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
But leave we this, and returne wee backe to vertuous Fryar _Reynard_,
who falling againe to his former appetites; became an often visitant
of his Gossip _Agnesia_, and now hee had learned such a blushlesse
kinde of boldnesse; that he durst be more instant with her (concerning
his privie sute) then ever formerly he had bin, yea, even to solicite
the enjoying of his immodest desires. The good Gentlewoman, seeing
her selfe so importunately pursued, and Fryar _Reynard_ appearing
now (perhappes) of sweeter and more delicate complexion, then at his
entrance into Religion: at a set time of his secret communing with
her; she answered him in as apt tearmes, as they use to do, who are not
greatly squeamish, in granting matters demanded of them.
Why how now Friar _Reynard_? quoth shee, Doe God-fathers use to move
such questions? Whereto the Friar thus replyed. Madam, when I have
laide off this holy habite (which is a matter very easie for mee to
do) I shall seeme in your eye, in all respects made like another man,
quite from the course of any Religious life. _Agnesia_, biting the lip
with a prety smile, said, O my faire Starres! You will never bee so
unfriendly to me. What? You being my Gossip, would you have me consent
unto such a sinne? Our blessed Lady shield mee, for my ghostly Father
hath often told me, that it is utterly unpardonable: but if it were,
I feare too much confiding on mine owne strength. Gossip, Gossip,
answered the Friar, you speake like a Foole, and feare (in this case)
is wholly frivolous, especially, when the motions mooved by such an one
as my selfe, who (upon repentance) can grant you pardon and indulgence
presently. But I pray you let mee aske you one question, Who is the
neerest Kinsman to your Son; either I, that stood at the Font for his
Baptisme, or your Husband that begot him? The Lady made answere, that
it was her Husband. You say very true Gossip, replyed the Friar, and
yet notwithstanding, doth not your Husband (both at boord and bed)
enjoy the sweet benefit of your company? Yes, said the Lady, why shold
he not? Then Lady (quoth _Reynard_) I, who am not so neere a Kinsman
to your Sonne, as your Husband is, why may ye not afford mee the like
favour, as you do him? _Agnesia_, who was no Logitian, and therefore
could not stand on any curious answer, especially being so cuningly
moved; beleeved, or rather made shew of beleeving, that the Godfather
said nothing but truth, and thus answered. What woman is she (Gossip)
that knoweth how to answer your strange speeches? And, how it came to
passe, I know not, but such an agreement passed betweene them, that,
for once onely (so it might not infrindge the league of Gossip-ship,
but that title to countenance their further intent) such a favour
should be affoorded, so it might stand cleare from suspition.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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