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
Alas sweet Madame, answered quaking and quivering _Reniero_, bee
then so favourable to me, as to free me from forth this open Court,
where there is no shelter or helpe for me, the snow falling still so
exceedingly, as a man might easily be more then halfe buried in it:
let me be but within your doore, and there I will wait your own good
leisure. Alas deare _Reniero_ (answered _Helena_) I dare not doe it,
because the doore maketh such a noyse in the opening, as it will be
too easily heard by my Brother: but I will goe and use such meanes,
as shortly hee shall get him gone, and then I dare boldly give you
entrance. Doe so good Madame, replyed _Reniero_, and let there be a
faire fire made ready, that when I am within, I may the sooner warme my
selfe; for I am so strangely benummed with colde, as well neere I am
past all sence of feeling.
Can it be possible (quoth _Helena_) that you should be so benummed
with colde? Then I plainely perceive, that men can lye in their love
letters, which I can shew under your own hand, how you fryed in
flames, and all for my love, and so have you written to me in every
letter. Poore credulous women are often thus deluded, in beleeving
what men write and speake out of passion: but I will returne backe to
my Brother, and make no doubt of dispatch, because I would gladly have
your Company.
The amourous Friend to _Helena_, who stood by all this while, laughing
at the Schollers hard usage, returned up againe with her to her
Chamber, where they could not take a jote of rest, for flouting and
scorning the betrayed Scholler. As for him poore man, hee was become
like the Swanne, coldly chattering his teeth together, in a strange new
kinde of harmony to him. And perceiving himselfe to be meerely mocked,
he attempted to get open the doore, or how he might passe forth at any
other place: but being no way able to compasse it, he walked up and
downe like an angry Lyon, cursing the hard quality of the time, the
discourtesie of the Lady, the over-tedious length of the night; but
(most of all) his owne folly and simplicity, in being so basely abused
and gulde. Now began the heat of his former affection to _Helena_,
altered into as violent a detestation of her; Yea, extremity of hatred
in the highest degree; beating his braines, and ransacking every corner
of invention, by what meanes he might best be revenged on her, which
now he more earnestly desired to effect, then to enjoy the benefit of
her love, or to be embraced betweene her armes.
After that the sad and discomfortable night had spent it selfe, & the
break of day was beginning to appeare; _Ancilla_ the waiting-woman,
according as she was instructed by her Lady, went downe and opened the
Court doore, and seeming exceedingly to compassionate the Schollers
unfortunate night of sufferance, saide unto him.
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