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the decameron(十日谈)-第202部分

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sorrie; for that which the whole assistants had both seene and
heard; yet hee could not (with honour) desist from what must needs
be done; but would performe the Lawes severe injunction。 And sending
for condemned Gisippus backe againe; in the presence of Titus; thus he
spake to him。 How becamest thou so madly incensed; as (without any
torment inflicted on thee) to confesse an offence by thee never
committed? Art thou wearie of thy life? Thou chargest thy selfe
falsly; to be the person who this last night murdered the man in the
Cave; and there is another that voluntarily also doth confesse his
guiltinesse。
  Gisippus lifting up his eyes; and perceiving it was Titus; conceived
immediately; that he had done this onely for his deliverance; as one
that remembred him sufficiently; and would not be ungratefull for
former kindnesses received。 Wherefore; the teares flowing abundantly
down his cheekes; he said to the Judge Varro; it was none but I that
murdered the man; wherefore; I commiserate the case of this Noble
Gentleman Titus; who speakes now too late for the safety of my life。
Titus on the other side; said。 Noble Praetor; this man (as thou seest)
is a stranger heere; and was found without any weapon; fast asleepe by
the dead body: thou mayst then easily perceive; that meerely the
miserable condition wherein he is; hath made him desperate; and he
would make mine offence the occasion of his death。 Absolve him; and
send me to the Crosse; for none but I have deserved to die for this
fact。
  Varro was amazed; to observe with what earnest instance each of them
strove to excuse the other; which halfe perswaded him in his soule;
that they were both guiltlesse。 And as he was starting…up; with full
intent to acquaint them: a yong man; who had stood there all this
while; and observed the hard pleading on either side; he crowded
into the Barre; being named Publius Ambustus; a fellow of lewd life;
and utterly out of hopes; as being debauched in all his fortunes;
and knowne among the Romaines to be a notorious theefe; who verily had
committed the murder。 Well knew his conscience; that none of them were
guilty of the crime; wherewith each so wilfully charged himselfe:
being therefore truely toucht with remorse; he stept before Marcus
Varro; saying。
  Honourable Praetor; mine owne horrid and abominable actions; have
induced me thus to intrude my selfe; for clearing the strict
contention betweene these two persons。 And questionlesse; some God
or greater power; hath tormented my wretched soule; and so
compunctually solicited me; as I cannot chuse; but make open
confession of my sinne。 Here therefore; I doe apparantly publish; that
neither of these men is guilty of the offence; wherewith so wilfully
each chargeth himselfe。 I am the villaine; who this morning murdered
the man in the Cave; one of no greater honesty then my selfe; and
seeing this poore man lie there sleeping; while we were dividing the
stolne booties betweene us; I slew my Companyon; because I would be
the sole possessor。 As for Noble Lord Titus; he had no reason thus
to accuse himselfe; because 'he' is a man of no such base quality: let
them both then be delivered; and inflict the sentence of death on me。
  Octavius Caesar; to whom tydings was brought of this rare
accident; commanding them al three to be brought before him; would
needs understand the whole History; in every particular as all had
happened; which was substantially related to him。 Whereupon;
Octavius pleased them all three: the two noble friendes; because
they were innocent; and the third; for openly revealing the very
truth。
  Titus tooke home with him his friend Gisippus; and after he had
sharpely reproved him for his distrust; and cold credence of his
friendship: he brought him to Sophronia; who welcomed him as lovingly;
as if he had bin her naturall borne brother; bemoaning his hard and
disastrous fortune; and taking especiall care; to convert all passed
distresses; into as happy and comfortable a change; fitting him with
garments and attendants; beseeming his degree both in Nobility and
vertue。 Titus; out of his honourable bounty; imparted halfe his
lands and rich possessions to him; and afterward gave him in marriage;
his owne Sister; a most beautifull Lady; named Fulvia; saying to him
beside。 My deare friend Gisippus; it remaineth now in thine owne
election; whether thou wilt live here still with me; or returne
backe to Athens; with all the wealth which I have bestowed on thee。
But Gisippus; being one way constrayned; by the sentence of banishment
