Where Benno is a strange tale from which we learn things
unedifying life of the abbey
Benno What we said was quite confused. It really seemed that he had drawn us there just to get away from the scriptorium, but it also seemed that, unable to devise a credible pretext, he said there also fragments of a larger truth that he knew.
He told us that the morning had been reticent, but now, after mature reflection, he believed that William needed to know the whole truth. During the famous conversation on rice, Berengar had mentioned the "finis Africae. What was it? The library was full of secrets, and especially books that had never been given to read to the monks. Benno was struck by the words of William rational examination of the propositions. He believed that a scholar Monaco had a right to know everything that housed the library, spoke words of fire against the council of Soissons, which had condemned Abelard, and as he spoke, we realized that this monaco still young, who delighted in rhetoric, was shaken by tremors of independence and struggled to accept the constraints that the rules of the abbey posed to the curiosity of his intellect. I've always learned to be wary of such curiosity, but I know that my teacher did not mind this attitude, and I realized that sympathized with Benno and believe. In short, Benno told us that he did not know what secrets Adelmo and Berengar Venanzio had spoken, but he would not be sorry that this sad story on addivenisse a bit 'light on how the library was administered, and that despair that my master, though he had unraveled the skein of an investigation, drew elements to stimulate the abbot to ease the intellectual discipline that weighed on the monks - who had come from so far away, as he added, just to feed their minds with wonders hidden in the large bowels of the library. Benno
I believe that the investigation was sincere in expecting what he said. But probably wished at the same time as William had planned, reserve the right to rummage in the table Venanzio first, as it was devoured by curiosity, and to keep us away was willing to give us in exchange for more information. And here's what they were.
Berengar was consumed, by now many of the monks knew, from an insane Adelmo passion, the same passion whose nefarious divine wrath struck at Sodom and Gomorrah. So Benno expressed, perhaps in deference to my age. But who has spent his adolescence in a monastery he knows that, even if it is kept chaste, these passions have clearly heard, and sometimes had to guard against the wiles of those who were enslaved. Monacelli had already received as I was not myself, to Melk, a senior Monaco, scrolls with verses that usually a lay person dedicated to a woman? The monastic vows keep us from that sink of vice, which is the body of the female, but often lead us close to other errors. Finally, I can hide my own old age is still shaken by the demon Meridian when I happen to linger my eye, in chorus, beardless face of a novice, pure and fresh as a child?
I say this not to question the choice I made to dedicate myself to the monastic life, but to justify the failure of many to whom this holy burden is heavy. Perhaps to justify the horrible crime of Berengar. But apparently, the second though, that this monaco cultivate his vice even more despicable, and that is using the weapons of blackmail to get what other virtue and decorum should not recommend them to donate. So long
quipped about the monks launched a tender gaze that Berengar Adelmo, which apparently was of great beauty. While Adelmo, totally in love with his work, from which only seemed to derive pleasure, just took care of the passion of Berengar. But maybe, who knows, he was unaware that his mind, deep down, inclined him to the same ignominy. The fact is that Benno said he caught a dialogue between Adelmo and Berengar in which Berengar, referring to a secret that Adelmo was asking him to reveal them, the market brought the foul that even the most innocent reader may imagine. It seems that Benno heard from the lips of Adelmo words of consent, said almost with relief. As if dared Benno, Adelmo at the bottom of another wish, and it was enough to find a reason other than the carnal desire to agree. Sign, he argued though, that the secret of Berengar had to relate to the arcana of wisdom, so that Adelmo could entertain the illusion of bending to a sin of the flesh to satisfy a desire of the intellect. And, he added, but with a smile, how many times he was not troubled by desires to please the intellect so violent that he agreed to indulge his carnal desires, even against his own carnal desire.
"There are times," asked William, "where you would do even reprehensible things to have in my hands a book you are looking for for years?"
"The wise and virtuous Sylvester II, centuries ago, gave the gift of a ball armillary invaluable to a manuscript, I think, of Statius or Lucan, "said William. He added, cautiously: "But it was an armillary sphere, not of virtue."
