Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/246

234 desired her hand. To effect this, he devised a new scheme of wickedness. He proposed certain questions, and annexed to them a condition, by which whosoever furnished an appropriate answer, should espouse the lady; but failing, should be instantly decapitated. A multitude of crowned heads from every quarter, attracted by her unmatchable beauty, presented themselves: but they were all put to death. For, if any one chanced to develope the horrible secret, he was slain equally with him who failed, in order to prevent its being divulged. Then the head of the victim blackened upon the gate. The suitors, therefore, naturally grew less; for perceiving so many ghastly countenances peering above them, their courage quailed, and they returned hastily to their several homes.

Now all this was done, that he who had produced this scene of wickedness, might continue in uninterrupted possession. After a short time, the young prince of Tyre, named Apollonius, well-lettered and rich, sailing along the coast, disembarked and entered Antioch. Approaching the royal presence, he