the decameron(十日谈)-第131章

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　　WHEREIN　IS　APPROVED；　THAT　HE　WHICH　OFFERETH　SHAME　AND　DISGRACE　TO
　　　　　　　　　　　　　HIS　NEIGHBOUR；　MAY　RECEIVE　THE　LIKE　INJURY　（IF
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　NOT　IN　WORSE　MANNER）　BY　THE　SAME　MAN

　　Two　neere　dwelling　Neighbours；　the　one　beeing　named　Spineloccio
Tavena；　and　the　other　Zeppa　di　Mino；　frequenting　each　others　company
daily。　together；　Spinelloccio　Cuckolded　his　Friend　and　Neighbour。
Which　happening　to　the　knowledge　of　Zeppa；　he　prevailed　so　well　with
the　Wife　of　Spinelloccio；　that　he　being　lockt　up　in　a　Chest；　he
revenged　his　wrong　at　that　instant；　so　that　neyther　of　them　complained
of　his　misfortune。

　　Greevous；　and　full　of　compassion；　appeared　the　hard　Fortunes　of
Madame　Helena　to　be；　having　much　descontented；　and　（well…neere）
wearied　all　the　Ladies　in　hearing　them　recounted。　But　because　they
were　very　justly　inflicted　upon　her；　and　according　as　（in　equity）　shee
had　deserved；　they　were　the　more　moderate　in　their　commisseration：
howbeit；　they　reputed　the　Scholler　not　onely　over…obstinate；　but
also　too　strict；　rigorous　and　severe。　Wherefore；　when　Madame
Pampinea　had　finished　hir　Novell；　the　Queene　gave　command　to　Madame
Fiammetta；　that　she　should　follow　next　with　her　discourse；　whereto
shee　shewing　obedience；　thus　beganne。
　　Because　it　appeareth　in　my　judgement　（faire　Ladyes）　that　the
Schollers　cruelty　hath　much　displeased　you；　making　you　more
melancholly　then　this　time　requireth：　I　holde　it　therefore　very
convenient；　that　your　contristed　spirits　should　be　chearfully　revived；
with　matter　more　pleasing　and　delightfull。　And　therefore；　I　mean　to
report　a　Novell　of　a　certaine　man；　who　too　an　injury　done　him；　in　much
milder　manner；　and　revenged　his　wrong　more　moderately；　then　the
furious　incensed　Scholler　did。　Whereby　you　may　comprehend；　that　it
is　sufficient　for　any　man；　and　so　he　ought　to　esteeme　it；　to　serve
another　with　the　same　sawce；　which　the　offending　party　caused　him
first　to　taste　of：　without　coveting　any　stricter　revenge；　then　agreeth
with　the　quality　of　the　injury　received。
　　Know　then　（Gracious　assembly）　that；　as　have　heretofore　heard；
there　lived　not　long　since　in　Sienna；　two　young　men；　of　honest
parentage　and　equall　condition；　neither　of　the　best；　nor　yet　the
meanest　calling　in　the　City：　the　one　being　named　Spinelloccio
Tavena；　and　the　other　tearmed　Zeppa　di　Mino；　their　houses　Neighbouring
together　in　the　streete　Camollia。　Seldome　the　one　walked　abroade
without　the　others　Company；　and　their　houses　allowed　equall　welcome　to
them　both；　so　that　by　outward　demonstrations；　and　inward　mutuall
affection；　as　far　as　humane　capacity　had　power　to　extend；　they　lived
and　loved　like　two　Brethren；　they　both　beeing　wealthy；　and　married
unto　two　beautifull　women。
　　It　came　to　passe；　that　Spinelloccio；　by　often　resorting　to　the　house
of　Zeppa；　as　well　in　his　absence；　as　when　he　abode　at　home；　beganne　to
glance　amorous　looks　on　Zeppaes　wife；　and　pursued　his　unneighbourly
purpose　in　such　sort：　that　hee　being　the　stronger　perswader；　and　she
（belike）　too　credulous　in　beleeving；　or　else　overfeeble　in
resisting；　from　private　imparlance；　they　fell　to　action；　and　continued
their　close　fight　a　long　while　together；　unseene　and　without
suspition；　no　doubt　to　their　equall　joy　and　contentment。
　But；　whether　as　a　just　punishment；　for　breaking　so　loving　a　league　of
friendship　and　neighbour…hood；　or　rather　a　fatall　infliction；　evermore
attending　on　the　closest　Cuckoldry；　their　felicity　still　continuing　in
this　kinde：　it　fortuned　on　a　day；　Zeppa　abiding　within　doors；　contrary
to　the　knowledge　of　his　wife；　Spinelloccio　came　to　enquire　for　him；
and　she　answering　（as　she　verily　supposed）　that　he　was　gon　abroad：
