Jeronimo _affecting a yong Maiden, named_ Silvestra: _was constrained(by the earnest importunity of his Mother) to take a journey to_ Paris._At his return home from thence againe, hee found his love_ Silvestra_married. By secret meanes, he got entrance into her house, and dyedupon the bed lying by her. Afterward, his body being carried to Church,to receive buriall, she likewise died there instantly upon his coarse._
The eight Novell.
_Wherein is againe declared, the great indiscretion and folly of them,that think to constraine love, according to their will, after it isconstantly setled before: With other instructions, concerning theunspeakeable power of Love._
Madam _Emillia_ had no sooner concluded her Novell, but Madame_Neiphila_ (by the Kings command) began to speake in this manner. Itseemeth to mee (Gracious Ladies) that there are some such people tobe found, who imagine themselves to know more, then all other elsee inthe world beside, and yet indeede doe know nothing at all: presuming(thorough this arrogant opinion of theirs) to imploy and oppose theirsenselesse understanding, against infallible grounded reason, yea, andto attempt courses, not only contrary to the counsell and judgment ofmen, but also to crosse the nature of divine ordination. Out of whichfancy & ambitious presumption, many mighty harmes have already hadbeginning, and more are like to ensue uppon such boldnesse, because itis the ground of all evils.
Now, in regard that among all other naturall things, no one is lessesubject to take counsell, or can bee wrought to contrariety, thenLove, whose nature is such, as rather to run upon his owne rashconsumption, then to be ruled by admonitions of the very wisest: mymemory hath inspired itself, with matter incident to this purpose,effectually to approve, what I have already said. For I am now tospeake of a woman, who would appeare to have more wit, then eithershe had indeed, or appertained to her by any title. The matter also,wherein she would needs shew hir studious judgement and capacity, wasof much more consequence then she could deserve to meddle withall. Yetsuch was the issue of her fond presuming; that (in one instant) sheexpelled both love, and the soule of her owne sonne out of his body,where (doubtlesse) it was planted by divine favour and appointment.
In our owne City (according to true & ancient testimony) there dweltsometime a very worthy and wealthy Merchant, named _Leonardo Sighiero_,who by his wife had one onely Sonne, called _Jeronimo_, and within ashort while after his birth, _Leonardo_ being very sicke, and havingsetled al his affaires in good order; departed out of this wretchedlife to a better. The Tutors and Governours of the Childe, thoughtit fittest to let him live with his Mother, where he had his wholeeducation, though schooled among many other worthy neighbours children,according as in most Cities they use to do. Yong _Jeronimo_ growing onin yeares, and frequenting dayly the company of his Schoole-fellowesand others: hee would often sport (as the rest did) with the neighbourschildren, and much prety pastime they found together.
In the harmlesse recreations of youth, graver judgements have oftenobserved, that some especiall matter received then such original,as greater effect hath followed thereon. And many times, parentsand kindred have bene the occasion (although perhaps beyond theirexpectation) of very strange and extraordinary accidents, by names offamiliarity passing betweene Boyes and Girles, as King and Queene,sweet heart and sweet heart, friend and friend, husband and wife, anddivers other such like kind tearmes, prooving afterwards to be trueindeede. It fell out so with our yong _Jeronimo_; for, among a numberof pretty Damoselse, daughters to men of especiall respect, and othersof farre inferiour qualitie: a Taylors daughter, excelling the restin favour and feature (albeit her Father was but poore) _Jeronimo_most delighted to sport withall; and no other titles passed betweenethem, even in the hearing of their parents and friendes, but wife andhusband: such was the beginning of their young affection, presaging (nodoubt) effectually to follow.
Nor grew this familiarity (as yet) any way distasted, till by theirdayly conversing together, and enterchange of infinite pretty speeches:_Jeronimo_ felt a strange alteration in his soule, with such enforcingand powerfull afflictions; as he was never well but in her company, norshe enjoyed any rest if _Jeronimo_ were absent. At the length, thisbeing noted by his Mother, she beganne to rebuke him, yea, many timesgave him both threatnings and blowes, which proving to no purpose, norhindering his accesse to her; she complained to his Tutors, and likeone that in regard of her riches, thought to plant an Orange upon ablacke thorne, spake as followeth.
