the decameron(十日谈)-第108章

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shee　was　also　visited　by　Lambertuccio。　Her　Husband　returning　home　in
the　very　instant；　shee　caused　Lambertuccio　to　run　forth　with　a
drawne　sword　in　his　hand；　and　（by　that　meanes）　made　an　excuse
sufficient　for　Lionello　to　her　husband。

　　Wondrously　pleasing　to　all　the　company；　was　the　reported　Novell　of
Madame　Fiammetta；　every　one　applauding　the　Womans　wisedome；　and　that
she　had　done　no　more；　then　as　the　jealous　foole　her　husband　justly
deserved。　But　shee　having　ended；　the　King　gave　order　unto　Madame
Pampinea；　that　now　it　was　her　turne　to　speake；　whereupon；　thus　she
began。　There　are　no　meane　store　of　people　who　say　（though　very　false
and　foolishly；）　that　Love　maketh　many　to　be　out　of　their　wits；　and
that　such　as　fall　in　Love；　do　utterly　loose　their　understanding。　To
mee　this　appeareth　a　very　ydle　opinion；　as　already　hath　beene　approved
by　the　related　discourses；　and　shall　also　bee　made　manifest　by　another
of　mine　owne。
　　In　our　City　of　Florence；　famous　for　some　good；　though　as　many　bad
qualities；　there　dwelt　（not　long　since）　a　Gentlewoman；　endued　with
choice　beauty　and　admirable　perfections；　being　wife　to　Signior
Beltramo；　a　very　valiant　Knight；　and　a　man　of　great　possessions。　As
oftentimes　it　commeth　to　passe；　that　a　man　cannot　alwayes　feede　on　one
kind　of　bread；　but　his　appetite　will　be　longing　after　change：　so　fared
it　with　this　Lady；　named　Isabella；　she　being　not　satisfied　with　the
delights　of　her　Husband；　grew　enamoured　of　a　young　Gentleman；　called
Lionello；　compleate　of　person　and　commendable　qualities；　albeit　not　of
the　fairest　fortunes；　yet　his　affection　every　way　sutable　to　hers。　And
full　well　you　know　（faire　Ladies）　that　where　the　mindes　irreciprocally
accorded；　no　dilligence　wanteth　for　the　desires　execution：　so　this
amorous　couple；　made　many　solemne　protestations；　untill　they　should
bee　friended　by　opportunity。
　　It　fortuned　in　the　time　of　their　hopefull　expectation　a　Knight；
named　Signior　Lambertuccio；　fell　likewise　in　love　with　Isabella：　but
because　he　was　somewhat　unsightly　of　person；　and　utterly　unpleasing　in
the　eye；　she　grew　regardlesse　of　his　frequent　solicitings；　and　would
not　accept　either　tokens；　or　letters。　Which　when　hee　saw；　（being
very　rich　and　of　great　power）　hee　sought　to　compasse　his　intent　by　a
contrary　course；　threatning　her　with　scandall　and　disgrace　to　her
reputation；　and　with　his　associates　to　bandie　against　her　best
friends。　She　knowing　what　manner　of　man　he　was；　and　how　able　to
abuse　any　with　infamous　imputations；　wisely　returned　him　hopefull
promises；　though　never　meaning　to　performe　any；　but　onely
（Lady…like）　to　flatter　and　foole　him　therewith。
　　Some　few　miles　distant　from　Florence；　Beltramo　had　a　Castle　of
pleasure；　and　there　his　Lady　Isabella　used　to　live　all　Summer；　as
all　other　doe　the　like；　being　so　possessed。　On　a　day；　Beltramo　being
ridden　from　home；　and　she　having　sent　for　Lionello；　to　take　the
advantage　of　her　Husbands　absence；　accordingly　he　went；　not　doubting
but　to　winne　what　he　had　long　expected。　Signior　Lambertuccio　on　the
other　side；　meeting　Beltramo　riding　from　his　Castle；　and　Isabella
now　fit　to　enjoy　his　company：　gallops　thither　with　all　possible
speede；　because　hee　would　bee　no　longer　delayed。　Scarcely　was　Lionello
entred　the　Castle；　and　receiving　directions　by　the　waiting　woman；　to
her　Ladies　Chamber：　but　Lambertuccio　gallopped　in　at　the　Gate；　which
the　woman　perceiving；　ranne　presently　and　acquainted　her　Lady　with　the
comming　of　Lambertuccio。
　　Now　was　shee　the　onely　sorrowfull　woman　of　the　world；　for　nothing
was　now　to　bee　feared；　but　stormes　and　tempests；　because　Lambertuccio；
spake　no　other　then　Lightning　and　Thunder；　and　Lionello；　（being　no
