VI.

There was at that time a certain monk, learned in heavenly things, graced in word and deed, a model follower of every monastic rule. Whence he sprang, and what his race, I cannot say, but he dwelt in a waste howling wilderness in the land of Senaar, and had been perfected through the grace of the priesthood. Barlaam was this elder's name. He, learning by divine revelation the state of the king's son, left the desert and returned to the world. Changing his habit, he put on lay attire, and, embarking on ship board, arrived at the seat of the empire of the Indians. Disguised as a merchant man, he entered the city, where was the palace of the king's son. There he tarried many days, and enquired diligently concerning the prince's affairs, and those that had access to him. Learning that the tutor, of whom we have spoken, was the prince's most familiar friend, he privily approached him, saying,

"I would have you understand, my lord, that I am a merchant man, come from a far country; and I possess a precious gem, the like of which was never yet found, and hitherto I have shewed it to no man. But now I reveal the secret to you, seeing you to be wise and prudent, that you mayest bring me before the king's son, and I will present it to him. Beyond compare, it surpasseth all beautiful things; for on the blind in heart it has virtue to bestow the light of wisdom, to open the ears of the deaf, to give speech to the dumb and strength to the ailing. It makes the foolish wise and drives away devils, and without stint furnishes its possessor with everything that is lovely and desirable." The tutor said, "Though, to all seeming, you are a man of staid and steadfast judgment, yet your words prove you to be boastful beyond measure. Time would fail me to tell you the full tale of the costly and precious gems and pearls that I have seen. But gems, with such power as you tellest of, I never saw nor heard of yet. Nevertheless shew me the stone; and if it be as you affirmest, I immediately bear it to the king's son, from whom you shalt receive most high honours and rewards. But, before I be assured by the certain witness of mine own eyes, I may not carry to my lord and master so swollen a tale about so doubtful a thing." Quoth Barlaam, "Well hast you said that you hast never seen or heard of such powers and virtues; for my speech to you is on no ordinary matter, but on a wondrous and a great. But, as you desiredst to behold it, listen to my words.

"This exceeding precious gem, amongst these its powers and virtues, possesses this property besides. It cannot be seen out of hand, save by one whose eyesight is strong and sound, and his body pure and thoroughly undefiled. If any man, lacking in these two good qualities, do rashly gaze upon this precious stone, he shall, I suppose lose even the eyesight that he has, and his wits as well. Now I, that am initiated in the physician's art, observe that your eyes are not healthy, and I fear lest I may cause you to lose even the eyesight that you hast. But of the king's son, I have heard that he leadeth a sober life, and that his eyes are young and fair, and healthy. Wherefore to him I make bold to display this treasure. Be not you then negligent herein, nor rob your master of so wondrous a boon." The other answered, "If this be so, in no wise show me the gem; for my life has been polluted by many sins, and also, as you sayest, I am not possest of good eyesight. But I am won by your words, and will not hesitate to make known these things unto my lord the prince." So saying, he went in, and, word by word, reported everything to the king's son. He, hearing his tutor's words, felt a strange joy and spiritual gladness breathing into his heart, and, like one inspired, bade bring in the man forthwith.

So when Barlaam was come in, and had in due order wished him Peace!, the prince bade him be seated. Then his tutor withdrew, and Ioasaph said unto the elder, "Shew me the precious gem, concerning which, as my tutor has narrated, you tellest such great and marvellous tales." Then began Barlaam to discourse with him thus: "It is not fitting, O prince, that I should say anything falsely or unadvisedly to your excellent majesty. All that has been signified to you from me is true and may not be gainsaid. But, except I first make trial of your mind, it is not lawful to declare to you this mystery; for my master says, 'There went out a sower to sow his seed: and, as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured them up: some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched: and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them: but others fell upon good ground, and brought forth fruit an hundredfold.' Now, if I find in your heart fruit-bearing ground, and good, I shall not be slow to plant therein the heavenly seed, and manifest to you the mighty mystery. But and if the ground be stony and thorny, and the wayside trodden down by all who will, it were better never to let fall this seed of salvation, nor to cast it for a prey to fowls and beasts, before which I have been charged not to cast pearls. But I am 'persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation,'--how that you shalt see the priceless stone, and it shall be given you in the light of that stone to become light, and bring forth fruit an hundredfold. Aye, for your sake I gave diligence and accomplished a long journey, to shew you things which you hast never seen, and teach you things which you hast never heard."

