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 courteous Gentleman, in an unblessed houre came my Ladyes brother
hither yester-night, inflicting too much trouble upon us, and a
grievous time of affliction to you. But I am not ignorant, that you
being vertuous, and a judicious Scholler, have an invincible spirit of
pacience, and sufficient understanding withall; that what this night
could not affoord, another may make a sound amends for. This I can and
dare sufficiently assure you, that nothing could be more displeasing
to my Lady, neither can she well be quieted in her mind: untill she
have made a double and treble requitall, for such a strange unexpected
inconvenience, whereof she had not the very least suspition.
_Reniero_ swelling with discontentment, yet wisely clouding it from
open apprehension, and knowing well enough, that such golden speeches
and promises, did alwaies favour of what intemperate spleene would more
lavishly have vented foorth, and therefore in a modest dissembling
manner; without the least shew of any anger, thus he answered.
In good sadnesse _Ancilla_, I have endured the most miserablest night
of colde, frost and snow, that ever any poore Gentleman suffered; but
I know well enough, your Lady was not in any fault thereof, neither
meriteth to be blamed, for in her owne person (as being truely
compassionate of my distresse) she came so farre as the doore of this
Court, to excuse her selfe, and comfort mee. But as you saide, and
very well too, what hath failed this night, another hereafter may more
fortunately performe: in hope whereof, commend my love and duteous
service to her, and (what else remaineth mine) to your gentle selfe.
So our halfe frozen Scholler, scarcely able to walke upon his legges,
returned home, (so well as hee could) to his owne lodging; where, his
Spirits being grievously out of order, and his eyes staring gastly
through lacke of sleepe: he lay downe on his bed, and after a little
rest, he found himselfe in much worse condition then before, as meerely
taken lame in his armes and his legges. Whereupon he was inforced
to send for Phisitions, to be advised by their councell, in such an
extremity of cold received. Immediately, they made provision for his
healthes remedie (albeit his nerves and sinewes could very hardly
extend themselves) yet in regard he was yong, & Summer swiftly drawing
on; they had the better hope of affecting his safty, out of so great
and dangerous a cold.
But after he was become almost well and lusty againe, hee used to be
seldome seene abroad for an indifferent while; concealing his intended
revenge secret to himselfe, yet appearing more affectionate to Madame
_Helena_, then formerly he had beene.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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