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第94章

the decameron(十日谈)-第94章

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making him as desirous of her loving acceptance; as possibly she could
be of his: so that the commanding power of love; could not easily be
distinguished in which of them it had the greater predominance。 For
every day as he brought her fresh supply of woolles; and found her
seriously busied at her wheele: her soule would vent forth many
deepe sighes; and those sighes fetch floods of teares from her eyes;
thorough the singular good opinion she had conceyved of him; and
earnest desire to enjoy him。 Pasquino on the other side; as leysure
gave him leave for the least conversing with her: his disease was
every way answerable to hers; for teares stood in his eyes; sighes
flew abroad; to ease the poore hearts afflicting oppressions; which
though he was unable to conceale; yet would he seeme to clowd them
cleanly; by entreating her that his Masters worke might be neatly
performed; and with such speed as time would permit her; intermixing
infinite praises of her artificiall spinning; and affirming withall;
that the Quilles of Yearne received from her; were the choisest beauty
of the whole peece; so that when other workewomen played; Simonida was
sure to want no employment。
  Hereupon; the one soliciting; and the other taking delight in
being solicited; it came to passe; that often accesse bred the
bolder courage; and over…much bashfulnesse became abandoned; yet no
immodesty passing betweene them: but affection grew the better
setled in them both; by interchangeable vowes of constant
perseverance; so that death onely; but no disaster else had power to
divide them。 Their mutuall delight continuing on in this manner;
with more forcible encreasing of their Loves equall flame: it
fortuned; that Pasquino sitting by Simonida; told her of a goodly
Garden; whereto he was desirous to bring her; to the end; that they
might the more safely converse together; without the suspition of
envious eyes。 Simonida gave answer of her wellliking the motion; and
acquainting her Father therewith; he gave her leave; on the Sunday
following after dinner; to go fetch the pardon of S。 Gallo; and
afterwards to visit the Garden。
  A modest yong maiden named Lagina; following the same profession;
and being an intimate familiar friend; Simonida tooke along in her
company; and came to the Garden appointed by Pasquino; where she found
him readily expecting her comming; and another friend also with him;
called Puccino (albeit more usually tearmed Strambo) a secret
well…willer to Lagina; whose love became the more furthered by his
friendly meeting。 Each Lover delighting in his hearts chosen
Mistresse; caused them to walke alone by themselves; as the
spaciousnesse of the Garden gave them ample liberty: Puccino with
his Lagina in one part; and Pasquino with his Simonida in another。 The
walke which they had made choise of; was by a long and goodly bed of
Sage; turning and returning by the same bed their conference ministred
occasion; and as they pleased to recreate themselves; affecting rather
to continue still there; then in any part of the Garden。
  One while they would sit downe by the Sage bed; and afterward rise
to walke againe; as ease and wearinesse seemed to invite them。 At
length; Pasquino chanced to crop a leafe of the Sage; wherewith he
both rubbed his teeth and gummes; and champing it betweene them
also; saying; that there was no better thing in the world to cleanse
the teeth withall; after feeding。 Not long had he thus champed the
Sage in his teeth; returning to his former kinde of discoursing; but
his countenance began to change very pale; his sight failed; and
speech forsooke him; so that (in briefe) he fell downe dead。 Which
when Simonida beheld; wringing her hands; she cryed out for helpe to
Strambo and Lagina; who immediately came running to her。 They
finding Pasquino not onely to be dead; but his body swolne; and
strangely over…spred with foule black spots; both on his face;
hands; and all parts else beside: Strambo cried out; saying; Ah wicked
maide; what hast thou poisoned him?
  These words and their shrill out…cries also were heard by Neighbours
dwelling neere to the Garden; who comming in sodainly uppon them;
and seeing Pasquino lying dead; and hugely swoln; Strambo likewise
complaining; and accusing Simonida to have poysoned him; she making no
answer; but standing in a gastly amazement; all her senses meerely
confounded; at such a strange and uncouth accident; in loosing him
whom she so dearely loved: knew not how to excuse…her selfe; and
therefore every one verily beleeved; that Strambo had not unjustly
accused her。 Poore wofull maide; thus was she instantly apprehended;
and drowned in her teares; they led her along to the Potes。 tates
Palace; where her accusation was justified by Strambo; Lagina; and two
men more; the one named Atticciato; and the other Malagevole; fellowes
and companions with Pasquino; who came into the Garden also upon the
out…cry。
  The Judge; without any delay at all; gave eare to the busines; and
examined the case very strictly: but could by no meanes comprehend;
that any malice should appeare in her towards him; nor that she was
guiltie of the mans death。 Wherefore; in the presence of Simonida;
he desired to see the dead body; and the place where he fell downe
dead; because there he intended to have her relate; how she saw the
accident to happen; that her owne speeches might the sooner condemne
her; whereas the case yet remained doubtfull; and farre beyond his
comprehension。 So; without any further publication; and to avoid the
following of the turbulent multitude; they departed from the bench
of Justice; and came to the place; where Pasquinoes body lay swolne
like a Tunne。 Demanding there questions; concerning his behaviour;
when they walked there in conference together; and; not a little
admiring the manner of his death; while he stood advisedly considering
thereon。
  She going to the bed of Sage; reporting the whole precedent history;
even from the originall to the ending: the better to make the case
understood; without the least colour of ill carriage towardes
Pasquino; according as she had seene him do; even so o she plucke
another leafe of the Sage; rubbing her teeth therewith; and champing
it as he formerly did。 Strambo; and the other intimate friends of
Pasquino; having noted in what manner she used the Sage; and this
appearing as her utmost refuge; either to acquit or condemne her: in
presence of the Judge they smiled thereat; mocking and deriding
whatsoever she saide; or did; and desiring (the more earnestly) the
sentence of death against her; that her body might be consumed with
fire; as a just punishment for her abhominable transgression。
  Poore Simonida; sighing and sorrowing for her deere loves losse; and
(perhappes) not meanly terrified; with the strict infliction of
torment so severely urged and followed by Strambo and the rest
standing dumb still; without answering so much as one word; by tasting
of the same Sage; fell downe dead by the bed; even by the like
accident Pasquino formerly did; to the admirable astonishment of all
there present。
  Oh poore infortunate Lovers; whose Starres were so inauspicious to
you; as to finish both your mortall lives; and fervent love; in
lesse limitation then a dayes space。 How to censure of your deaths;
and happines to ensue thereon; by an accident so strange and
inevitable: it is not within the compasse of my power; but to hope the
best; and so I leave you。 But yet concerning Simonida her selfe; in
the common opinion of us that remaine living: her true vertue and
innocency (though Fortune was otherwise most cruell to her) would
not suffer her to sinke under the testimony of Strambo; Lagina;
Atticciato; and Malagevole; being but carders of wool; or perhaps of
meaner condition; a happier course was ordained for her; to passe
clearely from their infamous imputation; and follow her Pasquino; in
the very same manner of death; and with such a speedy expedition。
  The Judge standing amazed; and all there present in his company;
were silent for a long while together: but; uppon better
recollection of his spirits; thus he spake。 This inconvenience which
thus hath ha

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