Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/32

 She told her, that he could easily have her by letting the counselor die or have her one day be kidnapped by his ministers, but that this seemed to be the act of a tyrant, and not that of a fair or humane prince. He did not want to use any violence and asked her affectionally to consent to him willingly.

When the woman of the counselor heard the words of the messenger, she begged her profusely to communicate on her behalf to the king infinite gratitude for the love he had for her, and to tell him, that, being the woman of such low status, she greatly admired that he had lowered himself to love her. Nevertheless, she was ready to please him in all respects, but being so much guarded by the counselor, she only knew of a single means to meet which she would reveal to her only if she swore first of all that she would disclose what she told her to none other than the Emperor her Lord.

Hence the messenger made the solemn oath of silence to her, and the woman started to speak as follows, "You should know that the counselor, in whose power I find myself, harbors evil wicked and cruel thoughts against the Emperor, our prince. He is planning another rebellion that will lead to his death. He has prepared a poisoned drink and is waiting for an occasion to invite him to a banquet, and kill him with that drink and I alone am aware of that. And while I had in mind to let the Emperor in any way know about the serious wrongdoing, nevertheless I never had the opportunity until now.