《the decameron(十日谈)》

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the decameron(十日谈)- 第24部分


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Beritola; to whom first he spake in this manner。
  What will you say Madame; if I cause you to see your eldest Son; not
long since married to one of my daughters? Whereunto Beritola thus
replied。 My Lord; I can say nothing else unto you; but that I shal
be much more obliged to you; then already I am; and the rather;
because you will let me see the thing which is deerer then mine owne
life; and rendering it unto me in such manner as you speake of; you
will recall backe some part of my former lost hopes: and with these
words; the teares streamed aboundantly from her eyes。 Then turning
to his wife; he said: And you deere Love; if I shew you such a Son
in law; what will you thinke of it? Sir (quoth she) what pleaseth you;
must and shall satisfie me; be he gentleman or beggar。 Well said
Madam; answered Messer Conrado; I hope shortly; to make you both
joyfull。 So when the amorous couple had recovered their former
feature; and honorable garments prepared for them; privately thus he
said to Geoffrey; Beyond the joy which already thou art inriched
withall; how would it please thee to meete thine owne Mother here? I
cannot beleeve Sir (replied Geoffrey) that her greevous misfortunes
have suffered her to live so long; and yet; if heaven hath bin so
mercifull to her; my joyes were incomparable; for by her gracious
counsel; I might well hope to recover no meane happines in Sicily。
Soone after; both the mothers were sent for; who were transported with
unspeakable joy; when they beheld the so lately married couple:
being much amazed what inspiration had guided Messer Conrado to this
extraordinary benignity; in joyning Jehannot in marriage with Spina。
 Hereupon; Madam Beritola remembring the speeches betweene her and
Messer Conrado; began to observe him very advisedly; and by a hidden
vertue which long had silently slept in her; and now with joy of
spirit awaked; calling to mind the lineatures of her sonnes infancy;
without awaiting for any other demonstration; she folded him in her
armes with earnest affection。 Motherly joy and pity now contended so
violently togither; that she was not able to utter one word; the
sensitive vertues being so closely combined; that (even as dead) she
fell downe in the armes of her Son。 And he wondering greatly
thereat; making a better recollection of his thoughts; did well
remember; that hee had often before seene her in the Castle; without
any other knowledge of her。 Neverthelesse; by meere instinct of
Nature; whose power in such actions declares it selfe to be highly
predominant; his very soule assured him; that she was his Mother;
and blaming his understanding; that he had not before bene better
advised; he threw his armes about her; and wept exceedingly。
  Afterward; by the loving paines of Conradoes wife; as also her
daughter Spina; Madam Beritola (being recovered from her passionate
traunce; and her vitall spirits executing their Offices againe) fell
once more to the embracing of her Sonne; kissing him infinite times;
with teares and speeches of motherly kindnesse; he likewise expressing
the same dutifull humanity to her。 Which ceremonious courtesies
being passed over and over; to no little joy in all the beholders;
beside repetition of their severall misfortunes; Messer Conrado made
all knowne to his friends; who were very glad of this new alliance
made by him; which was honoured with many solemne feastings。 Which
being all concluded; Geoffrey having found out fit place and
opportunity; for conference with his new created Father; without any
sinister opposition; began as followeth。
  Honourable Father; you have raised my contentment to the highest
degree; and have heaped also many gracious favours on my Noble Mother;
but now in the finall conclusion; that nothing may remaine uneffected;
which consisteth in your power to performe: I would humbly entreate
you; to honour my Mother with your company; at a Feast of my making;
where I would gladly also have my Brother present。 Messer Gasparino
d'Oria (as I have heretofore told you) questing as a common Pyrat on
the Seas; tooke us and sent us home to his house as slaves; where
(as yet) he detaineth him。 I would likewise have you send into Sicily;
who informing himselfe more amply in the state of the Countrey; may
understand what is become of Henriet my Father; and whether he be
living or no。 If he be alive; then to know in what condition he is;
and being secretly instructed in all things; then to returne backe
againe to you。
  This motion made by Geoffrey; was so pleasing to Conrado; that
without any reference to further leysure; hee dispatched thence two
discreete persons; the one to Geneway; and the other to Sicily: he
which went for Geneway; having met with Gasparino; earnestly entreated
him (on the behalfe of Conrado) to send him the Poore expelled; and
his Nurse recounting every thing in order; which Conrado had tolde
him; concerning Geoffrey and his mother。 When Gasparino had heard
the whole discourse; he marvelled greatly thereat; and saide; True
