Don Juan Manuel or the Fifty Pleasant Tales of Patronio, Translated by James York, M.D. London: Routledge & Sons: 242-257 .

EXEMPLUM L: Concerning that wich happened to Saladin and a Lady, wife of a Knight in his service

COUNT LUCANOR spoke to Patronio one day in the following maner:-

"Patronio, I know for certain that you have an excellent understanding, and that there is no man on earth better able to give advice in any case than you; I pray you therefore, to tell me what, in your opinion, is the best qualification a man can posses. I am more needful of your opinion because I am conscious how many qualities a man requieres to enable him to act well and with success; for a man may have a good understanding, and, nevertheless, not act well. Such being the case, I desire to know the one thing most essential for me to remember and cherish under all circunstances."

"My lord", said Patronio, " I thank you for your praise, but more especially for the honour you do me in appreciating my understanding. Nevertheless, I fear you may err in this particular, knowing as I well do, how easy it is to deceive ourselves in our judgement of mankind, as we have to determine two things: the one, what is his understanding. Now, to know clearly what is a man's real character we must see how he acts towards God, as also what is his conduct towards the world; for, much as he may appear to do good works, and allowing that he really may perform some good and worthy actions, yet these may be directed only to his greater advantage in this world; so that all this specious virtue and merit, which certainly serves its purpose for the day, will be found void of all solid foundation, and will not exempt a man from the suffering consequent upon sin.

"Now others perform their good works for the service of God only, regarding not the world. We all know this is the better part, being that which will secure for us eternal happiness in the future; nevertheless, those who elect either the one or the other extreme should consider well the course they are pursuing-- the one acts and lilves only for this world, the other is quite regardless thereof."

"Now, as amn owes a duty both to God and to the worls, he should so regulate his conduct as to perform good actions, guided by purity f intention in all things- a task almost as difficult to accomplish as to hold his hand in the fire without feeling the heat."

"It is, therefore, rith that a man should, il all his actions, consider that he owes a united duty to God and man, for there have been many good kings and holy men who have fulfilled these two duties.

"Again, to judge a man's understanding, requires us to weigh well his good works. Many men are found with good solid sense, who cannot at the same time speak two sentences correctly; whilst others act perfectlly, if you believe their own recital and description of what they do and intend doing; nevertheless, their deeds are of small value.

"How is it, then that men act so well in hteir own opinion and so contrariwise according to the ideas of others? Like to those whom the Scripture calls fools--running about with drawn swords in their hands, always ready to destroy all who contradict them; or, as princes who abuse their might and power.

"Now, that you may be able to judge which man is most pleasing to God and the world, who possesses a really good understanding, whose intentions are pure, and whose words deserve credence, you must carefully judge them by their works; and this must not be done hastily and without due consideration, but you must cautiously watch, even if for a considerable period, in order to ascertain if prudence, justice, a kind regard for the feelings of others, and a true spirit of charity guide their words and deeds."

"I have entered into a consideration of the motives which should and do influence men, particulary as you have paid me so honouralbe a compliment, wich, perhaps, after a mature consideration, you might not feel inclined hastily to repeat, in order that you may decide for yourself which is the qualification most essential and most beneficial to man; and I will further relate to you the story of Saladin, and the wife of one of his vassals."

The Count begged to be allowed to hear this.

"Count," said Patronio, "Saladin was Sultan of Babylon, and being one day on an expedition with a mighty train of knights and attendants, he found it was impossible to lodge them all in the same house with himself, so he resolved to go and ask for accomodation at the residence of one of his vassals for himself, who seeing his sovereign at his humble dwelling, felt simself highly honoured thereby, and ministering personalley to all his wants. It happened that the Devil, who is ever seeking how he can tempt men to vice and folly, inspired Saladin with a violent passion for the wife of his host, and as unfortunately bad advisers, false friends, and abettors are never wanting, one of these latter counselled Saladin to send away the woman's husband on a confidential mission, pointing out that, during his absence, the wife would be in the Sultan's power. Now this advice pleased Saladin very much, so he decided on removing the husband to a distant part of his dominions. A few days later the latter's depature the Sultan returned to take up his abode at the house of his vassals, and the wife, grateful for all the benefits coferred on her house, did all in her power to please her sovereign, urging all her domestics to attend carefully to his wants.

"One day, on rising from talbe, Saladin passed into his own private apartments, and sent to acquaint the lady that he desired her attendance there. She, not suspecting evil, inmediately went, and was both pained and surprised at hearing the Sultan declare how much he loved her. She feigned, however, not to comprehend his meanig, replying she was quite unworthy his regard, and that she daily prayed to God for his long life and happiness, as she was in duty, he being her lord and master, and that she never could forget his noble conduct towards her husband.

" After listening to her, Saladin replied that he loved her more than any other woman in the world. Nevertheless, she still appeared not to rightly understand his meaning, but was profuse in her prefessions of respect and gratitude.

"At lenght the Sultan was obliged to declare in plain language the nature of his passion, when the woman, who was as clever as she was virtuous, adroitlly changed the conversation: `My lord,4 said she, ^I am only a poor weak woman; still I know that men are not always masters of their feelings and passions, so it may be that you really love me as you say you do; but this I do know, that when a man, particularly a great one like you, is influenced by a woman's charms and seeks her favour, he makes her most flattering promises, but that, as soon as he has gratified his unworthy passion, he crushes her under the weight of her own dishonour, and basely turns his back on her; and such treatment I should richly merit were I to listen to your declarations, which, belileve me, I will neither hear nor accept.4

"Saladin vainly endeavoured to persuaded her she had nothing to fear, as he would ever be constant and true, protesting that, if she would but grant him a favourable hearing, he would gatify all her wishes and desires.

