the decameron(十日谈)-第161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！


strength；　against　a　burden　of　over…ponderous　weight；　it　became　the
occasion　of　this　grievous　sickenesse：　but　I　hope　that　the　violence
thereof　is　（almost）　already　kild；　onely　by　this　soveraigne　mercy　in
you；　and　doubtlesse　it　will　cause　my　speedy　deliverance。　The　King
did　best　understand　this　so　well　palliated　answere　of　Lisana；　which　as
he　did　much　commend；　in　regard　of　her　high　adventuring；　so　he　did
againe　as　greatly　condemne　Fortune；　for　not　making　her　more　happy　in
her　birth。
　　So；　after　he　had　stayed　there　a　good　while；　and　given　her　many
comfortable　speeches；　he　returned　backe　to　the　Court。　This　humanity　in
the　King；　was　reputed　a　great　honour　to　the　Apothecary　and　his
daughter；　who　（in　her　owne　mind）　received　as　much　joy　and
contentment　thereby；　as　ever　any　wife　could　have　of　her　owne　Husband。
　　And　being　assisted　by　better　hopes；　within　a　short　while　after；
she　became　recovered；　and　farre　more　beautifull　（in　common　judgment）
then　ever　she　was　before。
　　Lisana　being　now　in　perfect　health；　the　King　consulted　with　his
Queene；　what　meete　recompence　he　should　gratifie　her　withall；　for
loving　and　affecting　him　in　such　fervent　manner。　Upon　a　day
determined；　the　King　mounting　on　horsebacke；　accompanied　with　many
of　his　cheefest　Lords　and　Barons；　he　rode　to　the　Apothecaries　house；
where　walking　in　his　beautifull　Garden；　hee　called　for　Bernardo　and
his　daughter　Lisana。　In　the　meane　space；　the　Queene　also　came　thither；
Royally　attended　on　by　her　Ladies；　and　Lisana　being　admitted　into
their　company；　they　expressed　themselves　very　gracious　to　her。　Soone
after；　the　King　and　the　Queene　cald　Lisana；　and　the　King　spake　in　this
manner　to　her。
　　Faire　Virgin；　the　extraordinary　love　which　you　bare　to　us；　calleth
for　as　great　honour　from　us　to　you；　in　which　respect；　it　is　our　Royall
desire；　by　one　meanes　or　other　to　requite　your　kinde　Love。　In　our
opinion；　the　chief　honour　we　can　extend　to　you。　is；　that　being　of
sufficient　yeares　for　marriage；　you　would　grace　us　so　much；　as　to
accept　him　for　your　Husband；　whom　we　intend　to　bestow　on　you。　Beside
this　further　grant　from　us；　that　（notwithstanding　whatsoever　else）　you
shall　call　us　your　Knight；　without　coveting　any　thing　else　from　you；
for　so　great　favour；　but　only　one　kisse；　and　thinke　not　to　bestow　it
nicely　on　a　King；　but　grant　it　the　rather；　because　he　begges　it。
　　Lisana；　whose　lookes　were　dyed　with　a　vermillian　tincture；　or　rather
converted　into　a　pure　maiden　blush；　reputing　the　Kings　desire　to　be
her　owne；　in　a　low　and　humbled　voyce；　thus　answered。　My　Lord；　most
certaine　am　I；　that　if　it　had　beene　publikely　knowne；　how　none　but
your　highnes；　might　serve　for　me　to　fixe　my　love　on；　I　should　have
been　termed　the　foole　of　all　fooles：　they　perhaps　beleeving；　that　I
was　forgetfull　of　my　selfe；　in　being　ignorant　of　mine　owne
condition；　and　much　lesse　of　yours。　But　the　Gods　are　my　witnesses
（because　they　know　the　secrets　of　all　hearts）　that　even　in　the　very
instant；　when　Loves　fire　tooke　hold　on　my　yeelding　affection：　I　knew
you　to　be　a　King；　and　my　selfe　the　daughter　of　poore　Bernardo　the
Apothecary：　likewise；　how　farre　unfitting　it　was　for　me；　to　be　so
ambitious　in　my　loves　presuming。　But　I　am　sure　your　Majestie　doth　know
（much　better　then　I　am　able　to　expresse）　that　no　one　becommeth
amourous；　according　to　the　duty　of　election；　but　as　the　appetite
shapeth　his　course；　against　whose　lawes　my　strength　made　many
resistances；　which　not　prevailing；　I　presumed　to　love；　did；　and　so　for
ever　shall　doe；　your　Majestie。
　　Now　Royall　Soveraigne；　I　must　needes　confesse；　that　so　soone　as　I
felt　my　selfe　thus　wholly　conquered　by　loving　you；　I　resolved　for　ever
after；　to　make　your　will　mine　owne；　and　therefore；　am　not　onely
