Medieval Mentality
God Frowns on Wine, But Brandy is OK
“If wine is boiled over a fire, so that it is partly consumed and turns sweet, they are free to drink it without breach of commandment or law.” […]
Orient
Medieval Mentality
Three Kings of Orient Tell Their Tale
“For they said: “If he takes gold, he is an earthly king; if frankincense, a god, if myrrh a healer.” When they had come to the place where the prophet was born, the youngest of the three kings went in alone to see the child.” […]
Human Affairs
An Obsession with Feet
” So he asked her to show her leg and foot, and she promptly did so. And without doubt she had a beautiful leg and a beautiful foot, so that you could not ask for greater beauty. And when the master of the shop, who was as virtuous a man as I have described him, saw this woman’s leg and foot, her was forthwith tempted, because his eyes looked on them with pleasure.” […]
Humor
The Smell of Royalty
And indeed, I was extremely glad when the fragrance of the king wafted towards me and there was a festival every day because I was so glad. Also the entire country was in awe of my lord when it heard about the sweet fragrance and the kind messenger who had come to me. […]
Human Affairs
A Wedding for the Ages
“The elephants and musicians, and the various banners of red, white, yellow, and purple silk, made the earth seem like a paradise: with the blare of trumpets and the sound of harps, the squeal of bugles and the ringing of bells, it seemed as if Judgment Day had come.” […]
Humor
Talking Back to the Boss
“These three men are all drunkards! When they are intoxicated, nobody can make them turn their iron daggers away from an adversary.” […]
Medieval Mentality
Wisdom Wins the Day
“The twelve tall trees, each of which had thirty branches, are the twelve months of the year; twelve times the moon is renewed in her place, like a new king seated on his thrones, and each month has thirty days; this is how time passes.” […]
Humor
Destroyed with a Tablet
Why do you not write me any letters, why do you not send me any oral message? Isn’t it in reality because people might say: “Perhaps that one [i.e. the writer of this letter] is higher in rank than she.” […]
Orient
Effortless Dragonslaying
“. Its spittle burned vultures’ wings, its venom scorched the earth; it snatched monsters from the sea and eagles from the air; the earth was emptied of people and flocks, every living thing retreated before it. When I saw that no one dared oppose it, I emptied my heart of fear and bound on my sword in God’s name.” […]
Humor
A King and his Chum
“In reply to Your Majesty’s writing to me concerning the white ceremonial robes: “How many days should I keep on wearing them?” the king should wear them on the 20th and the 21st; two days are more than enough. On the 22nd he can dress normally.” […]