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第142章

the decameron(十日谈)-第142章

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                   THE SEVENTH DAY; THE THIRD NOVELL

   SERVING AS A FRIENDLY ADVERTISEMENT TO MARRIED WOMEN; THAT MONKS;
         FRIARS; AND PRIESTS MAY BE NONE OF THEIR GOSSIPS; IN
              REGARD OF UNAVOYDABLE PERILLES ENSUING THEREBY

  Friar Reynard; falling in love with a Gentlewoman; Wife to a man
of good account; found the meanes to become her Gossip。 Afterward;
he being conferring closely with her in her Chamber; and her Husband
coming sodainly thither: she made him beleeve; that he came thither
for no other end; but to cure his God…sonne by a charme; of a
dangerous disease which he had by Wormes。

  Philostratus told not this Tale so covertly; concerning Lazaros
simplicity; and Peronellaes witty policy; but the Ladies found a
knot in the rush; and laughed not a little; at his queint manner of
discoursing it。 But upon the conclusion; the King looking upon Madam
Eliza; willed her to succeede next; which as willingly she granted;
and thus began。 Pleasant Ladies; the charme or conjuration wherwith
Madam Aemillia laid her night…walking Spirit; maketh me remember a
Novell of another enchantment; which although it carrieth not
commendation equall to the other; yet I intend to report it; because
it suteth with our present purpose; and I cannot sodainly be
furnisht with another; answerable thereto in nature。
  You are to understand then; that there lived in Siena; a proper yong
man; of good birth and well friended; being named Reynard。 Earnestly
he affected his neere dwelling neighbour; a beautifull Gentlewoman;
and wife to a man of good esteeme: of whom hee grew halfe perswaded;
that if he could (without suspition) compasse private conference
with her; he should reach the height of his amorous desires。 Yet
seeing no likely meanes wherewith to further his hope; and shee
being great with childe; he resolved to become a Godfather to the
childe; at such time as it should be brought to Christening。 And being
inwardly acquainted with her Husband; who was named Credulano; such
familiar intercourses passed betweene them; both of Reynards kinde
offer; and Credulanoes as courteous acceptance; that hee was set downe
for a Gossippe。
  Reynard being thus embraced for Madam Agnesiaes Gossip; and this
proving the onely colourable meanes; for his safer permission of
speech with her; to let her now understand by word of mouth; what long
before she collected by his lookes and behaviour: it fell out no way
beneficiall to him; albeit Agnesia seemed not nice or scrupulous in
hearing; yet she had a more precious care of her honor。 It came to
passe; within a while after (whether by seeing his labour vainly
spent; or some other urgent occasion moving him thereto; I know not)
Reynard would needs enter into Religion; and whatsoever strictnesse or
austeritie hee found to be in that kinde of life; yet he determined to
persevere therein; whether it were for his good or ill。 And although
within a short space; after he was thus become a Religious Monke;
hee seemed to forget the former love which he bare to his gossip
Agnesia; and divers other enormous vanities beside: yet let me tell
you; successe of time tutord him in them again(!; and; without any
respect to his poore ho habite; but rather in contempt thereof (as
it were) he tooke an especiall delight; in wearing garments of much
richer esteeme; yet favoured by the same Monasticall profession;
appearing (in all respects) like a Court…Minion or Favourite; of a
sprightly and Poeticall disposition; for composing Verses; Sonnets;
and Canzons; singing them to sundry excellent instruments; and yet not
greatly curious of his company; so they were some of the best; and
Madame Agnesia one; his former Gossip。
  But why doe I trouble my selfe; in talking thus of our so lately
converted Friar; holy Father Reynard; when they of longer standing;
and reputed meerely for Saints in life; are rather much more vile then
hee? Such is the wretched condition of this world; that they shame not
(fat; foggie; and nastie Abbey…lubbers) to shew how full…fedde they
live in their Cloysters; with cherry cheekes; and smooth shining
lookes; gay and gaudy garments; far from the least expression of
humility; not walking in the streets like Doves: but high…crested like
Cockes; with well cramd gorges。 Nay; which is worse; if you did but
see their Chambers furnished with Gally…pots of Electuaries;
precious Unguents; Apothecary Boxes; filled with various
Confections; Conserves; excellent Perfumes; and other goodly Glasses
of artificiall Oyles and Waters: beside Rundlets and small Barrels
full of Greeke Wine; Muscatella; Lachrime Christi; and other such like
most precious Wines; so that (to such as see them) they seeme not to
bee Chambers of Religious men; but rather Apothecaries Shoppes; or
appertaining to Druggists; Grocers; or Perfumers。
  It is no disgrace to them to be Gowty; because when other men know
it not; they alledge; that strict fasting; feeding on grosse Meates
(though never so little;) continuall studying; and such like
restraints from the bodies freer exercise; maketh them subject to many
infirmities。 And yet; when any one of them chanceth to fall sicke; the
Physitian must minister no such counsell to them; as Chastity;
Abstinence from voluptuous meats; Discipline of the body; or any of
those matters appertaining to a modest religious life。 For; concerning
the plaine; vulgar; and Plebeian people; these holy Fathers are
perswaded; that they know nothing really belonging to a
sanctimonious life; as long watching; praying; discipline and fasting;
which (in themselves) are not able; to make men look leane;
wretched; and pale。 Because Saint Dominicke; Saint Fraunces; and
divers other holy Saints beside; observed the selfesame religious
orders and constitutions; as now their carefull successors do。
Moreover; in example of those fore…named Saints; who went wel
cloathed; though they had not three Garments for one; nor made of
the finest Woollen excellent cloath: but rather of the very coarsest
of all other; and of the common ordinary colour; to expell cold onely;
but not to appear brave or gallant; deceyving thereby infinite
simple credulous soules; whose purses (neverthelesse) are their best
pay…masters。
  But leave we this; and returne wee backe to vertuous Fryar
Reynard; who falling again& to his former appetites; became an often
visitant of his Gossip Agnesia; and now hee had learned such a
blushlesse kinde of boldnesse; that he durst be more instant with
her (concerning his privie sute) then ever formerly he had bin; yea
even to solicite the enjoying of his immodest desires。 The good
Gentlewoman; seeing her selfe so importunately pursued; and Friar
Reynard appearing now (perhappes) of sweeter and more delicate
complexion; the at his entrance into Religion: at a set time of his
secret communing with her; she answered him in as apt tearmes; as they
use to do; who are not greatly sqeamish; in granting matters
demanded of them。
  Why how now Friar Reynard? quoth shee; Doe Godfathers use to move
such questions? Whereto the Friar thus replyed。 Madam; when I have
laide off this holy habite (which is a matter very easie for mee to
do) I shall seeme in your eye; in all respects made like another
man; quite from the course of any Religious life。 Agnesia; biting
the lip with a prety smile; said; O my faire Starres! You will never
bee so unfriendly to me。 What? You being my Gossip; would you have
me consent unto such a sinne? Our blessed Lady shield mee; for my
ghostly Father hath often told me; that it is utterly unpardonable:
but if it were; I feare too much confiding on mine owne strength。
Gossip; the Friar; you speake like a Foole; and feare (in this case)
is wholly frivolous; especially; when the motions mooved by such an
one as my selfe; who (upon repentance) can grant you pardon and
indulgence presently。 But I pray you let mee aske you one question;
Who is the neerest Kinsman to your Son; either I; that stood at the
Font for his Baptisme; or your Husband that begot him? The Lady made
answere; that it was her Husband。 You say very true Gossip; replyed
the Friar; and yet notwithstanding; doth not your 

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