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
The Lady remained now in liberty at home, considering on the
_Magnificoes_ words, and likewise the Gelding, which (for her sake)
was given to her husband. Oftentimes shee saw him passe to and fro
before her windowe, still looking when the Flagge of defiance should
be hanged forth, that hee might fight valiantly under her Colours. The
Story saith, that among many of her much better meditations, she was
heard to talke thus idely to herselfe. What doe I meane? Wherefore is
my youth? The olde miserable man is gone to _Millaine_, and God knoweth
when hee comes backe againe, ever, or never. Is dignity preferred
before wedlockes holy duty, and pleasures abroade, more then comforts
at home? Ill can age pay youths arrerages, when time is spent, and no
hope sparde. Actions omitted, are often times repented, but done in due
season, they are sildome sorrowed for. Upon these un-Lady-like private
consultations, whether the window shewed the signall or no; it is no
matter belonging to my charge: I say, husbands are unwise, to graunt
such ill advantages, and wives much worse, if they take hold of them,
onely judge you the best, and so the Tale is ended.
Ricciardo Minutolo _fell in love with the Wife of_ Philippello
Fighinolfi, _and knowing her to be very jealous of her Husband, gave
her to understand, that he was greatly enamoured of his wife, and had
appointed to meete her privately in a Bathing house, on the next day
following: Where she hoping to take him tardie with his close compacted
Mistresse, found herselfe to be deceived by the said_ Ricciardo.
The sixth Novell.
_Declaring, how much perseverance, and a couragious spirit is
availeable in love._
No more remained to be spoken by Madame _Eliza_, but the cunning of
the _Magnifico_, being much commended by all the company: the Queene
commanded Madame _Fiammetta_, to succeede next in order with one of her
Novelse, who (smilingly) made answere that she would, and began thus.
Gracious Ladies, me thinkes wee have spoken enough already, concerning
our owne Citie, which as it aboundeth copiously in all commodities,
so is it an example also to every convenient purpose. And as Madam
_Eliza_ hath done, by recounting occasions happening in another World,
so must we now leape a little further off, even so farre as _Naples_,
to see how one of those Saint-like Dames, that nicely seemes to shun
Loves allurings, was guided by the good spirit to a friend of hers,
and tasted of the fruite, before shee knew the flowers. A sufficient
warning for you, to apprehend before hand, what may follow after; and
to let you see beside, that when an error is committed, how to be
discreete in keeping it from publike knowledge.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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