Remember now, though poor you were, that great
riches are within your reach. Once you were poor; rich now you
will be. Fortune has not been stingy toward you, in bestowing
upon you the honour of being henceforth hailed as Countess. It
is true that your lord is dead. If you grieve and lament because
of this, do you think that I am surprised? Nay. But I am giving
you the best advice I know how to give. In that I have married
you, you ought to be content. Take care you do not anger me!
Eat now, as I bid you do." And she replies: "Not I, my lord. In
faith, as long as I live I will neither eat nor drink unless I
first see my lord eat who is lying on yonder dais" "Lady, that
can never be. People will think that you are mad when you talk
such great nonsense. You will receive a poor reward if you give
occasion to-day for further reproof." To this she vouchsafed no
reply, holding his threats in slight esteem, and the Count
strikes her upon the face. At this she shrieks, and the barons
present blame the Count. "Hold. sire!" they cry to the Count;
"you ought to be ashamed of having struck this lady because she
will not eat. You have done a very ugly deed. If this lady is
distressed because of her lord whom she now sees dead, no one
should say that she is wrong.
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