the decameron(十日谈)-第149章

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Signior　Phillippo？　As　well　（quoth　Blondello）　as　thou　didst　the
Sturgeon　and　Lampreyes　at　Messer　Corso　Donaties。　Why　then　（sayde
Guiotto）　let　these　two　tokens　continue　familiar　betweene　thee　and
me；　when　thou　wouldst　bestow　such　another　dinner　on　mee；　then　wil　I
enrubinate　thy　nose　with　a　bottle　of　the　same　Claret。　But　Blondello
perceived　（to　his　cost）　that　hee　had　met　with　the　worser　bargaine；　and
Guiotto　got　cheare；　without　any　blowes：　and　therefore　desired　a
peacefull　attonement；　each　of　them　（alwayes　after）　abstaining　from
flouting　one　another。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　NINTH　DAY；　THE　NINTH　NOVELL

　　　　　CONTAINING　AN　EXCELLENT　ADMONITION；　THAT　SUCH　AS　COVET　TO　HAVE
　　　　THE　LOVE　OF　OTHER　MEN；　MUST　FIRST　LEARNE　THEMSELVES；　HOW　TO　LOVE：
　　　　ALSO；　BY　WHAT　MEANES　SUCH　WOMEN　AS　ARE　CURST　AND　SELF…WILLED；　MAY
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　BE　REDUCED　TO　CIVILL　OBEDIENCE

　　Two　yong　Gentlemen；　the　one　named　Melisso；　borne　in　the　City　of
Laiazzo：　and　the　other　Giose　of　Antioche；　travalled　together　unto
Salomon；　the　famous　King　of　Great　Britaine。　The　one　desiring　to　learne
what　he　should　do；　whereby　to　compasse　and　winne　the　love　of　men。
The　other　craved　to　be　enstructed　by　what　meanes　hee　might　reclaime　an
headstrong　and　unruly　wife。　And　what　answeres　the　wise　King　gave
unto　them　both；　before　they　departed　away　from　him。

　　Upon　the　conclusion　of　Madame　urettaes　Novell；　none　now　ained　to
succeede　next　in　er；　but　onely　the　Queene　r　viledge　reserved；
granted　to　Dioneus；　wherefore；　after　they　had　all　smiled　at　the
folly　of　Blondello；　with　a　chearfull　countenance　thus　the　Queene
began。
　　Honourable　Ladies；　if　with　advised　judgement；　we　do　duly　consider
the　order　of　all　things；　we　shall　very　easily　perceyve；　That　the　whole
universall　multiplicitie　of　Women；　by　Nature；　custome；　and　lawes；
are　and　ought　to　be　subject　to　men；　yea；　and　to　be　governd　by　their
discretion。　Because　every　one　desiring　to　enjoy　peace；　repose　and
comfort　with　them；　under　whose　charge　they　are；　ought　to　be　humble；
patient　and　obedient；　over　and　beside　her　spotlesse　honesty；　which
is　the　crowne　and　honour　of　every　good　woman。　And　although　those
lawes；　which　respect　the　common　good　of　all　things；　or　rather　use
and　custome　（as　our　wonted　saying　is）　the　powers　wherof　are　very
great；　and　worthy　to　be　reverenced；　should　not　make　us　wise　in　this
case。　Yet　Nature　hath　given　us　a　sufficient　demonstration；　in　creating
our　bodies　more　soft　and　delicate；　yea；　and　our　hearts　timorous；
fearefull；　benigne　and　compassionable；　our　strength　feeble；　our　voyces
pleasing；　and　the　motion　of　our　members　sweetly　plyant：　all　which
are　apparant　testimonies；　that　wee　have　neede　of　others　government。
　　Now；　it　is　not　to　be　denyed；　that　whosoever　hath　need　of　helpe；
and　is　to　bee　governed：　meerely　reason　commandeth；　that　they　should
bee　subject　and　obedient　to　their　governour。　Who　then　should　we　have
for　our　helps　and　governours；　if　not　men？　Wherfore；　we　should　be
intirely　subject　to　them；　in　giving　them　due　honour　and　reverence；　and
such　a　one　as　shall　depart　from　this　rule：　she　（in　mine　opinion）　is
not　onely　worthy　of　grievous　reprehension；　but　also　severe
chastisement　beside。　And　to　this　exact　consideration　（over　and　above
divers　other　important　reasons）　I　am　the　rather　induced；　by　the
Novel　which　Madame　Pampinea　so　lately　reported；　concerning　the　froward
and　wilfull　wife　of　Talano；　who　had　a　heavier　punishment　inflicted
on　her；　then　her　Husband　could　devise　to　doe。　And　therefore　it　is　my
peremptory　sentence；　that　all　such　women　as　will　not　be　gracious；
benigne　and　pleasing：　doe　justly　deserve　（as　I　have　already　said）
rude；　rough　and　harsh　handling；　as　both　nature；　custome　and　lawes　have
commanded。
　　To　make　good　what　I　have　said；　I　wil　declare　unto　you　the　counsell
and　advise；　given　by　Salomon；　the　wise　and　famous　King　of　Great
Britaine；　as　a　most　wholesome　and　soveraigne　medicine　for　the　cure
of　such　a　dangerous　disease；　in　any　woman　so　fouly　infected。　Which
counsel　（notwithstanding）　all　such　women　as　have　no　need　of　this
Phisicke；　I　would　not　have　them　to　imagine；　that　it　was　meant　for
them；　albeit　men　have　a　common　Proverbe；　to　wit。

