Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/426

252 trusted to his assurances, and resigned the supreme command. But no sooner was he crowned and seated on the throne of his ancestors, than his heart underwent a total change. For a few years he gave due honour to his indulgent parent, but after that entirely neglected him. This unexpected and unmerited treatment, naturally exasperated the old king, and he began to complain to the wise men of the empire, that his son had broken the contract. They, therefore, having always loved the father, reproved the son for his ingratitude. But the new king spurned them from him with fury; imprisoned his father in a castle, and permitted not the smallest access to him. Here he often endured the extremity of hunger, and every other species of wretchedness.

It happened that the king himself once passed the night in the same castle; and the father sent to him the following message—"Oh my son, pity thy old father who gave up every thing to thee. I suffer thirst and hunger; and deprived of all comfort—even of wine to cheer me in my infirmity—I draw out my life." "I know