Virgil, indeed, wishing the Emperor to have a fine time of it for awhile, did nothing to disturb the splendid pair. But as daybreak would soon appear, he spoke to one and another, saying that he had promised the Emperor a merry jest to make them all laugh. Whereupon there was a general cry for the diversion, and by one consent the gay company invaded the room where the fond couple sat.
Then Virgil, with the greatest politeness and a laughing air, said:
“Excuse me, your Highness, but it seems that my fair cousin here has so engrossed you that you have forgotten that you laid an absolute command on me that I should prepare and play some rare jest, the like of which you had never seen, and I fear, should I forget it, you may ne’er forgive me.”
Then the Emperor, good-natured and grateful to the poet for his fair cousin’s sake, excused the intrusion, and begged for the jest, expressing a hope that it would be a thoroughly good one.
Then Virgil said to the Emperor:
“Take my cousin upon thy lap, and let her arms be round thy neck!”
“Per Bacco!” cried the Emperor, “the jest begins well!”
“And now embrace her firmly!” exclaimed Virgil.
“Better and better!” quoth the Emperor.
Then Virgil spoke solemnly to the lady, and said: