Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/33

 Therefore, you will reveal to him all these facts and tell him that, if at the end of the banquet which the counselor organizes for him, he is offered a crystal cup with a drink, he must not accept it at all, for it will be laced with poisons. Instead, he should have him drink it, which will punish him for his misdeed and kill him. This will free me from the hands of this vicious traitor and he will thereby always have me for his every pleasure."

The messenger understood very well what the counselor's concubine had told her. She took leave from her and immediately returned to the Emperor, and repeated to him everything in an orderly fashion.

Because in those days, the Emperor, had won a great victory against a powerful and great King, who had tried to occupy his kingdom, he envisioned that this was an opportunity to express his joy about such a victory by presenting gifts to the principal ministers of his court among whom the counselor had the highest rank. He believed that the actual presentation would give him the occasion to try what he already had in mind. Thus, he gave him a precious gift, and when he had the occasion to be with him a few days later, he invited him to a regal and magnificent banquet.

When he went into the counselor's room, he was received by him with a great feast and joy, and was given many precious and great gifts. He sat down at the table which was prepared with very delicious foods. There were music and songs to celebrate the banquet. Standing up from the tables, the counselor with his own hands presented to the Emperor a fragrant drink in a crystal cup with the following words: