Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/407

the direction of his friend, proceeded to draw blood from his right arm. "I," said the latter, "will drink of thy blood, and thou of mine; so that neither in prosperity or in adversity, shall our covenant be broken, and whatsoever the one gains, shall be divided with the other." The foolish knight agreed; and they ratified the treaty by a draught of each other's blood. After this, they both dwelt in the same mansion. Now the lord of that country had two cities, one of which was built on the summit of a lofty mountain. It was so ordered, that no man could dwell there, unless he possessed great wealth; and having once entered, he must remain for life. The path to this city was narrow and stony, and about mid-way, three knights with a large army were stationed. The custom was, that whosoever passed should do battle, or lose his life, with every thing that he possessed. In that city, the emperor appointed a seneschal, who received without exception all who entered, and ministered to them according to their condition. But the other city was built in a valley under the mountain, the way to which