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
My Lord Abbot looking demurely on the Maide, and perceiving her to be
faire, feate, and lovely; felt immediately (although he was olde) no
lesse spurring on to fleshly desires, then the young Monke before had
done; whereupon he beganne to conferre thus privately with himselfe.
Why should I not take pleasure, when I may freely have it? Cares
and molestations I endure every day, but sildome find such delights
prepared for me. This is a delicate sweete young Damosell, and here is
no eye that can discover me. If I can enduce her to doe as I would have
her, I know no reason why I should gaine-say it. No man can know it, or
any tongue blaze it abroade; and sinne so concealed, is halfe pardoned.
Such a faire fortune as this is, perhaps hereafter will never befall
me; and therefore I hold it wisedome, to take such a benefit when a man
may enjoy it.
Upon this immodest meditation, and his purpose quite altered which
he came for; he went neerer to her, and very kindly began to comfort
her, desiring her to forbeare weeping, and (by further insinuating
speeches) acquainted her with his amorous intention. The Maide, who
was made neither of yron nor diamond, and seeking to prevent one shame
by another, was easily wonne to the Abbots will, which caused him to
embrace and kisse her often.
Our lusty young novice Monke, whom the Abbot imagined to be gone for
wood, had hid himselfe aloft upon the roofe of the Dorter, where, when
he saw the Abbot enter alone into the Chamber, hee lost a great part
of his former feare, promising to himselfe a kinde of perswasion, that
somewhat would ensue to his better comfort; but when he beheld him
lockt into the Chamber, then his hope grew to undoubted certainty. A
little chincke or crevice favoured him, whereat he could both heare and
see, whatsoever was done or spoken by them: so, when the Abbot thought
hee had staide long enough with the Damosell, leaving her still there,
and locking the doore fast againe, hee returned thence to his owne
Chamber.
Within some short while after, the Abbot knowing the Monke to be in
the Convent, and supposing him to be lately returned with the wood,
determined to reprove him sharpely, and to have him closely imprisoned,
that the Damosell might remaine solie to himselfe. And causing him
to be called presently before him, with a very stearne and angry
countenance giving him many harsh and bitter speeches, commanded, that
he should be clapt in prison.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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