This Sonne of mine _Jeronimo_, being as yet but fourteene years of age,is so deeply enamored of a yong Girle, named _Silvestra_, daughter untoa poore Tailor, our neere dwelling neighbour: that if we do not sendhim out of her company, one day (perhaps) he may make her his wife,and yet without any knowledge of ours, which questionlesse would be mydeath. Otherwise, he may pine and consume himselfe away, if he see usprocure her marriage to some other. Wherefore, I hold it good, thatto avoid so great an inconvenience, we shold send _Jeronimo_ some fardistance hence, to remaine where some of our Factors are employed:because, when he shall be out of her sight, and their often meetingsutterly disappointed; his affection to her will the sooner ceasse, byfrustrating his hope for ever enjoying her, and so we shall have thebetter meanes, to match him with one of greater quality. The Tutorsdid like well of her advice, not doubting but it would take answerableeffect: and therefore, calling _Jeronimo_ into a private Parlour, one ofthem began in this manner.
_Jeronimo_, you are now growne to an indifferent stature, and (almost)able to take government of your selfe. It cannot then seeme any wayinconvenient, to acquaint you with your deceased Fathers affaires, andby what good courses he came to such wealth. You are his onely sonneand heire, to whom hee hath bequeathed his rich possessions (yourMothers moity evermore remembred) and travaile would now seeme fittingfor you, as well to gaine experience in Traffick and Merchandize, asalso to let you see the worlds occurrences. Your Mother therefore (andwe) have thought it expedient, that you should journey from hence to_Paris_, there to continue for some such fitting time, as may grantyou full and free opportunity, to survey what stocke of wealth isthere employed for you, and to make you understand, how your Factorsare furtherous to your affayres. Beside, this is the way to make youa man of more solid apprehension, & perfect instruction in civillcourses of life; rather then by continuing here to see none but Lords,Barons, and Gentlemen, whereof wee have too great a number. When youare sufficiently qualified there, and have learned what belongeth to aworthy Marchant, such as was _Leonardo Sighiero_ your famous Father;you may returne home againe at your owne pleasure.
The youth gave them attentive hearing, and (in few words) returnedthem answer: That he would not give way to any such travaile, becausehee knew how to dispose of himselfe in _Florence_, as well as in anyother place he should be sent too. Which when his Tutors heard, theyreproved him with many severe speeches: and seeing they could win noother answer from him, they made returne thereof to his Mother. Sheestorming extreamly thereat, yet not so much for denying the journeyto _Paris_, as in regard of his violent affection to the Maide; gavehim very bitter and harsh language. All which availing nothing, shebegan to speake in a more milde and gentle straine, entreating himwith flattering and affable words, to be governed in this case byhis Tutors good advise. And so farre (in the end) she prevailed withhim, that he yeelded to live at _Paris_ for the space of a yeare; butfurther time he would not graunt, and so all was ended.
_Jeronimo_ being gone to remain at _Paris_, his love daily increasingmore and more, by reason of his absence from _Silvestra_, under faireand friendly promises, of this moneth and the next moneth sendingfor him home; there they detained him two whole yeares together.Whereuppon, his love was growne to such an extremity, that he neitherwould, or could abide any longer there, but home hee returned, beforehee was expected. His love _Silvestra_, by the cunning compacting ofhis Mother and Tutors, he found married to a Tent-makers Sonne; whereathee vexed and greeved beyond all measure. Neverthelesse, seeing thecase was now no way to bee holpen; hee strove to beare it with so muchpa
tience, as so great a wrong, and his hearts tormenting greefe, wouldgive him leave to doe.
