Bernage observing the German Lady's Strange Penance.

Tale XXXIII. The Execution of the Wicked Priest and his Sister.

Tale XXXIV. The Grey Friar imploring the Butcher to Spare his Life.

Tale XXXV. The Lady embracing the Supposed Friar.

Tale XXXVI. The Clerk entreating Forgiveness of the President.

Tale XXXVII. The Lady of Loue bringing her Husband the Basin of Water.

Tale XXXVIII. The Lady of Tours questioning her Husband's Mistress.

Tale XXXIX. The Lord of Grignaulx catching the Pretended Ghost.

Tale XL. The Count of Jossebelin murdering his Sister's Husband.

Tale XLI. The Beating of the Wicked Grey Friar.

Tale XLII. The Girl refusing the Gift of the Young Prince.

Tale XLIII. Jambicque repudiating her Lover.

Tale XLIV. (B). The Lovers returning from their Meeting in the Garden.

Tale Tale XLV. The Man of Tours and his Serving-maid in the Snow.

Tale XLVI. (B). The Young Man beating his Wife.

Tale XLVII. The Gentleman reproaching his Friend for his Jealousy.

Tale XLVIII. The Grey Friars Caught and Punished.

Tale XLIX. The Countess facing her Lovers.

Tale L. The Lady killing herself on the Death of her Lover.

FOURTH DAY.

_On the Fourth Day are chiefly told Tales of the
virtuous patience and long suffering of
Ladies to win over their husbands;
and of the prudence that Men
have used towards Women
to save the honour of
their families and
lineage._

PROLOGUE.

The Lady Oisille, as was her excellent custom, rose up on the morrow
very much earlier than the others, and meditating upon her book of
Holy Scripture, awaited the company which, little by little, assembled
together again. And the more slothful of them excused themselves in the
words of the Bible, saying, "I have a wife, and therefore could not come
so quickly." (1) In this wise it came to pass that Hircan and his wife
Parlamente found the reading of the lesson already begun. Oisille,
however, knew right well how to pick out the passage in the Scriptures,
which reproves those who neglect the hearing of the Word, and she not
only read the text, but also addressed to them such excellent and pious
exhortations that it was impossible to weary of listening to her.

1 "I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come."--St.
Luke xiv. 20.--M.

The reading ended, Parlamente said to her--

"I felt sorry for my slothfulness when I came in, but since my error
has led you to speak to me in such excellent fas