Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/71

Rh sooner had it done so, than the toad from which the wound had been received, entered and again attacked the serpent, in revenge for its having healed the knight. The latter seeing this, said to his servants, "Without doubt, my friends, this is the toad which I wounded in defence of that serpent, and from which I derive all my infirmity. If it conquer, it will invade me; therefore, as ye love your master, kill it incontinently." The servants, obedient to the knight's command, attacked it with swords and clubs; while the serpent, as if to thank and ingratiate itself with his defender, twined around his feet, and then disappeared. The knight completely recovered his health.

My beloved, the emperor is God; the knight, Christ; the toad is the devil, and the serpent, man.