doing wrong to either sex I may be allowed to speak the truth both of Men and women and to affirm that there is nothing good at all either in the one or the other But this Man said Parlament was marvellously deceitfull for on the one side he cousened his Maid and on the other side his Wife You do not well understand the story I perceive said Hircan for that saith that he did content them both on one morning and not deceive them which I look upon as a great Act of Virtue both of body and of mind as well by deeds as by words to give content unto two divers persons In that said Parlament he is doubly to be blamed in satisfying the simplicity of the one by Dissimulation and and the longings of the other by Lust but I understand well enough that such Sins as these being brought before such a Judge as you will find an easie pardon You may assure your self said Hircan to please two at once is no easie task and for my own part I will never undertake so great and difficult an enterprise I have given you my Account already and think herein I have not ill imployed my days work If a mutual Love said Parlament cannot content the heart I know no other thing in the world that can give content unto it To speak the truth said Simontault I do believe that there is not a greater punishment in the world than to love and not to be beloved again I do believe you said Oysilla and to that purpose I do remember a Story which indeed doth not deserve to be numbred on the file of good ones but because it is for the present purpose I am content to declare it to you Of a Frier whose Custom it was to bring his complaints to several Husbands which was the occasion that they did beat their Wives The sixth Novell IN the City of Angoulesm where Count Charls the Father of King Francis had oftentimes his residence there was a Frier called De Valles a very knowing Man and so great a Preacher that upon all Sundays in the Advents he preached in the City before the Count by means whereof his Reputation was much increased It so fell out that during the Advent a lusty young fellow of the City having married a handsom young Wench did not desist for all that to ramble up and down and to live as dissolutely if not more than those who were unmarried of which the young Woman being advertised could not hold her peace so that following him up and down and exclaiming on him she received such tokens from him as she would not willingly have and neverthelesse for all that she did not forbear to continue her exclamations and oftentimes would speak very high words and most passionately rail against him The young Man being much incited at it did begin to lay about him and to leave on her shoulders the marks of his displeasure whereat she began to cry out far louder than before and her Neighbours also that knew the occasion of it would inveigh against him and making a great noise in the streets would cry out Now fie on all such Husbands Let them go all to the Devil The Frier De Valles passing by that way and understanding the noise and the occasion of it did determine with himself to speak one word of it in his next dayes Sermon which accordingly he did for speaking of marriage and of the love which ought to be betwixt the Husband and the Wife he did highly praise it and blamed those that did go about to violate it and making a comparison betwixt conjugal and paternal Love he said amongst other things That it was a greater danger and a more grievous punishment for a Husband to beat his Wife than to beat his Father or his Mother for said he if you beat your Father or your Mother you are sent to Rome to do penance but if you beat your Wife both she and all her Neighbours will fall a cursing of you and send you immediately to the Devil that is to say to Hell You are to observe now said he what a difference there is betwixt these two penances for from Rome they do ordinarily come back again but from Hell-Oh There is no teturning Nulla est redemptio Not long after that Sermon he was advertised that Women made their boasts of that which he preached and that their Husbands could live in no quiet for them for which in his next Sermon he did resolve to prescribe an Order for the redresse of that inconvenience And in some part of it he compared Women unto Devils and said that they two were the greatest Enemies that Man had for they did always tempt Man without any intermission and he could never get rid of them especially of the Woman for the Devils he said will fly away if they be but shewed the Crosse but Women clean contrary to them will cleave the faster to them being the greatest cross themselves that can be to their Husbands And this doth make them so to run and to go and doth throw them into such an infinity of passions But good people be ruled by me and I will tell you what you shall do When you do find that your Wives do torment you in this manner without cease as I have said they are accustomed to do take off the handle from your crucisix and with that handle drive them as far from you as you can Do as I bid you and vigorously make experience of it three or four times and you shall find the good that will come of it you shall find that in the same manner that you doe chase away the Devil by the virtue of the Crosse you shall also chase away and make your Wives to hold their peace by the Virtue of the handle of the Crosse and they will no more presume to come too near unto you Loe here some part of the Preachments of that venerable de Valles of whose life I will make here no larger a recital but I can tell you whatsoever appearance he made to the contrary for I knew the man very well yet in his heart he took the Womens parts more than the Mens Madem said Parlament he did not shew it in that last Sermon in which he gave instructions unto Men to beat their Wives You do not understand his drift in it said Hircan had you been exercized in the discipline and the Stratagems of War you would have found that one of the greatest policies that is required is to make a Civil sedition in the Camp of the Enemy because it is then most easie to overcomâ— him In the like manner this Monk the Master of his Arts did understand well enough that the Anger and the Hatred betwixt the Husband and the Wife is the Cause oftentimes that makes the Wife to let loose the reigns of her honesty which being governed no more by virtue doth fall into the hands of
of Venus The Poem is call'd by the Author La Charite and in his Works it is commonly placed next to those Poems which he calleth Les Mascarades THe little God and wild one a Commander Who through the Earth and through the Heavens doth wander Viewing the Ladies of the Court one day Return'd to Heaven to whom did Venus say Tell me my Son as thou abroad dost fly Without regard to Faith or Loyalty If thou on earth hast any beauty known Thy Eye sees all which doth surpasse mine own Love made reply Forsooth be sure there are On Earth no beauties can with yours compare Unlesse one Ladie 's on whose cradle all Indulgent Graces down from Heaven did fall She straight did blush as Ladies blush for shame To have in Beauties an inferiour name And to find out the truth of what he said ' Mongst all her Graces choyce of one she made My Heart my Love my Soul my Eyes my Thought Of thee if ever I deserv'd have ought Goe down to France and let me truly know If any Beauty mine exceeds or no. The young and all divine Pasithea The Skies abandon'd her commands t' obey The Air gave place unto her and the Wind Through the wast Regions buoy'd her up as kind She Stoop'd descending in a sudden flight Cleaving the Clowds as in the silent night Far off there in a shining track is spi'd A falling Star between two Airs to glide Beauty and Vigour Youth and Curtesie Attraction Sport Delight and Love did fly Like Birds about her round and for her sake Did there their chosen habitation make Natures Chief wonder her diviner head With waving treasures thick was covered Of curl'd ring'd crisped and of braided hair But of complexion rather brown than fair A table fair her Forehead seem'd to be Of Marble white the seat of Majestie Smooth as the Sea when we behold it may Lye all becalm'd in a fair Summers day The Ebon Arches of her Brow did prove The Portaict of the Bow o' th' God of Love Or Heavens bright Crescent it resembled when She three dayes old begins her month again Two several forces in her Eyes there were The one was smiling th' other seem'd severe Two Eyes nay rather two twin-stars o' th' Skies That could both Love attract and Love chastise In those black Eyes all Delicacies Trains Hooks Arrows Prisons Services and Chains Whose Arguments even Reason self obey'd Serv'd as a Convoy for that Heavenly Maid In those black Eyes all beauties did abound Without them Love no other lodging found Near which in an exact ascent her Nose A little Hillock 'twixt two Valleys rose On her white tender delicater