One Hundred Liberal and Ingenious Games

...their Wives as jealous Queens.
The Game of Fortune having concluded, let us proceed to the Game of Love.

THE GAME OF LOVE. III.

A decorative initial letter 'A' depicts two figures, likely a man and a woman, in a garden or natural landscape with trees. In the courtly tradition, the garden was the primary site for games of love and intellectual conversation.

AMOROUS Ladies, because you are perhaps no less beautiful in your Minds than you are in your adorned and most gracious bodies, you sparkle with a fire of Love that, by its very nature, burns and consumes all human hearts. To whom could I better, or more appropriately, address the delightful Game of Love? I know how you find yourselves the absolute possessors of his Kingdom, just as you know all his powers and his most invincible valor; and I know that he employs you as the noblest of beings, truly worthy of being loved in his greatest delights. Indeed, he always desires above all else to stay and live with you (provided it pleases you). You alone, most happy Ladies, it can be said, are the Eyes, the Blindfold, the Talons, the Bow, the Quiver, and the Arrows These are the traditional iconographic attributes of Cupid, the boy-god of Love. Ringhieri is suggesting that women do not just inspire love, but embody the very tools and power of the god himself. of the winged Child. You alone sweetly give Death to those who love you; with supreme delight, you strip others of the awareness of reason, and you take away both feeling and defense against the host of Martyrs In the courtly love tradition, "Martyrs" refers to lovers who suffer the "pains of love" or unrequited passion for the sake of their devotion.; not without the greatest joy and cleverness, you bring all the desires of others before you. You are to Lovers both dear and most sweet Warriors original: "Guerriere." A common poetic metaphor in the 16th century, characterizing the lady as a "sweet enemy" who conquers the lover's heart through her charms., and a fountain that always abounds with pleasure and never runs dry. From your most shining eyes come burning rays, in the manner of Lightning and of arrows, which pass to the heart, and in the innermost part of the Soul make felt the excessive force of your Beauty original: "Beltade.", your lovingness, and your infinite and incomprehensible sweetness. To tell you plainly, you are our peace, our consolation, and our well-being; if you were missing, the World would be no less imperfect than if it lacked the sun. You alone are our Stars, our true Glory, and our honor; without you, we would truly be most imperfect, sterile, and almost nothing—even though it is believed and written otherwise by many Envious and Malicious people Ringhieri is likely referring to the Querelle des Femmes (The Woman Question), a long-running literary debate about the nature and worth of women that was prominent during the Renaissance.. For my part, I love and respect you with all my heart as much as I possibly can; and I prefer to serve and please each one of you than if, by my sole command, the entire World were to obey me instantly. Pray...