Page:Lives of Fair and Gallant Ladies Volume I.djvu/292

Rh So leaving these verses writ out on the table, anon the husband came and saw the lines; and so taketh pen and doth thus reply:

These he did leave likewise on the table. The whole was carried to the Marquis, who made answer:

This in turn was shown to the husband, who satisfied with so honourable a reply and fair apology, did take his vine to him again, and did cultivate the same as industriously as heretofore; and never were husband and wife happier together.

I will now translate the verses from the Italian, that all may follow the sense:

"I was a vine, and am so still. I was well cultivated; but am so no more. And I know not for what cause my master doth not now cultivate me as before."

"A vine thou wert, and art so still; thou wert well cultivated, and art so no more. Because of the lion's claw, for this cause thy master doth not now cultivate thee as before."