the decameron(十日谈)-第8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！


the　score　being　wiped　off；　the　second　must　needes　follow；　and
beside；　except　he　meant　to　leave　his　lodging；　hee　must　live　upon　the
third　so　long　as　it　would　last；　till　hee　saw　what　end　his　hopes
would　sort　too。　It　fortuned；　during　the　time　of　living　thus　upon　his
last　refuge；　that　hee　met　with　Maister　Can　one　day　at　dinner；　where　he
presented　himselfe　before　him；　with　a　discontented　countenance：
which　Maister　Can　well　observing；　more　to　distaste　him；　then　take
delight　in　any　thing　that　could　come　from　him；　he　sayd。　Bergamino；　how
cheerest　thou？　Thou　art　very　melancholly；　I　prythee　tell　us　why？
Bergamino　suddenly；　without　any　premeditation；　yet　seeming　as　if　he
had　long　considered　thereon；　reported　this　Tale。
　　Sir；　I　have　heard　of　a　certaine　man；　named　Primasso；　one　skilfully
learned　in　the　Grammar；　and　（beyond　all　other）　a　very　witty　and
ready　versifier：　in　regard　whereof；　he　was　so　much　admired；　and
farre　renowned；　that　such　as　never　saw　him；　but　onely　heard　of　him；
could　easily　say；　this　is　Primasso。　It　came　to　passe；　that　being
once　at　Paris；　in　poore　estate；　as　commonly　he　could　light　on　no
better　fortune　（because　vertue　is　slenderly　rewarded；　by　such　as
have　the　greatest　possessions）　he　heard　much　fame　of　the　Abbot　of
Clugni；　a　man　reputed　（next　to　the　Pope）　to　be　the　richest　Prelate
of　the　Church。　Of　him　he　heard　wonderfull　and　magnificent　matters；
that　he　alwayes　kept　an　open　and　hospitable　Court；　and　never　made
refusall　of　any　（from　whence　soever　hee　came　or　went）　but　they　did
eate　and　drinke　freely　there；　provided；　that　they　came　when　the
Abbot　was　set　at　the　Table。　Primasso　hearing　this；　and　being　an
earnest　desirer　to　see　magnificent　and　vertuous　men；　hee　resolved　to
goe　see　this　rare　bounty　of　the　Abbot；　demanding　how　far　he　dwelt　from
Paris？　Being　answered；　about　some　three　Leagues　thence。　Primasso
made　account；　that　if　he　went　on　betimes　in　the　morning；　he　should
easily　reach　thither　before　the　houre　for　dinner。
　　Being　instructed　in　the　way；　and　not　finding　any　to　walke　along　with
him；　fearing；　if　he　went　without　some　furnishment；　and　should　stay
long　there　for　his　dinner；　he　might　（perhaps）　complaine　of　hunger：
he　therefore　carried　three　loaves　of　bread　with　him；　knowing　that　he
could　meet　with　water　every　where；　albeit　he　used　to　drinke　but
little。　Having　aptly　conveyed　his　bread　about　him；　he　went　on　his
journy；　and　arrived　at　the　Lord　Abbots　Court；　an　indifferent　while
before　dinner　time：　wherefore　entering　into　the　great　Hall；　and　so
from　place　to　place；　beholding　the　great　multitude　of　Tables；
bountifull　preparation　in　the　Kitchin；　and　what　admirable　provision
there　was　for　dinner；　he　said　to　himselfe；　Truly　this　man　is　more
magnificent　then　fame　hath　made　him；　because　shee　speakes　too
sparingly　of　him。
　　While　thus　he　went　about；　considering　on　all　these　things　very
respectively；　he　saw　the　Maister　of　the　Abbots　Houshold　（because
then　it　was　the　houre　of　dinner）　command　water　to　be　brought　for
washing　hands；　so　everie　one　sitting　down　at　the　Tatle；　it　fell　to　the
lot　of　Primasso；　to　sit　directly　against　the　doore；　whereat　the
Abbot　must　enter　into　the　Hall。　The　custome　in　this　Court　was　such；
that　no　manner　of　Foode　should　be　served　to　any　of　the　Table；　untill
such　time　as　the　Lord　Abbot　was　himselfe　set：　whereupon；　every　thing
being　fit　and　ready；　the　Master　of　the　Houshold　went　to　tell　his　Lord；
that　nothing　now　wanted　but　his　onely　presence。
　　The　Abbot　comming　from　his　Chamber　to　enter　the　Hall；　looking
about　him；　as　hee　was　wont　to　doe；　the　first　man　hee　saw　was　Primasso；
who　being　but　in　homely　habite；　and　he　having　not　seene　him　before
to　his　remembrance；　a　present　bad　conceite　possessed　his　braine；