Ioasaph said unto him, "For myself, reverend elder, I have a longing, all irresistible passion to hear some new and goodly word, and in mine heart there is kindled fire, cruelly burning and urging me to learn the answer to some questions that will not rest. But until now I never happened on one that could satisfy me as touching them. But if I meet with some wise and understanding man, and hear the word of salvation, I shall not deliver it to the fowls of the air, I trow, nor yet to the beasts of the field; nor shall I be found either stony or thorny-hearted, as you saidest, but I shall receive the word kindly, and guard it wisely. So if you knowest any such like thing, conceal it not from me, but declare it. When I heard that you were come from a far country, my spirit rejoiced, and I had good hope of obtaining through you that which I desire. Wherefore I called you straightway into my presence, and received you in friendly wise as one of my companions and peers, if so be that I may not be disappointed of my hope." Barlaam answered, "Fair are your deeds, and worthy of your royal majesty; seeing that you hast paid no heed to my mean show, but hast devoted thyself to the hope that lies within.

"There was once a great and famous king: and it came to pass, when he was riding on a day in his golden chariot, with his royal guard, that there met him two men, clad in filthy rags, with fallen-in faces, and pale as death. Now the king knew that it was by buffetings of the body and by the sweats of the monastic life that they had thus wasted their miserable flesh. So, seeing them, he leapt anon from his chariot, fell on the ground, and did obeisance. Then rising, he embraced and greeted them tenderly. But his noblemen and counsellors took offence thereat, deeming that their sovran had disgraced his kingly honour. But not daring to reprove him to the face, they bade the king's own brother tell the king not thus to insult the majesty of his crown. When he had told the king thereof, and had upbraided him for his untimely humility, the king gave his brother an answer which he failed to understand.

"It was the custom of that king, whenever he sentenced anyone to death, to send a herald to his door, with a trumpet reserved for that purpose, and at the sound of this trumpet all understood that that man was liable to the penalty of death. So when evening was come, the king sent the death-trumpet to sound at his brother's door; who, when he heard its blast, despaired of his life, and all night long set his house in order. At day-break, robed in black and garments of mourning, with wife and children, he went to the palace gate, weeping and lamenting. The king fetched him in, and seeing him in tears, said, 'O fool, and slow of understanding, how didst you, who hast had such dread of the herald of your peer and brother (against whom your conscience doth not accuse you of having committed any trespass) blame me for my humility in greeting the heralds of my God, when they warned me, in gentler tones than those of the trumpet, of my death and fearful meeting with that Master against whom I know that I have often grievously offended? Lo! then, it was in reproof of your folly that I played you this turn, even as I will shortly convict of vanity those that prompted your reproof.' Thus he comforted his brother and sent him home with a gift.

"Then he ordered four wooden caskets to be made. Two of these he covered over all with gold, and, placing dead men's mouldering bones therein, secured them with golden clasps. The other two he smeared over with pitch and tar, but filled them with costly stones and precious pearls, and all manner of aromatic sweet perfume. He bound them fast with cords of hair, and called for the noblemen who had blamed him for his manner of accosting the men by the wayside. Before them he set the four caskets, that they might appraise the value of these and those. They decided that the golden ones were of greatest value, for, peradventure, they contained kingly diadems and girdles. But those, that were be-smeared with pitch and tar, were cheap and of paltry worth, said they. Then said the king to them, 'I know that such is your answer, for with the eyes of sense ye judge the objects of sense, but so ought ye not to do, but ye should rather see with the inner eye the hidden worthlessness or value.' Whereupon he ordered the golden chests to be opened. And when they were thrown open, they gave out a loathsome smell and presented a hideous sight.

