The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Decameron, Volume I, by Giovanni Boccaccio, translated by !"!

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TitleB The Decameron, Volume I

3uthorB Giovanni Boccaccio

#elease DateB -ebruary, A669 <Etext $92A>= <Ces, (e are about one year ahead of schedule= <The actual date this file first 'osted D 6EF06F60=

EditionB 06

4anguageB English

The Project Gutenberg Etext of of The Decameron, Volume I, by Giovanni Boccaccio, translated by !"! #igg, ,,,,,,,This file should be named thdcm06!txt or thdcm06!:i',,,,,,

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,E;D T.E /"344 P#I;T* -G# PHB4I& DG"3I; ETE%T/,Ver!62FA2F60,E;D,

This etext (as 'roduced by Donna .olsten!

The Decameron

of

Giovanni Boccaccio

-aithfully Translated

By !"! #igg

(ith illustrations by 4ouis &halon

@@&G;TE;T/@@

I;T#GDH&TIG;

P#GE"

@ -I#/T D3C @

;GVE4 I! @ /er &ia''elletto cheats a holy friar by a false confession, and diesI and, having lived as a very bad man, is, on his death, re'uted a saint, and called /an &ia''elletto!

;GVE4 II! @ 3braham, a e(, at the instance of ehannot de &hevigny, goes to the court of #ome, and having mar)ed the evil life of clergy, returns to Paris, and becomes a &hristian!

;GVE4 III! @ "elchisedech, a e(, by a story of three rings averts a danger (ith (hich he (as menaced by /aladin!

;GVE4 IV! @ 3 mon) la'ses into a sin meriting the most severe 'unishment, justly censures the same fault in his abbot, and thus evades the 'enalty!

;GVE4 V! @ The "archioness of "onferrato by a banOuet of hens seasoned (ith (it chec)s the mad 'assion of the Ning of -rance!

;GVE4 VI! @ 3 (orthy man by an a't saying 'uts to shame the (ic)ed hy'ocrisy of the religious!

;GVE4 VII! @ Bergamino, (ith a story of Primasso and the 3bbot of &luny, finely censures a sudden access of avarice in "esser &ane della /cala!

;GVE4 VIII! @ Guglielmo Borsiere by a neat retort shar'ly censures avarice in "esser Ermino deM Grimaldi!

;GVE4 I%! @ The censure of a Gascon lady converts the Ning of &y'rus from a churlish to an honourable tem'er!

;GVE4 %! @ "aster 3lberto da Bologna honourably 'uts to shame a lady (ho sought occasion to 'ut him to shame in that he (as in love (ith her!

@ /E&G;D D3C @

;GVE4 I! @ "artellino 'retends to be a 'aralytic, and ma)es it a''ear as if he (ere cured by being 'laced u'on the body of /t! 3rrigo! .is tric) is detectedI he is beaten and arrested, and is in 'eril of hanging, but finally esca'es!

;GVE4 II! @ #inaldo dM3sti is robbed, arrives at &astel Guglielmo, and is

entertained by a (ido( ladyI his 'ro'erty is restored to him, and he returns home safe and sound!

;GVE4 III! @ Three young men sOuander their substance and are reduced to 'overty! Their ne'he(, returning home a des'erate man, falls in (ith an abbot, in (hom he discovers the daughter of the Ning of England! /he marries him, and he retrieves the losses and re@establishes the fortune of his uncles!

;GVE4 IV! @ 4andolfo #uffolo is reduced to 'overty, turns corsair, is ca'tured by Genoese, is shi'(rec)ed, esca'es on a chest full of je(els, and, being cast ashore at &orfu, is hos'itably entertained by a (oman, and returns home (ealthy!

;GVE4 V! @ 3ndreuccio da Perugia comes to ;a'les to buy horses, meets (ith three serious adventures in one night, comes safe out of them all, and returns home (ith a ruby!

;GVE4 VI! @ "adam Beritola loses t(o sons, is found (ith t(o )ids on an island, goes thence to 4unigiana, (here one of her sons ta)es service (ith her master, and lies (ith his daughter, for (hich he is 'ut in 'rison! /icily rebels against Ning &harles, the son is recogni:ed by the mother, marries the masterMs daughter, and, his brother being discovered, is reinstated in great honour!

;GVE4 VII! @ The /oldan of Babylon sends one of his daughters overseas,

designing to marry her to the Ning of 3lgarve! By divers adventures she comes in the s'ace of four years into the hands of nine men in divers 'lace! 3t last she is restored to her father, (hom she Ouits again in the guise of a virgin, and, as (as at first intended, is married to the Ning of 3lgarve!

;GVE4 VIII! @ The &ount of 3nt(er', labouring under a false accusation, goes into exile! .e leaves his t(o children in different 'laces in England, and ta)es service in Ireland! #eturning to England an un)no(n man, he finds his sons 'ros'erous! .e serves as a groom in the army of the Ning of -ranceI his innocence is established, and he is restored to his former honours!

;GVE4 I%! @ Bernabo of Genoa, deceived by 3mbrogiuolo, loses his money and commands his innocent (ife to be 'ut to death! /he esca'es, habits herself as a man, and serves the /oldan! /he discovers the deceiver, and brings Bernabo to 3lexandria, (here the deceiver is 'unished! /he then resumes the garb of a (oman, and (ith her husband returns (ealthy to Genoa!

;GVE4 %! @ Paganino da "onaco carries off the (ife of "esser #icciardo di &hin:ica, (ho, having learned (here she is, goes to Paganino and in a friendly manner as)s him to restore her! .e consents, 'rovided she be (illing! /he refuses to go bac) (ith her husband! "esser #icciardo dies, and she marries Paganino!

@ T.I#D D3C @

;GVE4 I! @ "asetto da 4am'orecchio feigns to be dumb, and obtains a

gardenerMs 'lace at a convent of (omen, (ho (ith one accord ma)e haste to lie (ith him!

;GVE4 II! @ 3 groom lies (ith the (ife of Ning 3gilulf, (ho learns the fact, )ee's his o(n counsel, finds out the groom and shears him! The shorn shears all his fello(s, and so comes safe out of the scra'e!

;GVE4 III! @ Hnder cloa) of confession and a most s'otless conscience, a lady, enamoured of a young man, induces a booby friar un(ittingly to 'rovide a means to the entire gratification of her 'assion!

;GVE4 IV! @ Dom -elice instructs -ra Puccio ho( to attain blessedness by doing a 'enance! -ra Puccio does the 'enance, and mean(hile Dom -elice has a good time (ith -ra PuccioMs (ife!

;GVE4 V! @ Xima gives a 'alfrey to "esser -rancesco Vergellesi, (ho in return suffers him to s'ea) (ith his (ife! /he )ee'ing silence, he ans(ers in her stead, and the seOuel is in accordance (ith his ans(er!

;GVE4 VI! @ #icciardo "inutolo loves the (ife of -ili''ello -ighinolfi, and )no(ing her to be jealous, ma)es her believe that his o(n (ife is to meet -ili''ello at a bagnio on the ensuing dayI (hereby she is induced to go thither, (here, thin)ing to have been (ith her husband, she discovers that she has tarried (ith #icciardo!

;GVE4 VII! @ Tedaldo, being in disfavour (ith his lady, de'arts from

-lorence! .e returns thither after a (hile in the guise of a 'ilgrim, has s'eech of his lady, and ma)es her sensible of her fault! .er husband, convicted of slaying him, he delivers from 'eril of death, reconciles him (ith his brothers, and thereafter discreetly enjoys his lady!

;GVE4 VIII! Y -erondo, having ta)en a certain 'o(der, is interred for deadI is disinterred by the abbot, (ho enjoys his (ifeI is 'ut in 'rison and taught to believe that he is in 'urgatoryI is then resuscitated, and rears as his o(n a boy begotten by the abbot u'on his (ife!

;GVE4 I%! @ Gillette of ;arbonne cures the Ning of -rance of a fistula, craves for s'ouse Bertrand de #oussillon, (ho marries her against his (ill, and hies him in des'ite to -lorence, (here, as he courts a young (oman, Gillette lies (ith him in her stead, and has t(o sons by himI for (hich cause he after(ards ta)es her into favour and entreats her as his (ife!

;GVE4 %! @ 3libech turns hermit, and is taught by #ustico, a mon), ho( the Devil is 'ut in hell! /he is after(ards conveyed thence, and becomes the (ife of ;eerbale!

@ -GH#T. D3C @

;GVE4 I! @ Tancred, Prince of /alerno, slays his daughterMs lover, and sends her his heart in a golden cu'B she 'ours u'on it a 'oisonous distillation, (hich she drin)s and dies!

;GVE4 II! @ -ra 3lberto gives a lady to understand that she is beloved of the 3ngel Gabriel, in (hose sha'e he lies (ith her sundry timesI after(ard, for fear of her )insmen, he flings himself forth of her house, and finds shelter in the house of a 'oor man, (ho on the morro( leads him in the guise of a (ild man into the 'ia::a, (here, being recogni:ed, he is a''rehended by his brethren and im'risoned!

;GVE4 III! @ Three young men love three sisters, and flee (ith them to &rete! The eldest of the sisters slays her lover for jealousy! The second saves the life of the first by yielding herself to the Du)e of &rete! .er lover slays her, and ma)es off (ith the firstB the third sister and her lover are charged (ith the murder, are arrested and confess the crime! They esca'e death by bribing the guards, flee destitute to #hodes, and there in destitution die!

;GVE4 IV! @ Gerbino, in breach of the 'lighted faith of his grandfather, Ning Guglielmo, attac)s a shi' of the Ning of Tunis to rescue thence his daughter! /he being slain by those aboard the shi', he slays them, and after(ards he is beheaded!

;GVE4 V! @ 4isabettaMs brothers slay her loverB he a''ears to her in a dream, and she(s her (here he is buriedB she 'rivily disinters the head, and sets it in a 'ot of basil, (hereon she daily (ee's a great (hile! The 'ot being ta)en from her by her brothers, she dies not long after!

;GVE4 VI! @ 3ndreuola loves GabriottoB she tells him a dream that she has

hadI he tells her a dream of his o(n, and dies suddenly in her arms! +hile she and her maid are carrying his cor'se to his house, they are ta)en by the /ignory! /he tells ho( the matter stands, is threatened (ith violence by the Podesta, but (ill not broo) it! .er father hears ho( she is bested, and, her innocence being established, causes her to be set at largeI but she, being minded to tarry no longer in the (orld, becomes a nun!

;GVE4 VII! @ /imona loves PasOuinoI they are together in a garden, PasOuino rubs a leaf of sage against his teeth, and diesI /imona is arrested, and, (ith intent to she( the judge ho( PasOuino died, rubs one of the leaves of the same 'lant against her teeth, and li)e(ise dies!

;GVE4 VIII! @ Girolamo loves /alvestraB yielding to his motherMs 'rayers he goes to ParisI he returns to find /alvestra marriedI he enters her house by stealth, lays himself by her side, and diesI he is borne to the church, (here /alvestra lays herself by his side, and dies!

;ova I%! @ /ieur Guillaume de #oussillon slays his (ifeMs 'aramour, /ieur Guillaume de &abestaing, and gives her his heart to eat! /he, coming to (it thereof, thro(s herself from a high (indo( to the ground, and dies, and is buried (ith her lover!

;GVE4 %! @ The (ife of a leech, deeming her lover, (ho has ta)en an o'iate, to be dead, 'uts him in a chest, (hich, (ith him therein, t(o usurers carry off to their house! .e comes to himself, and is ta)en for a thiefI but, the ladyMs maid giving the /ignory to understand that she had 'ut him in the

chest (hich the usurers stole, he esca'es the gallo(s, and the usurers are mulcted in moneys for the theft of the chest!

I44H/T#3TIG;/ TG T.E DE&3"E#G;

VG4H"E I!

The lady and the friar 7third day, third story8 @ -rontis'iece

The three rings 7first day, third story8

The dinner of hens 7first day, fifth story8

#inaldo DM3sti and the (ido( lady 7second day, second story8

3latiel dancing 7second day, seventh story8

The (edding 'arty 7fourth day, introduction8

The daughter of the Ning of Tunis 7fourth day, fourth story8

/imona and PasOuino 7fourth day, seventh story8

I;T#GDH&TIG;

/on of a merchant, Boccaccio di &hellino di Buonaiuto, of &ertaldo in Val dMElsa, a little to(n about mid(ay bet(een Em'oli and /iena, but (ithin the -lorentine Tcontado,T Giovanni Boccaccio (as born, most 'robably at Paris, in the year 0909! .is mother, at any rate, (as a -rench(oman, (hom his father seduced during a sojourn at Paris, and after(ards deserted! /o much as this Boccaccio has himself told us, under a trans'arent veil of allegory, in his 3meto! Gf his mother (e (ould fain )no( more, for his (it has in it a Ouality, es'ecially noticeable in the Tenth ;ovel of the /ixth Day of the Decameron, (hich mar)s him out as the forerunner of #abelais, and 'rom'ts us to as) ho( much more his genius may have o(ed to his -rench ancestry! .is father (as of sufficient standing in -lorence to be chosen Prior in 09A0I but this brief term of office@@but t(o months@@(as his last, as (ell as his first ex'erience of 'ublic life! Gf BoccaccioMs early years (e )no( nothing more than that his first 'rece'tor (as the -lorentine grammarian, Giovanni da /trada, father of the 'oet Xanobi da /trada, and that, (hen he (as about ten years old, he (as bound a''rentice to a merchant, (ith (hom he s'ent the next six years at Paris, (hence he returned to -lorence (ith an inveterate re'ugnance to commerce! .is father then 'ro'osed to ma)e a canonist of himI but the study of Gratian 'roved hardly more congenial than the routine of the counting@house to the lad, (ho had already evinced a taste for lettersI and a sojourn at ;a'les, (here under the regime of the enlightened Ning #obert there (ere coteries of learned men, and even Gree) (as not altogether un)no(n, decided his future career! 3ccording to -ili''o Villani his choice (as finally fixed by a visit to the tomb of Vergil on the Via Puteolana, and, though the modern critical s'irit is a't to discount such

stories, there can be no doubt that such a 'ilgrimage (ould be a't to ma)e a dee', and 'erha's enduring, im'ression u'on a nature ardent and sensitive, and already conscious of extraordinary 'o(ers! .is stay at ;a'les (as also in another res'ect a turning 'oint in his lifeI for it (as there that, as (e gather from the -iloco'o, he first sa( the blonde beauty, "aria, natural daughter of Ning #obert, (hom he has immortali:ed as -iammetta! The 'lace (as the church of /an 4oren:o, the day the A>th of "arch, 099?! BoccaccioMs admiring ga:e (as observed by the lady, (ho, though married, 'roved no 4aura, and forth(ith returned his love in eOual measure! Their liaison lasted several years, during (hich Boccaccio recorded the various 'hases of their 'assion (ith exem'lary assiduity in verse and 'rose! Besides 'aying her due and discreet homage in sonnet and can:one, he associated her in one (ay or another, not only (ith the -iloco'o 7his 'rose romance of -lorio and Biancofiore, (hich he 'rofesses to have (ritten to 'leasure her8, but (ith the 3meto, the 3morosa Visione, the Teseide, and the -ilostratoI and in 4M3morosa -iammetta he (ove out of their relations a romance in (hich her lover, (ho is there called Pamfilo, 'lays 3eneas to her Dido, though (ith some(hat less tragic conseOuences! The Proem to the Decameron she(s us the after@glo( of his 'assionI the lady herself a''ears as one of the Thonourable com'any,T and her 'ortrait, as in the act of receiving the laurel (reath at the close of the -ourth Day, is a master'iece of tender and delicate delineation!

Boccaccio a''ears to have been recalled to -lorence by his father in 09?0I and it (as 'robably in that year that he (rote 4M3morosa -iammetta and the allegorical 'rose 'astoral 7(ith songs inters'ersed8 (hich he entitled 3meto, and in (hich -iammetta masOuerades in green as one of the nym'hs!

The 3morosa Visione, (ritten about the same time, is not only an allegory but an acrostic, the initial letters of its fifteen hundred tri'lets com'osing t(o sonnets and a ballade in honour of -iammetta, (hom he here for once ventures to call by her true name! 4ater came the Teseide, or romance of Palamon and 3rcite, the first extant rendering of the story, in t(elve boo)s, and the -ilostrato, nine boo)s of the loves and (oes of Troilus and &ressida! Both these 'oems are in ottava rima, a metre (hich, if Boccaccio did not invent it, he (as the first to a''ly to such a 'ur'ose! Both (or)s (ere dedicated to -iammetta! 3 graceful idyll in the same metre, ;infale -iesolano, (as (ritten later, 'robably at ;a'les in 09?5! Ning #obert (as then dead, but Boccaccio enjoyed the favour of Uueen oan, of some(hat doubtful memory, at (hose instance he hints in one of his later letters that he (rote the Decameron! +ithout im'ugning BoccaccioMs veracity (e can hardly but thin) that the Decameron (ould have seen the light, though Uueen oan had (ithheld her encouragement! .e had 'robably been long meditating it, and gathering materials for it, and (e may (ell su''ose that the outbrea) of the 'lague in 09?E, by furnishing him (ith a sombre bac)ground to heighten the effect of his motley 'ageant, had far more to do (ith accelerating the com'osition than aught that Uueen oan may have said!

That Boccaccio (as not at -lorence during the 'estilence is certainI but (e need not therefore doubt the substantial accuracy of his marvellous descri'tion of the state of the stric)en city, for the course and conseOuences of the terrible visitation must have been much the same in all 'arts of Italy, and as to -lorence in 'articular, Boccaccio could have no difficulty in obtaining detailed and abundant information from credible

eye@(itnesses! The introduction of -iammetta, (ho (as in all 'robability at ;a'les at the time, and in any case (as not a -lorentine, she(s, ho(ever, that he is by no means to be ta)en literally, and renders it extremely 'robable that the facetious, irre'ressible, and 'rivileged Dioneo is no other than himself! 3t the same time (e cannot deem it either im'ossible, or very unli)ely, that in the general relaxation of morale, (hich the 'lague brought in its train, refuge from care and fear (as sought in the diversions (hich he describes by some of those (ho had country@seats to (hich to (ithdra(, and (hether the TcontadoT (as that of -lorence or that of ;a'les is a matter of no considerable im'ortance! 708 It is 'robable that BoccaccioMs father (as one of the victims of the 'estilenceI for he (as dead in 0956, (hen his son returned to -lorence to live thenceforth on the modest 'atrimony (hich he inherited! It must have been about this time that he formed an intimacy (ith Petrarch, (hich, not(ithstanding mar)ed diversity of tem'erament, character and 'ursuits, (as destined to be bro)en only by death! Des'ite his com'laints of the malevolence of his critics in the Proem to the -ourth Day of the Decameron, he had no lac) of a''reciation on the 'art of his fello(@citi:ens, and (as em'loyed by the #e'ublic on several missionsI to Bologna, 'robably (ith the vie( of averting the submission of that city to the Visconti in 0956I to Petrarch at Padua in "arch 0950, (ith a letter from the Priors announcing his restitution to citi:enshi', and inviting him to return to -lorence, and assume the rectorshi' of the ne(ly founded universityI to 4ud(ig of Brandenburg (ith overtures for an alliance against the Visconti in December of the same yearI and in the s'ring of 095? to Po'e Innocent VI! at 3vignon in reference to the a''roaching visit of the Em'eror &harles IV! to Italy! 3bout this time, 095?@5, he thre( off, in

stri)ing contrast to his earlier (or)s, an invective against (omen, entitled 4aberinto dM3more, other(ise &orbaccio, a coarse 'erformance occasioned by resentment at (hat he deemed ca'ricious treatment by a lady to (hom he had made advances! To the same 'eriod, though the date cannot be 'recisely fixed, belongs his 4ife of Dante, a (or) of but mediocre merit! /ome(hat later, it (ould seem, he began the study of Gree) under one 4eontius Pilatus, a &alabrian, (ho 'ossessed some )no(ledge of that language, and sought to 'ass himself off as a Gree) by birth!

4eontius (as of coarse manners and uncertain tem'er, but Boccaccio (as his host and 'u'il for some years, and eventually 'rocured him the chair of Gree) in the university of -lorence! .o( much Gree) Boccaccio learned from him, and ho( far he may have been beholden to him in the com'ilation of his elaborate 4atin treatise De Genealogia Deorum, in (hich he essayed (ith very curious results to ex'ound the inner meaning of mythology, it is im'ossible to say! In 09>0 he seems to have had serious thoughts of devoting himself to religion, being 'rodigiously im'ressed by the menaces, monitions and revelations of a dying &arthusian of /iena! Gne of the revelations concerned a matter (hich Boccaccio had su''osed to be )no(n only to Petrarch and himself! .e accordingly confided his anxiety to Petrarch, (ho 'ersuaded him to amend his life (ithout renouncing the (orld! In 09>A he revisited ;a'les, and in the follo(ing year s'ent three months (ith Petrarch at Venice! In 09>5 he (as sent by the #e'ublic of -lorence on a mission of conciliation to Po'e Hrban V! at 3vignon! .e (as em'loyed on a li)e errand on the Po'eMs return to #ome in 09>2! In 09>E he revisited Venice, and in 0920 ;a'lesI but in "ay 092A he returned to -lorence, (here

on A5th 3ugust 0929 he (as a''ointed lecturer on the Divina &ommedia, (ith a yearly sti'end of 066 fiorini dMoro! .is lectures, of (hich the first (as delivered in the church of /an /tefano near the Ponte Vecchio, (ere discontinued o(ing to ill health, doubtless aggravated by the distress (hich the death of Petrarch 7A6th uly 092?8 could not but cause him, (hen he had got no farther than the seventeenth &anto of the Inferno! .is commentary is still occasionally Ouoted! .e died, 'erha's in the odour of sanctity, for in later life he (as a diligent collector of relics, at &ertaldo on A0st December 0925, and (as buried in the 'arish church! .is tomb (as desecrated, and his remains (ere dis'ersed, o(ing, it is said, to a misunderstanding, to(ards the close of the eighteenth century! .is library, (hich by his direction (as 'laced in the &onvent of /anto /'irito at -lorence, (as destroyed by fire about a century after his death!

Besides the De Genealogia Deorum Boccaccio (rote other treatises in 4atin, (hich need not here be s'ecified, and sixteen Eclogues in the same language, of (hich he (as by no means a master! 3s for his minor (or)s in the vernacular, the earlier of them she( that he had not as yet (rought himself free from the conventionalism (hich the 'olite literature of Italy inherited from the /icilians! It is therefore inevitable that the t(entieth century should find the -iloco'o, 3meto, and 3morosa Visione tedious reading! The Teseide determined the form in (hich Pulci, Boiardo, Bello, 3riosto, Tasso, and, (ith a slight modification, our o(n /'enser (ere to (rite, but its readers are no( fe(, and are not li)ely ever again to be numerous! &haucer dre( u'on it for the NnightMs Tale, but it is at any rate arguable that his retrenchment of its 'erha's inordinate length (as judicious, and that (hat

he gave (as better than (hat he borro(ed! /till, that it had such a redactor as &haucer is no small testimony to its meritI nor (as it only in the NnightMs Tale that he (as indebted to itB the descri'tion of the Tem'le of 4ove in the Parlement of -oules is ta)en almost (ord for (ord from it! Even more considerable and cons'icuous is &haucerMs obligation to Boccaccio in the Troilus and &riseyde, about a third of (hich is borro(ed from the -ilostrato! ;or is it a little remar)able that the same man, that in the Teseide and -ilostrato founded the chivalrous e'ic, should also and in the same 'eriod of his literary activity, have (ritten the first and not the least 'o(erful and artistic of 'sychologic romances, for even such is 4M3morosa -iammetta!

But (hatever may be the final verdict of criticism u'on these minor (or)s of Boccaccio, it is im'ossible to imagine an age in (hich the Decameron (ill fail of general recognition as, in 'oint ali)e of invention as of style, one of the most notable creations of human genius! Gf fe( boo)s are the sources so recondite, insomuch that it seems to be certain that in the main they must have be merely oral tradition, and fe( have exercised so (ide and mighty an influence! The 'rofound, many@sided and intimate )no(ledge of human nature (hich it evinces, its vast variety of incident, its (ealth of tears and laughter, its co'ious and felicitous diction, inevitably a't for every occasion, and, not(ithstanding the freOuent harshness, and occasional obscurity of its at times tangled, at times laboured 'eriods, its sustained energy and animation of style must ever ensure for this human comedy unchallenged ran) among the literary master'ieces that are truly immortal!

The Decameron (as among the earliest of 'rinted boo)s, Venice leading the (ay (ith a folio edition in 0?20, "antua follo(ing suit in 0?2A, and Vicen:a in 0?2E! 3 folio edition, adorned, (ith most graceful (ood@ engravings, (as 'ublished at Venice in 0?1A! ;ot(ithstanding the freedom (ith (hich in divers 'assages Boccaccio reflected on the morals of the clergy, the #oman &uria s'ared the boo), (hich the austere /avonarola condemned to the flames! The tradition that the Decameron (as among the 'ile of TvanitiesT burned by /avonarola in the Pia::a della /ignoria on the last day of the &arnival of 0?12, little more than a year before he (as himself burned there, is so intrinsically 'robable@@and accords so (ell (ith the extreme 'aucity of early co'ies of the (or)@@that it (ould be the very 'erversity of sce'ticism to doubt it! It is by no means to the credit of our country that, exce't to scholars, it long remained in England, an almost entirely closed boo)! 7A8 Indeed the first nominally com'lete English translation, a sadly mutilated and garbled rendering of the -rench version by 3ntoine 4e "acon, did not a''ear till 0>A6, and though successive redactions brought it nearer to the original, it remained at the best but a sorry faute de mieux! /uch as it (as, ho(ever, our forefathers (ere 'erforce fain to be content (ith it!

The first Englishman to render the (hole Decameron direct from the Italian (as "r! ohn PayneI but his (or), 'rinted for the Villon /ociety in 0EE>, (as only for 'rivate circulation, and those least inclined to dis'arage its merits may deem its style some(hat too archaic and stilted adeOuately to render the vigour and vivacity of the original! 3ccordingly in the

'resent version an attem't has been made to hit the mean bet(een archaism and modernism, and to secure as much freedom and s'irit as is com'atible (ith substantial accuracy!

708 3s to the 'alaces in (hich the scene is laid, "anni 7Istoria del Decamerone, Par! ii! ca'! ii!8 identifies the first (ith a villa near -iesole, (hich can be no other than the Villa Palmieri, and the second 7ib! ca'! lxxvi!8 (ith the Podere della -onte, or so@called Villa del Boccaccio, near &amerata! BaldelliMs theory, ado'ted by "rs! anet 3nn #oss 7-lorentine Villas, 01608, that the Villa di Poggio Gherardi (as the first, and the Villa Palmieri the second, retreat is not to be reconciled (ith BoccaccioMs descri'tions! The Villa Palmieri is not remote enough for the second and more seOuestered retreat, nor is it, as that is said to have been, situate on a lo( hill amid a 'lain, but on the lo(er -iesolean slo'e! The most rational su''osition (ould seem to be that Boccaccio, (ho had seen many a luxurious villa, freely combined his ex'eriences in the descri'tion of his 'alaces and 'leasaunces, and never ex'ected to be ta)en au 'ied de la lettre!

7A8 ;evertheless /ha)es'eare derived indirectly the 'lot of 3llMs +ell that Ends +ell from the ;inth ;ovel of the Third Day, and an element in the 'lot of &ymbeline from the ;inth ;ovel of the /econd Day!

@@ Beginneth here the boo) called Decameron, other(ise Prince Galeotto, (herein

are contained one hundred novels told in ten days by seven ladies and three young men! @@

P#GE"

MTis humane to have com'assion on the afflicted and as it she(s (ell in all, so it is es'ecially demanded of those (ho have had need of comfort and have found it in othersB among (hom, if any had ever need thereof or found it 'recious or delectable, I may be numberedI seeing that from my early youth even to the 'resent I (as beyond measure aflame (ith a most as'iring and noble love 708 more 'erha's than, (ere I to enlarge u'on it, (ould seem to accord (ith my lo(ly condition! +hereby, among 'eo'le of discernment to (hose )no(ledge it had come, I had much 'raise and high esteem, but nevertheless extreme discomfort and suffering not indeed by reason of cruelty on the 'art of the beloved lady, but through su'erabundant ardour engendered in the soul by ill@bridled desireI the (hich, as it allo(ed me no reasonable 'eriod of Ouiescence, freOuently occasioned me an inordinate distress! In (hich distress so much relief (as afforded me by the delectable discourse of a friend and his commendable consolations, that I entertain a very solid conviction that to them I o(e it that I am not dead! But, as it 'leased .im, (ho, being infinite, has assigned by immutable la( an end to all things mundane, my love, beyond all other fervent, and neither to be bro)en nor bent by any force of determination, or counsel of 'rudence, or fear of manifest shame or ensuing danger, did nevertheless in course of time me abate of its o(n accord, in such (ise that it has no( left nought of

itself in my mind but that 'leasure (hich it is (ont to afford to him (ho does not adventure too far out in navigating its dee' seasI so that, (hereas it (as used to be grievous, no(, all discomfort being done a(ay, I find that (hich remains to be delightful! But the cessation of the 'ain has not banished the memory of the )ind offices done me by those (ho shared by sym'athy the burden of my griefsI nor (ill it ever, I believe, 'ass from me exce't by death! 3nd as among the virtues, gratitude is in my judgment most es'ecially to be commended, and ingratitude in eOual measure to be censured, therefore, that I sho( myself not ungrateful, I have resolved, no( that I may call myself to endeavour, in return for (hat I have received, to afford, so far as in me lies, some solace, if not to those (ho succoured and (ho, 'erchance, by reason of their good sense or good fortune, need it not, at least to such as may be a't to receive it!

3nd though my su''ort or comfort, so to say, may be of little avail to the needy, nevertheless it seems to me meet to offer it most readily (here the need is most a''arent, because it (ill there be most serviceable and also most )indly received! +ho (ill deny, that it should be given, for all that it may be (orth, to gentle ladies much rather than to menS +ithin their soft bosoms, bet(ixt fear and shame, they harbour secret fires of love, and ho( much of strength concealment adds to those fires, they )no( (ho have 'roved it! "oreover, restrained by the (ill, the ca'rice, the commandment of fathers, mothers, brothers, and husbands, confined most 'art of their time (ithin the narro( com'ass of their chambers, they live, so to say, a life of vacant ease, and, yearning and renouncing in the same moment, meditate divers matters (hich cannot all be cheerful! If thereby a melancholy bred of

amorous desire ma)e entrance into their minds, it is li)e to tarry there to their sore distress, unless it be dis'elled by a change of ideas! Besides (hich they have much less 'o(er to su''ort such a (eight than men! -or, (hen men are enamoured, their case is very different, as (e may readily 'erceive! They, if they are afflicted by a melancholy and heaviness of mood, have many (ays of relief and diversionI they may go (here they (ill, may hear and see many things, may ha(), hunt, fish, ride, 'lay or traffic! By (hich means all are able to com'ose their minds, either in (hole or in 'art, and re'air the ravage (rought by the dum'ish mood, at least for some s'ace of timeI and shortly after, by one (ay or another, either solace ensues, or the dum's become less grievous! +herefore, in some measure to com'ensate the injustice of -ortune, (hich to those (hose strength is least, as (e see it to be in the delicate frames of ladies, has been most niggard of su''ort, I, for the succour and diversion of such of them as love 7for others may find sufficient solace in the needle and the s'indle and the reel8, do intend to recount one hundred ;ovels or -ables or Parables or /tories, as (e may 'lease to call them, (hich (ere recounted in ten days by an honourable com'any of seven ladies and three young men in the time of the late mortal 'estilence, as also some can:onets sung by the said ladies for their delectation! In (hich 'leasant novels (ill be found some 'assages of love rudely crossed, (ith other courses of events of (hich the issues are felicitous, in times as (ell modern as ancientB from (hich stories the said ladies, (ho shall read them, may derive both 'leasure from the entertaining matters set forth therein, and also good counsel, in that they may learn (hat to shun, and li)e(ise (hat to 'ursue! +hich cannot, I believe, come to 'ass unless the dum's be banished by diversion of mind! 3nd if it so ha''en

7as God grant it may8 let them give than)s to 4ove, (ho, liberating me from his fetters, has given me the 'o(er to devote myself to their gratification!

708 -or -iammetta, i! e! "aria, natural daughter of #obert, Ning of ;a'les!

@@ Beginneth here the first day of the Decameron, in (hich, (hen the author has set forth, ho( it came to 'ass that the 'ersons, (ho a''ear hereafter met together for interchange of discourse, they, under the rule of Pam'inea, discourse of such matters as most commend themselves to each in turn! @@

3s often, most gracious ladies, as I bethin) me, ho( com'assionate you are by nature one and all, I do not disguise from myself that the 'resent (or) must seem to you to have but a heavy and distressful 'relude, in that it bears u'on its very front (hat must needs revive the sorro(ful memory of the late mortal 'estilence, the course (hereof (as grievous not merely to eye@ (itnesses but to all (ho in any other (ise had cognisance of it! But I (ould have you )no(, that you need not therefore be fearful to read further, as if your reading (ere ever to be accom'anied by sighs and tears! This horrid beginning (ill be to you even such as to (ayfarers is a stee' and rugged mountain, beyond (hich stretches a 'lain most fair and delectable, (hich the toil of the ascent and descent does but serve to render more agreeable to themI for, as the last degree of joy brings (ith it sorro(, so misery has ever its seOuel of ha''iness! To this brief exordium of (oe@@brief, I say,

inasmuch as it can be 'ut (ithin the com'ass of a fe( letters@@succeed forth(ith the s(eets and delights (hich I have 'romised you, and (hich, 'erha's, had I not done so, (ere not to have been ex'ected from it! In truth, had it been honestly 'ossible to guide you (hither I (ould bring you by a road less rough than this (ill be, I (ould gladly have so done! But, because (ithout this revie( of the 'ast, it (ould not be in my 'o(er to she( ho( the matters, of (hich you (ill hereafter read, came to 'ass, I am almost bound of necessity to enter u'on it, if I (ould (rite of them at all!

I say, then, that the years of the beatific incarnation of the /on of God had reached the tale of one thousand three hundred and forty@eight (hen in the illustrious city of -lorence, the fairest of all the cities of Italy, there made its a''earance that deadly 'estilence, (hich, (hether disseminated by the influence of the celestial bodies, or sent u'on us mortals by God in .is just (rath by (ay of retribution for our iniOuities, had had its origin some years before in the East, (hence, after destroying an innumerable multitude of living beings, it had 'ro'agated itself (ithout res'ite from 'lace to 'lace, and so, calamitously, had s'read into the +est!

In -lorence, des'ite all that human (isdom and forethought could devise to avert it, as the cleansing of the city from many im'urities by officials a''ointed for the 'ur'ose, the refusal of entrance to all sic) fol), and the ado'tion of many 'recautions for the 'reservation of healthI des'ite also humble su''lications addressed to God, and often re'eated both in 'ublic 'rocession and other(ise, by the devoutI to(ards the beginning of the s'ring of the said year the doleful effects of the 'estilence began to be horribly

a''arent by sym'toms that she(ed as if miraculous!

;ot such (ere they as in the East, (here an issue of blood from the nose (as a manifest sign of inevitable deathI but in men and (omen ali)e it first betrayed itself by the emergence of certain tumours in the groin or the arm'its, some of (hich gre( as large as a common a''le, others as an egg, some more, some less, (hich the common fol) called gavoccioli! -rom the t(o said 'arts of the body this deadly gavocciolo soon began to 'ro'agate and s'read itself in all directions indifferentlyI after (hich the form of the malady began to change, blac) s'ots or livid ma)ing their a''earance in many cases on the arm or the thigh or else(here, no( fe( and large, no( minute and numerous! 3nd as the gavocciolo had been and still (as an infallible to)en of a''roaching death, such also (ere these s'ots on (homsoever they she(ed themselves! +hich maladies seemed to set entirely at naught both the art of the 'hysician and the virtues of 'hysicI indeed, (hether it (as that the disorder (as of a nature to defy such treatment, or that the 'hysicians (ere at fault@@besides the Oualified there (as no( a multitude both of men and of (omen (ho 'ractised (ithout having received the slightest tincture of medical science@@and, being in ignorance of its source, failed to a''ly the 'ro'er remediesI in either case, not merely (ere those that recovered fe(, but almost all (ithin three days from the a''earance of the said sym'toms, sooner or later, died, and in most cases (ithout any fever or other attendant malady!

"oreover, the virulence of the 'est (as the greater by reason that intercourse (as a't to convey it from the sic) to the (hole, just as fire

devours things dry or greasy (hen they are brought close to it! ;ay, the evil (ent yet further, for not merely by s'eech or association (ith the sic) (as the malady communicated to the healthy (ith conseOuent 'eril of common deathI but any that touched the cloth of the sic) or aught else that had been touched or used by them, seemed thereby to contract the disease!

/o marvellous sounds that (hich I have no( to relate, that, had not many, and I among them, observed it (ith their o(n eyes, I had hardly dared to credit it, much less to set it do(n in (riting, though I had had it from the li's of a credible (itness!

I say, then, that such (as the energy of the contagion of the said 'estilence, that it (as not merely 'ro'agated from man to man but, (hat is much more startling, it (as freOuently observed, that things (hich had belonged to one sic) or dead of the disease, if touched by some other living creature, not of the human s'ecies, (ere the occasion, not merely of sic)ening, but of an almost instantaneous death! +hereof my o(n eyes 7as I said a little before8 had cognisance, one day among others, by the follo(ing ex'erience! The rags of a 'oor man (ho had died of the disease being stre(n about the o'en street, t(o hogs came thither, and after, as is their (ont, no little trifling (ith their snouts, too) the rags bet(een their teeth and tossed them to and fro about their cha'sI (hereu'on, almost immediately, they gave a fe( turns, and fell do(n dead, as if by 'oison, u'on the rags (hich in an evil hour they had disturbed!

In (hich circumstances, not to s'ea) of many others of a similar or even

graver com'lexion, divers a''rehensions and imaginations (ere engendered in the minds of such as (ere left alive, inclining almost all of them to the same harsh resolution, to (it, to shun and abhor all contact (ith the sic) and all that belonged to them, thin)ing thereby to ma)e each his o(n health secure! 3mong (hom there (ere those (ho thought that to live tem'erately and avoid all excess (ould count for much as a 'reservative against sei:ures of this )ind! +herefore they banded together, and, dissociating themselves from all others, formed communities in houses (here there (ere no sic), and lived a se'arate and secluded life, (hich they regulated (ith the utmost care, avoiding every )ind of luxury, but eating and drin)ing very moderately of the most delicate viands and the finest (ines, holding converse (ith none but one another, lest tidings of sic)ness or death should reach them, and diverting their minds (ith music and such other delights as they could devise! Gthers, the bias of (hose minds (as in the o''osite direction, maintained, that to drin) freely, freOuent 'laces of 'ublic resort, and ta)e their 'leasure (ith song and revel, s'aring to satisfy no a''etite, and to laugh and moc) at no event, (as the sovereign remedy for so great an evilB and that (hich they affirmed they also 'ut in 'ractice, so far as they (ere able, resorting day and night, no( to this tavern, no( to that, drin)ing (ith an entire disregard of rule or measure, and by 'reference ma)ing the houses of others, as it (ere, their inns, if they but sa( in them aught that (as 'articularly to their taste or li)ingI (hich they (ere readily able to do, because the o(ners, seeing death imminent, had become as rec)less of their 'ro'erty as of their livesI so that most of the houses (ere o'en to all comers, and no distinction (as observed bet(een the stranger (ho 'resented himself and the rightful lord! Thus, adhering ever to their

inhuman determination to shun the sic), as far as 'ossible, they ordered their life! In this extremity of our cityMs suffering and tribulation the venerable authority of la(s, human and divine, (as abased and all but totally dissolved, for lac) of those (ho should have administered and enforced them, most of (hom, li)e the rest of the citi:ens, (ere either dead or sic), or so hard bested for servants that they (ere unable to execute any officeI (hereby every man (as free to do (hat (as right in his o(n eyes!

;ot a fe( there (ere (ho belonged to neither of the t(o said 'arties, but )e't a middle course bet(een them, neither laying the same restraint u'on their diet as the former, nor allo(ing themselves the same license in drin)ing and other dissi'ations as the latter, but living (ith a degree of freedom sufficient to satisfy their a''etites, and not as recluses! They therefore (al)ed abroad, carrying in their hands flo(ers or fragrant herbs or divers sorts of s'ices, (hich they freOuently raised to their noses, deeming it an excellent thing thus to comfort the brain (ith such 'erfumes, because the air seemed to be every(here laden and ree)ing (ith the stench emitted by the dead and the dying and the odours of drugs!

/ome again, the most sound, 'erha's, in judgment, as they (e also the most harsh in tem'er, of all, affirmed that there (as no medicine for the disease su'erior or eOual in efficacy to flightI follo(ing (hich 'rescri'tion a multitude of men and (omen, negligent of all but themselves, deserted their city, their houses, their estate, their )insfol), their goods, and (ent into voluntary exile, or migrated to the country 'arts, as if God in visiting men (ith this 'estilence in reOuital of their iniOuities (ould not 'ursue them

(ith .is (rath, (herever they might be, but intended the destruction of such alone as remained (ithin the circuit of the (alls of the cityI or deeming, 'erchance, that it (as no( time for all to flee from it, and that its last hour (as come!

Gf the adherents of these divers o'inions not all died, neither did all esca'eI but rather there (ere, of each sort and in every 'lace, many that sic)ened, and by those (ho retained their health (ere treated after the exam'le (hich they themselves, (hile (hole, had set, being every(here left to languish in almost total neglect! Tedious (ere it to recount, ho( citi:en avoided citi:en, ho( among neighbours (as scarce found any that she(ed fello(@feeling for another, ho( )insfol) held aloof, and never met, or but rarelyI enough that this sore affliction entered so dee' into the minds of men and (omen, that in the horror thereof brother (as forsa)en by brother, ne'he( by uncle, brother by sister, and oftentimes husband by (ifeI nay, (hat is more, and scarcely to be believed, fathers and mothers (ere found to abandon their o(n children, untended, unvisited, to their fate, as if they had been strangers! +herefore the sic) of both sexes, (hose number could not be estimated, (ere left (ithout resource but in the charity of friends 7and fe( such there (ere8, or the interest of servants, (ho (ere hardly to be had at high rates and on unseemly terms, and being, moreover, one and all men and (omen of gross understanding, and for the most 'art unused to such offices, concerned themselves no farther than to su''ly the immediate and ex'ressed (ants of the sic), and to (atch them dieI in (hich service they themselves not seldom 'erished (ith their gains! In conseOuence of (hich dearth of servants and dereliction of the sic) by neighbours, )insfol) and

friends, it came to 'ass@@a thing, 'erha's, never before heard of that no (oman, ho(ever dainty, fair or (ell@born she might be, shran), (hen stric)en (ith the disease, from the ministrations of a man, no matter (hether he (ere young or no, or scru'led to ex'ose to him every 'art of her body, (ith no more shame than if he had been a (oman, submitting of necessity to that (hich her malady reOuiredI (herefrom, 'erchance, there resulted in after time some loss of modesty in such as recovered! Besides (hich many succumbed, (ho (ith 'ro'er attendance, (ould, 'erha's, have esca'ed deathI so that, (hat (ith the virulence of the 'lague and the lac) of due tendance of the sic), the multitude of the deaths, that daily and nightly too) 'lace in the city, (as such that those (ho heard the tale@@not to say (itnessed the fact@@(ere struc) dumb (ith ama:ement! +hereby, 'ractices contrary to the former habits of the citi:ens could hardly fail to gro( u' among the survivors!

It had been, as to@day it still is, the custom for the (omen that (ere neighbours and of )in to the deceased to gather in his house (ith the (omen that (ere most closely connected (ith him, to (ail (ith them in common, (hile on the other hand his male )insfol) and neighbours, (ith not a fe( of the other citi:ens, and a due 'ro'ortion of the clergy according to his Ouality, assembled (ithout, in front of the house, to receive the cor'seI and so the dead man (as borne on the shoulders of his 'eers, (ith funeral 'om' of ta'er and dirge, to the church selected by him before his death! +hich rites, as the 'estilence (axed in fury, (ere either in (hole or in great 'art disused, and gave (ay to others of a novel order! -or not only did no cro(d of (omen surround the bed of the dying, but many 'assed from

this life unregarded, and fe( indeed (ere they to (hom (ere accorded the lamentations and bitter tears of sorro(ing relationsI nay, for the most 'art, their 'lace (as ta)en by the laugh, the jest, the festal gatheringI observances (hich the (omen, domestic 'iety in large measure set aside, had ado'ted (ith very great advantage to their health! -e( also there (ere (hose bodies (ere attended to the church by more than ten or t(elve of their neighbours, and those not the honourable and res'ected citi:ensI but a sort of cor'se@carriers dra(n from the baser ran)s (ho called themselves becchini 708 and 'erformed such offices for hire, (ould shoulder the bier, and (ith hurried ste's carry it, not to the church of the dead manMs choice, but to that (hich (as nearest at hand, (ith four or six 'riests in front and a candle or t(o, or, 'erha's, noneI nor did the 'riests distress themselves (ith too long and solemn an office, but (ith the aid of the becchini hastily consigned the cor'se to the first tomb (hich they found untenanted! The condition of lo(er, and, 'erha's, in great measure of the middle ran)s, of the 'eo'le she(ed even (orse and more de'lorableI for, deluded by ho'e or constrained by 'overty, they stayed in their Ouarters, in their houses, (here they sic)ened by thousands a day, and, being (ithout service or hel' of any )ind, (ere, so to s'ea), irredeemably devoted to the death (hich overtoo) them! "any died daily or nightly in the 'ublic streetsI of many others, (ho died at home, the de'arture (as hardly observed by their neighbours, until the stench of their 'utrefying bodies carried the tidingsI and (hat (ith their cor'ses and the cor'ses of others (ho died on every hand the (hole 'lace (as a se'ulchre!

It (as the common 'ractice of most of the neighbours, moved no less by fear

of contamination by the 'utrefying bodies than by charity to(ards the deceased, to drag the cor'ses out of the houses (ith their o(n hands, aided, 'erha's, by a 'orter, if a 'orter (as to be had, and to lay them in front of the doors, (here any one (ho made the round might have seen, es'ecially in the morning, more of them than he could countI after(ards they (ould have biers brought u', or, in default, 'lan)s, (hereon they laid them! ;or (as it once or t(ice only that one and the same bier carried t(o or three cor'ses at onceI but Ouite a considerable number of such cases occurred, one bier sufficing for husband and (ife, t(o or three brothers, father and son, and so forth! 3nd times (ithout number it ha''ened, that, as t(o 'riests, bearing the cross, (ere on their (ay to 'erform the last office for some one, three or four biers (ere brought u' by the 'orters in rear of them, so that, (hereas the 'riests su''osed that they had but one cor'se to bury, they discovered that there (ere six or eight, or sometimes more! ;or, for all their number, (ere their obseOuies honoured by either tears or lights or cro(ds of mournersI rather, it (as come to this, that a dead man (as then of no more account than a dead goat (ould be to@day! -rom all (hich it is abundantly manifest, that that lesson of 'atient resignation, (hich the sages (ere never able to learn from the slight and infreOuent misha's (hich occur in the natural course of events, (as no( brought home even to the minds of the sim'le by the magnitude of their disasters, so that they became indifferent to them!

3s consecrated ground there (as not in extent sufficient to 'rovide tombs for the vast multitude of cor'ses (hich day and night, and almost every hour, (ere brought in eager haste to the churches for interment, least of

all, if ancient custom (ere to be observed and a se'arate resting@'lace assigned to each, they dug, for each graveyard, as soon as it (as full, a huge trench, in (hich they laid the cor'ses as they arrived by hundreds at a time, 'iling them u' as merchandise is sto(ed in the hold of a shi', tier u'on tier, each covered (ith a little earth, until the trench (ould hold no more! But I s'are to rehearse (ith minute 'articularity each of the (oes that came u'on our city, and say in brief, that, harsh as (as the tenor of her fortunes, the surrounding country )ne( no mitigation, for there@@not to s'ea) of the castles, each, as it (ere, a little city in itself@@in seOuestered village, or on the o'en cham'aign, by the (ayside, on the farm, in the homestead, the 'oor ha'less husbandmen and their families, forlorn of 'hysiciansM care or servantsM tendance, 'erished day and night ali)e, not as men, but rather as beasts! +herefore, they too, li)e the citi:ens, abandoned all rule of life, all habit of industry, all counsel of 'rudenceI nay, one and all, as if ex'ecting each day to be their last, not merely ceased to aid ;ature to yield her fruit in due season of their beasts and their lands and their 'ast labours, but left no means unused, (hich ingenuity could devise, to (aste their accumulated storeI denying shelter to their oxen, asses, shee', goats, 'igs, fo(ls, nay, even to their dogs, manMs most faithful com'anions, and driving them out into the fields to roam at large amid the unsheaved, nay, unrea'ed corn! "any of (hich, as if endo(ed (ith reason, too) their fill during the day, and returned home at night (ithout any guidance of herdsman! But enough of the country* +hat need (e add, but 7reverting to the city8 that such and so grievous (as the harshness of heaven, and 'erha's in some degree of man, that, (hat (ith the fury of the 'estilence, the 'anic of those (hom it s'ared, and their conseOuent neglect

or desertion of not a fe( of the stric)en in their need, it is believed (ithout any manner of doubt, that bet(een "arch and the ensuing uly u'(ards of a hundred thousand human beings lost their lives (ithin the (alls of the city of -lorence, (hich before the deadly visitation (ould not have been su''osed to contain so many 'eo'le* .o( many grand 'alaces, ho( many stately homes, ho( many s'lendid residences, once full of retainers, of lords, of ladies, (ere no( left desolate of all, even to the meanest servant* .o( many families of historic fame, of vast ancestral domains, and (ealth 'roverbial, found no( no scion to continue the succession* .o( many brave men, ho( many fair ladies, ho( many gallant youths, (hom any 'hysician, (ere he Galen, .i''ocrates, or 3escula'ius himself, (ould have 'ronounced in the soundest of health, bro)e fast (ith their )insfol), comrades and friends in the morning, and (hen evening came, su''ed (ith their forefathers in the other (orld!

Ir)some it is to myself to rehearse in detail so sorro(ful a history! +herefore, being minded to 'ass over so much thereof as I fairly can, I say, that our city, being thus (ell@nigh de'o'ulated, it so ha''ened, as I after(ards learned from one (orthy of credit, that on a Tuesday morning after Divine /ervice the venerable church of /anta "aria ;ovella (as almost deserted save for the 'resence of seven young ladies habited sadly in )ee'ing (ith the season! 3ll (ere connected either by blood or at least as friends or neighbours and fair and of good understanding (ere they all, as also of noble birth, gentle manners, and a modest s'rightliness! In age none exceeded t(enty@eight, or fell short of eighteen years! Their names I (ould set do(n in due form, had I not good reason to (ith hold them, being

solicitous lest the matters (hich here ensue, as told and heard by them, should in after time be occasion of re'roach to any of them, in vie( of the am'le indulgence (hich (as then, for the reasons heretofore set forth, accorded to the lighter hours of 'ersons of much ri'er years than they, but (hich the manners of to@day have some(hat restrictedI nor (ould I furnish material to detractors, ever ready to besto( their bite (here 'raise is due, to cast by invidious s'eech the least slur u'on the honour of these noble ladies! +herefore, that (hat each says may be a''rehended (ithout confusion, I intend to give them names more or less a''ro'riate to the character of each! The first, then, being the eldest of the seven, (e (ill call Pam'inea, the second -iammetta, the third -ilomena, the fourth Emilia, the fifth (e (ill distinguish as 4auretta, the sixth as ;eifile, and the last, not (ithout reason, shall be named Elisa!

MT(as not of set 'ur'ose but by mere chance that these ladies met in the same 'art of the churchI but at length grou'ing themselves into a sort of circle, after heaving a fe( sighs, they gave u' saying 'aternosters, and began to converse 7among other to'ics8 on the times!

/o they continued for a(hile, and then Pam'inea, the rest listening in silent attention, thus beganB@@TDear ladies mine, often have I heard it said, and you doubtless as (ell as I, that (rong is done to none by (hoso but honestly uses his reason! 3nd to fortify, 'reserve, and defend his life to the utmost of his 'o(er is the dictate of natural reason in everyone that is born! +hich right is accorded in such measure that in defence thereof men have been held blameless in ta)ing life! 3nd if this be allo(ed by the la(s,

albeit on their stringency de'ends the (ell@being of every mortal, ho( much more exem't from censure should (e, and all other honest fol), be in ta)ing such means as (e may for the 'reservation of our lifeS 3s often as I bethin) me ho( (e have been occu'ied this morning, and not this morning only, and (hat has been the tenor of our conversation, I 'erceive@@and you (ill readily do the li)e@@that each of us is a''rehensive on her o(n accountI nor thereat do I marvel, but at this I do marvel greatly, that, though none of us lac)s a (omanMs (it, yet none of us has recourse to any means to avert that (hich (e all justly fear! .ere (e tarry, as if, methin)s, for no other 'ur'ose than to bear (itness to the number of the cor'ses that are brought hither for interment, or to hear)en if the brothers there (ithin, (hose number is no( almost reduced to nought, chant their offices at the canonical hours, or, by our (eeds of (oe, to obtrude on the attention of every one that enters, the nature and degree of our sufferings!

T3nd if (e Ouit the church, (e see dead or sic) fol) carried about, or (e see those, (ho for their crimes (ere of late condemned to exile by the outraged majesty of the 'ublic la(s, but (ho no(, in contem't of those la(s, (ell )no(ing that their ministers are a 'rey to death or disease, have returned, and traverse the city in 'ac)s, ma)ing it hideous (ith their riotous anticsI or else (e see the refuse of the 'eo'le, fostered on our blood, becchini, as they call themselves, (ho for our torment go 'rancing about here and there and every(here, ma)ing moc) of our miseries in scurrilous songs! ;or hear (e aught butB@@/uch and such are deadI or, /uch and such art dyingI and should hear dolorous (ailing on every hand, (ere there but any to (ail! Gr go (e home, (hat see (e thereS I )no( not if you

are in li)e case (ith meI but there, (here once (ere servants in 'lenty, I find none left but my maid, and shudder (ith terror, and feel the very hairs of my head to stand on endI and turn or tarry (here I may, I encounter the ghosts of the de'arted, not (ith their (onted mien, but (ith something horrible in their as'ect that a''als me! -or (hich reasons church and street and home are ali)e distressful to me, and the more so that none, methin)s, having means and 'lace of retirement as (e have, abides here save only (eI or if any such there be, they are of those, as my senses too often have borne (itness, (ho ma)e no distinction bet(een things honourable and their o''osites, so they but ans(er the cravings of a''etite, and, alone or in com'any, do daily and nightly (hat things soever give 'romise of most gratification! ;or are these secular 'ersons aloneI but such as live recluse in monasteries brea) their rule, and give themselves u' to carnal 'leasures, 'ersuading themselves that they are 'ermissible to them, and only forbidden to others, and, thereby thin)ing to esca'e, are become unchaste and dissolute! If such be our circumstances@@and such most manifestly they are@@(hat do (e hereS (hat (ait (e forS (hat dream (e ofS (hy are (e less 'rom't to 'rovide for our o(n safety than the rest of the citi:ensS Is life less dear to us than to all other (omenS or thin) (e that the bond, (hich unites soul and body is stronger in us than in others, so that there is no blo( that may light u'on it, of (hich (e need be a''rehensiveS If so, (e err, (e are deceived! +hat insensate folly (ere it in us so to believe* +e have but to call to mind the number and condition of those, young as (e, and of both sexes, (ho have succumbed to this cruel 'estilence, to find therein conclusive evidence to the contrary! 3nd lest from lethargy or indolence (e fall into the vain imagination that by some luc)y accident (e may in some

(ay or another, (hen (e (ould, esca'e@@I )no( not if your o'inion accord (ith mine@@I should deem it most (ise in us, our case being (hat it is, if, as many others have done before us, and are still doing, (e (ere to Ouit this 'lace, and, shunning li)e death the evil exam'le of others, beta)e ourselves to the country, and there live as honourable (omen on one of the estates, of (hich none of us has any lac), (ith all cheer of festal gathering and other delights, so long as in no 'articular (e overste' the bounds of reason! There (e shall hear the chant of birds, have sight of verdant hills and 'lains, of cornfields undulating li)e the sea, of trees of a thousand sortsI there also (e shall have a larger vie( of the heavens, (hich, ho(ever harsh to us(ard yet deny not their eternal beautyI things fairer far for eye to rest on than the desolate (alls of our city! "oreover, (e shall there breathe a fresher air, find am'ler store of things meet for such as live in these times, have fe(er causes of annoy! -or, though the husbandmen die there, even as here the citi:ens, they are dis'ersed in scattered homesteads, and Mtis thus less 'ainful to (itness! ;or, so far as I can see, is there a soul here (hom (e shall desertI rather (e may truly say, that (e are ourselves desertedI for, our )insfol) being either dead or fled in fear of death, no more regardful of us than if (e (ere strangers, (e are left alone in our great affliction! ;o censure, then, can fall on us if (e do as I 'ro'oseI and other(ise grievous suffering, 'erha's death, may ensue! +herefore, if you agree, Mtis my advice, that, attended by our maids (ith all things needful, (e sojourn, no( on this, no( on the other estate, and in such (ay of life continue, until (e see@@if death should not first overta)e us@@the end (hich .eaven reserves for these events! 3nd I remind you that it (ill be at least as seemly in us to leave (ith honour, as in

others, of (hom there are not a fe(, to stay (ith dishonour!T

The other ladies 'raised Pam'ineaMs 'lan, and indeed (ere so 'rom't to follo( it, that they had already begun to discuss the manner in some detail, as if they (ere forth(ith to rise from their seats and ta)e the road, (hen -ilomena, (hose judgment (as excellent, inter'osed, sayingB@@T4adies, though Pam'inea has s'o)en to most excellent effect, yet it (ere not (ell to be so 'reci'itate as you seem dis'osed to be! Bethin) you that (e are all (omenI nor is there any here so young, but she is of years to understand ho( (omen are minded to(ards one another, (hen they are alone together, and ho( ill they are able to rule themselves (ithout the guidance of some man! +e are sensitive, 'erverse, sus'icious, 'usillanimous and timidI (herefore I much misdoubt, that, if (e find no other guidance than our o(n, this com'any is li)e to brea) u' sooner, and (ith less credit to us, than it should! 3gainst (hich it (ere (ell to 'rovide at the outset!T /aid then ElisaB@@T+ithout doubt man is (omanMs head, and, (ithout manMs governance, it is seldom that aught that (e do is brought to a commendable conclusion! But ho( are (e to come by the menS Every one of us here )no(s that her )insmen are for the most 'art dead, and that the survivors are dis'ersed, one here, one there, (e )no( not (here, bent each on esca'ing the same fate as ourselvesI nor (ere it seemly to see) the aid of strangersI for, as (e are in Ouest of health, (e must find some means so to order matters that, (herever (e see) diversion or re'ose, trouble and scandal do not follo( us!T

+hile the ladies (ere thus conversing, there came into the church three young men, young, I say, but not so young that the age of the youngest (as

less than t(enty@five yearsI in (hom neither the sinister course of events, nor the loss of friends or )insfol), nor fear for their o(n safety, had availed to Ouench, or even tem'er, the ardour of their love! The first (as called Pamfilo, the second -ilostrato, and the third Dioneo! Very debonair and chivalrous (ere they allI and in this troublous time they (ere see)ing if ha'ly, to their exceeding great solace, they might have sight of their fair friends, all three of (hom chanced to be among the said seven ladies, besides some that (ere of )in to the young men! 3t one and the same moment they recognised the ladies and (ere recognised by themB (herefore, (ith a gracious smile, Pam'inea thus beganB@@T4o, fortune is 'ro'itious to our enter'rise, having vouchsafed us the good offices of these young men, (ho are as gallant as they are discreet, and (ill gladly give us their guidance and escort, so (e but ta)e them into our service!T +hereu'on ;eifile, crimson from bro( to nec) (ith the blush of modesty, being one of those that had a lover among the young men, saidB@@T-or GodMs sa)e, Pam'inea, have a care (hat you say! +ell assured am I that nought but good can be said of any of them, and I deem them fit for office far more onerous than this (hich you 'ro'ose for them, and their good and honourable com'any (orthy of ladies fairer by far and more tenderly to be cherished than such as (e! But Mtis no secret that they love some of us hereI (herefore I misdoubt that, if (e ta)e them (ith us, (e may thereby give occasion for scandal and censure merited neither by us nor by them!T TThat,T said -ilomena, Tis of no conseOuenceI so I but live honestly, my conscience gives me no disOuietudeI if others as'erse me, God and the truth (ill ta)e arms in my defence! ;o(, should they be dis'osed to attend us, of a truth (e might say (ith Pam'inea, that fortune favours our enter'rise!T The silence (hich follo(ed beto)ened

consent on the 'art of the other ladies, (ho then (ith one accord resolved to call the young men, and acOuaint them (ith their 'ur'ose, and 'ray them to be of their com'any! /o (ithout further 'arley Pam'inea, (ho had a )insman among the young men, rose and a''roached them (here they stood intently regarding themI and greeting them gaily, she o'ened to them their 'lan, and besought them on the 'art of herself and her friends to join their com'any on terms of honourable and fraternal comradeshi'! 3t first the young men thought she did but trifle (ith themI but (hen they sa( that she (as in earnest, they ans(ered (ith alacrity that they (ere ready, and 'rom'tly, even before they left the church, set matters in train for their de'arture! /o all things meet being first sent for(ard in due order to their intended 'lace of sojourn, the ladies (ith some of their maids, and the three young men, each attended by a man@servant, sallied forth of the city on the morro(, being +ednesday, about daybrea), and too) the roadI nor had they journeyed more than t(o short miles (hen they arrived at their destination! The estate 7A8 lay u'on a little hill some distance from the nearest high(ay, and, embo(ered in shrubberies of divers hues, and other greenery, afforded the eye a 'leasant 'ros'ect! Gn the summit of the hill (as a 'alace (ith galleries, halls and chambers, dis'osed around a fair and s'acious court, each very fair in itself, and the goodlier to see for the gladsome 'ictures (ith (hich it (as adornedI the (hole set amidst meads and gardens laid out (ith marvellous art, (ells of the coolest (ater, and vaults of the finest (ines, things more suited to dainty drin)ers than to sober and honourable (omen! Gn their arrival the com'any, to their no small delight, found their beds already made, the rooms (ell s(e't and garnished (ith flo(ers of every sort that the season could afford, and the floors car'eted

(ith rushes! +hen they (ere seated, Dioneo, a gallant (ho had not his match for courtesy and (it, s'o)e thusB@@T"y ladies, Mtis not our forethought so much as your o(n mother@(it that has guided us hither! .o( you mean to dis'ose of your cares I )no( notI mine I left behind me (ithin the city@gate (hen I issued thence (ith you a brief (hile ago! +herefore, I 'ray you, either address yourselves to ma)e merry, to laugh and sing (ith me 7so far, I mean, as may consist (ith your dignity8, or give me leave to hie me bac) to the stric)en city, there to abide (ith my cares!T To (hom blithely Pam'inea re'lied, as if she too had cast off all her caresB@@T+ell sayest thou, Dioneo, excellent (ellI gaily (e mean to liveI Mt(as a refuge from sorro( that here (e sought, nor had (e other cause to come hither! But, as no anarchy can long endure, I (ho initiated the deliberations of (hich this fair com'any is the fruit, do no(, to the end that our joy may be lasting, deem it ex'edient, that there be one among us in chief authority, honoured and obeyed by us as our su'erior, (hose exclusive care it shall be to devise ho( (e may 'ass our time blithely! 3nd that each in turn may 'rove the (eight of the care, as (ell as enjoy the 'leasure, of sovereignty, and, no distinction being made of sex, envy be felt by none by reason of exclusion from the officeI I 'ro'ose, that the (eight and honour be borne by each one for a dayI and let the first to bear s(ay be chosen by us all, those that follo( to be a''ointed to(ards the ves'er hour by him or her (ho shall have had the signory for that dayI and let each holder of the signory be, for the time, sole arbiter of the 'lace and manner in (hich (e are to 'ass our time!T

Pam'ineaMs s'eech (as received (ith the utmost a''lause, and (ith one accord

she (as chosen Oueen for the first day! +hereu'on -ilomena hied her lightly to a bay@tree, having often heard of the great honour in (hich its leaves, and such as (ere deservedly cro(ned there(ith, (ere (orthy to be holdenI and having gathered a fe( s'rays, she made thereof a goodly (reath of honour, and set it on Pam'ineaMs headI (hich (reath (as thenceforth, (hile their com'any endured, the visible sign of the (earerMs s(ay and sovereignty!

;o sooner (as Uueen Pam'inea cro(ned than she bade all be silent! /he then caused summon to her 'resence their four maids, and the servants of the three young men, and, all )ee'ing silence, said to themB@@TThat I may she( you all at once, ho(, (ell still giving 'lace to better, our com'any may flourish and endure, as long as it shall 'leasure us, (ith order meet and assured delight and (ithout re'roach, I first of all constitute DioneoMs man, Parmeno, my seneschal, and entrust him (ith the care and control of all our household, and all that belongs to the service of the hall! PamfiloMs man, /irisco, I a''oint treasurer and chancellor of our excheOuerI and be he ever ans(erable to Parmeno! +hile Parmeno and /irisco are too busy about their duties to serve their masters, let -ilostratoMs man, Tindaro, have charge of the chambers of all three! "y maid, "isia, and -ilomenaMs maid, 4icisca, (ill )ee' in the )itchen, and (ith all due diligence 're'are such dishes as Parmeno shall bid them! 4aurettaMs maid, &himera, and -iammettaMs maid, /tratilia (e ma)e ans(erable for the ladiesM chambers, and (herever (e may ta)e u' our Ouarters, let them see that all is s'otless! 3nd no( (e enjoin you, one and all ali)e, as you value our favour, that none of you, go (here you may, return (hence you may, hear or see (hat you may, bring us any tidings but such as be cheerful!T These orders thus succinctly given (ere

received (ith universal a''roval! +hereu'on Pam'inea rose, and said gailyB@@T.ere are gardens, meads, and other 'laces delightsome enough, (here you may (ander at (ill, and ta)e your 'leasureI but on the stro)e of tierce, 798 let all be here to brea)fast in the shade!T

Thus dismissed by their ne( Oueen the gay com'any sauntered gently through a garden, the young men saying s(eet things to the fair ladies, (ho (ove fair garlands of divers sorts of leaves and sang love@songs!

.aving thus s'ent the time allo(ed them by the Oueen, they returned to the house, (here they found that Parmeno had entered on his office (ith :ealI for in a hall on the ground@floor they sa( tables covered (ith the (hitest of cloths, and bea)ers that shone li)e silver, and s'rays of broom scattered every(here! /o, at the bidding of the Oueen, they (ashed their hands, and all too) their 'laces as marshalled by Parmeno! Dishes, daintily 're'ared, (ere served, and the finest (ines (ere at handI the three serving@men did their office noiselesslyI in a (ord all (as fair and ordered in a seemly mannerI (hereby the s'irits of the com'any rose, and they seasoned their viands (ith 'leasant jests and s'rightly sallies! Brea)fast done, the tables (ere removed, and the Oueen bade fetch instruments of musicI for all, ladies and young men ali)e, )ne( ho( to tread a measure, and some of them 'layed and sang (ith great s)illB so, at her command, Dioneo having ta)en a lute, and -iammetta a viol, they struc) u' a dance in s(eet concertI and, the servants being dismissed to their re'ast, the Oueen, attended by the other ladies and the t(o young men, led off a stately carolI (hich ended they fell to singing ditties dainty and gay! Thus they diverted themselves until the

Oueen, deeming it time to retire to rest, dismissed them all for the night! /o the three young men and the ladies (ithdre( to their several Ouarters, (hich (ere in different 'arts of the 'alace! There they found the beds (ell made, and abundance of flo(ers, as in the hallI and so they undressed, and (ent to bed!

/hortly after none 7?8 the Oueen rose, and roused the rest of the ladies, as also the young men, averring that it (as injurious to health to slee' long in the daytime! They therefore hied them to a meado(, (here the grass gre( green and luxuriant, being no(here scorched by the sun, and a light bree:e gently fanned them! /o at the OueenMs command they all ranged themselves in a circle on the grass, and hear)ened (hile she thus s'o)eB@@

TCou mar) that the sun is high, the heat intense, and the silence unbro)en save by the cicalas among the olive@trees! It (ere therefore the height of folly to Ouit this s'ot at 'resent! .ere the air is cool and the 'ros'ect fair, and here, observe, are dice and chess! Ta)e, then, your 'leasure as you may be severally mindedI but, if you ta)e my advice, you (ill find 'astime for the hot hours before us, not in 'lay, in (hich the loser must needs be vexed, and neither the (inner nor the onloo)er much the better 'leased, but in telling of stories, in (hich the invention of one may afford solace to all the com'any of his hearers! Cou (ill not each have told a story before the sun (ill be lo(, and the heat abated, so that (e shall be able to go and severally ta)e our 'leasure (here it may seem best to each! +herefore, if my 'ro'osal meet (ith your a''roval@@for in this I am dis'osed to consult your 'leasure@@let us ado't itI if not, divert yourselves as best

you may, until the ves'er hour!T

The OueenMs 'ro'osal being a''roved by all, ladies and men ali)e, she addedB@@T/o 'lease you, then, I ordain, that, for this first day, (e be free to discourse of such matters as most commend themselves, to each in turn!T /he then addressed Pamfilo, (ho sat on her right hand, bidding him (ith a gracious air to lead off (ith one of his stories! 3nd 'rom't at the (ord of command, Pamfilo, (hile all listened intently, thus beganB@@

708 Probably from the name of the 'ronged or hoo)ed im'lement (ith (hich they dragged the cor'ses out of the houses!

7A8 Identified by tradition (ith the Villa Palmieri 7no( &ra(ford8 on the slo'e of -iesole!

798 The canonical hour follo(ing 'rime, roughly s'ea)ing about 1 a!m!

7?8 The canonical hour follo(ing sext, i!e! 9 '!m!

;GVE4 I!

@@ /er &ia''elletto cheats a holy friar by a false confession, and diesI and, having lived as a very bad man, is, on his death, re'uted a saint, and called /an &ia''elletto!

@@

3 seemly thing it is, dearest ladies, that (hatever (e do, it be begun in the holy and a(ful name of .im (ho (as the ma)er of all! +herefore, as it falls to me to lead the (ay in this your enter'rise of story telling, I intend to begin (ith one of .is (ondrous (or)s, that, by hearing thereof, our ho'es in .im, in (hom is no change, may be established, and .is name be by us forever lauded! MTis manifest that, as things tem'oral are all doomed to 'ass and 'erish, so (ithin and (ithout they abound (ith trouble and anguish and travail, and are subject to infinite 'erilsI nor, save for the es'ecial grace of God, should (e, (hose being is bound u' (ith and forms 'art of theirs, have either the strength to endure or the (isdom to combat their adverse influences! By (hich grace (e are visited and 'enetrated 7so (e must believe8 not by reason of any merit of our o(n, but solely out of the fulness of GodMs o(n goodness, and in ans(er to the 'rayers of those (ho, being mortal li)e ourselves, did faithfully observe .is ordinances during their lives, and are no( become blessed for ever (ith .im in heaven! To (hom, as to advocates taught by ex'erience all that belongs to our frailty, (e, not daring, 'erchance, to 'resent our 'etitions in the 'resence of so great a judge, ma)e )no(n our reOuests for such things as (e deem ex'edient for us! 3nd of .is mercy richly abounding to us(ard (e have further 'roof herein, that, no )eenness of mortal vision being able in any degree to 'enetrate the secret counsels of the Divine mind, it sometimes, 'erchance, ha''ens, that, in error of judgment, (e ma)e one our advocate before .is "ajesty, (ho is banished from .is 'resence in eternal exile, and yet .e to (hom nothing is hidden, having regard rather to the sincerity of

our 'rayers than to our ignorance or the banishment of the intercessor, hears us no less than if the intercessor (ere in truth one of the blest (ho enjoy the light of .is countenance! +hich the story that I am about to relate may serve to ma)e a''arentI a''arent, I mean, according to the standard or the judgment of man, not of God!

The story goes, then, that "usciatto -ran:esi, a great and (ealthy merchant, being made a )night in -rance, and being to attend &harles /ansterre, brother of the Ning of -rance, (hen he came into Tuscany at the instance and (ith the su''ort of Po'e Boniface, found his affairs, as often ha''ens to merchants, to be much involved in divers Ouarters, and neither easily nor suddenly to be adjustedI (herefore he determined to 'lace them in the hands of commissioners, and found no difficulty exce't as to certain credits given to some Burgundians, for the recovery of (hich he doubted (hether he could come by a com'etent agentI for (ell he )ne( that the Burgundians (ere violent men and ill@conditioned and faithlessI nor could he call to mind any man so bad that he could (ith confidence o''ose his guile to theirs! 3fter long 'ondering the matter, he recollected one /er &ia''erello da Prato, (ho much freOuented his house in Paris! +ho being short of stature and very affected, the -rench (ho )ne( not the meaning of &e''arello, 708 but su''osed that it meant the same as &a''ello, i! e! garland, in their vernacular, called him not &a''ello, but &ia''elletto by reason of his diminutive si:eI and as &ia''elletto he (as )no(n every(here, (hereas fe( 'eo'le )ne( him as &ia''erello! ;o( &ia''ellettoMs manner of life (as thus! .e (as by 'rofession a notary, and his 'ride (as to ma)e false documentsI he (ould have made them as often as he (as as)ed, and more readily (ithout fee

than another at a great 'riceI fe( indeed he made that (ere not false, and, great (as his shame (hen they (ere discovered! -alse (itness he bore, solicited or unsolicited, (ith boundless delightI and, as oaths (ere in those days had in very great res'ect in -rance, he, scru'ling not to fors(ear himself, corru'tly carried the day in every case in (hich he (as summoned faithfully to attest the truth! .e too) inordinate delight, and bestirred himself (ith great :eal, in fomenting ill@feeling, enmities, dissensions bet(een friends, )insfol) and all other fol)I and the more calamitous (ere the conseOuences the better he (as 'leased! /et him on murder, or any other foul crime, and he never hesitated, but (ent about it (ith alacrityI he had been )no(n on more than one occasion to inflict (ounds or death by 'reference (ith his o(n hands! .e (as a 'rofuse blas'hemer of God and .is saints, and that on the most trifling occasions, being of all men the most irascible! .e (as never seen at &hurch, held all the sacraments vile things, and derided them in language of horrible ribaldry! Gn the other hand he resorted readily to the tavern and other 'laces of evil re'ute, and freOuented them! .e (as as fond of (omen as a dog is of the stic)B in the use against nature he had not his match among the most abandoned! .e (ould have 'ilfered and stolen as a matter of conscience, as a holy man (ould ma)e an oblation! "ost gluttonous he (as and inordinately fond of his cu's, (hereby he sometimes brought u'on himself both shame and suffering! .e (as also a 'ractised gamester and thro(er of false dice! But (hy enlarge so much u'on himS Enough that he (as, 'erha's, the (orst man that ever (as born!

The ran) and 'o(er of "usciatto -ran:esi had long been this re'robateMs mainstay, serving in many instances to secure him considerate treatment on

the 'art of the 'rivate 'ersons (hom he freOuently, and the court (hich he unremittingly, outraged! /o "usciatto, having bethought him of this /er &e''arello, (ith (hose (ay of life he (as very (ell acOuainted, judged him to be the very sort of 'erson to co'e (ith the guile of the Burgundians! .e therefore sent for him, and thus addressed himB@@T/er &ia''elletto, I am, as thou )no(est, about to leave this 'lace for goodI and among those (ith (hom I have to settle accounts are certain Burgundians, very (ily )navesI nor )no( I the man (hom I could more fitly entrust (ith the recovery of my money than thyself! +herefore, as thou hast nothing to do at 'resent, if thou (ilt underta)e this business, I (ill 'rocure thee the favour of the court, and give thee a reasonable 'art of (hat thou shalt recover!T /er &ia''elletto, being out of em'loyment, and by no means in easy circumstances, and about to lose "usciatto, so long his mainstay and su''ort, (ithout the least demur, for in truth he had hardly any choice, made his mind u' and ans(ered that he (as ready to go! /o the bargain (as struc)! 3rmed (ith the 'o(er of attorney and the royal letters commendatory, /er &ia''elletto too) leave of "esser "usciatto and hied him to Burgundy, (here he (as hardly )no(n to a soul! .e set about the business (hich had brought him thither, the recovery of the money, in a manner amicable and considerate, foreign to his nature, as if he (ere minded to reserve his severity to the last! +hile thus occu'ied, he (as freOuently at the house of t(o -lorentine usurers, (ho treated him (ith great distinction out of regard for "esser "usciattoI and there it so ha''ened that he fell sic)! The t(o brothers forth(ith 'laced 'hysicians and servants in attendance u'on him, and omitted no means meet and a't for the restoration of his health! But all remedies 'roved unavailingI for being no( old, and having led, as the 'hysicians re'orted, a disorderly life, he (ent

daily from bad to (orse li)e one stric)en (ith a mortal disease! This greatly disconcerted the t(o brothersI and one day, hard by the room in (hich /er &ia''elletto lay sic), they began to tal) about himI saying one to the otherB@@T+hat shall (e do (ith this manS +e are hard bested indeed on his account! If (e turn him out of the house, sic) as he is, (e shall not only incur grave censure, but shall evince a signal (ant of senseI for fol) must )no( the (elcome (e gave him in the first instance, the solicitude (ith (hich (e have had him treated and tended since his illness, during (hich time he could not 'ossibly do aught to dis'lease us, and yet they (ould see him suddenly turned out of our house sic) unto death! Gn the other hand he has been so bad a man that he is sure not to confess or receive any of the &hurchMs sacramentsI and dying thus unconfessed, he (ill be denied burial in church, but (ill be cast out into some ditch li)e a dogI nay, Mt(ill be all one if he do confess, for such and so horrible have been his crimes that no friar or 'riest either (ill or can absolve himI and so, dying (ithout absolution, he (ill still be cast out into the ditch! In (hich case the fol) of these 'arts, (ho re'robate our trade as iniOuitous and revile it all day long, and (ould fain rob us, (ill sei:e their o''ortunity, and raise a tumult, and ma)e a raid u'on our houses, cryingB@@M3(ay (ith these 4ombard (hom the &hurch excludes from her 'aleIM and (ill certainly stri' us of our goods, and 'erha's ta)e our lives alsoI so that in any case (e stand to lose if this man die!T

/er &ia''elletto, (ho, as (e said, lay close at hand (hile they thus s'o)e, and (hose hearing (as shar'ened, as is often the case, by his malady, overheard all that they said about him! /o he called them to him, and said

to themB@@TI (ould not have you disOuiet yourselves in regard of me, or a''rehend loss to befall you by my death! I have heard (hat you have said of me and have no doubt that Mt(ould be as you say, if matters too) the course you antici'ateI but I am minded that it shall be other(ise! I have committed so many offences against God in the course of my life, that one more in the hour of my death (ill ma)e no difference (hatever to the account! /o see) out and bring hither the (orthiest and most holy friar you can find, and leave me to settle your affairs and mine u'on a sound and solid basis, (ith (hich you may rest satisfied!T The t(o brothers had not much ho'e of the result, but yet they (ent to a friary and as)ed for a holy and discreet man to hear the confession of a 4ombard that (as sic) in their house, and returned (ith an aged man of just and holy life, very learned in the /cri'tures, and venerable and held in very great and es'ecial reverence by all the citi:ens! 3s soon as he had entered the room (here /er &ia''elletto (as lying, and had ta)en his 'lace by his side, he began gently to comfort himB then he as)ed him ho( long it (as since he (as confessed! +hereto /er &ia''elletto, (ho had never been confessed, ans(eredB@@T-ather, it is my constant 'ractice to be confessed at least once a (ee), and many a (ee) I am confessed more oftenI but true it is, that, since I have been sic), no( eight days, I have made no confession, so sore has been my affliction! T/on,T said the friar, Tthou hast (ell done, and (ell for thee, if so thou continue to doI as thou dost confess so often, I see that my labour of hear)ening and Ouestioning (ill be slight!T T;ay but, master friar,T said /er &ia''elletto, TI say not soI I have not confessed so often but that I (ould fain ma)e a general confession of all my sins that I have committed, so far as I can recall them, from the day of my birth to the 'resent timeI

and therefore I 'ray you, my good father, to Ouestion me 'recisely in every 'articular just as if I had never been confessed! 3nd s'are me not by reason of my sic)ness, for I had far rather do des'ite to my flesh than, s'aring it, ris) the 'erdition of my soul, (hich my /aviour redeemed (ith .is 'recious blood!T

The holy man (as mightily delighted (ith these (ords, (hich seemed to him to beto)en a soul in a state of grace! .e therefore signified to /er &ia''elletto his high a''roval of this 'racticeI and then began by as)ing him (hether he had ever sinned carnally (ith a (oman! +hereto /er &ia''elletto ans(ered (ith a sighB@@T"y father, I scru'le to tell you the truth in this matter, fearing lest I sin in vain@glory!T T;ay, but,T said the friar, Ts'ea) boldlyI none ever sinned by telling the truth, either in confession or other(ise!T TThen,T said /er &ia''elletto, Tas you bid me s'ea) boldly, I (ill tell you the truth of this matter! I am virgin even as (hen I issued from my motherMs (omb!T T;o( GodMs blessing on thee,T said the friar, T(ell doneI and the greater is thy merit in that, hadst thou so (illed, thou mightest have done other(ise far more readily than (e (ho are under constraint of rule!T .e then 'roceeded to as), (hether he had offended God by gluttony! +hereto /er &ia''elletto, heaving a heavy sigh, ans(ered that he had so offended for, being (ont to fast not only in 4ent li)e other devout 'ersons, but at least thrice days in every (ee), ta)ing nothing but bread and (ater, he had Ouaffed the (ater (ith as good a gusto and as much enjoyment, more 'articularly (hen fatigued by devotion or 'ilgrimage, as great drin)ers Ouaff their (ineI and oftentimes he had felt a craving for such dainty dishes of herbs as ladies ma)e (hen they go into the country,

and no( and again he had relished his food more than seemed to him meet in one (ho fasted, as he did, for devotion! T/on,T said the friar, Tthese sins are natural and very triflingI and therefore I (ould not have thee burden thy conscience too much (ith them! There is no man, ho(ever holy he may be, but must sometimes find it 'leasant to eat after a long fast and to drin) after exertion!T TG, my father,T said /er &ia''elletto, Tsay not this to comfort me! Cou )no( (ell that I )no(, that the things (hich are done in the service of God ought to be done in 'erfect 'urity of an unsullied s'iritI and (hoever does other(ise sins!T The friar, (ell content, re'liedB@@TGlad I am that thou dost thin) so, and I am mightily 'leased (ith thy 'ure and good conscience (hich therein a''earsI but tell meB hast thou sinned by avarice, coveting more than (as reasonable, or (ithholding more than (as rightS "y father,T re'lied /er &ia''elletto, TI (ould not have you disOuiet yourself, because I am in the house of these usurersB no 'art have I in their concernsI nay, I did but come here to admonish and re'rehend them, and (ean them from this abominable trafficI and so, I believe, I had done, had not God sent me this visitation! But you must )no(, that my father left me a fortune, of (hich I dedicated the greater 'art to GodI and since then for my o(n su''ort and the relief of &hristMs 'oor I have done a little trading, (hereof I have desired to ma)e gainI and all that I have gotten I have shared (ith GodMs 'oor, reserving one half for my o(n needs and giving the other half to themI and so (ell has my "a)er 'ros'ered me, that I have ever managed my affairs to better and better account!T T+ell, done,T said the friar, Tbut ho(S hast thou often given (ay to angerST TGften indeed, I assure you,T said /er &ia''elletto! T3nd (ho could refrain therefrom, seeing men doing fro(ardly all day long, brea)ing the commandments of God and

rec)ing nought of .is judgmentsS "any a time in the course of a single day I had rather be dead than alive, to see the young men going after vanity, s(earing and fors(earing themselves, haunting taverns, avoiding the churches, and in short (al)ing in the (ay of the (orld rather than in GodMs (ay!T T"y son,T said the friar, Tthis is a righteous (rathI nor could I find occasion therein to lay a 'enance u'on thee! But did anger ever by any chance betray thee into ta)ing human life, or affronting or other(ise (ronging anyST T3las,T re'lied /er &ia''elletto, Talas, sir, man of God though you seem to me, ho( come you to s'ea) after this mannerS If I had had so much as the least thought of doing any of the things of (hich you s'ea), should I believe, thin) you, that I had been thus su''orted of GodS These are the deeds of robbers and such li)e evil men, to (hom I have ever said, (hen any I sa(B@@MGo, God change your heart!MT /aid then the friarB@@T;o(, my son, as thou ho'est to be blest of God, tell me, hast thou never borne false (itness against any, or s'o)en evil of another, or ta)en the goods of another (ithout his leaveST TCes, master friar,T ans(ered /er &ia''elletto, Tmost true it is that I have s'o)en evil of anotherI for I had once a neighbour (ho (ithout the least excuse in the (orld (as ever beating his (ife, and so great (as my 'ity of the 'oor creature, (hom, (hen he (as in his cu's, he (ould thrash as God alone )no(s ho(, that once I s'o)e evil of him to his (ifeMs )insfol)!T T+ell, (ell,T said the friar, Tthou tellest me thou hast been a merchantI hast thou ever cheated any, as merchants use to doST TIMfaith, yes, master friar,T said /er &ia''ellettoI Tbut I )no( not (ho he (asI only that he brought me some money (hich he o(ed me for some cloth that I had sold him, and I 'ut it in a box (ithout counting it, (here a month after(ards I found four farthings more than there should have been,

(hich I )e't for a year to return to him, but not seeing him again, I besto(ed them in alms for the love of God!T TThis,T said the friar, T(as a small matterI and thou didst (ell to besto( them as thou didst!T The holy friar (ent on to as) him many other Ouestions, to (hich he made ans(er in each case in this sort! Then, as the friar (as about to give him absolution, /er &ia''elletto inter'osedB@@T/ir, I have yet a sin to confess!T T+hatST as)ed the friar! TI remember,T he said, Tthat I once caused my servant to s(ee' my house on a /aturday after noneI and that my observance of /unday (as less devout than it should have been!T TG, my son,T said the friar, Tthis is a light matter!T T;o,T said /er &ia''elletto, Tsay not a light matterI for /unday is the more to be had in honour because on that day our 4ord rose from the dead!T Then said the holy friarB@@T;o( is there aught else that thou hast doneST TCes, master friar,T re'lied /er &ia''elletto, Tonce by inadvertence I s'at in the church of God!T 3t this the friar began to smile, and saidB@@T"y son, this is not a matter to trouble aboutI (e, (ho are religious, s'it there all day long!T T3nd great im'iety it is (hen you so do,T re'lied /er &ia''elletto, Tfor there is nothing that is so (orthy to be )e't from all im'urity as the holy tem'le in (hich sacrifice is offered to God!T "ore he said in the same strain, (hich I 'ass overI and then at last he began to sigh, and by and by to (ee' bitterly, as he (as (ell able to do (hen he chose! 3nd the friar demandingB@@T"y son, (hy (ee'est thouST T3las, master friarT ans(ered /er &ia''elletto, Ta sin yet remains, (hich I have never confessed, such shame (ere it to me to tell itI and as often as I call it to mind, I (ee' as you no( see me (ee', being (ell assured that God (ill never forgive me this sin!T Then said the holy friarB@@T&ome, come, son, (hat is this that thou saystS If all the sins of all the men, that ever

(ere or ever shall be, as long as the (orld shall endure, (ere concentrated in one man, so great is the goodness of God that .e (ould freely 'ardon them all, (ere he but 'enitent and contrite as I see thou art, and confessed themB (herefore tell me thy sin (ith a good courage!T Then said /er &ia''elletto, still (ee'ing bitterlyB@@T3las, my father, mine is too great a sin, and scarce can I believe, if your 'rayers do not co@o'erate, that God (ill ever grant me .is 'ardon thereof!T TTell it (ith a good courage,T said the friarI TI 'romise thee to 'ray God for thee!T /er &ia''elletto, ho(ever, continued to (ee', and (ould not s'ea), for all the friarMs encouragement! +hen he had )e't him for a good (hile in sus'ense, he heaved a mighty sigh, and saidB@@T"y father, as you 'romise me to 'ray God for me, I (ill tell it you! Nno(, then, that once, (hen I (as a little child, I cursed my motherIT and having so said he began again to (ee' bitterly! TG, my son,T said the friar, Tdoes this seem to thee so great a sinS "en curse God all day long, and he 'ardons them freely, if they re'ent them of having so doneI and thin)est thou he (ill not 'ardon thee thisS +ee' not, be comforted, for truly, hadst thou been one of them that set .im on the &ross, (ith the contrition that I see in thee, thou (ouldst not fail of .is 'ardon!T T3las* my father,T rejoined /er &ia''elletto, T(hat is this you sayS To curse my s(eet mother that carried me in her (omb for nine months day and night, and after(ards on her shoulder more than a hundred times* .einous indeed (as my offenceI Mtis too great a sinI nor (ill it be 'ardoned, unless you 'ray God for me!T

The friar no( 'erceiving that /er &ia''elletto had nothing more to say, gave him absolution and his blessing, re'uting him for a most holy man, fully

believing that all that he had said (as true! 3nd (ho (ould not have so believed, hearing him so s'ea) at the 'oint of deathS Then, (hen all (as done, he saidB@@T/er &ia''elletto, if God so (ill, you (ill soon be (ellI but should it so come to 'ass that God call your blessed soul to .imself in this state of grace, is it (ell 'leasing to you that your body be buried in our conventST TCea, verily, master friar,T re'lied /er &ia''ellettoI Tthere (ould I be, and no(here else, since you have 'romised to 'ray God for meI besides (hich I have ever had a s'ecial devotion to your order! +herefore I 'ray you, that, on your return to your convent, you cause to be sent me that very Body of &hrist, (hich you consecrate in the morning on the altarI because 7un(orthy though I be8 I 'ur'ose (ith your leave to ta)e it, and after(ards the holy and extreme unction, that, though I have lived as a sinner, I may die at any rate as a &hristian!T The holy man said that he (as greatly delighted, that it (as (ell said of /er &ia''elletto, and that he (ould cause the .ost to be forth(ith brought to himI and so it (as!

