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第18章

the decameron(十日谈)-第18章

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bedding were both effected before the bright morning。 In breefe; the
Marquesse having heard of the marriage; did not mislike it; but
confirmed it by great and honourable giftes; and having sent for his
dishonest Servant; he dispatched him (after sound reprehension) to
Ferrara; with Letters to Rinaldoes Father and Friends; of all the
accidents that had befalne him。 Moreover; the very same morning; the
three Theeves that had robbed; and so ill intreated Rinaldo; for
another facte by them the same night committed; were taken; and
brought to the Towne of Chasteau Guillaume; where they were hanged for
their offences; and Rinaldo with his wife rode to Ferrara。




                 THE SECOND DAY; THE THIRD NOVELL

       WHEREIN IS DECLARED THE DANGERS OF PRODIGALITIE; AND
               THE MANIFOLD MUTABILITIES OF FORTUNE

  Three young Gentlemen; being Brethren; and having spent all their
Lands and possessions vainely; became poore。 A Nephew of theirs
(falling almost into as desperate a condition) became acquainted
with an Abbot; whom he afterward found to be the King of Englands
Daughter; and made him her Husband in mariage; recompencing all his
Uncles losses; and seating them againe in good estate。

  The fortunes of Rinaldo de Este; being heard by the Ladies and
Gentlemen; they admired his happinesse; and commended his devotion
to Saint Julian; who (in such extreame necessity) sent him so good
succour。 Nor was the Lady to be blamed; for leaving base liberty;
and converting to the chaste embraces of the marriage bed; the dignity
of Womens honour; and eternall disgrace living otherwise。 While thus
they descanted on the happy night betweene her and Rinaldo; Madam
Pampinea sitting next to Philostratus; considering; that her Discourse
must follow in order; and thinking on what shee was to say; the Queene
had no sooner sent out her command; but she being no lesse faire
then forward; began in this manner。 Ladies of great respect; the
more we conferre on the accidents of Fortune; so much the more
remaineth to consider on her mutabilities; wherein there is no need of
wonder; if discreetly we observe that al such things as we fondly
tearme to be our owne; are in her power; and so (consequently)
change from one to another; without any stay or arrest (according to
her concealed judgement) or setled order (at least) that can bee
knowne to us。 Now; although these things appeare thus dayly to us;
even apparantly in all occasions; and as hath beene discerned by
some of our precedent Discourses; yet notwithstanding; seeing it
pleaseth the Queene; that our arguments should aime at these ends; I
will adde to the former tales another of my owne; perhaps not
unprofitable for the hearers; nor unpleasing in observation。
  Sometime heeretofore; there dwelt in our Cittie; a Knight named
Signior Theobaldo; who (according as some report) issued from the
Family of Lamberti; but others derive him of the Agolanti; guiding
(perhaps) their opinion heerein; more from the traine of Children;
belonging to the saide Theobaldo (evermore equall to that of the
Agolanti) then any other matter else。 But setting aside from which
of these two houses he came; I say; that in his time he was a very
wealthy Knight; and had three sonnes; the first being named
Lamberto; the second Theobaldo; and the third Agolanto; all goodly and
gracefull youths: howbeit; the eldest had not compleated eighteene
yeares; when Signior Theobaldo the Father deceased; who left them
all his goods and inheritances。 And they; seeing themselves rich in
ready monies and revennewes; without any other governement then
their owne voluntary disposition; kept no restraint upon their
expences; but maintained many servants; and store of unvalewable
Horses; beside Hawkes and Hounds; with open house for all commers; and
not onely all delights else fit for Gentlemen; but what vanities
beside best agreed with their wanton and youthfull appetites。
  Not long had they run on this race; but the Treasures lefte them
by their Father; began greatly to diminish; and their Revennewes
suffised not; to support such lavish expences as they had begun: but
they fell to engaging and pawning their inheritances; selling one to
day; and another to morrow; so that they saw themselves quickely
come to nothing; and then poverty opened their eyes; which prodigality
had before clozed up。 Heereupon; Lamberto (on a day) calling his
Brethren to him; shewed them what the honors of their Father had
beene; to what height his wealth amounted; and now to what an ebbe
of poverty it was falne; only thorow their inordinate expences。
Wherefore hee counselled them; (as best he could) before further
misery insulted over them; to make sale of the small remainder that
was left; and then to betake themselves unto some other abiding; where
fairer Fortune might chance to shine uppon them。
  This advice prevailed with them; and so; without taking leave of any
body; or other solemnity then closest secrecie; they departed from
Florence; not tarrying in any place untill they were arrived in
England。 Comming to the City of London; and taking there a small house
upon yearely rent; living on so little charge as possibly might be;
they began to lend out money at use: wherein Fortune was so favourable
to them; that (in few yeares) they had gathered a great summe of mony:
by means whereof it came to passe; that one while one of them; and
afterward another; returned backe againe to Florence: where; with
those summes; a great part of their inheritances were redeemed; and
many other bought beside。 Linking themselves in marriage; and yet
continuing their usances in England; they sent a Nephew of theirs
thither; named Alessandro; a yong man; and of faire demeanor; to
maintaine their stocke in employment: while they three remained stil
in Florence; and growing forgetful of their former misery; fell againe
into as unreasonable expences as ever; never respecting their houshold
charges; because they had good credite among the Merchants; and the
monies still sent from Alessandro; supporting their expences divers
yeeres。
  The dealings of Alessandro in England grew verie great; for hee lent
out much money to many Gentlemen; Lords; and Barons of the Land;
upon engagement of their Mannors; Castles; and other revennues: from
whence he derived immeasurable benefite。 While the three Brethren held
on in their lavish expences; borrowing moneys when they wanted
untill their supplies came from England; whereon (indeede) was theyr
onely dependance: it fortuned; that (contrary to the opinion of all
men) warre happened betweene the King of England; and one of his
sonnes; which occasioned much trouble in the whole Countrey; by taking
part on either side; some with the sonne; and other with the Father。
In regard whereof; those Castles and places pawned to Alessandro; were
sodainely seized from him; nothing then remaining; that turned him any
profite。 But living in hope day by day; that peace would be
concluded betweene the Father and the Sonne; he never doubted; but all
things then should be restored to him; both the principall and
interest; and therfore he would not depart out of the Countrey。
  The three Brethren at Florence; bounding within no limites their
disordered spending; borrowed dayly more and more。 And after some
few yeares; the creditors seeing no effect of their hopes to come from
them; all credit being lost with them; and no repayment of promised
dues; they were imprisoned; their Landes and all they had; not
suffising to pay the moitie of Debts; but their bodies remained in
prison for the rest; theyr Wives and young children being sent thence;
some to one village; some to another; so that nothing now was to be
expected; but poverty and misery of life for ever。 As for honest
Alessandro; who had awaited long time for peace in England; perceyving
there was no likelyhoode of it; and considering also; that (beside his
tarrying there in vaine to recover his dues) he was in danger of his
life; without any further deferring; he set away for Italy。 It came to
passe; that as he yssued foorth of Bruges; hee saw a young Abbot
also journeying thence; being cloathed

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