Page 65 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

Realizing he could not change her mind, Ricciardo left, defeated and
sorrowful. The lady remained with Paganino, content and free from
the restrictions she had endured with her husband.

Messer Ricciardo, realizing his folly in marrying a young wife, left the
room sad and woebegone. After a futile attempt to persuade Paganino,
he returned to Pisa, where he lapsed into such grief that he became
imbecilic. When greeted or questioned in the street, he would only say,
"the evil hole brooks no holiday," and soon after, he died. Paganino,
assured of the lady's love, made her his lawful wife. They lived happily,
working hard and enjoying life without observing feasts or vigils.

This story provoked so much laughter that everyone's jaws ached, and
all the ladies agreed that Dioneo was right and pronounced Bernabo
a blockhead. When the story ended and the laughter subsided, the
queen, noting the late hour and the end of her sovereignty, passed her
wreath to Neifile, saying, "Now, dear gossip, thine be the sovereignty
of this little people." Neifile, blushing like a fresh-blown rose, accepted
the honor and addressed the company.

She proposed that they refrain from storytelling on Friday and Saturday
in honor of God and to observe the customary practices of those
days. She suggested they shift their quarters to avoid being surprised
by newcomers and announced the theme for their next storytelling
session: the fortune of those who have painfully acquired something
much-coveted or, having lost it, have recovered it.

All applauded the queen's speech and plan. The queen then instructed
her seneschal on the evening's arrangements and gave everyone leave
to enjoy themselves. They spent time in a garden, supped with festive
cheer, and danced and sang until it was time to rest. The next two
days were devoted to the duties mentioned by the queen, and they
eagerly looked forward to Sunday.

Thus ended the second day of the Decameron, and the third day began
under the rule of Neifile, with the theme of the fortune of those who
have painfully acquired something much-coveted or, having lost it,
have recovered it.

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The Decameron