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
The Abbot riding on, with newer crochets in his braine, then hee had
before the sight of _Alessandro_; it fortuned, that after divers dayes
of travaile, they came to a small countrey Village, which affoorded
little store of lodging, and yet the Abbot would needs lye there.
_Alessandro_, being well acquainted with the Host of the house, willed
him, to provide for the Abbot and his people, and then to lodge him
where hee thought meetest. Now, before the Abbots comming thither,
the Harbinger that marshalled all such matters, had provided for his
traine in the Village, some in one place, and others elsewhere, in the
best manner that the Towne could yeelde. But when the Abbot had supt, a
great part of the night being spent, and every one else at his rest;
_Alessandro_ demaunded of the Host, what provision he had made for him;
and how hee should be lodged that night?
In good sadnesse Sir (quoth the Host) you see that my house is full of
Guests, so that I and my people, must gladly sleepe on the tables &
benches: Neverthelesse, next adjoining to my Lord Abbots Chamber, there
are certaine Corn-lofts, whether I can closely bring you, and making
shift there with a slender Pallet-bed, it may serve for one night,
insted of a better. But mine Host (quoth _Alessandro_) how can I passe
thorow my Lords Chamber, which is so little, as it would not allowe
Lodging for any of his Monkes? If I had remembred so much (said the
Host) before the Curtaines were drawne, I could have lodgd his Monkes
in those Corn-lofts, and then both you and I might have slept where now
they do. But feare you not, my Lords Curtaines are close drawne, hee
sleepeth (no doubt) soundly, and I can conveigh you thither quietly
enough, without the least disturbance to him, and a Pallet-bed shal
be fitted there for you. _Alessandro_ perceyving, that all this might
bee easilie done, and no disease offered to the Abbot, accepted it
willingly, & went thither without any noyse at all.
My Lord Abbot, whose thoughtes were so busied about amorous desires,
that no sleepe at all could enter his eyes; heard all this talke
betweene the Host and _Alessandro_, and also where hee was appointed
to lodge, wherefore he sayd to himselfe. Seeing Fortune hath fitted me
with a propitious time, to compasse the happines of my hearts desire;
I know no reason why I should refuse it. Perhaps, I shall never have
the like offer againe, or ever be enabled with such an opportunity.
So, being fully determined to prosecute his intention, and perswading
himselfe also, that the silence of night had bestowed sleepe on all the
rest; with a lowe and trembling voyce, he called _Alessandro_, advising
him to come and lye downe by him, which (after some few faint excuses)
he did, and putting off his cloaths, lay downe by the Abbot, being not
a little prowde of so gracious a favour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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