贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > the decameron(十日谈) >

第56章

the decameron(十日谈)-第56章

小说: the decameron(十日谈) 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



person; going alwayes in blacke garments of good price and value。 This
man; imagining (perhaps) no such minde in mee; as truely there is;
hath often attempted mee; and never can I be at my doore; or window;
but hee is alwayes present in my sight; which is not a little
displeasing to me; he watcheth my walks; and much I mervaile; that
he is not now heere。
  Let me tell you holy Sir; that such behaviours doe many times lay
bad imputations upon very honest women; yet without any offence in
them。 It hath often run in my mind; to let him have knowledge
thereof my min by my brethren: but afterward I considered; that men
(many times) deliver messages in such sort; as draw on very ungentle
answers; whereon grow words; and words beget actions。 In which regard;
because no harme or scandall should ensue; I thought it best to be
silent; determining; to acquaint you rather therewith; then to any
other; as wel because you seem to be his friend; as also in regard
of your office; which priviledgeth you to correct such abuses; not
onely in friends; but also in strangers。 Enow other women there are;
(more is the pitty) who perhaps are better disposed to such suites
then I am; and can both like and allow of such courting; otherwise
then I can doe; as being willing to embrace such offers; and (happily)
loath to yeeld deniall。 Wherefore; most humbly I entreate you good
Father (even for our blessed Ladies sake) that you would give him a
friendly reprehension; and advise him to use such unmanly meanes no
more heereafter。 With which words; she hung downe her bead in her
bosome; cunningly dissembling; as if shee wept; wiping her eyes with
her Handkerchife; when not a teare fel from them; but indeed were
dry enough。
  The holy Religious man; so soone as he heard her description of
the man; presently knew whom shee meant; and highly commending the
Gentlewoman for her good and vertuous seeming disposition; beleeved
faithfully all that shee had said: promising her; to order the
matter so well and discreetly; as shee should not any more bee
offended。 And knowing her to be a woman of great wealth (after all
their usuall manner; when they cast forth their fishing nets for
gaine:) liberally he commeuned Almesdeeds; and dayly workes of
Charity; recounting to her beside his owne particular necessities。
Then; giving him two peeces of Gold; she said: I pray you (good
Father) to be mindfull of me; and if he chance to make any deniall;
tell him; that I spake it my selfe to you; and by the way of a sad
complaint her confession being ended; and penance easie enough
enjoyned her; she promised to make her parents bountifull
Benefactors to the Convent; and put more money into his hand; desiring
him in his Masses; to remember the soules of her deceased friends; and
so returned home to her house。
  Within a short while after her departure; the Gentleman; of whome
she made this counterfeit complaint; came thither; as was his usuall
manner; and having done his duty to the holy Father; they sate downe
together privately; falling out of one discourse into another。 At
the length; the Friar (in very loving and friendly sort) mildly
reproved him for such amorous glaunces; and other pursuites; which (as
he thought) he dayly used to the Gentlewoman; according to her owne
speeches。 The Gentleman mervalled greatly thereat; as one that had
never seene her; and very sildome passed by the way where shee
dwelt; which made him the bolder in his answeres; wherein the
Confessour interrupting him; saide。 Never make such admiration at
the matter; neyther waste more words in deniall; because they cannot
serve thy turne; I tell thee plainely; I heard these words even from
her owne selfe; in a very sorowfull and sad complaint。 And though
(perhaps) heereafter; thou canst very hardly refraine such follies;
yet let me tell thee so much of her (and under the seale of absolute
assurance) that she is the onely woman of the world; who to my
judgement; doth abhorre all such base behaviour。 In regard therefore
of thine owne honour; as also not to vex and prejudice so vertuous a
Gentlewoman; I pray thee refraine such idlenesse henceforward; and
suffer her to live in peace。
  The Gentleman being a little wiser then his ghostly Father;
perceived immediately; the notable pollicy of the Woman。 Whereupon;
making somewhat bashfull appearance of any error already committed; he
said; He would afterward be better advised。 So departing from the
Friar; hee went on directly; to passe by the house where the
Gentlewoman dwelt; and shee stood alwayes ready on her watch; at a
little Window; to observe when he would walke that way。 And seeing him
comming; shee shewed her selfe so joyfull and gracious to him; as he
easily understood; whereto the substance of the holy Fathers chiding
tended。 And from that time forward; he used dayly though in covert
manner (to the no litle liking of the Gentlewoman and himselfe) to
make his passage thorough that street; under colour of some
important occasions there concerning him。
  Soone after; it being plainely discerned on either side; that the
one was as well contented with these walkes; as the other could be:
she desired to enflame him a little further; by a more liberall
illustration of her affection towards him; when time and place
affoorded convenient opportunity。 To the holy Father againe she
went; (for she had beene too long from shrift) and kneeling downe at
his feete; intended to begin her confession in teares; which the Friar
perceiving; sorrowfully demanded of her; what accident had happened?
Holy Father (quoth shee) no novell accident; only your wicked and
ungracious friend; by whom (since I was heere with you; yea; no longer
agoe then yesterday) I have been so wronged; as I verily beleeve
that he was borne to bee my mortall enemy; and to make me do
somthing to my utter disgrace for ever; and whereby I shall not dare
to be seene any more of you my deare Father。 How is this? answered the
Friar; hath he not refrained from afflicting you so abusively?
  Pausing a while; and breathing foorth many a dissembled sighe;
thus shee replyed。 No truely; holy Father; there is no likelyhood of
his abstaining; for since I made my complaint to you; he belike taking
it in evil part; to bee contraried in his wanton humours; hath
(meerely in despight) walked seaven times in a day by my doore;
whereas formerly he never used it above once or twice。 And well were
it (good Father) if he could be contented with those walkes; and
gazing glances which hee dartes at me: but growne he is so bolde and
shamelesse; that even yesterday; (as I tolde you) hee sent a woman
to me; one of his Pandoraes; as it appeared; and as if I had wanted
either Purses or Girdies; hee sent me by her; a Purse and a Girdle。
Whereat I grew so greevously offended; as had it not bene for my due
respect and feare of God; and next the sacred reverence I beare to you
my ghostly Father; doubtlesse I had done some wicked deede。
Neverthelesse; happily I withstood it; and wil neither say or do any
thing in this case; till first I have made it knowne to you。
  Then I called to minde; that having redelivered the Purse and Girdle
to his shee…Messenger; which brought them with lookes sufficient to
declare my discontentment: I called her backe againe; fearing least
she would keep them to her selfe; and make him beleeve that I had
received them (as I have heard such kinde of women use to do
sometimes) and in anger I snatcht them from her; and have brought them
you; to the end; that you may give him them againe; and tell him; I
have no need of any such things; thankes be to heaven and my
husband; as no woman can be better stored then I am。 Wherefore good
Father; purposely am I now come to you; to let him know; that if he
will not abstaine from thus molesting me; I will disclose it to my
Husband; Father; and Brethren; whatsoever befall。 For I had rather
he should receive the injury; then I to be causelessly blamed for him;
wherein good Father tell me; if I dooe not well。 With many
counterfet sobbes; sighes; and teares these words were delivered;
and drawing foorth from under her gowne; a very faire and rich
purse; as also a Gird

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 1 1

你可能喜欢的