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
There was in the Country of _Lunigiana_ (which is not farre distant
from our owne) a Monastery, which sometime was better furnished with
holinesse and Religion, then nowadayes they are; wherein lived (among
divers other) a young novice Monke, whose hot and lusty disposition
(being in the vigour of his yeeres) was such, as neither fastes nor
prayers had any great power over him. It chanced on a fasting day about
high noone, when all the other Monkes were asleepe in their Dormitaries
or Dorters, this frolicke Friar was walking alone in their Church,
which stood in a very solitary place, where ruminating on many matters
by himselfe, hee espied a pretty hansome wench (some Husbandmans
daughter in the Countrey, that had beene gathering rootes and hearbes
in the field) uppon her knees before an Altar, whom he had no sooner
seene, but immediately hee felt effeminate temptations, and such as ill
fitted with his profession.
Lascivious desire, and no religious devotion, made him draw neere
her, and whether under shrift (the onely cloake to compasse carnall
affections) or some other as close conference, to as pernicious
and vile a purpose, I know not: but so farre he prevailed upon her
frailety, and such a bargaine passed betweene them, that (from the
Church) he wonne her to his Chamber, before any person could perceive
it. Now, while this yong lusty Monke (transported with over-fond
affection) was more carelesse of his dalliance, then he should have
beene; the Lord Abbot, being newly arisen from sleepe, and walking
softly about the Cloyster, came to the Monkes Dorter doore, where
hearing what noyse was made between them, and a feminine voyce,
more strange then hee was wont to heare; he layed his eare close to
the Chamber doore, and plainly perceived, that a woman was within.
Wherewith being much moved, he intended suddenly to make him open the
doore; but (upon better consideration) hee conceived it farre more
fitting for him, to returne backe to his owne chamber, and tary untill
the Monke should come forth.
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