barlaam and ioasaph-第32章

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　that　conversion？　　Yea；　so　it　is：　and　dispute　it　not。　Did　not　even　the　Apostles；　the　leaders　of　your　religion；　do　many　a　thing　by　dispensation；　at　times　transgressing　a　commandment　on　account　of　a　greater　one？　　Is　not　Paul　said　to　have　circumcised　Timothy　on　account　of　a　greater　dispensation？　　And　yet　circumcision　hath　been　reckoned　by　Christians　as　unlawful；　but　yet　he　did　not　decline　so　to　do。　　And　many　other　such　things　shalt　thou　find　in　thy　Scriptures。　　If　then　in　very　sooth；　as　thou　sayest；　thou　seekest　to　save　my　soul；　fulfil　me　this　my　small　desire。　　And　although　I　seek　to　be　joined　with　thee　in　the　full　estate　of　matrimony；　yet；　sith　this　is　contrary　to　thy　mind；　I　will　never　constrain　thee　again；　but　will　do　everything　that　liketh　thee。　　For　the　rest；　do　not　thou　utterly　abhor　me；　but　hearken　to　me　for　the　nonce；　and　thou　shalt　deliver　me　from　superstitious　error；　and　thou　shalt　do　whatever　seemeth　thee　good　hereafter　all　the　days　of　thy　life。〃

Thus　spake　she；　for　indeed　she　had；　for　her　adviser；　one　to　whom　she　lent　a　privy　ear；　and　the　pirate　was　well　versed　in　Scripture；　being　verily　the　creator　and　teacher　of　iniquity。　　Thus　then　she　spake　with　fawning　words　entangling　him；　right　and　left；　around　with　her　toils　and　meshes；　and　she　began　to　shake　the　citadel　of　his　soul；　and　to　slacken　his　tension　of　purpose；　and　to　soften　the　temper　of　his　mind。　　Then　the　sower　of　these　evil　tares；　and　enemy　of　the　righteous；　when　he　saw　the　young　man's　heart　wavering；　was　full　of　joy；　and　straightway　called　to　the　evil　spirits　that　were　with　him；　crying；　〃Look　you　how　yond　damsel　hasteth　to　bring　to　pass　all　that　we　were　unable　to　accomplish！　　Hither！　　fall　we　now　furiously　upon　him：　for　we　shall　find　none　other　season　so　favourable　to　perform　the　will　of　him　that　sent　us。〃　　Thus　spake　this　crafty　spirit　to　his　hounds：　and　straightway　they　lept　on　that　soldier　of　Christ；　disquieting　all　the　powers　of　his　soul；　inspiring　him　with　vehement　love　for　the　damsel；　and　kindling　within　him　the　fiercest　fire　of　lust。

When　Ioasaph　saw　that　he　was　greatly　inflamed；　and　was　being　led　captive　into　sin；　and　perceived　that　his　thoughts　about　the　salvation　of　the　damsel　and　her　conversion　to　God　had　been　set　like　bait　on　hook　to　hide　the　deed　which　she　purposed；　and　were　troubling　him　with　the　suggestion　of　the　enemy；　that；　for　the　salvation　of　a　soul；　it　was　not　sin　for　once　to　lie　with　a　woman；　then　in　the　agony　of　his　soul　he　drew　a　deep　and　lamentable　groan；　and　nerved　himself　to　pray；　and；　with　streams　of　tears　running　down　his　cheeks；　he　cried　aloud　to　him　that　is　able　to　save　them　that　trust　in　him；　saying；　〃On　thee；　O　Lord；　have　I　set　my　trust：　let　me　not　be　confounded　for　ever；　neither　let　mine　enemies　triumph　over　me；　that　hold　by　thy　right　hand。　　But　stand　thou　by　me　at　this　hour；　and　according　to　thy　will　make　straight　my　path；　that　thy　glorious　and　dreadful　name　may　be　glorified　in　me　thy　servant；　because　thou　art　blessed　for　ever。　　Amen。〃

