the decameron(十日谈)-第14章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


things　then　should　be　restored　to　him；　both　the　principall　and
interest；　and　therfore　he　would　not　depart　out　of　the　Countrey。
　　The　three　Brethren　at　Florence；　bounding　within　no　limites　their
disordered　spending；　borrowed　dayly　more　and　more。　And　after　some
few　yeares；　the　creditors　seeing　no　effect　of　their　hopes　to　come　from
them；　all　credit　being　lost　with　them；　and　no　repayment　of　promised
dues；　they　were　imprisoned；　their　Landes　and　all　they　had；　not
suffising　to　pay　the　moitie　of　Debts；　but　their　bodies　remained　in
prison　for　the　rest；　theyr　Wives　and　young　children　being　sent　thence；
some　to　one　village；　some　to　another；　so　that　nothing　now　was　to　be
expected；　but　poverty　and　misery　of　life　for　ever。　As　for　honest
Alessandro；　who　had　awaited　long　time　for　peace　in　England；　perceyving
there　was　no　likelyhoode　of　it；　and　considering　also；　that　（beside　his
tarrying　there　in　vaine　to　recover　his　dues）　he　was　in　danger　of　his
life；　without　any　further　deferring；　he　set　away　for　Italy。　It　came　to
passe；　that　as　he　yssued　foorth　of　Bruges；　hee　saw　a　young　Abbot
also　journeying　thence；　being　cloathed　in　white；　accompanied　with
divers　Monkes；　and　a　great　traine　before；　conducting　the　needfull
Carriage。　Two　auncient　Knights；　kinsmen　to　the　King；　followed　after；
with　whom　Alessandro　acquainted　himselfe；　as　having　formerly　known
them；　and　was　kindely　accepted　into　their　company。　Alessandro　riding
along　with　them；　courteously　requested　to　know；　what　those　Monks
were　that　rode　before；　and　such　a　traine　attending　on　them？　Whereto
one　of　the　Knights　thus　answered。
　　He　that　rideth　before；　is　a　yong　Gentleman；　and　our　Kinsman；　who
is　newly　elected　Abbot　of　one　of　the　best　Abbeys　in　England；　and
because　he　is　more　yong　in　yeeres；　then　the　decrees　for　such　a　dignity
do　allow；　we　travaile　with　him　to　Rome；　to　entreat　our　Holy　Father；
that　his。youth　may　be　dispensed　withall；　and　he　confirmed　in　the
said　dignitie；　but　hee　is　not　to　speake　a　word　to　any　person。　On
rode　this　new　Abbot；　sometimes　before　his　Traine；　and　other　whiles
after；　as　we　see　great　Lords　use　to　do；　when　they　ride　upon　the
High…wayes。
　　It　chanced　on　a　day；　that　Alessandro　rode　somewhat　neere　to　the
Abbot；　who　stedfastly　beholding　him；　perceived　that　he　was　a　very
comely　young　man；　so　affable；　lovely；　and　gracious；　that　even　in
this　first　encounter；　he　had　never　seene　any　man　before　that　better
pleased　him。　Calling　him　a　little　closer；　he　began　to　conferre
familiarly　with　him；　demanding　what　he　was；　whence　he　came；　and
whether　he　travelled。　Alessandro　imparted　freely　to　him　all　his
affaires；　in　every　thing　satisfying　his　demands；　and　offering
（although　his　power　was　small）　to　doe　him　all　the　service　he　could。
　　When　the　Abbot　had　heard　his　gentle　answeres；　so　wisely　and
discreetly　delivered；　considering　also　（more　particularly）　his
commendable　carriage；　hee　tooke　him　to　be　（at　the　least）　a
well…borne　Gentleman；　and　far　differing　from　his　owne　logger　headed
traine。　Wherefore；　taking　compassion　on　his　great　misfortunes；　he
comforted　him　very　kindly；　wishing　him　to　live　alwayes　in　good　hope。
For；　if　he　were　vertuous　and　honest；　he　should　surely　attaine　to　the
seate　from　whence　Fortune　had　throwne　him；　or　rather　much　higher。
Intreating　him　also；　that　seeing　he　journied　towards　Tuscany；　as　he
himselfe　did　the　like；　to　continue　stil　（if　he　pleased）　in　his
company。　Alessandro　most　humbly　thanked　him　for　such　gracious　comfort；
protesting；　that　he　would　be　alwaies　readie　to　do　whatsoever　he
commanded。
　　The　Abbot　riding　on；　with　newer　crotchets　in　his　braine　then　he
had　before　the　sight　of　Alessandro；　it　fortuned；　that　after　divers
dayes　of　travaile；　they　came　to　a　small　Country　Village；　which