Ear A Pretious Ruby hung and sparkling there Playd on her Cheek and of her Face before Which shone a wonder made the wonder more A pure Vermilion on her Cheeks did grow Which like a bed of blushing Pinks did show Or like the laughing Strawberries when they Strow'd on the top of all the Cream do play Not all the Flow'rs deriv'd from Princes blood Narcissus Ajax such complexion shew'd As her Vermilion mix'd with Brown which strook Mens Souls transported with so sweet a look Such is the beauty of the Evenings Air With some few blacks imbellishing her fair When the first Clouds but thin appear and Day Doth by degrees begin to wast away Her Mouth a thousand roses did enclose As many Pinks and Lillies where two rowes Of Pearl for Teeth did stand from whence did fly A rich perfume that did imbalm the skie From thence flowd laughter such sweet discourse That Men to Stones she with her words could force But hearing of her speak and could agen Make Stones as gentle and as soft as Men. All the fair features of this Face were seen Clos'd in a round a thick and dimpled Chin Whose soft and dainty swelling did bettay Another plumpness that beneath it lay Her Neck a pillar was of Potphyrie Streak'd with long azure vains where you might see The Rose the Lilly and the Pink conjoyn'd Stirr'd with a soft and pleasant Western wind Two hills of milk which one wind press'd and repess'd Without removing quiver'd on her Breast Whose swelling Rounds on which two pinks did grow Th' approaching flourish of her youth did show The rest I dare not for how can the rest Hid from my eyes be by my art exprest A sacred sequestration 't is where Honour And Chastness waits as watchfull Guards upon her White were her Hands and slender soft and long Which forth in veins and several branches sprung And into five-born twins themselves dividing Shew'd on their tops where were five pearls residing Of maâ—ble pure with art most exquisite Her comlyest Legg was fram'd small were her Feet Such as they say hath Nereus lovely Dame Two sure supporters of so brave a frame Swift as the darting of the lightnings flame This beauteous Nymph to Charls his Palace came And suddenly advanc'd her self unseen Into the Hall where did the mask begin Dark was the night whose danker curtain spread Had round about the air enveloped When the bright Ladies came to dance and did Shine all like Stars when all the Stars were hid Robes there with Gold and Silver richly wrought Their glistring flames in emulation shot Lights in the Air their rising fires threw high Which sparkling from the pretious stones did fly There my brave King there you my Lords might see His Brothers come hung round with Majestie Fenc'd with the Laws which their Companions were Laws that were far more gentle than severe Our ages mirrour Margaret the fair There in her double value did appear And now a Pearl and now a Flow'r did show A braver beauty than the Spring could know About the Hall a pretious cloud did throw Its Musk and Amber odours and did show By that sweet wonder that from Heav'n to dance Came down a Goddesse into th' Court of France Into the Chamber as the Sun doth passe Waving and pointed yet ne'r cracks the glasse But breaks through th' envious object that would stay The piercing force of his diviner ray So this fair lovely Nymph into the Room Where danc'd these Princes unperceiv'd did come And drawing neer shot like Heav'ns sudden fire Her self into our Margaret intire So well her Soul was in her Soul inclos'd So well her life was in her life repos'd So well her blood into her blood was grown That of two bodies they were now but one Which my King seeing though to Heav'n he be As near in judgement as in pedigree Was first of all himself deceiv'd because He thought that only she his Sister was Locking his hand in hers the King did lead The Dance and her who did not seem to tread But as she had no feet she in her pace Swimm'd as she mov'd with a coelestial Grace Man heavy treads and by his gate doth show The dull alliance he to earth doth owe But Gods do flie and unconfin'd to pace Prove their eternal and
with them in the fear told them that they were naughty boys who came to a Highway-man who kept an Inn close by him to take a part with him in the booty Whereupon the two Gentlemen with their Grooms did immediatly arm themselves and made hast to the succour of the Ladies for whom they esteemed Death to be more happy than to live after them And as soon as they came unto the house they found the first Gate broken open and the two married Gentlemen gallantly defending themselves with their servants but because the Robbers were too numerous and that they were sorely wounded they began to retire themselves having lost a great number of their servants the two young Gentlemen looking up to the window beheld the two Ladies weeping and crying out so lowdly that being transported with love and pity like two inraged Bears descending from the Mountains they fell upon the Robbers with so much sury that having killed a great number of them those that were lest not desiring to come under such violent blowes did fly unto a place of retreat The young Gentlemen having thus defeated those Assassinates of whom the Host himself was one did understand that the Hostess was worse than her Hushand and therefore they did send her after him by a thrust of a Rapier and entring into one of the lower Chambers they found one of the married Gentlemen giving up the Ghost the other had received no hurt at all but onely his cloaths were much slashed and run through with swords and his sword was broken and being very sensible of the relief which these two Gentlemen brought unto him having embraced them and thanked them he desired that they would not forsake him which was a request very easie unto them to grant wherefore having interred the Gentleman that was dead and comforted his Lady in the best manner that they could they took their way as God did direct them without knowing on what hand to go If you please to understand the names of the three Gentlemen and the Ladies he that was maried was called Hircan and his wife Parlament the other Lady who so lately became a Widdow was called Longeren the two Gentlemen who so happily came in to their succour the one of them was named Dagoucin and the other Saffredant After they had been all day on horsback on the Evening they heard a Bell to which place but not without pain and travail they did their utmost endeavour to arrive and were courteously entertained by the Abbot and the Monks It was the Abbey of Saint Savin The Abbot who was of a noble family having brought them to their Lodgings which were magnificent did demand them of their fortunes And having understood the truth thereof he told them That they were not alone who suffered in that Ruin for in another Chamber there were two young Ladies who had escaped the like danger and so much the greater by how much there is more compassion in Man than in a Beast for the poor Ladies half a mile on this side of Pyrchita had discovered a great Bear comming down the Hill upon them from whom they sled with so much speed that at their entrance into his Gates their horses fell down dead under them and two of their women who came a long time after them did inform them That the Bear had destroyed all their servants whereupon the two Ladies and three Gentlemen did enter into the Chamber where they were and found them weeping and knew that one of them was Nomerfide and the other Emarsuite who imbracing each other did recount what had happened and began to comfort themselves being more incited thereunto by the consolations of the good Abbot that thus they met together On the morning they heard Mass with great devotion praysing God for their deliverance from their dangers When they were all at Mass Behold a Man who had nothing on him but his shirt only did run into the Church flying as some body had pursued him and crying aloud for Help Immediatly Hircan and the other Gentlemen made up to him to see what the business was and they found two men following him at the heels with their swords drawn who observing so great a company would have betaken themselves to flight but Hircan and those with him did follow them so close that they left their lives on the place When Hircan had well observed the party that was relieved and who was in his shirt only he perceived that it was Guebron who was one of their Companions who did impart unto them That lodging in a Cottage near unto Pyrchita there came three men to assault him being in bed who although he was in his shirt he did wound one of them with his sword in such manner that immediatly he died and whiles the other were busie and in debate where to bestow him he observing that he was naked and they armed did conceive that there was no other way to be too hard for them but by flight only which he might the better do being not