barlaam and ioasaph-第31章

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nd　enchant　the　minds　of　men。　　Listen　to　a　story　that　beareth　witness　to　my　word。〃


XXX。

〃A　certain　king　was　grieved　and　exceeding　sad　at　heart；　because　that　he　had　no　male　issue；　deeming　this　no　small　misfortune。　While　he　was　in　this　condition；　there　was　born　to　him　a　son；　and　the　king's　soul　was　filled　with　joy　thereat。　　Then　they　that　were　learned　amongst　his　physicians　told　him　that；　if　for　the　first　twelve　years　the　boy　saw　the　sun　or　fire；　he　should　entirely　lose　his　sight；　for　this　was　proved　by　the　condition　of　his　eyes。　Hearing　this；　the　king；　they　say；　caused　a　little　house；　full　of　dark　chambers；　to　be　hewn　out　of　the　rock；　and　therein　enclosed　his　child　together　with　the　men　that　nursed　him；　and；　until　the　twelve　years　were　past；　never　suffered　him　to　see　the　least　ray　of　light。　　After　the　fulfilment　of　the　twelve　years；　the　king　brought　forth　from　his　little　house　his　son　that　had　never　seen　a　single　object；　and　ordered　his　waiting　men　to　show　the　boy　everything　after　his　kind；　men　in　one　place；　women　in　another；　elsewhere　gold　and　silver；　in　another　place；　pearls　and　precious　stones；　fine　and　ornamental　vestments；　splendid　chariots　with　horses　from　the　royal　stables；　with　golden　bridles　and　purple　caparisons；　mounted　by　armed　soldiers；　also　droves　of　oxen　and　flocks　of　sheep。　　In　brief；　row　after　row；　they　showed　the　boy　everything。　　Now；　as　he　asked　what　each　ox　these　was　called；　the　king's　esquires　and　guards　made　known　unto　him　each　by　name：　but；　when　he　desired　to　learn　what　women　were　called；　the　king's　spearman；　they　say；　wittily　replied　that　they　were　called；　〃Devils　that　deceive　men。〃　　But　the　boy's　heart　was　smitten　with　the　love　of　these　above　all　the　rest。　　So；　when　they　had　gone　round　everywhere　and　brought　him　again　unto　the　king；　the　king　asked；　which　of　all　these　sights　had　pleased　him　most。　　〃What；〃　answered　the　boy；　〃but　the　Devils　that　deceive　men？　　Nothing　that　I　have　seen　to…day　hath　fired　my　heart　with　such　love　as　these。〃　The　king　was　astonished　at　the　saying　of　the　boy；　to　think　how　masterful　a　thing　the　love　of　women　is。　　Therefore　think　not　to　subdue　thy　son　in　any　other　way　than　this。〃

The　king　heard　this　tale　gladly；　and　there　were　brought　before　him　some　chosen　damsels；　young　and　exceeding　beautiful。　　These　he　bedizened　with　dazzling　ornaments　and　trained　in　all　winsome　ways：　and　then　he　turned　out　of　the　palace　all　his　son's　squires　and　serving　men；　and　set　these　women　in　their　stead。　　These　flocked　around　the　prince；　embraced　him；　and　provoked　him　to　filthy　wantonness；　by　their　walk　and　talk　inviting　him　to　dalliaunce。　　Besides　these；　he　had　no　man　at　whom　to　look；　or　with　whom　to　converse　or　break　his　fast；　for　these　damsels　were　his　all。　　Thus　did　the　king。　　But　Theudas　went　home　to　his　evil　den；　and；　dipping　into　his　books　that　had　virtue　to　work　such　magic；　he　called　up　one　of　his　wicked　spirits　and　sent　him　forth；　for　to　battle　with　the　soldier　of　the　army　of　Christ。　　But　the　wretch　little　knew　what　laughter　he　should　create　against　himself；　and　to　what　shame　he　should　be　put；　with　the　whole　devilish　troop　under　him。　　So　the　evil　spirit；　taking　to　him　other　spirits　more　wicked　than　himself；　entered　the　bed…chamber　of　this　noble　youth；　and　attacked　him　by　kindling　right　furiously　the　furnace　of　his　flesh。　　The　evil　one　plied　the　bellows　from　within；　while　the　damsels；　fair　of　face；　but　uncomely　of　soul；　supplied　the　evil　fuel　from　without。

