“Alas!” replied Ashmodai, “within three days the bridegroom will be a corpse. Do I not do well to weep?”
In the next town on their journey they overheard a farmer asking a bootmaker to make a pair of shoes which were to last him for seven years. Whereupon Ashmodai burst out laughing.
“Tell me, Ashmodai” cried Benaiah, “why dost thou laugh?”
“Because the poor fellow will not wear his shoes for even seven days; behold within a week he will die—yet he asks for shoes to last him seven years.”
One day they met a blind man going astray. Ashmodai hastened to set him on the right path. He showed a similar kindness to a drunkard whom they met at the cross-roads. On another occasion they saw a magician who was exhibiting his skill in public. He claimed to be able to read the future and to disclose secrets. Here again Ashmodai found occasion [[12]]for mirth and laughter. When Benaiah asked him to explain his strange conduct, he remarked,—
“Wouldst thou not laugh also at a man who pretends to reveal secrets, whilst at the same moment he is unaware of the fact that a treasure lies buried at his feet? We demons judge persons and things according to their true value and not according to their deceptive appearance in the eyes of man.”
After many strange adventures they finally came to the Holy City. Benaiah conducted his captive to the royal presence. As soon as Ashmodai beheld King Solomon, fear seized him and he began to tremble violently in every limb. He held a long staff in his hand on which he supported himself. After his attack of nervousness had subsided, Ashmodai threw his staff before the King.
“What art thou doing?” asked Solomon.
“Mighty Sovereign, gracious master,” replied Ashmodai, “dost thou not know that in spite of all thy splendour and glory thou wilt occupy after thy death no more space in the earth than is measured by yonder staff, yet thou art not satisfied with ruling the children of men, but thou must needs hold the spirits and demons in subjection.”
“Be not vexed,” Solomon said in a gentle [[13]]tone of voice; “thou wilt not find me a hard master. I merely demand one little service at thy hands. Know then that I wish to build a great Temple to the glory of the Creator of heaven and earth, and for this purpose I require the services of the wonderful worm Shamir. Tell me now, where can I find this tiny creature?”