 Day 5. The Fifth Story of the Decameron. Gidotto da Cremona dies leaving a girl to Giacomino da Pavia. She has two lovers in Faenza, to which Giannoli di Severino and Minghino di Mingole, who fight about her. She is discovered to be Giannoli's sister, and is given to Minghino to wife. All the ladies loved so heartily over the story of the nightingale, that even when Filostrato had finished, they could not control their merriment. However, when the laughter was somewhat abated, the queen said, As Filostrato went to Romania for the matter of his discourse, I too am feigned to make a short journey through the same country, in what I am about to relate to you. I say then, that their dwelt of yore in the city of Fano, two lombards, the one eclept Gidotto da Cremona and the other Giacomino da Pavia, men advanced in life, who, being soldiers, had spent the best part of their youth in feats of arms. Now Gidotto, being at the point of death, and having no son or any friend or kinsman, in whom he placed more trust than in Giacomino, left him a girl of about ten years, and all that he had in the world. And so, having given him to know not a little of his affairs, he died. About the same time, the city of Faenza, which had long been at war, and in a most sorry plight, began to recover some measure of prosperity, and thereupon liberty to return this on honorable terms was accorded to all that were so minded. Wither accordingly Giacomino, who had dwelt there a foretime and liked the place, returned with all his goods and chattels, taking with him the girl left him by Gidotto, whom he loved and entreated as his daughter. The girl grew up as beautiful a maiden as was to be found in the city, and no less debonair and modest was she than fair. Wherefore she lacked not admirers, but above all, two young men, both very gallant and of equal merit, the one Giannoli di Severino, the other Minghino di Mingole, affected her with so ardent a passion that, growing jealous, they came to hate one another with an inordinate hatred. Right gladly would each have espoused her she being now fifteen years old, but that his kinsmen forbade it. Wherefore, seeing that neither might have her in an honorable way, each determined to compass his end as best he might. And a Giacomino had in his house an ancient maid, and a man by name Crivello, a very pleasant and friendly sort of fellow, with whom Giannoli grew familiar, and in due time confided to him all his love, praying him to further the attainment of his desire, and promising to reward him handsomely if he did so. Crivello made answer, thou must know that there is but one way in which I might be of service to thee in this affair. I might contrive that thou shouldst be where she is when Giacomino is gone off to supper, but were I to presume to say ought to her on thy behalf she would never listen to me. This, if it pleases thee, I promise to do for thee, and will be as good as my word, and then thou canst do whatever thou mayst deem most expedient. Giannoli said that he asked no more, and so it was arranged. Meanwhile Mingino on his part had made friends with the maid, on whom he had so wrought that she had carried several messages to the girl, and had gone far to kindle her to his love, and furthermore had promised to contrive that he should meet her when for any cause Giacomino should be from home in the evening. And so it befell that no long time after these parlies Giacomino, by Crivello's management, was to go supper at the house of a friend, and by pre-concert between Crivello and Giannoli upon signal given Giacomino was to come to Giacomino's house and find the door open. The maid on her part, witting nought of the understanding between Crivello and Giannoli, let Mingino know that Giacomino would not supper at home, and bade him be near the house so that he might come and enter it on sight of a signal from her. The evening came. Neither of the lovers knew ought of what the other was about, but being suspicious of one another they came to take possession each with his own company of armed friends. Mingino, while awaiting the signal, rested with his company in the house of one of his friends, hard by the girl's house. Giannoli, with his company, was posted a little farther off. Crivello and the maid, when Giacomino was gone, did each their endeavour to get the other out of the way. Crivello said to the maid, How is it thou takeest snot thou self to bed, but Goeth still hither and thither about the house? And the maid said to Crivello, Nay, but why Goeth thou not after thy master? Thou hast supp'd? What awaitest thou here? And so, neither being able to make the other quit the post, Crivello, the hour concerted with Giannoli being come, said to himself, What care I for her, if she will not keep quiet, just like to be the worst for her? Whereupon he gave the signal and hide him to the door, which he had no sooner opened than Giannoli entered with two of his companions, and finding the girl in the saloon laid hands on her with intent to carry her off. The girl struggled and shrieked a mane, as did also the maid. Mingino, fearing the noise, hasted to the spot with his companions, and seeing that the girl was already being born across the threshold, they drew their swords and cried out in chorus, Ah, traitors that he are! Ye are all dead men, to go otherwise than ye think for! What means this force? Which said, they fell upon them with their swords, while the neighbours, alarmed by the noise, came hurrying forth with lights and arms, and protested that it was an outrage, and took Mingino's part. So, after a prolonged struggle, Mingino rested the girl from Giannoli and set her again in Giacomino's house. Nor were the combatants separated before the officers of the governor of the city came up and arrested not a few of them, among them Mingino and Giannoli and Crivello, whom they marched off to prison. However, a peace being restored, and Giacomino returned, was with no little shagran that he heard of the affair. But finding upon investigation that the girl was in no wise culpable, he was somewhat reassured, and determined lest a like should again happen to bestow the girl in marriage as soon as might be. On the morrow, the kinsfolk of the two lovers, having learned the truth of the matter, and knowing what evil might ensue to the captives if Giacomino should be minded to take the course which he reasonably might, came and gave him good words, beseeching him to let the kindly feeling, the love, which they believed he brought to them his suppliance, count for more with him than the wrong that the hair-brained galants had done him, and on their part and their own offering to make any amend that he might require. Giacomino, who had seen many things in his time, and lacked not sound sense, made answer briefly. Gentlemen, were I in my own country as I am in yours, I hold myself in such sort your friend, that naught would I do in this matter, or in any other, save what might be agreeable to you. Besides which, I have the more reason to consider your wishes, because tis against you yourselves that you have offended, in as much as this damsel, whatever many folk may suppose, is neither of Cremona nor of Pavia, but is of Faenza, albeit neither I nor she, nor he from whom I had her, did ever what whose daughter she was. Wherefore, touching that you ask of me, I will even do just as you bid me. The worthy men found it passing strange that the girl should be of Faenza, and having thanked Giacomino for his handsome answer, they besought him that he would be pleased to tell them how she had come into his hands, and how he knew that she was of Faenza, to whom Giacomino replied on this wise. A comrade and friend I had, Guidotto da Cremona, who, being at the point of death, told me that, when this city of Faenza was taken by the Emperor Frederick, he and his comrades, entering one of the houses during the sack, found there a good store of booty, and never a soul saved this girl. Who, being two years old or thereabouts, greeted him as father as he came up the stairs. Wherefore he took pity on her, and carried her with whatever else was in the house, away with him to Fauno, where on his deathbed he left her to me, charging me in due time to bestow her in marriage, and give her all his goods and chattels by way of diary. But, albeit she is now of marriageable age, I have not been able to provide her with a husband to my mind, though right glad should I be to do so, that naught like the event of yesterday may again befall me. Now among the rest of those present was one Guglielmo da Medicina, who had been with Guidotto on that occasion, and knew well whose house it was that Guidotto had sacked. And seeing the owner there among the rest, he went up to him and said, Does here Benabuccio what Giacomino says? I answered Benabuccio, and I gave the more heed there too, for that I call to mind that during those disorders I lost a little daughter of just the age that Giacomino speaks of. She is barely she then, said Guglielmo, for once when I was with Guidotto I heard him describe what house it was that he had sacked, and I wished it was thine. Wherefore search thy memory if there be any sign by which thou thinkest to recognise her, and let her be examined, that thou mayst be assured that she is thy daughter. So Benabuccio pondered a while, and then recollected that she ought to have a scar showing like a tiny cross above her left ear, being where he had excised a tumour a little while before that affair. Wherefore, without delay, he went up to Giacomino, who was still there, and besought him to let him go home with him and see the damsel. Giacomino gladly did so, and no sooner was the girl brought into Benabuccio's presence than, as he beheld her, it was as if he saw the face of her mother, who was still a beautiful woman. However he would not rest there, but besought Giacomino of his grace, to permit him to lift a lock or two of hair above her left ear, where too Giacomino consented. So Benabuccio approached her where she stood somewhat shamefast, and with his right hand lifted her locks, and seeing the cross whist that in very truth she was his daughter, and tenderly wept and embraced her, albeit she withstood him. And then, turning to Giacomino, he said, My brother the girl is my daughter, it was my house that Guidotto sacked, and so sudden was the assault that my wife, her mother, forgot her, and we have always hitherto supposed that my house being burned that same day she perished in the flames. Catching his words, and seeing that he was advanced in years, the girl inclined to believe him, and impelled by some occult instinct suffered his embraces, and melting mingled her tears with his. Benabuccio forthwith sent for her mother, and her sisters, and other kinswomen, and her brothers, and having shown her to them all and told the story, after they had done her great cheer and embraced her a thousand times to Giacomino s no small delight, he brought her home with him. Which, coming to the ears of the governor of the city, the worthy man, knowing that Giannoli, whom he had in ward, was Benabuccio s son and the girl s brother, made up his mind to deal leniently