n to him yet again and discover what is the cause of his
holding back and refusal to come forth; for we doubt not but that the
like of this action cometh of his corrupt nature, and indeed he is now
hardened to the highest degree.” Accordingly, Shimas went in to the King
and bespake him, saying, “Peace be with thee, O King! How cometh it that
I see thee give thyself up to these slight pleasures and neglect the
great affair whereto it behoveth thee sedulously apply thyself? Thou art
like unto a man who had a milch-camel and, coming one day to milk her,
the goodness of her milk made him neglect to hold fast her halter; which
whenas she felt, she haled herself free and made off into the wold. Thus
the man lost both milk and camel and the loss that betided him surpassed
his gain. Wherefore, O King, do thou look unto that wherein is thy
welfare and the weal of thy subjects; for, even as it behoveth not a man
to sit for ever at the kitchen door, because of his need unto food, so
should he not alway company with women, by reason of his inclination to
them. And as a man should eat but as much food as will guard him from
the pains of hunger and drink but what will ward off the pangs of
thirst, in like manner it behoveth the sensible man to content himself
with passing two of the four-and-twenty hours of his day with women and
expend the rest in ordering his own affairs and those of his people. For
to be longer than this in company with women is hurtful both to mind and
body, seeing that they bid not unto good neither direct thereto:
wherefore it besitteth not a man to accept from them or word or deed,
for indeed it hath reached me that many men have come to ruin through
their women, and amongst others a certain man who perished through
conversation with his wife at her command.” The King asked, “How was
that?” and Shimas answered, saying, “Hear, O King, the tale of


                        _THE MAN AND HIS WIFE_.”

They relate that a certain man had a wife whom he loved and honoured,
giving ear to her speech