Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/58

 And when he finished speaking, the third brother added, "Give the order which is to be announced in the seven principal cities of your empire that the most excellent story teller that resides in each of them must be brought into your presence and if they tell you a beautiful story send them back home with great gifts.”

Hence, Beramo ordered that the three things the young men had advised him had to be realized without delay, beginning with the construction of the palaces while at the same time carrying out the other recommendations.

And after the seven palaces had been constructed, they were richly adorned, and a virgin and a storyteller were installed in each. Following the advice of the young men, on a Monday morning Beramo was carried into the first palace on a sedan chair which was adorned with silver, and he himself and his entire entourage wore clothes embroidered with silver. Here he was laid down upon a beautiful and rich bed for he was weak and rather weary because of his illness. He had the virgin come into his presence and entertained her for a long time with various and delightful conversations. At the Vesper hour he called for the storyteller. He came before the Emperor and was ordered by one of the counselors to tell a beautiful story. The storyteller obliged immediately. First, he kissed the hands of the Emperor and began as follows: