R
Redoubtable
Guest
As of late, I have been looking over a number of Latin texts to refresh my memory. Though I cannot be sure that this is the original version of the tale, or a perhaps an adaption thereof, I can say with certainty that this is a funny story I have transcribed for you. It was written by a 15th century secretary of the Pope, Poggio, and, while I have tweaked the grammar for coherency's sake, it still has that feeling.
A certain rural priest was quite wealthy. In fact, after it had died, he inhumed his favourite dog in a cemetery.
A bishop realized this, and, casting his thoughts toward money, summoned the priest to be punished. The priest, who knew well enough the thoughts [of the bishop], came forward proffering 50 gold pieces. However, the bishop grimly ordered the priest led to prison.
"O father," protested the shrewd priest, "as you did know where the dog was, you should, by this same wisdom, not wonder that it deserved burial amongst humans. For in life it was more than humane, and especially so in death."
"What on earth is this you say?!" asked the bishop.
"A will," said the priest. "Near death he, knowing yet concealing your poverty, willed 50 gold pieces to you, which I then bore with me."
Then the bishop, approving the burial and the will and having accepted the money, freed the priest.
Funny, no?
A certain rural priest was quite wealthy. In fact, after it had died, he inhumed his favourite dog in a cemetery.
A bishop realized this, and, casting his thoughts toward money, summoned the priest to be punished. The priest, who knew well enough the thoughts [of the bishop], came forward proffering 50 gold pieces. However, the bishop grimly ordered the priest led to prison.
"O father," protested the shrewd priest, "as you did know where the dog was, you should, by this same wisdom, not wonder that it deserved burial amongst humans. For in life it was more than humane, and especially so in death."
"What on earth is this you say?!" asked the bishop.
"A will," said the priest. "Near death he, knowing yet concealing your poverty, willed 50 gold pieces to you, which I then bore with me."
Then the bishop, approving the burial and the will and having accepted the money, freed the priest.
Funny, no?