Page 243 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

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

Now it happened that one day when the young man was all alone in the Upon entering the palace, Nathan quartered Mitridanes in a most
courtyard of the palace, a poor woman came in by one of the gates, splendid chamber, where no one saw him but those whom Nathan had
asked him for alms, and received it; but, not content with that, came appointed to wait upon him. Nathan himself kept him company, doing him
again to him by the second gate, asked for alms again, and received all possible honor. Although Mitridanes revered Nathan as a father, he
it, and did the same up to the twelfth time; but, when she returned for could not help but ask who he was. Nathan replied: "I am a petty servant
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