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2 5 6 I n t e r p r e t a t i o n Volume 41 / Issue 335 whence it was that had come the whistling,nor who had opened the door in the entrance.So unknown among those beasts,I found myself in a large courtyard,totally lost, without being seen.40 And my beautiful lady, tall and kind,for the space of an hour, or more, waitedfor the beasts to settle in their fold.Then all happy she took me by the hand,and led me into one of her chambers,45 where a great fire by her own hand she lit;with which she courteously dried me off completely ofthat water that had soaked me,when I was obliged to pass through the ditch.After I was dried off, and rested50 somewhat from the anxiety and sorrowwith which that night had tormented me,I began: “My lady, my silenceis born not at all because I do not know exactlyhow much good you have done me, how much pleasure.55 I had come to the end of my life,to a dark place, tenebrous and blind,when I was overcome by the night.You led me with you to save me:therefore, I owe my life to you60 and that which surrounds it that I carry with me.But the memory of the dark forestand your beautiful face (in which my every good Isee and recognize), have mademe now sorrowful now happy:65 sorrowful for the pain that came before;joyous for that good which came after;such that my voice has not been ableto explain nor to speak until I amrested in part from the long road.70 But you, in whose arms I abandon myself,who have shown me such courtesy,that cannot be paid with another gift,courteous in this part you will be too,