The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5): Containing an hundred pleasant NovelsBoccaccio, Giovanni
History
The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels
Boccaccio, Giovanni
Allegories; Frame stories; Plague -- Europe -- History -- Fiction; Storytelling -- Fiction
A Sister of this house once told me, that before her turne came to be
sent to the Soldane, she fell in frailty, with a man that was both
lame and blinde, and discovering the same to her Ghostly Father in
confession; he absolved her of that sinne; affirming, that she had
not transgressed with a man, because he wanted his rationall and
understanding parts. Behold Sister, heere lyes a creature, almost
formed in the selfe-same mold, dumb and deafe, which are two the
most rational and understanding parts that do belong to any man, and
therefore no Man, wanting them. If folly & frailty should be committed
with him (as many times since hee came hither it hath run in my minde)
hee is by Nature, sworne to such secrecie, that he cannot (if he
would) be a blabbe thereof. Beside, the Lawes and constitutions of our
Religion doth teach us, that a sinne so assuredly concealed, is more
then halfe absolved.
_Ave Maria_ Sister (said the other Nunne) what kinde of words are these
you utter? Doe not you know, that wee have promised our virginity to
God? Oh Sister (answered the other) how many things are promised to
him every day, and not one of a thousand kept or performed? If wee
have made him such a promise, and some of our weaker witted Sisters do
performe it for us, no doubt but he will accept it in part of payment.
Yea but Sister, replied the second Nunne againe, there is another
danger lying in our way: If wee prove to be with childe, how shall
we doe then? Sister (quoth our couragious Wench) thou art afraid of
a harme, before it happen, if it come so to passe, let us consider
on it then: thou art but a Novice in matters of such moment, and wee
are provided of a thousand meanes, whereby to prevent conception. Or,
if they should faile, wee are so surely fitted, that the world shall
never know it: let it suffice, our lives must not be (by any) so
much as suspected, our Monasterie questioned, or our Religion rashly
scandalized. Thus shee schooled her younger Sister in wit, albeit as
forward as she in will, and longed as desirously, to know what kinde a
creature a man was.
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