Thus afflicted, he gave himself up to the wretchedness of his untoward condition. In the agony of his heart, he said: “What shall I do? Oh! what will be my destiny! I am loaded with the coarsest contumely, and exposed to the malicious observation of my people. It were better to hasten immediately to my palace, and there discover myself—my wife will know me; surely, my wife will know me!” Escaping, therefore, from his confinement, he approached the palace and beat upon the gate. The same questions were repeated, and the same answers returned. “Who art thou?” said the porter. “It is strange,” replied the aggrieved emperor, “it is strange that thou shouldst not know me; thou, who hast served me so long!” “Served thee” returned the porter indignantly; “thou liest abominably. I have served none but the emperor.” “Why,” said the other, “thou knowest that I am he. Yet, though you disregard my words, go, I implore you, to the empress; communicate what I will tell thee, and “by these signs, bid her send the imperial robes, of which some rogue has deprived me.
Intimate declaration
The signs I tell thee of are known to none but to ourselves.” “In verity,” said the porter, “thou art specially mad; at this very moment my lord sits at table with the empress herself. Nevertheless, out of regard for thy singular merits, I will intimate thy declaration within; and rest assured thou wilt presently find thyself most royally beaten.” The porter went accordingly, and related what he had heard. But the empress became very sorrowful, and said: “Oh, my lord, what am I to think? The most hidden passages of our lives are revealed by an obscene fellow at the gate, and repeated to me by the porter, on the strength of which he declares himself the emperor, and my espoused lord!” When the fictitious monarch was apprised of this, he commanded him to be brought in. He had no sooner entered, than a large dog, which crouched upon the hearth, and had been much cherished by him, flew at his throat, and, but for timely prevention, would have killed him. A falcon also, seated upon her perch, no sooner beheld him than she broke her jesses and flew out of the hall. Then the pretended emperor, addressing those who stood about him, said: “My friends, hear what I will ask of yon ribald. Who are you? and what do you want?” “These questions,” said the suffering man, “are very strange. You know I am the emperor and master of this place.” The other, turning to the nobles who sat or stood at the table, continued: “Tell me, on your allegiance, which of us two is your lord and master?” “Your majesty asks us an easy thing,” replied they, “and need not to remind us of our allegiance.
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