the decameron(十日谈)-第109章

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　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　SEVENTH　DAY；　THE　SEVENTH　NOVELL

　　　　　　WHEREBY　IS　DECLARED；　THAT　SUCH　AS　KEEPE　MANY　HONEST　SEEMING
　　　　　　　　SERVANTS；　MAY　SOMETIME　FINDE　A　KNAVE　AMONG　THEM；　AND　ONE
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THAT　PROVES　TO　BE　OVERSAWCY　WITH　HIS　MASTER

　　Losovico　discovered　to　his　Mistresse　Madame　Beatrix；　how　amorously
he　was　affected　to　her。　She　cunningly　sent　Egano　her　Husband　into
his　garden；　in　all　respects　disguised　like　her　selfe；　while　（friendly）
Lodovico　conferred　with　her　in　the　meane　while。　Afterward；　Lodovico
pretending　a　lascivious　allurement　of　his　Mistresse；　thereby　to
wrong　his　honest　Master；　insted　of　her；　beateth　Egano　soundly　in　the
Garden。

　　This　so　sodaine　dexterity　of　wit　in　Isabella；　related　in　verie
modest　manner　by　Madame　Pampinea；　was　not　onely　admired　by　all　the
company；　but　likewise　passed　with　as　generall　approbation。　But　yet
Madam　Philomena　（whom　the　King　had　commanded　next　to　succeede）
peremptorily　sayde。　Worthy　Ladies；　if　I　am　not　deceived；　I　intend　to
tell　you　another　Tale　presently；　as　much　to　be　commended　as　the　last。
　　You　are　to　understand　then；　that　it　is　no　long　while　since；　when
there　dwelt　in　Paris　a　Florentine　Gentleman；　who　falling　into　decay　of
his　estate；　by　over…bountifull　expences；　undertooke　the　degree　of　a
Merchant；　and　thrived　so　well　by　his　trading；　that　he　grew　to　great
wealth；　having　one　onely　sonne　by　his　wife；　named　Lodovico。　This
Sonne；　partaking　somewhat　in　his　Fathers　former　height　of　minde；　and
no　way　inclineable　to　deale　in　Merchandize；　had　no　meaning　to　be　a
Shopman；　and　therefore　accompanied　the　Gentlemen　of　France；　in
sundry　services　for　the　King；　among　whom；　by　his　singular　good
carriage　and　qualites；　he　happened　to　be　not　meanly　esteemed。　While
thus　he　continued　in　the　Court；　it　chanced；　that　certaine　Knights；
returning　from　Jerusalem；　having　there　visited　the　holy　Sepulcher；　and
comming　into　company　where　Lodovico　was：　much　familiar　discourse
passed　amongst　them；　concerning　the　faire　women　of　France；　England；
and　other　parts　of　the　world　where　they　had　bin；　and　what　delicate
beauties　they　had　seene。
　　One　in　the　company　constantly　avouched；　that　of　all　the　Women　by
them　so　generally　observed；　there　was　not　any　comparable　to　the　Wife
of　Egano　de　Galluzzi；　dwelling　in　Bologna；　and　her　name　Madam　Beatrix；
reputed　to　be　the　onely　faire　woman　of　the　world。　Many　of　the　rest
maintained　as　much；　having　bin　at　Bologna；　and　likewise　seene　her。
Lodovico　hearing　the　woman　to　be　so　highly　commended；　and　never　（as
yet）　feeling　any　thought　of　amorous　inclination；　became　sodainely
toucht　with　an　earnest　desire　of　seeing　her；　and　his　minde　could
entertaine　no　other　matter；　but　onely　of　travailing　thither　to　see
her；　yea；　and　to　continue　there；　if　occasion　so　served。　The　reason　for
his　journey　urged　to　his　Father；　was　to　visit　Jerusalem；　and　the
holy　Sepulcher；　which　with　much　difficulty；　at　length　he　obtained
his　leave。
　　Being　on　his　journey　towards　Bologna；　by　the　name　of　Anichino；　and
not　of　Lodovico；　and　being　there　arrived；　upon　the　day　following；
and　having　understood　the　place　of　her　abiding：　it　was　his　good　happe；
to　see　the　Lady　at　her　Window；　she　appearing　in　his　eye　farre　more
faire；　then　all　reports　had　made　her　to　be。　Heereupon；　his　affection
became　so　enflamed　to　her；　as　he　vowed；　never　to　depart　from
Bologna；　untill　he　had　obtained　her　love。　And　devising　by　what
meanes　he　might　effect　his　hopes；　he　grew　perswaded　（setting　all　other
attempts　aside）　that　if　he　could　be　entertained　into　her　Husbands
service；　and　undergo　some　businesse　in　the　house；　time　might　tutor　him
to　obtaine　his　desire。　Having　given　his　attendants　sufficient
