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第156章

the decameron(十日谈)-第156章

小说: the decameron(十日谈) 字数: 每页4000字

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  Within a short while after; Nicostratus made a solemne Feastival
(accorling as yearely he used to doe) in honour of his birth day;
inviting many Lords and Ladies thereto。 On which rejoycing day; so
soone as dinner was ended; and the Tables withdrawne: Lydia came
into the great Hall; where the Feast was solemnly kept; very rich
and costly apparrelled; and there; in presence of Pyrrhus; and the
whole assemblie; going to the Perch whereon the Faulcone sate; wherein
her Husband tooke no little delight; and having untyed her; as if shee
meant to beare her on her Fist: tooke her by the jesses; and beating
her against the wal; killed her。 Nicostratus beholding this; called
out aloud unto her; saying。 Alas Madame! What have you done? She
making him no answere; but turning to the Lords and Ladies; which
had dined there; spake in this manner。
  Ill should I take revenge on a King; that had offended me; if I
had not so much heart; as to wreake my spleene on a paltry Hawke。
Understand then; worthy Lords and Ladies; that this Faulcone hath long
time robbed me of those delights; which men (in meere equitie) ought
to have with their wives: because continually; so as breake of day
hath appeared; my Husband; starting out of bed; makes him selfe
readie; presently to Horsse; and with this Faulcon on his Fist;
rides abroad to his recreation in the Fields。 And I; in such
forsaken sort as you see; am left all alone in my bed; discontented
and despised: often vowing to my selfe; to bee thus revenged as now
I am; being with…held from it by no other occasion; but onely want
of a fit and apt time; to do it in the presence of such persons; as
might bee just judges of my wrongs; and as I conceive you all to be。
  The Lords and Ladies hearing these words; and beleeving this deed of
hers to be done no otherwise; but out of her entire affection to
Nicostratus; according as her speeches sounded: compassionately
turning towards him (who was exceedingly displeased) and all
smiling; said。 Now in good sadnesse Sir; Madame Lydia hath done well
in acting her just revenge upon the Hawke; that bereft her of her
Husbands kinde companie; then which nothing is more precious to a
loving wife; and a hell it is to live without it。 And Lydia; being
sodainly with。 into her chamber; with much other friendly and familiar
talke; they converted the anger of Nicostratus into mirth and smiling。
  Pyrrhus; who had diligently observed the whole cariage of this
businesse; saide to himselfe。 My Ladie hath begun well; and proceeding
on with no worse successe; will (no doubt) bring her love to an
happy conclusion。 As for the Lady her selfe; she having thus kild
the Hawke; it was no long while after; but being in the Chamber with
her husband; and they conversing familiarly together; she began to
jest with him; and hee in the like manner with her; tickling and
toying each the other; till at the length she played with his beard;
and now she found occasion aptly serving; to effect the second taske
imposed by Pyrrhus。 So; taking fast hold on a small tuft of his beard;
she gave a sodaine snatch; and plucked it away quite from his chin。
Whereat Nicostratus beeing angerly moved; she (to appease his
distaste) pleasantly thus spake。 How now my Lord? Why do you looke
so frowningly? What? Are you angry for a few loose haires of your
beard? How then should I take it; when you plucke mee by the haire
of my head; and yet I am not a jot discontented; because I know you do
it but in jesting manner? These friendly speeches cut off all
further contention; and she kepte charily the tuft of er Husbands
beard; which (the verie selfe…same day) shee sent to Pyrrhus her
hearts chosen friend。
  But now concerning the third matter to be adventured; it drove her
to a much more serious consideration; then those two which shee had
already so well and exactly performed。 Notwithstanding; like a Ladie
of unconquerable spirit; and (in whom) Love enlarged his power more
and more: she sodainly conceited; what course was best to bee kept
in this case; forming her attempt in this manner。 Upon Nicostratus
wayted two young Gentlemen; as Pages of his Chamber; whose Fathers had
given them to his service; to learne the manners of honourable
Courtship; and those qualities necessarily required in Gentlemen。
One of them; when Nicostratus sate downe to dinner or supper; stood in
Office of his Carver; delivering him all the meats whereon he fed。 The
other (as Taster) attended on his Cup; and he dranke no other
drinke; but what hee brought him; and they both were highly pleasing
unto him。
  On a day; Lydia called these two youths aside; and; among some other
speeches; which served but as an induction to her intended policy; she
perswaded them; that their mouths yeelded an unsavoury and
ilpleasing smell; whereof their Lord seemed to take dislike。 Wherefore
she advised them; that at such times as they attended on him in
their severall places: they should (so much as possibly they could)
withdraw their heads aside from him; because their breath might not be
noyous unto him。 But withall; to have an especiall care; of not
disclosing to any one; what she had told them; because (out of meere
love) she had acquainted them therewith: which very coistantly they
beleeved; and followed the same direction as she had advised; being
loath to displease; where service bound them to obey。 Choosing a
time fitting for her purpose; when Nicostratus was in private
conference with her; thus she began。 Sir; you observe not the
behaviour of your two Pages; when they wait on you at the Table? Yes
but I do wife (quoth he) how squemishly they turn their heads aside
from me; and it hath often bin in my minde; to understand a reason why
they do so。
  Seating her selfe by him; as if shee had some weighty matter to tell
him; she proceeded in this manner。 Alas my Lord; you shall not need to
question them; because I can sufficiently resolve you therein: which
(neverthelesse) I have long concealed; because I would not be
offensive to you。 But in regard; it is now manifestly apparant; that
others have tasted; what (I immagined) none but my selfe did; I will
no longer hide it from you。 Assuredly Sir; there is a most strange and
unwonted ill…savour; continually issuing from your mouth; smelling
most noysomely; and I wonder what should be the occasion。 In former
times; I never felt any such foule breathing to come from you: and
you; who do dally converse with so many worthy persons; should seeke
meanes to be rid of so great an annoyance。 You say verie true wife
(answered Nicostratus) and I protest to you on my Credite; I feele
no such ill smell; neither know what should cause it; except I have
som corrupted tooth in my mouth。 Perhaps Sir (quoth she) it may be so;
and yet you feele not the savour which others do; yea; very
offensively。
  So; walking with her to a Window; he opened wide his mouth; the
which nicely shee surveyed on either side; and; turning her head
from him; as seeming unable to endure the savour: starting; and
shrieking out alowd; she said。 Santa Maria! What a sight is this? Alas
my good Lord; How could you abide this; and for so long a while? Heere
is a tooth on this side; which (so farre as I can perceive) is not
onely hollow and corrupted: but also wholly putrified and rotten;
and if it continue still in your head; beleeve it for a truth; that it
will infect and spoile all the rest neere it。 I would therefore
counsell you; to let it be pluckt out; before it breede your further
danger。 I like your counsell well Lydia; replyed Nicostratus; and
presently intend to follow it; Let therefore my Barber be sent for;
and; without any longer delay; he shall plucke it forth instantly。
  How sir? (quoth she;) your Barber? Uppon mine Honour; there shall
come no Barber heere。 Why Sir; it is such a rotten Tooth; and standeth
so fairely for my hand: that; without helpe or advice of any Barber;
let mee alone for plucking it forth without putting you to any paine
at all。 Moreover; let me tell you Sir; those Tooth…drawers are so rude
and cruell; in performing such Offices; as my heart cannot endure;
that you should come within compasse of their currish cou

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