Page 178 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron mad?" "Nay, Madam," said Pyrrhus, "I am not mad. Do you think I do The Seventh Day | The Tenth Novell
not see you?" Nicostratus marveled and said, "Pyrrhus, I believe you
Storyteller: Dioneo
are dreaming." "Nay, my lord," replied Pyrrhus, "I am not dreaming. I
saw you lying upon your wife, and when I came down, I saw you get up
Two citizens of Siena, Tingoccio Mini and Meucio di Tura, were
and sit here." "You were certainly deluded," said Nicostratus. "Since
both enamored with a woman named Monna Mita, to whom
you climbed the tree, we have not moved." "Why make more words
one of them was a close friend. The friend died and appeared
about it?" said Pyrrhus. "I saw you lying upon your wife."
about the strange wonders he had seen in the other world.
Nicostratus' wonder grew, and he said, "I am minded to see if this pear afterward to his companion, as he had promised, and told him
tree is enchanted, so that whoever is in it sees marvels." He climbed
the tree, and Lydia and Pyrrhus began disporting themselves. Seeing
this, Nicostratus exclaimed, "Ah! Lewd woman, what is this you do?
And you, Pyrrhus, in whom I so much trusted!" He began to climb
down, and Lydia and Pyrrhus resumed their previous positions. When
Nicostratus came down, he saw them as they had been and began to
scold them. Pyrrhus said, "Nicostratus, I now acknowledge that what
I saw in the pear tree was a false show. I see now that you also saw
a false show. Your wife, who is virtuous and discreet, would never
dishonor you before your eyes. I would rather be hewn in pieces than
think of such a thing, much less do it in your presence. It is evident
that the pear tree causes illusions of sight."

1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
The lady, with a resentful expression, burst out, "Shame on you, if you
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
think so little of me as to suppose I would dishonor you before your
eyes! For such a purpose, I would use one of our chambers and ensure
you never knew of it." Nicostratus, hearing both, believed they would
never venture such an act in his presence. He passed from scolding In Siena, in Porta Salaia, there lived two young men named Tingoccio
to marveling at the singularity of the thing. The lady, distressed that Mini and Meuccio di Tura. They were very close friends and rarely
Nicostratus thought ill of her, said, "No woman shall again suffer seen apart. They often went to church and listened to sermons
loss of honor by this pear tree. Run, Pyrrhus, and bring an axe to fell about the glory and woe that souls experience in the afterlife
it." Pyrrhus fetched the axe and felled the tree. The lady, turning to according to their deeds. Wanting more certainty, they agreed
Nicostratus, said, "Now that this foe of my honor is fallen, my wrath that whichever of them died first would return to inform the other
is gone." Nicostratus, craving her pardon, received it graciously, and about the afterlife. They confirmed this agreement with an oath.
she bid him never again think such a thing of her.
After making this pact, Tingoccio became the godfather to a child
The poor duped husband returned with her and her lover to the palace, of Ambruogio Anselmini and his wife, Monna Mita. Monna Mita
where Pyrrhus and Lydia enjoyed their time together more freely. God was very beautiful and amorous. Tingoccio often visited her as
grant us the like.
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The Decameron