Page 209 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The queen's story moved the ladies to laughter so much that it of a lady named Jancofiore, who plied the shears. Noticing her
brought tears to their eyes multiple times. When it ended, and attention and thinking she was a great lady, he believed she
Dioneo knew it was his turn, he spoke: 'Gracious ladies, it's clear was taken by his good looks and began to pass by her house
that tricks are entertaining in proportion to the cleverness of discreetly. Observing this, Jancofiore spent a few days inflaming
the person being tricked. Although you have all told wonderful his passion and then, pretending to be dying of love for him,
stories, I intend to share one that should bring you more pleasure sent a woman in her service, skilled in the arts of a procuress,
than any told so far, as the person tricked was more cunning in to him. The woman, after much talk, told him, with tears almost
deceiving others than any of those you have mentioned. in her eyes, that her mistress was so enamored of him that she
found no peace day or night. She desired to meet him privately
There was, and perhaps still is, a custom in all maritime countries at a bathhouse and gave him a ring as a token from her mistress.
with ports that all merchants arriving with merchandise should Overjoyed, Salabaetto took the ring, kissed it, and put it on his
bring their goods to a warehouse, called in many places "customs finger, telling the woman that if Madonna Jancofiore loved him,
house," maintained by the state or the lord of the land. The she was well-requited, for he loved her more dearly than himself
officers of the customs house assign each merchant a room to and was ready to meet her whenever and wherever she wished.
store their goods under lock and key upon receipt of an invoice The procuress returned to her mistress with this answer, and
of all their goods and their value. The officers then enter all the shortly afterward, Salabaetto was informed to meet the lady at
merchant's goods into the customs house's book and later make a certain bathhouse at vespers the next day.
the merchant pay duty on them or on the part they withdraw
from the warehouse. By this book, brokers find out the types Saying nothing to anyone, he went to the bathhouse at the
and quantities of merchandise there and who the owners are, appointed hour and found it had been reserved by the lady.
with whom they later negotiate exchanges, barters, sales, and Soon, two female slaves arrived, one carrying a large mattress
other transactions. This custom was also in place at Palermo and the other a well-filled basket. They set up the mattress on
in Sicily, where there were and still are many beautiful women a bedstead in one of the rooms, covered it with fine sheets
who, though appearing virtuous, are actually foes to virtue. They bordered with silk, a quilt of white Cyprus buckram, and two
fleece and flay men, finding out from the customs house's book embroidered pillows. The slaves then undressed and got into
how much a foreign merchant has and what he is worth. They the bath, thoroughly washing and scrubbing it. Shortly after, the
then use caresses, amorous looks, gestures, and sweet words lady arrived with two other female slaves, greeted Salabaetto
to entice and allure the merchant to their love, often succeeding warmly, and after many sighs, embraced and kissed him. 'I don't
in taking a large part or all of his merchandise, and sometimes know who but you could have brought me to this, such a fire
even his goods, ship, and everything else. you have kindled in my soul, little dog of a Tuscan!' she said.
She then had them undress and get into the bath with two of
Not long ago, a young Florentine named Niccolo da Cignano, the slaves. She personally washed Salabaetto from head to foot
also known as Salabaetto, arrived in Palermo. He was sent by with soap perfumed with musk and cloves, then let the slaves
his masters with all the woolen goods he couldn't sell at the wash and shampoo her. The slaves brought two spotless sheets
Salerno fair, worth about five hundred florins of gold. After giving emitting a scent of roses, wrapped Salabaetto in one and the
the invoice to the customs house officers and storing the goods, lady in the other, and carried them both to bed. Once they had
Salabaetto took a few strolls around the city for his amusement. finished sweating, the slaves removed the sheets, leaving them
Being fresh-complexioned, fair, and debonair, he caught the eye
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The Decameron