Page:Dorastus and Fawnia, or, The life and adventures of a German princess.pdf/11

 the sentence of the oracle, she was condemned as guilty, she would be content to suffer the greatest punishment that could be inflicted on her. This request of the queen’s was so reasonable, the king agreed that ambassadors should be forthwith dispatched to Delphos, and ordered the queen back to prison. The Lords that he sent on this embassy, were such as he knew had no great kindness for the queen, and, consequently, would not impose on him in her behalf. Their equipages being got ready, they embarked for their voyage, and in three weeks time arrived at Delphos, where, offering to Apollo and his priests the accustomed gifts, and kneeling down before the altar, they craved an answer to their demands, to which Apollo, with an audible voice, replied, ‘Bohemians, what 'you find behind the altar, that take and depart, ‘for that contains your answer.' Upon which they looked behind the altar, and found a scroll of parchment rolled up, but what was written therein they could not tell, being forbidden to open it till they had arrived in Bohemia, and come into the king’s presence, as they would avoid the displeasure of Apollo. The Bohemian Lords, having received the scroll, put it up carefully, without presuming to look into it; and so taking their leave, in a short time arrived again in Bohemia, and went to the king’s palace, where there were great crowds of people waiting to hear the decision of this grand affair. The king was glad to see his ambassadors returned, and having inquired of them what news? They told him, that they had brought an answer from Apollo in a scroll of parchment, which they were commanded not to open, till they came into the presence of the king: The noblemen, thereupon, entreated the king that the queen might be present, to hear her condemnation or acquittal;