount, said, 'What is this, Angiolieri? Must we needs be gone
+already? Good lack, wait awhile; there will be one here forthwith who
+hath my doublet in pawn for eight-and-thirty shillings; and I am
+certain that he will render it up for five-and-thirty, money down.' As
+he spoke, there came one who certified Angiolieri that it was
+Fortarrigo who had robbed him of his monies, by showing him the sum of
+those which the latter had lost at play; wherefore he was sore
+incensed and loaded Fortarrigo with reproaches; and had he not feared
+others more than he feared God, he had done him a mischief; then,
+threatening to have him strung up by the neck or outlawed from Siena,
+he mounted to horse. Fortarrigo, as if he spoke not to him, but to
+another, said, 'Good lack, Angiolieri, let be for the nonce this talk
+that skilleth not a straw, and have regard unto this; by redeeming
+it[429] forthright, we may have it again for five-and-thirty
+shillings; whereas, if we tarry but till to-morrow, he will not take
+less than the eight-and-thirty he lent me thereon; and this favour he
+doth me for that I staked it after his counsel. Marry, why should we
+not better ourselves by these three shillings?'
+
+[Footnote 429: _i.e._ the doublet.]
+
+Angiolieri, hearing him talk thus, lost all patience (more by token
+that he saw himself eyed askance by the bystanders, who manifestly
+believed, not that Fortarrigo had gamed away his monies, but that he
+had yet monies of Fortarrigo's in hand) and said to him, 'What have I
+to do with thy doublet? Mayst thou be strung up by the neck, since not
+only hast thou robbed me and gambled away my money, but hinderest me
+to boot in my journey, and now thou makest mock of me.' However,
+Fortarrigo still stood to it, as it were not spoken to him and said,
+'Ecod, why wilt thou not better me these three shillings? Thinkest
+thou I shall not be able to oblige thee therewith another time?
+Prithee, do it, an thou have any regard for me. Why all this haste? We
+shall yet reach Torrenieri betimes this evening. Come, find the purse;
+thou knowest I might ransack all Siena and not find a doublet to suit
+me so well as this; and to think I should let yonder fellow have it
+for eight-and-thirty shillings! It is worth yet forty shillings or
+more, so that thou wouldst worsen me in two ways.'[430]
+
+[Footnote 430: _i.e._ do me a double injury.]
+
+Angiolieri, beyond measure exasperated to see himself first robbed and
+now held in parley after this fashion, made him no further answer,
+but, turning his palfrey's head, took the road to Torrenieri, whilst
+Fortarrigo, bethinking himself of a subtle piece of knavery, proceeded
+to trot after him in his shirt good two miles, still requiring him of
+his doublet. Presently, Angiolieri pricking on amain, to rid his ears
+of the annoy, Fortarrigo espied some husbandmen in a field, adjoining
+the highway in advance of him, and cried out to them, saying, 'Stop
+him, stop him!' Accordingly, they ran up, some with spades and others
+with mattocks, and presenting themselves in the road before
+Angiolieri, concluding that he had robbed him who came crying after
+him in his shirt, stopped and took him. It availed him little to tell
+them who he was and how the case stood, and Fortarrigo, coming up,
+said with an angry air, 'I know not what hindereth me from slaying
+thee, disloyal thief that thou wast to make off with my gear!' Then,
+turning to the countrymen, 'See, gentlemen,' quoth he, 'in what a
+plight he left me at the inn, having first gamed away all his own! I
+may well say by God and by you have I gotten back this much, and
+thereof I shall still be beholden to you.'
+
+Angiolieri told them his own story, but his words were not heeded;
+nay, Fortarrigo, with the aid of the countrymen, pulled him off his
+palfrey and stripping him, clad himself in his clothes; then, mounting
+to horse, he left him in his shirt and barefoot and returned to Siena,
+avouching everywhere that he had won the horse and clothes of
+Angiolieri, whilst the latter, who had thought to go, as a rich man,
+to the cardinal in the Marches, returned to Buonconvento, poor and in
+his shirt, nor dared for shamefastness go straight back to Siena, but,
+some clothes being lent him, he mounted the rouncey that Fortarrigo
+had ridden and betook himself to his kinsfolk at Corsignano, with whom
+he abode till such time as he was furnished anew by his father. On
+this wise Fortarrigo's knavery baffled Angiolieri's fair
+advisement,[431] albeit his villainy was not left by the latter
+unpunished in due time and place."
+
+[Footnote 431: Syn. goodly design of foresight (_buono avviso_).]
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     CALANDRINO FALLETH IN LOVE WITH A WENCH AND BRUNO WRITETH
+     HIM A TALISMAN, WHEREWITH WHEN HE TOUCHETH HER, SHE GOETH
+     WITH HIM; AND HIS WIFE FINDING THEM TOGETHER, THERE BETIDETH
+     HIM GRIEVOUS TROUBLE AND ANNOY
+
+
+Neifile's short story being finished and the company having passed it
+over without overmuch talk or laughter, the queen turned to Fiammetta
+and bade her follow on, to which she replied all blithely that she
+would well and began, "Gentlest ladies, there is, as methinketh you
+may know, nothing, how much soever it may have been talked thereof,
+but will still please, provided whoso is minded to speak of it know
+duly to choose the time and the place that befit it. Wherefore, having
+regard to our intent in being here (for that we are here to make merry
+and divert ourselves and not for otherwhat), meseemeth that everything
+which may afford mirth and pleasance hath here both due place and due
+time; and albeit it may have been a thousand times discoursed thereof,
+it should natheless be none the less pleasing, though one speak of it
+as much again. Wherefore, notwithstanding it hath been many times
+spoken among us of the sayings and doings of Calandrino, I will make
+bold, considering, as Filostrato said awhile ago, that these are all
+diverting, to tell you yet another story thereof, wherein were I
+minded to swerve from the fact, I had very well known to disguise and
+recount it under other names; but, for that, in the telling of a
+story, to depart from the truth of things betided detracteth greatly
+from the listener's pleasure, I will e'en tell it you in its true
+shape, moved by the reason aforesaid.
+
+Niccolo Cornacchini was a townsman of ours and a rich man and had,
+among his other possessions, a fine estate at Camerata, whereon he let
+build a magnificent mansion and agreed with Bruno and Buffalmacco to
+paint it all for him; and they, for that the work was great, joined to
+themselves Nello and Calandrino and fell to work. Thither, for that
+there was none of the family in the house, although there were one or
+two chambers furnished with beds and other things needful and an old
+serving-woman abode there, as guardian of the place, a son of the said
+Niccolo, by name Filippo, being young and without a wife, was wont
+bytimes to bring some wench or other for his diversion and keep her
+there a day or two and after send her away. It chanced once, among
+other times, that he brought thither one called Niccolosa, whom a lewd
+fellow, by name Mangione, kept at his disposal in a house at Camaldoli
+and let out on hire. She was a woman of a fine person and well clad
+and for her kind well enough mannered and spoken.
+
+One day at noontide, she having come forth her chamber in a white
+petticoat, with her hair twisted about her head, and being in act to
+wash her hands and face at a well that was in the courtyard of the
+mansion, it chanced that Calandrino came thither for water and saluted
+her familiarly. She returned him his greeting and fell to eying him,
+more because he seemed to her an odd sort of fellow than for any fancy
+she had for him; whereupon he likewise fell a-considering her and
+himseeming she was handsome, he began to find his occasions for
+abiding there and returned not to his comrades with the water, but,
+knowing her not, dared not say aught to her. She, who had noted his
+looking, glanced at him from time to time, to make game of him,
+heaving some small matter of sighs the while; wherefore Calandrino
+fell suddenly over head and ears in love with her and left not the
+courtyard till she was recalled by Filippo into the chamber.
+Therewithal he returned to work, but did nought but sigh, which Bruno,
+who had still an eye to his doings, for that he took great delight in
+his fashions, remarking, 'What a devil aileth thee, friend
+Calandrino?' quoth he. 'Thou dost nought but sigh.' 'Comrade,'
+answered Calandrino, 'had I but some one to help me, I should fare
+well.' 'How so?' enquired Bruno; and Calandrino replied, 'It must not
+be told to any; but there is a lass down yonder, fairer than a fairy,
+who hath fallen so mightily in love with me that 'twould seem to thee
+a grave matter. I noted it but now, whenas I went for the water.'
+'Ecod,' cried Bruno, 'look she be not Filippo's wife.' Quoth
+Calandrino, 'Methinketh it is she, for that he called her and she went
+to him in the chamber; but what of that? In matters of this kind I
+would jockey Christ himself, let alone Filippo; and to tell thee the
+truth, comrade, she pleaseth me more than I can tell thee.' 'Comrade,'
+answered Bruno, 'I will spy thee out who she is, and if she be
+Filippo's wife, I will order thine affairs for thee in a brace of
+words, for she is a great friend of mine. But how shall we do, so
+Buffalmacco may not know? I can never get a word with her, but he is
+with me.' Quoth Calandrino, 'Of Buffalmacco I reck not; but we must
+beware of Nello, for that he is Tessa's kinsman and would mar us
+everything.' And Bruno said, 'True.'
+
+Now he knew very well who the wench was, for that he had seen her come
+and moreover Filippo had told him. Accordingly, Calandrino having left
+work awhile and gone to get a sight of her, Bruno told Nello and
+Buffalmacco everything and they took order together in secret what
+they should do with him in the matter of this his enamourment. When he
+came back, Bruno said to him softly, 'Hast seen her?' 'Alack, yes,'
+replied Calandrino; 'she hath slain me.' Quoth Bruno, 'I must go see
+an it be she I suppose; and if it be so, leave me do.' Accordingly, he
+went down into the courtyard and finding Filippo and Niccolosa there,
+told them precisely what manner of man Calandrino was and took order
+with them of that which each of them should do and say, so they might
+divert themselves with the lovesick gull and make merry over his
+passion. Then, returning to Calandrino, he said, 'It is indeed she;
+wherefore needs must the thing be very discreetly managed, for, should
+Filippo get wind of it, all the water in the Arno would not wash us.
+But what wouldst thou have me say to her on thy part, if I should
+chance to get speech of her?' 'Faith,' answered Calandrino, 'thou
+shalt tell her, to begin with, that I will her a thousand measures of
+that good stuff that getteth with child, and after, that I am her
+servant and if she would have aught.... Thou takest me?' 'Ay,' said
+Bruno, 'leave me do.'
+
+Presently, supper-time being come, the painters left work and went
+down into the courtyard, where they found Filippo and Niccolosa and
+tarried there awhile, to oblige Calandrino. The latter fell to ogling
+Niccolosa and making the oddest grimaces in the world, such and so
+many that a blind man would have remarked them. She on her side did
+everything that she thought apt to inflame him, and Filippo, in
+accordance with the instructions he had of Bruno, made believe to talk
+with Buffalmacco and the others and to have no heed of this, whilst
+taking the utmost diversion in Calandrino's fashions. However, after a
+while, to the latter's exceeding chagrin, they took their leave and as
+they returned to Florence, Bruno said to Calandrino, 'I can tell thee
+thou makest her melt like ice in the sun. Cock's body, wert thou to
+fetch thy rebeck and warble thereto some of those amorous ditties of
+thine, thou wouldst cause her cast herself out of window to come to
+thee.' Quoth Calandrino, 'Deemest thou, gossip? Deemest thou I should
+do well to fetch it?' 'Ay, do I,' answered Bruno; and Calandrino went
+on, 'Thou wouldst not credit me this morning, whenas I told it thee;
+but, for certain, gossip, methinketh I know better than any man alive
+to do what I will. Who, other than I, had known to make such a lady so
+quickly in love with me? Not your trumpeting young braggarts,[432] I
+warrant you, who are up and down all day long and could not make
+shift, in a thousand years, to get together three handsful of cherry
+stones. I would fain have thee see me with the rebeck; 'twould be fine
+sport for thee. I will have thee to understand once for all that I am
+no dotard, as thou deemest me, and this she hath right well perceived,
+she; but I will make her feel it othergates fashion, so once I get my
+claw into her back; by the very body of Christ, I will lead her such a
+dance that she will run after me, as the madwoman after her child.'
+'Ay,' rejoined Bruno, 'I warrant me thou wilt rummage her; methinketh
+I see thee, with those teeth of thine that were made for virginal
+jacks,[433] bite that little vermeil mouth of hers and those her
+cheeks, that show like two roses, and after eat her all up.'
+
+[Footnote 432: _Giovani di tromba marina._ The sense seems as above;
+the commentators say that _giovani di tromba marina_ is a name given
+to those youths who go trumpeting about everywhere the favours
+accorded them by women; but the _tromba marina_ is a _stringed_ (not a
+wind) _instrument_, a sort of primitive violoncello with one string.]
+
+[Footnote 433: "Your teeth did dance like virginal jacks."--_Ben
+Jonson._]
+
+Calandrino, hearing this, fancied himself already at it and went
+singing and skipping, so overjoyed that he was like to jump out of his
+skin. On the morrow, having brought the rebeck, he, to the great
+diversion of all the company, sang sundry songs thereto; and in brief,
+he was taken with such an itch for the frequent seeing of her that he
+wrought not a whit, but ran a thousand times a day, now to the window,
+now to the door and anon into the courtyard, to get a look at her,
+whereof she, adroitly carrying out Bruno's instructions, afforded him
+ample occasion. Bruno, on his side, answered his messages in her name
+and bytimes brought him others as from her; and whenas she was not
+there, which was mostly the case, he carried him letters from her,
+wherein she gave him great hopes of compassing his desire, feigning
+herself at home with her kinsfolk, where he might not presently see
+her. On this wise, Bruno, with the aid of Buffalmacco, who had a hand
+in the matter, kept the game afoot and had the greatest sport in the
+world with Calandrino's antics, causing him give them bytimes, as at
+his mistress's request, now an ivory comb, now a purse and anon a
+knife and such like toys, for which they brought him in return divers
+paltry counterfeit rings of no value, with which he was vastly
+delighted; and to boot, they had of him, for their pains, store of
+dainty collations and other small matters of entertainment, so they
+might be diligent about his affairs.
+
+On this wise they kept him in play good two months, without getting a
+step farther, at the end of which time, seeing the work draw to an end
+and bethinking himself that, an he brought not his amours to an issue
+in the meantime, he might never have another chance thereof, he began
+to urge and importune Bruno amain; wherefore, when next the girl came
+to the mansion, Bruno, having first taken order with her and Filippo
+of what was to be done, said to Calandrino, 'Harkye, gossip, yonder
+lady hath promised me a good thousand times to do that which thou
+wouldst have and yet doth nought thereof, and meseemeth she leadeth
+thee by the nose; wherefore, since she doth it not as she promiseth,
+we will an it like thee, make her do it, will she, nill she.' 'Ecod,
+ay!' answered Calandrino. 'For the love of God let it be done
+speedily.' Quoth Bruno, 'Will thy heart serve thee to touch her with a
+script I shall give thee?' 'Ay, sure,' replied Calandrino; and the
+other, 'Then do thou make shift to bring me a piece of virgin
+parchment and a live bat, together with three grains of frankincense
+and a candle that hath been blessed by the priest, and leave me do.'
+Accordingly, Calandrino lay in wait all the next night with his
+engines to catch a bat and having at last taken one, carried it to
+Bruno, with the other things required; whereupon the latter,
+withdrawing to a chamber, scribbled divers toys of his fashion upon
+the parchment, in characters of his own devising, and brought it to
+him, saying, 'Know, Calandrino, that, if thou touch her with this
+script, she will incontinent follow thee and do what thou wilt.
+Wherefore, if Filippo should go abroad anywhither to-day, do thou
+contrive to accost her on some pretext or other and touch her; then
+betake thyself to the barn yonder, which is the best place here for
+thy purpose, for that no one ever frequenteth there. Thou wilt find
+she will come thither, and when she is there, thou knowest well what
+thou hast to do.' Calandrino was the joyfullest man alive and took the
+script, saying, 'Gossip, leave me do.'
+
+Now Nello, whom Calandrino mistrusted, had as much diversion of the
+matter as the others and bore a hand with them in making sport of him:
+wherefore, of accord with Bruno, he betook himself to Florence to
+Calandrino's wife and said to her, 'Tessa, thou knowest what a
+beating Calandrino gave thee without cause the day he came back, laden
+with stones from the Mugnone; wherefore I mean to have thee avenge
+thyself on him; and if thou do it not, hold me no more for kinsman or
+for friend. He hath fallen in love with a woman over yonder, and she
+is lewd enough to go very often closeting herself with him. A little
+while agone, they appointed each other to foregather together this
+very day; wherefore I would have thee come thither and lie in wait for
+him and chastise him well.' When the lady heard this, it seemed to her
+no jesting matter, but, starting to her feet, she fell a-saying,
+'Alack, common thief that thou art, is it thus that thou usest me? By
+Christ His Cross, it shall not pass thus, but I will pay thee
+therefor!' Then, taking her mantle and a little maid to bear her
+company, she started off at a good round pace for the mansion,
+together with Nello.
+
+As soon as Bruno saw the latter afar off, he said to Filippo, 'Here
+cometh our friend'; whereupon the latter, betaking himself whereas
+Calandrino and the others were at work, said, 'Masters, needs must I
+go presently to Florence; work with a will.' Then, going away, he hid
+himself in a place when he could, without being seen, see what
+Calandrino should do. The latter, as soon as he deemed Filippo
+somewhat removed, came down into the courtyard and finding Niccolosa
+there alone, entered into talk with her, whilst she, who knew well
+enough what she had to do, drew near him and entreated him somewhat
+more familiarly than of wont. Thereupon he touched her with the script
+and no sooner had he done so than he turned, without saying a word,
+and made for the barn, whither she followed him. As soon as she was
+within, she shut the door and taking him in her arms, threw him down
+on the straw that was on the floor; then, mounting astride of him and
+holding him with her hands on his shoulders, without letting him draw
+near her face, she gazed at him, as he were her utmost desire, and
+said, 'O sweet my Calandrino, heart of my body, my soul, my treasure,
+my comfort, how long have I desired to have thee and to be able to
+hold thee at my wish! Thou hast drawn all the thread out of my shift
+with thy gentilesse; thou hast tickled my heart with thy rebeck. Can
+it be true that I hold thee?' Calandrino, who could scarce stir, said,
+'For God's sake, sweet my soul, let me buss thee.' 'Marry,' answered
+she, 'thou art in a mighty hurry. Let me first take my fill of looking
+upon thee; let me sate mine eyes with that sweet face of thine.'
+
+Now Bruno and Buffalmacco were come to join Filippo and all three
+heard and saw all this. As Calandrino was now offering to kiss
+Niccolosa perforce, up came Nello with Dame Tessa and said, as soon as
+he reached the place, 'I vow to God they are together.' Then, coming
+up to the door of the barn, the lady, who was all a-fume with rage,
+dealt it such a push with her hands that she sent it flying, and
+entering, saw Niccolosa astride of Calandrino. The former, seeing the
+lady, started up in haste and taking to flight, made off to join
+Filippo, whilst Dame Tessa fell tooth and nail upon Calandrino, who
+was still on his back, and clawed all his face; then, clutching him
+by the hair and haling him hither and thither, 'Thou sorry shitten
+cur,' quoth she, 'dost thou then use me thus? Besotted dotard that
+thou art, accursed be the weal I have willed thee! Marry, seemeth it
+to thee thou hast not enough to do at home, that thou must go
+wantoning it in other folk's preserves? A fine gallant, i'faith! Dost
+thou not know thyself, losel that thou art? Dost thou not know
+thyself, good for nought? Wert thou to be squeezed dry, there would
+not come as much juice from thee as might suffice for a sauce. Cock's
+faith, thou canst not say it was Tessa that was presently in act to
+get thee with child, God make her sorry, who ever she is, for a scurvy
+trull as she must be to have a mind to so fine a jewel as thou!'
+
+Calandrino, seeing his wife come, abode neither dead nor alive and had
+not the hardihood to make any defence against her; but, rising, all
+scratched and flayed and baffled as he was, and picking up his bonnet,
+he fell to humbly beseeching her leave crying out, an she would not
+have him cut in pieces, for that she who had been with him was the
+wife of the master of the house; whereupon quoth she, 'So be it, God
+give her an ill year.' At this moment, Bruno and Buffalmacco, having
+laughed their fill at all this, in company with Filippo and Niccolosa,
+came up, feigning to be attracted by the clamour, and having with no
+little ado appeased the lady, counselled Calandrino betake himself to
+Florence and return thither no more, lest Filippo should get wind of
+the matter and do him a mischief. Accordingly he returned to Florence,
+chapfallen and woebegone, all flayed and scratched, and never ventured
+to go thither again; but, being plagued and harassed night and day
+with his wife's reproaches, he made an end of his fervent love, having
+given much cause for laughter to his companions, no less than to
+Niccolosa and Filippo."
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     TWO YOUNG GENTLEMEN LODGE THE NIGHT WITH AN INNKEEPER,
+     WHEREOF ONE GOETH TO LIE WITH THE HOST'S DAUGHTER, WHILST
+     HIS WIFE UNWITTINGLY COUCHETH WITH THE OTHER; AFTER WHICH HE
+     WHO LAY WITH THE GIRL GETTETH HIM TO BED WITH HER FATHER AND
+     TELLETH HIM ALL, THINKING TO BESPEAK HIS COMRADE.
+     THEREWITHAL THEY COME TO WORDS, BUT THE WIFE, PERCEIVING HER
+     MISTAKE, ENTERETH HER DAUGHTER'S BED AND THENCE WITH CERTAIN
+     WORDS APPEASETH EVERYTHING
+
+
+Calandrino, who had otherwhiles afforded the company matter for
+laughter, made them laugh this time also, and whenas the ladies had
+left devising of his fashions, the queen bade Pamfilo tell, whereupon
+quoth he, "Laudable ladies, the name of Niccolosa, Calandrino's
+mistress, hath brought me back to mind a story of another Niccolosa,
+which it pleaseth me to tell you, for that therein you shall see how a
+goodwife's ready wit did away a great scandal.
+
+In the plain of Mugnone there was not long since a good man who gave
+wayfarers to eat and drink for their money, and although he was poor
+and had but a small house, he bytimes at a pinch gave, not every one,
+but sundry acquaintances, a night's lodging. He had a wife, a very
+handsome woman, by whom he had two children, whereof one was a fine
+buxom lass of some fifteen or sixteen years of age, who was not yet
+married, and the other a little child, not yet a year old, whom his
+mother herself suckled. Now a young gentleman of our city, a sprightly
+and pleasant youth, who was often in those parts, had cast his eyes on
+the girl and loved her ardently; and she, who gloried greatly in being
+beloved of a youth of his quality, whilst studying with pleasing
+fashions to maintain him in her love, became no less enamoured of him,
+and more than once, by mutual accord, this their love had had the
+desired effect, but that Pinuccio (for such was the young man's name)
+feared to bring reproach upon his mistress and himself. However, his
+ardour waxing from day to day, he could no longer master his desire to
+foregather with her and bethought himself to find a means of
+harbouring with her father, doubting not, from his acquaintance with
+the ordinance of the latter's house, but he might in that event
+contrive to pass the night in her company, without any being the
+wiser; and no sooner had he conceived this design than he proceeded
+without delay to carry it into execution.
+
+Accordingly, in company with a trusty friend of his called Adriano,
+who knew his love, he late one evening hired a couple of hackneys and
+set thereon two pairs of saddle-bags, filled belike with straw, with
+which they set out from Florence and fetching a compass, rode till
+they came overagainst the plain of Mugnone, it being by this night;
+then, turning about, as they were on their way back from Romagna, they
+made for the good man's house and knocked at the door. The host, being
+very familiar with both of them, promptly opened the door and Pinuccio
+said to him, 'Look you, thou must needs harbour us this night. We
+thought to reach Florence before dark, but have not availed to make
+such haste but that we find ourselves here, as thou seest at this
+hour.' 'Pinuccio,' answered the host, 'thou well knowest how little
+commodity I have to lodge such men as you are; however, since the
+night hath e'en overtaken you here and there is no time for you to go
+otherwhere, I will gladly harbour you as I may.' The two young men
+accordingly alighted and entered the inn, where they first eased[434]
+their hackneys and after supper with the host, having taken good care
+to bring provision with them.
+
+[Footnote 434: _Adagiarono_, _i.e._ unsaddled and stabled and fed
+them.]
+
+Now the good man had but one very small bedchamber, wherein were three
+pallet-beds set as best he knew, two at one end of the room and the
+third overagainst them at the other end; nor for all that was there so
+much space left that one could go there otherwise than straitly. The
+least ill of the three the host let make ready for the two friends and
+put them to lie there; then, after a while neither of the gentlemen
+being asleep, though both made a show thereof, he caused his daughter
+betake herself to bed in one of the two others and lay down himself
+in the third, with his wife, who set by the bedside the cradle wherein
+she had her little son. Things being ordered after this fashion and
+Pinuccio having seen everything, after a while, himseeming that every
+one was asleep, he arose softly and going to the bed where slept the
+girl beloved of him, laid himself beside the latter, by whom, for all
+she did it timorously, he was joyfully received, and with her he
+proceeded to take of that pleasure which both most desired. Whilst
+Pinuccio abode thus with his mistress, it chanced that a cat caused
+certain things fall, which the good wife, awaking, heard; whereupon,
+fearing lest it were otherwhat, she arose, as she was, in the dark and
+betook herself whereas she had heard the noise.
+
+Meanwhile, Adriano, without intent aforethought, arose by chance for
+some natural occasion and going to despatch this, came upon the
+cradle, whereas it had been set by the good wife, and unable to pass
+without moving it, took it up and set it down beside his own bed;
+then, having accomplished that for which he had arisen, he returned
+and betook himself to bed again, without recking of the cradle. The
+good wife, having searched and found the thing which had fallen was
+not what she thought, never troubled herself to kindle a light, to see
+it, but, chiding the cat, returned to the chamber and groped her way
+to the bed where her husband lay. Finding the cradle not there, 'Mercy
+o' me!' quoth she in herself. 'See what I was about to do! As I am a
+Christian, I had well nigh gone straight to our guest's bed.' Then,
+going a little farther and finding the cradle, she entered the bed
+whereby it stood and laid herself down beside Adriano, thinking to
+couch with her husband. Adriano, who was not yet asleep, feeling this,
+received her well and joyously and laying her aboard in a trice,
+clapped on all sail, to the no small contentment of the lady.
+
+Meanwhile, Pinuccio, fearing lest sleep should surprise him with his
+lass and having taken of her his fill of pleasure, arose from her, to
+return to his own bed, to sleep, and finding the cradle in his way,
+took the adjoining bed for that of his host; wherefore, going a little
+farther, he lay down with the latter, who awoke at his coming.
+Pinuccio, deeming himself beside Adriano, said, 'I tell thee there
+never was so sweet a creature as is Niccolosa. Cock's body, I have had
+with her the rarest sport ever man had with woman, more by token that
+I have gone upwards of six times into the country, since I left thee.'
+The host, hearing this talk and being not overwell pleased therewith,
+said first in himself, 'What a devil doth this fellow here?' Then,
+more angered than well-advised, 'Pinuccio,' quoth he, 'this hath been
+a great piece of villainy of thine, and I know not why thou shouldst
+have used me thus; but, by the body of God, I will pay thee for it!!'
+Pinuccio, who was not the wisest lad in the world, seeing his mistake,
+addressed not himself to mend it as best he might, but said, 'Of what
+wilt thou pay me? What canst thou do to me?' Therewithal the hostess,
+who thought herself with her husband, said to Adriano, 'Good lack,
+hark to our guests how they are at I know not what words together!'
+Quoth Adriano, laughing, 'Leave them do, God land them in an ill
+year! They drank overmuch yesternight.'
+
+The good wife, herseeming she had heard her husband scold and hearing
+Adriano speak, incontinent perceived where and with whom she had been;
+whereupon, like a wise woman as she was, she arose forthright, without
+saying a word, and taking her little son's cradle, carried it at a
+guess, for that there was no jot of light to be seen in the chamber,
+to the side of the bed where her daughter slept and lay down with the
+latter; then, as if she had been aroused by her husband's clamour, she
+called him and enquired what was to do between himself and Pinuccio.
+He answered, 'Hearest thou not what he saith he hath done this night
+unto Niccolosa?' 'Marry,' quoth she, 'he lieth in his throat, for he
+was never abed with Niccolosa, seeing that I have lain here all night;
+more by token that I have not been able to sleep a wink; and thou art
+an ass to believe him. You men drink so much of an evening that you do
+nothing but dream all night and fare hither and thither, without
+knowing it, and fancy you do wonders. 'Tis a thousand pities you don't
+break your necks. But what doth Pinuccio yonder? Why bideth he not in
+his own bed?' Adriano, on his part, seeing how adroitly the good wife
+went about to cover her own shame and that of her daughter, chimed in
+with, 'Pinuccio, I have told thee an hundred times not to go abroad,
+for that this thy trick of arising in thy sleep and telling for true
+the extravagances thou dreamest will bring thee into trouble some day
+or other. Come back here, God give thee an ill night!'
+
+The host, hearing what his wife and Adriano said, began to believe in
+good earnest that Pinuccio was dreaming; and accordingly, taking him
+by the shoulders, he fell to shaking and calling him, saying,
+'Pinuccio, awake; return to thine own bed.' Pinuccio having
+apprehended all that had been said began to wander off into other
+extravagances, after the fashion of a man a-dream; whereat the host
+set up the heartiest laughter in the world. At last, he made believe
+to awake for stress of shaking, and calling to Adriano, said, 'Is it
+already day, that thou callest me?' 'Ay,' answered the other, 'come
+hither.' Accordingly, Pinuccio, dissembling and making a show of being
+sleepy-eyed, arose at last from beside the host and went back to bed
+with Adriano. The day come and they being risen, the host fell to
+laughing and mocking at Pinuccio and his dreams; and so they passed
+from one jest to another, till the young men, having saddled their
+rounceys and strapped on their valises and drunken with the host,
+remounted to horse and rode away to Florence, no less content with the
+manner in which the thing had betided than with the effect itself
+thereof. Thereafter Pinuccio found other means of foregathering with
+Niccolosa, who vowed to her mother that he had certainly dreamt the
+thing; wherefore the goodwife, remembering her of Adriano's
+embracements, inwardly avouched herself alone to have waked."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     TALANO DI MOLESE DREAMETH THAT A WOLF MANGLETH ALL HIS
+     WIFE'S NECK AND FACE AND BIDDETH HER BEWARE THEREOF; BUT SHE
+     PAYETH NO HEED TO HIS WARNING AND IT BEFALLETH HER EVEN AS
+     HE HAD DREAMED
+
+
+Pamfilo's story being ended and the goodwife's presence of mind having
+been commended of all, the queen bade Pampinea tell hers and she
+thereupon began, "It hath been otherwhile discoursed among us,
+charming ladies, of the truths foreshown by dreams, the which many of
+our sex scoff at; wherefore, notwithstanding that which hath been said
+thereof, I shall not scruple to tell you, in a very few words, that
+which no great while ago befell a she-neighbour of mine for not giving
+credit to a dream of herself seen by her husband.
