Page 128 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron remember losing a little daughter of the age Giacomino mentioned The Fifth Day | The Sixth Novell
during those troubles." Guglielmo then said, "It must be her. I once
Storyteller: Pampinea
heard Guidotto describe the house he had sacked, and I knew it was
yours. Think if there is any mark by which you could recognize her,
Guion di Procida was discovered in a private conversation with a
and let her be examined to confirm she is your daughter."
young lady he loved, who had previously been pledged to Frederigo,
King of Sicily. He was bound to a stake to be burned alive for his
Bernabuccio pondered for a moment and remembered that his
daughter had a scar shaped like a tiny cross above her left ear, where
Lord Admiral of Sicily, who intervened, saved and marries her.
he had removed a tumor shortly before the incident. He immediately actions. However, she was recognized by Don Rogiero de Oria, the
went to Giacomino, who was still there, and asked to see the girl.
Giacomino agreed, and when the girl was brought before Bernabuccio,
he saw her face and was struck by her resemblance to her mother.
However, he wanted to be sure and asked Giacomino for permission
to lift a lock of her hair above her left ear. Giacomino consented, and
Bernabuccio, seeing the cross-shaped scar, knew she was indeed
his daughter. He wept and embraced her tenderly, despite her initial
resistance. Turning to Giacomino, he said, "My brother, this girl is
my daughter. It was my house that Guidotto sacked, and the assault
was so sudden that my wife, her mother, forgot her. We have always
believed that she perished in the flames when our house burned
that same day."

Hearing his words and seeing his advanced age, the girl began to
believe him and, driven by some instinct, allowed his embraces
and mingled her tears with his. Bernabuccio immediately sent
for her mother, sisters, and other relatives, and after they had all
embraced her and heard the story, he brought her home with great
joy. The Governor of the city, learning of the situation and knowing
that Giannole, whom he had in custody, was Bernabuccio's son and
the girl's brother, decided to be lenient with Giannole. He mediated
between Bernabuccio, Giacomino, Giannole, and Minghino, and
arranged for Agnesa, the girl's name, to marry Minghino. This brought
great joy to Minghino's family, and the Governor released Giannole,
Minghino, Crivello, and their accomplices.

Minghino, with a joyful heart, married Agnesa with all due pomp and
ceremony and brought her home, where they lived in peace and 1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
prosperity for many years. 29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
124
The Decameron