the decameron(十日谈)-第94章

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sooner　looked　he　on　the　huge　Flaggon；　but　severely　reproving　the
sawcinesse　of　his　Servant；　hee　sayde。　Now　trust　mee；　Cistio　told
thee　nothing　but　trueth；　for　neither　did　I　send　thee　with　any　such
dishonest　message；　nor　had　the　reason　to　yeeld　or　grant　it。
　　Then　he　sent　him　with　a　bottle　of　more　reasonable　competencie；　which
so　soone　as　Cistio　saw：　Yea　mary　my　friend；　quoth　he；　now　I　am　sure
that　thy　Master　sent　thee　to　me；　and　he　shall　have　his　desire　with　all
my　hart。　So；　commaunding　the　Bottle　to　be　filled；　he　sent　it　away　by
the　Servant；　and　presently　following　after　him；　when　he　came　unto
Messer　Geri；　he　spake　unto　him　after　this　maner。　Sir；　I　would　not　have
you　to　imagine；　that　the　huge　flaggon　（which　first　came）　did　any　jotte
dismay　mee；　but　rather　I　conceyved；　that　the　small　Viall　whereof　you
tasted　every　morning；　yet　filled　many　mannerly　Glasses　together；　was
fallen　quite　out　of　your　remembrance；　in　plainer　tearmes；　it　beeing　no
Wine　for　Groomes　or　Peazants；　as　your　selfe　affirmed　yesterday。　And
because　I　meane　to　bee　a　Skinker　no　longer；　by　keeping　Wine　to
please　any　other　pallate　but　mine　owne：　I　have　sent　you　halfe　my
store；　and　heereafter　thinke　of　mee　as　you　shall　please。　Messer　Geri
tooke　both　his　guifte　and　speeches　in　most　thankefull　manner；
accepting　him　alwayes　after；　as　his　intimate　Friend；　because　he　had　so
graced　him　before　the　Ambassadours。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　SIXT　DAY；　THE　THIRD　NOVELL

　　　　　　　WHEREIN　IS　DECLARED；　THAT　MOCKERS　DO　SOMETIMES　MEETE　WITH
　　　　　　　　　　　THEIR　MATCHES　IN　MOCKERY；　AND　TO　THEIR　OWNE　SHAME

　　Madame　Nonna　de　Pulci；　by　a　sodaine　answere；　did　put　to　silence　a
Byshop　of　Florence；　and　the　Lord　Marshall：　having　moved　a　question
to　the　said　Lady；　which　seemed　to　come　short　of　honesty。

