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第84章

the decameron(十日谈)-第84章

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of then needs。 But yet this matter is of such maine moment; that if
you will protest as you are truly vertuous; never to reveale it to any
living body; I will disclose to you almost a miracle。 The vertuous
oath being past; with many other solemne protestations beside; Lisetta
then pro。 ceeded in this maner。
  I know Gossip; that it is a matter of common and ordinary custome;
for Ladies and Gentlewomen to be graced with favourites; men of fraile
and mortall conditions; whose natures are as subject to inconstancy;
as their very best endevours dedicated to folly; as I could name no
mean number of our Ladies heere in Venice。 But when Soveraigne deities
shall feele the impression of our humane desires; and behold
subjects of such prevailing efficacy; as to subdue their greatest
power; yea; and make them enamored of mortall creatures: you may
well imagine Gossip; such a beauty is superiour to any other。 And such
is the happy fortune of your friend Lisetta; of whose perfections;
great Cupid the awefull commanding God of Love himselfe; conceived
such an extraordinary liking: as he hath abandoned his seate of
supreme Majesty; and appeared to in the shape of a mortall man; with
lively expression of his amourous passions; and what extremities of
anguish he hath endured; onely for my love。 May this be possible?
replied the Gossip。 Can the Gods be toucht with the apprehension of
our fraile passions? True it is Gossip; answered and so certainly
true; that his sacred kisses; sweete embraces; and most pleasing
speeches with proffer of his continuall devotion towards me; hath
given me good cause to confirme what I say; and to thinke my
felicity farre beyond all other womens; being honoured with his
often nightly visitations。
  The Gossip inwardly smiling at her idle speeches; which
(nevertheles) she avouched with very vehement asseverations: fell
instantly sicke of womens naturall disease; thinking every minute a
tedious month; till she were in company with some other Gossips; to
breake the obligation of her vertuous promise; and that others (as
well as her selfe) might laugh at the folly of this shallow…witted
woman。 The next day following; it was her hap to be at a wedding;
among a great number of other women; whom quickly she acquainted
with this so strange a wonder; as they did the like to their husbands:
and passing so from hand to hand; in lesse space then two dayes; all
Venice was fully possessed with it。 Among the rest; the brethren to
this foolish woman; heard this admirable newes concerning their
Sister; and they discreetly concealing it to themselves; closely
concluded to watch the walks of this pretended God: and if he soared
not too lofty a flight; they would clip his wings; to come the
better acquainted with him。 It fortuned; that the Friar hearing his
Cupidicall visitations over…publikely discovered; purposed to check
and reprove Lisetta for her indiscretion。 And being habited
according to his former manner; his Friarly Cowle covering all his
former bravery; he left his companion where he used to stay; and
closely walked along unto the house。 No sooner was he entred; but
the Brethren being ambushed neere to the doore; went in after him; and
ascending the staires; by such time as he had uncased himselfe; and
appeared like God Cupid; with his spangled wings displayed: they
rushed into the Chamber; and he having no other refuge; opened a large
Casement; standing directly over the great gulfe or River; and
presently leapt into the water; which being deepe; and he skilfull
in swimming; he had no other harme by his fall; albeit the sodaine
affright did much perplex him。
  Recovering the further side of the River; he espied a light; and the
doore of an house open; wherein dwelt a poore man; whom he earnestly
intreated; to save both his life and reputation; telling him many lies
and tales by what meanes he was thus disguised; and throwne by
night…walking Villaines into the water。 The poore man; being moved
to compassionate his distressed estate; laid him in his owne bed;
ministring such other comforts to him; as the time and his poverty did
permit; and day drawing on; he went about his businesse; advising
him to take his rest; and it should not be long till he returned。
So; locking the doore; and leaving the counterfet God in bed; away
goes the poore man to his daily labor。 The Brethren to Lisetta;
perceiving God Cupid to be fied and gone; and she in melancholly
sadnesse sitting by them: they tooke up the Reliques he had left
behind him; I meane the Friars hood and Cowle; which shewing to
their sister; and sharpely reproving her unwomanly behaviour: they
left her in no meane discomfort; returning home to their owne
houses; with their conquered spolle of the forlorne Friar。
  During the times of these occurrences; broad day speeding on; and
the poore man returning homeward by the Rialto; to visit his guest
so left in bed: he beheld divers crouds of people; and a generall
rumor noysed among them; that God Cupid had bene that night with Madam
Lisetta; where being over…closely pursued by her Brethren; for feare
of being surprized; he leapt out of her window into the gulfe; and
no one could tell what was become of him。 Heereupon; the poore man
began to imagine; that the guest entertained by him in the night time;
must needs be the same suppose God Cupid; as by his wings and other
embellishments appeared: wherefore being come home; and sitting
downe on the beds side by him; after some few speeches passing
betweene them; he knew him to be Friar Albert; who promised to give
him fifty ducates; if he would not betray him to Lisettaes Brethren。
Upon the acceptation of this offer; the money being sent for; and
paied downe; there wanted nothing now; but some apt and convenient
meanes; whereby Albert might safely be conveyed into the Monastery;
which being wholly referred to the poore mans care and trust; thus
he spake。 Sir; I see no likely…hood of your cleare escaping home;
except in this manner as I advise you。 We observe this day as a
merry Festivall; and it is lawfull for any one; to disguise a man in
the skin of a Beare; or in the shape of a savage man; or any other
forme of better advice。 Which being so done; he is brought upon S。
Markes market place; where being hunted a while with dogs; upon the
huntings conclusion; the Feast is ended; and then each man leades
his monster whether him pleaseth。 If you can accept any of these
shapes; before you be seene heere in my poore abiding; then can I
safely (afterward) bring you where you would be。 Otherwise; I see no
possible meanes; how you may escape hence unknown; for it is without
all question to the contrary; that the Gentlewomans brethren;
knowing your concealment in some one place or other; wil set such
spies and watches for you throughout the City; as you must needs be
taken by them。
  Now; although it seemed a most severe imposition; for Albert to
passe in any of these disguises: yet his exceeding feare of
Lisettaes brethren and friends; made him gladly yeelde; and to undergo
what shape the poore man pleased; which thus he ordered。 Annointing
his naked body with Hony; he then covered it over with downy small
Feathers; and fastening a chaine about his necke; and a strange ugly
vizard on his face; he gave him a great staffe in the one hand; and
two huge Mastive dogs chained together in the other; which he had
borrowed in the Butchery。 Afterward; he sent a man to the Rialto;
who there proclaimed by the sound of Trumpet: That all such as desired
to see God Cupid; which the last nights had descended downe from the
skies; and fell (by ill hap) into the Venetian gulfe; let them repaire
to the publike Market place of S。 Marke; and there he would appeare in
his owne likenesse。
  This being done; soone after he left his house; and leading him thus
disguised along by the chaine; he was followed by great crowds of
people; every one questioning of whence; and what he was。 In which
manner; he brought him; to the Market place; where an infinite
number of people were gathered together; as well of the followers;
as of them that before heard the proclamation。 There he made choice of
a pillar; whic

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