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 passe the wanton follies passing betweene them, and come to Madame
_Catulla_, who finding it a fit and convenient time, to vent forth the
tempest of her spleene, began in this manner. Alas! how mighty are
the misfortunes of women, and how ill requited is the loyall love,
of many wives to their husbands? I, a poore miserable Lady, who, for
the space of eight yeares now fully compleated, have loved thee more
dearely then mine owne life, finde now (to my hearts endlesse griefe)
how thou wastest and consumest thy desires, to delight them with a
strange woman, like a most vile and wicked man as thou art. With whom
doest thou now imagine thy selfe to be? Thou art with her, whom thou
hast long time deluded by false blandishments, feigning to affect
her, when thou doatest in thy desires elsee-where. I am thine owne
_Catulla_, and not the wife of _Ricciardo_, trayterous and unfaithfull
man, as thou art. I am sure thou knowest my voyce, and I thinke it a
thousand yeares, untill wee may see each other in the light, to doe
thee such dishonour as thou justly deserveth, dogged, disdainefull,
and villainous wretch. By conceiving to have another woman in thy
wanton embraces, thou hast declared more joviall disposition, and
demonstrations of farre greater kindnesse, then domesticke familiarity.
At home thou lookest sower, sullen or surly, often froward, and sildome
well pleased. But the best is, whereas thou intendest this husbandrie
for another mans ground, thou hast (against thy will) bestowed it on
thine owne, and the water hath runne a contrary course, quite from the
current where thou meantst it.
What answere canst thou make, devill, and no man? What, have my words
smitten thee dumbe? Thou mayest (with shame enough) hold thy peace, for
with the face of a man, and love of an husband to his wife, thou art
not able to make any answere.
_Ricciardo_ durst not speake one word, but still expressed his affable
behaviour towards her, bestowing infinite embraces and kisses on her:
which so much the more augmented her rage and anger, continuing on her
chiding thus. If by these flatteries and idle follies, thou hopest to
comfort or pacifie me, thou runnest quite byas from thy reckoning: for
I shall never imagine my selfe halfe satisfied, untill in the presence
of my parents, friends, and neighbours, I have revealed thy base
behaviour. Tell mee, treacherous man, am not I as faire, as the wife
of _Ricciardo_? Am I not as good a Gentlewoman borne, as shee is? What
canst thou more respect in her, then is in mee? Villaine, monster, why
doest thou not answere mee? I will send to _Ricciardo_, who loveth mee
beyond all other women in _Naples_, and yet could never vaunt, that I
gave him so much as a friendly looke: he shall know, what a dishonour
thou hadst intended towards him; which both he and his friends will
revenge soundly upon thee.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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