Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/132

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My beloved, the nobleman is Christ; the white cow is the soul. The milk represents prayer and supplication, on account of which he gave her golden horns, that is, eternal life. Argus is any prelate, who ought to be circumspect and watchful. The pastoral staff is the ecclesiastical power communicated to him; the songs, are put for singing women. Then if the prelate fall asleep, the head is cut off, that is, he loses eternal life. Mercury is the devil.

emperor Gorgonius had a beautiful wife, who was delivered of a son. The boy grew