Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/60

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48
OF A FAITHFUL SOUL.


TALE XIII.

OF THE INHERITANCE AND JOY OF A FAITHFUL SOUL.

A certain powerful lord sent his two sons to study, that they might by their own assiduity, obtain a livelihood. After some time he sent letters to them, to command their return to their own country; and they returned accordingly. One of the brothers rejoiced at this, and was received with equal pleasure. He was, moreover, put in possession of a fair inheritance. But the other was much distressed at his recall; and when his mother ran out to meet and kiss him, he bit off her lips. His sister, also, following the mother's example, lost her nose; and he put out the eyes of his brother, who, in like manner, would have embraced him. At this moment,