Joy

Passages

Every passage tagged with this emotion in the Vela corpus. Search the body text, narrow by source or register, click through to a book’s profile to see how the passage sits with the rest of the work.

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• From The Decameron (1353)

  When he heard this, Salabaetto was the happiest man who ever lived, and taking the ring, he brushed it against his eyelids, kissed it, and put it on his finger, telling the good woman that Madonna Jancofiore’s love was fully reciprocated, since he loved her more than his very life, and that he was ready to meet her wherever and whenever she pleased. The go-between returned with this answer to her mistress, and soon afterwards Salabaetto was informed that he was to wait for her at a certain bagnio on the following day after vespers. Without giving the slightest hint to anyone about where he was going, Salabaetto swiftly made his way to the bagnio at the appointed hour, and found that it was reserved for the lady. He had not been there long before two slave-girls arrived, one of whom was carrying a fine big feather mattress on her head, whilst the other had a huge basket filled with this, that, and the other. And having laid the mattress on a bed in one of the rooms of the bagnio, they covered it with a pair of sheets, fine as gossamer and edged all round with silk, over which they placed a quilt of whitest Cyprian buckram, together with two exquisitely embroidered pillows. They then undressed, got into the bath, and washed and scrubbed it all over until it gleamed. Nor was it long before the lady herself arrived at the bagnio, attended by two more slave-girls. She no sooner saw Salabaetto than she rushed ecstatically forward to greet him, flung her arms round his neck, and smothered him with kisses; and after heaving several deep sighs, she said: ‘My fascinating Tuscan, I know of no other man who could have brought me to do this. My heart is all on fire because of you.’ She then undressed, bidding him do the same, and they both stepped naked into the bath, attended by two of the slave-girls. Nor would she allow either of the girls to lay a hand upon him, but she herself washed Salabaetto from head to toe with marvellous care, using soap that was steeped in musk and cloves; and finally, she had herself washed and rubbed down by the two slave-girls. This operation completed, the slave-girls fetched two sheets, white as snow and very finely woven, from which there came the fragrant smell of roses, so powerful that it seemed the bagnio was filled with roses and nothing else. Having wrapped Salabaetto in one of these and their mistress in the other, the slave-girls took them up and conveyed them both to the bed, where, when they had ceased to perspire, the sheets enfolding them were removed and they found themselves lying naked between the sheets of the bed.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  ‘Our discourse today has taken place within very broad limits. But by the time we assemble after our siesta on Sunday afternoon at our new abode, you will have had more time for reflection, and I have therefore decided, since it will be all the more interesting if we restrict the subject-matter of our stories to a single aspect of the many facets of Fortune, that our theme should be the following: People who by dint of their own efforts have achieved an object they greatly desired or recovered a thing previously lost. Let each of us, therefore, think of something useful, or at least amusing, to say to the company on this topic, due allowance being made for Dioneo’s privilege.’ The queen’s speech met with general approval, and her proposal was unanimously adopted. She then summoned her steward, and having explained where he should place the tables for that evening, instructed him fully concerning his duties for the remainder of her reign. This done, she rose to her feet, her companions followed her example, and she gave them leave to amuse themselves in whatever way they pleased. And so the ladies made their way with the three young men to a miniature garden, where they whiled away their time agreeably before supper. They then had supper, in the course of which there was much laughter and merriment, and when they had risen from table, at the queen’s request Emilia began to dance whilst Pampinea sang the following song, the others joining in the chorus: ‘If’twere not I, what woman would sing, Who am content in everything? ‘Come, Love, the cause of all my joy, Of all my hope and happiness, Come let us sing together: Not of love’s sighs and agony But only of its jocundness And its clear-burning ardour In which I revel, joyfully, As if thou wert a god to me. ‘Love, the first day I felt thy fire Thou sett’st before mine eyes a youth Of such accomplishment Whose able strength and keen desire And bravery could none, in truth, Find any complement. With thee I sing, Lord Love, of this, So much in him lies all my bliss. ‘And this my greatest pleasure is: That he loves me with equal fire, Cupid, all thanks to thee; Within this world I have my bliss And I may in the next, entire, I love so faithfully, If God who sees us from above Will grant this boon upon our love.’ When this song was finished, they sang a number of others, dances many dances and played several tunes. But eventually the queen decided it was time for them to go to bed, and they all retired to their respective rooms, carrying torches to light them on their way. For the next two days, they attended to those matters about which the queen had spoken earlier, and looked forward eagerly to Sunday. Here ends the Second Day of the Decameron

• From The Decameron (1353)