But　Ioasaph's　pure　soul　was　disturbed　to　feel　the　touch　of　evil；　and　to　see　the　warlike　host　of　strange　thoughts　that　was　charging　down　upon　him。　　And　he　sought　to　find　deliverance　from　this　great　mischief；　and　to　present　himself　pure　unto　Christ；　and　not　defile　in　the　mire　of　sinful　lust　that　holy　apparel；　wherein　the　grace　of　holy　Baptism　had　clothed　him。　　Immediately　he　set　love　against　love；　the　divine　against　the　lascivious；　and　he　called　to　remembrance　the　beauty　and　unspeakable　glory　of　Christ；　the　immortal　bridegroom　of　virgin　souls；　and　of　that　bride　chamber　and　marriage；　from　whence　they　that　have　stained　their　wedding…　garment　are　piteously　cast　out；　bound　hand　and　foot；　into　outer　darkness。　　When　he　had　thought　thereon；　and　shed　bitter　tears；　he　smote　upon　his　breast；　driving　out　evil　thoughts；　as　good…for…　nothing　drones　from　the　hive。　　When　he　rose；　and　spread　out　his　hands　unto　heaven；　with　fervent　tears　and　groans　calling　upon　God　to　help　him；　and　he　said；　〃Lord　Almighty；　who　alone　art　powerful　and　merciful；　the　hope　of　the　hopeless；　and　the　help　of　the　helpless；　remember　me　thine　unprofitable　servant　at　this　hour；　and　look　upon　me　with　a　gracious　countenance；　and　deliver　my　soul　from　the　sword　of　the　devil；　and　my　darling　from　the　paw　of　the　dog：　suffer　me　not　to　fall　into　the　hands　of　mine　enemies；　and　let　not　them　that　hate　me　triumph　over　me。　　Leave　me　not　to　be　destroyed　in　iniquities；　and　to　dishonour　my　body　which　I　swore　to　present　unto　thee　chaste。　　For　for　thee　I　yearn；　thee　I　worship；　the　Father；　and　the　Son；　and　the　Holy　Ghost；　now　and　for　evermore；　and　world　without　end。〃　　When　he　had　added　the　Amen；　he　felt　heavenly　comfort　stealing　over　him　from　above；　and　the　evil　thoughts　withdrew；　and　he　continued　in　prayer　until　early　morn。　Being　ware　of　the　devices　of　the　crafty　foe；　he　began　more　and　more　to　afflict　his　body　by　abstinence　from　meat　and　drink；　and　by　other　severities；　standing　in　prayer　all　the　night　long；　and　reminding　himself　of　his　covenants　made　with　God；　and　picturing　in　his　mind　the　glory　of　the　righteous　yonder；　and　recounting　to　himself　the　full　terrors　of　the　Gehenna　wherewith　the　wicked　are　threatened；　all　this；　that　the　enemy　might　not　find　his　soul　lying　fallow　and　untilled；　and　thus　easily　sow　therein　the　seeds　of　evil　thoughts；　and　befoul　the　cleanness　of　his　mind。　　So；　when　the　enemy　was　in　great　straits　on　every　side；　and　altogether　in　despair　of　taking　this　noble　youth；　like　a　cunning　knave；　he　proceeded　to　another　more　subtil　device；　he　that　is　for　ever　wicked；　and　never　stinteth　to　contrive　mischief　and　hurt。　　For　he　made　furious　endeavour　to　carry　out　the　orders　that　Theudas　had　given　him；　and　once　more　prepared　his　drugs；　and　on　this　wise。　

The　devil　entered　into　the　heart　of　one　of　the　young　damsels。　　Of　all　she　was　the　most　seemly；　a　king's　daughter；　carried　away　captive　from　her　own　country；　given　to　king　Abenner　as　a　great　prize；　and　sent　by　him；　being　of　ripe　beauty；　to　his　own　son；　for　to　cause　him　to　slip　or　to　trip。　　Of　her　the　deceiver　took　possession；　and　whispered　in　her　ear　suggestions　that　plainly　showed　the　wisdom　and　understanding　of　her　mind；　for　the　evil　one　easily　pursueth　all　devices　that　make　for　wickedness。　　Then　the　evil　spirit　attacked　the　king's　son　on　the　right　hand；　and　gave　him　a　potion　to　make　him　love　the　maiden；　by　reason　　so　he　pretended　　of　her　prudence　and　discretion　and　of　her　nobility　and　royal　blood　that　yet　had　not　saved　her　from　banishment　and　loss　of　glory。　　Moreover　the　devil　secretly　sowed　in　Ioasaph's　heart　thoughts　that　he　might　recover　her　from　idolatry；　and　make　her　a　Christian。

But　these　were　all　stratagems　of　the　wily　serpent。　　For　the　king's　son；　being　in　this　frame　of　mind；　could　see　in　himself　no　unclean　thought　or　passionate　affection　for　the　damsel；　but　only　sympathy　and　pity　for　her　misfortune；　and　the　ruin　of　her　soul；　and　knew　not　that　this　matter　was　a　device　of　the　devil；　for　verily　he　is　darkness；　and　feigneth　to　be　light。　　So　he　began　to　commune　with　the　damsel；　and　talk　with　her　over　the　oracles　of　the　knowledge　of　God；　and　said；　〃Lady；　be　thou　acquainted　with　the　ever…living　God；　and　perish　not　in　the　error　of　these　idols；　but　know　thy　Lord；　and　the　Maker　of　all　this　world；　and　thou　shalt　be　happy；　the　bride　of　the　immortal　bridegroom。〃　　While　he　exhorted　her　with　many　such…like　words；　immediately　the　evil　spirit　whispered　to　the　girl　that　she　should　spread　under　his　feet　the　nets　of　deceit　to　drag　his　blessed　soul　into　the　pit　of　lust；　as　he　once　did　to　our　first　parent　by　means　of　Eve；　thus　miserably　banishing　him；　alas！　from　Paradise　and　God；　and　making　him　to　become　subject　to　death　in　lieu　of　bliss　and　everlasting　life。

