the decameron(十日谈)-第87部分
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reserving them in plentifull store； when your adversaries must stand
unfurnished of any； but them that they cannot any way use。
This counsell pleased the King very highly； and he being a Prince of
great understanding； gave order to have it accordingly followed； and
thereby valiantly vanquished his enemies。 Heereupon； Martuccio came to
be great in his grace； as also consequently rich； and seated in no
meane place of authority。 Now as worthy and commendable actions are
soone spread abroad； in honor of the man by whom they hapned： even
so the fame of this rare got victory； was quickly noysed throughout
the Countrey； and came to the hearing of poore Constance； that
Martuccio Gomito （whom she supposed so long since to be dead） was
living； and in honourable condition。 The love which formerly she
bare unto him； being not altogether extinct in her heart； of a small
sparke； brake forth into a sodaine flame； and so encreased day by day；
that her hope （being before almost quite dead） revived againe in
chearfull manner。
Having imparted all her fortunes to the good old Lady with whom
she dwelt； she told her beside； that she had an earnest desire to
see Thunis； to satisfie her eyes as well as her eares； concerning
the rumor blazed abroad。 The good old Lady commended her desire； and
（even as if she had bene her Mother） tooke her with her aboord a
Barke； and so sayled thence to Thunis； where both she and Constance
found honourable welcome； in the house of a kinsman to the Sarazin
Lady。 Carapresa also went along with them thither； and her they sent
abroad into the City； to understand the newes of Martuccio Gomito。
After they knew for a certainty that he was living； and in great
authority about the King； according as the former report went of
him。 Then the good old Lady； being desirous to let Martuccio know；
that his faire friend Constance was come thither to see him； went
her selfe to the place of his abiding； and spake unto him in this
manner。 Noble Martuccio； there is a servant of thine in my house；
which came from Liparis； and requireth to have a little private
conference with thee： but because I durst not trust any other with the
message； my selfe （at her entreaty） am come to acquaint thee
therewith。 Martuccio gave her kinde and hearty thankes； and then
went along with her to the house。
No sooner did Constance behold him； but she was ready to dye with
conceite of joy； and being unable to containe her passion： sodainely
she threw her armes about his necke； and in meere compassion of her
many misfortunes； as also the instant solace of her soule （not being
able to utter one word） the teares trickled abundantly downe her
cheekes。 Martuccio also seeing his faire friend； was overcome with
exceeding admiration； and stood awhile； as not knowing what to say；
till venting forth a vehement sighe； thus he spake。 My deerest love
Constance！ Art thou yet living？ It is a tedious long while since I
heard thou wast lost； and never any tydings knowne of thee in thine
owne Fathers house。 With which words； the teares standing in his eyes；
most lovingly he embraced her； Constance recounted to him all her
fortunes； and what kindnesse she had receyved from the Sarazine
Lady； since her first houre of comming to her。 And after much other
discourse passing betweene them； Martuccio departed from her； and
returning to the King his master； tolde him all the history of his
fortunes； and those beside of his Love Constance； being purposely
minded （with his gracious liking） to marry her according to the
Christian Law。
The King was much amazed at so many strange accidents； and sending
for Constance to come before him； from her owne mouth he heard the
whole relation of her continued affection to Martuccio； whereupon
hee saide。 Now trust me faire Damosell； thou hast dearely deserved him
to be thy husband。 Then sending for very costly Jewels； and rich
presents； the one halfe of them he gave to her； and the other to
Martuccio； graunting them license withall； to marry according to their
owne mindes。
Martuccio did many honors； and gave great gifts to the aged Sarazine
Lady； with whom Constance had lived so kindly respected： which
although she had no neede of； neither ever expected any such
rewarding； yet （conquered by their urgent importunity； especially
Constance； who could not be thankfull enough to her） she was
enforced to receive them； and taking her leave of them weeping； sayled
backe againe to Susa。
Within a short while after； the King licensing their departure
thence； they entred into a small Barke； and Carapresa with them；
sailing on with prosperous gales of winde； untill they arrived at
Liparis； where they were entertained with generall rejoycing。 And
because their marriage was not sufficiently performed at Thunis； in
regard of divers Christian ceremonies there wanting； their Nuptials
were againe most honourably solemnized； and they lived （many yeares
after） in health and much happinesse。
THE FIFT DAY； THE THIRD NOVELL
WHEREIN； THE SEVERALL POWERS BOTH OF LOVE AND FORTUNE； IS
