the decameron(十日谈)-第52章

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fifty　thousand　leagues；　answered　the　Monke；　but　yet　passable　in　a
moment；　whensoever　the　offended　Fates　are　pleased：　and　many　Masses　are
dally　saide　for　thy　soule；　at　the　earnest　entreaty　of　thy　Wife；　in
hope　of　thy　conversion；　and　becomming　a　new　man；　hating　to　be
jealous　any　more　hereafter。
　　In　these　and　such　like　speeches；　as　thus　they　beguiled　the　time；
so　did　they　observe　it　for　a　dayly　course；　sometime　discipling；
other　whiles　eating　and　drinking；　for　the　space　of　ten　whole　moneths
together：　in　the　which　time；　the　Abbot　sildome　failed　to　visite
Ferandoes　wife；　without　the　least　suspition　in　any　of　the
neighbours；　by　reason　of　their　setled　opinion；　concerning　the
nightly　walking　Ferandoes　ghost。　But；　as　all　pleasures　cannot　bee
exempted　from　some　following　paine　or　other；　so　it　came　to　passe；　that
Ferandoes　wife　proved　to　be　conceived　with　childe；　and　the　time　was
drawing　on　for　her　deliverance。　Now　began　the　Abbot　to　consider；
that　Ferandoes　folly　was　sufficiently　chastised；　and　he　had　beene　long
enough　in　Purgatory：　wherefore；　the　better　to　countenance　all　passed
inconveniences；　it　was　now　thought　high　time；　that　Ferando　should　be
sent　to　the　world　againe；　and　set　free　from　the　paines　of　Purgatory；
as　having　payed　for　his　jealousie　dearely；　to　teach　him　better
wisedome　hereafter。
　　Late　in　the　dead　time　of　the　night；　the　Abbot　himselfe　entred　into
the　darke　dungeon；　and　in　an　hollow　counterfeited　voyce；　called　to
Ferando；　saying。　Comfort　thy　selfe　Ferando；　for　the　Fates　are　now
pleased；　that　thou　shalt　bee　released　out　of　Purgatory；　and　sent　to
live　in　the　world　againe。　Thou　didst　leave　thy　wife　newly　conceived
with　childe；　and　this　very　morning　she　is　delivered　of　a　goodly　Sonne；
whom　thou　shalt　cause　to　be　named　Bennet：　because；　by　the　incessant
prayers　of　the　holy　Abbot；　thine　owne　loving　Wife；　and　for　sweet　Saint
Bennets　sake；　this　grace　and　favour　is　afforded　thee。　Ferando
hearing　this；　was　exceeding　joyfull；　and　returned　this　answere：　For
ever　honored　be　the　Fates；　the　holy　Lord　Abbot；　blessed　Saint
Bennet；　and　my　most　dearely　beloved　Wife；　whom　I　will　faithfully
love　for　ever；　and　never　more　offend　her　by　any　jealous　in　me。
　　When　the　next　foode　was　sent　to　Ferando；　so　much　of　the　powder　was
mingled　with　the　wine；　as　would　serve　onely　for　foure　houres
entrauncing；　in　which　time；　they　clothed　him　in　his　owne　wearing
apparell　againe；　the　Abbot　himselfe　in　person；　and　his　honest　trusty
Monke　of　Bologna；　conveying　and　laying　him　in　the　same　vault　under　the
Tombe；　where　at　the　first　they　gave　him　buriall。　The　next　morning
following；　the　breake　of　day；　Ferando　recovered　his　senses；　and　thorow
divers　chinkes　and　crannies　of　the　Tombe；　descried　daylight；　which　hee
had　not　see　in　tenne　moneths　space　before。　Perceiving　then　plainely；
that　he　was　alive；　he　cryed　out　aloude；　saying：　Open；　open；　and　let
mee　forth　of　Purgatory；　for　I　have　beene　heere　long　enough　in
conscience。　Thrusting　up　his　head　against　the　cover　of　the　Tombe；
which　was　not　of　any　great　strength；　neither　well　closed　together；　hee
put　it　quite　off　the　Tombe；　and　so　got　forth　upon　his　feete：　at
which　instant　time；　the　Monks　having　ended　their　morning　Mattins；
and　hearing　the　noyse；　ran　in　hast　thither；　and　knowing　the　voyce　of
Ferando；　saw　that　he　was　come　forth　of　the　Monument。
　　Some　of　them　were　ancient　Signiors　of　the　house；　and　yet　but　meere
Novices　（as　all　the　rest　were）　in　these　cunning　and　politique
stratagems　of　the　Lord　Abbot；　when　hee　intended　to　punish　any　one　in
Purgatory：　and　therefore；　being　affrighted；　and　amazed　at　this　rare
accident；　they　fled　away　from　him；　running　to　the　Abbot；　who　making
a　shew　to　them；　as　if　he　were　but　new　come　forth　of　his　Oratory；　in
