“BOCCACCIO’” OPERA COMIQUE, IN THREE ACTS. BY v FRANZ VON SUPPE. y u H.B.MAHN’S COMIC OPERA COMPANY, APRIL 5th, 1880. ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THB YEAR 1880, BY HB. MAHN, IN THR OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, AT WASHINGTON, D. C.Provannt Poccaccio. Pr Peonoe P. fox “Towaed the close of the forteenth century, a cid mam, Huuen’ with fil malady, ay {Crsing about epon u wrested bed a's meats eine yay of Golda nent Plone, alge ‘Rbuaoued tovbe care of ai insompeent phy Renita Sinn tonsa celoee Delay the day be could not rst and at alght bls ever Hopes Sotuted ty tesele vston “Rt aseth, However, the dene wos cored, but tafe tetold eas wrest, Sed such was Ba pore ty that arvation stared bm in the face, Yate mig of his contaeeace doptaion and begged. in, a the greatest prow twrher of Tey fo aekept a goverment apgalue Tent to expat the Denies of Daate “The oid man was GLO¥At stb ofthat famous ‘work, {Ind the Florectiaeyecbared of having dosed ‘im in hi inry, took the coume’ above Femied ‘ofan tnd eet eaaaee ‘Moceaces accepted the post Tecdered bine and SS ae fin iene, "Br" ‘hres wan pachilly ended, and's0 sptrg was evar it wns fered aay’ roaden shock woud hu him, “such gahock' ame in the death of at [ead the poet ‘Petmch, and Bocce expted Besenber af 575 atthe ape of ety. The suibor gf's Tae ‘Becumeron™ was, the sata som ofa Florentae aerchaal, and es Dore RiPark,whier bis inter bad gone on «busines Neture, “While yet am infant be mas taken Fetes, whe Fo Bowed ine prepacns Ulan Ar’ the age of sever he composed eres tof suc panomedal ment tat ate Seat fo hep fedcominoted ie won ‘Bt Be we at slowed {p make a mefcnan of him, speedily sat in to Franae fo acqute a commeral eduction. Govan did eat ue Woy fond at leagihy hea he had attained te age of trey ‘ied ("Rapes ware beet Sid we we lotr an poe of Kg Roberts cout, Ena dedded co devo imoel tbe ues Ik Hee ef i ape the ee Mar was towarted cvatoaliy wih a glace The Bean andr therceme of Pape On {Ber death of lng. Robert his" daugher jeanne Perame queens “She took, Boctacto ini High Sivor, sod for’ some, ‘me the poet led eet ‘Risch erature, study aad) Sesipatoe played Fromieat par Ta 19g0 te death of Bis her recalled wim to orn and be mead to seman tere The, Telowing yest be was chown fo beat to Powate fievtert Wh fet ow Ratan, where poo Eienshipepang op between the to poets TEP Siti slone”ainbivea "Boccaccio steer {Goeay Bled never ocr mlsios, and case © ‘Selooes quite an aecouplsbed diplomat Pe eoprst sr secte Ge bircistamenet shea mo Dearie aen aoe cere eee t ceNT Seeger nee me Secen Catone. oats edae, so eahaslasis war Ye and 10 desirous asks See a craay Secece td a bis fibeal parchases and asa natund eral came en arama soe oats fate desea e eee Eee meed Seer Eee ete! eae SESE Sharer wed nee Chair Towing the lead of the Angel of Baeknes the Ceres a te Le ar saeeesaa ane” Sees Soule are sean ae Se ee Lee ee ee Cn Se aera Be aes ome ‘lar authoraebelled and he fadignanly departed, ate ee He ears eaters rset ete, mie ncaa Geese nies cea brig aoa ay Sree ee cere es ‘Boston "He ees thew wih igh owe, Xion oguia tofaened Mim and he wandered Reareetis 2s wee enh pure earrea Bronce wetaes Uecker mle wee eres See ee Se camer Goma ow holds na wediputod. place at itunes Bene rents ‘Stsioms ofthe ine fo Which was wrenARGUMENT. Pietro, Prince of Palermo, is to be married to “Fiametta,” a daugh- ter of the Duke of Tuscany, bya Morganatic marriage. He goes to Florence for the purpose of being betrothed to her; om his his jour~ ney, he meets with a party of jolly students, and their leader in mis- chief, the poet and novelist, * Boccaccio,” who is in love with Fiam- eta, Boccaccio has made enemies