Page:History of the seven wise masters of Rome.pdf/3

 Empreſs having no child, ſtudied how  might deſtroy the young Prince; and the better to do it, prevailed with her lord to ſend for 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, 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, &c. That his bed-chamber ſeemed to be turned up-ſide down. From which they preſaged good ſucceſs, promiſing to do their utmoſt for his preſervation, and thereupon 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