爱爱小说网 > 其他电子书 > the decameron(十日谈) >

第17章

the decameron(十日谈)-第17章

小说: the decameron(十日谈) 字数: 每页3500字

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!



of good respect; entred boldly: the Mayde going in before; and guiding
him up a faire payre of stayres; which he having more then halfe
ascended; the cunning young Queane gave a call to her Mistresse;
saying; Signior Andrea is come already; whereupon; she appeared at the
stayres…head; as if she had stayed there purposely to entertaine
him。 She was young; very beautifull; comely of person; and rich in
adornements; which Andrea well observing; and seeing her descend two
or three steps; with open armes to embrace him; catching fast hold
about his neck; he stood as a man confounded with admiration; and
she contained a cunning kinde of silence; even as if she were unable
to utter one word; seeming hindered by extremity of joy at his
presence; and to make him effectually admire her extraordinary
kindnesse; having teares plenteously at commaund; intermixed with
sighes and broken speeches; at last; thus she spake。
  Signior Andrea; you are the most welcome friend to me in the
world; sealing this salutation with infinite sweet kisses and
embraces: whereat (in wonderfull amazement) he being strangely
transported; replied; Madame; you honour me beyond all compasse of
merit。 Then; taking him by the hand; shee guided him thorough a goodly
Hall; into her owne Chamber; which was delicately embalmed with Roses;
Orenge flowers; and all other pleasing smelles; and a costly bed in
the middest; curtained round about; verie artificiall Pictures
beautifying the walles; with many other embellishments; such as
those Countries are liberally stored withall。 He being meerely a
novice in these kinds of wanton carriages of the World; and free
from any base or degenerate conceite; firmely perswaded himselfe; that
(questionlesse) she was a Lady of no meane esteeme; and he more then
happy; to be thus respected and honored by her。 They both being seated
on a curious Chest at the beds feete; teares cunningly trickling downe
her Cheekes; and sighes intermedled with inward sobbings; breathed
foorth in sad; but verie seemely manner; thus shee beganne。
  I am sure Andrea; that you greatly marvell at me; in gracing you
with this solemne and kinde entertainment; and why I should so melt my
selfe in sighes and teares; at a man that hath no knowledge of mee; or
perhaps; sildome or never heard any speeches of mee: but you shall
instantly receive from mee matter to augment your greater marvaile;
meeting heere with your owne Sister; beyond all hope or expectation in
eyther of us both。 But seeing that Heaven hath beene so gracious to
me; to let mee see one of my Brethren before I dye (though gladly I
would have seene them all) which is some addition of comfort to me;
and that which (happily) thou hast never heard before; in plaine and
truest manner; I will reveale unto thee。
  Piero; my Father and thine; dwelt long time (as thou canst not
choose but to have understood) in Palermo; where; through the
bounty; and other gracious good parts remaining in him; he was much
renowned; and to this day; is no doubt remembred; by many of his
loving Friends and Wellwillers。 Among them that most intimately
affected Piero; my mother (who was Gentlewoman; and at that time a
widow) did deerest of all other love him; so that: forgetting the
feare of her Father; Brethren; yea; and her owne honour; they became
so privately acquainted; that I was begotten; and am heere now such as
thou seest me。 Afterward; occasions so befalling our Father; to
abandon Palermo; and returne to Perouse; he left my mother and me
his little daughter; never after (for ought that I could learne)
once remembring either her or me: so that (if he had not beene my
Father) I could have much condemned him; in regard of his
ingratitude to my mother; and love which hee ought to have shewne me
as his childe; being borne of no Chamber…maide; neyther of a Citty
sinner; albeit I must needes say; that she was blame…worthy; without
any further knowledge of him (rioved onely thereto by most loyal
affection) to commit both her selfe; and all the wealth shee had; into
his hands: but things ill done; and so long time since; are more
easily controulled; then amended。
 Being left so young at Palermo; and growing (well neere) to the
stature as now you see me; my Mother (being wealthy) gave me in
marriage to one of the Gergentes Family; a Gentleman; and of great
revennues; who in his love to me and my mother; went and dwelt at
Palermo: where falling into the Guelphes Faction; and making one in
the enterprize with Charles our King; it came to passe; that they were
discovered to Fredericke King of Arragon; before their intent could be
put in execution: Whereupon; we were enforced to flye from Sicily;
even when my hope stoode fairely; to have beene the greatest Lady in
all the Island。 Packing up then such few things as wee could take with
us; (few I may well call them; in regard of our wealthy possessions;
both in Pallaces; Houses; and Lands; all which we were constrained
to forgo:) we made our recourse to this Citty; where we found King
Charles so benigne and gracious to us; that recompencing the greater
part of our losses; he bestowed Lands and houses on us here; beside
a continuall large pension to my husband your brother in Law; as
heereafter himselfe shall better acquaint you withal。 Thus came I
hither; and thus remaine here; where I am able to welcome my brother
Andrea; thankes more to Fortune; then any friendlinesse in him。 With
which words she embraced and kissed him many times; sighing and
weeping as she did before。