charged with habiliments and he thanked God and them who thus had executed vengeance for him on his Enemies After that they had said Mass and dined they sent to see if it were possible to passe the River of Gane and understanding the impossibility of it they were in a great distresse although the Abbot had often offered them to continue there untill such time as the waters were decreased to which they only accorded for that day As they were going to bed at night there arived an old Monk who every year never failed in September to have recourse unto our Lady at Serrance who being demanded of the occurrences of his Journey made answer That by reason of the high waters he came all along the mountains and the worst ways that were ever travelled where he beheld one spectacle of great pity which was That he met with a Gentleman called Simontault who being impatient at the long continuance of the over-flowing River did resolve to force it trusting in the goodness of his Horse to effect which he did place his servants on each side of him to break the furious eddy of the stream but when they were in the middle of it those who were worst of all mounted were carried away by the violence of the River and never did return again The Gentleman seeing himself alone turned back his horse from whence he came but his horse for all his force and promptnesse did sink under him But it pleased God that he was so near the Bank that being but four foot from it and having drank much water he waded forth and sat down upon two flints so weak and feeble that he was not able to support himself It so fell out that a Shepherd driving homeward his flocks in the Evening did find him almost covered with mud upon the stones and no lesse sorrowfull for his people whom he saw to be carried away by the River and destroyed
without conscience For you know I know well enough that she whom you do love will not content her self with that which God and Reason do command And although the Laws of Men doe give so great a dishonour to Women who do love other Men besides their Husbands yet the Law of God doth not except the Husbands who love others besides their Wives And if you will put into the ballance your offence and the offence which I have committed You are a Man wise and experienced and of age to know and to be able to eschew Evil I am but young and without any experience of the force and tyranny of Love You have a Wife that doth cherish esteem and love you better than her own life and I have a Husband that doth eschew hate and disdain me more than a Servant You love a Woman that is grown into a great age discomplexioned and nothing so handsom as my self and I love a Gentleman far younger than your self and more lovely and delightfull You love a Woman that pertains to one of the greatest Friends that you have in the world transgressing on the one side the love on the other side the Reverence which you should carry to them both and I love a young Gentleman who is tied in no obligation but only of his love to me Now judge Sir and be impartial in your Judgment which of us two are most to be punished either you or my self I believe there is no man that is either wise or honest but will lay all the blame on you seeing that I am but young and ignorant despised and contemned by you and beloved by the most courteous and the handsomest Gentleman in all France whom I do love by a despair only that I shall never be beloved by you The Gentleman hearing her words full of truth and spoken and pronounced with so assured a grace that she shewed that she neither feared nor deserved any punishment did find himself so surprised with wonder that he knew not what to reply unto her but only that the honour of a Woman and of a Man were not alike but differed in several respects Neverthelesse because she did swear That there was no sin committed betwixt her and the Gentleman whom she loved he was resolved to make much of her upon a condition that she would return no more unto him and that he for his part would abandon her whom he had loved and that neither he nor she for the time to come should call to mind any thing that had passed betwixt them which was promised on both sides and so in good accordance they went to bed together In the morning one of the young Ladies old Maids who had a great fear of the life of her Mistresse did come early to her rising and said unto her And well Madam how goes it with you now She laughing made answer Why my Friend there is not a better Husband in the world than mine for he believed what I did swear In this manner she continued five or six dayes and the Gentleman did keep so close a guard upon her that she was watched both night and day but he could not watch her so narrowly but that she would still in one obscure place or other hold communication with him whom she loved But she carried her affairs so privately that neither Man nor Woman could ever discover the truth and had not one of the Grooms reported that he had seen a Gentleman and a Lady together in a Closet under the Chamber of the Lady that was Guardian to this young Gentlewoman the suspition had ceased the doubt whereof did so torment this Gentleman that he was resolved to be the Death of the yong Gentleman and assembled a great number of his Friends and Confidents together to kill him wheresoever they should find him but the chiefest of his Friends in this confederacy was so much a friend to the young Man whose life was sought after that instead of surprising him he did advertise him of all things that were contrived against him And he was so well beloved at the Court and so well accompanied that he feared not all the force of his Enemies which was the reason that they could never find the opportunity to exercise their vengeance on him But it so fell out not long after that he did meet in a Church with the Guardian of the young Lady whom he loved who knew nothing at all of any thing that had passed for before her self he never durst speak unto her The Gentleman made report unto her of the suspition and the ill will which the Husband did bear unto him and although that he was innocent he was resolved to make a long voyage to take away the Report which began to increase This Lady that was Guardian to his Mistresse was much amazed to hear those words and did protest unto him that the Husband did commit an unpardonable offence to suspect a Lady of Honour in whom she never knew nor saw any thing but Honesty and Virtue Neverthelesse by reason of the Authority in which the Husband was and to stop the current of this false Report the Princesse advised him to absent himself for a time and assured him that she believed not any thing of alâ— these follies and suspitions The young Gentleman was very glad that he continued in the favour and good opinion of the old Lady who advised the Gentleman before his departure to speak unto the Husband of the young Gentlewoman which he did according to her counsel and found him in the gallery hard by the Chamber of the King where with an assured countenance he said unto him Sir I have had all my life a desire to serve you and for a recompence for it I understand that this night you have a design to seek me out to kill me Sir I beseech you to consider that although you have more authority and power than my self yet that I am a Gentleman as well as your self and it would grieve me to fling away my life for nothing I must beseech you also to consider that you have a most virtuous Lady to your Wife and if there be any that will speak to the contrary I will tell him that he lies like a Vilain And for my self I thought I had not done any thing to give you an occasion to wish me evil if you please I will continue your servant if not I am a servant of the Kings for which I have reason enough to content my self The Gentleman to whom he addressed this Discourse made answer That true it was he entertained some suspition of him but he found him so good a Man that he desired rather to have his friendship than his enmity and bidding him Farewel with Hat in hand he embraced him as one of his fastest friends You may think with your selves what those men thought who on the Evening before had received Commission to kill him when they saw
