SYNOPSIS OF THE DECAMERON TOGETHER WITH SOME WORKS TO BE CONSULTED
General:
Manni, D. M. Istoria del Decameron (Firenze, 1742).
Bottari, G. Lezioni sopra il Decameron (Firenze, 1818).
Massarini, T. Storia e fisiologia dell' arte di ridere (Milan, 1901), vol. ii.
Concerning several tales:
Di Francia, L. Alcune novelle del Decameron, in Giornale Stor. della Lett. Ital., vol. xliv (1904).
Treats of i, 2; iv, 2; v, 10; vii, 2; vii, 4; vii, 6; viii, 10; x, 8.
Zumbini, B. Alcune novelle del B. e i suoi criterii d' arte, in Atti della R. Acc. della Crusca (Firenze, 1905).
Treats of ii, 4; ii, 5; ii, 6; iii, 6; iv, 1; iv, 10; v, 6; vii, 2; x, 6.
Here begins the first day of the Decameron, on which, after it has been shown by the author how the persons mentioned came together to relate these stories, each one, under the presidency of Pampinea, related some amusing matter that they could think of.
The Proem is divided into two parts in the best editions. The first part having for title:
"Here begins the book called Decameron, otherwise Prince Galeotto, wherein are combined one hundred novels told in ten days by seven ladies and three young men."
In the second part the irony against the clergy is obvious.
For the Palace in which the gathering takes place see G. Mancini, Poggio Gherardi, primo ricetto alle Novellatrici del B. (Firenze, Cellini, 1858), and W. Stillman, The Decameron and its Villas, in The Nineteenth Century, August, 1899, and N. Masellis, I due palagi di rifugio e la valle delle donne nel Decameron in Rassegna Nazionale, June 16, 1904, and Janet Ross, Florentine Villas (Dent, 1903), and Edward Hutton, Country Walks about Florence (Methuen, 1908), cap. i.
THE FIRST DAY
Pampinea Queen
Subject of Tales.—Various.
NOVEL I
By Pamfilo
Ciappelletto deceives a holy friar by a sham confession, and dies; and although he was an arch-rogue during his life, yet he was regarded as a saint after his death, and called San Ciappelletto.
Against the Friars.
For a Latin version of this tale consult G. Da Schio, Sulla vita e sugli scritti di Antonio Loschi (Padova, 1858), p. 145.
For some interesting documents see C. Paoli, Documenti di Ser Ciappelletto, in Giornale St. d. Lett It., vol. v (1885), p. 329. G. Finzi, La novella boccaccesca di Ser Ciappelletto, in Bib. d. scuole it., vol. iii (1891), p. 105 et seq., is a good comment. And Silvio Pellini, Una novella del Decameron (Torino, 1887), gives us a reprint from the Basle edition of 1570 of the Latin translation of Olimpia Morata.
NOVEL II
By Neifile
Abraham the Jew went to Rome at the instigation of Jehannot de Chevigny, and seeing the wicked manner of life of the clergy there, he returned to Paris and became a Christian.
Against the clergy.
B. Zumbini, in Studi di Lett. Straniere (Firenze, 1893), p. 185 et seq., compares this novel with Lessing's Nathan der Weise. P. Toldo, in Giornale St. d. Lett. Ital., xlii (1903), p. 335 et seq., finds here a ProvenÇal story. L. Di Francia, in Giornale, sup., xliv (1904), examines the origins with much care. J. Bonnet, Vie d'Olympia Morata (Paris, 1851), cap. ii, p. 53, speaks of the Morata translation of this novel and of Decameron, x, 10.
NOVEL III
By Filomena
The Jew Melchisedec escapes from a trap which Saladin laid for him, by telling him a story about three rings.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, vol. i (1566), No. 30.
See G. Targioni-Tozzetti, Novelletta del Mago e del giudeo (Ferrara, 1869). L. Cappelletti, Commento sopra la 3a novella della prima giornata del Dec. (Bologna, 1874). A. Tobler, Li dis dou vrai aniel. Die Parabel von dem achten Ringe franzÖsische Dichtung des dreizehnten Jahrhunderts (Leipzig, 1884). G. Paris, La poÉsie du moyen Âge, 2e sÉrie (Paris, 1903), No. 12. La parabole des trois anneaux. G. Bertino, Le diverse redazioni della Novella dei tre anelli, in Spigolature Letterarie (Sassari, Scano, 1903). T. Giannone, Una novella del B. e un dramma del Lessing (Nathan the Wise), in Rivista Abruzzese, xv (1900), p. 32 et seq.
NOVEL IV
By Dioneo
A monk who had incurred a severe punishment for an offence that he had committed, saved himself from it by convicting his abbot of the same fault.
Against the Monks.
See J. BÉdier, Les fabliaux Études de littÉrature populaire et d'histoire littÉraire du moyen Âge (Paris, 1893).
NOVEL V
By Fiammetta
The Marchioness of Monferrat cures the King of France of his senseless passion by means of a repast of hens and by a few suitable words.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, ii (1567), No. 16.
For sources see S. Prato, L' orma del leone, racconto orientale considerato nella tradizione popolare, in Romania, xii (1883), p. 535 et seq.
NOVEL VI
By Emilia
An honest layman, by means of a fortunate jest, reproves the hypocrisy of the clergy.
Against the clergy.
See V. Rossi, in Dai tempi antichi ai tempi moderni; da Dante al Leopardi (Milano, 1904). Una novella boccaccesca in azione nel secolo xv, p. 419 et seq.