affoorded　little　store　of　Lodging；　and　yet　the　Abbot　would　needes
lye　there。　Alessandro；　being　well　acquainted　with　the　Hoste　of　the
house；　willed　him　to　provide　for　the　Abbot　and　his　people；　and　then　to
lodge　him　where　hee　thought　it　meetest。　Now　before　the　Abbots
comming　thither；　the　Harbenger　that　marshalled　all　such　matters；　had
provided　for　his　Traine　in　the　Village；　some　in　one　place；　and
others　elsewhere；　in　the　best　maner　that　the　Towne　could　yeelde。　But
when　the　Abbot　had　supt；　a　great　part　of　the　night　being　spent；　and
every　one　else　at　his　rest；　Alessandro　demaunded　of　the　Hoste；　what
provision　he　had　made　for　him；　and　how　hee　should　be　lodged　that
night？
　　In　good　sadnesse　Sir　（quoth　the　Host）　you　see　that　my　house　is
full　of　Guests；　so　that　I　and　my　people；　must　gladly　sleepe　on　the
tables　and　benches：　Neverthelesse；　next　adjoyning　to　my　Lord　Abbots
Chamber；　there　are　certaine　Corn…lofts；　whether　I　can　closely　bring
you；　and　making　shift　there　with　a　slender　Pallet…bed；　it　may　serve
for　one　night；　insted　of　a　better。　But　mine　Host　（quoth　Alessandro）
how　can　I　passe　thorow　my　Lords　Chamber；　which　is　so　little；　as　it
would　not　allow　Lodging　for　any　of　his　Monkes？　If　I　had　remembred　so
much　（said　the　Host）　before　the　Curtaines　were　drawne；　I　could　have
lodged　his　Monkes　in　the　Corne…lofts；　and　then　both　you　and　I　might
have　slept　where　now　they　doe。　But　feare　you　not；　my　Lords　Curtaines
are　close　drawne；　hee　sleepeth　（no　doubt）　soundly；　and　I　can
conveigh　you　thither　quietly　enough；　without　the　least　disturbance
to　him；　and　a　Pallet…bed　shall　be　fitted　there　for　you。　Alessandro
perceiving　that　all　this　might　be　easily　done；　and　no　disease
offered　to　the　Abbot；　accepted　it　willingly；　and　went　thither
without　any　noyse　at　all。
　　My　Lord　Abbot；　whose　thoughts　were　so　busied　about　amorous
desires；　that　no　sleepe　at　all　could　enter　his　eyes；　heard　all　this
talke　between　the　Host　and　Alessandro；　and　also　where　hee　was
appointed　to　Lodge；　he　saide　thus　within　himselfe。　Seeing　Fortune　hath
fitted　me　with　a　propitious　time；　to　compasse　the　happinesse　of　my
hearts　desire；　I　know　no　reason　why　I　should　refuse　it。　Perhaps；　I
shall　never　have　the　like　offer　againe；　or　ever　be　enabled　with　such
an　opportunitie。　So；　beeing　fully　determined　to　prosecute　his
intention；　and　perswading　himself　also；　that　the　silence　of　the
night　had　bestowed　sleepe　on　all　the　rest；　with　a　lowe　and　trembling
voyce；　he　called　Alessandro；　advising　him　to　come　and　lye　downe　by
him；　which　（after　some　few　faint　excuses）　he　did；　and　putting　off
his　cloaths；　lay　downe　by　the　Abbot；　being　not　a　little　proude　of　so
gracious　a　favour。
　　The　Abbot；　laying　his　arme　over　the　others　body；　began　to　imbrace
and　hugge　him；　even　as　amorous　friends　（provoked　by　earnest
affection）；　use　to　doe。　Whereat　Alessandro　verie　much　mervayling；
and　being　an　Italian　himselfe；　fearing　least　this　folly　in　the
Abbot；　would　convert　to　foule　and　dishonest　action；　shrunke　modestly
from　him。　Which　the　Abbot　perceiving；　and　doubting　least　Alessandro
would　depart　and　leave　him；　pleasantly　smiling；　and　with　bashfull
behaviour　baring　his　stomack；　he　tooke　Alessandroes　hand；　and　laying
it　thereon；　saide；　Alessandro；　let　all　bad　thoughts　of　bestiall
abuse　be　farre　off　from　thee；　and　feele　here；　to　resolve　thee　from　all
such　feare。　Allessandro　feeling　the　Abbots　brest；　found　there　two
pretty　little　mountaines；　round；　plumpe；　and　smooth；　appearing　as　if
they　had　beene　of　polished　Ivory；　whereby　he　perceived；　that　the　Abbot
was　a　woman：　which；　setting　an　edge　on　his　youthful　desires；　made
him　fall　to　embracing；　and　immediately　he　offered　to　kisse　her；　but
she　somewhat　rudely　repulsing　him；　as　halfe　offended；　saide。
