_Guy courts Fair Felice; she at first denies, but after grants his
Suit on Conditions, which he accepts._
Guy immediately advanced to fair Felice, who was reposing herself in an
arbour, and saluted her with bended knees. "All hail, fair Felice,
flower of beauty, and jewel of virtue! I know, great princes seek to win
thy love, whose exquisite perfections might grace the mightiest monarch
in the world; yet may they come short of Guy's real affection, in whom
love is pictured with naked truth and honesty. Disdain me not for being
a steward's son, one of thy father's servants." Felice interrupted him
saying, "Cease, bold youth, leave off this passionate address; you are
but young and meanly born, and unfit for my degree: I would not my
father should know this." With this answer she departed from him.
Guy thus discomfited, lived for some time like one distracted, wringing
his hands, resolving to travel through the world to gain the love of
Felice, or death to end his misery.
Though Dame Fortune long may frown; when her course is run, she sends a
smile to cure the hearts that have been wounded by her frowns: so Cupid
sent from his bow a golden headed shaft and wounded Felice; and to her
sight presented an armed Knight saying, "This Knight shall become so
famous in the world that Kings and Princes shall his friendship court."
When Felice found herself wounded, she cried, "O pity me, gentle Cupid,
solicit for me to thy mother, and I will offer myself up at thy shrine."
[Illustration]
Guy little dreaming of this so sudden thaw, and wanting the balm of love
to apply to his sores, resolved to make a second encounter. So coming
again to his Felice, said, "Fair Lady, I have been arraigned long ago,
and now am come to receive my just sentence from the Tribunal of Love.
It is life, or death, fair Felice that I look for, let me not languish
in despair; give judgment, O ye fair, give judgment, that I may know my
doom. A word from thy sacred lips can cure my bleeding heart, or a frown
can doom me to the pit of misery."
"Gentle Guy," said she, "I am not at my own disposal, you know my
father's name is great in the nation, and I dare not match without his
consent."
"Sweet Lady," said Guy, "I make no doubt but quickly to obtain his love
and favour. Let me have thy love first, fair Felice, and there is no
fear of thy father's wrath preventing us."
"Sir Guy," quoth Felice, "make thy bold achievements and noble actions
shine abroad, glorious as the sun, that all opposers may tremble at thy
high applauded name, and then thy suit cannot be denied."
"Fair Felice," said Guy, "I ask no more. Oh that I were at work my task
to prove with some such churlish man as Hercules!"
[Illustration]