NOVEL VII
By Filostrato
Bergamino reproves Messer Cane della Scala in a very clever manner, by the story of Primasso and the Abbot of Cluny.
See P. Rajna, Intorno al cosidetto "Dialogus creaturarum" ed al suo autore, in Giornale Stor. d. Lett. Ital., x (1887), p. 50 et seq.
NOVEL VIII
By Lauretta
By a few witty words Guglielmo Borsiere overcomes the covetousness of Ermino de' Grimaldi.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, vol. i (1566), No. 31.
NOVEL IX
By Elisa
The King of Cyprus, being reproved by a lady of Gascony, from being indolent and worthless becomes a virtuous prince.
NOVEL X
By Pampinea
Messer Alberto of Bologna modestly puts a lady to the blush, who wished to do the same by him, as she thought that he was in love with her.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, vol. i (1566), No. 32.
THE SECOND DAY
Filomena Queen
Subject.—The fortune of those who after divers adventures have at last attained a goal of unexpected felicity.
NOVEL I
By Neifile
Martellino disguises himself as a cripple, and pretends that he has been cured by touching the dead body of St. Arrigo. His fraud is exposed, he is thrashed, taken into custody, and narrowly escapes being hanged, but luckily manages to get off.
NOVEL II
By Filostrato
Rinaldo d' Asti having been robbed, comes to Castel Guglielmo, where a handsome widow entertains him, and amply recompenses him for his losses, and he returns home well and happy.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, vol. i (1566), No. 33.
See G. Galvani, Di S. Giuliano io Spadaliere e del Pater noster, usato dirgli dai viandati ad illustrazione di un luogo del Decamerone del B., in Lezioni accademiche (Modena, 1840), vol. ii; also A. Graf, Per la novella XII del Decamerone, in Giorn. Stor. d. Lett. Ital., VII (1886), pp. 179-87, and Idem., Miti leggende e superstizioni del Medio Evo, vol. ii (Torino, 1893); also G. Fogolari, La Leggenda di S. Giuliano: Affreschi della 2a meta del sec. xiv. nel Duomo di Trento, in Tridentum, v (1902), fasc. 10, pp. 433-44, vi, fasc. 2 and fasc. 12. See also E. Baxmann, Middleton's Lustpiel, "The Widow," Boccaccio's "Decameron," II, 2, and III, 3 (Halle, 1903).
NOVEL III
By Pampinea
Three gentlemen, having squandered their fortunes, are brought to poverty; one of their nephews going home in despair, makes the acquaintance of an abbot, whom he afterwards recognises as the daughter of the King of England, who marries him, makes good all his uncles' losses, and reinstates them all in their former prosperity.
Appeared in Painters's Palace of Pleasure, vol. i (1566), No. 34.
NOVEL IV
By Lauretta
Landolfo Ruffolo becomes very poor and turns pirate. He is taken prisoner by the Genoese, is shipwrecked, and saves himself on a chest full of jewels, is entertained by a poor woman in CorfÙ, and returns home a rich man.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, vol. i (1566), No. 35.
See B. Zumbini, La novella di Landolfo Ruffolo, in La Biblioteca delle scuole Italiane, XI (1905), fasc. 6, pp. 65-6.
NOVEL V
By Fiammetta
Andreuccio of Perugia, coming to Naples in order to buy horses, meets with three unfortunate adventures in one night; but escapes from them all fortunately, and returns home with a very valuable ruby.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, i (1566), No. 36.
See L. Cappelletti, Andreuccio da Perugia: commento sopra la V novella della 2a giornata del Decamerone (Firenze, 1879). F. Liebrecht, Zum "Decamerone," in Jahrbuch fÜr rom. und eng. Literatur, xv (1877), fasc. 3, compares this story with an Eastern tale.
NOVEL VI
By Emilia
Madame Beritola was found on an island with two young goats, having lost her two children. She went to Lunigiana, where one of her sons had entered the service of a gentleman of that district, and being found with his master's daughter, was thrown into prison. When the Sicilians rebelled against King Charles, the mother recognised her son, who marries his master's daughter, finds his brother, and they rise again to great distinction.
Appeared in Greene's Perimedes the Blacksmith (1588).
See L. Cappelletti, Madonna Beritola: Commento, in Propugnatore, xii (1879), pt. i, pp. 62 et seq.
NOVEL VII
By Pamfilo
The Sultan of Babylon sends his daughter to become the bride of the King of Algarve, but during the space of four years she, through different accidents, passes through the hands of nine different men in various countries. At last she is restored to her father, and goes, as a virgin, to the King of Algarve, as whose bride she had first set out.
See E. MontÉgut, La fiancÉe du roi du Garbe et le DÉcamÉron, in Revue de deux mondes, June 1, 1863.
NOVEL VIII
By Elisa
The Count of Antwerp is accused, though he is innocent, and goes into exile, leaving his two children in England. Returning from Ireland as a stranger, he finds them both in very prosperous circumstances. He himself enters the army of the King of France as a common soldier, is found to be innocent, and restored to his former position.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, vol. i (1566), No. 37.
NOVEL IX
By Filomena
BernabÒ of Genoa is cheated out of his money by Ambrogiuolo, and orders his own innocent wife to be put to death. She escapes in men's clothes, and enters the Sultan's service, meets the cheat, and sends for her husband to Alexandria, where Ambrogiuolo meets with his due reward. She then resumes her female attire, and returns to Genoa with her husband, and with great wealth.
Appeared in Westward for Smelts, by Kind Kit of Kingston (1620).
