The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10)

  _Madam_ Francesca, _a Widdow of_ Pistoya, _being affected by two_Florentine _Gentlemen, the one named_ Rinuccio Palermini, _and theother_ Alessandro Chiarmontesi, _and she bearing no good will to eytherof them; ingeniously freed her selfe from both their importunatesuites. One of them she caused to lye as dead in a grave, and the otherto fetch him from thence: so neither of them accomplishing what theywere enjoyned, fayled of obtaining his hoped expectation._

  The First Novell.

  _Approving, that chaste and honest Women, ought rather to denyimportunate suiters, by subtile and ingenious meanes, then fall intothe danger of scandall and slander._

  Madame, it can no way discontent mee (seeing it is your most graciouspleasure) that I should have the honour, to breake the first staffe offreedome in this faire company (according to the injunction of yourMajesty) for liberty of our own best liking arguments: wherein I dismaynot (if I can speake well enough) but to please you all as well, as anyother that is to follow me. Nor am I so oblivious (worthy Ladies) butfull well I remember, that many times hath bene related in our passeddemonstrations, how mighty and variable the powers of love are: and yetI cannot be perswaded, that they have all bene so sufficiently spokenof, but something may bee further added, and the bottome of them neverdived into, although we should sit arguing a whole yeare together. Andbecause it hath beene alreadie approved, that Lovers have bene ledinto divers accidents, not onely inevitable dangers of death, but alsohave entred into the verie houses of the dead, thence to convey theiramorous friends: I purpose to acquaint you with a Novell, beside themwhich have bene discoursed; whereby you may not onely comprehend thepower of Love, but also the wisedome used by an honest Gentlewoman, torid her selfe of two importunate suiters, who loved her against herowne liking, yet neither of them knowing the others affection.

  In the City of _Pistoya_, there dwelt sometime a beautifullGentlewoman, being a Widdow, whom two of our _Florentines_ (the onenamed _Rinuccio Palermini_, and the other _Alessandro Chiarmontesi_),having withdrawne themselves to _Pistoya_ desperately affected, theone ignorant of the others intention, but each carrying his caseclosely, as hoping to be possessed of her. This Gentlewoman, namedMadame _Francesca de Lazzari_, being often solicited by their messages,and troublesomely pestered with their importunities: at last (lesseadvisedly then she intended) shee granted admittance to heare either ofthem speake. Which she repenting, and coveting to be rid of them both,a matter not easie to be done: she wittily devised the onely meanes,namely, to move such a motion to them, as neither would willinglyundertake, yet within the compasse of possibility; but they failing inthe performance, shee might have the more honest occasion, to bee freefrom all further molestation by them, and her politike intention wasthus projected.

  On the same day, when she devised this peece of service, a man wasburied in _Pistoya_, and in the Church-yard belonging unto the grayFriars, who being descended of good and worthie parentage: yet himselfewas very infamous, and reputed to be the vilest man living, not onelythere in _Pistoya_, but throughout the whole World beside. Moreover,while he lived, he had such a strange misshapen body, and his face sougly deformed, that such as knew him not, would stand gastly affrightedat the first sight of him. In regarde whereof, shee considered with herselfe, that the foule deformitie of this loathed fellow, would greatlyavayle in her determination, and consulting with her Chamber-maid, thusshe spake.

  Thou knowest (my most true and faithfull servant) what trouble andaffliction of minde I suffer dayly, by the messages and Letters ofthe two _Florentines, Rinuccio_ and _Alessandro,_ how hatefull theirimportunity is to me, as being utterly unwilling to hear them speake,or yeeld to any thing which they desire. Wherefore, to free my selfefrom them both together, I have devised (in regard of their greatand liberall offers) to make triall of them in such a matter, as I amassured they will never performe.

  It is not unknowne to thee, that in the Church-yard of the GrayFriars, and this instant morning, _Scannadio_ (for so was the uglyfellow named) was buried; of whom, when he was living, as also nowbeing dead, both men, women, and children, doe yet stand in feare, sogastly and dreadfull alwayes was his personall appearance to them.Wherefore, first of all go thou to _Alessandro_, and say to him thus.My Mistris _Francesca_ hath sent me to you, to tell you, that now thetime is come, wherein you may deserve to enjoy her love, and gaine thepossession of her person, if you will accomplish such a motion as shemaketh to you. For some especiall occasion, wherewith hereafter youshall bee better acquainted, a neere Kinsman of hers, must needs havethe body of _Scannadio_ (who was buried this morning) brought to herhouse. And she, being as much affraid of him now he is dead, as when hewas living, by no meanes would have his body brought thither.

