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第119章

the decameron(十日谈)-第119章

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fortunes errour; confessed; that the claime of Phineo was
comformable to Law; and ought not to be denied him; going presently to
the Counsell Chamber; sending for Signior Amarigo immediately thither;
and acquainting him fully with the case。
  Amarigo; who beleeved that his Daughter and her Child were already
dead; was the wofullest man in the World; for his so rash
proceeding; knowing very well; that if she were not dead; the scandall
would easily be wipt away with credit。 Wherefore he sent in all
poast haste; to the place where his Daughter lay; that if his
command were not already executed; by no meanes to have it done at
all。 He who went on this speedy errand; found there Signior
Amarigoes servant standing before Violenta; with the Cup of poyson
in the one hand; and the drawne Rapier in the other; reproaching her
with very foule and injurious speeches; because she had delayed the
time so long; and would not accept the one or other; striving (by
violence) to make her take the one。 But hearing his Masters command to
the contrary; he left her; and returned backe to him; certifying him
how the case stood。
  Most highly pleased was Amarigo with these glad newes; and going
to the Ambassadour Phineo; in teares excused himselfe (so well as he
could) for his severity; and craving pardon; assured him; that if
Theodoro would accept his Daughter in marriage; willingly he would
bestow her on him。 Phineo allowed his excuses to be tollerable; and
saide beside; If my Son will not marry your Daughter; then let the
sentence of death be executed on him。 Amarigo and Phineo being thus
accorded; they went to poore Theodoro; fearefully looking every minute
when he should dye; yet joyfull that he had found his Father; who
presently moved the question to him。 Theodoro hearing that Violenta
should bee his Wife; if he would so accept her: was over come with
such exceeding joy; as if he had leapt out of hell into Paradise;
confessing; that no greater felicity could befall him; if Violenta her
selfe were so well pleased as he。
  The like motion was made to her; to understand her disposition in
this case; who hearing what good hap had befalne Theodoro; and now
in like manner must happen to her: whereas not long before; when two
such violent deathes were prepared for her; and one of them shee
must needs embrace; she accounted her misery beyond all other
womens; but she now thought her selfe above all in happinesse; if
she might be wife to her beloved Theodoro; submitting her selfe
wholy to her Fathers disposing。 The marriage being agreed on
betweene them; it was celebrated with great pompe and solemnity; a
generall Feast being made for all the Citizens; and the young
married couple nourished up their sweete Son; which grew to be a
very comely childe。
  After that the Embassie was dispatched at Rome; and Phineo (with the
rest) was returned thither againe; Violenta did reverence him as her
owne naturall Father; and he was not a little proud of so lovely a
Daughter; beginning a fresh feasting againe; and continuing the same a
whole moneth together。 Within some short while after; a Galley being
fairely furnished for the purpose; Phineo; his Sonne; Daughter; and
their young Sonne; went aboard; sayling away thence to Laiazzo;
where afterward they lived in much tranquility。




                    THE FIFT DAY; THE EIGHTH NOVELL

  DECLARING; THAT LOVE NOT ONELY MAKES A MAN PRODIGALL; BUT ALSO AN
   ENEMY TO HIMSELFE。 MOREOVER; ADVENTURE OFTENTIMES BRINGETH SUCH
            MATTERS TO PASSE; AS WIT AND CUNNING IN MAN
                         CAN EVER COMPREHEND

  Anastasio; a Gentleman of the Family of the Honesti; by loving the
Daughter to Signior Paulo Traversario; lavishly wasted a great part of
his substance; without receiving any love from her againe。 By
perswasion of some of his kindred and friends; he went to a Countrey
dwelling of his; called Chiasso; where he saw a Knight desperately
pursue a young Damosell; whom he slew; and afterward gave her to be
devoured by his Hounds。 Anastasio invited his friends; and hers also
whom he so dearely loved; to take part of a dinner with him; who
likewise saw the same Damosell so torne in peeces: which his unkind
Love perceiving; and fearing least the like ill fortune should
happen to her; she accepted Anastasio to be her Husband。

  So soone as Madam Lauretta held her peace; Madam Pampinea (by the
Queenes command) began; and said。 Lovely Ladies; as pitty is most
highly commended in our sexe; even so is cruelty in us as severely
revenged (oftentimes) by divine ordination。 Which that you may the
better know; and learne likewise to shun; as a deadly evill; I purpose
to make apparant by a Novell; no lesse full of compassion; then
delectable。
  Ravenna being a very ancient City in Romania; there dwelt sometime a
great number of worthy Gentlemen; among whom I am to speake of one
more especially; named Anastasio; descended from the Family of the
Honesti; who by the death of his Father; and an Unckle of his; was
left extraordinarily abounding in riches; and growing to yeares
fitting for marriage; (as young Gallants are easily apt enough to
do) he became enamored of a very bountifull Gentlewoman; who was
Daughter to Signior Paulo Traversario; one of the most ancient and
noble Families in all the Countrey。 Nor made he any doubt; but by
his meanes and industrious endeavour; to derive affection from her
againe; for he carried himselfe like a brave…minded Gentleman;
liberall in his expences; honest and affable in all his actions; which
commonly are the true notes of a good nature; and highly to be
commended in any man。 But; howsoever Fortune became his enemy; these
laudable parts of manhood did not any way friend him; but rather
appeared hurtfull to himselfe: so cruell; unkind; and almost meerely
savage did she shew her selfe to him; perhaps in pride of her singular
beauty; or presuming on her nobility by birth; both which are rather
blemishes; then ornaments in a woman; especially when they be abused。
  The harsh and uncivill usage in her; grew very distastefull to
Anastasio; and so unsufferable; that after a long time of fruitlesse
service; requited still with nothing but coy disdaine; desperate
resolutions entred into his brain; and often he was minded to kill
himselfe。 But better thoughts supplanting those furious passions; he
abstained from any such violent act; and governed by more manly
consideration; determined; that as shee hated him; he would requite
her with the like; if he could: wherein he became altogether deceived;
because as his hopes grew to a dayly decaying; yet his love enlarged
it selfe more and more。
  Thus Anastasio persevering still in his bootlesse affection; and his
expences not limited within any compasse; it appeared in the judgement
of his Kindred and Friends; that he was falne into a mighty
consumption; both of his body and meanes。 In which respect; many times
they advised him to leave the City of Ravenna; and live in some
other place for such a while; as might set a more moderate stint
upon his spendings; and bridle the indiscreete course of his love; the
onely fuell which fed this furious fire。
  Anastasio held out thus a long time; without lending an eare to such
friendly counsell: but in the end; he was so neerely followed by them;
as being no longer able to deny them; he promised to accomplish
their request。 Whereupon; making such extraordinary preparation; as if
he were to set thence for France or Spaine; or else into some
further distant countrey: he mounted on horsebacke; and accompanied
with some few of his familiar friends; departed from Ravenna; and rode
to a countrey dwelling house of his owne; about three or foure miles
distant from the Cittie which was called Chiasso; and there (upon a
very goodly greene) erecting divers Tents and Pavillions; such as
great persons make use of in the time of a Progresse: he said to his
friends; which came with him thither; that there he determined to make
his abiding; they all returning backe unto Ravenna; and might come
to visite him againe so often as they pleased。
  Now; it came to passe; that about the beginning of May; it bei

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