For the origin of "Cymbeline" from this tale see B. Leonhardt, Zu Cymbelin, in Anglia, vii (1884), fasc. 3, and S. Levy, in Anglia, vii, p. 120 et seq.; R. Ohle, Shakespeare's Cymbeline und seine romanischen VorlÄufer (Berlin, 1890). For a Sicilian original of this tale see G. L. Perroni, Un "cuntu" siciliano ed una novella del Boccaccio, in Archivio per lo studio delle tradizioni popolari, xix (1900), fasc. 2. See also G. Paris, Le conte de la gageure dans Boccace, in Misc. di studi critici in onore di A. Graf (Bergamo, 1903), pp. 107-16.
NOVEL X
By Dioneo
Paganino of Monaco carries off the wife of Ricciardo da Chinzica, who, finding out where she is, goes after her and makes friends with Paganino. He demands his wife back, and Paganino promises to restore her if she herself wishes it. She, however, has no desire to return to him, so remains with Paganino, who marries her after Chinzica's death.
THE THIRD DAY
Neifile Queen
Subject.—The luck of such as have painfully acquired some much coveted thing, or having lost it have recovered it.
NOVEL I
By Filostrato
Masetto da Lamporecchio feigns dumbness, and becomes gardener to a convent of nuns, which leads to the consequence that they all lie with him.
Against the Nuns.
For some sources and precedents for this story see P. Toldo, Rileggendo le Mille e una Notte, in Miscellanea di studi critici ed. in onore di A. Graf (Bergamo, 1903), p. 491 et seq.
NOVEL II
By Pampinea
A groom of King Agilulf takes his place with the queen. Agilulf finds it out, discovers the offender, and cuts off his hair, whilst he pretends to be asleep. He, however, marks all his fellow-grooms in the same way, and thus escapes punishment.
NOVEL III
By Filomena
A lady, who has fallen in love with a handsome gentleman, makes use of a friar, under the cloak of confession and scruples of conscience, and without his perceiving it, to act as her intermediary.
Against the Friars.
On this tale see E. Baxmann, Middleton's Lustpiel, "The Widow," und Boccaccio's "Decameron" III, 3, and II, 2 (Halle, 1903).
NOVEL IV
By Pamfilo
Dom Felice teaches "Friar" Puccio how he may be saved by doing a penance; while "Friar" Puccio is performing the penance, Dom Felice passes the time pleasantly with his wife.
Against the Monks.
NOVEL V
By Elisa
Zima gives his palfrey to Messer Francesco Vergellesi on the condition of being allowed to speak to his wife out of earshot of anyone, and the wife making no response, he answers for her himself, and the usual consequence soon follows.
Appeared in H. C.'s Forest of Fancy (1579).
In this and the following tale cf. P. Toldo, Quelques sources italiennes du thÉÂtre comique de Houdard de la Motte, in Bulletin Italien, vol. i (1901), p. 200 et seq.
NOVEL VI
By Fiammetta
Ricciardo Minutolo loves the wife of Filippello Fighinolfi, whom he knows to be jealous of her husband. He tells her that Filippello has an assignation the following day at a bagnio with his wife, and the lady goes there to meet her husband. Imagining herself to be in bed with her husband, she finds herself with Ricciardo.
This story, told by Fiammetta, is, in my opinion, significant for Boccaccio's own love affair. In it is told how a woman is tricked into love.
Cf. also P. Toldi, ubi supra.
NOVEL VII
By Emilia
Tedaldo, angry with one of his mistresses, quits Florence. Some time after he returns in the disguise of a pilgrim, speaks with the lady, and convinces her of her error; saves the life of her husband, who has been condemned for killing him, reconciles him to his brothers, and enjoys unmolested the favours of the lady.
Censure of the clergy.
Consult M. Colombo, Due lettere scritte al Can. Dom. Moreni sopra due luoghi del Decam., in Opuscoli (Padova, 1832), vol. iii, p. 176 et seq.
NOVEL VIII
By Lauretta
Ferondo having swallowed a certain drug, is buried for dead. He is taken out of the sepulchre by the abbot, who has a liaison with his wife, put in prison, and made to believe that he is in purgatory; he is then resuscitated, and brings up a child as his own, which the abbot has begotten by his wife.
Against the Monks.
Consult P. Toldo, Les morts qui mangent, in Bulletin Italien, vol. v (1905), P. 291 et seq.
NOVEL IX
By Neifile
Gillette de Narbonne cures the king of a fistula. As a reward she demands the hand of Bertram de Roussillon, who, espousing her against his will, leaves for Florence in disgust. There he has a love affair with a young lady, and lies with Gillette, believing himself to be with his mistress. She bears him twin sons, and by that means, he loving her dearly, honours her as his wife.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, vol. i (1566), No. 38.
For the connection with All's well that ends well, see C. SegrÉ, Un' eroina del Boccaccio e l' "Elena" Shakespeariana, in Fanfulla della Domenica, xxiii, 16, and G. P[aris], Une version orientale du thÈme de "All's well that ends well," in Romania, xvi (1887), p. 98 et seq.
NOVEL X
By Dioneo
Alibech becomes a hermit, and is taught by one Rustico, a friar, how to put back the devil into hell; on returning home she becomes the wife of Neerbale.
Against the Friars.
This does not appear in the anonymous translation of the Decameron of 1620, another story being in its place.
THE FOURTH DAY
Filostrato King
Subject.—Love that ended in disaster.
NOVEL I
By Fiammetta
Tancred, Prince of Salerno, caused his daughter's lover to be put to death, and sends her his heart in a golden goblet. She pours poison into it, drinks it and dies.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, vol. i (1566), No. 39.
