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第92章

the decameron(十日谈)-第92章

小说: the decameron(十日谈) 字数: 每页4000字

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so familiar with me; that by no meanes it would forsake mee。 I could
not but accept this rare kindnes in the beast; and fearing least I
should loose it; I put a collar of Gold about the necke thereof; and
fastned it into a chaine of Gold also; which then I held strongly in
my hand。 The blind afterward couched downe by me; laying his head
mildely in my lap; and on the sodaine; a black Grey…hound bitch came
rushing; on us (but whence; or how; I could not imagine) seeming halfe
hunger…starved; and very ugly to looke upon。 At me she made her full
carreere; without any power in me of resistance; and putting her mouth
into the left side of my bosom; griped it so mainly with her teeth;
that (me thought) I felt my heart quite bitten through; and she tugged
on still; to take it wholly away from me; by which imagined paine
and anguish I felt; instantly I awaked。 Laying then my hand upon my
side; to know whether any such harme had befalne me; or no; and
finding none; I smiled at mine owne folly; in making such a
frivolous and idle search。 What can be said then in these or the
like cases?
  Divers times I have had as ill seeming dreames; yea; and much more
to be feared; yet never any thing hurtfull to me; followed thereon;
and therefore I have alwayes made the lesse account of them。
  The young Maiden; who was still dismayed by her owne Dreame;
became much more afflicted in her minde; when shee had heard this
other reported by Gabriello: but yet to give him no occasion of
distast; she bare it out in the best manner she could devise to doe。
And albeit they spent the time in much pleasing discourse;
maintained with infinite sweete kisses on either side: yet was she
still suspitious; but knew not whereof; fixing her eyes oftentimes
upon his face; and throwing strange lookes to all parts of the Garden;
to catch hold on any such blacke ugly sight; whereof he had formerly
made description to her。 As thus she continued in these afflicting
feares; it fortuned; that Gabriello sodainly breathing forth a very
vehement sighe; and throwing his armes fast about her; said: O helpe
me dear Love; or else I dye; and; in speaking the words; fell downe
upon the ground。 Which the yong Damosel perceiving; and drawing him
into her lappe; weeping saide: Alas sweete Friend; What paine doest
thou feele?
  Gabriello answered not one word; but being in an exceeding sweate;
without any ability of drawing breath; very soon after gave up the
ghost。 How greevous this strange accident was to poore Andreana; who
loved him as deerely as her owne life: you that have felt loves
tormenting afflictions; can more easily conceive; then I relate。
Wringing her hands; and weeping incessantly; calling him; rubbing
his temples; and using all likely meanes to reduce life: she found all
her labour to be spent in vaine; because he was starke dead indeed;
and every part of his body as cold as ice: whereupon; she was in
such wofull extremity; that she knew not what to do; or say。 All about
the Garden she went weeping; in infinite feares and distraction in
soule; calling for her Chamber maid; the only secret friend to their
stolne meetings; and told her the occasion of this sodaine sorrow。
After they had sighed and mourned awhile; over the dead body of
Gabriello; Andreana in this manner spake to her maide。
  Seeing Fortune hath thus bereft me of my Love; mine owne life must
needs be hatefull to me: but before I offer any violence to my
selfe; let us devise some convenient meanes; as may both preserve mine
honour from any touch or scandall; and conceale the secret love
passing betweene us: but yet in such honest sort; that this body
(whose blessed soule hath too soone forsaken it) may be honourably
enterred。 Whereto her Mayde thus answered: Mistresse; never talke of
doing any violence to your selfe; because by such a blacke and dismall
deed; as you have lost his kind company here in this life; so shall
you never more see him in the other world: for immediately you sinke
downe to hell; which foule place cannot be a receptacle for his
faire soule; that was endued with so many singular vertues。 Wherefore;
I hold it farre better for you; to comfort your selfe by all good
meanes; and with the power of fervent praier; to fight against all
desperate intruding passions; as a truly vertuous minde ought to
doe。 Now; as concerning his enterrement; the meanes is readily
prepared for you here in this Garden; where never he hath bene seene
by any; or his resorting hither knowne; but onely to our selves。 If
you will not consent to have it so; let you and I convey his body
hence; and leave it in such an apt place; where it may be found to
morrow morning: and being then carried to his owne house; his
friends and kindred will give it honest buriall。
  Andreana; although her soule was extraordinarily sorrowfull; and
teares flowed abundantly from her eyes; yet she listned attentively to
hir maids counsell; allowing her first advice against desperation;
to be truly good; but to the rest thus she replyed。 God forbid
(quoth she) that I should suffer so deere a loving friend; as he
hath alwayes shewed himselfe to me; nay; which is much more; my
husband; by sacred and solemne vowes passed betweene us; to be put
into the ground basely; and like a dog; or else to be left in the open
street。 He hath had the sacrifice of my virgin teares; and if I can
prevaile; he shall have some of his kindreds; as I have instantly
devised; what (in this hard case) is best to be done。 Forthwith she
sent the maid to her Chamber; for divers elles of white Damaske
lying in her Chest; which when she had brought; they spread it
abroad on the grasse; even in the manner of a winding sheete; and
therein wrapped the body of Gabriello; with a faire wrought pillow
under his head; having first (with their teares) closed his mouth
and eyes; and placed a Chaplet of Flowers on his head; covering the
whole shrowd over in the same manner; which being done; thus she spake
to her Maid。
  The doore of his owne house is not farre hence; and thither
(betweene us two) he may be easily caried; even in this maner as we
have adorned him; where leaving him in his owne Porch; we may
returne back before it be day: and although it will be a sad sight
to his friends; yet because he dyed in mine armes; and we being so
well discharged of the body; it will be a little comfort to me。 When
she had ended these words; which were not uttered without infinite
teares; the maid entreated her to make hast; because the night swiftly
passed on。 At last; she remembred the Ring on her finger; wherewith
Gabriello had solemnly espoused her; and opening the shroud againe;
she put it on his finger; saying; My deere and loving husband; if
thy soule can see my teares; or any understanding do remaine in thy
body; being thus untimely taken from me: receive the latest guift thou
gavest me; as a pledge of our solemne and spotlesse marriage。 So;
making up the shroud againe as it should be; and conveighing it
closely out of the Garden; they went on along with it; towardes his
dwelling house。
  As thus they passed along; it fortuned; that they were met and taken
by the Guard or Watch belonging to the Potestate; who had bin so
late abroad; about very earnest and important businesse。 Andreana;
desiring more the dead mans company; then theirs whom she had thus met
withall; boldly spake thus to them。 I know who and what you are; and
can tell my selfe; that to offer flight will nothing availe me:
wherfore; I am ready to go along with you before the Seigneury; and
there will tell the truth concerning this accident。 But let not any
man among you; be so bold as to lay hand on me; or to touch me;
because I yeeld so obediently to you; neyther to take any thing from
this body; except hee intend that I shall accuse him。 In which
respect; not any one daring to displease her; shee went with the
dead bodle to the Seigneurie; there to answere all Objections。
  When notice heereof was given to the Potestate; he arose; and shee
being brought foorth into the Hall before him; he questioned with her;
how and by what meanes this accident happened。 Beside; he sent for
divers Physitians; to be informed

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