by herself abashed and confused, said to her, “Griselda, will you take me for your husband?” To which Griselda replied, “Yes, my lord;” and he said, “I desire her for my wife, and in the presence of the assembly to marry her;” and mounting her on a palfrey he led her, honorably accompanied, to his house.  There the marriage ceremonies were fine and great, and the festivities were not less than if he had married the daughter of the king of France.

THE DECAMERON.

This is a collection of 100 tales written by Boccaccio, and published in 1353.  Seven ladies and three gentlemen of Florence, during the plague of 1348, are supposed to be enjoying themselves in a garden telling stories—­ten each day for ten days.

Photogravure from a Painting by Jacques Wagrez.

[Illustration]

It seemed as if the young bride, in changing her vestments, changed her mind and her manners.  She was, as we have said, in figure and face beautiful; and as she was beautiful she became so attractive, so delightful, and so accomplished, that she did not seem to be the daughter of Giannucoli the keeper of sheep, but of some noble lord, which made every man who had known her astonished; and besides this, she was so obedient to her husband and so ready in service that he was most contented and delighted; and similarly, toward the subjects of her husband she was so gracious and so kind that there was no one who did not love her more than himself; and gentlemen honored her with the best good-will, and all prayed for her welfare and her health and advancement.  Whereupon they who had been accustomed to say that Walter had done a foolish thing in marrying her, now said that he was the wisest and the most far-seeing man in the world, because no other than he would have been able to see her great virtue hidden under the poor rags of a peasant’s costume.  In a short time, not only in his own dominions but everywhere, she knew so well how to comport herself that she made the people talk of his worth and of his good conduct, and to turn to the contrary anything that was said against her husband on account of his having married her.

She had not long dwelt with Walter when she bore a daughter, for which Walter made great festivities; but a little afterwards, a new idea coming into his mind, he wished with long experience and with intolerable proofs to try her patience.  First he began to annoy her with words, pretending to be disturbed, and saying that his men were very discontented with her low condition, and especially when they saw that she had children; and of the daughter, that she was born most unfortunately; and he did nothing but grumble.  But the lady, hearing these words, without changing countenance or her demeanor in any way, said, “My lord, do with me what you think your honor and your comfort demand, and I shall be satisfied with everything, as I know that I am less than they, and that I was not worthy of this honor to which you in your courtesy called me.”  This reply pleased Walter much, knowing that she was not in any arrogance raised on account of the honor which he or others had done her.