For the sources and influence of this tale consult: G. Cecioni, La Leggenda del cuore mangiato e tre antiche versioni in ottava rima di una novella del B., in Rivista contemporanea, vol. i (1888), fasc. 9. J. Zupitza, Die Mittelenglischen Bearbeitungen der ErzÄhlung Boccaccios von Ghismonda und Guiscardo, in Vierteljahrsschrift fÜr Kultur u. Litt. der Renaissance, vol. i (1885), fasc. 1. Sherwood, Die neuenglischen Bearbeitungen der ErzÄhlung Boccaccios von Ghismonda und Guiscardo, in Litteraturblatt fÜr german. und roman. Philologie, xiii (1892), p. 412. J. W. Cunliffe, Gismond of Salern, in Publications of Mod. Lang. Ass. of Am., xxi (1906), fasc. 2.
NOVEL II
By Pampinea
Friar Alberto makes a woman believe that the Archangel Gabriel is in love with her, and visits her several times at night under that pretence. Afterwards he is obliged to escape out of a window for fear of her relations, and takes refuge in the house of a poor man, who the next day takes him publicly into the square and exhibits him, disguised as a wild man; he is recognised, taken away by his fellow-friars, and put into prison.
Against the Friars.
Appeared in Tarlton's News out of Purgatorie (1590).
NOVEL III
By Lauretta
Three young men are in love with three sisters and take them to Crete, where the eldest sister kills her lover from jealousy. The second saves her sister from death, by giving herself to the Prince of Crete, and because of this, her lover kills her and goes away with the eldest sister. The third couple is accused of this murder, and forced to confess it by torture, and being certain that they will be put to death, they bribe their keeper to escape with them and flee to Rhodes, where they die in poverty and misery.
NOVEL IV
By Elisa
Gerbino, contrary to a promise which his grandfather Guglielmo had given the King of Tunis, fights with a Tunisian ship in order to carry off the king's daughter. The crew kill the princess, for which he puts them all to the sword, but is himself beheaded for that deed.
Appeared in Turberville's Tragical Tales (ca. 1576).
See L. Cappelletti, La novella di Gerbino, imitazioni e raffronto, in Cronaca minima (Livorno, Aug. 14, 1887.)
NOVEL V
By Filomena
Isabella's brothers put her lover to death. He appears to her in a dream, and tells her where his body is buried; whereupon, she secretly brings away his head and buries it in a pot of basil, over which she weeps for hours every day, and when her brothers take it away she dies soon afterwards.
Appeared in Turberville's Tragical Tales (ca. 1576).
Consult T. Cannizzaro, Il lamento di Lisabetta da Messina e la leggenda del vaso di basilico (Catania, Battiato, 1902).
On the poem of Keats see U. Mengin, L'Italie des romantiques (Paris, 1902).
There is a Sicilian love song at end of this tale.
NOVEL VI
By Pamfilo
A young lady called Andreuola is in love with Gabriotto. She tells him a dream that she has had, and whilst relating one that he has had, he suddenly falls into her arms, dead. Whilst she is trying to get the body to his own house, with the aid of her maid, they are both arrested by the watch. She tells the magistrate how it happened, and resists his improper advances. Her father hears what has happened to her and procures her release, as her innocence is established, but she renounces the world and becomes a nun.
NOVEL VII
By Emilia
Simona and Pasquino are lovers, and, being in a garden together, Pasquino rubs his teeth with a leaf of sage, and dies immediately. Simona is arrested, and, on being brought before the judge, she wishes to explain how Pasquino met his death, and, rubbing her teeth with a leaf front the same plant, she dies on the spot.
Appeared in Turberville's Tragical Tales (ca. 1576).
NOVEL VIII
By Neifile
Girolamo is in love with Salvestra. His mother urges him to go to Paris, and on his return, finding his mistress married, he secretly introduces himself into her house, and dies at her side. Whilst he is being buried, Salvestra also dies on his body in the church.
Appeared in Turberville's Tragical Tales (ca. 1576).
NOVEL IX
By Filostrato
Guillaume de Roussillon gives his wife the heart of de Cabestaing to eat, whom he had killed because he was her lover. When she discovers this, she throws herself out of a high window, and being killed, is buried with him.
Appeared in Turberville's Tragical Tales (ca. 1576).
See G. Paris, La lÉgende du ChÂtelain de Couci dans l'Inde, in Romania, vol. xii (1883), p. 359 et seq., for a similar story.
NOVEL X
By Dioneo
A surgeon's wife puts her lover, who is in a deep sleep, into a chest, thinking him dead, and two usurers steal it. In their house he wakes up and is taken for a thief. The lady's maid tells the magistrate that she had put him into the chest which the money-lenders had stolen. By these means she saves him from the gallows, and the usurers are fined for the theft.
THE FIFTH DAY
Fiammetta Queen
Subject.—Good fortune befalling lovers after many dire and disastrous adventures.
NOVEL I
By Pamfilo
Cymon becomes wise through love, and carries off Iphigenia, his mistress, by force of arms, to sea. He is put in prison at Rhodes, where he is set at liberty by Lysimachus, and they together carry off Iphigenia and Cassandra on their wedding-day, flee to Crete, marry their mistresses, and are happily summoned to return home.
First English translation, A Pleasant and Delightful History of Galesus, Cymon, and Iphigenia, etc., by T. C. Gent (ca. 1584).
Consult Tribolati, F., Diporto sulla novella I della quinta giornata del Decamerone: saggio critico, in Arch. Stor. per le Marche e per l' Umbria, vol. ii (1885), fasc. 8-9. v.
