8. About the cockcrow of night came a young man from the next city, which seemed to be one of the family of the good woman Charite which sometime endured so much misery and calamity with me amongst the thieves; who, after that he had taken a stool and sat down by the fireside in the company of the servants, began to declare many terrible things that had happened unto Charite and unto her house, saying: “ O ye horsekeepers, shepherds, and cowherds, you shall understand that we have lost our good mistress Charite miserably and by evil adventure, but not alone did she go down to the ghosts. But to the end you may learn and know the whole matter, I purpose to tell you the circumstance of every point, whereby such as are more learned than I, to whom fortune has ministered more copious style, may paint it out in paper in form of an history.
8. NOCTIS gallicinio venit quidam iuvenis e proxuma civitate, ut quidem mihi videbatur unus ex famulis Charites, puellae illius quae mecum apud latrones pares aerumnas exanclaverat. Is de eius exitio et domus totius infortunio mira ac nefanda,ignem propter assidens, inter conservorum frequentiam sic annuntiabat: “Equisones opilionesque, etiam busequae, fuit Charite nobis, quae misella et quidem casu gravissimo, nec vero incomitata Manes adivit. Sed ut cuncta noritis, referam vobis a capite quae gesta sunt, quaeque possent merito doctiores, quibus stilos Fortuna subministrat, in historiae specimen chartis involvere.
There was a young gentleman dwelling in the next city, born of good parentage, valiant in prowess, and rich in substance, but very much given and addict to whore-hunting and continual revelling by broad day: whereby he fell in company with thieves, and had his hand ready to the effusion of human blood; and his name was Thrasyllus.
Erat in proxuma civitate iuvenis natalibus praenobilis, quo clarus eo pecuniae fuit satis locuples sed luxuriae popinalis, scortisque et diurnis potationibus exercitatus, atque ob id factionibus latronum male sociatus, necnon etiam manus inlectus humano cruore, Thrasyllus nomine: idque sic erat et fama dicebat.
The matter was this according to the report of every man: when Charite had come to an age ripe for marriage, he was among the chiefest of her suitors hand very ardently sought her hand; but although me were a man more comely than the residue that wooed her, and also had riches abundantly to persuade her parents, yet because he was of evil fame, and a man of wicked manners and conversation, he had the repulse and was put off by Charite. And so our master's daughter married with Tlepolemus; howbeit this young man secretly cherished his down-pall en love, and moved somewhat at her refusal, he busily searched some means to work his damnable intent: and so (having found occasion and opportunity to present himself there) he girt himself for the evil purpose which he had long time concealed; and so he brought it to pass, that the same day that Charite was delivered by the subtle means and valiant audacity of her husband from the puissance of the thieves, he mingled himself amongst the assembly, feigning with a notable shew that he was glad above all others of the new marriage and of the hope of future offspring. Hereby (by reason that he came of so noble parents) he was received and entertained into the house as a chief guest, and falsely coloured himself to be one of their most principal friends: and so, under cloak of a faithful well-wisher, he dissimuled his mischievous mind and intent. In continuance of time, by much familiarity and often conversation and banqueting together, he was taken more and more in favour: then did he fall little by little and unawares into the deeper gulf of lust and desire. What wonder indeed?
Hic cum primum Charite nubendo maturuisset, inter praecipuos procos summo studio petitionis eius munus obicrat, et quanquam ceteris omnibus id genus viris antistaret eximiisque muneribus parentum invitaret iudicium, morum tamen improbatus repulsae contumelia fuerat aspersus. Ac dum herilis puella in boni Tlepolemi manum venerat, firmiter deorsus delapsum nutriens amorem et denegati thalami permiscens indignationem, cruento facinori quaerebat accessum. Nanctus denique praesentiae suae tempestillam occasionem, sceleri quod diu cogitarat accingitur, ac die, quo praedonum infestis mucronibus puella fuerat astu virtutibusque sponsi sui liberata, turbae gratulantium exultans insigniter permiscuit sese salutique praesenti ac futurae suboli novorum maritorum gaudibundus, ad honorem splendidae prosapiae inter praecipuos hospites domum nostram receptus, occultato consilio sceleris, amici fidelissimi personam mentiebatur. Iamque sermonibus assiduis et conversatione frequenti, nonnunquam etiam cena poculoque communi carior cariorque factus, in profundam ruinam cupidinis sese paulatim nescius praecipitaverat. Quidni, cum flamma saevi amoris parva quidem primo vapore delectet, sed fomentis consuetudinis exaestuans immodicis ardoribus totos amburat homines?
Like as we see it fortuneth to lovers, who are at first delighted by the lame of cruel love, when as it is small, until by continual feeding of it with the fuel of use and wont, it gloweth and flameth and altogether burneth them up. Thrasyllus had long pondered within himself, perceiving that it was a hard matter to break his mind secretly to Charite, and that he was wholly barred from accomplishment of his luxurious appetite both by the multitude of her guards and servitors, and because the love of her and her husband was so strongly linked together that the bond between them might in no wise be dissevered; and moreover it was a thing impossible to ravish her, because even pf she would, although she would not, she knew nothing of the arts of deceiving a spouse. Yet was he still provoked forward by an obstinate madness to that very thing which he could not, as though he could.
