be liberal of my
hire; wherefore, knowing it[455] will stand you in good stead, I
intend that it shall be yours.' At this the gentleman was ashamed and
studied to make him take or all or part; but, seeing that he wearied
himself in vain and it pleasing the nigromancer (who had, after three
days, done away his garden) to depart, he commended him to God and
having extinguished from his heart his lustful love for the lady, he
abode fired with honourable affection for her. How say you now,
lovesome ladies? Shall we prefer [Gentile's resignation of] the in a
manner dead lady and of his love already cooled for hope forspent,
before the generosity of Messer Ansaldo, whose love was more ardent
than ever and who was in a manner fired with new hope, holding in his
hands the prey so long pursued? Meseemeth it were folly to pretend
that this generosity can be evened with that."

[Footnote 455: _i.e._ the money promised him by way of recompense.]

THE SIXTH STORY

[Day the Tenth]

KING CHARLES THE OLD, THE VICTORIOUS, FALLETH ENAMOURED OF A
YOUNG GIRL, BUT AFTER, ASHAMED OF HIS FOND THOUGHT,
HONOURABLY MARRIETH BOTH HER AND HER SISTER

It were over longsome fully to recount the various discourse that had
place among the ladies of who used the greatest generosity, Gilberto
or Messer Ansaldo or the nigromancer, in Madam Dianora's affairs; but,
after the king had suffered them debate awhile, he looked at Fiammetta
and bade her, telling a story, put an end to their contention;
whereupon she, without hesitation, began as follows: "Illustrious
ladies, I was ever of opinion that, in companies such as ours, it
should still be discoursed so much at large that the overstraitness[456]
of intent of the things said be not unto any matter for debate, the
which is far more sortable among students in the schools than among us
[women,] who scarce suffice unto the distaff and the spindle.
Wherefore, seeing that you are presently at cross-purposes by reason
of the things already said, I, who had in mind a thing maybe somewhat
doubtful [of meaning,] will leave that be and tell you a story,
treating nowise of a man of little account, but of a valiant king, who
therein wrought knightly, in nothing attainting his honour.

[Footnote 456: _i.e._, nicety, minuteness (_strettezza_).]

Each one of you must many a time have heard tell of King Charles the
Old or First, by whose magnanimous emprise, and after by the glorious
victo