Neither for flattery nor for prayer you will do my will? It is
surely true that a woman's pride mounts the more one prays and
flatters her; but whoever insults and dishonours her will often
find her more tractable. I give you my word that if you do not
do my will there soon will be some sword-play here. Rightly or
wrongly, I will have your lord slain right here before your
eyes." "Ah, sire," says Enide, "there is a better way than that
you say. You would commit a wicked and treacherous deed if you
killed him thus. Calm yourself again, I pray; for I will do your
pleasure. You may regard me as all your own, for I am yours and
wish to be. I did not speak as I did from pride, but to learn
and prove if I could find in you the true love of a sincere
heart. But I would not at any price have you commit an act of
treason. My lord is not on his guard; and if you should kill him
thus, you would do a very ugly deed, and I should have the blame
for it. Every one in the land would say that it had been done
with my consent. Go and rest until the morrow, when my lord
shall be about to rise. Then you can better do him harm without
blame and without reproach." With her heart's thoughts her words
do not agree. "Sire," says she, "believe me now! Have no
anxiety; but send here to-morrow your knights and squires and
have me carried away by force.
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