Page 239 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

On the morrow, when they were gotten to horse, and had set their faces The Tenth Day | The Second Novell
towards Tuscany, the squire informed Ruggieri of the King's command, Storyteller: Elissa
and thereupon Ruggieri turned back. On his arrival the King, having already
heard what he had said touching the mule, gave him a gladsome greeting, Sir Rogiero de Figiovanni served King Alphonso of Spain,
and asked him why he had likened him to the mule, or rather the mule to feeling only slightly respected and rewarded. In response, the
him. Whereto Messer Ruggieri answered frankly: "My lord, I likened you King conducted an experiment, proving the knight's bad luck
to the mule, for that, as you bestow your gifts where it is not meet, and was to blame, not his own fault. The King then generously
where meet it were, bestow them not, so the mule where it was meet, did rewarded him, recognizing his loyalty and service.
not, and where it was not meet, did." "Messer Ruggieri," replied the King,
"it is not because I have not discerned in you a knight most good and true,
for whose merit no gift were too great, that I have not bestowed on you
such gifts as I have bestowed upon many others, who in comparison of
you are nothing worth: the fault is none of mine but solely of your fortune,
which would not suffer me; and that this which I say is true, I will make
abundantly plain to you." "My lord," returned Messer Ruggieri, "mortified
am I, not that you gave me no gift, for thereof I had no desire, being too
rich, but that you made no sign of recognition of my merit; however, I deem
your explanation sound and honorable, and whatever you shall be pleased
that I should see, that gladly will I, albeit I believe you without attestation."

The King then led him into one of the great halls, in which, by his
prearrangement, were two chests closed under lock and key, and, not a
few others being present, said to him: "Messer Ruggieri, one of these chests
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
contains my crown, scepter and orb, with many a fine girdle, buckle, ring,
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
and whatever else of jewelry I possess; the other is full of earth: choose
then, and whichever you shall choose, be it yours; thereby you will discover
whether it is due to me or to your fortune that your merits have lacked
reward." Such being the King's pleasure, Messer Ruggieri chose one of
the chests, which at the King's command being opened and found to be It seemed like a miracle to everyone to hear that a prelate had done
that which contained the earth: "Now, Messer Ruggieri," said the King something with magnificence; but when the ladies had finished their
with a laugh, "your own eyes may warrant you of the truth of what I say remarks, the king asked Filostrato to follow suit; and immediately
touching Fortune; but truly your merit demands that I take arms against Filostrato began: "Noble ladies, the magnificence of the King of Spain
her in your cause. I know that you are not minded to become a Spaniard, was great, and perhaps the magnificence of the Abbot of Cluny was
and therefore I shall give you neither castle nor city; but that chest, which unheard of; but it may seem no less marvelous to you to hear of
Fortune denied you, I bestow on you in her despite, that you may take it someone who, to show generosity towards another, resolved to artfully
with you to your own country, and there with your neighbors justly boast yield to him his blood, even his very life, for which the other thirsted,
of your merits, attested by my gifts." Messer Ruggieri took the chest, and would have done so, had the other chosen to take them, as I shall
and having thanked the King in a manner befitting such a gift, returned show you in a little story.
therewith, well pleased, to Tuscany.
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The Decameron