PROLOGUE.
When morning was come they inquired whether their bridge (1) were beingwell advanced, and found that it might be finished in two or three days.These were not welcome tidings to some among the company, for theywould gladly have had the work last a longer time, so as to prolongthe happiness that they enjoyed in this pleasant mode of life. Finding,however, that only two or three such days were left, they resolved toturn them to account, and begged the Lady Oisille to give them theirspiritual nourishment as had been her wont. This she forthwith did,but she detained them longer than usual, for before setting forth shedesired to finish reading the canonical writings of St. John; and sowell did she acquit herself of this, that it seemed as if the HolySpirit in all His love and sweetness spoke by her mouth. Glowing withthis heavenly flame, they went to hear high mass, and afterwards dinedtogether, again speaking of the past day, and doubting whether theycould make another as fair.
1 The allusion is to the bridge over the Gave spoken of in the General Prologue (_ante_, vol. i. p. 25-6).--M.
In order to set about it, they retired to their own rooms until it wastime to repair to their Chamber of Accounts on the Board of Green Grass,where they found the monks already arrived and in their places.
When all were seated, the question was put, who should begin; andSaffredent said--
"You did me the honour to have me begin on two days. Methinks we shouldact wrongly towards the ladies if one of them did not also begin ontwo."
"It were then needful," said the Lady Oisille, "either that we shouldcontinue here for a great while, or else that a gentleman and a lady ofthe company should forego the beginning of a day."
"For my part," said Dagoucin, "had I been chosen, I would have given myplace to Saffredent."
"And I," said Nomerfide, "to Parlamente, for I have been so wont toserve that I know not how to command."
To this all agreed, and Parlamente thus began--
"Ladies, the days that are past have been filled with so many tales ofwisdom, that I would beg you to fill this one with the greatest (yetmost real) follies that we can remember. So, to lead the way, I willbegin."
219a. The Saddler's Wife Cured by the sight of her HusbandCaressing the Serving-maid]
[The Saddler's Wife Cured by the sight of her Husband Caressing theServing-maid]
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The Tales Of The Heptameron, Vol. V. (of V.) Page 25