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（and we have thought it expedient） that you should journey from
hence to Paris； there to continue for some such fitting time； as may
grant you full and free opportunity； to survey what stocke of wealth
is there employed for you； and to make you understand； how your
Factors are furtherous to your affaires。 Beside； this is the way to
make you a man of more solid apprehension； and perfect instruction
in civill courses of life； rather then by continuing here to see
none but Lords； Barons； and Gentlemen； whereof we have too great a
number。 When you are sufficiently qualified there； and have learned
what belongeth to a worthy 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） returned
them answer： That he would not give way to any such travaile；
because he knew how to dispose of himselfe in Florence； as well as
in any other place he should be sent too。 Which when his Tutors heard；
they reproved him with many severe speeches： and seeing they could win
no other answer from him； they made returne thereof to his Mother。 She
storming extreamly thereat； yet not so much for denying the journey to
Paris； as in regard of his violent affection to the Maide； gave him
very bitter and harsh language。 All which availing nothing； she
began to speake in a more milde and gentle straine； entreating him
with flattering and affable words； to be governed in this case by
his Tutors good advice。 And so farre （in the end） she prevailed with
him； that he yeelded to live at Paris for the space of a yeare； but
further time he would not grant； and so all was ended。
Jeronimo being gone to remaine at Paris； his love daily increasing
more and more； by reason of his absence from Silvestra； under faire
and friendly promises； of this moneth； and the next moneth； sending
for him home； there they detained him two whole yeares together。
Whereuppon； his love was growne to stich an extremity； that he neither
would； or could abide any longer there； but home he returned； before
he was expected。 His love Silvestra； by the cunning compacting of
his Mother and Tutors； he found married to a Tent…makers Sonne；
whereat he vexed and greeved beyond all measure。 Neverthelesse； seeing
the case was now no way to be holpen； he strove to beare it with so
much patience； as so great a wrong； and his hearts tormenting
greefe； would give leave to doe。
Having found out the place where she dwelt； he began （as it is the
custome of yong Lovers） to use divers daily walkes by her doore： as
thinking in his minde； that her remembrance of him was constantly
continued； as his was most intirely fixed on her。 But the case was
very strangely altred； because she was now growne no more mindfull
of him； then if she had never seene him before。 Or if she did any
way remember him； it appeared to be so little； that manifest signes
declared the contrary。 Which Jeronimo very quickely perceived；
albeit not without many melancholly perturbations。 Notwithstanding； he
laboured by all possible meanes； to recover her former kindnesse
againe： but finding all his paines frivolously employed； he resolved
to dye； and yet to compasse some speech with her before。
By meanes of a neere dwelling neighbour （that was his very deare and
intimate friend） he came acquainted with every part of the house；
and prevailed so far； that one evening； when she and her husband
supt at a neighbours house； he compassed accesse into the same bed
chamber； where Silvestra used most to lodge。 Finding the Curtaines
ready drawne； he hid himselfe behinde them on the further side of
the bed； and so tarried there untill Silvestra and her husband were
returned home； and laide downe in bed to take their rest。 The husbands
sences were soone overcome with sleepe； by reason of his painefull
toyling all the day； and bodies that are exercised with much labour；
are the more desirous to have ease。
She staying up last； to put out the light； and hearing her husband
sleepe so soundly； that his snoring gave good evidence thereof：
layed her selfe downe the more respectively； as being very loath any
way to disease him； but sweetly to let him enjoy his rest。
Silvestra lay on the same side of the bed； where Jeronimo had hid
himselfe behinde the Curtaines； who stepping softly to her in the
darke； 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 cried
out； but that he entreated her to the contrary； protesting； that he
came for no ill intent to her； but onely to take his latest leave of
her。 Alas Jeronimo （quoth she） those idle dayes are past and gone；
when it was no way unseemly for our youth； to entertaine equality of
those desires； which then well agreed with our young blood。 Since
when； you have lived in forraine Countries； which appeared to me to
alter your former disposition： for； in the space of two whole
yeares； either you grew forgetfull of me （as change of ayre； may
change affection） or （at the best） made such account of me； as I never
heard the least salutation from you。 Now you know me to be a married
wife； in regard whereof； my thoughts have embraced that chaste and
honourable resolution； not to minde any man but my husband； and
therefore； as you are come hither Without my love or license； so in
like manner I do desire you to be gone。 Let this priviledge of my
Husbandes sound sleeping； be no colour to your longer continuing here；
or encourage you to finde any further favour at mine hand： for if mine
husband should awake； beside the danger that thereon may follow to
you； I cannot but loose the sweet happinesse of peacefull life；
which hitherto we have both mutually embraced。
The yong man； hearing these wordes； and remembring what loving
kindnesse he had formerly found； what secret love Letters he had
sent from Paris； with other private intelligences and tokens； which
never came to her receite and knowledge； so cunningly his Mother and
Tutors had carried the matter： immediately felt his heart…strings to
breake； and lying downe upon the beds side by her； uttered these his
very last words。 Silvestra farewell； thou hast kilde the kindest heart
that ever loved a woman： and speaking no more； gave up the ghost。
She hearing these words delivered with an entire sighe； and
deepe…fetcht groane； did not imagine the strange consequence following
thereon； yet was mooved to much compassion； in regard of her former
affection to him。 Silent she lay an indifferent while； as being unable
to returne him any answer； and looking when he would be gone；
according as before she had earnestly entreated him。 But when she
perceyved him to lye so still； as neither word or motion came from
him； she saide： Kinde Jeronimo； why doest thou not depart and get thee
gone？ So putting forth her hand； it hapned to light upon his face；
which she felt to be as cold as yce： whereat marvailing not a
little； as also at his continued silence； she jogged him； and felt his
hands in like manner； 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； she was in such perplexity； that she could not devise what to
do or say。
In the end； she resolved to try how her husband would take it；
that so strange an accident should thus happen in his house； and
putting the case as if it did not concerne them； but any other of
the neighbours； awaking him first； demaunded of him what was best to
be done； if a man should steale into a neighbours house； unknowne to
him； or any of his family； and in his bed chamber to be found dead。 He
presently replyed （as not thinking the case concerned himselfe）
that； the onely helpe in such an unexpected extremity； was to take the
dead body； and convey it to his owne house； if he had any； whereby
no scandall or reproach would follow to them； in whose house he had so
unfortunately dyed。 Hereupon she immediately arose； and lighting a
candle； shewed him the dead body of Jeronimo； with protes