Pagina 237 di 1116

After an hour or so the accursed witch came; and, first going to

her husband, she stripped off his clothes and, taking a whip,

flogged him cruelly while he cried out, "Ah! enough for me the

case I am in! take pity on me, O my cousin!' But she replied,

"Didst thou take pity on me and spare the life of my true love on

whom I coated?" Then she drew the cilice over his raw and

bleeding skin and threw the robe upon all and went down to the

slave with a goblet of wine and a bowl of meat broth in her

hands. She entered under the dome weeping and wailing,

"Well-away!" and crying, "O my lord! speak a word to me! O my

master! talk awhile with me!" and began to recite these

couplets.-

How long this harshness, this unlove, shall bide? * Suffice thee

not tear floods thou hast espied? Thou dost prolong our parting

purposely * And if wouldst please my foe, thou'rt satisfied!