Stanza 106

Boccaccio:

le disse: "Donna, per concession fattami dal Papa io posso altra donna pigliare e lasciar te; e per ciò che i miei passati sono stati gran gentili uomini e signori di queste contrade, dove i tuoi stati son sempre lavoratori, io intendo che tu piú mia moglie non sia, ma che tu a casa Giannucolo te ne torni con la dote che tu mi recasti, e io poi un'altra, che trovata n'ho convenevole a me, ce ne menerò".

he said to her in the presence of not a few: "Wife, by license granted me by the Pope, I am now free to put thee away, and take another wife; and, for that my forbears have always been great gentlemen and lords of these parts, whereas thine have ever been husbandmen, I purpose that thou go back to Giannucolo's house with the dowry that thou broughtest me; whereupon I shall bring home a lady that I have found, and who is meet to be my wife."


Petrarch:

«Satis» inquit «tuo coniugio delectabar, mores tuos non originem respiciens; nunc quoniam, ut video, magna omnis fortuna servitus magna est,

and said, "I have been wont to take ample delight in our marriage, having regard for your character, not your lineage; but now, since I perceive that great place is always great servitude,


Chaucer:

"Certes, Grisilde, I hadde ynogh plesance,
To han yow to my wyf for your goodnesse,
As for youre trouthe, and for your obeisance -
Noght for youre lynage, ne for youre richesse;
But now knowe I, in verray soothfastnesse,
That in greet lordshipe, if I wel avyse,
Ther is greet servitute in sondry wyse.


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