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第129章

the decameron(十日谈)-第129章

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because I meane to bee a Skinker no longer; by keeping Wine to
please any other pallate but mine owne: I have sent you halfe my
store; and heereafter thinke of mee as you shall please。 Messer Geri
tooke both his guifte and speeches in most thankefull manner;
accepting him alwayes after; as his intimate Friend; because he had so
graced him before the Ambassadours。




                      THE SIXT DAY; THE THIRD NOVELL

       WHEREIN IS DECLARED; THAT MOCKERS DO SOMETIMES MEETE WITH
           THEIR MATCHES IN MOCKERY; AND TO THEIR OWNE SHAME

  Madame Nonna de Pulci; by a sodaine answere; did put to silence a
Byshop of Florence; and the Lord Marshall: having moved a question
to the said Lady; which seemed to come short of honesty。

  When Madame Pampinea had ended her Discourse; and (by the whole
company) the answere and bounty of Cistio; had past with deserved
commendation: it pleased the Queene; that Madame Lauretta should
next succeed: whereupon verie chearefully thus she beganne。
  Faire assembly; Madame Pampinea (not long time since) gave
beginning; and Madam Philomena hath also seconded the same argument;
concerning the slender vertue remaining in our sexe; and likewise
the beautie of wittie words; delivered on apt occasion; and in
convenient meetings。 Now; because it is needlesse to proceede any
further; then what hath beene already spoken: let mee onely tell you
(over and beside) and commit it to memorie; that the nature of
meetings and speeches are such; as they ought to nippe or touch the
hearer; like unto the Sheepes nibling on the tender grasse; and not as
the sullen Dogge byteth。 For; if their biting be answereable to the
Dogges; they deserve not to be termed witty jests or quips; but
foule and offensive language: as plainly appeareth by the words of
Madame Oretta; and the mery; yet sensible answer of Cistio。
  True it is; that if it be spoken by way of answer; and the
answerer biteth doggedly; because himselfe was bitten in the same
manner before: he is the lesse to bee blamed; because hee maketh
payment but with coine of the same stampe。 In which respect; an
especiall care is to bee had; how; when; with whom; and where we
jest or gibe; whereof very many proove too unmindfull; as appeared
(not long since) by a Prelate of ours; who met with a byting; no lesse
sharpe and bitter; then had first come from himselfe before; as
verie briefely I intend to tell you how。
  Messer Antonio d'Orso; being Byshoppe of Florence; a vertuous; wise;
and reverend Prelate; it fortuned that a Gentleman of Catalogna; named
Messer Diego de la Ratta; and Lord Marshall to King Robert of
Naples; came thither to visite him。 Hee being a man of very comely
personage; and a great observer of the choysest beauties in Court:
among all the other Florentine Dames; one proved to bee most
pleasing in his eye; who was a verie faire Woman indeede; and Neece to
the Brother of the saide Messer Antonio。
  The Husband of this Gentlewoman (albeit descended of a worthie
Family) was; neverthelesse; immeasurably covetous; and a verie harsh
natured man。 Which the Lord Marshall understanding; made such a
madde composition with him; as to give him five hundred Ducates of
Gold; on condition; that hee would let him lye one night with his
wife; not thinking him so base minded as to give consent。 Which in a
greedy avaritious humour he did; and the bargaine being absolutely
agreed on; the Lord Marshall prepared to fit him with a payment;
such as it should be。 He caused so many peeces of silver to be
cunningly guilded; as then went for currant mony in Florence; and
called Popolines; and after he had lyen with the Lady (contrary to her
will and knowledge; her husband had so closely carried the
businesse) the money was duely paid to the cornuted Coxcombe。
Afterwards; this impudent shame chanced to be generally knowne;
nothing remaining to the wilful Wittoll; but losse of his expected
gaine; and scorne in every place where he went。 The Bishop likewise
(beeing a discreete and sober man) would seeme to take no knowledge
thereof; but bare out all scoffes with a well setled countenance。
  Within a short while after; the Bishop and the Lord Marshal (alwaies
conversing together) it came to passe; that upon Saint johns day; they
riding thorow the City; side by side; and viewing the brave
beauties; which of them might best deserve to win the prize: the
Byshop espied a yong married Lady (which our late greevous
pestilence bereaved us of) she being named Madame Nonna de Pulci;
and Cousine to Messer Alexio Rinucci; a Gentleman well knowne unto
us all。 A very goodly beautifull yong woman she was; of delicate
language; and singular spirite; dwelling close by S。 Peters gate。 This
Lady did the Bishop shew to the Marshall; and when they were come to
her; laying his hand uppon her shoulder; he said。 Madam Nonna; What
thinke you of this Gallant? Dare you adventure another wager with him?
  Such was the apprehension of this witty Lady; that these words
seemed to taxe her honour; or else to contaminate the hearers
understanding; whereof there were great plenty about her; whose
judgement might be as vile; as the speeches were scandalous。
Wherefore; never seeking for any further purgation of her cleare
conscience; but onely to retort taunt for taunt; presently thus she
replied。 My Lord; if I should make such a vile adventure; I would
looke to bee payde with better money。
  These words being heard both by the Bishop and Marshall; they felt
themselves touched to the quicke; the one; as the Factor or Broker;
for so dishonest a businesse; to the Brother of the Bishop; and the
other; as receiving (in his owne person) the shame belonging to his
Brother。 So; not so much as looking each on other; or speaking one
word together all the rest of that day; they rode away with blushing
cheekes。 Whereby we may collect; that the yong Lady; being so
injuriously provoked; did no more then well became her; to bite
their basenesse neerely; that so abused her openly。