not permit him to take any Rest but he directed his Course to the Porter of the House and said unto him Friend Moâ—ensieur your Master hath commanded me to go immediatly to our Covent to make some prayers it being now the second hour of Devotion wherefore I pray you give me my Packet of Papers and open the Door but do it so softly that no body may hear it for my businesse is necessary and secret The Porter knowing very well that to obey the Frier was a service very agreeable to his Master did open the Door very softly for him and did let him forth The Gentleman at that instant did awake and finding that the hour did approach which was admitted to him by his Confessor to give a visit to his Wife he did arise from his bed and having put on his Night-Gown he made hast thither whither he lawfully might come by the Ordinance of God without any permission of Man When his Wife did hear him speak unto her being ignorant of her miscarriage she was possessed with such an amazement that she said unto him Is this your promise Sir which you have made to the Confessor to have such a care both of your Soul and mine was it not enough to come to me once before your hour but do you now return again The Gentleman was so troubled to hear this Interrogatory that he could not dissemble his affliction but said unto her What mean these words which you speak unto me I know for a truth that these three weeks I have not lain with you and do you reprove me for comming so often to you If you continue in this discourse you will make me to believe that my Company is hatefull to you and against my custom and desire you will constrain me to look for that pleasure from others which by the Law of God I am to receive from you The young Lady who thought that he had mocked her said unto him Sir I beseech you that in imagining me to be a deceiver you do not deceive your self for though you did not speak unto me about an hour ago when you were with me yet I am satisfied within my self that it was you The Gentleman immediatly understood that they were both deceived and added Oaths to his Protestations that he did not come unto her whereupon the Lady took so great a grief that with tears she besought him to make a diligent scrutiny to find who it was for none that night lay in her house but her Brother and the Frier The Gentleman being surprised with a Jealousie that it was the Frier did in all hast repair unto the Chamber where he lay and found him not there And the better to be assured what was become of him in an angry and a trembling speed he did go unto the Porter and demanded of him if he knew what was become of him who according to what the Frier told him did give him a full Relation of the Truth The Gentleman being fully assured that it was he who did commit this wickednesse did presently return to the Chamber of his Wise and said unto her Without all doubt Sweet-heart the Man who lay with you and did ring so well his Mattens Bell was our Father the Confessor The young Lady who all her life had loved her Honour as her Conscience did enter into such a Despair that forgetting all humanity and the nature of a woman she did on her knees beseech him to revenge that great Injury Wherefore on a sudden without any delay the Gentleman took horse and pursued the Frier The poor young Lady being alone in her Bed and as much without counsel as without comfort save only in her little Infant but newly born considered with her self the marvellous and horrible mischance that had befalln her and without excusing her own Ignorance did repute her self the most guilty and the most unfortunate Woman in the world and found her self so overcome in this assault of her Despair grounded on the enormity and greatnesse of her sin and the love of her Husband to her and on the honour of both their Families that she esteemed Death far more happy than Life and was suddenly transported with so violent a Melancholy that she fell into such a Despair that she not only lost that hope which every Christian ought to have in God but was quite estranged from common sense and forgat her own Nature Insomuch that being as far from all knowledge of God as from all knowledge of her self as a Woman quite bereft of sense and reason she took the cord of her Bed and with her own hands strangled her self and which is worse being in the agony of this cruel Death her body which combated against it did remove it self in such a sort that with her foot she struck against the poor Infant whose Innocence could not preserve it from following by her own Death her most afflicted and dolorous Mother But dying she made so great a noise that one of her Maids in the next Chamber being amazed at it did rise in great hast to light the Candle and on her Return having beheld her Mistresse hanging and strangled with the cord of the bed and her Infant dead and lying at her feet she afrighted did run into the Chamber where her Mistresses Brother did lye whom she took along with her to behold this lamentable spectacle The Brother crying out Woe and Alas and making so great a lamentation as such a Brother ought to do who loved his Sister with all his heart did demand of the Chambermaid Who it was that had committed so great a villany She made answer that she knew not who and that none but her Master came into the Chamber who was not long since gone out of it The Brother entring into the Chamber of the Gentleman and finding him not there did assuredly believe that it was he who was guilty of this horrible Murder and taking his horse without demanding any further did gallop after him and met him in the way returning from the pursute of the Frier being sad that he could not overtake him When ever his Brother-in-law did behold him he did cry out unto him Wicked and Wretched as thou art defend thy self for this day I doubt not but with this sword God will revenge me The Gentleman who would have excused himself did see the sword of his Brother-in-law so near unto his throat that he found he had more need to defend himself than to make any pause to demand the Cause of the Debate and drawing upon him they gave one another so many cuts and slashes that the effusion of their blood and their wearinesse together did constrain them to sit down upon the Ground both on the one side and on the other to take breath The Gentleman said unto him What occasion is it my Brother that hath converted the great love that hath been always between us into so cruel a Fight The Brother-in-law made
you an Account of one concerning whom I my self may serve for Witnesse and I have often heard it affirmed that how much the more that Virtue in a weak and seeble subject is assaulâ—ed by a strong and powerful Contrary by so much she is the more admirable and doth shew her self more clearly to be such as indeed she is for it is no wonder at all that the strong Man doth defend himself from the strong but that the feeble hath the Victory is the greatest glory in the world To understand aright the persons of whom I am to speak I shall peradventure do some little wrong to the truth as also that I shall cloath their story in so poor a Dresse that none will regard it Howsoever the Accomplishments of the young Maid by whom such worthy things were done do inforce me to declare them The Continence of a young Maid against the obstinate and amorous Sute of one of the greatest Lords of France and the happy Successe which the Damsell did obtain The second Novel IN one of the greatest Towns of Tourain there did dwell a Lord of a great and honourable house who had there his education from his Infancy I will make no mention in this place of the perfections the grace and beauty and the great virtues of this young Prince I shall only exhibite to you that France had not his equal Being at fifteen years of age he took more pleasure to ride and to hunt than to behold the beauties of Ladies One day when he was at Church he fixed his eyes upon a young Maid who in her Infancy had been brought up in the Castle where he lived and after the death of her Mother her Father did remove to another place whereupon she did goe to Poictou with her Brother This Maid whose name was Frances had a Bastard Sister whom her Father loved very well and married her to the chief Butler of this young Prince who did esteem as well of her as of any in his House The Father died and left unto Frances for her portion all the demeans and houses which he had in this great Town Wherefore after her Fathers death she removed from Poictou unto this place where her Estate was and because she was but 16 years of age unmarried she would not live alone in her own house but agreed for her bord with her Sister who was the Butlers Wife The young Prince observing this Maid to be very lovely being of a brown hair but of a clear complexion and having a carriage that did transcend her Estate for she seemed rather a Princesse than the Daughter of a Citizen he a long time with a stedfast eye did look upon her and being never in love before did find in his heart an unaccustomed heat and retiring into his Chamber he did enquire after her whom he saw in the Church and remembred that it was she who in her infancy was accustomed to come unto the Castle to play with his Sister and acquainted his Sister with it His Sister did send for her and made her very welcom desiring her that she would take the pains to come often to her which she did as often as there were any Marriages or publick Meetings where the young Prince would behold her with such a greedy eye that he did begin to love her intirely and