the decameron(十日谈)-第121章
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A most magnificent dinner had Anastasio provided； and the tables
were covered under the Pine…trees； where he saw the cruell Lady so
pursued and slaine： directing the guests so in their seating； that the
yong Gentlewoman his unkinde Mistresse； sate with her face opposite
unto the place； where the dismall spectacle was to be seene。 About the
closing up of dinner； they beganne to heare the noise of the poore
prosecuted Woman； which drove them all to much admiration； desiring to
know what it was； and no one resolving them； they arose from the
Tables； and looking directly as the noise came to them； they espyed
the wofull Woman； the Dogges eagerly pursuing her； and the armed
Knight on horsebacke； gallopping fiercely after them with his drawne
weapon； and came very nere unto the company； who cryed out with lowd
exclaimes against the dogs and the Knight； stepping forth in
assistance of the injured woman。
The Knight spake unto them； as formerly he had done to Anastasio；
（which made them draw backe； possessed with feare and admiration）
acting the same cruelty as he did the Friday before； not differing
in the least degree。 Most of the Gentlewomen there present； being
neere allyed to the unfortunate Woman； and likewise to the Knight；
remembring well both his love and death； did shed teares as
plentifully； as if it had bin to the very persons themselves； in
usuall performance of the action indeede。 Which tragicall Sceene being
passed over； and the Woman and Knight gone out of their sight： all
that had seene this straunge accident； fell into diversity of confused
opinions； yet not daring to disclose them； as doubting some further
danger to ensue thereon。
But beyond all the rest； none could compare in feare and
astonishment with the cruell yong Maide affected by Anastasio； who
both saw and observed all with a more inward apprehension； knowing
very well； that the morall of this dismall spectacle； carried a much
neerer application to her then any other in all the company。 For now
she could call to mind； how unkinde and cruell she had shewne her
selfe to Anastasio； even as the other Gentlewoman formerly did to
her Lover； still flying from him in great contempt and scorne： for
which； she thought the Blood…hounds also pursued her at the heeles
already； and a sword of vengeance to mangle her body。 This feare
grew so powerfull in her； that to prevent the like heavy doome from
falling on her； she studied （by all her best and commendable meanes；
and therein bestowed all the night season） how to change her hatred
into kinde love； which at the length she fully obtained； and then
purposed to prosecute in this manner。
Secretly she sent a faithfull Chambermaide of her owne； to greete
Anastasio on her behalfe； humbly entreating him te come see her：
because now she was absolutely determined； to give him satisfaction in
all which （with honour） he could request of her。 Whereto Anastasio
answered； that he accepted her message thankfully； and desired no
other favour at her hand； but that which stood with her owne offer；
namely； to be his Wife in honourable marriage； The Maide knowing
sufficiently； that he could not be more desirous of the match； then
her Mistresse shewed her selfe to be； made answer in her name； that
this motion would be most welcome to her。
Heereupon； the Gentlewoman her selfe； became the solicitour to her
Father and Mother； telling them plainly； that slie was willing to be
the Wife of Anastasio： which newes did so highly content them； that
upon the Sunday next following； the marriage was very worthily
solemnized； and they lived and loved together very kindly。 Thus the
divine bounty out of the malignant enemies secret machinations； can
cause good effects to arise and succeede。 For； from this conceite of
fearfull imagination in her； not onely happened this long desired
conversion； of a Maide so obstinately scornfull and proud； but
likewise all the women of Ravenna （being admonished by her example）
grew afterward more kind and tractable to mens honest motions； then
ever they shewed themselves before。 And let me make some use hereof
（faire Ladies） to you； not to stand over…nicely conceited of your
beauty and good parts； when men （growing enamored of you by them）
solicite you with their best and humblest services。 Remember then this
disdainfull Gentlewoman； but more especially her； who being the
death of so kinde a Lover； was therefore condemned to perpetuall
punishment； and he made the minister thereof； whom she had cast off
with coy disdaine； from which I wish your minds to be as free； as mine
is ready to do you any acceptable service。
THE FIFT DAY； THE NINTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS FIGURED TO THE LIFE； THE NOTABLE KINDNESSE AND
COURTESIE； OF A TRUE AND CONSTANT LOVER： AS ALSO THE
MAGNANIMOUS MINDE OF A FAMOUS LADY
Frederigo； of the Alberighi Family； loved a Gentlewoman； and was not
requited with like love againe。 By bountifull expences； and over
liberall invitations； he wasted and consumed all his lands and
goods； having nothing left him； but a Hawke or Faulcon。 His unkinde
Mistresse happeneth to come visite him； and he not having any other
foode for her dinner； made a dainty dish of his Faulcone for her to
feede on。 Being conquered by this exceeding kinde courtesie； she
changed her former hatred towardes him； accepting him as her Husband
in marriage； and made him a man of wealthy possessions。
Madam Philomena having finished her discourse； the Queene
perceiving； that her turne was the next； in regard of the priviledge
granted to Dioneus； with a smiling countenance thus she spake。 Now
or never am I to maintaine the order which was instituted when wee
began this commendable exercise； whereto I yeeld with all humble
obedience。 And （worthy Ladies） I am to acquaint you with a Novell；
in some sort answerable to the precedent； not onely to let you know；
how powerfully your kindnesses do prevalle； in such as have a free and
gentle soule： but also to dvise you； in being bountifull； where vertue
doth justly challenge it。 And evermore； let your favours shine on
worthy deservers； without the direction of chaunce or Fortune； who
never bestoweth any gift by discretion； but rashly without
consideration； even to the first she blindly meets withall。
You are to understand then； that Coppo di Borghese Domenichi； who
was of our owne City； and perhaps （as yet） his name remaineth in great
and reverend authority； now in these dayes of ours； as well
deserving eternall memory； yet more for his vertues and commendable
qualities； then any boast of Nobility from his predecessors。 This man；
being well entred into yeares； and drawing towards the finishing of
his dayes； it was his only delight and felicity； in conversation among
his neighbours； to talke of matters concerning antiquity； and some
other things within compasse of his owne knowledge： which he would
deliver in such singular order （having an absolute memory） and with
the best Language； as very few or none could do the like。 Among the
multiplicity of his queint discourses； I remember he told us； that
sometime there lived in Florence a yong Gentleman； named Frederigo；
Sonne to Signior Phillippo Alberigo； who was held and reputed； both
for Armes； and all other actions beseeming a Gentleman； hardly to have
his equall through all Tuscany。
This Frederigo （as it is no rare matter in yong Gentlemen） became
enamored of a Gentlewoman； named Madam Giana； who was esteemed （in her
time） to be the fairest and most gracious Lady in all Florence。 In
which respect； and to reach the height of his desire； he made many
sumptuous Feasts and Banquets； joustes； Tilties； Tournaments； and
all other noble actions of Armes； beside； sending her infinite rich
and costly presents； making spare of nothing； but lashing all out in
lavish expence。 Notwithstanding； she being no lesse honest then faire；
made no reckoning of whatsoever he did for her sake； or the least
respect of his owne person。 So that Frederigo； spending thus daily
more； then his meanes and ability could maintaine； and no supplies any
way redounding to him； or his faculties （as very easily
