the decameron(十日谈)-第118章

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wishing　all　other　（of　her　minde）　might　alwaies　be　so　served。　Then
the　Queene；　smiling　on　Pamphilus；　commaunded　him　to　follow　next：
whereupon；　thus　he　began。
　　I　can　tell　you　（faire　Ladies）　a　short　Novell；　against　such　as　are
continually　offensive　to　us；　yet　we　being　no　way　able　to　offend　him；
at　least；　in　the　same　manner　as　they　do　injurie　us。　And　for　your
better　understanding　what　and　who　they　be；　they　are　our　lusty　Priests；
who　advance　their　Standard；　and　make　their　publike　predications
against　our　wives；　winning　such　advantage　over　them；　that　they　can
pardon　them　both　of　the　sinne　and　punnishment；　whensoever　they　are
once　subjected　unto　theyr　perswasions；　even　as　if　they　brought　the
Soldane　bound　and　captived；　from　Alexandria　to　Avignon。　Which
imperious　power；　we　（poore　soules）　cannot　exercise　on　them；
considering；　we　have　neither　heart　nor　courage；　to　do　our　devoire　in
just　revenge　on　their　Mothers；　Sisters；　Daughters；　and　Friends；　with
the　like　spirit　as　they　rise　in　armes　against　our　wives。　And
therefore；　I　meane　to　tell　you　a　tale　of　a　Country　mans　wife；　more
to　make　you　laugh　at　the　conclusion　thereof；　then　for　any
singularity　of　words　or　matter：　yet　this　benefite　you　may　gaine
thereby；　of　an　apparant　proofe；　that　such　Sinamon；　amorous　and
perswading　Priests；　are　not　alwayes　to　be　credited　on　their　words　or
promises。
　　Let　me　then　tell　you；　that　at　Varlungo；　which　you　know　to　bee　not
farre　distant　hence；　there　dwelt　an　youthfull　Priest；　lustie；　gallant；
and　proper　of　person　（especially　for　Womens　service）　commonly　called
by　the　name　of　sweet　Sir　Simon。　Now；　albeit　he　was　a　man　of　slender
reading；　yet　notwithstanding；　he　had　store　of　Latine　sentences　by
heart；　some　true；　but　twice　so　many　maimed　and　false；　Saint…like
shewes；　holy　speeches；　and　ghostly　admonitions；　which　hee　would　preach
under　an　Oake　in　the　fields；　when　he　had　congregated　his
Parishioners　together。　When　women　lay　in　childebed；　hee　was　their
daily　comfortable　visitant；　and　would　man　them　from　their　houses；　when
they　had　any　occasion　to　walke　abroad：　carrying　alwaies　a　bottle　of
holy　water　about　him；　wherewith　he　would　sprinkle　them　by　the　way；
peeces　of　halowed　Candles；　and　Chrisome　Cakes；　which　pleased　women
extraordinarily；　and　all　the　Country　affoorded　not　such　another
frolicke　Priest；　as　this　our　nimble　and　active　sweet　Sir　Simon。
　　Among　many　other　of　his　feminine　Parishioners；　all　of　them　being
hansome　and　comely　Women：　yet　there　was　one　more　pleasing　in　his
wanton　eye；　then　any　of　the　rest；　named　Monna　Belcolore；　and　wife　to　a
plaine　mecanicke　man；　called　Bentivegna　del　Mazzo。　And；　to　speake
uprightly；　few　Countrey　Villages　yeelded　a　Woman；　more　fresh　and
lovely　of　complexion；　although　not　admirable　for　beauty；　yet　sweete
Sir　Simon　thoght　her　a　Saint；　and　faine　would　be　offering　at　her
shrine。　Divers　prety　pleasing　qualities　she　had；　as　sounding　the
Cymball；　playing　artificially　on　the　Timbrill；　and　singing　thereto
as　it　had　beene　a　Nightingale；　dancing　also　so　dexteriously；　as
happy　was　the　man　that　could　dance　in　her　company。　All　which　so
enflamed　sweet　Sir　Simon；　that　he　lost　his　wonted　sprightly　behaviour；
walked　sullen；　sad　and　melancholly；　as　if　he　had　melted　all　his
mettall；　because　hee　could　hardly　have　a　sight　of　her。　But　on　the
Sonday　morning；　when　hee　heard　or　knew　that　she　was　in　the　Church；　hee
would　tickle　it　with　a　Kyrie　and　a　Sancsingular　skill　in　singing；　when
it　had　beene　as　good　to　heare　an　Asse　bray。　Whereas　on　the　contrary；
when　she　came　not　to　Church　Masse；　and　all　else　were　quicklie　shaken
uppe；　as　if　his　devotion　waited　onely　on　her　presence。　Yet　he　was　so
cunning　in　the　carriage　of　his　amorous　businesse；　both　for　her　credite
