The Fables of Florian (tr. Phelps)/The King of Persia
FABLE XVIII.
THE KING OF PERSIA.
Once on a time a Persian king
With all his court was at the chase.
Becoming dry, he found no spring,
Nor any water in the place.
But near at hand a garden lay,
With citrons, grapes and oranges,
Whose juices might his thirst allay.
"But God save me from eating these!"
The king exclaim'd; "for if one fruit
I take from out that garden wall,
These viziers mine would follow suit,
And take fruit, trees, and garden all."