Having found out the place where she dwelt, hee began (as it is thecustome of yong Lovers) to use divers daily walkes by her door: asthinking in his minde, that her remembrance of him was constantlycontinued, as his was most intirely fixed on her. But the case wasverie strangely altred, because she was now growne no more mindfullof him, then if she had never seene him before. Or if she did anyway remember him, it appeared to be so little, that manifest signesdeclared the contrary. Which _Jeronimo_ very quickely perceived,albeit not without many melanchollie perturbations. Notwithstanding,he laboured by all possible meanes, to recover her former kindnesseagaine: but finding all his paines frivouslie employed; he resolved todye, and yet to compasse some speech with her before.
By meanes of a neere dwelling neighbour (that was his verie deare &intimate friend) he came acquainted with every part of the house, &prevailed so far, that one evening, when she and her husband supt ata neighbours house; he compassed accesse into the same bed chamber,where _Silvestra_ used most to lodge. Finding the Curtaines readydrawne, he hid himselfe behinde them on the further side of the bed,and so tarried there untill _Silvestra_ and her husband were returnedhome, and laide downe in bedde to take their rest. The husbands senceswere soone overcome with sleepe, by reason of his painefull toylingall the day, and bodies that are exercised with much labour, are themore desirous to have ease. She staying up last, to put out the light,and hearing her husband sleepe so soundly, that his snoring gave goodevidence thereof: layed her selfe down the more respectively, as beingvery loath any way to disease him, but sweetly to let him enjoy hisrest.
_Silvestra_ lay on the same side of the bed, where _Jeronimo_ had hidhimselfe behinde the Curtaines; who stepping softly to her in thedarke, and laying his hand gently on her brest, saide: Deare Love,forbeare a little while to sleepe, for heere is thy loyall friend_Jeronimo_. The yong woman starting with amazement, would have criedout, but that hee entreated her to the contrary; protesting, that hecame for no ill intent to her, but onely to take his latest leave ofher. Alas _Jeronimo_ (quoth she) those idle dayes are past and gone,when it was no way unseemly for our youth, to entertaine equality ofthose desires, which then well agreed with our young blood. Since when,you have lived in forraine Countries, which appeared to me to alteryour former disposition: for, in the space of two whole yeares, eitheryou grew forgetfull of me (as change of ayre, may change affection)or (at the best) made such account of mee, as I never heard theleast salutation from you. Now you know me to be a married wife, inregard whereof, my thoughts have embraced that chaste and honourableresolution, not to minde any man but my husband; and therefore, asyou are come hither without my love or license, so in like manner Ido desire you to be gone. Let this priviledge of my Husbandes soundsleeping, be no colour to your longer continuing heere, or encourageyou to finde any further favour at mine hand: for if mine husband sholdawake, beside the danger that thereon may follow to you, I cannot butloose the sweet happinesse of peacefull life, which hitherto we haveboth mutually embraced.
The yong man, hearing these wordes, and remembring what lovingkindnesse he had formerly found, what secret love Letters hee had sentfrom _Paris_, with other private intelligences and tokens, which nevercame to her receite and knowledge, so cunningly his Mother and Tutorshad carried the matter: immediately he felt his heart strings to break;and lying downe upon the beds side by her, uttered these his verylast words. _Silvestra_ farewell, thou hast kilde the kindest heartthat ever loved a woman: and speaking no more, gave up the ghost. Shehearing these words delivered with an entire sighe, and deepe-fetchtgroane: did not imagine the strange consequence following thereon;yet was mooved to much compassion, in regard of her former affectionto him. Silent shee lay an indifferent while, as being unable toreturne him any answer; and looking when he would be gone, accordingas before she had earnestly entreated him. But when she perceyved himto lye so still, as neither word or motion came from him, she saide:Kinde _Jeronimo_, why doest thou not depart and get thee gone? Soputting forth her hand, it hapned to light upon his face, which shefelt to be as cold as yce: whereat marvelling not a little, as alsoat his continued silence: shee jogged him, and felt his hands in likemanner, which were stiffely extended forth, and all his body cold,as not having any life remaining in him, which greatly amazing her,and confounding her with sorrow beyond all measure, shee was in suchperplexity, that the could not devise what to do or say.