Diu denique deliberaverat secum Thrasyllus, quod nec clandestinis colloquiis opportunum repperiret locum, et adulterinae Veneris magis magisque praeclusos aditus copia custodientium cerneret novaeque atque gliscentis affectionis firmissimum vinculum noni posse dissociari perspiceret, et puellae, si vellet, quanquam velle non posset, furatrinae coniugalis incommodaret rudimentum; et tamen ad hoc ipsum quod non potest, contentiosa pernicie, quasi posset, impellitur: quod nunc arduum factu putatur, amore per dies roborato facile videtur effectu. Spectata denique sed, oro, sollicitis animis intendite, quorsum furiosae libidinis proruperint impetus.
At length the thing which seemeth so hard and difficult, when love has been fortified through time, doth ever at last appear easy and facile; but mark, I pray you, diligently, to what end the furious force of his inordinate desire came. On a day Tlepolemus went to the chase with Thrasyllus to hunt for wild beasts, but only for goats —if indeed goats be wild beasts—for his wife Charite desired him earnestly to meddle with no other beasts which were of more fierce and wild mature, armed with tusk or horn. When they were come within the chase to a great thicket on a hill, fortressed about with briars and thorns, they compassed round the goats, which had been spied out by trackers; and by and by warning was given lo let loose the dogs, that had been bred of a noble mock, to rout up the beasts from their lairs. They, remembering all their careful teaching, spread out and covered every entry; and first they did not give tongue, but when on a sudden the signal was given they rushed in with such a cry that all the forest rang again with the noise; but behold there leaped out no goat, nor timid deer, nor hind, most gentle of all beasts, but an horrible and dangerous wild boar, such as no one had seen before, thick with muscles and brawn, with a filthy and hairy hide, his bristles rising along his pelt, foaming at the mouth, grinding his teeth, looking direfully with fiery eyes, and rushing like lightning as he charged with his furious jaws.
Die quadam venatum Tlepolemus assumpto Thrasyllo petebat indagaturus feras, si quid tamen in capreis feritatis est; nec enim Charite maritum suum quaerere patiebatur bestias armatas dente vel cornu. Iamque apud frondosum tumulum ramorumque densis tegminibus umbrosum, prospectu vestigatorum obsaeptis capreis, canes venationis indagini generosae, mandato cubili residentes invaderent bestias, immittuntur; statimque sollertis disciplinae memores, partitae totos praecingunt aditus tacitaque prius servata mussitatione, signo sibi repentino reddito, latratibus fervidis dissonisque miscent omnia. Nec ulla caprea nec pavens damula nec prae ceteris feris mitior cerva, sed aper immanis atque invisitatus exsurgit toris callosae cutis obesus, pilis inhorrentibus corio squalidus, setis insurgentibus spinae hispidus dentibus attritu sonaci spumeus, oculis aspectu minaci flammeus, impetu saevo frementis oris totus fulmineus; et primum quidem canum procaciores quae comminus contulerant vestigium, genis hac illac iactatis consectas interficit, dein calcata retiola,
The dogs that first set upon him he tare and rent with his tusks, and rifled them up and hurled them away on every side, and then he ran quite through the nets that had checked his first charges and escaped away. When we saw the fury of this beast, we were all greatly stricken with fear, and because we never accustomed to chase such dreadful boars, and further because we were unarmed and without weapons, we got and hid ourselves under bushes and trees. Then Thrasyllus, having found opportunity to work his treason, said to Tlepolemus:' What, stand we here amazed? Why shew we ourselves like these slaves of ours, or why leave we so worthy a prey to go forth from our very hands, despairing like some timid woman? Let us mount upon our horses and pursue him incontinently: take you a hunting javelin, and I will take a spear'; and by and by they leaped upon their horses and followed the beast earnestly. But he, forgetting not his natural strength, returned against them burning with the fire of his wild nature, and gnashing his teeth, pried with his eyes on whom he might first assail with his tusks: and Tlepolemus struck the beast first on the back with his javelin. But Thrasyllus attacked not the beast, but came behind and cut the hamstrings of the hinder legs of Tlepolemus' horse, in such sort that he fell down in much blood to the ground and threw despite his will his master: then suddenly the boar came upon Tlepolemus, and furiously tare and rent first his garments and then him with his teeth as he would rise. Howbeit, his good friend Thrasyllus did not repent of his wicked deed to see him thus wounded, nor was it enough for his cruelty only to look: but when he was gored and essayed to protect his fresh wounds from the heavy blows, and desired his friendly help, he thrust Tlepolemus through the right thigh with his spear, the more boldly because he thought the wound of the spear would be taken for a wound of the boar's teeth: then he easily killed the beast likewise.
