Page:Tales from Chaucer.djvu/143

 Who but a fool would be in love? Look at their wounds, see how they bleed: thus hath the god they worship rewarded them for their service: and yet they, in their wisdom, will obey his dictates, happen what may. But the greatest folly of all is, that she, for whom there has been all this hot fare, knew as little of it as myself. But, young or old, man will at one time be a fool. As I have myself, however, in times past, engaged in the same service, and know the sore straits to which one may be brought through love, I here, at the request of my kneeling Queen, and dear sister Emily, wholly acquit you, Knights, of your trespass; and, in return, you both shall swear to me that you will never more disturb my dominion by night or by day, but, to your utmost, be my friends and allies.' They accepted his oath, and in granting their pardon he thus said to them:

'As regards my sister Emily, on whose account you maintain this jealousy and strife, though she were a Queen or Princess, either of you, by virtue of royal descent or wealth, is worthy to wed her. Since, however, she can