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many princesses； as rich as noble； and as noble as rich； that this
prince had the loftiest aspirationssuch as to conquer Morocco；
Constantinople； Jerusalem； the lands of Soudan； and other African
places。 Certain men of vast minds conducted his affairs； bringing
together the ban and arriere ban of the flower of Christian chivalry；
and kept up his splendour with the idea of causing to reign over the
Mediterranean this Sicily； so opulent in times gone by； and of ruining
Venice； which had not a foot of land。 These designs had been planted
in the king's mind by him； Pezare； but although he was high in that
prince's favour； he felt himself weak； had no assistance from the
courtiers； and desired to make a friend。 In this great trouble he had
gone for a little ride to turn matters over in his mind； and decide
upon the course to pursue。 Now； since while in this idea he had met a
man of so much sense as the chevalier had proved herself to be； he
proposed to fraternise with him； to open his purse to him； and give
him his palace to live in。 They would journey in company through life
in search of honours and pleasure； without concealing one single
thought； and would assist each other on all occasions as the brothers…
in…arms did at the Crusades。 Now； as the Frenchman was seeking his
fortune； and required assistance； the Venetian did not for a moment
expect that this offer of mutual consolation would be refused。
〃Although I stand in need of no assistance；〃 said the Frenchman；
〃because I rely upon a point which will procure me all that I desire；
I should like to acknowledge your courtesy； dear Chevalier Pezare。 You
will soon see that you will yet be the debtor of Gauttier de
Monsoreau； a gentleman of the fair land of Touraine。〃
〃Do you possess any relic with which your fortune is wound up？〃 said
the Venetian。
〃A talisman given me by my dear mother；〃 said the Touranian； 〃with
which castles and cities are built and demolished； a hammer to coin
money； a remedy for every ill； a traveller's staff always ready to be
tried； and worth most when in a state of readiness； a master tool；
which executes wondrous works in all sorts of forges； without making
the slightest noise。〃
〃Eh！ by St。 Mark you have； then； a mystery concealed in your hauberk？〃
〃No；〃 said the French knight； 〃it is a perfectly natural thing。 Here
it is。〃
And rising suddenly from the table to prepare for bed； Gauttier showed
to the Venetian the finest talisman to procure joy that he had ever
seen。
〃This；〃 said the Frenchman； as they both got into bed together；
according to the custom of the times； 〃overcomes every obstacle； by
making itself master of female hearts； and as the ladies are the
queens in this court； your friend Gauttier will soon reign there。〃
The Venetian remained in great astonishment at the sight of the secret
charms of the said Gauttier； who had indeed been bounteously endowed
by his mother； and perhaps also by his father； and would thus triumph
over everything； since he joined to this corporeal perfection the wit
of a young page； and the wisdom of an old devil。 Then they swore an
eternal friendship； regarding as nothing therein a woman's heart；
vowing to have one and the same idea； as if their heads had been in
the same helmet； and they fell asleep on the same pillow enchanted
with this fraternity。 This was a common occurrence in those days。
On the morrow the Venetian gave a fine horse to his friend Gauttier；
also a purse full of money； fine silken hose； a velvet doublet；
fringed with gold； and an embroidered mantle； which garments set off
his figure so well； and showed up his beauties； that the Venetian was
certain he would captivate all the ladies。 The servants received
orders to obey this Gauttier as they would himself； so that they
fancied their master had been fishing； and had caught this Frenchman。
Then the two friends made their entry into Palermo at the hour when
the princes and princesses were taking the air。 Pezare presented his
French friend； speaking so highly of his merits； and obtaining such a
gracious reception for him； that Leufroid kept him to supper。 The
knight kept a sharp eye on the Court； and noticed therein various
curious little secret practices。 If the king was a brave and handsome
prince； the princess was a Spanish lady of high temperature； the most
beautiful and most noble woman of his Court； but inclined to
melancholy。 Looking at her； the Touranian believed that she was
sparingly embraced by the king； for the law of Touraine is that joy in
the face comes from joy elsewhere。 Pezare pointed out to his friend
Gauttier several ladies to whom Leufroid was exceedingly gracious and
who were exceedingly jealous and fought for him in a tournament of
gallantries and wonderful female inventions。 From all this Gauttier
concluded that the prince went considerably astray with his court；
although he had the prettiest wife in the world； and occupied himself
with taxing the ladies of Sicily； in order that he might put his horse
in their stables； vary his fodder； and learn the equestrian
capabilities of many lands。 Perceiving what a life Leufroid was
leading； the Sire de Monsoreau； certain that no one in the Court had
had the heart to enlighten the queen； determined at one blow to plant
his halberd in the field of the fair Spaniard by a master stroke； and
this is how。 At supper…time； in order to show courtesy to the foreign
knight； the king took care to place him near the queen； to whom the
gallant Gauttier offered his arm； to take her into the room； and
conducted her there hastily； to get ahead of those who were following；
in order to whisper； first of all； a word concerning a subject which
always pleases the ladies in whatever condition they may be。 Imagine
what this word was； and how it went straight through the stubble and
weeds into the warm thicket of love。
〃I know； your majesty； what causes your paleness of face。〃
〃What？〃 said she。
〃You are so loving that the king loves you night and day； thus you
abuse your advantage； for he will die of love。〃
〃What should I do to keep him alive？〃 said the queen。
〃Forbid him to repeat at your altar more than three prayers a day。〃
〃You are joking； after the French fashion； Sir Knight； seeing that the
king's devotion to me does not extend beyond a short prayer a week。〃
〃You are deceived；〃 said Gauttier； seating himself at the table。 〃I
can prove to you that love should go through the whole mass； matins；
and vespers； with an /Ave/ now and then； for queens as for simple
women； and go through the ceremony every day； like the monks in their
monastery； with fervour； but for you these litanies should never
finish。〃
The queen cast upon the knight a glance which was far from one of
displeasure； smiled at him； and shook her head。
〃In this；〃 said she； 〃men are great liars。〃
〃I have with me a great truth which I will show you when you wish it。〃