Page 193 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Eighth Day | The Seventh Novell he had ever seen. He deemed the man who could hold her in his arms
Storyteller: Pampinea truly blessed. He eyed her stealthily and decided to study and labor to
win her love and enjoyment.
A young scholar fell in love with a widow named Helena,
who loved another man. She made him wait in the freezing Elena was not one to keep her eyes downcast. She valued herself highly
cold one night. In revenge, he made her stand naked on a and scanned her company, soon detecting the men who regarded her
tower in July, where she was sunburnt and bitten by wasps with pleasure. Discovering Rinieri's passion, she laughed inwardly and
and flies. thought, 'It seems I have caught a gander by the bill.' She gave him
occasional sidelong glances, making him believe she was not indifferent
to him. She thought the more men she captivated, the higher her charms
would be rated, especially by the one she loved. The scholar abandoned
his philosophical meditation, entirely engrossed by the lady. He found
excuses to pass by her house frequently, thinking to please her. Elena,
flattered by his attention, showed herself pleased to see him. Encouraged,
the scholar made friends with her maid, revealing his love and asking her
to help him win the lady's favor. The maid promised to help and delivered
his message to Elena, who laughed and replied, "He brought sense from
Paris; where did he lose it? Let's give him what he seeks. Tell him I love
him more than he loves me, but I must maintain my reputation. If he is
truly wise, this will make him love me more." Ah, poor woman! She did
not know how rash it is to try conclusions with scholars.

1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE). The maid delivered the message, and the overjoyed scholar pursued
his suit with more ardor, writing letters and sending presents. The lady
received everything but only responded in general terms, keeping him
dangling for a long time. Eventually, she told her lover about the scholar,
Not many years ago, there lived in Florence a young, fair lady of high who became jealous. To convince him her intentions were innocent and
spirit, gentle lineage, and well-endowed with temporal goods. Elena, as because the scholar was persistent, she sent word through her maid that
she was called, was left a widow and decided never to marry again. She she hoped to be with him next Christmastide. She asked him to wait in
was in love with a handsome young man of her choosing, with whom she her courtyard on the night following the feast. Elated, the scholar arrived
spent time gaily and delightfully, thanks to a trusted maid. Meanwhile, at the appointed time and was ushered into the courtyard by the maid,
a young nobleman named Rinieri, who had studied in Paris to learn the who locked the door behind him.
reasons and causes of things, returned to Florence. He lived there with
great honor due to his rank and learning. However, as often happens, That evening, the lady's lover was with her. After supper, she told him
those most versed in deep matters are the soonest mastered by love. about her plan, adding, "Now you will see the love I have for this scholar,
At a festal gathering, Rinieri saw Elena, dressed in black as Florentine whom you foolishly regard as a rival." The lover, delighted, waited eagerly
widows do, and found her fairer and more charming than any woman to see her prove her words. The scholar, waiting in the courtyard, found it

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