The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5)

  Ricciardo, _surnamed the Magnifico, gave a Horse to_ Signior FrancescoVergellisi, _upon condition, that (by his leave and lisence) hemight speake to his Wife in his presence; which he did, and shee notreturning him any answere, made answer to himselfe on her behalfe, andaccording to his answer, so the effect followed._

  The fifth Novell.

  _Wherein is described the frailety of some Women, and folly of suchHusbands, as leave them alone to their owne disposition._

  _Pamphilus_ having ended the Novell of _Puccio_ the Alchimist, theQueene fixing her eye on Madam _Eliza_, gave order, that shee shouldsucceede with hers next. When shee looking somewhat more austerely,then any of the rest, not in any spleen, but as it was her usuallmanner, thus began. The World containeth some particular people who doebeleeve (because themselves know something) that others are ignorant inall things; who for the most part, while they intend to make a scorneof other men, upon the proofe, doe finde themselves to carry away thescorne. And therefore I account it no meane follie in them, who (uponno occasion) will tempt the power of another mans wit or experience.But because all men and women (perhaps) are not of mine opinion; Imeane that you shall perceive it more apparantly, by an accidenthappening to a Knight of _Pistoia_, as you shall heare by me related.

  In the Towne of _Pistoia_, bordering upon _Florence_, there lived notlong since, a Knight named Signior _Francesco_; descended of the linageor family of the _Vergellisi_, a man very rich, wise, and in manythings provident, but gripple, covetous, and too close handed, withoutrespect to his worth and reputation. He being called to the Office of_Podesta_ in the City of _Millaine_, furnished himselfe with all things(in honourable manner) beseeming such a charge; only, a comely horse(for his owne saddle) excepted, which he knew not by any meanes howto compasse, so loath he was to lay out money, albeit his credit muchdepended thereon.

  At the same time, there lived in _Pistoya_ likewise, a young man, named_Ricciardo_, derived of meane birth, but very wealthy, quicke witted,and of commendable person, alwayes going so neate, fine, and formallin his apparrell, that he was generally tearmed the _Magnifico_, whohad long time affected, yea, and closely courted, (though without anyadvantage or successe) the Lady and Wife of _Signior Francesco_, whowas very beautifull, vertuous, and chaste. It so chanced, that this_Magnifico_ had the very choysest and goodliest ambling Gelding in all_Tuscanie_, which he loved dearely, for his faire forme, and other goodparts. Upon a flying rumor throughout _Pistoria_, that he daily madelove to the fore-said Lady: some busie body, put it into the head of_Signior Francesco_, that if he pleased to request the Gelding, the_Magnifico_ would frankly give it him, in regard of the love he bare tohis Wife.

  The base minded Knight, coveting to have the Horse, and yet not topart with any money, sent for the _Magnifico_, desiring to buy hisfaire Gelding of him, because he hoped to have him of free gift. The_Magnifico_ hearing his request, was not a little joyfull hereof, andthus answered; Sir, if you would give me all the wealth which youpossesse in this World, I will not sell you my Horse, rather I willbestow him on you as a Gentlemanly gift; but yet upon this condition,that before you have him delivered, I may with your lisence, and inyour presence speake a few words to your vertuous Ladie, and so farreoff in distance from you, as I may not be heard by any, but onely herselfe. _Signior Francesco_, wholly conducted by his base avariciousdesire, and meaning to make a scorne at the _Magnifico_, made answere;that he was well contented, to let him speake with her when he would,and leaving him in the great Hall of the house, he went to his WivesChamber, and told her, how easily he might enjoy the Horse; commandingher forth-with, to come and heare what he could say to her, onely sheeshould abstaine, and not returne him any answer. The Lady with a modestblush, much condemned this folly in him, that his covetousnesse shouldserve as a cloake, to cover any unfitting speeches, which her chasteeares could never endure to heare: neverthelesse, being to obey herHusbands will, shee promised to doe it, and followed him downe intothe House, to heare what the _Magnifico_ would say. Againe, he thereconfirmed the bargaine made with her Husband, and sitting downe by herin a corner of the Hall, farre enough off from any ones hearing, takingher curteously by the hand, thus he spake.

