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
But leaving this, and come to the matter now in question, because I
have no other testimony then mine owne words. You say, that you did
beate me, and cut those lockes of haire from my head. Alas Sir, why
should you slander your selfe? In all your life time you did never
strike me. And to approve the truth of my speeches, doe you your selfe,
and all else heere present, looke on me advisedly, if any signe of blow
or beating is to be seene on me. Nor were it an easie matter for you
to doe either to smite, or so much as lay your hand (in anger) on me,
it would cost dearer then you thinke for. And whereas you say, that
you did cut those lockes of haire from my head; it is more then either
I know, or felt, nor are they in colour like to mine: but, because my
Mother and brethren shall be my witnesses therein, and whether you did
it without my knowledge; you shall all see, if they be cut, or no. So,
taking off her head attyre, she displayed her hayre over her shoulders,
which had suffered no violence, neither seemed to bee so much as
uncivilly or rudely handled.
When the mother and brethren saw this, they began to murmure against
_Arriguccio_, saying, What thinke you of this Sir? you tell us of
strange matters which you have done, and all proving false, we wonder
how you can make good the rest. _Arriguccio_ looked wilde, and
confusedly, striving still to maintaine his accusation: but seeing
every thing to bee flatly against him, he durst not attempt to speake
one word. _Simonida_ tooke advantage of this distraction in him, and
turning to her brethren, saide. I see now the marke whereat he aymeth,
to make me doe what I never meante: Namely, that I should acquaint you
with his vile qualities, and what a wretched life I leade with him,
which seeing hee will needes have me to reveale; beare with me if I doe
it upon compulsion.
Mother and Brethren, I am verily perswaded, that those accidents which
he disclosed to you, hath doubtlesse (in the same manner) happened to
him, and you shall heare how. Very true it is, that this seeming honest
man, to whom (in a lucklesse houre) you married me, stileth himselfe
by the name of a Merchant, coveting to be so accounted and credited,
as holy in outward appearance, as a Religious Monke, and as demure in
lookes, as the modestest Maide: like a notorious common drunkard, is a
Taverne hunter, where making his luxurius matches, one while with one
Whore, then againe with another; hee causeth mee every night to sit
tarrying for him, even in the same sort as you found me: sometimes till
midnight, and otherwhiles till broad day light in the morning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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