a　kinde　of　pacifying　speeches；　saide；　Peace　my　deare　Sonnes；　be　not
affraide；　but　fetch　the　Crosse　and　Holy…water　hither；　then　follow
me；　and　I　will　shew　you；　what　miracles　the　Fates　have　pleased　to
shew　in　our　Convent；　therefore　be　silent；　and　make　no　more　noise；
all　which　was　performed　according　to　his　command。
　　Ferando　looking　leane　and　pale；　as　one；　that　in　so　long　time　hadde
not　seene　the　light　of　heaven；　and　endured　such　strict　discipline
twice　every　day：　stood　in　a　gastly　amazement　by　the　Tombesside；　as　not
daring　to　adventure　any　further；　or　knowing　perfectly；　whether　he
was　（as　yet）　truly　alive；　or　no。　But　when　he　saw　the　Monkes　and
Abbot　comming；　with　their　lighted　Torches；　and　singing　in　a　solemne
manner　of　Procession；　he　humbled　himselfe　at　the　Abbots　feete；　saying。
Holy　Father；　by　your　zealous　prayers　（as　hath　bin　miraculously
revealed　to　me）　and　the　prayers　of　blessed　S。　Bennet；　as　also　of　my
honest；　deare；　and　loving　Wife；　I　have　bin　delivered　from　the　paines
of　Purgatory；　and　brought　againe　to　live　in　this　world；　for　which
unspeakable　grace　and　favour；　most　humbly　I　thanke　the　well…pleased
Fates；　S。　Bennet；　your　Father…hood；　and　my　kinde　Wife；　and　will
remember　all　your　loves　to　me　for　ever。　Blessed　be　the　Fates；　answered
the　Abbot；　for　working　so　great　a　wonder　heere　in　our　Monastery。　Go
then　my　good　Son；　seeing　the　Fates　have　bin　so　gracious　to　thee；　Go　（I
say）　home　to　thine　owne　house；　and　comfort　thy　kind　wife；　who　ever
since　thy　departure　out　of　this　life；　hath　lived　in　continuall
mourning；　love；　cherish；　and　make　much　of　her；　never　afflicting　her
henceforth　with　causlesse　jealousie。　No　I　warrant　you　good　Father；
replyed　Ferando；　I　have　bin　well　whipt　in　Purgatory　for　such　folly；
and　therefore　I　might　be　called　a　starke　foole；　if　I　should　that　way
offend　any　more；　either　my　loving　wife；　or　any　other。
　　The　Abbot　causing　Miserere　to　be　devoutly　sung；　sprinkling　Ferando
well　with　Holy…water；　and　placing　a　lighted　Taper　in　his　hand；　sent
him　home　so　to　his　owne　dwelling　Village：　where　when　the　Neighbours
beheld　him；　as　people　halfe　frighted　out　of　their　wits；　they　fled　away
from　him；　so　scared　and　terrified；　as　if　they　had　seene　some　dreadfull
sight；　or　gastly　apporition；　his　wife　being　as　fearfull　of　him；　as　any
of　the　rest。　He　called　to　them　kindly　by　their　severall　names；　telling
them；　that　he　was　newly　risen　out　of　his　grave；　and　was　a　man　as　he
had　bin　before。　Then　they　began　to　touch　and　feele　him；　growing　into
more　certaine　assurance　of　him；　perceiving　him　to　be　a　living　man
indeede：　whereupon　they　demanded　many　questions　of　him；　and　id　as　if
he　were　become　farre　wiser　then　before；　told　them　tydings；　from
their　long　deceased　Kindred　and　Friends；　as　if　he　had　met　with　them
all　in　Purgatory；　reporting　a　thousand　lyes　and　fables　to　them；
which　（neverthelesse）　they　beleeved。
　　Then　he　told　them　what　the　miraculous　voice　had　said　unto　him；
concerning　the　birth　of　another　young　Sonne；　whom　（according　as　he　was
commanded）　he　caused　to　be　named　Bennet　Ferando。　Thus　his　returne　to
life　againe；　and　the　daily　wonders　reported　by　him；　caused　no　meane
admiration　in　the　people；　with　much　commendation　of　the　Abbots
holinesse；　and　Ferandoes　happy　curing　his　jealousie。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　THIRD　DAY；　THE　NINTH　NOVELL

　　　　　COMMENDING　THE　GOOD　JUDGEMENT　AND　UNDERSTANDING　IN　LADIES　OR
　　　　　　GENTLEWOMEN；　THAT　ARE　OF　A　QUICKE　AND　APPREHENSIVE　SPIRIT

　　Juliet　of　Narbona；　cured　the　King　of　France　of　a　daungerous　Fistula；
in　recompence　whereof；　she　requested　to　enjoy　as　her　husband　in
marriage；　Bertrand　Count　of　Roussilion。　Hee　having　married　her　against
his　will；　as　utterly　despising　her；　went　to　Florence；　where　hee　made