with Giannoli. Wherefore he took upon himself the part of mediator in the affair, and having made peace between Benabuccio and Giacomino, and Giannoli and Minguino gave Agnese, such was the damsel s name, to Minguino to wife, to the great delight of all Minguino s kinsfolk, and set at liberty not only Giannoli and Minguino, but Crivello and the others their confederates in the affair. Whereupon Minguino, with the blithest of hearts, wedded Agnese with all due pomp and circumstance, and brought her home, where for many a year thereafter he lived with her in peace and prosperity. End of Day 5. The Fifth Story. Recording by Ruth Golding. Day 5. The Sixth Story of the Decameron. By Giovanni Boccaccio. Translated by J. M. Rig. Day 5. The Sixth Story. Gianni di Procitta. Being found with the damsel that he loves, and who had been given to King Frederick, is bound with her to a stake so to be burned. He is recognized by Ruggieri Deloria. He is delivered, and marries her. Day 6. Nay, feel a story, with which the ladies were greatly delighted, being ended. The Queen called for one from Pampinea, who first first raised her noble countenance, and thus began. Mighty indeed gracious ladies are the forces of love, and great are the labours, and excessive, and unthought of, the parrots, which they induce lovers to brave, as is manifest enough by what we have heard today, and on other occasions. Howbeit I mean to show you the same once more, by a story of an enamoured youth. Hard by Naples is the island of Istia, in which they're dwelt a foretime with other young damsels once, restituta by name, daughter of one Marin Bulgaro, a gentleman of the island. Very fair was she, and blithe of heart, and by a young gallant, journey by name, of the neighbouring Islet of Proc'da, was beloved more dearly than life, and in like measure returned his love. Now, not to mention his daily resort to Istia to see her, there were times not a few in Jani, not being able to come by a boat, would swim across from Proc'da by night, that he might have sight, if of not else at least of the walls of her house. And while their love burned thus fervently, it so befell, that onceom as day, as the damsel was all alone on the seashore, picking her way from rock to rock, detaching as she went, shells from their beds with a knife. She came to a recess among the rocks, where, for the sake, as well of the shade as of the comfort afforded by a spring of most cool water that was there. Some Sicilian gallants, that were come from Naples, had put in with their Faluka, who, having taken note of the damsel, that she was very fair, that she was not yet aware of them, and was alone, resolved to capture her and carry her away. Nor did they fail to give effect to their resolve, but, albeit she shrieked a man, they laid hands on her, and set her aboard their boat and put to sea, arrived at Calabria. They fell arrangling, as to whose agreement, and fearing that worse might befall them, and she bring misfortune upon them, they resolved with one accord to give her to Frederick, King of Sicily, who was then a young man, and took no small delight in commodities of that quality, and so, being come to Palermo, they did. Marking her beauty, the king set great star by her. But, as she was somewhat indisposed, he commanded that, till she was stronger, she should be lodged and tended in a very pretty villa, that was in one of his gardens, which he called Cuba. And so it was done. Their perloining of the damsel caused no small stir in Istia, more especially because it was impossible to discover by whom she had been carried off. But Gianni, more concerned than any other, despairing of finding her in Istia, and being apprised of the cost that Faluka had taken, equipped one himself. And put to sea, and in hot haste scoured the whole coast from Minerva to Scalia in Calabria, making everywhere diligent search for the damsel. And in Scalia learned that she had been taken by Sicilian mariners to Palermo. Wither, accordingly, he hide him with all speed, and there after long search discovering that she had been given to the king, who kept her at Cuba, he was so troubled, in so much that he now scarce ventured to hope that he should ever set eyes on her, not to speak of having her for his own again, but still, hold in by love, and seeing that none there knew him. He sent the Faluka away and tarried there, and frequently passing by Cuba, he chanced one day to catch sight of her at a window, and was seen of her to their great mutual satisfaction. And Gianni, taking note that the place was lonely, made up to her, and had such a speech of her as he might, and being taught by her after what fashion he must proceed, if he would have further speech of her he departed, but not till he had made himself thoroughly acquainted with the configuration of the place. And having waited until night was come, and indeed far spent, he returned thither. And though the ascent was such that towards scarce have afforded lodgement to a woodpecker, won his way up and entered the garden, where, finding a pole, he set it against the window which the damsel had pointed out as hers, and thereby swarmed up easily enough. The damsel had a foretime shown herself somewhat distant towards him, being careful of her honour, but now, deeming it already lost, she had bethought, her, that there was none to whom she might more worthily give herself than to him. And reckoning upon inducing him to carry her off, she had made up her mind to gratify his every desire, and to that end had left the window open that his ingress might be unimpeded. So, finding an open, Janney softly entered, lay down beside the damsel who was awake, and before they went further, opened to him all in her mind, beseeching him most earnestly to take her vents and carry her off. Janney replied that there was not that would give him so much pleasure, and that without fail upon leaving her, he would make all needful arrangements for bringing her away when he next came. Who are upon with exceeding great delight they embraced one another, and plucked that boon that which love has no greater to bestow, and having so done diverse times they unwittingly fell asleep in one another's arms. Now, towards Daybreak, the king, who had been greatly charmed with the damsel at first sight, happened to call her to mind, and feeling himself fit, resolved notwithstanding the hour to go lie with her awhile. And so, attended by a few of his servants, he hide him privily to Cuba. Having entered the house, he passed, the door being softly opened, into the room in which he knew the damsel slept. A great blazing torch was born before him, and so, as he bent his glance on the bed, he aspired the damsel and Janney lying asleep, naked, and in one another's arms. Whereat he was seized with a sudden and vehement passion of wrath, in so much that, albeit he said never a word, he could scarce refrain from slaying both of them then and there with a dagger that he had with him. Then, befinking him that were the depth of baseness in any man, not to say a king, to slay two naked sleepers, he mastered himself, and determined to do them to death in public and by fire. Wherefore, turning to a single companion that he had with him, he said, What thinkest thou of this base woman in whom I had placed my hope? And then he asked whether he knew the gallant, that had presumed to enter his house to do him such outrage, and despite. Where to the other replied that he minded not ever to have seen him? Thereupon the king hide him out of the room in a rage, and bade take the two lovers, naked as they were, and bind them. And, as soon as towards broad day, bring them to Palermo, and bind them back to back on a stake in the piazza, there to remain until tears, that all might see them after which they were to be burned, as they had deserved. And having so ordered, he went back to Palermo, and shot himself up in his room, very rough. No sooner was he gone, than there came on to the two lovers folk not a few, who, having awakened them, did forthwith, ruthlessly take and bind them, were at how they did grieve and tremble for their lives, and weep, and bitterly bewail their fate, may readily be understood. Pursuant to the king's commandment, they were brought to Palermo, and bound to a stake in the piazza, and before their eyes, faggots and fire were made ready to burn them at the hour appointed by the king. Great was the concourse of the folk of Palermo, both men and women, that came to see the two lovers, the men all agog to feast their eyes on the damsel, whom they lauded for shapeliness and loveliness, and no less did the women commend the garland, whom, in like manner, they crowded to see for the same qualities. Meanwhile the two hapless lovers, both exceeding, shame-fast, stood with bent heads bitterly bewailing their evil fortune, and momently expecting their death by the cruel fire. So they awaited the time appointed by the king, but their offence being brooted abroad, the tidings reached the ears of Ruggieri Deloria, a man of peerless worth, and at that time the king's admiral, who, being likewise minded to see them, came to the place where they were bound, and after gazing on the damsel and finding her very fair, turned to look at the garland, whom, with little trouble, he recognized, and drawing near to him, he asked him if he were Gianni de Proceda. Gianni raised his head, and, recognizing the admiral, made answer, My lord, he of whom you speak I was, but I am now as good as no more. The admiral then asked him what it was that he had brought him to such a pass. The admiral then asked him what it was that had brought him to such a pass. Whereupon? Love and the king's wrath, quote Gianni. The admiral induced him to be more explicit, and having learned from him exactly how it had come about, was turning away when Gianni called him back, saying, Oh, my lord, if it so may be, procure me one favor of him by whose behest I thus stand here. What favor demanded Ruggieri? I see, returned Gianni, that I must, and that right soon I crave then as a favor that, whereas the stampsel and I, that have loved one another more dearly than life, are here set back to back, we may be set face to face, that I may have the consolation of gazing on her face as I depart. Ruggieri laughed, as he replied, with all my heart, I will so order it that thou shalt see enough of her to tire of her. He then left him, and charged the executioners, to do nothing more without further order of the king. And being assured of their obedience, he hide him for width to the king, to whom, albeit he found him in a wrathful mood, he spared not to speak his mind, saying, Sire, wherein have the wronged thee, these two young folk, whom thou hast ordered to be burned down there in the piazza? The king told him, whereupon Ruggieri continued, their offence does indeed merit such punishment, but not at thy hands. And if misdeeds should go unpunished, services should not go unrewarded. Nay, may warrant indulgences and mercy. Nost thou who they are, whom thou wouldst have burned? The king signified that he did not know, whereupon Ruggieri. But I, quote he, am minded that thou shouldst know them, to the