Pacts with the Devil
From Cuentos Populares en Chile (Chilean Folktales) – by Ramón A. Laval
Part 2 – Myths, Traditions, Things (Mitos, Tradiciones, Casos)
083. The Twelve Redoubled Words (Las Doce Palabras Redobladas)
(Told by St. Zoila Guerrero Gutiérrez, Prado of Peñaflor. February 1923.)
A widow had a very beautiful daughter, and they were served in their household tasks by a black slave whose name was Pancho, a hardworking man and a good Christian.
The girl was growing in age and beauty and the affection that the black servant had for his [young] mistress was turning into love, and the love was so great that Pancho did not eat, nor sleep, nor had the will to work.
The poor black servant prayed, [whereby he] commended himself to God and all his saints to free him from the passion that took away his livelihood; but heaven had become deaf and did not hear his prayers.
In desperation and not knowing what to do, he left the house one night and went to the hill and asked the Devil to come help him. The Devil answered his call, and to the black servant’s pleas he replied:
If you want, I will make Rosita -this was the girl’s name- to fall in love with and marry you, but in twenty years I’ll come looking for you, and if you don’t have the answer to the twelve redoubled words [at that time], your soul will belong to me [forever].
That is fine, -replied Pancho, beaming with joy,- I agree to that.– And with blood that he drew from his veins, he signed the pact that he had just accepted and that the Devil was passing on to him.
Early the next morning the black servant went to his masters’ house. The lady and the girl were on the balcony. The girl, on seeing him, said to her mother: –Look, mother, here comes Panchito.– What is this Panchito?– asked the surprised mother, because the young girl had always called the black servant by the name of Facico and treated him with certain contempt. But Rosita did not make any reply. And the fact is that from then on Rosita got along with Panchito up, Panchito down, Panchito here, Panchito there, in short, everything was about Panchito.
They had to let her marry him, because there was no other recourse, but she had to leave the house with her black husband and could not take anything with her except for an image of San Pedro (e.g. St. Peter), to whom she was very devoted, for that was the only thing that they allowed her to take [from the house].
Rosita lived very happily and was very much in love with her Pancho, who did everything in his power to make her life comfortable, working to his fullest, truly, and taking care that his wife and the four sons that they had together, four handsome mulatos, who were the charm and joy of the marriage, did not lack for anything.
But, as the song very well says:
All pleasure is momentary.
especially if there is a contract involved. The term (deadline) of when the contract ended was rapidly approaching, and the Devil had taken care to appear from time to time to remind Pancho of this:
Pancho, that in a month I will come look for you… – Pancho, that there are only fifteen days left before you come with me… -Pancho, that there is only a week left… etc.
And poor Pancho was consumed by sadness; and no matter how much he inquired among his acquaintances, no one knew the twelve redoubled words, which were needed to free him from the clutches of the Demon.
Rosita, who noticed how her husband was suffering, asked and begged him, for the sake of whom he loved most, to tell her the reason for his sorrows, and only after repeatedly reiterating her pleas did he confess everything that had happened to him and that there were only two days left before the Devil come to take him away.
Rosita, who, as has been said, was so devoted to San Pedro, said to her husband:
Let us commend ourselves to the Saint and put ourselves in his hands; I am sure that he will free us from all Evil, because he has always had pity on me and had safely brought me out of all dangers that I found myself in. And they both knelt before the image of the Prince of the Apostles and prayed fervently.
It was the last night that Pancho, according to the pact he signed with the Devil, had left to live. On the poor black man’s face and that of his wife were streaks of tears, marked by the intense pain which consumed them. The silence was deafening. Suddenly they heard three knocks on the door. Pancho got up to open it. The visitor was a poor man with a pitiful voice who asked for lodging for that night. He had lost his way -he said- and did not know where to sleep [for the night]. Rosita, who heard them talking, from her seat invited the man to enter and offered him a chair. He was an old man, bald, of venerable and sympathetic countenance adorned with a bushy, gray beard.
Captivated by the conversation with the old man, they had forgotten their misfortune and the imminent danger that threatened them, and listening to him, the time passed by unknowingly. When the clock struck twelve, they heard a loud knock on the door and a dried, shrill voice asked:
Friend, do you know the twelve redoubled words?
Yes I know them -replied the old man, standing up and imitating Pancho’s voice before he could answer,- start asking and I will answer you.
That’s all good, -said the voice coming from outside.- Friend, tell me the one.
Although I am not your friend but your enemy, I will tell you: One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
All right: now, friend, tell me the two.
Although I am not your friend but your enemy, I will tell you the two: Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good: now friend, tell me the three.
Although I am not your friend but your enemy, I will tell you the three: Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good, now friend, tell me the four.
Although I am not your friend, but your enemy, I will tell you the four: Four, what are four? The four Evangelists: San Marcos (St. Mark), San Lucas (St. Luke), San Mateo (St. Matthew) and San Juan (St. John). Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good, now friend, tell me the five.
