at you two should dare to talk in
this way. Those whom you have loved owe you but little thanks, or else
your courting has been carried on in such evil places that you deem all
women to be alike."

"For myself, madam," said Saffredent, "I have been so unfortunate that
I am unable to boast; but I impute my bad luck less to the virtue of
the ladies than to my own fault, in not conducting my enterprises with
sufficient prudence and sagacity. In support of my opinion I will cite
no other authority than the old woman in the _Romance of the Rose_, who
says--

'Of all, fair sirs, it truly may be said,
Woman for man and man for woman's made.' (3)

3 From John de Mehun's continuation of the poem.--M. 2

Accordingly I shall always believe that if love once enters a
woman's heart, her lover will have fair fortune, provided he be not a
simpleton."

"Well," said Parlamente, "if I were to name to you a very loving woman
who was greatly sought after, beset and importuned, and who, like a
virtuous lady, proved victorious over her heart, flesh, love and lover,
would you believe this true thing possible?"

"Yes," said he, "I would."

"Then," said Parlamente, "you must all be hard of belief if you do not
believe this story."

"Madam," said Dagoucin, "since I have given an example to show how the
love of a virtuous gentleman lasted even until death, I pray you, if you
know any such story to the honour of a lady, to tell it to us, and so
end this day. And be not afraid to speak at length, for there is yet
time to relate many a pleasant matter."

"Then, since I am to wind up the day," said Parlamente, "I will make no
long preamble, for my story is so beautiful and true that I long to have
you know it as well as I do myself. Although I was not an actual witness
of the events, they were told to me by one of my best and dearest
friends in praise of the man whom of all the world he had loved the
most. But he charged me, should I ever chance to relate them, to change
the names of the persons. Apart, therefore, from the names of persons
and places the story is wholly true."

[Illustration: 024.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 025a.jpg The Countess asking an Explanation from Amadour]

[The Countess asking an Explanation from Amadour]

[Illustration: 025.jpg Page Image]

_TALE X_.

_Florida, after virtuously resisting Amadour, who had assailed her
honour almost to the last extremity, repaired, upon her husband