Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/241

Rh lay down at the bottom. The prince, awaking from sleep, under the influence of an excessive drought, took up the vessel and drank; and, without knowing it, swallowed the serpent. The creature finding itself thus unexpectedly imprisoned, began to gnaw his bowels so grievously as to put the leper to inconceivable anguish. The lady greatly compassionated him; and indeed for three days, he was an object of pity. On the fourth, however, an emetic being administered, he vomited; and cast up, together with the inward disease, the serpent which had tormented him. Immediately the pain ceased; and by little and little, the leprosy left him. In seven days, his flesh was as free from the disorder, as the flesh of a child; and the lady, much delighted, clothed him in sumptuous apparel, and presented him a beautiful war-horse, on which he returned to the emperor. He was received with all honor, and after his father's death, ascended the throne, and ended his days in peace.