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ouncils： besides which the man was learned in star…lore。 When he was come； with much despondency and dejection the king told him of that which had happened。 He； seeing the king's trouble and confusion of mind； said； 〃O king； trouble and distress thyself no more。 We are not without hope that the prince will yet change for the better： nay； I know for very certain that he will speedily renounce the teaching of this deceiver； and conform to thy will。〃
By these words then did Araches set the king in happier frame of mind； and they turned their thoughts to the thorough sifting of the matter。 〃This； O king；〃 said Araches； 〃do we first of all。 Make we haste to apprehend that infamous Barlaam。 If we take him； I am assured that we shall not miss the mark； nor be cheated of our hope。 Barlaam himself shall be persuaded； either by persuasion or by divers engines of torture； against his will to confess that he hath been talking falsely and at random； and shall persuade my lord； thy son； to cleave to his father's creed。 But if we fail to take Barlaam； I know of an eremite； Nachor by name； in every way like unto him： it is impossible to distinguish the one from the other。 He is of our opinion； and was my teacher in studies。 I will give him the hint； and go by night； and tell him the full tale。 Then will we blazon it abroad that Barlaam hath been caught； but we shall exhibit Nachor； who； calling himself Barlaam； shall feign that he is pleading the cause of the Christians and standing forth as their champion。 Then； after much disputation； he shall be worsted and utterly discomfited。 The prince； seeing Barlaam worsted； and our side victorious； will doubtless join the victors； the more so that he counteth it a great duty to reverence thy majesty； and do thy pleasure。 Also the man who hath played the part of Barlaam shall be converted； and stoutly proclaim that he hath been in error。〃
Tim king was delighted with his words； and rocked himself on idle hopes； and thought it excellent counsel。 Thereupon； learning that Barlaam was but lately departed； he was zealous to take him prisoner。 He therefore occupied most of the passes with troops and captains； and； himself； mounting his chariot； gave furious chase along the one road of which he was especially suspicious； being minded to surprise Barlaam at all costs。 But though he toiled by the space of six full days； his labour was but spent in vain。 Then he himself remained behind in one of his palaces situate in the country； but sent forward Araches； with horsemen not a few； as far as the wilderness of Senaar； in quest of Barlaam。 When Araches arrived in that place； he threw all the neighbour folk into commotion： and when they constantly affirmed that they had never seen the man； he went forth into the desert places； for to hunt out the Faithful。 When he had gone through a great tract of desert； and made the circuit of the fells around； and journeyed a…foot over untrodden and pathless ravines； he and his hosts arrived at a plateau。 Standing thereon； he descried at the foot of the mountain a company of hermits a…walking。 Straightway at their governor's word of command all his men ran upon them in breathless haste； vying one with another； who should arrive first。 When they arrived； they came about the monks like so many dogs； or evil beasts that plague mankind。 And they seized these men of reverend mien and mind； that bore on their faces the hall…mark of their hermit life； and haled them before the governor； but the monks showed no sign of alarm； no sign of meanness or sullenness； and spake never a word。 Their leader and captain bore a wallet of hair； charged with the relics of some holy Fathers departed this life。
When Araches beheld them； but saw no Barlaam for he knew him by sight he was overwhelmed with grief； and said unto them； 〃Where is that deceiver who hath led the king's son astray？〃 The bearer of the wallet answered； 〃He is not amongst us； God forbid！ For； driven forth by the grace of Christ； he avoideth us； but amongst you he hath his dwelling。〃 The governor said； 〃Thou knowest him then？〃 〃Yea；〃 said the hermit； 〃I know him that is called the deceiver； which is the devil； who dwelleth in your midst and is worshipped and served by you。〃 The governor said； 〃It is for Barlaam that I make search； and I asked thee of him； to learn where he is。〃 The monk answered； 〃And wherefore then spakest thou in this ambiguous manner； asking about him that had deceived the king's son？ If thou wast seeking Barlaam； thou shouldest certainly have said； ‘Where is he that hath turned from error and saved the king's son？' Barlaam is our brother and fellow…monk。 But now for many days past we have not seen his face。〃 Said Araches； 〃Show me his abode。〃 The monk answered； 〃Had he wished to see you； he would have come forth to meet you。 As for us； it is not lawful to make known to you his hermitage。〃
Thereupon the governor waxed full of indignation； and； casting a haughty and savage glance upon him； said； 〃Ye shall die no ordinary death； except ye immediately bring Barlaam before me。〃 〃What；〃 said the monk； 〃seest thou in our case that should by its attractions cause us to cling to life； and be afraid of death at thy hands？ Whereas we should the rather feel grateful to thee for removing us from life in the close adherence to virtue。 For we dread； not a little； the uncertainty of the end； knowing not in what state death shall overtake us； lest perchance a slip of the inclination； or some despiteful dealing of the devil； may alter the constancy of our choice； and mis…persuade us to think or do contrary to our covenants with God。 Wherefore abandon all hope of gaining the knowledge that ye desire； and shrink not to work your will。 We shall neither reveal the dwelling…place of our brother； whom God loveth； although we know it； nor shall we betray any other monasteries unbeknown to ye。 We will not endure to escape death by such cowardice。 Nay； liefer would we die honourably； and offer unto God； after the sweats of virtue； the life…blood of courage。〃
That man of sin could not brook this boldness of speech； and was moved to the keenest passion against this high and noble spirit； and afflicted the monks with many stripes and tortures。 Their courage and nobility won admiration even from that tyrant。 But； when after many punishments he failed to persuade them； and none of them consented to discover Barlaam； he took and ordered them to be led to the king； bearing with them the wallet with the relics； and to be beaten and shamefully entreated as they went。
XXIII。
After many days Araches brought them to the king； and declared their case。 Then he set them before the bitterly incensed king： and he； when he saw them； boiled over with fury and was like to one mad。 He ordered them to be beaten without mercy； and； when he saw them cruelly mangled with scourges； could scarcely restrain his madness； and order the tormentors to cease。 Then said he unto them； 〃Why bear ye about these dead men's bones？ If ye carry these bones through affection for those men to whom they belong； this very hour I will set you in their company； that ye may meet your lost friends and be duly grateful to me。〃