Page 70 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron Filostrato's story, which the ladies received with both blushes and measure of enjoyment, and now you return so soon?" The King
realized someone had impersonated him but wisely kept silent,
laughter, had ended, and the queen asked Pampinea to continue.
replying, "Madam, do you think I cannot be with you once and
Pampinea, smiling, began:
return immediately?" The Queen, reassured, said, "I pray you to
look to your health." The King, angered by the trick, left to find the
"Some people are so indiscreet that they reveal knowledge best
kept hidden, and by criticizing others' covert misdeeds, they only
culprit, taking a small lantern.
increase the disgrace they wish to diminish. I will show you the
opposite case, where the cleverness of someone in a lowly position
outshines that of a doughty king. He went to the dormitory over the stables, where most servants
slept, and felt each man's heart to see if it was still thumping. All
were asleep except the groom, who, terrified, pretended to sleep.
Agilulf, King of the Lombards, who made Pavia his seat of The King found the groom's heart thumping and, without revealing
government, married Theodelinde, the widow of King Authari. She his purpose, cut a portion of his hair to recognize him the next day.
was a fair, wise, and virtuous lady but unfortunate in her lover.
One of the Queen's grooms, a man of low estate but great worth The groom, understanding the mark's purpose, got up and cut the
and good looks, fell deeply in love with her. Knowing his love was hair of all the sleepers in the same manner, then returned to bed.
presumptuous, he kept it secret and didn't even try to express it
through his eyes. Despite having no hope of winning her favor, he The next morning, as soon as the King was up and before the
gloried in his high affection and zealously served her. palace gates were opened, he summoned all his men-servants. As
they stood bareheaded before him, he closely examined them to
The Queen often chose the palfrey he groomed, and he felt highly see if he could identify the one he had marked. To his surprise, he
favored, happy just to touch her clothes. As love grew stronger noticed that most of them had their hair cut in the same manner.
with waning hope, the burden of his hidden passion became Realizing that the culprit was clever despite his lowly position, the
unbearable, and he contemplated death. He decided to try to lie King understood that he couldn't achieve his goal without causing
with the Queen by impersonating the King, who didn't always sleep a commotion. Not wanting to bring great dishonor upon himself
with her. He observed the King's nightly routine and, after several to punish a minor offender, he decided to address the matter with
nights, saw the King cross the hall with a torch and wand, tap the a single admonition.
Queen's door, and enter.
Turning to his servants, the King said, "He who did it, let him do
The groom acquired a similar mantle, torch, and wand, bathed it no more, and go in peace." Another ruler might have resorted
thoroughly, and concealed himself in the hall. When all were asleep, to torture and questioning, thereby revealing what should have
he lit his torch, wrapped himself in the mantle, and tapped the remained hidden and increasing his own disgrace. By handling the
Queen's door. A drowsy chambermaid opened it, took the torch, situation discreetly, the King avoided sullying his lady's reputation.
and he entered without a word. He got into bed with the sleeping
Queen, embraced her, and, pretending to be moody, had carnal Those who heard the King's parting words were puzzled and
knowledge of her more than once. Fearing discovery, he left quickly questioned what he meant. Only the groom understood the
and returned to his bed. message and wisely kept the secret for the rest of the King's life,
never risking such a venture again.
The King soon entered the Queen's room, and she, surprised,
said, "My lord, what a surprise! You just left me after an unusual
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The Decameron