Page 275 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

Gualtieri had caused his children to be carefully nurtured and brought and unjust should know that what I did was done with purpose
up by a relative of his in Bologna, who was married into the family of aforethought. I intended to give both you and them a lesson, that
the Counts of Panago. The girl, now twelve years old and the loveliest you might learn to be a wife, and they might learn how to take
creature ever seen, and the boy, about six years old, were sent for and keep a wife, and that I might beget perpetual peace with you
by Gualtieri. He asked his relative's husband to come to Saluzzo for the rest of my life. Being in great fear when I took a wife, lest
with the girl and boy and to bring a goodly and honorable company I should be disappointed, I therefore, to put the matter to the
with him, giving all to understand that he brought the girl to him as proof, did, and how sorely you know, harass and afflict you. Since
his bride, without disclosing her true identity. The gentleman did as I never knew you to deviate from my will by deed or word, I now,
the Marquis bade him, and within a few days of setting forth, arrived deeming myself to have the assurance of happiness I desired, am
at Saluzzo around breakfast-time with the girl, her brother, and a minded to restore to you at once all that I took from you, step by
noble company. They found all the folk of those parts, and many step, and by extremity of joy to compensate for the tribulations
others besides, gathered in expectation of Gualtieri's new bride. I inflicted on you. Receive, then, this girl, whom you suppose to
The ladies received the girl, and as soon as she entered the hall be my bride, and her brother, with a glad heart, as your children
where the tables were set, Griselda advanced to meet her, saying and mine. These are they whom you and many others have long
with hearty cheer: "Welcome, my lady." The ladies, who had in vain supposed I ruthlessly put to death. I am your husband, who loves
besought Gualtieri to let Griselda keep in another room or furnish you more dearly than anything else, deeming that no other has as
her with one of her former robes, sat down to table. As the service good cause to be well content with his wife."
began, all eyes were on the girl, and everyone said that Gualtieri
had made a good exchange. Griselda joined in greatly commending With that, he embraced and kissed her. While she wept for joy, they
her and her little brother. rose and went to where the daughter sat, astonished to hear the
news. They tenderly embraced her and her brother and explained the
Gualtieri, satisfied at last with all he had seen of his wife's patience, whole mystery to them and many others who stood by. The ladies,
noticed that this new and strange turn made no change in her transported with delight, rose from the table and took Griselda to a
demeanor. Being well assured that it was not due to apathy, for he chamber. With better omen, they divested her of her sorry garb and
knew her to be of excellent understanding, he deemed it time to arrayed her in one of her own robes of state. In the guise of a lady
relieve her of the suffering he judged her to hide under a resolute (though she had shown as no less in her rags), they led her back into
front. Having called her to him in the presence of all, he said with the hall. Wondrous was the cheer they made with the children. All
a smile: "And what do you think of our bride?" Griselda replied: overjoyed at the event, they reveled and made merry, prolonging the
"My lord, I think very well of her; and if she is as discreet as she festivities for several days. They pronounced Gualtieri very discreet,
is fair, and so I deem her, I have no doubt that you may lead a life albeit they censured as intolerably harsh the probation to which he
of incomparable happiness with her. But I earnestly entreat you to had subjected Griselda, and they accounted Griselda most discreet
spare her the tribulations you once inflicted upon another who was beyond all compare.
yours, for I scarcely think she would be able to bear them, as she
is younger and has been delicately nurtured, whereas the other Some days later, the Count of Panago returned to Bologna, and
had known no respite from hardship since she was a little child." Gualtieri took Giannucolo from his farming and established him in
Marking that she made no doubt that the girl was to be his wife, honor as his father-in-law, wherein he lived for the rest of his days
and yet spoke no less sweetly, Gualtieri caused her to sit beside to his great solace. Gualtieri himself, having married his daughter
him and said: "Griselda, it is now time that you see the reward of to a husband of high degree, lived long and happily thereafter with
your long patience, and that those who have deemed me cruel Griselda, to whom he ever paid all honor.
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