通译双语文库:十日谈第一日序

1

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温雅的女士们，我深知你们天生都是富于同情心的，读着这本书，免不了要认为故事的开端是太悲惨愁苦了，叫人们不禁惨然想起不久前发生的那一场可怕的瘟疫，这对于身历其境、或是耳闻其事的人，都是一件很不好受的事。

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As often, most gracious ladies, as, taking thought in myself, I mind me how very pitiful you are all by nature, so often do I recognize that this present work will, to your thinking, have a grievous and a weariful beginning, inasmuch as the dolorous remembrance of the late pestiferous mortality, which it beareth on its forefront, is universally irksome to all who saw or otherwise knew it.

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2

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不过请别以为读着这本书，又要害你们叹息、掉泪，就此吓得不敢再往下读了。

2

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But I would not therefore have this affright you from reading further, as if in the reading you were still to fare among sighs and tears.

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本书的开端虽然凄凉，却好比一座险峻的高山，挡着一片美丽的平原，翻过前面的高山，就来到那赏心悦目的境界；攀援的艰苦将换来了加倍的欢乐。乐极固然生悲，悲苦到了尽头，也会涌起了意想不到的快乐。

3

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Let this grisly beginning be none other to you than is to wayfarers a rugged and steep mountain, beyond which is situate a most fair and delightful plain, which latter cometh so much the pleasanter to them as the greater was the hardship of the ascent and the descent; for, like as dolour occupieth the extreme of gladness, even so are miseries determined by imminent joyance.

4

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所以这只不过是暂时的凄凉——我说是暂时的，因为也不过占了寥寥几页篇幅罢了；接着而来的就是一片欢乐，象方才预告的那样——要不是这么声明在先，只怕你们猜想不到苦尽还有甘来呢。说真话，我真不愿意累你们走这条崎岖小道，可是此外又没有旁的路可通，因为不回顾一下悲惨的过去，我没法交代清楚你们将要读到的那许多故事，是在怎样的一种情景下产生的；所以只好在书里写下这样一个开头。

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This brief annoy (I say brief, inasmuch as it is contained in few pages) is straightway succeeded by the pleasance and delight which I have already promised you and which, belike, were it not aforesaid, might not be looked for from such a beginning. And in truth, could I fairly have availed to bring you to my desire otherwise than by so rugged a path as this will be I had gladly done it; but being in a manner constrained thereto, for that, without this reminiscence of our past miseries, it might not be shown what was the occasion of the coming about of the things that will hereafter be read, I have brought myself to write them.[3]

[3] i.e. the few pages of which he speaks above.

5

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在我主降生后第一千三百四十八年，意大利的城市中最美丽的城市——就是那繁华的佛罗伦萨，发生了一场可怖的瘟疫。这场瘟疫不知道是受了天体的影响，还是威严的天主降于作恶多端的人类的惩罚；它最初发生在东方，不到几年工夫，死去的人已不计其数；而且眼看这场瘟疫不断地一处处蔓延开去，后来竟不幸传播到了西方。

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I say, then, that the years [of the era] of the fruitful Incarnation of the Son of God had attained to the number of one thousand three hundred and forty-eight, when into the notable city of Florence, fair over every other of Italy, there came the death-dealing pestilence, which, through the operation of the heavenly bodies or of our own iniquitous dealings, being sent down upon mankind for our correction by the just wrath of God, had some years before appeared in the parts of the East and after having bereft these latter of an innumerable number of inhabitants, extending without cease from one place to another, had now unhappily spread towards the West.

[4] Syn. provisions made or means taken (consigli dati). Boccaccio constantly uses consiglio in this latter sense.

6

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大家都束手无策，一点防止的办法也拿不出来。城里各处污秽的地方都派人扫除过了，禁止病人进城的命令已经发布了，保护健康的种种措施也执行了；此外，虔诚的人们有时成群结队、有时零零落落地向天主一再作过祈祷了；可是到了那一年的初春，奇特而可怖的病症终于出现了，灾难的情况立刻严重起来。

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And thereagainst no wisdom availing nor human foresight (whereby the city was purged of many impurities by officers deputed to that end and it was forbidden unto any sick person to enter therein and many were the counsels given[4] for the preservation of health) nor yet humble supplications, not once but many times both in ordered processions and on other wise made unto God by devout persons,—about the coming in of the Spring of the aforesaid year, it began on horrible and miraculous wise to show forth its dolorous effects.

[4] Syn. provisions made or means taken (consigli dati). Boccaccio constantly uses consiglio in this latter sense.

7

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这里的瘟疫，不象东方的瘟疫那样，病人鼻孔里一出鲜血，就必死无疑，却另有一种征兆。染病的男女，最初在鼠蹊间或是在胳肢窝下隆然肿起一个瘤来，到后来愈长愈大，就有一个小小的苹果，或是一个鸡蛋那样大小。一般人管这瘤叫“疫瘤”，不消多少时候，这死兆般的“疫瘤”就由那两个部分蔓延到人体各部分。这以后，病征又变了，病人的臂部、腿部，以至身体的其他各部分都出现了黑斑或是紫斑，有时候是稀稀疏疏的几大块，有时候又细又密；不过反正这都跟初期的毒瘤一样，是死亡的预兆。

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Yet not as it had done in the East, where, if any bled at the nose, it was a manifest sign of inevitable death; nay, but in men and women alike there appeared, at the beginning of the malady, certain swellings, either on the groin or under the armpits, whereof some waxed of the bigness of a common apple, others like unto an egg, some more and some less, and these the vulgar named plague-boils. From these two parts the aforesaid death-bearing plague-boils proceeded, in brief space, to appear and come indifferently in every part of the body; wherefrom, after awhile, the fashion of the contagion began to change into black or livid blotches, which showed themselves in many [first] on the arms and about the thighs and [after spread to] every other part of the person, in some large and sparse and in others small and thick-sown; and like as the plague-boils had been first (and yet were) a very certain token of coming death, even so were these for every one to whom they came.

[4] Syn. provisions made or means taken (consigli dati). Boccaccio constantly uses consiglio in this latter sense.

8

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任你怎样请医服药，这病总是没救的。也许这根本是一种不治之症，也许是由于医师学识浅薄，找不出真正的病源，因而也就拿不出适当的治疗方法来——当时许许多多对于医道一无所知的男女，也居然象受过训练的医师一样，行起医来了。总而言之，凡是得了这种病、侥幸治愈的人，真是极少极少，大多数病人都在出现“疫瘤”的三天以内就送了命；而且多半都没有什么发烧或是其他的症状。

8

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To the cure of these maladies nor counsel[5] of physician nor virtue of any medicine appeared to avail or profit aught; on the contrary,—whether it was that the nature of the infection suffered it not or that the ignorance of the physicians (of whom, over and above the men of art, the number, both men and women, who had never had any teaching of medicine, was become exceeding great,) availed not to know whence it arose and consequently took not due measures thereagainst,—not only did few recover thereof, but well nigh all died within the third day from the appearance of the aforesaid signs, this sooner and that later, and for the most part without fever or other accident.[6]

[5] Syn. help, remedy.
[6] Accidente, what a modern physician would call "complication." "Symptom" does not express the whole meaning of the Italian word.

9

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这瘟病太可怕了，健康的人只要一跟病人接触，就染上了病，那情形仿佛干柴靠近烈火那样容易燃烧起来。不，情况还要严重呢，不要说走近病人，跟病人谈话，会招来致死的病症，甚至只要接触到病人穿过的衣服，摸过的东西，也立即会染上了病。

9

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And this pestilence was the more virulent for that, by communication with those who were sick thereof, it gat hold upon the sound, no otherwise than fire upon things dry or greasy, whenas they are brought very near thereunto. Nay, the mischief was yet greater; for that not only did converse and consortion with the sick give to the sound infection of cause of common death, but the mere touching of the clothes or of whatsoever other thing had been touched or used of the sick appeared of itself to communicate the malady to the toucher.

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骇人听闻的事还有呢。要不是我，还有许多人眼见目睹，那么，种种事情即使是我从最可靠的人那儿听来的，我也不敢信以为真，别说是把它记录下来了。这一场瘟疫的传染可怕到这么一个程度，不仅是人与人之间会传染，就连人类以外的牲畜，只要一接触到病人、或是死者的什么东西，就染上了病，过不了多少时候，就死了，这种情形也是屡见不鲜。

10

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A marvellous thing to hear is that which I have to tell and one which, had it not been seen of many men’s eyes and of mine own, I had scarce dared credit, much less set down in writing, though I had heard it from one worthy of belief. I say, then, that of such efficience was the nature of the pestilence in question in communicating itself from one to another, that, not only did it pass from man to man, but this, which is much more, it many times visibly did;—to wit, a thing which had pertained to a man sick or dead of the aforesaid sickness, being touched by an animal foreign to the human species, not only infected this latter with the plague, but in a very brief space of time killed it.

11

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有一天，我亲眼看到有这么一回事：大路上扔着一堆破烂的衣服，分明是一个染病而死的穷人的遗物，这时候来了两头猪，大家知道，猪总是喜欢用鼻子去拱东西的，也是合该它们倒楣，用鼻子把那衣服翻了过来，咬在嘴里，乱嚼乱挥一阵，隔不了一会，这两头猪就不住地打起滚来，再过了一会儿，就象吃了毒药似的，倒在那堆衣服上死了。

11

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Of this mine own eyes (as hath a little before been said) had one day, among others, experience on this wise; to wit, that the rags of a poor man, who had died of the plague, being cast out into the public way, two hogs came up to them and having first, after their wont, rooted amain among them with their snouts, took them in their mouths and tossed them about their jaws; then, in a little while, after turning round and round, they both, as if they had taken poison, fell down dead upon the rags with which they had in an ill hour intermeddled.

