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IlNovellino

TheHundredOldTales

translatedfromtheItalianbyEdwardStorer

GeorgeRoutledge&SonsLTD,NewYork
E.P.Dutton&Co.
Contents
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................................1
IlNovellino........................................................................................................................................................12
1.Proem..........................................................................................................................................................12
2.OftherichembassywhichPresterJohnsenttothenobleEmperorFrederick.............................12
3.OfawiseGreekwhomaKingkeptinprison,andhowhejudgedofacourser..........................14
4.HowajongleurlamentedbeforeAlexandertheconductofaknight,towhomhehadmadea
giftonconditionthattheknightshouldgivehimwhatsoeverAlexandermightpresenthim
with............................................................................................................................................................15
5.Howakingcommittedareplytoayoungsonofhiswhohadtobearittotheambassadorsof
Greece.........................................................................................................................................................16
6.HowitcameintothemindofKingDavidtolearnthenumberofhissubjects............................17
7.HereitistoldhowtheangelspoketoSolomon,andsaidthattheLordGodwouldtakeaway
thekingdomfromhissonforhissins..................................................................................................18
8.OfthegiftofakingssontoakingofSyriawhohadbeendrivenfromhisthrone....................19
9.HereitistreatedofanargumentandajudgmentthattookplaceinAlexandria........................20
10.HereitistoldofafinejudgmentgivenbytheslaveofBariinadisputebetweenatownsmen
andapilgrim.............................................................................................................................................21
11.HereitistoldhowMasterGiordanowasdeceivedbyafalsediscipleofhis.............................22
12.HereitistoldofthehonourthatAminadabdidtoKingDavid,hisrightfullord.....................22
13.HereitistoldhowAntigonusreprovedAlexanderforhavingacytheraplayedforhisdelight
......................................................................................................................................................................23
14.Howakinghadasonofhisbroughtupinadarkplace,andthenshowedhimeverything,
andhowwomenpleasedhimmost......................................................................................................23
15.Howalandstewardpluckedouthisowneyeandthatofhissontotheendthatjusticemight
beobserved................................................................................................................................................24
16.HereitistoldofthegreatmercywroughtbySaintPaulinusthebishop....................................24
17.OfthegreatactofcharitywhichabankerdidfortheloveofGod...............................................24
18.OfthejudgmentofGodonabaronofCharlemagne......................................................................25
19.OfthegreatgenerosityandcourtesyoftheYoungKing................................................................25
20.OfthegreatliberalityandcourtesyoftheKingofEngland...........................................................26
21.HowthreenecromancerscametothecourtoftheEmperorFrederick........................................27
22.HowtheEmperorFredericksgoshawkescapedtoMilan.............................................................29
23.HowtheEmperorFrederickfoundacountrymanatafountainandaskedleavetodrink,and
howhetookawayhisdrinkingcup.....................................................................................................29
24.HowtheEmperorFrederickputaquestiontotwowisemen,andhowherewardedthem...30
25.HowtheSultangavetwohundredmarkstoamanandhowhistreasurerwrotedownthe
entryinhispresence................................................................................................................................31
26.HereitistoldofaburgherofFrance..................................................................................................31
27.HereitistoldofagreatMoaddowhowasinsulted........................................................................33
28.HereitistoldofacustomthatexistedinthekingdomofFrance.................................................33
29.HereitistoldhowsomelearnedastrologersdisputedabouttheEmpyrean.............................34
30.HereitistoldhowaLombardknightsquanderedhissubstance.................................................34
31.HereitistoldofastorytellerofMesserAzzolino...........................................................................35
32.OfthegreatdeedsofprowessofRiccarLogherciooftheIsle.......................................................35
33.HereistoldataleofMesserImberaldelBalzo.................................................................................36
34.Howtwonobleknightslovedeachotherwithagreatlove...........................................................36
35.HereitistoldofMasterThaddeusofBologna.................................................................................37
36.HereitistoldhowacruelkingpersecutedtheChristians.............................................................37
37.HereitistoldofabattlebetweentwokingsofGreece...................................................................38
38.OfanastrologercalledMelisus,whowasreprimandedbyawoman.........................................39
39.HereitistoldofBishopAldebrandino,andhowhewasmockedbyafriar..............................40
40.OfaminstrelwhosenamewasSaladin..............................................................................................40
41.AtaleofMesserPoloTraversaro.........................................................................................................40
42.HereistoldanexcellenttaleofWilliamofBorgandaofProvence...............................................41
43.HereitistoldofMesserGiacopinoRangoneandwhathedidtoacourtplayer.......................42
44.Ofaquestionthatwasputtoacourtier.............................................................................................43
45.HowLancelotfoughtatafountain.....................................................................................................43
46.HereitistoldhowNarcissusfellinlovewithhisownimage.......................................................43
47.Hereitistoldhowaknightaskedaladyforherlove.....................................................................44
48.HereitistoldofKingConrad,fatherofConradin..........................................................................44
49.HereitistoldofaphysicianofToulouseandhowhetooktowifeanieceoftheArchbishop
ofToulouse................................................................................................................................................44
50.HereitistoldofMasterFrancis,sonofMasterAccorsoofBologna............................................45
51.HereitistoldofaGasconwoman,andhowshehadrecoursetotheKingofCyprus.............46
52.OfabellthatwasorderedinKingJohnsdays.................................................................................46
53.HereitistoldofaprivilegegrantedbytheEmperortooneofhisbarons..................................46
54.HereitistoldhowtheparishpriestPorcellinowasaccused.........................................................47
55.HereistoldataleofamanofthecourtwhosenamewasMarco.................................................47
56.HowamanoftheMarcheswenttostudyinBologna.....................................................................48
57.TheWomanandthePeartree..............................................................................................................48
58.TheWisestoftheBeasts........................................................................................................................50
59.HereitistoldofagentlemanwhomtheEmperorhadhanged.....................................................50
60.HereitistoldhowCharlesofAnjoulovedalady...........................................................................51
61.HereitistoldofthephilosopherSocrates,andhowheansweredtheGreeks...........................52
62.HereistoldataleofMesserRoberto..................................................................................................53
63.OfgoodKingMeladiusandtheKnightWithoutFear....................................................................54
64.AtaletoldoftheCourtofPuyinProvence.......................................................................................55
65.HereitistoldofQueenIseultandMesserTristanofLyonesse.....................................................57
66.HereitistoldofaphilosopherwhowascalledDiogenes..............................................................58
67.HereitistoldofPapiriusandhowhisfatherbroughthimtothecouncil..................................58
68.OfaquestionwhichayoungmanproposedtoAristotle...............................................................59
69.HereitistoldofthegreatjusticeoftheEmperorTrajan................................................................59
70.HereitistoldhowHerculeswentintotheforest.............................................................................60
71.HereitistoldhowSenecaconsoledawomanwhosesonhaddied.............................................61
72.HereistoldhowCatolamentedagainstfortune..............................................................................62
73.HowtheSultanbeinginneedofmoney,soughttofindoccasiontoproceedagainstaJew...62
74.Thestoryofavassalandalord...........................................................................................................63
75.HowtheLordenteredintopartnershipwithaminstrel.................................................................63
76.HereitistoldofthegreatkillingdonebyKingRichard................................................................64
77.HereitistoldofMesserRinieri,aknightoftheCourt....................................................................65
78.Hereitistoldofaphilosophermuchgiventothevulgarisationofscience................................66
79.HereitistoldofaCourtplayerwhoadoredalord.........................................................................66
80.ThePilgrimandtheUglyWoman......................................................................................................67
81.HerebelowitistoldofthecouncilwhichwasheldbythesonsofKingPriamofTroy..........67
82.HereitistoldhowtheLadyofShalottdiedforloveofLancelotoftheLake.............................68
83.HowChristgoingonedaywithhisdisciplesinadesertedplace,theysawgreattreasure.....69
84.HowMesserAzzolinoRomanoarrangedagreatcharity...............................................................69
85.OfagreatfaminethatwasonceinGenoa.........................................................................................71
86.TheEmperorandthePilgrim...............................................................................................................71
87.Howamanwenttoshrivehimself.....................................................................................................72
88.HereistoldofMesserCastellanodaCafferiofMantua.................................................................72
89.HereistoldofaCourtplayerwhobeganastorythatneverended.............................................72
90.HereistoldhowtheemperorFrederickkilledafalconofhis.......................................................72
91.Howacertainmanconfessedtoafriar..............................................................................................73
92.Hereitistoldofagoodwomanwhohadmadeafinepie.............................................................73
93.Hereitistoldofacountrymanwhowenttoshrivehimself..........................................................74
94.Hereitistoldofthefoxandthemule................................................................................................74
95.Hereitistoldofacountrymanwhowenttothetown....................................................................74
96.HereitistoldofBitoandMesserFrulliofSanGiorgionearFlorence.........................................75
97.Hereitistoldhowamerchantcarriedwineoverseasincaskswithtwopartitionsandwhat
happened...................................................................................................................................................76
98.Hereitistoldofamerchantwhoboughtcaps.................................................................................76
99.Hereitistoldaprettytaleoflove.......................................................................................................77
100.HowtheEmperorFrederickwenttotheOldManoftheMountain..........................................78
Introduction
Onedayabouttheendofthethirteenthcenturyorthebeginningofthefourteenth,when
theMiddleAgesstilldarklycurtainedtheRenaissancefromview,amanoftheCourt,or
minstrel,ofsomeItalianlordhadoneofthoseinventiveflasheswhichgotothemakingof
literatures.ThismanoftheCourtwhowasperhapsaminstrelor giullare inlittlemore
thannameforhistalentwouldbeespeciallyliteraryknewbyheartthelittlearchaic
taleswhichmakeuptheslendercorpusoftheCentoNovelleAntiche,orNovellino.Oftenhe
toldthemorheardthemtoldinbaronialhalls,andinlordlyplaces,inroughhutsafterdays
of hunting, and in the encampment of battlefields. Before audiences of seigneurs and
knights, in the company of stately prelates, and in the rollicking gatherings of dashing
youngdonzelli,hehadnarratedorheardnarratedbyhumblermenofhiscraftthesesimple
stories,someofthemredolentofthewisdomofages,otherspiquantwiththeflavourofhis
own times. Well he knew their effect, and could choose one to suit his company and
occasion.Thusfortheentertainmentofgraverandelderlylordshewouldselectthoseof
monkishorasceticorigin,whilewheninthecompanyofgayyoungcavalieri,hewouldnot
hesitate to tell over some of the more libertine tales of his oral anthology. And the
beginningsofthenewItaliantongue,liberatingitselffromthesecularthrallofitsparent
Latin,andhavingtakenshapeinhitsTuscanandSicilianmatrixes,soughtanearlyliterary
expressionandfounditintheworkofourperhapsslightlypedanticgiullarewhowillinall
probabilityremainforeverunknowntous.Thatsomesuchpersonexistedisobvious,even
ifwecannotdiscoverhisname,norhisplaceofbirth,norestate.Hemayindeedhavebeena
worldly type of monk rather than a man of the court, but the choice of the novelle,
includedinthecollection,wouldcertainlyseemrathertopointtothecompilerbeingaman
oftheworldratherthananascetic.AsdoesthefactthatthetaleswerenotwritteninLatin,
forthetenaciousLatinclungtothecloistersafterithaddiedonthetonguesandpensofthe
lay world of those times. Our anthologist, who was in fact a great deal more than an
anthologist, had coadjutors and rivals, successors and improvers, as the different
manuscriptsoftheNovellinoprove,buttheoriginalcompileroftheCentoNovelleAnticheas
theworkwaspreviouslycalled,was,onelikestobelieve,asingleindividualratherthana
groupofgiullariorexgiullariatthedependenceofsomemedievalMedici.Sotheideacame
tohimofgroupingtogetherinonemanuscript,whichmaybehegaveforcopyingtosome
Florentine monk, a selection of the knightly, moral, Biblical, classical, and popular tales
whichweremostinvogueinhisepoch.Theywerestorieswhichhadstoodthetestoftime
some of them the test of successive civilizations and had met the fullthroated
approvalofnumerouscourtsfromProvencetoSicily,fromParmatoRome.Hithertothey
hadlivedonlyonthelipsoftheCourtstorytellersandwanderingminstrelswhonarrated
them.ThetaleswhichmakeuptheNovellinowere,forthemostpart,taught,aswelearn
fromourtextbyonegiullareorstorytellertoanother.Andeachmanaddedoralteredthem
accordingtohiswitandcompany.Thattheprofessionsstorytellersplayedtrickswiththe

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talesinvogueandaddeddetailsandcolouroftheirownonoccasion,wemaywellpresume
fromNovellaLXXXIX,whereamanoftheCourtisremindedthatheisspinningouthis
storyattoogreatalengthbyoneoftheyawningcompany.Thecollectionhereprinted
underthetitleofIlNovellino,mostofwhichtalesappearintheoriginaleditionoftheCento
NovelleAntiche,byGualteruzzi,formedpartofavastrepertoryofsimilarstories,legends
andanecdoteswhichwerebandiedaboutfromprovincetoprovince,fromcountryevento
country,andclosedfulllivedmedievaldaysofhuntingandofbattle.
Perhapsitwasaftersomeespeciallysuccessfulnightwhenourunknowncompilerhad
wontheapprovalofageneroussignoreforhistales,andcarriedoffapursefilledwithafew
goldcoinstohislonelyroom,thattheideacametohimofframingtheoralstoriesina
literaryform.Hehadprobablynonotionthathewasmakingliterature,orfoundingoneof
thepurestearlyclassicsoftheyoungItaliantonguewhichthewitofhepeoplehadshaped
outofthemotherLatin.Forhimitwasamatterofconvenienceandutility,thoughtheurge
to give a literaryshape to thespreading idiom wasinthe air, derivingas an impellent
necessityfromthepropagationofthespokenwordwhichwaswidespreadinTuscanyand
vigorous elsewhere though in dialect forms. The first literary stirrings of the Italian
consciencewereintheair,andwritersbroughtuponLatinchroniclesandusedtothemixed
FrenchandItalianofworksliketheEntrenEspagneofNicoladaPaduawereanxioustotry
theirhandsonthewonderfulvirginmaterialwithintheirreach.Wemayreflectinpassing
whatamarvellous opportunity it wasforpoets andstorytellers, althoughthey didnot
recognize it as such to find themselves in the privileged position of having a virgin
languageattheircommand,notdebasedbythereadymadephrase,thetritemechanical
expressions. With a new language coming into being, nothing or almost nothing is
conventionalized.Theidearunsstraightfromthedynamicthoughttothenaturalphrase.
Therearenoreadymadechannelstoabsorbthespontaneity,convenientandinevitableas
suchmouldsafterwardsbecome.
SoourmanoftheCourtdreameduponhisgreatidea,developedit,thoughtitover,
tookcounselmaybeofsometaleloving signore andsettowork.Wemay,Ithink,fairly
argue that it was some professional teller of tales, some giullare of more than average
educationratherthananymonkorasceticwhowrotethefirstmanuscriptofthe Hundred
OldTales,andthisfortheextremelyfree,nottosaybawdycharacterofthreeorfourofthem.
(Theselatterhavenotbeentranslated.)Moreover,thecuriousandoftenridiculouserrorsin
geography,history,chronologyandphysicswhichwefindinthe Novellino issurelyproof
thatthepersonwhocompileditwasnogreatscholarormanoflearning.Themistakes
whichappearinitcould hardlyhavebeenperpetratedbyalearnedmonkwellreadin
historyandtheclassics.Again,Latinwasstillthelanguageofscienceandsuchscholarship
asexistedthen.Thetimeswererudeinacertainsense,thoughperhapslessrudethanis
generallyimagined,butsomeoftheerrorstobefoundinthetalesaresogrossandabsurd
thattheycouldnothavebeencommittedtoamanuscriptbyanyoneofreallearning.Which

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gives us ground for believing that the original anthologist was of the minstrel class, a
giullare ofdegreeandsomeeducation,withliteraryyearnings,stimulatedperhapsbythe
exercisesofhisFrenchandProvenalcolleaguesintheartsofstorytellingandsong.
Italian critics and writers generally on the subject of early Italian literature are by no
meansagreedastotheoriginsofthetaleswhichmakeuptheCentoNovelle.Itwasduring
the latter half of the thirteenth century, however, that the new tongue began to make
headwayagainsttheobstinacyoftheLatin,butitisonlytowardstheendofthethirteenth
century that original works in Italian prose appeared. Before the thirteenth century
practicallynoItalianliteratureexisted.ItalianwritershadwritteninLatin,inFrench,andin
akindofmixedFrenchandItalian.WehavetheLatinchroniclesoftheIXth,Xth,XIth,and
XIIth centuries which contain classical and mythological allusions. Guido delle Colonne
wrote his Trojan poem in Latin. In the Bovo dAntona, the Venetian dialect makes itself
clearlyfelt.Itwasfromabouttheyear1250thatthenationalliteraturedeveloped.Inthe
NorthofItaly,the poemsofGiacominodaVeronaandBonvecinodaRiva,whichwere
religious in character, showed traces of the movement which prepared the way for the
instrument that was to serve Dante and Boccaccio. In the South of Italy, and in Sicily
especially,attheSiciliancourt,therearoseaschoolofpoetswhospecialisedinlovesongs
which were largely imitations of Provenal rhymers. To this SiculoProvenal school
belongedPierdelleVigne,Inghilfredi,JacopodAquinoandRugieriPugliese.Thesouthof
theItaliancontinentwiththeexceptionofNaplesandsomemonasterieslikeSalerno,was
steeped in ignorance, and rough dialects grew out of the GrecoLatin soil with nothing
literaryaboutthem.FrederickIIhimself,whoruledhisSiciliancourt,wasapoetofsorts
himself,thoughhisproductionswereimitativeandunoriginallikemostofthemembersof
theSicilianschool.AstowhatisexactlytheoldestprosewritingintheItalianlanguage
opinionsdiffer,butcertainlytheComposizionedelMondobyRistorodArezzo(aTuscan)who
livedaboutthemiddleofthethirteenthcentury,isoneoftheoldest,ifnottheoldest.Matteo
Spinelli da Giovenazzo, too, may lay claim to be one of the very earliest writers in the
Tuscan dialect, which afterwards, and with great rapidity, developed into the Italian
language.AnothernamethatmaybementionedisthatofRicordanoMalespina.
TheFrenchfabliaux,andtheworksoftheFrenchandProvenalsingersandmakersof
contescertainlyinspiredwritingsliketheNovellinoandthefewothercontemporaryworksof
asimilarcharacter.Theformerreachedafarhigherdegreeofartthantheyeverattainedto
inItaly.Totheextensiveworksinthousandsoflineswhichtheotherromancelanguages
canshow,Italycanonlyputforwardthebareskeletontalesofthe Novellino,the Contidei
AntichiCavalieri,theContiMoralidelAnonimoSenese.EarlierworkstherewereinLatin,such
as the famous Gesta Romanorum and the Disciplina Clericalis. Several of the tales which
appearintheNovellinoalsofigureinDisciplinaClericalisandintheGesta,asweshallsee.
ToallthepoetryoftheFrenchandProvenalbardsoftheMiddleAgesItalyhasnothing
tooppose.Cantastorieorminstrelstherewere,buttheItaliangiullarewasconsiderablylower
inthehierarchyofsongthanhisFrenchorProvenalbrothers.InItalysuchpoemsorsongs
lackedtheprofoundimpressofthepeoplesspirit.NomemoryoftheseItaliansongshas

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remained,thoughtheymusthaveexisted,andperhapsinplenty,buttheversifiersofthe
period were plebian and lowly. They lacked the protection of important courts. While
France,SpainandGermanycanshowarichepicpopularpoetry,Italycanonlyboastafew
hundrednovelleinprose.
Thetaleor novella wasaliteraryproductespeciallypleasingtotheMiddleAges,which
was,inthematterofculture,aninfantileage.Theperiodseemstohavealmostachildish
affectionforthemarvelloustale.Learningandintellectualsophisticationofaykindwasin
thehandsofafew,wasalmostakindofvestedinterestinwhichnotonlythecommon
people, but even the lords and knights themselves had no interest or claim. This was
especiallythecaseinItaly,wherenovehicleexistedforitspropagationuntiltheendofthe
thirteenthcentury.Thereforetosimpleminds,unusedtothemysteriesofliterature,save
thosewritteninahermeticandpompoustonguefastdisappearingfromcommonuse,the
talewasaspiritualrefreshmentaptlysuitedtothetime.InEngland,too,weseeexamplesof
LatintalesasintheDeNaturisRerumofNeckham.
ButifItalianculturewasbackwardatthistime,ornonexistentsaveinLatinforms,it
grew very quickly, and from its plebian sources there came into being the new art of
Boccaccio.Forthoughthelanguagewasnew,theItalianswerebynomeansanewpeople.
Theyhadbehindthemalonguninterruptedliterarytraditionfromwhichtheycouldwith
difficultywithdrawthemselves.Therewasevenasimilarityofspiritbetweenthosewho
clungtotheoldtraditionsandwroteinLatin,andthepeopleseekingtoexpressthemselves
in their young language. The two literatures had a great deal of the same spirit and
character.TheearlyItalianprosedevelopedtoagreatextentalongthelinesoftheearlier
chroniclerswhowroteinmedievalLatin.Norcoulditverywellbeotherwise,forevena
new literature of a new tongue requires models, and where should the new nationalist
scribesturnformodelssavetotheLatinwritingoftheirowncountrymen?Itisnottoomuch
tosaythatItaliangrewquicklybecauseofitsLatintraditions.Itisastonishingtothinkhow
quicklyitdidgrow,fromthesimplebeginningsofthe CentoNovelle toBoccaccio.Inless
thanonehundredyearsDanteisreached.Thisrapidgrowthevidentlydependedonthefact
thatItalianwasacontinuationofMiddleAgeLatin.Initsspokenform,ithadbeeninuse
forsometime,anditmerelyrequiredacertainamountofindependenceandbeliefinthe
popularidiomtoturnittoliteraryuses.
InthetaleswhichmakeuptheNovellino,wecanseehowneartheformistothespoken
language,especiallyinthosetaleswhichareofcontemporaryandlocalorigin.Thecompiler
didlittlemorethanputintosimpleTuscanprosetalesthatforthemostpartwerewell
knowninoraltradition.WhenIcometoexaminethetalesindividually,weshallseewhich
camefromtheclassics,whichfromOrientalsources,whichfromProvenceandwhichwere
theproductoflocalwit.
Itisallegedinsomequartersthatthe Novellino orthe CentoNovelleAntiche wasnotthe
work of a single compiler. This thesis is supported by arguments which point out the
diversityofstyleandcolourinthetales.Itseemstomethatitmayalsobearguedfromthis
that,asindisputablythestoriesderivefrommanystories,suchasProvence,theBible,the

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GreekandLatinclassics,andthetalesofthemoralandasceticwriters,suchavarietyofstyle
and colour is only to be expected. If one prefers the theory of single authorship an
authorship of course which is limited as the subject matter of the tales was common
property one can find just as many arguments for it as the upholders of the plural
authorshiptheorycanlayagainstit.Therearethosewhodenytheauthorshipofthe Iliad
andOdysseytoonepoet.OnecannotpretendtosettleaquestionwhichstillperplexesItalian
criticsoftheirownearlyliterature.Onemay,however,referbrieflytosomeofthebest
accreditedopiniononthesubject.
FrancesoCoster,whobelieves thetalestobe writtenbyseveralhands,writes inhis
prefacetoapopulareditionoftheNovellino;Nobodyhasyet,inspiteofalltheeffortsofthe
learned,arrivedatdeterminingforcertainthetimeorauthorshipofthe Novellino.Thisis
verynatural,inthecaseofaworkwhichwasobviouslywrittenbyseveralpeople,and
gatheredinvolumewithtime.IntheNovellino,Saladinisspokenof,andweknowthathe
diedin1193,duringawarwiththeChristiansoftheThirdCrusade.Thebookalsomakes
reference to the Cavaliere Alardo di Valleri, who contributed to the victory of Charles
dAnjouatthebattleofTaliacozzoin1268.Fromonedatetotheothertherepasssome
seventyfive years, whence we should have to admit that the author was more than a
hundredyearsoldifhewereoneandthesameperson.Further,wemusttakeaccountofthe
styleofthebook.ThisargumentofCosterdoesnotseemdifficulttoanswer.
SomepeopleareoftheopinionthatBrunettoLatiniwastheauthorofsomeofthetales
andProfessorCarbonewritesthat:Latiniaddedsomeofthefinestflowersofthecollection
and the two narratives of Papirius and the Emperor Trajan are to be found with slight
differencesintheCentoNovelleandinFiorediFilosofiedimoltiSavi.
TogiveanideaoftheclosesimilaritythatexistsbetweenthetwoversionsoftheTrajan
tale,Igiveatranslationofbothversionsandplacethemsidebyside.TheTrajanstoryis
LXIXofthepresentcollection.TheversiontobefoundintheFiorediFilosofiruns:

Trajanwasaveryjustemperor.Havingonedaymountedhishorsetoenterintobattle
withhiscavalry,awidowwomancamebeforehim,andtakingholdofhisfoot,begged
himveryearnestlyandaskedhimthatheshoulddojusticeonthosewhohadwrongfully
killedherson,amostuprightlad.TheEmperorspoketoherandsaid:Iwillgiveyou
satisfactiononmyreturn....

TheversionintheNovellinoruns:

TheEmperorTrajanwasamostjustlord.Goingonedaywithhishostofcavalryagainst
hisenemies,awidowwomancamebeforehim,andtakingholdofhisstirrupsaid:Sire,
rendermejusticeagainstthosewhohavewrongfullykilledmyson.AndtheEmperor
answered:IwillgiveyousatisfactionwhenIreturn.

Aswesee,theversionsarealmostidentical,andthesimilaritycontinuesinaboutthe
samedegreethroughoutthetwoversionsofthesametale.

