Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/243

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, named Cleonitus, wishing to give instructions to certain of his subjects who were beleaguered by an enemy, ordered a soldier to go to the place attacked. In order to insult the beleaguerers, he directed an ironical inscription, skilfully fastened upon some arrows, to be prepared, and shot amongst the hostile armies. It ran thus: "Have hope in the Lord, and be faithful; Cleonitus comes in person to raise the siege."

My beloved, the prince is Christ; the people besieged are sinners, and the beleaguerers the devils. The messenger is a preacher.