So that ther schal no variance Be founde in his condicion; And also be descripcion 1760 The vertu which is in the stones A verrai Signe is for the nones Of that a king schal ben honeste And holde trewly his beheste Of thing which longeth to kinghede: The bryhte colour, as I rede, Which in the stones is schynende, Is in figure betoknende The Cronique of this worldes fame,[1076] Which stant upon his goode name.[1077] 1770 The cercle which is round aboute Is tokne of al the lond withoute, [Sidenote: =P. iii. 145=] Which stant under his Gerarchie, That he it schal wel kepe and guye. And for that trouthe, hou so it falle, Is the vertu soverein of alle, That longeth unto regiment, A tale, which is evident Of trouthe in comendacioun, Toward thin enformacion, 1780 Mi Sone, hierafter thou schalt hiere Of a Cronique in this matiere. [Sidenote: [KING, WINE, WOMAN AND TRUTH.]] As the Cronique it doth reherce, A Soldan whilom was of Perce, [Sidenote: Hic narrat, qualiter Darius filius Ytaspis Soldanus Percie a tribus suis Cubiculariis, quorum nomina Arpaghes, Manachaz et Zorobabel dicta sunt, nomine questionis singillatim interrogauit, vtrum Rex aut mulier aut vinum maioris fortitudinis vim obtineret: ipsis vero varia opinione respondentibus, Zorobabel vltimus asseruit[1082] quod mulier sui amoris complacencia tam Regis quam vini potenciam excellit. Addidit insuper pro finali conclusione dicens, quod veritas super omnia vincit. Cuius responsio ceteris laudabilior acceptabatur.] Which Daires hihte, and Ytaspis His fader was; and soth it is That thurgh wisdom and hih prudence Mor than for eny reverence Of his lignage as be descente[1078] The regne of thilke empire he hente: 1790 And as he was himselve wys,[1079] The wisemen he hield in pris[1080] And soghte hem oute on every side,[1081] That toward him thei scholde abide. Among the whiche thre ther were That most service unto him bere As thei which in his chambre lyhen[1083] And al his conseil herde and syhen. Here names ben of strange note, Arpaghes was the ferste hote,[1084] 1800 And Manachaz was the secounde, Zorobabel, as it is founde [Sidenote: =P. iii. 146=] In the Cronique, was the thridde. This Soldan, what so him betidde, To hem he triste most of alle,[1085] Wherof the cas is so befalle: This lord, which hath conceiptes depe, Upon a nyht whan he hath slepe, As he which hath his wit desposed, Touchende a point hem hath opposed. 1810 The kinges question was this; Of thinges thre which strengest is,