the decameron(十日谈)-第170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！


it　to　be　the　same　Ring　which　shee　gave　Signior　Thorello　at　his　parting
from　her；　she　fixed　her　eyes　often　on　it；　and　as　often　on　him；　whom
she　thought　to　be　a　stranger；　the　cheerfull　bloud　mounting　up　into　her
cheeks；　and　returning　againe　with　remembrance　to　her　heart；　that
（howsoever　thus　disguised）　he　only　was　her　husband。
　　Like　one　of　Bacchus　Froes；　up　furiously　she　started；　and　throwing
downe　the　Table　before　her；　cried　out　aloud：　This　is　my　Lord　and
Husband；　this　truely　is　my　Lord　Thorello。　So　running　to　the　Table
where　he　sate；　without　regard　of　all　the　riches　thereon；　down　she
threw　it　likewise；　and　clasping　her　armes　about　his　necke；　hung　so
mainly　on　him　（weeping；　sobbing；　and　kissing　him）　as　she　could　not
be　taken　off　by　any　of　the　company；　nor　shewed　any　moderation　in
this　excesse　of　passion；　till　Thorello　spake；　and　entreated　her　to
be　more　patient；　because　this　extremity　was　over…dangerous　for　her。
Thus　was　the　solemnitic　much　troubled；　but　every　one　there　very　glad
and　joyfull　for　the　recovery　of　such　a　famous　and　worthy　Knight；　who
intreated　them　all　to　vouchsafe　him　silence；　and　so　related　all　his
fortunes　to　them；　from　the　time　of　his　departure；　to　the　instant
houre。　Concluding　withall；　that　hee　was　no　way　offended　with　the　new
Bridegroome；　who　upon　the　so　constant　report　of　his　death；　deserved　no
blame　in　making　election　of　his　wife。
　　The　Bridegroome；　albeit　his　countenance　was　somewhat　cloudie；　to　see
his　hope　thus　disappointed：　yet　granted　freely；　that　Adalietto　was
Thorello's　wife　in　equitie；　and　bee　could　not　justly　lay　any　claime　to
her。　She　also　resigned　the　Crown　and　Rings　which　she　had　so　lately
received　of　her　new　Spouse；　and　put　that　on　her　finger　which　she　found
in　the　Cup；　and　that　Crowne　was　set　upon　her　head；　in　honor　sent　her
from　great　Saladine。　In　which　triumphant　manner；　she　left　the　new
Bridegrooms　abiding；　and　repayred　home　to　Thorello's　house；　with
such　pompe　and　magnificence　as　never　had　the　like　been　seene　in
Pavia　before；　all　the　Citizens　esteeming　it　as　a　miracle；　that　they
had　so　happily　recovered　Signior　Thorello　againe。
　　Some　part　of　the　Jewells　he　gave　to　him；　who　had　beene　at　cost
with　marriage　feasting；　and　some　to　his　the　Abbot；　beside　a　bountie
bestowed　on　Monkes。　Then　he　sent　a　messenger　to　Saladine；　with　Letters
of　his　whole　successe；　and　confessing　himselfe　（for　ever）　his
obliged　servant：　living　many　yeeres　（after）　with　his　wife　Adalietta；
and　using　greater　curtesies　to　strangers；　then　ever　before　he　had
done。
　　In　this　manner　ended　the　troubles　of　Signior　Thorello；　and　the
afflictions　of　his　dearely　affected　Lady；　with　due　recompence　to　their
honest　and　ready　courtesies。　Many　strive　（in　outward　shew）　to　doe
the　like；　who　although　they　are　sufficiently　able；　doe　performe　it
so　basely；　as　i：　rather　redoundeth　to　their　shame；　then　honour。　And
therefore　if　no　merit　ensue　thereon；　but　onely　such　disgrace　as　justly
should　follow；　let　them　lay　the　blame　upon　themselves。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　TENTH　DAY；　THE　TENTH　NOVELL

　　　　　　　　SET　DOWNE　AS　AN　EXAMPLE　OR　WARNING　TO　ALL　WEALTHIE　MEN；
　　　　　HOW　TO　HAVE　CARE　OF　MARRYING　THEMSELVES。　AND　LIKEWISE　TO　POORE
　　　　　　　　　AND　MEANE　WOMEN；　TO　BE　PATIENT　IN　THEIR　FORTUNES；　AND
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　OBEDIENT　TO　THEIR　HUSBANDS

　　The　Marquesse　of　Saluzzo；　named　Gualtiero；　being　constrained　by
the　importunate　solliciting　of　his　Lords；　and　other　inferiour
people；　to　joyne　himselfe　in　marriage；　tooke　a　woman　according　to
his　owne　liking；　called　Grizelda；　she　being　the　daughter　of　a　poore
Countriman；　named　Janiculo；　by　whom　he　had　two　children；　which　he
