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
Lovely Companions, although that Madam _Pampinea_, more in her owne
courtesie, then any matter of merit remaining in mee, hath made me your
Queene: I am not determined, to alter the forme of our intended life,
nor to be guided by mine owne judgement, but to associate the same with
your assistance. And because you may know what I intend to do, and so
(consequently) adde or diminish at your pleasure; in verie few words,
you shall plainly understand my meaning. If you have well considered
on the course, which this day hath bene kept by Madam _Pampinea_, me
thinkes it hath bene very pleasing and commendable; in which regard,
untill by over-tedious continuation, or other occasions of irkesome
offence, it shall seeme injurious, I am of the minde, not to alter
it. Holding on the order then as we have begun to do, we will depart
from hence to recreate our selves awhile, and when the Sun groweth
towards setting, we will sup in the fresh and open ayre: afterward,
with Canzonets and other pastimes, we will out-weare the houres till
bed time. To morrow morning, in the fresh and gentle breath thereof,
we will rise & walke to such places, as every one shall finde fittest
for them, even as already this day we have done; untill due time shall
summon us hither againe, to continue our discoursive Tales, wherein (me
thinkes) consisteth both pleasure and profit, especially by discreete
observation.
Very true it is, that some things which Madam _Pampinea_ coulde not
accomplish, by reason of her so small time of authority, I will
beginne to undergo, to wit, in restraining some matters whereon we are
to speake, that better premeditation may passe upon them. For, when
respite and a little leysure goeth before them, each discourse will
savour of the more formality; and if it might so please you, thus would
I direct the order. As since the beginning of the world, all men have
bene guided (by Fortune) thorow divers accidents and occasions: so
beyond all hope & expectation, the issue and successe hath bin good and
succesfull, and accordingly should every one of our arguments be chosen.
The Ladies, and the yong Gentlemen likewise, commended her advice,
and promised to imitate it; onely _Dioneus_ excepted, who when every
one was silent, spake thus. Madam, I say as all the rest have done,
that the order by you appointed, is most pleasing and worthy to bee
allowed. But I intreate one speciall favour for my selfe, and to have
it confirmed to me, so long as our company continueth; namely, that I
may not be constrained to this Law of direction, but to tell my Tale
at liberty, after mine owne minde, and according to the freedome first
instituted. And because no one shall imagine, that I urge this grace
of you, as being unfurnished of discourses in this kinde, I am well
contented to be the last in every dayes exercise.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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