des Steins der Weisen. 19

Follows still a short report and parabolic treatise of the old philosopher Alphidius.

ALPHIDIUS the philosopher speaks:
There was a father who had a son, whom he loved very much. The son said to the father: I have a desire to travel out to see the world, for people tell me of great wonders. At this, the father became saddened and said: You, my dearest son, if you want to leave me and travel away from me, then you know that when that happens, I cannot live without you. Now when the father saw that it could not be otherwise, he gave the son a guide and prayed him to lead him well, and also to travel in such a way that no harm would come to him. Then the guide took the son and led him with him into the whole wide world to the highest mountain. There, the guide showed the son all the treasures and riches of the world. Now when the son had seen everything, he began to speak to the guide: Come, and let us return, for I know that the father cannot live without us and must die of great sorrow. Now when they returned, they found the father lying dead. They soon fell with weeping eyes upon the father and awakened him. Then