                    THE SIXT DAY; THE FOURTH NOVELL

   WHEREBY PLAINLY APPEARETH; THAT A SODAINE WITTY AND MERRY ANSWER;
         DOTH OFTENTIMES APPEASE THE FURIOUS CHOLLER OF AN
                                ANGRY MAN

  Chichibio; the Cooke to Messer Currado Gianfiliazzi; by a sodaine
pleasant answer which he made to his Master; converted his anger
into laughter; and thereby escaped the punishment; that Messer meant
to impose on him。

  Madam Lauretta sitting silent; and the answer of Lady Nonna having
past with generall applause: the Queene commanded Madame Neiphila to
follow next in order; who instantly thus began。 Although a ready wit
(faire Ladies) doth many times affoord worthy and commendable
speeches; according to the accidents happening to the speaker: yet
notwithstanding; Fortune (being a ready helper divers wayes to the
timorous) doth often tippe the tongue with such a present reply; as
the partie to speake; had not so much leysure as to thinke on; nor yet
to invent; as I purpose to let you perceive; by a prety short Novell。
  Messer Currado Gianfiliazzi (as most of you have both seene and
knowen) living alwayes in our Citie; in the estate of a Noble Citizen;
beeing a man bountifull; magnificent; and within the degree of
Knighthoode: continually kept both Hawkes and Hounds; taking no
meane delight in such pleasures as they yeelded; neglecting (for them)
farre more serious imployments; wherewith our present subject
presumeth not to meddle。 Upon a day; having kilde with his Faulcon a
Crane; neere to a Village called Peretola; and finding her to be
both young and fat; he sent it to his Cooke; a Venetian borne; and
named Chichibio; with command to have it prepared for his supper。
Chichibio; who resembled no other; then (as he was indeede) a
plaine; simple; honest mery fellow; having drest the Crane as it ought
to bee; put it on the spit; and laide it to the fire。
  When it was well neere fully roasted; and gave forth a very delicate
pleasing savour; it fortuned that a young Woman dwelling not far
off; named Brunetta; and of whom Chichibio was somewhat enamored;
entred into the Kitchin; and feeling the e

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