willing　to　accept　him　for　my　Husband；　whom　you　shall　please　to
appoint；　befitting　my　honor　and　degree：　but　if　you　will　have　me　to
live　in　a　flaming　fire；　my　obedience　shall　sacrifice　it　selfe　to
your　will；　with　the　absolute　conformity　of　mine　owne。　To　stile　you
by　the　name　of　my　Knight；　whom　I　know　to　be　my　lawfull　King　and
Soveraigne；　you　are　not　ignorant；　how　farre　unfitting　a　word　that　were
for　me　to　use：　As　also　the　kisse　which　you　request；　in　requitall　of　my
love　to　you；　to　these　two　I　will　never　give　consent；　without　the
Queenes　most　gracious　favour　and　license　first　granted。　Neverthelesse；
for　such　admirable　benignity　used　to　me；　both　by　your　Royall　selfe；
and　your　vertuous　Queene：　heaven　shower　downe　all　boundlesse　graces　on
you　both；　for　it　exceedeth　all　merit　in　me；　and　so　she　ceased
speaking；　in　most　dutifull　manner。
　　The　answer　of　Lisana　pleased　the　Queene　exceedingly；　in　finding
her　to　be　so　wise　and　faire；　as　the　King　himself　had　before　informed
her：　who　instantly　called　for　her　Father　and　Mother；　and　knowing
they　would　be　well　pleased　with　whatsoever　he　did；　he　called　for　a
proper　yong　Gentleman；　but　somewhat　poore；　being　named　Perdicano；
and　putting　certaine　Rings　into　his　hand；　which　he　refused　not　to
receive；　caused　him　there　to　espouse　Lisana。　To　whome　the　King　gave
immediately　（besides　Chaines　and　jewels　of　inestimable　valew；
delivered　by　the　Queene　to　the　Bride）　Ceffala　and　Calatabelotta；　two
great　territories　abounding　in　divers　wealthy　possessions；　saying　to
Perdicano。　These　wee　give　thee；　as　a　dowry　in　marriage　with　this
beautifull　Maid；　and　greater　gifts　we　will　bestow　on　thee　hereafter；
as　we　shal　perceive　thy　love　and　kindnesse　to　her。
　　When　he　had　ended　these　words；　hee　turned　to　Lisana；　saying：　Heere
doe　I　freely　give　over　all　further　fruits　of　your　affection　towards
me；　thanking　you　for　your　former　love：　so　taking　her　head　betweene　his
hands　he　kissed　her　faire　forhead；　which　was　the　usuall　custome　in
those　times。　Perdicano；　the　Father　and　Mother　of　Lisana；　and　she　her
selfe　likewise；　extraordinarily　joyfull　for　this　so　fortunate　a
marriage；　returned　humble　and　hearty　thankes　both　to　the　King　and
Queene；　and　（as　many　credible　Authors　doe　affirme）　the　King　kept　his
promise　made　to　Lisana；　because　（so　long　as　he　lived）　he　alwales
termed　himselfe　by　the　name　of　her　Knight；　and　in　al　actions　of
Chivalry　by　him　undertaken；　he　never　carried　any　other　devise；　but
such　as　he　received　still　from　her。
　　By　this；　and　divers　other　like　worthy　deeds；　not　onely　did　he　win
the　hearts　of　his　subjects；　but　gave　occasion　to　the　who　world　beside；
to　renowne　his　fame　to　all　succeeding　posterity。　Whereto　（in　these
more　wretched　times　of　ours）　few　or　none　bend　the　sway　of　their
understanding：　but　rather　how　to　bee　cruell　and　tyrranous　Lords；　and
thereby　win　the　hatred　of　their　people。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　TENTH　DAY；　THE　EIGHT　NOVELL

　　　　　　　DECLARING；　THAT　NOTWITHSTANDING　THE　FROWNES　OF　FORTUNE；
　　　　　DIVERSITY　OF　OCCURRENCES；　AND　CONTRARY　ACCIDENTS　HAPPENING：
　　　　　　　YET　LOVE　AND　FRIENDSHIP　OUGHT　TO　BE　PRECIOUSLY　PRESERVED
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　AMONG　MEN

　　Sophronia；　thinking　her　selfe　to　be　the　maried　wife　of　Gisippus；　was
（indeed）　the　wife　of　Titus　Quintus　Fulvius；　and　departed　thence　with
him　to　Rome。　Within　a　while　after；　Gisippus　also　came　thither　in
very　poore　condition；　and　thinking　that　he　was　despised　by　Titus；　grew
weary　of　his　life；　and　confessed　that　he　had　murdred　a　man；　with　ful
intent　to　die　for　the　fact。　But　Titus　taking　knowledge　of　him；　and
desiring　to　save　the　life　of　Gisippus；　charged　himself　to　have　done
the　bloody　deed。　Which　the　murderer　himself　（standing　then　among　the
