Page 101 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Fourth Day | The Fourth Novell Guglielmo the Second, King of Sicily, had two children: a son named
Storyteller: Elissa Ruggieri and a daughter named Gostanza. Ruggieri died before his
father, leaving a son named Gerbino. Raised by his grandfather,
Gerbino, against his grandfather King Gulielmo's promise, Gerbino grew into a gallant and renowned figure, known for his
attacked a ship at sea belonging to the King of Tunis to rescue prowess and courtesy not only in Sicily but also in other parts of
the king's daughter, who was on board. The captors killed her, the world, including Barbary, then a tributary to the King of Sicily.
so he killed them in return. Ultimately, Gerbino was beheaded Among those who heard of Gerbino's magnificent deeds was the
for his actions. daughter of the King of Tunis, a creature as fair and noble as Nature
ever formed. She delighted in tales of brave men and became
enamored with Gerbino through the stories she heard. She spoke
of him often and with great pleasure.

Similarly, the fame of her incomparable beauty and virtues reached
Sicily and delighted Gerbino, who burned with love for her. Yearning
to see her, he charged every friend traveling to Tunis to convey
his secret love and bring back news of her. One friend, posing as
a merchant with jewels, informed her of Gerbino's passion and
placed him and all he possessed at her disposal. The lady, delighted,
reciprocated his love and sent him one of her most precious jewels.
Gerbino, overjoyed, sent her many letters and gifts through the
same messenger. They understood that, given the opportunity,
they would see and know each other.
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE). The affair remained unresolved for longer than was wise, and while
Gerbino and the lady burned with mutual love, the King of Tunis
arranged her marriage to the King of Granada. She was furious,
feeling severed from her lover and unable to see a way to escape.
When Lauretta finished her story, she fell silent. The king, deep in
Gerbino, upon learning of the marriage, was equally vexed and
thought, brooded while the company commented on the lovers'
considered rescuing her by force. Rumors of Gerbino's love and
sad fates or criticized Ninette's wrath. Eventually, the king roused
intent reached the King of Tunis, who, fearing Gerbino's prowess,
himself and signaled to Elisa to speak. Modestly, Elisa began:
sought assurance from King Guglielmo that the marriage could
"Gracious ladies, many believe that Love only strikes when kindled
proceed without interference. Unaware of Gerbino's love, King
by the eyes, dismissing the idea that passion can be sparked by
Guglielmo granted the assurance.
words. Their error will be evident in the story I am about to tell,
where mere rumor not only created mutual love between two
The King of Tunis prepared a great ship to send his daughter to
people who had never seen each other but also led to their tragic
Granada. The lady, seeing this, sent a servant to Palermo to inform
deaths.
Gerbino of her impending departure and challenge him to prove
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The Decameron