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Margaret, Queen of Navarre, 1492-1549

"The Tales Of The Heptameron, Vol. V. (of V.)"


3 It was from her apothecary no doubt that Queen Margaret
heard this story.--Ed.
Thus the poor man was forced to endure the results of his folly in
patience, and to own that he had been justly punished in being brought
into such derision as he had proposed for another.
"Methinks, ladies, this woman's love was as indiscreet as it was great."
"Do you call it loving her husband," said Hircan, "to give him pain for
the sake of the delight that she herself looked to have?"
"I believe," said Longarine, "she only desired to win back her husband's
love, which she deemed to have gone far astray; and for the sake of such
happiness there is nothing that a woman will not do." "Nevertheless,"
said Geburon, "a woman ought on no account to make her husband eat or
drink anything unless, either through her own experience or that
of learned folk, she be sure that it can do him no harm. Ignorance,
however, must be excused, and hers was worthy of excuse; for the most
blinding passion is love, and the most blinded of persons is a woman,
since she has not strength enough to conduct so weighty a matter
wisely."
"Geburon," said Oisille, "you are departing from your own excellent
custom so as to make yourself of like mind with your fellows; but there
are women who have endured love and jealousy in patience.


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