barlaam and ioasaph-第30章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


yfully　heard　his　saying。　　And　he　embraced　and　kissed　him　affectionately；　and；　when　he　had　prayed　earnestly　to　God；　he　sent　him　forth　from　the　palace。

So　Nachor　stepped　forth　with　a　contrite　heart；　and　went　bounding　into　the　depths　of　the　desert；　like　as　doth　an　hart；　and　came　to　a　den　belonging　to　a　monk　that　had　attained　to　the　dignity　of　the　priesthood；　and　was　hiding　there　for　fear　of　the　pressing　danger。　With　a　right　warm　heart　knelt　Nachor　down　before　him；　and　washed　his　feet　with　his　tears；　like　the　harlot　of　old；　and　craved　holy　Baptism。　　The　priest；　full　of　heavenly　grace；　was　passing　glad；　and　did　at　once　begin　to　instruct　him；　as　the　custom　is；　and　after　many　days；　perfected　him　with　baptism　in　the　name　of　the　Father；　and　of　the　Son；　and　of　the　Holy　Ghost。　　And　Nachor　abode　with　him；　always　repentant　of　his　sins；　and　blessing　that　God　who　never　willeth　that　ally　should　perish；　but　receiveth　all　that　turn　again　unto　him；　and　lovingly　accepteth　the　penitent。

Now　on　the　morrow　when　the　king　heard　what　had　befallen　Nachor；　he　despaired　of　the　hopes　that　he　once　had　in　him：　and；　seeing　those　wise　and　foolish　orators　of　his　mightily　discomfited；　he　was　at　his　wits'　end。　　Them　he　visited　with　terrible　outrage　and　dishonour；　scourging　some　severely　with　whips　of　oxhide；　besmearing　their　eyes　with　soot；　and　casting　them　away　from　his　presence。　　He　himself　began　to　condemn　the　impotence　of　the　gods　falsely　so　called；　although　as　yet　he　refused　to　look　fully　at　the　light　of　Christ；　for　the　dense　cloud　of　darkness；　that　enveloped　him；　still　bound　the　eyes　of　his　heart。　　Howbeit　he　no　longer　honoured　his　temple…keepers；　nor　would　he　keep　feasts；　nor　make　drink　offerings　to　his　idols；　but　his　mind　was　tossed　between　two　opinions。　　On　the　one　hand；　he　poured　scorn　on　the　impotence　of　his　gods；　on　the　other；　he　dreaded　the　strictness　of　the　profession　of　the　Gospel；　and　was　hardly　to　be　torn　from　his　evil　ways；　being　completely　in　slavery　to　the　pleasures　of　the　body；　and　like　a　captive　drawn　towards　sinful　lusts；　and　being　drunken；　as　saith　Esay；　but　not　with　wine；　and　led　as　it　were　with　the　bridle　of　evil　habit。

While　the　king　was　thus　wrestling　with　two　opinions；　his　noble　and　truly　royal…hearted　son　dwelt　at　peace　in　his　palace；　proving　to　all　men　by　his　deeds　the　nobility；　order　and　steadfastness　of　his　nature。　　Theatres；　horse…races；　riding　to　hounds；　and　all　the　vain　pleasures　of　youth；　the　baits　that　take　foolish　souls；　were　reckoned　by　him　as　nothing　worth。　　But　he　hung　wholly　on　the　commands　of　Christ　for　whom　he　yearned；　his　heart　being　wounded　with　love　divine。　　For　him　he　longed；　who　alone　is　to　be　longed　for；　who　is　all　sweetness　and　desire　and　aspiration　insatiable。

Now；　when　he　came　to　think　upon　his　teacher　Barlaam；　and　as　in　a　mirror　saw　his　life；　his　soul　was　enchanted　with　love；　and　he　much　occupied　himself　a…thinking　how　he　might　see　him；　and　ever　carrying　his　sayings　in　his　heart；　he　was　like　the　tree　in　the　Psalms　planted　by　the　river　side；　unceasingly　watered；　and　bringing　forth　unto　the　Lords　his　fruits　in　due　season。　　Many　were　the　souls　that　he　delivered　from　the　snares　of　the　devil；　and　brought　safely　unto　Christ；　for　many　resorted　unto　him；　and　profited　by　his　wholesome　words。　　And　not　a　few　left　the　way　of　error；　and　ran　toward　the　word　of　salvation；　while　others　bade　a　long　farewell　to　the　concerns　of　the　world；　and　came　to　the　wrestling…school　of　the　monastic　life。　　He　himself　spent　his　time　in　prayers　and　fastings；　and　would　often　offer　up　this　prayer；　〃O　Lord；　my　Lord　and　King；　in　whom　I　have　trusted；　to　whom　I　have　fled　and　been　delivered　from　my　error；　render　thou　due　recompense　to　Barlaam　thy　servant；　because　when　I　was　in　error　he　pointed　thee　to　me；　who　art　the　way　of　truth　and　life。　　Forbid　me　not　to　behold　once　more　that　angel　in　bodily　shape；　of　whom　the　world　is　not　worthy；　but　grant　me　in　his　company　to　finish　the　residue　of　my　life；　that；　treading　in　the　footsteps　of　his　conversation；　I　may　be　well…pleasing　to　thee　my　God　and　Lord。〃


