bs her breast, and which causes her
such pain and anguish that she weeps and moans all night, and tosses
about with sudden starts, so that she is almost beside herself. And when
she has tossed and sobbed and groaned and started up and sighed again
then she looked within her heart to see who and what manner of man it
was for whom Love was tormenting her. And when she has refreshed herself
somewhat with thinking to her heart's content, she stretches and tosses
about again, and ridicules all the thoughts she has had. Then she takes
another course, and says: "Silly one, what matters it to me if this
youth is of good birth and wise and courteous and valorous? All this is
simply to his honour and credit. And as for his beauty, what care I? Let
his beauty be gone with him! But if so, it will be against my will, for
it is not my wish to deprive him of anything. Deprive? No, indeed! That
I surely will not do. If he had the wisdom of Solomon, and if Nature had
bestowed on him all the beauty she can place in human form, and if God
had put in my power to undo it all, yet would I not injure him; but I
would gladly, if I could, make him still more wise and fair. In faith,
then, I do not hate him! And am I for that reason his friend? Nay, I am
not his any more than any other man's. Then what do I think of him so
much, if he pleases me no more than other men? I do not know; I am all
confused; for I never thought so much about any man in the world, and
if I had my will, I should see him all the time, and never take my eyes
from him. I feel such joy at the sight of him! Is this love? Yes, I
believe it is. I should not appeal to him so often, if I did not love
him above all others. So I love him, then, let it be agreed. Then shall
I not do what I please? Yes, provided he does not refuse. This intention
of mine is wrong; but Love has so filled my heart that I am mad and
beside myself, nor will any defence avail me now, if I must endure the
assault of Love. I have demeaned myself prudently toward Love so long,
and would never accede to his will; but now I am more than kindly
disposed toward him. And what thanks will he owe to me, if he cannot
have my loving service and good-will? By force he has humbled my pride,
and now I must follow his pleasure. Now I am ready to love, and I have
a master, and Love will teach me--but what? How I am to serve his will.
But of that I am very well informed, and am so expert in serving him
that no one could fin