the decameron(十日谈)-第58章
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replyed the Gentleman； mee thinkes the tidings come very quickly to
you。 It is true； said the Frier； they are speedily come to me
indeed； and upon urgent necessity。
After a little curbing in of his wrath； somewhat in a milder
straine； thus he proceeded。 Because the Gentlewomans husband is
journeyed to Geneway； proves this a ladder to your hope； that to
embrace her in your armes； you must climbe over the Garden wall；
like a treacherous robber in the night season； mount up a tree
before her Chamber window； open the Casement； as hoping to compasse
that by importunity； which her spotlesse chastity will never permit。
There is nothing in the world； that she can hate more then you； and
possibly yet you will love her whether ＇she＇ will or no。 Many
demonstrations her selfe hath made to you； how retrograde you are to
any good conceit of her； and my loving admonishments might have had
better successe in you； then as yet they shew of outward apparance。
But one thing I must tell you； her silent sufferance of your
injuries all this while； hath not bin in any respect of you； but at my
earnest entreaties； and for my sake。 But now she w be patient no
longer； and I have given her free license； if ever heereafter you
offer to attempt her any more； to make her complaint before her
Brethren； which will redound to your no meane danger。
The Gentleman； having wisely collected his Love…lesson out of the
Holy Fathers angry words； pacified the good old man so well as he
could with very solemne promises and protestations； that he should
heare no more） any misbehaviour of his。 And being gone from him；
followed the instructions given in her complaint； by climbing over the
Garden Wall； ascending the Tree； and entering at the Casement；
standing ready open to welcome him。 Thus the Friers simplicity；
wrought on by her most ingenious subtiltie； made way to obtaine both
their longing desires。
THE THIRD DAY； THE FOURTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED； WHAT CRAFT AND SUBTILTY SOME WILY WITS
CAN DEVISE； TO DECEIVE THE SIMPLE； AND COMPASSE THEIR OWNE
DESIRES。
A yong Scholler； named Felice； enstructed Puccio di Rinieri； how
to become rich in a very short time。 While Puccio made experience of
the instructions taught him； Felice obtained the favour of his
Daughter。
After that Philomena had finished her Tale； she sate still； and
Dioneus （with faire and pleasing Language） commended the
Gentlewomans quaint cunning； but smiling at the Confessors witlesse
simplicity。 Then the Queene； turning with chearefull looks toward
Pamphilus； commaunded him to continue on their delight； who gladly
yeelded； and thus began。 Madame； many men there are； who while they
strive to climbe from a good estate； to a seeming better； doe become
in much worse condition then they were before。 As happened to a
neighbour of ours； and no long time since； as the accident will better
acquaint you withall。
According as I have heard it reported； neere to Saint Brancazio；
there dwelt an honest man； and some…what rich； who was called Puccio
di Rinieri； and who addicted all his paines and endeavours to Alchimy：
wherefore； he kept no other family； but onely a widdowed daughter； and
a servant； and because he had no other Art or exercise； he used
often to frequent the market place。 And in regard he was but a weake
witted man and a gourmand or grosse feeder； his language was the
more harsh and rude； like to our common Porters or sottish men； and
his carriage also absurd； boore…like； and clownish。 His daughter；
being named Monna Isabetta； aged not above eight and twenty； or thirty
yeeres； was a fresh indifferent faire； plumpe； round woman； cherry
cheekt； like a Queene…Apple； and； to please her Father； fed not so
sparingly； as otherwise she would have done； but when she communed
or jested with any body； she would talke of nothing； but onely
concerning the great vertue in Alchimy； extolling it above all other
Arts。
Much about this season of the yeare； there returned a young Scholler
from Paris； named Felice； faire of complexion； comely of person；
ingeniously witted and skilfully learned； who （soone after） grew
into familiarity； with Puccio： now because he could resolve him in
many doubts； depending on his profession of Alchimy； （himselfe
having onely practise； but no great learning） he used many questions
to him； shewed him very especiall matters of secrecy； entertaining him
often to dinners and suppers； whensoever he pleased to come and
converse with him； and his daughter likewise； perceiving with what
favour her Father respected him； became the more familiar with him；
allowing him good regard and reverence。
The young man continuing his resort to the House of Puccio； and
observing the widdow to be faire； fresh； and prettily formall； he
began to consider with himselfe； what those things might be； wherein
she was most wanting； and （if he could） to save anothers labour；
supply them by his best endeavours。 Thus not alwayes carrying his eyes
before him； but using many backe and circumspect regards； he proceeded
so farre in his wylie apprehensions； that （by a few sparkes close kept
together） he kindled part of the same fire in her； which began to
flame apparantly in him。 And hee very wittily observing the same； as
occasion first smiled on him； and allowed him favourable
opportunity； so did hee impart his intention to her。
Now albeit he found her plyant enough； to gaine physicke for her
owne griefe； as soone as his； yet the meanes and manner were （as
yet） quite out of all apprehension。 For shee in no other part of the
World； would trust her selfe in the young mans company； but onely in
her Fathers house； and that was a place out of all possibility；
because Puccio （by a long continued custome） used to watch
well…neere all the night； as commonly he did； each night after
other； never stirring foorth of the roomes； which much abated the edge
of the young mans appetite。 After infinite intricate revolvings；
wheeling about his busied braine； he thought it not altogether an
Herculian taske； to enjoy his happinesse in the house； and without any
suspition； albeit Puccio kept still within doores； and watched as
hee was wont to doe。
Upon a day as he sate in familiar conference with Puccio； he began
to speake unto him in this manner； I have many times noted； kinde
friend Puccio； that all thy desire and endeavour is； by what meanes
thou mayst become very rich； wherein （me thinkes） thou takest too wide
a course； when there is a much neerer and shorter way； which Mighell
Scotus； and other his associates； very diligently observed and
followed； yet were never willing to instruct other men therein；
whereby the mysterie might bee drowned in oblivion； and prosecuted
by none but onely great Lords； that are able to undergoe it。 But
because thou art mine especiall friend； and I have received from
thee infinite kind favours； whereas I never intended； that any man （by
me） should be acquainted with so rare a secret； if thou wilt imitate
the course as I shall shew thee； I purpose to teach it thee in full
perfection。 Puccio being very earnestly desirous to understand the
speediest way to so singular a mysterie； first began to entreat him
（with no meane instance） to acquaint him with the rules of so rich a
Science； and afterward sware unto him； never to disclose it to any
person； except hee gave his consent thereto； affirming beside； that it
was a rarity； not easie to bee comprehended by very apprehensive
judgements。 Well （quoth Felice） seeing thou has： made me such a
sound and solemne promise； I will make it knowne unto thee。
Know then friend Puccio； the Philosophers do hold； that such as
covet to become rich indeed； must understand how to make the Stone： as
I will tell thee how； but marke the manner very heedfully。 I do not
say； that after the Stone is obtained； thou shalt bee even as rich
as now thou art； but thou shalt plainly perceive； that the very
grosest substances； which hitherto thou hast seene； all of them shalbe
made pure golde： and such as afterward thou makest； shall be more
certaine； then to go or come with Aqua fortis； as now