uppe　they　went　both　together　into　the　Hall；　and　no　bodie　being　there
to　hinder　what　they　intended；　they　fell　to　their　wonted　recreation
without　any　feare；　kissing　and　embracing　as　Lovers　use　to　do。
　　Zeppa　seeing　all　this；　spake　not　one　word；　neither　made　any　noise　at
all；　but　kept　himselfe　closely　hidden；　to　observe　the　yssue　of　this
amorous　conflict。　To　be　briefe；　he　saw　Spinelloccio　goe　with　his
wife　into　the　Chamber；　and　make　the　doore　fast　after　them；　whereat
he　could　have　beene　angry；　which　he　held　to　be　no　part　of　true
wisedome。　For　he　knew　well　enough；　that　to　make　an　out　crie　in　this
case；　or　otherwise　to　reveale　this　kinde　of　injury；　it　could　no　way
make　it　lesse；　but　rather　give　a　greater　addition　of　shame　and
scandall：　he　thought　this　no　course　for　him　to　take；　wiser
considerations　entred　his　braine；　to　have　this　wrong　fully　revenged；
yet　with　such　a　discreete　and　orderly　carriage；　as　no　neighbours
knowledge　should　by　any　meanes　apprehend　it；　or　the　least　sig　of
discontent　in　himselfe　blabbe　it；　because　they　were　two　dangerous
evils。
　　Many　notable　courses　whee。ed　about　his　conceit；　every　one
promising　fairely；　and　ministring　meanes　of　formall　apparance；　yet　one
（above　the　rest）　wonne　his　absolute　allowance；　which　he　intended　to
prosecute　as　best　he　might。　In　which　resolution；　he　kept　still　very
close；　so　long　as　Spinelloccio　was　with　his　Wife；　but　hee　being
gone；　he　went　into　the　Chamber；　where　he　found　his　wife；　amending
the　forme　of　her　head　attyre；　which　Spinelloccio　had　put　into　a
disordred　fashion。　Wife　（quoth　be）　what　art　thou　doing？　Why？　Do　you
not　see　Husband？　answered　she。　Yes　that　I　do　wife；　replied　Zeppa；
and　something　else　happened　to　my　sight；　which　I　could　wish　that　I　had
not　seene。　Rougher　Language　growing　betweene　them；　of　his　avouching；
and　her　as　stout　denying；　with　defending　her　cause　over…weakely；
against　the　manifest　proofes　both　of　eye　and　eare：　at　last　she　fell　on
her　knees　before　him；　weeping　incessantly；　and　no　excuses　now
availing；　she　confest　her　long　acquaintance　with　Spinelloccio；　and
most　humbly　entreated　him　to　forgive　her。　Uppon　the　which　penitent
confession　and　submission；　Zeppa　thus　answered。
　　Wife；　if　inward　contrition　be　answerable　to　thy　outward　seeming
sorrow；　then　I　make　no　doubt；　but　faithfully　thou　dost　acknowledge
thine　owne　evill　dooing：　for　which；　if　thou　expectest　pardon　of　me；
determine　then　to　fulfill　effectually；　such　a　busines　as　I　must
enjoyne；　and　thou　performe。　I　command　thee　to　tell　Spinelloccio；
that　to　morrow　morning；　about　nine　of　the　clocke；　we　being　both　abroad
walking；　he　must　finde　some　apt　occasion　to　leave　my　company；　and　then
come　hither　to　visit　thee。　When　he　is　here；　sodainly　will　I　returne
home；　and　upon　thy　hearing　of　my　entraunce：　to　save　his　owne
credite；　and　thee　from　detection；　thou　shalt　require　him　to　enter　this
Chest；　untill　such　time　as　I　am　gone　forth　againe；　which　he　doing；　for
both　your　safeties；　so　soon　as　he　is　in　the　chest；　take　the　key　and
locke　him　up　fast。　When　thou　hast　effected　this；　then　shall　I　acquaint
thee　with　the　rest　remaining；　which　also　must　be　done　by　thee；　without
dread　of　the　least　harme　to　him　or　thee；　because　there　is　no　malicious
meaning　in　me；　but　such　as　（I　am　perswaded）　thou　canst　not　justly
mislike。　The　wife；　to　make　some　satisfaction　for　her　offence　committed
promised　that　she　would　performe　it；　and　so　she　did。
　　On　the　morrow　morning；　the　houre　of　nine　being　come；　when　Zeppa
and　Spinelloccio　were　walking　abroad　together；　Spinelloccio　remembring
his　promise　unto　his　Mistresse；　and　the　clocke　telling　him　the
appointed　houre；　hee　saide　to　Zeppa。　I　am　to　dine　this　day　with　an
especiall　friend　of　mine；　who　I　would　be　loath　should　tarry　for　my
comming；　and　therefore　holde　my　departure　excused。　How　now？　answered
