Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/35

 But the Emperor replied to the counselor that he cared for him and loved him as he loved himself, knowing full-well the love and reverence which he had always borne him and he said, “I know your need, and taking this potion away from you would not be worthy of my affection for you, for I am certain that it can bring a great benefit to you, while on the other hand it could be of no benefit to me for I am not suffering from an overheated liver."

Now, when the counselor saw the insistence which with his Lord asked him to drink the potion that he had offered him and fearing that his betrayal had been discovered, he said, “Sire, I myself have fallen into the pit in which I wanted others to fall, but because I always knew that you were naturally inclined to clemency, I want to believe that you will forgive me for my error because I have given you a very important warning for your life. If you have condemned someone's son to death, you should not allow his father to converse in your court.

You know, that you rightly killed my son for his misdeeds, and that notwithstanding the great affection and many gifts you have showered me with afterwards, I could never alleviate the great sorrow in my soul. I can never see you without my blood boiling, nor without thinking of killing you. And while I have received endless benefits and honors from you, and you have rightly sentenced my son, I have nevertheless unjustly prepared this poisonous drink for you which seemed to me to be a way to avenge myself for the death of my son."