the decameron(十日谈)-第93章

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now　（belike）　the　selfe…same　courtesie　was　intended　to　her：　walking
along　with　her　company　upon　the　way；　and　the　place　for　her　welcome
beeing　further　off　then　she　expected；　a　Knight　chanced　to　overtake
this　faire　troop；　who　well　knowing　Madam　Oretta；　using　a　kinde　and
courteous　salutation；　spake　thus。
　　Madam；　this　foot　travell　may　bee　offensive　to　you；　and　were　you　so
well　pleased　as　my　selfe；　I　would　ease　your　journey　behinde　mee　on
my　Gelding；　even　so　as　you　shall　command　me：　and　beside；　wil　shorten
your　wearinesse　with　a　Tale　worth　the　hearing。　Courteous　Sir
（replyed　the　Lady）　I　embrace　your　kinde　offer　with　such　acceptation；
that　I　pray　you　to　performe　it；　for　therein　you　shall　doe　me　an
especiall　favour。　The　Knight；　whose　Sword　（perhappes）　was　as
unsuteable　to　his　side；　as　his　wit　out　of　fashion　for　any　readie
discourse；　having　the　Lady　mounted　behinde　him　rode　on　with　a　gentle
pace；　and　（according　to　his　promise）　began　to　tell　a　Tale；　which
indeede　（of　it　selfe）　deserved　attention；　because　it　was　a　knowne
and　commendable　History；　but　yet　delivered　so　abruptly；　with　idle
repetitions　of　some　particulars　three　or　foure　severall　times；
mistaking　one　thing　for　another；　and　wandering　erroneously　from　the
essentiall　subject；　seeming　neere　an　end；　and　then　beginning　againe：
that　a　poore　Tale　could　not　possibly　be　more　mangled；　or　worse
tortured　in　telling；　then　this　was；　for　the　persons　therein　concerned；
were　so　abusively　nicke…named；　their　actions　and　speeches　so
monstrously　mishapen；　that　nothing　could　appeare　to　be　more　ugly。
　　Madame　Oretta；　being　a　Lady　of　unequalled　ingenuitie；　admirable　in
judgement；　and　most　delicate　in　her　speech；　was　afflicted　in　soule；
beyond　all　measure；　overcome　with　many　colde　sweates；　and　passionate
heart…aking　qualmes；　to　see　a　Foole　thus　in　a　Pinne…fold；　and　unable
to　get　out；　albeit　the　doore　stood　wide　open　to　him；　whereby　shee
became　so　sicke；　that；　converting　her　distaste　to　a　kinde　of
pleasing　acceptation；　merrily　thus　she　spake。　Beleeve　me　Sir；　your
horse　trots　so　hard；　and　travels　so　uneasily；　that　I　entreate　you　to
let　me　walke　on　foot　againe。
　　The　Knight；　being　（perchance）　a　better　understander；　then　a
Discourser；　perceived　by　this　witty　taunt；　that　his　Bowle　had　run　a
contrarie　bias；　and　he　as　farre　out　of　Tune；　as　he　was　from　the　Towne。
So；　lingering　the　time；　untill　her　company　was　neerer　arrived：　hee
lefte　her　with　them；　and　rode　on　as　his　Wisedome　could　best　direct
him。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　SIXT　DAY；　THE　SECOND　NOVELL

　　　　　　　　APPROVING；　THAT　A　REQUEST　OUGHT　TO　BE　CIVILL；　BEFORE　IT
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　SHOULD　BE　GRANTED　TO　ANY　ONE　WHATSOEVER

　　Cistio　a　Baker；　by　a　wittie　answer　which　he　gave　unto　Messer　Geri
Spina；　caused　him　to　acknowledge　a　very　indiscreete　motion；　which　he
had　made　to　the　said　Cistio。

　　The　words　of　Madame　Oretta；　were　much　commended　by　the　men　and
women；　and　the　discourse　being　ended；　the　Queene　gave　command　to　Madam
Pampinea；　that　shee　should　follow　next　in　order；　which　made　her　to
begin　in　this　manner。
　　Worthy　Ladies；　it　exceedeth　the　power　of　my　capacitie；　to　censure　in
the　case　whereof　I　am　to　speake；　by　saying；　who　sinned　most；　either
Nature；　in　seating　a　Noble　soule　in　a　vile　body；　or　Fortune；　in
bestowing　on　a　body　（beautified　with　a　noble　soule）　a　base　or　wretched
condition　of　life。　As　we　may　observe　by　Cistio；　a　Citizen　of　our　owne；
and　many　more　beside；　for；　this　Cistio　beeing　endued　with　a　singular
good　spirit；　Fortune　hath　made　him　no　better　then　a　Baker。　And　beleeve
me　Ladies；　I　could　（in　this　case）　lay　as　much　blame　on　Nature；　as　on
Fortune；　if　I　did　not　know　Nature　to　be　most　absolutely　wise；　and　that