end that thou mayst know with what discretion thou surrenders thyself to a transport of rage. The young man is the son of Landolfo Duprocheta, brother of Mesajani Duprocheta, to whom thou oost, it that thou art lord and king of this island. The damsel is a daughter of Marin Bulgyro, whose might alone today prevents his jeer from throwing off thy yoke. Moreover, these young folk have long been lovers, and tis for that the might of love constrained them. And not that they would do, despite to thy lordship, that they have committed this offence, if indeed tis met to call that an offence which young folk do for love's sake. Wherefore, then? Wouldst thou do them to death? One thou shouldst rather do them all cheer and honour them with lordly gifts. The king gave ear to Ruggieri's words, and being satisfied that he spoke sooth, repented him, not only of his evil purpose, but of what he had already done. And Fothwith gave order to looth the two young folk from the stake, and bring them before him, and so it was done. And having finally apprised himself of their case, he saw fit to make them amends of the wrong he had done them, with honours and largesse. Wherefore he caused them to be splendidly arraired, and being assured that they were both minded to wed, he himself gave Gianni his bride, and loading them with rich presents set them well content back to his cheer, where they were welcomed with all festal cheer, and lived long time thereafter to their mutual solace and delight. End of Day 5, The Sixth Story. Recording by Miet. Teodoro, being enamoured of Violante, daughter of Messer Amarigo, his lord, gets her with child, and is sentenced to the gallows. But while he is being scourged, that he is recognised by his father, and being set at large, takes Violante to wife. While they doubted whether the two lovers would be burned, the ladies were all fear and suspense. But when they heard of their deliverance, they all with one accord would own a cheerful countenance, praising God. The story ended, the queen ordained, that the next should be told by Loretta, who blightly thus began. Fairest ladies, what time good King Guglielmo ruled Sicily, there dwelt on the island a gentleman, Messer Amarigo Abatted Attrapani by name, who was well provided, as with other temporal goods, so also with children. For which cause, being in need of servants, he took occasion of the appearance in Trapani waters of certain Genoese corsairs from the Levant, who, scouring the coast of Armenia, had captured not a few boys to purchase of them some of these youngsters, supposing them to be Turks, among whom, albeit most showed as mere shepherd boys, there was one, Teodoro by name, whose less rustic mean seemed to be token gentle blood. Who, though still treated as a slave, was suffered to grow up in the house of Messer Amarigo's children, and nature getting the better of circumstance, bore himself with such grace and dignity that Messer Amarigo gladly gave him his freedom, and, still deeming him to be a Turk, had him baptised and named Pietro, and made him his major domo and placed much trust in him. Now, among the other children that grew up in Messer Amarigo's house, was his fair and dainty daughter Violante, and as her father was in no hurry to give her in marriage, it so befell that she became enamoured of Pietro. But for all her love and the great conceit she had of his qualities and conduct, she nevertheless was too shamed fast to discover her passion to him. However, love spared her the pains, for Pietro had cast many a furtive glance in her direction, and had grown so enamoured of her that it was never well with him except he saw her. But great was his fear lest any should detect his passion, for he deemed to be the worse for him. The damsel who was faint indeed of the sight of him understood his case, and to encourage him dissembled not her exceeding great satisfaction, on which footing they remained a great while, neither venturing to say ought to the other much as both longed to do so. But while they both burned with a mutual flame, fortune, as if their entanglement were of her preordaining, found means to banish the fear and hesitation that kept them tongue-tied. Mesur Amerigo possessed, a mile or so from Trapani, a goodly estate, to which he was won't not sell them to resort with his daughter and other ladies by way of recreation, and on one of these days, while there they tarried with Pietro whom they had brought with them, suddenly, as will sometimes happen in summer, the sky became overcast with black clouds, in so much that the lady and her companions, lest the storm should surprise them there, but out on their return to Trapani making all the haste they might. But Pietro and the girl, being young, and sped perchance by love, no less than by fear of the storm, completely outstripped her mother and the other ladies, and when they were gotten so far ahead as to be well-nigh out of sight of the lady and all the rest, the thunder burst upon them, peel-on-peel, hard upon which came a fall of hail very thick and close, from which the lady sought shelter in the house of a husbandman. Pietro and the damsel, finding no more convenient refuge, betook them to an old and all but ruinous and now deserted cottage, which, however, still had a bit of roof left, where under they both took their stand in such close quarters, owing to the exeguity of the shelter, that they perforce touched one another. Which contact was the occasion that they gathered somewhat more courage to disclose their love, and so it was that Pietro began on this wise, now would to God that this hail might never cease so that I might stay here for ever. And well content were I, returned the damsel, and by and by their hands met, not without a tender pressure, and then they fell to embracing and so to kissing one another while the hail continued, and not to dwell on every detail, the sky was not clear before they had known the last degree of love's felicity, and had taken thought how they might secretly enjoy one another in the future. The cottage being close to the city gate, they hide them thither as soon as the storm was over-past, and having there awaited the lady, returned home with her. Nor, using all discretion, did they fail thereafter to meet from time to time in secret, to their no small solace, and so went so far that the damsel conceived, whereby they were both not a little disconcerted, in so much that the damsel employed many artifices to arrest the course of nature, but to no effect. Wherefore Pietro, being in fear of his life, saw nothing for it but flight, and told her so, whereupon, if thou leave me, was she, I shall certainly kill myself. Much as he loved her, Pietro answered, but my lady, wherefore was thou have me tarry here? Thy pregnancy will discover our offence, thou wilt be readily forgiven, but will be my woeful lot to bear the penalty of thy sin and mine. Pietro returned the damsel, too well will they what of my offence, but be sure that if thou confess not, none will ever what of thine. Then, Quoth he, since thou givest me this promise, I shall stay, but mind thou keep it. The damsel, who had done her best to keep her condition secret, saw at length by the increase of her bulk that was impossible, wherefore, one day, most pitchously bewailing herself, she made her avowal to her mother, and besought her to shield her from the consequences. Distressed beyond measure, the lady chid her severely, and then asked her how it had come to pass. The damsel, to screen Pietro, invented a story by which she put another complexion on the affair. The lady believed her, and that her fall might not be discovered, took her off to one of their estates, where at the time of her delivery being come, and she, as women do in such a case, crying out for pain, it so befell that Mether Amerigo, whom the lady expected not, as indeed he was scarce ever won't, to come there, did so, having been out or hawking, and passing by the chamber where the damsel lay, marveled to hear her cries, and forthwith entered and asked what it meant. On side of whom the lady rose, and sorrowfully gave him her daughter's version of what had befallen her. But he, less credulous than his wife, avert that it could not be true that she knew not by whom she was pregnant, and was minded to know the whole truth, let the damsel confess, and she might regain his favour, otherwise she must expect no mercy and prepare for death. The lady did all she could to induce her husband to rest satisfied with what she had told him, but all to no purpose. Mad with rage, he rushed drawn sword in hand to his daughter's bedside, she, pending the Pali having given birth to a boy, and cried out, declare who's this infant is, or forthwith thou dyest! Overcome by fear of death, the damsel broke her promise to Pietro, and made a clean breast of all that had passed between him and her. Whereout the night, grown fell with rage, could scarcely refrain from slaying her. However, having given vent to his wrath in such words as it dictated, he remounted his horse and rode to Trapani, and there before one Mesecurado, the king's lieutenant, laid information of the wrong done him by Pietro. In consequence were of, Pietro, who suspected nothing, was forthwith taken, and being put to the torture, confessed all. Some days later the lieutenant sentenced him to be scourged through the city, and then hanged by the neck. And Meseur Amerigo, being minded that one and the same hour should rid the earth of the two lovers and their son, for to have cumbers Pietro's death was not enough to appease his wrath, mingled poison and wine in a goblet, and gave it to one of his servants with a drawn sword saying, Get thee with this gear to Violante, and tell her from me to make instant choice of one of these two deaths, either the poison or the steel. Else I will have her burned as she deserves in view of all the citizens, which done they will take the boy that she bore a few days ago, and beat his brains out against the wall and cast his body for a prey to the dogs. Hearing the remorseless doom thus passed by the angry father upon both his daughter and his grandson, the servant, prompt to do evil rather than good, hide him thence. Now, as Pietro in execution of his sentence was being scourged to the gallows by the sergeants, it was so ordered by the leaders of the band that he passed by an inn where were three noblemen of Armenia sent by the king of that country as ambassadors to Rome to treat with the pope of matters of the highest importance touching a crusade that was to be, who, having there elighted to rest and recreate them for some days, had received not a few tokens of honour from the nobles of Trapani and most of all from Mesa Amerigo. Hearing the tramp of Pietro's escort, they came to a window to see what was toward, and one of them, an aged man and of great authority, Sineo by name, looking hard at Pietro, who was stripped from the waist up and had his hands bound behind his back, espied on his breast a great spot of scarlet, not laid on by art but wrought in the skin by operation of nature, being such as the ladies call a rose, which he no sooner saw than he was reminded of a son