Page 23 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The First Day | The Fourth Novell The silence following Filomena's tale was broken by Dioneo, who,
Storyteller: Dioneo knowing it was his turn to speak, began without waiting for the queen's
word: "Loving ladies, if I have understood your intention correctly, we
It may be noted that those who criticize others for the errors are here to entertain each other with stories. Therefore, as long as
they themselves possess often end up being the cause of nothing is done that goes against this purpose, I believe it is lawful
their own criticism: A monk, having committed an offense that for each of us to tell whatever story seems most amusing. Since we
deserved severe punishment, avoided the pain by cleverly have heard how Abraham saved his soul by Jehannot de Chevigny's
pointing out the same fault in his Abbot. good counsel and how Melchisedech safeguarded his wealth against
Saladin's stratagems by his own good sense, I hope to escape your
censure by narrating a brief story of a monk who, by his cleverness,
delivered himself from imminent peril of severe punishment.

In the not very remote district of Lunigiana, there once flourished a
community of monks more numerous and holy than can be found
there today. Among them was a young brother whose vigor and
lustiness neither fasts nor vigils could subdue. One afternoon, while
the rest of the monks slept, our young monk took a stroll around the
church, which lay in a secluded spot. He chanced upon a young and
very beautiful girl, perhaps the daughter of one of the local farmers,
gathering herbs in the fields. No sooner had he seen her than he was
sharply assailed by carnal desire. He approached and accosted her,
and, with her consent, they came to an understanding and entered
his cell together, unnoticed by anyone.

While they were inside, the abbot awoke and, passing slowly by the
young monk's cell, heard the noise they made. To better distinguish
the voices, he came softly up to the door and, listening, discovered
that there was undoubtedly a woman inside. His first thought was to
force the door open, but he changed his mind and returned to his
chamber, waiting for the monk to come out.

Though the monk found his time with the girl delightful, he was not
without anxiety. He thought he had heard footsteps in the dormitory
and, peeking through a convenient aperture, saw the abbot standing
by the door listening. Realizing the abbot might have detected the
presence of a woman, he was exceedingly distressed, knowing he faced
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE severe punishment. Concealing his worry from the girl, he devised
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
19
The Decameron