the decameron(十日谈)-第150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！


she；　not　altring　a　jote　from　her　former　disposition；　but　rather
farre　more　froward　and　tempestuous：　delighted　to　vexe　and　crosse
him；　doing　every　thing　quite　contrary　to　the　order　appointed。　Which
Giosefo　observing；　angerly　he　said　unto　her。　Was　it　not　tolde　you　by
my　friend；　in　what　manner　he　would　have　our　Supper　drest？　She
turning　fiercely　to　him；　replyed。　Am　I　to　be　directed　by　him　or
thee？　Supper　must　and　shall　bee　drest　as　I　will　have　it：　if　it
pleaseth　mee；　I　care　not　who　doth　dislike　it；　if　thou　wouldst　have
it　otherwise；　goe　seeke　both　your　Suppers　where　you　may　have　it。
　　Melisso　marvelling　at　her　froward　answere；　rebuked　her　for　it　in
very　kind　manner：　whereupon；　Giosefo　spake　thus　to　her。　I　perceive
wife；　you　are　the　same　woman　as　you　were　wount　to　be：　but　beleeve　me
on　my　word；　I　shal　quite　alter　you　from　this　curst　complexion。　So
turning　to　Melisso；　thus　he　proceeded。　Noble　friend；　we　shall　try
anone；　whether　the　counsell　of　King　Salomon　bee　effectuall；　or　no；　and
I　pray　you；　let　it　not　be　offensive　to　you　to　see　it；　but　rather
hold　all　to　be　done　in　merriment。　And　because　I　would　not　be
hindered　by　you；　doe　but　remember　the　answere　which　the　Muletter
gave　us；　when　we　tooke　compassion　on　his　Mule。　Worthy　friend；
replyed　Melisso；　I　am　in　your　owne　house；　where　I　purpose　not　to
impeach　whatsoever　you　doe。
　　Giosefo；　having　provided　a　good　Hollywand；　went　into　the　Chamber；
where　his　wife　sate　railing；　and　despitefully　grumbling；　where
taking　her　by　the　haire　of　her　head；　he　threw　her　at　his　feete；
beating　her　extreamely　with　the　wand。　She　crying；　then　cursing；　next
railing；　lastly　fighting；　biting　and　scratching；　when　she　felt　the
cruell　smart　of　the　blowes；　and　that　all　her　resistance　served　to　no
end：　then　she　fell　on　her　knees　before　him；　and　desired　mercy　for
charities　sake。　Giosefo　fought　still　more　and　more　on　head；　armes；
shoulders；　sides；　and　all　parts　else；　pretending　as　if　he　heard　not
her　complaints；　but　wearied　himselfe　wel　neere　out　of　breath：　so
that　（to　be　briefe）　she　that　never　felt　his　fingers　before；
perceived　and　confessed；　it　was　now　too　soone。　This　being　done；　hee
returned　to　Melisso；　and　said：　Tomorrow　we　shall　see　a　miracle；　and
how　availeable　the　counsell　is　of　going　to　the　Goose　Bridge。　So
sitting　a　while　together；　after　they　had　washed　their　hands；　and　supt；
they　withdrew　to　their　lodgings。
　　The　poore　beaten　woman；　could　hardly　raise　her　selfe　from　the
ground；　which　yet　（with　much　adoe）　she　did；　and　threw　her　selfe　upon
the　bed；　where　she　tooke　such　rest　as　she　could：　but　arising　early　the
next　morning；　she　came　to　her　Husband；　and　making　him　a　very　low
courtesie；　demaunded　what　hee　pleased　to　have　for　his　dinner；　he
smiling　heartely　thereat；　with　Melisso；　tolde　her　his　mind。　And　when
dinner　time　came；　every　thing　was　ready　according　to　the　direction
given：　in　which　regard；　they　highly　commended　the　counsell；　whereof
they　made　such　an　harsh　construction　at　the　first。
　　Within　a　while　after；　Melisso　being　gone　from　Giosefo；　and
returned　home　to　his　owne　house：　hee　acquainted　a　wise　and　reverend
man；　with　the　answere　which　king　Salomon　gave　him；　whereto　hee
received　this　reply。　No　better　or　truer　advise　could　possibly　be　given
you；　for　well　you　know；　that　you　love　not　any　man；　but　the　bountiful
banquets　you　bestow　on　them；　is　more　in　respect　of　your　owne
vaine…glory；　then　any　kind　affection　you　beare　to　them：　Learne　then　to
love　men；　as　Salomon　advised；　and　you　shall　be　beloved　of　them　againe。
Thus　our　unruly　Wife　became　mildely　reclaimed；　and　the　yong　Gentleman；
by　loving　others；　found　the　fruits　of　reciporall　affection。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　NINTH　DAY；　THE　TENTH　NOVELL

