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
Returne wee now to the Pyrates, which at _Ponzo_ seized on the small
Barke, wherein Madam _Beritola_ was brought thither, and carried thence
away, without any sight or knowledge of her. With such other spoiles
as they had taken, they shaped their course for _Geneway_, and there
(by consent of the Patrones of the Galley) made a division of their
booties. It came to passe, that (among other things) the Nurse that
attended on _Beritola_, and the two Children with her, fell to the
share of one _Messer Gasparino d'Oria_, who sent them together to his
owne House, there to be employed in service as servants. The Nurse
weeping beyond measure for the losse of her Lady, and bemoaning her
owne miserable fortune, whereinto shee was now fallen with the two
young Laddes; after long lamenting, which shee found utterly fruitlesse
and to none effect, though she was used as a servant with them, and
being but a very poore woman, yet was shee wise and discreetly advised.
Wherefore, comforting both her selfe, and them so well as she could,
and considering the depth of their disaster; shee conceited thus, that
if the Children should be knowne, it might redounde to their greater
danger, and shee be no way advantaged thereby.
Hereupon, hoping that Fortune (early or late) would alter her stearne
malice, and that they might (if they lived) regaine once more their
former condition: shee would not disclose them to any one whatsoever,
till shee should see the time aptly disposed for it. Being thus
determined, to all such as questioned her concerning them, she answered
that they were her owne Children, naming the eldest not _Geoffrey_,
but _Jehannot de Procida_. [Sidenote: Or Grannotto da Prochyta.] As
for the youngest, shee cared not greatly for changing his name, and
therefore wisely enformed _Geoffrey_, upon what reason shee had altered
his name, and what danger he might fall into, if he should otherwise
be discovered; being not satisfied with thus telling him once, but
remembring him thereof very often, which the gentle youth (being so
well instructed by the wise and carefull Nurse) did very warily observe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account