pretended　to　be　secretly　murdered。　Afterward；　they　being　grown　to
yeres　of　more　stature；　and　making　shew　of　taking　in　marriage　another
wife；　more　worthy　of　his　high　degree　and　Calling：　made　a　seeming
publique　liking　of　his　owne　daughter；　expulsing　his　wife　Grizelda
poorely　from　him。　But　finding　her　incomparable　patience；　more
dearely　（then　before）　hee　received　her　into　favour　againe；　brought　her
home　to　his　owne　Pallace；　where　（with　her　children）　hee　caused　her　and
them　to　be　respectively　honoured；　in　despight　of　all　her　adverse
enemies。

　　Questionlesse；　the　Kings　Novell　not　so　much　exceed　the　rest　in
length；　but　it　proved　as　sing　to　the　whole　assembly；　past　with　their
generall　approbation；　till　Dioneus　（in　a　merry　jesting　humour）　said。
The　plaine　honest　simple　man；　that　stood　holding　the　Candle；　to　see
the　setting　on　of　his　Mules　tayle；　deserved　two　penny…worth　of　more
praise；　then　all　our　applauding　of　Signior　Thorello：　And　knowing
himselfe　to　bee　left　for　the　last　speaker；　thus　he　began。
　　Milde　and　modest　Ladies；　for　ought　I　can　perceive　to　the　contrary；
this　day　was　dedicated　to　none　but　Kings；　Soldanes；　and　great
Potentates；　not　in　favour　of　any　inferiour　or　meaner　persons。　And
therefore；　because　I　would　be　loth　to　dis…ranke　my　selfe　from　the
rest；　I　purpose　to　speake　of　a　Lord　Marquesse；　not　any　matter　of　great
magnificence；　but　rather　in　a　more　humble　nature；　and　sorted　to　an
honest　end：　which　yet　I　will　not　advise　any　to　immitate；　because
（perhaps）　they　cannot　so　well　digest　it；　as　they　did　whom　my　Novell
concerneth；　thus　then　I　begin。
　　It　it　a　great　while　since；　when　among　those　that　were　Lord
Marquesses　of　Saluzzo；　the　very　greatest　and　worthiest　man　of　them　al；
was　a　young　Noble　Lord；　named　Gualtiero；　who　having　neyther　wife　nor
childe；　spent　his　time　in　nothing　else　but　hawking　and　hunting：　nor
had　he　any　minde　of　marriage；　or　to　enjoy　the　benefit　of　children；
wherein　many　did　repute　him　the　wiser。　But　this　being　distastfull　to
his　subjects；　they　very　often　earnestly　solicited　him；　to　match
himselfe　with　a　wife；　to　the　end；　that　hee　might　not　decease　without
an　heire；　nor　they　be　left　destitute　of　a　succeeding　Lord；　offering
themselves　to　provide　him　of　such　a　one；　so　well　descended　by　Father
and　Mother；　as　not　only　should　confirm　their　hope；　but　also　yeeld
him　high　contentment；　whereto　the　Lord　Marquess　thus　answered。
　　Worthie　friends；　you　would　constraine　me　to　the　thing；　wherewith　I
never　had　any　intent　to　meddle；　considering；　how　difficult　a　case　it
is　to　meet　with　such　a　woman；　who　can　agree　with　a　man　in　all　his
conditions；　and　how　great　the　number　is　of　them；　who　daily　happen　on
the　contrarie：　but　most　（and　worst　of　all　the　rest）　how　wretched　and
miserable　prooves　the　life　of　man；　who　is　bound　to　live　with　a　wife
not　fit　for　him。　And　in　saying；　you　can　learn　to　understand　the
custome　and　qualities　of　children；　by　behaviour　of　the　fathers　and
mothers；　and　so　to　provide　mee　of　a　wife；　it　is　a　meere　argument　of
folly：　for　neither　shall　I　comprehend；　or　you　either；　the　secret
inclinations　of　parents；　I　meane　of　the　Father；　and　much　lesse　the
complexion　of　the　mother。　But　admitte　it　were　within　compasse　of　power
to　know　them；　yet　it　is　a　frequent　sight；　and　observed　every　day；　that
daughters　doe　resemble　neither　father　nor　mother；　but　that　they　are
naturally　governed　by　their　owne　instinct。
　　But　because　you　are　so　desirous　to　have　me　fettered　in　the　chains　of
wedlocke；　I　am　contented　to　grant　what　you　request。　And　because　I
would　have　no　complaint　made　of　any　but　my　selfe；　if　matters　should
not　happen　answerable　to　expectation；　I　will　make　mine　owne　eyes　my
electors；　and　not　see　by　any　others　sight。　Giving　you　this　assurance
before；　that　if　she　whom　I　shall　make　choice　of；　be　not　of　you
