THE KING'S MIRROR 77 



hear what you wish to inquire about and to answer such 

 questions as are (Hiscreetly asked/] /., 



Son. I have heard the common report (which I be- 

 lieve is true) as to your wisdom, that in all the land it 

 would be difficult to find a man who has greater insight 

 into every form of knowledge than you have; for all 

 those who have difficult matters to settle are eager to 

 get your decision. I have also been told that the same 

 was true (when you were at the royal court, and thaO c 



the entire government, lawmaking, treaty making, and 

 every other sort of business, seemed to be guided fcy 

 your opinion] Now as I am the [lawful heir to y*ur 

 worldly possessionsj I should also like to share some- 

 what in the heritage of your wisdom. Wherefore I wish 

 to have you point out to me the beginnings and the al- 

 phabet of wisdom, as far as I am able to learn them from 

 you, so that I may later be able to read all your learned 

 writings, and thus follow in your footsteps. [F*r I am 7 

 sure that after your decease many will rely on your hav- ^ 

 ing trained me after your own ways. ~] 



Father. It pleases me to hear you speak in this wise, 

 and I shall be glad to answer; for it is algreat comfort to 

 me that I shall leave much wealth for my own true son 

 to enjoy after my daysj but 5 should scarcely regard him 

 as a son, though I had begotten him, if he were a fool.] 

 Now if you seek understanding, I will show you the basis 

 and the beginning of all wisdom, as a great and wise man 

 once expressed it:[j:o fear Almighty God, this is the be- 2 

 ginning of wisdom. *JBut He is not to be feared as an^ 



* Proverbs, ix, 10. In the use of Scriptural quotations the author is seldom 

 accurate. 



