[How the seven Wise Masters after the sight of the Emperor's
letter would first observe the course and divine for shewing
of the Firmament, and Planets, whether it were good to
obey his commandment or not.
[And when the Masters by the letter had understood the Emperors will in the night they went and beheld the stars in the Firmament, whether it would be expedient to bring the child to the Emperor or not? and they saw clearly in the stars, that if they should lead the child in that time assigned, at the first word he should speak he should die an evil death: wherefore they were all very sorry; and as they beheld another star, they saw, that if they delivered not the child at the day aforesaid, they should lose their heads. Then said one of them of two evils the least is to be chosen: it is better that all we die, than that the child should lose his life: therefore that we may save the childs life let us go to the Emperor. And as they were thus sorrowful, the child came down from his chamber, and seeing his Masters so heavy, he demanded the cause of their heaviness: whereunto they answered: Sir, we have received your Fathers Letters that upon pain of death, now this high feast of Penticost we shall lead you to your countrey, whereupon we have beholden the firmament, wherein we clearly find, that if we (within the time prefixed) present you to your father, at the first word that ye shall pronounce out of your mouth ye shall be to the most vilest death condemned. Then said the child, I must also behold the Firmament with the stars: and so he did; and found clear in a little star, that if he could abstain from speaking seven dayes, he should be preserved and save his life. And after he had seen this, he call'd his Masters and shewed them the star, and said Behold my dear Masters, I see perfectly in the star, that if I abstain myself seven daies, I shall save my life. Ye are now seven Masters, the wisest of all the world, it is an easie thing for you, every of you for me one day to answer and with your wise answer every of you his day, my life may save and keep; and in the eighth day I shall speak my self, and save my life and all you from peril. As the Masters did behold that certain star, they thought with themselves that the child had said truth, saying, Almighty God be thanked, that the wisdom and cunning of our Disciple exceedeth us all. Then said the first master Pantillus, Lord, I shall speak for you the first day, and save your life. And Lentulus, the second master said I shall for you the second day answer; and so consequently every of them promised to answer for himself his day; and this said, they cloathed the child in purple, leaped on horseback with a fair company and hasted with the child to the Emperor.
[How the Emperor rode to meet his son coming from study
with Joy, Solemnity and Triumph.]
Whan themperour perceyued yt his sone was comynge upon ye waye, he rode with grete joye to mete hym. The maysters vnderstandyng the comynge of themperour sayd to the chylde, It is best that we departe, ⁊ in the meane whyle we maye prouyde how we may saue your lyfe. The chylde sayd it pleaseth me well that ye so doo, but haue mynde of me in tyme of my necessyte. As they that herde, they toke theyr leue and departed towardes ye Cyte. The chylde came after accompanyed ryght honourably. And as he and his fader themperour were mette, for joye ⁊ gladnesse he toke hym about the necke ⁊ kyssed hym and sayd, My dere sone how is it with you / is it (sic) longe sythen that I sawe you. He bowed downe his hede and answerd no thynge. The fader had grete wonder why that he spake not and thought in himselfe that his maysters had hym so enformed that he rydynge sholde not speke. And whan they were comen to the palays and were descended from theyr horses, The fader toke his sone by the honde ⁊ lad hym in to the hall and set hym next hym ⁊ behelde him and sayde, Say me how it is with your maysters, ⁊ how they haue enformed you, for now it is many yeres syth I saw you. He enclyned downe his hede ⁊ gaue none answere. The fader sayd, wherfore speke ye not to me. And whan thempresse herde that themperours sone was comen she was ryght joyous and glad, ⁊ sayd I wyl goo to se hym. She apparaylled her with ryche vesture ⁊ atyre, ⁊ toke with her two of her gentylwymen ⁊ went there as ye emperour was syttȳge wt his sone she sette her downe by ye chylde. ⁊ she sayd to themperour is this your sone yt hath ben nourysshed wt ye seuen wyse maysters. ⁊ he sayd / it is my sone / but he speketh not. She sayd, Delyuer to me your sone, ⁊ if euer he spake I shall do hym speke. Tho sayd themperour ryse ⁊ go wt her. The sone dyde reuerence to ye fader, as thoughe he sayd I am redy too accōplysshe your wyll, ⁊ went wt her.
