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
But, as we see it oftentimes come to passe, that by how much the lower
hope declineth, so much the higher love ascendeth; even so fel it out
with this poore Querry; for, most irkesome was it to him, to endure the
heavy waight of his continuall oppressions, not having any hope at all
of the very least mitigation. And being utterly unable to relinquish
his love divers times he resolved on some desperate conclusion, which
might yet give the world an evident testimony, that he dyed for the
love he bare to the Queene. And upon this determination, hee grounded
the successe of his future fortune, to dye in compassing some part
of his desire, without either speaking to the Queene, or sending any
missive of his love; for to speake or write, were meerely in vaine,
and drew on a worser consequence then death, which he could bestow on
himselfe more easily, and when he listed.
No other course now beleagers his braines, but onely for secret accesse
to the Queenes bed, and how he might get entrance into her Chamber,
under colour of the King, who (as he knew very well) slept manie nights
together from the Queene. Wherefore, to see in what manner, & what the
usuall habit was of the King, when he came to keepe companie with his
Queene: he hid himselfe divers nights in a Gallery, which was betweene
both their lodging Chambers. At length, he saw the King come forth of
his Chamber, himselfe all alone, with a faire night-mantle wrapt about
him, carrying a lighted Taper in the one hand, and a small white Wand
in the other, so went he on to the Queenes lodging; and knocking at the
doore once or twice with the wand, and not using any word, the doore
opened, the light was left without, and he entered the Chamber, where
he stayed not long, before his returning backe againe, which likewise
very diligently he observed.
So familiar was he in the Wardrobe, by often fetching and returning
the King and Queenes furnitures; that the fellowe to the same Mantle,
which the King wore when he went to the Queene, very secretly he
conveighed away thence with him, being provided of a Light, and the
verie like Wand. Now bestowes he costly bathings on his body, that the
least sent of the Stable might not be felt about him; and finding a
time sutable to his desire, when he knew the King to be at rest in his
owne Lodging, and all elsee sleeping in their beds; closely he steals
into the Gallery, where alighting his Taper, with Tinder purposely
brought thither, the Mantle folded about him, and the Wand in his hand,
valiantly he adventures upon his lives perill. Twice hee knockt softly
at the doore, which a wayting woman immediately opened, and receyving
the Light, went forth into the Gallery, while the supposed King, was
conversing with the Queene.
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