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
_Ancilla_ came jocondly home with her answere, and a conclusion was
set downe for their meeting together at _Santa Lucia del prato_, which
accordingly was performed, in very solemne conference between them.
Her fond affection had such power over her, that shee had forgot, into
what peril she brought his life, by such an unnatural night-walke:
but disclosed all her other intention to him, how loth she was to lose
so deare a friend, and desiring him to exercise his utmost height of
skil, with large promises of her manifold favours to him, whereto our
Scholler thus replyed.
Very true it is Madam, that among other studies at _Paris_, I learned
the Art of Negromancy, the depth whereof I am as skilful in, as anie
other Scholler whatsoever. But, because it is greatly displeasing
unto God, I made a vow never to use it, either for my selfe, or anie
other. Neverthelesse, the love I beare you is of such power, as I
know not well how to denie, whatsoever you please to command me: in
which respect, if in doing you my very best service, I were sure to
bee seized on by all the divels: I will not faile to accomplish your
desire, you onely having the power to command me. But let me tell you
Madame, it is a matter not so easie to be performed, as you perhaps may
rashly imagine, especially, when a Woman would repeale a man to love
her, or a man a woman: because, it is not to be done, but by the person
whom it properly concerneth. And therefore it behoveth, that such would
have this businesse effected, must be of a constant minde, without the
least scruple of feare: because it is to be accomplished in the darke
night season, in which difficulties I doe not know, how you are able
to warrant your selfe, or whether you have such courage of spirit, as
(with boldnes) to adventure.
Madame _Helena_, more hot in pursuite of her amorous contentment, then
any way governed by temperate discretion, presently thus answered. Sir,
Love hath set such a keene edge on my unconquerable affection, as there
is not any daunger so difficult, but I dare resolutely undertake it,
for the recovery of him, who hath so shamefully refused my kindnesse:
wherefore (if you please) shew mee, wherein I must be so constant and
dreadlesse. The Scholler, who had (more then halfe) caught a right
Ninny-hammer by the beake; thus replyed. Madame, of necessity I must
make an image of Tin, in the name of him whom you desire to recall.
Which when I have sent you, the Moone being then in her full, and your
selfe stript starke naked: immediately after your first sleepe, seaven
times you must bathe your selfe with it in a swift running River.
Afterward, naked as you are, you must climbe up upon some tree, or else
upon an uninhabited house top, where standing dreadlesse of any perill,
and turning your face to the North, with the Image in your hand, seaven
times you must speake such wordes, as I will deliver to you in writing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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