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第147章

the decameron(十日谈)-第147章

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that; good woman; quoth he; but beleeve it certainly; that I will have
such a care in this case; as your Husband shall never speake thereof
to you。 If you can doe so Sir; sayde she; proceed I pray you; and I am
well contented。
  Confession being thus ended; and she receiving such pennance as
hee appointed; she arose on her feete; and went to heare Masse;
while our jealous Woodcocke (testily puffing and blowing) put off
his Religious habite; returning home presently to his house; beating
his braines al the way as he went; what meanes he might best devise;
for the taking of his wife and the Friar together; whereby to have
them both severely punished。 His wife being come home from the
Chappell; discerned by her Husbands lookes; that he was like to
keepe but a sory Christmasse: yet he used his utmost industry; to
conceale what he had done; and which she knew as well as himself。
And he having fully resolved; to watch his own street doore the next
night ensuing in person; in expectation of the Friars comming; saide
to his Wife。 I have occasion both to suppe and lodge out of my house
this night; wherefore see you the streete doore to be surely made fast
on the inside; and the doore at the middest of the staires; as also
your own Chamber doore; and then (in Gods name) get you to bed。
Whereto she answered; that all should be done as hee had appointed。
  Afterward; when she saw convenient time; she went to the chink in
the Wall; and making such a signe as shee was woont to doe:
Phillippo came thither; to whom she declared all her mornings
affayres; and what directions her husband had given her。 Furthermore
she saide; certaine I am; that he will not depart from the house;
but sit and watch the doore without; to take one that comes not heere。
If therefore; you can climbe over the house top; and get in at our
gutter Window; you and I may conferre more familiarly together。 The
young Gentleman being no dullard; had his lesson quickly taught him;
and when night was come; Geloso (for so must wee tearme the
Cocke…braind husband) armes himselfe at all points; with a browne Bill
in his hand; and so he sits to watch his owne doore。 His Wife had made
fast all the doores; especially that on the midst of the stayres;
because he should not (by any means) come to her Chamber; and so; when
the houre served; the Gentleman adventured over the house top; found
the gutter Window; and the way conducting him to her Chamber; where
I leave them to their further amorous conference。
  Geloso; more than halfe mad with anger; first; because hee had
lost his supper: next; having sitten almost all the night (which was
extreamely cold and windle) his Armor much mollesting him; and yet
he could see no Friar come: when day drew neere; and hee ashamed to
watch there any longer; conveighed himselfe to some more convenient
place; where putting off his Armes; and seeming to come from the place
of his Lodging; about the ninth houre; he found his doore open; entred
in; and went up the stayres; going to dinner with his Wife。 Within a
while after; according as Geloso had ordred the businesse; a youth
came thither; seeming to be the Novice sent from the Confessor; and he
being admitted to speake with her; demanded; whether shee were
troubled or mollested that night passed; as formerly she had bin;
and whether the partie came or no? The Woman; who knew well enough the
Messenger (notwithstanding all his formall disguise) made answer: That
the party expected; came not: but if hee had come; it was to no
purpose; because her minde was now otherwise altred; albeit she
changed not a jote from her amorous conclusion。
  What should I now further say unto you? Geloso continued his watch
many nights afterward; as hoping to surprize the Friar at his
entrance; and his wife kept still her contented quarter; according
as opportunitie served。 In the conclusion; Geloso beeing no longer
able to endire his bootlesse watching; nor some (more then ordinary)
pleasing countenance in his wife: one day demaunded of her (with a
very stearne and frowning brow) what secret sinnes shee had revealed
to the ghostly Father; upon the day of her shrift? The Woman
replyed; that she would not tell him; neyther was it a matter
reasonable; or lawfull for her to doe。 Wicked Woman; answered
Geloso: I knowe them all well enough; even in despight of thee; and
every word that thou spakest unto him。 But Huswife; now I must further
know; what the Fryar is; with whom you are so farre in love; and (by
meanes of his enchantments) lyeth with you every night; tell me what
and who he is; or else I meane to cut your throate。
  The Woman immediately made answer; it was not true; that she was
in love with any Fryar。 How? quoth Geloso; didst not thou confesse
so much to the Ghostly Father; the other day when thou wast at shrift?
No Sir; sayde she; but if I did; I am sure he would not disclose it to
you; except hee suffered you to bee there present; which is an Article
beyonde his dutie。 But if it were so; then I confesse freely; that I
did say so unto him。 Make an end then quickely Wife (quoth Geloso) and
tell mee who the Friar is。 The Woman fell into a hearty laughter;
saying。 It liketh me singularly well; when a wise man will suffer
himselfe to be ledde by a simple Woman; even as a Sheepe is to the
slaughter; and by the hornes。 If once thou wast wise; that wisedome
became utterly lost; when thou felst into that divellish frensie of
jealousie; without knowing anie reason for it: for; by this
beastlike and no manly humor; thou hast eclipsed no meane part of my
glory; and womanly reputation。
  Doest thou imagine Husband; that if I were so blinded in the eyes of
my head; as thou art in them which should informe thine understanding;
I could have found out the Priest; that would needs bee my
Confessor? I knew thee Husband to be the man; and therefore I prepared
my wit accordingly; to fit thee with the foolish imagination which
thou soughtest for; and (indeed) gave it thee。 For; if thou hadst
beene wise; as thou makest the world to beleeve by outward
apparance; thou wouldest never have expressed such a basenesse of
minde; to borrow the coulour of a sanctified cloake; thereby to
undermine the secrets of thine honest meaning Wife。 Wherefore; to
feede thee in thy fond suspition; I was the more free in my
Confession; and tolde thee truely; with whom; and how heinously I
had transgressed。 Did I not tell thee; that I loved a Fryar? And art
not thou he whom love; being a Fryar; and my ghostly Father; though
(to thine owne shame) thou madst thy selfe so? I said moreover; that
there is not any doore in our house; that can keepe it selfe shut
against him; but (when he pleaseth) he comes and lies with me。 Now
tell me Husband; What doore in our house hath (at any time) bin shut
against thee; but they are freely thine owne; and grant thee entrance?
Thou art the same Friar that confest me; and lieth every night with
me; and so often as thou sentst thy yong Novice or Clearke to me; as
often did I truly returne thee word; when the same Fryar lay with
me。 But (by jealousie) thou hast so lost thine understanding; that
thou wilt hardly beleeve all this。
  Alas good man; like an armed Watchman; thou satst at thine owne
doore all a cold Winters night; perswading mee (poorelly credulous
woman) that; upon urgent occasions; thou must needs suppe and lodge
from home。 Remember thy selfe therefore better heereafter; become a
true understanding man; as thou shouldst bee; and make not thy selfe a
mocking stocke to them; who knoweth thy jealous qualities; as well
as I do; and be not so watchfull over me; as thou art。 For I sweare by
my true honesty; that if I were but as willing; as thou art
suspitious: I could deceive thee; if thou hadst an hundred eyes; as
Nature affords thee but two; and have my pleasures freely; yet thou be
not a jot the wiser; or my credit any way impaired。
  Our wonderfull wise Geloso; who (very advisedly) considred that he
had wholly heard his wives secret confession; and dreamed now on no
other doubt beside; but (perceiving by her speeches) how hee was
become a scorne to al men: without returning other answer; confirmed
his wife

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