Page 16 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron The First Day | The First Novell took pride in making false documents and bearing false witness. He
delighted in fomenting ill-feeling, enmities, and dissensions, and was
Storyteller: Panfilo
known for his blasphemy, gluttony, and other vices.
How difficult it is to distinguish goodness from hypocrisy;
and how, under the appearance of holiness, one man's
Musciatto, knowing Ciappelletto's way of life, judged him to be the
wickedness can deceive many: Messire Chappelet du Prat, by
right person to cope with the guile of the Burgundians. He sent for
making a false confession, deceived a holy religious man, and
then died. Although he had been a very bad man during his
his money, promising him a reasonable part of what he recovered.
lifetime, at his death he was reputed to be a saint and was Ciappelletto and asked him to undertake the business of recovering
called Saint Chappelet. Ciappelletto, being out of employment and in need of support, agreed
without hesitation. Armed with the power of attorney and royal letters
commendatory, Ciappelletto went to Burgundy, where he was hardly
known. He set about the business in an amicable and considerate
manner, foreign to his nature.

While occupied with this task, Ciappelletto fell sick at the house of
two Florentine usurers who treated him with great distinction out
of regard for Musciatto. Despite their efforts to restore his health,
Ciappelletto's condition worsened. The two brothers, concerned about
the consequences of his death, discussed their predicament. They
feared that if they turned him out of the house, they would incur grave
censure, but if he died unconfessed, he would be denied burial in the
church and cast out like a dog. This could lead to a tumult and a raid
on their houses by the locals who disapproved of their trade. They
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE stood to lose their goods and possibly their lives if Ciappelletto died.
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
Ser Ciappelletto, overhearing the brothers' conversation about the
potential consequences of his death, called them to him and reassured
them. He said, "I do not want you to worry about me or fear any loss
The story goes that Musciatto Franzesi, a great and wealthy merchant, due to my death. I have heard what you said, and I understand your
was made a knight in France and was to attend Charles Sansterre, concerns. However, I intend for things to be different. I have committed
brother of the King of France, when he came into Tuscany with the so many offenses against God in my life that one more at the hour
support of Pope Boniface. Musciatto found his affairs to be much of my death will make no difference. So, find the worthiest and most
involved and difficult to adjust, so he decided to place them in holy friar you can, and leave it to me to settle your affairs and mine
the hands of commissioners. However, he had difficulty finding a on a sound basis."
competent agent to recover certain credits given to some Burgundians,
who were known to be violent, ill-conditioned, and faithless. After much Though the brothers had little hope, they went to a friary and asked
pondering, he remembered Ser Ciappelletto da Prato, who frequented for a holy and discreet man to hear the confession of a sick Lombard
his house in Paris. Ciappelletto, as he was known, was a notary who in their house. They returned with an aged friar, known for his just
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The Decameron