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
Nor returned he any more, till the next morning with the like two
toastes of bread, and such another Glasse of white Bastard, as he had
brought him at the first, continuing the same course for divers dayes
after: till the Abbot had eaten (and very hungerly too) a pretty store
of dryed Beanes, which _Ghinotto_ purposely, (yet secretly) had hidden
in the Chamber. Whereupon he demaunded of him (as seeming to be so
enjoyned by his pretended master) in what temper he found his stomacke
now? I should finde my stomacke well enough (answered the Lord Abbot)
if I could get forth of thy masters fingers, and then have some good
food to feed on: for his medicines have made me so soundly stomackt,
that I am ready to starve with hunger.
When _Ghinotto_ was gone from him, hee then prepared a very faire
Chamber for him, adorning it with the Abbots owne rich hangings, as
also his Plate and other moveables, such as were alwayes used for his
service. A costly dinner he provided likewise, whereto he invited
divers of the Towne, and many of the Abbots chiefest followers: then
going to him againe the next morning, he said. My Lord, seeing you doe
feele your stomacke so well, it is time you should come forth of the
Infirmary. And taking him by the hand, he brought him into the prepared
Chamber, where he left him with his owne people, and went to give order
for the dinners serving in, that it might be performed in magnificent
manner.
The Lord Abbot recreated himselfe a while with his owne people,
to whom he recounted, the course of his life since hee saw them;
and they likewise told him, how kindly they had bin initeated by
_Ghinotto_. But when dinner time was come, the Lord Abbot and all his
company, were served with Costly viands and excellent Wines, without
_Ghinottoes_ making himselfe knowne to the Abbot: till after he had
beene entertained some few dayes in this order: into the great Hall of
the Castle, _Ghinotto_ caused all the Abbots goods and furniture to bee
brought, and likewise into a spacious Court, whereon the windowes of the
said Court gazed, all his mules and horses, with their sumpters, even
to the very silliest of them, which being done, _Ghinotto_ went to the
Abbot, and demaunded of him, how he felt his stomacke now, and whether
it would serve him to venter on horsebacke as yet, or no? The Lord
Abbot answered, that he found his stomacke perfectly recovered, his
body strong enough to endure travell, and all things well, so hee were
delivered from _Ghinotto_.
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