  Worthy Lady, it appeareth to me for a certainty, that you are sotruly wise, as you have (no doubt) a long while since perceived, whatunfained affection your beauty (farre excelling all other womensthat I know) hath compelled me to beare you. Setting aside thosecommendable qualities, and singular vertues, gloriously shining inyou, and powerfull enough to make a conquest of the very stoutestcourage: I held it utterly needlesse, to let you understand by words,how faithfull the love is I beare you, were it not much more ferventand constant, then ever any other man can expresse to a woman. Inwhich condition it shall still continue, without the least blemish orimpaire, so long as I enjoy life or motion; yea, and I dare assureyou, that if in the future World, affection may containe the samepowerfull dominion, as it doth in this; I am the man, borne to love youperpetually. Whereby you may rest confidently perswaded, that you enjoynot any thing, how poore or precious soever it be, which you can sosolemnely account to be your owne, and in the truest title of right, asyou may my selfe, in all that I have, or for ever shall be mine.

  To confirme your opinion in this case, by any argument of greaterpower, let me tell you, that I should repute it as my fairest andmost gracious fortune, if you would command me some such service, asconsisteth in mine ability to performe, and in your courteous favourto accept, yea, if it were to travaile thorow the whole world, rightwilling am I, and obedient. In which regard, faire Madame, if I be somuch yours, as you heare I am, I may boldly adventure (and not withoutgood reason) to acquaint your chaste eares with my earnest desires, foron you onely dependeth my happinesse, life and absolute comfort, and asyour most humble servant, I beseech you (my dearest good, and sole hopeof my soule) that rigour may dwell no longer in your gentle brest, butLady-like pitty and compassion: whereby I shal say, that as your divinebeauty enflamed mine affections, even so it extended such a mercifullqualification, as exceeded all my hope, but not the halfe part of yourpitty.

  Admit (miracle of Ladies) that I should die in this distresse: Alas,my death would be but your dishonour; I cannot be termed mine ownemurtherer, when the Dart came from your eye that did it, and mustremaine a witnesse of your rigour. You cannot then chuse but callto minde, and say within your owne soule: Alas! what a sinne have Icommitted, in being so unmercifull to my _Magnifico_. Repentance thenserves to no purpose, but you must answere for such unkinde cruelty.Wherefore, to prevent so blacke a scandall to your bright beauty,beside the ceaselesse acclamations, which will dogge your walkes inthe day time, and breake your quiet sleepes in the night season, withfearefull sights and gastly apparitions, hovering and haunting aboutyour bed; let all these move you to milde mercy, and spill not life,when you may save it.

  So the _Magnifico_ ceasing, with teares streaming from his eyes, andsighes breaking from his heart, he sate still in exspectation ofthe Ladies answere, who made neither long or short of the matter,neither Tilts not Tourneying, nor many lost mornings and evenings,nor infinite other such like offices, which the _Magnifico_ (for hersake) from time to time had spent in vaine, without the least shew ofacceptation, or any hope at all to winne her love: Moved now in thisvery houre, by these solemne protestations, or rather most prevailingasseverations; she began to finde that in her, which (before) shenever felt, namely Love. And although (to keepe her promise made toher husband) shee spake not a word: yet her heart heaving, her soulethrobbing, sighes intermixing, and complexion altering, could nothide her intended answere to the _Magnifico_, if promise had beene nohinderance to her will. All this while the _Magnifico_ sate as mute asshe, and seeing she would not give him any answere at all; he could notchuse but wonder thereat, yet at length perceived, that it was thuscunningly contrived by her husband. Notwithstanding, observing well hercountenance, that it was in a quite contrary temper, another kinde offire sparkling in her eye, other humours flowing, her pulse
s stronglybeating, her stomack rising, and sighes swelling; all these werearguments of a change, and motives to advance his hope. Taking courageby this tickling perswasion, and instructing his minde with a new kindeof counsell: he would needes answere himselfe on her behalfe, and as ifshe had uttered the words, he spake in this manner.

