Page 234 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron promising that henceforth his will would be her law. But Giosefo continued The queen's story caused some murmurs among the ladies and laughter
beating her until he was exhausted. Then, returning to Melisso, he said:
among the young men. When they quieted down, Dioneo began: "Ladies,
a black crow among white doves enhances their beauty more than a white
"Tomorrow, we shall see whether 'Go to the Bridge of Geese' was sound
swan would. Similarly, when many wise people gather, their wisdom
advice." After resting and washing his hands, he supped with Melisso.
shines brighter in the presence of someone less wise, and they may even
find pleasure and amusement in it. Therefore, as you are all very wise, I,
With great pain, the poor lady got up and laid herself on her bed. After
resting as best she could, she rose early the next morning and asked
more brightly. I should have more freedom to reveal myself as I am and
Giosefo what he wanted for breakfast. Giosefo, laughing with Melisso
over the message, gave her his directions. When they came to breakfast, who am less wise, should be dearer to you for making your wisdom shine
receive more patience from you than if I were more discreet. So, I will
they found everything excellently prepared according to his commands. tell you a short story about how important it is to follow the instructions
The counsel, which they had initially failed to understand, now received of those who use enchantments and how a small mistake can ruin all
their highest praise the enchanter's work.

A year or so ago, there was a priest named Dom Gianni di Barolo in
Barletta. To supplement his meager church income, he traveled to the fairs

The Ninth Day | The Tenth Novell of Apulia, buying and selling merchandise. He became close friends with
Pietro da Tresanti, who did the same trade but had a donkey instead of a
Storyteller: Dioneo
mare. Dom Gianni called him Pietro and often hosted him at his house in
Barletta. Pietro, though poor, welcomed Dom Gianni to his small home in
Father Gianni de Barolo, at the instance and request of his
Tresanti whenever he visited, despite having only one bed for himself, his
friend Pietro da Tresanti, made an enchantment to have his
wife, and their donkey. Dom Gianni had to sleep on the straw beside his
wife become a mule. And when it came to the fastening on
mare in the stable. Pietro's wife, knowing how well Dom Gianni treated
of the tail, Pietro, by saying she should have no tail at all,
her husband, often offered to sleep at a neighbor's house so Dom Gianni
spoiled the whole enchantment.
could share the bed with Pietro, but Dom Gianni always refused. One day,
Dom Gianni told her that he could turn his mare into a fine lass and back
into a mare whenever he wanted. The wife, believing him, suggested to
her husband that he learn the enchantment to turn her into a mare, so
they could make more money and turn her back into a woman at night.
Pietro, whose wit was somewhat blunt, believed what his wife said,
approved her counsel, and began urging Dom Gianni, as persuasively as
he could, to teach him the incantation. Dom Gianni did his best to dissuade
him from his folly, but it was all in vain. "Well then," he said, "since you
are both determined, we will get up before sunrise tomorrow morning,
and I will show you how it's done. The truth is that the great difficulty lies
in attaching the tail, as you will see." Neither Pietro nor Gemmata got a
wink of sleep that night, so great was their anxiety. Towards daybreak,
they got up and called Dom Gianni. He, having risen, came in his shirt
into Pietro's small bedroom and said, "I don't know that there is another
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE soul in the world for whom I would do this, except for you, my friends.
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
230
The Decameron