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十日谈|The Decameron

第一日 故事第七|Day the First:THE SEVENTH STORY

属类: 双语小说 【分类】世界名著 -[作者: 乔万尼·薄伽丘] 阅读:[37502]
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爱米莉亚所讲的那个故事,加上她说话时那种可爱的表情,教大家以至女王都听得笑了出来,并且一再称赏那位前所未见的“十字军”所说的挖苦话。笑声停下来之后,就轮到菲洛特拉托继续讲故事了。他这样开始道:高贵的小姐们,一个箭手射中了一个固定的目标,当然值得赞美;可是如果有什么突然出现的东西、也能给他射个正着,那才叫了不起呢。

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Emilia’s pleasantness and her story moved the queen and all the rest to laugh and applaud the rare conceit of this new-fangled crusader. Then, after the laughter had subsided and all were silent again, Filostrato, whose turn it was to tell, began to speak on this wise: "It is a fine thing, noble ladies, to hit a mark that never stirreth; but it is well-nigh miraculous if, when some unwonted thing appeareth of a sudden, it be forthright stricken of an archer.

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教会里的修士,过着腐败堕落的生活。那就是众矢之的,只要你高兴,你尽可以拿冷讥热讽的话头向教会射去,万无一失。我很赞美那个好人,他叫裁判官下不了台,当场揭露了那班神父的假仁假义——他们拿本该倒掉的、或者是喂猪的残渣去给穷人吃,美其名曰“救济”!不过听了这个故事,我就想起一个更值得夸赞的人来,到现在要谈的就是这个人的事,他表面上是讲一个有趣的故事,而骨子里却在借题发挥,拿故事中的人物的话来讽刺一个叫做坎-台拉-史卡拉的大贵族,笑他不该无缘无故变得吝啬起来。

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The lewd and filthy life of the clergy, in many things as it were a constant mark for malice, giveth without much difficulty occasion to all who have a mind to speak of, to gird at and rebuke it; wherefore, albeit the worthy man, who pierced the inquisitor to the quick touching the hypocritical charity of the friars, who give to the poor that which it should behove them cast to the swine or throw away, did well, I hold him much more to be commended of whom, the foregoing tale moving me thereto, I am to speak and who with a quaint story rebuked Messer Cane della Scala, a magnificent nobleman, of a sudden and unaccustomed niggardliness newly appeared in him, figuring, in the person of another, that which he purposed to say to him concerning themselves; the which was on this wise.

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自从腓特烈第二登位以来,在意大利的有权有势的贵族中,那坎-台拉-史卡拉也好算得首屈一指的人物了。他在各方面都是命运的宠儿,名声早已传遍四海之内。

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As very manifest renown proclaimeth well nigh throughout the whole world, Messer Cane della Scala, to whom in many things fortune was favourable, was one of the most notable and most magnificent gentlemen that have been known in Italy since the days of the Emperor Frederick the Second.

[59] i.e. gleemen, minstrels, story-tellers, jugglers and the like, lit. men of court (uomini di corte).
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有一回,他本来打算在维洛那举行一个盛大的胜会。四面八方的人,尤其是一些献艺说唱的人,都赶来了;却不知他为了什么缘故。又临时变卦,拿出少数一笔钱来,把这些人全都打发回去。独有一个人留了下来,那人名叫贝加密诺,能说会道,不曾和他当面谈过的人简直想象不出他那条舌头有多么灵巧。他既没有得到一点贴补,也没奉到打发他走的命令,就逗留在维洛那,指望日后总还可以得到些补偿的机会。谁知坎大爷却自有他的想头。认为不管拿什么东西赏给贝加密诺,还不如扔进火里好一些。所以既不当面和他说明,也不托人转告,就这样一句话都没有给他。

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Being minded to make a notable and wonder-goodly entertainment in Verona, whereunto many folk should have come from divers parts and especially men of art[59] of all kinds, he of a sudden (whatever might have been the cause) withdrew therefrom and having in a measure requited those who were come thither, dismissed them all, save only one, Bergamino by name, a man ready of speech and accomplished beyond the credence of whoso had not heard him, who, having received neither largesse nor dismissal, abode behind, in the hope that his stay might prove to his future advantage. But Messer Cane had taken it into his mind that what thing soever he might give him were far worse bestowed than if it had been thrown into the fire, nor of this did he bespeak him or let tell him aught.

