Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/363

derer, and not he." Satisfied with his declaration, they immediately seized him and brought both to the cross. As they were on the point of undergoing the awarded punishment, the real murderer, who happened to be present, thought thus, "I will not permit innocent blood to be shed: the vengeance of God will sooner or later overtake me, and it is better to suffer a short pain in this world, than subject myself to everlasting torments in the next." Then lifting up his voice, "My friends! for God's sake slay not the guiltless. The dead man was killed without premeditation, and without the knowledge of any one. I only am the murderer; let these men go." The crowd, hearing what he said, instantly apprehended, and brought him with no little amazement to the judge. The judge, seeing the reputed criminals along with them, asked with surprise, why they had returned. They related what had occurred; and the judge, addressing the first knight, said, "Friend, why did you confess yourself the murderer?" "My lord," answered he, "I will tell you without deceit. In my own land I was rich; and