of all the married men of Flor- cence, thro’ ridiculing them in his novels as drunkards and henpecked husbands. They swear to be revenged on him. Pietro “ who, be- fore presenting himself at court, has played a series of wild pranks with the students, and made love to a married woman of Florence, whom the students led him to believe was the niece instead of wife of Lotteringhi, the cooper,” has the misfortune to be' mistaken for Boccaccio, and receives a sound thrashing from the men of Florence. Boccaccio, knowing that Fiametta returns his love, hits upon a plan of freeing her from a distasteful marriage with the Prince. He ar- ranges a mock comedy in which the follies of Pietro are so glaringly set forth, that the marriage is finally broken off.BOCCACCIO. Act First, Isreopucrion, Cheeco and the Beggars. This being the feast of our saint, there will bé'a large crowd in attendance Rich and poor, old and young, From far and near, hither throng. For us ‘twill be a harvest sure! Never tiring ; ever active; Let us meekly aid implore Misericordia, pieta, Moro di fama. Checco. Well, Anselmo, you stand here ; : Giacometto, to the rear : Tita Nana, near to me. Each one at his post must be. Let your tears be briskly plied— All our earnings we divide. Be switt, be swift, ‘And show your thrift! Leonetto. My Beatrice awaits my ‘coming— Dear little sweetheart, and so sly! Her father still abroad is traveling, ‘And she sighs for company. This to me she has confided, ‘And the way is known tome, Cuorvs, Tralla lala, corri, vola Alla fiera a giubilar, Comrades: sing without me, jj Gewerat, Crores. Golden sunlight, balmy air— Who would not its pleasure share? Fragrant breath from lealy bowers, Houses decked with leaves and flowers! la—oi-la— ‘All the streets adorned to-day. Oile—oi-la— Every countenance brightand Golden sualight, balmy air (Ete) All Florence on this happy morn Is steeped in pleasures quaint ; We celebrate the festival Of our patron saint. Lallerala, Lallerala! The Beggars. Miseccordia| pet! ‘Moro di fama P Cuowus No sounds of woe shall mar this day, ‘And even the lame shall join our dances, Behold, the students are approach- eee Hail, brothers, hail! with cheer and 200g, Lets swell the gay and festive throng, Students, Beautiful roses This vjew discloses, Blooming so fresh and ftir! Well, then, stind steady. And be ready ‘Thebe pleasures to share! Hail! comrades, lif up your merry voices Let all around Your festal hymns resound. For nought lift song the fair one's heart eoices In their grateful eyes The singer's sweetest guerdon lies! Cuonus. Talia, suol di venero, ‘L/amor in te respira, Le frondi ancor si tenere, ‘Ah si rivirron d’amor.eee Join the throng With festive song ! Beguile the hours With mirth and flowers ! Golden sunlight, balmy air. (Etc) Canvasser, The latest novels Of the best authors ! Who buys? Who buys? Cuorus. “Novels? Let's see them quick! Camvasser. Patience! you shall all be satisfied, Novels, fresh from the press, I tell you. Charming books that I would sell you. Tales by Sacchetti; a writer of fame; ‘You are well acquainted with his name. : Excellent | How he turns and bends ‘All to his ends! What grace to all his forms he lends! Here is his ‘Miller and the Abbot!” Cuonus. What's this? ‘The Miller ‘and the Abbot!” Carvasser, Ten shillings—as cheap as dirt! Here's Florentino, the finest writer, ‘The most agreeable delighter; His style is flowing, Florid and glowing ! For friends of scandal there's noth- ing above “The Doctor and his lady-love!” Cuorus, “The Doctor and his lady- love?” Canvasser. Fifteen shillings; isn’t it cheap ? But here is one that has no peer, None can rival, far and near, Who sets heads and minds aglow? "Tis Giovanni Boccaccio ! Cuiorvs. Boccaccio! Boccaccio! Canvasser, Mes; many stories he can tell ‘That never in this world befell; None so inventive is, as he, So rich in humor and in glee. His latest book will make you HAPPY soci "Tis *Spinelloccio and Zapp.” The Women, How interesting is the name! The Men, "Tis nought but falsehood! ‘What a shame! Canvasser. “Husbands from this book may learn To give their wrath the proper turn; "Twill ‘surely make you burst with laughter, And quite enjoy it ever after. The Women. A most inviting book, forsooth ! The Men. Of nonsense full, devoid of truth! Caxvasser, Not so, my friends ; 1 e warrant you, he story is perfectly true ! “T has happened in this town ; ‘And the author put it dovn, Come buy my book—you'll read it twice; One dollar only is the price! The Men, The rascal tells you nought but lies, His very eyes betray his dark de- ception, The Women. Now see them in a sorry plight, Because the poet sketched them right! The Men. Snatch the libel from his hands ! Let him go to the Devil! ‘Away with him! ‘Abbasso, Baceaccio ! Vain Maloral’ (Ete) The Women. No; let him alone ! We want to read the booksBOCCACCIO. Long live Boccaccio Behold their impotent rage! (ete.) How they curse and swear! the cowards! "Tis enough to make us laugh. That the book is based on facts, Plainly proves their foolish acts! Hal hal ha! ‘tis so! ‘tis so! For us remains Boccaccio, Ever entertaining ; Ever mirth-provoking! Your silly rage but shows Why you are his foes! Hal ha! ha! The Men, Shame! hold your tongues! ‘Oh! we shall somewhere’ find him sure! a Well not endure his slanders vile; Oh, no! oh, no! He’ shall no longer scorn and smile | Let him fear and tremble Before our wrath! He isa dead man if ever He crosses our path, The Women, “He will scarcely tremble before such knights ‘When the point of his ready wit affrights. First You must catch him, Before you ean hang him! Aslong as you live, You'll never get him ! The Men, - We'll seize him! ‘We'll scourge him { We'll kill him ! Weill. massacre your pet! So hold your tongues! The Women. Not just vet | The Men, Serpents! The Women. Ninnies! The Men, Shrews | The Women. Dastarés! Beware of our nails | You will surely. come to grief! You know our nails from sad ex- perience, The Men, Beware of our fists, Else you will surely come'to grief ‘You know our fists from sad ex- perience, Together. This wordy war goes now too far ; is time to stop your evil tongues! Come on, come on! The Men, Come on, ye serpents | The Women. Come on, ye dastards! ~ Carvasser. The latest novels Of the best authors ! The Men. Wis books we will ‘Annibilate; They've caused this silly brawl! Women. Wis books we'll purchase! «Touch them not— They're not to blame, at all! Lotteringhi. To the gallows Boccaccio?" The seapegrace will turn all Flo—Flo—Florence rebel- ious with his novels. - Lambertuccio, Good heavens | You snetze on it, neighbor ! Checco. Pity the blind! Lambert. Oh, heavens! Lotter, What ails you? Lambert. Meeting a blind man be- fore having heard mass betokens dis- aster. Lotter. Pshaw, nonsense! Lambert, "Tis not nonsense, neigh- bor. Ob, I. would give ten shillings if this thing had not happened. Okecco. Just give the ten shillings to me, and I will ease your mind. Lambert. How is that? .Speak, speak, my poor blind friend. Ghecce. First give me the money, and then— Lambert, Well? Checco. You have not met with a blind man, for I can see as well as you can. Lotter, What? what?BOCCACCIO. Lambert, Scamp! but how is it that your dog bears a board with the inscription “Iam blind”? Checco. Certainly, the dog is blind but T am not. Lambert, Infamous imposter. And yet—I am rather glad of it. Lotter. You ate as superstitious as any old woman, neighbor ghostscer. Lambert. Mock as much as you please. Do you want proof? Last night just as the clock struck twelve— ‘Lotter. None of your ghost stories in broad daylight! Mob, “Down with Boccaccio.” Lambert. 