the decameron(十日谈)-第104章

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restraints　from　the　bodies　freer　exercise；　maketh　them　subject　to　many
infirmities。　And　yet；　when　any　one　of　them　chanceth　to　fall　sicke；　the
Physitian　must　minister　no　such　counsell　to　them；　as　Chastity；
Abstinence　from　voluptuous　meats；　Discipline　of　the　body；　or　any　of
those　matters　appertaining　to　a　modest　religious　life。　For；　concerning
the　plaine；　vulgar；　and　Plebeian　people；　these　holy　Fathers　are
perswaded；　that　they　know　nothing　really　belonging　to　a
sanctimonious　life；　as　long　watching；　praying；　discipline　and　fasting；
which　（in　themselves）　are　not　able；　to　make　men　look　leane；
wretched；　and　pale。　Because　Saint　Dominicke；　Saint　Fraunces；　and
divers　other　holy　Saints　beside；　observed　the　selfesame　religious
orders　and　constitutions；　as　now　their　carefull　successors　do。
Moreover；　in　example　of　those　fore…named　Saints；　who　went　wel
cloathed；　though　they　had　not　three　Garments　for　one；　nor　made　of
the　finest　Woollen　excellent　cloath：　but　rather　of　the　very　coarsest
of　all　other；　and　of　the　common　ordinary　colour；　to　expell　cold　onely；
but　not　to　appear　brave　or　gallant；　deceyving　thereby　infinite
simple　credulous　soules；　whose　purses　（neverthelesse）　are　their　best
pay…masters。
　　But　leave　we　this；　and　returne　wee　backe　to　vertuous　Fryar
Reynard；　who　falling　again&　to　his　former　appetites；　became　an　often
visitant　of　his　Gossip　Agnesia；　and　now　hee　had　learned　such　a
blushlesse　kinde　of　boldnesse；　that　he　durst　be　more　instant　with
her　（concerning　his　privie　sute）　then　ever　formerly　he　had　bin；　yea
even　to　solicite　the　enjoying　of　his　immodest　desires。　The　good
Gentlewoman；　seeing　her　selfe　so　importunately　pursued；　and　Friar
Reynard　appearing　now　（perhappes）　of　sweeter　and　more　delicate
complexion；　the　at　his　entrance　into　Religion：　at　a　set　time　of　his
secret　communing　with　her；　she　answered　him　in　as　apt　tearmes；　as　they
use　to　do；　who　are　not　greatly　sqeamish；　in　granting　matters
demanded　of　them。
　　Why　how　now　Friar　Reynard？　quoth　shee；　Doe　Godfathers　use　to　move
such　questions？　Whereto　the　Friar　thus　replyed。　Madam；　when　I　have
laide　off　this　holy　habite　（which　is　a　matter　very　easie　for　mee　to
do）　I　shall　seeme　in　your　eye；　in　all　respects　made　like　another
man；　quite　from　the　course　of　any　Religious　life。　Agnesia；　biting
the　lip　with　a　prety　smile；　said；　O　my　faire　Starres！　You　will　never
bee　so　unfriendly　to　me。　What？　You　being　my　Gossip；　would　you　have
me　consent　unto　such　a　sinne？　Our　blessed　Lady　shield　mee；　for　my
ghostly　Father　hath　often　told　me；　that　it　is　utterly　unpardonable：
but　if　it　were；　I　feare　too　much　confiding　on　mine　owne　strength。
Gossip；　the　Friar；　you　speake　like　a　Foole；　and　feare　（in　this　case）
is　wholly　frivolous；　especially；　when　the　motions　mooved　by　such　an
one　as　my　selfe；　who　（upon　repentance）　can　grant　you　pardon　and
indulgence　presently。　But　I　pray　you　let　mee　aske　you　one　question；
Who　is　the　neerest　Kinsman　to　your　Son；　either　I；　that　stood　at　the
Font　for　his　Baptisme；　or　your　Husband　that　begot　him？　The　Lady　made
answere；　that　it　was　her　Husband。　You　say　very　true　Gossip；　replyed
the　Friar；　and　yet　notwithstanding；　doth　not　your　Husband　（both　at
boord　and　bed）　enjoy　the　sweet　benefit　of　your　company？　Yes；　said
the　Lady；　why　shold　he　not？　Then　Lady　（quoth　Reynard）　I；　who　am　not　so
neere　a　Kinsman　to　your　Sonne；　as　your　Husband　is；　why　may　ye　not
afford　mee　the　like　favour；　as　you　do　him？　Agnesia；　who　was　no
Logitian；　and　therefore　could　not　stand　on　any　curious　answer；
especially　being　so　cuningly　moved；　beleeved；　or　rather　made　shew　of
beleeving；　that　the　Godfather　said　nothing　but　truth；　and　thus
answered。　What　woman　is　she　（Gossip）　that　knoweth　how　to　answer　your
