Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/462

450 that Le Grand, as well as Barbazan, seems to have known nothing about Petrus Alphonsus, whom he classes under his Frenchified name of Pierre Anfors, amongst the Norman fableours.".

Seneca is cited here, but I can give no reference. The story is a very singular one. In the old English [See the Introduction,] it forms the "Seventh Hystory;" although the termination somewhat different. The knight's pleading is successful with the judge; but the accusers, taking upon themselves the execution of the law, slay him in opposition to all justice.

"A more classical authority for this story, had it been at hand, would have been slighted for St. Austin's, which was the favourite spiritual romance; and which, as the transition from religion to gallantry was anciently very easy, gave rise to the famous old French romance, called the ." .