1 dreamt of a black bull which had such enormous horns, who was going to do thus to me— Scalza. Now then, clumsy, are you blind? How! Lotteringhi and Lam- bertaccio? How are you? Latter. You were abroad, Scalza? Scalza, Iwas at Pisa, whither I go once every three months for the pur- pose of cupping the Podesta and the entire town-council. Lambert, What an honor? Scalza. My dear Beatrice does not expect me home until to-morrow. At Pisa, however, I joined the retinue of Prince Pietro, of Palermo— Lambert. Prince ? Seaiza. Who was on his way to the court of Florence to pay his duti- fal regards to his intended spouse. Lambert, His intended spouse, did you say? Who can it be? Our Duke never had a daughter. Scalea. The steward of the Prince told me that the Duke was morgan- atically married to a beautiful lady of his. court;-by whom he had one daughter. Lambert. . Tadeed | Lotter, Indeed Scalza, "Tis a story quite Boccaccio! Lotter. Boccaccio? Ab, the scamp! The wretch! Thad almost forgotten him, You will join us, cousin? ‘Sealsa, Join you? For what pur- Pose? Lotter. We intend to give Boceac~ cio a sound thrashing. Scalza, Don'tuse force, I'l tell you what we'll do; let us demand Boceac- cio's banishment of the Podesta Lambert, happy idea! Liters My voice is for thrashing Scala, Mine is for banishment. Lambert, Let us thrash him first and banish him after. Scalsa, And now to see my darlin ae Ath? Sezsaing keeps her siesta. Let us wake her with the sweet sounds of a serenade, 1 Lovely charmer, hear these sounds ; Hear these strains of true affection i To thee, sweet one We send these kisses; We send a thousand greetings! Our song— Firuliruli, frulirula— The sounds— Eiri, rutiruts— ill tell ou— Bilal Filirul— Your loving father greets you! ‘Oh, how painful was our parting! Oh, how bitter was the hour! But "tis over; Hark) your iover Waits to greet you in your bower!, Our song Firulirul, frulirula— Beatrice, Father! Father!out ting! bower, BOCCACCIO. Sealea, Fain would I hasten to her aid, but, ah, my bones with fear are shaken! Beatrice. Help! Scalza, Forward! courage! Hall she comes ! That is well! Beloved child, how pale you look! “What has happened? tell mequick ! Beatrice. Oh, father! father! is it you? + °Tis heaven that sends you just in time! Now all is wel, since you are heré, ~ (Ob, Ihhad almost died of fear ! Sealza, What scared you so? Beatrice. Oh, do not ask! Scalza. Come, let me know. Beatrice, Heavens, what a task! But listen calmly, if you can, ‘And tremble when you hear! This very hour a handsome man Came in half dead with far, “Pray, lady, belp ! They threaten.me—they'd murder Oh, let me find A refuge here!” T concealed him—I closed the door. But soon there came a cavalier; Handsomer he seemed than’ the other, But his rage he could scarcely smother; Wildly spoke he: “Where. is the dastardly wretch congealed?” sought to appease him, But nothing could please him ; He thrust me aside And furiously his sword he plied! T trembled—I shrieked— None heard my complaint! How my heart did rejoice When I heard your voice! Hold me—I am getting faint! Scalia. A strange adventure | “Tis life and death 1 I scarcely venture To draw breath! He was so young, to fair. ‘and from his eyes Flashed fires of love, enkindled in the skies! Bocca. Wait, wretch, It! make a friccassee of you! = Sealza... Ha! 1 hear them—they are. coming ! Beat Leon, 1 recognize you, villain, in spite of your mas. SONG. Sealsa.” They are coming—they are fighting — It's dreadful—it is frightening