[006]
Now one morning in Lent Biondello, being in the fish-market
purchasing two mighty fat lampreys for Messer Vieri de' Cerchi, was
observed
thus engaged by Ciacco, who came up to him, and:
"What means this?" quoth he.
[007]
"Why," replied Biondello, "'tis
that yestereve Messer Corso Donati had three lampreys much finer
than these and a sturgeon sent to his house, but as they did not
suffice for a breakfast that he is to give certain gentlemen, he has
commissioned me to buy him these two beside. Wilt thou not be
there?"[008]"Ay, marry, that will I," returned Ciacco.
[009]
And in what
he deemed due time he hied him to Messer Corso Donati's house, where
he found him with some of his neighbours not yet gone to breakfast.
And being asked by Messer Corso with what intent he was come,
he answered: "I am come, Sir, to breakfast with you and your
company."
[010]
"And welcome art thou," returned Messer Corso, "go
we then to breakfast, for 'tis now the time."
[011]
So to table they went,
where nought was set before them but pease and the inward part of
the tunny salted, and afterwards the common fish of the Arno fried.
Wherefore Ciacco, not a little wroth at the trick that he perceived
Biondello had played him, resolved to pay him out. And not many
days after Biondello, who had meanwhile had many a laugh with his
friends over Ciacco's discomfiture,
[012]
met him, and after greeting him,
asked him with a laugh what Messer Corso's lampreys had been like.
"That question," replied Ciacco, "thou wilt be able to answer much
better than I before eight days are gone by."
[013]
And parting from
Biondello upon the word, he went forthwith and hired a cozening
rogue, and having thrust a glass bottle into his hand, brought him
within sight of the Loggia de' Cavicciuli; and there, pointing to a
knight, one Messer Filippo Argenti, a tall man and stout, and of
a high courage, and haughty, choleric and cross-grained as ne'er
another, he said to him:
[014]
"Thou wilt go, flask in hand, to Messer
Filippo, and wilt say to him: 'I am sent to you, Sir, by Biondello,
who entreats you to be pleased to colour this flask for him with some
of your good red wine, for that he is minded to have a good time with
his catamites.' And of all things have a care that he lay not hands
upon thee, for he would make thee rue the day, and would spoil my
sport."
[015]
"Have I aught else to say?" enquired the rogue.
[016]
"Nothing
more," returned Ciacco: "and now get thee gone, and when thou
hast delivered the message, bring me back the flask, and I will pay
thee."
