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第127章

the decameron(十日谈)-第127章

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commanded that they should be sent for; (their anger and violent
speeches still continuing) and being come into her presence; she
demaunded the reason of their discord; and Tindaro offering to make
answere; Lacisca (being somewhat more ancient then he; and of a
fiercer fiery spirit; even as if her heart would have leapt out of her
mouth) turned her selfe to him; and with a scornefull frowning
countenance; said。 See how this bold; unmannerly and beastly fellow;
dare presume to speake in this place before me: Stand by (saucy
impudence) and give your better leave to answere; then turning to
the Queene; thus shee proceeded。
  Madam; this idle fellow would maintaine to me; that Signior
Sicophanto marrying with Madama della Grazza; had the victory of her
virginity the very first night; and I avouched the contrary; because
shee had been a mother twise before; in very faire adventuring of
her fortune。 And he dared to affirme beside; that yong Maides are so
simple; as to loose the flourishing Aprill of their time; in meere
feare of their parents; and great prejudice of their friends。
  And then the Queene; somewhat offended at the folly of the former
controversie; commanded Madame Philomena; that she should give
beginning to the dayes Novels: which (in dutifull manner) shee
undertooke to doe; and seating her selfe in formall fashion; with
modest and very gracious gesture; thus she began。




                     THE SIXT DAY; THE FIRST NOVELL

    REPREHENDING THE FOLLY OF SUCH MEN; AS UNDERTAKE TO REPORT
     DISCOURSES; WHICH ARE BEYOND THEIR WIT AND CAPACITY; AND
                 GAINE NOTHING BUT BLAME FOR THEIR LABOUR

  A Knight requested Madam Oretta; to ride behinde him on horse…backe;
and promised; to tell her an excellent Tale by the way。 But the Lady
perceiving; that his discourse was idle; and much worse delivered:
entreated him to let her walke on foote againe。

  Gracious Ladies; like as in our faire; cleere; and serene seasons;
the Starres are bright ornaments to the heavens; and the flowry fields
(so long as the spring time lasteth) weare their goodliest Liveries;
the Trees likewise bragging in their best adornings: Even so at
friendly meetings; short; sweet; and sententious words; are the beauty
and ornament of any discourse; savouring of wit and sound judgement;
worthily deserving to be commended。 And so much the rather; because in
few and witty words; aptly suting with the time and occasion; more
is delivered then was expected; or sooner answered; then rashly
apprehended: which; as they become men verie highly; yet do they
shew more singular in women。
  True it is; what the occasion may be; I know not; either by the
badnesse of our wittes; or the especiall enmitie betweene our
complexions and the celestiall bodies: there are scarsely any; or very
few Women to be found among us; that well knowes how to deliver a
word; when it should and ought to be spoken; or; if a question bee
mooved; understands to suite it with an apt answere; such as
conveniently is required; which is no meane disgrace to us women。
But in regard; that Madame Pampinea hath already spoken sufficiently
of this matter; I meane not to presse it any further: but at this time
it shall satisfie mee; to let you know; how wittily a Ladie made due
observation of opportunitie; in answering of a Knight; whose talke
seemed tedious and offensive to her。
  No doubt there are some among you; who either do know; or (at the
least) have heard; that it is no long time since; when there dwelt a
Gentlewoman in our Citie; of excellent grace and good discourse;
with all other rich endowments of Nature remaining in her; as pitty it
were to conceale her name: and therefore let me tell ye; that shee was
called Madame Oretta; the Wife to Signior Geri Spina。 She being upon
some occasion (as now we are) in the Countrey; and passing from
place to place (by way of neighbourly invitations) to visite her
loving Friends and Acquaintance; accompanied with divers Knights and
Gentlewomen; who on the day before had dined and supt at her house; as
now (belike) the selfe…same courtesie was intended to her: walking
along with her company upon the way; and the place for her welcome
beeing further off then she expected; a Knight chanced to overtake
this faire troop; who well knowing Madam Oretta; using a kinde and
courteous salutation; spake thus。
  Madam; this foot travell may bee offensive to you; and were you so
well pleased as my selfe; I would ease your journey behinde mee on
my Gelding; even so as you shall command me: and beside; wil shorten
your wearinesse with a Tale worth the hearing。 Courteous Sir
(replyed the Lady) I embrace your kinde offer with such acceptation;
that I pray you to performe it; for therein you shall doe me an
especiall favour。 The Knight; whose Sword (perhappes) was as
unsuteable to his side; as his wit out of fashion for any readie
discourse; having the Lady mounted behinde him rode on with a gentle
pace; and (according to his promise) began to tell a Tale; which
indeede (of it selfe) deserved attention; because it was a knowne
and commendable History; but yet delivered so abruptly; with idle
repetitions of some particulars three or foure severall times;
mistaking one thing for another; and wandering erroneously from the
essentiall subject; seeming neere an end; and then beginning againe:
that a poore Tale could not possibly be more mangled; or worse
tortured in telling; then this was; for the persons therein concerned;
were so abusively nicke…named; their actions and speeches so
monstrously mishapen; that nothing could appeare to be more ugly。
  Madame Oretta; being a Lady of unequalled ingenuitie; admirable in
judgement; and most delicate in her speech; was afflicted in soule;
beyond all measure; overcome with many colde sweates; and passionate
heart…aking qualmes; to see a Foole thus in a Pinne…fold; and unable
to get out; albeit the doore stood wide open to him; whereby shee
became so sicke; that; converting her distaste to a kinde of
pleasing acceptation; merrily thus she spake。 Beleeve me Sir; your
horse trots so hard; and travels so uneasily; that I entreate you to
let me walke on foot againe。
  The Knight; being (perchance) a better understander; then a
Discourser; perceived by this witty taunt; that his Bowle had run a
contrarie bias; and he as farre out of Tune; as he was from the Towne。
So; lingering the time; untill her company was neerer arrived: hee
lefte her with them; and rode on as his Wisedome could best direct
him。




                    THE SIXT DAY; THE SECOND NOVELL

        APPROVING; THAT A REQUEST OUGHT TO BE CIVILL; BEFORE IT
                SHOULD BE GRANTED TO ANY ONE WHATSOEVER

  Cistio a Baker; by a wittie answer which he gave unto Messer Geri
Spina; caused him to acknowledge a very indiscreete motion; which he
had made to the said Cistio。

  The words of Madame Oretta; were much commended by the men and
women; and the discourse being ended; the Queene gave command to Madam
Pampinea; that shee should follow next in order; which made her to
begin in this manner。
  Worthy Ladies; it exceedeth the power of my capacitie; to censure in
the case whereof I am to speake; by saying; who sinned most; either
Nature; in seating a Noble soule in a vile body; or Fortune; in
bestowing on a body (beautified with a noble soule) a base or wretched
condition of life。 As we may observe by Cistio; a Citizen of our owne;
and many more beside; for; this Cistio beeing endued with a singular
good spirit; Fortune hath made him no better then a Baker。 And beleeve
me Ladies; I could (in this case) lay as much blame on Nature; as on
Fortune; if I did not know Nature to be most absolutely wise; and that
Fortune hath a thousand eyes; albeit fooles have figured her to bee
blinde。 But; upon more mature and deliberate consideration; I finde;
that they both (being truly wise and judicious) have dealt justly;
in imitation of our best advised mortals; who being uncertaine of such
inconveniences; as may happen unto them; do bury (for their own
benefit) the very best and choicest things of esteeme; in the most
vile and abject places of t

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