# The History of the seven wise masters of Rome

THE
HISTORY
OF THE
SEVEN WISE MASTERS
OF
ROME:
CONTAINING
Many excellent and delightful Examples, with their Explanations, and modern Signifi- ications, which (by way of alluſion) may be termed, An hiſtorical compariſon of Sacred and Civil Tranſactions; the better to make an impreſſion on the minds of MEN.
GLASGOW,
PRINTED BY J. & M. ROBERTSON,
Saltmarket, 1801.
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
SEVEN WISE MASTERS.
СHAP. I.
THERE reigned in the city of Rome, ⟨a⟩ famous Emperor, whoſe wife excelled in virtue all the reſt of her ſex; he had ⟨by⟩ this wife one ſon, named Diocleſian. ⟨This⟩ Emperor aſſembled his nobles to adviſe ⟨how⟩ he might train up his ſon. Their opinion ⟨was⟩ that he ſhould ſend for the Seven Wiſe Maſters. The young Prince thus diſpoſed ⟨of⟩ his mother, the queen, ſoon after died; ⟨and⟩ the Emperor, having lived ſingle for ſome time, the Roman Lords beſought him ⟨to⟩ take a ſecond wife. At this all the courts ⟨of⟩ Europe were ſearched for an accompliſhed lady; At length they pitched on the King ⟨of⟩ Caſtile's daughter, of whom the ⟨Emperor,⟩ much approved; the marriage being concluded, ſhe came to Rome, and there, ⟨with⟩ great pomp, the nuptials were celebrated. ⟨The⟩ ​⟨young⟩ Empreſs having no child, ſtudied how ⟨ſhe⟩ might deſtroy the young Prince; and the better to do it, prevailed with her lord to ſend for him to court. But the haſty and unexpected meſſage cauſed the maſters to ſuſpect ſome evil; they conſulted the Planets, and found, that if the Prince went at that ⟨time⟩, and ſpoke at all, he would die a violent death; and yet, if he went not, they would loſe their heads, which they would rather do than hazard his life. Whilſt they were in this anxiety, the Prince came down, and demanded the cauſe of their troubles? the which they related, with their reſolution.--With that he viewed the firmament, and found the conſtellations more propitious, for it now appeared, that if he abſtained from ſpeaking ſeven days, he would eſcape the death threatened, deſiring his maſters to intercede in his favour, and make an apology to the Emperor for his not ſpeaking for ſuch a time, and withal told them a dream that he had dreamed, &c. That his bed-chamber ſeemed to be turned up-ſide down. From which they preſaged good ſucceſs, promiſing to do their utmoſt for his preſervation, and thereupon ſet him upon a ſtately horſe, clothed in purple and gold, and attended him to his father's court. The Emperor came forth and embraced him, enquiring for his welfare; to which the prince gave no anſwer; whereat the Emperor marvelled, yet, ſuppoſing it was ſo ordered by the maſters, he ​conducted him to the palace and ſeated him next the throne; interrogating many ⟨things⟩ but he anſwered none. While the Emperor's thoughts were taken up in wondering at his ſon's ſilence, the Empreſs came in, adorned with coſtly robes, and underſtanding which was her ſon-in-law, received him with becoming kindneſs, and taking him aſide by the Emperor's conſent ſhe undertook to make him ſpeak.
Though with intent his virtue to betray, That to his life ſhe might make eaſy way.
СНАР. ІІ.
The Empreſs' wicked ſcheme.
THE Empreſs, fired with the beauty of the young Prince, ſought many means to entice him to a rich alcove, telling him that ſhe would die and leave her royalty, if he denied her love. This he refuſed, ⟨tho'⟩ in ſilence; whereupon ſhe brought him pen, ink, and paper, deſiring him to write a reply, which he did to this effect: "Madam the laws of my Creator forbid ſo great a wickedneſs, as to defile my father's bed: fatal, Madam, would be the conſequence, both from avenging heaven, and my father's wrath, therefore on my knees, I implore you would proceed no farther;" hereupon he ​⟨fell⟩ upon his knees. The Empreſs ſeeing ⟨this⟩, turned her love to hatred, tearing her ⟨lace⟩ and robes in a moſt wretched manner, ⟨crying⟩ out for help. At this alarm, the Emperor came and demanded the cauſe, when ⟨ſhe⟩ declared, that the Prince would have been ⟨rude⟩ with her, and forced her to lewdneſs. ⟨The⟩ Emperor then commanded he ſhould be ⟨put⟩ to death directly: upon which the nobles ⟨fell⟩ on their knees before their Lord, and ⟨begged⟩ a reſpite for his execution; to which ⟨the⟩ Emperor agreed, which pleaſed all but ⟨the⟩ Empreſs.
CHAP. III.
Pantillus, the firſt Maſter's Interceſſion.
THE Empreſs, grieving at the delay of the ſon's execution, told the Emperor ⟨the⟩ following example, ſaying, If this ſon ⟨lived⟩, it would fare with him as with a Roman Nobleman, who had in his orchard a ⟨fair⟩ tree bearing fruit, but one day he ſaw bringing from the root thereof, a young ⟨scion⟩, at which he rejoiced, ſaying, That ⟨that⟩ would be a fair tree: but finding it ⟨increaſed⟩ not in growth, aſked the gardener ⟨the⟩ reaſon, who anſwered, That the large ⟨branches⟩ of the old tree kept the ſun and ⟨falling⟩ ſhowers from it; whereupon he ​cauſed many to be cut off, yet finding the body of the old tree impaired the nouriſhment of the young ſcion, he cauſed it to be hewn down; which done, the young ſcion withered. Even ſo, ſaid ſhe, is your caſe; you are the tree, and your ſon the ſcion, that is inciting your ſubjects to riſe againſt your life, that he may reign, That ſhall not be, ſaid the Emperor, for to-morrow he ſhall ſurely die.
The day appointed being come, the Prince was delivered unto the executioner: which Pantillus the firſt maſter hearing, he haſted to the palace, and told the Emperor the following example.
There once lived a knight in this city who had a ſon, whom leaving to the care of ſome nurſes, he often went abroad, delighting in hawking and hunting, among his dogs he had a grey-hound. One day going to a tournament he left his hound and falcon at home, at which time, the cradle, in which the ſon was, was ſtanding in the hall, and the nurſes leaving it. The grey-hound ſleeping by it, the falcon eſpied a ſerpent coming out of a hole in the wall, going towards the child, upon which, ſhaking and fluttering his bells, he awaked the greyhound, who killed the ſerpent, and ſaved the child, yet, in the buſtle, the cradle was overturned, and the child was whelmed under it, the grey-hound, lying down by it, and licking its wounds; which the ſervants ​⟨ſeeing⟩, ran and told the lady the news, who ⟨with⟩ them concluded the hound had ⟨devoured⟩ his ſon; whereupon the father ſtruck off ⟨the⟩ hound's head; but, afterwards, found ⟨his⟩ miſtake. So, ſaid the maſter, it will ⟨happen⟩ unto you.—Then ſaid the Emperor, ⟨ye⟩ ſhall not die.
CHAP. IV.
Lentullus the ſecond Maſter's Interceſſion.
