206 



THE KING'S MIRROR 



and these men, though they be dead, bear a burden of 

 lasting disgrace when their deeds are recalled/ their 

 kinsmen, too, and all their descendants after their days 

 have to bear the same dishonor^] Those, however, are 

 most numerous who drop away like cattle and are re- 

 membered neither for good nor for evil; but you shall 

 know of a truth that such is surely not the purpose of 

 mankind; for all other creatures were made for the 

 pleasure and subsistence of man, while man was created 

 to enjoy the glories of both this and the other world, if 

 he is to realize the purpose of his creation. ^Every one, 

 therefore, while he still lives, should strive to leave a 

 few such deeds after him as will cause him to be re- 

 membered with favor after he has departed this life. 

 But this is above all the duty of kings and other mighty 

 chiefs and of all those who seek their society and eivter 

 their service; for after that a man is no longer looked 

 upon as a churl, but is honored as a governor or a chief; 

 and thus he ought to be honored, if he strives to observe 

 the customs that are becoming to himself and his dig- 

 nity. 



Take heed lest you vacillate in friendship among 

 several chiefs, as fickle men do; for no one who acts thus 

 can be firm in purpose.(Love your lord highly and with- 

 ut guile as long as you stay in his service, and never 



ek the society or the confidence of his enemies, if you 

 wish to remain a man of honor?Above your lord you 

 must love God alone, but no other manTj These are the 



ings that you must especially avoid, lest they bring 

 you an evil name: perjury and false testimony, brothels, 

 drinking bouts^ except in the king's house or in decent 