+
+I know not if you were acquainted with Talano di Molese, a very
+worshipful man, who took to wife a young lady called Margarita, fair
+over all others, but so humoursome, ill-conditioned and froward that
+she would do nought of other folk's judgment, nor could others do
+aught to her liking; the which, irksome as it was to Talano to endure,
+natheless, as he could no otherwise, needs must he put up with. It
+chanced one night that, being with this Margarita of his at an estate
+he had in the country, himseemed in his sleep he saw his wife go
+walking in a very fair wood which they had not far from their house,
+and as she went, himseemed there came forth of a thicket a great and
+fierce wolf, which sprang straight at her throat and pulling her to
+the ground, enforced himself to carry her off, whilst she screamed for
+aid; and after, she winning free of his fangs, it seemed he had marred
+all her throat and face. Accordingly, when he arose in the morning, he
+said to the lady, 'Wife, albeit thy frowardness hath never suffered me
+to have a good day with thee, yet it would grieve me should ill betide
+thee; wherefore, an thou wilt hearken to my counsel, thou wilt not go
+forth the house to-day'; and being asked of her why, he orderly
+recounted to her his dream.
+
+The lady shook her head and said, 'Who willeth thee ill, dreameth thee
+ill. Thou feignest thyself mighty careful of me; but thou dreamest of
+me that which thou wouldst fain see come to pass; and thou mayst be
+assured that I will be careful both to-day and always not to gladden
+thee with this or other mischance of mine.' Quoth Talano, 'I knew thou
+wouldst say thus; for that such thanks still hath he who combeth a
+scald-head; but, believe as thou listeth, I for my part tell it to
+thee for good, and once more I counsel thee abide at home to-day or at
+least beware of going into our wood.' 'Good,' answered the lady, 'I
+will do it'; and after fell a-saying to herself, 'Sawest thou how
+artfully yonder man thinketh to have feared me from going to our wood
+to-day? Doubtless he hath given some trull or other tryst there and
+would not have me find him with her. Marry, it were fine eating for
+him with blind folk and I should be a right simpleton an I saw not his
+drift and if I believed him! But certes he shall not have his will;
+nay, though I abide there all day, needs must I see what traffic is
+this that he hath in hand to-day.'
+
+Accordingly, her husband being gone out at one door, she went out at
+the other and betook herself as most secretly she might straight to
+the wood and hid herself in the thickest part thereof, standing attent
+and looking now here and now there, an she should see any one come. As
+she abode on this wise, without any thought of danger, behold, there
+sallied forth of a thick coppice hard by a terrible great wolf, and
+scarce could she say, 'Lord, aid me!' when it flew at her throat and
+laying fast hold of her, proceeded to carry her off, as she were a
+lambkin. She could neither cry nor aid herself on other wise, so sore
+was her gullet straitened; wherefore the wolf, carrying her off, would
+assuredly have throttled her, had he not encountered certain
+shepherds, who shouted at him and constrained him to loose her. The
+shepherds knew her and carried her home, in a piteous plight, where,
+after long tending by the physicians, she was healed, yet not so
+wholly but she had all her throat and a part of her face marred on
+such wise that, whereas before she was fair, she ever after appeared
+misfeatured and very foul of favour; wherefore, being ashamed to
+appear whereas she might be seen, she many a time bitterly repented
+her of her frowardness and her perverse denial to put faith, in a
+matter which cost her nothing, in her husband's true dream."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     BIONDELLO CHEATETH CIACCO OF A DINNER, WHEREOF THE OTHER
+     CRAFTILY AVENGETH HIMSELF, PROCURING HIM TO BE SHAMEFULLY
+     BEATEN
+
+
+The merry company with one accord avouched that which Talano had seen
+in sleep to have been no dream, but a vision, so punctually, without
+there failing aught thereof, had it come to pass. But, all being
+silent the queen charged Lauretta follow on, who said, "Like as those,
+most discreet ladies, who have to-day foregone me in speech, have been
+well nigh all moved to discourse by something already said, even so
+the stern vengeance wreaked by the scholar, of whom Pampinea told us
+yesterday, moveth me to tell of a piece of revenge, which, without
+being so barbarous as the former, was nevertheless grievous unto him
+who brooked it.
+
+I must tell you, then, that there was once in Florence a man whom all
+called Ciacco,[435] as great a glutton as ever lived. His means
+sufficing him not to support the expense that his gluttony required
+and he being, for the rest, a very well-mannered man and full of
+goodly and pleasant sayings, he addressed himself to be, not
+altogether a buffoon, but a spunger[436] and to company with those
+who were rich and delighted to eat of good things; and with these he
+went often to dine and sup, albeit he was not always bidden. There was
+likewise at Florence, in those days, a man called Biondello, a little
+dapper fellow of his person, very quaint of his dress and sprucer than
+a fly, with his coif on his head and his yellow periwig still drest to
+a nicety, without a hair awry, who plied the same trade as Ciacco.
+Going one morning in Lent whereas they sell the fish and cheapening
+two very fine lampreys for Messer Vieri de' Cerchj, he was seen by
+Ciacco, who accosted him and said, 'What meaneth this?' Whereto
+Biondello made answer, 'Yestereve there were sent unto Messer Corso
+Donati three lampreys, much finer than these, and a sturgeon; to which
+sufficing him not for a dinner he is minded to give certain gentlemen,
+he would have me buy these other two. Wilt thou not come thither,
+thou?' Quoth Ciacco, 'Thou knowest well that I shall be there.'
+
+[Footnote 435: _i.e._ hog.]
+
+[Footnote 436: Lit. a backbiter (_morditore_).]
+
+Accordingly, whenas it seemed to him time, he betook himself to Messer
+Corso's house, where he found him with sundry neighbours of his, not
+yet gone to dinner, and being asked of him what he went doing,
+answered, 'Sir, I am come to dine with you and your company.' Quoth
+Messer Corso, 'Thou art welcome; and as it is time, let us to table.'
+Thereupon they seated themselves at table and had, to begin with,
+chickpease and pickled tunny, and after a dish of fried fish from the
+Arno, and no more, Ciacco, perceiving the cheat that Biondello had put
+upon him, was inwardly no little angered thereat and resolved to pay
+him for it; nor had many days passed ere he again encountered the
+other, who had by this time made many folk merry with the trick he had
+played him. Biondello, seeing him, saluted him and asked him,
+laughing, how he had found Messer Corso's lampreys; to which Ciacco
+answered, 'That shalt thou know much better than I, ere eight days be
+past.'
+
+Then, without wasting time over the matter, he took leave of Biondello
+and agreeing for a price with a shrewd huckster, carried him near to
+the Cavicciuoli Gallery and showing him a gentleman there, called
+Messer Filippo Argenti, a big burly rawboned fellow and the most
+despiteful, choleric and humoursome man alive, gave him a great glass
+flagon and said to him, 'Go to yonder gentleman with this flask in
+hand and say to him, "Sir Biondello sendeth me to you and prayeth you
+be pleased to rubify him this flask with your good red wine, for that
+he would fain make merry somedele with his minions." But take good
+care he lay not his hands on thee; else will he give thee an ill
+morrow and thou wilt have marred my plans.' 'Have I aught else to
+say,' asked the huckster; and Ciacco answered, 'No; do but go and say
+this and after come back to me here with the flask and I will pay
+thee.' The huckster accordingly set off and did his errand to Messer
+Filippo, who, hearing the message and being lightly ruffled, concluded
+that Biondello, whom he knew, had a mind to make mock of him, and
+waxing all red in the face, said, 'What "rubify me" and what "minions"
+be these? God land thee and him an ill year!' Then, starting to his
+feet, he put out his hand to lay hold of the huckster; but the latter,
+who was on his guard, promptly took to his heels and returning by
+another way to Ciacco, who had seen all that had passed, told him what
+Messer Filippo had said to him. Ciacco, well pleased, paid him and
+rested not till he found Biondello, to whom quoth he, 'Hast thou been
+late at the Cavicciuoli Gallery?' 'Nay,' answered the other. 'Why dost
+thou ask me?' 'Because,' replied Ciacco, 'I must tell thee that Messer
+Filippo enquireth for thee; I know not what he would have.' 'Good,'
+rejoined Biondello; 'I am going that way and will speak with him.'
+Accordingly, he made off, and Ciacco followed him, to see how the
+thing should pass.
+
+Meanwhile Messer Filippo, having failed to come at the huckster, abode
+sore disordered and was inwardly all a-fume with rage, being unable to
+make anything in the world of the huckster's words, if not that
+Biondello, at whosesoever instance, was minded to make mock of him. As
+he fretted himself thus, up came Biondello, whom no sooner did he espy
+than he made for him and dealt him a sore buffet in the face. 'Alack,
+sir,' cried Biondello, 'what is this?' Whereupon Messer Filippo,
+clutching him by the hair and tearing his coif, cast his bonnet to the
+ground and said, laying on to him amain the while, 'Knave that thou
+art, thou shalt soon see what it is! What is this thou sendest to say
+to me with thy "rubify me" and thy "minions"? Deemest thou me a child,
+to be flouted on this wise?' So saying, he battered his whole face
+with his fists, which were like very iron, nor left him a hair on his
+head unruffled; then, rolling him in the mire, he tore all the clothes
+off his back; and to this he applied himself with such a will that
+Biondello could not avail to say a word to him nor ask why he served
+him thus. He had heard him indeed speak of 'rubify me' and 'minions,'
+but knew not what this meant.
+
+At last, Messer Filippo having beaten him soundly, the bystanders,
+whereof many had by this time gathered about them, dragged him, with
+the utmost difficulty, out of the other's clutches, all bruised and
+battered as he was, and told him why the gentleman had done this,
+blaming him for that which he had sent to say to him and telling him
+that he should by that time have known Messer Filippo better and that
+he was not a man to jest withal. Biondello, all in tears protested his
+innocence, declaring that he had never sent to Messer Filippo for
+wine, and as soon as he was somewhat recovered, he returned home, sick
+and sorry, divining that this must have been Ciacco's doing. When,
+after many days, the bruises being gone, he began to go abroad again,
+it chanced that Ciacco encountered him and asked him, laughing,
+'Harkye, Biondello, how deemest thou of Messer Filippo's wine?' 'Even
+as thou of Messer Corso's lampreys,' replied the other; and Ciacco
+said, 'The thing resteth with thee henceforth. Whenever thou goest
+about to give me to eat as thou didst, I will give thee in return to
+drink after t'other day's fashion.' Biondello, knowing full well that
+it was easier to wish Ciacco ill than to put it in practise, besought
+God of his peace[437] and thenceforth was careful to affront him no
+more."
+
+[Footnote 437: _i.e._ conjured him by God to make peace with him.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     TWO YOUNG MEN SEEK COUNSEL OF SOLOMON, ONE HOW HE MAY BE
+     LOVED AND THE OTHER HOW HE MAY AMEND HIS FROWARD WIFE, AND
+     IN ANSWER HE BIDDETH THE ONE LOVE AND THE OTHER GET HIM TO
+     GOOSEBRIDGE
+
+
+None other than the queen remaining to tell, so she would maintain
+Dioneo his privilege, she, after the ladies had laughed at the unlucky
+Biondello, began blithely to speak thus: "Lovesome ladies, if the
+ordinance of created things be considered with a whole mind, it will
+lightly enough be seen that the general multitude of women are by
+nature, by custom and by law subjected unto men and that it behoveth
+them order and govern themselves according to the discretion of these
+latter; wherefore each woman, who would have quiet and ease and solace
+with those men to whom she pertaineth, should be humble, patient and
+obedient, besides being virtuous, which latter is the supreme and
+especial treasure of every wise woman. Nay, though the laws, which in
+all things regard the general weal, and usance or (let us say) custom,
+whose puissance is both great and worship-worth, taught us not this,
+nature very manifestly showeth it unto us, inasmuch as she hath made
+us women tender and delicate of body and timid and fearful of spirit
+and hath given us little bodily strength, sweet voices and soft and
+graceful movements, all things testifying that we have need of the
+governance of others. Now, those who have need to be helped and
+governed, all reason requireth that they be obedient and submissive
+and reverent to their governors; and whom have we to governors and
+helpers, if not men? To men, therefore, it behoveth us submit
+ourselves, honouring them supremely; and whoso departeth from this, I
+hold her deserving, not only of grave reprehension, but of severe
+punishment. To these considerations I was lead, though not for the
+first time, by that which Pampinea told us a while ago of Talano's
+froward wife, upon whom God sent that chastisement which her husband
+had not known to give her; wherefore, as I have already said, all
+those women who depart from being loving, compliant and amenable, as
+nature, usance and law will it, are, in my judgment, worthy of stern
+and severe chastisement. It pleaseth me, therefore, to recount to you
+a counsel given by Solomon, as a salutary medicine for curing women
+who are thus made of that malady; which counsel let none, who meriteth
+not such treatment, repute to have been said for her, albeit men have
+a byword which saith, 'Good horse and bad horse both the spur need
+still, And women need the stick, both good and ill.' Which words, an
+one seek to interpret them by way of pleasantry, all women will
+lightly allow to be true; nay, but considering them morally,[438] I
+say that the same must be conceded of them; for that women are all
+naturally unstable and prone [to frailty,] wherefore, to correct the
+iniquity of those who allow themselves too far to overpass the limits
+appointed them, there needeth the stick which punisheth them, and to
+support the virtue of others who suffer not themselves to transgress,
+there needeth the stick which sustaineth and affeareth them. But, to
+leave be preaching for the nonce and come to that which I have it in
+mind to tell.
+
+[Footnote 438: _i.e._ from a serious or moral point of view.]
+
+You must know that, the high renown of Solomon's miraculous wisdom
+being bruited abroad well nigh throughout the whole world, no less
+than the liberality with which he dispensed it unto whoso would fain
+be certified thereof by experience, there flocked many to him from
+divers parts of the world for counsel in their straitest and most
+urgent occasions. Amongst others who thus resorted to him was a young
+man, Melisso by name, a gentleman of noble birth and great wealth, who
+set out from the city of Lajazzo,[439] whence he was and where he
+dwelt; and as he journeyed towards Jerusalem, it chanced that, coming
+forth of Antioch, he rode for some distance with a young man called
+Giosefo, who held the same course as himself. As the custom is of
+wayfarers, he entered into discourse with him and having learned from
+him what and whence he was, he asked him whither he went and upon what
+occasion; to which Giosefo replied that he was on his way to Solomon,
+to have counsel of him what course he should take with a wife he had,
+the most froward and perverse woman alive, whom neither with prayers
+nor with blandishments nor on any other wise could he avail to correct
+of her waywardness. Then he in his turn questioned Melisso whence he
+was and whither he went and on what errand, and he answered, 'I am of
+Lajazzo, and like as thou hast a grievance, even so have I one; I am
+young and rich and spend my substance in keeping open house and
+entertaining my fellow-townsmen, and yet, strange to say, I cannot for
+all that find one who wisheth me well; wherefore I go whither thou
+goest, to have counsel how I may win to be beloved.'
+
+[Footnote 439: Apparently Laodicea (_hod._ Eskihissar) in Anatolia,
+from which a traveller, taking the direct land route, would
+necessarily pass Antioch (_hod._ Antakhia) on his way to Jerusalem.]
+
+Accordingly, they joined company and journeyed till they came to
+Jerusalem, where, by the introduction of one of Solomon's barons, they
+were admitted to the presence of the king, to whom Melisso briefly set
+forth his occasion. Solomon answered him, 'Love'; and this said,
+Melisso was straightway put forth and Giosefo told that for which he
+was there. Solomon made him no other answer than 'Get thee to
+Goosebridge'; which said, Giosefo was on like wise removed, without
+delay, from the king's presence and finding Melisso awaiting him
+without, told him that which he had had for answer. Thereupon,
+pondering Solomon's words and availing to apprehend therefrom neither
+significance nor profit whatsoever for their occasions, they set out
+to return home, as deeming themselves flouted. After journeying for
+some days, they came to a river, over which was a fine bridge, and a
+caravan of pack-mules and sumpter-horses being in act to pass, it
+behoved them tarry till such time as these should be crossed over.
+Presently, the beasts having well nigh all crossed, it chanced that
+one of the mules took umbrage, as oftentimes we see them do, and
+would by no means pass on; whereupon a muleteer, taking a stick, began
+to beat it at first moderately enough to make it go on; but the mule
+shied now to this and now to that side of the road and whiles turned
+back altogether, but would on no wise pass on; whereupon the man,
+incensed beyond measure, fell to dealing it with the stick the
+heaviest blows in the world, now on the head, now on the flanks and
+anon on the crupper, but all to no purpose.
+
+Melisso and Giosefo stood watching this and said often to the
+muleteer, 'Alack, wretch that thou art, what dost thou? Wilt thou kill
+the beast? Why studiest thou not to manage him by fair means and
+gentle dealing? He will come quicklier than for cudgeling him as thou
+dost.' To which the man answered, 'You know your horses and I know my
+mule; leave me do with him.' So saying, he fell again to cudgelling
+him and belaboured him to such purpose on one side and on the other,
+that the mule passed on and the muleteer won the bout. Then, the two
+young men being now about to depart, Giosefo asked a poor man, who sat
+at the bridge-head, how the place was called, and he answered, 'Sir,
+this is called Goosebridge.' When Giosefo heard this, he straightway
+called to mind Solomon's words and said to Melisso, 'Marry, I tell
+thee, comrade, that the counsel given me by Solomon may well prove
+good and true, for I perceive very plainly that I knew not how to beat
+my wife; but this muleteer hath shown me what I have to do.'
+
+Accordingly, they fared on and came, after some days, to Antioch,
+where Giosefo kept Melisso with him, that he might rest himself a day
+or two, and being scurvily enough received of his wife, he bade her
+prepare supper according as Melisso should ordain; whereof the latter,
+seeing that it was his friend's pleasure, acquitted himself in a few
+words. The lady, as her usance had been in the past, did not as
+Melisso had ordained, but well nigh altogether the contrary; which
+Giosefo seeing, he was vexed and said, 'Was it not told thee on what
+wise thou shouldst prepare the supper?' The lady, turning round
+haughtily, answered, 'What meaneth this? Good lack, why dost thou not
+sup, an thou have a mind to sup? An if it were told me otherwise, it
+seemed good to me to do thus. If it please thee, so be it; if not,
+leave it be.' Melisso marvelled at the lady's answer and blamed her
+exceedingly; whilst Giosefo, hearing this, said, 'Wife, thou art still
+what thou wast wont to be; but, trust me, I will make thee change thy
+fashion.' Then turning to Melisso, 'Friend,' said he, 'we shall soon
+see what manner of counsel was Solomon's; but I prithee let it not irk
+thee to stand to see it and hold that which I shall do for a sport.
+And that thou mayest not hinder me, bethink thee of the answer the
+muleteer made us, when we pitied his mule.' Quoth Melisso, 'I am in
+thy house, where I purpose not to depart from thy good pleasure.'
+
+Giosefo then took a round stick, made of a young oak, and repaired a
+chamber, whither the lady, having arisen from table for despite, had
+betaken herself, grumbling; then, laying hold of her by the hair, he
+threw her down at his feet and proceeded to give her a sore beating
+with the stick. The lady at first cried out and after fell to
+threats; but, seeing that Giosefo for all that stinted not and being
+by this time all bruised, she began to cry him mercy for God's sake
+and besought him not to kill her, declaring that she would never more
+depart from his pleasure. Nevertheless, he held not his hand; nay, he
+continued to baste her more furiously than ever on all her seams,
+belabouring her amain now on the ribs, now on the haunches and now
+about the shoulder, nor stinted till he was weary and there was not a
+place left unbruised on the good lady's back. This done, he returned
+to his friend and said to him, 'To-morrow we shall see what will be
+the issue of the counsel to go to Goosebridge.' Then, after he had
+rested awhile and they had washed their hands, he supped with Melisso
+and in due season they betook themselves to bed.
+
+Meanwhile the wretched lady arose with great pain from the ground and
+casting herself on the bed, there rested as best she might until the
+morning, when she arose betimes and let ask Giosefo what he would have
+dressed for dinner. The latter, making merry over this with Melisso,
+appointed it in due course, and after, whenas it was time, returning,
+they found everything excellently well done and in accordance with the
+ordinance given; wherefore they mightily commended the counsel at
+first so ill apprehended of them. After some days, Melisso took leave
+of Giosefo and returning to his own house, told one, who was a man of
+understanding, the answer he had had from Solomon; whereupon quoth the
+other, 'He could have given thee no truer nor better counsel. Thou
+knowest thou lovest no one, and the honours and services thou
+renderest others, thou dost not for love that thou bearest them, but
+for pomp and ostentation. Love, then, as Solomon bade thee, and thou
+shalt be loved.' On this wise, then, was the froward wife corrected
+and the young man, loving, was beloved."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Ninth]
+
+     DOM GIANNI, AT THE INSTANCE OF HIS GOSSIP PIETRO, PERFORMETH
+     A CONJURATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CAUSING THE LATTER'S WIFE
+     TO BECOME A MARE; BUT, WHENAS HE COMETH TO PUT ON THE TAIL,
+     PIETRO MARRETH THE WHOLE CONJURATION, SAYING THAT HE WILL
+     NOT HAVE A TAIL
+
+
+The queen's story made the young men laugh and gave rise to some
+murmurs on the part of the ladies; then, as soon as the latter were
+quiet, Dioneo began to speak thus, "Sprightly ladies, a black crow
+amongst a multitude of white doves addeth more beauty than would a
+snow-white swan, and in like manner among many sages one less wise is
+not only an augmentation of splendour and goodliness to their
+maturity, but eke a source of diversion and solace. Wherefore, you
+ladies being all exceeding discreet and modest, I, who savour somewhat
+of the scatterbrain, should be dearer to you, causing, as I do, your
+worth to shine the brightlier for my default, than if with my greater
+merit I made this of yours wax dimmer; and consequently, I should have
+larger license to show you myself such as I am and should more
+patiently be suffered of you, in saying that which I shall say, than
+if I were wiser. I will, therefore, tell you a story not overlong,
+whereby you may apprehend how diligently it behoveth to observe the
+conditions imposed by those who do aught by means of enchantment and
+how slight a default thereof sufficeth to mar everything done by the
+magician.
+
+A year or two agone there was at Barletta a priest called Dom Gianni
+di Barolo, who, for that he had but a poor cure, took to eking out his
+livelihood by hawking merchandise hither and thither about the fairs
+of Apulia with a mare of his and buying and selling. In the course of
+his travels he contracted a strait friendship with one who styled
+himself Pietro da Tresanti and plied the same trade with the aid of an
+ass he had. In token of friendship and affection, he called him still
+Gossip Pietro, after the Apulian fashion, and whenassoever he visited
+Barletta, he carried him to his parsonage and there lodged him with
+himself and entertained him to the best of his power. Gossip Pietro,
+on his part, albeit he was very poor and had but a sorry little house
+at Tresanti, scarce sufficing for himself and a young and buxom wife
+he had and his ass, as often as Dom Gianni came to Tresanti, carried
+him home with him and entertained him as best he might, in requital of
+the hospitality received from him at Barletta. Nevertheless, in the
+matter of lodging, having but one sorry little bed, in which he slept
+with his handsome wife, he could not entertain him as he would, but,
+Dom Gianni's mare being lodged with Pietro's ass in a little stable he
+had, needs must the priest himself lie by her side on a truss of
+straw.
+
+The goodwife, knowing the hospitality which the latter did her husband
+at Barletta, would more than once, whenas the priest came thither,
+have gone to lie with a neighbor of hers, by name Zita Caraprese,
+[daughter] of Giudice Leo, so he might sleep in the bed with her
+husband, and had many a time proposed it to Dom Gianni, but he would
+never hear of it; and once, amongst other times, he said to her,
+'Gossip Gemmata, fret not thyself for me; I fare very well, for that,
+whenas it pleaseth me, I cause this mare of mine become a handsome
+wench and couch with her, and after, when I will, I change her into a
+mare again; wherefore I care not to part from her.'
+
+The young woman marvelled, but believed his tale and told her husband,
+saying, 'If he is so much thy friend as thou sayest, why dost thou not
+make him teach thee his charm, so thou mayst avail to make of me a
+mare and do thine affairs with the ass and the mare? So should we gain
+two for one; and when we were back at home, thou couldst make me a
+woman again, as I am.' Pietro, who was somewhat dull of wit, believed
+what she said and falling in with her counsel, began, as best he knew,
+to importune Dom Gianni to teach him the trick. The latter did his
+best to cure him of that folly, but availing not thereto, he said,
+'Harkye, since you will e'en have it so, we will arise to-morrow
+morning before day, as of our wont, and I will show you how it is
+done. To tell thee the truth, the uneathest part of the matter is the
+putting on of the tail, as thou shalt see.'
+
+Accordingly, whenas it drew near unto day, Goodman Pietro and Gossip
+Gemmata, who had scarce slept that night, with such impatience did
+they await the accomplishment of the matter, arose and called Dom
+Gianni, who, arising in his shirt, betook himself to Pietro's little
+chamber and said to him, 'I know none in the world, except you, for
+whom I would do this; wherefore since it pleaseth you, I will e'en do
+it; but needs must you do as I shall bid you, an you would have the
+thing succeed.' They answered that they would do that which he should
+say; whereupon, taking the light, he put it into Pietro's hand and
+said to him, 'Mark how I shall do and keep well in mind that which I
+shall say. Above all, have a care, an thou wouldst not mar everything,
+that, whatsoever thou hearest or seest, thou say not a single word,
+and pray God that the tail may stick fast.' Pietro took the light,
+promising to do exactly as he said, whereupon Dom Gianni let strip
+Gemmata naked as she was born and caused her stand on all fours,
+mare-fashion, enjoining herself likewise not to utter a word for aught
+that should betide. Then, passing his hand over her face and her head,
+he proceeded to say, 'Be this a fine mare's head,' and touching her
+hair, said, 'Be this a fine mare's mane'; after which he touched her
+arms, saying, 'Be these fine mare's legs and feet,' and coming
+presently to her breast and finding it round and firm, such an one
+awoke that was not called and started up on end,[440] whereupon quoth
+he, 'Be this a fine mare's chest.' And on like wise he did with her
+back and belly and crupper and thighs and legs. Ultimately, nothing
+remaining to do but the tail, he pulled up his shirt and taking the
+dibble with which he planted men, he thrust it hastily into the furrow
+made therefor and said, 'And be this a fine mare's tail.'
+
+[Footnote 440: _i.e._ arrectus est penis ejus.]
+
+Pietro, who had thitherto watched everything intently, seeing this
+last proceeding and himseeming it was ill done, said, 'Ho there, Dom
+Gianni, I won't have a tail there, I won't have a tail there!' The
+radical moisture, wherewith all plants are made fast, was by this
+come, and Dom Gianni drew it forth, saying, 'Alack, gossip Pietro,
+what hast thou done? Did I not bid thee say not a word for aught that
+thou shouldst see? The mare was all made; but thou hast marred
+everything by talking, nor is there any means of doing it over again
+henceforth.' Quoth Pietro, 'Marry, I did not want that tail there. Why
+did you not say to me, "Make it thou"? More by token that you were for
+setting it too low.' 'Because,' answered Dom Gianni, 'thou hadst not
+known for the first time to set it on so well as I.' The young woman,
+hearing all this, stood up and said to her husband, in all good faith,
+'Dolt that thou art, why hast thou marred thine affairs and mine? What
+mare sawest thou ever without a tail? So God aid me, thou art poor,
+but it would serve thee right, wert thou much poorer.' Then, there
+being now, by reason of the words that Pietro had spoken, no longer
+any means of making a mare of the young woman, she donned her clothes,
+woebegone and disconsolate, and Pietro, continuing to ply his old
+trade with an ass, as he was used, betook himself, in company with Dom
+Gianni, to the Bitonto fair, nor ever again required him of such a
+service."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+How much the company laughed at this story, which was better
+understood of the ladies than Dioneo willed, let her who shall yet
+laugh thereat imagine for herself. But, the day's stories being now
+ended and the sun beginning to abate of its heat, the queen, knowing
+the end of her seignory to be come, rose to her feet and putting off
+the crown, set it on the head of Pamfilo, whom alone it remained to
+honour after such a fashion, and said, smiling, "My lord, there
+devolveth on thee a great burden, inasmuch as with thee it resteth,
+thou being the last, to make amends for my default and that of those
+who have foregone me in the dignity which thou presently holdest;
+whereof God lend thee grace, even as He hath vouchsafed it unto me to
+make thee king." Pamfilo blithely received the honour done him and
+answered, "Your merit and that of my other subjects will do on such
+wise that I shall be adjudged deserving of commendation, even as the
+others have been." Then, having, according to the usance of his
+predecessors, taken order with the seneschal of the things that were
+needful, he turned to the expectant ladies and said to them, "Lovesome
+ladies, it was the pleasure of Emilia, who hath this day been our
+queen, to give you, for the purpose of affording some rest to your
+powers, license to discourse of that which should most please you;
+wherefore, you being now rested, I hold it well to return to the
+wonted ordinance, and accordingly I will that each of you bethink
+herself to discourse to-morrow of this, to wit, OF WHOSO HATH ANYWISE
+WROUGHT GENEROUSLY OR MAGNIFICENTLY IN MATTERS OF LOVE OR OTHERWHAT.
+The telling and doing of these things will doubtless fire your
+well-disposed minds to do worthily; so will our life, which may not be
+other than brief in this mortal body, be made perpetual in laudatory
+renown; a thing which all, who serve not the belly only, as do the
+beasts, should not only desire, but with all diligence seek and
+endeavour after."
+
+The theme pleased the joyous company, who having all, with the new
+king's license, arisen from session, gave themselves to their wonted
+diversions, according to that unto which each was most drawn by
+desire; and on this wise they did until the hour of supper, whereunto
+they came joyously and were served with diligence and fair ordinance.
+Supper at an end, they arose to the wonted dances, and after they had
+sung a thousand canzonets, more diverting of words than masterly of
+music, the king bade Neifile sing one in her own name; whereupon, with
+clear and blithesome voice, she cheerfully and without delay began
+thus:
+
+       A youngling maid am I and full of glee,
+         Am fain to carol in the new-blown May,
+       Love and sweet thoughts-a-mercy, blithe and free.
+
+       I go about the meads, considering
+           The vermeil flowers and golden and the white,
+           Roses thorn-set and lilies snowy-bright,
+         And one and all I fare a-likening
+         Unto his face who hath with love-liking
+       Ta'en and will hold me ever, having aye
+     None other wish than as his pleasures be;
+
+       Whereof when one I find me that doth show,
+           Unto my seeming, likest him, full fain
+           I cull and kiss and talk with it amain
+         And all my heart to it, as best I know,
+         Discover, with its store of wish and woe,
+       Then it with others in a wreath I lay,
+     Bound with my hair so golden-bright of blee.
