The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10)
Mithridanes _envying the life and liberality of_ Nathan, _andtravelling thither, with a setled resolution to kill him: chaunceth toconferre with_ Nathan _unknowne. And being instructed by him, in whatmanner he might best performe the bloody deede, according as hee gavedirection, hee meeteth with him in a small Thicket or Woode, whereknowing him to be the same man, that taught him how to take away hislife: Confounded with shame, hee acknowledgeth his horrible intention,and becommeth his loyall friend._
The third Novell.
_Shewing in an excellent and lively demonstration, that any especiallhonourable vertue, persevering and dwelling in a truly noble soule,cannot be violenced or confounded, by the most politicke attemptes ofmalice and envy._
It appeared to the whole assembly, that they had heard a matter ofmervaile, for a Lord Abbot to performe any magnificent action: buttheir admiration ceasing in silence, the King commanded _Philostratus_to follow next, who forthwith thus began.
Honourable Ladies, the bounty and magnificence of _Alphonso_ Kingof _Spaine_, was great indeede, and that done by the Lord Abbot of_Clugny_, a thing (perhaps) never heard of in any other. But it willseeme no lesse mervailous to you, when you heare, how one man, inexpression of great liberality to another man, that earnestly desiredto kill him; should bee secretly disposed to give him his life, whichhad bin lost, if the other would have taken it, as I purpose toacquaint you withall, in a short Novell.
Most certaine it is, at least, if Faith may bee given to the report ofcertaine _Genewayes_, and other men resorting to those remote parts,that in the Country of _Cathaya_, there lived somtime a Gentleman, richbeyond comparison, and named _Nathan_. He having his living adjoyningto a great common rode-way, whereby men travayled from the East tothe West (as they did the like from the West unto the East, as havingno other means of passage) and being of a bountifull and chearfulldisposition, which he was willing to make knowen by experience: hesummoned together many Master Masons and Carpenters, and there erected(in a short time) one of the greatest, goodliest, and most beautifullhouses (in manner of a Princes Pallace) that ever was seene in allthose quarters.
With movables and all kinde of furnishment, befitting a house ofsuch outward apparance, hee caused it to be plentifully stored,onely to receive, entertaine, and honor all Gentlemen or otherTravailers whatsoever, as had occasion to passe that way, being notunprovided also of such a number of servants, as might continualliegive attendance on all commers and goers. Two and fifty severallgates, standing al way wide open, & over each of them in great goldencarracters was written, _Welcome, welcome,_ and gave free admission toall commers whatsoever.
In this honourable order (observed as his estated custom) he perseveredso long a while, as not onely the East parts, but also those in thewest, were every where acquainted with his fame & renown. Beingalready well stept into yeares, but yet not wearie (therefore) of hisgreat charge and liberality: it fortuned, that the rumour of his nobleHospitality, came to the eare of another gallant Gentleman, named_Mithridanes_, living in a Countrey not farre off from the other.
This Gentleman, knowing himself no lesse wealthy then _Nathan_, andenviously repining at his vertue and liberality, determined in hismind, to dim and obscure the others bright splendour, by making himselfefarre more famous. And having built a Palace answerable to that of_Nathans_, with like windings of gates, and welcome inscriptions; hebeganne to extend immeasurable courtesies, unto all such as weredisposed to visite him: so that (in a short while) hee grew veryfamous in infinite places. It chanced on a day, as _Mithridanes_ sateall alone within the goodly Court of his Pallace: a poore womanentred at one of the gates, craving an almes of him, which she had;and returned in againe at a second gate, comming also to him, andhad a second almes; continuing so still a dozen times; but at thethirteenth returning, _Mithridanes_ saide to her: Good Woman, you goeand come very often, and still you are served with almes. When the oldWoman heard these words, she said. O the liberality of _Nathan_! Howhonourable and wonderfull is that? I have past through two and thirtygates of his Palace, even such as are here, and at every one I receyvedan almes, without any knowledgement taken of me, either by him, or anyof his followers: and heere I have past but through thirteene gates,and am there both acknowledged and taken. Fare well to this house, forI never meane to visit it any more; with which words shee departedthence, and never after came thither againe.