　　Alessandro；　forbeare　such　boldnesse；　uppon　thy　lives　perill；　and
before　thou　further　presume　to　touch　me；　understand　what　I　shall
tell　thee。　I　am　（as　thou　perceivest）　no　man；　but　a　woman；　and
departing　a　Virgin　from　my　Fathers　House；　am　travelling　towards　the
Popes　holinesse；　to　the　end　that　he　should　bestow　me　in　marriage。
But　the　other　day；　when　first　I　beheld　thee；　whether　it　proceeded　from
thy　happinesse　in　fortune；　or　the　fatall　houre　of　my　owne　infelicity
for　ever；　I　know　not；　I　conceyved　such　an　effectuall　kinde　of　liking
towardes　thee；　as　never　did　Woman　love　a　man　more　truely　then　I　doe
thee　having　sworn　within　my　soule　to　make　thee　my　Husband　before　any
other；　and　if　thou　wilt　not　accept　me　as　thy　wife；　set　a　locke　upon
thy　lippes　concerning　what　thou　hast　heard；　and　depart　hence　to
thine　owne　bed　againe。
　　No　doubt；　but　that　these　were　strange　newes　to　Alessandro；　and
seemed　meerely　as　a　miracle　to　him。　What　shee　was；　he　knew　not；　but　in
regard　of　her　traine　and　company；　hee　reputed　her　to　be　both　noble　and
rich；　as　also　she　was　wonderfull　faire　and　beautifull。　His　owne
fortunes　stood　out　of　future　expectation　by　his　kinsmens　overthrow；
and　his　great　losses　in　England；　wherefore；　upon　an　opportunity　so
fairely　offered；　he　held　it　no　wisedome　to　returne　refusall；　but
accepted　her　gracious　motion；　and　referred　all　to　her　disposing。
Shee　arising　out　of　her　bed；　called　him　to　a　little　Table　standing　by；
where　hung　a　faire　Crucifixe　upon　the　wall；　before　which；　and
calling　him　to　witnesse；　that　suffered　such　bitter　and　cruell　torments
on　his　Crosse；　putting　a　Ring　upon　his　finger；　there　she　faithfully
espoused　him；　refusing　all　the　world；　to　be　onely　his：　which　being
on　either　side　confirmed　solemnly；　by　an　holy　Vow；　and　chaste
kisses；　shee　commanded　him　backe　to　his　Chamber；　and　she　returned　to
her　bed　againe；　sufficiently　satisfied　with　her　Loves　acceptation；　and
so　they　journied　on　till　they　came　to　Rome。
　　When　they　had　rested　themselves　there　for　some　few　dayes；　the
supposed　Abbot；　with　the　two　Knights；　and　none　else　in　company　but
Alessandro；　went　before　the　Pope；　and　having　done　him　such　reverence
as　beseemed；　the　Abbot　began　to　speake　in　this　manner。
　　Holy　Father　（as　you　know　much　better　then　any　other）　everie　one　that
desireth　to　live　well　and　vertuously；　ought　to　shunne　（so　farre　as
in　them　lyeth）　all　occasions　that　may　induce　to　the　contrarie。　To
the　end　therefore；　that　I　（who　desire　nothing　more）　then　to　live
within　the　compasse　of　a　vertuous　conversation；　may　perfect　my　hopes
in　this　behalfe：　I　have　fled　from　my　Fathers　Court；　and　am　come　hither
in　this　habite　as　you　see；　to　crave　therein　your　holy　and　fatherly
furtherance。　I　am　daughter　to　the　King　of　England；　and　have
sufficiently　furnished　my　selfe　with　some　of　his　Treasures；　that
your　Holinesse　may　bestow　me　in　marriage；　because　mine　unkind
Father；　never　regarding　my　youth　and　beauty　（inferior　to　few　in　my
native　country）　would　marry　me　to　the　King　of　North…Wales；　an　aged；
impotent；　and　sickely　man。　Yet　let　me　tell　your　sanctity；　that　his　age
and　weakenesse　hath　not　so　much　occasioned　my　Right；　as　feare　of
mine　owne　youth　and　frailety；　when　being　married　to　him；　instead　of
loyall　and　unstained　life；　lewd　and　dishonest　desires　might　make　me　to
wander；　by　breaking　the　divine　Lawes　of　wedlocke；　and　abusing　the
royall　blood　of　my　Father。
　　As　I　travailed　hither　with　this　vertuous　intention；　our　Lord；　who
onely　knoweth　perfectly；　what　is　best　fitting　for　all　his　creatures；
presented　mine　eyes　（no　doubt　in　his　meere　mercy　and　goodnesse）　with　a
man　meete　to　be　my　husband；　which　（pointing　to　Alessandro）　is　this
young　Gentleman　standing　by　me；　whose　honest；　vertuous；　and　civill
demeanour；　deserveth　a　Lady　of　farre　greater　worth；　althou