the decameron(十日谈)-第159章

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he　felt　his　affection　very　violently　flamed；　and　grew　into　such　an
amourous　desire　to　them　both；　not　knowing　which　of　them　pleased　him
most；　they　so　choisely　resembled　one　another　in　all　things。
　　But　after　he　had　dwelt　long　enough　upon　these　thoughts；　he　turned
him　selfe　to　Signior　Neri；　and　demanded　of　him；　what　Damosels　they
were。　Sir　（answered　Neri）　they　are　my　Daughters；　both　brought　into　the
world　at　one　birth；　and　Twinnes；　the　one　being　named　Genevera　the
faire；　and　the　other　Isotta　the　amiable。　The　King　began　againe　to
commend　them　both；　and　gave　him　advise　to　get　them　both　married：
wherein　he　excused　himselfe；　alleadging；　that　he　wanted　power　to　doe
it。　At　the　same　time　instant；　no　other　service　remaining　to　be　brought
to　the　table；　except　Fruit　and　Cheese；　the　two　Damosels　returned
againe；　attyred　in　goodly　Roabes　of　Carnation　Sattin；　formed　after　the
Turkish　fashion；　carrying　two　fayre　Silver　dishes　in　their　hands；
filled　with　divers　delicate　Fruites；　such　as　the　season　then　afforded；
setting　them　on　the　Table　before　the　King。　Which　being　done；　they
retyred　a　little　backeward；　and　with　sweet　melodious　voyces；　sung　a
ditty；　beginning　in　this　manner。
　　Where　Love　presumeth　into　place：
　　Let　no　one　sing　in　Loves　disgrace。
　　So　sweet　and　pleasing　seemed　the　Song　to　the　King　（who　tooke　no
small　delight；　both　to　heare　and　behold　the　Damosels）　even　as　if　all
the　Hirarchies　of　Angels　were　descended　from　the　Heavens　to　sing
before　him。　No　sooner　was　the　Song　ended；　but　（humbly　on　their
knees）　they　craved　favour　of　the　King　for　their　departing。　Now；
although　their　departure　was　greatly　grieving　to　him；　yet　（in
outward　appearance）　he　seemed　willing　to　grant　it。
　　When　Supper　was　concluded；　and　the　King　and　his　Company　remounted　on
horsebacke：　thankefully　departing　from　Signior　Neri；　the　King　returned
to　his　lodging；　concealing　there　closely　his　affection　to　himselfe；
and　whatsoever　important　affaires　happened：　yet　he　could　not　forget
the　beauty；　and　gracious　behaviour　of　Genevera　the　faire　（for　whose
sake　he　loved　her　Sister　likewise）　but　became　so　linked　to　her　in
vehement　maner；　as　he　had　no　power　to　think　on　any　thing　else。
Pretending　other　urgent　occasions；　he　fell　into　great　familiarity　with
Signior　Neri；　visiting　very　often　his　goodly　Garden；　onely　to　see
his　faire　Daughter　Genevera；　the　Adamant　which　drew　him　thither。
　　When　he　felt　his　amourous　assaults；　to　exceed　all　power　of　longer
sufferance：　he　resolved　determinately　with　himselfe；　（being　unprovided
of　any　better　meanes）　to　take　her　away　from　her　Father；　and　not
onely　she；　but　her　Sister　also；　discovering　both　his　love　and　intent
to　Count　Guy　de　Montforte；　who　being　a　very　worthy　and　vertuous
Lord；　and　meet　to　be　a　Counseller　for　a　King；　delivered　his　mind　in
this　manner。
　　Gracious　Lord；　I　wonder　not　a　little　at　your　speeches；　and　so　much
the　greater　is　my　admiration；　because　no　man　els　can　be　subject　to　the
like；　in　regard　I　have　knowne　you　from　the　time　of　your　infancy；
even　to　this　instant　houre；　and　alwayes　your　carriage　to　bee　one　and
the　same。　I　could　never　perceive　in　your　youthfull　dayes　（when　love
should　have　the　greatest　meanes　to　assaile　you）　any　such　oppressing
passions：　which　is　now　the　more　novell　and　strange　to　me；　to　heare
it　but　said；　that　you　being　old；　and　called　the　Aged；　should　be　growne
amorous；　surely　to　me　it　seemeth　a　miracle。　And　if　it　appertained　to
me　to　reprehend　you　in　this　case；　I　know　well　enough　what　I　could　say。
Considering；　you　have　yet　your　Armour　on　your　backe；　in　a　Kingdome
newly　conquered；　among　a　Nation　not　knowne　to　you；　full　of　falsehoods；
breaches；　and　treasons；　all　which　are　no　meane　motives　to　care　and
