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第166章

the decameron(十日谈)-第166章

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ready word; wherefore hee sate fretting like a mad man。 Whereupon;
Buffalmaco thus began to him。 Calandrino; if thou be angry with any
other; yet thou shouldest not have made such a mockery of us; as
thou hast done: in leaving us (like a couple of coxcombes) to the
plaine of Mugnone; whether thou leddest us with thee; to seeke a
precious stone called Helitropium。 And couldst thou steale home; never
bidding us so much as farewell? How can we but take it in very evill
part; that thou shouldest so abuse two honest neighbours? Well; assure
thy selfe; this is the last time that ever thou shalt serve us so。
  Calandrino (by this time) being somewhat better come to himselfe;
with an humble protestation of courtesie; returned them this answer。
Alas my good friends; be not you offended; the case is farre otherwise
then you immagine。 Poore unfortunate man that I am; I found the rare
precious stone that you speake of: and marke me well; if I do not tell
you the truth of all。 When you asked one another (the first time) what
was become of me; I was hard by you: at the most; within the
distance of two yards length; and perceiving that you saw mee not;
(being still so neere; and alwaies before you:) I went on; smiling
to my selfe; to heare you brabble and rage against me。
  So; proceeding on in his discourse; he recounted every accident as
it hapned; both what they had saide and did unto him; concerning the
severall blowes; with the two Flint…stones; the one hurting him
greevously in the heele; and the other paining him as extreamly in the
backe; with their speeches used then; and his laughter;
notwithstanding hee felt the harme of them both; yet beeing proud that
he did so invisibly beguile them。 Nay more (quoth he) I cannot
forbeare to tell you; that when I passed thorow the Port; I saw you
standing with the Warders; yet; by vertue of that excellent Stone;
undiscovered of you all。 Beside; going along the streets; I met many
of my Gossips; friends; and familiar acquaintance; such as used daylie
to converse with me; and drinking together in every Tavern: yet not
one of them spake to me; neyther used any courtesie or salutation;
which (indeede) I did the more freely forgive them; because they
were not able to see me。
  In the end of all when I was come home into mine owne house; this
divellish and accursed woman; being aloft uppon my stayres head; by
much misfortune chanced to see me; in regard (as it is not unknowne to
you) that women cause all things to lose their vertue。 In which
respect; I that could have stild my selfe the onely happy man in
Florence; am now made most miserable。 And therefore did I justly beate
her; so long as she was able to stand against mee; and I know no
reason to the contrary; why I should not yet teare her in a thousand
peeces: for I may well curse the day of our mariage; to hinder and
bereave me of such an invisible blessednesse。
  Buffalmaco and Bruno hearing this; made shew of verie much
mervailing thereat; and many times maintained what Calandrino had
said; being well neere ready to burst with laughter; considering;
how confidently he stood upon it; that he had found the wonderful
stone; and lost it by his wives speaking onely to him。 But when they
saw him rise in fury once more; with intent to beat her againe: then
they stept betweene them; affirming; That the woman had no way
offended in this case; but rather he himself: who knowing that women
cause all things to lose their vertue; had not therefore expresly
commanded her; not to be seene in his presence all that day; untill he
had made full proofe of the stones vertue。 And questionles; the
consideration of a matter so availeable and important; was quite taken
from him; because such an especiall happinesse; should not belong to
him only; but (in part) to his friends; whom he had acquainted
therewith; drew them to the plaine with him in companie; where they
tooke as much paines in serch of the stone; as possibly he did; or
could; and yet (dishonestly) he would deceive them; and beare it
away covetously; for his owne private benefit。
  After many other; as wise and wholesome perswasions; which he
constantly credited; because they spake them; they reconciled him to
his wife; and she to him: but not without some difficulty in him;
who falling into wonderfull greefe and melancholy; for losse of such
an admirable precious stone; was in danger to have dyed; within
lesse then a month after。




                    THE EIGHT DAY; THE FOURTH NOVELL

  WHEREIN IS DECLARED; HOW LOVE OFTENTIMES IS SO POWERFULL IN AGED
             MEN; AND DRIVETH THEM TO SUCH DOATING; THAT IT
           REDOUNDETH TO THEIR GREAT DISGRACE AND PUNISHMENT

  The Provost belonging to the Cathedrall Church of Fiesola; fell in
love with a Gentlewoman; being a widdow; and named Piccarda; who hated
him as much as he loved her。 He imagining; that he lay with her: by
the Gentlewomans Bretheren; and the Byshop under whom he served; was
taken in bed with her Mayde; an ugly; foule; deformed Slut。

  Ladie Eliza having concluded her Novell; not without infinite
commendations of the whole company: the Queen turning her lookes to
Madame Aimillia; gave her such an expresse signe; as she must needs
follow next after Madame Eliza; whereupon she began in this manner。
  Vertuous Ladies; I very well remember (by divers Novels formerly
related) that sufficient hath beene sayde; concerning Priests and
Religious persons; and all other carrying shaven Crownes; in their
luxurious appetites and desires。 But because no one can at any time
say so much; as thereto no more may be added: beside them alreadie
spoken of; I wil tel you another concerning the Provost of a Cathedral
Church; who would needes (in despight of all the world) love a
Gentlewoman whether she would or no: and therefore; in due
chastisement both unto his age and folly; she gave him such
entertainment as he justly deserved。
  It is not unknowne unto you all; that the Cittie of Fieosola; the
mountaine whereof we may very easily hither discerne; hath bene (in
times past) a very great and most ancient City: although at this day
it is wellneere all ruined: yet neverthelesse; it alwaies was; and yet
is a Byshops See; albeit not of the wealthiest。 In the same Citie; and
no long while since; neere unto the Cathedrall Church; there dwelt a
Gentlewoman; being a Widdow; and commonlie there stiled by the name of
Madame Piccarda; whose house and inheritance was but small;
wherewith yet she lived very contentedly (having no wandering eye;
or wanton desires) and no company but her two Brethren; Gentlemen of
especiall honest and gracious disposition。
  This Gentlewoman; being yet in the flourishing condition of her
time; did ordinarily resort to the Cathedrall Church in holie zeale;
and religious devotion; where the Provost of the place; became so
enamored of her; as nothing (but the sight of her) yeelded him any
contentment。 Which fond affection of his; was forwarded with such an
audacious and bold carriage; as hee dared to acquaint her with his
love; requiring her enterchange of affection; and the like opinion
of him; as he had of her。 True it is; that he was very farre entred
into yeares; but yong and lustie in his own proud conceite;
presuming strangely beyond his capacity; and thinking as well of his
abilitie; as the youthfullest gallant in the World could doe。
Whereas (in verie deede) his person was utterly displeasing; his
behaviour immodest and scandaious; and his usuall Language;
savouring of such sensualitie; as; very fewe or none cared for his
company。 And if any Woman seemed respective of him; it was in regard
of his outside and profession; and more for feare; then the least
affection; and alwayes as welcome to them; as the head…ake。
  His fond and foolish carriage stil continuing to this Gentlewoman;
she being wise and vertuously advised; spake thus unto him。 Holy
Sir; if you love me according as you protest; and manifest by your
outward behaviour: I am the more to thanke you for it; being bound
in dutie to love you likewise。 But if your Love have any harshe or
unsavourie taste; which mine is no way able to endure; neyther dare
ent

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