第27章

LXXVII

“Heleaveshisnativelandwiththisintent，Norlettethanyhisdepartureknow；

Andcoasts，intearsandmakingsadlament，Themarshesthatabouthiscitygo:

Hehisheart\'squeen，amidhisdiscontent，Meanwhileforgetsnot，forthissecondwoe。

Lo！himanotheraccidentthatfalls，Fromsovereignwoetosovereignblissrecalls！

LXXVIII

“HesawapeasantwhowithheavystakeSmotemidsomesaplingtrunksoneveryside:

Adoniostopt，andwhereforesohestrake，Askedoftherustic，thatinanswercried，Withinthatclumpapassingancientsnake，Amidthetangledstemshehadespied:

AlongerserpentandmorethicktoviewHeneversaw，northoughttoseeanew；

LXXIX

“AndthatfromthencehewouldnotwendhiswayUntilthereptilehehadfoundandslain，WhensoAdonioheardthepeasantsay，Hescarcehisspeechwithpatiencecouldsustain，Ayereverencetotheserpentwonttopay，Thehonouredensignofhisancientstrain；

InmemorythattheirprimalracehadgrownErewhilefromserpent\'steethbyCadmussown；

LXXX

“Andbythechurltheoffendedknightsosaid，Anddidwithal，hemadehimquittheemprize；

Leavingthehuntedserpentneitherdead，Norinjured，norpursuedinfurtherwise。

Thither，wherehebelieveswouldleasthavespreadThestoryofhiswoe，Adoniohies；

Andindiscomfortandinsorrowwears，Farfromhisnativeland，sevenwearyyears。

LXXXI

“Neitherfordistancenorforstraitenedcheer，WhichwillnotletThoughtrunitsrestlessround，CeasedLove，sowonttoreinthecavalier，Ayetoinflamehisheart，ayevexhiswound:

Atlengththosebeauties，tohiseyessodear，Parforcemustherevisit，homewardbound。

Unshorn，afflicted，he，inpoorarray，Thitherreturns，fromwhencehewenthisway。

LXXXII

“Mycity，atthetimewhereofItell，ToRomewasfaintosendanembassy；

Thatsometimenearhisholinessshoulddwell；

Andforhowlongatimecouldnoneforesee。

Uponourjudgethelotofenvoyfell:

Oday，thateverweptbyhimwillbe！

Tobeexcused，Anselmopromised，prayed，Andbribed；butatthelastparforceobeyed。

LXXXIII

“AsnolesscruelandlesshardtoabideHedeemedawoewhichcausedsuchpiteoussmart，ThanhadheseenahostilehandhissideLaybare，andfromhisbosompluckhisheart:

Dead-whitewithjealousfearhischeekisdyed，Throughdoubtofhisfairconsortwhileapart；

Andinthemodehedeemsmaybestavail，Hesupplicateshernotinfaithtofail，LXXXIV

“Norbeauty，tohiswifethehusbandcries，Nornobleblood，norfortune，areenowTomakeawomantotruehonourrise，Savechasteinnameanddeed；subjoininghowThevirtuethatmankindmosthighlyprizeIsthatwhichtriumphsafterstrife；andnowThroughhislongabsense，afairfieldandwideIsopenedwherethatvirtuemaybetried。

LXXXV

“Withsuchpersuasions，andwithmanymoreAnselmexhortstheladytobetrue。

Hisgoingdothhiswofulwifedeplore。

Oheaven，whattears，whatloudcomplaintsensue！

Immersedinherdespair，thatladyswore，SoonerthesunbedimmedtheworldshouldviewThanshewouldbreakherfaith；shewouldexpireSoonerthanshewouldcherishsuchdesire。

LXXXVI

“Thoughtothelady\'spromiseandprotestHelentbelief，andsomewhatcalmedhisfears，Untilhefurtherhearhewillnotrest；

Andtillhecanfindmatterforhistears，Asoothsayerheamonghisfriendspossest，Prizedforhisknowledge，asthefirstofseers；

WhoofallwitcheryandofmagicartHadreadthewhole，orreadthegreaterpart。

LXXXVII

“Tohimbeforedepartingdoeshepray，TotakethechargeuponhimselftoseeIftruewouldbeArgiawhileaway(Sonamehisconsort)，orthecontrary。

