204 THE KING'S MIRROR 



were to continue for some time, the realm would decline. 

 There surely must be instances of such an issue, and we 

 may safely conclude that wherever such events come to 

 pass, there will be much evil and manifold misfortunes 

 before they cease. I also see clearly that if the morals or 

 laws of a kingdom are undermined by such troubles as 

 you have described, even though God should purpose to 

 rescue it finally from distress and unpeace and bring 

 it again under one ruler after such troublous times, the 

 people who survive are likely to be both wicked and 

 vicious; and there will surely be need, as you have said, 

 of good instruction and at times even of very severe 

 punishment. Furthermore, even if the kingdom did pos- 

 sess tolerable morals for a time before the unpeace came, 

 he who is to undertake the government, though he be 

 very wise, will need to use great determination and 

 severity for a long period, if the realm is to be replaced 

 on its earlier footing. 



I have been deeply interested in your discussion of 

 what may bring the greatest damage to a kingdom (and 

 it may be rendered worthless through loss of morals, 

 population, and wealth, if such conditions should arise) ; 

 and I have now been sufficiently informed as to how 

 matters may shape themselves, if misfortune means to 

 come; and I see clearly what great losses and damage 

 may follow such events. Now it seems to me that we 

 have dwelt rather long upon facts which must bring dis- 

 tress to everyone who wishes to be reputed a moral man 

 (wherefore all, both rich and poor, should implore the 

 Lord to let no such times come in their days), and I will 

 therefore return to what I began with and ask you to 



