The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio Page 14

  _Day the Second_

  HERE BEGINNETH THE SECOND DAY OF THE DECAMERON WHEREIN UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF FILOMENA IS DISCOURSED OF THOSE WHO AFTER BEING BAFFLED BY DIVERS CHANCES HAVE WON AT LAST TO A JOYFUL ISSUE BEYOND THEIR HOPE

  The sun had already everywhere brought on the new day with its lightand the birds, carolling blithely among the green branches, borewitness thereof unto the ear with their merry songs, when the ladiesand the three young men, arising all, entered the gardens and pressingthe dewy grass with slow step, went wandering hither and thither,weaving goodly garlands and disporting themselves, a great while. Andlike as they had done the day foregone, even so did they at present;to wit, having eaten in the cool and danced awhile, they betook themto repose and arising thence after none, came all, by command of theirqueen, into the fresh meadows, where they seated themselves roundabout her. Then she, who was fair of favour and exceeding pleasant ofaspect, having sat awhile, crowned with her laurel wreath, and lookedall her company in the face, bade Neifile give beginning to the day'sstories by telling one of her fashion; whereupon the latter, withoutmaking any excuse, blithely began to speak thus: