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
These things, and many more (fitter for silence, then publication)
were so deepely displeasing to the Jew, being a most sober and modest
man; that he had soone seene enough, resolving on his returne to
_Paris_, which very speedily he performed. And when _Jehannot_ heard
of his arrivall, crediting much rather other newes from him, then ever
to see him a converted Christian; he went to welcome him, and kindly
they feasted one another. After some fewe dayes of resting, _Jehannot_
demaunded of him; what he thought of our holy father the Pope and his
Cardinals, and generally of all the other Courtiers? Whereto the Jew
readily answered; It is strange _Jehannot_, that God should give them
so much as he doth. For I will truly tell thee, that if I had beene
able to consider all those things, which there I have both heard and
seene: I could then have resolved my selfe, never to have found in
any Priest, either sanctity, devotion, good worke, example of honest
life, or any good thing else beside. But if a man desire to see luxury,
avarice, gluttony, and such wicked things, yea, worse, if worse may be,
and held in generall estimation of all men; let him but goe to _Rome_,
which I thinke rather to be the forge of damnable actions, then any
way leaning to grace or goodnesse. And, for ought I could perceive,
me thinkes your chiefe Pastour, and (consequently) all the rest of
his dependants, doe strive so much as they may (with all their engine
arte and endeavour) to bring to nothing, or else to banish quite out of
the world, Christian Religion, whereof they should be the support and
foundation.
But because I perceive, that their wicked intent will never come to
passe, but contrariwise, that your faith enlargeth itselfe, shining
every day much more cleare and splendant: I gather thereby evidently,
that the blessed Spirit is the true ground and defence thereof, as
being more true and holy then any other. In which respect, whereas I
stood stiffe and obstinate against the good admonitions, and never
minded to become a Christian: now I freely open my heart unto thee,
that nothing in the world can or shall hinder me, but I will be a
Christian, as thou art. Let us therefore presently goe to the Church,
and there (according to the true custome of your holy faith) helpe me
to be baptized.
_Jehannot_, who expected a farre contrary conclusion, then this,
hearing him speake it with such constancy; was the very gladdest man in
the world, and went with him to the Church of _Nostre Dame_ in _Paris_,
where he requested the Priests there abiding, to bestow baptisme on
_Abraham_, which they joyfully did, hearing him so earnestly to desire
it. _Jehannot_ was his Godfather, and named him _John_, and afterward,
by learned Divines he was more fully instructed in the grounds of
our faith; wherein he grew of greatly understanding, and led a very
vertuous life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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