because he knew shew was but of mean parentage he hoped easily to obtain that which he desired but having not the means to speak unto her he sent unto her a Gentleman of his Chamber to sollicite her for him But she who was as wife as she was young and feared God did allege unto him that she could not believe that his Master who was so gallant and so accomplished a Prince would so undervalue himself as to look upon a Creature so imperfect as her self especially seeing in the Castle where he had his residence there were so many great and beautiful Ladies she therefore conceived that what he did speak was from himself and not from the commandment of his Master When the young Prince had understood this answer Love which always doth grow more strong where it finds most resistance did make him more hotly to pursue his enterprise Whereupon he did write a Letter to her desiring her that she would believe that whatsoever this Messenger did say unto her did proceed from himself She who very well could both read write did read the Letter all over to which whatsoever entreaty the Gentleman did make she would return no answer at all affirming that it did not belong to a Person of so base a condition as her self to write unto such a Prince as he was but did beseech him not to suppose her so weak as to believe that he had so good an opinion of her as to bear any love unto her and if he thought by reason of her poor estate to have her at hs pleasure he did much deceive himself for she had as honest a heart as the greatest Princesse in Christendom and esteemed no treasure in the World comparable to her Honour and her Conscience She humbly besought him that he would not hinder her to preserve that treasure for should she die she would never alter her resolution The young Prince did not find this answer to be agreeable unto him neverthelesse he continued passionately to love her and failed not every day to be present at the Masse in that Church to which she repaired and all the while that Masse was saying he perpetually addressed the Devotion of his eyes to that fair image which when she perceived she changed her place and repaired to another Church not to avoid the sight of him for she had not been a reasonable creature if she had not taken pleasure to look upon him but she was afraid to be seen by him for since she conceived her self not worthy to be beloved by him in the way of Honour and Marriage she would not that it should be by the way of folly and of pleasure and whenever she saw any place in the Church where she might seat her self the Prince would fit as close by her as possibly he could which made her to goe from Church to Church to hear Masse dayly and to the furthest Churches that possibly she could and when any great marriages were solemnized at the Castle she did forbear to be present at them and although the Sister of the Prince did invite her she would always excuse her self by some indisposition or other The Prince perceiving that he could not have that accesse nor speak unto her as he desired did aid himself by his Butler and promised him many great rewards if he would assist him in this affair The Butler did promise to doe the utmost of his indeavour as well to please his Master as for the profit which he hoped to receive from him and every day he did give an account unto the Prince of what she both said and did and
and Spurs on The Gentlewoman awaking was as sorry and as much ashamed as possibly could be but whatsoever remonstances she could make he took her by force and told her that if she revealed that affair he himself would disclose it to all the World and declare that she had sent for him on purpose The young Gentlewoman was so amazed at what he said that she durst not cry out Not long afterwards one of the Chambermaids came into the Chamber whereupon the Gentleman hearing her to come up the Stairs did rise up so suddenly that he had not been discovered but only by his Spur which taking hold on the upper sheet did dragg it about the Chamber insomuch that the poor young Gentlewoman having nothing to cover her was left almost stark naked in the bed And in speaking those words although she pretended to give an Account of another yet she could not take such heed to her tongue but it blabbed forth There was never Woman more ashamed than my self when I found that I was so naked Immediatly the Lady who had listned very attentively to the Account she made without laughing could not forbear at the last words she spake to say unto her For ought that I can perceive you have good reason to relate this story for it properly belongs unto you The poor Gentlewoman blushing did allege what ever she could imagine to recover her Honour but it was already flown away and so far that she could not recall it Ladies I do perswade my self that if it had been so unpleasing to her to commit the Act as she represented she would willingly have lost the memory of it and have taken no delight to have repeated it But as I have said Sin will easily be discovered by it self and sind eyes enough to disclose it when it is not covered with that coverture which David affirmeth doth render a Man blessed In good earnest said Emarsuite this is one of the most notorious and most ridiculous Fools that ever I heard of to make others laugh at the expence of her own follies I find it nothing strange said Parlament that the word should follow the deed for it is more easie to speake than to do What a businesse do you make of it said Guebron What Sin had she committed she was fast afleep in her bed and he did threaten her with Death and Shame Lucretia who is so famous amongst you would have done the like It is true said Parlament there is no Woman so pure and innocent who needs not to wear an Apron But when we take a great displeasure in the Act We do also take as great a displeasure to have it in our memory but we find it was the pleasure of this Gentlewoman to make others laugh at the follies she committed Neverthelâ—sse said Nomerfide It appears that this Woman was a good Woman because she had oftentimes been sollicited by the Gentleman and yet would never consent unto him insomuch that the Gentleman was constrained to assist himself with force and threatnings to deceive her How said Parlament do you think that a Lady may be excused for losing her Honour when she doth let it go after the second or the third denyal There would be then many virtuous Women which are now esteemed to be clean contrary For we see sufficiently every day that there are Women who do a long time refuse and put off those whom in their hearts they do desire Some for fear of their Honour others that more ardently they may be followed and loved and more highly be esteemed Wherefore if you speak indeed of Virtue you should make no reckoning of that Woman who doth not continue firm unto the end Where is that Phoenix said Saffredant let us know and we shall extol that miracle in earnest But what said Dagouâ—in if a young man should for once or twice refuse a young Lady would you not esteem that to be a great Virtue Truly said Oysilla if a young Man and in health should continue to use that Virtue I should esteem it as excellent and glorious as it is difficult to believe But I have known one said Dagoucin who hath refused those pleaasures which all his Companions with greediness did pursue I must desire you said Longaron that you will take my place to account unto us the particulars thereof but withall remember that we are here all bound to speak the truth I professe unto you said Dagoucin that I will deliver it to you so clearly that therein ther shall be no colour at all that shall disguise it The notable Temperance and Chastity of a French Lord. The third Novel IN the City of Paris there lived four young Maids two whereof were Sisters and of so great a beauty and youth and such a fresh complexion that they were courted with multitudes of Suters A Gentleman whom the King who then reigned had made Provost of Paris observing his young Master the King to be of age to desire such Company did so mannage his design amongst them all that every one of them believing they should be for the King they all accorded to that which the Provost desired which was that on such a day they would come altogether to a Feast to which he would invite his Master and in the mean time he did acquaint him with what he had done who did like it very well The King also did impart it to two other great Personages of the Court who did agree to have their pennyworth in the Market with him And looking for the fourth Companion for the fourth Maid there came in by accident a young Lord a courteous and most lovely Gentleman and ten years younger than any of the other three he was also invited to the Banquet and made an outward appearance to be very willing to attend upon the King although in his heart he had no desire to be present at such a meeting for on one side he had newly married a beautiful Wife who was the Mother of two lovely Infants with which he was very much contented and they lived together in such peace and unity that he would not for any thing that his Wife should entertain the least suspition of him On the other side he was a perfect Servant to one of the fairest Ladies who were at that time in France whom so much he loved and so highly esteemed that all others did appear but imperfect and deformed to him insomuch that at the beginning of his youth before he was married it was impossible to perswade him to see or frequent the Company of any other Lady how beautiful so ever she were and took far more pleasure to see her and perfectly to love her than in all the delight whatsoever it were that he could receive from any other This young Lord came to his Wife and acquainted her with the enterprize which the King had undertaken assuring her that for his part he had rather die than accomplish what he had
