the decameron(十日谈)-第92章

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belonging　to　a　woman；　and　every　way　as　necessarily　required；　both
for　the　preservation　of　Houshold　quietnesse；　and　those　other　rites
betweene　a　Husband　and　Wife。　Let　mee　be　worser　garmented；　courser
dieted；　yea；　debarred　of　all　pleasure　and　delights；　so　I　might　once　be
worthy　the　name　of　a　Mother；　and　leave　some　remembrance　of
woman…hood　behinde　me。　I　tell　thee　plainely　Pedro；　I　am　a　woman　as
others　are；　and　subject　to　the　same　desires；　as　（by　nature）
attendeth　on　flesh　and　blood：　looke　how　thou　failest　in　kindnesse
towards　me；　thinke　it　not　amisse；　if　I　doe　the　like　to　thee；　and
endeavour　thou　to　win　the　worthy　title　of　a　Father；　because　I　was　made
to　be　a　Mother。
　　When　Pedro　perceived；　that　his　Wife　had　spoken　nothing　but　reason；
in　regard　of　his　over…much　neglect　towards　her；　and　not　using　such
Houshold　kindnesse；　as　ought　to　be　betweene　Man　and　Wife；　hee　returned
her　this　answer。　Well　Wife　（quoth　he）　I　confesse　my　fault；　and
hereafter　will　labour　to　amend　it；　conditionally；　that　this　youth；　nor
any　other；　may　no　more　visite　my　House　in　my　absence。　Get　me　therefore
something　to　eate；　for　doubtlesse；　this　young　man　and　thy　selfe　fell
short　of　your　Supper；　by　reason　of　my　so　soone　returning　home。　In
troth　Husband；　saide　she；　we　did　not　eate　one　bit　of　any　thing；　and
I　will　be　a　true　and　loyall　Wife　to　thee；　so　thou　wilt　be　the　like
to　me。　No　more　words　then　Wife；　replyed　Pedro；　all　is　forgotten　and
forgiven；　let　us　to　Supper；　and　we　are　all　friends。　She　seeing　his
anger　was　so　well　appeased；　lovingly　kissed　him；　and　laying　the　cloth；
set　on　the　supper；　which　she　had　provided　for　her　selfe　and　the　youth；
and　so　they　supt　together　merrily；　not　one　unkinde　word　passing
betweene　them。　After　Supper；　the　youth　was　sent　away　in　friendly
manner；　and　Pedro　was　alwayes　afterward　more　loving　to　his　Wife；
then　formerly　hee　had　beene；　and　no　complaint　passed　on　either　side；
but　mutuall　joy　and　Houshold　contentment；　such　as　ought　to　bee
betweene　Man　and　Wife。
　　Dioneus　having　ended　this　his　Tale；　for　which　the　Ladies　returned
him　no　thankes；　but　rather　angerly　frowned　on　him：　the　Queene；　knowing
that　her　government　was　now　concluded；　arose；　and　taking　off　her
Crowne　of　Lawrell；　placed　it　graciously　on　the　head　of　Madame　Eliza；
saying。　Now　Madame；　it　is　your　turne　to　commaund。　Eliza　having
received　the　honour；　did　（in　all　respects）　as　others　formerly　had
done；　and　after　shee　had　enstructed　the　Master　of　the　Houshold；
concerning　his　charge　during　the　time　of　her　Regiment；　for
contentation　of　all　the　company；　thus　shee　spake。
　　We　have　long　since　heard；　that　with　witty　words；　ready　answeres
and　sudden　jests　or　taunts；　many　have　checkt　and　reproved　great
folly　in　others；　and　to　their　no　meane　owne　commendation。　Now；　because
it　is　a　pleasing　kinde　of　argument；　ministring　occasion　of　mirth　and
wit：　my　desire　is；　that　all　our　discourse　to　morrow　shall　tend
thereto。　I　meane　of　such　persons；　either　Men　or　Women；　who　with　some
sudden　witty　answere；　have　encountred　a　scorner　in　his　owne　intention；
and　layed　the　blame　where　it　justly　belonged。　Every　one　commended
the　Queenes　appointment；　because　it　savoured　of　good　wit　and
judgement；　and　the　Queene　being　risen；　they　were　all　discharged　till
supper　time；　falling　to　such　severall　exercises　as　themselves　best
fancyed。
　　When　Supper　was　ended；　and　the　instruments　layed　before　them；　by　the
Queenes　consent；　Madam　Aemilia　undertooke　the　daunce；　and　the　Song　was
appointed　to　Dioneus；　who　began　many；　but　none　that　proved　to　any
liking；　they　were　so　palpably　obsceene　and　idle；　savouring
altogether　of　his　owne　wanton　disposition。　At　the　length；　the　Queene
looking　stearnely　on　him；　and　commanding　him　to　sing　a　good　one；　or
none　at　all；　thus　he　began。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　SONG