that had been stolen from him by corsairs on the coast of Lazistan some fifteen years before, nor had he since been able to hear tidings of him. And guessing the age of the poor wretch that was being scourged, he set it down as about what his sons would be were he living and what with the mark and the age he began to suspect that was even his son and bethought him that if so he would scarce as yet have forgotten his name or the speech of Armenia, wherefore as he was with an earshot he called to him, Teodoro. At the word Pietro raised his head whereupon Sineo, an Armenian, asked him, whence and whose son art thou? The sergeants that were leading him paused in deference to the great man and so Pietro answered, of Armenia was I, son of one Fineo, brought hither by folk I what not of when I was but a little child. Then Fineo, witting that in very truth was the boy that he had lost, came down with his companions weeping for all the sergeants making way he ran to him and embraced him doffing a mantle of richest texture that he wore, he prayed the captain of the band to be pleased to tarry there until he should receive orders to go forward and was answered by the captain that he would willingly so wait. Fineo already knew for it was brooted everywhere the cause for which Pietro was being led to the gallows, wherefore he straightway hide him with his companions and their retinue and said to him, Sir, this lad whom you are sending to the gallows like a slave is free-born and my son and is ready to take the wife her whom as to said he has deflowered so please you therefore delay the execution until such times it may be understood whether she be minded to have him for a husband lest should she be so minded you be found to have broken the law. Mese curado marvels to hear that Pietro was Fineo's son and not without shame albeit it was not his but Fortune's fault confessed that it was even as Fineo said and having called Pietro to be taken home with all speed and Mese Amerigo to be brought before him told him the whole matter Mese Amerigo who supposed that by this time his daughter and grandson must be dead was the saddest man in the world to think that it was by his deed to think that were the damsel still alive all might very easily be set right however he sent post-haste to his daughter's abode revoking his orders if they were not yet carried out the servant whom he had earlier dispatched had laid the sword and poison before the damsel and for that she was in no hurry to make her choice was giving her foul words and endeavouring to constrain her there too when the messenger arrived but on hearing the injunction and laid upon him by his lord he desisted and went back and told him how things stood whereupon Mese Amerigo much relieved hide him to Fineo and well now weeping and excusing himself for what had befallen as best he knew how craved his pardon and professed himself well content to give Teodoro so he were minded to have her his daughter to wife Fineo readily accepted his excuses and made answer it is my will that my son espouse your daughter and so he will not let thy sentence passed upon him be carried out so Fineo and Mese Amerigo being agreed while Teodoro still languished in fear of death albeit he was glad at heart to have found his father they questioned him of his will in regard of this matter when he heard that if he would he might have valanted a wife Teodoro's delight was such that he seemed to leap from hell to paradise and said that if it was agreeable to them all he should deem it the greatest of favors so they sent to the damsel to learn her pleasure who having heard how it has fared and was now liked to fare with Teodoro albeit saddest of women she looked for naught but death began at length to give some credence to their words and to recover heart a little and answered that were she to follow the bent of her desire naught that could happen would delight her more than to be Teodoro's wife but nevertheless she would do as her father batter so all agreeing the damsel was espoused with all pomp and festal cheer to the boundless delight of all the citizens and was comforted and nurtured her little boy and in no long time waxed more beautiful than ever before and her confinement being ended presented herself before Finaio who was then about to quit Rome on his homeward journey and did him such reverence as is due to a father Finaio mightily well pleased to have so fair a daughter-in-law caused to celebrate her nuptials most bravely and gaily and received and did ever thereafter entreat her as his daughter and so he took her not many days after the festivities were ended with his son and little grandson aboard a galley and brought them to Lazistan and there thenceforth the two lovers dwelt with him in easeful and lifelong peace End of Day 5 The Seventh Story translated by J. M. Rigg Day 5 The Eight Story Loretta was now sooner silent since us at the Queen's behest began Filomena in Ravenna a most ancient city of Romagna there dwelt of your noblemen and gentlemen not a few among whom was a young man Nastagio de Gleonesti by name who by the death of his father and one of his uncles inherited immense wealth being without a wife Nastagio as tis the way with young men became enamoured of a daughter of Mesa Pablo Traversaro a damsel of much higher birth than his whose love he hoped to win by gifts and the like modes of courting which albeit they were excellent and fair and commendable not only availed him not but seemed rather to have the contrary effect so harsh and ruthless and unrelenting did the beloved damsel show herself towards him for whether it was her uncommon beauty or her noble lineage that puffed her up so hot and stainful was she grown that pleasure she had none either in him or in ought that pleased him the burden of which this thing Nastagio found so hard to bear that many a time when he had made his moan he longed to make away with himself however he refrained therefrom and many a time resolved to give her up all together or if so he might to hold her in despite as she did him but it was in vain for it seemed as if the more his hope dwindled the greater grew his love and as thus he continued loving and spending inordinately certain of his kinsfolk and friends being apprehensive lest he should waste both himself in his substance did many a time counsel and beseech him to depart Revena and go Terry for a time elsewhere that so he might at once call his flame and reduce his charges for a long while Nastagio answered their admonitions with banter but as they continued to plight him with them he grew weary of seeing no so often and promised obedience whereupon he equipped himself as for a journey to France or Spain or other distant parts and he went back and sallied forth of Revena accompanied by not a few of his friends and being come to a place called Chiasi about three miles from Revena he halted and having sent for tents and pavilions told his companions that they are meant to stay and they might go back to Revena so Nastagio pitched his camp and there commenced to live after as fine and lordly a fashion as did ever any man and the verse of his friends from time to time to breakfast or sup with him as he had been want to do now it so befell that about the beginning of May the season being very fine he felt a brooding undercruity of his mistress and that his meditations might be the less disturbed he bade all his servants leave him and sauntered slowly wrapped in thought as far as the pine wood which he had threaded for a good half mile when the fifth hour of the day being well night passed yet he wrecking neither of food nor of odd else twice as if he heard a woman wailing exceedingly and uttering most piercing shrieks where at the train of a sweet melancholy being broken he raised his head to see what was toward and wondered to find himself in the pine wood and saw more over before him running through a grove close set with underwood and brambles towards the place where he was a damsel most calmly stark naked her hair disheveled and her flesh all torn by the briars and brambles who wept and cried picturesly for mercy and at her flanks he saw two mastiffs exceedingly great in fears that ran hard upon her track and not seldom came up with her and bit her cruelly and in the rear he saw riding a black horse a night sadly accoutered and very wrathful of mean carrying a rapier in his hand and with despiteful blood curdling words threatening her with death where at he was at once amazed and appalled and then filled with compassion for the hapless lady whereof was bred a desire to deliver her if so he might from such anguish and peril of death wherefore as he was unarmed he ran and took in lieu of a cudgel a branch of a tree with which he prepared to encounter the dogs and the night which the night observing called to him before he was come to close quarters saying, hold off, nastagio leave the dogs and me alone to deal with this vile woman as she has deserved and even as he spoke the dogs gripped the damsel so hard on either flank but they arrested her flight and the night being come up dismounted whom nastagio approached saying I know not who thou art that knowest me so well but thus much I tell thee it is a gross outreach for an armed night to go about to kill a naked woman and set his dogs upon her as if she were a wild beast rest assured that I shall do all I can to protect her whereupon her reply the night of the same city as thou was I and thou was yet a little lad when I mesaguedo degli anastagi by name being far more enamored of this damsel than thou art now of her of the traverson was by her hotness and cruelty brought to so woeful a pass that one day in a fit of despair I slew myself with this rapier which thou seeest in my hand for which cause I am condemned to the eternal pains nor was it long after my death that she who exalted therein over measure also died and for that she repented her not of her cruelty and the joy she had of my sufferings for which she took not blame to herself but merit was likewise condemned to the pains of hell nor had she sooner made her descent then for her pain and mine it was ordained that she should flee before me and that I who so loved her should pursue her not as my beloved lady but as my mortal enemy and so as often as I come up with her I slay her with this same rapier with which I slew myself and having rips her up by the back I take out that hardened cold heart to which neither love nor pity had ever axis and therewith her rudder inward parts as thou shalt forthwith see and cast them to these dogs and in no long time as the just and mighty God decrees she rises even as if she had not died and recommends as her dolorous flight I and the dogs presuming her and it so falls out that every Friday about this hour I here come up with her and slaughter her as thou shalt see between not that we rest on other days for there are other places in which I overtake her places in which she used or devised how she might use me cruelly on which wise changed as thou seeest from her lever into her foe I am to pursue her for years as many as the months during which she showed herself harsh to me wherefore leave