Da Vinci's Last Supper by Paul Arrowsmith

Author:Paul Arrowsmith [Arrowsmith, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Next Chapter

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

It became a habit of Alessandro’s to stop strangers in the street offering to pray for them. Some welcomed this intervention, others were embarrassed by it, while a few were openly hostile.

On one occasion he insisted Caterina’s servants’ line up so that he could pronounce a blessing over each. To one he prophesized… ‘A faithful husband and a long life,’ to another (the girl who had bathed him), ‘May your womb be fruitful and bring forth many children,’ and to one of Caterina’s footmen, ‘May you know riches beyond measure.’

Caterina was greatly amused by the whole charade as most of her simple-minded servants took the proceeding rather seriously.

‘And what blessing would you pronounce over me?’ the delectable Belinda asked.

‘That would be simple’ said Alessandro as he took her by the hand, ‘For you and Lady Caterina to dwell with me in eternity.’ Caterina could barely keep a straight face at the absurdity of Alessandro’s utterance, and to mask her laughter coughed violently into her embroidered handkerchief.

Learning from Francesco that his aunt had died, Alessandro asked to be taken to the house to pray that she be raised from the dead.

‘If my aunt’s name was Lazarus and not Bonita, perhaps such a thing could be possible,’ replied Francesco wearily. Not wanting to continue the conversation, he made his excuses and returned to his work. When Alessandro left for the day, a concerned Francesco took Leonardo aside.

‘What is to be made of the many reports of miracles that Alessandro is rumoured to have performed. Do you believe them?’

‘I was not there at the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio so cannot comment. But a miracle, like any sign from nature, would need to be examined and proven beyond doubt before I could believe in such a thing.’

‘So… you are like the disciple Thomas, demanding proof.’

‘No, I am a man of science demanding evidence.’

While Caterina hosted another night of excess, one attended by the usual crowd of debauched guests, she noisily entered the parlour while everyone was fornicating and demanded they all stop. In her hand, she held a large earthen jar.

‘I am sorry, my dear friends, but I shall have to call a halt to the evening. We are regrettably out of wine.’ While several people groaned their displeasure, most responded that she was forgiven for her error and the party should go on. Belinda, knowing the plans of her lover, cried, Perhaps Jesus of Milan can turn water into wine for us?’ All looked to Alessandro.

Caterina held out a ladle to him that contained water. She then asked him to bless the water and drink it, which he did. Caterina took the ladle back off Alessandro and scooped out a drink from the earthen jar – the ladle contained wine! There was such a cry of surprise that Caterina and Belinda could hardly contain their amusement. If their guests believed the earthen jar had contained water all along instead of wine, so be it.

When morning arrived, Alessandro, hungover and shielding his eyes from the sun, staggered along the cobbled streets of Milan and stumbled into Leonardo’s studio.

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