Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/43

 While she was walking in this way, she came upon the main road. And it pleased God that at sundown, a caravan of merchants which was on its way to their nearby lodging, heard the cries of the young woman who was in a miserable state. Then the oldest of them followed her voice and as he approached her, he saw that she was young and beautiful and he had great compassion for her. He untied her hands, dressed her in some clothing. and took her with him to the lodging. There he asked her who she was, what had happened to her and why she was undressed and bound, and had fallen into such a disastrous and miserable state. She could not answer this and just said that she was a musician. So, the innkeeper gave the merchant a lute, and he handed it to the young woman. When he heard the sweetness and delicateness of her music and singing, he was amazed and enamored by her abilities. He welcomed her as his daughter and led her to his country.

Meanwhile Beramo returned to the city, and because his love was stronger than his anger, he regretted that he had treated the young woman so cruelly, and tried with all his power to find her again. He called in the same ministers who had carried out his order in the forest and commanded them to go on horseback with a great company and, well armed to defend themselves against wild animals, to return to the forest immediately.