the decameron(十日谈)-第142章

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this　businesse；　and　verily　intending　to　act　severe　revenge　on　his
betrayers；　if　any　harme　were　done　to　Isabella；　and　afterward　to　take
her　thence　away　with　him；　as　meaning　to　make　her　amends　by　marriage。
　　The　Abbesse　being　seated　in　the　Chapter　house；　and　all　the　other
Nunnes　then　called　before　her；　who　minded　nothing　else　but　the　poore
offending　Sister：　she　began　to　give　her　very　harsh　and　vile
speeches；　as　never　any　transgressor　suffered　the　like；　and　as　to　her
who　had　（if　it　should　be　openly　knowne　abroad）　contaminated　by　her
lewde　life　and　actions；　the　sanctity　and　good　renowne　of　the　whole
Monastery；　and　threatned　her　with　very　severe　chastisement。　Poore
Isabella；　confounded　with　feare　and　shame；　as　being　no　way　able　to
excuse　her　fault；　knew　not　what　answer　to　make；　but　standing　silent；
made　her　case　compassionable　to　all　the　rest；　even　those
hard…hearted　Sisters　which　betrayed　her。
　　And　the　Abbesse　still　continuing　her　harsh　speeches；　it　fortuned；
that　Isabella　raising　her　head；　which　before　she　dejected　into　hir
bosome；　espied　the　breeches　on　her　head；　with　the　stockings　hanging　on
either　side　of　her；　the　sight　whereof　did　so　much　encourage　her；
that　boldly　she　said。　Madam；　let　a　poore　offender　advise　you　for　to
mend　your　veile；　and　afterward　say　to　me　what　you　will。
　　The　Abbesse　being　very　angry；　and　not　understanding　what　she
meant；　frowningly　answered。　Why　how　now　saucy　companion？　What　vaile
are　you　prating　of？　Are　you　so　malapert；　to　bee　chatting　already？　Is
the　deed　you　have　done；　to　be　answered　in　such　immodest　manner？
Isabella　not　a　jot　danted　by　her　sterne　behaviour；　once　againe　said。
Good　Madam　let　me　perswade　you　to　sette　your　vaile　right；　and　then
chide　me　as　long　as　you　will。　At　these　words；　all　the　rest　of　the
Nunnes　exalted　their　lookes；　to　behold　what　vaile　the　Abbesse　wore
on　her　head；　wherewith　Isabella　should　finde　such　fault；　and　she　her
selfe　lift　up　her　hand　to　feele　it：　and　then　they　all　perceyved
plainly；　the　reason　of　Isabellas　speeches；　and　the　Abbesse　saw　her
owne　error。
　　Hereupon；　when　the　rest　observed；　that　she　had　no　help　to　cloud　this
palpable　shame　withall；　the　tide　began　to　turne；　and　hir　tongue
found　another　manner　of　Language；　then　her　former　fury　to　poore
Isabella；　growing　to　this　conclusion；　that　it　is　impossible　to
resist　against　the　temptations　of　the　flesh。　And　therefore　she
saide：　Let　all　of　you　take　occasion；　according　as　it　offereth　it
selfe；　as　both　we　and　our　predecessors　have　done：　to　be　provident
for　your　selves；　take　time　while　you　may；　having　this　sentence　alwaies
in　remembrance；　Si　non　caste；　tamen　caute。
　　So；　having　granted　the　yong　Nunne　Isabella　free　absolution：　the　Lady
Abbesse　returned　backe　againe　to　bed　to　the　Priest；　and　Isabella　to
the　Gentleman。　As　for　the　other　Sisters；　who　（as　yet）　were　without　the
benefit　of　friends；　they　intended　to　provide　themselves　so　soone　as
they　could；　being　enduced　thereto　by　so　good　example。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　NINTH　DAY；　THE　THIRD　NOVELL

　　　　　DISCOVERING　THE　SIMPLICITY　OF　SOME　SILLY　WITTED　MEN；　AND　HOW
　　　　　　　　　　　　　EASIE　A　MATTER　IT　IS　TO　ABUSE　AND　BEGUILE　THEM

　　Master　Simon　the　Physitian；　by　the　perswasions　of　Bruno；　Buffalmaco；
and　a　third　Companion；　named　Nello；　made　Calandrino　to　beleeve；　that
he　was　conceived　great　with　childe。　And　having　Physicke　ministred　to
him　for　the　disease：　they　got　both　good　fatte　Capons　and　money　of　him；
and　so　cured　him；　without　any　other　man　of　deliverance。

