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第10章

the decameron(十日谈)-第10章

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do beleeve all constantly: onely one thing troubleth me much; and
maketh me very compassionate of you; and of all these holy Fathers
your brethren; perceiving in what wofull and wretched estate you
will be; when you shall come into another world。 What words are these;
quoth the Inquisitor? And why art thou moved to such compassion of us?
O good Sir; saide the man; do you remember the wordes in the Gospell
this morning; You shall receive an hundred for one? That is verie true
replyed the Inquisitor; but what mooveth thee to urge those words?
 I will tell you Sir; answered the plain fellow; so it might please
you not to be offended。 Since the time of my resorting hither; I
have daily seene many poore people at your doore; and (out of your
abundance) when you and your Brethren have fed sufficiently; every one
hath had a good messe of Pottage: now Sir; if for every dishfull
given; you are sure to receive an hundred againe; you will all be
meerely drowned in pottage。 Although the rest (sitting at the Table
with the Inquisitor) laughed heartily at this jest; yet he found
himselfe toucht in another nature; having hypocritically received for
one poore offence; above three hundred peeces of Gold; and not a mite
to be restored againe。 But fearing to be further disclosed; yet
threatning him with another Processe in law; for abusing the words of
the Gospel; he was content to dismisse him for altogither; without
any more golden greasing in the hand。




                    THE FIRST DAY; THE SEVENTH NOVELL

      APPROVING; THAT IT IS MUCH UNFITTING FOR A PRINCE; OR GREAT
         PERSON; TO BEE COVETOUS; BUT RATHER TO BE LIBERALL TO
                               ALL MEN

  Bergamino; by telling a tale of a skilfull man; named Primasso;
and of an Abbot of Clugni; honestly checked a new kinde of
Covetousnesse; in Mayster Can de la Scala。

  The courteous demeanor of Madam Aemilia; and the quaintnesse of
her discourse; caused both the Queene; and the rest of the company; to
commend the invention of carrying the Crosse; and the golden
oyntment appointed for pennance。 Afterward; Philostratus; who was in
order to speake next; began in this manner。
  It is a commendable thing (faire Ladies) to hit a But that never
stirreth out of his place: but it is a matter much more admirable;
to see a thing suddainely appearing; and sildome or never frequented
before; to bee as suddenly hit by an ordinary Archer。 The vicious
and polluted lives of Priests; yeeldeth matter of it selfe in many
things; deserving speech and reprehension; as a true But of wickednes;
and well worthy to be sharply shot at。 And therefore; though that
honest meaning man did wisely; in touching Master Inquisitor to the
quicke; with the hypocriticall charity of Monkes and Friars; in giving
such things to the poore; as were more meete for Swine; or to be worse
throwne away; yet I hold him more to be commended; who (by occasion of
a former tale; and which I purpose to relate) pleasantly reprooved
Master Can de la Scala; a Magnifico and mighty Lord; for a sudden
and unaccustomed covetousnesse appearing in him; figuring by other
men; that which hee intended to say of him; in manner following。
  Master Can de la Scala; as fame ranne abroad of him in all places;
was (beyond the infinite favours of Fortune towards him) one of the
most notable and magnificent Lords that ever lived in Italy; since the
daies of Fredericke the second; Emperor。 He determining to procure a
very solemne assembly at Verona; and many people being met there
from divers places; especially Gentlemen of all degrees; suddenly
(upon what occasion I know not) his minde altred; and hee would not
goe forward with his intention。 Most of them he partly recompenced
which were come thither; and they dismissed to depart at their
pleasure; one onely man remained unrespected; or in any kinde sort
sent away; whose name was Bergamino; a man very pleasantly disposed;
and so wittily readie in speaking and answering; as none could
easily credit it; but such as heard him; and although his recompence
seemed over…long delayed; yet hee made no doubt of a beneficiall
ending。
  By some enemies of his; Master Can de la Scala was incensed; that
whatsoever he gave or bestowed on him; was as ill imployed and utterly
lost; as if it were throwne into the fire; and therefore he neither
did or spake any thing to him。 Some few dayes being passed over; and
Bergamino perceiving; that hee was neither called; nor any account
made of; notwithstanding many manly good parts in him; observing
beside; that hee found a shrewd consumption in his purse; his Inne;
horses; and servants; being chargeable to him; he began to grow
extremely melancholly; and yet hee attended in expectation day by day;
as thinking it farre unfitting for him; to depart before he was bidden
farewell。
  Having brought with him thither three goodly rich garments; which
had beene given him by sundrie Lords; for his more sightly
appearance at this great meeting; the importunate Host being greedie
of payment; first he delivered him one of them; and yet not halfe
the score being wiped off; the second must needes follow; and
beside; except he meant to leave his lodging; hee must live upon the
third so long as it would last; till hee saw what end his hopes
would sort too。 It fortuned; during the time of living thus upon his
last refuge; that hee met with Maister Can one day at dinner; where he
presented himselfe before him; with a discontented countenance:
which Maister Can well observing; more to distaste him; then take
delight in any thing that could come from him; he sayd。 Bergamino; how
cheerest thou? Thou art very melancholly; I prythee tell us why?
Bergamino suddenly; without any premeditation; yet seeming as if he
had long considered thereon; reported this Tale。
  Sir; I have heard of a certaine man; named Primasso; one skilfully
learned in the Grammar; and (beyond all other) a very witty and
ready versifier: in regard whereof; he was so much admired; and
farre renowned; that such as never saw him; but onely heard of him;
could easily say; this is Primasso。 It came to passe; that being
once at Paris; in poore estate; as commonly he could light on no
better fortune (because vertue is slenderly rewarded; by such as
have the greatest possessions) he heard much fame of the Abbot of
Clugni; a man reputed (next to the Pope) to be the richest Prelate
of the Church。 Of him he heard wonderfull and magnificent matters;
that he alwayes kept an open and hospitable Court; and never made
refusall of any (from whence soever hee came or went) but they did
eate and drinke freely there; provided; that they came when the
Abbot was set at the Table。 Primasso hearing this; and being an
earnest desirer to see magnificent and vertuous men; hee resolved to
goe see this rare bounty of the Abbot; demanding how far he dwelt from
Paris? Being answered; about some three Leagues thence。 Primasso
made account; that if he went on betimes in the morning; he should
easily reach thither before the houre for dinner。
  Being instructed in the way; and not finding any to walke along with
him; fearing; if he went without some furnishment; and should stay
long there for his dinner; he might (perhaps) complaine of hunger:
he therefore carried three loaves of bread with him; knowing that he
could meet with water every where; albeit he used to drinke but
little。 Having aptly conveyed his bread about him; he went on his
journy; and arrived at the Lord Abbots Court; an indifferent while
before dinner time: wherefore entering into the great Hall; and so
from place to place; beholding the great multitude of Tables;
bountifull preparation in the Kitchin; and what admirable provision
there was for dinner; he said to himselfe; Truly this man is more
magnificent then fame hath made him; because shee speakes too
sparingly of him。
  While thus he went about; considering on all these things very
respectively; he saw the Maister of the Abbots Houshold (because
then it was the houre of dinner) command water to be brought for
washing hands; so everie one sitting down at the Tatle; it fell to the
lot of Primasso; to sit direc

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