+
+       Ay, and that pleasure which the eye doth prove,
+           By nature, of the flower's view, like delight
+           Doth give me as I saw the very wight
+         Who hath inflamed me of his dulcet love,
+         And what its scent thereover and above
+       Worketh in me, no words indeed can say;
+     But sighs thereof bear witness true for me,
+
+       The which from out my bosom day nor night
+           Ne'er, as with other ladies, fierce and wild,
+           Storm up; nay, thence they issue warm and mild
+         And straight betake them to my loved one's sight,
+         Who, hearing, moveth of himself, delight
+       To give me; ay, and when I'm like to say
+     "Ah come, lest I despair," still cometh he.
+
+Neifile's canzonet was much commended both of the king and of the
+other ladies; after which, for that a great part of the night was now
+spent, the king commanded that all should betake themselves to rest
+until the day.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE NINTH DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Day the Tenth_
+
+     HERE BEGINNETH THE TENTH AND LAST DAY OF THE DECAMERON
+     WHEREIN UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF PAMFILO IS DISCOURSED OF
+     WHOSO HATH ANYWISE WROUGHT GENEROUSLY OR MAGNIFICENTLY IN
+     MATTERS OF LOVE OR OTHERWHAT
+
+
+Certain cloudlets in the West were yet vermeil, what time those of the
+East were already at their marges grown lucent like unto very gold,
+when Pamfilo, arising, let call his comrades and the ladies, who being
+all come, he took counsel with them of whither they should go for
+their diversion and fared forth with slow step, accompanied by
+Filomena and Fiammetta, whilst all the others followed after. On this
+wise, devising and telling and answering many things of their future
+life together, they went a great while a-pleasuring; then, having made
+a pretty long circuit and the sun beginning to wax overhot, they
+returned to the palace. There they let rinse the beakers in the clear
+fountain and whoso would drank somewhat; after which they went
+frolicking among the pleasant shades of the garden until the
+eating-hour. Then, having eaten and slept, as of their wont, they
+assembled whereas it pleased the king and there he called upon Neifile
+for the first discourse, who blithely began thus:
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     A KNIGHT IN THE KING'S SERVICE OF SPAIN THINKING HIMSELF ILL
+     GUERDONED, THE KING BY VERY CERTAIN PROOF SHOWETH HIM THAT
+     THIS IS NOT HIS FAULT, BUT THAT OF HIS OWN PERVERSE FORTUNE,
+     AND AFTER LARGESSETH HIM MAGNIFICENTLY
+
+
+"Needs, honourable ladies, must I repute it a singular favour to
+myself that our king hath preferred me unto such an honour as it is to
+be the first to tell of magnificence, the which, even as the sun is
+the glory and adornment of all the heaven, is the light and lustre of
+every other virtue. I will, therefore, tell you a little story
+thereof, quaint and pleasant enough to my thinking, which to recall
+can certes be none other than useful.
+
+You must know, then, that, among the other gallant gentlemen who have
+from time immemorial graced our city, there was one (and maybe the
+most of worth) by name Messer Ruggieri de' Figiovanni, who, being both
+rich and high-spirited and seeing that, in view of the way of living
+and of the usages of Tuscany, he might, if he tarried there, avail to
+display little or nothing of his merit, resolved to seek service
+awhile with Alfonso, King of Spain, the renown of whose valiance
+transcended that of every other prince of his time; wherefore he
+betook himself, very honourably furnished with arms and horses and
+followers, to Alfonso in Spain and was by him graciously received.
+Accordingly, he took up his abode there and living splendidly and
+doing marvellous deeds of arms, he very soon made himself known for a
+man of worth and valour.
+
+When he had sojourned there a pretty while and had taken particular
+note of the king's fashions, himseemed he bestowed castles and cities
+and baronies now upon one and now upon another with little enough
+discretion, as giving them to those who were unworthy thereof, and for
+that to him, who held himself for that which he was, nothing was
+given, he conceived that his repute would be much abated by reason
+thereof; wherefore he determined to depart and craved leave of the
+king. The latter granted him the leave he sought and gave him one of
+the best and finest mules that ever was ridden, the which, for the
+long journey he had to make, was very acceptable to Messer Ruggieri.
+Moreover, he charged a discreet servant of his that he should study,
+by such means as seemed to him best, to ride with Messer Ruggieri on
+such wise that he should not appear to have been sent by the king, and
+note everything he should say of him, so as he might avail to repeat
+it to him, and that on the ensuing morning he should command him
+return to the court. Accordingly, the servant, lying in wait for
+Messer Ruggieri's departure, accosted him, as he came forth the city,
+and very aptly joined company with him, giving him to understand that
+he also was bound for Italy. Messer Ruggieri, then, fared on, riding
+the mule given him by the king and devising of one thing and another
+with the latter's servant, till hard upon tierce, when he said,
+'Methinketh it were well done to let our beasts stale.' Accordingly,
+they put them up in a stable and they all staled, except the mule;
+then they rode on again, whilst the squire still took note of the
+gentleman's words, and came presently to a river, where, as they
+watered their cattle, the mule staled in the stream; which Messer
+Ruggieri seeing, 'Marry,' quoth he, 'God confound thee, beast, for
+that thou art made after the same fashion as the prince who gave thee
+to me!' The squire noted these words and albeit he took store of many
+others, as he journeyed with him all that day, he heard him say nought
+else but what was to the highest praise of the king.
+
+Next morning, they being mounted and Ruggieri offering to ride towards
+Tuscany, the squire imparted to him the king's commandment, whereupon
+he incontinent turned back. When he arrived at court, the king,
+learning what he had said of the mule, let call him to himself and
+receiving him with a cheerful favour, asked him why he had likened him
+to his mule, or rather why he had likened the mule to him. 'My lord,'
+replied Ruggieri frankly, 'I likened her to you for that, like as you
+give whereas it behoveth not and give not whereas it behoveth, even so
+she staled not whereas it behoved, but staled whereas it behoved not.'
+Then said the king, 'Messer Ruggieri, if I have not given to you, as I
+have given unto many who are of no account in comparison with you, it
+happened not because I knew you not for a most valiant cavalier and
+worthy of every great gift; nay, but it is your fortune, which hath
+not suffered me guerdon you according to your deserts, that hath
+sinned in this, and not I; and that I may say sooth I will manifestly
+prove to you.' 'My lord,' replied Ruggieri, 'I was not chagrined
+because I have gotten no largesse of you, for that I desire not to be
+richer than I am, but because you have on no wise borne witness to my
+merit. Natheless, I hold your excuse for good and honourable and am
+ready to see that which it shall please you show me, albeit I believe
+you without proof.' The king then carried him into a great hall of
+his, where, as he had ordered it beforehand, were two great locked
+coffers, and said to him, in presence of many, 'Messer Ruggieri, in
+one of these coffers is my crown, the royal sceptre and the orb,
+together with many goodly girdles and ouches and rings of mine, and in
+fine every precious jewel I have; and the other is full of earth.
+Take, then, one and be that which you shall take yours; and you may
+thus see whether of the twain hath been ungrateful to your worth,
+myself of your ill fortune.'
+
+Messer Ruggieri, seeing that it was the king's pleasure, took one of
+the coffers, which, being opened by Alfonso's commandment, was found
+to be that which was full of earth; whereupon quoth the king,
+laughing, 'Now can you see, Messer Ruggieri, that this that I tell you
+of your fortune is true; but certes your worth meriteth that I should
+oppose myself to her might. I know you have no mind to turn Spaniard
+and therefore I will bestow upon you neither castle nor city in these
+parts; but this coffer, of which fortune deprived you, I will in her
+despite shall be yours, so you may carry it off to your own country
+and justly glorify yourself of your worth in the sight of your
+countrymen by the witness of my gifts.' Messer Ruggieri accordingly
+took the coffer and having rendered the king those thanks which sorted
+with such a gift, joyfully returned therewith to Tuscany."
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     GHINO DI TACCO TAKETH THE ABBOT OF CLUNY AND HAVING CURED
+     HIM OF THE STOMACH-COMPLAINT, LETTETH HIM GO; WHEREUPON THE
+     ABBOT, RETURNING TO THE COURT OF ROME, RECONCILETH HIM WITH
+     POPE BONIFACE AND MAKETH HIM A PRIOR OF THE HOSPITALLERS
+
+
+The magnificence shown by King Alfonso to the Florentine cavalier
+having been duly commended, the king, who had been mightily pleased
+therewith, enjoined Elisa to follow on, and she straightway began
+thus: "Dainty dames, it cannot be denied that for a king to be
+munificent and to have shown his munificence to him who had served him
+is a great and a praiseworthy thing; but what shall we say if a
+churchman be related to have practised marvellous magnanimity towards
+one, whom if he had used as an enemy, he had of none been blamed
+therefor? Certes, we can say none otherwise than that the king's
+magnificence was a virtue, whilst that of the churchman was a miracle,
+inasmuch as the clergy are all exceeding niggardly, nay, far more so
+than women, and sworn enemies of all manner of liberality; and albeit
+all men naturally hunger after vengeance for affronts received, we see
+churchmen, for all they preach patience and especially commend the
+remission of offences, pursue it more eagerly than other folk. This,
+then, to wit, how a churchman was magnanimous, you may manifestly
+learn from the following story of mine.
+
+Ghino di Tacco, a man very famous for his cruelty and his robberies,
+being expelled [Transcriber's Note: missing 'from'] Siena and at feud
+with the Counts of Santa Fiore, raised Radicofani against the Church
+of Rome and taking up his sojourn there, caused his swashbucklers
+despoil whosoever passed through the surrounding country. Now,
+Boniface the Eighth being pope in Rome, there came to court the Abbot
+of Cluny, who is believed to be one of the richest prelates in the
+world, and having there marred his stomach, he was advised by the
+physicians to repair to the baths of Siena and he would without fail
+be cured. Accordingly, having gotten the pope's leave, he set out on
+his way thither in great pomp of gear and baggage and horses and
+servitors, unrecking of Ghino's [ill] report. The latter, hearing of
+his coming, spread his nets and hemmed him and all his household and
+gear about in a strait place, without letting a single footboy escape.
+This done, he despatched to the abbot one, the most sufficient, of his
+men, well accompanied, who in his name very lovingly prayed him be
+pleased to light down and sojourn with the aforesaid Ghino in his
+castle. The abbot, hearing this, answered furiously that he would
+nowise do it, having nought to do with Ghino, but that he would fare
+on and would fain see who should forbid his passage. Whereto quoth the
+messenger on humble wise, 'Sir, you are come into parts where, barring
+God His might, there is nothing to fear for us and where
+excommunications and interdicts are all excommunicated; wherefore, may
+it please you, you were best comply with Ghino in this.'
+
+During this parley, the whole place had been encompassed about with
+men-at-arms; wherefore the abbot, seeing himself taken with his men,
+betook himself, sore against his will, to the castle, in company with
+the ambassador, and with him all his household and gear, and alighting
+there, was, by Ghino's orders, lodged all alone in a very dark and
+mean little chamber in one of the pavilions, whilst every one else was
+well enough accommodated, according to his quality, about the castle
+and the horses and all the gear put in safety, without aught thereof
+being touched. This done, Ghino betook himself to the abbot and said
+to him, 'Sir, Ghino, whose guest you are, sendeth to you, praying you
+acquaint him whither you are bound and on what occasion.' The abbot,
+like a wise man, had by this laid by his pride and told him whither he
+went and why. Ghino, hearing this, took his leave and bethought
+himself to go about to cure him without baths. Accordingly, he let
+keep a great fire still burning in the little room and causing guard
+the place well, returned not to the abbot till the following morning,
+when he brought him, in a very white napkin, two slices of toasted
+bread and a great beaker of his own Corniglia vernage[441] and
+bespoke him thus, 'Sir, when Ghino was young, he studied medicine and
+saith that he learned there was no better remedy for the
+stomach-complaint than that which he purposeth to apply to you and of
+which these things that I bring you are the beginning; wherefore do
+you take them and refresh yourself.'
+
+[Footnote 441: See p. 372, note.]
+
+The abbot, whose hunger was greater than his desire to bandy words,
+ate the bread and drank the wine, though he did it with an ill will,
+and after made many haughty speeches, asking and counselling of many
+things and demanding in particular to see Ghino. The latter, hearing
+this talk, let part of it pass as idle and answered the rest very
+courteously, avouching that Ghino would visit him as quickliest he
+might. This said, he took his leave of him and returned not until the
+ensuing day, when he brought him as much toasted bread and as much
+malmsey; and so he kept him several days, till such time as he
+perceived that he had eaten some dried beans, which he had of intent
+aforethought brought secretly thither and left there; whereupon he
+asked him, on Ghino's part, how he found himself about the stomach.
+The abbot answered, 'Meseemeth I should fare well, were I but out of
+his hands; and after that, I have no greater desire than to eat, so
+well have his remedies cured me.' Thereupon Ghino caused the abbot's
+own people array him a goodly chamber with his own gear and let make
+ready a magnificent banquet, to which he bade the prelate's whole
+household, together with many folk of the burgh. Next morning, he
+betook himself to the abbot and said to him, 'Sir, since you feel
+yourself well, it is time to leave the infirmary.' Then, taking him by
+the hand, he brought him to the chamber prepared for him and leaving
+him there in company of his own people, occupied himself with caring
+that the banquet should be a magnificent one.
+
+The abbot solaced himself awhile with his men and told them what his
+life had been since his capture, whilst they, on the other hand,
+avouched themselves all to have been wonder-well entreated of Ghino.
+The eating-hour come, the abbot and the rest were well and orderly
+served with goodly viands and fine wines, without Ghino yet letting
+himself be known of the prelate; but, after the latter had abidden
+some days on this wise, the outlaw, having let bring all his gear into
+one saloon and all his horses, down to the sorriest rouncey, into a
+courtyard that was under the windows thereof, betook himself to him
+and asked him how he did and if he deemed himself strong enough to
+take horse. The abbot answered that he was strong enough and quite
+recovered of his stomach-complaint and that he should fare perfectly
+well, once he should be out of Ghino's hands. Ghino then brought him
+into the saloon, wherein was his gear and all his train, and carrying
+him to a window, whence he might see all his horses, said, 'My lord
+abbot, you must know that it was the being a gentleman and expelled
+from his house and poor and having many and puissant enemies, and not
+evilness of mind, that brought Ghino di Tacco (who is none other than
+myself) to be, for the defence of his life and his nobility, a
+highway-robber and an enemy of the court of Rome. Nevertheless, for
+that you seem to me a worthy gentleman, I purpose not, now that I have
+cured you of your stomach-complaint, to use you as I would another,
+from whom, he being in my hands as you are, I would take for myself
+such part of his goods as seemed well to me; nay, it is my intent that
+you, having regard to my need, shall appoint to me such part of your
+good as you yourself will. It is all here before you in its entirety
+and your horses you may from this window see in the courtyard; take,
+therefore, both part and all, as it pleaseth you, and from this time
+forth be it at your pleasure to go or to stay.'
+
+The abbot marvelled to hear such generous words from a highway-robber
+and was exceeding well pleased therewith, insomuch that, his anger and
+despite being of a sudden fallen, nay, changed into goodwill, he
+became Ghino's hearty friend and ran to embrace him, saying, 'I vow to
+God that, to gain the friendship of a man such as I presently judge
+thee to be, I would gladly consent to suffer a far greater affront
+than that which meseemed but now thou hadst done me. Accursed be
+fortune that constrained thee to so damnable a trade!' Then, letting
+take of his many goods but a very few necessary things, and the like
+of his horses, he left all the rest to Ghino and returned to Rome. The
+pope had had news of the taking of the abbot and albeit it had given
+him sore concern, he asked him, when he saw him, how the baths had
+profited him; whereto he replied, smiling, 'Holy Father, I found a
+worthy physician nearer than at the baths, who hath excellently well
+cured me'; and told him how, whereat the pope laughed, and the abbot,
+following on his speech and moved by a magnanimous spirit, craved a
+boon of him. The pope, thinking he would demand otherwhat, freely
+offered to do that which he should ask; and the abbot said, 'Holy
+Father, that which I mean to ask of you is that you restore your
+favour to Ghino di Tacco, my physician, for that, of all the men of
+worth and high account whom I ever knew, he is certes one of the most
+deserving; and for this ill that he doth, I hold it much more
+fortune's fault than his; the which[442] if you change by bestowing on
+him somewhat whereby he may live according to his condition, I doubt
+not anywise but you will, in brief space of time, deem of him even as
+I do.' The pope, who was great of soul and a lover of men of worth,
+hearing this, replied that he would gladly do it, an Ghino were indeed
+of such account as the abbot avouched, and bade the latter cause him
+come thither in all security. Accordingly, Ghino, at the abbot's
+instance, came to court, upon that assurance, nor had he been long
+about the pope's person ere the latter reputed him a man of worth and
+taking him into favour, bestowed on him a grand priory of those of the
+Hospitallers, having first let make him a knight of that order; which
+office he held whilst he lived, still approving himself a loyal friend
+and servant of Holy Church and of the Abbot of Cluny."
+
+[Footnote 442: _i.e._ fortune.]
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     MITHRIDANES, ENVYING NATHAN HIS HOSPITALITY AND GENEROSITY
+     AND GOING TO KILL HIM, FALLETH IN WITH HIMSELF, WITHOUT
+     KNOWING HIM, AND IS BY HIM INSTRUCTED OF THE COURSE HE SHALL
+     TAKE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSE; BY MEANS WHEREOF HE FINDETH
+     HIM, AS HE HIMSELF HAD ORDERED IT, IN A COPPICE AND
+     RECOGNIZING HIM, IS ASHAMED AND BECOMETH HIS FRIEND
+
+
+Themseemed all they had heard what was like unto a miracle, to wit,
+that a churchman should have wrought anywhat magnificently; but, as
+soon as the ladies had left discoursing thereof, the king bade
+Filostrato proceed, who forthright began, "Noble ladies, great was the
+magnificence of the King of Spain and that of the Abbot of Cluny a
+thing belike never yet heard of; but maybe it will seem to you no less
+marvellous a thing to hear how a man, that he might do generosity to
+another who thirsted for his blood, nay, for the very breath of his
+nostrils, privily bethought himself to give them to him, ay, and would
+have done it, had the other willed to take them, even as I purpose to
+show you in a little story of mine.
+
+It is a very certain thing (if credit may be given to the report of
+divers Genoese and others who have been in those countries) that there
+was aforetime in the parts of Cattajo[443] a man of noble lineage and
+rich beyond compare, called Nathan, who, having an estate adjoining a
+highway whereby as of necessity passed all who sought to go from the
+Ponant to the Levant or from the Levant to the Ponant, and being a man
+of great and generous soul and desirous that it should be known by his
+works, assembled a great multitude of artificers and let build there,
+in a little space of time, one of the fairest and greatest and richest
+palaces that had ever been seen, the which he caused excellently well
+furnished with all that was apt unto the reception and entertainment
+of gentlemen. Then, having a great and goodly household, he there
+received and honourably entertained, with joyance and good cheer,
+whosoever came and went; and in this praiseworthy usance he persevered
+insomuch that not only the Levant, but well nigh all the Ponant, knew
+him by report. He was already full of years nor was therefore grown
+weary of the practice of hospitality, when it chanced that his fame
+reached the ears of a young man of a country not far from his own, by
+name Mithridanes, who, knowing himself no less rich than Nathan and
+waxing envious of his renown and his virtues, bethought himself to
+eclipse or shadow them with greater liberality. Accordingly, letting
+build a palace like unto that of Nathan, he proceeded to do the most
+unbounded courtesies[444] that ever any did whosoever came or went
+about those parts, and in a short time he became without doubt very
+famous.
+
+[Footnote 443: _Cattajo._ This word is usually translated Cathay,
+_i.e._ China; but _semble_ Boccaccio meant rather the Dalmatian
+province of Cattaro, which would better answer the description in the
+text, Nathan's estate being described as adjoining a highway leading
+from the Ponant (or Western shores of the Mediterranean) to the Levant
+(or Eastern shores), _e.g._ the road from Cattaro on the Adriatic to
+Salonica on the AEgean. Cathay (China) seems, from the circumstances of
+the case, out of the question, as is also the Italian town called
+Cattaio, near Padua.]
+
+[Footnote 444: _i.e._ to show the most extravagant hospitality.]
+
+It chanced one day that, as he abode all alone in the midcourt of his
+palace, there came in, by one of the gates, a poor woman, who sought
+of him an alms and had it; then, coming in again to him by the second,
+she had of him another alms, and so on for twelve times in succession;
+but, whenas she returned for the thirteenth time, he said to her,
+'Good woman, thou art very diligent in this thine asking,' and
+natheless gave her an alms. The old crone, hearing these words,
+exclaimed, 'O liberality of Nathan, how marvellous art thou! For that,
+entering in by each of the two-and-thirty gates which his palace hath,
+and asking of him an alms, never, for all that he showed, was I
+recognized of him, and still I had it; whilst here, having as yet come
+in but at thirteen gates, I have been both recognized and chidden.' So
+saying, she went her ways and returned thither no more. Mithridanes,
+hearing the old woman's words, flamed up into a furious rage, as he
+who held that which he heard of Nathan's fame a diminishment of his
+own, and fell to saying, 'Alack, woe is me! When shall I attain to
+Nathan's liberality in great things, let alone overpass it, as I seek
+to do, seeing that I cannot approach him in the smallest? Verily, I
+weary myself in vain, an I remove him not from the earth; wherefore,
+since eld carrieth him not off, needs must I with mine own hands do it
+without delay.'
+
+Accordingly, rising upon that motion, he took horse with a small
+company, without communicating his design to any, and came after three
+days whereas Nathan abode. He arrived there at eventide and bidding
+his followers make a show of not being with him and provide themselves
+with lodging, against they should hear farther from him, abode alone
+at no great distance from the fair palace, where he found Nathan all
+unattended, as he went walking for his diversion, without any pomp of
+apparel, and knowing him not, asked him if he could inform him where
+Nathan dwelt. 'My son,' answered the latter cheerfully, 'there is none
+in these parts who is better able than I to show thee that; wherefore,
+whenas it pleaseth thee, I will carry thee thither.' Mithridanes
+rejoined that this would be very acceptable to him, but that, an it
+might be, he would fain be neither seen nor known of Nathan; and the
+latter said, 'That also will I do, since it pleaseth thee.'
+Mithridanes accordingly dismounted and repaired to the goodly palace,
+in company with Nathan, who quickly engaged him in most pleasant
+discourse. There he caused one of his servants take the young man's
+horse and putting his mouth to his ear, charged him take order with
+all those of the house, so none should tell the youth that he was
+Nathan; and so was it done. Moreover, he lodged him in a very goodly
+chamber, where none saw him, save those whom he had deputed to this
+service, and let entertain him with the utmost honour, himself bearing
+him company.
+
+After Mithridanes had abidden with him awhile on this wise, he asked
+him (albeit he held him in reverence as a father) who he was; to which
+Nathan answered, 'I am an unworthy servant of Nathan, who have grown
+old with him from my childhood, nor hath he ever advanced me to
+otherwhat than that which thou seest me; wherefore, albeit every one
+else is mighty well pleased with him, I for my part have little cause
+to thank him.' These words afforded Mithridanes some hope of availing
+with more certitude and more safety to give effect to his perverse
+design, and Nathan very courteously asking him who he was and what
+occasion brought him into those parts and proffering him his advice
+and assistance insomuch as lay in his power, he hesitated awhile to
+reply, but, presently, resolving to trust himself to him, he with a
+long circuit of words[445] required him first of secrecy and after of
+aid and counsel and entirely discovered to him who he was and
+wherefore and on what motion he came. Nathan, hearing his discourse
+and his cruel design, was inwardly all disordered; but nevertheless,
+without much hesitation, he answered him with an undaunted mind and a
+firm countenance, saying, 'Mithridanes, thy father was a noble man and
+thou showest thyself minded not to degenerate from him, in having
+entered upon so high an emprise as this thou hast undertaken, to wit,
+to be liberal unto all; and greatly do I commend the jealousy thou
+bearest unto Nathan's virtues, for that, were there many such,[446]
+the world, that is most wretched, would soon become good. The design
+that thou hast discovered to me I will without fail keep secret; but
+for the accomplishment thereof I can rather give thee useful counsel
+than great help; the which is this. Thou mayst from here see a
+coppice, maybe half a mile hence, wherein Nathan well nigh every
+morning walketh all alone, taking his pleasure there a pretty long
+while; and there it will be a light matter to thee to find him and do
+thy will of him. If thou slay him, thou must, so thou mayst return
+home without hindrance, get thee gone, not by that way thou camest,
+but by that which thou wilt see issue forth of the coppice on the left
+hand, for that, albeit it is somewhat wilder, it is nearer to thy
+country and safer for thee.'
+
+[Footnote 445: Or as we should say, "After much beating about the
+bush."]
+
+[Footnote 446: _i.e._ jealousies.]
+
+Mithridanes, having received this information and Nathan having taken
+leave of him, privily let his companions, who had, like himself, taken
+up their sojourn in the palace, know where they should look for him on
+the morrow; and the new day came, Nathan, whose intent was nowise at
+variance with the counsel he had given Mithridanes nor was anywise
+changed, betook himself alone to the coppice, there to die. Meanwhile,
+Mithridanes arose and taking his bow and his sword, for other arms he
+had not, mounted to horse and made for the coppice, where he saw
+Nathan from afar go walking all alone. Being resolved, ere he attacked
+him, to seek to see him and hear him speak, he ran towards him and
+seizing him by the fillet he had about his head, said, 'Old man, thou
+art dead.' Whereto Nathan answered no otherwhat than, 'Then have I
+merited it.' Mithridanes, hearing his voice and looking him in the
+face, knew him forthright for him who had so lovingly received him
+and familiarly companied with him and faithfully counselled him;
+whereupon his fury incontinent subsided and his rage was changed into
+shame. Accordingly, casting away the sword, which he had already
+pulled out to smite him, and lighting down from his horse, he ran,
+weeping, to throw himself at Nathan's feet and said to him, 'Now,
+dearest father, do I manifestly recognize your liberality, considering
+with what secrecy you are come hither to give me your life, whereof,
+without any reason, I showed myself desirous, and that to yourself;
+but God, more careful of mine honour than I myself, hath, in the
+extremest hour of need, opened the eyes of my understanding, which
+vile envy had closed. Wherefore, the readier you have been to comply
+with me, so much the more do I confess myself beholden to do penance
+for my default. Take, then, of me the vengeance which you deem
+conformable to my sin.'
+
+Nathan raised Mithridanes to his feet and tenderly embraced and kissed
+him, saying, 'My son, it needeth not that thou shouldst ask nor that I
+should grant forgiveness of thine emprise, whatever thou choosest to
+style it, whether wicked or otherwise; for that thou pursuedst it, not
+of hatred, but to win to be held better. Live, then, secure from me
+and be assured that there is no man alive who loveth thee as I do,
+having regard to the loftiness of thy soul, which hath given itself,
+not to the amassing of monies, as do the covetous, but to the
+expenditure of those that have been amassed. Neither be thou ashamed
+of having sought to slay me, so though mightest become famous, nor
+think that I marvel thereat. The greatest emperors and the most
+illustrious kings have, with well nigh none other art than that of
+slaying, not one man, as thou wouldst have done, but an infinite
+multitude of men, and burning countries and razing cities, enlarged
+their realms and consequently their fame; wherefore, an thou wouldst,
+to make thyself more famous, have slain me only, thou diddest no new
+nor extraordinary thing, but one much used.'
+
+Mithridanes, without holding himself excused of his perverse design,
+commended the honourable excuse found by Nathan and came, in course of
+converse with him, to say that he marvelled beyond measure how he
+could have brought himself to meet his death and have gone so far as
+even to give him means and counsel to that end; whereto quoth Nathan,
+'Mithridanes, I would not have thee marvel at my resolution nor at the
+counsel I gave thee, for that, since I have been mine own master and
+have addressed myself to do that same thing which thou hast undertaken
+to do, there came never any to my house but I contented him, so far as
+in me lay, of that which was required of me by him. Thou camest
+hither, desirous of my life; wherefore, learning that thou soughtest
+it, I straightway determined to give it thee, so thou mightest not be
+the only one to depart hence without his wish; and in order that thou
+mightest have thy desire, I gave thee such counsel as I thought apt to
+enable thee to have my life and not lose thine own; and therefore I
+tell thee once more and pray thee, an it please thee, take it and
+satisfy thyself thereof. I know not how I may better bestow it. These
+fourscore years have I occupied it and used it about my pleasures and
+my diversions, and I know that in the course of nature, according as
+it fareth with other men and with things in general, it can now be
+left me but a little while longer; wherefore I hold it far better to
+bestow it by way of gift, like as I have still given and expended my
+[other] treasures, than to seek to keep it until such times as it
+shall be taken from me by nature against my will. To give an hundred
+years is no great boon; how much less, then, is it to give the six or
+eight I have yet to abide here? Take it, then, an it like thee.
+Prithee, then, take it, an thou have a mind thereto; for that never
+yet, what while I have lived here, have I found any who hath desired
+it, nor know I when I may find any such, an thou, who demandest it,
+take it not. And even should I chance to find any one, I know that,
+the longer I keep it, the less worth will it be; therefore, ere it wax
+sorrier, take it, I beseech thee.'
+
+Mithridanes was sore abashed and replied, 'God forbid I should, let
+alone take and sever from you a thing of such price as your life, but
+even desire to do so, as but late I did,--your life, whose years far
+from seeking to lessen, I would willingly add thereto of mine own!'
+Whereto Nathan straightway rejoined, 'And art thou indeed willing, it
+being in thy power to do it, to add of thy years unto mine and in so
+doing, to cause me do for thee that which I never yet did for any man,
+to wit, take of thy good, I who never yet took aught of others?' 'Ay
+am I,' answered Mithridanes in haste. 'Then,' said Nathan, 'thou must
+do as I shall bid thee. Thou shalt take up thine abode, young as thou
+art, here in my house and bear the name of Nathan, whilst I will
+betake myself to thy house and let still call myself Mithridanes.'
