Page 118 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron surrendered, acknowledging themselves as his prisoners. In recompense for releasing the Rhodian gallants, Cimon and
his men were spared execution but condemned to perpetual
imprisonment. They despaired of ever knowing happiness again.
Cimon explained that he attacked not out of lust for booty or
However, Fortune, as if repenting her earlier actions, now arranged
enmity but to claim Iphigenia, whom he loved more than anything.
for Cimon's deliverance. Pasimondas, eager to marry Iphigenia,
He asked them to yield her to him and go their way. The Rhodians,
accelerated his nuptials. He had a brother, Hormisdas, who was
yielding to force, surrendered Iphigenia to Cimon. He reassured her,
contracted to marry Cassandra, a noble damsel of Rhodes, whom
saying that his long love had established a better right to her than
Pasimondas. He sent her aboard his ship and let the Rhodians go.
Lysimachus loved. To avoid repeating the pomp and expense,
Pasimondas arranged for Hormisdas to marry Cassandra on the
Cimon, overjoyed to have won Iphigenia, struggled to assuage same day.
her grief. After consulting with his comrades, they decided not to
return to Cyprus but to sail to Crete, where they had friends and Lysimachus, mortified by this arrangement, saw no other means
alliances. However, Fortune soon turned against them. A turbulent to thwart it but to carry Cassandra off. He deemed it dishonorable
and tempestuous night brought scathing blasts and clouds, making due to his office but decided to proceed. He remembered Cimon,
it impossible to work or steer the ship. Cimon, his comrades, and imprisoned with his men, and thought Cimon would be a trustworthy
Iphigenia were all downcast. Iphigenia, weeping bitterly, cursed associate. That night, he brought Cimon to his room and addressed
Cimon's love and rashness, believing the tempest was a divine him, explaining that the gods had tested his worth through love
punishment for their presumptuous intent to marry against the and imprisonment. He revealed that Pasimondas hastened his
gods' will. nuptials with Iphigenia, and Hormisdas sought to marry Cassandra,
whom Lysimachus loved. Lysimachus proposed that they take up
While they bewailed their fate and the mariners were at their wits' swords and reclaim their ladies, with Cimon recovering Iphigenia
end as the gale grew more violent, they unknowingly drew near and Lysimachus winning Cassandra.
the island of Rhodes. They set themselves to run the ship aground
as best they could, and Fortune favored them, bringing them into These words restored Cimon's heart and hope. Without much
a little bay where the Rhodian ship that Cimon had released had pondering, he replied, "Lysimachus, you could not have a stouter
also arrived. As day broke, they realized they were about a bow- or more staunch comrade than I for such an enterprise. Lay
shot from the Rhodian ship. Cimon, apprehensive of what might upon me whatever task you deem fit, and you will marvel at my
happen, ordered his men to make every effort to leave the bay, performance." Lysimachus then said, "On the third day from now,
but the gale thwarted them, driving them ashore. the brides will enter their husbands' houses. On that same evening,
we will enter in arms, you with your men and I with some of mine,
Once ashore, they were recognized by the Rhodian mariners, who whom I trust greatly. We will force our way among the guests,
quickly informed the Rhodian gallants. The gallants, overjoyed, slaughtering any who oppose us, and bear the ladies off to a ship
took farm-servants with them and hurried to the shore, capturing I have prepared."
Cimon, his men, and Iphigenia. They were taken to a farm and
then, by order of the Senate of Rhodes, marched off to prison by Cimon approved the plan and kept quiet in prison until the
Lysimachus, the chief magistrate of the Rhodians. Thus, Cimon lost appointed time. When the day came, the nuptials were celebrated
Iphigenia before he had more than a kiss or two from her. Iphigenia with great pomp and magnificence, filling the houses of the two
was comforted by noble ladies of Rhodes until her wedding day. brothers with festal cheer. Lysimachus, having made all necessary
preparations and fired up Cimon, his men, and his own friends with
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The Decameron