and　his　owne；　as　Bentivegna　her　husband　could　not　perceive　it；　or
any　neighbor　so　much　as　suspect　it。
　　But；　to　compaise　more　familiar　acquaintance　with　Belcolore；　hee　sent
her　sundry　gifts　and　presents；　day　by　day；　as　sometime　a　bunch　of
dainty　greene　Garlicke；　whereof　he　had　plenty　growing　in　his　Garden；
which　he　manured　with　his　owne　hands；　and　better　then　all　the　countrey
yeelded；　otherwhiles　a　small　basket　of　Pease　or　Benes；　and　Onyons　or
Scallions；　as　the　season　served。　But　when　he　could　come　in　place　where
she　was；　then　he　darted　amourous　wincks　and　glances　at　her；　with
becks；　nods；　and　blushes；　Loves　private　Ambassadours；　which　shee
（being　but　countrey…bred）　seeming　by　outward　appearance；　not　to　see；
retorted　disdainefully；　and　forthwith　would　absent　her　selfe；　so
that　sweet　Sir　Simon　laboured　still　in　vaine；　and　could　not　compasse
what　he　coveted。
　　It　came　to　passe　within　a　while　after；　that　on　a　time；　（about　high
noone）　Sir　Simon　being　walking　abroad；　chanced　to　meete　with
Bentivegna；　driving　an　Asse　before　him；　laden　with　divers　commodities；
and　demaunding　of　him；　whither　he　went；　Bentivegna；　thus　answered。
In　troth　Sir　Simon；　I　am　going　to　the　City；　about　some　especiall
businesse　of　mine　owne；　and　I　carry　these　things　to　Signior
Bonacorci　da　Ginestreto；　because　he　should　helpe　me　before　the
Judge；　when　I　shall　be　called　in　question　concerning　my　patrimony。　Sir
Simon　looking　merily　on　him；　said。　Thou　doest　well　Bentivegna；　to　make
a　friend　sure　before　thou　need　him；　goe；　take　my　blessing　with　thee；
and　returne　againe　with　good　successe。　But　if　thou　meet　with　Laguccio；
or　Naldino；　forget　not　to　tell　them；　that　they　must　bring　me　my
shooe…tyes　before　Sunday。　Bentivegna　said；　hee　would　discharge　his
errand；　and　so　parted　from　him；　driving　his　Asse　on　towards　Florence。
　　Now　began　Sir　Simon　to　shrug；　and　scratch　his　head；　thinking　this　to
be　a　fit　convenient　time；　for　him　to　goe　visite　Belcolore；　and　to　make
triall　of　his　fortune：　wherefore；　setting　aside　all　other　businesse；
he　stayed　no　where　till　he　came　to　the　house；　whereinto　being
entred；　he　saide：　All　happinesse　be　to　them　that　dwell　heere。
Belcolore　being　then　above　in　the　Chamber；　when　she　heard　his
tongue；　replyed。　Sweet　Sir　Simon！　you　are　heartely　welcome；　whether
are　you　walking；　if　the　question　may　bee　demaunded？　Beleeve　me
dainty　Ducke；　answered　Sir　Simon；　I　am　come　to　sit　a　while　with
thee；　because　I　met　thy　Husband　going　to　the　Citie。　By　this　time；
Belcolore　was　descended　downe　the　stayres；　and　having　once　againe
given　welcome　to　Sir　Simon；　she　sate　downe　by　him；　cleansing　of
Colewort　seeds　from　such　other　course　chaffe；　which　her　Husband　had
prepared　before　his　departure。
　　Sir　Simon　hugging　her　in　his　armes；　and　fetching　a　vehement　sigh；
said。　My　Belcolore；　how　long　shall　I　pine　and　languish　for　thy　love？
How　now　Sir　Simon？　answered　she；　is　this　behaviour　fitting　for　an　holy
man？　Holy…men　Belcolore；　（quoth　Sir　Simon）　are　made　of　the　same　matter
as　others　be；　they　have　the　same　affections；　and　therefore　subject
to　their　infirmities。　Santa　Maria；　answered　Belcolore；　Dare　Priests
doe　such　things　as　you　talke　of？　Yes　Belcolore　（quoth　he）　and　much
better　then　other　men　can；　because　they　are　made　for　the　very　best
businesse；　in　which　regard　they　are　restrained　from　marriage。　True
（quoth　Belcolore）　but　much　more　from　medling　with　other　mens　wives。
Touch　not　that　Text　Belcolore；　replyed　Sir　Simon；　it　is　somewhat　above
your　capacity：　talke　of　that　I　come　for；　namely　thy　love；　my　Ducke；
and　my　Dove；　Sir　Simon　is　thine；　I　pray　thee　be　mine。
　　Belcolore　observing　his　smirking　behaviour；　his　proper　person；
pretty　talke；　and　queint　insinuating；　felt　a　motion　to　female　frailty；
