Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/285

Rh give you your liberty, with a large reward." (73) The steward, taking the weapon, went with much sorrow to the monument. "Alas!" said he, "shall I not deserve liberty by the sacrifice of a virgin's life?" He entered the monument, where Tharsia, after her occupation in the schools, had as usual retired; the flask of wine was in her hand. The steward attacked the poor girl; and seizing her by the hair, threw her upon the ground. But as he was on the point of striking, Tharsia cried out, "Oh Theophilus! what crime have I committed against you, or against any other, that I should die?" "You are innocent," answered he, "of every thing, save possessing a sum of money and certain royal ornaments left you by your father." "Oh, sir!" said the forsaken orphan, "if I have no hope, yet suffer me to supplicate my Maker before I die." "Do so," answered the steward, "and God knows that it is upon compulsion that I slay thee." Now while the girl was engaged in prayer, certain pirates rushed into the monument, expecting to carry off a booty; and observing a young maid prostrated, and a man