Then he sent a courier to Florence, and bade him call Virgil with all haste.
Virgil followed the messenger at full speed.
“What wilt thou of me?” asked the sorcerer of the Emperor.
“I wish to be relieved from the melancholy which oppresses me. I want joy.”
“Do like me, and thou wilt always have a peaceful mind:
“‘I work no evil to any man;
I ever do what good I can.
He who acts thus has ever the power
To turn to peace the darkest hour!’”
“Nor do I recall that I ever did anything to regret,” replied the Emperor.
“Well, then, come with me, for I think that a little journey will be the best means of distracting your mind and relieving you from melancholy.”
“Very well,” replied the Emperor. “Lead where you will; anything for a change.”
“We will take a look at all the small districts of Tuscany,” answered Virgil.