Early the next morning the king’s page knocked at the door of the humble abode where the king had passed the night.
“Why so early, good page?” asked the king.
“My lord, the old merchant waits thy rising; and even now strange news is come from the village.”
“Let the merchant and the messenger come in.”
The merchant seemed greatly elated, his eye glistened with joy, and his figure appeared dilated beyond its ordinary height. The messenger was pale and trembling, and staring aghast with fear.
“My lord, my good lord,” exclaimed the pallid messenger, “a horrible murder has been committed on your chamberlain; he lies dead in the royal bed.”
“The third maxim is tried and proved,” said the merchant.
“Give God the praise,” said the king; “thy reward is earned: a robe of honor, and thrice thy bargained price; to the old man and his wife, immediate death.”
“What theological application does the author append to this clever tale?” said Herbert, “for moral it wants not, as it tells its own.”
“The emperor is any good Christian; the porter, none other than free will; whilst the merchant represents our blessed Saviour. The florins are virtues, given in exchange for the maxims; the grace and favor of God. The conspirators are devils; the highway is the Ten Commandments; the bye-way, a bad life; the rebels in ambush, heretics.”