Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/260

248 to the king, he said, "The youth is one who has suffered shipwreck." "How do you know?" replied he. "The man said nothing," answered the servant, "but his dress pointed out his circumstances." "Go quickly," returned the king, "and say, that I entreat him to sup with me." Apollonius was content, and accompanied the servant back. The latter, approaching the sovereign, stated the return of the shipwrecked person, but that, ashamed of his mean habit, he was unwilling to enter. The king instantly gave command that he should be clothed in honourable apparel, and introduced to the supper-room.

Apollonius, therefore, was placed on the royal Triclinium, and lay at table exactly opposite to the king. Dinner was brought, and then supper. He feasted not, however, with the feasters; but continually glanced his eye upon the gold and silver ornaments of the table, and wept. One of the guests observing this, said to the king, "He envies your regal magnificence, unless I am much deceived."