[049]
Now no sooner had Gualtieri dismissed Griselda, than he gave his
vassals to understand that he had taken to wife a daughter of one of
the Counts of Panago. He accordingly made great preparations as
for the nuptials, during which he sent for Griselda. To whom,
being come, quoth he:
[050]
"I am bringing hither my new bride, and
in this her first home-coming I purpose to shew her honour; and
thou knowest that women I have none in the house that know
how to set chambers in due order, or attend to the many other
matters that so joyful an event requires; wherefore do thou, that
understandest these things better than another, see to all that needs
be done, and bid hither such ladies as thou mayst see fit, and
receive them, as if thou wert the lady of the house, and then,
when the nuptials are ended, thou mayst go back to thy cottage."[051]Albeit each of these words pierced Griselda's heart like a knife,
for that, in resigning her good fortune, she had not been able to
renounce the love she bore Gualtieri, nevertheless: "My lord," she
made answer, "I am ready and prompt to do your pleasure."
[052]
And
so, clad in her sorry garments of coarse romagnole, she entered the
house, which, but a little before, she had quitted in her shift, and
addressed her to sweep the chambers, and arrange arras and cushions
in the halls, and make ready the kitchen, and set her hand to everything,
as if she had been a paltry serving-wench: nor did she rest
until she had brought all into such meet and seemly trim as the
occasion demanded.
[053]
This done, she invited in Gualtieri's name all
the ladies of those parts to be present at his nuptials, and awaited the
event. The day being come, still wearing her sorry weeds, but in
heart and soul and mien the lady, she received the ladies as they
came, and gave each a gladsome greeting.
