Giovanni Boccaccio

“ Is there never another to be found in the world?" "Madam," replied the leech, "thou takest this to have been mere water. 'Twas no such thing, but an artificial water of a soporiferous virtue;" and he told her for what purpose he had made it. Which the lady no sooner heard, than, guessing that Ruggieri had drunk it, and so had seemed to them to be dead, she said:--"Master, we knew it not; wherefore make you another." And so the leech, seeing that there was no help for it, had another made. ”

“ Full well my tears attest, O traitor Love, with what just cause the heart, With which thou once hast broken faith, doth smart.
Love, when thou first didst in my heart enshrine Her for whom still I sigh, alas! in vain, Nor any hope do know, A damsel so complete thou didst me shew, That light as air I counted every pain, Wherewith behest of thine Condemned my soul to pine. Ah! ”

“ So, having passed in review divers young men, she at last found one that was to her mind, on whom she set all her heart and hopes of happiness. Which the gallant perceiving was mightily flattered, and in like manner gave her all his love. Ruggieri da Jeroli--such was the gallant's name--was of noble birth, but of life, and conversation so evil and reprehensible that kinsman or friend he had none left that wished him well, or cared to see him; and all Salerno knew him for a common thief and rogue of the vilest character. Whereof the lady took little heed, having a mind to him for another reason ”