eceived."

THE SEVENTH STORY

[Day the Second]

THE SOLDAN OF BABYLON SENDETH A DAUGHTER OF HIS TO BE
MARRIED TO THE KING OF ALGARVE, AND SHE, BY DIVERS CHANCES,
IN THE SPACE OF FOUR YEARS COMETH TO THE HANDS OF NINE MEN
IN VARIOUS PLACES. ULTIMATELY, BEING RESTORED TO HER FATHER
FOR A MAID, SHE GOETH TO THE KING OF ALGARVE TO WIFE, AS
FIRST SHE DID

Had Emilia's story been much longer protracted, it is like the
compassion had by the young ladies on the misfortunes of Madam
Beritola would have brought them to tears; but, an end being now made
thereof, it pleased the queen that Pamfilo should follow on with his
story, and accordingly he, who was very obedient, began thus, "Uneath,
charming ladies, is it for us to know that which is meet for us, for
that, as may oftentimes have been seen, many, imagining that, were
they but rich, they might avail to live without care and secure, have
not only with prayers sought riches of God, but have diligently
studied to acquire them, grudging no toil and no peril in the quest,
and who,--whereas, before they became enriched, they loved their
lives,--once having gotten their desire, have found folk to slay them,
for greed of so ample an inheritance. Others of low estate, having,
through a thousand perilous battles and the blood of their brethren
and their friends, mounted to the summit of kingdoms, thinking in the
royal estate to enjoy supreme felicity, without the innumerable cares
and alarms whereof they see and feel it full, have learned, at the
cost of their lives, that poison is drunken at royal tables in cups of
gold. Many there be who have with most ardent appetite desired bodily
strength and beauty and divers personal adornments and perceived not
that they had desired ill till they found these very gifts a cause to
them of death or dolorous life. In fine, not to speak particularly of
all the objects of human desire, I dare say that there is not one
which can, with entire assurance, be chosen by mortal men as secure
from the vicissitudes of fortune; wherefore, an we would do aright,
needs must we resign ourselves to take and possess that which is
appointed us of Him who alone knoweth that which behoveth unto us and
is able to give it to us. But for that, whereas men sin in desiring
various things, you, gracious ladies, sin, above all, in one, to wit,
in wishing to be fair,--insomuch that, not content with the charms
vouchsafed you by na