When _Mithridanes_ had a while pondered on her speeches, hee waxedmuch discontented, as taking the words of the olde woman, to extollthe renowne of _Nathan_, and darken or ecclipse his glorie, whereuponhe said to himselfe. Wretched man as I am, when shall I attaine to theheight of liberality, and performe such wonders, as _Nathan_ doth? Inseeking to surmount him, I cannot come neere him in the very meanest.Undoubtedly, I spend all my endeavour but in vaine, except I rid theworld of him, which (seeing his age will not make an end of him) I mustneeds do with my own hands. In which furious and bloody determination(without revealing his intent to any one) he mounted on horse-backe,with few attendants in his company, and after three dayes journey,arrived where _Nathan_ dwelt. He gave order to his men, to make no shewof beeing his servants, or any way to acknowledge him: but to providethem selves of convenient lodgings, untill they heard other tydingsfrom him.
About Evening, and (in this manner) alone by himselfe, neere to thePalace of _Nathan_, he met him solitarily walking, not in pompousapparrell, whereby to bee distinguished from a meaner man: and, becausehe knew him not, neyther had heard any relation of his description,he demanded of him, if he knew where _Nathan_ then was? _Nathan_,with a chearfull countenance, thus replyed. Faire Syr, there is noman in these parts, that knoweth better how to shew you _Nathan_then I do; and therefore, if you be so pleased, I will bring you tohim. _Mithridanes_ said, therein he should do him a great kindnesse:albeit (if it were possible) he would bee neyther knowne nor seeneof _Nathan_. And that (quoth he) can I also do sufficiently for you,seeing it is your will to have it so, if you will goe along with me.
Dismounting from his horse, he walked on with _Nathan_, diverslydiscoursing, untill they came to the Pallace, where one of the servantstaking _Mithridanes_ his horse, _Nathan_ rounded the fellow in theeare, that he should give warning to all throughout the House, forrevealing to the Gentleman, that he was _Nathan_; as accordingly it wasperformed. No sooner were they within the Pallace, but he conducted_Mithridanes_ into a goodly chamber, where none (as yet) had seene him,but such as were appointed to attend on him reverently; yea, and he didhimselfe greatly honor him, as being loth to leave his company.
While thus _Mithridanes_ conversed with him, he desired to know(albeit he respected him much for his yeares) what he was. IntrothSir, answered _Nathan_, I am one of the meanest servants to _Nathan_,and from my child-hood, have made my selfe thus olde in his service:yet never hath he bestowed any other advancement on mee, then as younow see; in which respect, howsoever other men may commend him, yetI have no reason at all to do it. These Words, gave some hope to_Mithridanes_, that with a little more counsell, he might securely putin execution his wicked determination. _Nathan_ likewise demaunded ofhim (but in very humble manner) of whence, and what he was, as alsothe businesse inviting him thither: offering him his utmost aide andcounsell, in what soever consisted in his power.
_Mithridanes_ sat an indifferent while meditating with his thoughtsbefore he would returne any answer: but at the last, concluding torepose confidence in him (in regard of his pretended discontentment)with many circumstantiall perswasions, first for fidelity, next forconstancie, and lastly for counsell and assistance, he declared to himtruly what he was, the cause of his comming thither, and the reasonurging him thereto. _Nathan_ hearing these words, and the detestabledeliberation of _Mithridanes_, became quite changed in himself: yetwisely making no outward appearance thereof, with a bold courage andsetled countenance, thus he replyed.
