the decameron(十日谈)-第122章

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other。　And　I　have　many　times　saide　to　my　selfe；　that　if　women　were
made　of　silver；　they　hardly　could　be　worth　a　pennie；　because　there　can
scarsely　one　be　found　of　so　good　allay；　as　to　endure　the　test　and
essay。　But　let　us　breake　off　this　frivolous　conference；　and　resolve
upon　a　conclusion；　How；　when　and　where　we　may　safely　meete　together。
Worthy　Sir；　answered　Piccarda；　your　selfe　may　appoint　the　time
whensoever　you　please；　because　I　have　no　Husband；　to　whom　I　should
render　any　account　of　my　absence；　or　presence：　but　I　am　not　provided
of　any　place。
　　A　pretty　while　the　Provoste　stood　musing；　and　at　last　saide。　A　place
Madame？　where　can　be　more　privacie；　then　in　your　owne　house？　Alas
Sir　（quoth　she）　you　know　that　I　have　two　Gentlemen　my　brethren；　who
continually　are　with　me；　and　other　of　their　friends　beside：　My　house
also　is　not　great；　wherefore　it　is　impossible　to　be　there；　except
you　could　be　like　a　dumbe　man；　without　speaking　one　word；　or　making
the　very　least　noyse；　beside；　to　remaine　in　darkenesse；　as　if　you　were
blinde；　and　who　can　be　able　to　endure　all　these？　And　yet　（without
these）　there　is　no　adventuring；　albeit　they　never　come　into　my
Chamber：　but　their　lodging　is　so　close　to　mine；　as　there　cannot　any
word　be　spoken；　be　it　never　so　low　or　in　whispering　manner；　but　they
heare　it　very　easily。　Madame　said　the　Provoste；　for　one　or　two　nights；
I　can　make　hard　shift。　Why　Sir　（quoth　she）　the　matter　onely
remaineth　in　you；　for　if　you　be　silent　and　suffering；　as　already　you
have　heard；　there　is　no　feare　at　all　of　safty。　Let　me　alone　Madame；
replyed　the　Provoste；　I　will　be　governed　by　your　directions：　but；　in
any　case；　let　us　begin　this　night。　With　all　my　heart；　saide　shee。　So
appointing　him　how；　and　when　hee　should　come；　hee　parted　from　her；　and
shee　returned　home　to　her　house。
　　Heere　I　am　to　tell　you；　that　this　Gentlewoman　had　a　servant；　in
the　nature　of　an　old　maide；　not　indued　with　any　well　featured　face；
but　instead　thereof；　she　had　the　ugliest　and　most　counterfeit
countenance；　as　hardly　could　be　seene　a　worse。　She　had　a　wrie　mouth；
huge　great　lippes；　foule　teeth；　great　and　blacke；　a　monstrous　stinking
breath；　her　eyes　bleared；　and　alwayes　running；　the　complexion　of　her
face　betweene　greene　and　yellow；　as　if　shee　had　not　spent　the　Summer
season　in　the　Citie；　but　in　the　parching　Countrey　under　a　hedge；　and
beside　all　these　excellent　parts；　shee　was　crooke　backt；　poult　footed；
and　went　like　a　lame　Mare　in　Fetters。　Her　name　was　Ciuta；　but　in
regard　of　her　flat　nose；　lying　as　low　as　a　Beagles；　shee　was　called
Ciutazza。　Now；　notwithstanding　all　this　deformity　in　her；　yet　she
had　a　singuler　opinion　of　her　selfe；　as　commonly　all　such　foule
Sluts　have：　in　regard　whereof；　Madame　Piccarda　calling　her　aside；　thus
began。
　　Ciutazza；　if　thou　wilt　doe　for　me　one　nights　service；　I　shall　bestow
on　thee　a　faire　new　Smocke。　When　Ciutazza　heard　her　speake　of　a　new
Smocke；　instantly　she　answered。　Madame；　if　you　please　to　bestow　a
new　Smocke　on　me；　were　it　to　runne　thorow　the　fire　for　you；　or　any
businesse　of　farre　greater　danger；　you　onely　have　the　power　to　command
me；　and　I　will　doe　it。　I　will　not　（said　Piccarda）　urge　thee　to　any
dangerous　action；　but　onely　to　lodge　in　my　bed　this　night　with　a
man；　and　give　him　courteous　entertainement；　who　shall　reward　thee
liberally　for　it。　But　have　an　especiall　care　that　thou　speake　not
one　word；　for　feare　thou　shouldst　be　heard　by　my　Brethren；　who　（as
thou　knowest）　lodge　so　neere　by；　doe　this；　and　then　demaund　thy　Smocke
of　me。　Madame　（quoth　Ciutazza）　if　it　were　to　lye　with　sixe　men；　rather
then　one；　if　you　say　the　word；　it　shall　be　done。
　　When　night　was　come；　the　Provoste　also　came　according　to
