Page 92 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron The Fourth Day | The First Novell he gave her to the son of the Duke of Capua, but her husband
died shortly after, and she returned to her father. She was
Storyteller: Fiammetta
exceedingly beautiful, young, light-hearted, and perhaps more
knowledgeable than was fitting for a woman. Living with her
This story declares the power of love and rightly condemns those
loving father in luxury, she saw that he was in no hurry to find
who believe they can end its strength by abusing or killing one of the
her another husband. Deeming it unseemly to ask for one, she
lovers. Tancrede, Prince of Salerno, had his daughter's lover killed
sought a secret lover.
and sent her his heart in a golden cup. In her grief, she steeped the
heart in poisoned water and drank it, thereby ending her own life.
Among the men at her father's court, she preferred Guiscardo,
the Prince's page, a man of humble origin but noble bearing.
She became enamored with him, and he, reading her heart, gave
her his own. They burned in secret for each other, and the lady,
desiring a meeting with Guiscardo, devised a plan. She wrote
him a letter with her commands for the next day, placed it in a
cane, and gave it to him, saying, "You can use this as a bellows
to blow your fire tonight." Guiscardo, sensing the significance,
examined the cane, found the letter, and learned what he was to
do. Delighted, he prepared to meet her as instructed.

Near the Prince's palace was a long-disused grotto, accessible by
a secret stair from the lady's suite. Love had brought this stair to
her mind, and she had secretly opened the door. She informed
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE Guiscardo of the grotto's height and instructed him to find a way
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE). to descend. Guiscardo rigged a rope ladder, donned a leather suit
to protect himself from brambles, and descended into the grotto
the next night. The lady dismissed her damsels, locked herself in
her room, and met Guiscardo in the grotto. They spent a joyous
The king has given us a sorrowful theme for today's discourse.
day together, taking precautions to avoid discovery. Guiscardo
Though we are here for our enjoyment, we must now tell of
returned to the grotto, and the lady rejoined her damsels. At
others' tears, which will undoubtedly move us to pity. Perhaps
nightfall, Guiscardo climbed the ladder and went home, repeating
he intended to temper the gaiety of the past days, but whatever
the visits many times thereafter.
his intent, his will is my law. Therefore, I will narrate a story that
is both pitiful and woeful, one that may well bring you to tears.
But Fortune, envious of their happiness, turned events to sorrow.
Tancred, who occasionally visited his daughter's room alone,
Tancred, Prince of Salerno, a humane and kind-hearted lord,
came one day while she was in the garden. Finding the room
had only one daughter. Had he not had her, he might have been
empty, he lay down on a divan and fell asleep. Ghismonda,
more fortunate. He loved her tenderly and kept her unmarried
unaware of his presence, entered the room, locked the door,
for many years after she reached marriageable age. Eventually,
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The Decameron