The ladies and the young men alike commended the rule thus laid down, and agreed to follow it. Dioneo, however, when the rest had done speaking, said:--"Madam, as all the rest have said, so say I, briefly, that the rule prescribed by you is commendable and delectable; but of your especial grace I crave a favour, which, I trust, may be granted and continued to me, so long as our company shall endure; which favour is this: that I be not bound by the assigned theme if I am not so minded, but that I have leave to choose such topic as best shall please me. And lest any suppose that I crave this grace as one that has not stories ready to hand, I am henceforth content that mine be always the last." The queen, knowing him to be a merry and facetious fellow, and feeling sure that he only craved this favour in order that, if the company were jaded, he might have an opportunity to recreate them by some amusing story, gladly, with the consent of the rest, granted his petition. She then rose, and attended by the rest sauntered towards a stream, which, issuing clear as crystal from a neighbouring hill, precipitated itself into a valley shaded by trees close set amid living rock and fresh green herbage. Bare of foot and arm they entered the stream, and roving hither and thither amused themselves in divers ways till in due time they returned to the palace, and gaily supped. Supper ended, the queen sent for instruments of music, and bade Lauretta lead a dance, while Emilia was to sing a song accompanied by Dioneo on the lute. Accordingly Lauretta led a dance, while Emilia with passion sang the following song: So fain I am of my own loveliness, I hope, nor think not e'er The weight to feel of other amorousness. When in the mirror I my face behold, That see I there which doth my mind content, Nor any present hap or memory old May me deprive of such sweet ravishment. Where else, then, should I find such blandishment Of sight and sense that e'er My heart should know another amorousness? Nor need I fear lest the fair thing retreat, When fain I am my solace to renew; Rather, I know, 'twill me advance to meet, To pleasure me, and shew so sweet a view That speech or thought of none its semblance true Paint or conceive may e'er, Unless he burn with ev'n such amorousness. Thereon as more intent I gaze, the fire Waxeth within me hourly, more and more, Myself I yield thereto, myself entire, And foretaste have of what it hath in store, And hope of greater joyance than before, Nay, such as ne'er None knew; for ne'er was felt such amorousness. This ballade, to which all heartily responded, albeit its words furnished much matter of thought to some, was followed by some other dances, and part of the brief night being thus spent, the queen proclaimed the first day ended, and bade light the torches that all might go to rest until the following morning; and so, seeking their several chambers, to rest they went.