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
This advice prevailed with them; and so, without taking leave of any
body, or other solemnity then closest secrecy, they departed from
_Florence_, not tarrying in any place untill they were arrived in
_England_. Comming to the City of London, and taking there a small
house upon yearly rent, living on so little charge as possible might
be, they began to lend out money at use: wherein Fortune was so
favourable to them, that (in few yeares) they had gathered a great
summe of mony: by means whereof it came to passe, that one while one
of them, and afterward another, returned backe againe to _Florence_:
where, with those summes, a great part of their inheritances were
redeemed, and many other bought beside. Linking themselves in marriage,
and yet continuing their usances in England; they sent a Nephew of
theirs thither, named _Alessandro_, a yong man, and of faire demeanour,
to maintaine their stocke in employment: while they three remained
still at _Florence_, and growing forgetful of their former misery, fell
againe into as unreasonable expences as ever, never respecting their
houshold charges, because they had good credite among the Merchants,
and the monies still sent from _Alessandro_, supported their expences
divers yeares.
The dealings of _Alessandro_ in England grew very great, for hee lent
out much money to many Gentlemen, Lords, and Barons of the Land, upon
engagement of their Manours, Castles, and other revennues: from whence
he derived immeasurable benefite. While the three Brethren held on
in their lavish expences, borrowing moneys when they wanted untill
their supplyes came from England, whereon (indeede) was their onely
dependance: it fortuned, that (contrary to the opinion of al men)
warre happened betweene the King of England, and one of his sonnes,
which occasioned much trouble in the whole Countrey, by taking part
on either side, some with the Sonne, and other with the Father. In
regard whereof, those Castles and places pawned to _Alessandro_, were
sodainely seized from him, nothing then remaining that returned him any
profit. But living in hope day by day, that peace would be concluded
betweene the Father and the Sonne, he never doubted, but all things
then should be restored to him, both the principall and interest, &
therefore he would not depart out of the Country.
The three Brethren at _Florence_, bounding within no limites their
disordered spending, borrowed daily more and more. And after some few
yeares, the Creditors seeing no effect of their hopes to come from them,
all credit being lost with them, and no repayment of promised dues;
they were imprisoned, their landes and all they had, not suffising to
pay the moity of debts, but their bodies remained in prison for the
rest, theyr Wives and yong children being sent thence, some to one
village, some to another, so that nothing now was to be expected, but
poverty & misery of life forever.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account