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第143章

the decameron(十日谈)-第143章

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the Friar; and yet notwithstanding; doth not your Husband (both at
boord and bed) enjoy the sweet benefit of your company? Yes; said
the Lady; why shold he not? Then Lady (quoth Reynard) I; who am not so
neere a Kinsman to your Sonne; as your Husband is; why may ye not
afford mee the like favour; as you do him? Agnesia; who was no
Logitian; and therefore could not stand on any curious answer;
especially being so cuningly moved; beleeved; or rather made shew of
beleeving; that the Godfather said nothing but truth; and thus
answered。 What woman is she (Gossip) that knoweth how to answer your
strange speeches? And; how it came to passe; I know not; but such an
agreement passed betweene them; that; for once onely (so it might
not infrindge the league of Gossip…ship; but that title to countenance
their further intent) such a favour should be affoorded; so it might
stand cleare from suspition。
  An especiall time being appointed; when this amorous Combate
should be fought in loves field; Friar Reynard came to his Gossips
house; where none being present to hinder his purpose; but onely the
Nursse which attended on the child; who was an indifferent faire and
proper woman: his holy brother that came thither in his company
(because Friars were not allowed to walke alone) was sent aside with
her into the Pigeon loft; to enstruct her in a new kinde of Pater
noster; lately devised in their holy Convent。 In the meane while; as
Friar Reynard and Agnesia were entring into hir chamber; she leading
her little son by the hand; and making fast the doore for their better
safety: the Friar laide by his holie habit; Cowle; Hood; Booke; and
Beads; to bee (in all respects) as other men were。 No sooner were they
thus entred the Chamber; but her husband Credulano; being come into
the house; and unseen of any; staid not till he was at the Chamber
doore; where hee knockt; and called for his Wife。
  She hearing his voice: Alas Gossip (quoth she) what shall I do? My
Husband knocketh at the doore; and now he will perceive the occasion
of our so familiar acquaintance。 Reynard being stript into his
Trusse and straite Strouses; began to tremble and quake exceedingly。 I
heare your Husbands tongue Gossip; said he; and seeing no harme as yet
hath bin done; if I had but my garments on againe; wee would have
one excuse or other to serve the turne; but till then you may not open
the doore。 As womens wits are sildome gadding abroad; when any
necessitie concerneth them at home: even so Agnesia; being sodainly
provided of an invention; both how to speake and carry her selfe in
this extreamitie; saide to the Friar。 Get on your garments quickely;
and when you are cloathed; take your little God…son in your armes; and
listning wel what I shall say; shape your answeres according to my
words; and then refer the matter to me。 Credulano had scarsely ended
his knocking; but Agnesia stepping to the doore said: Husband; I
come to you。 So she opened the doore; and (going forth to him) with
a chearefull countenance thus spake。 Beleeve me Husband; you could not
have come in a more happy time; for our yong Son was sudainly
extreamly sicke; and (as good Fortune would have it) our loving Gossip
Reynard chanced to come in; and questionlesse; but by his good prayers
and other religious paynes; we had utterly lost our childe; for he had
no life left in him。
  Credulano; being as credulous as his name imported; seemed ready
to swoune with sodaine conceit: Alas good wife (quoth he) how hapned
this? Sit downe sweet Husband said she; and I wil tell you al。 Our
child was sodainly taken with a swouning; wherein I being unskilful;
did verily suppose him to be dead; not knowing what to doe; or say。 By
good hap; our Gossip Reynard came in; and taking the childe up in
his armes; said to me。 Gossip; this is nothing else but Wormes in
the bellie of the childe; which ascending to the heart; must needs
kill the child; without all question to the contrary。 But be of good
comfort Gossip; and feare not; for I can charme them in such sort;
that they shall all die; and before I depart hence; you shall see your
Son as healthfull as ever。 And because the maner of this charm is of
such nature; that it required prayer and exorcising in two places at
once: Nurse went up with his Holye Brother into our Pigeon loft; to
exercise their devotion there; while we did the like heere。 For none
but the mother of the childe must bee present at such a mystery; nor
any enter to hinder the operation of the charme; which was the
reason of making fast the Chamber doore。 You shall see Husband anon
the Childe; which is indifferently recovered in his armes; and if
Nurse and his holy Brother were returned from theyr meditations; he
saith; that the charme would then be fully effected: for the child
beginneth to looke chearefull and merry。
  So deerely did Credulano love the childe; that hee verily
beleeved; what his Wife had saide; never misdoubting any other
treachery: and; lifting up his eyes; with a vehement sigh; said。 Wife;
may not I goe in and take the child into my armes? Oh no; not yet good
husband (quoth she) in any case; least you should overthrow all that
is done。 Stay but a little while; I will go in againe; and if all
bee well; then will I call you。 In went Agnesia againe; making the
doore fast after her; the Fryar having heard all the passed
speeches; by this time he was fitted with his habite; and taking the
childe in his armes; he said to Agnesia。 Gossip methought I heard your
Husbands voice; is hee at your Chamber doore? Yes Gossip Reynard
(quoth Credulano without; while Agnesia opened the doore; and admitted
him entrance) indeede it is I。 Come in Sir; I pray you; replyed the
Friar; and heere receive your childe of mee; who was in great
danger; of your ever seeing him any more alive。 But you must take
order; to make an Image of waxe; agreeing with the stature of the
childe; to be placed on the Altar before the Image of S。 Frances; by
whose merites the childe is thus restored to health。
  The childe; beholding his Father; made signes of comming to him;
rejoycing merrily; as yong infants use to do; and Credulano clasping
him in his armes; wept with conceite of joy; kissing him infinitely;
and heartily thanking his Gossip Reynard; for the recovery of his
God…son。 The Friars brotherly Companion; who had given sufficient
enstructions to the Nurse; and a small purse full of Sisters white
thred; which a Nunne (after shrift) had bestowed on him; upon the
husbands admittance into the Chamber (which they easily heard) came in
also to them; and seeing all in very good tearmes; they holpe to
make a joyfull conclusion; the Brother saying to Friar Reynard:
Brother; I have finished all those foure jaculatory prayers; which you
commanded me。
  Brother; answered Reynard; you have a better breath then I; and your
successe hath prooved happier then mine; for before the arrivall of my
Gossip Credulano; I could accomplish but two jaculatory prayers onely。
But it appeareth; that we have both prevailed in our devout desire;
because the childe is perfectly cured。 Credulano calling for Wine
and good cheare; feasted both the Friars very jocondly; and then
conducting them forth of his house; without any further
intermission; caused the childs Image of waxe to be made; and sent
it to be placed on the Altar of Saint Frances; among many other the
like oblations。




                   THE SEVENTH DAY; THE FOURTH NOVELL

         WHEREIN IS MANIFESTED; THAT THE MALICE AND SUBTILTY OF
               WOMAN; SURPASSETH ALL THE ART OR WIT IN MAN

  Tofano in the night season; did locke his wife out of his house; and
shee not prevailing to get entrance againe; by all the entreaties
she could possiblie use: made him beleeve that she had throwne her
selfe into a Well; by casting a great stone into the same Well。 Tofano
hearing the fall of the stone into the Well; and being perswaded
that it was his Wife indeed; came forth of his house; and ran to the
Welles side。 In the meane while; his wife gotte into the house; made
fast the doore against her Husband; and gave bim many reproachfull
speeches。

  So soone as the King perceyved; that

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