Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/381

tion and action of the pilgrim, called to him and bade him stand there no longer. He approached, and without making himself known, entreated of his wife permission to occupy some retired place in the neighbouring forest; and she, supposing that he was the pilgrim he appeared to be, for the love of God, and of her husband, built him a hermitage, and there he remained a long time. But being on the point of death, he called his attendant, and said, "Go quickly to the countess: give her that ring, and say, that if she wishes to see me, she must come hither with all speed ." The messenger went accordingly, and delivered the ring. As soon as she had seen it, she exclaimed, "It is my lord's ring" and with a fleet foot, hurried into the forest. But Guido was dead. She fell upon the corpse, and with a loud voice cried, "Woe is me! my hope is extinct!" and then with sighs and lamentations, continued, "Where are now the alms I distributed in behalf of my lord? I beheld my husband receive my gifts with his own hands, and knew him not. And as for thee," (apostrophising the dead body,)