and
have no thought of me, for that nothing is dear to me save in so much
as I see it please thee.' Not many days after, Gualtieri sent for the
son, even as he had sent for the daughter, and making a like show of
having him put to death, despatched him to Bologna, there to be
brought up, even as he had done with the girl; but the lady made no
other countenance nor other words thereof than she had done of the
girl; whereat Gualtieri marvelled sore and affirmed in himself that no
other woman could have availed to do this that she did; and had he not
seen her tender her children with the utmost fondness, what while it
pleased him, he had believed that she did this because she recked no
more of them; whereas in effect he knew that she did it of her
discretion. His vassals, believing that he had caused put the children
to death, blamed him sore, accounting him a barbarous man, and had the
utmost compassion of his wife, who never answered otherwhat to the
ladies who condoled with her for her children thus slain, than that
that which pleased him thereof who had begotten them, pleased her
also.

At last, several years being passed since the birth of the girl,
Gualtieri, deeming it time to make the supreme trial of her endurance,
declared, in the presence of his people, that he could no longer
endure to have Griselda to wife and that he perceived that he had done
ill and boyishly in taking her, wherefore he purposed, as far as in
him lay, to make interest with the Pope to grant him a dispensation,
so he might put her away and take another wife. For this he was
roundly taken to task by many men of worth, but answered them nothing
save that needs must it be so. The lady, hearing these things and
herseeming she must look to return to her father's house and maybe
tend sheep again as she had done aforetime, what while she saw another
woman in possession of him to whom she willed all her weal, sorrowed
sore in herself; but yet, even as she had borne the other affronts of
fortune, so with a firm countenance she addressed herself to bear this
also. Gualtieri no great while after let come to him from Rome
counterfeit letters of dispensation and gave his vassals to believe
that the Pope had thereby licensed him to take another wife and leave
Griselda; then, sending for the latter, he said to her, in presence of
many, 'Wife, by concession made me of the Pope, I am free to take
another wife and put thee away, and accordingly, for that min