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the decameron(十日谈)-第14部分

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him out of the peoples handes; as doubting; least they would kill
him indeede; by their extreame violence。
  Sodainly; Marquiso bethought him how to do it; and proceeded thus。
All the Sergeants for Justice standing at the Church doore; hee ran
with all possible speede to the Potestates Lieutenant; and said unto
him。 Good my Lord Justice; helpe me in an hard case; yonder is a
villaine that hath cut my purse; I desire he may bee brought before
you; that I may have my money againe。 He hearing this; sent for a
dozen of the Sergeants; who went to apprehend unhappy Martellino;
and recover him from the peoples fury; leading him on with them to the
Palace; no meane crowds thronging after him; when they heard that he
was accused to bee a Cutpurse。 Now durst they meddle no more with him;
but assisted the Officers; some of them charging him in like manner;
that hee had cut their purses also。
  Upon these clamours and complaints; the Potestates Lieutenant (being
a man of rude quality) tooke him sodainly aside; and examined him of
the crimes wherewith he was charged。 But Martellino; as making no
account of these accusations; laughed; and returned scoffing answeres。
Whereat the Judge; waxing much displeased; delivered him over to the
Strappado; and stood by himselfe; to have him confesse the crimes
imposed on him; and then to hang him afterward。 Being let downe to the
ground; the Judge still demaunded of him; whether the accusations
against him were true; or no? Affirming; that it nothing avayled him
to deny it: whereupon hee thus spake to the Judge。 My Lord; I am heere
ready before you; to confesse the truth; but I pray you; demaund of
all them that accuse me; when and where I did cut their purses; and
then I wil tell you that; which (as yet) I have not done; otherwise
I purpose to make you no more answers。
 Well (quoth the Judge) thou requirest but reason; and calling
divers of the accusers; one of them saide; that he lost his purse
eight dayes before; another saide six; another foure; and some saide
the very same day。 Which Martellino hearing; replyed。 My Lord; they
all lie in their throats; as I will plainly prove before you。 I
would to God I had never set foot within this City; as it is not
many houres since my first entrance; and presently after mine
arrivall; I went (in evill houre I may say for me) to see the Saints
body; where I was thus beaten as you may beholde。 That all this is
true which I say unto you; the Seigneurie Officer that keeps your
Booke of presentations; will testifie for me; as also the Host where I
am lodged。 Wherefore good my Lord; if you finde all no otherwise; then
as I have said; I humbly entreate you; that upon these bad mens
reportes and false informations; I may not be thus tormented; and
put in perill of my life。
  While matters proceeded in this manner; Marquiso and Stechio;
understanding how roughly the Potestates Lieutenant dealt with
Martellino; and that he had already given him the Strappado; were in
heavy perplexity; saying to themselves; we have carried this businesse
very badly; redeeming him out of the Frying…pan; and flinging him into
the fire。 Whereupon; trudging about from place to place; and meeting
at length with their Host; they told him truly how all had happened;
whereat hee could not refraine from laughing。 Afterward; he went
with them to one Master Alexander Agolante; who dwelt in Trevers;
and was in great credite with the Cities cheefe Magistrate; to whom
hee related the whole Discourse; all three earnestly entreating him;
to commisserate the case of poore Martellino。
  Master Alexander; after he had laughed heartily at this hotte
peece of service; went with him to the Lord of Trevers; prevailing
so well with him; that he sent to have Martellino brought before
him。 The Messengers that went for him; found him standing in his shirt
before the Judge; very shrewdly shaken with the Strappado; trembling
and quaking pitifully。 For the Judge would not heare any thing in
his excuse; but hating him (perhaps) because hee was a Florentine:
flatly determined to have him hanged by the necke; and would not
deliver him to the Lord; untill in meere despight he was compeld to do
it。
 The Lord of Trevers; when Martellino came before him; and had
acquainted him truly with every particular: Master Alexander
requested; that he might be dispatched thence for Florence; because he
thought the halter to be about his necke; and that there was no
other helpe but hanging。 The Lord; smiling (a long while) at the
accident; and causing Martellino to be handsomely apparrelled;
delivering them also his Passe; they escaped out of further danger;
and tarried no where; till they came unto Florence。