that　he　never　saw　an　unworthier　person；　saying　within　himselfe：　See
how　I　give　my　goods　away　to　bee　devoured。　So　returning　backe　to　his
Chamber　againe；　commaunded　the　doore　to　be　made　fast；　demaunding　of
every　man　neere　about　him；　if　they　knew　the　base　Knave　that　sate
before　his　entrance　into　the　Hall；　and　all　his　servants　answered　no。
Primasso　being　extreamely　hungry；　with　travailing　on　foote　so　farre；
and　never　used　to　fast　so　long；　expecting　still　when　meate　would　be
served　in；　and　that　the　Abbot　came　not　at　all：　drew　out　one　of　his
loaves　which　hee　brought　with　him；　and　very　heartily　fell　to　feeding。
　　My　Lord　Abbot；　after　hee　had　stayed　within　an　indifferent　while；
sent　forth　one　of　his　men；　to　see　if　the　poore　fellow　was　gone；　or　no。
The　servant　told　him；　that　he　stayed　there；　and　fed　upon　dry　bread；
which　it　seemed　he　had　brought　thither　with　him。　Let　him　feede　on
his　owne　（replyed　the　Abbot）　for　he　shall　taste　of　none　of　mine　this
day。　Gladly　wold　the　Abbot；　that　Primasso　should　have　gone　thence　of
himselfe；　and　yet　held　it　scarsely　honest　in　his　Lordship；　to　dismisse
him　by　his　owne　command。　Primasso　having　eaten　one　of　his　Loaves；
and　yet　the　Abbot　was　not　come；　began　to　feede　upon　the　second：　the
Abbot　still　sending　to　expect　his　absence；　and　answered　as　he　was
before。　At　length；　the　Abbot　not　comming；　and　Primasso　having　eaten　up
his　second　loafe；　hunger　compeld　him　to　begin　with　the　third。
　　When　these　newes　were　carried　to　the　Abbot；　sodainly　he　brake
forth　and　saide。　What　new　kinde　of　needy　tricke　hath　my　braine　begotte
this　day？　Why　do　I　grow　disdainfull　against　any　man　whatsoever？　I　have
long　time　allowed　my　meate　to　be　eaten　by　all　commers　that　did
please　to　visit　me；　without　exception　against　any　person；　Gentleman；
Yeoman；　poore　or　rich；　Marchant　or　Minstrill；　honest　man　or　knave；
never　refraining　my　presence　in　the　Hall；　by　basely　contemning　one
poore　man。　Beleeve　me；　covetousnesse　of　one　mans　meate；　doth　ill　agree
with　mine　estate　and　calling。　What　though　he　appeareth　a　wretched
fellow　to　me？　He　may　be　of　greater　merit　then　I　can　imagine；　and
deserve　more　honor　then　I　am　able　to　give　him。
　　Having　thus　discoursed　with　himselfe；　he　would　needs　understand　of
whence；　and　what　he　was；　and　finding　him　to　be　Primasso；　come　onely　to
see　the　magnificence　which　he　had　reported　of　him；　knowing　also　（by
the　generall　fame　noysed　every　where　of　him）　that　he　was　reputed　to　be
a　learned；　honest；　and　ingenious　man：　he　grew　greatly　ashamed　of　his
owne　folly；　and　being　desirous　to　make　him　an　amends；　strove　many
waies　how　to　do　him　honor。　When　dinner　was　ended；　the　Abbot　bestowed
honorable　garments　on　him；　such　as　beseemed　his　degree　and　merit；
and　putting　good　store　of　money　in　his　purse；　as　also　giving　him　a
good　horse　to　ride　on；　left　it　at　his　owne　free　election；　whether　he
would　stay　there　still　with　him；　or　depart　at　his　pleasure。
Wherewith　Primasso　being　highly　contented；　yeelding　him　the
heartiest　thankes　he　could　devise　to　do；　returned　to　Paris　on
horse…backe；　albeit　he　came　poorely　thether　on　foot。
　　Master　Can　de　la　Scala；　who　was　a　man　of　good　understanding；
perceived　immediately　（without　any　further　interpretation）　what
Bergamino　meant　by　this　morall；　and　smiling　on　him；　saide：
Bergamino；　thou　hast　honestly　expressed　thy　vertue　and　necessities；
and　justly　reprooved　mine　avarice；　niggardnesse；　and　base　folly。　And
trust　me　Bergamino；　I　never　felt　such　a　fit　of　covetousnesse　come　upon
me；　as　this　which　I　have　dishonestly　declared　to　thee：　and　which　I
will　now　banish　from　me；　with　the　same　correction　as　thou　hast
taught　mee。　So；　having　payed　the　Host　all　his　charges；　redeeming
also　his　robes　or　garments；　mounting　him　on　a　good　Gelding；　and
putting　plenty　of　Crownes　in　his　purse；　he　referd　it　to　his　owne