[59] i.e. gleemen, minstrels, story-tellers, jugglers and the like, lit. men of court (uomini di corte).
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一连几天过去,贝加密诺始终不见有人来找他、请教他,而他带着仆人和马匹寄宿在客栈里、每天的开销却又少不了,因此十分焦虑。不过他还存着希望,留在那儿不走。他的衣箱里藏着三件华贵的衣裳,那是贵族老爷们送给他、让他在他们的宴会上可以穿着得漂亮些。店主来向他催讨房金,他就拿出一件袍子来抵账。他又住了一些日子,又只得拿出第二件袍子来抵账。最后,他只有靠第三件袍子过日子了,这时候他打定主意,能住多久就住多久,把希望寄托于万一,等到实在没有办法的时候,再动身不迟。

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Bergamino, after some days, finding himself neither called upon nor required unto aught that pertained to his craft and wasting his substance, to boot, in the hostelry with his horses and his servants, began to be sore concerned, but waited yet, himseeming he would not do well to depart. Now he had brought with him three goodly and rich suits of apparel, which had been given him of other noblemen, that he might make a brave appearance at the festival, and his host pressing for payment, he gave one thereof to him. After this, tarrying yet longer, it behoved him give the host the second suit, an he would abide longer with him, and withal he began to live upon the third, resolved to abide in expectation so long as this should last and then depart.

[60] Dinne alcuna cosa. If we take the affix ne (thereof, of it), in its other meaning (as dative of noi, we), of "to us," this phrase will read "Tell somewhat thereof," i.e. of the cause of thy melancholy.
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他就这么靠着第三件衣裳过日子。有一天,他面有忧色,碰到了坎大爷。这位老爷正在用饭,看到了他,也并不是要他讲些什么开心的话给自己听听,而是存心要取笑他,说道:“贝加密诺,你这样垂头丧气,是有什么心事吗?告诉我们是怎么一回事吧。”

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Whilst he thus fed upon the third suit, he chanced one day, Messer Cane being at dinner, to present himself before him with a rueful countenance, and Messer Cane, seeing this, more by way of rallying him than of intent to divert himself with any of his speech, said to him, ’What aileth thee, Bergamino, to stand thus disconsolate? Tell us somewhat.’[60]

[60] Dinne alcuna cosa. If we take the affix ne (thereof, of it), in its other meaning (as dative of noi, we), of "to us," this phrase will read "Tell somewhat thereof," i.e. of the cause of thy melancholy.
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听到这话,贝加密诺好象早已胸有成竹似的,就不加思索地讲了下面的一个故事,诉说自己的境况:“大爷,你一定知道泼里马索是一位精通拉丁文的学者,写起诗来,又快又好,再没有第二个人能够及得到他。他的才名因此传了开来,尽管有许多人不曾见到他本人,却没有一个人不知道他的名声的。

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Whereupon Bergamino, without a moment’s hesitation, forthright, as if he had long considered it, related the following story to the purpose of his own affairs.’My lord,’ said he, ’you must know that Primasso was a very learned grammarian[61] and a skilful and ready verse-maker above all others, which things rendered him so notable and so famous that, albeit he might not everywhere be known by sight, there was well nigh none who knew him not by name and by report.

[61] i.e. Latinist.
[62] Lit. was (era); but as Boccaccio puts "can" (possono) in the present tense we must either read è and possono or era and potevano. The first reading seems the more probable.
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“有一次他逗留在巴黎。他很穷——他的一生总是很穷的,因为你有了学问,也得不到有钱人的看重。他常听得人家谈到克伦尼修道院院长,据说在侍奉上帝的教会里,除了教皇以外,就要算他的年收入最厚了。人家还说他的气派十分宏大,总是门庭大开,在用饭的时候有谁来向他求食,他总是供应酒饭。

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It chanced that, finding himself once at Paris in poor case, as indeed he abode most times, for that worth is[62] little prized of those who can most,[63] he heard speak of the Abbot of Cluny, who is believed to be, barring the Pope, the richest prelate of his revenues that the Church of God possesseth, and of him he heard tell marvellous and magnificent things, in that he still held open house nor were meat and drink ever denied to any who went whereas he might be, so but he sought it what time the Abbot was at meat.