me to execute the decree of the divine justice and presume not to oppose that which thou mayst not avail to withstand affrighted by the night's words in so much that there was scarce a hear on his head but stood on end Nostaggio shrank back still gazing on the hapless damsel and waited all at tremble to see what the night would do nor had he longed to wait for the night as soon as he had done speaking sprank riparian hand like a mad dog upon the damsel who kneeling while the two mastiffs gripped her tightly cried him mercy but the night thrusting with all his force struck her between the breasts and ran her clean through the body thus striking the damsel fell forthwith prone on the ground sobbing and shrieking whereupon the night drew forth a knife and having therewith opened her in the back took out the heart and all the circumjacent parts and threw them to the two mastiffs who being famished forthwith devoured them and no time the damsel as if not thereof had happened started to her feet and took to flight towards the sea pursued as ever in an unbitten by the dogs while the night having gotten him to hoarse again followed them as before rapier in hand and so fast sped day that they were quickly lost to Nostaggio's sight long time he stood musing on what he had seen divided between petty terror and then it occurred to him that as this passed every Friday it might avail him not a little so having marked the place he rejoined his servants and in due time thereafter sent for some of his kinsfolk and friends and said to them this now along while that you urged me to give up loving this lady that is no friend to me and therewith make an end of my extravagant ways of living and I am now ready to do so provided you procure me one favor to wit that next Friday Mr Paolo Traversaro and his wife and daughter and all the ladies, their kinswomen and as many other ladies as you may be pleased to bid come hither to breakfast with me when you will see for yourselves the reason why I so desire a small matter that seemed to them and so on their return to Ravina they lost no time in conveying Nastagio's message to his intended guests and albeit she was hardly persuaded yet in the end the damsel that Nastagio loved came with the rest Nastagio caused a lordly breakfast to be prepared and had the table set under the pines about the place where he had witnessed the slaughter of the cruel lady and in ranging the ladies and gentlemen at table ordered it that the damsel whom he loved was placed opposite the spot where it should be enacted the last course was just served when the despairing cries of the hunted damsel became audible to all to their no small amazement and each asking and not knowing what it might import up they all started intent to see what was the word and perceived the suffering damsel and the night and the dogs in it tries were in their midst they hauled a mane to dogs and night and not a few advanced to secure the damsel but the words of the night which were such as he had used to Nastagio caused them to fall back terror striking and lost in amazement and when the night proceeded to do as he had done before all the ladies that were there many of whom were of kin to the suffering damsel and to the night and called to mine his love and death wept as bitterly as if to their own case when it was all over and the lady and the night had disappeared the strange scene set those that witnessed it pondering many and diverse matters but among them all none was so appalled as the cruel damsel that Nastagio loved who having clearly seen and heard all that had passed and being aware that it touched her more nearly than any other by reason of the harshness that she had ever shown to Nastagio seemed already to be fleeing from her angered lover and to have the mastiffs on her flanks and so great was her terror that lest the like faith should befall her she converted her aversion into affection and as soon as occasion served which was that very night sent a trusty chambermaid privately to Nastagio with a request that he would be pleased to come to her for that she was ready in all respects to pleasure him to the fall Nastagio made answer that he was greatly flattered but that he was minded with her consent to have his pleasure of her in an honorable way to it by marrying her the damsel who knew that none but herself was to blame that she was not already Nastagio's wife made answer that she consented wherefore by her own mouth she acquainted her father and mother that she agreed to marry Nastagio and they heartily approving her choice Nastagio wedded her on the ensuing Sunday and lived happily with her many a years nor was it in her instance alone that this terror was productive of good on the contrary it so wrought among the ladies of Ravenna that they all became and have ever since been much more compliant with men's desires than they had been wanted to be and of day 5 the 8th story day 5 the 9th story of the decameron this is the LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information auto volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Gesine the decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio recorded by J.M. Rigg day 5 the 9th story Federigo Delia Alborrigi loves and is not loved in return he wastes his substance by lavishness until notice left but a single falcon which his lady being come to see him at his house he gives for her to eat she knowing his case changes her mind takes him to husband and makes him rich and the queen being aware that besides herself only the O'Neill by virtue of his privilege was left to speak said with glats and mean it is now for me to take up my parable which dearest ladies I will do with the story like in some degrees to the foregoing and that not only that you may know how potent are your charms to sway the gentle heart but that you may also learn how upon fitting occasions to make bestowal of your gardens of your own accord instead of always waiting for the guidance of fortune which most times not wisely but without rule or measure scatters her gifts you are then to know that Coppidi Borghese Domenici a man that in our day was and Pocchan still is had in respect and great reverence in our city being not only by reason of his noble lineage but and yet more for manors and merit most illustrious and worthy of eternal renown was in his old age not seldom wanted to amuse himself by discoursing of things past with his neighbors and other folk wherein he had not his match for accuracy and compass of memory and consinity of speech among other good stories he would tell how there was a view in Florence a gallant named Federico di Messer Filippo Alberighi who for feats of arms and courtesy had not his peer in Tuscany who as is the common lot of gentlemen became enamoured of a lady named Mona Giovanna who in her day held rank among the fairest and most elegant ladies of Florence to gain whose love he justed tilted gave entertainment scattered largesse and in short set no bounds to his expenditure however the lady no less virtuous than faire cared not a jot for what he did for her sake nor yet for him spending thus greatly beyond his means and making nothing Federico could hardly fail to come to lack and was at length reduced to such poverty that he had nothing left but a little estate on the rinse of which he lived greatly and a single falcon the best in the world the estate was at Cumpy and Zither deeming it no longer possible for him to live in the city as he desired he repaired more in love than ever before and there in complete seclusion diverting himself with Hawking he bore his poverty as patiently as he might now Federico being thus reduced to extreme poverty it so happened that one day Mona Giovanna's husband who was very rich fell ill and seeing that he was nearing his end made his will whereby he left his estate to his son who was now growing up and in the event of his death without lawful heir named Mona Giovanna whom he dearly loved heir in his stead and having made these dispositions he died Mona being thus left a widow did as our ladies are want and repaired in the summer to one of her states in the country which lay very near to that of Federico and so it be felt that the urchin began to make friends with Federico and to show a fondness for hawks and dogs and having seen Federico's falcon fly not a few times took a singular fancy to him and greatly longed to have him for his own but still did not dare to ask him of Federico knowing that Federico prized him so much so the matter stood when by chance the boy fell sick whereby the mother was so distressed for he was her only son and she loved him as much as might be in so much that all day long she was beside him and ceased not to comfort him and again and again asked him if there were ought that he wished for imploring him to say the word and if it might by any means be had she would surely do her utmost to procure it for him thus repeatedly exorted the boy said mother mine do but get me Federico's falcon and I doubt not I shall soon be well whereupon the lady was silent a while be thinking her what she should do she knew that Federico had long loved her and had never so much as a single kind look from her wherefore she said to herself how can I send or go to beg of him this falcon which by what I hear is the best that ever flew and moreover is his soul comfort and how could I be so unfeeling as to seek to deprive a gentleman of the soul solace that has now left him and so albeit she very well knew that she might have the falcon for the asking she was perplexed and knew not what to say and gave her son no answer at length however the love she bore the boy carried the day and she made up her mind for his contentment come what might not to send but to go herself and fetch him the falcon so be of good cheer my son she said and doubt not for I promise thee that the very first thing that I shall do tomorrow morning will be to go and fetch thee the falcon whereout the child was so pleased that he began to mend that very day on the morrow the lady as if for pleasure hide her with another lady to Federico's little house and ask to see him it was still as for some days past no weather for hawking and Federico was in his garden busy about some small matters which needed to be set right there when he heard that Mona Giovanna was at the door asking to see him he was not a little surprised and pleased and hide him to her with old speed as soon as she saw him she came forward to meet him with a womanly grace and having received his respectful salutations said to him good morning Federico and continued I am come to requite thee for what thou hast lost by loving me more than thou shouldst which compensation is this that I and this lady that accompanies me will breakfast with thee without ceremony this morning madam Federico replied with all humility I am mine not ever to have lost ought by loving you but rather to have been so much profited that if I ever deserved well in ought it was to your merit that I owed it and to the love that I bore you and of a surety had I still as much to spend as I have spent in the past I should not prize it so much as this visit you so frankly