love　to　a　young　Gentlewoman。　Juliet；　by　a　queint　and　cunning　policy；
compassed　the　meanes　（insted　of　his　chosen　new　friend）　to　lye　with　her
owne　husband；　by　whom　shee　conceived；　and　had　two　Sonnes；　which
being　afterward　made　knowne　unto　Count　Bertrand；　he　accepted　her
into　his　favour　againe；　and　loved　her　as　his　loyall　and　honourable
wife。

　　Now　there　remained　no　more　（to　preserve　the　priviledge　granted　to
Dioneus　uninfringed）　but　the　Queene　onely；　to　declare　her　Novell。
Wherefore；　when　the　discourse　of　Madam　Lauretta　was　ended；　without
attending　any　motion　to　bee　made　for　her　next　succeeding；　with　a
gracious　and　pleasing　disposition；　thus　she　began　to　speake。　Who　shall
tell　any　Tale　heereafter；　to　carry　any　hope　or　expectation　of　a
liking；　having　heard　the　rare　and　wittie　discourse　of　Madame　Lauretta？
Beleeve　me；　it　was　very　advantageable　to　us　all；　that　she　was　not　this
dayes　first　beginner；　because　few　or　none　would　have　had　any　courage
to　follow　after　her；　and　therefore　the　rest　yet　remaining；　are　the
more　to　be　feared　and　suspected。　Neverthelesse；　to　avoid　the　breach　of
order；　and　to　claime　no　priviledge　by　my　place；　of　not　performing　what
I　ought　to　do：　prove　as　it　may；　a　Tale　you　must　have；　and　thus　I
proceed。
　　There　lived　sometime　in　the　kingdome　of　France；　a　Gentleman　named
Isnarde；　being　the　Count　of　Roussillion：　who　because　hee　was
continually　weake；　crazie；　and　sickly；　kept　a　Physitian　daily　in　his
house；　who　was　called　Master　Gerard　of　Narbona。　Count　Isnarde　had
one　onely　Sonne；　very　young　in　yeares；　yet　of　towardly　hope；　faire；
comely；　and　of　pleasing　person；　named　Bertrand；　with　whom；　many
other　children　of　his　age；　had　their　education：　and　among　them；　a
daughter　of　the　fore…named　Physitian；　called　juliet；　who；　even　in
these　tender　yeares；　fixed　her　affection　upon　young　Bertrand；　with
such　an　earnest　and　intimate　resolution；　as　was　most　admirable　in　so
yong　a　Maiden；　and　more　then　many　times　is　noted　in　yeares　of
greater　discretion。　Old　Count　Isnarde　dying；　young　Bertrand　fell　as
a　Ward　to　the　King；　and　being　sent　to　Paris；　remained　there　under
his　royall　custodie　and　protection；　to　no　little　discomfort　of　young
Juliet；　who　became　greevously　afflicted　in　minde；　because　she　had　lost
the　company　of　Bertrand。
　　　Within　some　few　yeares　after；　the　Physitian　her　Father　also　dyed；
and　then　her　desires　grew　wholly　addicted；　to　visite　Paris　her　selfe
in　person；　onely　because　she　would　see　the　young　Count；　awaiting　but
time　and　opportunitie；　to　fit　her　stolne　journey　thither。　But　her
kindred　and　friends；　to　whose　care　and　trust　she　was　committed；　in
regard　of　her　rich　dowrie；　and　being　left　as　a　fatherlesse　Orphane：
were　so　circumspect　of　her　walks　and　daily　behaviour；　as　she　could　not
compasse　any　meane；　of　escaping。　Her　yeares　made　her　now　almost　fit
for　marriage；　which　so　much　more　encreased　her　love　to　the　Count；
making　refusall　of　many　woorthy　husbands；　and　laboured　by　the
motions　of　her　friends　and　kindred；　yet　all　denyed；　they　not　knowing
any　reason　for　her　refusalles。　By　this　time　the　Count　was　become　a
gallant　goodly　Gentleman；　and　able　to　make　election　of　his　wife；
whereby　her　affections　were　the　more　violently　enflamed；　as　fearing
least　some　other　should　be　preferred　before　her；　and　so　her　hopes　be
utterly　disappointed。
　　　It　was　noysed　abroad　by　common　report；　that　the　King　of　France
was　in　a　very　dangerous　condition；　by　reason　of　a　strange　swelling
on　his　stomacke；　which　failing　of　apt　and　convenient　curing；　became
a　Fistula；　afflicting　him　daily　with　extraordinary　paine　and
anguish；　no　Chirurgeon　or　Physitian　being　found；　that　could　minister
any　hope　of　healing；　but　rather　encreased　the　greefe；　and　drove　it
to　more　vehement　extreamitie；　compelling　the　King；　as　dispairing
utterly　of　a