Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/70

58 forest, and beheld a serpent engaging with a toad. (7) The latter obtained the mastery; which, when the knight saw, he assisted the serpent; and grievously wounding the toad, reduced it to seek safety in flight. But the conqueror was also affected by the toad's venom. The knight turned homeward, and for a long time lay sick of his wound. At last he made his will, and prepared himself for death. Now as he reclined near the fire, utterly hopeless of life, the serpent which he had preserved entered the apartment. When the knight saw it, he recollected that it was the same he had aided in its contest with the toad, and through which he was laid upon his bed incurable. "Do not molest it," said the knight, "I do not believe that it will harm me." The serpent glided towards him, and applying its tongue to the wound, sucked up the poison, till its mouth was quite full; and then hastening to the door, cast it out. It returned twice to the wound, and did as before, until the venom was exhausted. The knight commanded milk to be given to the serpent, which it instantly drank; and no