Page:The Book of the Courtier.djvu/309

 THE THIRD BOOK OF THE COURTIER Messer Federico replied: " I had thought of explaining, as far as I could, the origin of these companies and orders of knighthood established by great princes under different ensigns : as that of Saint Michael in the House of France;"^ that of the Garter, which bears the name of Saint George, in the House of England;*" the Golden Fleece in that of Burgundy:'*' and in what manner these dignities are bestowed, and how they who deserve them are deprived thereof; whence they arose, who were the founders of them, and to what end they were established : for even in great courts these knights are always honoured. " I thought too, if I had time enough, to speak not only of the diversity of customs that are in use at the courts of Christian princes in serving them, in merry-making and in appearing at public shows, but also to say something of the Grand Turk's^'' court, and much more particularly of the court of the Sophi king of Persia.'*' For having heard, from merchants who have been long in that country, that the noblemen there are of great worth and gentle behaviour, and that in their intercourse with j^ one another, in their service to ladies and in all their actions, they practise much courtesy and much discretion, and on occa- sion much magnificence, much liberality and elegance in their weapons, games and festivals, — I was glad to learn what ways they most prize in these things, and in what their pomp and finery of dress and arms consist; in what they differ from us, and in what they resemble us; what manner of amusements their ladies practise and with what modesty show favour to lovers. " But indeed it is not fitting to enter upon this discussion now, especially as there is something else to say, and far more to our purpose than this." 3.—" Nay," said my lord Gaspar, "both this and many other things are more to the purpose than to describe this Court Lady; seeing that the same rules that are set the Courtier, serve also for the Lady; for she, like the Courtier, ought to have regard to time and place, and (as far as her stupidity permits) to follow all those other ways that have been so much discussed. And therefore, in place of this, perhaps it would not have been amiss to teach some of the details that pertain to the service of the 173