Page 99 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

very rich in lands, goods, and money. He had many children by without hindrance to our mutual contentment. It's up to you now
his wife, three of whom were daughters, older than his sons. Two to accept or reject this offer."
were twins, fifteen years old, and the third was fourteen. Nothing
hindered their marriage plans except for the return of their father, The two brothers, whose expenses exceeded their means,
Narnaldo, who was away in Spain on a trading trip. The eldest saw hope in how to achieve their loves. Without hesitation,
daughter was named Ninetta, the second was Magdalena, and they agreed to join him in this plan, no matter the danger, and
the third was Bertella. A gentleman named Restagnone, although promised to share their wealth with him. Restagnone heard their
poor in fortune, was very much in love with Ninetta, and she was answer and, within a few days, managed to secretly meet with
equally in love with him. They kept their love secret for a long Ninetta. He explained everything that passed between him and the
time, enjoying their hearts’ content without being discovered. other two gentlemen, giving many reasons for her to agree to their
plan. Though she initially doubted, her desire to be with him daily
One day, two other young men, Folco and Hugnetto, who had overpowered any reservations. She finally agreed, promising to
inherited great wealth from their father, also fell in love with convince her sisters to join them. She told Restagnone to prepare
Magdalena and Bertella respectively. Restagnone learned of everything for their departure as soon as possible.
this through his beloved Ninetta, and he planned to relieve
his poverty by helping both their love and his own. He became Restagnone returned to Folco and Hugnetto, who eagerly
friends with them, sometimes walking with Folco, sometimes awaited the outcome. He informed them that their ladies were
with Hugnetto, and often with both, visiting their mistresses as keen as they were, and they only needed to prepare for their
and continuing their friendship. One day, when the opportunity sudden departure. They decided on Candie as their destination
was right and he had invited the two gentlemen to his house, he and sold some properties and goods. They purchased a nimble
spoke to them this way: ship, fortified it, and awaited favorable winds. Ninetta, knowing
her sisters’ eagerness and their secret preparation, planned a
"Kind friends, the honest friendship that has grown between us successful escape. On the night of their escape, they secretly
assures you of the constant love I bear for you both. I’m as willing gathered gold and jewels from their father’s chest and met their
to work for your benefit as I desire to achieve my own. Because lovers at an agreed place. They sailed smoothly, arriving in Genoa
my true affection can’t hide itself from you, I want to share an by the next night, where they married each other and enjoyed
idea I’ve been thinking about for a long time, which can now be their long-sought happiness. They sailed again, well-provided,
realized if you agree. Let me tell you, unless your words are false and within eight days landed in Candie without any trouble. They
and your actions deceitful, just like me, you suffer from the love settled down, bought land, built homes, and enjoyed a delightful
you bear for two of the sisters, with equal reciprocation of their life, living like three brothers with mutual contentment.
affection. To ease our tormenting flames, if you agree to the plan
I’ll suggest, we can all find comfort. As both of you are wealthy, As time passed, Restagnone, who dearly loved Ninetta and
and I am extremely poor, if you combine your riches and include had her without fear of loss, eventually grew tired of her and
me, we can choose a place to live comfortably and be happy. I’m failed to maintain the same affection. At a banquet, he met a
confident that all the sisters, who are also well-endowed with beautiful local woman that captivated him. He pursued her and
their father’s wealth, will join us wherever we decide. There spent generously on her. Ninetta noticed and became extremely
each man can freely enjoy his beloved, living like three brothers jealous. This jealousy grew into fury and eventually cruel hatred

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The Decameron