"Said the king, 'Here is a figure of those who are clothed in glory and honour, and make great display of power and glory, but within is the stink of dead men's bones and works of iniquity.' Next, he commanded the pitched and tarred caskets also to be opened, and delighted the company with the beauty and sweet savour of their stores. And he said unto them, 'Know ye to whom these are like? They are like those lowly men, clad in vile apparel, whose outward form alone ye beheld, and deemed it outrageous that I bowed down to do them obeisance. But through the eyes of my mind I perceived the value and exceeding beauty of their souls, and was glorified by their touch, and I counted them more honourable than any chaplet or royal purple.' Thus he shamed his courtiers, and taught them not to be deceived by outward appearances, but to give heed to the things of the soul. After the example of that devout and wise king hast you also done, in that you hast received me in good hope, wherein, as I ween, you shalt not be disappointed." Ioasaph said unto him, "Fair and fitting has been all your speech; but now I fain would learn who is your Master, who, as you saidest at the first, spoke concerning the Sower."

VI

Ἐγένετο γὰρ κατ' ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν μοναχός τις, σοφὸς τὰ θεῖα, βίῳ τε καὶ λόγῳ κοσμούμενος, καὶ εἰς ἄκρον πᾶσαν μοναχικὴν μετελθὼν πολιτείαν: ὅθεν μὲν ὁρμώμενος καὶ ἐκ ποίου γένους οὐκ ἔχω λέγειν, ἐν πανερήμῳ δέ τινι τῆς Σενααρίτιδος γῆς τὰς οἰκήσεις ποιούμενος, καὶ τῆς ἱερωσύνης τετελειωμένος τῇ χάριτι. Βαρλαὰμ ἦν ὄνομα τούτῳ τῷ γέροντι. οὗτος οὖν ἀποκαλύψει τινὶ θεόθεν αὐτῷ γενομένῃ γνοὺς τὰ κατὰ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως, ἐξελθὼν τῆς ἐρήμου, πρὸς τὴν οἰκουμένην κατῆλθε. καί, ἀμείψας τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σχῆμα, ἱμάτιά τε κοσμικὰ ἀμφιασάμενος, καὶ νηὸς ἐπιβάς, ἀφίκετο εἰς τὰ τῶν Ἰνδῶν βασίλεια, καὶ ἐμπόρου ὑποδὺς προσωπεῖον, τὴν πόλιν καταλαμβάνει, ἔνθα δὴ ὁ τοῦ βασιλέως υἱὸς τὸ παλάτιον εἶχε. καί, ἡμέρας διατρίψας ἐκεῖσε πολλάς, ἠκριβολογήσατο τὰ κατ' αὐτὸν καὶ τίνες οἱ τούτῳ πλησιάζοντες. μαθὼν οὖν τὸν ἀνωτέρω ῥηθέντα παιδαγωγὸν πάντων αὐτῷ μᾶλλον οἰκειότατον εἶναι, προσελθὼν αὐτῷ κατ' ἰδίαν, ἔφη:

