the decameron(十日谈)-第153章

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divers　other　speeches　passed　betweene　them；　the　one　still　advising
in　Phisicall　manner；　and　the　other　seeming　to　care　little　for　it：
but　moved　many　questions　concerning　Ghinotto；　and　earnestly　requesting
to　see　him。　Such　speeches　as　savoured　of　the　Abbots　discontentment；
and　came　from　him　in　passion；　were　clouded　with　courteous
acceptance；　and　not　the　least　signe　of　any　mislike：　but　assuring　his
Lordship；　that　Ghinotto　intended　very　shortly　to　see　him；　and　so
they　parted　for　that　time。
　Nor　returned　he　any　more；　till　the　next　morning　with　the　like　two
toastes　of　bread；　and　such　another　Glasse　of　white　Bastard；　as　he
had　brought　him　at　the　first；　continuing　the　same　course　for　divers
dayes　after：　till　the　Abbot　had　eaten　（and　very　hungerly　too）　a　pretty
store　of　dryed　Beanes；　which　Ghinotto　purposely；　（yet　secretly）　had
hidden　in　the　Chamber。　Whereupon　he　demaunded　of　him　（as　seeming　to　be
so　enjoyned　by　his　pretended　master）　in　what　temper　he　found　his
stomacke　now？　I　should　finde　my　stomacke　well　enough　（answered　the
Lord　Abbot）　if　I　could　get　forth　of　thy　masters　fingers；　and　then　have
some　good　food　to　feed　on：　for　his　medicines　have　made　me　so　soundly
stomackt；　that　I　am　ready　to　starve　with　hunger。
　　When　Ghinotto　was　gone　from　him；　hee　then　prepared　a　very　faire
Chamber　for　him；　adorning　it　with　the　Abbots　owne　rich　hangings；　as
also　his　Plate　and　other　moveables；　such　as　were　alwayes　used　for
his　service。　A　costly　dinner　he　provided　likewise；　whereto　he
invited　divers　of　the　Towne；　and　many　of　the　Abbots　chiefest
followers：　then　going　to　him　againe　the　next　morning；　he　said。　My
Lord；　seeing　you　doe　feele　your　stomacke　so　well；　it　is　time　you
should　come　forth　of　the　Infirmary。　And　taking　him　by　the　hand；　he
brought　him　into　the　prepared　Chamber；　where　he　left　him　with　his　owne
people；　and　went　to　give　order　for　the　dinners　serving　in；　that　it
might　be　performed　in　magnificent　manner。
　　The　Lord　Abbot　recreated　himselfe　a　while　with　his　owne　people；　to
whom　he　recounted；　the　course　of　his　life　since　hee　saw　them；　and　they
likewise　told　him；　how　kindly　they　had　bin　initeated　by　Ghinotto。
But　when　dinner　time　was　come；　the　Lord　Abbot　and　all　his　company；
were　served　with　costly　viands　and　excellent　Wines；　without　Ghinottoes
making　himselfe　knowne　to　the　Abbot：　till　after　he　had　beene
entertained　some　few　dayes　in　this　order：　into　the　great　Hall　of　the
Castle；　Ghinotto　caused　all　the　Abbots　goods　and　furniture　to　bee
brought；　and　likewise　into　a　spacious　Court；　wheron　the　windowes　of
the　said　Court　gazed；　all　his　mules　and　horses；　with　their　sumpters；
even　to　the　very　silliest　of　them；　which　being　done；　Ghinotto　went
to　the　Abbot；　and　demaunded　of　him；　how　he　felt　his　stomacke　now；
and　whether　it　would　serve　him　to　venter　on　horsebacke　as　yet；　or
no？　The　Lord　Abbot　answered；　that　he　found　his　stomacke　perfectly
recovered；　his　body　strong　enough　to　endure　travell；　and　all　things
well；　so　hee　were　delivered　from　Ghinotto。
　　Hereupon；　he　brought　him　into　the　hall　where　his　furniture　was；　as
also　all　his　people；　and　commanding　a　window　to　be　opned；　wherat　he
might　behold　his　horses；　he　said。　My　Lord；　let　me　plainely　give　you　to
understand；　that　neither　cowardise；　or　basenesse　of　minde；　induced
Ghinotto　di　Tacco　（which　is　my　selfe）　to　become　a　lurking　robber　on
the　high…wayes；　an　enemy　to　the　Pope；　and　so　（consequently）　to　the
Romane　Court：　but　onely　to　save　his　owne　life　and　honour　knowing
himselfe　to　be　a　Gentleman　cast　out　of　his　owne　house；　and　having
（beside）　infinite　enemies。　But　because　you　seeme　to　be　a　worthy
Lord；　I　will　not　（although　I　have　cured　your　stomacks　disease）　deale
with　you　as　I　doe　to　others；　whose　goods　（when　they　fall　into　my