　　When　Madame　Pampinea　had　ended　her　Discourse；　and　（by　the　whole
company）　the　answere　and　bounty　of　Cistio；　had　past　with　deserved
commendation：　it　pleased　the　Queene；　that　Madame　Lauretta　should
next　succeed：　whereupon　verie　chearefully　thus　she　beganne。
　　Faire　assembly；　Madame　Pampinea　（not　long　time　since）　gave
beginning；　and　Madam　Philomena　hath　also　seconded　the　same　argument；
concerning　the　slender　vertue　remaining　in　our　sexe；　and　likewise
the　beautie　of　wittie　words；　delivered　on　apt　occasion；　and　in
convenient　meetings。　Now；　because　it　is　needlesse　to　proceede　any
further；　then　what　hath　beene　already　spoken：　let　mee　onely　tell　you
（over　and　beside）　and　commit　it　to　memorie；　that　the　nature　of
meetings　and　speeches　are　such；　as　they　ought　to　nippe　or　touch　the
hearer；　like　unto　the　Sheepes　nibling　on　the　tender　grasse；　and　not　as
the　sullen　Dogge　byteth。　For；　if　their　biting　be　answereable　to　the
Dogges；　they　deserve　not　to　be　termed　witty　jests　or　quips；　but
foule　and　offensive　language：　as　plainly　appeareth　by　the　words　of
Madame　Oretta；　and　the　mery；　yet　sensible　answer　of　Cistio。
　　True　it　is；　that　if　it　be　spoken　by　way　of　answer；　and　the
answerer　biteth　doggedly；　because　himselfe　was　bitten　in　the　same
manner　before：　he　is　the　lesse　to　bee　blamed；　because　hee　maketh
payment　but　with　coine　of　the　same　stampe。　In　which　respect；　an
especiall　care　is　to　bee　had；　how；　when；　with　whom；　and　where　we
jest　or　gibe；　whereof　very　many　proove　too　unmindfull；　as　appeared
（not　long　since）　by　a　Prelate　of　ours；　who　met　with　a　byting；　no　lesse
sharpe　and　bitter；　then　had　first　come　from　himselfe　before；　as
verie　briefely　I　intend　to　tell　you　how。
　　Messer　Antonio　d'Orso；　being　Byshoppe　of　Florence；　a　vertuous；　wise；
and　reverend　Prelate；　it　fortuned　that　a　Gentleman　of　Catalogna；　named
Messer　Diego　de　la　Ratta；　and　Lord　Marshall　to　King　Robert　of
Naples；　came　thither　to　visite　him。　Hee　being　a　man　of　very　comely
personage；　and　a　great　observer　of　the　choysest　beauties　in　Court：
among　all　the　other　Florentine　Dames；　one　proved　to　bee　most
pleasing　in　his　eye；　who　was　a　verie　faire　Woman　indeede；　and　Neece　to
the　Brother　of　the　saide　Messer　Antonio。
　　The　Husband　of　this　Gentlewoman　（albeit　descended　of　a　worthie
Family）　was；　neverthelesse；　immeasurably　covetous；　and　a　verie　harsh
natured　man。　Which　the　Lord　Marshall　understanding；　made　such　a
madde　composition　with　him；　as　to　give　him　five　hundred　Ducates　of
Gold；　on　condition；　that　hee　would　let　him　lye　one　night　with　his
wife；　not　thinking　him　so　base　minded　as　to　give　consent。　Which　in　a
greedy　avaritious　humour　he　did；　and　the　bargaine　being　absolutely
agreed　on；　the　Lord　Marshall　prepared　to　fit　him　with　a　payment；
such　as　it　should　be。　He　caused　so　many　peeces　of　silver　to　be
cunningly　guilded；　as　then　went　for　currant　mony　in　Florence；　and
called　Popolines；　and　after　he　had　lyen　with　the　Lady　（contrary　to　her
will　and　knowledge；　her　husband　had　so　closely　carried　the
businesse）　the　money　was　duely　paid　to　the　cornuted　Coxcombe。
Afterwards；　this　impudent　shame　chanced　to　be　generally　knowne；
nothing　remaining　to　the　wilful　Wittoll；　but　losse　of　his　expected
gaine；　and　scorne　in　every　place　where　he　went。　The　Bishop　likewise
（beeing　a　discreete　and　sober　man）　would　seeme　to　take　no　knowledge
thereof；　but　bare　out　all　scoffes　with　a　well　setled　countenance。
　　Within　a　short　while　after；　the　Bishop　and　the　Lord　Marshal　（alwaies
conversing　together）　it　came　to　passe；　that　upon　Saint　johns　day；　they
riding　thorow　the　City；　side　by　side；　and　viewing　the　brave
beauties；　which　of　them　might　best　deserve　to　win　the　prize：　the
Byshop　espied　a　yong　married　Lady　（which　our　late　greevous
pestilence　bereaved　us　of）　she　being　named　Madame　Nonna　de　Pulci；
and　Cousine　to　Messer　Alexio　Rinucci；　a　Gentleman　well　knowne　unto
us　all。　A　very　goodly　beautifull　yong　woman　she　was；　of　delicate
language；　and　singular　spirite；　dwelling　close　by　S。　Peters　gate。　This
Lady　did　the　Bishop　shew　to　the　Marshall；　and　when　they　were　come　to
her；　laying　his　hand　uppon　her　shoulder；　he　said。　Madam　Nonna；　What
thinke　you　of　this　Gallant？　Dare　you　adventure　another　wager　with　him？
　　Such　was　the　apprehension　of　this　witty　Lady；　that　these　words
seemed　to　taxe　her　honour；　or　else　to　contaminate　the　hearers
understanding；　whereof　there　were　great　plenty　about　her；　whose
judgement　might　be　as　vile；　as　the　speeches　were　scandalous。
Wherefore；　never　seeking　for　any　further　purgation　of　her　cleare
conscience；　but　onely　to　retort　taunt　for　taunt；　presently　thus　she
replied。　My　Lord；　if　I　should　make　such　a　vile　adventure；　I　would
looke　to　bee　payde　with　better　money。
　　These　words　being　heard　both　by　the　Bishop　and　Marshall；　they　felt
themselves　touched　to　the　quicke；　the　one；　as　the　Factor　or　Broker；
for　so　dishonest　a　businesse；　to　the　Brother　of　the　Bishop；　and　the
other；　as　receiving　（in　his　owne　person）　the　shame　belonging　to　his
Brother。　So；　not　so　much　as　looking　each　on　other；　or　speaking　one
word　together　all　the　rest　of　that　day；　they　rode　away　with　blushing
cheekes。　Whereby　we　may　collect；　that　the　yong　Lady；　being　so
injuriously　provoked；　did　no　more　then　well　became　her；　to　bite
their　basenesse　neerely；　that　so　abused　her　openly。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　SIXT　DAY；　THE　FOURTH　NOVELL

　　　WHEREBY　PLAINLY　APPEARETH；　THAT　A　SODAINE　WITTY　AND　MERRY　ANSWER；
　　　　　　　　　DOTH　OFTENTIMES　APPEASE　THE　FURIOUS　CHOLLER　OF　AN
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ANGRY　MAN

　　Chichibio；　the　Cooke　to　Messer　Currado　Gianfiliazzi；　by　a　sodaine
pleasant　answer　which　he　made　to　his　Master；　converted　his　anger
into　laughter；　and　thereby　escaped　the　punishment；　that　Messer　meant
to　impose　on　him。

