[003]Some there are, noble ladies, who, methinks, deem
themselves to be wiser than the rest of the world, and are in fact less
so; and by consequence presume to measure their wit against not
only the counsels of men but the nature of things; which presumption
has from time to time been the occasion of most grievous mishaps;
but nought of good was ever seen to betide thereof.
[004]
And
as there is nought in nature that brooks to be schooled or thwarted
so ill as love, the quality of which is such that it is more likely to die
out of its own accord than to be done away of set purpose, I am
minded to tell you a story of a lady, who, while she sought to be
more wise than became her, and than she was, and indeed than the
nature of the matter, wherein she studied to shew her wisdom, allowed,
thinking to unseat Love from the heart that he had occupied, and
wherein perchance the stars had established him, did in the end
banish at one and the same time Love and life from the frame of
her son.
