the decameron(十日谈)-第164章

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amitie　requireth；　to　be　acted　by　one　friend　towards　another；　it
shall　suffice　mee　onely　to　informe　you；　that　the　league　of
friendship　（farre　stronger　then　the　bond　of　bloud　and　kinred）
confirmed　us　in　our　election　of　either　at　the　first；　to　be　true；
loyall　and　perpetuall　friends；　whereas　that　of　kinred；　commeth　onely
by　fortune　or　chance。　And　therefore　if　Gisippus　affected　more　my　life；
then　your　benevolence；　I　being　ordained　for　his　friend；　as　I
confesse　my　selfe　to　be；　none　of　you　ought　to　wonder　thereat；　in
regard　it　is　no　matter　of　mervaile。
　　〃But　let　us　come　now　to　our　second　reason；　wherein；　with　farre
greater　instance　I　will　shew　you；　that　he　hath　（in　this　occasion）
shewen　himselfe　to　be　much　more　wise；　then　you　did；　or　have　done：
because　it　plainely　appeareth；　that　you　have　no　feeling　of　the
divine　providence；　and　much　lesse　knowledge　in　the　effects　of
friendship。　I　say；　that　your　foresight；　councell　and　deliberation；
gave　Sophronia　to　Gisippus；　a　yong　Gentleman；　and　a　Philosopher：
Gisippus　likewise　hath　given　her　to　a　yong　Gentleman；　and　a
Philosopher；　as　himselfe　is。　Your　discretion　gave　her　to　an
Athenian；　the　gift　of　Gisippus；　is　to　a　Romaine。　Yours；　to　a　Noble　and
honest　man；　that　of　Gisippus；　to　one　more　Noble　by　race；　and　no
lesse　honest　then　himselfe。　Your　judgement　hath　bestowed　her　on　a　rich
young　man：　Gisippus　hath　given　her　to　one　farre　richer。　Your
wisedome　gave　her　to　one　who　not　onely　loved　her　not；　but　also　one
that　had　no　desire　to　know　her：　Gisippus　gave　her　unto　him；　who；　above
all　felicitie　else；　yea；　more　than　his　owne　life；　both　entirely
loved　and　desired　her。
　　〃Now；　for　proofe　of　that　which　I　have　said；　to　be　most　true　and
infallible；　and　that　his　deede　deserveth　to　bee　much　more　commended
then　yours；　let　it　bee　duely　considered　on；　point　by　point。　That　I
am　a　young　man　and　a　Philosophe；　as　Gisippus　is；　my　yeares；　face；
and　studies；　without　seeking　after　further　proofe；　doth　sufficiently
testifie：　One　selfe…same　age　is　both　his　and　mine；　in　like　quality
of　course　have　wee　lived　and　studied　together。　True　it　is；　that　hee　is
an　Athenian；　and　I　am　a　Romaine。　But　if　the　glory　of　these　two
Cities　should　bee　disputed　on：　then　let　mee　tell　you；　that　I　am　of　a
Citie　that　is　Francke　and　Free；　and　hee　is　of　a　Tributarie　Citie。　I
say　that　I　am　of　a　Citie；　which　is　chiefe　Lady　and　Mistresse　of　the
whole　World　and　hee　is　of　a　Citie　subject　to　mine。　I　say　that　I　am
of　a　Citie；　that　is　strong　in　Arms；　Empire；　and　studies：　whereas　his
can　commend　it　selfe　but　for　Studies　onely。　And　although　you　seeme
heere　to　bee　a　Scholler；　in　appearance　meane　enough；　yet　I　am　not
descended　of　the　simplest　stocke　in　Rome。
　　〃My　houses　and　publique　places；　are　filled　with　the　ancient
Statues　of　my　Predecessors；　and　the　Annales　recorde　the　infinite
triumphs　of　the　Quintij；　brought　home　by　them　into　the　Romane
Capitole；　and　yeares　cannot　eate　out　the　glory　of　our　name；　but　it
will　live　and　flourish　to　all　posteritie。
　　〃Modest　shame　makes　me　silent　in　my　wealth　and　possessions；　my　minde
truely　telling　mee；　that　honest　contented　povertie；　is　the　most
ancient　and　richest　inheritance；　of　our　best　and　Noblest　Romanes；
which　opinion；　if　it　bee　condemned　by　the　understanding　of　the
ignorant　multitude；　and　heerein　wee　shall　give　way　to　them　by
preferring　riches　and　worldly　treasures；　then　I　can　say　that　I　am
aboundantly　provided；　not　as　ambitious；　or　greedily　covetous；　but
sufficiently　stored　with　the　goods　of　Fortune。
　　〃I　know　well　enough；　that　you　held　it　as　a　desired　benefit；　Gisippus
being　a　Native　of　your　Citie；　should　also　be　linked　to　you　by
alliance：　but　I　know　no　reason；　why　I　should　not　be　as　neere　and　deere
