Introduction A Note on the Text and Acknowledgements Select Bibliography Giovanni Boccaccio Proem The Conversion of Abraham Alibech and Rustico Tancredi and Ghismonda The Pot of Basil Madonna Filippa's Defence Peronella and the Jar Patient Griselda Ser Giovanni Fiorentino Giannetto and the Lady of Belmont Franco Sacchetti Piero Brandani's Son A Sermon on Usury Giovanni Gherardi da Prato The Tale of Catellina Gentile Sermini Anselmo Salimbeni and Angelica Montanini Antonio Manetti The Fat Woodworker Masuccio Salernitano Saint Griffin's Drawers The Castilian Student Sabbadino degli Arienti The Priest and the Friar Niccolo Machiavelli A Fable Giovan Francesco Straparola Fortunio Margherita Spolatina Luigi da Porto The Story of Two Noble Lovers Giovanni Brevio Madonna Lisabetta Matteo Bandello The Countess of Challant Giulia of Gazzuolo Timbreo and Fenicia The Duchess of Amalfi Niccolo d'Este Anton Francesco Grazzini Introduction Fazio the Goldsmith Lazzero and Gabriello Pietro Fortini Antonio Angelini Cristoforo Armeno The Metamorphoses of an Emperor Giovambattista Giraldi Cinzio The Moorish Captain Nigella and the Doctor Iuriste and Epitia Giambattista Basile Cinderella Sun, Moon, and Talia Francesco Pona Armilla Lindori Explanatory Notes Notes on the Authors.