put her wisdom to the test. He sent to the lady by a herald a piece of linen cloth, three inches square; and bade her contrive to make for him a shirt exactly fitted to his body. "Then," added he," she shall be my wife." The messenger, thus commissioned, departed on his errand, and respectfully presented the cloth, with the request of the king. "How can I comply with it," exclaimed the lady, "when the cloth is but three inches square? It is impossible to make a shirt of that; but bring me a vessel in which I may work, and I promise to make the shirt long enough for the body." The messenger returned, with the reply of the virgin, and the king immediately sent a sumptuous vessel, by means of which she extended the cloth to the required size, and completed the shirt. Whereupon the wise king married her.

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the king is God; the virgin, the mother of Christ; who was also the chosen

vessel. By the messenger, is meant Gabriel. The cloth, is the Grace of God, which, by proper care and labour, is made sufficient for man's salvation.

TALE LXV.

OF THE CURE OF THE SOUL.

A KING once undertook a journey from one state to another. After much travel, he came to a certain cross, which was covered with inscriptions. On one side was written, "Oh, king, if you ride this way, you yourself will find good entertainment, but your horse will get nothing to eat." On another part appeared as follows: "If you ride this road, your horse will be admirably attended to, but you will get nothing for yourself." Again, on a

third place was inscribed: "If you walk this path, you will find entertainment both for yourself and horse; but before you depart, you will be miserably beaten." On a fourth part of the cross it was said: " If you walk this way, they will serve you diligently, but they will detain your horse, and oblige you to proceed the rest of your journey on foot." When the king had read the inscriptions, he began to consider which of the evils he should chuse.. He determined at length upon the first; " For," said he learnedly, "I shall fare very well myself, though my horse starve; and the night will soon pass away." On this, he struck the spurs into his horse; and arrived at the castle of a knight who entreated him courteously, but gave his steed little or nothing. In the morning, he rode on to his own palace, and related all that he had seen.

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the king is any good Christian, who journeys for the safety of his soul. The

horse which he rides is the body, composed of the four elements. The cross is conscience, which points out the way, and explains the consequences attending it.

TALE LXVI.

OF CONSTANCY.

THERE once lived a king who had a beautiful and beloved daughter. After his death, she succeeded to the throne, but being young and unprotected, a certain tyrannical duke came to her, and, by means of large promises, won her to dishonor. When his iniquitous purpose was accomplished, the girl wept bitterly; and soon after the tyrant expelled her from the inheritance. Thus reduced from the splendours of royalty, to the lowest state

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of wretchedness, she solicited alms of the It happened that as she sat weeping by the way side, a certain knight passed by, and observing her great beauty, became enamoured of her. "Fair lady," said he, "what are you?" "I am," replied the weeping girl," the only daughter of a king, after whose death, a tyrant seduced and abused me, and then deprived me of my inheritance." Well," returned the knight, "are you willing to marry me?" "Oh! my lord," exclaimed she," I desire it beyond any thing that could happen." "Then plight me your faith," said the knight; "promise to receive no one for your husband but me, and I will make war upon the tyrant, and reinstate you in your possessions. But if I fall in the conflict, I entreat you to retain my bloody arms under your care, in testimony of affection; that in case any one hereafter shall desire your love, you may remember the proof I have given of my attachment and dévotion to your service." "I promise faithfully," returned she," to comply with your wishes: but, oh! may your life be safe as my affec