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
The Scholler, whose envious spleene was swolne very great, in
remembring such a malicious cruelty exercised on him, beholding her
to weepe and make such lamentations; found a fierce conflict in his
thoughts, betweene content and pitty. It did not a little joy and
content him, that the revenge which hee so earnestly desired to
compasse, was now by him so effectually inflicted. And yet (in meere
humanity) pitty provoked him to commisserate the Ladies distressed
condition: but clemency being over-weake to withstand his rigor, thus
he replied. Madame _Helena_, if my entreaties (which, to speake truly,
I never knew how to steepe in tears, nor wrap up my words in sugar
Candie, so cuningly as you women know how to do) could have prevailed,
that miserable night, when I was well-neere frozen to death with cold,
and meerly buried with snow in your Court, not having anie place of
rescue or shelter; your complaints would now the more easily over-rule
me. But if your honor in estimation, bee now more precious to you then
heretofore, and it seemeth so offensive to stand there naked: convert
your perswasions & prayers to him, in whose armes you were that night
imbraced, both of your triumphing in my misery, when poor I, trotted
about your Court, with the teeth quivering in my head, and beating mine
armes about my body, finding no compassion in him, or you. Let him
bring thee thy Garments, let him come helpe thee down with the Ladder,
and let him have the care of thine honour, on whom thou hast bene so
prodigall heretofore in bestowing it, and now hast unwomanly throwne
thy selfe in perill, onely for the maintenance of thine immodest
desires.
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