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第97章

the decameron(十日谈)-第97章

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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

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