[016]
In like manner there will be some who will say that there are
stories here which 'twere better far had been omitted. Granted;
but 'twas neither in my power, nor did it behove me, to write any
but such stories as were narrated; wherefore, 'twas for those by
whom they were told to have a care that they were proper; in
which case they would have been no less so as I wrote them. [017]But,
assuming that I not only wrote but invented the stories, as I did not,
I say that I should take no shame to myself that they were not all
proper; seeing that artist there is none to be found, save God, that
does all things well and perfectly. And Charlemagne, albeit he
created the Paladins, wist not how to make them in such numbers
as to form an army of them alone.
[018]
It must needs be that in the
multitude of things there be found diversities of quality. No field
was ever so well tilled but that here and there nettle, or thistle, or
brier would be found in it amid the goodlier growths. Whereto I
may add that, having to address me to young and unlearned ladies,
as you for the most part are, I should have done foolishly, had I
gone about searching and swinking to find matters very exquisite,
and been sedulous to speak with great precision.
[019]
However, whoso
goes a reading among these stories, let him pass over those that vex
him, and read those that please him. That none may be misled,
each bears on its brow the epitome of that which it hides within its
bosom.
