The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5)
Page 8
_A Monke, having committed an offence, deserving to be very grievouslypunished; freede himselfe from the paine to be inflicted on him, bywittily reprehending his Abbot, with the very same fault._
The fourth Novell.
_Wherein may be noted, that such men as will reprove those errors inothers, which remaine in themselves, commonly are the Authors of theirowne reprehension._
So ceased Madam _Philomena_, after the conclusion of her Tale, when_Dioneus_ sitting next unto her, (without tarrying for any othercommand from the Queene, knowing by the order formerly begunne, that hewas to follow in the same course) spake in this manner.
Gracious Ladies, if I faile not in understanding your generallintention; we are purposely assembled here to tell Tales, andespecially such as may please our selves. In which respect, becausenothing should be done disorderly, I hold it lawfull for every one(as our Queene decreed before her dignity) to relate such a novelty,as (in their owne judgement) may cause most contentment. Whereforehaving heard, that by the good admonitions of _Jehannot de Chevigny_,_Abraham_ the Jew was advised to the salvation of his soule, and_Melchisedech_ (by his witty understanding) defended his riches fromthe traines of _Saladine_: I now purpose to tell you in a few plainewords, (without feare of receiving any reprehension) how cunningly aMonke compassed his deliverance, from a punishment intended towards him.
There was in the Country of _Lunigiana_ (which is not farre distantfrom our owne) a Monastery, which sometime was better furnished withholinesse and Religion, then nowadayes they are; wherein lived (amongdivers other) a young novice Monke, whose hot and lusty disposition(being in the vigour of his yeeres) was such, as neither fastes norprayers had any great power over him. It chanced on a fasting day abouthigh noone, when all the other Monkes were asleepe in their Dormitariesor Dorters, this frolicke Friar was walking alone in their Church,which stood in a very solitary place, where ruminating on many mattersby himselfe, hee espied a pretty hansome wench (some Husbandmansdaughter in the Countrey, that had beene gathering rootes and hearbesin the field) uppon her knees before an Altar, whom he had no soonerseene, but immediately hee felt effeminate temptations, and such as illfitted with his profession.
Lascivious desire, and no religious devotion, made him draw neereher, and whether under shrift (the onely cloake to compasse carnallaffections) or some other as close conference, to as perniciousand vile a purpose, I know not: but so farre he prevailed upon herfrailety, and such a bargaine passed betweene them, that (from theChurch) he wonne her to his Chamber, before any person could perceiveit. Now, while this yong lusty Monke (transported with over-fondaffection) was more carelesse of his dalliance, then he should havebeene; the Lord Abbot, being newly arisen from sleepe, and walkingsoftly about the Cloyster, came to the Monkes Dorter doore, wherehearing what noyse was made between them, and a feminine voyce,more strange then hee was wont to heare; he layed his eare close tothe Chamber doore, and plainly perceived, that a woman was within.Wherewith being much moved, he intended suddenly to make him open thedoore; but (upon better consideration) hee conceived it farre morefitting for him, to returne backe to his owne chamber, and tary untillthe Monke should come forth.
The Monke, though his delight with the Damosel was extraordinary, yetfeare and suspition followed upon it: for, in the very height of allhis wantonnesse, he heard a soft treading about the doore. And pryingthorow a small crevice in the same doore, perceived apparantly, thatthe Abbot himselfe stood listening there, and could not be ignorant,but that the Maide was with him in the Chamber. As after pleasureensueth paine, so the veneriall Monke knew well enough (though wantonheate would not let him heede it before) that most greevous punishmentmust be inflicted on him; which made him sad beyond all measure.Neverthelesse, without disclosing his dismay to the young Maiden, hebegan to consider with himselfe on many meanes, whereby to find out onethat might best fit his turne. And suddenly conceited an apt stratagem,which sorted to such effect as he would have it: whereupon seemingsatisfied for that season, hee tolde the Damosell, that (being carefullof her credit) as he had brought her in unseen of any, so he would freeher from thence again, desiring her to tarrie there (without making anynoyse at all) until such time as he returned to her.
