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
Her spirits being in better manner met together, and she still gazing
every way about her, not knowing well where she was, and seeing Signior
_Gentile_ standing before her: he entreated his mother to tell her by
what meanes she came thither; which the good old Lady did, _Gentile_
himselfe helping to relate the whole history. A while she grieved
and lamented, but afterward gave them most hearty thankes, humbly
requesting, that, in regard of the love he had formerly borne her, in
his house she might finde no other usage, varying from the honour of
her selfe and her Husband, and when day was come, to be conveighed home
to her owne house. Madame, answered Signior _Gentile_, whatsoever I
sought to gaine from you in former dayes, I never meane, either here,
or any where else, to motion any more. But seeing it hath been my happy
fortune, to prove the blessed means, of reducing you from death to
life: you shall find no other entertainment here, then as if you were
mine owne Sister. And yet the good deed which I have this night done
for you, doth well deserve some courteous requitall: in which respect,
I would have you not to deny me one favour, which I will presume to
crave of you. Whereto the Lady lovingly replyed, that she was willing
to grant it; provided, it were honest, and in her power: whereto
Signior _Gentile_ thus answered.
Madame, your parents, kindred and friends, and generally all throughout
_Bologna_, doe verily thinke you to be dead, wherefore there is not any
one, that will make any inquisition after you: in which regard, the
favour I desire from you, is no more but to abide here secretly with
my Mother, untill such time as I returne from _Modena_, which shall
be very speedily. The occasion why I move this motion, aymeth at this
end, that in presence of the chiefest persons of our City, I may make
a gladsome present of you to your Husband. The Lady knowing her selfe
highly beholding to the Knight, and the request he made to be very
honest: disposed her selfe to doe as he desired (although she earnestly
longed, to glad her parents and kindred with seeing her alive) and
made her promise him on her faith, to effect it in such manner, as he
pleased to appoint and give her direction.
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