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
_Declaring, that in few, discreete, and well placed words, the covered
craft of Church-men may be justly reproved, and their hypocrisie
honestly discovered._
Madam _Æmilia_ sitting next to the gentle Lady _Fiammetta_, perceiving
the modest chastisement, which the vertuous Lady Marquesse had given to
the King of _France_, was generally graced by the whole Assembly; began
(after the Queene had thereto appointed her) in these words. Nor will
I conceale the deserved reprehension, which an honest simple lay-man,
gave to a covetous holy Father, in very few words; yet more to be
commended, then derided.
Not long since (worthy Ladies) there dwelt in our owne native City, a
Friar Minor, an Inquisitor after matters of Faith, who, although he
laboured greatly to seeme a sanctified man, and an earnest affecter of
Christian Religion, (as all of them appeare to be in outward shew;)
yet he was a much better Inquisitor after them, that had their purses
plenteously stored with money, then of such as were slenderly grounded
in Faith. By which diligent continued care in him, he found out a
man, more rich in purse, then understanding; and yet not so defective
in matters of faith, as misguided by his owne simple speaking, and
(perhaps) when his braine was well warmed with wine, words fell more
foolishly from him, then in better judgement they could have done.
Being on a day in company, (very little differing in quality from
himselfe) he chanced to say; that he had beene at such good wine, as
God himselfe did never drinke better. Which words (by some Sicophant
then in presence) being carried to this curious Inquisitor, and he well
knowing, that the mans faculties were great, and his bagges swolne up
full with no meane abundance: _cum gladiis & fustibus_; With Booke,
Bell, and Candle, he raysed an hoast of execrations against him,
and the Sumner cited him with a solemne Processe to appeare before
him, understanding sufficiently, that this course would sooner fetch
money from him, then amend any misbeliefe in the man; for no further
reformation did he seeke after.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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