Decameron: text - IntraText CT

THE FIRST NOVELL

other Alessandro Chiarmontesi, and she bearing no good will to

eyther of them; ingeniously freed her selfe from both their

importunate suites. One of them she caused to lye as dead in a

grave, and the other to fetch him from thence: so neither of them

accomplishing what they were enjoyned, fayled of obtaining his hoped

expectation.

Madame, it can no way discontent mee (seeing it is your most

gracious pleasure) that I should have the honour, to breake the

first staffe of freedome in this faire company (according to the

injunction of your Majesty) for liberty of our own best liking

arguments: wherein I dismay not (if I can speake well enough) but to

please you all as well, as any other that is to follow me. Nor am I so

oblivious (worthy Ladies) but full well I remember, that many times

hath bene related in our passed demonstrations, how mighty and

variable the powers of love are: and yet I cannot be perswaded, that

they have all bene so sufficiently spoken of, but something may bee

further added, and the bottome of them never dived into, although we

should sit arguing a whole yeare together. And because it hath beene

alreadie approved, that Lovers have bene led into divers accidents,

not onely inevitable dangers of death, but also have entred into the

verie houses of the dead, thence to convey their amorous friends: I

purpose to acquaint you with a Novell, beside them which have bene

discoursed; whereby you may not onely comprehend the power of Love,

but also the wisedome used by an honest Gentlewoman, to rid her

selfe of two importunate suiters, who loved her against her owne

liking, yet neither of them knowing the others affection.

In the City of Pistoya, there dwelt sometime a beautifull

Gentlewoman, being a Widdow, whom two of our Florentines (the one

named Rinuccio Palermini, and the other Alessandro Chiarmontesi,

having withdrawne themselves to Pistoya) desperately affected, the one

ignorant of the others intention, but each carrying his case

closely, as hoping to be possessed of her. This Gentlewoman, named

Madame Francesca de Lazzari, being often solicited by their

messages, and troublesomely pestered with their importunities: at last

(lesse advisedly then she intended) shee granted admittance to heare

either of them 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 willingly undertake, yet within the compasse of possibility; but

they failing in the performance, shee might have the more honest

occasion, to bee free from all further mollestation by them, and her

politike intention was thus projected.

On the same day, when she devised this peece of service, a man was

buried in Pistoya, and in the Church-yard belonging unto the gray

Friars, who being descended of good and worthie parentage: yet

himselfe was very infamous, and reputed to be the vilest man living,

not onely there in Pistoya, but throughout the whole World beside.

Moreover, while he lived, he had such a strange mishapen body, and his

face so ugly deformed, that such as knew him not, would stand gastly

affrighted at the first sight of him. In regarde whereof, shee

considered with her selfe, that the foule deformitie of this loathed

fellow, would greatly avayle in her determination, and consulting with

her Chamber-maid, thus she spake.

Thou knowest (my most true and faithfull servant) what trouble and

affliction of minde I suffer dayly, by the messages and Letters of the

two Florentines, Rinuccio and Alessandro, how hatefull their

importunity is to me, as being utterly unwilling to hear them

speake, or yeeld to any thing which they desire. Wherefore, to free my

selfe from them both together, I have devised (in regard of their

great and liberall offers) to make trial of them in such a matter,

as I am assured they will never performe.

It is not unknowne to thee, that in the Church-yard of the Gray

Friars, and this instant morning, Scannadio (for so was the ugly

fellow named) was buried; of whom, when he was living, as also now

being dead, both men, women, and children, doe yet stand in feare,

so gastly 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 the time is come, wherein you may deserve to enjoy her love, and

gaine the possession of her person, if you will accomplish such a

motion as she maketh to you. For some especiall occasion, wherewith

hereafter you shall bee better acquainted, a neere Kinsman of hers,

must needs have the body of Scannadio (who was buried this morning)

brought to her house. And she, being as much affraid of him now he

is dead, as when he was living, by no meanes would have his body

brought thither.

