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第199章

the decameron(十日谈)-第199章

小说: the decameron(十日谈) 字数: 每页4000字

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then sodainly replyed thus。 Now trust me Bruno; it is to bee
doubted; because he called her at his Window; and she immediatly
went up to his Chamber。 But what doe I care if it be so? Have not
the Gods themselves bene beguiled of their Wenches; who were better
men then ever Phillippo can be; and shall I stand in feare of him?
Bruno replied: Be patient Calandrino; I will enquire what Woman she
is; and if she be not the wife or friend to our young master
Phillippo; with faire perswasions I can over…rule the matter;
because shee is a familiar acquaintance of mine。 But how shall wee
doe; that Buffalmaco may not know heereof? I can never speake to
her; if hee be in my company。 For Buffalmaco (quoth Calandrino) I have
no feare at all; but rather of Nello; because he is a neer Kinsman
to my wife; and he is able to undo me quite; if once it should come to
his hearing。 Thou saist well; replyed Bruno; therefore the matter hath
neede to be very cleanly carried。
  Now let me tell you; the Woman was well enough knowne to Bruno; as
also her quality of life; which Phillippo had acquainted him
withall; and the reason of her resorting thither。 Wherefore;
Calandrino going forth of the roome where they wrought; onely to gaine
another sight of Nicholetta; Bruno revealed the whole history to
Buffalmaco and Nello; they all concluding together; how this amorous
fit of the foole was to be followed。 And when Calandrino was
returned backe againe; in whispering maner Bruno said to him。 Hast
thou once more seene her? Yes; yes Bruno; answered Calandrino: Alas;
she hath slaine me with her very eye; and I am no better then a dead
man。 Be patient said Bruno; I will goe and see whether she be the same
woman which I take her for; or no: and if it prove so; then never
feare; but refer the businesse unto me。
  Bruno descending downe the staires; found Phillippo and Nicholetta
in conference together; and stepping unto them; discoursed at large;
what manner of man Calandrino was; and how farre he was falne in
love with her: so that they made a merry conclusion; what should be
performed in this case; onely to make a pastime of his hot begun love。
And being come backe againe to Calandrino; he saide。 It is the same
woman whereof I told thee; and therefore wee must worke wisely in
the businesse: for if Phillippo perceive any thing; all the water in
Arno will hardly serve to quench his fury。 But what wouldst thou
have me say to her on thy behalfe; if I compasse the meanes to
speake with her? First of all (quoth Calandrino) and in the prime
place; tell her; that I wish infinite bushels of those blessings;
which makes Maides Mothers; and begetteth children。 Next; that I am
onely hers; in any service she wil command me。 Dooest thou
understand me what I say? Sufficiently answered Bruno; leave all to
me。
  When supper time was come; that they gave over working; and were
descended downe into the Court: there they found Phillippo and
Nicholetta readily attending to expect some beginning of amorous
behaviour; and Calandrino glanced such leering lookes at her; coughing
and spetting with hummes and haes; yea in such close and secret
manner; that a starke blinde sight might verie easily have perceyved
it。
  She also on the other side; returned him such queint and cunning
carriage; as enflamed him farre more furiously; even as if hee were
ready to leape out of himselfe。 In the meane while; Phillippo;
Buffalmaco and the rest that were there present; seeming as if they
were seriouslie consulting together; and perceived nothing of his
fantastick behavior; according as Bruno had appointed; could scarse
refraine from extremity of laughter; they noted such antick trickes in
Calandrino。
 Having spent an indifferent space in this foppish folly; the houre of
parting came; but not without wonderful affliction to Calandrino;
and as they were going towards Florence; Bruno saide closely to
Calandrino。 I dare assure thee; that thou hast made her to consume and
melt; even like ice against the warme Sunne。 On my word; if thou
wouldst bring thy Gitterne; and sit downe by us; singing some few
amorous songs of thine owne making; when we are beneath about our
businesse in the Court: shee would presently leape out of the
Window; as being unable to tarry from thee。
  I like thy counsell well Bruno; answered Calandrino; but shall I
bring my Gitterne thither indeed? Yes; in any case; replied Bruno; for
Musicke is a matter of mighty prevailing。 Ah Bruno (quoth
Calandrino) thou wouldst not credit me in the morning; when I tolde
thee; how the very sight of my person had wounded her: I perceived
it at the very first looke of her owne; for shee had no power to
conceale it。 Who but my selfe could so soone have enflamed her
affection; and being a woman of such worth and beauty as shee is?
There are infinite proper handsome fellowes; that daily haunt the
company of dainty Damosels; yet are so shallow in the affayres of
love; as they are not able to win one wench of a thousand; no; not
with all the wit they have; such is their extreame follie and ill
fortune。
  Then pausing a while; and sodainely rapping out a Lovers Oath or
two; thus he proceeded。 My dearest Bruno; thou shalt see how I can
tickle my Gitterne; and what good sport will ensue thereon。 If thou
dost observe me with judgement; why man; I am not so old as I seeme to
be; and she could perceive it at the very first view; yea; and she
shall finde it so too; when we have leysure to consult upon further
occasions: I finde my selfe in such a free and frolicke jocunditie
of spirit; that I will make her to follow me; even as a fond woman
doth after her child。
  But beware; saide Bruno; that thou do not gripe her over…hard; and
in kissing; bee carefull of biting; because the teeth stand in thy
head like the pegges of a Lute; yet make a comely shew in thy faire
wide mouth; thy cheekes looking like two of our artificiall Roses;
swelling amiably; when thy jawes are well fild with meat。 Calandrino
hearing these hansome comnendations; thought himselfe a man of
action already; going; singing; and frisking before his companie so
lively; as if he had not bin in his skin。
  On the morrow; carrying his Gitterne thither with him; to the no
little delight of his companions; hee both played and sung a whole
Bed…role of himselfe to any worke all the day: but loitering
fantastically; one while he gazed out at the window; then ran to the
gate; and oftentimes downe into the Court onely to have a sight of his
Mistresse。 She also (as cunningly) encountred all his ollies; by
such directions as Bruno gave her; and many more beside of her owne
devising; to quicken him still with new occasions: Bruno plaid the
Ambassador betweene them; in delivering the messages from
Calandrino; and then returning her answers to him。 Sometimes when
she was absent thence (which often hapned as occasions called her)
then he would write letters in her name; and bring them; as if they
were sent by her; to give him hope of what hee desired; but because
she was then among her kindred; yet she could not be unmindfull of
him。
  In this manner; Bruno and Buffalmaco (who had the managing of this
amorous businesse) made a meere Gregory of poore Calandrino; causing
him somtimes to send her; one while a pretty peece of Ivory; then a
faire wrought purse; and a costly paire of knives; with other such
like friendly tokens: bringing him backe againe; as in requital of
them; counterfetted Rings of no valew; Bugles and bables; which he
esteemed as matters of great moment。 Moreover; at divers close and
sodain meetings; they made him pay for many dinners and suppers;
amounting to indifferent charges; onely to be careful in the
furtherance of his lovesuit; and to conceale it from his wife。
 Having worne out three or foure months space in this fond and
frivolous manner; without any other successe then as hath bene
declared; and Calandrino perceiving; that the worke undertaken by
him and his fellowes; grew very neere uppon the finishing; which would
barre him of any longer resorting thither: hee began to solicite Bruno
more importunately; then all the while before he hadde done。 In regard
whereof Nicholett

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