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
_Belcolore_ observing his smirking behaviour, his proper person, pretty
talke, and queint insinuating; felt a motion to female frailty, which
yet she would withstand so long as she could, and not be over-hasty in
her yeelding. Sir _Simon_ promiseth her a new paire of shoes, garters,
ribbands, girdles, or what else she would request. Sir _Simon_ (quoth
she) all these things which you talke of, are fit for women: but if
your love to mee be such as you make choice of, fulfill what I will
motion to you, and then (perhaps) I shall tell you more. Sir _Simons_
heate made him hasty to promise whatsoever she would desire; whereupon,
thus shee replyed. On Saturday, said she, I must goe to _Florence_,
to carry home such yarne as was sent me to spinne, and to amend my
spinning wheele: if you will lend mee ten Florines, wherewith I know
you are alwayes furnished, I shall redeeme from the Usurer my best
petticote,** and my wedding gowne (both well neere lost for lacke of
repaiment) without which I cannot be seene at Church, or in any other
good place else, and then afterward other matters may be accomplished.
Alas sweet _Belcolore_ answered Sir _Simon_, I never beare any such
sum about me, for men of our profession, doe seldome carry any money
at all: but beleeve me on my word, before Saturday come, I will not
faile to bring them hither. Oh Sir (quoth _Belcolore_) you men are
quicke promisers, but slow performers. Doe you thinke to use me, as
poore _Billezza_ was, who trusted to as faire words, and found her
selfe deceived? Now Sir _Simon_, her example in being made scandall to
the world, is a sufficient warning for me: if you be not so provided,
goe and make use of your friend, for I am not otherwise to be moved.
Nay _Belcolore_ (quoth he) I hope you will not serve me so, but my
word shall be of better worth with you. Consider the conveniency of
time, wee being so privately here alone: whereas at my returning hither
againe, some hinderance may thwart me, and the like opportunity be
never obtained. Sir, Sir, (said she) you have heard my resolution;
if you will fetche the Florines, doe; otherwise, walke about your
businesse, for I am a woman of my word.
Sir _Simon_ perceiving, that she would not trust him upon bare words,
nor any thing was to be done, without _Salvum me fac_, whereas his
meaning was _Sine custodia_; thus answered. Well _Belcolore_, seeing
you dare not credit my bringing the tenne Florines, according to my
promised day: I will leave you a good pawne, my very best cloake, lyned
quite thorough with rich Silke, and made up in the choysest manner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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