the decameron(十日谈)-第71章

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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　the　like
misfortune　to　befall　them）　gallopped　mainely　backe　againe　to　their
Lords　Castle；　not　knowing　them　who　had　thus　murthered　their　Master；　by
reason　of　their　armed　disguises；　which　in　those　martiall　times　were
usually　worne。
　　Messer　Guiglielmo　Rossiglione；　alighting　from　his　horse；　and
having　a　keene　knife　ready　drawne　in　his　hand；　opened　therewith　the
brest　of　dead　Guardastagno；　and　taking　foorth　his　heart　with　his
owne　hands；　wrapped　it　in　the　Bandelote　belonging　to　his　Lance；
commanding　one　of　his　men　to　the　charge　thereof；　and　never　to　disclose
the　deed。　So；　mounting　on　horse…backe　againe；　and　darke　night
drawing　on　apace；　he　returned　home　to　his　Castle。　The　Lady；　who　had
heard　before　of　Guardastagnoes　intent；　to　suppe　there　that　night；
and　（perhaps）　being　earnestly　desirous　to　see　him；　marvailing　at　his
so　long　tarrying；　saide　to　her　husband：　Beleeve　me　Sir　（quoth　she）
me　thinkes　it　is　somewhat　strange；　that　Messer　Guiglielmo　Guardastagno
delayes　his　comming　so　long；　he　never　used　to　do　so　till　now。　I
received　tidings　from　him　wife　（saide　he）　that　he　cannot　be　here
till　to　morrow。　Whereat　the　Lady　appearing　to　be　displeased；　concealed
it　to　herselfe；　and　used　no　more　words。
　　Rossiglione　leaving　his　Lady；　went　into　the　Kitchin；　where　calling
for　the　Cooke；　he　delivered　him　the　heart；　saying：　Take　this　heart
of　a　wilde　Boare；　which　it　was　my　good　happe　to　kill　this　day；　and
dresse　it　in　the　daintiest　manner　thou　canst　devise　to　do；　which　being
so　done；　when　I　am　set　at　the　Table；　send　it　to　me　in　a　silver　dish；
with　sauce　beseeming　so　dainty　a　morsell。　The　Cooke　tooke　the　heart；
beleeving　it　to　be　no　otherwise；　then　as　his　Lord　had　saide：　and　using
his　utmost　skill　in　dressing　it；　did　divide　it　into　artificiall
small　slices；　and　made　it　most　pleasing　to　be　tasted。　When　supper　time
was　come；　Rossiglione　sate　downe　at　the　table　with　his　Lady：　but　he
had　little　or　no　appetite　at　all　to　eate；　the　wicked　deed　which　he　had
done　so　perplexed　his　soule；　and　made　him　to　sit　very　strangely
musing。　At　length；　the　Cooke　brought　in　the　dainty　dish；　which　he
himselfe　setting　before　his　wife；　began　to　finde　fault　with　his　owne
lacke　of　stomacke；　yet　provoked　her　with　many　faire　speeches；　to
tast　the　Cooks　cunning　in　so　rare　a　dish。
　　The　Lady　having　a　good　appetite　indeede；　when　she　had　first　tasted
it；　fed　afterward　so　heartily　thereon；　that　she　left　very　little；　or
none　at　all　remaining。　When　he　perceived　that　all　was　eaten；　he　said
unto　her：　Tell　me　Madame；　how　you　do　like　this　delicate　kinde　of
meate？　In　good　faith　Sir　（quoth　she）　in　all　my　life　I　was　never　better
pleased。　Now　trust　mee　Madame；　answered　the　Knight；　I　do　verily
beleeve　you；　nor　do　I　greatly　wonder　thereat；　if　you　like　that　dead；
which　you　loved　so　dearly　being　alive。　When　she　heard　these　words；　a
long　while　she　sate　silert；　but　afterward　saide。　I　pray　you　tell　me
Sir；　what　meate　was　this　which　you　have　made　me　to　eate？　Muse　no
longer　（saide　he）　for　therein　I　will　quickly　resolve　thee。　Thou　hast
eaten　the　heart　of　Messer　Guiglielmo　Guardastagno；　whose　love　was　so
deare　and　precious　to　thee；　thou　false；　perfidious；　and　disloyall
Lady：　I　pluckt　it　out　of　his　vile　body　with　mine　owne　hands；　and
made　my　Cooke　to　dresse　it　for　thy　diet。
　　Poore　Lady；　how　strangely　was　her　soule　afflicted；　hearing　these
harsh　and　unpleasing　speeches？　Teares　flowed　aboundantly　from　her
faire　eies；　and　like　tempestuous　windes　embowelled　in　the　earth；　so
did　vehement　sighes　breake　mainly　from　her　heart；　and　after　a
tedious　time　of　silence；　she　spake　in　this　manner。　My　Lord　and
husband；　you　have　done　a　most　disloyall　and　damnable　deede；
misguided　by　your　owne　wicked　jealous　opinion；　and　not　by　any　just
cause　given　you；　to　murther　so　worthy　and　Noble　a　Gentleman。　I　protest
unto　you　upon　my　soule；　which　I　wish　to　be　confounded　in　eternall
perdition；　if　ever　I　were　unchaste　to　your　bed；　or　allowed　him　any
other　favour；　but　what　might　well　become　so　honourable　a　friend。　And
seeing　my　body　hath　bene　made　the　receptacle　for　so　precious　a　kinde
of　foode；　as　the　heart　of　so　valiant　and　courteous　a　Knight；　such　as
was　the　Noble　Guardastagno；　never　shall　any　other　foode　hereafter；
have　entertainment　there；　or　my　selfe　live　the　Wife　to　so　bloody　a
Husband。
　　So　starting　up　from　the　Table；　and　stepping　unto　a　great　gazing
Window；　the　Casement　whereof　standing　wide　open　behinde　her：　violently
shee　leaped　out　thereat；　which　beeing　an　huge　height　in　distance
from　the　ground；　the　fall　did　not　onely　kill　her；　but　also　shivered
her　body　into　many　peeces。　Which　Rossiglione　perceiving；　hee　stoode
like　a　body　without　a　soule；　confounded　with　the　killing　of　so　deare　a
friend；　losse　of　a　chaste　and　honourable　wife；　and　all　through　his
owne　overcredulous　conceit。
　　Upon　further　conference　with　his　private　thoughts；　and　remorsefull
acknowledgement　of　his　heinous　offence；　which　repentance　（too　late）
gave　him　eyes　now　to　see；　though　rashnesse　before　would　not　permit　him
to　consider；　these　two　extreamities　inlarged　his　dulled　understanding。
First；　he　g