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the decameron(十日谈)-第63部分

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this extraordinary kindnesse。 I promise thee (sweete heart) while I
was alive; I cannot remember; that ever any foode and wine was halfe
so pleasing to me。 O my deare Wife; O my hony Wife。 Canst thou
(quoth the Monke) prayse and commend her now; using her so
villainously in thy life time? Then did he whip him more fiercely then
before; when Ferando holding up his hands; as craving for mercy;
demanded wherefore he was so severely punished? I am so commanded
(quoth the Monke) by supreme power; and twice every day must thou be
thus disciplinde。 Upon what occasion? replyed Ferando。 Because
(quoth the Monke) thou wast most notoriously jealous of thy Wife; shee
being the very kindest woman to thee; as all the Countrey containeth
not her equall。 It is too true; answered Ferando; I was over…much
jealous of her indeede: but had I knowne; that jealousie was such a
hatefull sinne against Heaven; I never would have offended therein。
  Now (quoth the Monke) thou canst confesse thine owne wilfull follie;
but this should have beene thought on before; and whilest thou wast
living in the World。 But if the Fates vouchsafe to favour thee so
much; as hereafter to send thee to the World once more; remember thy
punishment here in Purgatory; and sinne no more in that foule sinne of
jealousie。 I pray you Sir tell me; replyed Ferando; after men are
dead; and put into Purgatory; is there any hope of their ever visiting
the World any more? Yes; saide the Monke; if the fury of the Fates
be once appeased。 O that I knew (quoth Ferando) by what meanes they
would be appeased; and let me visite the World on againe: I would be
the best Husband that ever lived; and never more be jealous; never
wrong so good a Wife; nor ever use one unkind word against her。 In the
meane while; and till their anger may be qualified; when next my
Wife doth send me food; I pray you worke so much; that some Candles
may be sent me also; because I live here in uncomfortable
darkenesse; and what should I doe with food; if I have no light。
Shee sends Lights enow; answered the Monke; but they are burnt out
on the Altar in Masse…time; and thou canst have none other here; but
such as I must bring my selfe; neither are they allowed; but onely for
the time of thy feeding and correcting。
  Ferando breathing foorth a vehement sigh; desired to know what he
was; being thus appointed to punish him in Purgatory? I am (quoth
the Monke) a dead man; as thou art; borne in Sardignia; where I served
a very jealous Master; and because: I soothed him in his jealousie;
I had this pennance imposed on me; to serve thee here in Purgatory
with meate and drinke; and (twice every day) to discipline thy body;
untill the Fates have otherwise determined both for thee and me。
Why? saide Ferando; are any other persons here; beside you and I? Many
thousands; replyed the Monke; whom thou canst neither heare nor see;
no more then they are able to doe the like by us。 But how farre; saide
Ferando; is Purgatory distant from our native Countries? About some
fifty thousand leagues; answered the Monke; but yet passable in a
moment; whensoever the offended Fates are pleased: and many Masses are
dally saide for thy soule; at the earnest entreaty of thy Wife; in
hope of thy conversion; and becomming a new man; hating to be
jealous any more hereafter。
  In these and such like speeches; as thus they beguiled the time;
so did they observe it for a dayly course; sometime discipling;
other whiles eating and drinking; for the space of ten whole moneths
together: in the which time; the Abbot sildome failed to visite
Ferandoes wife; without the least suspition in any of the
neighbours; by reason of their setled opinion; concerning the
nightly walking Ferandoes ghost。 But; as all pleasures cannot bee
exempted from some following paine or other; so it came to passe; that
Ferandoes wife proved to be conceived with childe; and the time was
drawing on for her deliverance。 Now began the Abbot to consider;
that Ferandoes folly was sufficiently chastised; and he had beene long
enough in Purgatory: wherefore; the better to countenance all passed
inconveniences; it was now thought high time; that Ferando should be
sent to the world againe; and set free from the paines of Purgatory;
as having payed for his jealousie dearely; to teach him better
wisedome hereafter。
  Late in the dead time of the night; the Abbot himselfe entred into
the darke dungeon; and in an hollow counterfeited voyce; called to
Ferando; saying。 Comfort thy selfe Ferando; for the Fates are now
