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
But let us see, whether _Thebaldo_ deserved all these severall
castigations, or not. In trueth he did not, your selfe have confessed
(beside that which I know) that hee loved you more dearely then
himselfe, and nothing could be more honoured, magnified and exalted,
then dayly you were by him, above all other women whatsoever. When
hee came in any place, where honestly, and without suspition hee
might speake to you: all his honour, and all his liberty, lay wholly
committed into your power. Was he not a noble young Gentleman? Was
hee (among all those parts that most adorne a man, and appertaine to
the very choycest respect) inferiour to any one of best merit in your
Citie? I know that you cannot make deniall to any of these demands.
How could you then by the perswasion of a beast, a foole, a villaine,
yea, a vagabond, envying both his happinesse and yours, enter into so
cruell a minde against him? I know not what error misguideth women, in
scorning and despising their husbands: but if they entred into a better
consideration, understanding truly what they are, and what nobility of
nature God hath endued man withall, farre above all other creatures; it
would bee their highest title of glory, when they are are so preciously
esteemed of them, so dearely affected by them, and so gladly embraced
in all their best abilities.
This is so great a sinne, as the divine Justice (which in an equal
ballance bringeth all operations to their full effect) did purpose not
to leave unpunished; but, as you enforced against all reason, to take
away _Thebaldo_ from your selfe: even so your Father _Aldobrandino_,
without any occasion given by _Thebaldo_, is in perill of his life,
and you a partaker of his tribulation. Out of which if you desire to
be delivered, it is very convenient that you promise one thing which I
shall tell you, and may much better be by you performed. Namely, that
if _Thebaldo_ doe at any time returne from his long banishment, you
shall restore him to your love, grace, and good acceptation; accounting
him in the selfe same degree of favour and private entertainement, as
he was at the first, before your wicked ghostly father so hellishly
incensed you against him.
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