Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/341

Rh Scattering the fire, with reckless ire,

The rafters caught the flame;

And bleating breed, and scabby steed

Were roasted in the same.

Now had that wight, that miller hight,

Vouchsafed his house to keep;

Ere he returned, it had not burned,

Nor burned his horse and sheep.

The boy, made happy by the present, returned home.

Master. My child, have you stolen your verses, or made them?

Celest. I made them, Sir.

He then read what we have given above; and the master, struck with the greatest astonishment at their uncommon beauty, exclaimed, "My dear boy, tell me if any one made these verses for you?"