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
Upon further inquisition, who should commit so horrid a deed,
perceyving likewise, that the Duke of _Athens_ was not to be found, but
was closely gone: they judged (according to the truth) that he had his
hand in this bloody businesse, and had carried away the Lady with him.
Immediately, they elected the Princes brother to bee their Lord and
Soveraigne, inciting him to revenge so horrid a wrong, and promising to
assist him with their utmost power. The new chosen Prince being assured
afterward, by other more apparant and remarkeable proofes, that his
people informed him with nothing but truth: sodainly, and according as
they had concluded, with the helpe of neighbours, kindred, and friends,
collected from divers places; he mustred a goodly and powerful army,
marching on towards _Athens_, to make war against the Duke.
No sooner heard he of this warlike preparation made against him, but he
likewise levied forces for his owne defence, and to his succour came
many great States: among whom, the Emperor of _Constantinople_ sent his
Sonne _Constantine_, attended on by his Nephew _Emanuell_, with troopes
of faire and towardly force, who were most honourably welcommed and
entertained by the Duke, but much more by the Dutchesse, because she
was their sister in law.
Military provision thus proceeding on daily more and more, the Dutches
making choise of a fit and convenient houre, took these two Princes
with her to a with-drawing Chamber; and there in flouds of teares
flowing from her eyes, wringing her hands, and sighing incessantly,
shee recounted the whole History, occasion of the warre, and how
dishonourably the Duke had dealt with her about this strange woman,
whom he purposed to keepe in despight of her, as thinking that she knew
nothing thereof, and complaining very earnestly unto them, entreated
that for the Dukes honour, and her comfort, they would give their best
assistance in this case.
The two young Lords knew all this matter, before shee thus reported
it to them; and therefore, without staying to listen her any longer,
but comforting her so wel as they could, with promise of their best
employed paines: being informed by her, in what place the Lady was
so closely kept, they tooke their leave, and parted from her. Often
they had heard the Lady much commended, and her incomparable beauty
highly extolled, yea, even by the Duke himselfe; which made them the
more desirous to see her: wherefore earnestly they solicited him, to
let them have a sight of her, and he (forgetting what happened to the
Prince, by shewing her so unadvisedly to him) made them promise to
grant their request. Causing a magnificent dinner to be prepared, & in
a goodly garden, at the Castle where the Lady was kept: on the morrow
morning, attended on by a small train, away they rode to dine with her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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