."

"True," said Hircan, "but a strong bold man does not fear to assail two
that are weak, nor will he ever fail to vanquish them."

"I readily understand," said Ennasuite, "that if he had drawn his sword
he might have killed them both, but otherwise I cannot see that he had
any means of escape. I pray you, therefore, tell us what you would have
done?"

"I should have taken my wife in my arms," said Hircan, "and have carried
her out. Then I should have had my own way with her maid by love or by
force."

"'Tis enough, Hircan," said Parlamente, "that you know how to do evil."

"I am sure, Parlamente," he replied, "that I do not scandalise the
innocence in whose presence I speak, and by what I have said I do not
mean that I support a wicked deed. But I wonder at the attempt, which
was in itself worthless, and at the attempter, who, for fear rather than
for love of his wife, failed to complete it. I praise a man who loves
his wife as God ordains; but when he does not love her, I think little
of him for fearing her."

"Truly," replied Parlamente, "if love did not render you a good husband,
I should make small account of what you might do through fear."

"You are quite safe, Parlamente," said Hircan, "for the love I bear you
makes me more obedient than could the fear of either death or hell."

"You may say what you please," said Parlamente, "but I have reason to be
content with what I have seen and known of you. As for what I have not
seen, I have never wished to make guess or still less inquiry."

"I think it great folly," said Nomerfide, "for women to inquire so
curiously concerning their husbands, or husbands concerning their wives.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, without giving so much heed
to the morrow."

"Yet it is sometimes needful," said Oisille, "to inquire into matters
that may touch the honour of a house in order to set them right, though
not to pass evil judgment upon persons, seeing that there is none who
does not fail."

"Many," said Geburon, "have at divers times fallen into trouble for lack
of well and carefully inquiring into the errors of their wives."

"I pray you," said Longarine, "if you know any such instance, do not
keep it from us."

"I do indeed know one," said Geburon, "and since you so desire, I will
relate it."

[Illustration: 090.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 091a. The Chanter of Blois delivering his Mistress from the Grave]

[The Chanter of Blois delivering hi