_Mithridanes_, thy Father was a Noble Gentleman, and (in vertuousqualities) inferiour to none, from whom (as now I see) thou desirestnot to degenerate,
having undertaken so bold & high an enterprise,I meane, in being liberall and bountifull to all men. I do greatlycommend the envy which thou bearest to the vertue of _Nathan_: becauseif there were many more such men, the world that is now wretched andmiserable, would become good and conformable. As for the determinationwhich thou hast disclosed to mee, I have sealed it up secretly in mysoule: wherein I can better give thee counsell, then any especiallhelpe or furtherance: and the course which I would have thee toobserve, followeth thus in few words.
This window, which we now looke forth at, sheweth thee a small woodor thicket of trees, being little more then the quarter of a milesdistance hence; whereto _Nathan_ usually walketh every morning, andthere continueth time long enough: there maist thou very easily meethim, and do whatsoever thou intended to him. If thou kilst him, becausethou maist with safety returne home unto thine owne abiding, take notthe same way which guided thee thither, but another, lying on theleft hand, & directing speedily out of the wood, as being not so muchhaunted as the other, but rather free from all resort, and surest forvisiting thine owne countrey, after such a dismall deed is done.
When _Mithridanes_ had receyved this instruction, and _Nathan_ wasdeparted from him, hee secretly gave intelligence to his men, (wholikewise were lodged, as welcome strangers, in the same house) at whatplace they should stay for him the next morning. Night being passedover, and _Nathan_ risen, his heart altred not a jot from his counsellgiven to _Mithridanes_, much lesse changed from anie part thereof: butall alone by himselfe, walked on to the wood, the place appointed forhis death. _Mithridanes_ also being risen, taking his Bow & Sword (forother weapons had he none) mounted on hors-backe, and so came to thewood, where (somewhat farre off) hee espyed _Nathan_ walking, and nocreature with him. Dismounting from his horse, he had resolved (beforehe would kill him) not onely to see, but also to heare him speake: sostepping roughly to him, and taking hold of the bonnet on his head,his face being then turned from him, he sayde. Old man, thou must dye.Whereunto _Nathan_ made no other answer, but thus: Why then (belike) Ihave deserved it.
When _Mithridanes_ heard him speake, and looked advisedly on his face,he knew him immediatly to be the same man, that had entertained himso lovingly, conversed with him so familiarly, and counselled him sofaithfully: all which overcomming his former fury, his harsh naturebecame meerly confounded with shame: So throwing downe his drawnesword, which he held readily prepared for the deede: he prostratedhimselfe at _Nathans_ feet, and in teares, spake in this manner. Nowdo I manifestly know (most loving Father) your admired bounty andliberalitie; considering, with what industrious providence, you madethe meanes for your comming hither, prodigally to bestow your lifeon me, which I have no right unto, although you were so willing topart with it. But those high and supreame powers, more carefull of mydutie, then I my selfe: even at the very instant, and when it was mostneedfull, opened the eyes of my better understanding, which infernallenvy had closed up before. And therefore, looke how much you havebin forward to pleasure me; so much the more shame and punishment, Iconfesse my heinous transgression hath justly deserved: take thereforeon me (if you please) such revenge, as you thinke (in justice)answerable to my sin.
_Nathan_ lovingly raised _Mithridanes_ from the ground, then kissinghis cheeke, and tenderly embracing him, he said. Sonne, thou needednot to aske, much lesse to obtaine pardon, for any enterprise ofthine, which thou canst not yet terme to be good or bad: becausethou soughtest not to bereave me of my life, for any hatred thoubarest me, but onely in coveting to be reputed the Woorthier man.Take then this assurance of me, and beleeve it constantly, that thereis no man living, whom I love and honour, as I do thee: consideringthe greatnesse of thy minde, which consisteth not in the heaping upof money, as wretched and miserable Worldlings make it their onelyfelicity; but, contending in bounty to spend what is thine, didst holdit for no shame to kill me, thereby to make thy selfe so much the moreworthily famous.