power）　I　take　such　part　of　as　I　please：　but　rather　am　well
contented；　that　my　necessities　being　considered　by　your　selfe；　you
spare　me　out　a　proportion　of　the　things　you　have　heere；　answerable
to　your　owne　liking。　For　all　are　present　here　before　you；　both　in　this
Hall；　and　in　the　Court　beneath；　free　from　any　spoyle；　or　the　least
impairing。　Wherefore；　give　a　part；　or　take　all；　if　you　please；　and
then　depart　hence　when　you　will；　or　abide　heere　still；　for　now　you　are
at　your　owne　free　liberty。
　　The　Lord　Abbot　wondred　not　a　little；　that　a　robber　on　the　high
wayes；　should　have　such　a　bold　and　liberall　spirit；　which　appeared
very　pleasing　to　him；　and　instantly；　his　former　hatred　and　spleene
against　Ghinotto；　became　converted　into　cordiall　love　and　kindnes；
so　that　（imbracing　him　in　his　armes）　he　said。　I　protest　upon　my　vow
made　to　Religion；　that　to　win　the　love　of　such　a　man；　as　I　plainely
perceive　thee　to　be：　I　would　undergo　far　greater　injuries；　then
those　which　I　have　received　at　thy　hands。　Accursed　be　cruell
destiny；　that　forced　thee　to　so　base　a　kind　of　life；　and　did　not
blesse　thee　with　a　fairer　fortune。　After　he　had　thus　spoken；　he　left
there　the　greater　part　of　all　his　goods；　and　returned　backe　againe
to　Rome；　with　few　horses；　and　a　meaner　traine。
　　During　these　passed　accidents；　the　Pope　had　received　intelligence　of
the　Lord　Abbots　surprizall；　which　was　not　a　little　displeasing　to　him：
but　when　he　saw　him　returned；　he　demaunded；　what　benefit　he　received
at　the　Bathes？　Whereto　the　Abbot；　merrily　smyling；　thus　replyed。
Holy　Father；　I　met　with　a　most　skilfull　Physitian　neerer　hand；　whose
experience　is　beyond　the　power　of　the　Bathes；　for　by　him　I　am　very
perfectly　cured：　and　so　discoursed　all　at　large。　The　Pope　laughing
heartely；　and　the　Abbot　continuing　on　still　his　report；　moved　with
an　high　and　magnificent　courage；　he　demaunded　one　gracious　favour　of
the　Pope：　who　imagining　that　he　would　request　a　matter　of　greater
moment；　then　he　did；　freely　offered　to　grant；　whatsoever　he　desired。
　　Holy　Father；　answered　the　Lord　Abbot；　all　the　humble　suit　which　I
make　to　you；　is；　that　you　would　be　pleased　to　receive　into　your
grace　and　favor；　Ghinotto　di　Tacco　my　Physitian；　because　among　all　the
vertuous　men；　deserving　to　have　especial　account　made　of　them　I
never　met　with　any　equall　to　him　both　in　honour　and　honesty。
Whatsoever　injury　he　did　to　me；　I　impute　it　as　a　greater　in…fortune；
then　any　way　he　deserveth　to　be　charged　withall。　Which　wretched
condition　of　his；　if　you　were　pleased　to　alter；　and　bestow　on　him　some
better　meanes　of　maintenance；　to　live　like　a　worthy　man；　as　he　is　no
lesse：　I　make　no　doubt；　but　（in　very　short　time）　hee　will　appeare　as
pleasing　to　your　holinesse；　as　（in　my　best　judgement）　I　thinke　him
to　be。
　　The　Pope；　who　was　of　a　magnanimious　spirit；　and　one　that　highly
affected　men　of　vertue；　hearing　the　commendable　motion　made　by　the
Abbot；　returned　answere；　that　he　was　as　willing　to　grant　it；　as　the
other　desired　it；　sending　Letters　of　safe　conduct　for　his　comming
thither。　Ghinotto　receiving　such　assurance　from　the　Court　of　Rome；
came　thither　immediatly；　to　the　great　joy　of　the　Lord　Abbot：　and　the
Pope　finding　him　to　be　a　man　of　valor　and　worth；　upon
reconciliation；　remitted　all　former　errors；　creating　him　knight；　and
Lord　Prior　of　the　very　chiefest　Hospitall　in　Rome。　In　which　Office
he　lived　long　time　after；　as　a　loyall　servant　to　the　Church；　and　an
honest　thankefull　friend　to　the　Lord　Abbot　of　Clugny。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　TENTH　DAY；　THE　THIRD　NOVELL

　　　　　SHEWING　IN　AN　EXCELLENT　AND　LIVELY　DEMONSTRATION；　THAT　ANY
　　　　　ESPECIALL　HONOURABLE　VERTUE；　PERSEVERING　AND　DWELLING　IN　A
　　　　TRULY　NOBLE　SOULE；　CANNOT　BE　VIOLENCED　OR　CONFOUNDED；　BY　THE