In which respect, as a Token of your unfeigned love to her, and

the latest service you shall ever do for her: shee earnestly

entreateth you, that this night, in the very deadest time thereof, you

would go to the grave, where Scannadio lyeth yet uncovered with

earth untill to morrow, and attyring your selfe in his garments,

even as if you were the man himselfe, so to remaine there untill her

kinsman doe come.

Then, without speaking any one word, let him take you foorth of

the grave, and bring you thence (insted of Scannadio) to hir house:

where she will give you gentle welcome, and disappoint her Kinsman

in his hope, by making you Lord of her, and all that is hers, as

afterward shall plainly appeare. If he say he wit do it, it is as much

as I desire: but if hee trifle and make deniall, then boldly tell him,

that he must refraine all places wheresoever I am, and forbeare to

send me any more Letters, or messages.

Having done so, then repaire to Rinuccio Palermini, and say. My

Mistresse Francesca is ready to make acceptance of your love;

provided, that you will do one thing for her sake. Namely, this

ensuing night, in the midst and stillest season thereof, to go to

the grave where Scannadio was this morning buried, and (without making

any noise) or speaking one word, whatsoever you shall heare or see: to

take him forth of the grave, and bring him home to her house, wher you

shal know the reason of this strange businesse, and enjoy her freely

as your owne for ever. But if he refuse to do it, then I commaund him,

never hereafter to see me, or move further suite unto mee, by any

meanes whatsoever.

The Chamber-maide went to them both, and delivered the severall

messages from her Mistresse, according as she had given her in charge;

whereunto each of them answered, that they woulde (for her sake) not

onely descend into a Grave, but also into hell, if it were her

pleasure.

She returning with this answer unto her Mistresse, Francesca

remained in expectation, what the issue of these fond attemptes in

them, would sort unto. When night was come, and the middle houre

thereof already past, Alessandro Chiarmontesi, having put off all

other garments to his doublet and hose; departed secretly from his

lodging, walking towards the Church-yard, where Scannadio lay in his

grave: but by the way as he went, hee became surprized with divers

dreadfull conceites and imaginations, and questioned with himselfe

thus.

What a beast am I? What a businesse have I undertaken? And whither

am I going? What do I know, but that the Kinsman unto this Woman,

perhappes understanding mine affection to her, and crediting some such

matter, as is nothing so: hath laide this politicke traine for me,

that he may murther me in the grave? Which (if it should so happen) my

life is lost, and yet the occasion never knowne whereby it was done.

Or what know I, whether some secret enemy of mine (affecting her in

like manner, as I do) have devised this stratagem (out of malice)

against mee, to draw my life in danger, and further his owne good

Fortune? Then, contrary motions, overswaying these suspitions, he

questioned his thoughts in another nature.

Let me (quoth he) admit the case, that none of these surmises are

intended, but her Kinsman (by and in this manner devised) must bring

me into her house: I am not therefore perswaded, that he or they do

covet, 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 I

conjecture, that my close murthering is purposed, and this way

acted, as on him that (in his life time) had offended them? The Maid

hath straitly charged me, that whatsoever is said or done unto me, I

am not to 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? Shall all these extremities barre me of speaking? On the other

side, if I speake, then I shall be knowne, and so much the sooner

(perhaps) be abused. But admit that I sustaine no injurie at all, as

being guilty of no 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 is utterly lost.

