The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10)

  Cistio _a Baker, by a wittie answer which he gave unto_ Messer GeriSpina, _caused him to acknowledge a very indiscreete motion, which hehad made to the said_ Cistio.

  The Second Novell.

  _Approving, that a request ought to be civill, before it should begranted to any one whatsoever._

  The words of Madame _Oretta_, were much commended by the men andwomen; and the discourse being ended, the Queene gave command to Madam_Pampinea_, that shee should follow next in order, which made her tobegin in this manner.

  Worthy Ladies, it exceedeth the power of my capacitie, to censure inthe case whereof I am to speake, by saying, who sinned most, eitherNature, in seating a Noble soule in a vile body, or Fortune, inbestowing on a body (beautified with a noble soule) a base or wretchedcondition of life. As we may observe by _Cistio_, a Citizen of ourowne, and many more beside; for, this _Cistio_ beeing endued with asingular good spirit, Fortune hath made him no better then a Baker.And beleeve me Ladies, I could (in this case) lay as much blame onNature, as on Fortune; if I did not know Nature to be most absolutelywise, & that Fortune hath a thousand eyes, albeit fooles have figuredher to bee blinde. But, upon more mature and deliberate consideration,I finde, that they both (being truly wise and judicious) have dealtjustly, in imitation of our best advised mortals, who being uncertaineof such inconveniences, as may happen unto them, do bury (for their ownbenefit) the very best and choisest things of esteeme, in the most vileand abject places of their houses, as being subject to least suspition,and where they may be sure to have them at all times, for supply of anynecessitie whatsoever, because so base a conveyance hath better keptthem, then the very best chamber in the house could have done. Evenso these two great commanders of the world, do many times hide theirmost precious Jewels of worth, under the clouds of Arts or professionsof worst estimation, to the end, that fetching them thence when neederequires, their splendour may appeare to be the more glorious. Norwas any such matter noted in our homely Baker _Cistio_, by the bestobservation of _Messer Geri Spina_, who was spoken of in the laterepeated Novell, as being the husband to Madame _Oretta_; whereby thisaccident came to my remembrance, and which (in a short Tale) I willrelate unto you.

  Let me then tell ye, that Pope _Boniface_ (with whom the fore-named_Messer Geri Spina_ was in great regard) having sent divers Gentlemenof his Court to _Florence_ as Ambassadors, about very serious andimportant businesse: they were lodged in the house of _Messer GeriSpina_, and he employed (with them) in the saide Popes negotiation.It chanced, that as being the most convenient way for passage, everymorning they walked on foot by the Church of Saint _Marie d'Ughi_,where _Cistio_ the Baker dwelt, and exercised the trade belonging tohim. Now although Fortune had humbled him to so meane a condition,yet shee added a blessing of wealth to that contemptible quality, and(as smiling on him continually) no disasters at any time befell him,but still he flourished in riches, lived like a jolly Citizen, withall things fitting for honest entertainment about him, and plenty ofthe best Wines (both White and Claret) as _Florence_, or any partthereabout yeelded.

  Our frolicke Baker perceiving, that _Messer Geri Spina_ and the otherAmbassadors, used every morning to passe by his doore, and afterwardto returne backe the same way: seeing the season to be somewhat hot &soultry, he tooke it as an action of kindnesse and courtesie, to makethem an offer of tasting his white wine. But having respect to his ownmeane degree, and the condition of _Messer Geri_; hee thought it farreunfitting for him, to be so forward in such presumption; but ratherentred into consideration of some such meanes, whereby _Messer Geri_might bee the inviter of himselfe to taste his Wine. And having put onhim a trusse or thin doublet, of very white and fine Linnen cloath, asalso breeches, and an apron of the same, and a white cap upon his head,so that he seemed rather to be a Miller, then a Baker: at such times as_Messer Geri_ and the Ambassadors should daily passe by, hee set beforehis doore a new Bucket of faire water, and another small vessell of_Bologna_ earth (as new and sightly as the other) full of his best andchoisest white Wine, with two small Glasses, looking like silver, theywere so cleare. Downe he sate, with all this provision before him, andemptying his stomacke twice or thrice, of some clotted flegmes whichseemed to offend it: even as the Gentlemen were passing by, he drankeone or two rouses of his Wine so heartily, and with such a pleasingappetite, as might have moved a longing (almost) in a dead man.

