the decameron(十日谈)-第109章
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owne mindes。
Martuccio did many honors； and gave great gifts to the aged Sarazine
Lady； with whom Constance had lived so kindly respected： which
although she had no neede of； neither ever expected any such
rewarding； yet （conquered by their urgent importunity； especially
Constance； who could not be thankfull enough to her） she was
enforced to receive them； and taking her leave of them weeping； sayled
backe againe to Susa。
Within a short while after； the King licensing their departure
thence； they entred into a small Barke； and Carapresa with them；
sailing on with prosperous gales of winde； untill they arrived at
Liparis； where they were entertained with generall rejoycing。 And
because their marriage was not sufficiently performed at Thunis； in
regard of divers Christian ceremonies there wanting； their Nuptials
were againe most honourably solemnized； and they lived （many yeares
after） in health and much happinesse。
THE FIFT DAY； THE THIRD NOVELL
WHEREIN； THE SEVERALL POWERS BOTH OF LOVE AND FORTUNE； IS
MORE AT LARGE APPROVED
Pedro Bocamazzo； escaping away with a yong Damosell which he
loved； named Angelina； met with Theeves in his journey。 The Damosell
flying fearfully into a Forrest； by chance arriveth at a Castle。 Pedro
being taken by the Theeves； and happening afterward to escape from
them； commeth （accidentally） to the same Castle where Angelina was。
And marrying her； they then returned home to Rome。
There was not any one in the whole company； but much commended the
Novell reported by Madam Aemilia； and when the Queene perceived it was
ended； she turned towards Madam Eliza； commanding her to continue on
their delightfull exercise： whereto she declaring her willing
obedience； began to speake thus。 Courteous Ladies； I remember one
unfortunate night； which happened to two Lovers； that were not
indued with the greatest discretion。 But because they had very many
faire and happy dayes afterwards； I am the more willing for to let you
heare it。
In the City of Rome； which （in times past） was called the Lady and
Mistresse of the world； though now scarsely so good as the waiting；
maid： there dwelt sometime yong Gentleman； named Pedro Boccamazzo；
descended from one of the most honorable families in Rome； who was
much enamoured of a beautifull Gentlewoman； called Angelina；
Daughter to one named Gigliuozzo Saullo； whose fortunes were none of
the fairest； yet he greatly esteemed among the Romanes。 The
entercourse of love betweene these twaine； had so equally enstructed
their hearts and soule； that it could hardly be judged which of them
was the more fervent in affection。 But he； not being inured to such
oppressing passions； and therefore the lesse able to support them；
except he were sure to compasse his desire； plainly made the motion；
that he might enjoy her in honourable mariage。 Which his parents and
friends hearing； they went to conferre with him； blaming him with
over…much basenesse； so farre to disgrace himselfe and his stocke。
Beside； they advised the Father to the Maid； neither to credit what
Pedro saide in this case； or to live in hope of any such match；
because they all did wholly despise it。
Pedro perceiving； that the way was shut up； whereby （and none other）
he was to mount the Ladder of his hopes； began to wax weary of
longer living： and if he could have won her fathers consent； he
would have maried her in the despight of all his friends。
Neverthelesse； he had a conceit hammering in his head； which if the
maid would bee as forward as himselfe； should bring the matter to full
effect。 Letters and secret intelligences passing still betweene； at
length he understood her ready resolution； to adventure with him
thorough all fortunes whatsoever； concluding on their sodaine and
secret flight from Rome。 For which Pedro did so well provide； that
very early in a morning； and well mounted on horsebacke； they tooke
the way leading unto Alagna； where Pedro had some honest friends； in
whom he reposed especiall trust。 Riding on thus thorow the countrey；
having no leysure to accomplish their marriage； because they stood
in feare of pursuite： they were ridden above foure leagues from
Rome； still shortning the way with their amorous discoursing。
It fortuned； that Pedro having no certaine knowledge of the way； but
following a trackt guiding too farre on the left hand； rode quite
out of course； and came at last within sight of a small Castle； out of
which （before they were aware） yssued twelve Villaines； whom
Angelina sooner espyed； then Pedro could do； which made her cry out to
him； saying： Helpe deere Love to save us； or else we shall be
assayled。 Pedro then turning his horse so expeditiously as he could；
and giving him the spurres as need required； mainly he gallopped
into a neere adjoyning Forrest； more minding the following of
Angelina； then any direction of way； or them that endeavoured to bee
his hindrance。 So that by often winding and turning about； as the
passage appeared troublesome to him； when he thought him selfe free
and furthest from them； he was round engirt； and seized on by them。
When they had made him to dismount from his horse； questioning him
of whence and what he was； and he resolving them therein； they fell
into a secret consultation； saying thus among themselves。 This man
is a friend to our deadly enemies； how can wee then otherwise
dispose of him； but dreame him of all he hath； and in despight of
the Orsini （men in nature hatefull to us） hang him up heere on one
of these Trees？
All of them agreeing in this dismall resolution； they commanded
Pedro to put off his garments； which he yeelding to do （albeit
unwillingly） it so fell out； that five and twenty other theeves；
came sodainly rushing in upon them； crying； Kill； kill； and spare
not a man。
They which before had surprized Pedro； desiring now to shift for
their owne safetie； left him standing quaking in his shirt； and so
ranne away mainely to defend themselves。 Which the new crew
perceyving； and that their number farre exceeded the other： they
followed to robbe them of what they had gotten； accounting it as a
present purchase for them。 Which when Pedro perceyved； and saw none
tarrying to prey uppon him； hee put on his cloathes againe； and
mounting on his owne Horse； gallopped that way； which Angelina
before had taken： yet could he not descry any tracke or path； or so
much as the footing of a Horse； but thought himselfe in sufficient
security； being rid of them that first seized on him； and also of
the rest； which followed in the pursuite of them。
For the losse of his beloved Angelina； he was the most wofull man in
the world； wandering one while this way； and then againe another；
calling for her all about the Forrest； without any answere returning
to him。 And not daring to ride backe againe； on he travailed still；
not knowing where to make his arrivall。 And having formerly heard of
savage ravenous beasts； which commonly live in such unfrequented
Forrests： he not onely was in feare of loosing his owne life； but also
despayred much for his Angelina； least some Lyon or Woolfe； had
torne her body in peeces。
Thus rode on poore unfortunate Pedro； untill the breake of day
appeared； not finding any meanes to get forth of the Forrest； still
crying and calling for his fayre friend； riding many times
backeward； when as hee thought hee rode forward； untill hee became
so weake and faint； what with extreame feare； lowd calling； and
continuing so long awhile without any sustenance； that the whole day
being thus spent in vaine； and darke night sodainly come uppon him； he
was not able to hold out any longer。
Now was he in farre worse case then before； not knowing where； or
how to dispose of himselfe； or what might best be done in so great a
necessity。 From his Horse he alighted； and tying him by the bridle
unto a great tree； uppe he climbed into the same Tree； fearing to be
devoured （in the night time） by some wilde beast； choosing rather to
let his Horse perish； then himselfe。 Within a while after； the Moone
beganne to rise； and the skies appeared bright and cleare： yet durst
hee
