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
_Calandrino_ perceiving, that all his protestations could winne no
credit with them, who had now the Law remaining in their owne hands,
and purposed to deale with him as they pleased: apparently saw, that
sighing and sorrow did nothing availe him. Moreover, to fall into his
wives tempestuous stormes of chiding, would bee worse to him then
racking or torturing: he gladly therefore gave them money, to buy the
two couple of Capons and Wine, being heartily contented likewise, that
hee was so well delivered from them. So the merry Priest, _Bruno_, and
_Buffalmaco_, having taken good order for salting the Brawne; closely
carried it with them to _Florence_, leaving _Calandrino_ to complaine
of his losse, and well requited, for mocking them with the invisible
stones.
_A young Gentleman being a Scholler, fell in love with a Ladie, named_
Helena, _she being a Widdow, and addicted in affection to another
Gentleman. One whole night in cold winter, she caused the Scholler to
expect her comming, in an extreame frost and snow. In revenge whereof,
by his imagined Art and skill, he made her to stand naked on the top of
a Tower, the space of a whole day, and in the hot moneth of July, to be
Sun-burnt and bitten with Waspes and Flies._
The Seventh Novell.
_Serving as an admonition to all Ladies and Gentlewomen, not to mock
or scorne Gentlemen-Schollers, when they make meanes of love to them;
Except they intend to seeke their owne shame, by disgracing them._
Greatly did the Ladies commend Madame _Philomenaes_ Novell, laughing
heartily at poore _Calandrino_, yet grieving withall, that he should
be so knavishly cheated, not onely of his Brawne, but two couple of
Capons, and a Flaggon of Wine beside. But the whole discourse being
ended; the Queene commanded Madame _Pampinea_, to follow next with her
Novell, and presently she thus began. It hapneth oftentimes, (bright
beauties) that mockery falleth onto him, that intended the same unto
another: And therefore I am of opinion, that there is very little
wisedom declared on him or her, who taketh delight in mocking any
person. I must needs confesse, that we have smiled at many mockeries
and deceits, related in those excellent Novels, which we have already
heard; without any due revenge returned, but onely in this last of
silly _Calandrino_. Wherefore, it is now my determination, to urge
a kind of compassionate apprehension, upon a very just retribution,
happening to a Gentlewoman of our Citie, because her scorne fell
deservedly upon her selfe, remaining mocked, and to the perill of her
life. Let me then assure you, that your diligent attention may redound
to your benefit, because if you keepe your selves (henceforward) from
being scorned by others: you shall expresse the greater wisedome, and
be the better warned by their mishaps.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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