Heptameron

Heptameron: Summary

In her preface, Marguerite de Navarre states that different the Decameron, on which her work is modelled, the tales are founded on genuine happenings and genuine people. The titles have been altered and so signs to who the scribe was alluding should be gleaned from the tales themselves and in some situations the resemblance of the character's titles to genuine life persons.In his introductory term paper to this transformation of the Heptameron, Mr. George Saintsbury has called vigilance to the researches of diverse commentators who have worked to recognise the presumed narrators of Queen Margaret's tales (Heptameron, 65). As it may be equitably presumed that the setting of the work is untainted creation on the Queen's part, the researches in inquiry can scarcely assist any helpful purpose. Still they emerge to have had substantial affinity for some erudite reviewers, whose attitudes, rarely alluded to in our remarks, we will here succinctly condense for the data of those who the issue may interest (Heptameron, 1).

Though it was yet early when the business went into the auditorium on the morrow, they discovered Madame Oisille there before them (Heptameron, 57). She had been meditating for more than half-an-hour upon the message that she was going to read; and if she had contented them on the first and second days, she assuredly did no less on the third; really, but that one of the monks came in seek of them they would not have learned high mass, for so intent were they upon hearing to her that they did not even discover the bell. When they had piously learned mass, and had dined with temperance to the end that the meats might in no sort hinder the recollection of each from acquitting itself as well as might be when their some turns came, they removed to their luxury suites, there to confer their note-books until the wonted hour for fixing to the meadow was come (Heptameron, 8). When it had reached they were not slow to make the pleasing excursion, and those who were arranged to notify of some merry circumstance currently displayed mirthful faces that provided pledge of much laughter. When they were seated, they inquired Saffredent to who he would give his ballot for the starting of the Third Day. "I think," said he, "that since my infringement yesterday was as you state very large, and I have information of no article that might atone for it, I should to give my ballot to Parlamente, who, with her sound comprehending, will be adept to applaud the females adequately to make you overlook such reality as you learned from me."

"I will not undertake," said Parlamente, "to atone for your infringements, but I will pledge not to imitate them. Wherefore, retaining to the reality that we have pledged and promised to utter, I suggest to display you that there are females who in their loves have directed at nought but virtue. And since she of who I am going to talk to ...