He
was poorly dressed, but seemed strong and well, and the Prince
examined him carefully for a moment. Then he answered the fellow,
saying,
"Since you are starving, go and sell the gold ring I see you are
wearing upon your finger. I can assist only those who are unable to
help themselves."
At this the man turned away muttering angrily, and the courtiers
murmured their approval of the Prince's wisdom.
The next beggar was dressed in velvet, and the Prince sent him away
with a sharp rebuke. But the third was a woman, old and feeble, and
she blessed the Prince as she hobbled joyfully away with a broad
gold-piece clasped tightly within her withered hand.
The next told so pitiful a story that he also received a gold-piece;
but as he turned away the Prince saw that beneath his robe his shoes
were fastened with silver buckles, and so he commanded the guards to
take away the gold and to punish the man for attempting to deceive his
King.
And so many came to him that were found to be unworthy that he finally
bade the guards proclaim to all who waited that any who should be
found undeserving would be beaten with stripes.
That edict so frightened the imposters that they quickly fled, and
only those few who were actually in want dared to present themselves
before the King.
And lo! The task that had seemed too great for one day was performed
in a few hours, and when all the needy had been provided for but one
of the royal coffers had been opened, and that was scarcely empty!
"What think you, Borland?" asked the Prince, anxiously, "have we done
aright?"
"I have learned, Your Majesty," answered the tutor, "that there is a
great difference between those who beg and those who suffer for lack
of bread.
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