Page 169 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

Messer Lambertuccio dismounted, fastened his horse, and arrived, shouting, 'Where art thou, traitor?' I blocked the
ascended the stairs. The lady greeted him with a smile and as doorway, preventing him from entering. After much parley, he
warm a welcome as she could muster, asking him why he had left, as you saw."
come. The gentleman embraced and kissed her, saying, "My
dear, I heard your husband is not here, so I have come to stay "Wife," said the husband, "you did very right. Great indeed would
with you for a while." They went into the room and locked the have been the scandal if someone had been slain here. It was
door, and Messer Lambertuccio began toying with her. a gross affront for Messer Lambertuccio to pursue a fugitive
While they were together, the lady's husband unexpectedly into the house." He then asked where the young man was. The
returned home. As he approached the palace, the maid saw him lady replied, "I do not know where he is hiding." "Where are
and quickly informed the lady, saying, "Madam, the master will you?" called the knight. "Fear not to show yourself." Leonetto,
be here soon; I think he is already in the courtyard." The lady, trembling, crept out of his hiding place. "What have you to do
having two men in the house and unable to hide the knight's with Messer Lambertuccio?" asked the knight. "Nothing in the
horse in the courtyard, feared the worst. She quickly devised a world," replied Leonetto. "He must be out of his mind or have
plan and sprang out of bed, saying to Messer Lambertuccio, "Sir, mistaken me for someone else. He saw me in the street and
if you care for me and want to save my life, do as I say. Draw drew his sword, shouting, 'Traitor, you are a dead man.' I fled
your sword, put on an angry face, and go downstairs, saying, 'By and sought refuge here, thanks to God and this gentlewoman."
God, he shall not escape me elsewhere.' If my husband tries to
stop you or asks you anything, say nothing but what I have told "Now away with your fears," said the knight. "I will see you
you and leave immediately." "To hear is to obey," said Messer home safely, and then you can decide how to deal with him."
Lambertuccio, who, still flushed from his recent exertion and After they had supped, the knight set Leonetto on horseback
angry at the husband's return, did as she instructed. and escorted him to Florence, ensuring he was safe in his own
house. That evening, following the lady's instructions, Leonetto
The lady's husband, surprised to see the horse in the courtyard, spoke privately with Messer Lambertuccio and resolved the
was about to go upstairs when he saw Messer Lambertuccio matter. Though it occasioned much talk, the knight never knew
coming down with a drawn sword and an angry expression. how he had been tricked by his wife.
"What means this, Sir?" he asked. But Messer Lambertuccio
mounted his horse, saying only, "Zounds, but I will meet him
elsewhere," and rode off.

The gentleman ascended the stairs and found his lady distraught
with terror. "What is this? After whom goes Messer Lambertuccio
so wrathful and menacing?" he asked. The lady, drawing nearer
the room so Leonetto could hear, replied, "Never have I been
so frightened. A young man, a stranger to me, came running in
here with Messer Lambertuccio at his heels, sword drawn. The
young man found the door of this room open and, trembling,
cried out, 'Madam, your help, for God's sake, that I die not in
your arms.' I got up to ask who he was, but Messer Lambertuccio
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