THE Empreſs hearing that the Maſter had prevailed with the Emperor; ⟨came⟩ and beſought him, that his ſon might ⟨be⟩ put to death, leſt it happen to him as to ⟨a⟩ wild boar, thus: There was a mighty Emperor, whoſe empire was waſted by a boar, which obliged the Emperor to proclaim, That whoſoever killed him, ſhould have his daughter in marriage, and after his deceaſe, ⟨the⟩ empire. Many attempted, but in vain, until a ſhepherd, with only a ſtaff, reſolved ⟨to⟩ venture on him, but, beholding his ⟨tuſks⟩, &c. was afraid to touch him, therefore, betook to a tree, on which grew delicious fruit, but the boar ſhaking it ſo, he was ⟨fearful⟩ of its falling, therefore, threw down ⟨the⟩ fruit thereof which ſo ſatisfied him, that ⟨he⟩ lay down to ſleep, in the interim, the ⟨ſhepherd⟩ deſcended, and ſtruck the beaſt to ​the heart; and ſo won what the Emperor had promiſed. Conſider then, my Lord the caſe is yours: you are the mighty boar, againſt which open force cannot prevail, but ſecret fraud may deprive you of your life and empire whilſt you hearken to the maſters. Then ſaid the Emperor, he ſhall die.
The ſecond maſter, named Lentullus, on hearing that the Empreſs had again prevailed, came before the Emperor, entreating him, to ſpare his ſon's life, leſt it happen him as it did to a Roman knight, that eſpouſed a beautiful wife, and fearing ſhe would ſtray, locked the doors every night, laying the key under his head, but ſhe ſtole it from thence, and went and ſported with her gallants; but, one night, miſſing her, he bolted the door: ſhe returned and knocked, but he upbraided her for her inconſtancy, ſaying, ſhe ſhould ſtay till the watch ſeized her: whereupon, ſhe took two large ſtones and threw them into a well that was in the courtyard, then hid herſelf under the door. At which the Knight, thinking ſhe had jumped into the well, came down to relieve her; when, upon his opening the door, ſhe ſlipped in and bolted him out, calling for the watch to ſeize him; who adjudged him to ſtand in the pillory.———This ſtory ſo much moved the Emperor, That, ſays he, this day my ſon ſhall not die.
CHAP. V.
Cratoa the third Maſter's Interceſſion.
THE Empreſs being exceeding outrageous, and the Emperor finding nothing would divert her fury, promiſed her his death once more. There lived, ſaid ſhe, a Knight at Rome, who ſpent great riches, and was reduced to poverty, ſo that he was about to ſell his inheritance; but his ſon and two daughters urged the contrary; whereupon he reſolved with his ſon to break into the Emperor's treaſury; he did ſo, and ⟨took⟩ thence as much gold as both could carry. They attempted it again a ſecond time, ⟨the⟩ father went firſt, and was caught in ⟨a⟩ trap; whereupon he told the ſon to ſtrike off his head, leſt being diſcovered his family ſhould die. The ſon, accordingly complied, and bore away the head; but the next morning the body being found, was, bу the Emperor's order, dragged about the ⟨city⟩, with command, that wherever they ⟨heard⟩ any weeping, as the body paſſed by, ⟨to⟩ enter that houſe, and convey thoſe therein, to the gallows, for of that houſe was he ⟨Lord⟩; when the body came near the Knight's houſe, the daughter ſhrieked, when, to prevent the diſcovery, the ſon wounded ​himſelf, and inſinuated that that was the cauſe; the officers were ſatisfied, and carried the body to the place of execution, and hanged it up, yet the ſon would neither take it down, nor bury the dead, though the father died to ſave his life.———Even ſo, ſaid ſhe, is your caſe by your ſon, who ſeeks your life and my honour. That ſhall not be, for to-morrow he ſhall die, ſaid the Emperor.
When ſhe had told her ſtory, Cratoa, the third maſter came in, ſaying, Dread Sovereign, if your ſon die, it ſhall happen to you as with a knight, who killed a Pye, that he exceedingly loved, thus; A Knight married a wife, who took to unlawful pleaſures, which being perceived by the Pye, whom the Knight had taught moſt languages, he told his maſter what had happened in his abſence, for which the lady hated him, and to prevent it for the future, ſhe untiled the houſe, and caſt down ſand, ſtones and water upon him, which the Pye took for hail, rain, and ſnow; ſo when his lord came home, he told he was almoſt killed by reaſon of the heavy tempeſt that fell upon him. The wife hearing him ſay ſo, anſwered, My Lord, you may now ſee the error in crediting this bird, for there has not been a fairer in the memory of man. The Knight upon this enquired of his neighbours, who confirmed what ſhe ſaid. He therefore broke the neck of the ​Pye: but, after the deed, he ſaw the houſe untiled, with the gravel, &c. ſtanding on the top of the houſe, which perſuaded him the Pye had been deceived.———Deceived indeed, ſaid the Emperor; and, for the example's ſake, my ſon ſhall not die this day.
