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, for their securer meeting, to stand cleare from all matter of
scandal or detection, they concluded in this order between themselves.
_Lazaro_, for so was _Peronellaes_ Husband named, being an earely
riser every morning, either to seeke for worke, or to effect it being
undertaken: this amorous friend being therewith acquainted, and
standing in some such convenient place, where hee could see _Lazaroes_
departure from his house, and yet himselfe no way discerned; poore
_Lazaro_ was no sooner gone, but presently he enters the house, which
stood in a verie solitarie street, called the _Avorio_. Many mornings
had they thus met together, to their no meane delight and contentation,
till one especiall morning among the rest, when _Lazaro_ was gone
forth to worke, and _Striguario_ (so was the amorous young man named)
visiting _Peronella_ in the house: upon a very urgent occasion,
_Lazaro_ returned backe againe, quite contrary to his former wont,
keeping foorth all day, and never comming home till night.
Finding his doore to be fast lockt, and he having knockt softlie once
or twice, he spake in this manner to himselfe. Fortune I thanke thee,
for albeit thou hast made mee poore, yet thou hast bestowed a better
blessing on me, in matching me with so good, honest, & loving a Wife.
Behold, though I went early out of my house, her selfe hath risen in
the cold to shut the doore, to prevent the entrance of theeves, or
any other that might offend us. _Peronella_ having heard what her
husband sayde, and knowing the manner of his knocke, said fearfully to
_Striguario_. Alas deare friend, what shall wee doe? I am little lesse
then a dead Woman: For, _Lazaro_ my Husband is come backe again, and
I know not what to do or say. He never returned in this order before
now, doubtlesse, hee saw when you entred the doore; and for the safety
of your honour and mine: creepe under this brewing Fat, till I have
opened the doore, to know the reason of his so soone returning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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