perceiving the Gentleman to continue still in the service of the Duke as he was accustomed to do could not endure it with patience but said unto her Husband It would be no great matter Sir if you were poysoned because you have more confidence in your mortal Enemies than in your friends He replyed Sweet-heart Torment not your self concerning that affair for if I can find that to be true which you have spoken I do assure you that he shall not be alive four and twenty hours but he hath sworn so much unto me to the contrary and I my self besides could never perceive any thing by him that without great proof I cannot believe any thing unto the contrary In good truth Sir said she the goodnesse of your Nature doth render his Iniquity the greater Would you have a greater proof than to see a Man of his Condition to professe love and to make no noise thereof You may believe Sir that amongst so many Ladies in my Court so young a Fellow as he is would have found out a Mistresse for himself were it not for the high Enterprize that doth altogether take up his fancy to be a servant unto me for there was never any young Man that lived in such a Court as yours so solitary as this young Man neither would he be so if he had not his heart fixed in so high a place that he did content himself only with some vain hope and because you do entertain a belief that he doth conceal nothing from you I must beseech you to put him to his Oath to know if he be in love with any one or no. For if he be in love with any other I am content that you doe believe him if not you may assure your self that I do speak the Truth The Duke did much approve the reasons of his Lady and walking into the fields did take the Gentleman along with him to whom he said My Wife doth still continue in her opinion and doth allege unto me such reason for it that it doth cause in me a great suspition against you which is she wonders much that you being so young and affable were never yet in love as much as can be known which makes me to conceive that you nourish that ambitious love of which she doth accuse you the hope whereof doth render you so contented and doth fill you with so vain a joy that you cannot think of any other woman wherfore I do intreat you as a Friend and command you as your Master to tell me plainly if you are or ever have been in love or no. The poor Gentleman although he would have delayed to give an answer to this unexpected Interrogatory and would have excused his affection which that no other might find it out he had laid up in the very center of his heart was now constrained to satisfie the great Jealousie of the Duke his Master to swear unto him That it is true enough that he was in love with a Lady whose perfection was such that the beauty of the Dutchesse and of all the Ladies in her Court was but foulnesse and deformity unto her but he did beseech him that he may not be inforced to give unto him her Name for the obligation betwixt him and his Sweet-heart was such that who first of them did declare their love should absolutely dissolve it The Duke did promise that he would presse him no more unto it and was as much contented with the satisfaction which he had given him that he did countenance and advance him more than before which the Dutchesse did very well observe and finding there was more than an accustomed privacy betwixt the Duke her Husband and the Gentleman she did use her utmost indeavour to understand the occasion of it which the Duke could not be perswaded to reveal unto her whereupon her fruitful vengeance did beget another jealousie and she besought the Duke to command the Gentleman to impart unto him the name of that Sweet-heart of his assuring him that it was a meer invention and the best way he could contrive to gain credit to his words but if he would not name who it was whom he esteemed to be so beautiful he was the most foolish Prince in the World if he did believe what he professed The poor Duke whose opinion his Wife turned now on this side and now on that as she her self pleased did take the poor Gentleman to walk the other turn with him in the Fields again where he told him that he was in a far greater perplexity than before for he much doubted that he made him but an excuse to keep him off from finding out the truth which did torment him more than ever Therefore like a Prince he mingled his Authorities with his intreaties and did desire command him to declare unto him who it was whom so much he loved The poor Gentleman did beseech him that he would be mindful of his promise and not inforce him to commit so great fault against her whom so intirely he affected as now to break his promise which for a long time he had so faithfully observed and to lose in one minute that secrecy which for seven years and more he had kept locked up in a religious safety affirming that he had rather suffer death than do such a wrong to her who was so faithful unto him The Duke perceiving he would not acquaint him who it was did enter into so strong a jealousie that with a furious countenance he did say unto him Take your choice of two things either plainly to tell me who it is whom you doe love above all the World or to depart presently into banishment out of the lands of my Authority upon this penalty that if I find you here eight days after this I will undoubtedly put you to some cruel death If ever grief did possesse the heart of a loyal Servant it now did seize upon the heart of this Gentleman who might well say Angustiae sunt mihi Vndique for finding on the one side that if he should speak the truth he should lose his Mistresse if it should come unto her knowledge because he had failed in his promise and on the other side if he should not confesse it he should be banished from the Country in which he was brought up and where his Mistresse lived and never should have the means to see her again he was so oppressed with sorrow that a cold sweat did seize upon him as it doth on one who overcome by the extremity of grief doth find the last minute of his life approaching The Duke looking upon him and perceiving how much his countenance did change did Judge whatsoever he pretended to the contrary that he had no other Mistresse but only his Wife which was the reason because on the sudden he could not think on the name of any other he did endure that passion Wherefore he did speak very churlishly unto him If that which you have represented
to me were true you would not find such a difficulty in it as to declare unto me her name but I believe the guilt of your offence doth secretly torment you The Gentleman being much provoked with these words and inforced also by the love which he did bear unto the Duke did determin with himself to speak the truth being consident that his Master was a Man so full of Virtue that he would not for any thing reveal the secret Wherefore kneeling down before him with hands joyned which he did lift up unto him he said Sir The obligation which I do bear unto you is such that it doth prevail upon me more than any fear of Death for I doe see you deluded by such a fancy and false opinion of me that I am determined to confesse that which no torment could draw from me beseeching you for the honour of God to swear unto me upon the faith of a Prince and of a Christian that you will never reveal the secret which since you are so pleased I am constrained to speak unto you The Duke immediately by all the Oathes that he could devise did oblige himself unto him that he would never discover the least notion thereof to any Creature in the world neither by word deed nor countenance The Gentleman holding himself assured on the multiplyed Oathes of so virtuous a Prince did begin to lay the foundation of his misfortune to come in confessing to him Sir It is now seven years since having known your Niece to be a Widdow I have endeavoured to obtain her favour And because I was not