In the end, she resolved to try how her husband would take it, that sostrange an accident should thus happen in his house, and putting thecase as if it did not concerne them, but any other of the neighbours;awaking him first, demaunded of him what was best to bee done, if a manshould steale into a neighbours house, unknowne to him, or any of hisfamily; & in his bed chamber to be found dead. He presently replyed(as not thinking the case concerned himselfe) that, the onely helpe insuch an unexpected extremity, was, to take the dead body, and conveyit to his owne house, if he had any; whereby no scandall or reproachwould followe to them, in whose house he had so unfortunately dyed.Heereupon, shee immediately arose, and lighting a candle, shewed himthe dead bodie of _Jeronimo_, with protestation of every particular,both of her innocencie, either of knowledge of his comming thither,or any other blame that could concerne her. Which hee both constantlyknowing and beleeving, made no more ceremonie, but putting on hisGarments, tooke the dead bodie upon his shoulders, and carried it tothe Mothers doore, where he left it, and afterward returned to his ownehouse againe.
When day light was come, and the dead body found lying in the Porch,it moved very much greefe and amazement, considering, he had bin seenethe day before, in perfect health to outward appearance. Nor neede weto urge any question of his Mothers sorrow upon this straunge accident,who, causing his body to bee carefully searched, without any blow,bruise, wound, or hurt uppon it, the Physitians could not give anyother opinion, but that some inward conceyte of greefe had caused hisdeath, as it did indeed, and no way otherwise. To the cheefe Churchwas the dead body carried, to be generally seene of all the people,his mother and friends weeping heavily by it, as many more did thelike beside, because he was beloved of every one. In which time ofuniversall mourning, the honest man (in whose house he dyed) spakethus to his wife: disguise thyselfe in some decent manner, and go tothe Church, where (as I heare) they have laide the body of _Jeronimo_.Crowde in amongest the Women, as I will doe the like amongst the men,to heare what opinion passeth of his death, and whether wee shall beescandalized thereby, or no.
_Silvestra_, who was now become full of pitty too late, quickelycondiscended, as desiring to see him dead, whom sometime she dearlyaffected in life. And being come to the Church, it is a matter to beeadmired, if advisedly we consider on the powerfull working of love; forthe heart of this woman, which the prosperous fortune of _Jeronimo_could not pierce, now in his wofull death did split in sunder; and theancient sparks of love so long concealed in the embers, brake foorthinto a furious flame; and being violently surprized with extraordinarycompassion, no sooner did she come neere to the dead body, where manystoode weeping round about it; but strangely shrieking out aloud, shefell downe upon it: & even as extremity of greefe finished his life, sodid it hers in the same manner. For she moved neither hand not foot,because her vitall powers had quite forsaken her. The women labouringto comfort her by al the best means they could devise; did not take anyknowledge of her, by reason of her disguised garments: but finding herdead indeede, and knowing her also to be _Silvestra_, being overcomewith unspeakable compassion, & danted with no meane admiration, theystood strangely gazing each upon other.
Wonderfull crowds of people were then in the Church; and this accidentbeing now noysed among the men, at length it came to her Husbandsunderstanding, whose greefe was so great, as it exceeded all capacitieof expression. Afterward, he declared what had hapned in his house theprecedent night, according as his wife had truly related to him, withall the speeches, which past between _Silvestra_ a
nd _Jeronimo_; bywhich discourse, they generally conceived, the certaine occasion ofboth their sodaine deaths, which moved them to great compassion. Thentaking the yong womans body, and ordering it as a coarse ought to bee:they layed it on the same Biere by the yong man, and when they hadsufficiently sorrowed for their disastrous fortunes, they gave themhonourable buriall both in one grave. So, this poore couple, whome love(in life) could not joyne together, death did unite in an inseparableconjunction.
The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5) Page 45