_TALE V._
_Two Grey Friars, when crossing the river at the haven of Coulon, sought to ravish the boatwoman who was taking them over. She, however, being virtuous and Clever, so beguiled them with words that, whilst promising to grant their request, she deceived them and handed them over to justice. They were then delivered up to their warden to receive such punishment as they deserved_.
At the haven of Coulon,(1) near Nyort, there lived a boatwoman who, dayor night, did nothing but convey passengers across the ferry.
1 The village of Coulon, in Poitou (department of the Deux- Sevres), lies within seven miles of Niort, on the Niortaise Sevre, which at this point is extremely wide.--L.
Now it chanced that two Grey Friars from Nyort were crossing the riveralone with her, and as the passage is one of the longest in France, theybegan to make love to her, that she might not feel dull by the way. Shereturned them the answer that was due; but they, being neither fatiguedby their journeying, nor cooled by the water, nor put to shame by herrefusal, determined to take her by force, and, if she clamoured, tothrow her into the river. She, however, was as virtuous and clever asthey were gross and wicked, and said to them--
"I am not so ill-disposed as I seem to be, but I pray you grant me tworequests. You shall then see that I am more ready to give than you areto ask."
The friars swore to her by their good St. Francis that she could asknothing that they would not grant in order to have what they desired ofher.
"First of all," she said, "I require you both to promise on oath thatyou will inform no man living of this matter." This they promised rightwillingly.
"Then," she continued, "I would have you take your pleasure with me oneafter the other, for it would be too great a shame for me to have to dowith one in presence of the other. Consider which of you will have mefirst."
They deemed her request a very reasonable one, and the younger friaryielded the first place to the elder. Then, as they were drawing near alittle island, she said to the younger one--
"Good father, say your prayers here until I have taken your companion toanother island. Then, if he praises me when he comes back, we will leavehim here, and go away in turn together."
The younger friar leapt out on to the island to await the return of hiscomrade, whom the boat-woman took away with her to another island.When they had reached the bank she said to him, pretending the while tofasten her boat to a tree--
"Look, my friend, and see where we can place ourselves."
The good father stepped on to the island to seek for a convenient spot,but no sooner did she see him on land than she struck her foot againstthe tree and went off with her boat into the open stream, leaving boththe good fathers to their deserts, and crying out to them as loudly asshe could--
"Wait now, sirs, till the angel of God comes to console you; for youshall have nought that could please you from me to-day."
The two poor monks, perceiving that they had been deceived, knelt downat the water's edge and besought her not to put them to such shame; andthey promised that they would ask nothing of her if she would of hergoodness take them to the haven. But, still rowing away, she said tothem--
"I should be doubly foolish if, after escaping out of your hands, I wereto put myself into them again."
When she had come to the village, she went to call her husband and theministers of justice that they might go and take these fierce wolves,from whose fangs she had by the grace of God escaped. They set outaccompanied by many people, for there was no one, big or little, butwished to share in the pleasure of this chase.
When the poor brethren saw such a large company approaching, they hidthemselves each in his island, even as Adam did when he perceived hisnakedness in the presence of God.(2) Shame set their sin clearly beforethem, and the fear of punishment made them tremble so that they werehalf dead. Nevertheless, they were taken prisoners amid the mockings andhootings of men and women.
Some said, "These good fathers preach chastity to us and then rob ourwives of theirs." (3)
2 See _Genesis_ iii. 8-10.
3 The editions of 1558 and 1560 here contain this additional phrase: "They do not dare to touch money with bare hands, and yet they willingly finger the thighs of our wives, which are more dangerous."--L.
Others said, "They are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeedappear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones anduncleanness." (4) Then another voice cried, "By their fruits shall yeknow what manner of trees they are." (5)
You may be sure that all the passages in the Gospel condemninghypocrites were brought forward against the unhappy prisoners, who were,however, rescued and delivered by their Warden,(6) who came in all hasteto claim them, assuring the ministers of justice that he would visitthem with a greater punishment than laymen would venture to inflict, andthat they should make reparation by saying as many masses and prayers asmight be required. The judge granted the Warden's request and gave theprisoners up to him; and the Warden, who was an upright man, so dealtwith them that they never afterwards crossed a river without making thesign of the cross and recommending themselves to God.(7)
4 St. Matthew xxiii. 27.
5 "For every tree is known by his own fruit."--St. Luke vi. 45.
6 The Father Superior of the Grey Friars was called the Warden.--B.J.
7 Henry Etienne quotes this story in his _Apologie pour Herodote_, and praises the Queen for thus denouncing the evil practices of the friars.--F.
"I pray you, ladies, consider, since this poor boatwoman had the wit todeceive two such evil men, what should be done by those who have readof and witnessed so many fair examples, and who have had the goodness ofvirtuous ladies ever before their eyes? Indeed, the virtue of well-bredwomen is not so much to be called virtue as habit. It is in the womenwho know nothing, who hear scarcely two good sermons during the wholeyear, who have no leisure to think of aught save the gaining of theirmiserable livelihood, and who nevertheless jealously guard theirchastity, hard-pressed as they may be (8)--it is in such women as thesethat one discovers the virtue that is natural to the heart. Whereman's wit and might are smallest, there the Spirit of God performs thegreatest work. And unhappy indeed is the lady who keeps not close wardover the treasure which brings her so much honour if it be well guarded,and so much shame if it be neglected."
8 Boaistuau's edition of 1558 here contains the following interpolation: "As should be done by those who, having their lives provided for, have no occupation save that of studying Holy Writ, listening to sermons and preaching, and exerting themselves to act virtuously in all things."--L.
"It seems to me, Geburon," said Longarine, "that there is no greatvirtue in refusing a Grey Friar, and that it would rather be impossibleto love one."
"Longarine," replied Geburon, "they who are not accustomed to suchlovers as yours do by no means despise the Grey Friars, for the latterare as handsome and as strong as we are, and they are readier andfresher also, for we are worn-out with our service. Moreover, they talklike angels and are as importunate as the devil, so that such women ashave never seen other robes than their coarse drugget ones,(9) are trulyvirtuous when they escape out of their hands."
9 Meaning who have never seen gallants in gay apparel.--Ed.
"In faith," said Nomerfide, in a loud voice, "you may say what youlike, but I would rather be thrown into the river than lie with a GreyFriar.''
"So you can swim well?" said Oisille, laughing.
Nomerfide took this question in bad part, for she thought that shewas esteemed by Oisille less highly than she desired. Accordingly sheanswered in anger--
"There are some who have refused more agreeable men than Grey Friarswithout blowing a trumpet about it."
Oisille laughed to see her so wrathful, and said to her--
"Still less do they beat a drum about what they have done and granted."
"I see," sa
id Geburon, "that Nomerfide wishes to speak. I therefore giveher my vote that she may relieve her heart in telling us some excellentstory."
"What has just been said," replied Nomerfide, "touches me so littlethat it affords me neither pleasure nor pain. However, since I have yourvote, I pray you listen to me whilst I show that, although one womanused cunning for a good purpose, others have been crafty for evil'ssake. Since we have sworn to tell the truth I will not hide it, for justas the boatwoman's virtue brings no honour to other women unlessthey follow her example, so the vice of another cannot disgrace her.Wherefore, listen."
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103a.jpg The Wife's Ruse to secure the Escape of herLover]
[The Wife's Ruse to secure the Escape of her Lover]
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The Tales Of The Heptameron, Vol. I. (of V.) Page 15