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barlaam and ioasaph-第58章

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s officers; and those who wore soldiers' attire; and of the citizens not a few。  Sitting in the front; according to custom; in the audience of all he said; 〃Lo; as ye see; Abenner; my father the king; hath died like any beggar。 Neither wealth nor kingly glory; nor I his loving son; nor any of his kith and kindred; has availed to help him; or to save him from the sentence without reprieve。  But he is gone to yonder judgement seat; to give account of his life in this world; carrying with him no advocate whatsoever; except his deeds; good or bad。  And the same law is ordained by nature for every man born of woman; and there is no escape。  Now; therefore; hearken unto me; friends and brethren; people and holy heritage of the Lord; whom Christ our God hath purchased with his own precious blood; and delivered from the ancient error; and bondage of the adversary。  Ye yourselves know my manner of life among you; that ever since I knew Christ; and was counted worthy to become his servant; I have hated all things; and loved him only; and how this was my desire; to escape from the tempest and vain tumult of the world; and commune alone with him; and in undisturbed peace of soul serve my God and Master。  But my father's opposition held me back; and the command that biddeth us to honour our fathers。 So; by the grace and help of God; I have not laboured in vain; nor spent these days for naught; I have brought my father nigh to Christ; and have taught you all to know the one true God; the Lord of all; and yet not I; but the grace of God which was with me; which rescued me also from superstitious error; and from the worship of idols; and freed you; O my people; from cruel captivity。  So now it is high time to fulfil the service that I promised to God; high time to depart thitherward; where he himself shall lead me; where I may perform my vows which I made unto him。  Now; therefore; look you out a man whom ye will; to be your leader and king; for by this time ye have been conformed to the will of the Lord; and of his commandments nothing hath been hidden from you。  Walk ye therein; turn not aside; neither to the right hand; nor to the left; and the God of peace be with you all!〃

When all that company and the common people heard thereof; anon there arose a clamour; an uproar; and a mighty cry and confusion; all weeping like orphans and bewailing their loss。  Lamenting bitterly; they protested with oaths and with tears; that they would never let him go; but would restrain him and not suffer in any wise his departure。  While the common people; and they in authority; were thus crying aloud; the king broke in; and beckoned with his hand to the multitude and charged them to keep silence。  He declared that he gave in to their instancy; and dismissed them still grieving; and bearing on their cheeks the signs of sorrow。  And Ioasaph did thus。  There was one of the senators first in favour with Ioasaph; a man honoured for his godliness and dignity; Barachias by name; who; as hath been already told; when Nachor; feigning to be Barlaam; was disputing with the philosophers; alone was ready to stand by Nachor and fight for him; for his heart was fired with heavenly love。  Him the king took apart; and spake gently with him; and earnestly besought him to receive the kingdom; and; in the fear of God; to shepherd his people; in order that he himself might take the journey that he desired。

But Barachias would put aside and reject his offer; saying; 〃O king; how wrongful is thy judgement; and thy word contrary to divine command!  If thou hast learned to love thy neighbour as thyself; with what right art thou eager to shift the burden off thy back and lay it upon mine?  If it be good to be king; keep the good to thy self: but; if it be a stone of stumbling and rock of offence to thy soul; why put it in my pathway and seek to trip me up?〃  When Ioasaph perceived that he spake thus; and that his purpose was fixed; he ceased from communing with him。  And now; at about the dead of night; he wrote his people a letter; full of much wisdom; expounding to them all godliness; telling them what they should think concerning God; what life; what hymns and what thanksgiving they should offer unto him。  Next; he charged them to receive none other than Barachias to be ruler of the kingdom。 Then left he in his bed…chamber the roll containing his letter; and; unobserved of all; went forth from his palace。  But he might not win through undetected; for; early on the morrow; the tidings; that he was departed; anon made commotion and mourning among the people; and; in much haste; forth went every man for to seek him; they being minded by all means to cut off his flight。 And their zeal was not spent in vain; for; when they had occupied all the high…ways; and encompassed all the mountains; and surrounded the pathless ravines; they discovered him in a water… course; his hands uplifted to heaven; saying the prayer proper of the Sixth Hour。

When they beheld him; they surrounded him; and besought him with team; upbraiding him for departing from them。 〃But;〃 said he; 〃why labour ye in vain? No longer hope to have me to your king。〃 Yet gave he way to their much opposition; and turned again to his palace。 And; when he had assembled all the folk; he signified his will。 Then with oath he confirmed his word; that he would dwell with them not one day more。 〃For;〃 said he; 〃I have fulfilled my ministry toward you; and have omitted naught; neither have I kept back anything that was profitable unto you; in failing to show or teach you; testifying to all the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and pointing out the paths of repentance。 And now behold I go the road that I have long time desired; and all ye shall see m〃y face no more。 Wherefore I take you to record this day; as saith the holy Apostle; that I am pure from the blood of you all; for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God。〃

When they heard this; and perceived the steadfastness of his purpose; that nothing could hinder him from his resolve; they wept like orphans over their bereavement; but could in no wise over…persuade him。  Then did the king take that Barachias; of whom we have already spoken; saying; 〃This is he; brethren; whom I appoint to be your king。〃  And though Barachias stoutly resisted; yet he established him; unwilling and reluctant; upon the royal throne; and placed the diadem on his head; and gave the kingly ring into his hand。  Then he stood facing the cast and made prayer for King Barachias; that his faith toward God might be preserved unwavering; and that he might keep without faltering the path of Christ's commandments。  Therewith he prayed for the clergy and all the flock; asking of God succour for them and salvation; and all that might fitly be asked for their welfare。

Thus he prayed; and then turning said unto Barachias; 〃Behold; brother; I charge thee; as the Apostle once adjured his people; ‘Take heed unto thyself; and to all the flock; over the which the Holy Ghost hath made thee king; to feed the Lord's people; whom he hath purchased with his own blood。'  And even as thou wast before me in the knowledge of God; and didst serve him with a pure conscience; so now also show the more zeal in
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