Page 176 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

Lusca, undeterred by his response, rejoined: the boon Fortune offers you; do not repulse her. Go to meet her and
The Decameron as my lady bids me, whether it pleases or irks you. But you are a wish for death."
"I will speak to you, Pyrrhus, of these and all other matters as often
hail her advance. If you do not, you will regret it so often that you will
blockhead."
Since he had last seen Lusca, Pyrrhus had pondered her words and
Somewhat annoyed, Lusca returned to her lady with Pyrrhus' answer.
decided that if she came again, he would comply with the lady's
The lady was devastated but resumed the topic a few days later, saying:
"Lusca, you know that the first stroke does not fell the oak. Go back
to this strange man who shows his loyalty at my expense. Choose a desires, provided he was assured she was not testing him. He replied:
"Lusca, I acknowledge the truth of what you say. But I know my lord
convenient time, declare all my passion, and do your best to carry is wise and wary, and as he has entrusted all his affairs to me, I fear
the affair through. If it lapses, it will be the death of me. Besides, he Lydia does this with his approval and advice to test me. Let her do
will think we trifled with him, and instead of his love, we will earn his three things to assure me, and then I will obey her in all things. First,
hatred." let her kill Nicostratus' fine sparrow-hawk in his presence. Then she
must send me a lock of Nicostratus' beard and one of his best teeth."
After comforting the lady, Lusca sought out Pyrrhus, whom she found
in a good mood, and addressed him: "Pyrrhus, it has not been many These terms seemed hard to Lusca and even harder to the lady, but
days since I told you how ardent the flame of love is that consumes Love, the great supporter of enterprise and master of stratagem, gave
your lady and mine. If you do not relent from your harshness, her her the resolve to address them. Through Lusca, she sent word that she
life will be short. Please give her solace, and if you persist in your would do what he required without delay. She also told him that she
obduracy, I will deem you a great fool. How flattered you should be would contrive for them to enjoy each other in Nicostratus' presence,
to know you are loved above all else by a lady so beautiful and high- making him believe it was a mere show. Pyrrhus anxiously awaited what
born! How indebted you should feel to Fortune for offering you such the lady would do. Some days passed, and then Nicostratus hosted a
a great boon, suited to your youth and likely to be of service to you in great breakfast for certain gentlemen. When the tables were cleared,
need! Think if any of your equals have a life more agreeable than yours Lydia, dressed in green samite and richly adorned, came out of her
will be if you are wise. Which of them will be as well furnished with chamber into the hall where they sat. Before the eyes of Pyrrhus and
arms, horses, clothes, and money as you will be if you give my lady the rest of the company, she went to the perch where Nicostratus'
your love? Receive my words with an open mind; be yourself again. prized sparrow-hawk stood. She loosed the bird, and as if she intended
Remember that Fortune confronts a man but once with a smiling face to carry it on her hand, she took it by the jesses and dashed it against
and open lap. If he does not accept her bounty, he has only himself the wall, killing it.
to blame if he later finds himself in want. Besides, no such loyalty is
demanded between servants and their masters as between friends and "Why have you done that?" exclaimed Nicostratus. She gave no
kin. Servants should behave towards their masters as their masters answer but turned to the gentlemen who had dined with him and said,
behave towards them. Do you think that if you had a fair wife, mother, "How could I take vengeance on a king who wronged me if I lacked
daughter, or sister that found favor in Nicostratus' eyes, he would be the courage to avenge myself on a sparrow-hawk? You should know
as scrupulous about loyalty as you are with his lady? You are a fool that this bird has long cheated me of the time that should be devoted
if you believe that. Be sure that if blandishments and supplications by gentlemen to pleasuring their ladies. At the first light of dawn,
did not suffice, he would resort to force. Let us observe the same Nicostratus has been up, mounted his horse, and with the hawk in
rule towards them and theirs as they do towards us and ours. Take
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