Now the shapes in which they appeared before me were manifold:  one was like a beautiful woman, but she had one foot like an ass’s hoof; and another like a man without a head, and a flame of fire coming out of his neck; another like a great dog.  These two I bound together, and the dog kept watch over the headless man, and the flame of fire that came from his neck gave light to the workmen by night.  There were also dragons, one with three heads, and one with the head of a man.  Another had a face that shone with a green light, and hair like serpents, but the rest of his body was darkness; and yet another was a dark man with shining eyes, and a drawn sword in his hand, who said that he was the spirit of one of the old giants who perished in the days of the flood.  And of some I saw no shape, but only heard a voice.  But over all of them I had dominion, and I appointed them tasks.  Some I made to carry water to the builders, and some made ropes; others melted the gold and silver, and others lifted the stones.  So the temple was built speedily, and I, Solomon, enjoyed great honour and peace and tranquillity in my kingdom, and the kings and princes of all the regions round about came to visit me, and brought me precious gifts; and my kingdom was greatly exalted.

Now in those days, as I was sitting on my throne in the midst of my palace (and Ornias the demon was standing by me), there came before me an old man, one of my workmen, and cast himself down before me, and cried to me to do him justice against his son; for his son ill-treated him and beat him and plucked out his hair.  When I heard that, I had pity on him, for he was an old man, and weak; and I sent for his son, and asked him why he dealt so with his father.  But the son denied it, saying, “I am not so given over to wickedness that I should strike my father.  Be it far from me, O king:  I have done no such evil.”  I sent him away, therefore, and called his father again, and bade him be reconciled with his son; but he said, “Nay, but let him die the death.”  Wherefore I was perplexed, and it was in my mind to give sentence against the young man; but it happened that I looked at Ornias the demon, and I saw that he was laughing.  So I sent the people away, and said to Ornias, “Accursed one, why dost thou laugh at me?” He answered, “Forgive me, O king; it was not at thee that I laughed, but at this wretched old man:  because he is contriving an evil death for his son, and, lo! in three days his son will fall sick and die.”  Then said I, “Is this the truth?” And he said, “It is.”  Then I sent for the old man and his son, and said to them, “Strive to make agreement between yourselves, and after three days come again to me; and in the meantime I will send you your food from my table.”  And they did obeisance and departed.  And when the three days were past, I saw the old man come into the judgment-hall; and he was dressed in garments of mourning, and his face was sad.  I said therefore to him, “Where is thy son?” And he answered, “I have no son:  this day have I carried him to his burial.”