　　Eyes；　can　ye　not　refraine　your　hourely　weeping？
　　Eares；　how　are　you　depriv'd　of　sweete　attention？
　　Thoughts；　have　you　lost　your　quiet　silent　sleeping。
　　Wit；　who　hath　rob'd　thee　of　thy　rare　invention？
　　　　The　lacke　of　these；　being　life　and　motion　giving：
　　　　Are　senselesse　shapes；　and　no　true　signes　of　living。

　　Eyes；　when　you　gaz'd　upon　her　Angell　beauty；
　　Eares；　while　you　heard　her　sweete　delitious　straines；
　　Thoughts　（sleeping　then）　did　yet　performe　their　duty；
　　Wit；　tooke　sprightly　pleasure　in　his　paines。
　　　　While　shee　did　live；　then　none　of　these　were　scanting；
　　　　But　now　（being　dead）　they　all　are　gone；　and　wanting。

　　After　that　Dioneus　（by　proceeding　no　further）　declared　the　finishing
of　his　Song；　many　more　were　sung　beside；　and　that　of　Dioneus　highly
commended。　Some　part　of　the　night　being　spent　in　other　delightfull
exercises；　and　a　fitting　houre　for　rest　drawing　on：　they　betooke
themselves　to　their　Chambers；　where　we　will　leave　them　till　to
morrow　morning。



　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　INDUCTION　TO　THE　SIXT　DAY

　　　　　　GOVERNED　UNDER　THE　AUTHORITY　OF　MADAM　ELIZA；　AND　THE　ARGUMENT
　　　　OF　THE　DISCOURSES　OR　NOVELLS　THERE　TO　BE　RECOUNTED；　DOE　CONCERNE
　　　　SUDDEN；　PERSONS；　WHO　BY　SOME　WITTY　WORDS　（WHEN　ANY　HAVE　CHECKT　OR
　　　　RETORTING　THEM）　HAVE　REVENGED　THEMSELVES；　IN　A　SUDDEN；　UNEXPECTED
　　　　　AND　DISCREET　ANSWERE；　THEREBY　PREVENTING　LOSSE；　DANGER；　SCORNE
　　　　　　　AND　DISGRACE；　RETORTING　THEM　ON　THE　BUSI…HEADED　QUESTIONERS

　　The　Moone　having　past　the　heaven；　lost　her　bright　splendor；　by　the
arising　of　a　more　powerfull　light；　and　every　part　of　our　world　began
to　looke　cleare：　when　the　Queene　（being　risen）　caused　all　the
Company　to　be　called；　walking　forth　afterward　upon　the　pearled　dewe
（so　farre　as　was　supposed　convenient）　in　faire　and　familiar　conference
together；　according　as　severally　they　were　disposed；　and　repetition　of
divers　the　passed　Novels；　especially　those　which　were　most　pleasing；
and　seemed　so　by　their　present　commendations。　But　the　Sunne　beeing
somewhat　higher　mounted；　gave　such　a　sensible　warmth　to　the　ayre；　as
caused　their　returne　backe　to　the　Pallace；　where　the　Tables　were
readily　covered　against　their　comming；　strewed　with　sweete　hearbes　and
odoriferous　flowers；　seating　themselves　at　the　Tables　（before　the　heat
grew　more　violent）　according　as　the　Queene　commanded。
　　After　dinner；　they　sung　divers　excellent　Canzonnets；　and　then　some
went　to　sleepe；　others　played　at　the　Chesse；　and　some　at　the　Tables：
But　Dioneus　and　Madam　Lauretta；　they　sung　the　love…conflict　betweene
Troylus　and　Cressida。　Now　was　the　houre　come；　of　repairing　to　their
former　Consistory　or　meeting　place；　the　Queene　having　thereto
generally　summoned　them；　and　seating　themselves　（as　they　were　wont
to　doe）　about　the　faire　fountaine。　As　the　Queene　was　commanding　to
begin　the　first　Novell；　an　accident　suddenly　happened；　which　never　had
befalne　before：　to　wit；　they　heard　a　great　noyse　and　tumult；　among　the
houshold　servants　in　the　Kitchin。　Whereupon；　the　Queene　caused　the
Master　of　the　Houshold　to　be　called；　demaunding　of　him；　what　noyse
it　was；　and　what　might　be　the　occasion　thereof？　He　made　answere；
that　Lacisca　and　Tindaro　were　at　some　words　of　discontentment；　but
what　was　the　occasion　thereof；　he　knew　not。　Whereupon；　the　Queene
commanded　that　they　should　be　sent　for；　（their　anger　and　violent
speeches　still　continuing）　and　being　come　into　her　presence；　she
demaunded　the　reason　of　their　discord；　and　Tindaro　offering　to　make
answere；　Lacisca　（being　somewhat　more　ancient　then　he；　and　of　a
fiercer　fiery　spirit；　even　as　if　her　heart　would　have　leapt　out　of　her
mouth）　turned　her　selfe　to　him；　and　with　a　scornefull　frowning
countenance；　said。　See　how　this　bold；　unmannerly　and　beastly　fellow；
dare　presume　to　speake　in　this　place　before　me：　Stand　by　（saucy
impudence）　and　give　your　better　leave　to　answere；　then　turning　to
the　Queene；　thus　shee　proceeded。
　　Madam；　this　idle　fellow　would　maintaine　to　me；　that　Signior
Sicophanto　marrying　with　Madama　della　Grazza；　had　the　victory　of　her
virginity　the　very　first　night；　and　I　avouched　the　contrary；　because
shee　had　been　a　mother　twise　before；　in　very　faire　adventuring　of
her　fortune。　And　he　dared　to　affirme　beside；　that　yong　Maides　are　so
simple；　as　to　loose　the　flourishing　Aprill　of　their　time；　in　meere
feare　of　their　parents；　and　great　prejudice　of　their　friends。
　　And　then　the　Queene；　somewhat　offended　at　the　folly　of　the　former
controversie；　commanded　Madame　Philomena；　that　she　should　give
beginning　to　the　dayes　Novels：　which　（in　dutifull　manner）　shee
undertooke　to　doe；　and　seating　her　selfe　in　formall　fashion；　with
modest　and　very　gracious　gesture；　thus　she　began。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　SIXT　DAY；　THE　FIRST　NOVELL

