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a man to choose the more excellent before the more worthless。 And forasmuch as everything here is fleeting and subject to decay； and passeth and vanisheth as a dream； and as a shadow and vision of sleep； and as one may sooner trust the unstable breezes； or the tracks of a ship passing over the waves； than the prosperity of men； what simplicity； nay； what folly and madness it is to choose the corruptible and perishable； the weak things of no worth； rather than the incorruptible and everlasting； the imperishable and endless； and； by the temporal enjoyment of these things； to forfeit the eternal fruition of the happiness to come！ Wilt thou not understand this； my father？ Wilt thou not haste past the things which haste pass thee； and attach thyself to that which endureth？ Wilt thou not prefer a home land to a foreign land； light to darkness； the spirit to the flesh； eternal life to the shadow of death； the indestructible to the fleeting？ Wilt thou not escape from the grievous bondage of the cruel prince of this world； I mean the evil one； the devil； and become the servant of the good； tenderhearted； and all merciful Lord？ Wilt thou not break away from serving thy many gods； falsely so called； and serve the one； true and living God？ Though thou hast sinned against him often times by blaspheming him； and often times by slaying his servants with dread torments； yet； I know well； that if thou turn again； he shall in his kindness receive thee； and no more remember thine offences： because he willeth not the death of a sinner but rather that he may turn and live he； who came down from the unspeakable heights； to seek us that had gone astray： who endured for us Cross； scourge and death： who bought with his precious blood us who had been sold in bondage under sin。 Unto him be glory and praise for ever and ever！ Amen。〃
The king was overwhelmed with astonishment and anger； with astonishment； at his son's wisdom and unanswerable words； with anger； at the persistence with which he denounced his father's gods； and mocked and ridiculed the whole tenour of his life。 He could not admit the glory of his discourse because of the grossness of the darkness within； but natural affection forbad him to punish his son； or evilly to entreat him； and he utterly despaired of moving him by threats。 Fearing then that； if he argued further with him； his son's boldness and bitter satire of the gods might kindle him to hotter anger； and lead him to do him a mischief； he arose in wrath and withdrew。 〃Would that thou hadst never been born；〃 he cried； 〃nor hadst come to the light of day； destined as thou weft to be such an one； a blasphemer of the gods； and a renegade from thy father's love and admonition〃 But thou shalt not alway mock the invincible gods； nor shall their enemies rejoice for long； nor shall these knavish sorceries prevail。 For except thou become obedient unto me； and right… minded toward the gods； I will first deliver time to sundry tortures； and then put thee to the cruellest death； dealing with thee not as with a son； but as with an enemy and rebel。〃
XXV。
In such wise did the father threaten and wrathfully retire。 But the son entered his own bedchamber； and lifted up his eyes to the proper judge of his cause； and cried out of the depth of his heart； 〃O Lord my God； my sweet hope and unerring promise； the sure refuge of them that are wholly given up to thee； with gracious and kindly eye look upon the contrition of my heart； and leave me not； neither forsake me。 But； according to thine unerring pledge； be thou with me； thine unworthy and sorry servant。 Thee I acknowledge and confess； the maker and provider of all creation。 Therefore do thou thyself enable me to continue in this good confession； until my dying breath： look upon me； and pity me； and stand by and keep me unhurt by any working of Satan。 Look upon me； O King： for my heart is enkindled with longing after thee； and is parched as with burning thirst in the desert； desiring thee； the well of immortality。 Deliver not to the wild beasts my soul that confesseth thee： forget not the soul of the poor for ever； but grant me that am a sinner throughout my length of days to suffer all things for thy name's sake and in the confession of thee； and to sacrifice my whole self unto thee。 For； with thy might working in them； even the feeble shall wax exceeding strong； for thou only art the unconquerable ally and merciful God； whom all creation blesseth； glorified for ever and ever。 Amen。〃
When he had thus prayed； he felt divine comfort stealing over his heart； and； fulfilled with courage； he spent the whole night in prayer。 Meanwhile the king communed with Araches； his friend； as touching his son's matters； and signified to him his son's sheer audacity and unchangeable resolution。 Araches gave counsel that he should； in his dealings with him； show the utmost kindness and courtesy； in the hope； perchance； of alluring him by flattering attentions。 The day following； the king came to his son； and sat down； and called him to his side。 He embraced and kissed him affectionately； coaxing him gently and tenderly； and said； 〃O my darling and well…beloved son； honour thou thy father's grey hairs： listen to my entreaty； and come； do sacrifice to the gods； thus shalt thou win their favour； and receive at their hands length of days； and the enjoyment of all glory and of an undisputed kingdom； and happiness of every sort。 Thus shalt thou be well pleasing to me thy father throughout life and be honoured and lauded of all men。 It is a great count in the score of praise to be obedient to thy father； especially in a good cause； and to gain the goodwill of the gods。 What thinkest thou； my son？ Is it that I have willingly declined from the right； and chosen to travel on the wrong road： or that； from ignorance and inexperience of the good； I have given myself to destruction？ Well； if thou thinkest that I willingly prefer the evil to the profitable； and choose death before life； thou seemest to me； son； completely to have missed the goal in judging。 Dost thou not see to what discomfort and trouble I often expose myself in mine expeditions against my foes； or when I am engaged in divers other business for the public good； not sparing myself even hunger and thirst； if need be； the march on foot； or the couch on the ground？ As for riches and money； such is my contempt and scorn thereof； that I have at times ungrudgingly lavished all the stores of my palace； to build mighty temples for the gods； and to adorn them with all manner of splendour； or else to distribute liberal largess to my soldiers。 Possessing then； as I also do； this contempt of pleasure and this courage in danger； what zeal would I not have devoted to contemning all else； and winning my salvation； had I only found that the religion of the Galileans were better than mine own？ But； if thou condemnest me for ignorance and inexperience of the good； consider how many sleepless nights I have spent； with some problem before me； oft… times no very important one； giving myself no rest until I had found the clear and most apt solution。
Seeing then that I reckon that not even the least of these temporal concerns is unworthy of thou