Page:History of the seven wise masters of Rome.pdf/8

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The Hiſtory of the Seven

the heart; and ſo won what the Emperor had promiſed. Conſider then, my Lord the caſe is yours: you are the mighty boar, againſt which open force cannot prevail, but ſecret fraud may deprive you of your life and empire whilſt you hearken to the maſters. Then ſaid the Emperor, he ſhall die.

The ſecond maſter, named Lentullus, on hearing that the Empreſs had again prevailed, came before the Emperor, entreating him, to ſpare his ſon's life, leſt it happen him as it did to a Roman knight, that eſpouſed a beautiful wife, and fearing ſhe would ſtray, locked the doors every night, laying the key under his head, but ſhe ſtole it from thence, and went and ſported with her gallants; but, one night, miſſing her, he bolted the door: ſhe returned and knocked, but he upbraided her for her inconſtancy, ſaying, ſhe ſhould ſtay till the watch ſeized her: whereupon, ſhe took two large ſtones and threw them into a well that was in the courtyard, then hid herſelf under the door. At which the Knight, thinking ſhe had jumped into the well, came down to relieve her; when, upon his opening the door, ſhe ſlipped in and bolted him out, calling for the watch to ſeize him; who adjudged him to ſtand in the pillory.———This ſtory ſo much moved the Emperor, That, ſays he, this day my ſon ſhall not die.

CHAP.