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
The Ghostly Father hearing this, became the sorrowfullest man in the
world, not knowing how to make her any answer, but only demanded of
her divers times, whether she knew him so perfectly, that she did not
mistake him for some other? Quoth she, I would I did not know him from
any other. Alas deere daughter (replied the Frier) what can more be
sayd in this case, but that it was over-much boldnesse, and very il
done; & thou shewedst thy selfe a worthy wise woman, in sending him
away so mercifully, as thou didst. Once more I would entreat thee
(deare and vertuous daughter) seeing grace hath hitherto kept thee
from dishonour, and twice already thou hast credited my counsell, let
me now advise thee this last time. Spare speech, or complaining to any
other of thy friends, and leave it to me, to try if I can overcome
this unchained divel, whom I tooke to be a much more holy man. If I
can recall him from this sensuall appetite, I shall account my labour
well employed; but if I cannot do it, henceforward (with my blessed
benediction) I give thee leave to do, even what thy heart will best
tutor thee to. You see Sir (said shee) what manner of man he is, yet
would I not have you troubled or disobeyed, only I desire to live
without disturbance, which work (I beseech you) as best you may: for
I promise you, good Father, never to solicite you more uppon this
occasion: And so, in a pretended rage, shee returned backe from the
ghostly Father.
Scarsely was she gone forth of the Church, but in commeth the man
that had (supposedly) so much transgressed; and the Fryer taking him
aside, gave him the most injurious words that could be used to a man,
calling him disloyall, perjured, and a traitor. Hee who had formerly
twice perceived, how high the holy mans anger mounted, did nothing but
expect what he wold say; and, like a man extreamly perplexed, strove
how to get it from him, saying; Holy Father, how come you to be so
heinously offended? What have I done to incense you so strangely? Heare
mee dishonest wretch answered the Frier, listen what I shall say unto
thee. Thou answerest me, as if it were a yeare or two past, since so
foule abuses were by thee committed, & they almost quite out of thy
remembrance. But tell me wicked man, where wast thou this morning,
before breake of the day? Wheresoever I was, replyed the Gentleman,
mee thinkes the tidings come very quickly to you. It is true, said the
Frier, they are speedily come to me indeed, and upon urgent necessity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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