The Heptameron (Machen)/Day 2: Prologue

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DAY THE SECOND.
On the Second Day each one tells the first conceit that riseth in his brain.
PROLOGUE.

On the morrow they arose with a great desire of returning to the place in which, on the day before, they had received so great pleasure, for so ready was each one's tale that time passed slowly for it to be told. After that they had heard Oisille's reading, and also mass, where they all prayed God to the intent that He might continue to put words into their mouths, they went to dinner, recollecting meanwhile many a notable relation.

But after dinner, when they had rested in their rooms, they returned at the appointed time to the meadow, where all seemed favourable to their undertaking, and being seated on the grass, ​Parlamente began to say: "Since I brought yesterday to an end, it is my part to name one who shall begin to-day. And seeing that Oisille, the oldest and wisest of us was the first to speak, I give my vote to the youngest—I say not the most foolish, being assured that if we all follow her example we shall not keep evensong so long awaiting as we did yesterday. Wherefore, Nomerfide, do you make a beginning, but, prithee, let us not begin the day with tears." "Your entreaty skills nothing," said Nomerfide, "for one of our companions has made me chose a tale that has so got into my head that I can tell no other; and if it engender sadness in you, your complexion is in truth a melancholy one."

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