appointment；　even　when　two　brethren　were　in　their　lodging；　they　easily
heard　his　entrance；　as　Piccarda　（being　present　with　them）　had　informed
them。　In　went　the　Provoste　without　any　candle；　or　making　the　least
noise　to　be　heard；　and　being　in　Piccardaes　Chamber；　went　to　bed：
Ciutazza　tarrying　not　long　from　him；　but　（as　her　Mistresse　had
instructed　her）　she　went　to　bed　likewise；　not　speaking　any　word　at
all；　and　the　Provoste；　imagining　to　have　her　there；　whom　he　so
highly　affected；　fell　to　imbracing　and　kissing　Ciutazza；　who　was　as
forward　in　the　same　manner　to　him；　and　there　for　a　while　I　intend　to
leave　them。
　　When　Piccarda　had　performed　this　hot　piece　of　businesse；　she
referred　the　effecting　of　the　remainder　to　her　Brethren；　in　such
sort　as　it　was　compacted　betweene　them。　Faire　and　softly　went　the
two　brethren　forth　of　their　Chamber；　and　going　to　the　Market　place；
Fortune　was　more　favourable　to　them　then　they　could　wish；　in
accomplishing　the　issue　of　their　intent。　For　the　heat　being　somwhat
tedious；　the　Lord　Bishop　was　walking　abroad　very　late；　with　purpose　to
visit　the　Brethren　at　the　Widdowes　house；　because　he　tooke　great
delight　in　their　company；　as　being　good　Schollers；　and　endued　with
other　singular　parts　beside。　Meeting　with　them　in　the　open　Market
place；　he　acquainted　them　with　his　determination；　whereof　they　were
not　a　little　joyfull；　it　jumping　so　justly　with　their　intent。
　　Being　come　to　the　Widdowes　house；　they　passed　through　a　smal
nether　Court；　where　lights　stood　ready　to　welcome　him　thither；　and
entring　into　a　goodly　Hall；　there　was　store　of　good　wine　and
banquetting；　which　the　Bishop　accepted　in　very　thankefull　manner：
and　courteous　complement　being　overpassed；　one　of　the　Brethren；　thus
spake。　My　good　Lord；　seeing　it　hath　pleased　you　to　honour　our　poore
Widdowed　Sisters　house　with　your　presence；　for　which　wee　shall
thanke　you　while　we　live：　We　would　intreate　one　favour　more　of　you；
onely　but　to　see　a　sight　which　we　will　shew　you。　The　Lord　Bishop　was
well　contented　with　the　motion：　so　the　Brethren　conducting　him　by
the　hand；　brought　him　into　their　Sisters　Chamber；　where　the　Provoste
was　in　bed　with　Ciutazza；　both　soundly　sleeping；　but　enfolded　in　his
armes；　as　wearied　（belike）　with　their　former　wantonning；　and　whereof
his　age　had　but　little　need。
　　The　Courtaines　being　close　drawne　about　the　bed；　although　the　season
was　exceeding　hot；　they　having　lighted　Torches　in　their　hands；　drew
open　the　Curtaines；　and　shewed　the　Bishop　his　Provoste；　close　snugging
betweene　the　armes　of　Ciutazza。　Upon　a　sudden　the　Provoste　awaked；　and
seeing　so　great　a　light；　as　also　so　many　people　about　him：　shame　and
feare　so　daunted　him；　that　hee　shrunke　downe　in　the　bed；　and　hid　his
head。　But　the　Bishop　being　displeased　at　a　sight　so　unseemely；　made
him　to　discover　his　head　againe；　to　see　whom　he　was　in　bed　withall。
Now　the　poore　Provoste　perceiving　the　Gentlewomans　deceite；　and　the
proper　hansome　person　so　sweetly　embracing　him：　it　made　him　so
confounded　with　shame；　as　he　had　not　the　power　to　utter　one　word：
but　having　put　on　his　cloathes　by　the　Bishops　command；　hee　sent　him
（under　sufficient　guard）　to　his　Pallace；　to　suffer　due　chastisement
for　his　sinne　committed；　and　afterward　he　desired　to　know；　by　what
meanes　hee　became　so　favoured　of　Ciutazza；　the　whole　Historie　whereof；
the　two　brethren　related　at　large　to　him。
　　When　the　Bishop　had　heard　all　the　discourse；　highly　he　commended　the
wisedome　of　the　Gentlewoman；　and　worthy　assistance　of　her　brethren；
who　contemning　to　soile　their　hands　in　the　blood　of　a　Priest；　rather
sought　to　shame　him　as　hee　deserved。　The　Bishop　enjoyned　him　a
pennance　of　repentance　for　forty　dayes　after；　but　love　and　disdaine
made　him　weepe　nine　and　forty：　Moreover；　it　was　a　long　while　after；
