Page 213 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

with or exchanged. The lady agreed that this was reasonable prove, but at least we shall have in you a fair one. Be it your care,
and excellent security. The next morning, she sent for a trusted then, that you exercise your authority in a manner answerable
broker, discussed the matter with him, and gave him a thousand to your charms.' With that, she resumed her seat.
florins of gold. The broker took the money to Salabaetto, and
they had all his goods at the customs house entered in the Not so much to receive the crown as to be commended to
broker's name. They made out the necessary documents, and her face and before the company for what ladies covet most,
the arrangement was concluded. Emilia was a little bashful. A tint like that of a newly-blown rose
spread over her face, and she stood silent with downcast eyes
Salabaetto wasted no time getting aboard a ship with his five for a while. Then, as the blush faded, she raised her eyes and,
hundred florins of gold. He went to Naples, sent a remittance to having given her seneschal her commands regarding all matters
fully discharge his obligation to his masters who had entrusted pertaining to the company, spoke: 'Sweet my ladies, it is common
him with the goods, paid all he owed to Pietro dello Canigiano experience that when oxen have worked part of the day under
and his other creditors, and had a good laugh with Canigiano over the yoke, they are relieved and allowed to seek their pasture
the trick he had played on the Sicilian lady. He then left Naples, at their own will in the woods. We also observe that gardens
intending to leave mercantile affairs behind, and went to Ferrara. luxuriant with diverse foliage are far more beautiful than woods
with only oaks. Therefore, I deem that, as our discourse has been
Jancofiore, surprised at first by Salabaetto's disappearance from confined within certain bounds for so many days, it will be both
Palermo, grew suspicious after a while. When she had waited fully fitting and beneficial for us, needing relaxation, to roam freely for
two months and saw that he did not return, she had the broker a while and so regain our strength to bear the yoke once more.
break open the store-rooms. Trying the casks first, she found
them full of sea-water, with perhaps a hog's-head of oil floating Thus, I am minded that tomorrow your discourse should not be
on the surface in each. Then, undoing the bales, she found them confined to any particular theme, but that you be at liberty to
all, except two that contained goods, full of tow. In short, their speak as each sees fit. I am confident that speaking of diverse
entire contents were worth no more than two hundred florins. matters will be no less pleasurable than limiting ourselves to
one topic. By this freedom, my successor in sovereignty will
Realizing she had been outdone, Jancofiore bitterly regretted the find you more vigorous and be more inclined to reimpose the
five hundred florins of gold she had refunded and the thousand usual restraint of our laws.' Having said this, she dismissed the
she had lent, often repeating to herself: 'Who with a Tuscan has company until supper-time.
to do, had need of eyesight quick and true.' Thus, left with the
loss and the laugh against her, she discovered that there were All approved the wisdom of the queen's words and, rising,
others as cunning as she. went to their various diversions: the ladies to weave garlands
and otherwise amuse themselves, the young men to play and
No sooner was Dioneo's story ended than Lauretta, knowing her sing. Thus, they whiled away the hours until supper-time. When
reign was over, praised Pietro Canigiano for his good counsel it came, they gathered around the fair fountain and took their
and Salabaetto for his equal sagacity in carrying it out. She then meal with gay and festive cheer. Supper ended, they engaged
took off the laurel wreath and placed it on Emilia's head, saying in their usual pastime of song and dance.
graciously, 'I know not, Madam, how debonair a queen you may

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