The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5): Containing an hundred pleasant NovelsBoccaccio, Giovanni
History
The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels
Boccaccio, Giovanni
Allegories; Frame stories; Plague -- Europe -- History -- Fiction; Storytelling -- Fiction
_Signior Andrea_, you are the most welcom friend to me in all the
world; sealing this salutation with infinite sweet kisses and embraces:
whereat (in wonderfull amazement) he being strangely transported,
replied; Madame, you honour me beyond all compasse of merit. Then,
taking him by the hand, shee guided him thorow a goodly Hall, into her
owne Chamber, which was delicately embalmed with Roses, Orenge-flowres,
and all other pleasing smelles, and a costly bed in the middest,
curtained round about, very artificiall Pictures beautifying the
walles, with many other embellishments, such as those Countries are
liberally stored withall. He being meerely a novice in these kinds of
wanton carriages of the World, and free from any base or degenerate
conceit; firmely perswaded himselfe, that (questionlesse) shee was a
Lady of no meane esteeme, and he more then happy, to be thus respected
and honoured by her. They both being seated on a curious Chest at the
Beds feete, teares cunningly trickling downe her cheekes, and sighes
intermedled with inward sobbings, breathed forth in sad, but very
seemely manner; thus shee beganne.
I am sure _Andrea_, that you greatly marvell at me, in gracing you
with this solemne and kinde entertainment, and why I should so melt
my selfe in sighes and teares, at a man that hath no knowledge of me,
or (perhaps) sildome or never heard any Speeches of me: but you shall
instantly receive from mee matter to augment your greater marvell,
meeting heere with your owne sister, beyond all hope or expectation in
either of us both. But seeing that Heaven hath beene so gracious to me,
to let mee see one of my brethren before I die (though gladly I would
have seene them all) which is some addition of comfort to me, and that
which (happily) thou hast never heard before, in plaine and truest
manner, I will reveale unto thee.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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