the decameron(十日谈)-第43部分
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All the neighboring people dwelling thereabout； who knew Massetto to
be dumbe； by fetching home wood daily from the Forest； and divers
employments in other places； were made to beleeve； that by the
Nunnes devout prayers and discipline； as also the merite of the Saint；
in whose honour the Monastery was built and erected； Massetto had
his long restrained speech restored； and was now become their sole
Factotum； having power now to employ others in drudgeries； and ease
himselfe of all such labours。 And albeit he made the Nunnes to be
fruitfull； by encreasing some store of yonger sisters； yet all matters
were so close and cleanly catried； as it was never talkt of； till
after the death of the Ladie Abbesse； when Massetto beganne to grow in
good yeeres； and desired to returne home to his native abiding；
which （within a while after） was granted him。
Thus Massetto being rich and olde； returned home like a wealthy
father； taking no care for the nursing of his children； but bequeathed
them to the place where they were bred and borne； having （by his wit
and ingenious apprehension） made such a benefit of his youthfull
yeeres； that now he merrily tooke ease in his age。
THE THIRD DAY； THE SECOND NOVELL
WHEREIN IS SIGNIFIED； THE PROVIDENCE OF A WISE MAN； WHEN
HE SHALL HAVE REASON TO USE REVENGE。 AND THE CUNNING MEANES
OF ANOTHER； WHEN HEE COMPASSETH CRAFT TO DEFEND HIMSELFE
FROM PERILL
A querry of the Stable； belonging to Agilulffo； King of the
Lombardes； found the meanes of accesse to the Queenes bed； without any
knowledge or consent in her。 This being secretly discovered by the
King； and the party known； he gave him a marke； by shearing the
haire of his head。 Whereupon； he that was so shorne； sheared
likewise the heads of all his fellowes in the lodging； and so
escaped the punishment intended towards him。
When the Novel of Philostratus was concluded； which made some of the
Ladies blush； and the rest to smile： it pleased the Queene； that Madam
Pampinea should follow next； to second the other gone before； when
she； smiling on the whole assembly； began thus。 There are some men
so shallow of capacity； that they will （neverthelesse） make shew of
knowing and understanding such things； as neither they are able to
doe； nor appertaine to them： whereby they will sometimes reprehend
other new errours； and such faults as they have unwillingly committed；
thinking thereby to hide their owne shame； when they make it much more
apparant and manifest。 For proofe whereof； faire company； in a
contrary kinde I will shew you the subtill cunning of one； who
（perhaps） may bee reputed of lesse reckning then Massetto； and yet
he went beyond a King； that thought himselfe to be a much wiser man。
Agilulffo； King of Lombardie； according as his Predecessours had
done before him； made the principall seate of his Kingdome； in the
Citie of Pavia； having embraced in mariage； Tendelinga； the late
left widdow of Vetario； who likewise had beene King of the Lombards； a
most beautifull wife and vertuous Lady； but made unfortunate by a
mischance。 The occurrences and estate of the whole Realme； being in an
honourable； quiet and well setled condition； by the discreete care and
providence of the King； a Querrie appertaining to the Queenes Stable
of Horse； being a man but of meane and low quality； though comely of
person； and of equall stature to the King； became immeasurably amorous
of the Queene。 And because his base and servile condition； had
endued him with so much understanding； as to know infallibly； that his
affection was mounted beyond the compasse of conveniencie： wisely he
concealed it to himselfe； not acquainting any one therewith； or daring
so much； as to discover it either by lookes； or any other affectionate
behaviour。
And although hee lived utterly hopelesse； of ever attaining to his
hearts desires； yet notwithstanding； hee proudly gloried； that his
love had soared so high a pitch； as to be enamoured of a Queene。 And
dayly； as the fury of his flame encreased； so his cariage was farre
above his fellowes and companions； in the performing of all such
serviceable duties； as any way he imagined might content the Queene。
Whereon ensued； that whensoever shee roade abroad to take the ayre；
shee used oftner to mount on the Horse； which this Querrie brought
when shee made her choise； then any of the other that were led by
his fellowes。 And this did he esteeme as no meane happinesse to him；
to order the stirrope for her mounting； and therefore gave dayly his
due attendance： so that； to touch the Stirrop； but （much more） to
put her foote into it； or touch any part of her garments； he thought
it the onely heaven on earth。
But； as we see it oftentimes come to passe； that by how much the
lower hope declineth； so much the higher love ascendeth； even so
fell it out with this poore Querry； for； most irkesome was it to
him； to endure the heavy waight of his continuall oppressions； not
having any hope at all of the very least mitigation。 And being utterly
