Page 207 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

great size. He will snort and bound around the piazza to terrify you, but beast. Meanwhile, Buffalmacco, a tall and strong man, provided himself
when he sees you are not afraid, he will approach quietly. When he is with one of those dominos worn in certain revels now out of fashion.
close, get down from the tomb, fear nothing, and mount him. Once you Enveloped in a black pelisse turned inside out, he looked like a bear, except
are on his back, fold your arms on your chest in submission and touch the domino had the face of a devil and was furnished with horns. Bruno
him no more. He will then bear you to us gently. But if you think of God or followed close behind to see the sport. Buffalmacco went to the piazza
the saints or give way to fear, he might throw you off or dash you against of Santa Maria Novella and, knowing the Master was on the tomb, began
something unpleasant. If your heart misgives you, it is best not to come, careering wildly to and fro, snorting, bellowing, and gibbering like one
for you would do yourself harm and us no good." The doctor replied, "You demented. The Master, seeing him, trembled in every limb, being more
do not know me yet; perhaps because I wear gloves and a long robe, you timid than a woman, and wished himself safe at home. But he strove to
doubt me. Ah! If you knew the feats I have done in Bologna when I used keep his spirits up, so great was his desire to see the marvels Bruno and
to go after women with my comrades, you would be amazed. God's faith! Buffalmacco had told him about. After a while, Buffalmacco allowed his
One night, there was a poor sickly woman who stood not a cubit in height fury to abate and came quietly up to the tomb, standing still. The Master,
and would not come with us. I gave her many good cuffs, then took her still trembling with fear, hesitated to get on the beast's back but eventually
by force and carried her nearly as far as a crossbow bolt flies, making her overcame his dread, got down from the tomb, saying under his breath,
come with us. On another occasion, with only my servant, I passed by "God help me!" and seated himself on the beast's back. Still quaking, he
the cemetery of the Friars Minors after the hour of Ave Maria, though a folded his arms as instructed.
woman had been buried there that day, and I had no fear. So, rest assured,
I am a man of great courage and prowess. To appear before you with due Buffalmacco started, going on all fours at a slow pace, towards Santa
dignity, I will wear my scarlet gown, in which I took my doctor's degree. Maria della Scala, bringing the Master within a short distance of the
It remains to be seen if the company will not give me a hearty welcome Convent of the Ladies of Ripoli. In that quarter, there were trenches
and make me captain immediately. where the husbandmen discharged the Countess of Civillari to manure
their land. Buffalmacco skirted the edge of one trench and, seizing his
Let me be there, and you will see how things go. How is it that this opportunity, raised a hand, caught the doctor by one foot, and threw him
countess, who has not yet seen me, is already so enamored of me that headfirst into the trench. Making a terrific noise and frantic gestures, he
she wants to make me a Knight of the Bath? Whether I find knighthood bounded off towards the field of Ognissanti, where he found Bruno, who
agreeable or know how to support the dignity well or ill, leave that to had gone there to laugh at his ease. The two men, in high glee, took their
me." Buffalmacco replied, "Well said, excellent well said. But do not stand to observe from a distance how the bemired doctor would behave.
disappoint us by not coming or not being found when we send for you. The Master struggled to raise himself and get out, slipping back and
I say this because it is cold weather, and you medical gentlemen take swallowing some of the ordure. Bemired from head to foot, woebegone
great care of your health." The doctor replied, "God forbid, I am not one and crestfallen, he finally got out, leaving his hood behind. Removing as
of your chilly folk; I do not fear the cold. It is seldom that I leave my bed much filth as he could with his hands, he went home. After much knocking,
at night to answer the call of nature, as one must at times, that I do more he gained admittance. As soon as the door closed behind the malodorous
than throw a pelisse over my doublet. So rest assured, I shall be there." Master, Bruno and Buffalmacco were at it, eager to hear how he would
be received by his wife. They were rewarded by hearing her give him the
They parted, and towards nightfall, the Master found a pretext to leave soundest rating ever given to a bad husband. "Ah!" she said, "fine doings,
his wife, got out his fine gown, and donned it. He went to the tombs and these! You have been with another woman and wanted to make a brave
perched himself on one, huddling together against the cold, to await the show in your scarlet gown. So I was not enough for you! Not enough for

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