pay me come as you are to one who can afford you but a sorry sort of hospitality which said with some confusion he bade her welcome to his house and then led her into his garden else to present to her by way of companion he said madam as there is none other here this good woman wife of this husbandman will bear you company while I go to have the table set now albeit his poverty was extreme yet he had not known as yet how sore was the need to which his extravagance had reduced him but this morning it was brought home to him for that he could find naught wherewith to do honor to the lady for love of whom he had done the honors of his house to men without number wherefore distressed beyond measure and inwardly cursing his evil fortune he sped hither and thither like one beside himself but never a coin found he nor yet ought to pledge meanwhile it grew late and sorely he longed that the lady might not leave his house honored and yet to crave help of his husbandman was more than his pride could brook in these desperate straits his glance happened to fall on his brave falcon on his perch in his little parlor and so as a last resource he took him and finding him plump deemed that he would make a dish meat for such a lady wherefore without thinking twice about it he hung the bird's neck and caused his maid forthwith pluck him and set him on a spit and roast him carefully and having still some spotless table linen he had the table laid therewith and with the cheerful countenance hide him back to his lady in the garden and told her that such breakfast as he could give her was ready so the lady and her companion rose and came to table and there with Federigo who was waiting on them most faithfully at the brave falcon knowing not what they had when they were risen from table and had dallied a while in gay converse with him the lady deemed time to tell the reason of her visit wherefore graciously addressing Federigo thus began she Federigo by what thou rememberst of thy past life and my virtue which perchance thou hast deemed harshness and cruelty I doubt not thou must marvel at my presumption when thou hearest the main purpose of my visit but if thou hadst sons or hadst had them so that thou mightest know the full force of the love that is borne them I should make no doubt that thou wouldst hold me in part excused now having a son may I for that thou hast none claim exemption from the laws to which all other mothers are subject and being thus bound to own their sway I must though feign were I not and though it is neither meet nor write crave of thee that which I know thou dost of all things and with justice prize most highly seeing that this extremity of thy adverse fortune has left thee naught else wherewith to delight, divert and console thee which gift is no other than thy falcon on which my boy has set his heart that if I bring him it not I feel as he grows so much worse of the malady that he has that thereby it may come to pass that I lose him and so not for the love which thou dost bear me and which may know wise bind thee but for that nobleness of temper were often courtesy more conspicuously than that ought else to give me proof I implore thee that thou be pleased to give me the bad that thereby I may say that I have kept my son alive and thus made him for I, thy debtor no sooner had Filarigo apprehended what the lady wanted than for grief that was not in his power to serve her because he had given her the falcon to eat he fell a weeping in her presence before he could so much as utter a word at first the lady supposed that it was only because he was loathed to part with the brave falcon that he wept and as good as made up her mind that he would refuse her however she awaited with patience Filarigo's answer which was on this wise Madam, since it pleased God that I should set my affections upon you there have been matters not a few in which to my sorrow I have deemed fortune adverse to me but they have all been trifled in comparison of the trick that she now plays me the witch I shall never forgive her seeing that you have come here to my poor house where while I was rich you dain't not to come and ask a trifling favour of me which she has put it out of my power to grant how tis so I will briefly tell you when I learned that you of your grace were minded to breakfast with me in respect for your high dignity and dessert I deemed it due and seemingly that in your honour I should regale you to the best of my power with fairer of more excellent quality than is commonly set before others and calling to mind the falcon which you now ask of me and his excellence I judged him meat food for you and so you have had him roasted on the trencher this morning and well indeed I thought I had bestowed him but as I now see that you would feign have had him in another guise so mortified am I that I am not able to serve you that I doubt I shall ever know peace of mind more in witness whereof he had the feathers and feet and beak of the bird brought in and laid before her the first thing the lady did when she had heard Federigo's story and seen the relics of the bird was to chide him that he had killed and so find a falcon to furnish a woman with a breakfast after which the magnanimity of her host which poverty had been and was powerless to impair elicited no small share of inward commendation then frustrate of her hopes of possessing the falcon and doubting of her son's recovery she took her leave with the heaviest of hearts and hide her back to the boy to do whether for fretting that he might not have the falcon or by the unaided energy of his disorder departed this life not many days after to the exceeding great grief of his mother for a while she would do naught but weep and bitterly bewail herself but being still young and left very wealthy she was often urged by her brothers to marry again and though she would rather have not done so yet being importuned remembering Federigo's high dessert and the magnificent generosity with which he had finally killed his falcon to do her honor she said to her brothers gladly with your consent would I remain a widow but if you will not be satisfied except I take a husband rest assured that none other will I ever take save Federigo del i albarigi where upon her brothers derided her saying foolish woman what is thou sayest how should they want Federigo who has not a thing in the world to whom she answered my brothers well what I that is as you say but I had rather have a man without wealth than wealth without a man the brothers perceiving that her mind was made up and knowing Federigo for a good man was true poor though he was gave her to him with all her wealth and so Federigo being mated with such a wife and one that he had so much loved and being very wealthy to boot lived happily keeping more exact accounts to the end of his days end of day five the ninth story day five the tenth story this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for further information or to volunteer please go to LibriVox.org reading by Andy Minter The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio translated by J.M. Rigg day five the tenth story Pietro da Vinciolo goes from home to sub his wife brings a boy into the house to bear her company Pietro returns and she hides her gallant under a hen-coupe Pietro explains that in the house of Hercolano with whom he was to have subbed there was discovered a young man bestowed there by Hercolano's wife the lady there upon censures Hercolano's wife but unluckily an ass treads on the fingers of the boy that is hidden under the hen-coupe Pietro runs to the place sees him and apprehends the trick played on him by his wife which nevertheless he finally condones for that he is not himself free from blame when the queen had done speaking and all had praised God that he had virtually rewarded Federico Dioneo who never waited to be bitten thus began I know not whether I am to term it my saccidental and super-induced by bad habits in us mortals or whether it be a fault seated in nature that we are more prone to laugh at things dishonourable than at good deeds and that more especially when they concern not ourselves however as the sole scope of all my efforts has been and still shall be to dispel your melancholy and enlew thereof to minister to you laughter and jollity therefore enamoured my damsels albeit the ensuing story is not altogether free from matter that is scarce steamily yet as it may afford you pleasure I shall not fail to relate it premonishing you my hearers that you take it with the like discretion as when going into your gardens you stretch forth your delicate hands and cull the roses leaving the thorns alone which being interpreted means that you will leave the cative husband to abide in sorry plight with his dishonour and will gaily laugh at the amorous wiles of his wife and commiserate her unfortunate gallant when occasion requires tis no great while since there dwelt at Perugia a rich man named Pietro da Vinciolo who rather perchance to blind others and mitigate the evil repute in which he was held by the citizens of Perugia and for any desire to wed took a wife and such being his motive fortune provided him with just such a spouse as he merited for the wife of his choice was a stout red haired young woman and so hot-blooded that two husbands would have been more to her mind than one where does one fell to her lot that gave her only a subordinate place in his regard which she perceiving while she knew herself to be fair and lusty and felt herself to be gamesome and fit waxed very wroth and now and again had high words with her husband and led but a sorry life with him at most times then seeing that thereby she was more like to fret herself than to dispose her husband to conduct less base she said to herself this poor creature deserts me to go walk in patterns in the dry wherefore it shall go hard but I will bring another aboard the ship for the wet weather I married him and brought him a great and goodly dowry knowing that he was a man and supposing him to have the desires and ought to have and had I not deemed him to be a man I should never have married him he knew me to be a woman why then took he me to wife if women were not to his mind it is not to be endured had I not been minded to live in the world I had become a nun and being minded there to live as I am if I am to wait until I have pleasure or solace of him I shall wait for chance until I am old and then too late I shall know that I have wasted my youth and as to the way in which I should seek its proper solace I need no better teacher and guide than him who finds his delight where I should find mine and finds it to his own condemnation whereas in me to a commendable tis but the laws that I shall set at nought whereas he sets both them and nature herself at nought so the good lady reasoned and perred venture more than once and then casting about how she might privily compass her end she made friends with an old bell-dam that showed as a veritable Santa Verdiana foster mother of vipers who was ever to be seen going to pardonings with a parcel of paternostas in her hand and talked of nothing but the lives of the Holy Fathers and