Page 254 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron daughter, Lisa, of marriageable age. King Pedro of Aragon, him tilt, was so smitten with love for him that it kindled within
having taken sovereignty of the island, held a marvelous
my soul the fire which has brought me to this pass. Knowing
how ill it beseems me to love a king, and being unable to banish
celebration in Palermo with his barons. During the festivities,
it from my heart or even bring it within bounds, I have chosen
as he tilted in the Catalan fashion, it happened that Lisa, being
death as the lesser pain, and die I shall. But should he not know
with other ladies at a window, saw him in the course. Delighted
of my love before I die, I would depart sorely disconsolate.
beyond measure, she regarded him again and again and grew
fervently enamored of him. Even when the festivities ended and
she was home with her father, she could think of nothing but her
to know this, I entrust the communication to you. I entreat you
not to refuse and, having discharged it, to let me know, so that,
exalted and aspiring love. What most irked her was her sense Knowing not by whom more aptly than by you I might give him
of her low rank, which gave her little hope of a happy outcome. consoled, I may depart this pain." With that, she silently wept.
Yet, she would not give up her love for the King, nor dared she
reveal it for fear of worse to come. The King, unaware of her Marvelling at the loftiness of the girl's spirit and her desperate
feelings, continued on, while her suffering grew immeasurable determination, Minuccio commiserated with her. It occurred to
and intolerable. Her love, ever growing with fresh melancholy, him that there was a way he might honorably serve her. "Lisa,"
eventually caused her to fall sick, wasting away day by day he said, "I pledge my faith to you, wherein you may place sure
like snow in sunlight. Distraught with grief, her father and confidence that I shall never play you false. Lauding your high
mother tried to comfort her with words of cheer, counsel from enterprise, to set your affections upon so great a king, I offer
physicians, and medicine, but all to no avail. Despairing of her you my aid. Be of good cheer, and I hope and believe that before
love, she resolved to live no more. the third day from now, I shall bring you tidings of great joy.
I will set to work at once." Lisa, assuring him she would be of
Her father, assuring her that no whim of hers would go good cheer, bade him Godspeed. Minuccio, having taken leave
ungratified, led her to fancy that if she could find a way, she of her, went to Mico da Siena, a very expert rhymester of those
would make her love and resolve known to the King before days, who at his request made the following song.
she died. One day, she asked her father to summon Minuccio
d'Arezzo, a singer and musician of those days, reputed most Minuccio set the words to music in a soft and plaintive fashion
skillful and well-regarded by King Pedro. Bernardo, thinking Lisa befitting their sense. On the third day thereafter, he went to
only wished to hear him play and sing, conveyed her message to court while King Pedro was yet at breakfast. Bidden by the King
him. Minuccio, being an agreeable fellow, came to her forthwith. to sing something to the accompaniment of his viol, he sang the
After giving her some words of loving cheer, he sweetly played song with such sweet concord of words and music that all in
some airs on his viol and sang her some songs. the King's hall seemed entranced, so intent and absorbed they
stood to listen, the King more than the rest. When Minuccio
While he thought to comfort her, he only added fire and flame finished singing, the King asked whence the song came, as he
to her love. Presently, Lisa said she wished to speak with him had never heard it before. "Sire," replied Minuccio, "it is not yet
in private. When all others had withdrawn from the chamber, three days since it was made, words and music alike." Asked by
she said: "Minuccio, I have chosen you, deeming you most the King in regard to whom it was made, Minuccio said: "I dare
trustworthy, to be the keeper of my secret. I rely on you first to not reveal such a secret save to you alone." Bent on hearing the
never betray it to a soul and next to lend me such aid as you can. story, the King, when the tables were cleared, took Minuccio
You must know, Minuccio, that on the day our lord King Pedro into his private chamber. There, Minuccio told him everything
held the great festival in celebration of his triumph, I, seeing exactly as he had heard it from Lisa's lips. The King was much
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