Page 20 - Book of Composition

you speak are while that you think to deride me. Therefore according to
this opinion, although you seem to be aged and prudent, yet are rather to
be derided than praised.”

After these things the king called me and said: “O Galip my good
servant, go and seek a house for this man, beautiful both within and
without, and furnished with all ornament. And let it be near to my palace.
Seek out likewise a man that is a professor of his faith, learned, aged, and
well mannered, by whose words and councils he may be comforted, that
his mind may rest in peace. For I perceive him to be fearful, and
mistrustful of me.”

Therefore I did according as the king commanded me, but the king came
daily unto him and sat with him certain hours. He talked with him and
comforted him, yet he demanded nothing of him concerning his
Magistery. Afterwards great knowledge and love increased between
them. And Morienus gave great trust and confidence to the king. And
the king questioned with him concerning the laws of the Romans, and
whether their laws were altered and renewed according to the circuit of
time. He also questioned with him concerning the custom of the king and
counsels, and also of the histories of the Grecians. And Morienus
answered him wisely and modestly to all these demands. Therefore the
king loved Morienus more than he ever loved any man before.

It happened therefore on a certain day, that as they conferred together,
the king said to Morienus: “O old man, you wisest of all men, know that
I have a long time sought of many men the Magistery of Hermes, but as
yet could never find any man, who could open the true matter to me. For
this cause, when you departed secretly from our borders, after I had read
and understood the letters, which you had written about the vessel, in
which the Magistery was put, I presently caused all the heads of those
men to be struck off, whom I had many years retained with me for that
science. Therefore, you good old man and wisest of all men, I entreat you
to make manifest to me, the true reason, form and substance of it, that
my daily expectation may be joyfully accomplished, by the which if you
perform, you shall command both me and all that I possess. And if so it
please you, we will both return again into your country, for I would not
have you to doubt of me in any way, nor by any opinion to conceive any
fear.”

Then Morienus answered: “O good and prudent king, God convert you to
a better mind. And now I well understand wherefore you have sent to

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