Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/26

14 castle stood. What the state was, and who reigned there, the sailors knew not, but as Gregory entered the city, a citizen met him, and said, "My lord, whither are you going?" "To seek an inn," was the reply. On which the hospitable citizen led him to his own house, and entertained him magnificently. As they sat at table, Gregory inquired of his host, what state it was, and who was the lord of it. "Sir," returned the other, "awhile ago, we had a very powerful emperor, but he died in the Holy Land, and left his throne to his sister. The Duke of Burgundy would have married her, but she was pleased to refuse his offer. Whereupon he has forcibly made himself master of the whole kingdom, save a single city in which the queen resides." "May I" returned the young knight, "declare with safety, the secret wish of my heart?"

"With the greatest safety."

"I am," continued the other, "a soldier of fortune: if it please you, go to-morrow to the palace, and obtain for me a communication with the seneschal, and if he will promise