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第224章

the decameron(十日谈)-第224章

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thine assurance; that I doe not receive this grace of thine; as a
man not sufficiently understanding; how I enjoy from thee; not onely
her whom most of all I doe affect; but also doe hold my very life of
thee。 Grant then you greatest Gods (if you be the Patrones of this
mine unexpected felicitie) that with honor and due respect; I may
hereafter make apparantly knowne: how highly I acknowledge this thy
wonderfull favour; in being more mercifull to me; then I could be to
my selfe。
  For abridging of all further circumstances; answered Gisippus; and
for easier bringing this matter to full effect; I hold this to be
our onely way。 It is not unknowne to thee; how after much discourse
had between my kindred; and those belonging to Sophronia; the
matrimoniall conjunction was fully agreed on; and therefore; if now
I shall flye off; and say; I will not accept thee as my wife: great
scandall would arise thereby; and make much trouble among our friends;
which could not be greatly displeasing to me; if that were the way
to make her thine。 But I rather stand in feare; that if I forsake
her in such peremptory sort; her kinred and friends will bestow her on
some other; and so she is utterly lost; without all possible meanes of
recovery。 For prevention therefore of all sinister accidents; I thinke
it best; (if thy opinion jumpe with mine) that I still pursue the
busines; as already I have begun; having thee alwaies in my company;
as my dearest friend and onely associate。 The nuptials being performed
with our friends; in secret manner at night (as we can cunningly
enough contrive it) thou shalt have her maiden honour in bed; even
as if she were thine owne wife。 Afterward; in apt time and place; we
will publiquely make knowne what is done; if they take it well; we
will be as jocond as they: if they frowne and waxe offended; the
deed is done; over…late to be recalled; and so perforce they must rest
contented。
  You may well imagine; this advise was not a little pleasing to
Titus; wherupon Gisippus received home Sophronia into his house;
with publike intention to make her his wife; according as was the
custome then observed; and Titus being perfectly recovered; was
present at the Feast very ceremonially observed。 When night was
come; the Ladies and Gentlewomen conducted Sophronia to the
Bride…Chamber; where they left her in her Husbands bed; and then
departed all away。 The Chamber wherein Titus used to lodge; joyned
close to that of Gisippus; for their easier accesse each to the other;
at all times whensoever they pleased; and Gisippus being alone in
the Bride…Chamber; preparing as if he were comming to bed:
extinguishing the light; he went softly to Titus; willing him to goe
to bed to his wife。 Which Titus hearing; overcome with shame and
feare; became repentant; and denyed to goe。 But Gisippus; being a true
intyre friend indeed; and confirming his words with actions: after a
little lingring dispute; sent him to the Bride; and so soone as he was
in the bed with her; taking Sophronia gently by the hand; softly he
moved the usuall question to her; namely; if she were willing to be
his wife。
  She beleeving verily that he was Gisippus; modestly answered。 Sir; I
have chosen you to be my Husband; reason requires then; that I
should be willing to be your wife。 At which words; a costly Ring;
which Gisippus used daily to weare; he put upon her finger; saying。
With this Ring; I confesse my selfe to be your Husband; and bind you
(for ever) my Spouse and Wife; no other kind of marriage was
observed in those dayes; and so he continued all the night with her;
she never suspecting him to be any other then Gisippus; and thus was
the marriage consumated; betweene Titus and Sophronia; albeit the
friends (on either side) thought otherwise。
  By this time; Publius; the father of Titus; was departed out of this
mortall life; and letters came to Athens; that with all speed he
should returne to Rome; to take order for occasions there concerning
him; wherefore he concluded with Gisippus about his departure; and
taking Sophronia thither with him; which was no easie matter to be
done; until it were first known; how occasions had bin caried among
them。 Wherupon; calling her one day into her Chamber; they told her
entirely; how all had past; which Titus confirmed substantially; by
such direct passages betweene themselves; as exceeded all
possibility of denyall; and moved in her much admiration; looking each
on other very discontentedly; she heavily weeping and lamenting; and
greatly complaining of Gisippus; for wronging her so unkindly。
  But before any further noyse was made in the house; shee went to her
Father; to whom; as also to her Mother; shee declared the whole
trecherie; how much both they and their other friends were wronged
by Gisippus; avouching her selfe to be the wife of Titus; and not of
Gisippus; as they supposed。 These newes were highly displeasing to the
Father of Sophronia; who with hir kinred; as also those of Gisippus;
made great complaints to the Senate; very dangerous troubles and
commotions arising daily betweene them; drawing both Gisippus and
Sophronia into harsh reports; he being generally reputed; not onely
worthy of all bitter reproofe; but also the severest punishment。
Neverthelesse; hee maintained publikely what he had done; avouching it
for an act both of honour and honestie; wherewith Sophronia's
friends had no reason to bee offended; but rather to take it in very
thankfull part; having married a man of farre greater worth and
respect; than himselfe was; or could be。
  On the other side; Titus hearing these uncivill acclamations; became
much moved and provoked at them; but knowing it was a custome observed
among the Greeks; to be so much the more hurried away with rumours and
threatnings; as lesse they finde them to be answered; and when they
finde them; shew themselves not onely humble enough; but rather as
base men; and of no courage; he resolved with himselfe; that their
braveries were no longer to be enclured; without some bold and manly
answere。 And having a Romane heart; as also an Athenian understanding;
by politique perswasions; he caused the kinred of Gisippus and
Sophronia; to be assembled in a Temple; and himselfe comming
thither; accompanied with none but Gisippus onely; he began to deliver
his minde before them all; in this manner following。
  〃Many Philosophers doe hold opinion; that the actions performed by
mortall men; doe proceed from the disposing and ordination of the
immortall gods。 Whereupon some doe maintaine; that things which be
done; or never are to be done; proceed of necessity: howbeit some
other doe hold; that this necessity is onely referred to things
done。 Both which opinions (if they be considered with mature judgment)
doe most manifestly approve; that they who reprehend any thing which
is irrevocable; doe nothing else but shew themselves; as if they
were wiser then the Gods; who we are to beleeve; that with
perpetuall reason; and void of any error; doe dispose and governe both
us; and all our actions; In which respect; how foolish and
beast…like a thing it is; presumptuously to checke or controule
their operations; you may very easily consider; and likewise; how
justly they deserve condigne punishment; who suffer themselves to be
transported in so temerarious a manner。
  〃In which notorious transgression; I understand you all to be
guiltie; if common fame speake truely; concerning the marriage of my
selfe and Sophronia; whom you imagined as given to Gisippus; for you
never remember that it was so ordained from eternitie; shee to be
mine; and no Wife for Gisippus; as at this instant is made manifest by
full effect。 But because the kinde of speaking; concerning divine
providence; and intention of the Gods; may seeme a difficult matter to
many; and somewhat hard to bee understood: I am content to presuppose;
that they meddle not with any thing of ours; and will onely stay my
selfe on humane reasons; and in this nature of speech; I shall be
enforced to doe two things; quite contrary to my naturall disposition。
The one is; to speake somewhat in praise and commendation of my selfe:
And the other; jus

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