READING
The Decameron: Induction
by Giovanni Boccaccio, translated by John Florio
The Induction Of The Author To The Following Discourses
Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron (1348-1353), excerpts on the Black Death
Boccaccio (1313-1375) wrote The Decameron, one of the great works of Renaissance Humanism, between 1348 and 1353. It comprises 100 tales told in 10 days by 7 ladies and 3 young men, who have fled Florence for the countryside in order to escape the bubonic plague. At two villas in a remote area they entertain themselves by telling stories, one each day by each of the 10; each story takes up a theme decided beforehand. Aside from its intrinsic literary value, Boccaccio's work chronicles contemporary life of the 14th century, while providing astute social commentary.
Gracious Ladies, so often as I consider with my self, and observe respectively, how naturally you are inclined to compassion; as many times do I acknowledge, that this present work of mine, will (in your judgment) appear to have but a harsh and offensive beginning, in regard of the mournful remembrance it beareth at the very entrance of the last Pestilential mortality, universally hurtful to all that beheld it, or otherwise came to knowledge of it. But for all that, I desire it may not be so dreadful to you, to hinder your further proceeding in reading, as if none were to look thereon, but with sighs and tears. For, I could rather wish, that so fearful a beginning, should seem but as an high and steepy hill appears to them, that attempt to travel far on foot, and ascending the same with some difficulty, come afterward to walk upon a goodly even plain, which causeth the more contentment in them, because the attaining thereto was hard and painful. For even as pleasures are cut off by grief and anguish; so sorrows cease by joys most sweet and happy arriving.
After this brief molestation; brief I say, because it is contained within small compass of Writing; immediately followeth the most sweet and pleasant taste of pleasure, whereof (before) I made promise to you. Which (peradventure) could not be expected by such a beginning, if promise stood not thereunto engaged. And indeed, if I could well have conveyed you to the center of my desire, by any other way, then so rude and rocky a passage as this is, I would gladly have done it. But because without this Narration, we could not demonstrate the occasion how and wherefore the matters happened, which you shall read in the ensuing Discourses: I must set them down (even as constrained thereto by mere necessity) in writing after this manner.
The year of our blessed Saviour’s incarnation, 1348, that memorable mortality happened in the excellent City, far beyond all the rest in Italy; which plague, by operation of the superior bodies, or rather for our enormous iniquities, by the just anger of God was sent upon us mortals. Some few years before, it took beginning in the Eastern parts, sweeping thence an innumerable quantity of living souls: extending itself afterward from place to place Westward, until it seized on the said City. Where neither humane skill or providence, could use any prevention, notwithstanding it was cleansed of many annoyances, by diligent Officers thereto deputed: besides prohibition of all sickly persons entrance, and all possible provision daily used for conservation of such as were in health, with incessant prayers and supplications of devout people, for the assuaging of so dangerous a sickness.
About the beginning of the year, it also began in very strange manner, as appeared by divers admirable effects; yet not as it had done in the East Countries, where Lord or Lady being touched therewith, manifest signs of inevitable death followed thereon, by bleeding at the nose. But here it began with young children, male and female, either under the armpits, or in the groin by certain swellings, in some to the bigness of an Apple, in others like an Egg, and so in divers greater or lesser, which (in their vulgar Language) they termed to be a Botch or Byle. In very short time after, those two infected parts were grown mortiferous, and would disperse abroad indifferently, to all parts of the body; whereupon, such was the quality of the disease, to shew itself by black or blue spots, which would appear on the arms of many, others on their thighs, and every part else of the body: in some great and few, in others small and thick.
Now, as the Byle (at the beginning) was an assured sign of near approaching death; so proved the spots likewise to such as had them: for the curing of which sickness it seemed, that the Physician’s counsel, the virtue of Medicines, or any application else, could not yield any remedy: but rather it plainly appeared, that either the nature of the disease would not endure it, or ignorance in the Physicians could not comprehend from whence the cause proceeded, and so by consequent, no resolution was to be determined. Moreover, beside the number of such as were skilful in Art, many more both women and men, without ever having any knowledge in Physic, became Physicians: so that not only few were healed, but (well-near) all died, within three days after the said signs were seen; some sooner, and others later, commonly without either Fever, or any other accident.
