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第35章

the decameron(十日谈)-第35章

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Lady was so closely kept they took their leave; and parted from her。
Often they had heard the Lady much commended; and her incomparable
beauty highly extolled; yea even by the Duke himselfe; which made them
the more desirous to see her: wherfore earnestly they solicited him to
let them have a sight of her; and he (forgetting what happened to
the Prince; by shewing her so unadvisedly to him) made them promise to
grant their request。 Causing a very magnificent dinner to be prepared;
and in a goodly garden; at the Castle where the Lady was kept: on
the morrow; attended on by a smal traine; away they rode to dine
with her。
  Constantine being seated at the Table; hee began (as one
confounded with admiration) to observe her judiciously; affirming
secretly to his soule that he had never seene so compleat a woman
before; and allowing it for justice; that the Duke or any other
whosoever; if (to enjoy so rare a beauty) they had committed
treason; or any mischeefe els beside; yet in reason they ought to be
held excused。 Nor did he bestow so many lookes upon her; but his
praises infinitely surpassed them; as thinking that he could not
sufficiently commend her; following the Duke step by step in
affection; for being now growne amorous of her; and remembrance of the
intended warre utterly abandoned; no other thoughts could come
neerer him but how to bereave the Duke of her; yet concealing his
love; and not imparting it to any one。
  While his fancies were thus amorously set on fire; the time came;
that they must make head against the Prince; who already was
marching with in the Dukes dominions: wherfore the Duke;
Constantine; and all the rest; according to a counsel held among them;
went to defend certaine of the Frontiers; to the end that the Prince
might passe no further。 Remaining there divers dayes together;
Constantine (who could thinke on nothing else but the beautiful
Lady) considered with himself; that while the Duke was now so farre
from her; it was an easie matter to compasse his intent: Hereupon; the
better to colour his present returne to Athens; he seemed to be
surprized with a sudden extreame sicknesse; in regard whereof (by
the Dukes free license; and leaving all his power to his Cosen
Emanuel) forthwith he journyed backe to Athens。 After some
conference had with his sister; about her dishonourable wrongs endured
at his hands onely; by the Lady; he solemnly protested; that if she
were so pleased; hee would aide her powerfully in the matter; by
taking her from the place where shee was; and never more afterward; to
be seene in that Country any more。
  The Dutchesse being faithfully perswaded; that he would do this
onely for her sake; and not in any affection he bare to the Lady;
answered; that it highly pleased her; alwayes provided; that it
might be performed in such sort; as the Duke her husband should
never understand; that ever she gave any consent thereto; which
Constantine sware unto her by many deepe oaths; whereby she referred
all to his owne disposition。 Constantine heereupon secretly prepared
in a readinesse a subtile Barke; sending it in an evening; neere to
the Garden where the Lady resorted; having first informed the people
which were in it; fully what was to be done。 Afterwards; accompanied
with some other of his attendants; he went to the Palace to the
Lady; where he was gladly entertained; not onely by such as wayted
on her; but also by the Lady her selfe。
  Leading her along by the arme towards the Garden; attended on by two
of her servants; and two of his owne; seeming as if he was sent from
the Duke; to conferre with her: they walked alone to a Port opening on
the Sea; which standing ready open; upon a signe given by him to one
of his complices; the Barke was brought close to the shore; and the
Ladie being sodainly seized on; was immediately conveyed into it;
and he returning backe to her people; with his sword drawne; said: Let
no man stirre; or speake a word; except he be willing to loose his
life: for I intend not to rob the Duke of his faire friend; but to
expell the shame and dishonor that he hath offered to my Sister: no
one being so hardy as to returne him any answer。 Aboord went
Constantine with his consorts; and sitting neere to the Lady; who
wrung her hands; and wept bitterly; he commaunded the Mariners to
launch forth; flying away on the wings of the winde; till about the
breake of day following; they arrived at Melasso。 There they tooke
landing; and reposed on shore for some few dayes; Constantine
labouring to comfort the Lady; even as if she had bene his owne
Sister; shee having good cause to curse her infortunate beauty。
  Going aboord the Barke againe; within few dayes they came to
Setalia; and there fearing the reprehension of his father; and least
the Lady should be taken from him; it pleased Constantine to make
his stay; as in a place of no meane security。 And (as before) after
much kinde behaviour used towards the Lady; without any meanes in
her selfe to redresse the least of all these great extremities; she
became more milde and affable; for discontentment did not a jot quaile
her。
  While occurrences passed on in this manner; it fortuned; that Osbech
the King of Turky (who was in continuall war with the Emperour) came
by accident to Lajazzo: and hearing there how lasciviously Constantine
spent his time in Setalia; with a Lady which he had stolne; being
but weake and slenderly guarded; in the night with certaine well
provided ships; his men and he entred the town; and surprized many
people in their beds; before they knew of their enimies comming;
killing such as stood upon their defence against them; (among whom was
Constantine) and burning the whole Towne; brought their booty and
prisoners aboord their Shippes; wherewith they returned backe to
Lajazzo。 Being thus come to Lajazzo; Osbech who was a brave and
gallant young man; upon a review of the pillage; found the faire Lady;
whom he knew to be the beloved of Constantine; because shee was
found lying on his bed。 Without any further delay; he made choice of
her to be his wife; causing his nuptials to be honourably
solemnized; and many moneths he lived there in great joy with her。
  But before occasions grew to this effect; the Emperour made a
confederacie with Bassano; King of Cappadocia; that hee should descend
with his forces; one way upon Osbech; and he would assault him with
his power on the other。 But he could not so conveniently bring this to
passe; because the Emperour would not yeeld to Bassano; in any
unreasonable matter he demanded。 Neverthelesse; when hee understoode
what had happened to his Sonne (for whom his greefe was beyond all
measure) hee graunted the King of Cappadociaes request; soliciting him
with all instancy; to be the more speedy in assayling Osbech。 It was
not long; before hee heard of this conjuration made against him; and
therefore hee speedily mustered up all his forces; ere he would be
encompassed by two such potent kings; and marched on to meete the King
of Cappadocia; leaving his Ladie and Wife (for her safety) at Lajazzo;
in the custodie of a true and loyall Servant of his。
  Within a short while after; he drew neere the Campe belonging to the
King of Cappadocia; where boldly he gave him battell; chancing therein
to be slaine; his Army broken and discomfited; by meanes whereof;
the King of Cappadocia remaining Conquerour; marched on towardes
Lajazzo; every one yeelding him obeysance all the way as he went。 In
the meane space; the servant to Osbech; who was named Antiochus; and
with whom the faire Ladie was left in guard; although hee was aged;
yet seeing shee was so extraordinarily beautifull; he fell in love
with her; forgetting the solemne vowes he had made to his master。
One happinesse he had in this case to helpe him; namely; that he
understood and could speake her Language: a matter of no meane comfort
to her; who constrainedly had lived divers yeeres together; in the
state of a deafe or dumbe Woman; because every where else they
understoode her not; nor shee them; but by shewes and signes。
  This benefite of familiar conference; beganne to embolden his hopes;
elevate his courage; and ma

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