登陆注册
19899800000037

第37章

Madam Lauretta, sitting next to Madam Pampinea, and seeing how triumphantly she had finished her discourse; without attending any thing else, spake thus.Gracious Ladies, we shall never behold (in mine opinion) a greater act of Fortune, then to see a man so suddainly exalted, even from the lowest depth of poverty, to a Royall estate of dignity; as the discourse of Madam Pampinea hath made good, by the happy advancement of Alessandro.And because it appeareth necessary, that whosoever discourseth on the subject proposed, should no way vary from the very same termes; I shall not shame to tell a tale, which, though it containe far greater mishapes then the former, may sort to as happy an issue, albeit not so noble and magnificent.In which respect, it may (perhaps) merit the lesse attention; but howsoever that fault shall be found in you, I meane to discharge mine owne duty.

Opinion hath made it famous for long time, that the Seacoast of Rhegium to Gaieta, is the onely delactable part of all Italy, wherein, somewhat neere to Salerno, is a shore looking upon the Sea, which the inhabitants there dwelling, doe call the coast of Malfy, full of small Townes, Gardens, Springs, and wealthy men, trading in as many kindes of Merchandizes, as any other people that I know.Among which Townes, there is one, named Ravello, wherein (as yet to this day there are rich people) there was (not long since) a very wealthy man, named Landolpho Ruffolo, who being not contented with his riches, but coveting to multiply them double and trebble, fell in danger, to loose both himselfe and wealth together.This man (as other Merchants are wont to doe) after hee had considered on his affaires, bought him a very goodly Ship, lading it with divers sorts of Merchandizes, all belonging to himselfe onely, and making his voyage to the Isle of Cyprus.Where he found, over and beside the Merchandizes he had brought thither, many Ships more there arrived, and all laden with the same commodities, in regard whereof, it was needefull for him, not onely to make a good Mart of his goods; but also was further constrained (if hee meant to vent his commodities) to sell them away (almost) for nothing, endangering his utter destruction and overthrow.Whereupon, grieving exceedingly at so great a losse, not knowing what to doe, and seeing, that from very aboundant wealth, hee was likely to fall into as low poverty: he resolved to die, or to recompence his losses upon others, because he would not returne home poore, having departed thence so rich.

Meeting with a Merchant, that bought his great Ship of him; with the money made thereof, and also his other Merchandizes, hee purchased another, being a lighter vessell, apt and proper for the use of a Pirate, arming and furnishing it in ample manner, for roving and robbing upon the Seas.Thus hee began to make other mens goods his owne, especially from the Turkes he tooke much wealth, Fortune being alwayes therein so favourable to him, that hee could never compasse the like by trading.So that, within the space of one yeare, hee had robd and taken so many Gallies from the Turke; that he found himselfe well recovered, not onely of all his losses by Merchandize, but likewise his wealth was wholly redoubled.Finding his losses to be very liberally requited, and having now sufficient, it were folly to hazard a second fall; wherefore, conferring with his owne thoughts, and finding that he had enough, and needed not to covet after more: he fully concluded, now to returne home to his owne house againe, and live upon his goods thus gotten.

Continuing still in feare of the losses he had sustained by traffique, and minding never more to imploy his money that way, but to keep this light vessell, which had holpen him to all his wealth: he commanded his men to put forth their Oares, and shape,their course for his owne dwelling.Being aloft in the higher Seas, darke night over-taking them, and a mighty winde suddainly comming upon them: it not onely was contrary to their course, but held on with such impetuous violence; that the small vessell, being unable to endure it, made to land-ward speedily, and in expectation of a more friendly wind, entred a little port of the Sea, directing up into a small Island, and there safely sheltred it selfe.Into the same port which Landolpho had thus taken for his refuge, entred (soone after) two great Carrackes of Genewayes, lately come from Constantinople.When the men in them had espied the small Barke, and lockt up her passage from getting forth; understanding the Owners name, and that report had famed him to be very rich, they determined (as men evermore addicted naturally, to covet after money and spoile) to make it their owne as a prize at Sea.

Landing some store of their men, well armed with Crossebowes and other weapons, they tooke possession of such a place, where none durst issue forth of the small Barke, but endangered his life with their Darts and Arrowes.Entering aboord the Barke, and making it their owne by full possession, all the men they threw over-boord, without sparing any but Landolpho himselfe, whom they mounted into one of the Carrackes, leaving him nothing but a poore shirt of Maile on his backe, and having rifled the Barke of all her riches, sunke it into the bottome of the sea.The day following, the rough windes being calmed, the Carrackes set saile againe, having a prosperous passage all the day long; but upon the entrance of darke night, the windes blew more tempestuously then before, and sweld the Sea in such rude stormes, that the two Carracks were sundered each from other, and by violence of the tempest it came to passe, that the Carracke wherein lay poore miserable Landolpho (beneath the Isle of Cephalonia) ran against a rocke, and even as a glasse against a wall, so split the Carracke in peeces, the goods and merchandize floating on the Sea, Chests, Coffers, Beds, and such like other things, as often hapneth in such lamentable accidents.

