art, he said: "What shall I do? Oh!
what will be my destiny? I am loaded with the coarsest contumely, and
exposed to the malicious observation of my people. It were better to
hasten immediately to my palace, and there discover myself--my wife will
know me; surely, my wife will know me!" Escaping, therefore, from his
confinement, he approached the palace and beat upon the gate. The same
questions were repeated, and the same answers returned. "Who art thou?"
said the porter. "It is strange," replied the aggrieved emperor, "it is
strange that thou shouldst not know me; thou, who hast served me so
long!" "Served _thee_!" returned the porter indignantly; "thou liest
abominably. I have served none but the emperor." "Why," said the other,
"thou knowest that I am he. Yet, though you disregard my words, go, I
implore you, to the empress; communicate what I will tell thee, and by
these signs, bid her send the imperial robes, of which some rogue
has deprived me. The signs I tell thee of are known to none but to
ourselves." "In verity," said the porter, "thou art specially mad; at
this very moment my lord sits at table with the empress herself.
Nevertheless, out of regard for thy singular merits, I will intimate thy
declaration within; and rest assured thou wilt presently find thyself
most royally beaten." The porter went accordingly, and related what he
had heard. But the empress became very sorrowful, and said: "Oh, my
lord, what am I to think? The most hidden passages of our lives are
revealed by an obscene fellow at the gate, and repeated to me by the
porter, on the strength of which he declares himself the emperor, and my
espoused lord!" When the fictitious monarch was apprised of this, he
commanded him to be brought in. He had no sooner entered, than a large
dog, which couched upon the hearth, and had been much cherished by him,
flew at his throat, and, but for timely prevention, would have killed
him. A falcon also, seated upon her perch, no sooner beheld him than she
broke her jesses and flew out of the hall. Then the pretended emperor,
addressing those who stood about him, said: "My friends, hear what I
will ask of yon ribald. Who are you? and what do you want?" "These
questions," said the suffering man, "are very strange. You know I am the
emperor and master of this place." The other, turning to the nobles who
sat or stood at the table, continued: "Tell me, on your allegiance,
which of us two is your lord and master?" "Your