the decameron(十日谈)-第135章

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as　this　honest　and　apprehensive　man　hath　done。　Thou　didst　not　search
into　it　halfe　so　soone；　nor　（indeed）　did　I　expresse　a　quarter　of　my
ingenuity　to　thee；　as　（since　his　comming）　hath　prodigally　flowne
from　me。
　　Well　do　I　remember　thy　words；　that　Buffalmaco　delighted　to　be
among　men　of　Wisedome：　and　have　I　not　now　fitted　him　unto　his　owne
desire？　How　thinkest　thou　Bruno？　The　best　（quoth　Bruno）　that　any　man
living　in　the　World　could　do。　Ah　worthy　Buffalmaco；　answered　the
Physitian：　What　wouldst　thou　then　have　sayde；　if　thou　hadst　seene　me
at　Bologna；　where　there　was　neyther　great　nor　small；　Doctor　nor
Scholler；　but　thought　themselves　happy　by　being　in　my　company？　If　I
ought　any　debts；　I　discharged　them　with　my　very　wittie　words：　and
whensoever　I　spake；　I　could　set　them　al　on　a　hearty　laughter；　so
much　pleasure　they　tooke　in　hearing　mee。　And　when　I　departed　thence；
no　men　in　the　world　could　bee　more　sorrowfull　then　they；　as　desiring
nothing　more　then　my　remayning　among　them；　which　they　expressed　so
apparantly；　that　they　made　humble　suite　and　intercession　to　me；　to　bee
cheefe　Reader　of　the　Physicke…Lecture；　to　all　the　Schollers　studying
our　profession。　But　I　could　not　be　so　perswaded；　because　my　minde
was　wholly　addicted　hither；　to　enjoy　those　Goods；　Landes；　and
Inheritances；　belonging　lineally　to　them　of　our　house；　and　accordingly
I　did　performe　it。
　　How　now　Buffalmaco　（quoth　Bruno）　what　is　thine　opinion　now？　Thou
wouldst　not　beleeve　me　when　I　told　thee；　that　there　is　not　a　Doctor　in
all　these　parts；　more　skilfull　in　distinguishing　the　Urine　of　an　Asse；
from　any　other；　then　this　most　expert　and　singular　man：　and　I　dare
boldly　maintaine　it；　that　his　fellow　is　not　to　bee　found；　from　hence
to　the　very　gates　of　Paris。　Go　then；　and　doe　the　uttermost　endeavour
that　thou　canst；　to　grant　the　request　which　he　hath　made。
　　Beleeve　me　Buffalmaco；　saide　the　Doctor；　Bruno　hath　spoken　nothing
but　truth；　for　I　am　scarsely　knowne　heere　in　this　City；　where　（for　the
most　part）　they　are　all　grosse…witted　people；　rather　then　any　jot
judicious：　but　I　would　thou　hadst　seene　me　among　the　Doctors；　in
manner　as　I　was　wont　to　be。　In　troth　Sir；　replyed　Buffalmaco；　you
are　much　more　Learned　then　ever　I　imagined；　in　which　respect；　speak
unto　you　as　it　becommeth　me；　to　a　man　so　excellent　in　wit　and
understanding：　I　dare　assure　you；　that　（without　any　faile）　I　wit
procure　you　to　be　one　of　our　Company。
　　After　this　promise　thus　made；　the　good　cheare；　favors　and　kindnesses
done　by　the　Doctor　to　them；　was　beyond　the　compasse　of　all　relation：
whereof　they　made　no　more　then　a　meere　mockery；　flouting　him　to　his
face；　and　yet　his　Wisedome　could　not　discerne　it。　Moreover；　they
promised；　that　they　would　give　him　to　Wife；　the　faire　Countesse　di
Civillari；　who　was　the　onely　goodliest　creature　to　be　found　in　the
whole　Culattario　of　humane　generation。　The　Doctor　demanded；　what
Countesse　that　was？　Oh　Sir；　answered　Buffalmaco；　she　is　a　great
Lady；　one　worthy　to　have　issue　by；　and　few　houses　are　there　in　the
world；　where　she　hath　not　some　jurisdiction　and　command：　so　that　not
meane　people　onely；　but　even　the　greatest　Lords；　at　the　sound　of　her
Trumpets；　do　very　gladlie　pay　her　tribute。　And　I　dare　boldly
affirme；　that　whensoever　shee　walketh　to　any　place；　she　yeeldeth　a　hot
and　sensible　savour；　albeit　she　keepeth　most　of　all　close。　Yet　once
every　night；　shee　duely　observeth　it　（as　a　Custome）　to　passe　from
her　owne　house；　to　bathe　her　feete　in　the　River　of　Arno；　and　take　a
little　of　the　sweeter　Ayre：　albeit　her　continuall　residencie；　is
within　the　Kingdome　of　Laterino。
　　She　seldome　walketh　abroad；　but　goeth　with　her　attending　Officers
