Page 249 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

the last degree beloved by a great and noble baron, Messer Ansaldo hard by the city one of the most beautiful gardens that was ever seen,
Gradense by name, a man of no little consequence, and whose fame for with no lack of grass and trees and fruits of all sorts. At sight whereof
feats of arms and courtesy was spread far and wide. But, though with Messer Ansaldo was overjoyed, and caused some of the finest fruits
all a lover's ardor he left nought undone that he might do to win her and flowers that it contained to be gathered, and privily presented to
love, and to that end frequently plied her with his ambassages, 'twas his lady, whom he bade come and see the garden that she had craved,
all in vain. And the lady being distressed by his importunity, and that, that thereby she might have assurance of his love, and mind her of the
refuse as she might all that he asked of her, he nonetheless continued promise that she had given him and confirmed with an oath, and, as a
to love her and press his suit upon her, bethought her how she might loyal lady, take thought for its performance. When she saw the flowers
rid herself of him by requiring of him an extraordinary and, as she and fruits, the lady, who had already heard not a few folk speak of the
deemed, impossible feat. So one day, a woman that came oftentimes wondrous garden, began to repent her of her promise. But for all that,
from him to her being with her: "Good woman," quoth she, "thou hast being fond of strange sights, she hied her with many other ladies of the
many a time affirmed that Messer Ansaldo loves me above all else; and city to see the garden, and having gazed on it with wonderment, and
thou hast made proffer to me on his part of wondrous rich gifts which commended it not a little, she went home the saddest woman alive,
I am minded he keep to himself, for that I could never bring myself to bethinking her to what it bound her: and so great was her distress that
love him or pleasure him for their sake; but, if I might be certified that she might not well conceal it; but, being written on her face, 'twas
he loves me as much as thou sayst, then without a doubt I should not marked by her husband, who was minded by all means to know the
fail to love him, and do his pleasure; wherefore, so he give me the cause thereof. The lady long time kept silence: but at last she yielded
assurance that I shall require, I shall be at his command." "What is it, to his urgency, and discovered to him the whole matter from first to
Madam," returned the good woman, "that you would have him do?" last. Whereat Giliberto was at first very wroth; but on second thoughts,
"This," replied the lady; "I would have this next ensuing January, hard considering the purity of the lady's purpose, he was better advised, and
by this city, a garden full of green grass and flowers and flowering dismissing his anger: "Dianora," quoth he, "'tis not the act of a discreet
trees, just as if it were May; and if he cannot provide me with this or virtuous lady to give ear to messages of such a sort, nor to enter
garden, bid him never again send either thee or any other to me, for into any compact touching her chastity with any man on any terms.
that, should he harass me any further, I shall no longer keep silence, Words that the ears convey to the heart have potency greater than is
as I have hitherto done, but shall make my complaint to my husband commonly supposed, and there is scarce aught that lovers will not find
and all my kinsmen, and it shall go hard but I will be quit of him." possible. 'Twas then ill done of thee in the first instance to hearken, as
The gentleman being apprised of his lady's stipulation and promise, afterwards to make the compact; but, for that I know the purity of thy
notwithstanding that he deemed it no easy matter, nay, a thing almost soul, that thou mayst be quit of thy promise, I will grant thee that which,
impossible, to satisfy her, and knew besides that 'twas but to deprive perchance, no other man would grant, being also swayed thereto by
him of all hope that she made the demand, did nevertheless resolve fear of the necromancer, whom Messer Ansaldo, shouldst thou play
to do his endeavor to comply with it, and causing search to be made him false, might, peradventure, cause to do us a mischief. I am minded,
in divers parts of the world, if any he might find to afford him counsel then, that thou go to him, and contrive, if on any wise thou canst, to
or aid, he lit upon one, who for a substantial reward offered to do the get thee quit of this promise without loss of virtue; but if otherwise it
thing by necromancy. So Messer Ansaldo, having struck the bargain may not be, then for the nonce thou mayst yield him thy body, but not
with him for an exceeding great sum of money, gleefully expected the thy soul." Whereat the lady, weeping, would none of such a favor at
appointed time. Which being come with extreme cold, insomuch that her husband's hands. But Giliberto, for all the lady's protestations, was
there was nought but snow and ice, the adept on the night before the minded that so it should be.
calends of January wrought with his spells to such purpose that on the
morrow, as was averred by eyewitnesses, there appeared in a meadow Accordingly, at dawn the next day, dressed modestly, and accompanied
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