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
Madame, in my poore opinion, you are not free from the frownes of
Fortune, no more then I my selfe am: but if you were so well pleased,
there is no one that can comfort both our calamities in such manner,
as you are able to do. And beleeve me answered the Lady, there is
nothing in the world that can bee so welcome to mee, as honest
comfort. The Countesse proceeding on in her former speeches said: I
have now need (good Madame) both of your trust and fidelity, whereon
if I should rely, and you faile me, it will be your owne undooing as
well as mine. Speake then boldly, replied the olde Ladie, and remaine
constantly assured, that you shall no way be deceived by me. Heereupon,
the Countesse declared the whole course of her love, from the verie
originall to the instant, revealing also what she was, and the occasion
of her comming thither, relating every thing so perfectly, that the
Ladie verily beleeved her, by some reports which she had formerly
heard, and which mooved her the more to compassion. Now, when all
circumstances were at full discovered, thus spake the Countesse.
Among my other miseries and misfortunes, which hath halfe broken
my heart in the meere repetition, beside the sad and afflicting
sufferance; two things there are, which if I cannot compasse to have,
all hope is quite frustrate for ever, of gaining the grace of my Lord
and Husband. Yet those two things may I obtaine by your helpe, if all
be true which I have heard, and you can therein best resolve mee.
Since my comming to this City, it hath credibly bene told me, that the
Count my husband, is deeply in love with your daughter. If the Count
(quoth the Ladie) love my daughter, and have a wife of his owne, he
must thinke, and so shall surely finde it, that his greatnesse is no
priviledge for him, whereby to worke dishonour upon her poverty. But
indeed, some apparances there are, and such a matter as you speake of,
may be so presumed; yet so farre from a very thought of entertaining in
her or me; as whatsoever I am able to do, to yeeld you any comfort and
content, you shall find me therein both willing and ready: for I prize
my daughters spotles poverty as at high a rate, as he can do the pride
of his honour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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