qua primos impetus reduxerat, transabiit. Et nos quidem cuncti pavore deterriti et alioquin innoxiis venationibus consueti, tunc etiam inermes atque immuniti, tegumentis frondis vel arboribus latenter abscondimus; Thrasyllus vero nanctus fraudium opportunum decipulum sic Tlepolemum captiose compellat: ‘Quid stupore confusi vel etiam cassa formidine similes humilitati servorum istorum, vel in modum pavoris feminei deiecti tam opimam praedam mediis manibus amittimus? Quin equos inscendimus? Quin ocius indipiscimur? En cape venabulum, ei ego sumo lanceam’; nec tantillum morati protinus insiliunt equos ex summo studio bestiam insequentes. Nec tamen illa genuini vigoris oblita retorquet imi petum et incendio feritatis ardescens dente compulsa quem primum insiliat cunctabunda rimatur. Sed prior Tlepolemus iaculum, quod gerebat, insuper dorsum bestiae contorsit: at Thrasyllus ferae quidem pepercit sed equi, quo vehebatur Tlepolemus, postremos poplites lancea feriens amputat. Quadrupes reccidens, qua sanguis effluxerat, toto tergo supinatus invitus dominum suum devolvit ad terram: nec diu, et eum furens aper invadit iacentem ac primo lacinias eius, mox ipsum resurgentem multo dente laniavit. Nec coepti nefarii bonum piguit amicum vel suae saevitiae litatum saltem tanto periculo cernens potuit expleri, sed percito atque plagoso, cruda vulnera contegenti suumque auxilium miscriter roganti per femus dexterum dimisit lanceam, tanto ille quidem fidentius quanto crederet ferri vulnera similia futura prosectu dentium: necnon tamen ipsam quoque bestiam facili manu transadigit.
And when the young man was thus miserably slain, every one of us came out of our holes, and went sorrowfully towards our slain master. But although that Thrasyllus was joyful of the death of Tlepolemus, whom he did greatly hate, yet he cloaked the matter with a sorrowful countenance, he feigned a dolorous face, he often embraced the body which he himself slew, he played all the parts of a mourning person, saving there fell no tears from his eyes.
Ad hunc modum definito iuvene exciti latibulo suo quisque familia maesta concurrimus: at ille quanquam perfecto voto, prostrato inimico laetus ageret, vultu tamen gaudium tegit et frontem asseverat et dolorem simulat, et cadaver, quod ipse fecerat, avide circumplexus, omnia quidem lugentium officia sollerter affinxit; sed solae lacrimae procedere noluerunt. Sic ad nostri similitudinem, qui vere lamentabamur, conformatus manus suae culpam bestiae dabat.
Thus he resembled us in each point (who verily, and not without occasion, had cause to lament for our master) laying all the blame of this homicide unto the boar. Incontinently after, the sorrowful news of the death of Tlepolemus came to the ears of all the family, but especially to unhappy Charite, who, when.she had heard such pitiful tidings, as a mad and raging woman ran up and down the streets and the country fields, crying and howling lamentably. All the citizens gathered together, and such as met her bare her company running towards the chase, so that all the city was emptied to see the sight. When they met the slain body of Tlepolemus, Charite threw herself upon him, weeping and lamenting grievously for his death, in such sort that she would have presently ended her life upon the corpse of her slain husband, whom she so entirely loved, had it not been that her parents and friends did comfort her, and hardly pulled her away.
Necdum satis scelere transacto fama dilabitur en cursus primos ad domum Tlepolemi detorquet et aures infelicis nuptae percutit. Quae quidem simul percepit tale nuntium quale non audiet aliud, amens et vecordia percita cursuque bacchata furibundo per plateas populosas et arva rurestria fertur, insana voce casum mariti quiritans: confluunt civium maestae catervae, sequuntur obvii dolore sociato, civitas cuncta vacuatur studio visionis. Et ecce mariti cadaver accurrit labantique spiritu totam se super corpus effudit ac paenissime ibidem, quam devoverat ei, reddidit animam. Sed aegre manibus erepta suorum invita remansit in vita, funus vero toto feralem pompam prosequente populo deducitur ad sepulturam.
