...Indeed, supported by your favor, you will be flattered in your leisure; you will delight in feminine virtue and the pleasantness of these histories. Nor do I think this reading will stir your mind in vain, if you, emulating the deeds of these outstanding women, rouse your noble spirit to better things. And though you might occasionally find wanton passages mixed with the sacred—which the nature of storytelling sometimes requires—do not overlook the honesty with which you will be filled. Like a garden viridarium original: "viridarium." A pleasure garden or grove, often used as a metaphor for a collection of literature. of the mind, extend your ivory hands to the flowers, setting aside the sharp thorns. Gather the praiseworthy things, and set aside the obscenities.

Whenever you read something worthy of a woman who has professed the Christian religion in a pagan woman original: "gentali muliere." Boccaccio is encouraging his Christian reader to learn virtue even from non-Christian ("gentile" or pagan) historical figures., and you feel you do not possess it, let a blush of the mind excite you and rebuke yourself. You, who are anointed with the chrism of Christ, should surpass the ancients in honesty, modesty, and virtue. With your natural wit provoked to strength, do not merely allow yourself to be surpassed; if you surpass everyone in virtue, as you are already conspicuous for your youthful body and flowery beauty, you will become more outstanding than others—not only those of your own time, but also the ancients—in the integrity of your soul.

Remember that beauty formositas original: "formositas." Boccaccio uses this to refer specifically to physical beauty, which he argues must be secondary to moral character. is not something to be decorated with pigments as many women do, but is to be adorned with honesty, holiness, and good works. Thus, while you give thanks to Him who gave you grace, you will not only be one of the shining minds in this mortal state, but when you put off the human form, you will be received into eternal love by the Giver of Graces. Furthermore, if you deem it worthy, most excellent of women, grant this book the boldness to go forth into the world. It will go, I believe, safe from the insults of the malicious under your protection, and it will carry your name as one splendid name among the other illustrious women. Since your presence cannot be offered everywhere, it will make your merits known to those present and preserve them for eternal posterity. Farewell.

The Book of Giovanni Boccaccio of Certaldo on Famous Women, Dedicated to Andrea Acciaioli of Florence, Countess of Altavilla, Begins Happily.

Some time ago, several of the ancients wrote books in compendium form about famous men. In our own age, that distinguished man and outstanding poet, Francis Petrarch Petrarch (1304–1374) was Boccaccio's mentor and a central figure of the early Renaissance. His work "On Illustrious Men" served as the direct inspiration for this project., our teacher, is writing on the same subject at length and with a sharper style, and worthily so. For indeed, those who surpassed others in noble deeds and used every effort, blood, and spirit to seize the opportunity for glory, have certainly earned the right to have their names brought down to perpetual memory for posterity.

Truly, I have marveled greatly that women have had so little influence among these men of letters that they have attained no special description in the grace of memory, even though it is clear from wider histories that some women have acted quite vigorously. And if men are to be extolled when they have performed great deeds with the strength granted to them, how much more so women, for whom everything from nature...