+Quoth Mithridanes, 'An I knew how to do as well as you have done and
+do, I would, without hesitation, take that which you proffer me; but,
+since meseemeth very certain that my actions would be a diminishment
+of Nathan's fame and as I purpose not to mar in another that which I
+know not how to order in myself, I will not take it.' These and many
+other courteous discourses having passed between them, they returned,
+at Nathan's instance, to the latter's palace, where he entertained
+Mithridanes with the utmost honour sundry days, heartening him in his
+great and noble purpose with all manner of wit and wisdom. Then,
+Mithridanes desiring to return to his own house with his company, he
+dismissed him, having throughly given him to know that he might never
+avail to outdo him in liberality."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     MESSER GENTILE DE' CARISENDI, COMING FROM MODONA, TAKETH
+     FORTH OF THE SEPULCHRE A LADY WHOM HE LOVETH AND WHO HATH
+     BEEN BURIED FOR DEAD. THE LADY, RESTORED TO LIFE, BEARETH A
+     MALE CHILD AND MESSER GENTILE RESTORETH HER AND HER SON TO
+     NICCOLUCCIO CACCIANIMICO, HER HUSBAND
+
+
+It seemed to all a marvellous thing that a man should be lavish of his
+own blood and they declared Nathan's liberality to have verily
+transcended that of the King of Spain and the Abbot of Cluny. But,
+after enough to one and the other effect had been said thereof, the
+king, looking towards Lauretta, signed to her that he would have her
+tell, whereupon she straightway began, "Young ladies, magnificent and
+goodly are the things that have been recounted, nor meseemeth is there
+aught left unto us who have yet to tell, wherethrough we may range a
+story-telling, so throughly have they all[447] been occupied with the
+loftiness of the magnificences related, except we have recourse to the
+affairs of love, which latter afford a great abundance of matter for
+discourse on every subject; wherefore, at once on this account and for
+that the theme is one to which our age must needs especially incline
+us, it pleaseth me to relate to you an act of magnanimity done by a
+lover, which, all things considered, will peradventure appear to you
+nowise inferior to any of those already set forth, if it be true that
+treasures are lavished, enmities forgotten and life itself, nay, what
+is far more, honour and renown, exposed to a thousand perils, so we
+may avail to possess the thing beloved.
+
+[Footnote 447: _i.e._ all sections of the given theme.]
+
+There was, then, in Bologna, a very noble city of Lombardy, a
+gentleman very notable for virtue and nobility of blood, called Messer
+Gentile Carisendi, who, being young, became enamoured of a noble lady
+called Madam Catalina, the wife of one Niccoluccio Caccianimico; and
+for that he was ill repaid of his love by the lady, being named
+provost of Modona, he betook himself thither, as in despair of her.
+Meanwhile, Niccoluccio being absent from Bologna and the lady having,
+for that she was with child, gone to abide at a country house she had
+maybe three miles distant from the city, she was suddenly seized with
+a grievous fit of sickness,[448] which overcame her with such violence
+that it extinguished in her all sign of life, so that she was even
+adjudged dead of divers physicians; and for that her nearest kinswomen
+declared themselves to have had it from herself that she had not been
+so long pregnant that the child could be fully formed, without giving
+themselves farther concern, they buried her, such as she was, after
+much lamentation, in one of the vaults of a neighbouring church.
+
+[Footnote 448: Lit. accident (_accidente_).]
+
+The thing was forthright signified by a friend of his to Messer
+Gentile, who, poor as he had still been of her favour, grieved sore
+therefor and ultimately said in himself, 'Harkye, Madam Catalina, thou
+art dead, thou of whom, what while thou livedst, I could never avail
+to have so much as a look; wherefore, now thou canst not defend
+thyself, needs must I take of thee a kiss or two, all dead as thou
+art.' This said, he took order so his going should be secret and it
+being presently night, he mounted to horse with one of his servants
+and rode, without halting, till he came whereas the lady was buried
+and opened the sepulchre with all despatch. Then, entering therein, he
+laid himself beside her and putting his face to hers, kissed her again
+and again with many tears. But presently,--as we see men's appetites
+never abide content within any limit, but still desire farther, and
+especially those of lovers,--having bethought himself to tarry there
+no longer, he said, 'Marry, now that I am here, why should I not touch
+her somedele on the breast? I may never touch her more, nor have I
+ever yet done so.' Accordingly, overcome with this desire, he put his
+hand into her bosom and holding it there awhile, himseemed he felt her
+heart beat somewhat. Thereupon, putting aside all fear, he sought more
+diligently and found that she was certainly not dead, scant and feeble
+as he deemed the life [that lingered in her;] wherefore, with the help
+of his servant, he brought her forth of the tomb, as softliest he
+might, and setting her before him on his horse, carried her privily to
+his house in Bologna.
+
+There was his mother, a worthy and discreet gentlewoman, and she,
+after she had heard everything at large from her son, moved to
+compassion, quietly addressed herself by means of hot baths and great
+fires to recall the strayed life to the lady, who, coming presently to
+herself, heaved a great sigh and said, 'Ah me, where am I?' To which
+the good lady replied, 'Be of good comfort; thou art in safety.' Madam
+Catalina, collecting herself, looked about her and knew not aright
+where she was; but, seeing Messer Gentile before her, she was filled
+with wonderment and besought his mother to tell her how she came
+thither; whereupon Messer Gentile related to her everything in order.
+At this she was sore afflicted, but presently rendered him such thanks
+as she might and after conjured him, by the love he had erst borne her
+and of his courtesy, that she might not in his house suffer at his
+hands aught that should be anywise contrary to her honour and that of
+her husband and that, as soon as the day should be come, he would
+suffer her return to her own house. 'Madam,' answered Messer Gentile,
+'whatsoever may have been my desire of time past, I purpose not,
+either at this present or ever henceforth, (since God hath vouchsafed
+me this grace that He hath restored you to me from death to life, and
+that by means of the love I have hitherto borne you,) to use you
+either here or elsewhere otherwise than as a dear sister; but this my
+service that I have done you to-night meriteth some recompense;
+wherefore I would have you deny me not a favour that I shall ask you.'
+
+The lady very graciously replied that she was ready to do his desire,
+so but she might and it were honourable. Then said he, 'Madam, your
+kinsfolk and all the Bolognese believe and hold you for certain to be
+dead, wherefore there is no one who looketh for you more at home, and
+therefore I would have you of your favour be pleased to abide quietly
+here with my mother till such time as I shall return from Modona,
+which will be soon. And the reason for which I require you of this is
+that I purpose to make a dear and solemn present of you to your
+husband in the presence of the most notable citizens of this place.'
+The lady, confessing herself beholden to the gentleman and that his
+request was an honourable one, determined to do as he asked, how much
+soever she desired to gladden her kinsfolk of her life,[449] and so
+she promised it to him upon her faith. Hardly had she made an end of
+her reply, when she felt the time of her delivery to be come and not
+long after, being lovingly tended of Messer Gentile's mother, she gave
+birth to a goodly male child, which manifold redoubled his gladness
+and her own. Messer Gentile took order that all things needful should
+be forthcoming and that she should be tended as she were his proper
+wife and presently returned in secret to Modona. There, having served
+the term of his office and being about to return to Bologna, he took
+order for the holding of a great and goodly banquet at his house on
+the morning he was to enter the city, and thereto he bade many
+gentlemen of the place, amongst whom was Niccoluccio Caccianimico.
+Accordingly, when he returned and dismounted, he found them all
+awaiting him, as likewise the lady, fairer and sounder than ever, and
+her little son in good case, and with inexpressible joy seating his
+guests at table, he let serve them magnificently with various meats.
+
+[Footnote 449: _i.e._ with news of her life.]
+
+Whenas the repast was near its end, having first told the lady what he
+meant to do and taken order with her of the course that she should
+hold, he began to speak thus: 'Gentlemen, I remember to have heard
+whiles that there is in Persia a custom and to my thinking a pleasant
+one, to wit, that, whenas any is minded supremely to honour a friend
+of his, he biddeth him to his house and there showeth him the thing,
+be it wife or mistress or daughter or whatsoever else, he holdeth most
+dear, avouching that, like as he showeth him this, even so, an he
+might, would he yet more willingly show him his very heart; which
+custom I purpose to observe in Bologna. You, of your favour, have
+honoured my banquet with your presence, and I in turn mean to honour
+you, after the Persian fashion, by showing you the most precious thing
+I have or may ever have in the world. But, ere I proceed to do this, I
+pray you tell me what you deem of a doubt[450] which I shall broach to
+you and which is this. A certain person hath in his house a very
+faithful and good servant, who falleth grievously sick, whereupon the
+former, without awaiting the sick man's end, letteth carry him into
+the middle street and hath no more heed of him. Cometh a stranger,
+who, moved to compassion of the sick man, carrieth him off to his own
+house and with great diligence and expense bringeth him again to his
+former health. Now I would fain know whether, if he keep him and make
+use of his services, his former master can in equity complain of or
+blame the second, if, he demanding him again, the latter refuse to
+restore him.'
+
+[Footnote 450: _Dubbio_, _i.e._ a doubtful case or question.]
+
+The gentlemen, after various discourse among themselves, concurring
+all in one opinion, committed the response to Niccoluccio
+Caccianimico, for that he was a goodly and eloquent speaker; whereupon
+the latter, having first commended the Persian usage, declared that he
+and all the rest were of opinion that the first master had no longer
+any right in his servant, since he had, in such a circumstance, not
+only abandoned him, but cast him away, and that, for the kind offices
+done him by the second, themseemed the servant was justly become his;
+wherefore, in keeping him, he did the first no hurt, no violence, no
+unright whatsoever. The other guests at table (and there were men
+there of worth and worship) said all of one accord that they held to
+that which had been answered by Niccoluccio; and Messer Gentile, well
+pleased with this response and that Niccoluccio had made it, avouched
+himself also to be of the same opinion. Then said he, 'It is now time
+that I honour you according to promise,' and calling two of his
+servants, despatched them to the lady, whom he had let magnificently
+dress and adorn, praying her be pleased to come gladden the company
+with her presence. Accordingly, she took her little son, who was very
+handsome, in her arms and coming into the banqueting-hall, attended by
+two serving-men seated herself, as Messer Gentile willed it, by the
+side of a gentleman of high standing. Then said he, 'Gentlemen, this
+is the thing which I hold and purpose to hold dearer than any other;
+look if it seem to you that I have reason to do so.'
+
+The guests, having paid her the utmost honour, commending her amain
+and declaring to Messer Gentile that he might well hold her dear, fell
+to looking upon her; and there were many there who had avouched her to
+be herself,[451] had they not held her for dead. But Niccoluccio gazed
+upon her above all and unable to contain himself, asked her, (Messer
+Gentile having withdrawn awhile,) as one who burned to know who she
+was, if she were a Bolognese lady or a foreigner. The lady, seeing
+herself questioned of her husband, hardly restrained herself from
+answering; but yet, to observe the appointed ordinance, she held her
+peace. Another asked her if the child was hers and a third if she were
+Messer Gentile's wife or anywise akin to him; but she made them no
+reply. Presently, Messer Gentile coming up, one of his guests said to
+him, 'Sir, this is a fair creature of yours, but she seemeth to us
+mute; is she so?' 'Gentlemen,' replied he, 'her not having spoken at
+this present is no small proof of her virtue.' And the other said,
+'Tell us, then, who she is.' Quoth Messer Gentile, 'That will I
+gladly, so but you will promise me that none, for aught that I shall
+say, will budge from his place till such time as I shall have made an
+end of my story.'
+
+[Footnote 451: _i.e._ who would have recognized her as Madam
+Catalina.]
+
+All promised this and the tables being presently removed, Messer
+Gentile, seating himself beside the lady, said, 'Gentlemen, this lady
+is that loyal and faithful servant, of whom I questioned you awhile
+agone and who, being held little dear of her folk and so, as a thing
+without worth and no longer useful, cast out into the midward of the
+street, was by me taken up; yea, by my solicitude and of my handiwork
+I brought her forth of the jaws of death, and God, having regard to my
+good intent, hath caused her, by my means, from a frightful corpse
+become thus beautiful. But, that you may more manifestly apprehend how
+this betided me, I will briefly declare it to you.' Then, beginning
+from his falling enamoured of her, he particularly related to them
+that which had passed until that time, to the great wonderment of the
+hearers, and added, 'By reason of which things, an you, and especially
+Niccoluccio, have not changed counsel since awhile ago, the lady is
+fairly mine, nor can any with just title demand her again of me.' To
+this none made answer; nay, all awaited that which he should say
+farther; whilst Niccoluccio and the lady and certain of the others
+who were there wept for compassion.[452]
+
+[Footnote 452: _Compassione_, _i.e._ emotion.]
+
+Then Messer Gentile, rising to his feet and taking the little child in
+his arms and the lady by the hand, made for Niccoluccio and said to
+him, 'Rise up, gossip; I do not restore thee thy wife, whom thy
+kinsfolk and hers cast away; nay, but I will well bestow on thee this
+lady my gossip, with this her little son, who I am assured, was
+begotten of thee and whom I held at baptism and named Gentile; and I
+pray thee that she be none the less dear to thee for that she hath
+abidden near upon three months in my house; for I swear to thee,--by
+that God who belike caused me aforetime fall in love with her, to the
+intent that my love might be, as in effect it hath been, the occasion
+of her deliverance,--that never, whether with father or mother or with
+thee, hath she lived more chastely than she hath done with my mother
+in my house.' So saying, he turned to the lady and said to her,
+'Madam, from this time forth I absolve you of every promise made me
+and leave you free [to return] to Niccoluccio.'[453] Then, giving the
+lady and the child into Niccoluccio's arms, he returned to his seat.
+Niccoluccio received them with the utmost eagerness, so much the more
+rejoiced as he was the farther removed from hope thereof, and thanked
+Messer Gentile, as best he might and knew; whilst the others, who all
+wept for compassion, commended the latter amain of this; yea, and he
+was commended of whosoever heard it. The lady was received in her
+house with marvellous rejoicing and long beheld with amazement by the
+Bolognese, as one raised from the dead; whilst Messer Gentile ever
+after abode a friend of Niccoluccio and of his kinsfolk and those of
+the lady.
+
+[Footnote 453: Lit. I leave you free _of_ Niccoluccio (_libera vi
+lascio di Niccoluccio_).]
+
+What, then, gentle ladies, will you say [of this case]? Is, think you,
+a king's having given away his sceptre and his crown or an abbot's
+having, without cost to himself, reconciled an evildoer with the pope
+or an old man's having proffered his weasand to the enemy's knife to
+be evened with this deed of Messer Gentile, who, being young and
+ardent and himseeming he had a just title to that which the
+heedlessness of others had cast away and he of his good fortune had
+taken up, not only honourably tempered his ardour, but, having in his
+possession that which he was still wont with all his thoughts to covet
+and to seek to steal away, freely restored it [to its owner]? Certes,
+meseemeth none of the magnificences already recounted can compare with
+this."
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     MADAM DIANORA REQUIRETH OF MESSER ANSALDO A GARDEN AS FAIR
+     IN JANUARY AS IN MAY, AND HE BY BINDING HIMSELF [TO PAY A
+     GREAT SUM OF MONEY] TO A NIGROMANCER, GIVETH IT TO HER. HER
+     HUSBAND GRANTETH HER LEAVE TO DO MESSER ANSALDO'S PLEASURE,
+     BUT HE, HEARING OF THE FORMER'S GENEROSITY, ABSOLVETH HER OF
+     HER PROMISE, WHEREUPON THE NIGROMANCER, IN HIS TURN,
+     ACQUITTETH MESSER ANSALDO OF HIS BOND, WITHOUT WILLING AUGHT
+     OF HIS
+
+
+Messer Gentile having by each of the merry company been extolled to
+the very skies with the highest praise, the king charged Emilia follow
+on, who confidently, as if eager to speak, began as follows: "Dainty
+dames, none can with reason deny that Messer Gentile wrought
+magnificently; but, if it be sought to say that his magnanimity might
+not be overpassed, it will not belike be uneath to show that more is
+possible, as I purpose to set out to you in a little story of mine.
+
+In Friuli, a country, though cold, glad with goodly mountains and
+store of rivers and clear springs, is a city called Udine, wherein was
+aforetime a fair and noble lady called Madam Dianora, the wife of a
+wealthy gentleman named Gilberto, who was very debonair and easy of
+composition. The lady's charm procured her to be passionately loved of
+a noble and great baron by name Messer Ansaldo Gradense, a man of high
+condition and everywhere renowned for prowess and courtesy. He loved
+her fervently and did all that lay in his power to be beloved of her,
+to which end he frequently solicited her with messages, but wearied
+himself in vain. At last, his importunities being irksome to the lady
+and she seeing that, for all she denied him everything he sought of
+her, he stinted not therefor to love and solicit her, she determined
+to seek to rid herself of him by means of an extraordinary and in her
+judgment an impossible demand; wherefore she said one day to a woman,
+who came often to her on his part, 'Good woman, thou hast many times
+avouched to me that Messer Ansaldo loveth me over all things and hast
+proffered me marvellous great gifts on his part, which I would have
+him keep to himself, seeing that never thereby might I be prevailed
+upon to love him or comply with his wishes; but, an I could be
+certified that he loveth me in very deed as much as thou sayest, I
+might doubtless bring myself to love him and do that which he willeth;
+wherefore, an he choose to certify me of this with that which I shall
+require of him, I shall be ready to do his commandments.' Quoth the
+good woman, 'And what is that, madam, which you would have him do?'
+'That which I desire,' replied the lady, 'is this; I will have, for
+this coming month of January, a garden, near this city, full of green
+grass and flowers and trees in full leaf, no otherwise than as it were
+May; the which if he contrive not, let him never more send me thee nor
+any other, for that, an he importune me more, so surely as I have
+hitherto kept his pursuit hidden from my husband and my kinsfolk, I
+will study to rid myself of him by complaining to them.'
+
+The gentleman, hearing the demand and the offer of his mistress, for
+all it seemed to him a hard thing and in a manner impossible to do and
+he knew it to be required of the lady for none otherwhat than to
+bereave him of all hope, determined nevertheless to essay whatsoever
+might be done thereof and sent into various parts about the world,
+enquiring if there were any to be found who would give him aid and
+counsel in the matter. At last, he happened upon one who offered, so
+he were well guerdoned, to do the thing by nigromantic art, and having
+agreed with him for a great sum of money, he joyfully awaited the
+appointed time, which come and the cold being extreme and everything
+full of snow and ice, the learned man, the night before the calends of
+January, so wrought by his arts in a very goodly meadow adjoining the
+city, that it appeared in the morning (according to the testimony of
+those who saw it) one of the goodliest gardens was ever seen of any,
+with grass and trees and fruits of every kind. Messer Ansaldo, after
+viewing this with the utmost gladness, let cull of the finest fruits
+and the fairest flowers that were there and caused privily present
+them to his mistress, bidding her come and see the garden required by
+her, so thereby she might know how he loved her and after, remembering
+her of the promise made him and sealed with an oath, bethink herself,
+as a loyal lady, to accomplish it to him.
+
+The lady, seeing the fruits and flowers and having already from many
+heard tell of the miraculous garden, began to repent of her promise.
+Natheless, curious, for all her repentance, of seeing strange things,
+she went with many other ladies of the city to view the garden and
+having with no little wonderment commended it amain, returned home,
+the woefullest woman alive, bethinking her of that to which she was
+bounden thereby. Such was her chagrin that she availed not so well to
+dissemble it but needs must it appear, and her husband, perceiving it,
+was urgent to know the reason. The lady, for shamefastness, kept
+silence thereof a great while; but at last, constrained to speak, she
+orderly discovered to him everything; which Gilberto, hearing, was at
+the first sore incensed, but presently, considering the purity of the
+lady's intent and chasing away anger with better counsel, he said,
+'Dianora, it is not the part of a discreet nor of a virtuous woman to
+give ear unto any message of this sort nor to compound with any for
+her chastity under whatsoever condition. Words received into the heart
+by the channel of the ears have more potency than many conceive and
+well nigh every thing becometh possible to lovers. Thou didst ill,
+then, first to hearken and after to enter into terms of composition;
+but, for that I know the purity of thine intent, I will, to absolve
+thee of the bond of the promise, concede thee that which peradventure
+none other would do, being thereto the more induced by fear of the
+nigromancer, whom Messer Ansaldo, an thou cheat him, will maybe cause
+make us woeful. I will, then, that thou go to him and study to have
+thyself absolved of this thy promise, preserving thy chastity, if thou
+mayst anywise contrive it; but, an it may not be otherwise, thou
+shalt, for this once, yield him thy body, but not thy soul.'
+
+The lady, hearing her husband's speech, wept and denied herself
+willing to receive such a favour from him; but, for all her much
+denial, he would e'en have it be so. Accordingly, next morning, at
+daybreak, the lady, without overmuch adorning herself, repaired to
+Messer Ansaldo's house, with two of her serving-men before and a
+chamberwoman after her. Ansaldo, hearing that his mistress was come to
+him, marvelled sore and letting call the nigromancer, said to him, 'I
+will have thee see what a treasure thy skill hath gotten me.' Then,
+going to meet her, he received her with decency and reverence, without
+ensuing any disorderly appetite, and they entered all[454] into a
+goodly chamber, wherein was a great fire. There he caused set her a
+seat and said, 'Madam, I prithee, if the long love I have borne you
+merit any recompense, let it not irk you to discover to me the true
+cause which hath brought you hither at such an hour and in such
+company.' The lady, shamefast and well nigh with tears in her eyes,
+answered, 'Sir, neither love that I bear you nor plighted faith
+bringeth me hither, but the commandment of my husband, who, having
+more regard to the travails of your disorderly passion than to his
+honour and mine own, hath caused me come hither; and by his behest I
+am for this once disposed to do your every pleasure.' If Messer
+Ansaldo had marvelled at the sight of the lady, far more did he
+marvel, when he heard her words, and moved by Gilberto's generosity,
+his heat began to change to compassion and he said, 'God forbid,
+madam, an it be as you say, that I should be a marrer of his honour
+who hath compassion of my love; wherefore you shall, what while it is
+your pleasure to abide here, be no otherwise entreated than as you
+were my sister; and whenas it shall be agreeable to you, you are free
+to depart, so but you will render your husband, on my part, those
+thanks which you shall deem befitting unto courtesy such as his hath
+been and have me ever, in time to come, for brother and for servant.'
+
+[Footnote 454: _i.e._ Ansaldo, Dianora and the nigromancer.]
+
+The lady, hearing these words, was the joyfullest woman in the world
+and answered, saying, 'Nothing, having regard to your fashions, could
+ever make me believe that aught should ensue to me of my coming other
+than this that I see you do in the matter; whereof I shall still be
+beholden to you.' Then, taking leave, she returned, under honourable
+escort, to Messer Gilberto and told him that which had passed, of
+which there came about a very strait and loyal friendship between him
+and Messer Ansaldo. Moreover, the nigromancer, to whom the gentleman
+was for giving the promised guerdon, seeing Gilberto's generosity
+towards his wife's lover and that of the latter towards the lady,
+said, 'God forbid, since I have seen Gilberto liberal of his honour
+and you of your love, that I should not on like wise be liberal of my
+hire; wherefore, knowing it[455] will stand you in good stead, I
+intend that it shall be yours.' At this the gentleman was ashamed and
+studied to make him take or all or part; but, seeing that he wearied
+himself in vain and it pleasing the nigromancer (who had, after three
+days, done away his garden) to depart, he commended him to God and
+having extinguished from his heart his lustful love for the lady, he
+abode fired with honourable affection for her. How say you now,
+lovesome ladies? Shall we prefer [Gentile's resignation of] the in a
+manner dead lady and of his love already cooled for hope forspent,
+before the generosity of Messer Ansaldo, whose love was more ardent
+than ever and who was in a manner fired with new hope, holding in his
+hands the prey so long pursued? Meseemeth it were folly to pretend
+that this generosity can be evened with that."
+
+[Footnote 455: _i.e._ the money promised him by way of recompense.]
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     KING CHARLES THE OLD, THE VICTORIOUS, FALLETH ENAMOURED OF A
+     YOUNG GIRL, BUT AFTER, ASHAMED OF HIS FOND THOUGHT,
+     HONOURABLY MARRIETH BOTH HER AND HER SISTER
+
+
+It were over longsome fully to recount the various discourse that had
+place among the ladies of who used the greatest generosity, Gilberto
+or Messer Ansaldo or the nigromancer, in Madam Dianora's affairs; but,
+after the king had suffered them debate awhile, he looked at Fiammetta
+and bade her, telling a story, put an end to their contention;
+whereupon she, without hesitation, began as follows: "Illustrious
+ladies, I was ever of opinion that, in companies such as ours, it
+should still be discoursed so much at large that the overstraitness[456]
+of intent of the things said be not unto any matter for debate, the
+which is far more sortable among students in the schools than among us
+[women,] who scarce suffice unto the distaff and the spindle.
+Wherefore, seeing that you are presently at cross-purposes by reason
+of the things already said, I, who had in mind a thing maybe somewhat
+doubtful [of meaning,] will leave that be and tell you a story,
+treating nowise of a man of little account, but of a valiant king, who
+therein wrought knightly, in nothing attainting his honour.
+
+[Footnote 456: _i.e._, nicety, minuteness (_strettezza_).]
+
+Each one of you must many a time have heard tell of King Charles the
+Old or First, by whose magnanimous emprise, and after by the glorious
+victory gained by him over King Manfred, the Ghibellines were expelled
+from Florence and the Guelphs returned thither. In consequence of this
+a certain gentleman, called Messer Neri degli Uberti, departing the
+city with all his household and much monies and being minded to take
+refuge no otherwhere than under the hand of King Charles, betook
+himself to Castellamare di Stabia.[457] There, belike a crossbowshot
+removed from the other habitations of the place, among olive-trees
+and walnuts and chestnuts, wherewith the country aboundeth, he bought
+him an estate and built thereon a goodly and commodious
+dwelling-house, with a delightsome garden thereby, amiddleward which,
+having great plenty of running water, he made, after our country
+fashion, a goodly and clear fishpond and lightly filled it with good
+store of fish. Whilst he concerned himself to make his garden goodlier
+every day, it befell that King Charles repaired to Castellamare, to
+rest himself awhile in the hot season, and there hearing tell of the
+beauty of Messer Neri's garden, he desired to behold it. Hearing,
+moreover, to whom it belonged, he bethought himself that, as the
+gentleman was of the party adverse to his own, it behoved to deal the
+more familiarly with him, and accordingly sent to him to say that he
+purposed to sup with him privily in his garden that evening, he and
+four companions. This was very agreeable to Messer Neri, and having
+made magnificent preparation and taken order with his household of
+that which was to do, he received the king in his fair garden as
+gladliest he might and knew. The latter, after having viewed and
+commended all the garden and Messer Neri's house and washed, seated
+himself at one of the tables, which were set beside the fishpond, and
+seating Count Guy de Montfort, who was of his company, on one side of
+him and Messer Neri on the other, commanded other three, who were come
+thither with them, to serve according to the order appointed of his
+host. Thereupon there came dainty meats and there were wines of the
+best and costliest and the ordinance was exceeding goodly and
+praiseworthy, without noise or annoy whatsoever, the which the king
+much commended.
+
+[Footnote 457: A town on the Bay of Naples, near the ruins of
+Pompeii.]
+
+Presently, as he sat blithely at meat, enjoying the solitary place,
+there entered the garden two young damsels of maybe fifteen years of
+age, with hair like threads of gold, all ringleted and hanging loose,
+whereon was a light chaplet of pervinck-blossoms. Their faces bespoke
+them rather angels than otherwhat, so delicately fair they were, and
+they were clad each upon her skin in a garment of the finest linen and
+white as snow, the which from the waist upward was very strait and
+thence hung down in ample folds, pavilionwise, to the feet. She who
+came first bore on her left shoulder a pair of hand-nets and in her
+right hand a long pole, and the other had on her left shoulder a
+frying-pan and under the same arm a faggot of wood, whilst in her left
+hand she held a trivet and in the other a flask of oil and a lighted
+flambeau. The king, seeing them, marvelled and in suspense awaited
+what this should mean. The damsels came forward modestly and
+blushingly did obeisance to him, then, betaking themselves whereas one
+went down into the fishpond, she who bore the frying-pan set it down
+and the other things by it and taking the pole that the other carried,
+they both entered the water, which came up to their breasts.
+Meanwhile, one of Messer Neri's servants deftly kindled fire under the
+trivet and setting the pan thereon, poured therein oil and waited for
+the damsels to throw him fish. The latter, the one groping with the
+pole in those parts whereas she knew the fish lay hid and the other
+standing ready with the net, in a short space of time took fish
+galore, to the exceeding pleasure of the king, who eyed them attently;
+then, throwing some thereof to the servant, who put them in the pan,
+well nigh alive, they proceeded, as they had been lessoned, to take of
+the finest and cast them on the table before the king and his
+table-fellows. The fish wriggled about the table, to the marvellous
+diversion of the king, who took of them in his turn and sportively
+cast them back to the damsels; and on this wise they frolicked awhile,
+till such time as the servant had cooked the fish which had been given
+him and which, Messer Neri having so ordered it, were now set before
+the king, more as a relish than as any very rare and delectable dish.
+
+The damsels, seeing the fish cooked and having taken enough, came
+forth of the water, their thin white garments all clinging to their
+skins and hiding well nigh nought of their delicate bodies, and
+passing shamefastly before the king, returned to the house. The latter
+and the count and the others who served had well considered the
+damsels and each inwardly greatly commended them for fair and well
+shapen, no less than for agreeable and well mannered. But above all
+they pleased the king, who had so intently eyed every part of their
+bodies, as they came forth of the water, that, had any then pricked
+him, he would not have felt it, and as he called them more
+particularly to mind, unknowing who they were, he felt a very fervent
+desire awaken in his heart to please them, whereby he right well
+perceived himself to be in danger of becoming enamoured, an he took no
+heed to himself thereagainst; nor knew he indeed whether of the twain
+it was the more pleased him, so like in all things was the one to the
+other. After he had abidden awhile in this thought, he turned to
+Messer Neri and asked him who were the two damsels, to which the
+gentleman answered, 'My lord, these are my daughters born at a birth,
+whereof the one is called Ginevra the Fair and the other Isotta the
+Blonde.' The king commended them greatly and exhorted him to marry
+them, whereof Messer Neri excused himself, for that he was no more
+able thereunto. Meanwhile, nothing now remaining to be served of the
+supper but the fruits, there came the two damsels in very goodly gowns
+of sendal, with two great silver platters in their hands, full of
+various fruits, such as the season afforded, and these they set on the
+table before the king; which done, they withdrew a little apart and
+fell to singing a canzonet, whereof the words began thus:
+
+       Whereas I'm come, O Love,
+     It might not be, indeed, at length recounted, etc.
+
+This song they carolled on such dulcet wise and so delightsomely that
+to the king, who beheld and hearkened to them with ravishment, it
+seemed as if all the hierarchies of the angels were lighted there to
+sing. The song sung, they fell on their knees and respectfully craved
+of him leave to depart, who, albeit their departure was grievous to
+him, yet with a show of blitheness accorded it to them. The supper
+being now at an end, the king remounted to horse with his company and
+leaving Messer Neri, returned to the royal lodging, devising of one
+thing and another. There, holding his passion hidden, but availing
+not, for whatsoever great affair might supervene, to forget the beauty
+and grace of Ginevra the Fair, (for love of whom he loved her sister
+also, who was like unto her,) he became so fast entangled in the
+amorous snares that he could think of well nigh nought else and
+feigning other occasions, kept a strait intimacy with Messer Neri and
+very often visited his fair garden, to see Ginevra.