Wonbyhisprayers，hetakesthetimeo\'theday；

Figurestheheavensastheyappeartobe。

Anselmolefthimathiswork，andcameHisansweronthefollowingdaytoclaim。

LXXXVIII

“Theastrologerissilent，loathtoexposeAmatterthatwillworkthedoctorwoe；

Andwouldexcusehimselfwithmanyagloze:

Butwhenhesees，hewouldtheevilknow，Argiawillbreakfaithwithhim，heshows，Assoonasheshallfromhisthresholdgo。

Norprayershallsoftenher，norbeautyfire:

Corruptedwillshebebygainandhire。

LXXXIX

“WhentoAnselmo\'searlydoubtandfearArejoinedthethreatningsofthesignsabove，Howstandshisheartmaywelltotheeappear，Ifthouhastknowntheaccidentsoflove；

Andworsethaneverywoe，wherewithwhilereTheafflictedspiritsofthathusbandstrove，Isthatitbytheprophetisforetold，Argais\'honourwillbeboughtandsold。

XC

“Nowtosupporthiswife，asbesthemay，Fromfallingintosuchanevildeed。

Forman，alas，willsometimesdisarrayThealtar，whenhefindshimselfinneed，Whatgoldandgemsthejudgehadputaway，(Aplenteousstore)heleaves；andfieldandmead，Rents，fruits，andallpossessionswhatsoe\'erLeavestohisconsort；allhisworldlygear:

XCI

“`Withpower，\'hesaid，`notonlywithoutmeasure，These，asthouneedest，toenjoyandspend，Butdowiththemaccordingtothypleasure，Consumeandflingaway，andgiveandvend:

OtheraccountIasknotofmytreasure，IfsuchasnowIfindtheeintheend；

Butsuchasnowremain；——atthycommand(Evenshouldstthousquanderboth)arehouseandland。\'

XCII

“Unlesssheheardhethithermaderepair，Heprayedthatshewoulddwellnotinthetown；

Butwouldafarmofhisinhabit，whereShemightwithallconveniencelivealone。

Andthisbesoughtheofhisconsortfair，Asthinking，thattherustics，whichondownPasturetheirflocks，orfruitfulfallowstill，Couldne\'ercontaminateherhonestwill。

XCIII

“Herfearfulhusbandstillembracingclose，HerarmsabouthisneckArgiathrew:

Aburstoftearshervisageoverflows:

Forfromhereyestwostreamstheirwaypursue。

Shegrieves，heguiltyshouldhiswifesuppose；

Asifshehathalreadybeenuntrue:

Forhissuspiciontoitssourceshetraced；

ThatinherfaithnofaithAnselmoplaced。

XCIV

“Citingtheirlongfarewell，Ishouldexceed。

`——Totheeatlength，\'hesothedameaddrest，`Irecommendmyhonour\'；——andindeedTookleave，andonhisroadinearnestprest；

Andtrulyfelt，onwheelingroundhissteed，Asifhisheartwasissuingfromhisbreast。

ShefollowshimaslongasshecanfollowWitheyeswhosetearsherfurrowedvisagehollow。

XCV

“Poor，pale，unshorn，andwretched(aswhilereToyouinformerstrainbymewassaid)，Homewardmeanwhilethewanderingcavalier，Hopinghethereshouldbeunknown，hadmade。

Besidethelakethatpilgrimjourneyed，nearThecity，wherehegavetheserpentaid，Inthatthickbrakebesiegedbyvillageswain，Whowithhisstaffthereptilewouldhaveslain。

XCVI

“Arrivinghere，uponthedawnoflight，Foryetsomestarswereglimmeringintheskies，Approachinghim，inforeignvesturedight，Alongtheshore，adamselheespies。

ThoughneithersquirenorwaitingwenchinsightAppears，yetnobleisthelady\'sguise。

WithpleasingvisagesheAdonioboards，Andthenbreakssilenceinthefollowingwords。

XCVII

“Albeitthouknow\'stmenot，OcavalierIamthykin，andgreatlyboundtothee:

Iamthykin；forofthelineageclearDerivedofhaughtyCadmus\'seedarewe。

IamthefairyManto，thatwhilereLaidthefirststoneofthisrudevillagery；

And(asthouhaplymaysthavehearditfamed)

Mantuafrommetherisingtownwasnamed。

XCVIII

“`O\'thefairiesamIone:withthattoshowOurfatalstate，andwhatitdothimport；

WetoallotherkindsofillbelowAresubjectbyournatalinfluence，shortOfdeath；butwithimmortalbeingsuchwoeIscoupled，deathisnotofdirersort。

