Chapter LXXIX. A parable against looking on women

113. He was wont to pierce unchaste eyes by the following parable. A mighty king sent two messengers in succession to the queen. The first came back and reported the exact words of the message only. For like a wise man he had kept his eyes in his head and they had not darted out any whither. The other came back, and after briefly delivering his message framed a long story about the lady's beauty. "Truly, my lord, I have seen a most lovely woman. Happy he that enjoys her." But the king said: "Thou wicked servant, hast thou cast wanton eyes on my spouse? It is clear that thou hast desired to purchase the thing thou hast curiously gazed on." He ordered the first messenger to be recalled, and said: "How thinkest thou of the queen?" "Very well indeed," was the answer, u for she listened in silence, and answered wisely." "And is there no beauty in her? "said the king. "Be it thine, my lord, to look upon that; my business was to deliver the message." The king gave sentence thus: "Thou whose eyes are chaste be in my chamber yet more chaste in body: but let that man go out of my house lest he defile my couch". And the blessed father would say, "Over-confidence makes one less on one's guard against the foe. If the Devil can get but one hair in a man he will soon make it grow into a beam. Nor even if after many years he has been unable to overthrow him whom he has been tempting, does he grudge the delay if only he may get him at last. For this is his business, nor cares he for aught else by day and night."