Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/359

Rh every part with gold, surprised and delighted him. But supper-time approached, and the merchant, by express command of the Prince, was seated at his own table. This honor so enraptured the poor tradesman, that he secretly exclaimed, "Oh, Heaven! the Prince possesses every thing that his heart wishes; he has a beautiful wife, fair daughters, and brave sons. His family establishment is too extensive." As he thus thought, the meat was placed before him; but what was his consternation to observe that it was deposited in the skull of a human being, and served from thence to the Prince and his guests on silver dishes. Horror-struck at what he saw, the merchant felt as if his own head must presently make part of the same diabolical service, and frequently did he internally ejaculate, "I am a dead man! I am a dead man!"

In the meantime, the lady of the mansion comforted him as much as she could. The night passed on, and he was shewn into a bed-chamber hung round with cauldrons; and in one corner of the room several lights were burning. As soon as he had entered,