"`Well, then,4she replied, `since you are willing to gratify all my caprices, I promise you that as soon as I find you are faithful to your word, I too, will do all you desire of me.4

"Saladin thought she was going to beg of him, as a favour, to renounce his love for her, and hastened to make this an exceptional circunstance from his general promise. She reassured him, however, saying she did not require this nor any other sacrifice beyond his strenth. `Ah, then,4cried he, `I will solemnly swear to do all you ask me.4

"The noble and virtuous lady, tranquillised by his promise, knelt before him, kissing his hands and feet. She then told him all she desired was that he should tell her what he considered the best thing a man could possess, and which is the head and foundation of all other virtues, being greater in itself than others.

"Now Saladin, hearing this question, began to think what answer he would give, and finally asked the good woman to grant him some time to think the matter over; to which she consented, promising that, as soon as he replied to her question, she would, as she had told him, comply with all his wishes. So, for the present, ended the discussion between them.

" The Sultan now sought his suite and attendants, and began questioning them, in order that he might find a suitable answer to the proposition which had been made to him.

"Some told him that, in their opinion, a life of piety and devotion and a hope centred solely on God and eternity was the greatest possion men could desire; whilst others remarked, that a life entirely given to spiritual concerns and neglectful of the duties due to our state and position could not be good. Some now proposed that loyalty was the best qualification for men; but others remarked, that a man might be very loyal, neveretheless he might be stupid, cowardly, and rude. And so they continued, each one giving some opinion; none, however, satisfying the Sultan as to the question he had proposed.

"Saladin, not finding amongst his own court any who could reply to his question, sought out two jugglers, with whom, disguised in their dress, he secretly travelled both by sea and land to seek in all countries a suitable reply to the question. They first went to the Papal court, knowing it to be the resort of Christians from all parts, hoping there to find some one able to solve their difficulty; after which they went to France, to see if, among kings, they would succeed better. As time passed on they began to regret heartly the task they had undertaken, for it appeared a man possessing discernment enough to solve this question was not easily to be met with, and possibly would have abandoned the undertaking had not shame at being thought indolent and careless prevented their so doing. Saladin did not think of giving up all hope, because he had not as yet found a solution in or out of his own dominions.

"It happened that one day, as the Sultan and the jugglers were travelling, they accidentally met on the road a young squire who was hunting, and had just killed a stag. Now this young man had a very old and feeble father who, in his younger days, was considered the best sportman in that country, but now, from old age and infirmities, was confined to his chair, still he preserved his understanding as clear and able as when young, age having respected his mental faculties. The young huntsman was coming gaily from the chase, and, meeting the Sultan and his jugglers, he asked them who they were and what they sought. Hearing they were jugglers, he invited them to accompany him home for that night. But they excused themselves, saying they were in great haste, it being very long since they had left their country in search of a particular errand which they could not complete to their satisfaction; so that they could not, although willing to do so, accept his king offer.

"Now the young man questioned them so closely that they could not help telling him their errand, to which he replied that in his belief, his own father was the only man on earth capable of helping them, for, if he could not answer the question, no man living could.

"When Saladin, who was disguised as a juggler, heard this he was much pleased, and they all followed the young man to this house, who entered gaily, telling his father that he had been most fortunate at the chase, and had met these men on his road home; whereupon explaining their difficulties, he besought his father to do his best to satisfactorily answer their question.

"The old man soon discovered that the one who interrogated him was not in reality a juggler, but acting a part. He toldf his son that, after they had dined, he would reply to any question they might ask him.

"The young esquire told this to Saladin, whom he believed to be a juggler, which pleased him much. As soon, however, as the tablecloth was removed after the repast, and the jugglers were ready, the old man told his son to ask them to repeat their question, assuring them that he would do his best to give a satisfactory answer, no man having yet done so.

"When Saladin, still disguised, spoke, saying that the question was, `What is the greatest qualification a man can possess, and which is the foundation of all other virtues?

"Now, when the Sultan heard these words, he understood that the olde man spoke truly and justly, and, having thanked him for the explanation and also for his hospitality, prepared to depart with his companions, not, however, before the old man had informed him that, notwithstanding his disguise, ge had recognized him from the first.

"Saladin, thanking his host for his polite attention, and more particulary for the solution of the question, returned with all haste to his own dominions, where, on his arrival, he was received with every demosntration of joy. After a little while he sought the residence of the lady who had proposed the question he was to reply to. She received him with every mark of respect and consideration, and insisted on his partaking of refreshments; after which Saladin related all the trouble and journeying it had cost him to have her question solved, but that, at last, he had happily succeeded in finding waht he believed to be a suitable answer, he hoped the lady would now keep hers made to him. To which she replied, `Most certainly, provided the answer is satisfactory to my mind.4

"Saladin replied that, although he felt loath to answer on his own account, still, truth obliged him to say that he believed no man to be more honourable than himself.

"And nor, having replied to this, as all your other demands, to the best of my ability, heedless of the disgust my words may have occasioned to some, I pray you to make no other requests, in order that with this example the book may be finished."

And Don Juan, holding this to be a good example, caused it to be written in this book, and composed these lines, which say as follows:__

By honour man acts rightly without art.

NOTE:

The fuchsia words indicates key words which have been mistranslated. "Trouthe" is a very important word in Middle English and in the Franklin's Tale. In the Exemplum L the word is "vergüença", but not with the equivalence of "shame". "Vergüença" in the Conde Lucanor is "trouthe" in the Franklin's Tale, meaning both " moral sense", that is, the human quality of discerning between good and evil. Front this point of view "shame" is the physical reaction from "trouthe", that is, the "moral sense.