Page 240 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

Beyond all question, if we may believe the report of certain by her words with a frenzy of wrath, and began to think to himself:
The Decameron lived long ago in the parts of Cathay a man named Nathan, of noble say nothing of surpassing it, as I would like, seeing that in the smallest
Genoese, and other people who have been in those regions, there
"Alas! When shall I attain to the grandeur of Nathan's generosity, to
matters I cannot approach him? Surely my labor is in vain, if I do not
lineage and incomparable wealth. He had a seat near a road, by
which anyone traveling from the West eastward, or from the East
rid the earth of him: which, since old age does not relieve me of him,
I must immediately do with my own hands." And in the flush of his
westward, had to pass, and being magnanimous and liberal, and
eager to prove himself such in action, he employed many skilled
on his horse with a small company, and after three days arrived at
artisans and caused one of the finest, largest, and most luxurious
palaces ever seen to be built and furnished in the best manner with anger he started up, and without telling anyone of his purpose, got
the place where Nathan lived; and having instructed his comrades
all things suitable for the reception and honorable entertainment of to act as if they were not his, and did not know him, and to go find
gentlemen. And so, keeping a great array of excellent servants, he lodging as best they could until they had his further orders, he, being
courteously and hospitably did the honors of his house to all who thus alone, towards evening came upon Nathan, also alone, not far
came and went: in which laudable way of life he persevered, until from his splendid palace. Nathan was taking a walk, and was very
not only the East, but almost all the West had heard of his fame; simply dressed; so that Mitridanes, not knowing him, asked him if
which thus, when he was well advanced in years, although not for he could show him where Nathan lived. "My son," replied Nathan
that reason grown weary of showing courtesy, reached the ears of cheerfully, "no one in these parts can do that better than I; therefore,
a young man named Mitridanes, from a nearby country. Knowing if it pleases you, I will bring you there." The young man replied that it
himself to be no less wealthy than Nathan, he grew envious of would be very agreeable to him, but that, if possible, he did not want
the renown that Nathan had for his good deeds, and resolved to to be known or seen by Nathan. "And in this too," returned Nathan,
obliterate, or at least to obscure it, by even greater generosity. "since it is your pleasure, I will gratify you." Whereupon Mitridanes
So he had a palace built for himself like Nathan's, of which he did dismounted, and with Nathan, who soon engaged him in delightful
the honors with a lavish courtesy that none had ever equaled, to conversation, walked to the beautiful palace. When they arrived,
all who came or went that way; and in a short while he became Nathan caused one of his servants to take the young man's horse,
famous enough. and drawing close to him, whispered to him to see to it without
delay that no one in the house should tell the young man that he
Now it happened that one day when the young man was all alone was Nathan: and so it was done.
in the courtyard of the palace, a poor woman came in by one of the
gates, asked him for alms, and received it; but, not content with Upon entering the palace, Nathan quartered Mitridanes in a most
that, came again to him by the second gate, asked for alms again, splendid chamber, where no one saw him but those whom Nathan
and received it, and did the same up to the twelfth time; but, when had appointed to wait upon him. Nathan himself kept him company,
she returned for the thirteenth time, Mitridanes said: "My good doing him all possible honor. Although Mitridanes revered Nathan
woman, you are quite persistent in your begging:" yet he gave her as a father, he could not help but ask who he was. Nathan replied:
alms. Whereupon she said: "Ah! the wondrous generosity of Nathan! "I am a petty servant of Nathan. Old as I am, I have been with him
There are thirty-two gates to his palace, by every one of which I since my childhood, and he has never advanced me to a higher office
have entered, and asking alms of him, was never - for anything he than this one you see me in. Therefore, while others may praise him,
showed - recognized, or refused, and here, though I have entered I have little cause to do so." These words gave Mitridanes hope that
by only thirteen gates, I am recognized and reprimanded." And with he could carry out his wicked plan with more ease and less risk than
that she departed, and returned no more. Mitridanes, who considered he had initially thought.
the mention of Nathan's fame a diminution of his own, was inflamed
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