The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant NovelsBoccaccio, Giovanni
History
The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels
Boccaccio, Giovanni
Allegories; Frame stories; Plague -- Europe -- History -- Fiction; Storytelling -- Fiction
Being come to the house of _Arriguccio_, entring in, and ascending up
the stayres: they heard _Simonida_ sweetly singing at her working; but
pausing, upon hearing their rude trampling, shee demaunded, who was
there. One of the angry brethren presently answered: Lewde woman as
thou art, thou shalt know soone enough who is heere: Our blessed Lady
be with us (quoth _Simonida_) and sweet Saint Frances helpe to defend
me, who dare use such unseemely speeches? Starting up and meeting them
on the staire head: Kinde brethren, (said she) is it you? What, and
my loving mother too? For sweet Saint Charities sake, what may be the
reason of your comming hither in this manner. Shee being set downe
againe to her worke, so neatly apparelled, without any signe of outrage
offered her, her face unblemished, her haire comely ordered, and
differing wholly from the former speeches of her Husband: the Brethren
marvelled thereat not a little; and asswaging somewhat the impetuous
torrent of their rage; began to demaund in coole blood, (as it were)
from what ground her Husbands complaints proceeded, and threatning her
roughly, if she would not confesse the truth intirely to them.
Ave Maria (quoth _Simonida_, crossing her selfe) Alas deare Brethren,
I know not what you say, or meane, nor wherein my Husband should bee
offended, or make any complaint at all of me. _Arriguccio_ hearing
this, looked on her like a man that had lost his Senses: for well he
remembred, how many cruell blowes he had given her on the face, beside
scratches of his nailes, and spurnes of his feet, as also the cutting
of her haire, the the least shew of all which misusage, was not now
to be seene. Her brethren likewise briefly told her, the whole effect
of her Husbands speeches, shewing her the thred, and in what cruell
manner he sware hee did beate her. _Simonida_, turning then to her
Husband, and seeming as confounded with amazement, said. How is this
Husband? what doe I heare? would you have me supposed (to your owne
shame and disgrace) to be a bad woman, and your selfe a cruell curst
man, when (on either side) there is no such matter? When were you this
night heere in the house with mee? Or when should you beate mee, and I
not feele nor know it. Beleeve me (sweete heart) all these are meerely
miracles to me.
Now was _Arriguccio_ ten times more mad in his minde, then before,
saying. Divell, and no woman, did wee not this night goe both together
to bed? Did not I cut this thred from thy great toe, tyed it to mine,
and found the craftie compact betweene thee and thy Minnion? Did not
I follow and fight with him in the streets? Came I not backe againe,
and beate thee as a Strumpet should be? And are not these the locks of
haire, which I my selfe did cut from thy head?
Alas Sir (quoth she) where have you been? doe you know what you say?
you did not lodge in this house this night, neither did I see you all
the whole day and night, till now.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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