Γινώσκειν σε βούλομαι, κύριέ μου, ὅτι ἔμπορος ἐγὼ ἐκ μακρᾶς ἐλήλυθα χώρας, καὶ ὑπάρχει μοι λίθος τίμιος, ᾧ παρόμοιος πώποτε οὐχ εὑρέθη. καὶ οὐδενὶ μέχρι τοῦ νῦν τοῦτον ἐφανέρωσα: σοὶ δὲ κατάδηλον ἤδη ποιῶ, συνετόν τε καὶ νουνεχῆ βλέπων σε ἄνδρα, ὡς ἂν εἰσαγάγῃς με πρὸς τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἐπιδώσω τοῦτον αὐτῷ. πάντων γὰρ τῶν καλῶν ἀσυγκρίτως ὑπερέχει: δύναται καὶ τυφλοῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ φῶς δωρεῖσθαι σοφίας, κωφῶν δὲ ὦτα ἀνοίγειν, ἀλάλοις τε φωνὴν διδόναι, καὶ ῥῶσιν τοῖς νοσοῦσι παρέχειν: τοὺς ἄφρονας σοφίζει, δαίμονας διώκει, καὶ πᾶν ὅ τι καλὸν καὶ ἐράσμιον ἀφθόνως χορηγεῖ τῷ κεκτημένῳ αὐτόν. λέγει πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ παιδαγωγός: Ὁρῶ σε ἄνθρωπον σταθεροῦ καὶ βεβηκότος φρονήματος: τὰ δὲ ῥήματά σου ἄμετρά σε καυχᾶσθαι ἐμφαίνουσι. λίθους γὰρ καὶ μαργαρίτας πολυτελεῖς καὶ πολυτίμους πῶς ἄν σοι διηγησαίμην ὅσους ἑώρακα; ἔχοντας δὲ τοιαύτας ἃς εἴρηκας δυνάμεις οὔτε εἶδον, οὔτε ἤκουσα. ὅμως ὑπόδειξόν μοι αὐτόν, καί, εἴ ἐστι κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου, θᾶττον εἰσάγω τοῦτον πρὸς τὸν τοῦ βασιλέως υἱόν, καὶ τιμὰς ὅτι μεγίστας καὶ δωρεὰς λήψῃ παρ' αὐτοῦ. πρινὴ δὲ βεβαιωθῆναί με τῇ ἀψευδεῖ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν ὁράσει, ἀδύνατόν μοι τῷ ἐμῷ δεσπότῃ καὶ βασιλεῖ περὶ πράγματος ἀφανοῦς ταῦτα δὴ τὰ ὑπέρογκα ἀπαγγεῖλαι. ὁ δὲ Βαρλαὰμ ἔφη: Καλῶς εἶπας μήτε ἑωρακέναι πώποτε μήτε ἀκηκοέναι τοιαύτας δυνάμεις καὶ ἐνεργείας: ὁ γὰρ πρὸς σέ μου λόγος οὐ περί του τυχόντος ἐστὶ πράγματος, ἀλλὰ θαυμαστοῦ τινὸς καὶ μεγάλου. ὅτι δὲ ἐζήτησας τοῦτον θεάσασθαι, ἄκουσον τῶν ἐμῶν ῥημάτων.

Ὁ λίθος οὗτος ὁ πολύτιμος μετὰ τῶν προειρημένων ἐνεργειῶν καὶ δυνάμεων, ἔτι καὶ ταύτην κέκτηται τὴν ἰσχύν: οὐ δύναται θεάσασθαι αὐτὸν ἐκ τοῦ προχείρου ὁ μὴ ἔχων ἐρρωμένην μὲν τὴν ὅρασιν καὶ ὑγιαίνουσαν, ἁγνὸν δὲ τὸ σῶμα καὶ πάντη ἀμόλυντον. εἰ γάρ τις, μὴ τὰ δύο ταῦτα καλὰ ἔχων, προπετῶς ἐμβλέψειε τῷ τιμίῳ λίθῳ τούτῳ, καὶ αὐτὴν δήπου ἣν ἔχει ὀπτικὴν δύναμιν καὶ τὰς φρένας προσαπολέσειεν. ἐγὼ δὲ, οὐκ ἀμύητος τῆς ἰατρικῆς ἐπιστήμης ὑπάρχων, καθορῶ σου τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς μὴ ὑγιῶς ἔχοντας, καὶ δέδοικα μὴ καὶ ἧς ἔχεις ὁράσεως στέρησιν προξενήσω. ἀλλὰ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως ἀκήκοα βίον μὲν ἔχειν σώφρονα, τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς δὲ ὡραίους καὶ ὑγιῶς ὁρῶντας: τούτου χάριν ἐκείνῳ ὑποδεῖξαι τὸν θησαυρὸν τοῦτον τεθάρρηκα. σὺ οὖν μὴ ἀμελῶς περὶ τούτου διατεθῇς, μηδὲ πράγματος τοιούτου τὸν κύριόν σου ἀποστερήσῃς. ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτόν, Καὶ εἰ ταῦτα, φησίν, οὕτως ἔχει, μή μοι τὸν λίθον ὑποδείξῃς: ἐν ἁμαρτίαις γὰρ πολλαῖς ὁ βίος μου ἐρρύπωται: οὐχ ὑγιῶς δὲ καὶ τὴν ὅρασιν, καθὼς εἶπας, κέκτημαι. ἀλλ' ἐγώ, τοῖς σοῖς πεισθεὶς ῥήμασι, γνωρίσαι ταῦτα τῷ κυρίῳ μου καὶ βασιλεῖ οὐκ ὀκνήσω. εἶπε ταῦτα, καὶ εἰσελθὼν κατὰ μέρος πάντα τῷ υἱῷ τοῦ βασιλέως ἀπήγγειλεν. ἐκεῖνος δέ, ὡς ἤκουσε τὰ τοῦ παιδαγωγοῦ ῥήματα, χαρᾶς τινὸς καὶ θυμηδίας πνευματικῆς ᾔσθετο, τῇ αὐτοῦ ἐμπνευσάσης καρδίᾳ, καί, ἔνθους ὥσπερ γενόμενος τὴν ψυχήν, ἐκέλευσε θᾶττον εἰσαγαγεῖν τὸν ἄνδρα.

