to lead and draw him to the spot where he himself stood. Thus the unhappy lord knew not what to do, to whom he should give way, whom he should restrain, nor how he could be a match for them all. And I said: "I see already that it is better to trust a few chosen ones than to be the prey of them all; but could not all this be contrived somewhat differently?" "And how could it be contrived?" quoth he. "The estate of the ruler compels him to receive complaints, accusations, petitions, entreatments, arguments, and counter-arguments from all, and to grant justice to all. Let it then be according to the customs of these men."
(Careless Lords.)
10. Then the interpreter showed me some lords, who allowed nobody near them except men who strove and worked for the ruler's comfort. And I saw that they had around them men who were skipping round them, stroking them, placing pillows under them, and mirrors before their eyes, cooling them with fans, picking up the feathers and sweepings around them, kissing their garments and shoes; yet all this was but deceit; some even licked the spittle and snivel that came forth from their masters, praising it as being sweet. But all this, again, pleased me not; particularly when I had seen that the throne of almost every one of these rulers frequently shook, and was, when be least expected it, overturned; for he lacked those trusty supporters.
