ch I was altogether resolved never to do, considering how hard a
thing it is to find a wife whose fashions sort well within one's own
humour and how great an abundance there is of the contrary sort and
how dour a life is his who happeneth upon a woman not well suited unto
him. To say that you think, by the manners and fashions of the
parents, to know the daughters, wherefrom you argue to give me a wife
such as will please me, is a folly, since I know not whence you may
avail to know their fathers nor yet the secrets of their mothers; and
even did you know them, daughters are often unlike their parents.
However, since it e'en pleaseth you to bind me in these chains, I am
content to do your desire; but, that I may not have occasion to
complain of other than myself, if it prove ill done, I mean to find a
wife for myself, certifying you that, whomsoever I may take me, if she
be not honoured of you as your lady and mistress, you shall prove, to
your cost, how much it irketh me to have at your entreaty taken a wife
against mine own will.'

The good honest men replied that they were content, so he would but
bring himself to take a wife. Now the fashions of a poor girl, who was
of a village near to his house, had long pleased Gualtieri, and
himseeming she was fair enough, he judged that he might lead a very
comfortable life with her; wherefore, without seeking farther, he
determined to marry her and sending for her father, who was a very
poor man, agreed with him to take her to wife. This done, he assembled
all his friends of the country round and said to them, 'My friends, it
hath pleased and pleaseth you that I should dispose me to take a wife
and I have resigned myself thereto, more to complease you than of any
desire I have for marriage. You know what you promised me, to wit,
that you would be content with and honour as your lady and mistress
her whom I should take, whosoever she might be; wherefore the time is
come when I am to keep my promise to you and when I would have you
keep yours to me. I have found a damsel after mine own heart and
purpose within some few days hence to marry her and bring her home to
my house; wherefore do you bethink yourselves how the bride-feast may
be a goodly one and how you may receive her with honour, on such wise
that I may avouch myself contented of your promise, even as you will
have cause to be of mine.' The good folk all answered joyfully that
this liked them well and that, be she who h