it is; that I will doe any thing for Messer Conrado; which may bee
to his love and liking; provided; that it lye in my power to performe;
and (about some foureteene yeeres since) I brought such a Lad as you
seeke for; with his mother; home to my house; whom I will gladly
send unto him。 But you may tell him from me; that I advise him from
over…rash crediting the Fables of Jehannot; that now termes himselfe
by the name of Geoffrey; because he is a more wicked boy then he
taketh him to be; and so did I finde him。
  Having thus spoken; and giving kinde welcome to the Messenger;
secretly he called the Nurse unto him; whom hee heedfully examined
concerning this case。 She having heard the rebellion in the Kingdome
of Sicily; and understanding withall that Henriet was yet living;
joyfully threw off all her former feare; relating every thing to him
orderly; and the reasons moving her to conceale the whole businesse in
such manner as shee had done。 Gasparino well perceiving; that the
report of the Nurse; and the message received from Conrado; varied not
in any one circumstance; began the better to credit her words。 And
being a man most ingenious; making further inquisition into the
businesse; by all the possible meanes hee could devise; and finding
every thing to yeeld undoubted assurance; ashamed of the vile and base
usage wherein he had so long time kept the Lad; and desiring (by his
best meanes) to make him amends; he had a beautifull daughter; aged
about thirteene yeares; and knowing what manner of man he was; his
Father Henriet also yet living; he gave her to him in marriage; with a
very bountifull and honourable dowry。
  The joviall dayes of feasting being past; he went aboord a Galley
with the Poore expelled; his Daughter; the Ambassador; and the
Nurse; departing thence to Lericy; where they were nobly welcommed
by Messer Conrado; and his Castle being not farre from thence; with an
honourable traine they were conducted thither; and entertained with
all possible kindnesse。 Now concerning the comfort of the Mother;
meeting so happily with both her sonnes; the joy of the brethren and
mother together; having also found the faithful Nurse; Gasparino and
his daughter; in company now with Conrado and his wife; friends;
familiars; and all generally in a jubilee of rejoycing: it exceedeth
capacity in mee to expresse it; and therefore I referre it to your
more able imagination。
  In the time of this mutuall contentment; to the end that nothing
might be wanting to compleat and perfect this universall joy; our
Lord; a most abundant bestower where he beginneth; added long wished
tydings concerning the life and good estate of Henry Capece。 For; even
as they were feasting; and the concourse great of worthy guests;
both Lords and Ladies; the first service was scarsely set on the
Tables; but the Ambassador which was sent to Sicily; arrived there
before them。 Among many other important matters; he spake of
Henriet; who being so long a time detained in prison by King
Charles; when the commotion arose in the Citty against the King; the
people (grudging at Henriets long imprisonment) slew the Guards; and
set him at liberty。 Then as capitall enemie to King Charles; hee was
created Captaine Generall; following the chase; and killing the
French。
  Now by this meanes; he grew great in the grace of King Pedro; who
replanted him in all the goods and honours which he had before; with
verie high and eminent authority。 Hereunto the Ambassador added;
that hee was entertayned with extraordinary grace; and delivery of
publike joy and exaltation; when his Wife and Sonne were knowne to
be living; of whom no tydings had at any time bene heard; since the
houre of his surprizall。 Moreover; that a swift winged Bark was now
sent thither (upon the happy hearing of this newes) well furnished
with noble Gentlemen; to attend till their returning backe。 We neede
to make no doubt concerning the tydings brought by this Ambassadour;
nor of the Gentlemens welcome; thus sent to Madame Beritola and
Geoffrey; who before they would sit downe at the Table; saluted Messer
Conrado and his kinde Lady (on the behalfe of Henriet) for all the
great graces extended to her and her Sonne; with promise of any thing;
lying in the power of Henriet; to rest continually at their command。
The like they did to Signior Gasparino (whose liberall favours came
unlooked for) with certaine assurance; that when Henriet should
understand what he had done for his other Sonne; the Poore expelled;
there would be no defaylance of reciprocall courtesies。
  As the longest joyes have no perpetuity of lasting; so all these
graceful ceremonies had their conclusion; with as many sighes and
teares at parting; as joyes abounded at their first encountring。
Imagine then; that you see such aboord; as were to have here no longer
abiding; Madam Beritola and Geoffrey; with the rest; as the Poore
expelled; the so late married Wives; and the faithfull Nurse bearing
them company。 With prosperous windes they arrived in Sicily; where the
Wife; Sonnes; and Daughters; were joyfully met by Henriet at
Palermo; and with such honourable pompe; as a case so important
equally deserved。
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