Page 256 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron have ever no will but yours, therefore not only am I compliant to The Tenth Day | The Eighth Novell
take right gladly him whom you shall be pleased to give me for
Storyteller Filomena
husband, thereby conferring upon me great honor and dignity,
but if you should bid me tarry in the fire, delighted were I to obey,
Sophronia, thinking she was married to Gisippus, was actually the
so thereby I might pleasure you. How far it beseems me to have
wife of Titus Quintus Fulvius. Gisippus, in poor condition, falsely
you, my King, for my knight, you best know; and therefore I say
confessed to murder, but Titus claimed responsibility. The real
nought thereof. Nor will the kiss which you crave as your sole
tribute of my love be granted you save by leave of my Lady the
Titus gave his sister in marriage to Gisippus, along with his goods.
Queen. Nonetheless, may you have of this great graciousness murderer confessed, and all were pardoned by Emperor Octavius.
that you and my Lady the Queen have shown me, and which
I may not requite, abundant recompense in the blessing and
favor of God." And so she was silent.

The Queen was mightily delighted with the girl's answer and
deemed her as discreet as the King had said. The King then
sent for the girl's father and mother, and being assured that
his intention had their approval, summoned to his presence a
young man named Perdicone, who was of gentle birth but in
poor circumstances. He put certain rings into Perdicone's hand
and, with no objection from him, wedded him to Lisa. Besides
many precious jewels that he and the Queen gave the girl,
the King bestowed upon Perdicone two domains, right goodly
and of ample revenues, Cefalù and Calatabellotta, saying: "We
give them to thee for thy wife's dowry; what we have in store
for thee thou wilt learn hereafter." He then turned to the girl
and said: "Now, we are minded to cull that fruit which is due
to us of thy love." Taking her head between both his hands,
he kissed her brow. Great was the joy of Perdicone, the father
and mother of Lisa, and Lisa herself, and mighty the cheer they
made, gaily celebrating the nuptials. As many affirm, the King
kept his promise to the girl; for ever, while he lived, he called
himself her knight and went to no passage of arms bearing any
device other than that which he had from her.

By doing such deeds, sovereigns win the hearts of their subjects,
give others occasion for well-doing, and gain for themselves
an imperishable renown. Few or none in our times have aimed
at this mark, most princes having become but cruel tyrants.
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
252
The Decameron