the decameron(十日谈)-第169章

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comfort；　that　I　am　therewith　acquainted；　because　I　intended　to　have
you　conveighed　thither；　yea；　even　into　your　owne　house；　in　such
honourable　order　as　your　vertues　doe　justly　merit；　which　in　regard
it　cannot　be　so　conveniently　performed；　but　as　I　have　already　informed
you；　and　as　the　necessity　of　the　case　urgently　commandeth；　accept　it
as　it　may　be　best　accomplished。
　　Great　Saladine　（answered　Thorella）　effects　（without　words）　have
already　sufficiently　warranted　your　Gracious　disposition　towards　me；
farre　beyond　any　requitall　remayning　in　me；　your　word　onely　being
enough　for　my　comfort　in　this　case；　either　dying　or　living。　But　in
regard　you　have　taken　such　order　for　my　departure　hence；　I　desire　to
have　it　done　with　all　possible　expedition；　because　to　morrow　is　the
very　last　day；　that　I　am　to　be　absent。　Saladine　protested　that　it
should　be　done；　and　the　same　evening　in　the　great　Hall　of　his　Pallace；
commanded　a　rich　and　costly　Bedde　to　be　set　up；　the　mattras　formed
after　the　Alexandrian　manner；　of　Velvet　and　cloth　Gold；　the　Quilts；
counterpoints　and　coverings；　sumptuously　imbroydered　with　Orient
Pearles　and　Precious　Stones；　supposed　to　be　of　inestimable　value；
and　two　rarely　wrought　Pillowes；　such　as　best　beseemed　so　stately　a
Bedde；　the　Curtaines　and　Vallans　every　way　equall　to　the　other　pompe。
　　Which　being　done；　he　commanded　that　Thorello　（who　was
indifferently　recovered）　should　be　attyred　in　one　of　his　owne
sumptuous　Saracine　Roabes；　the　very　fairest　and　richest　that　ever
was　seene；　and　on　his　head　a　Majesticall　Turbant；　after　the　manner
of　his　owne　wearing；　and　the　houre　appearing　to　be　somewhat　late；　he
with　many　of　his　best　Baschaes；　went　to　the　Chamber　where　Thorello
was；　and　sitting　downe　a　while　by　him；　in　teares　thus　he　spake。
Signior　Thorello；　the　houre　for　sundering　you　and　me；　is　now　very
neere；　and　because　I　cannot　beare　you　company；　in　regard　of　the
businesse　you　goe　about；　and　which　by　no　meanes　will　admit　it：　I　am　to
take　my　leave　of　you　in　this　Chamber；　and　therefore　am　purposely
come　to　doe　it。　But　before　I　bid　you　farewell；　let　me　entreat　you；
by　the　love　and　friendship　confirmed　betweene　us；　to　be　mindfull　of
me；　and　to　take　such　order　（your　affaires　being　fully　finished　in
Lombardie）　that　I　may　once　more　enjoy　the　sight　of　you　here；　for　a
mutuall　solace　and　satisfaction　of　our　mindes；　which　are　now　divided
by　this　urgent　hast。　Till　which　may　be　granted；　let　me　want　no
visitation　of　your　kind　letters；　commanding　thereby　of　me；
whatsoever　here　can　possibly　be　done　for　you：　assuring　your　selfe；
no　man　living　can　command　me　as　you　doe。
　　Signior　Thorello　could　not　forbeare　weeping；　but　being　much
hindred　therby；　answered　in　few　words。　That　he　could　not　possibly
forget；　his　Gracious　favours　and　extraordinary　benefits　used　towards
him；　but　would　accomplish　whatsoever　hee　commaunded；　according　as
heaven　did　enable　him。
　　Hereupon；　Saladine　embracing　him；　and　kissing　his　forehead；　said。
All　my　Gods　goe　with　you；　and　guard　you　from　any　perill；　departing
so　out　of　the　Chamber　weeping；　and　his　Baschaes　（having　likewise　taken
their　leave　of　Thorello）　followed　Saladine　into　the　Hall；　whereas
the　Bedde　stood　readily　prepared？　Because　it　waxed　very　late；　and
the　Magitian　also　there　attending　for　his　dispatch：　the　Phisitian　went
with　the　potion　to　Thorello；　and　perswading　him；　in　the　way　of
friendship；　that　it　was　onely　to　strengthen　him　after　his　great
weaknes：　he　drank　it　off；　being　thereby　immediately　entraunced；　and　so
presently　sleeping；　was　（by　Saladines　command；）　laid　on　the
sumptuous　and　costly　Bed；　whereon　stood　an　Imperiall　Crowne　of
infinite　value；　appearing　（by　a　description　engraven　on　it）　that
Saladine　sent　it　to　Madame　Adalietta；　the　wife　of　Thorello。　On　his
finger　also　hee　put　a　Ring；　wherein　was　enchased　an　admirable
Carbuncle；　which　seemed　like　a　flaming　Torche；　the　value　thereof　not
to　bee　estimated。　By　him　likewise　hee　laid　a　rich　sword；　with　the
girdle；　hangers；　and　other　furniture；　such　as　seldome　can　be　seene　the
like。　Then　hee　laid　a　jewell　on　the　Pillow　by　him；　so　sumptuouslie
embelished　with　Pearles　and　precious　Stones；　as　might　have　beseemed
the　greatest　Monarch　in　the　World　to　weare。　Last　of　all；　on　either
side　of　them；　hee　set　two　great　Basons　of　pure　Gold；　full　of　double
ducates；　many　cords　of　Orient　Pearles；　Rings；　Girdles；　and　other
costly　jewells　（over…tedious　to　bee　recounted）　and　kissing　him　once
more　as　hee　lay　in　the　bedde；　commanded　the　Magitian　to　dispatch　and
be　gone。
　　Instantly；　the　bedde　and　Thorello　in　it；　in　the　presence　of
Saladine；　was　invisibly　carried　thence；　and　while　he　sate　conferring
with　his　Baschaes；　the　bed；　Signior　Thorello；　and　all　the　rich　Jewells
about　him；　was　transported　and　set　in　the　Church　of　San　Pietro　in　Ciel
d'Ore　in　Pavia；　according　to　his　own　request；　and　soundly　sleeping；
being　placed　directly　before　the　high　Altar。　Afterward；　when　the　bells
rung　to　Mattines；　the　Sexton　entring　the　Church　with　a　light　in　his
hand　（where　hee　beheld　a　light　of　greater　splendor）　and　suddenly
espied　the　sumptuous　bedde　there　standing：　not　only　was　he　smitten
into　admiration；　but　hee　ranne　away　also　very　fearefully。　When　the
Abbot　and　the　Monkes　mette　him　thus　running　into　the　Cloyster；　they
became　amazed；　and　demanded　the　reason　why　he　ranne　in　such　haste；
which　the　Sexton　told　them。　How？　quoth　the　Abbot；　thou　art　no
childe；　or　a　new…come　hither；　to　be　so　easilie　affrighted　in　our
holy　Church；　where　Spirits　can　have　no　power　to　walke；　God　and　Saint
Peter　（wee　hope）　are　stronger　for　us　then　so：　wherefore　turne　backe
with　us；　and　let　us　see　the　cause　of　thy　feare。
　　Having　lighted　many　Torches；　the　Abbot　and　his　Monkes　entred　with
the　Sexton　into　the　Church；　where　they　beheld　the　wonderful　riche
bedde；　and　the　Knight　lying　fast　asleepe　in　it。　While　they　stood　all
in　amazement；　not　daring　to　approach　neere　the　bedde；　whereon　lay　such
costly　jewells：　it　chanced　that　Signior　Thorello　awaked；　and
breathed　forth　a　vehement　sigh。　The　Monkes　and　the　Abbot　seeing　him　to
stirre；　ranne　all　away　in　feare；　crying　aloud；　God　and　S。　Peter　defend
us。
　　By　this　time　Thorello　had　opened　his　eyes；　and　looking　round　about
him；　perceived　that　hee　was　in　the　place　of　Saladines　promise；　whereof
hee　was　not　a　little　joyfull。　Wherefore；　sitting　up　in　the　bedde；
and　particularly　observing　all　the　things　about　him：　albeit　he　knew
sufficiently　the　magnificence　of　Saladine；　yet　now　it　appeared　far
greater　to　him；　and　imagined　more　largely　thereof；　then　hee　could
doe　before。　But　yet；　without　any　other　ceremony；　seeing　the　flight
of　the　Monkes；　hearing　their　cry；　and　perceiving　the　reason；　he　called
the　Abbot　by　his　name；　desiring　him　not　to　be　afraid；　for　he　was　his
Nephew　Thorello；　and　no　other。
　　When　the　Abbot　heard　this；　hee　was　ten　times　worse　affrighted　then
before；　because　（by　publique　fame）　hee　had　beene　so　many　moneths
dead　and　buried；　but　receiving　（by　true　arguments）　better　assurance　of
him；　and　hearing　him　still　call　him　by　his　name：　blessing　himselfe
with　the　signe　of　the　Crosse；　hee　went　somewhat　neerer　to　the　bed；
when　Thorello　said。　My　loving　Uncle；　and　religious　holy　Father；　wherof
are　you　afraid？　I　am　your　loving　Nephew；　newly　returned　from　beyond
the　Seas。　The　Abbot；　seeing　his　beard　to　be　grown　long；　and　his
habit　after　the　Arabian　fashion；　did　yet　collect　some　resemblance　of
his　former　countenance；　and　being　better　perswaded　of　him；　tooke　him
