Page 231 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

All the company agreed that Talano's dream was not just a dream but a Corso's lampreys had been like. Ciacco replied, "You will be able to
vision, as it had come true in every detail. After everyone had finished answer that question much better than I before eight days are gone by."
speaking, the queen asked Lauretta to continue, and Lauretta began: He then hired a rogue, gave him a glass bottle, and brought him within
"As, most discreet ladies, those who have spoken before me today sight of the Loggia de' Cavicciuli. Pointing to a knight, Messer Filippo
have taken their cue from previous stories, I am prompted by the stern Argenti, a tall, stout, courageous, haughty, choleric, and cross-grained
vengeance taken by the scholar in Pampinea's narrative yesterday to tell man, Ciacco instructed the rogue, "Go to Messer Filippo with this flask
you about a vengeance that was less savage but still grievous enough and say, 'I am sent to you by Biondello, who asks you to color this flask
for the person on whom it was inflicted. with some of your good red wine, as he wants to have a good time with
his friends.' Be careful not to let him catch you, for he would make you
There was once in Florence a man called Ciacco, known for his regret it and spoil my fun." The rogue asked if there was anything else
excessive gluttony. Lacking the means to support his gluttony, he was to say, and Ciacco replied, "Nothing more. Now go, and when you have
well-mannered and full of excellent and merry jests. Without becoming delivered the message, bring me back the flask, and I will pay you."
a court jester, he cultivated a somewhat biting wit and loved to frequent
the houses of the rich and those who kept good tables. He often went The rogue went and delivered the message to Messer Filippo, who,
to these houses for breakfast or supper, whether invited or not. In being a hasty man, immediately thought Biondello was mocking him.
those days, there was also a man in Florence called Biondello, very Angrily, he said, "Color the flask, indeed! And 'friends!' God send you
short in stature, debonair, and more trim than any fly, with blond locks and him a bad year!" He then tried to grab the rogue, who escaped and
and never a hair out of place. He and Ciacco were of the same trade. reported Messer Filippo's response to Ciacco. Ciacco paid the rogue
and then found Biondello, telling him, "You are sought by Messer Filippo
One morning in Lent, Biondello was in the fish market, purchasing two for some reason." Biondello replied, "Good, I will go speak with him."
mighty fat lampreys for Messer Vieri de' Cerchi. Ciacco saw him and Ciacco followed to see what would happen.
asked, "What are you doing?" Biondello replied, "Last night, Messer
Corso Donati had three lampreys much finer than these and a sturgeon Messer Filippo, still angry and unable to make sense of the rogue's
sent to his house. But as they were not enough for a breakfast he is message, saw Biondello approaching. He immediately attacked him,
giving to certain gentlemen, he has commissioned me to buy these dealing a mighty blow to his face, tearing his hair and coif, and throwing
two as well. Will you be there?" "Yes, I will," replied Ciacco. At the his capuche on the ground. As Biondello cried, "What does this mean?"
appointed time, Ciacco went to Messer Corso Donati's house, where Messer Filippo continued beating him, saying, "Traitor, I will teach you
he found him with some neighbors not yet gone to breakfast. When what it means to send me such a message. 'Color the flask,' indeed,
asked by Messer Corso why he had come, Ciacco answered, "I am and 'friends!' Do you take me for a fool?" He pummeled Biondello's
here to breakfast with you and your company." "Welcome," replied face until it was a mass of bruises, tore and disheveled his hair, tumbled
Messer Corso, "let's go to breakfast, for it is time." They went to the him in the mud, and rent his clothes, not allowing him to ask why or
table, where they were served only peas, salted tunny, and common utter a word. "Color the flask!" and "friends!" rang in Biondello's ears,
fried fish from the Arno. Ciacco, realizing Biondello had tricked him, but he did not understand their meaning. Badly beaten and in sorry
resolved to get even. shape, many people gathered around and eventually rescued him from
Messer Filippo. They told him why Messer Filippo had attacked him,
Not many days later, Biondello, who had laughed with his friends over censured him for sending such a message, and warned him to know
Ciacco's discomfiture, met him and asked with a laugh what Messer Messer Filippo better in the future. Biondello tearfully explained that

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