+
+At last, unable to endure longer and bethinking himself, in default of
+other means of compassing his desire, to take not one alone, but both
+of the damsels from their father, he discovered both his passion and
+his intent to Count Guy, who, for that he was an honourable man, said
+to him, 'My lord, I marvel greatly at that which you tell me, and that
+more than would another, inasmuch as meseemeth I have from your
+childhood to this day known your fashions better than any other;
+wherefore, meseeming never to have known such a passion in your youth,
+wherein Love might lightlier have fixed his talons, and seeing you
+presently hard upon old age, it is so new and so strange to me that
+you should love by way of enamourment[458] that it seemeth to me well
+nigh a miracle, and were it my office to reprove you thereof, I know
+well that which I should say to you thereanent, having in regard that
+you are yet with your harness on your back in a kingdom newly gained,
+amidst a people unknown and full of wiles and treasons, and are all
+occupied with very grave cares and matters of high moment, nor have
+you yet availed to seat yourself [in security;] and yet, among such
+and so many affairs, you have made place for the allurements of love.
+This is not the fashion of a magnanimous king; nay, but rather that of
+a pusillanimous boy. Moreover, what is far worse, you say that you are
+resolved to take his two daughters from a gentleman who hath
+entertained you in his house beyond his means and who, to do you the
+more honour, hath shown you these twain in a manner naked, thereby
+attesting how great is the faith he hath in you and that he firmly
+believeth you to be a king and not a ravening wolf. Again, hath it so
+soon dropped your memory that it was the violences done of Manfred to
+women that opened you the entry into this kingdom? What treason was
+ever wroughten more deserving of eternal punishment than this would
+be, that you should take from him who hospitably entreateth you his
+honour and hope and comfort? What would be said of you, an you should
+do it? You think, maybe, it were a sufficient excuse to say, "I did it
+for that he is a Ghibelline." Is this of the justice of kings, that
+they who resort on such wise to their arms should be entreated after
+such a fashion, be they who they may? Let me tell you, king, that it
+was an exceedingly great glory to you to have overcome Manfred, but a
+far greater one it is to overcome one's self; wherefore do you, who
+have to correct others, conquer yourself and curb this appetite, nor
+offer with such a blot to mar that which you have so gloriously
+gained.'
+
+[Footnote 458: _Per amore amiate_ (Fr. aimiez par amour).]
+
+These words stung the king's conscience to the quick and afflicted him
+the more inasmuch as he knew them for true; wherefore, after sundry
+heavy sighs, he said, 'Certes, Count, I hold every other enemy,
+however strong, weak and eath enough to the well-lessoned warrior to
+overcome in comparison with his own appetites; natheless, great as is
+the travail and inexpressible as is the might it requireth, your words
+have so stirred me that needs must I, ere many days be past, cause you
+see by deed that, like as I know how to conquer others, even so do I
+know how to overcome myself.' Nor had many days passed after this
+discourse when the king, having returned to Naples, determined, as
+well to deprive himself of occasion to do dishonourably as to requite
+the gentleman the hospitality received from him, to go about (grievous
+as it was to him to make others possessors of that which he coveted
+over all for himself) to marry the two young ladies, and that not as
+Messer Neri's daughters, but as his own. Accordingly, with Messer
+Neri's accord, he dowered them magnificently and gave Ginevra the Fair
+to Messer Maffeo da Palizzi and Isotta the Blonde to Messer Guglielmo
+della Magna, both noble cavaliers and great barons, to whom with
+inexpressible chagrin consigning them, he betook himself into Apulia,
+where with continual fatigues he so mortified the fierceness of his
+appetite that, having burst and broken the chains of love, he abode
+free of such passion for the rest of his life. There are some belike
+who will say that it was a little thing for a king to have married two
+young ladies, and that I will allow; but a great and a very great
+thing I call it, if we consider that it was a king enamoured who did
+this and who married to another her whom he loved, without having
+gotten or taking of his love leaf or flower or fruit. On this wise,
+then, did this magnanimous king, at once magnificently guerdoning the
+noble gentleman, laudably honouring the young ladies whom he loved and
+bravely overcoming himself."
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     KING PEDRO OF ARRAGON, COMING TO KNOW THE FERVENT LOVE BORNE
+     HIM BY LISA, COMFORTETH THE LOVE-SICK MAID AND PRESENTLY
+     MARRIETH HER TO A NOBLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN; THEN, KISSING HER
+     ON THE BROW, HE EVER AFTER AVOUCHETH HIMSELF HER KNIGHT
+
+
+Fiammetta having made an end of her story and the manful magnanimity of
+King Charles having been much commended, albeit there was one lady
+there who, being a Ghibelline, was loath to praise him, Pampinea, by
+the king's commandment, began thus, "There is no one of understanding,
+worshipful ladies, but would say that which you say of good King
+Charles, except she bear him ill-will for otherwhat; but, for that
+there occurreth to my memory a thing, belike no less commendable than
+this, done of one his adversary to one of our Florentine damsels, it
+pleaseth me to relate it to you.
+
+At the time of the expulsion of the French from Sicily, one of our
+Florentines was an apothecary at Palermo, a very rich man called
+Bernardo Puccini, who had by his wife an only daughter, a very fair
+damsel and already apt for marriage. Now King Pedro of Arragon, become
+lord of the island, held high festival with his barons at Palermo,
+wherein he tilting after the Catalan fashion, it chanced that
+Bernardo's daughter, whose name was Lisa, saw him running [at the
+ring] from a window where she was with other ladies, and he so
+marvellously pleased her that, looking upon him once and again, she
+fell passionately in love with him; and the festival ended and she
+abiding in her father's house, she could think of nothing but of this
+her illustrious and exalted love. And what most irked her in this was
+the consciousness of her own mean condition, which scarce suffered her
+to cherish any hope of a happy issue; natheless, she could not
+therefor bring herself to leave loving the king, albeit, for fear of
+greater annoy, she dared not discover her passion. The king had not
+perceived this thing and recked not of her, wherefor she suffered
+intolerable chagrin, past all that can be imagined. Thus it befell
+that, love still waxing in her and melancholy redoubling upon
+melancholy, the fair maid, unable to endure more, fell sick and wasted
+visibly away from day to day, like snow in the sun. Her father and
+mother, sore concerned for this that befell her, studied with
+assiduous tenderness to hearten her and succoured her in as much as
+might be with physicians and medicines, but it availed nothing, for
+that, despairing of her love, she had elected to live no longer.
+
+It chanced one day that, her father offering to do her every pleasure,
+she bethought herself, and she might aptly, to seek, before she died,
+to make the king acquainted with her love and her intent, and
+accordingly she prayed him bring her Minuccio d'Arezzo. Now this
+Minuccio was in those days held a very quaint and subtle singer and
+player and was gladly seen of the king; and Bernardo concluded that
+Lisa had a mind to hear him sing and play awhile. Accordingly, he sent
+to tell him, and Minuccio, who was a man of a debonair humour,
+incontinent came to her and having somedele comforted her with kindly
+speech, softly played her a fit or two on a viol he had with him and
+after sang her sundry songs, the which were fire and flame unto the
+damsel's passion, whereas he thought to solace her. Presently she told
+him that she would fain speak some words with him alone, wherefore,
+all else having withdrawn, she said to him, 'Minuccio, I have chosen
+thee to keep me very faithfully a secret of mine, hoping in the first
+place that thou wilt never discover it to any one, save to him of whom
+I shall tell thee, and after that thou wilt help me in that which
+lieth in thy power; and of this I pray thee Thou must know, then,
+Minuccio mine, that the day our lord King Pedro held the great
+festival in honour of his exaltation to the throne, it befell me, as
+he tilted, to espy him at so dour a point[459] that for the love of
+him there was kindled in my heart a fire that hath brought me to this
+pass wherein thou seest me, and knowing how ill my love beseemeth to a
+king, yet availing not, let alone to drive it away, but even to abate
+it, and it being beyond measure grievous to me to bear, I have as a
+lesser evil elected to die, as I shall do. True it is that I should
+begone hence cruelly disconsolate, an he first knew it not; wherefore,
+unknowing by whom I could more aptly acquaint him with this my
+resolution than by thyself, I desire to commit it to thee and pray
+thee that thou refuse not to do it, and whenas thou shalt have done
+it, that thou give me to know thereof, so that, dying comforted, I may
+be assoiled of these my pains.' And this said, she stinted, weeping.
+
+[Footnote 459: _In si forte punto_, or, in modern parlance, at so
+critical or ill-starred a moment.]
+
+Minuccio marvelled at the greatness of the damsel's soul and at her
+cruel resolve and was sore concerned for her; then, it suddenly
+occurring to his mind how he might honourably oblige her, he said to
+her, 'Lisa, I pledge thee my faith, whereof thou mayst live assured
+that thou wilt never find thyself deceived, and after, commending thee
+of so high an emprise as it is to have set thy mind upon so great a
+king, I proffer thee mine aid, by means whereof I hope, an thou wilt
+but take comfort, so to do that, ere three days be past, I doubt not
+to bring thee news that will be exceeding grateful to thee; and to
+lose no time, I mean to go about it forthright.' Lisa, having anew
+besought him amain thereof and promised him to take comfort, bade him
+God speed; whereupon Minuccio, taking his leave, betook himself to one
+Mico da Siena, a mighty good rhymer of those days, and constrained him
+with prayers to make the following canzonet:
+
+     Bestir thee, Love, and get thee to my Sire
+       And tell him all the torments I aby;
+       Tell him I'm like to die,
+     For fearfulness concealing my desire.
+
+     Love, with clasped hands I cry thee mercy, so
+       Thou mayst betake thee where my lord doth dwell.
+     Say that I love and long for him, for lo,
+       My heart he hath inflamed so sadly well;
+     Yea, for the fire wherewith I'm all aglow,
+       I fear to die nor yet the hour can tell
+       When I shall part from pain so fierce and fell
+         As that which, longing, for his sake I dree
+         In shame and fear; ah me,
+     For God's sake, cause him know my torment dire.
+
+     Since first enamoured, Love, of him I grew,
+       Thou hast not given me the heart to dare
+     So much as one poor once my lord unto
+       My love and longing plainly to declare,
+     My lord who maketh me so sore to rue;
+       Death, dying thus, were hard to me to bear.
+       Belike, indeed, for he is debonair,
+         'Twould not displease him, did he know what pain
+         I feel and didst thou deign
+     Me daring to make known to him my fire.
+
+     Yet, since 'twas not thy pleasure to impart,
+       Love, such assurance to me that by glance
+     Or sign or writ I might make known my heart
+       Unto my lord, for my deliverance
+     I prithee, sweet my master, of thine art
+       Get thee to him and give him souvenance
+       Of that fair day I saw him shield and lance
+         Bear with the other knights and looking more,
+         Enamoured fell so sore
+     My heart thereof doth perish and expire.
+
+These words Minuccio forthwith set to a soft and plaintive air, such
+as the matter thereof required, and on the third day he betook himself
+to court, where, King Pedro being yet at meat, he was bidden by him
+sing somewhat to his viol. Thereupon he fell to singing the song
+aforesaid on such dulcet wise that all who were in the royal hall
+appeared men astonied, so still and attent stood they all to hearken,
+and the king maybe more than the others. Minuccio having made an end
+of his singing, the king enquired whence came this song that himseemed
+he had never before heard. 'My lord,' replied the minstrel, 'it is not
+yet three days since the words were made and the air.' The king asked
+for whom it had been made; and Minuccio answered, 'I dare not discover
+it save to you alone.' The king, desirous to hear it, as soon as the
+tables were removed, sent for Minuccio into his chamber and the latter
+orderly recounted to him all that he had heard from Lisa; wherewith
+Don Pedro was exceeding well pleased and much commended the damsel,
+avouching himself resolved to have compassion of so worthful a young
+lady and bidding him therefore go comfort her on his part and tell her
+that he would without fail come to visit her that day towards vespers.
+Minuccio, overjoyed to be the bearer of such pleasing news, betook
+himself incontinent, viol and all, to the damsel and bespeaking her in
+private, recounted to her all that had passed and after sang her the
+song to his viol; whereat she was so rejoiced and so content that she
+straightway showed manifest signs of great amendment and longingly
+awaited the hour of vespers, whenas her lord should come, without any
+of the household knowing or guessing how the case stood.
+
+Meanwhile, the king, who was a debonair and generous prince, having
+sundry times taken thought to the things heard from Minuccio and very
+well knowing the damsel and her beauty, waxed yet more pitiful over
+her and mounting to horse towards vespers, under colour of going
+abroad for his diversion, betook himself to the apothecary's house,
+where, having required a very goodly garden which he had to be opened
+to him, he alighted therein and presently asked Bernardo what was come
+of his daughter and if he had yet married her. 'My lord,' replied the
+apothecary, 'she is not married; nay, she hath been and is yet very
+sick; albeit it is true that since none she hath mended marvellously.'
+The king readily apprehended what this amendment meant and said, 'In
+good sooth, 'twere pity so fair a creature should be yet taken from
+the world. We would fain go visit her.' Accordingly, a little after,
+he betook himself with Bernardo and two companions only to her chamber
+and going up to the bed where the damsel, somedele upraised,[460]
+awaited him with impatience, took her by the hand and said to her,
+'What meaneth this, my mistress? You are young and should comfort
+other women; yet you suffer yourself to be sick. We would beseech you
+be pleased, for the love of us, to hearten yourself on such wise that
+you may speedily be whole again.' The damsel, feeling herself touched
+of his hands whom she loved over all else, albeit she was somewhat
+shamefast, felt yet such gladness in her heart as she were in Paradise
+and answered him, as best she might, saying, 'My lord, my having
+willed to subject my little strength unto very grievous burdens hath
+been the cause to me of this mine infirmity, whereof, thanks to your
+goodness, you shall soon see me quit.' The king alone understood the
+damsel's covert speech and held her momently of more account; nay,
+sundry whiles he inwardly cursed fortune, who had made her daughter
+unto such a man; then, after he had tarried with her awhile and
+comforted her yet more, he took his leave.
+
+[Footnote 460: _Sollevata_, syn. solaced, relieved or (3) agitated,
+troubled.]
+
+This humanity of the king was greatly commended and attributed for
+great honour to the apothecary and his daughter, which latter abode as
+well pleased as ever was woman of her lover, and sustained of better
+hope, in a few days recovered and became fairer than ever. When she
+was whole again, the king, having taken counsel with the queen of what
+return he should make her for so much love, mounting one day to horse
+with many of his barons, repaired to the apothecary's house and
+entering the garden, let call Master Bernardo and his daughter; then,
+the queen presently coming thither with many ladies and having
+received Lisa among them, they fell to making wonder-merry. After a
+while, the king and queen called Lisa to them and the former said to
+her, 'Noble damsel, the much love you have borne us hath gotten you a
+great honour from us, wherewith we would have you for the love of us
+be content; to wit, that, since you are apt for marriage, we would
+have you take him to husband whom we shall bestow on you, purposing,
+notwithstanding this, to call ourselves still your knight, without
+desiring aught from you of so much love but one sole kiss.' The
+damsel, grown all vermeil in the face for shamefastness, making the
+king's pleasure hers, replied in a low voice on this wise, 'My lord, I
+am well assured that, were it known that I had fallen enamoured of
+you, most folk would account me mad therefor, thinking belike that I
+had forgotten myself and knew not mine own condition nor yet yours;
+but God, who alone seeth the hearts of mortals, knoweth that, in that
+same hour whenas first you pleased me, I knew you for a king and
+myself for the daughter of Bernardo the apothecary and that it ill
+beseemed me to address the ardour of my soul unto so high a place.
+But, as you know far better than I, none here below falleth in love
+according to fitness of election, but according to appetite and
+inclination, against which law I once and again strove with all my
+might, till, availing no farther, I loved and love and shall ever
+love you. But, since first I felt myself taken with love of you, I
+determined still to make your will mine; wherefore, not only will I
+gladly obey you in this matter of taking a husband at your hands and
+holding him dear whom it shall please you to bestow on me, since that
+will be mine honour and estate, but, should you bid me abide in the
+fire, it were a delight to me, an I thought thereby to pleasure you.
+To have you, a king, to knight, you know how far it befitteth me,
+wherefore to that I make no farther answer; nor shall the kiss be
+vouchsafed you, which alone of my love you would have, without leave
+of my lady the queen. Natheless, of such graciousness as hath been
+yours towards me and that of our lady the queen here God render you
+for me both thanks and recompense, for I have not the wherewithal.'
+And with that she was silent.
+
+Her answer much pleased the queen and she seemed to her as discreet as
+the king had reported her. Don Pedro then let call the girl's father
+and mother and finding that they were well pleased with that which he
+purposed to do, summoned a young man, by name Perdicone, who was of
+gentle birth, but poor, and giving certain rings into his hand,
+married him, nothing loath, to Lisa; which done, he then and there,
+over and above many and precious jewels bestowed by the queen and
+himself upon the damsel, gave him Ceffalu and Calatabellotta, two very
+rich and goodly fiefs, and said to him, 'These we give thee to the
+lady's dowry. That which we purpose to do for thyself, thou shalt see
+in time to come.' This said, he turned to the damsel and saying, 'Now
+will we take that fruit which we are to have of your love,' took her
+head in his hands and kissed her on the brow. Perdicone and Lisa's
+father and mother, well pleased, (as indeed was she herself,) held
+high festival and joyous nuptials; and according as many avouch, the
+king very faithfully kept his covenant with the damsel, for that,
+whilst she lived, he still styled himself her knight nor ever went
+about any deed of arms but he wore none other favour than that which
+was sent him of her. It is by doing, then, on this wise that subjects'
+hearts are gained, that others are incited to do well and that eternal
+renown is acquired; but this is a mark at which few or none nowadays
+bend the bow of their understanding, most princes being presently
+grown cruel and tyrannical."
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     SOPHRONIA, THINKING TO MARRY GISIPPUS, BECOMETH THE WIFE OF
+     TITUS QUINTIUS FULVUS AND WITH HIM BETAKETH HERSELF TO ROME,
+     WHITHER GISIPPUS COMETH IN POOR CASE AND CONCEIVING HIMSELF
+     SLIGHTED OF TITUS, DECLARETH, SO HE MAY DIE, TO HAVE SLAIN A
+     MAN. TITUS, RECOGNIZING HIM, TO SAVE HIM, AVOUCHETH HIMSELF
+     TO HAVE DONE THE DEED, AND THE TRUE MURDERER, SEEING THIS,
+     DISCOVERETH HIMSELF; WHEREUPON THEY ARE ALL THREE LIBERATED
+     BY OCTAVIANUS AND TITUS, GIVING GISIPPUS HIS SISTER TO WIFE,
+     HATH ALL HIS GOOD IN COMMON WITH HIM
+
+
+Pampinea having left speaking and all having commended King Pedro, the
+Ghibelline lady more than the rest, Fiammetta, by the king's
+commandment, began thus, "Illustrious ladies, who is there knoweth not
+that kings, when they will, can do everything great and that it is, to
+boot, especially required of them that they be magnificent? Whoso,
+then, having the power, doth that which pertaineth unto him, doth
+well; but folk should not so much marvel thereat nor exalt him to such
+a height with supreme praise as it would behove them do with another,
+of whom, for lack of means, less were required. Wherefore, if you with
+such words extol the actions of kings and they seem to you fair, I
+doubt not anywise but those of our peers, whenas they are like unto or
+greater than those of kings, will please you yet more and be yet
+highlier commended of you, and I purpose accordingly to recount to
+you, in a story, the praiseworthy and magnanimous dealings of two
+citizens and friends with each other.
+
+You must know, then, that at the time when Octavianus Caesar (not yet
+styled Augustus) ruled the Roman empire in the office called
+Triumvirate, there was in Rome a gentleman called Publius Quintius
+Fulvus,[461] who, having a son of marvellous understanding, by name
+Titus Quintius Fulvus, sent him to Athens to study philosophy and
+commended him as most he might to a nobleman there called Chremes, his
+very old friend, by whom Titus was lodged in his own house, in company
+of a son of his called Gisippus, and set to study with the latter,
+under the governance of a philosopher named Aristippus. The two young
+men, coming to consort together, found each other's usances so
+conformable that there was born thereof a brotherhood between them and
+a friendship so great that it was never sundered by other accident
+than death, and neither of them knew weal nor peace save in so much as
+they were together. Entering upon their studies and being each alike
+endowed with the highest understanding, they ascended with equal step
+and marvellous commendation to the glorious altitudes of philosophy;
+and in this way of life they continued good three years, to the
+exceeding contentment of Chremes, who in a manner looked upon the one
+as no more his son than the other. At the end of this time it befell,
+even as it befalleth of all things, that Chremes, now an old man,
+departed this life, whereof the two young men suffered a like sorrow,
+as for a common father, nor could his friends and kinsfolk discern
+which of the twain was the more in need of consolation for that which
+had betided them.
+
+[Footnote 461: Sic, _Publio Quinzio Fulvo_; but _quaere_ should it not
+rather be _Publio Quinto Fulvio_, _i.e._ Publius Quintus Fulvius, a
+form of the name which seems more in accordance with the genius of the
+Latin language?]
+
+It came to pass, after some months, that the friends and kinsfolk of
+Gisippus resorted to him and together with Titus exhorted him to take
+a wife, to which he consenting, they found him a young Athenian lady
+of marvellous beauty and very noble parentage, whose name was
+Sophronia and who was maybe fifteen years old. The term of the future
+nuptials drawing nigh, Gisippus one day besought Titus to go visit her
+with him, for that he had not yet seen her. Accordingly, they being
+come into her house and she seated between the twain, Titus proceeded
+to consider her with the utmost attention, as if to judge of the
+beauty of his friend's bride, and every part of her pleasing him
+beyond measure, what while he inwardly commended her charms to the
+utmost, he fell, without showing any sign thereof, as passionately
+enamoured of her as ever yet man of woman. After they had been with
+her awhile, they took their leave and returned home, where Titus,
+betaking himself alone into his chamber, fell a-thinking of the
+charming damsel and grew the more enkindled the more he enlarged upon
+her in thought; which, perceiving, he fell to saying in himself, after
+many ardent sighs, 'Alack, the wretchedness of thy life, Titus! Where
+and on what settest thou thy mind and thy love and thy hope? Knowest
+thou not that it behoveth thee, as well for the kindness received from
+Chremes and his family as for the entire friendship that is between
+thee and Gisippus, whose bride she is, to have yonder damsel in such
+respect as a sister? Whom, then, lovest thou? Whither lettest thou
+thyself be carried away by delusive love, whither by fallacious hope?
+Open the eyes of thine understanding and recollect thyself, wretch
+that thou art; give place to reason, curb thy carnal appetite, temper
+thine unhallowed desires and direct thy thoughts unto otherwhat;
+gainstand thy lust in this its beginning and conquer thyself, whilst
+it is yet time. This thou wouldst have is unseemly, nay, it is
+dishonourable; this thou art minded to ensue it behoveth thee, even
+wert thou assured (which thou art not) of obtaining it, to flee from,
+an thou have regard unto that which true friendship requireth and that
+which thou oughtest. What, then, wilt thou do, Titus? Thou wilt leave
+this unseemly love, an thou wouldst do that which behoveth.'
+
+Then, remembering him of Sophronia and going over to the contrary, he
+denounced all that he had said, saying, 'The laws of love are of
+greater puissance than any others; they annul even the Divine laws,
+let alone those of friendship; how often aforetime hath father loved
+daughter, brother sister, stepmother stepson, things more monstrous
+than for one friend to love the other's wife, the which hath already a
+thousand times befallen! Moreover, I am young and youth is altogether
+subject to the laws of Love; wherefor that which pleaseth Him, needs
+must it please me. Things honourable pertain unto maturer folk; I can
+will nought save that which Love willeth. The beauty of yonder damsel
+deserveth to be loved of all, and if I love her, who am young, who can
+justly blame me therefor? I love her not because she is Gisippus's;
+nay, I love her for that I should love her, whosesoever she was. In
+this fortune sinneth that hath allotted her to Gisippus my friend,
+rather than to another; and if she must be loved, (as she must, and
+deservedly, for her beauty,) Gisippus, an he came to know it, should
+be better pleased that I should love her, I, than another.' Then, from
+that reasoning he reverted again to the contrary, making mock of
+himself, and wasted not only that day and the ensuing night in passing
+from this to that and back again, but many others, insomuch that,
+losing appetite and sleep therefor, he was constrained for weakness to
+take to his bed.
+
+Gisippus, having beheld him several days full of melancholy thought
+and seeing him presently sick, was sore concerned and with every art
+and all solicitude studied to comfort him, never leaving him and
+questioning him often and instantly of the cause of his melancholy and
+his sickness. Titus, after having once and again given him idle tales,
+which Gisippus knew to be such, by way of answer, finding himself e'en
+constrained thereunto, with tears and sighs replied to him on this
+wise, 'Gisippus, had it pleased the Gods, death were far more a-gree
+to me than to live longer, considering that fortune hath brought me to
+a pass whereas it behoved me make proof of my virtue and that I have,
+to my exceeding shame, found this latter overcome; but certes I look
+thereof to have ere long the reward that befitteth me, to wit, death,
+and this will be more pleasing to me than to live in remembrance of my
+baseness, which latter, for that I cannot nor should hide aught from
+thee, I will, not without sore blushing, discover to thee.' Then,
+beginning from the beginning, he discovered to him the cause of his
+melancholy and the conflict of his thoughts and ultimately gave him to
+know which had gotten the victory and confessed himself perishing for
+love of Sophronia, declaring that, knowing how much this misbeseemed
+him, he had for penance thereof resolved himself to die, whereof he
+trusted speedily to make an end.
+
+Gisippus, hearing this and seeing his tears, abode awhile irresolute,
+as one who, though more moderately, was himself taken with the charms
+of the fair damsel, but speedily bethought himself that his friend's
+life should be dearer to him than Sophronia. Accordingly, solicited to
+tears by those of his friend, he answered him, weeping, 'Titus, wert
+thou not in need as thou art of comfort, I should complain of thee to
+thyself, as of one who hath transgressed against our friendship in
+having so long kept thy most grievous passion hidden from me; since,
+albeit it appeared not to thee honourable, nevertheless dishonourable
+things should not, more than honourable, be hidden from a friend; for
+that a friend, like as he rejoiceth with his friend in honourable
+things, even so he studieth to do away the dishonourable from his
+friend's mind; but for the present I will refrain therefrom and come
+to that which I perceive to be of greater urgency. That thou lovest
+Sophronia, who is betrothed to me, I marvel not: nay, I should
+marvel, indeed, if it were not so, knowing her beauty and the nobility
+of thy mind, so much the more susceptible of passion as the thing that
+pleaseth hath the more excellence. And the more reason thou hast to
+love Sophronia, so much the more unjustly dost thou complain of
+fortune (albeit thou expressest this not in so many words) in that it
+hath awarded her to me, it seeming to thee that thy love for her had
+been honourable, were she other than mine; but tell me, if thou be as
+well advised as thou usest to be, to whom could fortune have awarded
+her, whereof thou shouldst have more cause to render it thanks, than
+of having awarded her to me? Whoso else had had her, how honourable
+soever thy love had been, had liefer loved her for himself[462] than
+for thee,[463] a thing which thou shouldst not fear[464] from me, an
+thou hold me a friend such as I am to thee, for that I mind me not,
+since we have been friends, to have ever had aught that was not as
+much thine as mine. Now, were the matter so far advanced that it might
+not be otherwise, I would do with her as I have done with my other
+possessions;[465] but it is yet at such a point that I can make her
+thine alone; and I will do so, for that I know not why my friendship
+should be dear to thee, if, in respect of a thing that may honourably
+be done, I knew not of a desire of mine to make thine. True it is that
+Sophronia is my promised bride and that I loved her much and looked
+with great joyance for my nuptials with her; but, since thou, being
+far more understanding than I, with more ardour desirest so dear a
+thing as she is, live assured that she shall enter my chamber, not as
+my wife, but as thine. Wherefore leave thought-taking, put away
+melancholy, call back thy lost health and comfort and allegresse and
+from this time forth expect with blitheness the reward of thy love,
+far worthier than was mine.'
+
+[Footnote 462: Or "his" (_a se_).]
+
+[Footnote 463: Or "thine" (_a te_).]
+
+[Footnote 464: Lit. "hope" (_sperare_). See note, p. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 465: _i.e._ I would have her in common with thee.]
+
+When Titus heard Gisippus speak thus, the more the flattering hopes
+given him of the latter afforded him pleasure, so much the more did
+just reason inform him with shame, showing him that, the greater was
+Gisippus his liberality, the more unworthy it appeared of himself to
+use it; wherefore, without giving over weeping, he with difficulty
+replied to him thus, 'Gisippus, thy generous and true friendship very
+plainly showeth me that which it pertaineth unto mine to do. God
+forfend that her, whom He hath bestowed upon thee as upon the
+worthier, I should receive from thee for mine! Had He judged it
+fitting that she should be mine, nor thou nor others can believe that
+He would ever have bestowed her on thee. Use, therefore, joyfully,
+thine election and discreet counsel and His gifts, and leave me to
+languish in the tears, which, as to one undeserving of such a
+treasure, He hath prepared unto me and which I will either overcome,
+and that will be dear to thee, or they will overcome me and I shall be
+out of pain.' 'Titus,' rejoined Gisippus, 'an our friendship might
+accord me such license that I should enforce thee to ensue a desire of
+mine and if it may avail to induce thee to do so, it is in this case
+that I mean to use it to the utmost, and if thou yield not to my
+prayers with a good grace, I will, with such violence as it behoveth
+us use for the weal of our friends, procure that Sophronia shall be
+thine. I know how great is the might of love and that, not once, but
+many a time, it hath brought lovers to a miserable death; nay, unto
+this I see thee so near that thou canst neither turn back nor avail to
+master thy tears, but, proceeding thus, wouldst pine and die;
+whereupon I, without any doubt, should speedily follow after. If,
+then, I loved thee not for otherwhat, thy life is dear to me, so I
+myself may live. Sophronia, therefore, shall be thine, for that thou
+couldst not lightly find another woman who would so please thee, and
+as I shall easily turn my love unto another, I shall thus have
+contented both thyself and me. I should not, peradventure, be so free
+to do this, were wives as scarce and as uneath to find as friends;
+however, as I can very easily find me another wife, but not another
+friend, I had liefer (I will not say _lose_ her, for that I shall not
+lose her, giving her to thee, but shall transfer her to another and a
+better self, but) transfer her than lose thee. Wherefore, if my
+prayers avail aught with thee, I beseech thee put away from thee this
+affliction and comforting at once thyself and me, address thee with
+good hope to take that joyance which thy fervent love desireth of the
+thing beloved.'
