Walter, seeing that she firmly believed the girl was to be his wife, and that yet she spoke thus kindly of her, set her down beside him, and said: "Griselda, it is time now that you receive the rewards of your patience, and that those who have reputed me cruel, may know that what I did was to teach you how to be a wife, and to prepare for myself a life of perpetual peace and quiet with you as my loving and faithful companion. Therefore take with joyful mind this girl, whom you thought to be my bride, and her brother, for your children and mine. These are they whom you and many others long have thought I had cruelly slain. I am your husband, who love you above all things else; and I indeed can boast that no other man has so great reason to be content with his wife as I;" and thus speaking he embraced and kissed her, and raising her who was now weeping for joy, he led her to where the daughter sat, listening in amazement to all these things, and embraced her and her brother tenderly. Then all the ladies, rejoicing greatly, rose from the table and went with Griselda to her room, and dressed her in a rich gown, such as befitted a lady, which she ever seemed, even in her rags, and led her back again to the hall, and then all, rejoicing, continued the feast. The count of Panago went back to Bologna, and Walter, taking Giannùcolo from his work-shop, kept him in state as his father-in-law, so that he lived in great comfort and honor to the end of his life. And the marquis himself, having found his daughter a noble husband, lived long and happily with Griselda, holding her ever in love and esteem. SUMMARY AND QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW Development of Italian prose later than that of poetry--Boccaccio its founder (1313-75)--Friendship for Petrarch--Service in introducing Greek language into Western Europe--His influence upon Chaucer and Shakespeare--The Decameron--He founds Italian prose style and the modern novel. 1. Which is usually developed first, prose or poetry? 2. Give sketch of the life of Boccaccio. 3. Describe his character. 4. Tell the story of his conversion. 5. Give a list of Boccaccio's chief works in Latin and Italian. 6. Which one is his greatest work? 7. What is the general framework of the Decameron? 8. Its popularity and influence. 9. Tell briefly the story of patient Griselda. 10. What is your opinion of this story? BIBLIOGRAPHY Owing to the immorality of some of the stories of the Decameron the English translations of the whole book are not to be recommended. A selection, however, fit for the general public has been made by Joseph Jacobs, and published by John Lane. CHAPTER VI THE RENAISSANCE AND ARIOSTO