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
Hereupon, he brought him into the hall where his furniture was, as
also all his people, & commanding a window to be opned, whereat he
might behold his horses, he said. My Lord, let me plainely give you
to understand, that neither cowardise, or basenesse of minde, induced
_Ghinotto di Tacco_ (which is my selfe) to become a lurking robber on
the high-wayes, an enemy to the Pope, and so (consequently) to the
Romane Court: but onely to save his owne life and honour, knowing
himselfe to be a Gentleman cast out of his owne house, and having
(beside) infinite enemies. But because you seeme to be a worthy Lord,
I will not (although I have cured your stomacks disease) deale with
you as I doe to others, whose goods (when they fall into my power)
I take such part of as I please: but rather am well contented, that
my necessities being considered by your selfe, you spare me out a
proportion of the things you have heere, answerable to your owne
liking. For all are present here before you, both in this Hall, and
in the Court beneath, free from any spoyle, or the least impairing.
Wherefore, give a part, or take all, if you please, and then depart
hence when you will, or abide heere still, for now you are at your owne
free liberty.
The Lord Abbot wondred not a little, that a robber on the high wayes,
should have such a bold and liberall spirit, which appeared very
pleasing to him; and instantly, his former hatred and spleene against
_Ghinotto_, became converted into cordiall love and kindnes, so that
(imbracing him in his armes) he said. I protest upon my vow made to
Religion, that to win the love of such a man, as I plainely perceive
thee to be: I would undergo far greater injuries, then those which I
have received at thy hands. Accursed be cruell destiny, that forced
thee to so base a kind of life, and did not blesse thee with a fairer
fortune. After he had thus spoken, he left there the greater part of
all his goods, and returned back againe to Rome, with fewer horses, and
a meaner traine.
During these passed accidents, the Pope had received intelligence of
the Lord Abbots surprizall, which was not a little displeasing to him:
but when he saw him returned, he demaunded, what benefit he received
at the Bathes? Whereto the Abbot, merrily smyling, thus replyed.
Holy Father, I met with a most skilfull Physitian neerer hand, whose
experience is beyond the power of the Bathes, for by him I am very
perfectly cured: and so discoursed all at large. The Pope laughing
heartely, and the Abbot continuing on still his report, moved with an
high and magnificent courage, he demaunded one gracious favour of the
Pope: who imagining that he would request a matter of greater moment,
then he did, freely offered to grant, whatsoever he desired.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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