同类推荐
  • 潜室扎记

    潜室扎记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 佛说阿罗汉具德经

    佛说阿罗汉具德经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 天真毒峰善禅师要语

    天真毒峰善禅师要语

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 山晖禅师语录

    山晖禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 元始说功德法食往生经

    元始说功德法食往生经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 女同志

    女同志

    大学中文系毕业想留校的万丽没能留校,与男友康季平分手,因为恰恰是康季平占了唯一的留校名额。随后,万丽参加了公务员考试,进入市妇联宣传科当了一名干部。这位年轻漂亮有才华的女大学生从踏进机关的第一天开始,就陷入了一座围城。面对剧烈残酷的“进步”竞争,万丽在良心与升职、进步与反叛、正直与卑鄙之间不停地做出协调和选择,跌爬滚打,尝尽个中滋味,几度升降,慢慢从科员到副科长、科长、市旧城改造指挥部副总指挥,一直做到区长、市属房产公司老总,小说结尾时她终于成为了副市长候选人。
  • 太平兩同書

    太平兩同書

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 四世冥文

    四世冥文

    我叫李格,小名狗蛋,一个土生土长的农村孩子。本来我应该和父亲李铁柱一样当一个着守着稻田看着天的老实的土牛,但那一天,却永远改变了我的一生。那是镇里少有的一次集会,我和好友猴子到集会买了一本名叫花花公子的周刊,可里面却是......................
  • 穿越为鼠

    穿越为鼠

    热爱古典文学的三流大学生张浩,在一次地震中丧生,穿越异界,变成了一只老鼠。不过不怕,有了众多古典典籍的参考,张浩悟出了修仙功法,努力修炼,成就巅峰。慢慢张浩还发现自己拥有时空鼠的血脉,看觉醒时空鼠血脉的张浩怎么作为一只老鼠,在异界混得风生水起,逍遥自在!
  • 妖尾之星灵女王

    妖尾之星灵女王

    魔导士公会——妖精的尾巴,是一个为魔导士们接受从寻物到讨伐魔物等各种委托起到中介性质作用的组织,公会成员由众多厉害的魔法师组成。立志成为优秀的魔导士并且梦想加入魔导士公会“妖精的尾巴”的少女露西,一次偶然之下遇见了火之灭龙魔导士纳兹,而纳兹竟然是露西所憧憬向往的“妖精的尾巴”中的一员!在纳兹的引导下,露西终于得偿所愿,加入了魔导士公会“妖精的尾巴”!随后,露西与纳兹、格雷、艾露莎和哈比组成了“妖尾最强(?!)队伍”,两男两女一猫的旅程就此展开......
  • 亡灵元素使

    亡灵元素使

    现在,我踏上了救治耶罗的旅途。蓝龙的血脉,只有蓝龙才能挽救。不知道前往奇木镇的道路上,会发生什么样的故事?我望向天空中那两颗太阳……未来,终须自己创造……
  • 霸血焚神

    霸血焚神

    醒来之后易寒发现自己中了奇毒还失去了记忆,但是体内依然沸腾的热血让他从来没有想过放弃。因为周围坏人太多,他不想被欺负。因为喜欢的师姐比自己强,他必须要努力。因为想要他死的人太多,他要好好的活着。因为这个世界需要神,所以他逆天成神!
  • 牟宗三说儒

    牟宗三说儒

    牟宗三先生终生不做官,不取财,不搞华而不实。对于平凡的世界,他更强调不平凡的人生学问,“这学问不为自己,专为我们中国文化做一点点贡献。”在这位最具“原创性”的“智者型”哲学家,当代港台新儒家中的重镇身上,我们能够看到一个儒者的真情真性与一份儒家的生命力量。
  • 龙洲纪事

    龙洲纪事

    万物初始,宇宙一片混沌,世间有一片昏暗的蛮荒之地。在这里,日月星辰不再轮回,极西一轮苍凉明月,极东炽乌暴烈燃烧,明灭交界之处,怪石嶙峋,枯树连枝,遍地沟壑,一片死气沉沉中找寻不到任何生命的气息,直到一天,一条盘旋飞舞的巨龙定居于此,龙生九子,化为龙洲九部,神分五国,魔拓四界,以极中三千若水为界,毗邻而居。若水以极南万丈高山圣雪山为源,三曲九转二十八弯,入极北五杀山而终。若水之东,神族中天国,北海国,南岭国,西丘国,东岩国,五国分立,分而治之。若水之西,妖界,冥界,鬼界均对魔界俯首称臣,魔族独大,其势锐不可当,妄图灭神族,一统龙洲。人族混居于龙洲各处,受神魔统领。
  • 军婚也缠绵

    军婚也缠绵

    新书《总裁大人,我不约》已发,美少女们多多支持呦~~~【出版名:《只因当时太爱你》】他是特种大队的营长,两杠二星的中校,精英中的精英。她是父母双亡的小孤女,埋头苦学七年后才终于成为军区医院的一员。他的英姿风靡整个军区,女兵护士全都将他视为梦中情人,只有她例外。他的战友受伤,她初出茅庐站上手术台,术后竟丢下病人逃得不见踪影,第二天,他以玩忽职守罪将她骂了个狗血淋头。本以为这是他们初次结下梁子,却不曾想早在六年前他们之间就有了恩怨,甚至是七年前……世界上最残忍的一句话,不是对不起,也不是我恨你,而是,我们再也回不去……可偏偏我还爱着你。