allowance；　to　spare　his　company；　and　take　no　knowledge　of　him；　selling
his　Horses　also；　and　other　notices　which　might　discover　him：　he　grew
into　acquaintance　with　the　Hoste　of　the　house　where　he　lay；
revealing　an　earnest　desire　in　himselfe；　to　serve　som　Lord　or　worthy
Gentleman；　if　any　were　willing　to　give　him　entertainment。
　　Now　beleeve　me　Sir　（answered　the　Hoste）　you　seeme　worthy　to　have　a
good　service　indeede；　and　I　know　a　Noble　Gentleman　of　this　Cittie；　who
is　named　Egano：　he　will　（without　all　question）　accept　your　offer；
for　hee　keepeth　many　men　of　verie　good　deserving；　and　you　shall　have
my　furtherance　therein　so　much　as　may　be。　As　he　promised；　so　he
performed；　and　taking　Anichino　with　him　unto　Egano：　so　farre　he
prevailed　by　his　friendly　protestations；　and　good　opinion　of　the　young
Gentleman；　that　Anichino　was　（without　more　ado）　accepted　in　Eganoes
service；　then　which；　nothing　could　be　more　pleasing　to　him。　Now　had　he
the　benefit　of　dayly　beholding　his　hearts　Mistresse；　and　so　acceptable
proved　his　service　to　Egano；　that　he　grew　very　farre　in　love　with　him：
not　undertaking　any　affayres　whatsoever；　without　the　advice　and
direction　of　Anichino；　so　that　he　reposed　his　most　especiall　trust
in　him；　as　a　man　altogether　governed　by　him。
　　It　fortuned　upon　a　day；　that　Egano　being　ridden　to　flye　his　Hawke　at
the　River；　and　Anichino　remaining　behinde　at　home；　Madame　Beatrix；　who
（as　yet）　had　taken　no　notice　of　Anichinoes　love　to　her　（albeit　her
selfe；　observing　his　faire　carriage　and　commendable　qualities；　was
highly　pleased　to　have　so　seeming　a　servant）　called　him　to　play　at　the
Chesse　with　her：　and　Anichino；　coveting　nothing　more　then　to　content
her；　carried　himselfe　so　dexteriously　in　the　game；　that　he　permitted
hir　still　to　win；　which　was　no　little　joy　to　her。　When　all　the
Gentlewomen；　and　other　friends　there　present；　as　spectators　to
behold　their　play；　had　taken　their　farewell；　and　were　departed；
leaving　them　all　alone；　yet　gaming　still：　Anichino　breathing　forth
an　intire　sigh；　Madame　Beatrix　looking　merrily　on　him；　said。　Tell　me
Anichino；　art　not　thou　angrie；　to　see　me　win？　It　should　appeare　so
by　that　solemne　sigh。　No　truly　Madame；　answered　Anichino；　a　matter
of　farre　greater　moment；　then　losse　of　infinite　games　at　the　Chesse；
was　the　occasion　why　I　sighed。　I　pray　thee　（replyed　the　Lady）　by　the
love　thou　bearest　me；　as　being　my　Servant　（if　any　love　at　all　remain
in　thee　towards　me）　give　me　a　reason　for　that　harty　sigh。
　　When　he　heard　himselfe　so　severely　conjured；　by　the　love　he　bare
to　her；　and　loved　none　else　in　the　world　beside：　he　gave　a　farre
more　hart…sicke　sigh；　then　before。　Then　his　Lady　and　Mistresse
entreated　him　seriously；　to　let　her　know　the　cause　of　those　two
deepe　sighes：　whereto　Anichino　thus　replyed。　Madam；　if　I　should　tell
you；　I　stand　greatly　in　feare　of　offending　you：　and　when　I　have　told
you；　I　doubt　your　discovery　thereof　to　some　other。　Beleeve　me　Anichino
（quoth　she）　therein　thou　neither　canst；　or　shalt　offend　me。
Moreover；　assure　thy　selfe；　that　I　will　never　disclose　it　to　any
other；　except　I　may　do　it　with　thy　consent。　Madame　（saide　hee）
seeing　you　have　protested　such　a　solemne　promise　to　mee；　I　will
reveale　no　meane　secret　unto　you。
　　So；　with　teares　standing　in　his　eyes；　he　told　her　what　he　was；　where
he　heard　the　first　report　of　her　singular　perfections；　and　instantly
becam　enamored　of　her；　as　the　maine　motive　of　his　entring　into　her
service。　Then；　most　humbly　he　entreated　her；　that　if　it　might　agree
with　her　good　liking；　she　would　be　pleased　to　commisserate　his　case；
and　grace　him　with　her　private　favours。　Or；　if　shee　might　not　be　so
mercifull　to　him；　that　yet　she　would　vouchsafe；　to　let　him　live　in　the
lowly　condition　as　he　did；　and　thinke　it　a　thankefull　duty　in　him；