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活着的人们，每天看到这一类或大或小的惨事，心里就充满着恐怖和种种怪念头；到后来，几乎无论哪一个人都采取了冷酷无情的手段：凡是病人和病人用过的东西，一概避不接触，他们以为这样一来，自己的安全就可以保住了。

12

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From these things and many others like unto them or yet stranger divers fears and conceits were begotten in those who abode alive, which well nigh all tended to a very barbarous conclusion, namely, to shun and flee from the sick and all that pertained to them, and thus doing, each thought to secure immunity for himself.

13

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有些人以为唯有清心寡欲，过着有节制的生活，才能逃过这一场瘟疫。于是他们各自结了几个伴儿，拣些没有病人的洁净的宅子住下，完全和外界隔绝起来。他们吃着最精致的食品，喝着最美的酒，但总是尽力节制，绝不肯有一点儿过量。对外界的疾病和死亡的情形他们完全不闻不问，只是借音乐和其他的玩意儿来消磨时光。

13

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Some there were who conceived that to live moderately and keep oneself from all excess was the best defence against such a danger; wherefore, making up their company, they lived removed from every other and shut themselves up in those houses where none had been sick and where living was best; and there, using very temperately of the most delicate viands and the finest wines and eschewing all incontinence, they abode with music and such other diversions as they might have, never suffering themselves to speak with any nor choosing to hear any news from without of death or sick folk.

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也有些人的想法恰巧相反，以为唯有纵情欢乐、纵饮狂歌，尽量满足自己的一切欲望，什么都一笑置之，才是对付瘟疫的有效办法。

14

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Others, inclining to the contrary opinion, maintained that to carouse and make merry and go about singing and frolicking and satisfy the appetite in everything possible and laugh and scoff at whatsoever befell was a very certain remedy for such an ill.

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他们当真照着他们所说的话实行起来，往往日以继夜地，尽情纵饮，从这家酒店逛到那家酒店，甚至一时兴来，任意闯进人家住宅，为所欲为。也没有人来阻拦他们，因为大家都是活了今天保不住明天，哪儿还顾得到什么财产不财产呢。所以大多数的住宅竟成了公共财产，哪一个过路人都可以大模大样地闯进去，只当是自己的家一般占用着。可是，尽管他们这样横冲直撞，对于病人还是避之唯恐不及。

15

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That which they said they put in practice as best they might, going about day and night, now to this tavern, now to that, drinking without stint or measure; and on this wise they did yet more freely in other folk’s houses, so but they scented there aught that liked or tempted them, as they might lightly do, for that every one—as he were to live no longer—had abandoned all care of his possessions, as of himself, wherefore the most part of the houses were become common good and strangers used them, whenas they happened upon them, like as the very owner might have done; and with all this bestial preoccupation, they still shunned the sick to the best of their power.

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浩劫当前，这城里的法纪和圣规几乎全都荡然无存了；因为神父和执法的官员，也不能例外，都死的死了，病的病了，要不就是连一个手底下人也没有，无从执行他们的职务了；因此，简直每个人都可以为所欲为。

16

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In this sore affliction and misery of our city, the reverend authority of the laws, both human and divine, was all in a manner dissolved and fallen into decay, for [lack of] the ministers and executors thereof, who, like other men, were all either dead or sick or else left so destitute of followers that they were unable to exercise any office, wherefore every one had license to do whatsoever pleased him.

[7] i.e. aromatic drugs.

17

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还有好多人又采取了一种折衷的态度。他们既不象第一种人那样严格节制着自己的饮食，也不象第二种人那样大吃大喝、放荡不羁。他们虽然也满足自己的欲望，但是适可而止，他们并没有闭户不出，也到外面去走走，只不过手里总要拿些什么鲜花香草，或是香料之类，不时放到鼻子前去嗅一下，清一清神，认为要这样才能消除那充满在空气里的病人、药物、和尸体的气味。

17

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Many others held a middle course between the two aforesaid, not straitening themselves so exactly in the matter of diet as the first neither allowing themselves such license in drinking and other debauchery as the second, but using things in sufficiency, according to their appetites; nor did they seclude themselves, but went about, carrying in their hands, some flowers, some odoriferous herbs and other some divers kinds of spiceries,[7] which they set often to their noses, accounting it an excellent thing to fortify the brain with such odours, more by token that the air seemed all heavy and attainted with the stench of the dead bodies and that of the sick and of the remedies used.

[7] i.e. aromatic drugs.

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有些人为了自身的安全，竟抱着一种更残忍的见解。说，要对抗瘟疫，只有一个办法——唯一的好办法，那就是躲开瘟疫。有了这种想法的男男女女，就只关心他们自己，其余的一概不管。他们背离自己的城市，丢下了自己的老家，自己的亲人和财产，逃到别的地方去——至少也逃到佛罗伦萨的郊外去，仿佛是天主鉴于人类为非作歹，一怒之下降下惩罚，这惩罚却只落在那些留居城里的人的头上，只要一走出城，就逃出了这场灾难似的。或者说，他们以为留住在城里的人们末日已到，不久就要全数灭亡了。

18

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Some were of a more barbarous, though, peradventure, a surer way of thinking, avouching that there was no remedy against pestilences better than—no, nor any so good as—to flee before them; wherefore, moved by this reasoning and recking of nought but themselves, very many, both men and women, abandoned their own city, their own houses and homes, their kinsfolk and possessions, and sought the country seats of others, or, at the least, their own, as if the wrath of God, being moved to punish the iniquity of mankind, would not proceed to do so wheresoever they might be, but would content itself with afflicting those only who were found within the walls of their city, or as if they were persuaded that no person was to remain therein and that its last hour was come.

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这些人的见解各有不同，却并没个个都死，也并没全都逃出了这场浩劫。各地都有好些各色各样的人在自身健康时，首先立下榜样，教人别去理会那得病的人，后来自己病倒了，也遭受人们的遗弃，没人看顾，就这样断了气。

19

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And albeit these, who opined thus variously, died not all, yet neither did they all escape; nay, many of each way of thinking and in every place sickened of the plague and languished on all sides, well nigh abandoned, having themselves, what while they were whole, set the example to those who abode in health.

20

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真的，到后来大家你回避我，我回避你；街坊邻舍，谁都不管谁的事了，亲戚朋友几乎断绝了往来，即使难得说句话，也离得远远的。这还不算，这场瘟疫使得人心惶惶，竟至于哥哥舍弃弟弟，叔伯舍弃侄儿，姊妹舍弃兄弟，甚至妻子舍弃丈夫都是常有的事。最伤心、叫人最难以置信的，是连父母都不肯看顾自己的子女，好象这子女并非他们自己生下来似的。

20

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Indeed, leaving be that townsman avoided townsman and that well nigh no neighbour took thought unto other and that kinsfolk seldom or never visited one another and held no converse together save from afar, this tribulation had stricken such terror to the hearts of all, men and women alike, that brother forsook brother, uncle nephew and sister brother and oftentimes wife husband; nay (what is yet more extraordinary and well nigh incredible) fathers and mothers refused to visit or tend their very children, as they had not been theirs.

21

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因此许许多多病倒的男女都没人看顾，偶然也有几个朋友，出于慈悲心，来给他们一些安慰。不过这是极少数的；偶然也有些仆人贪图高额的工资，肯来服侍病人，但也很少很少，而且多半是些粗鲁无知的男女，并不懂得看护，只会替病人传递茶水等物，此外就只会眼看着病人死亡了。这些侍候病人的仆人，多半因此丧失了生命，枉自赚了那么些钱！

21

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By reason whereof there remained unto those (and the number of them, both males and females, was incalculable) who fell sick, none other succour than that which they owed either to the charity of friends (and of these there were few) or the greed of servants, who tended them, allured by high and extravagant wage; albeit, for all this, these latter were not grown many, and those men and women of mean understanding and for the most part unused to such offices, who served for well nigh nought but to reach things called for by the sick or to note when they died; and in the doing of these services many of them perished with their gain.

22

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就因为一旦染了病，再也得不到邻舍亲友的看顾，仆人又这样难雇，就发生了一种闻所未闻的风气。那些奶奶小姐，不管本来怎么如花似玉，怎么尊贵，一旦病倒了，她就再也不计较雇用一个男子做贴身的仆人，也再不问他年老年少，都毫不在乎地解开衣裙，把什么地方都在他面前裸露出来，只当他是一个女仆。她们这样做也是迫于病情，无可奈何，后来有些女人保全了性命的，品性就变得不那么端庄，这也许是一个原因吧。

22

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Of this abandonment of the sick by neighbours, kinsfolk and friends and of the scarcity of servants arose an usage before well nigh unheard, to wit, that no woman, how fair or lovesome or well-born soever she might be, once fallen sick, recked aught of having a man to tend her, whatever he might be, or young or old, and without any shame discovered to him every part of her body, no otherwise than she would have done to a woman, so but the necessity of her sickness required it; the which belike, in those who recovered, was the occasion of lesser modesty in time to come.

23

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有许多病人，假如能得到好好的调理，本来可以得救，现在却都死去了。瘟疫的来势既然这么凶猛，病人又缺乏护理，叫呼不应，所以城里日日夜夜都要死去大批大批的人，那情景听着都叫人目瞪口呆，别说是当场看到了。至于那些幸而活着的人，迫于这样的情势，把许多古老的习俗都给改变过来了。

23

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Moreover, there ensued of this abandonment the death of many who peradventure, had they been succoured, would have escaped alive; wherefore, as well for the lack of the opportune services which the sick availed not to have as for the virulence of the plague, such was the multitude of those who died in the city by day and by night that it was an astonishment to hear tell thereof, much more to see it; and thence, as it were of necessity, there sprang up among those who abode alive things contrary to the pristine manners of the townsfolk.

