Page 158 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron The Seventh Day | The First Novell things, which he greatly prized and guarded with jealous care,
deeming them all most conducive to the salvation of his soul.
Storyteller: Emilia

Criticizing the simplicity of foolish husbands and revealing the
Now, our simple master-spinner had a most beautiful and amorous
wife named Monna Tessa. She was the daughter of Mannuccio
cunning of some women to achieve their unlawful desires. Gianni
dalla Cuculla and was quite knowing and keen-witted. Being
Lotteringhi was awakened one night by a knock at the door. His wife,
enamored of Federigo di Neri Pegolotti, a handsome and lusty
Monna Tessa, made him believe it was a spirit knocking. Together,
gallant who was also in love with her, she took counsel with her
they arose to conjure the "spirit" with a prayer.
maid and arranged for Federigo to come to chat with her at a
pleasure-house that Gianni had at Camerata, where she spent
the summer. Gianni would come now and again to sup and sleep,
then go back in the morning to his shop or to his laud-singers.
Federigo, who desired nothing better, went there punctually on
the appointed day about vespers. As the evening passed without
Gianni making his appearance, Federigo comfortably and to his
great satisfaction, supped and slept with the lady, who, lying
in his arms, taught him some of her husband's lauds that night.

Neither she nor Federigo wanted this beginning to be the end
of their relationship, so they came to an understanding. As
often as Federigo came and went between the house and an
estate he had a little higher up, he would keep an eye on a
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE). vineyard beside the house. There, he would see an ass's head
stuck on one of the poles of the vineyard. If he observed the
muzzle turned towards Florence, he could visit her without
any misgiving. If he found the door not open, he was to tap it
thrice, and she would open it. If he saw the muzzle of the ass's
There once lived in Florence, in the quarter of San Pancrazio,
head turned towards Fiesole, he was to keep away, for then
a master-spinner named Gianni Lotteringhi. He had prospered
Gianni would be there. Following this plan, they met not seldom.
in his business but had little understanding of anything else.

Being somewhat of a simpleton, he was often chosen as the
One evening, when Federigo was to sup with Monna Tessa on
leader of the band of laud-singers of Santa Maria Novella and
two fat capons she had boiled, Gianni arrived unexpectedly and
had charge of their school. He served in many similar offices,
very late, much to the lady's chagrin. She had a little salt meat
which he greatly prided himself on. However, this was only
boiled apart, on which she supped with her husband. The maid,
because he was a man of substance and gave liberal donations
by her orders, carried the two boiled capons laid in a spotless
to the Friars. In return, they taught him good prayers, gave him
napkin with plenty of fresh eggs and a bottle of good wine into
the Lord’s Prayer in the vernacular, or the chant of St. Alexis, or
the garden, where she sometimes supped with Federigo. The
the lament of St. Bernard, or the laud of Lady Matilda, or similar
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The Decameron