that powerful word
was."

"Hear, then; but never mention it again, or we shall lose all our
property."

"Be sure of that," said the lady; "it shall never be repeated."

"It was--is there no one within hearing?--the mighty word was 'FALSE.'"

The lady, apparently quite satisfied, fell asleep; and her husband
feigned it. He snored lustily, and the thief above, who had heard their
conversation with much pleasure, aided by the light of the moon,
descended, repeating seven times the cabalistic sound. But being too
much occupied with the charm to mind his footing, he stepped through the
window into the house; and in the fall dislocated his leg and arm, and
lay half dead upon the floor. The owner of the mansion, hearing the
noise, and well knowing the reason, though he pretended ignorance, asked
"What was the matter?" "Oh!" groaned the suffering thief, "_False_
falls." In the morning he was taken before the judge, and afterwards
suspended on a cross.

XXII.--THE BASILISK.

Alexander the Great was lord of the whole world. He once collected a
large army, and besieged a certain city, around which many knights and
others were killed without any visible wound. Much surprised at this, he
called together his philosophers, and said, "My masters, how is this? My
soldiers die, and there is no apparent wound!" "No wonder," replied
they; "under the walls of the city is a basilisk, whose look infects
your soldiers, and they die of the pestilence it creates." "And what
remedy is there for this?" said the king.

"Place a glass in a high place between the army and the wall under which
the basilisk cowers; and no sooner shall he behold it, than his own
figure, reflected in the mirror, shall return the poison upon himself,
and kill him." Alexander took their advice, and thus saved his
followers.

APPLICATION.

My beloved, look into the glass of _reflection_, and by remembrance of
human frailty destroy the vices which time breeds.

XXIII.--THE TRUMP OF DEATH.

A king made a law, by which whosoever was suddenly to be put to death,
in the morning, before sunrise should be saluted with songs and
trumpets; and, arrayed in black garments, should receive judgment. This
king made a great feast; and convoked all the nobles of his kingdom, who
appeared accordingly. The most skilful musicians were assembled, and
there was much sweet melody.

But the king was discontented and out of humour; his countenance
expressed inten