24

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照向来的风俗说来（现在也还可以看到），人死了，亲友邻居家的女眷都得聚集在丧事人家，向死者的家属吊唁；那家的男子们就和邻居以及别处来的市民齐集在门口。随后神父来到，人数或多或少，要看那家的排场而定。棺材由死者的朋友抬着，大家点了一支蜡烛，拿在手里，还唱着挽歌，一路非常热闹，直抬到死者生前指定的教堂。但是由于瘟疫越来越猖獗，这习俗就算没有完全废除，也差不多近于废除了；代之而起的是一种新的风气。

24

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It was then (even as we yet see it used) a custom that the kinswomen and she-neighbours of the dead should assemble in his house and there condole with those who more nearly pertained unto him, whilst his neighbours and many other citizens foregathered with his next of kin before his house, whither, according to the dead man’s quality, came the clergy, and he with funeral pomp of chants and candles was borne on the shoulders of his peers to the church chosen by himself before his death; which usages, after the virulence of the plague began to increase, were either altogether or for the most part laid aside, and other and strange customs sprang up in their stead.

25

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病人死了，不但没有女人们围绕着啜泣，往往就连断气的一刹那都没有一个人在场。真是难得有几个死者能得到亲属的哀伤和热泪，亲友们才不来哀悼呢——他们正在及时行乐，在欢宴，在互相戏谑呢。女人本是富于同情心的，可是现在为了要保全自己的生命，竟不惜违背了她们的本性，跟着这种风气走。

25

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For that, not only did folk die without having a multitude of women about them, but many there were who departed this life without witness and few indeed were they to whom the pious plaints and bitter tears of their kinsfolk were vouchsafed; nay, in lieu of these things there obtained, for the most part, laughter and jests and gibes and feasting and merrymaking in company; which usance women, laying aside womanly pitifulness, had right well learned for their own safety.

26

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再说，人死了很少会有十个邻居来送葬；而来送葬的决不是什么有名望有地位的市民，却是些低三下四的人——他们自称是掘墓者；其实他们干这行当，完全是为了金钱，所以总是一抬起了尸架，匆匆忙忙就走，并不是送到死者生前指定的教堂，而往往送到最近的教堂就算完事。在他们前面走着五六个僧侣，手里有时还拿着几支蜡烛，有时一支都不拿。只要看到是空的墓穴，他们就叫掘墓人把死尸扔进去，再也不自找麻烦，郑重其事地替死者举行什么落葬的仪式了。

26

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Few, again, were they whose bodies were accompanied to the church by more than half a score or a dozen of their neighbours, and of these no worshipful and illustrious citizens, but a sort of blood-suckers, sprung from the dregs of the people, who styled themselves pickmen[8] and did such offices for hire, shouldered the bier and bore it with hurried steps, not to that church which the dead man had chosen before his death, but most times to the nearest, behind five or six[9] priests, with little light[10] and whiles none at all, which latter, with the aid of the said pickmen, thrust him into what grave soever they first found unoccupied, without troubling themselves with too long or too formal a service.

[8] i.e. gravediggers (becchini).
[9] Lit. four or six. This is the equivalent Italian idiom.

27

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下层阶级，以至大部分的中层阶级，情形就更惨了。他们因为没有钱，也许因为存着侥幸的心理，多半留在家里，结果病倒的每天数以千计。又因为他们缺乏适当的医治，无人看护，几乎全都死了。

27

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The condition of the common people (and belike, in great part, of the middle class also) was yet more pitiable to behold, for that these, for the most part retained by hope[11] or poverty in their houses and abiding in their own quarters, sickened by the thousand daily and being altogether untended and unsuccoured, died well nigh all without recourse.

[11] i.e. expectation of gain from acting as tenders of the sick, gravediggers, etc. The word speranza is, however, constantly used by Dante and his follower Boccaccio in the contrary sense of "fear," and may be so meant in the present instance.
[12] i.e. the cross.

28

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白天也好，黑夜也好，总是有许多人倒毙在路上。许多人死在家里，直到尸体腐烂，发出了臭味，邻居们才知道他已经死了。城市里就这样到处尸体纵横，附近活着的人要是找得到脚夫，就叫脚夫帮着把尸体抬出去，放在大门口；找不到脚夫，就自己动手，他们这样做并非出于恻隐之心，而是唯恐腐烂的尸体威胁他们的生存。每天一到天亮，只见家家户户的门口都堆满了尸体。这些尸体又被放上尸架，抬了出去，要是弄不到尸架，就用木板来抬。

28

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Many breathed their last in the open street, whilst other many, for all they died in their houses, made it known to the neighbours that they were dead rather by the stench of their rotting bodies than otherwise; and of these and others who died all about the whole city was full. For the most part one same usance was observed by the neighbours, moved more by fear lest the corruption of the dead bodies should imperil themselves than by any charity they had for the departed; to wit, that either with their own hands or with the aid of certain bearers, whenas they might have any, they brought the bodies of those who had died forth of their houses and laid them before their doors, where, especially in the morning, those who went about might see corpses without number; then they fetched biers and some, in default thereof, they laid upon some board or other.

29

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一个尸架上常常载着两三具尸体。夫妻俩，或者父子俩，或者两三个兄弟合放在一个尸架上，成了一件很普通的事。人们也不知道有多少回看到两个神父，拿着一个十字架走在头里，脚夫们抬着三四个尸架，在后面跟着。常常会有这样的事情发生：神父只道要替一个人举行葬礼，却忽然来了六七具尸体，同时下葬，有时候甚至还不止这么些呢。

29

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Nor was it only one bier that carried two or three corpses, nor did this happen but once; nay, many might have been counted which contained husband and wife, two or three brothers, father and son or the like. And an infinite number of times it befell that, two priests going with one cross for some one, three or four biers, borne by bearers, ranged themselves behind the latter, [12] and whereas the priests thought to have but one dead man to bury, they had six or eight, and whiles more.

[11] i.e. expectation of gain from acting as tenders of the sick, gravediggers, etc. The word speranza is, however, constantly used by Dante and his follower Boccaccio in the contrary sense of "fear," and may be so meant in the present instance.
[12] i.e. the cross.

30

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再也没有人为死者掉泪，点起蜡烛给他送丧了；那时候死了一个人，就象现在死了一只山羊，不算一回事。本来呢，一个有智慧的人，在人生的道路上偶尔遭遇到几件不如意的事，也很难学到忍耐的功夫；而现在，经过了这场空前的浩劫，显然连最没有教养的人，对一切事情也都处之泰然了。

30

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Nor therefore were the dead honoured with aught of tears or candles or funeral train; nay, the thing was come to such a pass that folk recked no more of men that died than nowadays they would of goats; whereby it very manifestly appeared that that which the natural course of things had not availed, by dint of small and infrequent harms, to teach the wise to endure with patience, the very greatness of their ills had brought even the simple to expect and make no account of.

31

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每天，甚至每小时，都有一大批一大批的尸体运到全市的教堂去，教堂的坟地再也容纳不下了，尤其是有些人家，按照习俗，要求葬在祖坟里面，情形更加严重。等坟地全葬满了，只好在周围掘一些又长又阔的深坑，把后来的尸体几百个几百个葬下去。就象堆积船舱里的货物一样，这些尸体，给层层叠叠地放在坑里。只盖着一层薄薄的泥土，直到整个坑都装满了，方才用土封起来。

31

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The consecrated ground sufficing not to the burial of the vast multitude of corpses aforesaid, which daily and well nigh hourly came carried in crowds to every church,—especially if it were sought to give each his own place, according to ancient usance,—there were made throughout the churchyards, after every other part was full, vast trenches, wherein those who came after were laid by the hundred and being heaped up therein by layers, as goods are stowed aboard ship, were covered with a little earth, till such time as they reached the top of the trench.

32

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当时整个城里的种种凄惨景象也不必一一细谈了，我只要再补说一句，当城内瘟疫横行的时候，郊外的市镇和乡村也并没逃过这一场浩劫，不过灾情不象城里那样声势浩大罢了。可怜的农民（以及他们的家人），在冷落的村子里，荒僻的田野中，一旦病倒了，既没有医生、也没有谁来看顾，随时倒毙在路上，在田里，或者死在家门口。他们死了，不象是死了一个人，倒象是死了一头牲畜。

32

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Moreover,—not to go longer searching out and recalling every particular of our past miseries, as they befell throughout the city,—I say that, whilst so sinister a time prevailed in the latter, on no wise therefor was the surrounding country spared, wherein, (letting be the castles,[13] which in their littleness[14] were like unto the city,) throughout the scattered villages and in the fields, the poor and miserable husbandmen and their families, without succour of physician or aid of servitor, died, not like men, but well nigh like beasts, by the ways or in their tillages or about the houses, indifferently by day and night.

[13] i.e. walled burghs.

