HOW THE EMPEROR FREDERICK PUT A QUESTION TO TWO WISE MEN, AND HOW HE
REWARDED THEM
The Emperor Frederick had two exceedingly wise men about him; one was
called Bolgaro, the other Martino. [49]
One day the Emperor was in the company of these two wise men, one of
them on his right hand, and the other on his left.
And the Emperor put a question to them and said: can I give to any one
of my subjects and take away from another, according to my will and
without other cause? Since I am their lord, and the law says that what
pleases the lord shall be law to his subjects. Say then whether I may
do this, since such is my pleasure.
One of the two wise men replied: Sire, whatever is your pleasure, that
you may do to your subjects without causing wrong.
The other sage answered and said: to me it seems not, since the law is
utterly just, and its conditions must be observed and followed with an
extreme nicety. When you take away, it should be known from whom and
also to whom you give.
Since both of the wise men spoke the truth, he offered gifts to both.
To the one he gave a scarlet hat and a white palfrey; and to the other
he gave the right to make a law to please his fancy.
Whence there arose a great discussion among the learned as to which of
the two he had given the richer present.
It was held that to him who had said he could give and take away as it
pleased him he had given clothing and a palfrey as to a minstrel
because he had flattered him. To him who followed justice, he gave the
right to make a law.