The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels — John Shaqi
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
He delighted (beyond measure) and addicted his best studies, to cause
enmities & scandals between kindred and friends, or any other persons,
agreeing well together; and the more mischiefe he could procure in
this kind, so much the more pleasure and delight tooke he therein. If
he were called to kil any one, or to do any other villanous deede,
he never would make deniall, but go to it very willingly; and divers
times it was wel knowen, that many were cruelly beaten, ye slaine by
his hands. Hee was a most horrible blasphemer of God and his Saints,
upon the very least occasion, as being more addicted to choller,
then any other man could be. Never would he frequent the Church, but
basely contemned it, with the Sacraments and religious rites therein
administred, accounting them for vile and unprofitable things: but
very voluntarily would visit Tavernes, and other places of dishonest
accesse, which were continually pleasing unto him, to satisfie his
lust and inordinate lubricitie. Hee would steale both in publike and
private, even with such a conscience, as if it were given to him by
nature so to do. He was a great glutton and a drunkarde, even till he
was not able to take any more: being also a continuall gamester, and
carrier of false Dice, to cheate with them the verie best Friendes he
had.
But why do I waste time in such extent of words? When it may suffice to
say, that never was there a worse man borne; whose wickednesse was for
long time supported, by the favour, power, and Authoritie of Monsieur
_Musciatto_, for whose sake many wrongs and injuries were patiently
endured, as well by private persons (whom hee would abuse notoriously)
as others of the Court, betweene whom he made no difference at all in
his vile dealing. This Master _Chappelet_, being thus remembred by
_Musciatto_ (who very well knew his life and behaviour) he perfectly
perswaded himselfe, that this was a man apt in all respects, to meete
with the treachery of the Burgundians: whereupon, having sent for him,
thus he beganne.
_Chappelet_, thou knowest how I am wholly to retreate my selfe from
hence, and having some affaires among the Burgundians, men full of
wickednesse and deceite; I can bethinke my selfe of no meeter a man
then _Chappelet_, to recover such debts as are due to me among them.
And because it falleth out so well, that thou art not now hindered
by any other businesse; if thou wilt undergoe this office for me, I
will procure thee favourable Letters from the Court, and give thee a
reasonable portion in all thou recoverest. Master _Chappelet_, seeing
himselfe idle, and greedy after worldly goods, considering _Mounsieur
Musciatto_ (who had beene alwayes his best buckler) was now to depart
from thence, without any dreaming on the matter, and constrained
thereto (as it were) by necessity, set downe his resolution, and
answered that hee would gladly doe it.
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