of a birth great enough to espouse her I was contented that she was pleased to acknowledge me for her Servant And God hath hitherto permitted that our Love hath been so wisely managed that neither Man or Woman but only She and my self hath known any thing of it unlesse it be You into whose hands I do commit my Life and Honour beseeching you that you would keep it private and to have Madam your Niece in no lesse esteem than heretofore for I do believe that under Heaven there is not a more accomplished or a chaster Creature Who was a glad Man now It was the Duke for knowing the incomparable Beauty of his Niece he did not doubt but that she was more agreeable to him than his Wife but being not able to collect how so great a Mystery could be carryed without a Second he did intreat him to acquaint him how he could come to the sight of her The Gentleman thereupon did declare unto him That the Chamber of his Niece did butt forth into the Garden and on that night when he was to wait upon her the little door of the Garden was left open through which he came and walked on foot until he heard a little Dogg bark which the young Lady his Niece had left on purpose in the Garden when all her Women were gone out of it and that on the barking of that Dogg being presently admitted he had the happinesse to discourse with her all that night and at parting they would agree upon the night when he was to return again wherein without making any dilatory excuses they would never fail to meet The Duke who was the most curious Man in the World and who in his Youth knew wisely enough how to carry his Loves as well to satisfie his suspition as to understand the particulars of so strange a story did intreat him to take him along with him the next time that he did addresse himself unto her and to give him then not the respects of a Master but of a Companion The Gentleman seeing the Duke did so presse him did accord unto it of which the Duke was more glad than if he had gained a Kingdom and dissembling that he would he for a hight or two in his Wardrobe did cause two horses to be made ready the one for himself and the other for the Gentleman and they travelled far that evening to arrive at his Nieces house The Gentleman caused the Duke to enter into the Garden at the little Door and desired him that entring into the house he would be pleased to stay behind the skreen where he might perceive if he had spoke the truth unto him or nor They were no sooner entred into the Garden but immediatly a little Dogg did bark and the Gentleman did go directly towards the house and the young Lady did not fail to meet him in the way and having saluted and unbraced him she said unto him That she was afraid he had been sick it was so long since she last saw him and speaking those words they entred into the House and the Duke privatly did follow them in the dark for there was no light in the Room and understanding the whole Discourse of their chast love he was satisfied beyond his desires and made no long stay there for the Gentleman told the Lady that he was constrained to return sooner than he was accustomed to do because that morning the Duke did intend very early to go on hunting and of necessity he must attend upon him The Lady who loved honour more than pleasure would not stay him for the greatest thing which she esteemed in her chast and honest love was that it was kept secret from the observation of the World Much about one of the clock in the morning the Gentleman departed and the Duke undiscovered by the young Lady did goe out before him and they took horse and returned from whence they came and oftentimes in the way the Duke did swear unto the Gentleman that he had rather die a thousand times than reveal the Mystery of his Love and he afterwards did so much respect him and did put such a confidence in him that there was none in all the Court that was in greater favour The Dutchesse was much incensed at it and continued her complaints against the Gentleman But the Duke did forbid her to speak any more unto him concerning that Subject for he was throughly satisfied with the truth thereof and said that he was so contented thereat that he did believe the Lady whom he loved was more amiable than her self That word did leave such an impression and did so deeply wound her heart that she fell into a malady greater than before The Duke did dayly resort unto her to visit her and to comfort her but it was impossible unlesse he would disclose unto her who that Lady was who was so much beloved And she so much importuned him to know who it was that the Duke going out of the Chamber did say unto her if you will not let me be at quiet I must depart from you Those words did increase the malady of the Dutchesse who pretended that she did feel her child to stir within her at which the Duke was so glad that to manifest his love and joy he did goe to bed to her And making use of that minute in which she found him most
That although he believed he was innocent of that which was laid to his charge yet he found that he was possessed with a great fear which brought forth a desire to be gone from that Master whose complexion he as yet not understood For my own part Ladies I can find no other thing that could move the heart of the King to hazard himself alone against so brave a Man at Arms and leaving all the Company and the place and Majesty due unto a King to demand the Combat of his Inferiour but only that he would render himself equal to that admirable Prince who doubted of his Enemy and to content himself did give him the Experience of the Noblenesse and Courage of his own heart And without contradiction said Parlament he had reason for it for the praises of all the Men in the world cannot so much satisfie a good heart as the knowledge and the experience that it hath of the Virtues wherewith God hath endued it It is many hundred years since said Guebron that the Poets and others have informed us that to come to the Temple of Renown we must first passe through the Temple of Virtue And for my self who knew very well the two Personages who were the Subjects of this Account I am most assured that the King was absolutely one of the most valiant men that were in his Kingdom Upon my faith said Hircan from the hour that Count William came first from Germany into France I did more stand in fear of his Sword than of all theirs who were esteemed to be the most stout Italians in the Court You know well said Emarsuite that the King was so highly reputed for his valour that our praises cannot reach his Deserts and that this Dayes work will be finished before every one of us shall have given a due character of him Wherefore Madam Give your voice to some one else who hath yet something to say of the Goodnesse of Men if there be any Goodnesse at all in them Oysilla turning to Hircan said unto him you have been so much accustomed to speak ill of Women that it seems to me it will be easie to you to give us some ready account of the praise of Men Wherefore I give you my voice It will be a thing easie to me to do said Hircan for it is not long since that one did give me an account of the praises of a Gentleman whose Love Patience and Perseverance is so commendable that I cannot lose the Memory of it A fair young Lady made trial of the Faith of a young Scholar her Friend before she would permit him to intrench too far upon her Honour The Eighth Novell IN one of the good Cities of France there was a Lord of a great Family who was at the University desiring to attain unto the knowledge by what means virtue and honour ought to be acquired amongst virtuous Men. And although he was so knowing that being but eighteen years of age he seemed to be a Document and an Example unto others yet Love made him to sing after his Lesson And to be the better understood and received Love hid himself under the Damask complexion and in the eyes of the most beautiful young Lady that was in all that Countrey who for the following of a Sute she had in Law was come to that City But before Love had assayed to overcome the Gentleman by the beauties of this Lady he had gained the heart of her by observing the perfections that were in him for in Beauty Grace good Sense and gallant Elocution there was not any of whatsoever condition he was that could surpasse him You who do apprehend the ready and uncontrolled way which this Fire doth make when it hath taken hold of one of the corners of the heart and of the Fancy will easily judge that in two so perfect Subjects Love made no long delay but had them both at his Commandement and filled them both with so clear a light that all their thoughts will and discourse were but the flames of that Love which with their youth which begot a fear in them did make him to purchase and compleat his Affairs with the greatest sweetnesse that possibly could be But she who at first was overcome by Love needed no