Page 278 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron minds, so those which are not altogether suitable do not written thus. To these, I give thanks, for they are so tender of
contaminate the well-disposed, any more than mire can sully
my fame; but to their objection, I reply that I am not heavy.
Considering that the preachments made by friars are full of
the rays of the sun.
jokes, I conceived that these latter would not be amiss in my
stories written to ease women of melancholy.
What books, words, or letters are holier and more venerable
than those of the Divine Scriptures? Yet many, interpreting
them perversely, have brought themselves and others to ruin.
Everything in itself is good for something, and ill-used, may be
and a venomous one for writing the truth about the friars? To
those who say this, it must be forgiven, for it is not credible that
harmful; and so I say of my stories. If anyone wishes to draw ill Again, who can doubt that some will say I have an ill tongue
counsel or practice from them, they will not forbid him, if they they are moved by anything other than just cause. The friars
have it in them or are twisted into having it; and whoever wishes are good people who avoid unease for the love of God, who tell
to have benefit and utility from them, they will not deny it him. no tales, and their commerce would be more agreeable but for
their somewhat goat-like scent.
There are some ladies who will say that there are some stories
here which would have been better left out. Granted; but I I confess that the things of this world have no stability and are
could not and should not write anything other than what was constantly changing, and this may have happened to my tongue.
actually told, and those who told them should have told them A neighbor told me not long ago that my tongue was the best
well, and I would have written them well. If people will pretend and sweetest in the world. Were this the case, there would have
that I am both the inventor and writer of them (which I am not), been few of the preceding stories to write.
I say that I should not be ashamed that they were not all equally
good, for there is no craftsman living (except God) who does To those who speak spitefully, I will let what has been said
everything equally well. No field was ever so well tilled that it suffice as a reply; therefore, leaving each of you to say and
did not have some weeds. believe what seems good to you, it is time for me to end my
words. I humbly thank Him who has, after such long labor,
Having to speak to simple girls, such as you are for the most brought us with His help to the desired end. And you, charming
part, it would have been folly to go seeking very choice matters ladies, remain in peace with His favor, remembering me, if it
and to use great pains to speak very measuredly. Whoever reads profits any of you to have read these stories.
among these stories, let him leave those which offend and read
those which divert. They all bear branded upon the forefront HERE ENDS THE BOOK CALLED DECAMERON AND SURNAMED
that which they hold hidden within their bosoms. PRINCE GALAHALT

Again, I doubt not that there are those who will say that some
of them are too long; to whom I say again that whoever has
too much to do does folly to read these stories, even though
they were brief. I offered this my labor to idle women, and to
those who read to pass away the time, nothing can be too long.

There will be some who will say that these stories are full of
jokes and that it ill becomes a man of weight and gravity to have
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The Decameron