[355]This sudden change from the third to the second person, in speaking of Nicostratus, is a characteristic example of Boccaccio's constant abuse of the figure enallage in his dialogues.
[355]This sudden change from the third to the second person, in speaking of Nicostratus, is a characteristic example of Boccaccio's constant abuse of the figure enallage in his dialogues.
[356]i.e.those eyes.
[356]i.e.those eyes.
[357]i.e.the Siennese.
[357]i.e.the Siennese.
[358]i.e.from discovering to his friend his liking for the lady.
[358]i.e.from discovering to his friend his liking for the lady.
[359]Or, in modern parlance, logic-chopping (sillogizzando).
[359]Or, in modern parlance, logic-chopping (sillogizzando).
[360]i.e.with that whereof you bear the name,i.e.laurel (laurea).
[360]i.e.with that whereof you bear the name,i.e.laurel (laurea).
[361]Or "on this subject" (in questo).
[361]Or "on this subject" (in questo).
[362]Quære, "half-complines,"i.e.half-past seven p.m. "Half-vespers" would be half-past four, which seems too early.
[362]Quære, "half-complines,"i.e.half-past seven p.m. "Half-vespers" would be half-past four, which seems too early.
[363]Carolando,i.e.dancing in a round and singing the while, the original meaning of our word "carol."
[363]Carolando,i.e.dancing in a round and singing the while, the original meaning of our word "carol."
[364]i.e.half-past seven a.m.
[364]i.e.half-past seven a.m.
[365]Where the papal court then was. See p.257, note.
[365]Where the papal court then was. See p.257, note.
[366]Or, as La Fontaine would say, "aussi bien faite pour armer un lit."
[366]Or, as La Fontaine would say, "aussi bien faite pour armer un lit."
[367]Or apron.
[367]Or apron.
[368]Se n'andò col ceteratojo; a proverbial expression of similar meaning to our "was whistled down the wind,"i.e.was lightly dismissed without provision, like a cast-off hawk.
[368]Se n'andò col ceteratojo; a proverbial expression of similar meaning to our "was whistled down the wind,"i.e.was lightly dismissed without provision, like a cast-off hawk.
[369]A play of words upon the Italian equivalent of the French word Douay (Duagio, i.e. Twoay,Treagio, Quattragio) invented by the roguish priest to impose upon the simple goodwife.
[369]A play of words upon the Italian equivalent of the French word Douay (Duagio, i.e. Twoay,Treagio, Quattragio) invented by the roguish priest to impose upon the simple goodwife.
[370]Or in modern parlance, "making her a connection by marriage of etc.," Boccaccio feigning priests to be members of the Holy Family, by virtue of their office.
[370]Or in modern parlance, "making her a connection by marriage of etc.," Boccaccio feigning priests to be members of the Holy Family, by virtue of their office.
[371]i.e.Good cheer.
[371]i.e.Good cheer.
[372]A play upon the double meaning ofa denajo, which signifies also "for money."
[372]A play upon the double meaning ofa denajo, which signifies also "for money."
[373]A kind of rissole made of eggs, sweet herbs and cheese.
[373]A kind of rissole made of eggs, sweet herbs and cheese.
[374]Vernaccia, a kind of rich white wine like Malmsey.
[374]Vernaccia, a kind of rich white wine like Malmsey.
[375]i.e.not strait-cut.
[375]i.e.not strait-cut.
[376]Sforzandosi,i.e.recovering his wind with an effort.
[376]Sforzandosi,i.e.recovering his wind with an effort.
[377]i.e.love him, grant him her favours. See ante, passim.
[377]i.e.love him, grant him her favours. See ante, passim.
[378]i.e.in the malaria district.
[378]i.e.in the malaria district.
[379]i.e.great ugly Ciuta.
[379]i.e.great ugly Ciuta.
[380]Quarantanove, a proverbial expression for an indefinite number.
[380]Quarantanove, a proverbial expression for an indefinite number.
[381]i.e.how they might do this.
[381]i.e.how they might do this.
[382]i.e.in the old sense of "manager" (massajo).
