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
_Lesca_, not a jot danted at his stearne words, presently she saide.
_Pyrrhus_, Both in this and all other Messages my Lady shall command
me, I will speake to thee whensoever shee pleaseth, receive what
discontent thou canst thereby; or make presumption of what doubts
thou maist devise. But as I found thee a senselesse fellow, dull,
and not shaped to any understanding, so I leave thee: And in that
anger parted from him, carrying backe the same answer to her Lady.
She no sooner heard it, but instantly shee wished her selfe to be
dead; and within some few dayes after, she conferred againe with her
Chamber-woman, saying. _Lesca_, thou knowest well enough, that the Oxe
falleth not at the first blow of the Axe, neither is the victory won,
upon a silly and shallow adventure: Wherefore, I thinke it convenient,
that once more thou shouldst make another tryall of him, who (in
prejudice to me) standeth so strictly on his loyalty, and choosing
such an houre as seemeth most commodious, soundly possesse him with my
tormenting passions. Bestirre thy Wittes, and tippe thy tongue with a
Womans eloquence, to effect what I so earnestly desire: because, by
languishing in this love-sicke affliction, it well bee the danger of my
death, and some severe detriment to him, to be the occasion of so great
a losse.
_Lesca_, comforted her Lady, so much as lay in her power to doe, and
having sought for _Pyrrhus_, whom she found at good leysure; and, in
a pleasing humour, thus she beganne. _Pyrrhus_, some few dayes since I
tolde thee, in what extreame Agonies thy Lady and mine was, onely in
regarde of her love to thee: and now againe I come once more, to give
thee further assurance thereof: Wherefore, beleeve it unfeignedly,
that if thy obstinacie continue still, in like manner as the other day
it did, expect very shortly to heare the tydings of her death.
It is my part therefore, to entreat thee, to comfort her long
languishing desires: but if thou persist in thy harsh opinion, in stead
of reputing thee a wise and fortunate yong man, I shall confesse thee
to bee an ignoraunt Asse. What a glorie is it to thee, to be affected
of so faire and worthy a Lady, beyond all men else whatsoever? Next to
this, tell me, how highly maist thou confesse thy selfe beholding to
Fortune, if thou but duly consider, how shee hath elected thee as sole
soveraigne of her hopes, which is a crowne of honour to thy youth, and
a sufficient refuge against all wants and necessities? Where is any to
thy knowledge like thy selfe, that can make such advantage of his time,
as thou maist do, if thou wert wise? Where canst thou find any one to
go beyond thee in Armes, Horses, sumptuous garments, and Gold, as will
be heaped on thee, if _Lydia_ may be the Lady of thy love? Open then
thine understanding to my words, returne into thine owne soule, and bee
wise for thy selfe.
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