the wounds of St. Francis and was generally reputed a saint to whom in due time she opened her whole mind my daughter replied the bell-dam God who knows all things knows that thou wilt do very rightly indeed were it for no other reason to be meet for thee and every other young woman so to do that the heyday of youth be not wasted for there is no grief like that of knowing that it has been wasted and what the devil are we women fit for when we are old except to pour over the cinders on the hearth the witch if any know and may attest his eye who now that I am old call to mind the time that I let slip from me not without most sore and bitter and fruitless regret and all be it was not all wasted for I would not have the think that I was entirely without sense yet I did not make the best use of it whereof when I bethink me and that I am now even as thou seest me such a hag that never a spark of fire may I hope to get from any God knows how I rue it now with men it is otherwise we are born meat for a thousand uses not for this alone and the more part of them are of much greater consequences now old age than in youth but women are fit for naught but this and tis but for that they bear children that they are cherished whereof if not otherwise thou mayst assure thyself if thou do but consider that we are ever ready for it which is not the case with men besides which one woman will be seeing herself tired out seeing then that tis for this we are born I tell thee again that thou wilt do very rightly to give thy husband thy loaf for his cake that in thy old age thy soul may have no cause of complaint against thy flesh everyone has just as much of this life as he appropriates and this is especially true of women whom therefore it behoves much more than men to seize the moment as it flies indeed as thou mayst see for thyself when we grow old neither husband nor any other man will spare us a glance but on the contrary they banish us to the kitchen there to tell stories to the cats and to count the pots and pans or worse they make rhymes about us to the dams or dainty bits to the bell-dam egg you fits and such like catches but to make no more words about it I tell thee at once that there is no person in the world to whom thou couldst find thy mind with more advantage than to me for there is no gentleman so fine but I dare speak my mind to him nor any so harsh and forbidding that I know well how to soften him and fashion him to my will tell me only what thou wouldst have and leave the rest to me but one word more I pray thee to have me in kindly remembrance for that I am poor and thou shalt henceforth go shares with me in all my indulgences and every pattern I say that God may make there off light and tapers for thy dead wherewith she ended so the lady came to an understanding with the bell-dam that as soon as she set eyes on a boy that often came along that street and of whom the lady gave her a particular description she would know what she was to do and thereupon the lady gave her a chunk of salt meat and bad her Godspeed the bell-dam before long smuggled into the lady's chamber the boy of whom she had spoken and not long after another such being the humour of the lady who standing in perpetual dread of her husband was disposed in this particular to make the most of her opportunities and one of these days her husband being to sup in the evening with a friend called her Colano the lady bad the bell-dam bring her a boy as pretty and daintiest was to be found in Perugia and so the bell-dam forthwith did but the lady and the boy being set at the table to sup lo Pietro's voice was heard at the door bidding open to him whereupon the lady gave herself up for dead but being faint if she might to screen the boy and knowing not where else to convey or conceal him bestowed him under a hen-coup that stood in a veranda hard by the chamber in which they were supping and threw over it a sorry mattress the day emptied of its straw which done she hastened to open the door to her husband saying to him as he entered you have gulped your supper mighty quickly to-night where to Pietro replied we have not so much as tasted it how so inquired the lady I will tell thee said Pietro no sooner were we set at table her Colano, his wife and I then we heard a sneeze close to us was repeated we paid no heed but as the sneezer continued to sneeze a third, a fourth, a fifth and many another time to boot we all began to wonder an old Colano who was somewhat out of humour with his wife because she had kept us a long time at the door before she opened it burst out in a sort of rage with what means this who is that thus sneezes and made off to a stair hard by beneath which and close to its foot was a wooden closet of the sort which when folk are furnishing their houses they commonly cause to be placed there to stow things in upon occasion and as it seemed to him that the sneezing proceeded thence he undid the wicket and no sooner had he opened it than out flew never so strong a stench of brimstone albeit we had already been saluted by a whiff of it and complained thereof but had been put off by the lady with tis but a while ago I bleached my veils with brimstone having sprinkled it on a dish that they might catch its fumes which dish I then placed under the stair so that it still smells a little however the door being now as I have said open and the smoke somewhat less dense her Colano appearing in inspired the fellow that had sneezed and who still kept sneezing being there too constrained by the pungency of the brimstone and for all he sneezed yet was he by this time so well night choked with the brimstone that he was like neither to sneeze nor to do or else again as soon as he caught sight of him her Colano bawled out now I see madame white was that a while ago when we came here we were kept waiting so long at the gate for before it was opened that woe be tied me for the rest of my days if I pay you not out whereupon the lady perceiving that her offence was discovered ventured no excuse but fled from the table with her I know not her Colano ignoring his wife's flight bad the sneeze again and again to come forth but he being by this time fairly spent but not an inch for ought that her Colano said wherefore her Colano caught him by one of his feet and dragged him forth and ran off for a knife with intent to kill him but I standing in fear of the scenery on my own account got up and would not suffer him to kill the fellow or to do him any hurt and for his better protection raised the alarm whereby some of the neighbors came up and took the lad more dead than alive and bore him off I know not wither however our supper being thus rudely interrupted not only have not gulped it but I have not so much as tasted it as I said before her husband's story showed his wife that there were other ladies as knowing as she albeit misfortune might sometimes overtake them and gladly would she have spoken out to the offence of her Colano's wife but thinking that by censuring another sin she would secure more scope for her own she launched out on this wise fine doings indeed a right virtuous and saintly lady she must be here is the loyalty of an honest woman and one to whom I leave have confessed so spiritual I deemed her and the worst though it is that being no longer young she sets a rare example so curses on the hour that she came into the world curses upon her that she makes not away with herself basis most faithless of women she must needs be the reproach of her sex the approbrium of all the ladies in this city to cast aside all regard for her honour her marriage vow her reputation before the world and lost to all sense of shame to scruple not to bring disgrace upon a man so worthy a citizen so honourable a husband by whom she was so well treated I and upon herself to boot by my hope of salvation no mercy should be shown to such women they should pay the penalty with their lives to the fire with them while they yet live and let them be burned to ashes then calling to mind the lover that she had close at hand in the hen coop to bring Pietro to get him to bed for the hour grew late Pietro who was more set on eating sleeping only asked whether there was ought he might have by way of supper supper for sooth replied the lady I of course is our way to make much of supper when thou art not at home as if I were a colonel's wife now wherefore tarry longer go get thy night's rest to a far better for thee it was that some of Pietro's husbandmen had come to the house that evening with divers things from the farm and had put up their asses in a stable that adjoined the veranda that had neglected to water them and one of the asses being exceeding thirsty got his head out of the halter and broke loose from the stable and went about nosing everything if happily he might come by water whereby he came upon the hen coop beneath which was the boy who, being constrained to stand on all fours had the fingers of one hand somewhat protruding from under the hen coop and so as luck or rather ill luck would have it the ass trod on them where at, being sorely hurt he set up a great howling much to the surprise of Pietro who perceived that was within his house so forth he came and hearing the boy still moaning and groaning for the ass still kept his hoof hard down on the fingers who is there? and ran to the hen coop and raised it and inspired the fellow who, besides the pain that the crushing of his fingers by the asses hoof occasioned him trembled in every limb for fear that Pietro should do him a mischief he was one that Pietro had long been after for his foul purposes so Pietro recognised him asked him, what dost thou here? the boy making no answer safe to beseech him for God to do him no hurt Pietro continued get up, have no fear that I shall hurt thee but tell me how and for what cause camest thou to be here? the boy then confessed everything whereupon Pietro as elated by the discovery as his wife was distressed took him by the hand and led him into the room where the lady in the extremity of terror awaited him and having seated himself directly in front of her she said, toz but a moment ago that thou didst curse Ercolano's wife and have heard that she ought to be burned and that she was the reproach of your sex why saidst thou not of thyself? or if thou wasst not minded to accuse thyself, how hadst thou the effrontery to censure her knowing that thou hadst done even as she verily, toz for no other reason than that ye are all fashioned thus and study to cover your own misdeeds with the delinquency of others would that fire might fall from heaven and burn you all, brood of iniquity that ye are the lady marking that in the first flush of his wroth he had given her nothing worse than hard words and discerning as she thought that he was secretly overjoyed to hold so beautiful a boy by the hand took heart of grace and said I doubt not indeed that thou wouldst be well pleased that fire should fall from heaven and devour us all seeing that thou art as fond of us as a dog is of the stick though by the holy rude thou wilt be disappointed but I would feign have a little argument with thee to know where off thou complainest well indeed were it for