Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/278

266 injunction. "And I solemnly vow" added he, "to expend more than his wretchedness requires." Immediately he bade them prepare a funeral pile. When this was done, and every thing laid in order, a pupil of the physician, a young man, but possessing the wisdom of old age, came to look upon the lady. As he considered her fair form attentively, already laid upon the pile, his preceptor said to him, "You come opportunely; I have expected you this hour. Get a vial of precious ointment, and in honor of this bright creature, pour it upon the funeral pile." The youth obeyed; approached the body, and drawing the garments from her breast, poured out the ointment. But accidentally passing his hand over her heart, he fancied that it beat. The youth was electrified. He touched the veins, and searched if any breath issued from the nostrils. He pressed his lips to hers; and he thought he felt life struggling with death. Calling hastily to the servants, he bade them place torches at each corner of the bier. When they had done this, the blood which had been coagulated, presently