Page 41 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

to take advantage of the opportunity Fortune had sent her. The Second Day | The Third Novell
The lady then approached Rinaldo and said, "Rinaldo, why so Storyteller: Pampinea
pensive? Will nothing console you for the loss of a horse and
a few clothes? Take heart, you are at home. Seeing you in my Three young men squander their substance and are reduced to
late husband's clothes, I have felt a longing to embrace and kiss poverty. Their nephew, returning home a desperate man, falls
you, but I feared it might displease you." in with an abbot, in whom he discovers the daughter of the King
of England. She marries him, and he retrieves the losses and
Rinaldo, seeing the desire in her eyes, replied, "Madam, I owe reestablishes the fortune of his uncles.
you my life. If there is any way I can please you, I will gladly do
so. You may embrace and kiss me to your heart's content, and
I will do the same."

No further words were needed. The lady, aflame with desire,
threw herself into his arms, and they shared passionate
embraces and kisses before retiring to her chamber. They spent
the night satisfying their desires and rose at dawn to avoid
suspicion. The lady gave Rinaldo a meaner outfit, replenished his
purse, and showed him the way to the castle to find his servant.

When the gates opened, Rinaldo entered the castle, found his
servant, and put on the spare suit from his valise. As he was
about to mount the servant's horse, the three robbers who
had attacked him the previous evening were brought into the
castle, having been caught for another offense. They confessed,
and Rinaldo's horse, clothes, and money were returned to him,
except for a pair of garters. Grateful to God and St. Julian, Rinaldo
mounted his horse and returned home safe and sound. The next
day, the three robbers were hanged.

1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
37
The Decameron