Page 238 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron The Tenth Day | The First Novell of showing his mettle, and accordingly resolved to pass some time at the
court of Alfonso, King of Spain, who for the fame of his high qualities was
Storyteller: Neifile
without a peer among the rulers of his age. So, being well provided with
arms and horses and retinue suitable to his rank, he went to Spain, where
A Florentine knight named Sir Rogiero de Figiovanni served
he was graciously received by the King. There staying accordingly, Messer
Alphonso, King of Spain, who initially only slightly respected and
Ruggieri very soon, as well by the splendid style in which he lived as by the
rewarded him. In response, the King conducted an experiment,
prodigious feats of arms that he did, gave people to know his high merit.
proving the knight's misfortune was the cause, not any fault of
his. The King then generously rewarded him.
Now, having stayed there some while, and observed the King's ways
with much care, and how he would grant castles, cities, or baronies, to
this, that, or the other of his subjects, he deemed that the King showed
therein but little judgment, seeing that he would give them to men that
merited them not. And because nothing was given to him, he, knowing his
merit, deemed himself gravely injured in reputation; wherefore he made
up his mind to leave the realm, and to that end asked permission of the
King; which the King granted him, and therewith gave him one of the best
and finest mules that was ever ridden, a gift which Messer Ruggieri, as
he had a long journey to make, did not a little appreciate. The King then
bade one of his discreet servants contrive, as best he might, to ride with
Messer Ruggieri in such a way that it might not appear that he did so by
the King's command, and remember whatever Messer Ruggieri might say
of him, so that he might be able to repeat it; which done, he was on the
very next morning to bid Ruggieri return to the King forthwith.
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE). The King's agent was on the alert, and no sooner was Ruggieri out of the
city, than without any manner of difficulty he joined his company, giving
out that he was going towards Italy. As thus they rode, talking of diverse
matters, Messer Ruggieri being mounted on the mule given him by the
Highly honored, indeed, do I deem myself, honorable ladies, that our king King: "Methinks," said the other, it being then hard upon tierce, "that it
should have given me the precedence in a matter so difficult to tell of as would be well to give the beasts a break;" and by and by, being come
magnificence: for, as the sun illuminates all the heaven with his glory and to a convenient place, they gave all the beasts a break save the mule.
beauty, even so does magnificence enhance the purity and the splendor of Then, as they continued their journey, the squire listening attentively to
every other virtue. I shall therefore tell you a story, which, to my thinking, the knight's words, they came to a river, and while there they watered the
is quite pretty; and which, assuredly, it must be profitable to remember. beasts, the mule made a break in the stream. Whereat: "Ah, foul fall thee,
beast," said Messer Ruggieri, "that art even as your master, that gave you
You are to know, then, that, among other honorable knights that from to me!" Which remark, as also many another that fell from Ruggieri as
days of old even until now have dwelt in our city, one, and perhaps the they rode together throughout the day, the squire stored in his memory;
worthiest of all, was Messer Ruggieri de' Figiovanni. Who, being wealthy but never another word did he hear Ruggieri say touching the King, that
and generous, reflecting on the customs and manner of life of Tuscany, was not laudatory to the last degree.
perceived that by staying there he was likely to find little or no occasion
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The Decameron