onely　to　love　her。　O　singular　sweetnesse；　naturally　living　in　faire
feminine　blood！　How　justly　art　thou　worthy　of　praise　in　the　like
occasions？　Thou　couldst　never　be　wonne　by　sighes　and　teares；　but
hearty　imprecations　have　alwayes　prevailed　with　thee；　making　thee
apt　and　easie　to　amorous　desires。　If　I　had　praises　answerable　to　thy
great　and　glorious　deservings；　my　voice　should　never　faint；　nor　my　pen
waxe　weary；　in　the　due　and　obsequious　performance　of　them。
　　Madam　Beatrix；　well　observing　Anichino　when　he　spake；　and　giving
credit　to　his　so　solemne　protestations；　they　were　so　powerfull　in
prevailing　with　her；　that　her　senses　（in　the　same　manner）　were
enchanted；　and　sighes　flew　as　violently　from　her；　as　before　he　had
vented　them：　which　stormy　tempest　being　a　little　over…blowne；　thus　she
spake。　Anichino；　my　hearts　deere　affected　Friend；　live　in　hope；　for
I　tell　thee　truly；　never　could　gifts；　promises；　nor　any　Courtings　used
to　me　by　Lords；　Knights；　Gentlemen；　or　other　（although　I　have　bin
solicited　by　many）　winne　the　lest　grace　or　favour　at　my　hand；　no；
nor　move　me　to　any　affection。　But　thou；　in　a　minute　of　time
（compared　with　their　long　and　tedious　suing）　hast　expressed　such　a
soveraigne　potency　in　thy　sweet　words；　that　thou　hast　made　me　more
thine；　then　mine　owne：　and　beleeve　it　unfeinedly；　I　hold　thee　to　be
worthy　of　my　love。　Wherefore；　with　this　kisse　I　freely　give　it　thee；
and　make　thee　a　further　promise；　that　before　this　night　shall　be　fully
past；　thou　shalt　in　better　manner　perceive　it。　Adventure　into　my
Chamber　about　the　houre　of　midnight；　I　will　leave　the　doore　open：　thou
knowest　on　which　side　of　the　bed　I　use　to　rest；　come　thither　and　feare
not：　if　I　sleep；　the　least　gentle　touch　of　thy　hand　will　wake　me；
and　then　thou　shalt　see　how　much　I　love　thee。　So；　with　a　kinde　kisse
or　two；　the　bargaine　was　concluded；　she　licensing　his　departure　for
that　rime；　and　he　staying　in　hope　of　his　hearts　happinesse；　till　when；
he　thought　every　houre　a　yeare。
　　In　the　meane　while；　Egano　returned　home　from　Hawking；　and　so　soone
as　he　had　supt　（being　very　weary）　he　went　to　bed；　and　his　Ladie
likewise　with　him；　leaving　her　Chamber　doore　open；　according　as　she
had　promised。　At　the　houre　appointed；　Anichino　came；　finding　the　doore
but　easily　put　too；　which　（being　entred）　softly　he　closed　againe；　in
the　same　manner　as　he　found　it。　Going　to　the　beds　side　where　the
Lady　lay；　and　gently　touching　her　brest　with　his　hand；　he　found　her　to
be　awake；　and　perceiving　he　was　come　according　unto　promise；　shee
caught　his　hand　fast　with　hers；　and　held　him　very　strongly。　Then；
turning　（as　she　could）　towards　Egano；　she　made　such　meanes；　as　hee
awaked；　whereupon　she　spake　unto　him　as　followeth。
　　Sir；　yesternight　I　would　have　had　a　fewe　speeches　with　you：　but；
in　regard　of　your　wearinesse　and　early　going　to　bed；　I　could　not
have　any　opportunity。　Now；　this　time　and　place　being　most
convenient；　I　desire　to　bee　resolved　by　you：　Among　all　the　men
retained　into　your　service；　which　of　them　do　you　thinke　to　be　the
best；　most　loyall；　and　worthiest　to　enjoy　your　love？　Egano　answered
thus：　Wife；　why　should　you　move　such　a　question　to　me？　Do　not　you
know；　that　I　never　had　any　servant　heeretofore；　or　ever　shall　have
heereafter；　in　whom　I　reposed　the　like　trust　as　I　have　done；　and　do　in
Anichino？　But　to　what　end　is　this　motion　of　yours？　I　will　tell　you　Sir
（quoth　she）　and　then　be　Judge　your　self；　whether　I　have　reason　to　move
this　question；　or　no。　Mine　opinion　every　way　equalled　yours；
concerning　Anichino；　and　that　he　was　more　just　and　faithfull　to　you；
then　any　could　be　amongest　all　the　rest：　But　Husband；　like　as　where
the　water　runneth　stillest；　the　Foord　is　deepest；　even　so；　his
smooth　lookes　have　beguiled　both　you　and　me。　For；　no　lo