33

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城里的人们大难当前，丢下一切，只顾寻欢作乐；乡下的农民，自知死期已到，也再不愿意从事劳动，拿到什么就吃什么，从前他们在田园上、在牛羊上注下了多少心血，寄托过多少期望，现在再也顾不到了。这样，牛、驴子、绵羊、山羊、猪、家禽、还有人类的忠诚的伴侣——狗，被迫离开圈栏，在田里到处乱跑——田里的麦早该收割了，该打好收藏起来了，却没有一个人来过问一下。这些牲口，有许多好象赋有理性似的，白天在田野里吃饱了草料，一到天晚，虽然没有家人来赶，也会自动走回农庄来。

33

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By reason whereof, growing lax like the townsfolk in their manners and customs, they recked not of any thing or business of theirs; nay, all, as if they looked for death that very day, studied with all their wit, not to help to maturity the future produce of their cattle and their fields and the fruits of their own past toils, but to consume those which were ready to hand. Thus it came to pass that the oxen, the asses, the sheep, the goats, the swine, the fowls, nay, the very dogs, so faithful to mankind, being driven forth of their own houses, went straying at their pleasure about the fields, where the very corn was abandoned, without being cut, much less gathered in; and many, well nigh like reasonable creatures, after grazing all day, returned at night, glutted, to their houses, without the constraint of any herdsman.

34

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让我们再从乡村说回到城里吧。其实除了说天主对人类真是残酷到极点，还能怎么说呢（当然有些地方也得怪人类太狠心）？由于这场猛烈的瘟疫，由于人们对病人抱着恐怖心理，不肯出力照顾，或者根本不管，从三月到六月，佛罗伦萨城里，死了十万人以上。在瘟疫发生之前，谁也没想到过城里竟住着这么多人。

34

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To leave the country and return to the city, what more can be said save that such and so great was the cruelty of heaven (and in part, peradventure, that of men) that, between March and the following July, what with the virulence of that pestiferous sickness and the number of sick folk ill tended or forsaken in their need, through the fearfulness of those who were whole, it is believed for certain that upward of an hundred thousand human beings perished within the walls of the city of Florence, which, peradventure, before the advent of that death-dealing calamity, had not been accounted to hold so many?

35

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唉，宏伟的宫室，华丽的大厦，高大的宅第，从前达官贵妇出入如云，现在却十室九空，连一个最低微的仆从都找不到了！有多少显赫的姓氏、巨大的家产、富裕的产业遗下来没有人继承！有多少英俊的男子、美丽的姑娘、活泼的小伙子（就连盖伦、希波克拉底、伊斯克拉庇斯1都得承认他们的身子顶结实），在早晨还同亲友们一起吃点心，十分高兴，到了夜里，已到另一个世界去陪他们的祖先吃晚饭了。

35

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Alas, how many great palaces, how many goodly houses, how many noble mansions, once full of families, of lords and of ladies, abode empty even to the meanest servant! How many memorable families, how many ample heritages, how many famous fortunes were seen to remain without lawful heir! How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, how many sprightly youths, whom, not others only, but Galen, Hippocrates or ?sculapius themselves would have judged most hale, breakfasted in the morning with their kinsfolk, comrades and friends and that same night supped with their ancestors in the other world!

36

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讲述这种种悲惨的事，我自己也觉得十分心酸；所以不如就此打住，现在我只想在下面提到一件事：佛罗伦萨城里，居民相继死亡，几乎成了空城；不过我后来听到一个可靠的人说，在一个礼拜二的早晨，做过弥撒，庄严的圣玛利亚-诺凡拉教堂里冷冷清清，只留下七个年轻的妇女，都穿着跟这个年头正相配的黑色丧服。她们中间不是带着亲戚关系，就是有着朋友或是邻居的情谊。最大的一位不过二十七岁，年纪最轻的也已有十八岁了，都长得非常秀丽，仪态优雅，又具有良好的教养，显然全都是些出身高贵的女士。

36

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I am myself weary of going wandering so long among such miseries; wherefore, purposing henceforth to leave such part thereof as I can fitly, I say that,--our city being at this pass, well nigh void of inhabitants.--t chanced (as I afterward heard from a person worthy of credit) that thereforegathered in the venerable church of Santa Maria Novella, one Tuesday morning when there was well nigh none else there, seven young ladies, all knit one to another by friendship or neighbourhood or kinship, who had heard divine service in mourning attire, as sorted with such a season, Not one of them had passed her eight-and-twentieth year nor was less than eighteen years old, and each was discreet and of noble blood, fair of favour and well-mannered and full of honest sprightliness.

37

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要是没有什么不便的话，她们的芳名我本该也告诉你们，可是底下将记录下她们所讲述的，以及听到的种种话，我不愿意将来有一天，害得她们感到不好意思。现在的社会风气，又逐渐严肃起来了，不象当时那么放荡了——当时，不但象她们那样年轻的姑娘，就连岁数较长的妇女，也免不了沾染这种风气（至于产生这种风气的原因，前面说起了）。我也不愿意让那些专爱中伤别人、对于纯洁无垢的品德一味挑剔的人，抓住这个机会用恶俗的话来破坏这几位小姐的名声。所以我只好依着她们各人的性格，另取一个合适的名字——或者多少还算合适的名字，好让读者明白她们中间究竟是谁在说话，不致闹不清楚。

37

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The names of these ladies I would in proper terms set out, did not just cause forbid me, to wit, that I would not have it possible that, in time to come, any of them should take shame by reason of the things hereinafter related as being told or hearkened by them, the laws of disport being nowadays somewhat straitened, which at that time, for the reasons above shown, were of the largest, not only for persons of their years, but for those of a much riper age; nor yet would I give occasion to the envious, who are still ready to carp at every praiseworthy life, on anywise to disparage the fair fame of these honourable ladies with unseemly talk. Wherefore, so that which each saith may hereafterward be apprehended without confusion, I purpose to denominate them by names altogether or in part sorting with each one’s quality.[15]

38

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首先，那年纪最大的一位，我叫她“潘比妮亚”，第二个，叫“菲亚美达”，第三个，“菲罗美娜”;第四个，“爱米莉亚”；第五个，“劳丽达”；第六个，“妮菲尔”；最后一个，名字取得很适当，叫“爱莉莎”。

38

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The first of them and her of ripest age I shall call Pampinca, the second Fiammetta, the third Filomena and the fourth Emilia. To the fifth we will give the name of Lauretta, to the sixth that of Neifile and the last, not without cause, we will style Elisa.[16]

39

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她们这天的见面，也是巧合，并没预先约定。大家就在教堂的一角，围成一圈，坐了下来；又长吁短叹了一阵，于是也不再作祷告，只是彼此谈论起当时的种种情况来。大家沉默了一会之后，又听见潘比妮亚开口说道：

39

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These, then, not drawn of any set purpose, but foregathering by chance in a corner of the church, having seated themselves in a ring, after divers sighs, let be the saying of paternosters and fell to devising with one another many and various things of the nature of the time. After awhile, the others being silent, Pampinea proceeded to speak thus:

40

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“各位好姐姐，你们想必跟我一样，早就听说过了，一个人做他本份的事是不会招人见怪的。尽力保护自己的生命原是每个人的天赋权利。为了保护自己的生命而杀了人，甚至还可以不用抵罪。如果维护公共利益的法律尚且能够容忍这种行为，那么我们为了保全自己的生命，采取与人无损的手段，当然是合情合理的了。

40

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"Dear my ladies, you may, like myself, have many times heard that whoso honestly useth his right doth no one wrong; and it is the natural right of every one who is born here below to succour, keep and defend his own life as best he may, and in so far is this allowed that it hath happened whiles that, for the preservation thereof, men have been slain without any fault. If this much be conceded of the laws, which have in view the well-being of all mortals, how much more is it lawful for us and whatsoever other, without offence unto any, to take such means as we may for the preservation of our lives?

41

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我一想到今天早晨，和以前那一串日子是怎样挨过来的，再想到我们这几天来全是谈着些什么话，我就感觉到——你们也一定同样会感觉到，我们是在为自己的生命担忧呀。这我并不觉得有什么奇怪；我十分奇怪的是，我们女人都有女人的判断力，为什么不替自己想想办法，来摆脱这忧愁呢？

41

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As often as I consider our fashions of this morning and those of many other mornings past and bethink me what and what manner discourses are ours, I feel, and you likewise must feel, that each of us is in fear for herself. Nor do I anywise wonder at this; but I wonder exceedingly, considering that we all have a woman’s wit, that we take no steps to provide ourselves against that which each of us justly feareth.

42

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“我们留在这儿——照我看来——最多也不过看看又运来了多少要落葬的尸体，或者听听那最后剩留下来的几个修士是不是还按时按刻唱着圣歌；或者呢，拿我们这身丧服向每一个来到这里的人显示我们遭遇到多么重大的不幸。

42

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We abide here, to my seeming, no otherwise than as if we would or should be witness of how many dead bodies are brought hither for burial or to hearken if the friars of the place, whose number is come well nigh to nought, chant their offices at the due hours or by our apparel to show forth unto whosoever appeareth here the nature and extent of our distresses.

43

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走出这儿的教堂，我们就会看到，到处都抬着死尸和病人；或者看见从前被当局放逐的罪人，如今再不把法律看在眼里，只是在大街小巷，到处大摇大摆着，因为他们知道那班执行法令的人不是死了就是病倒了。再看到我们城里那班下三滥，他们自称‘掘墓者’，喝饱了我们的血，骑着马，到处乱闯，嘴里还唱着下流的小调，来嘲笑我们的苦难。

43

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If we depart hence, we either see dead bodies or sick persons carried about or those, whom for their misdeeds the authority of the public laws whilere condemned to exile, overrun the whole place with unseemly excesses, as if scoffing at the laws, for that they know the executors thereof to be either dead or sick; whilst the dregs of our city, fattened with our blood, style themselves pickmen and ruffle it everywhere in mockery of us, riding and running all about and flouting us with our distresses in ribald songs.

