Much debate ensued among the ladies and young men; but in the end they approved the king’s proposal as expedient and seemly; and resolved to do even as he had said.  The king therefore summoned the seneschal; and having conferred with him of the order he was to observe on the morrow, he dismissed the company until supper-time.  So, the king being risen, the ladies and the rest likewise rose, and betook them, as they were wont, to their several diversions.  Supper-time being come, they supped with exceeding great delight.  Which done, they addressed them to song and music and dancing; and, while Lauretta was leading a dance, the king bade Fiammetta give them a song; whereupon Fiammetta right debonairly sang on this wise:—­

So came but Love, and brought no jealousy,
  So blithe, I wot, as I,
  Dame were there none, be she whoe’er she be.

If youth’s fresh, lusty pride
  May lady of her lover well content,
  Or valour’s just renown,
  Hardihood, prowess tried,
  Wit, noble mien, discourse most excellent,
  And of all grace the crown;
  That she am I, who, fain for love to swoun,
  There where my hope doth lie
  These several virtues all conjoined do see.

But, for that I less wise
  Than me no whit do other dames discern,
  Trembling with sore dismay,
  I still the worst surmise,
  Deeming their hearts with the same flame to burn
  That of mine maketh prey: 
  Wherefore of him that is my hope’s one stay
  Disconsolate I sigh,
  Yea mightily, and daily do me dree.

If but my lord as true
  As worthy to be loved I might approve,
  I were not jealous then: 
  But, for that charmer new
  Doth all too often gallant lure to love,
  Forsworn I hold all men,
  And sick at heart I am, of death full fain;
  Nor lady doth him eye,
  But I do quake, lest she him wrest from me.

’Fore God, then, let each she
  List to my prayer, nor e’er in my despite
  Such grievous wrong essay;
  For should there any be
  That by or speech or mien’s allurements light
  Of him to rob me may
  Study or plot, I, witting, shall find way,
  My beauty it aby! 
  To cause her sore lament such frenesie.

As soon as Fiammetta had ended her song, Dioneo, who was beside her, said with a laugh:—­“Madam, ’twould be a great courtesy on your part to do all ladies to wit, who he is, that he be not stolen from you in ignorance, seeing that you threaten such dire resentment.”  Several other songs followed; and it being then nigh upon midnight, all, as the king was pleased to order, betook them to rest.  With the first light of the new day they rose, and, the seneschal having already conveyed thence all their chattels, they, following the lead of their discreet king, hied them back to Florence; and in Santa Maria Novella, whence they had set forth, the three young men took leave of the seven ladies, and departed to find other diversions elsewhere, while the ladies in due time repaired to their homes.