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
The servant, gathering what he could by their outward behaviour,
declared to his Lord, what hee had seene in the Ship: who caused the
women to be brought on shore, and all the precious things remaining
with them, conducting them with him to a place not farre off, where,
with foode and warmth he gave them comfort. By the rich garments which
the Lady was cloathed withall, hee reputed her to be a Gentlewoman
well derived, as the great reverence done to her by the rest, gave him
good reason to conceive. And although her lookes were pale and wan, as
also her person mightily altered, by the tempestuous violence of the
Sea: yet notwithstanding, she appeared faire and lovely in the eye of
_Bajazeth_, whereupon forthwith he determined, that if she were not
maried, he would enjoy her as his owne in mariage, or if he could not
winne her to be his wife, yet (at the least) shee should be his friend,
because shee remained now in his power.
_Bajazeth_ was a man of sterne lookes, rough and harsh both in speech
and behaviour: yet causing the Lady to be honourably used divers dayes
together, she became thereby well comforted and recovered. And seeing
her beauty to exceede all comparison, he was afflicted beyond measure,
that he could not understand her, nor she him, whereby hee could not
know, of whence or what she was. His amorous flames encreasing more
and more; by kinde, courteous, and affable actions, hee laboured to
compasse what he aymed at. But all his endeavour proved to no purpose,
for shee refused all familiar privacie with him, which so much the
more kindled the fury of his desire. This being well observed by the
Lady, having now remayned there a moneth & more, and collecting by the
customes of the Countrey, that she was among Turkes, and in such a
place, where although she were knowne, yet it would little advantage
her, beside, that long protraction of time would provoke _Bajazeth_, by
faire meanes or force to obtaine his will: she propounded to her selfe
(with magnanimity of spirit) to tread all misfortunes under her feete,
commaunding her women (whereof she had but three now remaining alive)
that they should not disclose what she was; except it were in some
such place, where manifest signes might yeeld hope of regaining their
liberty. Moreover, shee admonished them, stoutly to defend their honour
and chastity, affirming, that shee had absolutely resolved with her
selfe, that never any other should enjoy her, but her intended husband;
wherein her women did much commend her, promising to preserve their
reputation, according as she had commanded.
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