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
In this manner lived and died Master _Chappelet du Prat_, who before
he became a Saint, was as you have heard: and I will not deny it to be
impossible, but that he may be at rest among other blessed bodies. For,
although he lived lewdly and wickedly, yet such might be his contrition
in the latest extreamity, that (questionlesse) he might finde mercie.
But, because such things remaine unknowne to us, and speaking by
outwarde appearance, vulgar judgement will censure otherwise of him,
and thinke him to be rather in perdition, then in so blessed a place
as Paradice. But referring that to the Omnipotent appointment, whose
clemencie hath alwayes beene so great to us, that he regards not our
errors, but the integrity of our Faith, making (by meanes of our
continuall Mediator) of an open enemy, a converted sonne and servant.
And as I began in his name, so will I conclude, desiring that it may
evermore be had in due reverence, and referre we our selves thereto in
all our necessities, with this setled assurance, that he is alwayes
readie to heare us. And so he ceased.
_Abraham a Jew, being admonished or advised by a friend of his, named
Jehannot de Chevigny, travailed from Paris unto Rome: And beholding
there the wicked behaviour of men in the Church, returned backe to
Paris again, where yet (neverthelesse) he became a Christian._
The Second Novell.
_Wherein is contained and expressed, the liberality and goodnesse of
God, extended to the Christian Faith._
The Novell recited by _Pamphilus_ was highly pleasing to the company,
and much commended by the Ladies: and after it had beene diligently
observed among them, the Queen commanded Madam _Neiphila_ (who was
seated neerest to _Pamphilus_) that, in relating another of hers, she
should follow on in the pastime thus begun. She being no lesse gracious
in countenance, then merrily disposed; made answer, that shee would
obey her charge, and began in this manner.
_Pamphilus_ hath declared to us by his Tale, how the goodnesse of
God regardeth not our errors, when they proceede from things which
wee cannot discerne. And I intend to approove by mine, what argument
of infallible truth, the same benignity delivereth of it selfe, by
enduring patiently the faults of them, that (both in word and worke)
should declare unfaigned testimony of such gracious goodnesse, and not
to live so dissolutely as they doe. To the end, that others illumined
by their light of life, may beleeve with the stronger constancy of
minde.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account