Page 184 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron Mazzo. She was a winsome and lusty country lass, brown as a berry and your husband on his way to town." Belcolore came down, took a seat, and
buxom enough, and more suited for his mill than any other. She was
began sifting cabbage seeds that her husband had recently threshed. After
a while, the priest began, "So, Belcolore, will you keep me dying like this?"
unmatched in playing the tabret and singing, and in leading a dance, no
Belcolore tittered and said, "Why, what do I do to you?" "Truly, nothing at
matter who was next to her, with a fair and dainty kerchief in her hand.
all," replied the priest, "but you don't let me do to you what I would like,
These charms so captivated the priest that he grew distracted with love for
and what God commands." "Now away with you!" returned Belcolore, "Do
her and spent all day loitering around the village, hoping to catch sight of
her. If he saw her in church on Sunday morning, he would strive mightily
to sing his Kyrie and Sanctus like a great singer, though his performance
than others. Why not? Our grinding is far better because it's intermittent.
And it's well worth your while to keep it secret and let me do it." "Worth
was more like the braying of an ass. If he didn't see her, he barely exerted priests do that sort of thing?" "Indeed we do," said the priest, "and better
himself at all. However, he managed with such discretion that neither my while!" exclaimed Belcolore. "How can that be? There's never one
Bentivegna del Mazzo nor any of the neighbors knew of his love. of you who wouldn't overreach the very Devil." "It's not for me to say,"
replied the priest. "Just tell me what you want: a pair of dainty shoes? A
Hoping to win Monna Belcolore's favor, he would send her presents from fillet? A gay ribbon? What's your wish?" "I have no lack of such things,"
time to time, such as a clove of fresh garlic, the best in the countryside, said Belcolore. "But if you wish me well, why not do me a service? Then
from his own garden, which he tilled with his own hands, or a basket of I would be at your command." "Name the service," said the priest, "and
beans, or a bunch of chives or shallots. When he thought it might serve gladly will I do it." Belcolore said, "On Saturday, I have to go to Florence
his purpose, he would give her a sly glance and follow it up with a little to deliver some wool I've spun and get my spinning wheel fixed. Lend me
amorous teasing, which she, with rustic awkwardness, pretended not five pounds—I know you have them—and I'll redeem my petticoat from
to understand, always maintaining her reserve. Thus, the priest made the pawnshop and the girdle I wear on saints' days, which I had when I
no headway. was married. Without them, I can't go to church or anywhere else. Then
I'll do just as you wish from then on." "So God give me a good year," said
One day, when the priest was aimlessly wandering the village at high the priest, "I don't have the money with me, but don't worry, I'll make
noon, he encountered Bentivegna del Mazzo at the tail of a well-laden sure you have it before Saturday with all the pleasure in life." "Ay, ay,"
donkey and greeted him, asking where he was going. "I'm going to town, replied Belcolore, "you all make great promises, but you never keep
having some business to attend to there, and I'm taking these things to them. Do you think you'll serve me as you did Biliuzza, whom you left in
Ser Buonaccorri da Ginestreto to get his support in a matter where the the lurch? God's faith, you won't. To think she turned to the world just
justice of the peace has summoned me," replied Bentivegna. "That's good, for that! If you don't have the money with you, go and get it." "Please,"
my son," said the priest, overjoyed. "My blessing go with you. Good luck said the priest, "don't send me home now. It's the perfect time, and the
and a speedy return. And if you see Lapuccio or Naldino, don't forget to coast is clear. It might not be so on my return, and I don't know when
tell them to send me those thongs for my flails." "It shall be done," said it would go as well as now." She replied, "Good; if you want to go, go; if
Bentivegna, and he continued on to Florence. not, stay where you are."

The priest, thinking now was his chance to visit Belcolore and try his luck, Seeing she wouldn't give him what he wanted on his terms but wanted
hurried to her house. Entering, he said, "God be gracious to us! Who is something in return, the priest changed his tone. "Look," he said, "you
within?" Belcolore, who was in the loft, answered, "Welcome, Sir; but doubt I'll bring you the money, so to set your mind at rest, I'll leave you this
what are you doing, wandering about in the heat?" "I hope for God's cloak, it's good sky-blue silk, as a pledge." Raising her head and glancing
blessing," he replied, "I just came to stay with you for a while, having met at the cloak, Belcolore asked, "And what is the cloak worth?" "Worth!"

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