THE KING'S MIRROR 79 



III 



THE ACTIVITIES AND HABITS OF A MERCHANT 



Son. I am now in my most vigorous years and have a 

 desire to travel abroad; for[I would not venture to seek*) 

 employment at court before I had observed the customs T 

 of other menJSuch is my intention at present, unless you 

 should give me other advice. 



Father. Although I have been a kingsman rather than 

 a merchant, I have no fault to find with that calling, for 

 often the best of men are chosen for it. But(much de- 

 pends on whether the man is more like those who are 

 true merchants, or those who take the merchant's name 

 but are mere frauds and foisterers, buying and selling 



c - 



Son. [It would be more seemly for me to be like the ~) $^j 

 rightful ones; for it would be worse than one might L 

 think likely, if your son were to imitate those who are \ 

 not as they ought.] But whatever my fate is to be, I de-s 

 sire to have you inform me as to the practices of such 

 men as seem to be capable in that business. 



Father. The man who is to be a trader will have to 

 brave many perils, sometimes at sea and sometimes in 

 heathen lands,* but nearly always among alien peoples; 

 and it must be his constant purpose to act discreetly 

 wherever he happens to be. On the sea he must be alert 

 and fearless. 



* These " heathen lands " were probably the regions along the Arctic in- 

 habited by the Finns; it is also possible that the author alludes to trading 

 voyages to lands occupied by Esquimaux, though he makes no mention of 

 these people anywhere in his work. 



