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
_Andrea_ hearing this fable so artificially delivered, composed from
point to point, with such likely protestations, without faltring or
failing in any one words utterance; and remembring perfectly for truth,
that his Father had formerly dwelt at _Palermo_; knowing also (by some
sensible feeling in himselfe) the custome of young people, who are
easily conquered by affection in their youthfull heate; seeing beside
the teares, trembling speeches, and earnest embracings of this cunning
commodity: he tooke all to be faithfully true by her thus spoken, and
upon her silence, thus he replied. Lady, let it not seeme strange to
you, that your words have raised marvell in me, because (indeede) I
had no knowledge of you, even no more then as if I had never seene
you, never also having heard my Father to speake either of you or your
Mother (for some considerations best knowne to himselfe) or if at any
time he used such language, either my youth then, or defective memory
since, hath utterly lost it. But truly, it is no little joy and comfort
to me, to finde a sister here, where I had no such hope or expectation,
and where also my selfe am a meere stranger. For to speake my mind
freely of you, and the perfections gracefully appearing in you, I know
not any man, of how great repute or quality soever, but you may well
beseeme his acceptance, much rather then mine, that am but a meane
Merchant. But faire sister, I desire to be resolved in one thing, to
wit, by what meanes you had understanding of my being in this City?
whereto readily shee returned him this answer.
Brother, a poore woman of this City, whom I employ sometimes in
houshold occasions, came to me this morning, and (having seene you)
tolde me, that shee dwelt a long while with our Father, both at
_Palermo_, and _Perouse_. And because I held it much better beseeming
my condition, to have you visit me in mine owne dwelling, then I to
come see you at a common Inne; I made the bolder to send for you
hither. After which words, in very orderly manner, shee enquired
of his chiefest kindred and friends, calling them readily by their
proper names, according to her former instructions. Whereto _Andrea_
still made her answer, confirming thereby his beliefe of her the more
strongly, and crediting whatsoever shee saide, farre better then before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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