force Neverthelesse by reason of the shame which accompanieth young Ladies to the uttermost of her power she did stand upon her guard and did forbear to shew her good will untill that at the last the Fortresse of her heart which is the Seat of Honour was so ruined that the poor Lady did agree to that to which she could not be disagreeing Howsoever to make trial of the patience assurance and love of her Servant she did grant him that which he demanded but upon too hard conditions assuring him That if he should observe them she would alwayes love him most intirely and if he failed in the performance he should never enjoy her whilest he lived The Condition was That she was content to Discourse with him in Bed together having nothing on him but the Linen next unto their Bodies but so that he must not demand any thing at all of her but only a Complement and a Kisse He who thought there was no Joy that was worthy to be compared to this did easily accord unto it The Evening being come the promise was accomplished where for all the good entertainment she gave him and his and her striving desires he would not violat his oath And although he conceived that his torment was not lesse than that of Purgatory yet his love was so great and his hope so strong being sure of the perpetual continuance of her love which with so long reluctation he had purchased that his patience overcame and in the morning he did rise from her without doing her the least dishonor The young Lady as I believe being more astonished than contented with it did immediately begin to suspect with her self that his love was not so great as she conceived or that he found not in her so much delight as at first he propounded to himself she had not the least thought of the greatnesse of his honesty nor of his patience or fidelity and his care to keep his oath Wherfore she resolved with herself to make one proof more of his Love and intreated him to Court a Gentlewoman in her company that was younger than her self and almost as handsom that those who observed him so often to come unto her lodgings might conceive that his love was to her Companion and not unto herself The young Lord who assured himself to be beloved by her as long as he was a faithfull Servant to her did obey her command and inforced himself by the love he did vow to her to make love to this young Gentlewoman who seeing him so lovely and so well spoken did believe his pretence as it had been a truth and loved him as if altogether she had been beloved by him When the
Mistresse perceived that it did go on so forward and that neverthelesse the young Lord did not cease to put her in mind of her promise she concluded with him that he should come unto her one hour after Midnight and because she had such experience of the greatnesse of his love and obedience to her it was reason she said that he should be recompenced for his patience We make no doubt of the great Joy which this affectionate Servant received to hear this promise who failed not to come at the time appointed But the Lady to make a further trial of the force of his love did speak unto her young Companion I understand the love very well which such a young Lord doth bear unto you and I believe your passion is equal unto his I have such a tender regard unto you both that I am resolved to give place unto you and leasure to discourse together at your own case as long as you will The young Gentlewoman was transported with so great a Joy that she could not dissemble her affections to her but assured her that she would not fail to be obedient to her counsels Whereupon she did put off her cloaths and all alone did go into a fair bed in one of the next chambers The Lady left the door open and caused a great wax candle to be lighted in it that the beauty of this young Gentlewoman might be the more apparent And counterfeiting to go to her own lodgings she did hide herself behind the hangings so closely that she could not be perceived Her poor Servant thinking to find her accordingly as she had promised him did not fail to come into the chamber on the appointed hour as softly as possibly he could and after he had shut the door and put off his Gown his Breeches he leapt into the bed where he thought to have found her whom he so much desired no sooner did he stretch forth his arms to imbrace her whom he conceived to be his Lady but the poor young Gentlewoman who thought she had him sure enough had her own arms about his neck and did deliver to him such affectionate words and with so sweet a countenance that there is no Hermit so holy but would have forgot his Pater-nosters But when he discoverd who she was both by his eye and by his ear Love who with so great a speed brought him to bed made him to rise from it with a greater And with an indignation as much against the Lady as the young Gentlewoman he repaired to the Lady who betrayed herself by her laughter and said unto her The folly as much of your self as of the Damsel whom with so much subtilty you have put in yonder bed shall make me no other than I am but doe your endeavour to be a good woman for by no occasion of mine you shall lose your good Name And speaking those words being as full of Despite as it was impossible to be more he departed out of the chamber and for a long time came not into any place where this Lady was Neverthelesse Love who is never without hope did assure her that the more firm his love was and known to be more great by so long experience the more happy and gratefull would the fruition prove And having considered on the passages of the young Lord her servant and her companion she was so well contented and amazed to perceive the greatnesse and strength of his love that it seemed long unto her until she found some occasion to seek him out to crave pardon of him for the many intricate sorrows which she had brought upon him and as soon as ever she had the much desired happinesse to speak unto him she not failed to give him so many couteous and good assurances that he not only did passe over his former torments but judged them most happy since they were all turned into the glory and perfection of his love of which ever afterwards he had the fruition without any hinderance or wearinesse even to the height of his desires Ladies I beseech you find me out one woman so constant so patient and so loyal in love as this man hath been Those who have made tryal of them by such intentions do find them to be such whom we find painted at St. Anthonies very little and rare but of a great price and to speak the truth few men themselves are of this mans temper for he who can be chast with the beauty and the love of women and patient at the time and the leisures of women is virtuous enough to overcome all the Devils in Hell It is pity said Oysilla that he did not addresse himself unto a Gentleweman as virtuous as himself for it would have been the most honest and most absolute love that had been ever rehearsed But tell me I pray said Guebron which task of his two do you conceive most difficult It seems to me the last said Parlament for Despite above all is the most violent temptation Longaren was of opinion that the first was the greatest for it was necessary she said to fulfill his promise that he should overcome both Love and himself You speak at random said Simontault but we who know well enough what things are ought to speak what we know And for my self in performing his first command I think he was a Fool and in the second a Sot For I believe that in performing his promise to his Lady she had as much or more trouble than himself She had not caused him to take that Oath but only because she counterfeited her self to be a far better woman than she was for she knew it was sure enough That a strong Love cannot be bound either by Commandment or by Oath or by any thing that is in the world But she did dissemble her vice to be so virtuous that it could not be obtained but by Heroick Virtues And in the second place he shewed himself a Sot to forsake her who loved him and was more worthy than she to whom he had made his Oath and had so good an Excuse by reason of the Despite which at that time possessed him Dagoucin reproved him saying that he was of a contrary opinion And that at the first time he shewed himself to be firm patient and true and at the second loyal and entire in his love And what know we said Saffredant if he were not one of those who are treated of in the Chapter De Frigidis Maleficiatis But if Hircan would accomplish his praises he ought to account us what a gentle Companion he was after that he had enjoyed that which be desired And for the present how can we judge whether it were a Virtue or a Weaknesse that made him so tame You may be sure said Hircan that if I had been informed of it I would have concealed it no more than the rest but if you did look upon his person or knew his complexion you would say