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
Let me tell you holy Sir, that such behaviours, doe many times lay bad
imputations upon very honest women, yet without any offence in them.
It hath often run in my minde, to let him have knowledge thereof by my
brethren: but afterward I considered, that men (many times) deliver
messages in such sort, as draw on very ungentle answeres, whereon grow
words, and words beget actions. In which respect, because no harme or
scandall should ensue, I thought it best to be silent; determining,
to acquaint you rather therewith, then any other, as well because
you seeme to be his friend, as also in regard of your office, which
priviledgeth you, to correct such abuses, not onely in friends, but
also in strangers. Enowe other women there are, (more is the pitty) who
(perhaps) are better disposed to such suites, then I am, and can both
like and allowe of such courting, otherwise then I can doe; as being
willing to embrace such offers, and (happily) loath to yeeld deniall.
Wherefore, most humbly I entreat you, good Father (even for our blessed
Ladies sake) that you would give him a friendly reprehension, and
advise him, to use such unmanly meanes no more hereafter. With which
words, shee hung downe her head in her bosome, cunningly dissembling,
as if shee wept, wiping her eyes with her Handkerchife, when not a
teare fell from them, but indeed were dry enough.
The holy Religious man, so soone as he heard her description of
the man, presently knew whom shee meant, and highly commending the
Gentlewoman, for her good and vertuous seeming disposition, beleeved
faithfully all that shee had said: promising her, to order the matter
so well and discreetly, as shee should not be any more offended. And
knowing her to be a woman of great wealth (after all their usuall
manner, when they cast forth their fishing nets for gaine:) liberally
he commended Almes-deedes, and dayly workes of charity, recounting to
her (beside) his owne perticular necessities. Then, giving him two
pieces of gold, she said. I pray you (good Father) to be mindfull of
me, and if he chance to make any deniall: tell him boldly, that I spake
it my selfe to you, and by the way of a sad complaint her confession
being ended, and penance easie enough enjoyned her, shee promised to
make her parents bountifull benefactours to the Convent, and put more
money into his hand, desiring him in his Masses, to remember the soules
of her deceased friends, and so returned home to her house.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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