Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/397

Rh kingdom, and constructing a high rack, he resolved that Mardocheus should be fastened upon it. But, in the mean time, it was the fortune of the latter to discover two traitors who had conspired to kill the king; and immediately giving such information as led to their apprehension, he was clothed in a purple robe, and crowned, and rode on a royal steed through the city, while Aman, with all his knights, were reduced to the necessity of extolling him. When this was done, Mardocheus related to the queen that Aman intended to put all their nation to death; wherefore she proclaimed a fast, and afflicted herself with fasting and prayer. She then made a great feast, to which she invited the king and Aman. First imploring the life of her people, she explained how the latter had condemned all to death. Full of indignation, the king ordered him to be fixed upon the same rack which he had prepared for Mardocheus; who succeeded to all his honours. Thus by the disposing