Ὡς οὖν εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Βαρλαάμ, καὶ δέδωκεν αὐτῷ τὴν πρέπουσαν εἰρήνην, ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτὸν καθεσθῆναι, καί, τοῦ παιδαγωγοῦ ὑποχωρήσαντος, λέγει ὁ Ἰωάσαφ τῷ γέροντι: Ὑπόδειξον μοι τὸν πολύτιμον λίθον, περὶ οὗ μεγάλα τινὰ καὶ θαυμαστὰ λέγειν σε ὁ ἐμὸς παιδαγωγὸς διηγήσατο. ὁ δὲ Βαρλαὰμ οὕτως ἀπήρξατο τῆς πρὸς αὐτὸν διαλέξεως: Οὐ δίκαιον ἐστιν, ὦ βασιλεῦ, ψευδῶς τι καὶ ἀπερισκέπτως πρὸς τὸ ὑπερέχον τῆς σῆς δόξης λέγειν με: πάντα γὰρ τὰ δηλωθέντα σοι παρ' ἐμοῦ ἀληθῆ εἰσι καὶ ἀναμφίλεκτα. ἀλλ', εἰ μὴ πρότερον δοκιμὴν τῆς σῆς λάβω φρονήσεως, οὐ θέμις τὸ μυστήριον φανερῶσαί σοι. φησὶ γὰρ ὁ ἐμὸς Δεσπότης: Ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπεῖραι τὸν σπόρον αὐτοῦ: καὶ ἐν τῷ σπείρειν αὐτόν, ἃ μὲν ἔπεσε παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, καὶ ἦλθε τὰ πετεινὰ καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτά: ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσε παρὰ τὰ πετρώδη, ὅπου οὐκ εἶχε γῆν πολλήν, καὶ εὐθέως ἐβλάστησε, διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς: ἡλίου δὲ ἀνατείλαντος ἐκαυματίσθη, καί, διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ῥίζαν, ἐξηράνθη: ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὰς ἀκάνθας, καὶ ἀνέβησαν αἱ ἄκανθαι καὶ ἀπέπνιξαν αὐτά: ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν τὴν καλήν, καὶ ἐδίδου καρπὸν ἑκατοστεύοντα. εἰ μὲν οὖν γῆν εὕρω ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου καρποφόρον καὶ ἀγαθήν, οὐκ ὀκνήσω τὸν θεῖον σπόρον ἐμφυτεῦσαί σοι καὶ φανερῶσαι τὸ μέγα μυστήριον: εἰ δὲ πετρώδης αὕτη καὶ ἀκανθώδης ἐστί, καὶ ὁδὸς πατουμένη τῷ βουλομένῳ παντί, κρεῖττον μηδόλως τοῦτον δὴ τὸν σωτήριον καταβαλεῖν σπόρον καὶ εἰς διαρπαγὴν αὐτὸν θεῖναι τοῖς πετεινοῖς καὶ θηρίοις, ὧν ἔμπροσθεν ὅλως μὴ βαλεῖν τοὺς μαργαρίτας ἐντέταλμαι. ἀλλὰ πέπεισμαι περὶ σοῦ τὰ κρείττονα καὶ ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας, ὅτι καὶ τὸν λίθον ὄψει τὸν ἀτίμητον, καὶ τῇ αἴγλῃ τοῦ φωτὸς αὐτοῦ φῶς καὶ αὐτὸς ἀξιωθήσῃ γενέσθαι, καὶ καρπὸν ἐνέγκῃς ἑκατοστεύοντα. διὰ σὲ γὰρ ἔργον ἐθέμην καὶ μακρὰν διήνυσα ὁδόν, τοῦ ὑποδεῖξαί σοι ἃ οὐχ ἑώρακας πώποτε καὶ διδάξαι ἃ οὐκ ἀκήκοας.

Εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰωάσαφ: Ἐγὼ μέν, πρεσβύτα τίμιε, πόθῳ τινὶ καὶ ἔρωτι ἀκατασχετῷ ζητῶ λόγον ἀκοῦσαι καινόν τινα καὶ ἀγαθόν, καὶ πῦρ ἔνδοθεν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ μου ἐκκέκαυται δεινῶς φλέγον με καὶ παρορμῶν μαθεῖν ἀναγκαίας τινὰς συζητήσεις: οὐκ ἔτυχον δὲ μέχρι τοῦ νῦν ἀνθρώπου δυναμένου πληροφορῆσαί με περὶ τούτων. εἰ δὲ τύχω σοφοῦ τινος καὶ ἐπιστήμονος, καὶ ἀκούσω λόγον σωτηρίας, οὔτε πετεινοῖς, ὡς οἶμαι, τοῦτον ἐκδώσω, οὔτε θηρίοις, οὔτε μὴν πετρώδης φανήσομαι, ὡς ἔφης, οὔτε ἀκανθώδης, ἀλλὰ καὶ εὐγνωμόνως δέξομαι καὶ εἰδημόνως τηρήσω. σὺ δέ, εἴ τι τοιοῦτον ἐπίστασαι, μὴ διακρύψῃς ἀπ' ἐμοῦ, ἀλλ' ἀνάγγειλόν μοι. ὡς γὰρ ἤκουσα ἐκ μακρᾶς ἀφικέσθαι σε γῆς, ἥσθη μου ἡ ψυχή, καὶ εὔελπις ἐγενόμην διὰ σοῦ τοῦ ποθουμένου ἐπιτυχεῖν. διὰ τοῦτο καὶ θᾶττον εἰσήγαγόν σε πρός με καὶ προσηνῶς ἐδεξάμην, ὥσπερ τινὰ τῶν συνήθων μοι καὶ ἡλικιωτῶν, εἴπερ οὐ ψευσθήσομαι τῆς ἐλπίδος. καὶ ὁ Βαρλαὰμ ἔφη: Καλῶς ἐποίησας τοῦτο καὶ ἀξίως τῆς σῆς βασιλικῆς μεγαλοπρεπείας, ὅτι μὴ τῇ φαινομένῃ προσέσχες εὐτελείᾳ, ἀλλὰ τῆς κεκρυμμένης ἐγένου ἐλπίδος.

Ἦν γάρ τις βασιλεὺς μέγας καὶ ἔνδοξος, καὶ ἐγένετο, διερχομένου αὐτοῦ ἐφ' ἅρματος χρυσοκολλήτου καὶ τῆς βασιλεῖ πρεπούσης δορυφορίας, ὑπαντῆσαι δύο ἄνδρας, διερρωγότα μὲν ἠμφιεσμένους καὶ ῥερυπωμένα, ἐκτετηκότας δὲ τὰ πρόσωπα καὶ λίαν κατωχριωμένους: ἦν δὲ γινώσκων τούτους ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ ὑπωπιασμῷ τοῦ σώματος καὶ τοῖς τῆς ἀσκήσεως ἱδρῶσι τὸ σαρκίον ἐκδεδαπανηκότας. ὡς οὖν εἶδεν αὐτούς, καταπηδήσας εὐθὺς τοῦ ἅρματος καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν πεσών, προσεκύνησε, καὶ ἀναστὰς περιεπλάκη αὐτοῖς προσφιλέστατα κατασπαζόμενος. οἱ δὲ μεγιστᾶνες αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντες ἐδυσχέραναν ἐπὶ τούτῳ, ἀνάξια τῆς βασιλικῆς δόξης πεποιηκέναι αὐτὸν νομίζοντες: μὴ τολμῶντες δὲ κατὰ πρόσωπον ἐλέγχειν, τὸν γνήσιον αὐτοῦ ἀδελφὸν ἔλεγον λαλῆσαι τῷ βασιλεῖ, μὴ τὸ ὕψος τοῦ διαδήματος οὑτωσὶ καθυβρίζειν. τοῦ δὲ εἰπόντος ταῦτα τῷ ἀδελφῷ καὶ καταμεμψαμένου τὴν ἄκαιρον αὐτοῦ σμικρολογίαν, δέδωκεν αὐτῷ ἀπόκρισιν ὁ βασιλεύς, ἣν οὐ συνῆκεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ.

