s to put thee from him,
except it be the sooner amended, and that will be a great reproof to
thee." Then said this Fulgentius: "Ah, good sir, for his love that died
upon the cross, tell me why my lord is so sore moved with me, for I am
ready to amend my fault in all that I can or may, and for to be ruled by
your discreet counsel."

"Thy breath," quoth the steward, "stinketh so sore, that his drink doth
him no good, so grievous unto him is the stinking breath of thy mouth."
Then said Fulgentius unto the steward: "Truly; that perceived I never
till now. But what think ye of my breath? I pray you tell me the very
truth." "Truly," quoth the steward, "it stinketh greatly and foul." And
this Fulgentius believed all that he had said, and was right sorrowful
in his mind, and prayed the steward of his counsel and help in this
woeful case. Then said the steward unto him, "If that thou wilt do my
counsel, I shall bring this matter to a good conclusion; wherefore do as
I shall tell thee.

"I counsel thee for the best, and also warn thee that when thou servest
my lord the emperor of his cup, that thou turn thy face away from him,
so that he may not smell thy stinking breath, until the time that thou
hast provided thee of some remedy therefore."

Then was Fulgentius right glad, and sware to him that he would do by his
counsel.

Not long after it befell that this young man Fulgentius served his lord
as he was wont to do, and therewith suddenly he turned his face from the
lord the emperor, as the steward had taught him.

And when the emperor perceived the avoiding of his head, he smote this
young Fulgentius on the breast with his foot, and said to him thus: "O
thou lewd varlet; now I see well it is true that I have heard of thee,
and therefore go thou anon out of my sight, that I may see thee no more
in this place." And with that this young Fulgentius wept full sore, and
avoided the place, and went out of his sight.

And when this was done, the emperor called unto him his steward, and
said, "How may I rid this varlet from the world, that thus hath defamed
me?" "My most dear lord," quoth the steward, "right well you shall have
your intent.

"For here beside, within these three miles, ye have brickmakers, which
daily make great fire, for to burn brick, and also they make lime;
therefore, my lord, send to them this night, charge them upon pain of
death, that whosoever cometh to them first in the morning, saying to
them thus, 'My