about　her；　who　（for　more　demonstration　of　her　greatnesse）　do　carry　the
Rod　and　plummet　of　Lead。　Store　of　her　Lords　and　Barons　are　every　where
to　be　seene；　as　the　Tamagnino　della　porta；　Don　Meta　di　Sirropa；　Manico
di　Scopa；　Signior　Squacchera；　and　others　beside；　who　are　（as　I
suppose）　oftentimes　your　visitants；　when　of　necessity　they　must　be
remembred。　All　our　care　and　courtesie　shall　extend　so　farre　（if　we　doe
not　falle　in　our　enterprize）　to　leave　you　in　the　armes　of　so　Majestick
a　Ladie；　quite　forgetting　hir　of　Cacavinciglia。
　　The　Physitian；　who　was　borne　and　brought　up　at　Bologna；　and
therefore　understoode　not　these　Florentine　tearmes：　became　fully
contented　to　enjoy　the　Ladie；　and；　within　some　few　dayes　following；
the　Painters　brought　him　tydings；　that　they　had　prepared　the　way　for
his　entertainment　into　the　Societie　of　Rovers。　The　day　being　come；
when　the　supposed　assembly　was　to　be　made　the　night　following：　the
Physitian　invited　them　both　to　dinner；　when　he　demanding；　what
provision　he　shold　make　for　his　entrance　into　their　company；
Buffalmaco　returned　him　this　answer；　whereto　hee　gave　very　heedfull
attention。
　　Master　Doctor；　you　must　be　first　of　all；　strongly　armed　with
resolution　and　confidence：　for；　if　you　be　not；　you　may　not　only
receyve　hindrance；　but　also　do　us　great　harme　beside：　and　now　you
shall　heare；　in　what　manner；　and　how　you　are　to　be　bold　and
constant。　You　must　procure　the　meanes；　this　instant　night；　when　all
the　people　are　in　their　soundest　sleepe；　to　stand　upon　one　of　those
high　exalted　Tombs　or　Monuments；　which　are　in　the　churchyard　of
Santa　Maria　Novella；　with　the　very　fairest　gowne　you　have　about　you；
because　you　may　appeare　in　the　more　honorable　condition；　before　the
assembly　seated　together；　and　likewise　to　make　good　our　speeches
already　delivered　of　you；　concerning　your　qualitie　and　profession：
that　the　Countesse；　perceyving　you　to　bee　a　woorthie　Gentleman；　may
have　you　first　honoured　with　the　Bathe；　and　afterward　Knighted　at
her　owne　cost　and　charge。　But　you　must　continue　stil　upon　the　Tombe
（dreadlesse　of　nightly　apparitions　and　visions）　untill　such　time　as　we
send　for　you。
　　And　for　your　better　information　in　every　particulare；　a　Beaste；
blacke　and　horned；　but　of　no　great　stature；　will　come　to　fetch　you：
perhaps　he　will　use　some　gastly　noises；　straunge　leapes；　and　loftie
trickes；　onely　to　terrifie　and　affright　you：　but　when　he　perceiveth
that　he　cannot　daunt　you；　hee　will　gently　come　neere　you；　which　when
he　hath　done；　you　may　descend　from　off　the　Tombe；　and；　without
naming　or　thinking　on　God；　or　any　of　his　Saintes；　mount　boldly　on
his　backe；　for　he　will　stand　ready　to　receive　you。　Being　so　seated；
crosse　your　armes　over　your　brest；　without　presuming　to　touch　or
handle　the　Beast；　for　he　will　carry　you　thence　softly；　and　so　bring
you　along　to　the　company。　But　if　in　all　this　time　of　your　travaile；
you　call　on　heaven；　any　Saint；　or　bee　possessed　with　the　least　thought
of　feare：　I　must　plainely　tell　you；　that　either　hee　will　cast　you
dangerously；　or　throw　you　into　some　noysom　place。　And　therefore；　if
you　know　your　selfe；　not　to　be　of　a　constant　courage；　and　sprightly
bold；　to　undertake　such　an　adventure　as　this：　never　presume　any
further；　because　you　may　doe　us　a　great　deale　of　injurie；　without
any　gaine　or　benefite　to　your　selfe；　but　rather　such　wrong；　as　we
would　be　very　sorry　should　happen　unto　so　deere　a　Friend。
　　Alas　honest　Buffalmaco；　answered　the　Physitian；　thou　art　not　halfe
acquainted　with　me　as　yet：　because　I　walke　with　gloves　upon　my
hands；　and　in　a　long　Gowne；　thou　perhappes　doest　imagine　mee　a
faint…hearted　fellow。　If　thou　didst　know；　what　I　have　heeretofore　done
at　Bologna　in　the　night　time；　when　I　and　my　Consorts　went　to　visite
pretty　wenches；　thou　wouldst　wonder　at　my　couragious　attempts。　As　I　am
