Here it is told of a merchant who bought caps
A merchant was travelling with caps. They got wet and he laid them out to dry. Many monkeys appeared, and each one put a cap on its head, and ran off up into the trees. This seemed a grievous matter to the man. He went back [[207]]and bought stockings (and there was bird-lime in them) and he got back his caps (from the monkeys) and did good business[1].
[1] The text is probably defective, but this seems to be the meaning of this novella. [↑]
XCIX
Here is told a pretty tale of love
A young man of Florence loved a gentle virgin carnally. She did not love him at all, but loved another youth beyond measure, who loved her too, but not nearly so much as the first one.
And this was evident, for the other had abandoned everything, and had worn himself out, and was quite beside himself; and especially on those days when he did not see her.
A friend of his was sorry for him. After much persuasion he took him away to a most pleasant place; and there they stayed quietly for a fortnight.