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
When night was come, they went all to visit the dead body of Master
_Chappelet_, where they used an especiall and solemne _Vigill_; and on
the morrow, apparrelled in their richest Coapes and Vestiments, with
books in their hands, and the Crosse borne before them, singing in the
forme of a very devoute procession, they brought the body pompeously
into their Church, accompanied with all the people of the Towne, both
men and women. The Father Confessor, ascending up into the Pulpit,
preached wonderfull things of him, and the rare holinesse of his life;
his fastes, his virginity, simplicity, innocency, and true sanctity,
recounting also (among other especiall observations) what _Chappelet_
had confessed, as this most great and greevous sinne, and how hardly
he could be perswaded, that God would grant him pardon for it. Whereby
he tooke occasion to reprove the people then present, saying; And you
(accursed of God) for the verie least and trifling matter hapning,
will not spare to blaspheme God, his blessed Mother, and the whole
Court of heavenly Paradise: Oh, take example by this singular man, this
Saint-like man, nay, a verie Saint indeede.
Many additions more he made, concerning his faithfulnesse, truth, &
integrity; so that, by the vehement asseveration of his words (whereto
all the people there present gave credible beleefe) he provoked them
unto such zeale and earnest devotion; that the Sermon was no sooner
ended, but (in mighty crowds and throngs) they pressed about the Biere,
kissing his hands and feete, and all the garments about him were torne
in peeces, as precious Reliques of so holy a person, and happy they
thought themselves, that could get the smallest peece or shred or anie
thing that came neere to his body, and thus they continued all the day,
the body lying still open, to be visited in this manner.
When night was come, they buried him in a goodly Marble tombe, erected
in a faire Chappell purposely; and for many dayes after following, it
was most strange to see, how the people of the country came thither
on heapes, with holy Candles and other offerings, with Images of waxe
fastened to the Tombe, in signe of Sacred and solemne Vowes, to this
new created Saint. And so farre was spread the fame and renowne of his
sanctity, devotion, and integrity of life, maintained constantly by the
Fathers of the Convent; that if any one fell sicke in neede, distresse,
or adversity, they would make their Vowes to no other Saint but him:
naming him (as yet to this day they do) Saint _Chappelet_, affirming
upon their Oathes, that infinite miracles were there daily performed by
him, and especially on such, as came in devotion to visit his shrine.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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