Summary The Fiesolean nymphs of Boccaccio
J. Boccaccio
Fiesoland Nymphs
In the center of poetic narrative is the touching love story of the shepherd and hunter Afrique and the nymph of Menzola.
We learn that in times immemorial in Fiesole, women especially honored the goddess Diana, who patronized chastity. Many parents after the birth of children, who voted, and who in gratitude, gave them to Diana. The goddess willingly took everyone into her forests and groves. At the Fiesolean hills, a virgin fellowship was formed, “all there then the name of the nymphs were magnified And they appeared with a bow and arrows”. The goddess often collects the nymphs at a light brook or in the forest shade and talks with them for a long time about the sacred virgin vow, hunting, fishing – favorite of their occupations. Diana was the wise support of the virgins, but she could not always be near them, because she had many different concerns – “she tried to give the veil to the whole earth for the
One day in May the goddess comes to hold advice among her military camp. It already reminds the nymphs again that there should not be men next to them, and everyone must watch over themselves, “she who will be deceived, will lose her life from my hand.” The girls are shocked by the threats of Diana, but the youth of Africa, an occasional witness of this council, is even more shocked. His gaze is chained to one of the nymphs, he admires her beauty and feels the fire of love in her heart. But Diana is on her way, the nymphs follow her, and their sudden disappearance condemns the lover to suffering. The only thing he has time to learn is the name of his beloved – Menzol. At night in a dream the young man is Venus and blesses him in search of a beautiful nymph, promising him his help and support. Encouraged by the dream, in love, hardly dawns, goes to the mountains. But the day passes in vain, Menzola is not there, and the afflicted Afrique is returning home. Father, guessing about the cause
Feeling. His words were heard, for the sheep in the fire had risen, “and part of them merged with one another.” The miracle that he has seen inspires hope in the young man, and he, having become cheerful and calmed down, sinks into a dream. Venus, again appearing to him in a dream, advises Afrique to change into a woman’s dress and deceive to penetrate to the nymphs.
The next morning, remembering that his mother kept a beautiful outfit, Afrique changed into him and set out on a journey. He manages to disguise himself as a girl in the confidence of the nymphs, he talks to them kindly, and then they all go together to the stream. Nymphs undress and go into the water, but after a long hesitation, Africa follows their example. A desperate shriek is heard, and the girls rush in all directions. And Afrique, triumphant, grasps Menzola, sobbing in terror, in her arms. Her maidenhood is abducted, and the unfortunate one calls for death, not wanting to take it by Diana’s hand. Afiko, without ceasing to console and caress her beloved, tells her about her love, promises a happy life together and persuades her not to be afraid of Diana’s anger. Quietly sorrow flows from the heart of Menzola, and love comes to replace her. Lovers agree to meet at the same stream every evening, because they no longer think of life without each other. But the nymph, once alone, again remembers his disgrace and spends the whole night in tears. Afiko is looking forward to it in the evening at the creek, but the beloved does not come. Imagination draws him different pictures, he is tormented, grieves and decides to wait until the next evening. But the day, week, month pass, and Africa never sees the dear face of her beloved. The second month comes, the lover is brought to despair and, having come to the place of the promised meeting, turns to the river with a request to carry his name from now on, and stabs his spear into his chest. Since then, people in memory of a young man who died of love, began to call the river Afrique. Afiko is looking forward to it in the evening at the creek, but the beloved does not come. Imagination draws him different pictures, he is tormented, grieves and decides to wait until the next evening. But the day, week, month pass, and Africa never sees the dear face of her beloved. The second month comes, the lover is brought to despair and, having come to the place of the promised meeting, turns to the river with a request to carry his name from now on, and stabs his spear into his chest. Since then, people in memory of a young man who died of love, began to call the river Afrique. Afiko is looking forward to it in the evening at the creek, but the beloved does not come. Imagination draws him different pictures, he is tormented, grieves and decides to wait until the next evening. But the day, week, month pass, and Africa never sees the dear face of her beloved. The second month comes, the lover is brought to despair and, having come to the place of the promised meeting, turns to the river with a request to carry his name from now on, and stabs his spear into his chest. Since then, people in memory of a young man who died of love, began to call the river Afrique. turns to the river with a request to carry his name from now on, and pierces his spear in his chest. Since then, people in memory of a young man who died of love, began to call the river Afrique. turns to the river with a request to carry his name from now on, and pierces his spear in his chest. Since then, people in memory of a young man who died of love, began to call the river Afrique.
And what about Menzola? She, knowing how to be hypocritical, could convince her friends that she had struck the young man with an arrow and saved her honor. And every day she became more and more calm and firmer. But from the wise nymph of Sinedecchia Menzola learns that she conceived, and decides to settle separately from everyone in the cave, hoping for the support of the Sinedecchia. Meanwhile, Diana arrives in Fiesole, she is interested in the nymphs, where her favorite Menzola is, and hears that she has not been seen in the mountains for a long time and maybe she is sick. The goddess, accompanied by three nymphs, descends to the
Cave. Menzola already had a son, and she plays with him by the river. Diana in anger turns Menzola into a river, which is called her name, and allows her son to give her parents to Africa. They do not worship the soul in it, they raise the baby with love and care.
Eighteen years pass. Pruneo (the so-called grandson of the baby) becomes a beautiful youth. In those days, Atlanta appeared in Europe and founded the city of Fiesole. He invited all the surrounding residents to his new city. Pruneo was elected as ruler for his exceptional abilities and mind, the people fell in love with him, and he “turned the whole land, radically constantly,” from savagery to order. ” Atlant found him a bride, and the race of Afrique continued in the ten sons of Pruneo. But the city is in trouble. The Romans destroy the fiesole, it is abandoned by all the inhabitants except for the descendants of Africa, who built houses there and took refuge in them. Soon the world comes and there is a new city – Florence. The genus Afrique arrived there and was hospitably received by the local population. He was surrounded by love, honor and respect,
The final stanzas of the poem in the form of a traditional appeal to the all-powerful lord Amur sounded a real hymn of love, transforming life and man.
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