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
He wrought such meanes, that he came acquainted with a poore woman, who
often frequented _Bernardoes_ house, and was greatly in favour with
his wife; upon whose poverty he so prevailed, by earnest perswasions,
but much more by large gifts of money, that he won her to further him
in this manner following. A faire and artificiall Chest he caused to
be purposely made, wherein himselfe might be aptly contained, and
so conveyed into the House of _Bernardoes_ Wife, under colour of a
formall excuse; that the poore woman should be absent from the City
two or three dayes, and shee must keepe it safe till he returne. The
Gentlewoman suspecting no guile, but that the Chest was the receptacle
of all the womans wealth; would trust it in no other roome, then her
owne Bed-chamber, which was the place where _Ambroginolo_ most desired
to bee.
Being thus conveyed into the Chamber, the night going on apace, and the
Gentlewoman fast asleepe in her bed, a lighted Taper stood burning on
the Table by her, as in her Husbands absence shee ever used to have:
_Ambroginolo_ softly opened the Chest, according as cunningly hee had
contrived it; and stepping forth in his sockes made of cloath, observed
the scituation of the Chamber, the paintings, pictures, and beautifull
hangings, with all things elsee that were remarkable, which perfectly
he committed to his memory. Going neere to the bed, he saw her lie
there sweetly sleeping, and her young Daughter in like manner by her,
shee seeming then as compleate and pleasing a creature, as when shee
was attired in her best bravery. No especiall note or marke could hee
descrie, whereof he might make credible report, but onely a small wart
upon her left pappe, with some few haires growing thereon, appearing to
be as yellow as gold.
Sufficient had he seene, and durst presume no further; but taking one
of her Rings, which lay upon the Table, a purse of hers, hanging by on
the wall, a light wearing Robe of silke, and her girdle, all which he
put into the Chest; and being in himselfe, closed it fast as it was
before, so continuing there in the Chamber two severall nights, the
Gentlewoman neither mistrusting or missing any thing. The third day
being come, the poore woman, according as formerly was concluded, came
to have home her Chest againe, and brought it safely into her owne
house; where _Ambroginolo_ comming forth of it, satisfied the poore
woman to her own liking, returning (with all the forenamed things) so
fast as conveniently he could to _Paris_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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