Then the body was taken up, and in funeral pomp brought to the city and buried. In the mean season Thrasyllus feigned much sorrow for the death of Tlepolemus, crying and beating his breast beyond all measure, but in his heart he was well pleased and joyful, and the tears that he, had not for his former grief were ready to come now for his gladness. And to counterfeit very truth by words of kindness, he would come to Charite and say: ' O what a loss have I had, by the death of my friend, my fellow, my companion, my brother Tlepolemus' (adding the name in a melancholy voice). 'O Charite, comfort yourself, pacify your dolour, refrain your weeping, beat not your breasts.' And so saying, he would hold her hands and restrain them, so that she might not beat her bosom: with soft words he would blunt the sting of her sorrow, laud with divers examples of evil fortune he endeavoured to comfort her; but he spake and did not this for any other intent but that in guise of friendship he might closely handle the woman, and so nourish his odious love with filthy delight. Howbeit, Charite, after the burial of her husband, sought the means to follow him, and tried every way, but especially that which is most gentle and easy, nor requireth any weapon, but is most like to quiet sleep: for she purposed to finish her life with starvation and neglecting herself, she buried herself deep in the darkness and had done with the light for good and all. But Thrasyllus was very importunate, and at length brought to pass that at the intercession both of himself and of the friends and familiars, and last of the parents of Charite, she somewhat refreshed her body, that was all befouled and well nigh broken, with refection of meat and bathing. Howbeit, she did it unwillingly, more at the commandment of her parents and the duty she owed to them, than for anything else: and she wore a calmer, but yet not a merry face, while she went about the duties of the living, but inwardly she tormented herself very greatly with grief and mourning: she spent whole days and nights in miserable longing, and there was an image of her husband, which she had made like unto Bacchus, unto which she rendered divine honours and services, so that she grieved herself even by her consolation.
Sed Thrasyllus nimium nimius clamare, plangere, et quas in primo maerore lacrimas non habebat, iam scilicet crescente gaudio reddere et multis caritatis nominibus veritatem ipsam fallere. Illum amicum, coaetaneum, contubernalem, fratrem denique, addito nomine lugubri, ciere, necnon interdum manus Charites a pulsandis uberibus amovere, luctum sedare, eiulatum coercere, verbis palpantibus stimulum doloris obtundere, variis exemplis multivagi casus solacia nectere, cunctis tamen mentitae pietatis officiis studium contrectandae mulieris adhibere odiosumque amorem suum perperam delectando nutrire. Sed officiis inferialibus statim exactis puella protinus festinat ad maritum suum demeare, cunctasque prorsus pertemptat vias, certe illam lenem otiosamque nec telis ullis indigentem sed placidae quieti consimilem: inedia denique misera et incuria squalida tenebris imis abscondita iam cum luce transegerat. Sed Thrasyllus instantia pervicacia partim per semet ipsum, partim per ceteros familiares ac necessarios, ipsos denique puellae parentes extorquet, tandem, iam lurore et illuvie paene collapsa membra lavacro, cibo denique confoveret. At illa parentum suorum alioquin reverens, invita quidem verum religiosae necessitati succumbens, vultu non quidem hilaro, verum paulo sereniore obiens, ut iubebatur, viventium munia, prorsus in pectore, immo vero penitus in medullis luctu ac maerore carpebat animum et dies totos totasque noctes insumebat luctuoso desiderio, et imagines defuncti, quas ad habitum dei Liberi formaverat, affixo servitio divinis percolens honoribus, ipso sese solacio cruciabat.
In the mean season Thrasyllus, not being able to refrain any longer, a man bold and impatient according to the signification of his name,1 before Charite had assuaged her dolours with tears, before her troubled mind had pacified her fury, before her; grief had become less from its own abundance and long continuance, while she wept for her husband, while she tare her garments and rent her hair, doubted not to demand her in marriage, and so very rashly detected the secrets and unspeakable deceits of his heart. But Charite detested and abhorred his demand, and as she had been stricken with some clap of thunder, with some storm, or with the lightning of Jupiter, she presently fell down to the ground all amazed with a cloud. Howbeit in the end, when her spirits were revived and that she returned to herself crying and shrieking like some beast, remembering all that had passed with the wicked Thrasyllus, she demanded respite to deliberate and to take advice on the matter. In the mean season of delay the shape of Tlepolemus that was slain so miserably appeared to Charite as she chastely slept, with a pale and bloody face, saying: ' O my sweet wife (a name which no other person shall say but I), even if the memory of me in thy heart groweth dim, or the remembrance faileth of my pitiful death, in so much that our bond of love hath been severed, marry happily with any other person, so that you marry not with the traitor Thrasyllus; have no conference with him, eat not with him, lie not with him; avoid the bloody hand of mine enemy, let not thy marriage be begun with parricide.1 For those wounds, the blood whereof thy tears did wash away, were not all the wounds of the teeth of the boar, but the spear of wicked Thrasyllus parted me from thee.'
Verum Thrasyllus praeceps alioquin et de ipso nomine temerarius, priusquam dolorem lacrimae satiarent et percitae mentis resideret furor, et in sese nimietatis senio lassesceret luctus, adhuc flentem maritum, adhuc vestes lacerantem, adhuc capillos distrahentem non dubitavit de nuptiis convenire et imprudentiae labe tacita pectoris sui secreta fraudesque ineffabiles detegere. Sed Charite vocem nefandam et horruit et detestata est et, velut gravi tonitru procellaque sideris vel etiam ipso diali fulmine percussa, corruit corpus et obnubilavit animam. Sed intervallo revalescente paulatim spiritu, ferinos mugitus iterans et iam scaenam pessimi Thrasylli perspiciens, ad limam consilii desiderium petitoris distulit. Tunc inter moras umbra illa misere trucidati Tlepolemi sanie cruentam et pallore deformem attollens faciem quietem pudicam interpellat uxoris: ‘Mi coniux (quod tibi prorsus ab alio dici non licebit) etsi pectori tuo iam perimitur nostri memoria, vel acerbae mortis meae casus foedus caritatis intercidit, quovis alio felicius maritare, modo ne in Thrasylli manum sacrilegam convenias, neve sermonem conferas nec mensam accumbas nec toro acquiescas. Fuge mei percussoris cruentam dexteram: noli parricidio nuptias auspicari. Vulnerat illa, quorum sanguinem tuae lacrimae proluerunt, non sunt tota dentium vulnera: lancea mali Thrasylli me tibi fecit alienum’: et addidit cetera omnemque scaenam sceleris illuminavit.
