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 they were entred there into, and had seene the great Hall, the
Parlours, and beautifull Chambers, every one stupendiously furnished,
with all convenient commodities to them belonging, and nothing wanting,
that could be desired; they highly commended it, reputing the Lord
thereof for a most worthy man, that had adorned it in such Princely
manner. Afterward, being descended lower, and noting the most spacious
and pleasant Court, the Sellars stored with the choysest Wines, and
delicate Springs of water every where running, their prayses then
exceeded more and more. And being weary with beholding such variety
of pleasures, they sate downe in a faire Gallery, which took the view
of the whole Court, it being round engirt with trees and floures,
whereof the season then yeelded great plenty. And then came the
discreete Master of the Houshold, with divers servants attending on
him, presenting them with Comfits, and other Banquetting, as also very
singular Wines, to serve in sted of a breakefast.
Having thus reposed themselves a while, a Garden gate was set open to
them, coasting on one side of the Pallace, and round inclosed with
high mounted walles. Whereinto when they were entred, they found it to
be a most beautifull Garden, stored with all varieties that possibly
could be devised; and therefore they observed it the more respectively.
The walkes and allyes were long and spacious, yet directly straite as
an arrow, environed with spreading vines, whereon the grapes hung in
copious clusters; which being come to their full ripenesse, gave so rare
a smell throughout the Garden, with other sweete savours intermixed
among, that they supposed to feele the fresh spiceries of the East.
It would require large length of time, to describe all the rarities of
this place, deserving much more to be commended, then my best faculties
will affoord me. In the middest of the Garden, was a square plot, after
the resemblance of a Meadow, flourishing with high grasse, hearbes, and
plants, beside a thousand diversities of floures, even as if by the art
of painting they had beene there deputed. Round was it circkled with
very verdant Orenge and Cedar Trees, their branches plentiously stored
with fruite both old and new, as also the floures growing freshly among
them, yeelding not onely a rare aspect to the eye, but also a delicate
savour to the smell.
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