[382]i.e.in the old sense of "manager" (massajo).
[383]i.e.white wine, see p.372, note.
[383]i.e.white wine, see p.372, note.
[384]i.e.embarked on a bootless quest.
[384]i.e.embarked on a bootless quest.
[385]A proverbial way of saying that he bore malice and was vindictive.
[385]A proverbial way of saying that he bore malice and was vindictive.
[386]Lit. out of hand (fuor di mano).
[386]Lit. out of hand (fuor di mano).
[387]Boccaccio here misquotes himself. See p.389, where the lady says to her lover, "Whether seemeth to thee the greater, his wit or the love I bear him?" This is only one of the numberless instances of negligence and inconsistency which occur in the Decameron and which make it evident to the student that it must have passed into the hands of the public without the final revision and correction by the author, thatlimæ laborwithout which no book is complete and which is especially necessary in the case of such a work as the present, where Boccaccio figures as the virtual creator of Italian prose.
[387]Boccaccio here misquotes himself. See p.389, where the lady says to her lover, "Whether seemeth to thee the greater, his wit or the love I bear him?" This is only one of the numberless instances of negligence and inconsistency which occur in the Decameron and which make it evident to the student that it must have passed into the hands of the public without the final revision and correction by the author, thatlimæ laborwithout which no book is complete and which is especially necessary in the case of such a work as the present, where Boccaccio figures as the virtual creator of Italian prose.
[388]Lit. face, aspect (viso).
[388]Lit. face, aspect (viso).
[389]i.e.thy lover's.
[389]i.e.thy lover's.
[390]V'è donato,i.e.young lovers look to receive gifts of their mistresses, whilst those of more mature age bestow them.
[390]V'è donato,i.e.young lovers look to receive gifts of their mistresses, whilst those of more mature age bestow them.
[391]Lit. red as rabies (rabbia). Some commentators suppose that Boccaccio meant to writerobbia, madder.
[391]Lit. red as rabies (rabbia). Some commentators suppose that Boccaccio meant to writerobbia, madder.
[392]i.e.resource (consiglio). See ante, passim.
[392]i.e.resource (consiglio). See ante, passim.
[393]Boccaccio appears to have forgotten to mention that Rinieri had broken the rounds of the ladder, when he withdrew it (as stated, p.394), apparently to place an additional obstacle in the way of the lady's escape.
[393]Boccaccio appears to have forgotten to mention that Rinieri had broken the rounds of the ladder, when he withdrew it (as stated, p.394), apparently to place an additional obstacle in the way of the lady's escape.
[394]Quære, the street of that name?
[394]Quære, the street of that name?
[395]Danza trivigiana, lit. Trevisan dance, O.E. the shaking of the sheets.
[395]Danza trivigiana, lit. Trevisan dance, O.E. the shaking of the sheets.
[396]i.e.with the doctor's hood of miniver.
[396]i.e.with the doctor's hood of miniver.
[397]The colour of the doctors' robes of that time.
[397]The colour of the doctors' robes of that time.
[398]The commentators note here that on the church door of San Gallo was depicted an especially frightful Lucifer, with many mouths.
[398]The commentators note here that on the church door of San Gallo was depicted an especially frightful Lucifer, with many mouths.
[399]Legnaja is said to be famous for big pumpkins.
[399]Legnaja is said to be famous for big pumpkins.
[400]i.e.they think of and cherish us alone, holding us as dear as their very eyes.
[400]i.e.they think of and cherish us alone, holding us as dear as their very eyes.
[401]i.e.Fat-hog and Get-thee-to-supper, burlesque perversions of the names Ipocrasso (Hippocrates) and Avicenna.
[401]i.e.Fat-hog and Get-thee-to-supper, burlesque perversions of the names Ipocrasso (Hippocrates) and Avicenna.
[402]i.e.love her beyond anything in the world. For former instances of this idiomatic expression, see ante, passim.
[402]i.e.love her beyond anything in the world. For former instances of this idiomatic expression, see ante, passim.
[403]Syn. cauterized (calterita), a nonsensical word employed by Bruno for the purpose of mystifying the credulous physician.