　　　　　IN　JUST　REPROOFE　OF　SUCH　FOOLISH　MEN；　AS　WILL　BE　GOVERNED　BY
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　OVER…LIGHT　BELEEFE

　　John　de　Barolo；　at　the　instance　and　request　of　his　Gossip　Pietro
da　Tresanti；　made　an　enchantment；　to　have　his　wife　become　a　Mule。
And　when　it　came　to　the　fastening　on　of　the　taile；　Gossip　Pietro　by
saying　she　should　have　no　taile　at　all；　spoyled　the　whole　enchantment。

　　This　Novell　reported　by　the　Queene；　caused　a　little　murmuring
among　the　Ladies；　albeit　the　men　laughed　heartely　thereat：　but　after
they　were　all　growne　silent；　Dioneus　began　in　this　manner。　Gracious
Beauties；　among　many　white　Doves；　one　blacke　Crow　will　seeme　more
sightly；　then　the　very　whitest　Swanne　can　doe。　In　like　manner；　among　a
multitude　of　wise　men；　sometimes　one　of　much　lesse　wisedome　and
discretion；　shall　not　onely　increase　the　splendour　and　Majestie　of
their　maturity；　but　also　give　an　addition　of　delight　and　solace。
　　In　which　regard；　you　all　being　modest　and　discreet　Ladies；　and　my
selfe　more；　much　defective　in　braine；　then　otherwise　able：　in　making
your　vertues　shine　gloriously；　through　the　evident　apparance　of　mine
owne　weakenesse；　you　should　esteeme　the　better　of　mee；　by　how　much　I
seeme　the　more　cloudy　and　obscure。　And　consequently；　I　ought　to　have
the　larger　scope　of　liberty；　by　plainely　expressing　what　I　am；　and
be　the　more　patiently　endured　by　you　all；　in　saying　what　absurdly　I
shall；　then　I　should　be　if　my　speeches　savoured　of　absolute　wisdome。　I
will　therfore　tell　you　a　Tale；　which　shall　not　be　of　any　great　length；
whereby　you　may　comprehend；　how　carefully　such　things　should　be
observed；　which　are　commanded　by　them；　as　can　effect　matters　by　the
power　of　enchantment；　and　how　little　delayance　also　ought　to　be　in
such；　as　would　not　have　an　enchantment　to　be　hindered。
　　About　a　yeare　already　past　since；　there　dwelt　at　Barletta；　an　honest
man；　called　John　de　Barolo；　who　because　he　was　of　poore　condition；　for
maintenance　in　his　contented　estate；　provided　himselfe　of　a　Mule；　to
carry　commodities　from　place　to　place；　where　Faires　and　Markets　were
in　request；　but　most　especially　to　Apuglia；　buying　and　selling　in
the　nature　of　a　petty　Chapman。　Travelling　thus　thorow　the
Countreyes；　he　grew　into　great　and　familiar　acquaintance；　with　one　who
named　himselfe　Pietro　da　Tresanti；　following　the　same　Trade　of　life　as
he　did；　carrying　his　commodities　upon　an　Asse。　In　signe　of　amitie；
according　to　the　Countreyes　custome；　he　never　tearmed　him　otherwise
then　by　the　name　of　Gossip　Pietro　and　alwayes　when　he　came　to
Barletta；　he　brought　him　to　his　own　house；　taking　it　as　his　Inne；
entreating　him　very　friendly；　and　in　the　best　manner　he　could　devise
to　doe。　On　the　other　side；　Gossip　Pietro　being　very　poore；　having
but　one　simple　habitation　in　the　village　of　Tresanti；　hardly　sufecient
for　him；　and　an　handsome　young　woman　which　he　had　to　his　wife；　as　also
his　Asse：　evermore　when　John　de　Barolo　came　to　Tresanti；　he　would
bring　him　to　his　poore　abiding；　with　all　his　uttermost　abilitie　of
entertainement；　in　due　acknowledgement　of　the　courtesie　he　afforded　to
him　at　Barletta。　But　when　he　came　to　take　repose　in　the　night
season；　Gossip　Pietro　could　not　lodge　him　as　gladly　he　would：
because　he　had　but　one　silly　bed；　wherein　himselfe　and　his　wife　lay；
so　that　John　de　Barolo　was　faigne　to　lie　on　a　little　straw；　in　a　small
stable；　close　adjoyning　by　his　owne　Mule　and　the　Asse。
　　The　woman　understanding；　what　good　and　honest　welcome；　Gossip　John
afforded　her　husband；　when　he　came　to　Barletta；　was　often　very　willing
to　goe　lodge　with　an　honest　neighbour　of　hers；　called　Carapresa　di
Gludice　Leo；　because　the　two　Gossips　might　both　lie　together　in　one
bed；　wherewith　divers　times　she　acquainted　her　Husband；　but　by　no
