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第231章

the decameron(十日谈)-第231章

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Pavia) had heedfully observed; and by this note; instantly he
remembred Signior Thorello; and began to eye him very respectively;
perswading himselfe that he was the same man。 And therefore falling
from their former kinde of discoursing: Tell me: Christian (quoth
Saladine) what Country…man art thou of the West? Sir; answered
Signiour Thorello; I am by Country a Lombard; borne in a Citty
called Pavia; a poore man; and of as poore condition。
  So soone as Saladine had heard these Words; becomming assured in
that which (but now) he doubted; he saide within himselfe。 Now the
Gods have given me time; wherein I may make knowne to this man; how
thankefully I accepted his kinde courtesie; and cannot easily forget
it。 Then; without saying any thing else; causing his Guard…robe to
be set open; he tooke him with him thither; and sayde。 Christian;
observe well all these Garments; and quicken thy remembrance; in
telling mee truly; whether thou hast seene any of them before now;
or no。 Signiour Thorello looked on them all advisedly; and espyed
those two especiall Garments; which his Wife had given one of the
strange Merchants; yet he durst not credit it; or that possibly it
could be the same; neverthelesse he said。 Sir; I doe not know any of
them; but true it is; that these two doe resemble two such Robes; as I
was wont to weare my selfe; and these (or the like) were given to
three Merchants; that happened to visite my poore house。
  Now could Saladine containe no longer; but embracing him joyfully in
his armes; he said。 You are Signior Thorello d'Istria; and I am one of
those three Merchants to whom your Wife gave these Roabes: and now the
time is come to give you credible intelligence of my Merchandise; as I
promised at my departing from you; for such a time (I told you)
would come at length。 Thorello; was both glad; and bashfull
together: glad; that he had entertained such a Guest; and bashfully
ashamed; that his welcome had not exceeded in more bountifull
manner。 Thorello; replyed Saladine; seeing the Gods have sent you so
happily to me: account your selfe to be soly Lord here; for I am now
no more then a private man。
  I am not able to expresse their counterchanges of courtesie;
Saladine commanding him to be cloathed in Royall garments; and
brought into the presence of his very greatest Lords; where having
spoken liberally in his due commendation; he commanded them to
honour him as himselfe; if they expected any grace or favour from him;
which every one did immediatly; but (above all the rest) those two
Baschaes; which accompanied Saladine at his house。 The greatnesse of
this pompe and glory; so suddenly throwne on Signior Thorello; made
him halfe forget all matters of Lomberdie; and so much the rather;
because he had no doubt at all; but that his letters; were safely come
to the hands of his Uncle。
  Here I am to tell you; that in the Campe or Army of the
Christians; on the day when Saladine made his surprizal; there was a
Provinciall Gentleman dead and buried; who was Signior Thorello de
Dignes; a man of very honourable and great esteeme; in which respect
(Signior Thorello d'Istria; knowne throughout the Army; by his
Nobility and valour) whosoever heard that Signior Thorello was dead:
beleeved it to be Thorello d'Istria; and not he of Dignes; so that
Thorello d'Istriaes unknowne surprizall and thraldome; made it also to
passe for an assured truth。
  Beside; many Italians returning home; and carrying this report for
credible; some were so audaciously presumptuous; as they avouched upon
their oathes; that not onely they saw him dead; but were present at
his buriall likewise。 Which rumour comming to the eare of his Wife;
and likewise to his kinred and hers: procured a great and grievous
mourning among them; and all that happened to heare thereof。
  Over…tedious time it would require; to relate at large; the publique
griefe and sorrow; with the continuall lamentations of his Wife; who
(within some few moneths after) became tormented with new marriage
solicitings; before she had halfe sighed for the first: the very
greatest persons of Lomberdie making the motion; being daily
followed and furthered by her owne brothers and friends。 Still
(drowned in teares) she returned denyall; till in the end; when no
contradiction could prevaile; to satisfie her parents; and the
importunate pursuers: she was constrained to reveale; the charge
imposed on her by her Husband; which shee had vowed infallibly to
keepe; and till that very time; she would in no wise consent。
  While wooing for a second wedding with Adalietta; proceeded in
this manner at Pavia; it chanced on a day; that Signior Thorello had
espied a man in Alexandria whom he saw with the Geneway
Ambassadours; when they set thence towards Geneway with their Gallies。
And causing him to be sent for; he demaunded of him; the successe of
the voyage; and when the Gallies arrived at Geneway; whereto he
returned him this answere。 My Lord; our Gallies made a very fatall
voyage; as it is (already) too well knowne in Creete; where my
dwelling is。 For when we drew neere Sicilie; there suddenly arose a
very dangerous North…West…winde; which drove us on the quicke…Sands of
Barbarie; where not any man escaped with life; onely my selfe
excepted; but (in the wracke) two of my brethren perished。
  Signior Thorello; giving credit to the mans words; because they were
most true indeed; and remembring also; that the time limitted to his
Wife; drew neere expiring within very few dayes; and no newes now
possibly to be sent thither of his life; his Wife would
questionlesse be marryed againe: he fell into such a deepe conceited
melancholly; as food and sleepe forsooke him; whereupon; he kept his
bed; setting downe his peremptory resolution for death。 When
Saladine (who dearely loved him) heard thereof; he came in all haste
to see him; and having (by many earnest perswasions and entreaties)
understood the cause of his melancholly and sickenesse: he very
severely reproved him; because he could no sooner acquaint him
therewith。 Many kind and comfortable speeches; he gave him; with
constant assurance; that (if he were so minded) he would so order
the businesse for him; as he should be at Pavia; by the same time as
he had appointed to his Wife; and revealed to him also the manner how。
  Thorello verily beleeved the Soldanes promise; because he had
often heard the possibility of performance; and others had effected as
much; divers times else…where: whereupon he began to comfort himselfe;
soliciting the Soldan earnestly that it might be accomplished。
Saladine sent for one of his Sorcerers (of whose skill he had formerly
made experience) to take a direct course; how Signior Thorello
should be carryed (in one night) to Pavia; and being in his bed。 The
Magitian undertooke to doe it; but; for the Gentlemans more ease; he
must first be possessed with an entraunced dead sleep。 Saladine
being thus assured of the deeds full effecting; he came againe to
Thorello; and finding him to be setled for Pavia (if possibly it might
be accomplished by the determined time; or else no other expectation
but death) he said unto him as followeth。
  Signior Thorello; if with true affection you love your Wife; and
misdoubt her marriage to some other man: I protest unto you; by the
supreme powers; that you deserve no reprehension in any manner
whatsoever。 For; of all the Ladyes that ever I have seene; she is
the onely woman; whose carriage; vertues; and civile speaking (setting
aside beauty; which is but a fading flowre) deserveth most
graciously to be respected; much more to be affected in the highest
degree。 It were to me no meane favour of our Gods; (seeing Fortune
directed your course so happily hither) that for the short or long
time we have to live; we might reigne equally together in these
Kingdomes under my subjection。 But if such grace may not be granted
me; yet; seeing it stands mainly upon the perill of your life; to be
at Pavia againe by your own limitted time; it is my chiefest
comfort; that I am therewith acquainted; because I intended to have
you conveighed thither; yea; even into your owne house; in such
honourable order a

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