NOVEL II
By Emilia
Constanza loves Martuccio Gomito. When she hears that he has perished, in despair she goes quite by herself into a boat, and is driven to Susa by the wind and waves. She meets Martuccio alive in Tunis, makes herself known to him; and as he is very high in the king's favour there, because of his good counsels, the monarch bestows great wealth on him, and he marries his beloved, and returns to Lipari with her.
Appeared in Greene's Perimedes the Blacksmith (1588).
NOVEL III
By Elisa
Pietro Boccamazza runs away with Agnolella, his mistress, and falls among thieves. She escapes into a wood, and is taken to a castle. Pietro is taken prisoner by the thieves, but escapes and comes to the same castle with some adventures, where he marries Agnolella, and they return to Rome.
NOVEL IV
By Filostrato
Ricciardo Manardi is found by Lizio da Valbona in bed with his daughter, whereupon he marries her, and lives in peace and friendship with her father.
NOVEL V
By Neifile
On his death-bed Guidotto of Cremona appoints Giacomino of Pavia as guardian of his adopted daughter. Giannole di Severino and Minghino di Mingole both fall in love with the girl, and fight on her account, when it is discovered that she is the sister of Giannole, and Minghino marries her.
Consult Prato, S., L' orma del leone, racconto orientale considerato nella tradizione popolare, in Romania, xii (1883), p. 535 et seq.
Chasles, E., La ComÉdie en France au XVI SiÈcle (Paris, 1867). Rajna, P., Le origini della novella narrata dal "Frankeleyn" nei Canterbury Tales del Chaucer, in Romania, xxxii (1903), p. 204 et seq.
NOVEL VI
By Pampinea
Gianni di Procida is surprised in the arms of a girl who had been given to King Frederick, and he intends to have them burnt at the stake together. Ruggieri dell' Oria, however, recognises them both, and they are set at liberty, and marry.
Consult Zumbini, B., Alcune novelle del Boccaccio e i suoi criterii d' arte, in Atti della R. Acc. della Crusca (Firenze, 1905), No. 29th Jan.
NOVEL VII
By Lauretta
Teodoro is in love with Violante, the daughter of his master, Amerigo, Abbot of Trapani. She becomes pregnant, and he is sentenced to be hanged. As he is being led to execution, after being scourged, his father recognises him, he is set at liberty, and marries his mistress.
Appeared in H. C.'s Forest of Fancy, ii (1579).
NOVEL VIII
By Filomena
Nastagio degli Onesti loves the daughter of Paolo Traversaro, and spends much of his fortune without being able to gain her love in return. At the advice of his friends he goes to Chiassi, where he sees a lady being pursued by a huntsman, who kills her and lets his dogs devour her. He invites his own relations and those of the lady to an entertainment, lets them see this terrible chase, and she, from fear of suffering the same fate, marries him.
Appeared in A Notable History of Nastagio and Traversari, etc., in English verse by C. T. (1569), and in Turberville's Tragical Tales (ca. 1576), vol. i, and in H. C.'s Forest of Fancy (1579).
Consult Cappelletti, L., Commento sopra l' VIII nov. della V. giornata dell Decameron in Propugnatore, vol. viii (1875), parts i and ii. Borgognoni, A., La XLVIII nov. del Decameron, in Domenica Letteraria, iii (1883), 13. Neilson, W. A., The purgatory of cruel beauties. A note on the sources of the 8th novel of the 5th day of the Decameron, in Romania, xxix (1900), p. 85 et seq. And for the influence of Dante here: Arullani, V. A., Nella scia dantesca, alcuni oltretomba posteriori alla Divina Commedia (Alba, 1905).
NOVEL IX
By Fiammetta
Frederigo being in love without any return, spends all his property for the lady's sake, and at last has nothing left but one favourite hawk. The lady coming to see him unexpectedly, he has this prepared for dinner, having nothing else to give her; and she is so touched when she hears this, that she alters her mind and makes him master of herself and all her wealth.
Cappelletti, L., Commento sopra la IX novella della quinta giornata del Decameron, in Propugnatore, vol. x, part i.
Tosi, I., Longfellow e l' Italia (Bologna, 1906), esp. p. 89 et seq.
NOVEL X
By Dioneo
Pietro di Vinciolo goes out to supper, and in the meanwhile his wife has a young fellow come to see her. Pietro returns home unexpectedly and discovers his wife's trick, but as he is no better himself, they manage to make it up between them.
Consult De Maria, U., Dell' Asino d' oro di Apuleio e di varie sue imitazioni nella nostra letteratura (Roma, 1901).
THE SIXTH DAY
Elisa Queen
Subject.—Of such as by some sprightly sally have repulsed an attack, or by some ready retort or device have avoided loss, peril, or scorn.
NOVEL I
By Filomena
A knight engages to carry Madonna Oretta behind him on the saddle, promising to tell her a pleasant story by the way; but the lady finding it not to be according to her taste, begs him to allow her to dismount.
NOVEL II
By Pampinea
Cisti the baker, by a sharp retort, makes Signor Geri Spina sensible of an unreasonable request.
Consult Cappelletti, L., La novella di Cisti fornaio, in Cronaca minima (Livorno, 1887, 28 August).
NOVEL III
By Lauretta
Madonna Nonna de' Pulci, by a sharp repartee, silences the Bishop of Florence for an unseemly piece of raillery.
NOVEL IV
By Neifile
Chichibio, cook to Currado Gianfiliazzi, by a prompt rejoinder which he makes to his master, turns his wrath into laughter, and escapes the punishment with which he had threatened him.
