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
There dwelt sometime in _Arezzo_ (which is a faire Village of
_Tuscany_) a rich man, named _Tofano_, who enjoyed in marriage a young
beautifull woman, called _Cheta_: of whom (without any occasion given,
or reason knowne to himselfe) he became exceeding jealous. Which his
wife perceyving, she grew much offended thereat, and tooke it in great
scorne, that she should be servile to so vile and slavish a condition.
Oftentimes, she demanded of him, from whence this jealousie in him
received originall, he having never seene or heard of any; he could
make her no other answer, but what his owne bad humour suggested, and
drove him every day (almost) to deaths doore, by feare of that which no
way needed. But, whether as a just scourge for this his grosse folly,
or a secret decree, ordained to him by Fortune and the Fates, I am not
able to distinguish: It came so to passe, that a young Gallant made
meanes to enjoy her favour, and she was so discreetly wise in judging
of his worthinesse; that affection passed so farre mutually betweene
them, as nothing wanted, but effects to answere words, suited with time
and place convenient, for which order was taken as best they might, yet
to stand free from all suspition.
Among many other evill conditions, very frequent and familiar in her
husband _Tofano_; he tooke a great delight in drinking, which not
only he held to be a commendable quality, but was alwaies so often
solicited thereto: that _Cheta_ her selfe began to like and allow it
in him, feeding his humour so effectually, with quaffing and carowsing,
that (at any time when she listed) she could make him bowsie beyonde
all measure: and leaving him sleeping in this drunkennesse, would
alwayes get her selfe to bed. By helpe heereof, she compassed the first
familiarity with her friend, yea, divers times after, as occasion
served: and so confidently did she builde on her husbands drunkennesse,
that not onely shee adventured to bring her friend home into her owne
house; but also would as often go to his, which was some-what neere at
hand, and abide with him there, the most part of the night season.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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