The t(o brothers, (ho much misdoubted /er &ia''ellettoMs 'o(er to deceive the friar, had ta)en their stand on the other side of a (ooden 'artition (hich divided the room in (hich /er &ia''elletto lay from another, and hear)ening there they readily heard and understood (hat /er &ia''elletto said to the friarI and at times could scarce refrain their laughter as they follo(ed his confessionI and no( and again they said one to anotherB@@T+hat manner of man is this, (hom neither age nor sic)ness, nor fear of death, on the threshold of (hich he no( stands, nor yet of God, before (hose judgment@seat he must soon a''ear, has been able to turn from his (ic)ed (ays, that he die not even as he has livedST But seeing that his confession

had secured the interment of his body in church, they troubled themselves no further! /er &ia''elletto soon after(ards communicated, and gro(ing immensely (orse, received the extreme unction, and died shortly after ves'ers on the same day on (hich he had made his good confession! /o the t(o brothers, having from his o(n moneys 'rovided the (here(ith to 'rocure him honourable se'ulture, and sent (ord to the friars to come at even to observe the usual vigil, and in the morning to fetch the cor'se, set all things in order accordingly! The holy friar (ho had confessed him, hearing that he (as dead, had audience of the 'rior of the friaryI a cha'ter (as convened and the assembled brothers heard from the confessorMs o(n mouth ho( /er &ia''elletto had been a holy man, as had a''eared by his confession, and (ere exhorted to receive the body (ith the utmost veneration and 'ious care, as one by (hich there (as good ho'e that God (ould (or) many miracles! To this the 'rior and the rest of the credulous confraternity assenting, they (ent in a body in the evening to the 'lace (here the cor'se of /er &ia''elletto lay, and )e't a great and solemn vigil over itI and in the morning they made a 'rocession habited in their sur'lices and co'es (ith boo)s in their hands and crosses in frontI and chanting as they (ent, they fetched the cor'se and brought it bac) to their church (ith the utmost 'om' and solemnity, being follo(ed by almost all the fol) of the city, men and (omen ali)e! /o it (as laid in the church, and then the holy friar (ho had heard the confession got u' in the 'ul'it and began to 'reach marvellous things of /er &ia'ellettoMs life, his fasts, his virginity, his sim'licity and guilelessness and holinessI narrating among the other matters that of (hich /er &ia''elletto had made tearful confession as his greatest sin, and ho( he had hardly been able to ma)e him conceive that God (ould 'ardon himI

from (hich he too) occasion to re'rove his hearersI sayingB@@T3nd you, accursed of God, on the least 'retext, blas'heme God and .is "other, and all the celestial court! 3nd much beside he told of his loyalty and 'urityI and, in short, so (rought u'on the 'eo'le by his (ords, to (hich they gave entire credence, that they all conceived a great veneration for /er &ia''elletto, and at the close of the office came 'ressing for(ard (ith the utmost vehemence to )iss the feet and the hands of the cor'se, from (hich they tore off the cerements, each thin)ing himself blessed to have but a scra' thereof in his 'ossessionI and so it (as arranged that it should be )e't there all day long, so as to be visible and accessible to all! 3t nightfall it (as honourably interred in a marble tomb in one of the cha'els, (here on the morro(, one by one, fol) came and lit ta'ers and 'rayed and 'aid their vo(s, setting there the (axen images (hich they had dedicated! 3nd the fame of &ia''ellettoMs holiness and the devotion to him gre( in such measure that scarce any there (as that in any adversity (ould vo( aught to any saint but he, and they called him and still call him /an &ia''elletto affirming that many miracles have been and daily are (rought by God through him for such as devoutly crave his intercession!

/o lived, so died /er &e''erello da Prato, and came to be re'uted a saint, as you have heard! ;or (ould I deny that it is 'ossible that he is of the number of the blessed in the 'resence of God, seeing that, though his life (as evil and de'raved, yet he might in his last moments have made so com'lete an act of contrition that 'erchance God had mercy on him and received him into .is )ingdom! But, as this is hidden from us, I s'ea) according to that (hich a''ears, and I say that he ought rather to be in the

hands of the devil in hell than in Paradise! +hich, if so it be, is a manifest to)en of the su'erabundance of the goodness of God to us(ard, inasmuch as he regards not our error but the sincerity of our faith, and hear)ens unto us (hen, mista)ing one (ho is at enmity (ith .im for a friend, (e have recourse to him, as to one holy indeed, as our intercessor for .is grace! +herefore, that (e of this gay com'any may by .is grace be 'reserved safe and sound throughout this time of adversity, commend (e ourselves in our need to .im, (hose name (e began by invo)ing, (ith lauds and reverent devotion and good confidence that (e shall be heard!

3nd so he (as silent!

708 The diminutive of ce''o, stum' or logB more commonly (ritten ce''erello 7cf! '! 9A8 or ce''atello! The form cia''erello seems to be found only here!

;GVE4 II!

@@ 3braham, a e(, at the instance of ehannot de &hevigny, goes to the court of #ome, and having mar)ed the evil life of the clergy, returns to Paris, and becomes a &hristian! @@

PamfiloMs story elicited the mirth of some of the ladies and the hearty commendation of all, (ho listened to it (ith close attention until the end!

+hereu'on the Oueen bade ;eifile, (ho sat next her, to tell a story, that the commencement thus made of their diversions might have its seOuel! ;eifile, (hose graces of mind matched the beauty of her 'erson, consented (ith a gladsome good(ill, and thus beganB@@

Pamfilo has she(n by his story that the goodness of God s'ares to regard our errors (hen they result from unavoidable ignorance, and in mine I mean to she( you ho( the same goodness, bearing 'atiently (ith the shortcomings of those (ho should be its faithful (itness in deed and (ord, dra(s from them contrari(ise evidence of .is infallible truthI to the end that (hat (e believe (e may (ith more assured conviction follo(!

In Paris, gracious ladies, as I have heard tell, there (as once a great merchant, a large dealer in dra'ery, a good man, most loyal and righteous, his name ehannot de &hevigny, bet(een (hom and a e(, 3braham by name, also a merchant, and a man of great (ealth, as also most loyal and righteous, there subsisted a very close friendshi'! ;o( ehannot, observing 3brahamMs loyalty and rectitude, began to be sorely vexed in s'irit that the soul of one so (orthy and (ise and good should 'erish for (ant of faith! +herefore he began in a friendly manner to 'lead (ith him, that he should leave the errors of the e(ish faith and turn to the &hristian verity, (hich, being sound and holy, he might see daily 'ros'ering and gaining ground, (hereas, on the contrary, his o(n religion (as d(indling and (as almost come to nothing! The e( re'lied that he believed that there (as no faith sound and holy exce't the e(ish faith, in (hich he (as born, and in (hich he meant to live and dieI nor (ould anything ever turn him therefrom! ;othing daunted,

ho(ever, ehannot some days after(ards began again to 'ly 3braham (ith similar arguments, ex'laining to him in such crude fashion as merchants use the reasons (hy our faith is better than the e(ish! 3nd though the e( (as a great master in the e(ish la(, yet, (hether it (as by reason of his friendshi' for ehannot, or that the .oly /'irit dictated the (ords that the sim'le merchant used, at any rate the e( began to be much interested in ehannotMs arguments, though still too staunch in his faith to suffer himself to be converted! But ehannot (as no less assiduous in 'lying him (ith argument than he (as obstinate in adhering to his la(, insomuch that at length the e(, overcome by such incessant a''eals, saidB@@T+ell, (ell, ehannot, thou (ouldst have me become a &hristian, and I am dis'osed to do so, 'rovided I first go to #ome and there see him (hom thou callest GodMs vicar on earth, and observe (hat manner of life he leads and his brother cardinals (ith himI and if such it be that thereby, in conjunction (ith thy (ords, I may understand that thy faith is better than mine, as thou hast sought to she( me, I (ill do as I have saidB other(ise, I (ill remain as I am a e(!T +hen ehannot heard this, he (as greatly distressed, saying to himselfB@@TI thought to have converted himI but no( I see that the 'ains (hich I too) for so excellent a 'ur'ose are all in vainI for, if he goes to the court of #ome and sees the iniOuitous and foul life (hich the clergy lead there, so far from turning &hristian, had he been converted already, he (ould (ithout doubt rela'se into udaism!T Then turning to 3braham he saidB@ @T;ay, but, my friend, (hy (ouldst thou be at all this labour and great ex'ense of travelling from here to #omeS to say nothing of the ris)s both by sea and by land (hich a rich man li)e thee must needs run! Thin)est thou not, to find here one that can give thee ba'tismS 3nd as for any doubts that

thou mayst have touching the faith to (hich I 'oint thee, (here (ilt thou find greater masters and sages therein than here, to resolve thee of any Ouestion thou mayst 'ut to themS +herefore in my o'inion this journey of thine is su'erfluous! Thin) that the 'relates there are such as thou mayst have seen here, nay, as much better as they are nearer to the &hief Pastor! 3nd so, by my advice thou (ilt s'are thy 'ains until some time of indulgence, (hen I, 'erha's, may be able to bear thee com'any!T The e( re'liedB@@T ehannot, I doubt not that so it is as thou saystI but once and for all I tell thee that I am minded to go there, and (ill never other(ise do that (hich thou (ouldst have me and hast so earnestly besought me to do!T TGo then,T said ehannot, seeing that his mind (as made u', Tand good luc) go (ith theeIT and so he gave u' the contest because nothing (ould be lost, though he felt sure that he (ould never become a &hristian after seeing the court of #ome! The e( too) horse, and 'osted (ith all 'ossible s'eed to #omeI (here on his arrival he (as honourably received by his fello( e(s! .e said nothing to any one of the 'ur'ose for (hich he had comeI but began circums'ectly to acOuaint himself (ith the (ays of the Po'e and the cardinals and the other 'relates and all the courtiersI and from (hat he sa( for himself, being a man of great intelligence, or learned from others, he discovered that (ithout distinction of ran) they (ere all sun) in the most disgraceful le(dness, sinning not only in the (ay of nature but after the manner of the men of /odom, (ithout any restraint of remorse or shame, in such sort that, (hen any great favour (as to be 'rocured, the influence of the courtesans and boys (as of no small moment! "oreover he found them one and all gluttonous, (ine@bibbers, drun)ards, and next after le(dness, most addicted to the shameless service of the belly, li)e brute beasts! 3nd, as

he 'robed the matter still further, he 'erceived that they (ere all so greedy and avaricious that human, nay &hristian blood, and things sacred of (hat )ind soever, s'iritualities no less than tem'oralities, they bought and sold for moneyI (hich traffic (as greater and em'loyed more bro)ers than the dra'ery trade and all the other trades of Paris 'ut togetherI o'en simony and gluttonous excess being glosed under such s'ecious terms as TarrangementT and Tmoderate use of creature comforts,T as if God could not 'enetrate the thoughts of even the most corru't hearts, to say nothing of the signification of (ords, and (ould suffer .imself to be misled after the manner of men by the names of things! +hich matters, (ith many others (hich are not to be mentioned, our modest and sober@minded e( found by no means to his li)ing, so that, his curiosity being fully satisfied, he (as minded to return to ParisI (hich accordingly he did! There, on his arrival, he (as met by ehannotI and the t(o made great cheer together! ehannot ex'ected 3brahamMs conversion least of all things, and allo(ed him some days of rest before he as)ed (hat he thought of the .oly -ather and the cardinals and the other courtiers! To (hich the e( forth(ith re'liedB@@TI thin) God o(es them all an evil recom'enseB I tell thee, so far as I (as able to carry my investigations, holiness, devotion, good (or)s or exem'lary living in any )ind (as no(here to be found in any cler)I but only le(dness, avarice, gluttony, and the li)e, and (orse, if (orse may be, a''eared to be held in such honour of all, that 7to my thin)ing8 the 'lace is a centre of diabolical rather than of divine activities! To the best of my judgment, your Pastor, and by conseOuence all that are about him devote all their :eal and ingenuity and subtlety to devise ho( best and most s'eedily they may bring the &hristian religion to nought and banish it from the (orld! 3nd

because I see that (hat they so :ealously endeavour does not come to 'ass, but that on the contrary your religion continually gro(s, and shines more and more clear, therein I seem to discern a very evident to)en that it, rather than any other, as being more true and holy than any other, has the .oly /'irit for its foundation and su''ort! -or (hich cause, (hereas I met your exhortations in a harsh and obdurate tem'er, and (ould not become a &hristian, no( I fran)ly tell you that I (ould on no account omit to become such! Go (e then to the church, and there according to the traditional rite of your holy faith let me receive ba'tism!T ehannot, (ho had antici'ated a diametrically o''osite conclusion, as soon as he heard him so s'ea), (as the best 'leased man that ever (as in the (orld! /o ta)ing 3braham (ith him to ;otre Dame he 'rayed the clergy there to ba'tise him! +hen they heard that it (as his o(n (ish, they forth(ith did so, and ehannot raised him from the sacred font, and named him eanI and after(ards he caused teachers of great eminence thoroughly to instruct him in our faith, (hich he readily learned, and after(ards 'ractised in a good, a virtuous, nay, a holy life!

;GVE4 III!

@@ "elchisedech, a e(, by a story of three rings averts a great danger (ith (hich he (as menaced by /aladin! @@

+hen ;eifile had brought her story to a close amid the commendations of all

the com'any, -ilomena, at the OueenMs behest, thus beganB@@

The story told by ;eifile brings to my mind another in (hich also e( a''ears, but this time as the hero of a 'erilous adventureI and as enough has been said of God and of the truth our faith, it (ill not no( be ino''ortune if (e descend to mundane events and the actions of men! +herefore I 'ro'ose to tell you a story, (hich (ill 'erha's dis'ose you to be more circums'ect than you have been (ont to be in ans(ering Ouestions addressed to you! +ell ye )no(, or should )no(, loving gossi's, that, as it often ha''ens that fol) by their o(n folly forfeit a ha''y estate and are 'lunged in most grievous misery, so good sense (ill extricate the (ise from extremity of 'eril, and establish them in com'lete and assured 'eace! Gf the change from good to evil fortune, (hich folly may effect, instances aboundI indeed, occurring as they do by the thousand day by day, they are so cons'icuous that their recital (ould be beside our 'resent 'ur'ose! But that good sense may be our succour in misfortune, I (ill no(, as I 'romised, ma)e 'lain to you (ithin the narro( com'ass of a little story!

/aladin, (ho by his great valour had from small beginnings made himself /oldan of Egy't, and gained many victories over )ings both &hristian and /aracen, having in divers (ars and by divers lavish dis'lays of magnificence s'ent all his treasure, and in order to meet a certain emergency being in need of a large sum of money, and being at a loss to raise it (ith a celerity adeOuate to his necessity, bethought him of a (ealthy e(, "elchisedech by name, (ho lent at usance in 3lexandria, and (ho, (ere he but (illing, (as, as he believed, able to accommodate him, but (as so miserly

that he (ould never do so of his o(n accord, nor (as /aladin dis'osed to constrain him thereto! /o great, ho(ever, (as his necessity that, after 'ondering every method (hereby the e( might be induced to be com'liant, at last he determined to devise a colourably reasonable 'retext for extorting the money from him! /o he sent for him, received him affably, seated him by his side, and 'resently said to himB@@T"y good man, I have heard from many 'eo'le that thou art very (ise, and of great discernment in divine thingsI (herefore I (ould gladly )no( of thee, (hich of the three la(s thou re'utest the true la(, the la( of the e(s, the la( of the /aracens, or the la( of the &hristiansST The e(, (ho (as indeed a (ise man, sa( 'lainly enough that /aladin meant to entangle him in his s'eech, that he might have occasion to harass him, and bethought him that he could not 'raise any of the three la(s above another (ithout furnishing /aladin (ith the 'retext (hich he sought! /o, concentrating all the force of his mind to sha'e such an ans(er as might avoid the snare, he 'resently lit on (hat he sought, sayingB@@T"y lord, a 'retty Ouestion indeed is this (hich you 'ro'ound, and fain (ould I ans(er itI to (hich end it is a''osite that I tell you a story, (hich, if you (ill hear)en, is as follo(sB@@If I mista)e not, I remember to have often heard tell of a great and rich man of old time, (ho among other most 'recious je(els had in his treasury a ring of extraordinary beauty and value, (hich by reason of its value and beauty he (as minded to leave to his heirs for everI for (hich cause he ordained, that, (hichever of his sons (as found in 'ossession of the ring as by his beOuest, should thereby be designate his heir, and be entitled to receive from the rest the honour and homage due to a su'erior! The son, to (hom he beOueathed the ring, left it in li)e manner to his descendants, ma)ing the li)e ordinance as his 'redecessor! In short

the ring 'assed from hand to hand for many generationsI and in the end came to the hands of one (ho had three sons, goodly and virtuous all, and very obedient to their father, so that he loved them all indifferently! The rule touching the descent of the ring (as )no(n to the young men, and each as'iring to hold the 'lace of honour among them did all he could to 'ersuade his father, (ho (as no( old, to leave the ring to him at his death! The (orthy man, (ho loved them all eOually, and )ne( not ho( to choose from among them a sole legatee, 'romised the ring to each in turn, and in order to satisfy all three, caused a cunning artificer secretly to ma)e t(o other rings, so li)e the first, that the ma)er himself could hardly tell (hich (as the true ring! /o, before he died, he dis'osed of the rings, giving one 'rivily to each of his sonsI (hereby it came to 'ass, that after his decease each of the sons claimed the inheritance and the 'lace of honour, and, his claim being dis'uted by his brothers, 'roduced his ring in (itness of right! 3nd the rings being found so li)e one to another that it (as im'ossible to distinguish the true one, the suit to determine the true heir remained 'endent, and still so remains! 3nd so, my lord, to your Ouestion, touching the three la(s given to the three 'eo'les by God the -ather, I ans(erB@@Each of these 'eo'les deems itself to have the true inheritance, the true la(, the true commandments of GodI but (hich of them is justified in so believing, is a Ouestion (hich, li)e that of the rings, remains 'endent!T The excellent adroitness (ith (hich the e( had contrived to evade the snare (hich he had laid for his feet (as not lost u'on /aladin! .e therefore determined to let the e( )no( his need, and did so, telling him at the same time (hat he had intended to do, in the event of his ans(ering less circums'ectly than he had done!

Thereu'on the e( gave the /oldan all the accommodation that he reOuired, (hich the /oldan after(ards re'aid him in full! .e also gave him most munificent gifts (ith his lifelong amity and a great and honourable 'osition near his 'erson!

;GVE4 IV!

@@ 3 mon) la'ses into a sin meriting the most severe 'unishment, justly censures the same fault in his abbot, and thus evades the 'enalty! @@

The silence (hich follo(ed the conclusion of -ilomenaMs tale (as bro)en by Dioneo, (ho sate next her, and (ithout (aiting for the OueenMs (ord, for he )ne( that by the rule laid do(n at the commencement it (as no( his turn to s'ea), began on this (iseB@@4oving ladies, if I have (ell understood the intention of you all, (e are here to afford entertainment to one another by story@tellingI (herefore, 'rovided only nought is done that is re'ugnant to this end, I deem it la(ful for each 7and so said our Oueen a little (hile ago8 to tell (hatever story seems to him most li)ely to be amusing! /eeing, then, that (e have heard ho( 3braham saved his soul by the good counsel of ehannot de &hevigny, and "elchisedech by his o(n good sense safe@guarded his (ealth against the stratagems of /aladin, I ho'e to esca'e your censure in narrating a brief story of a mon), (ho by his address delivered his body

from imminent 'eril of most severe chastisement!

In the not very remote district of 4unigiana there flourished formerly a community of mon)s more numerous and holy than is there to be found to@day, among (hom (as a young brother, (hose vigour and lustihood neither the fasts nor the vigils availed to subdue! Gne afternoon, (hile the rest of the confraternity sle't, our young mon) too) a stroll around the church, (hich lay in a very seOuestered s'ot, and chanced to es'y a young and very beautiful girl, a daughter, 'erha's, of one of the husbandmen of those 'arts, going through the fields and gathering herbs as she (ent! ;o sooner had he seen her than he (as shar'ly assailed by carnal concu'iscence, insomuch that he made u' to and accosted herI and 7she hear)ening8 little by little they came to an understanding, and unobserved by any entered his cell together! ;o( it so chanced that, (hile they fooled it (ithin some(hat rec)lessly, he being over(rought (ith 'assion, the abbot a(o)e and 'assing slo(ly by the young mon)Ms cell, heard the noise (hich they made (ithin, and the better to distinguish the voices, came softly u' to the door of the cell, and listening discovered that beyond all doubt there (as a (oman (ithin! .is first thought (as to force the door o'enI but, changing his mind, he returned to his chamber and (aited until the mon) should come out!

Delightsome beyond measure though the mon) found his intercourse (ith the girl, yet (as he not altogether (ithout anxiety! .e had heard, as he thought, the sound of footste's in the dormitory, and having a''lied his eye to a convenient a'erture had had a good vie( of the abbot as he stood by the door listening! .e (as thus fully a(are that the abbot might have detected

the 'resence of a (oman in the cell! +hereat he (as exceedingly distressed, )no(ing that he had a severe 'unishment to ex'ectI but he concealed his vexation from the girl (hile he busily cast about in his mind for some (ay of esca'e from his embarrassment! .e thus hit on a novel stratagem (hich (as exactly suited to his 'ur'ose! +ith the air of one (ho had had enough of the girlMs com'any he said to herB@@TI shall no( leave you in order that I may arrange for your de'arture hence unobserved! /tay here Ouietly until I return!T /o out he (ent, loc)ing the door of the cell, and (ithdra(ing the )ey, (hich he carried straight to the abbotMs chamber and handed to him, as (as the custom (hen a mon) (as going out, saying (ith a com'osed airB@@T/ir, I (as not able this morning to bring in all the faggots (hich I had made ready, so (ith your leave I (ill go to the (ood and bring them in!T The abbot, desiring to have better cognisance of the mon)Ms offence, and not dreaming that the mon) )ne( that he had been detected, (as 'leased (ith the turn matters had ta)en, and received the )ey gladly, at the same time giving the mon) the desired leave! /o the mon) (ithdre(, and the abbot began to consider (hat course it (ere best for him to ta)e, (hether to assemble the brotherhood and o'en the door in their 'resence, that, being (itnesses of the delinOuency, they might have no cause to murmur against him (hen he 'roceeded to 'unish the delinOuent, or (hether it (ere not better first to learn from the girlMs o(n li's ho( it had come about! 3nd reflecting that she might be the (ife or daughter of some man (ho (ould ta)e it ill that she should be shamed by being ex'osed to the ga:e of all the mon)s, he determined first of all to find out (ho she (as, and then to ma)e u' his mind! /o he (ent softly to the cell, o'ened the door, and, having entered, closed it behind him! The girl, seeing that her visitor (as none other than

the abbot, Ouite lost her 'resence of mind, and Oua)ing (ith shame began to (ee'! "aster abbot surveyed her from head to foot, and seeing that she (as fresh and comely, fell a 'rey, old though he (as, to fleshly cravings no less 'oignant and sudden than those (hich the young mon) had ex'erienced, and began thus to commune (ith himselfB@@T3las* (hy ta)e I not my 'leasure (hen I may, seeing that I never need lac) for occasions of trouble and vexation of s'iritS .ere is a fair (ench, and no one in the (orld to )no(! If I can bring her to 'leasure me, I )no( not (hy I should not do so! +ho (ill )no(S ;o one (ill ever )no(I and sin that is hidden is half forgivenI this chance may never come againI so, methin)s, it (ere the 'art of (isdom to ta)e the boon (hich God besto(s!T /o musing, (ith an altogether different 'ur'ose from that (ith (hich he had come, he dre( near the girl, and softly bade her to be comforted, and besought her not to (ee'I and so little by little he came at last to sho( her (hat he (ould be at! The girl, being made neither of iron nor of adamant, (as readily induced to gratify the abbot, (ho after besto(ing u'on her many an embrace and )iss, got u'on the mon)Ms bed, (here, being sensible, 'erha's, of the dis'arity bet(een his reverend 'ortliness and her tender youth, and fearing to injure her by his excessive (eight, he refrained from lying u'on her, but laid her u'on him, and in that manner dis'orted himself (ith her for a long time! The mon), (ho had only 'retended to go to the (ood, and had concealed himself in the dormitory, no sooner sa( the abbot enter his cell than he (as overjoyed to thin) that his 'lan (ould succeedI and (hen he sa( that he had loc)ed the door, he (as (ell assured thereof! /o he stole out of his hiding@'lace, and set his eye to an a'erture through (hich he sa( and heard all that the abbot did and said! 3t length the abbot, having had enough of dalliance (ith the girl, loc)ed her

in the cell and returned to his chamber! &atching sight of the mon) soon after(ards, and su''osing him to have returned from the (ood, he determined to give him a shar' re'rimand and have him im'risoned, that he might thus secure the 'rey for himself alone! .e therefore caused him to be summoned, chid him very severely and (ith a stern countenance, and ordered him to be 'ut in 'rison! The mon) re'lied tri''inglyB@@TI /ir, I have not been so long in the order of /t! Benedict as to have every 'articular of the rule by heartI nor did you teach me before to@day in (hat 'osture it behoves the mon) to have intercourse (ith (omen, but limited your instruction to such matters as fasts and vigils! 3s, ho(ever, you have no( given me my lesson, I 'romise you, if you also 'ardon my offence, that I (ill never re'eat it, but (ill al(ays follo( the exam'le (hich you have set me!T

The abbot, (ho (as a shre(d man, sa( at once that the mon) (as not only more )no(ing than he, but had actually seen (hat he had doneI nor, conscience@stric)en himself, could he for shame mete out to the mon) a measure (hich he himself merited! /o 'ardon given, (ith an injunction to bury (hat had been seen in silence, they decently conveyed the young girl out of the monastery, (hither, it is to be believed, they no( and again caused her to return!

;GVE4 V!

@@ The "archioness of "onferrato by a banOuet of hens seasoned (ith (it chec)s

the mad 'assion of the Ning of -rance! @@

The story told by Dioneo evo)ed at first some Oualms of shame in the minds of the ladies, as (as a''arent by the modest blush that tinged their facesB then exchanging glances, and scarce able to refrain their mirth, they listened to it (ith half@su''ressed smiles! Gn its conclusion they besto(ed u'on Dioneo a fe( (ords of gentle re'rehension (ith intent to admonish him that such stories (ere not to be told among ladies! The Oueen then turned to -iammetta, (ho (as seated on the grass at her side, and bade her follo( suit and -iammetta (ith a gay and gracious mien thus beganB@@

The line u'on (hich our story@telling 'roceeds, to (it, to she( the virtue that resides in a't and ready re'artees, 'leases me (ellI and as in affairs of love men and (omen are in diverse case, for to as'ire to the love of a (oman of higher lineage than his o(n is (isdom in man, (hereas a (omanMs good sense is then most cons'icuous (hen she )no(s ho( to 'reserve herself from becoming enamoured of a man, her su'erior in ran), I am minded, fair my ladies, to she( you by the story (hich I am no( to tell, ho( by deed and (ord a gentle(oman both defended herself against attac), and (eaned her suitor from his love!

The "arOuis of "onferrato, a 'aladin of distinguished 'ro(ess, (as gone overseas as gonfalonier of the &hurch in a general array of the &hristian forces! +hose merits being canvassed at the court of Phili''e le Borgne, on the eve of his de'arture from -rance on the same service, a )night observed,

that there (as not under the stars a cou'le com'arable to the "arOuis and his ladyI in that, (hile the "arOuis (as a 'aragon of the )nightly virtues, his lady for beauty, and honour (as (ithout a 'eer among all the other ladies of the (orld! These (ords made so dee' an im'ression on the mind of the Ning of -rance that, though he had never seen the lady, he fell ardently in love (ith her, and, being to join the armada, resolved that his 'ort of embarcation should be no other than Genoa, in order that, travelling thither by land, he might find a decent 'retext for visiting the "archioness, (ith (hom in the absence of the "arOuis he trusted to have the success (hich he desiredI nor did he fail to 'ut his design in execution! .aving sent his main army on before, he too) the road himself (ith a small com'any of gentlemen, and, as they a''roached the territory of the "arOuis, he des'atched a courier to the "archioness, a day in advance, to let her )no( that he ex'ected to brea)fast (ith her the next morning! The lady, (ho )ne( her 'art and 'layed it (ell, re'lied graciously, that he (ould be indeed (elcome, and that his 'resence (ould be the greatest of all favours! /he then began to commune (ith herself, (hat this might im'ort, that so great a )ing should come to visit her in her husbandMs absence, nor (as she so deluded as not to surmise that it (as the fame of her beauty that dre( him thither! ;evertheless she made ready to do him honour in a manner befitting her high degree, summoning to her 'resence such of the retainers as remained in the castle, and giving all needful directions (ith their advice, exce't that the order of the banOuet and the choice of the dishes she reserved entirely to herself! Then, having caused all the hens that could be found in the country@side to be brought (ith all s'eed into the castle, she bade her coo)s furnish forth the royal table (ith divers dishes made exclusively of

such fare! The Ning arrived on the a''ointed day, and (as received by the lady (ith great and ceremonious cheer! -air and noble and gracious seemed she in the eyes of the Ning beyond all that he had conceived from the )nightMs (ords, so that he (as lost in admiration and inly extolled her to the s)ies, his 'assion being the more inflamed in 'ro'ortion as he found the lady sur'ass the idea (hich he had formed of her! 3 suite of rooms furnished (ith all the a''ointments befitting the rece'tion of so great a )ing, (as 'laced at his dis'osal, and after a little rest, brea)fast@time being come, he and the "archioness too) their 'laces at the same table, (hile his suite (ere honourably entertained at other boards according to their several Oualities! "any courses (ere served (ith no lac) of excellent and rare (ines, (hereby the Ning (as mightily 'leased, as also by the extraordinary beauty of the "archioness, on (hom his eye from time to time rested! .o(ever, as course follo(ed course, the Ning observed (ith some sur'rise, that, though the dishes (ere diverse, yet they (ere all but variations of one and the same fare, to (it, the 'ullet! Besides (hich he )ne( that the domain (as one (hich could not but afford 'lenty of divers sorts of game, and by fore(arning the lady of his a''roach, he had allo(ed time for huntingI yet, for all his sur'rise, he (ould not broach the Ouestion more directly (ith her than by a reference to her hensI so, turning to her (ith a smile, he saidB@@T"adam, do hens gro( in this country (ithout so much as a single coc)ST The "archioness, (ho 'erfectly a''rehended the drift of the Ouestion, sa( in it an o''ortunity, sent her by God, of evincing her virtuous resolutionI so casting a haughty glance u'on the Ning she ans(ered thusB@@T/ire, noI but the (omen, though they may differ some(hat from others in dress and ran), are yet of the same nature here as else(here!T The

significance of the banOuet of 'ullets (as made manifest to the Ning by these (ords, as also the virtue (hich they veiled! .e 'erceived that on a lady of such a tem'er (ords (ould be (asted, and that force (as out of the Ouestion! +herefore, yielding to the dictates of 'rudence and honour, he (as no( as 'rom't to Ouench, as he had been inconsiderate in conceiving, his unfortunate 'assion for the ladyI and fearing her ans(ers, he refrained from further jesting (ith her, and dismissing his ho'es devoted himself to his brea)fast, (hich done, he disarmed sus'icion of the dishonourable 'ur'ose of his visit by an early de'arture, and than)ing her for the honour she had conferred u'on him, and commending her to God, too) the road to Genoa!

;GVE4 VI!

@@ 3 (orthy man by an a't saying 'uts to shame the (ic)ed hy'ocrisy of the religious! @@

+hen all had commended the virtue of the "archioness and the s'irited re'roof (hich she administered to the Ning of -rance, Emilia, (ho sate next to -iammetta, obeyed the OueenMs behest, and (ith a good courage thus beganB@@

"y story is also of a re'roof, but of one administered by a (orthy man, (ho lived the secular life, to a greedy religious, by a jibe as merry as

admirable! Nno( then, dear ladies, that there (as in our city, not long ago, a friar minor, an inOuisitor in matters of heresy, (ho, albeit he strove might and main to 'ass himself off as a holy man and tenderly solicitous for the integrity of the &hristian -aith, as they all do, yet he had as )een a scent for a full 'urse as for a deficiency of faith! ;o( it so chanced that his :eal (as re(arded by the discovery of a good man far better furnished (ith money than (ith sense, (ho in an unguarded moment, not from defect of faith, but rather, 'erha's from excess of hilarity, being heated (ith (ine, had ha''ened to say to his boon com'anions, that he had a (ine good enough for &hrist .imself to drin)! +hich being re'orted to the inOuisitor, he, )no(ing the man to be 'ossessed of large estates and a (ell@lined 'urse, set to (or) in hot haste, Tcum gladiis et fustibus,T to bring all the rigour of the la( to bear u'on him, designing thereby not to lighten the load of his victimMs misbelief, but to increase the (eight of his o(n 'urse by the florins, (hich he might, as he did, receive from him! /o he cited him to his 'resence, and as)ed him (hether (hat (as alleged against him (ere true! The good man ans(ered in the affirmative, and told him ho( it had ha''ened! TThen,T said our most holy and devout inOuisitor of /t! ohn Goldenbeard, 708 Tthen hast thou made &hrist a (ine@bibber, and a lover of rare vintages, as if he (ere a sot, a to'er and a tavern@haunter even as one of you! 3nd thin)est thou no( by a fe( (ords of a'ology to 'ass this off as a light matterS It is no such thing as thou su''osest! Thou hast deserved the fireI and (e should but do our duty, did (e inflict it u'on thee!T +ith these and the li)e (ords in 'lenty he u'braided him, bending on him mean(hile a countenance as stern as if E'icurus had stood before him denying the immortality of the soul! In short he so terrified him that the good man (as

fain to em'loy certain intermediaries to anoint his 'alms (ith a liberal allo(ance of /t! ohn GoldenmouthMs grease, an excellent remedy for the disease of avarice (hich s'reads li)e a 'estilence among the clergy, and notably among the friars minors, (ho dare not touch a coin, that he might deal gently (ith him! 3nd great being the virtue of this ointment, albeit no mention is made thereof by Galen in any 'art of his "edicines, it had so gracious an effect that the threatened fire gave 'lace to a cross, (hich he (as to (ear as if he (ere bound for the em'rise over seasI and to ma)e the ensign more handsome the inOuisitor ordered that it should be yello( u'on a blac) ground! Besides (hich, after 'oc)eting the coin, he )e't him dangling about him for some days, bidding him by (ay of 'enance hear mass every morning at /anta &roce, and after(ards (ait u'on him at the brea)fast@hour, after (hich he (as free to do as he 'leased for the rest of the day! 3ll (hich he most carefully observedI and so it fell out that one of these mornings there (ere chanted at the mass at (hich he assisted the follo(ing (ords of the Gos'elB@@Cou shall receive an hundredfold and shall 'ossess eternal life! +ith these (ords dee'ly graven in his memory, he 'resented himself, as he (as bidden, before the inOuisitor, (here he sate ta)ing his brea)fast, and being as)ed (hether he had heard mass that morning, he 'rom'tly ans(eredB@@TCes, sir!T 3nd being further as)edB@@T.eardest thou aught therein, as to (hich thou art in doubt, or hast thou any Ouestion to 'ro'oundST the good man res'ondedB@@T;ay indeed, doubt have I none of aught that I heardI but rather assured faith in the verity of all! Gne thing, ho(ever, I heard, (hich caused me to commiserate you and the rest of you friars very heartily, in regard of the evil 'light in (hich you must find yourselves in the other (orld!T T3nd (hat,T said the inOuisitor, T(as the

'assage that so moved thee to commiserate usST T/ir,T rejoined the good man, Tit (as that 'assage in the Gos'el (hich saysB@@TCou shall receive an hundredfold!T TCou heard aright,T said the inOuisitorI Tbut (hy did the 'assage so affect youST T/ir,T re'lied the good man, TI (ill tell you! /ince I have been in attendance here, I have seen a cro(d of 'oor fol) receive a daily dole, no( of one, no( of t(o, huge tureens of s(ill, being the refuse from your table, and that of the brothers of this conventI (hereof if you are to receive an hundredfold in the other (orld, you (ill have so much that it (ill go hard but you are all dro(ned therein!T This raised a general laugh among those (ho sat at the inOuisitorMs table, (hereat the inOuisitor, feeling that their gluttony and hy'ocrisy had received a home@thrust, (as very (roth, and, but that (hat he had already done had not esca'ed censure, (ould have instituted fresh 'roceedings against him in revenge for the 'leasantry (ith (hich he had rebu)ed the baseness of himself and his brother friarsI so in im'otent (rath he bade him go about his business and she( himself there no more!

708 The fiorino dMoro bore the effigy of /t! ohn!

;GVE4 VII!

@@ Bergamino, (ith a story of Primasso and the 3bbot of &luny, finely censures a sudden access of avarice in "esser &ane della /cala! @@

EmiliaMs charming manner and her story dre( laughter and commendation from the Oueen and all the com'any, (ho (ere much tic)led by her ne( ty'e of crusader! +hen the laughter had subsided, and all (ere again silent, -ilostrato, on (hom the narration no( fell, began on this (iseB@@

3 fine thing it is, noble ladies, to hit a fixed mar)I but if, on the sudden a''earance of some strange object, it be forth(ith hit by the bo(man, Mtis little short of a miracle! The corru't and filthy life of the clergy offers on many sides a fixed mar) of iniOuity at (hich, (hoever is so minded, may let fly, (ith little doubt that they (ill reach it, the (inged (ords of re'roof and re'rehension! +herefore, though the (orthy man did (ell to censure in the 'erson of the inOuisitor the 'retended charity of the friars (ho give to the 'oor (hat they ought rather to give to the 'igs or thro( a(ay, higher indeed is the 'raise (hich I accord to him, of (hom, ta)ing my cue from the last story, I mean to s'ea)I seeing that by a clever a'ologue he rebu)ed a sudden and un(onted access of avarice in "esser &ane della /cala, conveying in a figure (hat he had at heart to say touching "esser &ane and himselfI (hich a'ologue is to follo(!

-ar and (ide, almost to the ends of the earth, is borne the most illustrious reno(n of "esser &ane della /cala, in many (ays the favoured child of fortune, a lord almost (ithout a 'eer among the notables and magnificoes of Italy since the time of the Em'eror -rederic II! ;o( "esser &ane, being minded to hold high festival at Verona, (hereof fame should s'ea) marvellous things, and many fol) from divers 'arts, of (hom the greater number (ere

jesters of every order, being already arrived, "esser &ane did suddenly 7for some cause or another8 abandon his design, and dismissed them (ith a 'artial recom'ense! Gne only, Bergamino by name, a s'ea)er ready and 'olished in a degree credible only to such as heard him, remained, having received no recom'ense or conge, still cherishing the ho'e that this omission might yet turn out to his advantage! But "esser &ane (as 'ossessed (ith the idea that (hatever he might give Bergamino (ould be far more com'letely thro(n a(ay than if he had tossed it into the fireI so never a (ord of the sort said he or sent he to him! 3 fe( days thus 'assed, and then Bergamino, seeing that he (as in no demand or reOuest for aught that belonged to his office, and being also at heavy charges at his inn for the )ee' of his horses and servants, fell into a sort of melancholyI but still he (aited a (hile, not deeming it ex'edient to leave! .e had brought (ith him three rich and goodly robes, given him by other lords, that he might ma)e a brave sho( at the festival, and (hen his host began to 'ress for 'ayment he gave him one of the robesI after(ards, there being still much outstanding against him, he must needs, if he (ould tarry longer at the inn, give the host the second robeI after (hich he began to live on the third, being minded remain there, as long as it (ould hold out, in ex'ectation of better luc), and then to ta)e his de'arture! ;o(, (hile he (as thus living on the third robe, it chanced that "esser &ane encountered him one day as he sate at brea)fast (ith a very melancholy visage! +hich "esser &ane observing, said, rather to tease him than ex'ecting to elicit from him any 'leasant retortB@@T+hat ails thee, Bergamino, that thou art still so melancholyS 4et me )no( the reason (hy!T +hereu'on Bergamino, (ithout a momentMs reflection, told the follo(ing story, (hich could not have fitted his o(n case more exactly if it had been

long 'remeditated!

"y lord, you must )no( that Primasso (as a grammarian of great eminence, and excellent and Ouic) beyond all others in versifyingI (hereby he (axed so notable and famous that, albeit he (as not every(here )no(n by sight, yet there (ere scarce any that did not at least by name and re'ort )no( (ho Primasso (as! ;o( it so ha''ened that, being once at Paris in straitened circumstances, as it (as his lot to be most of his time by reason that virtue is little a''reciated by the 'o(erful, he heard s'ea) of the 3bbot of &luny, (ho, exce't the Po'e, is su''osed to be the richest 'relate, in regard of his vast revenues, that the &hurch of God can she(I and marvellous and magnificent things (ere told him of the 'er'etual court (hich the abbot )e't, and ho(, (herever he (as, he denied not to any that came there either meat or drin), so only that he 'referred his reOuest (hile the abbot (as at table! +hich (hen Primasso heard, he determined to go and see for himself (hat magnificent state this abbot )e't, for he (as one that too) great delight in observing the (ays of 'o(erful and lordly menI (herefore he as)ed ho( far from Paris (as the abbot then sojourning! .e (as informed that the abbot (as then at one of his 'laces distant 'erha's six milesI (hich Primasso concluded he could reach in time for brea)fast, if he started early in the morning! +hen he had learned the (ay, he found that no one else (as travelling by it, and fearing lest by mischance he should lose it, and so find himself (here it (ould not be easy for him to get food, he determined to obviate so disagreeable a contingency by ta)ing (ith him three loaves of bread@@as for drin), (ater, though not much to his taste, (as, he su''osed, to be found every(here! /o, having dis'osed the loaves in the fold of his

tunic, he too) the road and made such 'rogress that he reached the abbotMs 'lace of sojourn before the brea)fast@hour! .aving entered, he made the circuit of the entire 'lace, observing everything, the vast array of tables, and the vast )itchen (ell@a''ointed (ith all things needful for the 're'aration and service of the brea)fast, and saying to himselfB@@TIn very truth this man is even such a magnifico as he is re'orted to be!T +hile his attention (as thus occu'ied, the abbotMs seneschal, it being no( brea)fast@time, gave order to serve (ater for the hands, (hich being (ashen, they sat them all do(n to brea)fast! ;o( it so ha''ened that Primasso (as 'laced immediately in front of the door by (hich the abbot must 'ass from his chamber, into the hall, in (hich, according to rule of his court, neither (ine, nor bread, nor aught else drin)able or eatable (as ever set on the tables before he made his a''earance and (as seated! The seneschal, therefore, having set the tables, sent (ord to the abbot, that all (as no( ready, and they (aited only his 'leasure! /o the abbot gave the (ord, the door of his chamber (as thro(n o'en, and he too) a ste' or t(o for(ard to(ards the hall, ga:ing straight in front of him as he (ent! Thus it fell out that the first man on (hom he set eyes (as Primasso, (ho (as in very sorry trim! The abbot, (ho )ne( him not by sight, no sooner sa( him, than, sur'rised by a churlish mood to (hich he had hitherto been an entire stranger, he said to himselfB@@T/o it is to such as this man that I give my hos'italityIT and going bac) into the chamber he bade loc) the door, and as)ed of his attendants (hether the vile fello( that sate at table directly o''osite the door (as )no(n to any of them, (ho, one and all, ans(ered in the negative! Primasso (aited a little, but he (as not used to fast, and his journey had (hetted his a''etite! /o, as the abbot did not return, he dre(

out one of the loaves (hich he had brought (ith him, and began to eat! The abbot, after a (hile, bade one of his servants go see (hether Primasso (ere gone! The servant returned (ith the ans(erB@@T;o, sir, and 7(hat is more8 he is eating a loaf of bread, (hich he seems to have brought (ith him!T TBe it so then,T said the abbot, (ho (as vexed that he (as not gone of his o(n accord, but (as not dis'osed to turn him outI Tlet him eat his o(n bread, if he have any, for he shall have none of ours today!T By and by Primasso, having finished his first loaf, began, as the abbot did not ma)e his a''earance, to eat the secondI (hich (as li)e(ise re'orted to the abbot, (ho had again sent to see if he (ere gone! -inally, as the abbot still delayed his coming, Primasso, having finished the second loaf, began u'on the thirdI (hereof, once more, (ord (as carried to the abbot, (ho no( began to commune (ith himself and sayB@@T3las* my soul, (hat un(onted mood harbourest thou to@dayS +hat avariceS (hat scornS and of (homS I have given my hos'itality, no( for many a year, to (hoso craved it, (ithout loo)ing to see (hether he (ere gentle or churl, 'oor or rich, merchant or cheat, and mine eyes have seen it sOuandered on vile fello(s (ithout numberI and nought of that (hich I feel to(ards this man ever entered my mind! 3ssuredly it cannot be that he is a man of no conseOuence, (ho is the occasion of this access of avarice in me! Though he seem to me a vile fello(, he must be some great man, that my mind is thus obstinately averse to do him honour!T Gf (hich musings the u'shot (as that he sent to inOuire (ho the vile fello( (as, and learning that he (as Primasso, come to see if (hat he had heard of his magnificent state (ere true, he (as stric)en (ith shame, having heard of old PrimassoMs fame, and )no(ing him to be a great man! +herefore, being :ealous to ma)e him the amend, he studied to do him honour in many (aysI and after

brea)fast, that his garb might accord (ith his native dignity, he caused him to be nobly arrayed, and setting him u'on a 'alfrey and filling his 'urse, left it to his o(n choice, (hether to go or to stay! /o Primasso, (ith a full heart, than)ed him for his courtesy in terms the am'lest that he could command, and, having left Paris afoot, returned thither on horsebac)!T

"esser &ane (as shre(d enough to a''rehend BergaminoMs meaning 'erfectly (ell (ithout a gloss, and said (ith a smileB@@TBergamino, thy 'arable is a't, and declares to me very 'lainly thy losses, my avarice, and (hat thou desirest of me! 3nd in good sooth this access of avarice, of (hich thou art the occasion, is the first that I have ex'erienced! But I (ill ex'el the intruder (ith the baton (hich thou thyself hast furnished!T /o he 'aid BergaminoMs rec)oning, habited him nobly in one of his o(n robes, gave him money and a 'alfrey, and left it for the time at his discretion, (hether to go or to stay!

;GVE4 VIII!

@@ Guglielmo Borsiere by a neat retort shar'ly censures avarice in "esser Ermino deM Grimaldi! @@

;ext -ilostrato (as seated 4auretta, (ho, (hen the 'raises besto(ed on BergaminoMs address had ceased, )no(ing that it (as no( her turn to s'ea),

(aited not for the (ord of command, but (ith a charming graciousness thus beganB@@

The last novel, dear gossi's, 'rom'ts me to relate ho( a (orthy man, li)e(ise a jester, re'rehended not (ithout success the greed of a very (ealthy merchantI and, though the burden of my story is not unli)e the last, yet, 'erchance, it may not on that account be the less a''reciated by you, because it has a ha''y termination!

Nno( then that in Genoa there d(elt long ago a gentleman, (ho (as )no(n as "esser Ermino deM Grimaldi, and (hose (ealth, both in lands and money, (as generally su''osed to be far in excess of that of any other burgher then in Italy, and as in (ealth he (as (ithout a rival in Italy, so in meanness and avarice there (as not any in the entire (orld, ho(ever richly endo(ed (ith those Oualities, (hom he did not immeasurably sur'ass, insomuch that, not only did he )ee' a tight gri' u'on his 'urse (hen honour (as to be done to another, but in his 'ersonal ex'enditure, even u'on things meet and 'ro'er, contrary to the general custom of the Genoese, (hose (ont is to array themselves nobly, he (as extremely 'enurious, as also in his outlay u'on his table! +herefore, not (ithout just cause, fol) had dro''ed his surname deM Grimaldi, and called him instead "esser Ermino 3vari:ia! +hile thus by thrift his (ealth (axed greater and greater, it so chanced that there came to Genoa a jester of good 'arts, a man debonair and ready of s'eech, his name Guglielmo Borsiere, (hose li)e is not to be found to@day (hen jesters 7to the great re'roach be it s'o)en of those that claim the name and re'utation of gentlemen8 are rather to be called asses, being (ithout

courtly breeding, and formed after the coarse 'attern of the basest of churls! 3nd (hereas in the days of (hich I s'ea) they made it their business, they s'ared no 'ains, to com'ose Ouarrels, to allay heart@burnings, bet(een gentlemen, or arrange marriages, or leagues of amity, ministering mean(hile relief to jaded minds and solace to courts by the s'rightly sallies of their (it, and (ith )een sarcasm, li)e fathers, censuring churlish manners, being also satisfied (ith very trifling guerdonsI no(adays all their care is to s'end their time in scandal@mongering, in so(ing discord, in saying, and 7(hat is (orse8 in doing in the 'resence of com'any things churlish and flagitious, in bringing accusations, true or false, of (ic)ed, shameful or flagitious conduct against one anotherI and in dra(ing gentlemen into base and nefarious 'ractices by sinister and insidious arts! 3nd by these (retched and de'raved lords he is held most dear and best re(arded (hose (ords and deeds are the most atrocious, to the great re'roach and scandal of the (orld of to@dayI (hereby it is abundantly manifest that virtue has de'arted from the earth, leaving a degenerate generation to (allo( in the lo(est de'ths of vice!

But reverting to the 'oint at (hich I started, (herefrom under stress of just indignation I have deviated some(hat further than I intended, I say that the said Guglielmo (as had in honour, and (as (ell received by all the gentlemen of GenoaI and tarrying some days in the city, heard much of the meanness and avarice of "esser Ermino, and (as curious to see him! ;o( "esser Ermino had heard that this Guglielmo Borsiere (as a man of good 'arts, and, not(ithstanding his avarice, having in him some s'ar)s of good breeding, received him (ith (ords of hearty greeting and a gladsome mien,

and conversed freely (ith him and of divers matters, and so conversing, too) him (ith other Genoese that (ere of his com'any to a ne( and very beautiful house (hich he had built, and after she(ing him over the (hole of it, said to himB@@T;o(, "esser Guglielmo, you have seen and heard many thingsI could you suggest to me something, the li)e of (hich has not hitherto been seen, (hich I might have 'ainted here in the saloon of this houseST To (hich ill@judged Ouestion Guglielmo re'liedB@@T/ir, it (ould not, I thin), be in my 'o(er to suggest anything the li)e of (hich has never been seen, unless it (ere a snee:e or something similarI but if it so 'lease you, I have something to suggest, (hich, I thin), you have never seen!T TPrithee, (hat may that beST said "esser Ermino, not ex'ecting to get the ans(er (hich he got! -or Guglielmo re'lied forth(ithB@@TPaint &ourtesy hereIT (hich "esser Ermino had no sooner heard, than he (as so stric)en (ith shame that his dis'osition under(ent a com'lete change, and he saidB@@T"esser, Guglielmo, I (ill see to it that &ourtesy is here 'ainted in such (ise that neither you nor any one else shall ever again have reason to tell me that I have not seen or )no(n that virtue!T 3nd hencefor(ard 7so enduring (as the change (rought by GuglielmoMs (ords8 there (as not in Genoa, (hile he lived, any gentleman so liberal and so gracious and so lavish of honour both to strangers and to his fello(@citi:ens as "esser Ermino deM Grimaldi!

;GVE4 I%!

@@ The censure of a Gascon lady converts the Ning of &y'rus from a churlish to

an honourable tem'er! @@

Exce't Elisa none no( remained to ans(er the call of the Oueen, and she (ithout (aiting for it, (ith gladsome alacrity thus beganB@@

Bethin) you, damsels, ho( often it has ha''ened that men (ho have been obdurate to censures and chastisements have been reclaimed by some un'remeditated casual (ord! This is 'lainly manifest by the story told by 4aurettaI and by mine, (hich (ill be of the briefest, I mean further to illustrate itI seeing that, good stories, being al(ays 'leasurable, are (orth listening to (ith attention, no matter by (hom they may be told!

MT(as, then, in the time of the first )ing of &y'rus, after the conOuest made of the .oly 4and by Godfrey de Bouillon, that a lady of Gascony made a 'ilgrimage to the .oly /e'ulchre, and on her (ay home, having landed at &y'rus, met (ith brutal outrage at the hands of certain ruffians! Bro)en@hearted and disconsolate she determined to ma)e her com'laint to the )ingI but she (as told that it (ould be all in vain, because so s'iritless and faineant (as he that he not only neglected to avenge affronts 'ut u'on others, but endured (ith a re'rehensible tameness those (hich (ere offered to himself, insomuch that (hoso had any ill@humour to vent, too) occasion to vex or mortify him! The lady, hearing this re'ort, des'aired of redress, and by (ay of alleviation of her grief determined to ma)e the )ing sensible of his baseness! /o in tears she 'resented herself before him and saidB@@T/ire, it is not to see) redress of the (rong done me that I come here before youB

but only that, so 'lease you, I may learn of you ho( it is that you suffer 'atiently the (rongs (hich, as I understand, are done youI that thus schooled by you in 'atience I may endure my o(n, (hich, God )no(s, I (ould gladly, (ere it 'ossible, transfer to you, seeing that you are so (ell fitted to bear them!T These (ords aroused the hitherto sluggish and a'athetic )ing as it (ere from slee'! .e redressed the ladyMs (rong, and having thus made a beginning, thenceforth meted out the most rigorous justice to all that in any (ise offended against the majesty of his cro(n!

;GVE4 %!

@@ "aster 3lberto da Bologna honourably 'uts to shame a lady (ho sought occasion to 'ut him to shame in that he (as in love (ith her! @@

3fter Elisa had done, it only remained for the Oueen to conclude the dayMs story@telling, and thus (ith manner debonair did she beginB@@

3s stars in the serene ex'anse of heaven, as in s'ring@time flo(ers in the green 'astures, so, honourable damsels, in the hour of rare and excellent converse is (it (ith its bright sallies! +hich, being brief, are much more 'ro'er for ladies than for men, seeing that 'rolixity of s'eech, (hen brevity is 'ossible, is much less allo(able to themI albeit 7shame be to us all and all our generation8 fe( ladies or none are left to@day (ho

understand aught that is (ittily said, or understanding are able to ans(er it! -or the 'lace of those graces of the s'irit (hich distinguished the ladies of the 'ast has no( been usur'ed by adornments of the 'ersonI and she (hose dress is most richly and variously and curiously dight, accounts herself more (orthy to be had in honour, forgetting, that, (ere one but so to array him, an ass (ould carry a far greater load of finery than any of them, and for all that be not a (hit the more deserving of honour! I blush to say this, for in censuring others I condemn myself! Tric)ed out, bedec)ed, bedi:ened thus, (e are either silent and im'assive as statues, or, if (e ans(er aught that is said to us, much better (ere it (e had held our 'eace! 3nd (e ma)e believe, forsooth, that our failure to acOuit ourselves in converse (ith our eOuals of either sex does but 'roceed from guilelessnessI dignifying stu'idity by the name of modesty, as if no lady could be modest and converse (ith other fol) than her maid or laundress or ba)e@house (omanI (hich if ;ature had intended, as (e feign she did, she (ould have set other limits to our garrulousness! True it is that in this, as in other matters, time and 'lace and 'erson are to be regardedI because it sometimes ha''ens that a lady or gentleman thin)ing by some sally of (it to 'ut another to shame, has rather been 'ut to shame by that other, having failed duly to estimate their relative 'o(ers! +herefore, that you may be on your guard against such error, and, further, that in you be not exem'lified the common 'roverb, to (it, that (omen do ever and on all occasions choose the (orst, I trust that this last of to@dayMs stories, (hich falls to me to tell, may serve you as a lessonI that, as you are distinguished from others by nobility of nature, so you may also she( yourselves se'arate from them by excellence of manners!

There lived not many years ago, 'erha's yet lives, in Bologna, a very great 'hysician, so great that the fame of his s)ill (as noised abroad throughout almost the entire (orld!

;o( "aster 3lberto 7such (as his name8 (as of so noble a tem'er that, being no( nigh u'on seventy years of age, and all but devoid of natural heat of body, he (as yet rece'tive of the flames of loveI and having at an assembly seen a very beautiful (ido( lady, "adonna "algherida deM Ghisolieri, as some say, and being charmed (ith her beyond measure, (as, not(ithstanding his age, no less ardently enamoured than a young man, insomuch that he (as not (ell able to slee' at night, unless during the day he had seen the fair ladyMs lovely and delicate features! +herefore he began to freOuent the vicinity of her house, 'assing to and fro in front of it, no( on foot no( on horsebac), as occasion best served! +hich she and many other ladies 'erceiving, made merry together more than once, to see a man of his years and discretion in love, as if they deemed that this most delightful 'assion of love (ere only fit for em'ty@headed youths, and could not in men be either harboured or engendered! "aster 3lberto thus continuing to haunt the front of the house, it so ha''ened that one feast@day the lady (ith other ladies (as seated before her door, and "aster 3lbertoMs a''roach being thus observed by them for some time before he arrived, they com'lotted to receive him and she( him honour, and then to rally him on his loveI and so they did, rising (ith one accord to receive him, bidding him (elcome, and ushering him into a cool courtyard, (here they regaled him (ith the finest (ines and comfitsI (hich done, in a tone of refined and s'rightly banter they as)ed

him ho( it came about that he (as enamoured of this fair lady, seeing that she (as beloved of many a fine gentleman of youth and s'irit! "aster 3lberto, being thus courteously assailed, 'ut a blithe face on it, and ans(eredB@@T"adam, my love for you need sur'rise none that is conversant (ith such matters, and least of all you that are (orthy of it! 3nd though old men, of course, have lost the strength (hich love demands for its full fruition, yet are they not therefore (ithout the good intent and just a''reciation of (hat beseems the acce'ted lover, but indeed understand it far better than young men, by reason that they have more ex'erience! "y ho'e in thus old as'iring to love you, (ho are loved by so many young men, is founded on (hat I have freOuently observed of ladiesM (ays at lunch, (hen they trifle (ith the lu'in and the lee)! In the lee) no 'art is good, but the head is at any rate not so bad as the rest, and indeed not un'alatableI you, ho(ever, for the most 'art, follo(ing a de'raved taste, hold it in your hand and munch the leaves, (hich are not only of no account but actually distasteful! .o( am I to )no(, madam, that in your selection of lovers, you are not eOually eccentricS In (hich case I should be the man of your choice, and the rest (ould be cast aside!T +hereto the gentle lady, some(hat shame@stric)en, as (ere also her fair friends, thus made ans(erB@@T"aster 3lberto, our 'resum'tion has received from you a most just and no less courteous re'roofI but your love is dear to me, as should ever be that of a (ise and (orthy man! 3nd therefore, saving my honour, I am yours, entirely and devotedly at your 'leasure and command!T This s'eech brought "aster 3lberto to his feet, and the others also rising, he than)ed the lady for her courtesy, bade her a gay and smiling adieu, and so left the house! Thus the lady, not considering on (hom she exercised her (it, thin)ing to conOuer (as

conOuered herself@@against (hich misha' you, if you are discreet, (ill ever be most strictly on your guard!

3s the young ladies and the three young men finished their storytelling the sun (as (estering and the heat of the day in great measure abated! +hich their Oueen observing, debonairly thus she s'o)eB@@T;o(, dear gossi's, my day of sovereignty dra(s to a close, and nought remains for me to do but to give you a ne( Oueen, by (hom on the morro( our common life may be ordered as she may deem best in a course of seemly 'leasureI and though there seems to be still some interval bet(een day and night, yet, as (hoso does not in some degree antici'ate the course of time, cannot (ell 'rovide for the futureI and in order that (hat the ne( Oueen shall decide to be meet for the morro( may be made ready beforehand, I decree that from this time forth the days begin at this hour! 3nd so in reverent submission to .im in (hom is the life of all beings, for our comfort and solace (e commit the governance of our realm for the morro( into the hands of Uueen -ilomena, most discreet of damsels!T /o saying she arose, too) the laurel (reath from her bro(, and (ith a gesture of reverence set it on the bro( of -ilomena, (hom she then, and after her all the other ladies and the young men, saluted as Oueen, doing her due and graceful homage!

Uueen -ilomena modestly blushed a little to find herself thus invested (ith the sovereigntyI but, being 'ut on her mettle by Pam'ineaMs recent admonitions, she (as minded not to seem a()(ard, and soon recovered her com'osure! /he then began by confirming all the a''ointments made by Pam'inea, and ma)ing all needful arrangements for the follo(ing morning and

evening, (hich they (ere to 'ass (here they then (ere! +hereu'on she thus s'o)eB@@TDearest gossi's, though, than)s rather to Pam'ineaMs courtesy than to merit of mine, I am made Oueen of you all, yet I am not on that account minded to have res'ect merely to my o(n judgment in the governance of our life, but to unite your (isdom (ith mineI and that you may understand (hat I thin) of doing, and by conseOuence may be able to am'lify or curtail it at your 'leasure, I (ill in fe( (ords ma)e )no(n to you my 'ur'ose! The course observed by Pam'inea to@day, if I have judged aright, seems to be ali)e commendable and delectableI (herefore, until by la'se of time, or for some other cause, it gro( tedious, I 'ur'ose not to alter it! /o (hen (e have arranged for (hat (e have already ta)en in hand, (e (ill go hence and enjoy a short (al)I at sundo(n (e (ill su' in the coolI and (e (ill then sing a fe( songs and other(ise divert ourselves, until it is time to go to slee'! To@morro( (e (ill rise in the cool of the morning, and after enjoying another (al), each at his or her s(eet (ill, (e (ill return, as to@day, and in due time brea) our fast, dance, slee', and having risen, (ill here resume our story@telling, (herein, methin)s, 'leasure and 'rofit unite in su'erabundant measure! True it is that Pam'inea, by reason of her late election to the sovereignty, neglected one matter, (hich I mean to introduce, to (it, the circumscri'tion of the to'ic of our story@telling, and its 'reassignment, that each may be able to 'remeditate some a't story bearing u'on the themeI and seeing that from the beginning of the (orld -ortune has made men the s'ort of divers accidents, and so it (ill continue until the end, the theme, so 'lease you, shall in each case be the sameI to (it, the fortune of such as after divers adventures have at last attained a goal of unex'ected felicity!

The ladies and the young men ali)e commended the rule thus laid do(n, and agreed to follo( it! Dioneo, ho(ever, (hen the rest had done s'ea)ing, saidB@@T"adam, as all the rest have said, so say I, briefly, that the rule 'rescribed by you is commendable and delectableI but of your es'ecial grace I crave a favour, (hich, I trust, may be granted and continued to me, so long as our com'any shall endureI (hich favour is thisB that I be not bound by the assigned theme if I am not so minded, but that I have leave to choose such to'ic as best shall 'lease me! 3nd lest any su''ose that I crave this grace as one that has not stories ready to hand, I am henceforth content that mine be al(ays the last!T The Oueen, )no(ing him to be a merry and facetious fello(, and feeling sure that he only craved this favour in order that, if the com'any (ere jaded, he might have an o''ortunity to recreate them by some amusing story, gladly, (ith the consent of the rest, granted his 'etition! /he then rose, and attended by the rest sauntered to(ards a stream, (hich, issuing clear as crystal from a neighbouring hill, 'reci'itated itself into a valley shaded by trees close set amid living roc) and fresh green herbage! Bare of foot and arm they entered the stream, and roving hither and thither amused themselves in divers (ays till in due time they returned to the 'alace, and gaily su''ed! /u''er ended, the Oueen sent for instruments of music, and bade 4auretta lead a dance, (hile Emilia (as to sing a song accom'anied by Dioneo on the lute!

3ccordingly 4auretta led a dance, (hile Emilia (ith 'assion sang the follo(ing songB

/o fain I am of my o(n loveliness, I ho'e, nor thin) not eMer The (eight to feel of other amorousness!

+hen in the mirror I my face behold, That see I there (hich doth my mind content, ;or any 'resent ha' or memory old "ay me de'rive of such s(eet ravishment! +here else, then, should I find such blandishment Gf sight and sense that eMer "y heart should )no( another amorousnessS

;or need I fear lest the fair thing retreat, +hen fain I am my solace to rene(I #ather, I )no(, Mt(ill me advance to meet, To 'leasure me, and she( so s(eet a vie( That s'eech or thought of none its semblance true Paint or conceive may eMer, Hnless he burn (ith evMn such amorousness!

Thereon as more intent I ga:e, the fire +axeth (ithin me hourly, more and more, "yself I yield thereto, myself entire, 3nd foretaste have of (hat it hath in store, 3nd ho'e of greater joyance than before, ;ay, such as neMer

;one )ne(I for neMer (as felt such amorousness!

This ballade, to (hich all heartily res'onded, albeit its (ords furnished much matter of thought to some, (as follo(ed by some other dances, and 'art of the brief night being thus s'ent, the Oueen 'roclaimed the first day ended, and bade light the torches that all might go to rest until the follo(ing morningI and so, see)ing their several chambers, to rest they (ent!

@@ Endeth here the first day of the DecameronI beginneth the second, in (hich, under the rule of -ilomena, they discourse of the fortunes of such as after divers misadventures have at last attained a goal of unex'ected felicity! @@

The sun (as already trailing the ne( day in his (a)e of light, and the birds, blithely chanting their lays among the green boughs, carried the tidings to the ear, (hen (ith one accord all the ladies and the three young men arose, and entered the gardens, (here for no little time they found their delight in sauntering about the de(y meads, straying hither and thither, culling flo(ers, and (eaving them into fair garlands! The day 'assed li)e its 'redecessorI they brea)fasted in the shade, and danced and sle't until noon, (hen they rose, and, at their OueenMs behest, assembled in the cool meado(, and sat them do(n in a circle about her! -air and very debonair she she(ed, cro(ned (ith her laurel (reath, as for a brief s'ace

she scanned the com'any, and then bade ;eifile she( others the (ay (ith a story! ;eifile made no excuse, and gaily thus began!

;GVE4 I!

@@ "artellino 'retends to be a 'aralytic, and ma)es it a''ear as if he (ere cured by being 'laced u'on the body of /t! 3rrigo! .is tric) is detectedI he is beaten and arrested, and is in 'eril of hanging, but finally esca'es! @@

Gften has it ha''ened, dearest ladies, that one (ho has studied to raise a laugh at othersM ex'ense, es'ecially in regard of things (orthy to be had in reverence, has found the laugh turn against himself, and sometimes to his lossB as, in obedience to the OueenMs command, and by (ay of introducing our theme, I am about to she( you, by the narrative of an adventure (hich befell one of our o(n citi:ens, and after a course of evil fortune had an entirely unex'ected and very felicitous issue!

;ot long ago there (as at Treviso a German, named 3rrigo, a 'oor man (ho got his living as a common hired 'orter, but though of so humble a condition, (as res'ected by all, being accounted not only an honest but a most holy manI insomuch that, (hether truly or falsely I )no( not, the Trevisans affirm, that on his decease all the bells of the cathedral of Treviso began to toll of their o(n accord! +hich being accounted a miracle, this 3rrigo

(as generally re'uted a saintI and all the 'eo'le of the city gathered before the house (here his body lay, and bore it, (ith a saintMs honours, into the cathedral, and brought thither the halt and 'aralytic and blind, and others afflicted (ith disease or bodily defects, as ho'ing that by contact (ith this holy body they (ould all be healed! The 'eo'le thus tumultuously thronging the church, it so chanced that there arrived in Treviso three of our o(n citi:ens, of (hom one (as named /tecchi, another "artellino, and the third "archeseI all three being men (hose habit it (as to freOuent the courts of the nobles and afford s'ectators amusement by assuming disguises and 'ersonating other men! Being entire strangers to the 'lace, and seeing everybody running to and fro, they (ere much astonished, and having learned the (hy and (herefore, (ere curious to go see (hat (as to be seen! /o at the inn, (here they 'ut u', "archese beganB@@T+e (ould fain go see this saintI but for my 'art I )no( not ho( (e are to reach the s'ot, for I hear the 'ia::a is full of Germans and other armed men, 'osted there by the 4ord (ho rules here to 'revent an u'roar, and moreover the church, so far as one may learn, is so full of fol) that scarce another soul may enter it!T +hereu'on "artellino, (ho (as bent on seeing (hat (as to be seen, saidB@@T4et not this deter usI I (ill assuredly find a (ay of getting to the saintMs body!T T.o(ST rejoined "archese! TI (ill tell you,T re'lied "artellinoI TI (ill counterfeit a 'aralytic, and thou (ilt su''ort me on one side and /tecchi on the other, as if I (ere not able to go alone, and so you (ill enter the church, ma)ing it a''ear as if you (ere leading me u' to the body of the saint that he may heal me, and all that see (ill ma)e (ay and give us free 'assage!T "archese and /tecchi a''roved the 'lanI so all three forth(ith left the inn and re'aired to a lonely 'lace, (here "artellino

distorted his hands, his fingers, his arms, his legs, and also his mouth and eyes and his entire face in a manner horrible to contem'lateI so that no stranger that sa( him could have doubted that he (as im'otent and 'aralysed in every 'art of his body! In this guise "archese and /tecchi laid hold of him, and led him to(ards the church, assuming a most 'iteous air, and humbly beseeching everybody for GodMs sa)e to ma)e (ay for them! Their reOuest (as readily grantedI and, in short, observed by all, and crying out at almost every ste', Tma)e (ay, ma)e (ay,T they reached the 'lace (here /t! 3rrigoMs body (as laid! +hereu'on some gentlemen (ho stood by, hoisted "artellino on to the saintMs body, that thereby he might receive the boon of health! There he lay still for a (hile, the eyes of all in the church being riveted u'on him in ex'ectation of the resultI then, being a very 'ractised 'erformer, he stretched, first, one of his fingers, next a hand, after(ards an arm, and so forth, ma)ing as if he gradually recovered the use of all his natural 'o(ers! +hich the 'eo'le observing raised such a clamour in honour of /t! 3rrigo that even thunder (ould have been inaudible! ;o( it chanced that hard by stood a -lorentine, (ho )ne( "artellino (ell, though he had failed to recognise him, (hen, in such strange guise, he (as led into the churchI but no(, seeing him resume his natural sha'e, the -lorentine recognised him, and at once said (ith a laughZTGodMs curse u'on him! +ho that sa( him come but (ould have believed that he (as really 'aralysedST These (ords (ere overheard by some of the Trevisans, (ho began forth(ith to Ouestion the -lorentine! T.o(ST said theyI T(as he then not 'aralysedS ;o, by God returned the -lorentine he has al(ays been as straight as any of usI he has merely she(n you that he )no(s better than any man alive ho( to 'lay this tric) of 'utting on any counterfeit semblance that he chooses!T Thereu'on

the Trevisans, (ithout further 'arley, made a rush, clearing the (ay and crying out as they (entB@@T/ei:e this traitor (ho moc)s at God and .is saintsI (ho, being no 'aralytic, has come hither in the guise of a 'aralytic to deride our 'atron saint and us!T /o saying, they laid hands on him, dragged him do(n from (here he stood, sei:ed him by the hair, tore the clothes from his bac), and fell to beating and )ic)ing him, so that it seemed to him as if all the (orld (ere u'on him! .e cried outB@@TPity, for GodMs sa)e,T and defended himself as best he couldB all in vain, ho(everI the 'ress became thic)er and thic)er moment by moment! +hich /tecchi and "archese observing began to say one to the other that Mt(as a bad businessI yet, being a''rehensive on their o(n account, they did not venture to come to his assistance, but cried out (ith the rest that he ought to die, at the same time, ho(ever, casting about ho( they might find the means to rescue him from the hands of the 'eo'le, (ho (ould certainly have )illed him, but for a diversion (hich "archese hastily effected! The entire 'osse of the signory being just outside, he ran off at full s'eed to the PodestaMs lieutenant, and said to himB@@T.el', for GodMs sa)eI there is a villain here that has cut my 'urse (ith full a hundred florins of gold in itI 'rithee have him arrested that I may have my o(n again!T +hereu'on, t(elve sergeants or more ran forth(ith to the 'lace (here ha'less "artellino (as being carded (ithout a comb, and, forcing their (ay (ith the utmost difficulty through the throng, rescued him all bruised and battered from their hands, and led him to the 'alaceI (hither he (as follo(ed by many (ho, resenting (hat he had done, and hearing that he (as arrested as a cut'urse, and lac)ing better 'retext for harassing him, began one and all to charge him (ith having cut their 'urses! 3ll (hich the de'uty of the Podesta had no sooner heard, than,

being a harsh man, he straight(ay too) "artellino aside and began to examine him! "artellino ans(ered his Ouestions in a bantering tone, ma)ing light of the arrestI (hereat the de'uty, losing 'atience, had him bound to the stra''ado, and caused him to receive a fe( hints of the cord (ith intent to extort from him a confession of his guilt, by (ay of 'reliminary to hanging him! Ta)en do(n from the stra''ado, and Ouestioned by the de'uty if (hat his accusers said (ere true, "artellino, as nothing (as to be gained by denial, ans(eredB@@T"y lord, I am ready to confess the truthI let but my accusers say, each of them, (hen and (here I cut his 'urse, and I (ill tell you (hat I have and (hat I have not done!T T/o be it,T said the de'uty, and caused a fe( of them to be summoned! +hereu'on "artellino, being charged (ith having cut this, that or the other manMs 'urse eight, six or four days ago, (hile others averred that he had cut their 'urses that very day, ans(ered thusB@@ T"y lord, these men lie in the throat, and for to)en that I s'ea) true, I tell you that, so far from having been here as long as they ma)e out, it is but very lately that I came into these 'arts, (here I never (as beforeI and no sooner (as I come, than, as my ill@luc) (ould have it, I (ent to see the body of this saint, and so have been carded as you seeI and that (hat I say is true, his 4ordshi'Ms intendant of arrivals, and his boo), and also my host may certify! +herefore, if you find that even so it is as I say, hear)en not to these (ic)ed men, and s'are me the torture and death (hich they (ould have you inflict!T In this 'osture of affairs "archese and /tecchi, learning that the PodestaMs de'uty (as dealing rigorously (ith "artellino, and had already 'ut him to the stra''ado, gre( mightily alarmed! T+e have made a mess of it,T they said to themselvesI T(e have only ta)en him out of the frying@'an to toss him into the fire!T /o, hurrying hither

and thither (ith the utmost :eal, they made diligent search until they found their host, and told him ho( matters stood! The host had his laugh over the affair, and then brought them to one /andro 3golanti, (ho d(elt in Treviso and had great interest (ith the 4ord of the 'lace! The host laid the (hole matter before /andro, and, bac)ed by "archese and /tecchi, besought him to underta)e "artellinoMs cause! /andro, after many a hearty laugh, hied him to the 4ord, (ho at his instance sent for "artellino! The messengers found "artellino still in his shirt before the de'uty, at his (itsM end, and all but beside himself (ith fear, because the de'uty (ould hear nothing that he said in his defence! Indeed, the de'uty, having a s'ite against -lorentines, had Ouite made u' his mind to have him hangedI he (as therefore in the last degree reluctant to surrender him to the 4ord, and only did so u'on com'ulsion! Brought at length before the 4ord, "artellino detailed to him the (hole affair, and 'rayed him as the greatest of favours to let him de'art in 'eace! The 4ord had a hearty laugh over the adventure, and besto(ed a tunic on each of the three! /o, congratulating themselves on their unex'ected deliverance from so great a 'eril, they returned home safe and sound!

;GVE4 II!

@@ #inaldo dM3sti is robbed, arrives at &astel Guglielmo, and is entertained by a (ido( ladyI his 'ro'erty is restored to him, and he returns home safe and sound!

@@

The ladies and the young men, es'ecially -ilostrato, laughed inordinately at ;eifileMs narrative of "artellinoMs misadventures! Then -ilostrato, (ho sate next ;eifile, received the OueenMs command to follo( her, and 'rom'tly thus beganB@@

-air ladies, Mtis on my mind to tell you a story in (hich are mingled things sacred and 'assages of adverse fortune and love, (hich to hear (ill 'erchance be not un'rofitable, more es'ecially to travellers in loveMs treacherous landsI of (hom if any fail to say /t! ulianMs 'aternoster, it often ha''ens that, though he may have a good bed, he is ill lodged!

Nno(, then, that in the time of the "arOuis 3::o da -errara, a merchant, #inaldo dM3sti by name, having dis'osed of certain affairs (hich had brought him to Bologna, set his face home(ard, and having left -errara behind him (as on his (ay to Verona, (hen he fell in (ith some men that loo)ed li)e merchants, but (ere in truth robbers and men of evil life and condition, (hose com'any he im'rudently joined, riding and conversing (ith them! They, 'erceiving that he (as a merchant, and judging that he must have money about him, com'lotted to rob him on the first o''ortunityI and to obviate sus'icion they 'layed the 'art of (orthy and re'utable men, their discourse of nought but (hat (as seemly and honourable and leal, their demeanour at once as res'ectful and as cordial as they could ma)e itI so that he deemed himself very luc)y to have met (ith them, being other(ise alone save for a single mounted servant! ourneying thus, they conversed after the desultory

manner of travellers, of divers matters, until at last they fell a tal)ing of the 'rayers (hich men address to God, and one of the robbers@@there (ere three of them@@said to #inaldoB@@T3nd you, gentle sir, (hat is your (onted orison (hen you are on your travelsST #inaldo ans(eredB@@T+hy, to tell the truth, I am a man uns)illed, unlearned in such matters, and fe( 'rayers have I at my command, being one that lives in the good old (ay and lets t(o soldi count for t(enty@four deniersI nevertheless it has al(ays been my custom in journeying to say of a morning, as I leave the inn, a 'aternoster and an avemaria for the souls of the father and mother of /t! ulian, after (hich I 'ray God and /t! ulian to 'rovide me (ith a good inn for the night! 3nd many a time in the course of my life have I met (ith great 'erils by the (ay, and evading them all have found comfortable Ouarters for the nightB (hereby my faith is assured, that /t! ulian, in (hose honour I say my 'aternoster, has gotten me this favour of GodI nor should I loo) for a 'ros'erous journey and a safe arrival at night, if I had not said it in the morning!T Then said his interrogatorB@@T3nd did you say it this morningST +hereto #inaldo ans(ered, TTroth, did I,T (hich caused the other, (ho by this time )ne( (hat course matters (ould ta)e, to say to himselfB@@TMT(ill 'rove to have been said in the nic) of timeI for if (e do not miscarry, I ta)e it thou (ilt have but a sorry lodging!T Then turning to #inaldo he saidB@@TI also have travelled much, and never a 'rayer have I said though I have heard them much, commended by many, nor has it ever been my lot to find other than good Ouarters for the nightI it may be that this very evening you (ill be able to determine (hich of us has the better lodging, you that have said the 'aternoster, or I that have not said it! True, ho(ever, it is that in its stead I am accustomed to say the MDiru'isti,M or the MIntemerata,M or

the MDe 'rofundis,M (hich, if (hat my grandmother used to say is to be believed, are of the greatest efficacy!T /o, tal)ing of divers matters, and ever on the loo)@out for time and 'lace suited to their evil 'ur'ose, they continued their journey, until to(ards evening, some distance from &astel Guglielmo, as they (ere about to ford a stream, these three ruffians, 'rofiting by the lateness of the hour, and the loneliness and straitness of the 'lace, set u'on #inaldo and robbed him, and leaving him afoot and in his shirt, said by (ay of adieuB@@TGo no(, and see if thy /t! ulian (ill 'rovide thee (ith good lodging to@nightI our saint, (e doubt not, (ill do as much by usIT and so crossing the stream, they (ent their (ay! #inaldoMs servant, co(ard that he (as, did nothing to hel' his master (hen he sa( him attac)ed, but turned his horseMs head, and (as off at a smart 'aceI nor did he dra( rein until he (as come to &astel GuglielmoI (here, it being no( evening, he 'ut u' at an inn and gave himself no further trouble! #inaldo, left barefoot, and stri''ed to his shirt, (hile the night closed in very cold and sno(y, (as at his (itsM end, and shivering so that his teeth chattered in his head, began to 'eer about, if ha'ly he might find some shelter for the night, that so he might not 'erish (ith the coldI but, seeing none 7for during a recent (ar the (hole country had been (asted by fire8, he set off for &astel Guglielmo, Ouic)ening his 'ace by reason of the cold! +hether his servant had ta)en refuge in &astel Guglielmo or else(here, he )ne( not, but he thought that, could he but enter the to(n, God (ould surely send him some succour! .o(ever, dar) night overtoo) him (hile he (as still about a mile from the castleI so that on his arrival he found the gates already loc)ed and the bridges raised, and he could not 'ass in! /ic) at heart, disconsolate and be(ailing his evil fortune, he loo)ed about for

some 'lace (here he might ensconce himself, and at any rate find shelter from the sno(! 3nd by good luc) he es'ied a house, built (ith a balcony a little above the castle@(all, under (hich balcony he 'ur'osed to shelter himself until daybrea)! 3rrived at the s'ot, he found beneath the balcony a 'ostern, (hich, ho(ever, (as loc)edI and having gathered some bits of stra( that lay about, he 'laced them in front of the 'ostern, and there in sad and sorro(ful 'light too) u' his Ouarters, (ith many a 'iteous a''eal to /t! ulian, (hom he re'roached for not better re(arding the faith (hich he re'osed in him! /t! ulian, ho(ever, had not abandoned him, and in due time 'rovided him (ith a good lodging!

There (as in the castle a (ido( lady of extraordinary beauty 7none fairer8 (hom "arOuis 3::o loved as his o(n life, and )e't there for his 'leasure! /he lived in the very same house beneath the balcony of (hich #inaldo had 'osted himself! ;o( it chanced that that very day the "arOuis had come to &astel Guglielmo to 'ass the night (ith her, and had 'rivily caused a bath to be made ready, and a su''er suited to his ran), in the ladyMs o(n house! The arrangements (ere com'leteI and only the "arOuis (as stayed for, (hen a servant ha''ened to 'resent himself at the castle@gate, bringing tidings for the "arOuis (hich obliged him suddenly to ta)e horse! .e therefore sent (ord to the lady that she must not (ait for him, and forth(ith too) his de'arture! The lady, some(hat disconsolate, found nothing better to do than to get into the bath (hich had been intended for the "arOuis, su' and go to bedB so into the bath she (ent! The bath (as close to the 'ostern on the other side of (hich ha'less #inaldo had ensconced himself, and, thus the mournful and Ouavering music (hich #inaldo made as he shuddered in the cold,

and (hich seemed rather to 'roceed from a stor)Ms bea) than from the mouth of a human being, (as audible to the lady in the bath! /he therefore called her maid, and said to herB@@TGo u' and loo) out over the (all and do(n at the 'ostern, and mar) (ho is there, and (hat he is, and (hat he does there!T The maid obeyed, and, the night being fine, had no difficulty in ma)ing out #inaldo as he sate there, barefoot, as I have, said, and in his shirt, and trembling in every limb! /o she called out to him, to )no( (ho he (as! #inaldo, (ho could scarcely articulate for shivering, told as briefly as he could, (ho he (as, and ho( and (hy he came to be thereI (hich done, he began 'iteously to, beseech her not, if she could avoid it, to leave him there all night to 'erish of cold! The maid (ent bac) to her mistress full of 'ity for #inaldo, and told her all she had seen and heard! The lady felt no less 'ity for #inaldoI and bethin)ing her that she had the )ey of the 'ostern by (hich the "arOuis sometimes entered (hen he 'aid her a secret visit, she said to the maidB@@TGo, and let him in softlyI here is this su''er, and there (ill be none to eat itI and (e can very (ell 'ut him u' for the night!T &ordially commending her mistressMs humanity, the maid (ent and let #inaldo in, and brought him to the lady, (ho, seeing that he (as all but dead (ith cold, said to himB@@TUuic), good man, get into that bath, (hich is still (arm!T Gladly he did so, a(aiting no second invitation, and (as so much comforted by its (armth that he seemed to have 'assed from death to life! The lady 'rovided him (ith a suit of clothes, (hich had been (orn by her husband shortly before his death, and (hich, (hen he had them on, loo)ed as if they had been made for him! /o he recovered heart, and, (hile he a(aited the ladyMs commands, gave than)s to God and /t! ulian for delivering him from a (oful night and conducting him, as it seemed, to comfortable Ouarters!

