[015]The morrow came, and Zeppa and Spinelloccio being together
about tierce, Spinelloccio, having promised the lady to come to see
her at that hour, said to Zeppa: "I must go breakfast with a
friend, whom I had life not keep in waiting; therefore, adieu!"
[016]
"Nay, but," quoth Zeppa, "'tis not yet breakfast-time."
[017]
"No
matter," returned Spinelloccio, "I have business on which I must
speak with him; so I must be in good time."
[018]
Whereupon Spinelloccio
took his leave of Zeppa, and having reached Zeppa's house by
a slightly circuitous route, and finding his wife there, was taken by
her into the chamber, where they had not been long together when
Zeppa returned. Hearing him come, the lady, feigning no small
alarm, bundled Spinelloccio into the chest, as her husband had bidden
her, and having locked him in, left him there.
[019]
As Zeppa came
upstairs: "Wife," quoth he, "is it breakfast time?"
[020]
"Ay, husband, 'tis so," replied the lady.
[021]
Whereupon: "Spinelloccio is
gone to breakfast with a friend to-day," quoth Zeppa, "leaving his
wife at home: get thee to the window, and call her, and bid her
come and breakfast with us."
[022]
The lady, whose fear for herself made
her mighty obedient, did as her husband bade her; and after much
pressing Spinelloccio's wife came to breakfast with them, though she
was given to understand that her husband would not be of the company.
So, she being come, Zeppa received her most affectionately,
and taking her familiarly by the hand, bade his wife, in an undertone,
get her to the kitchen; he then led Spinelloccio's wife into the
chamber, and locked the door.
[023]
Hearing the key turn in the lock:
"Alas!" quoth the lady, "what means this, Zeppa? Is't for this you
have brought me here? Is this the love you bear Spinelloccio? Is
this your loyalty to him as your friend and comrade?"
[024]
By the time
she had done speaking, Zeppa, still keeping fast hold of her, was
beside the chest, in which her husband was locked. Wherefore:
"Madam," quoth he, "spare me thy reproaches, until thou hast
heard what I have to say to thee. I have loved, I yet love, Spinelloccio
as a brother; and yesterday, though he knew it not, I discovered
that the trust I reposed in him has for its guerdon that he
lies with my wife, as with thee. Now, for that I love him, I purpose
not to be avenged upon him save in the sort in which he
offended. He has had my wife, and I intend to have thee.
[025]
So thou
wilt not grant me what I crave of thee, be sure I shall not fail to
take it; and having no mind to let this affront pass unavenged, will
make such play with him that neither thou nor he shall ever be
happy again."
[026]
The lady hearkening, and by dint of his repeated
asseverations coming at length to believe him: "Zeppa mine,"
quoth she, "as this thy vengeance is to light upon me, well content
am I; so only thou let not this which we are to do embroil me with
thy wife, with whom, notwithstanding the evil turn she has done
me, I am minded to remain at peace."
[027]
"Have no fear on that
score," replied Zeppa; "nay, I will give thee into the bargain a
jewel so rare and fair that thou hast not the like." Which said,
he took her in his arms and fell a kissing her, and having laid her
on the chest, in which her husband was safe under lock and key,
did there disport himself with her to his heart's content, as she with
him.