Enter Leonetto and Boccaccio.] Leon, (perrying)) Lill not rest anti My sword ‘has pierced your heart! Boce. Cowardly wretch, stand stil, “And learn to act your part! ‘Bea. Woe! woe! Heaven send us aid! Boce. and Leon, Now tremble, wretch! Your hour has come! Tilsend you straight To your jong home! Fall to and fight Segue, Ob this is ea, erie! sthare none to restore peace? ‘They are blind with rage and fry; Alas! who will come to our aid? Bea, Right naturally they play their parts, Boce. Dastard! traducer! you shall re it! See his black heart, my sword, ‘And go through qt Leon, Now shall you Teel my strength, Take this owt Party, thea, this one here. Sealza, Oh dear! cach blow is hit ting me! Bocc. and Leon, Let all beware to hinder us | He who interferes. shall fall through usBOCCACCIO, Scalza, Beloved child, come, let's go in, Y'm sick ofall this noise and di Scalza and Bea, "Tis best to save one's ‘own dear skin, Scolza. We close the door, and let them fight to their heart's éelight. Bea, Then let's go in! Boce, and Leon, Hal villain, T shall ‘mark your skin! Sealza. Als! 1 cannot move for fright! Bea, Come in! Boce, Villain! Leon, Scoundrel! ‘Scale, .O Lord! Boce, Dastard! traducer! (Etc.) Students. Ab! there's a fight! Hurrah! hal ha! that’s right! “Tis our heart's delight; Let's join—for fun or spite! Beatrice, ‘There's more of them—his head Will surely now give way to dread! ‘Scalza, There's more of them— my head Will now give way to fear and dread ! Boce. and Leon. Lay on, and pray as you will ‘Mine will be the victory stil Students. Vial this is lively spor Hurrah ! hurrah! hurrah! Fighting is our detight, Beit for mirth or spite! Bea, Our plan succeeds, forsooth ! He takes the joke for sober truth, Bece, and Leon. Lay on and parry, silly knave, Soon you shall sleep within your gravel Sealea. So long I'm kept in fear and dread, And yet not one is harmed or dead. Cronos — ‘Though swords ace clashing and “hiring, aba boats tow; he blades are flying ‘and whirling, Flat falls each blow. : The strokes fallin perfect measur, They fil our hearts with pleasure! "is our delight To witness such a glorious fight Sealea— “Terribly the swords are flashing Right and left the blows are clash- ing, ‘Threstening on every Swells the batte’s fearful tde | Blows on Blows inquickened motion Bid us act with greatest caution, Let us seca sate retreat Bre we with disaster mest Bea, Success is attained. The vietory is gained, My cunning has triumphed. How he trembles and shales! Sealsa, Danger lurks in every place! Oh, heavens lend us grac Students, Boccaccio! Leonetto! Boce. Two friends! Chick, As rivals? Boce. Leonetto is my rival, for 1 was there fst, Leen, Oho! Thave worshipped at the shrine of Donna Beatrice for sie weeks. Bocc. And 1 for scarcely ten min- utes, Leon. But how did you make her acquaintance ? All, Come, tell us 1 Be, Know; thea, my lends, that Leon: Beatrice? Boce, Oh, no! an unknown fair one! She is beautiful, beautifull I have sung her praises in all the meas- ures of egasus! To meet hep, ther place! grace! aetto | i, for T ipped at for six ten min- sake her nds, that own fair tiful! he meas- her, the BOCCACCIO, unknown, I came hither to the church, After a long and fruitless. waiting, I suddenly observed & pair of charming feet tripping towards this house, and T felt it my duty to offer them my arm, and my escort to the owner. Tof, It was Beatrice, Leonetto's sweetheart. Bece. Precisely. And though she could not be compared with my fair unknown, she had one quality in com= mon with her. Leon, Well? Boce, She was aiso unknown to me. Chick. An excellent reason. Boce, But we were soon acquainted. Suddenly we were startled bya rough, manly voice, It was Leonetto, who