the decameron(十日谈)-第207章
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you how it is to be done： onely I must and doe confesse； that the most
difficult thing of all the rest； is； to fasten on the taile； as thou
shalt see。
Gossip Pietro and his wife； could hardly take any rest all the night
long； so desirous they were to have the deed done； and therefore
when it drew towards day； up they arose； and calling Gossip John； he
came presently to them in his shirt； and being in the Chamber with
them； he said。 I know not any man in the world； to whom I would
disclose this secret； but to you； and therefore because you so
earnestly desire it； I am the more willing to doe it。 Onely you must
consent； to doe whatsoever I say； if you are desirous to have it done。
Faithfully they ey ；h promised to performe all； whereupon John
delivering a lighted Candle to Gossip Petro； to hold in his hand；
said。 Marke well what I doe； and remember all the words I say： but
be very carefull； that whatsoever thou hearest or seest； thou doe
not speake one word； for then the enchantment will be utterly
overthrowne； onely wish that the taile may be well set on； for therein
consisteth all the cunning。
Gossip Pietro holding the Candle； and the woman being prepared as
John had appointed her； she bowed her selfe forwardes with her hands
set to the ground； even as if she stood upon foure feete。 First with
his hands he touched her head and face； saying； Heere is the goodly
head of a Mule： then handling her disheveld haire； termed them the
goodly mane of a Mule。 Afterwardes； touching the body； armes； legs；
and feete； gave them all the apt names （for those parts） belonging
to a Mule； nothing else remaining； but onely the forming of the taile；
which when Pietro perceived； how John was preparing to fasten it on
（having no way misliked all his former proceeding：） he called to
him； saying： Forbeare Gossippe John； my Mule shal have no taile at
all； I am contented to have her without a taile。
How now Gossip Pietro？ answered John； What hast thou done？ Thou hast
mard all by this unadvised speaking； even when the worke was almost
fully finished。 It is no matter Gossip （answered Pietro） I can like my
Mule better without a taile； then to see it set on in such manner。
The fond yong woman； more covetously addicted to gayne and
commodity； then looking into the knavish intention of her Gossip John；
began to grow greatly offended。
Beast as thou art （quoth she to her Husband） why hast thou
overthrowne both thine owne good Fortune and mine？ Diddest thou ever
see a Mule without a taile？ Wouldst thou have had him make me a
monster？ Thou art wretchedly poore； and when we might have bin
enriched for ever； by a secret knowne to none but our selves； thou art
the Asse that hast defeated all； and made thy friend to become thine
enemy。 Gossippe John began to pacifie the woman； with solemne
protestations of his still continuing friendship； albeit
（afterwards） there was no further desiring of any more Mulemaking： but
Gossip Pietro fel to his former Trading onely with his Asse； as he was
no lesse himselfe； and hee went no more with Gossip John to the Faires
in Apuglia； neyther did he ever request； to have the like peece of
service done for him。
Although there was much laughing at this Novell； the Ladies
understanding it better； then Dioneus intended that they should have
done； yet himselfe scarsely smiled。 But the Novels being all ended；
and the Sunne beginning to loose his heate； the Queene also knowing；
that the full period of her government was come： dispossessing her
selfe of the Crowne； shee placed it on the head of Pamphilus； who
was the last of all to be honoured with this dignity； wherefore
（with a gracious smile） thus she spake to him。
Sir； it is no meane charge which you are to undergo； in making
amends （perhaps） for all the faults committed by my selfe and the
rest； who have gone before you in the same authority； and； may it
prove as prosperous unto you； as I was willing to create you our King。
Pamphilus having received the Honor with a chearfull mind； thus
answered。 Madam； your sacred vertues； and those （beside） remaining
in my other Subjects； will （no doubt） worke so effectually for me；
that （as the rest have done） I shall deserve your generall good
opinion。 And having given order to the Master of the Houshold （as
all his predecessors had formerly done； for every necessary
occasion； he turned to the Ladies； who expected his gracious favour；
and said。
Bright Beauties； it was the discretion of your late Soveraigne and
Queene； in regard of ease and recreation unto your tyred spirits； to
grant you free liberty； for discoursing on whatsoever your selves best
pleased： wherefore； having enjoyed such a time of rest； I am of
opinion； that it is best to returne once more to our wonted Law； in
which respect； I would have every one to speake in this manner to
morrow。 Namety； of those men or women； who have done any thing
bountifully or magnificently； either in matter of amity； or otherwise。
The relation of such worthy arguments； wil （doubtlesse） give an
addition to our very best desires； for a free and forward
inclination to good actions； whereby our lives （how short soever
they bee） may perpetuate an ever…living renowne and fame； after our
mortall bodies are converted into dust； which （otherwise）
are no better then those of bruite beasts； reason onely
distinguishing this difference； that as they live to perish utterly；
so we respire to reigne in eternity。 Theame was exceedingly pleasing
to the whole Company； who being all risen； by permission of the new
King； every one fel to their wonted recreations； as best agreed with
their owne disposition； untill the houre for Supper came； wherein they
were served very sumptuously。 But being risen from the Table； they
began their dances； among which； many sweet Sonnets were enterlaced；
with such delicate Tunes as moved admiration。 Then the King
commanded Madam Neiphila； to sing a song in his name； or how her selfe
stood best affected。 And immediatly with a cleare and rare voice； thus
she began。
THE SONG
THE CHORUS SUNG BY ALL THE COMPANIE
In the Spring season；
Maides have best reason；
To dance and sing；
With Chaplets of Flowers；
To decke up their Bowers；
And all in honour of the Spring。
I heard a Nimph that sate alone；
By a fountaines side：
Much her hard Fortune to bemone；
For still she cride：
Ah！ Who will pitty her distresse；
That findes no foe like ficklenesse？
For truth lives not in men：
Poore soule； why live I then？
In the Spring season； etc。
Oh； How can mighty Love permit；
Such a faithlesse deed；
And not in justice punish it
As treasons meed？
I am undone through perjury；
Although I loved constantly：
But truth lives not in men；
Poore soule； why live I then？
In the Spring season； etc。
When I did follow Dyans traine；
As a loyall Maide；
I never felt oppressing paine；
Nor was dismaide。
But when I listened Loves alluring；
Then I wandred from assuring。
For truth lives not in men：
Poore soule； why live I then？
In the Spring season； etc。
Adiew to all my former joyes；
When I lived at ease；
And welcome now those sad annoies
Which do most displease。
And let none pitty her distresse；
That fell not； but by ficklenesse；
For truth lives not in men；
Alas！ why live I then？
In the Spring season；
Maides have best reason；
To dance and sing；
With Chaplets of Flowers；
To decke up their Bowers；
And all in honour of the Spring。
This Song； most sweetly sung by Madame Neiphila； was especially
commended； both by the King； and all the rest of the Ladies。 Which
being fully finished； the King gave oder； that everie one should
repaire to their Chambers； because a great part of the night was
already spent。
THE INDUCTION TO THE TENTH AND LAST DAY
WHEREON； UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF PAMPHILUS； THE SEVERALL
ARGUMENTS DO CONCERNE SUCH PERSONS； AS EITHER BY WAY OF
LIBERALITY； OR IN MAGNIFICENT MANNER； PERFORMED ANY WORTHY