needfull　respect。　But　having　now　wone　a　little　leisure；　to　rest　your
selfe　a　while　from　such　serious　affaires；　can　you　give　way　to　the　idle
suggestions　of　Love？　Beleeve　me　Sir；　it　is　no　act　becomming　a
magnanimious　King；　but　rather　the　giddy　folly　of　a　young　braine。
　　Moreover　you　say　（which　most　of　all　I　mislike）　that　you　intend　to
take　the　two　Virgines　from　the　Knight；　who　hath　given　you
entertainment　in　his　house　beyond　his　ability；　and　to　testifie　how
much　he　honoured　you；　he　suffered　you　to　have　a　sight　of　them；　meerely
（almost）　in　a　naked　manner：　witnessing　thereby；　what　constant　faith　he
reposed　in　you；　beleeving　verily；　that　you　were　a　just　King；　and　not　a
ravenous　Woolfe。　Have　you　so　soone　forgot；　that　the　rapes　and
violent　actions；　done　by　King　Manfred　to　harmelesse　Ladies；　made
your　onely　way　of　entrance　into　this　Kingdome？　What　treason　was　ever
committed；　more　worthy　of　eternall　punishment；　then　this　will　be　in
you：　to　take　away　from　him　（who　hath　so　highly　honoured　you）　his
chiefest　hope　and　consolation？　What　will　be　said　by　all　men；　if　you
doe　it？
　　Peradventure　you　thinke；　it　will　be　a　sufficient　excuse　for　you；
to　say：　I　did　it；　in　regard　hee　was　a　Ghibelline。　Can　you　imagine　this
to　be　justice　in　a　King；　that　such　as　get　into　their　possession　in
this　manner　（whatsoever　it　be）　ought　to　use　it　in　this　sort？　Let　me
tell　you　Sir；　it　was　a　most　worthy　victory　for　you；　to　conquer　King
Manfred：　but　it　is　farre　more　famous　victory；　for　a　man　to　conquer
himselfe。　You　therfore；　who　are　ordained　to　correct　vices　in　other
men；　learne　first　to　subdue　them　in　your　selfe；　and　（by　brideling　this
inordinate　appetite）　set　not　a　foule　blemish　on　so　faire　a　fame；　as
will　be　honour　to　you　to　preserve　spotlesse。
　　These　words　pierced　the　heart　of　the　King　deepely；　and　so　much　the
more　afflicted　him；　because　he　knew　them　to　be　most　true：　wherefore；
after　he　had　ventred　a　very　vehement　sigh；　thus　he　replyed。　Beleeve　me
noble　Count；　there　is　not　any　enemy；　how　strong　soever　he　be；　but　I
hold　him　weake　and　easie　to　be　vanquished；　by　him　who　is　skilfull　in
the　warre；　where　a　man　may　learne　to　conquere　his　owne　appetite。　But
because　he　shall　find　it　a　laborious　taske；　requiring　inestimable
strength　and　courage；　your　words　have　so　toucht　me　to　the　quicke；　that
it　becommeth　me　to　let　you　effectually　perceive　（and　within　the
compasse　of　few　dayes）　that　as　I　have　learned　to　conquer　others；　so
I　am　not　ignorant；　in　expressing　the　like　power　upon　my　selfe。
Having　thus　spoken；　within　some　few　dayes　after；　the　King　being
returned　to　Naples；　he　determined；　as　we　to　free　himself　from　any
the　like　ensuing　follie；　as　also　to　recompence　Signior　Neri；　for　the
great　kindnesse　he　had　shewne　to　him　（although　it　was　a　difficult
thing；　to　let　another　enjoy；　what　he　rather　desired　for　himselfe）　to
have　the　two　Damosels　married；　not　as　the　Daughters　of　Signior　Neri；
but　even　as　if　they　were　his　owne。　And　by　consent　of　the　Father；　he
gave　Genevera　the　faire；　to　Signior　Maffeo　da　Palizzi；　and　Isotta
the　amiable；　to　Signior　Gulielmo　della　Magna；　two　Noble　Knights　and
honourable　Barons。　After　he　had　thus　given　them　in　marriage；　in　sad
mourning　he　departed　thence　into　Apuglia；　where　by　following　worthy
and　honourable　actions；　he　so　well　overcame　all　inordinate
appetites：　that　shaking　off　the　enthraling　fetters　of　love；　he　lived
free　from　all　passions；　the　rest　of　his　life　time；　and　dyed　as　an
honourable　King。
　　Some　perhaps　will　say；　it　was　a　small　matter　for　a　King；　to　give
away　two　Damosels　in　marriage；　and　I　confesse　it：　but　I　maintaine　it
to　be　great；　and　more　then　great；　if　we　say；　that　a　King；　being　so
earnestly　enamoured　as　this　King　was；　should　give　her　away　to　another；
whom　he　so　dearely　affected　himselfe；　without　receiving　（in　recompence
of　his　affection）　so　much　as　a　leaffe；　flowre；　or　the　least　fruit　of