from his native City; and then againe; in regard of the constant love;
which he bare to so true and thankefull friend as Titus was: concluded
to live there as a loyall Roman; where he with his Fulvia; and Titus
with his faire Sophronia; lived long after together in one and the
same house; augmenting daily (if possible it might be) their amity
beyond all other equalizing。
  A most sacred thing therefore is (ordiall amity; worthy not onely of
singuler reverence; but also to be honoured with eternall
commendation; as being the onely wise Mother of all magnificence and
honesty; the Sister of Charity and Gratitude; the enemy to hatred
and avarice; and which is alwayes ready (without attending to be
requested) to extend all vertuous actions to others; which she would
have done to her selfe。 Her rare and divine effects; in these contrary
times of ours; are not to be found between two such persons; which
is a mighty fault; and greatly checketh the miserable covetousnesse of
men; who respecting nothing but onely their particular benefit; have
banished true Amity; to the utmost confines of the whole earth; and
sent her into perpetuall exile。
  What love; what wealth; or affinity of kindred; could have made
Gisippus feele (even in the intyrest part of his soule) the fervent
compassion; the teares; the sighes of Titus; and with such efficacy as
plainely appeared: to make him consent; that his faire elected Spouse;
by him so dearely esteemed; should become the wife of his Companion;
but onely the precious league of Amity?
  What Lawes; what threatnings; what feares; could cause the yong
armes of Gisippus to abstaine embraces; betaking himselfe to
solitary walkes; and obscure places; when in his owne bedde; he
might have enjoyed so matchlesse a beauty (who perhaps desired it so
much as himselfe) but onely the gracious title of Amity? What
greatnesse; what merits or precedence; could cause Gisippus not to
care; for the losse of his kindred; those of Sophronia; yea; of
Sophronia her selfe; not respecting the dishonest murmurings of base
minded people; their vile and contemptible language; scornes and
mockeries; and all to content and satisfie a friend; but onely
Divine Amity?
  Come now likewise to the other side。 What occasions could compell
Noble Titus; so promptly and deliberatly; to procure his owne death;
to rescue his friend from the crosse; and inflict the pain and shame
upon himselfe; pretending not 'to' see or know Gisippus at all; had it
not bin wrought by powerfull Amity? What cause else could make Titus
so liberall; in dividing (with such willingnesse) the larger part of
his patrimony to Gisippus; when Fortune had dispossest him of his
owne; but onely heaven…borne Amity? What else could have procured
Titus; without any further dilation; feare or suspition; to give his
Sister Fulvia in marriage to Gisippus; when he saw him reduced to such
extreame poverty; disgrace and misery; but onely infinite Amity? To
what end doe men care then; to covet and procure great multitudes of
kinred; store of brethren; numbers of children; and to encrease
(with their owne monyes) plenty of servants: when by the least losse
and dammage happening; they forget all duty to Father; Brother; or
Master? Amity and true friendship is of a quite contrary nature;
satisfying (in that sacred bond) the obligation due to all degrees;
both of parentage; and all alliences else。




                    THE TENTH DAY; THE NINTH NOVELL

       DECLARING WHAT AN HONOURABLE VERTUE COURTESIE IS; IN THEM
                   THAT TRUELY KNOW HOW TO USE THEM

  Saladine; the great Soldan of Babylon; in the habite of a
Merchant; was honourably received and welcommed; into the house of
Signior Thorello d'Istria。 Who travelling to the Holy Land; prefixed a
certaine time to his Wife; for his returne back to her againe;
wherein; if he failed; it was lawfull for her to take another Husband。
By clouding himselfe in the disguise of a Faulkner; the Soldan tooke
notice of him; and did him many great honours。 Afterward; Thorello
falling sicke; by Magicall Art; he was conveighed in one night to
Pavia; when his Wife was to be married on the morrow: where making
himselfe knowne to her; all was disappointed; and shee went home
with him to his owne house。

  Adam Philomena having concluded her discourse; and the rare
acknowledgement; which Titus made of his esteemed friend Gisippus;
extolled justly as it deserved by all the Company: the King; reserving
the last office to Dioneus (as it was at the first granted him)
began to speake thus。 Without all question to the contrary (worthy
Ladies) nothing ca
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