2480And finding it as at the first 'twas tied,

'How 'scapèd you this goddy sire?' she cried.

'Madam,' quoth he—Felice, 'I confess

I was a party in those spruce delights;

But Nature curseth some with barrenness,

As (I have heard) Albertus Magnus writes.

So that though my desires were full as big,

I was not heavèd with that curtain jig!

Reason fortasse's on her words did stamp,

Which did entruth them (though they were but squibs).