Page 261 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

young philosopher. It was your counsel that gave her to an Athenian; it without any friend or kin knowing. But this is no marvel, no unheard-of
was his that gave her to a Roman: it was your counsel that gave her to prodigy. I need not mention those who have taken husbands against
a man of gentle birth; it was his that gave her to one of birth yet gentler: their fathers' will, eloped with their lovers and been their mistresses
wealthy was he to whom your counsel gave her, most wealthy he to before becoming their wives, or whose marriages were unknown until
whom his counsel gave her. Not only did he to whom your counsel gave pregnancy or childbirth revealed them, and necessity sanctioned the
her, love her not, but he scarce knew her, whereas it was to one that fact. None of this happened with Sophronia; on the contrary, Gisippus
loved her beyond all other blessings, nay, more dearly than his own life, gave her to Titus in proper form and in a fitting and seemly manner.
that his counsel gave her. And to the end that it may appear more plainly Others may say that it was by one to whom such an office did not
that it is even as I say, and Gisippus' counsel more to be commended belong that she was given in marriage. But this is vain and womanish
than yours, let us examine it point by point. That I, like Gisippus, am complaining, and comes from little consideration. Do we not know
young and a philosopher, my countenance and my pursuits may, without that Fortune varies her methods and means of disposing events to
making more words about the matter, sufficiently attest. We are also their predetermined ends according to circumstances? What does it
of the same age, and have ever kept pace together in our studies. Now matter to me if it is a cobbler rather than a philosopher that Fortune
true it is that he is an Athenian, and I am a Roman. But, as touching the has ordained to accomplish something for me, whether secretly or
comparative glory of the cities, should the matter. openly, as long as the result is as it should be? I ought to ensure that
the cobbler, if indiscreet, meddles no more in my affairs, but at the
"Moreover, although you see me here as a humble scholar, I am not same time, I ought to thank him for what he has done. If Gisippus has
born of the lower classes of Rome. My halls and the public places of duly bestowed Sophronia in marriage, it is foolish to find fault with the
Rome are filled with the ancient statues of my ancestors, and the annals manner and the person. If you mistrust his judgment, ensure he cannot
of Rome are full of records of triumphs led by the Quintii to the Roman do the like again, but thank him for this turn.
Capitol. Far from age having diminished it, today, more than ever, the
glory of our name flourishes. I refrain from speaking of my wealth out "Nevertheless, you should know that I used no cunning practice or
of modesty, remembering that honest poverty is the most honored and deceit to sully in any degree the fair fame of your house in the person
richest inheritance of the noble citizens of Rome. However, considering of Sophronia. Although I took her secretly as my wife, I did not come as
the common opinion that holds poverty in disrepute and highly values a ravisher to despoil her of her virginity, nor was I minded to make her
wealth, I, though I never sought it, have abundant wealth as a favored mine on dishonorable terms and spurn your alliance. Being fervently
of Fortune. I know well that, Gisippus being of your own city, you justly enamored of her bewitching beauty and noble qualities, I knew well that,
valued and value an alliance with him. But you should value an alliance should I make suit for her with those formalities you might say were due,
with me in Rome no less, considering that there you will have in me an for the great love you bear her and for fear lest I should take her away
excellent host and a patron eager, zealous, and powerful to serve you with me to Rome, I might not hope to have her. Accordingly, I used the
in both public and private matters. Who, dismissing all bias and judging secret practice now revealed to you and brought Gisippus to consent in
with impartial reason, would deem your counsel more commendable my interest to what he was averse to. Thereafter, although I loved her
than that of Gisippus? Assuredly none. Sophronia, then, being married ardently, I sought not to commingle with her as a lover but as a husband,
to Titus Quintius Fulvus, a citizen of Rome, of an ancient and illustrious nor closed with her until, as she herself can attest, I had with apt words
house, wealthy, and a friend of Gisippus, whoever takes offense at this and a ring made her my lawful wife, asking her if she would have me as
does what he should not do and knows not what he does. her husband, to which she answered yes. If she seems to have been
tricked, it is not I who am to blame, but she, for not asking who I was.
"Perhaps some will say their complaint is not that Sophronia is the wife of
Titus, but that she became his wife in such a manner, secretly, by theft, "This, then, is the great wrong, sin, crime, for which Gisippus and I are
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