lesse　affraide　then　shee）　by　her　perswasion　crept　behind　the　bed；
where　he　hid　himselfe　very　contentedly。　By　this　time　Lambertuccio
was　dismounted　from　his　Courser；　which　he　fastened　（by　the　bridle）
to　a　ring　in　the　wall；　and　then　the　waiting　woman　came　to　him；　to
guide　him　to　her　Lady　and　Mistresse：　who　stood　ready　at　the　staires
head；　graced　him　with　a　very　acceptable　welcome；　yet　marvelling　much
at　his　so　sodaine　comming。　Lady　（quoth　he）　I　met　your　Husband　upon　the
way；　which　granting　mine　accesse　to　see　you；　I　come　to　claime　your
long　delayed　promise；　the　time　being　now　so　favourable　for　it。
　　Before　he　had　uttered　halfe　these　words；　Beltramo；　having　forgot
an　especiall　evidence　in　his　Study；　which　was　the　onely　occasion　of
his　journey；　came　gallopping　backe　againe　into　the　Castell　Court；
and　seeing　such　a　goodly　Gelding　stand　fastened　there；　could　not
redily　imagine　who　was　the　owner　thereof。　The　waiting　woman；　upon
the　sight　of　her　Masters　entring　into　the　Court；　came　to　her　Lady；
saying：　My　Master　Beltramo　is　returned　back？；　newly　alighted；　and
（questionlesse）　comming　up　the　staires。　Now　was　our　Lady　Isabella；　ten
times　worse　affrighted　then　before；　（having　two　severall　amourous
suters　in　her　house；　both　hoping；　neither　speeding；　yet　her　credite
lying　at　the　stake　for　either）　by　this　unexpected　returne　of　her
Husband。　Moreover；　there　was　no　possible　meanes；　for　the　concealing　of
Signior　Lambertuccio；　because　his　Gelding　stood　in　the　open　Court；　and
therefore　made　a　shrewde　presumption　against　her；　upon　the　least
doubtfull　question　urged。
　　Neverthelesse；　as　womens　wits　are　alwayes　best　upon　sudden
constraints；　looking　forth　of　her　window；　and　espying　her　Husband
preparing　to　come　up：　she　threw　her　selfe　on　her　day　Couch；　speaking
thus　（earnestly）　to　Lambertuccio。　Sir；　if　ever　you　loved　mee；　and
would　have　me　faithfully　to　beleeve　it；　by　the　instant　safety　both
of　your　owne　honour；　and　my　life；　doe　but　as　I　advise　you。　Forth
draw　your　Sword；　and；　with　a　stearne　countenance；　threatning　death　and
destruction：　run　downe　the　staires；　and　when　you　are　beneath；　say。　I
sweare　by　my　best　fortunes；　although　I　misse　of　thee　now　heere；　yet
I　will　be　sure　to　finde　thee　some　where　else。　And　if　my　Husband
offer　to　stay　you；　or　moove　any　question　to　you：　make　no　other
answere；　but　what　you　formerly　spake　in　fury。　Beside；　so　soone　as
you　are　mounted　on　horsebacke；　have　no　further　conference　with　him；
upon　any　occasion　whatsoever；　to　prevent　all　suspition　in　him；　of
our　future　intendments。
　　Lambertuccio　sware　many　terrible　oathes；　to　observe　her　directions
in　every　part；　and　having　drawne　forth　his　Sword；　grasping　it　naked　in
his　hand；　and　setting　worse　lookes　on　the　businesse；　then　ever
nature　gave　him；　because　he　had　spent　so　much　labour　in　vaine；　he
failed　not　in　a　jot　of　the　Ladies　injunction。　Beltramo　having
commanded　his　horse　to　safe　custody；　and　meeting　Lambertuccio
discending　downe　the　staires；　so　armed；　swearing；　and　most
extreamely　storming；　wondring　extraordinarily　at　his　threatning　words；
made　offer　to　imbrace　him。；　and　understand　the　reason　of　his
distemper。　Lambertuccio　repulsing　him　rudely；　and　setting　foote　in　the
stirrup；　mounted　on　his　Gelding；　and　spake　nothing　else　but　this。　I
sweare　by　the　fairest　of　all　my　fortunes；　although　I　misse　of　thee
heere：　yet　I　will　be　sure　to　find　thee　some　where　else；　and　so　he
gallopped　mainely　away。
　　When　Beltramo　was　come　up　into　his　wives　Chamber；　hee　found　her　cast
downe　upon　her　Couch；　weeping；　full　of　feare；　and　greatly
discomforted；　wherefore　he　said　unto　her；　What　is　hee　that　Signior
Lambertuccio　is　so　extreamely　offended　withall；　and　threatneth　in　such
implacable　manner？　The　Lady　arising　from　her　Couch；　and　going　neere　to
the　Bed；　because　Lionello　might　the　better　heare　her；　returned　her
