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
Betweene these two rehearsed extremities of life, there were other of
a more moderate temper, not being so daintily dieted as the first, nor
drinking so dissolutely as the second; but used all things sufficient
for their appetites, and without shutting up themselves, walked
abroade, some carrying sweete nose-gayes of flowers in their hands;
others odoriferous herbes, and others divers kinds of spiceries,
holding them to their noses, and thinking them most comfortable for the
braine, because the ayre seemed to be much infected, by the noysome
smell of dead carkases, and other hurtfull savours. Some other there
were also of more inhumane minde (howbeit peradventure it might be
the surest) saying, that there was no better physicke against the
pestilence, nor yet so good; as to flie away from it, which argument
mainely moving them, and caring for no body but themselves, very
many, both men and women, forsooke the City, their owne houses, their
Parents, kindred, friends, and goods, flying to other mens dwellings
else-where. As if the wrath of God, in punishing the sinnes of men with
this plague, would fall heavily upon none, but such as were enclosed
within the City wals; or else perswading themselves, that not any one
should there be left alive, but that the finall ending of all things
was come.
Now albeit these persons in their diversity of opinions died not all,
so undoubtedly they did not all escape; but many among them becomming
sicke, and making a generall example of their flight and folly, among
them that could not stirre out of their beds, they languished more
perplexedly then the other did. Let us omit, that one Citizen fled
after another, and one neighbour had not any care of another, Parents
nor kinred never visiting them, but utterly they were forsaken on all
sides: this tribulation pierced into the hearts of men, and with such
a dreadfull terror, that one Brother forsooke another; the Unkle the
Nephew, the Sister the Brother, and the Wife her Husband: nay, a matter
much greater, and almost incredible; Fathers and Mothers fled away from
their owne Children, even as if they had no way appertained to them.
In regard whereof, it could be no otherwise, but that a countlesse
multitude of men and women fell sicke; finding no charity among their
friends, except a very few, and subjected to the avarice of servants,
who attended them constrainedly, for great and unreasonable wages, yet
few of those attendants to be found any where too. And they were men
or women but of base condition, as also of groser understanding, who
never before had served in any such necessities, nor indeed were any
way else to be imployed, but to give the sicke person such things as he
called for, or to awaite the houre of his death; in the performance of
which services, oftentimes for gaine, they lost their owne lives.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account