Although I am not your friend, but your enemy, I will tell the five: Five, what are five? The five principal wounds that affected Jesus when he was crucified. Four, what are four? The four Evangelists: San Marcos (St. Mark), San Lucas (St. Luke), San Mateo (St. Matthew) and San Juan (St. John). Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good, now friend, tell me the six.
Although I am not your friend, but your enemy, I will tell you the six: Six, what are six? The six lamps that burned in the temple of Jerusalem. Five, what are five? The five principal wounds that affected Jesus when he was crucified. Four, what are four? The four Evangelists: San Marcos (St. Mark), San Lucas (St. Luke), San Mateo (St. Matthew) and San Juan (St. John). Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good, now friend, tell me the seven.
Although I am not your friend, but your enemy, I will tell you the seven: Seven, what are seven? They are the seven heavens. Six, what are six? The six lamps that burned in the temple of Jerusalem. Five, what are five? The five principle wounds that affected Jesus when he was crucified. Four, what are four? The four Evangelists: San Marcos (St. Mark), San Lucas (St. Luke), San Mateo (St. Matthew) and San Juan (St. John). Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good, now friend, tell me the eight.
Although I am not your friend, but your enemy, I will tell you the eight: Eight, what are eight? They are the beatitudes that Jesus preached in the mountain. Seven, what are seven? They are the seven heavens. Six, what are six? The six lamps that burned in the temple of Jerusalem. Five, what are five? The five principal wounds that affected Jesus when he was crucified. Four, what are four? The four Evangelists: San Marcos (St. Mark), San Lucas (St. Luke), San Mateo (St. Matthew) and San Juan (St. John). Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good, now friend, tell me the nine.
Although I am not your friend, but your enemy, I will tell you the nine. Nine, what are nine? The nine months that the humanized Word was in the purest womb of his most holy Mother. Eight, what are eight? They are the beatitudes that Jesus preached in the mountain. Seven, what are seven? They are the seven heavens. Six, what are six? The six lamps that burned in the temple of Jerusalem. Five, what are five? The five principal wounds that affected Jesus when he was crucified. Four, what are four? The four Evangelists: San Marcos (St. Mark), San Lucas (St. Luke), San Mateo (St. Matthew) and San Juan (St. John). Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good, friend, now tell me the ten.
Although I am not your friend, but your enemy, I will tell you the ten: Ten, what are ten? The ten commandments. Nine, what are nine? The nine months that the humanized Word was in the purest womb of his most holy Mother. Eight, what are eight? They are the beatitudes that Jesus preached in the mountain. Seven, what are seven? They are the seven heavens. Six, what are six? The six lamps that burned in the temple of Jerusalem. Five, what are five? The five principal wounds that affected Jesus when he was crucified. Four, what are four? The four Evangelists: San Marcos (St. Mark), San Lucas (St. Luke), San Mateo (St. Matthew) and San Juan (St. John). Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good: now friend, tell me the eleven.
Although I am not your friend, but your enemy, I will tell you the eleven: Eleven, what are eleven? the eleven thousand virgins. Ten, what are ten? The ten commandments. Nine, what are nine? The nine months that the humanized Word was in the purest womb of his most holy Mother. Eight, what are eight? They are the beatitudes that Jesus preached in the mountain. Seven, what are seven? They are the seven heavens. Six, what are six? The six lamps that burned in the temple of Jerusalem. Five, what are five? The five principal wounds that affected Jesus when he was crucified. Four, what are four? The four Evangelists: San Marcos (St. Mark), San Lucas (St. Luke), San Mateo (St. Matthew) and San Juan (St. John). Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Good, friend; now tell me the twelve.
Although I am not your friend, but your enemy, I will tell you the twelve: Twelve, what are twelve? the twelve apostles. Eleven, what are eleven? the eleven thousand virgins. Ten, what are ten? The ten commandments. Nine, what are nine? The nine months that the humanized Word was in the purest womb of his most holy Mother. Eight, what are eight? They are the beatitudes that Jesus preached in the mountain. Seven, what are seven? They are the seven heavens. Six, what are six? The six lamps that burned in the temple of Jerusalem. Five, what are five? The five principal wounds that affected Jesus when he was crucified. Four, what are four? The four Evangelists: San Marcos (St. Mark), San Lucas (St. Luke), San Mateo (St. Matthew) and San Juan (St. John). Three, what are three? The three Marys, which shine in heaven for our joy and gladness. Two, what are two? The two tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. One, what is one? The Virgin who was born in Bethlehem and always lived chastely.
Whoever said twelve should not go on to thirteen until he (the Devil) bursts, for he deserves it for his evil deeds.
As the old man finished saying these words, a loud noise was heard, as if a barrel of gunpowder had exploded, the room was filled with smoke and a strong sulfurous smell made its three occupants sneeze violently.
