the decameron(十日谈)-第152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！


shaping　his　answers　accordingly；　and　on　the　nexte　morning　to　command
his　returne　backe　with　him　to　the　King。
　　Nor　was　the　Gentleman　slacke　in　this　command；　but　noting　Rogieroes
departing　forth　of　the　city；　he　mounted　on　horseback　likewise；　and
immediatly　after　came　into　his　company；　making　him　beleeve；　that　he
journied　towards　Italy。　Rogiero　rode　on　the　Mule　which　the　king　had
given　him；　with　diversity　of　speeches　passing　between　them。　About
three　of　the　clocke　in　the　afternoone；　the　Gentleman　said。　It　were　not
amisse　Sir；　（having　such　fit　opportunitie）；　to　Stable　our　horses　for　a
while；　till　the　heate　be　a　little　more　overpast。　So　taking　an　Inne；
and　the　horses　being　in　the　stable；　they　all　staled　except　the　Mule。
　　Being　mounted　againe；　and　riding　on　further；　the　Gentleman　duely
observed　whatsoever　Rogiero　spake；　and　comming　to　the　passage　of　a
small　River　or　Brooke：　the　rest　of　the　beasts　dranke；　and　not　the
Mule；　but　staled　in　the　River：　which　Signior　Rogiero　seeing；
clapping　his　hands　on　the　Mules　mane；　hee　said。　What　a　wicked　beast
art　thou？　thou　art　just　like　thy　Master　that　gave　thee　to　mee。　The
Gentleman　committed　the　words　to　memory；　as　he　did　many　other
passing　from　Rogiero；　riding　along　the　rest　of　the　day；　yet　none　in
disparagement　of　the　King；　but　rather　highly　in　his　commendation。
And　being　the　next　morning　mounted　on　horseback；　seeming　to　hold　on
still　the　way　for　Tuscane：　the　Gentleman　fulfilled　the　Kings
command；　causing　Signior　Rogiero　to　turne　back　againe　with　him；
which　willingly　he　yeelded　to　doe。
　　When　they　were　come　to　the　Court；　and　the　King　made　acquainted
with　the　words；　which　Rogiero　spake　to　his　Mule；　he　was　called　into
the　presence；　where　the　King　shewed　him　a　gracious　countenance；　and
demanded　of　him；　why　he　had　compared　him　to　his　Mule？　Signior
Rogiero　nothing　daunted；　but　with　a　bold　and　constant　spirit；　thus
answered。　Sir；　I　made　the　comparison；　because；　like　as　you　give；　where
there　is　no　conveniency；　and　bestow　nothing　where　reason　requireth：
even　so；　the　Mule　would　not　stale　where　she　should　have　done；　but
where　was　water　too　much　before；　there　she　did　it。　Beleeve　me
Signior　Rogiero；　replyed　the　King；　if　I　have　not　given　you　such　gifts；
as　（perhaps）　I　have　done　to　divers　other；　farre　inferiour　to　you　in
honour　and　merit；　this　happened　not　thorough　any　ignorance　in　me；　as
not　knowing　you　to　be　a　most　valiant　Knight；　and　well…worthy　of
speciall　respect：　but　rather　through　your　owne　ill　fortune；　which
would　not　suffer　me　to　doe　it；　whereof　she　is　guilty；　and　not　I；　as
the　truth　thereof　shall　make　it　selfe　apparant　to　you。　Sir；　answered
Rogiero；　I　complaine　not；　because　I　have　received　no　gift　from　you；　as
desiring　thereby　covetously　to　become　the　richer：　but　in　regard　you
have　not　as　yet　any　way　acknowledged；　what　vertue　is　remaining　in
me。　Neverthelesse；　I　allow　your　excuse　for　good　and　reasonable；　and　am
heartely　contented；　to　behold　whatsoever　you　please；　although　I　doe
confidently　credit　you；　without　any　other　testimony。
　The　King　conducted　him　then　into　the　great　Hall；　where　（as　hee　had
before　given　order）　stood　two　great　Chests；　fast　lockt；　in　the
presence　of　all　his　Lords；　the　King　thus　spake。　Signior　Rogiero；　in
one　of　these　Chests　is　mine　imperiall　Crowne；　the　Scepter　Royall；
the　Mound；　and　many　more　of　my　richest　girdles；　rings；　plate；　and
jewels；　even　the　very　best　that　are　mine：　the　other　is　full　of　earth
onely。　Chuse　one　of　these　two；　and　which　thou　makest　election　of；　upon
my　Royall　word　thou　shalt　enjoy　it。　Hereby　shalt　thou　evidently
perceive；　who　hath　bin　ingreatful　to　the　deservings；　either　I；　or
thine　owne　bad　fortune。　Rogiero　seeing　it　was　the　kings　pleasure　to
