however, was of opinion that the sentence should run, "Yes,
for mirth's sake."--M.

"I will tell you what it is," said Nomerfide. "I find that fools, when
they are not put to death, live longer than wise folk, and the only
reason that I know for this, is that they do not conceal their passions.
If they be angry, they strike; if they be merry, they laugh: whereas
those that aim at wisdom conceal their imperfections with such exceeding
care that they end by thoroughly corrupting their hearts."

"I think you are right," said Geburon, "and that hypocrisy, whether
towards God, man or Nature, is the cause of all our ills."

"It would be a glorious thing," said Parlamente, "if our hearts were so
filled with faith in Him, who is all virtue and all joy, that we could
freely show them to every one."

"That will come to pass," said Hircan, "when all the flesh has left our
bones."

"Yet," said Oisille, "the Spirit of God, which is stronger than Death,
is able to mortify our hearts without changing or destroying the body."

"Madam," returned Saffredent, "you speak of a gift of God that is not as
yet common among mankind."

"It is common," said Oisille, "among those that have faith, but as this
is a matter not to be understood by such as are fleshly minded, let us
see to whom Simontault will give his vote."

"I will give it," said Simontault, "to Nomerfide, for, since her heart
is merry, her words cannot be sad."

"Truly," said Nomerfide, "since you desire to laugh, I will give you
reason to do so. That you may learn how hurtful are ignorance and fear,
and how the lack of comprehension is often the cause of much woe, I
will tell you what happened to two Grey Friars, who, through failing to
understand the words of a butcher, thought that they were about to die."

[Illustration: 037.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 039a.jpg The Grey Friar imploring the Butcher to Spare his Life]

[The Grey Friar imploring the Butcher to Spare his Life]

[Illustration: 039.jpg Page Image]

_TALE XXXIV_.

_Two Grey Friars, while listening to secrets that did not
concern them, misunderstood the language of a butcher and
endangered their lives_. (1)

Between Nyort and Fors there is a village called Grip, (2) which belongs
to the Lord of Fors.

1 This story is evidently founded upon fact; the incidents
must have occurred prior to 1530.--L.

2 Gript, a little village on the Courance, eight miles