Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/40

 After their departure his life became happy as he hoped that the Mirror would be brought back through the subtle foresight of the young men. And since he greatly enjoyed music and song, he invited the finest singers and musicians from each part of the country. He regaled them with gifts, and treated them to garden parties and hunting while he awaited with a great longing the return of the young men. It happened in those days, that a merchant, who had passed by there with his merchandise, had heard that the Lord delighted in music and song, and that he gave great gifts for those enjoyments. He had a slave of exceptional beauty with excellent musical skills, superior to those of others in those days. The Emperor who heard this called on him and ordered the young woman, called Diliramma, to be brought into his presence forthwith to ascertain her great ability in the musical arts. This order was carried out without delay.

So, dressed beautifully, the young lady came before Beramo with her master. The Emperor saw her rare beauty and heard the gentleness of the music and songs, which the young woman performed in his presence. He was deeply enamored of her and spent a large amount of money to buy her from the merchant. He made her dress into rich ceremonial garments and was immeasurably in love with the young woman. He wanted to be with her whenever he found himself free from public duties.