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
Now began she to appeare somewhat better comforted; & forbearing to
play on this string any longer, as wel knowing the covetousness of
him and his equals, she said. Holy Father, some few nights past, me
thought in my sleepe, that divers spirits of my kindred appeared to me
in a vision, who (me thought) were in very great paines, and desired
nothing else but Almes; especially my God-mother, who seemed to bee
afflicted with such extreme poverty, that it was most pittifull to
behold. And I am half perswaded, that her torments are the greater,
seeing mee troubled with such an enemy to goodnesse. Wherefore (good
Father) to deliver her soule and the others, out of those fearfull
flames; among your infinite other devout prayers, I would have you to
say the fortie Masses of S. _Gregory_, as a meanes for their happy
deliverance, and so she put ten ducates into his hand. Which the holy
man accepted thankfully, and with good words, as also many singular
examples, confirmed her bountifull devotion: and when he had given her
his benediction, home she departed.
After that the Gentlewoman was gone, hee sent for his friend, whom
she so much seemed to be troubled withall; and when he was come, hee
beholding his Holy Father to looke discontentedly: thought, that now
he should heare some newes from his Mistresse, and therefore expected
what he would say. The Frier, falling into the course of his former
reprehensions, but yet in more rough and impatient manner, sharpely
checkt him for his immodest behaviour towards the Gentlewoman, in
sending her the Purse and Girdle. The Gentleman, who as yet could not
guesse whereto his speeches tended; somewhat coldly and temperately,
denied the sending of such tokens to her, to the end that he would not
be utterly discredited with the good man, if so bee the Gentlewoman had
shewne him any such things. But then the Frier, waxing much more angry,
sternly said. Bad man as thou art, how canst thou deny a manifest
trueth? See sir, these are none of your amorous tokens? No, I am sure
you doe not know them, nor ever saw them till now.
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