  In which respect, as a Token of your unfeigned love to her, and thelatest service you shall ever do for her: shee earnestly entreatethyou, that this night, in the very deadest time thereof, you would go tothe grave, where _Scannadio_ lyeth yet uncovered with earth untill tomorrow, and attyring your selfe in his garments, even as if you werethe man himselfe, so to remaine there untill her kinsman doe come.

  Then, without speaking any one word, let him take you foorth of thegrave, & bring you thence (insted of _Scannadio_) to hir house: whereshe will give you gentle welcome, and disappoint her Kinsman in hishope, by making you Lord of her, and all that is hers, as afterwardshall plainly appeare. If he say he will do it, it is as much as Idesire: but if hee trifle and make deniall, then boldly tell him, thathe must refraine all places wheresoever I am, and forbeare to send meany more Letters, or messages.

  Having done so, then repaire to _Rinuccio Palermini_, and say. MyMistresse _Francesca_ is ready to make acceptance of your love;provided, that you will do one thing for her sake. Namely, this ensuingnight, in the midst & stillest season thereof, to go to the grave where_Scannadio_ was this morning buried, & (without making any noise) orspeaking one word, whatsoever you shall heare or see: to take him forthof the grave, and bring him home to her house, where you shall knowthe reason of this strange businesse, and enjoy her freely as yourowne for ever. But if he refuse to do it, then I commaund him, neverhereafter to see me, or move further suite unto mee, by any meaneswhatsoever.

  The Chamber-maide went to them both, and delivered the severallmessages from her Mistresse, according as she had given her in charge;whereunto each of them answered, that they woulde (for her sake) notonely descend into a Grave, but also into hell, if it were her pleasure.

  She returning with this answer unto her Mistresse, _Francesca_ remainedin expectation, what the issue of these fond attemptes in them, wouldsort unto. When night was come, and the middle houre thereof alreadypast, _Alessandro Chiarmontesi_, having put off all other garmentsto his doublet and hose, departed secretly from his lodging, walkingtowards the Church-yard, where _Scannadio_ lay in his grave: but by theway as he went, hee became surprized with divers dreadfull conceitesand imaginations, and questioned with himselfe thus.

  What a beast am I? What a businesse have I undertaken? And whither am Igoing? What do I know, but that the Kinsman unto this Woman, perhappesunderstanding mine affection to her, and crediting some such matter,as is nothing so; hath laide this politicke traine for me, that hemay murther me in the grave? Which (if it should so happen) my lifeis lost, and yet the occasion never knowne whereby it was done. Orwhat know I, whether some secret enemy of mine (affecting her in likemanner, as I do) have devised this stratagem (out of malice) againstmee, to draw my life in danger, and further his owne good Fortune?Then, contrary motions, overswaying these suspitions, he questioned histhoughts in another nature.

  Let me (quoth he) admit the case, that none of these surmises areintended, but her Kinsman (by and in this manner devised) must bringme into her house: I am not therefore perswaded, that he or they docovet, to have the body of _Scannadio_, either to carry it thither,or present it to her, but rather do aime at some other end. May not Iconjecture, that my close murthering is purposed, and this way acted,as on him that (in his life time) had offended the
m? The Maid hathstraitly charged me, that whatsoever is said or done unto me, I am notto speake a word. What if they pul out mine eies, teare out my teeth,cut off my hands, or do me any other mischiefe: Where am I then? Shallall these extremities barre me of speaking? On the other side, if Ispeake, then I shall be knowne, and so much the sooner (perhaps) beabused. But admit that I sustaine no injurie at all, as being guilty ofno transgression: yet (perchance) I shall not be carried to her house,but to some other baser place, and afterward she shall reprove me,that I did not accomplish what shee commanded, and so all my labour isutterly lost.

  Perplexed with these various contradicting opinions, he was willingdivers times to turne home backe againe: yet such was the violenceof his love, and the power thereof prevailing against all sinisterarguments; as he went to the grave, and removing the boordes coveringit, whereinto he entred; and having despoiled _Scannadio_ of hisgarments, cloathed himselfe with them, & so laid him down, havingfirst covered the grave againe. Not long had hee tarryed there, but hebegan to bethinke him, what manner of man _Scannadio_ was, and whatstrange reports had bene noised of him, not onely for ransicking deadmens graves in the night season, but many other abhominable Villaniescommitted by him, which so fearfully assaulted him; that his hairestoode on end, every member of him quaked, and every minute he imagined_Scannadio_ rising, with intent to strangle him in the grave. But hisfervent affection overcoming all these idle feares, and lying stonestill, as if he had beene the dead man indeede; he remained to see theend of his hope.

