Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/95

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Even without the encouragement of his wife the second goldsmith did just that. Early the next morning he rushed to the palace of the Lord and let one of his chamberlains know that he had something important to discuss. And at an audience with the Lord he revealed the robbery that had been committed by the other goldsmith. And after he showed him how to ascertain this, he asked permission to return home.

Afterwards, the Lord called the goldsmith who had made the Lion in front of him. He wanted to send him to an area outside the city so that he would not be aware how the accusation against him would be ascertained. So, he was sent to a village at a day's distance, supposedly because of some affair of the palace.

And the same night that the goldsmith had left the city, the Lion was brought to the seashore, according to the instructions received. And upon weighing it was found that the goldsmith had robbed him of more than two hundred pieces of gold. So, the Lord was extremely angry and furious.

As soon as the goldsmith had returned from the village, he was taken in custody, and brought into his presence. He was reminded of the benefits and honors that had been bestowed upon him and of the wickedness and robbery he had committed. He gave orders that he should be brought to the top of a tower, not far from the city. The door was walled up with bricks, so he could not leave and in the end, he would die there from hunger, or throw himself from the high tower, thereby killing himself.