to　you　at　Rome；　as　if　I　lived　with　you　heere。　Considering；　when　I　am
there；　you　have　a　ready　and　well　wishing　friend；　to　stead　you　in　all
beneficiall　and　serviceable　offices；　as　carefull　and　provident　for
your　support；　yea；　a　protectour　of　you　and　your　affaires；　as　well
publique　as　particular。　Who　is　it　then；　not　transported　with
partiall　affection；　that　can　（in　reason）　more　approve　your　act；　then
that　which　my　friend　Gisippus　hath　done？　Questionlesse；　not　any　one；
as　I　thinke。　Sophronia　is　married　to　Titus　Quintus　Fulvius；　a　Noble
Gentleman　by　antiquitie；　a　rich　Citizen　of　Rome；　and　（which　is　above
all）　the　friend　of　Gisippus：　therfore；　such　a　one　as　thinkes　it
strange；　is　sorrie　for　it；　or　would　not　have　it　to　be；　knoweth　not
what　he　doth。
　　〃Perhaps　there　may　be　some；　who　will　say；　they　doe　not　so　much
complain；　that　Sophronia　is　the　wife　to　Titus；　but　of　the　manner
whereby　it　was　done；　as　being　made　his　wife　secretly；　and　by　theft；
not　any　of　her　parents；　kinred　or　friends　called　thereto：　no；　nor　so
much　as　advertised　thereof。　Why　Gentlemen；　this　is　no　miraculous
thing；　but　heeretofore　hath　oftentimes　happened；　and　therefore　no
noveltie。
　　〃I　cannot　count　unto　you；　how　many　there　have　beene；　who　（against
the　will　of　their　Fathers）　have　made　choice　of　their　husbands；　nor
them　that　have　fled　away　with　their　lovers　into　strange　Countries；
being　first　friends；　before　they　were　wives：
　　nor　of　them　who　have　sooner　made　testimonie　of　marriage　by　their
bellies；　then　those　ceremonies　due　to　matrimonie；　or　publication
thereof　by　the　tongue；　so　that　meere　necessity　and　constraint；　hath
forced　the　parents　to　yeeld　consent：　which　hath　not　so　happened　to
Sophronia；　for　she　was　given　to　me　by　Gisippus　discreetly；　honestly；
and　orderly。
　　〃Others　also　may　say；　that　shee　is　married　to　him；　to　whom　it
belonged　not　to　marrie　her。　These　complaints　are　foolish；　and
womanish；　proceeding　from　verie　little；　or　no　consideration　at　all。　In
these　daies　of　ours；　Fortune　makes　no　use　of　novell　or　inconsiderate
meanes；　whereby　to　bring　matters　to　their　determined　effect。　Why
should　it　offend　me；　if　a　Cobler；　rather　than　a　Scholler；　hath　ended　a
businesse　of　mine；　either　in　private　or　publique；　if　the　end　be　well
made？　Well　I　may　take　order；　if　the　Cobler　bee　indiscreet；　that　hee
meddle　no　more　with　any　matters　of　mine；　yet　I　ought；　in　courtesie；　to
thanke　him　for　that　which　hee　did。
　　〃In　like　manner；　if　Gisippus　hath　married　Sophronia　well；　it　is
foolish　and　superfluous；　to　finde　fault　with　the　manner　hee　used　in
her　marriage。　If　you　mislike　his　course　in　the　case；　beware　of　him
hereafter；　yet　thanke　him　because　it　is　no　worse。　〃Neverthelesse；
you　are　to　understand；　that　I　sought　not　by　fraud　or　deceit；　（but
onely　by　witte）　any　opportunitie；　whereby　any　way　to　sullie　the
honestie　and　cleere　Nobilitie　of　your　bloud；　in　the　person　of
Sophronia：　for　although　in　secret　I　made　her　my　wife；　yet　I　came　not
as　an　enemie；　to　take　her　perforce；　nor　（like　a　ravisher）　wronged
her　virginitie；　to　blemish　your　no。　titles；　or　despising　your
alliance。　But　fervently；　enflamed　by　her　bright　beauty；　and　incited
also　by　her　unparalleld　vertues；　I　shaped　my　course；　knowing　well
enough；　that　if　I　tooke　the　ordinarie　way　of　wiving；　by　moving　the
question　to　you；　I　should　never　winne　your　consent；　as　fearing；　lest　I
would　take　her　with　me　to　Rome；　and　so　conveigh　out　of　your　sight；　a
jewell　by　you　so　much　esteemed；　as　she　is。
　　〃For　this；　and　no　other　reason；　did　I　presume　to　use　the　secret
cunning　which　now　is　openly　made　knowne　unto　you：　and　Gisippus
disposed　himselfe　thereunto；　which　otherwise　hee　never　determined　to
have　done；　in　contracting　the　marriage　for　me；　and　shee　consenting
to　me　in　his　name。
