Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/83

pened that as he once sat at table, a certain merchant knocked at the gate. The porter opened it, and asked what he pleased to want. "I have brought some useful things for sale," answered the merchant. The porter introduced him; and he very humbly made obeisance to the emperor. "My friend," said the latter, "what merchandise have you to dispose of?" "Three maxims of especial wisdom and excellence, my lord." "And how much will you take for your maxims?" "A thousand florins." "And so," said the king, "if they are of no use to me, I lose my money?" "My lord," answered the merchant, "if the maxims do not stand you in stead, I will return the money." "Very well," said the emperor; "let us hear your maxims." "The first, my lord, is this,—'Whatever you do, do wisely; and think of the consequences.' The second is,—'Never leave the high-way, for a by-way.' And, thirdly, 'Never stay all night as a guest in that house, where you find the master an old man, and his wife a young woman.' These three maxims, if you attend to them, will be