Nor is it any matter to be wondred at, in regard that Emperors, and thegreatest Kings, hadde never made such extendure of their Dominions, andconsequently of their renowne, by any other Art, then killing; yet notone man onely, as thou wouldst have done: but infinite numbers, burningwhole Countries, and making desolate huge Townes and Cities, onely toenlarge their dominion, and further spreading of their fame. Wherefore,if for the increasing of thine owne renowne, thou wast desirous of mydeath: it is no matter of novelty, and therefore deserving the lessemervaile, seeing men are slaine daily, and all for one purpose or other.
_Mithridanes_, excusing no further his malevolent deliberation, butrather commending the honest defence, which _Nathan_ made on hisbehalfe; proceeded so farre in after discoursing, as to tel himplainely, that it did wondrously amaze him, how he durst come tothe fatall appointed place, himselfe having so exactly plotted andcontrived his owne death: whereunto _Nathan_ returned this aunswere.
I would not have thee _Mithridanes_, to wonder at my counsell ordetermination; because, since age hath made mee Maister of mine ownewill, and I resolved to doe that, wherein thou hast begun to followme: never came any man to mee, whom I did not content (if I could) inany thing he demanded of mee. It was thy fortune to come for my life,which when I saw thee so desirous to have it, I resolved immediately tobestow it on thee: and so much the rather, because thou shouldst notbe the onely man, that ever departed hence, without enjoying whatsoeverhee demanded. And, to the end thou mightst the more assuredly have it,I gave thee that advice, least by not enjoying mine, thou shouldestchance to loose thine owne. I have had the use of it full fourescoreyeares, with the consummation of all my delights and pleasures: andwell I know, that according to the course of Nature (as it fares withother men, and generally all things else) it cannot bee long before itmust leave mee.
Wherefore, I hold it much better for me to give it away freely, as Ihave alwayes done my goods and treasure; then bee curious in keepingit, and suffer it to be taken from me (whether I will or no) by Nature.A small gift it is, if time make me up the full summe of an hundredyeares: how miserable is it then, to stand beholding but for foure orfive, and all of them vexation too? Take it then I intreate thee, ifthou wilt have it; for I never met with any man before (but thy selfe)that did desire it, nor (perhaps) shall finde any other to request it:for the longer I keepe it, the worse it will be esteemed: and before itgrow contemptible, take it I pray thee.
_Mithridanes_, being exceedingly confounded with shame, bashfullysayde: Fortune fore-fend, that I should take away a thing so preciousas your life is, or once to have so vile a thought of it as lately Ihad; but rather then I would diminish one day thereof, I could wish,that my time might more amply enlarge it. Forthwith aunswered _Nathan_,saying. Wouldst thou (if thou couldst) shorten thine owne dayes, onelyto lengthen mine? Why then thou wouldest have me to do that to thee,which (as yet) I never did unto any man, namely, robbe thee, to enrichmy selfe. I will enstruct thee in a much better course, if thou wiltbe advised by mee. Lusty and young, as now thou art, thou shalt dwellheere in my house, and be called by the name of _Nathan_. Aged, andspent with yeares, as thou seest I am, I will goe live in thy house,and bee called by the name of _Mithridanes_. So, both the name andplace shall illustrate thy Glorie, and I live contentedly, without thevery least thought of envie.
Deare Father, answered _Mithridanes_, if I knew so well howe to directmine owne actions, as you doe, and alwayes have done, I would gladlyaccept your most liberall offer: but because I plainlie perceive, thatmy very best endeavours, must remayne darkened by the bright renowne of_Nathan_: I will never seeke to impayre that in another, which I cannot(by any means) increase in my selfe, but (as you have worthily taughtme) live contented with my owne condition.
After these, and many more like loving speeches had passed betweenthem, according as _Nathan_ very instantly requested, _Mithridanes_returned back with him to the Pallace, where many dayes he highlyhonored & respected him, comforting & counselling him, to perseveralwayes in his honourable determination. But in the end, when_Mithridanes_ could abide
there no longer, because necessary occasionscalled him home: he departed thence with his men, having found by goodexperience, that hee could never goe beyond _Nathan_ in liberality.