“And what,” replied Nomerfide, “could the poor gentleman have done with two women against him?”

“He ought to have killed the old one,” said Hircan, “and when the young one found herself without assistance she would have been already half subdued.”

“To have killed her!” said Nomerfide.  “Then you would turn a lover into a murderer?  Since such is your opinion, it would indeed be a fearful thing to fall into your hands.”

“If I had gone so far,” said Hircan, “I should have held it dishonourable not to achieve my purpose.”

Then said Geburon—­

“You think it strange that a Princess, bred in all honour, should prove difficult of capture to one man.  You should then be much more astonished at a poor woman who escaped out of the hands of two.”

“Geburon,” said Ennasuite, “I give my vote to you to tell the fifth tale, for I think you know something concerning this poor woman that will not be displeasing to us.”

“Since you have chosen me,” said Geburon, “I will tell you a story which I know to be true from having made inquiries concerning it on the spot.  By this story you will see that womanly sense and virtue are not in the hearts and heads of Princesses alone, nor love and cunning in such as are most often deemed to possess them.”

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[Illustration:  095a.jpg The Boatwoman of Coulon outwitting the Friars]

[The Boatwoman of Coulon outwitting the Friars]

[Illustration:  095.jpg Page Image]

TALE V.

Two Grey Friars, when crossing the river at the haven of Coulon, sought to ravish the boatwoman who was taking them over.  She, however, being virtuous and Clever, so beguiled them with words that, whilst promising to grant their request, she deceived them and handed them over to justice.  They were then delivered up to their warden to receive such punishment as they deserved.

At the haven of Coulon,(1) near Nyort, there lived a boatwoman who, day or night, did nothing but convey passengers across the ferry.

     1 The village of Coulon, in Poitou (department of the Deux-
     Sevres), lies within seven miles of Niort, on the Niortaise
     Sevre, which at this point is extremely wide.—­L.

Now it chanced that two Grey Friars from Nyort were crossing the river alone with her, and as the passage is one of the longest in France, they began to make love to her, that she might not feel dull by the way.  She returned them the answer that was due; but they, being neither fatigued by their journeying, nor cooled by the water, nor put to shame by her refusal, determined to take her by force, and, if she clamoured, to throw her into the river.  She, however, was as virtuous and clever as they were gross and wicked, and said to them—­

“I am not so ill-disposed as I seem to be, but I pray you grant me two requests.  You shall then see that I am more ready to give than you are to ask.”