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TheopinionhasbeenputforwardthatFrancescodaBarberinohadahandintheshaping
of the final collection of tales. This theory was advanced by Federigo Ubaldini in 1640.
AdolfoAncona,certainlyoneoftheweightiestauthoritiesonearlyItalianliterature,isofthe
opinion that the Novellino was the work of one man. The matter is complicated by the
existenceofmorethanonemanuscript.
ThefirsteditionofthetaleswasprintedinBolognain1525byCarloGualteruzziofFano
underthetitleof LeCientoNovelleantike.In1572,thereappearedinFlorencethe Librodi
NovelleetdibelParlarGentile,undertheeditorshipofMonsignorVicenzoBorghini.This
lattereditiondiffersconsiderablyfromtheGualteruzzianversion,containtalewhichdonot
appearintheearlierversionandomitsotherscontainedtherein.Thediscussionsconcerning
the two versions soon began. But the authenticity of the Gualteruzzian version is now
generally accepted, though the matter canbynomeans be considered as finally settled.
Borghiniinhiseditionseemstohavesoughttoremovefromthetextallthemoraland
ascetic tales or those deriving from monkish or ecclesiastical sources. According to
DAncona,theversionofBorghiniisanalteredandmucheditedone,whiletheoriginal
editionofGualteruzzicorrespondswiththedifferentcodexesofthework,exceptinthecase
oftheCodexPanciatichianusPalatinus,whichhasrecentlycomeinforaccurateexamination
atthehandsofProfessorSicardi,whohaswrittenalongessayprefacinghiseditionofthe
Novellino.Sicardi,itmaybementioned,holdsbythetheoryofthepluralauthorshipofthe
tales.AcuriousfactinconnectionwiththeearlyeditionsoftheHundredOldTalesisthatit
hasbeenallegedthatanearliereditionthanthatofGualteruzzipublishedinBolognain1525
existsinEngland.ItissupposedtohavebeenofferedforsalebyaLondondealerinfirst
editions,andtohavepassedintoprivatehands.Ihavenotbeenabletoverifythetruthof
theexistenceornotofthisallegedearlyedition.
The manuscripts of the Cento Novelle Antiche are eight in number, and seven of them
correspond with the editio princeps of Gualteruzzi. Only one, the Codex Panciatichianus,
discoveredbyWesselofsky,andpublishedbyBiagi,in1880,differsmaterially,andcontains
somethirtytalesandproverbswhichdonotappearineitherofthetwoprincipaleditionsof
GualteruzziorBorghini.
Theeightcodexesare:theCodexMarciana,whichisinVenice;theVaticanmanuscript;
whiletheothersixareinFlorence.Ofthese,oneisintheLaurentianlibrary,threeareinthe
PalatinesectionoftheNationalLibrary,whiletheremainingmanuscriptsaretobefoundin
theMagliabechianasectionofthesameinstitute.
ThetalescontainedintheNovellinodividethemselvesintosections.WehavetheBiblical
stories founded on occurrences related in the Old Testament, and generally containing
inaccuraciesandalterationsinthenamesandplacesofthecharactersreferredto.Thisin
itself,asmayalsobearguedinthecaseofsomeofthetalesderivingfromtheGrecoRoman
sources,wouldseemtoprovethepopularoriginofthecollection.Theunknowncompiler
tooktheoralstoryashefoundit,evenifitcontainedfactschronologicallyorhistoricallyat
variancewiththeBiblicalnarrative.WehaveaninstanceofthisinstorynumberIVofthe
presentcollection,where,insteadofpunishments,anangelismadetoappearandtellDavid

6
thathehassinned.Again,inNovellaXII,thecompilerhasmixedupthenamesofJoaband
Aminadab, while in Novella XXXVI, the account of the second half of the tale is not
accordingtotheBiblicalnarration.
Another portion of the stories derive from French and Provenal sources and the
Arthuriancycleisdrawnonmorethanonce.ThestoryofhowTheLadyofShalotdiedfor
loveofLancelotoftheLake,whichisoneofthemostbeautifuloftheentirecollections,is
aninstanceinpoint.TheNovelletellingoftheLadyIseultandTristanofLyonesse,andthe
shortonenumberedXLVarealsofromtheArthurianromance.OfprobableProvenalorigin
are the tales concerning the Young King and William of Borganda, the tale of Messer
ImberaldelBalzo,andperhapsthetwotalesregardingRichardCurdeLion,aswellasthe
storyontheDoctorofToulouse,thataboutCharlesDAnjouandWhathappenedatthe
CourtofPuysinProvence.ManyofthetalesaretakenfromFrenchoriginals,suchasthose
dealingwiththeAstrologersofFrance,withMesserRobertodiAriminimonte(LXII),while
itispossiblethatthestoriesdealingwiththeYoungKingandRichardCurdeLioncame
fromtheFrenchandnottheProvenal.Thenovellederivingfromtheknightlyromancesmay
alsoverywellbeofFrenchorigin.
Anothersectionofthetaleswouldappeartohavetheiroriginintheclassics,andamong
thesearethestoriesdealingwithTrajan,Cato,Seneca,Socrates,HectorandTroy,Narcissus,
Hercules,Aristotleandothers.
Anumberareoforientalorigin.Amongthesemaybementionedthe novella treatingof
PresterJohn,oftheGreekkeptinprison,HowajongleurlamentedbeforeAlexander,
GodandtheMinstrelandthelastoneinthebookabouttheOldManoftheMountain.
Asthereaderwillsee,thestoriesinthiscollection,whichrepresentwhatistheoldestor
almosttheoldestworkinproseintheItalianlanguage,andthefirstbookofstoriesinthat
tongue, have a very special and characteristic style of their own. Their language is the
language of the beginnings of a culture, simple to the point of bareness, full of action,
wisdomandwit.Thenarrativesarethenarrativesofamanunusedtowordspinningand
stillamedivalpersonofaction,atrifleafraidofthemysteryofthewrittenword,though
probablyalmostapedantincomparisonwiththeilliterateworldofhistime.Thelanguage
ofthetalescallstomindveryobviouslythestyleoftheBible,oroftheearlyHellenicpoems,
thoughitisruderthaneither.Theverysimplicitywhichisoneofthecharmsofthenarrative
hasitsdrawbacksorrathersurprises,especiallytomodernmindsaccustomedtoamore
flexible andmore elastic syntax. The personalpronouns have acurious ways of getting
mixed up in the Novellino. One feels that the storyteller has a perfect, even childish
confidenceinthereadersinterest,andasamatteroffact,thetalesaresoshortandeasily
graspedthatthedoubtastowhoistheparticularheorsheortheyreferredtoislittle
morethanapedanticone.Ihaveonlyalteredthesepeculiaritiesoftheprosewhereithas
seemednecessaryinordertoallowthemeaningtocomethroughclearly,forcertainlya
greatdealofthequalityandcharmofthebooklikesinitsquaintstyle.Tosmooththisout
overmuch,wouldcertainlydestroythevigouroftheoriginal.Manyofthetales,asIhave

7
saidelsewhere,arecommontomanynations,anditislargelyduetothestrongifabrupt
styleofthenarrativesthattheygiveussuchasharpsenseoftheperiodtowhichthey
belong.
Toreadthetalesinthepresentcollectionprovidesaremarkablecontrastwithmodern
prose,whichcanneverseemtosayenough.Thecompilerorauthor,ifsowemaycallhim,
ofthe,eschewsallpsychologythemeaningofwhichwordhewasignorantof,andabstains
formcommentunlessitbeinthenatureofmoralcomment.Thislatter,ofcourse,comes
from the older tradition of Latin tales to which books like the Gesta Romanorum and
DisciplinaClericalis belong.Butinthiscase,themoralispointedoutoutofrespecttothe
oldertradition,formwhichtheauthorcouldnotquiteshakehimselffree,writing,thoughhe
was,inanewidiom.Thesemoralisingswhichconcludesomeofthetales,orareallowedto
beunderstood,aremoreatributetothemoralthantheliterarytraditionsofthetimes.
Thebeautyanddramaticeffectofsomeofthetalesisextraordinary.Theversiongivenof
the Lady of Shalotand howshe died forloveof Lancelot is exquisite inits purity and
tenderness.Itisquitealittlemasterpieceofliterature.
Thesaillessvesselwasputintotheseawiththewoman,andtheseatookittoCamelot,
anddriftedittotheshore.Acrypassedthroughthecourt.Theknightsandbaronscame
downfromthepalaces,andnobleKingArthurcametoo,andmarvelledmightilythatthe
boat was there with no guide. The king stepped on to it and saw the damsel and the
furnishings.Hehadthesatchelopenedandtheletterwasfound.Heorderedthatitshould
be read, and it ran: To all the Knights of the Round Table this lady of Shallott sends
greetingsastothegentlestfolkintheworld.AndifyouwouldknowwhyIhavecometo
thisend,itisforthefinestknightintheworldandthemostvillainous,thatismyLordSir
LancelotoftheLake,whomIdidnotknowhowtobegthatheshouldhavepityonme.SoI
diedforlovingwellasyoucansee.
Itwouldbehardtosurpassthepuresimplicityofthiseveninverse.Thelanguagemoves
directlyfromfacttothewrittenword.Thereisnohintofconsciouscolouring,noattemptto
heighten the effect by a single adjective. Adjectives indeed are extremely rare in the
Novellino,asinallgoodsimpleproseforthematterofthat.Thewriterrarelydepartsfrom
verybeautifulormostgentleorveryrich.Asarule,thetalesarealmostadjectiveless,
andneverareadjectivesusedtoroundoutaneffectordisguiseanimpoverishedperiod.
Therhythmofthetales,almostmonotonousperhaps,yetwonderfullystrong,movessurely
fromsubjecttopredicatewiththeleastpossibleadornment.Adornment,infact,isnotthe
wordtouseinthisconnection,forassuchitdoesnotexist.Suchadjectivaloradverbial
phrasesasareusedaresuchasareonlystrictlydemandedbytheaccompanyingnounsor
verbs. This, of course, is one of the characteristics of good literature in all ages, and
especiallyistobefoundinearlyclassicprose.
AtypicalstoryoftheMiddleAgesisthedramatic,macabretaleoftheknightwhowas
chargedwiththecustodyofahangedman,andfoundasubstituteforthebodywhichhad
beentakenawaybythedeadmansfriendsinthecorpseofthehusbandofawomanto
whomtheknightmakeslove.Thelovescenewhichtakesplaceatnightbythegravesideof

8
thewomanshusbandwhomsheisdesperatelymourningisgrimandpicturesqueindeed.
WehavetogotoourownBorderandScotchBalladstofindanythingsimilar.Thoughthe
taleisofancientorigin,anditistobefoundinPetronius,ithasallthecharacteristicsofawe,
swiftpassion,gloomandmockerywhichweassociatewiththesocalleddarkages.Thelittle
storyoutlinesadramaofgreatgloomandpowerinafewrapidtouches.Thewholethingis
toldinsomethreeorfourhundredwords,butthecontentispackedwithaction,andnota
wordiswastedinornamentorcomment.Ifwetaketwoorthreeofthelinesofthetale
individually,weseehowrichinactionandpicturesquenesstheyare,thoughachasterand
moreasceticprosecouldhardlybeused.

DoasIsay,saystheknightatthegraveside;Takemetohusband,forIhavenowife,
andsavemylife,forIamindanger....ShowmehowImayescapeifyoucan,andIwill
beyourhusbandandmaintainyouhonourably.Thenthewoman,hearingthis,fellin
lovewiththeknight....Sheceasedherplaint,andhelpedhimtodrawherhusbandfrom
hisgrave....Wemaynothowinthenextsentencethewriterpassesquicklyoverwhat
hashappenedonthejourneytothescaffold,discardingitasundramatic,forthesame
sentencegoesonatonce...andassistedhimtohanghimbytheneck,deadashewas.

A modern storyteller would have filled several pages describing the lugubrious
processionintheheartofthenightfromgraveyardtoscaffold,andhavedescribedatlength
thefeelingsoftheknightandthewoman,withamplereflectionsonfemininenature;while
thestars,thecountryside,blackcypresses,notesofmelancholyowls,thesentinelsatthecity
gateswouldallhavebeenusefullydraggedintoimpressthereader.
The Middle Ages was childish perhaps in its love of the marvellous and marvellous
stores,buttheaudiencesoftheoldgiullariandjongleurscertainlydidnotlackimagination.
Inthistheywerelikechildrenwhoarerichinit,andtowhomabareswifttalewithsharply
outlinedfactsisdearerthanalltheconsiderationsandartificeswithwhichaclevertaleteller
mayembellishit.
ItisnotcorrecttostatethatpeopletodayhavelessimaginationthanfolkintheMiddle
Ages,itisverylikelytruethatastheyhavesomanymorecallsonit,iteasilybecomestired
andlosesinelasticity.Thosewithlivelyimaginationsliketoaddagooddealthemselvestoa
storythatistoldthem,andsuchwasthecasewiththelistenerstothestoriesgiveninthis
collection. They would probably have resented the overloading his narratives with
subsidiaryfacts,descriptionsandartificialholdingoftheinterest.Theycoulddothatkindof
thingverywellthemselves.Infact,wehaveinternalevidencefromtheitselfthatlengthy
storieswerenottothetasteofthelistenersofthosetimes.InNovellaNo.LXXXIX,weread
ofagiullarewhobeganastorythatneverended.Oneofthehearersinterruptsthestory
teller,andassureshimthatthepersonwhotaughthimthetaledidnotteachhimallofit.
Theasksandisanswered:Becausehedidnotteachyoutheend.
Somewritershaveputforwardthetheorythatthestoriescontainednthewereonlythe
synopsesoflongerstories,theindex,sotospeakofamuchlargerbookthathasbeenlost.
Butitseemstomethatfortheconsiderationsbeforementionedthisisnotthecase.The

9
novellainitsinfancywasalwaysabriefnarration,andevenwhenwecometoBoccaccioand
hiswidermanipulationofmaterial,thetaleseventhenarenotlongaswejudgethelength
ofstoriesnowadays.
Certainlythemodernmanwholivesamuchlessphysicalexistencethanhisforbears,and
hasperforcetousehisimaginationandotherintellectualfacultiestoafargreaterextentthat
didtheelderfolk,requireshisstoriescompletelyfilledinsothattheyleavehimlittlework
todo.TheTiredBusinessManwhotakestheplaceoftheboldbaronandthefatbourgeoisof
the old day exacts from his modern jongleurs that they give him the least possible
intellectualfatigue.
A number of the tales seem to belong especially to the period, and differentiate
themselves from the older ones in the collections where the monkish and Latin flavour
clingsstillthroughthefreerproseofthenewidiom.ManyofthemhavequiteaBoccaccio
touch, and already we seem to hear the round jovial laugh, the sensual yet humanistic
mockeryofthegreatFlorentine.AmongthesewemanymentionthestoryoftheWomanand
thePeartree,whichisnottobefoundintheoriginalGualteruzzieditionof1525,butcomes
fromthePanciatichianoMS.Thepictureofthetwoloversupinthebranchesofthepear
tree,whiletheblindhusbandclaspsthetrunkofthetreebelowisworthyoftheauthorof
the.Theendingofthestory,however,seemstobemoreinkeepingwiththeperiod.
ThecuriousdialoguebetweenGodandSaintPeter,blasphemousalmostatfirstsightand
yetinnocentinitscuriousnaiveteandsimplicity,isthekingofthingwefindinourperiod.
ItisonparwiththatotherextraordinarystoryofGodandtheminstrelwhowentpartners
together,whichisobviouslyanoldandfavouritetaleandmuchinthestyleofthe duecento.
Borghini left it out of his edition, perhaps thinking it was offensive to the religious
sentiment.
BoccaccianisNovelloNo.XLIX,thestoryofthePhysicianofToulouse,thoughthetale
wouldappeartocomefromtheFrench.SotooisthestoryabouttheparishpriestPorcellino,
whosenameiscertainlychosentogivefurtherpointtothetale.Inthesamecategorycomes
Novella LXII, the tale of Messer Robert of Burgundy. The story in fact appears in the
Decameron.
Manyofthenarrativeshavequiteadifferentcharactertothisrichmirthfulmockery.Tales
like that relating to Prester John, to the wise Greek whom a king kept in prison, the
ArgumentandSentencethatweregiveninAlexandria,AntigonusandAlexander,the
LordStewardwhopluckedouthisowneye,belongtoanotherepochaltogetherandform
partofthemonkishandasceticheredityoftheNovellino.
Afew(fourorfive)ofthestoriesarefranklyindecent,andarealwaysexpurgatedfrom
populareditionsoftheworkinItaly,acoursewhichIhavefollowedhere.Twoorthreeof
thepresentcollectionarealsoatriflefree,butIhavedecidedtoleavethemintheirplace,
withafewunimportantexcisionsandalterations.
Another outstanding feature of the stories is the number of them which tell of smart
sayings,cleverretortsandelegantripostes.Evidentlyagreatdealwasthoughtofsuchkind
ofquickwittednessinthedaysoftheduecento.ThecompilerintheProemtothebooklists

10
his fair courtesies and fine replies, valiant actions and noble gifts, though there are a
numberoftalesdealingwithsnubbingorsarcasticreplies,whichdonotseemtobeincluded
inthecategoryoutlinedintheProem.
Thereisacertaincuriouschildishnessinthealmostawedadmirationwhichthecompiler
seemstofeelforanyonewhomakesawittyretort,orsnubsanopponentneatly.Itispartof
the intellectual simplicity of the time. Thus we have the answer of the pilgrim to the
EmperorinTaleLXXXVI,theanswerofthemanwhowenttoconfesshimselftothepriest,
theclevertrickofthemanwholentmoneytothestudentintheManoftheMarcheswho
wenttostudyatBologna.
Great importance, too, is laid on the knightly virtues of kindliness, courtesy and
generosity;Knightswereexpectedtobebrave,butalsogentle,inthesensewhichtheword
hastakenonwhenalliedwiththenounandtransformedintoourmoderngentleman.This
commonvocableofourdailylifeisadirectinheritancefromthetimesofchivalry,and
retainsinitsbestmeaningagreatdealoftheoldsignificance.
In the language of the stories there is a gooddeal of Latin grace, order and sense of
measureduetotheoldtradition.Forthetalesinthiscollectionpassedinmanycasesfrom
their original Latin forms to the mouths of the people, taking on in the process a new
originality, character and colour before they were written again in the virgin prose of
Tuscany.
Thattheselittletalescanpleasemodernreadersthereisgoodreasontobelieve,forthey
havebeentestedbytimeandwornsmoothbyrepetitionofalluselessanglesorunnecessary
detail.Thereisinthemastheirespecialmeritgreathumanity,passion,drama,andoftena
wisdomsooldandmysteriousthatitseemstoreachbackthroughhalfadozencivilizations
totheveryheartandmindofearlyman.
AndsoIclosethisnoteofintroductionandopenthewayforthetalesthemselvesforthe
useanddelightofsuchasknowthemnotandfainwouldknowasthecompilersays.

11
IlNovellino
Thisbooktreatsofflowersofspeech,offinecourtesiesandreplies,ofvaliantactionsand
gifts,suchasintimegonebyhavebeenmadebynoblemen.

1. Proem

WhenOurLordJesusChristspokewithusinhumanform,hesaidamongotherthings,that
thetonguespeaksfromthefulnessoftheheart.
Youwhohavegentleandnobleheartsaboveothermen,shapeyourmindsandyour
wordstothepleasureofGod,speakingofhonouringandfearingOurLordwholovedus
evenbeforeHecreatedus,andbeforeweourselveslovedHim.Andifincertainwayswe
may,withoutgivingHimdispleasure,speakforthegladdeningofourbodies,andtogive
ourselvesaidandsupport,letitbedonewithallthegraceandcourtesythatmaybe.
Andsincethenobleandthegentleintheirwordsanddeedsareasamirrorforthelower
folks,forthattheirspeechismoregracious,comingfromamoredelicateinstrument,letus
callbacktomemorysomeflowersofspeech,suchfaircourtesiesandfinereplies,valiant
actionsandnoblegiftsashaveintimegonebybeencompassedbymany.
Sowhosoeverhasanobleheartandfineintelligencemayimitateintimetocome,andtell
andmakeargumentaboutthem,whenjustoccasionoffers,fortheuseanddelightofsuchas
knowthemnotandfainwouldknow.
Iftheflowersofspeechweofferyoubemixedwithotherwords,benotdispleased,for
blackisanornamenttogold,andafairanddelicatefruitmaysometimesadornawhole
orchard;afewlovelyflowersanentiregarden.
Norshouldthemanyreaderswhohavelivedlongwithoutscarcelyutteringafinephrase
orcontributinganythingofmeritbytheirspeechtakeoffencetherein.

2. OfTheRichEmbassyWhichPresterJohnSentToTheNoble
EmperorFrederick

PresterJohn1,mostnobleIndianlord,sentarichandhonourableembassytothenobleand
powerfulEmperorFrederick,hewhowasintruthamirrortotheworldinmattersofspeech
and manners, who delighted generally in fair speech and sought ever to return wise
answers.Thesubstanceandintentionofthatembassylayintwothingsalone,toproveatall
hazards,iftheEmperorwerewisebothinwordandact.

1 Prester Giovanni in orig. This Prester John or Prester Kan is the hero of many stories and fables. See
Marco Polo.

12
SoPresterJohnsenthimbyhisambassadorsthreemostpreciousstones,andsaidtothe
ambassadors:questiontheEmperorandaskhimonmybehalftotellyouwhatisthebest
thingintheworld.Andtakegoodnoticeofhisanswersandspeech,andstudywellhiscourt
anditscustoms,andofwhatyoushalllearnbringmeword,omittingnothingatall.
AndwhentheycametotheEmperortowhomtheyhadbeensentbytheirmaster,they
greetedhiminamannersuitabletohismajesty,andonbehalfoftheirmaster,whomwe
havenamed,theygavehimthepreciousstones.TheEmperortookthem,askingnothingof
theirworth.Heorderedthemtobetakenchargeof,andpraisedtheirexceedingbeauty.The
ambassadorsaskedtheirquestions,andbeheldthecourtanditscustoms.
Then after a few days, they asked permission to return. The Emperor gave them his
answerandsaid;tellyourmasterthatthebestthinginthisworldismoderation.
Theambassadorswentawayandrelatedtotheirmasterwhattheyhadseenandheard,
praisingmightilytheEmperorscourtwithitsfinecustomsandthemannersofitsknights.
PresterJohn,hearingtheaccountofhisambassadors,praisedtheEmperorandsaidthat
hewasverywiseinspeechbutnotindeed,sincehehadnotaskedthevalueoftheprecious
stones.HesentbackhisambassadorswiththeofferthatifitshouldpleasetheEmperorthey
shouldbecomeseneschals2ofhiscourt.Andhemadethemcounthisrichesandthenumber
andqualityofhissubjectsandthemannersofhiscountry.
Aftersometime,PresterJohn,thinkingthatthegemshehadgiventheEmperorhadlost
theirvalue,sincetheEmperorwasignorantoftheirworth,calledafavouritelapidaryofhis
andsenthiminsecrettotheEmperorscourt;sayingtohim:seekyouineverywaytobring
mebackthosestones,whateveritmaycost.
Thelapidarysetout,bearingwithhimmanystonesofrarebeauty,andbegantoshow
thematthecourt.Thebaronsandtheknightscametoadmirehisarts.Andthemanproved
himselfveryclever.Whenhesawthatoneofhisvisitorshadanofficeatthecourt,hedid
notsell,butgaveaway,andsomanyringsdidhegiveawaythathisfamereachedthe
Emperor.Thelattersentforhim,andshowedhimhisownstones.Thelapidarypraised
them,buttemperately.HeaskedtheEmperorifhepossessedstillmorepreciousstones.
ThentheEmperorbroughtforththethreefinegemswhichthelapidarywasanxioustosee.
Thenthelapidarygrewexultant,andtakingoneofthestones,helditinhishandandsaid:
thisgem,Sire,isworththefinestcityinyourland.Thenhetookupanotherandsaid:this
gem,Sire,isworththefinestofyourprovinces.Thenhetookupthethirdgemandsaid:
Sire,thisstoneisworthmorethanallyourempire.Heclosedhishandonthegems,andthe
virtueinoneofthemrenderedhiminvisible 3,sothatnonecouldseehim,anddownthe
stepsofthepalacehewent,andreturnedtohislord,PresterJohn,andpresentedhimwith
thestoneswithgreatjoy.

2 Administrators, sometimes treasurers of a court.


3 The ancients believed that certain stones and one especially called the heliotrope, had the power of
rendering a person invisible.

13
3. OfAWiseGreekWhomAKingKeptInPrison,AndHowHe
JudgedOfACourser

InthepartsofGreecetherewasanoblemanwhoworeakingscrownandhadamighty
realm.HisnamewasPhilip,andheheldinprisonalearnedGreekforsomemisdeedofthe
latter.SolearnedwasthisGreekthathisintellectwasbeyondthestars.
IthappenedonedaythatthekingreceivedfromSpainthegiftofanoblecourserofgreat
strengthandperfectform.Andthekingcalledforhisshoeingsmiththatthemightlearnof
theworthofthesteed,anditwasansweredhimthatthewisestcounsellorinallthingslayin
hismajestysprison.
Thehorsewasorderedtobebroughttotheexercisingground,whiletheGreekwasset
freefromtheprison.Lookoverthishorseforme,saidtheking,forIhaveheardthatyouare
instructed in many things. The Greek examined the courser and said: Sire, the horse is
indeedafineone,butImusttellyouthatithasbeenrearedonassesmilk.Thekingsent
intoSpaintolearnhowthehorsehadbeenreared,andheardthatitsdamhavingdied,the
foalhadbeenrearedonassesmilk.Thiscausedthekinggreatsurprise,andheorderedthat
halfaloafofbreadshouldbegiventotheGreekeverydayattheexpenseofthecourt.
Thenithappenedone daythatthe king gathered all his precious gemstogether, and
callingtheGreekoutofprison,saidtohim:master,youareawisefellowandunderstandall
things.Tellme,ifyouknowaughtofpreciousstones,whichistherarestofallthese?
TheGreeklookedandsaid;which,Sire,isdearesttoyou?Thekingtookupastone,
beautiful above the others, and said: master, this seems to me the loveliest and of the
greatestvalue.
TheGreektookitupandlaiditinhishandandclosedhisfingersonit,andlaidittohis
earandsaid:Sire,thereisaworminhere.Thekingsentforhismasterjewellerandhadthe
stonebrokenopen,andfoundaliveworminit.Thenhepraisedthemarvellousscienceof
theGreek,andorderedthatawholeloafofbreadbegivenhimeachdayattheexpenseof
thecourt.
Thenaftermanydays,thekingbethoughthimselfthathewasnotthelegitimateking.He
sentfortheGreek,andtookhimintoasecretplaceandbegantospeakandsaid:Ibelieve
youareamasterofgreatlearning,asIhaveclearlyseenyouproveyourselfinmatters
whereofIhavequestionedyou.IwantyoutotellmenowwhosesonIam.
TheGreekreplied:youknowwell,Sire,youarethesonofsuchafather.Andtheking
said:donotanswermeasyouthinkmerelytopleaseme.Answermetruly,forifyoudonot
Iwillsendyoutoanevildeath.ThentheGreekspokeandsaid:Sire,Itellyouyouarethe
sonofabaker.Thenthekingcried:Iwilllearnthisofmymother,andhesentforher,and
withferociousthreatsconstrainedhertospeak.Hismotherconfessedthetruth.
ThenthekingclosetedhimselfinaroomwiththeGreekandsaid:mymaster,Ihaveseen
greatproofofyourwisdom.Tellme,Ibegofyou,howyouknewthesethings.Thenthe
Greekmadeanswer.Sire,Iwilltellyou.Iknewthatthecourserwasraisedonassesmilk
fromcommonmotherwit,sinceIsawthatits earsdrooped,whichisnot thenature of

14
horses.Iknewoftheworminthestone,forstonesarenaturallycold,andthisonewas
warm.Warmitcouldnotbenaturally,wereitnotforsomeanimalpossessinglife.Andhow
didyouknowIwasabakersson,askedtheking.
TheGreekmadeanswer:Sire,whenItoldyouaboutthecourserwhichwasamarvellous
thing,youorderedmethegiftofhalfaloafofbreadaday,andwhenIspoketoyouofthe
stoneyougavemeawholeloaf.ThenitwasIperceivedwhosesonyouwere,forhadyou
beenthesonofaking,itwouldhaveseemedaslightmattertoyoutogivemeanoblecity,
whereasitseemedagreatthingtoyoutorecompensemewithbreadasyourfatherusedto
do.
Thenthekingperceivedhismeanness,andtakingtheGreekoutofprison,madehim
noblegifts.

4. HowAJongleurLamentedBeforeAlexanderTheConductOfA
Knight,ToWhomHeHadMadeAGiftOnConditionThatThe
KnightShouldGiveHimWhatsoeverAlexanderMightPresentHim
With4.

