DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32874#0233
cn. v] LIFE OF BENVENUTO CELLINI 191
words as those, half my wrath passed away. Meanwhile
I had told that workman of mine, Chioccia, not to let
either her or her mother escape, for, when I had done
with him, I wished also to punish those two whores.
Keeping continually the point of my sword at his throat,
I sometimes pricked him a little, ever with terrifying
words, till I perceived that he made no defence in the
world; and since I knew not what more I could do,
—it did not seem to me that that threatening of mine
had any object,—the fancy came to me as the lesser evil
to make them marry, with the design of taking my
revenge upon them afterwards. Having thus resolved, I
said: "Take off that ring that you have upon your
finger, you coward, and marry her, so that then I can
take the revenge that you deserve." He immediately
said: "So long as you do not slay me, I will do any-
thing." Then I said: "Put the ring upon her (finger)."
When I removed the sword a little way from his throat
he put the ring on (her Unger). Then I said: "This is
not enough, for I want two notaries to come here, so that
this thing may pass as a contract." Telling Chioccia to
go for the notaries, I immediately turned to her (Caterina)
and to her mother. Speaking in French I said: "The
notaries and other witnesses are coming here: the first of
you that I hear speaking anything of this matter, I will
immediately slay, and I will slay you all three. There-
fore keep your heads." To him (Pagolo) I said in Italian :
" If you oppose anything to all that I shall propose, at
the smallest word that you say, I will give you so many
dagger thrusts as to make you void all that you have in
your stomach." To this he replied: " It is sufficient for
me that you do not kill me, and I will do whatsoever you
words as those, half my wrath passed away. Meanwhile
I had told that workman of mine, Chioccia, not to let
either her or her mother escape, for, when I had done
with him, I wished also to punish those two whores.
Keeping continually the point of my sword at his throat,
I sometimes pricked him a little, ever with terrifying
words, till I perceived that he made no defence in the
world; and since I knew not what more I could do,
—it did not seem to me that that threatening of mine
had any object,—the fancy came to me as the lesser evil
to make them marry, with the design of taking my
revenge upon them afterwards. Having thus resolved, I
said: "Take off that ring that you have upon your
finger, you coward, and marry her, so that then I can
take the revenge that you deserve." He immediately
said: "So long as you do not slay me, I will do any-
thing." Then I said: "Put the ring upon her (finger)."
When I removed the sword a little way from his throat
he put the ring on (her Unger). Then I said: "This is
not enough, for I want two notaries to come here, so that
this thing may pass as a contract." Telling Chioccia to
go for the notaries, I immediately turned to her (Caterina)
and to her mother. Speaking in French I said: "The
notaries and other witnesses are coming here: the first of
you that I hear speaking anything of this matter, I will
immediately slay, and I will slay you all three. There-
fore keep your heads." To him (Pagolo) I said in Italian :
" If you oppose anything to all that I shall propose, at
the smallest word that you say, I will give you so many
dagger thrusts as to make you void all that you have in
your stomach." To this he replied: " It is sufficient for
me that you do not kill me, and I will do whatsoever you