_Guillaume Boursier, with a few quaint and familiar words, checkt themiserable covetousnesse of Signior_ Herminio de Grimaldi.
The eight Novell.
_Which plainly declareth, that a covetous Gentleman, is not worthy ofany honour or respect._
Madam _Lauretta_, sitting next to _Philostratus_, when she had heardthe witty conceite of _Bergamino_; knowing, that shee was to saysomewhat, without injunction or command, pleasantly thus began.
This last discourse (faire and vertuous company) induceth mee to tellyou, how an honest Courtier reprehended in like manner (and nothingunprofitably) base covetousnesse in a Merchant of extraordinary wealth.Which Tale, although (in effect) it may seeme to resemble the former;yet perhaps, it will prove no lesse pleasing to you, in regard itsorted to as good an end.
It is no long time since, that there lived in _Genes_ or _Geneway_, aGentleman named Signior _Herminio de Grimaldi_, who (as every one welknew) was more rich in inheritances, and ready summes of currant mony,then any other knowne Citizen in _Italy_. And as hee surpassed othermen in wealth, so did he likewise excell them in wretched Avarice,being so miserably greedy and covetous, as no man in the world couldbe more wicked that way; because, not onely he kept his purse lockt upfrom pleasuring any, but denied needful things to himself, enduringmany miseries & distresses, onely to avoide expences, contrary to the_Genewayes_ generall custome, who alwayes delighted to be decentlycloathed, and to have their dyet of the best. By reason of which mostmiserable basenesse, they tooke from him the sir-name of _Grimaldi_,whereof hee was in right descended: and called him master _Herminio_the covetous Mizer, a nickname very notably agreeing with his gripplenature.
It came to passe, that in this time of his spending nothing, butmultiplying daily by infinite meanes, that a civill honest Gentleman(a Courtier, of ready wit, and discoursive in Languages) came to_Geneway_, being named _Guillaume Boursier_. A man very farre differingfrom divers Courtiers in these dayes, who for soothing shamefull andgracelesse manners, in such as allow them maintenance, are called andreputed to bee Gentlemen, yea especiall favourites: whereas much moreworthily, they should be accounted as knaves and villaines, beingborne and bred in all filthinesse, and skilfull in every kinde ofbasest behaviour, not fit to come in Princes Courts. For, whereas inpassed times, they spent their dayes and paines in making peace, whenGentlemen were at warre or dissention, or treating on honest marriages,betweene friends and familiars, & (with loving speeches) would recreatedisturbed mindes, desiring none but commendable exercises in Court,and sharpely reprooving (like fathers) disordred life, or ill actionsin any, albeit with recompence little, or none at all: these upstartsnow adayes, employ all their paines in detractions, sowing questionsand quarrels betweene one another, making no spare of lyes & falshoods.Nay which is worse, they will do this in the presence of any man,upbraiding him with injuries, shames, and scandals (true or not true)upon the very least occasion. And by false and deceitfull flatteriesand villanies of their own inventing, they make Gentlemen to become asvile as themselves. For which detestable qualities, they are betterbeloved and respected of theyr misdemeanour'd Lords, and recompenced inmore bountifull manner, then men of vertuous carriage and desert. Whichis an argument sufficient, that goodnesse is gone up to heaven, andhath quite forsaken these loathed lower Regions, where men are drownedin the mud of all abhominable vices.
But returning where I left (being led out of my way by a just andreligious anger against such deformity) this Gentleman, Master_Guillaume Boursier_, was willingly seene, and gladly welcommed by allthe best men in _Geneway_. Having remayned some few dayes in the City,& (among other matters) heard much talke of the miserable covetousnessof master _Herminio_, he grew verie desirous to have a sight of him.Master _Herminio_ had already understood, that this Gentleman, Master_Guillaume Boursier_, was vertuously disposed, and (how covetouslysoever he was inclined) having in him some sparkes of noble nature;gave him very good words, and gracious entertainement, discoursing withhim on divers occasions.
In company of other _Genewayes_ with him, he brought him to a newerected house of his, a building of great cost and beauty, where, afterhe had shewen him all the variable rarities, he beganne thus. Master_Guillaume_, no doubt but you have heard and seene many things, andyou can instruct me in some quaint conceit or devise, to be fairelyfigured in painting, at the entrance into the great Hall of my House.Master _Guillaume_ hearing him speake so simply, returned him thisanswere; Sir, I cannot advise you in any thing, so rare or unseen asyou talke of: but how to sneeze (after a new manner) upon a full andovercloyed stomacke, to avoide base humours that stupifie the braine,or other matters of the like quality. But if you would be taught a goodone indeede, and had a disposition to see it fairely effected; I couldinstruct you in an excellent Embleme, wherewith (as yet) you never cameacquainted.
Master _Herminio_ hearing him say so, and expecting no such answereas he had saide; Good Master _Guillaume_, tell me what it is, and onmy faith I will have it fairely painted. Whereto Master _Guillaume_suddenly replied: Doe nothing but this Sir; Paint over the Portallat your Halles entrance, the lively picture of Liberality, to bidall your friends better welcome, then hitherto they have beene. WhenMaster _Herminio_ heard these words, he became possessed with such asudden shame, that his complexion changed from the former palenesse,and answered thus. Master _Guillaume_, I will have your advice sotruly figured over my gate, and shee shall give so good welcome to allmy guests, that both you, and all these Gentlemen shall say; I haveboth seene her, and am become reasonably acquainted with her. Fromthat time forward, the words of Master _Guillaume_ were so effectuallwith Signior _Herminio_, that he became the most bountifull and besthouse-keeper, which lived in his time in _Geneway_; no man morehonouring and friendly welcoming both strangers and Citizens, then hecontinually used to doe.
The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5) Page 12