by　the　hand；　saying：
　　Sonne　thou　art　happily　returned；　yet　there　is　not　any　man　in　our
Citie；　but　doth　verily　beleeve　thee　to　bee　dead；　and　therefore　doe　not
much　wonder　at　our　feare。　Moreover；　I　dare　assure　thee；　that　thy
Wife　Adalietta；　being　conquered　by　the　controuling　command；　and
threatnings　of　her　kinred　（but　much　against　her　owne　minde）　is　this
very　morning　to　be　married　to　a　new　husband；　and　the　marriage　feast　is
solemnly　prepared；　in　honour　of　this　second　nuptialls。
　　Thorello　arising　out　of　the　bedde；　gave　gracious　salutations　to
the　Abbot　and　his　Monkes；　intreating　earnestly　of　them　all；　that　no
word　might　be　spoken　of　his　returne；　untill　he　had　compleated　an
important　businesse。　Afterward；　having　safely　secured　the　bedde；　and
all　the　rich　Jewells；　he　fully　acquainted　the　Abbot　with　all　his
passed　fortunes；　whereof　he　was　immeasurably　joyfull；　and　having
satisfied　him；　concerning　the　new　elected　husband；　Thorello　said
unto　the　Abbot。　Unckle；　before　any　rumour　of　my　returne；　I　would
gladly　see　my　wives　behavior　at　this　new　briding　feast；　and　although
men　of　religion　are　seldome　seene　at　such　joviall　meetings：　yet　（for
my　sake）　doe　you　so　order　the　matter；　that　I　（as　an　Arabian
stranger）　may　be　a　guest　under　your　protection；　wherto　the　Abbot
very　gladly　condescended。
　　In　the　morning；　he　sent　to　the　Bridegroom；　and　advertised　him；
that　he　（with　a　stranger　newly　arrived）　intended　to　dine　with　him；
which　the　Gentleman　accepted　in　thankefull　manner。　And　when　dinner
time　came；　Thorello　in　his　strange　disguise　went　with　the　Abbot　to　the
Bridegroomes　house；　where　he　was　lookt　on　with　admiration　of　all　the
guests；　but　not　knowne　or　suspected　by　any　one；　because　the　Abbot
reported　him　to　be　a　Sarracine；　and　sent　by　the　Soldane　（in　Ambassage）
to　the　King　of　France。　Thorello　was　seated　at　a　by…table；　but　directly
opposite　to　the　new　Bride；　whom　hee　much　delighted　to　looke　on；　and
easily　collected　by　her　sad　countenance；　that　shee　was　scarcely　well
pleased　with　this　new　nuptialls。　She　likewise　beheld　him　very　often；
not　in　regard　of　any　knowlege　she　took　of　him：　for　the　bushiness　of
his　beard；　strangeness　of　habit；　（but　most　of　all）　firm　beleefe　of　his
death；　was　the　maine　prevention。
　　At　such　time　as　Thorello　thought　it　convenient；　to　approve　how　farre
he　was　falne　out　of　her　remembrance；　he　took　the　ring　which　she　gave
him　at　his　departure；　and　calling　a　young　Page　that　waited　on　none　but
the　Bride；　said　to　him　in　Italian：　Faire　youth；　goe　to　the　Bride；
and　saluting　her　from　me；　tell　her；　it　is　a　custome　observed　in　my
Country；　that　when　any　Stranger　（as　I　am　heere）　sitteth　before　a　new
married　Bride；　as　now　shee　is；　in　signe　that　hee　is　welcome　to　her
feast；　she　sendeth　the　same　Cup　（wherein　she　drinketh　her　selfe）
full　of　the　best　wine；　and　when　the　stranger　hath　drunke　so　much　as
him　pleaseth；　the　Bride　then　pledgeth　him　with　all　the　rest。　The
Page　delivered　the　message　to　the　Bride；　who；　being　a　woman　of
honourable　disposition；　and　reputing　him　to　be　a　Noble　Gentleman；　to
testifie　that　his　presence　there　was　very　acceptable　to　her；　shee
commanded　a　faire　Cuppe　of　gold　（which　stood　directlie　before　her）
to　bee　neately　washed；　and　when　it　was　filled　with　excellent　Wine；
caused　it　to　bee　carried　to　the　stranger；　and　so　it　was　done。
　　Thorello　having　drunke　a　heartie　draught　to　the　Bride；　conveyed
the　Ring　into　the　Cuppe；　before　any　person　could　perceive　it；　and
having　left　but　small　store　of　Wine　in　it；　covered　the　Cuppe；　and　sent
it　againe　to　the　Bride；　who　received　it　very　gracioasly；　and　to　honour
the　Stranger　in　his　Countries　custome；　dranke　up　the　rest　of　the　Wine；
and　espying　the　Ring；　shee　tooke　it　forth　undescried　by　any：　Knowing
it　to　be　the　same　Ring　which　shee　gave　Signior　Thore