Federigos Falcon
There was of yore in Florence, a gallant named Federigo di Messer Filippo Alberighi, whise feats of arms and courtesy had not his peer in Tuscany. As is the common lot of gentlemen, Federigo became enamored of a lady named Monna Giovanna, who in her day held rank among the fairest and most elegant ladies of Florence; to gain whose love he jousted, tilted, gave entertainments, scattered largess, and, in short, set no bounds to his expenditure. However, the lady, no less virtuous than fair, cared not a lot for what he did for her sake, nor yet for him.
Spending thus greatly beyond his means, Federigo was at length reduced to such poverty that he had nothing left but a little estate, on the rents of which he lived very straightly , and a single falcon, the best in the world. The estate was at Campi, and there, in complete seclusion, diverting himself with hawking, he bore his poverty as patiently as he might.
Now, Federigo being thus reduced to extreme poverty, it so happened that one day Monna Giovanna’s husband, who was very rich, fell ill, and seeing that he was nearing his end, made his will, whereby he left his estate to his son, who was not growing up, and in the event of his death as lawful their named Monna Giovanna, whom he dearly loved, there in his stead; and having made these dispositions, he died.
Monna Giovanna, being thus left a widow, did as our ladies are wont, and repaired in the summer to one of her estates in the country, which lay very near to that of federigo. And so it befell that her son began to make friends with Federigo, and to show a fondness for hawks and dogs, and having seen Federigo’s falcon fly not a few times, took singular fancy to him, and greatly longed to have him for his own. Still he did not dare to ask the hawk to Federigo, knowing that Federigo prized him so much. So the matter stood when by chance the boy fell sick. The mother, sore distressed, again and again asked him if there were ought that he wished for, imploring
Spending thus greatly beyond his means, Federigo was at length reduced to such poverty that he had nothing left but a little estate, on the rents of which he lived very straightly , and a single falcon, the best in the world. The estate was at Campi, and there, in complete seclusion, diverting himself with hawking, he bore his poverty as patiently as he might.
Now, Federigo being thus reduced to extreme poverty, it so happened that one day Monna Giovanna’s husband, who was very rich, fell ill, and seeing that he was nearing his end, made his will, whereby he left his estate to his son, who was not growing up, and in the event of his death as lawful their named Monna Giovanna, whom he dearly loved, there in his stead; and having made these dispositions, he died.
Monna Giovanna, being thus left a widow, did as our ladies are wont, and repaired in the summer to one of her estates in the country, which lay very near to that of federigo. And so it befell that her son began to make friends with Federigo, and to show a fondness for hawks and dogs, and having seen Federigo’s falcon fly not a few times, took singular fancy to him, and greatly longed to have him for his own. Still he did not dare to ask the hawk to Federigo, knowing that Federigo prized him so much. So the matter stood when by chance the boy fell sick. The mother, sore distressed, again and again asked him if there were ought that he wished for, imploring