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第173章

the decameron(十日谈)-第173章

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longer discourse then she expected: whereby she was constrained to
invite him to sup with her; and yet he is not gone; but shortly I hope
hee will; and then expect her comming presently; till when; she
entreateth your gentle sufferance。
  Poore Renicro; our over…credulous Scholler; whose vehement affection
to Madame Helena; so hood…winkt the sight of his understanding; as
he could not be distrustfull of any guilt; returned this answere to
Ancilla。 Say to your Lady that I am bound in duty; to attend the
good houre of her leisure; without so much as the very least
prejudicate conceite in me: Neverthelesse; entreat her; to let it
bee so soone as she possibly may; because here is miserable walking;
and it beginneth againe to snow extreamely。 Ancilla making fast the
Casement; went presently to bed; when Helena spake thus to her amorous
friend。 What saist thou now? Doest thou thinke that I loved him; as
thou wast afraid of? If I did; he should never walke thus in the frost
and snow。 So; away went they likewise from their close gazing
window; and spent wanton dalliances together; laughing; and deriding
(with many bitter taunts and jests) the lamentable condition of
poore Reniero。
  About the Court walked hee numberlesse times; finding such exercises
as he could best devise; to compasse warmth in any manner: no seate or
shelter had he any where; either to ease himselfe by sitting downe a
while; or keepe him from the snow; falling continually on him; which
made him bestow many curses on the Ladies Brother; for his so long
tarrying with her; as beleeving him verily to be in the house; or else
she would (long before) have admitted his entrance; but therein his
hope was meerely deceived。 It grew now to be about the houre of
midnight; and Helena had delighted her selfe with her friend
extraordinarily; til at last; thus she spake to him。 What is thine
opinion of my amourous Scholler? Which dost thou imagine to be the
greatest; either his sense and judgement; or the affection I beare
to him? Is not this cold sufferance of his; able to quench the violent
heat of his loves extremitie; and having so much snow broth to helpe
it? Beleeve me (sweet Lady) quoth her friend; as hee is a man; and a
learned Scholler; I pitty that he should bee thus ungently dealt
withall: but as he is my rivall and loves enemy; I cannot allow him
the least compassion; resting the more confidently assured of your
love to me; which I will alwayes esteeme most precious。
  When they had spent a long while in this or the like conference;
with infinite sweet kisses and embraces intermixed; then she began
againe in this manner。 Deare love (quoth she) cast thy Cloake about
thee; as I intend to doe with my night mantle; and let us step to
the little window once more; to see whether the flaming fire; which
burned in the Schollers brest (as daily avouched to me in his love
letters) be as yet extinct or no。 So going to the window againe; and
looking downe into the Court; there they saw the Scholler dancing in
the snow; to the cold tune of his teeths quivering and chattering; and
clapping his armes about his body; which was no pleasing melody to
him。 How thinkest thou now sweet heart (saide cannot I make a man
daunce without the sound of a Taber; or of a Bagpipe? yes beleeve me
Lady (quoth he) I plaine pereive you can; and would be very lothe;
that at should exercise your cunning on me。
  Nay; said shee; we will yet delight our selves a little more; let us
softly descend downe the stayres; even so farre as to the Court doore:
thou shalt not speake a word; but I will talke to him; and heare
some part of his quivering language; which cannot choose but bee
passing pleasing for us to heare。
  Out of the Chamber went they; and descended downe the stayres to the
Court doore; where; without opening it; she laide her mouth to a small
cranny; and in a low soft kinde of voyce; called him by his name:
which the Scholler hearing; was exceeding joyful; as beleeving verily;
that the houre of his deliverance was come; and entrance now should be
admitted him。 Upon the hearing of her voyce; hee stept close to the
doore; saying。 For charities sake; good Lady; let me come in;
because I am almost dead with cold; whereto thus she answered in
mocking manner。 I make no doubt (my deare friend Reniero) but the
night is indifferent colde; and yet somewhat the warmer by the
Snowes falling: and I have heard that such weather as this; is
tenne…times more extreame at Paris; then heere in our warmer Countrey。
And trust me; I am exceeding sorrowfull; that I may not (as yet)
open the doore; because mine unhappy brother; who came (unexpected)
yester…night to suppe with mee; is not yet gone; as within a short
while (I hope) he will; and then shall I gladly set open the doore
to you; for I made an excuse to steale a little from him; onely to
cheare you with this small kind of comfort; that his so long
tarrying might be the lesse offensive to you。
  Alas sweet Madame; answered quaking and quivering Reniero; bee then
so favourable to me; as to free me from forth this open Court; where
there is no shelter or helpe for me; the snow falling still so
exceedingly; as a man might easily be more then halfe buried in it:
let me but within your doore; and there I will wait your own good
leisure。 Alas deare Reniero (answered Helena) I dare not doe it;
because the doore maketh such a noyse in the opening; as it will be
too easily heard by my Brother: but I will goe and use such meanes; as
shortly hee shall get him gone; and then I dare boldly give you
entrance。 Doe so good Madame; replyed Reniero; and let there be a
faire fire made ready; that when I am within; I may the sooner warme
my selfe; for I am so strangely benummed with colde; as well…neere I
am past all sence of feeling。
  Can it be possible (quoth Helena) that you should be so benummed
with colde? Then I plainely perceive; that men can lye in their love
letters; which I can shew under your own hand; how you fryed in
flames; and all for my love; and so have you written to me in every
letter。 Poore credulous women are often thus deluded; in beleeving
what men write and speake out of passion: but I will returne backe
to my Brother; and make no doubt of dispatch; because I would gladly
have your Company。
  The amourous Friend to Helena; who stood by all this while; laughing
at the Schollers hard usage; returned up againe with her to her
Chamber; where they could not take a jote of rest; for flouting and
scorning the betrayed Scholler; As for him poore man; hee was become
like the Swanne; coldly chattering his teeth together; in a strange
new kinde of harmony to him。 And perceiving himselfe to be meerely
mocked; he attempted to get open the doore; or how he might passe
forth at any other place; but being no way able to compasse it; he
walked up and downe like an angry Lyon; cursing the hard quality of
the time; the discourtesie of the Lady; the over…tedious length of the
night; but (most of all) his owne folly and simplicity; in being so
basely abused and gulde。 Now began the heat of his former affection to
Helena; altered into as violent a detestation of her; Yea; extremity
of hatred in the highest degree; beating his braines; and ransacking
every corner of in。 vention; by what meanes he might best be
revenged on her; which now he more earnestly desired to effect; then
to enjoy the benefit of her love; or to be embraced betweene her
armes。
  After that the sad and discomfortable night had spent it selfe;
and the break of day was beginning to appeare; Ancilla the
waiting…woman; according as she was instructed by her Lady; went downe
and opened the Court doore; and seeming exceedingly to compassionate
the Schollers unfortunate night of sufferance; saide unto him。
  Alas courteous Gentleman; in an unblessed houre came my Ladyes
brother hither yesternight; inflicting too much trouble upon us; and a
grievous time of affliction to you。 But I am not ignorant; that you
being vertuous; and a judicious Scholler; have an invincible spirit of
pacience; and sufficient understanding withall; that what this night
could not affoord; another may make a sound amends for。 This

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