The Heptameron (Machen)/Novel 62

In the time of King Francis the First there was a lady of the blood-royal, fulfilled with all honour, virtuousness, and beauty; knowing well how to tell a story with grace, and also to laugh when one was told her. This lady, being at one of her country houses, all her neighbours and retainers came to see her, and recounted as many tales as were in their minds for her contentment. And with the rest there was a dame who determined not to be behind the others, and said to her: "Mistress, I can tell you a fine story, if you promise me not to speak of it elsewhere; and it is a true one, that I will swear upon my conscience. And this is the manner of it. There was a married woman, who lived virtuously with her husband, though he was old and she young; and a gentleman who was their neighbour, seeing her wed to this old man, became amorous of her, and pressed her hard for several years, but never had he any reply from her that was not fitting for an honourable woman to make. But one day this gallant conceived the humour that, if he could take her unawares, she might mitigate in some degree her asperity towards him, and having striven a long while with the fear of danger, his love for the lady cast out all fear, and he determined to find a place and a time to his purpose. And he kept such good watch, that one morning, when the husband of the lady went to another of his houses, and for the avoidance of the heat set forth at daybreak, this young brisk entered his mistress' house and found her a-bed and asleep, and her women gone out of the room. Forthwith, without having the sense to ​

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Nouvelle LXII^e ​bolt the door, he got into the lady's bed as he was, booted and spurred, and mighty wrathful was she when he awoke her. But whatsoever remonstrances she could use with him availed nothing, and he took her by force, saying that if she called out he would tell all and singular that she had sent for him, whereat she was so afeared that she durst make no noise or alarm. Then hearing her women coming he arose hastily, and nothing would have been known of the matter had not his spur, fixing itself in the sheet, drawn all the bedgear to the ground, and left the lady stark-naked on the bed." So far did she devise her tale of another, but must needs say to make an end of it: "Never was woman so astonished as I when I found myself stark-naked." The worshipful lady, who so far had heard the tale unmoved, could not refrain from laughter at this conclusion, and said: "So far as I can see, you are well authorised to tell this history." The poor woman did what she could for her honour, but it had taken so far a flight that it could not be whistled back.

"I assure you, ladies, that if the doing of such an act were any great displeasure to her, she would have willingly lost the remembrance of it. But, as I told you, the sin will be declared by the very sinner, if it be not covered with the cloak that is said by David to make one blessed." "In good faith," said Ennasuitte, "this was a stupendous folly, to make others laugh at her own expense." "I think it not strange," said Parlamente, "that the word followed on the deed; for it is easier to say than to do." "Verily," said Geburon, "I find no sin at all in her. She was a-bed and asleep; he threatened her with death and shame; Lucreece, who hath been so belauded, did no more." "I confess," said Parlamente, "none is so righteous as to be beyond a fall, but when the deed is hateful so also is the memory of it, for to blot it out Lucreece killed herself, whilst this wanton would move others to laughter with it." "Yet, methinks," said Nomerfide, "she was an honest woman, since ofttimes she was entreated and always refused; so that the gentleman was forced to use cozenage to betray her." "What is this you say?" answered Parlamente; "think you that a woman can give a quittance to her virtue and let it go, when she has two or three times refused? If this were so many a slut would be esteemed an honest woman; for many an one ​hath withstood him to whom her heart is given; some for fear of shame, others to make themselves more vehemently desired. Wherefore no account should be made of a woman, if she have not steadfastly resisted to the end." "And if a young man should refuse a pretty girl," said Dagoucin, "would you reckon this great virtue?" "Truly," said Oisille, "if a young man, sound in body, did this thing I should think it matter of admiration, but mighty hard to be believed." "Yet," answered Dagoucin, "I knew one who refused that which all his fellows most desired to gain." "I pray you," said Longarine, "take my place for the telling of the story, but be mindful that we are here present to speak nothing but only the truth." "I promise you," answered Dagoucin, "to tell the plain truth, with no colour nor disguise."