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
Walking from one roome to another, thorough every part of the house;
and no wall escaping without diligent surveying; on a day, when her
Husband was absent from home, she espyed in a corner very secret, an
indifferent cleft in the Wall, which though it yeelded no full view on
the other side, yet she plainly perceived it to be an handsome Chamber,
and grew more then halfe perswaded, that either it might be the Chamber
of _Philippo_ (for so was the neighbouring yong Gentleman named) or
else a passage guiding thereto. A Chambermaid of hers, who compassioned
her case very much; made such observance, by her Mistresses direction,
that she found it to be _Philippoes_ bed Chamber, and where alwayes he
used to lodge alone. By often visiting this rift or chinke in the Wall,
especially when the Gentleman was there; and by throwing in little
stones, flowers, and such like things, which fell still in his way as
he walked: so farre she prevailed, that he stepping to the chinke, to
know from whence they came; shee called softly to him, who knowing her
voyce, there they had such private conference together, as was not
any way displeasing to either. So that the chinke being made a little
larger; yet so, as it could not be easily discerned: their mouthes
might meete with kisses together, and their hands folded each in other;
but nothing else to be performed, for continuall feare of her jelous
husband.
Now the Feast of Christmasse drawing neere, the Gentlewoman said to
her Husband; that, if it stood with his liking: she would do such
duty as fitted with so solemne a time, by going earely in a morning
unto Church, there to be confessed, and receive her Saviour, as other
Christians did. How now? replied the jealous Asse, what sinnes have
you committed, that should neede confession? How Husband? quoth she,
what do you thinke me to be a Saint? Who knoweth not, I pray you, that
I am as subject to sinne, as any other Woman living in the world? But
my sins are not to be revealed to you, because you are no Priest.
These words enflamed his jealousie more violently then before, and
needes must he know what sinnes she had committed, & having resolved
what to do in this case, made her answer: That hee was contented with
her motion, alwaies provided, that she went to no other Church, then
unto their owne Chappel, betimes in a morning; and their own Chaplaine
to confesse her, or some other Priest by him appointed, but not any
other: and then she to returne home presently againe. She being a
woman of acute apprehension, presently collected his whole intention:
but seeming to take no knowledge thereof, replyed, that she would not
swerve from his direction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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