Page 233 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

there is need of the stick punitive; and also for the maintenance of virtue \After several days on the road, they came to a river spanned by a fine
in others, that they transgress not these appointed bounds, there is need bridge. A large caravan of mules and horses was about to cross, so
of the stick auxiliary and deterrent. However, to cut short this preachment, they had to wait. Most of the caravan had crossed when a mule turned
and to come to that which I purpose to tell you, I say: That the bruit of stubborn and refused to move. A muleteer began beating the mule with
the incomparable renown of the prodigious wisdom of Solomon, as also a stick to urge it forward. The mule swerved and refused to go forward.
of the exceeding great liberality with which he accorded proof thereof The muleteer, frustrated, continued to beat the mule, but it was to no
to all that craved such assurance, being gone forth over well-nigh all the avail. Melisso and Giosefo often said to him: "Why are you doing this?
earth, many from divers parts were wont to resort to him for counsel in Would you kill the beast? Why not try to manage him kindly and gently?
matters of most pressing and arduous importance; among whom was He would start sooner with kindness than with this beating." The muleteer
a young man, Melisso by name, a very wealthy nobleman, who was, as replied: "You know your horses, and I know my mule: leave me to deal
had been his fathers before him, of Lazistan, and there dwelt. And as with him." He resumed beating the mule until it finally moved. Thus, the
Melisso fared toward Jerusalem, on his departure from Antioch he fell in muleteer succeeded.
with another young man, Giosefo by name, who was going the same way,
and with whom, after the manner of travellers, he entered into converse. As the two young men left the bridge, Giosefo asked a man at its head
Melisso, having learned from Giosefo, who and whence he was, asked what the bridge was called. The man answered: "Sir, it's called the Bridge
him whither he went, and on what errand: whereupon Giosefo made an of Geese." Giosefo immediately recalled Solomon's words and turned to
answer that he was going to seek counsel of Solomon, how he should Melisso: "Now, my friend, I believe Solomon's counsel was sound. I didn't
deal with his wife, who had not her match among women for unruliness know how to handle my wife, but this muleteer has shown me what to do."
and perversity, insomuch that neither entreaties nor blandishments nor
aught else availed him to bring her to a better frame. And thereupon he Some days later, they arrived in Antioch, where Giosefo convinced Melisso
in like manner asked Melisso whence he was, and whither he was bound, to stay with him for a day or two. Receiving a poor welcome from his wife,
and on what errand: whereto: "Of Lazistan, I," replied Melisso, "and like Giosefo told her to take her orders for supper from Melisso. Melisso gave
thyself in evil plight; for albeit I am wealthy and spend my substance freely her instructions, which the lady, as usual, did not follow and contravened
in hospitably entertaining and honourably entreating my fellow-citizens, in almost every detail. Giosefo, noticing this, angrily said: "Were you not
yet for all that, passing strange though it be to think upon, I find never a told how to prepare the supper?" The lady haughtily replied: "What does
soul to love me; and therefore I am bound to the self-same place as thou, this mean? If you want to eat, why not take your supper? No matter what
to be advised how it may come to pass that I be beloved." I was told, I saw fit to order it this way. If you like it, fine; if not, it's your
problem." Melisso heard the lady with surprise and disapproval. Giosefo
So the two men traveled together, and upon arriving in Jerusalem, they retorted: "Wife, you are still as you used to be; but I will make you change
were ushered into Solomon's presence by one of his barons. Melisso your ways." Then, turning to Melisso, he said: "Friend, you will soon see
briefly presented his case to the King and received a one-word answer: the value of Solomon's counsel. But please, don't be bothered by what I
"Love." With that, Melisso was promptly dismissed, and Giosefo presented do, and remember how the muleteer responded when we pitied his mule."
his case. Solomon's response was simply: "Go to the Bridge of Geese." Melisso replied: "I am in your house, and your will is my law."
Giosefo was also promptly dismissed. Finding Melisso waiting for him,
he shared the King's cryptic answer. The two men pondered Solomon's Giosefo then took a stout cudgel cut from an oak sapling and went into
words but found no helpful or relevant meaning. They doubted the King the room where the lady had withdrawn in anger. He seized her by the
had mocked them and set off on their journey home.; hair, threw her onto the floor at his feet, and began beating her with the
cudgel. The lady at first screamed, then threatened. Seeing that Giosefo
did not relent, she began to cry for mercy, imploring him not to kill her and
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