Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/81

Rh "Rise, then, dress yourself, and pray to God."

The knight returned sincere thanks for his life, and having performed his pilgrimage, journeyed toward his own home. His wife met and received him with much apparent pleasure. He dissembled for a few days, and then sending for her parents, said to them: "My dear friends, hear why I have desired your presence. This woman, your daughter and my wife, has committed adultery; and, what is worse, designed to murder me." The lady denied the accusation with an oath. The knight then began to relate the whole process of the affair; "And," he continued, "if you do not credit this, come and see where the clerk is buried." He then led them into the bed-chamber and dragged the body from its hiding-place. The judge was called, and sentenced her to be burnt; and her ashes to be scattered in the air. The knight soon afterwards espoused a beautiful virgin, by whom he had many children; and with whom he finished his days in peace. (10)