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 IS CONSTANTLY SETLED BEFORE: WITH OTHER

       INSTRUCTIONS, CONCERNING THE UNSPEAKEABLE POWER OF LOVE

 

  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, he found his love Silvestra

married. By secret meanes, he got entrance into her house, and dyed

upon the bed lying by her. Afterward, his body being carried to

Church, to receive buriall, she likewise died there instantly upon his

coarse.

 

  Madam Aemilia no sooner concluded her Novell, but Madam Neiphila (by

the Kings command) began to speake in this manner. It seemeth to me

(Gracious Ladies) that there are some such people to be found, who

imagine themselves to know more, then all other else in the world

beside, and yet indeede do know nothing at all: presuming (thorough

this arrogant opinion of theirs) to imploy and oppose their senselesse

understanding, against infallible grounded reason, yea, and to attempt

courses, not only contrary to the counsell and judgement of men, but

also to crosse the nature of divine ordination. Out of which saucy and

ambitious presumption, many mighty harmes have already had

beginning, and more are like to ensue uppon such boldnesse, because it

is the ground of all evils.

  Now, in regard that among all other naturall things, no one is lesse

subject to take counsell, or can be wrought to contrariety, then Love,

whose nature is such, as rather to run upon his owne rash consumption,

then to be ruled by admonitions of the very wisest: my memory hath

inspired it selfe, with matter incident to this purpose, effectually

to approve, what I have already said. For I am now to speake of a

woman who would appeare to have more wit, then either she had

indeed, or appertained to her by any title. The matter also, wherein

she would needs shew her studious judgement and capacity, was of

much more consequence then she could deserve to meddle withall. Yet

such was the issue of her fond presuming; that (in one instant) she

expelled 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 and ancient testimony) there

dwelt sometime a very worthy and wealthy Merchant, named Leonardo

Sighiero, who by his wife had one onely Sonne, called Jeronimo; and

within a short while after his birth, Leonardo being very sicke, and

having setled all his affaires in good order; departed out of this

wretched life to a better. The Tutors and Governours of the Childe,

thought it fittest to let him live with his Mother, where he had his

whole education, though schooled among many other worthy neighbours

children, according as in most Cities they use to do. Yong Jeronimo

growing on in yeares, and frequenting dayly the company of his

Schoole-fellowes and others: he would often sport (as the rest did)

with the neighbors children, and much pretty pastime they found

together.

  In the harmlesse recreations of youth, graver judgements have

often observed, that some especiall matter received then such

originall, as greater effect hath followed thereon. And many times,

parents and kindred have bene the occasion (although perhaps beyond

their expectation) of very strange and extraordinary accidents, by

names of familiarity passing betweene Boyes and Girles, as King and

Queene, sweet heart and sweet heart, friend and friend, husband and

wife, and divers other such like kind tearmes, prooving afterwards

to be true indeed. It fell out so with our yong Jeronimo; for, among a

number of pretty Damosels, daughters to men of especiall respect,

and others of farre inferiour quality: a Taylors daughter, excelling

the rest in favour and feature (albeit her Father was but poore)

Jeronimo most delighted to sport withall; and no other titles passed

betweene them, even in the hearing of their parents and friends, but

wife and husband: such was the beginning of their yong affection,

presaging (no doubt) effectually to follow.

  Nor grew this familiarity (as yet) any way distasted, till by

their daily conversing together, and enterchange of infinite pretty

speeches, Jeronimo felt a strange alteration in his soule, with such

enforcing and powerfull afflictions; as he was never well but in her

company, nor she enjoyed any rest if Jeronimo were absent. At the

length, this being noted by his Mother, she began to rebuke him, yea

many times gave him both threatnings and blowes, which proving to no

purpose, not hindering his accesse to her; she complained to his

Tutors, and like one that in regard of her riches, thought to plant an

Orange upon a blacke thorne, spake as followeth.

  This Sonne of mine Jeronimo, being as yet but foureteene years of

age, is so deeply enamoured of a yong Girle, named Silvestra, daughter

unto a poore Tailor, our neere dwelling neighbour: that if we do not

send him out of her company, one day (perhaps) he may make her his

wife, and yet without any knowledge of ours, which questionlesse would

be my death. Otherwise, he may pine and consume himselfe away, if he

see us procure her marriage to some other. Wherefore, hold it good,

that to avoid so great an inconvenience, we should send Jeronimo

some far distance hence, to remaine where some of our Factors are

employed: because, when he shall be out of her sight, and their

often meetings utterly disappointed; his affection to her will the

sooner cease, by frustrating his hope for ever enjoying her, and so we

shall have the better meanes, to match him with one of greater

quality. The Tutors did like well of her advice, not doubting but it

would take answerable effect: and therefore, calling Jeronimo into a

private Parlor, one of them 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 way

inconvenient, to acquaint you with your deceased Fathers affaires, and

by what good courses he came to such wealth. You are his onely sonne

and heire, to whom he hath bequeathed his rich possessions (your

Mothers moity evermore remembred) and travaile would now seeme fitting

for you, as well to gaine experience in Trafficke and Merchandize,

as also to let you see the worlds occurrences. Your Mother therefore

(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 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.