按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
black shagged haire； wherwith being cloathed； he seemed like a strange
deformed Beare； and a Divels vizard over his face； with two gastly
horrible hornes； and thus disguised； Bruno following him； they went to
behold the issue of the businesse； so farre as the new Market place；
closely adjoining to Santa Maria Novella。
Having espyed Master Doctor uppon the Tombe； Buffalmaco in his
mishapen habite； began to bound； leape； and carriere； snuffling and
blowing in mad and raging manner： which when the Physitian saw； his
haire stood on end； he quaked and trembled； as being more fearfull
then a Woman； wishing himselfe at home againe in his house； rather
then to behold a sight so dreadfull。 But because he was come forth；
and had such an earnest desire； to see the wonders related to him；
he made himselfe so coragious as possibly he could； and bare all out
in formall manner。 After that Buiffalmaco had （an indifferent while）
plaide his horsetrickes； ramping and stamping somewhat strangely：
seeming as become of much milder temper； he went neere to the Tomb
whereon the Physitian stood； and there appeared to stay contentedly。
Master Doctor； trembling and quaking still extreamely； was so
farre dismayed； as he knew not what was best to be done； either to
mount on the beasts backe； or not to mount at all。 In the end；
thinking no harme could happen to him； if he were once mounted； with
the second feare； hee expelled the former； and descending downe softly
from the Tombe； mounted on the beast； saying out alowde： God； Saint
Dominicke； and my good Angell helpe to defend mee。 Seating himselfe so
well as he could； but trembling still exceedingly； he crossed his
armes over his stomacke； according to the Lesson given him。
Then did Buffalmaco shape his course in milde manner； toward Santa
Maria della Scala； and groping to finde his way in the darke； went
on so farre as the Sisters of Ripole； commonly called the Virgin
Sanctuary。 Not farre off from thence； were divers trenches and
ditches； wherein such men as are imployed in necessary
nightservices； used to empty the Countesse di Cimillari； and afterward
imployed it for manuring Husbandmens grounds。 Buffalmaco； being come
neere one of them； he stayed to breath himselfe awhile； and then
catching fast hold on one of the Doctours feete； raysed him somewhat
higher on his back； for the easier discharging of his burthen； and
so pitched him （with his head forwardes） into the Laystall。
Then began he to make a dreadful kinde of noise； stamping and
trampling with his feete； passing backe againe to Santa Maria della
Scala； and to Prato d'Ognissanti； where hee met with Bruno； who was
constrained to forsake him； because he could not refraine from lowde
Laughter； then both together went backe once more； to see how the
Physitian would behave himselfe； being so sweetely embrued。
Master Doctor； seeing himselfe to bee in such an abhominable
stinking place； laboured with all his utmost endevour； to get
himself released thence： but the more he contended and strove for
getting forth； he plunged himselfe the further in； being most
pitifully myred from head to foot； sighing and sorrowing
extraordinarily； because much of the foule water entred in at his
mouth。 In the end； being forced to leave his hood behinde him；
scrambling both with his hands and feet； he got landing out of his
stinking Labyrinth； and having no other means； home he returned to his
own house； where knocking at the door he was at length admitted
entrance。 The doore being scarse made fast againe after his letting
in； Buffalmaco and Bruno were there arrived； listning how M。 Doctor
should bee welcomd home by his angry wife： who scolding and railing at
him with wonderfull impatience； gave him most hard and bitter
speeches； terming him the vilest man living。
Where have you bin Sir？ quoth she。 Are you becom a night…walker
after other Women？ And could no worse garments serve your turne； but
your Doctors gown of Scarlet？ Am I to suffer this behaviour？ Or am not
I sufficient to content you； but you must be longing after change？ I
would thou hadst bin stifled in that foule filth； where thy fouler
life did justly cast thee。 Behold goodly Master Doctor of the
Leystall； who being maried to an honest woman must yet go abroad in
the night time； insatiatly lusting after whores and harlots。 With
these and the like intemperate speeches； she ceased not to afflict and
torment him； till the night was almost spent； and the Doctor brought
into a sweeter savour。
The next morning； Bruno and Buffalmaco； colourd their bodyes with
a strange kinde of painting； resembling blisters； swellings； and
bruises； as if they had bin extreamly beaten； came to the Physitians
house； finding him to be newly up； al the house yet smelling of his
foule savour （although it had bin very well perfumed） and being
admitted to him in the Garden； hee welcommed them with the mornings
salutations。 But Bruno and Buffalmaco （being otherwise provided for
him） delivering stearne and angry lookes； stamping and chafing；
Bruno thus replyed。
Never speake so faire and flattering to us； for we are moved
beyond all compasse of patience。 All misfortunes in the worlde fall
upon you； and an evill death may you dye； like the most false and
perfidious Traitor living on the earth。 We must beate our braines； and
move all our most endeared friends； onely for your honor and
advancement： while wee were well neere starved to death in the cold
like Dogs； and； by your breach of promise； have bin this night so
extreamly beaten； as if （like Asses） we should have beene driven to
Rome。
But that which is most greevous of all； is danger of excluding out
of the Society； where wee tooke good order for your admittance； and
for your most honourable entertainment。 If you wi not credit us；
behold our bodies； and let your owne eyes be witnesses； in what cruell
manner we have bin beaten。 So taking him aside under the Gallery；
where they might not be discovered by overmuch light； they opened
their bosomes； shewing him their painted bodies； and sodainly closed
them up againe。
The Physitian laboured to excuse himselfe； declaring his misfortunes
at large； and into what a filthy place he was throwne。 It maketh no
matter （answered Buffalmaco） I would you had bin throwen from off
the Bridge into Arno； where you might have beene recommended to the
Divell and all his Saints。 Did not I tell you so much before。 In
good sadnesse （quoth the Doctor） I neyther commended my selfe to
God； nor any of his Saints。 How？ sayde Buffalmaco； I am sure you
will not maintaine an untruth； you used a kind of recommendation：
for our messenger told us； that you talked of God； S。 Dominicke； and
your good Angell； whom you desired to assist you； being so
affrighted with feare； that you trembled like a leafe upon a tree； not
knowing indeede where you were。 Thus have you unfaithfully dealt
with us； as never any man shall doe the like againe； in seeking
honour； and losing it through your own negligence。
Master Doctor humbly entreated pardon； and that they would not
revile him any more； labouring to appease them by the best words he
could use； as fearing least