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第44部分

the decameron(十日谈)-第44部分

小说: the decameron(十日谈) 字数: 每页4000字

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looke more circumspectly on me; and then you will remember; that I
am your loving husband; and my name is Ricciardo di Cinzica。 You
must pardon me Sir; replyed Bertolomea; I know it not so fitting for a
modest; woman to stand gazing in the faces of men: and let me looke
uppon you never so often; certaine I am; that (till this instant) I
have not seene you。 My Lord Judge conceived in his minde; that thus
she denied all knowledge of him; as standing in feare of Pagamino; and
would not confesse him in his presence。 Wherefore hee entreated of
Pagamino; to affoord him so much favour; that he might speake alone
with her in her Chamber。 Pagamino answered; that he was well contented
therewith; provided; that he should not kisse her against her will。
Then he requested Bartolomea; to goe with him alone into her
Chamber; there to heare what he could say; and to answere him as
shee found occasion。 When they were come into the Chamber; and none
there present but he and shee; Signior Ricciardo began in this manner。
Heart of my heart; life of my life; the sweetest hope that I have in
this world; wilt thou not know thine owne Ricciardo; who loveth thee
more then he doth himselfe? Why art thou so strange? Am I so
disfigured; that thou knowest me not? Behold me with a more pleasing
eye; I pray thee。
  Bartolomea smiled to her self and without suffering him to proceed
any further in speech; returned him this answere。 I would have you
to understand Sir; that my memory is not so oblivious; but I know
you to be Signior Ricciardo di Cinzica; and my husband by name or
title; but during the time that I was with you; it very ill appeared
that you had any knowledge of me。 For if you had bene so wise and
considerate; as (in your own judgement) the world reputed you to be;
you could not be voide of so much apprehension; but did apparantly
perceive; that I was yong; fresh; and cheerefully disposed; and so (by
consequent) meet to know matters requisite for such young women;
beside allowance of food and garments; though bashfulnesse and modesty
forbid to utter it。 But if studying the Lawes were more welcome to you
then a wife; you ought not to have maried; and you loose the worthy
reputation of a judge; when you fall from that venerable profession;
and make your selfe a common proclaimer of feasts and fasting dayes;
lenten seasons; vigils; and solemnities due to Saints; which prohibite
the houshold conversation of husbands and wives。
  Here am I now with a worthy Gentleman; that entertaineth me with
very honourable respect; and here I live in this Chamber; not so
much as hearing of any feasts or fasting dayes; for; neither Fridaies;
Saturdaies; vigils of Saints; or any lingering Lent; enter at this
doore: but heere is honest and civill conversation; better agreeing
with a youthfull disposition; then those harsh documents wherewith you
tutord me。 Wherefore my purpose is to continue here with him; as being
a place sutable to my minde and youth; referring feasts; vigils; and
fasting daies; to a more mature and stayed time of age; when the
body is better able to endure them; and the mind may be prepared for
such ghostly meditations: depart therefore at your owne pleasure;
and make much of your Calender; without enjoying any company of
mine; for you heare my resolved determination。
  The Judge hearing these words; was overcome with exceeding griefe;
and when she was silent; thus he began。 Alas deare Love; what an
answere is this? Hast thou no regard of thine owne honor; thy Parents;
and friends? Canst thou rather affect to abide here; for the pleasures
of this man; and so sin capitolly; then to live at Pisa in the state
of my wife? Consider deare heart; when this man shall waxe weary of
thee; to thy shame and his owne disgrace; he will reject thee。 I
must and shall love thee for ever; and when I dye; I leave thee Lady
and commandresse of all that is mine。 Can an inordinate appetite;
cause thee to be carelesse of thine honour; and of him that loves thee
as his owne life? Alas; my fairest hope; say no more so; but returne
home with me; and now that I am acquainted with thy inclination; I
will endeavour heereafter to give thee better contentment。 Wherefore
(deare heart) doe not denie me; but change thy minde; and goe with me;
for I never saw merry day since I lost thee。
 Sir (quoth she) I desire no body to have care of mine honour;
beside my selfe; because it cannot be here abused。 And as for my
Parents; what respect had they of me; when they made me your wife?
