 Day 8. The Ninth Story 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. Recording by Philippa Jevons. The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. Translated by J. M. Rigg. Day 8. The Ninth Story Bruno and Bufal Macco prevail upon Master Simone a physician to be taken by night to a certain place, there to be enrolled in a company that go the course. Bufal Macco throws him into a foul ditch, and there they leave him. When the ladies had made Mary a while, or the partnership in wives established by the two scenies, the queen, who now, unless she were minded to infringe Dionio's privilege, alone remained to tell, began on this wise. Really earned indeed, loving ladies, was the flout that Spinalocio got from Zepa. Wherefore my judgment jumps with that which Pampinea expressed a while ago, to which, that he is not severely to be censured who bestows a flout on one that provokes it or deserves it, and as Spinalocio deserved it, so it is my purpose to tell you of one that provoked it, for I deem that those from whom he received it were rather to be commended than condemned. The man that got it was a physician, who, albeit he was but a blockhead, returned from Bologna to Florence in a mantle and hood of vair. To his matter of daily experience that our citizens come back to us from Bologna, this man adjudged that a physician and the other a notary, flaunting it in ample flowing robes and adorned with the scarlet and the vair and other array most goodly to see, and how far their doings correspond with this fair seeming is also a matter of daily experience. Amongst whom it is not long since Master Simone da Villa, one whose patrimony was more ample than his knowledge, came back wearing the scarlet and a broad stripe on the shoulder and a doctor, as he called himself, and took a house in the street that we now call Via del Cocomero. Now this Master Simone, being thus, as we said, come back, had this, among other singular habits, that he could never see a soul pass along the street, but he must needs ask any that was by who that man was, and that he was as observant of all the doings of men and as sedulous to store his memory with such matters, as if they were to serve him to compound the drugs that he was to give his patience. Now, of all that he saw, was that he eyed most observantly with two painters, of whom here to-day mention has twice been made, Bruno to Witt and Bufalmaco, who were ever together and were his neighbours. And as it struck him that they daft the world aside, and lived more lightheartedly than any others that he knew, as indeed they did, he inquired of not a few folk as to their rank, and learning on all hands that they were poor men and painters, he could not conceive it possible that they should live thus contentedly in poverty, but made his mind up that, being, as he was informed, clever fellows, they must have some secret source from which they drew immense gains, for which reason he grew all agog to get on friendly terms with them, or at any rate with one of them, and did succeed in making friends with Bruno. Bruno, who had not needed to be much with him in order to discover that this physician was but adult, had never had such a jolly time in palming off his strange stories upon him, while the physician on his part was marvellously delighted with Bruno, to whom, having bidden him to breakfast, and thinking that for that reason he might talk familiarly with him, he expressed the amazement with which he regarded both him and Bufalmaco, for that being but poor men they lived so lightheartedly, and asked him to tell him how they managed, at which fresh proof of the doctor's simplicity and fatuity Bruno was inclined to laugh, but, by thinking him that to a best to answer him according to his folly, he said, Master, there are not many persons to whom I would disclose our manner of life, but as you are my friend, and I know you will not let it go further, I do not mind telling you. The fact is that my comrade and I live not only as lightheartedly and jovially as you see, but much more so, and yet neither our art nor any property that we possess yields us enough to keep us in water, not that I would have you suppose that we go a-thieving, no, it is that we go the course, and thereby without the least harm done to a soul we get all that we need, nay, all that we desire, and thus it is that we live so lightheartedly as you see. Which explanation the doctor believing, none the less readily than he knew not what it meant, was lost in wonder, and forthwith burned with a most vehement desire to know what going the course might be, and was instant with Bruno to expound it, assuring him that he would never tell a soul. Alas, Master, said Bruno, what is this you ask of me? It is a mighty great secret you would have me impart to you. It would be enough to undo me to send me packing out of the world, nay, into the very jaws of Lucifer of Sangallo if it came to be known. But such is the respect in which I hold your quiditative pump-inship of lignire, and the trust I propose in you, that I am not able to deny you or you ask of me, and so I will tell you, on condition that you swear by the cross at Montessoni that you will keep your promise and never repeat it to a soul. The Master gave the required assurance, where upon you are then to know, put Bruno, sweet my Master, that it is not long since there was in this city a great Master in necromancy, height Michael Scott, for that he was of Scotland, and great indeed was the honour in which he was held by not a few gentlemen, most of whom are now dead, and when the time came that he must need depart from Florence, he, at their instant entreaty, left behind him two pupils, adepts both, whom he bad holds themselves ever ready to pleasure those gentlemen who had done him honour. And very handsomely they did serve the said gentleman, in certain of their love affairs and other little matters, and finding the city and the manners of the citizens agreeable to them, they made up their minds to stay here always, and grew friendly and very intimate with some of the citizens, making no distinction between gentle and simple, rich or poor, so only they were such as were conformable to their ways, and to gratify these their friends they formed a company of perhaps twenty-five men, to meet together at least twice a month, in a place appointed by them, where, when they are met, each utters his desire, and forthwith that same night they accomplish it. Now, Beaufort Macco and I, being extraordinarily great and close friends with these two adepts, were by them enrolled in this company, and are still members of it, and I assure you that as often as we are assembled together, the adornments of the saloon in which we eat are a marvel to see, I and the tables laid us for kings, and the multitudes of stately and handsome servants, as well women as men, at the beck and call of every member of the company, and the basins and the ewers, the flasks and the cups, and all else that is there for our service in eating and drinking, of naught but gold and silver, and there with all the abundance and variety of the veons, suited to the taste of each that are set before us, each in due course, these two be marvels, to a vein to me to seek to describe to you the sweet concord that there is of innumerable instruments of music, and the tuneful songs that salute our ears, nor might I hope to tell you of how much wax is burned at these banquets, or compute the quantity of the comfort that are eaten, or the value of the wines that are drunk, nor my pumpkin of wit, would I have you suppose that when we are there we wear our common clothes, such as you now see me wear. Nay, there is none there so humble, but he shows as an emperor, so sumptuous are our garments, so splendid are our trappings. But among all the delights of the place none may compare with the fair ladies, who so wonder but wish are brought with her from every part of the world. Why, you might see there my Lady of the Barbonics, the Queen of the Basques, the Consort of the Soldan, the Empress of Osbeck, the Chanchamphara of Nornieka, the Semistanti of Berlinsone, and the Scapedra of Narsia. But why seek to enumerate them all? They include all the queens in the world, I, even to the skinky Moor of Presta John, who has the horns sprouting out of another end, so there's for you. Now, when these ladies have done with the wine and the comforts, they tread a meadow or two, each with the man at whose behest she has come, and then all go with their gallants to their chambers. And know that each of these chambers shows as a very paradise, so fair is it, I, and no less fragrant than the cases of aromatics in your shop when you are pound in the cumin. And there in are beds that you would find more goodly than that of the Doge of Venice, and is in them that we take our rest. And how busily they ply the treadle, and how lustily they tug at the frame to make the stuff close and compact, I'll leave you to imagine. However, among the luckiest of all, I reckon Buffalmakko and myself. For that Buffalmakko, for the most part, fetches him the Queen of France, and I do the like with the Queen of England, who are just the finest women in the world, and we have known how to carry it with them so that we are the very eyes of their heads. So I leave it to your own judgment to determine whether we have not good cause to live and bear ourselves with a lighter heart than others, seeing that we are beloved of two such great queens, to say nothing of the thousand or two thousand forins that we have of them whenever we are so minded. Now, all this in the vulgar we call go-in-the-course, because as the Course says, pray upon all the world, so do we. Albeit with this difference, that whereas they never restore their spoil, we do so as soon as we have done with it. So now, my worthy master, you understand what we mean by go-in-the-course, but how close it behoves you to keep such a secret you may see for yourself, so I spare you any further exhortations. The master, whose skill did not reach perhaps beyond the treatment of children for the scurf, took all that Bruno said for gospel, and burned with so vehement a desire to be admitted into this company, that he could not have longed for the summum bonum itself with more ardour. So, after telling Bruno that indeed it was no wonder they bore them lightheartedly, he could scarce refrain from asking him there and then to have him enrolled, albeit he deemed it more prudent to defer his suit, until by lavishing honour upon him he had gained a right to urge it with more confidence. He therefore made more and more of him, had him to breakfast and supper with him, and treated him with extraordinary respect. In short, such and so constant was their intercourse that it seemed as though the master wist not how to live without Bruno. And as it went so well with him, Bruno, to mark his sense of the honour done him by the doctor, painted in his saloon a picture symbolical of Lent, and an anus-dei at the entrance of his chamber, and an alembic over his front door that those who would feign consult him might know him from other physicians, besides a battle of rats and mice in his little gallery, which the doctor thought an extremely fine piece. And from time to