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第183章

the decameron(十日谈)-第183章

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on mens bodies; or any so silly as the verie best you have: No Sir;
not any one man among us; but appeared by his apparrell; equall to the
greatest Emperour on the earth; his robe most sumptuously
imbroidered with precious stones; Pearles; and Carbuncles; as the
world affoordeth not the like。 But above all the rest; the delights
and pleasures there; are beyond my capacity to expresse; or
(indeede) any comparison: as namely; store of goodly and beautifull
women; brought thither from all parts of the world; alwayes
provided; if men bee desirous of their company: but for your easier
comprehension; I will make some briefe relation of them to you;
according as I heard them there named。
  There is the great Lady of Barbanicchia; the Queene of Baschia;
the Wife to the great Soldane; the Empresse of Osbeccho; the
Ciancianfera of Norniera; the Semistante of Berlinzona; and the
Scalpedra of Narsia。 But why do I breake my braine; in numbering up so
many to you? All the Queenes of the world are there; even so farre
as to the Schinchimurra of Prester John; that hath a horne in the
midst of her posteriores; albeit not visible to every eye。
  Now I am further that after we have tasted a Cup of precious Wine;
fed on a few delicate Comfits; and danced a dance or two to the rare
Musicke: every one taketh a Lady by the hand; of whom he pleaseth to
make his election; and she conducteth him to her Chamber; in very
grave and gracious manner。 Concerning the Chambers there; each of them
resembleth a Paradise to looke on; they are so faire and goodly; and
no lesse odorifferous in smell; then the sweetest perfumes in your
Apothecaries shoppes; or the rare compounds of Spices; when they are
beaten in an open Morter。 And as for the Beds; they are infinitely
richer; then the verie costliest belonging to the Duke of Venice:
yet (in such) each man is appointed to take his rest; the Musicke of
rare Cymbals lasting all night long; much better to be by you
considered; then in my rude eloquence expressed。
  But of all those rich and sumptuous Beds (if pride of mine owne
opinion do not deceive me) them two provided for Buffalmaco and me;
had hardly any equall: he having the Queene of France as his Lady
and Mistresse; and I; the renowned Queene of England; the onely two
choise beauties of the whole World; and wee appeared so pleasing in
their eyes; as they would have refused the greatest Monarkes on the
earth; rather then to bee rejected by us。 Now therefore; you may
easily consider with your selfe; what great reason we have to live
more merrily; then any other men can doe: in regard we enjoy the
gracious favour of two such Royall Queenes; receyving also from them
(whensoever wee please to commaund them) a thousand or two thousand
Florines at the least; which are both truly and duly sent us。 Enjoying
thus the benefit of this high happinesse; we that are companions of
this Society; do tearme it in our vulgar Language; The Pyrats voyage
to Corsica。 Because; as Rovers or Pyrats robbe and take away the
goodes of such as they meete withall; even so do we: only there
remaineth this difference betweene us; that they never restore what
they have taken: which we do immediately afterward; whether it be
required or no。 And thus Master Doctor; as to my most endeered friend;
I have now revealed the meaning of sayling to Corsica; after the
manner of our private Pyracie; and how important the close retention
of the voiage is; you are best able your selfe to judge: In which
regarde; remember your Oathes and faithfull promises; or else I am
undone for ever。
  Our worthy wise Doctor; whose best skill scarsely extended so farre;
as to cure the itch in Children; gave such sound beleefe to the
relation of Bruno; as any man could doe; to the most certaine truth of
ife or death: having his desire immeasurably enflamed; to bee made a
member of this straunge Societie; which hee more coveted; then any
thing in the world beside; accounting it a felicity farre beyond all
other。
  Whereupon he answered Bruno; that it was no great matter of
mervaile; if he lived so merily as he did; having such a singular
supply; to avoide all necessities whatsoever: and very hardly could he
refraine from immediate request; to be accepted into the company。
But yet he thought fit to deferre it further; untill he had made Bruno
more beholding to him; by friendly entertainments and other
courtesies; when he might (with better hope) be bold to move the
motion。
  Well may you conceive; that nothing more hammerd in the Doctors
head; then this rare voyage to Corsica; and Bruno was his daily
guest at dinner and supper; with such extraordinary apparances of
kindnesse and courtesie; as if the Physitian could not live; except he
had the company of Bruno。 Who seeing himselfe to bee so lovingly
respected; and hating ingratitude; for favours so abundantly heaped on
him: hee painted the whole story of Lent about his Hall; and an
Agnus Dei fairely gilt; on the portall of his Chamber; as also a
goodly Urinall on his street doore; to the end; that such as had neede
of his counsell; might know where so judicious a Doctour dwelt。 In a
Gallery likewise by his Garden; he painted the furious Battaile
betweene the Rats and Cats; which did (not a little) delight Master
Doctor。
  Moreover; at such times as Bruno had not supt with our Physitian; he
would bee sure to tell him on the morrow; that the night passed; he
had bin with the Company which he did wot of。 And there (quoth he) the
Queene of England having somewhat offended mee; I commanded; that
the Gomedra; belonging to the Grand Cham of Tartaria; should be
brought me; and instantly shee was。 What may be the meaning of
Gomedrabe? said the Doctor; I understand not those difficult names。
I beleeve you Sir; answered Bruno; nor do I need to marvalle
thereat: and yet I have heard Porcograsso speake; and also Vannacenna;
and both unexperienced in our Language。 You would say (replyed the
Doctor) Hippocrates and Avicenna; who were two admirable Physitians。
It may be so (said Bruno) and as hardly do I understand your names; as
you mine: but Gomedra; in the Grand Chams language; signifies Empresse
in ours。 But had you once seene her Sir; she would make you forget all
Physicall observations; your arguments; receits; and medicines;
onely to be in her heavenly presence; which words he used
(perceiving his forward longing) to enflame him the more。 Not long
after; as the doctor was holding the candle to Bruno; at the
perfecting the bloody Battayle of the Cattes and Rattes; because he
could never bee wearied in his Companie; and therefore was the more
willing; to undergoe the office of the Candle…holder: he resolved to
acquaint him with his minde; and being all alone by themselves; thus
he began。
  Bruno; as heaven knoweth; there is not this day any creature living;
for whom I would gladly do more; then for thee; and the very least
word of thy mouth; hath power to commaund mee to goe bare…footed; even
from hence so farre as to Peretola; and account my labour well
employed for thy sake: wherefore; never wonder at my continuall
kindnesse towards thee; using thee as my Domesticke companion; and
embracing thee as my bosome friend; and therefore I am the bolder in
mooving one request unto thee。 As thou well knowest; it is no long
while since; when thou diddest acquaint me with the behaviour of the
Corsicane Roving Company; to be one in so rare and excellent a
Society; such hath bin my earnest longing ever since; as day nor night
have I enjoyed anie rest; but should thinke my felicity beyond all
compare; if I could be entertained in fellowship among you。
  Nor is this desire of mine but upon great occasion; as thou thy
selfe shalt perceive; if I prove accepted into your Societie; and
let me then be made a mocking stocke for ever; if I cause not to
come thither one of the most delicate young women; that ever anie
eye beheld; and which I my selfe saw (not above a yeare since) at
Cacavinciglia; on whom I bestowed my intirest affection; and (by the
best Urinall that ever I gazed on) would have given her tenne faire
Bologninaes; to yeeld the matter I moved to her; which yet I could not
(by 

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