WhenAlexanderwasbeforethecityofGaza,withavastbesiegingtrain,anobleknight
escapedfromprison.Andbeingpoorlyprovidedinraimentandaccoutrement,hesetforth
toseeAlexanderwholavishedhisgiftsmoreprodigallythanotherlords.
Astheknightwalkedalonghisway,hefellinwithagentlemanofthecourt 5whoasked
himwhitherhewasgoing.Theknightreplied:IamgoingtoAlexandertorequestsomegifts
fromhim,sothatImayreturnwithhonourtomycountry.Thenthemanofthecourtsaid,
whatisitthatyouwant,forIwillgiveittoyou,providedthatyougivemewhatAlexander
maypresentyouwith.Theknight,madeanswer:givemeahorsetorideandabeastof
burdenandsuchthingsandmoneyaswillsufficeformetomakereturntomyowncountry.
Thejongleurgavehimthese,andtheywentonincompanytogethertoAlexander,who
havingfoughtadesperateactionbeforethecityofGaza,hadleftthebattlefieldandwas
beingrelievedofhisarmourinatent.
Theknightandjongleurcameforward.TheknightmadehisrequesttoAlexanderhumbly
andgraciously.Alexandermadenosign,nordidhegiveanyreply.Theknightlefttheman
ofthecourtandsetoutontheroadtoreturntohisowncountry.
Hehadnotgoneveryfar,however,whenthecitizensofGazabroughtthekeysofthecity
toAlexander,submittingthemselvesentirelytohimastheirlord.

4 This story is of Oriental origin. It occurs in some versions of The Thousand and One Nights.
5 Giullare: court minstrel, story-teller, buffoon. As these men frequented the courts of kings and nobles, they
were called men of the court.

15
Alexanderthenturnedtohisbaronsandsaid;whereishewhoaskedagiftofme?Then
theysentfortheknightwhohadaskedthekingforagift.Theknightcamebeforetheking,
whosaidtohim:take,nobleknight,thekeysofthecityofGazawhichmostwillinglyIgive
you.Theknightreplied:Sire,donotgivemeacity.Ibegyourathertogivemegoldorsilver
orotherthingsasitmaypleaseyou.
ThenAlexandersmiled,andorderedthattheknightshouldbegiventwothousandsilver
marks6.AndthiswassetdownforthesmallestgiftwhichAlexanderevermade.Theknight
tookthemarksandhandedthemtothejongleur.ThelattercamebeforeAlexander,and
withgreatinsistenceaskedthatheshouldbeheard,andsomuchhearguedthathehadthe
knightarrested.
AndheshapedhisargumentbeforeAlexanderinthiswise:Sire,Ifoundthismanonthe
road and asked him whither he was going and why, and he told me he was going to
Alexandertoaskagift.Imadeapactwithhim,givinghimwhathedesiredoncondition
thatheshouldgivemewhatsoeverAlexandershouldmakehimapresentof.Thereforehe
hasbrokenthepact,forherefusedthenoblecityofGaza,andtookthemarks.Therefore,
before your excellency, I ask that you heed my request and order him to make up the
differencebetweenthevalueofthecityandthemarks.
Theknightspoke,andfirstofallheconfessedthatthepacthadbeenso,andthenhesaid:
justSire,hewhoasksmethisisajongleur,andajongleur,andajongleursheartmaynot
aspiretothelordshipofacity.Hewasthinkingofsilverandofgold,andsuchwashis
desire. I have fully satisfied his intention. Therefore, I beg your lordship to see to my
deliveranceasmaypleaseyourwisecounsel.
Alexanderandhisbaronssetfreetheknight,andcomplimentedhimonhiswisdom 7.

5. HowAKingCommittedAReplyToAYoungSonOfHisWho
HadToBearItToTheAmbassadorsOfGreece

TherewasakinginthepartsofEgyptwhohadafirstbornsonwhowouldwearthecrown
afterhim.Thefatherbeganfromthesonsveryearliestyearstogivehiminstructionatthe
handsofwisemenofmatureage,andneverhadithappenedtotheboytoknowthegames
andfolliesofchildhood.
Itchancedonedaythathisfathercommittedtohimananswerfortheambassadorsof
Greece.
Theyouthstoodintheplaceofdiscoursetomakeanswertotheambassadors,andthe
weatherwasunsettledandrainy.Theboyturnedhiseyestooneofthepalacewindows,and
perceivedsomeladsgatheringtherainwaterintolittletroughsandmakingmudpies.

6 A mark had the value of four-and-a-half florins.


7 This story appears in the French poem of Lambert Le Tort and Alexander de Bernay, with a slight
variation.

16
Theyouth,onseeingthis,lefttheplatform,andrunningquicklydownthepalacestairs,
wentandjoinedtheotherladswhoweregatheringupthewater,andtookpartinthegame.
Thebaronsandknightsfollowedhimquickly,andbroughthimbacktothepalace.They
closed the window, and the youth gave an answer such as was satisfactory to the
ambassadors8.
Afterthecouncil,thepeoplewentaway.Thefathersummonedphilosophersandmenof
learning,andlaidthepointbeforethem.
Some of the sages reputed it to be a matter of the lads nature; others suggested it
portendedaweaknessofspirit;somewentsofarastohintitbetokenedaninfirmityofthe
mind.
Thusonegaveoneopinion,andanother,accordingtotheirartandscience.
Butonephilosophersaid:tellmehowtheyouthhasbeenbroughtup.Andtheytoldhim
theladhadbeenbroughtupwithsagesandmenofripeage,withnothingofchildishnessin
them.
Thenthewisemananswered:donotmarvelifnatureaskforwhatshehaslost,foritis
rightforchildhoodtoplay,asitisrightforagetoreflect.

6. HowItCameIntoTheMindOfKingDavidToLearnThe
NumberOfHisSubjects

KingDavid,beingkingbythegraceofGod,whohadraisedhimfromashepherdtobea
noble,wishedonedaytolearnatallhazardsthenumberofhissubjects:whichwasanactof
vainglorymostdispleasingtotheLord,whosentanangelwhospokethus:David,you
havesinned.SoyourLordsendsmetotellyou.Willyouremainthreeyearsinhell 9orthree
months inthe hands of His enemies which are yours, orwill you leave yourself tothe
judgmentofyourLord?
Davidanswered:IputmyselfinthehandsofmyLord.LetHimdowithmewhatHewill.
NowwhatdidGoddo?Hepunishedhimaccordingtohissin,takingawaybydeaththe
greaterpartofhispeopleinwhosegreatnumberhehadvaingloried.Andthushereduced
andbelittledtheirnumber.
OnedayitcametopassthatwhileDavidwasridinghesawtheangeloftheLordgoing
aboutslayingwiththenakedsword,andjustastheangelwasabouttostrikeaman 10,David
gotoffhishorseandsaid:Highness,praisebetoGod,donotkilltheinnocent,butkillme;
forthefaultisallmine.Thenforthisgoodword,Godpardonedthepeopleandstayedthe
slaughter11.

8 lit.: gave a sufficient reply.


9 Biagi reads: Infermo ill.
10 This reading follows Biagi. Others give striking as he willed.
11 The origin of this novella is, of course, Kings ii, chap. 24. It is curious to note the variations.

17
7. HereItIsToldHowTheAngelSpokeToSolomon,AndSaid
ThatTheLordGodWouldTakeAwayTheKingdomFromHis
SonForHisSins

WereadofSolomonthathemadeanotheroffencetoGod,forwhichhewascondemnedto
thelossofhiskingdom.Theangelspoketohimandsaid:Solomon,onaccountofyoursins,
itismeetthatyoushouldloseyourrealm.ButourLordsendstotellyouthatforthegood
meritsofyourfather,Hewillnottakeitawayfromyouinyourlife,butforyourwrong
doingHewilltakeitawayfromyourson.Wherebyweseethefathersmeritsenjoyedbythe
son,andafatherssinspunishedinhischild.
BeitknownthatSolomonlabouredstudiouslyonthisearth,andwithhislearningand
talenthadagreatandnoblereign.
Andhetookprovisionthatforeignheirsshouldnotsucceedhim,thatis,heirsuchaswere
outsidehislineage.
Sohetookmanywivesandmanyconcubinessothathemighthavemanyheirs,butGod
whoisthesupremedispenserwilleditthatbyallhiswivesandconcubines,whowere
many,hehadbutoneson.
ThenSolomonmadeprovisionsoastodisposeandorderhiskingdomunderthissonof
his,whosenamewasRoboam,thatforcertainheshouldreignafterhim.
Sofromhisyouthupwardsheorderedhissonslifewithmanypreceptsandschoolings.
Andmorehedid,sothatagreattreasureshouldbeamassedandlaidinasafeplace.
And further he took urgent care that there was concord and peace with all the lords
whose lands were near to his own, and his own vassals he held in peace and without
contentions.Andfurtherhetaughthissonthecoursesofthestarsandhowtohavemastery
overdemons.
AndallthesethingshedidthatRoboamshouldreignafterhim.
WhenSolomonwasdead,Roboamtookcounselofwiseoldmen,andaskedtheiradvice
astohowheshouldmanagehispeople.
Theoldmencounselledhim:callyourpeopletogetherandwithsweetwordssayyou
lovethemasyourself,thattheyareasyourcrown,thatifyourfatherwasharshtothem,you
willbegentleandbenign,andwhereasheoppressedthem,youwillletthemliveinease
andcontent.Iftheywereoppressedinthemakingofthetemple,youwillassistthem.
Suchwastheadvicethewiseoldmenofthekingdomgavehim.
Roboam went away, and called together a counsel of young men, and asked them
similarlytheiradvice.Andtheseaskedhim:howdidtheyfromwhomyoufirst sought
advicecounselyou?Andhetoldthemwordforword.
Thentheyoungmensaid:theydeceiveyou,sincekingdomsarenotheldbywordsbutby
prowessandcourage.Whence,ifyouspeaksoftwordstothepeople,itwillseemtothem
youareafraidofthem,andsotheywillcastyoudown,andwillnottakeyoufortheirlord
norobeyyou.Listentoourcounselwhoareallyourservants,andamastermaydowithhis
servantsashewill.Tellthepeoplewithvigourandcouragethattheyareyourservants,and

18
thatwhosoeverdisobeysyou,youwillpunishaccordingtoyourharshlaw.IfSolomon
oppressedthemforthebuildingofthetemple,youtoowilloppressthemifitshallplease
you.Thusthepeoplewillnotholdyouforachild,butallwillfearyou,andsoyouwillkeep
yourkingdomandyourcrown.
Foolish Roboam followed the young mens advice. He called together his people and
spokeharshwordstothem.Thepeoplegrewangry,andthechiefsbecamedisturbed.They
madesecretpactsandleagues.Certainbarons 12plottedtogether,sothatinthirtyfourdays
afterthedeathofSolomon,hissonlosttenofthetwelvepartsofhiskingdomthroughthe
foolishcounseloftheyoungmen13.

8. OfTheGiftOfAKingsSonToAKingOfSyriaWhoHadBeen
DrivenFromHisThrone

AlordofGreecewhopossessedamightykingdomandwhosenamewasAulixhadayoung
sonwhomhehadtaughtthesevenliberalarts 14.Andheinstructedhiminthemorallife,
thatisthelifeoffinemanners.
Onedaythiskingtookmuchgoldandgaveittohissonandsaid:spenditasyoulike.
And he told his barons not to instruct him how to spend it, but only to observe his
behaviourandhishabits.
Thebarons,followingtheyoungman,werewithhimonedayatthepalacewindows.
Theyouthwaspensive.Hesawpassingalongtheroadfolkwhofromtheirdressand
personseemedverynoble.Theroadranatthefootofthepalace.
Theyoungmanorderedthatallthesefolkshouldbebroughtbeforehim.Hiswillwas
obeyedinthis,andallthepassersbycamebeforehim.
Andoneofthemwhowasbolderinheartandmorecheerfulinlookthantheothers,came
forwardandasked:Sire,whatdoyouwantofme?Iwouldknowwhenceyoucome,and
whatisyourstate.
Andthemanreplied:Sire,IcomefromItaly,andarichmerchantIam,andmywealth
whichIhavegainedIdidnothaveaspatrimony,butIearneditwithmylabour.
Thekingssonaskedthenextmanwhosefeatureswerenobleandwhostoodwithtimid
facefurtheroffthantheother,anddidnotdareadvancesoboldly.
Andthismansaid:whatdoyouaskofme,Sire?Theyouthreplied:Iaskwhenceyou
come,andwhatisyourstate.
Themananswered:IamfromSyrianandamaking,andIhaveactedsothatmysubjects
havedrivenmeoutofmykingdom.
Thentheyouthtookallthegoldandsilverandgaveittohimwhohadbeendrivenout.
Thenewsspreadthroughthepalace.

12 The original calls them barons", though the word sounds strange in a Biblical connection.
13 Kings III, chap. xi-xii.
14 These were: grammar, dialectic, rhetoric, arithmetic, music, geometry, and algebra.

19
Thebaronsandtheknightsmetinconclave,andatthecourtnothingelsewasspokenof
butthisgiftofthegold.
Allwasrelatedtothefather,questionsandanswers,wordforword.Thekingbeganto
speaktohisson,manybaronsbeingpresent,andsaid;howdidyoucometodistributethe
moneyinthismanner?Whatideawasitthatmovedyou?Whatreasoncanyouofferusfor
notgivingtohimwhohadenrichedhimselfthroughhisability,whiletohimwhohadlost
allthroughhisownfaultyougaveall?Thewiseyoungmanmadeanswer:Sire,Igave
nothingtohimwhotaughtmenothing,norindeeddidImakeagifttoanyone,forwhatI
gavewasarecompense,notapresent.Themerchanttaughtmenothing,andnothingwas
duetohim.Buthewhowasofmyownstate,sonofakindwhoworeakingscrown,and
outofhisfollydidsoactthathissubjectsdrovehimaway,taughtmesomuchthatmy
subjectswillnotdrivemeout.Therefore,Imadeasmallrecompensetohimwhotaughtme
somuch.
Onhearingthejudgmentoftheyouth,thefatherandhisbaronspraisedhisgreatwisdom,
sayingthathisyouthgavegoodpromisefortheyearswhenheshouldberipetodealwith
mattersofstate.
Tidingsofthehappeningswerespreadfarandwideamonglordsandbarons,andthe
wisemenmadegreatdisputationsaboutit.

9. HereItIsTreatedOfAnArgumentAndAJudgmentThatTook
PlaceInAlexandria

InAlexandria,whichisinthepartsofRoumaniafortherearetwelveAlexandriaswhich
Alexander founded in the March before he died 15 in this Alexandra there are streets
wheretheSaracenslive,whomakefoodsforsale,andthepeopleseekoutthestreetwhere
thefinestandmostdelicatefoodstuffsaretobefound,justasamongusonegoesinsearch
ofcloths.
OnacertainMonday,aSaracencookwhosenamewasFabraewasstandingbyhiskitchen
door,whenapoorSaracenenteredthekitchenwithaloafinhishand.Moneytopurchase
viandshehadnone,soheheldhisloafoverthepot,andletthesavourysteamsoakintoit,
andateit.
TheSaracenFabrae,whowasdoingapoortradethatmorning,wasannoyedattheaction,
andseizedthepoorSaracen,andsaidtohim:paymeforwhatyouhavetakenofmine.
Thepoormananswered:Ihavetakennothingfromyourkitchensavesteam 16.Paymefor
whatyouhavetakenofmine,Fabraecontinuedtoexclaim.
Thedisputeoverthisnewanddifficultquestionwhichhadneverarisenbefore,continued
tosuchanextentthatnewsofitreachedtheSultan.

15 Apart from Alexandria in Egypt, there were of course A. Troas on the sea-coast near Troy and Issum,
seaport on the Syrian coast. Many of the cities so-called soon lost their names.
16 lit.: smoke.

20
Owingtothegreatnoveltyoftheargument,theSultancalledtogetheranumberofwise
men.Helaidthequestionbeforethem.
TheSaracenwisemenbegantodispute,andtherewerethosewhoheldthatthesteamdid
not belong to the cook, for which they adduced many good reasons. Steam cannot be
appropriated,foritdissolvesintheair,andhasnousefulsubstanceorproperty.Therefore
thepoormanoughtnottopay.Othersarguedthatthesteamwasstillpartoftheviand
cooking,infactthatitbelongedtoitandemanatedfromitsproperty,thatamansellsthe
productsofhistrade,andthatitisthecustomforhimwhotakesthereoftopay.
Manyweretheopinionsgiven,andfinallycamethejudgment:sincethismansellshis
foodstuffsandyouandothersbuythem,youmustpayhisviandsaccordingtotheirvalue.
Ifforthefoodhesellsandofwhichhegivestheusefulpropertiesheisaccustomedtotake
usefulmoney,thensincehehassoldsteamwhichisthevaporouspartofhiscooking,you,
sir,mustringapieceofmoney,anditshallbeunderstoodthatpaymentissatisfiedbythe
soundthatcomestherefrom.
AndtheSultanorderedthatthisjudgmentbeobserved17.

10. HereItIsToldOfAFineJudgmentGivenByTheSlaveOfBari
InADisputeBetweenATownsmenAndAPilgrim

AtownsmanofBariwentonapilgrimage,andleftthreehundredbyzantines 18toafriendon
theseconditions:IshallmakemyjourneyasGodwills,andshouldInotreturnyouwillgive
thismoneyforthesalvationofmysoul,butifIreturnwithinacertaintime,youshallreturn
methemoney,keepingbackwhatyouwill.Thepilgrimwentonhispilgrimage,cameback
attheestablishedtime,anddemandedhisbyzantinesback.
Hisfriendsaid:tellmeoverthepactagain.Thewanderertolditoveragain.Yousaywell,
quoththefriend:tenbyzantinesIgivebacktoyou,andtwohundredandninetyIkeepfor
myself.
The pilgrim began to get angry. What kind of faith is this? You take away from me
wrongfullywhatismine.
Thefriendrepliedcalmly:Idoyounowrong,butifyouthinkIdo,letusgobeforethe
governorsofthecity.Alawsuitensued.

17 The story appears in slightly different forms in many languages. See Lelli, Favole; Pappanti, Passano ed I
novellieri in prosa.
18 Ancient gold money of the Eastern Empire of about the same value as a ducat. It changed naturally in the
course of the centuries.

21
TheSlaveofBariwasthejudge19,andheardbothsides.Heformulatedtheargument,and
tohimwhoheldthemoneyhesaid:givebackthetwohundredandninetybyzantinestothe
pilgrim,andthepilgrimmustgiveyoubackthetenyouhandedhim.Forthepactwasso;
whatyouwantyouwillgivetome.Thereforethetwohundredandninetywhichyouwant,
givethemtohim,andthetenyoudonotwant,takethem.

11. HereItIsToldHowMasterGiordanoWasDeceivedByAFalse
DiscipleOfHis

TherewasonceadoctorwhosenamewasGiordano,andhehadadisciple.Asonoftheking
fellill.MasterGiordanowenttohim,andsawthattheillnesscouldbecured.Thedisciple,
inordertoinjuryhismastersreputation,saidtothefather:Iseethathewillcertainlydie.
Andsodisputingwithhismaster,hemadethesickyouthopenhismouth,andwithhis
littlefingerinsertedpoisontherein,makingagreatshowtounderstandthenatureofthe
illnessfromthestateofthetongue.
Thesondied.
Themasterwentaway,andlosthisreputation,whilethediscipleincreasedhis.
Thenthemastersworethatinfuturehewouldonlydoctorasses,andsohemadephysic
forbeastsandtheloweranimals20.

12. HereItIsToldOfTheHonourThatAminadabDidToKing
David,HisRightfulLord

Aminadab,generalandmarshallofKingDavid,wentwithavastarmyofmenbyorderof
KingDavidtoacityofthePhilistines21.
Amindabhearingthatthecitywouldnotresistlong,andwouldsoonbehis,senttoKing
David,askingifitwerehispleasuretocometothefieldofbattlewithmanymen,forhe
fearedtheissueofthebattle.
King David started out hurriedly and went to the battlefield, and asked his marshall
Aminadab:whyhaveyoumademecomehere?
Aminadabanswered:Sire,sincethecitycannotresistlonger,Iwishedthatthegloryofthe
victoryshouldcometoyourpersonratherthanthatIshouldhaveit.

19 According to Malaspina, the Slave of the East was an idiot or almost one, unlettered and unread, but of
great natural talent, wit and wisdom. Ambrosoli, on the contrary, asserts the he was a certain Michele
Schiavo who was a Greek governor of Bari in the tenth century.
20 The source of the tale is Liber Ipocratis de infirmitibus equorum.
21 The city was Rabba and belonged to the Ammonites.

22
Hestormedthecity,andconqueredit,andthegloryandhonourwereDavids22.

13. HereItIsToldHowAntigonusReprovedAlexanderForHaving
ACytheraPlayedForHisDelight

Antigonus,theteacherofAlexander,whenonedaythelatterwashavingacytheraplayed
forhisdelight,tookholdoftheinstrumentandcastitintothemud 23andsaidthesewords:
atyourageitbehovesyoutoreignandnottoplaythecythera.Foritmaybesaidthat
luxurydebasesthebodyandthecountry,asthesoundofthecytheraenfeeblesthesoul 24.
Lethimthenbeashamedwhoshouldreigninvirtue,andinsteaddelightsinluxury.
KingPorrus25whofoughtwithAlexanderorderedduringabanquetthatthestringsofa
playerscytherashouldbecut,saying:itisbettertocutthantoplay,forvirtuedepartswith
sweetsounds.

14. HowAKingHadASonOfHisBroughtUpInADarkPlace,
AndThenShowedHimEverything,AndHowWomenPleased
HimMost

Toakingasonwasborn.
Thewiseastrologerscounselledthatheshouldbekepttenyearswithouteverseeingthe
sun.Sohewasbroughtupandtakencareofinadarksomecavern.
Afterthetimehadgoneby,theybroughthimforth,andtheysetbeforehimmanyfine
jewelsandmanylovelygirls,callingeachthingbyitsname,andsayingofthemaidensthat
theyweredemons.Thentheyaskedhimwhichthingpleasedhimthemostofall.Andhe
answered:thedemons.
At this the king marvelled mightily, saying: what a terrible thing is the tyranny and
beautyofwomen!26.

22 See Kings II, chap. xii. The compilator has mixed up the names, confounding Aminadab with Joab. The
errors or variations occurring in the Biblical themes treated in the Novellino have given rise to the
conjecture that the stories were taken from a book of Jewish legends, the Midras Rabbolh written not later
than the VIIIth century.
23 Other readings have fire.
24 The passage is obscure, but the above would seem to be the meaning.
25 An Indian king conquered by Alexander and afterwards turned into a friend and ally.
26 The story appears in slightly different form in several authors. See the Decameron, Cavalcas Lives of the
Fathers of the Desert.

23
15. HowALandStewardPluckedOutHisOwnEyeAndThatOf
HisSonToTheEndThatJusticeMightBeObserved

ValeriusMaximusinhissixthbooknarratesthatCalognus 27 beingstewardofsomeland,
orderedthatwhoevershouldcommitacertaincrime,shouldlosehiseyes.
Whenalittletimehadpassed,hisownsonfellintothisverycrime.Allthepeoplecried
outforpity,andherememberingthatmercyisagoodandusefulthing,andreflectingthat
noinjurymustbedonetojustice,andtheloveofhisfellowcitizensurginghim,heprovided
thatbothjusticeandmercyshouldbeobserved.
He gave judgment and sentence that one eye be taken from his son, and one from
himself28.

16. HereItIsToldOfTheGreatMercyWroughtBySaintPaulinus
TheBishop

BlessedBishopPaulinuswassofullofcharitythatwhenapoorwomanaskedacharityfor
hersonwhowasinprisonBlessedPaulinusreplied:Ihavenothingtogivetoyou,butdo
this.Leadmetotheprisonwhereyoursonis.
Thewomanledhimthere.
Andheputhimselfinthehandsoftheprisonkeepers 29sayingtothem:givebackherson
tothisgoodwoman,andkeepmeinhisstead30.

17. OfTheGreatActOfCharityWhichABankerDidForTheLove
OfGod

Peter31thebankerwasamanofgreatwealth,andwassocharitablethathedistributedall
hispossessionstothepoor.
Thenwhenhehadgiveneverythingaway,hesoldhimselfandgavethewholepriceto
thepoor32.

27 Other readings have Seleucus.


28 Appears also in Cicero, De Legg. II, 6.
29 The word in the original is tortori, literally torturers, though it means, of course, the keepers of the prison.
30 Also in Saint Gregory, Dialogues, III, 1.
31 Peter or Piero.
32 The story appears in Cavalcas Vite dei Santi Padri, and also in other forms elsewhere.

24
18. OfTheJudgmentOfGodOnABaronOfCharlemagne

CharlemagnecametothepointofdeathwhilefightingtheSaracensinthefield,andmade
histestament.
Amongotherthingshelefthishorseandhisarmstothepoor.Andheleftthemincharge
ofabaronofhisthatheshouldsellthem,andgivethemoneytothepoor.
Thebaronkeptthem,however,insteadofobeying.Charlemagneappearedtohimand
said:youhavemademesuffereightgenerationsoftormentinpurgatoryonaccountofthe
horseandthearmswhichyoureceived.ButthanksbetoGod,Inowgo,purgedofmysins,
toheavenandyouwillpaydearlyforyouract.
Whereat,inthepresenceofahundredthousandpeople,theredescendedathunderbolt
fromsky,andborethebaronawaytohell33.

19. OfTheGreatGenerosityAndCourtesyOfTheYoungKing

Wereadofthevalour34oftheYoungKing 35inrivalrywithhisfatherthroughtheofficesof
Beltram36.
ThisBeltramboastedthathehadmoresensethananyoneelse.Whencemanyjudgments
cameintobeing,somewhicharewrittenhere.
BeltramplottedwiththeYoungKingthatheshouldpersuadehisfathertogivehimhis
shareofinheritance.Andsoinsistentwasthesonthathegainedhisrequest.Andhegaveall
awaytogentlefolkandtopoorknights,sothatnothingremainedtohimandhehadno
moretogiveaway.
Acourtplayeraskedhimforagift.Herepliedthathehadgivenallaway,butthisonlyis
leftme37,abadtooth,andmyfatherhaspromisedtwothousandmarkstowhomsoevershall
prevailonmetohaveittakenout.Gotomyfatherandmakehimgiveyouthemarks,andI
willdrawthetoothfrommymouthatyourrequest.
Theminstrelwenttothefatherandhadthemarks,andthesondrewouthistooth.
Onanotheroccasionithappenedthathegavetwohundredmarkstoagentleman.The
seneschalortreasurertookthemarks,andlaidacarpetinaroomandplacedthemarks
beneathit,togetherwithabundleofclothsothatthewholeshouldseemlarger.
AndtheYoungKinggoingthroughtheroom,thetreasurershowedhimthepilesaying:
Sire,seehowyoudispenseyourgifts,Youseewhatalargesumistwohundredmarks,
whichseemnothingtoyou.

33 Biagis version is a little more elaborate. The origin of the tale is to be found in the Pseudo-Turpino. See
Gaspary, History of Italian Literature.
34 Bont in original goodness.
35 The young King was Henry, eldest son of Henry II of England. He was often known under this title.
36 Beltram, or Bertrand di Born.
37 This change from indirect to direct narrative occurs frequently in the Novellino.

