Suffer that I point out the way
And paths thereof, where many a day
I wandered ere my beauty went
And left me wearied, worn and spent.
The Lover.
Then ceased the dame and gave a sigh.
In case Fair-Welcome made reply.13680
But little rest of tongue she took,
Noting his fixed attentive look,
Prepared to listen and say nought;
And so within herself she thought:
A proverb ’tis; Who saith not nay,
May well be credited with yea;
Thus far he’s listened, and no doubt,
If I proceed, will hear me out.
The Duenna’s tale
Then once more did the crone begin
Her wearisome foul tale to spin,13690
Deeming that she by wordy trick
Might cozen me to try and lick
Honey from thorns, and hoping he
Might his mere friend consider me,
Without true love, but he amain
Told me the tale he heard again;
And had he ta’en her word for truth
I needs had been betrayed forsooth,
But whatsoe’er the hag might do
Or say, Fair-Welcome proved him true;13700
I had his solemn oath and word
And that my heart had reassured.