　　After　that　Madame　Eliza　had　concluded　her　Novell；　and　every　one　of
the　company　given　thankes　to　Fortune；　for　delivering　poore　Isabella
the　faire　young　Nunne；　from　the　bitter　reprehensions　of　the　as
faulty　Abbesse；　as　also　the　malice　of　her　envious　Sisters；　the
Queene　gave　command　unto　Philostratus；　that　he　should　be　the　next　in
order；　and　hee　（without　expecting　anie　other　warning）　began　in　this
manner。
　　Faire　Ladies；　the　paltry　Judge　of　the　Marquisate；　whereof
yesterday　I　made　relation　to　you；　hindred　mee　then　of　another
Novell；　concerning　silly　Calandrino；　wherewith　I　purpose　now　to
acquaint　you。　And　because　whatsoever　hath　already　bin　spoken　of　him；
tended　to　no　other　end　but　matter　of　meriment；　hee　and　his
companions　duly　considered；　the　Novel　which　I　shal　now　report；　keepeth
within　the　selfesame　compasse；　and　aimeth　also　at　your　contentment；
according　to　the　scope　of　imposed　variety。
　　You　have　already　heard　what　manner　of　man　Calandrino　was；　and
likewise　the　rest　of　his　pleasant　Companions；　who　likewise　are　now
againe　to　be　remembred；　because　they　are　actors　in　our　present
discourse。　It　came　so　to　passe；　that　an　Aunt　of　Calandrinoes　dying；
left　him　a　legacy　of　two　hundred　Florines；　wherewith　he　purposed　to
purchase　some　small　Farme…house　in　the　countrey；　or　else　to　enlarge
the　other；　whereof　he　was　possessed　already。　And；　as　if　bee　were　to
disburse　some　ten　thousand　Florines；　there　was　not　a　Broker　in　all
Florence；　but　understood　what　he　intended　to　doe：　and　all　the　worst
was；　that　the　strings　of　his　purse　could　stretch　no　higher。　Bruno；　and
Buffalmaco　（his　auncient　Confederates）　who　heard　of　this　good
Fortune　befalne　him；　advised　him　in　such　manner　as　they　were　wont　to
do；　allowing　it　much　better　for　him；　to　make　merrie　with　the　money
in　good　cheare　among　them；　then　to　lay　it　out　in　paltry　Land；
whereto　he　would　not　by　any　meanes　listen；　but　ridde　himselfe　of
them　with　a　dinners　cost；　as　loath　to　bee　at　anie　further　charge
with　them。
　　These　merry　Laddes　meant　not　to　leave　him　so；　but　sitting　one　day　in
serious　consultation；　and　a　third　man　in　their　companie；　named
Nello；　they　all　three　layde　their　braines　in　steep；　by　what　means　to
wash　their　mouths　well；　and　Calandrino　to　bee　at　the　cost　thereof。
　　And　having　resolved　what　was　to　bee　done；　they　met　togither　the　next
morning；　even　as　Calandrino　was　comming　foorth　of　his　house；　and
sundering　themselves；　to　avoyd　all　suspition；　yet　beeing　not　farre
distant　each　from　other；　Nello　first　met　him；　and　saide　unto　him；　Good
Morrow　Calandrino：　which　he　requited　backe　agayne　with　the　same
salutation。　But　then　Nello　standing　still；　looked　him　stedfastly　in
the　face：　whereat　Calandrino　mervailing；　sayd。　Nello。
　　Why　dost　thou　behold　me　so　advisedly？　Whereunto　Nello　answered；
saying　Hast　thou　felt　any　paine　this　last　night　past？　Thou　lookest
nothing　so　well；　as　thou　didst　yesterday。　Calandrino　began　instantly
to　wax　doubtfull；　and　replyed　thus。　Dost　thou　see　any　alteration　in　my
face；　whereby　to　imagine；　I　should　feele　some　paine？　In　good　faith
Calandrino　（quoth　Nello）　me　thinks　thy　countenance　is　strangely
changed；　and　surely　it　proceedeth　from　some　great　cause；　and　so　he
departed　away　from　him。
　　Calandrino　being　very　mistrustfull；　scratched　his　head；　yet　felte　he
no　grievance　at　all；　and　going　still　on；　Buffalmaco　sodainely
encountred　him；　upon　his　departure　from　Nello；　and　after　salutations
passing　betweene　them；　in　a　manner　of　admiration；　demanded　what　he
ayled？
　　Truly　（quoth　Calandrino）　well　enough　to　mine　owne　thinking；　yet
notwithstanding；　I　met　with　Nello　but　even　now；　and　he　told　me；　that
my　countenance　was　very　much　altred；　Is　it　possible　that　I　should
bee　sicke；　and　feele　no　paine　or　distaste　in　any　part　of　me？
Buffalmaco　answered；　I　am　not　so　skilfull　in　judgement；　as　to　argue　on
the　Nature　of　distemper　in　the　body：　but　sure　I　am；　that　thou　hast
some　daungerous　inward　impediment；　because　thou　lookst　（almost）　like　a
man　more　then　halfe　dead。
　　Calandrino　began　presently　to　shake；　as　if　hee　had　had　a　Feaver
hanging　on　him；　and　then　came　Bruno　looking　fearefully　on　him；　and
before　he　would　utter　any　words；　seemed　greatly　to　bemoane　him；　saying
at　length。　Calandrino？　Art　thou　the　same　man；　or　no？　How　wonderfuly
art　thou　changed　since　last　I　saw　thee；　which　is　no　longer　then　yester
day？　I　pray　thee　tell　mee；　How　dooest　thou　feele　thy　health？
　　Calandrino　hearing；　that　they　all　agreed　in　one　opinion　of　him；　he
beganne　verily　to　perswade　himselfe；　that　some　sodaine　sicknes；　had
seised　upon　him；　which　they　could　discerne；　although　hee　felt　no
anguish　at　all：　and　therefore；　like　a　man　much　perplexed　in　minde；
demanded　of　them；　What　he　should　do？　Beleeve　me　Calandrino　（answered
Bruno）　if　I　were　worthy　to　give　thee　counsell；　thou　shouldst　returne
home　presently　to　thy　house；　and　lay　thee　downe　in　thy　warme　Bedde；
covered　with　so　many　cloathes　as　thou　canst　well　endure。　Then　to
Morrow　morning；　send　thy　Water　unto　Learned　Mayster　Doctor　the
Physitian；　who　（as　thou　knowest）　is　a　man　of　most　singular　skill　and
experience：　he　will　instruct　thee　presently　what　is　the　best　course　to
be　taken；　and　we　that　have　ever　beene　thy　loving　friends；　will　not
faile　thee　in　any　thing　that　lieth　in　our　power。
　　By　this　time；　Nello　being　come　againe　unto　them；　they　all　returned
home　with　Calandrino　unto　his　owne　house；　whereinto　he　entering　very
faintly；　hee　saide　to　his　Wife：　Woman；　make　my　Bed　presently　ready；
for　I　feele　my　selfe　to　be　growne　extreamely　sicke；　and　see　that
thou　layest　cloathes　enow　upon　me。　Being　thus　laide　in　his　Bedde；　they
left　him　for　that　night；　and　returned　to　visite　him　againe　the　verie
next　morning；　by　which　time；　he　had　made　a　reservation　of　his　Water；
and　sent　it　by　a　young　Damosell　unto　Maister　Doctor；　who　dwelt　then　in
the　olde　market　place；　at　the　signe　of　the　Muske　Mellone。　Then　saide
Bruno　unto　his　Companions；　Abide　you　heere　to　keepe　him　company；　and　I
will　walke　along　to　the　Physitian；　to　understand　what　he　will　say：　and
if　neede　be；　I　can　procure　him　to　come　hither　with　me。　Calandrino　very

