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
This done, and plainely perceiving that they were not heard or seene,
either by the Lady, or any other: the Duke tooke a light in his hand,
going on to the bed, where the Lady lay most sweetely sleeping; whom
the more he beheld, the more he admired and commended: but if in her
garments shee appeared so pleasing, what did shee now in a bed of
such state and Majesty? Being no way daunted by his so late committed
sinne, but swimming rather in surfet of joy, his hands all bloody,
and his soule much more uglie; he laide him downe on the bed by her,
bestowing infinite kisses and embraces on her, she supposing him to
be the Prince all this while, nor opening her eyes to be otherwise
resolved. But this was not the delight he aimed at, neither did he
thinke it safe for him, to delay time with any longer tarying there:
wherefore having his agents at hand fit and convenient for the purpose,
they surprized her in such sort, that she could not make any noise
or outcry, and carrying her thorough the same false posterne, whereat
themselves had entred, laying her in a Princely litter; away they went
with all possible speede, not tarrying in any place, untill they were
arrived neere _Athens_. But thither hee would not bring her, because
himselfe was a married man, but rather to a goodly Castle of his owne,
not distant farre off from the City; where he caused her to be kept
very secretly (to her no little greefe and sorrow) yet attended on and
served in most honourable manner.
The Gentlemen usually attending on the Prince, having waited all the
next morning till noone, in expectation of his rising, and hearing no
stirring in the Chamber: did thrust at the doore, which was but onely
closed together, & finding no body there, they presently imagined,
that he was privately gone to some other place, where (with the Lady,
whom he so deerely affected) hee might remaine some few dayes for
his more contentment, and so they relied verily perswaded. Within
some fewe dayes following, while no other doubt came in question, the
Princes Foole, entering by chance among the ruined houses, where lay
the dead bodies of the Prince and _Churiacy_: tooke hold of the corde
about _Churiacyes_ necke, and so went along dragging it after him. The
bodye being knowne to many, with no meane mervaile, how hee should bee
murthered in so vile manner: by giftes and faire perswasions they wonne
him, to bring them to the place where hee found it. And there (to the
no little greefe of all the Cittie) they found the Princes body also,
which they caused to bee interred with all the most majesticke pomp
that might bee.
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