Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/26

xvi and declares her intention of so instructing Fair-Welcome that he may avenge her. [But it seems strange that while her complaint is against men, her instructions tend to teach her pupil how he may overcome the opposite sex.]

The Duenna relates the history of her amours, and draws a picture of the follies of women.

She relates stories of Dido and Æneas, Phillis and Demophoon, Paris and Œnone, and Jason and Medea, and then proceeds to disclose the wiles used by some women to entrap men, and describes the various adventitious aids for waning beauty. Incidentally occurs here the mode in which a lady should comport herself at table, of which Chaucer has made such effective use in his description of the Prioress. The picture drawn by the author of a certain phase of medieval life is vivid indeed. He censures the folly of husbands who watch their wives too narrowly.

This is illustrated by a humorous version of the story of Vulcan, Mars, and Venus. The Duenna then proceeds to give her views on the re­lations between men and women as ordained by Nature, but interfered with by human laws and regulations.

Examples are adduced of the teachings of Nature alike to birds in the woods, fish in the river, and all other creatures unsubdued by man.