choise　to　depart；　or　dwell　there　still　with　him。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　FIRST　DAY；　THE　EIGHT　NOVELL

　　　　　　　WHICH　PLAINLY　DECLARETH；　THAT　A　COVETOUS　GENTLEMAN；　IS　NOT
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　WORTHY　OF　ANY　HONOR　OR　RESPECT

　　Guillaume　Boursier；　with　a　few　quaint　and　familiar　words；　checkt　the
miserable　covetousnesse　of　Signior　Herminio　de　Grimaldi。

　　Madam　Lauretta；　sitting　next　to　Philostratus；　when　she　had　heard　the
witty　conceite　of　Bergamino；　knowing；　that　she　was　to　say　somewhat；
without　injunction　or　command；　pleasantly　thus　began。
　　This　last　discourse　（faire　and　vertuous　company）　induceth　me　to　tell
you；　how　an　honest　Courtier　reprehended　in　like　manner　（and　nothing
unprofitably）　base　covetousnesse　in　a　Merchant　of　extraordinary
wealth。　Which　Tale；　although　（in　effect）　it　may　seeme　to　resemble
the　former；　yet　perhaps；　it　will　prove　no　lesse　pleasing　to　you；　in
regard　it　sorted　to　as　good　an　end。
　　It　is　no　long　time　since；　that　there　lived　in　Genes　or　Geneway；　a
Gentleman　named　Signior　Herminio　de　Grimaldo；　who　（as　every　one　wel
knew）　was　more　rich　in　inheritances；　and　ready　summes　of　currant　money
then　any　other　knowne　Citizen　in　Italy。　And　as　hee　surpassed　other　men
in　wealth；　so　did　he　likewise　excell　them　in　wretched　Avarice；　being
so　miserably　greedy　and　covetous；　as　no　man　in　the　world　could　be　more
wicked　that　way；　because；　not　onely　he　kept　his　purse　lockt　up　from
pleasuring　any；　but　denied　needfull　things　to　himselfe；　enduring
many　miseries　onely　to　avoid　expences；　contrary　to　the　Genewayes
generall　custom；　who　alwayes　delighted　to　be　decently　cloathed；　and　to
have　their　dyet　of　the　best。　By　reason　of　which　most　miserable
basenesse；　they　tooke　away　from　him　the　Sirname　of　Grimaldi；　whereof
he　was　in　right　descended；　and　called　him　master　Herminio　the　covetous
Mizer；　a　nickname　very　notably　agreeing　with　his　gripple　nature。
　　It　came　to　passe；　that　in　this　time　of　his　spending　nothing；　but
multiplying　daily　by　infinite　meanes；　that　a　civill　honest　Gentleman
（a　Courtier　of　ready　wit；　and　discoursive　in　Languages）　came　to
Geneway；　being　named　Guillaume　Boursier。　A　man　very　farre　differing
from　divers　Courtiers　in　these　dayes；　who　for　soothing　shamefull　and
gracelesse　maners　in　such　as　allow　them　maintenance；　are　called　and
reputed　to　bee　Gentlemen；　yea　speciall　favourites：　whereas　much　more
worthily；　they　should　be　accounted　as　knaves　and　villaines；　being
borne　and　bred　in　all　filthinesse；　and　skilfull　in　every　kinde　of
basest　behaviour；　not　fit　to　come　in　Princes　Courts。　For；　whereas　in
passed　times；　they　spent　their　dayes　and　paines　in　making　peace；
when　Gentlemen　were　at　warre　or　dissention；　or　treating　on　honest
marriages；　betweene　friends　and　familiars；　and　（with　loving
speeches）　would　recreate　disturbed　mindes；　desiring　none　but
commendable　exercises　in　Court；　and　sharpely　reprooving　（like　Fathers）
disordred　life；　or　ill　actions　in　any；　albeit　with　recompence
little；　or　none　at　all；　these　upstarts　now　adayes；　employ　all　their
paines　in　detractions；　sowing　questions　and　quarrels　betweene　one
another；　making　no　spare　of　lyes　and　falshoods。　Nay　which　is　worse；
they　wil　do　this　in　the　presence　of　any　man；　upbraiding　him　with
injuries；　shames；　and　scandals　（true　or　not　true）　upon　the　very
least　occasion。　And　by　false　and　deceitful　flatteries　and　villanies　of
their　owne　inventing；　they　make　Gentlemen　to　become　as　vile　as
themselves。　For　which　detestable　qualities；　they　are　better　beloved
and　respected　of　their　misdemeanored　Lords；　and　recompenced　in　more
bountifull　maner；　then　men　of　vertuous　carriage　and　desert。　Which　is
an　argument　sufficient；　that　goodnesse　is　gone　up　to　heaven；　and
hath　quite　forsaken　these　loathed