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第211章

the decameron(十日谈)-第211章

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mervaile; for a Lord Abbot to performe any magnificent action: but
their admiration ceasing in silence; the King commanded Philostratus
to follow next; who forthwith thus began。
  Honourable Ladies; the bounty and magnificense of Alphonso King of
Spaine; was great and that done by the Lord great in Abbot of
Clugny; a thing (perhaps) never heard of in any other。 But it will
seeme no lesse mervailous to you; when you heare; how one man; in
expression of great liberality to another man; that earnestly
desired to kill him; should bee secretly disposed to give him his
life; which had bin lost; if the other would have taken it; as I
purpose to acquaint you withall; in a short Novell。
  Most certaine it is; at least; if Faith may bee given to the
report of certaine Genewayes; and other men resorting to those
remote parts; that in the Country of Cathaya; there lived somtime a
Gentleman; rich beyond comparison; and named Nathan。 He having his
living adjoyning to a great common rode…way; whereby men travayled
from the East to the West (as they did the like from the West unto the
East; as having no other means of passage) and being of a bountifull
and chearfull disposition; which he was willing to make knowen by
experience: he summoned together many Master Masons and Carpenters;
and there erected (in a short time) one of the greatest; goodliest;
and most beautifull houses (in manner of a Princes Pallace) that
ever was seene in all those quarters。
  With movables and all kinde of furnishment; befitting a house of
such outward apparance; hee caused it to be plentifully stored onely
to receive; entertaine; and honor all Gentlemen or other Travailers
whatsoever; as had occasion to passe that way; being not unprovided
also of such a number of servants; as might continuallie give
attendance on all commers and goers。 Two and fifty severall gates;
standing alway wide open; and over each of them in great golden
carracters was written; Welcome; welcome; and gave free admission to
all commers whatsoever。
  In this honourable order (observed as his estated custom) he
persevered so long a while; as not onely the East parts; but also
those in the west; were every where acquainted with his fame and
renown。 Being already well stept into yeares; but yet not wearie
(therefore) of his great charge and liberality: it fortuned; that
the rumor of his noble Hospitality; came to the eare of another
gallant Gentleman; named Mithridanes; living in a Countrey not farre
off from the other。
  This Gentleman; knowing himselfe no lesse wealthy then Nathan; and
enviously repining at his vertue and liberality; determined in his
mind; to dim and obscure the others bright splendor; by making
himselfe farre more famous。 And having built a Palace answerable to
that of Nathans; with like windings of gates; and welcom inscriptions;
he beganne to extend immeasurable courtesies; unto all such as were
disposed to visite him: so that (in a short while) hee grew very
famous in infinite places。 It chanced on a day; as Mithridanes sate
all alone within the goodly Court of his Pallace: a poore woman entred
at one of the gates; craving an almes of him; which she had; and
returned in againe at a second gate; comming also to him; and had a
second almes; continuing so still a dozen times; but at the thirteenth
returning; Mithridanes saide to her: Good Woman; you goe and come very
often; and still you are served with almes。 When the old Woman heard
these words; she said。 O the liberality of Nathan! How honourable
and wonderfull is that? I have past through two and thirty gates of
his Palace; even such as are here; and at every one I receyved an
almes; without any knowledgement taken of me; either by him; or any of
his followers: and heere I have past but through thirteene gates;
and am there both acknowledged and taken。 Farewell to this house;
for I never meane to visit it any more; with which words shee departed
thence; and never after came thither againe。
  When Mithridanes had a while pondered on her speeches; hee waxed
much discontented; as taking the words of the olde woman; to extoll
the renowne of Nathan; and darken or ecclipse his glorie; whereupon he
said to himselfe。 Wretched man as I am; when shall I attaine to the
height of liberality; and performe such wonders; as Nathan doth? In
seeking to surmount him; I cannot come neere him in the very
meanest。 Undoubtedly; I spend all my endeavour but in vaine; except
I rid the world of him; which (seeing his age will not make an end
of him) I must needs do with my own hands。 In which furious and bloody
determination (without revealing his intent to any one) he mounted
on horse…backe; with few attendants in his company; and after three
dayes journey; arrived where Nathan dwelt。 He gave order to his men;
to make no shew of beeing his servants; or any way to acknowledge him:
but to provide them selves of convenient lodgings; untill they heard
other tydings from him。
  About Evening; and (in this manner) alone by himselfe; neere to
the Palace of Nathan; he met him solitarily walking; not in pompous
apparrell; whereby to bee distinguished from a meaner man: and;
because he knew him not; neyther had heard any relation of his
description; he demanded of him; if he knew where Nathan then was?
Nathan; with a chearfull countenance; thus replyed。 Faire Syr; there
is no man in these parts; that knoweth better how to shew you Nathan
then I do; and therefore; if you be so pleased; I will bring you to
him。 Mithridanes said; therein he should do him a great kindnesse:
albeit (if it were possible) he would bee neyther knowne nor seene
of Nathan。 And that (quoth he) can I also do sufficiently for you;
seeing it is your will to have it so; if you will goe along with me。
  Dismounting from his horse; he walked on with Nathan; diversly
discoursing; untill they came to the Pallace; where one of the
servants taking Mithridanes his horse; Nathan rounded the fellow in
the eare; that he should give warning to al。 throughout the House; for
revealing to the Gentleman; that he was Nathan; as accordingly it
was performed。 No sooner were they within the Pallace; but he
conducted Mithridanes into a goodly chamber; wher none (as yet) had
seene him; but such as were appointed to attend on him reverently;
yea; and he did himselfe greatly honor him; as being loth to leave his
company。
  While thus Mithridanes conversed with him; he desired to know
(albeit he respected him much for his yeares) what he was。 Introth
sir; answered Nathan; I am one of the meanest servants to Nathan;
and from my child…hood; have made my selfe thus olde in his service:
yet never hath he bestowed any other advancement on mee; then as you
now see; in which respect; howsoever other men may commend him; yet
I have no reason at all to do it。 These Words; gave some hope to
Mithridanes; that with a little more counsell; he might securely put
in execution his wicked determination。 Nathan likewise demaunded of
him (but in very humble manner) of whence; and what he was; as also
the businesse inviting him thither: offering him his utmost aide and
counsell; in what soever consisted in his power。
  Mithridanes sat an indifferent while meditating with his thoghts
before ie would returne any answer: but at the last; concluding to
repose confidence in him (in regard of his pretended discontentment)
with many circumstantial perswasions; first for fidelity; next for
constancie; and lastly for counsell and assistance; he declared to him
truly what he was; the cause of his comming thither; and the reason
urging him thereto。 Nathan hearing these words; and the detestable
deliberation of Mithridanes; became quite changed in himself: yet
wisely making no outward appearance thereof; with a bold courage and
setled countenance; thus he replyed。
  Mithridanes; thy Father was a Noble Gentleman; and (in vertuous
qualities) inferiour to none; from whom (as now I see) thou desirest
not to degenerate; having undertaken so bold and high an enterprise; I
meane; in being liberall and bountifull to all men。 I do greatly
commend the envy which thou bearest to the vertue of Nathan: because
if there were many more suc

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