The lady mean(hile too) a little rest, after (hich she had a roaring fire 'ut in one of her large rooms, (hither 'resently she came, and as)ed her maid ho( the good man did! The maid re'liedB@@T"adam, he has 'ut on the clothes, in (hich he she(s to advantage, having a handsome 'erson, and seeming to be a (orthy man, and (ell@bred!T TGo, call him then,T said the lady, Ttell him to come hither to the fire, and (e (ill su'I for I )no( that he has not su''ed!T #inaldo, on entering the room and seeing the lady, too) her to be of no small conseOuence! .e therefore made her a lo( bo(, and did his utmost to than) her (orthily for the service she had rendered him! .is (ords 'leased her no less than his 'erson, (hich accorded (ith (hat the maid had saidB so she made him heartily (elcome, installed him at his ease by her side before the fire, and Ouestioned him of the adventure (hich had brought him thither! #inaldo detailed all the circumstances, of (hich the lady had heard some(hat (hen #inaldoMs servant made his a''earance at the castle! /he therefore gave entire credence to (hat he said, and told him (hat she )ne( about his servant, and ho( he might easily find him on the morro(! /he then bade set the table, (hich done, #inaldo and she (ashed their hands and sate do(n together to su'! Tall he (as and comely of form and feature, debonair and gracious of mien and manner, and in his lusty 'rime! The lady had eyed him again and again to her no small satisfaction, and, her (antonness being already )indled for the "arOuis, (ho (as to have come to lie (ith her, she had let #inaldo ta)e the vacant 'lace in her mind! /o (hen su''er (as done, and they (ere risen from the table, she conferred (ith her maid, (hether, after the cruel tric) 'layed u'on her by the "arOuis, it (ere not (ell to ta)e the good gift (hich -ortune had sent her! The maid )no(ing the bent of

her mistressMs desire, left no (ord unsaid that might encourage her to follo( it! +herefore the lady, turning to(ards #inaldo, (ho (as standing (here she had left him by the fire, began thusB@@T/o* #inaldo, (hy still so 'ensiveS +ill nothing console you for the loss of a horse and a fe( clothesS Ta)e heart, 'ut a blithe face on it, you are at homeI nay more, let me tell you that, seeing you in those clothes (hich my late husband used to (ear, and ta)ing you for him, I have felt, not once or t(ice, but 'erha's a hundred times this evening, a longing to thro( my arms round you and )iss youI and, in faith, I had so done, but that I feared it might dis'lease you!T #inaldo, hearing these (ords, and mar)ing the flame (hich shot from the ladyMs eyes, and being no laggard, came for(ard (ith o'en arms, and confronted her and saidB@@T"adam, I am not unmindful that I must ever ac)no(ledge that to you I o(e my life, in regard of the 'eril (hence you rescued me! If then there be any (ay in (hich I may 'leasure you, churlish indeed (ere I not to devise it! /o you may even embrace and )iss me to your heartMs content, and I (ill embrace and )iss you (ith the best of good (ills!T There needed no further 'arley! The lady, all aflame (ith amorous desire, forth(ith thre( herself into his arms, and straining him to her bosom (ith a thousand 'assionate embraces, gave and received a thousand )isses before they sought her chamber! There (ith all s'eed they (ent to bed, nor did day sur'rise them until again and again and in full measure they had satisfied their desire! +ith the first strea)s of da(n they rose, for the lady (as minded that none should surmise aught of the affair! /o, having meanly habited #inaldo, and re'lenished his 'urse, she enjoined him to )ee' the secret, she(ed him the (ay to the castle, (here he (as to find his servant, and let him out by the same 'ostern by (hich he had entered!

+hen it (as broad day the gates (ere o'ened, and #inaldo, 'assing himself off as a traveller from distant 'arts, entered the castle, and found his servant! .aving 'ut on the s'are suit (hich (as in his valise, he (as about to mount the servantMs horse, (hen, as if by miracle, there (ere brought into the castle the three gentlemen of the road (ho had robbed him the evening before, having been ta)en a little (hile after for another offence! H'on their confession #inaldoMs horse (as restored to him, as (ere also his clothes and moneyI so that he lost nothing exce't a 'air of garters, of (hich the robbers )ne( not (here they had besto(ed them! +herefore #inaldo, giving than)s to God and /t! ulian, mounted his horse, and returned home safe and sound, and on the morro( the three robbers )ic)ed heels in the (ind!

;GVE4 III!

@@ Three young men sOuander their substance and are reduced to 'overty! Their ne'he(, returning home a des'erate man, falls in (ith an abbot, in (hom he discovers the daughter of the Ning of England! /he marries him, and he retrieves the losses and reestablishes the fortune of his uncles! @@

The ladies marvelled to hear the adventures of #inaldo dM3sti, 'raised his devotion, and gave than)s to God and /t! ulian for the succour lent him in his extreme need! ;or, though the verdict (as hardly outs'o)en, (as the lady

deemed un(ise to ta)e the boon (hich God had sent her! /o they tittered and tal)ed of her night of delight, (hile Pam'inea, being seated by -ilostrato, and surmising that her turn (ould, as it did, come next, (as lost in meditation on (hat she (as to say! #oused from her reverie by the (ord of the Oueen, she 'ut on a cheerful courage, and thus beganB@@

;oble ladies, discourse as (e may of -ortuneMs handi(or), much still remains to be said if (e but scan events aright, nor need (e marvel thereat, if (e but duly consider that all matters, (hich (e foolishly call our o(n, are in her hands and therefore subject, at her inscrutable (ill, to every variety of chance and change (ithout any order therein by us discernible! +hich is indeed signally manifest every(here and all day longI yet, as Mtis our OueenMs (ill that (e s'ea) thereof, 'erha's Mt(ill not be un'rofitable to you, if, not(ithstanding it has been the theme of some of the foregoing stories, I add to them another, (hich, I believe, should give you 'leasure!

There (as formerly in our city a )night, by name "esser Tedaldo, of the 4amberti, according to some, or, as others say, of the 3golanti family, 'erha's for no better reason than that the occu'ation of his sons (as similar to that (hich al(ays (as and is the occu'ation of the 3golanti! .o(ever, (ithout 'rofessing to determine (hich of the t(o houses he belonged to, I say, that he (as in his day a very (ealthy )night, and had three sons, the eldest being by name 4amberto, the second Tedaldo, and the third 3golante! -ine, s'irited young men (ere they all, though the eldest (as not yet eighteen years old (hen their father, "esser Tedaldo, died very rich, leaving to them as his la(ful heirs the (hole of his 'ro'erty both movable

and immovable! -inding themselves thus 'ossessed of great (ealth, both in money and in lands and chattels, they fell to s'ending (ithout stint or restraint, indulging their every desire, maintaining a great establishment, and a large and (ell@filled stable, besides dogs and ha()s, )ee'ing ever o'en house, scattering largesses, jousting, and, not content (ith these and the li)e 'astimes 'ro'er to their condition, indulging every a''etite natural to their youth! They had not long follo(ed this course of life before the cash left them by their father (as exhaustedI and, their rents not sufficing to defray their ex'enditure, they began to sell and 'ledge their 'ro'erty, and dis'osing of it by degrees, one item to@day and another to@morro(, they hardly 'erceived that they (ere a''roaching the verge of ruin, until 'overty o'ened the eyes (hich (ealth had fast sealed! /o one day 4amberto called his brothers to him, reminded them of the 'osition of (ealth and dignity (hich had been theirs and their fatherMs before them, and she(ed them the 'overty to (hich their extravagance had reduced them, and adjured them most earnestly that, before their destitution (as yet further manifest, they should all three sell (hat little remained to them and de'art thenceI (hich accordingly they did! +ithout leave@ta)ing, or any ceremony, they Ouitted -lorenceI nor did they rest until they had arrived in England and established themselves in a small house in 4ondon, (here, by living (ith extreme 'arsimony and lending at exorbitant usances, they 'ros'ered so (ell that in the course of a fe( years they amassed a fortuneI and so, one by one, they returned to -lorence, 'urchased not a fe( of their former estates besides many others, and married! The management of their affairs in England, (here they continued their business of usurers, they left to a young ne'he(, 3lessandro by name, (hile, heedless ali)e of the teaching of

ex'erience and of marital and 'arental duty, they all three launched out at -lorence into more extravagant ex'enditure than before, and contracted debts on all hands and to large amounts! This ex'enditure they (ere enabled for some years to su''ort by the remittances made by 3lessandro, (ho, to his great 'rofit, had lent money to the barons on the security of their castles and rents!

+hile the three brothers thus continued to s'end freely, and, (hen short of money, to borro( it, never doubting of hel' from England, it so ha''ened that, to the sur'rise of everybody, there bro)e out in England a (ar bet(een the Ning and his son, by (hich the (hole island (as divided into t(o cam'sI (hereby 3lessandro lost all his mortgages, of the baronial castles and every other source of income (hatsoever! .o(ever, in the daily ex'ectation that 'eace (ould be concluded bet(een the Ning and his son, 3lessandro, ho'ing that in that event all (ould be restored to him, 'rinci'al and interest, tarried in the islandI and the three brothers at -lorence in no degree retrenched their extravagant ex'enditure, but (ent on borro(ing from day to day! /everal years thus 'assedI and, their ho'es being frustrated, the three brothers not only lost credit, but, being 'ressed for 'ayment by their creditors, (ere suddenly arrested, and, their 'ro'erty 'roving deficient, (ere )e't in 'rison for the balance, (hile their (ives and little children (ent into the country 'arts, or else(here, (retchedly eOui''ed, and (ith no other 'ros'ect than to 'ass the rest of their days in destitution! 3lessandro, mean(hile, seeing that the 'eace, (hich he had for several years a(aited in England, did not come, and deeming that he (ould ha:ard his life to no 'ur'ose by tarrying longer in the country, made u' his mind to return

to Italy! .e travelled at first altogether aloneI but it so chanced that he left Bruges at the same time (ith an abbot, habited in (hite, attended by a numerous retinue, and 'receded by a goodly baggage@train! Behind the abbot rode t(o greybeard )nights, )insmen of the Ning, in (hom 3lessandro recognised acOuaintances, and, ma)ing himself )no(n to them, (as readily received into their com'any! 3s thus they journeyed together, 3lessandro softly as)ed them (ho the mon)s (ere that rode in front (ith so great a train, and (hither they (ere bound! TThe foremost rider,T re'lied one of the )nights, Tis a young )insman of ours, the ne(ly@elected abbot of one of the greatest abbeys of England,I and as he is not of legal age for such a dignity, (e are going (ith him to #ome to obtain the .oly -atherMs dis'ensation and his confirmation in the officeI but this is not a matter for common tal)!T ;o( the ne( abbot, as lords are (ont to do (hen they travel, (as sometimes in front, sometimes in rear of his trainI and thus it ha''ened that, as he 'assed, he set eyes on 3lessandro, (ho (as still Ouite young, and very sha'ely and (ell@favoured, and as courteous, gracious and debonair as eMer another! The abbot (as marvellously ta)en (ith him at first sight, having never seen aught that 'leased him so much, called him to his side, addressed him graciously, and as)ed him (ho he (as, (hence he came, and (hither he (as bound! 3lessandro fran)ly told all about himself, and having thus ans(ered the abbotMs Ouestions, 'laced himself at his service as far as his small ability might extend! The abbot (as struc) by his easy flo( of a't s'eech, and observing his bearing more closely, he made u' his mind that , albeit his occu'ation (as base, he (as nevertheless of gentle blood, (hich added no little to his interest in himI and being moved to com'assion by his misfortunes, he gave him friendly consolation, bidding him be of good

ho'e, that if he lived a (orthy life, God (ould yet set him in a 'lace no less or even more exalted than that (hence -ortune had cast him do(n, and 'rayed him to be of his com'any as far as Tuscany, as both (ere going the same (ay! 3lessandro than)ed him for his (ords of comfort, and 'rofessed himself ready to obey his every command!

/o fared on the abbot, his mind full of ne( ideas begotten by the sight of 3lessandro, until some days later they came to a to(n (hich (as none too (ell 'rovided (ith innsI and, as the abbot must needs 'ut u' there, 3lessandro, (ho (as (ell acOuainted (ith one of the inn)ee'ers, arranged that the abbot should alight at his house, and 'rocured him the least discomfortable Ouarters (hich it could afford! .e thus became for the nonce the abbotMs seneschal, and being very ex'ert for such office, managed excellently, Ouartering the retinue in divers 'arts of the to(n! /o the abbot su''ed, and, the night being far s'ent, all (ent to bed exce't 3lessandro, (ho then as)ed the host (here he might find Ouarters for the night! TIn good sooth, I )no( not,T re'lied the hostI Tthou seest that every 'lace is occu'ied, and that I and my household must lie on the benches! .o(ever, in the abbotMs chamber there are some corn@sac)s! I can she( thee the (ay thither, and lay a bit of a bed u'on them, and there, an it li)e thee, thou mayst 'ass the night very (ell!T T.o( sayst thouST said 3lessandroI Tin the abbotMs chamber, (hich thou )no(est is small, so that there (as not room for any of the mon)s to slee' thereS .ad I understood this (hen the curtains (ere dra(n, I (ould have Ouartered his mon)s on the corn@sac)s, and sle't myself (here the mon)s slee'!T TMTis even so, ho(ever,T re'lied the host, Tand thou canst, if thou (ilt, find excellent

Ouarters thereB the abbot slee's, the curtains are close dra(nI I (ill go in softly and lay a small bed there, on (hich thou canst slee'!T 3lessandro, satisfied that it might be managed (ithout disturbing the abbot, acce'ted the offer, and made his arrangements for 'assing the night as Ouietly as he could!

The abbot (as not aslee'I his mind being far too over(rought by certain ne(ly@a(a)ened desires! .e had heard (hat had 'assed bet(een 3lessandro and the host, he had mar)ed the 'lace (here 3lessandro had lain do(n, and in the great gladness of his heart had begun thus to commune (ith himselfB@@TGod has sent me the o''ortunity of gratifying my desireI if I let it 'ass, 'erchance it (ill be long before another such o''ortunity occurs!T /o, being minded by no means to let it sli', (hen all (as Ouiet in the inn, he softly called 3lessandro, and bade him lie do(n by his side! 3lessandro made many excuses, but ended by undressing and obeying (hereu'on the abbot laid a hand on 3lessandroMs breast, and began to caress him just as amorous girls do their loversI (hereat 3lessandro marvelled greatly, doubting the abbot (as 'rom'ted to such caresses by a shameful love! +hich the abbot s'eedily divined, or else surmised from some movement on 3lessandroMs 'art, and, laughing, thre( off a chemise (hich she had u'on her, and ta)ing 3lessandroMs hand, laid it on her bosom, sayingB@@T3lessandro, dismiss thy foolish thought, feel here, and learn (hat I conceal!T 3lessandro obeyed, laying a hand u'on the abbotMs bosom, (here he encountered t(o little teats, round, firm and delicate, as they had been of ivoryI (hereby he at once )ne( that Mt(as a (oman, and (ithout a(aiting further encouragement forth(ith embraced her, and (ould have )issed her, (hen she saidB@@TBefore thou art

more familiar (ith me hear)en to (hat I have to say to thee! 3s thou mayst 'erceive, I am no man, but a (oman! Virgin I left my home, and (as going to the Po'e to obtain his sanction for my marriage, (hen, as -ortune (illed, (hether for thy gain or my loss, no sooner had I seen thee the other day, than I burned for thee (ith such a flame of love as never yet had lady for any man! +herefore I am minded to have thee for my husband rather than any otherI so, if thou (ilt not have me to (ife, de'art at once, and return to thine o(n 'lace!T 3lbeit he )ne( not (ho she (as, 3lessandro by the retinue (hich attended her conjectured that she must be noble and (ealthy, and he sa( that she (as very fairI so it (as not long before he ans(ered that, if such (ere her 'leasure, it (as very much to his li)ing! +hereu'on she sate u', set a ring on his finger, and es'oused him before a tiny 'icture of our 4ordI after (hich they embraced, and to their no small mutual satisfaction solaced themselves for the rest of the night! 3t daybrea) 3lessandro rose, and by 'reconcert (ith the lady, left the chamber as he had entered it, so that none )ne( (here he had 'assed the nightB then, blithe at heart beyond measure, he rejoined the abbot and his train, and so, resuming their journey, they after many days arrived at #ome! They had not been there more than a fe( days, (hen the abbot, attended by the t(o )nights and 3lessandro, (aited on the Po'e, (hom, after ma)ing the due obeisance, he thus addressedB@@T.oly -ather, as you must )no( better than any other, (hoso intends to lead a true and honourable life ought, as far as may be, to shun all occasion of errorI for (hich cause I, having a mind to live honourably, did, the better to accom'lish my 'ur'ose, assume the habit in (hich you see me, and de'art by stealth from the court of my father, the Ning of England, (ho (as minded to marry me, young as you see me to be, to the aged Ning of

/cotlandI and, carrying (ith me not a little of his treasure, set my face hither(ard that your .oliness might besto( me in marriage! ;or (as it the age of the Ning of /cotland that moved me to flee so much as fear lest the frailty of my youth should, (ere I married to him, betray me to commit some breach of divine la(, and sully the honour of my fatherMs royal blood! 3nd as in this frame of mind I journeyed, God, (ho )no(s best (hat is meet for every one, did, as I believe, of .is mercy she( me him (hom .e is 'leased to a''oint me for my husband, even this young manT 7'ointing to 3lessandro8 T(hom you see by my side, (ho for nobility of nature and bearing is a match for any great lady, though the strain of his blood, 'erha's, be not of royal 'urity! .im, therefore, have I chosen! .im (ill I have, and no other, no matter (hat my father or any one else may thin)! 3nd albeit the main 'ur'ose (ith (hich I started is fulfilled, yet I have thought good to continue my journey, that I may visit the holy and venerable 'laces (hich abound in this city, and your .oliness, and that so in your 'resence, and by conseOuence in the 'resence of others, I may rene( my marriage@vo( (ith 3lessandro, (hereof God alone (as (itness! +herefore I humbly 'ray you that GodMs (ill and mine may be also yours, and that you 'ronounce your benison thereon, that there(ith, having the more firm assurance of the favour of .im, (hose vicar you are, (e may both live together, and, (hen the time comes, die to GodMs glory and yours!T

3lessandro (as filled (ith (onder and secret delight, (hen he heard that his (ife (as the daughter of the Ning of EnglandI but greater still (as the (onder of the t(o )nights, and such their (rath that, had they been any(here else than in the Po'eMs 'resence, they (ould not have s'ared to affront

3lessandro, and 'erha's the lady too! The Po'e, on his 'art, found matter enough for (onder as (ell in the ladyMs habit as in her choiceI but, )no(ing that he could not refuse, he consented to grant her reOuest!

.e therefore began by smoothing the ruffled tem'ers of the )nights, and having reconciled them (ith the lady and 3lessandro, 'roceeded to 'ut matters in train for the marriage! +hen the day a''ointed (as come, he gave a great rece'tion, at (hich (ere assembled all the cardinals and many other great lordsI to (hom he 'resented the lady royally robed, and loo)ing so fair and so gracious that she (on, as she deserved, the 'raise of all, and li)e(ise 3lessandro, s'lendidly arrayed, and bearing himself not a (hit li)e the young usurer but rather as one of royal blood, for (hich cause he received due honour from the )nights! There, before the Po'e himself, the marriage@vo(s (ere solemnly rene(edI and after(ards the marriage, (hich (as accom'anied by every circumstance that could add grace and s'lendour to the ceremony, received the sanction of his benediction! 3lessandro and the lady on leaving #ome sa( fit to visit -lorence, (hither fame had already (afted the ne(s, so that they (ere received by the citi:ens (ith every to)en of honour! The lady set the three brothers at liberty, 'aying all their creditors, and reinstated them and their (ives in their several 'ro'erties! /o, leaving gracious memories behind them, 3lessandro and his lady, accom'anied by 3golante, Ouitted -lorence, and arriving at Paris (ere honourably received by the Ning! The t(o )nights (ent before them to England, and by their influence induced the Ning to restore the lady to his favour, and receive her and his son@in@la( (ith every circumstance of joy and honour! 3lessandro he soon after(ards )nighted (ith un(onted ceremony,

and besto(ed on him the earldom of &orn(all! 3nd such (as the EarlMs conseOuence and influence at court that he restored 'eace bet(een father and son, thereby conferring a great boon on the island and gaining the love and esteem of all the 'eo'le! 3golante, (hom he )nighted, recovered all the outstanding debts in full, and returned to -lorence immensely rich! The Earl 'assed the rest of his days (ith his lady in great reno(n! Indeed there are those (ho say, that (ith the hel' of his father@in@la( he effected by his 'olicy and valour the conOuest of /cotland, and (as cro(ned )ing of that country!

;GVE4 IV!

@@ 4andolfo #uffolo is reduced to 'overty, turns corsair, is ca'tured by Genoese, is shi'(rec)ed, esca'es on a chest full of je(els, and, being cast ashore at &orfu, is hos'itably entertained by a (oman, and returns home (ealthy! @@

+hen Pam'inea had brought her story to this glorious conclusion, 4auretta, (ho sate next her, delayed not, but thus beganB@@

"ost gracious ladies, the 'otency of -ortune is never, methin)s, more cons'icuous than (hen she raises one, as in Pam'ineaMs story (e have seen her raise 3lessandro, from abject misery to regal state! 3nd such being the

limits (hich our theme henceforth im'oses on our invention, I shall feel no shame to tell a story (herein reverses yet greater are com'ensated by a seOuel some(hat less da::ling! +ell I )no( that my story, being com'ared (ith its 'redecessor, (ill therefore be follo(ed (ith the less interestI but, failing of necessity, I shall be excused!

/carce any 'art of Italy is re'uted so delectable as the sea@coast bet(een #eggio and GaetaI and in 'articular the slo'e (hich overloo)s the sea by /alerno, and (hich the d(ellers there call the /lo'e of 3malfi, is studded (ith little to(ns, gardens and fountains, and 'eo'led by men as (ealthy and enter'rising in mercantile affairs as are any(here to be foundI in one of (hich to(ns, to (it, #avello, rich as its inhabitants are to@day, there (as formerly a merchant, (ho sur'assed them all in (ealth, 4andolfo #uffolo by name, (ho yet, not content (ith his (ealth, but desiring to double it, came nigh to lose it all and his o(n life to boot! Nno(, then, that this man, having made his calculations, as merchants are (ont, bought a great shi', (hich, entirely at his o(n ex'ense, he loaded (ith divers sorts of merchandise, and sailed to &y'rus! There he found several other shi's, each laden (ith just such a cargo as his o(n, and (as therefore fain to dis'ose of his goods at a very chea' rate, insomuch that he might almost as (ell have thro(n them a(ay, and (as brought to the verge of ruin! "ortified beyond measure to find himself thus reduced in a short s'ace of time from o'ulence to something li)e 'overty, he (as at his (itsM end, and rather than go home 'oor, having left home rich, he (as minded to retrieve his losses by 'iracy or die in the attem't! /o he sold his great shi', and (ith the 'rice and the 'roceeds of the sale of his merchandise bought a light bar) such as

corsairs use, and having excellently (ell eOui''ed her (ith the armament and all things else meet for such service, too) to scouring the seas as a rover, 'reying u'on all fol) ali)e, but more 'articularly u'on the Tur)!

In this enter'rise he (as more favoured by -ortune than in his trading adventures! 3 year had scarce gone by before he had ta)en so many shi's from the Tur) that not only had he recovered the fortune (hich he had lost in trade, but (as (ell on the (ay to doubling it! The bitter memory of his late losses taught him sobrietyI he estimated his gains and found them am'leI and lest he should have a second fall, he schooled himself to rest content (ith them, and made u' his mind to return home (ithout attem'ting to add to them! /hy of adventuring once more in trade, he refrained from investing them in any (ay, but sha'ed his course for home, carrying them (ith him in the very same bar) in (hich he had gotten them! .e had already entered the 3rchi'elago (hen one evening a contrary (ind s'rang u' from the south@east, bringing (ith it a very heavy sea, in (hich his bar) could not (ell have lived! .e therefore steered her into a bay under the lee of one of the islets, and there determined to a(ait better (eather! 3s he lay there t(o great carrac)s of Genoa, home(ard@bound from &onstantino'le, found, not (ithout difficulty, shelter from the tem'est in the same bay! The masters of the carrac)s es'ied the bar), and found out to (hom she belongedB the fame of 4andolfo and his vast (ealth had already reached them, and had excited their natural cu'idity and ra'acity! They therefore determined to ca'ture the bar), (hich lay (ithout means of esca'e! Part of their men, (ell armed (ith cross@bo(s and other (ea'ons, they accordingly sent ashore, so 'osting them that no one could leave the bar) (ithout being ex'osed to the boltsI

the rest too) to their boats, and ro(ed u' to the side of 4andolfoMs little craft, (hich in a little time, (ith little trouble and no loss or ris), they ca'tured (ith all aboard her! They then cleared the bar) of all she contained, allo(ing 4andolfo, (hom they set aboard one of the carrac)s, only a 'itiful doublet, and sun) her! ;ext day the (ind shifted, and the carrac)s set sail on a (esterly course, (hich they )e't 'ros'erously enough throughout the dayI but to(ards evening a tem'est arose, and the sea became very boisterous, so that the t(o shi's (ere 'arted one from the other! 3nd such (as the fury of the gale that the shi', aboard (hich (as 'oor, ha'less 4andolfo, (as driven (ith 'rodigious force u'on a shoal off the island of &e'halonia, and bro)e u' and (ent to 'ieces li)e so much glass dashed against a (all! +herefore the unfortunate (retches that (ere aboard her, launched amid the floating merchandise and chests and 'lan)s (ith (hich the sea (as stre(n, did as men commonly do in such a caseI and, though the night (as of the mur)iest and the sea rose and fell in mountainous surges, such as could s(im sought to catch hold of (hatever chance brought in their (ay! 3mong (hom ha'less 4andolfo, (ho only the day before had again and again 'rayed for death, rather than he should return home in such 'overty, no(, seeing death imminent, (as afraidI and, li)e the rest, laid hold of the first 'lan) that came to hand, in the ho'e that, if he could but avoid immediate dro(ning, God (ould in some (ay aid his esca'e! Gri''ing the beam (ith his legs as best he might, (hile (ind and (ave tossed him hither and thither, he contrived to )ee' himself afloat until broad dayB (hen, loo)ing around him, he discerned nothing but clouds and sea and a chest, (hich, borne by the (ave, from time to time dre( nigh him to his extreme terror, for he a''rehended it might stri)e against the 'lan), and do him a mischiefI

and ever, as it came near him, he 'ushed it off (ith all the little force he had in his hand! But, as it ha''ened, a sudden gust of (ind s(e't do(n u'on the sea, and struc) the chest (ith such force that it (as driven against the 'lan) on (hich 4andolfo (as, and u'set it, and 4andolfo (ent under the (aves! /(imming (ith an energy begotten rather of fear than of strength, he rose to the surface only to see the 'lan) so far from him that, doubting he could not reach it, he made for the chest, (hich (as close at handI and resting his breast u'on the lid, he did (hat he could to )ee' it straight (ith his arms! In this manner, tossed to and fro by the sea, (ithout tasting food, for not a morsel had he (ith him, and drin)ing more than he cared for, )no(ing not (here he (as, and seeing nothing but the sea, he remained all that day, and the follo(ing night! The next day, as the (ill of God, or the force of the (ind so ordered, more li)e a s'onge than aught else, but still (ith both hands holding fast by the edges of the chest, as (e see those do that clutch aught to save themselves from dro(ning, he (as at length borne to the coast of the island of &orfu, (here by chance a 'oor (oman (as just then scrubbing her )itchen@(are (ith sand and salt@(ater to ma)e it shine! The (oman caught sight of him as he drifted shore(ards, but ma)ing out only a sha'eless mass, (as at first startled, and shrie)ed and dre( bac)! 4andolfo (as scarce able to see, and uttered no sound, for his 'o(er of s'eech (as gone! .o(ever, (hen the sea brought him close to the shore, she distinguished the sha'e of the chest, and ga:ing more intently, she first made out the arms strained over the chest, and then discerned the face and divined the truth! /o, 'rom'ted by 'ity, she (ent out a little (ay into the sea, (hich (as then calm, too) him by the hair of the head, and dre( him to land, chest and all! Then, not (ithout difficulty she disengaged his hands

from the chest, (hich she set on the head of a little girl, her daughter, that (as (ith her, carried him home li)e a little child, and set him in a bath, (here she chafed and laved him (ith (arm (ater, until, the vital heat and some 'art of the strength (hich he had lost being restored, she sa( fit to ta)e him out and regale him (ith some good (ine and comfits! Thus for some days she tended him as best she could, until he recovered his strength, and )ne( (here he (as! Then, in due time, the good (oman, (ho had )e't his chest safe, gave it bac) to him, and bade him try his fortune!

4andolfo could not recall the chest, but too) it (hen she brought it to him, thin)ing that, ho(ever slight its value, it must suffice for a fe( daysM charges! .e found it very light, and Ouite lost ho'eI but (hen the good (oman (as out of doors, he o'ened it to see (hat (as inside, and found there a great number of 'recious stones, some set, others unset! .aving some )no(ledge of such matters, he sa( at a glance that the stones (ere of great valueI (herefore, feeling that he (as still not forsa)en by God, he 'raised .is name, and Ouite recovered heart! But, having in a brief s'ace of time been t(ice shre(dly hit by the bolts of -ortune, he (as a''rehensive of a third blo(, and deemed it meet to use much circums'ection in conveying his treasure homeI so he (ra''ed it u' in rags as best he could, telling the good (oman that he had no more use for the chest, but she might )ee' it if she (ished, and give him a sac) in exchange! This the good (oman readily didI and he, than)ing her as heartily as he could for the service she had rendered him, thre( his sac) over his shoulders, and, ta)ing shi', crossed to Brindisi! Thence he made his (ay by the coast as far as Trani, (here he found some of his to(nsfol) that (ere dra'ers, to (hom he narrated all his

adventures exce't that of the chest! They in charity gave him a suit of clothes, and lent him a horse and their escort as far as #avello, (hither, he said, he (as minded to return! There, than)ing God for bringing him safe home, he o'ened his sac), and examining its contents (ith more care than before, found the number, and fashion of the stones to be such that the sale of them at a moderate 'rice, or even less, (ould leave him t(ice as rich as (hen he left #avello! /o, having dis'osed of his stones, he sent a large sum of money to &orfu in recom'ense of the service done him by the good (oman (ho had rescued him from the sea, and also to his friends at Trani (ho had furnished him (ith the clothesI the residue he retained, and, ma)ing no more ventures in trade, lived and died in honourable estate!

;GVE4 V!

@@ 3ndreuccio da Perugia comes to ;a'les to buy horses, meets (ith three serious adventures in one night, comes safe out of them all, and returns home (ith a ruby! @@

4andolfoMs find of stones, began -iammetta, on (hom the narration no( fell, has brought to my mind a story in (hich there are scarce fe(er 'erilous sca'es than in 4aurettaMs story, but (ith this differenceB that, instead of a course of 'erha's several years, a single night, as you shall hear, sufficed for their occurrence!

In Perugia, by (hat I once gathered, there lived a young man, 3ndreuccio di Pietro by name, a horse@dealer, (ho, having learnt that horses (ere to be had chea' at ;a'les, 'ut five hundred florins of gold in his 'urse, and in com'any (ith some other merchants (ent thither, never having been a(ay from home before! Gn his arrival at ;a'les, (hich (as on a /unday evening, about ves'ers, he learnt from his host that the fair (ould be held on the follo(ing morning! Thither accordingly he then re'aired, and loo)ed at many horses (hich 'leased him much, and chea'ening them more and more, and failing to stri)e a bargain (ith any one, he from time to time, being ra( and un(ary, dre( out his 'urse of florins in vie( of all that came and (ent, to she( that he meant business!

+hile he (as thus chaffering, and after he had she(n his 'urse, there chanced to come by a /icilian girl, fair as fair could be, but ready to 'leasure any man for a small consideration! .e did not see her, but she sa( him and his 'urse, and forth(ith said to herselfB@@T+ho (ould be in better luc) than I if all those florins (ere mineST and so she 'assed on! +ith the girl (as an old (oman, also a /icilian, (ho, (hen she sa( 3ndreuccio, dro''ed behind the girl, and ran to(ards him, ma)ing as if she (ould tenderly embrace him! The girl observing this said nothing, but sto''ed and (aited a little (ay off for the old (oman to rejoin her! 3ndreuccio turned as the old (oman came u', recognised her, and greeted her very cordiallyI but time and 'lace not 'ermitting much converse, she left him, 'romising to visit him at his innI and he resumed his chaffering, but bought nothing that morning!

.er old (omanMs intimate acOuaintance (ith 3ndreuccio had no more esca'ed the girlMs notice than the contents of 3ndreuccioMs 'urseI and (ith the vie( of devising, if 'ossible, some (ay to ma)e the money, either in (hole or in 'art, her o(n, she began cautiously to as) the old (oman, (ho and (hence he (as, (hat he did there, and ho( she came to )no( him! The old (oman gave her almost as much and as circumstantial information touching 3ndreuccio and his affairs as he might have done himself, for she had lived a great (hile (ith his father, first in /icily, and after(ards at Perugia! /he li)e(ise told the girl the name of his inn, and the 'ur'ose (ith (hich he had come to ;a'les! Thus fully armed (ith the names and all else that it (as needful for her to )no( touching 3ndreuccioMs )ith and )in, the girl founded thereon her ho'es of gratifying her cu'idity, and forth(ith devised a cunning stratagem to effect her 'ur'ose! .ome she (ent, and gave the old (oman (or) enough to occu'y her all day, that she might not be able to visit 3ndreuccioI then, summoning to her aid a little girl (hom she had (ell trained for such services, she sent her about ves'ers to the inn (here 3ndreuccio lodged! 3rrived there, the little girl as)ed for 3ndreuccio of 3ndreuccio himself, (ho chanced to be just outside the gate! Gn his ans(ering that he (as the man, she too) him aside, and saidB@@T/ir, a lady of this country, so 'lease you, (ould fain s'ea) (ith you!T +hereto he listened (ith all his ears, and having a great conceit of his 'erson, made u' his mind that the lady (as in love (ith him, as if there (ere neMer another handsome fello( in ;a'les but himselfI so forth(ith he re'lied, that he (ould (ait on the lady, and as)ed (here and (hen it (ould be her 'leasure to s'ea) (ith him! T/ir,T re'lied the little girl, Tshe ex'ects you in her o(n house, if you be 'leased to

come!T T4ead on then, I follo( thee,T said 3ndreuccio 'rom'tly, vouchsafing never a (ord to any in the inn! /o the little girl guided him to her mistressMs house, (hich (as situated in a Ouarter the character of (hich may be inferred from its name, Evil .ole! Gf this, ho(ever, he neither )ne( nor sus'ected aught, but, su''osing that the Ouarter (as 'erfectly re'utable and that he (as going to see a s(eet lady, strode carelessly behind the little girl into the house of her mistress, (hom she summoned by calling out, T3ndreuccio is hereIT and 3ndreuccio then sa( her advance to the head of the stairs to a(ait his ascent! /he (as tall, still in the freshness of her youth, very fair of face, and very richly and nobly clad! 3s 3ndreuccio a''roached, she descended three ste's to meet him (ith o'en arms, and clas'ed him round the nec), but for a (hile stood silent as if from excess of tendernessI then, bursting into a flood of tears, she )issed his bro(, and in slightly bro)en accents saidB@@TG 3ndreuccio, (elcome, (elcome, my 3ndreuccio!T Uuite lost in (onder to be the reci'ient of such caresses, 3ndreuccio could only ans(erB@@T"adam, (ell met!T +hereu'on she too) him by the hand, led him u' into her saloon, and thence (ithout another (ord into her chamber, (hich exhaled throughout the blended fragrance of roses, orange@blossoms and other 'erfumes! .e observed a handsome curtained bed, dresses in 'lenty hanging, as is customary in that country, on 'egs, and other a''ointments very fair and sum'tuousI (hich sights, being strange to him, confirmed his belief that he (as in the house of no other than a great lady! They sate do(n side by side on a chest at the foot of the bed, and thus she began to s'ea)B@@T3ndreuccio, I cannot doubt that thou dost marvel both at the caresses (hich I besto( u'on thee, and at my tears, seeing that thou )no(est me not, and, maybe, hast never so much as heard my nameI (ait

but a moment and thou shalt learn (hat 'erha's (ill cause thee to marvel still, more to (it, that I am thy sisterI and I tell thee, that, since of GodMs es'ecial grace it is granted me to see one, albeit I (ould fain see all, of my brothers before I die, I shall not meet death, (hen the hour comes, (ithout consolationI but thou, 'erchance, hast never heard aught of thisI (herefore listen to (hat I shall say to thee! Pietro, my father and thine, as I su''ose thou mayst have heard, d(elt a long (hile at Palermo, (here his good heart and gracious bearing caused him to be 7as he still is8 much beloved by all that )ne( himI but by none (as he loved so much as by a gentle(oman, after(ards my mother, then a (ido(, (ho, casting aside all res'ect for her father and brothers, ay, and her honour, gre( so intimate (ith him that a child (as born, (hich child am I thy sister, (hom thou seest before thee! /hortly after my birth it so befell that Pietro must needs leave Palermo and return to Perugia, and I, his little daughter, (as left behind (ith my mother at PalermoI nor, so far as I have been able to learn, did he ever again besto( a thought u'on either of us! +herefore@@to say nothing of the love (hich he should have borne me, his daughter by no servant or (oman of lo( degree@@I should, (ere he not my father, gravely censure the ingratitude (hich he she(ed to(ards my mother, (ho, 'rom'ted by a most loyal love, committed her fortune and herself to his )ee'ing, (ithout so much as )no(ing (ho he (as! But to (hat endS The (rongs of long@ago are much more easily censured than redressedI enough that so it (as! .e left me a little girl at Palermo, (here, (hen I (as gro(n to be almost as thou seest me, my mother, (ho (as a rich lady, gave me in marriage to an honest gentleman of the Girgenti family, (ho for love of my mother and myself settled in Palermo, and there, being a staunch Guelf, entered into

corres'ondence (ith our Ning &harlesI708 (hich being discovered by Ning -rederic 7A8 before the time (as ri'e for action, (e had 'erforce to flee from /icily just (hen I (as ex'ecting to become the greatest lady that ever (as in the island! /o, ta)ing (ith us such fe( things as (e could, fe(, I say, in com'arison of the abundance (hich (e 'ossessed, (e bade adieu to our estates and 'alaces, and found a refuge in this country, and such favour (ith Ning &harles that, in 'artial com'ensation for the losses (hich (e had sustained on his account, he has granted us estates and houses and an am'le 'ension, (hich he regularly 'ays to my husband and thy brother@in@la(, as thou mayst yet see! In this manner I live here but that I am blest (ith the sight of thee, I ascribe entirely to the mercy of GodI and no than)s to thee, my s(eet brother!T /o saying she embraced him again, and melting ane( into tears )issed his bro(!

This story, so congruous, so consistent in every detail, came tri''ingly and (ithout the least hesitancy from her tongue! 3ndreuccio remembered that his father had indeed lived at PalermoI he )ne( by his o(n ex'erience the (ays of young fol), ho( 'rone they are to loveI he sa( her melt into tears, he felt her embraces and sisterly )issesI and he too) all she said for gos'el! /o, (hen she had done, he ans(eredB@@T"adam, it should not sur'rise you that I marvel, seeing that, in sooth, my father, for (hatever cause, said never a (ord of you and your mother, or, if he did so, it came not to my )no(ledge, so that I )ne( no more of you than if you had not beenI (herefore, the lonelier I am here, and the less ho'e I had of such good luc), the better 'leased I am to have found here my sister! 3nd indeed, I )no( not any man, ho(ever exalted his station, (ho ought not to be (ell 'leased to have such a

sisterI much more, then, I, (ho am but a 'etty merchantI but, I 'ray you, resolve me of one thingB ho( came you to )no( that I (as hereST Then ans(ered sheB@@TMT(as told me this morning by a 'oor (oman (ho is much about the house, because, as she tells me, she (as long in the service of our father both at Palermo and at Perugia, and, but that it seemed more fitting that thou shouldst come to see me at home than that I should visit thee at an inn, I had long ago sought thee out!T /he then began to inOuire 'articularly after all his )insfol) by name, and 3ndreuccio, becoming ever more firmly 'ersuaded of that (hich it (as least for his good to believe, ans(ered all her Ouestions! Their conversation being thus 'rolonged and the heat great, she had Gree) (ine and s(eetmeats brought in, and gave 3ndreuccio to drin)I and (hen to(ards su''er@time he made as if he (ould leave, she (ould in no (ise suffer itI but, feigning to be very much vexed, she embraced him, sayingB@@T3las* no( Mtis 'lain ho( little thou carest for meB to thin) that thou art (ith thy sister, (hom thou seest for the first time, and in her o(n house, (here thou shouldst have alighted on thine arrival, and thou (ouldst fain de'art hence to go su' at an inn* ;ay but, for certain, thou shalt su' (ith meI and albeit, to my great regret, my husband is not here, thou shalt see that I can do a ladyMs 'art in she(ing thee honour!T 3ndreuccio, not )no(ing (hat else to say, re'liedB@@T/ister, I care for you (ith all a brotherMs affectionI but if I go not, su''er (ill a(ait me all the evening at the inn, and I shall justly be taxed (ith discourtesy!T Then said sheB@@TBlessed be God, there is even no( in the house one by (hom I can send (ord that they are not to ex'ect thee at the inn, albeit thou (ouldst far better discharge the debt of courtesy by sending (ord to thy friends, that they come here to su'I and then, if go

thou must, you might all go in a body!T 3ndreuccio re'lied, that he (ould have none of his friends that evening, but since she (ould have him stay, he (ould even do her the 'leasure! /he then made a she( of sending (ord to the inn that they should not ex'ect him at dinner! "uch more tal) follo(edI and then they sate do(n to a su''er of many courses s'lendidly served, (hich she cunningly 'rotracted until nightfallI nor, (hen they (ere risen from table, and 3ndreuccio (as about to ta)e his de'arture, (ould she by any means suffer it, saying that ;a'les (as no 'lace to (al) about in after dar), least of all for a stranger, and that, as she had sent (ord to the inn that they (ere not to ex'ect him at su''er, so she had done the li)e in regard of his bed! Believing (hat she said, and being 7in his false confidence8 overjoyed to be (ith her, he stayed! 3fter su''er there (as matter enough for tal) both various and 'rolongedI and, (hen the night (as in a measure s'ent, she gave u' her o(n chamber to 3ndreuccio, leaving him (ith a small boy to she( him aught that he might have need of, (hile she retired (ith her (omen to another chamber!

It (as a very hot night , so, no sooner (as 3ndreuccio alone than he stri''ed himself to his doublet, and dre( off his stoc)ings and laid them on the bedMs headI and nature demanding a discharge of the sur'lus (eight (hich he carried (ithin him, he as)ed the lad (here this might be done, and (as she(n a door in a corner of the room, and told to go in there! 3ndreuccio, nothing doubting, did so, but, by ill luc), set his foot on a 'lan) (hich (as detached from the joist at the further end, (hereby do(n it (ent, and he (ith it! By GodMs grace he too) no hurt by the fall, though it (as from some height, beyond sousing himself from head to foot in the ordure (hich filled

the (hole 'lace, (hich, that you may the better understand (hat has been said, and that (hich is to follo(, I (ill describe to you! 3 narro( and blind alley, such as (e commonly see bet(een t(o houses, (as s'anned by 'lan)s su''orted by joists on either side, and on the 'lan)s (as the stoolI of (hich 'lan)s that (hich fell (ith 3ndreuccio (as one! ;o( 3ndreuccio, finding himself do(n there in the alley, fell to calling on the lad, (ho, as soon as he heard him fall, had run off, and 'rom'tly let the lady )no( (hat had ha''ened! /he hied forth(ith to her chamber, and after a hasty search found 3ndreuccioMs clothes and the money in them, for he foolishly thought to secure himself against ris) by carrying it al(ays on his 'erson, and thus being 'ossessed of the 'ri:e for (hich she had 'layed her ruse, 'assing herself off as the sister of a man of Perugia, (hereas she (as really of Palermo, she concerned herself no further (ith 3ndreuccio exce't to close (ith all s'eed the door by (hich he had gone out (hen he fell! 3s the lad did not ans(er, 3ndreuccio began to shout more loudlyI but all to no 'ur'ose! +hereby his sus'icions (ere aroused, and he began at last to 'erceive the tric) that had been 'layed u'on himI so he climbed over a lo( (all that divided the alley from the street, and hied him to the door of the house, (hich he )ne( very (ell! There for a long (hile he stood shouting and battering the door till it shoo) on its hingesI but all again to no 'ur'ose! ;o doubt of his misadventure no( lur)ing in his mind, he fell to be(ailing himself, sayingB@@T3las* in ho( brief a time have I lost five hundred florins and a sister*T (ith much more of the li)e sort! Then he recommenced battering the door and shouting, to such a tune that not a fe( of the neighbours (ere roused, and finding the nuisance intolerable, got u'I and one of the ladyMs servant@girls 'resented herself at the (indo( (ith a very

slee'y air, and said angrilyB@@T+ho )noc)s belo( thereST TGh*T said 3ndreuccio, Tdost not )no( meS I am 3ndreuccio, "adam -iordalisoMs brother!T TGood man,T she rejoined, Tif thou hast had too much to drin), go, slee' it off, and come bac) to@morro(! I )no( not 3ndreuccio, nor aught of the fantastic stuff thou 'ratestI 'rithee begone and be so good as to let us slee' in 'eace!T T.o(ST said 3ndreuccio, Tdost not understand (hat I sayS -or sure thou dost understandI but if /icilian )inshi's are of such a sort that fol) forget them so soon, at least return me my clothes, (hich I left (ithin, and right glad shall I be to be off!T .alf laughing, she rejoinedB@@ TGood man, methin)s thou dost dreamIT and, so saying, she (ithdre( and closed the (indo(! 3ndreuccio by this time needed no further evidence of his (rongsI his (rath )ne( no bounds, and mortification (ell@nigh converted it into fren:yI he (as minded to exact by force (hat he had failed to obtain by entreatiesI and so, arming himself (ith a large stone, he rene(ed his attac) u'on the door (ith fury, dealing much heavier blo(s than at first! +herefore, not a fe( of the neighbours, (hom he had already roused from their beds, set him do(n as an ill@conditioned rogue, and his story as a mere fiction intended to annoy the good (oman, 798 and resenting the din (hich he no( made, came to their (indo(s, just as, (hen a stranger dog ma)es his a''earance, all the dogs of the Ouarter (ill run to bar) at him, and called out in chorusB@@TMTis a gross affront to come at this time of night to the house of the good (oman (ith this silly story! Prithee, good man, let us slee' in 'eaceI begone in GodMs nameI and if thou hast a score to settle (ith her, come to@morro(, but a truce to thy 'estering to@night!T

Emboldened, 'erha's, by these (ords, a man (ho lur)ed (ithin the house, the

good (omanMs bully, (hom 3ndreuccio had as yet neither seen nor heard, she(ed himself at the (indo(, and said in a gruff voice and savage, menacing toneB@@T+ho is belo( thereST 3ndreuccio loo)ed u' in the direction of the voice, and sa( standing at the (indo(, ya(ning and rubbing his eyes as if he had just been roused from his bed, or at any rate from dee' slee', a fello( (ith a blac) and matted beard, (ho, as far as 3ndreuccioMs means of judging (ent, bade fair to 'rove a most redoubtable cham'ion! It (as not (ithout fear, therefore, that he re'liedB@@TI am a brother of the lady (ho is (ithin!T The bully did not (ait for him to finish his sentence, but, addressing him in a much sterner tone than before, called outB@@TI )no( not (hy I come not do(n and give thee 'lay (ith my cudgel, (hilst thou givest me sign of life, ass, tedious driveller that thou must needs be, and drun)en sot, thus to disturb our nightMs rest!T +hich said, he (ithdre(, and closed the (indo(! /ome of the neighbours (ho best )ne( the bullyMs Ouality gave 3ndreuccio fair (ords! T-or GodMs sa)e,T said they, Tgood man, ta)e thyself off, stay not here to be murdered! MT(ere best for thee to go!T These counsels, (hich seemed to be dictated by charity, reinforced the fear (hich the voice and as'ect of the bully had ins'ired in 3ndreuccio, (ho, thus des'airing of recovering his money and in the dee'est of dum's, set his face to(ards the Ouarter (hence in the daytime he had blindly follo(ed the little girl, and began to ma)e his (ay bac) to the inn! But so noisome (as the stench (hich he emitted that he resolved to turn aside and ta)e a bath in the sea! /o he bore left(ard u' a street called #uga &atalana, and (as on his (ay to(ards the stee' of the city, (hen by chance he sa( t(o men coming to(ards him, bearing a lantern, and fearing that they might be 'atrols or other men (ho might do him a mischief, he stole a(ay and hid himself in a

dismantled house to avoid them! The house, ho(ever, (as 'resently entered by the t(o men, just as if they had been guided thitherI and one of them having disburdened himself of some iron tools (hich he carried on his shoulder, they both began to examine them, 'assing mean(hile divers comments u'on them! +hile they (ere thus occu'ied, T+hat,T said one, means thisS /uch a stench as never before did I smell the li)e! T/o saying, he raised the lantern a littleI (hereby they had a vie( of ha'less 3ndreuccio, and as)ed in ama:ementB@@T+ho is thereST +hereu'on 3ndreuccio (as at first silent, but (hen they flashed the light close u'on him, and as)ed him (hat he did there in such a filthy state, he told them all that had befallen him! &asting about to fix the 'lace (here it occurred, they said one to anotherB@@TGf a surety Mt(as in the house of /carabone Buttafuoco!T Then said one, turning to 3ndreuccioB@@TGood man, albeit thou hast lost thy money, thou hast cause enough to 'raise God that thou hadst the luc) to fallI for hadst thou not fallen, be sure that, no sooner (ert thou aslee', than thou hadst been )noc)ed on the head, and lost not only thy money but thy life! But (hat boots it no( to be(ail theeS Thou mightest as soon 'luc) a star from the firmament as recover a single denierI nay, Mtis as much as thy life is (orth if he do but hear that thou breathest a (ord of the affair!T

The t(o men then held a short consultation, at the close of (hich they saidB@@T4o no(I (e are sorry for thee, and so (e ma)e thee a fair offer! If thou (ilt join (ith us in a little matter (hich (e have in hand, (e doubt not but thy share of the gain (ill greatly exceed (hat thou hast lost!T 3ndreuccio, being no( des'erate, ans(ered that he (as ready to join them! ;o( "esser -ili''o "inutolo, 3rchbisho' of ;a'les, had that day been buried

(ith a ruby on his finger, (orth over five hundred florins of gold, besides other ornaments of extreme value! The t(o men (ere minded to des'oil the 3rchbisho' of his fine tra''ings, and im'arted their design to 3ndreuccio, (ho, cu'idity getting the better of caution, a''roved itI and so they all three set forth! But as they (ere on their (ay to the cathedral, 3ndreuccio gave out so ran) an odour that one said to the otherB@@T&an (e not contrive that he someho( (ash himself a little, that he stin) not so shre(dlyST T+hy yes,T said the other, T(e are no( close to a (ell, (hich is never (ithout the 'ulley and a large buc)etI Mtis but a ste' thither, and (e (ill (ash him out of hand!T 3rrived at the (ell, they found that the ro'e (as still there, but the buc)et had been removedI so they determined to attach him to the ro'e, and lo(er him into the (ell, there to (ash himself, (hich done, he (as to jer) the ro'e, and they (ould dra( him u'! 4o(ered accordingly he (asI but just as, no( (ashen, he jer)ed the ro'e, it so ha''ened that a com'any of 'atrols, being thirsty because Mt(as a hot night and some rogue had led them a 'retty dance, came to the (ell to drin)! The t(o men fled, unobserved, as soon as they caught sight of the ne(comers, (ho, 'arched (ith thirst, laid aside their buc)lers, arms and surcoats, and fell to hauling on the ro'e, that it bore the buc)et, full of (ater! +hen, therefore, they sa( 3ndreuccio, as he neared the brin) of the (ell, loose the ro'e and clutch the brin) (ith his hands, they (ere stric)en (ith a sudden terror, and (ithout uttering a (ord let go the ro'e, and too) to flight (ith all the s'eed they could ma)e! +hereat 3ndreuccio marvelled mightily, and had he not )e't a tight gri' on the brin) of the (ell, he (ould certainly have gone bac) to the bottom and hardly have esca'ed grievous hurt, or death! /till greater (as his astonishment, (hen, fairly landed on terra firma, he found

the 'atrolsM arms lying there, (hich he )ne( had not been carried by his comrades! .e felt a vague dread, he )ne( not (hyI he be(ailed once more his evil fortuneI and (ithout venturing to touch the arms, he left the (ell and (andered he )ne( not (hither! 3s he (ent, ho(ever, he fell in (ith his t(o comrades, no( returning to dra( him out of the (ellI (ho no sooner sa( him than in utter ama:ement they demanded (ho had hauled him u'! 3ndreuccio ans(ered that he )ne( not, and then told them in detail ho( it had come about, and (hat he had found beside the (ell! They laughed as they a''rehended the circumstances, and told him (hy they had fled, and (ho they (ere that had hauled him u'! Then (ithout further 'arley, for it (as no( midnight, they hied them to the cathedral! They had no difficulty in entering and finding the tomb, (hich (as a magnificent structure of marble, and (ith their iron im'lements they raised the lid, albeit it (as very heavy, to a height sufficient to allo( a man to enter, and 'ro''ed it u'! This done, a dialogue ensued! T+ho shall go inST said one! T;ot I,T said the other! T;or I,T rejoined his com'anionI Tlet 3ndreuccio go in!T TThat (ill not I,T said 3ndreuccio! +hereu'on both turned u'on him and saidB@@T.o(S thou (ilt not go inS By God, if thou goest not in, (e (ill give thee that over the 'ate (ith one of these iron cro(bars that thou shalt dro' do(n dead!T Terror@stric)en, into the tomb 3ndreuccio (ent, saying to himself as he did soB@@TThese men (ill have me go in, that they may 'lay a tric) u'on meB (hen I have handed everything u' to them, and am s(eating myself to get out of the tomb, they (ill be off about their business, and I shall be left, (ith nothing for my 'ains!T /o he determined to ma)e sure of his o(n 'art firstI and bethin)ing him of the 'recious ring of (hich he had heard them s'ea), as soon as he had com'leted the descent, he dre( the ring off the

3rchbisho'Ms finger, and 'ut it on his o(nB he then handed u' one by one the crosier, mitre and gloves, and other of the 3rchbisho'Ms tra''ings, stri''ing him to his shirtI (hich done, he told his comrades that there (as nothing more! They insisted that the ring must be there, and bade him search every(here! This he feigned to do, ejaculating from time to time that he found it notI and thus he )e't them a little (hile in sus'ense! But they, (ho, (ere in their (ay as cunning as he, )e't on exhorting him to ma)e a careful search, and, sei:ing their o''ortunity, (ithdre( the 'ro' that su''orted the lid of the tomb, and too) to their heels, leaving him there a close 'risoner! Cou (ill readily conceive ho( 3ndreuccio behaved (hen he understood his situation! "ore than once he a''lied his head and shoulders to the lid and sought (ith might and main to heave it u'I but all his efforts (ere fruitlessI so that at last, over(helmed (ith anguish he fell in a s(oon on the cor'se of the 3rchbisho', and (hether of the t(ain (ere the more lifeless, 3ndreuccio or the 3rchbisho', Mt(ould have 'u::led an observer to determine!

+hen he came to himself he burst into a torrent of tears, seeing no( nothing in store for him but either to 'erish there of hunger and fetid odours beside the cor'se and among the (orms, or, should the tomb be earlier o'ened, to be ta)en and hanged as a thief! These most lugubrious meditations (ere interru'ted by a sound of 'ersons (al)ing and tal)ing in the church! They (ere evidently a numerous com'any, and their 'ur'ose, as 3ndreuccio surmised, (as the very same (ith (hich he and his comrades had come thitherB (hereby his terror (as mightily increased! Presently the fol) o'ened the tomb, and 'ro''ed u' the lid, and then fell to dis'uting as to (ho should go

in! ;one (as (illing, and the contention (as 'rotractedI but at length one@@ Mt(as a 'riest@@saidB@@TGf (hat are ye afearedS Thin) ye to be eaten by himS ;ay, the dead eat not the living! I (ill go in myself!T /o saying he 'ro''ed his breast u'on the edge of the lid, thre( his head bac), and thrust his legs (ithin, that he might go do(n feet foremost! Gn sight (hereof 3ndreuccio started to his feet, and sei:ing hold of one of the 'riestMs legs, made as if he (ould drag him do(nI (hich caused the 'riest to utter a 'rodigious yell, and bundle himself out of the tomb (ith no small celerity! The rest too) to flight in a 'anic, as if a hundred thousand devils (ere at their heels! The tomb being thus left o'en, 3ndreuccio, the ring still on his finger, s'ring out! The (ay by (hich he had entered the church served him for egress, and roaming at random, he arrived to(ards daybrea) at the coast! Diverging thence he came by chance u'on his inn, (here he found that his host and his comrades had been anxious about him all night! +hen he told them all that had befallen him, they joined (ith the host in advising him to leave ;a'les at once! .e accordingly did so, and returned to Perugia, having invested in a ring the money (ith (hich he had intended to buy horses!

708 &harles II! of ;a'les, son of &harles of 3njou! 7A8 -rederic II! of /icily, younger son of Peter III! of 3rragon! 798 I! e! the ba(d!

;GVE4 VI!

@@

"adam Beritola loses t(o sons, is found (ith t(o )ids on an island, goes thence to 4unigiana, (here one of her sons ta)es service (ith her master, and lies (ith his daughter, for (hich he is 'ut in 'rison! /icily rebels against Ning &harles, the son is recognised by the mother, marries the masterMs daughter, and, his brother being discovered, is reinstated in great honour! @@

The ladies and the young men ali)e had many a hearty laugh over -iammettaMs narrative of 3ndreuccioMs adventures, (hich ended, Emilia, at the OueenMs command, thus beganB@@

Grave and grievous are the vicissitudes (ith (hich -ortune ma)es us acOuainted, and as discourse of such matter serves to a(a)en our minds, (hich are so readily lulled to slee' by her flatteries, I deem it (orthy of attentive hearing by all, (hether they enjoy her favour or endure her fro(n, in that it ministers counsel to the one sort and consolation to the other! +herefore, albeit great matters have 'receded it, I mean to tell you a story, not less true than touching, of adventures (hereof the issue (as indeed felicitous, but the antecedent bitterness so long dra(n out that scarce can I believe that it (as ever s(eetened by ensuing ha''iness!

Dearest ladies, you must )no( that after the death of the Em'eror -rederic II! the cro(n of /icily 'assed to "anfredI (hose favour (as enjoyed in the highest degree by a gentleman of ;a'les, 3rrighetto &a'ece by name, (ho had to (ife "adonna Beritola &aracciola, a fair and gracious lady, li)e(ise a

;ea'olitan! ;o( (hen "anfred (as conOuered and slain by Ning &harles I! at Benevento, and the (hole realm transferred its allegiance to the conOueror, 3rrighetto, (ho (as then governor of /icily, no sooner received the tidings than he 're'ared for instant flight, )no(ing that little reliance (as to be 'laced on the fleeting faith of the /icilians, and not being minded to become a subject of his masterMs enemy! But the /icilians having intelligence of his 'lans, he and many other friends and servants of Ning "anfred (ere sur'rised, ta)en 'risoners and delivered over to Ning &harles, to (hom the (hole island (as soon after(ards surrendered! In this signal reversal of the (onted course of things "adam Beritola, )no(ing not (hat (as become of 3rrighetto, and from the 'ast ever auguring future evil, lest she should suffer foul dishonour, abandoned all that she 'ossessed, and (ith a son of, 'erha's, eight years, Giusfredi by name, being also 'regnant, fled in a boat to 4i'ari, (here she gave birth to another male child, (hom she named Gutcast! Then (ith her sons and a hired nurse she too) shi' for ;a'les, intending there to rejoin her family! Events, ho(ever, fell out other(ise than she ex'ectedI for by stress of (eather the shi' (as carried out of her course to the desert island of Pon:a, 708 (here they 'ut in to a little bay until such time as they might safely continue their voyage! "adam Beritola landed (ith the rest on the island, and, leaving them all, sought out a lonely and secluded s'ot, and there abandoned herself to melancholy brooding on the loss of her dear 3rrighetto! +hile thus she s'ent her days in solitary 'reoccu'ation (ith her grief it chanced that a galley of corsairs s(oo'ed do(n u'on the island, and, before either the mariners or any other fol) (ere a(are of their 'eril, made an easy ca'ture of them all and sailed a(ayI so that, (hen "adam Beritola, her (ailing for that day

ended, returned, as (as her (ont, to the shore to solace herself (ith the sight of her sons, she found none there! 3t first she (as lost in (onder, then (ith a sudden sus'icion of the truth she bent her eyes sea(ard, and there sa( the galley still at no great distance, to(ing the shi' in her (a)e! Thus a''rehending beyond all manner of doubt that she had lost her sons as (ell as her husband, and that, alone, desolate and destitute, she might not ho'e, that any of her lost ones (ould ever be restored to her, she fell do(n on the shore in a s(oon (ith the names of her husband and sons u'on her li's! ;one (as there to administer cold (ater or aught else that might recall her truant 'o(ersI her animal s'irits might even (ander (hithersoever they (ould at their s(eet (illB strength, ho(ever, did at last return to her 'oor exhausted frame, and there(ith tears and lamentations, as, 'laintively re'eating her sonsM names, she roamed in Ouest of them from cavern to cavern! 4ong time she sought them thusI but (hen she sa( that her labour (as in vain, and that night (as closing in, ho'e, she )ne( not (hy, began to return, and (ith it some degree of anxiety on her o(n account! +herefore she left the shore and returned to the cavern (here she had been (ont to indulge her 'laintive mood! /he 'assed the night in no small fear and indescribable anguishI the ne( day came, and, as she had not su''ed, she (as fain after tierce to a''ease her hunger, as best she could, by a brea)fast of herbsB this done, she (e't and began to ruminate on her future (ay of life! +hile thus engaged, she observed a she@goat come by and go into an adjacent cavern, and after a (hile come forth again and go into the (oodB thus roused from her reverie she got u', (ent into the cavern from (hich the she@goat had issued, and there sa( t(o )ids, (hich might have been born that very day, and seemed to her the s(eetest and the most delicious things in

the (orldB and, having, by reason of her recent delivery, mil) still (ithin her, she too) them u' tenderly, and set them to her breast! They, nothing loath, suc)ed at her teats as if she had been their o(n damI and thenceforth made no distinction bet(een her and the dam! +hich caused the lady to feel that she had found com'any in the desertI and so, living on herbs and (ater, (ee'ing as often as she bethought her of her husband and sons and her 'ast life, she dis'osed herself to live and die there, and became no less familiar (ith the she@goat than (ith her young!

The gentle lady thus leading the life of a (ild creature, it chanced that after some months stress of (eather brought a Pisan shi' to the very same bay in (hich she had landed! The shi' lay there for several days, having on board a gentleman, &urrado deM "ales'ini by name 7of the same family as the "arOuis8, (ho (ith his noble and most devout lady (as returning home from a 'ilgrimage, having visited all the holy 'laces in the realm of 3'ulia! To beguile the tedium of the sojourn &urrado (ith his lady, some servants and his dogs, set forth one day u'on a tour through the island! 3s they neared the 'lace (here "adam Beritola d(elt, &urradoMs dogs on vie( of the t(o )ids, (hich, no( of a fair si:e, (ere gra:ing, gave chase! The )ids, 'ursued by the dogs, made straight for "adam BeritolaMs cavern! /he, seeing (hat (as to(ard, started to her feet, caught u' a stic), and drove the dogs bac)! &urrado and his lady coming u' after the dogs, ga:ed on "adam Beritola, no( tanned and lean and hairy, (ith (onder, (hich she more than reci'rocated! 3t her reOuest &urrado called off the dogsI and then he and his lady besought her again and again to say (ho she (as and (hat she did there! /o she told them all about herself, her ran), her misfortunes, and the savage life (hich

she (as minded to lead! &urrado, (ho had )no(n 3rrighetto &a'ece very (ell, (as moved to tears by com'assion, and exhausted all his eloOuence to induce her to change her mind, offering to escort her home, or to ta)e her to live (ith him in honourable estate as his sister until God should vouchsafe her )indlier fortune! The lady, declining all his offers, &urrado left her (ith his (ife, (hom he bade see that food (as brought thither, and let "adam Beritola, (ho (as all in rags, have one of her o(n dresses to (ear, and do all that she could to 'ersuade her to go (ith them! /o the gentle lady stayed (ith "adam Beritola, and after condoling (ith her at large on her misfortunes had food and clothing brought to her, and (ith the greatest difficulty in the (orld 'revailed u'on her to eat and dress herself! 3t last, after much beseeching, she induced her to de'art from her oft@declared intention never to go (here she might meet any that )ne( her, and accom'any them to 4unigiana, ta)ing (ith her the t(o )ids and the dam, (hich latter had in the meantime returned, and to the gentle ladyMs great sur'rise had greeted "adam Beritola (ith the utmost affection! /o (ith the return of fair (eather "adam Beritola, ta)ing (ith her the dam and the t(o )ids, embar)ed (ith &urrado and his lady on their shi', being called by them@@for her true name (as not to be )no(n of all@@&avriuolaI 7A8 and the (ind holding fair, they s'eedily reached the mouth of the "agra, 798 and landing hied them to &urradoMs castle (here "adam Beritola abode (ith &urradoMs lady in the Ouality of her maid, serving her (ell and faithfully, (earing (ido(Ms (eeds, and feeding and tending her )ids (ith assiduous and loving care!

The corsairs, (ho, not es'ying "adam Beritola, had left her at Pon:a (hen they too) the shi' on (hich she had come thither, had made a course to

Genoa, ta)ing (ith them all the other fol)! Gn their arrival the o(ners of the galley shared the booty, and so it ha''ened that as 'art thereof "adam BeritolaMs nurse and her t(o boys fell to the lot of one "esser Guas'arrino dMGria, (ho sent all three to his house, being minded to )ee' them there as domestic slaves! The nurse, beside herself (ith grief at the loss of her mistress and the (oful 'light in (hich she found herself and her t(o charges, shed many a bitter tear! But, seeing that they (ere unavailing, and that she and the boys (ere slaves together, she, having, for all her lo( estate, her share of (it and good sense, made it her first care to comfort themI then, regardful of the condition to (hich they (ere reduced, she bethought her, that, if the lads (ere recognised, Mt(ould very li)ely be injurious to them! /o, still ho'ing that some time or another -ortune (ould change her mood, and they be able, if living, to regain their lost estate, she resolved to let none )no( (ho they (ere, until she sa( a fitting occasionI and accordingly, (henever she (as Ouestioned thereof by any, she gave them out as her o(n children! The name of the elder she changed from Giusfredi to Giannotto di ProcidaI the name of the younger she did not thin) it (orth (hile to change! /he s'ared no 'ains to ma)e Giusfredi understand the reason (hy she had changed his name, and, the ris) (hich he might run if he (ere recognised! This she im'ressed u'on him not once only but many timesI and the boy, (ho (as a't to learn, follo(ed the instructions of the (ise nurse (ith 'erfect exactitude!

/o the t(o boys, ill clad and (orse shod, continued (ith the nurse in "esser Guas'arrinoMs house for t(o years, 'atiently 'erforming all )inds of menial offices! But Giannotto, being no( sixteen years old, and of a s'irit that

consorted ill (ith servitude, broo)ed not the baseness of his lot, and dismissed himself from "esser Guas'arrinoMs service by getting aboard a galley bound for 3lexandria, and travelled far and (ide, and fared never the better! In the course of his (anderings he learned that his father, (hom he had su''osed to be dead, (as still living, but )e't in 'rison under (atch and (ard by Ning &harles! .e (as gro(n a tall handsome young man, (hen, 'erha's three or four years after he had given "esser Guas'arrino the sli', (eary of roaming and all but des'airing of his fortune, he came to 4unigiana, and by chance too) service (ith &urrado "ales'ini, (ho found him handy, and (as (ell@'leased (ith him! .is mother, (ho (as in attendance on &urradoMs lady, he seldom sa(, and never recognised her, nor she himI so much had time changed both from their former as'ect since they last met! +hile Giannotto (as thus in the service of &urrado, it fell out by the death of ;iccolo da Grignano that his (ido(, /'ina, &urradoMs daughter, returned to her fatherMs house! Very fair she (as and loveable, her age not more than sixteen years, and so it (as that she sa( Giannotto (ith favour, and he her, and both fell ardently in love (ith one another! Their 'assion (as early gratifiedI but several months ela'sed before any detected its existence! +herefore, gro(ing overbold, they began to dis'ense (ith the 'recautions (hich such an affair demanded! /o one day, as they (al)ed (ith others through a (ood, (here the trees gre( fair and close, the girl and Giannotto left the rest of the com'any some distance behind, and, thin)ing that they (ere (ell in advance, found a fair 'leasaunce girt in (ith trees and car'eted (ith abundance of grass and flo(ers, and fell to solacing themselves after the manner of lovers! 4ong time they thus dallied, though such (as their delight that all too brief it seemed to them, and so it

befell that they (ere sur'rised first by the girlMs mother and then by &urrado! Pained beyond measure by (hat he had seen, &urrado, (ithout assigning any cause, had them both arrested by three of his servants and ta)en in chains to one of his castlesI (here in a fren:y of 'assionate (rath he left them, resolved to 'ut them to an ignominious death! The girlMs mother (as also very angry, and deemed her daughterMs fall deserving of the most rigorous chastisement, but, (hen by one of &urradoMs chance (ords she divined the doom (hich he destined for the guilty 'air, she could not reconcile herself to it, and hasted to intercede (ith her angry husband, beseeching him to refrain the im'etuous (rath (hich (ould hurry him in his old age to murder his daughter and imbrue his hands in the blood of his servant, and vent it in some other (ay, as by close confinement and duress, (hereby the cul'rits should be brought to re'ent them of their fault in tears! Thus, and (ith much more to the li)e effect, the devout lady urged her suit, and at length 'revailed u'on her husband to abandon his murderous design! +herefore, he commanded that the 'air should be confined in se'arate 'risons, and closely guarded, and )e't short of food and in sore discomfort, until further orderI (hich (as accordingly doneI and the life (hich the ca'tives led, their endless tears, their fasts of inordinate duration, may be readily imagined!

Giannotto and /'ina had languished in this sorry 'light for full a year, entirely ignored by &urrado, (hen in concert (ith "esser Gian di Procida, Ning Peter of 3rragon raised a rebellion 7?8 in the island of /icily, and (rested it from Ning &harles, (hereat &urrado, being a Ghibelline, (as overjoyed! .earing the tidings from one of his (arders, Giannotto heaved a

great sigh, and saidB@@T3las, fourteen years have I been a (anderer u'on the face of the earth, loo)ing for no other than this very eventI and no(, that my ho'es of ha''iness may be for ever frustrate, it has come to 'ass only to find me in 'rison, (hence I may never thin) to issue alive!T T.o(ST said the (arderI T(hat signify to thee these doings of these mighty monarchsS +hat 'art hadst thou in /icilyST Giannotto ans(eredB@@TMTis as if my heart (ere brea)ing (hen I bethin) me of my father and (hat 'art he had in /icily! I (as but a little lad (hen I fled the island, but yet I remember him as its governor in the time of Ning "anfred!T T3nd (ho then (as thy fatherST demanded the (arder! T.is name,T rejoined Giannotto, TI need no longer scru'le to disclose, seeing that I find myself in the very strait (hich I ho'ed to avoid by concealing it! .e (as and still is, if he live, 3rrighetto &a'eceI and my name is not Giannotto but GiusfrediI and I doubt not but, (ere I once free, and bac) in /icily, I might yet hold a very honourable 'osition in the island!T

The (orthy man as)ed no more Ouestions, but, as soon as he found o''ortunity, told (hat he had learned to &urrado, (ho, albeit he made light of it in the (arderMs 'resence, re'aired to "adam Beritola, and as)ed her in a 'leasant manner, (hether she had had by 3rrighetto a son named Giusfredi! The lady ans(ered, in tears, that, if the elder of her t(o sons (ere living, such (ould be his name, and his age t(enty@t(o years! This inclined &urrado to thin) that Giannotto and Giusfredi (ere indeed one and the sameI and it occurred to him, that, if so it (ere, he might at once she( himself most merciful and blot out his daughterMs shame and his o(n by giving her to him in marriageI (herefore he sent for Giannotto 'rivily, and Ouestioned him in

detail touching his 'ast life! 3nd finding by indubitable evidence that he (as indeed Giusfredi, son of 3rrighetto &a'ece, he said to himB@@TGiannotto, thou )no(est the (rong (hich thou hast done me in the 'erson of my daughter, (hat and ho( great it is, seeing that I used thee (ell and )indly, and thou shouldst therefore, li)e a good servant, have she(n thyself jealous of my honour, and :ealous in my interestI and many there are (ho, hadst thou treated them as thou hast treated me, (ould have caused thee to die an ignominious deathI (hich my clemency (ould not broo)! But no(, as it is even so as thou sayst, and thou art of gentle blood by both thy 'arents, I am minded to 'ut an end to thy sufferings as soon as thou (ilt, releasing thee from the ca'tivity in (hich thou languishest, and setting thee in a ha''y 'lace, and reinstating at once thy honour and my o(n! Thy intimacy (ith /'ina@@albeit, shameful to both@@(as yet 'rom'ted by love! /'ina, as thou )no(est, is a (ido(, and her do(er is am'le and secure! +hat her breeding is, and her fatherMs and her motherMs, thou )no(estB of thy 'resent condition I say nought! +herefore, (hen thou (ilt, I am consenting, that, having been (ith dishonour thy friend, she become (ith honour thy (ife, and that, so long as it seem good to thee, thou tarry here (ith her and me as my son!T

&a'tivity had (asted GiannottoMs flesh, but had in no degree im'aired the generosity of s'irit (hich he derived from his ancestry, or the (hole@hearted love (hich he bore his lady! /o, albeit he ardently desired that (hich &urrado offered, and )ne( that he (as in &urradoMs 'o(er, yet, even as his magnanimity 'rom'ted, so, uns(ervingly, he made ans(erB@@ T&urrado, neither ambition nor cu'idity nor aught else did ever beguile me

to any treacherous machination against either thy 'erson or thy 'ro'erty! Thy daughter I loved, and love and shall ever love, because I deem her (orthy of my love, and, if I dealt (ith her after a fashion (hich to the mechanic mind seems hardly honourable, I did but commit that fault (hich is ever congenial to youth, (hich can never be eradicated so long as youth continues, and (hich, if the aged (ould but remember that they (ere once young and (ould measure the delinOuencies of others by their o(n and their o(n by those of others, (ould not be deemed so grave as thou and many others de'ict itI and (hat I did, I did as a friend, not as an enemy! That (hich thou offerest I have ever desired and should long ago have sought, had I su''osed that thou (ouldst grant it, and Mt(ill be the more grateful to me in 'ro'ortion to the de'th of my des'air! But if thy intent be not such, as thy (ords im'ort, feed me not (ith vain ho'es, but send me bac) to 'rison there to suffer (hatever thou mayst be 'leased to inflictI nor doubt that even as I love /'ina, so for love of her shall I ever love thee, though thou do thy (orst, and still hold thee in reverent regard!

&urrado marvelled to hear him thus s'ea), and being assured of his magnanimity and the fervour of his love, held him the more dearI (herefore he rose, embraced and )issed him, and (ithout further delay bade 'rivily bring thither /'ina, (ho left her 'rison (asted and (an and (ea), and so changed that she seemed almost another (oman than of yore, even as Giannotto (as scarce his former self! Then and there in &urradoMs 'resence they 'lighted their troth according to our custom of es'ousalsI and some days after(ards &urrado, having in the meantime 'rovided all things meet for their convenience and solace, yet so as that none should surmise (hat had

ha''ened, deemed it no( time to gladden their mothers (ith the ne(s! /o he sent for his lady and &avriuola, and thus, addressing &avriuola, he s'o)eB@@T+hat (ould you say, madam, (ere I to restore you your elder son as the husband of one of my daughtersST &avriuola ans(eredB@@TI should say, that, (ere it 'ossible for you to strengthen the bond (hich attaches me to you, then assuredly you had so done, in that you restored to me that (hich I cherish more tenderly than myself, and in such a guise as in some measure to rene( (ithin me the ho'e (hich I had lostB more I could not say!T 3nd so, (ee'ing, she (as silent! Then, turning to his lady, &urrado saidB@@T3nd thou, madam, (hat (ouldst thou thin) if I (ere to 'resent thee (ith such a son@in@la(ST T3 son@in@la(,T she ans(ered, Tthat (as not of gentle blood, but a mere churl, so he 'leased you, (ould (ell content me!T T/o*T returned &urradoI TI ho'e (ithin a fe( days to gladden the hearts of both of you!T

.e (aited only until the t(o young fol) had recovered their (onted mien, and (ere clad in a manner befitting their ran)! Then, addressing Giusfredi, he saidB@@T+ould it not add to thy joy to see thy mother hereST TI dare not ho'e,T returned Giusfredi,T that she has survived calamities and sufferings such as hersI but (ere it so, great indeed (ould be my joy, and none the less that by her counsel I might be aided to the recovery 7in great measure8 of my lost heritage in /icily!T +hereu'on &urrado caused both the ladies to come thither, and 'resented to them the bride! The gladness (ith (hich they both greeted her (as a (onder to behold, and no less great (as their (onder at the benign ins'iration that had 'rom'ted &urrado to unite her in (edloc) (ith Giannotto, (hom &urradoMs (ords caused "adam Beritola to survey (ith some attention! 3 hidden s'ring of memory (as thus touchedI she recognised

in the man the lineaments of her boy, and a(aiting no further evidence she ran (ith o'en arms and thre( herself u'on his nec)! ;o (ord did she utter, for very excess of maternal tenderness and joyI but, every avenue of sense closed, she fell as if bereft of life (ithin her sonMs embrace! Giannotto, (ho had often seen her in the castle and never recognised her, marvelled not a little, but nevertheless it at once flashed u'on him that Mt(as his mother, and blaming himself for his 'ast inadvertence he too) her in his arms and (e't and tenderly )issed her! +ith gentle solicitude &urradoMs lady and /'ina came to her aid, and restored her sus'ended animation (ith cold (ater and other remedies! /he then (ith many tender and endearing (ords )issed him a thousand times or more, (hich to)ens of her love he received (ith a loo) of reverential ac)no(ledgment! Thrice, nay a fourth time (ere these glad and gracious greetings exchanged, and joyful indeed (ere they that (itnessed them, and hear)ened (hile mother and son com'ared their 'ast adventures! Then &urrado, (ho had already announced his ne( alliance to his friends, and received their felicitations 'roceeded to give order for the celebration of the event (ith all becoming gaiety and s'lendour! 3s he did so, Giusfredi said to himB@@T&urrado, you have long given my mother honourable entertainment, and on me you have conferred many boonsI (herefore, that you may fill u' the measure of your )indness, Mtis no( my 'rayer that you be 'leased to gladden my mother and my marriage feast and me (ith the 'resence of my brother, no( in servitude in the house of "esser Guas'arrino dMGria, (ho, as I have already told you, made 'ri:e of both him and meI and that then you send some one to /icily, (ho shall ma)e himself thoroughly acOuainted (ith the circumstances and condition of the country, and find out ho( it has fared (ith my father 3rrighetto, (hether he be alive

or dead, and if alive, in (hat circumstances, and being thus fully informed, return to us (ith the tidings!T &urrado assented, and forth(ith sent most trusty agents both to Genoa and to /icily! /o in due time an envoy arrived at Genoa, and made instant suit to Guas'arrino on &urradoMs 'art for the surrender of Gutcast and the nurse, setting forth in detail all that had 'assed bet(een &urrado and Giusfredi and his mother! +hereat "esser Guas'arrino (as mightily astonished, and saidB@@TGf a surety there is nought that, being able, I (ould not do to 'leasure &urradoI and, true it is that I have had in my house for these fourteen years the boy (hom thou dost no( demand of me, and his mother, and gladly (ill I surrender themI but tell &urrado from me to be(are of excessive credulity, and to 'ut no faith in the idle tales of Giannotto, or Giusfredi, as thou sayst he calls himself, (ho is by no means so guileless as he su''oses!T

Then, having 'rovided for the honourable entertainment of the (orthy envoy, he sent 'rivily for the nurse, and cautiously sounded her as to the affair! The nurse had heard of the revolt of /icily, and had learned that 3rrighetto (as still alive! /he therefore banished fear, and told "esser Guas'arrino the (hole story, and ex'lained to him the reasons (hy she had acted as she had done! -inding that (hat she said accorded very (ell (ith (hat he had learned from &urradoMs envoy, he inclined to credit the story, and most astutely 'robing the matter in divers (ays, and al(ays finding fresh grounds for confidence, he re'roached himself for the sorry manner in (hich he had treated the boy, and by (ay of amends gave him one of his o(n daughters, a beautiful girl of eleven years, to (ife (ith a do(ry suited to 3rrighettoMs ran), and celebrated their nu'tials (ith great festivity, .e then brought

the boy and girl, &urradoMs envoy, and the nurse in a (ell@armed galliot to 4erici, being there met by &urrado, (ho had a castle not far off, (here great 're'arations had been made for their entertainmentB and thither accordingly he (ent (ith his (hole com'any! +hat cheer the mother had of her son, the brothers of one another, and all the three of the faithful nurseI (hat cheer "esser Guas'arrino and his daughter had of all, and all of them, and (hat cheer all had of &urrado and his lady and their sons and their friends, (ords may not describeI (herefore, my ladies, I leave it to your imagination! 3nd that their joy might be full, God, (ho, (hen .e gives, gives most abundantly, added the glad tidings that 3rrighetto &a'ece (as alive and 'ros'erous! -or, (hen in the best of s'irits the ladies and gentlemen had sat them do(n to feast, and they (ere yet at the first course, the envoy from /icily arrived, and among other matters re'orted, that, no sooner had the insurrection bro)en out in the island than the 'eo'le hied them in hot haste to the 'rison (here 3rrighetto (as )e't in confinement by Ning &harles, and des'atching the guards, brought him forth, and )no(ing him to be a ca'ital enemy to Ning &harles made him their ca'tain, and under his command fell u'on and massacred the -rench! +hereby he had (on the highest 'lace in the favour of Ning Peter, (ho had granted him restitution of all his estates and honours, so that he (as no( both 'ros'erous and mighty! The envoy added that 3rrighetto had received him (ith every to)en of honour, had manifested the utmost delight on hearing of his lady and son, of (hom no tidings had reached him since his arrest, and had sent, to bring them home, a brigantine (ith some gentlemen aboard, (hose arrival might hourly be ex'ected!

The envoy, and the good ne(s (hich he brought, (ere heartily (elcomeI and 'resently &urrado, (ith some of his friends, encountered the gentlemen (ho came for "adam Beritola and Giusfredi, and saluting them cordially invited them to his feast, (hich (as not yet half done! oy unheard of (as de'icted on the faces of the lady, of Giusfredi, and of all the rest as they greeted themI nor did they on their 'art ta)e their 'laces at the table before, as best they might, they had conveyed to &urrado and his lady 3rrighettoMs greetings and grateful ac)no(ledgments of the honour (hich they had conferred u'on his lady and his son, and had 'laced 3rrighetto, to the uttermost of his 'o(er, entirely at their service! Then, turning to "esser Guas'arrino, of (hose )indness 3rrighetto surmised nothing, they said that they (ere very sure that, (hen he learned the boon (hich Gutcast had received at his hands, he (ould 'ay him the li)e and an even greater tribute of gratitude! This s'eech ended, they feasted most joyously (ith the brides and bridegrooms! /o 'assed the day, the first of many (hich &urrado devoted to honouring his son@in@la( and his other intimates, both )insfol) and friends! The time of festivity ended, "adam Beritola and Giusfredi and the rest felt that they must leaveB so, ta)ing /'ina (ith them, they 'arted, not (ithout many tears, from &urrado and his lady and Guas'arrino, and (ent aboard the brigantine, (hich, (afted by a 'ros'erous (ind, soon brought them to /icily! 3t Palermo they (ere met by 3rrighetto, (ho received them all, ladies and sons ali)e, (ith such cheer as it (ere vain to attem't to describe! There it is believed that they all lived long and ha''ily and in amity (ith God, being not unmindful of the blessings (hich .e had conferred u'on them!

708 The largest, no( inhabited, of a grou' of islets in the Gulf of Gaeta! 7A8 I!e! she@goat! 798 Bet(een 4iguria and Tuscany! 7?8 The /icilian Ves'ers, Easter, 0AEA!

;GVE4 VII!

@@ The /oldan of Babylon sends one of his daughters overseas, designing to marry her to the Ning of 3lgarve! By divers adventures she comes in the s'ace of four years into the hands of nine men in divers 'laces! 3t last she is restored to her father, (hom she Ouits again in the guise of a virgin, and, as (as at first intended, is married to the Ning of 3lgarve! @@

.ad EmiliaMs story but lasted a little longer, the young ladies (ould 'erha's have been moved to tears, so great (as the sym'athy (hich they felt for "adam Beritola in her various fortunes! But no( that it (as ended, the Uueen bade Pamfilo follo( suitI and he, than (hom none (as more obedient, thus beganB@@

.ardly, gracious ladies, is it given to us to )no( that (hich ma)es for our goodI insomuch that, as has been observable in a multitude of instances, many, deeming that the acOuisition of great riches (ould ensure them an easy and tranOuil existence, have not only besought them of God in 'rayer, but

have sought them (ith such ardour that they have s'ared no 'ains and shrun) from no danger in the Ouest, and have attained their end only to lose, at the hands of some one covetous of their vast inheritance, a life (ith (hich before the days of their 'ros'erity they (ere (ell content! Gthers, (hose course, 'erilous (ith a thousand battles, stained (ith the blood of their brothers and their friends, has raised them from base to regal estate, have found in 'lace of the felicity they ex'ected an infinity of cares and fears, and have 'roved by ex'erience that a chalice may be 'oisoned, though it be of gold, and set on the table of a )ing! "any have most ardently desired beauty and strength and other advantages of 'erson, and have only been taught their error by the death or dolorous life (hich these very advantages entailed u'on them! 3nd so, not to instance each 'articular human desire, I say, in sum, that there is none of, them that men may indulge in full confidence as exem't from the chances and changes of fortuneI (herefore, if (e (ould act rightly, (e ought to school ourselves to ta)e and be content (ith that (hich .e gives us, (ho alone )no(s and can afford us that of (hich (e have need! But, divers as are the aberrations of desire to (hich men are 'rone, so, gracious ladies, there is one to (hich you are es'ecially liable, in that you are unduly solicitous of beauty, insomuch, that, not content (ith the charms (hich nature has allotted you, you endeavour to enhance them (ith (ondrous ingenuity of artI (herefore I am minded to ma)e you acOuainted (ith the coil of misadventures in (hich her beauty involved a fair /aracen, (ho in the course of, 'erha's, four years (as (edded nine several times!

There (as of yore a /oldan of Babylon 708, by name of Beminedab, (ho in his day had cause enough to be (ell content (ith his luc)! "any children male

and female had he, and among them a daughter, 3latiel by name, (ho by common consent of all that sa( her (as the most beautiful (oman then to be found in the (orld! ;o( the /oldan, having been signally aided by the Ning of 3lgarve 7A8 in inflicting a great defeat u'on a host of 3rabs that had attac)ed him, had at his instance and by (ay of s'ecial favour given 3latiel to the Ning to (ifeI (herefore, (ith an honourable escort of gentlemen and ladies most nobly and richly eOui''ed, he 'laced her aboard a (ell@armed, (ell@furnished shi', and, commending her to God, s'ed her on her journey! The mariners, as soon as the (eather (as favourable, hoisted sail, and for some days after their de'arture from 3lexandria had a 'ros'erous voyageI but (hen they had 'assed /ardinia, and (ere beginning to thin) that they (ere nearing their journeyMs end, they (ere caught one day bet(een divers cross (inds, each blo(ing (ith extreme fury, (hereby the shi' laboured so sorely that not only the lady but the seamen from time to time gave themselves u' for lost! But still, most manfully and s)ilfully they struggled might and main (ith the tem'est, (hich, ever (axing rather than (aning, buffeted them for t(o days (ith immense unintermittent surgesI and being not far from the island of "ajorca, as the third night began to close in, (ra't in clouds and mist and thic) dar)ness, so that they sa( neither the s)y nor aught else, nor by any nautical s)ill might conjecture (here they (ere, they felt the shi'Ms timbers 'art! +herefore, seeing no (ay to save the shi', each thought only ho( best to save himself, and, a boat being thro(n out, the masters first, and then the men, one by one, though the first@comers sought (ith )nives in their hands to bar the 'assage of the rest, all, rather than remain in the lea)y shi', cro(ded into it, and there found the death (hich they ho'ed to esca'e! -or the boat, being in such stress of (eather, and (ith such a

burden Ouite unmanageable, (ent under, and all aboard her 'erishedI (hereas the shi', lea)y though she (as, and all but full of (ater, yet, driven by the fury of the tem'est, (as hurled (ith 'rodigious velocity u'on the shore of the island of "ajorca, and struc) it (ith such force as to embed herself in the sand, 'erha's a stoneMs thro( from terra firma, (here she remained all night beaten and (ashed by the sea, but no more to be moved by the utmost violence of the gale! ;one had remained aboard her but the lady and her (omen, (hom the malice of the elements and their fears had brought to the verge of death! +hen it (as broad day and the storm (as some(hat abated, the lady, half dead, raised her head, and in faltering accents began to call first one and then another of her servants! /he called in vain, ho(everI for those (hom she called (ere too far off to hear! Great indeed (as her (onder and fear to find herself thus (ithout sight of human face or sound of other voice than her o(nI but, struggling to her feet as best she might, she loo)ed about her, and sa( the ladies that (ere of her escort, and the other (omen, all 'rostrate on the dec)I so, after calling them one by one, she began at length to touch them, and finding fe( that she(ed sign of life, for indeed, bet(een grievous sea@sic)ness and fear, they had little life left, she gre( more terrified than before! .o(ever, being in sore need of counsel, all alone as she (as, and (ithout )no(ledge or means of learning (here she (as, she at last induced such as had life in them to get u'on their feet, (ith (hom, as none )ne( (here the men (ere gone, and the shi' (as no( full of (ater and visibly brea)ing u', she abandoned herself to 'iteous lamentations!