MORE AT LARGE APPROVED
Pedro Bocamazzo； escaping away with a yong Damosell which he
loved； named Angelina； met with Theeves in his journey。 The Damosell
flying fearfully into a Forrest； by chance arriveth at a Castle。 Pedro
being taken by the Theeves； and happening afterward to escape from
them； commeth （accidentally） to the same Castle where Angelina was。
And marrying her； they then returned home to Rome。
There was not any one in the whole company； but much commended the
Novell reported by Madam Aemilia； and when the Queene perceived it was
ended； she turned towards Madam Eliza； commanding her to continue on
their delightfull exercise： whereto she declaring her willing
obedience； began to speake thus。 Courteous Ladies； I remember one
unfortunate night； which happened to two Lovers； that were not
indued with the greatest discretion。 But because they had very many
faire and happy dayes afterwards； I am the more willing for to let you
heare it。
In the City of Rome； which （in times past） was called the Lady and
Mistresse of the world； though now scarsely so good as the waiting；
maid： there dwelt sometime yong Gentleman； named Pedro Boccamazzo；
descended from one of the most honorable families in Rome； who was
much enamoured of a beautifull Gentlewoman； called Angelina；
Daughter to one named Gigliuozzo Saullo； whose fortunes were none of
the fairest； yet he greatly esteemed among the Romanes。 The
entercourse of love betweene these twaine； had so equally enstructed
their hearts and soule； that it could hardly be judged which of them
was the more fervent in affection。 But he； not being inured to such
oppressing passions； and therefore the lesse able to support them；
except he were sure to compasse his desire； plainly made the motion；
that he might enjoy her in honourable mariage。 Which his parents and
friends hearing； they went to conferre with him； blaming him with
over…much basenesse； so farre to disgrace himselfe and his stocke。
Beside； they advised the Father to the Maid； neither to credit what
Pedro saide in this case； or to live in hope of any such match；
because they all did wholly despise it。
Pedro perceiving； that the way was shut up； whereby （and none other）
he was to mount the Ladder of his hopes； began to wax weary of
longer living： and if he could have won her fathers consent； he
would have maried her in the despight of all his friends。
Neverthelesse； he had a conceit hammering in his head； which if the
maid would bee as forward as himselfe； should bring the matter to full
effect。 Letters and secret intelligences passing still betweene； at
length he understood her ready resolution； to adventure with him
thorough all fortunes whatsoever； concluding on their sodaine and
secret flight from Rome。 For which Pedro did so well provide； that
very early in a morning； and well mounted on horsebacke； they tooke
the way leading unto Alagna； where Pedro had some honest friends； in
whom he reposed especiall trust。 Riding on thus thorow the countrey；
having no leysure to accomplish their marriage； because they stood
in feare of pursuite： they were ridden above foure leagues from
Rome； still shortning the way with their amorous discoursing。
It fortuned； that Pedro having no certaine knowledge of the way； but
following a trackt guiding too farre on the left hand； rode quite
out of course； and came at last within sight of a small Castle； out of
which （before they were aware） yssued twelve Villaines； whom
Angelina sooner espyed； then Pedro could do； which made her cry out to
him； saying： Helpe deere Love to save us； or else we shall be
assayled。 Pedro then turning his horse so expeditiously as he could；
and giving him the spurres as need required； mainly he gallopped
into a neere adjoyning Forrest； more minding the following of
Angelina； then any direction of way； or them that endeavoured to bee
his hindrance。 So that by often winding and turning about； as the
passage appeared troublesome to him； when he thought him selfe free
and furthest from them； he was round engirt； and seized on by them。
When they had made him to dismount from his horse； questioning him
of whence and what he was； and he resolving them therein； they fell
into a secret consultation； saying thus among themselves。 This man
is a friend to our deadly enemies； how can wee then otherwise
dispose of him； but dreame him of all he hath； and in despight of
the Orsini （men in nature hatefull to us） hang him up heere on one
of these Trees？
All of them agreeing in this dismall resolution； they commanded
Pedro to put off his garments； which he yeelding to do （albeit
unwillingly） it so fell out； that five and twenty other theeves；
came sodainly rushing in upon them； crying； Kill； kill； and spare
not a man。
They which before had surprized Pedro； desiring now to shift for
their owne safetie； left him standing quaking in his shirt； and so
ranne away mainely to defend themselves。 Which the new crew
perceyving； and that their number farre exceeded the other： they
followed to robbe them of what they had gotten； accounting it as a
