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the decameron(十日谈)-第53节

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the Scholler being but poore; yet well forwarded in Learning; made use
of Puccioes folly; and found benefit thereby; to keepe him out of
wants; which is the bane and overthrow of numberlesse good wits。 And
Puccio dying; before the date of his limited time; because he failed
of the Philosophers Stone; Isabetta joyned in marriage with Felice; to
make him amends for instructing her father; by which meanes he came to
be her husband。




                     THE THIRD DAY THE FIFTH NOVELL

    WHEREIN IS DESCRIBED THE FRAILETY OF SOME WOMEN; AND FOLLY OF
    SUCH HUSBANDS; AS LEAVE THEM ALONE TO THEIR OWNE DISPOSITION

  Ricciardo surnamed the Magnifico; gave a Horse to Signior
Francesco Vergillisi; on condition that he might speake to his wife in
his presence; which he did; and she not returning him any answer; made
answer to himselfe on her behalfe; and according to his answer; so the
effect followed。

  Pamphilus having ended his novell of Puccio the Alchimist; the
Queene fixing her eye on Madam Eliza; gave order; that shee should
succeed。 She looking somewhat more austerely then any of the rest
not in any spleen; but as it was her usuall manner; thus began。 The
world containeth some particular people; who beleeve (because they
know something) that others are ignorant in all things; who for the
most part; while they intend to make a scorne of other men; upon
triall; finde themselves to carry away the scorne。 Therefore; I
account it no meane folly in them; who (upon no occasion) wil tempt
the power of another mans wit or experience。 But because all men and
women are not of my opinion; I meane that you shall perceive it more
apparantly; by an accident happening to a Knight of Pistoia; as you
shall heare by me related。
  In the Town of Pistoia; bordering upon Florence; there lived not
long since; a Knight named Signieur Francesco; descended of the linage
or family of the Vergellisi; a man very rich; wise; and in many things
provident; but gripple; covetous; and too close handed; without
respect to his worth and reputation。 He being called to the Office
of Podesta in the City of Millaine; furnished himselfe with all things
(in honourable manner) beseeming such a charge; onely; a comely
horse for his owne saddle excepted; which he knew not by any meanes
how to compasse; so loath hee was lay out money; albeit his credit
much depended thereon。
  At the same time; there lived in Pistoya likewise; a young man;
named Ricciardo; derived of meane birth; but very wealthy; quicke
witted; and of commendable person; alwayes going so neate; fine; and
formall in his apparrell; that he was generally tearmed the Magnifico;
who had long time affected; yea; and closely courted; (though any
advantage or successe) the Lady and wife of Signior Francesco; who was
very beautifull; vertuous; and chaste。 It so chanced; that this
Magnifico had the very choisest and goodliest ambling Gelding in all
Tuscany; which hee loved dearely; for his faire forme; and other
good parts。 Upon a flying rumor throughout Pistoia; that he daily made
love to the foresaid Ladie; some busie…body put it into the head of
Signior Francesco; that if he pleased to request the Gelding; the
Magnifico would frankely give it him; in regard of the love he bare to
his wife。
  The base…minded Knight; coveting to have the Horse; and yet not to
part with any money; sent for the Magnifico; desiring to buy his fayre
Gelding of him; because he hoped to have him of free gift。 The
Magnifico hearing this request; was very joyfull; and thus answered;
Sir; if you would give me all the wealth which you possesse in this
world; I wil not sell you my horse; rather I wil bestow him on you
as a Gentlemans gift: but yet upon this condition; that before you
have him delivered; I may with your license; and in your presence
speake a few words to your vertuous Ladie; and so farre off in
distance from you; as I may not be heard by any; but onely her
selfe。 Signior Francesco; wholly conducted by his base avaricious
desire; and meaning to make a scorne at the Magnifico; made answer;
that he was well contented to let him speak with her when he would;
and leaving him in the great Hall of the house; went to his wives
Chamber; and told her how easily he might enjoy the horse;
commanding her forthwith to come and heare what he could say to her;
only she should abstaine; and not returne him any answer。 The Lady
with a modest blush; much condemned this folly in him; that his
covetousnes should serve as a cloake to cover any unfitting speeches
