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
_Ferando_ looking leane and pale, as one, that in so long time hadde
not seene the light of heaven, and endured such strict discipline
twice everie day: stood in a gastly amazement by the Tombes side, as
not daring to adventure any further, or knowing perfectly, whether
he was (as yet) truly alive, or no. But when he saw the Monkes and
Abbot comming, with their lighted Torches, and singing in a solemne
manner of Procession, he humbled himselfe at the Abbots feete, saying.
Holy Father, by your zealous prayers (as hath bin miraculously
revealed to me) and the prayers of blessed S. _Bennet_; as also of my
honest, deare, and loving Wife, I have bin delivered from the paines
of Purgatory, and brought againe to live in this world; for which
unspeakable grace and favour, most humbly I thank the well-pleased
Fates, S. _Bennet_, your Father-hood, and my kinde Wife, and will
remember all your loves to me for ever. Blessed be the Fates, answered
the Abbot, for working so great a wonder heere in our Monastery. Go
then my good Son, seeing the Fates have bin so gracious to thee; Go
(I say) home to thine owne house, and comfort thy kind wife, who ever
since thy departure out of this life, hath lived in continuall mourning,
love, cherish, and make much of her, never afflicting her henceforth
with causlesse jealousie. No I warrant you good Father, replyed
_Ferando_; I have bin well whipt in Purgatory for such folly, and
therefore I might be called a starke foole, if I should that way offend
any more, either my loving wife, or any other.
The Abbot causing _Miserere_ to be devoutly sung, sprinkling _Ferando_
well with Holy-water, and placing a lighted Taper in his hand, sent him
home so to his owne dwelling Village: where when the Neighbours beheld
him, as people halfe frighted out of their wits, they fledde away from
him, so scared and terrified, as if they had seene some dreadfull
sight, or gastly apparition; his wife being as fearfull of him, as any
of the rest. He called to them kindly by their severall names, telling
them, that hee was newly risen out of his grave, and was a man as he
had bin before. Then they began to touch and feele him, growing into
more certaine assurance of him, perceiving him to be a living man
indeede: whereupon, they demanded many questions of him; and he, as
if he were become farre wiser then before, tolde them tydings, from
their long deceased Kindred and Friends, as if he had met with them
all in Purgatory, reporting a thousand lyes and fables to them, which
(neverthelesse) they beleeved.
Then he told them what the miraculous voice had said unto him,
concerning the birth of another young Sonne, whom (according as he was
commanded) he caused to be named _Bennet Ferando_. Thus his returne
to life againe, and the daily wonders reported by him, caused no
meane admiration in the people, with much commendation of the Abbots
Holynesse, and _Ferandoes_ happy curing of his jealousie.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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