  ‘She’ll be sleeping to the song of the cicadas if I hear any more of her nonsense.’ Having heard what he had said, on the following night, more to spite her father than because she was feeling hot, Caterina not only stayed awake herself but, by complaining incessantly of the heat, also prevented her mother from sleeping. So next morning, her mother went straight to Messer Lizio, and said: ‘Sir, you cannot be very fond of this daughter of yours. What difference does it make to you whether she sleeps on the balcony or not? She didn’t get a moment’s rest all night because of the heat. Besides, what do you find so surprising about a young girl taking pleasure in the song of the nightingale? Young people are naturally drawn towards those things that reflect their own natures.’ ‘Oh, very well,’ said Messer Lizio. ‘Take whichever bed you please, and set it up for her on the balcony with some curtains round it. Then let her sleep there and hear the nightingale singing to her heart’s content.’ On hearing that her father had given his permission, the girl promptly had a bed made up for herself on the balcony; and since it was her intention to sleep there that same night, she waited for Ricciardo to come to the house, and gave him a signal, already agreed between them, by which he understood what was expected of him. As soon as he had heard his daughter getting into bed, Messer Lizio locked the door leading from his own room to the balcony, and then he too retired for the night. When there was no longer any sound to be heard, Ricciardo climbed over a wall with the aid of a ladder, then climbed up the side of the house by clinging with great difficulty to a series of stones projecting from the wall. At every moment of the ascent, he was in serious danger of falling, but in the end he reached the balcony unscathed, where he was silently received by the girl with very great rejoicing. After exchanging many kisses, they lay down together and for virtually the entire night they had delight and joy of one another, causing the nightingale to sing at frequent intervals. Their pleasure was long, the night was brief, and though they were unaware of the fact, it was almost dawn when they eventually fell asleep without a stitch to cover them, exhausted as much by their merry sport as by the nocturnal heat. Caterina had tucked her right arm beneath Ricciardo’s neck, whilst with her left hand she was holding that part of his person which in mixed company you ladies are too embarrassed to mention. Dawn came, but failed to wake them, and they were still asleep in the same posture when Messer Lizio got up out of bed.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  Nor was she content solely with telling the Archbishop, but she gave a true account of the whole affair in the presence of many other gentlemen, requesting them to use their good offices with the King in order to secure the rehabilitation of the Count if he was still alive, or if he was dead, of his children. Not long afterwards she died, and was buried with full regal honours. When the King was told about her confession, he heaved many an anguished sigh over the wrongs to which this excellent man had been so unjustly subjected. He then issued an edict, which was published far and wide, both throughout the army and elsewhere, to the effect that he would pay substantial rewards to anyone bringing him information concerning the whereabouts of the Count of Antwerp or any of his children. Because of the Queen’s confession – so the edict continued – the King held him to be innocent of the charges which had led to his exile, and it was his intention, not only to restore him to his former position, but to grant him still higher honours. Rumours of the announcement reached the ears of the Count, who was still working as a groom, and when he had confirmed them he went at once to Jacques and asked him to arrange a meeting with Perrot so that he could show them what the King was looking for. When all three of them had come together, the Count said to Perrot, who was already thinking of announcing his identity: ‘Perrot, Jacques here is married to your sister, and never received any dowry from her. In order, therefore, that your sister should not remain without a dowry, I propose that he alone should claim these huge rewards that the King is offering. This he will do by declaring you to be the Count of Antwerp’s son, his wife to be your sister Violante, and myself to be your father, the Count of Antwerp.’ On hearing this, Perrot looked intently at the old man, and it dawned upon him that this was indeed his father. Dissolving into tears, he threw himself at the Count’s feet and embraced him, saying: ‘Father, what a joy it is to see you!’ Jacques, having listened to the Count’s words and witnessed Perrot’s response, was so delighted and astonished that he hardly knew where to put himself. But being convinced that it was all true, and bitterly ashamed for occasionally having spoken harshly to the groom or Count, he too burst into tears and sank to his knees at the old man’s feet, humbly begging his pardon for all the wrongs he had done him. Whereupon the Count, having first of all persuaded him to stand up again, assured him very graciously that he was forgiven.

• From Available: The unfiltered and empowering new memoir for women about sex, dating and divorce after 40 (2021)