25
AndtheYoungKinglookedandsaid;thatseemslittleenoughtometogivetosovalianta
man.Givehimfourhundred,forIthoughttwohundredmarksmuchmorethantheyseem
nowIseethem38.

20. OfTheGreatLiberalityAndCourtesyOfTheKingOfEngland

TheyoungKingofEnglandsquanderedandgaveawayallhispossessions.
Onceapoorknightbeheldthecoverofasilverdish,andsaidtohimself:ifIcouldbut
hidethatuponme,myhouseholdcouldthrivethereonformanyaday.Hehidthecoveron
hisperson.Theseneschal,whenthedinnerwasended,examinedthesilver,andfoundthe
dishwasmissing.Sotheybegantospreadthenewsandtosearchtheknightsatthedoor.
TheyoungKinghadobservedhimwhohadtakenit,andcametohimsilently,andsaidto
himverysoftly:giveittome,forIshallnotbesearched.Andtheknightallshamefaced,
obeyedhisbehest.
Outsidethedoor,theyoungKinggaveitbacktohimandhiditonhim,andthenhesent
forhim,andgavehimtheotherhalfofthedish.
Andhiscourtesyevenwentfurther;foronenightsomeimpoverishedgentlemenentered
hisroominthebeliefthathewasasleep.Theycollectedhisarmsandclothesinorderto
steal them. One of them was reluctant to leave behind a rich counterpane which was
coveringtheKing,andheseizeditandbegantopull.TheKing,forfearheshouldremain
uncovered,tookholdoftheendandhelditfast,whiletheothertugged,andtheknights
present,inordertosavehim,lenthimahand.
Andthenthekingspoke:thisisnottheftbutrobberytowit,takingbyforce.The
knightsfledwhentheyheardhimspeak,fortheyhadbelievedhimtobesleeping.
Oneday,theoldKing,thefatherofthisyoungKing,tookhimharshlytotask,saying,
whereisyourtreasure?
Andheanswered:Sire,Ihavemorethanyouhave.Therewasmuchdiscussion.Both
sidesboundthemselvestoawager.
Thedaywasfixedwheneachwastoshowhistreasure.
TheyoungKinginvitedallthebaronsofthecountrywhowereintheneighbourhood.His
fathersetupthatdayasumptuouspavilionandsentforgoldandsilverindishesandplates
andmucharmourandagreatquantityofpreciousstones,andlaidallonhiscarpetsand
said to his son: where is your treasure? Thereupon the son drew his sword from its
scabbard.
The assembled knights crowded in from the streets and the squares. The entire city
seemedtobefullofknights.

38 The story of the tooth appears also in Conti di antichi cavalieri.

26
TheKingwasunabletodefendhimselfagainstthem.Thegoldremainedinthepowerof
theyoungKing,whosaidtohisknights:takeyourtreasure.Sometookgold,someplate,
someonethingandsomeanother,sothatinalittlewhileeverythingwasdistributed.The
fathergatheredallhisforcestotakethetreasure.
Thesonshuthimselfupinacastle,andBertranddeBornwaswithhim.Thefathercame
tobesiegehim.
Onedaythroughbeingoversure,hewasstruckintheheadbyanarrow(forhewas
pursuedbymisfortune)andkilled.
But before his death he was visited by all his creditors, and they asked him for the
treasurewhichtheyhadlenthim.WhereastheyoungKinganswered:sir,youcomeatabad
season,formytreasurehasbeendistributed.Mypossessionareallgivenaway.Mybodyis
infirm,anditwouldbepoorpledgeforyou.
Buthesentforanotary,andwhenthenotaryhadcome,thatcourteouskingsaidtohim:
writethatIbindmysoultoperpetualbondageuntilsuchtimeasmycreditorsarepaid.
Thenhedied.Afterhisdeaththeywenttohisfatherandaskedforthemoney.Thefather
answeredthemroughly,saying:youarethemenwholenttomysonwhereforehewaged
waruponme,andthereforeunderthepenaltyofyourlifeandgoodstakeyourselvesoutof
mydominions.
Thenoneofthemspokeandsaid:Sire,weshallnotbethelosers,forwehavehissoulin
ourkeeping.
Andthekingaskedinwhatway,andtheyshowedhimthedocument.
Thenthekinghumbledhimselfandsaid:Godforfendthatthesoulofsovaliantaman
shouldbeinbondageformoney,andheorderedthemtobepaid,andsoitbefell.
ThenBertrandeBorncameintohishands,andheaskedforhimandsaid:youdeclared
youhadmoresensethananymanintheworld;nowwhereisyoursense?Bertranreplied:
Sire,Ihavelostit.Andwhendidyouloseit?Ilostitwhenyoursondied.
ThentheKingknewthathehadlosthiswitforloveofhisson 39,sohepardonedhimand
loadedhimwithrichgifts.

21. HowThreeNecromancersCameToTheCourtOfTheEmperor
Frederick

TheEmperorFredericwasamostnoblesovereign,andmenwhohadtalentflockedtohim
fromallsidesbecausehewasliberalinhisgifts,andlookedwithpleasureonthosewhohad
anyspecialtalent.
Tohimcamemusicians, troubadours, andpleasantstorytellers, menofart 40,jousters,
fencersandfolkofeverykind.

39 The passage is not clear and is probably corrupt. I have added the word lost. For Bertran see Dante, Inf.
XXVIII, 154, 22.
40 uomini darti: men of arts, literally, artificers, necromancers or magicians.

27
OnedayhistablewassetandtheEmperorwaswashinghishands 41whentherecameto
himthreenecromancersgarbedinlongpilgrimsrobes 42.Theygreetedhimforthwith,and
heasked:whichofyouisthemaster?Oneofthemcameforwardandsaid:Sire,Iamhe.
AndtheEmperorbesoughthimthathewouldhavethecourtesytoshowhisart.Sothey
casttheirspellsandpractisedtheirarts.
The weather began to grow stormy, and a sudden shower of rain with thunder and
lightningandthunderbolts,anditseemedthatahailfelllikeballsofsteel.Theknightsfled
throughthehalls,onegoinginonedirection,oneinanother.
The weather cleared up again. The necromancers43 took their leave and asked for a
recompense.
TheEmperorsaid:askmethen.Andtheymadetheirrequest.TheCountofSanBonifazio
wasthenneartheEmperor.Sotheysaid:Sire,bidthislordcomeandsuccourusagainstour
enemies.
TheEmperorlaidthiscommanduponhimwithaffectionateinsistence.TheCountsetout
onhiswaywiththemasters.
Theytookhimtoanoblecity,showedhimknightsofhighlineage,andpreparedforhim
ahandsomehorseandfinearms,andsaid:theseareatyourcommand.
Theenemycameupforbattle.TheCountdefeatedthem,anddeliveredthecity.Hewon
backthecountry.Theygavehimawife.Hehadchildren.
Aftersometime,heruledtheland.
Thenecromancerslefthimaloneforaverylongperiod.
Thentheyreturned.TheCountssonwasalreadyfullfortyyearsold.TheCountwasold.
ThenecromancerscamebackandsaidthattheywishedtogoandseetheEmperorandthe
court.TheCountanswered:theEmpirewillbythistimemorethanoncehavechanged
hands;thepeoplewillbeallnew:whereshouldIreturn?Thenecromancersanswered:no
matterwewilltakeyouwithusallthesame.
Theysetforth;theywalkedforalongtime;theyreachedthecourt.
TheyfoundtheEmperoramonghisbarons,stillpouringwateroverhishandsashehad
beendoingwhentheCountwentawaywiththenecromancers.
TheEmperormadehimtellhistale,andhetoldit.Ihavetakenawife.Mychildrenare
fortyyearsold.ThreepitchedbattleshaveIfought.Theworldisalltopsyturvy.Howcomes
this?
TheEmperormadehimrelateallthiswithgreatmirth,forthebaronsandknights6.

41 Seated at table in accordance with the medival custom.


42 schiavine. Sacchetti says: the first thing a pilgrim does when he sets out is to put on his long cloak.
43 lit.: the two masters.

28
22. HowTheEmperorFredericksGoshawkEscapedToMilan

WhiletheEmperorFrederickwasbesiegingMilan,oneofhisgoshawksescapedandflew
intoMilan.Hesentambassadorstoclaimit.
The councillors called a meeting. There were very many speeches. All agreed that it
wouldbegreatercourtesytosenditbackthantokeepit.
AveryoldcitizenofMilanadvisedtheauthoritiesandspokethus:weholdthegoshawk
asifitweretheEmperor,soweshallmakehimrepentofwhathehasdonetothedominions
ofMilan.ThereforeIurgethatitshouldnotbereturnedtohim44.
Theambassadorswentbackandtoldhowthecouncilhadgone.
WhentheEmperorheardthis,hesaid:howcamethattopass?WasthereanyoneinMilan
tocontradicttheproposalofthecouncil?Andtheambassadorssaid:yesSire,therewas.
Andwhatmannerofmanwashe?Sire,hewasanoldman.
Itcannotbe,repliedtheEmperorthatanoldmancouldmakesovileaspeech.Nonethe
less, Sire, so it was. Tell me, said the Emperor, what manner of man he was, and how
garbed.Sire,hishairwaswhite,andhiscoatwasstriped 45.
Itmaywellbe,saidtheEmperor,thatsincehiscoatwasstripedhewasamadman.

23. HowTheEmperorFrederickFoundACountrymanAtA
FountainAndAskedLeaveToDrink,AndHowHeTookAway
HisDrinkingcup

OncewhentheEmperorFrederickwenthunting,dressed,aswashiswont,inplaingreen,
hecameuponacountrymanatafountainwhohadspreadagleamingwhiteclothonthe
greengrass,andhadacupmadeoftamarisk46andanicecleanloafofbread47.
The Emperor came up and asked leave to drink. The countryman replied: with what
shouldIgiveyoutodrink?Youshallnotsetyourlipstohiscup.Ifyouhaveadrinking
horn,Iwillgladlygiveyousomewine.
TheEmperoranswered:lendmeyourcup,andIwilldrinksothatitdoesnottouchmy
mouth.Andthecountrymanhandedittohim,andhekepttohispromise.Hedidnotgiveit
backthough,butonthecontrary,spurredhishorseandranoffwiththecup.
ThecountrymanwasconfidentthatthemanwasoneoftheEmperorsknights.

44 An immense importance was attached to a good hawk at this time.


45 To wear striped cloth was considered unsuitable for a serious man. Fantastic clothing of almost any kind
was the property of the court buffoons, story-tellers and the whole world of medival Bohemianism.
46 tamarix gallica, a wood supposed to have medicinal properties.
47 or else good clean food.

29
Thefollowingdayhewenttothecourt.TheEmperortoldhisservantsifsuchandsucha
countrymancome,lethimin,anddonotclosethedoortohim.Thecountrymancame.He
appearedbeforetheEmperor.Hecomplainedofthelossofhiscup.TheEmperormadehim
tellhisstorymanytimestohisgreatamusement.
Thebaronslistenedwithglee.AndtheEmperorsaid:wouldyourecogniseyourcup?Yes,
Sire.ThentheEmperordrewforththecuptoshowthatithadbeenheinperson.
ThentheEmperor,becauseofthemanscleanliness,gavehimrichgifts.

24. HowTheEmperorFrederickPutAQuestionToTwoWiseMen,
AndHowHeRewardedThem

TheEmperorFrederickhadtwoexceedinglywisemenabouthim;onewascalledBolgaro
theotherMartino48.
OnedaytheEmperorwasinthecompanyofthesetwowisemen,oneofthemonhisright
hand,andtheotheronhisleft.
AndtheEmperorputaquestiontothemandsaid:canIgivetoanyoneofmysubjects
andtakeawayfromanother,accordingtomywillandwithoutothercause?SinceIamtheir
lord, and the law says that what pleases the lord shall be law to his subjects. Say then
whetherImaydothis,sincesuchismypleasure.
Oneofthetwowisemenreplied:Sire,whateverisyourpleasure,thatyoumaydotoyour
subjectswithoutcausingwrong.
Theothersageansweredandsaid:tomeitseemsnot,sincethelawisutterlyjust,andits
conditionsmustbeobservedandfollowedwithanextremenicety.Whenyoutakeaway,it
shouldbeknownfromwhomandalsotowhomyougive.
Sincebothofthewisemenspokethetruth,heofferedgiftstoboth.Totheonehegavea
scarlethatandawhitepalfrey;andtotheotherhegavetherighttomakealawtopleasehis
fancy.
Whencetherearoseagreatdiscussionamongthelearnedastowhichofthetwohehad
giventhericherpresent.
Itwasheldthattohimwhohadsaidhecouldgiveandtakeawayasitpleasedhimhe
hadgivenclothingandapalfreyastoaminstrelbecausehehadflatteredhim.Tohimwho
followedjustice,hegavetherighttomakealaw.

48 The incident is apparently historical, and the Emperor is Barbarossa. The wise men or savi being Bolgaro
or Bulgaro and Martino, sometimes called Gossia. The story seems to confuse two separate episodes in the
life of the Emperor. The titles are different in the versions of Gualteruzzi and Borghini.

30
25. HowTheSultanGaveTwoHundredMarksToAManAndHow
HisTreasurerWroteDownTheEntryInHisPresence

Saladin49wasamostnoblelord,braveandgenerous.Oncehegavetwohundredmarkstoa
manwhohadgivenhimabasketofwinterrosesgrowninahothouse.Histreasurerwrote
downthesuminhispresence,andthroughaslipofthepenhewrotethreehundredmarks.
Saladinsaid:whatareyoudoing?Thetreasureranswered:Sire,Ihaveblundered,andhe
wasabouttocancelthesurplus.ThenSaladinspoke:Itwouldbeillformewereyourpen
moregenerousthanI.
This Saladin, at the time of his sultanate, ordered a truce between himself and the
Christians,andsaidhewouldliketobeholdourcustoms,andiftheypleasedhim,hewould
becomeaChristian.
Thetrucewasmade.
SaladincameinpersontostudythehabitsoftheChristians;hebeheldthetablessetfor
eatingwithdazzlingwhitecloths,andhepraisedthemexceedingly.
AndhebeheldthedispositionofthetablewheretheKingofFranceate,setapartfromthe
others.
Andhepraisedithighly.Hesawtheplaceswherethegreatonesoftherealmate,andhe
praisedthemhighly.
Hesawhowthepoorateonthegroundinhumility,andthishedisapprovedgreatly.
Moreover,heblamedthemforthatthelordsfriendsatemorelowlyandfurtherdownthe
table.
ThentheChristianswenttoseethecustomsoftheSaracens,andsawthattheyateonthe
groundgrossly.
TheSultanhadhispavilion,wheretheyate,richlydrapedandthegroundcoveredwith
carpetswhichwerecloselyworkedwithcrosses.
ThestupidChristiansentered,steppingwiththeirfeetonthesecrossesandspittingupon
themasontheground.
ThentheSultanspokeandtookthemtotaskharshly:doyoupreachtheCrossandscornit
thus?ItwouldseemthenthatyouloveyourGodonlywithsowofwordsandnotwith
deeds.Yourbehaviourandyourmannersdonotmeetwithmyliking.
Thetrucewasbrokenoff,andthewarbeganagain50.

26. HereItIsToldOfABurgherOfFrance

AburgherofFrancehadawifewhowasextremelyfair.

49 Shelah-eddyn (1137-9), Sultan of Egypt, after 1174 famous throughout medival Christendom for his
knightliness. He is one of the chief characters of Scotts Talisman.
50 The second part of the tale is to be found in the Cronaca of Turpino, and in F. Sacchettis tale.

31
Onceshewasatafestivalwithotherwomenofthecity.Andtherewaspresentavery
beautifulwomanwhowasmuchlookedatbyall.Theburgherswifesaidtoherself:ifIhad
sofineatunicasshehas,Ishouldbenolesslookedatthansheis.
Shereturnedhometoherhusbandandshowedhimacrossface.
Herhusbandaskedherfrequentlywhyshewassoaggrieved.Andthewomanreplied:
becauseIamnotdressedsothatIcanbewithotherwomen.Foratsuchandsuchafeast,the
otherwomanwhowerenotsofairasIamwerelookedat,butIwasnotformyuglytunic 51.
Thenherhusbandpromisedherthatwithhisfirstearningshewouldbuyherafinetunic.
Butafewdayspassedwhenaburghercametohimandaskedfortheloanoftenmarks.
Andheofferedhimagainoftwomarksatacertaindate.Thehusbandreplied:Iwillhave
noneofit,formysoulwouldbeindangerofhellfire.Andthewifesaid:Oh,youdisloyal
traitor,youwillnotdoitsothatyouneednotbuymemytunic.
Thentheburgher,throughtheurgingsofhiswife,lentthemoneyforaninterestoftwo
marks,andboughthiswifethetunic.Thewifewenttomasswiththeotherwomen.
AtthattimetherelivedMerlin.
Andonemanspokeandsaid:bySaintJohn,thatisamostfairlady.
AndMerlin,thewiseprophet,spokeandsaid:trulysheisfair,ifonlytheenemiesofGod
didnotsharethattunicwithher.
Andtheladyturnedandsaid:tellmeinwhatwaytheenemiesofGodhaveashareinmy
tunic.
Heanswered:lady,Iwilltellyou.Doyourememberwhenyouwenttoacertainfeast,
wheretheotherwomenweremoreregardedthanyoubecauseofyouruglytunic?Andyou
returnedandshowedyourselfcrosstoyourhusband?Andhepromisedtobuyyouatunic
withhisfirstearnings?Andafewdaysafterwards,aburghercametoborrowtenmarks,at
ausuryoftwo,whereonyouurgedyourhusbandtodothis?Sofromthisungodlygain
doesyourtuniccome.Tellme,lady,ifIhaveerredinaught.
Certainly,sir,innaughthaveyouerred,answeredthelady.AndGodforbidthatsuchan
ungodlytunicshouldremainuponme.
Andbeforethewholecrowdshedoffedit,andbeggedMerlintotakeitanddeliverher
fromsuchgrievousperil.

51 cotta. This antiquated form has survived in the cotta which priests put on during certain religious
ceremonies of the Catholic Church.

32
27. HereItIsToldOfAGreatMoaddoWhoWasInsulted

AgreatMoaddo52 wentonedaytoAlexandria,andwasgoingabouthisbusinesswhen
anothermancamebehindhim,andpronouncedmanyinsultingwords,andmademuch
mockofhim,towhichhedidnotreplyaword.
Soamancameforwardandsaid:whydoyounotanswerthisfellowwhoaddressesyou
sovillainously.
Andhepatientlyreplied:andsaidtothemanwhourgedhimtomakeanswer.Idonot
answerbecauseIdonothearanythingpleasingtome.

28. HereItIsToldOfACustomThatExistedInTheKingdomOf
France

ItwasthecustominthekingdomofFrancethatamanwhodeservedtobedishonouredand
condemnedshouldgoinacart.
Andifithappenedthathewascondemnedtodeath,neverwasfoundanyonewillingto
conversewithhimorstaywithhimforanyreason.
Lancelot53 whenhebecamemadforloveofQueenGuineverewentinthecart,andwas
driventomanyplaces.
Andfromthatdayonthecartwasnomoredespised,andladiesandknightsoffinebirth
goinitnowfortheirdisport.
Alas!errantworldandignorantanddiscourteouspeople,howmuchgreaterwasOur
Lordwhomadetheheavenandearth,thanLancelotwhowasmadeaknight 54andchanged
andupsetsogreatausanceinthekingdomofFrance,whichwasnothiskingdom.
AndJesusChrist,OurLord,pardoningHisownenemiescouldnotmakemenpardon
theirs.
AndthisHedidandwilledinHiskingdomtothosewhocrucifiedHim.
Hepardonedthem,andprayedtoHisFatherforthem.

52 The meaning of this word is uncertain. Probably it is a kind of Oriental wise man from the Arabic
Muaddab, meaning sage or wise man. There are several conjectures on this point. Another reading is
Mago, mage.
53 Lancelot of the Lake.
54 cavaliere di scudo in the original. Sacchetti says cavalieri di scudo were those made knights by lords or by
the people.

33
29. HereItIsToldHowSomeLearnedAstrologersDisputedAbout
TheEmpyrean

SomeverylearnedmenataschoolinParisweredisputingabouttheEmpyrean 55andspoke
ofitwithgreatlongingandhowitwasabovetheotherheavens.
TheyspokeoftheheavenwhereJupiterisandSaturnandMars,andthatoftheSunand
ofMercuryandtheMoon.AndhowthataboveallwastheEmpyrean.Andabovethatis
GodtheFatherinallHismajesty.
Astheywerethusconversing,therecametothemafoolwhosaidtothem:gentlemen,
whatisthereovertheheadofthatgentleman? 56.Oneofthelearnedmenansweredjestingly:
Thereisahat.Andthefoolwentaway,andthewisemenremained.Oneofthemsaid:you
thinkyouhavegiventhefoolarebuff,butitiswewhohavesufferedit 57.Nowletussay:
whatisthereoverhead?58.Theyputalltheirsciencetoatest,butcouldfindnoanswer.Then
theysaid:afoolishewhoissoboldastoputhismindoutsidethecircle 59.Andstillmore
foolishandrashishewhotoilsandmeditatestodiscoverhisownorigin60.
AndquitewithoutsenseishewhowouldknowGodsprofoundestthoughts.

30. HereItIsToldHowALombardKnightSquanderedHis
Substance

AknightofLombardy,whosenamewasGwasaclosefriendoftheEmperorFrederick,
andhadnosonstowhomtoleavehisestate,althoughindeedhehadheirsofhisownkin.
Soheformedtheresolvetospendallhepossessedduringhislifetime,thatnothingshould
beleftafterhim.
Hereckonedthenumberofyearshemightlive,andaddedanotherten.Buthedidnot
addenough,forwastingandsquanderinghisgoods,hewassurprisedbyoldage,andlived
toolong,andfoundhimselfinpoverty,forhehadsquanderedhisall.
He took counsel for his sad state, and remembered the Emperor Frederick, who had
shownhimmuchfriendship,andwhohadalwaysspentmuchandgivenawaymuchathis
court.
Heresolvedtogotohim,believingthathewouldbereceivedwithgreataffection 61.

55 The Empyrean is the seventh and outermost Heaven of Paradise.


56 (sitting there). this novella is particularly abrupt and characteristic in its elliptical constructions.
57 An untranslatable play on words: Cappello meaning hat and also sometimes rebuff, snub.
58 lit.: over head what is? sopra capo che ha?
59 The circle that limits human knowledge.
60 The First Cause, or the Divinity.
61 Another reading is honour: onore instead of amore.

34
SohewenttotheEmperor,andstoodbeforehim.He(theEmperor)askedwhohewas,
althoughheknewhimwell.Theknighttoldhisname.Heaskedabouthisconditions.The
knighttoldwhathadhappenedtohim,andhowhehadbeenoutwittedbytime.
TheEmperorreplied:leavemycourtanddonotunderpenaltyofyourlife,comeintomy
territoryagain,foryouarehewhodidnotwantthatothersshouldinheritaughtafteryour
death.

31. HereItIsToldOfAStorytellerOfMesserAzzolino

MesserAzzolino62hadastorytellerwhomhemadetellhimtalesduringthelongnightsof
winter.Ithappenedthatonenighthestorytellerhadagreatdesiretosleep,whileAzzolino
urgedhimtotelltales.
Thestorytellerbeganataleofacountrymanwhohadahundredbyzantines 63ofhisown
which he took with him to the market to buy sheep at the price of two per byzantine.
Returningwithhissheephecametoariverhehadpassedbeforemuchswollenwiththe
rainswhichhadrecentlyfallen.Standingonthebank,hesawapoorfishermanwithaboat,
butofsosmallasizethattherewasonlyroomforthecountrymanandonesheepatatime.
Thenthecountrymanbegantocrossoverwithonesheep,andhebegantorow:theriver
waswide.Herowedandpassedover.
Andherethestorytellerceasedhistale.
Azzolinosaid:Goon!Andthestorytellerreplied;letthesheepcrossoverandthenIwill
tellyouthetale.Sincethesheepwouldnothavecrossedinayear,hecouldmeanwhilesleep
athisease64.

32. OfTheGreatDeedsOfProwessOfRiccarLoghercioOfTheIsle

RiccarLogherciowasLordoftheIsle,andwasagreatgentlemanofProvence,andamanof
greatcourageandprowess.
AndwhentheSaracenscametoattackSpain,hewasinthatbattlecalledtheSpagnata,the
mostperilousbattlethattherehasbeensincethatoftheGreeksandtheTrojans.Thenwere
theSaracensingreatnumber,withmanykindsofengines,andRiccarLogherciowasthe
leaderofthefirstbattalion.Andasthehorsescouldnotbeputinthevanforfearofthe
engines,hebadehisfollowersturnthehindquartersoftheirhorsestowardstheenemy;and
theybackedsolongthattheyfoundthemselvesintheenemysmidst.

62 Azzolino or Ezzolino da Romano, born 1194, died 1259 in battle against the Milanese. Known as tyrant of
Padua and the Marca Trevigiana. Dane (Inf. XII, 110, and Par. IX, 29) places him along the tyrants.
63 Ancient coin belonging to the Eastern Empire.
64 Appears elsewhere in slightly different forms. See Don Quixote and Disciplina clericalis.

35
Andsothebattleproceededandtheycontinuedtoslayrightandleft,sothattheyutterly
destroyedtheenemy.
Andwhen,onanotheroccasion,theCountofToulousewasfightingagainsttheCountof
Provence, RiccarLoghercio descended from hissteed, andmountedonamule, andthe
Countsaid:Whatdoesthismean,Riccar?Messer,IwishtoshowthatIamgoodneitherfor
pursuitnorforflight.
Hereinheshowedhisgreatliberality,whichwasgreaterinhimthaninanyotherknight65.

33. HereIsToldATaleOfMesserImberalDelBalzo

MesserImberaldelBalzo 66 hadagreatcastleinProvence,andhemadesuchaccountof
auguriesastheSpaniardsdo,andaphilosopher,whosenamewasPythagorasandcame
from Spain67, wrote an astronomical table, in which were many meanings of animal,
accordingtothetwelvesignsofthezodiac.Whenbirdsquarrel.Whenamanfindsaweasel
intheroad.Whenthefiresings,andmanymeaningsofjaysandmagpiesandcrowsandof
manyotheranimals,accordingtothemoon.
AndsoMesserImberal,ridingonedaywithhiscompany,wastakinggreatcaretoavoid
thesebirds,forhefearedtoencounteranaugury.Hefoundawomaninhispath,andasked
herandsaid:tellmegoodwoman,whetheryouhavethismorningfoundorseenanybirds
suchascrows,ravensormagpies.
Andthewomananswered:Sir,Isawacrowonthetrunkofawillowtree.Nowtellme,
woman,inwhat direction wasitholdingits tail? and the womanreplied:Sir, it held it
turned towards its behind 68. Then Messer Imberal feared the augury, and said to his
companions:beforeGodIwillridenomoretodaynortomorrowinthefaceofthisaugury.
AndoftenwasthistaletoldinProvence,becauseofthenovelreplywhichthatwoman
hadinadvertentlygiven.

34. HowTwoNobleKnightsLovedEachOtherWithAGreatLove

Twonobleknightslovedeachotherwithagreatlove.ThenameofonewasMesserG
andthenameoftheotherMesserS.
Thesetwoknightshadlonglovedeachother.

