Page:History of the seven wise masters, of Rome (1).pdf/3

 young Empress having no child, studied how she might destroy the young Prince: and the better to do it, prevailed with her lord to send him to court. But the hasty and unexpected message caused the masters to suspect some evil; they consulted the Planets, and found that if the Prince went at that time and spoke at all, he would die a violent death; and yet, if he went not, they would lose their heads, which they would rather do than hazard his life. Whilst they were in this anxiety, the Prince came down, and demanded the cause of their troubles? the which they related, with their resolution.With that he viewed the firmament, and found the constellations more propitious, for it now appeared, that if he abstained from speaking seven days, he would escape the death threatened, desiring his masters to intercede in his favour, and make an apology to the Emperor for his not speaking for such a time; and withal told them a dream that he had dreamed, viz. That his bed chamber seemed to be turned upside down. From which they presaged good success, promising do their utmost for his preservation, and whereupon set him upon a stately horse, clothed in purple and gold, and attended him to his father's court. The Emperor came forth and embraced him, enquiring for his welfare, to which the prince gave no answer; whereat the Emperor marvelled, yet, supposing it was so ordered by the masters, he