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第96章

the decameron(十日谈)-第96章

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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

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