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
_Ricciardo_ uttered these words, teares streaming aboundantly downe his
cheekes, and Madame _Catulla_ (all the while) likewise showred forth
her sorrowes equally to his, now, although she was exceedingly troubled
in minde, and saw what her owne jealous folly had now brought her to,
a shame beyond all other whatsoever: in the midst of her tormenting
passions, she considered on the words of _Ricciardo_, found good reason
in them, in regard of the unavoydable evils, whereupon shee thus
spake. _Ricciardo_, I know not how to beare the horrible injurie, and
notorious treason used by thee against me, grace and goodnesse having
so forsaken me, to let me fall in so foule a manner. Nor becommeth it
me, to make any noyse or out-cry heere, whereto simplicity, or rather
devillish jealousie, did conduct me. But certaine I am of one thing,
that I shall never see any one joyfull day, till (by one meanes or
other) I be revenged on thee. Thou hast glutted thy desire with my
disgrace, let me therefore goe from thee, never more to looke upon my
wronged husband, or let any honest woman ever see my face.
_Ricciardo_ perceiving the extremity of her perplexed minde, used
all manly and milde perswasions, which possibly he could devise to
doe, to turne the torrent of this high tide, to a calmer course; as
by outward shew shee made apparance of, untill (in frightfull feares
shunning every one shee met withall, as arguments of her guiltinesse)
shee recovered her owne house, where remorse so tortured her distressed
soule, that shee fell into so fierce a melancholy, as never left her
till shee died. Upon the report whereof, _Ricciardo_ becomming likewise
a widdower, and grieving extraordinarily for his haynous transgression,
penitently betooke himselfe to live in a wildernesse, where (not long
after) he ended his dayes.
Thebaldo Elisei, _having received an unkinde repulse by his beloved,
departed from Florence, and returning thither againe (a long while
after) in the habite of a Pilgrime; he spake with her, and made his
wrongs knowne unto her. He delivered her Father from the danger of
death, because it was proved, that he had slaine_ Thebaldo: _he made
peace with his brethren, and in the ende, wisely enjoyed his hearts
desire._
The seaventh Novell.
_Wherein is signified the power of Love, and the diversity of dangers,
whereinto men may daily fall._
So ceased _Fiammetta_ her discourse, being generally commended, when
the Queene, to prevent the losse of time, commanded _Æmillia_ to
follow next, who thus began. It liketh me best (gracious Ladies) to
returne home againe to our owne City, which it pleased the former two
discoursers to part from: And there I will shew you, how a Citizen of
ours, recovered the kindnesse of his Love, after he had lost it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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