ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡ÔĶÁ¹ý³Ì·¢ÏÖÈκδíÎóÇë¸æËßÎÒÃÇ£¬Ð»Ð»£¡£¡ ±¨¸æ´íÎó
ÒÀÒÀС˵ ·µ»Ø±¾ÊéĿ¼ ÎÒµÄÊé¼Ü ÎÒµÄÊéÇ© TXTÈ«±¾ÏÂÔØ ½øÈëÊé°É ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©

the love affairs of a bibliomaniac(²ØÊéñ±Õߵİ®Çé)-µÚ10²¿·Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




my¡¡being¡¡in¡¡that¡¡distant£»¡¡romantic¡¡period¡¡when¡¡all¡¡men¡¡were¡¡gallants¡¡and¡¡

all¡¡women¡¡were¡¡grandes¡¡dames¡¡and¡¡all¡¡birds¡¡were¡¡nightingales¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡bought¡¡myself¡¡an¡¡old¡¡Florentine¡¡sword¡¡at¡¡Noseda's¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Strand¡¡and¡¡

hung¡¡it¡¡on¡¡the¡¡wall¡¡in¡¡my¡¡modest¡¡apartments£»¡¡under¡¡it¡¡I¡¡placed¡¡Boccaccio's¡¡

portrait¡¡and¡¡Fiammetta's£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡was¡¡wont¡¡to¡¡drink¡¡toasts¡¡to¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡beloved¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡33¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡34¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡LOVE¡¡AFFAIRS¡¡OF¡¡A¡¡BIBLIOMANIAC¡¡



counterfeit¡¡presentments¡¡in¡¡flagons¡¡£¨mind¡¡you£»¡¡genuine¡¡antique¡¡flagons£©¡¡of¡¡

Italian¡¡wine¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Twice¡¡I¡¡took¡¡Fiammetta¡¡boating¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡Thames¡¡and¡¡once¡¡

to¡¡¡¡¡¡view¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Lord¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mayor's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡pageant£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡mother¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡us¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡both¡¡

occasions£»¡¡but¡¡she¡¡might¡¡as¡¡well¡¡have¡¡been¡¡at¡¡the¡¡bottom¡¡of¡¡the¡¡sea£»¡¡for¡¡

she¡¡was¡¡a¡¡stupid¡¡old¡¡soul£»¡¡wholly¡¡incapable¡¡of¡¡sharing¡¡or¡¡appreciating¡¡the¡¡

poetic¡¡enthusiasms¡¡of¡¡romantic¡¡youth¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Had¡¡Fiammetta¡¡been¡¡a¡¡bookah£»¡¡unfortunate¡¡lady£¡had¡¡she¡¡but¡¡been¡¡a¡¡

book¡¡she¡¡might¡¡still¡¡be¡¡mine£»¡¡for¡¡me¡¡to¡¡care¡¡for¡¡lovingly¡¡and¡¡to¡¡hide¡¡from¡¡

profane¡¡eyes¡¡and¡¡to¡¡attire¡¡in¡¡crushed¡¡levant¡¡and¡¡gold¡¡and¡¡to¡¡cherish¡¡as¡¡a¡¡

best¡­beloved¡¡companion¡¡in¡¡mine¡¡age£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Had¡¡she¡¡been¡¡a¡¡book¡¡she¡¡could¡¡not¡¡

have¡¡been¡¡guilty¡¡of¡¡the¡¡folly¡¡of¡¡wedding¡¡with¡¡a¡¡yeoman¡¡of¡¡Lincolnshire¡¡

ah¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡rude¡¡¡¡¡¡awakenings¡¡¡¡¡¡too¡¡¡¡¡¡often¡¡¡¡¡¡dispel¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡pleasing¡¡¡¡¡¡dreams¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

youth£¡¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡revisited¡¡¡¡¡¡England¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sixties£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡tempted¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡

excursion¡¡into¡¡Lincolnshire¡¡for¡¡the¡¡purpose¡¡of¡¡renewing¡¡my¡¡acquaintance¡¡

with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Fiammetta¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Before£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡however£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡achieved¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡object¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡

thought¡¡occurred¡¡to¡¡me£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡®¡®You¡¡are¡¡upon¡¡a¡¡fool's¡¡errand£»¡¡turn¡¡back£»¡¡or¡¡you¡¡

will¡¡destroy¡¡forever¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡sweetest¡¡of¡¡your¡¡boyhood¡¡illusions£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡

seek¡¡Fiammetta¡¡in¡¡the¡¡delusive¡¡hope¡¡of¡¡finding¡¡her¡¡in¡¡the¡¡person¡¡of¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡

Henry¡¡Boggs£»¡¡there¡¡is¡¡but¡¡one¡¡Fiammetta£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡is¡¡the¡¡memory¡¡abiding¡¡

in¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡heart¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Spare¡¡¡¡¡¡yourself¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡misery¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡discovering¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hearty£»¡¡

fleshy¡¡¡¡¡¡Lincolnshire¡¡¡¡¡¡hussif¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡decay¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡promises¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡years¡¡¡¡¡¡ago£»¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡

content¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡reverence¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ideal¡¡¡¡¡¡Fiammetta¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡built¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡

shrine¡¡in¡¡your¡¡sympathetic¡¡heart£¡''¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡this¡¡was¡¡strange¡¡counsel£»¡¡yet¡¡it¡¡had¡¡so¡¡great¡¡weight¡¡with¡¡me¡¡that¡¡I¡¡

was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡persuaded¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡lying¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Swan¡­and¡­Quiver¡¡

Tavern¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡London£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡again¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡desire¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡visit¡¡

Lincolnshire¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Fiammetta¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡pleasing¡¡¡¡¡¡memory¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ay£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

memory¡¡to¡¡me£»¡¡for¡¡whenever¡¡I¡¡take¡¡down¡¡that¡¡precious¡¡book¡¡and¡¡open¡¡it£»¡¡

what¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡host¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡friends¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡troop¡¡¡¡¡¡forth£¡¡¡Cavaliers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡princesses£»¡¡¡¡¡¡courtiers£»¡¡

damoiselles£»¡¡¡¡monks£»¡¡¡¡¡¡nuns£»¡¡¡¡¡¡equerries£»¡¡¡¡¡¡pages£»¡¡¡¡¡¡maidenshumanity¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡

class¡¡and¡¡condition£»¡¡and¡¡all¡¡instinct¡¡with¡¡the¡¡color¡¡of¡¡the¡¡master¡¡magician£»¡¡

Boccaccio£¡¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡34¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡35¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡LOVE¡¡AFFAIRS¡¡OF¡¡A¡¡BIBLIOMANIAC¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡cometh¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡maiden¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡dark£»¡¡¡¡¡¡glorious¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

she¡¡¡¡¡¡beareth¡¡¡¡¡¡garlands¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡roses£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡moonlight¡¡¡¡¡¡falleth¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡benediction¡¡

upon¡¡the¡¡Florentine¡¡garden¡¡slope£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡night¡¡wind¡¡seeketh¡¡its¡¡cradle¡¡in¡¡

the¡¡laurel¡¡tree£»¡¡and¡¡fain¡¡would¡¡sleep¡¡to¡¡the¡¡song¡¡of¡¡the¡¡nightingale¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡for¡¡

