Page 72 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron lead to trouble. So, I confide in you, hoping you will speak to him seven times for every once he did before. Yesterday, he even sent
a woman to my home with compliments and gifts, a purse and a
and ask him to stop. There are other ladies who might welcome
girdle, as if I didn't have enough. I was so angry that I almost flew
his attention, but I find it a grievous annoyance.'
into a rage, but I restrained myself out of respect for you. I returned
The lady bowed her head as if ready to weep. The friar, believing
the gifts at first, but then recalled the woman to ensure she didn't
her story, praised her virtue and promised to take action. Knowing
keep them and tell him I accepted them. I brought them to you
she was wealthy, he also spoke of charity and almsgiving, hinting
leave me alone, I will tell my husband and brothers, as I prefer his
at his own needs. The lady, understanding, slipped coins into his
hand, asking him to say masses for her deceased loved ones. She to return to him and tell him I don't need such gifts. If he doesn't
indignity over my sullied reputation."
then rose and went home.
Weeping bitterly, she handed the friar a fine purse and a costly
Not long after, the gallant paid one of his usual visits to the friar. girdle. The friar, believing her, expressed indignation and promised
They talked about various topics, and then the friar took him aside to make the gallant stop. He also advised her not to tell her kinsfolk,
and gently reproved him for supposedly pursuing the lady with his assuring her that her reputation would remain intact.
gaze. The gallant, who had never paid her any attention and rarely
passed her house, was astonished and was about to defend himself After the lady left, the friar sent for his friend, who noticed the
when the friar interrupted, saying, "Stop pretending to be amazed friar's troubled air and waited to hear what he would say. The friar
and don't waste words denying it. It won't help you. I didn't hear repeated his previous admonitions and added the latest complaint.
it from the neighbors; she herself told me, bitterly complaining The gallant, not yet understanding the friar's drift, gave a faint denial
about your behavior. I won't say how inappropriate this is, but I will to avoid discrediting the lady. The friar, growing heated, showed
tell you that if I ever knew a woman who disliked such attention, him the purse and girdle, saying, "How can you deny it? She brought
it's her. For your honor's sake and to stop vexing her, I ask you to these to me in tears. Look at them and say if you know them."
leave her in peace." The gallant, feigning shame, admitted his wrongdoing and promised
never to trouble the lady again. The friar, satisfied, gave him the
The gallant, who was more perceptive than the friar, quickly purse and girdle and dismissed him with a lecture.
understood the lady's cleverness. He pretended to be ashamed,
promised to stop, and went straight to the lady's house. She was Elated by the lady's love and the beautiful gifts, the gallant showed
always at a small window to see if he passed by. When she saw her that he had them, and she was well pleased. She waited for her
him, she greeted him so warmly and graciously that he no longer husband's departure to crown her enterprise with success. When
doubted the friar's words. From then on, he passed by her house her husband went to Genoa, she went to the friar, lamenting and
daily, making it seem as if he had other business, to his satisfaction saying, "Father, I can bear my suffering no longer. This morning,
and the lady's immense delight. before matins, your friend came into my garden, climbed a tree to
my bedroom window, and was about to enter when I awoke and
Before long, the lady realized that he favored her as much as she cried out. He begged for mercy, and for your sake, I was silent
did him. To further assure him of her love, she returned to the friar and shut the window in his face. I can't endure this any longer."
and, sitting at his feet in the church, began to weep. The friar asked The friar was furious upon hearing the lady's words and repeatedly
her soothingly what her new trouble was. She replied, "Father, it's asked if she was certain it was the same man. "Holy name of God!"
still that accursed friend of yours, who seems to have been born to she replied, "as if I did not know him from another! It was him, I
torment me. Since I complained to you, he has passed my house tell you; do not believe his denial." The friar, still angry, said, "This
68
The Decameron