loved him passing well. On a day his son said unto him, "There
is something that I long to learn from thee, my lord the king, by
reason of which continual grief and unceasing care consumeth my
soul." His father was grieved at heart at the very word, and
said, "Tell me, darling child, what is the sadness that
constraineth thee, and straightway I will do my diligence to turn
it into gladness." The boy said, "What is the reason of mine
imprisonment here? Wily hast thou barred me within walls and
doors, never going forth and seen of none?" His father replied,
"Because I will not, my son, that thou shouldest behold anything
to embitter thy heart or mar thy happiness. I intend that thou
shalt spend all thy days in luxury unbroken, and in all manner
joy and pleasaunce." "But," said the son unto his father, "know
well, Sir, that thus I live not in joy and pleasaunce, but rather
in affliction and great straits, so that my very meat and drink
seem distasteful unto me and bitter. I yearn to see all that
lieth without these gates. If then thou wouldest not have me
live in anguish of mind, bid me go abroad as I desire, and let me
rejoice my soul with sights hitherto unseen by mine eyes."

Grieved was the king to hear these words, but, perceiving that to
deny this request would but increase his boy's pain and grief, he
answered, "My son, I will grant thee thy heart's desire." And
immediately he ordered that choice steeds, and an escort fit for
a king, be made ready, and gave him license to go abroad
whensoever he would, charging his companions to suffer nothing
unpleasant to come in his way, but to show him all that was
beautiful and gladsome. He bade them muster in the way troops of
folk intuning melodies in every mode, and presenting divers mimic
shows, that these might occupy and delight his mind.