he wine to be all clear you poured it into his cup. If by chance
he should inquire, you can satisfy him with this reply. But have no
suspicion yourself, after what I have said, for the drink is pure and
healthful, full excellent spices, and I think it may some day bring you
joy." When he heard that advantage would come to him, he took the potion
and went away, for he did not know there was any harm in it. He set
it in a crystal cup before the emperor, who took it without question,
trusting in his nephew. After taking a long draught of the beverage, he
straightway feels its strength, as it descends from head to heart, and
rises again from heart to head, and penetrates every part of him without
doing the slightest harm. And by the time they left the tables, the
emperor had drunk so much of the pleasing drink that he can never escape
it influence. Every night he will sleep under its influence, and its
effects will be such that he will think he is awake when sound asleep.

(Vv. 3329-3394.) Now the emperor has been deceived. Many bishops and
abbots were present to bless and hallow the marriage-bed. When the time
came to retire, the emperor, as was his right, lay beside his wife that
night. "As was his right;" but the statement is inexact, for he neither
kissed nor fondled her, yet they lay together in one bed. At first the
maiden trembled with fear and anxiety lest the potion should not act.
But it has so mastered him that he will never desire her or any other
woman except in his sleep. But when asleep he will have such sport with
her as one may have in dreams, and he will think the dream is true.
Nevertheless, she is on her guard, and at first, holds aloof from him,
so that he cannot approach her. But now he must needs fall asleep;
then he sleeps and dreams, though, the senses are awake, and he exerts
himself to win the favours of the maid, while she, realising the danger,
defends her virginity. He woos her and calls her gently his sweetheart,
and thinks he possesses her, but in vain. But he is gratified by this
vain semblance, embracing, kissing, and fondling an empty thing, seeing
and speaking to no purpose, struggling and striving without effect.
Surely the potion was effective in thus possessing and mastering him.
All his pains are of no avail, as he thinks and is persuaded that the
fortress is won. Thus he thinks and is convinced, when he desists after
his vain efforts. But now I may say once for all that his satisfactio