Page 88 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron The Third Day | The Tenth Novell Dioneo, noticing that the queen's story had ended and that it was
his turn to speak, began with a smile:
Storyteller: Dioneo
"Gracious ladies, perhaps you have not yet heard how the Devil is
put in hell. Without straying far from today's theme, I will tell you
Alibech becomes a hermit, and a monk named Rustico teaches her
how it is done. You may find the lesson inspiring and learn that,
a peculiar method he calls 'putting the Devil in Hell.' Eventually, she
although Love prefers grand palaces and elegant chambers, he
returns home and marries Neerbale. Dioneus, paying close attention
can also manifest his power in wild forests, rugged mountains, and
to the Queen’s tale, realizes he is the last to entertain for the day.
desolate caverns. This shows that all things are subject to his sway.
Without wasting time for the Queen's command, he begins his story.
In the city of Capsa in Barbary, there was once a very rich man
who had a fair and dainty daughter named Alibech. Alibech, not
being a Christian, heard many Christians in the city speak highly
of the Christian Faith and the service of God. One day, she asked
a Christian how she could serve God with as few impediments as
possible. She was told that those who renounced the world and its
affairs completely, like those living in the Thebaid desert, served
God best.

Acting on a childish impulse, the simple fourteen-year-old girl said
nothing more but stole away the next day. She set out alone for the
Thebaid desert, and after several days of suffering, she reached the
wilds. Spotting a cabin in the distance, she went there and found
a holy man by the door. Surprised to see her, he asked what she
sought. She replied that she was guided by the spirit of God and had
come to serve Him and find someone to teach her how to do so.

Seeing her youth and beauty, the holy man feared that if she stayed
with him, he might be tempted by the Devil. He commended her
good intention, offered her a frugal meal of herbs, crab-apples,
dates, and water, and said, 'My daughter, there is a holy man not
far from here who can better teach you what you seek. Go to him,'
and he showed her the way.

When she reached the place he directed, she received the same
answer. Continuing her journey, she eventually arrived at the cell
of a young hermit named Rustico, a devout and worthy man. She
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE asked him the same question she had asked the others. Rustico,
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
84
The Decameron