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第145章

the decameron(十日谈)-第145章

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Tofano hearing his Wife thus to flout him out of his Window; went back
to the doore; and finding it made fast against him: he willed hir to
grant him entrance。 But she; forgetting all gentle Language; which
formerly she had used to him: in meere mockery and derision (yet
intermixed with some sighes and teares; which women are saide to
have at command) out aloud (because the Neighbours should heare her)
thus she replyed。
  Beastly drunken Knave as thou art; this night thou shalt not come
within these doores; I am no longer able to endure thy base behaviour;
it is more then high time; that thy course of life should bee
publiquely known; and at what drunken houres thou returnest home to
thy house。 Tofano; being a man of very impatient Nature; was as bitter
unto her in words on the other which the Neighbours about them (both
men and Women) hearing; looked forth of their Windowes; and demaunding
a reason for this their disquietnesse; Cheta (seeming as if she
wept) sayde。
  Alas my good Neighbours; you see at what unfitting houres; this
bad man comes home to his house; after hee hath lyen in a Taverne
all day drunke; sleeping and snorting like a Swine。 You are my
honest witnesses; how long I have suffered this beastlinesse in him;
yet neyther your good counsell; nor my too often loving
adrionitions; can worke that good which wee have expected。
Wherefore; to try if shame can procure any amendment; I have shut
him out of doores; until his drunken fit be over…past; and so he shall
stand to coole his feet。
  Tofano (but in very uncivill maner) told her being abroad that
night; and how she had used him: But the Neighbours seeing her to be
within the house; and beleeving her; rather then him; in regard of his
too well knowne ill qualities; very sharpely reproved him; gave him
grosse speeches; pittying that any honest Woman should be so
continually abused。 Now my good Neighbours (quoth she) you see what
manner of man he is。 What would you thinke of me; if I should walk the
streets thus in the night time; or be so late out of mine owne
house; as this dayly Drunkard is? I was affraid least you would have
given credit to his dissembling speeches; when he told you; that I was
at the Welles side; and threw something into the Well: but that I know
your better opinion of me; and how sildome I am to be seene out of
doores; although he would induce your sharper judgement of me; and lay
that shame upon me; wherein he hath sinned himselfe。
  The Neighbours; both men and Women; were all very severely
incensed against Tofano; condemning him for his great fault that night
committed; and avouching his wife to be vertuous and honest。 Within
a little while; the noise passing from Neighbour to Neighbour; at
the length it came to the eares of her Kindred; who forthwith resorted
thither; and hearing how sharpely the Neighbours reprehended Tofano:
they tooke him; soundly bastanadoed him; and hardly left any bone of
him unbruised。 Afterward; they went into the house; tooke all such
things thence as belonged to hir; taking hir also with them to their
dwelling; and threatning Tofano with further infliction of punishment;
both for his drunkennesse; and causlesse jealousie。
  Tofano perceyving how curstly they had handled him; and what crooked
meanes might further be used against him; in regard her Kindred and
Friends were very mightie: thought it much better; patiently to suffer
the wrong alreadie done him; then by obstinate contending to proceed
further; and fare worse。 He became a suter to her Kindred; that al
might be forgotten and forgiven; in recompence whereof; he would not
onely refraine from drunkennesse; but also; never more be jelous of
his wife。 This being faithfully promised; and Cheta reconciled to
her Husband; all strife was ended; she enjoyed her friends favour;
as occasion served; but yet with such discretion; as it was not noted。
Thus the Coxcombe foole; was faine to purchase his peace; after a
notorious wrong sustained; and further injuries to bee offered。




                     THE SEVENTH DAY; THE FIFT NOVELL

  IN JUST SCORNE AND MOCKERY OF SUCH JEALOUS HUSBANDS; THAT WILL BE
   SO IDLE HEADED UPON NO OCCASION。 YET WHEN THEY HAVE GOOD REASON
           FOR IT; DO LEAST OF ALL SUSPECT ANY SUCH INJURY

  A jealous man; clouded with the habite of a Priest; became the
Confessour to his owne Wife; who made him beleeve; that she was
deepely in love with a Priest; which came every night; and lay with
her。 By meanes of which confession; while her jealous Husband
watched the doore of his house; to surprize the Priest when he came:
she that never meant to do amisse; had the company of a secret Friend;
who came over the toppe of the house to visite her; while her
foolish Husband kept the doore。

  Madam Lauretta having ended her Novell; and every one commended
the Woman; for fitting Tofano in his kinde; and; as his jealousie
and drunkennesse justly deserved: the King (to prevent all losse of
time) turned to Madame Fiammetta; commaunding her to follow next:
whereuppon; very graciously; shee beganne in this manner。
  Noble Ladies; the precedent Novell delivered by Madame Lauretta;
maketh me willing to speake of another jealous man; as being halfe
perswaded; that whatsoever is done to them by their Wives; and
especially upon no occasion given; they doe no more then well
becommeth them。 And if those grave heads; which were the first
instituters of lawes; had diligently observed all things; I am of
the minde; that they would have ordained no other penalty for Women;
then they appointed against such; as (in their owne defence) do offend
any other。 For jealous husbands; are meere insidiators of their
Wives lives; and most diligent pursuers of their deaths; being lockt
up in their houses all the Weeke long; imployed in nothing but
domesticke drudging affayres: which makes them desirous of high
Festivall dayes; to receive some litle comfort abroad; by an honest
recreation or pastime; as Husbandmen in the fields; Artizans in our
Citie; or Governours in our judiciall Courtes; yea; or as our Lord
himselfe; who rested the seaventh day from all his travailes。 In
like manner; it is so willed and ordained by the Lawes; as well divine
as humane; which have regard to the glory of God; and for the common
good of every one; making distinction betweene those dayes appointed
for labour; and the other determined for rest。 Whereto jealous persons
(in no case) will give consent; but all those dayes (which for other
women are pleasing and delightfull) unto such; over whom they command;
are most irksome; sadde and sorrowful; because then they are lockt up;
and very strictly restrained。 And if question wer urged; how many good
women do live and consume away in this torturing het of affliction:
I can make no other answere; but such as feele it; are best able to
discover it。 Wherefore to conclude the proheme to my present
purpose; let none be over rash in condemning women: for what they do
to their husbands; being jealous without occasion; but rather
commend their wit and providence。
  Somtime (faire Ladies) there lived in Arimino; a Merchant; very rich
in wealth and worldly possessions; who having a beautifull Gentlewoman
to his wife; he became extreamly jelous of her。 And he had no other
reason for this foolish conceit; but; like as he loved hir dearly; and
found her to be very absolutely faire: even so he imagined; that
althogh she devised by her best meanes to give him content; yet others
would grow enamored of her; because she appeared so amiable to al。
In which respect; time might tutor her to affect some other beside
himselfe: the onely common argument of every bad minded man; being
weake and shallow in his owne understanding。 This jelous humor
increasing in him more and more; he kept her in such narrow restraint:
that many persons condemned to death; have enoyed larger libertie in
their imprisonment。 For; she might not bee present at Feasts;
Weddings; nor goe to Church; or so much as to be seen at her doore:
Nay; she durst not stand in her Window; nor looke out of her house;
for any occasion whatsoever。 By means whereof; life seemed most
tedious and of

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