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十日谈|The Decameron

第一日 故事第二|Day the First:THE SECOND STORY

属类: 双语小说 【分类】世界名著 -[作者: 乔万尼·薄伽丘] 阅读:[38679]
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潘菲洛所讲的那个故事,小姐们自始至终听得津津有味,有些地方还给逗得笑了起来;等故事讲完,都齐声称好。于是女王就吩咐坐在他旁边的妮菲尔接下去讲一个。妮菲尔不但模样儿长得姣好,就是一举一动也非常温柔,当下高高兴兴地接受命令,这样开始道:

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Pamfilo’s story was in part laughed at and altogether commended by the ladies, and it being come to its end, after being diligently hearkened, the queen bade Neifile, who sat next him, ensue the ordinance of the commenced diversion by telling one[41] of her fashion. Neifile, who was distinguished no less by courteous manners than by beauty, answered blithely that she would well and began on this wise:

[41] i.e. a story.
[42] i.e. of God’s benignness.
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方才潘菲洛所说的故事告诉我们,宽大的天主并不计较我们的过失,只要这过失的造成是由于人类知识有限、无从辨别善恶的缘故。现在,我想要讲天主以他那无限的宽大,默默地容忍了那班人的罪恶;他们照理应该拿言语行动来宣扬天主的恩典和真理,但是所作所为,却无一不是反其道而行之;不但如此,天主还把他们的罪恶作为他的颠扑不破的真理的证明,好叫我们越加坚守我们的信仰。

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”Pamfilo hath shown us in his story that God’s benignness regardeth not our errors, when they proceed from that which is beyond our ken; and I, in mine, purpose to show you how this same benignness,—patiently suffering the defaults of those who, being especially bounden both with words and deeds to bear true witness thereof[42] yet practise the contrary,—exhibiteth unto us an infallible proof of itself, to the intent that we may, with the more constancy of mind, ensue that which we believe.

[41] i.e. a story.
[42] i.e. of God’s benignness.
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亲爱的姐姐们,我听人说,从前巴黎有一个大商贾,名叫杨诺-德-雪维尼,为人十分善良正直,经营丝绸呢绒,规模很大。他有一个好友名叫亚伯拉罕,是个犹太人,也跟他一样经营商业,也很有钱,而且为人同样忠信可靠。杨诺看见他朋友心地这么好,又是博学多才,只因为不曾信奉真教,将来他那善良的灵魂不免要堕入地狱,心中着实为他焦急,因此就很诚恳地劝导他抛弃虚伪的犹太教、信奉正宗的天主教。他说,即使犹太人也可以看到基督教是多么神圣正大,所以日益发扬光大,而犹太教却分明在逐渐没落,免不了有灭亡的一天。

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As I have heard tell, gracious ladies, there was once in Paris a great merchant and a very loyal and upright man, whose name was Jehannot de Chevigné and who was of great traffic in silks and stuffs. He had particular friendship for a very rich Jew called Abraham, who was also a merchant and a very honest and trusty man, and seeing the latter’s worth and loyalty, it began to irk him sore that the soul of so worthy and discreet and good a man should go to perdition for default of faith; wherefore he fell to beseeching him on friendly wise leave the errors of the Jewish faith and turn to the Christian verity, which he might see still wax and prosper, as being holy and good, whereas his own faith, on the contrary, was manifestly on the wane and dwindling to nought.

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那犹太教徒却回答他说,他觉得世上只有犹太教才是神圣正大的,他生下来就信奉犹太教,直到死他还得信奉犹太教,世间随便什么东西也改变不了他的信仰。

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The Jew made answer that he held no faith holy or good save only the Jewish, that in this latter he was born and therein meant to live and die, nor should aught ever make him remove therefrom.

