"Here's a wench that's pretty enough when dressed up," said an
imp, "she was sent up into the world to gain you new subjects; and whom
should she first tempt but a weary ploughman, homeward wending his way,
late from his toils, who, instead of succumbing to her wiles, went on his
knees praying to be saved from the devil and his angels." "Ho there!"
cried Lucifer, "throw her to that worthless losel who long ago loved
Einion ab Gwalchmai of Mona." {102a} "Stay, stay," pleaded the fair one,
"this is but my first offence; there is yet scarcely a year since the day
when all was over with me, when I was condemned to your cursed state, Oh
king of woes!" "No, there is not yet three weeks," said the demon that
had brought her there. "How therefore," said she, "would you have me be
as skilled as those lost beings who have been here three or four
centuries hunting their prey? If you desire better service at my hands,
let me go free into the world once more to roam about uncensured; and if
I bring you not twenty adulterers for every year I am out, mete me what
punishment you list." Nevertheless the verdict went against her, and she
was doomed to live a hundred long years under chastisement, that she
might be more careful a second time.
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