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
Leading her along by the arme towards the Garden, attended on by two of
her servants, and two of his owne, seeming as if he was sent from the
Duke, to conferre with her: they walked alone to a Port opening on the
Sea, which standing ready open, upon a signe given by him to one of his
complices, the Barke was brought close to the shore, and the Lady being
suddenly seized on, was immediately conveyed into it; and he returning
backe to her people, with his sword drawne in his hand, saide: Let no
man stirre, or speake a word, except he be willing to loose his life:
for I intend not to rob the Duke of his faire friend, but to expel the
shame and dishonour which he hath offered to my Sister, no one being
so hardy as to returne him any answer. Aboard went _Constantine_ with
his consorts, and sitting neer to the Lady, who wrung her hands, and
wept bitterly; he commanded the Marriners to launch forth, flying away
on the wings of the wind, till about the breake of day following, they
arrived at _Melasso_. There they tooke landing, and reposed on shore
for some few dayes, _Constantine_ labouring to comfort the Lady, even
as if shee had been his owne Sister, shee having good cause to curse
her infortunate beauty.
Going aboard the Barke againe, within few dayes they came to _Setalia_,
and there fearing the reprehension of his Father, and least the Ladie
should be taken from him; it pleased _Constantine_ to make his stay,
as in a place of no meane security. And (as before) after much kinde
behaviour used towards the Lady, without any meanes in her selfe to
redresse the least of all these great extremities: shee became more
milde and affable, for discontentment did not a jot quaile her.
While occurrences passed on in this manner, it fortuned, that _Osbech_
the King of _Turky_ (who was in continuall war with the Emperour)
came by accident to _Laiazzo_: and hearing there how lasciviously
_Constantine_ spent his time in _Setalia_, with a Lady which he
had stolne, being but weake and slenderly guarded; in the night
with certaine well provided ships, his men & he entred the Towne, &
surprized many people in their beds, before they knew of their enemies
comming, killing such as stood upon their defence against them, (among
whom was _Constantine_) and burning the whole Towne, brought their
booty and prisoners aboard their ships, wherewith they returned backe
to _Laiazzo_. Being thus come to _Laiazzo, Osbech_, who was a brave and
gallant young man, upon a review of the pillage; found the faire Lady,
whom hee knew to be the beloved of _Constantine_, because shee was
found lying on his bed. Without any further delay, he made choyse of
her to be his Wife; causing his nuptials to be honourably sollemnized,
and many moneths hee lived there in great joy with her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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