meanes　he　would　admit　it。
　　At　one　time　among　the　rest；　as　she　was　making　the　same　motion　againe
to　her　Husband；　that　his　friend　might　be　lodged　in　better　manner：
Gossip　John　thus　spake　to　her。　Good　Zita　Carapresa；　never　molest
your　selfe　for　me；　because　I　lodge　to　mine　owne　contentment；　and　so
much　the　rather；　in　regard　that　whensoever　I　list：　I　can　convert　my
Mule　into　a　faire　young　woman；　to　give　mee　much　delight　in　the
night…season；　and　afterward　make　her　a　Mule　againe：　thus　am　I　never
without　her　company。
　　The　young　woman　wondring　at　these　words；　and　beleeving　he　did　not
fable　in　them：　she　told　them　to　her　Husband；　with　this　addition
beside；　Pietro　（quoth　she）　if　he　be　such　a　deare　friend　to　thee；　as
thou　hast　often　avouched　to　me；　wish　him　to　instruct　thee　in　so　rare　a
cunning；　that　thou　maist　make　a　Mule　of　me；　then　shalt　thou　have
both　an　Asse　and　a　Mule　to　travell　withall　about　thy　businesse；
whereby　thy　benefit　will　be　double：　and　when　we　returne　home　to　our
house；　then　thou　maist　make　mee　thy　wife　againe；　in　the　same　condition
as　I　was　before。　Gossip　Pietro；　who　was　（indeed）　but　a　very　Coxecombe；
beleeved　also　the　words　to　be　true；　yeelding　therefore　the　more　gladly
to　her　advise；　and　moving　the　matter　to　his　Gossip　John；　to　teach
him　such　a　wonderfull　secret；　which　would　redound　so　greatly　to　his
benefit：　but　John　began　to　disswade　him　from　it；　as　having　spoken　it
in　merriment；　yet　perceiving；　that　no　contradiction　would　serve　to
Frevaile；　thus　he　began。
　　Seeing　you　will　needs　have　it　so；　let　us　rise　to　morrow　morning
before　day；　as　in　our　travell　we　use　to　doe；　and　then　I　will　shew
you　how　it　is　to　be　done：　onely　I　must　and　doe　confesse；　that　the　most
difficult　thing　of　all　the　rest；　is；　to　fasten　on　the　taile；　as　thou
shalt　see。
　　Gossip　Pietro　and　his　wife；　could　hardly　take　any　rest　all　the　night
long；　so　desirous　they　were　to　have　the　deed　done；　and　therefore
when　it　drew　towards　day；　up　they　arose；　and　calling　Gossip　John；　he
came　presently　to　them　in　his　shirt；　and　being　in　the　Chamber　with
them；　he　said。　I　know　not　any　man　in　the　world；　to　whom　I　would
disclose　this　secret；　but　to　you；　and　therefore　because　you　so
earnestly　desire　it；　I　am　the　more　willing　to　doe　it。　Onely　you　must
consent；　to　doe　whatsoever　I　say；　if　you　are　desirous　to　have　it　done。
Faithfully　they　ey　；h　promised　to　performe　all；　whereupon　John
delivering　a　lighted　Candle　to　Gossip　Petro；　to　hold　in　his　hand；
said。　Marke　well　what　I　doe；　and　remember　all　the　words　I　say：　but
be　very　carefull；　that　whatsoever　thou　hearest　or　seest；　thou　doe
not　speake　one　word；　for　then　the　enchantment　will　be　utterly
overthrowne；　onely　wish　that　the　taile　may　be　well　set　on；　for　therein
consisteth　all　the　cunning。
　　Gossip　Pietro　holding　the　Candle；　and　the　woman　being　prepared　as
John　had　appointed　her；　she　bowed　her　selfe　forwardes　with　her　hands
set　to　the　ground；　even　as　if　she　stood　upon　foure　feete。　First　with
his　hands　he　touched　her　head　and　face；　saying；　Heere　is　the　goodly
head　of　a　Mule：　then　handling　her　disheveld　haire；　termed　them　the
goodly　mane　of　a　Mule。　Afterwardes；　touching　the　body；　armes；　legs；
and　feete；　gave　them　all　the　apt　names　（for　those　parts）　belonging
to　a　Mule；　nothing　else　remaining；　but　onely　the　forming　of　the　taile；
which　when　Pietro　perceived；　how　John　was　preparing　to　fasten　it　on
（having　no　way　misliked　all　his　former　proceeding：）　he　called　to
him；　saying：　Forbeare　Gossippe　John；　my　Mule　shal　have　no　taile　at
all；　I　am　contented　to　have　her　without　a　taile。
　　How　now　Gossip　Pietro？　answered　John；　What　hast　thou　done？　Thou　hast
mard　all　by　this　unadvised　speaking；　even　when　the　worke　was　almost
fully　finished。　It　is　no　matter　Gossip　（answered　Pietro）　I　can　like　my
Mule　better　with