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the decameron(十日谈)-第59部分

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demands。 How could you then by the perswasion of a beast; a foole; a
villaine; yea; a vagabond; envying both his happinesse and yours;
enter into so cruell a minde against him? I know not what error
misguideth women; in scorning and despising their husbands: but if
they entred into a better consideration; understanding triely what
they are; and what nobility of nature God hath endued man withall;
farre above all other creatures; it would bee their highest title of
glory; when they are so preciously esteemed of them; so dearely
affected by them; and so gladly embraced in all their best abilities。
  This is so great a sinne; as the divine justice (which in an
equall Ballance bringeth all operations to their full effect) did
not purpose to leave unpunished; but as you enforced against all
reason; to take away Theobaldo from your selfe: even so your father
Aldobrandino; without any occasion given by Theobaldo; is in perill of
his life; and you a partaker of his tribulation。 Out of which if you
desire to be delivered; it is very convenient that you promise one
thing which I shall tell you; and may much better be by you performed。
Namely; that if Theobaido do returne from his long banishment; you
shall restore him to your love; grace; and good acceptation;
accounting him in the selfe…same degree of favour and private
entertainment; as he was at the first; before your wicked ghostly
father so hellishly incensed you against him。
  When the Pilgrim had finished his speeches; the Gentlewoman who
had listned to them very attentively (because all the edged reasons
appeared to be plainly true) became verily perswaded; that all these
afictions had falne on her and her father; for the ingratefull offence
by her committed; and therefore thus is replied。 Worthy man; and the
friend to goodnesse; I know undoubtedly; that the words which you have
spoken are true; and also I understand by your demonstration; what
manner of people some of those religious persons are; whom
heretofore I have reputed to be Saints; but find them now to be far
otherwise。 And to speake truly; I perceive the fault to be great and
greevous; wherein I have offended against Theobaldo; and would (if I
could) willingly make amends; even in such manner as you have advised。
But how is it possible to be done? Theobaldo being dead; can be 'no'
more recalled to this life; and therefore; I know not what promise I
should make; in a matter which is not to bee performed。 Whereto the
Pilgrime without any longer pausing; thus answered。
  Madam; by such revelations as have beene shewne to me; I know for
a certainety; that Theobaldo is not dead; but living; in health; and
in good estate; if he had the fruition of your grace and favour。
Take heede what you say Sir (quoth the Gentlewoman) for I saw him
lye slain before my doore; his bodie having received many wounds;
which I folded in mine armes; and washed his face with my brinish
teares; whereby (perhaps) the scandall arose; that flew abroad to my
disgrace。 Beleeve me Madam; replyed the Pilgrim; say what you will;
I dare assure you that Theobaldo is living; and if you dare make
promise; concerning what hath bin formerly requested; and keepe it
inviolably; I make no doubt; but you your selfe shall shortly see him。
I promise it (quoth she) and binde my selfe thereto by a sacred
oath; to keepe it faithfully: for never could any thing happen to
yeeld me the like contentment; as to see my Father free from danger;
and Theobaldo living。
  At this instant Theobaldo thought it to be a very apt and convenient
time to disclose himselfe; and to comfort the Lady; with an assured
signall of hope; for the deliverance of her Father; wherefore he said:
Ladie; to the end that I may comfort you infallibly in this
dangerous perill of your fathers life; I am to make knowne an
especiall secret to you; which you are to keepe carefully (as you
tender your owne life) from ever being revealed to the world。 They
were then in a place of sufficient privacie; and by themselves;
because she reposed great confidence in the Pilgrims sanctity or life;
as thinking him none other then he seemed to be。 Theobaldo tooke out
of his Purse a Ring; which she gave him the last night of their
conversing together; and he had kept with no meane care: and shewing
it to her; said; Do you know this Ring Madam? So soone as she saw
it; immediatly she knew it; and answered; Yes Sir; I know the Ring;
and confesse that heretofore I gave it to Theobaldo。
  Heereupon the Pilgrime stood up; and sodainly putting off his
