urged, the youth made known to her his love for the lady. "Is that all?" said the beldam-" return to your home, I will find a medicine that shall presently relieve you." Confiding in her assurances, he went his way, and the other commenced her devices.

It seems she possessed a little dog, which she had accustomed to fast for two successive days; on the third, she made bread of the flour of mustard, and placed it before the pining animal. As soon as it had tasted the bread, the pungent bitterness caused the water to spring into its eyes, and the whole of that day tears flowed copiously from them. The old woman, accompanied by her dog, posted to the house of the lady whom the young man loved; and the opinion entertained of her sanctity secured her an honourable and gracious reception. As they sat together, the lady noticed the weeping dog, and was curious to ascertain the cause. The crone told her not to inquire, for that it involved a calamity too dreadful to communicate. Such a remark, naturally enough, excited still more the curiosity of the fair questioner, and she

earnestly pressed her to detail the story. This was what the old hag wanted; and, assuming a hypocritical whine, she said, "That little dog was my daughter-too good and excellent for this world. She was beloved by a young man, who, thrown into despair by her cruelty, perished for her love. My daughter, as a punishment for her hard-hearted conduct, was suddenly changed into the little dog, respecting which you inquire." Saying these words, a few crocodile tears started into her eyes; and she continued, "Alas! how often does this mute memorial recall my lost daughter, once so beautiful and virtuous: now-oh, what is she now? degraded from the state of humanity, she exists only to pine away in wretchedness, and waste her life in tears. She can receive no comfort; and they who would administer it, can but weep for her distresses, which surely are without a parallel." The lady, astonished and terrified at what she heard, secretly exclaimed—“ Alas! I too am beloved; and he who loves me is in like manner at the point of death”—and then, instigated by her fears, discovered the whole

circumstance to the old woman, who immediately answered, "Beautiful lady, do not disregard the anguish of this young man : look upon my unhappy daughter, and be warned in time. As she is, you may be." "Oh!" returned the credulous lady," my good mother, counsel me; what would you have me Not for worlds would I become as she

do?

is."

Why then," answered the treacherous old woman, "send directly for the youth, and give him the love he covets-thus, you will prevent his death, and your own irremediable calamity." The lady blushed, and said, "May I entreat your holiness to fetch him: there might be some scandal circulated if another went." 66 My dear daughter," said she, "I suffer with you, and will presently bring him hither."-She did so; but in the night the husband returned, and put the whole party to a shameful death. Thus, did the wicked project of an old woman involve many in ruin. (26)

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the soldier is Christ; the wife is the soul-to which God gave free will. It is invited to the feast of carnal pleasures, where a youth—that is, the vanity of the world, becomes enamoured of it. The old woman is the devil; the dog, the hope of a long life, and the presumptuous belief of God's clemency, which lead us to deceive and soothe the soul. But Christ will come during the night, and condemn the sinner to death.

TALE XXIX.

OF CORRUPT JUDGMENT.

AN emperor established a law that every judge convicted of a partial administration

of justice, should undergo the severest penalties. It happened that a certain judge, bribed by a large sum, gave a notoriously corrupt decision. This circumstance reaching the ears of the emperor, he commanded him to be flayed. The sentence was immediately executed, and the skin of the culprit nailed upon the seat of judgment, as an awful warning to others to avoid a similar offence. The emperor afterwards bestowed the same dignity upon the son of the deceased judge, and on presenting the appointment, said,— "Thou wilt sit to administer justice upon the skin of thy delinquent sire: should any one incite thee to do evil, remember his fate; look down upon the coverture of the judgment-seat; there thou wilt find matter to uphold thy falling virtue, and prevent the commission of an unjust act."

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the emperor is Christ; the unjust judge is any evil man, who ought to