the decameron(十日谈)-第145章

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then　sodainly　replyed　thus。　Now　trust　me　Bruno；　it　is　to　bee
doubted；　because　he　called　her　at　his　Window；　and　she　immediatly
went　up　to　his　Chamber。　But　what　doe　I　care　if　it　be　so？　Have　not
the　Gods　themselves　bene　beguiled　of　their　Wenches；　who　were　better
men　then　ever　Phillippo　can　be；　and　shall　I　stand　in　feare　of　him？
Bruno　replied：　Be　patient　Calandrino；　I　will　enquire　what　Woman　she
is；　and　if　she　be　not　the　wife　or　friend　to　our　young　master
Phillippo；　with　faire　perswasions　I　can　over…rule　the　matter；
because　shee　is　a　familiar　acquaintance　of　mine。　But　how　shall　wee
doe；　that　Buffalmaco　may　not　know　heereof？　I　can　never　speake　to
her；　if　hee　be　in　my　company。　For　Buffalmaco　（quoth　Calandrino）　I　have
no　feare　at　all；　but　rather　of　Nello；　because　he　is　a　neer　Kinsman
to　my　wife；　and　he　is　able　to　undo　me　quite；　if　once　it　should　come　to
his　hearing。　Thou　saist　well；　replyed　Bruno；　therefore　the　matter　hath
neede　to　be　very　cleanly　carried。
　　Now　let　me　tell　you；　the　Woman　was　well　enough　knowne　to　Bruno；　as
also　her　quality　of　life；　which　Phillippo　had　acquainted　him
withall；　and　the　reason　of　her　resorting　thither。　Wherefore；
Calandrino　going　forth　of　the　roome　where　they　wrought；　onely　to　gaine
another　sight　of　Nicholetta；　Bruno　revealed　the　whole　history　to
Buffalmaco　and　Nello；　they　all　concluding　together；　how　this　amorous
fit　of　the　foole　was　to　be　followed。　And　when　Calandrino　was
returned　backe　againe；　in　whispering　maner　Bruno　said　to　him。　Hast
thou　once　more　seene　her？　Yes；　yes　Bruno；　answered　Calandrino：　Alas；
she　hath　slaine　me　with　her　very　eye；　and　I　am　no　better　then　a　dead
man。　Be　patient　said　Bruno；　I　will　goe　and　see　whether　she　be　the　same
woman　which　I　take　her　for；　or　no：　and　if　it　prove　so；　then　never
feare；　but　refer　the　businesse　unto　me。
　　Bruno　descending　downe　the　staires；　found　Phillippo　and　Nicholetta
in　conference　together；　and　stepping　unto　them；　discoursed　at　large；
what　manner　of　man　Calandrino　was；　and　how　farre　he　was　falne　in
love　with　her：　so　that　they　made　a　merry　conclusion；　what　should　be
performed　in　this　case；　onely　to　make　a　pastime　of　his　hot　begun　love。
And　being　come　backe　againe　to　Calandrino；　he　saide。　It　is　the　same
woman　whereof　I　told　thee；　and　therefore　wee　must　worke　wisely　in
the　businesse：　for　if　Phillippo　perceive　any　thing；　all　the　water　in
Arno　will　hardly　serve　to　quench　his　fury。　But　what　wouldst　thou
have　me　say　to　her　on　thy　behalfe；　if　I　compasse　the　meanes　to
speake　with　her？　First　of　all　（quoth　Calandrino）　and　in　the　prime
place；　tell　her；　that　I　wish　infinite　bushels　of　those　blessings；
which　makes　Maides　Mothers；　and　begetteth　children。　Next；　that　I　am
onely　hers；　in　any　service　she　wil　command　me。　Dooest　thou
understand　me　what　I　say？　Sufficiently　answered　Bruno；　leave　all　to
me。
　　When　supper　time　was　come；　that　they　gave　over　working；　and　were
descended　downe　into　the　Court：　there　they　found　Phillippo　and
Nicholetta　readily　attending　to　expect　some　beginning　of　amorous
behaviour；　and　Calandrino　glanced　such　leering　lookes　at　her；　coughing
and　spetting　with　hummes　and　haes；　yea　in　such　close　and　secret
manner；　that　a　starke　blinde　sight　might　verie　easily　have　perceyved
it。
　　She　also　on　the　other　side；　returned　him　such　queint　and　cunning
carriage；　as　enflamed　him　farre　more　furiously；　even　as　if　hee　were
ready　to　leape　out　of　himselfe。　In　the　meane　while；　Phillippo；
Buffalmaco　and　the　rest　that　were　there　present；　seeming　as　if　they
were　seriouslie　consulting　together；　and　perceived　nothing　of　his
fantastick　behavior；　according　as　Bruno　had　appointed；　could　scarse
refraine　from　extremity　of　laughter；　they　noted　such　antick　trickes　in
