barlaam and ioasaph-第5章

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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　thee　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　thee；　seeing　thee　to　be　wise　and　prudent；　that　thou　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　hath　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　maketh　the　foolish　wise　and　driveth　away　devils；　and　without　stint　furnisheth　its　possessor　with　everything　that　is　lovely　and　desirable。〃　　The　tutor　said；　〃Though；　to　all　seeming；　thou　art　a　man　of　staid　and　steadfast　judgment；　yet　thy　words　prove　thee　to　be　boastful　beyond　measure。　　Time　would　fail　me　to　tell　thee　the　full　tale　of　the　costly　and　precious　gems　and　pearls　that　I　have　seen。　　But　gems；　with　such　power　as　thou　tellest　of；　I　never　saw　nor　heard　of　yet。　　Nevertheless　shew　me　the　stone；　and　if　it　be　as　thou　affirmest；　I　immediately　bear　it　to　the　king's　son；　from　whom　thou　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　thou　said　that　thou　hast　never　seen　or　heard　of　such　powers　and　virtues；　for　my　speech　to　thee　is　on　no　ordinary　matter；　but　on　a　wondrous　and　a　great。　　But；　as　thou　desiredst　to　behold　it；　listen　to　my　words。

〃This　exceeding　precious　gem；　amongst　these　its　powers　and　virtues；　possesseth　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　hath；　and　his　wits　as　well。　　Now　I；　that　am　initiated　in　the　physician's　art；　observe　that　thine　eyes　are　not　healthy；　and　I　fear　lest　I　may　cause　thee　to　lose　even　the　eyesight　that　thou　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　thou　then　negligent　herein；　nor　rob　thy　master　of　so　wondrous　a　boon。〃　　The　other　answered；　〃If　this　be　so；　in　no　wise　show　me　the　gem；　for　my　life　hath　been　polluted　by　many　sins；　and　also；　as　thou　sayest；　I　am　not　possest　of　good　eyesight。　　But　I　am　won　by　thy　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　hath　narrated；　thou　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　thine　excellent　majesty。　　All　that　hath　been　signified　to　thee　from　me　is　true　and　may　not　be　gainsaid。　　But；　except　I　first　make　trial　of　thy　mind；　it　is　not　lawful　to　declare　to　thee　this　mystery；　for　my　master　saith；　'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　thine　heart　fruit…bearing　ground；　and　good；　I　shall　not　be　slow　to　plant　therein　the　heavenly　seed；　and　manifest　to　thee　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　thee；　and　things　that　accompany　salvation；'　　how　that　thou　shalt　see　the　priceless　stone；　and　it　shall　be　given　thee　in　the　light　of　that　stone　to　become　light；　and　bring　forth　fruit　an　hundredfold。　　Aye；　for　thy　sake　I　gave　diligence　and　accomplished　a　long　journey；　to　shew　thee　things　which　thou　hast　never　seen；　and　teach　thee　things　which　thou　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　thou　saidest；　but　I　shall　receive　the　word　kindly；　and　guard　it　wisely。　　So　if　thou　knowest　any　such　like　thing；　conceal　it　not　from　me；　but　declare　it。　　When　I　heard　that　thou　were　come　from　a　far　country；　my　spirit　rejoiced；　and　I　had　good　hope　of　obtaining　through　thee　that　which　I　desire。　　Wherefore　I　called　thee　straightway　into　my　presence；　and　received　thee　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　thy　deeds；　and　worthy　of　thy　royal　majesty；　seeing　that　thou　hast　paid　no　heed　to　my　mean　show；　but　hast　devoted　thyself　to　the　hope　that　lieth　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　thou；　who　hast　had　such　dread　of　the　herald　of　thy　peer　and　brother　（against　whom　thy　conscience　doth　not　accuse　thee　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　thy　folly　that　I　played　thee　this　turn；　even　as　I　will　shortly　convict　of　vanity　those　that　prompted　thy　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　thou　also　done；　in　that　thou　hast　received　me　in　good　hope；　wherein