Page 242 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron know not how I could better bestow it. I have had the use of it now The Tenth Day | The Third Novell
for some eighty years, and pleasure and solace thereof; and I know
Storyteller Filostrato
that, by the course of Nature and the common lot of man and all
things mundane, it can continue to be mine for but a little while. So
Mithridanes, envious of Nathan's life and generosity, traveled
I deem that it is much better to bestow it, as I have ever bestowed
to kill him. Unknowingly meeting Nathan, he was instructed
and dispensed my wealth, than to keep it until, against my will, it
on how to carry out the deed. Realizing Nathan was the same
be reft from me by Nature. It would be but a trifle, though it were
a hundred years: how insignificant, then, the six or eight years that
loyal friend.
are all I have to give! Take it, then, if you wish, take it, I pray you; man, Mithridanes confessed his intention and became his
for, long as I have lived here, none have I found but you to desire it;
nor know I when I may find another, if you take it not, to demand it
of me. And if, perchance, I should find one such, yet I know that the
longer I keep it, the less its worth will be; wherefore, ere it be thus
cheapened, take it, I implore you."

Deeply ashamed, Mitridanes answered: "Now God forbid that I should
even harbor, as I just did, such a thought, let alone do such a deed,
as to take from you something as precious as your life, the years of
which, far from shortening, I would gladly add to with my own." "So
then," replied Nathan promptly, "you would, if you could, add your
years to mine, and cause me to serve you as I never yet served any
man, to take from you that which is yours, I who never took anything
from anyone!" "Yes, that I would," returned Mitridanes. "Then," said
Nathan, "do as I shall bid you. You are young: stay here in my house,
and call yourself Nathan; and I will go to your house, and always call
myself Mitridanes." Mitridanes replied: "Were I able to fulfill this trust,
as you have been and are, I would hardly hesitate to accept your
offer; but, as I am too sure that anything I might do would only serve
to lower Nathan's fame, and I am not inclined to mar that in another
which I cannot mend in myself, I will not accept it."

After this and similar exchanges of delightful conversation, Nathan
and Mitridanes, at Nathan's request, returned to the palace. There,
Nathan honorably entertained Mitridanes for some days and, with his
wise counsel, confirmed and encouraged him in his high and noble
resolve. Afterward, Mitridanes, intending to return home with his
company, took his leave of Nathan, fully persuaded that it was not
possible to surpass him in generosity.
1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
238
The Decameron