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
Continuing thus in talke of divers things, winning way, and beguiling
the time, still waiting when their purpose should sort to effect: it
fortuned, that the Theeves seeing they were come neere to a Towne,
called _Casteau Guillaume_, by the foord of a River, the houre somewhat
late, the place solitarie, and thickely shaded with trees, they made
their assault; and having robd him, left him there on foote, stript
into his shirt, saying to him. Goe now and see, whether thy Saint
_Julian_ will allow thee this night a good lodging, or no, for our
owne we are sufficiently provided; so passing the River, away they
rode. _Rinaldoes_ servant, seeing his Master so sharply assayled, like
a wicked villaine, would not assist him in any sort: but giving his
horse the spurres, never left gallowping, untill hee came to _Chasteau
Guillaume_, where hee entred upon the point of night, providing
himselfe of a lodging, but not caring what became of his Master.
_Rinaldo_ remaining there in his shirt, bare-foote and bare-legged,
the weather extremely colde, and snowing incessantly, not knowing what
to doe, darke night drawing on, and looking round about him, for some
place where to abide that night, to the end he might not dye with
colde: he found no helpe at all there for him, in regard that (no long
while before) the late warre had burnt and wasted all, and not so much
as the least Cottage left. Compelled by the coldes violence, his teeth
quaking, and all his body trembling, hee trotted on towards _Chasteau
Guillaume_, not knowing, whether his man was gone thither or no, or to
what place else: but perswaded himselfe, that if he could get entrance,
there was no feare of finding succour. But before he came within halfe
a mile of the Towne, the night grew extreamely darke, and arriving
there so late, hee found the gates fast lockt, and the Bridges drawne
up, so that no entrance might be admitted.
Grieving greatly hereat, and being much discomforted, rufully hee went
spying about the walls, for some place wherein to shrowd himselfe, at
least, to keepe the snow from falling upon him. By good hap, hee espied
an house upon the wall of the Towne, which had a terrace jutting out as
a penthouse, under which he purposed to stand all the night, and then
to get him gone in the morning. At length, hee found a doore in the
wall, but very fast shut, and some small store of strawe lying by it,
which he gathered together, and sitting downe thereon very pensively;
made many sad complaints to Saint _Julian_, saying: This was not
according to the trust he reposed in her. But Saint _Julian_, taking
compassion upon him, without any over-long tarying; provided him of a
good lodging, as you shall heare how.
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