Zeppa；　the　time　for　dinner　is　yet　farre　enough　off；　wherefore　then
should　we　part　so　soone？　Yea　but　Zeppa；　replied　Spinelloccio；　wee　have
weighty　matters　to　confer　on　before　dinner；　which　will　require　three
houres　space　at　the　least；　and　therefore　it　behoveth　me　to　respect　due
time。
　　Spinelloccio　being　departed　from　Zeppa　（who　followed　faire　and
softly　after　him）
　　being　come　to　the　house；　and　kindly　welcommed　by　the　wife：　they　were
no　sooner　gone　up　the　staires；　and　entering　in　at　the　Chamber　doore；
but　the　Woman　heard　her　Husband　cough；　and　also　his　comming　up　the
staires。　Alas　deare　Spinelloccio　（quoth　she）　what　shall　we　do？　My
Husband　is　comming　uppe；　and　we　shall　be　both　taken　tardie；　step
into　this　Chest；　lye　downe　there　and　stirre　not；　till　I　have　sent
him　forth　againe；　which　shall　be　within　a　very　short　while。
Spinelloccio　was　not　a　little　joyfull　for　her　good　advice；　downe　in
the　Chest　lay　he；　and　she　lockt　him　in：　by　which　time　Zeppa　was　entred
the　Chamber。　Where　are　you　Wife？　said　he；　（speaking　so　loud；　as　hee　in
the　Chest　might　heare　him）　What；　is　it　time　to　go　to　dinner？　It　will
be　anon　Sir；　answered　she；　as　yet　it　is　overearly　but　seeing　you　are
come；　the　more　hast　shall　be　made；　and　every　thing　will　be　ready
quickly。
　　Zeppa；　sitting　downe　upon　the　Chest；　wherein　Spinelloccio　lay　not
a　little　affrighted；　speaking　stil　aloud；　as　formerly　he　did：　Come
hither　Wife　（quoth　he）　how　shall　we　do　for　some　good　companie　to
dine　with　us？　Mine　honest　kinde　neighbour　Spinelloccio　is　not　at　home；
because　he　dineth　forth　to　day　with　a　deare　friend　of　his；　by　which
meanes；　his　wife　is　left　at　home　alone：　give　her　a　call　out　at　our
Window；　and　desire　her　to　come　dine　with　us：　for　we　two　can　make　no
merry　Musicke；　except　some　more　come　to　make　up　the　consort。
　　His　Wife　being　very　timorous；　yet　diligent　to　doe　whatsoever　he
commanded；　so　prevailed　with　the　Wife　of　Spinelloccio：　that　she　came
to　them　quickely；　and　so　much　the　rather；　because　her　Husband　dined
abroad。　Shee　being　come　up　into　the　Chamber；　Zeppa　gave　her　most　kinde
entertainment；　taking　her　gently　by　the　hand；　and　winking　on　his　Wife；
that　she　should　betake　her　selfe　to　the　kitchin；　to　see　dinner
speedily　prepared；　while　he　sat　conversing　with　his　neighbour　in　the
Chamber。
　　His　wife　being　gone；　he　shut　the　doore　after　her；　which　the　new…come
Neighbour　perceyving；　she　sayde。　Our　blessed　Lady　defend　me。　Zeppa；
What　is　your　meaning　in　this？　Have　you　caused　me　to　come　hither　to
this　intent？　Is　this　the　love　you　beare　to　Spinelloccio；　and　your
professed　loyalty　in　friendshippe？　Zeppa；　seating　her　downe　on　the
Chest；　wherein　her　Husband　was　inclosed；　entreating　her　patience；　thus
began。　Kinde　and　loving　Neighbor；　before　you　adventure　too　farre　in
anger；　vouchsafe　to　heare　what　I　shall　tell　you。
　　I　have　loved；　and　still　doe　love；　Spinelloccio　as　my　brother；　but
yesterday　（albeit　he　knoweth　it　not）　I　found；　the　honest　trust　I
reposed　in　him；　deserved　no　other；　or　better　recompence；　but　even　to
be　bold　with　my　wife；　in　the　selfesame　manner　as　I　am；　and　as　hee
ought　to　do　with　none　but　you。　Now；　in　regard　of　the　love　which　I
beare　him；　I　intend　to　be　no　otherwise　revenged　on　him；　but　in　the
same　kinde　as　the　offence　was　committed。　He　hath　bin　more　then
familiar　with　my　wife。　I　must　borrow　the　selfe…same　courtesie　of
you；　which　in　equity　you　cannot　deny　mee；　weighing　the　wrong　you
have　sustained　by　my　wife。　Our　injuries　are　alike；　in　your　Husband
to　me；　and　in　my　wife　to　you：　let　then　their　punishment　and　ours　be
alike　also；　as　they；　so　we；　for　in　this　case　there　can　be　no　juster
revenge。
　The　Woman　hearing　this；　and　perceiving　the　manifolde　confirmations
thereof；　protested　（on　solemne　oath）　by　Zeppa；　hir　beliefe　grew
s