Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/16

 Above all, I ask you to be willing to receive your brothers as your own sons and to take care of them and embrace them with all the love which is appropriate.

Moreover, I ask you to be equally just to everyone and that in all your actions, with the Divine Majesty as your guide, to govern the subjects and vassals of your kingdom with charity and love, and especially, those that are poor and miserable; and to welcome always and to honor in every way possible the aged and the sick, and to punish the guilty and wicked with all your might as required by the laws and the orders of His Divine Majesty and of this kingdom.”

The wise and prudent son very much admired these words and their delivery from his father and after he had given him due reverence, he answered him by saying, "Sire, I have very well understood the decision and your advice which you have imposed on me and which I have to fulfill. But because I know that it is reprehensible, while you are still alive, to govern and occupy your empire, and I also know, that no eye of such greatness can be found that surpasses the eyebrow, and that no splendor can be found like the sun of your reign. Thus, I do not judge it to be proper that others should govern and possess your kingdom. Therefore, I am ready to carry out promptly whatever you command me, but never as long as you live ought I to succeed you to the throne, and may Our Lord give you many more long and happy years to live.