Now　when　he　had　prayed　in　tears　for　many　hours；　and　often　bent　the　knee；　he　sunk　down　upon　the　pavement。　　After　he　had　slumbered　awhile；　he　saw　himself　carried　off　by　certain　dread　men；　and　passing　through　places　which　he　had　never　heretofore　beheld。　　He　stood　in　a　mighty　plain；　all　a…bloom　with　fresh　and　fragrant　flowers；　where　he　descried　all　manner　of　plants　of　divers　colours；　charged　with　strange　and　marvellous　fruits；　pleasant　to　the　eye　and　inviting　to　the　touch。　　The　leaves　of　the　trees　rustled　clearly　in　a　gentle　breeze；　and；　as　they　shook；　sent　forth　a　gracious　perfume　that　cloyed　not　the　sense。　　Thrones　were　set　there；　fashioned　of　the　purest　gold　and　costly　stones；　throwing　out　never　so　bright　a　lustre；　and　radiant　settles　among　wondrous　couches　too　beautiful　to　be　described。　　And　beside　them　there　were　running　waters　exceeding　clear；　and　delightful　to　the　eye。　　When　these　dread　men　had　led　him　through　this　great　and　wondrous　plain；　they　brought　him　to　a　city　that　glistered　with　light　unspeakable；　whose　walls　were　of　dazzling　gold；　with　high　uprear'd　parapets；　built　of　gems　such　as　man　hath　never　seen。　　Ah！　　who　could　describe　the　beauty　and　brightness　of　that　city？　Light；　ever　shooting　from　above；　filled　all　her　streets　with　bright　rays；　and　winged　squadrons；　each　of　them　itself　a　light；　dwelt　in　this　city；　making　such　melody　as　mortal　ear　ne'er　heard。　And　Ioasaph　heard　a　voice　crying；　〃This　is　the　rest　of　the　righteous：　this　the　gladness　of　them　that　have　pleased　the　Lord。〃　When　these　dread　men　had　carried　him　out　from　thence；　they　spake　of　taking　him　back　to　earth。　　But　he；　that　had　lost　his　heart　to　that　scene　of　joyaunce　and　heartsease；　exclaimed；　〃Reave　me　not；　reave　me　not；　I　pray　you；　of　this　unspeakable　joy；　but　grant　me　also　to　dwell　in　one　corner　of　this　mighty　city。〃　　But　they　said；　〃It　is　impossible　for　thee　to　be　there　now；　but；　with　much　toil　and　sweat；　thou　shalt　come　hither；　if　thou　constrain　thyself。〃

Thus　spake　they；　and　again　they　crossed　that　mighty　plain；　and　bare　him　to　regions　of　darkness　and　utter　woe；　where　sorrow　matched　the　brightness　which　he　had　seen　above。　　There　was　darkness　without　a　ray　of　light；　and　utter　gloom；　and　the　whole　place　was　full　of　tribulation　and　trouble。　　There　blazed　a　glowing　furnace　of　fire；　and　there　crept　the　worm　of　torment。　Revengeful　powers　were　set　over　the　furnace；　and　there　were　some　that　were　burning　piteously　in　the　fire；　and　a　voice　was　heard；　saying；　〃This　is　the　place　of　sinners；　this　the　punishment　for　them　that　have　defiled　themselves　by　foul　practices。〃　　Hereupon　Ioasaph　was　carried　thence　by　his　guides；　and；　when　he　came　to　himself；　immediately　he　trembled　from　head　to　foot；　and；　like　a　river；　his　eyes　dropped　tears；　and　all　the　comeliness　of　that　wanton　damsel　and　her　fellows　was　grown　more　loathsome　to　him　than　filth　and　rottenness。　　And　as　he　mused　in　his　heart　on　the　memory　of　the　visions；　in　longing　for　the　good　and　in　terror　of　the　evil；　he　lay　on　his　bed　utterly　unable　to　arise。

Then　was　the　king　informed　of　his　son's　sickness；　and　he　came　and　asked　what　ailed　him。　　And　Ioasaph　told　him　his　vision；　and　said；　〃Wherefore　hast　thou　laid　a　net　for　my　feet；　and　bowed　down　my　soul？　　If　the　Lord　had　not　helped　me；　my　soul　had　well　nigh　dwelt　in　hell。　　But　how　loving　is　God　unto　Israel；　even　unto　such　as　are　of　a　true　heart！　　He　hath　delivered　me　that　am　lowly　from　the　midst　of　the　dogs。　　For　I　was　sore　troubled　and　I　fell　on　sleep：　but　God　my　Saviour　from　on　high　hath　visited　me；　and　showed　me　what　joy　they　lose　that　provoke　him　and　to　what　punishments　they　subject　themselves。　　And　now；　O　my　father；　since　thou　hast　stopped　thine　ears　not　to　hear　the　voice　that　will　charm　thee　to　good；　at　least　forbid　me　not　to　walk　the　straight　road。　　For　this　I　desire；　this　I　long　for；　to　forsake　all；　and　reach　that　place；　where　Barlaam　the　servant　of　Christ　hath　his　dwelling；　and　with　him　to　finish　what　remaineth　of　my　life。　　But　if　thou　keep　me　back　by　force；　thou　shalt　quickly　see　me　die　of　grief　and　despair；　and　thou　shalt　be　no　more　called　father；　nor　have　me　to　thy　son。〃