[61] i.e. Latinist.
[62] Lit. was (era); but as Boccaccio puts "can" (possono) in the present tense we must either read è and possono or era and potevano. The first reading seems the more probable.
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泼里马索本是欢喜跟富而好礼的人相交,听得这么说,就决定去见见这位院长,看他是怎样的宽洪大量。他就打听院长的住宅离巴黎多远,人家告诉他院长现在正住在离巴黎二十来里远的一座住宅里。泼里马索心想,如果他一清早就动身,那么是可以赶得上吃饭的时侯的。

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Primasso, hearing this and being one who delighted in looking upon men of worth and nobility, determined to go see the magnificence of this Abbot and enquired how near he then abode to Paris. It was answered him that he was then at a place of his maybe half a dozen miles thence; wherefore Primasso thought to be there at dinner-time, by starting in the morning betimes.

[61] i.e. Latinist.
[62] Lit. was (era); but as Boccaccio puts "can" (possono) in the present tense we must either read è and possono or era and potevano. The first reading seems the more probable.
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“他向人问了路,可是却不见有谁朝着这个方向赶路,他唯恐走错了路,来到一个什么地方,连食物都找不到,所以就准备了三只面包。以防万一,好在清水是到处都有的,只要你不嫌它淡而无味。他把面包藏在怀里,就出发了,一路赶去,十分带劲,总算不到午饭时分就来到了院长家里。

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Accordingly, he enquired the way, but, finding none bound thither, he feared lest he might go astray by mischance and happen on a part where there might be no victual so readily to be found; wherefore, in order that, if this should betide, he might not suffer for lack of food, he bethought himself to carry with him three cakes of bread, judging that water (albeit it was little to his taste) he should find everywhere. The bread he put in his bosom and setting out, was fortunate enough to reach the Abbot’s residence before the eating-hour.

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“他走了进去,不免东张西望,但见许多食桌已经放在那儿,厨房里和别的地方都在忙着准备午饭,所以暗自想道:‘这位院长真是名不虚传,慷慨得很!’

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He entered and went spying all about and seeing the great multitude of tables set and the mighty preparations making in the kitchen and what not else provided against dinner, said in himself, ”Of a truth this Abbot is as magnificent as folk say.”

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“他这样待了一会儿,心里自有许多感想,吃饭的时候已经到了,宅里的总管就吩咐盛水上来,让众人洗手;洗过手之后,大家就在食桌前坐了下来。泼里马索的座位恰巧靠近房门口,院长就要从这门里出来,到餐厅用饭。

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After he had abidden awhile intent upon these things, the Abbot’s seneschal, eating-time being come, bade bring water for the hands; which being done, he seated each man at table, and it chanced that Primasso was set right over against the door of the chamber, whence the Abbot should come forth into the eating-hall.

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“大宅里有个规矩。不等院长在食桌前坐下来就不开饭,不论面包和酒、吃的喝的都不端上来。所以一切都已准备好之后,总管就去请院长出来用饭。门已经替院长打开了,他就要出来了,可是也是碰巧,他出来的时候,往外一望,就看到了泼里马索;院长不认识他,只觉得那人穿着得好不褴褛;忽然之间,竟起了一个以前从未有过的吝啬的念头来,跟自己说道:‘瞧,我倒款待起这种人来了!’于是他转过身来,叫人把门关上,问左右的人,那个坐在门口食桌上的穷鬼是谁,可是大家都回说不认识这个人。

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Now it was the usance in that house that neither wine nor bread nor aught else of meat or drink should ever be set on the tables, except the Abbot were first came to sit at his own table. Accordingly, the seneschal, having set the tables, let tell the Abbot that, whenas it pleased him, the meat was ready. The Abbot let open the chamber-door, that he might pass into the saloon, and looking before him as he came, as chance would have it, the first who met his eyes was Primasso, who was very ill accoutred and whom he knew not by sight. When he saw him, incontinent there came into his mind an ill thought and one that had never yet been there, and he said in himself, "See to whom I give my substance to eat!" Then, turning back, he bade shut the chamber-door and enquired of those who were about him if any knew yonder losel who sat at table over against his chamber-door; but all answered no.

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“泼里马索赶了半天的路,肚子早饿了,他又是向来不戒斋的,所以等了一会儿,看院长还不出来,就从怀里掏出一个面包来吃了。那院长呢,在内室等了一会儿,叫人去看看泼里马索走了没有。那侍从回来报告道:“‘没有走,老爷,他正在吃面包呢——大概他自己带来了一些面包。’

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Meanwhile Primasso, who had a mind to eat, having come a journey and being unused to fast, waited awhile and seeing that the Abbot came not, pulled out of his bosom one of the three cakes of bread he had brought with him and fell to eating. The Abbot, after he had waited awhile, bade one of his serving-men look if Primasso were gone, and the man answered, "No, my lord; nay, he eateth bread, which it seemeth he hath brought with him."

