d on horseback,
and gave chase, and caught the pet fawn, and brought her home again,
and set her in captivity for the time to come. But of the residue of
the herd, some they killed, and roughly handled others. Even so I fear
that it may happen unto us also if thou follow me; that I may be
deprived of thy fellowship, and bring many ills to my comrades, and
everlasting damnation to thy father. But this is the will of the Lord
concerning time; thou now indeed must be signed with the seal of holy
Baptism, and abide in this country, cleaving to all righteousness, and
the fulfilling of the commandments of Christ; but when the Giver of all
good things shall give thee opportunity, then shalt thou come to us,
and for the remainder of this present life we shall dwell together; and
I trust in the Lord also that in the world to come we shall not be
parted asunder."

Again Ioasaph, in tears, said unto him, "If this be the Lord's
pleasure, his will be done! For the rest, perfect me in holy Baptism.
Then receive at my hands money and garments for the support and
clothing both of thyself and thy companions, and depart to the place of
thy monastic life, and the peace of God be thy guard! But cease not to
make supplications on my behalf, that I may not fall away from my hope,
but may soon be able to reach thee, and in peace profound may enjoy thy
ministration."

Barlaam answered, "Nought forbiddeth thee to receive the seal of
Christ. Make thee ready now; and, the Lord working with thee, thou
shalt be perfected. But as concerning the money that thou didst
promise to bestow on my companions, how shall this be, that thou, a
poor man, shouldest give alms to the rich? The rich always help the
poor, not the needy the wealthy. And the least of all my comrades is
incomparably richer than thou. But I trust in the mercies of God that
thou too shalt soon be passing rich as never afore: and then thou wilt
not be ready to distribute."

Ioasaph said unto him, "Make plain to me this saying; how the least of
all thy companions surpasseth me in riches--thou saidest but now that
they lived in utter penury, and were pinched by extreme poverty and why
thou callest me a poor man, but sayest that, when I shall be passing
rich, I, who am ready to distribute, shall be ready to distribute no
more."

Barlaam answered, "I said not that these men were pinched by poverty,
but that they plume themselves on their inexhaustible wealth. For to
be ever a