And this pestilence was yet of far greater power or violence; for, not only healthful persons speaking to the sick, coming to see them, or airing clothes in kindness to comfort them, was an occasion of ensuing death: but touching their garments, or any food whereon the sick person fed, or any thing else used in his service, seemed to transfer the disease from the sick to the sound, in very rare and miraculous manner. Among which matter of marvel, let me tell you one thing, which if the eyes of many (as well as mine own) had not seen, hardly could I be persuaded to write it, much less to believe it, albeit a man of good credit should report it. I say, that the quality of this contagious pestilence was not only of such efficacy, in taking and catching it one of another, either men or women: but it extended further, even in the apparent view of many, that the clothes, or anything else, wherein one died of that disease, being touched, or lain on by any beast, far from the kind or quality of man, they did not only contaminate and infect the said beast, were it Dog, Cat, or any other; but also it died very soon after.
Mine own eyes (as formerly I have said) among divers other, one day had evident experience hereof: for some poor ragged clothes of linen and woolen, torn from a wretched body dead of that disease, and hurled in the open street; two Swine going by, and (according to their natural inclination) seeking for food on every dunghill, tossed and tumbled the clothes with their snouts, rubbing their heads likewise upon them; and immediately, each turning twice or thrice about, they both fell down dead on the said clothes, as being fully infected with the contagion of them: which accident, and other the like, if not far greater, begat divers fears and imaginations in them that beheld them, all tending to a most inhumane and uncharitable end; namely, to flee thence from the sick, and touching any thing of theirs, by which means they thought their health should be safely warranted.
Some there were, who considered with themselves, that living soberly, with abstinence from all superfluity; it would be a sufficient resistance against all hurtful accidents. So combining themselves in a sociable manner, they lived as separatists from all other company, being shut up in such houses, where no sick body should be near them. And there, for their more security, they used delicate viands and excellent wines, avoiding luxury, and refusing speech to one another, not looking forth at the windows, to hear no cries of dying people, or see any corpses carried to burial; but having musical instruments, lived there in all possible pleasure. Others, were of a contrary opinion, who avouched, that there was no other physic more certain, for a disease so desperate, then to drink hard, be merry among themselves, singing continually, walking every where, and satisfying their appetites with whatsoever they desired, laughing, and mocking at every mournful accident, and so they vowed to spend day and night: for now they would go to one Tavern, then to another, living without any rule or measure; which they might very easily do, because every one of them, (as if he were to live no longer in this World) had even forsaken all things that he had. By means whereof, the most part of the houses were become common, and all strangers, might do the like (if they pleased to adventure it) even as boldly as the Lord or owner, without any let or contradiction.
Yet in all this their beastly behaviour, they were wise enough, to shun (so much as they might) the weak and sickly: In misery and affliction of our City, the venerable authority of the Laws, as well divine as humane, was even destroyed, as it were, through want of the lawful Ministers of them. For they being all dead, or lying sick with the rest, or else lived so solitary, in such great necessity of servants and attendants, as they could not execute any office, whereby it was lawful for every one to do as he listed.
Between these two rehearsed extremities of life, there were other of a more moderate temper, not being so daintily dieted as the first, nor drinking so dissolutely as the second; but used all things sufficient for their appetites, and without shutting up themselves, walked abroad, some carrying sweet nosegays of flowers in their hands; others odoriferous herbs, and others divers kinds of spiceries, holding them to their noses, and thinking them most comfortable for the brain, because the air seemed to be much infected by the noisome smell of dead carcasses, and other hurtful savours. Some other there were also of more inhumane mind (howbeit peradventure it might be the surest) saying, that there was no better physic against the pestilence, nor yet so good, as to fly away from it, which argument mainly moving them, and caring for no body but themselves, very many, both men and women, forsook the City, their own houses, their Parents, Kindred, Friends, and Goods, flying to other men’s dwellings else-where. As if the wrath of God, in punishing the sins of men with this plague, would fall heavily upon none, but such as were enclosed within the City walls; or else persuading themselves, that not any should there bee left alive, but that the final ending of all things was come.
