Chapter 10

SHOWING THE LADY’S LETTER OF A CHALLENGE TO FIGHT HIM UPON HIS REFUSING TO WED HER IN A MASK, WITHOUT KNOWING WHO SHE WAS.

Night and morning, for a season, In her closet would she reason With herself, and often said, ‘Why has love my heart betrayed?

‘I, that have so many slighted, Am at length so well requited; For my griefs are not a few! Now I find what love can do.

‘He that has my heart in keeping, Though I for his sake be weeping, Little knows what grief I feel; But I’ll try it out with steel.

‘For I will a challenge send him, And appoint where I’ll attend him, In a grove, without delay, By the dawning of the day.

‘He shall not the least discover That I am a virgin lover, By the challenge which I send; But for justice I contend.

‘He has causèd sad distraction, And I come for satisfaction, Which if he denies to give, One of us shall cease to live.’

Having thus her mind revealed, She her letter closed and sealed; Which, when it came to his hand, The young man was at a stand.

In her letter she conjured him For to meet, and well assured him, Recompence he must afford, Or dispute it with the sword.

Having read this strange relation, He was in a consternation; But, advising with his friend, He persuades him to attend.

‘Be of courage, and make ready, Faint heart never won fair lady; In regard it must be so, I along with you must go.’