The Empreſs hearing this, anſwered, My Lord, in this city reigned an Emperor named Tiberius, who had ſeven counſellors, who being ſkilful in magic, ſo ordered by their charms, that the Emperor's eyes had a continual miſt before them; but the Empreſs ſitting at the table with her Lord, comforted him in the beſt way, deſiring to command his chief counſellors, on pain of death, to reſtore him to ſight; the Emperor then ſent for the magic counſellors, and charged them to tell the reaſon of his blindneſs, and find a cure. After long puzzling, they found a youth who interpreted a dream of a ſpring, which riſing ſmall, ſoon overflowed the ground, and the man accordingly digging, found great treaſure, as the youth had interpreted: they deſired him to go with them, and he would be rewarded. Coming before the Emperor, he deſired to be let into the royal bed-chamber, where caſting off the bed-clothes, there appeared a ſeeming well, fed with ſeven ſprings, which the youth ſaid muſt be ſtopped ere he could have his ſight in another place. Then he demanded of him, How muſt they be ſtopped? To which the youth ​anſwered; the ſeven ſprings ſignified his ſeven counſellors who had uſurped his royal authority, caſting a miſt of deluſion before his eyes, that he might not behold their extortions; therefore, ſtrike off their heads ſaid he, and the ſprings ſhall ceaſe. To this he conſented, the ſprings vaniſhed, and his ſight was reſtored.—Juſt ſo, ſaid ſhe, is with you and your ſeven maſters. On this he again conſented his ſon ſhould die.
CHAP. VI.
Malquidrake the fourth Maſter's Interceſſion.
KNOW, great Sir, ſaid Malquidrake to him, That there formerly lived in this city, an old Knight, who married a young Lady, who complained to her mother that ſhe was unhappy in the marriage of this old man, deſigning to open her caſe to ſome prieſt. From this her mother perſuaded her, urging her to try his temper. The means ſhe uſed were to cut down the fineſt plant in the garden, and put a fire under it: another time, ſhe daſhed out the brains of his favourite hound; and, laſtly, when he and his friends were ſitting at dinner, ſhe threw all the diſhes from off the table: Yet, with her excuſes he ſeemed ſatisfied, and that morning ſhe intended to go to the prieſt, he brought a ſurgeon into the chamber; ​commanded her to riſe and be bled, whereat ſhe began to entreat; but, ſaid he, Your mad blood muſt be let out, and, if you refuſe that, I will have your heart's blood.--Upon this ſhe permitted him to bleed her in both arms, till ſhe fainted away: But, reviving, ſhe ſent for her mother, and told her his uſage. The mother being glad to hear this correction, ſaid, That old men's revenge was ſure, though ſlow; aſking her how ſhe liked the prieſt? The devil take the prieſt, ſaid ſhe, I'll ſtrive to pleaſe none but my huſband. The Emperor hearing this, ſent to ſpare his ſon.--The Empreſs, underſtanding it, came and ſaid, My Lord, over this city ruled Octavius, who, being troubled with the rebellion of his ſubjects, ordained his magicians to deviſe a way how he might know, at any time the ſtate of the provinces: Upon which Virgilius, the moſt crafty of them, raiſed a tower, and placed in it as many images as provinces, and, in the hand of each, a bell, which, by the ſecret inſtinct of magic, rung out if any revolt happened in the province it was aſſigned guardian of, ſo that the citizens inſtantly arriving, ſuppreſſed the foes ere they