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 servant was come to _Geneway_, and had delivered his Letter
and message, _Genevra_ gave him most joyful welcome, and on the morrow
morning mounting on Horse-backe with the servant, rode merrily towards
the Countrey house; divers things shee discoursed on by the way, til
they descended into a deepe solitary valey, very thickly beset with
high and huge spreading Trees, which the servant supposed to be a meete
place, for the execution of his Masters command. Suddenly drawing forth
his Sword, and holding _Genevra_ fast by the arme, he saide; Mistresse,
quickly commend your soule to God, for you must die, before you passe
any further. _Genevra_ seeing the naked Sword, and hearing the words
so peremptorily delivered, fearefully answered; Alas deare friend,
mercy for Gods sake; and before thou kill me, tell me wherein I have
offended thee, and why thou must kill me? Alas good Mistresse replied
the servant, you have not any way offended me, but in what occasion you
have displeased your Husband, it is utterly unknowne to me: for he hath
strictly commanded me, without respect of pitty or compassion, to kill
you by the way as I bring you, and if I doe it not, he hath sworne to
hang me by the necke. You know good Mistresse, how much I stand obliged
to him; and how impossible it is for me, to contradict any thing that
he commandedeth. God is my witnesse, that I am truly compassionate of
you, and yet (by no meanes) may I let you live.
_Genevra_ kneeling before him weeping, wringing her hands, thus
replied. Wilt thou turne Monster, and be a murtherer of her that never
wronged thee, to please another man, and on a bare command? God, who
truly knoweth all things, is my faithfull witnesse, that I never
committed any offence, whereby to deserve the dislike of my Husband,
much lesse so harsh a recompence as this is. But flying from mine owne
justification, and appealing to thy manly mercy, thou mayest (wert thou
but so well pleased) in a moment satisfie both thy Master and me, in
such manner as I will make plaine and apparant to thee. Take thou my
garments, spare me onely thy doublet, and such a Bonnet as is fitting
for a man, so returne with my habite to thy Master, assuring him,
that the deede is done. And here I sweare to thee, by that life which
I enjoy but by thy mercy, I will so strangely disguise my selfe, and
wander so farre off from these Countries, as neither he or thou, nor
any person belonging to these parts, shall ever heare any tydings of me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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