Chapter XVII: Ansaldo and Dianora

Mistresse Dianora demaunded of maister Ansaldo a garden so faire in Ianuary, as in the moneth of May. Mayster Ansaldo (by meanes of an obligation which he made to a Nicromancer) caused the same to bee done. The husband agreed with the gentlewoman that she should do the pleasure which maister Ansaldo required, who hearinge the liberality of hir husband, acquited hir of hir promise, and the Necromancer discharged maister Ansaldo.

[_Source._--Boccaccio, _Decamerone_, giorn. x., nov. 5.

_Origin._--_Cukasaptati_, cf. _Forty Viziers_, c. 14.

_Parallels._--_Med._: Chaucer, _Cant. Tales_. _Mod._: Andræ,
_Chymische Hochzeit_; _cf._ Campbell, _West Highland Tales_, No. 19,
and R. Kohler’s variants in _Orient und Occedent_, ii.

_Painter._--I. ii. 114; II. ii. 93; III. ii. 184; IV. ii. 342.

_Derivates._--Beaumont and Fletcher, _Triumph of Honour_ (but
perhaps from Chaucer); _Two Merry Milkmaids_.]