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
Having thus consulted with her selfe, many desperate motions entred her
minde, to throw her selfe headlong from off the Tarras; till better
thoughts wone possession of her soule. And the Sunne being risen, shee
went to every corner of the Tarras, to espye any Lad come abroad with
his beasts, by whom she might send for her waiting-woman. About this
instant, the Scholler who lay sleeping (all this while) under a bush,
suddenly awaking; saw her looke over the wall, and she likewise espyed
him; whereupon hee said unto her. Good morrow Madame _Helena_, What?
are the Ladies come yet or no? _Helena_ hearing his scorning question,
and grieving that hee should so delude her; in teares and lamentations,
she intreated him to come neere the Tower, because she desired to
speake with him. Which courtesie he did not deny her, and she lying
groveling upon her brest on the Tarras, to hide her body that no part
thereof might be seene, but her head; weeping, she spake thus to him.
_Reniero_, upon my credit, if I gave thee an ill nights rest, thou hast
well revenged that wrong on me; for, although wee are now in the moneth
of _July_, I have beene plagued with extremity of colde (in regard of
my nakednesse) even almost frozen to death: beside my continuall teares
and lamenting, that folly perswaded me to beleeve thy protestations,
wherein I account it well-neere miraculous, that mine eyes should be
capable of any sight. And therefore I pray thee, not in respect of any
love which thou canst pretend to beare me; but for regard of thine owne
selfe, being a Gentleman and a Scholler, that this punishment which
thou hast already inflicted upon me, may suffise for my former injuries
towards thee, and to hold thy selfe revenged fully, as also permit
my garments to be brought me, that I may descend from hence, without
taking that from me, which afterward (although thou wouldst) thou canst
never restore me, I meane mine honour. And consider with thy selfe,
that albeit thou didst not injoy my company that unhappy night, yet
thou hast power to command me at any time whensoever, with making many
diversities of amends, for one nights offence only committed. Content
thy selfe then good _Reniero_, and as thou art an honest Gentleman, say
thou art sufficiently revenged on me, in making me dearely confesse
mine owne errour. Never exercise thy malice upon a poore weake woman,
for the Eagle disdaineth to pray on the yeelding Dove: and therefore in
meere pitty, and for manhoods sake, be my release from open shame and
reproch.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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