Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/358

fability, and splendour of the Prince, he said in his heart; "Oh, ye heavenly powers! that man has received too many favors. He is handsome, bold, and graceful; and even his very retinue are equipped with splendour and comfort." Under the impression of such feelings, he addressed himself to one of the attendants, "My friend," said he, "is your master very powerful?"—"He is," replied the other, "the despotic lord of an extensive territory; his treasury is filled with silver and gold; and his slaves are exceedingly numerous."—"God has been bountiful to him," said the merchant; "he is more beautiful than any one I ever beheld; and his power vouches for his wisdom." Now the person with whom he conversed, related all that the merchant had said, to his master; and as the Prince turned homeward about the hour of vespers, he besought the merchant to tarry there all night. The entreaty of a potentate is a command; and the merchant, therefore, though with some reluctance, entered the palace. The prodigious display of wealth; the number of beautiful halls, ornamented in