pleased; that thou shalt bee released out of Purgatory; and sent to
live in the world againe。 Thou didst leave thy wife newly conceived
with childe; and this very morning she is delivered of a goodly Sonne;
whom thou shalt cause to be named Bennet: because; by the incessant
prayers of the holy Abbot; thine owne loving Wife; and for sweet Saint
Bennets sake; this grace and favour is afforded thee。 Ferando
hearing this; was exceeding joyfull; and returned this answere: For
ever honored be the Fates; the holy Lord Abbot; blessed Saint
Bennet; and my most dearely beloved Wife; whom I will faithfully
love for ever; and never more offend her by any jealous in me。
  When the next foode was sent to Ferando; so much of the powder was
mingled with the wine; as would serve onely for foure houres
entrauncing; in which time; they clothed him in his owne wearing
apparell againe; the Abbot himselfe in person; and his honest trusty
Monke of Bologna; conveying and laying him in the same vault under the
Tombe; where at the first they gave him buriall。 The next morning
following; the breake of day; Ferando recovered his senses; and thorow
divers chinkes and crannies of the Tombe; descried daylight; which hee
had not see in tenne moneths space before。 Perceiving then plainely;
that he was alive; he cryed out aloude; saying: Open; open; and let
mee forth of Purgatory; for I have beene heere long enough in
conscience。 Thrusting up his head against the cover of the Tombe;
which was not of any great strength; neither well closed together; hee
put it quite off the Tombe; and so got forth upon his feete: at
which instant time; the Monks having ended their morning Mattins;
and hearing the noyse; ran in hast thither; and knowing the voyce of
Ferando; saw that he was come forth of the Monument。
  Some of them were ancient Signiors of the house; and yet but meere
Novices (as all the rest were) in these cunning and politique
stratagems of the Lord Abbot; when hee intended to punish any one in
Purgatory: and therefore; being affrighted; and amazed at this rare
accident; they fled away from him; running to the Abbot; who making
a shew to them; as if he were but new come forth of his Oratory; in
a kinde of pacifying speeches; saide; Peace my deare Sonnes; be not
affraide; but fetch the Crosse and Holy…water hither; then follow
me; and I will shew you; what miracles the Fates have pleased to
shew in our Convent; therefore be silent; and make no more noise;
all which was performed according to his command。
  Ferando looking leane and pale; as one; that in so long time hadde
not seene the light of heaven; and endured such strict discipline
twice every day: stood in a gastly amazement by the Tombesside; as not
daring to adventure any further; or knowing perfectly; whether he
was (as yet) truly alive; or no。 But when he saw the Monkes and
Abbot comming; with their lighted Torches; and singing in a solemne
manner of Procession; he humbled himselfe at the Abbots feete; saying。
Holy Father; by your zealous prayers (as hath bin miraculously
revealed to me) and the prayers of blessed S。 Bennet; as also of my
honest; deare; and loving Wife; I have bin delivered from the paines
of Purgatory; and brought againe to live in this world; for which
unspeakable grace and favour; most humbly I thanke the well…pleased
Fates; S。 Bennet; your Father…hood; and my kinde Wife; and will
remember all your loves to me for ever。 Blessed be the Fates; answered
the Abbot; for working so great a wonder heere in our Monastery。 Go
then my good Son; seeing the Fates have bin so gracious to thee; Go (I
say) home to thine owne house; and comfort thy kind wife; who ever
since thy departure out of this life; hath lived in continuall
mourning; love; cherish; and make much of her; never afflicting her
henceforth with causlesse jealousie。 No I warrant you good Father;
replyed Ferando; I have bin well whipt in Purgatory for such folly;
and therefore I might be called a starke foole; if I should that way
offend any more; either my loving wife; or any other。
  The Abbot causing Miserere to be devoutly sung; sprinkling Ferando
well with Holy…water; and placing a lighted Taper in his hand; sent
him home so to his owne dwelling Village: where when the Neighbours
beheld him; as people halfe frighted out of their wits; they fled away
from him; so scared and terrified; as if they had seene some dreadfull
sight; or gastly apporition; his wife being as fearfull of him; as any
of the rest。 He called to them kindly by their severall names; telling
them; that he was newly risen out of his grave; and was a man as he
had bin before。 Then they began to touch
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