assainment

Updated: May 15, 2025

The medicine that will cure him I know very well how to make, provided you have the heart to keep secret that which I shall tell you. 'Father mine, answered the lady, 'have no fear of that, for I would liefer suffer death than tell any that which you bid me not repeat; but how may this be done? Quoth the abbot, 'An we would have him cured, it behoveth of necessity that he go to purgatory. 'But how, asked she, 'can he go thither alive? 'Needs must he die, replied the abbot, 'and so go thither; and whenas he shall have suffered such penance as shall suffice to purge him of his jealousy, we will pray God, with certain orisons that he restore him to this life, and He will do it. 'Then, said the lady, 'I am to become a widow? 'Ay, answered the abbot, 'for a certain time, wherein you must look well you suffer not yourself to be married again, for that God would take it in ill part, and whenas Ferondo returned hither, it would behove you return to him and he would then be more jealous than ever. Quoth she, 'Provided he be but cured of this calamity, so it may not behove me abide in prison all my life, I am content; do as it pleaseth you. 'And I will do it, rejoined he; 'but what guerdon am I to have of you for such a service? 'Father, answered the lady, 'you shall have whatsoever pleaseth you, so but it be in my power; but what can the like of me that may befit such a man as yourself? 'Madam, replied the abbot 'you can do no less for me than that which I undertake to do for you; for that, like as I am disposed to do that which is to be your weal and your solacement, even so can you do that which will be the saving and assainment of my life. Quoth she, 'An it be so, I am ready. 'Then, said the abbot, 'you must give me your love and vouchsafe me satisfaction of yourself, for whom I am all afire with love and languishment.

Giovanni Boccaccio - The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio