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
By this time, _Nello_ being come againe unto them, they all returned
home with _Calandrino_ unto his owne house, whereinto he entering very
faintly, hee saide to his Wife: Woman, make my Bed presently ready,
for I feele my selfe to be growne extreamely sicke, and see that thou
layest cloathes enow upon me. Being thus laide in his Bedde, they left
him for that night, and returned to visite him againe the verie next
morning, by which time, he had made a reservation of his Water, and
sent it by a young Damosell unto Maister Doctor, who dwelt then in
the olde market place, at the signe of the Muske Mellone. Then saide
_Bruno_ unto his Companions; Abide you heere to keepe him company, and
I will walke along to the Physitian, to understand what he will say:
and if neede be, I can procure him to come hither with me. _Calandrino_
very kindely accepted his offer, saying withall. Well _Bruno_, thou
shewst thy selfe a friend in the time of necessity, I pray thee know of
him, how the case stands with me, for I feele a very strange alteration
within mee, far beyond all compasse of my conceite.
_Bruno_ being gone to the Physitian, he made such expedition, that he
arrived there before the Damosell, who carried the Water, and informed
Master _Simon_ with the whole tricke intended: wherefore, when the
Damosell was come, and hee had passed his judgement concerning the
water, he said to her.
Maide, go home againe, and tell _Calandrino_, that he must keepe
himselfe very warme: and I my selfe will instantly be with him, to
enstruct him further in the quality of his sicknesse.
The Damosell delivered her message accordingly, and it was not long
before Mayster Doctor _Simon_ came, with _Bruno_ also in his company,
and sitting downe on the beds side by _Calandrino_, hee began to taste
his pulse, and within a small while after, his Wife being come into the
Chamber, he said. Observe me well _Calandrino_, for I speake to thee in
the nature of a true friend; thou hast no other disease, but only thou
art great with child.
So soone as _Calandrino_ heard these words, in dispairing manner he
beganne to rage, and cry out aloud, saying to his wife. Ah thou wicked
woman, this is long of thee, and thou hast done me this mischeefe:
for alwayes thou wilt be upon me, ever railing at mee, and fighting,
untill thou hast gotten me under thee. Say thou divellish creature,
do I not tell thee true? The Woman, being of verie honest and civill
conversation, hearing her husband speake so foolishly: blushing with
shame, and hanging downe her head in bashfull manner; without returning
any answer, went forth of her Chamber.
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