Page 38 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron The Second Day | The First Novell
Storyteller: Neifile
Martellino pretends to be a paralytic, and makes it appear as
if he were cured by being placed upon the body of St. Arrigo.
His trick is detected; he is beaten and arrested, and is in peril
of hanging, but finally escapes.
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
34
The Decameron
Martellino pretending to be lame of his limbs, had himself placed on the
body of Saint Arriguo, where he showed a sudden recovery; but when his
deception was discovered, he was severely beaten, later taken prisoner,
and in great danger of being hanged, yet he escaped in the end.
Fair Ladies, it has happened many times that those who strive to mock and
scorn others, especially in situations deserving respect, end up mocking
themselves and putting themselves in significant danger. As you will see in
the story I intend to tell, obeying our Queen's command and following her
theme, a great misfortune happened to one of our citizens, who eventually,
beyond all hope, happily escaped.
Not long ago, there lived in the City of Trevers, a German named Arriguo,
who, being a poor man, worked as a porter, carrying burdens for money.
Despite his poor and humble condition, he was generally reputed to be of
good and saintly life. Whether true or not, it was said that when he died, at
the very moment of his passing, all the bells in the great Church of Trevers
began to ring without being pulled by any hand. This was considered a
miracle, and everyone said that Arriguo had been and was a saint. The
people of the city carried his body to the great Church, where people
who were lame, blind, or suffering from other diseases came, hoping to
be healed by merely touching his body.
Three of our citizens, Stechio, Martellino, and Marquiso, who frequented
princes' courts for their entertainment, went to Trevers and, seeing the
crowds, wanted to see the shrine too. Marquiso said, "It is fit for us to see
this saint, but I don't know how we will get there, because the place is
guarded by soldiers, and the church is so full of people."
Martellino replied, "That won't stop me; I will go to the very body of the
saint. I will pretend to be a lame person, supported by both of you, and
everyone will make way for us."
They all agreed, and Martellino distorted his limbs and body to look like a
dreadful sight. Supported by his friends, they led him towards the church,
making pitiful moans and asking for passage for God's sake. They arrived
at the body of Saint Arriguo, and while all eyes were watching, Martellino,
being skilled in counterfeiting, pretended to extend his fingers, hands,
arms, and the rest of his body gradually, making everyone believe he was
miraculously healed.