Page 27 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The First Day | The Sixth Novell
The King arrived on the appointed day and was received with Storyteller: Emilia
great and ceremonious cheer by the lady. She appeared fair,
noble, and gracious beyond his expectations, and he was lost Telling that with a few discreet and well-chosen words, the
in admiration, his passion inflamed even more. A suite of rooms hidden cunning of churchmen can be rightly criticized, and
furnished for a king was placed at his disposal. After a little their hypocrisy exposed: A straightforward, honest man, with
rest, breakfast time came, and the King and the Marchioness simplicity and integrity, called out the wickedness, hypocrisy,
sat at the same table, while his suite was entertained at other and misconduct of many religious figures.
tables according to their ranks. Many courses were served with
excellent and rare wines, pleasing the King greatly. However,
he noticed that all the dishes, though diverse, were variations
of hens. Knowing the domain could provide various game and
having allowed time for hunting, he was surprised but did
not directly question the lady. Instead, he smiled and asked,
'Madam, do hens grow in this country without a single rooster?'

The Marchioness, understanding the question's drift, saw an
opportunity to demonstrate her virtuous resolution. Casting a
haughty glance at the King, she replied, 'Sire, no; but the women
here, though they may differ in dress and rank, are of the same
nature as elsewhere.'

The significance of the hen banquet and the virtue it veiled
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
became clear to the King. He realized that words would be 29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
wasted on such a lady and that force was out of the question.
Yielding to prudence and honor, he promptly quenched his
unfortunate passion for the lady. Fearing her answers, he
refrained from further jesting and devoted himself to his When everyone had praised the virtue of the Marchioness and
breakfast. Afterward, he disarmed suspicion of his dishonorable her spirited reproof to the King of France, Emilia, who sat next to
intentions by departing early, thanking her for the honor she Fiammetta, obeyed the queen's command and began with good
had conferred upon him, and commending her to God as he courage: "My story is also about a reproof, but one administered by
took the road to Genoa. a worthy man who lived a secular life, to a greedy religious figure,
with a jibe as merry as it was admirable. Know then, dear ladies,
that not long ago in our city, there was a friar minor, an inquisitor
in matters of heresy. Although he tried to pass himself off as a holy
man, tenderly concerned for the integrity of the Christian Faith,
he had as keen a scent for a full purse as for a deficiency of faith.

23
The Decameron