Page 44 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron When Pampinea had finished her story, Lauretta began: "Most gracious others unset. Recognizing their value, he praised God and recovered
his spirits. Fearing another misfortune, he wrapped the stones in
ladies, Fortune's power is never more evident than when she raises
rags and told the woman she could keep the chest, asking for a
someone from misery to regal state, as we saw with Alessandro
sack in exchange. She readily agreed, and he thanked her heartily.
in Pampinea's story. My story, though involving greater reverses,
has a less dazzling conclusion. Yet, I hope it will still interest you.
Landolfo then took a ship to Brindisi and traveled along the coast to

Trani, where he found some townsfolk who were drapers. He recounted
The sea-coast between Reggio and Gaeta, especially the Slope of Amalfi
near Salerno, is known for its beauty and wealthy, enterprising merchants. In
a horse, escorting him to Ravello. Thanking God for his safe return, he
Ravello, there was once a merchant named Landolfo Ruffolo, who, despite his adventures, omitting the chest, and they kindly gave him clothes and
examined the stones more carefully and found their value to be twice
his wealth, sought to double it and nearly lost everything, including his life. what he had before. He sold the stones, sent a large sum of money to the
Landolfo bought a great ship, loaded it with merchandise, and sailed to woman in Corfu and his friends in Trani, and kept the rest. Avoiding further
Cyprus. There, he found many other ships with similar cargo, forcing trade ventures, he lived and died in honorable estate.
him to sell his goods cheaply and nearly ruining him. Desperate, he
sold his ship, bought a light bark, and turned to piracy, preying on
all, especially the Turks. Fortune favored him, and within a year, he
had recovered and doubled his fortune. Deciding to return home, he The Second Day | The Fifth Novell
refrained from further trade and carried his wealth in the same bark.
Storyteller: Fiametta

Entering the Archipelago, a storm forced him to seek shelter in a bay. Landolfo Ruffolo is reduced to poverty, turns corsair, is captured
Two Genoese carracks, also seeking shelter, discovered Landolfo's by Genoese, is shipwrecked, escapes on a chest full of jewels,
wealth and decided to capture his bark. They easily took it, allowing and, being cast ashore at Corfu, is hospitably entertained by a
Landolfo only a pitiful doublet, and sank the bark. The next day, a tempest woman, and returns home wealthy.
arose, and the carracks were separated. Landolfo's ship was driven onto
a shoal off Cephalonia and broke apart. Clinging to a plank, Landolfo
survived until morning, when he saw a chest drifting near him. Fearing it
might harm him, he pushed it away, but a gust of wind drove it against
his plank, overturning it. Landolfo swam to the chest and clung to it.

For two days and nights, he drifted, without food and drinking more
seawater than he wanted. Eventually, he was washed ashore on
Corfu, where a poor woman found him. She pulled him to land, chest
and all, and cared for him until he recovered. The woman returned
his chest, and Landolfo, grateful, set out to try his fortune again.
Landolfo, unable to recall the chest, took it when the woman brought
it to him, thinking it might suffice for a few days' expenses. Finding
it very light, he lost hope, but when the woman was out, he opened
it and discovered a great number of precious stones, some set and 1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
40
The Decameron