time, when he had not subbed with the master, he would say to him, last night I was with the company, and, being a little tired of the Queen of England, I fetched me the Goumedre of the great can of Tarece. Goumedre, quoth the master. What is she? I know not the meaning of these words. There at master, replied Bruno, I marvel not, for I have heard tell that neither Paul Cagrasso nor Vanachena say ought thereof. Thou wouldst say Ipocrasso and Avicenna, returned the master. If faith I know not, quoth Bruno, I, as ill know the meaning of your words as you of mine, but Goumedre, in the speech of the great can, signifies the same as impressing ours. Ah, a fine woman you would find her, and plenty of her! I warrant she would make you forget your drugs and prescriptions and plasters. And so Bruno, from time to time, wetting the master's appetite, and the master at length, thinking that by his honourable entreatment of him he had fairly made a conquest of Bruno, it befell that one evening, while he held the light for Bruno, who was at work on the battle of rats and mice, he determined to discover to him his desire, and as they were alone, thus he spoke. God knows, Bruno, that there lives not the man for whom I would do as much as for thee, why, if thou was to bid me go all the way from here to Peritola, I almost think I would do so. Wherefore, I trust that I will not deem it strange if I talk to thee as an intimate friend and in confidence. Thou knowest is not long, since thou dost enlarge with me on thy gay company in their doings, which has engendered in me such a desire as never was to know more thereof, nor without reason as thou wilt discover, should I ever become a member of the said company, for I straightway give thee leave to make game of me, should I not then fetch me the fairest maid thou hast seen this many a day, whom I saw last year, at Cacavintili, and to whom I am entirely devoted, and by the body of Christ I offered her ten Bolliniers grotes that she should pleasure me, and she would not. Wherefore, I do most earnestly entreat thee to instruct me what I must do to fit myself for membership in the company, and never doubt that in me you will have a true and loyal comrade, and one that will do you honour. And above all thou seest how goodly I am of my person, and how well furnished with legs, and of face as fresh as a rose, and therewith all I am a doctor of medicine, and I scarce think you have any such among you, and not a little excellent law I have, and many a good song by heart of which I will sing thee one. And forthwith he fell a singing. Bruno had such a mind to laugh that he could scarce contain himself, but still he kept a grave countenance, and when the master had ended his song and said, How likes it thee? he answered, Verily, no liar of straw could vie with you, so artigutically you refine your strain. I warrant thee, returned the master, thou had never believed it hath thou not heard me. I indeed soothest thou, quest Bruno. And I have other songs to boot, said the master, but enough of this at present. Thou must know that I, such as thou seest me, am a gentleman's son, all day at my father lived in the Contardo, and on my mother's side I come of the Velechio family, and as thou mayst have observed, I have quite the finest library and wardrobe of all the physicians in Florence. God's faith I have a robe that cost, all told, close upon a hundred pounds in bagateens more than ten years ago, wherefore I make most instant suit to thee that thou get me enrolled, which if thou do God's faith be thou never so ill, thou shalt pay me not a stiver for my tendons of thee. Whereupon Bruno, repeating to himself as he had done many a time before, that the doctor was a very numbskull, master, Quothy, show a little more light here, and have patience until I have put the finishing touches to the tails of these rats, and then I will answer you. So he finished the tails, and then, putting on an air as if he were not a little embarrassed by the request, Master mine, Quothy, I should have great things to expect from you that I know, but yet what you ask of me, albeit to your great mind, it seems but a little thing, is a weighty matter indeed for me, nor know I a soul in the world to whom, though well able, I would grant such a request, save to you alone. And this I say not for friendship's sake alone, albeit I love you as I ought, but that your discourse is so fraught with wisdom that it is enough to make a beguine start out of her boots much more than to incline me to change my purpose, the more I have of your company the wiser I repute you, where too I may add that if for no other cause I should still be well disposed towards you for the love I see you bear to that fair piece of flesh of which you spoke but now. But this I must tell you, it is not in my power to do as you would have me in this matter. But though I cannot myself do the needful in your behalf, if you will pledge your faith whole and solid as may be to keep my secret, I will show you how to go about it for yourself, and I make no doubt that, having this fine library and all the other matters you spoke of a while ago, you will compass your end. Quoth then the Master, Nay, but speak freely! I see thou dost yet scarce know me, and how well I can keep a secret. There were few things that Mesa Gasparólo de Salicheto did, when he was Podestárofol in Populi, that he did not confide to me, so safe he knew they would be in my keeping. And wouldst thou be satisfied that I say sooth? I assure you, that I was the first man whom he told that he was about to marry Bergamina, so there's for thee. Well and good, said Bruno, if such as he confided in you, well indeed may I do the like. Know then that you will have to proceed on this wise. Our company is governed by a captain and a council of two, who are changed every six months, and on the callons without fail Buffalmako will be captain and I, councillor, to so fixed. And the captain has not a little power to promote the admission and enrolment of whomsoever he will, wherefore, me thinks, you would do well to make friends with Buffalmako, and honourably entreat him. He is one that, marking your great wisdom, will take a mighty liking to you forthwith, and when you have just a little dazzled him with your wisdom and these fine things of yours, you may make your request to him, and he will not know how to say no. I have already talked with him of you, and he is as well disposed to you as may be, and having so done, you will leave the rest to me. Whereupon thy words are to me for an exceeding great joy, quoth the master, and if he be one that loves to converse with sages, he has but to exchange a word or two with me, and I will answer for it that he will be ever coming to see me, for so fraught with wisdom am I that I could furnish a whole city therewith, and still remain a great sage. Having thus set matters in train, Bruna related the whole affair, point by point, to Buffalmako, to whom it seemed a thousand years till he should be able to give Master Noodle that of which he was in quest. The doctor, now all agog to go the course, lost no time and found no difficulty in making friends with Buffalmako, and fell to entertaining him, and Bruna likewise, at breakfast and supper in most magnificent style, while they fooled him to the top of his bent, for, being gentleman that appreciated excellent wines and fat capons, besides other good cheer in plenty, they were inclined to be very neighborly and needed no second pitting, but always letting him understand that there was none other whose company they relished so much kept ever with him. However, in due time the Master asked of Buffalmako that which he had before asked of Bruna, where at Buffalmako, saying to be not a little agitated, and turning angrily to Bruna, made a great polter about his ears, saying, By the most high God of Pasignano, I vow I can scarce for bear to give thee that over the head that should make thy nose fall about thy heels, traitor that thou art, for it thou alone that canst have discovered these secrets to the Master, whereupon the Master interposed with no little vigour averring with oaths that twist from another source that he had gotten his knowledge, and Buffalmako at length allowed himself to be pacified by the sage's words. So turning to him, Master, quoth he, to his evident indeed that you have been at Bologna, and have come back hither with a mouth that blabs not, and that was on no pippin as many adult does, but on the good long pumpkin that you learned your ABC, and if I mistake not, you were baptised on a Sunday, and though Bruna was told me that was medicine you studied there, it is my opinion that you there studied the art of catching men, of which, what with your wisdom and your startling revelations, you are the greatest Master that ever I knew. He would have said more, but the doctor turning to Bruna broke in with, ah, what it is to consult and converse with the wise, who but this worthy man would thus have read my mind through and through, less quick by far to rate me at my true worth was thou. But what said I when thou toldst me that Buffalmako delighted to converse with sage's? Confess now, have I not kept my word? Verily, quoth Bruna, you have more than kept it. Then addressing Buffalmako, ah, cried the Master, what hath thou said, hath thou seen me at Bologna, where there was none the great or small doctor or scholar but was devoted to me? So well wist I how to entertain them with my words of wisdom. Nay more, let me tell thee that there was never a word I spoke, but set every one a laughing, so great was the pleasure it gave them, and at my departure they all deplored it most bitterly and would have had me remain, and by way of inducement went so far as to propose that I should be sole lecturer to all the students in medicine that were there, which offer I declined, for that I was minded to return hither, having vast estates here, that have ever belonged to my family, which accordingly I did. Quoth then Bruna to Buffalmako, ah, shows it now, man, thou dost not believe me when I told thee what he was? By the Gospels there is never a physician in this city that has the law of asses urine by heart as he has. Verily there was not find he's like between here and the gate to Paris. Now, see if there canst help doing as he would have thee. It is even as Bruno says, observed the doctor, but I am not understood here. You Florentines are somewhat slow of wit. Would you could see me in my proper element among a company of doctors? Whereupon of a truth master, quoth Buffalmako, your law far exceeds any I should ever have imputed to you, wherefore, addressing you as to his meet to address a man of your wisdom, I give you disjointedly to understand that without fail I will procure your enrolment in our company. After this promise, the honours lavished by the doctor upon the two men grew and multiplied, in return for which they diverted themselves by setting him a prancing upon every wildest chimera in the world, and promised, among other matters, to give him by way of mistress, the Countess of Civillari, whom they averred to be the goodliest creature to be found in all the Netherlands of the human race, and the doctor asking who this Countess might be. Mature my gherkin, quoth