　　Moreover；　albeit　most　earnestly　I　affected　her；　I　sought　to
procure　your　union；　not　like　a　lover；　but　as　a　true　husband；　nor　would
I　immodestly　touch　her；　till　first　（as　her　selfe　can　testifie）　with
the　words　becomming　wedlocke；　and　the　Ring　also　I　espoused　her；
demanding　of　her；　if　shee　would　accept　mee　as　her　husband；　and　shee
answered　mee；　with　her　full　consent。　Wherein；　if　it　may　seeme　that
shee　was　deceived；　I　am　not　any　way　to　be　blamed；　but　she；　for　not
demanding；　what；　and　who　I　was。
　　This　then　is　the　great　evill；　the　great　offence；　and　the　great
injurie　committed　by　my　friend　Gisippus；　and　by　mee　as　a　Lover：　that
Sophronia　is　secretly　become　the　wife　of　Titus　Quintus　Fulvius。　And
for　this　cause；　like　spies　you　watch　him；　threaten　him　daily；　as　if
you　intended　to　teare　him　in　pieces。　What　could　you　doe　more；　if　hee
had　given　her　to　a　man　of　the　very　vilest　condition？　to　a　villaine；　to
a　slave？　What　prisons？　what　fetters？　Or　what　torments　are　sufficient
for　this　fact？　But　leaving　these　frivolous　matters；　let　us　come　to
discourse　of　more　moment；　and　better　beseeming　your　attention。
　　The　time　is　come；　that　I　may　no　longer　continue　heere；　because
Publius　my　Father　is　dead；　and　I　must　needs　returne　to　Rome；　wherefore
being　minded　to　take　Sophronia　thither　with　mee；　I　was　the　more
willing　to　acquaint　you　therewith；　as　also　what　else　I　have　said；
which　otherwise　had　still　beene　concealed　from　you。　Nor　can　you　but
take　it　in　good　part；　if　you　be　wise；　and　rest　well　contented　with
what　is　done：　considering；　if　I　had　any　intention　eyther　to　deceive；
or　otherwise　wrong　you；　I　could　have　basely　left　her；　and　made　a
scorne　both　of　her　and　you；　you　not　having　any　power　to　stay　mee
heere。　But　the　Gods　will　never　permitte　that　any　couragious　Romane；
should　ever　conceive　so　vile　and　degenerate　a　thought。
　　Sophronia；　by　ordination　of　the　Gods；　by　force　of　humane　Lawes；
and　by　the　laudable　consent　of　my　friend　Gisippus；　as　also　the
powerfull　command　of　Love　is　mine。　But　you　perchance；　imagining　your
selves　to　be　wiser　then　the　Gods；　or　any　other　men　whatsoever；　may
thinke　ill　of　it；　and　more　brutishly　then　beasts；　condemne　their
working　in　two　kinds；　which　would　be　offensive　to　mee。　The　one　is；
your　detaining　of　Sophronia　from　mee；　of　whom　you　have　no　power；　but
what　pleaseth　mee。　The　other；　is　your　bitter　threatnings　against
Gisippus　my　deare　friend；　to　whom　you　are　in　duty　obliged。　In　both
which　cases；　how　unreasonablie　soever　you　carrie　your　selves；　I　intend
not　at　this　time　to　presse　any　further。　But　rather　let　mee　counsell
you　like　a　friend；　to　cease　your　hatred　and　disdaine；　and　suffer
Sophronia　to　be　delivered　mee；　that　I　may　depart　contentedly　from
you　as　a　kinsman；　and　（being　absent）　remaine　your　friend：　assuring
you；　that　whether　what　is　done　shall　please　or　displease　you；　if　you
purpose　to　proceed　any　otherwise：　I　will　take　Gisippus　along　with　me；；
and　when　I　come　to　Rome；　take　such　sure　order；　to　fetch　her　hence；　who
in　justice　is　mine；　even　in　meere　despight　of　you　all；　and　then　you
shall　feele　by　sound　experience；　how　powerfull　is　the　just　indignation
of　the　wronged　Romanes。〃
　　When　Titus　had　thus　concluded　his　Oration；　he　arose　with　a　sterne
and　discontented　countenance；　and　tooke　Gisippus　by　the　hand；
plainly　declaring；　that　he　made　small　account　of　all　the　rest　that
were　in　the　Temple；　and　shaking　his　head　at　them；　rather　menaced
then　any　other　wise　seemed　to　care　for　them。
　　They　which　tarried；　when　they　were　gone；　considering　partly　on　the
reasons　alleadged　by　Titus；　and　partly　terrified　by　his　latest
speeches；　became　induced；　to　like　well　of　his　alliance　and　amitie；
as　（with　common　consent）　they　concluded：　that　it　was　much　better　to
accept　Titus　as　their　kinsman　（seeing　Gisippus　had　made　manifest
refus