The Seneschal and the Bailiff furnish themselves with two long red and blue ribbons to which several bouquets of flowers are fastened and proceed towards the shady tunnel to fetch the prisoner. A great agitation reigns among the crowd. Opinion is divided on the degree of the culprit's guilt. Unanimous, however, is the curiosity to see the lusty champion. Mylio the Trouvere presently appears, led by the Seneschal of Sweet-Marjoram and the Bailiff of the Joy of Joys. Goose-Skin modestly remains outside of the enclosure of the Court. The youth and good looks of the accused, his renown as a poet and singer, immediately turn the female portion of the assembly in his favor.
Marphise (addressing Mylio in an imposing voice)—"You are charged before the Chamber of Sweet Vows with a crime unheard-of in the annals of Love. What have you to say in your own defense?"
Mylio—"What is the crime that I am charged with?"
Marphise—"You have deceived twelve women at once. Each of them believed she alone had you for her gallant. What blacker treason can there be?"
Mylio—"Who are my accusers? I demand to see them and to be confronted by them."
Countess Ursine (impetuously)—"I accuse you! I am one of your twelve victims. Will you dare to deny your crime?"
Mylio—"My accuser is such a charming lady, that even if I were innocent I would confess myself guilty. I have come hither to make a solemn expiation of the past. I could choose no better place, no better time, and no better audience. Deign to hear me."
Marphise—"Your frankness will not extenuate your crimes, albeit that it does honor to your character. Do I understand you to say that you admit your felony?"
Mylio—"Yes; I have made love to noble, beautiful, obliging and easy ladies who were mad for pleasure, and who were governed by no law other than their own caprice."
Marphise—"Dare you impugn your victims?"