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 trust me _Salabetto_, whatsoever redoundeth to thy good and
benefite, is the cheefest comfort of my soule, in regard I prize thy
love dearer then mine owne life, and am most joyfull of thy returne
hither againe; but much more of thy still abiding heere, because I
intend to live onely with thee, so soone as I have taken order for
some businesse of import. In the meane while, let me entreate thee
to hold me excused, because before thy departure hence, thou camest
sometimes to see me, without thy entrance admitted; and other-whiles
againe, found not such friendly entertainement, as formerly had bene
affoorded. But indeede, and above all the rest, in not re-paying thy
money according to my promise. But consider good _Salabetto_, in what
great trouble and affliction of minde I then was, both in regard of
my Brothers danger, and other important occurrences beside, which
molestations do much distract the senses, and hinder kinde courtesies,
which otherwise would bee extended liberally.
Last of all consider also, how difficult a thing it is for a woman, so
sodainly to raise the summe of a thousand golden Florines, when one
friend promiseth, and performeth not; another protesteth, yet hath
no such meaning; a third sweareth, and yet proveth a false Lyar: so
that by being thus ungently used, a breach is made betweene the best
friends** living. From hence it proceeded, and no other defect else,
that I made not due returne of your five hundred Florins. No sooner
were you departed hence, but I had them readie, and as many more, and
could I have knowne whither to send them, they had bene with you long
time since, which because I could not (by any meanes) compasse, I kept
them still for you in continuall readinesse, as hoping of your comming
hither againe. So causing a purse to be brought, wherein the same
Florines were, which hee had delivered her; she gave it into his hand,
and prayed him to count them over, whether there were so many, or no.
Never was _Salabettoes_ heart halfe so joyfull before; and having
counted them, found them to be his owne five hundred Florines: then,
putting them up into his pocket, he saide. Comfort of my life, Full
well I know that whatsoever you have saide, is most certaine; but
let us talke no more of falshood in friendship, or casuall accidents
happening unexpected: you have dealt with mee like a most loyall
Mistresse, and heere I protest unfainedly to you, that as well
in respect of this kinde courtesie, as also the constancy of mine
affection to you, you cannot request hereafter a far greater summe of
me, to supply any necessarie occasion of yours; but (if my power can
performe it) you shall assuredly finde it certaine: make proofe thereof
whensoever you please, after my other goods are Landed, and I have
established my estate here in your City.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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