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
There is the great Lady of _Barbanicchia_; the Queene of _Baschia_;
the Wife to the great _Soldane_, the Empresse of _Osbeccho_; the
_Ciancianfera_ of _Norniera_; the _Bemistante_ of _Berlinzona_;** and the
_Scalpedra_ of _Narsia_. But why do I breake my braine, in numbering up
so many to you? All the Queenes of the world are there, even so farre
as to the _Schinchimurra_ of _Prester John_, that hath a horne in the
midst of her posteriores, albeit not visible to every eye.
Now I am further to tell you, that after we have tasted a Cup of
precious Wine, fed on a few delicate Comfits, and danced a dance or two
to the rare Musicke: every one taketh a Lady by the hand, of whom he
pleaseth to make his election, and she conducteth him to her Chamber,
in very grave and gracious manner. Concerning the Chambers there,
each of them resembleth a Paradise to looke on, they are so faire and
goodly; and no lesse odorifferous in smell, then the sweetest perfumes
in your Apothecaries shoppes, or the rare compounds of Spices, when
they are beaten in an open Morter. And as for the Beds, they are
infinitely richer, then the verie costliest belonging to the Duke of
_Venice_: yet (in such) each man is appointed to take his rest, the
Musicke of rare Cymbals lasting all night long, much better to be by
you considered, then in my rude eloquence expressed.
But of all those rich and sumptuous Beds (if pride of mine owne
opinion do not deceive me) them two provided for _Buffalmaco_ and me,
had hardly any equall: he having the Queene of _France_ as his Lady
and Mistresse, and I, the renowned Queene of _England_, the onely
two choise beauties of the whole World, and wee appeared so pleasing
in their eyes, as they would have refused the greatest Monarkes on
the earth, rather then to bee rejected by us. Now therefore, you may
easily consider with your selfe, what great reason we have to live more
merrily, then any other men can doe: in regard we enjoy the gracious
favour of two such Royall Queenes, receyving also from them (whensoever
wee please to commaund them) a thousand or two thousand Florines at the
least, which are both truly and duly sent us. Enjoying thus the benefit
of this high happinesse, we that are companions of this Society, do
tearme it in our vulgar Language, _The Pyrats voyage to Corsica_.
Because, as Rovers or Pyrats robbe and take away the goodes of such as
they meete withall, even so do we: only there remaineth this difference
betweene us, that they never restore what they have taken: which we do
immediately afterward, whether it be required or no. And thus Master
Doctor, as to my most endeered friend, I have now revealed the meaning
of sayling to _Corsica_, after the manner of our private Pyracie,
and how important the close retention of the voiage is, you are best
able your selfe to judge: In which regarde, remember your Oathes and
faithfull promises, or else I am undone forever.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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