Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/240

228 every passenger to you. By this means, you will free yourself from the distemper." (47) The lady, whose disposition seems to have been remarkably complying, did as she was directed; and the emperor's son passing by, fell violently in love with her. Afraid to infect a person so near the throne, she resisted his advances; and informed him that she was a leper. This, however, altered not the feelings of the young man; and accordingly the leprosy of the woman adhered to him. Ashamed of what had befallen, and at the same time fearful of discovery, he went to his mistress, and abode with her. This circumstance she stated to her husband, and he, much troubled, set his bed-chamber in order, and there the prince dwelt in the strictest seclusion, attended upon only by the lady. Here he continued seven years.

It chanced in the seventh year, that there was an intolerable heat, and the leprous man had a vessel of wine standing by his side, designed to refresh his exhausted spirits. At this moment, a serpent came out of the garden, and, after bathing itself in the vessel,