XXXI。

Again　therefore　the　king　was　seized　with　despondency；　and　again　he　was　like　to　abjure　his　whole　way　of　life；　and　with　strange　thoughts　he　went　again　unto　his　own　palace。　　But　the　evil　spirits；　that　had　been　sent　out　by　Theudas　for　to　attack　the　young　saint；　returned　to　him；　and；　lovers　of　leasing　though　they　were；　confessed　their　shameful　defeat；　for　they　bare　visible　tokens　of　their　defeat；　upon　their　evil　countenance。　　Said　Theudas；　〃And　be　ye　so　weak　and　puny　that　ye　cannot　get　the　better　of　one　young　stripling？〃　　Then　did　the　evil　spirits；　constrained；　to　their　sorrow；　by　the　might　of　God；　bring　to　light　the　truth；　saying；　〃We　cannot　abide　even　the　sight　of　the　might　of　Christ；　and　the　symbol　of　his　Passion；　which　they　call　the　Cross。　　For；　when　that　sign　is　made；　immediately　all　we；　the　princes　of　the　air；　and　the　rulers　of　the　darkness　of　the　world；　are　utterly　routed　and　discomfited；　even　before　the　sign　is　completed。　　When　we　first　fell　upon　this　youth；　we　vexed　him　sore；　but　when　he　called　on　Christ　for　help；　and　armed　him　with　the　sign　of　the　Cross；　he　routed　us　in　angry　wise；　and　stablished　himself　in　safety。　　So　incontinent　we　found　a　weapon；　wherewith　our　chief　did　once　confront　the　first…made　man　and　prevailed　against　him。　　And　verily　we　should　have　made　this　young　man's　hope　vain；　but　again　Christ　was　called　on　for　help；　and　he　consumed　us　in　the　fire　of　his　wrath　from　above；　and　put　us　to　flight。　　We　have　determined　to　approach　the　prince　no　more。〃　Thus；　then；　did　the　evil　spirits　plainly　make　known　unto　Theudas　all　that　was　come　to　pass。

But　the　king；　perplexed　on　every　side；　again　summoned　Theudas；　and　said；　〃Most　wisest　of　men；　all　that　seemed　good　to　thee　have　we　fulfilled；　but　have　found　no　help　therein。　　But　now；　if　thou　hast　any　device　left；　we　will　make　trial　thereof。　　Peradventure　I　shall　find　some　escape　from　this　evil。〃

Then　did　Theudas　ask　for　a　meeting　with　his　son；　and　on　the　morrow　the　king　took　him　and　went　forth　to　visit　the　prince。　　The　king　sat　down　and　provoked　debate；　upbraiding　and　chiding　him　for　his　disobedience　and　stubbornness　of　mind。　　When　Ioasaph　again　maintained　his　ease；　and　loudly　declared　that　he　valued　nothing　so　much　as　the　love　of　Christ；　Theudas　came　forward　and　said；　〃Wherefore；　Ioasaph；　dost　thou　despise　our　immortal　gods；　that　thou　hast　departed　from　their　worship；　and；　thus　incensing　thy　father　the　king；　art　become　hateful　to　all　the　people？　　Dost　thou　not　owe　thy　life　to　the　gods？　　And　did　they　not　present　thee　to　the　king　in　answer　to　his　prayer；　thus　redeeming　him　from　the　bondage　of　childlessness？〃　　While　this　Theudas；　waxen　old　in　wickedness；　was　putting　forth　these　many　vain　arguments　and　useless　propositions；　and　weaving　words　about　the　preaching　of　the　Gospel；　desiring　to　turn　it　into　mockery；　and　magnify　idolatry；　Ioasaph；　the　son　of　the　heavenly　king；　and　citizen　of　that　city　which　the　Lord　hath　builded　and　not　man；　waited　a　while　and　then　said　unto　him；

〃Give　ear；　thou　abyss　of　error；　blacker　than　the　darkness　that　may　be　felt；　thou　seed　of　Babylon；　child　of　the　building　of　the　tower　of　Chalane；　whereby　the　world　was　confounded；　foolish　and　pitiable　dotard；　whose　sins　out…weigh　the　iniquity　of　the　five　cities　that　were　destroyed　by　fire　and　brimstone。　　Why　wouldest　thou　mock　at　the　preaching　of　salvation；　whereby　darkness　hath　been　made　light；　the　wanderers　have　found　the　way；　they　that　were　lost　in　dire　captivity　have　been　recalled。　　Tell　me　whether　is　better？　　To　worship　God　Almighty；　with　the　only…begotten　Son　and　the　Holy　Ghost；　God　increate　and　immortal；　the　beginning　and　well…spring　of　good；　whose　power　is　beyond　compare；　and　his　glory　incomprehensible；　before　whom　stand　thousand　thousands；　and　ten　thousand　times　ten　thousand　of　Angels　and　heavenly　hosts；　and　heaven　and　earth　are　full　of　his　glow；　by　whom　all　things　were　brought　into　being　out　of　nothing；　by　whom　everything　is　upheld　and　sustained　and　ordered　by　his　providence；　or　to　serve　deadly　devils　and　lifeless　idols；　whose　glory　and　boast　is　in　adultery　and　the　corrupting　of　boys；　and　other　works　of　iniquity　that　have　been　recorded　concerning　your　gods　in　the　books　of　your　superstition？　Have　ye　no　modesty；　ye　miser