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
Honourable Lord, and my dearely respected friend, being so wise a man
as you are, it is no difficult matter for you to know, what a fraile
condition is imposed both on men and women; yet (for divers occasions)
much more upon the one, then the other. Wherefore desertfully, in the
censure of a just and upright Judge, a fault of divers conditions
(in respect of the person) ought not to be censured with one and the
same punishment. Beside, who will not say, that a man or woman of
poore and meane estate, having no other helpe for maintainance, but
laborious travaile of their bodies should worthily receive more sharpe
reprehension, in yeelding to amorous desires, or such passions as
are incited by love; then a wealthy Lady whose living relieth not on
her paines or cares, neither wanteth any thing that she can wish to
have: I dare presume, that you your selfe will allow this to be equall
and just. In which respect, I am of the minde, that the fore-named
allegations, ought to serve as a sufficient excuse, yea, and to the
advantage of her who is so possessed, if the passions of love should
over-reach her: alwayes provided, that shee can pleade (in her owne
defence) the choise of a wise and vertuous friend, answerable to her
owne condition and quality, and no way to be taxed with a servile or
vile election.
These two especiall observations, allowable in my judgement, and living
now in me, seazing on my youthfull blood and yeares: have found no
mean inducement to love, in regard of my husbands far distance from
me, medling in the rude uncivill actions of warre, when he should
rather be at home in more sweet imployment. You see Sir, that these
Orators advance themselves here in your presence, to acquaint you
with the extremity of my over-commanding agony: and if the same power
hath dominion in you, which your discretion (questionlesse) cannot be
voide of; then let me entreate such advise from you, as may rather
helpe, then hinder my hopes. Beleeve it then for trueth Sir, that the
long absence of my husband from me, the solitary condition wherein I
am left, ill agreeing with the hot blood running in my veines, & the
temper of my earnest desires: have so prevailed against my strongest
resistances, that not onely so weake a woman as I am, but any man of
much more potent might (living in ease and idlenesse as I doe) cannot
withstand such continuall assaults, having no other helpe then flesh
and blood.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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