We read of the valour [34] of the Young King [35] in rivalry with his
father through the offices of Beltram. [36]
This Beltram boasted that he had more sense than anyone else. Whence
many judgments came into being, some of which are written here.
Beltram plotted with the Young King that he should persuade his father
to give him his share of inheritance. And so insistent was the son that
he gained his request. And he gave all away to gentlefolk and to poor
knights, so that nothing remained to him and he had no more to give
away.
A court player asked him for a gift. He replied that he had given all
away, but this only is left me, [37] a bad tooth, and my father has
promised two thousand marks to whomsoever shall prevail on me to have
it taken out. Go to my father and make him give you the marks, and I
will draw the tooth from my mouth at your request.
The minstrel went to the father and had the marks, and the son drew out
his tooth.
On another occasion it happened that he gave two hundred marks to a
gentleman. The seneschal or treasurer took the marks, and laid a carpet
in a room and placed the marks beneath it, together with a bundle of
cloth so that the whole should seem larger.
And the Young King going through the room, the treasurer showed him the
pile saying: Sire, see how you dispense your gifts. You see what a
large sum is two hundred marks, which seem nothing to you.
And the Young King looked and said: that seems little enough to me to
give to so valiant a man. Give him four hundred, for I thought two
hundred marks much more than they seem now I see them. [38]