hield nor lance will
ever be taken in hand by the best of them. You have plenty of craven
servants, but there is not one of them brave enough to dare to mount a
steed. And the King is coming with such a host that his victory will
be inevitable." The lady, upon reflection, knows very well that she is
giving her sincere advice, but she is unreasonable in one respect, as
also are other women who are, almost without exception, guilty of their
own folly, and refuse to accept what they really wish. "Begone," she
says; "leave me alone. If I ever hear thee speak of this again it will
go hard with thee, unless thou flee. Thou weariest me with thy idle
words." "Very well, my lady," she says; "that you are a woman is
evident, for woman will grow irate when she hears any one give her good
advice."

(Vv. 1653-1726.) Then she went away and left her alone. And the lady
reflected that she had been in the wrong. She would have been very glad
to know how the damsel could ever prove that it would be possible to
find a better knight than her lord had ever been. She would be very glad
to hear her speak, but now she has forbidden her. With this desire in
mind, she waited until she returned. But the warning was of no avail,
for she began to say to her at once: "My lady, is it seemly that you
should thus torment yourself with grief? For God's sake now control
yourself, and for shame, at least, cease your lament. It is not fitting
that so great a lady should keep up her grief so long. Remember your
honourable estate and your very gentle birth! Think you that all virtue
ceased with the death of your lord? There are in the world a hundred as
good or better men." "May God confound me, if thou dost not lie! Just
name to me a single one who is reputed to be so excellent as my lord was
all his life." "If I did so you would be angry with me, and would fly
into a passion and you would esteem me less." "No, I will not, I assure
thee." "Then may it all be for your future welfare if you would but
consent, and may God so incline your will! I see no reason for holding
my peace, for no one hears or heeds what we say. Doubtless you will
think I am impudent, but I shall freely speak my mind. When two knights
have met in an affray of arms and when one has beaten the other, which
of the two do you think is the better? For my part I award the prize
to the victor. Now what do you think?" "It seems to me you are laying a
trap for me and intend to catch me in my wor