  _Magnifico_, and my friend, surely it is a long time since, when Ifirst noted thine affection towards me, to be very great and mostperfect: but now I am much more certaine thereof, by thine ownehonest and gentle speeches, which content me as they ought to doe.Neverthelesse, if heretofore I have seemed cruell and unkinde to thee,I would not have thee thinke, that my heart was any way guilty of myoutward severity; but did evermore love thee, and held thee dearer thenany man living. But yet it became me to doe so, as well in feare ofothers, as for the renowne of mine owne reputation. But now the time isat hand, to let thee know more clearely, whether I doe affect thee orno: as a just guerdon of thy constant love, which long thou hast, andstill doest beare to me. Wherefore comfort thy selfe, and dwell uponthis undoubted hope, because _Signior Francesco_ my husband, is to beabsent hence for many dayes, being chosen _Podesta_ at _Millaine_, asthou canst not chuse but heare, for it is common through the Country.

  I know (for my sake) thou hast given him thy goodly ambling Gelding,and so soone as hee is gone, I promise thee upon my word, and by thefaithfull love I beare thee: that I will have further conference withthee, and let thee understand somewhat more of my minde. And becausethis is neither fitting time nor place, to discourse on matters of suchserious moment; observe heereafter, as a signall, when thou seest mycrimson skarfe hanging in the window of my Chamber, which is upon theGarden side; that evening (so soone as it is night) come to the Gardengate, with wary respect, that no eye doe discover thee, and there thoushalt finde me walking, and ready to acquaint thee with other matters,according as I shall finde occasion.

  When the _Magnifico_, in the person of the Lady, had spoken thus, thenhee returned her this answere. Most vertuous Lady, my spirits are sotransported with extraordinary joy, for this your gracious and welcomeanswere; that my sences so fayle mee, and all my faculties quiteforsake me, as I cannot give you such thankes as I would. And if Icould speake equally to my desire, yet the season sutes not therewith,neither were it convenient that I should be so troublesome to you. Letme therefore humbly beseech you, that the desire I have to accomplishyour will (which words availe not to expresse) may remaine in yourkinde consideration. And, as you have commaunded me, so will I notfaile to performe it accordingly, and in more thankfull manner, thenas yet I am able to let you know. Now there resteth nothing elsee todoe, but, under the protection of your gracious pardon, I to give overspeech, and you to attend your worthy husband.

  Notwithstanding all that hee had spoken, yet shee replied not one word,wherefore the _Magnifico_ arose, and returned to the Knight, who wentto meete him, saying in a loude laughter. How now man? have I notkept my promise with thee? No Sir, answered the _Magnifico_, for youpromised I should speake with your wife, and you have made mee talketo a marble Statue. This answere was greatly pleasing to the Knight,who, although hee had an undoubted opinion of his wife; yet this didmuch more strengthen his beliefe, and hee said. Now thou confessestthy Gelding to bee mine? I doe, replied the _Magnifico_, but if I hadthought, that no better successe would have ensued on the bargaine;without your motion for the horse, I would have given him you: and Iam sorie that I did not, because now you have bought my horse, and yetI have not sold him. The Knight laughed heartily at this answere, andbeing thus provided of so faire a beast, he rode on his journey to_Millaine_, and there entred into his authority of _Podesta_.

  The Lady remained now in liberty at home, considering on the_Magnificoes_ words, and likewise the Gelding, which (for her sake)was given to her husband. Oftentimes shee saw him passe to and frobefore her windowe, still looking when the Flagge of defiance shouldbe hanged forth, that hee might fight valiantly under her Colours. TheStory saith, that among many of her much better meditations, she washeard to talke thus idely to herselfe. What doe I meane? Wherefore ismy youth? The olde miserable man is gone to _Millaine_, and God knowethwhen hee comes backe againe, ever, or never. Is dignity preferredbefore wedlockes holy duty, and pleasures abroade, more then comfortsat home? Ill can age pay youths arrerages, when time is spent, and nohope sparde. Actions omitted, are often times repented, but done in dueseason, they are sildome sorrowed for. Upon these un-Lady-like privateconsultations, whether the window shewed the signall or no; it is nomatter belonging to my charge: I say, husbands are unwise, to grauntsuch ill advantages, and wives much worse, if they take hold of them,onely judge you the best, and so the Tale is ended.