Page 179 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

her godfather, sometimes bringing Meuccio along. Despite his As dawn approached, Tingoccio bid Meuccio farewell and vanished.
sponsorship, Tingoccio fell in love with her, as did Meuccio, who Meuccio, learning that affairs with godchildren's mothers were not
was also charmed by her and heard her praised by Tingoccio. Each punished in the afterlife, laughed at his own folly for avoiding such
concealed their love from the other for different reasons. Tingoccio affairs. He became wiser in this respect over time.
was ashamed to admit his love for his godchild's mother, while
Meuccio, knowing Tingoccio was in her good graces, feared that This song set everyone guessing what new and delightful love
revealing his love would make Tingoccio jealous and cause him to might now hold Filomena in its sway. As the words suggested she
turn Monna Mita against him. had experienced more joy than sight alone could provide, some

grew envious of her happiness. However, when the song ended,
Despite their friendship, Tingoccio managed to win Monna Mita's the queen, remembering that the next day was Friday, graciously
affection and enjoyed her company. Meuccio, though vexed, still addressed them all:
hoped to win her favor and pretended not to know about Tingoccio's
success. Tingoccio's affair with Monna Mita eventually led to a "You know, noble ladies and gentlemen, that tomorrow is the day
serious illness, and he died. On the third night after his death, sacred to the passion of our Lord. If you remember, we kept it
he appeared in Meuccio's chamber, calling his name. Meuccio, devoutly when Neifile was queen, pausing our delightful discourse,
waking up, asked, "Who are you?" "It's me, Tingoccio," replied as we did on the following Saturday. Therefore, following Neifile's
the apparition, "come back to fulfill my promise and tell you about excellent example, I think it appropriate to cease our storytelling
the afterlife." Meuccio, initially terrified, regained his courage for those two days and reflect on what was accomplished for the
and welcomed his friend, asking if he was lost. Tingoccio replied, well-being of our souls."
"Nothing is lost but what is irrecoverable. How could I be here if I
were lost?" Meuccio then asked if he was condemned to the fires Everyone approved of the queen's devout speech. As the night
of hell. Tingoccio answered, "No, but I am in severe torment for was now far spent, she dismissed them, and they all went to sleep.
my sins."

Meuccio questioned Tingoccio about the punishments for various
sins, and Tingoccio described them all. Meuccio asked if there was
anything he could do to help. Tingoccio said that masses, prayers,
and alms-deeds would be of great service to the souls in torment.
Meuccio agreed to help. As Tingoccio was about to leave, Meuccio
remembered Monna Mita and asked about the punishment for his
affair with her. Tingoccio explained that when he arrived in the
afterlife, he was directed to a place of torment. Fearing a greater
punishment for his affair, he quaked with fear. A fellow sufferer
noticed and asked why he was so afraid. Tingoccio explained his
sin, and the other laughed, saying, "Don't worry, here we don't
account for affairs with godchildren's mothers." This revived
Tingoccio's spirits.
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The Decameron