is in the habit of coming here to be shaved whenever the barber is not at home. The young woman exclaimed with terror: Heavens! my grand- father is coming!” . You were the grandfather; and she called down stairs: “I will be with you presently, grandfather ; our neighbor's wife is here with me.” Leon. And you were the neighbor's wife | Bocc. Exactly; and all would have bbeen well, if the barber had not sud~ denly come. of. The deuce! Boce. Beatricé was-up to the oc casion. “Mask yourself, and draw your sword,” sliesaid, and ran down Bairs and apprised Leonetto of the state of affairs, Well, we commenced our comedy,and you know the result. No offence, Leonetto, Tfon. Not at all; Tam used to be deceived by the women. Boce. The lovely Beatrice probably was, unwilling to make a break in your habits and customs. Leon, Rogue! Tof. (fo Boce) “And in such mane ner you gather your materials for the novels for which all the men of Flor- ‘ence would like to see you hung? Boce. It is not I that seek them— itis they that seek me. Sovo wir Cxorvs. Boccaccio — T see a gay young fellow standing nigh, His eyes a distant object now espy; ‘The distant object gradually draws It isa child and father, clear! Warmn-hearted is the pretty girl, it Love's ardent glow from out her dark eyes beams ; Bat from her worthy father’s sober face Beams no such rays ! But the swain that’s standing yon- der, . ‘Sends a fiery look that pleads For return of love, and truly In her smile such love he reads. She is happy—he translated, Even the father seems elated ‘With his child's delightful talk— And the #hrce pursue their walk. . Tretiring to some hovel, . Shape this thing into a novel, : Pen in hand I trace it out. ‘The theme is old’ and almost trite, And yet it ever gives delight. ‘The task is light enough, if we Are but able fo foresee ‘What is clearly yet to be! Sure it is an easy thing, etc. ‘To guess what hergwas on the wing, For looks, and mrea, and words portend ' Unerringly a certain end; And he who knows the himan race Can easily man’s courses trace. Hlamor and fancy do the rest give the tale a proper rest. But the credit is not due to me, ‘The inspiration came from ye— "Twas ye dictated the tale to me!BOCCACCIO. Leon, andStudents— True, it was we who fanned the fame From which the inspiration game. ‘The father sees his child with calm content, And with a fervent blessing gives ‘consent, ‘The wedding bells scon chime a joyous peal, And at the altar’ they kneel, And soon the married lovers’ fond- est dreams, Are realized ‘by babies’ pettish screams, ‘Two dari ones like the fhe, then one fair, ‘Three crown the happy pair. Playing gaily mid the flowers, they in strength and beauty rise, ‘While the parents seated near them, follow each with loving eyes. Soon the lengthening sunset shad ows, warn them tis the close of day. Come sweet wife and little ones, ‘tis time to homeward wend our way, Love T seek not to alarm thee, but the falling dew will harm thee Sure it is an easy thing, etc. Students. Good-bye, Boccaccio! Lotter. Boccaccio, he? Have you seen hia, neighbor ? Lambert, Not plainly. Lotter. ‘Up, after him! Guido. Nb, the service begins Leon, Pray for Heaven's forgive- ness, unfaithful one, Sealza, As 1 said before, Beatrice, ‘you must henceforward keep the gar- den gate locked. Isabella. Fresco! Fresco! Where is the rogue? Fresco, Vere, mistress, here 1 am. Isa, Did T not tell you that, you were to carry my prayer-book to church? Where have you been? Fresco. T have bought a. ginger- cake, madam, this being a holiday— fsa, Wait, I'l give you ginger- cakes! Off with you, to church, You good-for-nothing | Duermno, Fiam. and Peron — Listen to the bells’ sweet chime; ‘They tell us of devotion's