next ensuing January, hard
by this city, a garden full of green grass and flowers and flowering
trees, just as if it were May; and if he cannot provide me with this
garden, bid him never again send either thee or any other to me, for
that, should he harass me any further, I shall no longer keep silence, as
I have hitherto done, but shall make my complaint to my husband and all
my kinsmen, and it shall go hard but I will be quit of him."

The gentleman being apprised of his lady's stipulation and promise,
notwithstanding that he deemed it no easy matter, nay, a thing almost
impossible, to satisfy her, and knew besides that 'twas but to deprive
him of all hope that she made the demand, did nevertheless resolve to do
his endeavour to comply with it, and causing search to be made in divers
parts of the world, if any he might find to afford him counsel or aid, he
lit upon one, who for a substantial reward offered to do the thing by
necromancy. So Messer Ansaldo, having struck the bargain with him for an
exceeding great sum of money, gleefully expected the appointed time.
Which being come with extreme cold, insomuch that there was nought but
snow and ice, the adept on the night before the calends of January
wrought with his spells to such purpose that on the morrow, as was
averred by eye-witnesses, there appeared in a meadow hard by the city one
of the most beautiful gardens that was ever seen, with no lack of grass
and trees and fruits of all sorts. At sight whereof Messer Ansaldo was
overjoyed, and caused some of the finest fruits and flowers that it
contained to be gathered, and privily presented to his lady, whom he bade
come and see the garden that she had craved, that thereby she might have
assurance of his love, and mind her of the promise that she had given him
and confirmed with an oath, and, as a loyal lady, take thought for its
performance. When she saw the flowers and fruits, the lady, who had
already heard not a few folk speak of the wondrous garden, began to
repent her of her promise. But for all that, being fond of strange
sights, she hied her with many other ladies of the city to see the
garden, and having gazed on it with wonderment, and commended it not a
little, she went home the saddest woman alive, bethinking her to what it
bound her: and so great was her distress that she might not well conceal
it; but, being written on her face, 'twas marked by her husband, who was
minded by all means to know the cause