It (as already none before they descried any one on the shore or else(here

to (hom they could ma)e a''eal for hel'I but shortly after none it so chanced that a gentleman, Pericone da Visalgo by name, being on his return from one of his estates, 'assed that (ay (ith some mounted servants! &atching sight of the shi', he a''rehended the circumstances at a glance, and bade one of his servants try to get aboard her, and let him )no( the result! The servant (ith some difficulty succeeded in boarding the vessel, and found the gentle lady (ith her fe( com'anions ensconced under shelter of the 'ro(, and shrin)ing timidly from observation! 3t the first sight of him they (e't, and again and again im'lored him to have 'ity on themI but finding that he did not understand them, nor they him, they sought by gestures to ma)e him a''rehend their forlorn condition!

+ith these tidings the servant, after ma)ing such survey of the shi' as he could, returned to Pericone, (ho forth(ith caused the ladies, and all articles of value (hich (ere in the shi' and could be removed, to be brought off her, and too) them (ith him to one of his castles! The ladiesM 'o(ers (ere soon in a measure restored by food and rest, and by the honour (hich (as 'aid to 3latiel, and 3latiel alone by all the rest, as (ell as by the richness of her dress, Pericone 'erceived that she must be some great lady! ;or, though she (as still 'ale, and her 'erson bore evident mar)s of the seaMs rough usage, did he fail to note that it (as cast in a mould of extraordinary beauty! +herefore his mind (as soon made u' that, if she lac)ed a husband, he (ould ta)e her to (ife and that, if he could not have her to (ife, then he (ould ma)e her his mistress! /o this ardent lover, (ho (as a man of 'o(erful frame and haughty mien, devoted himself for several days to the service of the lady (ith excellent effect, for the lady

com'letely recovered her strength and s'irits, so that her beauty far exceeded PericoneMs most sanguine conjectures! Great therefore beyond measure (as his sorro( that he understood not her s'eech, nor she his, so that neither could )no( (ho the other (asI but being inordinately enamoured of her beauty, he sought by such mute blandishments as he could devise to declare his love, and bring her of her o(n accord to gratify his desire! 3ll in vain, ho(everI she re'ulsed his advances 'oint blan)I (hereby his 'assion only gre( the stronger! /o some days 'assedI and the lady 'erceiving PericoneMs constancy, and bethin)ing her that sooner or later she must yield either to force or to love, and gratify his 'assion, and judging by (hat she observed of the customs of the 'eo'le that she (as amongst &hristians, and in a 'art (here, (ere she able to s'ea) their language, she (ould gain little by ma)ing herself )no(n, determined (ith a lofty courage to stand firm and immovable in this extremity of her misfortunes! +herefore she bade the three (omen, (ho (ere all that (ere left to her, on no account to let any )no( (ho they (ere, unless they (ere so circumstanced that they might safely count on assistance in effecting their esca'eB she also exhorted them most earnestly to 'reserve their chastity, averring that she (as firmly resolved that none but her husband should enjoy her! The (omen heartily assented, and 'romised that her injunctions should be obeyed to the utmost of their 'o(er!

Day by day PericoneMs 'assion (axed more ardent, being fomented by the 'roximity and contrariety of its object! +herefore seeing that blandishment availed nothing, he (as minded to have recourse to (iles and stratagems, and in the last resort to force! The lady, debarred by her la( from the use of

(ine, found it, 'erha's, on that account all the more 'alatable, (hich Pericone observing determined to enlist Bacchus in the service of Venus! /o, ignoring her coyness, he 'rovided one evening a su''er, (hich (as ordered (ith all 'ossible 'om' and beauty, and graced by the 'resence of the lady! ;o lac) (as there of incentives to hilarityI and Pericone directed the servant (ho (aited on 3latiel to 'ly her (ith divers sorts of blended (inesI (hich command the man faithfully executed! /he, sus'ecting nothing, and seduced by the delicious flavour of the liOuor, dran) some(hat more freely than (as seemly, and forgetting her 'ast (oes, became frolicsome, and incited by some (omen (ho trod some measures in the "ajorcan style, she she(ed the com'any ho( they footed it in 3lexandria! This novel demeanour (as by no means lost on Pericone, (ho sa( in it a good omen of his s'eedy successI so, (ith 'rofuse relays of food and (ine he 'rolonged the su''er far into the night!

+hen the guests (ere at length gone, he attended the lady alone to her chamber, (here, the heat of the (ine over'o(ering the cold counsels of modesty, she made no more account of PericoneMs 'resence than if he had been one of her (omen, and forth(ith undressed and (ent to bed! Pericone (as not slo( to follo( her, and as soon as the light (as out lay do(n by her side, and ta)ing her in his arms, (ithout the least demur on her 'art, began, to solace himself (ith her after the manner of loversI (hich ex'erience@@she )ne( not till then (ith (hat horn men butt@@caused her to re'ent that she had not yielded to his blandishmentsI nor did she thereafter (ait to be invited to such nights of delight, but many a time declared her readiness, not by (ords, for she had none to convey her meaning, but by gestures!

But this great felicity (hich she no( shared (ith Pericone (as not to lastB for not content (ith ma)ing her, instead of the consort of a )ing, the mistress of a castellan, -ortune had no( in store for her a harsher ex'erience, though of an amorous character! Pericone had a brother, t(enty@five years of age, fair and fresh as a rose, his name "arato! Gn sight of 3latiel "arato had been mightily ta)en (ith herI he inferred from her bearing that he stood high in her good gracesI he believed that nothing stood bet(een him and the gratification of his 'assion but the jealous vigilance (ith (hich Pericone guarded her! /o musing, he hit u'on a ruthless ex'edient, (hich had effect in action as hasty as heinous!

It so chanced that there then lay in the 'ort of the city a shi', commanded by t(o Genoese, bound (ith a cargo of merchandise for Nlaren:a in the "oreaB her sails (ere already hoistI and she tarried only for a favourable bree:e! "arato a''roached the masters and arranged (ith them to ta)e himself and the lady aboard on the follo(ing night! This done he concerted further action (ith some of his most trusty friends, (ho readily lent him their aid to carry his design into execution! /o on the follo(ing evening to(ards nightfall, the cons'irators stole unobserved into PericoneMs house, (hich (as entirely unguarded, and there hid themselves, as 're@arranged! Then, as the night (ore on, "arato she(ed them (here Pericone and the lady sle't, and they entered the room, and sle( Pericone! The lady thus rudely roused (e'tI but silencing her by menaces of death they carried her off (ith the best 'art of PericoneMs treasure, and hied them unobserved to the coast, (here "arato 'arted from his com'anions, and forth(ith too) the lady aboard the

shi'! The (ind (as no( fair and fresh, the mariners s'read the canvas, and the vessel s'ed on her course!

This ne( misadventure, follo(ing so hard u'on the former, caused the lady no small chagrinI but "arato, (ith the aid, of the good /t! &rescent@in@hand that God has given us, found means to afford her such consolation that she (as already gro(n so familiar (ith him as entirely to forget Pericone, (hen -ortune, not content (ith her former ca'rices, added a ne( dis'ensation of (oeI for (hat (ith! the beauty of her 'erson, (hich, as (e have often said, (as extra ordinary, and the exOuisite charm of her manners the t(o young men, (ho commanded the shi', fell so des'erately in love (ith her that they thought of nothing but ho( they might best serve and 'lease her, so only that "arato should not discover the reason of their assiduous attentions! 3nd neither being ignorant of the otherMs love, they held secret counsel together, and resolved to ma)e conOuest of the lady on joint accountB as if love admitted of being held in 'artnershi' li)e merchandise or money! +hich design being th(arted by the jealousy (ith (hich 3latiel (as guarded by "arato, they chose a day and hour, (hen the shi' (as s'eeding amain under canvas, and "arato (as on the 'oo' loo)ing out over the sea and Ouite off his guardI and going stealthily u' behind him, they suddenly laid hands on him, and thre( him into the sea, and (ere already more than a mile on their course before any 'erceived that "arato (as overboard! +hich (hen the lady learned, and )ne( that he (as irretrievably lost, she rela'sed into her former 'laintive mood! But the t(ain (ere forth(ith by her side (ith soft s'eeches and 'rofuse 'romises, (hich, ho(ever ill she understood them, (ere not altogether ina't to allay a grief (hich had in it more of concern for

her o(n ha'less self than of sorro( for her lost lover! /o, in course of time, the lady beginning visibly to recover heart, they began 'rivily to debate (hich of them should first ta)e her to bed (ith himI and neither being (illing to give (ay to the other, and no com'romise being discoverable, high (ords 'assed bet(een them, and the dis'ute gre( so hot, that they both (axed very (roth, dre( their )nives, and rushed madly at one another, and before they could be 'arted by their men, several stabs had been given and received on either side, (hereby the one fell dead on the s'ot, and the other (as severely (ounded in divers 'arts of the body! The lady (as much disconcerted to find herself thus alone (ith none to afford her either succour or counsel, and (as mightily afraid lest the (rath of the )insfol) and friends of the t(ain should vent itself u'on her! -rom this mortal 'eril she (as, ho(ever, delivered by the intercessions of the (ounded man and their s'eedy arrival at Nlaren:a!

3s there she tarried at the same inn (ith her (ounded lover, the fame of her great beauty (as s'eedily bruited abroad, and reached the ears of the Prince of the "orea, (ho (as then staying there! The Prince (as curious to see her, and having so done, 'ronounced her even more beautiful than rumour had re'orted herI nay, he fell in love (ith her in such a degree that he could thin) of nought elseI and having heard in (hat guise she had come thither, he deemed that he might have her! +hile he (as casting about ho( to com'ass his end, the )insfol) of the (ounded man, being a''rised of the fact, forth(ith sent her to him to the boundless delight, as (ell of the lady, (ho sa( therein her deliverance from a great 'eril, as of the Prince! The royal bearing, (hich enhanced the ladyMs charms, did not esca'e the Prince, (ho,

being unable to discover her true ran), set her do(n as at any rate of noble lineageI (herefore he loved her as much again as before, and she(ed her no small honour, treating her not as his mistress but as his (ife! /o the lady, contrasting her 'resent ha''y estate (ith her 'ast (oes, (as comfortedI and, as her gaiety revived, her beauty (axed in such a degree that all the "orea tal)ed of it and of little elseB insomuch that the PrinceMs friend and )insman, the young, handsome and gallant Du)e of 3thens, (as smitten (ith a desire to see her, and ta)ing occasion to 'ay the Prince a visit, as he (as no( and again (ont to do, came to Nlaren:a (ith a goodly com'any of honourable gentlemen! The Prince received him (ith all distinction and made him heartily (elcome, but did not at first she( him the lady! By and by, ho(ever, their conversation began to turn u'on her and her charms, and the Du)e as)ed if she (ere really so marvellous a creature as fol) said! The Prince re'liedB@@T;ay, but even more soI and thereof thou shalt have better assurance than my (ords, to (it, the (itness of thine o(n eyes!T /o, (ithout delay, for the Du)e (as no( all im'atience, they (aited on the lady, (ho (as 're'ared for their visit, and received them very courteously and graciously! They seated her bet(een them, and being debarred from the 'leasure of conversing (ith her, for of their s'eech she understood little or nothing, they both, and es'ecially the Du)e, (ho (as scarce able to believe that she (as of mortal mould, ga:ed u'on her in mute admirationI (hereby the Du)e, cheating himself (ith the idea that he (as but gratifying his curiosity, dran) (ith his eyes, una(ares, dee' draughts of the 'oisoned chalice of love, and, to his o(n lamentable hurt, fell a 'rey to a most ardent 'assion! .is first thought, (hen they had left her, and he had time for reflection, (as that the Prince (as the luc)iest man in the (orld to have a creature so

fair to solace himI and s(ayed by his 'assion, his mind soon inclined to divers other and less honourable meditations, (hereof the issue (as that, come (hat might, he (ould des'oil the Prince of his felicity, and, if 'ossible, ma)e it his o(n! This resolution (as no sooner ta)en than, being of a hasty tem'erament, he cast to the (inds all considerations of honour and justice, and studied only ho( to com'ass his end by craft! /o, one day, as the first ste' to(ards the accom'lishment of his evil 'ur'ose, he arranged (ith the PrinceMs most trusted chamberlain, one &iuriaci, that his horses and all other his 'ersonal effects should, (ith the utmost secrecy, be got ready against a 'ossible sudden de'artureB and then at nightfall, attended by a single comrade 7both carrying arms8, he (as 'rivily admitted by &iuriaci into the PrinceMs chamber! It (as a hot night, and the Prince had risen (ithout disturbing the lady, and (as standing bare to the s)in at an o'en (indo( fronting the sea, to enjoy a light bree:e that ble( thence! /o, by 'reconcert (ith his comrade, the Du)e stole u' to the (indo(, and in a trice ran the Prince through the body, and caught him u', and thre( him out of the (indo(! The 'alace (as close by the sea, but at a considerable altitude above it, and the (indo(, through (hich the PrinceMs body (as thro(n, loo)ed over some houses, (hich, being sa''ed by the sea, had become ruinous, and (ere rarely or never visited by a soulI (hereby, as the Du)e had foreseen, the fall of the PrinceMs body 'assed, as indeed it could not but 'ass, unobserved! Thereu'on the Du)eMs accom'lice (hi''ed out a halter, (hich he had brought (ith him for the 'ur'ose, and, ma)ing as if he (ere but in 'lay, thre( it round &iuriaciMs nec), dre( it so tight that he could not utter a sound, and then, (ith the Du)eMs aid, strangled him, and sent him after his master! 3ll this (as accom'lished, as the Du)e )ne( full (ell,

(ithout a(a)ening any in the 'alace, not even the lady, (hom he no( a''roached (ith a light, and holding it over the bed gently uncovered her 'erson, as she lay fast aslee', and surveyed her from head to foot to his no small satisfactionI for fair as she had seemed to him dressed, he found her unadorned charms incom'arably greater! 3s he ga:ed, his 'assion (axed beyond measure, and, rec)less of his recent crime, and of the blood (hich still stained his hands, he got forth(ith into the bedI and she, being too sound aslee' to distinguish bet(een him and the Prince, suffered him to lie (ith her!

But, boundless as (as his delight, it broo)ed no long continuance, so, rising, he called to him some of his comrades, by (hom he had the lady secured in such manner that she could utter no sound, and borne out of the 'alace by the same secret door by (hich he had gained entranceI he then set her on horsebac) and in dead silence 'ut his troo' in motion, ta)ing the road to 3thens! .e did not, ho(ever, venture to ta)e the lady to 3thens, (here she (ould have encountered his Duchess@@for he (as married@@but lodged her in a very beautiful villa (hich he had hard by the city overloo)ing the sea, (here, most forlorn of ladies, she lived secluded, but (ith no lac) of meet and res'ectful service!

Gn the follo(ing morning the PrinceMs courtiers a(aited his rising until none, but 'erceiving no sign of it, o'ened the doors, (hich had not been secured, and entered his bedroom! -inding it vacant, they su''osed that the Prince (as gone off 'rivily some(here to have a fe( days of unbro)en delight (ith his fair ladyI and so they gave themselves no further trouble! But the

next day it so chanced that an idiot, roaming about the ruins (here lay the cor'ses of the Prince and &iuriaci, dre( the latter out by the halter and (ent off dragging it after him! The cor'se (as soon recognised by not a fe(, (ho, at first struc) dumb (ith ama:ement, soon recovered sense enough to cajole the idiot into retracing his ste's and she(ing them the s'ot (here he had found itI and having thus, to the immeasurable grief of all the citi:ens, discovered the PrinceMs body, they buried it (ith all honour! ;eedless to say that no 'ains (ere s'ared to trace the 'er'etrators of so heinous a crime, and that the absence and evidently furtive de'arture of the Du)e of 3thens caused him to be sus'ected both of the murder and of the abduction of the lady! /o the citi:ens (ere instant (ith one accord that the PrinceMs brother, (hom they chose as his successor, should exact the debt of vengeanceI and he, having satisfied himself by further investigation that their sus'icion (as (ell founded, summoned to his aid his )insfol), friends and divers vassals, and s'eedily gathered a large, 'o(erful and (ell@eOui''ed army, (ith intent to ma)e (ar u'on the Du)e of 3thens! The Du)e, being informed of his movements, made ready li)e(ise to defend himself (ith all his 'o(erI nor had he any lac) of allies, among (hom the Em'eror of &onstantino'le sent his son, &onstantine, and his ne'he(, "anuel, (ith a great and goodly force! The t(o young men (ere honourably received by the Du)e, and still more so by the Duchess, (ho (as &onstantineMs sister!

Day by day (ar gre( more imminent, and at last the Duchess too) occasion to call &onstantine and "anuel into her 'rivate chamber, and (ith many tears told them the (hole story at large, ex'laining the casus belli, dilating on the indignity (hich she suffered at the hands of the Du)e if as (as

believed, he really )e't a mistress in secret, and beseeching them in most 'iteous accents to do the best they could to devise some ex'edient (hereby the Du)eMs honour might be cleared, and her o(n 'eace of mind assured! The young men )ne( exactly ho( matters stoodI and so, (ithout (earying the Duchess (ith many Ouestions, they did their best to console her, and succeeded in raising her ho'es! Before ta)ing their leave they learned from her (here the lady (as, (hose marvellous beauty they had heard lauded so oftenI and being eager to see her, they besought the Du)e to afford them an o''ortunity! -orgetful of (hat a li)e com'laisance had cost the Prince, he consented, and next morning brought them to the villa (here the lady lived, and (ith her and a fe( of his boon com'anions regaled them (ith a lordly brea)fast, (hich (as served in a most lovely garden! &onstantine had no sooner seated himself and surveyed the lady, than he (as lost in admiration, inly affirming that he had never seen so beautiful a creature, and that for such a 'ri:e the Du)e, or any other man, might (ell be 'ardoned treachery or any other crimeB he scanned her again and again, and ever (ith more and more admirationI (here@by it fared (ith him even as it had fared (ith the Du)e! .e (ent a(ay hotly in love (ith her, and dismissing all thought of the (ar, cast about for some method by (hich, (ithout betraying his 'assion to any, he might devise some means of (resting the lady from the Du)e!

3s he thus burned and brooded, the Prince dre( dangerously near the Du)eMs dominionsI (herefore order (as given for an advance, and the Du)e, (ith &onstantine and the rest, marshalled his forces and led them forth from 3thens to bar the PrinceMs 'assage of the frontier at certain 'oints! /ome days thus 'assed, during (hich &onstantine, (hose mind and soul (ere

entirely absorbed by his 'assion for the lady, bethought him, that, as the Du)e (as no longer in her neighbourhood, he might readily com'ass his end! .e therefore feigned to be seriously un(ell, and, having by this 'retext obtained the Du)eMs leave, he ceded his command to "anuel, and returned to his sister at 3thens! .e had not been there many days before the Duchess recurred to the dishonour (hich the Du)e did her by )ee'ing the ladyI (hereu'on he said that of that, if she a''roved, he (ould certainly relieve her by seeing that the lady (as removed from the villa to some distant 'lace! The Duchess, su''osing that &onstantine (as 'rom'ted not by jealousy of the Du)e but by jealousy for her honour, gave her hearty consent to his 'lan, 'rovided he so contrived that the Du)e should never )no( that she had been 'rivy to itI on (hich 'oint &onstantine gave her am'le assurance! /o, being authorised by the Duchess to act as he might deem best, he secretly eOui''ed a light bar) and manned her (ith some of his men, to (hom he confided his 'lan, bidding them lie to off the garden of the ladyMs villaI and so, having sent the bar) for(ard, he hied him (ith other of his men to the villa! .e gained ready admission of the servants, and (as made heartily (elcome by the lady, (ho, at his desire, attended by some of her servants, (al)ed (ith him and some of his comrades in the garden! By and by, feigning that he had a message for her from the Du)e, he dre( her aside to(ards a gate that led do(n to the sea, and (hich one of his confederates had already o'ened! 3 concerted signal brought the bar) alongside, and to sei:e the lady and set her aboard the bar) (as but the (or) of an instant! .er retinue hung bac) as they heard &onstantine menace (ith death (hoso but stirred or s'o)e, and suffered him, 'rotesting that (hat he did (as done not to (rong the Du)e, but solely to vindicate his sisterMs honour, to embar) (ith his men!

The lady (e't, of course, but &onstantine (as at her side, the ro(ers gave (ay, and the bar), s'eeding li)e a thing of life over the (aves, made Egina shortly after da(n! There &onstantine and the lady landed, she still lamenting her fatal beauty, and too) a little rest and 'leasure! Then, re@embar)ing, they continued their voyage, and in the course of a fe( days reached &hios, (hich &onstantine, fearing 'aternal censure, and that he might be de'rived of his fair booty, deemed a safe 'lace of sojourn! /o, after some days of re'ose the lady ceased to be(ail her harsh destiny, and suffering &onstantine to console her as his 'redecessors had done, began once more to enjoy the good gifts (hich -ortune sent her!

;o( (hile they thus dallied, Gsbech, Ning of the Tur)s, (ho (as 'erennially at (ar (ith the Em'eror, came by chance to /myrnaI and there learning, that &onstantine (as (antoning in careless ease at &hios (ith a lady of (hom he had made 'ri:e, he made a descent by night u'on the island (ith an armed flotilla! 4anding his men in dead silence, he made ca'tives of not a fe( of the &hians (hom he sur'rised in their bedsI others, (ho too) the alarm and rushed to arms, he sle(I and having (asted the (hole island (ith fire, he shi''ed the booty and the 'risoners, and sailed bac) to /myrna! 3s there he overhauled the booty, he lit u'on the fair lady, and )ne( her for the same that had been ta)en in bed and fast aslee' (ith &onstantineB (hereat, being a young man, he (as delighted beyond measure, and made her his (ife out of hand (ith all due form and ceremony! 3nd so for several months he enjoyed her!

;o( there had been for some time and still (as a treaty 'ending bet(een the

Em'eror and Basano, Ning of &a''adocia, (hereby Basano (ith his forces (as to fall on Gsbech on one side (hile the Em'eror attac)ed him on the other! /ome demands made by Basano, (hich the Em'eror deemed unreasonable, had so far retarded the conclusion of the treatyI but no sooner had the Em'eror learned the fate of his son than, distraught (ith grief, he forth(ith conceded the Ning of &a''adociaMs demands, and (as instant (ith him to fall at once u'on Gsbech (hile he made ready to attac) him on the other side! Getting (ind of the Em'erorMs design, Gsbech collected his forces, and, lest he should be caught and crushed bet(een the convergent armies of t(o most mighty 'otentates, advanced against the Ning of &a''adocia! The fair lady he left at /myrna in the care of a faithful de'endant and friend, and after a (hile joined battle (ith the Ning of &a''adocia, in (hich battle he (as slain, and his army defeated and dis'ersed! +herefore Basano (ith his victorious host advanced, carrying everything before him, u'on /myrna, and receiving every(here the submission due to a conOueror!

"ean(hile GsbechMs de'endant, by name 3ntioco, (ho had charge of the fair lady, (as so smitten (ith her charms that, albeit he (as some(hat advanced in years, he bro)e faith (ith his friend and lord, and allo(ed himself to become enamoured of her! .e had the advantage of )no(ing her language, (hich counted for much (ith one (ho for some years had been, as it (ere, com'elled to live the life of a deaf mute, finding none (hom she could understand or by (hom she might be understoodI and goaded by 'assion, he in the course of a fe( days established such a degree of intimacy (ith her that in no long time it 'assed from friendshi' into love, so that their lord, far a(ay amid the clash of arms and the tumult of the battle, (as forgotten, and

marvellous 'leasure had they of one another bet(een the sheets!

.o(ever, ne(s came at last of GsbechMs defeat and death, and the victorious and unchec)ed advance of Basano, (hose advent they (ere by no means minded to a(ait! +herefore, ta)ing (ith them the best 'art of the treasure that Gsbech had left there, they hied them (ith all 'ossible secrecy to #hodes! There they had not along abode before 3ntioco fell ill of a mortal disease! .e had then (ith him a &y'riote merchant, an intimate and very dear friend, to (hom, as he felt his end a''roach, he resolved to leave all that he 'ossessed, including his dear lady! /o, (hen he felt death imminent, he called them to him and saidB@@TMTis no( Ouite evident to me that my life is fast ebbing a(ayI and sorely do I regret it, for never had I so much 'leasure of life as no(! +ell content indeed I am in one res'ect, in that, as die I must, I at least die in the arms of the t(o 'ersons (hom I love more than any other in the (orld, to (it, in thine arms, dearest friend, and those of this lady, (hom, since I have )no(n her, I have loved more than myself! But yet Mtis grievous to me to )no( that I must leave her here in a strange land (ith none to afford her either 'rotection or counselI and but that I leave her (ith thee, (ho, I doubt not, (ilt have for my sa)e no less care of her than thou (ouldst have had of me, Mt(ould grieve me still moreI (herefore (ith all my heart and soul I 'ray thee, that, if I die, thou ta)e her (ith all else that belongs to me into thy charge, and so acOuit thyself of thy trust as thou mayst deem conducive to the 'eace of my soul! 3nd of thee, dearest lady, I entreat one favour, that I be not forgotten of, thee, after my death, so that there (hither I go it may still be my boast to be beloved here of the most beautiful lady that nature ever formed! 4et me but

die (ith these t(o ho'es assured, and (ithout doubt I shall de'art in 'eace!T

Both the merchant and the lady (e't to hear him thus s'ea), and, (hen he had done, comforted him, and 'romised faithfully, in the event of his death, to do even as he besought them! .e died almost immediately after(ards, and (as honourably buried by them! 3 fe( days sufficed the merchant to (ind u' all his affairs in #hodes and being minded to return to &y'rus aboard a &atalan boat that (as there, he as)ed the fair lady (hat she 'ur'osed to do if he (ent bac) to &y'rus! The lady ans(ered, that, if it (ere agreeable to him, she (ould gladly accom'any him, ho'ing that for love of 3ntioco, he (ould treat and regard her as his sister! The merchant re'lied, that it (ould afford him all the 'leasure in the (orldI and, to 'rotect her from insult until their arrival in &y'rus, he gave her out as his (ife, and, suiting action to (ord, sle't (ith her on the boat in an alcove in a little cabin in the 'oo'! +hereby that ha''ened (hich on neither side (as intended (hen they left #hodes, to (it, that the dar)ness and the comfort and the (armth of the bed, forces of no mean efficacy, did so 'revail (ith them that dead 3ntioco (as forgotten ali)e as lover and as friend, and by a common im'ulse they began to (anton together, insomuch that before they (ere arrived at Baffa, (here the &y'riote resided, they (ere indeed man and (ife! 3t Baffa the lady tarried (ith the merchant a good (hile, during (hich it so befell that a gentleman, 3ntigono by name, a man of ri'e age and ri'er (isdom but no great (ealth, being one that had had vast and various ex'erience of affairs in the service of the Ning of &y'rus but had found fortune adverse to him, came to Baffa on businessI and 'assing one day by the house (here the fair lady (as

then living by herself, for the &y'riote merchant (as gone to 3rmenia (ith some of his (ares, he chanced to catch sight of the lady at one of the (indo(s, and, being struc) by her extraordinary beauty, regarded her attentively, and began to have some vague recollection of having seen her before, but could by no means remember (here! The fair lady, ho(ever, so long the s'ort of -ortune, but no( nearing the term of her (oes, no sooner sa( 3ntigono than she remembered to have seen him in her fatherMs service, and in no mean ca'acity, at 3lexandria! +herefore she forth(ith sent for him, ho'ing that by his counsel she might elude her merchant and be reinstated in her true character and dignity of 'rincess! +hen he 'resented himself, she as)ed him (ith some embarrassment (hether he (ere, as she too) him to be, 3ntigono of -amagosta! .e ans(ered in the affirmative, addingB@@T3nd of you, madam, I have a sort of recollection, though I cannot say (here I have seen youI (herefore so it ir) you not, bring, I 'ray you, yourself to my remembrance!T /atisfied that it (as 3ntigono himself, the lady in a flood of tears thre( herself u'on him to his no small ama:ement, and embraced his nec)B then, after a little (hile, she as)ed him (hether he had never see her in 3lexandria! The Ouestion a(a)ened 3ntigonoMs memoryI he at once recognised 3latiel, the /oldanMs daughter, (hom he had though to have been dro(ned at sea, and (ould have 'aid her due homageI but she (ould not suffer it, and bade him be seated (ith her for a (hile! Being seated, he res'ectfully as)ed her, ho(, and (hen and (hence she had come thither, seeing that all Egy't believed for certain that she had been dro(ned at sea some years before! T3nd (ould that so it had been,T said the lady, Trather than I should have led the life that I have ledI and so doubtless (ill my father say, if he shall ever come to )no( of it!T 3nd so saying, she burst

into such a flood of tears that Mt(as a (onder to see! +herefore 3ntigono said to herB@@T;ay but, madam, be not distressed before the occasion arises! I 'ray you, tell me the story of your adventures, and (hat has been the tenor of your lifeI 'erchance Mt(ill 'rove to be no such matter but, God hel'ing us, (e may set it all straight!T T3ntigono,T said the fair lady, T(hen I sa( thee, Mt(as as if I sa( my father, and Mt(as the tender love by (hich I am holden to him that 'rom'ted me to ma)e myself )no(n to thee, though I might have )e't my secretI and fe( indeed there are, (hom to have met (ould have afforded me such 'leasure as this (hich I have in meeting and recognising thee before all othersI (herefore I (ill no( ma)e )no(n to thee as to my father that (hich in my evil fortune I have ever )e't close! If, (hen thou hast heard my story, thou seest any means (hereby I may be reinstated in my former honour, I 'ray thee use it! If not, disclose to none that thou hast seen me or heard aught of me!T

Then, (ee'ing bet(een every (ord, she told him her (hole story from the day of the shi'(rec) at "ajorca to that hour! 3ntigono (e't in sym'athy, and then saidB@@T"adam, as throughout this train of misfortunes you have ha''ily esca'ed recognition, I underta)e to restore you to your father in such sort that you shall be dearer to him than ever before, and be after(ards married to the Ning of 3lgarve! T.o(ST she as)ed! +hereu'on he ex'lained to her in detail ho( he meant to 'roceedI and, lest delay should give occasion to another to interfere, he (ent bac) at once to -amagosta, and having obtained audience of the Ning, thus he s'o)eB@@T/ire, so 'lease you, you have it in your 'o(er at little cost to yourself to do a thing, (hich (ill at once redound most signally to your honour and confer a great boon on me, (ho have

gro(n 'oor in your service!T T.o(ST as)ed the Ning! Then said 3ntigonoB@@T3t Baffa is of late arrived a fair damsel, daughter of the /oldan, long thought to be dro(ned, (ho to 'reserve her chastity has suffered long and severe hardshi'! /he is no( reduced to 'overty, and is desirous of returning to her father! If you should be 'leased to send her bac) to him under my escort, your honour and my interest (ould be served in high and eOual measureI nor do I thin) that such a service (ould ever be forgotten by the /oldan!T

+ith true royal generosity the Ning forth(ith signified his a''roval, and had 3latiel brought under honourable escort to -amagosta, (here, attended by his Uueen, he received her (ith every circumstance of festal 'om' and courtly magnificence! /chooled by 3ntigono, she gave the Ning and Uueen such a version of her adventures as satisfied their inOuiries in every 'articular! /o, after a fe( days, the Ning sent her bac) to the /oldan under escort of 3ntigono, attended by a goodly com'any of honourable men and (omenI and of the cheer (hich the /oldan made her, and not her only but 3ntigono and all his com'any, it boots not to as)! +hen she (as some(hat rested, the /oldan inOuired ho( it (as that she (as yet alive, and (here she had been go long (ithout letting him )no( ho( it fared (ith her! +hereu'on the lady, (ho had got 3ntigonoMs lesson by heart, ans(ered thusB@@T"y father, Mt(as 'erha's the t(entieth night after my de'arture from you (hen our shi' 'arted her timbers in a terrible storm and (ent ashore nigh a 'lace called 3guamorta, a(ay there in the +estB (hat (as the fate of the men that (ere aboard our shi' I )no( not, nor )ne( I everI I remember only, that, (hen day came, and I returned, as it (ere, from death to life, the (rec), having been sighted, (as boarded by fol) from all the country@side, intent

on 'lunderI and I and t(o of my (omen (ere ta)en ashore, (here the (omen (ere forth(ith 'arted from me by the young men, nor did I ever learn their fate! ;o( hear my o(n! /truggling might and main, I (as sei:ed by t(o young men, (ho dragged me, (ee'ing bitterly, by the hair of the head, to(ards a great forestI but, on sight of four men (ho (ere then 'assing that (ay on horsebac), they forth(ith loosed me and too) to flight! +hereu'on the four men, (ho struc) me as 'ersons of great authority, ran u' to meI and much they Ouestioned me, and much I said to themI but neither did they understand me, nor I them! /o, after long time conferring together, they set me on one of their horses and brought me to a house, (here d(elt a community of ladies, religious according to their la(I and (hat the men may have said I )no( not, but there I (as )indly received and ever honourably entreated by allI and (ith them I did after(ards most reverentially 'ay my devotions to /t! &rescent@in@.ollo(, (ho is held in great honour by the (omen of that country! +hen I had been some time (ith them, and had learned something of their language, they as)ed me (ho and (hence I (asB (hereto I, )no(ing that I (as in a convent, and fearing to be cast out as a foe to their la( if I told the truth, ans(ered that I (as the daughter of a great gentleman of &y'rus, (ho had intended to marry me to a gentleman of &reteI but that on the voyage (e had been driven out of our course and (rec)ed at 3guamorta! 3nd so I continued, as occasion reOuired, observing their usages (ith much assiduity, lest (orse should befall meI but being one day as)ed by their su'erior, (hom they call abbess, (hether I (as minded to go bac) to &y'rus, I ans(ered that, there (as nought that I desired so much! .o(ever, so solicitous for my honour (as the abbess, that there (as none going to &y'rus to (hom she (ould entrust me, until, t(o months or so ago, there arrived

some (orthy men from -rance, of (hom one (as a )insman of the abbess, (ith their (ives! They (ere on their (ay to visit the se'ulchre (here .e (hom they hold to be God (as buried after .e had suffered death at the hands of the e(sI and the abbess, learning their destination, 'rayed them to ta)e charge of me, and restore me to my father in &y'rus! +ith (hat cheer, (ith (hat honour, these gentlemen and their (ives entertained me, Mt(ere long to tell! But, in brief, (e embar)ed, and in the course of a fe( days arrived at Baffa, (here it (as so ordered by the 'rovidence of God, (ho 'erchance too) 'ity on me, that in the very hour of our disembar)ation I, not )no(ing a soul and being at a loss ho( to ans(er the gentlemen, (ho (ould fain have discharged the trust laid u'on them by the reverend abbess and restored me to my father, fell in, on the shore, (ith 3ntigono, (hom I forth(ith called, and in our language, that I might be understood neither of the gentlemen nor of their (ives, bade him ac)no(ledge me as his daughter! .e understood my case at once, made much of me, and to the utmost of his slender 'o(er honourably reOuited the gentlemen! .e then brought me to the Ning of &y'rus, (ho accorded me (elcome there and conduct hither so honourable as (ords of mine can never describe! If aught remains to tell, you had best learn it from the li's of 3ntigono, (ho has often heard my story!T

Then 3ntigono, addressing the /oldan, saidB@@T/ire, (hat she has told you accords (ith (hat she has often told me, and, (ith (hat I have learned from the gentlemen and ladies (ho accom'anied her! Gne thing, ho(ever, she has omitted, because, I su''ose, it hardly becomes her to tell itI to (it, all that the gentlemen and ladies, (ho accom'anied her, said of the virtuous and gracious and noble life (hich she led (ith the devout ladies, and of the

tears and (ailings of both the ladies and the gentlemen, (hen they 'arted (ith her to me! But (ere I to essay to re'eat all that they said to me, the day that no( is, and the night that is to follo(, (ere all too shortB suffice it to say so much as this, that, by (hat I gathered from their (ords and have been able to see for myself, you may ma)e it your boast, that among all the daughters of all your 'eers that (ear the cro(n none can be matched (ith yours for virtue and true (orth!T

By all (hich the /oldan (as so overjoyed that Mt(as a (onder to see! 3gain and again he made su''lication to God, that of .is grace 'o(er might be vouchsafed him adeOuately to recom'ense all (ho had done honour to his daughter, and most es'ecially the Ning of &y'rus, for the honourable escort under (hich he had sent her thitherI for 3ntigono he 'rovided a magnificent guerdon, and some days later gave him his conge to return to &y'rus, at the same time by a s'ecial ambassage conveying to the Ning his grateful ac)no(ledgments of the manner in (hich he had treated his daughter! Then, being minded that his first intent, to (it, that his daughter should be the bride of the Ning of 3lgarve, should not be frustrate, he (rote to the Ning, telling him all, and adding that, if he (ere still minded to have her, he might send for her! The Ning (as overjoyed by these tidings, and having sent for her (ith great 'om', gave her on her arrival a hearty (elcome! /o she, (ho had lain (ith eight men, in all, 'erha's, ten thousand times, (as bedded (ith him as a virgin, and made him believe that a virgin she (as, and lived long and ha''ily (ith him as his OueenB (herefore Mt(as saidB@@T"outh, for )isses, (as never the (orseB li)e as the moon rene(eth her course!T

708 I!e! according to medieval usage, Egy't! 7A8 I!e! Garbo, the coast of 3frica o''osite 3ndalusia and Granada!

;GVE4 VIII!

@@ The &ount of 3nt(er', labouring under a false accusation goes into exile! .e leaves his t(o children in different 'laces in England, and ta)es service in Ireland! #eturning to England an un)no(n man, he finds his sons 'ros'erous! .e serves as a groom in the army of the Ning of -ranceI his innocence is established and he is restored to his former honours! @@

The ladies heaved many sighs over the various fortunes of the fair ladyB but (hat 'rom'ted those sighs (ho shall sayS +ith some, 'erchance, Mt(as as much envy as 'ity of one to (hose lot fell so many nights of delight! But, ho(ever this may be, (hen PamfiloMs story (as ended, and the laughter (hich greeted his last (ords had subsided, the Oueen turned to Elisa, and bade her follo( suit (ith one of her stories! /o Elisa (ith a cheerful courage thus beganB@@

Vast indeed is the field that lies before us, (herein to roam at largeI Mt(ould readily afford each of us not one course but ten, so richly has -ortune diversified it (ith e'isodes both strange and sombreI (herefore selecting one such from this infinite store, I sayB@@That, after the

transference of the #oman Em'ire from the -ran)s to the Germans, the greatest enmity 'revailed bet(een the t(o nations, (ith (arfare 'er'etual and relentlessB (herefore, deeming that the offensive (ould be their best defence, the Ning of -rance and his son mustered all the forces they could raise from their o(n dominions and those of their )insmen and allies, and arrayed a grand army for the subjugation of their enemies! Before they too) the field, as they could not leave the realm (ithout a governor, they chose for that office Gautier, &ount of 3nt(er', a true )night and sage counsellor, and their very loyal ally and vassal, choosing him the rather, because, albeit he (as a thorough master of the art of (ar, yet they deemed him less a't to su''ort its hardshi's than for the conduct of affairs of a delicate nature! .im, therefore, they set in their 'lace as their vicar@general and regent of the (hole realm of -rance, and having so done, they too) the field!

&ount Gautier ordered his administration (isely and in a regular course, discussing all matters (ith the Oueen and her daughter@in@la(I (hom, albeit they (ere left under his charge and jurisdiction, he nevertheless treated as his ladies 'aramount! The &ount (as about forty years of age, and the very mould of manly beautyI in bearing as courteous and chivalrous as ever a gentleman might be, and (ithal so debonair and dainty, so feat and trim of 'erson that he had not his 'eer, among the gallants of that day! .is (ife (as dead, leaving him t(o children and no more, to (it, a boy and a girl, still Ouite young! ;o( the Ning and his son being thus a(ay at the (ar, and the &ount freOuenting the court of the t(o said ladies, and consulting (ith them u'on affairs of state, it so befell, that the PrinceMs lady regarded

him (ith no small favour, being very sensible ali)e of the advantages of his 'erson and the nobility of his bearingI (hereby she conceived for him a 'assion (hich (as all the more ardent because it (as secret! 3nd, as he (as (ithout a (ife, and she (as still in the freshness of her youth, she sa( not (hy she should not readily be gratifiedI but su''osing that nothing stood in the (ay but her o(n shamefastness, she resolved to be rid of that, and disclose her mind to him (ithout any reserve! /o one day, (hen she (as alone, she sei:ed her o''ortunity, and sent for him, as if she (ere desirous to converse (ith him on indifferent to'ics! The &ount, his mind entirely aloof from the ladyMs 'ur'ose, 'resented himself forth(ith, and at her invitation sate do(n by her side on a settee! They (ere Ouite alone in the roomI but the &ount had t(ice as)ed her the reason (hy she had so honoured him, before, overcome by 'assion, she bro)e silence, and crimson from nec) (ith shame, half sobbing, trembling in every limb, and at every (ord, she thus s'o)eB@@TDearest friend and s(eet my lord, sagacity such as yours cannot but be a't to 'erceive ho( great is the frailty of men and (omen, and ho(, for divers reasons, it varies in different 'ersons in such a degree that no just judge (ould mete out the same measure to each indifferently, though the fault (ere a''arently the same! +ho (ould not ac)no(ledge that a 'oor man or (oman, fain to earn daily bread by the s(eat of the bro(, is far more re'rehensible in yielding to the solicitations of love, than a rich lady, (hose life is la''ed in ease and unrestricted luxuryS ;ot a soul, I am 'ersuaded, but (ould so ac)no(ledge* +herefore I deem that the 'ossession of these boons of fortune should go far indeed to acOuit the 'ossessor, if she, 'erchance, indulge an errant loveI and, for the rest, that, if she have chosen a (ise and (orthy lover, she should be entirely exonerated! 3nd as I

thin) I may fairly claim the benefit of both these 'leas, and of others beside, to (it, my youth and my husbandMs absence, (hich naturally incline me to love, Mtis meet that I no( urge them in your 'resence in defence of my 'assionI and if they have the (eight (ith you (hich they should have (ith the (ise, I 'ray you to afford me your hel' and counsel in the matter (herein I shall demand it! I avo( that in the absence of my husband I have been unable to (ithstand the 'rom'tings of the flesh and the 'o(er of love, forces of such 'otency that even the strongest men@@not to s'ea) of delicate (omen@@have not seldom been, nay daily are, overcome by themI and so, living thus, as you see me, in ease and luxury, I have allo(ed the allurements of love to dra( me on until at last I find myself a 'rey to 'assion! +herein (ere I discovered, I (ere, I confess, dishonouredI but discovery being avoided, I count the dishonour all but nought! "oreover, love has been so gracious to me that not only has he s'ared to blind me in the choice of my lover, but he has even lent me his most effective aid, 'ointing me to one (ell (orthy of the love of a lady such as I, even to yourselfI (hom, if I misread not my mind, I deem the most handsome and courteous and debonair, and there(ithal the sagest cavalier that the realm of -rance may she(! 3nd as you are (ithout a (ife, so may I say that I find myself (ithout a husband! +herefore in return for this great love I bear you, deny me not, I 'ray you, yoursI but have 'ity on my youth, (hich (astes a(ay for you li)e ice before the fire!T

These (ords (ere follo(ed by such a flood of tears, that, albeit she had intended yet further to 'ress her suit, s'eech failed herI her eyes droo'ed, and, almost s(ooning (ith emotion, she let her head fall u'on the &ountMs

breast! The &ount, (ho (as the most loyal of )nights, began (ith all severity to chide her mad 'assion and to thrust her from him@@for she (as no( ma)ing as if she (ould thro( her arms around his nec)@@and to asseverate (ith oaths that he (ould rather be he(n in 'ieces than either commit, or abet another in committing such an offence against the honour of his lordI (hen the lady, catching his drift, and forgetting all her love in a sudden fren:y of rage, cried outB@@T/o* un)nightly )night, is it thus you flout my loveS ;o( .eaven forbid, but, as you (ould be the death of me, I either do you to death or drive you from the (orld*T /o saying, she dishevelled and tore her hair and rent her garments to shreds about her bosom! +hich done, she began shrie)ing at the to' of her voiceB@@T.el'* hel'* The &ount of 3nt(er' threatens to violate me*T +hereu'on the &ount, (ho )ne( that a clear conscience (as no 'rotection against the envy of courtiers, and doubted that his innocence (ould 'rove scarce a match for the cunning of the lady, started to his feet, and hied him (ith all s'eed out of the room, out of the 'alace, and bac) to his o(n house! &ounsel of none he soughtI but forth(ith set his children on horsebac), and ta)ing horse himself, de'arted 'ost haste for &alais! The ladyMs cries brought not a fe( to her aid, (ho, observing her 'light, not only gave entire credence to her story, but im'roved u'on it, alleging that the debonair and accom'lished &ount had long em'loyed all the arts of seduction to com'ass his end! /o they rushed in hot haste to the &ountMs house, (ith intent to arrest him, and not finding him, sac)ed it and ra:ed it to the ground! The ne(s, as glosed and garbled, being carried to the Ning and Prince in the field, they (ere mightily incensed, and offered a great re(ard for the &ount, dead or alive, and condemned him and his 'osterity to 'er'etual banishment!

"ean(hile the &ount, sorely troubled that by his flight his innocence she(ed as guilt, 'ursued his journey, and concealing his identity, and being recognised by none, arrived (ith his t(o children at &alais! Thence he forth(ith crossed to England, and, meanly clad, fared on for 4ondon, ta)ing care as he (ent to school his children in all that belonged to their ne( (ay of life, and es'ecially in t(o main articlesB to (it, that they should bear (ith resignation the 'overty to (hich, by no fault of theirs, but solely by one of -ortuneMs ca'rices, they and he (ere reduced, and that they should be most sedulously on their guard to betray to none, as they valued their lives, (hence they (ere, or (ho their father (as! The son, 4ouis by name, (as 'erha's nine, and the daughter, Violante, 'erha's seven years of age! -or years so tender they 'roved a't 'u'ils, and after(ards she(ed by their conduct that they had (ell learned their fatherMs lesson! .e deemed it ex'edient to change their names, and accordingly called the boy Perrot and the girl eannette! /o, meanly clad, the &ount and his t(o children arrived at 4ondon, and there made shift to get a living by going about soliciting alms in the guise of -rench mendicants!

;o(, as for this 'ur'ose they (aited one morning outside a church, it so befell that a great lady, the (ife of one of the marshals of the Ning of England, observed them, as she left the church, as)ing alms, and demanded of the &ount (hence he (as, and (hether the children (ere his! .e ans(ered that he (as from Picardy, that the children (ere his, and that he had been fain to leave Picardy by reason of the misconduct of their re'robate elder brother! The lady loo)ed at the girl, (ho being fair, and of gentle and

(inning mien and manners, found much favour in her eyes! /o the )ind@hearted lady said to the &ountB@@T"y good man, if thou art (illing to leave thy little daughter (ith me, I li)e her loo)s so (ell that I (ill gladly ta)e herI and if she gro( u' a good (oman, I (ill see that she is suitably married (hen the right time comes!T The &ount (as much gratified by the 'ro'osal, (hich he forth(ith acce'ted, and 'arted (ith the girl, charging the lady (ith tears to ta)e every care of her!

.aving thus 'laced the girl (ith one in (hom he felt sure that he might trust, he determined to tarry no longer in 4ondonI (herefore, ta)ing Perrot (ith him and begging as he (ent, he made his (ay to +ales, not (ithout great suffering, being unused to go afoot! ;o( in +ales another of the NingMs marshals had his court, maintaining great state and a large number of retainersI to (hich court, the &ount and his son freOuently re'aired, there to get foodI and there Perrot, finding the marshalMs son and other gentlemenMs sons vying (ith one another in boyish exercises, as running and lea'ing, little by little joined their com'any, and she(ed himself a match or more for them all in all their contests! The marshalMs attention being thus dra(n to him, he (as (ell 'leased (ith the boyMs mien and bearing, and as)ed (ho he (as! .e (as told that he (as the son of a 'oor man (ho sometimes came there to solicit alms! +hereu'on he as)ed the &ount to let him have the boy, and the &ount, to (hom God could have granted no greater boon, readily consented, albeit he (as very loath to 'art (ith Perrot!

.aving thus 'rovided for his son and daughter, the &ount resolved to Ouit the islandI and did so, ma)ing his (ay as best he could to /tamford, in

Ireland, (here he obtained a menialMs 'lace in the service of a )night, retainer to one of the earls of that &ountry, and so abode there a long (hile, doing all the ir)some and (earisome drudgery of a lac)ey or groom!

"ean(hile under the care of the gentle lady at 4ondon Violante or eannette increased, as in years and stature so also in beauty, and in such favour (ith the lady and her husband and every other member of the household and all (ho )ne( her that Mt(as a (onder to seeI nor (as there any that, observing her bearing and manners, (ould not have said that estate or dignity there (as none so high or honourable but she (as (orthy of it! /o the lady, (ho, since she had received her from her father, had been unable to learn aught else about him than (hat he had himself told, (as minded to marry her honourably according to (hat she deemed to be her ran)! But God, (ho justly a''ortions re(ard according to merit, having regard to her noble birth, her innocence, and the load of suffering (hich the sin of another had laid u'on her, ordered other(iseI and in .is good 'rovidence, lest the young gentle(oman should be mated (ith a churl, 'ermitted, (e must believe, events to ta)e the course they did!

The gentle lady (ith (hom eannette lived had an only son, (hom she and her husband loved most dearly, as (ell because he (as a son as for his rare and noble Oualities, for in truth there (ere fe( that could com'are (ith him in courtesy and courage and 'ersonal beauty! ;o( the young man mar)ed the extraordinary beauty and grace of eannette, (ho (as about six years his junior, and fell so des'erately in love (ith her that he had no eyes for any other maidenI but, deeming her to be of lo( degree, he not only hesitated to

as) her of his 'arents in marriage, but, fearing to incur re'roof for indulging a 'assion for an inferior, he did his utmost to conceal his love! +hereby it gave him far more disOuietude than if he had avo(ed itI insomuch that@@so extreme (axed his suffering@@he fell ill, and that seriously! Divers 'hysicians (ere called in, but, for all their scrutiny of his sym'toms, they could not determine the nature of his malady, and one and all gave him u' for lost! ;othing could exceed the sorro( and dejection of his father and mother, (ho again and again 'iteously im'lored him to discover to them the cause of his malady, and received no other ans(er than sighs or com'laints that he seemed to be (asting a(ay! ;o( it so ha''ened that one day, eannette, (ho from regard for his mother (as sedulous in (aiting u'on him, for some reason or another came into the room (here he lay, (hile a very young but very s)ilful 'hysician sate by him and held his 'ulse! The young man gave her not a (ord or other sign of recognitionI but his 'assion (axed, his heart smote him, and the acceleration of his 'ulse at once betrayed his in(ard commotion to the 'hysician, (ho, albeit sur'rised, remained Ouietly attentive to see ho( long it (ould last, and observing that it ceased (hen eannette left the room, conjectured that he (as on the (ay to ex'lain the young manMs malady! /o, after a (hile, still holding the young manMs 'ulse, he sent for eannette, as if he had something to as) of her! /he returned forth(ithI the young manMs 'ulse mounted as soon as she entered the room, and fell again as soon as she left it! +herefore the 'hysician no longer hesitated, but rose, and ta)ing the young manMs father and mother aside, said to themB@@TThe restoration of your sonMs health rests not (ith medical s)ill, but solely (ith eannette, (hom, as by unmista)able signs I have discovered, he ardently loves, though, so far I can see, she is

not a(are of it! /o you )no( (hat you have to do, if you value his life!T The 'ros'ect thus afforded of their sonMs deliverance from death reassured the gentleman and his lady, albeit they (ere troubled, misdoubting it must be by his marriage (ith eannette! /o, (hen the 'hysician (as gone, they (ent to the sic) lad, and the lady thus s'o)eB@@T"y son, never (ould I have believed that thou (ouldst have concealed from me any desire of thine, least of all if such it (ere that 'rivation should cause thee to languishI for (ell assured thou shouldst have been and shouldst be, that I hold thee dear as my very self, and that (hatever may be for thy contentment, even though it (ere scarce seemly, I (ould do it for theeI but, for all thou hast so done, God has she(n .imself more merciful to thee(ard than thyself, and, lest thou die of this malady, has given me to )no( its cause, (hich is nothing else than the excessive love (hich thou bearest to a young (oman, be she (ho she may! +hich love in good sooth thou needest not have been ashamed to declareI for it is but natural at thy ageI and hadst thou not loved, I should have deemed thee of very little (orth! /o, my son, be not shy of me, but fran)ly discover to me thy (hole heartI and a(ay (ith this gloom and melancholy (hereof thy sic)ness is engendered, and be comforted, and assure thyself that there is nought that thou mayst reOuire of me (hich I (ill not do to give thee ease, so far as my 'o(ers may reach, seeing that thou art dearer to me than my o(n life! 3(ay (ith thy shamefastness and fears, and tell me if there is aught (herein I may be hel'ful to thee in the matter of thy loveI and if I bestir not myself and bring it to 'ass, account me the most harsh mother that ever bore son!T

The young man (as at first some(hat shamefast to hear his mother thus s'ea),

but, reflecting that none could do more for his ha''iness than she, he too) courage, and thus s'o)eB@@T"adam, my sole reason for concealing my love from you (as that I have observed that old 'eo'le for the most 'art forget that they once (ere youngI but, as I see that no such unreasonableness is to be a''rehended in you, I not only ac)no(ledge the truth of (hat you say that you have discerned, but I (ill also disclose to you the object of my 'assion, on the understanding that your 'romise shall to the best of your 'o(er be 'erformed, as it must be, if I am to be restored to you in sound health!T +hereu'on the lady, ma)ing too sure of that (hich (as destined to fall out other(ise than she ex'ected, gave him every encouragement to discover all his heart, and 'romised to lose no time and s'are no 'ains in endeavouring to com'ass his gratification! T"adam,T said then the young man, Tthe rare beauty and exOuisite manners of our eannette, my 'o(erlessness to ma)e her understand@@I do not say commiserate@@my love, and my reluctance to disclose it to any, have brought me to the condition in (hich you see meI and if your 'romise be not in one (ay or another 'erformed, be sure that my life (ill be brief!T The lady, deeming that the occasion called rather for comfort than for admonition, re'lied (ith a smileB@@T3h* my son, (as this then of all things the secret of thy sufferingS Be of good cheer, and leave me to arrange the affair, (hen you are recovered!T /o, animated by a cheerful ho'e, the young man s'eedily gave sign of a most mar)ed im'rovement, (hich the lady observed (ith great satisfaction, and then began to cast about ho( she might )ee' her 'romise! /o one day she sent for eannette, and in a tone of gentle raillery as)ed her if she had a lover! eannette turned very red as she ans(eredB@@T"adam, Mt(ould scarce, nay, Mt(ould ill become a damsel such as I, 'oor, outcast from home, and in the

service of another, to occu'y herself (ith thoughts of love!T +hereto the lady ans(eredB@@T/o you have none, (e (ill give you one, (ho (ill brighten all your life and give you more joy of your beautyI for it is not right that so fair a damsel as you remain (ithout a lover!T T"adam,T rejoined eannette, Tyou found me living in 'overty (ith my father, you ado'ted me, you have brought me u' as your daughterI (herefore I should, if 'ossible, com'ly (ith your every (ishI but in this matter I (ill render you no com'liance, nor do I doubt that I do (ell! /o you (ill give me a husband, I (ill love him, but no other (ill I loveI for, as 'atrimony I no( have none save my honour, that I am minded to guard and 'reserve (hile my life shall last!T /erious though the obstacle (as (hich these (ords o''osed to the 'lan by (hich the lady had intended to )ee' her 'romise to her son, her sound judgment could not but secretly ac)no(ledge that the s'irit (hich they evinced (as much to be commended in the damsel! +herefore she saidB@@T;ay but, eannetteI su''ose that our 4ord the Ning, (ho is a young )night as thou art a most fair damsel, craved some indulgence of thy love, (ouldst thou deny himST TThe Ning,T returned eannette (ithout the least hesitation, Tmight constrain me, but (ith my consent he should never have aught of me that (as not honourable!T +hereto the lady made no ans(er, for she no( understood the girlMs tem'erI but, being minded to 'ut her to the 'roof, she told her son that, as soon as he (as recovered, she (ould arrange that he should be closeted (ith her in the same room, and be thus able to use all his arts to bring her to his (ill, saying that it ill became her to 'lay the 'art of 'rocuress and urge her sonMs suit u'on her o(n maid! But as the young man, by no means a''roving this idea, suddenly gre( (orse, the lady at length o'ened her mind to eannette, (hom she found in the same frame as

before, and indeed even more resolute! +herefore she told her husband all that she had doneI and as both 'referred that their son should marry beneath him, and live, than that he should remain single and die, they resolved, albeit much disconcerted, to give eannette to him to (ifeI and so after long debate they did! +hereat eannette (as overjoyed, and (ith devout heart gave than)s to God that .e had not forgotten herI nevertheless she still gave no other account of herself than that she (as the daughter of a Picard! /o the young man recovered, and blithe at heart as neMer another, (as married, and began to s'eed the time gaily (ith his bride!

"ean(hile Perrot, left in +ales (ith the marshal of the Ning of England, had li)e(ise (ith increase of years increase of favour (ith his master, and gre( u' most sha'ely and (ell@favoured, and of such 'ro(ess that in all the island at tourney or joust or any other 'assage of arms he had not his 'eerI being every(here )no(n and reno(ned as Perrot the Picard! 3nd as God had not forgotten eannette, so li)e(ise .e made manifest by (hat follo(s that .e had not forgotten Perrot! +ell@nigh half the 'o'ulation of those 'arts being s(e't off by a sudden visitation of deadly 'estilence, most of the survivors fled therefrom in a 'anic, so that the country (as, to all a''earance, entirely deserted! 3mong those that died of the 'est (ere the marshal, his lady, and his son, besides brothers and ne'he(s and )insfol) in great numberI (hereby of his entire household there (ere left only one of his daughters, no( marriageable, and a fe( servants, among them Perrot! ;o( Perrot being a man of such notable 'ro(ess, the damsel, soon after the 'estilence had s'ent itself, too) him, (ith the a''roval and by the advice of the fe( fol) that survived, to be her husband, and made him lord of all

that fell to her by inheritance! ;or (as it long before the Ning of England, learning that the marshal (as dead, made Perrot the Picard, to (hose merit he (as no stranger, marshal in the dead manMs room! /uch, in brief, (as the history of the t(o innocent children, (ith (hom the &ount of 3nt(er' had 'arted, never ex'ecting to see them again!

MT(as no( the eighteenth year since the &ount of 3nt(er' had ta)en flight from Paris, (hen, being still in Ireland, (here he had led a very sorry and suffering sort of life, and feeling that age (as no( come u'on him, he felt a longing to learn, if 'ossible, (hat (as become of his children! The fashion of his out(ard man (as no( com'letely changedI for long hardshi' had 7as he (ell )ne(8 given to his age a vigour (hich his youth, la''ed in ease, had lac)ed! /o he hesitated not to ta)e his leave of the )night (ith (hom he had so long resided, and 'oor and in sorry trim he crossed to England, and made his (ay to the 'lace (here he had left Perrot@@to find him a great lord and marshal of the Ning, and in good health, and (ithal a hardy man and very handsome! 3ll (hich (as very grateful to the old manI but yet he (ould not ma)e himself )no(n to his son, until he had learned the fate of eannette! /o forth he fared again, nor did he halt until he (as come to 4ondon, (here, cautiously Ouesting about for ne(s of the lady (ith (hom he had left his daughter, and ho( it fared (ith her, he learned that eannette (as married to the ladyMs son! +hereat, in the great gladness of his heart, he counted all his 'ast adversity but a light matter, since he had found his children alive and 'ros'erous! But sore he yearned to see eannette! +herefore he too) to loitering, as 'oor fol) are (ont, in the neighbourhood of the house! 3nd so one day acOues 4amiens@@such (as the name of eannetteMs husband@@

sa( him and had 'ity on him, observing that he (as 'oor and aged, and bade one of his servants ta)e him indoors, and for GodMs sa)e give him something to eatI and nothing loath the servant did so! ;o( eannette had borne acOues several children, the finest and the most (insome children in the (orld, the eldest no more than eight years oldI (ho gathered about the &ount as he ate, and, as if by instinct divining that he (as their grandfather, began to ma)e friends (ith him! .e, )no(ing them for his grandchildren, could not conceal his love, and re'aid them (ith caressesI insomuch that they (ould not hear)en to their governor (hen he called them, but remained (ith the &ount! +hich being re'orted to eannette, she came out of her room, crossed to (here the &ount (as sitting (ith the children, and bade them do as their master told them, or she (ould certainly have them (hi''ed! The children began to cry, and to say that they (ould rather stay (ith the (orthy man, (hom they li)ed much better than their masterI (hereat both the lady and the &ount laughed in sym'athy! The &ount had risen, (ith no other intention@@for he (as not minded to disclose his 'aternity@@than to 'ay his daughter the res'ect due from his 'overty to her ran), and the sight of her had thrilled his soul (ith a (ondrous delight! By her he (as and remained unrecognisedI utterly changed as he (as from his former selfI aged, grey@haired, bearded, lean and tanned@@in short to all a''earance another man than the &ount!

.o(ever, seeing that the children (ere un(illing to leave him, but (e't (hen she made as if she (ould constrain them, she bade the master let them be for a time! /o the children remained (ith the (orthy man, until by chance acOuesM father came home, and learned from the master (hat had ha''ened!

+hereu'on, having a grudge against eannette, he saidB@@T4et them beI and God give them the ill luc) (hich .e o(es themB (hence they s'rang, thither they must needs returnI they descend from a vagabond on the motherMs side, and so Mtis no (onder that they consort readily (ith vagabonds!T The &ount caught these (ords and (as sorely 'ained, but, shrugging his shoulders, bore the affront silently as he had borne many another! acOues, (ho had noted his childrenMs fondness for the (orthy man, to (it, the &ount, (as dis'leasedI but nevertheless, such (as the love he bore them, that, rather than see them (ee', he gave order that, if the (orthy man cared to stay there in his service, he should be received! The &ount ans(ered that he (ould gladly do so, but that he (as fit for nothing exce't to loo) after horses, to (hich he had been used all his life! /o a horse (as assigned him, and (hen he had groomed him, he occu'ied himself in 'laying (ith the children!

+hile -ortune thus sha'ed the destinies of the &ount of 3nt(er' and his children, it so befell that after a long series of truces made (ith the Germans the Ning of -rance died, and his cro(n 'assed to his son, (hose (ife had been the occasion of the &ountMs banishment! The ne( )ing, as soon as the last truce (ith the Germans (as run out, rene(ed hostilities (ith extraordinary vigour, being aided by his brother of England (ith a large army under the command of his marshal, Perrot, and his other marshalMs son, acOues 4amiens! +ith them (ent the (orthy man, that is to say, the &ount, (ho, unrecognised by any, served for a long (hile in the army in the ca'acity of groom, and acOuitted himself both in counsel and in arms (ith a (isdom and valour un(onted in one of his su''osed ran)! The (ar (as still

raging (hen the Uueen of -rance fell seriously ill, and, as she felt her end a''roach, made a humble and contrite confession of all her sins to the 3rchbisho' of #ouen, (ho (as universally re'uted a good and most holy man! 3mong her other sins she confessed the great (rong that she had done to the &ount of 3nt(er'I nor (as she satisfied to confide it to the 3rchbisho', but recounted the (hole affair, as it had 'assed, to not a fe( other (orthy men, (hom she besought to use their influence (ith the Ning to 'rocure the restitution of the &ount, if he (ere still alive, and if not, of his children, to honour and estate! 3nd so, dying shortly after(ards, she (as honourably buried! The UueenMs confession (rung from the Ning a sigh or t(o of com'unction for a brave man cruelly (rongedI after (hich he caused 'roclamation to be made throughout the army and in many other 'arts, that (hoso should bring him tidings of the &ount of 3nt(er', or his children, should receive from him such a guerdon for each of them as should justly be matter of marvelI seeing that he held him acOuitted, by confession of the Uueen, of the crime for (hich he had been banished, and (as therefore no( minded to grant him not only restitution but increase of honour and estate!

;o( the &ount, being still (ith the army in his character of groom, heard the 'roclamation, (hich he did not doubt (as made in good faith! +herefore he hied him forth(ith to acOues, and begged a 'rivate intervie( (ith him and Perrot, that he might discover to them that (hereof the Ning (as in Ouest! /o the meeting (as hadI and Perrot (as on the 'oint of declaring himself, (hen the &ount antici'ated himB@@TPerrot,T he said, T acOues here has thy sister to (ife, but never a do(ry had he (ith her! +herefore that thy sister be not do(erless, Mtis my (ill that he, and no other, have this

great re(ard (hich the Ning offers for thee, son, as he shall certify, of the &ount of 3nt(er', and for his (ife and thy sister, Violante, and for me, &ount of 3nt(er', thy father!T /o hearing, Perrot scanned the &ount closely, and forth(ith recognising him, burst into tears, and thro(ing himself at his feet embraced him, sayingB@@T"y father, (elcome, (elcome indeed art thou!T +hereu'on, bet(een (hat he had heard from the &ount and (hat he had (itnessed on the 'art of Perrot, acOues (as so overcome (ith (onder and delight, that at first he (as at a loss to )no( ho( to act! .o(ever, giving entire credence to (hat he had heard, and recalling insulting language (hich he had used to(ards the Ouondam groom, the &ount, he (as sore stric)en (ith shame, and (e't, and fell at the &ountMs feet, and humbly craved his 'ardon for all 'ast offencesI (hich the &ount, raising him to his feet, most graciously granted him! /o (ith many a tear and many a hearty laugh the three men com'ared their several fortunesI (hich done, Perrot and acOues (ould have arrayed the &ount in manner befitting his ran), but he (ould by no means suffer it, being minded that acOues, so soon as he (as (ell assured that the guerdon (as forthcoming, should 'resent him to the Ning in his garb of groom, that thereby the Ning might be the more shamed! /o acOues, (ith the &ount and Perrot, (ent 'resently to the Ning and offered to 'resent to him the &ount and his children, 'rovided the guerdon (ere forthcoming according to the 'roclamation! acOues (ondered not a little as forth(ith at a (ord from the Ning a guerdon (as 'roduced am'le for all three, and he (as bidden ta)e it a(ay (ith him, so only that he should in very truth 'roduce, as he had 'romised, the &ount and his children in the royal 'resence! Then, (ithdra(ing a little and causing his Ouondam groom, no( &ount, to come for(ard (ith Perrot, he saidB@@T/ire, father and son are

before youI the daughter, my (ife, is not here, but, God (illing, you shall soon see her!T /o hearing, the Ning surveyed the &ount, (hom, not(ithstanding his greatly changed a''earance, he at length recognised, and (ell@nigh moved to tears, he raised him from his )nees to his feet, and )issed and embraced him! .e also gave a )indly (elcome to Perrot, and bade forth(ith furnish the &ount (ith a''arel, servants and horses, suited to his ran)I all (hich (as no sooner said than done! "oreover the Ning she(ed acOues no little honour, and 'articularly Ouestioned him of all his 'ast adventures!

3s acOues (as about to ta)e the noble guerdons assigned him for the discovery of the &ount and his children, the &ount said to himB@@TTa)e these to)ens of the magnificence of our 4ord the Ning, and forget not to tell thy father that Mtis from no vagabond that thy children, his and my grandchildren, descend on the motherMs side!T /o acOues too) the guerdons, and sent for his (ife and mother to join him at Paris! Thither also came PerrotMs (ifeB and there (ith all magnificence they (ere entertained by the &ount, to (hom the Ning had not only restored all his former estates and honours, but added thereto others, (hereby he (as no( become a greater man than he had ever been before! Then (ith the &ountMs leave they all returned to their several houses! The &ount himself s'ent the rest of his days at Paris in greater glory than ever!

;GVE4 I%!

@@ Bernabo of Genoa, deceived by 3mbrogiuolo, loses his money and commands his innocent (ife to be 'ut to death! /he esca'es, habits herself as a man, and serves the /oldan! /he discovers the deceiver, and brings Bernabo to 3lexandria, (here the deceiver is 'unished! /he then resumes the garb of a (oman, and (ith her husband returns (ealthy to Genoa! @@

+hen Elisa had 'erformed her 'art, and brought her touching story to a close, Uueen Philomena, a damsel no less stately than fair of 'erson, and of a sur'assingly s(eet and smiling mien, having com'osed herself to s'ea), thus beganB@@

Gur engagements (ith Dioneo shall be faithfully observedI (herefore, as he and I alone remain to com'lete the dayMs narration, I (ill tell my story first, and he shall have the grace he craved, and be the last to s'ea)! 3fter (hich 'relude she thus began her storyB@@MTis a 'roverb current among the vulgar that the deceived has the better of the deceiverI a 'roverb (hich, (ere it not exem'lified by events, might hardly in any manner be justified! +herefore, (hile adhering to our theme, I am minded at the same time dearest ladies to she( you that there is truth in this 'roverbI the 'roof (hereof should be none the less (elcome to you that it may 'ut you on your guard against deceivers!

Nno( then that certain very great merchants of Italy, being met, as merchants use, for divers reasons 'ro'er to each, at a hostelry in Paris,

and having one evening jovially su''ed together, fell a tal)ing of divers matters, and so, 'assing from one to'ic to another, they came at last to discuss the ladies (hom they had left at home, and one jocosely saidB@@TI cannot ans(er for my (ifeI but for myself I o(n, that, (henever a girl that is to my mind comes in my (ay, I give the go@by to the love that I bear my (ife, and ta)e my 'leasure of the ne(@comer to the best of my 'o(er!T T3nd so do I,T said another, Tbecause I )no( that, (hether I sus'ect her or no, my (ife tries her fortune, and so Mtis do as you are done byI the ass and the (all are Ouits!T 3 third added his testimony to the same effectI and in short all seemed to concur in the o'inion that the ladies they had left behind them (ere not li)ely to neglect their o''ortunities, (hen one, a Genoese, Bernabo 4omellin by name, dissociated himself from the rest, affirming that by es'ecial grace of God he (as blessed (ith a (ife (ho (as, 'erha's, the most 'erfect 'aragon to be found in Italy of all the virtues 'ro'er to a lady, ay, and in great measure, to a )night or sOuireI inasmuch as she (as fair, still Ouite young, handy, hardy, and clever beyond all other (omen in embroidery (or) and all other forms of ladyMs handicraft! "oreover so (ell@mannered, discreet and sensible (as she that she (as as fit to (ait at a lordMs table as any sOuire or manservant or such li)e, the best and most adroit that could be found! To (hich encomium he added that she )ne( ho( to manage a horse, fly a ha(), read, (rite and cast u' accounts better than as if she (ere a merchantI and after much more in the same strain of commendation he came at length to the to'ic of their conversation, asseverating (ith an oath that Mt(as not 'ossible to find a (oman more honest, more chaste than sheB nay, he verily believed that, if he remained from home for ten years, or indeed for the rest of his days, she (ould never

thin) of any of these casual amours (ith any other man!

3mong the merchants (ho thus gossi'ed (as a young man, 3mbrogiuolo da Piacen:a, by name, (ho, (hen Bernabo thus concluded his eulogy of his (ife, bro)e out into a mighty laugh, and as)ed him (ith a leer, (hether he of all men had this 'rivilege by s'ecial 'atent of the Em'eror! Bernabo re'lied, some(hat angrily, that Mt(as a boon conferred u'on him by God, (ho (as rather more 'o(erful than the Em'eror! To (hich 3mbrogiuolo rejoinedB@@TI ma)e no doubt, Bernabo, that thou believest that (hat thou sayst is trueI but, methin)s, thou hast been but a careless observer of the nature of thingsI other(ise, I do not ta)e thee to be of so gross understanding but that thou must have discerned therein reasons for s'ea)ing more judiciously of this matter! 3nd that thou mayst not thin) that (e, (ho have s'o)en (ith much freedom about our (ives, deem them to be of another nature and mould than thine, but mayst )no( that (e have but uttered (hat common sense dictates, I am minded to go a little further into this matter (ith thee! I have al(ays understood, that of all mortal beings created by God man is the most noble, and next after him (omanB man, then, being, as is universally believed, and is indeed a''arent by his (or)s, more 'erfect than (oman, must (ithout doubt be endo(ed (ith more firmness and constancy, (omen being one and all more mobile, for reasons not a fe( and founded in nature, (hich I might adduce, but mean for the 'resent to 'ass over! 3nd yet, for all his greater firmness, man cannot (ithstand@@I do not say a (omanMs su''lications, but@@the mere lust of the eye (hich she un(ittingly excites, and that in such sort that he (ill do all that is in his 'o(er to induce her to 'leasure him, not once, 'erha's, in the course of a month, but a thousand

times a day! .o(, then, shouldst thou ex'ect a (oman, mobile by nature, to resist the su''lications, the flatteries, the gifts, and all the other modes of attac) that an accom'lished seducer (ill em'loyS Thou thin)est that she may hold out* ;ay verily, affirm it as thou mayst, I doubt thou dost not really so thin)! Thou dost not deny that thy (ife is a (oman, a creature of flesh and blood li)e the restI and if so, she must have the same cravings, the same natural 'ro'ensities as they, and no more force to (ithstand themI (herefore Mtis at least 'ossible, that, ho(ever honest she be, she (ill do as others doI and nought that is 'ossible admits such 'erem'tory denial or affirmation of its contrary as this of thine!T

+hereto Bernabo returned@@TI am a merchant and no 'hiloso'her, and I (ill give thee a merchantMs ans(er! I ac)no(ledge that (hat thou sayst is true of vain and foolish (omen (ho have no modesty, but such as are discreet are so sensitive in regard of their honour that they become better able to 'reserve it than men, (ho have no such solicitudeI and my (ife is one of this sort!T TDoubtless,T observed 3mbrogiuolo, Tfe( (ould be found to indulge in these casual amours, if every time they did so a horn gre( out on the bro( to attest the factI but not only does no horn ma)e its a''earance but not so much as a trace or vestige of a horn, so only they be but 'rudentI and the shame and dishonour consist only in the discoveryB (herefore, if they can do it secretly, they do it, or are fools to refrain! .old it for certain that she alone is chaste (ho either had never suit made to her, or, suing herself, (as re'ulsed! 3nd albeit I )no( that for reasons true and founded in nature this must needs be, yet I should not s'ea) so 'ositively thereof as I do, had I not many a time (ith many a (oman verified it by ex'erience!

3nd I assure thee that, had I but access to this most saintly (ife of thine, I should confidently ex'ect very soon to have the same success (ith her as (ith others!T Then Bernabo angrilyB@@TMT(ere long and tedious to continue this discussion! I should have my say, and thou thine, and in the end Mt(ould come to nothing! But, as thou sayst that they are all so com'liant, and that thou art so accom'lished a seducer, I give thee this 'ledge of the honour of my (ifeB I consent to forfeit my head, if thou shouldst succeed in bringing her to 'leasure thee in such a sortI and shouldst thou fail, thou shalt forfeit to me no more than one thousand florins of gold!T

Elated by this unex'ected offer, 3mbrogiuolo re'liedB@@TI )no( not (hat I should do (ith thy blood, Bernabo, if I (on the (agerI but, if thou (ouldst have 'roof of (hat I have told thee, lay five thousand florins of gold, (hich must be (orth less to thee than thy head, against a thousand of mine, and, (hereas thou ma)est no sti'ulation as to time, I (ill bind myself to go to Genoa, and (ithin three months from my de'arture hence to have had my 'leasure of thy (ife, and in (itness thereof to bring bac) (ith me, of the things (hich she 'ri:es most dearly, evidence of her com'liance so (eighty and conclusive that thou thyself shalt admit the factI nor do I reOuire ought of thee but that thou 'ledge thy faith neither to come to Genoa nor to (rite (ord to her of this matter during the said three months!T Bernabo 'rofessed himself (ell contentI and though the rest of the com'any, seeing that the com'act might (ell have very evil conseOuences, did all that they could to frustrate it, yet the t(o men (ere no( so heated that, against the (ill of the others, they set it do(n fairly in (riting, and signed it each (ith his o(n hand! This done, 3mbrogiuolo, leaving Bernabo at Paris, 'osted

(ith all s'eed for Genoa! 3rrived there, he set to (or) (ith great cautionI and having found out the Ouarter in (hich the lady resided, he learned in the course of a fe( days enough about her habits of life and her character to )no( that (hat Bernabo had told him (as rather less than the truth! /o, recognising that his enter'rise (as ho'eless, he cast about for some device (hereby he might cover his defeatI and having got s'eech of a 'oor (oman, (ho (as much in the ladyMs house, as also in her favour, he bribed her 7other means failing8 to convey him in a chest, (hich he had had made for the 'ur'ose, not only into the house but into the bedroom of the lady, (hom the good (oman, follo(ing BernaboMs instructions, induced to ta)e charge of it for some days, during (hich, she said, she (ould be a(ay!

/o the lady suffered the chest to remain in the roomI and (hen the night (as so far s'ent that Bernabo thought she must be aslee', he o'ened it (ith some tools (ith (hich he had 'rovided himself, and stole softly out! There (as a light in the room, so that he (as able to form an idea of its situation, to ta)e note of the 'ictures and everything else of conseOuence that it contained, and to commit the (hole to memory! This done, he a''roached the bedI and observing that the lady, and a little girl that (as (ith her, (ere fast aslee', he gently uncovered her, and sa( that nude she (as not a (hit less lovely than (hen dressedB he loo)ed about for some mar) that might serve him as evidence that he had seen her in this state, but found nothing exce't a mole, (hich she had under the left breast, and (hich (as fringed (ith a fe( fair hairs that shone li)e gold! /o beautiful (as she that he (as tem'ted at the ha:ard of his life to ta)e his 'lace by her side in the bedI but, remembering (hat he had heard of her inflexible obduracy in such

affairs, he did not ventureI but Ouietly re'laced the bedclothesI and having 'assed the best 'art of the night very much at his ease in her room, he too) from one of the ladyMs boxes a 'urse, a go(n, a ring and a girdle, and (ith these to)ens returned to the chest, and loc)ed himself in as before! In this manner he 'assed t(o nights, nor did the lady in the least sus'ect his 'resence! Gn the third day the good (oman came by 'reconcert to fetch her chest, and too) it bac) to the 'lace (hence she had brought it! /o 3mbrogiuolo got out, 'aid her the sti'ulated sum, and hied him bac) (ith all s'eed to Paris, (here he arrived (ithin the a''ointed time! Then, in 'resence of the merchants (ho (ere (itnesses of his altercation (ith Bernabo, and the (ager to (hich it had given occasion, he told Bernabo that he had (on the bet, having done (hat he had boasted that he (ould doI and in 'roof thereof he first of all described the a''earance of the room and the 'ictures, and then dis'layed the articles belonging to the lady (hich he had brought a(ay (ith him, averring that she had given them to him! Bernabo ac)no(ledged the accuracy of his descri'tion of the room, and that the articles did really belong to his (ife, but objected that 3mbrogiuolo might have learned characteristic features of the room from one of the servants, and have come by the things in a similar (ay, and therefore, unless he had something more to say, he could not justly claim to have (on the bet! TVerily,T rejoined 3mbrogiuolo, Tthis should sufficeI but, as thou reOuirest that I say some(hat further, I (ill satisfy thee! I say, then, that "adam Xinevra, thy (ife, has under her left breast a mole of some si:e, around (hich are, 'erha's, six hairs of a golden hue!T 3s Bernabo heard this, it (as as if a )nife 'ierced his heart, so 'oignant (as his sufferingI and, though no (ord esca'ed him, the com'lete alteration of his mien bore

unmista)able (itness to the truth of 3mbrogiuoloMs (ords! 3fter a (hile he saidB@@TGentlemen, Mtis even as 3mbrogiuolo saysI he has (on the betI he has but to come (hen he (ill, and he shall be 'aid!T 3nd so the very next day 3mbrogiuolo (as 'aid in full, and Bernabo, intent on (rea)ing vengeance on his (ife, left Paris and set his face to(ards Genoa! .e had no mind, ho(ever, to go home, and accordingly halted at an estate (hich he had some t(enty miles from the city, (hither he sent for(ard a servant, in (hom he re'osed much trust, (ith t(o horses and a letter advising the lady of his return, and bidding her come out to meet him! 3t the same time he gave the servant secret instructions to choose some convenient 'lace, and ruthlessly 'ut the lady to death, and so return to him! Gn his arrival at Genoa the servant delivered his message and the letter to the lady, (ho received him (ith great cheer, and next morning got on horsebac) and set forth (ith him for her husbandMs estate! /o they rode on, tal)ing of divers matters, until they came to a dee' gorge, very lonely, and shut in by high roc)s and trees! The servant, deeming this just the 'lace in (hich he might (ithout ris) of discovery fulfil his lordMs behest, (hi''ed out a )nife, and sei:ing the lady by the arm, saidB@@T"adam, commend your soul to God, for here must end at once your journey and your life!T Terror@stric)en by (hat she sa( and heard, the lady cried outB@@T"ercy for GodMs sa)eI before thou slay me, tell me at least (herein I have (ronged thee, that thou art thus minded to 'ut me to death!T T"adam,T said the servant, Tme you have in no (ise (rongedI but your husband@@ho( you may have (ronged him I )no( not@@charged me she( you no mercy, but to slay you on this journey, and threatened to have me hanged by the nec), should I not do so! Cou )no( (ell ho( bound I am to him, and that I may not disobey any of his commandsB God )no(s I 'ity you, but yet I

can no other(ise!T +hereat the lady burst into tears, sayingB@@T"ercy for GodMs sa)eI ma)e not thyself the murderer of one that has done thee no (rong, at the behest of another! The all@seeing God )no(s that I never did aught to merit such reOuital at my husbandMs hands! But enough of this for the 'resentB there is a (ay in (hich thou canst serve at once God and thy master and myself, if thou (ilt do as I bid theeB ta)e, then, these clothes of mine and give me in exchange just thy doublet and a hoodI and carry the clothes (ith thee to my lord and thine, and tell him that thou hast slain meI and I s(ear to thee by the life (hich I shall have received at thy hands, that I (ill get me gone, and there abide (hence ne(s of me shall never reach either him or thee or these 'arts!T The servant, being loath to 'ut her to death, soon yielded to 'ityI and so he too) her clothes, allo(ing her to retain a little money that she had, and gave her one of his (orser doublets and a hoodI then, 'raying her to de'art the country, he left her afoot in the gorge, and returned to his master, (hom he gave to understand that he had not only carried out his orders but had left the ladyMs body a 'rey to (olves! Bernabo after a (hile returned to Genoa, (here, the su''osed murder being bruited abroad, he (as severely censured!

3lone and disconsolate, the lady, as night fell, disguised herself as best she could, and hied her to a neighbouring village, (here, having 'rocured (hat (as needful from an old (oman, she shortened the doublet and fitted it to her figure, converted her chemise into a 'air of breeches, cut her hair close, and, in short, com'letely disguised herself as a sailor! /he then made her (ay to the coast, (here by chance she encountered a &atalan gentleman, by name /egner Encararch, (ho had landed from one of his shi's,

(hich lay in the offing, to recreate himself at 3lba, (here there (as a fountain! /o she made overture to him of her services, (as engaged and ta)en aboard the shi', assuming the name /icurano da -inale! The gentleman 'ut her in better trim as to clothes, and found her so a't and handy at service that he (as exceeding (ell 'leased (ith her!

