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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