Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 1, 1890.djvu/506

 500 Kaffir analogues. The outline of Gower’s Tale of Florent I reproduce as follows, from my side-notes to the reprint:—

Florent, nephew to the emperor, a worthy and brave knight, in quest of adventures, came to a castle, the heir of which, Branchus, he had slain. They would be avenged, but feared the anger of the emperor. The grandmother of Branchus, a sly woman, devised a plan for causing his death without blame to them. She sends for Florent, and says he will be quit if he answer a question, but, failing, he shall be killed. He will be allowed to depart, and time for inquiry. The agreement is sealed. She asks: “What do women most desire?” Florent returns to his uncle’s court, and tells him of his pact. The wisest men are sent for, but can’t agree, each having a different opinion of women’s chief desire. So Florent must needs go forth to inquire, for he would rather die than break his word. Alone he goes, wondering what to do. Under a forest tree he sees a loathly woman, so foul as never was seen before. She calls him to her, and he comes up, marvelling. She says: “Florent, I only can save thee from death.” Florent begs her counsel. “What will you give me if I save you?” “Anything.” “Good; but, first, you must promise to marry me.” “That I can’t do.” “Away, then, to thy fate.” He promises much goods and lands, but she refuses them. He ponders the matter, and resolves to wed her, thinking she could not live long, and he would hide out of men’s sight. So he says: “If only the answer to the question can save me, I will wed thee.” “Agreed; for there is no other way. Listen: Return and make this answer without fear: ‘Woman would be sovereign of man’s love, and have her own will.’ Then come back to me without fail.”

Florent rides back, sad at heart, to think of such an ugly bride, and comes to the castle, to live or die. The lord comes with his council, sends for the old dame (i.e. the grandmother of the slain Branchus), and the covenant is read in presence of all three. Florent tries other answers at first, but in the end he says as the loathly lady had taught him. “Ha!’ cries the old dame, “thou hast told truly; would thou wert burnt!” But Florent is safe; and now he grieves anew, for he must keep his word to the loathly lady. He finds the old witch in the same place. Never saw man