THE KING'S MIRROR 205 



point out the manners and customs which you think 

 would be becoming to me, if I were employed in the 

 royal service, no matter what times might come, though 

 I will pray the Lord that as long as I live there may be 

 peace and quiet and prosperous times. 



Father. No one knows how God will order such things 

 during the days of any man's lifetimer*But if a man 



V -- 



determines to be a kingsman and there happens to be 

 much distress and many disasters at the time because 

 of too many rulers or unpeace in some form, he must 

 be careful to join the service of the one who has obtained 

 the power in the most legal manner and is most likely 

 to observe the customs that rightful and well-bred kings 

 have observed before his day.^Ie is then least likely to 

 incur danger in accounting for his service, whether he 

 be called to account in this world or in the next. But 

 you have asked what customs you should observe if you 

 were bound to a royal service, and on that point I can 

 very well inform you. 



This should be the first principle of all your conduct, 

 never to let your heart be wanting in reverence and 

 fear of God, to love him above everything else, and next 



to him to love rihteousness. Train 



upright, and temperate in all things 



mind the day of death and guard carefully against vices. 

 yRemember that many a man lives but a brief time, y ''<* fiffy 

 while his deeds live long after him; and it is of great f> 4*. ^ ^ 

 importance what is remembered about him^Some have \ 

 reached fame through good deeds, and these always 

 live after them, for one's honor lives forever, though 

 the man himself be dead. Some win fame by evil deeds 



