Page:History of the seven wise masters of Rome.pdf/24

 The Emperor highly extolled him; but ſaying his father was ſick, took his leave,  went back to Egypt.Some time after Alexander was made King of that country and, viſited his father and mother, one day before dinner, according to the interpretation he had given of the bird's language his father brought the baſon, and his  the towel, but he refuſed to let them hold either, commanding his ſervants to do it.Dinner being ended, he aſked them, how many children they had, they ſaid none. Had you ever any? ſaid the King, Alas, ſaid the father, we had one ſon, but he was drowned long ago; well, look you to it, ſaid the King, for, if I find it otherwiſe, you muſt expect no mercy. Then they fell upon their knees, and confeſſed the whole matter; when the king, mildly raiſing them from the ground diſcovered himſelf to them.

Upon hearing this ſtory, the Emperor reſigned the government to his ſon Diocleſian who demanded juſtice on the Empreſs and her Paramour; the former being burnt and the latter hanged and quarter'd. And the Emperor dying ſoon after, left his ſon in full poſſeſſion of the empire.