Page 29 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The First Day | The Seventh Novell censure the pretended charity of the friars who give to the poor what
Storyteller: Filostrato they ought to give to the pigs or throw away, higher praise is due to
the man I will speak of, who, by a clever story, rebuked a sudden and
Stating that it is highly inappropriate for a prince or a person unusual access of greed in Messer Cane della Scala. This story follows.
of high status to be greedy; instead, they should be generous
to everyone: Bergamino, by recounting a story about a Far and wide, almost to the ends of the earth, is borne the illustrious
skilled man named Primasso and an Abbot of Cluny, cleverly renown of Messer Cane della Scala, a lord almost without peer among
addressed a new form of greed in Master Can de la Scala. the notables and great men of Italy since the time of Emperor Frederick
II. Messer Cane, intending to hold a grand festival in Verona, whereof
fame should speak marvelously, had many people from various
parts, mostly jesters of every order, already arrived. However, for
some reason, he suddenly abandoned his plan and dismissed them
with partial recompense. One jester, Bergamino by name, a speaker
ready and polished to a degree credible only to those who hear him,
remained, having received no recompense or dismissal, still hoping
that this omission might turn to his advantage. But Messer Cane
believed that whatever he gave Bergamino would be more completely
wasted than if he had thrown it into the fire. So he said nothing to him.

A few days passed, and Bergamino, seeing that he was not in demand
for anything related to his office and being at heavy charges at his inn for
the keep of his horses and servants, fell into a sort of melancholy. Still, he
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE waited, not deeming it wise to leave. He had brought with him three rich
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE). and goodly robes, given to him by other lords, to make a brave show at the
festival. When his host began to press for payment, he gave him one of the
robes. Later, with more outstanding charges, he gave the host the second
robe to stay longer at the inn. He began to live on the third robe, intending
Emilia's charming manner and her story drew laughter and commendation to remain as long as it lasted, hoping for better luck, and then to depart.
from the queen and all the company, who were much amused by
her new type of crusader. When the laughter had subsided and all One day, while living on the third robe, Messer Cane encountered him at
were silent again, Filostrato, on whom the narration now fell, began: breakfast with a very melancholy face. Observing this, Messer Cane, rather to
tease him than expecting a pleasant retort, said, 'What ails you, Bergamino,
"It is a fine thing, noble ladies, to hit a fixed mark; but if, on the sudden that you are so melancholy? Let me know the reason why.' Without a
appearance of some strange object, it is immediately hit by the bowman, moment's reflection, Bergamino told the following story, which could not
it is little short of a miracle. The corrupt and filthy life of the clergy have fitted his own case more exactly if it had been long premeditated.
offers many targets of iniquity at which anyone can aim the winged
words of reproof and reprimand. While the worthy man did well to My lord, you must know that Primasso was a grammarian of great

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The Decameron