“O eternal Tisroc，” answered Ahosta， “the strength of paternal affection is not unknown to me and I have often heard that sons are in the eyes of their fathers more precious than carbuncles. How then shall I dare freely to unfold to you my mind in a matter which may imperil the life of this exalted Prince？”
“Undoubtedly you will dare，” replied the Tisroc. “Because you will find that the dangers of not doing so are at least equally great.”
“To hear is to obey，” moaned the wretched man. “Know then， O most reasonable Tisroc， in the first place， that the danger of the Prince is not altogether so great as might appear. For the gods have withheld from the barbarians the light of discretion， as that their poetry is not， like ours， full of choice apophthegms and useful maxims， but is all of love and war. Therefore nothing will appear to them more noble and admirable than such a mad enterprise as this of.ow！” For the Prince， at the word “mad”， had kicked him again.
