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
Now was the Abbot (well neere) on the highest step of his hope, making
her constant promise, to accomplish it: But (quoth he) what shall be
my recompence when I have done it? Father, saide shee, whatsoever you
please to aske, if it remaine within the compasse of my power: but you
being such a vertuous and sanctified man, and I a woman of so meane
worth or merit; what sufficient recompence can I be able to make you?
Whereunto the Abbot thus replyed. Faire Woman, you are able to doe as
much for me, as I am for you, because as I doe dispose my selfe, to
performe a matter for your comfort and consolation, even so ought you
to be as mindfull of me, in any action concerning my life and welfare.
In any such matter Sir (quoth shee) depending on your benefit so
strictly, you may safely presume to command me. You must then (saide
the Abbot) grant me your love, and the kinde embracing of your person;
because so violent are mine affections, as I pine and consume away
daily, till I enjoy the fruition of my desires, and none can help me
therein but you.
When the woman heard these words, as one confounded with much
amazement, this shee replied. Alas, holy Father! what a strange motion
have you made to me? I beleeved very faithfully, that you were no
lesse then a Saint, and is it convenient, that when silly women come
to aske counsell of such sanctified men, they should returne them such
unfitting answeres? Be not amazed good woman, saide the Abbot, at the
motion which I have made unto you, because holinesse is not thereby
impaired a jot in me; for it is the inhabitant of the soule, the other
is an imperfection attending on the body: but be it whatsoever, your
beauty hath so powerfully prevailed on me, that entire love hath
compelled me to let you know it. And more may you boast of your beauty,
then any that ever I beheld before, considering, it is so pleasing to
a sanctified man, that it can draw him from divine contemplations, to
regard a matter of so humble an equalitie.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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