When he had done this, he said to the king,

66

My lord, your first question is resolved; I find in the four elements scarcely seven feet." "How?" replied the king, "What has this to do with the four elements?" " My lord," answered the soldier, "every man as well as every animal, is composed of the four elements. "Amen," said the king, "you have proved this very satisfactorily. Now then for the second condition; which is to change the wind." Immediately he caused his horse to be brought into the area of the court, and there administered a potion, by which the animal was made perfectly quiet. This done he turned his horse's head toward the East, and said, Observe, my lord, the wind is changed from North to East." "How?" an

swered the king, "what is this to the wind?" "Sire," returned the soldier, "is it not obvious to your wisdom that the life of every animal consists in his breath, which is air? As long as he remained toward the North, he raged fiercely, and his snorting was excessive. But when I had given him the potion and turned him toward the East, he became

quiet and breathed less, and in a different direction; wherefore, the wind is changed." "This also," said the king, "you have well proved; go on to the third." My lord," replied the soldier, "this, so please you, I will perform before all your court." Then, taking up a handful of burning coals, he deposited them in his bosom, without injury to his flesh. "Truly," exclaimed the king, "you have done very well in these matters: but tell me, how happens it that you are unhurt by the fire." "It was not," returned the soldier, "by any power of my own, but by virtue of a singular stone, which I always about with me. carry And whosoever possesses this stone is able to resist the hottest fire." The king, satisfied that the conditions had been accurately complied with, gave orders for his marriage with the lady. He loaded him with riches and honors, and they both ended their days in the greatest happi

ness.

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the king is our Lord Jesus Christ. The daughter is the human soul. To measure the elements, is to subdue the lusts of the flesh. The fiery horse is any sinner, whom repentance changes. The fire in the bosom is luxury, pride, avarice, &c. and the stone is a true and lively faith in Christ.

TALE LXXI.

OF AN ETERNAL RECOMPENCE.

A KING made a great feast, and despatched messengers with invitations, in which the guests were promised not only a magnificent entertainment, but considerable wealth. When the messengers had gone through town and

country, executing every where the commands of their king, it happened that there dwelt in a certain city two men, of whom one was valiant and robustly made, but blind while the other was lame and feeble, but his sight was excellent. Said the blind man to the lame, "My friend, our's is a hard case ; for it is spread far and near that the king gives a great feast, at which every man will receive not only abundance of food but much wealth; and thou art lame, while I am blind: how then shall we get to the feast?" "Take my counsel," replied the lame man," and we will obtain a share both of the dinner and wealth." "Verily," answered the other, "I will follow any counsel that may benefit me.' "Well then," returned the blind man," thou art stout of heart, and robust of body, and therefore, thou shalt carry me on thy back who am lame and weak. My eyes shall be as thine; and thus, for the loan of thy legs, I will lend thee my eyes; by means of which we shall reach the festival and secure the reward." "Be it as thou hast said,” replied he of the legs; "get upon my back immediately."

He did so; the lame man pointed the way, and the other carried him. They arrived at the feast, and received the same recompence as the rest. (66)

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the king is our Lord Jesus Christ, who prepared the feast of eternal life. The blind man is the powerful of this world, who are blind to their future safety. The lame man is any devout person, who has nothing in common with the man of the world, but sees the kingdom which is to come *.

* The latter part of this moralization recommends "fideliter viris ecclesiasticis decimas dare. Si hæc feceritis nos viri religiosi tenemur vobis viam salutis ostendere quomodo poteritis ad vitam eternam pervenire." The monks never forgot this-" If you pay us, we will shew you the way; else, find it out yourself." Such was the burden of their song.