The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels — John Shaqi
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, to proceede where we left, Friar _Onyon_ having left this
serviceable youth at his lodging, to see that no bodie should
meddle with his commodities, especially his Wallet, because of the
sacred things therein contained: _Guccio Imbrata_, who as earnestly
affected to be in the Kitchin, as Birds to hop from branch to branch,
especially, when anie of the Chamber-maides were there, espyed one of
the Hostesses Female attendants, a grosse fat Trugge, low of stature,
ill faced, and worse formed, with a paire of brests like two bumbards,
smelling loathsomely of grease and sweate; downe shee descended into
the Kitchin, like a Kite upon a peece of Carion. This Boy, or Knave,
chuse whither you will style him, having carelesly left Fryar _Onyons_
Chamber doore open, and all the holy things so much to be neglected,
although it was then the moneth of August, when heate is in the highest
predominance, yet hee would needs sit downe by the fire, and began to
conferre with this amiable creature, who was called by the name of
_Nuta_.
Being set close by her, he told her, that he was a Gentleman by
Atturniship, and that he had more millions of Crownes, then all his
life time would serve him to spend; beside those which he payed
away dayly, as having no convenient imployment for them. Moreover,
he knew how to speake, and do such things, as were beyond wonder or
admiration. And, never remembring his olde tatterd Friars Cowle,
which was so snottie and greazie, that good store of kitchin stuffe
might have beene boiled out of it; as also a foule slovenly Trusse
or halfedoublet, all baudied with bowsing, fat greazie lubberly
sweating, and other drudgeries in the Convent Kitchin, where he was an
Officer in the meanest credite. So that to describe this sweet youth
in his lively colours, both for naturall perfections of body, and
artificiall composure of his Garments; never came the fowlest silks out
of _Tartaria_ or _India_, more ugly or unsightly to bee lookt upon.
And for a further addition to his neate knavery, his breeches were so
rent betweene his legges, his shooes and stockings had bin at such a
mercilesse massacre: that the gallantest _Commandador_ of _Castile_
(though he had never so lately bin releast out of slavery) could have
wisht for better garments, then he; or make larger promises, then he
did to his _Nuta_. Protesting to entitle her as his onely, to free her
from the Inne and Chamber thraldomes, if she would live with him, be
his Love, partaker of his present possessions, and so to succeed in his
future Fortunes. All which bravadoes, though they were belcht foorth
with admirable insinuations: yet they converted into smoke, as all such
braggadochio behaviours do, and he was as wise at the ending, as when
he began.
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