Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/238

64 are good and grateful sons, thus answer your worldly minded mother. "My father is the source of my being—that is, of my soul; and all things which I possess, are his free gift." Therefore, I advise you not to desire length of years, which may approach in suffering, poverty, and blindness; for then the world will flee you, how much soever you cling to it. No longer than you can be serviceable will you be valued. Remember this, and study to amend your lives with all diligence; that so you may come eventually to everlasting life, To which may God lead us, who lives, &c.