could make head; which being known to the tributary nations, deſirous to caſt off the Roman yoke, they deviſed how to deſtroy the tower, which, after a long debate, was undertaken by four knights, who bringing great treauſure, hid it in four ​places near the walls of the city, and entering in, pretended to be ſooth-ſayers, and would diſcover hidden treaſure; which being known to the Emperor, he ſent for them, who pretended to dream, diſcovered the treaſure they had hid: at laſt they pretended to dream that under the tower lay a great treaſure, and, if the Emperor would permit, they would take it out; to which he conſented: whereupon they undermined the tower, and, at break of day, left the city, and were out of ſight before it fell. At which the citizens being grieved, came to the Emperor and acquainted him with it; and, underſtanding, that through his covetouſneſs the miſchief befel them, they carried him to the market-place, and poured melted gold down his throat, and buried him. The enemy ſoon after came upon the town, taking it; and deſtroying the inhabitants, took all their riches.———The Empreſs then demanded, if he knew the meaning? who replied in the negative. Well, then, ſaid ſhe, the tower with the images ſignify your body, with its intellectual faculties; as long as they remain ſtrong, and on a good foundation, you are ſafe; but, if you give yourſelf up to the flattery of the maſters, you muſt expect to fall. Rather than ſo, ſaid he, they ſhall periſh with my ſon.
CHAP. VII.
Joſephus the fifth Maſter's Interceſſion.
DREAD Sir! may I beg your attention to the following example? Hippocrates, famous phyſician, took to aſſiſt him his couſin Galenius, who ſoon became more expert than he, whereat, he endeavoured to ⟨hide⟩ from him his art, though in vain, for ⟨his⟩ prompt wit ſupplied other defects: So ⟨that⟩ ſending him to viſit great perſons in ⟨their⟩ ſickneſs, he ever cured them; which ⟨created⟩ ſuch jealouſies in Hippocrates, that he ⟨killed⟩ and buried him. But he falling ſick, ⟨ordered⟩ his ſcholars to fill a caſk of water, which they did, and, though an hundred ⟨holes⟩ were bored in it, yet none would iſſue hence; whereupon, he ſaid he was a dead man, for, as no water came out of the caſk, ſo no virtues came out of the herbs ⟨to⟩ cure his diſeaſe; but, if his couſin had been alive, he could have cured him; thus complaining, he died. For this example ⟨ſaid⟩ the Emperor, my ſon ſhall not die.
The Empreſs hearing of this reprieve, came and ſaid: Great Sir, when the King of the Goths invaded Rome, he had a ſteward named Goadus, when one evening, being merry with wine, he ordered him to ​bring him a beautiful woman, and ⟨he⟩ would have a great reward; ⟨whereupon⟩ the Steward compelled his wife to ly with the King, bargaining for a ⟨thouſand⟩ pieces of ſilver, and the Lady to depart ⟨ere⟩ morning. To this the King conſenting, ⟨ſhe⟩ was brought, and the King enjoyed her when, before day, the huſband came ⟨and⟩ entreated his Lord to diſmiſs her; but ⟨the⟩ King refuſed ſaying, the pleaſed him ⟨ſo⟩ well, that ſhe ſhould ſleep with him longer, whereat he being much diſturbed, told him ſhe was his wife, and that, for lucre he had forced her to his arms: At which the King moved to anger, bade him ⟨depart⟩ on pain of death, which he did; and the King maintained his wife as his own. For this example, ſaid the Emperor, my ſon ſhall die to-morrow.
CHAP. VIII.
Cleophas the ſixth Maſter's Interceſſion.
