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第160章

the decameron(十日谈)-第160章

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from the neighbouring hilles (free from flyes; or the least annoyance)
made a delicate addition to their pleasure。
  No sooner were the Tables withdrawne; and all risen: but they fetcht
a few turnings about the vally; because the Sunne was not (as yet)
quite set。 Then in the coole evening; according to the Queenes
appointment: in a soft and gentle pace; they walked homeward: devising
on a thousand occasions; as well those which the dayes discourses
had yeelded; as others of their owne inventing beside。 It was almost
darke night; before they arrived at the Pallace; where; with variety
of choice Wines; and abounding plenty of rare Banquetting; they out
wore the little toile and wearinesse; which the long walke had charged
them withall。 Afterward; according to their wonted order; the
Instruments being brought and played on; they fell to dancing about
the faire Fountaine; Tindaro intruding (now and then) the sound of his
Bagpipe; to make the musicke seeme more melodious。 But in the end; the
Queene commanded Madame Philomena to sing; whereupon the Instruments
being tuned fit for the purpose; thus she began。

                   THE SONG
    THE CHORUS SUNG BY THE WHOLE COMPANY

    Wearisome is my life to me;
  Because I cannot once againe returne;
  Unto the place which made me first to mourne。

  Nothing I know; yet feele a powerfull fire;
    Burning within my brest;
    Through deepe desire;
  To be once more where first I felt unrest;
    Which cannot be exprest。
  O my sole good! O my best happinesse!
    Why am I thus restrainde?
  Is there no comfort in this wretchednesse?
  Then let me live content; to be thus painde。
    Wearisome is my life to me; etc;

  I cannot tell what was that rare delight;
    Which first enflamde my soule;
    And gave command in spight;
  That I should find no ease by day or night;
    But still live in controule。
  I see; I heare; and feele a kinde of blisse;
    Yet find no forme at all:
  Other in their desire; feele blessednesse;
  But I have none; nor thinke I ever shall。
    Wearisome is my life to me; etc。

  Tell me; if I may hope in following dayes;
    To have but one poore sight;
    Of those bright Sunny rayes;
  Dazeling my sence; did overecome me quite;
    Bequeath'd to wandring wayes。
  If I be poasted off; and may not prove;
    To have the smallest grace:
  Or but to know; that this proceeds from love;
  Why should I live despisde in every place?
    Wearisome is my life to me; etc。

  Me thinkes milde favour whispers in mine eare;
    And bids me not despaire;
    There will a time appeare
  To quell and quite confound consuming care;
    And joy surmount proud feare。
  In hope that gracious time will come at length;
    To cheare my long dismay:
  My spirits reassume your former strength;
  And never dread to see that joyfull day。
    Wearisome is my life to me;
    Because I cannot once againe returne;
    Unto the place; which made me first to mourne。

  This Song gave occasion to the whole Company; to imagine; that
some new and pleasing apprehension of Love; constrained Madame
Philomena to sing in this manner。 And because (by the discourse
thereof) it plainely appeared; that shee had felt more then shee
saw; shee was so much the more happy; and the like was wished by all
the rest。 Wherefore; after the Song was ended; the Queene
remembring; that the next day following was Friday; turning her
selfe graciously to them all; thus she spake。
  You know noble Ladies; and you likewise most noble Gentlemen; that
to morrow is the day consecrated to the Passion of our blessed Lord
and Saviour; which (if you have not forgotten it; as easily you
cannot) we devoutly celebrated; Madame Neiphila being then Queene;
ceasing from all our pleasant discoursing; as we did the like on the
Saturday following; sanctifiing the sacred Sabboth; in due regard of
it selfe。 Wherefore; being desirous to imitate precedent good example;
which in worthy manner shee began to us all: I hold it very decent and
necessary; that we should abstaine to morrow; and the day ensuing;
from recounting any of our pleasant Novels; reducing to our
memories; what was done (as on those dayes) for the salvation of our
soules。 This holy and Religious motion made by the Queene; was
commendably allowed by all the assembly; and therefore; humbly
taking their leave of her; and an indifferent part of the night
being already spent; severally they betooke themselves to their
Chambers。



                       THE INDUCTION TO THE EIGHT DAY

            WHEREON ALL THE DISCOURSES; PASSE UNDER THE RULE AND
                GOVERNMENT; OF THE HONOURABLE LADIE LAURETTA

  Earely on the Sonday Morning; Aurora shewing her selfe bright and
lovely; the Sunnes Golden beames beganne to appeare; on the toppes
of the neere adjoyning Mountaines; so; that Hearbes; Plants; Trees;
and all things else; were verie evidently to be discerned。
  When midday; and the heate thereof was well over…past; so that the
aire seemed mild and temperate: according as the Queene had commanded;
they were all seated againe about the Fountaine; with intent to
prosecute their former pastime。 And then Madame Neiphila; by the
charge imposed on her; as first speaker for this day; beganne as
followeth。




                     THE EIGHT DAY; THE FIRST NOVELL

    WHEREIN IS DECLARED; THAT SUCH WOMEN AS WILL MAKE SALE OF THEIR
          HONESTIE; ARE SOMETIMES OVER…REACHED IN THEIR PAYMENT;
                   AND JUSTLY SERVED AS THEY SHOULD BE

  Gulfardo made a match or wager; with the Wife of Gasparuolo; for the
obtaining of her amorous favour; in regard of a summe of money first
to be given her。 The money hee borrowed of her Husband; and gave it in
payment to her; as in case of discharging him from her Husbands
debt。 After his returne home from Geneway; hee told him in the
presence of his wife; how he had payde the whole summe to her; with
charge of delivering it to her Husband; which she confessed to be
true; albeit greatly against her will。

  Seeing is my fortune; Gracious ladies; that I must give beginning to
this dayes discoursing; by some such Novel which I thinke expedient;
as duty bindeth me; I am therewith well contented。 And because the
deceits of Women to men; have beene at large and liberally related;
I will tell you a subtile tricke of a man to a Woman。 Not that I blame
him for the deede; or thinke the deceyte not well fitted to the woman:
but I speake it in a contrarie nature; as commending the man; and
condemning the woman very justly; as also to shew; how men can as well
beguile those crafty companions; which least beleeve any such
cunning in them; as they that stand most on their artificiall skill。
  Howbeit; to speake more properly; the matter by me to be reported;
deserveth not the reproachfull title of deceite; but rather of a
recompence duly returned: because women ought to be chaste and honest;
and to preserve their honour as their lives; without yeelding to the
contamination thereof; for any occasion whatsoever。 And yet
neverthelesse (in regard of our frailty) many times we proove not so
constant as we should be: yet I am of opinion; that she which
selleth her honestie for money; deserveth justly to be burned。 Whereas
on the contrary; she that falleth into the offence; onely through
intire affection (the powerfull lawes of Love beeing above all
resistance) in equity meriteth pardon; especially of a Judge not
over…rigorous: as not long since wee heard from Philostratus; in
revealing what hapned to Madam Phillippa de Prato; upon the
dangerous Edict。
  Understand then; my most worthy Auditors; that there lived
sometime in Millaine an Almaigne Soldiour; named Gulfardo; of
commendable carriage in his person; and very faithfull to such as he
served; a matter not common among the Almaignes。 And because he made
just repayment; to every one which lent him monies; he grew to such
especiall credit; and was so familiar with the very best Marchants; as
(manie times) he could not be so ready to borrow; as they were willing
alwaies to lend him。 He thus continuing in the Cittie of Millaine;
fastened his affection

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