The King of Aradus

Once the elders of the city of Aradus presented themselves before the

king, and besought of him a decree to forbid to men all wine and all

intoxicants within their city.

And the king turned his back upon them and went out from them laughing.

Then the elders departed in dismay.

At the door of the palace they met the lord chamberlain. And the lord

chamberlain observed that they were troubled, and he understood their

case.

Then he said, “Pity, my friends! Had you found the king drunk, surely he

would have granted you your petition.”