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
But because I would not speake particularly of all our fraile and
humane affections, I dare assure ye, that there is not any one of these
desires, to be elected among us mortals, with entire foresight or
providence, warrantable against their ominous issue. Wherefore, if we
would walke directly, wee should dispose our willes and affections, to
be ordered and guided onely by him, who best knoweth what is needfull
for us, and will bestow them at his good pleasure. Nor let me lay this
blamefull imputation upon men onely, for offending in many things
through over lavish desires: because you your selves (gracious Ladies)
sinne highly in one, as namely, in coveting to be beautifull. So that
it is not sufficient for you, to enjoy those beauties bestowne on you
by Nature: but you practise to encrease them, by the rarities of Art.
Wherefore, let it not offend you, that I tell you the hard fortune of
a faire Sarrazines, to whom it happened (by strange adventures) within
the compasse of foure yeares, nine severall times to be maried, and
onely for her beauty.
It is now a long time since, that there lived a Soldane in _Babylon_,
named _Beminidab_, to whom (while he lived) many things happened,
answerable to his owne desires. Among divers other children both male
and female, he had a daughter, called _Alathiella_, and shee (according
to the common voyce of every one that saw her) was the fayrest Lady
then living in all the world. And because the King of _Cholcos_ had
wonderfully assisted him, in a valiant foughten battaile, against a
mighty Armie of _Arabes_, who on a suddaine had assailed him: hee
demaunded his faire daughter in marriage, which likewise was kindly
granted to him. A goodly and well armed Ship was prepared for her,
with full furnishment of all necessary provision, and accompanied with
an honourable traine, both Lords and Ladies, as also most costly and
sumptuous accoustrements; commending her to the mercy of heaven, in
this manner was shee sent away.
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