44

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从东到西，我们只听到‘某人死了’，或者是‘某人只剩一口气了’。要是人死了还有人哭，那么我们在这城里只能听得一片哀声了。我不知道你们的家里是不是跟我一样，我家里的人全都死了，偌大的门庭，只剩下了我和我的使女两个人；我一想到这里，就毛骨悚然，在家里无论坐也好，立也好，总觉得有许多阴魂出现在我眼前，他们的脸全不是我看熟了的那些脸，却变得好不可怕，真把我吓坏了。

44

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We hear nothing here but ’Such an one is dead’ or ’Such an one is at the point of death’; and were there any to make them, we should hear dolorous lamentations on all sides. And if we return to our houses, I know not if it is with you as with me, but, for my part, when I find none left therein of a great household, save my serving-maid, I wax fearful and feel every hair of my body stand on end; and wherever I go or abide about the house, meseemeth I see the shades of those who are departed and who wear not those countenances that I was used to see, but terrify me with a horrid aspect, I know not whence newly come to them.

45

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“这样，我不管在这儿教堂里、在外面街上，或者关在家里，总是心神不宁；尤其是因为凡是象我们这样有体力、有办法的人，全都跑了，留在这儿没走的只剩我们这几个。就算还有一些人留在这儿，我常听说——也亲眼看到过——他们不管是一个人、或者是一群人，总是夜以继日地尽情吃喝玩乐，也再不存什么是非之分了。不仅是世俗的人们，就连隐居在修道院里的修士，也认为别人公然做得的事，他们同样做得，因此竟违背了誓愿和清规，去追求那肉体的欢乐。这样，为了想逃过这场灾祸，人们变得荒淫无度了。

45

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By reason of these things I feel myself alike ill at ease here and abroad and at home, more by token that meseemeth none, who hath, as we have, the power and whither to go, is left here, other than ourselves; or if any such there be, I have many a time both heard and perceived that, without making any distinction between things lawful and unlawful, so but appetite move them, whether alone or in company, both day and night, they do that which affordeth them most delight. Nor is it the laity alone who do thus; nay, even those who are shut in the monasteries, persuading themselves that what befitteth and is lawful to others alike sortable and unforbidden unto them,[17] have broken the laws of obedience and giving themselves to carnal delights, thinking thus to escape, are grown lewd and dissolute.

[17] This phrase may also be read "persuading themselves that that (i.e. their breach of the laws of obedience, etc.) beseemeth them and is forbidden only to others" (faccendosi a credere che quello a lor si convenga e non si disdica che all’ altre); but the reading in the text appears more in harmony with the general sense and is indeed indicated by the punctuation of the Giunta Edition of 1527, which I generally follow in case of doubt.

46

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“如果分明是那么一回事，那我们还留在这儿干什么？我们还指望些什么？我们还梦想些什么？我们为什么不象别人那样及早替自己的安全设想？生命对于我们难道就不及对别人那样可贵？或者是，难道我们竟认为我们的生命力比旁人强，所以用不到害怕灾祸会落到自己头上来？我们错了，我们上当了。要是我们真这样想，那是多么糊涂呀：我们只要想想，有多少年青的男女在这一场可怕的瘟疫中送了命，那就可以得到一个很明确的答案了。

46

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If thus, then, it be, as is manifestly to be seen, what do we here? What look we for? What dream we? Why are we more sluggish and slower to provide for our safety than all the rest of the townsfolk? Deem we ourselves of less price than others, or do we hold our life to be bounden in our bodies with a stronger chain than is theirs and that therefore we need reck nothing of aught that hath power to harm it? We err, we are deceived; what folly is ours, if we think thus! As often as we choose to call to mind the number and quality of the youths and ladies overborne of this cruel pestilence, we may see a most manifest proof thereof.

47

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“不知道你们是不是也有这样的想法，照我看来，要是我们不愿意把自己的生命当作儿戏，坐以待毙，那么许许多多人都走的走，溜的溜了，我们不如也趁早离开了这个城市吧。不过，就象逃避死神那样，人们那种堕落的生活，我们也要避免；我们每个人在乡间都有好几座别墅，让我们就住到乡下去，过着清静的生活吧；在那儿，我们可以由着自己的心意寻求快乐，但是并不越出理性的规范。

47

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Wherefore, in order that we may not, through wilfulness or nonchalance, fall into that wherefrom we may, peradventure, an we but will, by some means or other escape, I know not if it seem to you as it doth to me, but methinketh it were excellently well done that we, such as we are, depart this city, as many have done before us, and eschewing, as we would death, the dishonourable example of others, betake ourselves quietly to our places in the country, whereof each of us hath great plenty, and there take such diversion, such delight and such pleasance as we may, without anywise overpassing the bounds of reason.

48

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“在乡下，我们可以听鸟儿唱歌，可以眺望青山绿野，欣赏田亩连片，麦浪起伏，以及各种各样的树木。我们还可以看到辽阔的苍穹，尽管上天对我们这样严酷，可还是在我们眼前展露了它那永恒的美丽——这比我们那一座空城好看得多了。再说，那儿的空气也新鲜得多，在这个季节，我们在乡下将会抛却许多苦恼，平添不少生命的乐趣。虽说乡村里的农民也象城里的居民，一个个死去，终究屋少人稀，不至于这样触目惊心。

48

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There may we hear the small birds sing, there may we see the hills and plains clad all in green and the fields full of corn wave even as doth the sea; there may we see trees, a thousand sorts, and there is the face of heaven more open to view, the which, angered against us though it be, nevertheless denieth not unto us its eternal beauties, far goodlier to look upon than the empty walls of our city. Moreover, there is the air far fresher[18] and there at this season is more plenty of that which behoveth unto life and less is the sum of annoys, for that, albeit the husbandmen die there, even as do the townsfolk here, the displeasance is there the less, insomuch as houses and inhabitants are rarer than in the city.

[18] Syn. cooler.

49

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“再从另一方面考虑，依我说来，我们并没抛弃了这儿的什么人。可不，要说实话，那倒是我们被人抛弃了呢——你看，我们的亲戚不是死了，就是逃跑了，抛下我们单身只影去担当那沉重的苦难，好象我们不再是他们的亲人了。

49

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Here, on the other hand, if I deem aright, we abandon no one; nay, we may far rather say with truth that we ourselves are abandoned, seeing that our kinsfolk, either dying or fleeing from death, have left us alone in this great tribulation, as it were we pertained not unto them.

50

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“要是依照我的主意做去，我们不会受到什么非难的，要是不那么办，可能反而会遭到痛苦，麻烦，甚至死亡。所以我想，要是大家赞成的话，我们不妨带着使女，让她们携着一切必需的东西，逃出城去，从这家别墅走到那家别墅，趁这大好的时光，好好地享受它一番。让我们就这样地生活下去。只要死神不来召唤我们，我们总有一天可以看到天主怎样来收拾这一场瘟疫。请记着，我们正大光明地出走，不见得比许多女人放荡不羁地住在城里更要不得啊。”

50

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No blame can therefore befall the ensuing of this counsel; nay, dolour and chagrin and belike death may betide us, an we ensue it not. Wherefore, an it please you, methinketh we should do well to take our maids and letting follow after us with the necessary gear, sojourn to-day in this place and to-morrow in that, taking such pleasance and diversion as the season may afford, and on this wise abide till such time (an we be not earlier overtaken of death) as we shall see what issue Heaven reserveth unto these things. And I would remind you that it is no more forbidden unto us honourably to depart than it is unto many others of our sex to abide in dishonour.”

51

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大家听了潘比妮亚的这番议论。都佩服她的见地，而且竟迫不及待地开始讨论起详细的办法来了，仿佛等到商量定当，她们一站起身来，就要出发了。可是菲罗美娜是一个最谨慎不过的姑娘，她就说了：

51

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The other ladies, having hearkened to Pampinea, not only commended her counsel, but, eager to follow it, had already begun to devise more particularly among themselves of the manner, as if, arising from their session there, they were to set off out of hand. But Filomena, who was exceeding discreet, said,

52

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“姐妹们，潘比妮亚所说的一切当然是非常好的，可是我们也不能照着自己的意思，说走就走呀。别忘了我们都是女人；我们年纪也不小了，不至于还不明白几个女人聚在一起不会有好结果的；女人要是没有男人的领导，势必弄成一团糟。我们的心坎儿太活了，太任性了，太多心了，太懦弱不中用了。为了这缘故，我只怕一切由着我们，没有人来领导，那么我们这些人很快地就会闹得不欢而散，叫大家脸上都没光彩。让我们先解决了这个问题，然后动身吧。”

52

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”Ladies, albeit that which Pampinea allegeth is excellently well said, yet is there no occasion for running, as meseemeth you would do. Remember that we are all women and none of us is child enough not to know how [little] reasonable women are among themselves and how [ill], without some man’s guidance, they know how to order themselves. We are fickle, wilful, suspicious, faint-hearted and timorous, for which reasons I misdoubt me sore, an we take not some other guidance than our own, that our company will be far too soon dissolved and with less honour to ourselves than were seemly; wherefore we should do well to provide ourselves, ere we begin.”

