Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/266

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OF VENIAL SIN.

the Spirit leave us, the devil defiles the nest, and destroys those good gifts. The blood of the lamb is Christ's blood, shed for our salvation, with which we ought ever to be sprinkled; that is, ever to retain it in memory. (17)





TALE XVIII.

OF VENIAL SIN.

A certain soldier, called Julian, unwittingly killed his parents. For being of noble birth, and addicted, as youth frequently is, to the sports of the field, a stag which he hotly pursued, suddenly turned round, and addressed him; "Thou who pursuest me so fiercely, shalt be the destruction of thy parents." These words greatly alarmed Julian, who feared their accomplishment even while