Page 232 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron he had never sent for wine to Messer Filippo. After being put in better None now remained to tell save the queen, unless she was minded to
infringe Dioneo's privilege. Wherefore, when the ladies had laughed their
shape, he went home, crestfallen and woebegone, blaming Ciacco for
fill over the misfortunes of Biondello, thus gaily the queen began: "Observe
his misadventure.
we, lovesome ladies, the order of things with a sound mind, and we shall
readily perceive that we women are one and all subjected by Nature
Many days later, when the marks of his beating had faded, Biondello began
and custom and law unto man, by him to be ruled and governed at his
to go out again. He met Ciacco, who laughed and asked, "Biondello, how did
discretion; wherefore she, that would fain enjoy quietude and solace and
you like Messer Filippo's wine?" Biondello replied, "I wish you had enjoyed
Messer Corso's lampreys as much!" Ciacco responded, "Such food as you
but lowly, patient and obedient: the which is the discreet wife's chief
gave me then, you may give me whenever you like, and I will give you such comfort with the man to whom she belongs, ought not only to be chaste
and most precious possession. And if the laws, which in all matters have
drink as I have given you." Knowing he could not match Ciacco's spite,
regard unto the common weal, and use and wont or custom (call it what
Biondello prayed for peace and was careful never to mock him again."
you will), a power very great and to be had in awe, should not suffice to
school us thereto; yet abundantly clear is the witness of Nature, which has
fashioned our frames delicate and sensitive, and our spirits timorous and
fearful, and has decreed that our bodily strength shall be slight, our voices
The Ninth Day | The Ninth Novell tunable, and our movements graceful; which qualities do all avouch that
we have need of others' governance. And whoso has need of succour
Storyteller: Emilia
and governance ought in all reason to be obedient and submissive and
Two young gentlemen, Melisso from Laiazzo and Giose from Antioch, reverent towards his governor. And who have we to govern and succour
us save men? 'Tis then our bounden duty to give men all honour and
traveled together to visit Solomon, the famous King of Egypt. One of
submit ourselves unto them: from which rule if any deviate, I deem her
them wanted to learn how to win the love of people, while the other
most deserving not only of grave censure but of severe chastisement.
sought advice on how to manage a headstrong and unruly wife. The
Which reflections, albeit they are not new to me, I am now led to make by
wise King gave them both answers before they departed.
what but a little while ago Pampinea told us touching the perverse wife
of Talano, on whom God bestowed that chastisement which the husband
had omitted; and accordingly it jumps with my judgment that all such
women as deviate from the graciousness, kindliness and compliancy,
which Nature and custom and law prescribe, merit, as I said, stern and
severe chastisement. Wherefore, as a salutary medicine for the healing of
those of us who may be afflicted with this disease, I am minded to relate
to you that which was once delivered by Solomon by way of counsel in
such a case. Which let none that stands not in need of such physic deem
to be meant for her, albeit a proverb is current among men; to wit: Good
steed, bad steed, alike need the rowel's prick, Good wife, bad wife, alike
demand the stick. Which whoso should construe as a merry conceit would
find you all ready enough to acknowledge its truth. But even in its moral
significance I say that it ought to command assent. For women are all
by nature apt to be swayed and to fall; and therefore, for the correction
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE). of the wrong-doing of such as transgress the bounds assigned to them,
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The Decameron