  _Messer Geri_ well noting his behaviour, and observing the verie samecourse in him two mornings together; on the third day (as he wasdrinking) he said unto him. Well done _Cistio_, what, is it good, orno? _Cistio_ starting up, forthwith replyed: Yes Sir, the wine is goodindeed, but how can I make you to beleeve me, except you taste of it?_Messer Geri_, eyther in regard of the times quality, or by reason ofhis paines taken, perhaps more then ordinary, or else, because heesaw _Cistio_ had drunke so sprightly, was very desirous to taste ofthe Wine, and turning unto the Ambassadors, in merriment he saide. MyLords, me thinks it were not much amisse, if we tooke a taste of thishonest mans Wine, perhaps it is so good, that we shall not neede torepent our labour.

  Heereupon, he went with them to _Cistio_, who had caused an handsomeseate to be fetched forth of his house, whereon he requested them tosit downe, and having commanded his men to wash cleane the Glasses,he saide. Fellowes, now get you gone, and leave me to the performanceof this service; for I am no worse a skinker, then a Baker, and tarryyou never so long, you shall not drinke a drop. Having thus spoken,himselfe washed foure or five small glasses, faire and new, and causinga Viall of his best wine to be brought him: hee diligently filled itout to _Messer Geri_ and the Ambassadours, to whom it seemed the verybest Wine, that they had drunke of in a long while before. And havinggiven _Cistio_ most hearty thankes for his kindnesse, and the Wine hisdue commendation: many dayes afterwardes (so long as they continuedthere) they found the like courteous entertainment, and with the goodliking of honest _Cistio_.

  But when the affayres were fully concluded, for which they were thussent to _Florence_, and their parting preparation in due readinesse:_Messer Geri_ made a very sumptuous Feast for them, inviting theretothe most part of the honourablest Citizens, and _Cistio_ to be oneamongst them; who (by no meanes) would bee seene in an assembly of suchState and pompe, albeit he was thereto (by the saide _Messer Geri_)most earnestly entreated.

  In regard of which deniall, _Messer Geri_ commaunded one of hisservants, to take a small Bottle, and request _Cistio_ to fill it withhis good Wine; then afterward, to serve it in such sparing manner tothe Table, that each Gentleman might be allowed halfe a glasse-fullat their down-sitting. The Serving-man, who had heard great reportof the Wine, and was halfe offended, because he could never tastethereof: tooke a great Flaggon Bottle, containing foure or fiveGallons at the least, and comming there-with unto _Cistio_, saideunto him. _Cistio_, because my Master cannot have your companie amonghis friends, he prayes you to fill this Bottle with your best Wine._Cistio_ looking uppon the huge Flaggon, replied thus. Honest Fellow,_Messer Geri_ never sent thee with such a Message to me: which althoughthe Servingman very stoutly maintained, yet getting no other answer, hereturned backe therewith to his Master.

  _Messer Geri_ returned the Servant backe againe unto _Cistio_, saying:Goe, and assure _Cistio_, that I sent thee to him, and if hee makethee any more such answeres, then demaund of him, to what place else Ishould send thee? Being come againe to _Cistio_, hee avouched that hisMaister had sent him, but _Cistio_ affirming, that hee did not: theServant asked, to what place else hee should send him? Marrie (quoth_Cistio_) unto the River of _Arno_, which runneth by _Florence_, therethou mayest be sure to fill thy Flaggon. When the Servant had reportedthis answer to _Messer Geri_, the eyes of his understanding beganneto open, and calling to see what Bottle hee had carried with him:no sooner looked he on the huge Flaggon, but severely reproving thesawcinesse of his Servant, hee sayde. Now trust mee, _Cistio_ told theenothing but trueth, for neither did I send thee with any such dishonestmessage, nor had the reason to yeeld or grant it.

  Then he
sent him with a bottle of more reasonable competencie, which sosoone as _Cistio_ saw: Yea mary my friend, quoth he, now I am sure thatthy Master sent thee to me, and he shall have his desire with all myhart. So, commaunding the Bottle to be filled, he sent it away by theServant, and presently following after him, when he came unto _MesserGeri_, he spake unto him after this manner. Sir, I would not have you toimagine, that the huge flaggon (which first came) did any jotte dismaymee; but rather I conceyved, that the small Viall whereof you tastedevery morning, yet filled many mannerly Glasses together, was fallenquite out of your remembrance; in plainer tearmes, it beeing no Winefor Groomes or Peazants, as your selfe affirmed yesterday. And becauseI meane to bee a Skinker no longer, by keeping Wine to please any otherpallate but mine owne: I have sent you halfe my store, and heereafterthinke of mee as you shall please. _Messer Geri_ tooke both his guifteand speeches in most thankefull manner, accepting him alwayes after,as his intimate Friend, because he had so graced him before theAmbassadours.