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第200章

the decameron(十日谈)-第200章

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more importunately; then all the while before he hadde done。 In regard
whereof Nicholetta being one day come thither; and Bruno having
conferred both with her and Phillippo; with ful determination what was
to be done; he began with Calandrino; saying。 My honest Neighbour
and Friend; this Woman hath made a thousand promises; to graunt what
thou art so desirous to have; and I plainly perceive that she hath
no such meaning; but meerely plaies with both our noses。 In which
respect; seeing she is so perfidious; and will not perfourme one of
all her faithfull…made promises: if thou wilt consent to have it so;
she shall be compelled to do it whether she will or no。 Yea marry
Bruno; answered Calandrino; that were an excellent course indeede;
if it could be done; and with expedition。
  Bruno stood musing awhile to himselfe; as if he had some strange
stratagem in his braine; and afterward said。 Hast thou so much
corage Calandrino; as but to handle a peece of written parchment;
which I will give thee? Yes; that I have answered Calandrino; I hope
that needed not to be doubted。 then; saide Bruno; procure that I may
have a piece of Virgin Parchment brought mee; with a living Bat or
Reremouse; three graines of Incense; and an hallowed Candle; then
leave me to effect what shal content thee。 Calandrino watched all
the next night following; with such preparation as he could make;
onely to catch a Bat; which being taken at the last; he broght it
alive to Bruno (with all the other materials appointed) who taking him
alone into a backer Chamber; there hee wrote divers follies on the
Parchment; in the shape of strange and unusuall Charracters; which
he delivered to Calandrino; saying: Be bold Calandrino; and build
constantly uppon my wordes; that if thou canst but touch her with this
sacred Charractred charme; she will immediately follow thee; and
fulfil whatsoever thou pleasest to command hir。 Wherefore; if
Phillippo do this day walke any whither abroad from this house;
presume to salute her; in any manner whatsoever it be; and touching
her with the written lines; go presently to the barn of hay; which
thou perceivest so neere adjoyning; the onely convenient place that
can be; because few or none resort thither。 She shall (in despight
of her blood) follow thee; and when thou hast her there; I leave
thee then to thy valiant victory。 Calandrino stood on tiptoe; like a
man newly molded by Fortune; and warranted Bruno to fulfil all
effectually。
  Nello; whom Calandrino most of all feared and mistrusted; had a hand
as deepe as any of the rest in this deceite; and was as forward also
to have it performed; by Brunoes direction; hee went unto Florence;
where being in company with Calandrinoes Wife; thus hee began。
  Cousine; thine unkinde usage by thine husband; is not unknown to me;
how he did beate thee (beyond the compasse of all reason) when he
brought home stones from the plain of Mugnone; in which regard; I am
very desirous to have thee revenged on him: which if thou wilt not do;
never repute me heereafter for thy Kinsman and Friend。 He is falne
in love with a Woman of the common gender; one that is to be hired for
money: he hath his private meetings with her; and the place is
partly knowne to me; as by a secret appointment (made very lately) I
am credibly given to understand; wherefore walke presently along
with me; and thou shalt take him in the heat of his knavery。
  All the while as these words were uttering to her; shee could not
dissemble her inward impatience; but starting up as halfe franticke
with fury。 she said。 O notorious villaine! Darest thou abuse thine
honest wife so basely? I sweare by blessed Saint Bridget; thou shalt
be paid with coyne of thine owne stampe。 So casting a light wearing
Cloake about her; and taking a yong woman in her company; shee went
away with Nello in no meane haste。 Bruno seeing her comming a farre
off; said to Phillippo: You Sir; you know what is to be done; act your
part according to your appointment。 Phillippo went immediately into
the roome; where Calandrino and his other Consorts were at worke;
and said to them。 Honest friends; I have certaine occasions which
command mine instant being at Florence: worke hard while I am
absent; and I will not be unthankefull for it。 Away hee departed
from them; and hid himselfe in a convenient place; where he could
not be descryed; yet see whatsoever Calandrino did: who when he
imagined Phillippo to be farre enough off; descended downe into the
Court; where he found Nicholetta sitting alone; and going towards her;
began to enter into discoursing with her。
  She knowing what remained to bee done on her behalfe; drew
somewhat neere him; and shewed her selfe more familiar then formerly
she had done: by which favourable meanes; he touched her with the
charmed Parchment; which was no sooner done; but with out using any
other kinde of language; hee went to the hay…Barne; whither
Nicholletta followed him; and both being entred; he closed the Barne
doore; and then stood gazing on her; as if hee had never seene her
before。 Standing stil as in a study; or bethinking himselfe what he
should say: she began to use affable gesture to him; and taking him by
the hand; made shew as if shee meant to kisse him; which yet she
refrained; though he (rather then his life) would gladly have had
it。 Why how now deare Calandrino (quoth she) jewell of my joy; comfort
of my heart; how many times have I longed for thy sweet Company? And
enjoying it now; according to mine owne desire; dost thou stand like a
Statue; or man alla morte? The rare tunes of the Gitterne; but (much
more) the melodious accents of thy voyce; excelling Orpheus or
Amphion; so ravished my soule; as I know not how to expresse the depth
of mine affection; and yet hast thou brought me hither; onely to looke
babies in mine eyes; and not so much as speake one kinde word to me?
  Bruno and Buffalmaco; having hid themselves close behinde
Philippo; they both heard and saw all this amourous conflict; and as
Calandrino was quickning his courage; and wiping his mouth; with
intent to kisse her: his wife and Nello entred into the Barne; which
caused Nicholetta to get her gone presently; sheltring her self
where Philippo lay scouting。 But the enraged woman ranne furiously
upon poore daunted Calandrino; making such a pitiful massacre with her
nailes; and tearing the baire from his head; as hee meerely looked
like an infected Anatomy。 Fowle loathsome dog (quoth she) must you
be at your minions; and leave mee hunger…starved at home? An olde
knave with (almost) never a good tooth in thy head; and yet art thou
neighing after young wenches? hast thou not worke enough at home;
but must bee gadding in to other mens grounds? Are these the fruites
of wandring abroad?
 Calandrino being in this pittifull perplexity; stood like one neither
alive nor dead; nor daring to use any resistance against her; but fell
on his knees before his Wife; holding up his hands for mercy; and
entreating her (for charities sake) not to torment him any more: for
he had committed no harme at all; and the Gentlewoman was his
Masters Wife; who came with no such intent thither; as shee fondly
imagined。 Wife; or wife not (quoth she) I would have none to meddle
with my I but I that have the most right to him。
  Bruno and Buffalmaco; who had laughed all this while heartily at
this pastime; with Phillippo and Nicholetta; came running in haste
to know the reason of this loude noise; and after they had pacified
the woman with gentle perswasions: they advised Calandrino; to walke
with his Wife to Florence; and returne no more to worke there
againe; least Phillippo hearing what had hapned; should be revenged on
him with some outrage。 Thus poore Calandrino miserably misused and
beaten; went home to Florence with his Wife; scoulded and raild at all
the way; beside his other molestations (day and night) afterward:
his Companions; Phillippo and Nicholetta; making themselves merry at
his mis…fortune。




                     THE NINTH DAY; THE SIXT NOVELL

      WHEREIN IS MANIFESTED; THAT AN OFFENCE COMMITTED IGNORANTLY;
       AND BY MISTAKING; OUGHT TO BE COVERED WITH GOOD A

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