164 The Legends of the Jews
in a position to advise them. But he in turn directed them to go to his still older brother. His age counted thirteen hundred years, and he had more knowledge than himself. This oldest one of the eagles reported that he remembered having heard his father say there was a door on the west side, but it was covered up by the dust of the ages that had passed since it was last used. So it turned out to be. They found an old iron door with the inscription : " We, the dwell- ers in this palace, for many years lived in comfort and lux- ury ; then, forced by hunger, we ground pearls into flour in- stead of wheat — but to no avail, and so, when we were about to die, we bequeathed this palace to the eagles." A second statement contained a detailed description of the wonderful palace, and mentioned where the keys for the different chambers were to be found. Following the directions on the door, Solomon inspected the remarkable building, whose apartments were made of pearls and precious stones. In- scribed on the doors he found the following three wise prov- erbs, dealing with the vanity of all earthly things, and a monishing men to be humble :
1. O son of man, let not time deceive thee ; thou m wither away, and leave thy place, to rest in the bosom the earth.
2. Haste thee not, move slowly, for the world is tak from one and bestowed upon another.
3. Furnish thyself with food for the journey, prepa thy meal while daylight lasts, for thou wilt not remain earth forever, and thou knowest not the day of thy death.
In one of the chambers, Solomon saw a number of statu among them one that looked as though alive. When he a;
