GESTA ROMANORUM.

TALE I.

OF LOVE.

*

POMPEY was a wise and powerful king. He had an only daughter, remarkable for her beauty, of whom he was extremely fond. He committed her to the custody of five soldiers; and charged them, under the heaviest penalties, to preserve her from every possible in

*The fair Reader who has not condescended to notice my prolegomena (and I hope the suspicion is not treasonable !) may require to be informed that " GESTA ROMANORUM" supplies a very inadequate idea of the contents of these volumes. The Romans have little to do in the matter, and King Pompey must not be confounded with Pompey the Great, though they are unquestionably meant for the same person. Such blunders are perpetual.

jury. The soldiers were on guard night and day; and before the door of her bed-chamber, they suspended a burning lamp, that the approach of an intruder might be the more easily detected. And, to omit no means of security, a dog, whose watchfulness was unremitting, and whose bark was clamorous and piercing, maintained its station near the threshold of the apartment. From all these circumstances, it would appear, that every precaution had been taken: but, unhappily, the lady panted for the pleasures of the world. She longed to mingle in the busy scenes of life, and to gaze upon its varied shows. As she was one day looking abroad, a certain duke passed by, who regarded her with impure and improper feelings. Observing her beauty, and ascertaining that she was the reputed heir to the throne, he became enamoured; and used numerous devices to accomplish his treacherous designs. He promised her every species of gratification; and at length prevailed with her to overturn the lamp, destroy the guardian dog which had protected her, and elope with him, during the night.

In the morning, however, enquiries were set on foot; and messengers despatched in pursuit of her. Now there was at that time in the Emperor's palace, a champion of remarkable prowess, and with whom the execution of justice was never dilatory. When he understood the contempt and ingratitude which the lady had exhibited towards her parent, he armed himself, and hastened after the fugitives. A battle speedily ensued, in which the champion triumphed, and decapitated the seducer on the spot. The lady he conveyed back to the palace; but being refused admittance to the presence of her father, thenceforward she passed her time in bitterly bewailing her misdeeds. It happened that a wise person in the Emperor's court heard of her repentance. On all occasions when his services were required, he had proved himself an active mediator between majesty and its offenders; and being now moved with compassion, he reconciled her to her indignant parent, and betrothed her to a powerful nobleman. He afterwards made her several valuable presents. In the first place, he presented a tunic, which extended to the

heel, composed of the finest and richest woof, having the following inscription :-"I have raised thee up, be not again cast down." From the Emperor she received a golden coronet, bearing the legend, "Thy dignity is from me." The champion, who had conquered in her behalf, gave a ring, on which was sculptured, “I have loved thee, do thou return that love." The mediator also bestowed a ring, inscribed as follows, "What have I done? How much? Why?" Another ring was presented by the King's son; and there was engraved upon it, "Thou art noble; despise not thy nobility." Her own brother bestowed a similar gift, of which the motto ran thus:-" Approach; fear not-I am thy brother." Her husband likewise added a golden signet, which confirmed his wife's inheritance, and bore this superscription," Now thou art espoused, be faithful."

The penitent lady received these various presents with gratitude, and kept them as long as she lived. She succeeded in regaining the favor of those whose affections her former conduct had alienated, and closed her days in peace. (1)

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the Emperor is our Heavenly Father, who hath drawn away his children from the jaws of the devil by the sufferings of his blessed Son. He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Deut. xxxii. "Is he not thy Father who hath obtained thee by conquest, made, and established thee?" The only daughter is the human soul, which is delivered to five soldiers, that is, to the five senses, to guard; being armed by powers received in baptism. These senses are, sight, hearing, &c. which have in charge to preserve it from the devil, the world, and the flesh. The burning lamp is the will, subjected in all things to the control of God, and which in good works should shine out brilliantly, dispersing the gloom of sin. The barking dog is Conscience, which has to struggle against error; but, alas! the soul, desirous of gazing upon the objects of this world, looks abroad as often as it acts contrary to the divine command; and then is willingly seduced by a duke-that is, by the Infernal Ravisher.