[403]Syn. cauterized (calterita), a nonsensical word employed by Bruno for the purpose of mystifying the credulous physician.
[404]Syn. secretary, confidant (segretaro).
[404]Syn. secretary, confidant (segretaro).
[405]A play of words uponmela(apple) andmellone(pumpkin).Melloneis strictly a water-melon; but I have rendered it "pumpkin," to preserve the English idiom, "pumpkinhead" being our equivalent for the Italian "melon," used in the sense of dullard, noodle.
[405]A play of words uponmela(apple) andmellone(pumpkin).Melloneis strictly a water-melon; but I have rendered it "pumpkin," to preserve the English idiom, "pumpkinhead" being our equivalent for the Italian "melon," used in the sense of dullard, noodle.
[406]According to the commentators, "baptized on a Sunday" anciently signified a simpleton, because salt (which is constantly used by the Italian classical writers as a synonym for wit or sense) was not sold on Sundays.
[406]According to the commentators, "baptized on a Sunday" anciently signified a simpleton, because salt (which is constantly used by the Italian classical writers as a synonym for wit or sense) was not sold on Sundays.
[407]Syn. confusedly (frastagliatamente).
[407]Syn. confusedly (frastagliatamente).
[408]La Contessa di Civillari,i.e.the public sewers. Civillari, according to the commentators, was the name of an alley in Florence, where all the ordure and filth of the neighbourhood was deposited and stored in trenches for manure.
[408]La Contessa di Civillari,i.e.the public sewers. Civillari, according to the commentators, was the name of an alley in Florence, where all the ordure and filth of the neighbourhood was deposited and stored in trenches for manure.
[409]Nacchere, syn. a loud crack of wind.
[409]Nacchere, syn. a loud crack of wind.
[410]Syn. smelt (sentito).
[410]Syn. smelt (sentito).
[411]Laterina,i.e.Latrina.
[411]Laterina,i.e.Latrina.
[412]Lit. Broom-handle (Manico della Scopa).
[412]Lit. Broom-handle (Manico della Scopa).
[413]Lit. "doyourselfa mischief, without doingusany good"; but the sequel shows that the contrary is meant, as in the text.
[413]Lit. "doyourselfa mischief, without doingusany good"; but the sequel shows that the contrary is meant, as in the text.
[414]i.e.what he is worth.
[414]i.e.what he is worth.
[415]Bucherame.The word "buckram" was anciently applied to the finest linen cloth, as is apparently the case here; see Ducange,voceBoquerannus, and Florio,voceBucherame.
[415]Bucherame.The word "buckram" was anciently applied to the finest linen cloth, as is apparently the case here; see Ducange,voceBoquerannus, and Florio,voceBucherame.
[416]i.e.in needlework.
[416]i.e.in needlework.
[417]"It was the custom in those days to attach to the bedposts sundry small instruments in the form of birds, which, by means of certain mechanical devices, gave forth sounds modulated like the song of actual birds."—Fanfani.
[417]"It was the custom in those days to attach to the bedposts sundry small instruments in the form of birds, which, by means of certain mechanical devices, gave forth sounds modulated like the song of actual birds."—Fanfani.
[418]Syn. that which belongeth to us (ciò che ci è,)ci, as I have before noted, signifying both "here" and "us," dative and accusative.
[418]Syn. that which belongeth to us (ciò che ci è,)ci, as I have before noted, signifying both "here" and "us," dative and accusative.
[419]i.e.procure bills of exchange for.
[419]i.e.procure bills of exchange for.
[420]i.e.we must see what is to be done.
[420]i.e.we must see what is to be done.
[421]i.e.having executed and exchanged the necessary legal documents for the proper carrying out of the transaction and completed the matter to their mutual satisfaction.
[421]i.e.having executed and exchanged the necessary legal documents for the proper carrying out of the transaction and completed the matter to their mutual satisfaction.
[422]The song sung by Pamfilo (under which name, as I have before pointed out, the author appears to represent himself) apparently alludes to Boccaccio's amours with the Princess Maria of Naples (Fiammetta), by whom his passion was returned in kind.