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这回答虽然决绝,可并不能打消杨诺的热诚;过了几天,他又提这事,还是用那一套话去劝他,跟他说明为什么我们的宗教胜过犹太教。虽然他措辞很粗浅(当时做生意的人知识程度原很有限),而亚伯拉罕又是精通他们自己的法律的;可是。也不知道他是受了友情的感动呢,还是天主假那单纯善良的人的口而说出来的话有了效验,那犹太人这次对于他好友所说的种种话,竟然听得很对劲。不过他还是坚持自己的信仰,不容别人来动摇。可是他越是固执,杨诺却逼得他越紧;到末了,那犹太人拗不过他,只得这么说了:

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Jehannot for all that desisted not from him, but some days after returned to the attack with similar words, showing him, on rude enough wise (for that merchants for the most part can no better), for what reasons our religion is better than the Jewish; and albeit the Jew was a past master in their law, nevertheless, whether it was the great friendship he bore Jehannot that moved him or peradventure words wrought it that the Holy Ghost put into the good simple man’s mouth, the latter’s arguments began greatly to please him; but yet, persisting in his own belief, he would not suffer himself to be converted. Like as he abode obstinate, even so Jehannot never gave over importuning him, till at last the Jew, overcome by such continual insistence, said,

[43] Lit. cardinal brethren (fratelli cardinali).
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“杨诺,你听我说,你一心要我改信天主教,现在我也同意了,不过还得先让我到罗马去一遭,瞻仰一下你所谓天主派遣到世上来的‘代表’,看看他和作为他兄弟的四大红衣主教的作为和气派。如果看了他们的气派,就象听了你的劝告一样,使我有所感悟,领会到你们的宗教正象你所再三申辩的那样,那我一定照我所说的话做去;否则我还是信我的犹太教。”

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’Look you, Jehannot, thou wouldst have me become a Christian and I am disposed to do it; insomuch, indeed, that I mean, in the first place, to go to Rome and there see him who, thou sayest, is God’s Vicar upon earth and consider his manners and fashions and likewise those of his chief brethren.[43] If these appear to me such that I may, by them, as well as by your words, apprehend that your faith is better than mine, even as thou hast studied to show me, I will do as I have said; and if it be not so, I will remain a Jew as I am.’

[43] Lit. cardinal brethren (fratelli cardinali).
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杨诺听他这么说,可急坏了,私下想道:“尽管我主意打得不错,看来我这一阵子气力是白费了;要是他果真赶到罗马教皇的宫廷里,让他亲眼看到了教士们荒淫佚乐的腐败生活,别说他永远也不会改信基督教,就算他已经信奉了基督教,也势必要重做他的犹太教徒啦。”所以他就转过来向亚伯拉罕说道:

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When Jehannot heard this, he was beyond measure chagrined and said in himself, ’I have lost my pains, which meseemed I had right well bestowed, thinking to have converted this man; for that, an he go to the court of Rome and see the lewd and wicked life of the clergy, not only will he never become a Christian, but, were he already a Christian, he would infallibly turn Jew again.’ Then, turning to Abraham, he said to him,

[44] Lit. losing (perdendo), but this is probably some copyist’s mistake for podendo, the old form of potendo, availing.
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“唉,好朋友,你何必特地赶到罗马去呢?既要花费那么多钱,路上又辛苦;再说,象你这样一位财主,无论走水道或是陆路,一路上都随时会遭遇危险。你难道以为这里就没有给你行洗礼的人吗?要是我讲给你听的教义,你还有疑惑的地方,难道除了这儿,不能在别的地方找到更精通教义的饱学之士来给你充分解答和启示吗?

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’Alack, my friend, why wilt thou undertake this travail and so great a charge as it will be to thee to go from here to Rome? More by token that, both by sea and by land, the road is full of perils for a rich man such as thou art. Thinkest thou not to find here who shall give thee baptism? Or, if peradventure thou have any doubts concerning the faith which I have propounded to thee, where are there greater doctors and men more learned in the matter than are here or better able to resolve thee of that which thou wilt know or ask?

[44] Lit. losing (perdendo), but this is probably some copyist’s mistake for podendo, the old form of potendo, availing.
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所以照我看,你这次到罗马去是多余的。你在那儿看到的主教跟你在这里所看到的其实并没什么不同,不过他们因为接近教皇,又更高明一层就是了。依我说,你这长途跋涉不如留待日后‘禧年’朝圣参拜,来得更有意义,到那时候,说不定我会跟你作个伴,一同去呢。”

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Wherefore, to my thinking, this thy going is superfluous. Bethink thee that the prelates there are even such as those thou mayst have seen here, and indeed so much the better as they are nearer unto the Chief Pastor. Wherefore, an thou wilt be counselled by me, thou wilt reserve this travail unto another time against some jubilee or other, whereunto it may be I will bear thee company.’