When　the　damsel　heard　Ioasaph's　words　fulfilled　with　all　wisdom；　being　without　understanding；　she　understood　them　not；　but　made　answer　thus；　becoming　the　tongue　and　mouth…piece　of　the　evil　one：　〃If；　sir；　thou　takest　thought　for　my　salvation；　and　desirest　to　bring　me　to　thy　God；　and　to　save　my　poor　soul；　do　thou　also　thyself　grant　me　one　request；　and　straightway　I　will　bid　good…bye　to　my　fathers'　gods；　and　join　thy　God；　serving　him　until　my　last　breath；　and　thou　shalt　receive　recompense　for　my　salvation；　and　for　my　turning　to　God…ward。〃

〃Lady；　and　what　is　thy　request？〃　said　he。　　But　she；　setting　her　whole　self；　figure；　look　and　voice　in　a　fashion　to　charm　him；　answered；　〃Be　thou　joined　with　me　in　the　bonds　of　wedlock；　and　I　will　joyfully　follow　out　thy　behests。〃

〃In　vain；　O　Lady；〃　said　he；　〃hast　thou　made　this　hard　request。　For　though　I　earnestly　care　for　thy　salvation；　and　long　to　heave　thee　from　the　depth　of　perdition；　yet　to　pollute　my　body　through　unclean　union　is　grievous　for　me；　and　utterly　impossible。〃

She；　seeking　to　make　the　way　straight　and　smooth　for　him；　cried；　〃Why　dost　thou；　who　are　so　wise；　talk　thus？　　Wherefore　speakest　thou　of　it　as　of　defilement　and　shameful　intercourse？　　I　am　not　unacquainted　with　the　Christian　books：　nay；　I　have　met　with　many　volumes　in　mine　own　country；　and　have　heard　the　discourses　of　many　Christians。　　What；　is　it　not　written　in　one　of　your　books；　‘Marriage　is　honourable；　and　the　bed　undefiled'？　　and；　‘It　is　better　to　marry　than　to　burn'？　and　again；　‘What　God　hath　joined　together；　let　not　man　put　asunder'？　　Do　not　your　Scriptures　teach　that　all　the　righteous　men　of　old；　patriarchs　and　prophets；　were　wedded？　　Is　it　not　written　that　the　mighty　Peter；　whom　ye　call　Prince　of　the　Apostles；　was　a　married　man？　　Who；　then；　hath　persuaded　thee　to　call　this　defilement？　　Methink；　sir；　thou　strayest　utterly　away　from　the　truth　of　your　doctrines。〃

〃Yea；　Lady；〃　said　he；　〃all　this　is　even　as　thou　sayest。　　It　is　permitted　to　all　who　will　to　live　in　wedlock；　but　not　to　them　that　have　once　made　promise　to　Christ　to　be　virgins。　　For　myself；　ever　since　I　was　cleansed　in　the　laver　of　Holy　Baptism　from　the　sins　of　my　youth　and　ignorance；　I　have　resolved　to　present　myself　pure　to　Christ；　and　how　shall　I　dare　break　my　covenants　with　God？〃

Again　quoth　the　damsel；　〃Let　this　also　be　thy　pleasure；　as　thou　wilt。　　But　fulfil　me　one　other　small　and　trivial　desire　of　mine；　if　thou　art　in　very　truth　minded　for　to　save　my　soul。　　Keep　company　with　me　this　one　night　only；　and　grant　me　to　revel　in　thy　beauty；　and　do　thou　in　turn　take　thy　fill　of　my　comeliness。　　And　I　give　thee　my　word；　that；　with　daybreak；　I　will　become　a　Christian；　and　forsake　all　the　worship　of　my　gods。　　Not　only　shalt　thou　be　pardoned　for　this　dealing；　but　thou　shalt　receive　recompense　from　thy　God　because　of　my　salvation；　for　thy　Scripture　saith；　‘There　is　joy　in　heaven　over　one　sinner　that　repenteth。'　　If；　therefore；　there　is　joy　in　heaven　over　the　conversion　of　a　sinner；　shall　not　great　recompense　be　due　to　the　causer　of　that　conversion？　　Yea；　so　it　is：　and　dispute　it　not。　Did　not　even　the　Apostles；　the　leaders　of　your