One day as Bertha was going along she met Nero, the Roman Emperor, to whom she said,‘ May God grant you health so good you’ ll live a thousand years!’ Nero, whom not a soul could stand because he was such a hangman, was flabbergasted to hear someone wishing him a thousand years of life, and he replied,‘ Why do you say that to me, my good woman?’ Bertha answered:‘ Because a bad one is always followed by one still worse.’ Nero then said,‘ Very well, all you spin between now and tomorrow morning, bring it to my palace.’ And off he went.