At the appointed year's end the citizens
rose and sent him naked into exile, like those before
him. But the other foolish and flitting kings had
perished miserably of hunger, while he who had laid up
that treasure beforehand lived in lusty abundance and
delight, fearless of the turbulent citizens, and
felicitating himself on his wise forethought. Think,
then, the city this vain and deceitful world, the
citizens the principalities and powers of the demons,
who lure us with the bait of pleasure, and make us
believe enjoyment will last for ever, till the sudden
peril of death is upon us.--This parable (which seems to
be of purely Hebrew origin) is also found in the old
Spanish story-book _El Conde Lucanor_.
Closely allied to the foregoing is the characteristic Jewish parable of
_The Man and his Three Friends._
A certain man had three friends, two of whom he loved dearly, but the
other he lightly esteemed. It happened one day that the king commanded
his presence at court, at which he was greatly alarmed, and wished to
procure an advocate. Accordingly he went to the two friends whom he
loved: one flatly refused to accompany him, the other offered to go with
him as far as the king's gate, but no farther.
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