Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/188

14 OF JUSTICE.

the reign of Cæsar a law was enacted, that if a man maltreated a woman, and overcame her by violence, it should remain with the aggrieved party, whether the person so offending should be put to death, or married to her, without a portion. Now it fell out that a certain fellow violated two women upon the same night; the one of whom sought to put him to death, and the other to be married to him. The violator was apprehended and brought before the judge, to answer respecting the two women, according to law. The first woman insisting upon her right, desired his death; while the second claimed him for her husband, and said to the first, "It is true, the law grants you your request, but at the same time, it supports me in mine. But