Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/529

Rh

This tale, containing an appeal to natural affection, in all probability takes its rise from the judgment of Solomon. But whether or not, the analogy is sufficiently striking to betray its eastern derivation.

We have here a curious instance of the anomalous introduction of saints. The three Magi one would have thought not exactly fitted for the Christian Calendar.

Pyx is properly a box. "πυξις, από τοῦ πυξος quod nomen buxum significat, unde et pyxidem buxulum Itali vocant."— The Roman Catholics put the Host into this kind of box.

"And as the dew moistens the herbage, and promotes