[44] Lit. losing (perdendo), but this is probably some copyist’s mistake for podendo, the old form of potendo, availing.
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那犹太教徒回答道:“杨诺,我相信你说得很对,不过千句并一句,我打定主意,如果你真要我听了你三番两次的劝告,改信你们的教,那我非要到罗马去走一遭不可;否则我是怎么也不会信奉天主教的。”

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To this the Jew made answer, ’I doubt not, Jehannot, but it is as thou tellest me; but, to sum up many words in one, I am altogether determined, an thou wouldst have me do that whereof thou hast so instantly besought me, to go thither; else will I never do aught thereof.’

[44] Lit. losing (perdendo), but this is probably some copyist’s mistake for podendo, the old form of potendo, availing.
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杨诺见他主意已定,无从劝说,只得讲道:“去吧,祝你一路平安!”可是心里却很不自在,以为他一旦看到罗马教皇宫廷里的种种情形,再也不肯信奉天主教了;但是也没有办法,只能听其自然而已。

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Jehannot, seeing his determination, said, ’Go and good luck go with thee!’ And inwardly assured that he would never become a Christian, when once he should have seen the court of Rome, but availing[44] nothing in the matter, he desisted.

[44] Lit. losing (perdendo), but this is probably some copyist’s mistake for podendo, the old form of potendo, availing.
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亚伯拉罕准备好了一切,便骑马出发,一路不多耽搁。到罗马之后,自有那里的犹太朋友们很郑重地招待他,他在应酬之间绝不提起自己此来的用意;一边开始暗中留神察访那教皇、红衣主教、主教、以及教廷里其他主教的生活作风。他原是个精明细心的人,凭着他亲眼所见、以及从别人那儿听来的种种情形,他就知道他们这一伙,从上到下,没有一个不是寡廉鲜耻,犯着“贪色”的罪恶,甚至违反人道,耽溺男风,连一点点顾忌、羞耻之心都不存了;因此竟至于妓女和娈童当道,有什么事要向廷上请求,反而要走他们的门路。

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The Jew mounted to horse and as quickliest he might betook himself to the court of Rome, he was honourably entertained of his brethren, and there abiding, without telling any the reason of his coming, he began diligently to enquire into the manners and fashions of the Pope and Cardinals and other prelates and of all the members of his court, and what with that which he himself noted, being a mighty quick-witted man, and that which he gathered from others, he found all, from the highest to the lowest, most shamefully given to the sin of lust, and that not only in the way of nature, but after the Sodomitical fashion, without any restraint of remorse or shamefastness, insomuch that the interest of courtezans and catamites was of no small avail there in obtaining any considerable thing.

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不仅如此,他还看透他们无一例外,个个都是贪图口腹之欲的酒囊饭袋,那种狼吞虎咽,活象是头野兽。他们首先是色中饿鬼,其次就好算得肚子的奴隶了。他再考察了些时候,又知道他们个个都是爱钱如命、贪得无餍,甚至人口(这是说,基督徒的血肉)也可以当牲口买卖,至于各种神圣的东西,不论是教堂里的职位,祭坛上的神器,都可以任意作价买卖。贸易之大、手下经纪人之多,决不是巴黎这许多绸商呢贾或是其他行业的商人所能望其项背。

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Moreover, he manifestly perceived them to be universally gluttons, wine-bibbers, drunkards and slaves to their bellies, brute-beast fashion, more than to aught else after lust. And looking farther, he saw them all covetous and greedy after money, insomuch that human, nay, Christian blood, no less than things sacred, whatsoever they might be, whether pertaining to the sacrifices of the altar or to the benefices of the church, they sold and bought indifferently for a price, making a greater traffic and having more brokers thereof than folk at Paris of silks and stuffs or what not else.

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他们借着“委任代理”的美名来盗卖圣职,拿“保养身体”做口实,好大吃大喝;仿佛天主也跟我们凡人一样,可以用动听的字眼蒙蔽过去的;因之他也就跟我们凡人一样,看不透他们的堕落的灵魂和卑劣的居心了!凡此种种,以及其他许多不便明言的罪恶,叫那个严肃端正的犹太人大为愤慨。他认为已经把真情实况看个够了,于是就起程回家。

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Manifest simony they had christened ’procuration’ and gluttony ’sustentation,’ as if God apprehended not,—let be the meaning of words but,—the intention of depraved minds and would suffer Himself, after the fashion of men, to be duped by the names of things. All this, together with much else which must be left unsaid, was supremely displeasing to the Jew, who was a sober and modest man, and himseeming he had seen enough, he determined to return to Paris and did so.