Now albeit these persons in their diversity of opinions died not all, so undoubtedly they did not all escape; but many among them becoming sick, and making a general example of their flight and folly, among them that could not stir out of their beds, they languished more perplexedly then the other did. Let us omit, that one Citizen fled after another, and one neighbour had not any care of another, Parents nor kindred never visiting them, but utterly they were forsaken on all sides: this tribulation pierced into the hearts of men, and with such a dreadful terror, that one Brother forsook another, the Uncle the Nephew, the Sister the Brother, and the Wife her Husband: nay, a matter much greater, and almost incredible; Fathers and Mothers fled away from their own Children, even as if they had no way appertained to them. In regard whereof, it could be no otherwise, but that a countless multitude of men and women fell sick; finding no charity among their friends, except a very few, and subject to the avarice of servants, who attended them constrainedly, (for great and unreasonable wages) yet few of those attendants to be found any where too. And they were men or women but of base condition, as also of grosser understanding, who never before had served in any such necessities, nor indeed were any way else to be employed; but to give the sick person such things as he called for, or to await the hour of his death; in the performance of which service, oftentimes for gain, they lost their own lives.
In this extreme calamity, the sick being thus forsaken of neighbors, kindred, and friends, standing also in such need of servants; a custom came up among them, never heard of before, that there was not any woman, how noble, young, or fair soever she was, but falling sick, she must of necessity have a man to attend her, were he young or otherwise, respect of shame or modesty no way prevailing, but all parts of her body must be discovered to him, which (in the like urgency) was not to be seen by any but women: whereon ensued afterward, that upon the parties healing and recovery, it was the occasion of further dishonesty, which many being more modestly curious of, refused such disgraceful attending, choosing rather to die, then by such help to be healed. In regard whereof, as well through the want of convenient remedies, (which the sick by no means could attain unto) as also the violence of the contagion, the multitude of them that died night and day, was so great, that it was a dreadful sight to behold, and as much to hear spoken of. So that mere necessity (among them that remained living) begat new behaviours, quite contrary to all which had been in former times, and frequently used among the City Inhabitants.
The custom of precedent days (as now again it is) was, that women, kindred, neighbours, and friends, would meet together at the deceased parties house, and there, with them that were of nearest alliance, express their hearts sorrow for their friend’s loss. If not thus, they would assemble before the door, with many of the best Citizens and kindred, and (according to the quality of the deceased) the Clergy met there likewise, and the dead body was carried (in comely manner) on men’s shoulders, with funeral pomp of Torch light, and singing, to the Church appointed by the deceased. But these seemly orders, after that the fury of the pestilence began to increase, they in like manner altogether ceased, and other new customs came in their place; because not only people died, without having any women about them, but infinites also past out of this life, not having any witness, how, when, or in what manner they departed. So that few or none there were, to deliver outward show of sorrow and grieving: but instead thereof, divers declared idle joy and rejoicing, a use soon learned of immodest women, having put off all feminine compassion, yea, or regard of their own welfare.
Very few also would accompany the body to the grave, and they not any of the Neighbours, although it had been an honourable Citizen, but only the meanest kind of people, such as were grave-makers, coffin-bearers, or the like, that did these services only for money, and the bier being mounted on their shoulders, in all hast they would run away with it, not perhaps to the Church appointed by the dead, but to the nearest at hand, having some four or sixe poor Priests following, with lights or no lights, and those of the silliest; short service being said at the burial, and the body unreverently thrown into the first open grave they found. Such was the pitiful misery of poor people, and divers, who were of better condition, as it was most lamentable to behold; because the greater number of them, under hope of healing, or compelled by poverty, kept still within their house weak and faint, thousands falling sick daily, and having no help, or being succoured any way with food or physic, all of them died, few or none escaping.