  There seems to be no beginning or ending to this sex, just a middle chapter that stretches on. He is six years younger than me and his virility is matched by my insatiable curiosity and thrill at being desired. Of the four men I’ve slept with since I’ve started this journey, this is the most physically satisfying sex I’ve had. He laughs with enthusiasm when I sigh deeply and tell him in a grave voice that I really love sex. He seems to know exactly how and where to touch me, and I can’t get enough of his hard, sleek body. It’s as if I’m being cracked open again and again; it’s not explosive so much as a feeling of being totally present in my body and with his. It feels good to be wanted, to want, to be appreciated, to know that I am quenching someone’s thirst, to know my body is capable of both giving and receiving, to match his vigor with my own. When we have finally expended our sexual energy, we lie wrapped around each other. As much as I am shocked to discover how much I love touching and being touched, I am surprised by how nourishing I find this part, this calm after the storm. I feel completely enveloped as our hearts return to their regular rhythms and we lie, exhausted but sated, in the aftermath of the intimacy we have shared. Why, I wonder, do I feel I could stay in this spot for hours but when I was married, instead of reveling in the physical connection, I ran from it? Within seconds of having sex, I was already rolling back to curl in a ball on my side of the bed, so relieved that this obligation could be checked off my list and I could go back in my corner to be left alone. I usually orgasmed and I enjoyed sex once I mustered up the energy, but I could take it or leave it – and the affection that came with it I recoiled from, believing myself to be a physically unaffectionate person. The desire I have now to be touched – not just sexually, but any kind of physical connection – is potent and primal and proving wrong everything I thought I understood about myself and my physical needs. If I crave being touched, hugged and held, and if my sexual desires and curiosity are endlessly piqued, why wasn’t that a part of my life with the man I shared my bed with for 27 years? I allow myself a few minutes to soak up this feeling of warmth and then, much as I hate to extricate myself, tell him I have to go home as I know Hudson is probably wondering where I am.

• From Available: The unfiltered and empowering new memoir for women about sex, dating and divorce after 40 (2021)

  Didn’t all those years glued to my kids’ sides entitle me to VIP privileges now when I want them? Then comes my silver lining: a text from #3 suggesting that if I’m still available tomorrow, he will pack a picnic and we can head over to Tanglewood to listen to classical music and read the Sunday NYTimes. I am astonished. I’ve never been with a man who cooked or prepared food for me. The idea that someone would take care of this aspect of an outing is a wonderful novelty. To add to that the suggestion of having this kind of adult time, to be with someone in a companionable way coexisting as we listen to music and read the newspaper without children around: mind-blowing. I check the weather report and am dismayed to see that the heatwave we are in the midst of has a couple more days in its clutches. Now instead of picturing us leisurely reading side by side on a grassy lawn, I am worrying about the lack of shade at Tanglewood, how we’ll be smudged from the newsprint that will rub off on our sweaty fingers and smacking at mosquitoes that will be feasting on us. I confess my practical concerns to him despite the fact that his plan represents my idea of a perfect day, and he proposes a compromise: we will picnic by the river on his property, where we will be guaranteed a shady spot, while listening to the Tanglewood concert on the radio, and he will provide me with a hazmat suit for the bugs. I am practically swooning. We set a date for the next afternoon. In the meantime, I have been invited to a dinner party tonight by a mom I recently met at Georgia’s camp. Since Michael is going to be with Georgia until he leaves for the city Sunday evening, on goes a bright orange floor-length strapless sundress I recently scored at a thrift shop, a flat pair of silver sandals, and some of my lucky rose oil just in case. When I arrive, the party is in full swing in a beautiful enclosed porch at the side of a rambling farmhouse. I hesitate at the entryway, noting the six couples who are already there. Being the odd man out and conspicuously single is still new to me. So far, on the few occasions I’ve shown up to parties alone, it’s been in the presence of close friends who have instinctively encircled me. This is my first time flying completely solo, and I wonder if there is some behavior that is expected of me: party roamer, double-fisted cocktail taker, spirited floozy? Or is the expectation the opposite: stay quiet and demure, don’t come too close, signal in some way that I’m not a threat to anyone? Head high, I remind myself, you’re alone and that’s the beginning and end of it.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  ‘It will then be four days since we came to stay here, and in order to avoid being joined by others, 2 I think it advisable for us to move elsewhere. I have already thought of a place for us to go, and made the necessary arrangements. ‘Our discourse today has taken place within very broad limits. But by the time we assemble after our siesta on Sunday afternoon at our new abode, you will have had more time for reflection, and I have therefore decided, since it will be all the more interesting if we restrict the subject-matter of our stories to a single aspect of the many facets of Fortune, that our theme should be the following: People who by dint of their own efforts have achieved an object they greatly desired or recovered a thing previously lost. Let each of us, therefore, think of something useful, or at least amusing, to say to the company on this topic, due allowance being made for Dioneo’s privilege.’ The queen’s speech met with general approval, and her proposal was unanimously adopted. She then summoned her steward, and having explained where he should place the tables for that evening, instructed him fully concerning his duties for the remainder of her reign. This done, she rose to her feet, her companions followed her example, and she gave them leave to amuse themselves in whatever way they pleased. And so the ladies made their way with the three young men to a miniature garden, where they whiled away their time agreeably before supper. They then had supper, in the course of which there was much laughter and merriment, and when they had risen from table, at the queen’s request Emilia began to dance whilst Pampinea sang the following song, the others joining in the chorus: ‘If’twere not I, what woman would sing, Who am content in everything? ‘Come, Love, the cause of all my joy, Of all my hope and happiness, Come let us sing together: Not of love’s sighs and agony But only of its jocundness And its clear-burning ardour In which I revel, joyfully, As if thou wert a god to me. ‘Love, the first day I felt thy fire Thou sett’st before mine eyes a youth Of such accomplishment Whose able strength and keen desire And bravery could none, in truth, Find any complement. With thee I sing, Lord Love, of this, So much in him lies all my bliss. ‘And this my greatest pleasure is: That he loves me with equal fire, Cupid, all thanks to thee; Within this world I have my bliss And I may in the next, entire, I love so faithfully, If God who sees us from above Will grant this boon upon our love.’ When this song was finished, they sang a number of others, dances many dances and played several tunes. But eventually the queen decided it was time for them to go to bed, and they all retired to their respective rooms, carrying torches to light them on their way. For the next two days, they attended to those matters about which the queen had spoken earlier, and looked forward eagerly to Sunday. Here ends the Second Day of the Decameron

