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第41章

the decameron(十日谈)-第41章

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the least part of thy desires; especially; when without enjoying them;
thou must remaine in the danger of death。 Full well art thou
assured; or in reason oughtest to be; that there is not any thing
for thy contentment; be it of what quality soever; but it should
have beene provided for thee; and in as ample manner as for mine
owne selfe。 But though thou hast wandred so farre from duty; and
hazarded both thy life and ours; it commeth so to passe; that Heaven
hath beene more mercifull to thee; then thou wouldest be to thy selfe;
or us。 And to prevent thy dying of this disease; a dreame this night
hath acquainted me with the principall occasion of thy sickenesse;
to wit extraordinary affection to a young Maiden; in some such place
as thou hast seene her。 I tell thee Sonne; it is a matter of no
disgrace to love; and why shouldst thou shame to manifest as much;
it being so apt and convenient for thy youth? For if I were perswaded;
that thou couldst not love; I should make the lesse esteeme of thee。
Therefore deare Sonne; be not dismayed; but freely discover thine
affections。 Expell those disastrous drouping thoughts; that have
indangered thy life by this long lingering sicknesse。 And let thy
soule be faithfully assured; that thou canst not require any thing
to be done; remaining within the compasse of my power; but I will
performe it; for I love thee as dearely as mine owne life。 Set
therefore aside this nice conceit of shame and feare; revealing the
truth boldly to me; if I may stead thee in thy love; resolving thy
selfe unfaignedly; that if my care stretch not to compasse thy
content; account me for the most cruell Mother living; and utterly
unworthy of such a Sonne。
  The young Gentleman having heard these protestations made by his
Mother; was not a little ashamed of his owne follie; but
recollecting his better thoughts together; and knowing in his soule;
that no one could better further his hopes; then shee; forgetting
all his former feare; he returned her this answere; Madam; and my
dearely affected Mother; nothing hath more occasioned my loves so
strict concealement; but an especiall errour; which I finde by daily
proofe in many; who being growne to yeeres of grave discretion; doe
never remember; that they themselves have bin yong。 But because herein
I find you to be both discreet and wise; I will not onely affirme what
you have seen in me to be true; but also will confesse; to whom it is:
upon condition; that the effect of your promise may follow it;
according to the power remaining in you; whereby you onely may
secure my life。
  His Mother; desirous to bee resolved; whether his confession would
agree with the Physitians words; or no; and reserving another
intention to her selfe: bad him feare nothing; but freely discover his
whole desire; and forthwith she doubted not to effect it。 Then
Madame (quoth hee) the matchlesse beauty; and commendable qualities of
your Maid Gianetta; to whom (as yet) I have made no motion; to
commisserate this my languishing extremity; nor acquainted any
living creature with my love: the concealing of these afflictions to
myselfe; hath brought mee to this desperate condition: and if some
meane bee not wrought; according to your constant promise; for the
full enjoying of my longing desires; assure your selfe (most Noble
Mother) that the date of my life is very short。 The Lady well knowing;
that the time now rather required kindest comfort; then any severe
or sharpe reprehension; smiling on him; said: Alas deere sonne; wast
thou sicke for this? Be of good cheare; and when thy strength is
better restored; then referre the matter to me。 The young Gentleman;
being put in good hope by his Mothers promise; began (in short time)
to shew apparant signes of well…forwarded amendment; to the Mothers
great joy and comfort; disposing her selfe dayly to proove; how in
honor she might keepe promise with her sonne。
  Within a short while after; calling Gianetta privately to her; in
gentle manner; and by the way of pleasant discourse; she demanded of
hir; whither she was provided of a Lover; or no。 Gianetta; being never
acquainted with any such questions; a scarlet Dye covering all her
modest countenance; thus replyed。 Madam; I have no neede of any Lover;
and very unseemely were it; for so poore a Damosell as I am; to have
so much as a thought of Lovers; being banished from my friends and
kinsfolke; and remaining in service as I do。
  If you have none (answered the Ladie) wee will bestow one on you;
which shall content your minde; and bring you to a more pleasing kinde
of life; because it is farre unfit; that so faire a Maid as you
are。; should remaine destitute of a Lover。 Madam; said Gianetta;
considering with my selfe; that since you received me of my poore
Father; you have used me rather like your daughter; then a servant; it
becommeth mee to doe as pleaseth you。 Notwithstanding; I trust (in the
regard of mine owne good and honour) never to use any complaint in
such a case: but if you please to bestow a husband on me; I purpose to
love and honor him onely; and not any other。 For; of all the
inheritance left me by my progenitors; nothing remaineth to me but
honourable honesty; and that shall be my Legacie so long as I live。
  These wordes; were of a quite contrary complexion; to those which
the Lady expected from her; and for effecting the promise made unto
hir Sonne: howbeit (like a wise and noble Ladie) much she inwardly
commended the maids answers; and said unto her。 But tell me
Gianetta; what if my Lord the King (who is a gallant youthfull Prince;
and you so bright a beautie as you are) should take pleasure in your
love; would ye denie him? Sodainly the Maide returned this answer:
Madame; the King perhaps might enforce me; but with my free consent;
hee shall never have any thing of me that is not honest。 Nor did the
Lady dislike her Maides courage and resolution; but breaking of all
her further conference; intended shortly to put her project in proofe;
saying to her son; that when he was fully recovered; he should have
private accesse to Gianetta; whom shee doubted not but would be
tractable enough to him; for she helde it no meane blemish to her
honour; to moove the Maide any more in the matter; but let him
compasse it as he could。
  Farre from the yong Gentlemans humour was this answer of his Mother;
because he aimed not at any dishonourable end: true; faithfull; and
honest love was the sole scope of his intention; foule and loathsome
lust he utterly defied; whereupon he fell into sickenesse againe;
rather more violently then before。 Which the Lady perceiving; revealed
her whole intent to Gianetta; and finding her constancie beyond common
comparison; acquainted her Lord with all she had done; and both
consented (though much against their mindes) to let him enjoy her in
honourable marriage: accounting it better; for preservation of their
onely sons life; to match him farre inferiour to his degree; then by
denying h desire; to let him pine and dye for her love。
  After great consultation with Kindred and Friends; the match was
agreed upon; to the no little joy of Gianetta; who devoutly returned
infinite thankes to heaven; for so mercifully respecting her
dejected poore estate; after the bitter passage of so many miseries;
and never tearming her selfe any otherwise; but the daughter of a
poore Piccard。 Soone was the yong Gentleman recovered and married;
no man alive so well contented as he; and setting downe an absolute
determination; to lead a loving life with his Gianetta。
  Let us now convert our lookes to Wales; to Perotto; being lefte
there with the other Lord Marshall; who was the President of that
Countrey。 On hee grew in yeeres; choisely respected by his Lord;
because hee was most comely of person; and forward to all valiant
attempts: so that in Tourneyes; joustes; and other actions of Armes;
his like was not to bee found in all the Island; being named onely
Perotto the valiant Piccard; and so was he famed farre and neere。 As
God had not forgotten his Sister; so in mercy he became as mindefull
of him; for; a contagious mortalitie hapning in the Country; the
greater part of the people peri

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