have　it　so；　chose　one　of　them；　which　the　King　caused　presently　to　be
opened；　it　approving　to　be　the　same　that　was　full　of　earth；　whereat
the　King　smyling；　said　thus　unto　him。　You　see　Signior　Rogiero；　that
what　I　said　concerning　your　ill　fortune；　is　very　true：　but
questionlesse；　your　valour　is　of　such　desert；　as　I　ought　to　oppose
my　selfe　against　all　her　malevolence。　And　because　I　know　right；　that
you　are　not　minded　to　become　a　Spaniard；　I　will　give　you　neither
Castle　nor　dwelling　place：　but　will　bestow　the　Chest　on　you　（in　meer
despight　of　your　malicious　fortune）　which　she　so　unjustly　tooke　away
from　you。　Carry　it　home　with　you　into　your　Countrey；　that　there　it　may
make　an　apparant　testimoney；　in　the　sight　of　all　your　well…willers；
both　of　your　owne　vertuous　deservings；　and　my　bounty。　Signior
Rogiero　humbly　receiving　the　Chest；　and　thanking　his　Majestie　for　so
liberall　a　gift；　returned　home　joyfully　therewith；　into　his　native
Countrey　of　Tuscane。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　TENTH　DAY；　THE　SECOND　NOVELL

　　　　WHEREIN　IS　DECLARED　THAT　GOOD　MEN　DOE　SOMETIMES　FALL　INTO　BAD
　　　　　　CONDITIONS；　ONELY　OCCASIONED　THERETO　BY　NECESSITY：　AND　WHAT
　　　　　　　MEANES　ARE　TO　BE　USED；　FOR　THEIR　REDUCING　TO　GOODNESSE
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　AGAINE

　　Ghinotto　di　Tacco；　tooke　the　Lord　Abbot　of　Clugni　as　his　prisoner；
and　cured　him　of　a　grievous　disease；　which　he　had　in　his　stomacke；　and
afterwards　set　him　at　libert。　The　same　Lord　Abbot　when　hee　returned
from　the　Court　Rome；　reconciled　Ghinotto　to　Pope　Boniface；　who　made
him　a　Knight；　and　Lord　Prior　of　a　goodly　Hospitall。

　　The　magnificence　and　Royall　bounty；　which　King　Alphonso　bestowed
on　the　Florentine　knight；　passed　through　the　whole　assembly　with
mean　applause；　and　the　King　（who　gave　the　greatest　praise　of　al）
commanded　Madame　Eliza；　to　take　the　second　turne　in　order；
whereupon；　thus　she　began。　Faire　Ladies；　if　a　king　shewed　himselfe
magnificently　minded；　and　expressed　his　liberall　bounty　to　such　a　man；
as　had　done　him　good　and　honourable　services：　it　can　be　termed　no　more
then　a　vertuous　deed　well　done；　and　becomming　a　King。　But　what　will　we
say；　when　we　heare　that　a　Prelate　of　the　Church；　shewed　himselfe
wondrously　magnificent；　and　to　such　a　one　as　was　his　enemy：　can　any
malicious　tongue　speake　ill　of　him？　Undoubtedly；　no　other　answere　is
to　be　made；　but　the　action　of　the　King　was　meerely　vertue；　and　that　of
the　Prelate；　no　lesse　then　a　miracle：　for　how　can　it　be　otherwise；
when　they　are　more　greedily　covetous　then　women；　and　deadly　enemies　to
all　liberality？　And　although　every　man　（naturally）　desireth　revenge
for　injuries　and　abuses　done　unto　him：　yet　men　of　the　Church；　in
regard　that　dayly　they　preached　patience；　and　commaund　（above　all
things　else）　remission　of　sinnes：　it　would　appeare　a　mighty　blemish　in
them；　to　be　more　froward　and　furious　then　other　men。　But　I　am　to
speake　of　a　reverend　Prelate　of　the　Church；　as　also　concerning　his
munificent　bounty；　to　one　that　was　his　enemy；　and　yet　became　his
reconciled　friend；　as　you　shall　perceive　by　my　Novell。
　　Ghinotto　di　Tacco；　for　his　insolent　and　stout　robberies；　became　a
man　very　farre　famed；　who　being　banished　from　Sienna；　and　an　enemy
to　the　Countes　Disanta　Flore：　prevailed　so　by　his　bold　and
headstrong　perswasions；　that　the　Towne　of　Raticonfani　rebelled　against
the　Church　of　Rome；　wherein　he　remaining；　all　passengers　whatsoever；
travelling　any　way　thereabout；　were　robde　and　rifled　by　his　theeving
Companions。　At　the　time　whereof　now　I　speake；　Boniface　the　eight；
governed　as　Pope　at　Rome；　and　the　Lord　Abbot　of　Clugni　（accounted　to
be　one　of　the　richest　Prelates　in　the　world）　came　to　Rome；　and　there
either　by　some　surfeit；　excesse　of　feeding；　or　otherwise；　his　stomacke
