Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/261

Rh this, he was exceedingly perturbed, and calling Guido to him, said, "How is this? did you not say that you knew what men to ask to my table?" He answered, "Surely, my Lord."—"And said I not," returned the Emperor, very much provoked, "said I not, that thou wert to invite my friends? How comes it that thou hast assembled only my enemies?"—"My Lord," replied Guido, "suffer me to speak. At all seasons, and at all hours, your friends may visit you, and they are received with pleasure; but it is not so with your enemies. From which reflection, I persuaded myself that a conciliating behaviour, and a good dinner would convert your inveterate enemies into warm friends." This was really the case; before the feast concluded, they all became cordial partisans, and as long as they lived remained faithful to their sovereign. The Emperor, therefore, was much delighted, and cried, "Blessed be God, my enemies, are now my friends! Execute thy fifth ministry, and make both for them and me, a fire that shall burn without smoke." Guido replied,