his stone of honestie, I am come hither thinking to build a
most sure foundacion. But (Amadour) in one moment thou haste
declared, how in place of a pure foundacion, thy buildinge is
reared vpon a light sand, and vnconstant ground, or els vpon a
filthy and foul quamire. And where I began to erect a good part
of the lodgings of this building vpon the ground of the
fidelitie, hoping to dwel there for euer, sodenly thou hast
ouerthrowen the whole plot. Wherfore, you must immediately
breake in sonder the hope and credit that euermore you haue
found in me, and determine that in what place soeuer I be, not
to pursue me either by worde or countenaunce. And do not thinke,
that I can or will at anye time hereafter chaunge this mine
opinion, reciting this my last adieu with great sorrow and
griefe. But if I had made an othe of this perfect amitie and
loue, I know mine harte would haue died vpon this breach,
although the astonishment in that I am deceiued, is so great, as
I am wel assured it will make my life either short or sorowfull:
and therefore I bid you farewel and that for euer." I purpose
not to tel you the sorow which Amadour felt by hearing those
words, because it is impossible not only to write them, but also
to thincke them, except it be of such as haue had experience of
the like. And seing that vppon this cruel conclusion she would
haue gone away, he caught her by the arme, knowing well that if
he did not remoue that ill opinion, which by his owne occasion
she had conceyued, hee should lose her for euer. Wherfore he
said vnto her with a very faint chere: "Madame, al the dayes of
my life I haue desired to loue a woman endued with honestie and
vertue: and because I haue found so few, I would fain haue tried
whether your person had bin worthy of estimacion and loue,
wherof now I am wel assured, and humblie do praise God
therefore, because mine hart is addressed to such perfection:
beseching you to pardon this fond and bold attempt, sith you see
that the end doth redound to your owne honor and contentacion."
Florinda, which began to know by him the malice of other men,
like as she was hard to beleue the euill wher it was, euen so
she was more difficile to credite the good where it was not, and
said vnto him: "I pray to God your words be true: yet am I not
so ignorant but that the state of mariage wherein I am, hath
made me euidently to know the strong passion of blind loue which
hath forced you vnto this follie: for if