Page 222 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron All the company laughed beyond measure to hear what Calandrino said a bed made in the inn, and having undressed with Fortarrigo's help, he
about his wife: but, when Filostrato had done, Neifile, being bidden by the
composed himself to sleep, telling Fortarrigo to call him on the stroke of
queen, thus began: "Noble ladies, were it not more difficult for men to show
noon. Angiulieri thus sleeping, Fortarrigo repaired to the tavern, where,
having slaked his thirst, he sat down to a game with some that were there,
their good sense and virtue than their folly and their vice, many would labor
who speedily won from him all his money, and thereafter in like manner
in vain to set bounds to their flow of words: whereof you have had a most
all the clothes he had on his back: wherefore he, being anxious to retrieve
conspicuous example in poor blundering Calandrino, who, for the better
cure of that with which in his simplicity he supposed himself to be afflicted,
had no sort of need to discover in public his wife's secret pleasures. Which
Angiulieri; and seeing that he was sound asleep, he took from his purse all
the money that he had, and so went back to the gaming-table, and staked
affair has brought to my mind one that fell out contrariwise, inasmuch as the his losses, went, stripped as he was to his shirt, to the room where lay
guile of one discomfited the good sense of another to the grievous loss and it, and lost it all, as he had his own.
shame of the discomfited: the manner whereof I am minded to relate to you.
By and by Angiulieri awoke, got up, dressed, and called for Fortarrigo; and
It is not many years since there were in Siena two young men, both of age, as Fortarrigo answered not, he supposed that he must have had too much
and both alike named Cecco, the one being the son of Messer Angiulieri, to drink and be sleeping it off somewhere, as was his wont. He accordingly
the other of Messer Fortarrigo. Who, although in many other respects determined to leave him alone; and doubting not to find a better servant
their dispositions accorded ill, agreed so well in one, to wit, that they both at Corsignano, he let saddle his palfrey and attach the valise; but when,
hated their fathers, that they became friends, and kept much together. being about to depart, he would have paid the host, never a coin could
Now Angiulieri, being a pretty fellow, and well-mannered, could not bear he come by. Whereat there was no small stir, so that all the inn was in
to live at Siena on the allowance made him by his father, and learning an uproar, Angiulieri averring that he had been robbed in the house, and
that there was come into the March of Ancona, as legate of the Pope, a threatening to have them all arrested and taken to Siena; when, lo, who
cardinal, to whom he was much bound, resolved to resort to him there, should make his appearance but Fortarrigo in his shirt, intent now to steal
thinking thereby to improve his circumstances. So, having acquainted the clothes, as he had stolen the money, of Angiulieri? And marking that
his father with his purpose, he prevailed upon him to give him there and Angiulieri was accoutred for the road: "How is this, Angiulieri?" said he.
then all that he would have given him during the next six months, that "Are we to start so soon? Nay, but wait a little. One will be here presently
he might have the wherewith to furnish himself with apparel and a good that has my doublet in pawn for thirty-eight soldi; I doubt not he will
mount, so as to travel in a becoming manner. And as he was looking out return it to me for thirty-five soldi, if I pay money down." And while they
for someone to attend him as his servant, Fortarrigo, hearing of it, came were yet talking, in came one that made it plain to Angiulieri that it was
presently to him and besought him with all earnestness to take him with Fortarrigo that had robbed him of his money, for he told him the amount
him as his groom, or servant, or what he would, and he would be satisfied that Fortarrigo had lost. Whereat Angiulieri, in a towering passion, rated
with his keep, without any salary whatsoever. To which Angiulieri made Fortarrigo right soundly, and, but that he stood more in fear of man than
answer that he was not disposed to take him, not but that he well knew of God, would have suited action to word; and so, threatening to have
that he was competent for any service that might be required of him, but him hanged by the neck and proclaimed an outlaw at the gallows-tree of
because he was given to play, and therewithal would at times get drunk. Siena, he mounted his horse.
Fortarrigo assured him with many an oath that he would be on his guard
to commit neither fault, and added thereto such instant entreaties, that Fortarrigo, making as if it was not to him, but to another, that Angiulieri thus
Angiulieri was, as it were, vanquished, and consented. So one morning spoke, made answer: "Come now, Angiulieri, we were best have done with
they took the road for Buonconvento, being minded there to breakfast. all this idle talk, and consider the matter of substance: we can redeem for
Now when Angiulieri had breakfasted, as it was a very hot day, he had
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