Benno admitted that his enthusiasm had carried him over, and resumed his story. Adelmo died the night before, he had followed the two, driven by curiosity. It had seen them, after Compline, start with the dormitory. He had waited a long time taking the half-open door of his cell, not far from them, and saw clearly Adelmo slip, when silence had fallen on the sleep of the monks, cell of Berengar. He still had watched, unable to sleep, until she heard the door that opened Berengar and Adelmo who fled almost ran with his friend who was trying to restrain him. Adelmo and Berengar had followed him down the basement. Benno had followed them cautiously and at the mouth of the corridor under Berengar had seen, almost trembling, crushed in a corner staring at the door of the cell Jorge. Benno had sensed that Adelmo had thrown himself at the foot of the old brother to confess his sin. And Berengar was trembling, knowing that her secret was revealed, albeit under the seal of the sacrament. Then
Adelmo came out, pale face, had removed himself from Berengar trying to talk to him, and rushed out of the dorm, going around the apse of the church and entering the choir from the north door (which stays open at night) . Probably wanted to pray. Berengar had followed him, but without going to church and was walking in the tombs of the cemetery, wringing her hands.
Benno did not know what to do when he realized that a fourth person was moving around. It too had followed the two and some had not sighted the presence of Benno, which was held upright against the trunk of an oak tree planted on the edge of the cemetery. Venanzio was. At the sight of Berengar had crouched among the graves and Venanzio was also entered in the choir. At this point, Benno, fear of being discovered, he returned to the dormitory. The next morning Adelmo's corpse was found at the foot of the escarpment. And more, though, did not know.
it approaches the time for dinner now. Benno left us and my teacher did not ask more. We stayed for a little behind the bathing, then walked for a few minutes in the garden, meditating on those special revelations.
"Frangula," William said suddenly, bending down to observe a plant, that on that day of winter dall'arbusto recognized. "Good infusion of the bark for hemorrhoids. And that's Arctium lappa, a good poultice of fresh roots heals eczema of the skin. "
" You are better than Severino, "I said," but now let me hear what you think of what we have heard! "
" Dear Adso, you should learn to think with your head. Although there has probably told the truth. The His story coincides with that, however, so mixed with hallucinations, Berengar, early this morning. Try to rebuild. Berengar and Adelmo together make a very bad thing, we had already guessed. And Berengar must have revealed to Adelmo that secret remains a secret, alas. Adelmo, after committing his crime against chastity and the rules of nature, thinks only confide in someone who can fulfill it, and runs from Jorge. Which was very austere character, we had the evidence, and some axle Adelmo with distressing reprimands. Maybe it does not give him absolution, perhaps requiring an impossible penance, I do not know, nor ever will tell Jorge. The fact is that Adelmo runs to church to prostrate before the altar, but does not allay his guilt. At this point, is approached by Venancio. We do not know what they say. Adelmo Perhaps the secret confided to Venanzio had a gift (or payment) from Berengar, and now he does not care any more, dappoiché he now has a much more terrible secret and burning. What happens to Venanzio? Perhaps, taken from the same burning curiosity that moved today also our Benno, satisfied with what he has learned to leave Adelmo to his remorse. Adelmo you see abandoned plans to kill himself, desperate out there in the cemetery and meet Berengar. He tells awful words, the responsibility of the accused, calls him his master of turpitude. I believe that the story of Berengar stripped of any hallucination, were correct. Adelmo's repeating the same words of despair that must have heard from Jorge. And here goes Berengar upset the one hand, and Adelmo goes to kill the other. Then comes the rest, we were almost witnesses. All believe that Adelmo was killed, Venanzio draws the impression that the secret of the library is even more important than believed, and continue the search on their own. Until someone stops him before or after he has discovered what he wanted. "
" Who killed him? Berengar? "
" Could be. O Malachi, who must guard the building. Or another. Berengar is suspected because it is frightened, and knew that his secret had been Venancio. Malachi is suspected: guardian of the integrity of the library, she discovers that someone has violated, and kills. Jorge knows everything about everyone, possesses the secret of Adelmo, who does not want to find out what I may have found Venanzio ... Many facts would recommend to suspect. But tell me how a blind man can kill another in full force, and as an old man, though strong, was able to transport the corpse in the jar. But then, why not be the same murderess Benno? Lied to us could be moved by unspeakable purposes. And why limit yourself to the suspects who participated in the conversation on rice? Maybe the crime was other motives that have nothing to do with the library. In any case, need two things: to know as you enter the library at night, and have a light. For the light you think. Turn into the kitchen at lunchtime, just got one ... "
" A theft? "
" A loan, to the greater glory of the Lord. "
" If so, count on me. "
" Bravo. How to enter the building, we saw where it appeared last night Malachi. Today I will make a visit to the church and the chapel in particular. In an hour we will go to the canteen. After we have a meeting with the abbot. There will be admitted, because I asked to have a secretary to take note of what we say. "
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