65 It has been suggested that this Riccar dell Illa was a Riccar di Lilla, Lille, in Flanders.
66 En Barral, or Sire Barral, lord of the noble house of Balzo in Provence. He was a lover of letters,
philosophy and the arcane arts.
67 Teh famous philosopher, reputed the founder of mathematics, was not born in Spain but in Samos. This is
another of the numerous instances of the fantastic geographical and historical notions of the compiler of
the Novellino.
68 Imberal expected her to say towards which of the cardinal points the birds tail was turned.

36
Thenoneofthembegantothinkandsaytohimselfinthiswise:MesserS.hasafine
palfrey.WereItoaskhim,wouldhegiveittome?Andsothinking,wouldheorwouldhe
not,hecametobelieveatlastthathewouldnot.Theknightwasmuchdisturbed.
Andhebegantoencounterhisfriendwithastrangemanner.And,thinkingoverthething
everyday,hegrewmoreandmoreglum.Heceasedtospeaktohisfriendandturnedthe
otherwaywhenhemethim.
Thepeoplewonderedgreatly,andhewonderedtoogreatlyhimself.
ItchancedonedaythatMesserS.,hewhoownedthepalfrey,couldbearitnolonger.He
wenttohisfriendandsaid:myfriend,whydoyounotspeaktome?WhyareyouangryThe
otherreplied:becauseIaskedyouforyourpalfreyandyoudeniedittome.
Andtheotherreplied:thatwasneverso.Itcannotbe.thepalfreyandmyownpersonare
yours,forIloveyouasmyself.
Thentheknightreconciledwithhisfriendandheturnedtotheoldamity,andrecognized
thathehadnotthoughtwell69.

35. HereItIsToldOfMasterThaddeusOfBologna

MasterThaddeus, ashewasinstructing hismedicalscholars, propoundedthatwhoever


shouldcontinueforninedaystoeateggplant70wouldgomad.
Andheproveditaccordingtothelawofphysic71.
Oneofhisscholars,hearingthislesson,decidedtoputittothetest.Hebegantoeategg
plant,andattheendofninedayswentbeforehismasterandsaid:master,thatlessonyou
readusisnottrue,becauseIhaveputittothetest,andIamnotmad.
Andheroseandshowedhimhisbehind.
Write,saidthemaster,thatallthisabouttheeggplanthasbeenproved,andhewrotea
freshessayonthesubject.

36. HereItIsToldHowACruelKingPersecutedTheChristians

There was once a most cruel king72 who persecuted Gods people. And his power was
passinggreat,andyethecouldachievenothingagainstthatpeople,forGodlovedthem.
This king spoke with Balaam the prophet, and said: tell me, Balaam, howcomes this
matterwithmyfoes?AmIindeedmorepowerfulthanthey,andyetcandothemnoharm?

69 This novel probably derives from the ascetic or ecclesiastical collections and purports to show the dangers
of too lively a fantasy on the morals.
70 Solanum insanum. Another reading is melon.
71 Medicine or science.
72 Balak, son of Zipper, king of the Moabites; see Numbers, chaps. 22 and 23.

37
AndBalaamanswered:Sire,becausetheyareGodspeople.ButIwilldointhisway,that
Iwillgountothemandwillcursethem,andyoushallattackthemandshallwinthevictory.
SothisBalaammountedhisass,andwentupontoamountain.
Thepeoplewerealmostalldowninthevalley;andhewentuptocursethemfromthe
mountain73.
ThentheangelofGodwentbeforehim,anddidnotlethimpass.Andheprickedhisass,
thinkingitwasfrightened,anditspokeandsaid:donotbeatme,forIseeheretheangelof
theLordwithaswordoffireinhishand,andhewillnotletmepass.
ThentheprophetBalaamlookedandbeheldtheangel.Andtheangelspokeandsaid:
whyareyougoingtocurseGodspeople?Youshallblessthemstraightaway,justasyou
desiredtocursethem,unlessyouwishtodie.
TheprophetwentandblessedGodspeople,andthekingsaid:whatdoyoudo?Thisis
notcursing.
Andhereplied:itcannotbeotherwise,fortheangeloftheLordsobademe.Therefore,do
inthisway74.Youhavebeautifulwomen:theyhavealackofthem.Takeanumberofthem
anddressthemrichlyandsetontheirbreastsabuckle 75ofgoldorsilverforanornament,on
whichlettherebecarvedtheidolwhichyouadore(forheadoredthatstatueofMars)and
youwillspeaktothemasfollows:thattheydonotyieldunlessthemenpromisetoadore
thatimageandfigureofMars.Andthenwhentheyhavesinned,Ishallbefreetocurse
them.
Andthekingdid.
Hetooksomefairwomeninthatmanner,andsentthemintothecamp.
Themenweredesirousofthem,andtheyconsentedandadoredtheidolsandthensinned
withthem.
ThentheprophetwentandcursedGodspeople,andGoddidnotsuccourthem.
Andthatkinggavebattle,anddefeatedthemall.
Whereforethejustsufferedthepenaltyofthosewhosinned.Theyrepentedandatoned
anddroveawaythewomen,andbecamereconciledtoGodandreturnedtotheirformer
freedom.

37. HereItIsToldOfABattleBetweenTwoKingsOfGreece

ThereweretwokingsinthepartsofGreece,andoneofthemwasmorepowerfulthanthe
other.Theywentintobattletogether:themorepowerfulonelost.
Hewenthomeandshuthimselfintoaroom,wonderingifhehadnotdreamed,andsoon
begantobelievehehadnotfoughtatall.

73 The high places of Baal: Numbers xxii, 41.


74 This second part of the story is of course in contradiction to the Biblical account. Another instance of
extra-Biblical sources of the Old Testament tales in the Novellino.
75 Another reading is set on their breasts a fly, reading mosca fly, for nosca, buckle.

38
Meanwhile the angel of God came to him, and said; how are you? Of what are you
thinking?Youhavenotdreamed,buthavefoughtindeedandwerebeaten.
Andthekinglookedupontheangelandsaid:howcanthatbe?Ihadthriceasmany
troopsashe;andtheangelreplied:andyetithascometopass,sinceyouareanenemyof
God.
Thenthekingreplied:oh,ismyenemythensuchafriendofGodthathehasbeatenme
forthatreason?
No,saidtheangel,forGodrevengesHimselfuponhisenemiesbymeansofHisenemies.
Goyouoncemorewithyourarmy,andyoushalldefeathimevenashedefeatedyou.
Thenhewentandfoughtanewwithhisfoe,anddefeatedhimandcapturedhimasthe
angelhadforetold.

38. OfAnAstrologerCalledMelisus,WhoWasReprimandedByA
Woman

There was one named Melisus76 who was exceedingly learned in many sciences and
especiallyinastrology,ascanbereadinthesixthbookofDeCivitateDei77
Anditissaidthatthiswisemanoncepassedthenightinthehouseofapoorwoman.
Whenhewenttohisrestintheevening,hesaidtothewoman:lookyou,woman,leave
thehousedooropentonight,forIamaccustomedtogetupandstudythestars.
Thewomanleftthedooropen.
Thatnightitrained,andbeforethehousetherewasaditchfilledwithwater.
Whenthewisemanrose,hefellintoit.Hebegantocryforhelp.Thewomanasked:what
isthematter?Heanswered:Ihavefallenintoaditch.Ohyoupoorfellow,saidthewoman,
yougazeupattheskyandcannotmindyourfeet.
Thewomangotupandhelpedhim,forhewasperishinginalittleditchofwaterfrom
absentmindedness78.

76 It would appear that the compiler of the Novellino is referring to Thales of Miletus, one of the seven wise
men of Greece, who lived 639-564 B.C.
77 St Augustine speaks of Thales in Book VIII, not Book VI.
78 The original version of this anecdote is to be found n Diogenes Laertius, Book I. See also sops fable of
the Astronomer.

39
39. HereItIsToldOfBishopAldebrandino,AndHowHeWas
MockedByAFriar

WhenBishopAldebrandino79waslivinginhisPalaceatOrvieto,hewasattableoneday,in
thecompanyofvariousFranciscans,andtherebeingoneofthemwhowaseatinganonion
withmuchrelish;theBishopwatchinghim,saidtoapage:Gotothatfriar,andtellhimthat
gladlywouldIchangestomachswithhim.
Thepagewentandtoldhim.
Andthefriaranswered:go,andtellMesserethatIwellbelievehewouldchangewithme,
withregardtohisstomach,butnotwithregardtohisbishopric.

40. OfAMinstrelWhoseNameWasSaladin80

Saladin was a minstrel who, being in Sicily one day at table with many knights, was
washinghishands;andaknightsaidtohim:washyourmouthandnotyourhands.
AndSaladinreplied:Messer,Ihavenotspokenofyoutoday.
Thenastheywerestrollingabout,torestaftereating,Saladinwasquestionedbyanother
knight,whosaid:tellme,Saladin,ifIwishedtotellastoryofmine,towhommustItellitas
beingthewisestamongstus?Saladinanswered:Messer,tellittowhoeverappearstoyouto
bethemostfoolish.
Theknightsquestionedthisanswer,andbeggedhimtoexpatiateuponit.
Saladinreplied:tofoolseveryfoolappearswisebecauseofhisresemblance.
Thereforewhoeverappearsmostfoolishtoafool,willbethewisest,becausewisdomis
thecontraryoffolly.Toeverfoolwisemenseemfools.Thereforetowisemenfoolsseem
trulyfoolishandfullofdoltishness.

41. ATaleOfMesserPoloTraversaro

MesserPoloTraversaro 81camefromRomagna,andwasthegreatestnobleinallthatland,
andheruledoveralmostallofitwithoutopposition.
Therewerethreeveryswaggeringknights,andtheyheldthatinallRomagnatherewas
nomanworthytositwiththemasafourthincompany.
Andsointheirmeetingplacetheyhadabenchforthree,andmorecouldnotbeseated
thereon,andnoonedaredtoseathimselfthereforfearoftheirtruculence.

79 Fra Aldobrandino, a Dominican of the noble family of the Cavalcanti. He was the Popes Vicar in Rome
during his absence at the Council of Lyons, having been made a Bishop in 1271.
80 Perhaps Saladin of Pavia is meant, a poet who lived about 1250.
81 Paolo, or Paul. The Traversaro family was one of the principal families of Ravenna. See Dante, Purg. XIV,
98 and 107. Also Boccaccio, Decameron, Giorno X, Nov. 8.

40
AndalthoughMesserPolowastheirsuperiorandinotherthings,theywereobedientto
hiscommands,yetinthatdesirableplacehedidnotdaretosit.Theyadmitted,however,
thathewasthefirstlordofRomagnaandtheonewhocamenearestofalltomakinga
fourthintheircompany.
Whatdidthethreeknightsdo,seeingthatMesserPolowaspressingthemhard?They
walleduphalfthedooroftheirpalacesothathecouldnotenter 82.Forthemanwasofavery
stoutbuild.Notbeingabletoenter,heundressedandwentininhisshirt.
Whentheyheardhim,theygotintotheirbeds,andhadthemselvescoveredupasthough
theywereill.
Messer Polo, who had thought to find them at table, discovered them in bed. He
comfortedthem,andinterrogatedthem,andinquiredastotheirailments,andperceiving
everything,toohisleaveandwentaway.
Theknightssaid:thisisnojoke!
Theywenttothevillageofoneoftheirnumberwherehehadabeautifullittlecastlewith
moatsandadrawbridge.
They decided to winter there. One day Messer Polo went thither with a numerous
company,andwhentheywantedtoenter,thethreeknightsraisedthebridge.Saywhatthey
would,theydidnotsucceedinentering.
Sotheywentaway.
Whenthewinterhadpassed,theknightsreturnedtothecity.
MesserPolo,attheirreturn,didnotrise,andtheywereastonished,andoneofthemsaid:
OMesser,alack,isthisthecourtesyyoushow?Whenstrangerscometoyourcity,doyou
showthemnohonour?
AndMesserPoloreplied:pardonme,gentlesirs,ifIdonotrisesaveforthebridgethat
roseforme.
Thentheknightsmademuchofhim.
Oneoftheknightsdied,andtheothertwosawedoffthethirdofthebenchonwhichthey
sat,whenthethirdwasdead,becauseinallRomagnatheycouldnotfindanyknightwho
wasworthytositinhisplace.

42. HereIsToldAnExcellentTaleOfWilliamOfBorgandaOf
Provence

William of Borganda83 was a noble knight of Provence, in the days of Count Raymond
Berenger84.

82 Following the reading of Biagi.


83 Or Bergdam.
84 The last count of Provence, who died in 1245. See Dante, Par. VI, 135.

41
Onedayitcametopassthatsomeknightswereboasting85andWilliamboastedthatthere
wasnonoblemaninProvencewhomhehadnotknockedfromhissaddle,andthenhesaid
thattherewasnowomaninProvencewhodeservedthehonourofatournament 86.Andthishesaid
in the Counts presence. And the Count answered: does that include me too? William
replied:yes,you,mylord;Isayittoyou.
Hesentforhishorse,saddledandwellcaparisoned,attachedhisspurs,andsethisfeetin
thestirrups,andwhenhewasready,heturnedtotheCountandsaid:yousir,Ineither
includenoraccept87.Andhemountedhishorseandspurreditandwentoff.TheCountwas
sosoregrievedthathedidnotreturntothecourt.
Onedaysomeladiesweregatheredtogetherforasplendidbanquet;andtheysentfor
WilliamofBorganda,andtheCountesswasthereandtheysaid:nowtellus,William,why
youhavesoinsultedtheladiesofProvence?Itshallcostyoudear.
Eachoneofthemhadastickhiddenaway.
Theonewhoactedasspokeswomansaid:lo!Williamforyourfollyitbehovesyoutodie.
AndWilliamspoke,andsaid,seeingthathewastakenunawaresinsuchafashion:Ibeg
you,ladies,byyourcourtesythatyougrantmeonefavour.Theladiesanswered:ask,save
thatyouasknottoescape.
ThenWilliamspokeandsaid:ladies,Ibegyouofyourcourtesythatwhoeveramongyou
bethegreatesthussybethefirsttostrikeme.
Thentheylookedatoneanother:noonewasfoundwillingtodealthefirstblow,andso
onthatoccasionhegotawayunscathed88.

43. HereItIsToldOfMesserGiacopinoRangoneAndWhatHeDid
ToACourtPlayer

MesserGiacopinoRangone89,anobleknightofLombardy,beingonedayattable,,hadtwo
flasksofveryfinewhiteandredwinebeforehim.
Abuffoonbeingatthetable,didnotdaretoaskforsomeofthewine,muchashedesired
to.Gettingup,andtakingabeaker,hewasheditwellandostentatiously.Thenwhenhehad
washedit,heflourisheditinhishandandsaid:sire,Ihavewashedit.
AndMesserGiacopinoputhishandintotheglassandsaid:Wellyoucancompleteyour
toilet90somewhereelse.
Thebuffoonremainedthereandhadnowine.

85 The boasts of the knights figure greatly in knightly legend and story.
86 Underlined so in the original.
87 Orig.: ne metto, ne traggo. I do not put you among the number of knights defeated by me nor do I exclude
you from them. In other words: I dont know what to make of you. The tale is probably corrupt in the MS.
88 The story is told of other knights in several different places. See Livre du Chevalier de la Tour Landry.
89 Giacopino Rangone, son of Gherardo, was podest (governor) of Bologna in 1240. Also possibly at
Cremona. There are doubts as to the personality of the Giacopino referred to here.
90 lit: do your combing elsewhere.

42
44. OfAQuestionThatWasPutToACourtier

MarcoLombardo91wasanoblecourtierandextremelywise.OneChristmashewasinacity,
wheretheydistributedmanygifts,andhereceivednone.Hefoundanothercourtierwho
wasanignorantmancomparedwithhim,andyethehadreceivedmanypresents.Thisgave
risetoagoodremark,forthatcourtiersaidtoMarco:howisthis,Marco,thatIhavereceived
sevengiftsandyounone>?Andyetyouarefarsuperiortomeandwiser.Whatisthe
reason?
AndMarcoreplied:onlythis,thatyoufoundmoreofyourkindthanIofmine.

45. HowLancelotFoughtAtAFountain

SirLancelotwasfightingonedayatafountainwithaknightofSansonia 92whosenamewas
Aliban;andtheyfoughtkeenly,withtheirswords,dismountedfromtheirhorses.
Andwhentheypausedtodrawbreath,theyaskedoneanothersnames.
SirLancelotreplied:sinceyoudesiretohearmyname,knowthatIamcalledLancelot.
Thenthecombatbeganoncemore,andtheknightspoketoLancelot,andsiad:yourname
isdeadliertomethanyourprowess.
ForwhenheknewthattheknightwasLancelot,hebegantomistrusthisownworth.

46. HereItIsToldHowNarcissusFellInLoveWithHisOwnImage

Narcissus93wasavaliantknightofgreatbeauty.
Onedayitbefellthathewasrestingbesidealovelyfountain.Andinthewaterhebeheld
hisownmostbeautifulimage.Andhebegantogazeuponit,andrejoicedinseeingitinthe
fountain;andhethoughtthattheimagehadalifeofitsown,thatitwasinthewater,and
didnotperceivethatitwasbutanimageofhimself.Hebegantoloveit,andtofallso
deeplyinlovewithit,thathewishedtoseizeit.
Andthewatergrewtroubled,andtheimagevanished,whereforehebegantoweep.
Thenhelethimselfslipintothefountain,sothathedrowned.
Theseasonwasspringtime.
Somewomencametothefountainforsport.TheysawthefairNarcissusdrowned.They
drewhimfromthefountainwithgreatlamentation,andsethimbyitsrim.
ThenewsofitcametotheGodofLove.

91 Marco Lombardo is mentioned by Dante (Purg.. XVI, 46).


92 Saxony?
93 Narcis in the text.

43
WhereforetheGodofLovemadeofhimamostlovelyandverdantalmondtree,andit
wasandisthefirsttreethatbearsfruitandrenewsthetimeforloving 94.

47. HereItIsToldHowAKnightAskedALadyForHerLove

Aknightoncebeggedaladyforherlove,andtoldheramongotherthingsthathewasnoble
andrichandpassingfair.Andyourhusbandissougly,asyouknow.
Andthathusbandwasbehindthewalloftheroom.Hespokeandsaid:Messer,byyour
courtesyfurtheryourownaffairs,butdonotmarthoseofothermen.
MeserdiValBuonawastheuglyman.AndMesserRinieridaCalvoliwastheother95

48. HereItIsToldOfKingConrad,FatherOfConradin

WereadofKingConrad96thatwhenhewasaboyheenjoyedthecompanyoftwelveboysof
hisownage.WheneverKingConradwasatfault,themasterswhowereentrustedwithhis
caredidnotbeathim,buttheybeatthoseboyswhowerehiscompanions.Andhewould
say:Whydoyoubeatthoseboys?Themastersanswered:Becauseofyourmisdemeanours.
Andhesaid:Whydoyounotbeatme,forIamtoblame?Andthemastersanswerd:Because
youareourlord.Butwebeattheminyourplace.Whereforesorelyshouldyoubegrievedif
youhaveagentleheart,thatotherspaythepenaltyofyourfaults.
Andtherefore,wearetold,KingConradtookgreatheednottoactwrongly,forpityof
them.

49. HereItIsToldOfAPhysicianOfToulouseAndHowHeTook
ToWifeANieceOfTheArchbishopOfToulouse

AphysicianofToulousetooktowifeagentlewomanofToulouse,niecetotheArchbishop.
Hetookherhome.Intwomonthsshewasabouttogivebirthtoadaughter.Thephysician
showednoanger.Onthecontrary,hecomfortedthewoman,andshowedherreasons,in
accordancewithscience,thatthechildcouldbehis.
Andwiththesewordsandwithashowoffriendlinesshepreventedthewomanfrom
thwartinghispurpose.Heshowedhereveryattentionduringthechildbirth.

94 The almond is the first tree to blossom but not to bear fruit. In Ovid (Metam. III) Narcissus is, of course,
changed into the flower that bears his name.
95 These two knights are mentioned by Dante in the 14th Canto of the Purgatorio, vv. 88-90 and 97.
96 Conrad IV of Svevia, son of Frederic II, elected Emperor of Germany in 1250, came to Italy to take
possession of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

44
Afterhertravail,hesaidtoher:Madonna,IhavehonouredyouasmuchasIcould.NowI
begyoubytheloveyoubearme,toreturnhometoyourfathershouse.Andyourdaughter
Iwillholdinallhonour.
Matterswentsofar,thattheArchbishopheardthatthephysicianhadsenthisnieceaway.
Hesentforhim,andashewasagreatman,headdressedhimwithhighwords,mingled
withscornandmenaces.
Andwhenhehadhadhissay,thephysicianrepliedandsaid:Messer,Itookyournieceto
wife,thinking,withmyriches,tobeabletosupplyandnourishmyfamily;anditwasmy
intentiontohaveasoneveryyear,andnomore.Whereasthewomanhasbeguntogive
birthaftertwomonths.ForthisreasonIamnotsufficientlyopulent,ifthingsaretocontinue
inthisway,tobeabletonourishthemall;andforyouitwouldnotbedecorousthatyour
kindredshouldliveinpoverty.WhereforeIbegyouhumbly,togivehertoamanwealthier
thanIam,sothatshemaybenodishonourtoyou.

50. HereItIsToldOfMasterFrancis,SonOfMasterAccorsoOf
Bologna

Master Francis, son of Master Accorso of the city of Bologna 97, when he returned from
England,wherehehadlongsojourned,putthisproblemtothemunicipalityofBologna,and
said:thefatherofafamilylefthistowninpovertyandabandonedhissons,andwentinto
remoteparts.Afteracertaintime,hesawsomemenofhisowncountry.Promptedbylove
ofhischildren,hequestionedthem,andtheyreplied:Messer,yourchildrenhavehadgreat
gains,andaregrownrich.Whenheheardthis,hedecidedtodepartandreturnedhome.He
foundhissonsrich.Heaskedthemtoreinstatehiminhispossessionsastheirfatherand
lord.Thesonsrefused,saying:fatherwehaveearnedthis:ithasnaughttodowithyou.So
thattherecameaboutalawsuit.
Now,inaccordancewiththelaw,thefatherbecamemasterofallthesonshadearned.
AndsoIaskofthecommuneofBolognathatthepossessionsofmysonscomeundermy
keeping,thatisthepossessionsofmyscholars.Fortheyhavebecomegreatmasters,and
havelearnedmuchsinceIleftthem.
MayitpleasethecommuneofBologna,nowthatIhavereturned,tomakemeoncemore
masterandfather,inobediencetothelawwhichtreatsofthefatherofafamily.

97 Francis, son of the famous jurist of Florence, Accorso da Bagnolo, was professor of Civil Law in the
University of Bologna. He went to England at the request of Edward I, where he remained until 1281. See
Dante, Inferno, XV, 110.

45
51. HereItIsToldOfAGasconWoman,AndHowSheHad
RecourseToTheKingOfCyprus

TherewasaGasconwomaninCyprus,whosufferedsuchavillainousandshamefuloffence
thatshecouldnotendureit 98.SoshewentbeforetheKingofCyprus 99andsaid:Sire,you
havealreadysufferedtenthousandinsults,andIonlyone.Ibegyouwhohaveborneso
many,prayteachmehowtobearmine.
TheKingwasashamed,andbegantoavengehiswrongs,andnottoendureothers.

52. OfABellThatWasOrderedInKingJohnsDays

InthedaysofKingJohnofAcre 100abellwashungforanyonetoringwhohadreceiveda
great wrong, whereupon the King would call together the wise men appointed for this
purpose,inorderthatjusticemightbedone.
Ithappenedthatthebellhadlastedalongtimeandtheropehadwasted,sothatavine
clungtoit.
NowitbefellthataknightofAcrehadanoblechargerwhichhadgrownold,sothatit
hadlostitsworth,andtheknight,toavoidtheexpenseofitskeep,letitwanderabout.The
famishedhorsetuggedatthevinetoeatit.Asittugged,thebellrang.
Thejudgesassembled,andunderstoodthepetitionofthehorsewho,itseemed,askedfor
justice.Theysentencedtheknightwhomthehorsehadservedwhenitwasyoung,should
feeditnowthatitwasold.
TheKingcommandedhimtodosoundergravepenalties.

53. HereItIsToldOfAPrivilegeGrantedByTheEmperorToOne
OfHisBarons

TheEmperorgrantedaprivilegetooneofhisbarons,thatwhosoevershouldpassthrough
hislandsshouldpayhimapennyastolltraverseforeachmanifestphysicaldefect.The
baronsetagatekeeperathisdoortogatherthetolls.
Onedayitbefellthataonefootedmancametothegate:thegatekeeperaskedhimfora
penny.Themanrefusedandbegantopickaquarrelwithhim.Thekeepertookholdofhim.
Theman,inordertodefendhimself,drewforththestumpofhisarm,forhehadlostone
hand.

98 Guasca, a woman from Gascony.


99 The reference may be to Guido di Lusignano, fourth son of Hugh VII. Called to the throne of Jerusalem in
1186, he was soon made prisoner by Saladin. He ceded his title, when released to King Richard of
England, receiving in exchange the kingdom of Cyprus.
100 Or Atri. See Longfellows poem The Bell of Atri.

46
Whenthekeepersawthis,hesaid:youshallnowpaymetwopence,oneforthehand,
andoneforthefoot.Sotheywentonfighting.Themanshatfelloffhishead.Hehadonly
oneeye.Thekeepersaid:youshallpaymethreepence.Theytookholdofeachotherbythe
hair.Thekeeperfelthishead:itwasscabby.Thekeepersaid:nowyoushallpaymefour
pence.
So,hewhocouldhavepassedonwithoutaquarrel,insteadofonepennyhadtopay
four101.

54. HereItIsToldHowTheParishPriestPorcellinoWasAccused

AparishpriestwhowascalledPorcellinointhedaysofBishopMangiadore 102wasaccused
beforethebishopofconductinghisparishbadlybecauseofhislightbehaviourwithwomen.
Thebishop,holdinganinquiryonhim,foundhimmostguilty.
Andashewasdwellingatthebishopspalace,waitingtobedeposed,hisfamily,tohelp
him,showedhimhowhemightescapepunishment.
TheyhidhimatnightundertheBishopsbed.
AndthatnighttheBishopsentforoneofhisparamours.Andbeingwithherinbed,he
soughttotakeholdofher,butthewomanrefusedhim,saying:manypromisesyouhave
mademe,butyouneverkeepyourword.TheBishopreplied:lightofmyeyes,Ipromise
andswearit.No,shesaid,Iwantthemoneypaiddown.
TheBishoprosetofetchthemoneyinordertogiveittohismistress,whenthepriestcame
from under the bed and said: Messer, for this do they punish me? Now who could do
otherwise?
TheBishopwasashamedandforgavehim.Butsorelydidhetakehimtotaskbeforethe
otherclergy.

55. HereIsToldATaleOfAManOfTheCourtWhoseNameWas
Marco

Marco Lombardo103 who was wiser than any other man of his calling, was one day
approachedbyapoorbutdistinguishedgentlemanwhosecretlyacceptedgiftsofmoney
frompeopleofsubstance,butdidnottakeothergifts.Hehadaverysharptongue,andhis
namewasPaolino.HeputsuchaquestiontoMarcoashethoughtMarcowouldnotbeable
toanswer.