• From A History of Christianity (1976)

  in a two-fold way, by faith and grace, and by doing the works of love; the former is more assured, man being imperfect. When this formula was accepted, Pole, who was present, commented: ‘When I observed this union of opinion, I felt a delight such as no harmony of sounds could have inspired me with; not only because I see the approach of peace and concord, but because these articles are the foundation of the whole Christian faith.’ Unfortunately, the colloquy then proceeded to break down on the question of the real presence in the eucharist. Contarini was caught off balance by his own ignorance of Protestant teaching. This is not surprising: Protestant teaching varied. All believed in the real presence in one sense or another. None accepted the technical formulation of transubstantiation, which had been devised by Aquinas in the thirteenth century. Bucer, Melanchthon, Calvin, Zwingli all tended to produce different formulae. Luther taught a real, corporal presence of Christ’s body and blood, ‘in, with and under’ the elements. Zwingli denied the corporal eating and drinking. Calvin was halfway between the two. Luther’s position was essentially that of St Augustine (as on justification); his objection to Aquinas’s formulation was more methodological than substantial. In effect, he accepted the Catholic doctrine; as he put it, ‘I would rather drink blood with the papists than mere wine with the Zwinglians.’ But Luther was not present at Regensburg. He thought the effort to meet Rome halfway useless, and he boycotted the colloquies. Charles V would have been willing to accept a simple declaration that Christ was really and truly present, and leave the technical issue of transubstantiation to a General Council. The centre group of princes were willing to accept what had been agreed, and build on it. But extremists on both sides carried the day. Contarini left Regensburg disappointed and baffled. Political factors – the French, the Bavarian dukes and the papacy on the one hand, Luther’s Schmalkaldic League and the Elector of Saxony on the other – had had as much to do with the breakdown as theology. It was the last chance for a compromise. When the General Council finally met at Trent five years later, Contarini was dead, the moderates were scattered, the Catholic Church was a defiant and intransigent rump, no longer thinking of anything but fire and sword, and Charles V had virtually despaired of unity. Luther died during the first session, and the fact was scarcely noted except for savage expressions of regret that it was no longer possible to burn him. By this time, too, the Protestant movement itself was split beyond redemption:

• From Available: The unfiltered and empowering new memoir for women about sex, dating and divorce after 40 (2021)