;ot long after(ards the &atalan sailed one of his carrac)s to 3lexandria! .e too) (ith him some 'eregrine falcons, (hich he 'resented to the /oldan, (ho feasted him once or t(iceI and noting (ith a''robation the behaviour of /icurano, (ho al(ays attended his master, he craved him of the &atalan, (hich reOuest the &atalan reluctantly granted! /icurano 'roved so a't for his ne( service that he (as soon as high in grace and favour (ith the /oldan as he had been (ith the &atalan! +herefore, (hen the time of year came at (hich there (as (ont to be held at 3cre, then under the /oldanMs s(ay, a great fair, much freOuented by merchants, &hristian and /aracen ali)e, and to (hich, for the security of the merchants and their goods, the /oldan al(ays sent one of his great officers of state (ith other officers and a guard to attend u'on them, he determined to send /icurano, (ho by this time )ne( the language very (ell! /o /icurano (as sent to 3cre as governor and ca'tain of the guard for the 'rotection of the merchants and merchandise! 3rrived there, he bestirred himself (ith great :eal in all matters a''ertaining to his officeI and as he (ent his rounds of ins'ection, he es'ied among the merchants not a fe( from Italy, /icilians, Pisans, Genoese, Venetians, and so forth, (ith (hom he consorted the more readily because they reminded him of his native land! 3nd so it befell that, alighting once at a sho' belonging to some Venetian merchants, he sa( there among other

trin)ets a 'urse and a girdle, (hich he forth(ith recognised as having once been his o(n! &oncealing his sur'rise, he blandly as)ed (hose they (ere, and if they (ere for sale! .e (as ans(ered by 3mbrogiuolo da Piacen:a, (ho had come thither (ith much merchandise aboard a Venetian shi', and hearing that the ca'tain of the guard (as as)ing about the o(nershi' of the 'urse and girdle, came for(ard, and said (ith a smileB@@TThe things are mine, /ir, and I am not dis'osed to sell them, but, if they ta)e your fancy, I (ill gladly give them to you!T Gbserving the smile, /icurano misdoubted that something had esca'ed him by (hich 3mbrogiuolo had recognised himI but he ans(ered (ith a com'osed airB@@TThou dost smile, 'erchance, to see me, a soldier, come as)ing about this (omanMs gearST T;ot so, /ir,T returned 3mbrogiuoloI TI smile to thin) of the manner in (hich I came by it!T T3nd 'ray,T said /icurano, Tif thou hast no reason to conceal it, tell me, in GodMs name, ho( thou didst come by the things!T T +hy, /ir,T said 3mbrogiuolo, Tthey (ere given me by a Genoese lady, (ith (hom I once s'ent a night, "adam Xinevra by name, (ife of Bernabo 4omellin, (ho 'rayed me to )ee' them as a to)en of her love! I smiled just no( to thin) of the folly of Bernabo, (ho (as so mad as to sta)e five thousand florins of gold, against my thousand that I could not bring his (ife to surrender to meI (hich I did! I (on the betI and he, (ho should rather have been 'unished for his insensate folly, than she for doing (hat all (omen do, had her 'ut to death, as I after(ards gathered, on his (ay bac) from Paris to Genoa!T

3mbrogiuolo had not done s'ea)ing before /icurano had discerned in him the evident cause of her husbandMs animosity against her, and all her (oe, and had made u' her mind that he should not esca'e (ith im'unity! /he therefore

feigned to be much interested by this story, consorted freOuently and very familiarly (ith 3mbrogiuolo, and insidiously ca'tured his confidence, insomuch that at her suggestion, (hen the fair (as done, he, ta)ing (ith him all his (ares, accom'anied her to 3lexandria, (here she 'rovided him (ith a sho', and 'ut no little of her o(n money in his handsI so that he, finding it very 'rofitable, (as glad enough to stay! 3nxious to ma)e her innocence manifest to Bernabo, /icurano did not rest until, (ith the hel' of some great Genoese merchants that (ere in 3lexandria, she had devised an ex'edient to dra( him thither! .er 'lan succeededI Bernabo arrivedI and, as he (as no( very 'oor, she 'rivily arranged that he should be entertained by one of her friends until occasion should serve to carry out her design! /he had already induced 3mbrogiuolo to tell his story to the /oldan, and the /oldan to interest himself in the matter! /o Bernabo being come, and further delay inex'edient, she sei:ed her o''ortunity, and 'ersuaded the /oldan to cite 3mbrogiuolo and Bernabo before him, that in BernaboMs 'resence 3mbrogiuolo might be examined of his boast touching BernaboMs (ife, and the truth hereof, if not to be had from him by gentle means, be elicited by torture! /o the /oldan, having 3mbrogiuolo and Bernabo before him, amid a great concourse of his 'eo'le Ouestioned 3mbrogiuolo of the five thousand florins of gold that he had (on from Bernabo, and sternly bade him tell the truth! /till more harsh (as the as'ect of /icurano, in (hom 3mbrogiuolo had 'laced his chief reliance, but (ho no( threatened him (ith the direst torments if the truth (ere not forthcoming! Thus hard bested on this side and on that, and in a manner coerced, 3mbrogiuolo, thin)ing he had but to refund, in 'resence of Bernabo and many others accurately recounted the affair as it had ha''ened! +hen he had done, /icurano, as minister of the

/oldan for the time being, turned to Bernabo and saidB@@T3nd thy (ife, thus falsely accused, (hat treatment did she meet (ith at thy handsST T"ortified,T said Bernabo, Tby the loss of my money, and the dishonour (hich I deemed to have been done me by my (ife, I (as so overcome by (rath that I had her 'ut to death by one of my servants, (ho brought me (ord that her cor'se had been instantly devoured by a 'ac) of (olves!T

3lbeit the /oldan had heard and understood all that had 'assed, yet he did not as yet a''rehend the object for (hich /icurano had 'ursued the investigation! +herefore /icurano thus addressed himB@@T"y lord, (hat cause this good lady has to boast of her lover and her husband you have no( abundant means of judgingI seeing that the lover at one and the same time des'oils her of her honour, blasting her fair fame (ith slanderous accusations, and ruins her husbandI (ho, more 'rom't to trust the falsehood of another than the verity of (hich his o(n long ex'erience should have assured him, devotes her to death and the devouring (olvesI and, moreover, such is the regard, such the love (hich both bear her that, though both tarry a long time (ith her, neither recognises her! .o(ever, that you may )no( full (ell (hat chastisements they have severally deserved, I (ill no( cause her to a''ear in your 'resence and theirs, 'rovided you, of your es'ecial grace, be 'leased to 'unish the deceiver and 'ardon the deceived!T The /oldan, being minded in this matter to defer entirely to /icurano, ans(ered that he (as (ell content, and bade 'roduce the lady! Bernabo, (ho had firmly believed that she (as dead, (as lost in (onderI li)e(ise 3mbrogiuolo, (ho no( divined his evil 'light, and dreading something (orse than the disbursement of money, )ne( not (hether to ex'ect the ladyMs advent

(ith fear or (ith ho'e! .is sus'ense (as not of long durationI for, as soon as the /oldan signified his assent, /icurano, (ee'ing, thre( herself on her )nees at his feet, and discarding the tones, as she (ould fain have divested herself of the out(ard semblance, of a man, saidB@@T"y lord, that forlorn, ha'less Xinevra am I, falsely and foully slandered by this traitor 3mbrogiuolo, and by my cruel and unjust husband delivered over to his servant to slaughter and cast out as a 'rey to the (olvesI for (hich cause I have no( for six years been a (anderer on the face of the earth in the guise of a man!T Then rending her robes in front and baring her breast, she made it manifest to the /oldan and all others (ho (ere 'resent, that she (as indeed a (omanI then turning to 3mbrogiuolo she haughtily challenged him to say (hen she had ever lain (ith him, as he had boasted! 3mbrogiuolo said never a (ord, for he no( recognised her, and it (as as if shame had reft from him the 'o(er of s'eech! The /oldan, (ho had never doubted that /icurano (as a man, (as so (onder@struc) by (hat he sa( and heard that at times he thought it must be all a dream! But, as (onder gave 'lace to conviction of the truth, he extolled in the am'lest terms the constancy and virtue and seemliness (ith (hich Xinevra, erst(hile /icurano, had ordered her life! .e then directed that she should be most nobly arrayed in the garb of her sex and surrounded by a bevy of ladies! "indful of her intercession, he granted to Bernabo the life (hich he had forfeitedI and she, (hen Bernabo thre( himself at her feet and (e't and craved her 'ardon, raised him, un(orthy though he (as, to his feet and generously forgave him, and tenderly embraced him as her husband! 3mbrogiuolo the /oldan commanded to be bound to a sta)e, that his bare flesh, anointed (ith honey, might be ex'osed to the sun on one of the heights of the city, there to remain until it should fall

to 'ieces of its o(n accordB and so Mt(as done! .e then decreed that the lady should have the traitorMs estate, (hich (as (orth not less but rather more than ten thousand doubloonsI (hereto he added, in je(els and vessels of gold and silver and in money, the eOuivalent of u'(ards of other ten thousand doubloons, having first entertained her and her husband (ith most magnificent and ceremonious cheer, accordant (ith the ladyMs (orth! +hich done, he 'laced a shi' at their dis'osal, and gave them leave to return to Genoa at their 'leasure! /o to Genoa they returned very rich and ha''y, and (ere received (ith all honour, es'ecially "adam Xinevra, (hom all the citi:ens had believed to be dead, and (hom thenceforth, so long as she lived, they held of great conseOuence and excellency! 3s for 3mbrogiuolo, the very same day that he (as bound to the sta)e, the honey (ith (hich his body (as anointed attracted such s(arms of flies, (as's and gadflies, (here(ith that country abounds, that not only (as his life suc)ed from him but his very bones (ere com'letely denuded of fleshI in (hich state, hanging by the sine(s, they remained a long time undisturbed, for a sign and a testimony of his baseness to all that 'assed by! 3nd so the deceived had the better of the deceiver!

;GVE4 %!

@@ Paganino da "onaco carries off the (ife of "esser #icciardo di &hin:ica, (ho, having learned (here she is, goes to Paganino and in a friendly manner as)s him to restore her! .e consents, 'rovided she be (illing! /he refuses

to go bac) (ith her husband! "esser #icciardo dies, and she marries Paganino! @@

Their OueenMs story, by its beauty, elicited hearty commendation from all the honourable com'any, and most es'ecially from Dioneo, (ith (hom it no( rested to conclude the dayMs narration! 3gain and again he rene(ed his eulogy of the OueenMs storyI and then began on this (iseB@@

-air ladies, there is that in the OueenMs story (hich has caused me to change my 'ur'ose, and substitute another story for that (hich I had meant to tellB I refer to the insensate folly of Bernabo 7(ell though it (as (ith him in the end8 and of all others (ho delude themselves, as he seemed to do, (ith the vain imagination that, (hile they go about the (orld, ta)ing their 'leasure no( of this, no( of the other (oman, their (ives, left at home, suffer not their hands to stray from their girdlesI as if (e (ho are born of them and bred among them, could be ignorant of the bent of their desires! +herefore, by my story I 'ur'ose at one and the same time to she( you ho( great is the folly of all such, and ho( much greater is the folly of those (ho, deeming themselves mightier than nature, thin) by so'histical arguments to bring that to 'ass (hich is beyond their 'o(er, and strive might and main to conform others to their o(n 'attern, ho(ever little the nature of the latter may broo) such treatment! Nno( then that there (as in Pisa a judge, better endo(ed (ith mental than (ith 'hysical vigour, by name "esser #icciardo di &hin:ica, (ho, being minded to ta)e a (ife, and thin)ing, 'erha's, to satisfy her by the same resources (hich served him for his

studies, (as to be suited (ith none that had not both youth and beauty, Oualities (hich he (ould rather have esche(ed, if he had )no(n ho( to give himself as good counsel as he gave to others! .o(ever, being very rich, he had his desire! "esser 4otto Gualandi gave him in marriage one of his daughters, Bartolomea by name, a maid as fair and fit for amorous dalliance as any in Pisa, though fe( maids be there that do not she( as s'otted li:ards! The judge brought her home (ith all 'om' and ceremony, and had a brave and lordly (eddingI but in the essay (hich he made the very first night to serve her so as to consummate the marriage he made a false move, and dre( the game much to his o(n disadvantageI for next morning his lean, (ithered and scarce animate frame (as only to be re@Ouic)ened by draughts of vernaccia,708 artificial restoratives and the li)e remedies! /o, ta)ing a more sober estimate of his 'o(ers than he had been (ont, the (orthy judge began to give his (ife lessons from a calendar, (hich might have served as a horn@boo), and 'erha's had been 'ut together at #avenna7A8 inasmuch as, according to his she(ing, there (as not a day in the year but (as sacred, not to one saint only, but to manyI in honour of (hom for divers reasons it behoved men and (omen to abstain from carnal intercourseI (hereto he added fast@days, Ember@days, vigils of 3'ostles and other saints, -riday, /aturday, /unday, the (hole of 4ent, certain lunar mansions, and many other exce'tions, arguing 'erchance, that the 'ractice of men (ith (omen abed should have its times of vacation no less than the administration of the la(! In this method, (hich caused the lady grievous dum's, he long 'ersisted, hardly touching her once a month, and observing her closely, lest another should give her to )no( (or)ing@days, as he had taught her holidays!

;o( it so befell that, one hot season, "esser #icciardo thought he (ould li)e to visit a very beautiful estate (hich he had near "onte ;ero, there to ta)e the air and recreate himself for some days, and thither accordingly he (ent (ith his fair lady! +hile there, to amuse her, he arranged for a dayMs fishingI and so, he in one boat (ith the fishermen, and she in another (ith other ladies, they 'ut out to (atch the s'ort, (hich they found so delightsome, that almost before they )ne( (here they (ere they (ere some miles out to sea! 3nd (hile they (ere thus engrossed (ith the s'ort, a galliot of Paganino da "are, a very famous corsair of those days, hove in sight and bore do(n u'on the boats, and, for all the s'eed they made, came u' (ith that in (hich (ere the ladiesI and on sight of the fair lady Paganino, regardless of all else, bore her off to his galliot before the very eyes of "esser #icciardo, (ho (as by this time ashore, and forth(ith (as gone! The chagrin of the judge, (ho (as jealous of the very air, may readily be imagined! But Mt(as to no 'ur'ose that, both at Pisa and else(here, he moaned and groaned over the (ic)edness of the corsairs, for he )ne( neither by (hom his (ife had been abducted, nor (hither she had been ta)en! Paganino, mean(hile, deemed himself luc)y to have gotten so beautiful a 'ri:eI and being unmarried, he (as minded never to 'art (ith her, and addressed himself by soft (ords to soothe the sorro( (hich )e't her in a flood of tears! -inding (ords of little avail, he at night 'assed@@the more readily that the calendar had sli''ed from his girdle, and all feasts and holidays from his mind@@to acts of love, and on this (ise administered consolation so effective that before they (ere come to "onaco she had com'letely forgotten the judge and his canons, and had begun to live (ith Paganino as merrily as might be! /o he brought her to "onaco, (here, besides

the daily and nightly solace (hich he gave her, he honourably entreated her as his (ife!

;ot long after(ards "esser #icciardo coming to )no( (here his (ife (as, and being most ardently desirous to have her bac), and thin)ing none but he (ould understand exactly (hat to do in the circumstances, determined to go and fetch her himself, being 're'ared to s'end any sum of money that might be demanded by (ay of ransom! /o he too) shi', and being come to "onaco, he both sa( her and (as seen by herI (hich ne(s she communicated to Paganino in the evening, and told him ho( she (as minded to behave! ;ext morning "esser #icciardo, encountering Paganino, made u' to himI and soon assumed a very familiar and friendly air, (hile Paganino 'retended not to )no( him, being on his guard to see (hat he (ould be at! /o "esser #icciardo, as soon as he deemed the time ri'e, as best and most delicately he (as able, disclosed to Paganino the business on (hich he had come, 'raying him to ta)e (hatever in the (ay of ransom he chose and restore him the lady! Paganino re'lied cheerilyB@@T#ight glad I am to see you here, /irI and briefly thus I ans(er youB@@True it is that I have here a young (omanI (hether she be your (ife or another manMs, I )no( not, for you are none of my acOuaintance, nor is she, exce't for the short time that she has been (ith me! If, as you say, you are her husband, (hy, as you seem to me to be a 'leasant gentleman, I (ill even ta)e you to her, and I doubt not she (ill )no( you (ellI if she says that it is even as you say, and is minded to go (ith you, you shall give me just (hat you li)e by (ay of ransom, so 'leasant have I found youI other(ise Mt(ill be churlish in you to thin) of ta)ing her from me, (ho am a young man, and as fit to )ee' a (oman as another, and moreover never )ne( any

(oman so agreeable!T T"y (ife,T said #icciardo, Tshe is beyond all manner of doubt, as thou shalt seeI for so soon as thou bringest me to her, she (ill thro( her arms about my nec)I (herefore as thou art minded, even so be itI I as) no more!T TGo (e then,T said PaganinoI and forth(ith they (ent into the house, and Paganino sent for the lady (hile they (aited in one of the halls! By and by she entered from one of the adjoining rooms all trim and tric)ed out, and advanced to the 'lace (here Paganino and "esser #icciardo (ere standing, but never a (ord did she vouchsafe to her husband, any more than if he had been some stranger (hom Paganino had brought into the house! +hereat the judge (as mightily ama:ed, having ex'ected to be greeted by her (ith the heartiest of cheer, and began to ruminate thusB@@Perha's I am so changed by the melancholy and 'rolonged heartache, to (hich I have been a 'rey since I lost her, that she does not recognise me! +herefore he saidB@@ T"adam, cause enough have I to rue it that I too) thee a fishing, for never yet (as )no(n such grief as has been mine since I lost theeI and no( it seems as if thou dost not recognise me, so scant of courtesy is thy greeting! /eest thou not that I am thy "esser #icciardo, come hither 're'ared to 'ay (hatever this gentleman, in (hose house (e are, may demand, that I may have thee bac) and ta)e thee a(ay (ith meB and he is so good as to surrender thee on my o(n termsST The lady turned to him (ith a slight smile, and saidB@@TIs it to me you s'ea), /irS Bethin) you that you may have mista)en me for another, for I, for my 'art, do not remember ever to have seen you!T T;ay,T said "esser #icciardo, Tbut bethin) thee (hat thou saystI scan me closelyI and if thou (ilt but search thy memory, thou (ilt find that I am thy #icciardo di &hin:ica!T TCour 'ardon, /ir,T ans(ered the lady, TMtis not, 'erha's, as seemly for me, as you imagine, to ga:e long u'on youI

but I have ga:ed long enough to )no( that I never sa( you before!T "esser #icciardo su''osed that she so s'o)e for fear of Paganino, in (hose 'resence she durst not ac)no(ledge that she )ne( himB so, after a (hile, he craved as a favour of Paganino that he might s'ea) (ith her in a room alone! +hich reOuest Paganino granted, so only that he did not )iss her against her (ill! .e then bade the lady go (ith "esser #icciardo into a room a'art, and hear (hat he had to say, and give him such ans(er as she deemed meet! /o the lady and "esser #icciardo (ent together into a room alone, and sate do(n, and "esser #icciardo began on this (iseB@@T3h* dear heart of me, s(eet soul of me, ho'e of me, dost not recognise thy #icciardo that loves thee better than himselfS ho( comes it thus to 'assS am I then so changedS 3h* goodly eye of me, do but loo) on me a little!T +hereat the lady burst into a laugh, and interru'ting him, saidB@@T#est assured that my memory is not so short but that I )no( you for (hat you are, my husband, "esser #icciardo di &hin:icaI but far enough you she(ed yourself to be, (hile I (as (ith you, from )no(ing me for (hat I (as, young, lusty, livelyI (hich, had you been the (ise man you (ould fain be re'uted, you (ould not have ignored, nor by conseOuence that (hich, besides food and clothing, it behoves men to give young ladies, albeit for shame they demand it notI (hich in (hat sort you gave, you )no(! Cou should not have ta)en a (ife if she (as to be less to you than the study of the la(, albeit Mt(as never as a judge that I regarded you, but rather as a bellman of encaenia and saintsM days, so (ell you )ne( them all, and fasts and vigils! 3nd I tell you that, had you im'osed the observance of as many saintsM days on the labourers that till your lands as on yourself (ho had but my little 'lot to till, you (ould never have harvested a single grain of corn! God in .is mercy, having regard unto my youth, has caused me to fall

in (ith this gentleman, (ith (hom I am much closeted in this room, (here nought is )no(n of feasts, such feasts, I mean, as you, more devoted to the service of God than to the service of ladies, (ere (ont to observe in such 'rofusionI nor (as this threshold ever crossed by /aturday or -riday or vigil or Ember@days or 4ent, that is so longI rather here (e are at (or) day and night, threshing the (ool, and (ell I )no( ho( featly it (ent (hen the matin bell last sounded! +herefore (ith him I mean to stay, and to (or) (hile I am young, and 'ost'one the observance of feasts and times of indulgence and fasts until I am oldB so get you hence, and good luc) go (ith you, but de'art (ith (hat s'eed you may, and observe as many feasts as you li)e, so I be not (ith you!T

The 'ain (ith (hich "esser #icciardo follo(ed this outburst (as more than he could bear, and (hen she had done, he exclaimedB@@T3h* s(eet soul of me, (hat (ords are these that thou utterestS .ast thou no care for thy 'arentsM honour and thine o(nS +ilt thou remain here to be this manMs harlot, and to live in mortal sin, rather than live (ith me at Pisa as my (ifeS +hy, (hen he is tired of thee, he (ill cast thee out to thy most grievous dishonour! I (ill ever cherish thee, and ever, (ill I nill I, thou (ilt be the mistress of my house! +ouldst thou, to gratify this unbridled and unseemly 'assion, 'art at once (ith thy honour and (ith me, (ho love thee more dearly than my very lifeS 3h* cherished ho'e of me, say not so againB ma)e u' thy mind to come (ith me! 3s I no( )no( thy bent, I (ill henceforth constrain myself to 'leasure theeB (herefore, s(eet my treasure, thin) better of it, and come (ith me, (ho have never )no(n a ha''y hour since thou (ert reft from me!T The lady ans(eredB@@TI ex'ect not, nor is it 'ossible, that another should

be more tender of my honour than I am myself! +ere my 'arents so, (hen they gave me to youS I tro( notI nor mean I to be more tender of their honour no( than they (ere then of mine! 3nd if no( I live in mortar sin, I (ill ever abide there until it be 'estle sinB798 concern yourself no further on my account! "oreover, let me tell you, that, (hereas at Pisa Mt(as as if I (ere your harlot, seeing that the 'lanets in conjunction according to lunar mansion and geometric sOuare intervened bet(een you and me, here (ith Paganino I deem myself a (ife, for he holds me in his arms all night long and hugs and bites me, and ho( he serves me, God be my (itness! 3h* but you say you (ill constrain yourself to serve meB to (hat endS to do it on the third essay, and raise it by stro)e of batonS I doubt not you are become a 'erfect )night since last I sa( you! Begone, and constrain yourself to liveI for here, methin)s, your tenure is but 'recarious, so hectic and (asted is your a''earance! ;ay moreI I tell you this, that, should Paganino desert me 7(hich he does not seem dis'osed to do so long as I am (illing to stay (ith him8, never (ill I return to your house, (here for one (hile I staid to my most grievous loss and 'rejudice, but (ill see) my commodity else(here, than (ith one from (hose (hole body I could not (ring a single cu'ful of sa'! /o, again, I tell you that here is neither feast nor vigilI (herefore here I mean to abideI and you, get you gone, in GodMs name (ith (hat s'eed you may, lest I raise the cry that you threaten to violate me!T

"esser #icciardo felt himself hard bested, but he could not but recognise that, (orn out as he (as, he had been foolish to ta)e a young (ifeI so sad and (oebegone he Ouitted the room, and, after ex'ending on Paganino a (ealth of (ords (hich signified nothing, he at last gave u' his bootless

enter'rise, and leaving the lady to her o(n devices, returned to PisaI (here for very grief he la'sed into such utter imbecility that, (hen he (as met by any (ith greeting or Ouestion in the street, he made no other ans(er than Tthe evil hole broo)s no holiday,T and soon after(ards died! +hich (hen Paganino learned, being (ell assured of the love the lady bore him, he made her his la(ful (ifeI and so, )ee'ing neither feast nor vigil nor 4ent, they (or)ed as hard as their legs 'ermitted, and had a good time! +herefore, dear my ladies, I am of o'inion that "esser Bernabo in his altercation (ith 3mbrogiuolo rode the goat do(nhill!7?8

708 3 strong (hite (ine! 7A8 The saying (ent, that o(ing to the multitude of churches at #avenna every day (as there a saintMs day! 798 3 'oor jeu de mots, mortaio, mortar, being substituted for mortale! 7?8 I!e! argued 're'osterously, the goat being the last animal to carry a rider comfortably do(nhill!

This story 'rovo)ed so much laughter that the ja(s of every one in the com'any achedI and all the ladies by common consent ac)no(ledged that Dioneo (as right, and 'ronounced Bernabo a bloc)head! But (hen the story (as ended and the laughter had subsided, the Oueen, observing that the hour (as no( late, and that (ith the com'letion of the dayMs story@telling the end of her sovereignty (as come, follo(ed the exam'le of her 'redecessor, and too) off her (reath and set it on ;eifileMs bro(, saying (ith gladsome mien, T;o(, dear gossi', thine be the sovereignty of this little 'eo'leIT and so she

resumed her seat! ;eifile coloured some(hat to receive such honour, she(ing of as'ect even as the fresh@blo(n rose of 3'ril or "ay in the radiance of the da(n, her eyes rather do(ncast, and glo(ing (ith loveMs fire li)e the morning@star! But (hen the res'ectful murmur, by (hich the rest of the com'any gave blithe to)en of the favour in (hich they held their Oueen, (as hushed, and her courage revived, she raised herself some(hat more in her seat than she (as (ont, and thus s'o)eB@@T3s so it is that I am your Oueen, I 'ur'ose not to de'art from the usage observed by my 'redecessors, (hose rule has commanded not only your obedience but your a''robation! I (ill therefore in fe( (ords ex'lain to you the course (hich, if it commend itself to your (isdom, (e (ill follo(! To@morro(, you )no(, is -riday, and the next day /aturday, days (hich most fol) find some(hat (earisome by reason of the viands (hich are then customary, to say nothing of the reverence in (hich -riday is meet to be held, seeing that Mt(as on that day that .e (ho died for us bore .is 'assionI (herefore Mt(ould be in my judgment both right and very seemly, if, in honour of God, (e then bade story@telling give 'lace to 'rayer! Gn /aturday ladies are (ont to (ash the head, and rid their 'ersons of (hatever of dust or other soilure they may have gathered by the labours of the 'ast (ee)I not a fe(, li)e(ise, are (ont to 'ractise abstinence for devotion to the Virgin "other of the /on of God, and to honour the a''roaching /unday by an entire surcease from (or)! +herefore, as (e cannot then com'letely carry out our 'lan of life, (e shall, I thin), do (ell to intermit our story@telling on that day also! +e shall then have been here four daysI and lest (e should be sur'rised by ne(@comers, I deem it ex'edient that (e shift our Ouarters, and I have already ta)en thought for our next 'lace of sojourn! +here, being arrived on /unday, (e (ill assemble

after our slee'I and, (hereas to@day our discourse has had an am'le field to range in, I 'ro'ose, both because you (ill thereby have more time for thought, and it (ill be best to set some limits to the license of our story@telling, that of the many diversities of -ortuneMs handi(or) (e ma)e one our theme, (hereof I have also made choice, to (it, the luc) of such as have 'ainfully acOuired some much@coveted thing, or having lost, have recovered it! +hereon let each meditate some matter, (hich to tell may be 'rofitable or at least delectable to the com'any, saving al(ays DioneoMs 'rivilege!T 3ll a''lauded the OueenMs s'eech and 'lan, to (hich, therefore, it (as decided to give effect! Thereu'on the Oueen called her seneschal, told him (here to 'lace the tables that evening, and then ex'lained to him all that he had to do during the time of her sovereignty! This done, she rose (ith her train, and gave leave to all to ta)e their 'leasure as to each might seem best! /o the ladies and the men hied them a(ay to a little garden, (here they diverted themselves a (hileI then su''er@time being come, they su''ed (ith all gay and festal cheer! +hen they (ere risen from the table, Emilia, at the OueenMs command, led the dance, (hile Pam'inea, the other ladies res'onding, sang the ensuing song!

/hall any lady sing, if I not sing, I to (hom 4ove did full contentment bringS

&ome hither, 4ove, thou cause of all my joy, Gf all my ho'e, and all its seOuel blest, 3nd (ith me tune the lay, ;o more to sighs and bitter 'ast annoy,

That no( but serve to lend thy bliss more :estI But to that fireMs clear ray, +here(ith en(ra't I blithely live and gay, Thee as my God for ever (orshi''ing!

MT(as thou, G 4ove, didst set before mine eyes, +hen first thy fire my soul did 'enetrate, 3 youth to be my fere, /o fair, so fit for deeds of high em'rise, That neMer another shall be found more great, ;ay, nor, I (een, his 'eerB /uch flame he )indled that my heartMs full cheer I no( 'our out in chant (ith thee, my Ning!

3nd that (herein I most delight is this, That as I love him, so he loveth meB /o than) thee, 4ove, I must! -or (hatsoeMer this (orld can yield of bliss Is mine, and in the next at 'eace to be I ho'e through that full trust I 'lace in him! 3nd thou, G God, that dost It see, (ilt grant of joy thy 'lenishing!

/ome other songs and dances follo(ed, to the accom'animent of divers sorts of musicI after (hich, the Oueen deeming it time to go to rest, all, follo(ing in the (a)e of the torches, sought their several chambers! The

next t(o days they devoted to the duties to (hich the Oueen had adverted, loo)ing for(ard to the /unday (ith eager ex'ectancy!

@@ Endeth here the second day of the Decameron, beginneth the third, in (hich, under the rule of ;eifile, discourse is had of the fortune of such as have 'ainfully acOuired some much@coveted thing, or, having lost, have recovered it! @@

The da(n of /unday (as already changing from vermilion to orange, as the sun hasted to the hori:on, (hen the Oueen rose and roused all the com'any! The seneschal had early sent for(ard to their next 'lace of sojourn am'le store of things meet (ith fol) to ma)e all things ready, and no( seeing the Oueen on the road, and the decam'ment, as it (ere, begun, he hastily com'leted the eOui'ment of the baggage@train, and set off there(ith, attended by the rest of the servants, in rear of the ladies and gentlemen! /o, to the chant of, 'erha's, a score of nightingales and other birds, the Oueen, her ladies and the three young men troo'ing beside or after her, 'aced leisurely (est(ard by a 'ath little freOuented and overgro(n (ith herbage and flo(ers, (hich, as they caught the sunlight, began one and all to unfold their 'etals! /o fared she on (ith her train, (hile the Ouir) and the jest and the laugh 'assed from mouth to mouthI nor had they com'leted more than t(o thousand 'aces (hen, (ell before half tierce,708 they arrived at a 'alace most fair and sum'tuous, (hich stood out some(hat from the 'lain, being situate u'on a

lo( eminence! Gn entering, they first traversed its great halls and dainty chambers furnished throughout (ith all brave and meet a''ointmentsI and finding all most commendable, they re'uted its lord a magnifico! Then descending, they surveyed its s'acious and cheerful court, its vaults of excellent (ines and co'ious s'rings of most cool (ater, and found it still more commendable! 3fter (hich, being fain of rest, they sat them do(n in a gallery (hich commanded the court, and (as close imbos)ed (ith leafage and such flo(ers as the season afforded, and thither the discreet seneschal brought comfits and (ines most choice and excellent, (here(ith they (ere refreshed! +hereu'on they hied them to a (alled garden adjoining the 'alaceI (hich, the gate being o'ened, they entered, and (onder@struc) by the beauty of the (hole 'assed on to examine more attentively the several 'arts! It (as bordered and traversed in many 'arts by alleys, each very (ide and straight as an arro( and roofed in (ith trellis of vines, (hich gave good 'romise of bearing clusters that year, and, being all in flo(er, dis'ersed such fragrance throughout the garden as blended (ith that exhaled by many another 'lant that gre( therein made the garden seem redolent of all the s'ices that ever gre( in the East! The sides of the alleys (ere all, as it (ere, (alled in (ith roses (hite and red and jasmineI insomuch that there (as no 'art of the garden but one might (al) there not merely in the morning but at high noon in grateful shade and fragrance, com'letely screened from the sun! 3s for the 'lants that (ere in the garden, Mt(ere long to enumerate them, to s'ecify their sorts, to describe the order of their arrangementI enough, in brief, that there (as abundance of every rarer s'ecies that our climate allo(s! In the middle of the garden, a thing not less but much more to be commended than aught else, (as a la(n of the finest turf, and so green that

it seemed almost blac), 'ran)ed (ith flo(ers of, 'erha's, a thousand sorts, and girt about (ith the richest living verdure of orange@trees and cedars, (hich she(ed not only flo(ers but fruits both ne( and old, and (ere no less grateful to the smell by their fragrance than to the eye by their shade! In the middle of the la(n (as a basin of (hitest marble, graven (ith marvellous artI in the centre (hereof@@(hether the s'ring (ere natural or artificial I )no( not@@rose a column su''orting a figure (hich sent forth a jet of (ater of such volume and to such an altitude that it fell, not (ithout a delicious 'lash, into the basin in Ouantity am'ly sufficient to turn a mill@(heel! The overflo( (as carried a(ay from the la(n by a hidden conduit, and then, reemerging, (as distributed through tiny channels, very fair and cunningly contrived, in such sort as to flo( round the entire la(n, and by similar derivative channels to 'enetrate almost every 'art of the fair garden, until, re@uniting at a certain 'oint, it issued thence, and, clear as crystal, slid do(n to(ards the 'lain, turning by the (ay t(o mill@(heels (ith extreme velocity to the no small 'rofit of the lord! The as'ect of this garden, its fair order, the 'lants and the fountain and the rivulets that flo(ed from it, so charmed the ladies and the three young men that (ith one accord they affirmed that they )ne( not ho( it could receive any accession of beauty, or (hat other form could be given to Paradise, if it (ere to be 'lanted on earth! /o, excellently (ell 'leased, they roved about it, 'luc)ing s'rays from the trees, and (eaving them into the fairest of garlands, (hile songsters of, 'erha's, a score of different sorts (arbled as if in mutual emulation, (hen suddenly a sight as fair and delightsome as novel, (hich, engrossed by the other beauties of the 'lace, they had hitherto overloo)ed, met their eyes! -or the garden, they no( sa(, (as

'eo'led (ith a host of living creatures, fair and of, 'erha's, a hundred sortsI and they 'ointed out to one another ho( here emerged a cony, or there scam'ered a hare, or couched a goat, or gra:ed a fa(n, or many another harmless, all but domesticated, creature roved carelessly see)ing his 'leasure at his o(n s(eet (ill! 3ll (hich served immensely to reinforce their already abundant delight! 3t length, ho(ever, they had enough of (andering about the garden and observing this thing and thatB (herefore they re'aired to the beautiful fountain, around (hich (ere ranged the tables, and there, after they had sung half@a@do:en songs and trod some measures, they sat them do(n, at the OueenMs command, to brea)fast, (hich (as served (ith all celerity and in fair and orderly manner, the viands being both good and delicateI (hereby their s'irits rose, and u' they got, and betoo) themselves again to music and song and dance, and so s'ed the hours, until, as the heat increased, the Oueen deemed it time that (hoso (as so minded should go to slee'! /ome there (ere that did soI others (ere too charmed by the beauty of the 'lace to thin) of leaving itI but tarried there, and, (hile the rest sle't, amused themselves (ith reading romances or 'laying at chess or dice! .o(ever, after none, there (as a general leveeI and, (ith faces laved and refreshed (ith cold (ater, they gathered by the OueenMs command u'on the la(n, and, having sat them do(n in their (onted order by the fountain, (aited for the story@telling to begin u'on the theme assigned by the Oueen! +ith this duty the Oueen first charged -ilostrato, (ho began on this (ise!

708 I!e! mid(ay bet(een 'rime and tierce, about 2B96 a!m!

;GVE4 I!

@@ "asetto da 4am'orecchio feigns to be dumb, and obtains a gardenerMs 'lace at a convent of (omen, (ho (ith one accord ma)e haste to lie (ith him! @@

-airest ladies, not a fe( there are both of men and of (omen, (ho are so foolish as blindly to believe that, so soon as a young (oman has been veiled in (hite and co(led in blac), she ceases to be a (oman, and is no more subject to the cravings 'ro'er to her sex, than if, in assuming the garb and 'rofession of a nun, she had 'ut on the nature of a stoneB and if, 'erchance, they hear of aught that is counter to this their faith, they are no less vehement in their censure than if some most heinous and unnatural crime had been committedI neither bethin)ing them of themselves, (hom unrestricted liberty avails not to satisfy, nor ma)ing due allo(ance for the 're'otent forces of idleness and solitude! 3nd li)e(ise not a fe( there are that blindly believe that, (hat (ith the hoe and the s'ade and coarse fare and hardshi', the carnal 'ro'ensities are utterly eradicated from the tillers of the soil, and there(ith all nimbleness of (it and understanding! But ho( gross is the error of such as so su''ose, I, on (hom the Oueen has laid her commands, am minded, (ithout deviating from the theme 'rescribed by her, to ma)e manifest to you by a little story!

In this very country@side of ours there (as and yet is a convent of (omen of great re'ute for sanctity@@name it I (ill not, lest I should in some measure

diminish its re'ute@@the nuns being at the time of (hich I s'ea) but nine in number, including the abbess, and all young (omen! Their very beautiful garden (as in charge of a foolish fello(, (ho, not being content (ith his (age, sOuared accounts (ith their ste(ard and hied him bac) to 4am'orecchio, (hence he came! 3mong others (ho (elcomed him home (as a young husbandman, "asetto by name, a stout and hardy fello(, and handsome for a contadino, (ho as)ed him (here he had been so long! ;uto, as our good friend (as called, told him! "asetto then as)ed ho( he had been em'loyed at the convent, and ;uto ans(eredB@@TI )e't their large and beautiful garden in good trim, and, besides, I sometimes (ent to the (ood to fetch the faggots, I dre( (ater, and did some other trifling servicesI but the ladies gave so little (age that it scarce )e't me in shoes! 3nd moreover they are all young, and, I thin), they are one and all 'ossessed of the devil, for Mtis im'ossible to do anything to their mindI indeed, (hen I (ould be at (or) in the )itchen@garden, M'ut this here,M (ould say one, M'ut that here,M (ould say another, and a third (ould snatch the hoe from my hand, and say, Mthat is not as it should beMI and so they (ould (orry me until I (ould give u' (or)ing and go out of the gardenI so that, (hat (ith this thing and that, I (as minded to stay there no more, and so I am come hither! The ste(ard as)ed me before I left to send him any one (hom on my return I might find fit for the (or), and I 'romisedI but God bless his loins, I shall be at no 'ains to find out and send him any one!T

3s ;uto thus ran on, "asetto (as sei:ed by such a desire to be (ith these nuns that he Ouite 'ined, as he gathered from (hat ;uto said that his desire might be gratified! 3nd as that could not be, if he said nothing to ;uto, he

remar)edB@@T3h* Mt(as (ell done of thee to come hither! 3 man to live (ith (omen* he might as (ell live (ith so many devilsB six times out of seven they )no( not themselves (hat they (ant!T There the conversation endedI but "asetto began to cast about ho( he should 'roceed to get 'ermission to live (ith them! .e )ne( that he (as Ouite com'etent for the services of (hich ;uto s'o)e, and had therefore no fear of failing on that scoreI but he doubted he should not be received, because he (as too young and (ell@favoured! /o, after much 'ondering, he fell into the follo(ing train of thoughtB@@The 'lace is a long (ay off, and no one there )no(s meI if I ma)e believe that I am dumb, doubtless I shall be admitted! +hereu'on he made his mind u', laid a hatchet across his shoulder, and saying not a (ord to any of his destination, set forth, intending to 'resent himself at the convent in the character of a destitute man! 3rrived there, he had no sooner entered than he chanced to encounter the ste(ard in the courtyard, and ma)ing signs to him as dumb fol) do, he let him )no( that of his charity he craved something to eat, and that, if need (ere, he (ould s'lit fire(ood! The ste(ard 'rom'tly gave him to eat, and then set before him some logs (hich ;uto had not been able to s'lit, all (hich "asetto, (ho (as very strong, s'lit in a very short time! The ste(ard, having occasion to go to the (ood, too) him (ith him, and there set him at (or) on the lo''ingI (hich done he 'laced the ass in front of him, and by signs made him understand that he (as to ta)e the lo''ings bac) to the convent! This he did so (ell that the ste(ard )e't him for some days to do one or t(o odd jobs! +hereby it so befell that one day the abbess sa( him, and as)ed the ste(ard (ho he (as! T"adam,T re'lied the ste(ard, TMtis a 'oor deaf mute that came here a day or t(o ago craving alms, so I have treated him )indly, and have let him ma)e

himself useful in many (ays! If he )ne( ho( to do the (or) of the )itchen@garden and (ould stay (ith us, I doubt not (e should be (ell servedI for (e have need of him, and he is strong, and (ould be able for (hatever he might turn his hand toI besides (hich you (ould have no cause to be a''rehensive lest he should be crac)ing his jo)es (ith your young (omen!T T3s I trust in God,T said the abbess, Tthou sayst soothI find out if he can do the garden (or), and if he can, do all thou canst to )ee' him (ith usI give him a 'air of shoes, an old hood, and s'ea) him (ell, ma)e much of him, and let him be (ell fed!T 3ll (hich the ste(ard 'romised to do!

"asetto, mean(hile, (as close at hand, ma)ing as if he (ere s(ee'ing the courtyard, and heard all that 'assed bet(een the abbess and the ste(ard, (hereat he gleefully communed (ith himself on this (iseB@@Put me once (ithin there, and you (ill see that I (ill do the (or) of the )itchen@garden as it never (as done before! /o the ste(ard set him to (or) in the )itchen@garden, and finding that he )ne( his business excellently (ell, made signs to him to )no( (hether he (ould stay, and he made ans(er by signs that he (as ready to do (hatever the ste(ard (ished! The ste(ard then signified that he (as engaged, told him to ta)e charge of the )itchen@garden, and she(ed him (hat he had to do there! Then, having other matters to attend to, he (ent a(ay, and left him there! ;o(, as "asetto (or)ed there day by day, the nuns began to tease him, and ma)e him their butt 7as it commonly ha''ens that fol) serve the dumb8 and used bad language to him, the (orst they could thin) of, su''osing that he could not understand them, all (hich 'assed scarce heeded by the abbess, (ho 'erha's deemed him as destitute of virility as of s'eech! ;o( it so befell that after a hard dayMs (or) he (as ta)ing a little rest,

(hen t(o young nuns, (ho (ere (al)ing in the garden, a''roached the s'ot (here he lay, and sto''ed to loo) at him, (hile he 'retended to be aslee'! 3nd so the bolder of the t(o said to the otherB@@TIf I thought thou (ouldst )ee' the secret, I (ould tell thee (hat I have sometimes meditated, and (hich thou 'erha's mightest also find agreeable!T The other re'liedB@@T/'ea) thy mind freely and be sure that I (ill never tell a soul!T +hereu'on the bold one beganB@@TI )no( not if thou hast ever considered ho( close (e are )e't here, and that (ithin these 'recincts dare never enter any man, unless it be the old ste(ard or this muteB and I have often heard from ladies that have come hither, that all the other s(eets that the (orld has to offer signify not a jot in com'arison of the 'leasure that a (oman has in connexion (ith a man! +hereof I have more than once been minded to ma)e ex'eriment (ith this mute, no other man being available! ;or, indeed, could one find any man in the (hole (orld so meet thereforI seeing that he could not blab if he (ouldI thou seest that he is but a dull clo(nish lad, (hose si:e has increased out of all 'ro'ortion to his senseI (herefore I (ould fain hear (hat thou hast to say to it!T T3las*T said the other, T(hat isMt thou saystS Nno(est thou not that (e have vo(ed our virginity to GodST TGh,T rejoined the first, Tthin) but ho( many vo(s are made to .im all day long, and never a one 'erformedB and so, for our vo(, let .im find another or others to 'erform it!T TBut,T said her com'anion, Tsu''ose that (e conceived, ho( thenST T;ay but,T 'rotested the first, Tthou goest about to imagine evil before it befalls, theeB time enough to thin) of that (hen it comes to 'assI there (ill be a thousand (ays to 'revent its ever being )no(n, so only (e do not 'ublish it ourselves!T Thus reassured, the other (as no( the more eager of the t(o to test the Ouality of the male human

animal! T+ell then,T she said, Tho( shall (e go about itST and (as ans(eredB@@TThou seest Mtis 'ast noneI I ma)e no doubt but all the sisters are aslee', exce't ourselvesI search (e through the )itchen@garden, to see if there be any there, and if there be none, (e have but to ta)e him by the hand and lead him hither to the hut (here he ta)es shelter from the rainI and then one shall mount guard (hile the other has him (ith her inside! .e is such a sim'leton that he (ill do just (hatever (e bid him!T ;o (ord of this conversation esca'ed "asetto, (ho, being dis'osed to obey, ho'ed for nothing so much as that one of them should ta)e him by the hand! They, mean(hile, loo)ed carefully all about them, and satisfied themselves that they (ere secure from observationB then she that had broached the subject came close u' to "asetto, and shoo) himI (hereu'on he started to his feet! /o she too) him by the hand (ith a blandishing air, to (hich he re'lied (ith some clo(nish grins! 3nd then she led him into the hut, (here he needed no 'ressing to do (hat she desired of him! +hich done, she changed 'laces (ith the other, as loyal comradeshi' reOuiredI and "asetto, still )ee'ing u' the 'retence of sim'licity, did their 'leasure! +herefore before they left, each must needs ma)e another assay of the muteMs 'o(ers of ridingI and after(ards, tal)ing the matter over many times, they agreed that it (as in truth not less but even more delightful than they had been given to understandI and so, as they found convenient o''ortunity, they continued to go and dis'ort themselves (ith the mute!

;o( it so chanced that one of their gossi's, loo)ing out of the (indo( of her cell, sa( (hat they did, and im'arted it to t(o others! The three held counsel together (hether they should not denounce the offenders to the

abbess, but soon changed their mind, and came to an understanding (ith them, (hereby they became 'artners in "asetto! 3nd in course of time by divers chances the remaining three nuns also entered the 'artnershi'! 4ast of all the abbess, still (itting nought of these doings, ha''ened one very hot day, as she (al)ed by herself through the garden, to find "asetto, (ho no( rode so much by night that he could stand very little fatigue by day, stretched at full length aslee' under the shade of an almond@tree, his 'erson Ouite ex'osed in front by reason that the (ind had disarranged his clothes! +hich the lady observing, and )no(ing that she (as alone, fell a 'rey to the same a''etite to (hich her nuns had yieldedB she aroused "asetto, and too) him (ith her to her chamber, (here, for some days, though the nuns loudly com'lained that the gardener no longer came to (or) in the )itchen@garden, she )e't him, tasting and re@tasting the s(eetness of that indulgence (hich she (as (ont to be the first to censure in others! 3nd (hen at last she had sent him bac) from her chamber to his room, she must needs send for him again and again, and made such exorbitant demands u'on him, that "asetto, not being able to satisfy so many (omen, bethought him that his 'art of mute, should he 'ersist in it, might entail disastrous conseOuences! /o one night, (hen he (as (ith the abbess, he cut the tongue@string, and thus bro)e silenceB@@T"adam, I have understood that a coc) may very (ell serve ten hens, but that ten men are sorely tas)ed to satisfy a single (omanI and here am I ex'ected to serve nine, a burden Ouite beyond my 'o(er to bearI nay, by (hat I have already undergone I am no( so reduced that my strength is Ouite s'entI (herefore either bid me Gods'eed, or find some means to ma)e matters tolerable!T +onder@struc) to hear the su''osed mute thus s'ea), the lady exclaimedB@@T+hat means thisS I too) thee to be dumb!T T3nd in sooth, "adam,

so (as I,T said "asetto, Tnot indeed from my birth, but through an illness (hich too) from me the 'o(er of s'eech, (hich only this very night have I recoveredI and so I 'raise God (ith all my heart!T The lady believed himI and as)ed him (hat he meant by saying that he had nine to serve! "asetto told her ho( things stoodI (hereby she 'erceived that of all her nuns there (as not any but (as much (iser than sheI and lest, if "asetto (ere sent a(ay, he should give the convent a bad name, she discreetly determined to arrange matters (ith the nuns in such sort that he might remain there! /o, the ste(ard having died (ithin the last fe( days, she assembled all the nunsI and their and her o(n 'ast errors being fully avo(ed, they by common consent, and (ith "asettoMs concurrence, resolved that the neighbours should be given to understand that by their 'rayers and the merits of their 'atron saint, "asetto, long mute, had recovered the 'o(er of s'eechI after (hich they made him ste(ard, and so ordered matters among themselves that he (as able to endure the burden of their service! In the course of (hich, though he 'rocreated not a fe( little monastics, yet Mt(as all managed so discreetly that no breath of scandal stirred, until after the abbessMs death, by (hich time "asetto (as advanced in years and minded to return home (ith the (ealth that he had gottenI (hich he (as suffered to do, as soon as he made his desire )no(n! 3nd so "asetto, (ho had left 4am'orecchio (ith a hatchet on his shoulder, returned thither in his old age rich and a father, having by the (isdom (ith (hich he em'loyed his youth, s'ared himself the 'ains and ex'ense of rearing children, and averring that such (as the measure that &hrist meted out to the man that set horns on his ca'!

;GVE4 II!

@@ 3 groom lies (ith the (ife of Ning 3gilulf, (ho learns the fact, )ee's his o(n counsel, finds out the groom and shears him! The shorn shears all his fello(s, and so comes safe out of the scra'e! @@

-ilostratoMs story, (hich the ladies had received no( (ith blushes no( (ith laughter, being ended, the Oueen bade Pam'inea follo( suit! +hich behest Pam'inea smilingly obeyed, and thus beganB@@

/ome there are (hose indiscretion is such that they must needs evince that they are fully cogni:ant of that (hich it (ere best they should not )no(, and censuring the covert misdeeds of others, augment beyond measure the disgrace (hich they (ould fain diminish! The truth (hereof, fair ladies, I mean to she( you in the contrary case, (herein a''ears the astuteness of one that held, 'erha's, an even lo(er 'lace than (ould have been "asettoMs in the esteem of a doughty )ing!

3gilulf, Ning of the 4ombards, (ho li)e his 'redecessors made the city of Pavia in 4ombardy the seat of his government, too) to (ife Theodelinde, the (ido( of 3uthari, li)e(ise Ning of the 4ombards, a lady very fair, (ise and virtuous, but (ho (as unfortunate in her lover! -or (hile the 4ombards 'ros'ered in 'eace under the (ise and firm rule of Ning 3gilulf, it so befell that one of the UueenMs grooms, a man born to very lo( estate, but in

native (orth far above his mean office, and moreover not a (hit less tall and goodly of 'erson than the Ning, became inordinately enamoured of her! 3nd as, for all his base condition he had sense enough to recogni:e that his love (as in the last degree 'resum'tuous, he disclosed it to none, nay, he did not even venture to tell her the tale by the mute eloOuence of his eyes! 3nd albeit he lived (ithout ho'e that he should ever be able to (in her favour, yet he in(ardly gloried that he had fixed his affections in so high a 'laceI and being all aflame (ith 'assion, he she(ed himself :ealous beyond any of his comrades to do (hatever he thought (as li)ely to 'lease the Uueen! +hereby it came about, that, (hen the Uueen had to ta)e horse, she (ould mount the 'alfrey that he groomed rather than any otherI and (hen she did so, he deemed himself most highly favoured, and never Ouitted her stirru', esteeming himself ha''y if he might but touch her clothes! But as Mtis freOuently observed that love (axes as ho'e (anes, so (as it (ith this 'oor groom, insomuch that the burden of this great hidden 'assion, alleviated by no ho'e, (as most grievous to bear, and from time to time, not being able to sha)e it off, he 'ur'osed to die! 3nd meditating on the mode, he (as minded that it should be of a )ind to ma)e it manifest that he died for the love (hich he had borne and bore to the Uueen, and also to afford him an o''ortunity of trying his fortune (hether his desire might in (hole or in 'art be gratified! .e had no thought of s'ea)ing to the Uueen, nor yet of declaring his love to her by letter, for he )ne( that Mt(ould be vain either to s'ea) or to (riteI but he resolved to try to devise some means (hereby he might lie (ith the UueenI (hich end might in no other (ay be com'assed than by contriving to get access to her in her bedroomI (hich could only be by 'assing himself off as the Ning, (ho, as he )ne(, did not

al(ays lie (ith her! +herefore, that he might observe the carriage and dress of the Ning as he 'assed to her room, he contrived to conceal himself for several nights in a great hall of the NingMs 'alace (hich se'arated the NingMs room from that of the UueenB and on one of these nights he sa( the Ning issue from his room, (ra''ed in a great mantle, (ith a lighted torch in one hand and a (and in the other, and cross the hall, and, saying nothing, ta' the door of the UueenMs room (ith the (and once or t(iceI (hereu'on the door (as at once o'ened and the torch ta)en from his hand! .aving observed the Ning thus go and return, and being bent on doing li)e(ise, he found means to come by a mantle li)e that (hich he had seen the Ning (ear, and also a torch and a (andB he then too) a (arm bath, and having thoroughly cleansed himself, that the smell of the foul stra( might not offend the lady, or discover to her the deceit, he in this guise concealed himself as he (as (ont in the great hall! .e (aited only until all (ere aslee', and then, deeming the time come to accom'lish his 'ur'ose, or by his 'resum'tion clear a (ay to the death (hich he coveted, he struc) a light (ith the flint and steel (hich he had brought (ith himI and having )indled his torch and (ra''ed himself close in his mantle, he (ent to the door of the UueenMs room, and ta''ed on it t(ice (ith his (and! The door (as o'ened by a very dro(sy chambermaid, (ho too) the torch and 'ut it out of sightI (hereu'on (ithout a (ord he 'assed (ithin the curtain, laid aside the mantle, and got into the bed (here the Uueen lay aslee'! Then, ta)ing her in his arms and straining her to him (ith ardour, ma)ing as if he (ere moody, because he )ne( that, (hen the Ning (as in such a frame, he (ould never hear aught, in such (ise, (ithout (ord said either on his 'art or on hers, he had more than once carnal cogni:ance of the Uueen! 4oath indeed (as he to leave her, but,

fearing lest by too long tarrying his achieved delight might be converted into (oe, he rose, resumed the mantle and the light, and leaving the room (ithout a (ord, returned (ith all s'eed to his bed! .e (as hardly there (hen the Ning got u' and entered the UueenMs roomI (hereat she (ondered not a littleI but, reassured by the gladsome greeting (hich he gave her as he got into bed, she saidB@@T"y lord, (hat a sur'rise is this to@night* MT(as but no( you left me after an un(onted measure of enjoyment, and do you no( return so soonS consider (hat you do!T -rom these (ords the Ning at once inferred that the Uueen had been deceived by some one that had counterfeited his 'erson and carriageI but, at the same time, bethin)ing himself that, as neither the Uueen nor any other had detected the cheat, Mt(as best to leave her in ignorance, he (isely )e't silence! +hich many a fool (ould not have done, but (ould have saidB@@T;ay, Mt(as not I that (as here! +ho (as it that (as hereS .o( came it to 'assS +ho came hitherST +hereby in the seOuel he might have caused the lady needless chagrin, and given her occasion to desire another such ex'erience as she had had, and so have brought disgrace u'on himself by uttering that, from (hich, unuttered, no shame could have resulted! +herefore, betraying little, either by his mien or by his (ords, of the disOuietude (hich he felt, the Ning re'liedB@@T"adam, seem I such to you that you cannot su''ose that I should have been (ith you once, and returned to you immediately after(ardsST T;ay, not so, my lord,T returned the lady, Tbut none the less I 'ray you to loo) to your health!T Then said the NingB@@T3nd I am minded to ta)e your adviceI (herefore, (ithout giving you further trouble I (ill leave you!T /o, angered and incensed beyond measure by the tric) (hich, he sa(, had been 'layed u'on him, he resumed his mantle and Ouitted the room (ith the intention of 'rivily detecting the

offender, deeming that he must belong to the 'alace, and that, (hoever he might be, he could not have Ouitted it! /o, ta)ing (ith him a small lantern (hich she(ed only a glimmer of light, he (ent into the dormitory (hich (as over the 'alace@stables and (as of great length, insomuch that (ell@nigh all the men@servants sle't there in divers beds, and arguing that, by (homsoever that of (hich the Uueen s'o)e (as done, his heart and 'ulse could not after such a strain as yet have ceased to throb, he began cautiously (ith one of the head@grooms, and so (ent from bed to bed feeling at the heart of each man to see if it (as thum'ing! 3ll (ere aslee', save only he that had been (ith the Uueen, (ho, seeing the Ning come, and guessing (hat he sought to discover, began to be mightily afraid, insomuch that to the agitation (hich his late exertion had communicated to his heart, terror no( added one yet more violentI nor did he doubt that, should the Ning 'erceive it, he (ould )ill him! Divers alternatives of action thronged his mindI but at last, observing that the Ning (as unarmed, he resolved to ma)e as if he (ere aslee', and (ait to see (hat the Ning (ould do! /o, having tried many and found none that he deemed the cul'rit, the Ning came at last to the cul'rit himself, and mar)ing the thum'ing of his heart, said to himselfB@@This is he! But being minded to afford no clue to his ulterior 'ur'ose, he did no more than (ith a 'air of scissors (hich he had brought (ith him shear a(ay on one side of the manMs head a 'ortion of his loc)s, (hich, as (as then the fashion, he (ore very long, that by this to)en he might recogni:e him on the morro(I and having so done, he de'arted and returned to his room! The groom, (ho (as fully sensible of (hat the Ning had done, and being a shre(d fello( understood very (ell to (hat end he (as so mar)ed, got u' (ithout a momentMs delayI and, having found a 'air of scissors@@for, as it chanced, there (ere

several 'airs there belonging to the stables for use in grooming the horse@@ he (ent Ouietly through the dormitory and in li)e manner sheared the loc)s of each of the slee'ers just above the earI (hich done (ithout disturbing any, he (ent bac) to bed!

Gn the morro(, as soon as the Ning (as risen, and before the gates of the 'alace (ere o'ened, he summoned all his men@servants to his 'resence, and, as they stood bareheaded before him, scanned them closely to see (hether the one (hom he had sheared (as thereI and observing (ith sur'rise that the more 'art of them (ere all sheared in the same manner, said to himselfB@@Gf a surety this fello(, (hom I go about to detect, evinces, for all his base condition, a high degree of sense! Then, recognising that he could not com'ass his end (ithout causing a bruit, and not being minded to brave so great a dishonour in order to be avenged u'on so 'etty an offender, he (as content by a single (ord of admonition to she( him that his offence had not esca'ed notice! +herefore turning to them all, he saidB@@T.e that did it, let him do it no more, and get you hence in GodMs 'eace!T 3nother (ould have 'ut them to the stra''ado, the Ouestion, the torture, and thereby have brought to light that (hich one should rather be sedulous to cloa)I and having so brought it to light, (ould, ho(ever com'lete the retribution (hich he exacted, have not lessened but vastly augmented his disgrace, and sullied the fair fame of his lady! Those (ho heard the NingMs 'arting admonition (ondered, and made much Ouestion (ith one another, (hat the Ning might have meant to convey by itI but Mt(as understood by none but him to (hom it referredB (ho (as discreet enough never to reveal the secret as long as the Ning lived, or again to sta)e his life on such a venture!

;GVE4 III!

@@ Hnder cloa) of confession and a most s'otless conscience, a lady, enamoured of a young man, induces a booby friar un(ittingly to 'rovide a means to the entire gratification of her 'assion! @@

+hen Pam'inea had done, and several of the com'any had commended the hardihood and (ariness of the groom, as also the (isdom of the Ning, the Oueen, turning to -ilomena, bade her follo( suitB (herefore (ith manner debonair -ilomena thus beganB@@

The story (hich I shall tell you is of a tric) (hich (as actually 'layed by a fair lady u'on a booby religious, and (hich every layman should find the more diverting that these religious, being, for the most 'art, great bloc)heads and men of odd manners and habits, do nevertheless credit themselves (ith more ability and )no(ledge in all )inds than fall to the lot of the rest of the (orldI (hereas, in truth, they are far inferior, and so, not being able, li)e others, to 'rovide their o(n sustenance, are 'rom'ted by sheer baseness to fly thither for refuge (here they may find 'rovender, li)e 'igs! +hich story, s(eet my ladies, I shall tell you, not merely that thereby I may continue the seOuence in obedience to the OueenMs behest, but also to the end that I may let you see that even the religious, in (hom (e

in our boundless credulity re'ose exorbitant faith, may be, and sometimes are, made@@not to say by men@@even by some of us (omen the s'ort of their sly (it!

In our city, (here (iles do more abound than either love or faith, there d(elt, not many years ago, a gentle(oman richly endo(ed 7none more so8 by nature (ith 'hysical charms, as also (ith gracious manners, high s'irit and fine discernment! .er name I )no(, but (ill not disclose it, nor yet that of any other (ho figures in this story, because there yet live those (ho might ta)e offence thereat, though after all it might (ell be 'assed off (ith a laugh! .igh@born and married to an artificer of (oollen fabrics, she could not rid her mind of the disdain (ith (hich, by reason of his occu'ation, she regarded her husbandI for no man, ho(ever (ealthy, so he (ere of lo( condition, seemed to her (orthy to have a gentle(oman to (ifeI and seeing that for all his (ealth he (as fit for nothing better than to devise a blend, set u' a (ar', or higgle about yarn (ith a s'inster, she determined to dis'ense (ith his embraces, save so far as she might find it im'ossible to refuse themI and to find her satisfaction else(here (ith one that seemed to her more meet to afford it than her artificer of (oollens! In this frame of mind she became enamoured of a man (ell (orthy of her love and not yet 'ast middle age, insomuch that, if she sa( him not in the day, she must needs 'ass an unOuiet night! The gallant, mean(hile, remained fancy@free, for he )ne( nought of the ladyMs caseI and she, being a''rehensive of 'ossible 'erils to ensue, (as far too circums'ect to ma)e it )no(n to him either by (riting or by (ord of mouth of any of her female friends! Then she learned that he had much to do (ith a religious, a sim'le, clo(nish fello(,

but nevertheless, as being a man of most holy life, re'uted by almost everybody a most (orthy friar, and decided that she could not find a better intermediary bet(een herself and her lover than this same friar! /o, having matured her 'lan, she hied her at a convenient time to the convent (here the friar abode and sent for him, saying, that, if he so 'leased, she (ould be confessed by him! The friar, (ho sa( at a glance that she (as a gentle(oman, gladly heard her confessionI (hich done, she saidB@@T"y father, I have yet a matter to confide to you, in (hich I must crave your aid and counsel! +ho my )insfol) and husband are, I (ot you )no(, for I have myself told you! "y husband loves me more dearly than his life, and being very (ealthy, he can (ell and does forth(ith afford me (hatever I desire! +herefore, as he loves me, even so I love him more dearly than myselfI nor (as there ever yet (ic)ed (oman that deserved the fire so richly as should I, (ere I guilty@@I s'ea) not of acts, but of so much as a single thought of crossing his (ill or tarnishing his honour! ;o( a man there is@@his name, indeed, I )no( not, but he seems to me to be a gentleman, and, if I mista)e not, he is much (ith you@@a fine man and tall, his garb dun and very decent, (ho, the bent of my mind being, beli)e, Ouite un)no(n to him, (ould seem to have laid siege to me, insomuch that I cannot she( myself at door or casement, or Ouit the house, but forth(ith he 'resents himself before meI indeed I find it 'assing strange that he is not here no(I (hereat I am sorely troubled, because, (hen men so act, unmerited re'roach (ill often thereby be cast u'on honest (omen! 3t times I have been minded to inform my brothers of the matterI but then I have bethought me that men sometimes frame messages in such a (ay as to evo)e unto(ard ans(ers, (hence follo( high (ordsI and so they 'roceed to rash actsB (herefore, to obviate trouble and scandal, I have )e't silence,

and by 'reference have made you my confidant, both because you are the gentlemanMs friend, and because it befits your office to censure such behaviour not only in friends but in strangers! 3nd so I beseech you for the love of our only 4ord God to ma)e him sensible of his fault, and 'ray him to offend no more in such sort! Gther ladies there are in 'lenty, (ho may, 'erchance, be dis'osed to (elcome such advances, and be flattered to attract his fond and assiduous regard, (hich to me, (ho am in no (ise inclined to encourage it, is but a most grievous molestation!T

.aving thus s'o)en, the lady bo(ed her head as if she (ere ready to (ee'! The holy friar (as at no loss to a''rehend (ho it (as of (hom she s'o)eI he commended her virtuous frame, firmly believing that (hat she said (as true, and 'romised to ta)e such action that she should not again suffer the li)e annoyanceI nor, )no(ing that she (as very (ealthy, did he omit to extol (or)s of charity and almsgiving, at the same time o'ening to her his o(n needs! TI ma)e my suit to you,T said she, Tfor the love of GodI and if your friend should deny (hat I have told you, tell him roundly that Mt(as from me you had it, and that I made com'laint to you thereof!T /o, her confession ended and 'enance im'osed, bethin)ing her of the hints (hich the friar had dro''ed touching almsgiving, she sli''ed into his hand as many coins as it (ould hold, 'raying him to say masses for the souls of her dead! /he then rose and (ent home!

;ot long after(ards the gallant 'aid one of his (onted visits to the holy friar! They conversed for a (hile of divers to'ics, and then the friar too) him aside, and very courteously re'roved him for so haunting and 'ursuing

the lady (ith his ga:e, as from (hat she had given him to understand, he su''osed (as his (ont! The gallant, (ho had never regarded her (ith any attention, and very rarely 'assed her house, (as ama:ed, and (as about to clear himself, (hen the friar closed his mouth, sayingB@@T;o( a(ay (ith this 'retence of ama:ement, and (aste not (ords in denial, for Mt(ill not avail thee! I have it not from the neighboursI she herself, bitterly com'laining of thy conduct, told it me! I say not ho( ill this levity beseems theeI but of her I tell thee so much as this, that, if I ever )ne( (oman averse to such idle 'hilandering, she is soI and therefore for thy honourMs sa)e, and that she be no more vexed, I 'ray thee refrain therefrom, and let her be in 'eace!T The gallant, having rather more insight than the holy friar, (as not slo( to 'enetrate the ladyMs finesseI he therefore made as if he (ere rather shame@stric)en, 'romised to go no further (ith the matter, and hied him straight from the friar to the ladyMs house, (here she (as al(ays 'osted at a little casement to see if he (ere 'assing by! 3s she sa( him come, she she(ed him so gay and gracious a mien that he could no longer harbour any doubt that he had 'ut the true construction u'on (hat he had heard from the friarI and thenceforth, to his o(n satisfaction and the immense delight and solace of the lady, he omitted not daily to 'ass that (ay, being careful to ma)e it a''ear as if he came u'on other business! MT(as thus not long before the lady understood that she met (ith no less favour in his eyes than he in hersI and being desirous to add fuel to his flame, and to assure him of the love she bore him, as soon as time and occasion served, she returned to the holy friar, and having sat herself do(n at his feet in the church, fell a (ee'ing! The friar as)ed her in a soothing tone (hat her ne( trouble might be! +hereto the lady ans(eredB@@T"y father, Mtis still that accursed friend

of thine, of (hom I made com'laint to you some days ago, and (ho (ould no( seem to have been born for my most grievous torment, and to cause me to do that by reason (hereof I shall never be glad again, nor venture to 'lace myself at your feet!T T.o(ST said the friarI Thas he not forborne to annoy theeST T;ot he, indeed,T said the ladyI Ton the contrary, Mtis my belief that, since I com'lained to you of him, he has, as if in des'ite, being offended, beli)e, that I did so, 'assed my house seven times for once that he did so before! ;ay, (ould to God he (ere content to 'ass and fix me (ith his eyesI but he is (axed so bold and unabashed that only yesterday he sent a (oman to me at home (ith his com'liments and cajoleries, and, as if I had not 'urses and girdles enough, he sent me a 'urse and a girdleI (hereat I (as, as I still am, so (roth, that, had not conscience first, and then regard for you, (eighed (ith me, I had flo(n into a fren:y of rage! .o(ever, I restrained myself, and resolved neither to do nor to say aught (ithout first letting you )no( it! ;or only soI but, lest the (oman (ho brought the 'urse and girdle, and to (hom I at first returned them, shortly bidding her begone and ta)e them bac) to the sender, should )ee' them and tell him that I had acce'ted them, as I believe they sometimes do, I recalled her and had them bac), albeit Mt(as in no friendly s'irit that I received them from her handI and I have brought them to you, that you may return them to him and tell him that I stand in no need of such gifts from him, because, than)s be to God and my husband, I have 'urses and girdles enough to smother him in! 3nd if after this he leave me not alone, I 'ray you as my father to hold me excused if, come (hat may, I tell it to my husband and brothersI for much liefer had I that he suffer indignity, if so it must be, than that my fair fame should be sullied on his accountB that holds good, friar!T +ee'ing

bitterly as she thus ended, she dre( from under her robe a 'urse of very fine and ornate (or)manshi' and a dainty and costly little girdle, and thre( them into the la' of the friar, (ho, fully believing (hat she said, manifested the utmost indignation as he too) them, and saidB@@TDaughter, that by these advances thou shouldst be moved to anger, I deem neither strange nor censurableI but I am instant (ith thee to follo( my advice in the matter! I chid him some days ago, and ill has he )e't the 'romise that he made meI for (hich cause and this last feat of his I (ill surely ma)e his ears so tingle that he (ill give thee no more troubleI (herefore, for GodMs sa)e, let not thyself be so overcome by (rath as to tell it to any of thy )insfol)I (hich might bring u'on him a retribution greater than he deserves! ;or fear lest thereby thy fair fame should sufferI for I shall ever be thy most sure (itness before God and men that thou art innocent!T The lady made a she( of being some(hat comfortedB then, after a 'ause@@for (ell she )ne( the greed of him and his li)es@@she saidB@@TGf late, /ir, by night, the s'irits of divers of my )insfol) have a''eared to me in my slee', and methin)s they are in most grievous tormentI alms, alms, they crave, nought else, es'ecially my mother, (ho seems to be in so (oful and abject a 'light that Mtis 'itiful to see! "ethin)s Mtis a most grievous torment to her to see the tribulation (hich this enemy of God has brought u'on me! I (ould therefore have you say for their souls the forty masses of /t! Gregory and some of your 'rayers, that God may deliver them from this 'urging fire!T /o saying she sli''ed a florin into the hand of the holy friar, (ho too) it gleefully, and having (ith edifying (ords and many exam'les fortified her in her devotion, gave her his benediction, and suffered her to de'art!

The lady gone, the friar, (ho had still no idea of the tric) that had been 'layed u'on him, sent for his friendI (ho (as no sooner come than he gathered from the friarMs troubled air that he had ne(s of the lady, and (aited to hear (hat he (ould say! The friar re'eated (hat he had said before, and then bro)e out into violent and heated objurgation on the score of the ladyMs latest im'utation! The gallant, (ho did not as yet a''rehend the friarMs drift, gave but a very faint denial to the charge of sending the 'urse and girdle, in order that he might not discredit the lady (ith the friar, if, 'erchance, she had given him the 'urse and girdle! +hereu'on the friar exclaimed (ith great heatB@@T.o( canst thou deny it, thou (ic)ed manS +hy, here they areI she brought them to me in tears (ith her o(n hand! 4oo) at them, and say if thou )no(est them not!T The gallant no( feigned to be much ashamed, and saidB@@T+hy, yes, indeed, I do )no( themI I confess that I did (rongI and I s(ear to you that, no( I )no( her character, you shall never hear (ord more of this matter!T "any (ords follo(edI and then the bloc)headly friar gave the 'urse and girdle to his friend, after (hich he read him a long lecture, besought him to meddle no more (ith such matters, and on his 'romising obedience dismissed him!

Elated beyond measure by the assurance (hich he no( had of the ladyMs love, and the beautiful 'resent, the gallant, on leaving the friar, hied him straight to a s'ot (hence he stealthily gave the lady to see that he had both her giftsB (hereat the lady (as (ell content, the more so as her intrigue seemed ever to 'ros'er more and more! /he (aited no( only for her husbandMs de'arture from home to cro(n her enter'rise (ith success! ;or (as it long before occasion reOuired that her husband should go to Genoa! The

very morning that he too) horse and rode a(ay she hied her to the holy friar, and after many a lamentation she said to him bet(ixt her sobsB@@T"y father, no( at last I tell you out and out that I can bear my suffering no longer! I 'romised you some days ago to do nought in this matter (ithout first letting you )no( itI I am no( come to crave release from that 'romiseI and that you may believe that my lamentations and com'laints are not groundless, I (ill tell you ho( this friend of yours, (ho should rather be called a devil let loose from hell, treated me only this very morning, a little before matins! 3s ill@luc) (ould have it, he learned, I )no( not ho(, that yesterday morning my husband (ent to Genoa, and so this morning at the said hour he came into my garden, and got u' by a tree to the (indo( of my bedroom, (hich loo)s out over the garden, and had already o'ened the casement, and (as about to enter the room, (hen I suddenly a(o)e, and got u' and uttered a cry, and should have continued to cry out, had not he, (ho (as still outside, im'lored my mercy for GodMs sa)e and yours, telling me (ho he (as! /o, for love of you I (as silent, and na)ed as I (as born, ran and shut the (indo( in his face, and he@@bad luc) to him@@made off, I su''ose, for I sa( him no more! &onsider no( if such behaviour be seemly and tolerableB I for my 'art am minded to 'ut u' (ith no more of itI indeed I have endured too much already for love of you!T

+roth beyond measure (as the friar, as he heard her thus s'ea), nor )ne( he (hat to say, exce't that he several times as)ed her if she (ere Ouite certain that it (as no other than he! T.oly name of God*T re'lied the lady, Tas if I did not yet )no( him from another* .e it (as, I tell youI and do you give no credence to his denial!T TDaughter,T said then the friar, Tthere

is here nought else to say but that this is a monstrous 'resum'tion and a most heinous offenceI and thou didst (ell to send him a(ay as thou didst! But seeing that God has 'reserved thee from shame, I (ould im'lore thee that as thou hast t(ice follo(ed my advice, thou do so li)e(ise on this occasion, and ma)ing no com'laint to any of thy )insfol), leave it to me to try if I can control this devil that has sli't his chain, (hom I su''osed to be a saintI and if I succeed in (eaning him from this insensate folly, (ell and goodI and if I fail, thenceforth I give thee leave, (ith my blessing, to do (hatsoever may commend itself to thy o(n judgment!T T4o no(,T ans(ered the lady, Tonce again I (ill not vex or disobey youI but be sure that you so order matters that he refrain from further annoyance, as I give you my (ord that never (ill I have recourse to you again touching this matter!T Then, (ithout another (ord, and (ith a troubled air, she too) leave of him! /carcely (as she out of the church (hen the gallant came u'! The friar called him, too) him aside, and gave him the affront in such sort as Mt(as never before given to any man reviling him as a disloyal and 'erjured traitor! The gallant, (ho by his t(o 'revious lessons had been taught ho( to value the friarMs censures, listened attentively, and sought to dra( him out by ambiguous ans(ers! T+herefore this (rath, /irST he began! T.ave I crucified &hristST T3y, mar) the fello(Ms effrontery*T retorted the friarB Tlist to (hat he says* .e tal)s, forsooth, as if Mt(ere a year or so since, and his villanies and le(dnesses (ere clean gone from his memory for la'se of time! Bet(een matins and no( hast thou forgotten this morningMs outrageS +here (ast thou this morning shortly before daybrea)ST T+here (as IST rejoined the gallantI Tthat )no( not I! MTis indeed betimes that the ne(s has reached you!T TTrue indeed it is,T said the friar, Tthat the ne(s has

reached meB I su''ose that, because the husband (as not there, thou never doubtedst that thou (ouldst forth(ith be received by the lady (ith o'en arms! 3h* the gay gallant* the honourable gentleman* he is no( turned 'ro(ler by night, and brea)s into gardens, and climbs trees* Dost thou thin) by sheer im'ortunity to vanOuish the virtue of this lady, that thou escaladest her (indo(s at night by the treesS /he disli)es thee of all things in the (orld, and yet thou must still 'ersist! +ell indeed hast thou laid my admonitions to heart, to say nothing of the many 'roofs (hich she has given thee of her disdain* But I have yet a (ord for theeB hitherto, not that she bears thee any love, but that she has yielded to my urgent 'rayers, she has )e't silence as to thy misdeedsB she (ill do so no moreB I have given her leave to act as she may thin) fit, if thou givest her any further annoyance! 3nd (hat (ilt thou do if she informs her brothersST The gallant, no( fully a''rised of (hat it im'orted him to )no(, (as 'rofuse in 'romises, (hereby as best he might he reassured the friar, and so left him! The very next night, as soon as the matin hour (as come, he entered the garden, climbed u' the tree, found the (indo( o'en, entered the chamber, and in a trice (as in the embrace of his fair lady! 3nxiously had she ex'ected him, and blithely did she no( greet him, sayingB@@T3ll than)s to master friar that he so (ell taught thee the (ay hither!T Then, (ith many a jest and laugh at the sim'licity of the asinine friar, and many a flout at distaff@fuls and combs and cards, they solaced themselves (ith one another to their no small delight! ;or did they omit so to arrange matters that they (ere (ell able to dis'ense (ith master friar, and yet 'ass many another night together (ith no less satisfactionB to (hich goal I 'ray that I, and all other &hristian souls that are so minded, may be s'eedily guided of God

in .is holy mercy!

;GVE4 IV!

@@ Dom -elice instructs -ra Puccio ho( to attain blessedness by doing a 'enance! -ra Puccio does the 'enance, and mean(hile Dom -elice has a good time (ith -ra PuccioMs (ife! @@

+hen -ilomena, having concluded her story, (as silent, and Dioneo had added a fe( honeyed 'hrases in 'raise of the ladyMs (it and -ilomenaMs closing 'rayer, the Oueen glanced (ith a smile to Pamfilo, and saidB@@T;o(, Pamfilo, give us some 'leasant trifle to s'eed our delight!T TThat gladly (ill I,T returned forth(ith Pamfilo, and thenB@@T"adam,T he began, Tnot a fe( there are that, (hile they use their best endeavours to get themselves 'laces in Paradise, do, by inadvertence, send others thitherB as did, not long ago, betide a fair neighbour of ours, as you shall hear!

.ard by /an Pancra:io there used to live, as I have heard tell, a (orthy man and (ealthy, Puccio di #inieri by name, (ho in later life, under an over'o(ering sense of religion, became a tertiary of the order of /t! -rancis, and (as thus )no(n as -ra Puccio! In (hich s'iritual life he (as the better able to 'ersevere that his household consisted but of a (ife and a maid, and having no need to occu'y himself (ith any craft, he s'ent no

small 'art of his time at churchI (here, being a sim'le soul and slo( of (it, he said his 'aternosters, heard sermons, assisted at the mass, never missed lauds 7i! e! (hen chanted by the seculars8, fasted and mortified his fleshI nay@@so Mt(as (his'ered@@he (as of the -lagellants! .is (ife, "onna Isabetta by name, a (oman of from t(enty@eight to thirty summers, still young for her age, lusty, comely and 'lum' as a casolan708 a''le, had not unfreOuently, by reason of her husbandMs devoutness, if not also of his age, more than she cared for, of abstinenceI and (hen she (as slee'y, or, maybe, riggish, he (ould re'eat to her the life of &hrist, and the sermons of -ra ;astagio, or the lament of the "agdalen, or the li)e! ;o(, (hile such (as the tenor of her life, there returned from Paris a young mon), by name Dom -elice, of the convent of /an Pancra:io, a (ell@favoured man and )een@(itted, and 'rofoundly learned, (ith (hom -ra Puccio became very intimateI and as there (as no Ouestion (hich he could 'ut to him but Dom -elice could ans(er it, and moreover he made great she( of holiness, for (ell he )ne( -ra PuccioMs bent, -ra Puccio too) to bringing him home and entertaining him at brea)fast and su''er, as occasion servedI and for love of her husband the lady also gre( familiar (ith Dom -elice, and (as :ealous to do him honour! /o the mon), being a constant visitor at -ra PuccioMs house, and seeing the lady so lusty and 'lum', surmised that of (hich she must have most lac), and made u' his mind to afford, if he could, at once relief to -ra Puccio and contentment to the lady! /o cautiously, no( and again, he cast an admiring glance in her direction (ith such effect that he )indled in her the same desire (ith (hich he burned, and mar)ing his success, too) the first o''ortunity to declare his 'assion to her! .e found her fully dis'osed to gratify itI but ho( this might be, he (as at a loss to

discover, for she (ould not trust herself (ith him in any 'lace (hatever exce't her o(n house, and there it could not be, because -ra Puccio never travelledI (hereby the mon) (as greatly dejected! 4ong he 'ondered the matter, and at length thought of an ex'edient, (hereby he might be (ith the lady in her o(n house (ithout incurring sus'icion, not(ithstanding that -ra Puccio (as there! /o, being (ith -ra Puccio one day, he said to himB@@ T#easons many have I to )no(, -ra Puccio, that all thy desire is to become a saintI but it seems to me that thou farest by a circuitous route, (hereas there is one very direct, (hich the Po'e and the greater 'relates that are about him )no( and use, but (ill have it remain a secret, because other(ise the clergy, (ho for the most 'art live by alms, and could not then ex'ect alms or aught else from the laity, (ould be s'eedily ruined! .o(ever, as thou art my friend, and hast she(n me much honour, I (ould teach thee that (ay, if I (ere assured that thou (ouldst follo( it (ithout letting another soul in the (orld hear of it!T -ra Puccio (as no( all agog to hear more of the matter, and began most earnestly entreating Dom -elice to teach him the (ay, s(earing that (ithout Dom -eliceMs leave none should ever hear of it from him, and averring that, if he found it 'racticable, he (ould certainly follo( it! TI am satisfied (ith thy 'romises,T said the mon), Tand I (ill she( thee the (ay! Nno( then that the holy doctors hold that (hoso (ould achieve blessedness must do the 'enance of (hich I shall tell theeI but see thou ta)e me judiciously! I do not say that after the 'enance thou (ilt not be a sinner, as thou artI but the effect (ill be that the sins (hich thou hast committed u' to the very hour of the 'enance (ill all be 'urged a(ay and thereby remitted to thee, and the sins (hich thou shalt commit thereafter (ill not be (ritten against thee to thy damnation, but (ill be

Ouit by holy (ater, li)e venial sins! -irst of all then the 'enitent must (ith great exactitude confess his sins (hen he comes to begin the 'enance! Then follo(s a 'eriod of fasting and very strict abstinence (hich must last for forty days, during (hich time he is to touch no (oman (homsoever, not even his (ife! "oreover, thou must have in thy house some 'lace (hence thou mayst see the s)y by night, (hither thou must resort at com'lineI and there thou must have a beam, very broad, and 'laced in such a (ay, that, standing, thou canst rest thy nether 'art u'on it, and so, not raising thy feet from the ground, thou must extend thy arms, so as to ma)e a sort of crucifix, and if thou (ouldst have 'egs to rest them on thou maystI and on this manner, thy ga:e fixed on the s)y, and never moving a jot, thou must stand until matins! 3nd (ert thou lettered, it (ere 'ro'er for thee to say mean(hile certain 'rayers that I (ould give theeI but as thou art not so, thou must say three hundred 'aternosters and as many avemarias in honour of the TrinityI and thus contem'lating the s)y, be ever mindful that God (as the creator of the heaven and the earth, and being set even as &hrist (as u'on the cross, meditate on .is 'assion! Then, (hen the matin@bell sounds, thou mayst, if thou 'lease, go to bed@@but see that thou undress not@@and slee'I but in the morning thou must go to church, and hear at least three masses, and say fifty 'aternosters and as many avemariasI after (hich thou mayst (ith a 'ure heart do aught that thou hast to do, and brea)fastI but at ves'ers thou must be again at church, and say there certain 'rayers, (hich I shall give thee in (riting and (hich are indis'ensable, and after com'line thou must re'eat thy former exercise! Do this, and I, (ho have done it before thee, have good ho'e that even before thou shalt have reached the end of the 'enance, thou (ilt, if thou shalt do it in a devout s'irit, have

already a marvellous foretaste of the eternal blessedness!T TThis,T said -ra Puccio, Tis neither a very severe nor a very long 'enance, and can be very easily managedB (herefore in GodMs name I (ill begin on /unday!T 3nd so he too) his leave of Dom -elice, and (ent home, and, by Dom -eliceMs 'ermission, informed his (ife of every 'articular of his intended 'enance!

The lady understood very (ell (hat the mon) meant by enjoining him not to stir from his 'ost until matinsI and deeming it an excellent device, she said that she (as (ell content that he should do this or aught else that he thought good for his soulI and to the end that his 'enance might be blest of, she (ould herself fast (ith him, though she (ould go no further! /o they did as they had agreedB (hen /unday came -ra Puccio began his 'enance, and master mon), by understanding (ith the lady, came most evenings, at the hour (hen he (as secure from discovery, to su' (ith her, al(ays bringing (ith him abundance both of meat and of drin), and after sle't (ith her till the matin hour, (hen he got u' and left her, and -ra Puccio (ent to bed! The 'lace (hich -ra Puccio had chosen for his 'enance (as close to the room in (hich the lady sle't, and only se'arated from it by the thinnest of 'artitionsI so that, the mon) and the lady dis'orting themselves (ith one another (ithout stint or restraint, -ra Puccio thought he felt the floor of the house sha)e a little, and 'ausing at his hundredth 'aternoster, but (ithout leaving his 'ost, called out to the lady to )no( (hat she (as about! The lady, (ho dearly loved a jest, and (as just then riding the horse of /t! Benedict or /t! ohn Gualbert, ans(eredB@@TIMfaith, husband, I am as restless as may be!T T#estless,T said -ra Puccio, Tho( soS +hat means this restlessnessST +hereto (ith a hearty laugh, for (hich she doubtless had good occasion, the

bonny lady re'liedB@@T+hat means itS .o( should you as) such a OuestionS +hy, I have heard you say a thousand timesB@@M+ho fasting goes to bed, uneasy lies his head!MT -ra Puccio, su''osing that her (a)efulness and restlessness abed (as due to (ant of food, said in good faithB@@T+ife, I told thee I (ould have thee not fastI but as thou hast chosen to fast, thin) not of it, but thin) ho( thou mayst com'ose thyself to slee'I thou tossest about the bed in such sort that the sha)ing is felt here!T TThat need cause thee no alarm,T rejoined the lady! TI )no( (hat I am aboutI I (ill manage as (ell as I can, and do thou li)e(ise!T /o -ra Puccio said no more to her, but resumed his 'aternostersI and thenceforth every night, (hile -ra PuccioMs 'enance lasted, the lady and master mon), having had a bed made u' for them in another 'art of the house, did there (anton it most gamesomely, the mon) de'arting and the lady going bac) to her bed at one and the same time, being shortly before -ra PuccioMs return from his nightly vigil! The friar thus 'ersisting in his 'enance (hile the lady too) her fill of 'leasure (ith the mon), she (ould from time to time say jestingly to himB@@TThou layest a 'enance u'on -ra Puccio (hereby (e are re(arded (ith Paradise!T /o (ell indeed did she relish the dainties (ith (hich the mon) regaled her, the more so by contrast (ith the abstemious life to (hich her husband had long accustomed her, that, (hen -ra PuccioMs 'enance (as done, she found means to enjoy them else(here, and ordered her indulgence (ith such discretion as to ensure its long continuance! +hereby 7that my story may end as it began8 it came to 'ass that -ra Puccio, ho'ing by his 'enance to (in a 'lace for himself in Paradise, did in fact translate thither the mon) (ho had she(n him the (ay, and the (ife (ho lived (ith him in great dearth of that of (hich the mon) in his charity gave her su'erabundant largess!

708 Perha's from &asoli, near ;a'les!

;GVE4 V!

@@ Xima gives a 'alfrey to "esser -rancesco Vergellesi, (ho in return suffers him to s'ea) (ith his (ife! /he )ee'ing silence, he ans(ers in her stead, and the seOuel is in accordance (ith his ans(er! @@

+hen Pamfilo had brought the story of -ra Puccio to a close amid the laughter of the ladies, the Oueen debonairly bade Elisa follo( suitI and she, (hose manner had in it a slight touch of severity, (hich beto)ened not des'ite, but (as habitual to her, thus beganB@@

"any there are that, being very )no(ing, thin) that others are Ouite the reverseI and so, many a time, thin)ing to beguile others, are themselves beguiledI (herefore I deem it the height of folly for any one (antonly to challenge another to a contest of (it! But, as, 'erchance, all may not be of the same o'inion, I am minded, (ithout deviating from the 'rescribed order, to acOuaint you (ith that (hich thereby befell a certain )night of Pistoia! Nno( then that at Pistoia there lived a )night, "esser -rancesco, by name, of the Vergellesi family, a man of much (ealth and good 'arts, being both (ise and clever, but (ithal niggardly beyond measure! +hich "esser

-rancesco, having to go to "ilan in the ca'acity of 'odesta, had 'rovided himself (ith all that (as meet for the honourable su''ort of such a dignity, save only a 'alfrey handsome enough for himI and not being able to come by any such, he felt himself at a loss! ;o( there (as then in Pistoia a young man, #icciardo by name, of lo( origin but great (ealth, (ho (ent al(ays so trim and fine and fo''ish of 'erson, that fol) had besto(ed u'on him the name of Xima,708 by (hich he (as generally )no(n! Xima had long and to no 'ur'ose burned and yearned for love of "esser -rancescoMs very fair and no less virtuous (ife! .is 'assion (as matter of common notorietyI and so it befell that some one told "esser -rancesco that he had but to as) Xima, (ho (as the 'ossessor of one of the handsomest 'alfreys in Tuscany, (hich on that account he greatly 'ri:ed, and he (ould not hesitate to give him the horse for the love (hich he bore his (ife! /o our niggardly )night sent for Xima, and offered to buy the horse of him, ho'ing thereby to get him from Xima as a gift! Xima heard the )night gladly, and thus made ans(erB@@T/ell you my horse, /ir, I (ould not, though you gave me all that you have in the (orldI but I shall be ha''y to give him to you, (hen you (ill, on this condition, that, before he 'ass into your hands, I may by your leave and in your 'resence say a fe( (ords to your (ife so 'rivately that I may be heard by her alone!T Thin)ing at once to gratify his cu'idity and to out(it Xima, the )night ans(ered that he (as content that it should be even as Xima (ished! Then, leaving him in the hall of the 'alace, he (ent to his ladyMs chamber, and told her the easy terms on (hich he might acOuire the 'alfrey, bidding her give Xima his audience, but on no account to vouchsafe him a (ord of re'ly! This the lady found by no means to her mind, but, as she must needs obey her husbandMs commands, she 'romised com'liance, and follo(ed him

into the hall to hear (hat Xima might have to say! Xima then rene(ed his contract (ith the )night in due formI (hereu'on, the lady being seated in a 'art of the hall (here she (as Ouite by herself, he sate do(n by her side, and thus beganB@@T;oble lady, I have too much res'ect for your understanding to doubt that you have long been (ell a(are of the extremity of 'assion (hereto I have been brought by your beauty, (hich certainly exceeds that of any other lady that I have ever seen, to say nothing of your exOuisite manners and incom'arable virtues, (hich might (ell serve to ca'tivate every soaring s'irit that is in the (orldI (herefore there need no (ords of mine to assure you that I love you (ith a love greater and more ardent than any that man yet bore to (oman, and so (ithout doubt I shall do, as long as my (oful life shall hold this frame togetherI nay, longer yet, for, if love there be in the next (orld as in this, I shall love you evermore! 3nd so you may ma)e your mind secure that there is nothing that is yours, be it 'recious or be it common, (hich you may count as in such and so sure a sort your o(n as me, for all that I am and have! 3nd that thereof you may not lac) evidence of infallible cogency, I tell you, that I should deem myself more highly favoured, if I might at your command do some(hat to 'leasure you, than if at my command the (hole (orld (ere forth(ith to yield me obedience! 3nd as Mtis even in such sort that I am yours, Mtis not un(orthily that I ma)e bold to offer my 'etitions to Cour .ighness, as being to me the sole, exclusive source of all 'eace, of all bliss, of all health! +herefore, as your most lo(ly vassal, I 'ray you, dear my bliss, my soulMs one ho'e, (herein she nourishes herself in loveMs devouring flame, that in your great benignity you deign so far to mitigate the harshness (hich in the 'ast you have she(n to(ards me, yours though I am, that, consoled by your

com'assion, I may say, that, as Mt(as by your beauty that I (as smitten (ith love, so Mtis to your 'ity that I o(e my life, (hich, if in your haughtiness you lend not ear unto my 'rayers, (ill assuredly fail, so that I shall die, and, it may be, Mt(ill be said that you sle( me! MT(ould not redound to your honour that I died for love of youI but let that 'assI I cannot but thin), ho(ever, that you (ould sometimes feel a touch of remorse, and (ould grieve that Mt(as your doing, and that no( and again, relenting, you (ould say to yourselfB@@M3h* ho( (rong it (as of me that I had not 'ity on my XimaIM by (hich too late re'entance you (ould but enhance your grief! +herefore, that this come not to 'ass, re'ent you (hile it is in your 'o(er to give me ease, and she( 'ity on me before I die, seeing that (ith you it rests to ma)e me either the gladdest or the saddest man that lives! "y trust is in your generosity, that Mt(ill not broo) that a love so great and of such a sort as mine should receive death for guerdon, and that by a gladsome and gracious ans(er you (ill re'air my shattered s'irits, (hich are all a@tremble in your 'resence for very fear!T +hen he had done, he heaved several very dee' sighs, and a fe( tears started from his eyes, (hile he a(aited the ladyMs ans(er!

