Page 250 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron by two servants and a chambermaid, the lady went to Messer Ansaldo's I am minded that you keep." The knight was abashed and strove hard
house. Informed that his lady had come to see him, Messer Ansaldo,
to induce him to take, if not the whole, at least a part of the money. But
finding that his labor was in vain, and that the magician, having caused
marveling greatly, rose and called the magician. "I am minded," he said,
his garden to vanish after the third day, was minded to depart, he bade
"that you see what goodly gain I have gotten by your art." The two met
him adieu. The carnal love he had borne the lady being spent, he burned
the lady, and Ansaldo, giving way to no unruly appetite, received her
for her thereafter with a flame of honorable affection. Now, what shall
with a seemly obeisance. The three then repaired to a goodly chamber
with a great fire. Having caused the lady to be seated, Ansaldo spoke:
love grown lukewarm for utter hopelessness! Shall we set a liberality
"Madam, if the love that I have so long borne you merits any reward,
I pray you that it be not grievous to you to discover to me the true be our verdict in this case, lovely ladies? A lady, as it was dead, and a
shown in such a case above this liberality of Messer Ansaldo, loving
occasion of your coming to me at this hour, and thus accompanied." yet as ardently, and hoping, perhaps, yet more ardently than ever, and
Shamefaced, and with tears almost standing in her eyes, the lady holding in his hands the prize that he had so long pursued? Folly indeed
answered: "Sir, it is neither love that I bear you, nor pledged you, that should I deem it to compare that liberality with this.
brings me here, but the command of my husband, who, regarding
rather the pains you have had of your unbridled passion than his own
or my honor, has sent me here; and for that he commands it, I, for the
nonce, am entirely at your pleasure." If Messer Ansaldo had marveled The Tenth Day | The Sixth Novell
to hear of the lady's coming, he now marveled much more. Touched Storyteller: Filammetta
by Giliberto's liberality, and passing from passion to compassion, he
said: "Now, God forbid, Madam, that, it being as you say, I should King Charles the Aged fell in love with Genevera, daughter
wound the honor of him that has compassion on my love; wherefore, of Signior Neri degli Uberti. Ashamed of his infatuation,
no otherwise than as if you were my sister shall you abide here, while he arranged marriages for Genevera and her sister Isotta.
you are so minded, and be free to depart at your pleasure. Nor crave I Genevera married Signior Maffeo da Palizzi, and Isotta
aught of you but that you shall convey from me to your husband such married Signior Gulielmo della Magna.
thanks as you shall deem meet for courtesy such as his has been, and
entreat me ever henceforth as your brother and servant." Overjoyed
in the last degree, the lady replied:

"Nought, by what I noted of your behavior, could ever have caused me
to anticipate other sequel of my coming here than this which I see is
your will, and for which I shall ever be your debtor." She then took her
leave and, attended by a guard of honor, returned to Giliberto and told
him what had passed. Between Giliberto and Messer Ansaldo, there
was thenceforth a most close and loyal friendship. The liberality shown
by Giliberto towards Messer Ansaldo, and by Messer Ansaldo towards
the lady, having been marked by the magician, when Messer Ansaldo
made ready to give him the promised reward, the magician said: "Now
God forbid that, as I have seen Giliberto liberal in regard of his honor,
and you liberal in regard of your love, I be not in like manner liberal in
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
regard of my reward, which accordingly, witting that it is in good hands,
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
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The Decameron