Page 75 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

lasted, the lady and the monk enjoyed themselves in another part of When Pamfilo finished the story of Fra Puccio, making the ladies laugh,
the house. The monk would leave, and the lady would return to her the queen kindly asked Elisa to continue. Elisa, who had a slightly severe
bed just before Fra Puccio finished his vigil. The lady, enjoying the manner that was habitual rather than spiteful, began:
monk's company and the contrast with her husband's abstemious life, "Many people, thinking themselves clever, believe others to be quite the
would jestingly say, "You lay a penance upon Fra Puccio, and we are opposite. Often, those who try to deceive others end up being deceived
rewarded with Paradise." themselves. Therefore, I consider it foolish to challenge someone to a
contest of wit without good reason. But since not everyone may agree, I
When Fra Puccio's penance ended, the lady found other ways to will tell you a story about a knight from Pistoia.
enjoy herself discreetly, ensuring its long continuance. Thus, Fra
Puccio, hoping to secure a place in Paradise through his penance, In Pistoia, there lived a knight named Messer Francesco of the Vergellesi
inadvertently sent the monk and his wife there instead.
family. He was wealthy, wise, and clever, but extremely stingy. When
he was appointed podesta of Milan, he prepared everything for his new
position except for a handsome palfrey, which he couldn't find. In Pistoia,
there was a wealthy young man named Ricciardo, known as Zima, who was
The Third Day | The Fifth Novell always well-dressed and foppish. Zima had long been in love with Messer
Storyteller: Elissa Francesco's beautiful and virtuous wife, but his love was unrequited.

Ricciardo, surnamed the Magnificent, gave a horse to Signior Someone told Messer Francesco that Zima, who owned one of the
Francesco Vergillisi on the condition that he could speak finest palfreys in Tuscany, would give him the horse for the love he bore
to Vergillisi's wife in his presence. He did so, and when she Francesco's wife. Hoping to get the horse as a gift, the stingy knight sent
did not respond, he answered on her behalf. The outcome for Zima and offered to buy the horse. Zima replied, "I won't sell my horse,
followed according to his response. even if you give me everything you own. But I will give it to you if you allow
me to speak privately with your wife in your presence."
Thinking he could outwit Zima, the knight agreed. He told his wife about the
arrangement, instructing her to listen to Zima but not to respond. Though
she disliked the idea, she agreed to obey her husband. Zima then confirmed
the agreement with the knight and sat down beside the lady in the hall.

Zima began, "Noble lady, I respect your intelligence and know you are
aware of my deep passion for you. Your beauty, manners, and virtues
surpass those of any other lady. I love you more than any man has ever
loved a woman, and I will continue to do so as long as I live. If love exists
in the next world, I will love you there too. You can be sure that nothing
is more yours than I am. I would consider it a great favor to do something
to please you, more than if the whole world obeyed me. As your devoted
servant, I ask you to show me compassion and ease the harshness you
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE have shown me. If you do not, I will die, and it may be said that you killed
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
71
The Decameron