101 The tale is from Disciplina Clericalis.


102 Mangiadore was Bishop of Florence from 1251-74. Therefore the ordinary editions are wrong when they
write: mangiadore meaning gluttonous. The tale is to be found in Wrights Anecdota literaria, London
1884, under the title the Bishop and the Priest.
103 See Novella XLIV.

47
Marco,hesaid,youarethewisestmaninallItaly,andyouarepoor,anddisdainto
petitionforgifts:whydidyounottakeforethoughtsoastoberichandnothavetobeg?
AndMarcoturnedroundandthensaid:nooneseesus,andnoonehearsus.Andhow
didyoumanage?AndSharpTonguereplied:Ihaveindeedbutmanagedtobepoor.And
Marcosaid:thendonotbetrayme,andIwillnotbetrayyou104

56. HowAManOfTheMarchesWentToStudyInBologna

A man from the Marches105 went to study in Bologna. His means ran short. He wept.
Anothersawhim,andlearntwhyhewasweeping.Hesaidtohim:Iwillfurnishyouwith
meanstostudy,anddoyoupromisemethatyouwillgivemeathousandlirewhenyouwin
yourfirstlawsuit.
Thescholarstudiedandreturnedtohishome.
Theotherwentafterhimfortherecompense.
Thescholar,forfearofhavingtopaythesum,remainedidleanddidnotpursue his
profession,andsobothwerelosers,theoneinhislearning,theotherinhismoney.
Nowwhatdidthatothermandevisetogethismoney?Hesuedhim,andbroughtan
actionfortwothousandlireagainsthim,andsaidtohim:eitheryouwinoryoulose.Ifyou
win,youshallpaymethesumagreedupon.Ifyoulose,youshallpaymewhatIsueyou
for.
Thenthescholarpaid,andrefusedtolitigatewithhim.

57. TheWomanAndThePeartree

Therewasoncearichmanwhohadaverybeautifulwomantowife,andthismanlovedher
muchandwasveryjealousofher.
Nowithappened,inGodspleasure,thatthismanhadanillnessoftheeyeswhencehe
becameblindandsawthelightnomore.
Nowitbefellthathismandidnotleavehiswife,noreverletheroutofhisreach,forhe
fearedshemightgoastray.
Thusitchancedthatamanofthecountrysidefellinlovewiththiswoman,andnotseeing
howhecouldfindanopportunitytoconversewithherforherhusbandwasalwaysat
hersidehecameneartolosinghisreasonforloveofher.
Andthewomanseeinghimsoenamouredofher,saidtohim:yousee,Icandonothing,
forthismanneverleavesme.

104 No doubt this is thirteenth century wit, though to us neither of the two minstrels seems to have had a
particularly sharp tongue. In original: tiello credenza a me et io a te. In other words: do not say we are
poor. Neither shall you say it to me, nor I to you.
105 Le Marche, the province of which Ancona is now the chief town.

48
Sothegoodmandidnotknowwhattodoorsay.Itseemedhewoulddieforlove.He
couldfindnowayofmeetingthewomanalone.
Thewoman,seeingthebehaviourofthisgentlemanandallthathedid,thoughtofaway
ofhelpinghim.Shemadealongtubeofcane,andplacedittotheearoftheman,andspoke
tohiminthisfashionsothatherhusbandcouldnothear.Andshesaidtothegoodman:I
amsorryforyou,andIhavethoughtofawayofhelpingyou.Gointothegarden,andclimb
upapeartreewhichhasmanyfinepears,andwaitformeupthere,andIwillcomeupto
you.
Thegoodmanwentatonceintothegarden,andclimbedupthepeartree,andawaited
thewoman.
Nowcamethetimewhenthewomanwasinthegarden,andshewishedtohelpthegood
man,andherhusbandwasstillbyherside,andshesaid:Ihaveafancyforthosepears
whichareatthetopofthatpeartree,fortheyareveryfine.Andthehusbandsaid:callsome
onetopluckthemforyou.And thewomansaid:Iwillpluckthemmyself;otherwiseI
shouldnotenjoythem.
Thenthewomanapproachedthetreetoclimbit,andherhusbandcamewithhertothe
footofthetree,andheputhisarmsaroundthetrunkofthetree,sothatnoonecouldfollow
herupit.
Now it happened that the woman climbed up the peartree to her friend, who was
awaitingher,andtheywereveryhappytogether,andthepeartreeshookwiththeirweight,
andthepearsfelldownonthetopofthehusband.
Then the husband said: what are you doing, woman, you are knocking all the pears
down?Andthewomanreplied:Iwantedthepearsoffacertainbranch,andonlysocouldI
getthem.
NowyoumustknowthattheLordGodandSaintPeterseeingthishappening,SaintPeter
saidtotheLordGod:doyounotseethetrickthatwomanisplayingonherhusband.Order
thatthehusbandseeagain,sohemayperceivewhathiswifedoes.
AndtheLordGodsaid:Itellyou,SaintPeter,thatnosoonerdoessheseethelightthan
thewomanwillfindanexcuse,soIwillthatlightcometohim,andyoushallseewhatshe
willsay.
Thenthelightcametohim,andhelookedupandsawwhatthewomanwasdoing.What
areyoudoingwiththatman?Youhonourneitheryourselfnorme,noristhisloyalina
woman.Andthewomanrepliedatonce:ifIhadnotdoneso,youwouldnothaveseenthe
light.
Andthehusband,hearingthis,wassatisfied.
Soyouseehowwomenandfemalesareloyal,andhowquicklytheyfindexcuses106.

106 This novella is not in the Gualteruzzi edition, but is to be found in that by Papanti founded on the
Panciatichiano MS.

49
58. TheWisestOfTheBeasts

The most understanding beasts are monkeys, dogs and bears. These are the most
understandingbeaststhatthereare.Godhasgiventhemmoreclevernessthanalltheothers.
SowefindinthebookofNoahServusDeithatwhenhewasinthearkduringthedeluge,
thesethreebeastskeptclosertohimthanalltheothers.
Andwhentheycameoutoftheark,theywerethelasttoleavehim,foroutoftheir
cleverness,theyfearedthatthedelugemightbeginagain107.

59. HereItIsToldOfAGentlemanWhomTheEmperorHad
Hanged

TheEmperorFrederickonedayhadagreatnoblemanhangedforacertainmisdeed.And
thathisjusticemightbevisibletoall,hehadhimguardedbyanobleknightwiththesevere
commandnottolethimberemoved;buttheknightpaidlittleattention,andthehanged
manwascarriedaway.
Whentheknightbecameawareofthis,hetookthoughtwithhimselfastowhathemight
dotosavehishead.
Andduringthenight,deepinthought,hewenttoaneighbouringabbeytoseeifhecould
findsomeonenewlyburiedthere,thathemightswinghimfromthegallowsintheother
onesplace.
Thatsamenighthereachedtheabbey,andfoundawomanintearsdishevelledandungirt
andweepingloudly;andshewasgrievouslyafflictedandbewailedherdearhusbandwho
haddiedthatveryday.
Theknightaskedhersoftly:whatmannerofgriefisthis?
Andtheladyreplied:IlovedhimsomuchthatIneverwishtobeconsoledbutdesireto
endmydayshereinlamentation.
Thentheknightsaidtoher:lady,whatsenseisthereinthis?Doyouwishtodiehereof
grief?Neitherwithtearsnorwithlamentationscanyoubringbacktolifeadeadbody.
Thereforewhatfollyisthisinwhichyouareindulging?DoasIsay:takemetohusband,ofI
havenowife,andsavemylife,forIamindanger.AndIdonotknowwheretohide,forat
mylordsbiddingIwasguardingaknightwhohadbeenhangedbytheneck,andsome
menofhiskindredcarriedhimoff.ShowmehowImayescape,ifyoucan,andIwillbe
yourhusbandandmaintainyouhonourably.
Thenthewoman,hearingthis,fellinlovewiththeknight,andsaid:Iwilldoevenasyou
bidme;sogreatistheloveIbearyou.Letustakethishusbandofmine,anddrawhimout
ofhissepulchre,andhanghimintheplaceofthemanwhowastakenfromyou.

107 From the Panciatichiano MS.

50
Andsheceasedherplaint,andhelpedhimtodrawherhusbandfromhisgrave,and
assistedhimtohanghimbytheneck,deadashewas.
Theknightsaid:lady,hehadontoothmissingfromhismouth,andIfearthatiftheycame
andsawhimagain,Imightbedishonoured.Andshe,hearingthis,brokeoffatoothfrom
hismouth,andifmorehadbeenrequired,shewouldhavedoneit.
Then the knight, seeing what she had done with her husband, said: lady, since you
showedsolittleregardfroonetowardswhomyouprofessedsuchlove,sowouldyouhave
evenlessregardforme.
Thenhelefther,andwentabouthisbusiness,andsheremainedbehindingreatshame108.

60. HereItIsToldHowCharlesOfAnjouLovedALady

Charles,thenoblekingofSicilyandJerusalem,whenhewasCountofAnjoy,loveddeeply
thefairCountessofTeti,whoinherturnlovedtheCountofNevers 109
AtthattimetheKingofFrancehadforbiddenalltourneyingunderpainofdeath.
TheCountofAnjou,wishingtoputittotheproofwhetherheortheCountofNevers
weremorevaliantinarms,tookthought,andwentmostbeseechfullytoMesserAlardode
Valleriandtoldhimofhislove,sayingthathehadsethisheartonmeasuringhimselfwith
theCountofNevers,andhebeggedhimbytheloveheborehimtoobtainleaveoftheKing
thatonesoletourneymightbeheldwithhislicence.Theothersoughtapretext.
TheCountofAnjoushowedhimtheway.TheKingisalmostabigot,hesaid,andbecause
of the great goodness of your nature, he hopes to induce you to put on the habit of a
religious,thathemayhaveyourcompany.Thereforeinputtingthisquestion,letitbeasked
asaboon,thatheallowyoutoholdatournament.Andyouwilldowhateverhewises.
AndtheCountreplied:IpromiseyouloyallythatIwillreleaseyoufromyourpledge.
Andsohedid,asIshalltellyoulater.
MesserAlardowentofftotheKingofFranceandsaid:Sire,whenItookarmsontheday
ofyourcoronation,thenallthebestknightsoftheworlddidbeararms;wherefore,sincefor
loveofyou,Iwishbyallmeanstoleavetheworld,andtodonthereligioushabit,soletit
pleaseyoutograntmeaboon,thatatournamentmaybeheldinwhichallthenobleknights
beararms,sothatImayforsakemyarmsinasgreatafeastasthatinwhichItookthemup.
Thereupon,theKinggavetheleave.
Atournamentwasordered.
OnonesidewastheCountofNevers,andontheothersidewastheCountofAnjou.The
Queenwithcountesses,ladiesanddamselsofhighlineagewereinthetribunes,andthe
CountessofTetiwaswiththem.

108 This story is well-known in many countries. The best known version of it is perhaps The Ephesian Widow
in Petroniuss Satyricon.
109 The king is Louis IX, the saint who forbad tourneys under pain of death. The Count of Anvers or Universa
or Anversa or Unvers.

51
Onthatdaytheflowerofknighthoodwasinarmsfromoneendoftheworldtotheother.
Aftermuchtourneying,theCountofAnjouandheofNeverhadthefieldcleared 110,and
movedagainstoneanotherwithalltheforceoftheirweightychargersandwithgreatlances
intheirhands.
NowitchancedthatinthemidstofthefieldthesteedoftheCountofNeversfellwiththe
Countallinaheap,andtheladiesdescendedfromthetribunes,andborehimintheirarms
mosttenderly.
AndtheCountessofTetiwaswiththem.
TheCountofAnjoulamentedloudly,saying,alas!whydidnotmyhorsefalllikethatof
theCountofNevers,sothattheCountessmayhavebeenasclosetomeasshewastohim?
Whenthetourneywasended,theCountofAnjouwenttotheQueen,andbeggedofhera
grace:thatforloveofthenobleknightsofFranceshewouldmakeashowofbeingangry
withtheKing,andwhentheymadepeace,shewouldaskhimforaboon,andtheboon
shouldbethis:thatitshouldbetheKingspleasurethattheyouthfulknightsofFrance
shouldnotlosesonobleacompanionasMesserAlardodeValleri.
TheQueendidashesaid.
Shefeignedangerwiththeking,andwhentheymadepeace,sheaskedhimherwish.
AndtheKingpromisedheraboon.
And Messer Alardo was set free of his promise, and remained with the other noble
knightstourneyingandperformingfeatsofarms,sothathisfamespreadthroughoutthe
worldforhisgreatskillandhismostwonderfulprowess.

61. HereItIsToldOfThePhilosopherSocrates,AndHowHe
AnsweredTheGreeks

SocrateswasanobleRomanphilosopher111,andinhisdaystheGreekssentagreatand
nobleembassytotheRomans.
Thepurposeoftheirembassywastoadduceargumentstofreethemselvesofthetribute
theypaidtotheRomans.AndtheSultangavethemtheseinstructions:goandmakeuseof
arguments,andifnecessary,usemoney.
TheambassadorsreachedRome.
ThepurposeoftheirembassywassetforthintheRomanCouncil.
TheRomanCouncildecidedthatthereplytotheGreeksquestionshouldbemadebythe
philosopher Socrates; it being decided without any further conditions that Rome would
standbywhateverSocratesanswered.
TheambassadorswenttoSocratesdwelling,veryfarfromRome,tosettheirarguments
beforehim.

110 The tournament became a jousting bout.


111 Various commentators have observed that this tale is only a garbled version of the story told of Curio by
Cicero in his De Senectute, 55. See also Gesta Romanorum, ch. LXI.

52
They arrived at his house, which was quite unpretending. They found him picking
parsley.Theycaughtsightofhimfromadistance.Hewasamanofsimpleappearance.
Theyconversedwithoneanother,andconsideredtheabovementionedfacts.Andtheysaid
tooneanother:thismanwillbeaneasybargainforus,forheseemedtothemtobepoor
ratherthanrich.
Theyarrivedandsaid:mayGodsaveyou,Omanofgreatwisdom,forsoyoumustbe
sincetheRomanshaveentrustedsoweightyamatterasthistoyou.
TheyshowedhimthedecisionofRome,andsaidtohim:weshallsetourreasonable
arguments,whicharemany,beforeyou.Yourownsensewillensureourrights.Andknow
thatweobeyarichmaster;youwilltakethese perperi112 whicharemany,andyetforour
lordarenothing,thoughtoyoutheymaybeveryuseful.
AndSocratesansweredtheambassadors,andsaid:firstyouwilldine,andthenwewill
attendtoyourbusiness.
Theyacceptedtheinvitation,anddinedverypoorlywithoutleavingamorsel.
Afterdinner,Socratesspoketotheambassadorsandsaid:gentlemen,whatisbetter,one
ortwothings?Theambassadorsreplied:two.Andhesaid:nowgototheRomanswithyour
persons,forifthecityofRomehasthepersonsoftheGreeks,itwillhavetheirpersonsand
theirgoods.AndifItookthegold,theRomanswouldlosetheirtrustinme.
Thentheambassadorsleftthephilosopher,fullofshame,andobeyedtheRomans.

62. HereIsToldATaleOfMesserRoberto

MountAriminiisinBurgundy,andthereisalordcalledRoberto,anditisagreatcountry.
The countess and her maids had a sottish doorkeeper, who was, however, a man of
robustbuild,andhisnamewasBaligante.Oneofthemaidsbegantoliewithhim;thenshe
spokeofhimtoanotheruntiltheCountessheardofhim.
WhentheCountessheardhowrobustamanhewas,shelaywithhimtoo.
Thelordfoundthemout.Hehadthemankilled,andmadeapieoutofhisheart,and
presentedittotheCountessandhermaids,andtheyateofit.
After the meal, the lord came to the hall, and asked how the pie had been. They all
answered:good!Thenthelordsaid:itisnowonder,seeingthatyoulikedBaligantealive,
thatyoushouldlikehimdead.
AndtheCountessandthemaidswhentheyheardthis,wereashamed,andsawclearly
thattheyhadlosttheirhonourinthisworld.
Theybecamenunsandfoundedaconvent,whichiscalledtheConventoftheNunsof
RiminoMonte.
Thehousegrewapace,andbecamepassingrich.

112 The perpero was a Byzantine coin.

53
Andthistaleistold,anditistrue.Fortheretheyhavethiscustomthatwheneverany
gentlemanpasseswithagreatquantityofchattelstheyinvitehim,andshowhimhonour.
AndtheAbbessandthesisterscomeouttomeethim,andaftersomeconversation 113
whicheverhelikesbest,serveshimandaccompanieshimtoboardandtobed.
Inthemorning,whenherises,hefindswaterandfinelinen,andwhenhehaswashed,
shepreparesaneedleforhimwithasilkthread,andhemustpassthethreadthroughthe
eye of the needle, and if at the third trial he finds he cannot succeed, then the women
deprivehimofallhischattels,andgivehimnothingback.
Andifatthethirdtrial,hethreadstheneedle,theygivehimbackhisarms,andpresent
himwithbeautifuljewels.

63. OfGoodKingMeladiusAndTheKnightWithoutFear

GoodKingMeladiusandtheKnightWithoutFearweremortalenemiesinthefield.
OnedayasthisKnightWithoutFearwaswanderingaboutdisguised,afterthemannerof
knightserrant,hemethissquireswholovedhimdearly,butwhodidnotrecognizehim.
And they said: tell us O knighterrant, bythe honourof chivalry, which is the better
knight,theKnightWithoutFearorgoodKingMeladius?
Andtheknightanswered:mayGodprosperme!KingMeladiusisthebestknightwho
evermountedasaddle.
Thenthesquire,whocouldnotabideKingMeladius,forloveoftheirmaster,tooktheir
lordbysurprise,andliftedhimthusarmedfromhissaddle,andsethimonajade,andsaid
aloudthattheyweregoingtohanghim.
Astheywentontheirway,theyfellinwithKingMeladius.Theyfoundhimdisguisedas
a knighterrant on his way to a tournament, and he asked the fellows why they were
treatingthatknightsovillainously.
Andtheyreplied:Messer,becausehehaswelldeservedtodie,andifyoubutknewthe
reason,youwouldtreathimworseyourselfthanwedo.Askhimofhismisdeed.
KingMeladiusdrewnearerandsaid:knight,whatwronghaveyoudonetothesefellows
thattheytreatyousoknavishly?Andtheknightreplied:naught.NowronghaveIdoneto
themunlessitbethatIfavouredthecauseoftruth.
SaidKingMeladius:thatcannotbe.Tellmemorenarrowlyinwhatwayyouoffended.
Andhereplied:gladly,sir.Iwasbentonmyway,afterthefashionofaknighterrant.Icame
acrossthesesquires,andtheyaskedme,bythetruthofchivalrytosaywhethergoodKing
MeladiusortheKnightWithoutFearwerethebetterknight.AndI,tofavour,asIsaid
before,thecauseoftruth,saidthatKingMeladiuswasthebetter,andIspokebuttotellthe

113 Orig. in sul donneare. The meaning is uncertain. The tale is of course to be found in the Decameron, IV, 9.

54
truth,consideringthatKingMeladiusismymortalenemy,andIhatehimmortally.Idonot
wish to lie. No other wrong have I done. And therefore they at once treated me so
shamefully.
ThenKingMeliadusbegantobeattheservants,andhadtheknightunbound,andgave
himarichchargerwithhisownarms(workedonthetrappings)thoughtheywerecovered,
andhebeggedhimnottoraisethecoverbeforereachinghiscastle:andtheydeparted,and
eachwenthisway,KingMeladiusandthesquiresandtheknight 114.
Intheevening,theknightreachedthecastle.Hetookthecoveroffthesaddle.Hefound
thearmsofKingMeladiuswhohadsethimfreesohandsomely,andgivenhimarichgift,
andyetwashismortalenemy115.

64. ATaleToldOfTheCourtOfPuyInProvence

AtthecourtofPuyNotreDameinProvence,whenthesonofCountRaymond 116wasmade
knight,agreatcourtwasheld,towhichwereinvitedallgoodpeople,andsomanycame
willinglythattherobesandsilverranshort.Anditwasnecessarytohaverecoursetothe
knightsofthefeuditselfthatsufficientmightbesuppliedfortheknightswhocametothe
court.Somerefuse,andsomegavewithgoodgrace.
Thedaythefeastwasorderedatamehawkwasplacedonapole.
Nowitwasarrangedthatwhosoeverfelthimselfamanofcourageandmeansenough
andshouldtakethehawkinhishand,shouldprovideafeastforthecourtthatyear.
Theknightsandsquiresalljoyousandgay,madebeautifulsongsandpoems,andfour
judgeswerechosenthatthosewhichhadmeritmightberewarded.
Thentheysangandsaidmuchgoodoftheirlord.
Andtheirsonswerenobleknightsandgentle.
Thenithappenedthatoneofthoseknights(whosenamewasMesserAlamanno),aman
ofmuchvalourandgoodness,lovedaverybeautifulwomanofProvencewhowascalled
MadameGrigia;andhelovedhersosecretlythatnonecouldguessthetruth.
ItcameaboutthatthesquiresofPuyplottedtogethertodeceivehimandmakehimboast
ofhislove.Theyspokethustocertainknightsandbarons:weprayyouthatatthefirst
tournamentwhichisheld,itbeorderedthattherebeboastings 117.Fortheythought:Messer
SoandSoisagreatknight,andwilldowellonthedayofthetourney,andwillbeexalted
withdelight.Theknightswilltakeuptheboasts;andhewillnotbeabletoholdhimself
fromboastingofhislady.
Thusitwasordered.

114 I have changed the punctuation here considerably to the benefit, I hope, of the sense.
115 This story, according to Manni, is taken from one of the Round Table romances. Meliadus (or Meliodas or
Meliardus), King of Lyonesse, was the son of King Felix, and husband of Eliabella, daughter of old King
Audrey of Sobis, and sister to King Mark of Cornwall.
116 Raimondo Berlinghieri, father-in-law of St. Louis, King of France, referred to in Novella XII.
117 The boasts formed a usual part of tournaments.

55
Thetournamentstookplace.Theknightwonhonourandwasvictorious.Hewasexcited
withjoy.
Inthereposeoftheevening,theknightsbegantheboasts:suchaoneofabeautifulcastle;
anotherofafinegoshawk;anotherofaluckychance.
Andtheknightcouldnotholdhimselffromboastingthathehadsuchabeautifullady
Thenithappenedthathereturnedtopayherhomageaswashiscustom.Andthelady
dismissedhim118
Theknightwasalldismayed,anddepartedfromherandthecompanyoftheknightsand
wentintoaforest,andshuthimselfupinahermitage,sosecretthatnoneknewofit.
Thenanyonewhohadseenthegriefoftheknightsandtheladiesandthedamselswho
constantlylamentedthelossofsonobleaknightmightwellhavefeltpity.
OnedayitcameaboutthattheyoungsquiresofPuylosttheirpreyandtheirbearrings
duringahunt,andchancedupontheaforesaidhermitage.Theknightaskedthemifthey
werefromPuy.Theyrepliedyes.Heaskedthemfornews.
Andthesquiresbegantotellhimhowtheyhadsadtidings;howforasmallmisdeedthey
hadlosttheflowerofknights,andhowthisladyhaddismissedhim,andnooneknewwhat
hadbecomeofhim.Butsoon,theysaid,atournamentwillbeproclaimedatwhichtherewill
bemanygoodpeople,andwethinkthathehassogentleaheart,thatwhereverhemaybe,
hewillcomeandjoustwithus119.
Thenthehermitwrotetoafaithfulfriendofhistosendhimsecretlyonthedayofthe
tournamentarmsandahorse.Andhesentawaythesquires.
Thefriendsuppliedtheneedsofthehermit,andonthedayofthetournamentsenthim
armsandahorse,anditwasthedayofthechallengesbetweentheknights,andhewonthe
prizeatthetournament.
Theguardssawhimandrecognizedhim.Theyborehimamongthemintriumph.And
thepeoplerejoiced,andloweredhisvisor,andbeggedhimforlovethathewouldsing.And
hereplied:IshallneversingunlessIamatpeacewithmylady.
Thenthenobleknightswerepersuadedtogotothelady,andbeggedherthatshewould
pardonhim.
Theladyreplied:tellhimIwillneverpardonhimunlessahundredbaronsandahundred
knights,ahundredladiesandahundreddamselsshallcrytomewithonevoiceformercy,
andknownottowhomtheycry.
Thentheknight,whowasamanofgreatwisdom,bethoughthimselfthatthefeastof
Candlemasswasapproaching,whentherewouldbegreatrejoicinginPuy,andallgoodfolk
wouldgotothemonastery.Andheargued;mywill;bethereandmanygoodpeople,such
asshe(MadonnaGrigia)hasaskedherselfshallcryouttoherformercy.
Thenhecomposedaverybeautifulsong;andinthemorningearlywentupintothepulpit
andbegantosinghissongasbestheknew,andwellheknewhowtosingit,andthusitran:

118 Sent him away in disgrace.


119 The narrative changes abruptly into the direct form here as in several other places. I have kept to the
original form here as elsewhere.

56
Likethestagwhichasrunagreatcourseandcomestodiemidthesoundofthehunters
cries,so,lady,toyourpity,Iturn..120

Thenallthefolkwhowereinthechurchcriedoutmercy,andtheladypardonedhim.
Andheenteredintohergoodgraceashehadbeenbefore.

65. HereItIsToldOfQueenIseultAndMesserTristanOfLyonesse

MesserTristanofCornwalllovedIseultthefair 121,whowasKingMarkswife,andbetween
themtheyfashionedalovesignalinthiswise:thatwhenMesserTristanwishedtospeakto
her,hewenttoagardenofthekingwheretherestoodafountain,andhemuddiedthewater
oftherivuletmadebythefountain:whichrivuletpassedbythepalacewheretheladyIseult
lived.
Sowhenshesawthewaterdisturbed,sheknewthatMesserTristanwasatthefountain.
Nowithappenedthataninquisitivegardener 122perceivedtheplaninsuchamannerthat
thetwoloverscouldinnowaybeawareofhisknowledge.
Heorderedahunt,andseparatedfromhisknightsasthoughhehadlosthisway.The
knightssearchedforhim,wanderingabouttheforest.KingMarkclimbedupthepinetree
whichstoodabovethefountainwhereTristanspokewiththequeen.
AndKingMarkstayinginthepinetreeatnight,MesserTristancametothefountainand
disturbedthewater.
A little while after, the queen cametothe fountain.And bychanceshe had a happy
thoughttolookatthepinetree.Andshesawthatitsshadowwasdeeperthanusual.Then
the queen became afraid, and being afraid, she stopped and spoke with Tristan in this
mannerandsaid:disloyalknight,Ihavemadeyoucomeheretocomplainofyourmisdeed,
forneverwassuchdisloyaltyinaknightasyouhaveshownbyyourwordswhichhave
dishonouredme,andyourunclekingMarkwhohaslovedyousomuch.Andyouhave
beensayingthingsaboutmeamongthewanderingknightsthatcouldneverhaveplacein
myheart.IwouldgivemyselftotheflamesshouldIdishonoursonobleakingasmylord
thekingMark.ThereforeInolongerrecogniseyouasmyknight,andIdismissyouasan
unloyalknightwithallmyforceandwithnorespect.
Tristan, hearing these words, doubted strongly, and said: my lady, if some malicious
knightsofCornwallspeakofmeinthisfashion,IsayfirstofallthatIwasneverguiltyof
suchthings.Mayitpleaseyourladyship,butbytheLord,theseknightsareenviousofme.I
haveneversaidordoneanythingthatmeantdishonourforyouorformyuncle,theking

120 The original of the song runs: .


Aissi col sers que cant a fait lonc cors
Torna murir als crit del chassadors,
Aissi torn eu, dompna, en vostra mers.
121 Iseult la bionda, to distinguish her from Iseult dalla bianca mano of the white hand.
122 Biagi has an ill-disposed knight.

