I can
truly tell you, madam, that were the King to lay aside his crown, he
would not possess any advantage over me in satisfying a lady; nay, I
am sure that to content one so worthy as yourself he would indeed be
pleased to change his temperament for mine."
The Queen laughed and replied--
"The King may be of a less vigorous temperament than you, yet the love
he bears me contents me well, and I prefer it to any other."
"Madam," said the gentleman, "if that were so, I should have no pity for
you. I feel sure that you would be well pleased if the like of your own
virtuous love were found in the King's heart; but God has withheld this
from you in order that, not finding what you desire in your husband, you
may not make him your god on earth."
"I confess to you," said the Queen, "that the love I bear him is so
great that the like could not be found in any other heart but mine."
"Pardon me, madam," said the gentleman; "you have not fathomed the love
of every heart. I will be so bold as to tell you that you are loved by
one whose love is so great and measureless that your own is as nothing
beside it.
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