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第7章

the decameron(十日谈)-第7章

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really resembling the first made Ring; that himselfe (when he had them
in his hand) could not distinguish which was the right one。
  Lying upon his death…bed; and his Sonnes then plying him by their
best opportunities; he gave to each of them a Ring。 And they (after
his death) presuming severally upon their right to the inheritance and
honor; grew to great contradiction and square: each man producing then
his Ring; which were so truely all alike in resemblance; as no one
could know the right Ring from the other。 And therefore; suite in Law;
to distinguish the true heire to his Father; continued long time;
and so it dooth yet to this very day。 In like manner my good Lord;
concerning those three Lawes given by God the Father; to three such
people as you have propounded: each of them do imagine that they
have the heritage of God; and his true Law; and also duely to performe
his Commandements; but which of them do so indeede; the question (as
of the three Rings) is yet remaining。
  Saladine well perceyving; that the Jew was too cunning to bee caught
in his snare; and had answered so well; that to doe him further
violence; would redound unto his perpetuall dishonour; resolved to
reveale his neede and extremity; and try if hee would therein friendly
sted him。 Having disclosed the matter; and how he purposed to have
dealt with him; if he had not returned so wise an answere; the Jew
lent him so great a sum of money as hee demanded; and Saladine repayed
it againe to him justly; giving him other great gifts beside:
respecting him as his especiall friend; and maintaining him in very
honourable condition; neere unto his owne person。




                     THE FIRST DAY; THE FOURTH NOVELL

       WHEREIN MAY BEE NOTED; THAT SUCH MEN AS WILL REPROVE THOSE
      ERROURS IN OTHERS; WHICH REMAINE IN THEMSELVES; COMMONLY ARE
                  THE AUTHORS OF THEIR OWNE REPREHENSION

  A Monke having committed an offence; deserving to be very greevously
punished; freed himselfe from the paine to be inflicted on him; by
wittily reprehending his Abbot; with the very same fault。

  So ceased Madame Philotnena; after the conclusion of her Tale:
when Dioneus sitting next unto her; (without tarrying for any other
command from the Queene; knowing by the order formerly begun; that hee
was to follow in the same course) spake in this manner。
  Gracious Ladies; if I faile not in understanding your generall
intention; we are purposely assembled heere to tell Tales; and
especially such as may please our selves。 In which respect; because
nothing shold be done disorderly; I hold it lawfull for every one
(as our Queene decreed before her Dignity) to relate such a
Noveltie; as in their owne judgement may cause most contentment。
Wherefore having heard that by the good admonitions of Jehannot de
Chevigny; Abraham the Jew was advised to the salvation of his soule;
and Melchisedech (by his witty understanding) defended his riches from
the traines of Saladine: I now purpose to tell you in a few plaine
words; without feare of receiving any reprehension; how cunningly a
Monke compassed his deliverance; from a punishment intended towards
him。
  There was in the Country of Lunigiana (which is not far distant from
our owne) a Monastery; which sometime was better furnished with
holinesse and Religion; then now adayes they are: wherein lived (among
divers other) a yong Novice Monke; whose hot and lusty disposition
(being in the vigour of his yeeres) was such; as neither Fasts nor
prayers had any great power over him。 It chanced on a fasting day
about high noon; when all the other Monkes were asleep in their
Dormitaries or Dorters; this frolicke Friar was walking alone in their
Church; which stoode in a very solitarie place; where ruminating on
many matters by himselfe; hee espyed a prettie handsome Wench (some
Husbandmans daughter in the Countrey; that had beene gathering
rootes and hearbes in the field) upon her knees before in Altar;
whom he had no sooner seene; but immediately hee felt effeminate
temptations; and such as ill fitted with his profession。
  Lascivious desire; and no religious devotion; made him draw neere
her; and whether under shrift (the onely cloake to compasse carnal
affections) or some other as close conference to as pernitious and
vile a purpose; I know not: but so farre he prevailed upon her
frailety; and such a bargaine passed betweene them; that from the
Church; he wonne her to his Chamber; before any person could
perceive it。 Now; while this yong lusty Monke (transported with
overfond affection) was more carelesse of his dalliance; then he
should have bene: the Lord Abbot being newly arisen from sleepe; and
walking softly about the Cloyster; came to the Monkes Dorter doore;
where hearing what noyse was made betweene them; and a feminine
voyce more strange then hee was wont to heare; he layed his eare close
to the Chamber doore; and plainly perceived; that a woman was
within。 Wherewith being much moved; he intended sodainly to make him
open the doore; but (upon better consideration) hee conceyved it farre
more fitting for him; to returne backe to his owne Chamber; and
tarry till the Monke should come forth。
  The Monke; though his delight with the Damosell was extraordinary;
yet feare and suspition followed upon it; for; in the very height of
all his wantonnesse; he heard a soft treading about the doore。 And
prying thorow a small crevice in the same dore; perceived apparantly;
that the Abbot himselfe stood listening there; and could not be
ignorant but that the Maide was with him in the Chamber。 As after
pleasure ensueth paine; for the veniall Monke knew well enough (though
wanton heate would not let him heede it before) that most greevous
punishment must bee inflicted on him; which made him sad beyond all
measure: Neverthelesse; without disclosing his dismay to the yong
Maiden; he began to consider with himselfe on many meanes; whereby
to find out one that might best fit his turne。 And suddenly
conceited an apt stratagem; which sorted to such effect as he would
have it: whereupon; seeming satisfied for that season; he tolde the
Damosell; that (being carefull of her credit) as hee had brought her
in unseene of any; so he would free her from thence againe; desiring
her to tarrie there (without making any noyse at all) untill such time
as he returned to her。
  Going forth of the chamber; and locking it fast with the key; he
went directly to the Lord Abbots lodging; and delivering him the saide
key (as every Monke used to doe the like; when he went abroade out
of the Convent) setting a good countenance on the matter; boldly
saide; My Lord; I have not yet brought in all my part of the wood;
which lieth ready cut downe in the Forrest; and having now
convenient time to doe it; if you please to give me leave; I will
goe and fetch it。 The Abbot perswading himselfe; that he had not beene
discovered by the Monke; and to be resolved more assuredly in the
offence committed; being not a little jocund of so happy an
accident; gladly tooke the key; and gave him leave to fetch the wood。
  No sooner was he gone; but the Abbot beganne to consider with
himselfe; what he were best to doe in this case; either (in the
presence of all the other Monkes) to open the Chamber doore; that so
the offence being knowne to them all; they might have no occasion of
murmuring against him; when he proceeded in the Monkes punishment;
or rather should first understand of the Damosell her selfe; how;
and in what manner shee was brought thither。 Furthermore; he
considered; that shee might be a woman of respect; or some such mans
daughter; as would not take it well; to have her disgraced before
all the Monkes。 Wherefore hee concluded; first to see (himselfe)
what shee was; and then (afterward) to resolve upon the rest。 So going
very softly to the Chamber; and entring in; locked the doore fast with
the key; when the poore Damosell thinking it had beene the gallant
young Monke; but finding it to be the Lord Abbot; shee fell on her
knees weeping; as fearing now to receive publike shame; by being
betrayed in this unkinde manner。
  My Lord Abbot looking demurely on the M

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