Buffalmako, she is indeed a very great lady, and few houses are there in the world in which she has not some jurisdiction. Nay, the very friar's miners, to say nought of other folk, pay her tribute to the sound of the kettle-drum. And I may tell you that, when she goes abroad, she makes her presence very sensibly felt, albeit for the most part she keeps herself close. However, it is no great while since she passed by your door one night, on her way to the Arno to bathe her feet and get a breath of air, but most of her time she abides at Latarina. Sargeants, as she not a few, that go there round at short intervals, bear in one and all the rod and the bucket in token of her sovereignty. And barons are plenty in all parts, as Tamonino de la Porta, Don Metta, Manico de Scopa, Squacchera, and others, with whom I doubt not you are intimately acquainted, though you may not just now bear them in mind. Such then is the great lady, in whose soft arms we, if we delude not ourselves, will certainly place you, in which case you may well dispense with her of cacavinchili. The doctor, who had been born and bred at Bologna, and understood not their words, sound the lady quite to his mind, and shortly afterwards the painters brought him tidings of his election into the company. Then came the day of the nocturnal gathering, and the doctor had the two men to breakfast, and when they'd breakfasted he asked them after what manner he was to join the company. Whereupon, lo now, master, Côte Balthomarco, you have need of a stout heart, otherwise you may meet with some let to our most grievous hurt, and for what cause you have need of this stout heart you shall hear. You must contrive to be tonight, about the hour of first sleep, on one of the raised tombs that have been lately placed outside of Santa Maria Novella, and mind that you wear one of your best gowns, so that your first appearance may impress the company with a proper sense of your dignity, and also because, as we are informed, for we were not present at the time, the Countess, by reason that you are a gentleman, is minded to make you a knight of the bath at our own charges. So you will wait there until one whom we shall send come for you, who, that you may know exactly what you have to expect, will be a beast, black, and horned, of no great size, and he will go snorting and bounding a man about the piazza in front of you, with intent to terrify you. But when he perceives that you are not afraid, he will draw nigh you quietly, and when he is close by you, then get you down from the tomb, fearing nothing, and minding you neither of God nor of the saints, mount him, and when you are well set on his back, then fold your arms upon your breast, as in submission, and touch him no more. Then go in gently, he will bear you to us. But once mind you of God or the saints, or give way to fear, and I warn you, he might give you a fool, or dash you against something that you would find scarce pleasant. Wherefore, if your heart misgives you, you were best not to come, for you would assuredly do yourself a mischief, and us no good at all. Quoth then the Doctor? You know me not as yet, tis perchance because I wear the gloves and the long robe that you mist-out me. Ah! Did you but know what feats I have done in times past at Bologna, when I used to go after the women with my comrades, you would be lost in amazement. God's faith! On one of those nights there was one of them, a poor, sickly creature she was too, and stood not a cubit in height, who would not come with us. So first I treated her to many a good cuff, and then I took her up by main force, and carried her well now as far as a crossbow will send a bolt, and so caused her willy-nilly come with us. And on another occasion I mined me that, having none other with me but my servant, a little after the hour of Arvin Maria, I passed by the cemetery of the Friar's miners, and though that very day a woman had been there interred, I had no fear at all. So on this score you may make your minds easy, for indeed I am a man of exceeding great courage and prowess, and to appear before you with due dignity I will don my scarlet gown in which I took my doctor's degree, and it remains to be seen if the company will not give me a hearty welcome and make me captain out of hand. Let me once be there, and you will see how things will go. Else, how is it that this countess that has not yet seen me is already so enamoured of me that she is minded to make me a knight of the bath? And whether I shall find knighthood agreeable, or know how to support the dignity well or ill, leave that to me. Whereupon, well said, excellent well said, cross before Maco, but look to it you disappoint us not, either by not coming or by not being found when we send for you, and this I say because it is cold weather, and you, medical gentlemen, take great care of your health. God forbid, replied the doctor, I am none of your chilly folk. I fear not the cold, to sell them indeed when I leave my bed-anites to answer the call of nature, as were must at times, that I do more than throw a police over my doublet, so rest assured that I shall be there. So they parted, and towards nightfall the master found a pretext for leaving his wife, and privily got out his fine gown, which in due time he donned, and so hide him to the tombs, and having perched himself on one of them, huddled himself together for twas mighty cold, to await the coming of the beast. Meanwhile, Bufal Maco, who was a tall man and strong, provided himself with one of those dominos that were wont to be worn in certain revels which are now gone out of fashion, and, enveloped in a black police turned inside out, showed like a bear, save that the domino had the face of a devil, and was furnished with horns. In which guys, Bruno, following close behind, to see this sport, he hide him to the piazza of Santa Maria Novella, and no sooner wist he that the master was on the tomb, than he fell a careering in a most wild and furious manner to and fro the piazza, and snorting and bellowing and gibbering like one demented, in so much as that, as soon as the master was aware of him, each several hair on his head stood on end, and he fell a trembling in every limb, being in sooth more timid than a woman, and wished himself safe at home. But as there he was, he strove might and main to keep his spirits up, so over-mastering was his desire to see the marvels of which Bruno and Bufalmakko had told him. However, after a while Bufalmakko allowed his fury to abate, and came quietly up to the tomb on which the master was, and stood still. The master, still all of a tremble with fear, could not at first make up his mind whether to get on the beast's back or no, but at length, doubting it might be the worst for him if he did not mount the beast, he overcame the one dread by the aid of the other, got down from the tomb, saying under his breath, God help me, and seated himself very comfortably on the beast's back, and then, still quaking in every limb, he folded his arms as he had been bitten. Bufalmakko now started going on all fours at a very slow pace, in the direction of Santa Maria de la Scala, and so brought the master within a short distance of the convent of the ladies of Ripoli. Now, in that quarter there were diverse trenches, into which the husbandmen of those parts were wont to discharge the countess of Civillari, that she might afterwards serve them to manure their land. Of one of which trenches, as he came by, Bufalmakko skirted the edge, and, seizing his opportunity, seized a hand, and caught the doctor by one of his feet, and threw him off his back, and head foremost right into the trench, and then, making a terrific noise and frantic gestures as before, went bounding off by Santa Maria de la Scala towards the field of Ognisanti, where he found Bruno, who had betaken him thither that he might laugh at his ease, and there the two men in high glee took their stand, to observe from a distance how the bemired doctor would behave. Leaving himself in so loathsome a place, the master struggled might and main to raise himself and get out, and though again and again he slipped back, and swallowed some drams of the orger, yet bemired from head to foot, woe-begone and crestfallen he did at last get out, leaving his hood behind him. Then, removing as much of the filth as he might with his hands, knowing not what else to do, he got him home, where by dint of much knocking he had last gained admittance. And scarce was the door closed behind the malodorous master, when Bruno and Bufal Marco were at it, all agogged to hear after what manner he would be received by his wife. They were rewarded by hearing her give him the soundest rating that ever bad husband got. Ah! close she! Fine doings, these! Thou has been with some other woman and was minded to make a brave show in thy scarlet gown. So I was not enough for thee, not enough for thee, for sooth I that might contend a crowd. Would they had choked thee with the filth in which they have sourced thee? It was thy fit resting place, now to think that a physician of repute and a married man should go by night after strange women. Thus, and with much more to the like effect, while the doctor was busy washing himself, she ceased not to torment him until midnight. On the morrow, Bruno and Bufal Marco, having painted their bodies all over with livid patches to give them the appearance of having been thrashed, came to the doctor's house, and finding that he was already risen, went in, being saluted on all hands by a foul smell for time had not yet served thoroughly to cleanse the house. The doctor, being informed that they would come to see him, advanced to meet them and bade them good morning. Where too, Bruno and Bufal Marco, having prepared their answer, replied, No good morning shall you have from us. Rather, we pray God to give you bad years enough to make an end of you, seeing that there lives no more arrant and faithless traitor. It is no fault of yours, if we, that did our best to honour and pleasure you, have not come by a dog's death. Your faithlessness has cost us to-night as many sound blows as would more than suffice to keep an ass trotting all the way from here to Rome, besides which we have been in peril of expulsion from the company in which we arrange for your enrolment. If you doubt our words, look but at our bodies, what a state they are in. And so, bearing their breaths, they gave him a glimpse of the patches they had painted there, and forthwith covered them up again. The doctor would have made them his excuses and recounted his misfortunes and how he had been thrown into the trench. But Bufal Marco broke in with, Would you have thrown you from the bridge into the arno? Why must you need, mind you, of God and the saints? Did we not forewarn you? God's faith, returned the doctor. That I did not. Ow! Quoth Bufal Marco. You did not. You do so above a little theory that we's sent for you told us that you trembled like an aspen and knew not where you were. You have played us a sorry trick, but never another shall do so, and as for you we will give you such a quiet all thereof as you deserve. The doctor now began to crave their pardon and to implore them for God's sake not to expose him to shame and used all the eloquence