Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/369

me. We will return together to our own country." Guido promised; and exchanging kisses, they separated with much regret. The one proceeded to the Holy Land, and the other to Dacia. Guido fought many battles against the Saracens, and was victorious in all; so that his fame flew to the ends of the earth. Tyrius, in like manner, proved fortunate in war, and drove the infidels from the Dacian territory. The king loved and honored him above all others; and conferred on him great riches. But there was at that time, a savage nobleman, called Plebeus, in whose heart the prosperity of Tyrius, excited an inordinate degree of hate and envy. He accused him to the king, of treason; and malevolently insinuated, that he designed to make himself master of the kingdom. The king credited the assertion, and ungratefully robbed him of all the honors which his bounty had conferred. Tyrius, therefore, was reduced to extreme want, and had scarcely the common sustenance of life. Thus desolate, he gave free course to his griefs; and exclaimed in great tribulation, "Wretch that I am! what