The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio

  _Day the Tenth_

  HERE BEGINNETH THE TENTH AND LAST DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF PAMFILO IS DISCOURSED OF WHOSO HATH ANYWISE WROUGHT GENEROUSLY OR MAGNIFICENTLY IN MATTERS OF LOVE OR OTHERWHAT

  Certain cloudlets in the West were yet vermeil, what time those of theEast were already at their marges grown lucent like unto very gold,when Pamfilo, arising, let call his comrades and the ladies, who beingall come, he took counsel with them of whither they should go fortheir diversion and fared forth with slow step, accompanied byFilomena and Fiammetta, whilst all the others followed after. On thiswise, devising and telling and answering many things of their futurelife together, they went a great while a-pleasuring; then, having madea pretty long circuit and the sun beginning to wax overhot, theyreturned to the palace. There they let rinse the beakers in the clearfountain and whoso would drank somewhat; after which they wentfrolicking among the pleasant shades of the garden until theeating-hour. Then, having eaten and slept, as of their wont, theyassembled whereas it pleased the king and there he called upon Neifilefor the first discourse, who blithely began thus: