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heir first plan; to look to the second and summon the man Nachor。 At dead of night Araches repaired to his cave (he dwelt in the desert practising the arts of divination); and told him of their plans; and returned to the king at day…break。 Again he demanded horsemen; and made as though he went in quest of Barlaam。 When he was gone forth; and was walking the desert; a man was seen to issue from a ravine。 Araches gave command to his men to pursue him。 They took and brought him before their master。 When asked who he was; what his religion and what his name; the man declared himself a Christian and gave his name as Barlaam; even as he had been instructed。 Araches made great show of joy; apprehended him and returned quickly to the king; and told his tale and produced his man。 Then said the king in the hearing of all present; 〃Art thou the devil's workman; Barlaam?〃 But he denied it; saying; 〃I am God's workman; not the devil's。 Revile me not; for I am thy debtor to render me much thanks; because I have taught thy son to serve God; and have turned him from error to the true God; and have schooled him in all manner of virtue。〃 Feigning anger; again spake the king; 〃Though I ought to allow thee never a word; and give thee no room for defence; but rather do thee to death without question; yet such is my humanity that I will bear with thine effrontery until on a set day I try thy cause。 If thou be persuaded by me; thou shalt receive pardon: if not; thou shalt die the death。〃 With these words he delivered him to Araches; commanding that he should be most strictly guarded。
On the morrow the king removed thence; and came back to his own palace; and it was blazoned abroad that Barlaam was captured; so that the king's son heard thereof and was exceeding sad at heart; and could in no wise refrain from weeping。 With groans and lamentations he importuned God; and called upon him to succour the aged man。 Nor did the good God despise his complaint; for he is loving with them that abide him in the day of trouble; and knoweth them that fear him。 Wherefore in a night…vision he made known the whole plot to the young prince; and strengthened and cheered him for the trial of his righteousness。 So; when the prince awoke from sleep; he found that his heart; erstwhile so sore and heavy; was now full of joyaunce; courage and pleasant light。 But the king rejoiced at that which he had done and planned; imagining that he was well advised; and showering thanks on Araches。 But wickedness lied to itself; to use the words of holy David; and righteousness overcame iniquity; completely overthrowing it; and causing the memorial thereof to perish with sound; as our tale in its sequel shall show。
After two days the king visited his son's palace。 When his son came forth for to meet him; instead of kissing him; as was his wont; the father put on a show of distress and anger; and entered the royal chamber; and there sat down frowning。 Then calling to his son; he said; 〃Child; what is this report that soundeth in mine ears; and weareth away my soul with despondency? Never; I ween; was man more filled with gladness of heart at the birth of a son than was I at thine; and; I trow; never was man so distressed and cruelly treated by child as I have now been by thee。 Thou hast dishonoured my grey hairs; and taken away the light of mine eyes; and loosed the strength of my sinews; ‘for the thing which I greatly feared concerning thee is come upon me; and that which I was afraid of hath come unto me。' Thou art become a joy to mine enemies; and a laughing~stock to mine adversaries。 With untutored mind and childish judgement thou hast followed the teaching of the deceivers and esteemed the counsel of the malicious above mine; thou hast forsaken the worship of our gods and become the servant of a strange God。 Child; wherefore hast thou done this? I hoped to bring thee up in all safety; and have thee for the staff and support of mine old age; and leave thee; as is most meet; to succeed me in my kingdom; but thou wast not ashamed to play against me the part of a relentless foe。 And shouldst thou not rather have listened to me; and followed my injunctions; than have obeyed the idle and foolish pratings of that crafty old knave; who taught thee to choose a sour life instead of a sweet; and abandon the charms of dalliance; to tread the hard and rough road; which the Son of Mary ordereth men to go? Dost thou not fear the displeasure of the most puissant gods; lest they strike thee with lightning; or quell thee with thunderbolt; or overwhelm thee in the yawning earth; because thou hast rejected and scorned those deities that have so richly blessed us; and adorned our brow with the kingly diadem; and made populous nations to be our servants; that; beyond my hope; in answer to my prayer and supplication; allowed thee to be born; and see the sweet life of day; and hast joined thyself unto the Crucified; duped by the hopes of his servants who tell thee fables of worlds to come; and drivel about the resurrection of dead bodies; and bring in a thousand more absurdities to catch fools? But now; dearest son; if thou hast any regard for me thy father; bid a long farewell to these longwinded follies; and come sacrifice to the gracious gods; and let us propitiate them with hecatombs and drink…offerings; that they may grant thee pardon for thy fall; for they be able and strong to bless and to punish。 And wouldst thou have an example of that which I say? Behold us; who by them have been advanced to this honour; repaying them for their kindness by honouring their worshippers and chastising the runagates。〃
Now when the king had ended all this idle parleying; gainsaying and slandering of our religion; and belauding and praising of his idolatry; the saintly young prince saw that the matter needed no further to be hid in a corner; but to be lighted and made plain to the eyes of all; and; full of boldness and courage; he said:
〃That which I have done; sir; I will not deny。 I have fled from darkness and run to the light: I have left error and joined the household of truth: I have deserted the service of devils; and joined the service of Christ; the Son and Word of God the Father; at whose decree the world was brought out of nothing; who; after forming man out of clay; breathed into him the breath of life; and set him to live in a paradise of delight; and; when he had broken his commandment and was become subject unto death; and had fallen into the power of the dread ruler of this world; did not fail him; but wrought diligently to bring him back to his former honour。 Wherefore he; the framer of all Creation and maker of our race; became man for our sake; and; coming from a holy Virgin's womb; on earth conversed with men: for us ungrateful servants did the master endure death; even the death of the Cross; that the tyranny of sin might be destroyed; that the former condemnation might be abolished; that the gates of heaven might be open to us again。 Thither he hath exalted our nature; and set it on the throne of glory; and granted to them that love him an everlasting kingdom and joys beyond all that tongue can tell; or ear can hear。 He is the mighty and only potentate; Ki