the decameron(十日谈)-第91章
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away the potte of Basile from her; for which she made infinite
wofull lamentations; earnestly entreating to have it restored
againe; avouching that she could not live without it。
Perceiving that she could not have the pot againe; she fell into
an extreame sicknesse; occasioned onely by her ceaselesse weeping: and
never urged she to have any thing; but the restoring of her Basile
pot。 Her brethren grew greatly amazed thereat; because she never
called
for ought else beside; and thereupon were very desirous to ransacke
the pot to the very bottome。 Having emptied out all the earth; they
found the Scarfe of silke; wherein the head of Lorenzo was wrapped;
which was (as yet) not so much consumed; but by the lockes of haire;
they knew it to be Lorenzoes head; whereat they became confounded with
amazement。
Fearing least their offence might come to open publication; they
buried it very secretly; and; before any could take notice thereof;
they departed from Messina; and went to dwell in Naples; Isabella
crying and calling still for her pot of Basile; being unable to give
over mourning; dyed within a few dayes after。 Thus have you heard
the hard fate of poore Lorenzo and his Isabella。 Within no long
while after; when this accident came to be publikely knowne; an
excellent ditty was composed thereof beginning thus。
Cruell and unkinde was the Christian;
That robd me of my Basiles blisse; etc。
THE FOURTH DAY; THE SIXTH NOVELL
DESCRIBING THE ADMIRABLE ACCIDENTS OF FORTUNE; AND THE
MIGHTY PREVAILING; POWER OF LOVE POWER OF LOVE
A beautifull young Virgine; named Andreana; became enamoured of a
young Gentleman called Gabriello。 In conference together; she declared
a dreame of hers to him; and he another of his to her; whereupon
Gabriello fell downe sodainly dead in her armes。 She; and her
Chamber…maide were apprehended; by the Officers belonging to the
Seigneury; as they were carrying Gabriello; to lay him before his owne
doore。 The Potestate offering violence to the Virgin; and she
resisting him vertuously: it came to the understanding of her
Father; who approved the innocence of his daughter; and compassed
her deliverance。 But she afterward; being weary of all worldly
felicities; entred into Religion; and became a Nun。
The Novell which Madam Philomena had so graciously related; was
highly pleasing unto the other Ladies; because they had oftentimes
heard the Song; without knowing who made it or upon what occasion it
was composed。 But when the King saw that the Tale was ended: he
commanded Pamphilus; that he should follow in his due course:
whereupon he spake thus。
The dreame already recounted in the last Novell; doth minister
matter to me; to make report of another Tale; wherein mention is
made of two severall dreames; which divined as well what was to ensue;
as the other did what had hapned before。 And no sooner were they
finished in the relation; by both the parties which had formerly
dreampt them; but the effects of both as soddainly followed。
Worthy Ladies; I am sure it is not unknowne to you; that it is;
and hath bene a generall passion; to all men and women living; to
see divers and sundry things while they are sleeping。 And although (to
the sleeper) they seeme most certaine; so that when he awaketh; he
judgeth the trueth of some; the likelyhood of others; and some
beyond all possibility of truth: yet notwithstanding; many dreames
have bene observed to happen; and very strangely have come to passe。
And this hath bene a grounded reason for some men; to give as great
credit to such things as they see sleeping; as they do to others
usually waking。 So that; according unto their dreames; and as they
make construction of them; that are sadly distasted; or merrily
pleased; even as (by them) they either feare or hope。 On the contrary;
there are some; who will not credit any dreame whatsoever; untill they
be falne into the very same danger which formerly they saw; and most
evidently in their sleepe。
I meane not to commend either the one or other; because they do
not alwayes fall out to be true; neither are they at all times
lyars。 Now; that they prove not all to be true; we can best testifie
to our selves。 And that they are not alwayes lyars; hath already
sufficiently bene manifested; by the Discourse of Madame Philomena;
and as you shall perceive by mine owne; which next commeth in order to
salute you。 Wherefore; I am of this opinion; that in matters of good
life; and performing honest actions; no dreame is to be feared
presaging the contrary; neither are good works any way to be hindred
by them。 Likewise; in matters of bad and wicked quality; although
our dreames may appeare favourable to us; and our visions flatter us
with prosperous successe: yet let us give no credence unto the best;
nor addict our minds to them of contrary Nature。 And now we wil。
proceed to our Novell。
In the Citie of Brescia; there lived somtime a Gentleman; named
Messer Negro da Ponte Cararo; who (among many other children) had a
daughter called Andreana; yong; and beautifull; but as yet
unmarried。 It fortuned; that shee fell in love with a Neighbour; named
Gabriello; a comely young Gentleman; of affable complexion; and
graciously conditioned。 Which love was (with like kindenesse)
welcommed and entertained by him; and by the furtherance of her
Chamber…maide; it was so cunningly carried; that in the Garden
belonging to Andreanaes Father; she had many meetings with her
Gabriello。 And solemne vowes being mutually passed betweene them; that
nothing but death could alter their affection: by such ceremonious
words as are used in marriage; they maried themselves secretly
together; and continued their stolne chaste pleasures with equall
contentment to them both。
It came to passe; that Andreana sleeping in her bed; dreamed; that
shee met with Gabriello in the Garden; where they both embracing
lovingly together; she seemed to see a thing blacke and terrible;
which sodainely issued forth of his body; but the shape therof she
could not comprehend。 It rudely seized upon Gabriello; and in despight
of her utmost strength; with incredible force snatched him out of
her armes; and sinking with him into the earth; they never after did
see one another。 Whereupon; overcome with extremity of greefe and
sorrow; presently she awaked; being then not a little joyfull; that
she found no such matter as she feared; yet continued very doubtfull
of her dreame。 In regard whereof; Gabriello being desirous to visite
her the night following: she laboured very diligently to hinder his
comming to her; yet knowing his loyall affection toward her; and
fearing least he should grow suspitious of some other matter; she
welcommed him into the Garden; where gathering both white and
Damaske Roses (according to the nature of the season) at length;
they sate downe by a very goodly Fountaine; which stoode in the
middest of the Garden。
After some small familiar Discourse passing betweene them; Gabriello
demanded of her; upon what occasion shee denyed his comming thither
the night before; and by such a sodaine unexpected admonition?
Andreana told him; that it was in regard of a horrid Dreame; wherewith
her soule was perplexed the precedent night; and doubt what might
ensue thereon。 Gabriello hearing this; began to smile; affirming to
her; that it was an especial note of folly; to give any credit to idle
dreames: because (oftentimes) they are caused by excesse of feeding;
and continually are observed to be meere lyes。 For (quoth he) if I had
any superstitious beleefe of Dreames; I should not then have come
hither now: yet not so much as being dismayed by your dreame; but
for another of mine owne; which I am the more willing to acquaint
you withall。
Me thought; I was in a goodly delightfull Forrest; in the Noble
exercise of sportfull hunting; and became there possessed of a young
Hinde; the verie loveliest and most pleasing beast that was ever
seene。 It seemed to be as white as snow; and grew (in a short while)
so familiar with me; that by no meanes it would forsake mee。 I could
not but accept this rare kindnes in the b