Thus spoke Tlepolemus unto his loving wife, and declared the whole residue of the damnable fact. But Charite lay as she had first fallen asleep, with her face buried in her pillow; now she wetted her cheeks with her welling tears: and now aroused as by some new anguish, she began to cry aloud as if she renewed her dolour, to tear her garments, and to beat her comely arms with her furious hands: howbeit she revealed the vision which she saw to no manner of person, but dissembling that she knew the truth of the mischief, devised silently with herself how she might be revenged on the wicked murderer, and finish her own life, to end and knit up all sorrow. Again came Thrasyllus the detestable demander of the pleasure that should betray him, and wearied the closed ears of Charite with talk of marriage; but she, gently refusing his communication, and colouring the matter with passing craft in the midst of his earnest desires and humble prayers, began to say: 'Thrasyllus, you shall understand that yet the comely face of your brother 1 and my husband is always before mine eyes; I smell yet the cinnamon scent of his precious body, I yet feel Tlepolemus alive in my heart: wherefore you shall do well if you grant to me, miserable woman, necessary time.
At illa, ut primum maesta quieverat toro faciem impressa, etiam nunc dormiens lacrimis emanantibus genas cohumidat et velut quodam tormento inquieta quieti excussa, luctu redintegrato prolixum eiulat, nocturnis imaginibus, sed indicio facinoris prorsus dissimulatio, et nequissimum percussorem punire et aerumnabili vitae sese subtrahere tacita decernit. Ecce rursus improvidae voluptatis detestabilis petitor aures obseratas de nuptiis obtundens aderat: sed illa clementer aspernata sermonem Thrasylli astuque miro personata instanter garrienti summisseque deprecanti ‘Adhuc’ inquit ‘Tui fratris meique carissimi mariti facies pulchra illa in meis deversatur oculis, adhuc odor cinnameus ambrosei corporis per nares meas percurrit, adhuc formosus Tlepolemus in meo vivit pectore. Boni ergo et optimi consules, si luctui legitimo miserrimae feminae necessarium concesseris tempus, quoad residuis mensibus spatium reliquum compleatur anni, quae res cum meum pudorem, tum etiam tuum salutare commodum respicit, ne forte immaturitate nuptiarum indignatione iusta manes acerbos mariti ad exitium salutis tuae suscitemus.’
to bewail his death, until after the residue of a few months the whole year may be expired, which thing toucheth as well my shame as your wholesome profit, lest peradventure by our speedy and quick marriage we should justly raise and provoke the resentful spirit of my husband to work your destruction.' " Howbeit Thrasyllus was not contented with this speech, nor even cheered by her hopeful promise, but more and more was earnest upon her, to whisper wickedly in her ear with his busy tongue, in so much that she was enforced to seem conquered by him, and to speak to him in this manner: ' My friend Thrasyllus, this one thing must thou grant to my earnest prayers, that we should take our pleasure in such sort and so secret, that no servant of the house may perceive it until the whole year be complete and finished.' Then Thrasyllus, trusting the false promises of the woman, consented gladly to her secret embraces, and was joyful in his heart and looked for night, when as he might have his purpose, preferring his inordinate pleasure above all things in the world. ' But come you quietly about midnight,' said Charite, ' Covered up and disguised without all company. And do but hiss at my chamber-door, and await; my nurse shall attend sitting before the barrier for thy coming.
Nec isto sermone Thrasyllus sobriefactus vel saltem tempestiva pollicitatione recreatus identidem pergit linguae sauciantis susurros improbos inurguere, quoad simulanter revicta Charite suscipit: ‘Istud equidem certe magnopere deprecanti concedas necesse est mihi, mi Thrasylle, ut interdum taciti clandestinos coitus obeamus nec quisquam persentiscat familiarium, quoad dies reliquos metiatur annus.’ Promissioni fallaciosae mulieris oppressus succubuit Thrasyllus et prolixe consentit de furtivo concubitu, noctemque et operias exoptat ultro tenebras, uno potiundi studio postponens omnia. ‘Sed heus tu,’ inquit Charite ‘Quam probe veste contectus omnique comite viduatus prima vigilia tacitus fores meas accedas unoque sibilo contentus nutricem istam meam opperiare, quae claustris adhaerens excubabit adventui tuo: nec setius patefactis aedibus acceptum te nullo lumine conscio ad meum perducet cubiculum.’