at his command to make his peace with them. And if he had honourably entreated them before, he thence forth, for fear they should publish his disgrace, did so much more abundantly, and courted them both by entertaining them at his table and in other ways. And so you have heard how wisdom is imparted to those that get it not at Bologna. End of Day 8, the Ninth Story. The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio translated by J. M. Rigg. Day 8, the Tenth Story. A Sicilian woman cunningly conveys from a merchant that which he has brought to Palermo. He, making a show of being come back thither with a far greater store of goods than before, borrows money of her, and leaves her in lieu thereof water and tow. How much in diverse passages the Queen's story moved the ladies to laughter, it boots not to ask. None was there in her eyes the tears stood not full a dozen times, for excess of merriment. However, it being ended, and Dioneo witting, that it was now his turn, thus beg he. Gracious ladies, it is patent to all that wiles are diverting in the degree of the whiliness of him that is by them beguiled. Wherefore, albeit, stories most goodly have been told by you all, I purpose to relate one which should afford you more pleasure than any that has been told, seeing that she that was beguiled was far more cunning in beguiling others than any of the beguiled of whom you have spoken. There was, and perhaps still is, a custom in all maritime countries that have ports, that all merchants arriving there with merchandise should, on discharging, bring all their goods into a warehouse, called in many places a dogana, and maintained by the state or the lord of the land, where those that are assigned to that office, a lot to each merchant, on receipt of an invoice of all his goods and the value thereof, a room in which he stores his goods under lock and key, whereupon the said officers of the dogana enter all the merchant's goods to his credit in the book of the dogana, and afterwards make him pay duty thereon or on such part as he withdraws from the warehouse, by which book of the dogana, the brokers not seldom find out the sorts and quantities of the merchandise that is there, and also who are the owners thereof, with whom, as occasion serves, they afterwards treat of exchanges, barters, sales, and other modes of disposing of the goods. Which custom obtained, as in many other places, so also at Palermo in Sicily, where in like manner there were, and are, not a few women fair as fair can be, but foes to virtue, who, by whoso knows them not, would be reputed great and most virtuous ladies. And being given not merely to fleece, but utterly to flaymen, they know sooner as by a foreign merchant in the city, than they find out from the book of the dogana, how much he has there, and what he is good for, and then, by caressing and amorous looks and gestures and words of honeyed sweetness, they strive to entice and allure the merchant to their love, and not seldom have they succeeded and rested from him great part or the whole of his merchandise, and of some they have gotten goods and ship and flesh and bones, so delightsomely have they known how to ply the shears. Now it is not long since one of our young Florentines, Niccolò d'Azignano by name, albeit he was called Salibaito, arrived there, being sent by his masters with all the woollen stuffs that he had not been able to dispose of at Salerno fair, which might perhaps be worth five hundred florentines of gold, and having given the invoice to the officers of the dogana and stored the goods, Salibaito was in no hurry to get them out of bond, but took a stroll or two about the city for his diversion, and as he was fresh complexioned and fair and not a little debonair, it so befell that one of these ladies that plied the shears, and called herself Yancufiore, began to ogle him, whereof he, taking note and deeming that she was a great lady, supposed that she was taken by his good looks, and cast about how he might manage this amour with all due discretion. Wherefore, saying nought to a soul, he began to pass, to and fro, before her house, which she observing occupied herself for a few days in inflaming his passion, and then, affecting to be dying of love for him, sent, privily to him, a woman that she had in her service, and who was an adept in the arts of the procures. She, after not a little palaver, told him, while the tears all but stood in her eyes, that for his handsome person and winsome air, her mistress was so enamoured of him, that she found no peace by day or by night, and therefore, if to her agreeable to him, there was nought she desired so much as to meet him privily at Abanyu, whereupon she drew a ring from her purse, and gave it him by way of token from her mistress. Overjoyed as near another to hear such good news, Salabaito took the ring, and after drawing it across his eyes and kissing it, put it on his finger, and told the good woman that if Madonna Yancofiore loved him, she was well requited, for that he loved her more dearly than himself, and that he was ready to meet her wherever and whenever she might see fit. With which answer the procures hide her back to her mistress, and shortly Salabaito was informed that he was to meet the lady at a certain Abanyu at Vespers of the ensuing day. So, saying nought to a soul of the matter, he hide him punctually at the appointed hour to the Abanyu, and found that it had been taken by the lady. Nor had he longed to wait before two female slaves made their appearance, bearing on their heads the one a great and goodly mattress of wadding, and the other a huge and well-filled basket, and having laid the mattress on a bedstead in one of the rooms of the Abanyu, they covered it with a pair of sheets of the finest fabric, bordered with silk, and a quilt of the whitest cypress buckram, with two daintily embroidered pillows. The slaves then undressed, and got into the bath, which they thoroughly washed and scrubbed. With her soon afterwards the lady, attended by two other female slaves, came, and made haste to greet Salabaito with the heartiest of cheer, and when, after heaving many a mighty sigh, she had embraced and kissed him, I know not, quote she, who but thou could have brought me to this? Such a fire has thou kindled in my soul, little dog of a tusken, whereupon she was pleased that they should undress, and get into the bath, and two of the slaves with them, which accordingly they did, and she herself, suffering none other to hand upon him, did with wondrous care wash Salabaito from head to foot, with soap perfumed with musk and clothes, after which she let the slaves wash and shampoo herself. The slaves then brought two spotless sheets of finest texture, which emitted such a sense of roses that were as if there was not their butt-roses, in one of which, having wrapped Salabaito, and in the other the lady, they both to bed, where the sheets in which they were enfolded, being withdrawn by the slaves as soon as they had done sweating, they remained stark-naked in the others. The slaves then took from the basket crouettes of silver most goodly, and full, this of rose-water, that of water of orange blossom, a third of water of jasmine blossom, and a fourth of nanfer-water, wherewith they sprinkled them, after which boxes of comforts and the finest wines being brought forth, they regaled them a while. To Salabaito, it was as if he were in paradise. A thousand times he scanned the lady, who was indeed most beautiful, and he counted each hour as a hundred years until the slave should get them gone, and he find himself in the lady's arms. At length by the lady's command the slaves departed, leaving a lighted torch in the room, and then the lady and Salabaito embraced, and to Salabaito's prodigious delight, for it seemed to him that she was all but dissolved for love of him, tarried there a good while. However the time came when the lady must needs rise, so she called the slaves, with whose help they dressed, regaled themselves again for a while with wine and comforts, and washed their faces and hands with wine. Then as they were going, quothed the lady to Salabaito, if it be agreeable to thee, I should deem it a very great favour if thou would come to night to sup and sleep with me. Salabaito, who captivated by her beauty and her studied graciousness, never doubted but that he was as dear to her as her very heart, made answer. Madam, there is naught you can desire me, wherefore to night and ever it is my purpose to do whatsoever you may be pleased to command. So home the lady hide her, and having caused a brave show to be made in her chamber, with her dresses and other paraphernalia, and a grand supper to be prepared, awaited Salabaito, who, being calm there as soon as it was dark, had of her a gladsome welcome, and was regaled with an excellent and well-served supper, after which she repaired to the chamber, where he was saluted by a wondrous sweet odour of aloe-wood, and observed that the bed was profusely furnished with birds after the fashion of Cyprus, and that not a few fine dresses were hanging on the pegs, which circumstances did one and all beget in him the belief that this must be a great and wealthy lady, and though he had heard a hint or two to the contrary touching her life, he would by no means credit them, nor supposing that he had perchance taken another with Gael, would he believe that the same thing might befall him. So to his exceeding great solace he lay with her that night, and ever grew more a fire for her. On the morrow, as she was investing him with a fair and dainty girdle of silver, with a goodly purse attached, sweet by Salabaito, quoth she, prithee man at thy command. Salabaito then embraced and kissed her, and so bad her adieu, and betook him to the place where the merchants were want to congregate. And so it befell that he, continuing to consult with her from time to time, and being never a denier the poorer thereby, disposed of his merchandise for ready money, and at no small profit, whereof not by him, but by another the lady was forthwith her. And Salabaito, being come to see her one evening, she greeted him gaily and gamesomely, and fell a-kissing and hugging him, and made as if she was so far for love of him that she was like to die there off in his arms, and offered to give him two most goodly silver cups that she had, which Salabaito would not accept, having already had from her, taking one time with another full thirty florins of a groat of his money. But when by this show of passion and generosity she had thoroughly kindled his flame, in came as she had arranged one of her slaves, and spoke to her, whereupon out of the room she went, and after a while came back in tears, and threw herself prone on the bed, and set up the most dollarous lamentation that ever woman made. Whereat Salabaito, wondering, took her in his arms, and mingled his tears and said, Alas! heart of my body, what ails thee thus of a sudden? Wherefore art thou so distressed? Oh! tell me the reason, my soul!" The lady allowed him to run on in this strain for a good while, and then Alas! sweet my lord! quote she, I know not either what to do or what to say. I have but now received a letter from Messina, in which my brother bids me sell, if need be all that