Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/360

348 passed between them; and whatever there was curious in the land of Egypt, the knight of that country sent to his friend; and he in like manner, sent back an equivalent. Thus much kindness was manifested on both sides; nor had any one even observed a contrary feeling.

As the knight of Baldac once lay upon his bed he held the following soliloquy. "My correspondent in Egypt has discovered much friendship for me; but I have never yet seen him: I will go and pay him a visit." Accordingly he hired a ship and went into Egypt; and his friend, hearing of his arrival, met him by the way, and received him with much pleasure. Now the knight had a very beautiful girl in his house, with whom the knight of Baldac was so smitten, that he fell sick and pined away. "My friend," said the other, "what is the matter with you?" "My heart," returned his comrade, "has fixed itself upon one of your female domestics, and unless I may espouse her I shall die." Upon this, all the household, save the individual in question, were summoned before him; and having surveyed them, he exclaimed, "I care little or