"But I," said the third son, "ought to be preferred to you both; for I outdo both in sloth. While I lay upon my bed, water dropped from above upon my eyes; and though, from the nature of the water, I was in danger of becoming blind, I neither could nor would turn my head ever so little to the right hand or to the left." The emperor, hearing this, bequeathed the kingdom to him, thinking him the laziest of the three.
XVI.—THE THREE MAXIMS.
Domitian was a very wise and just prince, and suffered no offender to escape. It happened that as he once sat at table, a certain merchant knocked at the gate. The porter opened it, and asked what he pleased to want.
"I have brought some useful things for sale," answered the merchant. The porter introduced him, and he very humbly made obeisance to the emperor.
"My friend," said the emperor, "what merchandise have you to dispose of?"
"Three maxims of especial wisdom and excellence, my lord."
"And how much will you take for your maxims?"
"A thousand florins."
"And so," said the king, "if they are of no use to me I lose my money?"
"My lord," answered the merchant, "if the maxims do not stand you in stead, I will return the money."