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
In the middest of this Meadow, stood a Fountaine of white Marble,
whereon was engraven most admirable workemanship, and within it (I
know not whether it were by a naturall veine, or artificiall) flowing
from a figure, standing on a Collomne in the midst of the Fountaine,
such aboundance of water, and so mounting up towards the Skies, that
it was a wonder to behold. For after the high ascent, it fell downe
againe into the wombe of the Fountaine, with such a noyse and pleasing
murmur, as the streame that glideth from a mill. When the receptacle of
the Fountaine did overflow the bounds, it streamed along the Meadow,
by secret passages and chanelse, very faire and artificially made,
returning againe into every part of the Meadow, by the like wayes of
cunning conveighance, which allowed it full course into the Garden,
running swiftly thence down towards the plaine; but before it came
thether, the very swift current of the streame, did drive two goodly
Milles, which brought in great benefit to the Lord of the soile.
The sight of this Garden, the goodly grafts, plants, trees, hearbes,
frutages, and flowers, the Springs, Fountaines, and prety rivolets
streaming from it, so highly pleased the Ladies and Gentlemen, that
among other infinite commendations, they spared not to say: if any
Paradise remayned on the earth to be seene, it could not possibly
bee in any other place, but onely was contained within the compasse
of this Garden. With no meane pleasure and delight they walked round
about it, making Chaplets of flowers, and other faire branches of the
trees, continually hearing the Birds in mellodious notes, ecchoing and
warbling one to another, even as if they envied each others felicities.
But yet another beauty (which before had not presented it selfe unto
them) on a sodaine they perceyved; namely divers prety creatures in
many parts of the Gardens. In one place Conies tripping about; in
another place Hares: in a third part Goats browsing on the hearbes, &
little yong Hindes feeding every where: yet without strife or warring
together, but rather living in such a Domesticke and pleasing kinde of
company, even as if they were appoynted to enstruct the most noble of
all creatures, to imitate their sociable conversation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account