Page 25 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The First Day | The Fifth Novell me greatly. In matters of love, men and women are in different
Storyteller: Fiammetta situations. It is wise for a man to aspire to the love of a woman
of higher lineage than his own, while a woman's good sense is
Indicating that wise and virtuous lady’s ought to hold their most evident when she knows how to avoid becoming enamored
chastity in higher esteem than the greatness and treasures of a man superior in rank. I will show you, dear ladies, through
of princes, and that a discreet lord should not impose my story, how a gentlewoman defended herself against an
violence on modesty: The Lady Marquesse of Montferrat, attack and weaned her suitor from his love through both deed
with a banquet of hens and various other gracious speeches, and word. The Marquis of Monferrato, a distinguished paladin,
suppressed the foolish love of the King of France. had gone overseas as the gonfalonier of the Church in a general
array of Christian forces. His merits were being discussed at
the court of Philippe le Borgne on the eve of his departure from
France for the same service. A knight remarked that there was
no couple under the stars comparable to the Marquis and his
lady. While the Marquis was a paragon of knightly virtues, his
lady was unparalleled in beauty and honor among all the ladies
of the world. These words made such a deep impression on
the King of France that, although he had never seen the lady,
he fell ardently in love with her. As he was to join the armada,
he resolved to embark from Genoa, traveling by land to find a
pretext to visit the Marchioness. He hoped to succeed with her in
the absence of the Marquis. The King sent his main army ahead
and took the road with a small company of gentlemen. As they
approached the Marquis's territory, he sent a courier to the
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE Marchioness, informing her that he expected to have breakfast
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE). with her the next morning. The lady, who knew her part well,
graciously replied that he would be most welcome and that his
presence would be the greatest of all favors. She then pondered
why such a great king would visit her in her husband's absence
The story told by Dioneo initially caused some embarrassment and surmised that it was her beauty that drew him. Nevertheless,
among the ladies, as evidenced by the modest blushes on their she prepared to honor him appropriately, summoning her
faces. They exchanged glances and, barely able to contain retainers and giving all necessary directions, except for the
their laughter, listened with half-suppressed smiles. When the banquet's order and dish selection, which she reserved for
story concluded, they gently reprimanded Dioneo, reminding herself. She had all the hens in the countryside brought to
him that such stories were not suitable for ladies. The queen the castle and instructed her cooks to prepare various dishes
then turned to Fiammetta, who was seated on the grass beside made exclusively of pullets. The King arrived on the appointed
her, and asked her to continue. With a cheerful and gracious day and was received with great and ceremonious cheer by
demeanor, Fiammetta began: "The theme of our storytelling, the lady. She appeared fair, noble, and gracious beyond his
which highlights the virtue of apt and ready repartees, pleases
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The Decameron