The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio

  _Day the Fifth_

  HERE BEGINNETH THE FIFTH DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF FIAMMETTA IS DISCOURSED OF THAT WHICH HATH HAPPILY BETIDED LOVERS AFTER SUNDRY CRUEL AND MISFORTUNATE ADVENTURES

  The East was already all white and the rays of the rising sun had madeit light through all our hemisphere, when Fiammetta, allured by thesweet song of the birds that blithely chanted the first hour of theday upon the branches, arose and let call all the other ladies and thethree young men; then, with leisured pace descending into the fields,she went a-pleasuring with her company about the ample plain upon thedewy grasses, discoursing with them of one thing and another, untilthe sun was somewhat risen, when, feeling that its rays began to growhot, she turned their steps to their abiding-place. There, withexcellent wines and confections, she let restore the light fatigue hadand they disported themselves in the delightsome garden until theeating hour, which being come and everything made ready by thediscreet seneschal, they sat blithely down to meat, such being thequeen's pleasure, after they had sung sundry roundelays and a ballador two. Having dined orderly and with mirth, not unmindful of theirwonted usance of dancing, they danced sundry short dances to the soundof songs and tabrets, after which the queen dismissed them all untilthe hour of slumber should be past. Accordingly, some betookthemselves to sleep, whilst others addressed themselves anew to theirdiversion about the fair garden; but all, according to the wontedfashion, assembled together again, a little after none, near the fairfountain, whereas it pleased the queen. Then she, having seatedherself in the chief room, looked towards Pamfilo and smilinglycharged him make a beginning with the fair-fortuned stories; wheretohe willingly addressed himself and spoke as follows: