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
As he continued in these strange afflictions of minde, sodainely hee
heard a noise in the Church of divers men, who (as he imagined) came
about the like businesse, as hee and his fellowes had undertaken
before; wherein he was not a jot deceived, albeit his feare the more
augmented. Having opened the Tombe, and supported the stone, they
varied also among themselves for entrance, and an indiffrent while
contended about it. At length, a Priest being one in the company,
boldly said. Why how now you white-liver'd Rascals? What are you
affraid of? Do you thinke he will eate you? Dead men cannot bite,
and therefore I my selfe will go in. Having thus spoken, he prepared
his entrance to the Tombe in such order, that he thrust in his feete
before, for his easier descending downe into it.
_Andrea_ sitting upright in the Tombe, and desiring to make use of this
happy opportunity, caught the Priest fast by one of his legges, making
shew as if he meant to dragge him downe. Which when the Priest felt, he
cryed out aloud, getting out with all the hast he could make, and all
his companions, being well neere frighted out of their wits, ranne away
amaine, as if they had bene followed by a thousand divels. _Andrea_
little dreaming on such fortunate successe, made meanes to get out of
the grave, and afterward forth of the Church, at the very same place
where he entred.
Now began day-light to appeare, when hee, having the rich Ring on his
finger, wandred on hee knew not whether: till comming to the Sea-side,
he found the way directing to his Inne, where all his company were
with his Host, who had bene very carefull for him. Having related his
manifold mischances, his Hoste friendly advised him with speede to get
him out of _Naples_. As instantly he did, returning home to _Perouse_,
having adventured his five hundred Crownes on a Ring, where-with hee
purposed to have bought Horses, according to the intent of his journey
thither.
_Madame Beritola Caracalla, was found in an Island with two Goates,
having lost her two Sonnes, and thence travailed into Lunigiana: where
one of her Sonnes became servant to the Lord thereof, and was found
somewhat over-familiar with his Masters daughter, who therefore caused
him to bee imprisoned. Afterward, when the Country of Sicily rebelled
against K. Charles, the aforesaid Sonne chanced to be knowne by his
Mother, and was married to his Masters daughter. And his Brother being
found likewise; they both returned to great estate and credit._
The sixt Novell.
_Heerein all men are admonished, never to distrust the powerfull hand
of Heaven, when Fortune seemeth to be most adverse against them._
The Ladies and Gentlemen also, having smiled sufficiently at the
severall accidents which did befall the poore Traveller _Andrea_,
reported at large by Madame _Fiammetta_, the Lady _Æmillia_, seeing her
tale to be fully concluded, began (by commandement of the Queene) to
speake in this manner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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