　　　　REPREHENDING　THE　FOLLY　OF　SUCH　MEN；　AS　UNDERTAKE　TO　REPORT
　　　　　DISCOURSES；　WHICH　ARE　BEYOND　THEIR　WIT　AND　CAPACITY；　AND
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　GAINE　NOTHING　BUT　BLAME　FOR　THEIR　LABOUR

　　A　Knight　requested　Madam　Oretta；　to　ride　behinde　him　on　horse…backe；
and　promised；　to　tell　her　an　excellent　Tale　by　the　way。　But　the　Lady
perceiving；　that　his　discourse　was　idle；　and　much　worse　delivered：
entreated　him　to　let　her　walke　on　foote　againe。

　　Gracious　Ladies；　like　as　in　our　faire；　cleere；　and　serene　seasons；
the　Starres　are　bright　ornaments　to　the　heavens；　and　the　flowry　fields
（so　long　as　the　spring　time　lasteth）　weare　their　goodliest　Liveries；
the　Trees　likewise　bragging　in　their　best　adornings：　Even　so　at
friendly　meetings；　short；　sweet；　and　sententious　words；　are　the　beauty
and　ornament　of　any　discourse；　savouring　of　wit　and　sound　judgement；
worthily　deserving　to　be　commended。　And　so　much　the　rather；　because　in
few　and　witty　words；　aptly　suting　with　the　time　and　occasion；　more
is　delivered　then　was　expected；　or　sooner　answered；　then　rashly
apprehended：　which；　as　they　become　men　verie　highly；　yet　do　they
shew　more　singular　in　women。
　　True　it　is；　what　the　occasion　may　be；　I　know　not；　either　by　the
badnesse　of　our　wittes；　or　the　especiall　enmitie　betweene　our
complexions　and　the　celestiall　bodies：　there　are　scarsely　any；　or　very
few　Women　to　be　found　among　us；　that　well　knowes　how　to　deliver　a
word；　when　it　should　and　ought　to　be　spoken；　or；　if　a　question　bee
mooved；　understands　to　suite　it　with　an　apt　answere；　such　as
conveniently　is　required；　which　is　no　meane　disgrace　to　us　women。
But　in　regard；　that　Madame　Pampinea　hath　already　spoken　sufficiently
of　this　matter；　I　meane　not　to　presse　it　any　further：　but　at　this　time
it　shall　satisfie　mee；　to　let　you　know；　how　wittily　a　Ladie　made　due
observation　of　opportunitie；　in　answering　of　a　Knight；　whose　talke
seemed　tedious　and　offensive　to　her。
　　No　doubt　there　are　some　among　you；　who　either　do　know；　or　（at　the
least）　have　heard；　that　it　is　no　long　time　since；　when　there　dwelt　a
Gentlewoman　in　our　Citie；　of　excellent　grace　and　good　discourse；
with　all　other　rich　endowments　of　Nature　remaining　in　her；　as　pitty　it
were　to　conceale　her　name：　and　therefore　let　me　tell　ye；　that　shee　was
called　Madame　Oretta；　the　Wife　to　Signior　Geri　Spina。　She　being　upon
some　occasion　（as　now　we　are）　in　the　Countrey；　and　passing　from
place　to　place　（by　way　of　neighbourly　invitations）　to　visite　her
loving　Friends　and　Acquaintance；　accompanied　with　divers　Knights　and
Gentlewomen；　who　on　the　day　before　had　dined　and　supt　at　her　house；　as
now　（belike）　the　selfe…same　courtesie　was　intended　to　her：　walking