THE KING'S MIRROR 195 



of the nation, far greater misfortunes will arise. For one 

 cannot buy from other countries with money either 

 morals or insight, if what was formerly in the land 

 should be lost or destroyed. But even though there be 

 failure of harvest on a peasant's farm, which has always 

 been good and which he and his kinsmen before him 

 have owned a long time, he will not take such an angry 

 dislike to it that, caring no longer what becomes of it, 

 he will proceed forthwith to dispose of it; much rather 

 will he plan to garner and store grass and chaff as care- 

 fully as he once garnered good and clean grain, or even 

 more so, and in this way provide for his household as 

 best he can, until God wills that times shall improve. 

 In this way, too, a king must act[if he should suffer the / [^ 

 misfortune of dearth upon the morals or the intelligence 

 ^hjs_realm^ he mujstjiot renounce the kingdom^ but 

 necessity may force him to rate the men of little wit as 

 high as the wise were rated earlier while the kingdom 

 stood highest in prosperity and morals. ISometimes pun- 

 ishment will serve and sometimes prayer; something 

 may also be gained through instruction; but the land 

 must be maintained in every way possible until God 

 wills that times shall improve. 



XXXVI 



THE CAUSES OF SUCH PERIODS OF DEARTH AND WHAT 

 FORMS THE DEARTH MAY TAKE 



Son. I see clearly now that troubles may befall men 

 in many ways, the mighty as well as the humble, kings 

 as well as cotters. But as you have given me this free- 

 dom and have allowed me to question you in our con- 



