_The three Brethren to_ Isabella, _slew a Gentleman that secretly lovedher. His ghost appeared to her in her sleepe, and shewed her in whatplace they had buried his body. She (in silent manner) brought away hishead, and putting it into a pot of earth, such as Flowers, Basile, orother sweet hearbes are usually set in; she watered it (a long while)with her teares. Whereof her Brethren having intelligence; soone aftershe dyed, with meere conceite of sorrow._
The fift Novell.
_Wherein is plainly proved, that Love cannot be rooted uppe, by anyhumane power or providence; especially in such a soule, where it hathbene really apprehended._
The Novell of Madame _Eliza_ being finished, and some-what commendedby the King, in regard of the Tragicall conclusion; _Philomena_ wasenjoyned to proceede next with her discourse. She beeing overcomewith much compassion, for the hard Fortunes of Noble _Gerbino_, andhis beautifull Princesse, after an extreame and vehement sighe, thusshe spake. My tale (worthy Ladies) extendeth not to persons of sohigh birth or quality, as they were of whom Madame _Eliza_ gave yourelation: yet (peradventure) it may proove to be no lesse pitifull.And now I remember my selfe, _Messina_ so lately spoken of, is theplace where this accident also happened.
In _Messina_ there dwelt three yong men, Brethren, and Merchantsby their common profession, who becoming very rich by the death oftheyr Father, lived in very good fame and repute. Their Father wasof _San Gemignano_, and they had a Sister named _Isabella_, young,beautifull, and well conditioned; who, upon some occasion, as yetremained unmaried. A proper youth, being a Gentleman borne in _Pisa_,and named _Lorenzo_, as a trusty factor or servant, had the managing ofthe Brethrens businesse and affaires. This _Lorenzo_ being of comelypersonage, affable, and excellent in his behaviour, grew so gracious inthe eyes of _Isabella_, that shee affoorded him many very respectivelookes, yea, kindnesses of no common quality. Which _Lorenzo_ takingnotice of, and observing by degrees from time to time, gave over allother beauties in the Citie, which might allure any affection from him,and only fixed his heart on her, so that their love grew to a mutuallembracing, both equally respecting one another, and entertainingkindnesses, as occasion gave leave.
Long time continued this amorous league of love, yet not so cunninglyconcealed, but at the length, the secret meeting of _Lorenzo_ and_Isabella_, to ease their poore soules of Loves oppressions, wasdiscovered by the eldest of the Brethren, unknowne to them who werethus betrayed. He being a man of great discretion, although this sightwas highly displeasing to him: yet notwithstanding, he kept it tohimselfe till the next morning, labouring his braine what might best bedone in so urgent a case. When day was come, he resorted to his otherbrethren, and told them what he had seene in the time past, betweenetheir sister and _Lorenzo_.
Many deliberations passed on in this case; but after all, thus theyconcluded together, to let it proceede on with patient supportance,that no scandall might ensue to them, or their Sister, no evill actebeing (as yet) committed. And seeming, as if they knew not of theirlove, had a wary eye still upon her secret walkes, awaiting for someconvenient time, when without their owne prejudice, or _Isabellaes_knowledge, they might safely breake off this their stolne love, whichwas altogether against their liking. So, shewing no worse countenanceto _Lorenzo_, then formerly they had done, but imploying and conversingwith him in kinde manner; it fortuned, that riding (all three) torecreate themselves out of the Cittie, they tooke _Lorenzo_ in theircompany, and when they were come to a solitarie place, such as bestsuited with their vile purpose: they ran sodainly upon _Lorenzo_, slewhim, & afterward enterred his body, where hardly it could be discoveredby any one. Then they returned backe to _Messina_, & gave it forth (asa credible report) that they had sent him abroad about their affaires,as formerly they were wont to do: which every one verily beleeved,because they knew no reason why they should conceite any otherwise.
_Isabella_, living in expectation of his returne, and perceiving hisstay to her was so offensively long: made many demands to her Brethren,into what parts they had sent him, that his tarrying was so quite fromall wonted course. Such was her importunate speeches to them, that theytaking it very discontentedly, one of them returned her this frowninganswer. What is your meaning Sister, by so many questionings after_Lorenzo_? What urgent affaires have you with him, that makes you soimpatient upon his absence? If heereafter you make any more demands forhim, we shall shape you such a reply, as will bee but little to yourliking. At these harsh words, _Isabella_ fell into abundance of teares,where-among she mingled many sighes and groanes, such as were able tooverthrow a far stronger constitution: so that, being full of feare anddismay, yet no way distrusting her brethrens cruell deede; shee durstnot question any more after him.