Perplexed with these various contradicting opinions, he was

willing divers times to turne home backe againe: yet such was the

violence of his love, and the power thereof prevailing against all

sinister arguments; as he went to the grave, and removing the

boordes covering it, whereinto he entred; and having despoiled

Scannadio of his garments, cloathed himselfe with them, and so laid

him down, having first covered the grave againe. Not long had hee

tarryed there, but he began to bethinke him, what manner of man

Scannadio was, and what strange reports had bene noised of him, not

onely for ransacking dead mens graves in the night season, but many

other abhominable Villanies committed by him, which so fearfully

assaulted him; that his haire stoode on end, every member of him

quaked, and every minute he imagined Scannadio rising, with intent

to strangle him in the grave. But his fervent affection overcoming all

these idle feares, and lying stone still, as if he had beene the

dead man indeede; he remained to see the end 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 hearts

Mistresse, and as hee went along, divers considerations also ran in

his minde, concerning occasions possible to happen. As, falling into

the hands of Justice, with the body of Scannadio upon his backe, and

being condemned for sacriledge, in robbing graves of the dead;

either to be burned, or otherwise so punished, as might make him

hatefull to his best friends, and meerely a shame to himselfe.

Many other the like conceits mollested him, sufficient to alter

his determination: but affection was much more prevayling in him,

and made him use this consultation. How now Rinuccio? Wilt dare to

deny the first request, being mooved to thee by a Gentlewoman, whom

thou dearly lovest, and is the onely meanes, whereby to gaine

assurance of 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 the grave.

Alessandro hearing his arrivall, and also the removall of the bords,

although he was exceedingly affraid; yet he lay quietly stil, and

stirred not, and Rinuccio beeing in the grave, tooke Alessandro by the

feete, haling him forth, and (mounting him uppon his backe) went on

thus loden, towards the house of Madam Francesca. As he passed along

the streets, unseene or unmet by any, Alessandro suffered many

shrewd rushings and punches, by turnings at the streets corners, and

jolting against bulkes, poasts, and stalles, which Rinuccio could

not avoyd, in regard the night was so wonderfully darke, as hee

could not see which way he went.

Being come somewhat neere to the Gentlewomans house, and she

standing readie in the Window with her Maide, to see when Rinuccio

should arrive there with Alessandro, provided also of an apt excuse,

to send them thence like a couple of Coxcombes; it fortuned, that

the Watchmen, attending there in the same streete, for the

apprehension of a banished man, stolne into the City contrarie to

order; hearing the trampling of Rinuccioes feete, directed their

course as they heard the noise, having their Lanthorne and light

closely covered, to see who it should be, and what he intended, and

beating their weapons against the ground, demanded, Who goes there?

Rinuccio knowing their voyces, and that now was no time for any long

deliberation: let fall Alessandro, and ran away 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) fledde

away also as Rinuccio did. All which Madame Francesca easily discerned

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 litle, as also the great

boldnesse of them both. But in the midst of her mervailing, she

laughed very heartily, when she saw the one let the other fall, and

both to runne away so manfully. Which accident pleasing her beyond all

comparison, and applauding her good Fortune, to bee so happily

delivered from their daily mollestation: she betooke her selfe to

hir Chamber with the Maide, avouching solemnly to her, that

(questionlesse) they both affected her dearely, having undertaken such

a straunge imposition, 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 was

gone 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 the

Watchmen were possessed thereof; hee went away, greeving extreamly.

And Alessandro, not knowing now what should become of him:

confounded with the like griefe and sorrow, that all his hope was thus

utterly overthrowne, retired thence unto his owne house, not knowing

who was the Porter which carried him.

The next morning, the grave of Scannadio being found open, and the

body not in it, because Alessandro had thrown it into a deep ditch

neere adjoyning: all the people of Pistoya were possessed with

sundry opinions, some of the more foolish sort verily beleeving,

that the divell had caried away the dead body. Neverthelesse, each

of the Lovers severally made knowne to Madam Francesca, what he had

done, and how disappointed, either excusing himselfe, that though

her command had not bin fully accomplished, yet to continue her favour

towards him. But she, like a wise and discreet Gentlewoman, seeming

not to credit either the one or other: discharged her selfe honestly

of them both, with a cutting answere, That shee would never

(afterward) expect any other service from them, because they had

fayled in their first injunction.