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“院长就说:‘好吧,只要他自己有东西带来,让他吃吧,可是今天他别想吃我的东西。’

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Quoth the Abbot, ”Well, let him eat of his own, an he have thereof; for of ours he shall not eat to-day.”

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“院长不想把泼里马索赶跑,却希望他自动离开,谁知他吃完了一个面包,看看院长还不出来,就接着又吃第二个面包了,前去察看泼里马索动静的人把这回事也报告了院长。

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Now he would fain have had Primasso depart of his own motion, himseeming it were not well done to turn him away; but the latter, having eaten one cake of bread and the Abbot coming not, began upon the second; the which was likewise reported to the Abbot, who had caused look if he were gone.

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“后来,泼里马索吃完第二个面包。还是不见院长出来,他就又吃第三个面包了。这回事也报告了院长;他就想道:“‘唉,今天我怎么会有这种怪念头的?何苦这样鄙吝、这样看不起人呢?这是对谁呢?这许多年来,只要有人来向我求食,我不问他是有身分还是没身分,有钱还是没钱,是个商人还是个骗子,总是一切同仁、招待他们的。我亲眼看见过形形色色的流氓在我的食桌上狼吞虎咽,可是从没起过象今天对那个人所起的念头啊。能叫我生吝啬的念头的人,决不是个寻常的人,我把这个人当做流氓,其实一定是个大人物,因此我才会不肯款待他。’

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At last, the Abbot still tarrying, Primasso, having eaten the second cake, began upon the third, and this again was reported to the Abbot, who fell a-pondering in himself and saying, "Alack, what new maggot is this that is come into my head to-day? What avarice! What despite! And for whom? This many a year have I given my substance to eat to whosoever had a mind thereto, without regarding if he were gentle or simple, poor or rich, merchant or huckster, and have seen it with mine own eyes squandered by a multitude of ribald knaves; nor ever yet came there to my mind the thought that hath entered into me for yonder man. Of a surety avarice cannot have assailed me for a man of little account; needs must this who seemeth to me a losel be some great matter, since my soul hath thus repugned to do him honour."

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“于是他就询问这人是谁,探问之下,才知道原来是泼里马索(此人的名声院长早就听得),而且是因为久仰院长好客,特地亲自来看看院长的气度到底怎样宏伟。这一下可真叫院长发窘,就连忙向他谢罪,尽力款待他;宴罢之后,还送了一套华服给他,表示敬意,又送了他一笔钱和一匹马,跟他说他要回去或是留在这里住几天,都听他自便。泼里马索大为高兴。再三再四向院长道谢了之后、就回巴黎去了——来的时候是步行来的,现在他可骑着马儿回去了。”

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So saying, he desired to know who he was and finding that it was Primasso, whom he had long known by report for a man of merit, come thither to see with his own eyes that which he had heard of his magnificence, was ashamed and eager to make him amends, studied in many ways to do him honour. Moreover, after eating, he caused clothe him sumptuously, as befitted his quality, and giving him money and a palfrey, left it to his own choice to go or stay; whereupon Primasso, well pleased with his entertainment, rendered him the best thanks in his power and returned on horseback to Paris, whence he had set out afoot.

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坎大爷原是个明白人,不用多说,一下子就听懂了贝加密诺话里的意思,因此笑着说道:“贝加密诺,你真善于说话,借了一个故事就把你所受的委屈、你的才艺、我的鄙吝、以及你对我所怀的希望都表明了。说真的,我向来不是个吝啬的人,但是这一回对待你,却刻薄起来了,不过我是准备拿你所给我的棍子、把我心里头的这个小气鬼赶跑的。”

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Messer Cane, who was a gentleman of understanding, right well apprehended Bergamino’s meaning, without further exposition, and said to him, smiling, ’Bergamino, thou hast very aptly set forth to me thy wrongs and merit and my niggardliness, as well as that which thou wouldst have of me; and in good sooth, never, save now on thine account, have I been assailed of parsimony; but I will drive it away with that same stick which thou thyself hast shown me.’

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坎大爷果然替贝加密诺付清了房金,拿他自己的一套华服送给贝加密诺穿,还送了他金钱和马儿,而且听他高兴,愿意留下来还是愿意回去。

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Then, letting pay Bergamino’s host and clothing himself most sumptuously in a suit of his own apparel, he gave him money and a palfrey and committed to his choice for the nonce to go or stay.”

简典