Page:Famous history of the valiant London prentice.pdf/23

 who, to make them the greedier, were kept for several days fasting.

The appointed day for his death being, and the King, his nobles, and the being seated to behold the execution, the brave youth was brought in a cambric shirt, and drawers of white satin, embroidered with gold, and a crimson cap on his head; but he had scarce time to bow respectfully to the ladies, who praised his manly beauty, and began to pity his misfortunes, before the lions were let loose, who  the sight of their prey began to roar most horribly, insomuch that the spectators trembled.

Aurelius, whom death daunted not, now lying aside all fear, as they came thus fiercely to them with open mouths thrust his hands down their throats, and before they had power to get from his strong arms, he forcibly tore out both their hearts, and laid them dead at his feet, demanding of the King what other dangerous enterprizes he had to put to him, and he would gladly do them for the honour of his Queen, and his dear country's sake.

When immediately the Emperor descended from his throne, embraced him, pardoned him, and said, He believed him to be some angel; but on his assurance that he