57
Mark.Butsinceitisyourpleasure,Iwillobeyyourcommands.Iwillgoawaytootherparts
toendmydays.,AndmaybebeforeIdie,themaliciousknightsofCornwallwillhavefelt
needofmeastheydidatthetimeofAmoraldo 123,whenIdeliveredthemandtheirlands
fromavileandpainfulservitude.
Andhewentawaywithoutsayinganotherword.
KingMarkwhowasabovethetwowhenheheardthis,grewgladwithagreatgladness.
Whenmorningcame,Tristanmadefeinttogoriding.Hehadhorsesandpackmules
shod.Valetsrantoandfro,somecarryingsaddles,othersbridles.Thecommotionwasgreat.
ThekinggrewangryatTristansdeparture,andsummonedhisbaronsandknights.He
sent an order to Tristan not to depart without his leave under pain of incurring his
displeasure.Thusorderedtheking,andsovigorously,thatthequeensenttoTristanand
badehimnottogo.
AndsoTristanremainedthere,anddidnotdepart.
Norwashesurprisedordeceivedagainowingtotheshrewdcircumspectionthatgrewup
betweenthetwo.

66. HereItIsToldOfAPhilosopherWhoWasCalledDiogenes

TherewasaverywisephilosopherwhosenamewasDiogenes.Thisphilosopherhadbeen
takingabathinapoolandwasstandingbyacaveinthesun.AlexanderofMacedonpassed
withagreatforceofcavalry.Hesawthephilosopher,spoketohimandsaid:Omanof
miserableexistence,askmesomething,andwhateveryouwillIwillgiveittoyou.
Andthephilosopherreplied:Ibegofyoutoremoveyourselffrommylight.

67. HereItIsToldOfPapiriusAndHowHisFatherBroughtHimTo
TheCouncil

Papirius was a Roman, a powerful man, wise and very fond of war. And the Romans
wishing to defend themselves against Alexander, put their trust in the valour of this
Papirius.
WhenPapiriuswasachild,hisfathertookhimwithhimtothecouncil.Onedaythe
councilorderedthatitssittingsshouldbekeptsecret.Andhismother,whowantedtoknow
whattheRomanshadbeendiscussing,pliedhimwithmanyquestions.

123 Amoraldo, King of Ireland, who, in order to extort a tribute from King Mark, laid siege to one of his
towns, and was killed by Tristan.

58
Papiriusperceivingthedesireofhismother,concoctedasplendidlie,andsaidthus:the
Romanswerediscussingwhichwasbetter:forthementohavetowwives,orthewomen
twohusbands,sothattheracemaymultiplytomeetthosewhoarerebelliousagainstRome.
Thecouncildecidedthatitwasbetterandmoreconvenientthatthemenshouldhavetwo
wives.
Themother,whohadpromisedtheboytokeepthematterasecret,toldthethingto
anotherwoman,whotoldittoyetanother.
ThusitwentfromonetoanotheruntilallRomeknewofit.Thewomencametogetherand
wenttothe senators, and made great complaint.And they fearedstill greaternovelties.
Hearingthecomplaints,theycourteouslydismissedthewomen,andcommendedPapirius
forhiswisdom.
AndthenthecommuneofRomedecidedthatnofathershouldtakehissonwithhimto
council124

68. OfAQuestionWhichAYoungManProposedToAristotle

Aristotlewasagreatphilosopher.
Therecametohimonedayayoungmanwithasingularquestion.Master,hesaid,Ihave
seenathingwhichmuchdispleasesmymind.Ihaveseenanoldmanripeinyearsdoing
wanton follies. Now if the cause of such things be age, I have decided to die young.
ThereforefortheloveofGodgivemecounsel,ifyoucan.
Aristotlereplied:Icannotdootherthantellyouthatwhenthenatureofmangrowsold,
thegoodnaturalheatchangesintoweakness,whilethereasonablevirtuefailsandalters 125.
ForyourinstructionIwillteachyouwhatIcan.Dosothatinyouryouthyoupracticeall
beautiful,pleasantandhonestthings,andguardyourselffromindulginginwhatiscontrary
tothese;sowhenyouareold,youwilllivewithoutevil,notfromnatureorfromreason,but
owingtothelongpleasantandnoblehabityouhaveformed.

69. HereItIsToldOfTheGreatJusticeOfTheEmperorTrajan

TheEmperorTrajanwasamostjustlord.
Goingonedaywithhishostofcavalryagainsthisenemies,awidowwomancamebefore
him,andtakingholdofhisstirrupsaid:Sire,rendermejusticeagainstthosewhohave
wrongfullyputmysontodeath.AndtheEmperoranswered:Iwillgiveyousatisfaction
whenIreturn.Andthewomansaid 126:andifyoudonotreturn?Towhichhereplied:my
successorwillgiveyousatisfaction.Andifyoursuccessorshouldfailme,youwillbemy

124 See Aulus Gelius, Macrobius, and Polibius.


125 This passage is obscure and defective.
126 she said.

59
debtor.Andsupposingthathegivemesatisfaction,thefactofanotehrmanrenderingme
justicewillnotabsolveyouofblame.Moreover,yoursuccessor,mayhaveenoughtodoto
thinkofhimself.
ThentheEmperorgotdownfromhishorse,anddidjusticeonthosewhohadkilledthe
womansson,andthenrodeoffanddefeatedhisenemies.
And not a long time after his death127 there came holy Saint Gregory the pope, and
learning of his work of justice, went to his monument. And with tears in his eyes, he
honouredtheEmperorwithmightypraiseandhadhimdisinterred.Ifwasfoundthatallthe
bodyhadturnedtodustsavethebonesandthetongue.
Andthisshowedhowjustamanhehadbeen,andhowjustlyhehadspoken.
And Saint Gregory prayed to God for him. And it is related thatby evident miracle,
owingtotheprayersofthisholypope,thesouloftheEmperorwasfreedfromthetorments
ofhellandpassedintoeternallife,paganthoughhehadbeen 128.

70. HereItIsToldHowHerculesWentIntoTheForest

Hercules was a very strong man beyond other mens strength, and he had a wife who
causedhimmuchtrouble.
Onedayhewentoffsuddenlyandenteredagreatforestwherehefoundbearsandlions
andveryfiercewildbeasts.Hetorethemapart,andkilledthemallwithhismightystrength.
Nobeastdidhefindstrongenoughtobeabletoprotectitselffromhim.
Andheremainedalongtimeinthisforest.
Hereturnedtohiswifeandhousewithhisgarmentsalltornandwearinglionskinson
hisback.Hiswifecameforwardtomeethim,makinggreatfestivity,andbegantosay:
welcome,mylord,whatnewshaveyou?
AndHerculesreplied:Icomefromtheforest.Ihavefoundallthewildbeastsmoregentle
thanyou,forIhavesubduedallthoseIhavecomeacrosssaveyou.Indeeditisyouwho
havesubduedme.Youarethereforethestrongestthing 129Ihaveeverencountered,foryou
haveconqueredhimwhohasconqueredalltheothers.

127 The compilator is considerably out of his reckoning here, as, of course, pope Gregory lived more than four
centuries after Trajan. He was elected Pope in 570.
128 The story probably originated from an episode mentioned by Dion Cassius.
129 The text is subject to various readings. Biagi has thing (cosa) while other versions give woman and
wild beast", femina and fiera.

60
71. HereItIsToldHowSenecaConsoledAWomanWhoseSonHad
Died

Seneca wishing to console a woman whose son had died, as we read in the Book of
Consolation130,hesaidthesewords:ifyouwereawomanlikeotherwomen,Ishouldnot
speaktoyouasIamgoingtospeak.Butforthefactthatyou,thoughwoman,havethe
intellectofaman,Iwillspeaktoyouso.ThereweretwowomeninRome,andthesonof
eachofthemdied.Onewasoneofthedearestladsintheworld,andtheotherwasmost
lovable,too.Onewomanletherselfreceiveconsolation,andwascontenttobeconsoled;the
otherwomanhidherselfinacornerofthehouseandrefusedeveryconsolation,andgave
herselftotears.Whichofthesetwowomenactedthemorewisely?Ifyousayshewhowas
willingtobeconsoled,yousayrightly.Therefore,whyweep?Ifyoutellme:Iweepformy
son,becausehisgoodnessdidmehonour,Itellyouyouarenotmourningforhim,but
ratheryourownloss,whenceitisforyourselfyouareweeping,anditisaveryuglythingto
weepoveroneself.Andifyouwillsaytome:myheartisweepingbecauseIlovedhimso
much,itisnottrue,foryoulovehimlessnowthatheisdead,thanwhenhewasalive.And
ifyourgriefbeforlove,whydidyounotweepwhenhewasalive,knowingthathehadto
die? Hence, do not excuse yourself: cease your tears. If your son is dead, it cannot be
otherwise.Deathissecondnature,andthereforeathingmeetandnecessaryforall.
Andsoheconsoledher.
WereadfurtherofSenecathatbeingNerosmaster,hebeathimwhenhewasyoungand
hisscholar,andwhenNerowasmadeemperor,herememberedthebeatingsreceivedfrom
Seneca,andhehadhimtakenandcondemnedtodeath.
Buthedidhimthefavouroflettinghimchoosewhatkindofdeathhewouldhave.
AndSenecachosetohavehisveinsopenedinahotbath.
Andhiswifeweptandcriedout:alas!mylord,whatgriefthatyoushoulddiefornofault
ofyours.
AndSenecareplied:itisbetterthatIshoulddiewithoutfaultthanthroughsomefaultof
mine.Forthenhewhokillsmewrongfullywouldbeexcused.

130 A book of Senecas.

61
72. HereIsToldHowCatoLamentedAgainstFortune

Catothephilosopher,oneofRomesgreatestmen,beinginprisonandinpoverty,rallied
againsthisfate,andwassorelygrievedandsaid:whyhaveyoutakensomuchawayfrom
me?Thenheansweredhimselfintheplaceoffateandsaid:myson,howfinelyhaveInot
broughtyouupandeducatedyou.Ihavegivenyouallyouhaveaskedme.Ihavegiven
youthelordshipofRome.Ihavemadeyoumasterofmanydelights,ofgreatpalaces,of
muchgold,finehorsesandbeautifulaccoutrements.Omyson,whydoyoucomplain?Isit
becauseIleaveyou?
AndCatoanswered:yes,Igrieveforthis.Andfatereplied:myson,youareawiseman.
DoyounotrememberthatIhaveotherlittlesons,whomImusttakecareof?Doyouwant
me to abandon them? That would not be right. Ah! what a host of children I have to
support!Myson,Icannotstaylongerwithyou.Donotcomplain,forIhavetakenaway
fromyounothing,sincewhatyouhavelostwasnotyours.Forwhatcanbelostisnotones
own.Andwhatisnotpersonaltoyouisnotyours.

73. HowTheSultanBeingInNeedOfMoney,SoughtToFind
OccasionToProceedAgainstAJew

TheSultan,beinginneedofmoney,wasadvisedtoproceedagainstarichJew,wholivedin
hiscountry,andtotrytotakeawayhissubstancefromhim.
TheSultansentforthisJewandaskedhimwhatwasthebestreligion,thinkinghewillsay
surelytheJewishfaith,whenIwilltellhimthathesinsagainstmine.Andifhesaysthe
Saracen,IwillaskhimwhyheisaJew.
TheJew,hearingthequestion,replied:Sire,therewasafatherwhohadthreesons,andhe
hadaringwithapreciousstone,oneofthefinestintheworld.Eachofthesonsbeggedthis
fatherthatheshouldleavehimthisringathisdeath.Thefather,seeingthateachofthem
desiredit,sentforagoodjewellerandsaidtohim:master,makemetworingsjustlikethis
one,andsetineachofthemastoneresemblingthisone.Thejewellermadetheringssothat
nooneknewtherealgemapartsavethefather.Hesentforhissonsonebyone,andtoeach
hegavearinginsecret,andeachbelievedhehadthetruering,andnooneknewthetruth
savethefather.AndsoItellyouofthefaithswhicharethree.Godaboveknowsbestofall,
andhissonswhoareourselveseachofusthinkshehasthetrueone.
ThentheSultanhearingthemangetoutofthedifficultyinthismanner,didnotknow
howtoentraphim,andlethimgo131.

131 The story derives from Jewish sources, and appeared for what was probably the first time in the Scebet
Jehuda. It is to be found in several other places in slightly different forms. See Gesta Romanorum,
Avventuroso Ciciliano of Busone da Gubbio, etc.

62
74. TheStoryOfAVassalAndALord

Avassalofalordwhoheldhislands,itbeingattheseasonofthenewfigs,andthelord
walkingthroughhisland,sawafineripefigatthetopofafigtree.Thelordtoldthevassal
topluckitforhim.
Thevassalthenthought:sincehelikesthem,Iwillkeepthemforhim.Sohetendedthe
treeandwatcheditcarefully.
Whenthefigswereripe,hebroughtthelordabasketful,thinkingsotowinhisfavour.
Butwhenthebroughtthem,theseasonwaspast,andtherewassuchanabundanceoffigs
thattheywerealmostgiventotheswine.
Thelord,seeingthefigs,grewindignant,andorderedhisservantstobindthevassaland
takethefigsfromhimandtothrowthemonebyoneinhisface.Andwhenafigcamenear
hiseye,hecriedout:mylord,Ithankyou.
Theservantsowingtothestrangenessofthis,wentandtoldtheirlordwhosaid:whydid
hesayso?Andthemananswered:Sire,becauseIhadinmindtobringpeaches,andifIhad
broughtthem,Ishouldnowbeblind.
Thenthelordbegantolaugh,andhadthemanunboundandgavehimwherewithto
dresshimselfagain,andmadehimapresentforthenovelthinghehadsaid132.

75. HowTheLordEnteredIntoPartnershipWithAMinstrel

TheLordonceformedapartnershipwithaminstrel.
Nowitbefellonedaythatithadbeenmadeknownthatweddingfestivitiesweretobe
held,andithadalsobeenmadeknownthatarichmanhaddied.Theminstrelsaid:Iwillgo
tothewedding,andyoushallgotothefuneral.TheLordwenttothefuneral,andsucceeded
inraisingthedeadman.Hereceivedarewardofonehundredducats.
Theminstrelwenttothewedding,andatehisfill.Andhereturnedhome,andfoundhis
companion,whohadearnedhisreward.Hepraisedhim.TheLordhadeatennothing.The
minstrelobtainedsomemoneyfromhim,andboughtafatkid,androastedit.Andashe
roastedit,hedrewoutthekidneys,andatethem.
When it was set before his companion, the latter asked for the kidneys. The minstrel
replied:thekidsinhisregionhavenokidneys.
Nowitbefell,onanotheroccasion,thatanotherweddingwasannounced,andanother
richmandied.AndGodsaid:thistimeIwishtogotothewedding,anddoyougotothe
funeral;andIwillshowyouhowtoraisethedeadman.Youshallmakethesignofthecross
onhim,andyoushallbidhimtorise,andhewillrise.Butfirstofall,letthempromiseyoua
reward.Theminstrelsaid:indeed,soIwill.
Hewent,andpromisedtoraisehim;buthedidnotrise,forallhissigning.

132 Suetonius (Vita Tiber.) has a somewhat similar story of the Emperor Tiberius.

63
Thedeadmanwasthesonofagreatlord.
Thefatherwaxedwroth,seeingthatthismanwasmakingamockofhim.Hesenthim
awaytobehangedbytheneck.
TheLordwentouttomeethim,andsaid:Donotfear,forIwillraisehim;buttellme,on
yourhonour,whodideatthekidneysofthekid?Theminstrelreplied:Bythatholyworld
whitherImustgo,ohmypartner,Ididnoteatthem.TheLord,seeingthathecouldnot
makehimconfess,hadpityonhim.Sohewent,andraisedthedeadman.Andtheotherwas
setfree,andreceivedtherecompensethathehadbeenpromised.Theyreturnedhome.The
Lordsaid:Omypartner,Iwishtoleaveyou,becauseIhavenotfoundyoutobeasloyalasI
thoughtyouwere.
Andhe,seeingthatitmustbesoperforce,said:Iamcontent.Doyoudivide,andIwill
takemyshare.TheLorddividedthemoneyintothreeparts.Andtheminstrelsaid:What
areyoudoing?Wearebuttwo.SaidtheLord:Thatisindeedso;butthisonepartshall
belongtohimwhoatethekidneys,andtheothersshallbe,oneyoursandonemine.
Thentheminstrelsaid:Bymyfaith,sinceyouspeakthus,ImustindeedtellyouthatIdid
eatthem.Iamsoold,thatImaytellnomorelies.Andsosuchthingscanbeprovedfor
money,whichamanwillconfesswhowouldnotconfesstheminordertosavehisown
life133.

76. HereItIsToldOfTheGreatKillingDoneByKingRichard

GoodKingRichardofEnglandoncecrossedtheseaswithhisbarons,countsandbraveand
valiantknights,buthebroughtnohorses,andsohearrivedinthelandoftheSultan.
Anditcameaboutthathegavetheorderforbattle,andmadesuchagreatkillingofthe
Saracensthatthenursessaytheretothechildrenwhentheycry:HerecomesKingRichard,
forlikedeathwashefeared.
TheytellthattheSultanseeinghismenfly,asked:howmanyaretheseChristianswhodo
suchgreatslaughter,andtheyansweredhim:Sire,thereisonlyKingRichardwithhisfolk.
ThentheSultansaid:MayGodforbidthatsonobleamanasKingRichardshouldgoon
foot.Heorderedafinesteedtobesenttohim.
Themessengerbroughtthefinesteedandsaid:Sire,theSultansendsyouthishorseso
thatyouneednotremainonfoot.
ButtheKingwaswise,andorderedasquireofhistomountthehorsethathemighttryit.
Andthisthesquiredid.ThehorsewastrainedtocomebacktotheSultanscamp.The
horsemancouldnotholditin,foritracedwithallitsmighttotheSultanspavilion.The
SultanhadbeenexpectingtoseeKingRichard,buthedidnotcome.

133 This tale was widely known throughout Europe and a part of Asia during the Middle Ages, and is still
frequently found on the lips of popular tellers of tales. The oldest version of it is to be found in the Persian
poet Ferid-ed-din-Attar: see translation by Ruckert in Zeitschrift deutschen morgenlndischen
Gesellschraft, XIV, 280.

64
Thusweseethatweshouldhavelittletrustinthekindoffersofourenemies.

77. HereItIsToldOfMesserRinieri,AKnightOfTheCourt

MesserRinieriofMonteNero 134,aknightofthecourt,wenttoSardinia,anddweltwiththe
lordofAlborea,andfellinlovewithaSardinianladywhowasverybeautiful.Helaywith
her.Thehusbandfoundthemout.Hedidthemnoharm,butwenttohislord,andmade
greatcomplaint.
The Lord loved this Sardinian. He sent forMesser Rinieri; he spoke to him words of
severemenace.AndMesserRinieribeggedhispardon,andtoldhimtosendforthewoman,
andtoaskher,whetherwhatshehaddonewasforaughtbutforlove.Thelorddidnotlike
tobemadefunof.Heorderedhimtoleavethecountryunderpenaltyofhislife.Andnot
havingyetbeenrewardedforhisservices,MesserRinierisaid:Mayitpleaseyoutosendto
Pisatoyourseneschaltoprovideforme.ThatwillIdorightgladly.Hewrotehimaletter
andgaveittohim.
NowwhenhehadreachedPisa,andwenttotheaforesaidseneschal,andsatattablewith
many noble persons, he narrated what had happened, and then gave this letter to the
seneschal.Thismanreadit,andfoundthathewastogivehimapairoflinenhosewithout
feet,andnothingelse.Andhewishedtoreceivethembeforealltheknightspresent.
Whenhehadthem,therewasgreatmerrimentandmuchlaughter.Hewasnotatall
angeredbythis,forhewasanexceedinglygentleknight.
Nowitbefellthatheenteredintoaboatwithahorseandaservantofhis,andreturnedto
Sardinia.
Onedaywhenhislordwasridingoutwithotherknights,hemetMesserRinieriwhowas
tallandhadlonglegs,andwassittingonawornjade,andhadtheselinenhoseonhislegs.
Thelordrecognisedhim,andwithangrymiensentforhim,tocomebeforehim,andsaid:
Whatdoesthismean,MesserRinieri,whyhaveyounotleftSardinia?Certes,saidMesser
Rinieri.Ididbutreturnforthefeetofthehose.Hestretchedouthislegsandshowedhis
feet.
Thenthelordwasamused,andlaughed,andforgavehim,andpresentedhimwiththe
robethathewore,andsaid:MesserRinieri,youhavebeenwiserthanI,andknowmore
thanItaughtyou.Andherejoined:Messer,thatredoundstoyourhonour.

134 Monte Nero is a little hill-town near Leghorn, with a famous sanctuary of the Madonna. Rinieri, or rather
Ranieri, is the name of the patron-saint of Pisa.

65
78. HereItIsToldOfAPhilosopherMuchGivenToThe
VulgarisationOfScience

Therewasonceaphilosopher,whowasmuchgiventovulgarisingscience,topleasesome
lordsandotherpersons.
OnenighthesawinavisiontheGoddessesofscience,intheformofbeautifulwomen,in
abawdyhouse.Andseeingthis,hewonderedmuch,andsaid:Whatisthis?Areyounotthe
GoddessesofScience?Andtheyreplied:Ofasuretyweare.Howisthisthatyouareina
bawdyhouse?Andtheyrejoined:Indeed,itistrue,foryouarehewhomakesustobehere.
Heawoke,andconsideredthattovulgarisescienceistolowerthedivinity.Heceasedto
doso,andrepentedsorely.
Soknowthatnotallthingsareadaptedtoallpersons.

79. HereItIsToldOfACourtPlayerWhoAdoredALord

Therewasalordwhohadaplayerathiscourt,andthisplayeradoredhislordasthoughhe
werehisgod.
Anotherplayerofthecourt,seeingthis,spokeillofhimandsaid:whoisthismanwhom
youcallyourgod?Heisnobody.Andthefirst,beingboldforthefavourheenjoyedofhis
lord,beattheotherfellowunmercifully.Thisman,beingunabletodefendhimself,wentto
complaintothelordandrelatedthewholeevent
Thelordmadeajestofthematter.
The beaten jongleur went away, and hid himself among people of mean rank, for he
fearedtoremainamongbetterfolkfortheshamethathadcometohim.
Nowithappenedthatthelordheardofthisandwasdispleased,sothathedecidedto
dismisshisplayerandsendhimaway.
Itwasthecustominthiscourtthatwhenamanreceivedapresentfromhislordheknew
himselfdismissedfromservice.Thelordtookagreatdealofmoneyandplaceditinatart,
and when his jongleur came before him, he gave it him, saying to himself: since I am
constrainedtodischargehim,Iwanthimtobeawealthyman.
Whenthejongleursawthetart,hebecamedistressed.Hethoughtandsaidtohimself:I
haveeaten;Iwillkeepitandgiveittomylandlady.
Takingitwithhimtotheinn,hefoundtherethemanwhomhehadbeaten,andhewas
wretchedandsad.Theplayerfeelingpityforhim,wenttowardshim,andgavehimthetart.
Andhetookit,andwentoffwithit,andwaswellrepaidforthepunishmenthehadtaken
fromtheother.
Thenthejongleurgoingbacktohislordtotakefarewellofhim,thelordsaid:what,you
arestillhere?Didyounothavethetart?Sir,Ihadit.Whatdidyoudowithit?Sir,Ihad
eatenthen.Igaveittoapoorcourtplayer,whospokeillofmebecauseIcalledyoumygod.

66
Thenthelordsaid;goandbadfortunegowithyou,forcertainlyhisgodisabetterone
thanyours.
Andhetoldhimallaboutthetart.
Thejongleurfelthimselflost,anddidnotknowwhattodo.Heseparatedfromhislord
andhadnothingfurtherfromhim.
Andhewentouttoseekforthemantowhomhehadgiventhetart.
Norwasittruethatheeverfoundhim.

80. ThePilgrimAndTheUglyWoman

Apilgrimwhohadcommittedacrimewasarrested;anditwasmadeknownthatheshould
payathousandfranksorelselosetheuseofhiseyes.
Sincethepilgrimwasunabletopay,hewasboundandblindfolded,asisthecustomof
thatplace.
Whenhewasledthroughthetowntotheplaceofpunishment,awoman,whohadgreat
possessions, although she was extremely ugly, saw this pilgrim, who was young and
handsome,andaskedwhyhewasledtotheplaceofpunishment.Shewastoldthatitwas
becausehecouldnotpayathousandfranks.
The woman sent word to him that if he would take her to wife, she would pay the
thousandfranks.Thepilgrimconsented;hewasbroughtbeforethewoman.
Whenthepilgrimsawthatthewomanwassougly,hesaidtothosewhohadtakenoffhis
bandagethathemightseethewoman:quickly,quickly,blindfoldmeagain,foritisbetter
nevertosee,thanalwaystoseesomethingunpleasant.
Thelordofthatcountrylearnedwhatthepilgrimhadsaid:thereforehesentforhim,and
condonedhispunishment,andsethimfree135.

81. HereBelowItIsToldOfTheCouncilWhichWasHeldByThe
SonsOfKingPriamOfTroy

When the sons of King Priam had remade Troy, which the Greeks haddestroyed, and
TalamonandAgamemnonhadtakentheladyHesione,thesonsofPriamcalledameetingof
theirpowerfulalliesandspokesoamongtheirfriends:dearfriends,theGreekshavedone
usagreatwrong.Theyhavekilledourfolk,anddestroyedourcity,andourladytheyhave
takenaway.Andwehaveremadeourcityandstrengthenedit.Ourallianceisapowerful
one.Moreover,wehavegatheredtogethernolittletreasure.Nowletussentandtellthem
theymustmakeamendfortheinjuriesdoneus,thattheymustgiveusbackourlady.And
thisParissaid.

135 I have taken this tale from the Magliabechiana MS, as given in Papanti, No. 31.

67
ThenthegoodHectorwhosurpassedinvalouratthattimeallthevalorousmen,spoke
thus:mylords,warisnottomyliking,nordoIadviseit,fortheGreeksaremorepowerful
thanweare.Theyhavevalourandwealthandscience,andsowearenotinapositionto
combatthem,forthisgreatstrengthoftheirs.AndIsaythisnotfromcowardice.Forifit
shallbethatthewarcannotbeavoided,Iwillupholdmypartinitlikeanyoneelse.AndI
willsupporttheweightofbattle.Andthisisagainstthosewhowouldmaketheenterprise.
Nowthewarcameabout.HectorwasinthebattletogetherwiththeTrojans,andwasas
valiantasalion.AndwithhisownhandshekilledmorethantwothousandGreeks.
HectorkilledtheGreeksandsupportedtheTrojansandescapeddeath.
But in theend Hector was slain, andthe Trojans abandonedeverydefence.Thebold
spirits who had urged the war grew fainter in their hardihood, and Troy was again
conqueredbytheGreeksandsubjugatedbythem136.