XXIX。

Now　about　the　same　time　there　was　in　that　city　a　public　assembly　in　honour　of　the　false　gods；　and　the　king　must　needs　be　present　at　the　feast；　and　grace　it　with　lavish　sacrifices。　　But　the　temple…keepers；　seeing　that　he　was　careless　and　lukewarm　with　regard　to　their　worship；　feared　that　he　might　neglect　to　be　present　in　their　temple；　and　that　they　might　lose　the　royal　largess；　and　the　rest　of　their　revenues。　　So　they　arose；　and　withdrew　to　a　cavern　situate　in　the　depth　of　the　desert；　where　dwelt　a　man　who　busied　himself　with　magical　arts；　and　was　a　fervent　champion　of　the　error　of　idolatry。　　Theudas　was　his　name。　Him　the　king　honoured　exceedingly；　and　counted　him　his　friend　and　teacher；　because；　he　said；　it　was　by　the　guidance　of　his　prophecies　that　his　kingdom　ever　prospered。　　So　these　idol…　priests；　that　were　no　priests；　came　to　him；　and　appealed　to　him　for　help；　and　made　known　to　him　the　evil　opinion　of　their　gods　which　was　growing　on　their　king；　and　all　that　the　king's　son　had　done；　and　all　the　eloquent　discourse　that　Nachor　had　held　against　them。　　And　they　said；　〃Except　thou　come　thyself　to　our　succour；　gone　is　all　hope！　　and　lost　is　all　the　reverence　of　the　gods。　Thou　only　art　left　to　be　our　comfort　in　this　misfortune；　and　upon　thee　we　fix　our　hopes。〃

So　forth　marched　Theudas；　in　company　with　his　Satanic　host；　and　he　armed　himself　against　the　truth；　invoking　many　of　his　evil　spirits；　who　knew　how　to　lend　ready　aid　for　evil　ends；　and　whom　he　alway　used　for　his　ministers；　and　with　these　allies　he　came　to　the　king。　　When　his　arrival　had　been　announced　to　the　king；　and　he　had　entered　in；　with　a　palm…staff　in　his　hand　and　a　sheep…skin　girt　about　his　loins；　the　king　arose　from　his　throne；　and　met　and　welcomed　him；　and；　fetching　a　seat；　he　made　him　to　sit　down　beside　him。　　Then　spake　Theudas　unto　the　king；　〃O　king；　live　for　ever　under　the　shelter　of　the　favour　of　the　most　puissant　gods！　　I　have　heard　that　thou　hast　foughten　a　mighty　fight　with　the　Galileans；　and　hast　been　crowned　with　right　glorious　diadems　of　victory。　　Wherefore　I　am　come；　that　we　may　celebrate　together　a　feast　of　thanksgiving；　and　sacrifice　to　the　immortal　gods　young　men　in　the　bloom　of　youth　and　well…favoured　damsels；　and　eke　offer　them　an　hecatomb　of　bullocks　and　herds　of　beasts；　that　we　may　have　them　from　henceforth　for　our　allies　invincible；　making　plain　our　path　of　life　before　us。〃

Hereto　the　king　made　answer；　〃We　have　not　conquered；　aged　sir；　we　have　not　conquered：　nay；　rather　have　we　been　defeated　in　open　fight。　　They　that　were　for　us　turned　suddenly　against　us。　　They　found　our　host　a　wild；　half…drunken；　feeble　folk；　and　utterly　overthrew　it。　　But　now；　if　there　be　with　thee　any　power　and　strength　to　help　our　fallen　religion　and　set　it　up　again；　declare　it。〃

Theudas　replied　in　this　wise；　〃Dread　not；　O　king；　the　oppositions　and　vain　babblings　of　the　Galileans：　for　of　what　worth　against　reasonable　and　sensible　men　are　the　arguments　that　they　use？　These　methinks　shall　be　more　easily　overthrown　than　a　leaf　shaken　with　the　wind。　　They　shall　not　endure　to　face　me；　far　less　join　argument；　or　come　to　propositions　and　oppositions　with　me。　　But；　in　order　that　the　coming　contest　and　all　our　wishes　may　prosper；　and　that　our　matters　may　run　smoothly　with　the　stream；　adorn　thou　with　thy　presence　this　public　festival；　and　gird　on　for　thy　strong　sword　the　favour　of　the　gods；　and　well　befall　thee！〃