Going forth of the Chamber, and locking it fast with the key, he wentdirectly to the Lord Abbots lodging, and delivering him the saide key(as every Monke used to doe the like, when he went abroade out of theConvent) setting a good countenance on the matter, boldly saide; MyLord, I have not yet brought in all my part of the wood, which liethready cut downe in the Forrest; and having now convenient time to doeit, if you please to give me leave, I will goe and fetch it. The Abbotperswading himselfe, that he had not beene discovered by the Monke, andto be resolved more assuredly in the offence committed; being not alittle jocund of so happy an accident, gladly tooke the key, and gavehim leave to fetch the wood.
No sooner was he gone, but the Abbot beganne to consider with himselfe,what he were best to doe in this case, either (in the presence of allthe other Monkes) to open the Chamber doore, that so the offence beingknowne to them all, they might have no occasion of murmuring againsthim, when he proceeded in the Monkes punishment; or rather should firstunderstand of the Damosell her selfe, how, and in what manner shee wasbrought thither. Furthermore, he considered, that shee might be a womanof respect, or some such mans daughter, as would not take it well, tohave her disgraced before all the Monkes. Wherefore he concluded, firstto see (himselfe) what shee was, and then (afterward) to resolve uponthe rest. So going very softly to the Chamber, and entring in, lockedthe doore fast with the key, when the poore Damosell thinking it hadbeene the gallant young Monke; but finding it to be the Lord Abbot,shee fell on her knees weeping, as fearing now to receive publikeshame, by being betrayed in this unkinde manner.
My Lord Abbot looking demurely on the Maide, and perceiving her to befaire, feate, and lovely; felt immediately (although he was olde) nolesse spurring on to fleshly desires, then the young Monke before haddone; whereupon he beganne to conferre thus privately with himselfe.Why should I not take pleasure, when I may freely have it? Caresand molestations I endure every day, but sildome find such delightsprepared for me. This is a delicate sweete young Damosell, and here isno eye that can discover me. If I can enduce her to doe as I would haveher, I know no reason why I should gaine-say it. No man can know it, orany tongue blaze it abroade; and sinne so concealed, is halfe pardoned.Such a faire fortune as this is, perhaps hereafter will never befallme; and therefore I hold it wisedome, to take such a benefit when a manmay enjoy it.
Upon this immodest meditation, and his purpose quite altered whichhe came for; he went neerer to her, and very kindly began to comforther, desiring her to forbeare weeping, and (by further insinuatingspeeches) acquainted her with his amorous intention. The Maide, whowas made neither of yron nor diamond, and seeking to prevent one shameby another, was easily wonne to the Abbots will, which caused him toembrace and kisse her often.
Our lusty young novice Monke, whom the Abbot imagined to be gone forwood, had hid himselfe aloft upon the roofe of the Dorter, where, whenhe saw the Abbot enter alone into the Chamber, hee lost a great partof his former feare, promising to himselfe a kinde of perswasion, thatsomewhat would ensue to his better comfort; but when he beheld himlockt into the Chamber, then his hope grew to undoubted certainty. Alittle chincke or crevice favoured him, whereat he could both heare andsee, whatsoever was done or spoken by them: so, when the Abbot thoughthee had staide long enough with the Damosell, leaving her still there,and locking the doore fast againe, hee returned thence to his owneChamber.
Within some short while after, the Abbot knowing the Monke to be inthe Convent, and supposing him to be lately returned with the wood,determined to reprove him sharpely, and to have him closely imprisoned,that the Damosell might remaine solie to himselfe. And causing himto be called presently before him, with a very stearne and angrycountenance giving him many harsh and bitter speeches, commanded, thathe should be clapt in prison.
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br /> The Monke very readily answered, saying. My good Lord, I have not yetbeene so long in the order of Saint _Benedict_, as to learne all theparticularities thereto belonging. And beside Sir, you never shewedmee or any of my brethren, in what manner we young Monkes ought touse women, as you have otherwise done for our custome of prayer andfasting. But seeing you have so lately therein instructed mee, and byyour owne example how to doe it: I heere solemnely promise you, if youplease to pardon me but this one error, I will never faile thereinagaine, but dayly follow what I have seene you doe.
The Abbot, being a man of quicke apprehension, perceived instantly bythis answere; that the Monke not onely knew as much as he did, butalso had seene (what was intended) that hee should not. Wherefore,finding himselfe to be as faulty as the Monke, and that hee couldnot shame him, but worthily had deserved as much himselfe; pardoninghim, and imposing silence on eithers offence: they convayed the pooreabused Damosell forth of their doores, she purposing (never after) totransgresse in the like manner.