4ong time he had (ooed her (ith his eyes, had tilted in her honour, had greeted her rising (ith musicI and against these and all li)e modes of attac) she had been 'roofI but the heartfelt (ords of her most ardent lover (ere not (ithout their effect, and she no( began to understand (hat she had never till then understood, to (it, (hat love really means! /o, albeit she obeyed her lordMs behest, and )e't silence, yet she could not but betray by a slight sigh that (hich, if she might have given Xima his ans(er, she (ould

readily have avo(ed! 3fter (aiting a (hile, Xima found it strange that no ans(er (as forthcomingI and he then began to 'erceive the tric) (hich the )night had 'layed him! .o(ever, he )e't his eyes fixed on the lady, and observing that her eyes glo(ed no( and again, as they met his, and noting the 'artially su''ressed sighs (hich esca'ed her, he gathered a little ho'e, (hich gave him courage to try a novel 'lan of attac)! /o, (hile the lady listened, he began to ma)e ans(er for her to himself on this (iseB@@TXima mine, true indeed it is that long since I discerned that thou didst love me (ith a love exceeding great and (hole@hearted, (hereof I have no( yet am'ler assurance by thine o(n (ords, and (ell content I am there(ith, as indeed I ought to be! 3nd ho(ever harsh and cruel I may have seemed to thee, I (ould by no means have thee believe, that I have been such at heart as I have seemed in as'ectI rather, be assured that I have ever loved thee and held thee dear above all other menI the mien (hich I have (orn (as but 'rescribed by fear of another and solicitude for my fair fame! But a time (ill soon come (hen I shall be able to give thee 'lain 'roof of my love, and to accord the love (hich thou hast borne and dost bear me its due guerdon! +herefore be comforted and of good ho'eI for, "esser -rancesco is to go in a fe( daysM time to "ilan as 'odesta, as thou (ell )no(est, seeing that for love of me thou hast given him thy fine 'alfreyI and I vo( to thee u'on my faith, u'on the true love (hich I bear thee, that (ithout fail, (ithin a fe( days thereafter thou shalt be (ith me, and (e (ill give our love com'lete and gladsome consummation! 3nd that I may have no more occasion to s'ea) to thee of this matter, be it understood bet(een us that henceforth (hen thou shalt observe t(o to(els dis'osed at the (indo( of my room (hich overloo)s the garden, thou shalt come to me after nightfall of that same day by the garden

door 7and loo) (ell to it that thou be not seen8, and thou shalt find me (aiting for thee, and (e (ill have our fill of mutual cheer and solace all night long!T

.aving thus ans(ered for the lady, Xima resumed his o(n 'erson and thus re'lied to the ladyB@@TDearest madam, your boon res'onse so over'o(ers my every faculty that scarce can I frame (ords to render you due than)sI and, (ere I able to utter all I feel, time, ho(ever long, (ould fail me fully to than) you as I (ould fain and as I oughtB (herefore I must even leave it to your sage judgment to divine that (hich I yearn in vain to 'ut in (ords! 4et this one (ord suffice, that as you bid me, so I shall not fail to doI and then, having, 'erchance, firmer assurance of the great boon (hich you have granted me, I (ill do my best endeavour to than) you in terms the am'lest that I may command! -or the 'resent there is no more to sayI and so, dearest my lady, I commend you to GodI and may .e grant you your heartMs content of joy and bliss!T To all (hich the lady returned never a (ordB (herefore Xima rose and turned to rejoin the )night, (ho, seeing him on his feet, came to(ards him, and said (ith a laughB@@T.o( sayst thouS .ave I faithfully )e't my 'romise to theeST T;ot so, /ir,T re'lied XimaI Tfor by thy (ord I (as to have s'o)en (ith thy (ife, and by thy deed I have s'o)en to a statue of marble!T +hich remar) (as much relished by the )night, (ho, (ell as he had thought of his (ife, thought no( even better of her, and saidB@@T/o thy 'alfrey, that (as, is no( mine out and out!T TMTis even so, /ir,T re'lied XimaI Tbut had I thought to have gotten such fruit as I have from this favour of yours, I (ould not have craved it, but (ould have let you have the 'alfrey as a free giftB and (ould to God I had done so, for, as it is, you

have bought the 'alfrey and I have not sold him!T This dre( a laugh from the )night, (ho (ithin a fe( days thereafter mounted the 'alfrey (hich he had gotten, and too) the road for "ilan, there to enter on his 'odestate! The lady, no( mistress of herself, bethought her of XimaMs (ords, and the love (hich he bore her, and for (hich he had 'arted (ith his 'alfreyI and observing that he freOuently 'assed her house, said to herselfB@@T+hat am I aboutS +hy thro( I my youth a(ayS "y husband is gone to "ilan, and (ill not return for six months, and (hen can he ever restore them to meS +hen I am old* 3nd besides, shall I ever find another such lover as XimaS I am Ouite by myself! There is none to fear, I )no( not (hy I ta)e not my good time (hile I mayB I shall not al(ays have the li)e o''ortunity as at 'resentB no one (ill ever )no(I and if it should get )no(n, Mtis better to do and re'ent than to forbear and re'ent!T Gf (hich meditations the issue (as that one day she set t(o to(els in the (indo( overloo)ing the garden, according to XimaMs (ord, and Xima having mar)ed them (ith much exultation, stole at nightfall alone to the door of the ladyMs garden, and finding it o'en, crossed to another door that led into the house, (here he found the lady a(aiting him! Gn sight of him she rose to meet him, and gave him the heartiest of (elcomes! 3 hundred thousand times he embraced and )issed her, as he follo(ed her u'stairsB then (ithout delay they hied them to bed, and )ne( loveMs furthest bourne! 3nd so far (as the first time from being in this case the last, that, (hile the )night (as at "ilan, and indeed after his return, there (ere seasons not a fe( at (hich Xima resorted thither to the immense delight of both 'arties!

708 -rom the 4o( 4atin ac:ima, ex'lained by Du &ange as Ttonture de dra's,T

the 'rocess of dressing cloth so as to give it an even na'! Xima is thus eOuivalent to Tnitidus!T &f! Vocab! degli 3ccademici della &rusca, T3::imare!T

;GVE4 VI!

@@ #icciardo "inutolo loves the (ife of -ili''ello -ighinolfi, and )no(ing her to be jealous, ma)es her believe that his o(n (ife is to meet -ili''ello at a bagnio on the ensuing dayI (hereby she is induced to go thither, (here, thin)ing to have been (ith her husband, she discovers that she has tarried (ith #icciardo! @@

+hen Elisa had Ouite done, the Oueen, after some commendation of XimaMs sagacity, bade -iammetta follo( (ith a story! +hereto -iammetta, all smiles, res'ondedB@@T"adam, (ith all my heartIT and thus beganB@@

#ichly though our city abounds, as in all things else, so also in instances to suit every to'ic, yet I am minded to journey some distance thence, and, li)e Elisa, to tell you something of (hat goes on in other 'arts of the (orldB (herefore 'ass (e to ;a'les, (here you shall hear ho( one of these sanctified that she( themselves so shy of love, (as by the subtlety of her lover brought to taste of the fruit before she had )no(n the flo(ers of loveI (hereby at one and the same time you may derive from the 'ast counsel

of 'rudence for the future, and 'resent delectation!

In the very ancient city of ;a'les, (hich for loveliness has not its su'erior or 'erha's its eOual in Italy, there once lived a young man, reno(ned ali)e for noble blood and the s'lendour of his vast (ealth, his name #icciardo "inutolo! .e (as mated (ith a very fair and loving (ifeI but nevertheless he became enamoured of a lady (ho in the general o'inion vastly sur'assed in beauty every other lady in ;a'les! &atella@@such (as the ladyMs name@@(as married to a young man, li)e(ise of gentle blood, -ili''ello -ighinolfi by name, (hom she, most virtuous of ladies, loved and held dear above all else in the (orld! Being thus enamoured of &atella, #icciardo "inutolo left none of those means untried (hereby a ladyMs favour and love are (ont to be gained, but for all that he made no (ay to(ards the attainment of his heartMs desireB (hereby he fell into a sort of des'air, and (itless and 'o(erless to loose himself from his love, found life scarce tolerable, and yet )ne( not ho( to die! +hile in this frame he languished, it befell one day that some ladies that (ere of )in to him counselled him earnestly to be Ouit of such a love, (hereby he could but fret himself to no 'ur'ose, seeing that &atella cared for nought in the (orld save -ili''ello, and lived in such a state of jealousy on his account that never a bird fle( but she feared lest it should snatch him from her! /o soon as #icciardo heard of &atellaMs jealousy, he forth(ith began to 'onder ho( he might ma)e it subserve his end! .e feigned to have given u' his love for &atella as ho'eless, and to have transferred it to another lady, in (hose honour he accordingly began to tilt and joust and do all that he had been (ont to do in honour of &atella! ;or (as it long before (ell@nigh all the ;ea'olitans,

including &atella herself, began to thin) that he had forgotten &atella, and (as to the last degree enamoured of the other lady! In this course he 'ersisted, until the o'inion (as so firmly rooted in the minds of all that even &atella laid aside a certain reserve (hich she had used to(ards him (hile she deemed him her lover, and, coming and going, greeted him in friendly, neighbourly fashion, li)e the rest! ;o( it so befell that during the hot season, (hen, according to the custom of the ;ea'olitans, many com'anies of ladies and gentlemen (ent do(n to the sea@coast to recreate themselves and brea)fast and su', #icciardo, )no(ing that &atella (as gone thither (ith her com'any, (ent li)e(ise (ith his, but, ma)ing as if he (ere not minded to stay there, he received several invitations from the ladies of &atellaMs com'any before he acce'ted any! +hen the ladies received him, they all (ith one accord, including &atella, began to rally him on his ne( love, and he furnished them (ith more matter for tal) by feigning a most ardent 'assion! 3t length most of the ladies being gone off, one hither, another thither, as they do in such 'laces, leaving &atella and a fe( others (ith #icciardo, he tossed at &atella a light allusion to a certain love of her husband -ili''ello, (hich thre( her at once into such a fit of jealousy, that she inly burned (ith a vehement desire to )no( (hat #icciardo meant! -or a (hile she )e't her o(n counselI then, broo)ing no more sus'ense, she adjured #icciardo, by the love he bore the lady (hom most he loved, to ex'ound to her (hat he had said touching -ili''ello! .e ans(ered thusB@@TCou have adjured me by her to (hom I dare not deny aught that you may as) of meI my riddle therefore I (ill 'resently read you, 'rovided you 'romise me that neither to him nor to any one else (ill you im'art aught of (hat I shall relate to you, until you shall have ocular evidence of its truthI (hich, so

you desire it, I (ill teach you ho( you may obtain!T The lady acce'ted his terms, (hich rather confirmed her belief in his veracity, and s(ore that she (ould not tell a soul! They then dre( a little a'art, that they might not be overheard by the rest, and #icciardo thus beganB@@T"adam, did I love you, as I once did, I should not dare to tell you aught that I thought might cause you 'ainI but, no( that that love is 'ast, I shall have the less hesitation in telling you the truth! +hether -ili''ello ever resented the love (hich I bore you, or deemed that it (as returned by you, I )no( notB (hether it (ere so or no, he certainly never she(ed any such feeling to meI but so it is that no(, having (aited, 'erha's, until, as he su''oses, I am less li)ely to be on my guard, he she(s a dis'osition to serve me as I doubt he sus'ects that I served himI that is to say, he (ould fain have his 'leasure of my (ife, (hom for some time 'ast he has, as I discover, 'lied (ith messages through most secret channels! /he has told me all, and has ans(ered him according to my instructionsB but only this morning, just before I came hither, I found a (oman in close 'arley (ith her in the house, (hose true character and 'ur'ose I forth(ith divinedI so I called my (ife, and as)ed (hat the (oman (anted! +hereto she ans(eredB@@MMTis this 'ersecution by -ili''ello (hich thou hast brought u'on me by the encouraging ans(ers that thou (ouldst have me give himB he no( tells me that he is most earnestly desirous to )no( my intentions, and that, should I be so minded, he (ould contrive that I should have secret access to a bagnio in this city, and he is most urgent and instant that I should consent! 3nd hadst thou not, (herefore I )no( not, bidden me )ee' the affair afoot, I (ould have dismissed him in such a sort that my movements (ould have been exem't from his 'rying observation for ever!M H'on this I sa( that the affair (as going

too farI I determined to have no more of it, and to let you )no( it, that you may understand ho( he reOuites your (hole@hearted faith, (hich brought me of late to the verge of death! 3nd that you may not su''ose that these are but em'ty (ords and idle tales, but may be able, should you so desire, to verify them by sight and touch, I caused my (ife to tell the (oman (ho still (aited her ans(er, that she (ould be at the bagnio to@morro( about none, during the siestaB (ith (hich ans(er the (oman (ent a(ay (ell content! ;o( you do not, I su''ose, imagine that I (ould send her thitherI but if I (ere in your 'lace, he should find me there instead of her (hom he thin)s to find thereI and (hen I had been some little time (ith him, I (ould give him to understand (ith (hom he had been, and he should have of me such honour as he deserved! +hereby, I doubt not, he (ould be 'ut to such shame as (ould at one and the same time avenge both the (rong (hich he has done to you and that (hich he 'lots against me!T

&atella, as is the (ont of the jealous, hear)ened to #icciardoMs (ords (ithout so much as giving a thought to the s'ea)er or his (iles, inclined at once to credit his story, and began to t(ist certain antecedent matters into accord (ith itI then, suddenly )indling (ith (rath, she ans(ered that to the bagnio she (ould certainly goI Mt(ould cause her no great inconvenience, and if he should come, she (ould so shame him that he should never again set eyes on (oman but his ears (ould tingle! /atisfied by (hat he heard, that his stratagem (as (ell conceived, and success sure, #icciardo added much in corroboration of his story, and having thus confirmed her belief in it, besought her to )ee' it al(ays close, (hereto she 'ledged her faith!

;ext morning #icciardo hied him to the good (oman that )e't the bagnio to (hich he had directed &atella, told her the enter'rise (hich he had in hand, and 'rayed her to aid him therein so far as she might be able! The good (oman, (ho (as much beholden to him, assured him that she (ould gladly do so, and concerted (ith him all that (as to be said and done! /he had in the bagnio a room (hich (as very dar), being (ithout any (indo( to admit the light! This room, by #icciardoMs direction, she set in order, and made u' a bed there as (ell as she could, into (hich bed #icciardo got, as soon as he had brea)fasted, and there a(aited &atellaMs coming!

;o( &atella, still giving more credence to #icciardoMs story than it merited, had gone home in the evening in a most resentful mood, and -ili''ello, returning home the same evening (ith a mind greatly 'reoccu'ied, (as scarce as familiar (ith her as he (as (ont to be! +hich she mar)ing, gre( yet more sus'icious than before, and said to herselfB@@TDoubtless he is thin)ing of the lady of (hom he ex'ects to ta)e his 'leasure to@morro(, as most assuredly he shall notIT and so, musing and meditating (hat she should say to him after their rencounter at the bagnio, she s'ent the best 'art of the night! But@@to shorten my story@@u'on the stro)e of none &atella, ta)ing (ith her a single attendant, but other(ise adhering to her original intention, hied her to the bagnio (hich #icciardo had indicatedI and finding the good (oman there, as)ed her (hether -ili''ello had been there that day! Primed by #icciardo, the good (oman as)ed her, (hether she (ere the lady that (as to come to s'ea) (ith himI to (hich she ans(ered in the affirmative! TGo to him, then,T said the good (oman! 3nd so &atella, in Ouest of that (hich she (ould gladly not have found, (as she(n to the

chamber (here #icciardo (as, and having entered (ithout uncovering her head, closed the door behind her! Gverjoyed to see her, #icciardo s'rang out of bed, too) her in his arms, and said caressinglyB@@T+elcome, my soul!T &atella, dissembling, for she (as minded at first to counterfeit another (oman, returned his embrace, )issed him, and lavished endearments u'on himI saying, the (hile, not a (ord, lest her s'eech should betray her! The dar)ness of the room, (hich (as 'rofound, (as eOually (elcome to bothI nor (ere they there long enough for their eyes to recover 'o(er! #icciardo hel'ed &atella on to the bed, (here, (ith no (ord said on either side in a voice that might be recogni:ed, they lay a long (hile, much more to the solace and satisfaction of the one than of the other 'arty! Then, &atella, deeming it high time to vent her harboured resentment, burst forth in a bla:e of (rath on this (iseB@@T3las* ho( (retched is the lot of (omen, ho( mis'laced of not a fe( the love they bear their husbands* 3h, (oe is me* for eight years have I loved thee more dearly than my lifeI and no( I find that thou, base miscreant that thou art, dost nought but burn and languish for love of another (oman* .ere thou hast been@@(ith (hom, thin)est thouS Even (ith her (hom thou hast too long deluded (ith thy false blandishments, ma)ing 'retence to love her (hile thou art enamoured of another! MTis I, &atella, not the (ife of #icciardo, false traitor that thou artI list if thou )no(est my voiceI Mtis I indeed* 3h* (ould (e (ere but in the light*@@ it seems to me a thousand years till then@@that I might shame thee as thou deservest, vile, 'estilent dog that thou art* 3las* (oe is me* such love as I have borne so many years@@to (homS To this faithless dog, that, thin)ing to have a strange (oman in his embrace, has in the brief (hile that I have been (ith him here lavished u'on me more caresses and endearments than

during all the fore'ast time that I have been his* 3 lively s'ar) indeed art thou to@day, renegade dog, that she(est thyself so lim' and enervate and im'otent at home* But, God be 'raised, thou hast tilled thine o(n 'lot, and not anotherMs, as thou didst believe! ;o (onder that last night thou heldest aloof from meI thou (ast thin)ing of scattering thy seed else(here, and (ast minded to she( thyself a lusty )night (hen thou shouldst join battle! But 'raise be to God and my sagacity, the (ater has nevertheless ta)en its 'ro'er course! +here is thy ans(er, cul'ritS .ast thou nought to sayS .ave my (ords struc) thee dumbS GodMs faith I )no( not (hy I forbear to 'luc) thine eyes out (ith my fingers! Thou thoughtest to 'er'etrate this treason (ith no small secrecyI but, by God, one is as )no(ing as anotherI thy 'lot has failedI I had better hounds on thy trail than thou didst thin) for!T #icciardo, inly delighted by her (ords, made no ans(er, but embraced and )issed her more than ever, and over(helmed her (ith his endearments! /o she continued her re'roaches, sayingB@@T3y, thou thin)est to cajole me (ith thy feigned caresses, (earisome dog that thou art, and so to 'acify and mollify meI but thou art mista)en! I shall never be mollified, until I have covered thee (ith infamy in the 'resence of all our )insfol) and friends and neighbours! 3m I not, miscreant, as fair as the (ife of #icciardo "inutoloS 3m I not as good a lady as sheS +hy dost not ans(er, vile dogS +herein has she the advantage of meS 3(ay (ith thee* touch me notI thou hast done feats of arms more than enough for to@day! +ell I )no( that, no( that thou )no(est (ho I am, thou (ilt (rea) thy (ill on me by forceB but by GodMs grace I (ill yet disa''oint thee! I )no( not (hy I forbear to send for #icciardo, (ho loved me more than himself and yet (as never able to boast that he had a single glance from meI nor )no( I (hy Mt(ere (rong to do so! Thou thoughtest

to have his (ife here, and Mtis no fault of thine that thou hadst her notB so, if I had him, thou couldst not justly blame me!T

Enough had no( been saidB the ladyMs mortification (as extremeI and, as she ended, #icciardo bethought him that, if he suffered her, thus deluded, to de'art, much evil might ensue! .e therefore resolved to ma)e himself )no(n, and disabuse her of her error! /o, ta)ing her in his arms, and cli''ing her so close that she could not get loose, he saidB@@T/(eet my soul, be not (rothB that (hich, (hile artlessly I loved, I might not have, 4ove has taught me to com'ass by guileB )no( that I am thy #icciardo!T

3t these (ords and the voice, (hich she recogni:ed, &atella started, and (ould have s'rung out of the bedI (hich being im'ossible, she essayed a cryI but #icciardo laid a hand u'on her mouth, and closed it, sayingB@@T"adam, that (hich is done can never be undone, though you should cry out for the rest of your days, and should you in such or any other (ise 'ublish this matter to any, t(o conseOuences (ill ensue! In the first 'lace 7and this is a 'oint (hich touches you very nearly8 your honour and fair fame (ill be blastedI for, ho(ever you may say that I lured you hither by guile, I shall deny it, and affirm, on the contrary, that I induced you to come hither by 'romises of money and gifts, and that Mtis but because you are vexed that (hat I gave you did not altogether come u' to your ex'ectations, that you ma)e such a cry and clamourI and you )no( that fol) are more 'rone to believe evil than good, and therefore I am no less li)ely to be believed than you! The further conseOuence (ill be mortal enmity bet(een your husband and me, and the event (ere as li)e to be that I )illed him as that he )illed

meB (hich if I did, you (ould never more )no( joy or 'eace! +herefore, heart of my body, do not at one and the same time bring dishonour u'on yourself and set your husband and me at strife and in jeo'ardy of our lives! Cou are not the first, nor (ill you be the last to be beguiledI nor have I beguiled you to rob you of aught, but for excess of love that I bear, and shall ever bear, you, being your most lo(ly vassal! 3nd though it is no( a great (hile that I, and (hat I have and can and am (orth, are yours, yet I am minded that so it shall be henceforth more than ever before! Cour discretion in other matters is not un)no(n to me, and I doubt not Mt(ill be eOually manifest in this!T

#icciardoMs admonitions (ere received by &atella (ith many a bitter tearI but though she (as very (roth and very sad at heart, yet #icciardoMs true (ords so far commanded the assent of her reason, that she ac)no(ledged that Mt(as 'ossible they might be verified by the event! +herefore she made ans(erBY@T#icciardo, I )no( not ho( God (ill grant me 'atience to bear the villainy and )navery (hich thou hast 'ractised u'on meI and though in this 'lace, to (hich sim'licity and excess of jealousy guided my ste's, I raise no cry, rest assured that I shall never be ha''y, until in one (ay or another I )no( myself avenged of that (hich thou hast done to me! +herefore unhand me, let me goB thou hast had thy desire of me, and hast tormented me to thy heartMs contentB Mtis time to release meI let me go, I 'ray thee!T But #icciardo, seeing that she (as still much ruffled in s'irit, (as resolved not to let her go, until he had made his 'eace (ith her! /o he addressed himself to soothe herI and by dint of most dulcet 'hrases and entreaties and adjurations he did at last 'revail (ith her to give him her

'ardonI nay, by joint consent, they tarried there a great (hile to the exceeding great delight of both! Indeed the lady, finding her loverMs )isses smac) much better than those of her husband, converted her as'erity into s(eetness, and from that day forth cherished a most tender love for #icciardoI (hereof, using all circums'ection, they many a time had solace! God grant us solace of ours!

;GVE4 VII!

@@ Tedaldo, being in disfavour (ith his lady, de'arts from -lorence! .e returns thither after a (hile in the guise of a 'ilgrim, has s'eech of his lady, and ma)es her sensible of her fault! .er husband, convicted of slaying him, he delivers from 'eril of death, reconciles him (ith his brothers, and thereafter discreetly enjoys his lady! @@

/o ceased -iammettaI and, (hen all had besto(ed on her their meed of 'raise, the Oueen@@to lose no time@@forth(ith bade Emilia resume the narration! /o thus Emilia beganB@@

I am minded to return to our city, (hence my t(o last 'redecessors sa( fit to de'art, and to she( you ho( one of our citi:ens recovered the lady he had lost! Nno( then that there (as in -lorence a young noble, his name Tedaldo Elisei, (ho being beyond measure enamoured of a lady hight "onna Ermellina,

(ife of one 3ldobrandino Palermini, and by reason of his admirable Oualities richly deserving to have his desire, found -ortune nevertheless adverse, as she is (ont to be to the 'ros'erous! Inasmuch as, for some reason or another, the lady, having she(n herself gracious to(ards Tedaldo for a (hile, com'letely altered her mien, and not only she(ed him no further favour, but (ould not so much as receive a message from him or suffer him to see her faceI (hereby he fell a 'rey to a grievous and distressful melancholyI but so (ell had he concealed his love that the cause of his melancholy (as surmised by none! .e tried hard in divers (ays to recover the love (hich he deemed himself to have lost for no fault of his, and finding all his efforts unavailing, he resolved to bid the (orld adieu, that he might not afford her (ho (as the cause of his distress the satisfaction of seeing him languish! /o he got together as much money as he might, and secretly, no (ord said to friend or )insman exce't only a familiar gossi', (ho )ne( all, he too) his de'arture for 3ncona! 3rrived there, he assumed the name of -ili''o /antodeccio, and having forgathered (ith a rich merchant, entered his service! The merchant too) him (ith him to &y'rus aboard one of his shi's, and (as so (ell 'leased (ith his bearing and behaviour that he not only gave him a handsome salary but made him in a sort his com'anion, and entrusted him (ith the management of no small 'art of his affairsB (herein he 'roved himself so a't and assiduous, that in the course of a fe( years he (as himself established in credit and (ealth and great re'ute as a merchant! /even years thus 'assed, during (hich, albeit his thoughts freOuently reverted to his cruel mistress, and sorely love smote him, and much he yearned to see her again, yet such (as his firmness that he came off conOueror, until one day in &y'rus it so befell that there (as sung

in his hearing a song that he had himself com'osed, and of (hich the theme (as the mutual love that (as bet(een his lady and him, and the delight that he had of herI (hich as he heard, he found it incredible that she should have forgotten him, and burned (ith such a desire to see her once more, that, being able to hold out no longer, he made u' his mind to return to -lorence! /o, having set all his affairs in order, he betoo) him, attended only by a single servant, to 3nconaI (hence he sent all his effects, as they arrived, for(ard to -lorence, consigning them to a friend of his 3ncontan 'artner, and follo(ed (ith his servant in the disguise of a 'ilgrim returned from the .oly /e'ulchre! 3rrived at -lorence, he 'ut u' at a little hostelry )e't by t(o brothers hard by his ladyMs house, (hither he forth(ith hied him, ho'ing that, 'erchance, he might have sight of her from the streetI but, finding all barred and bolted, doors, (indo(s and all else, he doubted much, she must be dead, or have removed thence! /o, (ith a very heavy heart, he returned to the house of the t(o brothers, and to his great sur'rise found his o(n four brothers standing in front of it, all in blac)! .e )ne( that he (as so changed from his former semblance, both in dress and in 'erson, that he might not readily be recogni:ed, and he had therefore no hesitation in going u' to a shoema)er and as)ing him (hy these men (ere all dressed in blac)! The shoema)er ans(eredB@@TMTis because Mtis not fifteen days since a brother of theirs, Tedaldo by name, that had been long abroad, (as slainI and I understand that they have 'roved in court that one 3ldobrandino Palermini, (ho is under arrest, did the deed, because Tedaldo, (ho loved his (ife, (as come bac) to -lorence incognito to forgather (ith her!T Tedaldo found it 'assing strange that there should be any one so li)e him as to be mista)en for him, and de'lored 3ldobrandinoMs evil 'light! .e

had learned, ho(ever, that the lady (as alive and (ell! /o, as Mt(as no( night, he hied him, much 'er'lexed in mind, into the inn, and su''ed (ith his servant! The bedroom assigned him (as almost at the to' of the house, and the bed (as none of the best! Thoughts many and disOuieting haunted his mind, and his su''er had been but light! +hereby it befell that midnight came and (ent, and Tedaldo (as still a(a)e! 3s thus he (atched, he heard shortly after midnight, a noise as of 'ersons descending from the roof into the house, and then through the chin)s of the door of his room he caught the flic)er of an ascending light! +herefore he stole softly to the door, and 'ee'ing through a chin) to ma)e out (hat (as afoot, he sa( a very fine young (oman bearing a light, and three men ma)ing to(ards her, being evidently those that had descended from the roof! The men exchanged friendly greetings (ith the young (oman, and then one said to herB@@T;o(, God be 'raised, (e may ma)e our minds easy, for (e are (ell assured that judgment for the death of Tedaldo Elisei is gotten by his brothers against 3ldobrandino Palermini, and he has confessed, and the sentence is already dra(n u'I but still it behoves us to hold our 'eaceI for, should it ever get abroad that (e (ere guilty, (e shall stand in the li)e jeo'ardy as 3ldobrandino!T /o saying, they too) leave of the (oman, (ho seemed much cheered, and (ent to bed! +hat he had heard set Tedaldo musing on the number and variety of the errors to (hich men are liableB as, first, ho( his brothers had mourned and interred a stranger in his stead, and then charged an innocent man u'on false sus'icion, and by false (itness brought him into imminent 'eril of deathB from (hich he 'assed to 'onder the blind severity of la(s and magistrates, (ho from misguided :eal to elicit the truth not unfreOuently become ruthless, and, adjudging that (hich is false, forfeit the title (hich they

claim of ministers of God and justice, and do but execute the mandates of iniOuity and the Evil Gne! 3nd so he came at last to consider the 'ossibility of saving 3ldobrandino, and formed a 'lan for the 'ur'ose! 3ccordingly, on the morro(, (hen he (as risen, he left his servant at the inn, and hied him alone, at (hat he deemed a convenient time, to his ladyMs house, (here, finding, by chance, the door o'en, he entered, and sa( his lady sitting, all tears and lamentations, in a little 'arlour on the ground@floor! +hereat he all but (e't for sym'athyI and dra(ing near her, he saidB@@T"adam, be not troubled in s'iritB your 'eace is nigh you!T +hereu'on the lady raised her head, and said bet(een her sobsB@@TGood man, (hat dost thou, a 'ilgrim, if I mista)e not, from distant 'arts, )no( either of my 'eace or of my afflictionST T"adam,T returned the 'ilgrim, TI am of &onstantino'le, and am but no( come hither, at GodMs behest, that I may give you laughter for tears, and deliver your husband from death!T TBut,T said the lady, Tif thou art of &onstantino'le, and but no( arrived, ho( isMt that thou )no(est either (ho my husband is, or (ho I amST +hereu'on the 'ilgrim gave her the (hole narrative, from the very beginning, of 3ldobrandinoMs sufferingsI he also told her, (ho she (as, ho( long she had been married, and much besides that (as )no(n to him of her affairsB (hereat the lady (as lost in (onder, and, ta)ing him to be a 'ro'het, thre( herself on her )nees at his feet, and besought him for GodMs sa)e, if he (ere come to save 3ldobrandino, to lose no time, for the matter broo)ed no delay! Thus adjured, the 'ilgrim assumed an air of great sanctity, as he saidB@@T3rise, "adam, (ee' not, but hear)en diligently to (hat I shall say to you, and loo) to it that you im'art it to none! I have it by revelation of God that the tribulation (herein you stand is come u'on you in reOuital of a sin (hich

you did once commit, of (hich God is minded that this suffering be a 'artial 'urgation, and that you ma)e re'aration in full, if you (ould not find yourself in a far more grievous 'light!T T/ir,T re'lied the lady, Tmany sins have I committed, nor )no( I ho( among them all to single out that (hereof, more than another, God reOuires re'aration at my hands@@(herefore, if you )no( it, tell it me, and (hat by (ay of re'aration I may do, that (ill I do!T T"adam,T returned the 'ilgrim, T(ell (ot I (hat it is, nor shall I Ouestion you thereof for my better instruction, but that the rehearsal may give you increase of remorse therefor! But 'ass (e no( to fact! Tell me, mind you ever to have had a loverST +hereat the lady heaved a dee' sighI then, marvelling not a little, for she had thought Mt(as )no(n to none, albeit on the day (hen the man (as slain, (ho (as after(ards buried as Tedaldo, there had been some bu:: about it, occasioned by some indiscreet (ords dro''ed by TedaldoMs gossi' and confidant, she made ans(erB@@TI see that there is nought that men )ee' secret but God reveals it to youI (herefore I shall not endeavour to hide my secrets from you! True it is that in my youth I (as beyond measure enamoured of the unfortunate young man (hose death is im'uted to my husbandI (hom I mourned (ith grief unfeigned, for, albeit I she(ed myself harsh and cruel to(ards him before his de'arture, yet neither thereby, nor by his long absence, nor yet by his calamitous death (as my heart estranged from him!T Then said the 'ilgrimB@@TMT(as not the unfortunate young man no( dead that you did love, but Tedaldo Elisei! But let that 'assI no( tell meB (herefore lost he your good gracesS Did he ever offend youST T;ay verily,T ans(ered the lady, The never offended me at all! "y harshness (as 'rom'ted by an accursed friar, to (hom I once confessed, and (ho, (hen I told him of the love I bore Tedaldo,

and my intimacy (ith him, made my ears so tingle and sing that I still shudder to thin) of it, (arning me that, if I gave it not u', I should fall into the ja(s of the Devil in the abyss of hell, and be cast into the avenging fire! +hereby I (as so terrified that I Ouite made my mind u' to discontinue my intimacy (ith him, and, to trench the matter, I (ould thenceforth have none of his letters or messagesI and so, I su''ose, he (ent a(ay in des'air, though I doubt not, had he 'ersevered a (hile longer, I should not have seen him (asting a(ay li)e sno( in sunshine (ithout relenting of my harsh resolveI for in sooth there (as nothing in the (orld I (ould so gladly have done!T Then said the 'ilgrimB@@T"adam, Mtis this sin, and this only, that has brought u'on you your 'resent tribulation! I )no( 'ositively that Tedaldo did never 'ut force u'on youB Mt(as of your o(n free (ill, and for that he 'leased you, that you became enamoured of him, your constant visitor, your intimate friend he became, because you yourself (ould have it soI and in the course of your intimacy you she(ed him such favour by (ord and deed that, if he loved you first, you multi'lied his love full a thousandfold! 3nd if so it (as, and (ell I )no( it (as so, (hat justification had you for thus harshly severing yourself from himS Cou should have considered the (hole matter before the die (as cast, and not have entered u'on it, if you deemed you might have cause to re'ent you of it as a sin! 3s soon as he became yours, you became his! .ad he not been yours, you might have acted as you had thought fit, at your o(n unfettered discretion, but, as you (ere his, Mt(as robbery, Mt(as conduct most disgraceful, to sever yourself from him against his (ill! ;o( you must )no( that I am a friarI and therefore all the (ays of friars are familiar to meI nor does it misbecome me, as it might another, to s'ea) for your behoof

some(hat freely of themI as I am minded to do that you may have better understanding of them in the future than you (ould seem to have had in the 'ast! Time (as (hen the friars (ere most holy and (orthy men, but those (ho to@day ta)e the name and claim the re'utation of friars have nought of the friar save only the habitB nay, they have not even thatB for, (hereas their founders ordained that their habits should be strait, of a sorry sort, and of coarse stuff, a't symbols of a soul that in arraying the body in so mean a garb did des'ite to all things tem'oral, our modern friars (ill have them full, and double, and res'lendent, and of the finest stuff, and of a fashion goodly and 'ontifical, (herein (ithout shame they flaunt it li)e 'eacoc)s in the church, in the 'ia::a, even as do the laity in their robes! 3nd as the fisherman casts his net into the stream (ith intent to ta)e many fish at one thro(B so Mtis the main solicitude and study, art and craft of these friars to embrace and entangle (ithin the am'le folds of their vast s(elling s)irts beguines, (ido(s and other foolish (omen, ay, and men li)e(ise in great number! +herefore, to s'ea) (ith more exactitude, the friars of to@day have nought of the habit of the friar save only the colour thereof! 3nd, (hereas the friars of old time sought to (in men to their salvation, those of to@day see) to (in their (omen and their (ealthI (herefore they have made it and ma)e it their sole concern by declamation and imagery to stri)e terror into the souls of fools, and to ma)e believe that sins are 'urged by alms and massesI to the end that they, base (retches that have fled to friarage not to ensue holiness but to esca'e hardshi', may receive from this man bread, from that man (ine, and from the other man a donation for masses for the souls of his dead! True indeed it is that sins are 'urged by almsgiving and 'rayerI but, did they (ho give the alms )no(, did they but understand to

(hom they give them, they (ould be more a't to )ee' them to themselves, or thro( them to so many 'igs! 3nd, )no(ing that the fe(er be they that share great riches, the greater their ease, Mtis the study of each ho( best by declamation and intimidation to oust others from that (hereof he (ould fain be the sole o(ner! They censure lust in men, that, they turning therefrom, the sole use of their (omen may remain to the censorsB they condemn usury and unla(ful gains, that, being entrusted (ith the restitution thereof, they may be able to enlarge their habits, and to 'urchase bisho'rics and other great 'referments (ith the very money (hich they have made believe must bring its 'ossessor to 'erdition! 3nd (hen they are taxed (ith these and many other discreditable 'ractices, they deem that there is no censure, ho(ever grave, of (hich they may not be Ouit by their glib formulaB@@M-ollo( our 'rece'ts, not our 'racticeBM as if Mt(ere 'ossible that the shee' should be of a more austere and rigid virtue than the she'herds! 3nd ho( many of these, (hom they 'ut off (ith this formula, understand it not in the (ay in (hich they enunciate it, not a fe( of them )no(! The friars of to@day (ould have you follo( their 'rece'ts, that is to say, they (ould have you fill their 'urses (ith coin, confide to them your secrets, 'ractise continence, be longsuffering, forgive those that tres'ass against you, )ee' yourselves from evil s'ea)ingI all (hich things are good, seemly, holy! But to (hat endS To the end that they may be able to do that (hich, if the laity do it, they (ill not be able to do! +ho )no(s not that idleness cannot subsist (ithout moneyS /'end thy money on thy 'leasures, and the friar (ill not be able to live in sloth in his order! Go after (omen, and there (ill be no 'lace for the friar! Be not longsuffering, 'ardon not the (rong@doer, and the friar (ill not dare to cross thy threshold to corru't thy family! But

(herefore 'ursue I the to'ic through every detailS They accuse themselves as often as they so excuse themselves in the hearing of all that have understanding! +hy seclude they not themselves, if they misdoubt their 'o(er to lead continent and holy livesS Gr if they must needs not live as recluses, (hy follo( they not that other holy text of the Gos'elB@@&hrist began to do and to teachS708 4et them 'ractise first, and school us (ith their 'rece'ts after(ards! 3 thousand such have I seen in my day, admirers, lovers, 'hilanderers, not of ladies of the (orld alone, but of nunsI ay, and they too such as made the most noise in the 'ul'its! Is it such as they that (e are to follo(S .e that does so, 'leases himselfI but God )no(s if he do (isely! But assume that herein (e must allo( that your censor, the friar, s'o)e truth, to (it, that none may brea) the marriage@vo( (ithout very grave sin! +hat thenS to rob a man, to slay him, to ma)e of him an exile and a (anderer on the face of the earth, are not these yet greater sinsS ;one (ill deny that so they are! 3 (oman that indulges herself in the intimate use (ith a man commits but a sin of natureI but if she rob him, or slay him, or drive him out into exile, her sin 'roceeds from de'ravity of s'irit! That you did rob Tedaldo, I have already she(n you, in that, having of your o(n free (ill become his, you reft you from him! I no( go further and say that, so far as in you lay, you sle( him, seeing that, she(ing yourself ever more and more cruel, you did your utmost to drive him to ta)e his o(n lifeI and in the la(Ms intent he that is the cause that (rong is done is as cul'able as he that does it! ;or is it deniable that you (ere the cause that for seven years he has been an exile and a (anderer u'on the face of the earth! +herefore u'on each of the said three articles you are found guilty of a greater crime than you committed by your intimacy (ith him! But consider (e

the matter more closelyB 'erchance Tedaldo merited such treatmentB nay, but assuredly Mt(as not so! Cou have yourself so confessedB besides (hich I )no( that he loves you more dearly than himself! .e (ould laud, he (ould extol, he (ould magnify you above all other ladies so as never (as heard the li)e, (heresoever Mt(as seemly for him to s'ea) of you, and it might be done (ithout exciting sus'icion! 3ll his bliss, all his honour, all his liberty he avo(ed (as entirely in your dis'osal! +as he not of noble birthS 3nd for beauty might he not com'are (ith the rest of his to(nsfol)S Did he not excel in all the exercises and accom'lishments 'ro'er to youthS +as he not beloved, held dear, (ell seen of all menS Cou (ill not deny it! .o( then could you at the behest of a 'altry friar, silly, brutish and envious, bring yourself to deal (ith him in any harsh sortS I cannot estimate the error of those ladies (ho loo) as)ance on men and hold them chea'I (hereas, bethin)ing them of (hat they are themselves, and (hat and ho( great is the nobility (ith (hich God has endo(ed man above all the other animals, they ought rather to glory in the love (hich men give them, and hold them most dear, and (ith all :eal study to 'lease them, that so their love may never fail! In (hat sort you did so, instigated by the chatter of a friar, some broth@gu::ling, 'astry@gorging )nave (ithout a doubt, you )no(I and 'eradventure his 'ur'ose (as but to instal himself in the 'lace (hence he sought to oust another! This then is the sin (hich the Divine justice, (hich, ever o'erative, suffers no 'erturbation of its even balance, or arrest of judgment, has decreed not to leave un'unishedB (herefore, as (ithout due cause you devised ho( you might des'oil Tedaldo of yourself, so (ithout due cause your husband has been 'laced and is in jeo'ardy of his life on TedaldoMs account, and to your sore affliction! +herefrom if you

(ould be delivered, there is that (hich you must 'romise, ay, and 7much more8 (hich you must 'erformB to (it, that, should it ever betide that Tedaldo return hither from his long exile, you (ill restore to him your favour, your love, your tender regard, your intimacy, and reinstate him in the 'osition (hich he held before you foolishly hear)ened to the half(itted friar!T

Thus ended the 'ilgrimI and the lady, (ho had follo(ed him (ith the closest attention, deeming all that he advanced very sound, and doubting not that her tribulation (as, as he said, in reOuital of her sin, s'o)e thusB@@ T-riend of God, (ell I (ot that the matters (hich you discourse are true, and, than)s to your delineation, I no( in great measure )no( (hat manner of men are the friars, (hom I have hitherto regarded as all ali)e holyI nor doubt I that great (as my fault in the course (hich I 'ursued to(ards TedaldoI and gladly, (ere it in my 'o(er, (ould I ma)e re'aration in the manner (hich you have indicated! But ho( is this feasibleS Tedaldo can never return to us! .e is dead! +herefore I )no( not (hy I must needs give you a 'romise (hich cannot be 'erformed!T T"adam,T returned the 'ilgrim, TMtis revealed to me by God that Tedaldo is by no means dead, but alive and (ell and ha''y, so only he enjoyed your favour!T T;ay, but,T said the lady, Ts'ea) advisedlyI I sa( his body done to death by more than one )nife@(oundI I folded it in these arms, and drenched the dead face (ith many a tearI (hereby, 'erchance, I gave occasion for the bruit that has been made to my disadvantage!T T/ay (hat you may, "adam,T rejoined the 'ilgrim,T I assure you that Tedaldo lives, and if you (ill but give the 'romise, then, for its fulfilment, I have good ho'e that you (ill soon see him!T +hereu'onB TI give

the 'romise,T said the lady, Tand right gladly (ill I ma)e it goodI nor is there aught that might ha''en that (ould yield me such delight as to see my husband free and scatheless, and Tedaldo alive!T Tedaldo no( deemed it (ise to ma)e himself )no(n, and establish the lady in a more sure ho'e of her husbandMs safety! +herefore he saidB@@T"adam, to set your mind at ease in regard of your husband, I must first im'art to you a secret, (hich be mindful to disclose to none so long as you live!T Then@@for such (as the confidence (hich the lady re'osed in the 'ilgrimMs a''arent sanctity that they (ere by themselves in a 'lace remote from observation@@Tedaldo dre( forth a ring (hich he had guarded (ith the most jealous care, since it had been given him by the lady on the last night (hen they (ere together, and said, as he she(ed it to herB@@T"adam, )no( you thisST The lady recogni:ed it forth(ith, and ans(eredB@@TI do, /irI I gave it long ago to Tedaldo!T Then the 'ilgrim, rising and thro(ing off his sclavine7A8 and hat, said (ith the -lorentine accentB@@T3nd )no( you meST The lady recogni:ing forth(ith the form and semblance of Tedaldo, (as struc) dumb (ith (onder and fear as of a cor'se that is seen to go about as if alive, and (as much rather dis'osed to turn and flee from Tedaldo returned from the tomb than to come for(ard and (elcome Tedaldo arrived from &y'rus! But (hen Tedaldo said to herB@@T-ear not, "adam, your Tedaldo am I, alive and (ell, nor (as I ever dead, (hatever you and my brothers may thin),T the lady, 'artly a(ed, 'artly reassured by his voice, regarded him (ith rather more attention, and inly affirming that Mt(as in very truth Tedaldo, thre( herself u'on his nec), and (e't, and )issed him, sayingB@@T/(eet my Tedaldo, (elcome home!T T"adam,T re'lied Tedaldo after he had )issed and embraced her, Ttime serves not no( for greetings more intimate! MTis for me to be u' and doing, that

3ldobrandino may be restored to you safe and soundI touching (hich matter you (ill, I trust, before to@morro( at even hear tidings that (ill gladden your heartI indeed I ex'ect to have good ne(s to@night, and, if so, (ill come and tell it you, (hen I shall be less straitened than I am at 'resent!T .e then resumed his sclavine and hat, and having )issed the lady again, and bade her be of good cheer, too) his leave, and hied him to the 'rison, (here 3ldobrandino lay more occu'ied (ith a''rehension of imminent death than ho'e of deliverance to come! 3s ministrant of consolation, he gained ready admittance of the (arders, and, seating himself by 3ldobrandinoMs side, he saidB@@T3ldobrandino, in me thou seest a friend sent thee by God, (ho is touched (ith 'ity of thee by reason of thy innocenceI (herefore, if in reverent submission to .im thou (ilt grant me a slight favour that I shall as) of thee, (ithout fail, before to@morro( at even, thou shalt, in lieu of the doom of death that thou a(aitest, hear thy acOuittal 'ronounced!T T+orthy man,T re'lied 3ldobrandino, TI )no( thee not, nor mind I ever to have seen theeI (herefore, as thou she(est thyself solicitous for my safety, my friend indeed thou must needs be, even as thou sayst! 3nd in sooth the crime, for (hich they say I ought to be doomed to death, I never committed, though others enough I have committed, (hich 'erchance have brought me to this extremity! .o(ever, if so be that God has no( 'ity on me, this I tell thee in reverent submission to .im, that, (hereas Mtis but a little thing that thou cravest of me, there is nought, ho(ever great, but I (ould not only 'romise but gladly do itI (herefore, even as) (hat thou (ilt, and, if so be that I esca'e, I (ill (ithout fail )ee' my (ord to the letter!T T;ay,T returned the 'ilgrim, TI as) but this of thee, that thou 'ardon TedaldoMs four brothers, that in the belief that thou (ast guilty of their brotherMs

death they brought thee to this strait, and, so they as) thy forgiveness, account them as thy brothers and friends!T T.o( s(eet,T re'lied 3ldobrandino, Tis the savour, ho( ardent the desire, of vengeance, none )no(s but he that is (rongedI but yet, so God may ta)e thought for my deliverance, I (ill gladly 'ardon, nay, I do no( 'ardon them, and if I go hence alive and free, I (ill thenceforth have them in such regard as shall content thee!T /atisfied (ith this ans(er, the 'ilgrim, (ithout further 'arley, heartily exhorted 3ldobrandino to be of good cheerI assuring him that, before the next day (as done, he should be certified beyond all manner of doubt of his deliveranceI and so he left him!

Gn Ouitting the 'rison the 'ilgrim hied him forth(ith to the signory, and being closeted (ith a )night that (as in charge, thus s'o)eB@@T"y lord, Mtis the duty of all, and most es'ecially of those (ho hold your 'lace, :ealously to bestir themselves that the truth be brought to light, in order as (ell that those bear not the 'enalty (ho have not committed the crime, as that the guilty be 'unished! 3nd that this may come to 'ass to your honour and the undoing of the delinOuent, I am come hither to you! Cou (ot that you have dealt rigorously (ith 3ldobrandino Palermini, and have found, as you thin), that Mt(as he that sle( Tedaldo Elisei, and you are about to condemn himI (herein you are most certainly in error, as I doubt not before midnight to 'rove to you, delivering the murderers into your hands!T The (orthy )night, (ho (as not (ithout 'ity for 3ldobrandino, readily gave ear to the 'ilgrimMs (ords! .e conversed at large (ith him, and availing himself of his guidance, made an easy ca'ture of the t(o brothers that )e't the inn and their servant in their first slee'! .e (as about to 'ut them the torture, to

elicit the true state of the case, (hen, their courage failing, they confessed (ithout the least reserve, severally at first, and then jointly, that Mt(as they that had slain Tedaldo Elisei, not )no(ing (ho he (as! 3s)ed for (hy, they ans(ered that Mt(as because he had sorely harassed the (ife of one of them, and (ould have constrained her to do his 'leasure, (hile they (ere out of doors! +hereof the 'ilgrim (as no sooner a''rised, than by leave of the )night he (ithdre(, and hied him 'rivily to the house of "adonna Ermellina, (hom 7the rest of the household being gone to bed8 he found a(aiting him alone, and eOually anxious for good ne(s of her husband and a com'lete reconciliation (ith her Tedaldo! Gn entering, he blithely exclaimedB@@T#ejoice, dearest my lady, for thou mayst rest assured that to@morro( thou shalt have thy 3ldobrandino bac) here safe and soundIT and to confirm her faith in his (ords, he told her all that he had done! Greater joy (as never (omanMs than hers of t(o such glad sur'risesI to (it, to have Tedaldo (ith her alive again, (hom she had (ailed for verily dead, and to )no( 3ldobrandino, (hom she had thought in no long time to (ail for dead, no( out of jeo'ardy! +herefore, (hen she had affectionately embraced and )issed her Tedaldo, they hied them to bed together, and (ith hearty good(ill made gracious and gladsome consummation of their 'eace by interchange of s(eet solace!

+ith the a''roach of day Tedaldo rose, and having first a''rised the lady of his 'ur'ose and enjoined her, as before, to )ee' it most secret, resumed his 'ilgrimMs habit, and sallied forth of her house, to be ready, as occasion should serve, to act in 3ldobrandinoMs interest! 3s soon as Mt(as day, the signory, deeming themselves am'ly conversant (ith the affair, set

3ldobrandino at largeI and a fe( days later they caused the malefactors to be beheaded in the 'lace (here they had done the murder!

Great (as 3ldobrandinoMs joy to find himself free, not less great (as that of his lady and all his friends and )insfol)I and as Mt(as through the 'ilgrim that it had come about, they brought him to their house, there to reside as long as he cared to tarry in the cityI nor could they do him honour and cheer enough, and most of all the lady, (ho )ne( her man! But after a(hile, seeing that his brothers (ere not only become a common laughing@stoc) by reason of 3ldobrandinoMs acOuittal, but had armed themselves for very fear, he felt that their reconciliation (ith him broo)ed no delay, and accordingly craved of him 'erformance of his 'romise! 3ldobrandino re'lied handsomely that it should be had at once! The 'ilgrim then bade him arrange for the follo(ing day a grand banOuet, at (hich he and his )insfol) and their ladies (ere to entertain the four brothers and their ladies, adding that he (ould himself go forth(ith as 3ldobrandinoMs envoy, and bid them (elcome to his 'eace and banOuet! 3ll (hich being a''roved by 3ldobrandino, the 'ilgrim hied him (ith all s'eed to the four brothers, (hom by am'le, a't and unans(erable argument he readily induced to reinstate themselves in 3ldobrandinoMs friendshi' by suing for his forgivenessB (hich done, he bade them and their ladies to brea)fast (ith 3ldobrandino on the morro(, and they, being assured of his good faith, (ere consenting to come! /o, on the morro(, at the brea)fast hour, TedaldoMs four brothers, still (earing their blac), came (ith certain of their friends to 3ldobrandinoMs house, (here he a(aited themI and, in 'resence of the com'any that had been bidden to meet them, laid do(n their arms, and made surrender to

3ldobrandino, as)ing his 'ardon of that (hich they had done against him! 3ldobrandino received them com'assionately, (e't, )issed each on the mouth, and let fe( (ords suffice to remit each offence! 3fter them came their sisters and their (ives, all habited sadly, and (ere graciously received by "adonna Ermellina and the other ladies! The guests, men and (omen ali)e, found all things ordered at the banOuet (ith magnificence, nor aught unmeet for commendation save the restraint (hich the yet recent grief, beto)ened by the sombre garb of TedaldoMs )insfol), laid u'on s'eech 7(herein some had found matter to exce't against the banOuet and the 'ilgrim for devising it, as he (ell )ne(8, but, as he had 'remeditated, in due time, he stood u', the others being occu'ied (ith their dessert, and s'o)e thusB@@T;othing is (anting to com'lete the gaiety of this banOuet exce't the 'resence of TedaldoI (hom, as you have been long time (ith him and have not )no(n him, I (ill 'oint out to you!T /o, having divested himself of his sclavine and (hatever else in his garb denoted the 'ilgrim, he remained habited in a tunic of green taffeta, in (hich guise, so great (as the (onder (ith (hich all regarded him that, though they recogni:ed him, Mt(as long before any dared to believe that Mt(as actually Tedaldo! "ar)ing their sur'rise, Tedaldo told them not a little about themselves, their family connexions, their recent history, and his o(n adventures! +hereat his brothers and the rest of the men, all (ee'ing for joy, hasted to embrace him, follo(ed by the (omen, as (ell those that (ere not, as those that (ere, of )in to him, save only "adonna Ermellina! +hich 3ldobrandino observing, saidB@@T+hat is this, ErmellinaS .o( comes it that, unli)e the other ladies, thou alone dost Tedaldo no cheerST T&heer,T re'lied the lady in the hearing of all, T(ould I gladly do him such as no other (oman has done or could do, seeing that I am

more beholden to him than any other (oman, in that to him I o(e it that I have thee (ith me againI Mtis but the (ords s'o)en to my disadvantage, (hile (e mourned him that (e deemed Tedaldo, that give me 'ause!T T;o( out u'on thee,T said 3ldobrandino, Tthin)est thou that I heed the yel'ing of these cursS .is :eal for my deliverance has abundantly dis'roved it, besides (hich I never believed it! Uuic), get thee u', and go and embrace him!T The lady, (ho desired nothing better, (as in this not slo( to obey her husbandI she rose forth(ith, and embraced Tedaldo as the other ladies had done, and did him gladsome cheer! TedaldoMs brothers and all the com'any, men and (omen ali)e, heartily a''roved 3ldobrandinoMs handsomenessI and so (hatever of des'ite the rumour had engendered in the minds of any (as done a(ay! 3nd, no( that all had done him cheer, Tedaldo (ith his o(n hands rent his brothersM suits of blac) u'on their bac)s, as also the sad@hued garments (hich his sisters and sisters@in@la( (ore, and bade bring other a''arel! +hich (hen they had donned, there (as no lac) of singing, dancing and other sorts of merry@ma)ingI (hereby the banOuet, for all its subdued beginning, had a sonorous close! Then, just as they (ere, in the blithest of s'irits, they hied them all to TedaldoMs house, (here in the evening they su''edI and in this manner they held festival for several days!

MT(as some time before the -lorentines ceased to loo) on Tedaldo as a 'ortent, as if he (ere risen from the deadI and a shado( of doubt (hether he (ere really Tedaldo or no continued to lur) in the minds of not a fe(, including even his brothersB they had no assured beliefI and in that frame had 'erchance long continued, but for a casual occurrence that she(ed them (ho the murdered man (as! It so befell that one day some men@at@arms from

4unigiana 'assed by their house, and seeing Tedaldo accosted him, sayingB@@ TGood@morro( to thee, -a:iuolo!T To (hom Tedaldo, in the 'resence of his brothers, ans(eredB@@TCou ta)e me for another!T +hereat they (ere abashed, and as)ed his 'ardon, sayingB@@T/ooth to tell, you are li)er than (e ever )ne( any man li)e to another to a comrade of ours, -a:iuolo da Pontremoli by name, (ho came hither a fortnight ago, or 'erha's a little more, since (hen (e have not been able to learn (hat became of him! "ost true it is that your dress sur'rised us, because he, li)e ourselves, (as a soldier!T +hereu'on TedaldoMs eldest brother came for(ard, and as)ed ho( their comrade had been accoutred! They told him, and Mt(as found to have been exactly as they saidB by (hich and other evidence Mt(as established that Mt(as -a:iuolo that had been murdered, and not TedaldoI of (hom thenceforth no sus'icion lur)ed in the minds of his brothers or any one else!

/o, then, Tedaldo returned home very rich, and remained constant in his loveI nor did the lady again treat him harshlyI but, using discretion, they long had mutual solace of their love! God grant us solace of ours!

708 3s 'ointed out by "r! Payne, these (ords are not from any of the Gos'els, but from the first verse of the 3cts of the 3'ostles! Boccaccio doubtless used TEvangelioT in a large sense for the (hole of the ;e( Testament!

7A8 /chiavina, 4o( 4at! sclavina, the long coarse froc) (orn, among others, by 'almers!

;GVE4 VIII!

@@ -erondo, having ta)en a certain 'o(der, is interred for deadI is disinterred by the abbot, (ho enjoys his (ifeI is 'ut in 'rison and taught to believe that he is in 'urgatoryI is then resuscitated, and rears as his o(n a boy begotten by the abbot u'on his (ife! @@

Ended EmiliaMs long story, (hich to none (as the less 'leasing for its length, but (as deemed of all the ladies brief in regard of the number and variety of the events therein recounted, a gesture of the Oueen sufficed to convey her behest to 4auretta, and cause her thus to beginB@@TDearest ladies, I have it in mind to tell you a true story, (hich (ears far more of the as'ect of a lie than of that (hich it really (asB Mtis brought to my recollection by that (hich (e have heard of one being be(ailed and buried in lieu of another! "y story then is of one that, living, (as buried for dead, and after believed (ith many others that he came out of the tomb not as one that had not died but as one risen from the deadI (hereby he (as venerated as a saint (ho ought rather to have been condemned as a criminal!T

Nno( then that there (as and still is in Tuscany an abbey, situate, as (e see not a fe(, in a some(hat solitary s'ot, (herein the office of abbot (as held by a mon), (ho in all other matters ordered his life (ith great sanctity, save only in the commerce (ith (omen, and therein )ne( so (ell ho(

to cloa) his indulgence, that scarce any there (ere that so much as sus'ected@@not to say detected it@@so holy and just (as he re'uted in all matters! ;o( the abbot consorted much (ith a very (ealthy contadino, -erondo by name, a man coarse and gross beyond measure, (hose friendshi' the abbot only cared for because of the o''ortunities (hich it afforded of deriving amusement from his sim'licityI and during their intercourse the abbot discovered that -erondo had a most beautiful (ife of (hom he became so hotly enamoured that he could thin) of nought else either by day or by night! But learning that, ho(ever sim'le and ine't in all other matters, -erondo she(ed excellent good sense in cherishing and (atching over this (ife of his, he almost des'aired! .o(ever, being very astute, he 'revailed so far (ith -erondo, that he (ould sometimes bring his (ife (ith him to ta)e a little recreation in the abbey@garden, (here he discoursed to them (ith all lo(liness of the blessedness of life eternal, and the most 'ious (or)s of many men and (omen of times 'ast, insomuch that the lady conceived a desire to confess to him, and craved and had -erondoMs leave therefor! /o, to the abbotMs boundless delight, the lady came and seated herself at his feet to ma)e her confession, (hereto she 'refixed the follo(ing exordiumB@@TIf God, /ir, had given me a husband, or had not 'ermitted me to have one, 'erchance Mt(ould be easy for me, under your guidance, to enter the (ay, of (hich you have s'o)en, that leads to life eternal! But, considering (hat manner of man -erondo is, and his stu'idity, I may call myself a (ido(, (hile yet I am married in that, so long as he lives, I may have no other husbandI and he, fool that he is, is (ithout the least cause so inordinately jealous of me that Mtis not 'ossible but that my life (ith him be one of 'er'etual tribulation and (oe! +herefore before I address myself to ma)e further

confession, I in all humility beseech you to be 'leased to give me some counsel of this matter, for here or no(here is to be found the source of the amelioration of my life, and if it be not found, neither confession nor any other good (or) (ill be of any avail!T The abbot (as overjoyed to hear her thus s'ea), deeming that -ortune had o'ened a (ay to the fulfilment of his hearts desire! +herefore he saidB@@T"y daughter, I doubt not that Mtis a great affliction to a lady, fair and delicate as you are, to have a fool for a husband, and still more so he should be jealousB and as your husband is both the one and the other, I readily credit (hat you say of your tribulation! But, to come to the 'oint, I see no resource or remedy in this case, save this only, that -erondo be cured of his jealousy! The medicine that shall cure him I )no( very (ell ho( to devise, but it behoves you to )ee' secret (hat I am about to tell you!T TDoubt not of it, my father,T said the ladyI Tfor I had rather suffer death than tell any aught that you forbade me to tell! But the medicine, ho( is it to be devisedST TIf (e (ould have him cured,T re'lied the abbot, Tit can only be by his going to 'urgatory!T T3nd ho( may that beST returned the ladyI Tcan he go thither (hile he yet livesST T.e must die,T ans(ered the abbotI Tand so he (ill go thitherI and (hen he has suffered 'ain enough to be cured of his jealousy, (e have certain 'rayers (ith (hich (e (ill su''licate God to restore him to life, and .e (ill do so!T TThen,T said the ladyI Tam I to remain a (ido(ST TCes,T re'lied the abbot, Tfor a certain time, during (hich you must be very careful not to let yourself be married to another, because Mt(ould offend God, and (hen -erondo (as restored to life, you (ould have to go bac) to him, and he (ould be more jealous than ever!T TBe it so then,T said the ladyI Tif he be but cured of his jealousy, and so I be not doomed to 'ass

the rest of my days in 'rison, I shall be contentB do as you thin) best!T T3nd so (ill I,T said the abbotI Tbut (hat re(ard shall I have for such a serviceST T"y father,T said the lady, T(hat you 'leaseI so only it be in my 'o(er! But (hat may the li)e of me do that may be acce'table to a man such as youST T"adam,T re'lied the abbot, TMtis in your 'o(er to do no less for me than I am about to do for youB as that (hich I am minded to do (ill ensure your comfort and consolation, so there is that (hich you may do (hich (ill be the deliverance and salvation of my life!T TIf so it be,T said the lady, TI shall not be found (anting!T TIn that case,T said the abbot, Tyou (ill give me your love, and gratify my 'assion for you, (ith (hich I am all afire and (asting a(ay!T +hereto the lady, all consternation, re'liedB@@ T3las* my father, (hat is this you craveS I too) you for a holy manI no( does it beseem holy men to ma)e such overtures to ladies that come to them for counselST T"arvel not, fair my soul,T returned the abbotI Thereby is my holiness in no (ise diminished, for holiness resides in the soul, and this (hich I as) of you is but a sin of the flesh! But, ho(ever it may be, such is the might of your be(itching beauty, that love constrains me thus to act! 3nd, let me tell you, good cause have you to vaunt you of your beauty more than other (omen, in that it delights the saints, (ho are used to contem'late celestial beautiesI (hereto I may add that, albeit I am an abbot, yet I am a man even as others, and, as you see, not yet old! ;or need this matter seem formidable to you, but rather to be antici'ated (ith 'leasure, for, (hile -erondo is in 'urgatory, I shall be your nightly com'anion, and (ill give you such solace as he should have given youI nor (ill it ever be discovered by any, for all thin) of me even as you did a (hile ago, or even more so! #eject not the grace that God accords youI for

Mtis in your 'o(er to have, and, if you are (ise and follo( my advice, you shall have that (hich (omen not a fe( desire in vain to have! 3nd moreover I have je(els fair and rare, (hich I am minded shall be yours and none otherMs! +herefore, s(eet my ho'e, deny me not due guerdon of the service (hich I gladly render you!T

The lady, her eyes still do(ncast, )ne( not ho( to deny him, and yet scru'led to gratify himB (herefore the abbot, seeing that she had hear)ened and hesitated to ans(er, deemed that she (as already half (on, and follo(ing u' (hat he had said (ith much more to the li)e effect, did not rest until he had 'ersuaded her that she (ould do (ell to com'lyB and so (ith some confusion she told him that she (as ready to obey his every behestI but it might not be until -erondo (as in 'urgatory! The abbot, (ell content, re'liedB@@T3nd (e (ill send him thither forth(ithB do but arrange that he come hither to stay (ith me to@morro( or the day after!T +hich said, he sli''ed a most beautiful ring on her finger, and dismissed her! Pleased (ith the gift, and ex'ecting more to come, the lady rejoined her attendants, (ith (hom she forth(ith fell a tal)ing marvellous things of the abbotMs sanctity, and so (ent home (ith them!

/ome fe( days after, -erondo being come to the abbey, the abbot no sooner sa( him than he resolved to send him to 'urgatory! /o he selected from among his drugs a 'o(der of marvellous virtue, (hich he had gotten in the 4evant from a great 'rince, (ho averred that Mt(as (ont to be used by the Gld "an of the "ountain, (hen he (ould send any one to or bring him from his 'aradise, and that, (ithout doing the reci'ient any harm, Mt(ould induce in

him, according to the Ouantity of the dose, a slee' of such duration and Ouality that, (hile the efficacy of the 'o(der lasted, none (ould deem him to be alive!708 +hereof he too) enough to cause a three daysM slee', and gave it to -erondo in his cell in a bea)er that had still some (ine in it, so that he dran) it un(ittinglyB after (hich he too) -erondo to the cloister, and there (ith some of his mon)s fell to ma)ing merry (ith him and his ine'titudes! In no long time, ho(ever, the 'o(der so (rought, that -erondo (as sei:ed in the head (ith a fit of somnolence so sudden and violent that he sle't as he stood, and slee'ing fell to the ground! The abbot 'ut on an agitated air, caused him to be untrussed, sent for cold (ater, and had it s'rin)led on his face, and a''lied such other remedies as if he (ould fain call bac) life and sense banished by va'ours of the stomach, or some other intrusive forceI but, as, for all that he and his mon)s did, -erondo did not revive, they, after feeling his 'ulse and finding there no sign of life, one and all 'ronounced him certainly dead! +herefore they sent (ord to his (ife and )insfol), (ho came forth(ith, and mourned a (hileI after (hich -erondo in his clothes (as by the abbotMs order laid in a tomb! The lady (ent home, saying that nothing should ever 'art her from a little son that she had borne -erondoI and so she occu'ied herself (ith the care of her son and -erondoMs estate! 3t night the abbot rose noiselessly, and (ith the hel' of a Bolognese mon), in (hom he re'osed much trust, and (ho (as that very day arrived from Bologna, got -erondo out of the tomb, and bore him to a vault, (hich admitted no light, having been made to serve as a 'rison for delinOuent mon)sI and having stri''ed him of his clothes, and habited him as a mon), they laid him on a truss of stra(, and left him there until he should revive! Ex'ecting (hich event, and instructed by the abbot

ho( he (as then to act, the Bolognese mon) 7none else )no(ing aught of (hat (as afoot8 )e't (atch by the tomb!

The day after, the abbot (ith some of his mon)s 'aid a 'astoral visit to the ladyMs house, (here he found her in mourning (eeds and sad at heartI and, after administering a little consolation, he gently as)ed her to redeem her 'romise! -ree as she no( felt herself, and ham'ered neither by -erondo nor by any other, the lady, (ho had noticed another beautiful ring on the abbotMs finger, 'romised immediate com'liance, and arranged (ith the abbot that he should visit her the very next night! /o, at nightfall, the abbot donned -erondoMs clothes, and, attended by his mon), 'aid his visit, and lay (ith her until matins to his immense delight and solace, and so returned to the abbeyI and many visits he 'aid her on the same errandI (hereby some that met him, coming or going that (ay, su''osed that Mt(as -erondo 'erambulating those 'arts by (ay of 'enanceI and fables not a fe( 'assed from mouth to mouth of the foolish rustics, and sometimes reached the ears of the lady, (ho (as at no loss to account for them!

3s for -erondo, (hen he revived, Mt(as only to find himself he )ne( not (here, (hile the Bolognese mon) entered the tomb, gibbering horribly, and armed (ith a rod, (here(ith, having laid hold of -erondo, he gave him a severe thrashing! Blubbering and bello(ing for 'ain, -erondo could only ejaculateB@@T+here am IST TIn 'urgatory,T re'lied the mon)! T.o(ST returned -erondo, Tam I dead thenST and the mon) assuring him that Mt(as even so, he fell a be(ailing his o(n and his ladyMs and his sonMs fate, after the most ridiculous fashion in the (orld! The mon) brought him some(hat to eat and

drin)! Gf (hich (hen -erondo caught sight, TGh*T said he, Tdead fol) eat then, do theyST TThey do,T re'lied the mon), T3nd this, (hich I bring thee, is (hat the lady that (as thy (ife sent this morning to the church by (ay of alms for masses for thy soulI and God is minded that it be assigned to thee!T T;o( God grant her a ha''y year,T said -erondoI Tdearly I loved her (hile I yet lived, and (ould hold her all night long in my arms, and cease not to )iss her, ay, and (ould do yet more to her, (hen I (as so minded!T +hereu'on he fell to eating and drin)ing (ith great avidity, and finding the (ine not much to his taste, he saidB@@T;o( God do her a mischief* +hy gave she not the 'riest of the (ine that is in the cas) by the (allST +hen he had done eating, the mon) laid hold of him again, and gave him another sound thrashing (ith the rod! -erondo bello(ed mightily, and then cried outB@@ T3las* (hy servest thou me soST TGod,T ans(ered the mon), Thas decreed that thou be so served t(ice a day!T T-or (hyST said -erondo! TBecause,T returned the mon), Tthou (ast jealous, not(ithstanding thou hadst to (ife a (oman that has not her 'eer in thy countryside!T T3las,T said -erondo, Tshe (as indeed all that thou sayst, ay, and the s(eetest creature too,@@no comfit so honeyed@@but I )ne( not that God too) it amiss that a man should be jealous, or I had not been so!T TGf that,T re'lied the mon), Tthou shouldst have bethought thee (hile thou (ast there, and have amended thy (aysI and should it fall to thy lot ever to return thither, be sure that thou so lay to heart the lesson that I no( give thee, that thou be no more jealous!T TGh*T said -erondoI Tdead fol) sometimes return to earth, do theyST TThey do,T re'lied the mon)I Tif God so (ill!T TGh*T said -erondoI Tif I ever return, I (ill be the best husband in the (orldI never (ill I beat her or scold her, save for the (ine that she has sent me this morning, and also for sending me never a

candle, so that I have had 'erforce to eat in the dar)!T T;ay,T said the mon), Tshe sent them, but they (ere burned at the masses!T TGh*T said -erondo, TI doubt not you say trueI and, of a surety, if I ever return, I (ill let her do just as she li)es! But tell me, (ho art thou that entreatest me thusST T4ate of /ardinia I,T ans(ered the mon), Tdead tooI and, for that I gave my lord much countenance in his jealousy, doomed by God for my 'ro'er 'enance to entreat thee thus (ith food and drin) and thrashings, until such time as .e may ordain other(ise touching thee and me!T T3nd are (e t(o the only fol) hereST inOuired -erondo! T;ay, there are thousands beside,T ans(ered the mon)I Tbut thou canst neither see nor hear them, nor they thee!T T3nd ho( far,T said -erondo, Tmay (e be from our countryST TGh* ho*T returned the mon), T(hy, Mtis some miles clean out of shitrange!T TIMfaith,T said -erondo, Tthat is far indeedB methin)s (e must be out of the (orld!T

In such a course, alternately beaten, fed and amused (ith idle tales, (as -erondo )e't for ten months, (hile the abbot, to his great felicity, 'aid many a visit to the fair lady, and had the jolliest time in the (orld (ith her! But, as misfortunes (ill ha''en, the lady conceived, (hich fact, as soon as she (as a(are of it, she im'arted to the abbotI (hereu'on both agreed that -erondo must (ithout delay be brought bac) from 'urgatory to earth and her, and be given to understand that she (as (ith child of him! /o the very next night the abbot (ent to the 'rison, and in a disguised voice 'ronounced -erondoMs name, and said to himB@@T-erondo, be of good cheer, for God is minded that thou return to earthI and on thy return thou shalt have a son by thy lady, and thou shalt call him BenedettoI because Mtis in ans(er to the 'rayers of thy holy abbot and thy lady, and for love of /t! Benedict,

that God accords thee this grace!T +hereat -erondo (as overjoyed, and saidB@ @TIt li)es me (ell! God give a good year to "aster 4ord God, and the abbot, and /t! Benedict, and my cheese@'o(dered, honey@s(eet (ife!T Then, in the (ine that he sent him, the abbot administered enough of the 'o(der to cause him to slee' for four hoursI and so, (ith the aid of the mon), having first habited him in his 'ro'er clothes, he 'rivily conveyed him bac) to the tomb in (hich he had been buried! Gn the morro( at daybrea) -erondo revived, and 'erceiving through a chin) in the tomb a glimmer of light, to (hich he had been a stranger for full ten months, he )ne( that he (as alive, and began to bello(B@@T4et me out, let me outBT then, setting his head to the lid of the tomb, he heaved amainI (hereby the lid, being insecure, startedI and he (as already thrusting it aside, (hen the mon)s, matins being no( ended, ran to the s'ot and recogni:ed -erondoMs voice, and sa( him issue from the tombI by (hich un(onted event they (ere all so affrighted that they too) to flight, and hied them to the abbotB (ho, rising as if from 'rayer, saidB@@T/ons, be not afraidI ta)e the cross and the holy (ater, and follo( me, and let us see (hat sign of .is might God (ill vouchsafe us!T 3nd so he led the (ay to the tombI beside (hich they found -erondo, standing, deathly 'ale by reason of his long estrangement from the light! Gn sight of the abbot he ran and thre( himself at his feet, sayingB@@T"y father, it has been revealed to me that Mtis to your 'rayers and those of /t! Benedict and my lady that I o(e my release from 'urgatorial 'ain, and restoration to lifeI (herefore Mtis my 'rayer that God give you a good year and good calends, to@day and all days!T T4aud (e the 'o(er of God*T said the abbot! TGo then, son, as God has restored thee to earth, comfort thy (ife, (ho, since thou didst de'art this life, has been ever in tears, and mayst thou live henceforth in the love and

service of God!T T/ir,T ans(ered -erondo, TMtis (ell saidI and, for the doing, trust me that, as soon as I find her, I shall )iss her, such is the love I bear her!T /o saying, he (ent his (ayI and the abbot, left alone (ith his mon)s, made as if he marvelled greatly at the affair, and caused devoutly chant the "iserere! /o -erondo returned to his hamlet, (here all that sa( him fleeing, as fol) are (ont to flee from s'ectacles of horror, he called them bac), asseverating that he (as risen from the tomb! .is (ife at first (as no less timorousB but, as fol) began to ta)e heart of grace, 'erceiving that he (as alive, they 'lied him (ith many Ouestions, all (hich he ans(ered as one that had returned (ith ri'e ex'erience, and gave them tidings of the souls of their )insfol), and told of his o(n invention the 'rettiest fables of the 'urgatorial state, and in full fol)moot recounted the revelation vouchsafed him by the mouth of #agnolo Braghiello7A8 before his resuscitation!

Thus (as -erondo reinstated in his 'ro'erty and reunited to his (ife, (ho, being 'regnant, as he thought, by himself, chanced by the time of her delivery to countenance the vulgar error that the (oman must bear the infant in the (omb for exactly nine months, and gave birth to a male child, (ho (as named Benedetto -erondi! -erondoMs return from 'urgatory, and the re'ort he brought thence, immeasurably enhanced the fame of the abbotMs holiness! /o -erondo, cured of his jealousy by the thrashings (hich he had gotten for it, verified the abbotMs 'rediction, and never offended the lady again in that sort! +herefore she lived (ith him, as before, in all out(ard seemlinessI albeit she failed not, as occasion served, to forgather (ith the holy abbot, (ho had so (ell and sedulously served her in her es'ecial need!

708 By the Gld "an of the "ountain is meant the head of the confraternity of hashish@eaters 73ssassins8, (hose chief stronghold (as at 3lamut in Persia 70616@0A5>8! &f! "arco Polo, ed! Cule, I! ca'! xxiii!

7A8 Derisively for 3gnolo Gabriello 7the h having merely the effect of 'reserving the hardness of the g before i8, i! e! 3ngel Gabriel!

;GVE4 I%!

@@ Gillette of ;arbonne cures the Ning of -rance of a fistula, craves for s'ouse Bertrand de #oussillon, (ho marries her against his (ill, and hies him in des'ite to -lorence, (here, as he courts a young (oman, Gillette lies (ith him in her stead, and has t(o sons by himI for (hich cause he after(ards ta)es her into favour and entreats her as his (ife! @@

4aurettaMs story being ended, and the Oueen being minded not to brea) her engagement (ith Dioneo, Mt(as no( her turn to s'ea)! +herefore (ithout a(aiting the call of her subjects, thus (ith mien most gracious she beganB@@ ;o( that (e have heard 4aurettaMs story, (ho shall tell any to com'are (ith it for beautyS 4uc)y indeed (as it that she (as not the firstI for fe( that follo(ed (ould have 'leasedI and so, I misdoubt me, Mt(ill fare ill (ith those that remain to com'lete the dayMs narration! .o(ever, for (hat it may

be (orth, I (ill tell you a story (hich seems to me germane to our theme!

Nno(, then, that in the realm of -rance there (as a gentleman, Isnard, &omte de #oussillon, by name, (ho, being in ill@health, )e't ever in attendance on him a 'hysician, one "aster Gerard of ;arbonne! The said &ount had an only son named Bertrand, a very fine and (insome little ladI (ith (hom (ere brought u' other children of his o(n age, among them the said 'hysicianMs little daughter GilletteI (ho (ith a love boundless and ardent out of all )ee'ing (ith her tender years became enamoured of this Bertrand! 3nd so, (hen the &ount died, and his son, being left a (ard of the Ning, must needs go to Paris, the girl remained beside herself (ith grief, and, her father dying soon after, (ould gladly have gone to Paris to see Bertrand, might she but have found a fair excuseI but no decent 'retext could she come by, being left a great and sole heiress and very closely guarded! /o being come of marriageable age, still cherishing BertrandMs memory, she rejected not a fe( suitors, to (hom her )insfol) (ould fain have married her, (ithout assigning any reason!

;o( her 'assion (axing ever more ardent for Bertrand, as she learned that he (as gro(n a most goodly gallant, tidings reached her that the Ning of -rance, in conseOuence of a tumour (hich he had had in the breast, and (hich had been ill tended, (as no( troubled (ith a fistula, (hich occasioned him extreme distress and sufferingI nor had he as yet come by a 'hysician that (as able, though many had essayed, to cure him, but had rather gro(n (orse under their handsI (herefore in des'air he (as minded no more to have recourse to any for counsel or aid! +hereat the damsel (as overjoyed,

deeming not only that she might find therein la(ful occasion to go to Paris, but, that, if the disease (as (hat she too) it to be, it might (ell betide that she should be (edded to Bertrand! /o@@for not a little )no(ledge had she gotten from her father@@she 're'ared a 'o(der from certain herbs serviceable in the treatment of the su''osed disease, and straight(ay too) horse, and hied her to Paris! 3rrived there she made it her first concern to have sight of BertrandI and then, having obtained access to the Ning, she besought him of his grace to she( her his disease! The Ning )ne( not ho( to refuse so young, fair and (insome a damsel, and let her see the 'lace! +hereu'on, no longer doubting that she should cure him, she saidB@@T/ire, so 'lease you, I ho'e in God to cure you of this malady (ithin eight days (ithout causing you the least distress or discomfort!T The Ning inly scoffed at her (ords, saying to himselfB@@T.o( should a damsel have come by a )no(ledge and s)ill that the greatest 'hysicians in the (orld do not 'ossessST .e therefore graciously ac)no(ledged her good intention, and ans(ered that he had resolved no more to follo( advice of 'hysician! T/ire,T said the damsel, Tyou disdain my art, because I am young and a (omanI but I bid you bear in mind that I rely not on my o(n s)ill, but on the hel' of God, and the s)ill of "aster Gerard of ;arbonne, my father, and a famous 'hysician in his day!T +hereu'on the Ning said to himselfB@@TPerchance she is sent me by GodI (hy 'ut I not her s)ill to the 'roof, seeing that she says that she can cure me in a short time, and cause me no distressST 3nd being minded to ma)e the ex'eriment, he saidB@@TDamsel, and if, having caused me to cancel my resolve, you should fail to cure me, (hat are you content should ensueST T/ire,T ans(ered the damsel, Tset a guard u'on meI and if (ithin eight days I cure you not, have me burnedI but if I cure you,

(hat shall be my guerdonST TCou seem,T said the Ning, Tto be yet unmarriedI if you shall effect the cure, (e (ill marry you (ell and in high 'lace!T T/ire,T returned the damsel, T(ell content indeed am I that you should marry me, so it be to such a husband as I shall as) of you, save that I may not as) any of your sons or any other member of the royal house!T +hereto the Ning forth(ith consented, and the damsel, thereu'on a''lying her treatment, restored him to health before the 'eriod assigned! +herefore, as soon as the Ning )ne( that he (as curedB@@TDamsel,T said he, T(ell have you (on your husband!T /he, ans(eredB@@TIn that case, /ire, I have (on Bertrand de #oussillon, of (hom, (hile yet a child, I (as enamoured, and (hom I have ever since most ardently loved!T To give her Bertrand seemed to the Ning no small matterI but, having 'ledged his (ord, he (ould not brea) itB so he sent for Bertrand, and said to himB@@TBertrand, you are no( come to manMs estate, and fully eOui''ed to enter on itI Mtis therefore our (ill that you go bac) and assume the governance of your county, and that you ta)e (ith you a damsel, (hom (e have given you to (ife!T T3nd (ho is the damsel, /ireST said Bertrand! T/he it is,T ans(ered the Ning, Tthat has restored us to health by her 'hysic!T ;o( Bertrand, )no(ing Gillette, and that her lineage (as not such as matched his nobility, albeit, seeing her, he had found her very fair, (as overcome (ith disdain, and ans(eredB@@T/o, /ire, you (ould fain give me a she@doctor to (ife! ;o( God forbid that I should ever marry any such (oman!T TThen,T said the Ning, Tyou (ould have us fail of the faith (hich (e 'ledged to the damsel, (ho as)ed you in marriage by (ay of guerdon for our restoration to health!T T/ire,T said Bertrand, Tyou may ta)e from me all that I 'ossess, and give me as your man to (homsoever you may be mindedI but rest assured that I shall never be satisfied (ith such a match!T T;ay,

but you (ill,T re'lied the NingI Tfor the damsel is fair and discreet, and loves you (ellI (herefore (e antici'ate that you (ill live far more ha''ily (ith her than (ith a dame of much higher lineage!T Bertrand (as silentI and the Ning made great 're'arations for the celebration of the nu'tials! The a''ointed day came, and Bertrand, albeit reluctantly, nevertheless com'lied, and in the 'resence of the Ning (as (edded to the damsel, (ho loved him more dearly than herself! +hich done, Bertrand, (ho had already ta)en his resolution, said that he (as minded to go do(n to his county, there to consummate the marriageI and so, having craved and had leave of absence of the Ning, he too) horse, but instead of returning to his county he hied him to TuscanyI (here, finding the -lorentines at (ar (ith the /ienese, he determined to ta)e service (ith the -lorentines, and being made heartily and honourably (elcome, (as a''ointed to the command of 'art of their forces, at a liberal sti'end, and so remained in their service for a long (hile! Distressed by this turn of fortune, and ho'ing by her (ise management to bring Bertrand bac) to his county, the bride hied her to #oussillon, (here she (as received by all the tenants as their liege lady! /he found that, during the long absence of the lord, everything had fallen into decay and disorderI (hich, being a ca'able (oman, she rectified (ith great and sedulous care, to the great joy of the tenants, (ho held her in great esteem and love, and severely censured the &ount, that he (as not satisfied (ith her! +hen the lady had duly ordered all things in the county, she des'atched t(o )nights to the &ount (ith the intelligence, 'raying him, that, if Mt(as on her account that he came not home, he (ould so inform herI in (hich case she (ould gratify him by de'arting! To (hom (ith all harshness he re'liedB@@T/he may even 'lease herself in the matter! -or my 'art I (ill go

home and live (ith her, (hen she has this ring on her finger and a son gotten of me u'on her arm!T The ring (as one (hich he greatly 'ri:ed, and never removed from his finger, by reason of a virtue (hich he had been given to understand that it 'ossessed! The )nights a''reciated the harshness of a condition (hich contained t(o articles, both of (hich (ere all but im'ossibleI and, seeing that by no (ords of theirs could they alter his resolve, they returned to the lady, and delivered his message! /orely distressed, the lady after long 'ondering determined to try ho( and (here the t(o conditions might be satisfied, that so her husband might be hers again! .aving formed her 'lan, she assembled certain of the more considerable and notable men of the county, to (hom she gave a consecutive and most touching narrative of all that she had done for love of the &ount, (ith the resultI concluding by saying that she (as not minded to tarry there to the &ountMs 'er'etual exile, but to 'ass the rest of her days in 'ilgrimages and 'ious (or)s for the good of her soulB (herefore she 'rayed them to underta)e the defence and governance of the county, and to inform the &ount that she had made entire and absolute cession of it to him, and (as gone a(ay (ith the intention of never more returning to #oussillon! 3s she s'o)e, tears not a fe( coursed do(n the chee)s of the honest men, and again and again they besought her to change her mind, and stay! 3ll in vain, ho(everI she commended them to God, and, accom'anied only by one of her male cousins and a chambermaid 7all three habited as 'ilgrims and am'ly 'rovided (ith money and 'recious je(els8, she too) the road, nor tarried until she (as arrived at -lorence! There she lodged in a little inn )e't by a good (oman that (as a (ido(, bearing herself lo(ly as a 'oor 'ilgrim, and eagerly ex'ectant of ne(s of her lord!

