The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels — John Shaqi
The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant NovelsBoccaccio, Giovanni
History
The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels
Boccaccio, Giovanni
Allegories; Frame stories; Plague -- Europe -- History -- Fiction; Storytelling -- Fiction
His Friends perswasions having prevailed, and hee continued at _Paris_
for the space of three yeares: what with the documents he had attayned
to, before his going thither, and by meanes of a happie memory in the
time of his being there, wherewith no young man was more singularly
endued (in so short a while) he attained and performed the greater part
of his Studies.
Now, as oftentimes it commeth to passe, the love of a Father
(surmounting all other affections in man) made the olde Farmer desirous
to see his Sonne: which caused his sending for him with all convenient
speede, and obedience urged his as forward willingnesse thereto. The
good olde man, not a little joyfull to see him in so good condition
and health, and encreased so much in stature since his parting thence:
familiarly told him, that he earnestly desired to know, if his minde
and body had attained to a competent and equall growth, which within
three or foure dayes he would put in practise.
No other helpe had he silly simple man, but Master Vicar must bee
the questioner and poser of his son: wherein the Priest was very
unwilling to meddle, for feare of discovering his owne ignorance, which
passed under better opinion then he deserved. But the Farmer beeing
importunate, and the Vicar many wayes beholding to him, durst not
returne deniall, but undertooke it very formally, as if he had bene an
able man indeede.
But see how Fooles are borne to be fortunate, and where they least
hope, there they find the best successe; the simplicitie of the Father,
must be the meanes for abusing his Schollerly Son, and a skreene to
stand betweene the Priest and his ignorance. Earnest is the olde man to
know, what and how farre his Sonne had profited at Schoole, and by what
note he might best take understanding of his answeres: which jumping
fit with the Vicars vanity, and a warrantable cloake to cover his
knavery; he appoints him but one word onely, namely _Nescio_, wherewith
if he answered to any of his demands, it was an evident token, that
hee understood nothing. As thus they were walking and conferring in
the Church, the Farmer very carefull to remember the word _Nescio_: it
came to passe upon a sodaine, that the young man entred into them, to
the great contentment of his Father, who prayed Master Vicar, to make
approbation of his Sonne, whether he were learned, or no, and how hee
had benefited at the University?
After the time of the daies salutations had past betweene them, the
Vicar being subtle and crafty, as they walked along by one of the
tombs in the Church; pointing with his finger to the Tombe, the Priest
uttered these words to the Scholler.
_Quis hic est sepultus?_
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