Lives of Fair and Gallant Ladies. Vol 2.Brantôme, Pierre de Bourdeille
History
Lives of Fair and Gallant Ladies. Vol 2.
Brantôme, Pierre de Bourdeille
Erotic literature
I have heard it related how after she had thus put the good folk of
Paris in so great a state of animosity and dissatisfaction, she did set
her forth to ask of the Duke of Parma his help toward her vengeance.
So thither she maketh her way, but by such long and heavy stages as
that her coach horses were left so wearied out and foundered, stranded
in the mire somewhere in the very midst of Picardy, that they could
not go another step either forward or backward, nor put one foot
before another. As chance would have it, there did pass that way a
very honourable gentleman of that countryside, which was a Protestant,
and who, albeit she was disguised both as to name and in dress, did
recognize her well enough. But yet, ignoring all the hurts she had
wrought against his fellows in religion, and the hatred she bare them,
with frank and full courtesy, he did thus accost her: “Madam, I know
you well, and am your most humble servant. I find you in ill case, and
beg you, an if you will, come to my house, which is close at hand, to
dry your clothes and rest you. I will afford you every convenience I
can to the very best of my ability. Have no fear; for though I be of
the reformed faith, which you do hate so sore in us, I would fain not
leave you without offering you a courtesy you do stand much in need
of.” This fair offer she did in no wise refuse, but did accept very
readily; then after that he had provided her with such things as were
needful, she doth take the road again, he conducting her on her way two
leagues, though all the while she did keep secret from him the purport
of her journey. Later on in the course of the war, by what I have
heard, she did repay her debt to the said gentleman by many acts of
courtesy done him.
Many have wondered at her trusting of herself to him, being Huguenot
as he was. But there! necessity hath no law; and beside, she did see
him so honourable seeming, and heard him speak so honestly and frankly,
that she could not but believe him disposed to deal fairly with her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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