Judge¡¡Methuen£»¡¡he¡¡loves¡¡his¡¡Boccaccio¡¡quite¡¡as¡¡much¡¡as¡¡I¡¡do¡¡mine£»¡¡and¡¡

being¡¡somewhat¡¡of¡¡a¡¡versifier¡¡he¡¡has¡¡made¡¡a¡¡little¡¡poem¡¡on¡¡the¡¡subject£»¡¡a¡¡

copy¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡secured¡¡¡¡¡¡surreptitiously¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡offer¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡

delectation£º¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡One¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡topmost¡¡¡¡¡¡shelf¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡found¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡precious¡¡¡¡¡¡prize¡¡

indeed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Which¡¡father¡¡used¡¡to¡¡read¡¡himself£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡did¡¡not¡¡want¡¡

us¡¡boys¡¡to¡¡read£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡brown¡¡old¡¡book¡¡of¡¡certain¡¡age¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨As¡¡type¡¡and¡¡

binding¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡show£©£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡While¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡spotted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡title¡­page¡¡

Appeared¡¡the¡¡name¡¡¡®¡®Boccaccio¡£''¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'd¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡heard¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡name¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡before£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡due¡¡¡¡¡¡season¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡

became¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fondly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡brooded¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡o'er¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Those¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡pages¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

beloved¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡name£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Adown¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡centuries¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡walked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mid¡¡¡¡¡¡pastoral¡¡

scenes¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡royal¡¡¡¡¡¡show£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡¡¡¡¡seigneurs¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡dames¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡talked¡¡

The¡¡crony¡¡of¡¡Boccaccio£¡¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Those¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡courtly¡¡¡¡¡¡knights¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡sprightly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡maids£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Who¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡really¡¡

seemed¡¡disposed¡¡to¡¡shine¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡gallantries¡¡and¡¡escapades£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Anon¡¡

became¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡friends¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡mine¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yet¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡sentiment¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡fun£»¡¡

And¡¡¡¡¡¡oftentimes¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡tears¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡flow¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡quaint¡¡¡¡¡¡tale¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡valor¡¡

done£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡told¡¡by¡¡my¡¡Boccaccio¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡boyish¡¡dreams¡¡I¡¡saw¡¡again¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Bucolic¡¡belles¡¡and¡¡dames¡¡of¡¡

court£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡princely¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡youths¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡monkish¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Arrayed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡

sacrifice¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡sport¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Again¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡heard¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡nightingale¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sing¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡

sang¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡years¡¡¡¡¡¡ago¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡embowered¡¡¡¡¡¡Italian¡¡¡¡¡¡vale¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡

revered¡¡Boccaccio¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡love¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡brown¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡¡¡¡¡¡book¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡found¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

topmost¡¡shelf¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡love¡¡it¡¡so¡¡I¡¡let¡¡none¡¡look¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Upon¡¡the¡¡treasure¡¡

but¡¡myself£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡yet¡¡I¡¡have¡¡a¡¡strapping¡¡boy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Who¡¡£¨I¡¡have¡¡every¡¡

cause¡¡to¡¡know£©¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Would¡¡to¡¡its¡¡full¡¡extent¡¡enjoy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡friendship¡¡

of¡¡Boccaccio£¡¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡boys¡¡¡¡¡¡are£»¡¡¡¡¡¡oh£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡different¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡From¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡35¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡36¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡LOVE¡¡AFFAIRS¡¡OF¡¡A¡¡BIBLIOMANIAC¡¡



when¡¡I¡¡was¡¡one£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡fear¡¡my¡¡boy¡¡would¡¡not¡¡know¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡take¡¡

that¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡¡¡¡¡¡raconteur's¡¡¡¡¡¡fun£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡companionship£»¡¡¡¡¡¡O¡¡¡¡¡¡friend£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡

think¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡wise¡¡¡¡¡¡alone¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Plucking¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡gracious¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fruits¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡bend¡¡

Wheree'er¡¡you¡¡lead£»¡¡Boccaccio¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡So¡¡¡¡¡¡rest¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡shelf£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Clad¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡garb¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

faded¡¡¡¡¡¡brown£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perhaps£»¡¡¡¡¡¡sometime£»¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡boy¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Shall¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡

you¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡take¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡feel¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡joy¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡

That¡¡thrilled¡¡me£»¡¡filled¡¡me¡¡years¡¡ago¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡reverently¡¡I¡¡brooded¡¡o'er¡¡

