Page 136 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron wished for, promising to get it for him if possible. Eventually, Though his poverty was extreme, Federigo had not fully realized
the boy said, "Mother, please get me Federigo's falcon, and I am
the extent of his need until that morning. He could find nothing
to honor the lady, for love of whom he had once entertained
sure I will get better." The lady was silent for a while, pondering
many guests. Distressed and cursing his misfortune, he searched
what to do. She knew Federigo had long loved her and had
everywhere but found no money or anything to pawn. As it
never received even a kind look from her. She thought, "How
grew late, he longed for the lady not to leave his house without
can I ask him for this falcon, which is the best that ever flew
and his only comfort? How could I be so heartless as to deprive
own servant for help. In desperation, his eyes fell on his prized
him of his one solace?" Though she knew she could have the
falcon for the asking, she was perplexed and gave her son no being honored, but his pride prevented him from asking his
falcon on its perch. As a last resort, he took the bird, wrung
answer. However, her love for her son eventually won out, and its neck, and had his maid pluck and roast it. He still had some
she decided to go herself to fetch the falcon. She said, "Be of spotless table linen, so he set the table with it and, with a
good cheer, my son, and doubt not you will soon be well; for I cheerful countenance, returned to the garden to tell the lady
promise you that the very first thing I shall do tomorrow morning that breakfast was ready. The lady and her companion rose and
is to go and fetch you the falcon." The child was so pleased that came to the table, where they ate the falcon, not knowing what
he began to improve that very day. it was, while Federigo waited on them faithfully.

The next morning, the lady, as if for pleasure, went with another When they had risen from the table and spent some time in
lady to Federigo's little house and asked to see him. It had not pleasant conversation, the lady decided it was time to reveal the
been weather for hawking for several days, and Federigo was reason for her visit. Graciously addressing Federigo, she began:
in his garden, busy with some small tasks. When he heard that "Federigo, by what you remember of your past life and my
Monna Giovanna was at the door, he was surprised and pleased virtue, which you may have deemed harshness and cruelty, I
and hurried to meet her. She greeted him with grace and said, doubt not you must marvel at my presumption when you hear
"Good morning, Federigo. I have come to repay you for what the main purpose of my visit. But if you had sons, or had had
you have lost by loving me more than you should: I and this them, so that you might know the full force of the love borne
lady will have breakfast with you this morning." Federigo replied for them, I should make no doubt that you would hold me in
humbly, "Madam, I have never lost anything by loving you, but part excused. Nor, having a son, may I, for that you have none,
rather have been so much benefited that if I ever deserved well claim exemption from the laws to which all other mothers are
in anything, it was due to your merit and the love I bore you. If subject. Being thus bound to own their sway, I must, though I
I still had as much to spend as I have spent in the past, I would wish I were not, and though it is neither meet nor right, crave
not value it as much as this visit you pay me, coming as you do of you that which I know you prize most highly, seeing that this
to one who can offer you only humble hospitality." With some extremity of your adverse fortune has left you nothing else to
embarrassment, he welcomed her to his house and led her into delight, divert, and console you. This gift is no other than your
his garden. Having no one else to present as a companion, he falcon, on which my boy has set his heart. If I do not bring it
said, "Madam, as there is no one else here, this good woman, to him, I fear he will grow so much worse from his illness that
the wife of this husbandman, will keep you company while I go I may lose him. And so, not for the love you bear me, which
to set the table." may not bind you, but for that nobleness of temper, of which
in courtesy you have given proof, I implore you to give me the

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