aving heard
mass, they were taken over the convent by one of the friars, who
showed them the convent and cells. Of which Barlacchia said 'twas
all very fine, but that he would like to see the
wine-cellar--_sentendosi egli hauer sete_--as he felt great thirst
sadly stealing over him.

"To which the friar replied that he would gladly show them that part
of the convent, but that unfortunately the Decano who kept the keys
was absent. [_Decano_, dean or deacon, may be rendered roughly in
English as a dog, or literally of a dog or currish.] To which
Barlacchia replied, 'Truly I am sorry for it, and I wish you were all
_de' cani_ or dogs!'

Times have changed, and whether this tale brought about the reform I
cannot say, but it is certain that the good monks at present, without
waiting to be asked, generally offer a glass of their famous cordial to
visitors. Tastes may differ, but to mine, when it is old, the green
Certosa, though far cheaper, is superior to Chartreuse.

Another tale of Barlacchia, which has a certain theological affinity with
this story, is as follows:

"A great illness once befell Barlacchia, so that it was rumoured all
over Florence that he was dead, and great was the grieving thereover.
But having recovered, by the grace of God, he went from his house to
the palace of the Grand Duke, who said to him:

"'Ha! art thou alive, Barlacchia? We all heard that thou wert dead.'

"'Signore, it is true,' was his reply. 'I was indeed in the other
world, but they sent me back again, and that for a mere trifle, which
you forgot to give me.'

"'And what was that?' asked the Duke.

"'I knocked,' resumed Barlacchia, 'at the gate of heaven, and they
asked me who I was, what I had done in the world, and whether I had
left any landed property. To which I replied no, never having begged
for anything. So they sent me off, saying that they did not want any
such poor devils about them--_non volevano la simile dapochi_. And
therefore, illustrious Signore, I make so bold as to ask that you
would kindly give me some small estate, so that another time I may
not be turned away.'

"Which so pleased the magnificent and liberal Lorenzo that he
bestowed on Barlacchia a _podere_ or farm.

"Now for a long time after this illness, Barlacchia was very pale and
haggard, so that everybody who met hi