Fortune　hath　a　thousand　eyes；　albeit　fooles　have　figured　her　to　bee
blinde。　But；　upon　more　mature　and　deliberate　consideration；　I　finde；
that　they　both　（being　truly　wise　and　judicious）　have　dealt　justly；
in　imitation　of　our　best　advised　mortals；　who　being　uncertaine　of　such
inconveniences；　as　may　happen　unto　them；　do　bury　（for　their　own
benefit）　the　very　best　and　choicest　things　of　esteeme；　in　the　most
vile　and　abject　places　of　their　houses；　as　being　subject　to　least
suspition；　and　where　they　may　be　sure　to　have　them　at　all　times；　for
supply　of　any　necessitie　whatsoever；　because　so　base　a　conveyance　hath
better　kept　them；　then　the　very　best　chamber　in　the　house　could　have
done。　Even　so　these　two　great　commanders　of　the　world；　do　many　times
hide　their　most　precious　Jewels　of　worth；　under　the　clouds　of　Arts
or　professions　of　worst　estimation；　to　the　end；　that　fetching　them
thence　when　neede　requires；　their　splendor　may　appeare　to　be　the
more　glorious。　Nor　was　any　such　matter　noted　in　our　homely　Baker
Cistio；　by　the　best　observation　of　Messer　Geri　Spina；　who　was　spoken
of　in　the　late　repeated　Novell；　as　being　the　husband　to　Madame　Oretta；
whereby　this　accident　came　to　my　remembrance；　and　which　（in　a　short
Tale）　I　will　relate　unto　you。
　　Let　me　then　tell　ye；　that　Pope　Boniface　（with　whom　the　fore…named
Messer　Geri　Spina　was　in　great　regard）　having　sent　divers　Gentlemen　of
his　Court　to　Florence　as　Ambassadors；　about　very　serious　and　important
businesse：　they　were　lodged　in　the　house　of　Messer　Geri　Spina；　and
he　employed　（with　them）　in　the　saide　Popes　negotiation。　It　chanced；
that　as　being　the　most　convenient　way　for　passage；　every　morning
they　walked　on　foot　by　the　Church　of　Saint　Marie　d'Ughi；　where
Cistio　the　Baker　dwelt；　and　exercised　the　trade　belonging　to　him。
Now　although　Fortune　had　humbled　him　to　so　meane　a　condition；　yet　shee
added　a　blessing　of　wealth　to　that　contemptible　quality；　and　（as
smiling　on　him　continually）　no　disasters　at　any　time　befell　him；　but
still　he　flourished　in　riches；　lived　like　a　jolly　Citizen；　with　all
things　fitting　for　honest　entertainment　about　him；　and　plenty　of　the
best　Wines　（both　White　and　Claret）　as　Florence；　or　any　part　thereabout
yeelded。
　　Our　frolicke　Baker　perceiving；　that　Messer　Geri　Spina　and　the
other　Ambassadors；　used　every　morning　to　passe　by　his　doore；　and
afterward　to　returne　backe　the　same　way：　seeing　the　season　to　be
somewhat　hot　and　soultry；　he　tooke　it　as　an　action　of　kindnesse　and
courtesie；　to　make　them　an　offer　of　tasting　his　white　wine。　But　having
respect　to　his　owne　meane　degree；　and　the　condition　of　Messer　Geri：
hee　thought　it　farre　unfitting　for　him；　to　be　so　forward　in　such
presumption；　but　rather　entred　into　consideration　of　some　such　meanes；
whereby　Messer　Geri　might　bee　the　inviter　of　himselfe　to　taste　his
Wine。　And　having　put　on　him　a　trusse　or　thin　doublet；　of　very　white
and　fine　Linnen　cloath；　as　also　breeches；　and　an　apron　of　the　same；
and　a　white　cap　upon　his　head；　so　that　he　seemed　rather　to　be　a
Miller；　then　a　Baker：　at　such　times　as　Messer　Geri　and　the　Ambassadors
should　daily　passe　by；　hee　set　before　his　doore　a　new　Bucket　of
faire　water；　and　another　small　vessell　of　Bologna　earth　（as　new　and
sightly　as　the　other）　full　of　his　best　and　choisest　white　Wine；　with
two　small　Glasses；　looking　like　silver；　they　were　so　cleare。　Downe
he　sate；　with　all　this　provision　before　him；　and　emptying　his　stomacke
twice　or　thrice；　of　some　clotted　flegmes　which　seemed　to　offend　it：
even　as　the　Gentlemen　were　passing　by；　he　dranke　one　or　two　rouses
of　his　Wine　so　heartily；　and　with　such　a　pleasing　appetite；　as　might
have　moved　a　longing　（almost）　in　a　dead　man。
　　Messer　Geri　well　noting　his　behaviour；　and　observing　the　verie
