Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 2 (of 6)
General
Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 2 (of 6)
Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries
Having thus resolved, he had immediate recourse to his former tutor,
informing him of his determination to bear his friend company a little
longer, and entreating to be employed in some pleasant study to beguile
the period during which he had to remain. The professor begged him to
suggest something he should like, as he should be very happy to assist
him in its attainment. “My worthy tutor,” replied Bucciolo, “I think I
should like to learn the way in which one falls in love, and the best
manner to begin.” “O very good!” cried the tutor, laughing. “You could
not have hit upon anything better, for you must know that if such be
your object I am a complete adept in the art. To lose no time, in the
first place go next Sunday to the church of the Frati Minori [Friars
Minor of St. Francis], where all the ladies will be clustered together,
and pay proper attention during service in order to discover if any one
of them in particular happens to please you. When you have done this,
keep your eye upon her after service, to see the way she takes to her
residence, and then come back to me. And let this be the first
lesson—the first part—of that in which it is my intention to instruct
you.” Bucciolo went accordingly, and taking his station the next Sunday
in the church, as he had been directed, his eyes, wandering in every
direction, were fixed upon all the pretty women in the place, and upon
one in particular, who pleased him above all the rest. She was by far
the most beautiful and attractive lady he could discover, and on leaving
church he took care to obey his master and follow her until he had made
himself acquainted with her residence. Nor was it long before the young
lady began to perceive that the student was smitten with her; upon which
Bucciolo returned to his master and informed him of what he had done. “I
have,” said he, “learned as much as you ordered me, and have found
somebody I like very well.” “So far, good,” cried the professor, not a
little amused at the sort of science to which his pupil had thus
seriously devoted himself—“so far, good! And now observe what I have
next to say to you: Take care to walk two or three times a day very
respectfully before her house, casting your eyes about you in such a way
that no one may catch you staring in her face; look in a modest and
becoming manner, so that she cannot fail to notice and be struck with
it. And then return to me; and this, sir, will be the second lesson in
this gay science.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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