Stolen shamelessly from Bocaccio. This is just tonight's work, a first installment.
Come and listen, all hear me well
And of a goodly act I'll tell
God loves it when Satan who fell
Is put forthrightly into Hell.
In Africa there was a maid
Young and fresh, never had been laid
Innocent and quite simple, too.
So what's a pious girl to do?
Abilech - that was her name -
Heard that life is lived without blame
By hermits in the desert dry
And so she went there, by and by.
She met a hermit in his cave;
To live with him in prayer she craved.
He knew it was a bad idea
And said, "I'm very sorry, dear,
But I am not the man for you.
My days in the desert are few.
You want a man with expertise.
My neighbor down the road will please."
On she went, into the sands,
And found a man with praying hands,
Another hermit, old and wise
Who did not want this lovely prize.
Temptation too much too resist!
If she remained, his prayers he'd miss.
Can't have that; so on she is sent,
And far into the desert went
Until she found another cave.
She hailed its hermit with a wave.
Rustico was the young man's name;
To the cave-mouth quickly he came.
So young and proud, he thought for sure
That he could prove his soul was pure
By living with this pious maid.
So with him she finally stayed.
His resolve lasted a good hour
Til fleshly longings stormed the tower
Of all his good intent; instead,
He schemed to get her into bed.
Delicately, he asked around
And to his great surprise he found
That she knew nothing of the deed
That he was rushing towards at speed.
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