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第20章

the decameron(十日谈)-第20章

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espoused him; refusing all the world; to be onely his: which being
on either side confirmed solemnly; by an holy Vow; and chaste
kisses; shee commanded him backe to his Chamber; and she returned to
her bed againe; sufficiently satisfied with her Loves acceptation; and
so they journied on till they came to Rome。
  When they had rested themselves there for some few dayes; the
supposed Abbot; with the two Knights; and none else in company but
Alessandro; went before the Pope; and having done him such reverence
as beseemed; the Abbot began to speake in this manner。
  Holy Father (as you know much better then any other) everie one that
desireth to live well and vertuously; ought to shunne (so farre as
in them lyeth) all occasions that may induce to the contrarie。 To
the end therefore; that I (who desire nothing more) then to live
within the compasse of a vertuous conversation; may perfect my hopes
in this behalfe: I have fled from my Fathers Court; and am come hither
in this habite as you see; to crave therein your holy and fatherly
furtherance。 I am daughter to the King of England; and have
sufficiently furnished my selfe with some of his Treasures; that
your Holinesse may bestow me in marriage; because mine unkind
Father; never regarding my youth and beauty (inferior to few in my
native country) would marry me to the King of North…Wales; an aged;
impotent; and sickely man。 Yet let me tell your sanctity; that his age
and weakenesse hath not so much occasioned my Right; as feare of
mine owne youth and frailety; when being married to him; instead of
loyall and unstained life; lewd and dishonest desires might make me to
wander; by breaking the divine Lawes of wedlocke; and abusing the
royall blood of my Father。
  As I travailed hither with this vertuous intention; our Lord; who
onely knoweth perfectly; what is best fitting for all his creatures;
presented mine eyes (no doubt in his meere mercy and goodnesse) with a
man meete to be my husband; which (pointing to Alessandro) is this
young Gentleman standing by me; whose honest; vertuous; and civill
demeanour; deserveth a Lady of farre greater worth; although (perhaps)
Nobility in blood be denied him; and may make him seeme not so
excellent; as one derived from Royall discent。 Holy and religious
vowes have past betweene us both; and the Ring on his finger; is the
firme pledge of my faith and constancie; never to accept any other man
in marriage; but him onely; although my Father; or any else doe
dislike it。 Wherefore (holy Father) the principall cause of my comming
hither; being already effectually concluded on; I desire to compleat
the rest of my Pilgrimage; by visiting the sanctified places in this
City; whereof there are great plenty: And also; that sacred
marriage; being contracted in the presence of God onely; betweene
Alessandro and my selfe; may by you be publikely confirmed; and in
an open congregation。 For; seeing God hath so appointed it; and our
soules have so solemnely vowed it; that no disaster whatsoever can
alter it: you being Gods Vicar here on earth; I hope will not
gainesay; but confirme it with your fatherly benediction; that wee may
live in Gods feare; and dye in his favour。
  Perswade your selves (faire Ladies) that Alessandro was in no
meane admiration; when hee heard; that his wife was daughter to the
King of England; unspeakable joy (questionlesse) wholly overcame
him: but the two Knights were not a little troubled and offended; at
such a straunge and unexpected accident; yea; so violent were their
passions; that had they beene any where else; then in the Popes
presence; Alessandro had felt their furie; and (perhaps) the Princesse
her selfe too。 On the other side; the Pope was much amazed at the
habite she went disguised in; and likewise at the election of her
husband; but; perceiving there was no resistance to be made against
it; hee yeelded the more willingly to satisfie her desire。 And
therefore; having first comforted the two Knights; and made peace
betweene them; the Princesse; and Alessandro; he gave order for the
rest that was to be done。
  When the appointed day for the solemnity was come; hee caused the
Princesse (cloathed in most rich and royall garments) to appeare
before all the Cardinals; and many other great persons then in
presence; who were come to this worthy Feast; which hee had caused
purposely to bee prepared; where she seemed so faire and goodly a
Lady; that every eye was highly delighted to behold her; commending
her with no meane admiration。 In like manner was Alessandro greatly
honoured by the two Knights; being most sumptuous in appearance; and
not like a man that had lent money to usury; but rather of very royall
quality; the Pope himselfe celebrating the marriage betweene them;
which being finished; with the most magnificent pompe that could be
devised; hee gave them his benediction; and licenced their departure
thence。
  Alessandro; his Princesse and her traine thus leaving Rome; they
would needes visite Florence; where the newes of this accident was
(long before) noysed; and they received by the Citizens in royall
manner。 There did shee deliver the three brethren out of prison;
having first payed all their debts; and reseated them againe (with
their wives) in their former inheritances and possessions。
Afterward; departing from Florence; and Agolanto; one of the Uncles
travailing with them to Paris; they were there also most honourably
entertained by the King of France。 From whence the two Knights went
before for England; and prevailed so successefully with the King; that
hee received his daughter into grace and favour; as also his Sonne
in law her husband; to whom hee gave the order of Knighthoode; and
(for his greater dignitie) created him Earle of Cornewall。
  And such was the noble spirit of Alessandro; that he pacified the
troubles betweene the King and his sonne; whereon ensued great comfort
to the Kingdome; winning the love and favour of all the people; and
Agolanto (by the meanes of Alessandro) recovered all that was due to
him and his brethren in England; returning richly home to Florence;
Count Alessandro (his kinsman) having first dub'd him Knight。 Long
time he lived in peace and tranquility; with the faire Princesse his
wife; proving to be so absolute in wisedome; and so famous a Souldier;
that (as some report) by assistance of his Father in law; he conquered
the Realme of Ireland; and was crowned King thereof。




                   THE SECOND DAY; THE FOURTH NOVELL

      WHEREBY MAY BE DISCERNED; INTO HOW MANY DANGERS A MAN MAY
         FALL; THROUGH A COVETOUS DESIRE TO ENRICH HIMSELFE

  Landolpho Ruffolo; falling into poverty; became a Pirate on the
Seas; and being taken by the Genewayes; hardly escaped drowning: Which
yet (neverthelesse) he did; upon a little Chest or Coffer; full of
very rich Jewels; being carried thereon to Corfu; where he was well
entertained by a good woman; And afterward; returned richly home to
his owne house。

  Madam Lauretta; sitting next to Madam Pampinea; and seeing how
triumphantly she had finished her discourse; without attending any
thing else; spake thus。 Gracious Ladies; we shall never behold (in
mine opinion) a greater act of Fortune; then to see a man so suddainly
exalted; even from the lowest depth of poverty; to a Royall estate
of dignity; as the discourse of Madam Pampinea hath made good; by
the happy advancement of Alessandro。 And because it appeareth
necessary; that whosoever discourseth on the subject proposed;
should no way vary from the very same termes; I shall not shame to
tell a tale; which; though it containe far greater mishapes then the
former; may sort to as happy an issue; albeit not so noble and
magnificent。 In which respect; it may (perhaps) merit the lesse
attention; but howsoever that fault shall be found in you; I meane
to discharge mine owne duty。
   Opinion hath made it famous for long time; that the Seacoast of
Rhegium to Gaieta; is the onely delactable part of all Italy; wherein;
somewhat neere to Salerno; is a shore looking upon the Sea; which
the inhabitants there dwelling; doe call the coast of Malfy; full of
small Townes; Gardens; 

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