Husband　this　answere。　Husband　（quoth　she）　never　was　I　so　dreadfully
affrighted　till　now；　for；　a　young　Gentleman；　of　whence；　or　what　he　is；
I　know　not；　came　running　into　our　Castle　for　rescue；　being　pursued
by　Signior　Lambertuccio；　a　weapon　ready　drawne　in　his　hand。
Ascending　up　our　stayres；　by　what　fortune；　I　know　not；　he　found　my
Chamber　doore　standing　open；　finding　me　also　working　on　my　Sampler；
and　in　wonderfull　feare　and　trembling。
　　Good　Madame　（quoth　hee）　for　Gods　sake　helpe　to　save　my　life；　or　else
I　shall　be　slaine　heere　in　your　Chamber。　Hearing　his　pittious　cry；　and
compassionating　his　desperate　case；　I　arose　from　my　worke；　and　in　my
demaunding　of　whence；　and　what　he　was；　that　durst　presume　so　boldly
into　my　bed…chamber：　presently　came　up　Signior　Lambertuccio　also；　in
the　same　uncivill　sorte；　as　before　I　tolde　you；　swaggering　and
swearing；　where　is　this　traiterous　villaine？　Heereupon；　I　stept
（somewhat　stoutly）　to　my　Chamber　doore；　and　as　hee　offered　to　enter；
with　a　womans　courage　I　resisted　him；　which　made　him　so　much　enraged
against　mee；　that　when　hee　saw　mee　to　debarre　his　entrance；　after　many
terrible　and　vile　oathes　and　vowes；　hee　ranne　downe　the　stayres
againe；　in　such　like　manner　as　you　chaunced　to　meete　him。
　　Now　trust　mee　deare　wife　（said　Beltramo）　you　behaved　your　selfe　very
well　and　worthily：　for；　it　would　have　beene　a　most　notorious
scandall　to　us；　if　a　man　should　bee　slaine　in　your　bed…chamber：　and
Signior　Lambertuccio　carryed　himselfe　most　dishonestly；　to　pursue
any　man　so　outragiously；　having　taken　my　Castle　as　his　Sanctuary。
But　alas　wife；　what　is　become　of　the　poore　affrighted　Gentleman？
Introth　Sir　（quoth　she）　I　know　not；　but　（somewhere　or　other）
heereabout　hee　is　hidden。　Where　art　you　honest　friend〃　said　plaine
meaning　Beltramo；　Come　forth　and　feare　not；　for　thine　enemy　is　gone。
　　Lionello；　who　had　heard　all　the　forepassed　discourse；　which　shee　had
delivered　to　her　Husband　Beltramo；　came　creeping　forth　amazedly　（as
one　now　very　fearefully　affrighted　indeede）　from　under　the　further
side　of　the　bedde；　and　Beltramo　saide　to　him；　What　a　quarrell　was
this；　between　thee　and　furious　Lambertuccio？　Not　any　at　all　Sir；
replyed　Lionello；　to　my　knowledge；　which　verily　perswadeth　me；　that
either　he　is　not　well　in　his　wits；　or　else　he　mistaketh　me　for　some
other；　because；　so　soone　as　he　saw　me　on　the　way；　somewhat　neere　to
this　your　Castle；　he　drew　forth　hi　Sword；　and　swearing　an　horrible
oath；　said。　Traitor　thou　art　a　dead　man。　Upon　these　rough　words；　I
stayed　not　to　question　the　occasion　of　mine　offending　him：　but　fied
from　him　so　fast　as　possibly　I　could；　but　confesse　my　selfe
（indeede）　over…bold；　by　presuming　into　your　Ladies　bed　chamber；
which　yet　（equalled　with　her　mercie）　hath　bin　the　onely　meanes　at　this
time；　of　saving　my　life　She　hath　done　like　a　good　Lady；　answered
Beltramo；　and　I　do　verie　much　commend　her　for　it。　But；　recollect　thy
dismayed　spirits　together；　for　I　will　see　thee　safely　secured
lience；　afterward；　looke　to　thy　selfe　so　well　as　thou　canst。　Dinner
being　immediately　made　ready；　and　they　having　merrily　feasted
together：　he　bestowed　a　good　Gelding　on　Lionello；　and　rode　along
with　him　to　Florence；　where　he　left　him　quietly　in　his　owne　lodging。
The　selfe…same　Evening　（according　as　Isabella　had　given　enstruction）
Lionello　conferred　with　Lambertuccio：　and　such　an　agreement　passed
betweene　them；　that　though　some　rough　speeches　were　noised　abroad；
to　set　the　better　colour　on　the　businesse；　yet　al　matters　were　so
cleanly　carried；　that　Beltramo　never　knew　this　queint　deceitfull
policy　of　his　Wife。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　SEVENTH　DAY；　THE　SEVENTH　NOVELL

　　　　　　WHEREBY　IS　DECLARED；　THAT　SUCH　AS　KEEPE　MANY　HONE