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第85章

the decameron(十日谈)-第85章

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as of them that before heard the proclamation。 There he made choice of
a pillar; which stood in a place somewhat highly exalted; wherto he
chained his savage man; making shew; as if be meant to awaite there;
till the hunting should begin: in which time; the Flies; Waspes; and
Hornets; did so terribly sting his naked body; being annointed with
Hony; that he endured therby unspeakable anguish。 When the poore man
saw; that there needed no more concourse of people; pretending; as
if he purposed to let loose his Salvage man; he tooke the maske or
vizard from Alberts face; and then he spake aloud in this manner。
Gentlemen and others; seeing the wilde Boare commeth not to our
hunting; because I imagine that he cannot easily be found: I meane (to
the end you may not lose your labour in comming hither) to shew you
the great God of Love called Cupid; who Poets feigned long since to be
a little boy; but now growne to manly stature。 You see in what maner
he hath left his high dwelling onely for the comfort of our Venetian
beauties: but belike; the night…fogs overflagging his wings; he fell
into our gulfe; and comes now to present his service to you。 No sooner
had he taken off his vizard; but every one knew him to be Fryar
Albert; and sodainely arose such shoutes outcries; with most bitter
words breathed forth against him; hurling also stones; durt and
filth in his face; that his best acquaintance then could take no
knowledge of him; and not any one pittying his abusing。 So long
continued the offended people in their fury; that the newes therof was
carried to the Convent; and six of his Religious Brethren came; who
casting an habite about him; and releasing him from his chaine; they
led him to the Monastery; not without much mollestation and trouble of
the people; where imprisoning him in their house; severity of some
inflicted punishment; or rather conceite for his open shame;
shortned his dayes; and so he dyed。 Thus you see (fayre Ladies) when
licentious life must be clouded with a cloake of sanctifie; and
evill actions daylie committed; yet escaping uncredited: there will
come a time at length; for just discovering of all; that the good
may shine in their true luster of glory; and the bad sinke in their
owne deserved shame。




                    THE FOURTH DAY; THE THIRD NOVELL

     HEEREIN IS DECLARED; HOW DANGEROUS THE OCCASION IS; ENSUING BY
        ANGER AND DESPIGHT; IN SUCH AS ENTIRELY LOVE; ESPECIALLY
           BEING INJURIED AND OFFENDED BY THEM THAT THEY LOVE

  Three yong Gentlemen affecting three Sisters; fledde with them
into Candie。 The eldest of them (through jealousie) becommeth the
death of her Lover; The second; by consenting to the Duke of Candies
request; is the meanes of saving her life。 Afterward; her owne
Friend killeth her; and thence flyeth away with the elder Sister。
The third couple; are charged with her death; and being committed
prisoners; they confesse the fact; and fearing death; by corruption of
money they prevaile with their Keepers; escaping from thence to
Rhodes; where they dyed in great poverty。

  When the King perceyved that Madame Pampinea had ended her
discourse; he sat sadly a pretty while; without uttering one word; but
afterward spake thus。 Little goodnesse appeared in the beginning of
this Novell; because it ministred occasion of mirth; yet the ending
proved better; and I could wish; that worse inflictions had falne on
the venerious Friar。 Then turning towards Madam Lauretta; he said;
Lady; do you tell us a better tale; if possible it may be。 She
smiling; thus answered the King: Sir; you are over…cruelly bent
against poore Lovers; in desiring; that their amourous processions
should have harsh and sinister concludings。 Neverthelesse; in
obedience to your severe command; among three persons amourously
perplexed; I will relate an unhappy ending; whereas all may be saide
to speede as unfortunately; being equally alike; in enjoying the issue
of their desires; and thus I purpose to proceed。
  Every Vice (choice Ladies) as very well you know; redoundeth to
the great disgrace and prejudice of him; or her; by whom it is
practised; and oftentimes to others。 Now; among those common
hurtfull enemies; the sinne or vice which most carrieth us with full
carrere; and draweth us into unadvoydable dangers (in mine opinion)
seemeth to be that of choller or anger; which is a sodain and
inconsiderate moving; provoked by some received injury; which having
excluded all respect of reason; and dimnd (with darke vapors) the
bright discerning sight of the understanding; enflameth the minde with
most violent fury。 And albeit this inconvenience hapneth most to
men; and more to some few then others; yet notwithstanding; it hath
bene noted; that women have felt the selfesame infirmity; and in
more extreme manner; because it much sooner is kindled in them; and
burneth with the brighter flame; in regard they have the lesser
consideration; and therefore not to be wondred at。 For if we wil
advisedly observe; we shall plainely perceive; that fire even of his
owne nature) taketh hold on such things as are light and tender;
much sooner then it can on hard and weighty substances; and some of us
women (let men take no offence at my words) are farre more soft and
delicate then they be; and therefore more fraile。 In which regard;
seeing wee are naturally enclined hereto; and considering also; how
much our affability and gentlenesse do shew themselves pleasing and
full of content to those men with whom we are to live; and likewise;
how anger and fury are compacted of extraordinary perils: I purpose
(because we may be the more valiant in our courage; to outstand the
fierce assaults of wrath and rage) to shew you by mine ensuing Novell;
how the loves of three yong Gentlemen; and of as many Gentlewomen;
came to fatall and fortunat successe by the tempestuous anger of one
among them; as I have formerly related unto you。
  Marseilles (as you are not now to learne) is in Provence; seated
on the Sea; and is also a very ancient and most Noble Citty; which
hath bene (heeretofore) inhabited with farre richer and more wealthy
Merchants; then at this instant time it is。 Among whom; there was
one named Narnaldo Civida; a man but of meane condition; yet cleare in
faith and reputation; and in lands; goods; and ready monies;
immeasurably rich。 Many children he had by his Wife; among whom were
three Daughters; which exceeded his Sonnes in yeeres。 Two of them
being twinnes; and borne of one body; were counted to be fifteene
yeeres old; the third was foureteene; and nothing hindered marriage in
their Parents owne expectation but the returne home of Narnaldo; who
was then abroad in Spaine with his Merchandizes。 The eldest of these
Sisters was named Ninetta; the second Magdalena; and the third
Bertella。 A Gentleman (albeit but poore in fortunes) and called
Restagnone; was so extraordinarily enamoured of Ninetta; as no man
possibly could be more; and she likewise as earnest in affection
towards him; yet both carrying their loves proceeding with such
secrecy; as long time they enjoyed their hearts sweet contentment; yet
undiscovered。
  It came to passe; that two other young Gallants; the one named
Folco; and the other Hugnetto; (who had attained to incredible wealth;
by the decease of their Father) were also as far in love; the one with
Magdalena; and the other with Bertella。 When Restagnone had
intelligence thereof; by the meanes of his faire friend Ninetta; he
purposed to releeve his poverty; by friendly furthering both their
love; and his owne: and growing into familiarity with them; one
while he would walke abroad with Folco; and then againe with Hugnetto;
but oftner with them both together; to visite their Mistresses; and
continue worthy friendship。 On a day; when hee saw the time suteable
to his intent; and that hee had invited the two Gentlemen home unto
his House; he fell into this like Conference with them。
  Kinde Friends (quoth he) the honest familiarity which hath past
betweene us; may render you some certaine assurance; of the constant
love I beare to you both; being as willing to worke any meanes that
may tend to your go

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