which her chaste eares could never endure to heare。 Neverthelesse
being to obey her husbands will; she promised to do it; and followed
him down into the Hall; to heare what the Magnifico would say。
Againe he there confirmed the bargaine made with her husband; and
sitting downe by her in a corner of the Hall; farre enough off from
any ones hearing; taking her curteously by the hand; thus he spake。
  Worthy Lady; it seemeth to me; that you are so truly wise; as no
doubt you have long since perceived; what unfeigned affection your
beauty (far excelling) hath compelled me to beare you。 Setting aside
those commendable qualities and singular vertues gloriously shining in
you; and powerfull enough to make a conquest of the stoutest
courage; I held it utterly needlesse; to let you understand by
words; how faithfull the love is I bear you; were it not much more
fervent and constant; then ever any other man can expresse to a woman。
In which condition it shall still continue; without the least
blemish or impayre; so long as I enjoy life or motion; yea; and I dare
assure you; that if in the future world; affection may containe the
same powerfull dominion; as it doth in this; I am the man borne to
love you perpetually。 Whereby you may rest confidently perswaded; that
you enjoy not any thing; how poore or precious soever it be; which you
can so solemnely account to be your owne; and in the truest title of
right; as you may my selfe; in all that I have; or for ever shall be
mine。
  To confirme your opinion in this case by any argument of greater
power; let me tell you; that I should repute it as my fairest and most
gracious fortune; if you would command me some such service; as
consisteth in mine ability to performe; and in your courteous favour
to accept; yea; if it were thorow the whole world; right to traval
am I; and obedient。 In which regard faire Madam; if I be so much;
yours; as you heare I am; I may boldly adventure (and not without good
reason) to acquaint your chaste eares with my earnest desires; for
on you onely depends my happinesse; life; and absolute comfort; and as
your most humble servant; I beseech you (my deerest good; and sole
hope of my soule) that rigour may dwell no longer in your gentle
brest; but Lady…like pitty and compassion; whereby I shall say; that
as your divine beauty enflamed mine affections; even so it extended
such a merciful qualification; is exceeded all my hope; but not the
halfe part of your pitty。
  Admit (myracle of Ladies) that I should die in this distresse: Alas;
my death would be but your dishonour; I cannot be termed mine owne
murtherer; when the Dart came from your eye that did it; and must
remaine a witnes of your rigor。 You cannot then chuse but call to
minde; and say within your own soule: Alas; what a sinne have I
committed; in being so unmercifull to my Magnifico。 Repentance then
serves to no purpose; but you must answer for such unkinde cruelty。
Wherefore; to prevent so blacke a scandall to your bright beauty;
beside the ceaselesse acclamations; which will dog your walkes in
the day time; and breake your quiet sleepes in the night season;
with fearefull sights and gastly apparitions; hovering and haunting
about your bed; let all these moove you to milde mercy; and spill
not life; when you may save it。
  So the Magnifico ceasing; with teares streaming from his eyes; and
sighes breaking from his heart; hee sate still in expectation of the
Ladies answere; who made neither long or short of the matter;
neither Tilts nor Tourneying; nor many lost mornings and evenings; nor
infinite other such like Offices; which the Magnifico (for her sake)
from time to time had spent in vaine; without the least shew of
acceptation; or any hope at all to winne her love: mooved now in
this very houre; by these solemne is protestations; or rather most
prevailing asseverations; she began to finde that in her; which
(before) she never felt; namely Love。 And although (to keepe her
promise made to her husband) shee spake not a word: yet her heart
heaving; her soule throbbing; sighes intermixing; and complexion
altering; could not hide her intended answer to the Magnifico; if
promise had beene no hinderance to her will。 All this while the
Magnifico sate as mute as she; and seeing she would not give him any
answere at all; he could not choose but wonder thereat; yet at
length perceived; that it was thus cunningly contrived by her husband。
Notwithstanding; observing well her countenance; that it was in a
quite contrary temper; another kinde of fire sparkling in her eye;
other humours flowing; her pulses strongly beating; her stomacke
rising; a

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