Ἔθος γὰρ ἦν ἐκείνῳ τῷ βασιλεῖ, ὅταν ἀπόφασιν θανάτου κατά τινος ἐδίδου, κήρυκα εἰς τὴν αὐτοῦ θύραν ἀποστέλλειν μετὰ σάλπιγγος τεταγμένης εἰς τοῦτο: καὶ τῇ φωνῇ τῆς σάλπιγγος ἐκείνης ᾔσθοντο πάντες θανάτου ἔνοχον ἐκεῖνον ὑπάρχειν. ἑσπέρας οὖν καταλαβούσης, ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὴν σάλπιγγα τοῦ θανάτου σαλπίζειν ἐπὶ τῇ θύρᾳ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ. ὡς οὖν ἤκουσεν ἐκεῖνος τὴν σάλπιγγα τοῦ θανάτου, ἀπέγνω τῆς ἑαυτοῦ σωτηρίας καὶ διέθετο τὰ κατ' αὐτὸν ὅλην τὴν νύκτα: ἅμα δὲ πρωΐ, ἀμφιασάμενος μέλανα καὶ πενθήρη, μετὰ γυναικὸς καὶ τέκνων ἀπέρχεται εἰς τὴν θύραν τοῦ παλατίου κλαίων καὶ ὀδυρόμενος. εἰσαγαγὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ βασιλεύς, καὶ οὕτως ἰδὼν ὀλοφυρόμενον, ἔφη: Ὦ ἀσύνετε καὶ ἄφρον, εἰ σὺ οὕτως ἐδειλίασας τὸν κήρυκα τοῦ ὁμοτίμου σου ἀδελφοῦ, πρὸς ὃν οὐδὲν ὅλως ἑαυτὸν ἡμαρτηκέναι γινώσκεις, πῶς ἐμοὶ μέμψιν ἐπήγαγες ἐν ταπεινώσει ἀσπασαμένῳ τοὺς κήρυκας τοῦ Θεοῦ μου, τοὺς εὐηχέστερον σάλπιγγος μηνύοντάς μοι τὸν θάνατον καὶ τὴν φοβερὰν τοῦ Δεσπότου ὑπάντησιν, ᾧ πολλὰ καὶ μεγάλα ἐμαυτὸν ἡμαρτηκέναι ἐπίσταμαι; ἰδοὺ τοίνυν τὴν σὴν ἐλέγχων ἄνοιαν τούτῳ δὴ τῷ τρόπῳ ἐχρησάμην, ὥσπερ οὖν καὶ τοὺς ὑποθεμένους σου τὴν κατ' ἐμοῦ μέμψιν θᾶττον ἀνοηταίνειν ἐλέγξω. καὶ οὕτω θεραπεύσας τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ὠφελήσας οἴκαδε ἀπέστειλεν.

