madame," saide the Lorde of
Auannes, "remember then your promise, and vnderstande that God
vnknowen of the Christian but by fayth, hath dayned to take
flesh, like to that our sinful which we beare about vs, to thend
that by drawing our flesh into the loue of his humanity, he may
draw also our minde to the loue of his diuinitie, and requireth
to be serued by thinges visible to make vs loue by fayth that
diuinity which is inuisible: in like maner the vertue which I
desire to imbrace all the dayes of my life, is a thing inuisible
and not to be seen but by outward effects. Wherfore needeful it
is, that she now do put vpon her some body or shape to let
herselfe be knowen amonges men: which in deede she hath don by
induing herself with your form and shape, as the most perfect
that she is able to find amonges liuing creatures. Wherfore I do
acknowledge and confesse you to be not onely a vertuous
creature, but euen very vertue it self. And I which see the same
to shine vnder the glimsing vaile of the most perfect that euer
was: I will honor and serue the same during my life, forsaking
(for the same) all other vaine and vicious loue." The
gentlewoman no lesse content then marueling to here those words
dissembled so wel her contented minde as she said vnto him: "My
Lord, I take not vpon me to aunswere your diuinity, but like her
that is more fearefull of euill then beleful of good, do humblie
beseech you to cease to speake to me those words of prayse, that
is not worthy of the least of them. I know right wel that I am a
woman, not onely as another is, but so imperfect, as vertue
might do a better acte to transforme me into her, then she to
take my forme, except it be when she desires to be vnknowen to
the world: for vnder such habite as mine is, vertue cannot be
knowen, according to her worthines: so it is sir, that for mine
imperfection, I wil not cease to bere you such affection, as a
woman ought or maye do that feareth God, and hath respect to her
honour: but that affection shal not appere, vntill your harte be
able to receiue the pacience which vertuous loue commaundeth.
And now sir I know what kinde of speach to vse, and thincke that
you do not loue so well, your owne goodes, purse or honour, as I
doe with all my hart tender and imbrace the same." The lord of
Auannes fearefull with teares in eyes, besought her earnestly
that for her woordes assuraunce, shee woulde vouchsafe to kisse
him: which she refused, saying that for