same　course　in　him　two　mornings　together；　on　the　third　day　（as　he
was　drinking）　he　said　unto　him。　Well　done　Cistio；　what；　is　it　good；　or
no？　Cistio　starting　up；　forthwith　replyed；　Yes　Sir；　the　wine　is　good
indeed；　but　how　can　I　make　you　to　beleeve　me；　except　you　taste　of
it？　Messer　Geri；　eyther　in　regard　of　the　times　quality；　or　by　reason
of　his　paines　taken；　perhaps　more　then　ordinary；　or　else；　because
hee　saw　Cistio　had　drunke　so　sprightly；　was　very　desirous　to　taste
of　the　Wine；　and　turning　unto　the　Ambassadors；　in　merriment　he
saide。　My　Lords；　me　thinks　it　were　not　much　amisse；　if　we　tooke　a
taste　of　this　honest　mans　Wine；　perhaps　it　is　so　good；　that　we　shall
not　neede　to　repent　our　labour。
　　Heereupon；　he　went　with　them　to　Cistio；　who　had　caused　an　handsome
seate　to　be　fetched　forth　of　his　house；　whereon　he　requested　them　to
sit　downe；　and　having　commanded　his　men　to　wash　cleane　the　Glasses；　he
saide。　Fellowes；　now　get　you　gone；　and　leave　me　to　the　performance
of　this　service；　for　I　am　no　worse　a　skinker；　then　a　Baker；　and
tarry　you　never　so　long；　you　shall　not　drinke　a　drop。　Having　thus
spoken；　himselfe　washed　foure　or　five　small　glasses；　faire　and　new；
and　causing　a　Viall　of　his　best　wine　to　be　brought　him：　hee　diligently
filled　it　out　to　Messer　Geri　and　the　Ambassadours；　to　whom　it　seemed
the　very　best　Wine；　that　they　had　drunke　of　in　a　long　while　before。
And　having　given　Cistio　most　hearty　thankes　for　his　kindnesse；　and　the
Wine　his　due　commendation：　many　dayes　afterwardes　（so　long　as　they
continued　there）　they　found　the　like　courteous　entertainment；　and　with
the　good　liking　of　honest　Cistio。
　　But　when　the　affayres　were　fully　concluded；　for　which　they　wer
thus　sent　to　Florence；　and　their　parting　preparation　in　due
readinesse：　Messer　Geri　made　a　very　sumptuous　Feast　for　them；　inviting
thereto　the　most　part　of　the　honourablest　Citizens；　and　Cistio　to　be
one　amongst　them；　who　（by　no　meanes）　would　bee　seene　in　an　assembly　of
such　State　and　pompe；　albeit　he　was　thereto　（by　the　saide　Messer　Geri）
most　earnestly　entreated。
　　In　regard　of　which　deniall；　Messer　Geri　commaunded　one　of　his
servants；　to　take　a　small　Bottle；　and　request　Cistio　to　fill　it　with
his　good　Wine；　then　afterward；　to　serve　it　in　such　sparing　manner　to
the　Table；　that　each　Gentleman　might　be　allowed　halfe　a　glasse…full　at
their　down…sitting。　The　Serving…man；　who　had　heard　great　report　of　the
Wine；　and　was　halfe　offended　because　he　could　never　taste　thereof：
tooke　a　great　Flaggon　Bottle；　containing　foure　or　five　Gallons　at
the　least；　and　comming　there…with　unto　Cistio；　saide　unto　him。　Cistio；
because　my　Master　cannot　have　your　companie　among　his　friends；　he
prayes　you　to　fill　this　Bottle　with　your　best　Wine。　Cistio　looking
uppon　the　huge　Flaggon；　replyed　thus。　Honest　Fellow；　Messer　Geri　never
sent　thee　with　such　a　Message　to　me：　which　although　the　Serving…man
very　stoutly　maintained；　yet　getting　no　other　answer；　he　returned
backe　therwith　to　his　Master。
　　Messer　Geri　returned　the　Servant　backe　againe　unto　Cistio；　saying：
Goe；　and　assure　Cistio；　that　I　sent　thee　to　him；　and　if　hee　make
thee　any　more　such　answeres；　then　demaund　of　him；　to　what　place　else　I
should　send　thee？　Being　come　againe　to　Cistio；　hee　avouched　that　his
Maister　had　sent　him；　but　Cistio　affirming；　that　hee　did　not：　the
Servant　asked；　to　what　place　else　hee　should　send　him？　Marrie　（quoth
Cistio）　unto　the　River　of　Arno；　which　runneth　by　Florence；　there
thou　mayest　be　sure　to　fill　thy　Flaggon。　When　the　Servant　had　reported
this　answer　to　Messer　Geri；　the　eyes　of　his　understanding　beganne　to
open；　and　calling　to　see　what　Bottle　hee　had　carried　with　him：　no
sooner　looked　he　on　the　huge　Flaggon；　but　severely　reproving　the
sawcinesse　of　his　Servant；　hee　sayde。　Now　trust　mee；　Cistio　told