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 curteous demeanour of Madam _Æmilia_, and the quaintnesse of her
discourse, caused both the Queene, and the rest of the company, to
commend the invention of carrying the Crosse, and the golden oyntment
appointed for pennance. Afterward, _Philostratus_, who was in order to
speake next, began in this manner.
It is a commendable thing (faire Ladies) to hit a But that never
stirreth out of his place: but it is a matter much more admirable,
to see a thing (suddenly appearing, and sildome or never frequented
before) to be as suddenly hit by an ordinary Archer. The vicious and
polluted lives of Priests, yeeldeth matter of it selfe in many things,
deserving speech and reprehension, as a true But of wickednesse, and
well worthy to be sharply shot at. And therefore, though that honest
meaning man did wisely, in touching Master Inquisitor to the quicke,
with the hypocriticall charity of Monkes and Friars, in giving such
things to the poore, as were more meete for swine, or to be worse
throwne away; yet I hold him more to be commended, who (by occasion
of a former tale, and which I purpose to relate) pleasantly reproved
Master _Can de la Scala_, a Magnifico and mightie Lord, for a sudden
and unaccustomed covetousnesse appearing in him, figuring by other men,
that which he intended to say of him, in manner following.
Master _Can de la Scala_, as fame ranne abroade of him in all places,
was (beyond the infinite favours of Fortune towards him) one of the
most notable and magnificent Lords that ever lived in _Italy_, since
the dayes of _Fredericke_ the second Emperour. He determining to
procure a very solemne assembly at _Verona_, and many people being met
there from divers places, especially Gentlemen of all degrees; suddenly
(upon what occasion I know not) his minde altered, and hee would not
goe forward with his intention. Most of them hee partly recompenced
which were come thither, and they dismissed to depart at their
pleasure, one onely man remained unrespected, or in any kinde sort sent
away, whose name was _Bergamino_, a man very pleasantly disposed, and
so wittily ready in speaking and answering, as none could easily credit
it, but such as heard him; and although his recompence seemed over long
delayed, yet hee made no doubt of a beneficiall ending.
By some enemies of his, Master _Can de la Scala_ was incensed, that
whatsoever he gave or bestowed on him; was as ill imployed and
utterly lost, as if it were throwne into the fire, and therefore he
neither did or spake any thing to him. Some fewe dayes being passed
over, and _Bergamino_ perceiving, that hee was neither called, nor
any account made of, notwithstanding many manly good parts in him;
observing beside, that hee found a shrewd consumption in his purse, his
Inne, horses, and servants being chargeable to him: he began to grow
extremely melancholly, and yet hee attended in expectation day by day,
as thinking it farre unfitting for him, to depart before he was bidden
farewell.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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