Ἐκέλευσε δὲ γενέσθαι ἐκ ξύλων βαλάντια τέσσαρα. καὶ τὰ μὲν δύο περικαλύψας πάντοθεν χρυσίῳ, καὶ ὀστᾶ νεκρῶν ὀδωδότα βαλὼν ἐν αὐτοῖς, χρυσαῖς περόναις κατησφαλίσατο: τὰ δὲ ἄλλα πίσσῃ καταχρίσας καὶ ἀσφαλτώσας, ἐπλήρωσε λίθων τιμίων καὶ μαργαρίτων πολυτίμων καὶ πάσης μυρεψικῆς εὐωδίας. σχοινίοις τε τριχίνοις ταῦτα περισφίγξας, ἐκάλεσε τοὺς μεμψαμένους αὐτῷ μεγιστᾶνας ἐπὶ τῇ τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκείνων συναντήσει, καὶ προέθετο αὐτοῖς τὰ τέσσαρα βαλάντια, τοῦ ἀποτιμήσασθαι πόσου μὲν ταῦτα, πόσου δὲ ἐκεῖνα τιμήματός εἰσιν ἄξια. οἱ δὲ τὰ μὲν δύο τὰ κεχρυσωμένα τιμῆς ὅτι πλείστης εἶναι διωρίζοντο. ἔξεστι γάρ, φησίν, ἐν αὐτοῖς βασιλικὰ διαδήματα καὶ ζώνας ἀποκεῖσθαι: τὰ δὲ τῇ πίσσῃ κατακεχρισμένα καὶ τῇ ἀσφάλτῳ εὐτελοῦς τινὸς καὶ οἰκτροῦ τιμήματος ὑπάρχει. ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς ἔφη πρὸς αὐτούς: Οἶδα κἀγὼ τοιαῦτα λέγειν ὑμᾶς: τοῖς αἰσθητοῖς γὰρ ὀφθαλμοῖς τὴν αἰσθητὴν ὄψιν κατανοεῖτε: καὶ μὴν οὐχ οὕτως δεῖ ποιεῖν. ἀλλὰ τοῖς ἔνδον ὄμμασι τὴν ἐντὸς ἀποκειμένην χρὴ βλέπειν εἴτε τιμὴν εἴτε ἀτιμίαν. καὶ ἐκέλευσεν ἀνοιγῆναι τὰ κεχρυσωμένα βαλάντια. διανοιχθέντων δέ, δεινή τις ἔπνευσε δυσωδία καὶ ἀηδεστάτη ὡράθη θέα.

Φησὶν οὖν ὁ βασιλεύς: Οὗτος ὁ τύπος τῶν τὰ λαμπρὰ μὲν καὶ ἔνδοξα ἠμφιεσμένων, πολλῇ δόξῃ καὶ δυναστείᾳ σοβαρευομένων, καὶ ἔσωθεν ἀποζόντων νεκρῶν καὶ πονηρῶν ἔργων. εἶτα καὶ τὰ πεπισσωμένα καὶ κατησφαλτωμένα κελεύσας ἀνακαλυφθῆναι, πάντας εὔφρανε τοὺς παρόντας τῇ τῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἀποκειμένων φαιδρότητι καὶ εὐωδίᾳ. ἔφη δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς: Οἴδατε τίνι ὅμοια ταῦτα; τοῖς ταπεινοῖς ἐκείνοις καὶ εὐτελῆ περικειμένοις ἐνδύματα, ὧν ὑμεῖς τὸ ἐκτὸς ὁρῶντες σχῆμα, ὕβριν ἡγήσασθε τὴν ἐμὴν κατὰ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν ἐπὶ γῆς προσκύνησιν: ἐγὼ δέ, τοῖς νοεροῖς ὄμμασι τὸ τίμιον αὐτῶν καὶ περικαλλὲς κατανοήσας τῶν ψυχῶν, ἐνεδοξάσθην μὲν τῇ τούτων προσψαύσει, παντὸς δὲ στεφάνου καὶ πάσης βασιλικῆς ἁλουργίδος τιμιωτέρους αὐτοὺς ἡγησάμην. οὕτως οὖν αὐτοὺς ᾔσχυνε, καὶ ἐδίδαξε μὴ τοῖς φαινομένοις πλανᾶσθαι, ἀλλὰ τοῖς νοουμένοις προσέχειν. κατ' ἐκεῖνον τοίνυν τὸν εὐσεβῆ καὶ σοφὸν βασιλέα καὶ σὺ πεποίηκας, τῇ ἀγαθῇ ἐλπίδι προσδεξάμενός με, ἧς οὐ ψευσθήσῃ, ὡς ἔγωγε οἶμαι. εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰωασάφ. Ταῦτα μὲν δὴ πάντα καλῶς εἶπας καὶ εὐαρμόστως: ἀλλ' ἐκεῖνο θέλω μαθεῖν, τίς ἐστιν ὁ σὸς Δεσπότης, ὃν κατ' ἀρχὰς τοῦ λόγου περὶ τοῦ σπορέως ἐκείνου εἰρηκέναι ἔλεγες.