Page 61 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

How can you expect a woman, who is naturally more susceptible, to and I remain to complete the day's narration, I will tell my story first,
resist the advances of a skilled seducer? You think she may hold out, and he shall have the grace he requested and be the last to speak."
but I doubt it. Your wife is a woman like any other, with the same After this prelude, she began her story: "There is a common saying
desires and weaknesses. It's possible that she might do as others do.' that the deceived has the better of the deceiver. This proverb, if not
supported by events, might seem unjustified. While adhering to our
Bernabo replied, 'I'm a merchant, not a philosopher. I acknowledge that theme, I want to show you that there is truth in this proverb, which
what you say is true of vain and foolish women, but discreet women should be a welcome reminder to guard against deceivers.
are so sensitive about their honor that they are better able to preserve
it than men. My wife is one of these.' Ambrogiuolo observed, 'Few Some great merchants of Italy, meeting for various reasons at a hostelry
would indulge in casual affairs if a horn grew on their brow to show it. in Paris, jovially supped together one evening and discussed various
But since no such mark appears, they do it secretly. Only those who matters. Eventually, they talked about the ladies they had left at home.
have never been approached or have been rejected are truly chaste. I One merchant joked, 'I can't speak for my wife, but whenever a girl
assure you that if I had access to your saintly wife, I would soon have catches my eye, I forget my love for my wife and enjoy the new girl
the same success with her as with others.' as best I can.' Another said, 'I do the same because I know my wife
tries her luck too, whether I suspect it or not. It's a case of do as you
Bernabo, angered, said, 'This discussion is pointless. But since you are done by.' A third agreed, and soon all seemed to concur that their
claim all women are compliant and you are such an accomplished wives were likely to take advantage of opportunities.
seducer, I pledge my wife's honor. If you succeed in seducing her, I will
forfeit my head. If you fail, you will forfeit a thousand gold florins to me.' However, a Genoese merchant named Bernabo Lomellin disagreed,
claiming that by God's special grace, he had a wife who was the
Elated by this unexpected offer, Ambrogiuolo replied, 'I don't know epitome of all virtues proper to a lady and even to a knight or squire. She
what I would do with your blood, Bernabo, if I won the wager. But if was fair, young, skilled in embroidery and other crafts, well-mannered,
you want proof, lay five thousand gold florins against a thousand of discreet, and sensible. She could manage a horse, fly a hawk, read,
mine. I will go to Genoa and within three months, I will have had my write, and do accounts better than a merchant. He swore that she
pleasure with your wife and bring back conclusive evidence. You must was the most honest and chaste woman, and he believed that even
not come to Genoa or write to her during this time.' if he were away for ten years, she would never think of another man.

Bernabo agreed, and despite the others' attempts to stop them, they Among the merchants was a young man named Ambrogiuolo da
wrote and signed the agreement. Ambrogiuolo left for Genoa and, Piacenza, who laughed and asked Bernabo if he had this privilege by
with great caution, learned about the lady's habits and character. special patent of the Emperor. Bernabo, somewhat angrily, replied that
Realizing his task was hopeless, he devised a plan. He bribed a poor it was a boon from God, who was more powerful than the Emperor.
woman, who was close to the lady, to smuggle him into her bedroom Ambrogiuolo rejoined, 'I don't doubt that you believe what you say,
in a chest. The woman, following Bernabo's instructions, convinced the but you must have been a careless observer of human nature. Men,
lady to take charge of the chest for a few days while she was away." who are more perfect than women, cannot resist a woman's charms.
How can you expect a woman, who is naturally more susceptible, to
When Elisa finished her story, Queen Philomena, a young woman resist the advances of a skilled seducer? You think she may hold out,
as stately as she was beautiful, with a sweet and smiling demeanor, but I doubt it. Your wife is a woman like any other, with the same
composed herself to speak and began: desires and weaknesses. It's possible that she might do as others do.'
"Our agreement with Dioneo will be faithfully observed. Since only he
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The Decameron