[422]The song sung by Pamfilo (under which name, as I have before pointed out, the author appears to represent himself) apparently alludes to Boccaccio's amours with the Princess Maria of Naples (Fiammetta), by whom his passion was returned in kind.
[423]According to the Ptolemaic system, the earth is encompassed by eight celestial zones or heavens; the first or highest, above which is the empyrean, (otherwise called the ninth heaven,) is that of the Moon, the second that of Mercury, the third that of Venus, the fourth that of the Sun, the fifth that of Mars, the sixth that of Jupiter, the seventh that of Saturn and the eighth or lowest that of the fixed stars and of the Earth.
[423]According to the Ptolemaic system, the earth is encompassed by eight celestial zones or heavens; the first or highest, above which is the empyrean, (otherwise called the ninth heaven,) is that of the Moon, the second that of Mercury, the third that of Venus, the fourth that of the Sun, the fifth that of Mars, the sixth that of Jupiter, the seventh that of Saturn and the eighth or lowest that of the fixed stars and of the Earth.
[424]D'azzurrino in color cilestro.This is one of the many passages in which Boccaccio has imitated Dante (cf.Purgatorio, c. xxvi. II. 4-6, "... il sole.... Che già, raggiando, tutto l'occidente Mutava in bianco aspetto di cilestro,") and also one of the innumerable instances in which former translators (who all agree in making the advent of the light change the colour of the sky from azure to a darker colour, instead of, as Boccaccio intended, to watchet,i.e.a paler or greyish blue,) have misrendered the text, for sheer ignorance of the author's meaning.
[424]D'azzurrino in color cilestro.This is one of the many passages in which Boccaccio has imitated Dante (cf.Purgatorio, c. xxvi. II. 4-6, "... il sole.... Che già, raggiando, tutto l'occidente Mutava in bianco aspetto di cilestro,") and also one of the innumerable instances in which former translators (who all agree in making the advent of the light change the colour of the sky from azure to a darker colour, instead of, as Boccaccio intended, to watchet,i.e.a paler or greyish blue,) have misrendered the text, for sheer ignorance of the author's meaning.
[425]Scannadiosignifies "Murder-God" and was no doubt a nickname bestowed upon the dead man, on account of his wicked and reprobate way of life.
[425]Scannadiosignifies "Murder-God" and was no doubt a nickname bestowed upon the dead man, on account of his wicked and reprobate way of life.
[426]i.e.balls for a pellet bow, usually made out of clay. Bruno and Buffalmacco were punning upon the double meaning, land and earth (or clay), of the wordterra.
[426]i.e.balls for a pellet bow, usually made out of clay. Bruno and Buffalmacco were punning upon the double meaning, land and earth (or clay), of the wordterra.
[427]Scimmione(lit. ape), a contemptuous distortion ofSimone.
[427]Scimmione(lit. ape), a contemptuous distortion ofSimone.
[428]Chiarea.According to the commentators, the composition of this drink is unknown, but that of clary, a sort of hippocras or spiced wineclear-strained(whence the name), offers no difficulty to the student of old English literature.
[428]Chiarea.According to the commentators, the composition of this drink is unknown, but that of clary, a sort of hippocras or spiced wineclear-strained(whence the name), offers no difficulty to the student of old English literature.
[429]i.e.the doublet.
[429]i.e.the doublet.
[430]i.e.do me a double injury.
[430]i.e.do me a double injury.
[431]Syn. goodly design of foresight (buono avviso).
[431]Syn. goodly design of foresight (buono avviso).
[432]Giovani di tromba marina.The sense seems as above; the commentators say thatgiovani di tromba marinais a name given to those youths who go trumpeting about everywhere the favours accorded them by women; but thetromba marinais astringed(not a wind)instrument, a sort of primitive violoncello with one string.
[432]Giovani di tromba marina.The sense seems as above; the commentators say thatgiovani di tromba marinais a name given to those youths who go trumpeting about everywhere the favours accorded them by women; but thetromba marinais astringed(not a wind)instrument, a sort of primitive violoncello with one string.
