Brewer's: Dianora

was the wife of Gilberto of Friuli, but was passionately beloved by Ansaldo. In order to get rid of his importunity, she told him she would never grant his suit and prove untrue till he made her garden at midwinter as full of flowers and odours as if it were midsummer. By the aid of a magician, Ansaldo accomplished this, and claimed his reward. Dianora went to meet him, and told him she had obeyed the command of her husband in so doing. Ansaldo, not to be outdone in courtesy, released her; and Gilberto became the firm friend of Ansaldo from that day to the end of his life. (Boccaccio Decameron, day x. 5.) (See Dorigen.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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