Let her have washed her hands aforetime, So that she may then not greatly bedim the water. Let her not much set-to at washing in the basin, Nor touch mouth or teeth in washing: For she can do this afterwards in her chamber, When it shall be needful and fitting. Of the savoury and nicest viands Let her accept, but little, and avoid eating many: And let her, several days before, have noted The other customs above written; Here let her observe those which beseem the place. Let her not intervene to reprehend the servitors, Nor yet speak, unless occasion requires. Let it appear that she hardly minds any diversion, But that only timidity quenches her pleasure: But let her, in eating, so manage her hands That, in washing, the clear water may remain. The table being removed, let her stay with the ladies Somewhat more freely than at her arrival: Yet for this day let her, I pray, Abstain from laughing as far as she can, keeping Her countenance so as not to appear out of humour, But only timid, as has often been said. If the other ladies sleep that day, Let her also repose among them, And prepare herself the better for keeping awake. Let her drinking be small. I approve a light collation, Eating little: and in like wise at supper Let her avoid too many comfits or fruits: Let her make it rather slight than heavy. Some ladies make ready to go, And some others to retire to their chambers. Those remain who are in charge of her: All approach to cheer her. She embraces her intimates: Let her make the kindest demonstrations to all— ‘Adieu, adieu’—tearful at parting. They all cheer her up, and beg her to be Confident, and many vouch That her husband has gone to a distance: Her guardians say the same. They bring her inwards to a new chamber, Whose walls are so draped That nothing is seen save silk and gold; The coverlets starred, and with moons. The stones shine as it were the sun: At the corners four rubies lift up a flame So lovely that it touches the heart: Here a man kindles inside and out. Richest cambrics cover the floor. Here baldaquins and the benches around All covered with woven pearls; Pillows all of smooth samite, With the down of griffin-birds[43] inside; Many topazes, sapphires, and emeralds, With various stones, as buttons to these. Beds loaded on beds with no bedstead, Draped all with foreign cloths:[44] Above the others the chiefest and soft, With a new covering of byssus.[45] Of this the down is from the phœnix-bird:[46] It has one bolster and no more, Not too large, but of fine form. Over it sheets of worked silk, Soft, yielding, delicate, and durable: A superb quilt, and cuttings-out[47] within; And, traced with the needle and of various cutting, Fishes and birds and all animals, A vine goes round the whole, The twigs of pearls, and the foliage of gems, Among which are those of all virtues,