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杨诺一听得他的朋友回来了,就赶去看他,心中却绝不指望亚伯拉罕会改信天主教。二人见面自有说不出的高兴。杨诺当然并不多问什么,等过了两三天,他已休息过了。这才去问他对于罗马教皇,以及红衣主教和教廷上的其他僧侣的印象怎样。那犹太教徒立刻回答道:

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As soon as Jehannot knew of his return, he betook himself to him, hoping nothing less than that he should become a Christian, and they greeted each other with the utmost joy. Then, after Abraham had rested some days, Jehannot asked him how himseemed of the Holy Father and of the cardinals and others of his court. Whereto the Jew promptly answered,

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“照我看,天主应该惩罚这班人,一个都不饶。要是我的观察还准确,那么那儿的修士没有一个谈得上什么圣洁、虔敬、德行,谈得上为人表率。那班人只知道奸淫、贪欲、吃喝,可以说是无恶不作,坏到了不能再坏的地步。这些罪恶是那样配合他们的口味,我只觉得罗马不是一个‘神圣的京城’而是一个容纳一切罪恶的大溶炉:照我看,你那位高高在上的‘牧羊者’,以至一切其他的‘牧羊者’,本该做天主教的支柱和基础,却正日日夜夜,用尽心血、千方百计,要叫天主教早些垮台,直到有一天从这世上消灭为止。

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’Meseemeth, God give them ill one and all! And I say this for that, if I was able to observe aright, no piety, no devoutness, no good work or example of life or otherwhat did I see there in any who was a churchman; nay, but lust, covetise, gluttony and the like and worse (if worse can be) meseemed to be there in such favour with all that I hold it for a forgingplace of things diabolical rather than divine. And as far as I can judge, meseemeth your chief pastor and consequently all the others endeavour with all diligence and all their wit and every art to bring to nought and banish from the world the Christian religion, whereas they should be its foundation and support.

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“可是不管他们怎样拼命想把天主教推翻,它可还是屹然不动,倒反而日益发扬光大,这使我认为一定有圣灵在给它做支柱、做基石,这么说,你们的宗教确是比其他的宗教更其正大神圣。所以虽然前一阵日子,任凭你怎样劝导我,我总是漠不动心,不愿意接受你们的信仰;现在——我向你坦白说了吧,再没有什么可以阻挡我做一个天主教徒了。我们一起到礼拜堂去吧,到了那里,就请你们按照你们圣教的仪式,给我行洗礼吧。”

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And for that I see that this whereafter they strive cometh not to pass, but that your religion continually increaseth and waxeth still brighter and more glorious, meseemeth I manifestly discern that the Holy Spirit is verily the foundation and support thereof, as of that which is true and holy over any other. Wherefore, whereas, aforetime I abode obdurate and insensible to thine exhortations and would not be persuaded to embrace thy faith, I now tell thee frankly that for nothing in the world would I forbear to become a Christian. Let us, then, to church and there have me baptized, according to the rite and ordinance of your holy faith.’

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杨诺万想不到他反而会得出这么一个结论来,听了这番话,他的快乐简直谁也比不上。他立即陪着亚伯拉罕一起到了巴黎圣母院,请院里的神父给亚伯拉罕行洗礼。院里的神父听说那犹太人自愿入教受洗。就当即举行了仪式;由杨诺把他从洗礼盆边扶了起来,给他取了“约翰”的教名。这以后,扬诺就延请了最著名的学士来给他讲解教义;他进步得非常快,终于成为一个高尚虔诚的善人。

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Jehannot, who looked for a directly contrary conclusion to this, was the joyfullest man that might be, when he heard him speak thus, and repairing with him to our Lady’s Church of Paris, required the clergy there to give Abraham baptism. They, hearing that the Jew himself demanded it, straightway proceeded to baptize him, whilst Jehannot raised him from the sacred font[45] and named him Giovanni. After this, he had him thoroughly lessoned by men of great worth and learning in the tenets of our holy faith, which he speedily apprehended and thenceforward was a good man and a worthy and one of a devout life."

[45] i.e. stood sponsor for him.
简典