tier's leave, returned to their several homes and he
until his death abode in Paris more worshipfully than ever."

[Footnote 130: _Quaere_, the Count's?]

THE NINTH STORY

[Day the Second]

BERNABO OF GENOA, DUPED BY AMBROGIUOLO, LOSETH HIS GOOD AND
COMMANDETH THAT HIS INNOCENT WIFE BE PUT TO DEATH. SHE
ESCAPETH AND SERVETH THE SOLDAN IN A MAN'S HABIT. HERE SHE
LIGHTETH UPON THE DECEIVER OF HER HUSBAND AND BRINGETH THE
LATTER TO ALEXANDRIA, WHERE, HER TRADUCER BEING PUNISHED,
SHE RESUMETH WOMAN'S APPAREL AND RETURNETH TO GENOA WITH HER
HUSBAND, RICH

Elisa having furnished her due with her pitiful story, Filomena the
queen, who was tall and goodly of person and smiling and agreeable of
aspect beyond any other of her sex, collecting herself, said, "Needs
must the covenant with Dioneo be observed, wherefore, there remaining
none other to tell than he and I, I will tell my story first, and he,
for that he asked it as a favour, shall be the last to speak." So
saying, she began thus, "There is a proverb oftentimes cited among the
common folk to the effect that the deceiver abideth[131] at the feet
of the deceived; the which meseemeth may by no reasoning be shown to
be true, an it approve not itself by actual occurrences. Wherefore,
whilst ensuing the appointed theme, it hath occurred to me, dearest
ladies, to show you, at the same time, that this is true, even as it
is said; nor should it mislike you to hear it, so you may know how to
keep yourselves from deceivers.

[Footnote 131: _Rimane._ The verb _rimanere_ is constantly used by the
old Italian writers in the sense of "to become," so that the proverb
cited in the text may be read "The deceiver becometh (_i.e._ findeth
himself in the end) at the feet (_i.e._ at the mercy) of the person
deceived."]

There were once at Paris in an inn certain very considerable Italian
merchants, who were come thither, according to their usance, some on
one occasion and some on another, and having one evening among others
supped all together merrily, they fell to devising of divers matters,
and passing from one discourse to another, they came at last to speak
of their wives, whom they had left at home, and one said jestingly, 'I
know not how mine doth; but this I know well, that, whenas there
cometh to my hand here any lass that pleaseth me, I leave on one side
the love I bear my wife and take of the other such pleasure as I may.'
'And I,'