than for agreeable and well mannered. But above all
they pleased the king, who had so intently eyed every part of their
bodies, as they came forth of the water, that, had any then pricked
him, he would not have felt it, and as he called them more
particularly to mind, unknowing who they were, he felt a very fervent
desire awaken in his heart to please them, whereby he right well
perceived himself to be in danger of becoming enamoured, an he took no
heed to himself thereagainst; nor knew he indeed whether of the twain
it was the more pleased him, so like in all things was the one to the
other. After he had abidden awhile in this thought, he turned to
Messer Neri and asked him who were the two damsels, to which the
gentleman answered, 'My lord, these are my daughters born at a birth,
whereof the one is called Ginevra the Fair and the other Isotta the
Blonde.' The king commended them greatly and exhorted him to marry
them, whereof Messer Neri excused himself, for that he was no more
able thereunto. Meanwhile, nothing now remaining to be served of the
supper but the fruits, there came the two damsels in very goodly gowns
of sendal, with two great silver platters in their hands, full of
various fruits, such as the season afforded, and these they set on the
table before the king; which done, they withdrew a little apart and
fell to singing a canzonet, whereof the words began thus:

Whereas I'm come, O Love,
It might not be, indeed, at length recounted, etc.

This song they carolled on such dulcet wise and so delightsomely that
to the king, who beheld and hearkened to them with ravishment, it
seemed as if all the hierarchies of the angels were lighted there to
sing. The song sung, they fell on their knees and respectfully craved
of him leave to depart, who, albeit their departure was grievous to
him, yet with a show of blitheness accorded it to them. The supper
being now at an end, the king remounted to horse with his company and
leaving Messer Neri, returned to the royal lodging, devising of one
thing and another. There, holding his passion hidden, but availing
not, for whatsoever great affair might supervene, to forget the beauty
and grace of Ginevra the Fair, (for love of whom he loved her sister
also, who was like unto her,) he became so fast entangled in the
amorous snares that he could think of well nigh nought else and
feigning other occasions, kept a strait intimacy with Messer Neri and
very often visited