When the smoke cleared, they saw before them the old man dressed in a long tunic, with two large keys in the right hand and his head surrounded by a halo of light. It was the same as that represented in the image that adorned the headboard of Rosita’s bed.
Pancho and Rosita, possessed by a holy fear, knelt before the old man, and when they raised their heads a moment later, he had disappeared.
This is the origin of the twelve redoubled words, which the people, without reason, usually called the Prayer of San Cipriano (St. Cyprian), and to which they attribute magnificent virtues against the Devil, witches and all kinds of dangers.
—– VOCABULARY —–
Redoblar – (to increase) to redouble; (to bend back) to clinch; (to rumble) to roll
Redoblarse – (to multiply) to redouble, to double
Prado – (land) meadow, field; (botany) grass; (in a yard) lawn
Menester – (task) activity, occupation; (responsibility) duty; (necessity)
Esclavo – (captive) slave; (captive) slave, addict; (captive) enslaved
Trabajador – (industrious) hardworking, hard-working; (employed) working; (wage-earner) worker, employee
Convenir – (to be desirable) to be advisable, to be a good idea, to be worth; (to be a good time) to suit, to be convenient; (to be beneficial) to do good, to do well, to be in the interest of, to be good for; (to be in agreement; used with “en”) to agree on, to agree to, to agree; (to admit; used with “en”) to agree; (to arrange) to agree (price or date), to agree on
Desprecio – (derision) contempt, disdain, scorn; (affront) snub, slight; (indifference) disregard
Liviano – (of little weight) light; (thin) light; (moderate) light; (superficial) frivolous; (inconstant) fickle; (culinary) lung
Encanto – (attractive quality) charm; (enchantment) spell; (delight) charming, lovely; (term of endearment) darling
Copla – (music) popular song, folk song; (literature) stanza, four-line verse; (juncture) joint
De por medio – involved
De vez en cuando – (indicating frequency) once in a while, occasionally, from time to time, now and again
Recordarse – (to awake from sleep) to wake up
Recordar – (to recall) to remember, to recall; (to call to mind) to remind
Averiguar – (to uncover) to find out, to discover
Averiguarse – (to make do) to get by
Relaciones – (dealings) terms, relations, relationship
Arrodillar – (to bend the knees) to make kneel, to bring someone to his knees
Arrodillarse – (to genuflect) to kneel down, to kneel
Surcar – (agriculture) to plow, to plough; (to make with lines) to score, to groove; (to travel across) to cut through, to sail through (water), to fly through (the sky)
Lastimero – (pathetic) pitiful
Alargar – (to make longer) to extend, to lengthen, to let down (clothing), to drag out (a story); (to cause to last longer) to extend (a visit or a deadline), to prolong (a visit or the wait), to drag out; (to slacken) to let out (the reins or a cable), to pay out (a rope or a cable); (to outstretch) to stretch out (one’s arm or hand), to hold out (one’s arm or hand, to crane (one’s neck); (to give) to pass, to hand
Calvo – (without hair) bald; (barren) bald, bare; (person without hair) bald person, bald man
Poblado – (community) settlement, town, village; (hairy) bushy, thick; (lived in) populated, inhabited; (filled with) populated, full
Canoso – (person) gray-haired, white-haired; (hair) gray, white
Embelesado – spellbound, enraptured, entranced, captivated
Chillón – (strident) shrill, piercing; (too bright) loud, gaudy, lurid, garish; (boisterous) noisy; (moaning) whiner; (boisterous person) loudmouth
Llagar – (to ulcerate) to cause a sore on, to cause sores on
Llagarse – (to ulcerate) to get sores, to get a sore
Candilejas – (theater) footlights, limelight, lamps, stage
Bienaventuranza – (bliss) happiness; (religious) Beatitude
Predicar – (religious) to preach; (to argue for) to advocate for; (to spread) to tell everybody about; (religious) to preach; (to sermonize) to preach
Entrañas – (anatomy) entrails, guts, insides, bowels; (inner depths) bowels, entrails; (emotions) heart
Mandamiento – (religious) commandment; (legal) writ, warrant; (mandate) command, order
Estallar – (to blow up) to explode, to erupt, to go off; (to break) to burst, to shatter, to blow out, to crash (waves); (to develop suddenly) to break out; (to snap) to crack; (to melt down emotionally) to burst
Estornudar – (to involuntarily expel air) to sneeze
Cabecera – (furniture) headboard; (part of a text) top, heading, headline, masthead; (source) headwaters; (foremost part) head, front; (position of authority) head; (helm) top
Poseído – (bewitched) possessed; (obsessed) consumed; (conceited) vain; (person under a spell) possessed person, one possessed
Alzar – (to move to a higher position) to lift, to raise, to elevate (religious), to hoist; (to put up) to erect; (to pick up) to clear away; (to make stronger) to raise
Soler – (with infinitive) to use to (in past tense), to tend to, usually (as adverb), to be in the habit of (with “-ing” form)
Portentoso – wonderful, marvelous, magnificent, superb