                  THE SECOND DAY; THE SECOND NOVELL

     WHEREBY WEE MAY LEARNE; THAT SUCH THINGS AS SOMETIME SEEME
        HURTFULL TO US; MAY TURNE TO OUR BENEFIT AND COMMODITY

  Rinaldo de Este; after hee was robbed by Theeves; arrived at
Chasteau Guillaume; where he was friendly lodged by a faire Widdow;
and recompenced likewise for all his losses; returning afterward
safe and well home unto his owne house。

  Much merriment was among the Ladies; hearing this Tale of
Martellinos misfortunes; so familiarly reported by Madam Neiphila; and
of the men; it was best respected by Philostratus; who sitting neerest
unto Neiphila; the Queene commanded his Tale to be the next; when
presently he began to speake thus。
  Gracious Ladies; I am to speake of universall occasions; mingled
with some misfortunes in part; and partly with matters leaning to
love; as many times may happen to such people; that trace the
dangerous pathes of amorous desires; or have not learned perfectly; to
say S。 Julians pater noster; having good beddes of their owne; yet
casually meete with worser Lodging。
  In the time of Azzo; Marquesse of Ferrara; there was a Marchant
named Rinaldo de Este; who being one day at Bologna; about some
especiall businesse of his owne; his occasions there ended; and riding
from thence towards Verona; he fell in company with other Horsemen;
seeming to be Merchants like himselfe; but indeede were Theeves; men
of most badde life and conversation; yet he having no such mistrust of
them; rode on; conferring with them very familiarly。 They perceiving
him to be a Merchant; and likely to have some store of money about
him; concluded betweene themselves to rob him; so soone as they
found apt place and opportunity。 But because he should conceive no
such suspition; they rode on like modest men; talking honestly and
friendly with him; of good parts and disposition appearing in him;
offering him all humble and gracious service; accounting themselves
happy by his companie; as hee returned the same courtesie to them;
because hee was alone; and but one servant with him。
  Falling from one discourse to another; they beganne to talke of such
prayers; as men (in journey) use to salute God withall; and one of the
Theeves (they being three in number) spake thus to Rinaldo。 Sir; let
it be no offence to you; that I desire to know; what prayer you most
use when thus you travell on the way? Whereto Rinaldo replyed in
this manner。 To tell you true Sir; I am a man grosse enough in such
Divine matters; as medling more with Merchandize; then I do with
Bookes。 Neverthelesse; at all times when I am thus in journey; in
the morning before I depart my Chamber; I say a Pater noster; and an
Ave Maria for the soules of the father and mother of Saint Julian; and
after that; I pray God and S。 Julian to send me a good lodging at
night。 And let me tell you Sir; that very oftentimes heeretofore; I
have met with many great dangers upon the way; from all which I
still escaped; and evermore (when night drew on) I came to an
exceeding good Lodging。 Which makes mee firmely beleeve; that Saint
Julian (in honour of whom I speake it) hath beggd of God such great
grace for me; and mee thinkes; that if any day I should faile of
this prayer in the morning: I cannot travaile securely; nor come to
a good lodging。 No doubt then Sir (quoth the other) but you have saide
that prayer this morning? I would be sory else; said Rinaldo; such
an especiall matter is not to be neglected。
  He and the rest; who had already determined how to handle him before
they parted; saide within themselves: Look thou hast said thy
praier; for when we have thy money; Saint Julian and thou shift for
thy lodging。 Afterward; the same man thus againe conferd with him。
As you Sir; so I have ridden many journies; and yet I never used any
such prayer; although I have heard it very much commended; and my
lodging hath proved never the worser。 Perhaps this verie night will
therein resolve us both; whether of us two shall be the best lodged;
you that have saide the Prayer; or I that never used it at all。 But
I must not deny; that in sted thereof; I have made use of some verses;
as Dirupisti; or the Intemerata; or De profundis; which are (as my
Grandmother hath often told mee) of very great vertue and efficacy。
  Continuing thus in talke of divers things; winning way; and
beguiling the time; still waiting when their purpose should sort to
effect: it fortuned; that the Theeves seeing the
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