Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/161

Rh first object is to espouse some ineffably fair daughter; whose affections are disposed of, not according to the common excellent system of policy, or power, or wealth; but by the simple and singularly efficacious method of resolving certain mysteries; in expounding riddles, or in compliance with some inexplicable vow. If this should be considered no very favourable account of what the reader may look for, it should be remembered, that the tales in question, are faithful representations of other days; and that the character with which the period is impressed, tolerates and justifies many absurdities. Yet are we not to suppose every thing absurd which now appears so. The progress of civilization has introduced a vast number of unnecessary refinements, at which our ancestors would laugh; perhaps more boisterously, but with as much regard to justice, as their politer