[433]"Your teeth did dance like virginal jacks."—Ben Jonson.
[433]"Your teeth did dance like virginal jacks."—Ben Jonson.
[434]Adagiarono,i.e.unsaddled and stabled and fed them.
[434]Adagiarono,i.e.unsaddled and stabled and fed them.
[435]i.e.hog.
[435]i.e.hog.
[436]Lit. a backbiter (morditore).
[436]Lit. a backbiter (morditore).
[437]i.e.conjured him by God to make peace with him.
[437]i.e.conjured him by God to make peace with him.
[438]i.e.from a serious or moral point of view.
[438]i.e.from a serious or moral point of view.
[439]Apparently Laodicea (hod.Eskihissar) in Anatolia, from which a traveller, taking the direct land route, would necessarily pass Antioch (hod.Antakhia) on his way to Jerusalem.
[439]Apparently Laodicea (hod.Eskihissar) in Anatolia, from which a traveller, taking the direct land route, would necessarily pass Antioch (hod.Antakhia) on his way to Jerusalem.
[440]i.e.arrectus est penis ejus.
[440]i.e.arrectus est penis ejus.
[441]See p.372, note.
[441]See p.372, note.
[442]i.e.fortune.
[442]i.e.fortune.
[443]Cattajo.This word is usually translated Cathay,i.e.China; butsembleBoccaccio meant rather the Dalmatian province of Cattaro, which would better answer the description in the text, Nathan's estate being described as adjoining a highway leading from the Ponant (or Western shores of the Mediterranean) to the Levant (or Eastern shores),e.g.the road from Cattaro on the Adriatic to Salonica on the Ægean. Cathay (China) seems, from the circumstances of the case, out of the question, as is also the Italian town called Cattaio, near Padua.
[443]Cattajo.This word is usually translated Cathay,i.e.China; butsembleBoccaccio meant rather the Dalmatian province of Cattaro, which would better answer the description in the text, Nathan's estate being described as adjoining a highway leading from the Ponant (or Western shores of the Mediterranean) to the Levant (or Eastern shores),e.g.the road from Cattaro on the Adriatic to Salonica on the Ægean. Cathay (China) seems, from the circumstances of the case, out of the question, as is also the Italian town called Cattaio, near Padua.
[444]i.e.to show the most extravagant hospitality.
[444]i.e.to show the most extravagant hospitality.
[445]Or as we should say, "After much beating about the bush."
[445]Or as we should say, "After much beating about the bush."
[446]i.e.jealousies.
[446]i.e.jealousies.
[447]i.e.all sections of the given theme.
[447]i.e.all sections of the given theme.
[448]Lit. accident (accidente).
[448]Lit. accident (accidente).
[449]i.e.with news of her life.
[449]i.e.with news of her life.
[450]Dubbio,i.e.a doubtful case or question.
[450]Dubbio,i.e.a doubtful case or question.
[451]i.e.who would have recognized her as Madam Catalina.
[451]i.e.who would have recognized her as Madam Catalina.
[452]Compassione,i.e.emotion.
[452]Compassione,i.e.emotion.
[453]Lit. I leave you freeofNiccoluccio (libera vi lascio di Niccoluccio).
[453]Lit. I leave you freeofNiccoluccio (libera vi lascio di Niccoluccio).
[454]i.e.Ansaldo, Dianora and the nigromancer.
[454]i.e.Ansaldo, Dianora and the nigromancer.
[455]i.e.the money promised him by way of recompense.
[455]i.e.the money promised him by way of recompense.
[456]i.e., nicety, minuteness (strettezza).
[456]i.e., nicety, minuteness (strettezza).
[457]A town on the Bay of Naples, near the ruins of Pompeii.
[457]A town on the Bay of Naples, near the ruins of Pompeii.
[458]Per amore amiate(Fr.aimiez par amour).
[458]Per amore amiate(Fr.aimiez par amour).
[459]In si forte punto, or, in modern parlance, at so critical or ill-starred a moment.
[459]In si forte punto, or, in modern parlance, at so critical or ill-starred a moment.