I have here, and him without fail within eight days a thousand florins of gold, otherwise he will forfeit his head. I know not how to come by them so soon, had I but fifteen days I could make shift to raise them, in a quarter where I might raise a much larger sum, or I would sell one of our estates. But as this may not be, would I had been dead or ere this bad news had reached me? Which said, affecting to be utterly broken hearted, a weep. Salabaito, the ardour of whose passion had in great measure deprived him of the sagacity which the circumstances demanded, supposed that the tears were genuine enough, and the words even more so, were for madame, quote he, I could not furnish you with a thousand, but if five hundred florins of gold would suffice, they are at your service, and if you think you could repay them within fifteen days, and you may deem yourself in it. It was only yesterday that I sold my woolens, which had I not done, I could not have lent you a groat. Alas! returned the lady, then thou hast been in straits for money, oh why does thou not apply to me? Though I have not a thousand at my command, I could have given me quite a hundred, may even delivered salibito into the lady's hands, in so much that madame, quote he, I would not have you decline my help for such a scruple, for had my need been as great as yours, I should certainly have applied to you. Quote then the lady, oh salibito mine, well I want the love that thou bearest me is a true and perfect love, seeing that without waiting to be me, and albeit I was thine without this token of thy love, yet assuredly it has made me thine in an even greater degree, nor shall I ever forget that tis to thee I owe my brother's life, but God knows I take thy money from thee reluctantly, seeing that thou art a merchant, and tis by means of money that merchants conduct all their affairs, but as necessity constrains me, and I have good hope of speedily repaying thee, I will even take it, and by way of security if I should find no reddier method I will porn all that I have here. Which said, she burst into tears and fell upon salibito, pressing her cheek upon his. Salibito tried to comfort her, and having spent the night with her, on the morrow, being minded to show himself her most devoted servant, brought her without awaiting any reminder five hundred fine florins of gold, which she, laughing at heart, while the tears streamed from her eyes, took salibito, trusting her mere promise of repayment. Now that the lady had gotten the money, the complexion of affairs began to alter, and whereas salibito had been want to have free access to her, whenever he was so minded, now, for one reason or another, he was denied admittance six times out of seven, nor did she greet him with the same smile, or on him the same caresses, or do him the same cheer as of yore. So a month, two months passed, beyond the time when he was to have been repaid his money, and when he demanded it, he was put off with words. Whereby, salibito, being now aware of the cheat which his slender wit had suffered the ill-disposed woman to put upon him, and also that having neither writing nor witness against her, he was entirely at her mercy in regard of his claim, and being moreover ashamed to lodge any complaint with any one, as well because he had been forewarned of her character as because he dreaded the ridicule to which his folly justly exposed him, was shall ground beyond measure, and inly bewailed his simplicity, and his masters having written to him, bidding him change the money, and remit it to them. He, being apprehensive that making default as he must, he would, if he remained there, be detected, resolved to depart, and having taken ship, he repaired not as he should have done to Pisa, but to Naples, where at that time resided our gossip, Pietro del Cagnano, treasurer of the empress of Constantinople, a man of great sagacity and acuteness, and a very great friend of salibito and his kidsfolk, to whom, trusting in his great discretion, salibito after a while discovered his distress, telling him what he had done, and the sorry plight in which, by consequence, he stood, and craving his aid and counsel, that he might them already find means of livelihood there, for that he was minded never to go back to Florence. Impatient to hear of such folly! "'Twas ill done of thee,' quote Cagnano, "'thou hast misbehaved thyself, wronged done, and we must consider of the remedy.' And indeed, like the shrewd man that he was, he had already bethought him what was best to be done, and forthwith he imparted it to salibito. Which expedient salibito-approving resolved to make the adventure, and having still a little money, and being furnished with a loan by Cagnano, he provided himself with not a few bales well filled, and having put all on ship-board, returned to Palermo. There he gave the invoice of the bales, as also the oil-casks to the officers of the Cagnano, and having them all entered here his credit, laid them up in the storerooms, saying that he purposed to leave them there until the arrival of other merchandise that he expected. Which Yancofiori learning, and being informed that the merchandise that she had bought, and that she had not aimed high enough, and that were well to refund him the five hundred, if so she might make the greater part of the five thousand florins her own, wherefor she sent for him, and salibito, having learned his lesson of cunning, waited upon her. Feigning to know nought of the cargo he had brought with him, with marvellous cheer, and began, lo, now, if thou wasst angry with me because I did not repay thee thy money in due time. But salibito interrupted her, saying with a laugh, madam, it is true I was a little vexed, seeing that I would have plucked out my heart to pleasure you. But listen, and you shall learn the quality of my displeasure. Such and so great is the love I have already in this port merchandise to the value of more than two thousand florins, and expect from the Levant other goods to the value of about three thousand florins, and mean to set up a warehouse in this city, and live here to be ever near you, for that I deem myself more blessed in your love than any other that lives. Whereupon hark ye salibito, quote the lady, whatever I love thee more than my very life, and right glad I am that thou art come back with intent to stay, for I hope to have many a good time with thee. But something I must say to thee by way of excuse, for that whilst thou was thinking of taking thy departure there were times when thou was disappointed of seeing me, and others when thou had not as gladsome a welcome as thou was want to have. But I must know that I was then in exceeding great trouble and tribulation, and whoso is thus bested, love he another never so much, cannot greet him with as gladsome a mean, or be as attentive to him as he had life. When thou must further know that tis by no means an easy matter for a lady to come by a thousand florins of gold, why tis every day a fresh source, and not for any fault of mine that I did not repay thee thy money. However I had it but a little while after thy departure, and had I known wither to send it be sure I would have remitted it to thee, but as that I wish not I have kept it safe for thee. She then produced a purse in which were the very same coins that he had brought her, and placed it in which Thaito had yet known, as having told them out and found some exact he made answer. Madam, I know that you say sooth, and what you have done abundantly proves it. Wherefore, and for the love I bear you, I warrant you there is no sum you might ask of me on any occasion of need, with which, if twer in my power, I would not accommodate you, whereof when I am settled here, you will be able to assure yourself. When Thaito stated himself as her lover, he proceeded to treat her as his mistress, where to she responded, doing all that was in her power to pleasure and honour him, and feigning to be in the last degree enamoured of him. But Salibaito, being minded to requite her guile with his own, went to her one evening, being bidden to sup and sleep with her, with an aspect so melancholy and dolerous that he showed as he had leaf given up the ghost. Thaito demanded of him the occasion of his melancholy, where to he, having let her be instant with him, a good while, made answer, I am and done. For that ship, having abhorred her, the goods that I expected, has been taken by the Corsairs of Monaco, and held to ransom in ten thousand florins of gold, of which it falls to me to pay one thousand, and I have not a denier, for the five stufs for this market. And were I to sell the merchandise I have here, as it is not now the right time to sell, I should scarce get half the value, nor am I as yet so well known here as to come by any to help me at this juncture, and so what to do or what to say I know not. But this I know, that if I send not the money without delay, my merchandise will be taken to Monaco, and I shall never touch all to bit again. Where at the slightly annoyed being apprehensive of losing all, and bethought her how she might prevent the goods going to Monaco. Wherefore God knows, quoth she, that for the love I bear thee, I am not a little sorry for thee, but what boots it idly to distress oneself, had I the money, God knows I would lend it the fourth width, but I have it not. One indeed there is that accommodated me a day or two ago with five hundred or so hours a heavy usance not less than thirty on the hundred and if thou shouldst have recourse to him good security must be forthcoming. Now for my part I am ready so I may serve thee to pledge all these dresses and my person to boot for as much as he will lend thee thereon. But how will thou secure the balance? Salabito divined the motive that prompted her thus to accommodate him, and that she was to lend the money herself, which she was putting his purpose well. He first of all thanked her, and then said that being constrained by necessity he would not stand out against exorbitant terms, adding that as the balance he would secure it upon the merchandise that he had at the dogana by causing it to be entered into the name of the lender, but that he must keep the key of the storerooms as well that he might be able to show the lady said that this was reasonable, and that was excellent security. So, betimes on the morrow, the lady sent for a broker in whom she reposed much trust, and having talked the matter over with him gave him a thousand florins of gold, which the broker took to Salabito, and thereupon had all that Salabito had at the dogana entered in his name. They then had the script and counterscript made out, and then sent to affairs. Salabito lost no time in getting aboard a bark with his five hundred florins of gold, and being come to Naples sent then some remittance which fully discharged his obligation to his masters that had entrusted him with the stuffs. He also paid all that he owed to Pietro del Caniano, and all his other creditors, and made not a little loss, and being minded to have done with mercantile affairs, bit him to Ferrara. Yanco Fiori, surprised at first by Salabito's disappearance from Palermo, waxed after a while suspicious, and when she had waited fully two months, seeing that he did not return, she caused the broker to break open the storerooms, and trying first of all the casks, she found them full of sea water, save the oil floating on the surface. Then, undoing the bales, she found them all, save two that contained stuffs, full of tow, and in short their whole contents put together were not worth more than two hundred florins. Wherefore Yanco Fiori, knowing herself to have been outdone, regretted long and bitterly the five hundred florins of gold that she had refunded, and still more the wealth of who with a tusken has to do has need of eyesight quick and true, thus left with the loss and the laugh against her. She discovered that there were others as knowing as she. End of Day 8, the tenth story. Day 8, the conclusion of the Decameran. