ke proof thereof, I probed and
afflicted thee after such kind as thou knowest. And meseeming, for
that I have never perceived that either in word or in deed hast thou
departed from my pleasure, that I have of thee that solace which I
desired, I purpose presently to restore thee, at one stroke, that
which I took from thee at many and to requite thee with a supreme
delight the pangs I have inflicted on thee. Wherefore with a joyful
heart take this whom thou deemest my bride and her brother for thy
children and mine; for these be they whom thou and many others have
long accounted me to have barbarously let put to death; and I am thy
husband, who loveth thee over all else, believing I may vaunt me that
there is none else who can be so content of his wife as can I.'

So saying, he embraced her and kissed her; then, rising up, he betook
himself with Griselda, who wept for joy, whereas the daughter, hearing
these things, sat all stupefied, and tenderly embracing her and her
brother, undeceived her and many others who were there. Thereupon the
ladies arose from table, overjoyed, and withdrew with Griselda into a
chamber, where, with happier augury, pulling off her mean attire, they
clad her anew in a magnificent dress of her own and brought her again
to the saloon, as a gentlewoman, which indeed she appeared, even in
rags. There she rejoiced in her children with wonder-great joy, and
all being overjoyed at this happy issue, they redoubled in feasting
and merrymaking and prolonged the festivities several days, accounting
Gualtieri a very wise man, albeit they held the trials which he had
made of his lady overharsh, nay, intolerable; but over all they held
Griselda most sage. The Count of Panago returned, after some days, to
Bologna, and Gualtieri, taking Giannucolo from his labour, placed him
in such estate as befitted his father-in-law, so that he lived in
honour and great solace and so ended his days; whilst he himself,
having nobly married his daughter, lived long and happily with
Griselda, honouring her as most might be. What more can here be said
save that even in poor cottages there rain down divine spirits from
heaven, like as in princely palaces there be those who were worthier
to tend swine than to have lordship over men? Who but Griselda could,
with a countenance, not only dry,[483] but cheerful, have endured the
barbarous and unheard proofs made by Gualtieri? Which latter had not
belike been ill requited, had he happe