+
+Although Titus was ashamed to consent to this, namely, that Sophronia
+should become his wife, and on this account held out yet awhile,
+nevertheless, love on the one hand drawing him and Gisippus his
+exhortations on the other urging him, he said, 'Look you, Gisippus, I
+know not which I can say I do most, my pleasure or thine, in doing
+that whereof thou prayest me and which thou tellest me is so pleasing
+to thee, and since thy generosity is such that it overcometh my just
+shame, I will e'en do it; but of this thou mayst be assured that I do
+it as one who knoweth himself to receive of thee, not only the beloved
+lady, but with her his life. The Gods grant, an it be possible, that I
+may yet be able to show thee, for thine honour and thy weal, how
+grateful to me is that which thou, more pitiful for me than I for
+myself, dost for me!' These things said, 'Titus,' quoth Gisippus, 'in
+this matter, an we would have it take effect, meseemeth this course is
+to be held. As thou knowest, Sophronia, after long treaty between my
+kinsfolk and hers, is become my affianced bride; wherefore, should I
+now go about to say that I will not have her to wife, a sore scandal
+would ensue thereof and I should anger both her kinsfolk and mine own.
+Of this, indeed, I should reck nothing, an I saw that she was thereby
+to become thine; but I misdoubt me that, an I renounce her at this
+point, her kinsfolk will straightway give her to another, who belike
+will not be thyself, and so wilt thou have lost that which I shall not
+have gained. Wherefore meseemeth well, an thou be content, that I
+follow on with that which I have begun and bring her home as mine and
+hold the nuptials, and thou mayst after, as we shall know how to
+contrive, privily lie with her as with thy wife. Then, in due place
+and season, we will make manifest the fact, which, if it please them
+not, will still be done and they must perforce be content, being
+unable to go back upon it.'
+
+The device pleased Titus; wherefore Gisippus received the lady into
+his house, as his, (Titus being by this recovered and in good case,)
+and after holding high festival, the night being come, the ladies left
+the new-married wife in her husband's bed and went their ways. Now
+Titus his chamber adjoined that of Gisippus and one might go from the
+one room into the other; wherefore Gisippus, being in his chamber and
+having put out all the lights, betook himself stealthily to his friend
+and bade him go couch with his mistress. Titus, seeing this, was
+overcome with shame and would fain have repented and refused to go;
+but Gisippus, who with his whole heart, no less than in words, was
+minded to do his friend's pleasure, sent him thither, after long
+contention. Whenas he came into the bed, he took the damsel in his
+arms and asked her softly, as if in sport, if she chose to be his
+wife. She, thinking him to be Gisippus, answered, 'Yes'; whereupon he
+set a goodly and rich ring on her finger, saying, 'And I choose to be
+thy husband.' Then, the marriage consummated, he took long and amorous
+pleasance of her, without her or others anywise perceiving that other
+than Gisippus lay with her.
+
+The marriage of Sophronia and Titus being at this pass, Publius his
+father departed this life, wherefore it was written him that he should
+without delay return to Rome, to look to his affairs, and he
+accordingly took counsel with Gisippus to betake himself thither and
+carry Sophronia with him; which might not nor should aptly be done
+without discovering to her how the case stood. Accordingly, one day,
+calling her into the chamber, they thoroughly discovered to her the
+fact and thereof Titus certified her by many particulars of that which
+had passed between them twain. Sophronia, after eying the one and the
+other somewhat despitefully, fell a-weeping bitterly, complaining of
+Gisippus his deceit; then, rather than make any words of this in his
+house, she repaired to that of her father and there acquainted him and
+her mother with the cheat that had been put upon her and them by
+Gisippus, avouching herself to be the wife of Titus and not of
+Gisippus, as they believed. This was exceeding grievous to Sophronia's
+father, who made long and sore complaint thereof to her kinsfolk and
+those of Gisippus, and much and great was the talk and the clamour by
+reason thereof. Gisippus was held in despite both by his own kindred
+and those of Sophronia and every one declared him worthy not only of
+blame, but of severe chastisement; whilst he, on the contrary,
+avouched himself to have done an honourable thing and one for which
+thanks should be rendered him by Sophronia's kinsfolk, having married
+her to a better than himself.
+
+Titus, on his part, heard and suffered everything with no little annoy
+and knowing it to be the usance of the Greeks to press on with
+clamours and menaces, till such times as they found who should answer
+them, and then to become not only humble, but abject, he bethought
+himself that their clamour was no longer to be brooked without reply
+and having a Roman spirit and an Athenian wit, he adroitly contrived
+to assemble Gisippus his kinsfolk and those of Sophronia in a temple,
+wherein entering, accompanied by Gisippus alone, he thus bespoke the
+expectant folk: 'It is the belief of many philosophers that the
+actions of mortals are determined and foreordained of the immortal
+Gods, wherefore some will have it that all that is or shall ever be
+done is of necessity, albeit there be others who attribute this
+necessity to that only which is already done. If these opinions be
+considered with any diligence, it will very manifestly be seen that to
+blame a thing which cannot be undone is to do no otherwhat than to
+seek to show oneself wiser than the Gods, who, we must e'en believe,
+dispose of and govern us and our affairs with unfailing wisdom and
+without any error; wherefore you may very easily see what fond and
+brutish overweening it is to presume to find fault with their
+operations and eke how many and what chains they merit who suffer
+themselves be so far carried away by hardihood as to do this. Of whom,
+to my thinking, you are all, if that be true which I understand you
+have said and still say for that Sophronia is become my wife, whereas
+you had given her to Gisippus, never considering that it was
+foreordained from all eternity that she should become not his, but
+mine, as by the issue is known at this present. But, for that to speak
+of the secret foreordinance and intention of the Gods appeareth unto
+many a hard thing and a grievous to apprehend, I am willing to suppose
+that they concern not themselves with aught of our affairs and to
+condescend to the counsels[466] of mankind, in speaking whereof, it
+will behove me to do two things, both very contrary to my usances, the
+one, somedele to commend myself, and the other, in some measure to
+blame or disparage others; but, for that I purpose, neither in the one
+nor in the other, to depart from the truth and that the present matter
+requireth it, I will e'en do it.
+
+[Footnote 466: Or "arguments" (_consigli_).]
+
+Your complainings, dictated more by rage than by reason, upbraid,
+revile and condemn Gisippus with continual murmurs or rather clamours,
+for that, of his counsel, he hath given me to wife her whom you of
+yours[467] had given him; whereas I hold that he is supremely to be
+commended therefor, and that for two reasons, the one, for that he
+hath done that which a friend should do, and the other, for that he
+hath in this wrought more discreetly than did you. That which the
+sacred laws of friendship will that one friend should do for the
+other, it is not my intention at this present to expound, being
+content to have recalled to you this much only thereof, to wit, that
+the bonds of friendship are far more stringent than those of blood or
+of kindred, seeing that the friends we have are such as we choose for
+ourselves and our kinsfolk such as fortune giveth us; wherefore, if
+Gisippus loved my life more than your goodwill, I being his friend, as
+I hold myself, none should marvel thereat. But to come to the second
+reason, whereanent it more instantly behoveth to show you that he hath
+been wiser than yourselves, since meseemeth you reck nothing of the
+foreordinance of the Gods and know yet less of the effects of
+friendship:--I say, then, that you of your judgment, of your counsel
+and of your deliberation, gave Sophronia to Gisippus, a young man and
+a philosopher; Gisippus of his gave her to a young man and a
+philosopher; your counsel gave her to an Athenian and that of Gisippus
+to a Roman; your counsel gave her to a youth of noble birth and his to
+one yet nobler; yours to a rich youth, his to a very rich; yours to a
+youth who not only loved her not, but scarce knew her, his to one who
+loved her over his every happiness and more than his very life. And to
+show you that this I say is true and that Gisippus his action is more
+commendable than yours, let us consider it, part by part. That I, like
+Gisippus, am a young man and a philosopher, my favour and my studies
+may declare, without more discourse thereof. One same age is his and
+mine and still with equal step have we proceeded studying. True, he is
+an Athenian and I am a Roman. If it be disputed of the glory of our
+native cities, I say that I am a citizen of a free city and he of a
+tributary one; I am of a city mistress of the whole world and he of a
+city obedient unto mine; I am of a city most illustrious in arms, in
+empery and in letters, whereas he can only commend his own for
+letters. Moreover, albeit you see me here on lowly wise enough a
+student, I am not born of the dregs of the Roman populace; my houses
+and the public places of Rome are full of antique images of my
+ancestors and the Roman annals will be found full of many a triumph
+led by the Quintii up to the Roman Capitol; nor is the glory of our
+name fallen for age into decay, nay, it presently flourisheth more
+splendidly than ever. I speak not, for shamefastness, of my riches,
+bearing in mind that honourable poverty hath ever been the ancient and
+most ample patrimony of the noble citizens of Rome; but, if this be
+condemned of the opinion of the vulgar and treasures commended, I am
+abundantly provided with these latter, not as one covetous, but as
+beloved of fortune.[468] I know very well that it was and should have
+been and should be dear unto you to have Gisippus here in Athens to
+kinsman; but I ought not for any reason to be less dear to you at
+Rome, considering that in me you would have there an excellent host
+and an useful and diligent and powerful patron, no less in public
+occasions than in matters of private need.
+
+[Footnote 467: _i.e._ of your counsel.]
+
+[Footnote 468: _i.e._ my riches are not the result of covetous
+amassing, but of the favours of fortune.]
+
+Who then, letting be wilfulness and considering with reason, will
+commend your counsels above those of my Gisippus? Certes, none.
+Sophronia, then, is well and duly married to Titus Quintius Fulvus, a
+noble, rich and long-descended citizen of Rome and a friend of
+Gisippus; wherefore whoso complaineth or maketh moan of this doth not
+that which he ought neither knoweth that which he doth. Some perchance
+will say that they complain not of Sophronia being the wife of Titus,
+but of the manner wherein she became his wife, to wit, in secret and
+by stealth, without friend or kinsman knowing aught thereof; but this
+is no marvel nor thing that betideth newly. I willingly leave be those
+who have aforetime taken husbands against their parents' will and
+those who have fled with their lovers and have been mistresses before
+they were wives and those who have discovered themselves to be married
+rather by pregnancy or child-bearing than with the tongue, yet hath
+necessity commended it to their kinsfolk; nothing of which hath
+happened in Sophronia's case; nay, she hath orderly, discreetly and
+honourably been given by Gisippus to Titus. Others will say that he
+gave her in marriage to whom it appertained not to do so; but these be
+all foolish and womanish complaints and proceed from lack of
+advisement. This is not the first time that fortune hath made use of
+various means and strange instruments to bring matters to foreordained
+issues. What have I to care if it be a cordwainer rather than a
+philosopher, that hath, according to his judgment, despatched an
+affair of mine, and whether in secret or openly, provided the issue be
+good? If the cordwainer be indiscreet, all I have to do is to look
+well that he have no more to do with my affairs and thank him for that
+which is done. If Gisippus hath married Sophronia well, it is a
+superfluous folly to go complaining of the manner and of him. If you
+have no confidence in his judgment, look he have no more of your
+daughters to marry and thank him for this one.
+
+Nevertheless I would have you to know that I sought not, either by art
+or by fraud, to impose any stain upon the honour and illustriousness
+of your blood in the person of Sophronia, and that, albeit I took her
+secretly to wife, I came not as a ravisher to rob her of her
+maidenhead nor sought, after the manner of an enemy, whilst shunning
+your alliance, to have her otherwise than honourably; but, being
+ardently enkindled by her lovesome beauty and by her worth and knowing
+that, had I sought her with that ordinance which you will maybe say I
+should have used, I should not (she being much beloved of you) have
+had her, for fear lest I should carry her off to Rome, I used the
+occult means that may now be discovered to you and caused Gisippus, in
+my person, consent unto that which he himself was not disposed to do.
+Moreover, ardently as I loved her, I sought her embraces not as a
+lover, but as a husband, nor, as she herself can truly testify, did I
+draw near to her till I had first both with the due words and with the
+ring espoused her, asking her if she would have me for husband, to
+which she answered ay. If it appear to her that she hath been
+deceived, it is not I who am to blame therefor, but she, who asked me
+not who I was. This, then, is the great misdeed, the grievous crime,
+the sore default committed by Gisippus as a friend and by myself as a
+lover, to wit, that Sophronia hath secretly become the wife of Titus
+Quintius, and this it is for which you defame and menace and plot
+against him. What more could you do, had he bestowed her upon a churl,
+a losel or a slave? What chains, what prison, what gibbets had
+sufficed thereunto?
+
+But let that be for the present; the time is come which I looked not
+for yet, to wit, my father is dead and it behoveth me return to Rome;
+wherefore, meaning to carry Sophronia with me, I have discovered to
+you that which I should otherwise belike have yet kept hidden from you
+and with which, an you be wise, you will cheerfully put up, for that,
+had I wished to cheat or outrage you, I might have left her to you,
+scorned and dishonored; but God forfend that such a baseness should
+ever avail to harbour in a Roman breast! She, then, namely Sophronia,
+by the consent of the Gods and the operation of the laws of mankind,
+no less than by the admirable contrivance of my Gisippus and mine own
+amorous astuteness, is become mine, and this it seemeth that you,
+holding yourselves belike wiser than the Gods and than the rest of
+mankind, brutishly condemn, showing your disapproval in two ways both
+exceedingly noyous to myself, first by detaining Sophronia, over whom
+you have no right, save in so far as it pleaseth me to allow it, and
+secondly, by entreating Gisippus, to whom you are justly beholden, as
+an enemy. How foolishly you do in both which things I purpose not at
+this present to make farther manifest to you, but will only counsel
+you, as a friend, to lay by your despites and altogether leaving your
+resentments and the rancours that you have conceived, to restore
+Sophronia to me, so I may joyfully depart your kinsman and live your
+friend; for of this, whether that which is done please you or please
+you not, you may be assured that, if you offer to do otherwise, I will
+take Gisippus from you and if I win to Rome, I will without fail,
+however ill you may take it, have her again who is justly mine and
+ever after showing myself your enemy, will cause you know by
+experience that whereof the despite of Roman souls is capable.'
+
+Titus, having thus spoken, rose to his feet, with a countenance all
+disordered for anger, and taking Gisippus by the hand, went forth of
+the temple, shaking his head threateningly and showing that he recked
+little of as many as were there. The latter, in part reconciled by his
+reasonings to the alliance and desirous of his friendship and in part
+terrified by his last words, of one accord determined that it was
+better to have him for a kinsman, since Gisippus had not willed it,
+than to have lost the latter to kinsman and gotten the former for an
+enemy. Accordingly, going in quest of Titus, they told him that they
+were willing that Sophronia should be his and to have him for a dear
+kinsman and Gisippus for a dear friend; then, having mutually done
+each other such honours and courtesies as beseem between kinsmen and
+friends, they took their leaves and sent Sophronia back to him. She,
+like a wise woman, making a virtue of necessity, readily transferred
+to Titus the affection she bore Gisippus and repaired with him to
+Rome, where she was received with great honour.
+
+Meanwhile, Gisippus abode in Athens, held in little esteem of well
+nigh all, and no great while after, through certain intestine
+troubles, was, with all those of his house, expelled from Athens, in
+poverty and misery, and condemned to perpetual exile. Finding himself
+in this case and being grown not only poor, but beggarly, he betook
+himself, as least ill he might, to Rome, to essay if Titus should
+remember him. There, learning that the latter was alive and high in
+favour with all the Romans and enquiring for his dwelling-place, he
+stationed himself before the door and there abode till such time as
+Titus came, to whom, by reason of the wretched plight wherein he was,
+he dared not say a word, but studied to cause himself be seen of him,
+so he might recognize him and let call him to himself; wherefore
+Titus passed on, [without noting him,] and Gisippus, conceiving that
+he had seen and shunned him and remembering him of that which himself
+had done for him aforetime, departed, despiteful and despairing. It
+being by this night and he fasting and penniless, he wandered on,
+unknowing whither and more desirous of death than of otherwhat, and
+presently happened upon a very desert part of the city, where seeing a
+great cavern, he addressed himself to abide the night there and
+presently, forspent with long weeping, he fell asleep on the naked
+earth and ill in case. To this cavern two, who had gone a-thieving
+together that night, came towards morning, with the booty they had
+gotten, and falling out over the division, one, who was the stronger,
+slew the other and went away. Gisippus had seen and heard this and
+himseemed he had found a way to the death so sore desired of him,
+without slaying himself; wherefore he abode without stirring, till
+such time as the Serjeants of the watch, who had by this gotten wind
+of the deed, came thither and laying furious hands of him, carried him
+off prisoner. Gisippus, being examined, confessed that he had murdered
+the man nor had since availed to depart the cavern; whereupon the
+praetor, who was called Marcus Varro, commanded that he should be put
+to death upon the cross, as the usance then was.
+
+Now Titus was by chance come at that juncture to the praetorium and
+looking the wretched condemned man in the face and hearing why he had
+been doomed to die, suddenly knew him for Gisippus; whereupon,
+marvelling at his sorry fortune and how he came to be in Rome and
+desiring most ardently to succour him, but seeing no other means of
+saving him than to accuse himself and thus excuse him, he thrust
+forward in haste and cried out, saying, 'Marcus Varro, call back the
+poor man whom thou hast condemned, for that he is innocent. I have
+enough offended against the Gods with one crime, in slaying him whom
+thine officer found this morning dead, without willing presently to
+wrong them with the death of another innocent.' Varro marvelled and it
+irked him that all the praetorium should have heard him; but, being
+unable, for his own honour's sake, to forbear from doing that which
+the laws commanded, he caused bring back Gisippus and in the presence
+of Titus said to him, 'How camest thou to be so mad that, without
+suffering any torture, thou confessedst to that which thou didst not,
+it being a capital matter? Thou declaredst thyself to be he who slew
+the man yesternight, and now this man cometh and saith that it was not
+thou, but he that slew him.'
+
+Gisippus looked and seeing that it was Titus, perceived full well that
+he did this to save him, as grateful for the service aforetime
+received from him; wherefore, weeping for pity, 'Varro,' quoth he,
+'indeed it was I slew him and Titus his solicitude for my safety is
+now too late.' Titus on the other hand, said, 'Praetor, do as thou
+seest, this man is a stranger and was found without arms beside the
+murdered man, and thou mayst see that his wretchedness giveth him
+occasion to wish to die; wherefore do thou release him and punish me,
+who have deserved it.' Varro marvelled at the insistence of these two
+and beginning now to presume that neither of them might be guilty, was
+casting about for a means of acquitting them, when, behold, up came a
+youth called Publius Ambustus, a man of notorious ill life and known
+to all the Romans for an arrant rogue, who had actually done the
+murder and knowing neither of the twain to be guilty of that whereof
+each accused himself, such was the pity that overcame his heart for
+the innocence of the two friends that, moved by supreme compassion, he
+came before Varro and said, 'Praetor, my fates impel me to solve the
+grievous contention of these twain and I know not what God within me
+spurreth and importuneth me to discover to thee my sin. Know, then,
+that neither of these men is guilty of that whereof each accuseth
+himself. I am verily he who slew yonder man this morning towards
+daybreak and I saw this poor wretch asleep there, what while I was in
+act to divide the booty gotten with him whom I slew. There is no need
+for me to excuse Titus; his renown is everywhere manifest and every
+one knoweth him to be no man of such a condition. Release him,
+therefore, and take of me that forfeit which the laws impose on me.'
+
+By this Octavianus had notice of the matter and causing all three be
+brought before him, desired to hear what cause had moved each of them
+to seek to be the condemned man. Accordingly, each related his own
+story, whereupon Octavianus released the two friends, for that they
+were innocent, and pardoned the other for the love of them. Thereupon
+Titus took his Gisippus and first reproaching him sore for
+lukewarmness[469] and diffidence, rejoiced in him with marvellous
+great joy and carried him to his house, where Sophronia with tears of
+compassion received him as a brother. Then, having awhile recruited
+him with rest and refreshment and reclothed him and restored him to
+such a habit as sorted with his worth and quality, he first shared all
+his treasures and estates in common with him and after gave him to
+wife a young sister of his, called Fulvia, saying, 'Gisippus,
+henceforth it resteth with thee whether thou wilt abide here with me
+or return with everything I have given thee into Achaia.' Gisippus,
+constrained on the one hand by his banishment from his native land and
+on the other by the love which he justly bore to the cherished
+friendship of Titus, consented to become a Roman and accordingly took
+up his abode in the city, where he with his Fulvia and Titus with his
+Sophronia lived long and happily, still abiding in one house and
+waxing more friends (an more they might be) every day.
+
+[Footnote 469: Sic (_tiepidezza_); but _semble_ "timidity" or
+"distrustfulness" is meant.]
+
+A most sacred thing, then, is friendship and worthy not only of
+especial reverence, but to be commended with perpetual praise, as the
+most discreet mother of magnanimity and honour, the sister of
+gratitude and charity and the enemy of hatred and avarice, still,
+without waiting to be entreated, ready virtuously to do unto others
+that which it would have done to itself. Nowadays its divine effects
+are very rarely to be seen in any twain, by the fault and to the shame
+of the wretched cupidity of mankind, which, regarding only its own
+profit, hath relegated it to perpetual exile, beyond the extremest
+limits of the earth. What love, what riches, what kinship, what,
+except friendship, could have made Gisippus feel in his heart the
+ardour, the tears and the sighs of Titus with such efficacy as to
+cause him yield up to his friend his betrothed bride, fair and gentle
+and beloved of him? What laws, what menaces, what fears could have
+enforced the young arms of Gisippus to abstain, in solitary places and
+in dark, nay, in his very bed, from the embraces of the fair damsel,
+she mayhap bytimes inviting him, had friendship not done it? What
+honours, what rewards, what advancements, what, indeed, but
+friendship, could have made Gisippus reck not of losing his own
+kinsfolk and those of Sophronia nor of the unmannerly clamours of the
+populace nor of scoffs and insults, so that he might pleasure his
+friend? On the other hand, what, but friendship, could have prompted
+Titus, whenas he might fairly have feigned not to see, unhesitatingly
+to compass his own death, that he might deliver Gisippus from the
+cross to which he had of his own motion procured himself to be
+condemned? What else could have made Titus, without the least demur,
+so liberal in sharing his most ample patrimony with Gisippus, whom
+fortune had bereft of his own? What else could have made him so
+forward to vouchsafe his sister to his friend, albeit he saw him very
+poor and reduced to the extreme of misery? Let men, then, covet a
+multitude of comrades, troops of brethren and children galore and add,
+by dint of monies, to the number of their servitors, considering not
+that every one of these, who and whatsoever he may be, is more fearful
+of every least danger of his own than careful to do away the
+great[470] from father or brother or master, whereas we see a friend
+do altogether the contrary."
+
+[Footnote 470: _i.e._ perils.]
+
+
+
+
+THE NINTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     SALADIN, IN THE DISGUISE OF A MERCHANT, IS HONOURABLY
+     ENTERTAINED BY MESSER TORELLO D'ISTRIA, WHO, PRESENTLY
+     UNDERTAKING THE [THIRD] CRUSADE, APPOINTETH HIS WIFE A TERM
+     FOR HER MARRYING AGAIN. HE IS TAKEN [BY THE SARACENS] AND
+     COMETH, BY HIS SKILL IN TRAINING HAWKS, UNDER THE NOTICE OF
+     THE SOLDAN, WHO KNOWETH HIM AGAIN AND DISCOVERING HIMSELF TO
+     HIM, ENTREATETH HIM WITH THE UTMOST HONOUR. THEN, TORELLO
+     FALLING SICK FOR LANGUISHMENT, HE IS BY MAGICAL ART
+     TRANSPORTED IN ONE NIGHT [FROM ALEXANDRIA] TO PAVIA, WHERE,
+     BEING RECOGNIZED BY HIS WIFE AT THE BRIDE-FEAST HELD FOR HER
+     MARRYING AGAIN, HE RETURNETH WITH HER TO HIS OWN HOUSE
+
+
+Filomena having made an end of her discourse and the magnificent
+gratitude of Titus having been of all alike commended, the king,
+reserving the last place unto Dioneo, proceeded to speak thus:
+"Assuredly, lovesome ladies, Filomena speaketh sooth in that which she
+saith of friendship and with reason complaineth, in concluding her
+discourse, of its being so little in favour with mankind. If we were
+here for the purpose of correcting the defaults of the age or even of
+reprehending them, I might ensue her words with a discourse at large
+upon the subject; but, for that we aim at otherwhat, it hath occurred
+to my mind to set forth to you, in a story belike somewhat overlong,
+but withal altogether pleasing, one of the magnificences of Saladin,
+to the end that, if, by reason of our defaults, the friendship of any
+one may not be throughly acquired, we may, at the least, be led, by
+the things which you shall hear in my story, to take delight in doing
+service, in the hope that, whenassoever it may be, reward will ensue
+to us thereof.
+
+I must tell you, then, that, according to that which divers folk
+affirm, a general crusade was, in the days of the Emperor Frederick
+the First, undertaken by the Christians for the recovery of the Holy
+Land, whereof Saladin, a very noble and valiant prince, who was then
+Soldan of Babylon, having notice awhile beforehand, he bethought
+himself to seek in his own person to see the preparations of the
+Christian princes for the undertaking in question, so he might the
+better avail to provide himself. Accordingly, having ordered all his
+affairs in Egypt, he made a show of going a pilgrimage and set out in
+the disguise of a merchant, attended by two only of his chiefest and
+sagest officers and three serving-men. After he had visited many
+Christian countries, it chanced that, as they rode through Lombardy,
+thinking to pass beyond the mountains,[471] they encountered, about
+vespers, on the road from Milan to Pavia, a gentleman of the latter
+place, by name Messer Torello d'Istria, who was on his way, with his
+servants and dogs and falcons, to sojourn at a goodly country seat he
+had upon the Tesino, and no sooner set eyes on Saladin and his company
+than he knew them for gentlemen and strangers; wherefore, the Soldan
+enquiring of one of his servants how far they were yet distant from
+Pavia and if he might win thither in time to enter the city, he
+suffered not the man to reply, but himself answered, 'Gentlemen, you
+cannot reach Pavia in time to enter therein.' 'Then,' said Saladin,
+'may it please you acquaint us (for that we are strangers) where we
+may best lodge the night.' Quoth Messer Torello, 'That will I
+willingly do. I had it presently in mind to dispatch one of my men
+here to the neighborhood of Pavia for somewhat: I will send him with
+you and he shall bring you to a place where you may lodge conveniently
+enough.' Then, turning to the discreetest of his men he [privily]
+enjoined him what he should do and sent him with them, whilst he
+himself, making for his country house, let order, as best he might, a
+goodly supper and set the tables in the garden; which done, he posted
+himself at the door to await his guests.
+
+[Footnote 471: _i.e._ to cross the Alps into France.]
+
+Meanwhile, the servant, devising with the gentlemen of one thing and
+another, led them about by certain by-roads and brought them, without
+their suspecting it, to his lord's residence, where, whenas Messer
+Torello saw them, he came to meet them afoot and said, smiling,
+'Gentlemen, you are very welcome.' Saladin, who was very quick of
+apprehension, understood that the gentleman had misdoubted him they
+would not have accepted his invitation, had he bidden them whenas he
+fell in with them, and had, therefore, brought them by practice to his
+house, so they might not avail to refuse to pass the night with him,
+and accordingly, returning his greeting, he said, 'Sir, an one could
+complain of men of courtesy, we might complain of you, for that
+(letting be that you have somewhat hindered us from our road) you
+have, without our having merited your goodwill otherwise than by a
+mere salutation, constrained us to accept of such noble hospitality as
+is this of yours.' 'Gentlemen,' answered Messer Torello, who was a
+discreet and well-spoken man, 'it is but a sorry hospitality that you
+will receive from us, regard had to that which should behove unto you,
+an I may judge by that which I apprehend from your carriage and that
+of your companions; but in truth you could nowhere out of Pavia have
+found any decent place of entertainment; wherefore, let it not irk you
+to have gone somedele beside your way, to have a little less unease.'
+Meanwhile, his servants came round about the travellers and helping
+them to dismount, eased[472] their horses.
+
+[Footnote 472: _Adagiarono_; see p. 447, note.]
+
+Messer Torello then brought the three stranger gentlemen to the
+chambers prepared for them, where he let unboot them and refresh them
+somewhat with very cool wines and entertained them in agreeable
+discourse till such time as they might sup. Saladin and his companions
+and servants all knew Latin, wherefore they understood very well and
+were understood, and it seemed to each of them that this gentleman was
+the most pleasant and well-mannered man they had ever seen, ay, and
+the best spoken. It appeared to Messer Torello, on the other hand,
+that they were men of magnificent fashions and much more of account
+than he had at first conceived, wherefore he was inwardly chagrined
+that he could not honour them that evening with companions and with a
+more considerable entertainment. But for this he bethought himself to
+make them amends on the morrow, and accordingly, having instructed one
+of his servants of that which he would have done, he despatched him to
+Pavia, which was very near at hand and where no gate was ever locked,
+to his lady, who was exceeding discreet and great-hearted. Then,
+carrying the gentlemen into the garden, he courteously asked them who
+they were, to which Saladin answered, 'We are merchants from Cyprus
+and are bound to Paris on our occasions.' 'Would to God,' cried Messer
+Torello, 'that this our country produced gentlemen of such a fashion
+as I see Cyprus doth merchants!' In these and other discourses they
+abode till it was time to sup, whereupon he left it to them to honour
+themselves at table,[473] and there, for an improvised supper, they
+were very well and orderly served; nor had they abidden long after the
+tables were removed, when Messer Torello, judging them to be weary,
+put them to sleep in very goodly beds and himself a little after in
+like manner betook himself to rest.
+
+[Footnote 473: _i.e._ to place themselves according to their several
+ranks, which were unknown to Torello.]
+
+Meanwhile the servant sent to Pavia did his errand to the lady, who,
+with no womanly, but with a royal spirit, let call in haste a great
+number of the friends and servants of Messer Torello and made ready
+all that behoved unto a magnificent banquet. Moreover, she let bid by
+torchlight many of the noblest of the townfolk to the banquet and
+bringing out cloths and silks and furs, caused throughly order that
+which her husband had sent to bid her do. The day come, Saladin and
+his companions arose, whereupon Messer Torello took horse with them
+and sending for his falcons, carried them to a neighbouring ford and
+there showed them how the latter flew; then, Saladin enquiring for
+some one who should bring him to Pavia and to the best inn, his host
+said, 'I will be your guide, for that it behoveth me go thither.' The
+others, believing this, were content and set out in company with him
+for the city, which they reached about tierce and thinking to be on
+their way to the best inn, were carried by Messer Torello to his own
+house, where a good half-hundred of the most considerable citizens
+were already come to receive the stranger gentlemen and were
+straightway about their bridles and stirrups. Saladin and his
+companions, seeing this, understood but too well what was forward and
+said, 'Messer Torello, this is not what we asked of you; you have done
+enough for us this past night, ay, and far more than we are worth;
+wherefore you might now fitly suffer us fare on our way.' 'Gentlemen,'
+replied Messer Torello, 'for my yesternight's dealing with you I am
+more indebted to fortune than to you, which took you on the road at an
+hour when it behoved you come to my poor house; but of your this
+morning's visit I shall be beholden to yourselves, and with me all
+these gentlemen who are about you and to whom an it seem to you
+courteous to refuse to dine with them, you can do so, if you will.'
