Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-06-21
selected Tales.
From the Ges.a Romanorum.
JOyINIAN THE PROUD EMPEROR

JOYINIAN THE PROUD EMPEROR.
In the days Of old, when the empire
of the world was in The hands OF the
lord Of Rome. Jovinian was Emperor.
Of as he lay on his couch, and unused
upon his power and his wealth, his
heart was elated beyond measure, and
he said within himself, ''Verily, there
is no other god than me-"
1t happened one morning after he
Ind thus said unto himself, that the
Emperor arose, and summoning his
huntsmen and his friends, fastened 10
chase the wild deer Of the forest. The
chase was long and swift, and the sun
was high in the Heavens, when Jovin-
ian refined up his horse on the bank OF
a clear bright stream that ran through
the fertile country on which his palace
stood. Alluied by the refreshing APP
pearance Of the stream, he babe his at
tendsnts abide still, whilst he sought
secluded pool beneath some willows,
where he r'ight battle unseen.
The Emperor fastened TO the poo
cast off his garments, and revcle' n
the refreshing GOODNESS of the wate.s.--
Blu, whilst he thus bathed, a person like
to him in form in feature, and in voice,
approached the rivers bank, arraycd
himself unperceived in the imperial
garments, and then sprang on Jovinl-
ans horse, and rode 10 meet the hunts
men, who. deceived by the likeness
and the dress, obeyed his commands,
and followed their new Emperor TO the
palace-gaies.
Jovinian at length quilted the water.
and sought in every direction for his
apparel and his horse, but could not
find them. He called aloud upon his
attendants, but they heard him not, be-
ing already in attendance on the false
Emperor, And Jovinisn regarded his
nakedncss and said, "Miserablc man
that ! am! to what state am | reduc-
ed! Whether shall go' Who will
receive me in this plight' ! bethink
me there is knight hereabout whom |
have advanced to great bonor;I will
seek him and with his assistance regain
my palace, and punish the person who
has done me this wrong"
Naked and ashamed, Jovinian sought
the gate of the knights castle, and
knocked loudly at the wicket.
"Who art thou, and what dost thou
SEEK" asked the porter without I'M
closing the gate.
"Opcn, open, sirrah!" replied the
Emperor. with redoubled knocks on
the wicket.
sin the name of wonder, friend.
who art thou?" said the old porter as
he opened the gate, and saw the strange
figure of the Emperor before the
Threshold.
'.Who am |, askest thou. sirrah! /
am thy Emperor. Go tell thy master.
Jovinian is at his gate, and bid him
bring forth horse and some garments,
to supply those that have been de-
prived OFF,
Rascal" rejoincd the porter
''thou the Emperor Why the EN-
perOr but just rode up TO the castle,
with all his attendants, and honorcd
my master by sitting with him at meat
in the great hall. Thou the Emperor
very pretty Emperor indeed, faugh,
I'll tell my master what you say, and
he will soon find out whether you are
mad. drunk, or thief"
! The porter, greatly enraged went,
and told his lord how that naked fel-
low stood at the gate, calling himself
the Emperor, and demanding clothes
and good steed.
"Bring the fellow in,' said the
knight.
So they brought in Joviuisn, and he
stood before the lord of the castle, and
again declared himself 10 be the EN-
peror JoEinian. Loud laughed the
knight to the Emperor.
"Whst thou my lord the Emperor:
art mad, good fellow? Come, give