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
In company of other _Genewayes_ with him, he brought him to a new
erected house of his, a building of great cost and beauty, where, after
he had shewen him all the variable rarities, he beganne thus. Master
_Guillaume_, no doubt but you have heard and seene many things, and
you can instruct me in some quaint conceit or devise, to be fairely
figured in painting, at the entrance into the great Hall of my House.
Master _Guillaume_ hearing him speake so simply, returned him this
answere; Sir, I cannot advise you in any thing, so rare or unseen as
you talke of: but how to sneeze (after a new manner) upon a full and
overcloyed stomacke, to avoide base humours that stupifie the braine,
or other matters of the like quality. But if you would be taught a good
one indeede, and had a disposition to see it fairely effected; I could
instruct you in an excellent Embleme, wherewith (as yet) you never came
acquainted.
Master _Herminio_ hearing him say so, and expecting no such answere
as he had saide; Good Master _Guillaume_, tell me what it is, and on
my faith I will have it fairely painted. Whereto Master _Guillaume_
suddenly replied: Doe nothing but this Sir; Paint over the Portall
at your Halles entrance, the lively picture of Liberality, to bid
all your friends better welcome, then hitherto they have beene. When
Master _Herminio_ heard these words, he became possessed with such a
sudden shame, that his complexion changed from the former palenesse,
and answered thus. Master _Guillaume_, I will have your advice so
truly figured over my gate, and shee shall give so good welcome to all
my guests, that both you, and all these Gentlemen shall say; I have
both seene her, and am become reasonably acquainted with her. From
that time forward, the words of Master _Guillaume_ were so effectuall
with Signior _Herminio_, that he became the most bountifull and best
house-keeper, which lived in his time in _Geneway_; no man more
honouring and friendly welcoming both strangers and Citizens, then he
continually used to doe.
_The King of Cyprus was wittily reprehended, by the words of a
Gentlewoman of Gascoignie, and became vertuously altered from his
vicious disposition._
The ninth Novell.
_Giving all men to understand, that Justice is necessary in a King,
above all things else whatsoever._
The last command of the Queene, remained upon Madam _Elissa_, or
_Eliza_, who without any delaying, thus beganne. Young Ladies, it
hath often beene seene, that much paine hath beene bestowed, and many
reprehensions spent in vaine, till a word happening at adventure, and
perhaps not purposely determined, hath effectually done the deede: as
appeareth by the Tale of Madam _Lauretta_, and another of mine owne,
wherewith I intend briefly to acquaint you, approving, that when good
words are discreetly observed, they are of soveraigne power and vertue.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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