The Ragionamenti PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 edition. Excerpt: ... SECOND DAY In which Nanna relates to Pippa the nasty tricks that men play on poor females silly enough to believe them. Ippa. Let me recount my dream, and then I shall listen to you. Nanna. Recount it. Pippa. You will tell me its meaning? Nanna. I will. Pippa. This morning, at break of day methought I was in a high, spacious and very fine room adorned with red and yellow satin; over the arras there were hung up gilt swords, embroidered velvet hats, caps with medals, pictures and other fine things. A bed of shaggy brocade lay in one corner of the room; and I, as abbotly as an abbot, was enthroned in a crimson chair studded with gold bosses like that of the Pope. Around me were clustered bullocks, asses, sheep, buffaloes, foxes, peacocks, owls and blackbirds; it was useless for me to beat, cudgel, fleece and flay them, to tear their hair, pluck the feathers out of their wings and tails, fool them in every way, they would not go away! Nay more, they licked me from head to foot. Now, I should like very much you were to explain to me the meaning of this phantasm. Nanna. I am as skilled in this dream as Daniel, and thou mayest esteem thy self lucky. The bullocks and asses, which thou didst strike and cudgel, are those wretched misers who will come to court thee, were they to burst for it. The sheep and buffaloes signify those unlucky fellows who will let themselves be shorn and flayed through thy wiles. In the foxes, I perceive those cunning fellows whom thou wilt level once they get caught in thy snares. In the peacocks without a tail, I see the rich and handsome youths. The owls and blackbirds are that gang of fellows who will lose their wits, simply to see and hear thee chat. Pippa. Where do you leave the other things? Nanna. Softly. The...