Ten Days Talk - Translation, Classics Library 006

Author: Boccaccio
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Ladies of refinement, I am well aware that you are naturally compassionate. Reading this book will inevitably make you think the beginning is too tragic and sorrowful, reminding you of the terrible plague that occurred not long ago. For those who experienced it or heard about it, it is an unpleasant experience. However, please don’t think that reading this book will only cause you to sigh, weep, and be too frightened to continue. Although the beginning of this book is bleak, it is like a steep mountain blocking a beautiful plain. After climbing over the mountain ahead, you will arrive at a delightful realm; the hardship of climbing will be rewarded with double joy. Joy may lead to sorrow, but when sorrow reaches its end, unexpected happiness may arise. So this is only temporary bleakness—I say temporary because it occupies only a few pages at most. What follows is a wave of joy, just as I have foretold. If I hadn’t made this clear in advance, you might not have guessed that after the sorrow comes sweetness. To be honest, I really don’t want to burden you with this arduous path, but there is no other way. Without reflecting on the tragic past, I cannot properly introduce the many stories you will read next....