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. C.D. Cameron by Giovanni Boccaccio translated by H.M. Rake. Day 8, the conclusion. No sooner was Dionio's story ended than Laureta, witting that there was the end of her sovereignty was come, bestowed her need of praise on Pietro Canigiano for his good counsel and also on Salabietto for the equal sovereignty which he displayed in carrying it out and then taking off the laurel breath set it on the head of Emilia saying graciously I know not, madame, how debonair a queen you may prove but at least we shall have in you a fair one. Be it your care then that you exercise your authority in a manner answerable to your charms which said she resumed her seat. Not so much to receive handed to her face and before the company for that which ladies are want to covet the most. Emilia was a little shamefast. A tint like that of the newly blown rose overspread her face and the while she stood silent with downcast eyes then as the blush shaded away she raised them and having given her sunnish all her commands touching all matters pertaining to the company thus she is fake. This matter of common experience that when the oxen have swunken a part of the day under a coercive yoke they are relieved they are off and loosed and suffered to go seek their pasture at their own sweet well in the woods. Nor can we fail to observe that gardens luxuriant with diversity of leafage are not less but far more fair to see than woods wherein is not but oaks. We can find within the bounds of certain laws it will be not only neat but profitable for us being in need of relaxation to roam a while and so recruit our strengths to undergo the yoke once more and therefore I am minded that tomorrow the sweet tender of your discourse be not confined to any particular theme but that you be at liberty to discourse on such vise as to each word am I than thus to speak of diverse matters will be no less pleasurable than to limit ourselves to one topic and by reason of this enlargement my successor in the sovereignty will find you more vigorous and be there for all the more forward to reimpose upon you the wanted restraint of our laws having so said she dismissed all the company until supper time all approved and being risen they took them to their several diversions the ladies to weave garlands and otherwise desport them the young men to play and sing and so they wiled away the hours until supper time which being come they gathered about the fair fountain and took their meal with gay and festive cheer supper ended they addressed them to their wanted pastime of song and dance at the close of which the queen notwithstanding the divers of the company had already gladly accorded them called for another from panfilo who without the least more thus sang so great oh love the bliss through thee I prove so joconde my estate that in thy flame to burn I bless my fate such plenitude of joy my heart doth know of that high joy and rare wherewith thou hast ever flow and by my radiant air my blitheness manifest for by thee thus possessed with love where meter twerr to venerate I still consume within thy flame elate well what I love no song may air reveal nor any sign declare what in my heart is penned nay might they so that where I best conceal where I were others where but to torment me whose is such content that weak were words and all inadequate a tittle of my bliss to atombrate who would have dreamed that air and mine embrace her I should clip and fold whom there I still do feel or as against her face air to lay my face attain such grace untold an unimagined heart straight and still in thy sweet flame luxuriate so ended Pamphilla his song where to all the company responded in full horrors nor was there any but gave to its words an inordinate degree of attention endeavoring by conjecture to penetrate that which she intimated that it was meet he should keep secret diverse were the interpretations hazarded at length however the queen seeing that ladies and men alike were faint of rest they'd all betake them to bed end of conclusion of the eighth day day nine the introduction 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 M. Rigg day nine the introduction end of here the eighth day of the Decameron begins the ninth in which under the rule of Emilia discourses head at the discretion of each of such matters as most command themselves to each in turn the luminary before whose splendor the night takes wing had already changed the eighth heaven from azure to the lighter blue and in the meads of lords were beginning to lift their heads when Emilia being risen roused her fair gossips and likewise the young man and so the queen leading the way at an easy pace and the rest of the company following they heed them to a corpse at no great distance from the palace where being entered they saw the goats and stags and other wild creatures as if waiting that in this time of pestilence they had no fear from the hunter stand awaiting them with no more sign of fear than if they had been tamed and so making now towards this now towards the other of them as if to touch them they diverted themselves for a while by making them skip and run but as soon as the sun was in the ascendant by common consent they turned back and whoso met them garlanded as they were with oak leaves and carrying store of fragrant herms or flowers in their hands might well have said either shall death not wander these or they will meet it with a light heart so slowly when did they their way now singing now bandying gibbs and merry jest to the palace where they found all things in order meet and their servants in blyas and merry cheer a while they rested nor went they to table until six deities each gayer than that which went before had been sung by the young men and the ladies which done they washed their hands and all by the queen's command were arranged by the senator at the table and the vians being served they cheerly took their meal were from being risen they trot some measures to the accompaniment of music and then by the queen's command Huzhu would be took him to rest however they accustomed our being come they all gathered at the wanted spot for their discoursing and the queen banding her regard upon filomena bade her make a beginning of the day's storytelling which she with a smile did on this wise end of introduction of the day nine day nine the first story 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 recording by J. C. Guan the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio translated by J. M. Reg day nine the first story Madonna Francesca having two lovers the one Renuccio the other Alessandro by name and loving neither of them induces the one to simulate a corpse in a tomb and the other to enter the tomb to fetch him out whereby neither satisfying her demands she artfully writs herself of both Madam since so it pleases you well pleased am I that in this vast this boundless field of discourse which you our lady beautiful have furnished us with all tis mine to run the first course wherein if I do well I doubt not that those who shall follow me will do not well but better such my sweet ladies has been the tanner of our discourse that times not if you the might of love how great and singular it is has been set forth but yet I doubt the topic is not exhausted nor would it be so though we should continue to speak of not else for the space of a full year and as love not only leads lovers to debate with themselves whether they were not best to die but also draws them into the houses of the dead in quest of the dead I am minded in this regard to tell you a story wherein you will not only discern the power of love but we'll also learn how the ready wit of a worthy lady enabled her to disembarrass herself of two lovers whose love was displeasing to her now then that there dwelt a foretime in the city of Pistoia a most beauteous widow-lady of whom it so befell that two of our citizens the one Renuciu Palermini the other Alessandro Chermontesi by name tearing at Pistoia for that they were banished from Florence became neither witting how it stood with the other in the last degree enamored wherefore each used all his arts to win the love of Madonna Francesca de Lazare such was the lady's name and she being thus continually plied with ambassages and entreaties on the part of both and having indiscreetly lent ear to them from time to time found it no easy matter discreetly to extricate herself when she was minded to be rid of their pestering until it occurred to her to adopt the following expedient to it to require of each a service such as though not impracticable she deemed none would actually perform to the end that they making default she might have a decent and colourful pretext for the refusing any longer to receive their ambassages which expedient was on this wise one day there died in Pistoia and was buried in a tomb outside the church of the Friar's Miners a man who though his forebears had been gentle folk was reputed the very worst man not in Pistoia only but in all the world and there with all he was a form and feature so prematurely hideous that who so knew him not could cars see him for the first time without a shudder now the lady pondering her design on the day of this man's death it occurred to her that he might in a measure subserve its accomplishment wherefore she said to her maid they'll knowest to what worry and annoyance I am daily put by the ambassages of these two Florentines Renuccio and Alessandro now I am not disposed to gratify either of them with my love and therefore to shake them off I am minded as they make such great protestations to put them to the proof by requiring of each something which I am sure he will not perform and thus to rid myself of their pestering so list what I mean to do they'll knowest that this morning there was interred in the ground of the Friar's Miners the Scanadio such was the name of the bad man of whom we spoke but now whose aspect while yet he lived appalled even the bravest among us thou wilt therefore go privately to Alessandro and say to him Madonna Francesca sends the word by May that the time is now come when thou mayest win that which thou hast so much desired to wit her love and joyance thereof if thou be so minded on the following terms for a reason which thou shalt learn hereafter one of her kinsmen is to bring home to her tonight the corpse of Scanadio who was buried this morning and she, standing immortal dread of this man would faint not see him wherefore she praised thee to