kindely　accepted　his　offer；　saying　withall。　Well　Bruno；　thou　shewst
thy　selfe　a　friend　in　the　time　of　necessity；　I　pray　thee　know　of
him；　how　the　case　stands　with　me；　for　I　feele　a　very　strange
alteration　within　mee；　far　beyond　all　compasse　of　my　conceite。
　　Bruno　being　gone　to　the　Physitian；　he　made　such　expedition；　that
he　arrived　there　before　the　Damosell；　who　carried　the　Water；　and
informed　Master　Simon　with　the　whole　tricke　intended：　wherefore；
when　the　Damosell　was　come；　and　hee　had　passed　his　judgement
concerning　the　water；　he　said　to　her。
　　Maide；　go　home　againe；　and　tell　Calandrino；　that　he　must　keep
himselfe　very　warme：　and　I　my　selfe　will　instantly　be　with　him；　to
enstruct　him　further　in　the　quality　of　his　sicknesse。
　　The　Damosell　delivered　her　message　accordingly；　and　it　was　not
long　before　Mayster　Doctor　Simon　came；　with　Bruno　also　in　his　company；
and　sitting　downe　on　the　beds　side　by　Calandrino；　hee　began　to　taste
his　pulse；　and　within　a　small　while　after；　his　Wife　being　come　into
the　Chamber；　he　said。　Observe　me　well　Calandrino；　for　I　speake　to　thee
in　the　nature　of　a　true　friend；　thou　hast　no　other　disease；　but　only
thou　art　great　with　child。
　　So　soone　as　Calandrino　heard　these　words；　in　dispairing　manner　he
beganne　to　rage；　and　cry　out　aloud；　saying　to　his　wife　Ah　thou
wicked　woman；　this　is　long　of　thee；　and　thou　hast　done　me　this
mischeefe　for　alwayes　thou　wilt　be　upon　me；　ever　railing　at　mee；　and
fighting；　untill　thou　hast　gotten　me　under　thee。　Say　thou　divellish
creature；　do　I　not　tell　thee　true？　The　Woman；　being　of　verie　honest
and　civill　conversation；　hearing　her　husband　speake　so　foolishly：