When　the　mighty　in　wickedness　had　thus　boasted　himself　and　thought　of　mischief　all　the　day　long　（let　David　bear　his　part　in　our　chorus）；　and　when；　as　saith　Esay；　he　had　given　his　neighbour　a　drink　of　turbid　dregs；　by　the　help　of　the　evil　spirits　his　comrades　he　made　the　king　utterly　to　forget　the　thoughts　that　inclined　him　to　salvation；　and　caused　him　again　to　cleave　to　his　wonted　ways。　　Then　the　king　despatched　letters　hither　and　thither；　that　all　men　should　gather　together　to　this　loathsome　assembly。　　Then　mightest　thou　have　seen　multitudes　streaming　in；　and　bringing　with　them　sheep　and　oxen　and　divers　kinds　of　beasts。

So　when　all　were　assembled；　the　king　arose；　with　that　deceiver　Theudas；　and　proceeded　to　the　temple；　bringing　one　hundred　and　twenty　bullocks　and　many　animals　for　sacrifice。　　And　they　celebrated　their　accursed　feast　till　the　city　resounded　with　the　cry　of　the　brute　beasts　and　the　very　air　was　polluted　with　the　reek　of　sacrifice。　　This　done；　when　the　spirits　of　wickedness　had　greatly　vaunted　them　over　Theudas'　victory；　and　when　the　temple…　keepers　had　rendered　him　thanks；　the　king　went　up　again　unto　his　palace；　and　said　milo　Theudas；　〃Behold　now；　as　thou　badest　us；　we　have　spared　no　pains　over　the　splendour　of　this　gathering　and　the　lavishness　of　the　sacrifice。　　Now；　therefore；　it　is　time　for　thee　to　fulfil　thy　promises；　and　to　deliver　from　the　error　of　the　Christians　my　son　that　hath　rebelled　against　our　religion；　and　to　reconcile　him　to　our　gracious　gods。　　For；　though　I　have　left　no　device　and　deed　untried；　yet　have　I　found　no　remedy　for　the　mischief；　but　I　perceive　that　his　will　is　stronger　than　all。　　When　I　have　dealt　gently　and　kindly　with　him；　I　have　found　that　he　payeth　me　no　regard　whatsoever。　　When　I　have　treated　him　harshly　and　severely；　I　have　seen　him　driven　the　quicker　to　desperation。　　To　thy　wisdom　for　the　future　I　leave　the　care　of　this　calamity　that　hath　befallen　me。　　If　then　I　be　delivered　from　this　trouble　by　thy　means；　and　once　more　behold　my　son　worshipping　my　gods　with　me；　and　enjoying　the　gratification　of　this　life　of　pleasure；　and　this　royal　estate；　I　will　set　up　unto　thee　a　golden　statue；　and　make　thee　to　receive　divine　honours　from　all　men　for　all　time　to　come。〃

Hereupon　Theudas；　bowing　an　attentive　ear　to　the　evil　one；　and　learning　from　him　the　secret　of　his　evil　and　deadly　counsel；　became　himself　the　devil's　tongue　and　mouthpiece；　and　spake　unto　the　king；　〃If　thou　wilt　get　the　better　of　thy　son；　and　make　his　opposition　vain；　I　have　discovered　a　plan；　which　he　shall　in　no　wise　be　able　to　resist；　but　his　hard　and　obdurate　mind　shall　melt　quicker　than　wax　before　the　hottest　fire。〃　　The　king；　seeing　this　foolish　fellow　swelling　with　empty　pride；　immediately　grew　merry　and　joyful；　hoping　that　the　unbridled　and　boastful　tongue　would　get　the　mastery　of　that　divinely　instructed　and　philosophic　soul。　〃And　what　is　the　plan？〃　he　asked。　　Then　began　Theudas　to　weave　his　web。　　He　made　his　villainy　sharp　as　any　razor　and　did　cunningly　prepare　his　drugs。　　Now　behold　this　malicious　device　and　suggestion　of　the　evil　one。　〃Remove；　O　king；〃　said　he；　〃all　thy　son's　waiting　men　and　servants　far　from　him；　and　order　that　comely　damsels；　of　exceeding　beauty；　and　bedizened　to　be　the　more　winsome；　be　continually　with　him　and　minister　to　him；　and　be　his　companions　day　and　night。　　For　myself；　I　will　send　him　one　of　the　spirits　told　off　for　such　duties；　and　I　will　thus　kindle　all　the　more　fiercely　the　coals　of　sensual　desire。　　After　that　he　hath　once　only　had　intercourse　with　but　one　of　these　women；　if　all　go　not　as　thou　wilt；　then　disdain　me　for　ever；　as　unprofitable；　and　worthy　not　of　honour　but　of　dire　punishment。　　For　there　is　nothing　like　the　sight　of　women　to　allure　and　enchant　the　minds　of　men。　　Listen　to　a　story　that　beareth　witness　to　my　word。〃


XXX。

〃A　ce