unable to relinquish his love divers times he resolved on some
desperate conclusion； which might yet give the world an evident
testimony； that he dyed for the love he bare to the Queene。 And upon
this determination； hee grounded the successe of his future fortune；
to dye in compassing some part of his desire； without either
speaking to the Queene； or sending any missive of his love； for to
speake or write； were meerely in vaine； and drew on a worser
consequence then death； which he could bestow on himselfe more easily；
and when he listed。
No other course now beleagers his braines； but onely for secret
accesse to the Queenes bed； and how he might get entrance into her
Chamber； under colour of the King； who （as he knew very well） slept
many nights together from the Queene。 Wherefore； to see in what
manner； and what the usuall habit was of the King； when he came to
keepe companie with his Queene： he hid himselfe divers nights in a
Gallery； which was betweene both their lodging Chambers。 At length； he
saw the King come forth of his Chamber； himselfe all alone； with a
faire night…mantle wrapt about him； carrying a lighted Taper in the
one hand； and a small white Wand in the other； so went he on to the
Queenes lodging； and knocking at the doore once or twice with the
wand； and not using any word； the doore opened； the light was left
without； and he entered the Chamber； where he stayed not long；
before his returning backe againe； which likewise very diligently he
observed。
So familiar was he in the Wardrobe； by often fetching and
returning the King and Queenes furnitures； that the fellowes to the
same Mantle which the King wore when he went to the Queene； very
secretly he conveighed away thence with him； being provided of a
Light； and the very like Wand。 Now bestowes he costly bathings on
his body； that the least sent of the Stable might not be felt about
him； and finding a time sutable to his desire； when he knew the King
to bee at rest in his owne Lodging； and all else sleeping in their
bed； closely he steals into the Gallery； where alighting his Taper；
with the Tinder purposely brought thither； the Mantle folded about
him； and the Wand in his hand； valiantly he adventures upon his
lives perill。 Twice hee knockt softly at the doore； which a wayting
woman immediately opened； and receyving the Light； went forth into the
Gallery； while the supposed King； was conversing with the Queene。
Alas good Queene； heere is a sinne commited without any guiltie
thought in thee； as （within a while after） it plainely appeared。
For； the Querry having compassed what he most coveted； and fearing
to forfelte his life by delay； when his amorous desire was
indifferently satisfied： returned backe as he came； the sleepy waiting
woman not so much as looking on him； but rather glad； that she might
get her to rest againe。 Scarcely was the Querrie stept into his bed；
unheard or discerned by any of his fellowes； divers of them lodging
both in that and the next Chamber： but it pleased the King to visite
the Queene； according to his wonted manner； to the no little
mervaile of the drowsie wayting woman； who was never twice troubled in
a night before。 The King being in bed； whereas alwayes till then；
his resort to the Queene； was altogether in sadnesse and
melancholly； both comming and departing without speaking one word： now
his Majestie was become more pleasantly disposing； whereat the
Queene began not a little to mervaile。 Now trust mee Sir； quoth
shee； this hath beene a long wished； and now most welcome
alteration； vouchsafing twice in a night to visite me； and both within
the compasse of one houre； for it cannot be much more； since your
being here； and now comming againe。
The King hearing these words； sodainely presumed； that by some
counterfeit person or other； the Queene had beene this night beguiled：
wherefore （very advisedly） hee considered； that in regard the party
was unknowne to her； and all the women about her； to make no outward
appearance of knowing it； but rather concealed it to himselfe。 Farre
from the indiscretion of some haire…braind men； who presently would
have answered and sworne； I came hither this night； till now。
Whereupon many dangers might ensue； to the dishonour and prejudice
of the Queene： beside； her error being discovered to her； might
afterward be an occasion； to urge a wandring in her appetite； and to
covet after change againe。 But by this silence； no shame redounded
to him or her； whereas prating； must needs be the publisher of open
infamie： yet was hee much vexed in his minde； which neither by
lookes or words hee would discover； but pleasantly said to the Queene；
Why Madam； although I was once heere before to night； I hope you
mislike not my second seeing you； nor if I should please to come
againe。 No truly Sir； quoth she； I onely desire you to have care of
your health。 Well； said the King； I will follow your counsaile； and
now returne to mine owne lodging againe； committing my Queene to her
good rest。
His blood boyling with rage and distemper； by such a monstrous
injurie offered him； he wrapt his night
