f him an alms, never, for all that he showed, was I
recognized of him, and still I had it; whilst here, having as yet come
in but at thirteen gates, I have been both recognized and chidden.' So
saying, she went her ways and returned thither no more. Mithridanes,
hearing the old woman's words, flamed up into a furious rage, as he
who held that which he heard of Nathan's fame a diminishment of his
own, and fell to saying, 'Alack, woe is me! When shall I attain to
Nathan's liberality in great things, let alone overpass it, as I seek
to do, seeing that I cannot approach him in the smallest? Verily, I
weary myself in vain, an I remove him not from the earth; wherefore,
since eld carrieth him not off, needs must I with mine own hands do it
without delay.'

Accordingly, rising upon that motion, he took horse with a small
company, without communicating his design to any, and came after three
days whereas Nathan abode. He arrived there at eventide and bidding
his followers make a show of not being with him and provide themselves
with lodging, against they should hear farther from him, abode alone
at no great distance from the fair palace, where he found Nathan all
unattended, as he went walking for his diversion, without any pomp of
apparel, and knowing him not, asked him if he could inform him where
Nathan dwelt. 'My son,' answered the latter cheerfully, 'there is none
in these parts who is better able than I to show thee that; wherefore,
whenas it pleaseth thee, I will carry thee thither.' Mithridanes
rejoined that this would be very acceptable to him, but that, an it
might be, he would fain be neither seen nor known of Nathan; and the
latter said, 'That also will I do, since it pleaseth thee.'
Mithridanes accordingly dismounted and repaired to the goodly palace,
in company with Nathan, who quickly engaged him in most pleasant
discourse. There he caused one of his servants take the young man's
horse and putting his mouth to his ear, charged him take order with
all those of the house, so none should tell the youth that he was
Nathan; and so was it done. Moreover, he lodged him in a very goodly
chamber, where none saw him, save those whom he had deputed to this
service, and let entertain him with the utmost honour, himself bearing
him company.

After Mithridanes had abidden with him awhile on this wise, he asked
him (albeit he held him in reverence as a father) who he was; to which
Nathan answered, 'I am an unworthy servant of