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
All the while as _Reniero_ uttered these speeches, the miserable
Lady sighed and wept very grievously, the time running on, and the
Sunne amending higher and higher; but when she heard him silent, thus
she answered. Unkinde and cruell man, if that wretched night was so
greevous to thee, and mine offence appeared so great, as neither my
youth, beautie, teares, and humble intercessions, are able to derive
any mercy from thee; yet let the last consideration moove thee to
some remorse: namely, that I reposed new confidence in thee (when
I had little or no reason at all to trust thee) and discovered the
integritie of my soule unto thee, whereby thou didst compasse the
meanes, to punish me thus deservedly for my sinne. For, if I had not
reposed confidence in thee, thou couldst not (in this manner) have
wrought revenge on me, which although thou didst earnestly covet, yet
my rash credulitie was thy onely helpe. Asswage then thine anger, and
graciously pardon me, wherein if thou wilt be so mercifull to me, and
free me from this fatall Tower: I do heere faithfully promise thee, to
forsake my most false and disloyall friend, electing thee as my Lord
and constant Love for ever.
Moreover, although thou condemnest my beauty greatly, esteeming it
as a trifle, momentary, and of slender continuance; yet, such as it
is (being comparable with any other womans whatsoever) I am not so
ignorant, that were there no other reason to induce liking thereof:
yet men in the vigour of their youth (as I am sure you think yourselfe
not aged) do hold it for an especiall delight, ordained by nature
for them to admire and honour. And notwithstanding all thy cruelty
extended to mee, yet I cannot be perswaded, that thou art so flinty
or Iron-hearted, as to desire my miserable death, by casting my selfe
headlong downe (like a desperate madde woman) before thy face so to
destroy that beauty, which (if thy Letters lyed not) was once so highly
pleasing in thine eyes. Take pitty then on mee for charities sake,
because the Sunne beginneth to heate extreamely: and as over-much colde
(that unhappy night) was mine offence, so let not over-violent warmth
be now my utter ruine and death.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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