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　MOST　POLITICKE　ATTEMPTES　OF　MALICE　AND　ENVY

　　Mithridanes　envying　the　life　and　liberality　of　Nathan；　and
travelling　thither；　with　a　setled　resolution　to　kill　him：　chaunceth　to
conferre　with　Nathan　unknowne。　And　being　instructed　by　him；　in　what
manner　he　might　best　performe　the　bloody　deede；　according　as　hee
gave　direction；　hee　meeteth　with　him　in　a　small　Thicket　or　Woode；
where　knowing　him　to　be　the　same　man；　that　taught　him　how　to　take　away
his　life：　Confounded　with　shame；　hee　acknowledgeth　his　horrible
intention；　and　becommeth　his　loyall　friend。

　　It　appeared　to　the　whole　assembly；　that　they　had　heard　a　matter　of
mervaile；　for　a　Lord　Abbot　to　performe　any　magnificent　action：　but
their　admiration　ceasing　in　silence；　the　King　commanded　Philostratus
to　follow　next；　who　forthwith　thus　began。
　　Honourable　Ladies；　the　bounty　and　magnificense　of　Alphonso　King　of
Spaine；　was　great　and　that　done　by　the　Lord　great　in　Abbot　of
Clugny；　a　thing　（perhaps）　never　heard　of　in　any　other。　But　it　will
seeme　no　lesse　mervailous　to　you；　when　you　heare；　how　one　man；　in
expression　of　great　liberality　to　another　man；　that　earnestly
desired　to　kill　him；　should　bee　secretly　disposed　to　give　him　his
life；　which　had　bin　lost；　if　the　other　would　have　taken　it；　as　I
purpose　to　acquaint　you　withall；　in　a　short　Novell。
　　Most　certaine　it　is；　at　least；　if　Faith　may　bee　given　to　the
report　of　certaine　Genewayes；　and　other　men　resorting　to　those
remote　parts；　that　in　the　Country　of　Cathaya；　there　lived　somtime　a
Gentleman；　rich　beyond　comparison；　and　named　Nathan。　He　having　his
living　adjoyning　to　a　great　common　rode…way；　whereby　men　travayled
from　the　East　to　the　West　（as　they　did　the　like　from　the　West　unto　the
East；　as　having　no　other　means　of　passage）　and　being　of　a　bountifull
and　chearfull　disposition；　which　he　was　willing　to　make　knowen　by
experience：　he　summoned　together　many　Master　Masons　and　Carpenters；
and　there　erected　（in　a　short　time）　one　of　the　greatest；　goodliest；
and　most　beautifull　houses　（in　manner　of　a　Princes　Pallace）　that
ever　was　seene　in　all　those　quarters。
　　With　movables　and　all　kinde　of　furnishment；　befitting　a　house　of
such　outward　apparance；　hee　caused　it　to　be　plentifully　stored　onely
to　receive；　entertaine；　and　honor　all　Gentlemen　or　other　Travailers
whatsoever；　as　had　occasion　to　passe　that　way；　being　not　unprovided
also　of　such　a　number　of　servants；　as　might　continuallie　give
attendance　on　all　commers　and　goers。　Two　and　fifty　severall　gates；
standing　alway　wide　open；　and　over　each　of　them　in　great　golden
carracters　was　written；　Welcome；　welcome；　and　gave　free　admission　to
all　commers　whatsoever。
　　In　this　honourable　order　（observed　as　his　estated　custom）　he
persevered　so　long　a　while；　as　not　onely　the　East　parts；　but　also
those　in　the　west；　were　every　where　acquainted　with　his　fame　and
renown。　Being　already　well　stept　into　yeares；　but　yet　not　wearie
（therefore）　of　his　great　charge　and　liberality：　it　fortuned；　that
the　rumor　of　his　noble　Hospitality；　came　to　the　eare　of　another
gallant　Gentleman；　named　Mithridanes；　living　in　a　Countrey　not　farre
off　from　the　other。
　　This　Gentleman；　knowing　himselfe　no　lesse　wealthy　then　Nathan；　and
enviously　repining　at　his　vertue　and　liberality；　determined　in　his
mind；　to　dim　and　obscure　the　others　bright　splendor；　by　making
himselfe　farre　more　famous。　And　having　built　a　Palace　answerable　to
that　of　Nathans；　with　like　windings　of　gates；　and　welcom　inscriptions；
he　beganne　to　extend　immeasurable　courtesies；　unto　all　such　as　were
disposed　to　visite　him：　so　that　（in　a　short　while）　hee　grew　very
famous　in　infinite　places。　It　chanced　on　a　day；　as　Mithridanes　sate
all　alone　within　the　goodly　Court　of　his　Pallace：　a　poore　woman