'Now,' quod this lady, 'I saye as I sayde: me lyketh this

mater to declare at the ful, and why: for many men have had

dyvers fantasyes and resons, both on one syde therof and in the

other. Of whiche right sone, I trowe, if thou wolt understonde,

120

thou shalt conne yeve the sentence to the partie more probable

by reson, and in soth knowing, by that I have of this mater

maked an ende.'

'Certes,' quod I, 'of these thinges longe have I had greet lust

to be lerned; for yet, I wene, goddes wil and his prescience