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
Not long since there lived in the City of _Trevers_, an _Almaine_ or
_Germaine_, named _Arriguo_, [Sidenote: Or Arrigo.] who being a poore
man, served as a Porter, or burden-bearer for money, when any man
pleased to employ him. And yet, notwithstanding his poore and meane
condition, he was generally reputed, to be of good and sanctified life.
In which regard (whether it were true or no, I know not) it happened,
that when he died (at least as the men of _Trevers_ themselves
affirmed) in the very instant houre of his departing, all the Belles in
the great Church of _Trevers_, (not being pulled by the helpe of any
hand) beganne to ring: which being accounted for a miracle, every one
saide; that this _Arriguo_ had been, and was a Saint. And presently all
the people of the City ran to the house where the dead body lay, and
carried it (as a sanctified body) into the great Church, where people,
halt, lame, and blinde, or troubled with any other diseases, were
brought about it, even as if every one should forth-with be holpen,
onely by their touching the bodie.
It came to passe, that in so great a concourse of people, as resorted
thither from all parts; three of our Cittizens went to _Trevers_, one
of them being named _Stechio_, the second _Martellino_, and the third
_Marquiso_, all being men of such condition, as frequented Princes
Courts, to give them delight by pleasant & counterfeited qualities.
None of these men having ever beene at _Trevers_ before, seeing how
the people crowded thorow the streetes, wondred greatly thereat: but
when they knew the reason, why the throngs ranne on heapes in such
sort together, they grew as desirous to see the Shrine, as any of the
rest. Having ordered all affaires at their lodging, _Marquiso_ saide;
It is fit for us to see this Saint, but I know not how we shall attaine
thereto, because (as I have heard) the place is guarded by Germane
Souldiers, and other warlike men, commanded thither by the Governours
of this City, least any outrage should be there committed: And beside,
the Church is so full of people, as wee shall never compasse to
get neere. _Martellino_ being also as forward in desire to see it,
presently replied: All this difficulty cannot dismay me, but I will goe
to the very body of the Saint it selfe. But how? quoth _Marquiso_. I
will tell thee, answered _Martellino_. I purpose to goe in the disguise
of an impotent lame person, supported on the one side by thy selfe, and
on the other by _Stechio_, as if I were not able to walke of my selfe:
And you two thus sustaining me, desiring to come neere the Saint to
cure me; every one will make way, and freely give you leave to goe on.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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