53

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爱莉莎也发言了：“真的，男人是女人的首领，没有男人的帮助，我们做什么事也难得有始有终。不过我们怎么能找到男人呢？大家都知道，我们的亲族多半已经死了，那没死的也早已各自结伴，各奔东西，再不知道他们跑到哪里去了。随便请几个陌生男人来参加吧，那又不太妥当，因为我们要躲避生命的危险，同时也要预防流言蜚语落到我们头上来，免得我们为了寻求欢乐和安宁，反而招来了烦恼。”

53

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"Verily," answered Elisa, "men are the head of women, and without their ordinance seldom cometh any emprise of ours to good end; but how may we come by these men? There is none of us but knoweth that of her kinsmen the most part are dead and those who abide alive are all gone fleeing that which we seek to flee, in divers companies, some here and some there, without our knowing where, and to invite strangers would not be seemly, seeing that, if we would endeavour after our welfare, it behoveth us find a means of so ordering ourselves that, wherever we go for diversion and repose, scandal nor annoy may ensue thereof."

54

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这几位小姐正在这里你一言我一语谈论的时候，恰巧有三个年青的男人从外边走进了教堂——说是年青，最小的一个也有二十五岁了。他们都富于热烈的感情。这年头有多么可怕，亲友多半死了，自己也是朝不保夕，可是这一切都不能叫他们的爱情有一丝半点儿冷却——更不用说叫这股爱情的火焰完全熄灭了。他们三人，一个叫做“潘菲洛”，还有一个叫“菲洛特拉托”，第三个叫“第奥纽”。他们的谈吐举止都非常可爱，在这灾难的岁月里，他们只希望有机会能和自己的情人见到一面，这在他们就是得到了无上的安慰。事有凑巧，他们三个的情人就在这七位小姐中间，而其余几位小姐中，也有几位跟他们有着亲戚关系。

54

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Whilst such discourse was toward between the ladies, behold, there entered the church three young men,—yet not so young that the age of the youngest of them was less than five-and-twenty years,—in whom neither the perversity of the time nor loss of friends and kinsfolk, no, nor fear for themselves had availed to cool, much less to quench, the fire of love. Of these one was called Pamfilo,[19] another Filostrato[20] and the third Dioneo,[21] all very agreeable and well-bred, and they went seeking, for their supreme solace, in such a perturbation of things, to see their mistresses, who, as it chanced, were all three among the seven aforesaid; whilst certain of the other ladies were near kinswomen of one or other of the young men.

[19] See ante, p. 8, note.
[20] Filostrato, Greek φ?λο?, loving, and στρατ??, army, met. strife, war, i.e. one who loves strife. This name appears to be a reminiscence of Boccaccio’s poem (Il Filostrato, well known through its translation by Chaucer and the Senechal d’Anjou) upon the subject of the loves of Troilus and Cressida and to be in this instance used by him as a synonym for an unhappy lover, whom no rebuffs, no treachery can divert from his ill-starred passion. Such a lover may well be said to be in love with strife, and that the Filostrato of the Decameron sufficiently answers to this description we learn later on from his own lips.

55

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他们才走进教堂，望见那几位小姐，她们也已经看到了他们；潘比妮亚就笑着说：“瞧，我们的运气有多好！这儿不是来了三个又英俊又懂事的青年来成全我们的愿望了吗？只要我们肯收容他们，他们一定乐意做我们的向导和跟班的。”

55

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No sooner had their eyes fallen on the ladies than they were themselves espied of them; whereupon Quoth Pampinea, smiling, "See, fortune is favourable to our beginnings and hath thrown in our way young men of worth and discretion, who will gladly be to us both guides and servitors, an we disdain not to accept of them in that capacity."

56

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妮菲尔的情人正是这三个男子中的一个，她听了这话，不禁羞得脸通红，说道：“潘比妮亚，看在老天面上，你说话也该多想一想呀！我很明白，他们三个怎么说也得承认是高尚的青年，而且不用问，完全可以担当起比这更重大的任务。我也认为，别说请他们陪伴我们，就是请他们陪伴比我们漂亮高贵得多的小姐，他们也还是非常合适而令人愉快的良友。可是谁都知道，他们现在正爱着我们中间的几个人，我只怕，要是把他们收容到咱们姐妹的队伍中来，尽管男女双方都是清清白白，诽谤和流言还是不肯饶过咱们呢。”

56

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But Neifile, whose face was grown all vermeil for shamefastness, for that it was she who was beloved of one of the young men, said, ”For God’s sake, Pampinea, look what thou sayest! I acknowledge most frankly that there can be nought but all good said of which one soever of them and I hold them sufficient unto a much greater thing than this, even as I opine that they would bear, not only ourselves, but far fairer and nobler dames than we, good and honourable company. But, for that it is a very manifest thing that they are enamoured of certain of us who are here, I fear lest, without our fault or theirs, scandal and blame ensue thereof, if we carry them with us.”

57

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菲罗美娜接着说：“这有什么关系呢？只要我问心无愧，随别人爱怎么说，我决不会因而感到不安。天主和真理会保护我们的名誉的。要是他们肯加入到我们这儿来，那么正象潘比妮亚所说的，我们的运气真是太好了，这是天意派他们来成全我们的愿望！”

57

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Quoth Filomena, ”That skilleth nought; so but I live honestly and conscience prick me not of aught, let who will speak to the contrary; God and the truth will take up arms for me. Wherefore, if they be disposed to come, verily we may say with Pampinea that fortune is favourable to our going.”

58

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接下来的一片静默说明了姑娘们听了这番话，没有一个反对，一致赞成上前去招呼那三个青年，把这个打算说给他们听，并且探问，他们是不是愿意跟她们一起住到乡下去。潘比妮亚就不再多说什么，站起身来，向他们那儿走去，原来她和其中的一个沾点亲戚关系。那三个青年正站在那儿望着她们，潘比妮亚笑容可掬地跟他们行了个礼，向他们说明了她们作了怎么样一个打算，并且以她和全体姐妹们的名义，请求他们本着兄弟般纯洁的友爱，加入到她们的队伍里来。

58

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The other ladies, hearing her speak thus absolutely, not only held their peace, but all with one accord agreed that the young men should be called and acquainted with their project and bidden to be pleased bear them company in their expedition. Accordingly, without more words, Pampinea, who was knit by kinship to one of them, rising to her feet, made for the three young men, who stood fast, looking upon them, and saluting them with a cheerful countenance, discovered to them their intent and prayed them, on behalf of herself and her companions, that they would be pleased to bear them company in a pure and brotherly spirit.

59

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最初，那三个青年还以为这是在跟他们闹着玩呢；不过看到她说得这样郑重，也就打消了怀疑，非常愉快地答应下来。为了可以及早出发，他们立刻着手作必要的筹备。

59

-

The young men at the first thought themselves bantered, but, seeing that the lady spoke in good earnest, they made answer joyfully that they were ready, and without losing time about the matter, forthright took order for that which they had to do against departure.

60

-

第二天是礼拜三，一切都准备就绪，他们要去的地方也已经派人预先去通知了。那七位小姐就带着女仆们，三个青年各带着一个男仆，在晨光熹微中，离城出发了；走了不满六里路，就来到了预定逗留的场所。这座别墅筑在一座小山上，和纵横的大路都保持着相当距离，周围尽是各种草木，一片青葱，景色十分可爱。

60

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On the following morning, Wednesday to wit, towards break of day, having let orderly make ready all things needful and despatched them in advance whereas they purposed to go,[22] the ladies, with certain of their waiting-women, and the three young men, with as many of their serving-men, departing Florence, set out upon their way; nor had they gone more than two short miles from the city, when they came to the place fore-appointed of them, which was situate on a little hill, somewhat withdrawn on every side from the high way and full of various shrubs and plants, all green of leafage and pleasant to behold.

[22] e prima mandato là dove, etc. This passage is obscure and may be read to mean "and having first despatched [a messenger] (or sent [word]) whereas," etc. I think, however, that mandato is a copyist’s error for mandata, in which case the meaning would be as in the text.
[23] Or balconies (loggie).

61

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宅邸筑在山头上；宅内有一个很大的庭院，有露天的走廊，客厅和卧室布置得非常雅致，墙上还装饰着鲜艳的图画，更觉动人。宅邸周围，有草坪、赏心悦目的花园，还有清凉的泉水。宅内还有地窖，藏满各种美酒，不过这只好让善于喝酒的人去品尝了，对于贞静端正的小姐是没用的。整座宅子已在事先打扫得干干净净，卧房里的被褥都安放得整整齐齐；每个屋子里都供满着各种时令鲜花，地板上铺了一层灯芯草。他们来到之后，看见一切都布置得这么齐整，觉得很高兴。

61

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On the summit of this hill was a palace, with a goodly and great courtyard in its midst and galleries[23] and saloons and bedchambers, each in itself most fair and adorned and notable with jocund paintings, with lawns and grassplots round about and wonder-goodly gardens and wells of very cold water and cellars full of wines of price, things more apt unto curious drinkers than unto sober and modest ladies. The new comers, to their no little pleasure, found the place all swept and the beds made in the chambers and every thing full of such flowers as might be had at that season and strewn with rushes.

[22] e prima mandato là dove, etc. This passage is obscure and may be read to mean "and having first despatched [a messenger] (or sent [word]) whereas," etc. I think, however, that mandato is a copyist’s error for mandata, in which case the meaning would be as in the text.
[23] Or balconies (loggie).

62

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大家坐定下来，就讨论消遣的办法。第奥纽可算得是世上最乐观、最有风趣的青年了，他首先开口道：“各位小姐，我们是多亏你们的巧思，不是靠着我们的远见，才来到这儿。我不知道你们打算怎样排除忧思，至于我呢，我在方才跟你们一起动身的时候，已把那分愁思丢在城门口了；所以，我请求你们跟我一起来纵情欢笑歌唱，只要不失你们的端庄就是了；否则请你们还是放我回到那苦难的城里去，重新在悲伤中过生活吧。”

62

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As soon as they had seated themselves, Dioneo, who was the merriest springald in the world and full of quips and cranks, said, "Ladies, your wit, rather than our foresight, hath guided us hither, and I know not what you purpose to do with your cares; as for my own, I left them within the city gates, whenas I issued thence with you awhile agone; wherefore, do you either address yourselves to make merry and laugh and sing together with me (in so far, I mean, as pertaineth to your dignity) or give me leave to go back for my cares and abide in the afflicted city."