  We set off into the rainy night, pressing against each other under the big umbrella he’s thoughtfully brought for us to share. We walk west to Hudson Street and peer into restaurants that beguile with their warmth and festive decor. The city feels like the park did a few hours ago, eerily quiet, and we are amongst the few who ventured out for a stroll. We pause outside of Red Farm, where there is usually an hours-long wait for a table, but tonight we see empty seats and agree this is just what we want – shrimp dumplings, crisp-skinned chicken, a cocktail for me. Tucked into a cozy booth for two, I let #6 do the ordering, appreciating the way he orders food – expansively and generously, making sure there is enough of an assortment for us to share. Michael and I used to share food too, but he was notorious for absentmindedly eating both my share and his, so I always eyed him suspiciously as he ate to make sure there would be enough left for me. #6 is the opposite, serving me first and always saving the last bites for me too. After dinner he consents to a taxi home because I’m convinced I will wash away in what has become a monsoon. At home, we light tall white candles I have set on the ledge of the bathtub and I sprinkle lavender bath salts into the water, turning off the lights and putting on quiet music Pandora has helpfully made into a “Romantic” playlist. #6 undresses and slides into the tub. “I should have brought my snorkeling gear, this tub is so big,” he says, lying back and watching me slip out of my clothes and attempt to climb gracefully into the deep tub, which is fairly impossible as I have to swing my leg high to get in and then teeter with one leg in and one leg out while I regain my balance. I have avoided bathtubs assiduously for as long as I can remember, afraid of wiping out on the slippery bottom and cracking my head on the marble edge, but ever since I took a bath to get ready for my first date with #6 at Tina’s insistence, I have begun to appreciate its many merits. No sooner have I gotten both legs safely inside than I hear my phone ring and see that it’s a FaceTime call from Georgia, who probably wants to wish me a happy New Year. I catapult myself out of the tub, grabbing my phone and singing out, “Hello sweetheart!” As soon as I do, I realize my mistake: I’m naked and there’s a naked man in the tub behind me and the room is aglow with candles.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  ‘There is much sense in what you say, Dioneo,’ she replied. ‘A merry life should be our aim, since it was for no other reason that we were prompted to run away from the sorrows of the city. However, nothing will last for very long unless it possesses a definite form. And since it was I who led the discussions from which this fair company has come into being, I have given some thought to the continuance of our happiness, and consider it necessary for us to choose a leader, drawn from our own ranks, whom we would honour and obey as our superior, and whose sole concern will be that of devising the means whereby we may pass our time agreeably. But so that none of us will complain that he or she has had no opportunity to experience the burden of responsibility and the pleasure of command associated with sovereign power, I propose that the burden and the honour should be assigned to each of us in turn for a single day. It will be for all of us to decide who is to be our first ruler, after which it will be up to each ruler, when the hour of vespers approaches, to elect his or her successor from among the ladies and gentlemen present. The person chosen to govern will be at liberty to make whatever arrangements he likes for the period covered by his rule, and to prescribe the place and the manner in which we are to live.’ Pampinea’s proposal was greatly to everyone’s liking, and they unanimously elected her as their queen for the first day, whereupon Filomena quickly ran over to a laurel bush, for she had frequently heard it said that laurel leaves were especially worthy of veneration and that they conferred great honour upon those people of merit who were crowned with them. Having plucked a few of its shoots, she fashioned them into a splendid and venerable garland, which she set upon Pampinea’s brow, and which thenceforth became the outward symbol of sovereign power and authority to all the members of the company, for as long as they remained together. Upon her election as their queen, Pampinea summoned the servants of the three young men to appear before her together with their own maidservants, who were four in number. And having called upon everyone to be silent, she said:

• From The Decameron (1353)

  Then finally, since it was his wish to make an end of what was begun, or in other words that she should become the King of Algarve’s wife, he wrote informing him of all that had happened, adding that, if he still desired to marry her, he should send his envoys to fetch her. The King of Algarve was delighted with these tidings, sent a suitably distinguished party to act as her escort, and upon her arrival he gave her a joyous welcome. And so, despite the fact that eight separate men had made love to her on thousands of different occasions, she entered his bed as a virgin and convinced him that it was really so. And for many years afterwards she lived a contented life as his queen. Hence the proverbial saying: ‘A kissed mouth doesn’t lose its freshness: like the moon it turns up new again.’15 EIGHTH STORYThe Count of Antwerp, being falsely accused, goes into exile and leaves his two children in different parts of England. Unknown to them, he returns from Ireland to find them comfortably placed. Then he serves as a groom in the army of the King of France, and having established his innocence, is restored to his former rank. The ladies heaved many a sigh over the fair lady’s several adventures: but who knows what their motives may have been? Perhaps some of them were sighing, not so much because they felt sorry for Alatiel, but because they longed to be married no less often than she was. However, leaving this question aside, when they had all finished laughing at Panfilo’s final words, from which the queen assumed his tale to be finished, she turned to Elissa and enjoined her to continue the proceedings with a story of her own. Being only too pleased to oblige, Elissa began as follows:

• From The Decameron (1353)

  The shepherds replied that some three miles away there was a castle belonging to Liello di Campo di Fiore, and that Liello’s wife was at present living there. Overjoyed, Pietro asked whether any of the shepherds would guide him as far as the castle, and two of them volunteered to do so. On reaching the castle, Pietro met various people he knew, and whilst he was trying to arrange for them to go out and search for the girl in the forest, he was told that Liello’s wife wanted to see him. He promptly answered her summons, and on finding that she had Agnolella with her, he was the happiest man that was ever born. He was positively longing to take her in his arms, but was too embarrassed to do so in the presence of the lady. And if his own joy knew no bounds, the girl was no less delighted on seeing him. The noble lady took him in and made him very welcome, and having heard the tale of his adventures from his own lips, she spoke to him severely for attempting to defy the wishes of his kinsfolk. But on seeing that he was quite unrepentant, and that the girl was eager to marry him, she said to herself: ‘Why should I go to all this trouble? They are in love, they understand one another, both are friends of my husband, and their intentions are honourable. Besides, it seems to me that they have God’s blessing, for one of them has been saved from being hanged, the other from being killed by a lance, and both of them from being devoured by wild beasts. So let them do as they wish.’ She therefore turned to them, and said: ‘If you have really set your hearts on becoming husband and wife, so be it; you shall have my blessing, the wedding can be celebrated here at Liello’s expense, and after you are married you can safely leave it to me to make peace between you and your kinsfolk.’ So there they were married, and Pietro’s enormous joy was only surpassed by that of Agnolella. The noble lady gave them as splendid a wedding as could possibly be arranged in her mountain retreat, and it was there that they tasted the first exquisite fruits of their love. Some days later, guarded by a powerful escort, they returned with the lady on horseback to Rome, where, on finding that Pietro’s kinsfolk were greatly angered by what he had done, she succeeded in restoring him to their good graces. And afterwards, he and Agnolella lived to a ripe old age in great peace and happiness. FOURTH STORYRicciardo Manardi is discovered by Messer Lizio da Valbona with his daughter, whom he marries, and remains on good terms with her father. Elissa, falling silent, listened as her companions lauded her tale, and the queen called upon Filostrato to tell his story. Laughing, he began as follows:

• From The Decameron (1353)

  ‘I will tell you about it,’ said Friar Alberto. ‘When I was praying in my cell that night, as I invariably do, I suddenly saw a great pool of radiant light, and before I was able to turn round and discover its source, I caught sight of an incredibly handsome young man, standing over me with a heavy stick in his hand. He grabbed me by the scruff of the neck, dragged me to the floor at his feet, and beat me so severely that my body was an aching mass of weals and bruises. When I asked him why he had done it, he replied: “Because, earlier today, you had the infernal cheek to speak ill of Monna Lisetta’s celestial charms, and apart from God himself there is no one I love so dearly.” I then asked him who he was, and he told me that he was the Angel Gabriel. “Oh, sir,” said I, “I beg you to forgive me.” “Very well,” said he, “I shall forgive you, but on this sole condition, that you pay a personal call on the lady at your earliest opportunity and offer her your apologies. And should she refuse to accept them, I shall come back here again and give you such a hiding that you will never recover from it.” He then went on to tell me something else, but I dare not tell you what it was unless you forgive me first.’ Being somewhat feeble in the upper storey, Lady Bighead believed every word and felt positively giddy with joy. She paused a little, then said: ‘You see, Friar Alberto? I told you my charms were celestial. However, so help me God, I do feel sorry for you, and in order to spare you any further injury I shall pardon you forthwith, but only on condition that you tell me what it was that the Angel said next.’ ‘Since I am forgiven, madam, I will gladly tell you,’ he replied. ‘However, I must ask you to take great care never to repeat it to another living soul, because by so doing you will ruin everything and you will no longer be the luckiest woman alive, as you assuredly are at present.

• From A History of Christianity (1976)

  distinguished. When the whole system was affected, I have seen the person stand in one place, and jerk backwards and forwards in quick succession, their head nearly touching the floor behind and before.’ The barking exercise: ‘A person affected with the jerks, especially in his head, would often make a grunt or bark, if you please, from the suddenness of the jerk.’ The ‘dancing exercise’ was ‘indeed heavenly to the spectators . . . the smile of heaven shone in the countenance of the subject.’ The ‘laughing exercise’ was ‘loud, hearty laughter . . . it excited laughter in none else. The subject appeared rapturously solemn, and his laughter excited solemnity in saints and sinners. It is truly indescribable.’ There was also a running exercise, the subject motivated, apparently, by fear, and a singing exercise, ‘not from the mouth or nose but entirely in the breast, the sounds issuing from thence – such music silenced every thing.’ Such descriptions conjure up, not only the realities of many medieval (and, indeed, sixteenth-century sects), but forms of religious enthusiasm visible in Tertullian’s day – run by the same kinds of prophets, attracting the same categories of people, criticized by the same kinds of purists and for similar reasons. But of course in America they were allowed to manifest themselves, for the first time in history, virtually without supervision by the State or by a State Church. Most of the cults sprang from Methodist or Baptist trees; and they were a spontaneous rediscovery of ancient forms of Christian enthusiasm. But some could trace a long history. Thus a French medieval sect of Shakers, which became Huguenot in the sixteenth century, and was expelled by Louis XIV after 1688, settled in England, where they re- christened themselves the ‘Shaking Quakers’, and were brought to the United States in the eighteenth century by the visionary daughter of a Manchester blacksmith, Anne Lee Stanley. They profited from the second Great Awakening to establish a number of Utopian centres, distinguished by separation of the sexes and community spiritualist séances, and they continued to shake, in the form of a wild group dance derived from Huguenot camisards. Hundreds of such communities were founded in the nineteenth century. As Emerson wrote to Carlyle in 1840: ‘We are all a little wild here with numberless projects of social reform. Not a reading man but has a draft of a new community in his waistcoat pocket.’ One of the more rational ones was Brook Farm, in West Roxbury, founded by a Unitarian minister from Boston, George Ripley. It included Nathaniel Hawthome on its agriculture committee, produced books, pottery and

• From The Decameron (1353)