multitude）　seeing；　truly　confessed　the　deed。　By　meanes　whereof；　all
three　were　delivered　by　the　Emperor　Octavius；　and　Titus　gave　his
Sister　in　mariage　to　Gisippus；　giving　them　also　the　most　part　of　his
goods　and　inheritances。

　　By　this　time　Madam　Philomena；　at　command　of　the　King；　（Madam
Pampinea　ceasing）　prepared　to　follow　next　in　order；　whereupon　thus　she
began。　What　is　it　（Gracious　Ladies）　that　Kings　cannot　do　（if　they
list）　in　matters　of　greatest　importance；　and　especially　unto　such　as
most　they　should　declare　their　magnificence？　He　then　that　performeth
what　he　ought　to　do；　when　it　is　within　his　owne　power；　doth　well。
But　it　is　not　so　much　to　bee　admired；　neither　deserveth　halfe　the
commendations；　as　when　one　man　doth　good　to　another；　when　least　it
is　expected；　as　being　out　of　his　power；　and　yet　performed。　In　which
respect；　because　you　have　so　extolled　king　Piero；　as　appearing　not
meanly　meritorious　in　your　judgements；　I　make　no　doubt　but　you　will　be
much　more　pleased；　when　the　actions　of　our　equals　are　duly　considered；
and　shal　paralell　any　of　the　greatest　Kings。　Wherefore　I　purpose　to
tell　you　a　Novel；　concerning　an　honorable　curtesie　of　two　worthy
friends。
　　At　such　time　as　Octavius　Caesar　（not　as　yet　named　Augustus；　but　only
in　the　office　called　Triumveri）　governed　the　Romane　Empire；　there
dwelt　in　Rome　a　Gentleman；　named　Publius　Quintus　Fulvius；　a　man　of
singular　understanding；　who　having　one　son；　called　Titus　Quintus
Fulvius；　of　towardly　yeares　and　apprehension；　sent　him　to　Athens　to
learne　Philosophy；　but　with　letters　of　familiar　commendations；　to　a
Noble　Athenian　Gentleman；　named　Chremes；　being　his　ancient　friend；　of
long　acquaintance。　This　Gentleman　lodged　Titus　in　his　owne　house；　as
companion　to　his　son；　named　Gisippus；　both　of　them　studying
together；　under　the　tutoring　of　a　Philosopher；　called　Aristippus。
These　two　yong　Gentlemen　living　thus　in　one　Citty；　House；　and　Schoole；
it　bred　betweene　them　such　a　brother…hoode　and　amity；　as　they　could
not　be　severed　from　one　another；　but　only　by　the　accident　of　death；
nor　could　either　of　them　enjoy　any　content；　but　when　they　were　both
together　in　company。
　　Being　each　of　them　endued　with　gentle　spirits；　and　having　begun
their　studies　together：　they　arose　（by　degrees）　to　the　glorious　height
of　Philosophy；　to　their　much　admired　fame　and　commendation。　In　this
manner　they　lived；　to　the　no　meane　comfort　of　Chremes；　hardly
distinguishing　the　one　from　the　other　for　his　Son；　and　thus　the
Schollers　continued　the　space　of　three　yeares。　At　the　ending　wherof
（as　it　hapneth　in　al　things　else）　Chremes　died；　whereat　both　the　young
Gentlemen　conceived　such　hearty　griefe；　as　if　he　had　bin　their
common　father；　nor　could　the　kinred　of　Chremes　discerne；　which　of
the　two　had　most　need　of　comfort；　the　losse　touched　them　so　equally。
　　It　chanced　within　some　few　months　after；　that　the　kinred　of　Gisippus
came　to　see　him；　and　（before　Titus）　avised　him　to　marriage；　and　with　a
yong　Gentlewoman　of　singular　beauty；　derived　from　a　most　noble　house
in　Athens；　and　she　named　Sophronia；　aged　about　fifteen　years。　This
mariage　drawing　neere；　Gisippus　on　a　day；　intreated　Titus　to　walk
along　with　him　thither；　because　（as　yet）　he　had　not　seene　her。
Commingto　the　house；　and　she　sitting　in　the　midst　betweene　them；　Titus
making　himselfe　a　considerator　of　beauty；　and　especially　on　his
friends　behalfe；　began　to　observe　her　very　judicially；　and　every
part　of　her　seemed　so　pleasing　in　his　eie；　that　giving　them　al　a
privat　praise；　yet　answerable　to　their　due　deserving；　he　becam　so
enflamed　with　affection　to　her；　as　never　any　lover　could　bee　more
violentlie　surprized；　so　sodainly　doth　beauty　beguile　our　best　senses。
　　After　they　had　sate　an　indifferent　while　with　her；　they　returned
home　to　their　lodging；　where