　　Madam　Lauretta　sitting　silent；　and　the　answer　of　Lady　Nonna　having
past　with　generall　applause：　the　Queene　commanded　Madame　Neiphila　to
follow　next　in　order；　who　instantly　thus　began。　Although　a　ready　wit
（faire　Ladies）　doth　many　times　affoord　worthy　and　commendable
speeches；　according　to　the　accidents　happening　to　the　speaker：　yet
notwithstanding；　Fortune　（being　a　ready　helper　divers　wayes　to　the
timorous）　doth　often　tippe　the　tongue　with　such　a　present　reply；　as
the　partie　to　speake；　had　not　so　much　leysure　as　to　thinke　on；　nor　yet
to　invent；　as　I　purpose　to　let　you　perceive；　by　a　prety　short　Novell。
　　Messer　Currado　Gianfiliazzi　（as　most　of　you　have　both　seene　and
knowen）　living　alwayes　in　our　Citie；　in　the　estate　of　a　Noble　Citizen；
beeing　a　man　bountifull；　magnificent；　and　within　the　degree　of
Knighthoode：　continually　kept　both　Hawkes　and　Hounds；　taking　no
meane　delight　in　such　pleasures　as　they　yeelded；　neglecting　（for　them）
farre　more　serious　imployments；　wherewith　our　present　subject
presumeth　not　to　meddle。　Upon　a　day；　having　kilde　with　his　Faulcon　a
Crane；　neere　to　a　Village　called　Peretola；　and　finding　her　to　be
both　young　and　fat；　he　sent　it　to　his　Cooke；　a　Venetian　borne；　and
named　Chichibio；　with　command　to　have　it　prepared　for　his　supper。
Chichibio；　who　resembled　no　other；　then　（as　he　was　indeede）　a
plaine；　simple；　honest　mery　fellow；　having　drest　the　Crane　as　it　ought
to　bee；　put　it　on　the　spit；　and　laide　it　to　the　fire。
　　When　it　was　well　neere　fully　roasted；　and　gave　forth　a　very　delicate
pleasing　savour；　it　fortuned　that　a　young　Woman　dwelling　not　far
off；　named　Brunetta；　and　of　whom　Chichibio　was　somewhat　enamored；
entred　into　the　Kitchin；　and　feeling　the　excellent　smell　of　the　Crane；
to　please　her　beyond　all　savours；　that　ever　she　had　felt　before：　she
entreated　Chichibio　verie　earnestly；　that　hee　would　bestow　a　legge
thereof　on　her。　Whereto　Chichibio　（like　a　pleasant　companion；　and
evermore　delighting　in　singing）　sung　her　this　answer。

　　　　　　My　Brunetta；　faire　and　feat　a；
　　　　　　　　Why　should　you　say　so？
　　　　　　The　meate　of　my　Master；
　　　　　　Allowes　you　for　no　Taster；
　　　　　　　　Go　from　the　Kitchin　go。

　　Many　other　speeches　past　betweene　them　in　a　short　while；　but　in
the　end；　Chichibio；　because　hee　would　not　have　his　Mistresse
Brunetta　angrie　with　him；　cut　away　one　of　the　Cranes　legges　from　the
spit；　and　gave　it　to　her　to　eate。　Afterward；　when　the　Fowle　was　served
up　to　the　Table　before　Messer　Currado；　who　had　invited　certain
strangers　his　friends　to　sup　with　him；　wondering　not　a　little；　he
called　for　Chichibio　his　Cook；　demanding　what　was　become　of　the　Cranes
other　legge？　Whereto　the　Venetian　（being　a　lyar　by　Nature）　sodainely
answered：　Sir；　Cranes　have　no　more　but　one　legge　each　Bird。　Messer
Currado；　growing　verie　angry；　replyed。　Wilt　thou　tell　me；　that　a　Crane
hath　no　more　but　one　legge？　Did　I　never　see　a　Crane　before　this？
Chichibio　persisting　resolutely　in　his　deniall；　saide。　Beleeve　me　Sir；
I　have　told　you　nothing　but　the　truth；　and　when　you　please；　I　wil　make
good　my　wordes；　by　such　Fowles　as　are　living。
　　Messer　Currado；　in　kinde　love　to　the　strangers　that　hee　had
invited　to　supper；　gave　over　any　further　contestation；　onely　he
said。　Seeing　thou　assurest　me；　to　let　me　see　thy　affirmation　for
truth；　by　other　of　the　same　Fowles　living　（a　thing　which　as　yet　I
never　saw；　or　heard　of）　I　am　content　to　make　proofe　thereof　to
morrow　morning；　till　then　I　shall　rest　satisfied：　but；　upon　my　word；
if　I　finde　it　otherwise；　expect　such　a　sound　payment；　as　thy　knavery
justly　deserveth；　to　make　thee　remember　it　all　thy　life　time。　The
contention　ceassing　for　the　night　season；　Messer　Currado；　who　though
he　had　slept　well；　remained　sti