strange　speeches？　And；　how　it　came　to　passe；　I　know　not；　but　such　an
agreement　passed　betweene　them；　that；　for　once　onely　（so　it　might
not　infrindge　the　league　of　Gossip…ship；　but　that　title　to　countenance
their　further　intent）　such　a　favour　should　be　affoorded；　so　it　might
stand　cleare　from　suspition。
　　An　especiall　time　being　appointed；　when　this　amorous　Combate
should　be　fought　in　loves　field；　Friar　Reynard　came　to　his　Gossips
house；　where　none　being　present　to　hinder　his　purpose；　but　onely　the
Nursse　which　attended　on　the　child；　who　was　an　indifferent　faire　and
proper　woman：　his　holy　brother　that　came　thither　in　his　company
（because　Friars　were　not　allowed　to　walke　alone）　was　sent　aside　with
her　into　the　Pigeon　loft；　to　enstruct　her　in　a　new　kinde　of　Pater
noster；　lately　devised　in　their　holy　Convent。　In　the　meane　while；　as
Friar　Reynard　and　Agnesia　were　entring　into　hir　chamber；　she　leading
her　little　son　by　the　hand；　and　making　fast　the　doore　for　their　better
safety：　the　Friar　laide　by　his　holie　habit；　Cowle；　Hood；　Booke；　and
Beads；　to　bee　（in　all　respects）　as　other　men　were。　No　sooner　were　they
thus　entred　the　Chamber；　but　her　husband　Credulano；　being　come　into
the　house；　and　unseen　of　any；　staid　not　till　he　was　at　the　Chamber
doore；　where　hee　knockt；　and　called　for　his　Wife。
　　She　hearing　his　voice：　Alas　Gossip　（quoth　she）　what　shall　I　do？　My
Husband　knocketh　at　the　doore；　and　now　he　will　perceive　the　occasion
of　our　so　familiar　acquaintance。　Reynard　being　stript　into　his
Trusse　and　straite　Strouses；　began　to　tremble　and　quake　exceedingly。　I
heare　your　Husbands　tongue　Gossip；　said　he；　and　seeing　no　harme　as　yet
hath　bin　done；　if　I　had　but　my　garments　on　againe；　wee　would　have
one　excuse　or　other　to　serve　the　turne；　but　till　then　you　may　not　open
the　doore。　As　womens　wits　are　sildome　gadding　abroad；　when　any
necessitie　concerneth　them　at　home：　even　so　Agnesia；　being　sodainly
provided　of　an　invention；　both　how　to　speake　and　carry　her　selfe　in
this　extreamitie；　saide　to　the　Friar。　Get　on　your　garments　quickely；
and　when　you　are　cloathed；　take　your　little　God…son　in　your　armes；　and
listning　wel　what　I　shall　say；　shape　your　answeres　according　to　my
words；　and　then　refer　the　matter　to　me。　Credulano　had　scarsely　ended
his　knocking；　but　Agnesia　stepping　to　the　doore　said：　Husband；　I
come　to　you。　So　she　opened　the　doore；　and　（going　forth　to　him）　with
a　chearefull　countenance　thus　spake。　Beleeve　me　Husband；　you　could　not
have　come　in　a　more　happy　time；　for　our　yong　Son　was　sudainly
extreamly　sicke；　and　（as　good　Fortune　would　have　it）　our　loving　Gossip
Reynard　chanced　to　come　in；　and　questionlesse；　but　by　his　good　prayers
and　other　religious　paynes；　we　had　utterly　lost　our　childe；　for　he　had
no　life　left　in　him。
　　Credulano；　being　as　credulous　as　his　name　imported；　seemed　ready
to　swoune　with　sodaine　conceit：　Alas　good　wife　（quoth　he）　how　hapned
this？　Sit　downe　sweet　Husband　said　she；　and　I　wil　tell　you　al。　Our
child　was　sodainly　taken　with　a　swouning；　wherein　I　being　unskilful；
did　verily　suppose　him　to　be　dead；　not　knowing　what　to　doe；　or　say。　By
good　hap；　our　Gossip　Reynard　came　in；　and　taking　the　childe　up　in
his　armes；　said　to　me。　Gossip；　this　is　nothing　else　but　Wormes　in
the　bellie　of　the　childe；　which　ascending　to　the　heart；　must　needs
kill　the　child；　without　all　question　to　the　contrary。　But　be　of　good
comfort　Gossip；　and　feare　not；　for　I　can　charme　them　in　such　sort；
that　they　shall　all　die；　and　before　I　depart　hence；　you　shall　see　your
Son　as　healthfull　as　ever。　And　because　the　maner　of　this　charm　is　of
such　nature；　that　it　required　prayer　and　exorcising　in　two　places　at
once：　Nurse　went　up　with　his　Holye　Brother　into　our　Pigeon　loft；　to
exercise　their　devotion　there；　while　we　did　the　like　heere。　For　none