CLEOPHAS came and ſaid, there lived in this city a Knight, who married a very beautiful Lady, whoſe voice was ſo charming, that ſhe raviſhed the hearers;—One day, as ſhe ſat ſinging with the caſement open, three favourite Knights of the Emperor paſſed by, who were all much ​⟨taken⟩ with her voice and perſon; they each ⟨took⟩ convenient times (without acquainting ⟨one⟩ another) to treat about enjoyment; to ⟨which⟩ ſhe ſeemingly contented, in conſideration, as ſhe was but poor, they brought a ⟨hundred⟩ florins a-piece, and ſhe appointed ⟨them⟩ to come ſingly at different times, and ⟨ſhe⟩ would receive them: which done, ſhe acqainted her huſband adviſing him to ſtand ⟨with⟩ his ſword drawn, and, as they entered, ⟨to⟩ kill them; which he performed, and taking away their money, threw their bodies ⟨into⟩ the ſea. Soon after, the Knight and his ⟨lady⟩ quarrelled, and he ſtriking her ſhe ⟨cried⟩ out in the hearing of many, O you ⟨monſter⟩! will you kill me, as you did the ⟨three⟩ Knights. They being miſſed, created ⟨a⟩ ſuſpicion; upon which they were both ſeized, confeſſed the fact, and were afterwards ⟨executed⟩.--Then ſaid the Emperor, my ſon ⟨ſhall⟩ not die.
Upon this the Empreſs came and ſaid, ⟨My⟩ Lord, In Armenia reigned a King, who ⟨had⟩ a beautiful wife, on whom he doated; ⟨and⟩ that none other might enjoy her, he ⟨confined⟩ her in a caſtle, and kept the keys ⟨himſelf⟩.
The queen, after four days confinement ⟨dreamed⟩ ſhe ſaw a Knight who was enamoured with her, and ſhe no leſs with him. ⟨Now,⟩ there was a Knight who had heard of ⟨her⟩ beauty, and left his country to ſee her, ⟨at⟩ finding ſhe was confined, rode about ​the caſtle, hoping ſhe might look out at the window, and he find means to diſcover his paſſion: Not long did his expectation fail, for the Lady beholding him, concluded he was the man ſhe beheld in her dream; and as he daily frequented the place, ſhe took an opportunity to drop a letter, which he took up and departed, conſulting with himſelf how he might anſwer her expectations, which he determined thus; that he would inſinuate himſelf into the King's favour, which he did by his great wiſdom in ſtate affairs, inſomuch that the King made him ſteward of his houſehold; and, accordingly, ordered an houſe to be built adjoining to the caſtle for him; through the building of which the Knight contrived to cut the wall, and to make a private way into the caſtle; and then, for ſecrecy, ſlew the workmen. On his entering, he was joyfully received by the queen, who permitted him to take his fill of love, giving him the ring the King gave her on the wedding day; which the King noticed as he ſlept in his preſence; he perceived the diſcovery, feigned ſick, and obtained licence to retire, conveying the ring to her again ere the king came to enquire for it: Nay he often brought her to the King's table pretending ſhe was a lady of his acquaintance whom he intended ſhortly to wed. The King earneſtly looking, ſaid, Well, if I had not the keys of the caſtle, I ſhould ​almoſt ſwear it was my, Queen; before he ⟨could⟩ go to prove it, ſhe was returned, and ⟨in⟩ her uſual dreſs. In the end, the Knight ⟨deſired⟩ the King to give him this Lady in ⟨marriage⟩, which he did, giving them great ⟨riches⟩, with a ſhip to convey them to ⟨Greece⟩, where the Knight had large poſſeſſions; and, ſolemnly taking leave, they ſet ⟨ſail⟩; at which time the King ſet his eyes ⟨after⟩ them till out of ſight, and afterwards, ⟨went⟩ to divert himſelf with the Queen; but ⟨coming⟩ into the caſtle, behold ſhe was fled! ⟨He⟩, ſuſpecting the ſcheme, fell into great ⟨lamentations⟩. Even ſo, ſaid ſhe, will it ⟨befal⟩ you, if you thus give way to your ⟨Maſters⟩. To prevent the like, ſaid the Emperor, they with my son to-morrow ſhall ⟨die⟩.
CHAP. IX.
Diocles the ſeventh Maſter's Interceſſion.
