Page 82 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron The Third Day | The Eighth Novell
Storyteller: Lauretta
Ferondo, having taken a certain powder, is interred for dead; is
disinterred by the abbot, who enjoys his wife; is put in prison and
taught to believe that he is in purgatory; is then resuscitated, and
rears as his own a boy begotten by the abbot upon his wife.
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
78
The Decameron
When Emilia's long story ended, it was well-received by all the ladies, who
found it brief despite its length due to the variety of events recounted. The
queen then gestured to Lauretta, who began her story:
"Dearest ladies, I have a true story to tell you, which seems more like a
lie than reality. It reminds me of the tale we heard about someone being
mourned and buried in place of another. My story is about a man who was
buried alive and later believed to have risen from the dead, leading to his
veneration as a saint when he should have been condemned as a criminal.
In Tuscany, there was and still is an abbey in a somewhat solitary spot.
The abbot, a monk who lived a life of great sanctity in all matters except
his dealings with women, managed to hide his indulgences so well that no
one suspected him. He was highly regarded for his holiness and justice.
The abbot often consorted with a wealthy farmer named Ferondo, a coarse
and simple man. The abbot enjoyed Ferondo's company because of the
amusement he derived from his simplicity. During their interactions, the
abbot discovered that Ferondo had a beautiful wife, whom the abbot
became passionately enamored with. However, Ferondo, despite his
simplicity, was very protective of his wife, making the abbot almost despair.
Being astute, the abbot managed to persuade Ferondo to bring his wife to
the abbey garden for recreation. There, the abbot spoke to them about the
blessedness of eternal life and the pious works of many men and women.
The lady, moved by his words, desired to confess to him and obtained
Ferondo's permission.
To the abbot's delight, the lady came to make her confession. She began
by saying, "If God had given me a different husband or none at all, it would
be easy for me to follow the path to eternal life under your guidance.
But considering what kind of man Ferondo is and his stupidity, I feel like
a widow even though I am married. He is so irrationally jealous that my
life with him is one of perpetual tribulation and woe. Before I continue
my confession, I humbly ask for your counsel on this matter, as it is the
source of my suffering. Without resolving this, neither confession nor any
other good work will help."
The abbot was overjoyed, seeing an opportunity to fulfill his desire. He
said, "My daughter, it is indeed a great affliction for a fair and delicate lady
like you to have a foolish and jealous husband. I believe your tribulation.