Note 14 — Chapter I · MARRIAGE
George Herbert Ely translation
An extract from the marriage of Peregrino will give an idea of the Romance (Book I., cap. i., p. 32):
“There standing and awaiting the wished-for end, I heard the voice of a minister of Jupiter, who, regarding both of us, thus spake: ‘Peregrino, and you Geneva, are you clear and free from every manifest or secret bond?’ ‘We are free, nor anywhit bounden?’—Minister: ‘Are you not conjoined in affinity?’ Peregrino and Geneva: ‘Naught in affinity, and little in amity!’ Minister: ‘Have you promised marriage or betrothal to any other man or woman?’ Peregrino and Geneva: ‘No, never.’ Minister: ‘Are you by common consent disposed to celebrate this present holy sacrament of matrimony?’ Peregrino and Geneva: ‘We wish it heartily and in faith.’ Minister: ‘Thee, woman, give I to him, and Peregrino will put on the ring.’
“Having done his bidding, as it is the wont, we sat ourselves down,” and a tender conversation ensues between the two spouses.
“O matchless eloquence!” cries Peregrino, “O thrice lucky hour! O blessed day! O my hope in the sovran guerdon vouchsafed to me! With thee, sweet my dame, love, and gentleness, and discretion, and prudence have their habitation, in thee every good thing doth lie hid. Thou art very music, of all discords the harmony. In all parts I find thee whole and perfect. Thou art abundant in all humanity and sweetness, and in thy making the lord and maker of heaven hath created the true copy and sovran revelation of all things.” The couple dream their souls away in these platonic effusions. The bride is bedded there and then, and the author omits no detail. The sun is already high when a young maidservant ventures to come in and light a fire of twigs.