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
When the Romaine Empire was translated from the French to the Germains,
mighty dissentions grew between both the nations, insomuch that it
drew a dismall and a lingring warre. In which respect, as well for the
safety of his owne Kingdome, as to annoy and disturbe his enemies; the
King of _France_ and one of his sonnes, having congregated the forces
of their owne dominions, as also of their friends and confederates,
they resolved manfully to encounter their enemies. But before they
would adventure on any rash proceeding; they held it as the chiefest
part of pollicie and Royall providence, not to leave the State
without a chiefe or Governour. And having had good experience of
_Gualtier_, Counte _D'Angiers_, to be a wise, worthy, and most trusty
Lord, singularly expert in militarie discipline, and faithfull in
all affaires of the Kingdome (yet fitter for ease and pleasure, then
laborious toyle and travaile:) hee was elected Lieutenant Governour in
their sted, over the whole Kingdome of _France_, and then they went on
in their enterprize.
Now began the Counte to execute the office committed to his trust, by
orderly proceeding, and with great discretion, yet not entring into
any businesse, without consent of the Queene and her faire daughter
in law: who although they were left under his care and custodie, yet
(notwithstanding) he honoured them as his superiours, and as the
dignity of their quality required. Heere you are to observe, concerning
Counte _Gualtier_ himselfe, that he was a most compleat person, aged
little above forty yeares; as affable and singularly conditioned,
as any Noble man possibly could be, nor did those times afford a
Gentleman, that equalled him in all respects. It fortuned, that the
King and his sonne being busie in the afore-named warre, the wife and
Lady of Counte _Gualtier_ died in the meane while, leaving him onely
a sonne and a daughter, very young and of tender yeares, which made
his owne home the lesse welcome to him, having lost his deare Love and
second selfe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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