82. HereItIsToldHowTheLadyOfShalottDiedForLoveOf
LancelotOfTheLake

Thedaughterofagreatvassal137lovedLancelotoftheLakebeyondmeasure,buthedidnot
wishtogiveherhislove,sincehehadgivenittoQueenGuinevere.Somuchdidthegirl
loveLancelotthatshecametodeaththereby,andshecommandedthatwhenhersoulhad
leftherbody,arichboatshouldbepreparedtobecoveredwithavermilioncloth,andafine
bedlaidthereinwithrichandnoblecoveringsofsilkandadornedwithpreciousstones.
Andherbodywastobelaidinthisbeddressedinherfinestgarmentswithalovely
crownonherhead,richingoldandornamentedwithpreciousstones,andshewastohavea
raregirdleandasatcheltoo.
Andinthesatcheltherewastobealetterofthefollowingtenour.
But first of all let us tell of what happened before the letter. The damsel died of the
sicknessofherlove,anditwasdonewithherasshewished 138aboutthevesselwithnosails
oroarsandnooneaboard.
Thesaillessvesselwasputintotheseawiththewoman,andtheseatookittoCamelot,
anddriftedittotheshore.
Acrypassedthroughthecourt.Theknightsandbaronscamedownfromthepalaces,and
nobleKingArthurcametoo,andmarvelledmightilythattheboatwastherewithnoguide.
Thekingsteppedontoitandsawthedamselandthefurnishings.Hehadthesatchel
openedandtheletterwasfound.Heorderedthatitshouldberead,anditran:toallthe
knightsoftheRoundTablethisladyofShallotsendsgreetingsastothegentlestfolkinthe

136 The account is of course full of anachronisms and absurdities, such as the two thousand Greeks killed by
Hector. It is based on the legend of Darete Frigio, it would seem, popularized in Italy by the Poet Guido
delle Colonne, a Sicilian. See also the Roman de Troie.
137 Vassal to a king, a lord, or noble.
138 The versions differ here. Biagi gives the lines about the sailless vessel with oars and no one aboard.

68
world.AndifyouwouldknowwhyIhavecometothisend,itisforthefinestknightinthe
worldandthemostvillainous,thatismylordSirLancelotoftheLake,whomIdidnot
knowhowtobegthatheshouldhavepityonme.SoIdiedthereforlovingwellasyoucan
see.

83. HowChristGoingOneDayWithHisDisciplesInADeserted
Place,TheySawGreatTreasure

Christonedaygoingwithhisdisciplesthroughadesertedplace,thediscipleswhofollowed
Himsawsomegreatpiecesoffinegoldshiningthere.
Sothey,callingChrist,andmarvellingthatHehadnotstayedtoobserve,saidtoHim:
Lord,letustakethisgoldwhichwillserveusformanyneeds.
AndChristturnedtothemandreprovedthemandsaid:youwantthosethingswhich
takefromourkingdomthegreatestnumberofsouls.Andthatthisistrue,onourreturnyou
willseetheproof.
AndHepassedon.
Alittlewhileafter,twodearcompanionsfoundthegoldandweregreatlyrejoicedthereat,
andonewenttothenearestvillagetogetamule,whiletheotherremainedonguard.
Nowlistentotheguiltydeedsthatfollowedtheguiltythoughtssentthembythedevil 139.
Theonewiththemulereturnedandsaidtohiscompanion:Ihaveeateninthevillage,and
youmustbehungry.Eatthesetwofinebreadsandthenwewillloadup.Theotherreplied:I
havenogreatwilltoeatnow.Therefore,letusloadupfirst.
Andtheybegantoloadthemule.
Andwhentheyhadalmostfinishedloading,theonewhohadgoneforthemulebent
downtotiethebundlefast,andtheotherranbehindhimtreacherouslywithapointed
knife,andkilledhim.Thenhegaveoneofthebreadstothemule,andatetheotherhimself.
Thebreadwaspoisoned.Themanfelldowndead,andsodidthemule,beforetheycould
leavethespot,andthegoldremaineduntouchedasithadbeenbefore140.
OurLordthenpassedwithHisdisciplesthesameday,andshowedthemtheexampleHe
hadspokenof141.

84. HowMesserAzzolinoRomanoArrangedAGreatCharity

MesserAzzolinoRomanoonceannouncedagreatcharityinhisterritory,andinvitedthe
peoplethereandelsewheretoattend.

139 lit. the enemy (l nemico).


140 lit. free, unpossessed, libero.
141 See Rappresentazione di S. Antonio, Le Monnier (1872), II, 33.

69
Andsoallthepoormenandwomenweresummonedtohismeadowsonacertainday,
thateachshouldbegivenanewhabitandplentytoeat.Thenewsspreadabroad.Folkcame
fromallparts.
Whenthedayoftheassemblyarrived,theseneschals 142werereadywiththeclothesand
thefood,andeachpersonwasmadetoundressandcastofhisoldshoes,whennewclothes
weregivenandfoodhandedout.
Thepoorpeoplewantedtheiroldclothesback,butitwasofnoavail,fortheywereall
piledupinaheapandfirewaslaidthereto.
Thensomuchgoldandsilverweregivenascompensatedthem,andtheyweretoldtogo
homeinthenameofGod.
Itwasinhis143 timethatacertainpeasantchargedaneighbourwithhavingstolenhis
cherries.Whentheaccusedappeared,hesaid:sendandseeifthatbetrue,forthecherrytree
iscoveredwithfruit.ThenMesserAzzolinohadproofthatthiswasso,andcondemnedthe
accusertopayasumofmoney,tellingtheothertolookafterhischerriesratherthanrelyon
hislordsjustice.
Andthemandecidedtodothis.
Forfearofhistyranny,awomanbroughthimasackofwalnutsofsplendidquality.And
dressedupaswellasshecouldcontrive,shereachedthespotwhenhe 144 waswithhis
knightsandsaid;Sire,mayGodgiveyoulonglife.
Andhewassuspiciousandasked:whydoyousayso?Shereplied:becauseifitisso,we
shallhavealongrest.AndAzzolinolaughedandorderedthatshebegivenandputona
fineskirtwhichcametoherknees,andhemadeherholditupandhadallthenutsscattered
onthefloor,andthenhemadethewomanpickthemupagainonebyoneandplacethemin
thesack,andthenherewardedherhandsomely.
InLombardyandtheMarches,thepansarecalledpots 145.Azzolinosretainershad,outof
mischief,takenapotteronedaytobringhimtojudgment,andMesserAzzolinowasinthe
room.Hesaid:whoisthisman?Someoneanswered:Sire,heisapotter.Goandhanghim
then.But,Sire,heisapotter.ThereforeIsaygoandhanghim.Sire,weareonlysayingthat
heisapotter.Well,Isayagainthatyoutakehimandhanghim.
Thenthejudgeperceivedtheoriginofthemisunderstanding.Andheexplainedit,butit
wasofnoavailforAzzolinohadsaiditthreetimes,andthemanhadtobehung.
Itwouldtaketolongtotellhowfearedhewas,anditiswithintheknowledgeofmany.
ItisrecordedhowonedaybeingwiththeEmperoronhorsebackwithalltheirfollowers,
thetwoofthemmadeachallengewhichhadthefinersword.TheEmperordrewhissword
fromitssheath,anditwasmagnificentlyornamentedwithgoldandpreciousstones.
ThensaidMesserAzzolino:itisveryfine,butmineisfinerbyfar.

142 Superior servants, major-domo.


143 Azzolinos of course.
144 Throughout this novella Azzolino is nearly always referred to as he.
145 il chiamanbo le pentole, olle. The point of this novella depends on the play of the words untranslatable in
English. They told Azzolino that he man was un olaro a porter, while the tyrant understood them to say
uno laro, that is un ladro, or a thief.

70
Andhedrewitforth.
Thensixhundredknightswhowerewithhimalldrewforththeirs.WhentheEmperor
sawtheswords,hesaidthatAzzolinoswasthefiner.
AzzolinowastakeninbattleataglancewhichiscalledCasciano 146,andhebangedhis
headsohardagainstthepolesupportingthetentwherehewasimprisonedandbound,that
hekilledhimself.

85. OfAGreatFamineThatWasOnceInGenoa

TherewasonceagreatfamineinGenoa,andthereweremorepoorpeopletobefoundthere
thaninanyotherplace.
Theauthoritiesseizedanumberofgalleys,andtheyimpressedsailorsandpaidthem,and
publishedanoticethatallthepoorpeopleshouldgodowntotheseashore,wherethey
wouldhavebreadfromthecommune.
Everybodywent,anditwasagreatmarvel,andthiswasbecausemanywhowerenotin
needdisguisedthemselvesasbeggars.
Andtheofficialssaidtothepeople:wecannotdistinguishbetweenallthesefolk,butlet
thecitizensgoontothisshiphere,andtheforeignersontothatonethere;thewomenand
childrenontothatother,andallmustgoaboard.Thesailorssettoworkatonce,andput
theiroarsintothewater,andborethefolkofftoSardinia.
Andtheretheyleftthem,fortherewasplentythere,andthefamineceasedinGenoa.

86. TheEmperorAndThePilgrim

TheEmperor147 ridingthroughthestreetsofRome,sawapilgrimwhoseemedtohimto
bear a close resemblance to his own person, and he asked his barons whether the said
pilgrimwaslikehim.
Everyonesaidhewas.ThentheEmperorbelieveditwastruewhathethoughtaboutthe
pilgrim,namelythatthepilgrimsmothermighthavebeeninRome,andthathisImperial
fathermighthavehadtodowithher.Heaskedthepilgrim:Pilgrim,wasyourmotherever
inRome?AndthepilgrimunderstoodwhytheEmperorsaidthat,andreplied:Sire,my
motherwasneverinRome,butmyfatherwas,often.
TheEmperorappreciatedhowwellthepilgrimhadanswered:helethimcometohis
court,andshowedhimmuchhonour148.

146 Cassano on the Adda.


147 The Emperor Frederick II.
148 This tale comes from the Magliabechiana MS, as given in Papanti, No. 27.

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87. HowAManWentToShriveHimself

Amanwenttoapriesttoconfession;andamongotherthingshesaid:Ihaveasisterinlaw,
andmybrotherisfaraway;andwheneverIgohome,herfamiliarityissogreatthatshesits
downonmylap;howshouldIbehave?
Thepriestanswered;ifshedidsotome,shewouldbewellrequitedforit.

88. HereIsToldOfMesserCastellanoDaCafferiOfMantua

WhenMessereCastellanoofMantuawasthegovernor 149ofFlorence,therearoseaquarrel
betweenMesserPepoAlemanniandMesserCanteCaponsacchi,sothattheythreatenedone
anotherdirely.
Whereforethegovernor,toputanendtothedifference,sentthembothoverthefrontier.
MesserPepohesentinonedirectionandMesserCante,sincehewasagreatfriendofhis,he
senttoMantua.Andherecommendedhimtohisfamily;andMesserCanterewardedhimin
thisway:helaywithhiswife.

89. HereIsToldOfACourtPlayerWhoBeganAStoryThatNever
Ended

AcompanyofknightswerediningonenightinagreathouseofFlorence,andtherewas
withthemacourtbuffoonwhowasafamousstoryteller.
Whentheknightshadsuppedhebeganastorywhichneverended.
Ayouthofthehousewhowaswaitingandwasperhapsimpatient,calledthestoryteller
byname, and said: he who taught you this story didnot teach you allofit. The other
replied:whyisthat?
Andtheyoungmansaid:becausehedidnotteachyoutheend.
Thenthestorytellerwasashamedandstopped.

90. HereIsToldHowTheEmperorFrederickKilledAFalconOfHis

TheemperorFrederickwenthuntingonedaywithhisfalcons,ofwhichhewasfonderthan
ofacity.Hecastitatacrane,andthelatterflewhigh.Thefalconflewtoohigh,muchabove
theotherbird.Hesawbelowhimaneagle.Hedroveittoearthandhelditandkilledit.
Theemperorranup,thinkingitwasacrane,butsoonsawwhatbirditwas.

149 Podest.

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Theninangerhecalledhisexecutioner,andorderedthatthefalconsheadshouldbecut
off,becausehehadkilledhislordandmaster150.

91. HowACertainManConfessedToAFriar

Acertainmanconfessedtoafriar,andtoldhimthatbeingonceattheplunderingofahouse
itwasmyintention151 tofindinacertaindrawerahundredgoldflorins.ButIfoundthe
drawerempty;thereforeIbelievethatIdidnotsin.
Thefriarreplied,certainlyyoudidsinjustthesameasifyouhadfoundtheflorins.The
manshowedhimselfmuchtroubledandsaid:fortheloveofGodgivemeabsolution 152.The
friarreplied:Icannotabsolveyouunlessyoumakerestitution.Andthemananswered,that
Iwilldowithpleasure,butIdonotknowtowhomtomakeit.Thefriaranswered:makeit
tome,andIwilldisposeofitinthenameofGod.Themanpromisedtodothis,andwent
away,andsofamiliar153hadhebecomewiththefriarthathereturnedonthemorrow.
Talkingwiththefriar,hesaidthatsomeonehadsenthimafinesturgeon,andthathe
wouldsendittohimfordinner.Forthisthefriarrenderedhimmanythanks.
Themanwentaway,andsentthefriarnothingatall,buthereturnedtoseehimaday
afterwithacheerfulmien.Thefriarsaid:whyhaveyoukeptmewaiting,andnotsentme
thesturgeon154?Theotherreplied:didyouexpecttohaveit?Yes,certainly,saidthefriar.
Andyouhaventhadit?No.Well,then,itisjustthesameasifyouhadhadit.

92. HereItIsToldOfAGoodWomanWhoHadMadeAFinePie

Therewasawomanwhohadmadeafineeelpie 155,andputitinthecupboard.Shesawa
mouseenterbythewindow,attractedbythegoodsmell.Thewomancalledthecat,andput
itinthecupboardtocatchthemouse.Themousehiditselfamongtheflour,andthecatate
thepie.Whenthewomanopenedthedoorthemousejumpedout.
Andthecat,becauseitwassatisfied,didnotcatchit.

150 The eagle being the king of birds, the Emperor considered the falcon as a kind or regicide, and so ordered
it to be killed.
151 This brusque change into the direct narration is characteristic of the Novellino. I have followed the original
here, and elsewhere, where it has been possible as tending to preserve the quality of the quaint original.
152 consigliatemi, a rather unusual form.
153 The meaning may also be: he was so content.
154 and not sent me the sturgeon is missing in some texts. Biagi gives the version as printed here.
155 crostate also means tart.

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93. HereItIsToldOfACountrymanWhoWentToShriveHimself

Acountrymanwentonedaytoshrivehimself.Andhetookholywater,andsawthepriest
workinginthefields.Hecalledhim,andsaid:Sir,Ishouldliketobeshriven.
Thepriestreplied:didyouconfesslastyear?andherejoined:Yes.Thenputapennyinthe
almsbox,andforthesamefine,IabsolveyouthisyearasIdidlastyear.

94. HereItIsToldOfTheFoxAndTheMule

Thefoxgoingthroughawood,happeneduponamule,andithadneverseenamulebefore.
Thefoxwasgreatlyafraid,andfledandonfleeinghappeneduponawolf.Thefoxsaid
shehaddiscoveredaverystrangebeast 156,anddidnotknowitsname.Thewolfsaid:letus
goandseeit.Andtheycametoit.Tothewolfitappearedverystrange.Thefoxaskeditits
name.Themulereplied;totellthetruthIcannotrememberverywell,butifyoucanread,
youwillfinditwrittenonmybackrighthoof.Thefoxreplied:nevermind,Icannotread,
muchasIshouldliketo.Thewolfthentookup:leaveittome,forIcanreadverywell
indeed.Themulethenshowedhisrighthoof,thecleavingwhereofseemedlikeletters.The
wolfsaid:Icannotseethemverywell.Themuleanswered:comealittlecloserfortheletters
areverysmall.Thewolfcamenearerandlookedclosely.Themulethengavehimakick
whichkilledhim.
Thefoxwentoffsaying:noteveryonewhocanreadiswise157.

95. HereItIsToldOfACountrymanWhoWentToTheTown

ApeasantfromthecountrycametoFlorencetobuyadoublet.Heaskedatashopwherethe
proprietorwas.Hewasnotthere.Butayouthintheshopsaid:Iamthemaster;whatisit
youwant?Iwantadoublet.Theyouthfoundhimone.Tryiton,hesaid.Theyarguedover
theprice.Thecountrymanhadonlyaquarterofthemoney.Theapprentice,pretendingto
helphimwiththedoublet,sewedthemansshirttoit,andthensaid:takeitoff.Andthe
otherremovedit,remainingnaked.
The other apprentices were ready with sticks and they chased and beat the man all
throughthecity.

156 lit. a very new beast.


157 The novella appears elsewhere, as in the Proverbi of Cinto de Fabrizi.

74
96. HereItIsToldOfBitoAndMesserFrulliOfSanGiorgioNear
Florence

BitowasaFlorentineandafinecourtier,anddweltatSanGiorgiobeyondthecity.There
was also a man called Ser Frulli, who had a farm over at San Giorgio which was very
pleasant,sothathelivedtherealmostthewholeyearwithhisfamily,andeverymorninghe
senthisservanttosellfruitandvegetablesatthemarketbythebridge.
Andhewassomiserlyandsuspiciousthathemadeupthebundlesofthevegetables,and
countedthemovertotheservant,andthencountedoverallthatshebroughtback.
HisespecialwarningtoherwasnottoloiterinSanGiorgio,becausetherewerewomen
thievesthere.
Onemorningtheservantpassedwithherbasketfulofcabbages.Bito,whohadthought
thethingoutbeforehand,hadputonhisfinestfurcoat.Andsittingbythebenchoutside,he
calledtheservingmaidwhowentovertohimunthinkingly,andmanywomencalledher
evenbeforethis,butshehadnotwishedtogotothem.
Goodwoman,hesaid:howdoyousellthesecabbages?Twoforadanaio158.Surelythatis
cheap.ButItellyou,saidBito,thereareonlymyselfandmyservantinthehouse,forallmy
familyareinthetown;andtwobunchesaretoomuch.Moreover,Ilikethemfresh.
AtthistimetherewereinuseinFlorencethemedaglie,twoofwhichwereworthadanaio.
Bitosaid:youpassbyeverymorning;givemeabunchnowandgivemea danaio,andtake
thismedaglia,andtomorrowmorningwhenyoureturn,youcangivemetheotherbunch.it
seemedtothewomanthatwhathesaidwasright,andsoshedidasheasked 159.Thenshe
went off to sell the rest of her vegetables at the price which her master had fixed. She
returnedhomeandgaveMesserFrullithemoney.He,countingitoverseveraltimes,found
itadanaioshort.Andhetoldtheservant.Shereplied:itcannotbeso.
Thenthemaster,gettingangryather,askedherifshehadnotdalliedatSanGiorgio.She
soughttodenythefact,buthepliedhersowithquestions,thatsheadmitted:yes,Istopped
forafinegentlemen,whopaidmeproperly.AndImusttellyouthatIhavestilltogivehim
abunchofcabbages160.MesserFrullireplied;soyouarenowadanaioout.
He thought over the matter, and perceived the trick, and spoke very roughly to the
servant,andaskedwherethemanlivedexactly.
Andshetoldhim.
HeperceivedthenitwasBito,whohadalreadyplayedsometricksonhim.

158 A small piece of money. Two medaglie, which was a coin of mixed silver and copper, were worth a
danaio.
159 lit. and so did.
160 The text of this novella is corrupt. There are several slightly different readings.

75
Burningwithrage,hegotupearlynextmorning,andputarustyswordunderhiscoat,
foundBitosittingincompanyofmanyexcellentfolk.Hedrewoutthesword,andwould
havewoundedhisman,ifsomeonehadnotheldhimbythearm.Thepeoplewereamazed,
wonderingwhatwasthematter,andBitowasmightilyafraid.Butthenrememberingwhat
hadhappened,hebegantosmile.
ThefolkwhowerestandingaroundMesserFrulliaskedhimwhatitwasallabout.He
toldthembreathlesslyasbesthecould.Bitoorderedthepeopletostandback(forhesaid),I
wanttocometoanexplanationwithyou.Letushavenomorewordsaboutit.Givemeback
my danaio andkeepyour medaglia.AndkeepthecabbagewithGodscurseonit.Messer
Frullisaid:itpleasesmewellso.Andifyouhadsaidthisbefore,allthiswouldnothave
happened.
Andnotperceivingthetrick,hegavehima danaio andtooka medaglia,andwentaway
content.
Therewasgreatlaughterthereat.

97. HereItIsToldHowAMerchantCarriedWineOverseasInCasks
WithTwoPartitionsAndWhatHappened

Amerchantcarriedwineoverseasincaskswithtwopartitions 161.Atthetopandthebottom
(ofthecasks)therewaswine,andinthemiddlewater,sothathalfofthecaskwaswine,and
halfwater.Therewerespigotsatthetopandthebottom,butnoneinthemiddle.Hesoldthe
waterforwine,anddoubledhisgains,andassoonashewaspaid,hegotaboardashipwith
hismoney.AndbythewillofGodtherewasabigmonkeyaboardtheship,whotookthe
moneyfromthemerchantspocket,andclimbeduptothetopofthemastwithit.
Theman,fearingthatthemonkeymightthrowthepurseintothesea,wentafterit,trying
tocoaxit.Thebeastsatdownandopenedthepursewithhismouth,andtookoutthegold
piecesonebyone.Hethrewfirstoneintotheseaandletanotherfallontothedeck.Andso
heactedthatonehalfofthemoneyremainedontheship,whichwasthejustgainofthe
merchant.

98. HereItIsToldOfAMerchantWhoBoughtCaps

Amerchantwastravellingwithcaps.Theygotwetandhelaidthemouttodry.Many
monkeysappeared,andeachoneputacaponitshead,andranoffupintothetrees.This
seemedagrievousmattertotheman.Hewentbackandboughtstockings(andtherewas
birdlimeinthem)andhegotbackhiscaps(fromthemonkeys)anddidgoodbusiness 162.

161 The cask was divided into three compartments.


162 The text is probably defective, but this seems to be the meaning of this novella.

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99. HereItIsToldAPrettyTaleOfLove

AyoungmanofFlorencelovedagentlevirgincarnally.Shedidnotlovehimatall,but
lovedanotheryouthbeyondmeasure,wholovedhertoo,butnotnearlysomuchasthefirst
one.
Andthiswasevident,fortheotherhadabandonedeverything,andhadwornhimselfout,
andasquitebesidehimself;andespeciallyonthosedayswhenhedidnotseeher.
Afriendofhiswassorryforhim.Aftermuchpersuasionhetookhimawaytoamost
pleasantplace;andtheretheystayedquietlyforafortnight.
Inthemeantime,thegirlquarrelledwithhermother.Shesenthermaidservant,andlet
hertellhimwhomshelovedthatshedesiredtoelopewithhim.Hewasexceedinglyglad.
Themaidsaid:shedesiresyoutocomeonhorsebackwhenitisfullynight;shewillpretend
togodowntothecellars.Youwillbereadyatthedoor,andshewillleapontothehorse
behindyou;sheislight,andcanridewell.Hereplied:Iamwellagreed.
Whentheyhadthusarrangedmatters,hepreparedeverythingataplaceofhis.Andthere
werehisfriendswithhim,onhorseback,andheletthemwaitatthegate 163,lestitbeclosed.
Andhewentonafinehorse,andpassedbeforeherhouse.Shehadnotbeenabletocome
yetbecausehermotherwatchedhertoocarefully.Hewentawaytorejoinhisfriends.But
thatotherwasallwornoutinthecountry,andcouldnolongercontainhimself.Hehad
mountedhishorse.andhiscompanionwasunabletopersuadehimtoremain,andhedid
notwanthiscompany.
Thateveninghearrivedatthewall.Allthegateswereclosed,buthewentaroundthe
townuntilhechanceduponthatgatewheretheywere.Heentered;hewenttowardsher
dwelling,notwiththehopeoffindingorofseeingher,butonlytoseetheplace.Ashe
stoppedoppositehouse,theotherhadbutshortlybeforegoneaway.Thegirlunlockedthe
gate,andcalledhiminanundertone,andtoldhimtodrawhishorsenearer.Thishewasnot
slowindoing;heapproached,andsheleapedonthehorsesback,andawaytheywent.
Whentheyreachedthegate,theotheryouthscompanionsdidnotmolestthem,forthey
didnotknowthem.Seeingthatifithadbeenheforwhomtheywerewaiting,thewould
have stayed with them. They rode for wellnigh ten leagues, till they arrived at a fair
meadowsurroundedwithverytallfirtrees.Heretheyalighted,andboundtheirhorsetoa
tree;andhebegantokissher.Thensherecognisedhim.Shebecameawareofhermishap,
andcommencedtoweepbitterly.Buthetooktocomfortingher,sheddingtears,andshowed
her such respect, that she ceased to weep, and began to grow fond of him, seeing that
fortunetoowasonhisside.
Andsheembracedhim.
Thatotheryouthrodetoandfroseveraltimes,tillheheardherfathermakinganoisein
theprivy,andlearnedfromtheservantthemannerofherescape.
Hewasaghast.

163 Of the town. Even in modern Italy the gates of many small towns are closed at night.

77
Hereturnedtohiscompanions,andtoldthem.Theyreplied;Indeed,wedidseehimpass
withher,butwedidnotknowhim;anditissolongsince,thathemayhavegoneveryfar,
andbeoffonsuchandsucharoad.Theyforthwithsetofftopursuethem.Theyrodeuntil
theyfoundthemsleepingwraptinoneanothersarms;andtheygazedupontheminthe
lightofthemoonwhichhadrisen.Thentheywereloathtodisturbthem,andsaid:Letus
waitheretilltheywake,andthenwewilldowhatwehavetodo:andsotheywaiteduntil
drowsinesscameuponthem,andtheyallfellasleep.Theothertwomeanwhileawoke,and
foundthemselvesinthissituation.
Theymarvelled.Andtheyouthsaid:Thesemenhaveshownussuchcourtesy,thatGod
forbidweshoulddothemanyhurt.Sohemountedhishorse,andshejumpedontoanother,
amongthebestthatwerethere,andtheyrodeoff.
Theothersawoke,andraisedagreatlamentation,becausetheycouldnotcontinueto
searchforthem.

100. HowTheEmperorFrederickWentToTheOldManOfThe
Mountain

TheEmperorFrederickoncewenttotheVeglio,orOldManoftheMountain,andgreat
honourwasdonehim164.
TheOldMan,inordertoshowhimhowhewasfeared,lookedupandsawonatower
twoofhisbandwhowerecalledassassins 165.Andthenhetookholdofhisgreatbeard,and
thetwomencastthemselvesdowntoearthanddiedimmediately 166.

164 The Veglio, or Old Man of the Mountain, spoken of in medival legends, was an Arabian prince, who
lived between Antioch and Damascus, in an inaccessible mountain fastness. He was a tyrant, and had an
army of faithful followers. He was probably little more than a superior kind of brigand.
165 Those who followed the Veglio were called assassins.
166 Touching his beard was the sign which the Old Man gave to his followers to kill. See Marco Polo.

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