Then shall she let thee in, and bring thee without any light, that might betray us, to my sleeping-room.' This counsel of fatal marriage pleased Thrasyllus marvellously; who, suspecting no harm, and in a turmoil of expectation, did always complain that the day was long and the evening came not: but when at last the sun gave way to the night, according to Charite's commandment he disguised himself and went straight, full of hope, to her chamber, where he found the nurse attending for him with feigned diligence. She (by the appointment of her mistress) fed him with flattering talk, brought silently cups and a flagon, and gave him drink mingled and doled with sleepy drugs, excusing the absence of her mistress Charite by reason that she attended on her father being sick, until such time that with sweet talk and operation of the wine (for he drank greedily and suspected nothing) he fell in a sound sleep.
Placuit Thrasyllo scaena feralium nuptiarum: nec sequius aliquid suspicatus sed expectatione turbidus de diei tantum spatio et vesperae mora querebatur. Sed ubi sol tandem nocti decessit, exi imperio Charites adornatus et nutricis captiosa vigilia deceptus irrepit cubiculum pronus spei. Tunc anus de iussu dominae blandiens ei furtim depromptis calicibus et oenophoro, quod immixtum vino soporiferum gerebat venenum, crebris potionibus avide ac secure haurientem, mentita dominae tarditatem, quasi parentem assideret aegrotum, facile sepelivit ad somnum. Iamque eo ad omnes iniurias exposito ac supinato, introvocata Charite masculis animis impetuque diro fremens invadit ac supersistit sicarium:
Now when he lay prostrate on the ground ready to all attack, Charite (being called for) came in, and with manly courage and bold force stood over this sleeping murderer, saying: ' Behold the faithful companion of my husband, behold this valiant hunter, behold my dear spouse; this is the hand which shed my blood, this is the heart which hath devised so many subtle means to work my destruction, these be the eyes whom I have pleased to my ill: behold how in a manner they foreshewed their own destined punishment when they prayed for the darkness to come. Sleep careless, dream that thou art in the hands of the merciful, for 1 will not hurt thee with thy sword or with any other weapon; God forbid that I should make thee equal to my husband by a like death. But thy eyes shall fail thee still living, and thou shalt see no more save when thou dreamest: I will see to, it that thou shalt think the death of thine enemy more sweet than thy life: of a surety thou shalt see no light, thou shalt lack the aid of a leader, thou shalt not have me as thou hopest, thou shalt have no delight of my marriage, thou shalt have no rest in the quiet of death, and yet living thou shalt have no joy, but wander between the light of day and the darkness of hell as an unsure image: thou shalt seek for the hand that pricked out thy eyes, yet shalt thou not know (the most grievous part in all calamity) of whom thou shouldst complain: I will make libation With the blood of thine eyes upon the grave of my husband, I will pacify his holy shade with these eyes of thine. But why dost thou gain respite of thy due torment through my delay? Perhaps thou dreamest that thou embracest me in thine arms to thine own ruin: leave off the darkness of sleep, and awake thou to receive a penal deprivation of light: lift up thy sightless face, regard thy vengeance and evil fortune, reckon thy misery: so pleaseth thine eyes?
‘En’ inquit ‘Fidus coniugis mei comes, en venator egregius, en carus maritus. Haec est illa dextera quae meum sanguinem fudit, hoc pectus quod fraudulentas ambages in meum concinnavit exitium, oculi isti quibus male placui, qui quodam modo futuras tenebras auspicantes venientes poenas antecedunt. Quiesce securus, beate somniare. Non ego gladio, non ferro petam: absit ut simili mortis genere cum marito meo coaequeris. Vivo tibi morientur oculi, nec quicquam videbis nisi dormiens. Faxo feliciorem necem inimici tui quam vitam tuam sentias. Lumen certe non videbis, manu comitis indigebis, Chariten non tenebis, nuptias non frueris, nec mortis quiete recreaberis nec vitae voluptate laetaberis, sed incertum simulacrum errabis inter Orcum et solem; et diu quaeres dexteram quae tuas expugnavit pupulas, quodque est in aerumna miserrimum, nescies de quo queraris. At ego sepulchrum mei Tlepolemi tuo luminum cruore libabo et sanctis manibus eius istis oculis parentabo. Sed quid mora temporis dignum cruciatum lucraris et meos forsitan tibi pestiferos imaginaris amplexus? Relictis somnolentis tenebris ad aliam poenalem evigila caliginem: attolle vacuam faciem, vindictam recognosce, infortunium intellege, aerumnas computa. Sic pudicae mulieri tui placuerunt oculi, sic faces nuptiales tuos illuminarunt thalamos. Ultrices habebis pronubas, et orbitatem comitem et perpetuae conscientiae stimulum.’