poore linnen Frock; and the Hood from his head; using his Florentine
tongue; he said; Tell me Madam; do you not know me? When she had
advisedly beheld him; and knew him indeed to be Theobaldo; she was
stricken into a wonderfull astonishment; being as fearfull of him;
as she was of the dead body which she saw lying in the street。 And I
dare assure you; that she durst not go neere him; to respect him as
Theobaldo lately come from Cyprus; but (in terror) fled away from him;
as if Theobaldo had bin newly risen out of his grave; and came thither
purposely to affright her; wherefore he said。 Be not affraid Madam;
I am your Theobaldo; in health; alive; and never as yet died;
neither have I received any wounds to kill mee; as you and my brethren
had formerly imagined。
  Some better assurance getting possession of her; as knowing him
perfectly by his voice; and looking more stedfastly on his face; which
constantly avouched him to be Theobaldo; the teares trickling amaine
downe her faire cheekes; she ran to embrace him; casting her armes
about his necke; and kissing him a thousand times; my faithfull
husband; nothing in the world can be so welcom to me。 Theobaldo having
most kindly kissed and embraced her; said; Sweet wife; time wit not
now allow us those ceremonious courtesies; which (indeed) so long a
separation do justly challenge; for I must about a more weighty
busines; to have your Father safely delivered; which I hope to do
before to morow night when you shall heare tydings to your better
contentment。 And questionlesse; if I speed no worse then my good
hope perswadeth me; I will see you againe to night; and acquaint you
at better leysure; in such things as I cannot do now at this present。
  So putting on his Pilgrimes habit againe; kissing her once more; and
comforting her with future good successe; he departed from her;
going to the prison where Aldobrandino lay; whom hee found more
pensive; as being in hourely expectation of death; then any hope he
had to be freed from it。 Being brought neerer to him by the
prisoners favour; as seeming to be a man come onely to comfort him:
sitting downe by him; thus he began。 Aldobrandino; I am a friend of
thine; whom Heaven hath sent to doe thee good; in meere pittie and
compassion of thine innocency。 And therefore; if thou wilt grant me
one small request; which I am earnestly to crave at thy hands; thou
shalt heare (without any failing) before to morrow at night; the
sentence of thy free absolution; whereas now thou expectest nothing
but death; whereunto Aldobrandino thus answered。 Friendly man;
seeing thou art so carefull of my safety (although I know thee not;
neither doe remember that ere I saw thee till now) thou must needs
be some especiall kinde friend of mine。 And to tell thee the truth;
I never committed the sinful deed for which I am condemned to death。
True it is; I have other heinous and greevous sins; which
(undoubtedly) have throwne。 this heavy judgement on me; and
therefore I am the more willing to undergo it。 Neverthelesse; let me
thus I us farre assure thee; that I would gladly not onely promise
something which might be to the glory of God; if he were pleased in
this case to have mercy on me; but also would as willingly performe
and accomplish it。 Wherefore; demaund whatsoever thou pleasest; for
unfained (if I escape with life) I will truly keepe promise with thee。
  Sir; replyed the Pilgrime; I desire nor demand any thing of you; but
that you would pardon the foure Brethren of Theobaldo; that brought
you to this hard extremity; as thinking you to be guilty of their
brothers death; and that you would also accept them as your brethren
and friends upon their craving pardon for what they have done。
  Sir; answered Aldobrandino; no man knoweth how sweet revenge is; nor
with what heate it is to be desired; but onely the man who hath bene
wronged。 Notwithstanding; not to hinder hope; which onely aymeth at
Heaven; I freely forgive them; and henceforth pardon them for ever;
intending more。 over; that if mercy give me life; and cleere me from
this bloody imputation; to love and respect them so long as I shall
live。 This answere was most pleasing to the Pilgrime; and without
any further multiplication of speeches; he entreated him to be of good
comfort; for he feared not but before the time prefixed; he should
heare certaine tydings of his deliverance。
  At his departing from him; hee went directly to the Signoria; and
prevailed so far that he spake privately with a Knight; who was then
one of the States chiefest Lords; to whom he saide。 Sir; a man ought
to bestow his best paines and diligence; that the truth of thin
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