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第172章

the decameron(十日谈)-第172章

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more in marriage; because she bare affection to a gallant young
Gentleman; whom she had made her private election of; and with whom
(having excluded all other amorous cares and cogitations) by meanes of
her Waitingwoman; she had divers meetings; and kinde conferences。
  It chanced at the verie same time; another young Gentleman of our
Citie; called Reniero; having long studied in the Schooles at Paris;
returned home to Florence; not to make sale of his Learning and
experience; as many doe: but to understand the reason of things; as
also the causes and effects of them; which is mervailously fitting for
any Gentleman。 Being greatly honoured and esteemed of every one; as
well for his courteous carriage towards all in generall; as for his
knowledge and excellent parts: he lived more like a familiar
Citizen; then in the nature of a Courtly Gentleman; albeit he was
choisely respected in either estate。
  But; as oftentimes it commeth to passe; that such as are endued with
the best judgement and understanding in naturall occasions; are
soonest caught and intangled in the snares of Love: so fel it out with
our Scholler Reniero; who being invited to a solemne Feast; in company
of other his especiall Friends; this Lady Helena; attyred in her
blacke Garments (as Widowes commonly use to wear) was likewise there a
Guest。 His eye observing her beauty and gracious demeanour; she seemed
in his judgement; to be a Woman so compleate and perfect; as he had
never seene her equall before: and therefore; he accounted the man
more then fortunate; that was worthy to embrace her in his armes。
Continuing this amorous observation of her from time to time; and
knowing withall; that rare and excellent things are not easily
obtained; but by painefull study; labour; and endeavour: hee
resolved with himselfe constantly; to put in practise all his best
parts of industry; onely to honour and please her; and attaining to
her contentation; it would be the means to winne her love; and
compasse thereby his hearts desire。
  The yong Lady; who fixed not her eyes on inferiour subjects (but
esteemed her selfe above ordinary reach or capacity) could moove
them artificially; as curious women well know how to doe; looking on
every side about her; yet not in a gadding or grosse manner: for
she was not ignorant in such darting glaunces; as proceeded from an
enflamed affection; which appearing plainely in Reniero; with a pretty
smile; shee said to her selfe。 I am not come hither this day in vaine;
for; if my judgement faile me not; I thinke I have caught a
Woodcocke by the Bill。 And lending him a cunning looke or two;
queintly caried with the corner of her eye; she gave him a kinde of
perswading apprehension; that her heart was the guide to her eye。
And in this artificial Schoole…tricke of hers; shee carryed
therewith another consideration; to wit; that the more other eyes
fedde themselves on her perfections; and were (well…neere) lost in
them beyond recovery: so much the greater reason had he to account his
fortune beyond comparison; that was the sole master of her heart;
and had her love at his command。
  Our witty Scholler having set aside his Philosophicall
considerations; strove how he might best understand her carriage
toward him; and beleeving that she beheld him with pleasing regards;
hee learned to know the house where shee dwelt; passing daily by the
doore divers times; under colour of some more serious occasions:
wherein the Lady very proudly gloried; in regard of the reasons before
alleadged; and seemed to affoord him lookes of goode liking。 Being led
thus with a hopefull perswasion; bee found the meanes to gaine
acquaintance with her waiting…woman; revealing to her his intire
affection; desiring her to worke for him in such sort with her Lady;
that his service might be gracious in her acceptance。 The
Gentlewoman made him a very willing promise; and immediately did his
errand to her Lady; who heard her with no small pride and
squemishnesse; and breaking forth into a scornefull laughter; thus she
spake。
  Ancilla (for so she was named) dost thou not observe; how this
Scholler is come to lose all the wit heere; which he studyed so long
for in the University of Paris? Let us make him our onely Table
argument; and seeing his folly soareth so high; we will feed him
with such a dyet as hee deserveth。 Yet when thou speakest next with
him; tell him; that I affect him more then he can doe me; but it
becommeth me to be carefull of mine honour; and to walke with an
untainted brow; as other Ladies and Gentlewomen doe: which he is not
to mislike; if he be so wise as he maketh shew of; but rather will the
more commend me。 Alas good Lady lack…wit; little did she understand
(faire assembly) how dangerous a case it is 'to' deale with Schollers。
  At his next meeting with the waiting woman; shee delivered the
message; as her Lady had commanded her; whereof poore Reniero was so
joyfull: that hee pursued his love…suite the more earnestly; and began
to write letters; send gifts; and tokens; all which were still
received; yet without any other answere to give hope; but onely in
generall; and thus shee dallied with him a long while。 In the end; she
discovered this matter to her secret chosen friend; who fell
suddenly sicke of the head…ake; onely through meere conceit of
jealousie: which she perceiving; and grieving to be suspected
without any cause; especially by him whom shee esteemed above all
other; shee intended to rid him quickely of that Idle disease。 And
being more and more solicited by the Scholler; she sent him word by
her maide Ancilla; that (as yet) she could find no convenient
opportunity; to yeeld him such assurance; as hee should not any way be
distrustfull of her love。
  But the Feast of Christmas was now neere at hand; which afforded
leisures much more hopefull; then any other formerly passed。 And
therefore; the next night after the first Feasting day; if he
pleased to walke in the open Court of her house: she would soone
send for him; into a place much better beseeming; and where they might
freely converse together。
  Now was our Scholler the onely jocond man of the world; and failed
not the time assigned him; but went unto the Ladies house; where
Ancilla was ready to give him entertainment; conducting him into the
base Court; where she lockt him up fast; untill her Lady should send
for him。 This night shee had privately sent for her friend also; and
sitting merrily at supper with him; told him; what welcome she had
given the Scholler; and how she further meant to use him; saying。
Now Sir; consider with your selfe; what hot affection I beare to
him; of whom you became so fondly jealous。 The which words were very
welcome to him; and made him extraordinarily joyful; desiring to see
them as effectually performed; as they appeared to him by her
protestations。
  Heere you are to understand (Gracious Ladies) that according to
the season of the yeare; a great snow had falne the day before; so
as the whole Court was covered therewith; and being an extreame
frost upon it; our Scholler could not boast of any warme walking; when
the teeth quivered in his head with cold; as a Dog could not be more
discourteously used: yet hope of enjoying Loves recompence at
length; made him to support all this injury with admirable patience。
  Within a while after; Madame Helena said to her friend。 Walke with
me (deare sal heart) into my Chamber; and there at a secret little
window; I shall shew thee what he doth; that drove thee to such a
suspition of me; and we shall heare beside; what answere he will
give my maide Ancilla; whom I will send to comfort him in his
coldnesse。
  When she had so said; they went to the appointed chamber window;
where they could easily see him; but he not them: and then they
heard Ancilla also; calling to him forth of another windowe; saying。
Signior Reniero; my Lady is the wofullest woman in the world;
because (as yet) she cannot come to you; in regard that one of her
brethren came this evening to visite her; and held her with much
longer discourse then she expected: whereby she was constrained to
invite him to sup with her; and yet he is not gone; b

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