Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/437

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OF WORLDLY ANXIETY.
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was founded upon mercenary feelings. When wealth flies, love flies with it[1]. Therefore, I would on no account marry again. Moreover, the Sacred Writings say, that a husband and wife are one body but two souls; therefore the body of my husband is my body, and the converse. Every day I visit the sepulchre of my deceased lord, and he is ever present to my mind. For all these causes, I determine to remain as I am." The king, pleased with the virtuous resolutions of his daughters, solicited them no more.


APPLICATION.

My beloved, the king is God. The three daughters are the soul, which image the Holy Trinity. For God said, "Let us make man in our image; therefore the Trinity in unity is typified by the soul, and the soul represented by three persons. The three dukes are the devil, the world, and the flesh; when they die,

  1. When Poverty comes in at the door, Love flies out at the window. English Proverb.