The Decameron, vol. 2 | Page 4

for
which prank Ciacco is cunningly avenged on Biondello, causing him to
be shamefully beaten.
NOVEL IX. - Two young men ask counsel of Solomon; the one, how
he is to make himself beloved, the other, how he is to reduce an unruly
wife to order. The King bids the one to love, and the other to go to the
Bridge of Geese.
NOVEL X. - Dom Gianni at the instance of his gossip Pietro uses an
enchantment to transform Pietro's wife into a mare; but, when he comes
to attach the tail, Gossip Pietro, by saying that he will have none of the
tail, makes the enchantment of no effect.
- TENTH DAY -
NOVEL I. - A knight in the service of the King of Spain deems himself
ill requited. Wherefore the King, by most cogent proof, shews him that
the blame rests not with him, but with the knight's own evil fortune;
after which, he bestows upon him a noble gift.
NOVEL II. - Ghino di Tacco, captures the Abbot of Cluny, cures him
of a disorder of the stomach, and releases him. The abbot, on his return
to the court of Rome, reconciles Ghino with Pope Boniface, and makes

him prior of the Hospital.
NOVEL III. - Mitridanes, holding Nathan in despite by reason of his
courtesy, journey with intent to kill him, and falling in with him
unawares, is advised by him how to compass his end. Following his
advice, he finds him in a copse, and recognizing him, is shame-stricken,
and becomes his friend.
NOVEL IV. - Messer Gentile de' Carisendi, being come from Modena,
disinters a lady that he loves, who has been buried for dead. She, being
reanimated, gives birth to a male child; and Messer Gentile restores her,
with her son, to Niccoluccio Caccianimico, her husband.
NOVEL V. - Madonna Dianora craves of Messer Ansaldo a garden that
shall be as fair in January as in May. Messer Ansaldo binds himself to a
necromancer, and thereby gives her the garden. Her husband gives her
leave to do Messer Ansaldo's pleasure: he, being apprised of her
husband's liberality, releases her from her promise; and the
necromancer releases Messer Ansaldo from his bond, and will tale
nought of his.
NOVEL VI. - King Charles the Old, being conqueror, falls in love with
a young maiden, and afterward growing ashamed of his folly bestows
her and her sister honourably in marriage.
NOVEL VII. - King Pedro, being apprised of the fervent love borne
him by Lisa, who thereof is sick, comforts her, and forthwith gives her
in marriage to a young gentleman, and having kissed her on the brow,
ever after professes himself her knight.
NOVEL VIII. - Sophronia, albeit she deems herself wife to Gisippus, is
wife to Titus Quintius Fulvus, and goes with him to Rome, where
Gisippus arrives in indigence, and deeming himself scorned by Titus, to
compass his own death, avers that he has slain a man. Titus recognizes
him, and to save his life, alleges that 'twas he that slew the man:
whereof he that did the deed being witness, he discovers himself as the
murderer. Whereby it comes to pass that they are all three liberated by
Octavianus; and Titus gives Gisippus his sister to wife, and shares with
him all his substance.
NOVEL IX. - Saladin, in guise of a merchant, is honourably entreated
by Messer Torello. The Crusade ensuing, Messer Torello appoints a
date, after which his wife may marry again: he is taken prisoner, and by
training hawks comes under the Soldan's notice. The Soldan recognizes

him, makes himself known to him, and entreats him with all honour.
Messer Torello falls sick, and by magic arts is transported in a single
night to Pavia, where his wife's second marriage is then to be
solemnized, and being present thereat, is recognized by her, and returns
with her to his house.
NOVEL X. - The Marquis of Saluzzo, overborne by the entreaties of
his vassals, consents to take a wife, but, being minded to please himself
in the choice of her, takes a husbandman's daughter. He has two
children by her, both of whom he makes her believe that he has put to
death. Afterward, feigning to be tired of her, and to have taken another
wife, he turns her out of doors in her shift, and brings his daughter into
the house in guise of his bride; but, finding her patient under it all, he
brings her home again, and shews her her children, now grown up, and
honours her, and causes her to be honoured, as Marchioness.
ILLUSTRATIONS TO THE DECAMERON
VOLUME II
Pietro and Agnolella (fifth day, third story)
Gianni and Restituta (fifth day, sixth story)
Calandrino singing (ninth day, fifth story)
Titus, Gisippus, and Sophronia