Page 33 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Queen's last command remained with Madam Elissa, who The First Day | The Tenth Novell
immediately began: Young Ladies, it has often been seen Storyteller: Pampinea
that much effort and many reprimands are spent in vain until
a word spoken by chance, and perhaps not intentionally, Wherein is declared, that honest love agrees with people
effectively accomplishes the task. This is evident from the of all ages: Master Albert of Bouillon honestly made a Lady
Tale of Madame Lauretta and another of my own, which I blush, who thought to have done as much to him because she
intend to briefly share with you, proving that when good perceived him to be amorously affected towards her.
words are wisely observed, they hold great power and virtue.

In the days of the first King of Cyprus, after the Conquest of the
Holy Land by Godfrey of Bouillon, it happened that a Gentlewoman
from Gascony, traveling on a pilgrimage to visit the sacred
Sepulcher in Jerusalem, was returning home and arrived in Cyprus,
where she was villainously abused by certain base wretches.

Complaining about this, without any comfort or redress, she
intended to make her complaint to the King of the country.
She was told that she would only waste her effort because he
was so womanish and faint-hearted that he not only refused to
punish the offenses of others but also suffered shameful injuries
himself. Therefore, those displeased by his negligence could
easily vent their anger on him and dishonor him as they wished.

When the Gentlewoman heard this, despairing of any consolation
or revenge for her wrongs, she resolved to confront the King’s
denial of justice. Coming before him weeping, she spoke: Sir, I do
not come into your presence hoping for redress from you for the
various dishonorable injuries done to me; but, as full satisfaction
for them, just teach me how you endure such vile abuses that are
daily inflicted upon you. So that, being instructed by you, I may
more patiently bear my own; which (as God knows) I would gladly
bestow on you because you know so well how to endure them.

The King, who until then had been very bad, dull, and slothful,
as if sleeping through his time of governance, began to
avenge the wrongs done to this Gentlewoman very severely.
From then on, he became a most strict Justicer, for the least 1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
offense against the honor of his Crown or any of his subjects.
29
The Decameron