The Heptameron (Machen)/Novel 5

In the harbour of Coulon, hard by Niort, there lived a boatwoman, who, by day and night, carried people across the ferry. And it came to pass that two Grey Friars of the aforesaid Niort were crossing over by themselves in her boat, whereupon, seeing that the passage is one of the longest in France, they began to crave love-dalliance, to which entreaties she gave the answer that became her. But they, who for all their journeying were not aweary, nor by reason of the water were acold, nor by her refusal ashamed, determined to have her by force, and if she made an outcry to throw her into the river. And she, whose wit was as good and sharp as their's was gross and evil, said to them: "I have not so hard a heart as I seem to have, but I entreat you to grant me two things, and then you shall perceive that I am readier to obey than you to command." So, the two Grey Friars swore by St. Francis that she should ask nothing of them that they would not grant, so long as she did them the pleasure they desired. "In the first place then," said she, "I require of you that you advertise no man of this matter." This they promised with great willingness. "And in the second place," she went on, "that you have your pleasure of me by turns, for this would be too great shame to have to do with the one before the face of the other. Determine, then, which shall first enjoy me." This likewise they deemed a reasonable thing, and the younger of the two granted his companion the prerogative. So when they drew near a small island she said to the former: "Holy father, do you tell your beads and tarry here, while I am gone with your companion to yonder island, and if, when he returns, he gives a good account of me, we will leave him, and you and I will go apart together." The young friar leapt on to the island, and awaited there his comrade's return, whom the boatwoman took off to another island. And when they had come alongside, the woman, making pretence to fasten her boat to a tree, said to him: "Do you go, sweetheart, and look for a place where we may dispose ourselves." The holy man got on to the island and searched about for some nook fit for the ​purpose; but no sooner did she see him on firm ground than she pushed off, and made for open water, leaving these two holy fathers to their deservings, for all the clamour they made to her. "Wait patiently, good sirs," said she, "for an angel to come and console you, for to-day you will have of me no pleasaunce."

Then the two poor friars, finding they were tricked, fell down on their knees at the edge of the water, praying her not to entreat them thus shamefully, and promising that, if she would fairly bring them to port, they would ask nothing more of her. But, rowing the while, she called to them: "Truly I should be a thoroughpaced fool if, after escaping from your hands, I put myself between them again." And when she had got to the village, she went to call her husband, and the constables, that they might take these two wolves, from whose teeth, by the grace of God, she had escaped. And so brave a company was made up that none stayed in the village, either great or small, that was fain to have a part in the delight of this hunting. But when the poor friars saw such a sort of people coming against them, they hid themselves, each one in his island, like Adam when he saw that he was naked. For shame put their sin plainly before their eyes, and the fear of what would befall them had made them to tremble so that they were well-nigh amort. But nevertheless they were taken prisoners, with many a flout and jeer from the men and women. For the first would say: "These good fathers preach chastity, and straightway attempt our wives," and the second: "They are sepulchres whited without, but within full of death and rottenness." Then another would cry out: "The tree shall be known by his fruits." You may well conceive that all the pleas of the Gospel against hypocrites were brought out for these poor prisoners, who were succoured by their warden; he coming in hot haste to this intent, and assuring the men of law that he would punish them in severer sort than if they had laymen for their judges. And to satisfy all he promised the friars should say as many masses as might be desired of them. The civil magistrate. granted the warden's desire, and he, being an upright man, they were used by him in such fashion that never after did they pass over a ferry without making the sign of the cross, and recommending themselves to God.

​"I entreat you, ladies, to consider, if this poor boatwoman had the wit to cozen these evil men, what should be due from them who have both read and seen so many noble examples, and before whose eyes is ever the goodness of virtuous ladies; so that indeed the virtue of ladies of gentle upbringing is not so much to be named virtue as habit? But these women that know nothing, who do not hear in the twelve months more than two sermons, who have no leisure to think of aught else but gaining their daily bread, and who, when hard pressed, keep such ward over their virtue; it is in these that one discovers true purity, indwelling in the heart; for when man's wit is smallest, God's work is greatest. Unhappy is the woman who keepeth not strict watch over this treasure, which, well guarded, is her glory, but otherwise is her shame." Longarine said to him: "Methinks, Geburon, it needs not such great virtue to refuse a Grey Friar, but rather I should esteem such an one impossible to be loved." "Longarine," replied Geburon, "they that are not accustomed to noble lovers do by no means despise a Grey Friar, for they are fine men enough, and lusty, and have a sweet repose about them which we lack; they can talk like angels, and press maids as hard as the devil; wherefore these women of the poorer sort, who are not used to silk and plush, should be held virtuous if they resist the grey robe." Then in a loud voice said Nomerfide: "Faith, you may say what you list, but I had rather be thrown into the water than lie with a Grey Friar." Laughing, Oisille said to her: "Are you, then, so good a swimmer?" This Nomerfide took in bad part, thinking that Oisille held her not in that repute she desired, wherefore wrathfully she answered: "There are they that have refused more personable men than Grey Friars, without so loudly blowing their horn." Oisille, smiling to see her in a rage, said to her: "And there are they that have not refused, but yet do not beat the drum over loudly." Then said Geburon: "I am well assured that Nomerfide has somewhat to say, wherefore I give my vote to her, that she may make for us some good relation." "What has been said," Nomerfide replied, "touches me so little, that it gives me neither joy nor grief. But, since I have your vote, I beseech you to listen to me, and I will show you that if one woman used craft to a good end, another used it for an evil ​end. And for that we have sworn to speak the truth, I will conceal nothing, for since the virtuousness of the boatwoman brings not honour to woman, if she follow not her ensample, so the vice of another cannot dishonour her, unless she be herself vicious. Wherefore, give ear."