Page 235 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

However, since you insist, I will do it, but you must do exactly as I tell you than Dioneo had wished, may be left to the imagination of the fair one
if you want the enchantment to work." They promised obedience, and that now laughs at it. However, as the stories ended, and the sun now
Dom Gianni took a light, which he handed to Pietro, saying, "Let nothing shone with a tempered radiance, the queen, knowing that the end of
that I do or say escape you, and be careful not to say a word, no matter her sovereignty had come, stood up and took off the crown, and set it
what you see or hear, and pray that the tail is securely attached." So on the head of Pamfilo, whom alone it now remained to honor; and said
Pietro took the light and again promised obedience. Dom Gianni caused with a smile, "My lord, it's a great burden that falls upon you, seeing that
Gemmata to strip herself stark naked and stand on all fours like a mare, you, coming last, are bound to make good my shortcomings and those of
at the same time strictly charging her that, whatever might happen, she my predecessors; which God give you grace to accomplish, even as He
must not utter a word. Then, touching her head and face, he said, "Be has given me grace to make you king." With gladsome acknowledgment
this a fine head of a mare"; in like manner, touching her hair, he said, "Be of the honor, Pamfilo replied, "I doubt not that, thanks to your noble
this a fine mane of a mare"; touching her arms, he said, "Be these fine qualities and those of my other subjects, I shall win even such praise as
legs and fine hooves of a mare"; then, as he touched her breast and felt those that have borne sway before me." Then, following the example of
its firm roundness, and there awoke and arose one that was not called, his predecessors, he made all necessary arrangements in concert with
he said, "And be this a fine breast of a mare"; and in like manner, he the seneschal; after which, he turned to the expectant ladies and thus
dealt with her back, belly, croup, thighs, and legs. Last of all, the work spoke: "Enamored ladies, Emilia, our queen of today, deeming it proper
being complete save for the tail, he lifted his shirt and took in his hand to allow you an interval of rest to recruit your powers, gave you license
the tool with which he was used to plant men, and forthwith thrust it to discuss such matters as should most commend themselves to each in
into the furrow made for it, saying, "And be this a fine tail of a mare." turn; and as thereby you are now rested, I judge that it's meet to revert
Whereupon Pietro, who had followed everything very attentively to that to our accustomed rule. Therefore, I ordain that for tomorrow you each
point, disapproving of that last particular, exclaimed, "No! Dom Gianni, I'll take thought on how you may discuss the ensuing theme: to wit, of such
have no tail, I'll have no tail." The essential juice, by which all plants are as in matters of love, or otherwise, have done something with liberality or
propagated, was already discharged when Dom Gianni withdrew the tool, magnificence. By the telling, and (still more) by the doing of such things,
saying, "Alas! Pietro, what have you done? Did I not tell you to say never your spirits will assuredly be duly attuned and animated to high and noble
a word, no matter what you might see? The mare was all but made; but endeavors; whereby our life, which cannot but be brief, seeing that it's
by speaking, you have spoiled everything, and it's not possible to repeat enshrined in a mortal body, fame shall perpetuate in glory; which whoso
the enchantment." "Well and good," replied Pietro, "I would have none serves not the belly, as do the beasts, must not only covet, but with all
of that tail. Why didn't you tell me to make it myself? And besides, you zeal seek after and labor to attain."
were attaching it too low." "It was because," returned Dom Gianni, "you
would not have known, on the first attempt, how to attach it as well as The cheerful company, having one and all approved the theme, rose at a
I." Whereupon the young woman stood up and, in all good faith, said to word from their new king, and betook themselves to their usual pastimes,
her husband, "Fool that you are, why have you ruined what would have and so, according as they severally had most desired, diverted themselves,
been for the good of us both? When did you ever see a mare without a until they happily reunited for supper, which being served with all due
tail? So help me God, poor as you are, you deserve to be poorer still." care and dispatched, they rose up to dance, as they were wont, and
So, after Pietro's ill-timed speech, there being no way left of turning the when they had sung, perhaps, a thousand ditties, fitter to please by their
young woman into a mare, downcast and melancholy, she resumed her words than by any excellence of musical art, the king bade Neifile sing
clothes; and Pietro plied his old trade with his donkey and went with Dom one on her own account. And promptly and graciously, with a clear and
Gianni to the fair of Bitonto, and never asked him to do it again. cheerful voice, Neifile sang.
The king and all the ladies did not a little commend Neifile's song; after
What laughter this story drew from the ladies, who understood it better which, as the night was far spent, the king bade all go to rest until the
231
morrow.
The Decameron