Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/330

318 of a man. Its sides were clothed with forests, in which knights, and other followers of the chase, were accustomed to hunt. But, in ascending the mountain, they suffered much from heat and thirst, and sought eagerly for relief. From the nature of the place, and the circumstances of their occupation, each ascended the hill alone; and each, as if addressing some other, would say, "I thirst." Immediately, beyond expectation, there started from the side, one with a cheerful countenance, and an out-stretched hand, bearing a large horn ornamented with gold and precious stones, such as we are still in the habit of using instead of a cup; and full of the most exquisite, but unknown, beverage. This he presented to the thirsty person; and no sooner had he drank, than the heat and lassitude abated. One would not then have thought that he had been engaged in labor, but that he was desirous of commencing an arduous employment. After the liquor had been taken, the attendant presented a clean napkin to wipe the mouth. His ministry completed, he disappeared, without awaiting