Appeared in Tarlton's News out of Purgatorie (1590), No. 4.
NOVEL V
By Pamfilo
Forese da Rabatta and Giotto the painter, coming from Mugello, jest at the meanness of each other's appearance.
NOVEL VI
By Fiammetta
Michele Scalza proves to certain young gentlemen how that the family of the Baronci is the most ancient of any in the world, and of Maremma, and wins a supper by it.
NOVEL VII
By Filostrato
Madonna Filippa being found by her husband with a lover, is accused and tried for it, but saves herself by her witty reply, and has the law moderated for the future.
NOVEL VIII
By Emilia
Fresco recommends his niece not to look at herself again in a mirror since, as she had averred, looking at ugly people was disagreeable to her.
NOVEL IX
By Elisa
Guido Cavalcanti reproves in polite terms certain Florentine knights who had taken him unawares.
Consult Cappelletti, L., La novella di Guido Cavalcanti, in Propugnatore, vol. x (1677).
NOVEL X
By Dioneo
Friar Cipolla promises some country people to show them a feather from the wing of the Angel Gabriel, instead of which he finds only some coals, which he tells them are the same that roasted St. Laurence.
Appeared in Tarlton's News out of Purgatorie (ca. 1576), No. 5.
THE SEVENTH DAY
Dioneo King
Subject.—Of the tricks which either for love or for their deliverance from peril ladies have heretofore played their husbands, and whether they were by the said husbands detected or no.
NOVEL I
By Emilia
Gianni Lotteringhi hears at night a knocking at his door, and wakes his wife. The latter makes him believe it is a spirit. They both go to conjure it away with a prayer, and the noise ceases.
Appeared in The Cobler of Caunterburie, No. 2.
NOVEL II
By Filostrato
Peronella, hearing her husband enter, conceals her lover in a lie tub, which tub the husband had just sold. She tells him that she had also sold it to a person who was then in it, to see if it was sound. Hereupon the man jumps out, makes the husband clean it for him, he caressing the wife meanwhile, and carries it home.
Consult De Maria, U., op. cit., supra.
NOVEL III
By Elisa
Friar Rinaldo is in bed with the wife of a neighbour. The husband finding him in the bedroom of his wife, both make him believe that they are busy about a charm to cure their child of the worms.
Against the Friars.
NOVEL IV
By Lauretta
Tofano shuts his wife one night out of doors, and she, not being able to persuade him to let her in, pretends to throw herself into a well, and drops a big stone in; he runs thither in a fright; she slips into the house, and, locking him out, abuses him well.
Appeared in Westward for Smelts, by Kind Kit of Kingston (1620), No. 3.
Consult Marcocchia, G., Una novella indiana nel Boccaccio e nel MoliÈre (Spalatro, 1905).
NOVEL V
By Fiammetta
A jealous man confesses his wife under a priest's habit, who tells him that she is visited every night by a friar; and, whilst he is watching the door, she lets her lover in at the house-top.
Cf. Thomas Twine's Schoolmaster (1576).
NOVEL VI
By Pampinea
Isabella, being in company with her gallant, called Leonetto, and being visited at the same time by one Lambertuccio, her husband returns, when she sends Lambertuccio away with a drawn sword in his hand, whilst the husband escorts Leonetto safely to his own house.
Appeared in Tarlton's News out of Purgatorie (1590), No. 7.
Consult Paris, G., Le lai de l'Épervier, in Romania (1878).
NOVEL VII
By Filomena
Lodovico being in love with Beatrice, she sends her husband into the garden, disguised like herself, so that her lover may be with her in the meantime; and he afterwards goes into the garden and beats the husband.
Appeared in The Hundred Mery Talys (1526), No. 2.
Consult Schofield, W. H., The source and history of the seventh novel of the seventh day in the Decameron, in Studies and Notes in Philology and Literature, vol. ii (Boston, 1893).
NOVEL VIII
By Neifile
A woman, who had a very jealous husband, tied a thread to her great toe, by which she informed her lover whether he should come or not. The husband found it out, and whilst he was pursuing the lover, she put her maid in her place. He takes her to be his wife, beats her, cuts off her hair, and fetches his wife's relations, who find nothing of what he had told them, and load him with reproaches.
Appeared in the Cobler of Caunterburie.
NOVEL IX
By Pamfilo
Lydia, the wife of Nicostratus, being in love with Pyrrhus, did three things which he had enjoined her, to convince him of her affection. She afterwards used some familiarities with him before her husband's face, making him believe that what he had seen was not real.
NOVEL X
By Dioneo
Two inhabitants of Siena love the same woman, one of whom was godfather to her son. This man dies, and returns, according to his promise, to his friend, and gives him an account of what is done in the other world.
THE EIGHTH DAY
Lauretta Queen
Subject of Tales.—Those tricks that daily woman plays man, or man woman or one man another.
NOVEL I
By Neifile
Gulfardo obtains from the wife of Guasparruolo a favour by giving her a sum of money. He borrows the money from her husband. He afterwards tells Guasparruolo, in her presence, that he had paid it to her, which she acknowledges to be true.
This is Chaucer's Shipmanne's Tale or Story of Don John.
NOVEL II
By Pamfilo
The priest of Varlungo receives favours from a woman of his parish, and leaves his cloak in pawn. He afterwards borrows a mortar of her, which he returns, and demands his cloak, which he says he left only as a token. She mutinies, but is forced by her husband to send it.
Against the clergy.
Consult Tribolati, F., La Belcolore: diporto letterario sulla novella VII della giornata VIII del Decameron, in Borghini, vol. iii (1865).