In the silence of darke night, as she lay afflicted in her bed,oftentimes would she call for _Lorenzo_, entreating his speedyreturning to her: And then againe, as if he had bene present withher, shee checkt and reproved him for his so long absence. One nightamongst the rest, she being growen almost hopelesse, of ever seeing himagaine, having a long while wept and greevously lamented; her sensesand faculties utterly spent and tired, that she could not utter anymore complaints, she fell into a trance or sleepe; and dreamed, thatthe ghost of _Lorenzo_ appeared unto her, in torne and unbefittinggarments, his lookes pale, meager, and staring: and (as she thought)thus spake to her. My deare love _Isabella_, thou doest nothing buttorment thy selfe, with calling on me, accusing me for overlongtarrying from thee: I am come therefore to let thee know, that thoucanst not enjoy my company any more, because the very same day whenlast thou sawest me, thy brethren most bloodily murthered me. Andacquainting her with the place where they had buried his mangled body:hee strictly charged her, not to call him at any time afterward, and sovanished away.
The yong Damosell awaking, and giving some credite to her Vision,sighed and wept exceedingly; and after she was risen in the morning,not daring to say any thing to her brethren, she resolutely determined,to go see the place formerly appointed her, onely to make triall,if that which she seemed to see in her sleepe, should carry anylikely-hood of truth. Having obtained favour of her brethren, to ride adayes journey from the City, in company of her trusty Nurse, who longtime had attended on her in the house, and knew the secret passagesof her love: they rode directly to the designed place, which beingcovered with some store of dried leaves, and more deeply sunke then anyother part of the ground thereabout, they digged not farre, but theyfound the body of murthered _Lorenzo_, as yet very little corrupted orimpaired, and then perceived the truth of her vision.
Wisedome and government so much prevailed with her, as to instruct hersoule, that her teares spent there, were meerely fruitlesse and invaine, neither did the time require any long tarrying there. Gladlywould shee have carried the whole body with her, secretly to bestowhonourable enterment on it, but it exceeded the compasse of herability. Wherefore, in regard she could not have all, yet she would bepossessed of a part, & having brought a keene razor with her, by helpeof the Nurse, shee divided the head from the body, and wrapped it upin a Napkin, which the nurse conveyed into her lap, and then laide thebody in the ground again. Thus being undiscovered by any, they departedthence, and arrived at home in convenient time, where being alone bythemselves in the Chamber: she washed the head over and over with herteares, and bestowed infinite kisses thereon.
Not long after, the Nurse having brought her a large earthen potte,such as wee use to set Basile, Marjerom, Flowers, or other sweethearbes in, and shrouding the head in a silken Scarfe, put it into thepot, covering it with earth, and planting divers rootes of excellentBasile therein, which she never watered, but either with her teares,Rose water, or water distilled from the Flowers of Oranges. This potshe used continually to sitte by, either in her chamber, or any whereelsee: for she caried it alwaies with her, sighing and breathing foorthsad complaints thereto, even as if they had beene uttered to her_Lorenzo_, and day by day this was her continuall exercise, to the nomeane admiration of her bretheren, and many other friends that beheldher.
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br /> So long she held on in this mourning manner, that, what by thecontinuall watering of the Basile, and putrifaction of the head,so buried in the pot of earth; it grew very flourishing, and mostodorifferous to such as scented it, so that as no other Basile couldpossibly yeeld so sweet a savour. The neighbours noting this behaviourin her, observing the long continuance thereof, how much her brightbeauty was defaced, and the eyes sunke into her head by incessantweeping, made many kinde and friendly motions, to understand the reasonof her so violent oppressions; but could not by any meanes prevailewith her, or win any discovery by her Nurse, so faithfull was she insecrecie to her. Her brethren also waxed wearie of this carriage inher; and having very often reproved her for it, without any otheralteration in her: at length, they closely stole away the potte ofBasile from her, for which she made infinite wofull lamentations,earnestly entreating to have it restored againe, avouching that sheecould not live without it.
Perceiving that she could not have the pot againe, she fell into anextreame sicknesse, occasioned onely by her ceaselesse weeping: andnever urged she to have any thing, but the restoring of her Basile pot.Her brethren grew greatly amazed thereat, because shee never called forought elsee beside; and thereupon were very desirous to ransacke the potto the very bottome. Having emptied out all the earth, they found theScarfe of silke, wherein the head of Lorenzo was wrapped; which was (asyet) not so much consumed, but by the lockes of haire, they knew it tobe _Lorenzoes_ head, whereat they became confounded with amazement.
Fearing least their offence might come to open publication, theyburied it very secretly; and, before any could take notice thereof,they departed from _Messina_, and went to dwell in _Naples. Isabella_crying & calling still for her pot of Basile, being unable to give overmourning, dyed within a few dayes after. Thus have you heard the hardfate of poore _Lorenzo_ and his _Isabella_. Within no long while after,when this accident came to be publikely knowne, an excellent ditty wascomposed thereof, beginning thus:
_Cruell and unkinde was the Christian, That robd me of my Basiles blisse, &c._
The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5) Page 42