And he added that he would rather suffer death than in
this wise wrong one who had been true to him.
The Duke, finding that he would not tell him, became deeply jealous, and
with a wrathful countenance exclaimed--
"Well, choose one of two things: either tell me whom you love more than
any other, or else go into banishment from the territories over which
I rule, under pain of a cruel death if you be found within them after a
week is over."
If ever heart of loyal servant was torn with anguish, it was so with
that of this poor gentleman, who might well have said, _Angustiae sunt
mihi undique_, for on the one part he saw that by telling the truth
he would lose his mistress, if she learned that he had failed in his
promise to her; while, if he did not confess it, he would be banished
from the land in which she dwelt, and be no more able to see her. Hard
pressed in this manner on all sides, there came upon him a cold sweat,
as on one whose sorrow was bringing him near to death. The Duke,
observing his looks, concluded that he loved no other lady than the
Duchess, and was enduring this suffering because he was able to name
none other. He therefore said to him with considerable harshness--
"If what you say were true, you would not have so much trouble in
telling me; but methinks 'tis your crime that is tormenting you.
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