Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/105

Rh trusted to your friend, and he has deceived you." "My lord," replied he, "defer the crucifixion but for a moment; and suffer me to play upon an instrument three times before my death." "Play!" exclaimed the judge, "of what nature is that playing?" "I will shout, my lord." "As you please." Accordingly, he began to vociferate. At the first and second shout; he appeared very dejected; but at the third, he distinguished, at some distance, a man running toward them with surprizing velocity. "My lord, my lord, there is a man coming; stay the execution—perhaps it is my friend, and I shall yet be liberated." The judge waited, and the person they looked for made his appearance. "I am the man you expect!" he exclaimed; "I have arranged my affairs, and am ready to suffer." The judge regarded him for a few moments with attention, and then said, "My friend, tell me whence it comes, that you are so faithful to your word?" "My lord," he replied, "from our youth up, we have been friends, and ever pledged ourselves to be faithful. For this reason, he put himself in my