180 THE KING'S MIRROR 



distinctions of which you have just told. Now it may 

 happen that I shall want to fare to court and join the 

 king's service; for since my father and my kinsmen 

 served the king before me and gained honor and high 

 esteem for their service, it is likely that I shall wish to 

 do what my kinsmen achieved before me.? Now inas- 

 much as that is likely, I want to ask you to tell me how 

 I ought to begin my speech when I come to seek audi- 

 ence with a king. State it as clearly as if you were to 

 accompany me to the royal presence, and inform me as 

 to my gestures, my dress, my manner of speech and all 

 matters of deportment that are becoming in the king's 

 company. Now this time I have asked as I thought best; 

 but even though I have inquired less wisely than I 

 ought, kindly do as before, giving thought to the ques- 

 tions on my part and to the replies from your side. 



Father. Your questions on this subject are not so un- 

 wise that one may not very well answer them; for many 

 have need to make such inquiries, if they mean to have 

 their suits brought up before lords and to have them 

 planned as carefully as need be. Now I shall try to clear 

 up these matters that you have asked about, stating 

 what seems most truthful and advisable. When you 

 come, then, to where the king resides, intending to be- 

 come his man jl you should inquire carefully who the 

 men are in the king's company that are best able to 

 present men's business to the king in such a way that 

 their speeches please him the most^As soon as you have 

 learned who they are, you must first make their ac- 

 / A quaintance and cultivate their friendship; after that 

 \\make your errand known and ask them to undertake 



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