63

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潘比妮亚似乎也已经把她的愁苦抛掉了，高高兴兴地回答道：“第奥纽，你说得对，让我们尽量欢乐吧——因为我们从苦难中逃出来，也就是为了这个目的呀。不过凡百样事，要是没有个制度，就不会长久。我首先发起，让这么些好朋友聚合在一块儿，我也希望我们能长久快乐，所以我想，我们最好推个领袖，大家应当尊敬他、服从他；他呢，专心筹划怎样让我们过得更欢乐些。

63

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Whereto Pampinea, no otherwise than as if in like manner she had banished all her own cares, answered blithely, ”Dioneo, thou sayst well; it behoveth us live merrily, nor hath any other occasion caused us flee from yonder miseries. But, for that things which are without measure may not long endure, I, who began the discourse wherethrough this so goodly company came to be made, taking thought for the continuance of our gladness, hold it of necessity that we appoint some one to be principal among us, whom we may honour and obey as chief and whose especial care it shall be to dispose us to live joyously.

64

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为了使每个人，不分男女，都有机会体味到统治者的责任和光荣，也为了免除彼此之间的妒忌，我想，最好把这份操劳和光荣每天轮流授给一个人。第一个由大家公推。到了晚祷的时分，就由他，或者她，指定第二天的继任人，以后就都这么办。在各人的统治时期都由他，或者她，规定我们取乐的场所，以及取乐的方法等这一切问题。”

64

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And in order that each in turn may prove the burden of solicitude, together with the pleasure of headship; and that, the chief being thus drawn, in turn, from one and the other sex, there may be no cause for jealousy, as might happen, were any excluded from the sovranty, I say that unto each be attributed the burden and the honour for one day. Let who is to be our first chief be at the election of us all. For who shall follow, be it he or she whom it shall please the governor of the day to appoint, whenas the hour of vespers draweth near, and let each in turn, at his or her discretion, order and dispose of the place and manner wherein we are to live, for such time as his or her seignory shall endure.”

65

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潘比妮亚的一番话叫大家听了非常高兴，他们一致推选她做第一天的女王。菲罗美娜轻快地奔到一株月桂树下，摘下几条纤细的叶枝，编成了一顶又美丽又光荣的桂冠——因为她常听人说，桂冠会给人带来光荣和尊敬。现在，这顶桂冠在他们中间成为统治权的象征，谁戴着它，就可以管理其余的人。

65

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Pampinea’s words pleased mightily, and with one voice they elected her chief of the first day; whereupon Filomena, running nimbly to a laurel-tree—for that she had many a time heard speak of the honour due to the leaves of this plant and how worship-worth they made whoso was deservedly crowned withal—and plucking divers sprays therefrom, made her thereof a goodly and honourable wreath, which, being set upon her head, was thenceforth, what while their company lasted, a manifest sign unto every other of the royal office and seignory.

66

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潘比妮亚接受公意，做了女王，就命令大家安静下来。她又吩咐把他们带来的三个男仆和四个女仆侍唤来，说道：“我先树立一个榜样，以后在你们的任期内一定能做得更好，这样，大家就可以逍遥自在，而一切都井井有条，不失规范，这种生活我们要维持多久就可以维持多久。我委任第奥纽的仆人巴梅诺做我的总管，住宅里的日常起居事宜都由他负责，尤其是餐厅里的一切事务。

66

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Pampinea, being made queen, commanded that every one should be silent; then, calling the serving-men of the three young gentlemen and her own and the other ladies’ women, who were four in number, before herself and all being silent, she spoke thus: "In order that I may set you a first example, by which, proceeding from good to better, our company may live and last in order and pleasance and without reproach so long as it is agreeable to us, I constitute, firstly, Parmeno, Dioneo’s servant, my seneschal and commit unto him the care and ordinance of all our household and [especially] that which pertaineth to the service of the saloon.

[24] i.e. Nine o’clock a.m. Boccaccio’s habit of measuring time by the canonical hours has been a sore stumbling-block to the ordinary English and French translator, who is generally terribly at sea as to his meaning, inclining to render tierce three, sexte six o’clock and none noon and making shots of the same wild kind at the other hours. The monasterial rule (which before the general introduction of clocks was commonly followed by the medi?val public in the computation of time) divided the twenty-four hours of the day and night into seven parts (six of three hours each and one of six), the inception of which was denoted by the sound of the bells that summoned the clergy to the performance of the seven canonical offices i.e. Matins at 3 a.m., Prime at 6 a.m., Tierce at 9 a.m., Sexte or Noonsong at noon, None at 3 p.m., Vespers or Evensong at 6 p.m. and Complines or Nightsong at 9 p.m., and at the same time served the laity as a clock.

67

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潘菲洛的仆人西利斯科担任财务和采办工作。总管有什么支配，也由他去办。两个人都有事务了，丁大洛就专在菲洛特拉托、第奥纽和潘菲洛的房里侍候。菲罗美娜的仆人莉西丝卡，我的仆人米西亚，专门担任厨房里的工作；总管配好菜料，就由她们悉心烹调。劳丽达的喜美拉，和菲亚美达的斯特拉蒂莉亚在小姐们的房里侍候，还要把我们起居的地方打扫干净。我还得叮嘱大家一句，你们如果想要讨得我们的欢心，那么不论你们到哪儿去、从哪儿来，看到了、听到了些什么，只许把愉快的消息带回来。”

67

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Sirisco, Pamfilo’s servant, I will shall be our purveyor and treasurer and ensue the commandments of Parmeno. Tindaro shall look to the service of Filostrato and the other two gentlemen in their bed chambers, what time the others, being occupied about their respective offices, cannot attend thereto. Misia, my woman, and Filomena’s Licisca shall still abide in the kitchen and there diligently prepare such viands as shall be appointed them of Parmeno. Lauretta’s Chimera and Fiammetta’s Stratilia it is our pleasure shall occupy themselves with the ordinance of the ladies’ chambers and the cleanliness of the places where we shall abide; and we will and command all and several, as they hold our favour dear, to have a care that, whithersoever they go or whencesoever they return and whatsoever they hear or see, they bring us from without no news other than joyous.”

68

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她这些命令大家都一致赞成。吩咐完毕，她就轻快地站了起来，说：“这里有的是花园、草坪和赏心悦目的处所，大家不妨信步漫游一会吧；不过到了打晨祷钟的时候，可都得回到原处来，趁天气还凉快的时候吃早饭。”

68

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These orders summarily given and commended of all, Pampinea, rising blithely to her feet, said, ”Here be gardens, here be meadows, here be store of other delectable places, wherein let each go a-pleasuring at will; and when tierce[24] soundeth, let all be here, so we may eat in the cool.”

[24] i.e. Nine o’clock a.m. Boccaccio’s habit of measuring time by the canonical hours has been a sore stumbling-block to the ordinary English and French translator, who is generally terribly at sea as to his meaning, inclining to render tierce three, sexte six o’clock and none noon and making shots of the same wild kind at the other hours. The monasterial rule (which before the general introduction of clocks was commonly followed by the medi?val public in the computation of time) divided the twenty-four hours of the day and night into seven parts (six of three hours each and one of six), the inception of which was denoted by the sound of the bells that summoned the clergy to the performance of the seven canonical offices i.e. Matins at 3 a.m., Prime at 6 a.m., Tierce at 9 a.m., Sexte or Noonsong at noon, None at 3 p.m., Vespers or Evensong at 6 p.m. and Complines or Nightsong at 9 p.m., and at the same time served the laity as a clock.

69

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这些快乐的青年男女，得了女王的许可，就在花园中缓步而行，有说有笑，还编着各种鲜艳的花冠，唱着情歌。到了女王所指定的时刻，大家就回到宅里来；这时巴梅诺已尽心尽力地把各事都安排好了。一走进楼下的餐厅，他们就看见桌子上已盖着雪白的台布，玻璃酒杯象银子般闪射着光芒，到处点缀着金雀枝的花朵。大家听着女王的话，先洗了手，然后依着总管排定的席次坐下。

69

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The merry company, being thus dismissed by the new queen, went straying with slow steps, young men and fair ladies together, about a garden, devising blithely and diverting themselves with weaving goodly garlands of various leaves and carolling amorously. After they had abidden there such time as had been appointed them of the queen, they returned to the house, where they found that Parmeno had made a diligent beginning with his office, for that, entering a saloon on the ground floor, they saw there the tables laid with the whitest of cloths and beakers that seemed of silver and everything covered with the flowers of the broom; whereupon, having washed their hands, they all, by command of the queen, seated themselves according to Parmeno’s ordinance.