which　yet　she　would　withstand　so　long　as　she　could；　and　not　be
over…hasty　in　her　yeelding。　Sir　Simon　promiseth　her　a　new　paire　of
shoes；　garters；　ribbands；　girdles；　or　what　else　she　would　request。　Sir
Simon　（quoth　she）　all　these　things　which　you　talke　of；　are　fit　for
women：　but　if　your　love　to　mee　be　such　as　you　make　choice　of；
fulfill　what　I　will　motion　to　you；　and　then　（perhaps）　I　shall　tell　you
more。　Sir　Simons　heate　made　him　hasty　to　promise　whatsoever　she
would　desire；　whereupon；　thus　shee　replyed。　On　Saturday；　said　she；　I
must　goe　to　Florence；　to　carry　home　such　yarne　as　was　sent　me　to
spinne；　and　to　amend　my　spinning　wheele：　if　you　will　lend　mee　ten
Florines；　wherewith　I　know　you　are　alwayes　furnished；　I　shall
redeeme　from　the　Usurer　my　best　peticote；　and　my　wedding　gowne　（both
well　neere　lost　for　lacke　of　repaiment）　without　which　I　cannot　be
seene　at　Church；　or　in　any　other　good　place　else；　and　then　afterward
other　matters　may　be　accomplished。
　　Alas　sweete　Belcolore　answered　Sir　Simon；　I　never　beare　any　such　sum
about　me；　for　men　of　our　profession；　doe　seldome　carry　any　money　at
all：　but　beleeve　me　on　my　word；　before　Saturday　come；　I　will　not　faile
to　bring　them　hither。　Oh　Sir　（quoth　Belcolore）　you　men　are　quicke
promisers；　but　slow　performers。　Doe　you　thinke　to　use　me；　as　poore
Billezza　was；　who　trusted　to　as　faire　words；　and　found　her　selfe
deceived？　Now　Sir　Simon；　her　example　in　being　made　scandall　to　the
world；　is　a　sufficient　warning　for　me：　if　you　be　not　so　provided；
goe　and　make　use　of　your　friend；　for　I　am　not　otherwise　to　be　moved。
Nay　Belcolore　（quoth　he）　I　hope　you　will　not　serve　me　so；　but　my
word　shall　be　of　better　worth　with　you。　Consider　the　conveniency　of
time；　wee　being　so　privately　here　alone：　whereas　at　my　returning
hither　againe；　some　hinderance　may　thwart　me；　and　the　like　opportunity
be　never　obtained。　Sir；　she）　you　have　heard　my　resolution；　if　you　will
fetche　the　Florines；　doe；　otherwise；　walke　about　your　businesse；　for　I
am　a　woman　of　my　word。
　　Sir　Simon　perceiving；　that　she　would　not　trust　him　upon　bare
words；　nor　any　thing　was　to　be　done；　without　Salvum　me　fac；　whereas
his　meaning　was　Sine　custodia；　thus　answered。　Well　Belcolove；　seeing
you　dare　not　credit　my　bringing　the　tenne　Florines；　according　to　my
promised　day：　I　will　leave　you　a　good　pawne；　my　very　best　Cloake；
lyned　quite　thorough　with　rich　Silke；　and　made　up　in　the　choysest
manner。
　　Belcolore　looking　on　the　Cloake；　said。　How　much　may　this　Cloake
bee　worth？　How　much？　quoth　Sir　Simon；　upon　my　word　Belcolore；　it　is　of
a　right　fine　Flanders　Serdge；　and　not　above　eight　dayes　since；　I
bought　it　thus　（ready　made）　of　Lotto　the　Fripperer；　and　payed　for　it
sixe　and　twenty　Florines；　a　pledge　then　sufficient　for　your　ten。　Is　it
possible；　said　shee；　that　it　should　cost　so　much？　Well；　Sir　Simon；
deliver　it　me　first；　I　will　lay　it　up　safe　for　you　against　Saturday；
when　if　you　fetch　it　not；　I　will　redeeme　mine　owne　things　with　it；　and
leave　you　to　release　it　your　selfe。
　　The　Cloake　is　laid　up　by　Belcolore；　and　Sir　Simon　so　forward　in
his　affection；　that　（in　briefe）　he　enjoyed　what　hee　came　for；　and
departed　afterward　in　his　light　tripping　Cassocke；　but　yet　thorow
by…Lanes；　and　no　much　frequented　places；　smelling　on　a　Nosegay；　as
if　hee　had　beene　at　some　wedding　in　the　Countrey；　and　went　thus
lightly　without　his　Cloake；　for　his　better　ease。　As　commonly　after
actions　of　evill；　Repentance　knocketh　at　the　doore　of　Conscience；
and　urgeth　a　guilty　remembrance；　with　some　sence　of　sorrow：　so　was
it　now　with　sweet　Sir　Simon；　who　survayin　over　all　his　vailes　of
offering　Candles；　the　validity　of　his　yearely　benefits；　and　all
comming　nothing　neere　the　summe　of　（scarce　halfe）　sixe　and　twenty
Florines；　he　began　to　repent　his　deed　of　darkenesse；　although