NOVEL III
By Elisa
Calandrino, Bruno, and Buffalmacco go to Mugnone, to look for the Heliotrope; and Calandrino returns laden with stones, supposing that he has found it. Upon this his wife scolds him, and he beats her for it; and then tells his companions what they knew better than himself.
NOVEL IV
By Emilia
The rector of Fiesole is in love with a lady who has no liking for him, and he, thinking that he is in bed with her, is all the time with her maid, and her brothers bring the bishop thither to witness it.
Against the clergy.
Appeared in the Nachgeahunt of Whetsone (1583).
NOVEL V
By Filostrato
Three young sparks play a trick with a judge, whilst he is sitting upon the bench hearing causes.
NOVEL VI
By Filomena
Bruno and Buffalmacco steal a pig from Calandrino, and make a charm to find out the thief, with pills made of ginger and some sack; giving him, at the same time, pills made of aloes; thereby they make it appear that he had furtively sold the pig, and they make him pay handsomely, for fear they should tell his wife.
Consult Giannini, A., Una fonte di una novella del B., in Fanfulla della Domenica, August 27, 1905. Drescher, K., Zu Boccaccios Novelle Dekam, viii, 6, in Studien zur vergleichende Litteraturgeschichte, vi (1906), fasc. 3.
NOVEL VII
By Pampinea
A scholar loves a widow lady, Helena, who, being enamoured of another, makes him wait a whole night for her in the snow. The scholar, in order to be revenged, finds means in his turn to make the lady stand quite naked at the top of a tower for a night and a day, in the middle of July, exposed to flies, insects, and the sun.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, ii, 31 (1567).
NOVEL VIII
By Fiammetta
Two married men constantly meet together, when one of them sleeps with the wife of the other; which, that other discovering, agrees with the wife of the traitor to close him up in a chest, on which they together take their amusement.
Consult Tribolati, F., Commento sulla novella VIII della giornata VIII del Decameron, in Poliziano, vol. i (1892), No. 5.
NOVEL IX
By Lauretta
Messer Simone, a doctor, having been conducted during the night to a certain place by Buffalmacco to make part of a company of rovers, is thrown by Buffalmacco into a filthy ditch and left there.
NOVEL X
By Dioneo
A Sicilian girl, by a ruse, cheats a merchant out of the money he has made at Palermo; afterwards he returns, pretending to have a larger stock of goods than before, borrows a large sum of money from her, and leaves her in security nothing but water and tow.
Vidal Bev, Boccacce et les docks et warrants, in Bulletin de l'institut Égyptien (1883).
THE NINTH DAY
Emilia Queen
Subject.—Various.
NOVEL I
By Filomena
Madonna Francesca, beloved by a certain Rinuccio and a certain Alessandro, and not loving either of them, got rid of them cleverly, by making one of them enter a tomb as if he were dead, and sending the other to fetch him out, so that neither of them could accomplish their purpose.
NOVEL II
By Elisa
An abbess going in haste, and in the dark, to surprise one of her nuns, instead of her veil puts on the priest's breeches. The lady accused makes a just remark upon this, and so escapes.
Against the Nuns.
Appeared in Thomas Twyne's Schoolmaster (1576), and William Warner's Albion's England (1586-1592).
NOVEL III
By Filostrato
Messer Simone, at the instigation of Bruno, Buffalmacco, and Nello, makes Calandrino believe that he is with child. The last-named, in return for food and money, obtains a medicine from them, and is cured without being delivered.
NOVEL IV
By Neifile
Cecco Fortarrigo loses at play all the money he had of his own, as well as that of Cecco Angiulieri, his master; then he runs away in his shirt, and pretending that the other had robbed him, he has him taken hold of by the peasants; after which he put on his clothes, and rode away on the other's horse, leaving him in his shirt.
NOVEL V
By Fiammetta
Calandrino is in love with a young girl; Bruno makes a written talisman for him, and tells him that as soon as he touches her she will follow him; Calandrino having got this from him, his wife surprises him and makes a great scene.
NOVEL VI
By Pamfilo
Two young gentlemen lodge at an inn. The one lies with the landlord's daughter, the other with his wife. He who has lain with the daughter gets into the father's bed afterwards, and tells him all about it, thinking it was his friend. A great noise is made in consequence. The landlord's wife, having gone into her daughter's bed, arranges everything in a few words.
Cf. A Right Pleasaunt Historie of the Mylner of Abingdon.
Consult Varnhagen, H., Die ErzÄhlung von der Wiege, in Englische Studien, vol. ix (1886), fasc. 2.
NOVEL VII
By Pampinea
Talano of Molese dreams that his wife has her throat and face torn by a wolf. He warns her, but she refuses to follow his advice, the result being that what he had dreamed really happened.
NOVEL VIII
By Lauretta
Biondello jests at Ciacco's expense by giving him a bad dinner, after which Ciacco revenges himself by causing Biondello to be beaten.
NOVEL IX
By Emilia
Two young men ask advice from Solomon, the one in order to know how he can be loved, the other how he may correct his bad-tempered wife. He tells the first to love, and the other to go to the Geese's Bridge.
Consult Imbriani, V., I consigli di Salamone, in Rivista Europea, n.s., vol. xxiii (1882), p. 37 et seq. Burdach, K., Zum Ursprung der Salomo Sage, in Arch. fÜr das Studium der neueren Sprachen und Litteraturen, cviii (1902), fasc. 1 and 3.
NOVEL X
By Dioneo
Dom Gianni, at the request of his friend Pietro, works an enchantment so as to change the latter into a mare. When he got as far as to attach the tail, Pietro, saying that he didn't want any tail, spoils the whole operation.