love。　Yet　such　was　the　vertue　of　this　magnificent　King；　expressed　in
so　highly　recompencing　the　noble　Knights　courtesie；　honouring　the
two　daughters　so　royally；　and　conquering　his　owne　affections　so
vertuously。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　TENTH　DAY；　THE　SEVENTH　NOVELL

　　　WHEREIN　IS　COVERTLY　GIVEN　TO　UNDERSTAND；　THAT　HOWSOEVER　A　PRINCE
　　　MAY　MAKE　USE　OF　HIS　ABSOLUTE　POWER　AND　AUTHORITY；　TOWARDS　MAIDES
　　　　OR　WIVES　THAT　ARE　HIS　SUBJECTS：　YET　HE　OUGHT　TO　DENY　AND　REJECT
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ALL　THINGS；　AS　SHALL　MAKE　HIM　FORGETFULL
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　OF　HIMSELFE；　AND　HIS　TRUE　HONOUR

　　Lisana；　the　Daughter　of　a　Florentine　Apothecary；　named　Bernardo
Puccino；　being　at　Palermo；　and　seeing　Piero；　King　of　Aragon　run　at　the
Tilt；　fell　so　affectionately　enamored　of　him；　that　she　languished　in
an　extreame　and　long　sickenesse。　By　her　owne　devise；　and　means　of　a
Song；　sung　in　the　hearing　of　the　King：　he　vouchsafed　to　visite　her；
and　giving　her　a　kisse；　terming　himselfe　also　to　bee　her　Knight　for
ever　after；　hee　honourably　bestowed　her　in　marriage　on　a　young
Gentleman；　who　was　called　Perdicano；　and　gave　him　liberall
endowments　with　her。

　　Madame　Fiametta　being　come　to　the　end　of　her　Novell；　and　the　great
magnificence　of　King　Charles　much　commended　（howbeit；　some　of　the
Company；　affecting　the　Ghibelline　faction；　were　otherwise　minded）
Madame　Pampinea；　by　order　given　from　the　King；　began　in　this　manner。
　　There　is　no　man　of　good　understanding　（honourable　Ladies）　but　will
maintaine　what　you　have　said　of　victorious　Charles；　except　such　as
cannot　wish　well　to　any。　But　because　my　memory　hath　instantly　informed
me；　of　an　action　（perhaps）　no　lesse　commendable　then　this；　done　by
an　enemy　of　the　said　King　Charles；　and　to　a　yong　Maiden　of　our　City；　I
am　the　more　willing　to　relate　it；　upon　your　gentle　attention
vouchsafed；　as　hitherto　it　hath　been　courteously　granted。
　　At　such　time　as　the　French　were　driven　out　of　Sicilie；　there　dwelt
at　Palermo　a　Florentine　Apothecary；　named　Bernardo　Puccino；　a　man　of
good　wealth　and　reputation；　who　had　by　his　Wife　one　onely　Daughter；　of
marriageable　yeares；　and　very　beautifull。　Piero；　King　of　Arragon；
being　then　become　Lord　of　that　Kingdom；　he　made　an　admirable　Feast
Royall　at　Palermo；　accompanyed　with　his　Lords　and　Barons。　In　honour　of
which　publique　Feast；　the　King　kept　a　triumphall　day　（of　Justs　and
Turnament）　at　Catalana；　and　whereat　it　chanced；　that　the　Daughter　of
Bernardo；　named　Lisana；　was　present。　Being　in　a　window；　accompanied
with　other　Gentlewomen；　she　saw　the　King　runne　at　the　Tilt；　who　seemed
so　goodly　a　person　in　her　eye；　that　being　never　satisfied　with
beholding　him；　she　grew　enamoured；　and　fell　into　extremity　of
affection　towards　him。
　　When　the　Feastivall　was　ended；　she　dwelling　in　the　house　of　her
Father；　it　was　impossible　for　her　to　thinke　on　any　thing　else；　but
onely　the　love；　which　she　had　fixed　on　a　person　of　such　height。　And
that　which　most　tormented　her　in　this　case；　was　the　knowledge　of　her
owne　condition；　being　but　meane　and　humble　in　degree；　whereby　she
confessed；　that　she　could　not　hope　for　any　successefull　issue　of　her
proud　love。　Neverthelesse；　she　would　not　refraine　from　affecting　the
King；　who　taking　no　note　of　this　kindnesse　in　her；　by　any
perceivable　meanes；　must　needs　be　the　more　regardles；　which　procured
（by　wary　observation）　her　afflictions　to　be　the　greater　and
intollerable。
　　Whereon　it　came　to　passe；　that　this　earnest　love　encreasing　in　her
more　and　more；　and　one　melancholly　conceit　taking　hold　on　another：　the
faire　Maide；　when　she　could　beare　the　burden　of　her　griefe　no
longer；　fell　into　a　languishing　sickenesse；　consuming　away　daily　（by
evi