time; They call the pious throngs To mass and holy songs. [To Beaven we give eur thoughts 1 Peron, Llove the church with prayer and song. Fiam, Where may that charming stranger be? Peron. This new dress seems almost too long. Fiam, Nowhere a trace of him! I Peron. To-day we must not be too late. iam, What care I for the patron © saint! Both, Listen to the bells (ete) Peron. Now to church! Te is a double festival for us, my child! It is just ten years, to-day, since you were intrusted to our care. Fam, Ten years? Andas yet I 4o not know my parents. Peron. Poor child, the knowledge will’come but too soon whenever it Fiam. Vow so? Bocc, (aside) Ah! there she is! the old dragon is again with her! Peron. Tho person who so mys- teriously calls on us every three months to pay your board, gave Lam- bertuceio to understand the other day that you were to be married, Bocc. Heavens!ger- you ghts syer sing ost too tron. Itis ret mys hhree day BOCCACCIO, Flam, Marry me—obl Peron.\To a rich man of high rank. Fiam. Whom do not kaow, nor love @—Never! * Boce,. Bravo! Peron. Pshaw! love comes after marriage, =. Flam. Does the flame come after the smoke? Does the lightning come after the thunder ? Boce. Splendid! Peron. Smoke? Thunder? Who has told you, child, that there are smoke, thunder, and lightning in mar- ried life ? Fiam. True love, like the lightning that flashes, must ‘kindle from’ eye t© eye and strike into the heart. Bocc. Charming! Peron, Pshaw'! you little dreamer. ‘The first task consists in learning to now something, each of the other's ature and character, and to see if love will go hand in hand with faithfulness, Fiam, There can be no true love without faith. Boce, Sweet child! Peron. Oho! ‘Fiam, ‘Think only of the old song! Romanza. Fian.~ : it I have but affection Laske not for your truth; For love is the bud From which faith breaks forth. Take care, then, of the bud, Let it develop freely, ‘That in its fullest beauty It may unfold, mark it weil, With, or without faith, For even without faith Love has charmed; But faith without love Has never yet brought bliss ; Take care, then, of the bud, (Zi) Boce.,. Charming innocence | Peron. Fancies! mere fancies, my child! Just learn to know men as 1 have learned to know them, and you will judge differently, But now to church, Boce, Fair lady! Fiam, Heavens! "tis he! Peron. What is it? What would you have, young man? Boce, T—1—would offer you my prayer-book. Peron, A coisrteous éavalier.’ Boce. Takecare then of the bud, ete. Bocc. A sweet and charming maiden. I must find means to speak to her this very day. Pietro. And so I am at last in Florence! And on an-errand of courtship. And lest this errand be surmised from my externals, I have disguised beneath this plain attire the * ‘most glittering butterfly of the court of Pallermo. “Pietro,” papa lately said, “I cannot get rid’ of the thought that you are getting older.” Very true, papa,” I replied, “older but handsomer too.” “Its time,” contin- ued papa, “that you take a wife. Go to Florence and present yourself to the Duke; he has a daughter by a morganatic marriage; marry her.” “What, morganatically?” T answered, “No: "you scoundrel!” he cried, “legitimately, by so doing you will confirm our alliance with Florence.” Tassented willingly. had long been anxious to visit Florence, not_on ac count of the Duke, still’ less of his daughter, but to ste Boccaccio, my favorite: author. What experience he mast have had to be able to write such books. Ah, me! if I were not Prince of Palermo, I would fain be Boccaccio. On my journey hither T purchased: one of his latest novels, + Spinelloccio ané:Zappi, or the Hus- band’s Revenge." Its perusal made me almost burst. with laughter! Charm- ing! a