"I protest to you, Dagoucin," said Hircan, "that your philosophy is too
deep for any man here to understand or believe. You would have us think
that men are angels, or stones, or devils."

"I am well aware," said Dagoucin, "that men are men and subject to every
passion, but there are some, nevertheless, who would rather die than
that their mistresses should, for their delight, do aught against their
consciences."

"To die means a great deal," said Geburon. "I would not believe that of
them were it uttered by the lips of the austerest monk alive."

"Nay, I believe," said Hircan, "that there is none but desires the very
opposite. But they make pretence of disliking the grapes when these hang
too high to be gathered."

"Still," said Nomcrfide, "I am sure that the Prince's wife was very glad
to find that her husband was learning to know women."

"I assure you it was not so," said Ennasuite. "She was very sorry on
account of the love that she bore the lady."

"I would as soon," said Saffredent, "have the lady who laughed when her
husband kissed her maid."

"In sooth," said Ennasuite, "you shall tell us the story. I give place
to you."

"Although the story is very short," said Saffredent, "I will still