 Andrea hearing this Fable so artificially delivered; composed from
point to point with such likely protestations; without faltring or
failing in any one words utterance; and remembring perfectly for
truth; that his Father had formerly dwelt at Palermo; knowing also (by
some sensible feeling in himselfe) the custome of young people; who
are easily conquered by affection in their youthfull heate; seeing
beside the tears; trembling speeches; and earnest embracings of this
cunning commodity; he tooke all to be true by her thus spoken; and
upon her silence; thus replyed。 Lady; let it not seeme strange to you;
that your words have raysed marvell in me; because (indeed) I had no
knowledge of you; even no more then as if I had never seene you: never
also having heard my father speak either of you or your mother (for
some considerations best known unto himselfe:) or if at any time he
used such language; either my youth then; or defective memory since;
hath utterly lost it。 But truely; it is no little joy and comfort to
me; to finde a sister here; where I had no such hope or expectation;
and where also myselfe am a meere stranger。 For to speake my minde
freely of you; and the perfections gracefully appearing in you I
know not any man of how great repute or qualitie soever; but you may
well beseeme his acceptance; much rather then mine; that am but a mean
Merchant。 But faire Sister; I desire to be resolved in one thing; to
wit; by what means you had understanding of my being in this City?
whereto readily she returned him this answer。
  Brother; a poore Woman of this City; whom I employ sometimes
houshold occasions; came to mee this morning; and (having seene you)
tolde me; that shee dwelt a long while with our Father; both at
Palermo and Perouse。 And because I held it much better beseeming my
condition; to have you visite me in mine owne dwelling; then I to come
see you at a common Inne; I made the bolder to send for you hither。
After which words; in very orderly manner; she enquired of his
chiefest kindred and friends; calling them readily by their proper
names; according to her former instructions。 Whereto Andrea still made
her answere; confirming thereby his beliefe of her the more
strongly; and crediting whatsoever she saide; farre better then
before。
  Their conference having long time continued; and the heate of the
day being somewhat extraordinary; she called for Greeke wine; and
banquetting stuffe; drinking to Andrea; and he pledging her very
contentedly。 After which; he would have returned to his lodging;
because it drew neere supper time; which by no meanes shee would
permit; but seeming more then halfe displeased; shee saide。 Now I
plainely perceive brother; how little account you make of me;
considering; you are with your owne Sister; who (you say) you never
saw before; and in her owne House; whether you should alwayes resort
when you come to this City; and would you now refuse her; to goe and
sup at a common Inne? Beleeve me Brother; you shall sup with me; for
although my Husband is now from home; to my no little
discontentment: yet you shall find Brother; that his wife; can bid you
welcome; and make you good cheere beside。
  Now was Andrea so confounded this extremity of courtesie; that he
knew not what to say; but onely thus replied。 I love you as a Sister
ought to be loved; and accept of your exceeding kindnesse: but if I
returne not to my lodging; I shall wrong mine Host and his guests
too much; because they will not sup untill I come。 For that (quoth
shee) we have a present remedy; one of my servants shall goe and
give warning; whereby they shall not tarry your comming。 Albeit; you
might doe me a great kindnesse; to send for your friends to sup with
us here; where I assure ye; they shall finde that your Sister (for
your sake) will bid them welcome; and after supper; you may all
walke together to your Inne。 Andrea answered; that he had no such
friends there; as should be so burthenous to her: but seeing she urged
him so farre; he would stay to sup with her; and referred himselfe
solely to her disposition。
  Ceremonious shew was made; of sending a servant to the Inne; for not
expecting Andreas presence at Supper; though no such matter was
performed; but; after divers other discoursings; the table being
covered; and variety of costly viands placed thereon; downe they
sate to feeding; with plenty of curious Wines liberally walking about;
so that it was darke night before they arose from the table。 Andrea
then offring to take his leave; she would (by no meanes) suffer it;
but tolde him; that Naples was a Citie of such strict Lawes and
Ordinances; as admitted no night…walkers; although they were
Natives; much lesse strangers; but punnished them with great severity。
And therefore; as she had formerly sent word to his Inne; that they
should not expect his comming to supper; the like had she done
concerning his bed; intending to give her Brother Andrea one nights
lodging; which as easily she could affoord him; as shee had done a
Supper。 All which this new…caught Woodcocke verily crediting; and that
he was in company of his owne Sister Fiordeliza (for so did she
cunningly stile her selfe; and in which beleefe he was meerely
deluded) he accepted the more gladly her gentle offer; and concluded
to stay there all that night。
  After supper; their conference lasted very long; purposely dilated
out in length; that a great part of the night might therein be wasted:
when; leaving Andrea to his Chamber; and a Lad to attend; that he
should lacke nothing; she with her women went to their lodgings; and
thus our Brother and supposed Sister were parted。 The season then
being somewhat hot

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的