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
To cut off further tedious circumstances, forthwith he returned to
_Famagosta_, and going before the King of the country, thus he spake
to him. Sir, you may (if so you will be pleased) in an instant, do me
an exceeding honour, who have bene impoverished by your service, and
also a deed of great renowne to your selfe, without any much matter of
expence and cost. The King demanding how? _Antigonus_ thus answered.
The fayre daughter of the Soldane, so generally reported to be drowned,
is arrived at _Baffa_, and to preserve her honour from blemishing,
hath suffered many crosses and calamities: being at this instant in
very poore estate, yet desirous to re-visite her father. If you please
to send her home under my conduct, it will be great honour to you, and
no meane benefite to mee; which kindnesse will for ever be thankfully
remembred by the Soldan.
The King in royall magnificence, replied sodainly, that he was highly
pleased with these good tydings; & having sent honourably for her from
_Baffa_, with great pompe she was conducted to _Famagosta_, and there
most graciously welcommed both by the King and Queene, with solemne
triumphes, bankets, and revelling, performed in most Majesticke manner.
Being questioned by the King and Queene, concerning so large a time of
strange misfortunes: according as _Antigonus_ had formerly enstructed
her, so did she shape the forme of her answers, and satisfied (with
honour) all their demands. So, within few dayes after, upon her earnest
& instant request, with an honourable traine of Lords and Ladies, shee
was sent thence, and conducted all the way by _Antigonus_, untill she
came unto the Soldans Court.
After some few dayes of her reposing there, the Soldan was desirous
to understand, how she could possibly live so long, in any Kingdome
or Province whatsoever, and yet no knowledge to bee taken of her? The
Lady, who perfectly retained by heart, and had all her lessons at her
fingers ends, by the warie instructions which _Antigonus_ had given
her, answered her father in this manner. Sir, about the twentith day
after my departure from you, a verie terrible and dreadfull tempest
over-tooke us, so that in dead time of the night, our ship being split
in sunder upon the sands, neere to a place called _Varna_; what became
of all the men that were aboord, I neither know, or ever heard of.
Onely I remember, then when death appeared, and I being recovered from
death to life, certaine pezants of the countrey, comming to get what
they could finde in the ship so wrackt, I was first (with two of my
women) brought and set safely on the shore.
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