Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/122

xcvi 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 marry 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."

CHAP. XLIX. This story is wholly in the original Gesta; Tale L. Vol. 1. Not observed by Mr. Douce.

CHAP. L. This apologue is also in the original Gesta, with slight variations. See Tale XLV. Vol 1. It is noticed in the Illustrations, &c.