Page 244 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

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