Page:History of the seven wise mistresses of Rome.pdf/11

11

C H A P. IV.

The Second Mistress's Intercession.

WHEN Radamantus heard the Princess was reprieved, he pretended great grief, on which the execution was again ordered; but prevented by the following story, being told by the second Mistress.

A lady of Barbary and her husband being on a long voyage, by bad weather had been so long at sea, that all their provisions were spent and the people obliged to cast lots who should be killed to feed the rest, and so until all were killed except the lady and her husband who would not eat each other, but sewing themselves up in a carpet, laid down on the deck, saying, The great God of Heaven assist us.

They soon fell asleep, and in the mean time a griffin came who took up the carpet and carried it to an island inhabited by lions, bears, &c. When that the griffin had gotten them into his den he began for to peck the carpet, which awakened them, and the husband fought and killed the griffin and slew