being　grievously　offended　and　pained；　the　Phisitians　advised　him；　to
travell　to　the　Bathes　at　Sienna；　where　he　should　receive　immediate
cure。　In　which　respect；　his　departure　being　licenced　by　the　Pope；　to
set　onward　thither；　with　great　and　pompous　Cariages；　of　Horses；　Mules；
and　a　goodly　traine；　without　hearing　any　rumour　of　the　theevish
Consorts。
　　Ghinotto　di　Tacco；　being　advertised　of　his　comming；　spred　about
his　scouts　and　nettes；　and　without　missing　so　much　as　one　Page；　shut
up　the　Abbot；　with　all　his　traine　and　baggage；　in　a　place　of　narrow
restraint；　out　of　which　he　could　by　no　meanes　escape。　When　this　was
done；　he　sent　one　of　his　most　sufficient　attendants　（well　accompanyed）
to　the　Lord　Abbot；　who　said　to　him　in　his　Masters　name；　that　if　his
Lordship　were　so　pleased；　hee　might　come　and　visite　Ghinotto　at　his
Castle。　Which　the　Abbot　hearing；　answered　chollerickly；　that　he
would　not　come　thither；　because　hee　had　nothing　to　say　to　Ghinotto：
but　meant　to　proceed　on　in　his　journy；　and　would　faine　see；　who
durst　presume　to　hinder　his　passe。　To　which　rough　words；　the　messenger
thus　mildely　answered。　My　Lord　（quoth　he）　you　are　arrived　in　such　a
place；　where　we　feare　no　other　force；　but　the　all…controlling　power　of
heaven；　clearely　exempted　from　the　Popes　thunder…cracks；　of
maledictions；　interdictions；　excommunications；　or　whatsoever　else：　and
therefore　it　would　bee　much　better　for　you；　if　you　pleased　to　do　as
Ghinotto　adviseth　you。
　　During　the　time　of　this　their　interparlance；　the　place　was
suddenly　round　ingirt　with　strongly　armed　theeves；　and　the　Lord
Abbot　perceiving；　that　both　he　and　all　his　followers　were　surprized：
tooke　his　way　（though　very　impatiently）　towards　the　Castle；　and
likewise　all　his　company　and　carriages　with　him。　Being　dismounted；　hee
was　conducted　（as　Ghinotto　had　appointed）　all　alone；　into　a　small
Chamber　of　the　Castle；　it　being　very　darke　and　uneasie：　but　the　rest
of　his　traine；　every　one　according　to　his　ranck　and　quality；　were
all　well　lodged　in　the　Castle；　their　horses；　goods　and　all　things
else；　delivered　into　secure　keeping；　without　the　least　touch　of　injury
or　prejudice。　All　which　being　orderly　done；　Ghinotto　himselfe　went
to　the　Lord　Abbot；　and　said。　My　Lord；　Ghinotto；　to　whom　you　are　a
welcome　guest；　requesteth；　that　it　might　be　your　pleasure　to　tell　him；
whither　you　are　travelling；　and　upon　what　occasion？
　　The　Lord　Abbot　being　a　very　wise　man；　and　his　angry　distemper　more
moderately　qualified；　revealed　whither　he　went；　and　the　cause　of　his
going　thither。　Which　when　Ghinotto　had　heard；　hee　departed　courteously
from　him；　and　began　to　consider　with　himselfe；　how　he　might　cure　the
Abbot；　yet　without　any　Bathe。　So；　commanding　a　good　fire　to　be　kept
continually　in　his　small　Chamber；　and　very　good　attendance　on　him：　the
next　morning；　he　came　to　visite　him　againe；　bringing　a　faire　white
Napkin　on　his　arme；　and　in　it　two　slices　or　toasts　of　fine　Manchet；
a　goodly　cleare　Glasse；　full　of　the　purest　white…Bastard　of
Corniglia　（but　indeed；　of　the　Abbots　owne　provision　brought　thither
with　him）　and　then　hee　spoke　to　him　in　this　manner。
　　My　Lord；　when　Ghinotto　was　yonger　then　now　he　is；　he　studyed
Physicke；　and　he　commanded　me　to　tell　you；　that　the　very　best
medicine；　he　could　ever　learne；　against　any　disease　in　the　stomacke；
was　this　which　he　had　provided　for　your　Lordship；　as　an　especial
preparative；　and　which　he　should　finde　to　be　very　comfortable。　The
Abbot；　who　had　a　better　stomacke　to　eate；　then　any　will　or　desire　to
talke：　although　hee　did　it　somewhat　disdainfully；　yet　hee　eate　up　both
the　toastes；　and　roundly　dranke　the　Glasse　of　Bastard。　Afterward；
divers　other　speeches　passed　betweene　them；　the　one　still　advising
in　Phisicall　manner；　and　the　other　seeming　to　care　little　f