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
In delivering these words, he sweetly kissed and embraced her, as
she sat on the Chest wherein her husband lay: now, what they did
else beside, in recompence of the wrong received, I leave to your
imagination, as rather deserving silence, then immodest blabbing.
_Spinelloccio_, being all this while in the Chest, hearing easily all
the words which _Zeppa_ had uttered, the answer of his wife, as also
what Musicke they made over his head: you may guesse in what a case
he was, his heart being ready to split with rage, and, but that hee
stood in feare of _Zeppa_, he would have railde and exclaimed on his
wife, as thus hee lay shut up in the Chest. But entering into better
consideration, that so great an injury was first begun by himselfe, &
_Zeppa_ did no more, then in reason and equity he might well do (having
evermore carried himselfe like a kinde neighbour and frend towards him,
without the least offer of distaste) he faithfully resolved, to be a
firmer friend to _Zeppa_ then formerly hee had bin, if it might be
embraced and accepted on the other side.
Delights and pleasures, be they never so long in contenting and
continuance, yet they come to a period and conclusion at last: So
_Zeppa_, having ended his amorous combate, and over the head of
his perfidious friend, thought himselfe sufficiently revenged. But
now, in consideration of a further promise made on the bargaine;
_Spinelloccioes_ wife challengeth the Jewell, then which kind of
recompence, nothing can be more welcome to women. Heereupon, _Zeppa_
calling for his owne wife, commanded her to open the Chest; which shee
did, and he merrily smiling, saide. Well wife, you have given mee
a Cake insted of bread, and you shall lose nothing for your labour.
So _Spinelloccio_ comming forth of the Chest, it requireth a better
witte then mine, to tell you, which of them stood most confounded with
shame, either _Spinelloccio_ seeing _Zeppa_, and knowing well enough
what he had done: or the woman beholding her husband, who easily heard
all their familiar conference, and the action thereupon so deservedly
performed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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