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第181章

the decameron(十日谈)-第181章

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Chest; wherein her Husband was inclosed; entreating her patience; thus
began。 Kinde and loving Neighbor; before you adventure too farre in
anger; vouchsafe to heare what I shall tell you。
  I have loved; and still doe love; Spinelloccio as my brother; but
yesterday (albeit he knoweth it not) I found; the honest trust I
reposed in him; deserved no other; or better recompence; but even to
be bold with my wife; in the selfesame manner as I am; and as hee
ought to do with none but you。 Now; in regard of the love which I
beare him; I intend to be no otherwise revenged on him; but in the
same kinde as the offence was committed。 He hath bin more then
familiar with my wife。 I must borrow the selfe…same courtesie of
you; which in equity you cannot deny mee; weighing the wrong you
have sustained by my wife。 Our injuries are alike; in your Husband
to me; and in my wife to you: let then their punishment and ours be
alike also; as they; so we; for in this case there can be no juster
revenge。
 The Woman hearing this; and perceiving the manifolde confirmations
thereof; protested (on solemne oath) by Zeppa; hir beliefe grew
setled; and thus she answered。 My loving neighbor Zeppa; seeing this
kinde of revenge is (in meere justice) imposed on mee; and ordained as
a due scourge; as well to the breach of friendship and
neighbourhood; as abuse of his true and loyall wife: I am the more
willing to consent: alwaies provided; that it be no imbarrement of
love betweene your wife and mee; albeit I have good reason to alledge;
that she began the quarrell first: and what I do is but to right my
wrong; as any other woman of spirit would do: Afterwards; we may the
more pardon one another。 For breach more easi of peace (answered
Zeppa) between my wife and you; take my honest word for your
warrant。 Moreover; in requitall of this favour to mee; I will
bestowe a deare and precious jewell on you; excelling all the rest
which you have beside。
  In delivering these words; he sweetly kissed and embraced her; as
she sat on the Chest wherein her husband lay: now; what they did
else beside; in recompence of the wrong received; I leave to your
imagination; as rather deserving silence; then immodest blabbing。
Spinelloccio; being all this while in the Chest; hearing easily all
the words which Zeppa had uttered; the answer of his wife; as also
what Musicke they made over his head: you may guesse in what a case he
was; his heart being ready to split with rage; and; but that hee stood
in feare of Zeppa; he would have railde and exclaimed on his wife;
as thus hee lay shut up in the Chest。 But entering into better
consideration; that so great al injury was first begun by himselfe;
and Zeppa did no more; then in reason and equity he might well do
(having evermore carried himselfe like a kinde neighbour and frend
towards him; without the least offer of distaste) he faithfully
resolved; to be a firmer friend to Zeppa then formerly hee had bin; if
it might be embraced and accepted。
  Delights and pleasures; be they never so long in contenting and
continuance; yet they come to a period and conclusion at last: So
Zeppa; having ended his amorous combate; and over the head of his
perfidious friend; thought himselfe sufficiently revenged。 But now; in
consideration of a further promise made on the bargaine;
Spinelloccioes wife challengeth the jewel; then which kind of
recompence; nothing can be more welcom to women。 Heereupon; Zeppa
calling for his owne wife; commanded her to open the Chest; which shee
did; and he merrily smiling; saide。 Well wife; you have given mee a
Cake insted of bread; and you shal lose nothing for your labour。 So
Spinelloccio comming forth of the Chest; it requireth a better witte
then mine; to tell you; which of them stood most confounded with
shame; either Spinelloccio seeing Zeppa; and knowing well enough
what he had done: or the woman beholding her husband; who easily heard
all their familiar conference; and the action thereupon so
deservedly performed。
  See neighbour; is not this your dearest Jewell? Having kept it
awhile in my wives custody; according to my promise; here I deliver it
you。 Spinellcccio being glad of his deliverance out of the Chest;
albeit not a little ashamed of himselfe; without using many
impertinent words saide。 Zeppa; our wrongs are equally requited on
each other; and therefore I allow thy former speeches to my Wife; that
thou wast my friend; as I am the like to thee; and so I pray thee
let us still continue。 For nothing else is now to bee divided betweene
us; seeing we have shared alike in our wives; which none knowing but
our selves; let it be as closely kept to our selves。 Zeppa was wel
pleased with the motion; and so all foure dined lovingly together;
without any variance or discontentment。 And thence forward; each of
the Women had two Husbands; as either Husband enjoyed two Wives;
without further contention or debate。




                    THE EIGHT DAY; THE NINTH NOVELL

       WHEREIN IS APPROVED; THAT TITLES OF HONOUR; LEARNING; AND
          DIGNITY; ARE NOT ALWAYES BESTOWNE ON THE WISEST MEN

  Maestro Simone; an ydle…headed Doctor of Physicke; was throwne by
Bruno and Buffalmaco; into a common Leystall of Filth: The Physitian
fondly beleeving; that (in the night time) he should bee made one of a
new created Company; who usually went to see wonders at Corsica; and
there in the Leystall they left him。

  After that the Ladies had a while considered; on the communication
betweene the two Wives of Sienna; and the falshood in friendship of
their Husbands: the Queene; who was the last to recount her Novell;
without offering injurie to Dioneus; began to speake thus。
  The reward for a precedent wrong committed; which Zeppa retorted
upon Spinelloccio; was answerable to his desert; and no more then
equity required; in which respect; I am of opinion; that such men
ought not to be over…sharpely reproved; as do injurie to him; who
seeketh for it; and justly should have it; althogh Madam Pampinea (not
long since) avouched the contrary。
  Now; it evidently appeareth; that Spinelloccio well deserved what
was done to him; and I purpose to speake of another; who needs would
seeke after his owne disgrace。
  The rather to confirme my former speeches; that they which beguile
such wilfull foolish men; are not to bee blamed; but rather commended。
And he unto whom the shame was done; was a Physitian; which came
from Bologna to Florence; and returned thither againe like unto a
Beast; notoriously baffulled and disgraced。
  It is a matter well knowne… to us; and (almost) observed day by day;
that divers of our Citizens; when they returne from their studying
at Bologna: one becommeth an Advocate; another a Physitian; and a
third a Notarie; with long and large gowns; some of Scarlet; and hoods
furred with Minever; beside divers other great apparances;
succeeding effectually daily in their severall kinds。 Among whom;
there returned (not long since) thence; one Master。 Simon da Villa;
more rich in possessions left him by his parents; then anie
knowledge thereto obtained: yet cloathed in Scarlet; with his
Miniver hood; and styled a Doctor of Physicke; which title hee onely
bestowed on himselfe; and tooke a goodly house for his dwelling; in
the street which wee commonly call La via del Cocomero。 This Master
Doctor Simon; being thus newly come thither; among other notable
qualities in him; had one more especial then any of the rest;
namely; to know the names and conditions of such persons; as daily
passed by his doore; and what professions they were of; wherby any
likelyhood might be gathered of needing his helpe; and being his
patients; observing them all with very vigilant care。
  But; among all the rest by him thus warily noted; he most observed
two Painters; of whom we have heeretofore twice discoursed; Bruno
and Buffalmaco; who walked continually together; and were his neere
dwelling neighbors。 The matter which most of al he noted in them; was;
that they lived merrily; and with much lesse care; then any else in
the Cittie beside; and verily they did so in deede。 Wherefore; he
demanded of divers persons; who had good understan

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