a　Gentleman；　one　night；　we　met　with　a　young　Bona　Roba；　a　paltry
greene…sicknesse　baggage；　scarsely　above　a　Cubite　in　height；　and
because　she　refused　to　go　with　us　willingly；　I　gave　her　a　kicke　on　the
bum；　and　spurnde　her　more　then　a　Crosse…bowe　shoote　in　distance　from
me；　and　made　her　walke　with　us　whether　she　would；　or　no。　Another
time　I　remember；　when　having　no　other　company　but　my　boy；　I　went
thorow　the　Churchyard　of　the　Fryars　Minors；　after　the　sounding　of
Ave　Maria：　a　woman　hadde　beene　buried　there　the　very　same　day；　and　yet
I　was　not　a　jotte　affraid。
　　Wherefore；　never　be　distrustfull　of　mee；　but　resolvedly　builde
upon　my　courage。　And　in　regard　of　my　more　honourable　entertainment；
I　will　then　weare　my　Scarlet　Gowne　and　Hood；　wherein　I　receyved　my
graduation；　and　then　do　both　of　you　observe；　what　a　rejoycing　will
be　among　the　whole　company；　at　the　entertaining　of　such　a　man　as　I　am；
enough　to　create　me　Captaine　immediatly。　You　shall　perceive　also　how
the　case　will　go；　after　I　have　beene　there　but　a　while；　in　regard　that
the　Countesse　（having　as　yet　never　seene　me）　is　so　deepely　enamored　of
mee：　she　cannot　choose　but　bestow　the　Bathe　and　Knighthood　on　me；
which　shee　shall　have　the　more　honour　of；　in　regard　I　am　well　able
to　maintaine　it；　therefore　referre　all　the　rest　to　mee；　and　never
misdoubt　your　injurie　or　mine。
　　Spoken　like　a　Gallant；　replyed　Buffalmaco；　and　I　feare　not　now；
but　we　shall　winne　credite　by　your　company。　But　be　carefull　I　pray
you；　that　you　make　not　a　mockery　of　us；　and　come　not　at　all；　or
fayle　to　be　there；　when　the　Beast　shall　be　sent　for　you；　I　speake　it
the　rather；　because　it　is　cold　weather；　and　you　Gentlemen　Physitians
can　hardly　endure　it。　You　are　carefull　of　mee　（quoth　the　Doctor）　and　I
thanke　you　for　it；　but　I　applaud　my　faire　Starres；　I　am　none　of　your
nice　or　easie…frozen　fellowes；　because　cold　weather　is　very　familiar
to　me。　I　dare　assure　you；　when　I　arise　in　the　night　time　for　that
naturall　office　whereto　all　men　are　subject；　I　weare　no　warmer
defence；　then　my　thin　wastcoat　over　my　shirt；　and　finde　it
sufficient　for　the　coldest　weather　at　any　time。　When　Bruno　and
Buffalmaco　had　taken　their　leave；　the　Physitian；　so　soone　as　night
drew　neere；　used　many　apt　excuses　to　his　wife；　stealing　forth　his
Scarlet　Gowne　and　Hood　unseene　of　any；　wherewith　being　clothed：　at　the
time　appointed；　he　got　upon　one　of　the　Marble　Tombes；　staying　there
（quaking　with　cold）　awaiting　when　the　Beast　should　come。　Buffalmaco；
being　a　lusty　tall　man　of　person；　had　got　an　ugly　masking　suite；
such　as　are　made　use　of　in　Tragedies　and　Playes；　the　out…side　being　of
black　shagged　haire；　wherwith　being　cloathed；　he　seemed　like　a　strange
deformed　Beare；　and　a　Divels　vizard　over　his　face；　with　two　gastly
horrible　hornes；　and　thus　disguised；　Bruno　following　him；　they　went　to
behold　the　issue　of　the　businesse；　so　farre　as　the　new　Market　place；
closely　adjoining　to　Santa　Maria　Novella。
　　Having　espyed　Master　Doctor　uppon　the　Tombe；　Buffalmaco　in　his
mishapen　habite；　began　to　bound；　leape；　and　carriere；　snuffling　and
blowing　in　mad　and　raging　manner：　which　when　the　Physitian　saw；　his
haire　stood　on　end；　he　quaked　and　trembled；　as　being　more　fearfull
then　a　Woman；　wishing　himselfe　at　home　againe　in　his　house；　rather
then　to　behold　a　sight　so　dreadfull。　But　because　he　was　come　forth；
and　had　such　an　earnest　desire；　to　see　the　wonders　related　to　him；
he　made　himselfe　so　coragious　as　possibly　he　could；　and　bare　all　out
in　formall　manner。　After　that　Buiffalmaco　had　（an　indifferent　while）
plaide　his　horsetrickes；　ramping　and　stamping　somewhat　strangely：
seeming　as　become　of　much　milder　temper；　he　went　neere　to　the　Tomb
whereon　the　Physitian　stood；　and　there　appeared　to