VIII
Of the gift of a king’s son to a king of Syria who had been driven from his throne
A lord of Greece who possessed a mighty kingdom and whose name was Aulix had a young son whom he had taught the seven liberal arts.[1] And he instructed him in the moral life, that is the life of fine manners.
One day this king took much gold and gave it to his son and said: spend it as you like. And he [[56]]told his barons not to instruct him how to spend it, but only to observe his behaviour and his habits.
The barons, following the young man, were with him one day at the palace windows.
The youth was pensive. He saw passing along the road folk who from their dress and person seemed very noble. The road ran at the foot of the palace.
The young man ordered that all these folk should be brought before him. His will was obeyed in this, and all the passers-by came before him.
And one of them who was bolder in heart and more cheerful in look than the others, came forward and asked: Sire, what do you want of me? I would know whence you come, and what is your state.
And the man replied: Sire, I come from Italy, and a rich merchant I am, and my wealth which I have gained I did not have as patrimony, but I earned it with my labour.
The king’s son asked the next man whose features were noble and who stood with timid face further off than the other, and did not dare advance so boldly. [[57]]