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
The Monke very readily answered, saying. My good Lord, I have not yet
beene so long in the order of Saint _Benedict_, as to learne all the
particularities thereto belonging. And beside Sir, you never shewed
mee or any of my brethren, in what manner we young Monkes ought to
use women, as you have otherwise done for our custome of prayer and
fasting. But seeing you have so lately therein instructed mee, and by
your owne example how to doe it: I heere solemnely promise you, if you
please to pardon me but this one error, I will never faile therein
againe, but dayly follow what I have seene you doe.
The Abbot, being a man of quicke apprehension, perceived instantly by
this answere; that the Monke not onely knew as much as he did, but
also had seene (what was intended) that hee should not. Wherefore,
finding himselfe to be as faulty as the Monke, and that hee could
not shame him, but worthily had deserved as much himselfe; pardoning
him, and imposing silence on eithers offence: they convayed the poore
abused Damosell forth of their doores, she purposing (never after) to
transgresse in the like manner.
_The Lady Marquesse of_ Montferrat, _with a Banquet of Hennes, and
divers other gracious speeches beside, repressed the fond love of the
King of_ France.
The fift Novell.
_Declaring, that wise and vertuous Ladies, ought to hold their
chastitie in more esteeme, then the greatnesse and treasures of
Princes: and that a discreete Lord should not offer modestie violence._
The tale reported by _Dioneus_, at the first hearing of the Ladies,
began to rellish of some immodestie, as the bashfull blood mounting
up into their faces, delivered by apparant testimonie. And beholding
one another with scarse-pleasing lookes, during all the time it was
in discoursing, no sooner had hee concluded: but with a fewe milde
and gentle speeches, they gave him a modest reprehension, and meaning
to let him know, that such tales ought not to be tolde among women.
Afterward, the Queene commaunded Madame _Fiammetta_, (sitting on a
banke of flowers before her) to take her turne as next in order: and
she, smiling with such a virgin-blush, as very beautifully became her,
began in this manner.
It is no little joy to me, that wee understand so well (by the
discourses already past) what power consisteth in the delivery of
wise and ready answeres; And because it is a great part offence and
judgement in men, to affect women of great birth and quality, then
themselves, as also an admirable fore-sight in women, to keepe off from
being surprized in love, by Lords going beyond them in degree: a matter
offereth it selfe to my memory, well deserving my speech and your
attention, how a Gentlewoman (both in word and deede) should defend her
honour in that kind, when importunity laboureth to betray it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account