THE KING'S MIRROR 



the queen the protecting shield of the Jewish faith, it 

 was clear to both that it would be improper for them 

 to subject themselves to temptation by acting as judges 

 in this dispute. So they ordered a careful search to be 

 made among the wise men to find whether there might 

 be some in all their number who were so reliable in wis- 

 dom, judgment, and rightmindedness, that all those 

 present could trust them to judge rightly in their con- 

 test. But when the entire multitude had been examined, 

 only two men were found whom the people dared choose 

 to be judges in these important matters; and both of 

 these men were heathen and bound neither to the law 

 of the Christians nor to the Jewish faith. One of them 

 was named Craton: he was a great philosopher and 

 thoroughly versed in all learning; he was a friend of 

 mighty men and enjoyed their favor; but never had 

 he cared for more of this world's riches than what he 

 needed for clothes and food. And when great men some- 

 times gave him more than he required, he would give 

 away what he did not consume to such as were needy. 

 It was also in his nature to speak little but truthfully, 

 and no man knew that falsehood had ever been found 

 on his lips; wherefore all felt that the merits of wisdom 

 and good character which he possessed would surely 

 make him worthy to judge in these important matters. 

 The other who was chosen judge was named Zenophi- 

 lus; he was a famous and powerful prince, and where he 

 directed the government it was not known that he had 

 ever swerved from justice. He was a great master of 

 eloquence and learned in all science, friendly in speech 

 and affable, though a man of authority. Nor could any- 