me didst thou but place me on an equality with a Colano's wife who is an old sanctimonious hypocrite and has of him all that she wants and is cherished by him as a wife should be for granted that thou givest me garments and shoes to my mind thou knowest how otherwise ill-bested I am and how long it is since last thou didst lie with me and far leaver had I go barefoot and in rags and have thy benevolence a bed than have all that I have and be treated as thou dost treat me understand me Pietro, be reasonable consider that I am a woman like other women with a light craving where off if thou deny me the gratification it is no blame to me that I see it elsewhere and at least I do thee so much honour as not to foregather with stable boys or scurvy knaves Pietro perceived that she was like to continue in this vein the whole night wherefore indifferent as he was to her he said now madam no more of this in the matter of which thou speakest I will content thee but of thy great courtesy let us have something to eat by way of supper for me thinks the boy as well as I has not yet supped I, true enough, said the lady he has not supped for we were but just sitting down to table to supp when be shrew thee thou mate's thy appearance go then, said Pietro, get us some supper and by and by I will arrange this fair in such a way that thou shalt have no more cause of complaint the lady, perceiving that her husband was now tranquil, rose the table laid again and spread with the supper which he had ready and so they made a jolly meal of it the cative husband, the lady and the boy what, after supper Pietro devised for their mutual satisfaction has slipped from my memory but as much as this I know that on the morrow as he wended his way to the piazza the boy would have been puzzled to say whether of the twain the wife or the husband had had the most company during the night but this I would say to you, dear my ladies that who so gives you tit why, just give him tat and if you cannot do it at once why, bear it in mind until you can that even as the ass gives so he may receive End of Day 5 The 10th Story Day 5 The Conclusion Of the Decameron This is a Librivox recording All Librivox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit Librivox.org The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio Translated by Emmerich Day 5 The Conclusion Dioneo's story were at the lady's loft the less for shamefastness rather than for disrelish being ended, the queen taking note that the term of her soaringity was come rose to her feet and took off the lower breath and set it graciously upon Elisa's head saying Madam, disnoe your turn to bear sway The dignity accepted Elisa followed in all respects the example of her predecessors She first conferred with the seneschal and directed him how meatly to order all things during the time of her soaringity which done to the satisfaction of the company Of times, quals she have we heard how with bright sellies and ready retorts and saddened devices not a few have known how to repugn with apt checks the bites of others or to avert imminent perils and because this an excellent argument and may be profitable I ordain that tomorrow by helping us the following be the rule of our discourse To wit, that it be of such as by some brightly sellie have reposed an attack or by some ready retort or device have avoided loss peril or scorn The rule being hurtily approved by all the queen rose and dismissed them till suppotime So the honorable company seems the queen risen rose all likewise and as their want was betook them to their diversions as to each seem best But when the sygalisk had hushed their surping all were mustered again for supper and having blithely feast they all addressed them to song and dance And the queen, while Emilia led a dance called for a song from Dio Naio who at once came out with Mona Audruda come perk up thy mood to glad tidings I bring thee Where art all the ladies fell aloofing and most of all the queen who bade him give them no more of that but think another close Dio Naio Madam, had I a tabaret I would sing up with your smock Mona Lapa or o'er the Greensford under the olive or perchance you had left for I should give you woe is me the wave of the sea but no tabaret have I wherefore choose which of these others you will have the chance you would like now he is thee to us forth that so it may be cut as may the fields about now return the queen give us another then said Dio Naio I will think Mona Simona and barrel and barrel why it is not the month of October now a plague upon thee said the queen with love give us a proper song we'll do for we will have none of these never fear Madame reply Dio Naio only say which you prefer I have more than a thousand songs by heart perhaps you would like this my little covert make a never it overt or gently gently husband mine or a hundred pounds for none perhaps for me a cock to buy the queen now should some offence though the other ladies laughed and a truth suggesting Dio Naio said she and give us a proper song else though may through the quality of my ire there upon Dio Naio for Swiss seized his fooling and thank on this wise so ravishing a light doth from the fair eyes of my mistress move as keeps me slave to her and Dio love a beam from those bright orbs did radiate that flame that through mine own eyes to my breast did Willa Mentron's gain thy majesty oh love thy might how great they be cause her fair face did manifest whereon to brood still feign I felt the take in each sense my soul enthralling on such wise that she alone henceforth evokes my size wherefore oh dear my love my self I own thy slave and all obedience wait and yearn till thy might me console yet what I not if it be throughly known how noble is the flame wherewith I burn my loyalty how whole to her that doth control even in such sort my mind that shall I non nor would I peace receive save hers alone and so I pray thee sweet my lord that thou give her to feel thy fire and show her plane how grievous my disease this service dain to render for that now thou cease me waste for love and in the pain dissolve me by degrees and then the apt moment sees my cause to plead with her as is put due from thee to me who feign with thee would sue when Dioneo's silent shoot that his song was ended the queen accorded no stinted mead of praise after which she calls not a few other songs to be sung thus passed some part of the night and then the queen taking note that its freshness had vanquished the heat of the day bade all good rest them if they would till the morning end of conclusion of day 5 City Cameron by Giovanni Boccaccio translated by H.M. Rigg Day the 6th the introduction Endless here the fifth day of the day Cameron begin as the 6th wherein under the rule of Elisa discourse is had of such as by some sprightly Sally have repulsed an attack or by some ready retort or device have avoided loss, peril or scorn still in mid-heaven the moon had lost her radiance nor was any part of our world unilluminated by the fresh splendor of the dawn when the queen being risen and having mustered her company they heat them gently sound ring across the dewy mead some distance from the beautiful hill conversing now of this, now of the other matter canvassing the stories their greater or less degree of beauty and laughing afresh and diverse of their instance until the sun being now in his higher ascendant they began to feel his heat and turning back by common consent retrace their steps to the palace where the tables being already set and pregnant herbs and fair flowers strewn all about they by the queen's command before it should grow hotter address themselves to their meal though having pleasly breakfasted the first of all sang some dainty and jock on ditties and then, as they were severely minded, composed them to sleep or set them down to chest or dice while Dioneo and Loretta fell a singing of Troilus and Cressida the hour of session being come they took their places at the queen's summons in their wanted order by the fountain but when the queen was about to call for the first story that happened which had not happened before to wit there being a greater uproar in the kitchen among the mains and men the sound thereof reached the ears of the queen and all the company where upon the queen called the senesho and asked him who bold so loud and what was the occasion of the uproar the senesho made answer that it was some contention between Likiska and Tindaro but the occasion he knew not having but just come to quiet them when he received her summons the queens and bade him cause Likiska and Tindaro to come with her so they came and the queen inquired of them the cause of the uproar Tindaro was about to make answer when Likiska who was somewhat advanced in years and disposed to give herself airs and heated to the strife of wards turned to Tindaro and scowling upon him said and men really worried about the speech before me leave me to tell the story then turning to the queen she said Madame this fellow with fame instruct me as to Sikofanti's wife and neither more or less as if I had not known her well would have me believe that the first night that Sikofanti labors her it was by force and not without a fusion of blood that master yard made his way into dusky hill which I deny that he met with no resistance but on the contrary with a herty welcome on the part of the garrison and such a numbskull is he as fondly to believe that the girls are so simple as to let slip their opportunities while they await on the capris of father or brothers who six times out of seven delay to marry them for three or four years after they should I, I indeed doubtless they were well advised to tarry so long Christ's face I should know the truth of what I swear there is never a woman in my neighborhood whose husband had her virginity and well I know how many and what manner of tricks or married dames play their husbands and just as booby would feign teach me to know a woman as if I were but born yesterday while Likiskasa spoke the ladies laughed till all their teeth were ready to start from their heads six times at least the queen bade her be silent but all in vain she halted not till she had said all that she had a mind to when she had done the queen turned with a smile to Dioneo saying this is a question for thee to deal with Dioneo so holds herself in readiness to give final judgment upon it when our stories are ended Madame replied Dioneo forthwith I give judgment without more I do I say that Likiska is in the right I believe that it's even as she this says and that Dindaro is a fool whereupon Likiska burst out laughing and turning to Dindaro now did I not tell thee so quote she be gone in God's name dost think to know more than I though that are but a sucking babe thank God I have not lived for nothing not I and had not the queen to be silent and make no more disturbance unless she had a mind to be whipped and send both her and Dindaro back to the kitchen the whole day would have been spent in naught but listening to her so Likiska and Dindaro having withdrawn the queen charged Filomena to tell the first story and gaily's us Filomena began end of day sets the introduction