do her a great service and be so good as to get thee this evening at the hour of first sleep to the tomb wherein Scanadio is buried and go in and having wrapped thyself in his grave-clothes lie there as thou wert Scanadio himself until one come for thee when thou must say never a word but let him carry thee forth and bear thee to Madonna Francesca's house where she will give thee welcome and let thee stay with her until thou art minded to depart and for the rest thou wilt leave it to her and if he says that he will gladly do so well and good if not then thou wilt tell him from me never more to show himself where I am and as he values his life to have a care to send me no more ambassadors which done thou wilt go to Inuccio Palermini and wilt say to him Madonna Francesca lets thee know that she is ready in all respects to comply with thy wishes so thou wilt do her a great service which is on this wise tonight about midnight thou must go to the tomb wherein was this morning interred Scanadio and saying never a word thou mayst hear or otherwise beware of bear him gently forth to Madonna Francesca's house where thou shalt learn wherefore she requires this of thee and shalt have thy solace of her and if thou art not minded to obey her in this say that thou never more send her ambassage the maid did her mistresses errand omitting nothing to both the men and received from each the same enter to it that to pleasure the lady he would adventure a journey to hell to say nothing of entering a tomb with which answer the maid returned to the lady who waited to see if they would be such falls as to make it good night came and at the hour of first sleep Alessandro Chalmontesi stripped to his doublet quitted his house and bent his steps towards Scanadio's tomb with intent there to take the dead man's place as he walked there came upon him a great fear and he fell a-saying to himself ah what a fall am I whither go I how know I that her kinsmen having detected my love entermising that which is not have not put her upon requiring this of me in order that they may slay me in the tomb in which event I alone should be the loser for not would I ever be heard of it so that they would escape scot-free or how know I but that is some machination of one of my ill-wishers whom perchance she loves and is therefore minded to a bet and again quote he to himself but allowing that is neither the one nor the other and that her kinsmen are really to carry me to her house as cars believe that is either that they would feign embrace Scanadio's corpse themselves or let her do so rather it must be that they have a mind to perpetrate some outrage upon it for that perchance he once did them an evil turn she bids me never say a word no matter what I may hear or be otherwise aware of suppose they were to pluck out my eyes or my teeth or cut off my hands or treat me with some other horse-play of the like sort how then how could I keep quiet and if I open my mouth I do recognize me and perchance do me a mischief or if they spare me I shall have been at pains for naught for they will not leave me with the lady and she will say that I disobeyed her command and I shall never have out of her favors as does he communed with himself he was on the point of turning back but his over-mastering love piled him with opposing arguments of such force that he kept on his way and reached the tomb which having opened he entered and after stripping Scanadio and wrapping himself in the grave-clothes closed it and laid himself down in Scanadio's place he then fell a thinking of the dead man and his manner of life and the things which he had heard tell of as happening by night and in other less appalling places than the houses of the dead whereby all the hairs of his head stood on end and he momentely expected Scanadio to rise and cut his throat however the Arduephe's love so fortified him that he overcame these and all other timorous apprehensions and lay as if he were dead awaiting what should be tied him towards midnight Renuccio bent likewise upon fulfilling his lady's behest solid force of his house revolving as he went diverse forebodings of possible contingencies as that having Scanadio's corpse upon his shoulders he might fall into the hands of the signary and be condemned to the fire as a wizard or that should the affair get wind it might embroil him with his kinsfolk or the like which gave him pause but then with a revulsion a feeling shall I, close he to himself, deny this lady whom I so much have loved and loved the very first thing that she asks of me and that too when I am thereby to win her favour no, don't worry as much as my life is worth far be it from me to fail of keeping my word so on he fared and arrived at the tomb which he had no difficulty in opening and being entered, late hold of Alexandro who, though in mortal fear had given no sign of life by the feet and dragged him forth and having hoisted him onto his shoulders bent his steps towards the lady's house and as he went, being none too careful of Alexandro he swung him from time to time against one or other of the angles of certain benches that were by the wayside and indeed the night was so dark and murky that he could not see where he was going and when he was all but on the threshold of the lady's house she standing within at a window with her maid to mark if Reneucho would bring Alexandro and being already provided with an excuse for standing them both away it's a befell that the patrol of the signary who were posted in the street in dead silence being on the lookout for a certain bandit hearing the trump of Reneucho's feet suddenly showed a light the better to know what was toward and where to go and advancing torches and lances cried out, who goes there? were upon Reneucho having little leisure for deliberation let Alexandro fall and talk to flight as fast as his legs might carry him Alexandro, albeit encumbered by the grave-clothes which were very long, also jumped up and made off by the light shone by the patrol the lady had very plainly perceived Reneucho with Alexandro on his back as also that Alexandro had the grave-clothes upon him and much ditching marvel at the tearing of both but for all that she laughed heartily to see Reneucho drop Alexandro and Alexandro ran away overjoyed at the turn the affair had taken and praising God that he had rid her of her harass she withdrew from the window and betook her to her chamber a varying of her maid that for certain they must be mightily in love with her seeing that with plain they had both done her bidding crestfallen and cursing his evil fortune Reneucho nevertheless went not home as soon as the street was clear of the patrol came back to the spot where he had dropped Alexandro and stooped down and began feeling about if happily he might find him and so do his devour to the lady but as he found him not he supposed the patrol must have borne him then and so at last home he went as did also Alexandro knowing not what else to do and deploring his mishap on the morrow Scanadio's tomb being open and empty for Alexandro had thrown the corpse into the vault below all Pistoia debated of the matter with no small diversity of opinion the false believing that Scanadio had been carried off by devils neither of the lovers however for bore to make suit to the lady for her favour and love telling her what he had done and what had happened and praying her to have him excused that he had not perfectly carried out her instructions but she feigning to believe neither of them disposed of each with the same curt answer to wit that as he had not done her bidding she would never do odd for him end of day night the first story read by JC Guan January 2009 day nine the second story 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 J. M. Rigg day nine the second story an abyss rises in haste and in the dark with intent to surprise an accused nun a bed with her lover thinking to put on her veil she puts on instead the breeches of a priest that she has with her the nun espying her head gear and doing her to wit thereof is acquitted and thenceforth finds it easier to foregather with her lover so ended Villameno and when all had commanded the address the nun by the lady in ridding herself of the two lovers that she affected not and contrary wise had censored the hardyhood of the two lovers as not love but madness the queen turned to Elisa and with a charming air now Elisa follow calls she where upon Elisa began on this wise dearest ladies it was cleverly done of Madonna Francesca herself in the way we have heard but I have to tell of a young nun who by a happy retort and the favor of fortune delivered herself from imminent peril and as you know that they are not a few most foolish folk who not withstanding their folly take upon themselves the governance and correction of others so you may learn from my story that fortune at times justly puts them to shame which befell the Abbas who was the superior of the nun of whom I am about to speak you are to know then that in a convent in Lumberdy of very great repute for strict and holy living there was among other ladies that there were the veil a young woman of noble family an extraordinary beauty now Isapetta for such was her name having speech one day of one of her kingsmen at the great became enamored of a fine young gallant that was with him who seeing her to be very fair and reading her passion in her eyes was kindled with a like flame for her which mutual and unsoulist love they bore a great while not without great suffering to both but at length both being intent thereon the gallant discovered a way by which he might with all secrecy visit his nun and she approving he paid her not one visit only but many to their no small mutual solace but while thus they continue their intercourse it so befell that one night one of the sisters observed him take his leave of Isapetta and depart albite neither he nor she was aware that they had thus been discovered and parted what she had seen to several others at first they were minded to denounce her to the abes one Madonna Usimbalda who was reputed by the nuns and indeed by all that knew her to be a good and holy woman but on second thoughts they deemed it expedient that there might be no room for denial to cause the abes to take her and the gallant in the act so they held their peace and arranged between them to keep her in watch and close a spile that they might catch her unawares of which practice Isapetta wrecking witting not it so befell that one night when she had her lover to see her the sisters that were on the watch were soon aware of it and at what they deemed the nick of time parted into two companies of which one mounted guard at the threshold of Isapetta's cell while the other hasted to the abes's chamber and knocking at the door roused her and as soon as they heard her voice said, up, madam, without a delay we have discovered that Isapetta has a young man with her in her cell now that night the abes had with her a priest whom she used not seldom to have conveyed to her in a chest and the report of the sisters making her apprehensive lest for excess of zeal and hurry they should force the door open she rose in a trice and huddling on her clothes as best she might in the dark instead of the veil that they wear