70

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精致的菜肴端了上来，美酒送到手边，又有三个仆人悄悄地侍候着用饭。一切安排得这样周到、布置得这样美好，大家都非常满意，在席间只听得他们谈笑风生。这些青年男女都会跳舞，有几位还善于弹琴、唱歌；吃好早饭，桌子撤去之后，女王就吩咐会奏乐的把乐器拿来。第奥纽抱了一个曲柄琵琶，菲亚美达拿起一只六弦琴，两人合奏起一支美妙的舞曲来。女王吩咐仆人自去吃饭，她自己跟两个青年和五位小姐一起跳着慢步舞。舞罢，他们又开始唱着轻快活泼的歌曲。

70

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Then came viands delicately drest and choicest wines were proffered and the three serving-men, without more, quietly tended the tables. All, being gladdened by these things, for that they were fair and orderly done, ate joyously and with store of merry talk, and the tables being cleared away,[25] the queen bade bring instruments of music, for that all the ladies knew how to dance, as also the young men, and some of them could both play and sing excellent well. Accordingly, by her commandment, Dioneo took a lute and Fiammetta a viol and began softly to sound a dance; whereupon the queen and the other ladies, together with the other two young men, having sent the serving-men to eat, struck up a round and began with a slow pace to dance a brawl; which ended, they fell to singing quaint and merry ditties.

[25] The table of Boccaccio’s time was a mere board upon trestles, which when not in actual use, was stowed away, for room’s sake, against the wall.
[26] i.e. to take the siesta or midday nap common in hot countries.

71

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他们玩得兴高采烈，直到女王认为应该是午睡的时候了，这才宣布停止活动。三个青年和小姐们各自回到自己的房内——他们的卧室是分隔成两处的，床辅全部收拾得整整齐齐，而且也象餐室那样，陈设着许多鲜花。三个青年男子回房后就解衣入睡，小姐们这边也是一样。

71

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On this wise they abode till it seemed to the queen time to go to sleep,[26] and she accordingly dismissed them all; whereupon the young men retired to their chambers, which were withdrawn from the ladies’ lodging, and finding them with the beds well made and as full of flowers as the saloon, put off their clothes and betook themselves to rest, whilst the ladies, on their part, did likewise.

[25] The table of Boccaccio’s time was a mere board upon trestles, which when not in actual use, was stowed away, for room’s sake, against the wall.
[26] i.e. to take the siesta or midday nap common in hot countries.

72

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午后钟敲过不久，女王首先起身。把其余的姑娘唤醒了，又吩咐去唤三个青年人起来，说是白昼睡眠过久，有碍健康。于是他们一起来到一块草坪上，那儿绿草如茵，丛林象蓬帐般团团遮盖了阳光，微风阵阵吹过。女王叫大家席地而坐，围成一圈，于是说道：

72

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None[27] had not long sounded when the queen, arising, made all the other ladies arise, and on like wise the three young men, alleging overmuch sleep to be harmful by day; and so they betook themselves to a little meadow, where the grass grew green and high nor there had the sun power on any side. There, feeling the waftings of a gentle breeze, they all, as their queen willed it, seated themselves in a ring on the green grass; while she bespoke them thus,

[27] i.e. three o’clock p.m.
[28] i.e. backgammon.

73

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“你们瞧，太阳还挂在高空，暑气逼人，除了橄榄枝上的蝉声外，几乎万籁俱寂。如果拣着这时候出外去玩，那真是太傻了。只有这里还凉快舒适些，你们瞧，这儿还有棋子和骰子，供大家玩儿。

73

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”As ye see, the sun is high and the heat great, nor is aught heard save the crickets yonder among the olives; wherefore it were doubtless folly to go anywhither at this present. Here is the sojourn fair and cool, and here, as you see, are chess and tables,[28] and each can divert himself as is most to his mind.

[27] i.e. three o’clock p.m.
[28] i.e. backgammon.

74

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不过依我看，我们还是不要下棋掷骰子的好，因为来这些玩意儿，总有输有赢，免不了有一方精神上感到懊丧，而对方和旁观的人却并没因而感到多大乐趣。还是让我们讲些故事，来度过这一天中最热的时候吧。一个人讲故事，可以使全体都得到快乐。等大家都讲完一个故事，太阳就要下山，暑气也退了，那时候我们爱到哪儿就可以到哪儿去玩。要是这个建议大家赞成，那么我们就这样做。要是你们不赞成，那我也不勉强，大家任意活动好了，到晚祷的时候再见。”

74

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But, an my counsel be followed in this, we shall pass away this sultry part of the day, not in gaming,—wherein the mind of one of the players must of necessity be troubled, without any great pleasure of the other or of those who look on,—but in telling stories, which, one telling, may afford diversion to all the company who hearken; nor shall we have made an end of telling each his story but the sun will have declined and the heat be abated, and we can then go a-pleasuring whereas it may be most agreeable to us. Wherefore, if this that I say please you, (for I am disposed to follow your pleasure therein,) let us do it; and if it please you not, let each until the hour of vespers do what most liketh him.”

75

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姑娘们和青年们全都赞成。“你们既然赞成，”女王说，“在这开头的第一天，我允许大家各自讲述心爱的故事，不限题目。”她于是回过头来看着坐在她右边的潘菲洛，微微一笑，吩咐他带头讲一个故事。潘菲洛听得这吩咐，立即开始讲述下面的一个故事。大家都聚精会神地听着。

75

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Ladies and men alike all approved the story-telling, whereupon, ”Then,” said the queen, ”since this pleaseth you, I will that this first day each be free to tell of such matters as are most to his liking.” Then, turning to Pamfilo, who sat on her right hand, she smilingly bade him give beginning to the story-telling with one of his; and he, hearing the commandment, forthright began thus, whilst all gave ear to him.

第一日 序|Day the First

不过请别以为读着这本书，又要害你们叹息、掉泪，就此吓得不敢再往下读了。

But I would not therefore have this affright you from reading further, as if in the reading you were still to fare among sighs and tears.

本书的开端虽然凄凉，却好比一座险峻的高山，挡着一片美丽的平原，翻过前面的高山，就来到那赏心悦目的境界；攀援的艰苦将换来了加倍的欢乐。乐极固然生悲，悲苦到了尽头，也会涌起了意想不到的快乐。

也有些人的想法恰巧相反，以为唯有纵情欢乐、纵饮狂歌，尽量满足自己的一切欲望，什么都一笑置之，才是对付瘟疫的有效办法。

Others, inclining to the contrary opinion, maintained that to carouse and make merry and go about singing and frolicking and satisfy the appetite in everything possible and laugh and scoff at whatsoever befell was a very certain remedy for such an ill.

浩劫当前，这城里的法纪和圣规几乎全都荡然无存了；因为神父和执法的官员，也不能例外，都死的死了，病的病了，要不就是连一个手底下人也没有，无从执行他们的职务了；因此，简直每个人都可以为所欲为。

这些人的见解各有不同，却并没个个都死，也并没全都逃出了这场浩劫。各地都有好些各色各样的人在自身健康时，首先立下榜样，教人别去理会那得病的人，后来自己病倒了，也遭受人们的遗弃，没人看顾，就这样断了气。

下层阶级，以至大部分的中层阶级，情形就更惨了。他们因为没有钱，也许因为存着侥幸的心理，多半留在家里，结果病倒的每天数以千计。又因为他们缺乏适当的医治，无人看护，几乎全都死了。

首先，那年纪最大的一位，我叫她“潘比妮亚”，第二个，叫“菲亚美达”，第三个，“菲罗美娜”;第四个，“爱米莉亚”；第五个，“劳丽达”；第六个，“妮菲尔”；最后一个，名字取得很适当，叫“爱莉莎”。

The first of them and her of ripest age I shall call Pampinca, the second Fiammetta, the third Filomena and the fourth Emilia. To the fifth we will give the name of Lauretta, to the sixth that of Neifile and the last, not without cause, we will style Elisa.[16]

她们这天的见面，也是巧合，并没预先约定。大家就在教堂的一角，围成一圈，坐了下来；又长吁短叹了一阵，于是也不再作祷告，只是彼此谈论起当时的种种情况来。大家沉默了一会之后，又听见潘比妮亚开口说道：

Here, on the other hand, if I deem aright, we abandon no one; nay, we may far rather say with truth that we ourselves are abandoned, seeing that our kinsfolk, either dying or fleeing from death, have left us alone in this great tribulation, as it were we pertained not unto them.

大家听了潘比妮亚的这番议论。都佩服她的见地，而且竟迫不及待地开始讨论起详细的办法来了，仿佛等到商量定当，她们一站起身来，就要出发了。可是菲罗美娜是一个最谨慎不过的姑娘，她就说了：

Quoth Filomena, ”That skilleth nought; so but I live honestly and conscience prick me not of aught, let who will speak to the contrary; God and the truth will take up arms for me. Wherefore, if they be disposed to come, verily we may say with Pampinea that fortune is favourable to our going.”

最初，那三个青年还以为这是在跟他们闹着玩呢；不过看到她说得这样郑重，也就打消了怀疑，非常愉快地答应下来。为了可以及早出发，他们立刻着手作必要的筹备。

The young men at the first thought themselves bantered, but, seeing that the lady spoke in good earnest, they made answer joyfully that they were ready, and without losing time about the matter, forthright took order for that which they had to do against departure.

她这些命令大家都一致赞成。吩咐完毕，她就轻快地站了起来，说：“这里有的是花园、草坪和赏心悦目的处所，大家不妨信步漫游一会吧；不过到了打晨祷钟的时候，可都得回到原处来，趁天气还凉快的时候吃早饭。”

These orders summarily given and commended of all, Pampinea, rising blithely to her feet, said, ”Here be gardens, here be meadows, here be store of other delectable places, wherein let each go a-pleasuring at will; and when tierce[24] soundeth, let all be here, so we may eat in the cool.”

“你们瞧，太阳还挂在高空，暑气逼人，除了橄榄枝上的蝉声外，几乎万籁俱寂。如果拣着这时候出外去玩，那真是太傻了。只有这里还凉快舒适些，你们瞧，这儿还有棋子和骰子，供大家玩儿。

第一日序|Day the First