before　he　durst　be　seene　abroad。　But　when　he　came　to　walke　the
streets；　the　Boyes　would　point　their　fingers　at　him；　saying。　Behold
the　Provoste　that　lay　with　Ciutazza：　Which　was　such　a　wearisome　life
to　him；　that　he　became　（well　neere）　distracted　in　his　wits。　In　this
manner　the　honest　Gentlewoman　discharged　her　dutie；　and　rid　her
selfe　of　the　Provosts　importunity：　Ciutazza　had　a　merry　night　of　it；
and　a　new　Smocke　also　for　her　labour。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　EIGHT　DAY；　THE　FIFT　NOVELL

　　GIVING　ADMONITION；　THAT　FOR　THE　MANAGING　OF　PUBLIQUE　AFFAIRES；　NO
　　OTHER　PERSONS　ARE　OR　OUGHT　TO　BE　APPOINTED；　BUT　SUCH　AS　BE　HONEST；
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　AND　MEET　TO　SIT　ON　THE　SEATE　OF　AUTHORITY

　　Three　pleasant　Companions；　plaide　a　merry　pranke　with　a　Judge
（belonging　to　the　Marquesate　of　Ancona）　at　Florence；　at　such　time　as
he　sate　on　the　Bench；　and　hearing　criminall　causes。

　　No　sooner　had　Madam　Aemillia　finished　her　Novell；　wherin；　the
excellent　wisdome　of　Piccarda；　for　so　worthily　punishing　the　luxurious
old　Provoste；　had　generall　commendations　of　the　whole　Assembly：　but
the　Queene；　looking　on　Philostratus；　said。　I　command　you　next　to
supply　the　place：　whereto　he　made　answere；　that　hee　was　both　ready　and
willing；　and　then　thus　began。　Honourable　Ladies；　the　merry
Gentleman；　so　lately　remembred　by　Madame　Eliza；　being　named　Maso　del
Saggio；　causeth　me　to　passe　over　an　intended　Tale；　which　I　had
resolved　on　when　it　came　to　my　turne：　to　report　another　concerning
him；　and　two　men　more；　his　friendly　Companions。　Which　although　it
may　appeare　to　you　somewhat　unpleasing；　in　regard　of　a　little　grosse
and　unmannerly　behaviour：　yet　it　will　move　merriment　without　any
offence；　and　that　is　the　maine　reason　why　I　relate　it。
　　It　is　not　unknowne　to　you；　partly　by　intelligence　from　our
reverend　predecessours；　as　also　some　understanding　of　your　owne；
that　many　time　have　resorted　to　our　City　of　Florence；　Potestates　and
Officers；　belonging　to　the　Marquesate　of　Anconia；　who　commonly　were
men　of　lowe　spirit；　and　their　lives　so　wretched　and　penurious；　as　they
rather　deserved　to　be　tearmed　Misers；　then　men。　And　in　regard　of
this　their　naturall　covetousnesse　and　misery；　the　Judges　would　bring
also　in　their　company；　such　Scribes　or　Notaries；　as　being　paralelde
with　their　Masters：　they　all　seemed　like　Swaines　come　from　the　Plough；
or　bred　up　in　some　Coblers　quality；　rather　then　Schollers；　or　Students
of　Law。
　　At　one　time　（above　all　the　rest）　among　other　Potestates　and
Judges；　there　came　an　especiall　man；　as　pickt　out　of　purpose；　who
was　named　Messer　Niccolao　da　San　Lepidio；　who　（at　the　first　beholding）
looked　rather　like　a　Tinker；　then　any　Officer　in　authority。　This
hansome　man　（among　the　rest）　was　deputed　to　heare　criminall　causes。
And；　as　often　it　happeneth；　that　Citizens；　although　no　businesse
inviteth　them　to　Judiciall　Courts；　yet　they　still　resort　thither；
sometimes　accidentally：　So　it　fortuned；　that　Maso　times　del　Saggio；
being　one　morning　in　search　of　an　especiall　friend；　went　to　the
Court…house；　and　being　there；　observed　in　what　manner　Messer
Niccolao　was　seated；　who　looking　like　some　strange　Fowle；　lately
come　forth　of　a　farre　Countrey；　he　began　to　survay　him　the　more
seriously；　even　from　the　head　to　the　foot；　as　we　use　to　say。
　And　albeit　he　saw　his　Gowne　furred　with　Miniver；　as　also　the　hood
about　his　necke；　a　Penne　and　Inkehorne　hanging　at　his　girdle；　and
one　skirt　of　his　Garment　longer　then　the　other；　with　more　misshapen
sights　about　him；　farre　unfitting　for　a　man　of　so　civill　profession：
yet　he　spyed　one　errour　extraordinary；　the　most　notable　（in　his
opinion）　that　ever　he　had　seene　before。　Namely；　a　paultry　paire　of
Breeches；　wickedly　made；　and　worse　worne；　hanging　downe　lo