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第81章

the decameron(十日谈)-第81章

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but onely in thine? As yet am sure it is present here; in this Cup
sent me by my Father; as having a provident respect to the place;
for possess' of our equall and mutuall pleasures; because thy soule
affecting mine so truly; cannot walke alone; without his deare
companion。
  Having thus finished her complaint; even as if her bead had been
converted into a well spring of water; so did teares abundantly flow
from her faire eyes; kissing the heart of Guiscardo infinite times。
All which while; her women standing by her; neither knew what heart it
was; nor to what effect her speeches tended: but being moved to
compassionate teares; they often demanded (albeit in vaine) the
occasion of her sad complaining; comforting her to their utmost power。
When she was not able to weepe any longer; wiping her eyes; and
lifting up her head; without any signe of the least dismay; thus she
spake to the heart。
  Deare heart; all my duty is performed to thee; and nothing now
remaineth uneffected; but onely breathing my last; to let my ghost
accompany thine。
  Then calling for the glasse of water; which she had readily prepared
the day before; and powring it upon the heart lying in the Cup;
couragiously advancing it to her mouth; she dranke it up every drop;
which being done; she lay downe upon her bed; holding her Lovers heart
fast in her hand; and laying it so neere to her owne as she could。 Now
although her women knew not what water it was; yet when they had seene
her to quaffe it off in that manner; they sent word to the King; who
much suspecting what had happened; went in all haste to his
Daughters Chamber; entring at the very instant; when she was laide
upon her bed; beholding her in such passionate pangs; with teares
streaming downe his reverend beard; he used many kinde words to
comfort her: when boldly thus she spake unto him。 Father (quoth she)
well may you spare these teares; because they are unfitting for you;
and not any way desired by me; who but your selfe; hath seene any
man to mourne for his owne wilfull offence。 Neverthelesse; if but
the least jot of that love do yet abide in you; whereof you have
made such liberall profession to me; let me obtaine this my very
last request; to wit; that seeing I might not privately enjoy the
benefit of Guiscardoes love; and while he lived; let yet (in death)
one publike grave containe both our bodies; that death may affoord us;
what you so cruelly in life denied us。
  Extremity of griefe and sorrow; withheld his tongue from returning
any answer; and she perceiving her end approaching; held the heart
still closer to her owne bare brest; saying; Here Fortune; receive two
true hearts latest oblation; for; in this manner are we comming to
thee。 So closing her eyes; all sense forsooke her; life leaving her
body breathlesse。 Thus ended the haplesse love of Guiscardo; and
Ghismonda; for whose sad disaster; when the King had mourned
sufficiently; and repented fruitlesly; he caused both their bodies
to be honourably embalmed; and buried in a most royall Monument; not
without generall sorrow of the subjects of Salerne。




                   THE FOURTH DAY; THE SECOND NOVELL
       REPREHENDING THE LEWD LIVES OF DISSEMBLING HYPOCRITES; AND
           CHECKING THE ARROGANT PRIDE OF VAINE…HEADED WOMEN

  Fryar Albert made a young Venetian Gentlewoman beleeve; that God
Cupid was falne in love with her; and he resorted oftentimes unto her;
in the disguise of the same God。 Afterward; being frighted by the
Gentlewomans kindred and friends; he cast himselfe out of her
Chamber window; and was bidden in a poore mans House; on the day
following; in the shape of a wilde or savage man; he was brought
upon the Rialto of Saint Marke; and being there publikely knowne by
the Brethren of his Order; he was committed to Prison。

  The Novell recounted by Madam Fiammetta; caused teares many times in
the eyes of all the company; but it being finished; the King shewing a
stearne countenance; saide; I should have much commended the kindnesse
of fortune; if in the whole course of my life; I had tasted the
least moity of that delight; which Guiscardo received by conversing
with faire Ghismonda。 Nor neede any of you to wonder thereat; or how
it can be otherwise; because hourely I feele a thousand dying
torments; without enjoying any hope of ease or pleasure: but referring
my fortunes to their owne poore condition; it is my will; that Madam
Pampinea proceed next in the argument of successelesse love; according
as Madam Fiammetta hath already begun; to let fall more dew…drops on
the fire of mine afflictions。 Madam Pampinea perceiving what a taske
was imposed on her; knew well (by her owne disposition) the
inclination of the company; whereof shee was more respective then of
the Kings command: wherefore; chusing rather to recreate their
spirits; then to satisfie the Kings melancholy humour; she
determined to relate a Tale of mirthfull matter; and yet to keepe
within compasse of the purposed Argument It hath bene continually used
as a common Proverbe; that a bad man taken and reputed to be honest
and good; may commit many evils; yet neither credited; or suspected:
which proverbe giveth me very ample matter to speake of; and yet not
varying from our intention; concerning the hypocrisie of some
religious persons; who having their garments long and large; their
faces made artificially pale; their language meeke and humble to get
mens goods from them; yet sowre; harsh and stearne enough; in checking
and controuling other mens errours; as also in urging others to
give; and themselves to take; without any other hope or meanes of
salvation。 Nor doe they endeavour like other men; to worke out their
soules health with feare and trembling; but; even as if they were sole
owners; Lords; and possessors of Paradice; will appoint to every dying
person; place (there) of greater or lesser excellency; according as
they thinke good; or as the legacies left by them are in quantity;
whereby they not onely deceive themselves; but all such as give credit
to their subtile perswasions。 And were it lawfull for me; to make
knowne no more then is meerely necessary; I could quickly disclose
to simple credulous people; what craft lieth concealed under their
holy habites: and I would wish; that their lies and deluding should
speed with them; as they did with a Franciscane Friar; none of the
younger Novices; but one of them of greatest reputation; and belonging
to one of the best Monasteries in Venice。 Which I am the rather
desirous to report; to recreate your spirits; after your teares for
the death of faire Ghismonda。
  Sometime (Honourable Ladies) there lived in the City of Imola; a man
of most lewd and wicked life; named; Bertho de la messa; whose
shamelesse deedes were so well knowne to all the Citizens; and won
such respect among them; as all his lies could not compasse any
beleefe; no; not when he delivered a matter of sound truth。 Wherefore;
perceiving that his lewdnesse allowed him no longer dwelling there;
like a desperate adventurer; he transported himselfe thence to Venice;
the receptacle of all foule sinne and abhomination; intending there to
exercise his wonted bad behaviour; and live as wickedly as ever he had
done before。 It came to passe; that some remorse of conscience tooke
hold of him; for the former passages of his dissolute life; and he
pretended to be surprized with very great devotion; becomming much
more Catholike then any other man; taking on him the profession of a
Franciscane coldelier; and calling himselfe; Fryar Albert of Imola。
  In this habite and outward appearance; hee seemed to leade an
austere and sanctimonious life; highly commending penance and
abstinence; never eating flesh; or drinking wine; but when he was
provided of both in a close corner。 And before any person could take
notice thereof; hee became (of a theefe) Ruffian; forswearer; and
murtherer; as formerly he had…beene a great Preacher; yet not
abandoning the forenamed vices; when secretly he could put any of them
in execution。 Moreover; being made Priest; when he was celebrating
Masse at the Altar; if he saw himselfe to be observed by any; he would
most

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