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
_Me thinkes milde favour whispers in mine eare,
And bids me not despaire;
There will a time appeare
To quell and quite confound consuming care,
And joy surmount proud feare.
In hope that gracious time will come at length,
To cheare my long dismay:
My spirits reassume your former strength,
And never dread to see that joyfull day.
Wearisome is my life to me,
Because I cannot once againe returne;
Unto the place which made me first to mourne._
This Song gave occasion to the whole Company, to imagine, that some new
and pleasing apprehension of Love, constrained Madame _Philomena_ to
sing in this manner. And because (by the discourse thereof) it plainely
appeared, that shee had felt more then shee saw, shee was so much the
more happy, and the like was wished by all the rest. Wherefore, after
the Song was ended; the Queene remembring, that the next day following
was Friday, turning her selfe graciously to them all, thus she spake.
You know noble Ladies, and you likewise most noble Gentlemen, that to
morrow is the day consecrated to the Passion of our blessed Lord and
Saviour, which (if you have not forgotten it, as easily you cannot)
we devoutly celebrated, Madame _Neiphila_ being then Queene, ceasing
from all our pleasant discoursing, as we did the like on the Saturday
following, sanctifying the sacred Sabboth, in due regard of it selfe.
Wherefore, being desirous to imitate precedent good example, which
in worthy manner shee began to us all: I hold it very decent and
necessary, that we should asttaine to morrow, and the day ensuing, from
recounting any of our pleasant Novels, reducing to our memories, what
was done (as on those dayes) for the salvation of our soules. This holy
and Religious motion made by the Queene, was commendably allowed by
all the assembly, and therefore, humbly taking their leave of her, and
an indifferent part of the night being already spent; severally they
betooke themselves to their Chambers.
_The end of the Seaventh day._
THE EIGHT DAY.
Whereon all the Discourses, passe under the Rule and Government, of the
Honourable Ladie LAURETTA. And the Argument imposed, is, Concerning
such Wittie deceyvings; as have, or may be put in practise, by Wives to
their Husbands; Husbands to their Wives: Or one man towards another.
The Induction.
Earely on the Sonday Morning, _Aurora_ shewing her selfe bright and
lovely; the Sunnes Golden beames beganne to appeare, on the toppes
of the neere adjoyning Mountaines; so, that Hearbes, Plants, Trees,
and all things else, were verie evidently to be discerned. The Queene
and her Companie, being all come foorth of their Chambers, and having
walked a while abroad, in the goodly greene Meadowes, to taste the
sweetnesse of the fresh and wholesome ayre, they returned backe againe
into the Palace, because it was their dutie so to do.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account