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第50章

the decameron(十日谈)-第50章

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contentment then you have done; surely; in mine opinion it is no way
possible; because our complexions are so farre different; as yce is
from fire; or gold from drosse。 As for your allegation; of this
Gentlemans rejecting me; when his humour is satisfied; should it prove
to be so (as it is the least part of my feare) what fortune soever
shall betide me; never will I make any meanes to you; what miseries or
misadventures may happen to me; but the world will affoord me one
resting place or other; and more to my contentment; then if I were
with you。 Therefore I tell you once againe; to live secured from all
offence to holy Saints; and not to injure their feasts; fasts;
vigills; and other ceremonious seasons: here is my demourance; and
from hence I purpose not to part。
  Our Judge was now in a wofull perplexity; and confessing his
folly; in marying a wife so young; and far unfit for his age and
abilitie: being halfe desperate; sad and displeased; he came forth
of the Chamber; using divers speeches to Pagamino; whereof he made
little or no account at all: and in the end; without any other
successe; left his wife there; and returned home to Pisa。 There
further afflictions fell upon him; because the people began to
scorne him; demanding dayly of him; what was become of his gallant
young wife; making hornes; with ridiculous pointings at him: whereby
his sences became distracted; so that he ran raving about the
streetes; and afterward died in very miserable manner。 Which newes
came no sooner to the eare of Pagamino; but; in the honourable
affection hee bare to Bertolomea; he maried her; with great solemnity;
banishing all Fasts; Vigils; and Lents from his house; and living with
her in much felicity。 Wherfore (faire Ladies) I am of opinion; that
Bernardo of Geneway; in his disputation with Ambroginolo; might have
shewne himselfe a great deale wiser; and sparing his rash proceeding
with his wife。
  This tale was so merrily entertained among the whole company; that
each one smiling upon another; with one consent commended Dioneus;
maintaining that he spake nothing but the truth; and condemning
Bernardo for his cruelty。 Upon a generall silence commanded; the Queen
perceiving that the time was now very farre spent; and every one had
delivered their severall Novels; which likewise gave a period to her
Royalty: she gave the Crowne to Madam Neiphila; pleasantly speaking to
her in this order。 Heereafter; the government of these few people is
committed to your trust and care; for with the day concludeth my
dominion。 Madam Neiphila; blushing; at the honor done unto her; her
cheekes appeared of a vermillion tincture; her eyes glittering with
gracefull desires; and sparkeling like the morning Starre。 And after
the modest murmure of the Assistants was ceased; and her courage in
chearfull manner setled; seating her selfe higher then she did before;
thus she spake。
  Seeing it is so; that you have elected me your Queene; to varie
somewhat from the course observed by them that went before me; whose
governement you have all so much commended: by approbation of your
counsell; I am desirous to speake my mind; concerning what I wold have
to be next followed。 It is not unknowne to you all; that to morrow
shal be Friday; and Saturday the next day following; which are daies
somewhat molestuous to the most part of men; for preparation of
their weekly food and sustenance。 Moreover; Friday ought to be
reverendly respected; in remembrance of him; who died to give us life;
and endured his bitter passion; as on that day; which makes me to hold
it fit and expedient; that wee should mind more weight); matters;
and rather attend our prayers and devotions then the repetition of
tales or Novels。 Now concerning Saturday; it hath bin a custome
observed among women; to bath and wash themselves from such
immundicities as the former weekes toile hath imposed on them。 Beside;
it is a day of fasting; in honour of the ensuing Sabbath; whereon no
labor may be done; but the observation of holy exercises。
  By that which hath bin saide; you may easily conceive; that the
course which we have hitherto continued; cannot bee prosecuted in
one and the same manner: where。 fore; I would advise and do hold it an
action wel performed by us; to cease for these few dayes; from
recounting any other Novels。 And because we have remained here foure
daies already; except we would allow the enlarging of our company;
with some other friends that may resort unto us: I thinke it necessary
to remove from hence; and take our pleasure in another place; which is
already by me determined。 When we shalbe there assembled; and have
slept on the discourses formerly delivered; let our next argument be
still the mutabilities of Fortune; but especially to concerne such
persons; as by their wit and ingenuity; industriously have attained to
some matter earnestly desired; or else recovered againe; after the
losse。 Heereon let us severally study and premeditate; that the
hearers may receive benefit thereby; with the comfortable
maintenance of our harmelesse recreations; the priviledge of Dioneus
alwayes reserved to himselfe。
  Every one commended the Queens deliberation; concluding that it
shold be accordingly prosecuted: and thereupon; the master of the
houshold was called; to give him order for that evenings Table
service; and what else concerned the time of the Queenes Royalty;
wherein he was sufficiently instructed: which being done; the
company arose; licensing every one to doe what they listed。 The Ladies
and Gentlemen walked to the Garden; and having sported themselves
there a while; when the houre of supper came; they sate downe; and
fared very daintily。 Being risen from the Table; according to the
Queenes command; Madam Aemilia led the dance; and the ditty following;
was sung by Madam Pampinea; being answered by all the rest; as a
Chorus。

                    THE SONG

  And if not I; what Lady else can sing;
  Of those delights; which kind contentment bring?
  Come; come; sweet Love; the cause of my chiefe good;
  Of all my hopes; the firme and full effect;
  Sing wee together; but in no sad mood;
  Of sighes or teares; which joy doth countercheck:
  Stolne pleasures are delightfull in the taste;
  But yet Loves fire is oftentimes too fierce;
  Consuming comfort with ore…speedy haste;
  Which into gentle hearts too far doth pierce。
    And if not I; etc。
  The first day that I felt this fiery heate;
  So sweete a passion did possesse my soule;
  That though I found the torment sharp; and great;
  Yet still me thought t'was but a sweete controule。
  Nor could I count it rude; or rigorous;
  Taking my wound from such a piercing eye:
  As made the paine most pleasing; gracious;
  That I desire in such assaults to die。
    And if not I; etc。

  Grant then great God of Love; that I may still
  Enjoy the benefit of my desire;
  And honour her with all my deepest skill;
  That first enflam'd my heart with holy fire。
  To her my bondage is free liberty;
  My sicknesse health; my tortures sweet repose;
  Say shee the word; in full felicity
  All my extreames joyne in an happy close。
    Then if not I; what Lover else can sing;
    Of those delights which kind contentment bring?

  After this Song was ended; they sung divers other beside; and having
great variety of instruments' they played to them as many pleasing
dances。 But the Queene considering that the meete houre for rest was
come; with their lighted Torches before them; they all repaired to
their Chambers; sparing the other dayes next succeeding; for those
reasons by the Queene alledged; and spending the Sunday in solemne
devotion。


                    THE INDUCTION TO THE THIRD DAY

     UPON WHICH DAY; ALL MATTERS TO BE DISCOURSED ON; DOE PASSE
    UNDER THE REGIMENT OF MADAM NEIPHILA: CONCERNING SUCH PERSONS
     AS (BY THEIR WIT AND INDUSTRY) HAVE ATTAINED TO THEIR LONG
     WISHED DESIRES; OR RECOVERED SOMETHING; SUPPOSED TO BE LOST

  The morning put on a vermillion countenance and made the Sunne to
rise blushing red; when the Queene (and all the faire company) were
come abroad forth of their Chambers; the Seneshall o

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