the decameron(十日谈)-第191章
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finde succour from my selfe onely； but indeede I am not able to
helpe thee。 True it is； there is a friend of mine； who did lend me
five hundred Florines in my need； to make uppe the other summe which I
borrowed of thee： but he demandeth extreme interest； because he will
not abate any thing of thirty in the hundred； and if you should bee
forced to use him； you must give him some good security。 Now for my
part； the most of my goods here I will pawne for thee： but what pledge
can you deliver in to make up the rest？ Wel did Salabetto conceive the
occasion why she urged this motion； and was so diligent in doing him
such a pleasure： for it appeared evidently to him； that her selfe
was to lend the mony； wherof he was not a litle joyful； seeming very
thankful to hir。 Then he told her； that being driven to such
extremity； how unreasonable soever the usury was； yet he would
gladly pay for it。 And for her Friends further security； hee would
pawne him all the goods in his Magazine； entering them downe in the
name of the party； who lent the money。 Onely he desired to keepe the
Keyes of the Ware…house； as well to shew his Merchandises； when any
Merchant shot bee so desirous： as also to preserve them from ill
using； transporting or changing； before his redemption of them。
She found no fault with his honest offer； but sayde； hee shewed
himselfe a well…meaning man； and the next morning shee sent for a
Broker； in whom she reposed especiall trust； and after they had
privately consulted together； shee delivered him a thousand Golden
Florines； which were caried by him presently to Salabetto； and the
Bond made in the Brokers name； of all the goods remaining in
Salabettoes ware…house； with composition and absolute agreement； for
the prefixed time of the monies repaiment。 No sooner was this tricke
fully accomplished； but Salabetto seeming as if he went to redeeme his
taken goods： set saile for Naples towards Pietro della Canigiano； with
fifteene hundred Florines of Gold： from whence also he sent
contentment to his Master at Florence （who imployd him as his Factor
at Palermo） beside his owne packes of Cloathes。 He made repayment
likewise to Canigiano； for the monies which furnished him in this last
voyage； and any other to whom hee was indebted。 So there he stayed
awhile with Canigiano； whose counsel thus holpe him to out…reach the
Sicillian Courtezane： and meaning to deale in Merchandise no more；
afterward he returned to Florence and there lived in good reputation。
Now as concerning Biancafiore； when she saw that Salabetto
returned not againe to Palermo； she beganne to grow somewhat
abashed； as halfe suspecting that which followed。 After she had
tarried for him above two moneths space； and perceived hee came not；
nor any tydings heard of him： shee caused the Broker to breake open
the Magazine； casting forth the Buttes or Barrels； which shee beleeved
to bee full of good Oyles。 But they were all filled with Seawater；
each of them having a small quantity of Oyle floating on the toppe；
onely to serve when a tryall should bee made。 And then unbinding the
Packes； made up in formall and Merchantable manner： there was
nothing else in them； but Logges and stumpes of Trees； wrapt
handsomely in hurdles of Hempe and Tow； onely two had Cloathes in
them。 So that （to bee briefe） the whole did not value two hundred
Crownes： which when she saw； and observed how cunningly she was
deceived： a long while after shee sorrowed； for repaying backe the
five hundred Florines； and folly in lending a thousand more； using
it as a Proverbe alwaies after to hit selfe： That whosoever dealt with
a Tuscane； had neede to have sound sight and judgement。 So remaining
contented （whither she would or no） with her losse： she plainly
perceyved； that although she lived by cheating others； yet now at
the length she had mette with her match。
So soone as Dioneus had ended his Novell； Madame Lauretta also knew；
that the conclusion of her Regiment was come； whereupon； when the
counsell of Canigiano had past with generall commendation； and the wit
of Salabetto no lesse applauded； for fitting it with such an
effectuall prosecution； shee tooke the Crowne of Laurell from her owne
head； and set it upon Madame Aimilliaes； speaking graciously in this
manner。 Madam； I am not able to say； how pleasant a Queene we shall
have of you； but sure I am； that we shall enjoy a faire one： let
matters therefore be so honourably ca。rried； that your government
may be answerable to your beautifull perfections； which words were
no sooner delivered； but she sate downe in her mounted seate。
Madame Aemillia being somewhat bashfull； not so much of hir being
created Queene； as to heare her selfe thus publikely praysed； with
that which Women do most of all desire： her face then appearing；
like the opening of the Damaske Rose； in the goodlyest morning。 But
after she had a while dejected her lookes； and the Vermillion blush
was vanished away： having taken order with the Master of the houshold；
for all needefull occasions befitting the assembly； thus she began。
Gracious Ladies； wee behold it daily； that those Oxen which have
laboured in the yoake most part of the day； for their more
convenient feeding； are let forth at liberty； and permitted to
wander abroad in the Woods。 We see moreover； that Gardens and
Orchards； being planted with variety of the fairest fruit Trees； are
equalled in beauty by Woods and Forrests； in the plentifull enjoying
of as goodly spreading branches。 In consideration whereof；
remembring how many dayes wee have already spent （under the
severitie of Lawes imposed） shaping all our discourses to a forme of
observation： I am of opinion； that it will not onely well become us；
but also prove beneficiall for us； to live no longer under such
restraint； and like enthralled people； desirous of liberty； wee should
no more be subjected to the yoke； but recover our former strength in
walking freely。
Wherefore； concerning our pastime purposed for to morrow； I am not
minded to use any restriction； or tye you unto any particular
ordination： but rather do liberally graunt； that every one shall
devise and speake of arguments agreeing with your owne dispositions。
Besides； I am verily perswaded； that variety of matter uttered so
freely； will be much more delightfull； then restraint to one kinde
of purpose onely。 Which being thus granted by me； whosoever shal
succeede me in the government； may （as being of more power and
preheminence） restraine all backe againe to the accustomed lawes。
And having thus spoken； she dispensed with their any longer
attendance； untill it should be Supper time。
Every one commended the Queenes appointment； allowing it to
rellish of good wit and judgement： and being all risen； fell to such
exercises as they pleased。 The Ladies made Nosegaies and Chaplets of
Flowers； the men played on their Instruments； singing divers sweete
Ditties to them； and thus were busied untill Supper time。 Which beeing
come； and they supping about the beautifull Fountaine： after Supper；
they fell to singing and dauncing。 In the end； the Queene； to
imitate the order of her predecessors； commanded Pamphilus； that
notwithstanding all the excellent songs formerly sung： he should now
sing one； whereunto dutifully obeying； thus he began。
THE SONG
THE CHORUS SUNG BY ALL
Love； I found such felicitie；
And joy； in thy captivitie：
As I before did never prove；
And thought me happy； being in Love。
Comfort abounding in my hart；
Joy and Delight
In soule and spright
I did possesse in every part；
O Soveraigne Love by thee。
Thy Sacred fires；
Fed my desires；
And still aspires；
Thy happy thrall to bee。
Love； I found such felicity； etc。
My Song wants power to relate；
The sweets of minde
Which I did finde
In that most blissefull state；
O Soveraigne Love by thee。
No sad despaire；
Or killing care
Could me prepare；
Still thou didst comfort me。
Love； I found such felicity； etc。
I hate all such as do complaine；
Blaspheming thee
With Cruelty；
And sleights of coy disdaine。
O So rai
