the decameron(十日谈)-第208章
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LIBERALITY； OR IN MAGNIFICENT MANNER； PERFORMED ANY WORTHY
ACTION； FOR LOVE； FAVOUR； FRIENDSHIP； OR ANY OTHER
HONOURABLE OCCASION
Already began certaine small Clouds in the West； to blush with a
Vermillion tincture； when those in the East （having reached to their
full heighth） looked like bright burnished Gold； by splendour of the
Sun beames drawing neere unto them： when Pamphilus being risen； caused
the Ladies； and the rest of his honourable companions to be called。
When they were all assembled； and had concluded together on the place；
whither they should walke for their mornings recreation： the King
ledde on the way before accompanied with the two Noble Ladies
Philomena and Fiammetta； all the rest following after them；
devising； talking； and answering to divers demands both what that
day was to be don； as also concerning the proposed imposition for
the forthcoming day。
After they had walked an indifferent space of time； and found the
rayes of the Sunne to be over…piercing for them： they returned backe
againe to the Pallace； as fearing to have their blood immoderately
heated。 Then rinsing their Glasses in the coole cleare running
current； each tooke their mornings draught； and then walked into the
milde shades about the Garden； untill they should bee summoned to
dinner。 Which was no sooner over…past； and such as slept； returned
waking： they mette together againe in their wonted place； according as
the King had appointed； where he gave command unto Madame Neiphila；
that shee should （for that day） begin the first Novell； which she
humbly accepting； thus began。
THE TENTH DAY； THE FIRST NOVELL
WHERIN MAY EVIDENTLY BE DISCERNED； THAT SERVANTS TO PRINCES AND
GREAT LORDS； ARE MANY TIMES RECOMPENCED； RATHER BY THEIR GOOD
FORTUNE； THEN IN ANY REGARD OF THEIR DUTIFULL SERVICES
A Florentine knight； named Signior Rogiero de Figiovanni； became a
servant to Alphonso； King of Spaine； who （in his owne opinion）
seemed but sleightly to respect and reward him。 In regard whereof；
by a notable experiment； the King gave him a manifest testimony；
that it was not through any defect in him； but onely occasioned by the
Knights ill fortune； most bountifully recompencing him afterward。
I doe accept it （Worthy Ladies） as no mean favour； that the King
hath given me the first place； to speake of such an honourable
Argument； as Bounty and Magnificence is； which precious Jewell； even
as the Sunne is the beauty； or ornament and bright glory of al heaven；
so is bounty and magnificence the Crowne of all vertues。 I shall
then recount to you a short Novell； sufficiently pleasing； in mine
owne opinion； and I hope （so much I dare rely on your judgements） both
profitable； and worthy to be remembred。
You are to know then； that among other valiant Knights； which of
long have lived in our City； one of them； and （perhappes） of as
great merit as any； was one； named Signior Rogiero d'Figiovanni。 He
being rich； of great courage； and perceiving； that （in due
consideration） the quality belonging to life； and the customes
observed among our Tuscanes； were not answerable to his expectation；
nor agreed with the disposition of his valour； determined to leave his
native Countrey； and belong in service （for some time） to Alfonso；
King of Spaine； whose fame was generally noised in all places； for
excelling all other Princes in those times； for respect of mens well
deservings； and bountifull requitall of their paines。 Being provided
in honorable order； both of Horses； Armes； and a competent train； he
travelled to Spaine； where he was worthily entertained。
Signior Rogiero continuing there； living in honorable maner； and
performing many admirable actions of arms； in short time he made
himselfe sufficiently knowne； for a very valiant and famous man。 And
having remained an indifferent long while； observing divers behaviours
in the king： he saw； how enclined himselfe first to one man； then
another； bestowing on one a Castle； a Towne on another； and
Baronnies on divers； som…what indiscreetly； as giving away bountiful
to men of no merit。 And restraining all his favors from him； as
seeming close fisted； and parting with nothing： he took it as a
diminishing of his former reputation； and a great empayring of his
fame； wherefore he resolved on his departure thence； and made his suit
to the king that he might obtaine it。 The king did grant it； bestowing
on him one of the very best Mules； and the goodliest that ever was
backt； a gift most highly pleasing to Rogiero； in regarde of the
long journy he intended to ride。 Which being delivcrd； the king gave
charge to one of his Gentlemen； to compasse such convenient meanes； as
to ride thorow the country； and in the company of Signior Rogiero； yet
in such manner； as he should not perceive； that the King had purposely
sent him so to do。 Respectively he should observe whatsoever he said
concerning the king； his gesture； smiles； and other behavior；
shaping his answers accordingly； and on the nexte morning to command
his returne backe with him to the King。
Nor was the Gentleman slacke in this command； but noting Rogieroes
departing forth of the city； he mounted on horseback likewise； and
immediatly after came into his company； making him beleeve； that he
journied towards Italy。 Rogiero rode on the Mule which the king had
given him； with diversity of speeches passing between them。 About
three of the clocke in the afternoone； the Gentleman said。 It were not
amisse Sir； （having such fit opportunitie）； to Stable our horses for a
while； till the heate be a little more overpast。 So taking an Inne；
and the horses being in the stable； they all staled except the Mule。
Being mounted againe； and riding on further； the Gentleman duely
observed whatsoever Rogiero spake； and comming to the passage of a
small River or Brooke： the rest of the beasts dranke； and not the
Mule； but staled in the River： which Signior Rogiero seeing；
clapping his hands on the Mules mane； hee said。 What a wicked beast
art thou？ thou art just like thy Master that gave thee to mee。 The
Gentleman committed the words to memory； as he did many other
passing from Rogiero； riding along the rest of the day； yet none in
disparagement of the King； but rather highly in his commendation。
And being the next morning mounted on horseback； seeming to hold on
still the way for Tuscane： the Gentleman fulfilled the Kings
command； causing Signior Rogiero to turne back againe with him；
which willingly he yeelded to doe。
When they were come to the Court； and the King made acquainted
with the words； which Rogiero spake to his Mule； he was called into
the presence； where the King shewed him a gracious countenance； and
demanded of him； why he had compared him to his Mule？ Signior
Rogiero nothing daunted； but with a bold and constant spirit； thus
answered。 Sir； I made the comparison； because； like as you give； where
there is no conveniency； and bestow nothing where reason requireth：
even so； the Mule would not stale where she should have done； but
where was water too much before； there she did it。 Beleeve me
Signior Rogiero； replyed the King； if I have not given you such gifts；
as （perhaps） I have done to divers other； farre inferiour to you in
honour and merit； this happened not thorough any ignorance in me； as
not knowing you to be a most valiant Knight； and well…worthy of
speciall respect： but rather through your owne ill fortune； which
would not suffer me to doe it； whereof she is guilty； and not I； as
the truth thereof shall make it selfe apparant to you。 Sir； answered
Rogiero； I complaine not； because I have received no gift from you； as
desiring thereby covetously to become the richer： but in regard you
have not as yet any way acknowledged； what vertue is remaining in
me。 Neverthelesse； I allow your excuse for good and reasonable； and am
heartely contented； to behold whatsoever you please； although I doe
confidently credit you； without any other testimony。
The King conducted him then into the great Hall； where （as hee had
before given order） stood two great Chests； fast lockt； in th
