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第118章

the decameron(十日谈)-第118章

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no other remedy; but now at last it must needes be discovered; went
privately to her Mother; and (in teares) revealed her infirmity;
humbly craving her pardon; and furtherance in hiding it from her
Father。 The Mother being extraordinarily displeased; chiding her
with many sharpe and angry speeches; would needes know with whom
shee had thus offended。 The Daughter (to keepe Pedro from any
detection) forged a Tale of her owne braine; farre from any truth
indeede; which her Mother verily beleeving; and willing to preserve
her Daughter from shame; as also the fierce anger of her Husband; he
being a man of very implacable nature: conveyed her to the Countrey
Farme; whither Signior Amarigo sildome or never resorted; intending
(under the shadow of sicknesse) to let her lye in there; without the
least suspition of any in Trapani。
  Sinne and shame can never be so closely carryed; or clouded with the
greatest cunning; but truth hath a loop…light whereby to discover
it; even when it supposeth it selfe in the surest safety。 For; on
the very day of her detiverance; at such time as the Mother; and
some few friends (sworne to secrecy) were about the businesse; Signior
Amarigo; having beene in company of other Gentlemen; to flye his Hawke
at the River; upon a sudden; (but very unfortunately; albeit hee was
alone by himselfe) stept into his Farm…house; even to the next roome
where the women were; and heard the newborne Babe to cry; whereat
marvelling not a little; he called for his Wife; to know what young
childe cryed in his House。 The Mother; amazed at his strange comming
thither; which never before he had used to doe; and pittying the
wofull distresse of her Daughter; which now could bee no longer
covered; revealed what happened to Violenta。 But he; being nothing
so rash in beliefe; as his Wife was; made answere; that it was
impossible for his Daughter to be conceived with childe; because he
never observed the least signe of love in her to any man whatsoever;
and therefore he would be satisfied in the truth; as shee expected any
favour from him; or else there was no other way but death。
  The Mother laboured by all meanes she could devise; to pacifie her
Husbands fury; which proved all in vaine; for being thus impatiently
incensed; he drew foorth his Sword; and stepping with it drawne into
the Chamber (where she had bene delivered of a goodly Sonne) he said
unto her。 Either tell me who is the Father of this Bastard; or thou
and it shall perish both together。 Poore Violenta; lesse respecting
her owne life; then she did the childes; forgot her solemne promise
made to Pedro; and discovered all。 Which when Amarigo had heard; he
grew so desperately enraged; that hardly he could forbeare from
killing her。 But after hee had spoken what his fury enstructed him;
hee mounted on Horsebacke againe; ryding backe to Trapani; where hee
disclosed the injury which Pedro had done him; to a noble Gentleman;
named Signior Conrado; who was Captaine for the King over the City。
  Before poore Pedro could have any intelligence; or so much as
suspected any treachery against him; he was suddenly apprehended;
and being called in question; stood not on any deniall; but
confessed truly what hee had done: whereupon; within some few dayes
after; he was condemned by the Captaine; to be whipt to the place of
execution; and afterward to be hanged by the necke。 Signior Amarigo;
because he would cut off (at one and the same time) not onely the
lives of the two poore Lovers; but their childes also; as a
franticke man; violently carried from all sense of compassion; even
when Pedro was led and whipt to his death: he mingled strong poyson in
a Cup of wine; delivering it to a trusty servant of his owne; and a
naked Rapier withall; speaking to him in this manner。 Goe carry
these two presents to my late Daughter Violenta; and tell her from me;
that in this instant houre; two severall kinds of death are offered
unto her; and one of them she must make choyce of; either to drinke
the poyson; and so dye; or to run her body on this Rapiers point;
which if she denie to doe; she shall be haled to the publike market
place; and presently be burned in the sight of her lewd companion;
according as shee hath worthily deserved。 When thou hast delivered her
this message; take he… Bastard brat; so lately since borne; and dash
his braines out against the walles; and afterward throw him to my
Dogges to feede on。
  When the Father had given this cruell sentence; both against his
owne Daughter; and her young Sonne; the servant readier to do evill;
then any good; went to the place where his Daughter was kept。 Poore
condemned Pedro; (as you have heard) was led whipt to the Gibbet;
and passing (as it pleased the Captaines Officers to guide him) by a
faire Inne: at the same time were lodged there three chiefe persons of
Arminia; whom the King of the Countrey had sent to Rome; as
Ambassadours to the Popes Holinesse; to negociate about an important
businesse neerely concerning the King and State。 Reposing there for
some few dayes; as being much wearied with their journey。; and
highly honoured by the Gentlemen of Trapani; especially Signior
Amarigo; these Ambassadours standing in their Chamber window; heard
the wofull lamentations of Pedro in his passage by。
  Pedro was naked from the middle upward; and his hands bound fast
behind him; but being well observed by one of the Ambassadours; a
man aged; and of great authority; named Phinio: hee espied a great red
spot upon his breast; not painted; or procured by his punishment;
but naturally imprinted in the flesh; which women (in these parts)
terme the Rose。 Upon the sight hereof; he suddenly remembred a Sonne
of his owne; which was stolne from him about fifteene yeeres before;
by Pyrates on the Sea…coast of Laiazzo; never hearing any tydings of
him afterward。 Upon further consideration; and comparing his Sonnes
age with the likelyhood of this poore wretched mans; thus he conferred
with his owne thoughts。 If my Sonne (quoth he) be living; his age is
equall to this mans time; and by the red blemish on his breast; it
plainely speakes him for to bee my Sonne。
  Moreover; thus he conceived; that if it were he; he could not but
remember his owne name; his Fathers; and the Armenian Language;
wherefore; when he was just opposite before the window; hee called
aloud to him; saying: Theodoro。 Pedro hearing the voyce; presently
lifted up his head; and Phinio speaking Armenian; saide: Of whence art
thou; and what is thy Fathers name? The Sergeants (in reverence to the
Lord Ambassador) stayed awhile; till Pedro had returned his answer;
who saide。 I am an Armenian borne; Sonne to one Phineo; and was
brought hither I cannot tell by whom。 Phineo hearing this; knew then
assuredly; that this was the same Sonne which he had lost;
wherefore; the teares standing in his eyes with conceite of joy; downe
he descended from the window; and the other Ambassadors with him;
running in among the Sergeants to embrace his Sonne; and casting his
owne rich Cloake about his whipt body; entreating them to forbeare and
proceed no further; till they heard what command he should returne
withall unto them; which very willingly they promised to do。
  Already; by the generall rumour dispersed abroad; Phineo had
understood the occasion; why Pedro was thus punished; and sentenced to
bee hanged: wherefore; accompanied with his fellow Ambassadors; and
all their attending traine; he went to Signior Conrado; and spake thus
to him。 My Lord; he whom you have sent to death as a slave; is a
free Gentleman borne; and my Sonne; able to make her amends whom he
hath dishonoured; by taking her in marriage as his lawfull Wife。 Let
me therefore entreat you; to make stay of the execution; ill it may be
knowne; whether she will accept him as her Husband; or no; least (if
she be so pleased) you offend directly against your owne Law。 When
Signior Conrado heard; that Pedro was Sonne to the Lord Ambassador; he
wondred thereat not a little; and being somewhat ashamed of his
fortunes errour; confessed; that the claime of Phineo was
comformable to Law; and ought not to be denied him; going presently to
the Counsell

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