Page 85 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Third Day | The Ninth Novell Lauretta's story being ended, and the queen being mindful of her promise
Storyteller: Neifile to Dioneo, it was now her turn to speak. Without waiting for her subjects
to call upon her, she began graciously:
Gillette of Narbonne cures the King of France of a fistula, craves for "Now that we have heard Lauretta's story, who can tell one to compare
spouse Bertrand de Roussillon, who marries her against his will, and with its beauty? It was fortunate that she was not the first, for few that
hies him in despite to Florence, where, as he courts a young woman, followed would have pleased. I fear it will be difficult for those who remain
Gillette lies with him in her stead, and has two sons by him; for which to complete the day's narration. However, for what it may be worth, I will
he afterwards takes her into favour and entreats her as his wife. tell you a story that seems relevant to our theme.

In the realm of France, there was a gentleman named Isnard, Comte de
Roussillon, who, being in poor health, always had a physician, Master
Gerard of Narbonne, in attendance. The Count had an only son named
Bertrand, a fine and charming little boy. Among the children raised with
Bertrand was the physician's daughter, Gillette, who, despite her tender
years, became deeply enamored of Bertrand. When the Count died, and
Bertrand, being left a ward of the King, had to go to Paris, Gillette was
beside herself with grief. After her father died soon after, she longed to
go to Paris to see Bertrand but could find no suitable excuse, being a great
and sole heiress and closely guarded. As she reached marriageable age,
still cherishing Bertrand's memory, she rejected many suitors without
giving any reason.

Her passion for Bertrand grew stronger as she learned that he had become
a handsome young man. She heard that the King of France, suffering
from a poorly treated tumor in his breast, was now troubled with a fistula,
causing him extreme distress. No physician had been able to cure him, and
he had grown worse under their care. In despair, he resolved to seek no
more counsel or aid. Gillette was overjoyed, seeing this as a lawful reason
to go to Paris and hoping that if the disease was what she thought, she
might marry Bertrand. Having learned much from her father, she prepared
a powder from certain herbs to treat the disease and set off for Paris.

Upon arriving, she first sought out Bertrand and then gained access to
the King. She asked him to show her the disease. The King, unable to
refuse such a young, fair, and charming damsel, let her see the affected
area. Confident she could cure him, she said, "Sire, I hope in God to cure
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE you of this malady within eight days without causing you any distress or
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
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The Decameron