places near the walls of the city, and entering in, pretended to be ſooth-ſayers, and would diſcover hidden treaſure; which being known to the Emperor, he ſent for them, who pretended to dream, diſcovered the treaſure they had hid: at laſt they pretended to dream that under the tower lay a great treaſure, and, if the Emperor would permit, they would take it out; to which he conſented: whereupon they undermined the tower, and, at break of day, left the city, and were out of ſight before it fell. At which the citizens being grieved, came to the Emperor and acquainted him with it; and, underſtanding, that through his covetouſneſs the miſchief befel them, they carried him to the market-place, and poured melted gold down his throat, and buried him. The enemy ſoon after came upon the town, taking it; and deſtroying the inhabitants, took all their riches.———The Empreſs then demanded, if he knew the meaning? who replied in the negative. Well, then, ſaid ſhe, the tower with the images ſignify your body, with its intellectual faculties; as long as they remain ſtrong, and on a good foundation, you are ſafe; but, if you give yourſelf up to the flattery of the maſters, you muſt expect to fall. Rather than ſo, ſaid he, they ſhall periſh with my ſon.