to a chaste woman, so have the nuptial torches I lightened thy couch, that thou shalt have the Furies Ito be women of thy bedchamber, blindness to be thy companion, and an everlasting prick of remorse to thy miserable conscience.' When she had prophesied in these words, she took a great needle from her head and pricked out both his eyes: which done, leaving him blind and waking in great pain (though he knew not whence it came) from his drunkenness and sleep, she by and by caught the naked sword which her husband Tlepolemus accustomed to wear, and ran throughout I all the city like a mad woman towards the sepulchre of her husband, doubtless bent on some wild purpose. [Then we with all the citizens left our houses and ran [incontinently after her, exhorting each other to take [the sword out of her furious hands;
Ad hunc modum vaticinata mulier acu crinali capite deprompta Thrasylli convulnerat tota lumina eumque prorsus exoculatum relinquens, dum dolore i nescio crapulam cum somno discutit, arrepto nudo I gladio quo se Tlepolemus solebat incingere, per mediam civitatem cursu furioso proripit se, procul dubio nescioquod scelus gestiens et recta monimentum mariti contendit. At nos et omnis populus nudatis totis aedibus studiose consequimur, hortati mutuo ferrum vesanis extorquere manibus. Sed Charite capulum Tlepolemi propter assistens gladioque fulgenti singulos abigens, ubi fletus uberes et lamentationes varias cunctorum intuetur, ‘Abicite’ inquit, ‘Importunas lacrimas, abicite luctum meis virtutibus alienum. Vindicavi in mei mariti cruentum peremptorem, punita sum funestum mearum nuptiarum praedonem. Iam tempus est ut isto gladio deorsus ad meum Tlepolemum viam quaeram.’
but she, clasping [about the tomb of Tlepolemus, kept us off with her naked weapon, and when she perceived that every Lone of us wept and lamented, she spake in this sort: 'I pray you, my friends, let there be no unasked tears for me nor laments unworthy of my courage, for I am revenged of the death of my husband, I have punished deservedly the Wicked breaker of our ¦marriage 1; now is it time to seek out with this sword the way to my sweet Tlepolemus.' And therewithal, [after she had made relation of the whole matter which was declared unto her by the vision of her husband which she saw, and told by what means she deceived Thrasyllus, thrusting the sword under her right Abreast and wallowing in her own blood, she babbled some uncertain words and at length with manly courage yielded up the ghost. Then immediately the friends of miserable Charite did wash carefully per body and bury her within the same sepulchre with ¦Tlepolemus to be his spouse for ever.
Et enarratis ordine singulis quae sibi per somnium nuntiaverat maritus quoque astu Thrasyllum inductum petisset, ferro sub papillam dexteram transadacto corruit et in suo sibi pervolutata sanguine postremo balbutiens incerto sermone proflavit animam virilem. Tunc propere familiares miserae Charites accuratissime corpus ablutum unita sepultura ibidem marito perpetuam coniugem reddidere. Thrasyllus vero cognitis omnibus, nequiens idoneum exitum praesenti cladi reddere certusque tanto facinori nec gladium sufficere, sponte delatus ibidem ad sepulchrum, ‘Ultronea vobis, infesti Manes, en adest victima’ saepe clamitans, valvis super sese diligenter obseratis inedia statuit elidere sua sententia damnatum spiritum.”
Thrasyllus, hearing all the matter, and knowing that by no death he could fitly atone for this present ruin, for he thought his sword was not sufficient to revenge so great a crime, at length went of himself to the same sepulchre, and I cried with a loud voice, saying: ' O ye dead spirits whom I have so highly offended, receive me; behold I make sacrifice unto you with my body': which said he closed the doors of the sepulchre upon him, I purposing to famish himself, and so finish his life I there and yield up his accursed ghost in sorrow.” These things the young man with pitiful sighs and tears declared unto the cowherds and shepherds, which caused them all to weep; but they, fearing to become subject unto new masters, and pitying deeply [the misery of their master's house, prepared them-[selves to depart away; but by and by the horse-keeper, to whom the charge of me so carefully had been committed, brought forth all the precious I things that were stored in his cottage, and laded me and other horses withal, and so departed thence from his former place: we bare women, children, pullets, geese, kids, whelps, and other things which were not able to keep pace with us, which so travelled upon our feet. As for that which I bare upon my back, although it was a mighty burden, yet seemed it but light because I was very glad to depart and leave him that most terribly had appointed to geld me. When we had passed over a great mountain full of trees and were come again into the open fields, behold we approached nigh to a fair and rich castle, where it was told unto us that we were not able to pass in our journey that night, nay, nor in the early morning either, by reason of the great number of terrible wolves which were in the country about, besieging all the roads; so great in their body and fierce and cruel, that they put every man in fear, in such sort that they would invade and set upon such which passed by like thieves, and devour them and their beasts: and sometimes they would be mad with hunger and would attack the country-farms that lay hard by, and that the same death as of the peaceful cattle would await the men therein. Moreover, we were advertised that there lay in the way where we should pass many dead bodies, half eaten land torn with wolves, and their inward flesh was all torn away and the white of their bones was everywhere to be seen.