;o( it so befell that the very next day she sa( Bertrand 'ass in front of the inn on horsebac) at the head of his com'anyI and though she )ne( him very (ell, nevertheless she as)ed the good (oman of the inn (ho he (as! The hostess re'liedB@@TMTis a foreign gentleman@@&ount Bertrand they call him@@a very 'leasant gentleman, and courteous, and much beloved in this cityI and he is in the last degree enamoured of one of our neighbours here, (ho is a gentle(oman, but in 'oor circumstances! 3 very virtuous damsel she is too, and, being as yet unmarried by reason of her 'overty, she lives (ith her mother, (ho is an excellent and most discreet lady, but for (hom, 'erchance, she (ould before no( have yielded and gratified the &ountMs desire!T ;o (ord of this (as lost on the ladyI she 'ondered and meditated every detail (ith the closest attention, and having laid it all to heart, too) her resolutionB she ascertained the names and abode of the lady and her daughter that the &ount loved, and hied her one day 'rivily, (earing her 'ilgrimMs (eeds, to their house, (here she found the lady and her daughter in very evident 'overty, and after greeting them, told the lady that, if it (ere agreeable to her, she (ould s'ea) (ith her! The gentle(oman rose and signified her (illingness to listen to (hat she had to sayI so they (ent into a room by themselves and sate do(n, and then the &ountess began thusB@@T"adam, methin)s you are, as I am, under -ortuneMs fro(nI but 'erchance you have it in your 'o(er, if you are so minded, to afford solace to both of us!T The lady ans(ered that, so she might honourably find it, solace indeed (as (hat she craved most of all things in the (orld! +hereu'on the &ountess continuedB@@TI must first be assured of your faith, (herein if I confide and am deceived, the interests of both of us (ill suffer!T T.ave no fear,T said

the gentle(oman, Ts'ea) your (hole mind (ithout reserve, for you (ill find that there is no deceit in me!T /o the &ountess told (ho she (as, and the (hole course of her love affair, from its commencement to that hour, on such (ise that the gentle(oman, believing her story the more readily that she had already heard it in 'art from others, (as touched (ith com'assion for her! The narrative of her (oes com'lete, the &ountess addedB@@T;o( that you have heard my misfortunes, you )no( the t(o conditions that I must fulfil, if I (ould come by my husbandI nor )no( I any other 'erson than you, that may enable me to fulfil themI but so you may, if this (hich I hear is true, to (it, that my husband is in the last degree enamoured of your daughter!T T"adam,T re'lied the gentle(oman, TI )no( not if the &ount loves my daughter, but true it is that he ma)es great she( of loving herI but ho( may this enable me to do aught for you in the matter that you have at heartST TThe ho(, madam,T returned the &ountess, TI (ill shortly ex'lain to youI but you shall first hear (hat I intend shall ensue, if you serve me! Cour daughter, I see, is fair and of marriageable age, and, by (hat I have learned and may (ell understand, Mtis because you have not the (here(ith to marry her that you )ee' her at home! ;o(, in recom'ense of the service that you shall do me, I mean to 'rovide her forth(ith from my o(n moneys (ith such a do(ry as you yourself shall deem adeOuate for her marriage!T The lady (as too needy not to be gratified by the 'ro'osalI but, nevertheless, (ith the true s'irit of the gentle(oman, she ans(eredB@@T;ay but, madam, tell me that (hich I may do for you, and if it shall be such as I may honourably do, gladly (ill I do it, and then you shall do as you may be minded!T /aid then the &ountessB@@TI reOuire of you, that through some one in (hom you trust you send (ord to the &ount, my husband, that your daughter is ready to yield

herself entirely to his (ill, so she may be sure that he loves her even as he 'rofessesI (hereof she (ill never be convinced, until he send her the ring (hich he (ears on his finger, and (hich, she understands, he 'ri:es so muchB (hich, being sent, you shall give to me, and shall then send him (ord that your daughter is ready to do his 'leasure, and, having brought him hither secretly, you shall contrive that I lie by his side instead of your daughter! Perchance, by GodMs grace I shall conceive, and so, having his ring on my finger, and a son gotten of him on my arm, shall have him for my o(n again, and live (ith him even as a (ife should live (ith her husband, and o(e it all to you!T

The lady felt that Mt(as not a little that the &ountess craved of her, for she feared lest it should bring re'roach u'on her daughterB but she reflected that to aid the good lady to recover her husband (as an honourable enter'rise, and that in underta)ing it she (ould be subserving a li)e endI and so, trusting in the good and virtuous dis'osition of the &ountess, she not only 'romised to do as she (as reOuired, but in no long time, 'roceeding (ith caution and secrecy, as she had been bidden, she both had the ring from the &ount, loath though he (as to 'art (ith it, and cunningly contrived that the &ountess should lie (ith him in 'lace of her daughter! In (hich first commingling, so ardently sought by the &ount, it so 'leased God that the lady (as gotten, as in due time her delivery made manifest, (ith t(o sons! ;or once only, but many times did the lady gratify the &ountess (ith the embraces of her husband, using such secrecy that no (ord thereof ever got (ind, the &ount all the (hile su''osing that he lay, not (ith his (ife, but (ith her that he loved, and being (ont to give her, as he left her in the

morning, some fair and rare je(el, (hich she jealously guarded!

+hen she 'erceived that she (as (ith child, the &ountess, being minded no more to burden the lady (ith such service, said to herB@@T"adam, than)s be to God and to you, I no( have that (hich I desired, and therefore Mtis time that I ma)e you grateful reOuital, and ta)e my leave of you!T The lady ans(ered that she (as glad if the &ountess had gotten aught that gave her joyI but that Mt(as not as ho'ing to have guerdon thereof that she had done her 'art, but sim'ly because she deemed it meet and her duty so to do! T+ell said, madam,T returned the &ountess, Tand in li)e manner that (hich you shall as) of me I shall not give you by (ay of guerdon, but because I deem it meet and my duty to give it!T +hereu'on the lady, yielding to necessity, and abashed beyond measure, as)ed of her a hundred 'ounds (here(ith to marry her daughter! The &ountess, mar)ing her embarrassment, and the modesty of her reOuest, gave her five hundred 'ounds besides je(els fair and rare, (orth, 'erha's, no lessI and having thus much more than contented her, and received her su'erabundant than)s, she too) leave of her and returned to the inn! The lady, to render 'ur'oseless further visits or messages on BertrandMs 'art, (ithdre( (ith her daughter to the house of her )insfol) in the countryI nor (as it long before Bertrand, on the urgent entreaty of his vassals and intelligence of the de'arture of his (ife, Ouitted -lorence and returned home! Greatly elated by this intelligence, the &ountess tarried a(hile in -lorence, and (as there delivered of t(o sons as li)e as 'ossible to their father, (hom she nurtured (ith sedulous care! But by and by she sa( fit to ta)e the road, and being come, unrecogni:ed by any, to "ont'ellier, rested there a fe( daysI and being on the alert for ne(s of the &ount and

(here he (as, she learned that on 3ll /aintsM day he (as to hold a great rece'tion of ladies and gentlemen at #oussillon! +hither, retaining her no( (onted 'ilgrimMs (eeds, she hied her, and finding that the ladies and gentlemen (ere all gathered in the &ountMs 'alace and on the 'oint of going to table, she tarried not to change her dress, but (ent u' into the hall, bearing her little ones in her arms, and threading her (ay through the throng to the 'lace (here she sa( the &ount stand, she thre( herself at his feet, and sobbing, said to himB@@T"y lord, thy ha'less bride am I, (ho to ensure thy homecoming and abidance in 'eace have long time been a (anderer, and no( demand of thee observance of the condition (hereof (ord (as brought me by the t(o )nights (hom I sent to thee! 4o in my arms not one son only but t(ain, gotten of thee, and on my finger thy ring! MTis time, then, that I be received of thee as thy (ife according to thy (ord!T +hereat the &ount (as all dumfounded, recogni:ing the ring and his o(n lineaments in the children, so li)e (ere they to himI but saying to himself neverthelessB@@ T.o( can it have come aboutST /o the &ountess, (hile the &ount and all that (ere 'resent marvelled exceedingly, told (hat had ha''ened, and the manner of it, in 'recise detail! +herefore the &ount, 'erceiving that she s'o)e truth, and having regard to her 'erseverance and address and her t(o fine boys, and the (ishes of all his vassals and the ladies, (ho (ith one accord besought him to o(n and honour her thenceforth as his la(ful bride, laid aside his harsh obduracy, and raised the &ountess to her feet, and embraced and )issed her, and ac)no(ledged her for his la(ful (ife, and the children for his o(n! Then, having caused her to be rearrayed in garments befitting her ran), he, to the boundless delight of as many as (ere there, and of all other his vassals, gave u' that day and some that follo(ed to feasting and

merryma)ingI and did ever thenceforth honour, love and most tenderly cherish her as his bride and (ife!

;GVE4 %!

@@ 3libech turns hermit, and is taught by #ustico, a mon), ho( the Devil is 'ut in hell! /he is after(ards conveyed thence, and becomes the (ife of ;eerbale! @@

Dioneo, observing that the OueenMs story, (hich he had follo(ed (ith the closest attention, (as no( ended, and that it only remained for him to s'ea), (aited not to be bidden, but smilingly thus beganB@@

Gracious ladies, 'erchance you have not yet heard ho( the Devil is 'ut in hellI (herefore, (ithout deviating far from the to'ic of (hich you have discoursed throughout the day, I (ill tell you ho( Mtis doneI it may be the lesson (ill 'rove ins'iringI besides (hich, you may learn therefrom that, albeit 4ove 'refers the gay 'alace and the dainty chamber to the rude cabin, yet, for all that, he may at times manifest his might in (ilds matted (ith forests, rugged (ith al's, and desolate (ith cavernsB (hereby it may be understood that all things are subject to his s(ay! But@@to come to my story@@I say that in the city of &a'sa708 in Barbary there (as once a very rich man, (ho (ith other children had a fair and dainty little daughter,

3libech by name! ;o( 3libech, not being a &hristian, and hearing many &hristians, that (ere in the city, s'ea) much in 'raise of the &hristian -aith and the service of God, did one day inOuire of one of them after (hat fashion it (ere 'ossible to serve God (ith as fe( im'ediments as might be, and (as informed that they served God best (ho most com'letely renounced the (orld and its affairsI li)e those (ho had fixed their abode in the (ilds of the Thebaid desert! +hereu'on, actuated by no sober 'redilection, but by childish im'ulse, the girl, (ho (as very sim'le and about fourteen years of age, said never a (ord more of the matter, but stole a(ay on the morro(, and Ouite alone set out to (al) to the Thebaid desertI and, by force of resolution, albeit (ith no small suffering, she after some days reached those (ildsI (here, es'ying a cabin a great (ay off, she hied her thither, and found a holy man by the door, (ho, marvelling to see her there, as)ed her (hat she came there to see)! /he ans(ered that, guided by the s'irit of God, she (as come thither, see)ing, if ha'ly she might serve .im, and also find some one that might teach her ho( .e ought to be served! "ar)ing her youth and great beauty, the (orthy man, fearing lest, if he suffered her to remain (ith him, he should be ensnared by the Devil, commended her good intention, set before her a frugal re'ast of roots of herbs, crab@a''les and dates, (ith a little (ater to (ash them do(n, and said to herB@@T"y daughter, there is a holy man not far from here, (ho is much better able to teach thee that of (hich thou art in Ouest than I amI go to him, thereforeIT and he she(ed her the (ay! But (hen she (as come (hither she (as directed, she met (ith the same ans(er as before, and so, setting forth again, she came at length to the cell of a young hermit, a (orthy man and very devout@@ his name #ustico@@(hom she interrogated as she had the others! #ustico,

being minded to ma)e severe trial of his constancy, did not send her a(ay, as the others had done, but )e't her (ith him in his cell, and (hen night came, made her a little bed of 'alm@leavesI (hereon he bade her com'ose herself to slee'! .ardly had she done so before the solicitations of the flesh joined battle (ith the 'o(ers of #usticoMs s'irit, and he, finding himself left in the lurch by the latter, endured not many assaults before he beat a retreat, and surrendered at discretionB (herefore he bade adieu to holy meditation and 'rayer and disci'line, and fell a musing on the youth and beauty of his com'anion, and also ho( he might so order his conversation (ith her, that (ithout seeming to her to be a libertine he might yet com'ass that (hich he craved of her! /o, 'robing her by certain Ouestions, he discovered that she (as as yet entirely (ithout cogni:ance of man, and as sim'le as she seemedB (herefore he excogitated a 'lan for bringing her to 'leasure him under colour of serving God! .e began by giving her a long lecture on the great enmity that subsists bet(een God and the DevilI after (hich he gave her to understand that, God having condemned the Devil to hell, to 'ut him there (as of all services the most acce'table to God! The girl as)ing him ho( it might be done, #ustico ans(eredB@@TThou shalt )no( it in a triceI thou hast but to do that (hich thou seest me do!T Then, having divested himself of his scanty clothing, he thre( himself star) na)ed on his )nees, as if he (ould 'rayI (hereby he caused the girl, (ho follo(ed his exam'le, to confront him in the same 'osture! +hereu'on #ustico, seeing her so fair, felt an accession of desire, and there(ith came an insurgence of the flesh, (hich 3libech mar)ing (ith sur'rise, saidB@@T#ustico, (hat is this, (hich I see thee have, that so 'rotrudes, and (hich I have notST TGh* my daughter,T said #ustico, TMtis the Devil of (hom I have told theeB and,

seest thouS he is no( tormenting me most grievously, insomuch that I am scarce able to hold out!T ThenB@@TPraise be to God,T said the girl, TI see that I am in better case than thou, for no such Devil have I!T T/ooth sayst thou,T returned #usticoI Tbut instead of him thou hast some(hat else that I have not!T TGh*T said 3libech, T(hat may that beST T.ell,T ans(ered #usticoB Tand I tell thee, that Mtis my belief that God has sent thee hither for the salvation of my soulI seeing that, if this Devil shall continue to 'lague me thus, then, so thou (ilt have com'assion on me and 'ermit me to 'ut him in hell, thou (ilt both afford me great and exceeding great solace, and render to God an exceeding most acce'table service, if, as thou sayst, thou art come into these 'arts for such a 'ur'ose!T In good faith the girl made ans(erB@@T3s I have hell to match your Devil, be it, my father, as and (hen you (ill!T +hereu'onB@@TBless thee, my daughter,T said #ustico, Tgo (e then, and 'ut him there, that he leave me henceforth in 'eace!T +hich said, he too) the girl to one of the beds and taught her the 'osture in (hich she must lie in order to incarcerate this s'irit accursed of God! The girl, having never before 'ut any devil in hell, felt on this first occasion a t(inge of 'ainB (herefore she said to #usticoB@@TGf a surety, my father, he must be a (ic)ed fello(, this devil, and in very truth a foe to GodI for there is sorro( even in hell@@not to s'ea) of other 'laces@@(hen he is 'ut there!T TDaughter,T said #ustico, TMt(ill not be al(ays so!T 3nd for better assurance thereof they 'ut him there six times before they Ouitted the bedI (hereby they so thoroughly abased his 'ride that he (as fain to be Ouiet! .o(ever, the 'roud fit returning u'on him from time to time, and the girl addressing herself al(ays obediently to its reduction, it so befell that she began to find the game agreeable, and (ould say to #usticoB@@T;o( see I

'lainly that Mt(as true, (hat the (orthy men said at &a'sa, of the service of God being so delightfulB indeed I cannot remember that in aught that ever I did I had so much 'leasure, so much solace, as in 'utting the Devil in hellI for (hich cause I deem it insensate folly on the 'art of any one to have a care to aught else than the service of God!T +herefore many a time she (ould come to #ustico, and say to himB@@T"y father, Mt(as to serve God that I came hither, and not to 'ass my days in idlenessB go (e then, and 'ut the Devil in hell!T 3nd (hile they did so, she (ould no( and again sayB@@TI )no( not, #ustico, (hy the Devil should esca'e from hellI (ere he but as ready to stay there as hell is to receive and retain him, he (ould never come out of it!T /o, the girl thus freOuently inviting and exhorting #ustico to the service of God, there came at length a time (hen she had so thoroughly lightened his doublet that he shivered (hen another (ould have s(eatedI (herefore he began to instruct her that the Devil (as not to be corrected and 'ut in hell, save (hen his head (as exalted (ith 'rideI adding, Tand (e by GodMs grace have brought him to so sober a mind that he 'rays God he may be left in 'eaceIT by (hich means he for a time )e't the girl Ouiet! But (hen she sa( that #ustico had no more occasion for her to 'ut the Devil in hell, she said to him one dayB@@T#ustico, if thy Devil is chastened and gives thee no more trouble, my hell, on the other hand, gives me no 'eaceI (herefore, I (ith my hell have hol'en thee to abase the 'ride of thy Devil, so thou (ouldst do (ell to lend me the aid of thy Devil to allay the fervent heat of my hell!T #ustico, (hose diet (as roots of herbs and (ater, (as scarce able to res'ond to her demandsB he told her that Mt(ould reOuire not a fe( devils to allay the heat of hellI but that he (ould do (hat might be in his 'o(erI and so no( and again he satisfied herI

but so seldom that Mt(as as if he had tossed a bean into the ja(s of a lion! +hereat the girl, being fain of more of the service of God than she had, did some(hat re'ine! .o(ever, the case standing thus 7deficiency of 'o(er against su'erfluity of desire8 bet(een #usticoMs Devil and 3libechMs hell, it chanced that a fire bro)e out in &a'sa, (hereby the house of 3libechMs father (as burned, and he and all his sons and the rest of his household 'erishedI so that 3libech (as left sole heiress of all his estate! 3nd a young gallant, ;eerbale by name, (ho by rec)less munificence had (asted all his substance, having discovered that she (as alive, addressed himself to the 'ursuit of her, and, having found her in time to 'revent the confiscation of her fatherMs estate as an escheat for failure of heirs, too) her, much to #usticoMs relief and against her o(n (ill, bac) to &a'sa, and made her his (ife, and shared (ith her her vast 'atrimony! But before he had lain (ith her, she (as Ouestioned by the ladies of the manner in (hich she had served God in the desertI (hereto she ans(ered, that she had been (ont to serve .im by 'utting the Devil in hell, and that ;eerbale had committed a great sin, (hen he too) her out of such service! The ladies being curious to )no( ho( the Devil (as 'ut in hell, the girl satisfied them, 'artly by (ords, 'artly by signs! +hereat they laughed exorbitantly 7and still laugh8 and said to herB@@TBe not do(n@hearted, daughterI Mtis done here tooI ;eerbale (ill )no( (ell ho( to serve God (ith you in that (ay!T 3nd so the story 'assing from mouth to mouth throughout the city, it came at last to be a common 'roverb, that the most acce'table service that can be rendered to God is to 'ut the Devil in hellI (hich 'roverb, having travelled hither across the sea, is still current! +herefore, young ladies, you that have need of the grace of God, see to it that you learn ho( to 'ut the Devil in

hell, because Mtis mightily 'leasing to God, and of great solace to both the 'arties, and much good may thereby be engendered and ensue!

708 ;o( Gafsa, in Tunis!

3 thousand times or more had DioneoMs story brought the laugh to the li's of the honourable ladies, so Ouaint and curiously entertaining found they the fashion of it! 3nd no( at its close the Oueen, seeing the term of her sovereignty come, too) the laurel (reath from her head, and (ith mien most debonair, set it on the bro( of -ilostrato, sayingB@@T+e shall soon see (hether the (olf (ill )no( better ho( to guide the shee' than the shee' have yet succeeded in guiding the (olves!T +hereat -ilostrato said (ith a laughB@ @T.ad I been hear)ened to, the (olves (ould have taught the shee' to 'ut the Devil in hell even as #ustico taught 3libech! +herefore call us not (olves, seeing that you have not she(n yourselves shee'B ho(ever, as best I may be able, I (ill govern the )ingdom committed to my charge!T +hereu'on ;eifile too) him u'B T.ar) ye, -ilostrato,T she said, T(hile you thought to teach us, you might have learnt a lesson from us, as did "asetto da 4am'orecchio from the nuns, and have recovered your s'eech (hen the bones had learned to (histle (ithout a master!T708 -ilostrato, 'erceiving that there (as a scythe for each of his arro(s, gave u' jesting, and addressed himself to the governance of his )ingdom! .e called the seneschal, and held him strictly to account in every 'articularI he then judiciously ordered all matters as he deemed (ould be best and most to the satisfaction of the com'any, (hile his sovereignty should lastI and having so done, he turned to the ladies, and

saidB@@T4oving ladies, as my ill luc) (ould have it, since I have had (it to tell good from evil, the charms of one or other of you have )e't me ever a slave to 4oveB and for all I she(ed myself humble and obedient and conformable, so far as I )ne( ho(, to all his (ays, my fate has been still the same, to be discarded for another, and go ever from bad to (orseI and so, I su''ose, Mt(ill be (ith me to the hour of my death! +herefore I am minded that to@morro( our discourse be of no other to'ic than that (hich is most germane to my condition, to (it, of those (hose loves had a disastrous closeB because mine, I ex'ect, (ill in the long run be most disastrousI nor for other cause (as the name, by (hich you address me, given me by one that (ell )ne( its signification!T +hich said, he arose, and dismissed them all until su''er@time!

/o fair and delightsome (as the garden that none sa( fit to Ouit it, and see) diversion else(here! #ather@@for the sun no( shone (ith a tem'ered radiance that caused no discomfort@@some of the ladies gave chase to the )ids and conies and other creatures that haunted it, and, scam'ering to and fro among them as they sate, had caused them a hundred times, or so, some slight embarrassment! Dioneo and -iammetta fell a singing of "esser Guglielmo and the lady of Vergiu!7A8 -ilomena and Pamfilo sat them do(n to a game of chessI and, as thus they 'ursued each their several diversions, time s'ed so s(iftly that the su''er@hour stole u'on them almost una(aresB (hereu'on they ranged the tables round the beautiful fountain, and su''ed (ith all glad and festal cheer!

+hen the tables (ere removed, -ilostrato, being minded to follo( in the

footste's of his fair 'redecessors in s(ay, bade 4auretta lead a dance and sing a song! /he ans(eredB@@T"y lord, songs of others )no( I none, nor does my memory furnish me (ith any of mine o(n that seems meet for so gay a com'anyI but, if you (ill be content (ith (hat I have, gladly (ill I give you thereof!T T;ought of thine,T returned the )ing, Tcould be other than goodly and delectable! +herefore give us even (hat thou hast!T /o encouraged, 4auretta, (ith dulcet voice, but manner some(hat languishing, raised the ensuing strain, to (hich the other ladies res'ondedB@@

+hat dame disconsolate "ay so lament as I, That vainly sigh, to 4ove still dedicateS

.e that the heaven and every orb doth move -ormed me for .is delight -air, debonair and gracious, a't for loveI That here on earth each soaring s'irit might .ave foretaste ho(, above, That beauty she(s that standeth in .is sight! 3h* but dull (it and slight, -or that it judgeth ill, 4i)eth me not, nay, doth me vilely rate!

There (as (ho loved me, and my maiden grace Did fondly cli' and strain, 3s in his arms, so in his soulMs embrace,

3nd from mine eyes 4oveMs fire did drin) amain, 3nd time that glides a'ace In nought but courting me to s'end (as fain +hom courteous I did deign EvMn as my 'eer to entreatI But am of him bereft* 3h* dolorous fate*

&ame to me next a gallant s(olMn (ith 'ride, Brave, in his o(n conceit, 3nd no less noble e)e! +hom (oe betide That he me too), and holds in all unmeet /us'icion, jealous@eyed* 3nd I, (ho (ot that me the (orld should greet 3s the 'redestined s(eet Gf many men, (ell@nigh Des'air, to be to one thus subjugate!

3h* (oe is me* cursed be the luc)less day, +hen, a ne( go(n to (ear, I said the fatal ayI for blithe and gay In that 'lain go(n I lived, no (hit less fairI +hile in this rich array 3 sad and far less honoured life I bear* +ould I had died, or eMer /ounded those notes of joy 73h* dolorous cheer*8 my (oe to celebrate*

/o list my su''lication, lover dear, Gf (hom such joyance I, 3s neMer another, had! Thou that in clear 4ight of the "a)erMs 'resence art, deny ;ot 'ity to thy fere, +ho thee may neMer forgetI but let one sigh Breathe tidings that on high Thou burnest still for meI 3nd sue of God that .e me there translate!

/o ended 4auretta her song, to (hich all hear)ened attentively, though not all inter'reted it ali)e! /ome (ere inclined to give it a moral after the "ilanese fashion, to (it, that a good 'or)er (as better than a 'retty Ouean! Gthers construed it in a higher, better and truer sense, (hich Mtis not to the 'resent 'ur'ose to unfold! /ome more songs follo(ed by command of the )ing, (ho caused torches not a fe( to be lighted and ranged about the flo(ery meadI and so the night (as 'rolonged until the last star that had risen had begun to set! Then, bethin)ing him that Mt(as time for slumber, the )ing bade all good@night, and dismissed them to their several chambers!

708 I!e! (hen you (ere so emaciated that your bones made music li)e a s)eleton in the (ind!

7A8 Evidently some version of the tragical conte Tde la &hastelaine de Vergi, Oui mori 'or laialment amer son ami!T /ee T-abliaux et &ontes,T ed!

Barba:an, iv! A1>B and cf! Bandello, Pt! iv! ;ov! v, and .e'tameron, ournee vii! ;ouvelle lxx!

@@ Endeth here the third day of the Decameron, beginneth the fourth, in (hich, under the rule of -ilostrato, discourse is had of those (hose loves had a disastrous close! @@

Dearest ladies, as (ell from (hat I heard in converse (ith the (ise, as from matters that not seldom fell (ithin my o(n observation and reading, I formed the o'inion that the vehement and scorching blast of envy (as a't to vent itself only u'on lofty to(ers or the highest tree@to'sB but therein I find that I misjudgedI for, (hereas I ever sought and studied ho( best to elude the buffetings of that furious hurricane, and to that end )e't a course not merely on the 'lain, but, by 'reference, in the de'th of the valleyI as should be abundantly clear to (hoso loo)s at these little stories, (ritten as they are not only in the vulgar -lorentine, and in 'rose, and (ithout dedicatory flourish, but also in as homely and sim'le a style as may beI nevertheless all this has not stood me in such stead but that I have been shre(dly sha)en, nay, all but u'rooted by the blast, and altogether lacerated by the bite of this same envy! +hereby I may very (ell understand that Mtis true, (hat the sages aver, that only misery is exem't from envy in the 'resent life! Nno( then, discreet my ladies, that some there are, (ho, reading these little stories, have alleged that I am too fond of you, and

that Mtis not a seemly thing that I should ta)e so much 'leasure in ministering to your gratification and solaceI and some have found more fault (ith me for 'raising you as I do! Gthers, affecting to deliver a more considered judgment, have said that it ill befits my time of life to ensue such matters, to (it, the discoursing of (omen, or endeavouring to 'leasure them! 3nd not a fe(, feigning a mighty tender regard to my fame, aver that I should do more (isely to )ee' ever (ith the "uses on Parnassus, than to forgather (ith you in such vain dalliance! Those again there are, (ho, evincing less (isdom than des'ite, have told me that I should she( sounder sense if I bethought me ho( to get my daily bread, than, going after these idle toys, to nourish myself u'on the (indI (hile certain others, in dis'aragement of my (or), strive might and main to ma)e it a''ear that the matters (hich I relate fell out other(ise than as I set them forth! /uch then, noble ladies, are the blasts, such the shar' and cruel fangs, by (hich, (hile I cham'ion your cause, I am assailed, harassed and (ell@nigh 'ierced through and through! +hich censures I hear and mar), God )no(s, (ith eOual mindB and, though to you belongs all my defence, yet I mean not to be niggard of my o(n 'o(ers, but rather, (ithout dealing out to them the castigation they deserve, to give them such slight ans(er as may secure my ears some res'ite of their clamourI and that (ithout delayI seeing that, if already, though I have not com'leted the third 'art of my (or), they are not a fe( and very 'resum'tuous, I deem it 'ossible, that before I have reached the end, should they receive no chec), they may have gro(n so numerous, that Mt(ould scarce tax their 'o(ers to sin) meI and that your forces, great though they be, (ould not suffice to (ithstand them! .o(ever I am minded to ans(er none of them, until I have related in my behoof, not indeed an entire

story, for I (ould not seem to foist my stories in among those of so honourable a com'any as that (ith (hich I have made you acOuainted, but a 'art of one, that its very incom'leteness may she( that it is not one of themB (herefore, addressing my assailants, I sayB@@That in our city there (as in old time a citi:en named -ili''o Balducci, a man of Ouite lo( origin, but of good substance and (ell versed and ex'ert in matters belonging to his condition, (ho had a (ife that he most dearly loved, as did she him, so that their life 'assed in 'eace and concord, nor there (as aught they studied so much as ho( to 'lease each other 'erfectly! ;o( it came to 'ass, as it does to every one, that the good lady de'arted this life, leaving -ili''o nought of hers but an only son, that she had had by him, and (ho (as then about t(o years old! .is (ifeMs death left -ili''o as disconsolate as ever (as any man for the loss of a loved oneB and sorely missing the com'anionshi' that (as most dear to him, he resolved to have done (ith the (orld, and devote himself and his little son to the service of God! +herefore, having dedicated all his goods to charitable uses, he forth(ith betoo) him to the summit of "onte 3sinaio, (here he installed himself (ith his son in a little cell, and living on alms, 'assed his days in fasting and 'rayer, being careful above all things to say nothing to the boy of any tem'oral matters, nor to let him see aught of the )ind, lest they should distract his mind from his religious exercises, but discoursing (ith him continually of the glory of the life eternal and of God and the saints, and teaching him nought else but holy orisonsB in (hich (ay of life he )e't him not a fe( years, never suffering him to Ouit the cell or see aught but himself! -rom time to time the (orthy man (ould go -lorence, (here divers of the faithful (ould afford him relief according to his needs, and so he (ould return to his

cell! 3nd thus it fell out that one day -ili''o, no( an aged man, being as)ed by the boy, (ho (as about eighteen years old, (hither he (ent, told him! +hereu'onB@@T-ather,T said the boy, Tyou are no( old, and scarce able to su''ort fatigueI (hy ta)e you me not (ith you for once to -lorence, and give me to )no( devout friends of God and you, so that I, (ho am young and fitter for such exertion than you, may thereafter go to -lorence for our su''lies at your 'leasure, and you remain hereST

The (orthy man, bethin)ing him that his son (as no( gro(n u', and so habituated to the service of God as hardly to be seduced by the things of the (orld, said to himselfB@@T.e says (ell!T 3nd so, as he must needs go to -lorence, he too) the boy (ith him! +here, seeing the 'alaces, the houses, the churches, and all matters else (ith (hich the city abounds, and of (hich he had no more recollection than if he had never seen them, the boy found all 'assing strange, and Ouestioned his father of not a fe( of them, (hat they (ere and ho( they (ere namedI his curiosity being no sooner satisfied in one 'articular than he 'lied his father (ith a further Ouestion! 3nd so it befell that, (hile son and father (ere thus occu'ied in as)ing and ans(ering Ouestions, they encountered a bevy of damsels, fair and richly arrayed, being on their return from a (eddingI (hom the young man no sooner sa(, than he as)ed his father (hat they might be! T"y son,T ans(ered the father, Tfix thy ga:e on the ground, regard them not at all, for naughty things are they!T TGh*T said the son, Tand (hat is their nameST The father, fearing to a(a)en some mischievous craving of concu'iscence in the young man, (ould not denote them truly, to (it, as (omen, but saidB@@TThey are called goslings!T +hereu'on, (onderful to tell* the lad (ho had never before

set eyes on any (oman, thought no more of the 'alaces, the oxen, the horses, the asses, the money, or aught else that he had seen, but exclaimedB@@TPrithee, father, let me have one of those goslings!T T3las, my son,T re'lied the father, Ts'ea) not of themI they are naughty things!T TGh*T Ouestioned the sonI Tbut are naughty things made li)e thatST T3y,T returned the father! +hereu'on the sonB@@TI )no( not,T he said, T(hat you say, nor (hy they should be naughty thingsB for my 'art I have as yet seen nought that seemed to me so fair and delectable! They are fairer than the 'ainted angels that you have so often she(n me! Gh* if you love me, do but let us ta)e one of these goslings u' there, and I (ill see that she have (hereon to bill!T T;ay,T said the father, Tthat (ill not I! Thou )no(est not (hereon they billIT and straight(ay, being (are that nature (as more 'otent than his art, he re'ented him that he had brought the boy to -lorence!

But enough of this storyB Mtis time for me to cut it short, and return to those, for (hose instruction Mtis told! They say then, some of these my censors, that I am too fond of you, young ladies, and am at too great 'ains to 'leasure you! ;o( that I am fond of you, and am at 'ains to 'leasure you, I do most fran)ly and fully confessI and I as) them (hether, considering only all that it means to have had, and to have continually, before oneMs eyes your debonair demeanour, your be(itching beauty and exOuisite grace, and there(ithal your modest (omanliness, not to s'ea) of having )no(n the amorous )isses, the caressing embraces, the volu'tuous comminglings, (hereof our intercourse (ith you, ladies most s(eet, not seldom is 'roductive, they do verily marvel that I am fond of you, seeing that one (ho (as nurtured, reared, and brought u' on a savage and solitary mountain, (ithin the narro(

circuit of a cell, (ithout other com'anion than his father, had no sooner seen you than Mt(as you alone that he desired, that he demanded, that he sought (ith ardourS +ill they tear, (ill they lacerate me (ith their censures, if I, (hose body .eaven fashioned all a't for love, (hose soul from very boyhood (as dedicate to you, am not insensible to the 'o(er of the light of your eyes, to the s(eetness of your honeyed (ords, to the flame that is )indled by your gentle sighs, but am fond of you and sedulous to 'leasure youI you, again I bid them remember, in (hom a hermit, a rude, (itless lad, li)er to an animal than to a human being, found more to delight him than in aught else that he sa(S Gf a truth (hoso taxes me thus must be one that, feeling, )no(ing nought of the 'leasure and 'o(er of natural affection, loves you not, nor craves your loveI and such an one I hold in light esteem! 3nd as for those that go about to find ground of exce'tion in my age, they do but she( that they ill understand that the lee), albeit its head is (hite, has a green tail! But jesting a'art, thus I ans(er them, that never to the end of my life shall I deem it shameful to me to 'leasure those to (hom Guido &avalcanti and Dante 3lighieri in their old age, and "esser &ino da Pistoia in extreme old age, accounted it an honour and found it a delight to minister gratification! 3nd but that Mt(ere a deviation from the use and (ont of discourse, I (ould call history to my aid, and she( it to abound (ith stories of noble men of old time, (ho in their ri'est age studied above all things else to 'leasure the ladiesI (hereof if they be ignorant, go they and get them to school! To )ee' (ith the "uses on Parnassus is counsel I a''roveI but tarry (ith them al(ays (e cannot, nor they (ith us, nor is a man blame(orthy, if, (hen he ha''en to 'art from them, he find his delight in those that resemble them! The "uses are ladies,

and albeit ladies are not the 'eers of the "uses, yet they have their out(ard semblanceI for (hich cause, if for no other, Mtis reasonable that I should be fond of them! Besides (hich, ladies have been to me the occasion of com'osing some thousand verses, but of never a verse that I made (ere the "uses the occasion! .o(beit Mt(as (ith their aid, Mt(as under their influence that I com'osed those thousand verses, and 'erchance they have sometimes visited me to encourage me in my 'resent tas), humble indeed though it be, doing honour and 'aying, as it (ere, tribute, to the li)eness (hich the ladies have to themI (herefore, (hile I (eave these stories, I stray not so far from "ount Parnassus and the "uses as not a fe( 'erchance su''ose! But (hat shall (e say to those, in (hom my hunger excites such commiseration that they bid me get me breadS Verily I )no( not, save thisB@@ /u''ose that in my need I (ere to beg bread of them, (hat (ould be their ans(erS I doubt not they (ould sayB@@TGo see) it among the fables!T 3nd in sooth the 'oets have found more bread among their fables than many rich men among their treasures! 3nd many that have gone after fables have cro(ned their days (ith s'lendour, (hile, on the other hand, not a fe(, in the endeavour to get them more bread than they needed, have 'erished miserably! But (hy (aste more (ords on themS 4et them send me 'ac)ing, (hen I as) bread of themI not that, than) God, I have yet need of it, and should I ever come to be in need of it, I )no(, li)e the 3'ostle, ho( to abound and to be in (ant, and so am minded to be beholden to none but myself! 3s for those (ho say that these matters fell out other(ise than as I relate them, I should account it no small favour, if they (ould 'roduce the originals, and should (hat I (rite not accord (ith them, I (ould ac)no(ledge the justice of their censure, and study to amend my (aysI but, until better evidence is

forthcoming than their (ords, I shall adhere to my o(n o'inion (ithout see)ing to de'rive them of theirs, and give them tit for tat! 3nd being minded that for this (hile this ans(er suffice, I say that (ith God and you, in (hom I trust, most gentle ladies, to aid and 'rotect me, and 'atience for my stay, I shall go for(ard (ith my (or), turning my bac) on this tem'est, ho(ever it may rageI for I see not that I can fare (orse than the fine dust, (hich the blast of the (hirl(ind either leaves (here it lies, or bears aloft, not seldom over the heads of men, over the cro(ns of )ings, of em'erors, and sometimes suffers to settle on the roofs of lofty 'alaces, and the summits of the tallest to(ers, (hence if it fall, it cannot sin) lo(er than the level from (hich it (as raised! 3nd if I ever devoted myself and all my 'o(ers to minister in any (ise to your gratification, I am no( minded more than ever so to do, because I )no( that there is nought that any can justly say in regard thereof, but that I, and others (ho love you, follo( the 'rom'tings of nature, (hose la(s (hoso (ould (ithstand, has need of 'o(ers 're@eminent, and, even so, (ill oft@times labour not merely in vain but to his o(n most grievous disadvantage! /uch 'o(ers I o(n that I neither have, nor, to such end, desire to haveI and had I them, I (ould rather leave them to another than use them myself! +herefore let my detractors hold their 'eace, and if they cannot get heat, (hy, let them shiver their life a(ayI and, (hile they remain addicted to their delights, or rather corru't tastes, let them leave me to follo( my o(n bent during the brief life that is accorded us! But this has been a long digression, fair ladies, and Mtis time to retrace our ste's to the 'oint (here (e deviated, and continue in the course on (hich (e started!

The sun had chased every star from the s)y, and lifted the dan) mur) of night from the earth, (hen, -ilostrato being risen, and having roused all his com'any, they hied them to the fair garden, and there fell to dis'orting themselvesB the time for brea)fast being come, they too) it (here they had su''ed on the 'receding evening, and after they had sle't they rose, (hen the sun (as in his :enith, and seated themselves in their (onted manner by the beautiful fountainI (here -iammetta, being bidden by -ilostrato to lead off the story@telling, a(aited no second command, but debonairly thus began!

;GVE4 I!

@@ Tancred, Prince of /alerno, slays his daughterMs lover, and sends her his heart in a golden cu'B she 'ours u'on it a 'oisonous distillation, (hich she drin)s and dies! @@

3 direful theme has our )ing allotted us for to@dayMs discourse seeing that, (hereas (e are here met for our common delectation, needs must (e no( tell of othersM tears, (hereby, (hether telling or hearing, (e cannot but be moved to 'ity! Perchance Mt(as to tem'er in some degree the gaiety of the 'ast days that he so ordained, but, (hatever may have been his intent, his (ill must be to me immutable la(I (herefore I (ill narrate to you a matter that befell 'iteously, nay (oefully, and so as you may (ell (ee' thereat!

Tancred, Prince of /alerno, a lord most humane and )ind of heart, but that in his old age he imbrued his hands in the blood of a lover, had in the (hole course of his life but one daughterI and had he not had her, he had been more fortunate!

;ever (as daughter more tenderly beloved of father than she of the Prince, (ho, for that cause not )no(ing ho( to 'art (ith her, )e't her unmarried for many a year after she had come of marriageable ageB then at last he gave her to a son of the Du)e of &a'ua, (ith (hom she had lived but a short (hile, (hen he died and she returned to her father! "ost lovely (as she of form and feature 7never (oman more so8, and young and light of heart, and more )no(ing, 'erchance, than beseemed a (oman! D(elling thus (ith her loving father, as a great lady, in no small luxury, nor failing to see that the Prince, for the great love he bore her, (as at no 'ains to 'rovide her (ith another husband, and deeming it unseemly on her 'art to as) one of him, she cast about ho( she might come by a gallant to be her secret lover! 3nd seeing at her fatherMs court not a fe( men, both gentle and sim'le, that resorted thither, as (e )no( men use to freOuent courts, and closely scanning their mien and manners, she 'referred before all others the PrinceMs 'age, Guiscardo by name, a man of very humble origin, but 're@eminent for native (orth and noble bearingI of (hom, seeing him freOuently, she became hotly enamoured, hourly extolling his Oualities more and more highly! The young man, (ho for all his youth by no means lac)ed shre(dness, read her heart, and gave her his o(n on such (ise that his love for her engrossed his mind to the exclusion of almost everything else! +hile thus they burned in secret for one another, the lady, desiring of all things

a meeting (ith Guiscardo, but being shy of ma)ing any her confidant, hit u'on a novel ex'edient to concert the affair (ith him! /he (rote him a letter containing her commands for the ensuing day, and thrust it into a cane in the s'ace bet(een t(o of the )nots, (hich cane she gave to Guiscardo, sayingB@@TThou canst let thy servant have it for a bello(s to blo( thy fire u' to night!T Guiscardo too) it, and feeling sure that Mt(as not unadvisedly that she made him such a 'resent, accom'anied (ith such (ords, hied him straight home, (here, carefully examining the cane, he observed that it (as cleft, and, o'ening it, found the letterI (hich he had no sooner read, and learned (hat he (as to do, than, 'leased as neMer another, he fell to devising ho( to set all in order that he might not fail to meet the lady on the follo(ing day, after the manner she had 'rescribed!

;o( hard by the PrinceMs 'alace (as a grotto, he(n in days of old in the solid roc), and no( long disused, so that an artificial orifice, by (hich it received a little light, (as all but cho)ed (ith brambles and 'lants that gre( about and overs'read it! -rom one of the ground@floor rooms of the 'alace, (hich room (as 'art of the ladyMs suite, a secret stair led to the grotto, though the entrance (as barred by a very strong door! This stair, having been from time immemorial disused, had 'assed out of mind so com'letely that there (as scarce any that remembered that it (as thereB but 4ove, (hose eyes nothing, ho(ever secret, may esca'e, had brought it to the mind of the enamoured lady! -or many a day, using all secrecy, that none should discover her, she had (rought (ith her tools, until she had succeeded in o'ening the doorI (hich done, she had gone do(n into the grotto alone, and having observed the orifice, had by her letter a''rised Guiscardo of its

a''arent height above the floor of the grotto, and bidden him contrive some means of descending thereby! Eager to carry the affair through, Guiscardo lost no time in rigging u' a ladder of ro'es, (hereby he might ascend and descendI and having 'ut on a suit of leather to 'rotect him from the brambles, he hied him the follo(ing night 7)ee'ing the affair close from all8 to the orifice, made the ladder fast by one of its ends to a massive trun) that (as rooted in the mouth of the orifice, climbed do(n the ladder, and a(aited the lady! Gn the morro(, ma)ing as if she (ould fain slee', the lady dismissed her damsels, and loc)ed herself into her roomB she then o'ened the door of the grotto, hied her do(n, and met Guiscardo, to their marvellous mutual satisfaction! The lovers then re'aired to her room, (here in exceeding great joyance they s'ent no small 'art of the day! ;or (ere they neglectful of the 'recautions needful to 'revent discovery of their amourI but in due time Guiscardo returned to the grottoI (hereu'on the lady loc)ed the door and rejoined her damsels! 3t nightfall Guiscardo reascended his ladder, and, issuing forth of the orifice, hied him homeI nor, )no(ing no( the (ay, did he fail to revisit the grotto many a time thereafter!

But -ortune, noting (ith envious eye a ha''iness of such degree and duration, gave to events a dolorous turn, (hereby the joy of the t(o lovers (as converted into bitter lamentation! MT(as TancredMs custom to come from time to time Ouite alone to his daughterMs room, and tarry tal)ing (ith her a (hile! +hereby it so befell that he came do(n there one day after brea)fast, (hile Ghismonda@@such (as the ladyMs name@@(as in her garden (ith her damselsI so that none sa( or heard him enterI nor (ould he call his daughter, for he (as minded that she should not forgo her 'leasure! But,

finding the (indo(s closed and the bed@curtains dra(n do(n, he seated himself on a divan that stood at one of the corners of the bed, rested his head on the bed, dre( the curtain over him, and thus, hidden as if of set 'ur'ose, fell aslee'! 3s he sle't Ghismonda, (ho, as it ha''ened, had caused Guiscardo to come that day, left her damsels in the garden, softly entered the room, and having loc)ed herself in, un(itting that there (as another in the room, o'ened the door to Guiscardo, (ho (as in (aiting! /traight(ay they got them to bed, as (as their (ontI and, (hile they there solaced and dis'orted them together, it so befell that Tancred a(o)e, and heard and sa( (hat they didB (hereat he (as troubled beyond measure, and at first (as minded to u'braid themI but on second thoughts he deemed it best to hold his 'eace, and avoid discovery, if so he might (ith greater stealth and less dishonour carry out the design (hich (as already in his mind! The t(o lovers continued long together, as they (ere (ont, all un(itting of TancredI but at length they sa( fit to get out of bed, (hen Guiscardo (ent bac) to the grotto, and the lady hied her forth of the room! +hereu'on Tancred, old though he (as, got out at one of the (indo(s, clambered do(n into the garden, and, seen by none, returned sorely troubled to his room! By his command t(o men too) Guiscardo early that same night, as he issued forth of the orifice accoutred in his suit of leather, and brought him 'rivily to TancredI (ho, as he sa( him, all but (e't, and saidB@@TGuiscardo, my )indness to thee is ill reOuited by the outrage and dishonour (hich thou hast done me in the 'erson of my daughter, as to@day I have seen (ith my o(n eyes!T To (hom Guiscardo could ans(er nought butB@@T4ove is more 'otent than either, you or I!T Tancred then gave order to )ee' him 'rivily under (atch and (ard in a room (ithin the 'alaceI and so Mt(as done! ;ext day, (hile

Ghismonda (otted nought of these matters, Tancred, after 'ondering divers novel ex'edients, hied him after brea)fast, according to his (ont, to his daughterMs room, (here, having called her to him and loc)ed himself in (ith her, he began, not (ithout tears, to s'ea) on this (iseB@@TGhismonda, conceiving that I )ne( thy virtue and honour, never, though it had been re'orted to me, (ould I have credited, had I not seen (ith my o(n eyes, that thou (ouldst so much as in idea, not to say fact, have ever yielded thyself to any man but thy husbandB (herefore, for the brief residue of life that my age has in store for me, the memory of thy fall (ill ever be grievous to me! 3nd (ould to God, as thou must needs demean thyself to such dishonour, thou hadst ta)en a man that matched thy nobilityI but of all the men that freOuent my courtI thou must needs choose Guiscardo, a young man of the lo(est condition, a fello( (hom (e brought u' in charity from his tender yearsI for (hose sa)e thou hast 'lunged me into the abyss of mental tribulation, insomuch that I )no( not (hat course to ta)e in regard of thee! 3s to Guiscardo, (hom I caused to be arrested last night as he issued from the orifice, and )ee' in durance, my course is already ta)en, but ho( I am to deal (ith thee, God )no(s, I )no( not! I am distraught bet(een the love (hich I have ever borne thee, love such as no father ever bare to daughter, and the most just indignation evo)ed in me by thy signal follyI my love 'rom'ts me to 'ardon thee, my indignation bids me harden my heart against thee, though I do violence to my nature! But before I decide u'on my course, I (ould fain hear (hat thou hast to say to this!T /o saying, he bent his head, and (e't as bitterly as any child that had been soundly thrashed!

.er fatherMs (ords, and the tidings they conveyed that not only (as her

secret 'assion discovered, but Guiscardo ta)en, caused Ghismonda immeasurable grief, (hich she (as again and again on the 'oint of evincing, as most (omen do, by cries and tearsI but her high s'irit trium'hed over this (ea)nessI by a 'rodigious effort she com'osed her countenance, and ta)ing it for granted that her Guiscardo (as no more, she inly devoted herself to death rather than a single 'rayer for herself should esca'e her li's! +herefore, not as a (oman stric)en (ith grief or chidden for a fault, but unconcerned and unabashed, (ith tearless eyes, and fran) and utterly dauntless mien, thus ans(ered she her fatherB@@TTancred, your accusation I shall not deny, neither (ill I cry you mercy, for nought should I gain by denial, nor aught (ould I gain by su''licationB nay moreI there is nought I (ill do to conciliate thy humanity and loveI my only care is to confess the truth, to defend my honour by (ords of sound reason, and then by deeds most resolute to give effect to the 'rom'tings of my high soul! True it is that I have loved and love Guiscardo, and during the brief (hile I have yet to live shall love him, nor after death, so there be then love, shall I cease to love himI but that I love him, is not im'utable to my (omanly frailty so much as to the little :eal thou she(edst for my besto(al in marriage, and to GuiscardoMs o(n (orth! It should not have esca'ed thee, Tancred, creature of flesh and blood as thou art, that thy daughter (as also a creature of flesh and blood, and not of stone or ironI it (as, and is, thy duty to bear in mind 7old though thou art8 the nature and the might of the la(s to (hich youth is subjectI and, though thou hast s'ent 'art of thy best years in martial exercises, thou shouldst nevertheless have not been ignorant ho( 'otent is the influence even u'on the aged@@to say nothing of the young@@of ease and luxury! 3nd not only am I, as being thy daughter, a creature of

flesh and blood, but my life is not so far s'ent but that I am still young, and thus doubly fraught (ith fleshly a''etite, the vehemence (hereof is marvellously enhanced by reason that, having been married, I have )no(n the 'leasure that ensues u'on the satisfaction of such desire! +hich forces being 'o(erless to (ithstand, I did but act as (as natural in a young (oman, (hen I gave (ay to them, and yielded myself to love! ;or in sooth did I fail to the utmost of my 'o(er so to order the indulgence of my natural 'ro'ensity that my sin should bring shame neither u'on thee nor u'on me! To (hich end 4ove in his 'ity, and -ortune in a friendly mood, found and discovered to me a secret (ay, (hereby, none (itting, I attained my desireB this, from (homsoever thou hast learned it, ho(soever thou comest to )no( it, I deny not! MT(as not at random, as many (omen do, that I loved GuiscardoI but by deliberate choice I 'referred him before all other men, and of determinate forethought I lured him to my love, (hereof, through his and my discretion and constancy, I have long had joyance! +herein Mt(ould seem that thou, follo(ing rather the o'inion of the vulgar than the dictates of truth, find cause to chide me more severely than in my sinful love, for, as if thou (ouldst not have been vexed, had my choice fallen on a nobleman, thou com'lainest that I have forgathered (ith a man of lo( conditionI and dost not see that therein thou censurest not my fault but that of -ortune, (hich not seldom raises the un(orthy to high 'lace and leaves the (orthiest in lo( estate! But leave (e thisB consider a little the 'rinci'les of thingsB thou seest that in regard of our flesh (e are all moulded of the same substance, and that all souls are endo(ed by one and the same &reator (ith eOual faculties, eOual 'o(ers, eOual virtues! MT(as merit that made the first distinction bet(een us, born as (e (ere, nay, as (e are, all eOual,

and those (hose merits (ere and (ere a''roved in act the greatest (ere called noble, and the rest (ere not so denoted! +hich la(, albeit overlaid by the contrary usage of after times, is not yet abrogated, nor so im'aired but that it is still traceable in nature and good mannersI for (hich cause (hoso (ith merit acts, does 'lainly she( himself a gentlemanI and if any denote him other(ise, the default is his o(n and not his (hom he so denotes! Pass in revie( all thy nobles, (eigh their merits, their manners and bearing, and then com'are GuiscardoMs Oualities (ith theirsB if thou (ilt judge (ithout 'rejudice, thou (ilt 'ronounce him noble in the highest degree, and thy nobles one and all churls! 3s to GuiscardoMs merits and (orth I did but trust the verdict (hich thou thyself didst utter in (ords, and (hich mine o(n eyes confirmed! Gf (hom had he such commendation as of thee for all those excellences (hereby a good man and true merits commendationS 3nd in sooth thou didst him but justiceI for, unless mine eyes have 'layed me false, there (as nought for (hich thou didst commend him but I had seen him 'ractise it, and that more admirably than (ords of thine might ex'ressI and had I been at all deceived in this matter, Mt(ould have been by thee! +ilt thou say then that I have forgathered (ith a man of lo( conditionS If so, thou (ilt not say true! Didst thou say (ith a 'oor man, the im'eachment might be allo(ed, to thy shame, that thou so ill hast )no(n ho( to reOuite a good man and true that is thy servantI but 'overty, though it ta)e a(ay all else, de'rives no man of gentilesse! "any )ings, many great 'rinces, (ere once 'oor, and many a ditcher or herdsman has been and is very (ealthy! 3s for thy last 'er'ended doubt, to (it, ho( thou shouldst deal (ith me, banish it utterly from thy thoughts! If in thy extreme old age thou art minded to manifest a harshness un(onted in thy youth, (rea) thy

harshness on me, resolved as I am to cry thee no mercy, 'rime cause as I am that this sin, if sin it be, has been committedI for of this I (arrant thee, that as thou mayst have done or shalt do to Guiscardo, if to me thou do not the li)e, I (ith my o(n hands (ill do it! ;o( get thee gone to shed thy tears (ith the (omen, and (hen thy melting mood is over, ruthlessly destroy Guiscardo and me, if such thou deem our merited doom, by one and the same blo(!T

The loftiness of his daughterMs s'irit (as not un)no(n to the PrinceI but still he did not credit her (ith a resolve Ouite as firmly fixed as her (ords im'lied, to carry their 'ur'ort into effect! /o, 'arting from her (ithout the least intention of using harshness to(ards her in her o(n 'erson, he determined to Ouench the heat of her love by (rea)ing his vengeance on her lover, and bade the t(o men that had charge of Guiscardo to strangle him noiselessly that same night, ta)e the heart out of the body, and send it to him! The men did his biddingB and on the morro( the Prince had a large and beautiful cu' of gold brought to him, and having 'ut GuiscardoMs heart therein, sent it by the hand of one of his most trusted servants to his daughter, charging the servant to say, as he gave it to herB@@TThy father sends thee this to give thee joy of that (hich thou lovest best, even as thou hast given him joy of that (hich he loved best!T

;o( (hen her father had left her, Ghismonda, (avering not a jot in her stern resolve, had sent for 'oisonous herbs and roots, and therefrom had distilled a (ater, to have it ready for use, if that (hich she a''rehended should come to 'ass! 3nd (hen the servant a''eared (ith the PrinceMs 'resent and

message, she too) the cu' unblenchingly, and having lifted the lid, and seen the heart, and a''rehended the meaning of the (ords, and that the heart (as beyond a doubt GuiscardoMs, she raised her head, and loo)ing straight at the servant, saidB@@T/e'ulture less honourable than of gold had ill befitted heart such as thisB herein has my father done (isely!T +hich said, she raised it to her li's, and )issed it, sayingB@@TIn all things and at all times, even to this last hour of my life, have I found my father most tender in his love, but no( more so than ever beforeI (herefore I no( render him the last than)s (hich (ill ever be due from me to him for this goodly 'resent!T /o she s'o)e, and straining the cu' to her, bo(ed her head over it, and ga:ing at the heart, saidB@@T3h* sojourn most s(eet of all my joys, accursed be he by (hose ruthless act I see thee (ith the bodily eyeB Mt(as enough that to the mindMs eye thou (ert hourly 'resent! Thou hast run thy courseI thou hast closed the s'an that -ortune allotted theeI thou hast reached the goal of allI thou hast left behind thee the (oes and (eariness of the (orldI and thy enemy has himself granted thee se'ulture accordant (ith thy deserts! ;o circumstance (as (anting to duly celebrate thy obseOuies, save the tears of her (hom, (hile thou livedst, thou didst so dearly loveI (hich that thou shouldst not lac), my remorseless father (as 'rom'ted of God to send thee to me, and, albeit my resolve (as fixed to die (ith eyes unmoistened and front all un'erturbed by fear, yet (ill I accord thee my tearsI (hich done, my care shall be forth(ith by thy means to join my soul to that most 'recious soul (hich thou didst once enshrine! 3nd is there other com'any than hers, in (hich (ith more of joy and 'eace I might fare to the abodes un)no(nS /he is yet here (ithin, I doubt not, contem'lating the abodes of her and my delights, and@@for sure I am that she

loves me@@a(aiting my soul that loves her before all else!T

.aving thus s'o)en, she bo(ed herself lo( over the cu'I and, (hile no (omanish cry esca'ed her, Mt(as as if a fountain of (ater (ere unloosed (ithin her head, so (ondrous a flood of tears gushed from her eyes, (hile times (ithout number she )issed the dead heart! .er damsels that stood around her )ne( not (hose the heart might be or (hat her (ords might mean, but melting in sym'athy, they all (e't, and com'assionately, as vainly, enOuired the cause of her lamentation, and in many other (ays sought to comfort her to the best of their understanding and 'o(er! +hen she had (e't her fill, she raised her head, and dried her eyes! ThenB@@TG heart,T said she, Tmuch cherished heart, discharged is my every duty to(ards theeI nought no( remains for me to do but to come and unite my soul (ith thine!T /o saying, she sent for the vase that held the (ater (hich the day before she had distilled, and em'tied it into the cu' (here lay the heart bathed in her tearsI then, no(ise afraid, she set her mouth to the cu', and drained it dry, and so (ith the cu' in her hand she got her u'on her bed, and having there dis'osed her 'erson in guise as seemly as she might, laid her dead loverMs heart u'on her o(n, and silently a(aited death! "ean(hile the damsels, seeing and hearing (hat 'assed, but )no(ing not (hat the (ater (as that she had drun), had sent (ord of each 'articular to TancredI (ho, a''rehensive of that (hich came to 'ass, came do(n (ith all haste to his daughterMs room, (here he arrived just as she got her u'on her bed, and, no( too late, addressed himself to comfort her (ith soft (ords, and seeing in (hat 'light she (as, burst into a flood of bitter tears! To (hom the ladyB@@ T#eserve thy tears, Tancred, till -ortune send thee ha' less longed for than

thisB (aste them not on me (ho care not for them! +hoever yet sa( any but thee be(ail the consummation of his desireS But, if of the love thou once didst bear me any s'ar) still lives in thee, be it thy 'arting grace to me, that, as thou broo)edst not that I should live (ith Guiscardo in 'rivity and seclusion, so (herever thou mayst have caused GuiscardoMs body to be cast, mine may be united (ith it in the common vie( of all!T The Prince re'lied not for excess of griefI and the lady, feeling that her end (as come, strained the dead heart to her bosom, sayingB@@T-are ye (ellI I ta)e my leave of youIT and (ith eyelids droo'ed and every sense evanished de'arted this life of (oe! /uch (as the lamentable end of the loves of Guiscardo and GhismondaI (hom Tancred, tardily re'entant of his harshness, mourned not a little, as did also all the fol) of /alerno, and had honourably interred side by side in the same tomb!

;GVE4 II!

@@ -ra 3lberto gives a lady to understand that she is beloved of the 3ngel Gabriel, in (hose sha'e he lies (ith her sundry timesI after(ard, for fear of her )insmen, he flings himself forth of her house, and finds shelter in the house of a 'oor man, (ho on the morro( leads him in the guise of a (ild man into the 'ia::a, (here, being recogni:ed, he is a''rehended by his brethren and im'risoned! @@

"ore than once had -iammettaMs story brought tears to the eyes of her fair com'anionsI but no( that it (as ended the )ing said (ith an austere airB@@TI should esteem my life but a 'altry 'rice to 'ay for half the delight that Ghismonda had (ith GuiscardoB (hereat no lady of you all should marvel, seeing that each hour that I live I die a thousand deathsI nor is there so much as a 'article of com'ensating joy allotted me! But a truce to my o(n concernsB I ordain that Pam'inea do next ensue our direful argument, (here(ith the tenor of my life in 'art accords, and if she follo( in -iammettaMs footste's, I doubt not I shall 'resently feel some dro's of de( distill u'on my fire!T Pam'inea received the )ingMs command in a s'irit more accordant (ith (hat from her o(n bent she divined to be the (ishes of her fair gossi's than (ith the )ingMs (ordsI (herefore, being minded rather to afford them some diversion, than, save as in duty bound, to satisfy the )ing, she made choice of a story (hich, (ithout deviating from the 'rescribed theme, should move a laugh, and thus beganB@@

MTis a 'roverb current among the vulgar, thatB@@T+hoso, being (ic)ed, is righteous re'uted, "ay sin as he (ill, and Mt(ill neMer be im'uted!T +hich 'roverb furnishes me (ith abundant matter of discourse, germane to our theme, besides occasion to exhibit the Ouality and degree of the hy'ocrisy of the religious, (ho flaunt it in am'le flo(ing robes, and, (ith faces made 'allid by art, (ith voices lo( and gentle to beg alms, most loud and haughty to re'rove in others their o(n sins, (ould ma)e believe that their (ay of salvation lies in ta)ing from us and ours in giving to themI nay, more, as if they had not li)e us Paradise to (in, but (ere already its lords and masters, assign therein to each that dies a 'lace more or less exalted

according to the amount of the money that he has beOueathed to themI (hich if they believe, Mtis by dint of self@delusion, and to the effect of deluding all that 'ut faith in their (ords! Gf (hose guile (ere it la(ful for me to ma)e as full ex'osure as (ere fitting, not a fe( sim'le fol) should soon be enlightened as to (hat they cloa) (ithin the folds of their voluminous habits! But (ould to God all might have the li)e re(ard of their lies as a certain friar minor, no novice, but one that (as re'uted among their greatest708 at VeniceI (hose story, rather than aught else, I am minded to tell you, if so I may, 'erchance, by laughter and jollity relieve in some degree your souls that are heavy laden (ith 'ity for the death of Ghismonda!

Nno( then, noble ladies, that there (as in Imola a man of evil and corru't life, Berto della "assa by name, (hose 'estilent 'ractices came at length to be so (ell )no(n to the good fol) of Imola that Mt(as all one (hether he lied or s'o)e the truth, for there (as not a soul in Imola that believed a (ord he saidB (herefore, seeing that his tric)s (ould 'ass no longer there, he removed, as in des'air, to Venice, that common sin) of all abominations, thin)ing there to find other means than he had found else(here to the 'rosecution of his nefarious designs! 3nd, as if conscience@stric)en for his 'ast misdeeds, he assumed an air of the dee'est humility, turned the best &atholic of them all, and (ent and made himself a friar minor, ta)ing the name of -ra 3lberto da Imola! +ith his habit he 'ut on a she( of austerity, highly commending 'enitence and abstinence, and eating or drin)ing no sort of meat or (ine but such as (as to his taste! 3nd scarce a soul (as there that (ist that the thief, the 'im', the cheat, the assassin, had not been

suddenly converted into a great 'reacher (ithout continuing in the 'ractice of the said iniOuities, (hensoever the same (as 'rivily 'ossible! 3nd (ithal, having got himself made 'riest, as often as he celebrated at the altar, he (ould (ee' over the 'assion of our 4ord, so there (ere fol) in 'lenty to see, for tears cost him little enough, (hen he had a mind to shed them! In short, (hat (ith his sermons and his tears, he du'ed the fol) of Venice to such a tune that scarce a (ill (as there made but he (as its executor and de'ositaryI nay, not a fe( made him trustee of their moneys, and most, or (ell@nigh most, men and (omen ali)e, their confessor and counsellorB in short, he had 'ut off the (olf and 'ut on the she'herd, and the fame of his holiness (as such in those 'arts that /t! -rancis himself had never the li)e at 3ssisi!

;o( it so befell that among the ladies that came to confess to this holy friar (as one "onna 4isetta of &aM Uuirino, the young, silly, em'ty@headed (ife of a great merchant, (ho (as gone (ith the galleys to -landers! 4i)e a Venetian@@for unstable are they all@@though she 'laced herself at his feet, she told him but a 'art of her sins, and (hen -ra 3lberto as)ed her (hether she had a lover, she re'lied (ith blac) loo)sB@@T.o( no(, master friarS have you not eyes in your headS /ee you no difference bet(een my charms and those of other (omenS 4overs in 'lenty might I have, so I (ouldB but charms such as mine must not be chea'enedB Mtis not every man that might 'resume to love me! .o( many ladies have you seen (hose beauty is com'arable to mineS I should adorn Paradise itself!T +hereto she added so much more in 'raise of her beauty that the friar could scarce hear her (ith 'atience! .o(beit, discerning at a glance that she (as none too (ell furnished (ith sense, he

deemed the soil meet for his 'lough, and fell forth(ith inordinately in love (ith her, though he deferred his blandishments to a more convenient season, and by (ay of su''orting his character for holiness began instead to chide her, telling her 7among other novelties8 that this (as vaingloryB (hereto the lady retorted that he (as a bloc)head, and could not distinguish one degree of beauty from another! +herefore -ra 3lberto, lest he should occasion her too much chagrin, cut short the confession, and suffered her to de'art (ith the other ladies! /ome days after, accom'anied by a single trusty friend, he hied him to "onna 4isettaMs house, and having (ithdra(n (ith her alone into a saloon, (here they (ere safe from observation, he fell on his )nees at her feet, and saidB@@T"adam, for the love of God I crave your 'ardon of that (hich I said to you on /unday, (hen you s'o)e to me of your beauty, for so grievously (as I chastised therefor that very night, that Mtis but to@day that I have been able to Ouit my bed!T T3nd by (hom,T Ouoth my 4ady Battledore, T(ere you so chastisedST TI (ill tell you,T returned -ra 3lberto! TThat night I (as, as is ever my (ont, at my orisons, (hen suddenly a great light shone in my cell, and before I could turn me to see (hat it (as, I sa( standing over me a right goodly youth (ith a stout cudgel in his hand, (ho sei:ed me by the habit and thre( me at his feet and belaboured me till I (as bruised from head to foot! 3nd (hen I as)ed him (hy he used me thus, he ans(eredB@@MMTis because thou didst to@day 'resume to s'ea) slightingly of the celestial charms of "onna 4isetta, (hom I love next to God .imself!M +hereu'on I as)edB@@M3nd (ho are youSM 3nd he made ans(er that he (as the 3ngel Gabriel! Then said IB@@MG my lord, I 'ray you 'ardon me!M +hereto he ans(eredB@@MI 'ardon thee on condition that thou go to her, (ith (hat s'eed thou mayst, and obtain her 'ardon, (hich if she accord thee

not, I shall come bac) hither and give thee belabourings enough (ith my cudgel to ma)e thee a sad man for the rest of thy days!M +hat more he said, I dare not tell you, unless you first 'ardon me!T +hereat our flimsy 'um'ion@'ated 4ady 4ac)brain (as overjoyed, ta)ing all the friarMs (ords for gos'el! /o after a (hile she saidB@@T3nd did I not tell you, -ra 3lberto, that my charms (ere celestialS But, so hel' me God, I am moved to 'ity of you, and forth(ith I 'ardon you, lest (orse should befall you, so only you tell me (hat more the 3ngel said!T T/o (ill I gladly, "adam,T returned -ra 3lberto, Tno( that I have your 'ardonI this only I bid you bear in mind, that you have a care that never a soul in the (orld hear from you a single (ord of (hat I shall say to you, if you (ould not s'oil your good fortune, (herein there is not to@day in the (hole (orld a lady that may com'are (ith you! Nno( then that the 3ngel Gabriel bade me tell you that you stand so high in his favour that again and again he (ould have come to 'ass the night (ith you, but that he doubted he should affright you! /o no( he sends you (ord through me that he (ould fain come one night, and stay a (hile (ith youI and seeing that, being an angel, if he should visit you in his angelic sha'e, he might not be touched by you, he (ould, to 'leasure you, 'resent himself in human sha'eI and so he bids you send him (ord, (hen you (ould have him come, and in (hose sha'e, and he (ill comeI for (hich cause you may deem yourself more blessed than any other lady that lives!T "y 4ady Vanity then said that she (as highly flattered to be beloved of the 3ngel GabrielI (hom she herself loved so (ell that she had never grudged four soldi to burn a candle before his 'icture, (herever she sa( it, and that he (as (elcome to visit her as often as he li)ed, and (ould al(ays find her alone in her roomI on the understanding, ho(ever, that he should not desert her for the Virgin

"ary, (hom she had heard he did mightily affect, and indeed Mt(ould so a''ear, for, (herever she sa( him, he (as al(ays on his )nees at her feetB for the rest he might even come in (hat sha'e he 'leased, so that it (as not such as to terrify her! Then said -ra 3lbertoB@@T"adam, Mtis (isely s'o)enI and I (ill arrange it all (ith him just as you say! But Mtis in your 'o(er to do me a great favour, (hich (ill cost you nothingI and this favour is that you be consenting that he visit you in my sha'e! ;o( hear (herein you (ill confer this favourB thus (ill it beB he (ill disembody my soul, and set it in Paradise, entering himself into my bodyI and, as long as he shall be (ith you, my soul (ill be in Paradise!T +hereto my 4ady /lender(itB@@T/o be it,T she saidI TI am (ell 'leased that you have this solace to salve the bruises that he gives you on my account!T TGood,T said -ra 3lbertoI Tthen you (ill see to it that to@night he find, (hen he comes, your outer door unlatched, that he may have ingressI for, coming, as he (ill, in human sha'e, he (ill not be able to enter save by the door!T TIt shall be done,T re'lied the lady! +hereu'on -ra 3lberto too) his leave, and the lady remained in such a state of exaltation that her nether end )ne( not her chemise, and it seemed to her a thousand years until the 3ngel Gabriel should come to visit her! -ra 3lberto, bethin)ing him that Mt(as not as an angel, but as a cavalier that he must acOuit himself that night, fell to fortifying himself (ith comfits and other dainties, that he might not lose his saddle for slight cause! Then, leave of absence gotten, he betoo) him at nightfall, (ith a single com'anion, to the house of a (oman that (as his friend, (hich house had served on former occasions as his base (hen he (ent a chasing the filliesI and having there disguised himself, he hied him, (hen he deemed Mt(as time, to the house of the lady, (here, donning the ge(ga(s

he had brought (ith him, he transformed himself into an angel, and going u', entered the ladyMs chamber! ;o sooner sa( she this da::ling a''arition than she fell on her )nees before the 3ngel, (ho gave her his blessing, raised her to her feet, and motioned her to go to bed! /he, nothing loath, obeyed forth(ith, and the 3ngel lay do(n beside his devotee! ;o(, -ra 3lberto (as a stout, handsome fello(, (hose legs bore themselves right bravelyI and being bedded (ith "onna 4isetta, (ho (as lusty and delicate, he covered her after another fashion than her husband had been (ont, and too) many a flight that night (ithout (ings, so that she heartily cried him contentI and not a little there(ithal did he tell her of the glory celestial! Then to(ards daybrea), all being ready for his return, he hied him forth, and re'aired, ca'arisoned as he (as, to his friend, (hom, lest he should be affrighted, slee'ing alone, the good (oman of the house had solaced (ith her com'any! The lady, so soon as she had brea)fasted, betoo) her to -ra 3lberto, and re'orted the 3ngel GabrielMs visit, and (hat he had told her of the glory of the life eternal, describing his a''earance, not (ithout some added marvels of her o(n invention! +hereto -ra 3lberto re'liedB@@T"adam, I )no( not ho( you fared (ith himI but this I )no(, that last night he came to me, and for that I had done his errand (ith you, he suddenly trans'orted my soul among such a multitude of flo(ers and roses as (as never seen here belo(, and my soul@@(hat became of my body I )no( not@@tarried in one of the most delightful 'laces that ever (as from that hour until matins!T T3s for your body,T said the lady, Tdo I not tell you (hose it (asS It lay all night long (ith the 3ngel Gabriel in my armsI and if you believe me not, you have but to too) under your left 'a', (here I gave the 3ngel a mighty )iss, of (hich the mar) (ill last for some days!T T+hy then,T said -ra 3lberto, TI (ill

even do to@day (hat Mtis long since I did, to (it, undress, that I may see if you say sooth!T /o they fooled it a long (hile, and then the lady (ent home, (here -ra 3lberto after(ards 'aid her many a visit (ithout any let! .o(ever, one day it so befell that (hile "onna 4isetta (as (ith one of her gossi's canvassing beauties, she, being minded to exalt her o(n charms above all others, and having, as (e )no(, none too much (it in her 'um'ion@'ate, observedB@@TDid you but )no( by (hom my charms are 'ri:ed, then, for sure, you (ould have nought to say of the rest!T .er gossi', all agog to hear, for (ell she )ne( her foible, ans(eredB@@T"adam, it may be as you say, but still, (hile one )no(s not (ho he may be, one cannot alter oneMs mind so ra'idly!T +hereu'on my 4ady -eatherbrainB@@TGossi',T said she, TMtis not for common tal), but he that I (ot of is the 3ngel Gabriel, (ho loves me more dearly than himself, for that I am, so he tells me, the fairest lady in all the (orld, ay, and in the "aremma to boot!T7A8 +hereat her gossi' (ould fain have laughed, but held herself in, being minded to hear more from her! +herefore she saidB@@TGodMs faith, "adam, if Mtis the 3ngel Gabriel, and he tells you so, (hy, so of course it must needs beI but I (ist not the angels meddled (ith such matters!T TThere you erred, gossi',T said the ladyB T:ounds, he does it better than my husband, and he tells me they do it above there too, but, as he rates my charms above any that are in heaven, he is enamoured of me, and not seldom visits meB so no( dost seeST /o a(ay (ent the gossi' so agog to tell the story, that it seemed to her a thousand years till she (as (here it might be doneI and being met for recreation (ith a great com'any of ladies, she narrated it all in detailB (hereby it 'assed to the ladiesM husbands, and to other ladies, and from them to yet other ladies, so that in less than t(o days all Venice (as full of it! But among

others, (hose ears it reached, (ere "onna 4isettaMs brothers@in@la(, (ho, )ee'ing their o(n counsel, resolved to find this angel and ma)e out (hether he )ne( ho( to flyI to (hich end they )e't (atch for some nights! +hereof no hint, as it ha''ened, reached -ra 3lbertoMs earsI and so, one night (hen he (as come to enjoy the lady once more, he (as scarce undressed (hen her brothers@in@la(, (ho had seen him come, (ere at the door of the room and already o'ening it, (hen -ra 3lberto, hearing the noise and a''rehending the danger, started u', and having no other resource, thre( o'en a (indo( that loo)ed on to the Grand &anal, and 'lunged into the (ater! The de'th (as great, and he (as an ex'ert s(immerI so that he too) no hurt, but, having reached the other ban), found a house o'en, and forth(ith entered it, 'raying the good man that (as (ithin, for GodMs sa)e to save his life, and trum'ing u' a story to account for his being there at so late an hour, and stri''ed to the s)in! The good man too) 'ity on him, and having occasion to go out, he 'ut him in his o(n bed, bidding him stay there until his returnI and so, having loc)ed him in, he (ent about his business!

;o( (hen the ladyMs brothers@in@la( entered the room, and found that the 3ngel Gabriel had ta)en flight, leaving his (ings behind him, being baul)ed of their 'rey, they roundly rated the lady, and then, leaving her disconsolate, betoo) themselves home (ith the 3ngelMs s'oils! +hereby it befell, that, (hen Mt(as broad day, the good man, being on the #ialto, heard tell ho( the 3ngel Gabriel had come to 'ass the night (ith "onna 4isetta, and, being sur'rised by her brothers@in@la(, had ta)en fright, and thro(n himself into the &anal, and none )ne( (hat (as become of him! The good man guessed in a trice that the said 3ngel (as no other than the man he had at

home, (hom on his return he recogni:ed, and, after much chaffering, brought him to 'romise him fifty ducats that he might not be given u' to the ladyMs brothers@in@la(! The bargain struc), -ra 3lberto signified a desire to be going! +hereu'onB@@TThere is no (ay,T said the good man, Tbut one, if you are minded to ta)e it! To@day (e hold a revel, (herein fol) lead others about in various disguisesI as, one man (ill 'resent a bear, another a (ild man, and so forthI and then in the 'ia::a of /an "arco there is a hunt, (hich done, the revel is endedI and then a(ay they hie them, (hither they (ill, each (ith the man he has led about! If you are (illing to be led by me in one or another of these disguises, before it can get (ind that you are here, I can bring you (hither you (ould goI other(ise I see not ho( you are to Ouit this 'lace (ithout being )no(nI and the ladyMs brothers@in@la(, rec)oning that you must be lur)ing some(here in this Ouarter, have set guards all about to ta)e you!T 4oath indeed (as -ra 3lberto to go in such a guise, but such (as his fear of the ladyMs relations that he consented, and told the good man (hither he desired to be ta)en, and that he (as content to leave the choice of the disguise to him! The good man then smeared him all over (ith honey, and covered him (ith do(n, set a chain on his nec) and a vi:ard on his face, gave him a stout cudgel to carry in one hand, and t(o huge dogs, (hich he had brought from the shambles, to lead (ith the other, and sent a man to the #ialto to announce that (hoso (ould see the 3ngel Gabriel should hie him to the 'ia::a of /an "arcoI in all (hich he acted as a leal Venetian! 3nd so, after a (hile, he led him forth, and then, ma)ing him go before, held him by the chain behind, and through a great throng that clamouredB@@T+hat manner of thing is thisS (hat manner of thing is thisST he brought him to the 'ia::a, (here, (hat (ith those that follo(ed them, and

those that had come from the #ialto on hearing the announcement, there (ere fol) (ithout end! 3rrived at the 'ia::a, he fastened his (ild man to a column in a high and ex'osed 'lace, ma)ing as if he (ere minded to (ait till the hunt should beginI (hereby the flies and gadflies, attracted by the honey (ith (hich he (as smeared, caused him most grievous distress! .o(ever, the good man (aited only until the 'ia::a (as thronged, and then, ma)ing as if he (ould unchain his (ild man, he tore the vi:ard from -ra 3lbertoMs face, sayingB@@TGentlemen, as the boar comes not to the hunt, and the hunt does not ta)e 'lace, that it be not for nothing that you are come hither, I am minded to give you a vie( of the 3ngel Gabriel, (ho comes do(n from heaven to earth by night to solace the ladies of Venice!T The vi:ard (as no sooner (ithdra(n than all recogni:ed -ra 3lberto, and greeted him (ith hootings, rating him in language as offensive and o''robrious as ever rogue (as abused (ithal, and 'elting him in the face (ith every sort of filth that came to handB in (hich 'light they )e't him an exceeding great (hile, until by chance the bruit thereof reached his brethren, of (hom some six thereu'on 'ut themselves in motion, and, arrived at the 'ia::a, cla''ed a habit on his bac), and unchained him, and amid an immense u'roar led him off to their convent, (here, after languishing a (hile in 'rison, Mtis believed that he died!

/o this man, by reason that, being re'uted righteous, he did evil, and Mt(as not im'uted to him, 'resumed to counterfeit the 3ngel Gabriel, and, being transformed into a (ild man, (as in the end 'ut to shame, as he deserved, and vainly be(ailed his misdeeds! God grant that so it may betide all his li)es!

708 deM maggior cassesi! ;o such (ord as cassesi is )no(n to the lexicogra'hers or commentatorsI and no 'lausible emendation has yet been suggested!

7A8 +ith this ine'titude cf! the friarMs Tflo(ers and roses T on the 'receding 'age!

;GVE4 III!

@@ Three young men love three sisters, and flee (ith them to &rete! The eldest of the sisters slays her lover for jealousy! The second saves the life of the first by yielding herself to the Du)e of &rete! .er lover slays her, and ma)es off (ith the firstB the third sister and her lover are charged (ith the murder, are arrested and confess the crime! They esca'e death by bribing the guards, flee destitute to #hodes, and there in destitution die! @@

Pam'ineaMs story ended, -ilostrato mused a (hile, and then said to herB@@T3 little good matter there (as that 'leased me at the close of your story, but, before Mt(as reached, there (as far too much to laugh at, (hich I could have (ished had not been there!T Then, turning to 4auretta, he saidB@@ T"adam, give us something better to follo(, if so it may be!T 4auretta re'lied (ith a laughB@@T.arsh beyond measure are you to the lovers, to

desire that their end be al(ays evilI but, as in duty bound, I (ill tell a story of three, (ho all ali)e came to a bad end, having had little joyance of their lovesIT and so saying, she began!

+ell may ye (ot, young ladies, for Mtis abundantly manifest, that there is no vice but most grievous disaster may ensue thereon to him that 'ractises it, and not seldom to othersI and of all the vices that (hich hurries us into 'eril (ith loosest rein is, methin)s, angerI (hich is nought but a rash and hasty im'ulse, 'rom'ted by a feeling of 'ain, (hich banishes reason, shrouds the eyes of the mind in thic) dar)ness, and sets the soul abla:e (ith a fierce fren:y! +hich, though it not seldom befall men, and one rather than another, has nevertheless been observed to be fraught in (omen (ith more disastrous conseOuences, inasmuch as in them the flame is both more readily )indled, and burns more brightly, and (ith less im'ediment to its vehemence! +herein is no cause to marvel, for, if (e consider it, (e shall see that Mtis of the nature of fire to lay hold more readily of things light and delicate than of matters of firmer and more solid substanceI and sure it is that (e 7(ithout offence to the men be it s'o)en8 are more delicate than they, and much more mobile! +herefore, seeing ho( 'rone (e are thereto by nature, and considering also our gentleness and tenderness, ho( soothing and consolatory they are to the men (ith (hom (e consort, and that thus this madness of (rath is fraught (ith grievous annoy and 'erilI therefore, that (ith stouter heart (e may defend ourselves against it, I 'ur'ose by my story to she( you, ho( the loves of three young men, and as many ladies, as I said before, (ere by the anger of one of the ladies changed from a ha''y to a most (oeful com'lexion!

"arseilles, as you )no(, is situate on the coast of Provence, a city ancient and most famous, and in old time the seat of many more rich men and great merchants than are to be seen there to@day, among (hom (as one ;arnald &luada by name, a man of the lo(est origin, but a merchant of unsullied 'robity and integrity, and boundless (ealth in lands and goods and money, (ho had by his lady several children, three of them being daughters, older, each of them, than the other children, (ho (ere sons! T(o of the daughters, (ho (ere t(ins, (ere, (hen my story begins, fifteen years old, and the third (as but a year younger, so that in order to their marriage their )insfol) a(aited nothing but the return of ;arnald from /'ain, (hither he (as gone (ith his merchandise! Gne of the t(ins (as called ;inette, the other "adeleineI the third daughterMs name (as Bertelle! 3 young man, #estagnon by name, (ho, though 'oor, (as of gentle blood, (as in the last degree enamoured of ;inette, and she of himI and so discreetly had they managed the affair, that, never another soul in the (orld (itting aught of it, they had had joyance of their love, and that for a good (hile, (hen it so befell that t(o young friends of theirs, the one -oulOues, the other .ugues by name, (hom their fathers, recently dead, had left very (ealthy, fell in love, the one (ith "adeleine, the other (ith Bertelle! +hereof #estagnon being a''rised by ;inette bethought him that in their love he might find a means to the relief of his necessities! .e accordingly consorted freely and familiarly (ith them, accom'anying, no( one, no( the other, and sometimes both of them, (hen they (ent to visit their ladies and hisI and (hen he judged that he had made his footing as friendly and familiar as need (as, he bade them one day to his house, and saidB@@T&omrades most dear, our

friendshi', 'erchance, may not have left you (ithout assurance of the great love I bear you, and that for you I (ould do even as much as for myselfB (herefore, loving you thus much, I 'ur'ose to im'art to you that (hich is in my mind, that in regard thereof, you and I together may then resolve in such sort as to you shall seem the best! Cou, if I may trust your (ords, as also (hat I seem to have gathered from your demeanour by day and by night, burn (ith an exceeding great love for the t(o ladies (hom you affect, as I for their sister! -or the assuagement (hereof, I have good ho'e that, if you (ill unite (ith me, I shall find means most s(eet and delightsomeI to (it, on this (ise! Cou 'ossess, as I do not, great (ealthB no( if you are (illing to ma)e of your (ealth a common stoc) (ith me as third 'artner therein, and to choose some 'art of the (orld (here (e may live in careless ease u'on our substance, (ithout any manner of doubt I trust so to 'revail that the three sisters (ith great 'art of their fatherMs substance shall come to live (ith us, (herever (e shall see fit to goI (hereby, each (ith his o(n lady, (e shall live as three brethren, the ha''iest men in the (orld! MTis no( for you to determine (hether you (ill embrace this 'roffered solace, or let it sli' from you!T The t(o young men, (hose love (as beyond all measure fervent, s'ared themselves the trouble of deliberationB Mt(as enough that they heard that they (ere to have their ladiesB (herefore they ans(ered, that, so this should ensue, they (ere ready to do as he 'ro'osed! .aving thus their ans(er, #estagnon a fe( days later (as closeted (ith ;inette, to (hom Mt(as a matter of no small difficulty for him to get access! ;or had he been long (ith her before he adverted to (hat had 'assed bet(een him and the young men, and sought to commend the 'roject to her for reasons not a fe(! 4ittle need, ho(ever, had he to urge herB for to live their life o'enly

together (as the very thing she desired, far more than heB (herefore she fran)ly ans(ered that she (ould have it so, that her sisters (ould do, more es'ecially in this matter, just as she (ished, and that he should lose no time in ma)ing all the needful arrangements! /o #estagnon returned to the t(o young men, (ho (ere most urgent that it should be done even as he said, and told them that on the 'art of the ladies the matter (as concluded! 3nd so, having fixed u'on &rete for their destination, and sold some estates that they had, giving out that they (ere minded to go a trading (ith the 'roceeds, they converted all else that they 'ossessed into money, and bought a brigantine, (hich (ith all secrecy they handsomely eOui''ed, anxiously ex'ecting the time of their de'arture, (hile ;inette on her 'art, )no(ing (ell ho( her sisters (ere affected, did so by s(eet converse foment their desire that, till it should be accom'lished, they accounted their life as nought! The night of their embarcation being come, the three sisters o'ened a great chest that belonged to their father, and too) out therefrom a vast Ouantity of money and je(els, (ith (hich they all three issued forth of the house in dead silence, as they had been charged, and found their three lovers a(aiting themI (ho, having forth(ith brought them aboard the brigantine, bade the ro(ers give (ay, and, tarrying no(here, arrived the next evening at Genoa, (here the ne( lovers had for the first time joyance and solace of their love!

