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第164章

the decameron(十日谈)-第164章

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neere him; where he sate all alone; and making shew as if they saw him
not; began to consult between themselves; concerning the rare
properties of precious stones; whereof Maso discoursed as exactly;
as he had beene a most skilfull Lapidarie; to which conference of
theirs; Calandrino lent an attentive eare; in regard it was matter
of singular rarity。
  Soone after; Calandrino started up; and perceiving by their loude
speaking; that they talked of nothing which required secret
Counsell: he went into their company (the onely thing which Maso
desired) and holding on still the former Argument; Calandrino would
needs request to know; in what place these precious stones were to
be found; which had such excellent vertues in them? Maso made answere;
that the most of them were to be had in Berlinzona; neere to the
City of Bascha; which was in the Territory of a Countrey; called
Bengodi; where the Vines were bound about with Sawcidges; a Goose
was sold for a penny; and the Goslings freely given in to boote。 There
was also an high mountaine wholly made of Parmezane; grated Cheese;
whereon dwelt people; who did nothing else but make Mocharones and
Ravivolies; boyling them with broth of Capons; and afterward hurled
them all about; to whosoever can or will catch them。 Neere to this
mountaine runneth a faire River; the whole streame being pure white
Bastard; none such was ever sold for any money; and without one drop
of water in it。
  Now trust me Sir; (said Calandrino) that is an excellent Countrey to
dwell in: but I pray you tell me Sir; what do they with the Capons
after they have boyld them? The Baschanes (quoth Maso) eate them
all。 Have you Sir; said Calandrino; at any time beene in that
Countrey? How? answered Maso; doe you demaund if have beene there? Yes
man; above a thousand times; at the least。 How farre Sir; I pray you
(quoth Calandrino) is that worthy Countrey; from this our City? In
troth; replyed Maso; the miles are hardly to be numbred; for the
most part of them; we travell when we are nightly in our beddes; and
if a man dreame right; he may be there upon a sudden。
  Surely Sir; said Calandrino; it is further hence; then to Abruzzi?
Yes questionlesse; replyed Maso; but; to a willing minde; no travell
seemeth tedious。
  Calandrino well noting; that Maso delivered all these speeches; with
a stedfast countenance; no signe of smyling; or any gesture to urge
the least mislike: he gave such credit to them; as to any matter of
apparent and manifest truth; and upon this assured confidence; he
said。
  Beleeve me Sir; the journey is over…farre for mee to undertake;
but if it were neerer; I could affoord to goe in your Company; onely
to see how they make these Macherones; and to fill my belly with them。
  But now wee are in talke Sir; I pray you pardon mee to aske; whether
any such precious stones; as you spake off; are to be found in that
Countrey; or no? Yes indeed; replyed Maso; there are two kinds of them
to be found in those Territories; both being of very great vertue。 One
kind; are gritty stones; of Settignano; and of Montisca; by vertue
of which places; when any Mill…stones or Grind…stones are to bee made;
they knede the sand as they use to doe meale; and so make them of what
bignesse they please。 In which respect; they have a common saying
there: that Nature maketh common stones; but Montisca Mill…stones。
Such plenty are there of these Mill…stones; so slenderly here esteemed
among us; as Emeralds are with them; whereof they have whole
mountaines; farre greater then our Montemorello; which shine most
gloriously at midnight。 And how meanly soever we account of their
Mill…stones; yet there they drill them; and enchase them in Rings;
which afterward they send to the great Soldane; and have whatsoever
they will demaund for them。
  The other kinde is a most precious Stone indeede; which our best
Lapidaries call the Helitropium; the vertue whereof is so admirable;
as whosoever beareth it about him; so long as he keepeth it; it is
impossible for any eye to discerne him; because he walketh meerely
invisible。 O Lord Sir (quoth Calandrino) those stones are of rare
vertue indeede: but where else may a man finde that Helitropium?
Whereto Maso thus answered: That Countrey onely doth not containe
the Helitropium; for they be many times found upon our plaine of
Mugnone。 Of what bignesse Sir (quoth Calandrino) is the Stone; and
what coulour? The Helitropium; answered Maso; is not alwayes of one
quality; because some are bigge; and others lesse; but all are of
one coulour; namely blacke。
  Calandrino committing all these things to respective memory; and
pretending to be called thence by some other especiall affaires;
departed from Maso; concluding resolvedly with himselfe; to finde this
precious stone; if possibly hee could: yet intending to doe nothing;
untill hee had acquainted Bruno and Buffalmaco therewith; whom he
loved dearly: he went in all hast to seeke them; because; (without any
longer trifling the time) they three might bee the first men; that
should find out this precious stone; spending almost the whole morning
before they were all three met together。 For they were painting at the
Monastery of the Sisters of Faenza; where they had very serious
imployment; and followed their businesse diligently: where having
found them; and saluting them in such kinde manner; as continually
he used to doe; thus he began。
  Loving friends; if you were pleased to follow mine advise; wee three
will quickely be the richest men in Florence; because; by
information from a Gentleman (well deserving to be credited) on the
Plaine of Mugnone: there is a precious stone to be found; which
whosoever carrieth it about him; walketh invisible; and is not to be
seene by any one。 Let us three be the first men to goe and finde it;
before any other heare thereof; and goe about it; and assure our
selves that we shall finde it; for I know it (by discription) so soone
as I see it。 And when wee have it; who can hinder us from bearing it
about us? Then will we goe to the Tables of our Bankers; or money
Changers; which we see daily charged with plenty of gold and silver;
where we may take so much as wee list; for they (nor any) are able
to descrie us。 So; (in short time) shall wee all be wealthy; never
needing to drudge any more; or paint muddy walles; as hitherto we have
done; and; as many of our poore profession are forced to doe。
  Bruno and Buffalmaco hearing this; began to smile; and looking
merily each on other; they seemed to wonder thereat; and greatly
commended the counsell of Calandrino。 Buffalmaco demaunding how the
stone was named。 Now it fortuned; that Calandrino (who had but a
grosse and blockish memory) had quite forgot the name of the stone;
and therefore said。 What neede have wee of the name; when we know; and
are assured of the stones vertue? Let us make no more adoe; but
(setting aside all other businesse) goe seeke where it is to be found。
Well my friend (answered Bruno) you say wee may finde it; but how; and
by what meanes?
  There are two sorts of them (quoth Calandrino) some bigge; others
smaller; but all carry a blacke colour: therefore (in mine opinion)
let us gather all such stones as are blacke; so shall we be sure to
finde it among them; without any further losse of time。
  Buffalmaco and Bruno; liked and allowed the counsell of
Calandrino; which when they had (by severall commendations) given
him assurance of; Bruno saide。 I doe not thinke it a convenient time
now; for us to go about so weighty a businesse: for the Sun is yet
in the highest degree; and striketh such a heate on the plaine of
Mugnone; as all the stones are extreamly dryed; and the very
blackest will nowe seeme whitest。 But in the morning; after the dew is
falne; and before the Sunne shineth forth; every stone retaineth his
true colour。 Moreover; there be many Labourers now working on the
plaine; about such businesse as they are severally assigned; who
seeing us in so serious a serch: may imagine what we seeke for; and
partake with us in the same inquisition; by which meanes they may
chance to speed before us; and so wee may lose both our trot and
amble。 Wherefore; b

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