'O but,' quoth she, 'great griefe will not be tould,

And can more easily be thought then said.' 'Right so,' quoth he; 'but he, that never would,

Could never: will to might gives greatest aid.'

'But griefe,' quoth she, does greater grow displaid,

If then it find not helpe, and breeds despaire.'

'Despaire breeds not,' quoth he, where faith is staid.'

'No faith so fast,' quoth she, but flesh does paire.'

'Flesh may empaire,' quoth he, but reason can repaire.'

XLII

His goodly reason and well guided speach So deepe did settle in her gracious thought, That her perswaded to disclose the breach, Which love and fortune in her heart had wrought,

And said: 'Faire sir, I hope good hap hath brought

You to inquere the secrets of my griefe, Or that your wisedome will direct my thought,

Or that your prowesse can me yield reliefe: Then heare the story sad, which I shall tell you briefe.