  She then sat up in bed, handed him a ring, and made him plight her his troth beneath a small picture of Our Lord, after which they fell into each other’s arms, and for the rest of the night they disported themselves to their great and mutual pleasure. They decided carefully what they should do, and when it was daybreak, Alessandro arose and, retracing his steps, stole away from the room without anyone realizing where he had passed the night. Then, reeling with happiness, he set out once more with the Abbot and her retinue, and several days later they arrived in Rome. They had been staying in the city for only a few days when the Abbot, attended by Alessandro and the two knights, was received in audience by the Pope. Having paid him their respects in the appropriate fashion, the Abbot began: ‘As you, Holy Father, must know better than all others, whoever desires to live a good and honest life is obliged to shun as best he may every possible motive for behaving otherwise. I myself, being one who desires to live a thoroughly honest life, have come all this way in the clothes you see me wearing, ostensibly to seek Your Holiness’s blessing for my marriage. But in reality, I have fled, taking with me a considerable part of the treasures belonging to my father, the King of England, for he was planning to marry me to the King of Scotland, who is a very old man whereas I myself am a young girl, as you can see. What caused me to run away, was not so much the King of Scotland’s age, as the fear that, once married to him, my youthful frailty might tempt me into contravening God’s laws and staining the honour of my royal-blooded father.

• From Available: The unfiltered and empowering new memoir for women about sex, dating and divorce after 40 (2021)

  Hudson offered to take Georgia so that I could have a break, but I knew they wanted me to skate with them. Michael was agile and athletic, so it had always been reasonable for me to cede physical activities to him: skiing, ice skating, skateboarding, biking, swimming, tennis – these had all been his domain, but now I had to find a way to make all domains my own. At the rink, I stacked three milk crates on top of each other to use for balance as I got my bearings. After a few slow loops around, the kids insisted I give up the babyish crates and skate on my own. They each took one of my hands and promised not to whip me around at full speed to amuse themselves. When I felt steady, I let go of their hands. The rink was nearly empty and I picked up speed with each lap around, spinning faster and faster, leaving Georgia behind with Hudson. I felt free, singing and smiling and watching my kids from a distance as they set up an obstacle course. Here I am, I thought. I hadn’t wanted to be here, was terrified to be on my own, scared of moving fast and feeling uncomfortably cold – but I was not only here, I actually felt a sense of inner peace and something I might even call happiness surge through me. Just keep doing this, I thought, face the things you are scared of, put on a brave face for your kids, let yourself be present in joyful moments without panicking over what comes next, and you might actually find your way through. * On our last day in Vermont, Georgia and I checked out of the hotel and went to a bowling alley while we waited for Hudson to finish skiing. We had just laced up our bowling shoes when my cell phone rang. A stern voice asked if I was the mother of Hudson Williams. My heart sank. It was ski patrol, informing me that he had suffered a head injury and blacked out, and they needed to know how quickly I could get there. Georgia and I kicked off our bowling shoes and raced up the hill in our car. I was so panicked when I reached the ski lodge that Georgia had to point me in the right direction. We ran into the medic’s office, flying in to see Hudson lying on a board, his neck immobilized in a brace. “I’m sorry, Mama,” he whispered. “What is the one thing I asked you not to do before you left this morning?” I asked, a sob catching itself in my throat. “A back flip,” he said. “And how did you hurt yourself?” I asked pointlessly; the guilty look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  ‘The only thing I could say,’ replied Cavriuola, ‘would be that if it were possible for me to be more obliged to you than I am already, then inasmuch as you would be giving me something I value more than my own life, my debt would be correspondingly large. And by restoring him to me in the way you describe, you would in some measure be rekindling my lost hopes.’ She then stopped and burst into tears, and Currado turned to his lady, saying: ‘And what would you say, my dear, if I were to present you with such a son-in-law?’ ‘If it were pleasing to you,’ the lady replied, ‘I would not object to a vagrant for a son-in-law, let alone a man who is of noble birth.’ ‘Within a few days,’ said Currado, ‘I hope to have good news for you both.’ Meanwhile, the two young people were gradually putting flesh on their bones, and when Currado saw that they had quite recovered, he had them dressed in fine clothes, and turned to Giusfredi, saying: ‘Would it not add greatly to your happiness to see your mother in this place?’ ‘My mother suffered such appalling misfortunes,’ replied Giusfredi, ‘that I cannot believe she has survived them. But if she has, I would be very glad indeed to see her, for with her advice I believe I could largely repair my fortunes in Sicily.’ Currado then summoned the two ladies, and they both smothered the new bride with affection, at the same time wondering what had happened to soften Currado’s heart to the extent of uniting her in wedlock with Giannotto. With Currado’s words fresh in her memory, Madonna Beritola had meanwhile begun to stare intently at the young man. Suddenly, some occult force stirred within her, causing her to recollect the boyish features of her son’s face. And without awaiting further proof of his identity, she rushed towards him and flung her arms about his neck. Her feelings of maternal joy and affection were so intense that she was unable to utter a word: on the contrary, she lost all the power of her five senses and collapsed in the arms of her son as though she were dead. Giannotto, for his part, was filled with amazement, for he could remember having seen her on many previous occasions in that same castle without ever having recognized her. Nevertheless, he now knew instinctively that she was his mother, and, bursting into tears and reproaching himself for his former indifference, he received her in his arms and kissed her with tenderness. Shortly afterwards, with the loving assistance of Spina and Currado’s lady, who applied cold water and other remedies, Madonna Beritola recovered her senses and embraced her son all over again, weeping copiously and uttering a stream of gentle endearments. And, giving vent to her maternal affection, she kissed him a thousand times or more whilst he held her in his arms and gazed at her in awe and reverence.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  ‘They do indeed, sir,’ he said, ‘but you never shouted “Oho!” to the one you had last night, otherwise it would have shoved its second leg out, like these others.’ Currado was so delighted with this answer that all his anger was converted into jollity and laughter. ‘You’re right, Chichibio,’ he said. ‘Of course, I should have shouted.’ This then, was how Chichibio, with his prompt and amusing reply, avoided an unpleasant fate and made his peace with his master.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  The envoy’s announcement was greeted with prolonged cheering and rejoicing, and Currado promptly went out with some of his friends to meet the gentlemen who were coming to fetch Madonna Beritola and Giusfredi; and after giving them a hearty welcome, he took them in to his banquet, less than half of which had so far been served. Such was the delight of Beritola, Giusfredi and all the others on seeing them that they almost raised the roof with their greeting. But before sitting down to eat, the Sicilians conveyed Arrighetto’s warmest greeting and deepest thanks to Currado and his lady for the hospitality they had offered to his wife and son, and pledged his readiness to assist them in any way within his power. They then turned to Messer Guasparrino, whose courteous action had taken them by surprise, and said they were quite certain that when Arrighetto came to know of the generous settlement he had made on The Outcast he would be just as grateful to him as he was to Currado, or possibly even more. Then without further ado, they turned with great gusto to the business of feasting the two brides and their respective bridegrooms. Currado’s entertainment of his son-in-law and his other friends and relatives was not confined to that day alone, but extended over many of the days that followed. When the feasting was over, and Madonna Beritola, Giusfredi and the others felt that the time had come for their departure, they went aboard the brig, taking Spina with them, and to the accompaniment of copious tears they took their leave of Currado, his wife, and Messer Guasparrino. The winds being favourable, they soon reached Sicily, and on their arrival at Palermo they were all, the two sons and their womenfolk alike, greeted by Arrighetto with a warmth that beggars description. There it is believed that they all lived long and happily, at peace with the Almighty and grateful for the blessings He had bestowed upon them. SEVENTH STORYThe Sultan of Babylon sends his daughter off to marry the King of Algarve. Owing to a series of mishaps, she passes through the hands of nine men in various places within the space of four years. Finally, having been restored to her father as a virgin, she sets off, as before, to become the King of Algarve’s wife. The young ladies, who were feeling very sorry for Madonna Beritola, would possibly have dissolved into tears if Emilia’s recital of the lady’s woes had continued for very much longer. When, finally, the tale was finished, it was the queen’s wish that Panfilo should take up the storytelling, and being very obedient he began forthwith as follows:

• From The Decameron (1353)

  Dishes, daintily prepared, were brought in, excellent wines were at hand, and without a sound the three manservants promptly began to wait upon them. Everyone was delighted that these things had been so charmingly and efficiently arranged, and during the meal there was pleasant talk and merry laughter from all sides. Afterwards, the tables were cleared, and the queen sent for musical instruments so that one or two of their number, well versed in music, could play and sing, whilst the rest, ladies and gentlemen alike, could dance a carole. At the queen’s request, Dioneo took a lute and Fiammetta a viol, and they struck up a melodious tune, whereupon the queen, having sent the servants off to eat, formed a ring with the other ladies and the two young men, and sedately began to dance. And when the dance was over, they sang a number of gay and charming little songs. In this fashion they continued until the queen decided that the time had come for them to retire to rest, whereupon she dismissed the whole company. The young men went away to their rooms, which were separated from those of the ladies, and found that, like the hall, they too were full of flowers, and that their beds were neatly made. The ladies made a similar discovery in theirs, and, having undressed, they lay down to rest. The queen rose shortly after nones,11 and caused the other ladies to be roused, as also the young men, declaring it was harmful to sleep too much during the day. They therefore betook themselves to a meadow, where the grass, being protected from the heat of the sun, grew thick and green, and where, perceiving that a gentle breeze was stirring, the queen suggested that they should all sit on the green grass in a circle. And when they were seated, she addressed them as follows: