The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels — John Shaqi
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
After dinner, they sung divers excellent Canzonnets, and then some went
to sleepe, others played at the Chesse, and some at the Tables: But
_Dioneus_ and Madam _Lauretta_, they sung the love-conflict betweene
_Troylus_ and _Cressida_. Now was the houre come, of repairing to
their former Consistory or meeting place, the Queene having thereto
generally summoned them, and seating themselves (as they were wont
to doe) about the faire fountaine. As the Queene was commanding to
begin the first Novell, an accident suddenly happened, which never had
befalne before: to wit, they heard a great noyse and tumult, among the
houshold servants in the Kitchin. Whereupon, the Queene caused the
Master of the Houshold to be called, demaunding of him, what noyse it
was, and what might be the occasion thereof? He made answere, that
_Lacisca_ and _Tindaro_ were at some words of discontentment, but what
was the occasion thereof, he knew not. Whereupon, the Queene commanded
that they should be sent for, (their anger and violent speeches still
continuing) and being come into her presence, she demaunded the reason
of their discord; and _Tindaro_ offering to make answere, _Lacisca_
(being somewhat more ancient then he, and of a fiercer fiery spirit,
even as if her heart would have leapt out of her mouth) turned her
selfe to him, and with a scornefull frowning countenance, said. See how
this bold, unmannerly and beastly fellow, dare presume to speake in
this place before me: Stand by (saucy impudence) and give your better
leave to answere; then turning to the Queene, thus shee proceeded.
Madam, this idle fellow would maintaine to me, that Signior
_Sicophanto_ marrying with _Madama della Grazza_, had the victory
of her virginity the very first night: and I avouched the contrary,
because shee had been a mother twise before, in very faire adventuring
of her fortune. And he dared to affirme beside, that yong Maides are
so simple, as to loose the flourishing Aprill of their time, in meere
feare of their parents, and great prejudice of their amourous friends.
Onely being abused by infinite promises, that this yeare and that
yeare they shall have husbands, when, both by the lawes of nature and
reason, they are not tyed to tarry so long, but rather ought to lay
hold upon opportunity, when it is fairely and friendly offered, so that
seldome they come maides to marriage. Beside, I have heard, and know
some married wives, that have played divers wanton prancks with their
husbands, yet carried all so demurely and smoothly; that they have
gone free from publique detection. All which this woodcocke will not
credit, thinking me to be so yong a Novice, as if I had been borne but
yesterday.
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