Haec ille longos trahens suspiritus et nonnunquam illacrimans graviter affectis rusticis annuntiabat. Tunc illi mutati dominii novitatem metuentes et infortunium domus herilis altius miserantes fugere! comparant. Sed equorum magister qui me curandum magna ille quidem commendatione susceperat, quidquid in casula pretiosum conditumque servabat meo atque aliorum iumentorum dorso repositum asportans sedes pristinas deserit. Gerebamus infantulos ei mulieres, gerebamus pullos, anseres, haedos, catellosj1., et quidquid infirmo gradu fugam morabatur, nostris quoque pedibus ambulabat. Nec me pondus sarcinae!, quanquam enormis, urguebat, quippe gaudiali fuga detestabilem illum exsectorem virilitatis meae relinquentem. Silvosi montis asperum permensi iugum rursusque! reposita camporum spatia pervecti, iam vespera set; mitam tenebrante, pervenimus ad quoddam castellum frequens et opulens, unde nos incolae nocturna, immo vero matutina etiam prohibebant egressione: lupos enim numerosos, grandes et vastis corporibus sarci nosos ac nimia ferocitate saevientes, passim rapinis assuetos infestare cunctam illam regionem, iamque ipsas vias obsidere et in modum latronum praetereuntes aggredi, immo etiam vesana fame rabidos! finitimas expugnare villas exitiumque inertissimorum pecudum ipsis iam humanis capitibus imminere! Denique ob iter illud, qua nobis erat commeandum! iacere semesa hominum corpora suisque visceribus! nudatis ossibus cuncta candere ac per hoc nos quoque summa cautione viae reddi debere idque vel in primis observitare, ut luce clara et die iam provecto et sole florido, vitantes undique latentes insidias, cum et ipso lumine dirarum bestiarum repigratur impetus, non laciniatim disperso sed cuneatim stipato commeatu difficultates illas transabiremus.
Wherefore we were willed to use all caution in our going, and to observe this above all, that in broad light, when the day was well on land the sun was high, and the fierceness of such 'horrible beasts was constrained by the light, to go close and round together, avoiding all hidden lairs, 'whereby we might pass and escape all perils and dangers. But (notwithstanding this good counsel) tour caitiff drivers were so covetous to go forward, 'being rash in their blind haste, and so fearful of pursuit, that they never heeded the advice nor stayed till the morning: but being not long past [midnight, they made us be laden and trudge in our way apace. Then I, fearing the great danger which was foretold, ran amongst the middle of the other horses and hid there as deep as I could, to the end I might defend and save my poor buttocks from the wolves: whereat every man much marvelled to lee that I scoured away swifter than the other horses: but such my agility was not to get me any praise for speed, but rather a sign of fear. At that time I remembered with myself that the valiant horse Pegasus did fly rather for fear and for that was [deservedly called winged, that he did leap up in the air and skip up to the very sky, more to avoid the dangerous bite of fiery Chimaera than for anything else. For the very shepherds which drove us before them were well armed like warriors for battle: one had a spear, another had a hunting lance, some had darts, some clubs, some also gathered up great stones, of which there were many upon that rough road, some held up sharpened stakes, and most feared away the wolves with light firebrands: finally we lacked I nothing to make up an army but only trumpets. But when we had passed these dangers not without small fear, though it was vain and empty, all was in I vain, for we fortuned to fall into a snare much worse;
Sed nequissimi fugitivi ductores illi nostri caecae festinationis temeritate ac metu incertae insecutionis spreta salubri monitione nec expectata luce proxuma! circa tertiam ferme vigiliam noctis onustos nos ad viam propellunt. Tunc ego metu praedicti periculi quantum pote turbae medius et inter conferta iumenta latenter absconditus clunibus meis ab ag gressionibus ferinis consulcbam, iamque me cursu celeri ceteros equos antecellentem mirabantur omnes! sed illa pernicitas non erat alacritatis meae sed fori midinis indicium. Denique mecum ipse reputabam! Pegasum indutum illum metu magis volaticum fuisse ac per hoc merito pinnatum proditum, dum in altum et adusque caelum sussilit ac resultat, formidans scilicet igniferae morsum Chimaerae. Nam et illi pastores qui nos agebant in speciem proelii manus obarmaverant: hic lanceam, ille venabulum, alius gerebat spicula, fustem alius, sed et saxa, quae I salebrosa semita largiter subministrabat; erant qui, sudes praeacutas attollerent, plerique tamen ardentibus facibus proterrebant feras: nec quicquam praeter I unicam tubam deerat quin acies esset proeliaris. Sed nequicquam frustra timorem illum satis inanem perfuncti longe peiores inhaesimus laqueos: nam lupi, forsitan confertae iuventutis strepitu vel certe nimia luce flammarum deterriti vel etiam aliorsum grassantes, nulli contra nos aditum tulerunt ae ne procul saltem ulli comparuerant.