Calandrino。
　Having　spent　an　indifferent　space　in　this　foppish　folly；　the　houre　of
parting　came；　but　not　without　wonderful　affliction　to　Calandrino；
and　as　they　were　going　towards　Florence；　Bruno　saide　closely　to
Calandrino。　I　dare　assure　thee；　that　thou　hast　made　her　to　consume　and
melt；　even　like　ice　against　the　warme　Sunne。　On　my　word；　if　thou
wouldst　bring　thy　Gitterne；　and　sit　downe　by　us；　singing　some　few
amorous　songs　of　thine　owne　making；　when　we　are　beneath　about　our
businesse　in　the　Court：　shee　would　presently　leape　out　of　the
Window；　as　being　unable　to　tarry　from　thee。
　　I　like　thy　counsell　well　Bruno；　answered　Calandrino；　but　shall　I
bring　my　Gitterne　thither　indeed？　Yes；　in　any　case；　replied　Bruno；　for
Musicke　is　a　matter　of　mighty　prevailing。　Ah　Bruno　（quoth
Calandrino）　thou　wouldst　not　credit　me　in　the　morning；　when　I　tolde
thee；　how　the　very　sight　of　my　person　had　wounded　her：　I　perceived
it　at　the　very　first　looke　of　her　owne；　for　shee　had　no　power　to
conceale　it。　Who　but　my　selfe　could　so　soone　have　enflamed　her
affection；　and　being　a　woman　of　such　worth　and　beauty　as　shee　is？
There　are　infinite　proper　handsome　fellowes；　that　daily　haunt　the
company　of　dainty　Damosels；　yet　are　so　shallow　in　the　affayres　of
love；　as　they　are　not　able　to　win　one　wench　of　a　thousand；　no；　not
with　all　the　wit　they　have；　such　is　their　extreame　follie　and　ill
fortune。
　　Then　pausing　a　while；　and　sodainely　rapping　out　a　Lovers　Oath　or
two；　thus　he　proceeded。　My　dearest　Bruno；　thou　shalt　see　how　I　can
tickle　my　Gitterne；　and　what　good　sport　will　ensue　thereon。　If　thou
dost　observe　me　with　judgement；　why　man；　I　am　not　so　old　as　I　seeme　to
be；　and　she　could　perceive　it　at　the　very　first　view；　yea；　and　she
shall　finde　it　so　too；　when　we　have　leysure　to　consult　upon　further
occasions：　I　finde　my　selfe　in　such　a　free　and　frolicke　jocunditie
of　spirit；　that　I　will　make　her　to　follow　me；　even　as　a　fond　woman
doth　after　her　child。
　　But　beware；　saide　Bruno；　that　thou　do　not　gripe　her　over…hard；　and
in　kissing；　bee　carefull　of　biting；　because　the　teeth　stand　in　thy
head　like　the　pegges　of　a　Lute；　yet　make　a　comely　shew　in　thy　faire
wide　mouth；　thy　cheekes　looking　like　two　of　our　artificiall　Roses；
swelling　amiably；　when　thy　jawes　are　well　fild　with　meat。　Calandrino
hearing　these　hansome　comnendations；　thought　himselfe　a　man　of
action　already；　going；　singing；　and　frisking　before　his　companie　so
lively；　as　if　he　had　not　bin　in　his　skin。
　　On　the　morrow；　carrying　his　Gitterne　thither　with　him；　to　the　no
little　delight　of　his　companions；　hee　both　played　and　sung　a　whole
Bed…role　of　himselfe　to　any　worke　all　the　day：　but　loitering
fantastically；　one　while　he　gazed　out　at　the　window；　then　ran　to　the
gate；　and　oftentimes　downe　into　the　Court　onely　to　have　a　sight　of　his
Mistresse。　She　also　（as　cunningly）　encountred　all　his　ollies；　by
such　directions　as　Bruno　gave　her；　and　many　more　beside　of　her　owne
devising；　to　quicken　him　still　with　new　occasions：　Bruno　plaid　the
Ambassador　betweene　them；　in　delivering　the　messages　from
Calandrino；　and　then　returning　her　answers　to　him。　Sometimes　when
she　was　absent　thence　（which　often　hapned　as　occasions　called　her）
then　he　would　write　letters　in　her　name；　and　bring　them；　as　if　they
were　sent　by　her；　to　give　him　hope　of　what　hee　desired；　but　because
she　was　then　among　her　kindred；　yet　she　could　not　be　unmindfull　of
him。
　　In　this　manner；　Bruno　and　Buffalmaco　（who　had　the　managing　of　this
amorous　businesse）　made　a　meere　Gregory　of　poore　Calandrino；　causing
him　somtimes　to　send　her；　one　while　a　pretty　peece　of　Ivory；　then　a
faire　wrought　purse；　and　a　costly　paire　of　knives；　with　other　such
like　friendly　tokens：　bringing　him　backe　againe；　as　in　requital　of