+
+Saladin and his companions, overcome, dismounted and being joyfully
+received by the assembled company, were carried to chambers which had
+been most sumptuously arrayed for them, where having put off their
+travelling gear and somewhat refreshed themselves, they repaired to
+the saloon, where the banquet was splendidly prepared. Water having
+been given to the hands, they were seated at table with the goodliest
+and most orderly observance and magnificently served with many viands,
+insomuch that, were the emperor himself come thither, it had been
+impossible to do him more honour, and albeit Saladin and his
+companions were great lords and used to see very great things,
+natheless, they were mightily wondered at this and it seemed to them
+of the greatest, having regard to the quality of the gentleman, whom
+they knew to be only a citizen and not a lord. Dinner ended and the
+tables removed, they conversed awhile of divers things; then, at
+Messer Torello's instance, the heat being great, the gentlemen of
+Pavia all betook themselves to repose, whilst he himself, abiding
+alone with his three guests, carried them into a chamber and (that no
+precious thing of his should remain unseen of them) let call thither
+his noble lady. Accordingly, the latter, who was very fair and tall of
+her person, came in to them, arrayed in rich apparel and flanked by
+two little sons of hers, as they were two angels, and saluted them
+courteously. The strangers, seeing her, rose to their feet and
+receiving her with worship, caused her sit among them and made much of
+her two fair children. Therewithal she entered into pleasant discourse
+with them and presently, Messer Torello having gone out awhile, she
+asked them courteously whence they were and whither they went; to
+which they made answer even as they had done to her husband; whereupon
+quoth she, with a blithe air, 'Then see I that my womanly advisement
+will be useful; wherefore I pray you, of your especial favour, refuse
+me not neither disdain a slight present, which I shall cause bring
+you, but accept it, considering that women, of their little heart,
+give little things and regarding more the goodwill of the giver than
+the value of the gift.' Then, letting fetch them each two gowns, one
+lined with silk and the other with miniver, no wise citizens' clothes
+nor merchants, but fit for great lords to wear, and three doublets of
+sendal and linen breeches to match, she said, 'Take these; I have clad
+my lord in gowns of the like fashion, and the other things, for all
+they are little worth, may be acceptable to you, considering that you
+are far from your ladies and the length of the way you have travelled
+and that which is yet to travel and that merchants are proper men and
+nice of their persons.'
+
+The Saracens marvelled and manifestly perceived that Messer Torello
+was minded to leave no particular of hospitality undone them; nay,
+seeing the magnificence of the unmerchantlike gowns, they misdoubted
+them they had been recognized of him. However, one of them made answer
+to the lady, saying, 'Madam, these are very great matters and such as
+should not lightly be accepted, an your prayers, to which it is
+impossible to say no, constrained us not thereto.' This done and
+Messer Torello being now returned, the lady, commending them to God,
+took leave of them and let furnish their servants with like things
+such as sorted with their condition. Messer Torello with many prayers
+prevailed upon them to abide with him all that day; wherefore, after
+they had slept awhile, they donned their gowns and rode with him
+somedele about the city; then, the supper-hour come, they supped
+magnificently with many worshipful companions and in due time betook
+themselves to rest. On the morrow they arose with day and found, in
+place of their tired hackneys, three stout and good palfreys, and on
+likewise fresh and strong horses for their servants, which when
+Saladin saw, he turned to his companions and said, 'I vow to God that
+never was there a more accomplished gentleman nor a more courteous and
+apprehensive than this one, and if the kings of the Christians are
+kings of such a fashion as this is a gentleman, the Soldan of Babylon
+can never hope to stand against a single one of them, not to speak of
+the many whom we see make ready to fall upon him.' Then, knowing that
+it were in vain to seek to refuse this new gift, they very courteously
+thanked him therefor and mounted to horse.
+
+Messer Torello, with many companions, brought them a great way without
+the city, till, grievous as it was to Saladin to part from him, (so
+much was he by this grown enamoured of him,) natheless, need
+constraining him to press on, he presently besought him to turn back;
+whereupon, loath as he was to leave them, 'Gentlemen,' quoth he,
+'since it pleaseth you, I will do it; but one thing I will e'en say to
+you; I know not who you are nor do I ask to know more thereof than it
+pleaseth you to tell me; but, be you who you may, you will never make
+me believe that you are merchants, and so I commend you to God.'
+Saladin, having by this taken leave of all Messer Torello's
+companions, replied to him, saying, 'Sir, we may yet chance to let you
+see somewhat of our merchandise, whereby we may confirm your
+belief;[474] meantime, God be with you.' Thereupon he departed with
+his followers, firmly resolved, if life should endure to him and the
+war he looked for undo him not, to do Messer Torello no less honour
+than that which he had done him, and much did he discourse with his
+companions of him and of his lady and all his affairs and fashions and
+dealings, mightily commending everything. Then, after he had, with no
+little fatigue, visited all the West, he took ship with his companions
+and returned to Alexandria, where, being now fully informed, he
+addressed himself to his defence. As for Messer Torello, he returned
+to Pavia and went long in thought who these might be, but never hit
+upon the truth, no, nor came near it.
+
+[Footnote 474: Sic (_la vostra credenza raffermeremo_); but the
+meaning is, "whereby we may amend your unbelief and give you cause to
+credit our assertion that we are merchants."]
+
+The time being now come for the crusade and great preparations made
+everywhere, Messer Torello, notwithstanding the tears and entreaties
+of his wife, was altogether resolved to go thereon and having made his
+every provision and being about to take horse, he said to his lady,
+whom he loved over all, 'Wife, as thou seest, I go on this crusade, as
+well for the honour of my body as for the health of my soul. I commend
+to thee our affairs and our honour, and for that I am certain of the
+going, but of the returning, for a thousand chances that may betide, I
+have no assurance, I will have thee do me a favour, to wit, that
+whatever befall of me, an thou have not certain news of my life, thou
+shalt await me a year and a month and a day, ere thou marry again,
+beginning from this the day of my departure.' The lady, who wept sore,
+answered, 'Messer Torello, I know not how I shall endure the chagrin
+wherein you leave me by your departure; but, an my life prove stronger
+than my grief and aught befall you, you may live and die assured that
+I shall live and die the wife of Messer Torello and of his memory.'
+'Wife,' rejoined Messer Torello, 'I am very certain that, inasmuch as
+in thee lieth, this that thou promisest me will come to pass; but thou
+art a young woman and fair and of high family and thy worth is great
+and everywhere known; wherefore I doubt not but many great and noble
+gentlemen will, should aught be misdoubted of me,[475] demand thee of
+thy brethren and kinsfolk; from whose importunities, how much soever
+thou mightest wish, thou wilt not be able to defend thyself and it
+will behove thee perforce comply with their wishes; and this is why I
+ask of thee this term and not a greater one.' Quoth the lady, 'I will
+do what I may of that which I have told you, and should it
+nevertheless behove me to do otherwise, I will assuredly obey you in
+this that you enjoin me; but I pray God that He bring nor you nor me
+to such an extremity in these days.' This said, she embraced him,
+weeping, and drawing a ring from her finger, gave it to him, saying,
+'And it chance that I die ere I see you again, remember me when you
+look upon this ring.'
+
+[Footnote 475: _i.e._ should any rumour get wind of death.]
+
+Torello took the ring and mounted to horse; then, bidding all his
+people adieu, he set out on his journey and came presently with his
+company to Genoa. There he embarked on board a galleon and coming in a
+little while to Acre, joined himself to the other army[476] of the
+Christians, wherein, well nigh out of hand, there began a sore
+sickness and mortality. During this, whether by Saladin's skill or of
+his good fortune, well nigh all the remnant of the Christians who had
+escaped alive were taken by him, without blow stricken, and divided
+among many cities and imprisoned. Messer Torello was one of those
+taken and was carried prisoner to Alexandria, where, being unknown and
+fearing to make himself known, he addressed himself, of necessity
+constrained, to the training of hawks, of which he was a great master,
+and by this he came under the notice of Saladin, who took him out of
+prison and entertained him for his falconer. Messer Torello, who was
+called by the Soldan by none other name than the Christian, recognized
+him not nor did Saladin recognize him; nay, all his thoughts were in
+Pavia and he had more than once essayed to flee, but without avail;
+wherefore, certain Genoese coming ambassadors to Saladin, to treat for
+the ransom of sundry of their townsmen, and being about to depart, he
+bethought himself to write to his lady, giving her to know that he was
+alive and would return to her as quickliest he might and bidding her
+await him. Accordingly, he wrote letters to this effect and instantly
+besought one of the ambassadors, whom he knew, to cause them come to
+the hands of the Abbot of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro, who was his uncle.
+
+[Footnote 476: Sic (_all' altro esercito_). The meaning of this does
+not appear, as no mention has yet been made of two Christian armies.
+Perhaps we should translate "the rest of the army," _i.e._ such part
+of the remnant of the Christian host as fled to Acre and shut
+themselves up there after the disastrous day of Hittin (23 June,
+1187). Acre fell on the 29th July, 1187.]
+
+Things being at this pass with him, it befell one day that, as Saladin
+was devising with him of his hawks, Messer Torello chanced to smile
+and made a motion with his mouth, which the former had much noted,
+what while he was in his house at Pavia. This brought the gentleman to
+his mind and looking steadfastly upon him, himseemed it was himself;
+wherefore, leaving the former discourse, 'Harkye, Christian, said he,
+'What countryman art thou of the West?' 'My lord,' replied Torello, 'I
+am a Lombard of a city called Pavia, a poor man and of mean
+condition.' Saladin, hearing this, was in a manner certified of the
+truth of his suspicion and said joyfully in himself, 'God hath
+vouchsafed me an opportunity of showing this man how grateful his
+courtesy was to me.' Accordingly, without saying otherwhat, he let
+lay out all his apparel in a chamber and carrying him thither, said to
+him, 'Look, Christian, if there be any among these gowns that thou
+hast ever seen.' Torello looked and saw those which his lady had given
+Saladin; but, natheless, conceiving not that they could possibly be
+the same, he answered, 'My lord, I know none of them; albeit, in good
+sooth, these twain do favour certain gowns wherewithal I, together
+with three merchants who came to my house, was invested aforetime.'
+Thereupon Saladin, unable to contain himself farther, embraced him
+tenderly, saying, 'You are Messer Torello d'Istria and I am one of the
+three merchants to whom your lady gave these gowns; and now is the
+time come to certify you what manner merchandise mine is, even as I
+told you, at my parting from you, might chance to betide.' Messer
+Torello, hearing this, was at once rejoiced and ashamed; rejoiced to
+have had such a guest and ashamed for that himseemed he had
+entertained him but scurvily. Then said Saladin, 'Messer Torello,
+since God hath sent you hither to me, henceforth consider that not I,
+but you are master here.' Accordingly, after they had mightily
+rejoiced in each other, he clad him in royal apparel and carrying him
+into the presence of all his chief barons, commanded, after saying
+many things in praise of his worth, that he should of all who held his
+favour dear be honoured as himself, which was thenceforward done of
+all, but above all of the two gentlemen who had been Saladin's
+companions in his house.
+
+The sudden height of glory to which Messer Torello thus found himself
+advanced put his Lombardy affairs somedele out of his mind, more by
+token that he had good reason to hope that his letters were by this
+come to his uncle's hands. Now there had died and been buried in the
+camp or rather in the host, of the Christians, the day they were taken
+by Saladin, a Provencal gentleman of little account, by name Messer
+Torello de Dignes, by reason whereof, Messer Torello d'Istria being
+renowned throughout the army for his magnificence, whosoever heard
+say, 'Messer Torello is dead,' believed it of Messer Torello d'Istria,
+not of him of Dignes. The hazard of the capture that ensued thereupon
+suffered not those who had been thus misled to be undeceived;
+wherefore many Italians returned with this news, amongst whom were
+some who scrupled not to avouch that they had seen him dead and had
+been at the burial. This, coming to be known of his wife and kinsfolk,
+was the cause of grievous and inexpressible sorrow, not only to them,
+but to all who had known him. It were longsome to set forth what and
+how great was the grief and sorrow and lamentation of his lady; but,
+after having bemoaned herself some months in continual affliction,
+coming to sorrow less and being sought in marriage with the chiefest
+men in Lombardy, she began to be presently importuned by her brothers
+and other her kinsfolk to marry again. After having again and again
+refused with many tears, needs must she at the last consent perforce
+to do her kinsfolk's will, on condition that she should abide, without
+going to a husband, so long as she had promised Messer Torello.
+
+The lady's affairs at Pavia being at this pass and there lacking maybe
+eight days of the term appointed for her going to her new husband, it
+chanced that Messer Torello espied one day in Alexandria one whom he
+had seen embark with the Genoese ambassadors on board the galley that
+was to carry them back to Genoa, and calling him, asked him what
+manner voyage they had had and when they had reached Genoa; whereto
+the other replied, 'Sir, the galleon (as I heard in Crete, where I
+remained,) made an ill voyage; for that, as she drew near unto Sicily,
+there arose a furious northerly wind, which drove her on to the
+Barbary quicksands, nor was any one saved; and amongst the rest two
+brothers of mine perished there.' Messer Torello, giving credit to his
+words, which were indeed but too true, and remembering him that the
+term required by him of his wife ended a few days thence, concluded
+that nothing could be known at Pavia of his condition and held it for
+certain that the lady must have married again; wherefore he fell into
+such a chagrin that he lost [sleep and] appetite and taking to his
+bed, determined to die. When Saladin, who loved him above all, heard
+of this, he came to him and having, by dint of many and urgent
+prayers, learned the cause of his grief and his sickness, upbraided
+him sore for that he had not before told it to him and after besought
+him to be comforted, assuring him that, if he would but take heart, he
+would so contrive that he should be in Pavia at the appointed term and
+told him how. Messer Torello, putting faith in Saladin's words and
+having many a time heard say that this was possible and had indeed
+been often enough done, began to take comfort and pressed Saladin to
+despatch. The Soldan accordingly charged a nigromancer of his, of
+whose skill he had aforetime made proof, to cast about for a means
+whereby Messer Torello should be in one night transported upon a bed
+to Pavia, to which the magician replied that it should be done, but
+that, for the gentleman's own weal, he must put him to sleep.
+
+This done, Saladin returned to Messer Torello and finding him
+altogether resolved to seek at any hazard to be in Pavia at the term
+appointed, if it were possible, and in default thereof, to die,
+bespoke him thus; 'Messer Torello, God knoweth that I neither will nor
+can anywise blame you if you tenderly love your lady and are fearful
+of her becoming another's, for that, of all the women I ever saw, she
+it is whose manners, whose fashions and whose demeanour, (leaving be
+her beauty, which is but a short-lived flower,) appear to me most
+worthy to be commended and held dear. It had been very grateful to me,
+since fortune hath sent you hither, that we should have passed
+together, as equal masters in the governance of this my realm, such
+time as you and I have to live, and if this was not to be vouchsafed
+me of God, it being fated that you should take it to heart to seek
+either to die or to find yourself in Pavia at the appointed term, I
+should above all have desired to know it in time, that I might have
+you transported to your house with such honour, such magnificence and
+in such company as your worth meriteth. However, since this hath not
+been vouchsafed and you desire to be presently there, I will e'en, as
+I may, despatch you thither after the fashion whereof I have bespoken
+you.' 'My lord,' replied Messer Torello, 'your acts, without your
+words, have given me sufficient proof of your favour, which I have
+never merited in such supreme degree, and of that which you say,
+though you had not said it, I shall live and die most assured; but,
+since I have taken this resolve, I pray you that that which you tell
+me you will do may be done speedily, for that to-morrow is the last
+day I am to be looked for.'
+
+Saladin answered that this should without fail be accomplished and
+accordingly, on the morrow, meaning to send him away that same night,
+he let make, in a great hall of his palace, a very goodly and rich bed
+of mattresses, all, according to their usance, of velvet and cloth of
+gold and caused lay thereon a counterpoint curiously wrought in
+various figures with great pearls and jewels of great price (the which
+here in Italy was after esteemed an inestimable treasure) and two
+pillows such as sorted with a bed of that fashion. This done, he bade
+invest Messer Torello, who was presently well and strong again, in a
+gown of the Saracen fashion, the richest and goodliest thing that had
+ever been seen of any, and wind about his head, after their guise, one
+of his longest turban-cloths.[477] Then, it growing late, he betook
+himself with many of his barons to the chamber where Messer Torello
+was and seating himself, well nigh weeping, by his side, bespoke him
+thus; 'Messer Torello, the hour draweth near that is to sunder me from
+you, and since I may not bear you company nor cause you to be
+accompanied, by reason of the nature of the journey you have to make,
+which suffereth it not, needs must I take leave of you here in this
+chamber, to which end I am come hither. Wherefore, ere I commend you
+to God, I conjure you, by that love and that friendship that is
+between us, that you remember you of me and if it be possible, ere our
+times come to an end, that, whenas you have ordered your affairs in
+Lombardy, you come at the least once to see me, to the end that, what
+while I am cheered by your sight, I may then supply the default which
+needs must I presently commit by reason of your haste; and against
+that betide, let it not irk you to visit me with letters and require
+me of such things as shall please you; for that of a surety I will
+more gladly do them for you than for any man alive.'
+
+[Footnote 477: It may be well to remind the European reader that the
+turban consists of two parts, _i.e._ a skull-cap and a linen cloth,
+which is wound round it in various folds and shapes, to form the
+well-known Eastern head-dress.]
+
+As for Messer Torello, he could not contain his tears; wherefore,
+being hindered thereby, he answered, in a few words, that it was
+impossible his benefits and his nobility should ever escape his mind
+and that he would without fail do that which he enjoined him, whenas
+occasion should be afforded him; whereupon Saladin, having tenderly
+embraced him and kissed him, bade him with many tears God speed and
+departed the chamber. The other barons then all took leave of him and
+followed the Soldan into the hall where he had caused make ready the
+bed. Meanwhile, it waxing late and the nigromant awaiting and pressing
+for despatch, there came a physician to Messer Torello with a draught
+and making him believe that he gave it him to fortify him, caused him
+drink it; nor was it long ere he fell asleep and so, by Saladin's
+commandment, was carried into the hall and laid upon the bed
+aforesaid, whereon the Soldan placed a great and goodly crown of great
+price and inscribed it on such wise that it was after manifestly
+understood to be sent by him to Messer Torello's lady; after which he
+put on Torello's finger a ring, wherein was a carbuncle enchased, so
+resplendent that it seemed a lighted flambeau, the value whereof could
+scarce be reckoned, and girt him with a sword, whose garniture might
+not lightly be appraised. Moreover, he let hang a fermail on his
+breast, wherein were pearls whose like were never seen, together with
+other precious stones galore, and on his either side he caused set two
+great basins of gold, full of doubloons, and many strings of pearls
+and rings and girdles and other things, which it were tedious to
+recount, round about him. This done, he kissed him once more and bade
+the nigromant despatch, whereupon, in his presence, the bed was
+incontinent taken away, Messer Torello and all, and Saladin abode
+devising of him with his barons.
+
+Meanwhile, Messer Torello had been set down, even as he had requested,
+in the church of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro at Pavia, with all the
+jewels and ornaments aforesaid, and yet slept when, matins having
+sounded, the sacristan of the church entered, with a light in his
+hand, and chancing suddenly to espy the rich bed, not only marvelled,
+but, seized with a terrible fright, turned and fled. The abbot and the
+monks, seeing him flee, marvelled and questioned him of the cause,
+which he told them; whereupon quoth the abbot, 'Marry, thou art no
+child nor art thou new to the church that thou shouldst thus lightly
+take fright; let us go see who hath played the bugbear with thee.'
+Accordingly, kindling several lights, the abbot and all his monks
+entered the church and saw that wonder-rich and goodly bed and thereon
+the gentleman asleep; and what while, misdoubting and fearful, they
+gazed upon the noble jewels, without drawing anywise near to the bed,
+it befell that, the virtue of the draught being spent, Messer Torello
+awoke and heaved a great sigh, which when the monks saw and heard,
+they took to flight, abbot and all, affrighted and crying, 'Lord aid
+us!' Messer Torello opened his eyes and looking about him, plainly
+perceived himself to be whereas he had asked Saladin to have him
+carried, at which he was mightily content. Then, sitting up, he
+particularly examined that which he had about him, and for all he had
+before known of the magnificence of Saladin, it seemed to him now
+greater and he knew it more. Nevertheless, without moving farther,
+seeing the monks flee and divining why, he proceeded to call the abbot
+by name, praying him be not afraid, for that he was Torello his
+nephew. The abbot, hearing this, waxed yet more fearful, as holding
+him as dead many months before; but, after awhile, taking assurance by
+true arguments and hearing himself called, he made the sign of the
+cross and went up to him; whereupon quoth Messer Torello, 'How now,
+father mine, of what are you adread? Godamercy, I am alive and
+returned hither from beyond seas.'
+
+The abbot, for all he had a great beard and was clad after the Saracen
+fashion, presently recognized him and altogether reassured, took him
+by the hand, saying, 'My son, thou art welcome back.' Then he
+continued, 'Thou must not marvel at our affright, for that there is
+not a man in these parts but firmly believeth thee to be dead,
+insomuch that I must tell thee that Madam Adalieta thy wife,
+overmastered by the prayers and threats of her kinsfolk and against
+her own will, is married again and is this morning to go to her new
+husband; ay, and the bride-feast and all that pertaineth unto the
+nuptial festivities is prepared.' Therewithal Messer Torello arose
+from off the rich bed and greeting the abbot and the monks with
+marvellous joyance, prayed them all to speak with none of that his
+return, against he should have despatched an occasion of his; after
+which, having caused lay up the costly jewels in safety, he recounted
+to his uncle all that had befallen him up to that moment. The abbot
+rejoiced in his happy fortunes and together with him, rendered thanks
+to God, after which Messer Torello asked him who was his lady's new
+husband. The abbot told him and Torello said, 'I have a mind, ere folk
+know of my return, to see what manner countenance is that of my wife
+in these nuptials; wherefore, albeit it is not the usance of men of
+your habit to go to entertainments of this kind, I would have you
+contrive, for the love of me, that we may go thither, you and I.' The
+abbot replied that he would well and accordingly, as soon as it was
+day, he sent to the new bridegroom, saying that he would fain be at
+his nuptials with a friend of his, whereto the gentleman answered that
+it liked him passing well.
+
+Accordingly, eating-time come, Messer Torello, clad as he was,
+repaired with his uncle to the bridegroom's house, beheld with
+wonderment of all who saw him, but recognized of none; and the abbot
+told every one that he was a Saracen sent ambassador from the Soldan
+to the King of France. He was, therefore, seated at a table right
+overagainst his lady, whom he beheld with the utmost pleasure, and
+himseemed she was troubled in countenance at these new nuptials. She,
+in her turn, looked whiles upon him, but not of any cognizance that
+she had of him, for that his great beard and outlandish habit and the
+firm assurance she had that he was dead hindered her thereof.
+Presently, whenas it seemed to him time to essay if she remembered her
+of him, he took the ring she had given him at his parting and calling
+a lad who served before her, said to him, 'Say to the bride, on my
+part, that it is the usance in my country, whenas any stranger, such
+as I am here, eateth at the bride-feast of any new-married lady, like
+herself, that she, in token that she holdeth him welcome at her table,
+send him the cup, wherein she drinketh, full of wine, whereof after
+the stranger hath drunken what he will, the cup being covered again,
+the bride drinketh the rest.'
+
+The page did his errand to the lady, who, like a well-bred and
+discreet woman as she was, believing him to be some great gentleman,
+commanded, to show him that she had his coming in gree, that a great
+gilded cup, which stood before her, should be washed and filled with
+wine and carried to the gentleman; and so it was done. Messer Torello,
+taking her ring in his mouth, contrived in drinking to drop it, unseen
+of any, into the cup, wherein having left but a little wine, he
+covered it again and despatched it to the lady. Madam Adalieta, taking
+the cup and uncovering it, that she might accomplish his usance, set
+it to her mouth and seeing the ring, considered it awhile, without
+saying aught; then, knowing it for that which she had given to Messer
+Torello at parting, she took it up and looking fixedly upon him whom
+she deemed a stranger, presently recognized him; whereupon, as she
+were waxen mad, she overthrew the table she had before her and cried
+out, saying, 'It is my lord, it is indeed Messer Torello!' Then,
+running to the place where he sat, she cast herself as far forward as
+she might, without taking thought to her clothes or to aught that was
+on the table, and clipped him close in her arms nor could, for word or
+deed of any there, be loosed from his neck till she was bidden of
+Messer Torello contain herself somewhat, for that time enough would
+yet be afforded her to embrace him. She accordingly having arisen and
+the nuptials being by this all troubled, albeit in part more joyous
+than ever for the recovery of such a gentleman, every one, at Messer
+Torello's request, abode quiet; whereupon he related to them all that
+had betided him from the day of his departure up to that moment,
+concluding that the gentleman, who, deeming him dead, had taken his
+lady to wife, must not hold it ill if he, being alive, took her again
+unto himself.
+
+The bridegroom, though somewhat mortified, answered frankly and as a
+friend that it rested with himself to do what most pleased him of his
+own. Accordingly, the lady put off the ring and crown had of her new
+groom and donned the ring which she had taken from the cup and the
+crown sent her by the Soldan; then, issuing forth of the house where
+they were, they betook themselves, with all the nuptial train, to
+Messer Torello's house and there recomforted his disconsolate friends
+and kindred and all the townsfolk, who regarded his return as well
+nigh a miracle, with long and joyous festival. As for Messer Torello,
+after imparting of his precious jewels to him who had had the expense
+of the nuptials, as well as to the abbot and many others, and
+signifying his happy repatriation by more than one message to Saladin,
+whose friend and servant he still professed himself, he lived many
+years thereafterward with his noble lady and thenceforth, used more
+hospitality and courtesy than ever. Such then was the issue of the
+troubles of Messer Torello and his beloved lady and the recompense of
+their cheerful and ready hospitalities, the which many study to
+practise, who, albeit they have the wherewithal, do yet so ill
+contrive it that they make those on whom they bestow their courtesies
+buy them, ere they have done with them, for more than their worth;
+wherefore, if no reward ensue to them thereof, neither themselves nor
+others should marvel thereat."
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH STORY
+
+[Day the Tenth]
+
+     THE MARQUESS OF SALUZZO, CONSTRAINED BY THE PRAYERS OF HIS
+     VASSALS TO MARRY, BUT DETERMINED TO DO IT AFTER HIS OWN
+     FASHION, TAKETH TO WIFE THE DAUGHTER OF A PEASANT AND HATH
+     OF HER TWO CHILDREN, WHOM HE MAKETH BELIEVE TO HER TO PUT TO
+     DEATH; AFTER WHICH, FEIGNING TO BE GROWN WEARY OF HER AND TO
+     HAVE TAKEN ANOTHER WIFE, HE LETTETH BRING HIS OWN DAUGHTER
+     HOME TO HIS HOUSE, AS SHE WERE HIS NEW BRIDE, AND TURNETH
+     HIS WIFE AWAY IN HER SHIFT; BUT, FINDING HER PATIENT UNDER
+     EVERYTHING, HE FETCHETH HER HOME AGAIN, DEARER THAN EVER,
+     AND SHOWING HER HER CHILDREN GROWN GREAT, HONOURETH AND
+     LETTETH HONOUR HER AS MARCHIONESS
+
+
+The king's long story being ended and having, to all appearance, much
+pleased all, Dioneo said, laughing, "The good man,[478] who looked
+that night to abase the phantom's tail upright,[479] had not given a
+brace of farthings of all the praises that you bestow on Messer
+Torello." Then, knowing that it rested with him alone to tell, he
+proceeded: "Gentle ladies mine, it appeareth to me that this day hath
+been given up to Kings and Soldans and the like folk; wherefore, that
+I may not remove overfar from you, I purpose to relate to you of a
+marquess, not an act of magnificence, but a monstrous folly, which,
+albeit good ensued to him thereof in the end, I counsel not any to
+imitate, for it was a thousand pities that weal betided him thereof.
+
+[Footnote 478: _i.e._ he who was to have married Madam Adalieta.]
+
+[Footnote 479: See p. 325.]
+
+It is now a great while agone since the chief of the house among the
+Marquesses of Saluzzo was a youth called Gualtieri, who, having
+neither wife nor children, spent his time in nought but hunting and
+hawking nor had any thought of taking a wife nor of having children;
+wherein he deserved to be reputed very wise. The thing, however, not
+pleasing his vassals, they besought him many times to take a wife, so
+he might not abide without an heir nor they without a lord, and
+offered themselves to find him one of such a fashion and born of such
+parents that good hopes might be had of her and he be well content
+with her; whereto he answered, 'My friends, you constrain me unto that
+which I was altogether resolved never to do, considering how hard a
+thing it is to find a wife whose fashions sort well within one's own
+humour and how great an abundance there is of the contrary sort and
+how dour a life is his who happeneth upon a woman not well suited unto
+him. To say that you think, by the manners and fashions of the
+parents, to know the daughters, wherefrom you argue to give me a wife
+such as will please me, is a folly, since I know not whence you may
+avail to know their fathers nor yet the secrets of their mothers; and
+even did you know them, daughters are often unlike their parents.
+However, since it e'en pleaseth you to bind me in these chains, I am
+content to do your desire; but, that I may not have occasion to
+complain of other than myself, if it prove ill done, I mean to find a
+wife for myself, certifying you that, whomsoever I may take me, if she
+be not honoured of you as your lady and mistress, you shall prove, to
+your cost, how much it irketh me to have at your entreaty taken a wife
+against mine own will.'