Great store there were, that died in the streets by day or night, and many more beside, although they died in their houses; yet first they made it known to their neighbours, that their lives perished, rather by the noisome smell of dead and putrefied bodies, then by any violence of the disease in themselves. So that of these and the rest, dying in this manner every where, the neighbours observed one course of behaviour, (moved thereto no less by fear, that the smell and corruption of dead bodies should harm them, then charitable respect of the dead) that themselves when they could, or being assisted by some bearers of corpses, when they were able to procure them, would hale the bodies (already dead) out of their houses, laying them before their doors, where such as passed by, especially in the mornings, might see them lying in no mean numbers. Afterward, Biers were brought thither, and such as might not have the help of Biers, were glad to lay them on tables; and Biers have bin observed, not only to be charged with two or three dead bodies at once, but many times it was seen also, that the wife with the husband, two or three Brethren together; yea, the Father and the Mother, have thus been carried along to the grave upon one Bier.
Moreover, oftentimes it hath been seen, that when two Priests went with one Crosse to fetch the body; there would follow (behind) three or four bearers with their Biers, and when the Priests intended the burial but of one body, six or eight more have made up the advantage, and yet none of them being attended by any seemly company, lights, tears, or the very least decency, but it plainly appeared, that the very like account was then made of Men or Women, as if they had been Dogs or Swine. Wherein might manifestly bee noted, that that which the natural course of things could not show to the wise, with rare and little loss, to wit, the patient support of miseries and misfortunes, even in their greatest height: not only the wise might now learn, but also the very simplest people; and in such sort, that they should always bee prepared against all infelicities whatsoever.
Hallowed ground could not now suffice, for the great multitude of dead bodies, which were daily brought to every Church in the City, and every hour in the day; neither could the bodies have proper place of burial, according to our ancient custom: wherefore, after that the Churches and Church-yards were filled, they were constrained to make use of great deep ditches, wherein they were buried by hundreds at once, ranking dead bodies along in graves, as Merchandizes are laid along in ships, covering each after other with a small quantity of earth, and so they filled at last up the whole ditch to the brim.
Now, because I would wander no further in every particularity, concerning the miseries happening in our City: I tell you, that extremities running on in such manner as you have heard, little less spare was made in the Villages round about; wherein (setting aside enclosed Castles which were now filled like to small Cities) poor Labourers and Husband-men, with their whole Families, died most miserably in outhouses, yea, and in the open fields also; without any assistance of physic, or help of servants; and likewise in the high-ways, or their ploughed lands, by day or night indifferently, yet not as men, but like brute beasts.
By means whereof, they became lazy and slothful in their daily endeavours, even like to our Citizens; not minding or meddling with their wonted affairs: but, as a waiting for death every hour, employed all their pains, not in caring any way for themselves, their cattle, or gathering the fruits of the earth, or any of their accustomed labours; but rather wasted and consumed, even such as were for their instant sustenance. Whereupon, it fell so out, that their Oxen, Asses, Sheep, and Goats, their Swine, Pullen, yea their very Dogs, the truest and faithfullest servants to men, being beaten and banished from their houses, went wildly wandering abroad in the fields, where the Corn grew still on the ground without gathering, or being so much as reaped or cut. Many of the foresaid beasts (as endued with reason) after they had pastured themselves in the day time, would return full fed at night home to their houses, without any government of Herdsmen, or any other.
How many fair Palaces! How many goodly Houses! How many noble habitations, filled before with families of Lords and Ladies, were then to be seen empty, without any one there dwelling, except some silly servant? How many Kindreds, worthy of memory! How many great inheritances! And what plenty of riches; were left without any true successors? How many good men! How many worthy Women! How many valiant and comely young men, whom none but Galen, Hippocrates, and Aesculapius (if they were living) could have been reputed any way unhealthful; were seen to dine at morning with their Parents, Friends, and familiar confederates, and went to sup in another world with their Predecessors?
From: Boccaccio, Giovanni. The Decameron. John Florio, trans., Introduction.