THE ſeventh Maſter, named Diocles, came and ſaid, Know, Sir, that in ⟨Epheſus⟩ lived a Knight who married a Lady, ⟨upon⟩ whom he doated, that he could not ⟨endure⟩ her out of his ſight; but playing at ⟨cheſs⟩, and he holding a pen-knife in his ⟨hand⟩, ſhe hit her finger againſt it, which ⟨the⟩ Knight ſeeing, fell into a ſwoon, and ​gave up the ghoſt: Whereupon, ſhe ſtaid mourning by his tomb. So her friend built her a houſe nigh to it to mourn in.--Now, when a malefactor was to be hanged 'twas the law of the country, that the ⟨Sheriff⟩ was to watch him on the gallows the enſuing night. The Sheriff, diſcovering a light in the houſe of the above widow, came thither to warm himſelf, and, on return, found the thief ſtolen: Whereat, he concluded to go back to the widow, and there bewail his misfortune, and deſire her to put him in a way what to do. Upon this ſhe, pauſing, told him, that, at the price of his love, ſhe would put him in a way what to do, which was this: A few days ago, ſays ſhe, my Lord was buried, take and hang him up inſtead of the thief. But, ſaid the Sheriff, the thief had loſt his ears, teeth, and ſtones, as, likewiſe, in being taken, received a wound on his head. It is in your power to ſerve my Lord ſo, ſaid ſhe: Nay, ſaid he, not I. Then ſaid ſhe, for the love of you I will perform it. And, taking a ſword, ſhe accordingly did it. So they dragged him to the gallows, and hanged him up. After which, ſhe very urgently demanded of the Sheriff to fulfil his promiſe: But he replied, O thou wickedeſt of women, how couldeſt thou be ſo cruel to the dead body of thy huſband? Therefore, I will keep my word, and not marry while thou liveſt. And with that drew his ſword and ​⟨ſlew⟩ her.—Then, ſaid the maſter, You have ⟨underſtood⟩ what I related? to which he replied, Full well, and am of opinion ſhe was ⟨the⟩ worſt of women, therefore, for the words ⟨of⟩ a woman, my ſon ſhall not die.
CHAP. X.
The Prince's Complaint of the Empreſs.
THE ſeventh day the Maſters brought the Prince to the Emperor, who ſaid, Hail, Royal Father, Heaven can witneſs the ⟨falſity⟩ of the accuſation laid againſt me; ⟨for⟩, inſtead of my having tempted the chaſtity of the Empreſs, it was ſhe that tempted me to lewdneſs with her, which refuſed; and becauſe I would not ſpeak, the planets ⟨having⟩ threatened my life, if in ſeven days I ⟨ſpoke⟩ one word, ſhe fell into a rage and ⟨accuſed⟩ me: Nor is ſhe nice in her honour, ⟨for⟩, under the cover of a female garment, ⟨ſhe⟩ keeps a youth to ſupply your place; and ⟨ſend⟩ for her attendants, and I will make ⟨it⟩ appear. At this the Emperor ordered ⟨them⟩ all to be called in, and the perſon the ⟨Prince⟩ pitched on, proved to be a man, ⟨who⟩ confeſſed he had lain with the Empreſs ⟨ſeveral⟩ times; this ſo enraged the Emperor, that he caſt them into priſon, and the ⟨Prince⟩ told the following ſtory.———In Paleſtine ​lived a Knight, who had one ⟨ſon⟩ whom he held in high eſteem, and for ⟨his⟩ noble accompliſhments, cauſed him to ⟨be⟩ taught all the arts and ſciences; in ⟨which⟩ being perfected, he ſent for him home, ⟨and⟩ as he ſat at dinner, a nightingale ⟨ſung⟩ ſweetly, at which the Knight ſaid, Ah, ⟨how⟩ ſweet a ſong is this, could any one but ⟨interpret⟩ it! to which the youth anſwered that he would undertake it, if he would ⟨not⟩ be diſpleaſed; but his father ⟨commanded⟩ him to interpret it. Then, ſaid the ⟨youth,⟩ the bird, in her ſong, expreſſed that ⟨I⟩ would be a great Lord, and that my ⟨father⟩ would hold the water, and