If then they could be so carelesse of mee; what reason have I to
regard them now? And whereas you taxe me; that I cannot live here
without capitall sin; farre is the thought thereof from me: for;
here I am regarded as the wife of Pagamino; but at Pisa; you reputed
me not worthy your society: because; by the point of the Moone; and
the quadratures of Geometrie; the Planets held conjunction betweene
you and me; whereas here I am subject to no such constellations。 You
say beside; that hereafter you will strive to give me better
contentment then you have done; surely; in mine opinion it is no way
possible; because our complexions are so farre different; as yce is
from fire; or gold from drosse。 As for your allegation; of this
Gentlemans rejecting me; when his humour is satisfied; should it prove
to be so (as it is the least part of my feare) what fortune soever
shall betide me; never will I make any meanes to you; what miseries or
misadventures may happen to me; but the world will affoord me one
resting place or other; and more to my contentment; then if I were
with you。 Therefore I tell you once againe; to live secured from all
offence to holy Saints; and not to injure their feasts; fasts;
vigills; and other ceremonious seasons: here is my demourance; and
from hence I purpose not to part。
  Our Judge was now in a wofull perplexity; and confessing his
folly; in marying a wife so young; and far unfit for his age and
abilitie: being halfe desperate; sad and displeased; he came forth
of the Chamber; using divers speeches to Pagamino; whereof he made
little or no account at all: and in the end; without any other
successe; left his wife there; and returned home to Pisa。 There
further afflictions fell upon him; because the people began to
scorne him; demanding dayly of him; what was become of his gallant
young wife; making hornes; with ridiculous pointings at him: whereby
his sences became distracted; so that he ran raving about the
streetes; and afterward died in very miserable manner。 Which newes
came no sooner to the eare of Pagamino; but; in the honourable
affection hee bare to Bertolomea; he maried her; with great solemnity;
banishing all Fasts; Vigils; and Lents from his house; and living with
her in much felicity。 Wherfore (faire Ladies) I am of opinion; that
Bernardo of Geneway; in his disputation with Ambroginolo; might have
shewne himselfe a great deale wiser; and sparing his rash proceeding
with his wife。
  This tale was so merrily entertained among the whole company; that
each one smiling upon another; with one consent commended Dioneus;
maintaining that he spake nothing but the truth; and condemning
Bernardo for his cruelty。 Upon a generall silence commanded; the Queen
perceiving that the time was now very farre spent; and every one had
delivered their severall Novels; which likewise gave a period to her
Royalty: she gave the Crowne to Madam Neiphila; pleasantly speaking to
her in this order。 Heereafter; the government of these few people is
committed to your trust and care; for with the day concludeth my
dominion。 Madam Neiphila; blushing; at the honor done unto her; her
cheekes appeared of a vermillion tincture; her eyes glittering with
gracefull desires; and sparkeling like the morning Starre。 And after
the modest murmure of the Assistants was ceased; and her courage in
chearfull manner setled; seating her selfe higher then she did before;
thus she spake。
  Seeing it is so; that you have elected me your Queene; to varie
somewhat from the course observed by them that went before me; whose
governement you have all so much commended: by approbation of your
counsell; I am desirous to speake my mind; concerning what I wold have
to be next followed。 It is not unknowne to you all; that to morrow
shal be Friday; and Saturday the next day following; which are daies
somewhat molestuous to the most part of men; for preparation of
their weekly food and sustenance。 Moreover; Friday ought to be
reverendly respected; in remembrance of him; who died to give us life;
and endured his bitter passion; as on that day; which makes me to hold
it fit and expedient; that wee should mind more weight); matters;
and rather attend our prayers and devotions then the repetition of
tales or Novels。 Now concerning Saturday; it hath bin a custome
observed among women; to bath and wash themselves from such
immundicities as the former weekes toile hath imposed on them。 Beside;
it is a day of fasting; in honour of the ensuing Sabbath; whereon no
labor may be done; but the observation of holy exercises。
  By that which hath bin saide; you may easily conceive; that the
course which we have hitherto continued; cannot 

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