Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/356

authority. But why should there be this discord? Call our brother, who is wiser than us all; and let him judge between us." The proposal was assented to. They shewed him the grounds of their altercation, and explained how Justice and Truth pertinaciously demanded the infliction of the law, while Mercy and Peace sought a free forgiveness. "My beloved sisters," said the Prince, "I am little satisfied with the flight of my sister Peace, whom your unbeseeming strife has banished. This ought not to be, and shall not. And as for my adulterous wife, I am prepared to undergo her punishment myself."—"If this be your determination," observed Justice, "we cannot oppose you, my brother." Then turning towards Mercy, he said, "Use your endeavour to restore my wife. But should I receive her, and she again falls, do you design to renew your intercession?"—"Not," said the other, "unless she be truly penitent." The Prince then conducted back his sister Peace, and caused each of the others to embrace her, in turn. Concord being thus re-