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第8章

the decameron(十日谈)-第8章

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betrayed in this unkinde manner。
  My Lord Abbot looking demurely on the Maide; and perceiving her to
be faire; feate; and lovely; felt immediately (although he was olde)
no lesse spurring on to fleshly desires; then the young Monke before
had done; whereupon he beganne to conferre thus privately with
himselfe。 Why should I not take pleasure; when I may freely have it?
Cares and molestations I endure every day; but sildome find such
delights prepared for me。 This is a delicate sweete young Damosell;
and here is no eye that can discover me。 If I can enduce her to doe as
I would have her; I know no reason why I should gaine…say it。 No man
can know it; or any tongue blaze it abroade; and sinne so concealed;
is halfe pardoned。 Such a faire fortune as this is; perhaps
hereafter will never befall me; and therefore I hold it wisedome; to
take such a benefit when a man may enjoy it。
  Upon this immodest meditation; and his purpose quite altered which
he came for; he went neerer to her; and very kindly began to comfort
her; desiring her to forbeare weeping: and (by further insinuating
speeches) acquainted her with his amorous intention。 The Maide; who
was made neither of yron nor diamond; and seeking to prevent one shame
by another; was easily wonne to the Abbots will; which caused him to
embrace and kisse her often。
  Our lusty young novice Monke; whom the Abbot imagined to bee gone
for wood; had hid himselfe aloft upon the roofe of the Dorter;
where; when he saw the Abbot enter alone into the Chamber; he lost a
great part of his former feare; promising to himselfe a kinde of
perswasion; that somewhat would ensue to his better comfort; but
when he beheld him lockt into the Chamber; then his hope grew to
undoubted certainty。 A little chincke or crevice favoured him; whereat
he could both heare and see; whatsoever was done or spoken by them:
so; when the Abbot thought hee had staide long enough with the
Damosell; leaving her still there; and locking the doore fast
againe; hee returned thence to his owne Chamber。
  Within some short while after; the Abbot knowing the Monke to be
in the Convent; and supposing him to be lately returned with the wood;
determined to reprove him sharpely; and to have him closely
imprisoned; that the Damosell might remaine solie to himselfe。 And
causing him to be called presently before him; with a very stearne and
angry countenance; giving him many harsh and bitter speeches;
commanded; that he should be clapt in prison。
  The Monke very readily answered; saying。 My good Lord; I have not
yet beene so long in the Order of Saint Benedict; as to learne all the
particularities thereto belonging。 And beside Sir; you never shewed
mee or any of my Brethren; in what manner we young Monkes ought to use
women; as you have otherwise done for our custome of prayer and
fasting。 But seeing you have so lately therein instructed mee; and
by your owne example how to doe it: I heere solemnely promise you;
if you please to pardon me but this one error; I will never faile
therein againe; but dayly follow what I have seene you doe。
  The Abbot; being a man of quicke apprehension; perceived instantly
by this answere; that the Monke not onely knew as much as he did;
but also had seene (what was intended) that hee should not。 Wherefore;
finding himselfe to be as faulty as the Monke; and that hee could
not shame him; but worthily had deserved as much himselfe; pardoning
him; and imposing silence on eithers offence: they convayed the
poore abused Damosell forth of their doores; she purposing (never
after) to transgresse in the like manner。




                     THE FIRST DAY; THE FIFT NOVELL

         DECLARING; THAT WISE AND VERTUOUS LADIES; OUGHT TO HOLD
         THEIR CHASTITIE IN MORE ESTEEME; THEN THE GREATNESSE AND
        TREASURES OF PRINCES: AND THAT A DISCREETE LORD SHOULD NOT
                          OFFER MODESTIE VIOLENCE

  The Lady Marquesse of Montferrat; with a Banquet of Hennes; and
divers other gracious speeches beside; repressed the fond love of
the King of France。

  The Tale reported by Dioneus; at the first hearing of the Ladies;
began to rellish of some immodestie; as the bashfull blood mounting up
into their faces; delivered by apparant testimonie。 And beholding
one another with scarse…pleasing lookes; during all the time it was in
discoursing; no sooner had he concluded: but with a few milde and
gentle speeches; they gave him a modest reprehension; and meaning to
let him know that such tales ought not to be tolde among women。
Afterward; the Queene commaunded Madam Fiammetta; (sitting on a
banke of flowers before her) to take her turne as next in order; and
she; smiling with such a virgin blush; as very beautifully became her;
began in this manner。
  It is no little joy to mee; that we understand so well (by the
discourses already past) what power consisteth in the delivery of wise
and readie answeres; And because it is a great part of sence and
judgement in men; to affect women of greater birth and quality then
themselves; as also an admirable fore…sight in women; to keepe off
from being surprized in love; by Lords going beyond them in degree:
a matter offereth it selfe to my memory; well deserving my speech
and your attention; how a Gentlewoman (both in word and deede)
should defend her honor in that kind; when importunity laboureth to
betray it。
  The Marquesse of Montferrat was a worthy and valiant Knight; who
being Captaine Generall for the Church; the necessary service required
his company on the Seas; in a goodly Army of the Christians against
the Turkes。 Upon a day; in the Court of King Philip; sirnamed the
one eyed King (who likewise made preparation in France; for a royall
assistance to that expedition) as many speeches were delivered;
concerning the valour and manhoode of this Marquesse: it fortuned;
that a Knight was then present; who knew him very familiarly; and he
gave an addition to the former commendation; that the whole world
contained not a more equall couple in marriage; then the Marquesse and
his Lady。 For; as among all knights; the Marquesse could hardly be
paraleld for Armes and Honour; even so his wife; in comparison of
all other Ladies; was scarcely matchable for beauty and vertue。
Which words were so weighty in the apprehension of King Philip; that
sodainly (having as yet never seen her) he began to affect her very
earnestly; concluding to embarke himselfe at Gennes or Genoua; there
to set forward on the intended voyage; and journying thither by
land; hee would shape some honest excuse to see the Lady Marquesse;
whose Lord being then from home; opinion perswaded him over fondly;
that he should easily obtaine the issue of his amorous desire。
  When hee was come within a dayes journey; where the Ladie
Marquesse then lay; he sent her word that she should expect his
company on the morrow at dinner。 The Lady; being singularly wise and
judicious; answered the Messenger; that she reputed the Kings
comming to her; as an extraordinary grace and favour; and that he
should bee most heartily welcome。 Afterward; entring into further
consideration with her selfe; what the King might meane by his private
visitation; knowing her Husband to be from home; and it to bee no
meane barre to his apter entertainement: at last she discreetly
conceited (and therin was not deceived) that babling report of her
beauty and perfections; might thus occasion the Kings comming thither;
his journey lying else a quite contrary way。 Notwithstanding; being
a Princely Lady; and so loyal a wife as ever lived shee intended to
give him her best entertainement: summoning the chiefest Gentlemen
in the Country together; to take due order (by their advice) for
giving the King a gracious Welcome。 But concerning the dinner; and
diet for service to his Table; that remained onely at her own
disposing。
  Sending presently abroad; and buying all the Hennes that the Country
affoorded; shee commaunded her Cookes; that onely of them (without any
other provision beside) they should prepare all the services that they
could devise。 On the morrow; the King came according to his promise;
and was most honourably welco

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