Decameron: text - IntraText CT

pleasant answer which he made to his Master; converted his anger

into laughter, and thereby escaped the punishment, that Messer meant

to impose on him.

Madam Lauretta sitting silent, and the answer of Lady Nonna having

past with generall applause: the Queene commanded Madame Neiphila to

follow next in order; who instantly thus began. Although a ready wit

(faire Ladies) doth many times affoord worthy and commendable

speeches, according to the accidents happening to the speaker: yet

notwithstanding, Fortune (being a ready helper divers wayes to the

timorous) doth often tippe the tongue with such a present reply, as

the partie to speake, had not so much leysure as to thinke on, nor yet

to invent; as I purpose to let you perceive, by a prety short Novell.

Messer Currado Gianfiliazzi (as most of you have both seene and

knowen) living alwayes in our Citie, in the estate of a Noble Citizen,

beeing a man bountifull, magnificent, and within the degree of

Knighthoode: continually kept both Hawkes and Hounds, taking no

meane delight in such pleasures as they yeelded, neglecting (for them)

farre more serious imployments, wherewith our present subject

presumeth not to meddle. Upon a day, having kilde with his Faulcon a

Crane, neere to a Village called Peretola, and finding her to be

both young and fat, he sent it to his Cooke, a Venetian borne, and

named Chichibio, with command to have it prepared for his supper.

Chichibio, who resembled no other, then (as he was indeede) a

plaine, simple, honest mery fellow, having drest the Crane as it ought

to bee, put it on the spit, and laide it to the fire.

When it was well neere fully roasted, and gave forth a very delicate

pleasing savour; it fortuned that a young Woman dwelling not far

off, named Brunetta, and of whom Chichibio was somewhat enamored,

entred into the Kitchin, and feeling the excellent smell of the Crane,

to please her beyond all savours, that ever she had felt before: she

entreated Chichibio verie earnestly, that hee would bestow a legge

thereof on her. Whereto Chichibio (like a pleasant companion, and

evermore delighting in singing) sung her this answer.

My Brunetta, faire and feat a,

Why should you say so?

The meate of my Master,

Allowes you for no Taster,

Go from the Kitchin go.

Many other speeches past betweene them in a short while, but in

the end, Chichibio, because hee would not have his Mistresse

Brunetta angrie with him; cut away one of the Cranes legges from the

spit, and gave it to her to eate. Afterward, when the Fowle was served

up to the Table before Messer Currado, who had invited certain

strangers his friends to sup with him, wondering not a little, he

called for Chichibio his Cook; demanding what was become of the Cranes

other legge? Whereto the Venetian (being a lyar by Nature) sodainely

answered: Sir, Cranes have no more but one legge each Bird. Messer

Currado, growing verie angry, replyed. Wilt thou tell me, that a Crane

hath no more but one legge? Did I never see a Crane before this?

Chichibio persisting resolutely in his deniall, saide. Beleeve me Sir,

I have told you nothing but the truth, and when you please, I wil make

good my wordes, by such Fowles as are living.

Messer Currado, in kinde love to the strangers that hee had

invited to supper, gave over any further contestation; onely he

said. Seeing thou assurest me, to let me see thy affirmation for

truth, by other of the same Fowles living (a thing which as yet I

never saw, or heard of) I am content to make proofe thereof to

morrow morning, till then I shall rest satisfied: but, upon my word,

if I finde it otherwise, expect such a sound payment, as thy knavery

justly deserveth, to make thee remember it all thy life time. The

contention ceassing for the night season, Messer Currado, who though

he had slept well, remained still discontented in his minde: arose

in the morning by breake of day, and puffing and blowing angerly,

called for his horses, commanding Chichibio to mount on one of them;

so riding on towards the River, where (earely every morning) he had

seene plenty of Cranes, he sayde to his man; We shall see anon

Sirra, whether thou or I lyed yesternight.

Chichibio perceiving, that his Masters anger was not (as yet)

asswaged, and now it stood him upon, to make good his lye; not knowing

how he should do it, rode after his Master, fearfully trembling all

the way. Gladly he would have made an escape, but hee could not by any

possible meanes, and on every side he looked about him, now before,

and after behinde, to espy any Cranes standing on both their legges,

which would have bin an ominous sight to him. But being come neere

to the River, he chanced to see (before any of the rest) upon the

banke thereof, about a dozen Cranes in number, each of them standing

but upon one legge, as they use to do when they are sleeping.

Whereupon, shewing them quickly to Messer Currado, he said. Now Sir

your selfe may see, whether I told you true yesternight, or no: I am

sure a Crane hath but one thigh, and one leg, as all here present

are apparant witnesses, and I have bin as good as my promise.

Messer Currado looking on the Cranes, and well understanding the

knavery of his man, replyed: Stay but a little while sirra, and I will

shew thee, that a Crane hath two thighes, and two legges. Then

riding somwhat neerer to them, he cryed out aloud, Shough, shough,

which caused them to set downe their other legs, and all fled away,

after they had made a few paces against the winde for their

mounting. So going unto Chichibio, he said: How now you lying Knave,

hath a Crane two legs, or no? Chichibio being well-neere at his wits

end, not knowing now what answer hee should make; but even as it

came sodainly into his minde, said: Sir, I perceive you are in the

right, and if you would have done as much yesternight, and had cryed

Shough, as here you did: questionlesse, the Crane would then have

set down the other legge, as these heere did: but if (as they) she had

fled away too, by that meanes you might have lost your Supper.

This sodaine and unexpected witty answere, comming from such a

logger-headed Lout, and so seasonably for his owne safety: was so

pleasing to Messer Currado, that he fell into a hearty laughter, and

forgetting all anger, saide. Chichibio, thou hast quit thy selfe well,

and to my contentment: albeit I advise thee, to teach mee no more such

trickes heereafter. Thus Chichibio, by his sodaine and merry answer,

escaped a sound beating, which (otherwise) his master had inflicted on

him.