OF THE SOUL.
65
torments—and, oh! avoid that. Take the staff of penitence, and climb by the ladder of holiness into a heavenly palace, whose porter is divine goodness. (9)
TALE XXII.
OF THE TRANSGRESSIONS AND WOUNDS OF THE SOUL.
In the reign of Titus there lived a certain noble and devout knight who had a beautiful wife; but she dishonoured herself, and persisted in her dishonour. The knight, therefore, was very sorrowful, and resolved to visit the Holy Land. In this determination, he said to his wife, "My beloved, I go to the Holy Land, and leave you to the guidance of your own discretion." No sooner had he embarked, than the lady sent for a certain skilful necromancer whom she loved; and he dwelt
