Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Hooper.djvu/55

Rh posie, These three vessels the emperor shewed the maiden, and said; Lo, here daughter, these be rich vessels, if thou chuse one of these, wherein is profit to thee and to others, then shalt thou have my son. And if thou chuse that wherein is no profit to thee, nor to any other, soothly thou shalt not marry him.

"When the maiden heard this, she lift up her hands to God, and said, Thou Lord, that knowest all things, grant me grace this hour so to chuse, that I may receive the emperor's son. And with that she beheld the first vessel of gold, which was engraven royally, and read the superscription: Whoso chuseth me, shall find that he deserveth; saying thus, Though this vessel be full precious, and made of pure gold, nevertheless I know not what is within, therefore, my dear lord, this vessel will I not chuse.

"And then she beheld the second vessel, that was of pure silver, and read the superscription, Whoso chuseth me, shall find that his nature desireth: Thinking thus within herself, if I chuse this vessel, what is within I know not, but well I know, there shall I find that nature desireth, and my nature desireth the lust of the flesh, and therefore this vessel will I not chuse.

"When she had seen these two vessels, and had given an answer as touching them, she beheld the third vessel of lead, and read the superscription. Whoso chuseth me, shall find that God hath disposed: Thinking within herself, this vessel is not very rich, nor outwardly precious, yet the superscription saith, Whoso chuseth me, shall find that God hath disposed: and without doubt God never disposeth any harm, therefore, by the leave of God, this vessel will I chuse.

"When the emperor heard this, he said, O fair maiden, open thy vessel, for it is full of precious stones, and see if thou hast well chosen or no. And when this young lady had opened it, she found it full of fine gold and precious stones, as the emperor had told her before. Then said the emperor, daughter, because thou hast well chosen, thou shalt many my son. And then he appointed the wedding day; and they were married with great solemnity, and with much honour continued to their lives end."

This story is wholly in the original Gesta; Tale L. Not observed by Mr. Douce.

This apologue is also in the original Gesta, with slight variations. See Tale XLV. It is noticed in the Illustrations, &c.

Is also in the original Gesta; Tale LXIV. Not observed by Mr. Douce.

In the original Gesta; Tale CXX. Noticed in the Illustrations.

In the original Gesta; Tale XX. Overlooked by Mr. Douce.