Page 241 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

By and by, Nathan courteously asked Mitridanes who he was and what himself at Nathan's feet, saying: "Your generosity, dearest father, I
business brought him there, offering him counsel and aid. Mitridanes acknowledge to be beyond all question, seeing with what craft you
hesitated for a while but eventually decided to trust him. After much plotted your coming here to yield me your life, for which, by my own
circumlocution, he demanded fidelity, counsel, and aid from Nathan avowal, you knew that I, albeit without cause, thirsted. But God,
and fully disclosed who he was and the purpose and motive of his more regardful of my duty than I myself, has now, in this moment
visit. Although hearing Mitridanes unfold his horrid design caused of supreme stress, opened the eyes of my mind that wretched envy
Nathan no small inward commotion, he courageously and composedly had fast sealed. The prompter was your compliance, the greater is
replied: "Noble was your father, Mitridanes, and you are minded to the debt of penitence that I owe you for my fault; wherefore wreak
show yourself not unworthy of him by this lofty enterprise of yours, to even such vengeance upon me as you may deem answerable to my
be generous to all comers. I greatly commend you for being envious transgression." But Nathan raised Mitridanes to his feet and tenderly
of Nathan's merit; for if many were envious for a similar cause, the embraced him, saying: "My son, your enterprise, however you may
world would soon become a happy place. Doubt not that I shall keep denote it, whether evil or otherwise, was not such that you should
secret the design you have confided to me. For the furtherance of crave, or I give, pardon for it. It was not in malice but in your desire
your plan, I offer you good advice rather than substantial aid. Here is to be reputed better than I that you pursued it. Doubt no more of
my advice: about half a mile from here, you will see a copse where me; rest assured that none that lives bears you such love as I, who
Nathan walks almost every morning, taking his pleasure for quite a know the loftiness of your spirit, bent not to heap up wealth, as do
long while. It will be easy for you to find him there and deal with him the caitiffs, but to dispense in bounty your accumulated store. Think it
as you see fit. Should you slay him, you will get home with less risk no shame that to enhance your reputation you would have slain me;
if you take the path that issues from the copse on the left. Though it nor deem that I marvel at it. To slay not one man, as you intended,
is somewhat rougher, it leads more directly to your house and will but countless multitudes, to waste whole countries with fire, and to
be safer for you." raze cities to the ground has been well-nigh the sole art by which
the mightiest emperors and the greatest kings have extended their
Possessed of this information, Mitridanes, when Nathan had left dominions, and by consequence their fame. Wherefore, if you, to
him, privately apprised his comrades, who were likewise lodged in increase your fame, would have slain me, it was nothing marvelous
the palace, of the place where they were to await him the next day. or strange, but customary."
When the day came, Nathan, determined to act according to the
advice he had given Mitridanes, went forth to the copse unattended, Mitridanes made answer, not to excuse his wicked design, but to
to meet his death. Mitridanes, having risen, took his bow and sword, commend the seemly excuse found for it by Nathan. He marveled
mounted his horse, and rode to the copse. While he was still some that Nathan had not only consented to the enterprise but had aided
way off, he saw Nathan passing through the copse, quite alone. him by his counsel. Nathan replied: "I would rather, Mitridanes, that
Before falling upon him, Mitridanes wanted to see his face and you did not marvel either at my consent or my counsel. Since I was
hear his voice. As he rode up to him at a smart pace, he laid hold my own master and of a mind to that enterprise whereon you are also
of Nathan by his headgear, exclaiming: "Old man, you are a dead bent, never a soul came to my house but, so far as in me lay, I gave
man." Nathan answered nothing but: "Then it is but my desert." him all that he asked of me. You came, lusting for my life; and so,
However, upon hearing the voice and scanning the face, Mitridanes when I heard you crave it of me, I resolved to give it to you, that you
recognized Nathan as the same man who had welcomed him heartily, might not be the only guest to depart hence ill-content. To that end,
consorted with him familiarly, and counseled him faithfully. His wrath I gave you such counsel as I deemed would serve you both to take
subsided and gave place to shame. Casting away the sword he my life and preserve your own. Wherefore yet again I bid you, nay,
held drawn to strike, he sprang from his horse and, weeping, threw I entreat you, if so you are minded, to take it for your satisfaction. I
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