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
When the brethren had heard and observed all these occurrences; in
most bitter manner they railed on _Arriguccio_, bestowing some good
bastinadoes on him beside, concluding thus with him in the end. Quoth
one of them, Wee will pardon this shamefull abusing of our Sister,
because thou art a notorious drunkard: but looke to it (on perill of
thy life) that we have no more such newes hereafter; for, beleeve it
unfainedly, if any such impudent rumours happen to our eares, or so
much as a flying fame thereof; thou shalt surely be paide for both
faults together.
So home againe went they, and _Arriguccio_ stood like one that had
neither life or motion, not knowing (whether what he had done) was
true, or no, or if he dreamed all this while, and so (without uttering
any word) he left his Wife, and went quietly to bed. Thus by her
wisdome, she did not onely prevent an imminent perill: but also made a
free and open passage, to further contentment with her amourous friend,
yet dreadlesse of any distaste or suspition in her Husband.
Lydia, _a Lady of great beauty, birth, and honor, being wife to_
Nicostratus, _Governour of_ Argos, _falling in love with a Gentleman,
named_ Pyrrhus; _was requested by him (as a true testimony of her
unfeigned affection) to performe three severall actions of her selfe.
She did accomplish them all, and imbraced and kissed_ Pyrrhus _in the
presence of_ Nicostratus; _by perswading him, that whatsoever he saw,
was meerely false._
The Ninth Novell.
_Wherein is declared, that great Lords may sometime be deceived by
their Wives, as well as men of meaner condition._
The Novell delivered, by Madame _Neiphila_ seemed so pleasing to all
the Ladies; as they could not refraine from hearty laughter, beside
much liberality of speech. Albeit the King did oftentimes urge silence,
and commanded _Pamphilus_ to follow next. So, when attention was
admitted, _Pamphilus_ began in this order. I am of opinion, faire
Ladies, that there is not any matter, how uneasie or doubtfull soever
it may seeme to be; but the man or woman that affecteth fervently,
dare boldly attempt, and effectually accomplish. And this perswasion
of mine, although it hath beene sufficiently approved, by many of our
passed Novels: Yet notwithstanding, I shall make it much apparent to
you, by a present discourse of mine owne. Wherein I have occasion to
speake of a Lady, to whom Fortune was more favourable, then either
reason or judgement, could give direction. In which regard, I would
not advise any of you, to entertaine so high an imagination of minde,
as to tracke her footsteps of whom I am now to speake: because Fortune
containeth not alwayes one and the same disposition, neither can all
mens eyes be blinded after one manner. And so proceed we to our Tale.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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