第 38 节
作者:着凉      更新:2021-03-08 19:13      字数:9322
  Cianne was now all impatience to get away from his brother; and told him to go and rest himself; as he was no doubt tired; then he started post…haste; and soon arrived at the inn; where; finding the same youths; he fell into chat with them。 And when the youth asked him the same question; what he thought of that month of March; Cianne; making a big mouth; said; 〃Confound the miserable month! the enemy of shepherds; which stirs up all the ill…humours and brings sickness to our bodies。 A month of which; whenever we would announce ruin to a man; we say;  Go; March has shaved you!' A month of which; when you want to call a man presumptuous; you say;  What cares March?' A month in short so hateful; that it would be the best fortune for the world; the greatest blessing to the earth; the greatest gain to men; were it excluded from the band of brothers。〃
  March; who heard himself thus slandered; suppressed his anger till the morning; intending then to reward Cianne for his calumny; and when Cianne wished to depart; he gave him a fine whip; saying to him; 〃Whenever you wish for anything; only say;  Whip; give me a hundred!' and you shall see pearls strung upon a rush。〃
  Cianne; thanking the youth; went his way in great haste; not wishing to make trial of the whip until he reached home。 But hardly had he set foot in the house; when he went into a secret chamber; intending to hide the money which he expected to receive from the whip。 Then he said; 〃Whip; give me a hundred!〃 and thereupon the whip gave him more than he looked for; making a score on his legs and face like a musical composer; so that Lise; hearing his cries; came running to the spot; and when he saw that the whip; like a runaway horse; could not stop itself; he opened the little box and brought it to a standstill。 Then he asked Cianne what had happened to him; and upon hearing his story; he told him he had no one to blame but himself; for like a blockhead he alone had caused his own misfortune; acting like the camel; that wanted to have horns and lost its ears; but he bade him mind another time and keep a bridle on his tongue; which was the key that had opened to him the storehouse of misfortune; for if he had spoken well of the youths; he would perhaps have had the same good fortune; especially as to speak well of any one is a merchandise that costs nothing; and usually brings profit that is not expected。 In conclusion Lise comforted him; bidding him not seek more wealth than Heaven had give him; for his little casket would suffice to fill the houses of thirty misers; and Cianne should be master of all he possessed; since to the generous man Heaven is treasurer; and he added that; although another brother might have borne Cianne  ill…will for the cruelty with which he had treated him in his poverty; yet he reflected that his avarice had been a favourable wind which had brought him to this port; and therefore wished to show himself grateful for the benefit。
  When Cianne heard these things; he begged his brother's pardon for his past unkindness; and entering into partnership they enjoyed together their good fortune; and from that time forward Cianne spoke well of everything; however bad it might be;  for
  〃The dog that was scalaed with hot water; for ever dreads that which is cold。〃
  XXVII
  PINTOSMALTO
  It has always been more difficult for a man to keep than to get; for in the one case fortune aids; which often assists injustice; but in the other case sense is required。 Therefore we frequently find a person deficient in cleverness rise to wealth; and then; from want of sense; roll over heels to the bottom; as you will see clearly from the story I am going to tell you; if you are quick of understanding。
  A merchant once had an only daughter; whom he wished greatly to see married; but as often as he struck this note; he found her a hundred miles off from the desired pitch; for the foolish girl would never consent to marry; and the father was in consequence the most unhappy and miserable man in the world。 Now it happened one day that he was going to a fair; so he asked his daughter; who was named Betta; what she would like him to bring her on his return。 And she said; 〃Papa; if you love me; bring me half a hundredweight of Palermo sugar; and as much again of sweet almonds; with four to six bottles of scented water; and a little musk and amber; also forty pearls; two sapphires; a few garnets and rubies; with some gold thread; and above all a trough and a little silver trowel。〃 Her father wondered at this extravagant demand; nevertheless he would not refuse his daughter; so he went to the fair; and on his return brought her all that she had requested。
  As soon as Betta received these things; she shut herself up in a chamber; and began to make a great quantity of paste of almonds and sugar; mixed with rosewater and perfumes; and set to work to form a most beautiful youth; making his hair of gold thread; his eyes of sapphires; his teeth of pearls; his lips of rubies; and she gave him such grace that speech alone was wanting to him。 When she had done all this; having heard say that at the prayers of a certain King of Cyprus a statue had once come to life; she prayed to the goddess of Love so long that at last the statue began to open its eyes; and increasing her prayers; it began to breathe; and after breathing; words came out; and at last; disengaging all its limbs; it began to walk。
  With a joy far greater than if she had gained a kingdom; Betta embraced and kissed the youth; and taking him by the hand; she led him before her father and said; 〃My lord and father; you have always told me that you wished to see me married; and in order to please you I have now chosen a husband after my own heart。〃 When her father saw the handsome youth come out of his daughter's room; whom he had not seen enter it; he stood amazed; and at the sight of such beauty; which folks would have paid a halfpenny a head to gaze at; he consented that the marriage should take place。 So a great feast was made; at which; among the other ladies present; there appeared a great unknown Queen; who; seeing the beauty of Pintosmalto (for that was the name Betta gave him); fell desperately in love with him。 Now Pintosmalto; who had only opened his eyes on the wickedness of the world three hours before; and was as innocent as a babe; accompanied the strangers who had come to celebrate his nuptials to the stairs; as his bride had told him; and when he did the same with this Queen; she took him by the hand and led him quietly to her coach; drawn by six horses; which stood in the courtyard; then taking him into it; she ordered the coachman to drive off and away to her country。
  After Betta had waited a while in vain expecting Pintosmalto to return; she sent down into the courtyard to see whether he were speaking with any one there; then she sent up to the roof to see if he had gone to take fresh air; but finding him nowhere; she directly imagined that; on account of his great beauty; he had been stolen from her。 So she ordered the usual proclamations to be made; but at last; as no tidings of him were brought; she formed the resolution to go all the world over in search of him; and dressing herself as a poor girl; she set out on her way。 After some months she came to the house of a good old woman; who received her with great kindness; and when she had heard Betta's misfortune; she took compassion on her; and taught her three sayings。 The first was; 〃Tricche varlacche; the house rains!〃 the second; 〃Anola tranola; the fountain plays!〃; the third; 〃Scatola matola; the sun shines!〃telling her to repeat these words whenever she was in trouble; and they would be of good service to her。
  Betta wondered greatly at this present of chaff; nevertheless she said to herself; 〃He who blows into your mouth does not wish to see you dead; and the plant that strikes root does not wither; everything has its use; who knows what good fortune may be contained in these words?〃 So saying; she thanked the old woman; and set out upon her way。 And after a long journey she came to a beautiful city called Round Mount; where she went straight to the royal palace; and begged for the love of Heaven a little shelter in the stable。 So the ladies of the court ordered a small room to be given her on the stairs; and while poor Betta was sitting there she saw Pintosmalto pass by; whereat her joy was so great that she was on the point of slipping down from the tree of life。 But seeing the trouble she was in; Betta wished to make proof of the first saying which the old woman had told her; and no sooner had she repeated the words; 〃Tricche varlacche; the house rains!〃 than instantly there appeared before her a beautiful little coach of gold set all over with jewels; which ran about the chamber of itself and was a wonder to behold。
  When the ladies of the court saw this sight they went and told the Queen; who without loss of time ran to Betta's chamber; and when she saw the beautiful little coach; she asked whether she would sell it; and offered to give whatever she might demand。 But Betta replied that; although she was poor she would not sell it for all the gold in the world; but if the Queen wished for the little coach; she must allow her