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第134章

the decameron(十日谈)-第134章

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must at last be our houses。 To let us know; and all other foolish;
indiscreete; and unleartied men; that we are worse then dead men; in
comparison of him; and other men equall to him in skill and
learning。 And therefore; while wee are heere among these Graves and
Monuments; it may well be said; that we are not farre from our owne
houses; or how soone we shall be possessors of them; in regard of
the frailty attending on us。
  Then every one could presently say; that Signior Guido had spoken
nothing but the truth; and were much ashamed of their owne folly;
and shallow estimation which they had made of Guido; desiring never
more after to meddle with him so grossely; and thanking Signior Betto;
for so well reforming their ignorance; by his much better
apprehension。




                     THE SIXT DAY; THE TENTH NOVELL

     WHEREIN MAY BE OBSERVED; WHAT PALPABLE ABUSES DO MANY TIMES
           PASSE; UNDER THE COUNTERFEIT CLOAKE OF RELIGION

  Fryer Onyon; promised certaine honest people of the Countrey; to
shew them a Feather of the same Phoenix; that was with Noah in his
Arke。 In sted whereof; he found Coales; which he avouched to be
those very coals; wherewith the same Phoenix was roasted。

  When of them had delivered their Novels; Dioneus knowing; that it
remained in him to relate the last for this day: without attending for
any solemne command (after he had imposed silence on them; that
could not sufficiently commend the witty reprehension of Guido);
thus he began。 Wise and worthy Ladies; although by the priviledge
you have granted; it is lawfull for me to speake any thing best
pleasing to my self: yet notwithstanding; it is not any part of my
meaning; to varrie from the matter and method; whereof you have spoken
to very good purpose。 And therefore; following your footsteppes; I
entend to tell you; how craftily; and with a Rampiar sodainly raised
in his owne defence: a Religious Frier of Saint Anthonies Order;
shunned a shame; which two O wily companions had prepared for him。 Nor
let it offend you; if I run into more large discourse; then this day
hath bene used by any; for the apter compleating of my Novell:
because; if you well observe it; the Sun is as yet in the middest of
heaven; and therefore you may the better forbeare me。
  Certaldo; as (perhaps) you know; or have heard; is a Village in
the Vale of Elsa; and under the authority and commaund of our
Florence; which although it be but small: yet (in former times) it
hath bin inhabited with Gentlemen; and people of especiall respect。
A religious Friar of S。 Anthonies Order; named Friar Onyon; had long
time used to resort thither; to receive the benevolent almes; which
those charitably affected people in simplicity gave him; and chiefly
at divers daies of the year; when their bounty and devotion would
extend themselves more largely then at other seasons。 And so much
the rather; because they thought him to be a good Pastor of holy
life in outward appearance; and carried a name of much greater matter;
then remained in the man indeed; beside; that part of the country
yeilded far more plentifull abundance of Onyons; then all other in
Tuscany elsewhere; a kinde of foode greatly affected by those
Friars; as men alwaies of hungry and good appetite。 This Friar Onyon
was a man of litle stature red haire; a chearfull countenance; and the
world afforded not a more crafty companion; then he。 Moreover;
albeit he had very little knowledge or learning; yet he was so prompt;
ready and voluble of speech; uttering often he knew not what himselfe:
that such as were not wel acquainted with his qualities; supposed
him to be a singular Rhetoritian; excelling Cicero or Quintilian
themselves; and he was a gossip; friend; or deerely affected; by every
one dwelling in those parts。 According to his wonted custome; one time
he went thither in the month of August; and on a Sunday morning;
when all the dwellers thereabout; were present to heare Masse; and
in the chiefest Church above all the rest: when the Friar saw time
convenient for his purpose; he advanced himselfe; and began to
speake in this manner。
  Gentlemen and Gentlewomen; you know you have kept a commendable
custom; in sending yeerly to the poore brethren of our Lord Baron S。
Anthony; both of your Corne and other provision; some more; some
lesse; all according to their power; means; and devotion; to the end
that blessed S。 Anthony should be the more carefull of your oxen;
sheep; asses; swine; pigs; and other cattle。 Moreover; you have used
to pay (especially such as have their names registred in our
Fraternity) those duties which annually you send unto us。 For the
collection whereof; I am sent by my Superior; namely our L。 Abbot; and
therfore (with Gods blessing) you may come after noone hither; when
you shal heare the Bels of the Church ring: then wil I make a
predication to you; you shall kisse the Crosse; and beside; because
I know you al to be most devout servants to our Lord Baron S。 Anthony;
in especiall grace and favor; I wil shew you a most holy and goodly
Relique; which I my selfe (long since) brought from the holy Land
beyond the seas。 If you desire to know what it is; let me tell you;
that it is one of the Feathers of the same Phoenix; which was in the
Arke with the Patriarch Noah。 And having thus spoken; he became
silent; returning backe to heare Masse。 While hee delivered these
and the like speeches; among the other people then in the church;
there were two shrewde and crafty Companions; the one; named John de
Bragoniero; and the other; Biagio Pizzino。 These subtile Fellowes;
after they had heard the report of Fryer Onyons Relique: althogh
they were his intimate friends; and came thither in his company; yet
they concluded betweene themselves; to shew him a tricke of
Legierdumaine; and to steale the Feather from him。 When they had
intelligence of Friar Onyons dining that day at the Castle; with a
worthy Friend of his: no sooner was he set at the Table; but away went
they in all haste; to the Inne where the Fryar frequented; with this
determination; that Biagio should hold conference with the Friars boy;
while his fellow ransackt the Wallet; to finde the Feather; and
carry it away with him; for a future observation; what the Friar would
say unto the people; when he found the losse of the Feather; and could
not performe his promise to them。
  The Fryars Boy; whom some called Guccio Balena; some Guccio Imbrata;
and others Guccio Porco; was such a knavish Lad; and had so many bad
qualities; as Lippo Topo the cunning Painter; or the most curious
Poeticall wit; had not any ability to describe them。 Friar Onyon
himself did often observe his behaviour; and would make this report
among his Friends。 My Boy (quoth he) hath nine rare qualities in
him; and such they are; as if Salomon; Aristotle; or Seneca had
onely but one of them: it were sufficient to torment and trouble all
their vertue; all their senses; and all their sanctity。 Consider then;
what manner of man he is like to be; having nine such rarities; yet
voide of all vertue; wit; or goodnes。 And when it was demaunded of
Friar Onyon; what these nine rare conditions were: hee having them all
readie by heart; and in rime; thus answered。

    Boyes I have knowne; and seene;
      And heard of many:
          But;
    For Lying; Loytring; Lazinesse;
    For Facing; Filching; Filthinesse;
    For Carelesse; Gracelesse; all Unthriftinesse;
      My Boy excelleth any。

  Now; over and beside all these admirable qualities; hee hath manie
more such singularities; which (in favour towards him) I am faine to
conceale。 But that which I smile most at in him; is; that he would
have a Wife in every place where he commeth; yea; and a good house
to boot too: for; in regard his beard beginneth to shew it selfe;
rising thicke in haire; blacke and amiable; he is verily perswaded;
that all Women will fall in love with him; and if they refuse to
follow him; he will in all hast run after them。 But truly; he is a
notable servant to mee; for I cannot speake with any one; and in never
so great secrecy; but he will be sure to heare his part; and when
any question is demanded of m

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