honoured　and　respected　as　your　Lady　and　Mistresse：　it　will　ensue　to
your　detriment；　how　much　you　have　displeased　me；　to　take　a　wife　at
your　request；　and　against　mine　owne　will。
　　The　Noble　men　answered；　that　they　were　well　satisfied；　provided　that
he　tooke　a　wife。
　　Some　indifferent　space　of　time　before；　the　beauty；　manners；　and
well…seeming　vertues；　of　a　poore　Countrie…mans　daughter；　dwelling　in
no　farre　distant　village；　had　appeared　very　pleasing　to　the　Lord
Marquesse；　and　gave　him　full　perswasion；　that　with　her　hee　should　lead
a　comfortable　life。　And　therefore　without　any　further　search　or
inquisition；　he　absolutely　resolved　to　marry　her；　and　having　conferred
with　her　Father；　agreed；　that　his　daughter　should　be　his　wife。
Whereupon；　the　Marquesse　made　a　generall　convocation　of　all　his　Lords；
Barons；　and　other　of　his　especiall　friends；　from　all　parts　of　his
Dominion；　and　when　they　were　assembled　together；　hee　then　spake　unto
them　in　manner　as　followeth。
　Honourable　friends；　it　appeared　pleasing　to　you　all；　and　yet　（I
thinke）　you　are　of　the　same　minde；　that　I　should　dispose　my　selfe　to
take　a　wife：　and　I　thereto　condescended；　more　to　yeeld　you
contentment；　then　for　any　particular　desire　in　my　selfe。　Let　mee　now
remember　you　of　your　solemne　made　promise；　with　full　consent　to
honor　and　obey　her　（whosoever）　as　your　Soveraigne　Lady　and
Mistresse；　that　I　shall　elect　to　make　my　wife：　and　now　the　time　is
come；　for　my　exacting　the　performance　of　that　promise；　and　which　I
look　you　must　constantly　keepe。　I　have　made　choyce　of　a　yong
virgine；　answerable　to　mine　owne　heart　and　liking；　dwelling　not
farre　off　hence；　whom　I　intend　to　make　my　wife；　and　（within　few　dales）
to　have　her　brought　home　to　my　Pallace。　Let　your　care　and　diligence
then　extend　so　farre；　as　to　see　that　the　feast　may　be　sumptuous；　and
her　entertainment　to　bee　most　honourable：　to　the　end　that　I　may
receive　as　much　contentment　in　your　promise　performed；　as　you　shall
perceive　I　doe　in　my　choice。
　　The　Lords　and　all　the　rest；　were　wondrously　joyfull　to　heare　him
so　well　inclined；　expressing　no　lesse　by　their　shouts　and　jocund
suffrages：　protesting　cordially；　that　she　should　be　welcommed　with
pompe　and　majestie；　and　honoured　of　them　all；　as　their　Liege　Ladie　and
Soveraigne。　Afterward；　they　made　preparation　for　a　princely　and
magnificent　feast；　as　the　Marquesse　did　the　like；　for　a　marriage　of
extraordinary　state　and　qualitie；　inviting　all　his　kinred；　friends；
and　acquaintance　in　all　parts　and　Provinces；　about　him。　Hee　made
also　readie　most　riche　and　costly　garments；　shaped　by　the　body　of　a
comely　young　Gentlewoman；　who　he　knew　to　be　equall　in　proportion　and
stature；　to　her　of　whom　hee　hade　made　his　election。
　　When　the　appointed　nuptiall　day　was　come；　the　Lord　Marques；　about
nine　of　the　clocke　in　the　morning；　mounted　on　horsebacke；　as　all　the
rest　did；　who　came　to　attend　him　honourably；　and　having　all　things
in　due　readinesse　with　them；　he　said：　Lords；　it　is　time　for　us　to
goe　fetch　the　Bride。　So　on　hee　rode　with　his　traine；　to　the　same　poore
Village　whereat　shee　dwelt；　and　when　hee　was　come　to　her　Fathers
house；　hee　saw　the　maiden　returning　very　hastily　from　a　Well；　where
shee　had　beene　to　fetch　a　paile　of　water；　which　shee　set　downe；　and
stood　（accompanied　with　other　maidens）　to　see　the　passage　by　of　the
Lord　Marquesse　and　his　traine。　Gualtiero　called　her　by　her　name；　which
was　Grizelda；　and　asked　her；　where　her　Father　was：　who　bashfully
answered　him；　and　with　an　humble　courtesie；　saying。　My　gracious
Lord；　hee　is　in　the　house。
　　Then　the　Marquesse　dismounted　from　his　horse；　commanding　every　one
to　attend　him；　then　all　alone　hee　entred　into　the　poore　Cottage；　where
he　found　the　maides　father；　being　named　Janiculo；　and　said　unto　him。
God　speed　good　Father；　I　am　come　to　espouse　thy