+
+The good honest men replied that they were content, so he would but
+bring himself to take a wife. Now the fashions of a poor girl, who was
+of a village near to his house, had long pleased Gualtieri, and
+himseeming she was fair enough, he judged that he might lead a very
+comfortable life with her; wherefore, without seeking farther, he
+determined to marry her and sending for her father, who was a very
+poor man, agreed with him to take her to wife. This done, he assembled
+all his friends of the country round and said to them, 'My friends, it
+hath pleased and pleaseth you that I should dispose me to take a wife
+and I have resigned myself thereto, more to complease you than of any
+desire I have for marriage. You know what you promised me, to wit,
+that you would be content with and honour as your lady and mistress
+her whom I should take, whosoever she might be; wherefore the time is
+come when I am to keep my promise to you and when I would have you
+keep yours to me. I have found a damsel after mine own heart and
+purpose within some few days hence to marry her and bring her home to
+my house; wherefore do you bethink yourselves how the bride-feast may
+be a goodly one and how you may receive her with honour, on such wise
+that I may avouch myself contented of your promise, even as you will
+have cause to be of mine.' The good folk all answered joyfully that
+this liked them well and that, be she who he would, they would hold
+her for lady and mistress and honour her as such in all things; after
+which they all addressed themselves to hold fair and high and glad
+festival and on like wise did Gualtieri, who let make ready very great
+and goodly nuptials and bade thereto many his friends and kinsfolk and
+great gentlemen and others of the neighbourhood. Moreover, he let cut
+and fashion store of rich and goodly apparel, after the measure of a
+damsel who seemed to him like of her person to the young woman he was
+purposed to marry, and provided also rings and girdles and a rich and
+goodly crown and all that behoveth unto a bride.
+
+The day come that he had appointed for the nuptials, Gualtieri towards
+half tierce mounted to horse, he and all those who were come to do him
+honour, and having ordered everything needful. 'Gentlemen,' quoth he,
+'it is time to go fetch the bride.' Then, setting out with all his
+company, he rode to the village and betaking himself to the house of
+the girl's father, found her returning in great haste with water from
+the spring, so she might after go with other women to see Gualtieri's
+bride come. When the marquess saw her, he called her by name, to wit,
+Griselda, and asked her where her father was; to which she answered
+bashfully, 'My lord, he is within the house.' Thereupon Gualtieri
+dismounted and bidding all await him, entered the poor house alone,
+where he found her father, whose name was Giannucolo, and said to him,
+'I am come to marry Griselda, but first I would fain know of her
+somewhat in thy presence.' Accordingly, he asked her if, an he took
+her to wife, she would still study to please him, nor take umbrage at
+aught that he should do or say, and if she would be obedient, and many
+other like things, to all of which she answered ay; whereupon
+Gualtieri, taking her by the hand, led her forth and in the presence
+of all his company and of every one else, let strip her naked. Then,
+sending for the garments which he had let make, he caused forthright
+clothe and shoe her and would have her set the crown on her hair, all
+tumbled as it was; after which, all marvelling at this, he said,
+'Gentlemen, this is she who I purpose shall be my wife, an she will
+have me to husband.' Then, turning to her, where she stood, all
+shamefast and confounded, he said to her, 'Griselda, wilt thou have me
+to thy husband?' To which she answered, 'Ay, my lord.' Quoth he, 'And
+I will have thee to my wife'; and espoused her in the presence of all.
+Then, mounting her on a palfrey, he carried her, honourably
+accompanied, to his mansion, where the nuptials were celebrated with
+the utmost splendour and rejoicing, no otherwise than as he had taken
+to wife the king's daughter of France.
+
+The young wife seemed to have, together with her clothes, changed her
+mind and her manners. She was, as we have already said, goodly of
+person and countenance, and even as she was fair, on like wise she
+became so engaging, so pleasant and so well-mannered that she seemed
+rather to have been the child of some noble gentleman than the
+daughter of Giannucolo and a tender of sheep; whereof she made every
+one marvel who had known her aforetime. Moreover, she was so obedient
+to her husband and so diligent in his service that he accounted
+himself the happiest and best contented man in the world; and on like
+wise she bore herself with such graciousness and such loving kindness
+towards her husband's subjects that there was none of them but loved
+and honoured her with his whole heart, praying all for her welfare and
+prosperity and advancement; and whereas they were used to say that
+Gualtieri had done as one of little wit to take her to wife, they now
+with one accord declared that he was the sagest and best-advised man
+alive, for that none other than he might ever have availed to know her
+high worth, hidden as it was under poor clothes and a rustic habit.
+Brief, it was no great while ere she knew so to do that, not only in
+her husband's marquisate, but everywhere else, she made folk talk of
+her virtues and her well-doing and turned to the contrary whatsoever
+had been said against her husband on her account, whenas he married
+her.
+
+She had not long abidden with Gualtieri ere she conceived with child
+and in due time bore a daughter, whereat he rejoiced greatly. But, a
+little after, a new[480] thought having entered his mind, to wit, to
+seek, by dint of long tribulation and things unendurable, to make
+trial of her patience, he first goaded her with words, feigning
+himself troubled and saying that his vassals were exceeding ill
+content with her, by reason of her mean extraction, especially since
+they saw that she bore children, and that they did nothing but
+murmur, being sore chagrined for the birth of her daughter. The lady,
+hearing this, replied, without anywise changing countenance or showing
+the least distemperature, 'My lord, do with me that which thou deemest
+will be most for thine honour and solace, for that I shall be content
+with all, knowing, as I do, that I am of less account than they[481]
+and that I was unworthy of this dignity to which thou hast advanced me
+of thy courtesy.' This reply was mighty agreeable to Gualtieri, for
+that he saw she was not uplifted into aught of pridefulness for any
+honour that himself or others had done her; but, a little after,
+having in general terms told her that his vassals could not brook this
+girl that had been born of her, he sent to her a serving-man of his,
+whom he had lessoned and who said to her with a very woeful
+countenance, 'Madam, an I would not die, needs must I do that which my
+lord commandeth me. He hath bidden me take this your daughter and....'
+And said no more. The lady, hearing this and seeing the servant's
+aspect and remembering her of her husband's words, concluded that he
+had enjoined him put the child to death; whereupon, without changing
+countenance, albeit she felt a sore anguish at heart, she straightway
+took her from the cradle and having kissed and blessed her, laid her
+in the servant's arms, saying, 'Take her and punctually do that which
+thy lord hath enjoined thee; but leave her not to be devoured of the
+beasts and the birds, except he command it thee.' The servant took the
+child and reported that which the lady had said to Gualtieri, who
+marvelled at her constancy and despatched him with the child to a
+kinswoman of his at Bologna, praying her to bring her up and rear her
+diligently, without ever saying whose daughter she was.
+
+[Footnote 480: Or "strange" (_nuovo_); see ante, passim.]
+
+[Footnote 481: _i.e._ his vassals.]
+
+In course of time the lady again conceived and in due season bore a
+male child, to her husband's great joy; but, that which he had already
+done sufficing him not, he addressed himself to probe her to the quick
+with a yet sorer stroke and accordingly said to her one day with a
+troubled air, 'Wife, since thou hast borne this male child, I have
+nowise been able to live in peace with these my people, so sore do
+they murmur that a grandson of Giannucolo should become their lord
+after me; wherefore I misdoubt me, an I would not be driven forth of
+my domains, it will behove me do in this case that which I did
+otherwhen and ultimately put thee away and take another wife.' The
+lady gave ear to him with a patient mind nor answered otherwhat then,
+'My lord, study to content thyself and to satisfy thy pleasure and
+have no thought of me, for that nothing is dear to me save in so much
+as I see it please thee.' Not many days after, Gualtieri sent for the
+son, even as he had sent for the daughter, and making a like show of
+having him put to death, despatched him to Bologna, there to be
+brought up, even as he had done with the girl; but the lady made no
+other countenance nor other words thereof than she had done of the
+girl; whereat Gualtieri marvelled sore and affirmed in himself that no
+other woman could have availed to do this that she did; and had he not
+seen her tender her children with the utmost fondness, what while it
+pleased him, he had believed that she did this because she recked no
+more of them; whereas in effect he knew that she did it of her
+discretion. His vassals, believing that he had caused put the children
+to death, blamed him sore, accounting him a barbarous man, and had the
+utmost compassion of his wife, who never answered otherwhat to the
+ladies who condoled with her for her children thus slain, than that
+that which pleased him thereof who had begotten them, pleased her
+also.
+
+At last, several years being passed since the birth of the girl,
+Gualtieri, deeming it time to make the supreme trial of her endurance,
+declared, in the presence of his people, that he could no longer
+endure to have Griselda to wife and that he perceived that he had done
+ill and boyishly in taking her, wherefore he purposed, as far as in
+him lay, to make interest with the Pope to grant him a dispensation,
+so he might put her away and take another wife. For this he was
+roundly taken to task by many men of worth, but answered them nothing
+save that needs must it be so. The lady, hearing these things and
+herseeming she must look to return to her father's house and maybe
+tend sheep again as she had done aforetime, what while she saw another
+woman in possession of him to whom she willed all her weal, sorrowed
+sore in herself; but yet, even as she had borne the other affronts of
+fortune, so with a firm countenance she addressed herself to bear this
+also. Gualtieri no great while after let come to him from Rome
+counterfeit letters of dispensation and gave his vassals to believe
+that the Pope had thereby licensed him to take another wife and leave
+Griselda; then, sending for the latter, he said to her, in presence of
+many, 'Wife, by concession made me of the Pope, I am free to take
+another wife and put thee away, and accordingly, for that mine
+ancestors have been great gentlemen and lords of this country, whilst
+thine have still been husbandmen, I mean that thou be no more my wife,
+but that thou return to Giannucolo his house with the dowry which thou
+broughtest me, and I will after bring hither another wife, for that I
+have found one more sorted to myself.'
+
+The lady, hearing this, contained her tears, contrary to the nature of
+woman, though not without great unease, and answered, 'My lord, I ever
+knew my mean estate to be nowise sortable with your nobility, and for
+that which I have been with you I have still confessed myself indebted
+to you and to God, nor have I ever made nor held it mine, as given to
+me, but have still accounted it but as a loan. It pleaseth you to
+require it again and it must and doth please me to restore it to you.
+Here is your ring wherewith you espoused me; take it. You bid me carry
+away with me that dowry which I brought hither, which to do you will
+need no paymaster and I neither purse nor packhorse, for I have not
+forgotten that you had me naked, and if you account it seemly that
+this my body, wherein I have carried children begotten of you, be seen
+of all, I will begone naked; but I pray you, in requital of my
+maidenhead, which I brought hither and bear not hence with me, that it
+please you I may carry away at the least one sole shift over and above
+my dowry.' Gualtieri, who had more mind to weep than to otherwhat,
+natheless kept a stern countenance and said, 'So be it; carry away a
+shift.' As many as stood around besought him to give her a gown, so
+that she who had been thirteen years and more his wife should not be
+seen go forth of his house on such mean and shameful wise as it was to
+depart in her shift; but their prayers all went for nothing; wherefore
+the lady, having commended them to God, went forth his house in her
+shift, barefoot and nothing on her head, and returned to her father,
+followed by the tears and lamentations of all who saw her. Giannucolo,
+who had never been able to believe it true that Gualtieri should
+entertain his daughter to wife and went in daily expectation of this
+event, had kept her the clothes which she had put off the morning that
+Gualtieri had married her and now brought them to her; whereupon she
+donned them and addressed herself, as she had been wont to do, to the
+little offices of her father's house, enduring the cruel onslaught of
+hostile fortune with a stout heart.
+
+Gualtieri, having done this, gave out to his people that he had chosen
+a daughter of one of the Counts of Panago and letting make great
+preparations for the nuptials, sent for Griselda to come to him and
+said to her, 'I am about to bring home this lady, whom I have newly
+taken to wife, and mean, at this her first coming, to do her honour.
+Thou knowest I have no women about me who know how to array me the
+rooms nor to do a multitude of things that behove unto such a
+festival; wherefore do thou, who art better versed than any else in
+these household matters, order that which is to do here and let bid
+such ladies as it seemeth good to thee and receive them as thou wert
+mistress here; then, when the nuptials are ended, thou mayst begone
+back to thy house.' Albeit these words were all daggers to Griselda's
+heart, who had been unable to lay down the love she bore him as she
+had laid down her fair fortune, she replied, 'My lord, I am ready and
+willing.' Then, in her coarse homespun clothes, entering the house,
+whence she had a little before departed in her shift, she fell to
+sweeping and ordering the chambers and letting place hangings and
+cover-cloths about the saloons and make ready the viands, putting her
+hand to everything, as she were some paltry serving-wench of the
+house, nor ever gave over till she had arrayed and ordered everything
+as it behoved. Thereafter, having let invite all the ladies of the
+country on Gualtieri's part, she awaited the day of the festival,
+which being come, with a cheerful countenance and the spirit and
+bearing of a lady of high degree, for all she had mean clothes on her
+back, she received all the ladies who came thither.
+
+Meanwhile, Gualtieri, who had caused the two children be diligently
+reared in Bologna by his kinswoman, (who was married to a gentleman of
+the Panago family,) the girl being now twelve years old and the
+fairest creature that ever was seen and the boy six, had sent to his
+kinsman[482] at Bologna, praying him be pleased to come to Saluzzo
+with his son and daughter and take order to bring with him a goodly
+and honourable company and bidding him tell every one that he was
+carrying him the young lady to his wife, without otherwise discovering
+to any aught of who she was. The gentleman did as the marquess prayed
+him and setting out, with the girl and boy and a goodly company of
+gentlefolk, after some days' journey, arrived, about dinner-time, at
+Saluzzo, where he found all the countryfolk and many others of the
+neighbourhood awaiting Gualtieri's new bride. The latter, being
+received by the ladies and come into the saloon where the tables were
+laid, Griselda came to meet her, clad as she was, and accosted her
+blithely, saying, 'Welcome and fair welcome to my lady.' Thereupon the
+ladies (who had urgently, but in vain, besought Gualtieri to suffer
+Griselda to abide in a chamber or lend her one of the gowns that had
+been hers, so that she might not go thus before his guests) were
+seated at table and it was proceeded to serve them. The girl was eyed
+by every one and all declared that Gualtieri had made a good exchange;
+and among the rest Griselda commended her amain, both her and her
+young brother.
+
+[Footnote 482: _i.e._ the husband of his kinswoman aforesaid.]
+
+Gualtieri perceiving that the strangeness of the case in no wise
+changed her and being assured that this proceeded not from lack of
+understanding, for that he knew her to be very quick of wit, himseemed
+he had now seen fully as much as he desired of his lady's patience and
+he judged it time to deliver her from the bitterness which he doubted
+not she kept hidden under her constant countenance; wherefore, calling
+her to himself, he said to her, smiling, in the presence of every one,
+'How deemest thou of our bride?' 'My lord,' answered she, 'I deem
+exceeding well of her, and if, as I believe, she is as discreet as she
+is fair, I doubt not a whit but you will live the happiest gentleman
+in the world with her; but I beseech you, as most I may, that you
+inflict not on her those pangs which you inflicted whilere on her who
+was sometime yours; for methinketh she might scarce avail to endure
+them, both because she is younger and because she hath been delicately
+reared, whereas the other had been in continual fatigues from a little
+child.' Thereupon, Gualtieri, seeing she firmly believed that the
+young lady was to be his wife nor therefore spoke anywise less than
+well, seated her by his side and said to her, 'Griselda, it is now
+time that thou reap the fruits of thy long patience and that those who
+have reputed me cruel and unjust and brutish should know that this
+which I have done I wrought to an end aforeseen, willing to teach thee
+to be a wife and to show them how to take and use one and at the same
+time to beget myself perpetual quiet, what while I had to live with
+thee; the which, whenas I came to take a wife, I was sore afraid might
+not betide me, and therefore, to make proof thereof, I probed and
+afflicted thee after such kind as thou knowest. And meseeming, for
+that I have never perceived that either in word or in deed hast thou
+departed from my pleasure, that I have of thee that solace which I
+desired, I purpose presently to restore thee, at one stroke, that
+which I took from thee at many and to requite thee with a supreme
+delight the pangs I have inflicted on thee. Wherefore with a joyful
+heart take this whom thou deemest my bride and her brother for thy
+children and mine; for these be they whom thou and many others have
+long accounted me to have barbarously let put to death; and I am thy
+husband, who loveth thee over all else, believing I may vaunt me that
+there is none else who can be so content of his wife as can I.'
+
+So saying, he embraced her and kissed her; then, rising up, he betook
+himself with Griselda, who wept for joy, whereas the daughter, hearing
+these things, sat all stupefied, and tenderly embracing her and her
+brother, undeceived her and many others who were there. Thereupon the
+ladies arose from table, overjoyed, and withdrew with Griselda into a
+chamber, where, with happier augury, pulling off her mean attire, they
+clad her anew in a magnificent dress of her own and brought her again
+to the saloon, as a gentlewoman, which indeed she appeared, even in
+rags. There she rejoiced in her children with wonder-great joy, and
+all being overjoyed at this happy issue, they redoubled in feasting
+and merrymaking and prolonged the festivities several days, accounting
+Gualtieri a very wise man, albeit they held the trials which he had
+made of his lady overharsh, nay, intolerable; but over all they held
+Griselda most sage. The Count of Panago returned, after some days, to
+Bologna, and Gualtieri, taking Giannucolo from his labour, placed him
+in such estate as befitted his father-in-law, so that he lived in
+honour and great solace and so ended his days; whilst he himself,
+having nobly married his daughter, lived long and happily with
+Griselda, honouring her as most might be. What more can here be said
+save that even in poor cottages there rain down divine spirits from
+heaven, like as in princely palaces there be those who were worthier
+to tend swine than to have lordship over men? Who but Griselda could,
+with a countenance, not only dry,[483] but cheerful, have endured the
+barbarous and unheard proofs made by Gualtieri? Which latter had not
+belike been ill requited, had he happened upon one who, when he turned
+her out of doors in her shift, had let jumble her furbelows of another
+to such purpose that a fine gown had come of it."
+
+[Footnote 483: _i.e._ unwetted with tears.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dioneo's story being finished and the ladies having discoursed amain
+thereof, some inclining to one side and some to another, this blaming
+one thing and that commending it, the king, lifting his eyes to heaven
+and seeing that the sun was now low and the hour of vespers at hand,
+proceeded, without arising from session, to speak thus, "Charming
+ladies, as I doubt not you know, the understanding of mortals
+consisteth not only in having in memory things past and taking
+cognizance of things present; but in knowing, by means of the one and
+the other of these, to forecast things future is reputed by men of
+mark to consist the greatest wisdom. To-morrow, as you know, it will
+be fifteen days since we departed Florence, to take some diversion for
+the preservation of our health and of our lives, eschewing the woes
+and dolours and miseries which, since this pestilential season began,
+are continually to be seen about our city. This, to my judgment, we
+have well and honourably done; for that, an I have known to see
+aright, albeit merry stories and belike incentive to concupiscence
+have been told here and we have continually eaten and drunken well and
+danced and sung and made music, all things apt to incite weak minds to
+things less seemly, I have noted no act, no word, in fine nothing
+blameworthy, either on your part or on that of us men; nay, meseemeth
+I have seen and felt here a continual decency, an unbroken concord and
+a constant fraternal familiarity; the which, at once for your honour
+and service and for mine own, is, certes, most pleasing to me. Lest,
+however, for overlong usance aught should grow thereof that might
+issue in tediousness, and that none may avail to cavil at our overlong
+tarriance,--each of us, moreover, having had his or her share of the
+honour that yet resideth in myself,--I hold it meet, an it be your
+pleasure, that we now return whence we came; more by token that, if
+you consider aright, our company, already known to several others of
+the neighbourhood, may multiply after a fashion that will deprive us
+of our every commodity. Wherefore, if you approve my counsel, I will
+retain the crown conferred on me until our departure, which I purpose
+shall be to-morrow morning; but, should you determine otherwise, I
+have already in mind whom I shall invest withal for the ensuing day."
+
+Much was the debate between the ladies and the young men; but
+ultimately they all took the king's counsel for useful and seemly and
+determined to do as he proposed; whereupon, calling the seneschal, he
+bespoke him of the manner which he should hold on the ensuing morning
+and after, having dismissed the company until supper-time, he rose to
+his feet. The ladies and the young men, following his example, gave
+themselves, this to one kind of diversion and that to another, no
+otherwise than of their wont; and supper-time come, they betook
+themselves to table with the utmost pleasure and after fell to singing
+and carolling and making music. Presently, Lauretta leading up a
+dance, the king bade Fiammetta sing a song, whereupon she very
+blithely proceeded to sing thus:
+
+       If love came but withouten jealousy,
+         I know no lady born
+       So blithe as I were, whosoe'er she be.
+       If gladsome youthfulness
+         In a fair lover might content a maid,
+           Virtue and worth discreet,
+       Valiance or gentilesse,
+         Wit and sweet speech and fashions all arrayed
+           In pleasantness complete,
+           Certes, I'm she for whose behoof these meet
+       In one; for, love-o'erborne,
+     All these in him who is my hope I see.
+
+       But for that I perceive
+         That other women are as wise as I,
+           I tremble for affright
+       And tending to believe
+         The worst, in others the desire espy
+           Of him who steals my spright;
+           Thus this that is my good and chief delight
+       Enforceth me, forlorn,
+     Sigh sore and live in dole and misery.
+
+       If I knew fealty such
+         In him my lord as I know merit there,
+           I were not jealous, I;
+       But here is seen so much
+         Lovers to tempt, how true they be soe'er,
+           I hold all false; whereby
+           I'm all disconsolate and fain would die,
+       Of each with doubting torn
+     Who eyes him, lest she bear him off from me.
+
+       Be, then, each lady prayed
+         By God that she in this be not intent
+           'Gainst me to do amiss;
+       For, sure, if any maid
+         Should or with words or becks or blandishment
+           My detriment in this
+           Seek or procure and if I know't, ywis,
+       Be all my charms forsworn
+     But I will make her rue it bitterly.
+
+No sooner had Fiammetta made an end of her song than Dioneo, who was
+beside her, said, laughing, "Madam, you would do a great courtesy to
+let all the ladies know who he is, lest you be ousted of his
+possession through ignorance, since you would be so sore incensed
+thereat." After this divers other songs were sung and the night being
+now well nigh half spent, they all, by the king's commandment, betook
+themselves to repose. As the new day appeared, they arose and the
+seneschal having already despatched all their gear in advance, they
+returned, under the guidance of their discreet king, to Florence,
+where the three young men took leave of the seven ladies and leaving
+them in Santa Maria Novella, whence they had set out with them, went
+about their other pleasures, whilst the ladies, whenas it seemed to
+them time, returned to their houses.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE TENTH AND LAST DAY
+OF THE DECAMERON
+
+
+
+
+_Conclusion of the Author_
+
+
+Most noble damsels, for whose solace I have addressed myself to so
+long a labour, I have now, methinketh, with the aid of the Divine
+favour, (vouchsafed me, as I deem, for your pious prayers and not for
+my proper merits,) throughly accomplished that which I engaged, at the
+beginning of this present work, to do; wherefore, returning thanks
+first to God and after to you, it behoveth to give rest to my pen and
+to my tired hand. Which ere I accord them, I purpose briefly to reply,
+as to objections tacitly broached, to certain small matters that may
+peradventure be alleged by some one of you or by others, since
+meseemeth very certain that these stories have no especial privilege
+more than other things; nay, I mind me to have shown, at the beginning
+of the fourth day, that they have none such. There are, peradventure,
+some of you who will say that I have used overmuch license in
+inditing these stories, as well as in making ladies whiles say and
+very often hearken to things not very seemly either to be said or
+heard of modest women. This I deny, for that there is nothing so
+unseemly as to be forbidden unto any one, so but he express it in
+seemly terms, as meseemeth indeed I have here very aptly done. But let
+us suppose that it is so (for that I mean not to plead with you, who
+would overcome me,) I say that many reasons very readily offer
+themselves in answer why I have done this. Firstly, if there be aught
+thereof[484] in any of them, the nature of the stories required it,
+the which, an they be considered with the rational eye of a person of
+understanding, it will be abundantly manifest that I could not have
+otherwise recounted, an I would not altogether disfeature them. And if
+perchance there be therein some tittle, some wordlet or two freer,
+maybe, than liketh your squeamish hypocritical prudes, who weigh words
+rather than deeds and study more to appear, than to be, good, I say
+that it should no more be forbidden me to write them than it is
+commonly forbidden unto men and women to say all day long _hole_ and
+_peg_ and _mortar_ and _pestle_ and _sausage_ and _polony_ and all
+manner like things; without reckoning that no less liberty should be
+accorded to my pen than is conceded to the brush of the limner, who,
+without any (or, at the least, any just) reprehension, maketh--let be
+St. Michael smite the serpent with sword or spear and St. George the
+dragon, whereas it pleaseth them--but Adam male and Eve female and
+affixeth to the cross, whiles with one nail and whiles with two, the
+feet of Him Himself who willed for the salvation of the human race to
+die upon the rood. Moreover, it is eath enough to see that these
+things are spoken, not in the church, of the affairs whereof it
+behoveth to speak with a mind and in terms alike of the chastest
+(albeit among its histories there are tales enough to be found of
+anothergates fashion than those written by me), nor yet in the schools
+of philosophy, where decency is no less required than otherwhere, nor
+among churchmen or philosophers anywhere, but amidst gardens, in a
+place of pleasance and diversion and among men and women, though
+young, yet of mature wit and not to be led astray by stories, at a
+time when it was not forbidden to the most virtuous to go, for their
+own preservation, with their breeches on their heads. Again, such as
+they are, these stories, like everything else, can both harm and
+profit, according to the disposition of the listener. Who knoweth not
+that wine, though, according to Cinciglione and Scolajo[485] and many
+others, an excellent thing for people in health,[486] is hurtful unto
+whoso hath the fever? Shall we say, then, because it harmeth the
+fevered, that it is naught? Who knoweth not that fire is most useful,
+nay, necessary to mortals? Shall we say, because it burneth houses and
+villages and cities, that it is naught? Arms on like wise assure the
+welfare of those who desire to live in peace and yet oftentimes slay
+men, not of any malice of their own, but of the perversity of those
+who use them wrongfully. Corrupt mind never understood word healthily,
+and even as seemly words profit not depraved minds, so those which are
+not altogether seemly avail not to contaminate the well-disposed, any
+more than mire can sully the rays of the sun or earthly foulness the
+beauties of the sky. What books, what words, what letters are holier,
+worthier, more venerable than those of the Divine Scriptures? Yet many
+there be, who, interpreting them perversely, have brought themselves
+and others to perdition. Everything in itself is good unto somewhat
+and ill used, may be in many things harmful; and so say I of my
+stories. If any be minded to draw therefrom ill counsel or ill
+practice, they will nowise forbid it him, if perchance they have it in
+them or be strained and twisted into having it; and who so will have
+profit and utility thereof, they will not deny it him, nor will they
+be ever styled or accounted other than useful and seemly, if they be
+read at those times and to those persons for which and for whom they
+have been recounted. Whoso hath to say paternosters or to make tarts
+and puddings for her spiritual director, let her leave them be; they
+will not run after any to make her read them; albeit your she-saints
+themselves now and again say and even do fine things.
+
+[Footnote 484: _i.e._ of overmuch licence.]
+
+[Footnote 485: Two noted wine-bidders of the time.]
+
+[Footnote 486: Lit. living folk (_viventi_).]
+
+There be some ladies also who will say that there are some stories
+here, which had been better away. Granted; but I could not nor should
+write aught save those actually related, wherefore those who told them
+should have told them goodly and I would have written them goodly.
+But, if folk will e'en pretend that I am both the inventor and writer
+thereof (which I am not), I say that I should not take shame to myself
+that they were not all alike goodly, for that there is no craftsman
+living (barring God) who doth everything alike well and completely;
+witness Charlemagne, who was the first maker of the Paladins, but knew
+not to make so many thereof that he might avail to form an army of
+them alone. In the multitude of things, needs must divers qualities
+thereof be found. No field was ever so well tilled but therein or
+nettles or thistles or somewhat of briers or other weeds might be
+found mingled with the better herbs. Besides, having to speak to
+simple lasses, such as you are for the most part, it had been folly to
+go seeking and wearying myself to find very choice and exquisite
+matters, and to use great pains to speak very measuredly. Algates,
+whoso goeth reading among these, let him leave those which offend and
+read those which divert. They all, not to lead any one into error,
+bear branded upon the forefront that which they hold hidden within
+their bosoms.
+
+Again, I doubt not but there be those who will say that some of them
+are overlong; to whom I say again that whoso hath overwhat to do doth
+folly to read these stories, even though they were brief. And albeit a
+great while is passed from the time when I began to write to this
+present hour whenas I come to the end of my toils, it hath not
+therefor escaped my memory that I proffered this my travail to idle
+women and not to others, and unto whoso readeth to pass away the time,
+nothing can be overlong, so but it do that for which he useth it.
+Things brief are far better suited unto students, who study, not to
+pass away, but usefully to employ time, than to you ladies, who have
+on your hands all the time that you spend not in the pleasures of
+love; more by token that, as none of you goeth to Athens or Bologna or
+Paris to study, it behoveth to speak to you more at large than to
+those who have had their wits whetted by study. Again, I doubt not a
+jot but there be yet some of you who will say that the things
+aforesaid are full of quips and cranks and quodlibets and that it ill
+beseemeth a man of weight and gravity to have written thus. To these I
+am bound to render and do render thanks, for that, moved by a virtuous
+jealousy, they are so tender of my fame; but to their objection I
+reply on this wise; I confess to being a man of weight and to have
+been often weighed in my time, wherefore, speaking to those ladies who
+have not weighed me, I declare that I am not heavy; nay, I am so light
+that I abide like a nutgall in water, and considering that the
+preachments made of friars, to rebuke men of their sins, are nowadays
+for the most part seen full of quips and cranks and gibes, I conceived
+that these latter would not sit amiss in my stories written to ease
+women of melancholy. Algates, an they should laugh overmuch on that
+account, the Lamentations of Jeremiah, the Passion of our Saviour and
+the Complaint of Mary Magdalen will lightly avail to cure them
+thereof.
+
+Again, who can doubt but there will to boot be found some to say that
+I have an ill tongue and a venomous, for that I have in sundry places
+written the truth anent the friars? To those who shall say thus it
+must be forgiven, since it is not credible that they are moved by
+other than just cause, for that the friars are a good sort of folk,
+who eschew unease for the love of God and who grind with a full head
+of water and tell no tales, and but that they all savour somewhat of
+the buck-goat, their commerce would be far more agreeable. Natheless,
+I confess that the things of this world have no stability and are
+still on the change, and so may it have befallen of my tongue, the
+which, not to trust to mine own judgment, (which I eschew as most I
+may in my affairs,) a she-neighbour of mine told me, not long since,
+was the best and sweetest in the world; and in good sooth, were this
+the case, there had been few of the foregoing stories to write. But,
+for that those who say thus speak despitefully, I will have that which
+hath been said suffice them for a reply; wherefore, leaving each of
+you henceforth to say and believe as seemeth good to her, it is time
+for me to make an end of words, humbly thanking Him who hath, after so
+long a labour, brought us with His help to the desired end. And you,
+charming ladies, abide you in peace with His favour, remembering you
+of me, if perchance it profit any of you aught to have read these
+stories.
+
+
+HERE ENDETH THE BOOK CALLED DECAMERON
+AND SURNAMED PRINCE GALAHALT
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio, by
+Giovanni Boccaccio
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