Page 59 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

and offered him food. Jeannette, now a mother of several children, saw the Count of Antwerp, for his wife, your sister Violante, and for me, the
her children gather around the Count, instinctively recognizing him as their Count of Antwerp, your father."
grandfather. The Count, knowing them as his grandchildren, could not
conceal his love and caressed them. Perrot, recognizing the Count, burst into tears and embraced him, saying,
"My father, welcome, welcome indeed." Jacques, overcome with wonder
Jeannette, unaware of the Count's true identity, scolded her children for and delight, recalled the insulting language he had used towards the Count
not obeying their master and threatened to whip them. The children cried, and was stricken with shame. He wept, fell at the Count's feet, and humbly
preferring the company of the Count, which made both the lady and the begged for forgiveness, which the Count graciously granted.
Count laugh. The Count, intending only to show respect, was thrilled to see
his daughter but remained unrecognized due to his changed appearance. After comparing their fortunes with many tears and hearty laughs, Perrot
Jacques' father, harboring a grudge against Jeannette, remarked that the and Jacques wanted to dress the Count in attire befitting his rank. However,
children consorted with vagabonds because of their mother's lineage. The the Count insisted that Jacques present him to the King in his groom's garb
Count, pained by the insult, bore it silently. Jacques, noticing his children's to shame the King further. Jacques, the Count, and Perrot went to the King
fondness for the Count, allowed him to stay in their service, assigning him and offered to present the Count and his children if the reward was given
to look after the horses. as promised. The King immediately produced a generous reward for all
three and instructed Jacques to bring the Count and his children to the
While the Count served as a groom, the King of France died, and his crown royal presence.
passed to his son, whose wife had caused the Count's banishment. The
new king renewed hostilities with the Germans, aided by his brother of Jacques brought the Count and Perrot forward, saying, "Sire, father and
England, with Perrot and Jacques Lamiens leading the army. The Count, son are before you; the daughter, my wife, is not here, but, God willing, you
unrecognized, served in the army with wisdom and valor. shall soon see her." The King, recognizing the Count despite his changed
appearance, was moved to tears. He raised the Count from his knees,
The Queen of France, gravely ill, confessed her sins to the Archbishop of kissed, and embraced him. He also welcomed Perrot kindly and ordered that
Rouen, including the wrong she had done to the Count of Antwerp. She the Count be furnished with apparel, servants, and horses suited to his rank.
recounted the entire affair to several worthy men, asking them to use their The King honored Jacques and questioned him about his past adventures.
influence to restore the Count or his children to honor and estate. After
her death, the King, moved by her confession, proclaimed throughout As Jacques was about to take the noble rewards for discovering the
the army and beyond that anyone who brought news of the Count or his Count and his children, the Count said, "Take these tokens of the
children would receive a great reward. He intended to grant the Count not King's magnificence and tell your father that your children, his and my
only restitution but also increased honor and estate. grandchildren, do not descend from a vagabond on their mother's side."
Now the Count, still serving as a groom in the army, heard the King's Jacques took the rewards and sent for his wife and mother to join him in
proclamation and believed it was made in good faith. He went to Jacques Paris. Perrot's wife also came, and they were all magnificently entertained
and requested a private meeting with him and Perrot to reveal the by the Count, who had been restored to his former estates and honors,
information the King sought. During the meeting, Perrot was about to with additional ones granted by the King.
declare himself when the Count spoke first: "Perrot, Jacques has your
sister as his wife, but she had no dowry. To ensure she is not dowerless, With the Count's leave, they all returned to their homes. The Count spent
I want Jacques to receive the great reward the King offers for you, son of the rest of his days in Paris in greater glory than ever before.

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The Decameron