midnight
But I mind me that 't is a matter scarce so easy of performance as , perchance , you suppose , most especially when a woman would fain recover the love of a man , or a man that of a woman , for then it must be done by the postulant in proper person , and at night , and in lonely places , and unattended , so that it needs a stout heart ; nor know I whether you are disposed to comply with these conditions . '' The lady , too enamoured to be discreet , made answer : -- `` So shrewdly does Love goad me , that there is nought I would not do to bring him back to me who wrongfully has deserted me ; but tell me , prithee , wherein it is that I have need of this stout heart . '' `` Madam , '' returned the despiteful scholar , '' ` twill be my part to fashion in tin an image of him you would fain lure back to you : and when I have sent you the image , ` twill be for you , when the moon is well on the wane , to dip yourself , being stark naked , and the image , seven times in a flowing stream , and this you must do quite alone about the hour of first sleep , and afterwards , still naked , you must get you upon some tree or some deserted house , and facing the North , with the image in your hand , say certain words that I shall give you in writing seven times ; which , when you have done , there will come to you two damsels , the fairest you ever saw , who will greet you graciously , and ask of you what you would fain have ; to whom you will disclose frankly and fully all that you crave ; and see to it that you make no mistake in the name ; and when you have said all , they will depart , and you may then descend and return to the spot where you left your clothes , and resume them and go home . And rest assured , that before the ensuing midnight your lover will come to you in tears , and crave your pardon and mercy , and that thenceforth he will never again desert you for any other woman . '' The lady gave entire credence to the scholar 's words , and deeming her lover as good as in her arms again , recovered half her wonted spirits : wherefore : -- `` Make no doubt , '' quoth she , `` that I shall do as thou biddest ; and indeed I am most favoured by circumstance ; for in upper Val d'Arno I have an estate adjoining the river , and 't is now July , so that to bathe will be delightful . Ay , and now I mind me that at no great distance from the river there is a little tower , which is deserted , save that now and again the shepherds will get them up by the chestnut-wood ladder to the roof , thence to look out for their strayed sheep ; 't is a place lonely indeed , and quite out of ken ; and when I have clomb it , as climb it I will , I doubt not ` twill be the best place in all the world to give effect to your instructions . '' Well pleased to be certified of the lady 's intention , the scholar , to whom her estate and the tower were very well known , made answer : -- `` I was never in those parts , Madam , and therefore know neither your estate nor the tower , but , if 't is as you say , ` twill certainly be the best place in the world for your purpose .