Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/76

 So, when the young man saw her, he was sure that the governess had told him the truth about her beauty and virtue. And he decided to take her as his wife, and wanted to tell this immediately to his father.

This made the King happy and cheerful beyond measure, because he had already lost hope, that his son could find a woman he would like. He summoned his counselor and told him of the desire of the young man. They agreed between hem in secret to conduct the marriage and to reserve the public announcement for a more appropriate time.

Hence the young man, who ardently loved the damsel was filled with marvelous joyfulness, and desired nothing more than to celebrate the nuptials immediately.

But as it pleased God, it was shortly thereafter that the King was overtaken by a grave illness and passed away.

Because of his death, the son succeeded him in the reign of kingdom. After having taken care of the interests of the city and his vassals, the marriage was announced with a great feast and the new spouse was led to the royal palace. And after the wedding was solemnly celebrated there, the new king wanted to lie down with his bride. "Sire," she said, "I know quite well that I am subject to you, and that it is the right thing for me to consent to your wish. Nevertheless, before you lie down beside me, I want to beg you for an honest grace, which is that since you have taken me as your wife, be so contend as to add my name next to yours on the coins of your kingdom."