ForeveryseventhdayweallmusttakeBycertainlaw，theformofspottedsnake。

XCIX

“`Sosaditisthatloathsomecoiltofill，Andprone，atlength，uponthegroundtocrawl；

Equaltothishereisnoworldlyill；

Sothatimmortallifeiscursedbyall。

AndthouthedebtIowethee(formywillIstoinformtheeofitscausewithal)

Shaltknowaswell；howonthatfataldayOfchangewearetocountlessillsaprey。

C

“`Sohatedastheserpentbeastisnone；

Andwethatwearitsevilform，alarm，Outrage，andwarendurefromeveryone:

Forallthatseeus，huntanddousharm:

Unlesswecantogroundforshelterrun，Wefeelhowheavyfallsman\'sfuriousarm。

Happieritweretodie，thanlanguish——broke，Battered，andcrippledbythecruelstroke。

CI

“`MymightyobligationduetotheeIsthat，whenoncethoudidstthisgreenwoodthread，Thoufromarustic\'sfuryrescuedstme，BywhoseillhandlingwasIsorebested。

Butforthineaid，Ishouldnothavegotfree，Withoutabrokenspineorbatteredhead:

WithbodycrookedandcrushedIshouldhavelain，AlbeitIcouldnotbyhisarmbeslain。

CII

“`BecausethouhasttoknowuponthedayWesprangfromearthwithscalesofdragondight，——Subjecttousatothertimes——toobeyTheheavensrefuse；andwearevoidofmight:

Atotherseasons，atoursimplesayThecirclingsunstandsstill，anddimsitslight:

Fixtearthismoved，andinacirclewheels:

Iceatourwordtakesfire，andfirecongeals。

CIII

“`Nowhere，preparedtorendertheethemeedOfbenefitthendonetome，Istand；

Fornow，dismantledofmydragonweed，Vainlynograceofmewiltthoudemand。

Evennow，thricericherartthoubymydeed，Thanwhenthouheirdsterewhilethyfather\'sland:

NowwillIthathenceforththoushaltbepoor；

Butwealth，themore\'tisspent，augmentthemore:

CIV

“`Andbecausewiththatancientknotthoustill，Iknow，arttangled，whichbyLovewastied，Themodeandorder，howthoumaystfulfilThywishes，shallbymebesignified。

Nowthatherlordisabsent，\'tismywillMyschemewithoutdelaybytheebetried；

Goforththeladyatherfarmtofind，Withoutthetown；norwillIsaybehind。\'

CV

“Sheherdiscoursecontinuing，\'ganadviseWhatformhetothatlady\'seyesshouldtake:

Isay，whatvesturewear，andinwhatwiseShouldspeak，howtempther；whatentreatiesmake:

Andsaid，howsheherfigurewoulddisguise；

For，savethedaywhereinshewasasnake，UponallotherswentthefairydrestInwhatsoeverfigurepleasedherbest。

CVI

“Sheinapilgrim\'shabitclothedtheknight，Suchasfromdoortodoorouralmsentreat:

Intoadogshechangedherselftosight；

Thesmallesteverseen，ofaspectsweet，Longhair，thanermine\'sfurmoresnowywhite；

Andskilledwithalinmanyawondrousfeat。

TowardsAgria\'svilla，sotransmewed，Thefairyandtheknighttheirwaypursued；

CVII

“Andatthelabourer\'scabinsinhisroundThestriplinghalts，beforehestopselsewhere；

Andcertainrusticreedsbeginstosound；

Hisdogisup，anddancestotheair。

Thedame，thathearsthevoiceandcryrebound，Isbytherumourmovedtoseethepair。

Intohercourtshehasthepilgrimbrought，AsAnselm\'sevildestinyhadwrought:

CVIII

“AndhereAdoniogivesthedogcommand；

AndherebythatobedientdogisshownDanceofourcountryandofforeignland，Withpaces，graces，fashionsofhisown；

Andfinallyhedoes，amidthatband，Withwinningwayswhatelseistobedone，Withsuchattentionoftheadmiringcrew，Nonewinkedtheireyes，theirbreaththeyscarcelydrew。

CIX

“Greatmarvelinthedame，thenlonging，bredThatgentledog:sheonethatherhadnursedWithnomeanoffertohismastersped——

`Ifalltherichesforwhichwomenthirst\'

(ToherembassadressinanswersaidThewarypilgrim)`inmybagswerepursued，ThereisnotinthattreasurewhatwouldbootTopurchaseofmydogonesinglefoot\':

CX

“Andhe，thetruthofhisdiscoursetoshow，Intoacornertookthebeldamold，AndbadethedogincourtesybestowUponthatmessangeramarkofgold。

Thedogobeyed，andshookhimself；andlo！

Thetreasure！whichhebadeherhaveandhold:

Theretoheadded，`ThinkestthoubyoughtAdogsofairandusefulcanbebought?

CXI

“`ForwhatsoeverIofhimdemand，Iempty-handednevergoaway；

Nowpearl，nowringwillheshakefromhim，andNowgiftmewithsomerichandfairarray。

Yettellmadonnaheisathercommand；

Butnotforgold；forhimnogoldcanpay；

ButifIforonenightherarmsmayfill，Himmayshetakeanddowithhimherwill。\'

CXII

“Sosaid，agem，new-dropt，onherheprest，Andbadehertotheladybeartheboon。

ThatinthecostlyproduceshepossestTen，twentyducats\'valuedeemedthecrone。

Sheborethemessagetothedameaddressed，AndafterwroughtonhertillshewaswonTobuythebeauteousdog，whomightbeboughtBypaymentofaprizewhichcostethnought。

CXIII

“Argiasomewhatcoyatfirstappears；

Partlythatsheherfaithwillnotforego；

PartlythatshebelievesnotallshehearsThatbeldamofthedogandpilgrimshow。

Thenurseinsists，anddinsintoherears，Thatseldomsuchachanceoccursbelow；

AndmakesherfixanotherdaytoseeThatdog，whenfewereyesonhershallbe。

CXIV

“ThenextappearancewhichAdoniomadeWasruintothedoctor；forthehoundDoubloons，bydozensandbydozens，braidOfpearl，andcostlyjewelsscatteredround。

SothatArgia\'sprideofheartwaslaid；

Andsomuchlessthedamemaintainedherground，Whensheinhim，whomadetheproffer，viewedTheMantuancavalierthatwhilomwooed。

CXV

“Theharlotnurse\'seviloratory，Theprayerandpresenceofthesuitorlord，Theoccasiontoacquirethatmightyfee，WhichwretchedAnselm\'sabsencewouldafford，Thehopethatnonewouldheraccuserbe，Sovanquishherchastethoughts，shemakestheaccord——

Acceptsthewondrousdog；and，ashispay，Toherlemanyieldsherselfawillingprey。

CXVI

ThefruitsoflovelongculledthatcavalierWithhisladyfair；untowhomthefayTooksuchaffection，whomsheheldsodear，Thatsheobligedherselfwithhertostay。

Throughallthesignsthesunhadtravelled，ereThejudgehadleavetowendhishomewardway。

Hefinallyreturned；butsoreafraidThroughwhattheastrologererewhilehadsaid。

CXVII

“Arrived，hisfirstemploymentistorunTothatastrologer\'sabode，andcrave，Ifshameandeviltohiswifebedone；

Ofifsheyetherfaithandhonorsave。

Theheavenshefigured；andtoeveryoneOfthesevenplanetsitsduestationgave；

ThentothejudgerepliedthatithadbeenEvenashefeared，andasitwasforeseen。

CXVIII

“ByrichestpresentstemptedtoforegoHerfaith，apreywasshetootherwight。

Thistothedoctor\'sheartwassuchablow；

Norlance，norspear，Ideem，sosorelysmite。

Tobemorecertifiedhewends(althoughHeistoowellassuredtheseerisright)

Tothatoldnurse；and，drawingherapart，Tolearnthetruthemployshiseveryart。

CXIX

“Heinwidecirclesdothaboutherwind，Hopingnowhere，nowthere，tospysometrace:

Butnoughtinthebeginningcanhefind，Withwhatsoevercarehesiftsthecase。

Forshe，asnotunpractisedinthatkind，Denies，andfrontshimwithuntroubledface；

And，aswelltaught，aboveamonthstandsout，Holdingthejudge\'twixtcertaintyanddoubt。

CXX

“Howblestwoulddoubtappear，hadhethatwoundForeseen，whichwouldbegivenbycertainty！

WhenoutofthatfalsenurseatlasthefoundHecouldnotfishthetruthbyprayerorf