　　As　the　good　horse　and　bad　horse；　doe　both　need　the　spurre。
　　So　a　good　wife　and　bad　wife；　a　wand　will　make　stirre。

　　Which　saying；　whosoever　doth　interpret　it　in　such　pleasing　manner　as
they　ought；　shal　find　it　（as　you　al　wil　affirm　no　lesse）　to　be　very
true：　especially　in　the　morall　meaning；　it　is　beyond　all
contradiction。　Women　are　naturally　all　unstable；　and　easily
enclining　to　misgovernment；　wherefore　to　correct　the　iniquity　of
such　a　distemperature　in　them　that　out…step　the　tearmes　and　bounds
of　womanhood；　a　wand　hath　been　allowed　for　especiall　phisicke。　As　in
the　like　manner；　for　support　of　vertue；　in　those　of　contrary
condition；　shaming　to　be　sullyed　with　so　grosse　a　sinne：　the
correcting　Wand　may　serve　as　a　walking　staffe；　to　protect　them　from
all　other　feares。　But；　forbearing　to　teach　any　longer；　let　mee　proceed
to　my　purpose；　and　tell　you　my　Novell。
　　In　those　ancient　and　reverend　dayes；　wherof　I　am　now　to　speake；
the　high　renowne　and　admirable　wisedome　of　Salomon；　King　of　Great
Brittain；　was　most　famous　throughout　all　parts　of　the　world；　for
answering　all　doubtfull　questions　and　demaunds　whatsoever；　that
possibly　could　be　propounded　to　him。　So　that　many　resorted　to　him；
from　the　most　remote　and　furthest　off　countreyes；　to　heare　his
miraculous　knowledge　and　experience；　yea；　and　to　crave　his　counsell；
in　matters　of　greatest　importance。　Among　the　rest　of　them　which
repaired　thither；　was　a　rich　yong　Gentleman；　honourably　descended；
named　Melisso；　who　came　from　the　City　of　Laiazzo；　where　he　was　both
borne；　and　dwelt。
　　In　his　riding　towards　France；　as　he　passed　by　Naples；　hee
overtooke　another　yong　Gentleman；　a　native　of　Antioch；　and　named
Giosefo；　whose　journey　lay　the　same　way　as　the　others　did。　Having
ridden　in　company　some　few　dayes　together；　as　it　is　a　custome　commonly
observed　among　Travellers；　to　understand　one　anothers　Countrey　and
condition；　as　also　to　what　part　his　occasions　call　him：　so　happened　it
with　them；　Giosefo　directly　telling　him；　that　he　journyed；　towards　the
wise　King　Salomon；　to　desire　his　advise　what　meanes　he　should
observe　in　the　reclaiming　of　a　wilfull　wife；　the　most　froward　and
selfe…willed　woman　that　ever　lived；　whom　neither　faire　perswasions；
nor　gentle　courtesies　could　in　any　manner　prevaile　withall。
Afterward　he　demaunded　of　Melisso；　to　know　the　occasion　of　his
travell；　and　whither。
　　Now　trust　me　Sir；　answered　Melisso；　I　am　a　native　of　Laiazzo；　and　as
you　are　vexed　with　one　great　mis…fortune；　even　so　am　I　offended　with
another。　I　am　young；　wealthy；　well　derived　by　birth；　and　allow
liberall　expences；　for　maintaining　a　worthy　table　in　my　house；　without
distinguishing　persons　by　their　rancke　and　quality；　but　make　it　free
for　all　commers；　both　of　the　city；　and　all　places　els。　Notwithstanding
all　which　bounty　and　honourable　entertainement；　I　cannot　meet　with　any
man　that　loveth　me。　In　which　respect；　I　journey　to　the　same　place　as
you　doe；　to　crave　the　counsell　of　so　wise　a　King；　what　I　should　doe；
whereby　I　might　procure　men　to　love　me。　Thus　like　two　well…met
friendly　companions；　they　rode　on　together；　untill　they　arrived　in
Great　Britaine；　where；　by　meanes　of　the　Noble　Barons　attending　on
the　King；　they　were　brought　before　him。　Melisso　delivered　his　minde　in
very　few　words；　whereto　the　King　made　no　other　answere；　but　this：
Learne　to　love。　Which　was　no　sooner　spoken；　but　Melisso　was
dismissed　from　the　Kings　presence。
　　Giosefo　also　relating；　wherefore　he　came　thither；　the　King
replying　onely　thus：　Goe　to　the　Goose　Bridge：　and　presently　Giosefo
