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
When the appointed day was come, she arose very earely, and being
prepared answerable to her owne liking, to the Chappell shee went
as her Husband had appointed, where her jealous Husband (being much
earlier risen than she) attended for her comming: having so ordred the
matter with his Chaplaine, that he was cloathed in his Cowle, with a
large Hood hanging over his eyes, that she should not know him, and
so he went and sate downe in the Confessors place. Shee being entred
into the Chappell, and calling for the Priest to heare her confession,
he made her answer: that he could not intend it, but would bring her
to another holy Brother, who was at better leysure than hee. So to
her Husband he brought her, that seemed (in all respects) like the
Confessor himselfe: save onely his Hood was not so closely veyled, but
shee knew his beard, and said to her selfe. What a mad world is this,
when jealousie can metamorphose an ordinary man into a Priest? But, let
me alone with him, I meane to fit him with that which he lookes for.
So, appearing to have no knowledge at all of him, downe she fell at
his feete, and he had conveyed a few Cherry stones into his mouth,
to trouble his speech from her knowledge; for, in all things else, he
thought himselfe to be sufficiently fitted for her. In the course of her
confession, she declared, that she was married to a most wicked jealous
Husband, and with whom she lead a very hatefull life. Neverthelesse
(quoth she) I am indifferently even with him, for I am beloved of an
Holie Fryar, that every night commeth and lyeth with me. When the
jealous Husband heard this, it stabbed him like a dagger to the heart,
and, but for this greedy covetous desire to know more; he would faine
have broke off confession, and got him gone. But, perceiving that it
was his wisest course, he questioned further with his wife, saying: Why
good Woman, doth not your husband lodge with you? Yes Sir, quoth she.
How is it possible then (replyed the Husband) that the Friar can lodge
there with you too?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account