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第123章

the decameron(十日谈)-第123章

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time she was daintily roasted。 Himselfe covered the Table; set bread
and salt on and laid the Napkins; whereof he had but a few left him。
Going then with chearfull lookes into the Garden; telling the Lady
that dinner was ready; and nothing now wanted; but her presence。 Shee;
and the Gentlewoman went in; and being sated at the Table; not knowing
what they fed on; the Faulcon was all their foode; and Frederigo not a
little joyfull; that his credite was so well saved。 When they were
risen from the table; and had spent some small time in familiar
conference: the Lady thought it fit; to acquaint him with the reason
of her comming thither; and therefore (in very kinde manner) thus
began。
  Frederigo; if you do yet remember your former carriage towards
mee; as also my many modest and chaste denials; which (perhaps) you
thought to savour of a harsh; cruell; and un…womanly nature; I make no
doubt; but you will wonder at my present presumption; when you
understand the occasion; which expressely mooved me to come hither。
But if you were possessed of children; or ever had any; whereby you
might comprehend what love (in nature) is due unto them: then I
durst assure my selfe; that you would partly hold me excused。
  Now; in regard that you never had any; and my selfe (for my part)
have but onely one; I stand not exempted from those Lawes; which are
in common to other mothers。 And being compelled to obey the power of
those Lawes; contrary to mine owne will; and those duties which reason
owne wi ought to maintaine; I am to request such a gift of you;
which I am certaine; that you do make most precious account of; as
in manly equity you can do no lesse。 For Fortune hath bin so extreamly
adverse to you; that she hath robbed you of all other pleasures;
allowing you no comfort or delight; but onely that poore one; which is
your faire Faulcone。 Of which Bird; my Sonne is become so strangely
desirous; as; if I doe not bring it to him at my comming home; I feare
so much; the extreamity of his sicknesse; as nothing can ensue
thereon; but his losse of life。 Wherefore I beseech you; not in regard
of the love you have borne me; for therby you stand no way obliged:
but in your owne true gentle nature (the which hath alwayes declared
it selfe ready in you; to do more kinde offices generally; then any
other Gentleman that I know) you will be pleased to give her me; or at
the least; let me buy her of you。
  Which if you do; I shall freely then confesse; that onely by your
meanes; my Sonnes life is saved; and we both shall for ever remaine
engaged to you。
  When Frederigo had heard the Ladies request; which was now quite out
of his power to graunt; because it had bene her service at dinner:
he stood like a man meerely dulled in his sences; the teares trickling
amaine downe his cheekes; and he not able to utter one word。 Which she
perceiving; began to conjecture immediately; that these teares and
passions proceeded rather from greefe of minde; as being loather to
part with his Faulcon; then any other kinde of manner: which made
her ready to say; that she would not have it。 Neverthelesse she did
not speake; but rather tarried to attend his answer。 Which; after some
small respite and pause; he returned in this manner。
  Madame; since the houre; when first mine affection became soly
devoted to your service; Fortune hath bene crosse and contrary to
me; in many occasions; as justly; and in good reason I may complain of
her; yet all seemed light and easie to be indured; in comparison of
her present malicious contradiction; to my utter overthrow; and
perpetuall mollestation。 Considering; that you are come hither to my
poore house; which (while I was rich and able) you would not so much
as vouchsafe to looke on。 And now you have requested a small matter of
me; wherein she hath also most crookedly thwarted me; because she hath
disabled me; in bestowing so meane a gift; as your selfe will
confesse; when it shall be related to you in few words。
  So soone as I heard; that it was your gracious pleasure to dine with
me; having regard to your excellency; and what (by merit) is justly
due unto you: I thought it a part of my bounden duty; to entertaine
you with such exquisite viands; as my poore power could any way
compasse; and farre beyond respect or welcome; to other common and
ordinary persons。 Whereupon; remembring my Faulcon; which now you aske
for; and her goodnesse; excelling all other of her kinde; I
supposed; that she would make a dainty dish for your dyet; and
having drest her; so well as I could devise to do: you have fed
heartily on her; and I am proud that I have so well bestowne her。
But perceiving now; that you would have her for your sicke Sonne; it
is no meane affliction to me; that I am disabled of yeelding you
contentment; which all my life time I have desired to doe。
  To approve his words; the feathers; feete; and beake were brought
in; which when she saw; she greatly blamed him for killing so rare a
Faulcon; to content the appetite of any woman whatsoever。 Yet she
commended his height of spirit; which poverty had no power to abase。
Lastly; her hopes being frustrate for enjoying the Faulcon; and
fearing besides the health of her Sonne; she thanked Frederigo for his
honorable kindnesse; returning home againe sad and melancholly。
Shortly after; her sonne either greeving that he could not have the
Faulcon; or by extreamity of his disease; chanced to dye; leaving
his mother a most wofull Lady。
  After so much time was expired; as conveniently might agree with
sorrow; and mourning; her Brethren made many motions to her; to oyne
her selfe in marriage againe; because she was extraordinarily rich;
and as yet but yong in yeares。 Now although she was well contented
never to be married any more; yet being continually importuned by
them; and remembring the honorable honesty of Frederigo; his last
poore; yet magnificent dinner; in killing his Faulcon for her sake;
she saide to her Brethren。 This kind of widdowed estate doth like me
so well; as willingly I would never leave it: but seeing you are so
earnest for my second marriage; let me plainly tell you; that I will
never accept of any other husband; but onely Frederigo di Alberino。
  Her Brethren in scornefull manner reprooved her; telling her; that
he was a begger; and had nothing left to keepe him in the world。 I
know it well (quoth she) and am heartily sorry for it。 But give me a
man that hath neede of wealth; rather then wealth that hath neede of a
man。 The Brethren hearing how she stood addicted; and knowing
Frederigo to be a worthy Gentleman; though poverty had disgraced him
in the World: consented thereto; so she bestowed her selfe and her
riches on him。 He on the other side; having so noble a Lady to his
Wife; and the same whom he had so long and deerely loved; submitted
all his fairest Fortunes unto her; became a better husband (for the
world) then before; and they lived; and loved together in equall joy
and happinesse。




                     THE FIFT DAY; THE TENTH NOVELL

     REPREHENDING THE CUNNING OF IMMODEST WOMEN; WHO BY ABUSING
        THEMSELVES; DO THROW EVILL ASPERSIONS ON ALL THEIR SEXE

  Pedro di Vinciolo went to sup at a friends house in the City。 His
wife (in the meane while) had a young man whom shee loved; at supper
with Pedro returning home on a sodaine; the young man was hidden under
a Coope for Hens。 Pedro in excuse of his so soone comming home;
declareth; how in the house of Herculano (with whom he should have
supt) a friend of his Wives was found; which was the reason of the
Suppers breaking off。 Pedroes Wife reproving the error of
Herculanoes wife; an Asse (by chance) treads on the yong mans
fingers that lay hidden under the Hen…coope。 Upon his crying out Pedro
steppeth thither; sees him; knowes him; and findeth the fallacy of his
wife; with whom (nevertbelesse) he groweth to agreement; in regard
of some imperfections in himselfe。

  The Queenes Novell being ended; and all applauding the happy fortune
of Frederigo; as also the noble nature of Madam Giana; Dioneus
expecting no command; prepared to deliver his discourse in this maner。
I know not whether I shou

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