ned upon one who, when he turned
her out of doors in her shift, had let jumble her furbelows of another
to such purpose that a fine gown had come of it."

[Footnote 483: _i.e._ unwetted with tears.]

* * * * *

Dioneo's story being finished and the ladies having discoursed amain
thereof, some inclining to one side and some to another, this blaming
one thing and that commending it, the king, lifting his eyes to heaven
and seeing that the sun was now low and the hour of vespers at hand,
proceeded, without arising from session, to speak thus, "Charming
ladies, as I doubt not you know, the understanding of mortals
consisteth not only in having in memory things past and taking
cognizance of things present; but in knowing, by means of the one and
the other of these, to forecast things future is reputed by men of
mark to consist the greatest wisdom. To-morrow, as you know, it will
be fifteen days since we departed Florence, to take some diversion for
the preservation of our health and of our lives, eschewing the woes
and dolours and miseries which, since this pestilential season began,
are continually to be seen about our city. This, to my judgment, we
have well and honourably done; for that, an I have known to see
aright, albeit merry stories and belike incentive to concupiscence
have been told here and we have continually eaten and drunken well and
danced and sung and made music, all things apt to incite weak minds to
things less seemly, I have noted no act, no word, in fine nothing
blameworthy, either on your part or on that of us men; nay, meseemeth
I have seen and felt here a continual decency, an unbroken concord and
a constant fraternal familiarity; the which, at once for your honour
and service and for mine own, is, certes, most pleasing to me. Lest,
however, for overlong usance aught should grow thereof that might
issue in tediousness, and that none may avail to cavil at our overlong
tarriance,--each of us, moreover, having had his or her share of the
honour that yet resideth in myself,--I hold it meet, an it be your
pleasure, that we now return whence we came; more by token that, if
you consider aright, our company, already known to several others of
the neighbourhood, may multiply after a fashion that will deprive us
of our every commodity. Wherefore, if you approve my counsel, I will
retain the crown conferred on me until our departure, which I purpose
shall be to-morrow morning; b