not grace it well? If she were Empress of Constantinople or of Germany, or Queen of France or England, it were little enough for her; so gentle is she and courteous, and debonaire, and compact of all good qualities.”

    Here singeth one

   :

     Aucassin was of Biaucaire

     Of a goodly castle there,

     But from Nicolete the fair

     None might win his heart away

     Though his father, many a day,

     And his mother said him nay,

     “Ha! fond child, what wouldest thou?

     Nicolete is glad enow!

     Was from Carthage cast away,

     Paynims sold her on a day!

     Wouldst thou win a lady fair

     Choose a maid of high degree

     Such an one is meet for thee.”

     “Nay of these I have no care,

     Nicolete is debonaire,

     Her body sweet and the face of her

     Take my heart as in a snare,

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