Gesta Romanorum Vol. I (1871)/Of a Celestial Kingdom
TALE LIV.
OF A CELESTIAL KINGDOM.
The emperor Frederic constructed a curious marble gate at the entrance of Capua. It stood above a fountain of running water; and upon it, the statues of the emperor and two of his judges were sculptured. In a half circle over the head of the right-hand judge was inscribed as follows, "He who regards his own safety and innocence, let him enter here." Similarly over the head of the left-hand judge appeared this scroll, "Banishment or imprisonment is the doom of the envious." In a semi-circle over the emperor's head, was written, "Those whom I made miserable, I recompensed." In like manner, above the gate was inscribed, "In Cæsar's reign, I became the guardian of the kingdom." (55)
APPLICATION.
My beloved, the emperor is God; the marble gate is the Church, which is placed above a running fountain that is, above the world, which fleets like a water-course. The judges indicate Mary, the mother of Jesus, and John the Evangelist.
Note 55.Page 176.
"I wonder there are not more romances extant on the lives of the Roman Emperors in Germany; many of whom, to say no more, were famous in the crusades. There is a romance in old German rhyme, called Teuerdank, on Maximilian the first, written by Melchior Pfinzing, his chaplain. Printed at Nuremberg in 1517."—Warton.