The¡¡glories¡¡of¡¡Boccaccio£¡¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Out¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡vile¡¡¡¡brood¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡imitators£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡say£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Get¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ye¡¡¡¡gone£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ye¡¡

Bandellos¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡ye¡¡¡¡¡¡Straparolas¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡ye¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡charlatans¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡fain¡¡

possess¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡yourselves¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡empire¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡genius¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Boccaccio¡¡

bequeathed¡¡to¡¡humanity¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡is¡¡but¡¡one¡¡master£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡him¡¡we¡¡render¡¡

grateful¡¡homage¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡leads¡¡us¡¡down¡¡through¡¡the¡¡cloisters¡¡of¡¡time£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡

his¡¡touch¡¡the¡¡dead¡¡become¡¡reanimate£»¡¡and¡¡all¡¡the¡¡sweetness¡¡and¡¡the¡¡valor¡¡

of¡¡antiquity¡¡recur£»¡¡heroism£»¡¡love£»¡¡sacrifice£»¡¡tears£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡laughter£»¡¡wisdom£»¡¡wit£»¡¡

philosophy£»¡¡charity£»¡¡and¡¡understanding¡¡are¡¡his¡¡auxiliaries£»¡¡humanity¡¡is¡¡his¡¡

inspiration£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡humanity¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡theme£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡humanity¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡audience£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡humanity¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

debtor¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡it¡¡is¡¡of¡¡Tancred's¡¡daughter¡¡he¡¡tells£»¡¡and¡¡now¡¡of¡¡Rossiglione's¡¡wife£»¡¡

anon¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cozening¡¡¡¡¡¡gardener¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡speaks¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡anon¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Alibech£»¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡

befell¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Gillette¡¡¡¡¡¡de¡¡¡¡Narbonne£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Iphigenia¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Cymon£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Saladin£»¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

Calandrino£»¡¡of¡¡Dianora¡¡and¡¡Ansaldo¡¡we¡¡hear£»¡¡and¡¡what¡¡subject¡¡soever¡¡he¡¡

touches¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡quickens¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡life£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡subtly¡¡¡¡¡¡invests¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡

indefinable¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡quality¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡genius¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡attract¡¡¡¡¡¡thereunto¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡

sympathies¡¡but¡¡also¡¡our¡¡enthusiasm¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yes£»¡¡truly£»¡¡he¡¡should¡¡be¡¡read¡¡with¡¡understanding£»¡¡what¡¡author¡¡should¡¡

not£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡would¡¡no¡¡more¡¡think¡¡of¡¡putting¡¡my¡¡Boccaccio¡¡into¡¡the¡¡hands¡¡of¡¡a¡¡

dullard¡¡than¡¡I¡¡would¡¡think¡¡of¡¡leaving¡¡a¡¡bright¡¡and¡¡beautiful¡¡woman¡¡at¡¡the¡¡

mercy¡¡of¡¡a¡¡blind¡¡mute¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡hinted¡¡at¡¡the¡¡horror¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fate¡¡which¡¡befell¡¡Yseult¡¡Hardynge¡¡in¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seclusion¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Henry¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Boggs's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Lincolnshire¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡estate¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Henry¡¡

Boggs¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡romance£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡cared¡¡¡¡¡¡less£»¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡wholly¡¡

incapable¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡appreciating¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡woman¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dark£»¡¡¡¡¡¡glorious¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡36¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡37¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡LOVE¡¡AFFAIRS¡¡OF¡¡A¡¡BIBLIOMANIAC¡¡



expanding¡¡¡¡¡¡soul£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I'll¡¡¡¡¡¡warrant¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡gladly¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡

traded¡¡a¡¡¡®¡®Decameron''¡¡for¡¡a¡¡copy¡¡of¡¡¡®¡®The¡¡Gentlema
·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©
δÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
ÎÂÜ°Ìáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæдԭ´´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±ÀøŶ£¡