They be the two odd Shillings, quoth John,
That you put last into my Hand:
If I had known so much before,
I wou’d have giv’n thee two Shillings more.[105]
THE HUSBAND AS DOCTOR.[106]
Of a young squire of Champagne who, when he married, had never mounted a Christian creature—much to his wife’s regret. And of the method her mother found to instruct him, and how the said squire suddenly wept at a great feast that was made shortly after he had learned how to perform the carnal act—as you will hear more plainly hereafter.
‘Tis well known that in the province of Champagne one is sure to encounter heavy and dull-witted persons—which hath seemed strange to many, seeing that the district is so near to the country of Mischief.[107] Many stories could be told of the stupidity of the Champenois, but this present will suffice.
There dwelt in this province a young man, an orphan, who at the death of his father and mother had become rich and powerful. He was stupid, ignorant, and disagreeable, but hard-working, and knew well how to take care of himself and his affairs, and for this reason many persons—even people of condition—were willing to give him their daughter in marriage.