which they call the salter she caught up the priest's breeches and having clapped them on her head heed her forth and locked the door behind her saying where is this woman accursed of God and so guided by the sisters also agog to catch Isapetta a sinning that they perceived not what manner of headgear the abes wore she made her way to the cell and with their aid broke open the door and entering they found the two lovers a bed in one another's arms who as it were thunder struck to be thus surprised lay there witting not what to do the sisters took the young nun forthwith and by command of the abes brought her to the chapter house the gallant left behind in the cell put on his clothes and waited to see how the affair would end being minded to make as many nuns as he might come at pay dearly for any despite that might be done his mistress and to bring her off with him the abes seated in the chapter house with all her nuns about her and all eyes bent upon the culprit began giving her the severest reprimand that ever woman got for that by her disgraceful and abominable conduct should it get wind she had sullied the fair fame of the combat where too she added menace's most dire shame fast and timorous the culprit to say no defense and her silence beget pity of her in the rest but while the abes waxed more and more soluble a chance that the girl raised her head and a spy the abes's head gear and the points that hung down on this side and that the significance were of being by no means lost upon her she quite plucked up heart and madam quoth she so help you god tie up your quaff and then you may say what you will to me where to the abes not understanding her applied what quaff lewd woman so thou has the effronty to jest thinks thou that what thou has done is a matter meet for jests where upon madam quoth the girl again I pray you tie up your quaff and then you may say to me whatever you please which occasioned not a few of the nuns to look up at the abes's head and the abes herself to raise her hands thereto and they at one and the same time apprehended is a betas meaning where for the abes finding herself detected by all in the same sin and that no disguise was possible changed her tone and held quite another sort of language than before the upshot of which was that was impossible to withstand the assaults of the flesh and that accordingly observing due secrecy as there too for all might give themselves a good time as they had opportunity so having dismissed the sabbath to rejoin her lover in her cell she herself returned to lie with her priest and many a time thereafter in spite of the envious sabbath had her gallant to see her the others that lacked lovers doing in secret the best they might to push their fortunes end of day nine the second story day nine section three 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 J. M. Rig day nine the third story Master Simone at the instance of Bruno and Bufo Macco and Nello makes Caladrino believe that he is with child Caladrino accordingly gives them capons and money for medicines and is cured without being delivered when Elisa had ended the story and all had given thanks to God that he had washed saved the young nun a happy escape from the fangs of her envious companions the queen made filestrata full of suit without expecting a second command thus filestrato began fairest my ladies the uncouth judge from the marches or whom I told you yesterday took from the tip of my tongue a story of Caladrino which I was on the point of narrating and as not can be said of him without mightily enhancing our jollity albeit not a little has already been said touching him and his comrades I will now give you the story which I had meant yesterday to give you who there were this Caladrino and the others that I am to tell of in this story has already been sufficiently explained wherefore without much ado I say that one of Caladrino's aunts having died leaving him two hundred pounds in petty cash Caladrino gave out that he was minded to purchase an estate and as if he had ten thousand florins of gold to invest engaged every broker in Florence to treat for him negotiation always falling through as soon as the price was named Bruno and Bufo Mako knowing what was afoot told him again and again that he better give himself a jolly time with them than go out about buying earth as if he must need make pellets but so far were they from affecting their purpose that they could not even prevail upon him to give them a single meal where at as one day they grumbled being joined by a comrade of theirs one Nello also a painter they all three took counsel how they might wet their whistle at Caladrino's expense and their plans soon being concerted the next morning Caladrino was scarce gone out when Nello met him saying good day Caladrino where to? Caladrino replied God give thee a good day and a good year Nello then drew back a little and looking him steadily in the face until what seeest thou to stare at quote Caladrino thou hadest no pain in the night returned Nello thou seemest not thyself to me which Caladrino no sooner heard than he began to be disquieted and alas how sayeth thou what takeest thou to be the matter with me why as to that I have nothing to say returned Nello but thou seemest to be quite changed perchanced is not what I suppose and with that he left him Caladrino anxious though he could not in the least have said why went on and soon Bufo Malco was not far off and had observed him part from Nello made up to him and greeted him asking him if he was not in pain I cannot say replied Caladrino twas but now that Nello told me that I looked quite changed can it be that there is ought the matter with me all I indeed there might be a trifle the matter with thee thou lookest to be half dead man Caladrino now began to think he must have a fever then up came Bruno and the first thing he said was why Caladrino how ill thou lookest thy appearance is that of a corpse how dost thou feel to be thus accosted by all three left no doubt in Caladrino's mind that he was ill and so what shall I do quoth he in a great fright my advice replied Bruno is that thou go home and get thee to bed and cover thee well up and send thy water to master Simone who as thou knowest is such a friend of ours he will tell thee at once what thou must do and we will come to see thee and will do ought that may be needful and Nello then joining them they all three went home with Caladrino who now quite spent went straight to his room and said to his wife come now wrap me up well I feel very ill and so he laid himself on the bed and sent a maid with his water to master Simone who had then his shop in the Mercato Vecchio at the sign of the pumpkin whereupon quoth Bruno to his comrades you will stay here with him and I will go here what the doctor has to say and if need be will bring him hither Prithee do so my friend quoth Caladrino and bring me word how it is with me for I feel is how I cannot say in my inside so Bruno hide him to master Simone and before the maid arrived with the water told him what was afoot the master thus primed inspected the water and then said to the maid go tell Caladrino to keep himself very warm I will come at once and let him know what is the matter with him and what he must do with which message the maid was scarce returned when the master and Bruno arrived and the master having seated himself beside Caladrino felt his pulse and by and by in the presence of his wife said Harky Caladrino I will speak to thee as a friend and I tell thee that what is amiss with thee is just that thou art with child whereupon Caladrino cried out queriously like doing Tessa for thou must needs be uppermost I told thee plainly what would come of it where at the lady being not a little modest colored from brow to neck and with downcast eyes withdrew from the room saying never a word by way of answer Caladrino ran on the same plaintive stream alas woes me what shall I do how shall I be delivered of this child what passage can it find ah I see only too plainly that the lasciviousness of this wife of mine has been the death of me God make her wretched as I would feign be happy where I as well as I am not I would get me up and thrash her till I left not a whole bone in her body albeit it does but serve me right for letting her get the upper place but if I win through this she will never have it again verily she might pine to death for it but she should not have it which to hear Bruno and Bufomaco and Nello were like to burst with suppressed laughter and master Schimione laughed so frantically that all his teeth were ready to start from his jaws however at length an answer to Caladrino's appeals and entreaties for counsel and socor Caladrino, quote the master thou mayest dismiss thy fears for God be praised we are apprised of thy state in such good time that with but little trouble in the course of a few days I shall set thee right but to a cost a little woe is me returned to Caladrino be it so master for the love of God I have here two hundred pounds with which I had thoughts of buying an estate take them all all if you must have all so only I may escape being delivered for I know not how I should manage it seeing that women a bit is much easier for them do make such a noise in the hour of their labor that I misdoubt me if I suffered so I should die before I was delivered this quiet not thyself said the doctor I have a potion distilled for thee of rarer virtue it is and not a little palatable and in the course of three days will purge thee of all and leave thee in better fettle than a fish but thou will do well to be careful of your own actions again now to make this potion we must have three pair of good fat capons and for Diver's other ingredients that will give one of thy friends here five pounds and small change to purchase them and that will have everything sent to my shop and so please God I will send thee this distilled potion tomorrow morning and that will have a good beaker full each time where upon be it as you bid master mine quote Caledrino and handing Bruno five pounds and money enough to purchase three pair of capons he begged him if we were not too much trouble to do him the service to buy these things for him so away went the doctor and made a little decoction by way of drought and sent it to him Bruno bought the capons and everything else that was needful to furnish the feast with which he and his comrades and the doctor regaled them Caledrino drank of the decoction for three mornings after which he had a visit from his friends and the doctor who felt his pulse and then beyond a doubt Caledrino quote he thou art cured and so thou hast no more occasion to keep indoors but needless have no fear to do whatever thou hast a mind to do much relieved Caledrino got up and resumed his accustomed way of life and wherever he found anyone to talk to was loud in praise of master Simone for the excellent manner in which he had cured him causing him in three days without the least suffering to be quit of his pregnancy and Bruno and Bufo Macco and Nello was not a little pleased with themselves that they had so cleverly got the better of Caledrino's niggerliness albeit Mona Tessa who was not to see murmured not a little against her husband End of Day 9 The Third Story