按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
candle； shewed him the dead body of Jeronimo； with protestation of
every particular； both of her innocency； either of knowledge of his
comming thither； or any other blame that could concerne her。 Which
he both constantly knowing and beleeving； made no more ceremony； but
putting on his Garments； tooke the dead body upon his shoulders； and
carried it to the Mothers doore； where he left it； and afterward
returned to his owne house 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 seene
the day before； in perfect health to outward appearance。 Nor neede
we to urge any question of his Mothers sorrow upon this strange
accident； who； causing his body to be carefully searched； without
any blow； bruise； wound； or hurt uppon it； the Physitians could not
give any other opinion； but that some inward conceyte of greefe had
caused his death； as it did indeed； and no way otherwise。 To the
cheefe Church was the dead body carried； to be generally seene of
all the people； his Mother and Friends weeping heavily by it； as
many more did the like beside； because he was beloved of every one。 In
which time of universall mourning； the honest man （in whose house he
dyed） spake thus to his wife： Disguise thy selfe in some decent
manner； and go to the Church； where （as I heare） they have laide the
body of Jeronimo。 Crowde in amongest the Women； as I will do the
like amongst the men； to heare what opinion passeth of his death；
and whether we shall be scandalized thereby； or no。
Silvestra； who was now become full of pitty too late； quickely
condiscended； as desiring to see him dead； whom sometime she dearly
affected in life。 And being come to the Church； it is a matter to be
admired； if advisedly we consider on the powerfull working of love；
for the heart of this woman； which the prosperous fortune of
Jeronimo could not pierce； now in his wofull death split in sunder；
and the ancient sparks of love so long concealed in the embers；
brake foorth into a furious flame； and being violently surprized
with extraordinary compassion； no sooner did she come neere to the
dead body； where many stood weeping round about it； but strangely
shrieking out aloud； she fell downe upon it： and even as extreamity of
greefe finished his life； so did it hers in the same manner。 For she
moved neither hand nor foot； because her vitall powers had quite
forsaken her。 The women labouring to comfort her by all best meanes
they could devise； did not take any knowledge of her； by reason of her
disguised garments： but finding her dead indeed； and knowing her
also to be Silvestra； being overcome with unspeakable compassion；
and danted with no meane admiration； they stood strangely gazing
each upon other。
Wonderfull crowds of people were then in the Church； and this
accident being now noysed among the men； at length it came to her
Husbands understanding； whose greefe was so great； as it exceeded
all capacity of expression。 Afterward he declared what had hapned in
his house the precedent night； according as his wife had truly related
to him； with all the speeches； which passed between Silvestra and
Jeronimo； by which discourse； they generally conceived； the certaine
occasion of both their sodaine deaths； which moved them to great
compassion。 Then taking the yong womans body； and ordering it as a
coarse ought to be： they layed it on the same Biere by the yong man；
and when they had sufficiently sorrowed for their disastrous
fortune； they gave them honourable buriall both in。 one grave。 So；
this poore couple； whom love （in life） could not joyne together； death
did unite in an inseparable conjunction。
THE FOURTH DAY； THE NINTH NOVELL
WHEREBY APPEARETH； WHAT ILL SUCCESSE ATTENDETH ON THEM；
THAT LOVE CONTRARY TO REASON： IN OFFERING INJURIE BOTH TO
FRIENDSHIP AND MARRIAGE TOGETHER
Messer Guiglielmo of Rossiglione having slaine Messer Guiglielmo
Guardastagno； whom hee imagined to love his wife； gave her his heart
to eate。 Which she knowing afterward； threw her selfe out of an high
window to the ground； and being dead； was then buried with her friend。
When the Novell of Madam Neiphila was ended； which occasioned much
compassion in the whole assembly； the King who wold not infringe the
priviledge granted to Dioneus； no more remaining to speake but they
two； began thus。 I call to minde （gentle Ladies） a Novell； which
（seeing we are so farre entred into the lamentable accidents of
successelesse love）； will urge you unto as much commisseration； as
that so lately reported to you。 And so much the rather； because the
person of whom we are to speake； were of respective quality； which
approveth the accident to be more cruell； then those whereof we have
formerly discoursed。
According as the people of Provence do report； there dwelt
sometime in that jurisdiction； two noble Knights； each well
possessed of Castles and followers； the one being named Messer
Guiglielmo de Rossiglione； and the other Messer Guiglielmo
Guardastagno。 Now； in regard that they were both valiant Gentlemen；
and singularly expert in actions of Armes； they loved together the
more mutually； and held it as a kinde of custome to be seene in all
Tiltes and Tournaments； or any other exercises of Armes； going
commonly alike in their wearing garments。 And although their Castles
stood about five miles distant each from other； yet were they dayly
conversant together； as very loving and intimate friends。 The one of
them； I meane Messer Guiglielmo de Rossilione； had to wife a very
gallant beautifull Lady； of whom Messer Guardastagno （forgetting the
lawes of respect and loyall friendship） became overfondly enamoured；
expressing the same by such outward meanes； that the Lady her selfe
tooke knowledge thereof； and not with any dislike； as it seemed； but
rather lovingly entertained； yet she grew not so forgetfull of her
honour and estimation； as the other did of faith to his friend。
With such indiscretion was this idle love carried； that whether it
sorted to effect； or no； I know not： but the husband perceived some
such maner of behaviour； as he could not easily digest； nor thought it
fitting to endure。 Whereuppon； the league of friendly amity so long
continued； began to faile in very strange fashion； and became
converted into deadly hatred： which yet he very cunningly concealed；
bearing an outward shew of constant friendship still； but （in his
heart） he had vowed the death of Guardastagno。 Nothing wanted； but
by what meanes it might best be effected； which fell out to be in this
manner。 A publicke joust or Tourney； was proclaimed by sound of
Trumpet throughout all France； wherewith immediately； Messer
Guiglielmo Rossiglione acquainted Messer Guardastagno； entreating
him that they might further conferre theron together； and for that
purpose to come and visit him； if he intended to have any hand in
the businesse。 Guardastagno being exceeding glad of this accident；
which gave him liberty to see his Mistresse； sent answer backe by
the messenger； that on the morrow at night； he would come and sup with
Rossiglione； who upon this reply； projected to himselfe in what
maner to kill him。
On the morrow； after dinner； arming himselfe； and two more of his
servants with him； such as he had solemnly sworne to secrecy； he
mounted on horsebacke； and rode on about a mile from his owne
Castle； where he lay closely ambushed in a Wood； through which
Guardastagno must needs passe。 After he had stayed there some two
houres space and more； he espyed him come riding with two of his
attendants； all of them being unarmed； as no way distrusting any
such intended treason。 So soone as he was come to the place； where
he had resolved to do the deed； hee rushed forth of the ambush； and
having a sharpe Lance readily charged in his rest； ran mainly at
him； saying： False villaine； thou art dead。 Guardastagno； having
nothing wherewith to defend himselfe； nor his servants able to give
him any succour； being pierced quite through the body with the
Lance； downe he fell dead to the ground； and his men （fearing th