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
Holy Father, I am halfe ashamed to tell you the truth in this case,
as fearing least I should sinne in vaine-glory. Whereto the Confessor
replyed: Speake boldly Sonne, and feare not; for in telling the truth,
be it in confession or otherwise, a man can never sinne. Then sayde
Maister _Chappelet_, Father, seeing you give me so good an assurance,
I will resolve you faithfully heerein. I am so true a Virgin-man in
this matter, even as when I issued forth of my Mothers wombe. O Sonne
(quoth the Frier) how happie and blessed of God art thou? Well hast
thou lived, and therein hast not meanly merited: having hadde so much
libertie to doo the contrary if thou wouldst, wherein very few of us
can so answer for our selves.
Afterward, he demanded of him, how much displeasing to God hee had
beene in the sinne of Gluttony? When (sighing againe greatly) he
answered: Too much, and too often, good Father. For, over and beside
the Fasts of our Lent season, which everie yeare ought to bee dulie
observed by devout people, I brought my selfe to such a customarie use,
that I could fast three dayes in every Weeke, with Bread and Water. But
indeede (holy Father) I confesse, that I have drunke water with such
a pleasing appetite and delight (especially in praying, or walking on
pilgrimages) even as greedy drunkards do, in drinking good Wine. And
many times I have desired such Sallades of small hearbes, as Women
gather abroad in the open fields, and feeding onely upon them, without
coveting after any other kinde of sustenance; hath seemed much more
pleasing to me, then I thought to agree with the nature of Fasting,
especially, when as it swerveth from devotion, or is not done as it
ought to bee.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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