God said, "Ask what I shall give thee." And Solomon said, "Thou hast
shewed unto thy servant _David_, my father, great mercy, according as he
walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of
heart with thee, and thou hast kept from him this great kindness, that
thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And
now, O Lord, my God, thou hast made thy servant King instead of David my
father; and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come
in."

12. "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy
people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to
judge this thy so great a people?" And the speech pleased the Lord, that
Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, "Because thou hast
asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast
asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but
hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; behold, I have
done according to thy words, so I have given thee a wise and
understanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee,
neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee."

13. "And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both
riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like
unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my
statutes and my commandments as thy father _David_ did walk, then I will
lengthen thy days." And Solomon awoke and behold it was a dream.

14. The French poet has shadowed this story in an allegory, of which he
seems to have taken the hint from the fable of the three goddesses
appearing to Paris, or rather from the vision of _Hercules_, recorded by
_Xenophon_, where _Pleasure_ and _Virtue_ are represented as real