Page 227 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

besought his wife not to publish the matter, unless she were minded that Calandrino, as on former occasions, so also on this, moved the
he should be cut to pieces, for that she that was with him was the wife company to laughter. However, when the ladies had done talking
of the master of the house. "Then God give her a bad year," replied the of his doings, the queen called for a story from Pamfilo, who thus
lady. Whereupon Bruno and Buffalmacco, who by this time had laughed spoke: "Worshipful ladies, this Niccolosa, that Calandrino loved, has
their fill with Filippo and Niccolosa, came up as if attracted by the noise; brought to my mind a story of another Niccolosa; which I am minded
and after not a little ado pacified the lady, and counseled Calandrino to to tell you, because it will show you how a good woman by her quick
go back to Florence, and stay there, lest Filippo should get wind of the apprehension avoided a great scandal.
affair, and do him a mischief. So Calandrino, crestfallen and woebegone,
got himself back to Florence with his face torn to shreds; where, daring In the plain of Mugnone, there was not long ago a good man that
not to show himself at Camerata again, he endured day and night the provided travelers with food and drink for money, and, because he
grievous torment of his wife's vituperation. Such was the issue, to which, was in poor circumstances, and had only a small house, did not give
after ministering not a little mirth to his comrades, as also to Niccolosa lodging to every comer, but only to a few that he knew, and if they
and Filippo, this ardent lover brought his amour.
were in dire need. Now the good man had a very fine wife, and by her
had two children, a pretty and winsome girl of about fifteen or sixteen
years, as yet unmarried, and a little boy, not yet one year old, whom
The Ninth Day | The Sixth Novell the mother nursed at her own breast. The girl had found favor in the

Storyteller: Panfilo eyes of a good and mannerly young gentleman of our city, who was
seldom in those parts, and loved her passionately. And she, being
Two young gentlemen, Panuccio and Adriano, stayed at a poor inn. greatly flattered to be loved by such a gallant, studied how to behave
One went to bed with the host's daughter, and the other mistakenly so charmingly as to retain his regard, and while she did so, grew
with the host's wife. The one with the daughter later told the host, likewise enamored of him; and several times, by mutual consent, their
thinking he was his companion. Discontent arose, but the mother, love had been consummated, but Pinuccio—such was the gallant's
realizing the mistake, pacified everyone with discreet language. name—shrank from the disgrace that it would bring upon the girl
and himself alike. But, as his passion daily grew stronger, Pinuccio,
yearning to find himself in bed with her, thought it best to contrive to
lodge with her father, believing, from what he knew of her father's
economy, that, if he did so, he might achieve his purpose, and no
one would be the wiser: which idea no sooner struck him, than he set
about carrying it into effect.

So, late one evening, Pinuccio and a trusty comrade, Adriano by name,
to whom he had confided his love, hired two horses, and having set
upon them two valises, filled with straw or such-like stuff, set out from
Florence, and rode by a circuitous route to the plain of Mugnone, which
they reached after nightfall; and having taken a roundabout way, so
that it might seem as if they were coming from Romagna, they rode
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE up to the good man's house, and knocked at the door. The good man,
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE). knowing them both very well, opened to them immediately: whereupon:
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The Decameron