Chapter XIV

HOW A KING HAD A SON OF HIS BROUGHT UP IN A DARK PLACE, AND THEN SHOWED HIM EVERYTHING, AND HOW WOMEN PLEASED HIM MOST

To a king a son was born.

The wise astrologers counselled that he should be kept for ten years without ever seeing the sun. So he was brought up and taken care of in a darksome cavern.

After the time had gone by, they brought him forth, and they set before him many fine jewels and many lovely girls, calling each thing by its name, and saying of the maidens that they were demons. Then they asked him which thing pleased him the most of all. And he answered: the demons.

At this the king marvelled mightily, saying: what a terrible thing is the tyranny and beauty of women! [26]