Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/189

Rh because my demand is of less importance, and more charitable, I doubt not but that sentence will be given in my favor." Both women complained, and both required the enforcement of the law. When either side had been heard, the judge ordered that the second woman should obtain her husband. And so it was done.

My beloved, the emperor, who framed the law, is our. The violator, any sinner, who violates two females, that is, Justice and Mercy, which are both the daughters of God. The violator is brought before the Judge, when the soul separates from the body. The first woman, that is, Justice, alleges against the sinner that by law he is subject to eternal death: but the other, that is, Divine Mercy, alleges that by contrition and confession he may be saved. Therefore let us study to please God.