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
My Lord Abbot, after he had stayed within an indifferent while, sent
forth one of his men, to see if the poore fellow was gone, or no. The
servant told him, that he still stayed there, and fed upon dry bread,
which it seemed he had brought thither with him. Let him feede on his
owne (replyed the Abbot) for he shall taste of none of mine this day.
Gladly wold the Abbot, that _Primasso_ should have gone thence of
himselfe, and yet held it scarsely honest in his Lordship, to dismisse
him by his owne command. _Primasso_ having eaten one of his Loaves, and
yet the Abbot was not come; began to feede upon the second: the Abbot
still sending to expect his absence, and answered as he was before.
At length, the Abbot not comming, and _Primasso_ having eaten up his
second loafe, hunger compeld him to begin with the third.
When these newes were carried to the Abbot, sodainly he brake forth and
saide. What new kinde of needy tricke hath my braine begotte this day?
Why do I grow disdainfull against any man whatsoever? I have long time
allowed my meate to be eaten by all commers that did please to visit
me, without exception against any person, Gentleman, Yeoman, poore or
rich, Marchant or Minstrill, honest man or knave, never refraining my
presence in the Hall, by basely contemning one poore man. Beleeve me,
covetousnesse of one mans meate, doth ill agree with mine estate and
calling. What though he appeareth a wretched fellow to mee? He may be
of greater merit then I can imagine, and deserve more honour then I am
able to give him.
Having thus discoursed with himselfe, he would needs understande of
whence and what he was, and finding him to be _Primasso_, come onely to
see the magnificence which he had reported of him, knowing also (by the
generall fame noysed every where of him) that he was reputed to bee a
learned, honest, and ingenious man: he grew greatly ashamed of his own
folly, and being desirous to make him an amends, strove many waies how
to do him honour. When dinner was ended, the Abbot bestowed honourable
garments on him, such as beseemed his degree and merit, and putting
good store of money in his purse, as also giving him a good horsse to
ride on, left it at his owne free election, whether hee would stay
there still with him, or depart at his pleasure. Wherewith _Primasso_
being highly contented, yeelding him the heartiest thankes he could
devise to doe, returned to _Paris_ on horse-back, albeit he came poorly
thether on foot.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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