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
When the Lady heard thereof, and saw no likely meanes of recovering
him againe, she fell to her wonted teares and lamentations: but the
two Lovers came quickly to comfort her, using kinde words and pithie
perswasions (albeit shee understood them not, or at the most very
little) to appease the violence of her passions; and, to speake
uprightly, shee did not so much bemoane the loss of _Amurath_, as
the multiplying of her owne misfortunes, still one succeeding in the
necke of another. After divers long and well delivered Orations,
as also very faire and courteous behaviour, they had indifferently
pacified her complaynings: they began to discourse and commune with
themselves, which of them had most right and title to _Alathiella_, and
(consequently) ought to enjoy her. Now that _Amurath_ was gone, each
pleaded his priviledge to be as good as the others, both in the Ship,
goods, and all advantages else whatsoever happening: which the elder
brother absolutely denied, alleadging first his propriety of birth,
a reason sufficient, whereby his younger ought to give him place;
likewise his right and interest both in ship and goods, to be more then
the others, as being heire to his Father, and therefore in justice
to be highest preferred. Last of all, that his strength onely threw
_Amurath_ into the Sea, and therefore gave him the full possession of
his prize, no right at all remaining to his brother.
From temperate and calme speeches, they fell to frownes and ruder
language, which heated their blood in such violent manner, that
forgetting brotherly affection, and all respect of Parents or friends,
they drew forth their Poniards, stabbing each other so often and
desperately, that before any in the shippe had the power or meanes to
part them, both of them being very dangerously wounded, the younger
brother fell downe dead, the elder being in little better case, by
receiving so many perilous hurts, remained (neverthelesse) living. This
unhappy accident displeased the Lady very highly, seeing her selfe
thus left alone, without the help or counsell of any body, and fearing
greatly, least the anger of the two Brethrens Parents and Friends,
should now be laide to her charge, and thereon follow severity of
punishment. But the earnest entreaties of the wounded surviver, and
their arrivall at _Smirna_ soone after, delivered him from the danger
of death, gave some ease to her sorrow, and there with him shee went on
shore.
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