but　the　mother　of　the　childe　must　bee　present　at　such　a　mystery；　nor
any　enter　to　hinder　the　operation　of　the　charme；　which　was　the
reason　of　making　fast　the　Chamber　doore。　You　shall　see　Husband　anon
the　Childe；　which　is　indifferently　recovered　in　his　armes；　and　if
Nurse　and　his　holy　Brother　were　returned　from　theyr　meditations；　he
saith；　that　the　charme　would　then　be　fully　effected：　for　the　child
beginneth　to　looke　chearefull　and　merry。
　　So　deerely　did　Credulano　love　the　childe；　that　hee　verily
beleeved；　what　his　Wife　had　saide；　never　misdoubting　any　other
treachery：　and；　lifting　up　his　eyes；　with　a　vehement　sigh；　said。　Wife；
may　not　I　goe　in　and　take　the　child　into　my　armes？　Oh　no；　not　yet　good
husband　（quoth　she）　in　any　case；　least　you　should　overthrow　all　that
is　done。　Stay　but　a　little　while；　I　will　go　in　againe；　and　if　all
bee　well；　then　will　I　call　you。　In　went　Agnesia　againe；　making　the
doore　fast　after　her；　the　Fryar　having　heard　all　the　passed
speeches；　by　this　time　he　was　fitted　with　his　habite；　and　taking　the
childe　in　his　armes；　he　said　to　Agnesia。　Gossip　methought　I　heard　your
Husbands　voice；　is　hee　at　your　Chamber　doore？　Yes　Gossip　Reynard
（quoth　Credulano　without；　while　Agnesia　opened　the　doore；　and　admitted
him　entrance）　indeede　it　is　I。　Come　in　Sir；　I　pray　you；　replyed　the
Friar；　and　heere　receive　your　childe　of　mee；　who　was　in　great
danger；　of　your　ever　seeing　him　any　more　alive。　But　you　must　take
order；　to　make　an　Image　of　waxe；　agreeing　with　the　stature　of　the
childe；　to　be　placed　on　the　Altar　before　the　Image　of　S。　Frances；　by
whose　merites　the　childe　is　thus　restored　to　health。
　　The　childe；　beholding　his　Father；　made　signes　of　comming　to　him；
rejoycing　merrily；　as　yong　infants　use　to　do；　and　Credulano　clasping
him　in　his　armes；　wept　with　conceite　of　joy；　kissing　him　infinitely；
and　heartily　thanking　his　Gossip　Reynard；　for　the　recovery　of　his
God…son。　The　Friars　brotherly　Companion；　who　had　given　sufficient
enstructions　to　the　Nurse；　and　a　small　purse　full　of　Sisters　white
thred；　which　a　Nunne　（after　shrift）　had　bestowed　on　him；　upon　the
husbands　admittance　into　the　Chamber　（which　they　easily　heard）　came　in
also　to　them；　and　seeing　all　in　very　good　tearmes；　they　holpe　to
make　a　joyfull　conclusion；　the　Brother　saying　to　Friar　Reynard：
Brother；　I　have　finished　all　those　foure　jaculatory　prayers；　which　you
commanded　me。
　　Brother；　answered　Reynard；　you　have　a　better　breath　then　I；　and　your
successe　hath　prooved　happier　then　mine；　for　before　the　arrivall　of　my
Gossip　Credulano；　I　could　accomplish　but　two　jaculatory　prayers　onely。
But　it　appeareth；　that　we　have　both　prevailed　in　our　devout　desire；
because　the　childe　is　perfectly　cured。　Credulano　calling　for　Wine
and　good　cheare；　feasted　both　the　Friars　very　jocondly；　and　then
conducting　them　forth　of　his　house；　without　any　further
intermission；　caused　the　childs　Image　of　waxe　to　be　made；　and　sent
it　to　be　placed　on　the　Altar　of　Saint　Frances；　among　many　other　the
like　oblations。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　SEVENTH　DAY；　THE　FOURTH　NOVELL

　　　　　　　　　WHEREIN　IS　MANIFESTED；　THAT　THE　MALICE　AND　SUBTILTY　OF
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　WOMAN；　SURPASSETH　ALL　THE　ART　OR　WIT　IN　MAN

　　Tofano　in　the　night　season；　did　locke　his　wife　out　of　his　house；　and
shee　not　prevailing　to　get　entrance　againe；　by　all　the　entreaties
she　could　possiblie　use：　made　him　beleeve　that　she　had　throwne　her
selfe　into　a　Well；　by　casting　a　great　stone　into　the　same　Well。　Tofano
hearing　the　fall　of　the　stone　into　the　Well；　and　being　perswaded
that　it　was　his　Wife　indeed；　came　forth　of　his　house；　and　ran　to　the
Welles　side。　In　the　meane　while；　his　wife　gotte　into　the　house；　made
fast　the　doore　against　her　Husband；　and　gave　bim　many　repro