them；　counterfetted　Rings　of　no　valew；　Bugles　and　bables；　which　he
esteemed　as　matters　of　great　moment。　Moreover；　at　divers　close　and
sodain　meetings；　they　made　him　pay　for　many　dinners　and　suppers；
amounting　to　indifferent　charges；　onely　to　be　careful　in　the
furtherance　of　his　lovesuit；　and　to　conceale　it　from　his　wife。
　Having　worne　out　three　or　foure　months　space　in　this　fond　and
frivolous　manner；　without　any　other　successe　then　as　hath　bene
declared；　and　Calandrino　perceiving；　that　the　worke　undertaken　by
him　and　his　fellowes；　grew　very　neere　uppon　the　finishing；　which　would
barre　him　of　any　longer　resorting　thither：　hee　began　to　solicite　Bruno
more　importunately；　then　all　the　while　before　he　hadde　done。　In　regard
whereof　Nicholetta　being　one　day　come　thither；　and　Bruno　having
conferred　both　with　her　and　Phillippo；　with　ful　determination　what　was
to　be　done；　he　began　with　Calandrino；　saying。　My　honest　Neighbour
and　Friend；　this　Woman　hath　made　a　thousand　promises；　to　graunt　what
thou　art　so　desirous　to　have；　and　I　plainly　perceive　that　she　hath
no　such　meaning；　but　meerely　plaies　with　both　our　noses。　In　which
respect；　seeing　she　is　so　perfidious；　and　will　not　perfourme　one　of
all　her　faithfull…made　promises：　if　thou　wilt　consent　to　have　it　so；
she　shall　be　compelled　to　do　it　whether　she　will　or　no。　Yea　marry
Bruno；　answered　Calandrino；　that　were　an　excellent　course　indeede；
if　it　could　be　done；　and　with　expedition。
　　Bruno　stood　musing　awhile　to　himselfe；　as　if　he　had　some　strange
stratagem　in　his　braine；　and　afterward　said。　Hast　thou　so　much
corage　Calandrino；　as　but　to　handle　a　peece　of　written　parchment；
which　I　will　give　thee？　Yes；　that　I　have　answered　Calandrino；　I　hope
that　needed　not　to　be　doubted。　then；　saide　Bruno；　procure　that　I　may
have　a　piece　of　Virgin　Parchment　brought　mee；　with　a　living　Bat　or
Reremouse；　three　graines　of　Incense；　and　an　hallowed　Candle；　then
leave　me　to　effect　what　shal　content　thee。　Calandrino　watched　all
the　next　night　following；　with　such　preparation　as　he　could　make；
onely　to　catch　a　Bat；　which　being　taken　at　the　last；　he　broght　it
alive　to　Bruno　（with　all　the　other　materials　appointed）　who　taking　him
alone　into　a　backer　Chamber；　there　hee　wrote　divers　follies　on　the
Parchment；　in　the　shape　of　strange　and　unusuall　Charracters；　which
he　delivered　to　Calandrino；　saying：　Be　bold　Calandrino；　and　build
constantly　uppon　my　wordes；　that　if　thou　canst　but　touch　her　with　this
sacred　Charractred　charme；　she　will　immediately　follow　thee；　and
fulfil　whatsoever　thou　pleasest　to　command　hir。　Wherefore；　if
Phillippo　do　this　day　walke　any　whither　abroad　from　this　house；
presume　to　salute　her；　in　any　manner　whatsoever　it　be；　and　touching
her　with　the　written　lines；　go　presently　to　the　barn　of　hay；　which
thou　perceivest　so　neere　adjoyning；　the　onely　convenient　place　that
can　be；　because　few　or　none　resort　thither。　She　shall　（in　despight
of　her　blood）　follow　thee；　and　when　thou　hast　her　there；　I　leave
thee　then　to　thy　valiant　victory。　Calandrino　stood　on　tiptoe；　like　a
man　newly　molded　by　Fortune；　and　warranted　Bruno　to　fulfil　all
effectually。
　　Nello；　whom　Calandrino　most　of　all　feared　and　mistrusted；　had　a　hand
as　deepe　as　any　of　the　rest　in　this　deceite；　and　was　as　forward　also
to　have　it　performed；　by　Brunoes　direction；　hee　went　unto　Florence；
where　being　in　company　with　Calandrinoes　Wife；　thus　hee　began。
　　Cousine；　thine　unkinde　usage　by　thine　husband；　is　not　unknown　to　me；
how　he　did　beate　thee　（beyond　the　compasse　of　all　reason）　when　he
brought　home　stones　from　the　plain　of　Mugnone；　in　which　regard；　I　am
very　desirous　to　have　thee　revenged　on　him：　which　if　thou　wilt　not　do；
never　repute　me　heereafter　for　thy　Kinsman　and　Friend。　He　is　falne
in　love　with　a　Woman　of　the　common