Page 89 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

wanting to test his own resolve, did not send Alibech away like help her with her hell. Rustico, living on a diet of herbs and water,
the others had. Instead, he kept her in his cell and made her a struggled to satisfy her. He told her it would take many devils to
bed of palm leaves. That night, as she slept, Rustico struggled quell the heat of her hell, but he did what he could.
with his desires. Eventually, he gave in and abandoned his holy
meditation and prayer. He began to think about how he could fulfill Meanwhile, a fire broke out in Capsa, destroying Alibech's father's
his desires without appearing to be a libertine. Through questioning, house and killing her family. Alibech was left as the sole heiress.
he discovered that Alibech was completely innocent and unaware A young man named Neerbale, who had wasted his fortune,
of men. He devised a plan to satisfy his desires under the guise discovered her and took her back to Capsa, much to Rustico's relief.
of serving God. Neerbale married her and shared her vast inheritance.

Rustico explained to Alibech the enmity between God and the Devil Before Neerbale lay with her, the ladies of Capsa asked Alibech
and told her that putting the Devil in hell was the most acceptable how she had served God in the desert. She explained that she had
service to God. When she asked how it was done, Rustico said, put the Devil in hell and that Neerbale had sinned by taking her
"You will know soon. Just do what you see me do." He then away from such service. The ladies, curious about how the Devil
stripped naked and knelt as if to pray, causing Alibech to do the was put in hell, laughed at her explanation and assured her that
same. Seeing her beauty, Rustico felt a surge of desire. Alibech, Neerbale would know how to serve God with her.
noticing his arousal, asked, "Rustico, what is this that you have
and I do not?" Rustico replied, "This is the Devil that torments me. The story spread throughout the city, becoming a common proverb
Praise be to God, you are in better shape than I am, for you have that the most acceptable service to God is to put the Devil in hell.
no such Devil." Alibech asked what she had instead, and Rustico This proverb traveled across the sea and is still current. So, young
answered, "Hell. I believe God sent you here to save my soul. If ladies, if you seek the grace of God, learn how to put the Devil in
you have compassion and allow me to put the Devil in hell, you will hell, for it is pleasing to God and brings great solace to both parties.
bring me great solace and render an acceptable service to God."

Alibech, in good faith, agreed. Rustico took her to a bed and taught
her how to incarcerate the Devil. Alibech felt pain the first time
and remarked that the Devil must be wicked. Rustico assured her it
would not always be so. They put the Devil in hell six times before
leaving the bed, thoroughly subduing his pride. However, the Devil's
pride returned, and Alibech found the act agreeable. She would
often say, "Now I see that serving God is delightful. I have never
had so much pleasure as in putting the Devil in hell."

Alibech frequently asked Rustico to put the Devil in hell, but
eventually, Rustico could no longer keep up with her demands. He
told her that the Devil should only be put in hell when his pride was
exalted. Alibech, however, found no peace and asked Rustico to

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The Decameron