[460]Sollevata, syn. solaced, relieved or (3) agitated, troubled.
[460]Sollevata, syn. solaced, relieved or (3) agitated, troubled.
[461]Sic,Publio Quinzio Fulvo; butquæreshould it not rather bePublio Quinto Fulvio,i.e.Publius Quintus Fulvius, a form of the name which seems more in accordance with the genius of the Latin language?
[461]Sic,Publio Quinzio Fulvo; butquæreshould it not rather bePublio Quinto Fulvio,i.e.Publius Quintus Fulvius, a form of the name which seems more in accordance with the genius of the Latin language?
[462]Or "his" (a sè).
[462]Or "his" (a sè).
[463]Or "thine" (a te).
[463]Or "thine" (a te).
[464]Lit. "hope" (sperare). See note, p.5.
[464]Lit. "hope" (sperare). See note, p.5.
[465]i.e.I would have her in common with thee.
[465]i.e.I would have her in common with thee.
[466]Or "arguments" (consigli).
[466]Or "arguments" (consigli).
[467]i.e.of your counsel.
[467]i.e.of your counsel.
[468]i.e.my riches are not the result of covetous amassing, but of the favours of fortune.
[468]i.e.my riches are not the result of covetous amassing, but of the favours of fortune.
[469]Sic (tiepidezza); butsemble"timidity" or "distrustfulness" is meant.
[469]Sic (tiepidezza); butsemble"timidity" or "distrustfulness" is meant.
[470]i.e.perils.
[470]i.e.perils.
[471]i.e.to cross the Alps into France.
[471]i.e.to cross the Alps into France.
[472]Adagiarono; see p.447, note.
[472]Adagiarono; see p.447, note.
[473]i.e.to place themselves according to their several ranks, which were unknown to Torello.
[473]i.e.to place themselves according to their several ranks, which were unknown to Torello.
[474]Sic (la vostra credenza raffermeremo); but the meaning is, "whereby we may amend your unbelief and give you cause to credit our assertion that we are merchants."
[474]Sic (la vostra credenza raffermeremo); but the meaning is, "whereby we may amend your unbelief and give you cause to credit our assertion that we are merchants."
[475]i.e.should any rumour get wind of death.
[475]i.e.should any rumour get wind of death.
[476]Sic (all' altro esercito). The meaning of this does not appear, as no mention has yet been made of two Christian armies. Perhaps we should translate "the rest of the army,"i.e.such part of the remnant of the Christian host as fled to Acre and shut themselves up there after the disastrous day of Hittin (23 June, 1187). Acre fell on the 29th July, 1187.
[476]Sic (all' altro esercito). The meaning of this does not appear, as no mention has yet been made of two Christian armies. Perhaps we should translate "the rest of the army,"i.e.such part of the remnant of the Christian host as fled to Acre and shut themselves up there after the disastrous day of Hittin (23 June, 1187). Acre fell on the 29th July, 1187.
[477]It may be well to remind the European reader that the turban consists of two parts,i.e.a skull-cap and a linen cloth, which is wound round it in various folds and shapes, to form the well-known Eastern head-dress.
[477]It may be well to remind the European reader that the turban consists of two parts,i.e.a skull-cap and a linen cloth, which is wound round it in various folds and shapes, to form the well-known Eastern head-dress.
[478]i.e.he who was to have married Madam Adalieta.
[478]i.e.he who was to have married Madam Adalieta.
[479]See p.325.
[479]See p.325.
[480]Or "strange" (nuovo); see ante, passim.
[480]Or "strange" (nuovo); see ante, passim.
[481]i.e.his vassals.
[481]i.e.his vassals.
[482]i.e.the husband of his kinswoman aforesaid.
[482]i.e.the husband of his kinswoman aforesaid.
[483]i.e.unwetted with tears.
[483]i.e.unwetted with tears.
[484]i.e.of overmuch licence.
[484]i.e.of overmuch licence.
[485]Two noted wine-bidders of the time.
[485]Two noted wine-bidders of the time.
[486]Lit. living folk (viventi).
[486]Lit. living folk (viventi).