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第64章

the decameron(十日谈)-第64章

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him; causing in him extreme griefe and melancholy; yet concealling all
her unkindnesse so wisely to himselfe; as no one could understand
the reason of his sadnesse。
  After he had laboured by all hopefull courses; to obtaine that
favour of her; which he had formerly lost; without any offence in him;
as his innocent soule truly witnessed with him; and saw that all his
further endeavours were fruitlesse and in vaine; he concluded to
retreate himselfe from the World; and not to be any longer irkesome in
her eye; that was the onely occasion of his unhappinesse。 Hereupon;
storing himselfe with summes of money; as suddenly he could collect
together; secretly he departed from Florence; without speaking any
word to his friends or kindred; except one kinde companion of
his; whom he acquainted with most of his secrets; and so travelled
to Ancona; where he termed himselfe by the name of Sandoloscio。
Repairing to a wealthy Merchant there; he placed himselfe as his
servant; and went in a Ship of his with him to Cyprus; his actions and
behaviour proved so pleasing to the Merchant; as not onely he
allowed him very sufficient wages; but also grew into such association
with him; as he gave the most of his affaires into his hands; which he
guided with such honest and discreete care; that hee himselfe (in
few yeeres compasse) proved to be a rich Merchant; and of famous
report。
  While matters went on in this successefull manner; although he could
not chuse; but still he remembred his cruell Mistresse; and was very
desperately transported for her love; as coveting (above all things
else) to see her once more; yet was he of such powerfull constancy; as
7 whole yeeres together; he vanquished all those fierce conflicts。 But
on a day it chanced he heard a song sung in Cyprus; which he
himselfe had formerly made; in honour of the love he bare to his
Mistresse; and what delight he conceived; by being dayly in her
presence; whereby he gathered; that it was impossible for him to
forget her; and proceeded on so desirously; as he could not live;
except he had a sight of her once more; and therefore determined on
his returne to Florence。 Having set all his affaires in due order;
accompanied with a servant of his onely; he passed to Ancona; where
when he was arrived; he sent his Merchandises to Florence; in name
of the Merchant of Ancona; who was his especiall friend and partner;
travayling himselfe alone with his servant; in the habite of a
Pilgrime; as if he had beene newly returned from Jerusalem。
  Being come to Florence; he went to an Inne kept by two brethren;
neere neighbours to the dwelling of his Mistresse; and the first thing
he did; was passing by her doore; to get a sight of her if he were
so happie。 But he found the windowes; doores; and all parts of the
house fast shut up; whereby he suspected her to be dead; or else to be
changed from her dwelling: wherefore (much perplexed in minde) he went
on to the two brothers Inne; finding foure persons standing at the
gate; attired in mourning; whereat he marvelled not a little;
knowing himselfe to be so transfigured; both in body and babite; farre
from the manner of common use at his parting thence; as it was a
difficult matter to know him: he stept boldly to a Shooe…makers shop
neere adjoyning; and demanded the reason of their wearing mourning。
The Shooe…maker made answer thus; Sir; those men are clad in mourning;
because a brother of theirs; being named Theobaldo (who hath beene
absent hence a long while) about some fifteene dayes since was slaine。
And they having heard; by proofe made in the Court of justice; that
one Aldobrandino Palermini (who is kept close prisoner) was the
murtherer of him; as he came in a disguised habite to his daughter; of
whom he was most affectionately enamoured; cannot chuse; but let the
World know by their outward habits; the inward affliction of their
hearts; for a deede so dishonourably committed。 Theobaldo wondered
greatly hereat; imagining; that some man belike resembling him in
shape; might be slaine in this manner; and by Aldobrandino; for
whose misfortune he grieved marvellously。 As concerning his Mistresse;
he understood that shee was living; and in good health; and night
drawing on apace; he went to his lodging; with infinite molestations
in his minde; where after supper; he was lodged in a Corne…loft with
his man。 Now by reason of many disturbing imaginations; which
incessantly wheeled about his braine; his bed also being none of the
best; and his supper (perhaps) somewhat of the coursest; a great
part of the night was spent; yet could he not close his eyes together。
But lying still broade awake; about the dead time of night; he heard
the treading of divers persons over his head; who discended downe a
paire of stayres by his Chamber; into the lower parts of the house;
carrying a light with them; which he discerned by the chinkes and
crannies in the wall。 Stepping softly out of his bed; to see what
the meaning hereof might be; he espied a faire young woman; who
carried a light in her hand; and three men in her company;
descending downe the stayres together; one of them speaking thus to
the young woman。 Now we may boldly warrant our saftey; because we have
heard it assuredly; that the death of Theobaldo Elisei; hath beene
sufficiently approved by the Brethren; against Aldobrandino Palermini;
and he hath confessed the fact; whereupon the sentence is already
set downe in writing。 But yet it behooveth us notwithstanding; to
conceale it very secretly; because if ever hereafter it should be
knowne; that we are they who murthered him; we shall be in the same
danger; as now Aldobrandino is。
  When Theobaldo had heard these words; hee began to consider with
himselfe; how many and great the dangers are; wherewith mens minds may
dayly be molested。 First; he thought on his owne brethren in their
sorrow; and buried a stranger insteed of him; accusing afterward (by
false opinion; and upon the testimony of as false witnesses) a man
most innocent; making him ready for the stroke of death。 Next; he made
a strict observation in his soule; concerning the blinded severity
of Law; and the Ministers thereto belonging; who pretending a diligent
and carefull inquisition for truth; doe oftentimes (by their
tortures and torments) heare lies avouched (onely for ease of paine)
in the place of a true confession; yet thinking themselves (by doing
so) to be the Ministers of God and justice; whereas indeede they are
the Divels executioners of his wickednesse。 Lastly; converting his
thoughts to Aldobrandino; the imagined murtherer of a man yet
living; infinite cares beleagured his soule; in devising what might
best be done for his deliverance。
  So soone as he was risen in the morning; leaving his servant behinde
him in his lodging; he went (when he thought it fit time) all alone
toward the house of his Mistresse; where finding by good fortune the
gate open; he entred into a small Parlour beneath; and where he saw
his Mistresse sitting on the ground; wringing hands; and wofully
weeping; which (in meere compassion) moved him to weepe likewise;
and going somewhat neere her; he saide。 Madame; torment your selfe
no more; for your peace is not farre off from you。 The Gentlewoman
hearing him say so; lifted up her head; and in teares spake thus。 Good
man; thou seemest to me to be a Pilgrime stranger; what doest thou
know; either concerning my peace; or mine affliction? Madame
(replied the Pilgrime) I am of Constantinople; and (doubtlesse) am
conducted hither by the hand of Heaven; to convert your teares into
rejoycing; and to deliver your Father from death。 How is this?
answered shee: If thou be of Constantinople; and art but now arrived
here; doest thou know who we are; either I; or my Father?
  The Pilgrime discoursed to her; even from the one end to the
other; the history of her husbands sad disasters; telling her; how
many yeeres since she was espoused to him; and many other important
matters; which well shee knew; and was greatly amazed thereat;
thinking him verily to be a Prophet; and kneeling at his feete;
entreated him very earnestly; that if he were come to deliver her
Father Aldo

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