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
Having thus spoken, and giving kinde welcome to the Messenger,
secretly he called the Nurse unto him, whom he heedfully examined
concerning this case. Shee having heard the rebellion in the Kingdome
of _Sicilie_, and understanding withall, that _Henriet_ was yet living;
joyfully threw off all her former feare, relating every thing to him
orderly, and the reasons moving her, to conceale the whole businesse
in such manner as shee had done. _Gasparino_ well perceiving, that the
report of the Nurse, and the message received from _Conrado_, varied
not in any one circumstance, beganne the better to credit her wordes.
And being a man most ingenious, making further inquisition into the
businesse, by all the possible meanes he could devise, and finding
every thing to yeeld undoubted assurance; ashamed of the vile and base
usage, wherein hee had so long time kept the Ladde, and desiring (by
his best meanes) to make him amends; he had a faire Daughter, aged
about thirteene yeeres, and knowing what manner of man he was, his
father _Henriet_ also yet living, he gave her to him in marriage, with
a very bountifull and honourable dowry.
The joviall dayes of feasting being past, he went aboard a Galley,
with the _Poore expelled_; his Daughter, the Ambassadour, and the
Nurse, departing thence to _Lericy_, where they were nobly welcommed
by _Messer Conrado_, and his Castle being not farre from thence, with
an honourable traine they were conducted thither, and entertained with
all possible kindnesse. Now concerning the comfort of the Mother,
meeting so happily with both her Sonnes, the joy of the Brethren and
Mother together, having also found the faithfull Nurse, _Gasparino_
and his Daughter, in company now with _Conrado_ and his Wife, friends,
familiars, and all generally in a Jubilee of rejoycing: it exceedeth
capacity in me to expresse it, and therefore I referre it to your more
able imagination.
In the time of this mutuall contentment, to the ende that nothing might
be wanting, to compleat and perfect this universall joy; our Lord, a
most aboundant bestower where he beginneth, added long wished tydings,
concerning the life and good estate of _Henriet Capece_. For, even as
they were feasting, and the concourse great of worthy guests, both of
Lords and Ladies: the first service was scarcely set on the Tables, but
the Ambassador which was sent to _Sicilie_, arrived there before them.
Among many other important matters, he spake of _Henriet_, who being so
long a time detained in prison by King _Charles_, when the commotion
arose in the City against the King; the people (grudging at _Henriets_
long imprisonment) slew the Guards, and let him at liberty. Then as
capitall enemy to King _Charles_, he was created Captaine generall,
following the chase, and killing the French.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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