Читать книгу Tales of Humour, Gallantry & Romance, Selected and Translated from the Italian - Various Authors - Страница 7

“Well,” said the lady, “did I not tell you he was mad? see how he spoils the linen: thou hast not been at the trouble of getting them up—that is very clear.” The brothers then began to think he was truly mad, and after seeking every where, and not finding any one, one brother said, “This fellow is certainly mad.” The other then said, “Signor, in truth you do an infamous injustice to this sister of ours, in giving her so vile a character.” But the professor, who well knew how matters stood, being in a rage, began to quarrel violently with them, and kept his naked sword in his hand. So each of them took a good stick, and being determined to administer a little wholesome correction, they laid them about the poor professor most unmercifully, and when they had nearly broken the sticks on his back, they bound him for a madman, telling every body that he had cracked his brain by intense study, and so they tied him up all night. In the morning they sent for the doctor, who ordered him to be put to bed by a fire, and desired that he should not speak to any one, or any one to him, and that particular attention should be paid to his diet, till he recovered his senses.

The news that the Signor had gone mad soon spread all over Bologna; every body was much concerned. Some said, “I suspected it would be so, for he could not attend the lectures the other day.” Others said, “I thought it would be so, I observed him so materially altered of late.” The report was universally credited, and many went to see him. Bacciuolo unacquainted with what had taken place, went in the morning to the college, with the intention of telling the professor of his adventure; but on reaching the place, he was told how the Signor had become mad. Bacciuolo wondered at this, and was very sorry for it, and went to see him with the rest, and being arrived at the house, Bacciuolo began to be staggered, and almost fainted, seeing how things stood; but in order to prevent any one noticing how affected he was, he went in with them, and on reaching the apartment, he saw the Signor all over bruises, and chained to the bed. All the students began to condole with him, and express their sorrow at seeing him in such a state. Bacciuolo’s turn coming, he said, “good Signor, I am as much grieved at your situation, as though you were my father; and if I can do any thing to relieve you, I pray you deal with me as if I were your son.” Upon which the professor answered, “Bacciuolo, Bacciuolo, I pray thee go in peace, for thou hast learned much at my cost.” The lady prevented farther discourse, by saying, “do not mind him, for he has lost his wits, and does not know what he says.” Bacciuolo then departed, and came to Paolo, and said, “Brother, Heaven guard thee, for I have learned so much, that nothing remains for me to learn; therefore will I return back to my home as fast as my legs can carry me.”