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
Now _Bruno_ plainly perceiving (within a short while of this new
begun acquaintance) that the Physitian was a Logger-head, and meerely
no better then a _Gregorian_ Animall: he beganne to have much good
pastime with him, by telling him strange and incredible Tales, such
as none but a Coxcombe would give credit too; yet they delighted
Doctor Dunce extraordinarily, and _Brunoes_ familiarity was so highly
pleasing to him, that he was a daily guest at dinner and supper with
him, and hee was not meanly proud of enjoying his company. One day,
as they sate in familiar conference together, he told _Bruno_ that he
wondred not a little at him and _Buffalmaco_, they being both so poore
people, yet lived far more jovially then Lords, and therefore desired
to understand, by what secret meanes they compassed such mirthfull
maintenance. _Bruno_, hearing the Doctors demaund, & perceiving that it
favoured more of the foole, then any the very least taste of wisedome:
smiled unto himselfe, and determined to returne him such an answere, as
might be fitting for his folly, whereupon, thus he replied.
Beleeve me Master Doctor, I would not impart to many people, what
private helpes we have for our maintenance: but yet I dare boldly
acquaint you therewith, in regard you are one of our most intimate
friends, and of such secrecie, as (I know) you will not reveale it to
any. True it is, that mine honest neighbour and my selfe, do leade our
lives in such merry manner as you see, and better then all the world
is aware of, for I cannot imagine you to bee so ignorant, but are
certainly perswaded: that if we had no better means, then our poore
manuall trade and profession; we might sit at home with bread and
water, and be nothing so lively spirited as wee are. Yet Sir, I would
not have you to conceive, that wee do eyther rob or steale, or use any
other unlawfull courses: onely we travayle to _Corsica_, from whence we
bring (without the least prejudice to anie other) all things we stand
in need of, or whatsoever wee can desire. Thus do we maintaine our
selves well and honestly, and live in this mirthfull disposition.
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