Learn Italian with I Promessi Sposi (A2–B1) | Simplified Italian text with English Translation

the Betrothed, the forbidden marriage In November 1628, Don Abondio, an elderly and

fearful parish priest, walks along a narrow street in his town near Lake Como. While walking reciting

his prayers, he is suddenly stopped by two menacing men, the bravoes, who in a firm tone

tell him not to celebrate the wedding between two local young people, Renzo Tramaglino and Lucia

Mondella. Don Abbondio, terrified, doesn't even ask the reason, he just obeys. The

next day Renzo comes to him, Don Abondio is everything is ready for tomorrow, dear Renzo,

there are some formalities, it's better to wait a few more days, says the priest, visibly agitated,

Renzo, suspicious, insists. In the end, with the help of the housemaid Perpetua, he understands that someone has

prevented the wedding by threatening Don Abondio. The culprit is Don Rodrigo, an arrogant nobleman

who wants Lucia for himself. Lucia, scared and full of shame, decides with her mother Agnese to turn

to Father Cristoforo, a courageous and just Capuchin friar known throughout the territory. After

having listened to the facts, the friar promises: "I will do everything possible to defend your honesty"

Father Cristoforo goes to Don Rodrigo's house and confronts him but the nobleman supported by his

henchmen humiliates him and chases him away The situation is too dangerous In the meantime Renzo seeks legal help

from a lawyer nicknamed Azzecca Garbugli who however as soon as he discovers that Don Rodrigo

is involved changes his attitude and chases him away in a rude way. The failed attempt and the escape

Agnese proposes a surprise wedding According to a law of the time it was enough for

two spouses to declare that they wanted to get together in the presence of witnesses Renzo Lucia and two

friends try to implement it but Don Abbondio notices it and prevents

the wedding at all costs. Renzo gets angry Lucia cries desperately and Agnese tries to console her

Father Cristoforo understands that there is no other way than to escape. With the help of a trusted boatman

he organizes the departure of Lucia and Agnese The night is dark and silent when they get on the boat

The lake is calm the landscape is still During the journey Lucia cries in silence looks at the

mountains and thinks: "Goodbye my beloved monti" Renzo instead leaves for Milan with a letter written

by Father Cristoforo for another friar Father Bonaventura who will be able to help him Sister Gertrude

is the kidnapping Lucia and Agnese are welcomed in a convent run by Sister Gertrude known as the

nun of Monza Beautiful and tormented Gertrude was forced to become a nun by her father

Her life is marked by secrets and suffering She lives in a hidden relationship with a dangerous man

Egidio In the convent Lucia feels safe but the peace lasts shortly Don Rodrigo does not give up and

asks for help from the unnamed powerful and evil lord who instructs Egidio to kidnap Lucia.

Egidio, with the complicity of Gertrude, manages to trick her out and hand her over to the

men of the unnamed who lives isolated in his castle. Lucia is terrified and prays to God

to save her and relies totally on faith. The castle is the conversion of the unnamed.

In the castle Lucia prays without ceasing. She makes a vow to the Madonna. If she is saved, she will never marry

The unnamed. struck by the faith and purity of that young girl he begins to feel an

inner torment For the first time in his life he feels guilty During the night the unnamed man

is unable to sleep The memories of his violence and misdeeds haunt him At dawn in desperation he decides

to go and seek comfort from Cardinal Federico Borromeo, bishop of Milan who is

visiting a nearby town The cardinal welcomes him with affection God's mercy

is greater than any sin The unnamed man cries, repents sincerely and decides to change life

He returns to the castle, frees Lucia and entrusts her to a noble and devout family from Milan Donna

Prassede and her husband Don Ferrante Renzo in Milan Renzo arrives in Milan just in the days in which the

city is devastated by the famine and the bread revolt He finds himself among the crowd

attacking the bakeries he joins the revolt by commenting in a loud voice and attracts the attention of the authorities

he is accused of fomenting the revolt An official has him arrested but Renzo manages

to escape taking advantage of the confusion He changes his name and crosses the river Adda to reach

the territory of the Republic of Venice He finally arrives in Bergamo where he finds refuge

with his cousin Bortolo who works in a spinning mill Here Renzo finds work and settles down

but the thought of Lucia does not abandon him The plague In 1630 a terrible plague

spreads in northern Italy In Milan the situation is tragic the population falls ill the streets are

empty the corpses are collected by the monatti the authorities are powerless Renzo after learning

from a letter that Lucia is in the city decides to face every risk and sets off in search of her

arrives in Milan and visits the Lazzaretto where he meets Father Cristoforo who is also busy

assisting the sick The friar directs him towards the women's sector Renzo finds Lucia alive but very

weak When he tries to hug her she stops him Renzo I made a vow If I had been saved I

would never have married Father Cristoforo intervenes God listens to the vows but also welcomes sincere love

You are free Lucia justice and peace In the meantime Don Rodrigo struck by the plague lies dying

in the Lazzaretto No one takes care of him He is recognized by Fra Cristoforo who assists him in

his last moments Don Ferrante, Donna Prassede's husband, also dies from the plague after having

denied for days the dangerousness of the epidemic. Lucia and Renzo finally find themselves free from

every obstacle. With Donna Prassede's approval, they leave Milan and head towards Bergamo. Here

Renzo has a secure job and they can finally build a life together. A new beginning. After

so much time and suffering, Renzo and Lucia finally get married. They settle in a small town

near Bergamo. They have children, they work in the spinning mill and lead a simple and honest In

the memory of everything they have experienced they teach their children gratitude and respect for

faith and justice. Troubles come in life says Renzo but with courage and trust they can be overcome