Against the monks.
THE TENTH DAY
Pamfilo King
Subject.—Of such as in matters of love or otherwise have done something with liberality or magnificence.
NOVEL I
By Neifile
A certain knight in the service of the king of Spain thinks that he is not sufficiently rewarded. The king gives a remarkable proof that this was not his fault so much as the knight's bad luck, and afterwards nobly requites him.
Consult Chiarini, G., Le fonti del mercanti di Venezia, in Studi Shakespearani (Livorno, 1897).
NOVEL II
By Elisa
Ghino di Tacco makes the abbot of Cligni prisoner, and cures him of a stomach disease; then he gives him his liberty. The abbot, on his return to the Court of Rome, reconciles Ghino to Pope Boniface, and has him made prior of a hospital.
Consult Hutton, E., In Unknown Tuscany, with notes by W. Heywood (Methuen, 1909), p. 101-11.
NOVEL III
By Filostrato
Mitridanes envies the generosity of Nathan and goes to kill him, when, conversing with him, but not knowing him, and being informed in what manner he may do the deed, he goes to meet him in a wood as Nathan had directed. There he recognises him, is ashamed, and becomes his friend.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, ii (1567), No. 18.
NOVEL IV
By Lauretta
Messer Gentile de' Carisendi, on his return from Modena, takes out of the grave a lady whom he had loved, and whom they had buried for dead. She recovers, and is delivered of a son, which he presents with the lady to her husband, Niccoluccio Caccianimico.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, ii (1567), No. 19.
NOVEL V
By Emilia
Madonna Dianora demands from Messer Ansaldo a garden as beautiful in January as in the month of May. Messer Ansaldo, by the help of necromancers, does it. Her husband gives him permission to put himself at the disposal of Messer Ansaldo. He, having heard of her husband's generosity, relieves her of her promise, and on his side the necromancer, without wishing anything from him holds Messer Ansaldo at quits.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, ii (1567), No. 17.
NOVEL VI
By Fiammetta
King Charles the Victorious, when old, becomes enamoured of a young girl; ashamed of his foolish love, he marries her honourably like one of his sisters.
NOVEL VII
By Pampinea
King Pietro, hearing that a lady was love-sick for him, makes her a visit, and marries her to a worthy gentleman; then kissing her forehead, calls himself ever afterwards her knight.
Consult Cappelletti, L., La Lisa e il re Pietro d' Aragona, in Propugnatore, vol. xi (1879), part ii, p. 108 et seq.
NOVEL VIII
By Filomena
Sophronia, believing herself to be the wife of Gisippus, is really married to Titus Quintius Fulvus, who takes her off to Rome. There Gisippus arrives some time afterwards in great distress, and thinking him despised by Titus, declares himself guilty of a murder, in order to put an end to his life. Titus recollects him, and to save him, accuses himself, which when the murderer sees, he delivers himself up as the guilty person. Finally, they are all set at liberty by Octavius, and Titus marries Gisippus to his sister, and gives him half his estate.
Appeared in The History of Tytuse and Gesyppus, out of the Latin by William Wallis, (?) and in The Boke of the Governors, by Sir Thomas Elyot, lib. ii, cap. xii (1531).
Consult Wagner, C. P., The sources of El Cavallero Cifar, in Revue hispanique, vol. x (1903), p. 4 et seq.
NOVEL IX
By Pamfilo
Saladin, disguising himself like a merchant, is generously entertained by Messer Torello, who, going upon an expedition to the Holy Land, allowed his wife a certain time to marry again. In the meantime he is taken prisoner, and being employed to look after the hawks, is recognised by the Soldan, who shows him great respect. Afterwards Torello falls sick, and is conveyed by magic art, in one night, to Pavia, at the very time that his wife was to have been married; when he makes himself known to her, and returns with her home.
Appeared in Painter's Palace of Pleasure, vol. ii (1567), No. 20.
Consult Rajna, P., La leggenda Boccaccesca del Saladino e di messer Torello, in Romania, vol. vi (1877), p. 349 et seq. Landau, M., La novella di messer Torello e le sue attinenze mitiche e leggendarie, in Giornale stor. della Lett. Ital., vol. ii (1883), p. 52 et seq. Ibid., Le tradizioni giudaiche nella novellistica italiana, in Giornale cit., vol. i (1883), p. 535 et seq.
NOVEL X
By Dioneo
The Marquis of Saluzzo, having been prevailed on by his subjects to marry, in order to please himself in the affair made choice of a countryman's daughter, by whom he had two children, which he pretended to put to death. Afterwards, seeming as though he was weary of her and had taken another, he had his own daughter brought home, as if he had espoused her; whilst he sent away his wife in a most distressed condition. At length, being convinced of her patience, he brought her home again, presented her children to her, who were now of considerable years, and ever loved and honoured her as a lady.
Appeared as The Pleasant and Sweet History of Patient Grissel (s.a.), and again in 1619.
Consult Tribolati, F., La Griselda in Borghini, vol. iii (1865). Bucheim, C. A., Chaucer's Clerkes Tale and Petrarch's version of the Griselda Story in AthenÆum, No. 3470 (1894). Siefken, O., Der Konstanze Griseldetypus in der englischen Litteratur bis auf Shakespeare (Ruthenow, 1904). Jusserand, J. J., Au tombeau de PÉtrarque, in Revue de Paris (July, 1896), pp. 92-119. Savorini, L., La Leggenda di Griselda, in Rivista Abruzzese, vol. xv (1900), p. 21 et seq.
