Wherefore the Almighty, jealous of His honour, renders' those who
believe themselves possessed of more understanding than other men,
more insensate even than wild the beasts, causing them to show by their
unnatural deeds that their sense is reprobate.

Longarine here interrupted Parlamente to say that this was indeed the
third sin to which the Italians were prone.

"By my faith," said Nomerfide, "this discourse is very pleasing to
me, for, since those that possess the best trained and acutest
understandings are punished by being made more witless even than wild
beasts, it must follow that such as are humble, and low, and of little
reach, like myself, are filled with the wisdom of angels."

"I protest to you," said Oisille, "that I am not far from your opinion,
for none is more ignorant than he who thinks he knows."

"I have never seen a mocker," said Geburon, "that was not mocked, a
deceiver that was not deceived, or a boaster that was not humbled."

"You remind me," said Simontault, "of a deceit which, had it been of a
seemly sort, I would willingly have related."

"Well," said Oisille, "since we are here to utter truth, I give you my
vote that you may tell it to us whatsoever its nature may be."

"Since you give place to me," said Simontault, "I will tell it you."


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