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
When she had so said, they went to the appointed chamber window,
where they could easily see him, but he not them: and then they heard
_Ancilla_ also, calling to him forth of another windowe, saying.
Signior _Reniero_, my Lady is the wofullest woman in the world,
because (as yet) she cannot come to you, in regard that one of her
brethren came this evening to visite her, and held her with much longer
discourse then she expected: whereby she was constrained to invite him
to sup with her, and yet he is not gone; but shortly I hope hee will,
and then expect her comming presently; till when, she entreateth your
gentle sufferance.
Poore _Reniero_, our over-credulous Scholler, whose vehement affection
to Madame _Helena_, so hood-winkt the sight of his understanding, as
he could not be distrustfull of any guilt; returned this answere to
_Ancilla_. Say to your Lady that I am bound in duty, to attend the good
houre of her leisure, without so much as the very least prejudicate
conceite in me: Neverthelesse, entreat her, to let it bee so soone as
she possibly may, because here is miserable walking, and it beginneth
againe to snow extreamely. _Ancilla_ making fast the Casement, went
presently to bed; when _Helena_ spake thus to her amorous friend.
What saist thou now? Doest thou thinke that I loved him, as thou wast
afraid of? if I did, he should never walke thus in the frost and snow.
So, away went they likewise from their close gazing window, and spent
wanton dalliances together, laughing, and deriding (with many bitter
taunts and jests) the lamentable condition of poore _Reniero_.
About the Court walked hee numberlesse times, finding such exercises
as he could best devise, to compasse warmth in any manner: no seate or
shelter had he any where, either to ease himselfe by sitting downe a
while, or keepe him from the snow, falling continually on him, which
made him bestow many curses on the Ladies Brother, for his so long
tarrying with her, as beleeving him verily to be in the house, else she
would (long before) have admitted his entrance, but therein his hope
was meerely deceived. It grew now to be about the houre of midnight,
and _Helena_ had delighted her selfe with her friend extraordinarily,
till at last she spake to him. What is thine opinion of my amourous
Scholler? Which dost thou imagine to be the greatest, either his sense
and judgement, or the affection I beare to him? Is not this cold
sufferance of this, able to quench the violent heate of his loves
extremitie, and having so much snow broth to helpe it? Beleeve me
(sweet Lady) quoth her friend, as hee is a man, and a learned Scholler,
I pitty that he should bee thus ungently dealt withall: but as he is
my rivall and loves enemy, I cannot allow him the least compassion,
resting the more confidently assured of your love to me, which I will
alwayes esteeme most precious.
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