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 albeit he found her plyant enough, to gaine physick for her owne
griefe, as soone as his; yet the meanes and manner were (as yet) quite
out of all apprehension. For shee in no other part of the World, would
trust her selfe in the young mans company, but onely in her Fathers
house; and that was a place out of all possibility, because _Puccio_
(by a long continued custome) used to watch well neere all the night,
as commonly he did, each night after other, never stirring foorth of
the roomes, which much abated the edge of the young mans appetite.
After infinite intricate revolvings, wheeling about his busied braine,
he thought it not altogether an _Herculian_ taske, to enjoy his
happinesse in the house, and without any suspition, albeit _Puccio_
kept still within doores, and watched as hee was wont to doe.
Upon a day as he sate in familiar conference with _Puccio_, he began
to speake unto him in this manner; I have many times noted, kinde
friend _Puccio_, that all thy desire and endeavour is, by what meanes
thou mayest become very rich, wherein (me thinkes) thou takest too
wide a course, when there is a much neere and shorter way, which
_Mighell, Scotus,_ and other his associates, very diligently observed
and followed, yet were never willing to instruct other men therein;
whereby the misterie might be drowned in oblivion, and prosecuted by
none but onely great Lords, that are able to undergoe it. But because
thou art mine especiall friend, and I have received from thee infinite
kind favours; whereas I never intended, that any man (by me) should
be acquainted with so rare a secret; if thou wilt imitate the course
as I shall shew thee, I purpose to teach it thee in full perfection.
_Puccio_ being very earnestly desirous to understand the speediest way
to so singular a mysterie, first began to entreat him (with no meane
instance) to acquaint him with the rules of so rich a Science; and
afterward sware unto him, never to disclose it to any person, except
hee gave his consent thereto; affirming beside, that it was a rarity,
not easie to be comprehended by very apprehensive judgements. Well
(quoth _Felice_) seeing thou hast made me such a sound and solemne
promise, I will make it knowne unto thee.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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