[004]
I wot not if you knew Talano di Molese, a man right worthy to
be had in honour; who, having married a young wife--Margarita
by name--fair as e'er another, but without her match for whimsical,
fractious, and perverse humours, insomuch that there was nought she
would do at the instance of another, either for his or her own good,
found her behaviour most grievous to bear, but was fain to endure
what he might not cure.
[005]
Now it so befell that Talano and
Margarita being together at an estate that Talano had in the contado,
he, sleeping, saw in a dream a very beautiful wood that was on the
estate at no great distance from the house, and his lady there walking.
[006]
And as she went, there leapt forth upon her a huge and fierce wolf that
griped her by the throat, and bore her down to the ground, and (she
shrieking the while for succour) would have carried her off by main
force; but she got quit of his jaws, albeit her neck and face shewed as
quite disfigured. [007]On the morrow, as soon as he was risen, Talano said
to
his wife: "Albeit for thy perversity I have not yet known a single
good day with thee, yet I should be sorry, wife, that harm should
befall thee; and therefore, if thou take my advice, thou wilt not stir
out of doors to-day.""Wherefore?" quoth the lady; and thereupon
he recounted to her all his dream.
