broken-in to bear,—I bore, this time,
More quietly than woman should perhaps:
Repeated the mere truth and held my tongue.

Then he said, “Since you play the ignorant,
“I shall instruct you. This amour,—commenced
“Or finished or midway in act, all’s one,—
“’Tis the town-talk; so my revenge shall be.
“Does he presume because he is a priest? (1040)
“I warn him that the sword I wear shall pink
“His lily-scented cassock through and through,
“Next time I catch him underneath your eaves!”

But he had threatened with the sword so oft
And, after all, not kept his promise. All
I said was, “Let God save the innocent!
“Moreover, death is far from a bad fate.
“I shall go pray for you and me, not him;
“And then I look to sleep, come death or, worse,
“Life.” So, I slept. (1050)

There may have elapsed a week,
When Margherita,—called my waiting-maid,
Whom it is said my husband found too fair—
Who stood and heard the charge and the reply,
Who never once would let the matter rest
From that night forward, but rang changes still
On this the thrust and that the shame, and how
Good cause for jealousy cures jealous fools,
And what a paragon was this same priest
She talked about until I stopped my ears,— (1060)
She said, “A week is gone; you comb your hair,
“Then go mope in a corner, cheek on palm,
“Till night comes round again,—so, waste a week
“As if your husband menaced you in sport.
“Have not I some acquaintance with his tricks?
“Oh no, he did not stab the serving-man
“Who made and sang the rhymes about me once!
“For why? They sent him to the wars next day.
“Nor poisoned he the foreigner, my friend,
“Who wagered on the whiteness of my breast,— (1070)
“The swarth skins of our city in dispute:
“For, though he paid me proper compliment,
“The Count well knew he was besotted with
“Somebody else, a skin as black as ink,
“(As all the town knew save my foreigner)
“He found and wedded presently,—‘Why need
“ ‘Better revenge?’—the Count asked. But what’s here?
“A priest, that does not fight, and cannot wed,
“Yet must be dealt with! If the Count took fire
“For the poor pastime of a minute,—me— (1080)
“What were the conflagration for yourself,
“Countess and lady-wife and all the rest?
“The priest will perish; you will grieve too late:
“So shall the city-ladies’ handsomest,
“Frankest and liberalest gentleman
“Die for you, to appease a scurvy dog
“Hanging’s too good for. Is there no escape?
“Were it not simple Christian charity
“To warn the priest be on his guard,—save him
“Assured death, save yourself from causing it? (1090)
“I meet him in the street. Give me a glove,
“A ring to show for token! Mum’s the word!”

I answered, “If you were, as styled, my maid,
“I would command you: as you are, you say,
“My husband’s intimate,—assist his wife
“Who can do nothing but entreat ‘Be still!’
“Even if you speak truth and a crime is planned,
“Leave help to God as I am forced to do!
“There is no other course, or we should craze,
“Seeing such evil with no human cure. (1100)
“Reflect that God, who makes the storm desist,
“Can make an angry violent heart subside.
“Why should we venture teach Him governance?
“Never address me on this subject more!”“—Ay, saw your Caponsacchi in his house,
“And come back stuffed with news I must outpour.
“I told him, ‘Sir, my mistress is a stone:
“ ‘Why should you harm her for no good you get?
“ ‘For you do harm her—prowl about our place (1110)
“ ‘With the Count never distant half the street,
“ ‘Lurking at every corner, would you look!
“ ‘’Tis certain she has witched you with a spell.
“ ‘Are there not other beauties at your beck?
“ ‘We all know, Donna This and Monna That
“ ‘Die for a glance of yours, yet here you gaze!
“ ‘Go make them grateful, leave the stone its cold!’
“And he—oh, he turned first white and then red,
“And then—‘To her behest I bow myself,
“ ‘Whom I love with my body and my soul: (1120)
“ ‘Only, a word i’ the bowing! See, I write
“ ‘One little word, no harm to see or hear!
“ ‘Then, fear no further!’ This is what he wrote.
“I know you cannot read,—therefore, let me!
“ ‘My idol!’ ” …

But I took it from her hand
And tore it into shreds. “Why join the rest
“Who harm me? Have I ever done you wrong?
“People have told me ’tis you wrong myself:
“Let it suffice I either feel no wrong (1130)
“Or else forgive it,—yet you turn my foe!
“The others hunt me and you throw a noose!”

She muttered, “Have your wilful way!” I slept.

Whereupon … no, I leave my husband out!
It is not to do him more hurt, I speak.
Let it suffice, when misery

  By PanEris using Melati.

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