.aving ta)en (hat they needed of refreshment, they resumed their course, touching at this 'ort and that, and in less than eight days, s'eeding (ithout im'ediment, (ere come to &rete! There they bought them domains both beautiful and broad, (hereon, hard by &andia they built them mansions most

goodly and delightsome, (herein they lived as barons, )ee'ing a cro(d of retainers, (ith dogs, ha()s and horses, and s'eeding the time (ith their ladies in feasting and revelling and merryma)ing, none so light@hearted as they! /uch being the tenor of their life, it so befell that 7as Mtis matter of daily ex'erience that, ho(ever delightsome a thing may be, su'erabundance thereof (ill breed disgust8 #estagnon, much as he had loved ;inette, being no( able to have his joyance of her (ithout stint or restraint, began to (eary of her, and by conseOuence to abate some(hat of his love for her! 3nd being mightily 'leased (ith a fair gentle(oman of the country, (hom he met at a merryma)ing, he set his (hole heart u'on her, and began to she( himself marvellously courteous and gallant to(ards herI (hich ;inette 'erceiving gre( so jealous that he might not go a ste' but she )ne( of it, and resented it to his torment and her o(n (ith high (ords! But as, (hile su'erfluity engenders disgust, a''etite is but (hetted (hen fruit is forbidden, so ;inetteMs (rath added fuel to the flame of #estagnonMs ne( love! 3nd (hichever (as the event, (hether in course of time #estagnon had the ladyMs favour or had it not, ;inette, (hoever may have brought her the tidings, firmly believed that he had itI (hereby from the de'ths of distress she 'assed into a to(ering 'assion, and thus (as trans'orted into such a fren:y of rage that all the love she bore to #estagnon (as converted into bitter hatred, and, blinded by her (rath, she made u' her mind to avenge by #estagnonMs death the dishonour (hich she deemed that he had done her! /o she had recourse to an old Gree) (oman, that (as very s)ilful in com'ounding 'oisons, (hom by 'romises and gifts she induced to distill a deadly (ater, (hich, )ee'ing her o(n counsel, she herself gave #estagnon to drin) one evening, (hen he (as some(hat heated and Ouite off his guardB (hereby@@such

(as the efficacy of the (ater@@she des'atched #estagnon before matins! Gn learning his death -oulOues and .ugues and their ladies, (ho )ne( not that he had been 'oisoned, united their bitter (ith ;inetteMs feigned lamentations, and gave him honourable se'ulture! But so it befell that, not many days after, the old (oman, that had com'ounded the 'oison for ;inette, (as ta)en for another crimeI and, being 'ut to the torture, confessed the com'ounding of the 'oison among other of her misdeeds, and fully declared (hat had thereby come to 'ass! +herefore the Du)e of &rete, breathing no (ord of his intent, came 'rivily by night, and set a guard around -oulOuesM 'alace, (here ;inette then (as, and Ouietly, and Ouite uno''osed, too) and carried her offI and (ithout 'utting her to the torture, learned from her in a trice all that he sought to )no( touching the death of #estagnon! -oulOues and .ugues had learned 'rivily of the Du)e, and their ladies of them, for (hat cause ;inette (as ta)enI and, being mightily distressed thereby, bestirred themselves (ith all :eal to save ;inette from the fire, to (hich they a''rehended she (ould be condemned, as having indeed richly deserved itI but all their endeavours seemed to avail nothing, for the Du)e (as un(averingly resolved that justice should be done! "adeleine, -oulOuesM fair (ife, (ho had long been courted by the Du)e, but had never deigned to she( him the least favour, thin)ing that by yielding herself to his (ill she might redeem her sister from the fire, des'atched a trusty envoy to him (ith the intimation that she (as entirely at his dis'osal u'on the t(ofold condition, that in the first 'lace her sister should be restored to her free and scatheless, and, in the second 'lace, the affair should be )e't secret! 3lbeit gratified by this overture, the Du)e (as long in doubt (hether he should acce't itI in the end, ho(ever, he made u' his mind to do so, and

signified his a''roval to the envoy! Then (ith the ladyMs consent he 'ut -oulOues and .ugues under arrest for a night, as if he (ere minded to examine them of the affair, and mean(hile Ouartered himself 'rivily (ith "adeleine! ;inette, (ho, he had made believe, had been set in a sac), and (as to be sun) in the sea that same night, he too) (ith him, and 'resented her to her sister in reOuital of the nightMs joyance, (hich, as he 'arted from her on the morro(, he 'rayed her might not be the last, as it (as the first, fruit of their love, at the same time enjoining her to send the guilty lady a(ay that she might not bring re'roach u'on him, nor he be com'elled to deal rigorously (ith her again! #eleased the same morning, and told that ;inette had been cast into the sea, -oulOues and .ugues, fully believing that so it (as, came home, thin)ing ho( they should console their ladies for the death of their sisterI but, though "adeleine (as at great 'ains to conceal ;inette, -oulOues nevertheless, to his no small ama:ement, discovered that she (as thereI (hich at once excited his sus'icion, for he )ne( that the Du)e had been enamoured of "adeleineI and he as)ed ho( it (as that ;inette (as there! "adeleine made u' a long story by (ay of ex'lanation, to (hich his sagacity gave little credit, and in the end after long 'arley he constrained her to tell the truth! +hereu'on, overcome (ith grief, and trans'orted (ith rage, he dre( his s(ord, and, deaf to her a''eals for mercy, sle( her! Then, fearing the vengeful justice of the Du)e, he left the dead body in the room, and hied him to ;inette, and (ith a counterfeit gladsome mien said to herB@@TGo (e (ithout delay (hither thy sister has a''ointed that I escort thee, that thou fall not again into the hands of the Du)e!T ;inette believed him, and being fain to go for very fear, she fore(ent further leave@ta)ing of her sister, more 'articularly as

it (as no( night, and set out (ith -oulOues, (ho too) (ith him such little money as he could lay his hands u'onI and so they made their (ay to the coast, (here they got aboard a bar), but none ever )ne( (here their voyage ended!

"adeleineMs dead body being discovered next day, certain evil@dis'osed fol), that bore a grudge to .ugues, forth(ith a''rised the Du)e of the factI (hich brought the Du)e@@for much he loved "adeleine@@in hot haste to the house, (here he arrested .ugues and his lady, (ho as yet )ne( nothing of the de'arture of -oulOues and ;inette, and extorted from them a confession that they and -oulOues (ere jointly ans(erable for "adeleineMs death! -or (hich cause being justly a''rehensive of death, they (ith great address corru'ted the guards that had charge of them, giving them a sum of money (hich they )e't concealed in their house against occasions of needI and together (ith the guards fled (ith all s'eed, leaving all that they 'ossessed behind them, and too) shi' by night for #hodes, (here, being arrived, they lived in great 'overty and misery no long time! /uch then (as the issue, to (hich #estagnon, by his foolish love, and ;inette by her (rath brought themselves and others!

;GVE4 IV!

@@ Gerbino, in breach of the 'lighted faith of his grandfather, Ning Guglielmo, attac)s a shi' of the Ning of Tunis to rescue thence his daughter! /he being

slain by those aboard the shi', he slays them, and after(ards he is beheaded! @@

4auretta, her story ended, )e't silenceI and the )ing brooded as in dee' thought, (hile one or another of the com'any de'lored the sad fate of this or the other of the lovers, or censured ;inetteMs (rath, or made some other comment! 3t length, ho(ever, the )ing roused himself, and raising his head, made sign to Elisa that Mt(as no( for her to s'ea)! /o, modestly, Elisa thus beganB@@Gracious ladies, not a fe( there are that believe that 4ove looses no shafts save (hen he is )indled by the eyes, contemning their o'inion that hold that 'assion may be engendered by (ordsI (hose error (ill be abundantly manifest in a story (hich I 'ur'ose to tell youI (herein you may see ho( mere rumour not only (rought mutual love in those that had never seen one another, but also brought both to a miserable death!

Guglielmo, the /econd,708 as the /icilians com'ute, Ning of /icily, had t(o children, a son named #uggieri, and a daughter named Gostan:a! #uggieri died before his father, and left a son named GerbinoI (ho, being carefully trained by his grandfather, gre( u' a most goodly gallant, and of great reno(n in court and cam', and that not only (ithin the borders of /icily, but in divers other 'arts of the (orld, among them Barbary, then tributary to the Ning of /icily! 3nd among others, to (hose ears (as (afted the bruit of GerbinoMs magnificent 'ro(ess and courtesy, (as a daughter of the Ning of Tunis, (ho, by averment of all that had seen her, (as a creature as fair and debonair, and of as great and noble a s'irit as ;ature ever formed! To hear

tell of brave men (as her delight, and (hat she heard, no( from one, no( from another, of the brave deeds of Gerbino she treasured in her mind so sedulously, and 'ondered them (ith such 'leasure, rehearsing them to herself in imagination, that she became hotly enamoured of him, and there (as none of (hom she tal)ed, or heard others tal), so gladly! ;or, on the other hand, had the fame of her incom'arable beauty and other excellences failed to travel, as to other lands, so also to /icily, (here, falling on GerbinoMs ears, it gave him no small delight, to such effect that he burned for the lady no less vehemently than she for him! +herefore, until such time as he might, u'on some (orthy occasion, have his grandfatherMs leave to go to Tunis, yearning beyond measure to see her, he charged every friend of his, that (ent thither, to give her to )no(, as best he might, his great and secret love for her, and to bring him tidings of her! +hich office one of the said friends discharged (ith no small addressI for, having obtained access to her, after the manner of merchants, by bringing je(els for her to loo) at, he fully a''rised her of GerbinoMs 'assion, and 'laced him, and all that he 'ossessed, entirely at her dis'osal! The lady received both messenger and message (ith gladsome mien, made ans(er that she loved (ith eOual ardour, and in to)en thereof sent Gerbino one of her most 'recious je(els! Gerbino received the je(el (ith extreme delight, and sent her many a letter and many a most 'recious gift by the hand of the same messengerI and Mt(as (ell understood bet(een them that, should -ortune accord him o''ortunity, he should see and )no( her!

Gn this footing the affair remained some(hat longer than (as ex'edientI and so, (hile Gerbino and the lady burned (ith mutual love, it befell that the

Ning of Tunis gave her in marriage to the Ning of GranadaI7A8 (hereat she (as (roth beyond measure, for that she (as not only going into a country remote from her lover, but, as she deemed, (as severed from him altogetherI and so this might not come to 'ass, gladly, could she but have seen ho(, (ould she have left her father and fled to Gerbino! In li)e manner, Gerbino, on learning of the marriage, (as vexed beyond measure, and (as oft times minded, could he but find means to (in to her husband by sea, to (rest her from him by force! /ome rumour of GerbinoMs love and of his intent, reached the Ning of Tunis, (ho, )no(ing his 'ro(ess and 'o(er, too) alarm, and as the time dre( nigh for conveying the lady to Granada, sent (ord of his 'ur'ose to Ning Guglielmo, and craved his assurance that it might be carried into effect (ithout let or hindrance on the 'art of Gerbino, or any one else! The old Ning had heard nothing of GerbinoMs love affair, and never dreaming that Mt(as on such account that the assurance (as craved, granted it (ithout demur, and in 'ledge thereof sent the Ning of Tunis his glove! +hich received, the Ning made ready a great and goodly shi' in the 'ort of &arthage, and eOui''ed her (ith all things meet for those that (ere to man her, and (ith all a''ointments a't and seemly for the rece'tion of his daughter, and a(aited only fair (eather to send her therein to Granada! 3ll (hich the young lady seeing and mar)ing, sent one of her servants 'rivily to Palermo, bidding him greet the illustrious Gerbino on her 'art, and tell him that a fe( days (ould see her on her (ay to GranadaI (herefore Mt(ould no( a''ear (hether, or no, he (ere really as doughty a man as he (as re'uted, and loved her as much as he had so often 'rotested! The servant did not fail to deliver her message exactly, and returned to Tunis, leaving Gerbino, (ho )ne( that his grandfather, Ning Guglielmo, had given the Ning of Tunis the

desired assurance, at a loss ho( to act! But 'rom'ted by love, and goaded by the ladyMs (ords and loath to seem a craven, he hied him to "essinaI and having there armed t(o light galleys, and manned them (ith good men and true, he 'ut to sea, and stood for /ardinia, deeming that the ladyMs shi' must 'ass that (ay! ;or (as he far out in his rec)oningI for he had not been there many days, (hen the shi', s'ed by a light bree:e, hove in sight not far from the 'lace (here he lay in (ait for her! +hereu'on Gerbino said to his comradesB@@TGentlemen, if you be as good men and true as I deem you, there is none of you but must have felt, if he feel not no(, the might of loveI for (ithout love I deem no mortal ca'able of true (orth or aught that is goodI and if you are or have been in love, Mt(ill be easy for you to understand that (hich I desire! I love, and Mtis because I love that I have laid this travail u'on youI and that (hich I love is in the shi' that you see before you, (hich is fraught not only (ith my beloved, but (ith immense treasures, (hich, if you are good men and true, (e, so (e but 'lay the man in fight, may (ith little trouble ma)e our o(nI nor for my share of the s'oils of the victory demand I aught but a lady, (hose love it is that 'rom'ts me to ta)e armsB all else I freely cede to you from this very hour! -or(ard, thenI attac) (e this shi'I success should be ours, for God favours our enter'rise, nor lends her (ind to evade us!T -e(er (ords might have sufficed the illustrious GerbinoI for the ra'acious "essinese that (ere (ith him (ere already bent heart and soul u'on that to (hich by his harangue he sought to animate them! /o, (hen he had done, they raised a mighty shout, so that Mt(as as if trum'ets did blare, and caught u' their arms, and smiting the (ater (ith their oars, overhauled the shi'! The advancing galleys (ere observed (hile they (ere yet a great (ay off by the shi'Ms cre(, (ho, not

being able to avoid the combat, 'ut themselves in a 'osture of defence! 3rrived at close Ouarters, the illustrious Gerbino bade send the shi'Ms masters aboard the galleys, unless they (ere minded to do battle! &ertified of the challenge, and (ho they (ere that made it, the /aracens ans(ered that Mt(as in breach of the faith 'lighted to them by their assailantsM )ing that they (ere thus attac)ed, and in to)en thereof dis'layed Ning GuglielmoMs glove, averring in set terms that there should be no surrender either of themselves or of aught that (as aboard the shi' (ithout battle! Gerbino, (ho had observed the lady standing on the shi'Ms 'oo', and seen that she (as far more beautiful than he had imagined, burned (ith a yet fiercer flame than before, and to the dis'lay of the glove made ans(er, that, as he had no falcons there just then, the glove booted him notI (herefore, so they (ere not minded to surrender the lady, let them 're'are to receive battle! +hereu'on, (ithout further delay, the battle began on both sides (ith a furious discharge of arro(s and stonesI on (hich (ise it (as long 'rotracted to their common lossI until at last Gerbino, seeing that he gained little advantage, too) a light bar) (hich they had brought from /ardinia, and having fired her, bore do(n (ith her, and both the galleys, u'on the shi'! +hereu'on the /aracens, seeing that they must 'erforce surrender the shi' or die, caused the NingMs daughter, (ho lay beneath the dec) (ee'ing, to come u' on dec), and led her to the 'ro(, and shouting to Gerbino, (hile the lady shrie)ed alternately TmercyT and Tsuccour,T o'ened her veins before his eyes, and cast her into the sea, sayingB@@TTa)e herI (e give her to thee on such (ise as (e can, and as thy faith has merited!T "addened to (itness this deed of barbarism, Gerbino, as if courting death, rec)ed no more of the arro(s and the stones, but dre( alongside the shi', and, des'ite the

resistance of her cre(, boarded herI and as a famished lion ravens amongst a herd of oxen, and tearing and rending, no( one, no( another, gluts his (rath before he a''eases his hunger, so Gerbino, s(ord in hand, hac)ing and he(ing on all sides among the /aracens, did ruthlessly slaughter not a fe( of themI till, as the burning shi' began to bla:e more fiercely, he bade the seamen ta)e thereout all that they might by (ay of guerdon, (hich done, he Ouitted her, having gained but a rueful victory over his adversaries! .is next care (as to recover from the sea the body of the fair lady, (hom long and (ith many a tear he mournedB and so he returned to /icily, and gave the body honourable se'ulture in Hstica, an islet that faces, as it (ere, Tra'ani, and (ent home the saddest man alive!

+hen these tidings reached the Ning of Tunis, he sent to Ning Guglielmo ambassadors, habited in blac), (ho made com'laint of the breach of faith and recited the manner of its occurrence! +hich caused Ning Guglielmo no small chagrinI and seeing not ho( he might refuse the justice they demanded, he had Gerbino arrested, and he himself, none of his barons being able by any entreaty to turn him from his 'ur'ose, sentenced him to forfeit his head, and had it severed from his body in his 'resence, 'referring to suffer the loss of his only grandson than to gain the re'utation of a faithless )ing! 3nd so, miserably, (ithin the com'ass of a fe( brief days, died the t(o lovers by (oeful deaths, as I have told you, and (ithout having )no(n any joyance of their love!

708 -irst, according to the no( acce'ted rec)oning! .e reigned from 005? to 00>>!

7A8 3n anachronismI the "oorish )ingdom of Granada not having been founded until 0A9E!

;GVE4 V!

@@ 4isabettaMs brothers slay her loverB he a''ears to her in a dream, and she(s her (here he is buriedB she 'rivily disinters the head, and sets it in a 'ot of basil, (hereon she daily (ee's a great (hile! The 'ot being ta)en from her by her brothers, she dies, not long after! @@

ElisaMs story ended, the )ing besto(ed a fe( (ords of 'raise u'on it, and then laid the burden of discourse u'on -ilomena, (ho, full of com'assion for the (oes of Gerbino and his lady, heaved a 'iteous sigh, and thus beganB@@"y story, gracious ladies, (ill not be of fol) of so high a ran) as those of (hom Elisa has told us, but 'erchance Mt(ill not be less touching! MTis brought to my mind by the recent mention of "essina, (here the matter befell!

Nno( then that there (ere at "essina three young men, that (ere brothers and merchants, (ho (ere left very rich on the death of their father, (ho (as of /an GimignanoI and they had a sister, 4isabetta by name, a girl fair enough, and no less debonair, but (hom, for some reason or another, they had not as

yet besto(ed in marriage! The three brothers had also in their sho' a young Pisan, 4oren:o by name, (ho managed all their affairs, and (ho (as so goodly of 'erson and gallant, that 4isabetta besto(ed many a glance u'on him, and began to regard him (ith extraordinary favourI (hich 4oren:o mar)ing from time to time, gave u' all his other amours, and in li)e manner began to affect her, and so, their loves being eOual, Mt(as not long before they too) heart of grace, and did that (hich each most desired! +herein continuing to their no small mutual solace and delight, they neglected to order it (ith due secrecy, (hereby one night as 4isabetta (as going to 4oren:oMs room, she, all un(itting, (as observed by the eldest of the brothers, (ho, albeit much distressed by (hat he had learnt, yet, being a young man of discretion, (as s(ayed by considerations more seemly, and, allo(ing no (ord to esca'e him, s'ent the night in turning the affair over in his mind in divers (ays! Gn the morro( he told his brothers that (hich, touching 4isabetta and 4oren:o, he had observed in the night, (hich, that no shame might thence ensue either to them or to their sister, they after long consultation determined to 'ass over in silence, ma)ing as if they had seen or heard nought thereof, until such time as they in a safe and convenient manner might banish this disgrace from their sight before it could go further! 3dhering to (hich 'ur'ose, they jested and laughed (ith 4oren:o as they had been (ontI and after a (hile 'retending that they (ere all three going forth of the city on 'leasure, they too) 4oren:o (ith themI and being come to a remote and very lonely s'ot, seeing that Mt(as a't for their design, they too) 4oren:o, (ho (as com'letely off his guard, and sle( him, and buried him on such (ise that none (as (are of it! Gn their return to "essina they gave out that they had sent him a(ay on businessI (hich (as readily believed,

because Mt(as (hat they had been freOuently used to do! But as 4oren:o did not return, and 4isabetta Ouestioned the brothers about him (ith great freOuency and urgency, being sorely grieved by his long absence, it so befell that one day, (hen she (as very 'ressing in her enOuiries, one of the brothers saidB@@T+hat means thisS +hat hast thou to do (ith 4oren:o, that thou shouldst as) about him so oftenS 3s) us no more, or (e (ill give thee such ans(er as thou deservest!T /o the girl, sic) at heart and sorro(ful, fearing she )ne( not (hat, as)ed no OuestionsI but many a time at night she called 'iteously to him, and besought him to come to her, and be(ailed his long tarrying (ith many a tear, and ever yearning for his return, languished in total dejection!

But so it (as that one night, (hen, after long (ee'ing that her 4oren:o came not bac), she had at last fallen aslee', 4oren:o a''eared to her in a dream, (an and in utter disarray, his clothes torn to shreds and soddenI and thus, as she thought, he s'o)eB@@T4isabetta, thou dost nought but call me, and vex thyself for my long tarrying, and bitterly u'braid me (ith thy tearsI (herefore be it )no(n to thee that return to thee I may not, because the last day that thou didst see me thy brothers sle( me!T 3fter (hich, he described the 'lace (here they had buried him, told her to call and ex'ect him no more, and vanished! The girl then a(o)e, and doubting not that the vision (as true, (e't bitterly! 3nd (hen morning came, and she (as risen, not daring to say aught to her brothers, she resolved to go to the 'lace indicated in the vision, and see if (hat she had dreamed (ere even as it had a''eared to her! /o, having leave to go a little (ay out of the city for recreation in com'any (ith a maid that had at one time lived (ith them and

)ne( all that she did, she hied her thither (ith all s'eedI and having removed the dry leaves that (ere stre(n about the 'lace, she began to dig (here the earth seemed least hard! ;or had she dug long, before she found the body of her ha'less lover, (hereon as yet there (as no trace of corru'tion or decayI and thus she sa( (ithout any manner of doubt that her vision (as true! 3nd so, saddest of (omen, )no(ing that she might not be(ail him there, she (ould gladly, if she could, have carried a(ay the body and given it more honourable se'ulture else(hereI but as she might not so do, she too) a )nife, and, as best she could, severed the head from the trun), and (ra''ed it in a na')in and laid it in the la' of her maidI and having covered the rest of the cor'se (ith earth, she left the s'ot, having been seen by none, and (ent home! There she shut herself u' in her room (ith the head, and )issed it a thousand times in every 'art, and (e't long and bitterly over it, till she had bathed it in her tears! /he then (ra''ed it in a 'iece of fine cloth, and set it in a large and beautiful 'ot of the sort in (hich marjoram or basil is 'lanted, and covered it (ith earth, and therein 'lanted some roots of the goodliest basil of /alerno, and drenched them only (ith her tears, or (ater 'erfumed (ith roses or orange@blossoms! 3nd Mt(as her (ont ever to sit beside this 'ot, and, all her soul one yearning, to 'ore u'on it, as that (hich enshrined her 4oren:o, and (hen long time she had so done, she (ould bend over it, and (ee' a great (hile, until the basil (as Ouite bathed in her tears!

-ostered (ith such constant, unremitting care, and nourished by the richness given to the soil by the decaying head that lay therein, the basil burgeoned out in exceeding great beauty and fragrance! 3nd, the girl 'ersevering ever

in this (ay of life, the neighbours from time to time too) note of it, and (hen her brothers marvelled to see her beauty ruined, and her eyes as it (ere evanished from her head, they told them of it, sayingB@@T+e have observed that such is her daily (ont!T +hereu'on the brothers, mar)ing her behaviour, chid her therefore once or t(ice, and as she heeded them not, caused the 'ot to be ta)en 'rivily from her! +hich, so soon as she missed it, she demanded (ith the utmost instance and insistence, and, as they gave it not bac) to her, ceased not to (ail and (ee', insomuch that she fell sic)I nor in her sic)ness craved she aught but the 'ot of basil! +hereat the young men, marvelling mightily, resolved to see (hat the 'ot might containI and having removed the earth they es'ied the cloth, and therein the head, (hich (as not yet so decayed, but that by the curled loc)s they )ne( it for 4oren:oMs head! Passing strange they found it, and fearing lest it should be bruited abroad, they buried the head, and, (ith as little said as might be, too) order for their 'rivy de'arture from "essina, and hied them thence to ;a'les! The girl ceased not to (ee' and crave her 'ot, and, so (ee'ing, died! /uch (as the end of her disastrous loveI but not a fe( in course of time coming to )no( the truth of the affair, there (as one that made the song that is still sungB to (itB@@

3 thief he (as, I s(ear, 3 sorry &hristian he, That too) my basil of /alerno fair, etc!708

708 This /icilian fol)@song, of (hich Boccaccio Ouotes only the first t(o lines, is given in extenso from "/! 4aurent! 9E, 'lut! ?A, by -anfani in his

edition of the Decameron 7-lorence, 0E528! The follo(ing is a free renderingZ

3 thief he (as, I s(ear, 3 sorry &hristian he, That too) my basil of /alerno fair, That flourished mightily! Planted by mine o(n hands (ith loving care +hat time they revelled freeB To s'oil anotherMs goods is churlish s'ite!

To s'oil anotherMs goods is churlish s'ite, 3y, and most heinous sin! 3 basil had I 7alas* luc)less (ight*8, The fairest 'lantB (ithin Its shade I sle'tB Mt(as gro(n to such a height! But some fol) for chagrin M#eft me thereof, ay, and before my door!

M#eft me thereof, ay, and before my door! 3h* dolorous day and drear* 3h* (oe is me* +ould God I (ere no more* "y 'urchase (as so dear* 3h* (hy that day did I to (atch give oMerS -or him my cherished fere +ith marjoram I bordered it about!

+ith marjoram I bordered it about In "ay@time fresh and fair, 3nd (atered it thrice ere each (ee) (as out, 3nd mar)ed it gro( full yareB But no( Mtis stolen! 3h* too (ell Mtis )no(n*708

But no( Mtis stolen! 3h* too (ell Mtis )no(n* That no more may I hideB But had to me a (hile before been she(n +hat then should me betide, 3t night before my door I had laid me do(n To (atch my 'lant beside! Cet God 3lmighty sure me succour might!

3y, God 3lmighty sure me succour might, /o (ere it but .is (ill, MGainst him that me hath done so foul des'ite, That in dire torment still I languish, since the thief reft from my sight "y 'lant that did me thrill, 3nd to my inmost /oul such comfort lent*

3nd to my inmost soul such comfort lent* /o fresh its fragrance ble(, That (hen, (hat time the sun u'rose, I (ent

"y (atering to do, IMd hear the 'eo'le all in (onderment /ay, (hence this 'erfume ne(S 3nd I for love of it of grief shall die!

3nd I for love of it of grief shall die, Gf my fair 'lant for dole! +ould one but she( me ho( I might it buy* 3h* ho( Mt(ould me console* Gunces7A8 an hundred of fine gold have IB .im (ould I give the (hole, 3y, and a )iss to boot, so he (ere fain!

708 This stan:a is defective in the original!

7A8 The TonciaT (as a /icilian gold coin (orth rather more than a :ecchino!

;GVE4 VI!

@@ 3ndreuola loves GabriottoB she tells him a dream that she has hadI he tells her a dream of his o(n, and dies suddenly in her arms! +hile she and her maid are carrying his cor'se to his house, they are ta)en by the /ignory! /he tells ho( the matter stands, is threatened (ith violence by the Podesta, but (ill not broo) it! .er father hears ho( she is bestedI and, her

innocence being established, causes her to be set at largeI but she, being minded to tarry no longer in the (orld, becomes a nun! @@

Glad indeed (ere the ladies to have heard -ilomenaMs story, for that, often though they had heard the song sung, they had never yet, for all their enOuiries, been able to learn the occasion u'on (hich it (as made! +hen Mt(as ended, Pamfilo received the )ingMs command to follo( suit, and thus s'o)eB@@By the dream told in the foregoing story I am 'rom'ted to relate one in (hich t(o dreams are told, dreams of that (hich (as to come, as 4isabettaMs (as of that (hich had been, and (hich (ere both fulfilled almost as soon as they (ere told by those that had dreamed them! +herefore, loving ladies, you must )no( that Mtis the common ex'erience of man)ind to have divers visions during slee'I and albeit the slee'er, (hile he slee's, deems all ali)e most true, but, being a(a)e, judges some of them to be true, others to be 'robable, and others again to be Ouite devoid of truth, yet not a fe( are found to have come to 'ass! -or (hich cause many are as sure of every dream as of aught that they see in their (a)ing hours, and so, as their dreams engender in them fear or ho'e, are sorro(ful or joyous! 3nd on the other hand there are those that credit no dream, until they see themselves fallen into the very 'eril (hereof they (ere fore(arned! Gf (hom I a''rove neither sort, for in sooth neither are all dreams true, nor all ali)e false! That they are not all true, there is none of us but may many a time have 'rovedI and that they are not all ali)e false has already been she(n in -ilomenaMs story, and shall also, as I said before, be she(n in mine! +herefore I deem that in a virtuous course of life and conduct there

is no need to fear aught by reason of any dream that is contrary thereto, or on that account to give u' any just designI and as for croo)ed and sinister enter'rises, ho(ever dreams may seem to favour them, and flatter the ho'es of the dreamer (ith aus'icious omens, none should trust themB rather should all give full credence to such as run counter thereto! But come (e to the story!

In the city of Brescia there lived of yore a gentleman named "esser ;egro da Ponte &arraro, (ho (ith other children had a very fair daughter, 3ndreuola by name, (ho, being unmarried, chanced to fall in love (ith a neighbour, one Gabriotto, a man of lo( degree, but goodly of 'erson and debonair, and endo(ed (ith all admirable OualitiesI and aided and abetted by the housemaid, the girl not only brought it to 'ass that Gabriotto )ne( that he (as beloved of her, but that many a time to their mutual delight he came to see her in a fair garden belonging to her father! 3nd that nought but death might avail to sever them from this their gladsome love, they became 'rivily man and (ifeI and, (hile thus they continued their clandestine intercourse, it ha''ened that one night, (hile the girl sle't, she sa( herself in a dream in her garden (ith Gabriotto, (ho to the exceeding great delight of both held her in his armsI and (hile thus they lay, she sa( issue from his body some(hat dar) and frightful, the sha'e (hereof she might not discernI (hich, as she thought, laid hold of Gabriotto, and in her des'ite (ith 'rodigious force reft him from her embrace, and bore him (ith it underground, so that both (ere lost to her sight for evermoreB (hereby stric)en (ith sore and inex'ressible grief, she a(o)eI and albeit she (as overjoyed to find that Mt(as not as she had dreamed, yet a haunting dread of (hat she had seen in

her vision entered her soul! +herefore, Gabriotto being minded to visit her on the ensuing night, she did her best endeavour to dissuade him from comingI but seeing that he (as bent u'on it, lest he should sus'ect some(hat, she received him in her garden, (here, having culled roses many, (hite and red@@for Mt(as summer@@she sat herself do(n (ith him at the base of a most fair and lucent fountain! There long and joyously they dallied, and then Gabriotto as)ed her (herefore she had that day forbade his coming! +hereu'on the lady told him her dream of the night before, and the doubt and fear (hich it had engendered in her mind! +hereat Gabriotto laughed, and said that Mt(as the height of folly to 'ut any faith in dreams, for that they (ere occasioned by too much or too little food, and (ere daily seen to be, one and all, things of nought, addingB@@T+ere I minded to give heed to dreams, I should not be here no(, for I, too, had a dream last night, (hich (as on this (iseB@@"ethought I (as in a fair and 'leasant (ood, and there, a hunting, caught a she@goat as beautiful and loveable as any that ever (as seen, and, as it seemed to me, (hiter than sno(, (hich in a little (hile gre( so tame and friendly that she never stirred from my side! 3ll the same so jealous (as I lest she should leave me, that, meseemed, I had set a collar of gold around her nec), and held her by a golden chain! 3nd 'resently meseemed that, (hile the she@goat lay at rest (ith her head in my la', there came forth, I )ne( not (hence, a greyhound bitch, blac) as coal, famished, and most fearsome to loo) u'onI (hich made straight for me, and for, meseemed, I offered no resistance, set her mu::le to my breast on the left side and gna(ed through to the heart, (hich, meseemed, she tore out to carry a(ay (ith her! +hereu'on ensued so sore a 'ain that it bra)e my slee', and as I a(o)e I laid my hand to my side to feel if aught (ere amiss thereI

but finding nothing I laughed at myself that I had searched! But (hat signifies it allS Visions of the li)e sort, ay, and far more a''alling, have I had in 'lenty, and nought (hatever, great or small, has come of any of them! /o let it 'ass, and thin) (e ho( (e may s'eed the time merrily!T

+hat she heard immensely enhanced the already great dread (hich her o(n dream had ins'ired in the girlI but, not to vex Gabriotto, she dissembled her terror as best she might! But, though she made great cheer, embracing and )issing him, and receiving his embraces and )isses, yet she felt a doubt, she )ne( not (hy, and many a time, more than her (ont, she (ould ga:e u'on his face, and ever and anon her glance (ould stray through the garden to see if any blac) creature (ere coming from any Ouarter! +hile thus they 'assed the time, of a sudden Gabriotto heaved a great sigh, and embracing her, saidB@@T3las* my soul, thy succour* for I die!T 3nd so saying, he fell do(n u'on the grassy mead! +hereu'on the girl dre( him to her, and laid him on her la', and all but (e't, and saidB@@TG s(eet my lord, (hat isMt that ails theeST But Gabriotto (as silent, and gas'ing sore for breath, and bathed in s(eat, in no long time de'arted this life!

.o( grievous (as the distress of the girl, (ho loved him more than herself, you, my ladies, may (ell imagine! +ith many a tear she mourned him, and many times she vainly called him by his nameI but (hen, having felt his body all over, and found it cold in every 'art, she could no longer doubt that he (as dead, )no(ing not (hat to say or do, she (ent, tearful and (oebegone, to call the maid, to (hom she had confided her love, and she(ed her the (oeful calamity that had befallen her! Piteously a (hile they (e't together over

the dead face of Gabriotto, and then the girl said to the maidB@@T;o( that God has reft him from me, I have no mind to linger in this lifeI but before I slay myself, I (ould (e might find a't means to 'reserve my honour, and the secret of our love, and to bury the body from (hich the s(eet soul has fled!T T"y daughter,T said the maid, Ts'ea) not of slaying thyself, for so (ouldst thou lose in the other (orld, also, him that thou hast lost hereI seeing that thou (ouldst go to hell, (hither, sure I am, his soul is not gone, for a good youth he (asI far better (ere it to 'ut on a cheerful courage, and bethin) thee to succour his soul (ith thy 'rayers or 'ious (or)s, if 'erchance he have need thereof by reason of any sin that he may have committed! +e can bury him readily enough in this garden, nor (ill any one ever )no(I for none )no(s that he ever came hitherI and if thou (ilt not have it so, (e can bear him forth of the garden, and leave him thereI and on the morro( he (ill be found, and carried home, and buried by his )insfol)!T The girl, heavy@laden though she (as (ith anguish, and still (ee'ing, yet gave ear to the counsels of her maid, and rejecting the former alternative, made ans(er to the latter on this (iseB@@T;o( God forbid that a youth so dear, (hom I have so loved and made my husband, should (ith my consent be buried li)e a dog, or left out there in the street! .e has had my tears, and so far as I may avail, he shall have the tears of his )insfol), and already (ot I (hat (e must do!T 3nd forth(ith she sent the maid for a 'iece of sil)en cloth, (hich she had in one of her boxesI and (hen the maid returned (ith it, they s'read it on the ground, and laid GabriottoMs body thereon, resting the head u'on a 'illo(! /he then closed the eyes and mouth, shedding the (hile many a tear, (ove for him a (reath of roses, and stre(ed u'on him all the roses that he and she had gatheredI (hich done, she said to the

maidB@@TMTis but a short (ay hence to the door of his houseI so thither (e (ill bear him, thou and I, thus as (e have dight him, and (ill lay him at the door! Day (ill soon da(n, and they (ill ta)e him u'I and, though Mt(ill be no consolation to them, I, in (hose arms he died, shall be glad of it!T /o saying, she burst once more into a torrent of tears, and fell (ith her face u'on the face of the dead, and so long time she (e't! Then, yielding at last to the urgency of her maid, for day (as dra(ing nigh, she arose, dre( from her finger the ring (ith (hich she had been (edded to Gabriotto, and set it on his finger, saying (ith tearsB@@TDear my lord, if thy soul be (itness of my tears, or if, (hen the s'irit is fled, aught of intelligence or sense still lur) in the body, graciously receive the last gift of her (hom in life thou didst so dearly love!T +hich said, she s(ooned, and fell u'on the cor'seI but, coming after a (hile to herself, she aroseI and then she and her maid too) the cloth (hereon the body lay, and so bearing it, Ouitted the garden, and bent their ste's to(ards the dead manMs house! 3s thus they (ent, it chanced that certain of the PodestaMs guard, that for some reason or another (ere abroad at that hour, met them, and arrested them (ith the cor'se! 3ndreuola, to (hom death (as more (elcome than life, no sooner )ne( them for the officers of the /ignory than she fran)ly saidB@@TI )no( you, (ho you are, and that flight (ould avail me nothingB I am ready to come (ith you before the /ignory, and to tell all there is to tellI but let none of you 'resume to touch me, so long as I obey you, or to ta)e a(ay aught that is on this body, if he (ould not that I accuse him!T 3nd so, none venturing to lay hand u'on either her 'erson or the cor'se, she entered the 'alace!

/o soon as the Podesta (as a''rised of the affair, he arose, had her brought into his room, and there made himself conversant (ith the circumstancesB and certain 'hysicians being charged to inOuire (hether the good man had met his death by 'oison or other(ise, all (ith one accord averred that Mt(as not by 'oison, but that he (as cho)ed by the bursting of an im'osthume near the heart! +hich (hen the Podesta heard, 'erceiving that the girlMs guilt could but be slight, he sought to ma)e a 'retence of giving (hat it (as not la(ful for him to sell her, and told her that he (ould set her at liberty, so she (ere consenting to 'leasure himI but finding that he did but (aste his (ords he cast aside all decency, and (ould have used force! +hereu'on 3ndreuola, )indling (ith scorn, (axed exceeding brave, and defended herself (ith a virile energy, and (ith high and contumelious (ords drove him from her!

+hen Mt(as broad day, the affair reached the ears of "esser ;egro, (ho, half dead (ith grief, hied him (ith not a fe( of his friends to the 'alaceI (here, having heard all that the Podesta had to say, he reOuired him 'erem'torily to give him bac) his daughter! The Podesta, being minded rather to be his o(n accuser, than that he should be accused by the girl of the violence that he had meditated to(ards her, began by 'raising her and her constancy, and in 'roof thereof (ent on to tell (hat he had doneI he ended by saying, that, mar)ing her admirable firmness, he had fallen mightily in love (ith her, and so, not(ithstanding she had been (edded to a man of lo( degree, he (ould, if Mt(ere agreeable to her and to her father, "esser ;egro, gladly ma)e her his (ife! +hile they thus s'o)e, 3ndreuola made her a''earance, and, (ee'ing, thre( herself at her fatherMs feet, sayingB@@T"y father, I (ot I need not tell you the story of my 'resum'tion, and the

calamity that has befallen me, for sure I am that you have heard it and )no( itI (herefore, (ith all 'ossible humility I crave your 'ardon of my fault, to (it, that (ithout your )no(ledge I too) for my husband him that 'leased me best! 3nd this I crave, not that my life may be s'ared, but that I may die as your daughter and not as your enemyIT and so, (ee'ing, she fell at his feet! "esser ;egro, no( an old man, and naturally )indly and affectionate, heard her not (ithout tears, and (ee'ing raised her tenderly to her feet, sayingB@@TDaughter mine, I had much liefer had it that thou hadst had a husband that I deemed a match for theeI and in that thou hadst ta)en one that 'leased thee I too had been 'leasedI but thy concealing thy choice from me is grievous to me by reason of thy distrust of me, and yet more so, seeing that thou hast lost him before I have )no(n him! But as Mtis even so, to his remains be 'aid the honour (hich, (hile he lived for thy contentment, I had gladly done him as my son@in@la(!T Then, turning to his sons and )insmen, he bade them order GabriottoMs obseOuies (ith all 'om' and honourable circumstance!

"ean(hile the young manMs )insmen and )ins(omen, having heard the ne(s, had floc)ed thither, bringing (ith them almost all the rest of the fol), men and (omen ali)e, that (ere in the city! 3nd so his body, resting on 3ndreuolaMs cloth, and covered (ith her roses, (as laid out in the middle of the courtyard, and there (as mourned not by her and his )insfol) alone, but 'ublicly by (ell@nigh all the (omen of the city, and not a fe( menI and shouldered by some of the noblest of the citi:ens, as it had been the remains of no 'lebeian but of a noble, (as borne from the 'ublic courtyard to the tomb (ith exceeding great 'om'!

/ome days after(ards, as the Podesta continued to urge his suit, "esser ;egro (ould have discussed the matter (ith his daughterI but, as she (ould hear none of it, and he (as minded in this matter to defer to her (ishes, she and her maid entered a religious house of great re'ute for sanctity, (here in just esteem they lived long time thereafter!

;GVE4 VII!

@@ /imona loves PasOuinoI they are together in a gardenI PasOuino rubs a leaf of sage against his teeth, and diesI /imona is arrested, and, (ith intent to she( the judge ho( PasOuino died, rubs one of the leaves of the same 'lant against her teeth, and li)e(ise dies! @@

+hen Pamfilo had done (ith his story, the )ing, betraying no com'assion for 3ndreuola, glancing at Emilia, signified to her his desire that she should no( continue the seOuence of narration! Emilia made no demur, and thus beganB@@

Dear gossi's, PamfiloMs story 'uts me u'on telling you another in no (ise li)e thereto, save in this, that as 3ndreuola lost her lover in a garden, so also did she of (hom I am to s'ea), and, being arrested li)e 3ndreuola, did also deliver herself from the court, albeit Mt(as not by any vigour or

firmness of mind, but by a sudden death! 3nd, as Mt(as said among us a (hile ago, albeit 4ove affects the mansions of the noble, he does not, therefore, disdain the dominion of the d(ellings of the 'oor, nay, does there at times give 'roof of his might no less signal than (hen he ma)es him feared of the (ealthiest as a most 'otent lord! +hich, though not fully, (ill in some degree a''ear in my story, (here(ith I am minded to return to our city, from (hich to@dayMs discourse, roving from matter to matter, and one 'art of the (orld to another, has carried us so far!

Nno( then that no great (hile ago there d(elt in -lorence a maid most fair, and, for her ran), debonair@@she (as but a 'oor manMs daughter@@(hose name (as /imonaI and though she must needs (in (ith her o(n hands the bread she ate, and maintain herself by s'inning (oolI yet (as she not, therefore, of so 'oor a s'irit, but that she dared to give harbourage in her mind to 4ove, (ho for some time had sought to gain entrance there by means of the gracious deeds and (ords of a young man of her o(n order that (ent about distributing (ool to s'in for his master, a (ool@monger! 4ove being thus, (ith the 'leasant image of her beloved PasOuino, admitted into her soul, mightily did she yearn, albeit she ha:arded no advance, and heaved a thousand sighs fiercer than fire (ith every s)ein of yarn that she (ound u'on her s'indle, (hile she called to mind (ho he (as that had given her that (ool to s'in! PasOuino on his 'art became, mean(hile, very anxious that his masterMs (ool should be (ell s'un, and most 'articularly about that (hich /imona s'an, as if, indeed, it and it alone (as to furnish forth the (hole of the cloth! 3nd so, (hat (ith the anxiety (hich the one evinced, and the gratification that it afforded to the other, it befell that, the one (axing unusually bold, and

the other casting off not a little of her (onted shyness and reserve, they came to an understanding for their mutual solaceI (hich 'roved so delightful to both, that neither (aited to be bidden by the other, but Mt(as rather (hich should be the first to ma)e the overture!

+hile thus they s'ed their days in an even tenor of delight, and ever gre( more ardently enamoured of one another, PasOuino chanced to say to /imona that he (ished of all things she (ould contrive ho( she might beta)e her to a garden, (hither he (ould bring her, that there they might be more at their ease, and in greater security! /imona said that she (as agreeableI and, having given her father to understand that she (as minded to go to /an Gallo for the 'ardoning, she hied her (ith one of her gossi's, 4agina by name, to the garden of (hich PasOuino had told her! .ere she found PasOuino a(aiting her (ith a friend, one Puccino, other(ise /trambaI and /tramba and 4agina falling at once to love@ma)ing, PasOuino and /imona left a 'art of the garden to them, and (ithdre( to another 'art for their o(n solace!

;o( there (as in their 'art of the garden a very fine and lovely sage@bush, at foot of (hich they sat them do(n and made merry together a great (hile, and tal)ed much of a jun)eting they meant to have in the garden Ouite at their ease! By and by PasOuino, turning to the great sage@bush, 'luc)ed therefrom a leaf, and fell to rubbing his teeth and gums there(ith, saying that sage (as an excellent detergent of aught that remained u'on them after a meal! .aving done so, he returned to the to'ic of the jun)eting of (hich he had s'o)en before! But he had not 'ursued it far before his countenance entirely changed, and forth(ith he lost sight and s'eech, and shortly after

died! +hereu'on /imona fell a (ee'ing and shrie)ing and calling /tramba and 4aginaI (ho, not(ithstanding they came u' (ith all s'eed, found PasOuino not only dead but already s(ollen from head to foot, and covered (ith blac) s'ots both on the face and on the bodyI (hereu'on /tramba bro)e forth (ithB@ @T3h* (ic)ed (oman* thou hast 'oisoned himIT and made such a din that Mt(as heard by not a fe( that d(elt hard by the gardenI (ho also hasted to the s'ot, and seeing PasOuino dead and s(ollen, and hearing /tramba be(ail himself and accuse /imona of having maliciously 'oisoned him, (hile she, all but beside herself for grief to be thus suddenly bereft of her lover, )ne( not ho( to defend herself, did all (ith one accord surmise that Mt(as even as /tramba said! +herefore they laid hands on her, and brought her, still (ee'ing bitterly, to the 'alace of the PodestaB (here at the instant suit of /tramba, bac)ed by 3tticciato and "alagevole, t(o other ne(ly@arrived friends of PasOuino, a judge forth(ith addressed himself to Ouestion her of the matterI and being unable to discover that she had used any (ic)ed 'ractice, or (as guilty, he resolved to ta)e her (ith him and go see the cor'se, and the 'lace, and the manner of the death, as she had recounted it to himI for by her (ords he could not (ell understand it! /o, ta)ing care that there should be no disturbance, he had her brought to the 'lace (here PasOuinoMs cor'se lay s(ollen li)e a tun, (hither he himself 'resently came, and marvelling as he examined the cor'se, as)ed her ho( the death had come about! +hereu'on, standing by the sagebush, she told him all that had ha''ened, and that he might 'erfectly a''rehend the occasion of the death, she did as PasOuino had done, 'luc)ed one of the leaves from the bush, and rubbed her teeth (ith it! +hereu'on /tramba and 3tticciato, and the rest of the friends and comrades of PasOuino, ma)ing in the 'resence of the judge

o'en moc) of (hat she did, as an idle and vain thing, and being more than ever instant to affirm her guilt, and to demand the fire as the sole condign 'enalty, the 'oor creature, that, bet(een grief for her lost lover and dread of the doom demanded by /tramba, stood mute and hel'less, (as stric)en no less suddenly, and in the same manner, and for the same cause 7to (it, that she had rubbed her teeth (ith the sage leaf8 as PasOuino, to the no small ama:ement of all that (ere 'resent!

Gh* ha''y souls for (hom one and the same day (as the term of ardent love and earthly life* .a''ier still, if to the same bourn ye fared* 3y, and even yet more ha''y, if love there be in the other (orld, and there, even as here, ye love* But ha''iest above all /imona, so far as (e, (hom she has left behind, may judge, in that -ortune broo)ed not that the (itness of /tramba, 3tticciato and "alagevole, carders, 'erchance, or yet viler fello(s, should bear do(n her innocence, but found a more seemly issue, and, a''ointing her a li)e lot (ith her lover, gave her at once to clear herself from their foul accusation, and to follo( (hither the soul, that she so loved, of her PasOuino had 'receded her*

The judge, and all else that (itnessed the event, remained long time in a sort of stu'efaction, )no(ing not (hat to say of itI but at length recovering his (its, the judge saidB@@TMT(ould seem that this sage is 'oisonous, (hich the sage is not used to be! 4et it be cut do(n to the roots and burned, lest another suffer by it in li)e sort!T +hich the gardener 'roceeding to do in the judgeMs 'resence, no sooner had he brought the great bush do(n, than the cause of the deaths of the t(o lovers 'lainly a''earedB

for underneath it (as a toad of 'rodigious dimensions, from (hose venomous breath, as they conjectured, the (hole of the bush had contracted a 'oisonous Ouality! 3round (hich toad, none venturing to a''roach it, they set a stout ring@fence of faggots, and burned it together (ith the sage! /o ended "aster judgeMs inOuest on the death of ha'less PasOuino, (ho (ith his /imona, s(ollen as they (ere, (ere buried by /tramba, 3tticciato, Guccio Imbratta, and "alagevole in the church of /an Paolo, of (hich, as it so ha''ened, they (ere 'arishioners!

;GVE4 VIII!

@@ Girolamo loves /alvestraB yielding to his motherMs 'rayers he goes to ParisI he returns to find /alvestra marriedI he enters her house by stealth, lays himself by her side, and diesI he is borne to the church, (here /alvestra lays herself by his side, and dies! @@

+hen EmiliaMs story (as done, ;eifile at a (ord from the )ing thus beganB@@/ome there are, noble ladies, (ho, methin)s, deem themselves to be (iser than the rest of the (orld, and are in fact less soI and by conseOuence 'resume to measure their (it against not only the counsels of men but the nature of thingsI (hich 'resum'tion has from time to time been the occasion of most grievous misha'sI but nought of good (as ever seen to betide thereof! 3nd as there is nought in nature that broo)s to be schooled

or th(arted so ill as love, the Ouality of (hich is such that it is more li)ely to die out of its o(n accord than to be done a(ay of set 'ur'ose, I am minded to tell you a story of a lady, (ho, (hile she sought to be more (ise than became her, and than she (as, and indeed than the nature of the matter, (herein she studied to she( her (isdom, allo(ed, thin)ing to unseat 4ove from the heart that he had occu'ied, and (herein 'erchance the stars had established him, did in the end banish at one and the same time 4ove and life from the frame of her son!

Nno(, then, that, as Mtis related by them of old time, there (as once in our city a very great and (ealthy merchant, 4eonardo /ighieri by name, (ho had by his lady a son named Girolamo, after (hose birth he de'arted this life, leaving his affairs in meet and due orderI and (ell and faithfully (ere they after(ards administered in the interest of the boy by his mother and guardians! 3s he gre( u', consorting more freOuently (ith the neighboursM children than any others of the Ouarter, he made friends (ith a girl of his o(n age that (as the daughter of a tailorI and in course of time this friendshi' ri'ened into a love so great and vehement, that Girolamo (as ever ill at ease (hen he sa( her notI nor (as her love for him a (hit less strong than his for her! +hich his mother 'erceiving (ould not seldom chide him therefor and chastise him! 3nd as Girolamo could not give it u', she confided her distress to his guardians, s'ea)ing@@for by reason of her boyMs great (ealth she thought to ma)e, as it (ere, an orange@tree out of a bramble@@on this (iseB@@TThis boy of ours, (ho is no( scarce fourteen years old, is so in love (ith a daughter of one of our neighbours, a tailor@@ /alvestra is the girlMs name@@that, if (e 'art them not, he (ill,

'eradventure, none else (itting, ta)e her to (ife some day, and I shall never be ha''y againI or, if he see her married to another, he (ill 'ine a(ayI to 'revent (hich, methin)s, you (ould do (ell to send him a(ay to distant 'arts on the affairs of the sho'I for so, being out of sight she (ill come at length to be out of mind, and then (e can give him some (ell@born girl to (ife!T +hereto the guardians ans(ered, that Mt(as (ell said, and that it should be so done to the best of their 'o(erB so they called the boy into the sho', and one of them began tal)ing to him very affectionately on this (iseB@@T"y son, thou art no( almost gro(n u'I Mt(ere (ell thou shouldst no( begin to learn something for thyself of thy o(n affairsB (herefore (e should be very (ell 'leased if thou (ert to go stay at Paris a (hile, (here thou (ilt see ho( (e trade (ith not a little of thy (ealth, besides (hich thou (ilt there become a much better, finer, and more com'lete gentleman than thou couldst here, and (hen thou hast seen the lords and barons and seigneurs that are there in 'lenty, and hast acOuired their manners, thou canst return hither!T The boy listened attentively, and then ans(ered shortly that he (ould have none of it, for he su''osed he might remain at -lorence as (ell as another! +hereu'on the (orthy men 'lied him (ith fresh argument, but (ere unable to elicit other ans(er from him, and told his mother so! +hereat she (as mightily incensed, and gave him a great scolding, not for his refusing to go to Paris, but for his loveI (hich done, she 'lied him (ith soft, (heedling (ords, and endearing ex'ressions and gentle entreaties that he (ould be 'leased to do as his guardians (ould have himI (hereby at length she 'revailed so far, that he consented to go to Paris for a year and no moreI and so Mt(as arranged! To Paris accordingly our ardent lover (ent, and there under one 'retext or another (as )e't for

t(o years! .e returned more in love than ever, to find his /alvestra married to a good youth that (as a tent@ma)erI (hereat his mortification )ne( no bounds! But, seeing that (hat must be must be, he sought to com'ose his mindI and, having got to )no( (here she lived, he too) to crossing her 'ath, according to the (ont of young men in love, thin)ing that she could no more have forgotten him than he her! MT(as other(ise, ho(everI she remembered him no more than if she had never seen himI or, if she had any recollection of him, she dissembled itB (hereof the young man (as very soon (are, to his extreme sorro(! ;evertheless he did all that he could to recall himself to her mindI but, as thereby he seemed to be nothing advantaged, he made u' his mind, though he should die for it, to s'ea) to her himself! /o, being instructed as to her house by a neighbour, he entered it 'rivily one evening (hen she and her husband (ere gone to s'end the earlier hours (ith some neighbours, and hid himself in her room behind some tent@cloths that (ere stretched there, and (aited till they (ere come bac), and gone to bed, and he )ne( the husband to be aslee'! +hereu'on he got him to the 'lace (here he had seen /alvestra lie do(n, and said as he gently laid his hand u'on her bosomB@@TG my soul, art thou yet aslee'ST The girl (as a(a)e, and (as on the 'oint of uttering a cry, (hen he forestalled her, sayingB@@T.ush* for GodMs sa)e! I am thy Girolamo!T +hereu'on she, trembling in every limbB@@T;ay, but for GodMs sa)e, Girolamo, begoneB Mtis 'ast, the time of our childhood, (hen our love (as excusable! Thou seest I am marriedI (herefore Mtis no longer seemly that I should care for any other man than my husband, and so by the one God, I 'ray thee, begoneI for, if my husband (ere to )no( that thou art here, the least evil that could ensue (ould be that I should never more be able to live (ith him in 'eace or comfort, (hereas, having his love, I no(

'ass my days (ith him in tranOuil ha''iness!T +hich s'eech caused the young man grievous distressI but Mt(as in vain that he reminded her of the 'ast, and of his love that distance had not im'aired, and there(ith mingled many a 'rayer and the mightiest 'rotestations! +herefore, yearning for death, he besought her at last that she (ould suffer him to lie a (hile beside her till he got some heat, for he (as chilled through and through, (aiting for her, and 'romised her that he (ould say never a (ord to her, nor touch her, and that as soon as he (as a little (armed he (ould go a(ay! Gn (hich terms /alvestra, being not (ithout 'ity for him, granted his reOuest! /o the young man lay do(n beside her, and touched her notI but, gathering u' into one thought the love he had so long borne her, the harshness (ith (hich she no( reOuited it, and his ruined ho'es, resolved to live no longer, and in a convulsion, (ithout a (ord, and (ith fists clenched, ex'ired by her side!

3fter a (hile the girl, marvelling at his continence, and fearing lest her husband should a(a)e, bro)e silence, sayingB@@T;ay, but, Girolamo, (hy goest thou notST But, receiving no ans(er, she su''osed that he sle't! +herefore, reaching forth her hand to arouse him, she touched him and found him to her great sur'rise cold as iceI and touching him again and again some(hat rudely, and still finding that he did not stir, she )ne( that he (as dead! .er grief (as boundless, and Mt(as long before she could bethin) her ho( to act! But at last she resolved to sound her husbandMs mind as to (hat should be done in such a case (ithout disclosing that Mt(as his o(n! /o she a(a)ened him, and told him ho( he (as then bested, as if it (ere the affair of another, and then as)ed him, if such a thing ha''ened to her, (hat course he (ould ta)e! The good man ans(ered that he should deem it best to ta)e the

dead man 'rivily home, and there leave him, bearing no grudge against the lady, (ho seemed to have done no (rong! T3nd even so,T said his (ife, Tit is for us to doIT and ta)ing his hand, she laid it on the cor'se! +hereat he started u' in consternation, and struc) a light, and (ith out further 'arley (ith his (ife, cla''ed the dead manMs clothes u'on him, and forth(ith 7confident in his o(n innocence8 raised him on his shoulders, and bore him to the door of his house, (here he set him do(n and left him!

Day came, and the dead man being found before his o(n door, there (as a great stir made, 'articularly by his motherI the body (as examined (ith all care from head to foot, and, no (ound or trace of violence being found on it, the 'hysicians (ere on the (hole of o'inion that, as the fact (as, the man had died of grief! /o the cor'se (as borne to a church, and thither came the sorro(ing mother and other ladies, her )ins(omen and neighbours, and began to (ail and mourn over it (ithout restraint after our -lorentine fashion! 3nd (hen the (ailing had reached its height, the good man, in (hose house the death had occurred, said to /alvestraB@@TGo (ra' a mantle about thy head, and hie thee to the church, (hither Girolamo has been ta)en, and go about among the (omen and list (hat they say of this matter, and I (ill do the li)e among the men, that (e may hear if aught be said to our disadvantage!T The girl assented, for (ith tardy tenderness she no( yearned to loo) on him dead, (hom living she (ould not solace (ith a single )iss, and so to the church she (ent! 3h* ho( marvellous to (hoso 'onders it, is the might of 4ove, and ho( unsearchable his (ays* That heart, (hich, (hile -ortune smiled on Girolamo, had remained sealed to him, o'ened to him no( that he (as fordone, and, )indling ane( (ith all its old flame, melted (ith

such com'assion that no sooner sa( she his dead face, as there she stood (ra''ed in her mantle, than, edging her (ay for(ard through the cro(d of (omen, she stayed not till she (as beside the cor'seI and there, uttering a 'iercing shrie), she thre( herself u'on the dead youth, and as her face met his, and before she might drench it (ith her tears, grief that had reft life from him had even so reft it from her!

The (omen strove to comfort her, and bade her raise herself a little, for as yet they )ne( her notI then, as she did not arise, they (ould have hel'ed her, but found her stiff and star), and so, raising her u', they in one and the same moment sa( her to be /alvestra and dead! +hereat all the (omen that (ere there, overborne by a redoubled 'ity, bro)e forth in (ailing ne( and louder far than before! -rom the church the bruit s'read itself among the men, and reached the ears of /alvestraMs husband, (ho, deaf to all that offered comfort or consolation, (e't a long (hileI after (hich he told to not a fe( that (ere there (hat had 'assed in the night bet(een the youth and his (ifeI and so Mt(as )no(n of all ho( they came to die, to the common sorro( of all! /o they too) the dead girl, and arrayed her as they are (ont to array the dead, and laid her on the same bed beside the youth, and long time they mourned herB then (ere they both buried in the same tomb, and thus those, (hom love had not been able to (ed in life, (ere (edded by death in indissoluble union!

;GVE4 I%!

@@ /ieur Guillaume de #oussillon slays his (ifeMs 'aramour, /ieur Guillaume de &abestaing, and gives her his heart to eat! /he, coming to (it thereof, thro(s herself from a high (indo( to the ground, and dies, and is buried (ith her lover! @@

;eifileMs story, (hich had not failed to move her gossi's to no little 'ity, being ended, none no( remained to s'ea) but the )ing and Dioneo, (hose 'rivilege the )ing (as minded not to infringeB (herefore he thus beganB@@I 'ro'ose, com'assionate my ladies, to tell you a story, (hich, seeing that you so commiserate ill@starred loves, may claim no less a share of your 'ity than the last, inasmuch as they (ere greater fol) of (hom I shall s'ea), and that (hich befell them (as more direful!

Cou are to )no(, then, that, as the Provencals relate, there (ere once in Provence t(o noble )nights, each having castles and vassals under him, the one ycle't /ieur Guillaume de #oussillon, and the other /ieur Guillaume de &abestaingI708 and being both most doughty (arriors, they (ere as brothers, and (ent ever together, and bearing the same device, to tournament or joust, or other 'assage of arms! 3nd, albeit each d(elt in his o(n castle, and the castles (ere ten good miles a'art, it nevertheless came to 'ass that, /ieur Guillaume de #oussillon having a most lovely lady, and amorous (ithal, to (ife, /ieur Guillaume de &abestaing, for all they (ere such friends and comrades, became inordinately enamoured of the lady, (ho, by this, that, and the other sign that he gave, discovered his 'assion, and )no(ing him for a

most com'lete )night, (as flattered, and returned it, insomuch that she yearned and burned for him above all else in the (orld, and (aited only till he should ma)e his suit to her, as before long he didI and so they met from time to time, and great (as their love! +hich intercourse they ordered (ith so little discretion that Mt(as discovered by the husband, (ho (as very (roth, insomuch that the great love (hich he bore to &abestaing (as changed into mortal enmityI and, dissembling it better than the lovers their love, he made his mind u' to )ill &abestaing! ;o( it came to 'ass that, (hile #oussillon (as in this frame, a great tourney (as 'roclaimed in -rance, (hereof #oussillon forth(ith sent (ord to &abestaing, and bade him to his castle, so he (ere minded to come, that there they might discuss (hether 7or no8 to go to the tourney, and ho(! &abestaing (as overjoyed, and made ans(er that he (ould come to su' (ith him next day (ithout fail! +hich message being delivered, #oussillon (ist that the time (as come to slay &abestaing! /o next day he armed himself, and, attended by a fe( servants, too) horse, and about a mile from his castle lay in ambush in a (ood through (hich &abestaing must needs 'ass! .e (aited some time, and then he sa( &abestaing a''roach unarmed (ith t(o servants behind, also unarmed, for he (as (ithout thought of 'eril on #oussillonMs 'art! /o &abestaing came on to the 'lace of #oussillonMs choice, and then, fell and vengeful, #oussillon lea't forth lance in hand, and fell u'on him, exclaimingB@@TThou art a dead man*T and the (ords (ere no sooner s'o)en than the lance (as through &abestaingMs breast! Po(erless either to defend himself or even utter a cry, &abestaing fell to the ground, and soon ex'ired! .is servants (aited not to see (ho had done the deed, but turned their horsesM heads and fled (ith all s'eed to their lordMs castle! #oussillon dismounted, o'ened &abestaingMs breast (ith

a )nife, and too) out the heart (ith his o(n hands, (ra''ed it u' in a banderole, and gave it to one of his servants to carryB he then bade none ma)e bold to breathe a (ord of the affair, mounted his horse and rode bac)@@Mt(as no( night@@to his castle! The lady, (ho had been told that &abestaing (as to come to su''er that evening, and (as all im'atience till he should come, (as greatly sur'rised to see her husband arrive (ithout him! +hereforeB@@T.o( is this, my lordST said she! T+hy tarries &abestaingST T"adam,T ans(ered her husband, TI have tidings from him that he cannot be here until to@morro(BT (hereat the lady (as some(hat disconcerted!

.aving dismounted, #oussillon called the coo), and said to himB@@T.ere is a boarMs heartI ta)e it, and ma)e thereof the daintiest and most delicious dish thou canst, and (hen I am set at table serve it in a silver 'orringer!T /o the coo) too) the heart, and ex'ended all his s)ill and 'ains u'on it, mincing it and mixing (ith it 'lenty of good seasoning, and made thereof an excellent ragoutI and in due time /ieur Guillaume and his lady sat them do(n to table! The meat (as served, but /ieur Guillaume, his mind engrossed (ith his crime, ate but little! The coo) set the ragout before him, but he, feigning that he cared to eat no more that evening, had it 'assed on to the lady, and highly commended it! The lady, nothing loath, too) some of it, and found it so good that she ended by eating the (hole! +hereu'onB@@T"adam,T Ouoth the )night, Tho( li)ed you this dishST TIn good faith, my lord,T re'lied the lady, Tnot a little!T T/o hel' me, God,T returned the )night, TI dare be s(orn you didI Mtis no (onder that you should enjoy that dead, (hich living you enjoyed more than aught else in the (orld!T -or a (hile the lady (as silentI thenB@@T.o( say youST said sheI T(hat is this you have caused me

to eatST TThat (hich you have eaten,T re'lied the )night, T(as in good sooth the heart of /ieur Guillaume de &abestaing, (hom you, disloyal (oman that you are, did so much loveB for assurance (hereof I tell you that but a short (hile before I came bac), I 'luc)ed it from his breast (ith my o(n hands!T It boots not to as) if the lady (as sorro(@stric)en to receive such tidings of her best beloved! But after a (hile she saidB@@TMT(as the deed of a disloyal and recreant )nightI for if I, unconstrained by him, made him lord of my love, and thereby did you (rong, Mt(as I, not he, should have borne the 'enalty! But God forbid that fare of such high excellence as the heart of a )night so true and courteous as /ieur Guillaume de &abestaing be follo(ed by aught else!T /o saying she started to her feet, and ste''ing bac) to a (indo( that (as behind her, (ithout a momentMs hesitation let herself dro' bac)(ards therefrom! The (indo( (as at a great height from the ground, so that the lady (as not only )illed by the fall, but almost reduced to atoms! /tunned and conscience@stric)en by the s'ectacle, and fearing the vengeance of the country fol), and the &ount of Provence, /ieur Guillaume had his horses saddled and rode a(ay! Gn the morro( the (hole countryside )ne( ho( the affair had come aboutI (herefore fol) from both of the castles too) the t(o bodies, and bore them (ith grief and lamentation exceeding great to the church in the ladyMs castle, and laid them in the same tomb, and caused verses to be inscribed thereon signifying (ho they (ere that (ere there interred, and the manner and occasion of their death!

708 Boccaccio (rites Guardastagno, but the troubadour, &abestaing, or &abestany, is the hero of the story!

;GVE4 %!

@@ The (ife of a leech, deeming her lover, (ho has ta)en an o'iate, to be dead, 'uts him in a chest, (hich, (ith him therein, t(o usurers carry off to their house! .e comes to himself, and is ta)en for a thiefI but, the ladyMs maid giving the /ignory to understand that she had 'ut him in the chest (hich the usurers stole, he esca'es the gallo(s, and the usurers are mulcted in moneys for the theft of the chest! @@

;o( that the )ing had told his tale, it only remained for Dioneo to do his 'art, (hich he (itting, and being thereto bidden by the )ing, thus beganB@@ /ore have I@@to say nought of you, my ladies@@been of eyne and heart to hear the (oeful histories of ill@starred love, insomuch that I have desired of all things that they might have an end! +herefore, no( that, than) God, ended they are, unless indeed I (ere minded, (hich God forbid, to add to such 'ernicious stuff a su''lement of the li)e evil Ouality, no such dolorous theme do I 'ur'ose to ensue, but to ma)e a fresh start (ith some(hat of a better and more cheerful sort, (hich 'erchance may serve to suggest to@morro(Ms argument!

Cou are to )no(, then, fairest my damsels, that Mtis not long since there d(elt at /alerno a leech most eminent in surgery, his name, "aster "a::eo della "ontagna, (ho in his extreme old age too) to (ife a fair damsel of the

same city, (hom he )e't in nobler and richer array of dresses and je(els, and all other finery that the sex affects, than any other lady in /alerno! .o(beit, she (as none too (arm most of her time, being ill covered abed by the doctorI (ho gave her to understand@@even as "esser #icciardo di &hin:ica, of (hom (e s'o)e a (hile since, taught his lady the feasts@@that for once that a man lay (ith a (oman he needed I )no( not ho( many days to recover, and the li)e nonsenseB (hereby she lived as ill content as might beI and, lac)ing neither sense nor s'irit, she determined to economi:e at home, and ta)ing to the street, to live at othersM ex'ense! /o, having 'assed in revie( divers young men, she at last found one that (as to her mind, on (hom she set all her heart and ho'es of ha''iness! +hich the gallant 'erceiving (as mightily flattered, and in li)e manner gave her all his love! #uggieri da eroli@@such (as the gallantMs name@@(as of noble birth, but of life, and conversation so evil and re'rehensible that )insman or friend he had none left that (ished him (ell, or cared to see himI and all /alerno )ne( him for a common thief and rogue of the vilest character! +hereof the lady too) little heed, having a mind to him for another reasonI and so (ith the hel' of her maid she arranged a meeting (ith him! But after they had solaced themselves a (hile, the lady began to censure his 'ast life, and to im'lore him for love of her to de'art from such evil (aysI and to afford him the means thereto, she from time to time furnished him (ith money! +hile thus (ith all discretion they continued their intercourse, it chanced that a man halt of one of his legs (as 'laced under the leechMs care! The leech sa( (hat (as amiss (ith him, and told his )insfol), that, unless a gangrened bone that he had in his leg (ere ta)en out, he must die, or have the (hole leg am'utatedI that if the bone (ere removed he might

recoverI but that other(ise he (ould not ans(er for his lifeB (hereu'on the relatives assented that the bone should be removed, and left the 'atient in the hands of the leechI (ho, deeming that by reason of the 'ain Mt(as not 'ossible for him to endure the treatment (ithout an o'iate, caused to be distilled in the morning a certain (ater of his o(n concoction, (hereby the 'atient, drin)ing it, might be ensured slee' during such time as he deemed the o'eration, (hich he meant to 'erform about ves'ers, (ould occu'y! In the meantime he had the (ater brought into his house, and set it in the (indo( of his room, telling no one (hat it (as! But (hen the ves'er hour (as come, and the leech (as about to visit his 'atient, a messenger arrived from some very great friends of his at 3malfi, bearing tidings of a great riot there had been there, in (hich not a fe( had been (ounded, and bidding him on no account omit to hie him thither forth(ith! +herefore the leech 'ut off the treatment of the leg to the morro(, and too) boat to 3malfiI and the lady, )no(ing that he (ould not return home that night, did as she (as (ont in such a case, to (it, brought #uggieri in 'rivily, and loc)ed him in her chamber until certain other fol) that (ere in the house (ere gone to slee'! #uggieri, then, being thus in the chamber, a(aiting the lady, and having@@ (hether it (ere that he had had a fatiguing day, or eaten something salt, or, 'erchance, that Mt(as his habit of body@@a mighty thirst, glancing at the (indo(, caught sight of the bottle containing the (ater (hich the leech had 're'ared for the 'atient, and ta)ing it to be drin)ing (ater, set it to his li's and dran) it all, and in no long time fell into a dee' slee'!

/o soon as she (as able the lady hied her to the room, and there finding #uggieri aslee', touched him and softly told him to get u'B to no 'ur'ose,

ho(everI he neither ans(ered nor stirred a limb! +herefore the lady, rather losing 'atience, a''lied some(hat more force, and gave him a 'ush, sayingB@@ TGet u', slee'y@headI if thou hadst a mind to slee', thou shouldst have gone home, and not have come hither!T Thus 'ushed #uggieri fell do(n from a box on (hich he lay, and, falling, she(ed no more sign of animation than if he had been a cor'se! The lady, no( some(hat alarmed, essayed to lift him, and shoo) him roughly, and too) him by the nose, and 'ulled him by the beardI again to no 'ur'oseB he had tethered his ass to a stout 'in! /o the lady began to fear he must be deadB ho(ever, she (ent on to 'inch him shre(dly, and singe him (ith the flame of a candleI but (hen these methods also failed she, being, for all she (as a leechMs (ife, no leech herself, believed for sure that he (as deadI and as there (as nought in the (orld that she loved so much, it boots not to as) if she (as sore distressedI (herefore silently, for she dared not lament aloud, she began to (ee' over him and be(ail such a misadventure! But, after a (hile, fearing lest her loss should not be (ithout a seOuel of shame, she bethought her that she must contrive (ithout delay to get the body out of the houseI and standing in need of anotherMs advice, she Ouietly summoned her maid, she(ed her the misha' that had befallen her, and craved her counsel! +hereat the maid marvelled not a littleI and she too fell to 'ulling #uggieri this (ay and that, and 'inching him, and, as she found no sign of life in him, concurred (ith her mistress that he (as verily dead, and advised her to remove him from the house! T3nd (here,T said the lady, Tshall (e 'ut him, that to@morro(, (hen he is discovered, it be not sus'ected that Mt(as hence he (as carriedST T"adam,T ans(ered the maid, Tlate last evening I mar)ed in front of our neighbour the car'enterMs sho' a chest, not too large, (hich, if he have not 'ut it bac)

in the house, (ill come in very handy for our 'ur'ose, for (e (ill 'ut him inside, and give him t(o or three cuts (ith a )nife, and so leave him! +hen he is found, I )no( not (hy it should be thought that Mt(as from this house rather than from any other that he (as 'ut thereI nay, as he (as an evil@ liver, Mt(ill more li)ely be su''osed, that, as he hied him on some evil errand, some enemy sle( him, and then 'ut him in the chest!T The lady said there (as nought in the (orld she might so ill broo) as that #uggieri should receive any (oundI but (ith that exce'tion she a''roved her maidMs 'ro'osal, and sent her to see if the chest (ere still (here she had seen it! The maid, returning, re'orted that there it (as, and, being young and strong, got #uggieri, (ith the ladyMs hel', u'on her shouldersI and so the lady, going before to es'y if any fol) came that (ay, and the maid follo(ing, they came to the chest, and having laid #uggieri therein, closed it and left him there!

;o( a fe( days before, t(o young men, that (ere usurers, had ta)en u' their Ouarters in a house a little further onB they had seen the chest during the day, and being short of furniture, and having a mind to ma)e great gain (ith little ex'enditure, they had resolved that, if it (ere still there at night, they (ould ta)e it home (ith them! /o at midnight forth they hied them, and finding the chest, (ere at no 'ains to examine it closely, but forth(ith, though it seemed some(hat heavy, bore it off to their house, and set it do(n beside a room in (hich their (omen sle'tI and (ithout being at 'ains to adjust it too securely they left it there for the time, and (ent to bed!

To(ards matins #uggieri, having had a long slee' and digested the draught

and exhausted its efficacy, a(o)e, but albeit his slumber (as bro)en, and his senses had recovered their 'o(ers, yet his brain remained in a sort of tor'or (hich )e't him bemused for some daysI and (hen he o'ened his eyes and sa( nothing, and stretched his hands hither and thither and found himself in the chest, it (as (ith difficulty that he collected his thoughts! T.o( is thisST he said to himself! T+here am IS Do I slee' or (a)eS I remember coming this evening to my ladyMs chamberI and no( it seems I am in a chest! +hat means itS &an the leech have returned, or some(hat else have ha''ened that caused the lady, (hile I sle't, to hide me hereS That (as it, I su''ose! +ithout a doubt it must have been so!T 3nd having come to this conclusion, he com'osed himself to listen, if ha'ly he might hear something, and being some(hat ill at ease in the chest, (hich (as none too large, and the side on (hich he lay 'aining him, he must needs turn over to the other, and did so (ith such adroitness that, bringing his loins smartly against one of the sides of the chest, (hich (as set on an uneven floor, he caused it to tilt and then fallI and such (as the noise that it made as it fell that the (omen that sle't there a(o)e, albeit for fear they )e't silence! #uggieri (as not a little disconcerted by the fall, but, finding that thereby the chest (as come o'en, he judged that, ha''en (hat might, he (ould be better out of it than in itI and not )no(ing (here he (as, and being other(ise at his (itsM end, he began to gro'e about the house, if ha'ly he might find a stair or door (hereby he might ta)e himself off! .earing him thus gro'ing his (ay, the alarmed (omen gave tongue (ithB@@T+ho is thereST #uggieri, not )no(ing the voice, made no ans(erB (herefore the (omen fell to calling the t(o young men, (ho, having had a long day, (ere fast aslee', and heard nought of (hat (ent on! +hich served to increase the fright of the (omen,

(ho rose and got them to divers (indo(s, and raised the cryB@@TTa)e thief, ta)e thief*T 3t (hich summons there came running from divers Ouarters not a fe( of the neighbours, (ho got into the house by the roof or other(ise as each best mightB li)e(ise the young men, aroused by the din, got u'I and, #uggieri being no( all but beside himself for sheer ama:ement, and )no(ing not (hither to turn him to esca'e them, they too) him and delivered him to the officers of the Governor of the city, (ho, hearing the u'roar, had hasted to the s'ot! 3nd so he (as brought before the Governor, (ho, )no(ing him to be held of all a most arrant evil@doer, 'ut him forth(ith to the torture, and, u'on his confessing that he had entered the house of the usurers (ith intent to rob, (as minded to ma)e short (or) of it, and have him hanged by the nec)!

In the morning Mt(as bruited throughout all /alerno that #uggieri had been ta)en a thieving in the house of the usurers! +hereat the lady and her maid (ere all ama:ement and be(ilderment, insomuch that they (ere (ithin an ace of 'ersuading themselves that (hat they had done the night before they had not done, but had only dreamed itI besides (hich, the 'eril in (hich #uggieri stood caused the lady such anxiety as brought her to the verge of madness! /hortly after half tierce the leech, being returned from 3malfi, and minded no( to treat his 'atient, called for his (ater, and finding the bottle em'ty made a great commotion, 'rotesting that nought in his house could be let alone! The lady, having other cause of annoy, lost tem'er, and saidB@@T+hat (ould you say, "aster, of an im'ortant matter, (hen you raise such a din because a bottle of (ater has been u'setS Is there never another to be found in the (orldST T"adam,T re'lied the leech, Tthou ta)est this to

have been mere (ater! MT(as no such thing, but an artificial (ater of a so'oriferous virtueIT and he told her for (hat 'ur'ose he had made it! +hich the lady no sooner heard, than, guessing that #uggieri had drun) it, and so had seemed to them to be dead, she saidB@@T"aster, (e )ne( it notI (herefore ma)e you another!T 3nd so the leech, seeing that there (as no hel' for it, had another made! ;ot long after, the maid, (ho by the ladyMs command had gone to find out (hat fol) said of #uggieri, returned, sayingB@@T"adam, of #uggieri they say nought but evil, nor, by (hat I have been able to discover, has he friend or )insman that has or (ill come to his aidI and Mtis held for certain that to@morro( the /tadic708 (ill have him hanged! Besides (hich, I have that to tell you (hich (ill sur'rise youI for, methin)s, I have found out ho( he came into the usurersM house! 4ist, then, ho( it (asB you )no( the car'enter in front of (hose sho' stood the chest (e 'ut #uggieri intoB he had to@day the most violent altercation in the (orld (ith one to (hom it (ould seem the chest belongs, by (hom he (as reOuired to ma)e good the value of the chest, to (hich he made ans(er that he had not sold it, but that it had been stolen from him in the night! M;ot so,M said the otherI Mthou soldst it to the t(o young usurers, as they themselves told me last night, (hen I sa( it in their house at the time #uggieri (as ta)en!M MThey lie,M re'lied the car'enter! MI never sold it them, but they must have stolen it from me last nightI go (e to them!M /o (ith one accord off they (ent to the usurersM house, and I came bac) here! 3nd so, you see, I ma)e out that Mt(as on such (ise that #uggieri (as brought (here he (as foundI but ho( he came to life again, I am at a loss to conjecture!T The lady no( understood exactly ho( things (ere, and accordingly told the maid (hat she had learned from the leech, and besought her to aid her to get #uggieri off,

for so she might, if she (ould, and at the same time 'reserve her honour! T"adam,T said the maid, Tdo but she( me ho(I and glad shall I be to do just as you (ish!T +hereu'on the lady, to (hom necessity taught invention, formed her 'lan on the s'ur of the moment, and ex'ounded it in detail to the maidI (ho 7as the first ste'8 hied her to the leech, and, (ee'ing, thus addressed himB@@T/ir, it behoves me to as) your 'ardon of a great (rong that I have done you!T T3nd (hat may that beST inOuired the leech! T/ir,T said the maid, (ho ceased not to (ee', Tyou )no( (hat manner of man is #uggieri da eroli! ;o( he too) a fancy to me, and 'artly for fear, 'artly for love, I this year agreed to be his mistressI and )no(ing yestereve that you (ere from home, he coaxed me into bringing him into your house to slee' (ith me in my room! ;o( he (as athirst, and I, having no mind to be seen by your lady, (ho (as in the hall, and )no(ing not (hither I might sooner beta)e me for (ine or (ater, bethought me that I had seen a bottle of (ater in your room, and ran and fetched it, and gave it him to drin), and then 'ut the bottle bac) in the 'lace (hence I had ta)en itI touching (hich I find that you have made a great stir in the house! Verily I confess that I did (rongI but (ho is there that does not (rong sometimesS /orry indeed am I to have so done, but Mtis not for such a cause and that (hich ensued thereon that #uggieri should lose his life! +herefore, I do most earnestly beseech you, 'ardon me, and suffer me to go hel' him as best I may be able!T +roth though he (as at (hat he heard, the leech re'lied in a bantering toneB@@TThy 'ardon thou hast by thine o(n deedI for, (hereas thou didst last night thin) to have (ith thee a gallant that (ould thoroughly dust thy 'elisse for thee, he (as but a slee'y headI (herefore get thee gone, and do (hat thou mayst for the deliverance of thy lover, and for the future loo) thou bring him not into the houseI else I

(ill 'ay thee for that turn and this to boot!T The maid, deeming that she had come off (ell in the first brush, hied her (ith all s'eed to the 'rison (here #uggieri lay, and by her cajoleries 'revailed u'on the (arders to let her s'ea) (ith himI and having told him ho( he must ans(er the /tadic if he (ould get off, she succeeded in obtaining 'reaudience of the /tadicI (ho, seeing that the baggage (as lusty and mettlesome, (as minded before he heard her to gra''le her (ith the hoo), to (hich she (as by no means averse, )no(ing that such a 'reliminary (ould secure her a better hearing! +hen she had undergone the o'eration and (as risenB@@T/ir,T said she, Tyou have here #uggieri da eroli, a''rehended on a charge of theftI (hich charge is false!T +hereu'on she told him the (hole story from beginning to end, ho( she, being #uggieriMs mistress, had brought him into the leechMs house and had given him the o'iate, not )no(ing it for such, and ta)ing him to be dead, had 'ut him in the chestI and then recounting (hat she had heard 'ass bet(een the car'enter and the o(ner of the chest, she she(ed him ho( #uggieri came into the house of the usurers! /eeing that Mt(as easy enough to find out (hether the story (ere true, the /tadic began by Ouestioning the leech as to the (ater, and found that Mt(as as she had saidB he then summoned the car'enter, the o(ner of the chest and the usurers, and after much further 'arley ascertained that the usurers had stolen the chest during the night, and brought it into their houseB finally he sent for #uggieri, and as)ed him (here he had lodged that night, to (hich #uggieri ans(ered that (here he had lodged he )ne( not, but he (ell remembered going to 'ass the night (ith "aster "a::eoMs maid, in (hose room he had drun) some (ater by reason of a great thirst that he hadI but (hat ha''ened to him after(ards, exce't that, (hen he a(o)e, he found himself in a chest in the

house of the usurers, he )ne( not! 3ll (hich matters the /tadic heard (ith great interest, and caused the maid and #uggieri and the car'enter and the usurers to rehearse them several times! In the end, seeing that #uggieri (as innocent, he released him, and mulcted the usurers in fifteen ounces for the theft of the chest! .o( glad #uggieri (as thus to esca'e, it boots not to as)I and glad beyond measure (as his lady! 3nd so, many a time did they laugh and ma)e merry together over the affair, she and he and the dear maid that had 'ro'osed to give him a taste of the )nifeI and remaining constant in their love, they had ever better and better solace thereof! The li)e (hereof befall me, sans the being 'ut in the chest!

708 The ;ea'olitan term for the chief of 'olice!

.eartsore as the gentle ladies had been made by the 'receding stories, this last of Dioneo 'rovo)ed them to such merriment, more es'ecially the 'assage about the /tadic and the hoo), that they lac)ed not relief of the 'iteous mood engendered by the others! But the )ing observing that the sun (as no( ta)ing a yello(ish tinge, and that the end of his sovereignty (as come, in terms most courtly made his excuse to the fair ladies, that he had made so direful a theme as loversM infelicity the to'ic of their discourseI after (hich, he rose, too) the laurel (reath from his head, and, (hile the ladies (atched to see to (hom he (ould give it, set it graciously u'on the blond head of -iammetta, sayingB@@T.ere(ith I cro(n thee, as deeming that thou, better than any other, (ilt )no( ho( to ma)e to@morro( console our fair com'anions for the rude trials of to@day!T -iammetta, (hose (avy tresses

fell in a flood of gold over her (hite and delicate shoulders, (hose softly rounded face (as all radiant (ith the very tints of the (hite lily blended (ith the red of the rose, (ho carried t(o eyes in her head that matched those of a 'eregrine falcon, (hile her tiny s(eet mouth she(ed a 'air of li's that shone as rubies, re'lied (ith a smileB@@T3nd gladly ta)e I the (reath, -ilostrato, and that thou mayst more truly understand (hat thou hast done, Mtis my 'resent (ill and 'leasure that each ma)e ready to discourse to@morro( of good fortune befalling lovers after divers direful or disastrous adventures!T The theme 'ro'ounded (as a''roved by allI (hereu'on the Oueen called the seneschal, and having made (ith him all meet arrangements, rose and gaily dismissed all the com'any until the su''er hourI (herefore, some straying about the garden, the beauties of (hich (ere not such as soon to 'all, others bending their ste's to(ards the mills that (ere grinding (ithout, each, as and (here it seemed best, they too) mean(hile their several 'leasures! The su''er hour come, they all gathered, in their (onted order, by the fair fountain, and in the gayest of s'irits and (ell served they su''ed! Then rising they addressed them, as (as their (ont, to dance and song, and (hile -ilomena led the danceB@@T-ilostrato,T said the Oueen, Tbeing minded to follo( in the footste's of our 'redecessors, and that, as by their, so by our command a song be sungI and (ell (itting that thy songs are even as thy stories, to the end that no day but this be vexed (ith thy misfortunes, (e ordain that thou give us one of them, (hichever thou mayst 'refer!T -ilostrato ans(ered that he (ould gladly do soI and (ithout delay began to sing on this (iseB@@

-ull (ell my tears attest,

G traitor 4ove, (ith (hat just cause the heart, +ith (hich thou once hast bro)en faith, doth smart!

4ove, (hen thou first didst in my heart enshrine .er for (hom still I sigh, alas* in vain, ;or any ho'e do )no(, 3 damsel so com'lete thou didst me she(, That light as air I counted every 'ain, +here(ith behest of thine &ondemned my soul to 'ine! 3h* but I gravely erredI the (hich to )no( Too late, alas* doth but enhance my (oe!

The cheat I )ne( not ere she did me leave, /he, she, in (hom alone my ho'es (ere 'lacedB -or Mt(as (hen I did most -latter myself (ith ho'e, and 'roudly boast "yself her vassal lo(liest and most graced, ;or thought 4ove might bereave, ;or dreamed he eMer might grieve, MT(as then I found that she anotherMs (orth Into her heart had taMen and me cast forth!

3 'lant of 'ain, alas* my heart did bear, +hat time my ha'less self cast forth I )ne(I 3nd there it doth remainI

3nd day and hour I curse and curse again, +hen first that front of love shone on my vie( That front so Oueenly fair, 3nd bright beyond com'are* +herefore at once my faith, my ho'e, my fire "y soul doth im'recate, ere she ex'ire!

"y lord, thou )no(est ho( comfortless my (oe, Thou, 4ove, my lord, (hom thus I su''licate +ith many a 'iteous moan, Telling thee ho( in anguish sore I groan, Cearning for death my 'ain to mitigate! &ome death, and (ith one blo( &ut short my s'an, and so +ith my curst life me of my fren:y easeI -or (heresoeMer I go, Mt(ill sure decrease!

/ave death no (ay of comfort doth remainB ;o anodyne beside for this sore smart! The boon, then, 4ove besto(I 3nd 'resently by death annul my (oe, 3nd from this abject life release my heart! /ince from me joy is taMen, 3nd every solace, deign "y 'rayer to grant, and let my death the cheer &om'lete, that she no( hath of her ne( fere!

/ong, it may be that no one shall thee learnB ;or do I careI for none I (ot, so (ell 3s I may chant theeI so, This one behest I lay u'on thee, go .ie thee to 4ove, and him in secret tell, .o( I my life do s'urn, "y bitter life, and yearn, That to a better harbourage he bring "e, of all might and grace that o(n him )ing!

-ull (ell my tears attest, etc!

-ilostratoMs mood and its cause (ere made abundantly manifest by the (ords of this songI and 'erchance they had been made still more so by the loo)s of a lady that (as among the dancers, had not the shades of night, (hich had no( overta)en them, concealed the blush that suffused her face! Gther songs follo(ed until the hour for slumber arrivedB (hereu'on at the behest of the Oueen all the ladies sought their several chambers!

E;D G- VG4! 0!

End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Decameron, Volume I by Giovanni Boccaccio