Page 269 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

say and would have lived and died believing it even if you had not said it. Saladin to Messer Torello's wife. He placed a ring with a brilliant carbuncle
But since my resolve is taken, I pray you to do what you promise speedily, on Messer Torello's finger, girded him with a sword of inestimable value,
for after tomorrow, I may no longer be expected." and adorned him with a pendant of pearls and other rare jewels. On either
side of him, he set two vast basins of gold full of pistoles, strings of pearls,
Saladin assured him that it was so ordered that he would not be rings, girdles, and other items. After kissing Messer Torello again, Saladin
disappointed. The next day, intending to speed him on his journey that bade the necromancer speed him on his journey. The bed, with Messer
night, Saladin set up a most goodly and sumptuous bed in one of his great Torello on it, was borne away from Saladin's eyes, and he and his barons
halls. The bed was composed of velvet and cloth of gold mattresses, remained conversing about it.
covered with a quilt adorned with enormous pearls and rare precious
stones, and furnished with matching pillows. He then had Messer Torello, The bed, as Messer Torello had requested, had already been deposited
now quite recovered, arrayed in a Saracenic robe, the richest and finest in the church of San Piero in Ciel d'Oro at Pavia. Messer Torello, with
of its kind, and wrapped his head in a huge turban. Late at night, Saladin, all the aforesaid jewels and ornaments upon and about him, was lying
attended by certain lords, entered the chamber where Messer Torello thereon and still slept. Upon the stroke of matins, the sacristan came into
was and, seating himself beside him, nearly wept as he began: "Messer the church, light in hand, and, setting eyes on the sumptuous bed, was
Torello, the time is nigh when you and I must part. Since I may neither not only amazed but mightily terrified, insomuch that he turned back and
give you my own nor others' company on the journey you are about to took to flight. The abbot and monks, observing this with no small surprise,
make, I have come here to take my leave of you. Before I bid you adieu, asked why he fled, and he told them. Whereupon the abbot said: "Oh,
I entreat you, by the friendship and love between us, not to forget me. you are no longer a child, nor yet so new to this church, that you should
If possible, when you have settled your affairs in Lombardy, come at so lightly be appalled. Let us go and see who it is that has given you this
least once before our days are ended to visit me. This way, I may have childish fright." So, with a blaze of torches, the abbot, attended by his
the delight of seeing you again and make good the omission I must now monks, entered the church and espied the wondrous costly bed whereon
make due to your haste. In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit me by the knight slept. Hesitant and fearful, they dared not approach the bed
letter and ask of me whatever you wish. Be sure that there lives no man but scanned the rare and splendid jewels. It befell that, the efficacy of
whom I shall content more gladly than you." the potion being exhausted, Messer Torello awoke and heaved a great
sigh. Whereat the monks and the abbot, quaking and crying out: "Lord,
Messer Torello could not refrain from tears and, with words few and help us!" one and all took to flight.
broken by sobs, answered that it was impossible for him to forget the
Soldan's generous deeds and chivalrous character. He promised to do as Messer Torello, opening his eyes and looking about him, saw, to his no
Saladin bade him as soon as occasion served. Saladin tenderly embraced small satisfaction, that without a doubt he was in the very place where
and kissed him, bade him adieu with many tears, and left the chamber. he had craved of Saladin to be. So he sat up and, taking particular note of
His lords then took leave of Messer Torello and followed Saladin into the the matters with which he was surrounded, accounted the magnificence
hall where the bed was prepared. of Saladin to exceed even the great measure he already knew. However,
he still kept quiet, save that, perceiving the monks in flight and surmising
It was now late, and the necromancer, intent on hastening Messer Torello's the reason, he began to call the abbot by name, bidding him be of good
transit, had a physician bring him a potion. After showing him what he courage, for that he was his nephew, Torello. The abbot, still terrified,
was to give him as viaticum, the physician caused him to drink it, and he deemed Torello had been many months dead. But after a while, as he
soon fell asleep. In this state, he was carried by Saladin's command and heard himself still called, sound judgment got the better of his fears.
laid on the goodly bed. Saladin set a large, fair, and sumptuous crown Making the sign of the cross, he drew near Torello, who said to him:
on the bed, marking it so there could be no mistake that it was sent by "Father, what is it you fear? By God's grace, I live and have come back
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