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
_Bernardoes_ blood began now to boile, and patience being a little
put downe by choller, thus hee replied. A combat of words requires
over-long continuance, for I maintaine the matter, which thou deniest,
and all this sorts to nothing in the end. But seeing thou presumest,
that all women are so apt and tractable, and thy selfe so confident
of thine owne power: I willingly yeeld (for the better assurance of
my wifes constant loyalty) to have my head smitten off, if thou canst
winne her to any such dishonest act, by any meanes whatsoever thou
canst use unto her; which if thou canst not doe, thou shalt onely loose
a thousand duckets of gold. Now began _Ambroginolo_ to be heated with
these words, answering thus. _Bernardo_, if I had won the wager, I know
not what I should doe with thy head; but if thou be willing to stand
upon the proofe, pawne downe five thousand Duckets of gold, (a matter
of much lesse value then thy head) against a thousand Duckets of mine,
granting me a lawfull limitted time, which I require to be no more then
the space of three moneths, after the day of my departing hence. I will
stand bound to goe for _Geneway_, and there winne such kinde consent
of thy Wife, as shall be to mine owne consent. In witnesse whereof, I
will bring backe with me such private and especiall tokens, as thou
thy selfe shalt confesse that I have not failed. Provided, that thou
doe first promise upon thy faith, to absent thy selfe thence during my
limitted time, and be no hinderance to me by thy Letters, concerning
the attempt by me undertaken.
_Bernardo_ saide, be it a bargaine, I am the man that will make good
my five thousand Duckets; and albeit the other Merchants then present,
earnestly laboured to breake the wager, knowing great harme must needs
ensue thereon: yet both the parties were so hot and fiery, as all the
other men spake to no effect, but writings were made, sealed, and
delivered under either of their hands, _Bernardo_ remaining at _Paris_,
and _Ambroginolo_ departing for _Geneway_. There he remained some few
dayes, to learne the streetes name where _Bernardo_ dwelt, as also the
conditions and qualities of his Wife, which scarcely pleased him when
he heard them; because they were farre beyond her Husbands relation,
and shee reputed to be the onely wonder of women; whereby he plainely
perceived, that he had undertaken a very idle enterprise, yet would he
not give it over so, but proceeded therein a little further.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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