my mother ⟨a⟩ towel to waſh my hands. Whereupon the ⟨father⟩ growing angry, took him up, and running to the ſea, caſt him in, where he ⟨ſwam⟩ to an uninhabited iſland, ſtayed three ⟨or⟩ four days, till a ſhip paſſing, took him ⟨up⟩ and ſold him to a Duke in Egypt, who ⟨finding⟩ him wiſe, made him ruler of his ⟨houſe⟩. It happened the King of that country ⟨was⟩ troubled with the cry of three ravens ⟨and⟩ demanded of the wiſe men the cauſe, ⟨but⟩ they could not reſolve him, therefore, ⟨he⟩ proclaimed, that if any could tell the meaning, or cauſe the noiſe to ceaſe, he ⟨ſhould⟩ have his daughter to wife, and the kingdom after his deceaſe. Upon this Alexander (the youth's name) went to the King, ⟨ſaying⟩, that the ravens were the two old ⟨ones⟩ and their young one, the male declaring ​⟨it⟩ as his right, ſeeing he had fed him in the ⟨time⟩ of famine, when the female who flew ⟨unto⟩ a far country to ſhift for herſelf, had left ⟨him⟩ to periſh; when on the other ſide the ⟨female⟩ alledged, ſhe had taken pains in laying the egg and brooding it, wherefore, the ⟨young⟩ one appertained to her. And now, ⟨O⟩ King, ſaid Alexander, they come to you ⟨to⟩ decide the controverſy; give judgement, ⟨and⟩ then the ravens ſhall trouble you no ⟨more.⟩--Then, replied the King, it ſeems ⟨good⟩ to me, that the young one abide with ⟨the⟩ male; and, on his ſaying this, the ravens took wing and returned no more.———The Monarch thus delivered, confirmed his ⟨promiſe⟩, and advanced Alexander to places of dignity. Alexander travelled to Rome, and there became carver to Titus, whoſe daughter became in love with him, but his heart being in Egypt, Lodowick was ſent ⟨in⟩ his ſtead, and Alexander ſailed into Egypt; but Guido diſcovering the intrigue of Lodowick and the Emperor's daughter, ſent him a challenge who engaged Alexander, but he, being to celebrate the nuptials, ſent Lodowick to celebrate them in his place, on condition, that he would not rifle the princeſs of her virginity.
Alexander arrives at court, the Emperor ſuppoſing him to be Lodowick, rejoiced, and the lift being ready, the combatants entered, and, after a fierce fight, Alexander cut off his foe's head and ſent it to the Princeſs. ​The Emperor highly extolled him; but ⟨he⟩ ſaying his father was ſick, took his leave, ⟨and⟩ went back to Egypt.——————Some time after Alexander was made King of that country and, viſited his father and mother, one day before dinner, according to the interpretation he had given of the bird's language his father brought the baſon, and his ⟨mother⟩ the towel, but he refuſed to let them hold either, commanding his ſervants to do it.———Dinner being ended, he aſked them, how many children they had, they ſaid none. Had you ever any? ſaid the King, Alas, ſaid the father, we had one ſon, but he was drowned long ago; well, look you to it, ſaid the King, for, if I find it otherwiſe, you muſt expect no mercy. Then they fell upon their knees, and confeſſed the whole matter; when the king, mildly raiſing them from the ground diſcovered himſelf to them.
Upon hearing this ſtory, the Emperor reſigned the government to his ſon Diocleſian who demanded juſtice on the Empreſs and her Paramour; the former being burnt and the latter hanged and quarter'd. And the Emperor dying ſoon after, left his ſon in full poſſeſſion of the empire.
FINIS.
GLASGOW,
PRINTED by J. & M. ROBERTSON,
Saltmarket, 1801.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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