Page 151 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

There was once a statute in the city of Prato that was both harsh and those conditions, as it binds only us poor women, in whom being liberal
censurable. It made no distinction between a wife caught in adultery with is much less reprehensible than it is in men. Furthermore, no woman's
her lover and a woman found pleasuring a stranger for money, condemning consent was even asked before it was made. For these reasons, it justly
both to be burned. While this statute was in force, it happened that a deserves to be called a bad law. However, if you are minded to enforce
gentlewoman named Madonna Filippa, who was fair and deeply in love, it to the detriment of my body and your own soul, that is your affair. But
was found by her husband, Rinaldo de' Pugliesi, in her own chamber I pray you, do not proceed until you have granted me this trifling grace:
one night in the arms of Lazzarino de' Guazzagliotri, a handsome young ask my husband if I ever denied him, but rather granted him complete
noble of the same city, whom she loved as much as herself. Rinaldo, very enjoyment of myself whenever he craved it."
angry, barely refrained from killing them on the spot. He only held back
because he doubted how he would fare afterwards. Though he mastered Rinaldo, without waiting for the Podesta's question, answered that the lady
himself, he could not resist using the statute to achieve what he could not had always granted him all he asked for his gratification. "Then," continued
otherwise lawfully achieve: the death of his wife. Having all the evidence the lady, "if he has always had as much of me as he needed for his solace,
needed to prove her guilt, he took no further counsel and, as soon as it what was I to do with the surplus? Should I cast it to the dogs? Is it not
was day, charged the lady and had her summoned. much better to bestow it on a gentleman who loves me more dearly than
himself than to let it go to waste or worse?"
Like most truly enamored ladies, Madonna Filippa was of high courage.
Despite the efforts of her friends and family to dissuade her, she resolved The jocund question was heard by nearly all the folk of Prato, who had
to appear before the summons. She preferred to die bravely confessing flocked to see a dame so fair and of such quality on trial for such an offense.
the truth rather than flee and live in exile, showing herself unworthy of the They laughed loud and long, and then all with one accord exclaimed that
lover who had held her in his arms that night. So, attended by many ladies the lady was right and had spoken well. They did not leave the court until,
and gentlemen who all exhorted her to deny the charge, she came before in concert with the Podesta, they had altered the harsh statute so that
the Podesta. With a composed air and unfaltering voice, she asked what he henceforth only women who wronged their husbands for money would
would interrogate her about. The Podesta, noting her extraordinary beauty, be subject to it.
exquisite manners, and high courage, was touched with compassion for Rinaldo left the court, discomfited by his foolish enterprise, and the lady,
her. He feared she might make some admission that would force him to blithe and free, as if brought back to life from the burning, went home
do her to death to save his honor. However, he could not refrain from triumphant.
examining her about the charge. He said, "Madam, here is your husband,
Rinaldo, who charges you with adultery. He demands that, pursuant to a
statute in force here, I punish you with death. But I may not do so unless
you confess. Be very careful what you answer and tell me if what your
husband alleges is true."

The lady, undismayed and in a jocund tone, answered, "It is true, Sir,
that Rinaldo is my husband, and that last night he found me in the arms
of Lazzarino, in whose arms I have often lain for the wholehearted love I
bear him. I will never deny it. But, as you know, laws should be common
and enacted with the common consent of all they affect. This law lacks

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