  On the contrary side, after midnight was past, _Rinuccio Palermini_departed from his lodging, to do what hee was enjoyned by his heartsMistresse, and as hee went along, divers considerations also ran inhis minde, concerning occasions possible to happen. As, falling intothe hands of Justice, with the body of _Scannadio_ upon his backe, andbeing condemned for sacriledge, in robbing graves of the dead; eitherto be burned, or otherwise so punished, as might make him hatefull tohis best friends, and meerely a shame to himselfe.

  Many other the like conceits molested him, sufficient to alter hisformer determination: but affection was much more prevayling in him,and made him use this consultation. How now _Rinuccio_? Wilt thou dareto deny the first request, being mooved to thee by a Gentlewoman, whomthou dearly lovest, and is the onely meanes, whereby to gaine assuranceof her gracious favour? Undoubtedly, were I sure to die in the attempt,yet I will accomplish my promise. And so he went on with courage to thegrave.

  _Alessandro_ hearing his arrivall, and also the removall of the bords,although he was exceedingly affraid; yet he lay quietly still, andstirred not, and _Rinuccio_ beeing in the grave, tooke _Alessandro_ bythe feete, haling him forth, and (mounting him uppon his backe) went onthus loden, towards the house of Madam _Francesca_. As he passed alongthe streets, unseene or unmet by any, _Alessandro_ suffered many shrewdrushings and punches, by turnings at the streets corners, and joltingagainst bulkes, poasts, and stalles, which _Rinuccio_ could not avoyd,in regard the night was so wonderfully darke, as hee could not seewhich way he went.

  Being come somewhat neere to the Gentlewomans house, and she standingreadie in the Window with her Maide, to see when _Rinuccio_ shouldarrive there with _Alessandro_, provided also of an apt excuse, to sendthem thence like a couple of Coxcombes; it fortuned, that the Watchmen,attending there in the same streete, for the apprehension of a banishedman, stolne into the City contrarie to order; hearing the tramplingof _Rinuccioes_ feete, directed their course as they heard the noise,having their Lanthorne and light closely covered, to see who it shouldbe, and what he intended, and beating their weapons against the ground,demanded, Who goes there? _Rinuccio_ knowing their voyces, and that nowwas no time for any long deliberation: let fall _Alessandro_, and ranaway as fast as his legs could carry him.

  _Alessandro_ being risen againe (although he was cloathed in_Scannadioes_ Garments, which were long and too bigge for him) fleddeaway also as _Rinuccio_ did. All which Madame _Francesca_ easilydiscerned by helpe of the Watchmens Lanthorne, and how _Rinuccio_carried _Alessandro_ on his backe, beeing attired in the Garments of_Scannadio_: whereat she mervailed not a little, as also the greatboldnesse of them both. But in the midst of her mervailing, shelaughed very heartily, when she saw the one let the other fall, andboth to runne away so manfully. Which accident pleasing her beyondall comparison, and applauding her good Fortune, to bee so happilydelivered from their daily molestation: she betooke herselfe to hirChamber with the Maide, avouching solemnly to her, that (questionlesse)they both affected her dearely, having undertaken such a straungeimposition, and verie neere brought it to a finall conclusion.

  _Rinuccio_, being sadly discontented, and curssing his hard fortune,would not yet returne home to his Lodging: but, when the watch wasgone forth of that streete, came backe to the place where he let fall_Alessandro_, purposing to accomplish the rest of his enterprize.But not finding the body, and remaining fully perswaded, that theWatchmen were possessed thereof; hee went away, greeving extreamly. And_Alessandro_, not knowing now what should become of him: confoundedwith the like griefe and sorrow, that all his hope was thus utterlyoverthrowne, retired thence unto his owne house, not knowing who wasthe Porter which carried him.

  The next morning, the grave of _Scannadio_ being found open, & thebody not in it, because _Alessandro_ had thrown it into a deep ditchneere adjoyning: all the people of _Pistoya_ were possessed withsundry opinions, some of the more foolish sort verily beleeving, thatthe divell had caried away the dead body. Neverthelesse, each of theLovers, severally made knowne to Madam _Francesca_, what he had done,and how disappointed, either excusing himselfe, that though her commandhad not bin fully accomplished, yet to continue her favour towardshim. But she, like a wise and discreet Gentlewoman, seeming not tocredit either the one or other: discharged her selfe honestly of themboth, with a cutting answere, That shee would never (afterward) expectany other service from them, because they had fayled in their firstinjunction.