is this I hear of thee?" He was unable to reply. "O wretch!"
continued the emperor--"monster of ingratitude! Guido liberated thee from
the most imminent danger, and for this thou hast nearly destroyed him.
Dost thou see how even irrational things have rendered him good for the
service he performed? but thou hast returned evil for good. Therefore I
deprive thee of thy dignity, which I will bestow upon Guido; and I
further adjudge you to be hung on a cross." This decree infinitely
rejoiced the noblemen of the empire; and Guido, full of honours and
years, ended his days in peace.

XIX.--OF REAL FRIENDSHIP.

A certain king had an only son whom he much loved. The young man was
desirous of travelling, and obtained his father's leave to travel. After
an absence of seven years he returned, and his father, overjoyed at his
arrival, asked what friends he had made. "Three," said the son, "the
first of whom I love more than myself; the second, as much as myself;
and the third, little or nothing."

"You say well," returned the father; "but it is a good thing to prove
them before you need their help. Therefore kill a pig, put it into a
sack, and go at night to the house of him whom you love best, and say
that you have accidentally killed a man, and if the body should be found
I shall condemn you to an ignominious death. Intreat him if he ever
loved you, to give his help in this extremity." The son did so; and the
friend answered, "Since you have rashly destroyed a man, you must needs
be crucified. Now because you were my friend, I will bestow upon you
three or four ells of cloth to wrap your body in."

The youth hearing this, went in much indignation to the second of his
friends, and told the same story. He received him like the first, and
said, "Do you believe me mad, that I should expose myself to such peril?
But since I have called you my friend, I will accompany you to the
cross, and console you as much as possible upon the way."

This liberal proposal not meeting the prince's approbation, he went to
the third, and said, "I am ashamed to speak what I have done; but alas!
I have accidentally slain a man." "My friend," answered the other, "I
will readily lay down my life in your defence; and should you be
condemned to expiate your misfortune on the cross, I will be crucified
either for you or with you." _This_ man, therefore, proved that he was
his friend.

XX.--ROYAL BOUNTY.

A king issued a proclamation, t