Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/18

6 may conduct this infant, that it is not baptized, because it is the unholy offspring of incestuous affection. For the love of God then, cause it to be baptized. Under the child's head you will discover a quantity of gold, and with this let it be nurtured. At the feet is an equal weight of silver, designed to assist it in the future prosecution of study." This done, she deposited the tablets by the infant's side, the gold at the head, and the silver at its feet; then enveloping it in silk garments embroidered with gold, she enclosed it in the cask, and directed the knight to cast it forthwith into the sea—trusting that by the over-ruling providence of God, it might be carried into a place of safety. The knight faithfully executed the lady's wishes; he threw the cask into the sea, and standing upon the shore, watched its progress, until it was at length lost to his sight.

As he returned to his castle, a king's messenger met him, whom he thus accosted:

"Friend, whence come you?"

"From the Holy Land."

"Indeed! what rumours are abroad?"