989. Divitiae Regis. Rex erat dives et potens valde, quem cum quidam miraretur et felicem diceret, rex sapiens illum sedere fecit in loco valde eminenti, super cathedram quae minabatur ruinam, magnumque ignem subtus cathedram accendi fecit et gladium cum filo tenui super caput sedentis suspendi. Cumque fecisset apponi copiosa et delicata cibaria, dixit ei ut comederet. At ille, “Quomodo comedere possem, cum in summo periculo sim constitutus et semper timeam ruinam?” Cui rex ait, “Et ego in maiori periculo sum constitutus, in cathedra ruinosa residens, timens gladium divinae sententiae et ignem gehennae. Quare ergo tu dixisti me felicem?”
M0989 Perry631. Source: De Vitry 8. This is Perry 631. This story is based on the legend of Damocles: when Damocles praised King Dionysius II of Syracuse, the king offered to switch places. Damocles enjoyed feasting like a king but was horrified but when he looked up and saw a sword hanging over his head, the proverbial “sword of Damocles.” For a king who is instead infatuated with opulence, see #874.