had　also　his　dismission　from　the　King。　Comming　forth；　he　found　Melisso
attending　for　him；　and　revealed　in　what　manner　the　King　had　answered
him：　whereupon；　they　consulted　together；　concerning　both　their
answeres；　which　seemed　either　to　exceed　their　comprehension；　or　else
was　delivered　them　in　meere　mockery；　and　therefore　（more　then　halfe
discontented）　they　returned　homeward　againe。
　　After　they　had　ridden　on　a　few　dayes　together；　they　came　to　a　River；
over　which　was　a　goodly　Bridge；　and　because　a　great　company　of
Horses　and　Mules　（heavily　laden；　and　after　the　manner　of　a　Caravan
of　Camels　in　Egypt）　were　first　to　passe　over　the　saide　Bridge；　they
gladly　stayed　to　permit　their　passe。　The　greater　number　of　them
being　already　past　over；　there　was　one　shie　and　skittish　Mule
（belike　subject　to　fearefull　starting；　as　oftentimes　we　see　horses
have　the　like　ill　quality）　that　would　not　passe　over　the　Bridge　by　any
meanes；　wherefore　one　of　the　Muletters　tooke　a　good　Cudgell；　and　smote
her　at　the　first　gently；　as　hoping　so　to　procure　her　passage。
Notwithstanding；　starting　one　while　backeward；　then　againe　forward；
side…wayes；　and　every　way　indeed；　but　the　direct　Roadway　she　would　not
goe。
　　Now　grew　the　Muletter　extreamely　angry；　giving　her　many　cruell
stroakes；　on　the　head；　sides；　flancks　and　all　parts　else；　but　yet　they
proved　to　no　purpose；　which　Melisso　and　Giosefo　seeing；　and　being
（by　this　meanes）　hindred　of　their　passage；　they　called　to　the
Muletter；　saying。　Foolish　fellow；　what　doest　thou？　Intendest　thou　to
kill　the　Mule？　why　dost　thou　not　leade　her　gently；　which　is　the
likelier　course　to　prevaile　by；　then　beating　and　misusing　her　as
thou　dost？　Content　your　selves　Gentlemen　（answered　the　Muletter）　you
know　your　horses　qualities；　as　I　doe　my　Mules；　let　mee　deale　with
her　as　I　please。　Having　thus　spoken；　he　gave　her　so　many　violent
strokes；　on　head；　sides；　hippes；　and　every　where　else；　as　made　her
at　last　passe　over　the　Bridge　quietly；　so　that　the　Muletter　wonne
the　Mastery　of　his　Mule。
　　When　Melisso　and　Giosefo　had　passed　over　the　Bridge；　where　they
intended　to　part　each　from　other；　a　sudden　motion　happened　into　the
minde　of　Melisso；　which　caused　him　to　demaund　of　an　aged　man　（who　sate
craving　almes　of　Passengers　at　the　Bridge　foot）　how　the　Bridge　was
called：　Sir；　answered　the　old　man；　this　is　called；　The　Goose　Bridge。
Which　words　when　Giosefo　heard；　hee　called　to　minde　the　saying　of　King
Salomon；　and　therefore　immediately　saide　to　Melisso。　Worthy　friend；
and　partner　in　my　travell；　I　dare　now　assure　sure　that　the　counsell
given　me　by　King　Salomon；　may　fall　out　most　effectall　and　true：　For
I　plainely　perceive；　that　I　knew　not　how　to　handle　my　selfe…will'd
wife；　untill　the　Muletter　did　instruct　me。　So；　requesting　still　to
enjoy　the　others　Company；　they　journeyed　on；　till　at　the　length　they
came　to　Laiazzo；　where　Giosefo　retained　Melisso　still　with　him；　for
some　repose　after　so　long　a　journey；　and　entertained　him　with　very
honourable　respect　and　courtesie。
　　One　day　Giosefo　said　to　his　Wife：　Woman；　this　Gentleman　is　my
intimate　friend；　and　hath　borne　me　company　in　all　my　travell：　such
dyet　therfore　as　thou　wilt　welcome　him　withall；　I　would　have　it
ordered　（in　dressing）　according　to　his　direction。　Melisso　perceiving
that　Giosefo　would　needs　have　it　to　be　so；　in　few　words　directed　her
such　a　course；　as　（for　ever）　might　be　to　her　Husbands　contentment。　But
she；　not　altring　a　jote　from　her　former　disposition；　but　rather
farre　more　froward　and