his fair garden, to see Ginevra.

At last, unable to endure longer and bethinking himself, in default of
other means of compassing his desire, to take not one alone, but both
of the damsels from their father, he discovered both his passion and
his intent to Count Guy, who, for that he was an honourable man, said
to him, 'My lord, I marvel greatly at that which you tell me, and that
more than would another, inasmuch as meseemeth I have from your
childhood to this day known your fashions better than any other;
wherefore, meseeming never to have known such a passion in your youth,
wherein Love might lightlier have fixed his talons, and seeing you
presently hard upon old age, it is so new and so strange to me that
you should love by way of enamourment[458] that it seemeth to me well
nigh a miracle, and were it my office to reprove you thereof, I know
well that which I should say to you thereanent, having in regard that
you are yet with your harness on your back in a kingdom newly gained,
amidst a people unknown and full of wiles and treasons, and are all
occupied with very grave cares and matters of high moment, nor have
you yet availed to seat yourself [in security;] and yet, among such
and so many affairs, you have made place for the allurements of love.
This is not the fashion of a magnanimous king; nay, but rather that of
a pusillanimous boy. Moreover, what is far worse, you say that you are
resolved to take his two daughters from a gentleman who hath
entertained you in his house beyond his means and who, to do you the
more honour, hath shown you these twain in a manner naked, thereby
attesting how great is the faith he hath in you and that he firmly
believeth you to be a king and not a ravening wolf. Again, hath it so
soon dropped your memory that it was the violences done of Manfred to
women that opened you the entry into this kingdom? What treason was
ever wroughten more deserving of eternal punishment than this would
be, that you should take from him who hospitably entreateth you his
honour and hope and comfort? What would be said of you, an you should
do it? You think, maybe, it were a sufficient excuse to say, "I did it
for that he is a Ghibelline." Is this of the justice of kings, that
they who resort on such wise to their arms should be entreated after
such a fashion, be they who they may? Let me tell you, king, that it
was an exceedingly great glory to you to have overcome Manfred, but a
far greater one it is